(EAW intro plays)

(Showdown opens up with a recap of last week’s show. Bea Valentine yet again celebrates a new defense but three men in Impact, Rex and Joso respond trying to prove they deserve a shot at her, before finally, all four start to brawl and security stops them. The tag match between Grace, Wynter, Sofia and Yasmina ends in a no contest as all four begin brawling between each other, before then being pulled by security. Kennedy tells Airi she has earned a future title shot. Diego and Circe defeat some local competitors before they are forced to run away when Milli Banks tries to beat their ass. Mia Santoro defeats Tafae Toa by countout to get a N1C at the National Elite Championship as KELIN costs Tafae the win. Cody Maverick is nowhere near done with Silas World, and yet again El Duque tries to mock him, and Cody wants none of his bullshit, he wants another match and finally they come to a consensus, one more match, Hair vs Mask, and as Cody accepts, the two fight and Cody stands tall. In the main event between Joso and Rex, it ends in a no contest as Impact gets himself involved, Bea comes out after and yet again the four of them break into a brawl. The closing segment is Pandora trying to come to terms with the loss at Territorial Invasion, not sure where to go from there and with Silas Mason trying to take advantage of her, trying to convince her to come back, Silas ends up getting hit in the face by her, Donovan comes to attack her, with Kelton coming to the rescue, Cataclysm rush to attack them with Halsey and Damien coming as well for back up. Silas World are sent running and finally Pandora lays down the challenge and she shouts Temple of Trials, being clear on where they have to go to end this.)

(The recap ends, and it is replaced with the song “Brick Wall” by a Day to Remember, as the camera pans around the inside of the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Fireworks shoot out of the entrance stage as the camera pans around the excited crowd cheering loudly. The camera ends up panning over to the commentary table with Deadprez, Gavin Kirkland and Sienna Swann, as they eventually speak up.)

Deadprez: WELCOME TO SATURDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN! OH YEAH, DAWG! WHAT AN INSANE WAY TO END LAST WEEK, AND NOW WE PUSH FORWARD TOWARDS THE LAST STAND WITH A CLEAR WAR READY TO END IN CHAOS!

Sienna Swann: We will figure out more about that later in the night, sweetie! But aside from that, we wrestle here as always! We will see Clayton Golde fight against Halsey Neel, the Jones Brothers will be in action, the King of Elite Cody Maverick will fight the National Elite Champion Akari Kiyoko and in the main event, Bea Valentine teams up with Impact to fight against Rex McAllister and Joso! Can they co-exist?!

Gina Romano: LET’S NOT WASTE ANYMORE TIME! LET’S START THIS RIGHT OFF WITH OUR BEAUTIFUL GENERAL MANAGER, KENNEDY STREET!!! :blessed:

(The camera transitions from the commentary table to the entrance ramp where we see General Manager Kennedy Street coming down the ramp as the crowd starts to cheer as she gives a small smile to the crowd as she makes her way to the ring.)

Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen! At this time, please welcome THE GENERAL MANAGER OF SATURDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN! KENNEDY STREET!

Deadprez: What a great way to kick off this edition of Saturday Night Showdown than with the General Manager of Showdown. After last week, she certainly is coming to the ring with a mission.

Gavin Kirkland: And that mission is to make Season 20 the year of Showdown. She wasn’t happy about what happened at Territorial Invasion and she is dead set on making sure that the blue brand gets the spotlight this season.

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, with The Last Stand coming up soon, she is no doubt looking to make the best matches possible for the event and show how truly talented the Showdown Elitists are. Let’s hear what our amazing General Manager has to say.

(Gina hands Kennedy a microphone as Kennedy gives her a polite nod and smile as she walks up the ring steps to enter the ring. Kennedy stands front and center as she lets the crowd cheer for a moment longer before they start to quiet down and she begins to speak.)

Kennedy Street: GOOD EVENING, PORTLAND!

(The crowd immediately starts to cheer loudly again at the mention of their town, which gets Kennedy to smile.)

Kennedy Street: Kennie loves how excited you are right now for all the Showdown action. Let me tell you that tonight’s show is action packed from top to bottom. 

Kennedy Street: But that isn’t the only Showdown show that is going to be filled with top to bottom action. Coming up very soon, Kennie and the Showdown Elitists are going to present the major event THE LAST STAND!

Crowd: AOIGAGHAOGAOGIHOHGAOGAJAOIHJGOIAG!

(Kennedy smirks and nods her head in agreement with the cheers from the crowd before she continues.)

Kennedy Street: So let Kennie go ahead and get started by making some matches official. How about we start with the big one first. After last week’s chaos at the end of Showdown, it’s official. At The Last Stand, we are going to have THE TEMPLE OF TRIALS!!

Crowd: AORIGJAOGHJOAIRGJHAROGHJAOIHRJG!!!!!

Kennedy Street: It’s going to be Pandora Paisley, Halsey Neel, Jon Kelton, and Damien Kutcher to take on Silas World inside the Temple of Trials… with one small condition.

Kennedy Street: As you can already see, the numbers are uneven for the teams. So, Silas. Honey, unless you are going to get some gear and wrestle yourself, you need to find a fourth member for your team or Silas World will compete at a disadvantage. 

(The crowd is still cheering as Kennedy continues.)

Kennedy Street: How about Kennie adds some title fights into the mix. For winning the Futures match at Territorial Invasion, Airi Miyamune will challenge…FOR THE A CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE LAST STAND against whoever wins the Specialists Championship match tomorrow night on Voltage.

Kennedy Street: Not only that, Akari Kiyoko will defend the National Elite Championship against the Number One Contender…MIA SANTORO!! But that’s not all.

Kennedy Street: It’s been over five years since EAW has seen a match like this, but at The Last Stand this rivalry comes to a boiling point as Cody Maverick will face El Duque… IN A HAIR VERSUS MASK MATCH!!! Honey, we will see either Cody Maverick get his head shaved bald or we see El Duque unmask and the mystery gets revealed. 

(Before Kennedy can continue, we hear the sounds of “Gloria” by the London Symphony Orchestra start to play throughout the arena. Seconds later, the crowd comes alive once again as the Answers World Champion, Bea Valentine, enters the arena. She raises the Answers World Championship in the air for the crowd to see before she heads to the ring.)

Sienna Swann: Well, Sweetie, things just got interesting. Because here comes the Answers World Champion, Bea Valentine. She is normally in a very good mood, but after the last few weeks, Bea isn’t happy considering the brawls and arguments she has been in and they all surrounding the Answers World Championship.

Deadprez: Last week made it clear that Bea Valentine is willing to defend the title against any and all challengers who are willing to step up and step up they did.

Gavin Kirkland: Bea had a tough title defense at Territorial Invasion and you have to think that she is already looking towards who she is going to defend the title against at The Last Stand. The question is who is she going to defend the Answers World Championship against? I guess we might find out here as Bea looks like she has something to say.

(Bea enters the ring after grabbing a microphone. She adjusts the title on her shoulder as she walks over to Kennedy and offers a polite smile. Kennedy gives a nod of acknowledgement in return as Bea’s music slowly fades off and Bea begins to speak.)

Bea Valentine: Ms. Street. I sincerely apologize for my intrusion while you were speaking. I hope you understand.

(Kennedy shakes her head with a polite look on her face as she puts her hand out, telling Bea not to worry about it.)

Kennedy Street: You are completely fine, Bea. Kennie is used to this and at least you were more polite about it compared to others. Now how can Kennie help you, Bea?

(Bea nods in understanding and looks at the crowd before she answers Kennedy.)

Bea Valentine: I am going to go ahead and ask the simple question, Ms. Street. I think it is safe to say that I am going to be defending the Answers World Championship at The Last Stand, correct?

(Kennedy offers a smile in response.)

Kennedy Street: That is a pretty safe assumption, Bea. You are correct. You will be defending your Answers World Championship at The Last Stand.

(The crowd cheers in the excitement of the announcement of a World Title defense.)

Kennedy Street: That actually leads Kennie to her next match announcement, Bea.

Bea Valentine: Oh yeah?

Kennedy Street: Of course. I was just getting ready to tell the world who you will be defending your Answers World Championship against.

(Kennedy stops for a second and sees that Bea has a look on her face and wonders what is wrong.)

Kennedy Street: Is there something wrong, Bea?

Bea Valentine: Oh no. Nothing is the matter. You see, that’s exactly why I came out here to talk to you.

Kennedy Street: Ohhhh. Alright. Were you wanting a little bit of input on who you were wanting to defend your title against?

Bea Valentine: You can say that.

Kennedy Street: I mean Kennie is all ears about matches on her show. Now, Bea. As you saw last week, there were plenty of viable contenders ready to challenge you for the Answers World Championship.

Bea Valentine: There are.

Kennedy Street: Now if you had a preference, who would you like to defend your title against?

(Bea goes silent but it doesn’t take her long to give Kennedy an answer.)

Bea Valentine: All of them.

(The crowd goes wild hearing that declaration.)

Kennedy Street: Excuse me.

Bea Valentine: Ms. Kennedy, that’s what I came out here to tell you. I don’t want just one of them at The Last Stand. Impact. Joso. Rex McAllister. I want all three of them in the ring. I said I would take on all challengers and I meant it. I want all three of them in a four way match at The Last Stand.

(Kennedy looks at Bea for a moment and considers the request Bea has.)

Kennedy Street: Are you sure this is what you want?

Bea Valentine: Absolutely. I am not going to let anybody push me around and if I am going to show why I am a fighting champion, I am not going to be afraid of having three challengers thrown at me. 

(Kennedy nods in understanding as she thinks about it once again before giving Bea an answer.)

Kennedy Street: Sweetheart, if you want all three of them… YOU GOT IT! At The Last Stand it’s going to be Bea Valentine defending the Answers World Championship against Impact, Joso, AND Rex McAllister.

(The crowd cheers loudly as the match is made official.)

Kennedy Street: But first….

(Bea looks at Kennedy confused for a moment.)

Kennedy Street: First you need to survive tonight’s main event. 

(Bea smirks and nods.)

Bea Valentine: That’s completely fine with me. 

Kennedy Street: Well there you go. Good luck tonight.

(Kennedy smiles as she leaves the ring leaving Bea to hold her title high in the air once again for the crowd.)

Gavin Kirkland: Holy crap! What an announcement. So many great matches being made for The Last Stand. National Elite Championship. Airi gets a shot at the Specialists Title. Hair vs. Mask. 

Sienna Swann: Not only that, we have the infamous Temple of Trials returning as well as now a fatal four way match for the Answers World Championship. Sweetie, what a card we have.

Deadprez: So many high profile matches on tap for The Last Stand that any of them could steal the show. Things are starting to heat up tonight on Showdown, but after the break, we will have our opening contest. Stay with us.

(The final shot shows Kennedy walking up the ramp as Bea continues to hold her title as the camera shot fades into a commercial break.)

Gina Ramano: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!

(Betty (Get Money) by Yung Gravy hits and a wall of heat from the crowd as golden smoke rolls across the stage. Clayton Golde saunters through the curtain with both arms spread wide, rotating slowly in the spotlight. He straightens his ring jacket and descends the ramp at his own pace.)

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST!…BILLED FROM HIS GOLDEN COMPOUND IN ROMANIA!… WEIGHING IN AT 210 POUNDS! CLAYTONNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!! GOOOLLLLDDDDDEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(The drumbeat of “No One Knows” by Queens of the Stone Age. The stage floods deep red as the guttural guitar riff ignites. Halsey Neel strides out with both arms outstretched, chin tilted skyward, soaking in the reaction from every corner of the building with a smirk. She cracks her neck, gives the ring a slow once-over, and begins her descent.)

Gina Romano: AND HIS OPPONENT!…FROM BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND! HAAAAAAAAALSEEEEEEYYYY!!!!!!!! NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Deadprez: THE BELL RINGS AND HALSEY DOESN’T WAIT A BREATH! SHE EXPLODES OUT OF THAT CORNER AND LEVELS GOLDE WITH A RUNNING FOREARM SMASH TO THE CHEST BEFORE HE EVEN SETTLES INTO A STANCE! GOLDE STAGGERS BACK INTO THE FAR BUCKLE AND HALSEY IS ALREADY ON TOP OF HIM— EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! THE BACK OF HIS HEAD CRACKS OFF THE TOP BUCKLE EACH TIME AND GOLDE’S ARMS COME UP BUT THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO WITH THEM!

Gavin Kirkland: THERE IS NO FEELING-OUT PROCESS TONIGHT! HALSEY NEEL HAS ARRIVED TO THIS MATCH WITH INTENT AND THIS CROWD KNOWS IT FROM THE OPENING SECOND!

Sienna Swann: Both of Clayton’s hands are up and he’s appealing to the referee who barely had time to get out of the way, sweetie. He wanted a moment to compose himself and Halsey Neel is giving him absolutely none of it!

Deadprez: HALSEY WRENCHES GOLDE OUT OF THE CORNER BY THE ARM, SENDS HIM HARD ACROSS THE RING INTO THE FAR ROPES— GOLDE RETURNS AND DUCKS UNDER THE LARIAT! SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE SECOND ROPE AND CATCHES HALSEY ON THE RETURN WITH A DROPKICK THAT KNOCKS HER SIDEWAYS! 

Gavin Kirkland: GOLDE BOUGHT HIMSELF A SPLIT SECOND WITH THAT SPRINGBOARD COUNTER AND HE SCRAMBLES FOR HER— HALSEY KIPS UP INSTANTLY AND GOLDE STOPS DEAD IN HIS TRACKS, RETREATING THREE FULL STEPS BACK TOWARD THE ROPES!

Sienna Swann: He did not enjoy what he just saw, sweetie.

Deadprez: GOLDE ATTEMPTS A COLLAR-AND-ELBOW TIE-UP AND HALSEY IMMEDIATELY BREAKS THE GRIP, TURNS THE WRIST, AND DRIVES HIM DOWN TO THE CANVAS WITH A HAMMERLOCK! SHE GRINDS IT AGAINST THE SHOULDER BLADE AND GOLDE YELPS AND CLAWS FRANTICALLY FOR A ROPE— HALSEY DRAGS HIM BACK TO CENTER BEFORE HIS FINGERS FIND ONE!

Gavin Kirkland: THE ESCAPE ROUTE IS CLOSED! HALSEY HAS GOLDE ANCHORED IN THE CENTER OF THE RING AND IS METHODICALLY TAKING THAT SHOULDER APART WHILE GOLDE TRIES EVERY COMBINATION OF WORDS HE KNOWS TO TALK HIS WAY OUT OF IT!

Sienna Swann: Clayton Golde can do nothing unless he finds his way to the ropes, which Halsey is not going to let him do.

Deadprez: GOLDE WRENCHES TO A BASE AND SPINS — HALSEY RELEASES THE HAMMERLOCK, CATCHES THE ARM, EXECUTES A SHORT-ARM PULL AND DRIVES GOLDE FACE-FIRST INTO THE CANVAS WITH A HAMMERLOCK DDT! THE IMPACT IS NASTY AND HALSEY IMMEDIATELY FLOATS INTO THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Gavin Kirkland: SHOULDER UP AT TWO! GOLDE TWISTS TOWARD THE ROPES! HALSEY IS ALREADY THERE, CUTS THE ESCAPE OFF WITH A BOOT TO THE RIBS, HAULS HIM BACK TO CENTER— SNAP SUPLEX THAT CRATERS HIM INTO THE MAT! BACK ON HIM IMMEDIATELY! DOUBLE KNEE DROP ACROSS THE CHEST! ANOTHER COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Sienna Swann: TWO AGAIN! Clayton is getting absolutely no time to think in this match and that is by design, sweetie.

Deadprez: HALSEY DRAGS GOLDE TO THE CORNER AND POSTS HIM AGAINST THE BUCKLES— A SERIES OF MEASURED CHOPS THAT ECHO EACH TIME THEY LAND! GOLDE’S CHEST IS TURNING RED AND HIS ARMS KEEP COMING UP AND THEY KEEP GETTING SLAPPED BACK DOWN!

Gavin Kirkland: THE CROWD GOING CRAZY WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE! 

Deadprez: HALSEY STEPS BACK— RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT INTO THE CORNER! SHE GRABS THE WRIST AND SENDS GOLDE HARD ACROSS THE RING! CHARGES IN— RUNNING HIP ATTACK DRIVES HIM CHEST-FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! GOLDE STAGGERS! HALSEY SPINS HIM BY THE SHOULDER! HOOKS THE NECK— “WHAT’S THE STORY MORNING GLORY”? THE AIR RAID CRASH NECKBREAKER PLANTS GOLDE IN THE CENTER OF THE RING AND THE CROWD SURGES!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Gavin Kirkland: TWO COUNT! THIS CROWD IS ON ITS FEET AND BARELY FIVE MINUTES HAVE ELAPSED!

Sienna Swann: Clayton Golde is receiving exactly what he signed up for, sweetie. Every syllable of it.

Deadprez: HALSEY BACK ON HIM IMMEDIATELY— PULLS GOLDE INTO A FIREMAN’S CARRY, SHIFTS HIM INTO A GUTBUSTER ACROSS THE KNEE! GOLDE FOLDS AROUND HER LEG AND CRUMPLES TO THE CANVAS! HALSEY STEPS OVER AND DRIVES MEASURED STOMPS ACROSS THE SPINE BEFORE STEPPING BACK TO MEASURE THE GAP!

Gavin Kirkland: SHE IS DISMANTLING THE GOLDEN GOD AND GOLDE IS ALREADY CALCULATING HIS ESCAPE ROUTES!

(Clayton drags himself toward the apron on his hands and knees. As the referee moves into position, Clayton reaches upward and rakes both thumbs across Halsey’s eyes the instant she leans in to collect him. The referee sees nothing.)

Deadprez: EYE RAKE! GOLDE WITH AN EYE RAKE AND THE REFEREE WAS OUT OF POSITION AND DIDN’T CATCH A SINGLE FRAME OF IT! HALSEY STAGGERS AWAY CLUTCHING HER EYES AND GOLDE IS IMMEDIATELY ON HER!

Gavin Kirkland: OF COURSE! OF COURSE HE FINDS A WAY! THE MOMENT HALSEY BLINKS HE WILL FIND SOMETHING UNDERHANDED TO SWING THIS IN HIS DIRECTION!

Clayton Golde: (Off-Mic) That was a REFLEX! My hand grazed her eyelashes! You’re looking into it way too much!

Deadprez: GOLDE DRIVES A KNEE INTO THE MIDSECTION AS HALSEY STRAIGHTENS— RUNNING NECKBREAKER PUTS HER DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THIS MATCH! GOLDE INTO THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Gavin Kirkland: BARELY ONE! Golde looks delighted with himself and immediately starts telling the referee to pick up the pace on the count!

Deadprez: GOLDE HAULS HALSEY UP AND SENDS HER INTO THE ROPES! CATCHES HER ON THE RETURN WITH A SPINEBUSTER THAT PUTS HER DOWN HARD! HE BOUNCES OFF THE FAR ROPES, AS HALSEY STRUGGLES TO MAKE HER WAY UP— “DEMONETIZED”! THE STANDING DISCUS ELBOW CONNECTS AS HALSEY STARTS TO RISE AND SHE GOES RIGHT BACK DOWN! INTO THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Gavin Kirkland: TWO! GOLDE ARGUES THE COUNT BUT THAT WAS FIRMLY A TWO!!

Deadprez: GOLDE HAULS HALSEY UP, DRIVES HER INTO THE CORNER, AND STARTS UNLOADING WITH SHOULDER CHARGES INTO THE MIDSECTION! THE REFEREE STEPS IN WITH A WARNING AND GOLDE BACKS OFF WITH BOTH HANDS RAISED— THEN THE INSTANT THE REFEREE TURNS TO ATTEND TO HALSEY, GOLDE DRIVES A KNEE INTO THE BACK OF HER THIGH AND GRABS A FISTFUL OF HAIR AND DEPOSITS HER TO THE CANVAS!

Gavin Kirkland: THE REFEREE SPUN AROUND HALF A BEAT TOO LATE AND MISSED EVERY BIT OF THAT! GOLDE DROPS INTO THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Sienna Swann: STILL TWO! Halsey Neel is not losing this match on the strength of Clayton Golde’s cheating, sweetie. 

Deadprez: GOLDE DROPS DOWN AND LOCKS IN A GROUNDED SLEEPER HOLD! WRAPPING BOTH ARMS AROUND HALSEY’S NECK AND TRYING TO DRAIN THE PACE OUT OF THIS MATCH COMPLETELY! HE KNOWS HE CANNOT OUTWORK HER IN A STRAIGHT EXCHANGE SO HE IS TRYING TO CHANGE THE TEMPO ENTIRELY!

Gavin Kirkland: THIS IS GOLDE WRESTLING HIS MATCH NOW! FORCE THE PACE DOWN, HOLD HER THERE, STEAL THE POINTS WHEREVER HE CAN! THE CROWD IS WILLING HALSEY BACK INTO THIS!

Sienna Swann: Every second that holds on is a second Halsey can’t use her athleticism, her technical wrestling— and Clayton knows that better than anything else happening in this ring right now, sweetie.

Deadprez: HALSEY FIGHTS THROUGH IT! BACK ELBOW INTO GOLDE’S RIBS! A SECOND! A THIRD! HIS GRIP BEGINS TO LOOSEN AND HALSEY DRIVES A FOURTH ELBOW THAT BREAKS THE HOLD ENTIRELY! GOLDE STAGGERS— HALSEY SPINS! HALF-NELSON SLAM THAT CRATERS GOLDE INTO THE CANVAS!

Gavin Kirkland: AND THIS CROWD COMES ALIVE! HALSEY IS BACK AND SHE IS NOT SLOW ABOUT IT!

Deadprez: HALSEY FIRES A PENALTY KICK INTO GOLDE’S CHEST THE INSTANT HE REACHES A SEATED POSITION! THE IMPACT IS AUDIBLE IN THE BACK ROW! PULLS HIM TO STANDING! GRABS THE WRIST! YANKS HIM IN— “A NIGHT AT THE OPERA”! THE RIPCORD QUESTION MARK KICK CATCHES GOLDE ON THE TEMPLE AS HE SPINS AROUND!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEE—

Sienna Swann: OH! THIS CROWD THOUGHT THAT WAS IT, SWEETIE!

Deadprez: HALSEY BACK TO HER FEET! DRAGS GOLDE TO CENTER RING, DROPS A MEASURED ELBOW ACROSS THE COLLARBONE, AND STEPS OVER INTO A GROUNDED OCTOPUS STRETCH! THE SUBMISSION IS LOCKED IN AND GOLDE IS CONTORTED AT AN ANGLE HIS BODY WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR!

Gavin Kirkland: THE FULL TECHNICAL ARSENAL OF HALSEY NEEL ON DISPLAY RIGHT NOW AND GOLDE IS SCREAMING! THE REFEREE IS DOWN ASKING IF HE WANTS TO SUBMIT AND THE CROWD IS BEGGING HIM TO!

Deadprez: GOLDE INCHING! CLAWING! HIS FINGERTIPS GRAZE THE BOTTOM ROPE AND THE REFEREE CALLS FOR THE BREAK! HALSEY RELEASES CLEANLY AT THE FOUR COUNT— THEN IMMEDIATELY DRIVES A SOCCER KICK INTO THE SMALL OF GOLDE’S BACK THE INSTANT THE HOLD RELEASES! GOLDE STAGGERS TO HIS FEET USING THE ROPES AND IMMEDIATELY APPEALS TO THE REFEREE ABOUT THE KICK— AND GOLDE USES EVERY SECOND OF THAT ARGUMENT TO GATHER HIMSELF! 

Sienna Swann: HALSEY CHARGES IN— AND GOLDE SIDESTEPS AND SHOVES HER SHOULDER-FIRST INTO THE RING POST! HALSEY’S SHOULDER DRIVES INTO THE STEEL AND SHE CLUTCHES IT AS SHE STAGGERS BACK!

Gavin Kirkland: OH NO! THE SHOULDER INTO THE RING POST CAN DO A LOT OF DAMAGE AND CHANGE THE MOMENTUM IN THIS MATCH IN THIS MATCH!

Deadprez: AND GOLDE KNOWS THAT! POUNCES ON THAT SHOULDER IMMEDIATELY— SHOULDER BREAKER DRIVES THE INJURED ARM INTO THE MAT! HALSEY GRIMACES AND GOLDE DROPS INTO THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Gavin Kirkland: KICK OUT BUT GOLDE GOES RIGHT BACK TO THE SHOULDER! WRENCHING THE ARM AGAINST THE JOINT AND LEANING IN WITH ALL OF HIS WEIGHT! HE HAS FOUND SOMETHING AND HE IS NOT LETTING GO OF IT!

Deadprez: HALSEY TWISTS AND DELIVERS A SHARP HEADBUTT THAT STAGGERS GOLDE SIDEWAYS! SHE FIRES A FOREARM! THAT SNAPS HIS HEAD BACK AND THE CROWD IS WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE! THE SHOULDER IS AFFECTING HER BUT THE FIRE IN HALSEY NEEL IS NOT SOMETHING THAT GOES OUT EASILY!

Sienna Swann: THERE SHE IS! THERE SHE IS, SWEETIE!

Deadprez: HALSEY SNATCHES THE WRIST— “REALITY KILLED THE VIDEO STAR”! THE MATRIX EVASION ROLLS UNDER GOLDE’S DESPERATE LARIAT AND HALSEY COMES UP INTO A FULL HEAD OF STEAM AND DRIVES A SPEAR INTO GOLDE’S MIDSECTION THAT FOLDS HIM IN HALF AND SENDS BOTH OF THEM SPRAWLING ACROSS THE CANVAS!

Gavin Kirkland: THIS CROWD IS LOSING THEIR MINDS! HALSEY JUST TURNED THIS MATCH ON A SEQUENCE AND GOLDE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY EMPTIED OUT!

Deadprez: HALSEY HAULS HERSELF UPRIGHT! GOLDE DESPERATELY GRABS FOR HER BOOT TO SLOW HER DOWN AND SHE SHAKES FREE AND DRIVES A PENALTY KICK INTO HIS CHEST! PULLS HIM TO STANDING— PUMPHANDLE EXPLODER SUPLEX THAT ARCS GOLDE ACROSS THE RING AND PLANTS HIM AGAINST THE FAR BUCKLE!

Gavin Kirkland: THIS CROWD KNOWS SOMETHING IS COMING!

Deadprez: HALSEY MEASURES GOLDE AS HE PEELS HIMSELF OFF THE TURNBUCKLE! GRABS THE WRIST AND YANKS HIM IN— “THE BENDS”! THE KONDO CLUTCH IS LOCKED IN! THE ARM IS TRAPPED AND THE NECK IS CRANKED AND THE REFEREE IS IN GOLDE’S FACE ASKING IF HE WANTS TO SUBMIT!

Gavin Kirkland: THE ARM IS TRAPPED AND THE NECK IS CRANKED AND GOLDE HAS NO WAY OUT OF THIS UNLESS HE FINDS A ROPE!

Sienna Swann: TAP, SWEETIE! JUST TAP!

Deadprez: GOLDE IS SCREAMING AND THE REFEREE IS HOVERING— 

Gavin Kirkland: GOLDE’S BOOT FINDS THE BOTTOM ROPE AND THE REFEREE CALLS FOR THE BREAK! THE ROPES SAVE HIM! 

Deadprez: HALSEY DOESN’T GIVE HIM A BREATH! SHE DRAGS GOLDE BACK TO THE CENTER OF THE RING, DROPS HIM, AND STEPS BACK! SHE IS SIZING HIM UP AND THIS ENTIRE BUILDING IS RISING IN ANTICIPATION! GOLDE GETS TO HIS FEET AND DOESN’T KNOW WHAT IS COMING! HALSEY CHARGES— AND GOLDE DROPS TO THE CANVAS AND PULLS THE TOP ROPE DOWN! HALSEY GOES OVER THE TOP AND LANDS ON THE APRON!

Gavin Kirkland: HALSEY CATCHES HERSELF ON THE APRON! GOLDE STAGGERS TO HIS FEET AND CHARGES AT HER! HALSEY HEADBUTTS HIM BACK INTO THE RING AND SPRINGBOARDS— GOLDE CATCHES HER MID-AIR AND DRIVES A FALLING POWERBOMB INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Sienna Swann: TWO AND A HALF AND HALSEY PRESSES THE SHOULDER UP, SWEETIE!

Deadprez: GOLDE SLAMS HIS PALMS ON THE MAT AND HAULS HALSEY UPRIGHT — TRIES TO EXECUTE THE LAW OF ATTRACTION, GOING FOR THE ARM-TRAPPED BOSTON CRAB — HALSEY FIGHTS THE POSITIONING! TWISTS AND DROPS GOLDE DOWN INTO A SMALL PACKAGE OF HER OWN!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gavin Kirkland: NEARLY! GOLDE ESCAPES AT TWO AND A HALF AND BOTH ARE BACK TO THEIR FEET!

Sienna Swann: Halsey Neel will not stay down for anyone, let alone this man, sweetie.

Deadprez: GOLDE FIRES A DESPERATE LARIAT— HALSEY DUCKS! SPINS AND LOCKS IN A FULL NELSON! GOLDE SCRAMBLING, REACHING FOR ANYTHING SOLID! HALSEY IS DRIVING HIM DOWN! SHE IS TRANSITIONING INTO THE “QUEEN IS DEAD”— THE CRADLE FULL NELSON LEADING INTO THE WHEELBARROW SUPLEX AND GOLDE GRABS THE REFEREE’S SHIRT! THE REFEREE IS TANGLED! THE HOLD BREAKS! THE REFEREE WARNS GOLDE AND GOLDE RAISES BOTH HANDS APOLOGETICALLY WHILE EXPLAINING THAT HE STUMBLED!

Gavin Kirkland: GOLDE USED THE REFEREE AS A HUMAN SHIELD!

Deadprez: HALSEY FURIOUS NOW— CHARGES GOLDE AGAINST THE ROPES  AND GOLDE DUCKS AND REACHES INTO HIS WAISTBAND AND PRODUCES A LOADED OBJECT! HALSEY TURNS BACK TOWARD HIM AND GOLDE DRIVES IT ACROSS HER HEAD AS SHE CLOSES THE DISTANCE! HALSEY DROPS! THE REFEREE DID NOT SEE IT AND GOLDE SHOVES THE OBJECT BACK INTO HIS WAISTBAND BEFORE ANYONE CAN CONFIRM WHAT IT WAS!

Gavin Kirkland: WHAT WAS THAT?! DID GOLDE JUST PULL SOMETHING OUT OF HIS TRUNKS?! HALSEY WENT DOWN AND THE REFEREE IS COMPLETELY IN THE DARK!

Sienna Swann: I SAW SOMETHING AND I CANNOT TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS BUT I CAN TELL YOU IT DID NOT BELONG IN THAT RING, SWEETIE!

Deadprez: GOLDE DROPS INTO THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Gavin Kirkland: HALSEY GETS THE SHOULDER UP AT THE LAST SECOND AND GOLDE CANNOT BELIEVE IT!

Deadprez: GOLDE HAULS HALSEY TO HER FEET AND TRIES TO SPIN HER INTO “THE GOLDE PILL”! THE ROTATING FLATLINER — HALSEY SLIPS FREE, SPINS GOLDE AROUND! DROPS HIM WITH “WHAT’S THE STORY MORNING GLORY”? THE AIR RAID CRASH NECKBREAKER SPIKES HIM DOWN FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT AND THE CROWD DETONATES!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Gavin Kirkland: SO CLOSE! THE SHOULDER IS OFF THE CANVAS BY THE ABSOLUTE THINNEST POSSIBLE MARGIN AND HALSEY CANNOT BELIEVE IT EITHER!

Sienna Swann: He is surviving on instinct and nothing else at this point, sweetie.

Deadprez: HALSEY PULLS GOLDE BACK TO CENTER— LOCKS THE ARMS! SHE IS POSITIONING HIM FOR “THE WALL”! THE NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB AND THIS MATCH IS ABOUT TO BE CONCLUDED WITH THE MOST EMPHATIC POSSIBLE EXCLAMATION POINT! GOLDE IS FIGHTING IT! WRENCHING BUT HALSEY IS GETTING THE LIFT! 

(Halsey has Golde off the canvas, moving toward vertical. But then—)

Sienna Swann: WAIT A MINUTE!

Gavin Kirkland: CATACLYSM! RYAN WILSON AND VINCENT MONDRIAN ARE STEPPING OUT ONTO THAT RAMP!

Deadprez: HALSEY’S GRIP LOOSENS! HER EYES SNAP TOWARD THE RAMP AND GOLDE DROPS FREE! HALSEY TURNS AND SQUARES HERSELF TOWARD WILSON AND MONDRIAN! SHE IS READY FOR CATACLYSM TO JUMP IN AN INTERFERE IN THIS MATCH! 

Sienna Swann: BUT I THINK THEY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED?! HALSEY BEHIND YOU—

(SMALL PACKAGE FROM GOLDE! HIS HAND DIGS DEEP INTO A FISTFUL OF TIGHTS!)

Gavin Kirkland: GOLDE HAS HER ROLLED UP! THE REFEREE DROPS AND DOESN’T SEE IT!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Gina Romano: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… CLAYTONNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOOOOLLLLLLDDDDDDEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

Clayton Golde: (Off-Mic) PREMIUM CONTENT! ALL OF YOU GO SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLDEN GOSPEL RIGHT NOW! THIS IS WHAT WINNING LOOKS LIKE!

Gavin Kirkland: HALSEY ARGUING WITH THE REFEREE AND THE DECISION IS FINAL AND NOW CATACLYSM IS SLIDING UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE AND THIS IS ABOUT TO BECOME AN ASSAULT!

Deadprez: WILSON GOES FOR HALSEY FIRST AND SHE MEETS HIM WITH A FOREARM— BUT MONDRIAN DRIVES A KNEE INTO HER RIBS FROM BEHIND AND THE TWO-ON-ONE ADVANTAGE TAKES OVER! WILSON FOLLOWS UP WITH A CLUBBING FOREARM ACROSS THE BACK OF THE HEAD THAT DROPS HALSEY TO ONE KNEE!

Sienna Swann: Somebody needs to get out here right now, sweetie!

Gavin Kirkland: MONDRIAN AND WILSON HAULING HALSEY UP — BUT WAIT!

Gavin Kirkland: PANDORA PAISLEY! JON KELTON! MR. 24/7 DAMIEN KUTCHER HITTING THAT RAMP AND THEY ARE NOT SLOWING FOR A SINGLE STEP!

Deadprez: PANDORA SLIDES IN FIRST AND CRACKS WILSON WITH A HEADBUTT THAT SENDS HIM THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! KELTON IN BEHIND HER AND A SHORT-ARM LARIAT SENDS MONDRIAN OVER THE TOP TO THE FLOOR! DAMIEN IN NEXT— AND GOLDE SEES ALL THREE OF THEM AND RETREATS TO THE FLOOR BEFORE A SINGLE HAND FINDS HIM!

Gavin Kirkland: CATACLYSM REGROUPING ON THE FLOOR AND THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THESE ODDS TONIGHT! THE FOUR MEMBERS OF THE TEMPLE OF TRIALS TEAM STANDING TALL IN THAT RING!

Sienna Swann: They got here in time, sweetie. The four of them in that ring right now is not an image Silas World is going to sleep comfortably watching on replay tonight.

(Halsey recovers against the ropes, jaw set and eyes burning. Pandora steps to her left. Damien Kutcher takes his position without a word. Kelton cracks his knuckles and stares at the floor below. Four in a line and Cataclysm and Clayton, regrouped at the base of the ramp, look up at them and then look behind them.)

(Silas Mason walks out to the ramp with Donovan Duke.)

Gavin Kirkland: SILAS MASON IS HERE! DONOVAN AT HIS SIDE AND THE FULL WEIGHT OF SILAS WORLD IS ASSEMBLED ON THAT RAMP!

(Silas Mason produces a microphone from inside his jacket. He does not rush.)

Silas Mason: A very sturdy team that you got there. I will admit, you four are tough but more so…really stubborn. But it doesn’t matter to me, because my team will get rid of your four once and for all. Especially when I announce my fourth member. Who happens to be amongst us already.

(He slowly turns toward Clayton Golde.)

Silas Mason: The fourth member of the Silas World team at Temple of Trials… is CLAYTON GOLDE!

Gavin Kirkland: THERE IT IS! THE SILAS WORLD TEMPLE OF TRIALS TEAM IS COMPLETE! DONOVAN! RYAN WILSON! VINCENT MONDRIAN! AND NOW CLAYTON GOLDE STEPPING IN AS THE FOURTH MAN! THE PICTURE IS FULLY DRAWN! THE LAST STAND IS GOING TO DELIVER SOMETHING THIS COMPANY HAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE!

Sienna Swann: The most dishonest man on this roster just received the biggest opportunity of his career, sweetie. 

(The camera holds; Silas, Donovan, Cataclysm, and a grinning Clayton Golde unified on the stage while Pandora, Kelton, Damien, and Halsey stare back from the ring. The scene fades to commercial.)

(We have returned from commercial break and there is a brief break in the action after the previous match. But that break quickly ends as “God is a Woman” by Ariana Grande starts to play as Sofia Drakos enters the arena to loud boos from the crowd, but Sofia looks as poised as ever as she makes her way to the ring.)

Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen! At this time, please welcome “GODDESS” SOFIA DRAKOS!

Deadprez: Here comes a powerful and intimidating woman heading to the ring with something on her mind. 

Gavin Kirkland: Last week on Showdown, she was involved in tag team action which essentially broke down to say the least with all four participants just brawling not just in the ring, but in the crowd as well.

Sienna Swann: I am wondering if Kennedy Street fined her for putting her hands on the referee? Well that’s a question for another time as it looks like Sofia has something to address. 

(Sofia enters the ring with a microphone and stands as strong and as confident as ever as her music fades off and she begins to speak.)

Sofia Drakos: Let me make something perfectly clear. I came to EAW to be the best and to dominate the competition. As for this season, I am getting a little bit tired of all the disrespect being thrown my way. 

Sofia Drakos: I am not here to be some joke. I am in EAW because I want to elevate myself to the upper echelon of EAW and elevate myself to a title shot. And after last week’s trash? I am done playing around with the sad and pathetic little girls. That’s because—

(Sofia doesn’t get a chance to continue as ‘Phantasmagory’ by Denkare starts to play as Wynter Kurayami enters the arena to boos from the crowd, but she still has a smile on her face as she makes her way to the ring.)

Sienna Swann: Well here comes Wynter, who by all means, should be the New Breed Champion right now. 

Gavin Kirkland: Unfortunately, circumstances outside her control prevented that. But last week, it was Wynter who Sofia primarily brawled with. Now they are in the same ring again. This could get interesting

(Wynter also enters the ring after grabbing a microphone as she smiles and walks up to Sofia, who doesn’t sell Wynter’s presence as Wynter’s music fades off and she begins to speak.)

Wynter Kurayami: Sofia, you are not the only one who wants to reach the next level of this company. I am more than ready for another opportunity to come my way.

(Wynter walks around the ring for a moment as Sofia watches this unfold and rolls her eyes as Wynter comes back and bounces on her heels before continuing.)

Wynter Kurayami: Now even though I was unfortunately robbed of a victory in my last championship match, if it wasn’t for unfortunate circumstances I’d be champion right now. But what can you do? With what I have done this season, I feel like I am deserving of another title opportunity. Can you really—

(The peace doesn’t last long as ‘Genie In A Bottle’ by Christina Aguilera starts playing and naturally Grace De Luca comes out wanting the spotlight on her as she smiles and makes an overexaggerated entrance before heading to the ring.)

Deadprez: Aren’t we just so lucky. Grace De Luca is here and she is ready to put the spotlight on herself once more. Geez, no microphone needed for how loud she is screaming. 

Gavin Kirkland: She holds herself to high standards and makes sure everyone else knows it too. She was also involved in that tag team match and it looks like we’re getting Grace’s input on the manner. 

(Grace enters the ring and shoves Wynter out of the way to make sure she is the center of everything as her music fades off and she begins to speak.)

Grace De Luca: First off, you two need to shut up about what you two THINK you deserve because as far as I’m concerned, you two deserve NOTHING!

(Sofia looks annoyed at Grace while Wynter is just smiling at her. Grace looks and shakes her head before continuing.)

Grace De Luca: But there is one person who has earned the right to talk about what they want…ME! Because I have been here longer than all three of you put together and I am still not being taken seriously. I am tired of all this crap. 

Grace De Luca: If anybody deserves something, it’s me. I deserve a title match. I deserve to be the top star on Showdown. I deserve to have my face on all the event posters. I DESERVE EVERYTHING!

(Grace looks to continue her rant, but she is interrupted by “Ego” by The Warning. Grace is not happy at all as she quickly turns to the ramp to see Yasmina entering the arena and making her way to the ring.)

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, here comes Yasmina who was also involved in that tag team match and was the one fighting Grace in the first three rows. 

Deadprez: Yasmina had a great showing at Territorial Invasion and is looking to build some momentum to get her first major opportunity in EAW. Let’s hear what she has to say about all of this.

(Now Yasmina is in the ring with a microphone as she enters the fray with the other ladies in the ring as she looks around. Her music has faded off and she begins to speak.)

Yasmina: Now I might be one of the newest competitors on Showdown, but that doesn’t mean that I am simply going to step aside and let others take opportunities that I could earn myself. 

Yasmina: I didn’t come to EAW to simply take part. I am here to make an impact and I am going to make my mark on Showdown and in EAW as a whole. Just you all wait and see.

(All four women are in the middle of a staredown not making a move.)

(Until….)

Sienna Swann: GRACE JUST SHOVES YASMINA DOWN AND TACKLES HER TO THE MAT AND THE FIGHT IS ON ONCE AGAIN, SWEETIE!

Gavin Kirkland: Grace and Yasmina are fighting again AND WYNTER DELIVERS A BOOT TO SOFIA’S GUT AND THOSE TWO ARE BATTLING IT OUT AGAIN! 

Deadprez: This is turning into a repeat of last week, but the battles have started to combine together.

Sienna Swann: Now it is just a free for all, Sweetie. Fists are flying and they don’t care who they hit. They just want to establish why they are the most deserving of an opportunity. Listen to the crowd. They are absolutely loving seeing everything just break down the way they have once again. 

(Seconds later, EAW Officials and Security have entered the ring to break up the fighting to the sounds of the boos from the crowd.)

Gavin Kirkland: Well the crowd wanted to see them fight, but officials had other plans in mind and the fans are really letting them hear how they feel about stopping the fight.

(As the ladies are trying to break free and continue fighting, they all are caught off guard by a voice coming through the arena.)

????: STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!

(All four women are still being held back as General Manager Kennedy Street comes onto the entrance ramp and looks down at the four competitors as she speaks up.)

Kennedy Street: That is enough from all four of you. I heard all four of you speak up about wanting or “deserving” an opportunity to the point that you all have decided to try and rip each other apart for the second week in a row to the point where security and officials have to break you up.

(Kennedy pauses and looks from one competitor to the next as they have stopped struggling to get free to listen to what Kennedy has to say.)

Kennedy Street: Well… if the four of you can’t play nice and be in the same ring together for more than a few minutes, I am going to give all four of you the perfect opportunity to settle this little rivalry.

(The competitors in the ring look at Kennedy wondering what she has planned.)

Kennedy Street: There is an old saying that has come from Kennie’s past that really fits this situation and it’s that “Iron sharpens Iron”. Kennie means that tough competition makes you stronger and forces you to be better.

Kennedy Street: Now Kennie sees four very talented competitors in that ring. Even though some of your attitudes really leave something to be desired, you are all on my show because I see potential in all of you.

Kennedy Street: If you four like taking valuable Showdown time to fight and settle your differences, then Kennie will give you plenty of time to fight it out. Because at The Last Stand….

Kennedy Street: It’s going to be Sofia Drakos taking on Wynter Kurayami… Grace De Luca… AND Yasmina….

Kennedy Street: IN A THIRTY MINUTE IRON WOMAN MATCH!!

(The arena erupts at the announcement.)

Kennedy Street: Good luck ladies. Now save your fight for The Last Stand.

(Kennedy waves as she leaves the ramp and heads back to her office.)

Gavin Kirkland: What an announcement from Kennedy Street! Another great match set for The Last Stand.

Sienna Swann: These four have been battling it out to get more opportunities and in a few weeks, they all get their chance in an Iron Woman Match.

Deadprez: They will have thirty minutes to battle it out to see who will win and be the Iron Woman. What a battle this is going to be between four of Showdown’s rising stars.

(The final shot shows all four women being held back but staring each other down as the camera shot fades into a commercial.)

(The camera cuts to Gina Romano in the ring.)

Gina Romano: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!

Gina Romano: Introducing first… already in the ring from right here in Portland, Oregon… weighing in at a combined weight off… 102 pounds? This can’t be right… please welcome indy darlings… Kevin and Chad… FLIP INCORPORATED!!!

(The tag team in the ring does flips off the top rope and then poses in the ring. They then slide out of the ring and hand out their contact information to various indy promoters at ringside hoping that this spot on EAW TV will help them get more booking dates.)

Gavin Kirkland: Ah I see. EAW is a charity now.

Deadprez: Come on Gavin… They look… they look like they could pop a crowd of 50 people in a shopping mall parking lot.

Sienna Swann: Stfu Dead. Those parking lot shows are sometimes some of the best shows you can ever go to. I won’t tolerate any of this elitism here in… Elite… you know what never mind sweetie.

Deadprez: :mjgrin:

Gina Romano: And their opponents…

( ‘National Treasure’- Drake hits as the crowd erupts into cheers nearly causing the building to collapse from the sound wave that has just emanated from within the Moda Center.)

Deadprez: Here they come! LET’S FUCKING GOOO!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Sigh…

Gina Romano: From Huntington Beach, California… they are Artemis and Adonis… the JONEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS BROTHERSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

(Artemis and Adonis Jones appear in the crowd dancing to their music as they celebrate with the fans on their way down to the ring for several minutes.)

Gavin Kirkland: This entrance is probably longer than this match is going to be.

Sienna Swann: Oh there was never any question of that sweetie.

(The Jones Brothers finally get into the ring.)

Adonis Jones: (off-mic) YEET!!

Crowd: YEET!

(The Jones Brothers pose on the top rope as fireworks explode all around the arena.)

Gavin Kirkland: Now why in the hell are these two getting a main eventer tier entrance? What have they ever done to deserve that?

Deadprez: Keep hatin’ Gavin. The Jones Brothers pay our salaries!

Gavin Kirkland: ??? No. They don’t.

(The Jones Brothers turn towards their opponents in the ring.)

Deadprez: YEET PUNCH OUTTA NOWHERE!!! THE JONES BROTHERS JUST HIT THEIR OPPONENTS IN THE JAW AND TOOK THEM OUT AS THE REFEREE CALLS FOR THE BELL! YEET!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Deadprez: We are underway now as Adonis Jones begins throwing hands with Kevin of Flip Incorporated.

Crowd: YEET! YEET! YEET!

Adonis Jones: (off-mic) You all know what time it is??!?! It’s time to lock this shit down uce!!!

(Adonis Jones connects with a Superkick on Kevin. The Superkick appears to miss the mark but catches Kevin in the throat instead as he falls to the mat and begins choking and struggling to breath.)

Adonis Jones: (off-mic) Oh shit! My bad little homie! What you having trouble breathing? You and me both uce! You know an entrance like mine takes a lotta work! What you know bout that lil bro?

(Adonis Jones tags in his brother before lifting Kevin up as he throws him into Artemis for a mid air Cutter to the ground. Artemis goes for the cover!!!)

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEE-

Deadprez: BUT CHAD COMES OFF THE TOP WITH A DOUBLE 450 SPLASH CRASHING DOWN ON TOP OF ARTEMIS!!!

Adonis Jones: (off-mic) The fuck!!!

Artemis Jones: (off-mic) Ay yo that kinda hurt uce!

Adonis Jones: (off-mic) Beat his ass for me bro!

(Artemis Jones gets back up as he corners Chad in one of the ring corners.)

Artemis Jones: (off-mic) MARK ASS STOOGE! INDY NERD! COME GET THIS WORK!!!

Deadprez: ARTEMIS JONES JUST LAID OUT THE ILLEGAL MAN WITH A SUPERKICK!!!

(Chad goes flipping out of the ring crashing onto the apron neck first and then bouncing off doing a triple flip in midair before landing back first on the ground.)

Gavin Kirkland: That was a bit much…

Deadprez: The strength of Artemis Jones’ superkicks is something else…

Sienna Swann: YEET!

Gavin Kirkland: Now I know how Persephone feels every time she has to call a match.

Deadprez: Artemis Jones now turning back to his other opponent! Artemis picks up his opponent and twists him up over his head before dropping him with a Burning Hammer! Artemis then grabs his opponent and twists him around into a Sasori-gatame! Artemis is going to make his opponent tap out here tonight!!

Sienna Swann: Just tap out already! This match is over!

(Adonis Jones is seen entering the ring.)

Gavin Kirkland: The opponent is tapping! His hand hits the mat!!!-

(But Artemis Jones grins down at his opponent as he grabs his hand preventing him from tapping out.)

Adonis Jones: (off-mic) Not tonight cuz!

(Artemis Jones releases Kevin before lifting him up and tossing him into Adonis Jones who takes him out in midair with an Uppercut to the skull! Kevin gets knocked out but not before doing a backflip and cartwheel across the ring causing him to hang upside down in the corner.)

Gavin Kirkland: We need to teach these dudes how to sell…

Deadprez: They won’t be seen again after this match. So it’s not really our problem.

Gavin Kirkland: Fair enough.

(Artemis Jones tags in Adonis Jones who goes up to the top rope.)

Adonis Jones: (off-mic) LOOK OUT BELOW!!!

Deadprez: The 405 SoCal Splash connects!! Adonis got all of it!!!

Artemis Jones: (off-mic) Who’s that jumping out the sky-

Sienna Swann: The cover!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Gina Romano: Here are your winners… the JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONEEEEEEEEEESSS BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSS!!!

(‘National Treasure’- Drake hits as the crowd erupts into cheers. Several members of the crowd overflow over the barrier and rush to the side of the ring. Parents are shown holding their children up to the ring apron as the Jones Brothers come over to sign autographs.)

Gavin Kirkland: What the hell is this?? SECURITY! Do yo damn jobs!!

Deadprez: They aren’t hurting anyone Gavin! They just want to meet their heroes!

(The Jones Brothers spend several minutes signing autographs as their music plays and the entire audience yeets to the music.)

Gavin Kirkland: What has happened to the game I love??

(The camera cuts to a commercial for Halloween candy by a company known for making razor blades.)

(Live Evil – Flatlinerz hits to boos from the crowd.)

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen at this time please welcome… accompanied by his manager Malik Al-Farouq… He is “The Exiled” TAFAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE TOOOOOOOOOOOOOAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Deadprez: Here comes a big motherfucker.

Gavin Kirkland: Definitely not one to be messed with.

Sienna Swann: And both Tafae and Malik are pissed off this week as well after what happened last week. Malik has been going around backstage telling everyone that his client was screwed. Now I guess we all gotta hear about it.

Deadprez: I imagine that is the case. Malik looks like he is going to pop an artery.

(The music fades as Malik Al-Farouq takes a microphone and steps into the ring right next to an angry looking Tafae Toa who folds his arms menacingly in the ring.)

===

Malik Al-Farouq: Alright everyone quiet down right now. I, the great Malik Al-Farouq have something to say.

Crowd: MALIK SUCKS! MALIK SUCKS! MALIK SUCKS!

Malik Al-Farouq: You can all have whatever opinion you like about me. But that just proves that you all would never be stupid enough to say something like that about my client Tafae F’n Toa.

(Tafae Toa snarls at the camera as Malik continues to talk.)

Malik Al-Farouq: Last week what happened was a true travesty. The man standing by my side is undisputedly the next big thing here in Elite Answers Wrestling. He should have been the next contender for the EAW National Elite Championship. I think we all know it is only a matter of time before he has gold around his waist. But Kelin wants to play games. Why would you play games with a man like Tafae Toa? It’s just not very intelligent but he does it anyway. What happened last week was a true travesty… but it’s a travesty for Kelin not for Tafae Toa because when it comes to “The Exiled” Tafae Toa the best you can do is delay the inevitable. You can’t stop him Kelin. You will find this out.

(Malik Al-Farouq pauses for a minute as a Kelin chant begins in the audience.)

Crowd: KELIN! KELIN! KELIN!

Malik Al-Farouq: You all clearly do not care about Kelin’s well-being for you to be encouraging him like this. Do you all hate Kelin that much? He’s an idiot but I’m sure he’s not a bad guy… But then again you all are idiots as well so it makes sense you would stick together.

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Malik Al-Farouq: Let me reiterate once more. Kelin you made a very big mistake and Tafae Toa is going to make your life a living hel-

( ‘Let God Sort ‘Em Out’ by Clispe, Pusha T and Malice hits to cheers from the crowd. )

Deadprez: Kelin has had enough of this from Malik Al-Farouq! If Malik is going to talk shit he can talk shit to Kelin’s face!

Gavin Kirkland: Tafae Toa doesn’t fear Kelin. Kelin shouldn’t have done what he did! He’s going to pay!

Sienna Swann: I’m sure he’s literally shaking.

(Kelin enters the ring and takes a microphone as his theme fades. He gets up in the face of Tafae Toa and they almost start throwing down right there but then Kelin takes the mic and begins to speak.)

Kelin: Malik… Malik… Malik… why would you come out here and tempt fate in the way that you have? You are a smarter man than this. You know that this display is quite unbecoming of you Malik. You know how this looks right? You come out here ranting and raving about my success and saying that it should not be. Yet it is and there is nothing you can do to change that. At Territorial Invasion… I was the star. Not you. Not Tafae Toa. Kelin was the star of Territorial Invasion.

Crowd: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Malik Al-Farouq: That’s… that’s not true!-

Kelin: Oh but it is Malik! You must accept the truth that I have laid before you. But I can see in your eyes that you will not. You will not accept what I have so generously laid out before you. Therefore I must settle this a different way before you make trouble for me any further.

Malik Al-Farouq: Tafae Toa doesn’t have time for you Kelin. He has a National Elite Championship to win.

Kelin: No! No he does not! For we must settle things now! We must settle this-

Malik Al-Farouq: Fine. You want to settle this Kelin. Let’s settle this. I hope you know what you’re asking for. To settle this… it will be you Kelin vs. my client TAFAE TOA and it will all go down at THE LAST STAND… and it will be…

(Malik Al-Farouq pauses for drama.)

Malik Al-Farouq: A LAST MAN STANDING MATCH!!!

(Kelin pauses for a second glaring at Tafae Toa before turning back to Malik Al-Farouq.)

Kelin: You have yourself a deal little man.

(Kelin shakes Malik Al-Farouq’s hand.)

Malik Al-Farouq: Such a gentleman. Shaking my hand like that. But it is not me you will be facing at the Last Stand… and it is not me you will be facing here tonight!!!-

(Suddenly Tafae Toa blindsides Kelin from the side with a rushing forearm knocking Kelin down and sending him flying out of the ring.)

Deadprez: And the fight is on! We could have guessed this would go down from the moment Tafae Toa’s music hit. Not surprised at all!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Kelin right back up as soon as he fell out of the ring! He got knocked the hell out but he shrugged it off like it didn’t matter at all! Like he didn’t even feel it!

(As soon as Kelin gets up on the outside Tafae Toa leaps off at him from the apron with a Leaping Clothesline!!!)

Sienna Swann: TAFAE JUST SLAMMED INTO KELIN LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN! THESE TWO BIG BEEFING MEN ARE SLAPPING THE SHIT OUTTA EACH OTHER’S MEAT SWEETIE!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Ay fucking yo!

Deadprez: Calm down Sienna! But I don’t think that she can! Because these two behemoths are back up and they are pounding the shit out of each other all the way back up the entrance ramp! They are trading blows back and forth throwing those massive tree trunk like arms into each other’s faces but each shot seems to have no effect whatsoever!

(Both men get to the top of the ramp as they continue to brawl intensely.)

Gavin Kirkland: KELIN! TAFAE! KELIN! TAFAE! KELIN! TAFAE!

Deadprez: They are punching the hell out of each other! And here comes Malik Al-Farouq in to try to break it up!

Malik Al-Farouq: (off-mic) It’s not worth it Tafae! Let’s go backstage! This dumb brute isn’t worth our time!!

Gavin Kirkland: But Tafae isn’t paying any intention to Malik as he lunges towards Kelin!!!

(Both men are right up against the edge of the stage!!!)

Sienna Swann: This is dangerous! Move back sweeties!

(Kelin moves back away from the ledge to avoid falling off.0

Deadprez: Good call ther-

Gavin Kirkland: NO! KELIN JUST CHARGED IN WITH THE IMPALEMENT!!!

(CRASH!!!)

Deadprez: KELIN JUST GORED TAFAE TOA IN HALF RIGHT OFF THE STAGE!!!

(Both men crash off the stage and slam into the EAW electrical equipment down below. Sparks begin shooting everywhere as some of the electrical equipment bursts into flames from the damage. EAW crew is shown rushing over to the scene with fire extinguishers to put it out and to stop Tafae and Kelin from being enveloped in searing flame.)

Crowd: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!

(Malik Al-Farouq looks stunned as neither Kelin nor Tafae Toa are moving at all in the wreckage down below.)

Deadprez: This is… this is not good. Forget a Last Man Standing match at The Last Stand. Neither of these two are going to be standing before we get to the Last Stand! I think Kelin just ended both his and Tafae’s career in one stroke!

Sienna Swann: It’s so over.

(The camera cuts to a commercial featuring nonstop neverending political ads that make you want to commit dat.)

(Showdown comes back from commercials as “Kostas” by Westside Gunn plays on the speakers to a wave of cheers, Cody walks out to the entrance stage, he nods to himself and looks at the people cheering for him, he takes off the sunglasses and then throws them off to the side, adjusting his jacket before he moves forward with conviction and determination. The crowd chants for him as he goes.)

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST, FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, WEIGHING IN AT 235 POUNDS, HE IS THE “SIN CITY SUPERSTAR”, AND THE KING OF ELITE, CODYYYYYYYY MAVERIIIIIICKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!

(He does not waste much time as he is already hopping onto the ring apron, climbing up the corner and then posing towards louder cheers. He hops off and then talks trash towards the camera at him before getting to his corner. ‘chain’ by BACK ON plays on the speakers to another wave of loud cheers. Akari Kiyoko walks forward with his head down, the National Elite Championship on his hand, he spreads his arms for a few seconds as he shows off the beautiful jacket in him before pointing to the camera and posing with the National Elite Championship in the other. He finally walks forward and he raises his arm, trying to get the crowd to cheer louder.)

Gina Romano: AND INTRODUCING HIS OPPONENT, WEIGHING IN AT 231 POUNDS, HE IS “THE HEART OF SHOWDOWN”, THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION, AKARIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII KIYOKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

(Akari arrives at the end of the ramp and once more poses with the championship. He turns and stares Mia Santoro down as she sits over at ringside with a confident grin in her face. He hops onto the ring apron and then passes through, yet again taking in the cheers before he puts his championship down in the corner. The two men warm up and are checked by the referee before…)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Gavin Kirkland: LET’S GET IT, BOOOYYSSSSSS!!!

Sienna Swann: A very interesting and exciting match right now with these two, especially when they ended up facing last time in the King of Elite finals, and with a chance to prove themselves against in these singles match, Akari has a lot riding for himself here, just the same for Cody Maverick!

(Akari and Cody slowly walk out of the corner and seemingly ready to start the match off already, they stop in the dead center of the ring… just as Akari stretches a hand out for a handshake, Cody looks at it and doesn’t hesitate and he shakes it immediately to the loud cheers of the crowd.)

Deadprez: And with an incredible show of respect as well to start this off. Cody and Akari begin circling the ring once more and not looking away from one another, before they rush forward- AND THEN LOCK UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! The two of them start pushing forward trying to get the other one closer to the ropes but the two of them are not budging!

Gavin Kirkland: Akari is trying to get some leeway here but Cody at the last moment tries to spin over while keeping hold of him, but Akari ends up reversing himself and spins again! Finally getting Cody close to the ropes here! He snatches his arm and then uses an Irish Whip to throw him to the other side of the ring! Akari quickly drops onto the mat trying to trip him up!

Sienna Swann: Cody is able to hop right over Akari and now runs to the other side of the ring again, he bounces off them as Akari gets up to his feet, he tries to catch Cody in the middle of the middle of the ring!

Deadprez: Cody is fast enough to duck under and then grab Akari by the waist, pulling him down with a roll up attempt!

Referee: ONE!

Gavin Kirkland: Akari almost immediately kicks out and pushes Cody away! Cody waits for Akari to get back up as he runs again- HE TRIES TO GO FOR A TORNADO DDT!

Deadprez: Akari is fast enough- AND STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD CODY UP ON HIS ARMS! He runs forward and then throws Cody back first onto the corner! He runs to the other side of the corner and then goes to run back, gathering momentum!

Sienna Swann: Cody is able to move out of the way! Akari almost smashes against the corner just as Cody bounces off the corners and then comes back over- TRYING TO GO FOR A DROPKICK! Akari sidesteps and then pushes Cody’s legs down to the ground, Akari backs away! HE TRIES TO GO FOR HIS OWN DROPKICK!

Gavin Kirkland: But Cody is now the one that is able to avoid it! CO-DY, MAVERICK, YEAH!!!

Deadprez: CODY GOES FOR THE JUMPING ELBOW DROP BUT AKARI IS ABLE TO ROLL OUT OF THE WAY! Cody ends up smashing his elbow onto the mat as Akari now tries to move over, he tries to go for a stomp, Cody rolls away too! Cody gets up-

Gavin Kirkland: AS THE TWO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING AND STARE EACH OTHER DOWN! WHAT A CRAZY WAY TO START!!!

(The crowd cheer in support after seeing the two of them pull that kind of thing of, Akari and Cody stare in silence all while on the outside Mia Santoro is rolling her eyes, not surprised at all by that.)

Sienna Swann: The National Elite Champion and the King of Elite move once more and they begin to figure out what to do next… as the two of them lock up once more! Akari tries to go on the offense but as he wants to go for a push, Cody is able to take him off guard and push with everything that he has! He tries to get him to the ropes this time but Akari breaks the lock up and sidesteps, he grabs Cody by his waist and tries to lift him up to the sky!

Deadprez: Cody is fast enough to counterattack! He is able to send a back elbow to the face of Akari! Akari ends up letting go and Cody- ANOTHER BACK ELBOW TO FORCE HIM TO BACK UP! Cody turns and then jumps- CODY WITH A JUMPING NECKBREAKER AND BRINGS AKARI DOWN! Cody rushes over back up and then runs towards one of the corner, jumping onto the second rope, just as Akari forces himself to get back up to his feet! AND NOW CODY DIVES OFF THE SECOND ROPE! HE BRINGS AKARI DOWN WITH A LEAPING NECKBREAKER!!!

Gavin Kirkland: LOOK AT HOW CODY MAVERICK IS MOVING! He pushes Cody over and then goes for the cover on him! Come on, referee!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Sienna Swann: And now Akari ends up kicking out right at the count of two! Cody nods to himself though, knowing that taking Akari down this fast was not going to end up happening, he is already back up to his feet and he is trying to get Akari up as well, throwing him towards the corner! Cody rushes over- and then he tries to send a barrage of punches to the gut of Akari, showing off those boxing skills here.

Gavin Kirkland: The National Elite Champion is still moving though! He pulls up his arms and is able to block the punches that Cody sends towards him- BUT CODY IS ABLE TO SNEAK A PUNCH TO THE JAW OF AKARI! Cody grabs him and then pulls him up! CODY THROWS AKARI OVER WITH AN EXPLODER SUPLEX FROM OUT OF THE CORNER ONTO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! 

Deadprez: Cody tries to follow through and then go for a cover attempt but Akari with some ring awareness, he is able to roll towards the ring apron here. Akari stays there for a moment but Cody has a feeling that he can let Akari go so easily, he grabs onto his hair as he is able to pass through the ropes. Cody keeps hold of his head and I do not like what Cody wants to do here!

Sienna Swann: HE WANTS TO TRY A DDT ON THE RING APRON! Akari struggles through and is able to lift Cody again on the air! He wants to go for that Northern Lights Suplex! Cody is able to send a back elbow to the top back of Akari and he lets go! CODY TRIES TO LIFT AKARI UP HIMSELF!

Gavin Kirkland: CODY WANTS TO TRY FOR A FISHERMAN’S BUSTER! HE WANTS TO HOOK THE LEG!

Deadprez: BUT AKARI IS ABLE TO SLIP AND LAND RIGHT BEHIND HIM! HE SNATCHES HIM BY THE WAIST, AND HE THROWS HIM OVER!!! AKARI LANDS THE GERMAN SUPLEX!!!

Sienna Swann: CODY WITH A NOT SO PRETTY LANDING AS WELL! He lands hard on his upper back first from the German Suplex! Cody rolls out of the ring apron and then falls back onto the floor. Akari rolls back inside and then turns! He starts slamming his hand onto the turnbuckle to a beat, and he is able to get the crowd to clap along! He is planning something crazy here, sweetie!

Gavin Kirkland: Akari runs towards the ropes and then bounces off them, gathering speed, and just as Cody is able to get back up to his feet- AKARI DIVES THROUGH THE ROPES AND HITS HIM DOWN WITH A SUICIDE DIVE! THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION TAKES CODY MAVERICK DOWN JUST LIKE THAT! And the crowd is going crazy after that as Akari gets back up and he is feeling the adrenaline! He grabs the head of Cody and goes to throw him back inside!

Deadprez: Akari though is beginning to start feeling himself and I think that he is starting to think crazy himself, he knows that anything conventional is not going to take Cody down so he jumps onto the ring apron and then starts to climb up the corner here, Akari planning to fly again!

Sienna Swann: Akari slowly rises, and a man with that kind of muscle wanting to fly in the air does not have a good plan at all, he waits for Cody to get back up-

Gavin Kirkland: WAIT! CODY ALMOST BY INSTINCT RUSHES FORWARD AS SOON AS HE GETS UP! Akari tries to prepare and in those last few seconds- CODY IS ABLE TO JUMP UP TO THE TOP OF THE CORNER WITH A SINGLE JUMP!!! WHAT THE HELL?! CODY HAS THOSE KINDS OF SPRINGS????

Deadprez: HE SNATCHES AKARI BY THE WAIST AND THEN THROWS HIM OFF WITH A HUGE AVALANCHE BELLY TO BELLY, GOOODDDAAAAAAAAAMNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!

Sienna Swann: A great move to be able to seriously hurt Akari there but it does not work as well if you hurt yourself as well in the process! Cody is not able to take advantage of it as he is grabbing hardly onto his back after doing that, not very smart, sweetie!

Deadprez: Come on now, Sienna, Cody had to go in a fight or flight response, and besides, he did get dropped onto the ring apron with that German Suplex, it is a show of resilience from Cody that he was able to leap up to the top of the corner after that.

Gavin Kirkland: And a show of resilience from Akari as well as he is able to show some life after taking that kind of move!

Deadprez: Cody is able to roll over and then get onto his knees, he grabs onto the ropes and then uses them to get back up to his feet, he moves forward and grabs onto Akari, pulling him along- AND CODY MAVERICK WITH A CHOP TO THE CHEST! Akari falls back against the ropes behind, he bounces off them- AND CODY WITH A JAB! A SECOND JAB! AND A THIRD JAB!

Gavin Kirkland: Cody backs away! He spins! HE TRIES TO GO FOR A DISCUS LARIAT!

Sienna Swann: AKARI DUCKS UNDER AND AVOIDS THE LARIAT! CODY IS ABLE TO STOP, AND THEN HE TURNS-

Gavin Kirkland: AS AKARI SUDDENLY HITS HIM RIGHT ACROSS THE FACE WITH A FOREARM STRIKEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE SOUND OF THAT HIT WAS HEARD ALL ACROSS THE ARENA!

Deadprez: AKARI ALMOST KNOCKS CODY THE HELL OUT!!! Cody falls down hard and Akari goes for the cover!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: COME ON NOW! CODY ENDS UP KICKING OUT RIGHT BEFORE THE COUNT OF THREE! Akari rolls off of him and he starts to look slightly frustrated but he knows Cody just as much, he does have to bring out something deep within him to keep Cody down!

Sienna Swann: Akari slowly gets up to his feet, grabbing Cody by his head and then lifting him up to his feet, he hooks his arms around his head! HE GOES TO LIFT HIM UP! HE SPINS AROUND! A SPINNING FALCON ARROW!

Deadprez: NO! CODY IS ABLE TO ESCAPE THE CLUTCHES OF AKARI AND THEN LAND ON HIS FEET JUST BEFORE HE CAN LAND THE FALCON ARROW! CODY WITH A LARIAT TOWARDS THE CHEST OF AKARI!

Gavin Kirkland: AKARI TAKES THE LARIAT TO THE CHEST AND HE PUSHES THROUGH THE PAIN! HE FALLS BACK TO THE ROPES AND BOUNCES OFF THEM, GATHERING MOMENTUM! HE COMES BACK WITH A LARIAT OF HIS OWN!

Sienna Swann: NO! A KICK TO THE GUT FROM CODY!!!

Deadprez: CODY WITH A “SIN CITY STUNNER”!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: NO! AKARI IS FAST ENOUGH TO SNATCH CODY BY THE WAIST!! OH MY GOD! AKARI WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!!! HE LANDS IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING AND HE IS ABLE TO GET THE BRIDGE HERE, AS THE REFEREE DROPS DOWN AND THEN GOES FOR THE PINFALL ATTEMPT!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Deadprez: NO! CODY IS ABLE TO KICK OUT IN TIME AND RAISE HIS SHOULDER UP TO THE SKY!

Sienna Swann: BUT AKARI KEEPS HOLD OF HIM AND ROLLS THROUGH WITH HIM! HE TRIES TO TURN HIM OVER AND THEN SNATCH HIS HEAD, HE LIFTS HIM UP FOR THE USHIGOROSHI!!!

Gavin Kirkland: NO! CODY IS ABLE TO PULL HIS ARM OUT AND THEN GRAB ONTO THE HEAD OF AKARI- AS HE IS ABLE TO REVERSE IT INTO A DDT! HE SMASHES THE HEAD OF AKARI ONTO THE MAT! HE TURNS HIM OVER AND GOES FOR THE COVER!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Deadprez: AKARI IS NOW THE ONE THAT KICKS OUT HIMSELF! CODY GRABS HIM BY THAT ARM AND THEN PULLS HIM OVER! HE GOES FOR A QUICK PACKAGE ROLL UP!!!

Referee: ONE!

Referee: TWO!

Gavin Kirkland: Akari is able to reverse the package and then turn it over, Cody is now the one that has his shoulders covered, the referee restarts the count!

Referee: ONE!

Referee: TWO!

Deadprez: Cody is able to reverse it back, he is able to go for a deep cover and keep Akari’s shoulders down!

Referee: ONE!

Referee: TWO!

Referee: THREE!

Sienna Swann: NO! AKARI IS ABLE TO KICK OUT AND THEN PUSH CODY OFF OF HIM! THE TWO MEN ARE ABLE TO GET BACK UP TO THEIR FEET IN A RUSH! AKARI TRIES TO GO FOR THE DISCUS FOREARM BUT CODY IS ABLE TO DUCK UNDER AND AVOID IT IN TIME! HE RUNS THE ROPES!

Gavin Kirkland: AND HE COMES BACK, JUMPING UP AND THEN TRYING TO GO FOR THE “LIGHTS OUT” PUNCH!!!

Deadprez: AKARI RISES HIS ARMS FAST ENOUGH AND THEN CATCHES HIS FIST! HE CATCHES HIS OWN FIST AND THEN SPINS HIM AROUND! AKARI TRIES TO GET HIM UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS AND THEN LIFT HIM UP! HE WANTS TO GO FOR THE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cody is able to slip from behind and yet again is able to pull him with the roll up attempt!

Sienna Swann: BUT CODY DOES NOT GO FOR THE PINFALL ATTEMPT! HE SNATCHES HIM BY THE WAIST AND THEN LIFTS HIM UP INTO THE AIR! HE HAS AKARI UP IN THE POWERBOMB POSITION! AND THEN SLAMS HIM DOWN HARD ONTO THE MAT!

Gavin Kirkland: CODY GRABS ONTO HIM AND THEN FORCES HIM TO ROLL THROUGH TOWARDS HIS KNEES! CODY THEN COMES BACK WITH A KNEE STRIKE-

Deadprez: AKARI CATCHES THE KNEE OF CODY JUST BEFORE HE IS ABLE TO LAND IT! HE LIFTS HIM UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS! AKARI KIYOKO!

Sienna Swann: HE LANDS THE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! HE ROLLS THROUGH BACK UP TO HIS FEET! HE FOLLOWS THROUGH- “GOLDEN TIME LOVER”!!!

Gavin Kirkland: AKARI YET AGAIN PUTS AN ARM OVER CODY! IS THIS IT?!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Deadprez: JUST FOR CODY TO SHOW ONCE MORE THAT HE IS NOT GOING DOWN EASILY! HE IS ABLE TO KICK OUT OF THE “GOLDEN TIME LOVER”! YET AGAIN AKARI WITHOUT AN ANSWER HERE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CODY DOWN! Akari falls onto the mat and slams his fist in frustration, what can these men do at this point?!

Sienna Swann: The man is not done yet! They better dig deep and find what they need because nobody else is going to do it for them!

Deadprez: Akari slowly rises again just as Cody is able to roll away and then grab onto the ropes. He uses them to get up just as his legs are starting to wobble, and the exhaustion is beginning to hit him, but Akari is reaching his own limits here.

Sienna Swann: Akari slowly approaches- BUT CODY IS ABLE TO LAND A JAW TOWARDS THE FACE OF AKARI! Akari ends up getting rocked… although Cody doesn’t follow through, he catches his breath- AND AKARI LANDS HIS OWN JAB!

Deadprez: CODY BACK WITH A STRIKE! AKARI! CODY! AKARI! CODY! AKARI! CODY! THE TWO START THROWING A BARRAGE OF PUNCHES AT ONE ANOTHER! AKARI SNATCHES THE HAIR OF CODY JUST BEFORE HE CAN LAND THE PUNCH, HE PULLS HIM BACK! HE WANTS TO GO FOR A SHORT ARM LARIAT!

Gavin Kirkland: CODY IS FAST ENOUGH TO DUCK DOWN AND AVOID THAT NUKE RIGHT THERE! HE IS ABLE TO GET BEHIND AKARI AND THEN PUSH HIM TOWARDS THE ROPES! AKARI BOUNCES BACK ONTO THE HANDS OF CODY! HE TRIES TO LIFT HIM UP! “HIGH ROLLER!!!”

Deadprez: NO! AKARI WRAPS HIS LEGS AROUND CODY’S WAIST JUST BEFORE HE CAN LAND THE OLYMPIC SLAM! HE PULLS HIM DOWN WITH A WHEELBARROW! YET AGAIN WITH THE QUICK COVER!!!

Referee: ONE!

Referee: TWOOOO!!

Referee: TH-

Gavin Kirkland: CODY FAST ENOUGH TO BEAT THE COUNT! HE KICKS OUT AND PUSHES AKARI AWAY FROM HIM! AKARI TOWARDS THE ROPES AGAIN, BOUNCES OFF THEM, AND TRIES TO COME BACK WITH A RUNNING ELBOW-

Deadprez: JUST FOR CODY TO RUN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION! WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING?!?!

Sienna Swann: A DESPERATE SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT FROM CODY MAVERICK CATCHES AKARI MID ATTACK! THE CROWD EXPLODES IN CHEERS AT THE SUDDEN MOVE! HE ALMOST BROKE HIS NECK THERE BUT HE WAS ABLE TO LAND IT!

Gavin Kirkland: CODY MAVERICK GRABS ONTO HIM AND THEN LIFTS HIM UP! NOT EVEN A KICK! “SIN CITY-”!!!

Deadprez: AKARI TRIES TO LIFT CODY UP FOR A BACKDROP SUPLEX!

Gavin Kirkland: CODY IS ABLE TO LAND ON HIS FEET MIRACULOUSLY! AKARI TRIES TO GET BACK UP! CODY FAST ENOUGH TO LAND A KICK TO THE GUT- AKARI CATCHES IT! HE FORCES CODY TO SPIN AROUND!

Sienna Swann: JUST FOR CODY TO LAND A HAYMAKER ACROSS AKARI’S FACE WHEN HE COMES BACK! HE FORCES AKARI TO TURN AROUND!!!

Deadprez: CODY GOES FOR THE “DEAD MAN’S HAND”! THE DEAD MAN’S HAND!!!!

Sienna Swann: THE MOVE THAT DEFEATED AKARI AT KING OF ELITE!!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: *AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND AKARI SNATCHES CODY’S ARM, HE THROWS HIM OVER WITH A JUDO THROW!!!* HE THROWS HIM HARD ONTO A SEATED POSITION!!!!

Deadprez: *”UNITED STATES OF SMAAAAAASHHHH”* TO THE BACK OF CODY’S HEAD!

Sienna Swann: AKARI IS NOT DONE! HE SNATCHES CODY AND LIFTS HIM UP! OH MY GOD, SWEETIE!!!

Gavin Kirkland: *”MIDNIGHT STARFALL”* IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!!! HE FORCES CODY TO ROLL THROUGH ONTO HIS KNEES! AKARIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deadprez: **”PEACH DREAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMM”**!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sienna Swann: AKARI COMPLETELY COLLAPSES ONTO CODY AS IT LANDS! THE COVER!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

(“chain” plays on the speakers to a gigantic wave of cheers, Akari slowly rolls off of Cody and then he lays there on the mat, breathing heavily in and out, ready to collapse right then and there into pieces but the only thing he could do was raise his arm up to the sky in victory to the support of the people around him. He got it.)

Gina Romano: HERE IS YOUR WINNER, THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION, AKARIIIIIIIIIIIII KIYOKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Deadprez: AKARI HAS DONE IT! AKARI HAS ACHIEVED HIS REDEMPTION AND DEFEATED THE KING OF ELITE AFTER WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER IN THE YEAR!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: MY PEACH BABYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!

Sienna Swann: What a great match we saw between those two. The two of them had so much more to prove when they faced off tonight, trying to show why they both carry such prestigious titles on themselves, and at the end of the day Cody made Akari work for that victory! Props to them both but most of all, congrats Akari for the win!

(Akari gets to both of his feet, as the referee moves and raises his arm up to the sky in triumph. He slowly lets him go and he turns to see Cody resting against the ropes in a seated position, still a bit out of it. Akari walks over and then extends a hand to him once more, Cody looks at it in silence before again, he shakes it again to the cheers of the crowd.)

(Cody lets him celebrate as he rolls out of the ring, with the referee moving to assist him. Akari nods to himself and then turns slowly, ready to go get his title… before he sees Mia Santoro entering the ring holding it. She smirks and stares down at it with evil intentions… as she turns back and shoves it into the chest of Akari. Akari does not seem unfazed as he raises the championship up and then poses with it, with Akari and Mia both staring each other down.)

(Cody is able to get towards the top of the entrance stage, turning over to see Akari-)

(BAM!!!)

(Cody goes down! Some of the crowd boos in response as El Duque stands right over him. He hit him in the back of the head with the steel hair clippers in his hand. El Duque laughs to himself as he looks down at the knocked down Cody.)

El Duque: Preparate Cody! De Superestrella al Calvo de Showdown! Eso es lo que te espera!

(El Duque now stands tall over the knocked down Cody and poses to some of the boos of the crowd, the last shot is of them as well as Akari and Mia having that stare down over on the ring, just before Showdown goes to commercials.)

(We have returned from the commercial break and the action from the previous match has cleared away from the arena as there is a brief break in the action before the sounds of “Pins & Needles” by Birthday Massacre starts to play throughout the area. There is almost a chill in the air now as Father Vlad enters the arena first. There is a loud negative reaction coming from the crowd as the camera focuses on Father Vlad’s dark expression before the duo of Diego Montana and Circe enter the area following Father Vlad. The couple have their hands on each other as the trio head to the ring.)

Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen! Accompanied by Father Vlad, please welcome DIEGO MONTANA AND CIRCE!!

Deadprez: Well here comes Showdown’s creepiest and most nauseating couple in Diego and Circe as they are accompanied by a very demonic man in Father Vlad as things have been getting very hellacious between these three and Milli Banks.

Gavin Kirkland: This rivalry has been building with Milli and the Vladislav family ever since earlier this year when Milli and Minerva had their rivalry. The complexion changed when Father Vlad made his presence felt.

Sienna Swann: Especially last week. Sweetie. Diego and Circe picked up the win in tag team action before Milli Banks came to the ring and looked ready to fight, but Father Vlad prevented Diego or Circe getting into any sort of confrontation. Naturally, they are in a good mood right now, but it looks like we are about to hear from the Vladislav family in just a few moments.

(Diego opens the ropes for Circe, who kisses Diego before entering the ring, and Father Vlad before entering the ring himself. The crowd is still booing the trio out of the building as Circe’s music slowly fades off before Circe begins to speak.)

Circe: It is such a horrible sight to see, isn’t it? If you are a little confused about what I am talking about, allow me to explain. I am talking about poor, sad, pathetic Milli Banks.

(Circe and Diego look at each other and start laughing at the thought of Milli Banks while Father Vlad just stands there with an emotionless expression on his face.)

Circe: Oh how the mighty hath fallen. Isn’t that right, Diego?

Diego Montana: It’s a shame to see. A Hall of Famer on such a meteoric fall. 

Circe: Honestly, it was to be expected considering everything that has happened to her since she stupidly decided to cross the family. 

Diego Montana: A Hall of Famer on top of the world as the Universal Women’s Champion.

Circe: And that went up in smoke when Vlad’s daughter took her title and now she is on top of the world while Milli is still trying to pick up the pieces. 

(Circe looks to Father Vlad who nods and brings the microphone up to speak.)

Father Vlad: Then that ruffian had the nerve to try and end my precious daughter’s life. How disgusting can you be?

Circe: Milli knew that the only way she could defeat my sister by using the most dastardly methods possible.

Father Vlad: Now trying to use such methods against a member of our family is something that we just can’t ignore. It is now time for Milli Banks to pay her penance to us… and it is going to be AN EYE FOR AN EYE–

(Before Father Vlad could continue, we hear the sounds of ‘You Are Stronger’ by Lyn Inaizumi starting to play throughout the arena and the crowd is going crazy with cheers and are on their feet for the entrance of Milli Banks. She has no smile on her face but a look of fire in her eyes as she makes her way down the ramp.)

Gavin Kirkland: Ohhhh. I think the classic saying of business about picking up really fits here because here comes Milli Banks and she looks pissed.

Sienna Swann: Well, sweetie, how would you respond when Father Vlad is talking about pay penance and saying an eye for an eye? At this point, Milli is probaby sick and tired of this whole situation. 

Deadprez: Sick, tired, angry, or any emotion of the sort, Milli better be careful because right now it’s three against one and one of those people is Father Vlad and I am not even sure what Father Vlad’s full capabilities are, Dawg. I, for one, don’t want to find out what that full level is. But right now, let’s hear from the Supernova of Elite Answers Wrestling.

(Milli grabs a microphone from Gina, but instead of getting into the ring, Milli plays it smart and stays outside the ring at ringside. Milli keeps her eyes focused on the trio in the ring. The crowd is still cheering Milli on as Milli’s music fades off. She still looks very pissed as she starts to speak.)

Milli Banks: —

Circe: Awwww. What’s the matter, love? You look a little mad to see us.

Milli Banks: For the love of gawd, can you shut your condescending ass up for five minutes to let somebody else talk?

(The crowd gets loud again after that subtle dig at Circe.)

Milli Banks: Father Vlad, I know that in your corrupted old mind of yours that I am going to pay for what I did or tried to do to your precious little Minerva, here is something that you need to think about.

(Milli looks right at Circe before pointing her finger right at her. )

Milli Banks: Maybe it’s your precious little Circe who better be careful in the parking lot. 

(Circe glares at Milli for what she is insinuating.)

Father Vlad: What exactly do you mean by that?

Milli Banks: It should be obvious. You all need to remember that it was your deranged little Minerva who took out my little sister….

(Milli looks down for a second to compose herself before she continues speaking.)

Milli Banks: I haven’t forgotten about that and because dear Circe did that to my little sister… I am going to make sure that I do the exact same thing. 

(Circe keeps looking at Milli with a dark look in her eyes due to the threat, but then Circe smirks before laughing a little bit.)

Circe: Oh, Milli. Sweet ignorant Milli. Need I remind you that there is one person to blame for your precious little sister getting hurt? It’s YOU! Since we are on the subject of people you care about getting hurt, you are aware that YOU were also the one who got your tag team partner… your so-called “bestie” hurt as well when she tried to beat Minerva to get payback for you. This is all YOUR fault and you know it. 

Circe: But if you are feeling pretty confident about yourself….

(Circe stands on the bottom rope as if welcoming Milli to get into the ring.)

Circe: If you are wanting to step up, then how about you get your ass into this ring RIGHT NOW!!

(Circe smirks as she stands on the rope feeling arrogant as she waits for Milli to make a decision….)

(THUD!!)

(Milli doesn’t take very long to make her decision as she tosses the microphone down and sprints right to the ring and Circe gets off the ropes to get ready to fight.)

Deadprez: It didn’t take Milli long to decide what she wanted to do as she dives right into the ring AND HERE WE GO!! MILLI TAKES CIRCE DOWN WITH A SPEAR BEFORE HITTING DIEGO WITH A RIGHT HAND!

Sienna Swann: Father Vlad gets out of the way, either planning something sinister or not wanting a piece of Milli. Regardless, sweetie, Milli is doing a hell of a job fighting off the family as she puts the boots to Circe. 

Gavin Kirkland: BUT THE NUMBERS ARE STARTING TO GET TOO MUCH FOR MILLI AS DIEGO CATCHES MILLI FROM BEHIND! MILLI IS DOWN AS CIRCE GETS BACK TO HER FEET!

Deadprez: It’s two on one against Milli and Father Vlad looks pleased with Circe and Diego just beating the hell out of Milli. 

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, this is exactly what Father Vlad wanted to see happen to put Milli in her place….

(Until….)

(“7 Rings” by Ariana Grande starts to play as the crowd comes absolutely unglued as Veena Adams enters the arena and makes a sprint right to the ring.)

Gavin Kirkland: WOOOHOOOO! IT’S VEENA! VEENA IS BACK AND SHE IS RUNNING RIGHT TO THE RING! VEENA IS HERE AND SHE IS GOING TO HELP MILLI! KUTE AND KUNTY ARE BACK IN FULL POWER!

(When Veena slides into the ring, Diego, Circe, and Father Vlad get out of the ring with no contact being made which causes the crowd to boo and Veena helps her bestie back to her feet.)

Deadprez: Thank gawd for Veena, dawg, or else Milli would have been in a huge mess of trouble. Look! Veena has grabbed one of the mics left in the ring. I can only wonder what is on her mind.

(Veena grabs a microphone for herself and for her bestie as Veena keeps an arm around her bestie to help her stay up as she addresses the trio who beat up her best friend.)

Veena Adams: Well you two certainly don’t like to stay around and fight when the numbers are fair, do you? Well how about you two put this on for size and actually put your money where your mouths are and actually fight fair. You two… against us two….

(Veena and Milli look at each other and nod.)

Milli Banks: AT THE LAST STAND!

(The crowd cheers at the challenge as Diego and Circe look at Father Vlad as he gives them a nod before he lifts his microphone up to address the challenge.)

Father Vlad: As tempting as that offer is, if my family is going to accept this challenge, how about we up the ante a little bit?

(Milli and Veena look at Father Vlad as he continues.)

Father Vlad: How about instead of some run of the mill tag team match…we make things a little more interesting. How about we make it A HOLLYWOOD HORROR NIGHTS MATCH!!

(Milli and Veena wonder what in the hell Father Vlad is getting at, but they look at each other and talk to each other for a moment before they answer the challenge.)

Veena Adams: We accept! It doesn’t matter what stipulation you add, we’re going to show you what happens when you mess with Kute and Kunty.

(Veena and Milli drop their microphones as the crowd cheers loudly in excitement as the two sides stare each other down as Father Vlad motions for Circe and Diego to head up the ramp.)

Sienna Swann: Well, sweeties, things just got a little more interesting for The Last Stand. It’s going to be Circe and Diego… with Father Vlad no doubt being in there somewhere against Kute and Kunty in a Hollywood Horror Nights match. What in the world is that going to entail?

Deadprez: I don’t know, but what I do know is that whatever it is going to be, it is for sure going to be a fight. These four are going to beat the hell out of each other.

(The final shot shows Kute and Kunty raising their arms in solidarity before cutting to Circe, Diego, and Father Vlad heading up the ramp and not taking their eyes off of Veena and Milli as the camera shot fades into a commercial.)

(Showdown returns from the commercial break for the final time with Gina Romano standing by at the centre of the ring.)

Gina Romano: YOUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING IS A TAG TEAM MATCH SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

(‘Section’ by The Roots plays as Impact makes his way out to the stage and pauses for a moment. After a brief beat, ‘Gloria’ by the London Symphony Orchestra follows and Impact turns toward Bea Valentine with a visibly conflicted expression, the bitterness of Territorial Invasion still sitting openly on his face. He works through it, refocuses, and the two walk down to the ring together with the uneasy composure of two professionals who understand what the moment requires of them regardless of personal grievances.)

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST!… THE TEAM OF BEA VALENTINE AND IMPACT!

Sienna Swann: Look, Impact can carry on expressing his feelings about Bea Valentine for as long as he likes, sweetie, and I will be honest with you, he is not entirely wrong about some of it. But Bea Valentine has already demonstrated comprehensively that she is the superior competitor and the more accomplished elitist by every measurable standard, so the notion that Impact can genuinely attribute his loss at Territorial Invasion to anything other than his own shortcomings is a conversation I find increasingly difficult to take seriously.

Deadprez: Whatever the personal history between these two, they have agreed to set it aside for now and are going up against a pairing that carries its own deeply complicated partnership issues. The hope is that Karl and Bea can manage the tension between them with considerably more maturity than the team across from them has demonstrated recently.

Gavin Kirkland: Karl is obviously still carrying the weight of what happened to him at Territorial Invasion personally and would absolutely prefer that things had resolved themselves differently that night. But tonight is a different night and a different challenge and both of them are going to have to find a way to function as a unit regardless of what either one of them is still processing from that evening.

(Once Bea and Karl are settled in the ring, ‘Power’ by The Score plays and Rex McAllister walks out looking thoroughly focused and prepared. Before he can settle into his entrance however, ‘LIKE WEEZY’ by Playboi Carti cuts in immediately and Joso walks right past Rex as though the man does not exist, heading straight down to the ring and commandeering the spotlight without a second thought. Rex watches Joso go, takes a visible breath, shakes his head with the restrained expression of someone choosing their battles, and follows him down to the ring.)

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING THEIR OPPONENTS!… THE TEAM OF REX MCALLISTER AND JOSO!

Gavin Kirkland: We all witnessed how last week ended with Impact’s interference potentially altering what could have been a clean and definitive outcome between these two, and now both sides are being required to set all of that aside and function as cohesive units in the same ring tonight!

Sienna Swann: Rex had better keep a very close eye on Joso the moment things start going sideways in that ring, sweetie, because we have already witnessed exactly what happens when that particular individual decides the match is no longer running on his terms. 

Deadprez: Regardless of the surrounding complications, this should still be a genuinely compelling watch. We have four legitimately elite-level competitors who are all operating in the orbit of the world title conversation and this match functions as a preview of what their chemistry looks like when they are all sharing the same ring at the same time. That is worth paying attention to.

(DING DING DING!) 

Gavin Kirkland: Two teams carrying very well-documented tension toward each other coming into this match and what we have here is an unresolved chemistry between all four competitors, particularly given everything that erupted at the end of last week between Rex McAllister and Joso. This environment is not built for a clean and uneventful tag match.

(Bea Valentine gives Impact a professional nod and steps forward, doing her best to keep things composed between them despite the extensive and complicated history they share. Rex attempts to step forward as well but Joso puts a hand flat against his chest and stops him in his tracks.)

Deadprez: Rex clearly does not appreciate that gesture in the slightest but to his credit he raises both hands and steps back without escalating, choosing not to let himself get rattled before a single bell has rung.

Sienna Swann: Or alternatively, sweetie, it could end in the exact same catastrophe we witnessed last week. Personally if I were Rex I would have already addressed that particular hand on my chest in a considerably more direct manner.

Gavin Kirkland: Joso and Bea Valentine are opening this match with Joso charging immediately and the champion matching his energy! Both engage in a collar and elbow but Joso enforces considerably more pressure and takes a decisive step forward, driving Valentine back into the corner without hesitation!

Deadprez: There is a sharp and focused determination in Joso’s movement from the very first second and he SWINGS a right hand ruthlessly at the champion! The champion tries to charge back in and reassert herself!

Sienna Swann: But Joso sidesteps it and connects with a Superkick directly into the gut instead! He grabs the champion by the wrist and drives her back into the corner, following through immediately! But Bea is not interested in being dominated this early and gets herself clear just in time, sending Joso crashing into the corner instead and THRUSTING him back into it with authority!

Gavin Kirkland: Valentine follows with a precise Chop that lands directly across his chest! Joso barely has time to register the pain before ANOTHER CHOP lands and denies him any chance of a breather!

Sienna Swann: The Eternal Champion putting considerable early pressure on Joso from the opening exchanges and then letting him stumble out! Steps in looking for a Superkick, but Joso manages to get hold of the leg and swings around, looking for a German Suplex! Watch yourself, sweetie!

Deadprez: Valentine with a quick counter, securing the leg before Joso can complete the rotation and bringing him down to the canvas! Valentine turns back around, secures both hands and SENDS JOSO LAUNCHING SKYWARD WITH A MONKEY FLIP THAT CRASHES HIM HARD ONTO THE CANVAS! Clean and intelligent play from the champion in the opening moments of this match!

Gavin Kirkland: Not a particularly enjoyable opening stretch for Joso as Valentine continues to impose her will and march all over whatever momentum he was hoping to establish tonight! Joso gets hauled back to his feet and gets driven toward the ropes!

Sienna Swann: Dropkick to the leg from Valentine leaves Joso completely exposed and the footwork propels her straight back up and NAILS HIM WITH A BASEMENT DROPKICK DIRECTLY TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! Some genuinely sharp and deliberate work from the champion to establish exactly who is running this match, sweetie!

Deadprez: Valentine pulls Joso back to his feet and makes efficient work of the moment before driving him into the corner and reaching out to make the tag with the Quintessential Champion!

(TAG!)

Gavin Kirkland: Impact wastes absolutely no time, moving like a man who has been waiting for this specific opportunity to get his hands on someone he has considered a considerable irritant for quite some time! Karl unloads forearm shot after forearm shot on Joso in that corner and absolutely pins him there, leaving Rex watching with visible concern from his own corner at the state his partner is already in!

Sienna Swann: Here comes the Quintessential Champion building further momentum by dragging Joso out of the corner, but Joso attempts to reverse the Irish Whip and Karl ends up driven into the corner instead! Joso comes charging after him! Not this time, sweetie!

Gavin Kirkland: That Running Bulldog leaves Joso thoroughly vulnerable but Impact still does not go for the cover just yet, instead throwing hands at a completely defenceless Joso and taking full advantage of the situation to unload on him! Karl is pouring out every accumulated ounce of frustration that has been building inside him since Pain For Pride and Joso is on the receiving end of all of it right now!

Sienna Swann: He has absolutely been waiting for this specific opportunity, sweetie, and the way he is hauling Joso back to his feet and going for the Irish Whip tells us exactly how much of this has been sitting with him since that night.

Deadprez: But Joso refuses to simply absorb it and manages to reverse the momentum, driving Impact into the corner instead! Joso tries to press forward immediately, but Impact throws him over the ropes before he can capitalize! Joso lands on both feet on the apron and keeps his composure!

Gavin Kirkland: Impact turns around and immediately catches an elbow directly to the jaw from Joso! Joso measures his target and launches himself— SPRINGBOARD FROG SPLASH CONNECTS ON KARL IMPACT! STRAIGHT INTO THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gavin Kirkland: Kickout at two from Karl! And Rex, watching from the corner and reading the situation clearly, comes around trying to reach out toward Joso and offer some assistance in what is becoming a complicated position!

Sienna Swann: Come on, make the smart decision and get your partner in there, sweetie. You are not equipped to handle this particular moment by yourself right now.

Joso: (Off-Mic) Shut up, Rex! I have got this handled myself!

Sienna Swann: Apparently, the confidence is intact. 

Deadprez: Joso gets back to his feet and hauls Karl along, still working to piece things together after absorbing that aerial attack! Joso delivers a sharp shoot kick directly to the chest that leaves Karl thoroughly exposed before following with a Snapmare that deposits Impact at the centre of the ring! PENALTY KICK TO THE BACK! We are getting some genuinely stiff and purposeful striking on display right now!

Gavin Kirkland: Joso is clearly carrying real frustration about having his momentum disrupted earlier in this match and now he is making everyone in that ring feel the consequences of it! He hauls Karl back to his feet and continues the punishment! GERMAN SUPLEX DRIVES KARL DOWN AND IMPACT ENDS UP ON HIS KNEES! ROUNDHOUSE KICK FOLLOWS THROUGH IMMEDIATELY!

Sienna Swann: As I have been saying consistently, sweetie, Joso is a completely different and considerably more compelling competitor when he commits to the wrestling and leaves the performance at the curtain. 

Gavin Kirkland: And now Joso retreats toward the corner and reaches back for the tag! Based on the sour and reluctant expression on his face, he is not particularly thrilled about making that call, but the accumulated toll of this match has left him with no sensible alternative for the moment!

(TAG!) 

Deadprez: The tag is made and Rex McAllister steps through the ropes ready to put some real work in! Impact forces himself back to his feet and tries to swing for the chop but Rex reads it and runs, circling around and building full speed off the ropes before TAKING IMPACT DOWN WITH A REBOUND LARIAT!

Sienna Swann: Impact stumbles back to his feet trying to locate some composure and ends up drifting into the nearby corner! McAllister gets back to his feet and heads straight for that corner! JUMPING CORNER CLOTHESLINE CONNECTS ON KARL AND THE LIONHEART IS OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY RIGHT NOW, SWEETIE!

Gavin Kirkland: Look at the speed and the decisiveness of Rex McAllister going to work in this match! He drags Karl out of the corner and follows through! BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX! STRAIGHT INTO THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gavin Kirkland: Impact kicks out once more but Rex ensures he stays positioned exactly where he wants him, now throwing repeated shots at Impact’s head and keeping him as grounded and immobilised as possible before he can generate any movement or create any space!

Deadprez: Shot after deliberate shot, McAllister finally shifts Karl out of position and attempts to send him into the corner! Impact reverses it out of sheer desperation, but it works, driving Rex back first into the corner with real impact!

Gavin Kirkland: Rex stumbles out of the corner, and Karl is right there to meet him with a Knife Edge Chop that stings across his chest! Impact spins Rex around toward the ropes and sends him across with the Irish Whip– TILT-A-WHIRL BACKBREAKER BY IMPACT DRIVES REX DOWN! COVER BY IMPACT THIS TIME, WHILE STILL HOLDING THIS BACK!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gavin Kirkland: And Karl still manages to kick out despite everything that has been thrown at him in this match!

Sienna Swann: These two are absolutely going to be fighting each other all night long, sweetie, and I sincerely hope the Answers World Champion gets considerably more time in this match before it concludes because that is where my interest genuinely lives tonight.

Deadprez: Karl gets back and tries to drive Rex into the corner the moment he is being dragged back up, but Rex swats those hands away and returns fire with repeated elbows that stack damage with every single shot! Elbow after elbow landing and Rex winds up for the big one!

Gavin Kirkland: Looking for the Discus Elbow to close that sequence out but Karl sidesteps it and gets behind him! ELBOW TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Rex stumbles and turns straight into Impact! STEP-UP ENZUIGIRI FROM IMPACT PUTS REX DOWN TO ONE KNEE!

Sienna Swann: AND WITHOUT WASTING A SINGLE MOMENT, KARL IS BACK ON HIS FEET AND DRIVES A SHOT INTO JOSO’S FACE THAT SENDS HIM CLEAN OFF THE APRON, SWEETIE!

Deadprez: And here comes Rex, immediately surging in from behind, looking for the O’Connor Roll before Karl can reset!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

Deadprez:  Joso is furious on the outside about what Impact just did to him and fights to get back to the apron!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gavin Kirkland: KICK OUT FROM KARL! Rex gets pushed away from the kickout and ends up colliding directly into Joso who was just getting back to his position and sends him crashing down to the floor again!

Sienna Swann: That poor man is having an absolutely catastrophic evening out there and not a single bit of it is going according to any plan he had, sweetie!

Deadprez: McAllister stumbles and turns around with barely any time to process what just happened! Impact is already there and hooks both arms– DOUBLE UNDERHOOK BACKBREAKER IN POSITION!

Gavin Kirkland: But the Lionheart slips over Impact’s back before the move can be completed! Comes all the way over and TURNS IMPACT INTO A SIT-OUT ROLLUP! WHAT A PRESENCE OF MIND FROM REX MCALLISTER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gavin Kirkland: KARL IMPACT POWERS OUT AT TWO!

Sienna Swann: And Rex is back on his feet the instant Impact tries to rise! YAKUZA KICK SMASHES DIRECTLY INTO HIM AND SNAPS HIS HEAD SIDEWAYS! The strike turns Impact around completely and gives Rex the opening he needs to capitalize from the side! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP DRIVES KARL TO THE CANVAS!

Deadprez: While we have an excellent match developing in that ring, not everyone appears to be in the right headspace to appreciate it!

Sienna Swann: And the reason why is glaringly obvious to anyone paying attention, sweetie!

Gavin Kirkland: Joso is on the outside, and he is genuinely considering walking away from this match entirely, and Rex is up trying to call him back into the ring! Come on, Joso, where is the team spirit?!

Rex McAllister: (Off-Mic) JOSO!

Joso: (Off-Mic) Man, forget this! I cannot deal with any of this right now….

Rex McAllister: (Off-Mic) Come on, stay focused!

(Joso stops walking, pauses for a long moment, shakes his head, and reluctantly turns back toward the ring.)

Sienna Swann: At least sparing himself from further embarrassment than he has already accumulated in this match tonight, sweetie. Get back in that ring and do something useful.

Deadprez: After a considerable amount of visible friction between the two of them, the partnership is reluctantly restored, and the tag is made, with Joso clearly forcing himself through every inch of the decision!

(TAG!)

Gavin Kirkland: Joso steps back through the ropes and immediately drags Karl along before dropping him cleanly with a Snap Suplex and hooks the leg right away!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEE! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gavin Kirkland: Impact powers the shoulder up at two and Joso immediately goes back to maintaining a headlock over him to keep him grounded!

Deadprez: Once he regains the position, Joso is clearly determined to rebuild the momentum that deserted him earlier in this match! He thrashes Impact toward the corner after pulling him back to his feet and redirects, perhaps looking for a Running European Uppercut!

Sienna Swann: But Karl gets clear as Joso was looking to send the old man’s teeth through the back of his skull! Missed entirely and Karl counters with a Backslide Rollup, rolling Joso through and hoisting him up! GOING FOR THE POWERBOMB TO PUT THE STAR PLAYER DOWN AND SHUT HIM UP, SWEETIE!

Gavin Kirkland: But here is where the genuine innovation comes in! Joso takes full advantage of the elevated position and clamps in the Triangle Choke while suspended in Karl’s arms! Making absolutely certain there is no breathing room available to the Quintessential Champion whatsoever and no remaining energy left for any further offensive efforts in this match!

Deadprez: Valentine on the outside trying to communicate with Karl and keep him focused while Karl is doing exactly that on the inside despite everything being done to prevent it! Years of sustained and brutal competition have not only made him wiser but measurably stronger as well, and the legend is powering through! Joso gets hoisted all the way up despite taking the seemingly intelligent route of applying that Triangle Choke! POWERBOMB CONNECTS! INTO THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEE!

Sienna Swann: Just the one count as Karl is absolutely not finished and goes right back to it! INTO A SITOUT POWERBOMB AS A SECOND CONSECUTIVE IMPACT LANDS AND FLATTENS JOSO! COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Sienna Swann: TWO COUNTS! JOSO KICKS OUT and Karl wastes absolutely no time retreating and immediately puts that tag team partnership to proper use, sweetie!

(TAG!)

Deadprez: Tag made and the Answers World Champion fires right back into the picture with genuine authority! Here comes Valentine, while Rex is still focused on shouting instructions at his partner from the outside before getting knocked clean off the apron with a forearm for his trouble!

Gavin Kirkland: Joso sees nothing good coming his way but has no choice but to pull himself together and go at Valentine! He tries to go for the Bicycle Knee Strike but swings through nothing as Valentine turns around and puts him flat with a Discus Lariat that completely drains whatever reserves Joso had left in that moment!

Sienna Swann: Joso stumbles back to his feet and falls right into Valentine’s range! He gets pulled over and sent to the ropes but counters the Irish Whip! Valentine comes back and Joso POUNDS her in return with a Bicycle Knee Strike as payback for that Lariat!

Gavin Kirkland: But there is always a price to be paid and Valentine is absolutely not inclined to let any of that go!… SUPERKICK IN RETURN as her own form of retaliation for what Joso just tried— RUNNING CUTTER FOLLOWS IMMEDIATELY AFTER! Valentine coming back with full force and letting everything loose on the Star Player!

Deadprez: Here comes Rex McAllister trying to shift the balance back toward his side and charges in looking for a Running Clothesline but Valentine sidesteps it and sends Rex’s chest rebounding off the ropes instead! INTO A SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX THAT PUTS REX DOWN TO ONE KNEE!

Sienna Swann: Valentine is fully back in command of this match and demonstrating exactly what it means to be the reigning Answers World Champion on a night like this, sweetie! The Eternal Empress retreats to the corner and locks in her aim at the kneeling Rex— SHINING WIZARD PUTS HIM DOWN! The champion is running this show and everyone in that ring is being reminded of it right now!

Gavin Kirkland: Joso slowly getting back to his feet and Karl is loading that right fist up with everything he has! In a vulnerable state like this, Karl is looking to take full advantage and swing for everything!

(## FIST OF FURY!)

Sienna Swann: WATCH OUT, SWEETIE!

Deadprez: JOSO MOVES OUT OF THE PATH AND THE RIGHT HOOK NEARLY CONNECTS WITH BEA!

(Karl manages to arrest the fist at the last possible moment, stopping it directly in front of Valentine’s face. Bea does not flinch. She has recently survived one of the most brutal championship matches of her career against this exact man and a near-miss from a closed fist is not going to rattle her. The two share a long, cold stare for a suspended moment before Karl allows a slight smirk to form and retreats to the corner.)

Gavin Kirkland: As we just witnessed, Karl is acknowledging her composed and entirely unmoved reaction while also making it very clear that he could have followed through if he had chosen to. But there is a main event to run and everyone in this building knows it.

Sienna Swann: I prefer to think he recognised that pulling that trigger right now would jinx any chance he has at becoming a twelve-time champion and simply does not want to admit it, sweetie.

Deadprez: BUT WAIT! LOOK AT THIS! JOSO SENDS KARL FLYING OVER THE TOP ROPE WHILE KARL WAS MAKING HIS WAY BACK TO THE APRON! Came from behind and launched him over at the precise moment Karl was trying to de-escalate and keep things from spiralling further! Another one rises to ruin his parade!

Sienna Swann: That man is constitutionally incapable of not being sneaky, sweetie!

Gavin Kirkland: Valentine reacts immediately with visible shock and rushes over toward Joso trying to throw him into the corner behind her! But Joso reads the attempt and takes full advantage of the position, leaping up and FLYING DOWN WITH A SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT ON VALENTINE!

Deadprez: Once Joso takes control of the situation, he is right back in the swing of things! Valentine stumbles back to her feet, and the champion falls directly into the position where Joso can strike from behind and hoist her up!… INVERTED 1916! Joso quickly hooks the leg, trying to put her away!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Deadprez: BEA KICKS OUT AT TWO! Remaining firmly in this match, her sheer willpower continues to frustrate Joso, who is working hard to close this out!

Gavin Kirkland: Joso backs toward the corner and Rex reads the body language immediately, seeing the opening to get himself back into this match!

(TAG!)

Sienna Swann: Tag made and McAllister comes rushing in while Valentine, having just absorbed considerable punishment from Joso, is now falling into Rex’s path as he grabs her and lifts! OLYMPIC SLAM! McAllister backs into the corner once he has Bea positioned, firing himself up while Valentine tries to work her way back to vertical!

Gavin Kirkland: Impact on the outside is getting himself back up to the apron, trying to re-enter the situation, but HERE COMES JOSO RUSHING FROM THE SIDE WITH A DROPKICK THAT SENDS KARL BACK DOWN! Joso denies Impact any further involvement in this match! SUICIDE DIVE KEEPS KARL GROUNDED AND WELL AWAY FROM ANYTHING RESEMBLING A VICTORY TONIGHT!

Deadprez: Valentine has finally fought her way back to her feet and McAllister is wasting absolutely no time! Charging out looking for the move we have been building toward all night! COMING IN FOR THE REX EFFECT PERHAPS!

Sienna Swann: CHOP TO THE CHEST FROM VALENTINE! The champion’s resilience stops McAllister’s momentum entirely, and she hits the ropes! AND REX CATCHES VALENTINE IN MID-MOTION AND DRIVES HER DOWN WITH A SPINNING SIDE SLAM!

(Before Rex can go into the cover, Joso suddenly calls out to him from the apron.)

Gavin Kirkland: Joso is making a call to his tag team partner from out there! Is he actually looking to make the tag at this specific moment?!

Sienna Swann: McAllister is looking confused, trying to stay focused on the match and the cover while being suddenly summoned like this! What exactly is this man planning right now, sweetie?!

(McAllister walks over and Joso lets a slow smirk spread across his face.)

Joso: (Off-Mic) Aye man, I am sorry about everything that happened out there. That one was entirely on me….

(Joso places his hand on Rex’s shoulder.)

(Tap, tap.)

Joso: (Off-Mic) But I genuinely appreciate everything you put in tonight, bro.

(TAG!)

Deadprez: WAIT! THAT WAS A TAG! JOSO JUST USED THAT ENTIRE MANUFACTURED MOMENT OF RECONCILIATION TO STEAL THE TAG AND IS NOW RUSHING OVER TO CAPITALISE ON EVERY OUNCE OF WORK REX JUST PUT INTO BEA VALENTINE BY GOING STRAIGHT FOR THE PINFALL!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Deadprez: AND VALENTINE KICKS OUT! Afterwards, Rex walks directly into Joso’s face and the argument that has been simmering beneath the surface of this entire match finally begins to boil over! Rex has been trying to hold his composure and keep this partnership functional and he is now staring down the man who just used a fake apology as a tagging mechanism!

Gavin Kirkland: These two men are on completely different pages once again and Valentine has used every second of the distraction to get herself back to her feet! SHE RUSHES OVER AND SHOVES JOSO DIRECTLY INTO REX, SENDING HIM TUMBLING TO THE OUTSIDE!

Sienna Swann: The opposing team falling apart yet again through their own dysfunction, sweetie! Bea immediately rolls Joso up to take full advantage of the chaos!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Sienna Swann: JOSO KICKS OUT AT TWO! Scrambles back to his feet with that infuriating confidence still fully intact! Bea gets up and Joso immediately goes for the Curb Stomp looking to end this right now! Do not let him stomp on your crown, Bea, sweetie!

Gavin Kirkland: Valentine avoids the Stomp cleanly and Joso finds nothing but canvas! Valentine hits the ropes and the champion builds momentum at full speed! BEA TRIGGERRRRRRRRRR! JOSO GETS TURNED COMPLETELY INSIDE OUT AND CRASHES DOWN! THAT IS IT! BEA IS GOING FOR THE WIN AND TAKING THIS ONE HOME FOR HER TEAM!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…

Crowd: THREE!

Sienna Swann: THREE!

Gavin Kirkland: NO! JOSO’S FOOT IS ON THE ROPE!

Deadprez: Hold on a moment! IMPACT?! HE JUST COST BEA A POTENTIAL VICTORY RIGHT THERE BY POSITIONING THAT FOOT ON THE ROPE!

Gavin Kirkland: To Karl, this is unfinished business from Territorial Invasion and he is extracting whatever revenge he can from the outside! The referee caught completely off guard as Impact gets right into Valentine’s face and now the two of them are arguing with each other in the middle of an ongoing tag match! This is poisoning the well of this entire match further and further with every passing second!

Sienna Swann: Bea is clearly furious that Impact is still carrying what happened at Territorial Invasion around with him and making it everyone else’s problem, sweetie! Deal with it in a sanctioned match like an adult!

Deadprez: WATCH OUT! REX FROM BEHIND WITH THE CORKSCREW AXE KICK AT BEA BUT VALENTINE SIDESTEPS IT AND SENDS REX FLYING DIRECTLY INTO HER PARTNER!

Gavin Kirkland: No time to stand around arguing when your opponent could be lurking anywhere in this match! Valentine dives back into the action but Rex quickly hoists Bea up and appears to be looking for the Fireman’s Carry Driver!

Sienna Swann: McAllister cannot get it completed, Bea showing her resilience and slips out before shoving Rex toward the ropes! BUT REX COMES FLYING BACK LOOKING FOR THE REX EFFECT!

(CRACKKKKKKK!)

Gavin Kirkland: JOSO WAS COMING IN FROM BEHIND LOOKING FOR THE BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE AT BEA BUT ENDS UP CRASHING DIRECTLY INTO REX AND TAKES HIS OWN PARTNER OUT! This match has become an absolute carnival of unintended consequences and every single offensive attempt at this point is hitting the wrong target!

Deadprez: Valentine turns around after absorbing everything this chaotic match has thrown at her and WAIT A MOMENT! JOSO HAS HER CAUGHT IN A SMALL PACKAGE IMMEDIATELY WHILE SHE WAS STILL TRYING TO LOCATE HER FOCUS! COMPLETELY CAUGHT HER OFF GUARD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CONFUSION!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

(…)

Sienna Swann: THREE! WHAT?!?!?! JOSO JUST PINNED THE ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION AND STOLE THE VICTORY, SWEETIE!

(DING DING DING!) 

Gina Romano: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS!… JOSO AND REX MCALLISTER!

(‘LIKE WEEZY’ by Playboi Carti plays as Joso rolls to the outside and scrambles back to his feet, that smug grin spreading wide as he stares back at Valentine with the full and unrepentant satisfaction of a man who just robbed the house and walked out the front door.)

Gavin Kirkland: OUT OF ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE! JOSO CATCHES BEA VALENTINE IN A SMALL PACKAGE WHILE SHE WAS DISTRACTED BY EVERYTHING HAPPENING AROUND HER AND THE REFEREE COUNTS THREE! THE STAR PLAYER PINS THE ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION AND WALKS AWAY WITH THE WIN!

Sienna Swann: (staring at the ring with genuine disbelief etched across her face) I cannot comprehend how he walked away with that, sweetie! How does Joso turn a main event that had completely slipped away from him into a pinfall over the Answers World Champion?! HOW?!

Deadprez: Joso did not win this match so much as this match handed it to him while he was paying attention, but that is still a win. The Star Player has pinned the Answers World Champion and this main event is going to have consequences well beyond tonight! 

(As the match concludes, the Answers World Champion gets back to her feet and fixes a furious and smouldering glare down at Joso on the outside, the reality of what just happened visibly settling over her with every passing second. On the other side of the ring, Karl Impact and Rex McAllister come face to face once more, the two legends locking eyes in a long and loaded stare that communicates everything remaining unresolved between them as Showdown comes to an end.)

(EAW Logo buzzes.) 

In the month of September, EAW held one of the biggest events of the season with Territorial Invasion! The season’s first tribrand event was a huge success and once again highlighted all three major brands in a great way, with fantastic matches all across both nights. As always the tribrand matches delivered, including the War Games match that closes out the event every year. This year saw plenty of names enter the match for the first time, resulting in a very unpredictable War Games match that absolutely could’ve been won by anybody. In the end, September’s Elitists of the Month are the three that did pull it off, that being Voltage’s team of team Captain Damon Lazarus, Auburn Ware and Specialists Champion Saori Aizen! With everything that has unfolded between these three it was surprising seeing them work together at all, but in the end they did not only that, but they did so with great efficiency. All three of these Elitists are able to leave Territorial Invasion as first time War Games winners thanks to the fantastic teamwork they showed, putting the very personal issues they had aside to achieve such a big goal. Congratulations to Damon, Auburn and Saori, who all achieved one of their biggest victories thus far.

(EAW intro plays.)

(A recap is shown of Territorial Invasion. The eventful nights are recapped with highlights, including the victories Voltage took in both Brand Warfare and War Games. The recap comes to an end, and following this the camera opens to a wide shot of the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, the Netherlands as pyro shoots from the stage, officially kicking off the first Sunday Night Voltage since Territorial Invasion! The fans are on their feet as the camera moves throughout the arena before transitioning over to the commentary table, where Rich Russillo, Thadd Blazevich and Persephone are seated.)

Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Sunday Night Voltage! Territorial Invasion is officially behind us, and it was a huge night for the yellow brand as Voltage walked away with victories in both Brand Warfare AND War Games!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, I love it! Everybody spent weeks talking about which brand was better, and Voltage just went out there and handled business, bro. Brand Warfare AND War Games? That’s a pretty gnarly weekend if you ask me!

Persephone: I guess. They won, good for them. Territorial Invasion is over though, so I don’t know how long we’re supposed to keep celebrating this.

Rich Russillo: Well, judging by the look on Captain Charisma’s face, I think we might be celebrating for at least a little while longer! The Voltage Commissioner is already standing in the ring, and it looks like he has plenty to say after what happened at Territorial Invasion!

(The camera transitions to the ring, where Captain Charisma is standing with a microphone in hand. A smirk remains on his face as he takes in the cheers from the Amsterdam crowd before finally raising the microphone.)

Captain Charisma: Welcome to Sunday Night Voltage! I have to admit, I’ve been looking forward to this one. Territorial Invasion is always one of the biggest weekends of the year, because for one night this stops being about individual rivalries and Championships. It becomes about representing your brand, and this year I couldn’t have asked for much more from the people who represented Voltage.

(The crowd begins to cheer, and Captain Charisma nods his head.)

Captain Charisma: We had two teams walk into two of the biggest matches of the entire event, and both of them walked out victorious. There were fifteen Elitists fighting for their brands in Brand Warfare. There were three teams tearing each other apart inside War Games. Neither match was easy, and I’m sure everyone who competed in them is still feeling the effects tonight, but when both matches ended, there was one thing they had in common. Voltage was standing tall.

(The cheers grow louder, bringing a grin to Captain Charisma’s face.)

Captain Charisma: I could stand here all night talking about how proud that makes me as Commissioner, but I’d rather give the people responsible for those victories the recognition they earned. We’ll get to our War Games winners in just a moment, but first, I want to start with the five Elitists who represented Voltage in Brand Warfare.

(Captain Charisma turns his attention toward the stage.)

Captain Charisma: Raven Roberts, ARIA, Candice Blair, Ashlynn Quinn, Eris Morti… come on out here!

(‘Ghost Myself’ by DIAMANTE hits to a loud reaction from the Amsterdam crowd as Raven Roberts steps onto the stage, followed by ARIA, Candice Blair, Ashlynn Quinn, and Eris Morti, though Eris strolls behind. Raven looks back at the team she put together before leading them down the ramp toward the ring.)

Rich Russillo: And here comes the winning Brand Warfare team, led by their captain Raven Roberts! ARIA, Candice Blair and Eris Morti were the three survivors at Territorial Invasion, but all five members played a part in bringing the victory to Voltage!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, you gotta give it up for all five of them! They went into that match on the same page, fought for each other when they needed to, and now they get to come out here knowing they got the job done, bro!

Persephone: I don’t have to give Raven Roberts anything. The other four can celebrate all they want, though.

(Raven makes her way up the steel steps and enters the ring, with ARIA, Candice, Ashlynn, and Eris following behind. Captain Charisma applauds and greets the five women as they settle into the ring, while Raven’s music begins to fade.)

Captain Charisma: And of course, Brand Warfare wasn’t the only major victory Voltage walked away with at Territorial Invasion. So before we go any further, there are three more people who deserve to be standing in this ring with us.

(Captain Charisma turns toward the stage as the crowd begins to cheer.)

Captain Charisma: Please welcome the winners of War Games… Damon Lazarus, Saori Aizen, and Auburn Ware!

(‘Until It Sleeps’ by Metallica hits as Damon Lazarus saunters onto the stage, with Saori Aizen and Auburn Ware flanking him on either side. The Specialists Championship rests over Saori’s shoulder as she walks confidently beside Damon, while Auburn keeps some distance from both of them. Damon remains between the two as they head down the ramp, though his attention repeatedly drifts toward Auburn.)

Rich Russillo: Damon Lazarus said from the beginning that he would lead his team to victory at Territorial Invasion, and that’s exactly what he did.

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, look at these three! War Games nearly destroyed them, but they’re all still standing. Things might still be a little weird between them, bro, but they did what they had to do when it mattered.

Persephone: After what Auburn went through, I’m surprised she even bothered showing up tonight. I’d still be in bed.

(Damon makes his way up the steel steps and enters the ring, with Saori following behind while Auburn enters shortly after. Saori remains near Damon as Auburn keeps her distance from the two, though Damon once again glances in her direction as the War Games winners join Captain Charisma and the Brand Warfare team. ‘Until It Sleeps’ begins to fade as Captain Charisma looks around at both teams, taking a moment to let the crowd show their appreciation before continuing.)

Captain Charisma: Now that everybody’s out here, I want to say this directly to all eight of you. Congratulations. Brand Warfare and War Games were two completely different battles, but neither victory came easily. Every person standing in this ring played a part, and because of you, Voltage walked away from Territorial Invasion with two huge wins.

(The crowd cheers as Captain Charisma turns toward the Brand Warfare team.)

Captain Charisma: Raven, when I gave you complete control over this team, I trusted you to put together five people who could get the job done. You did exactly that. You and Ashlynn may not have made it to the final three count, but this was a team victory, and ARIA, Candice and Eris made sure everything the five of you fought for paid off. You did a fantastic job as Captain, and I think your expertise here was another showcase of exactly why you’re a Hall of Famer. Brand Warfare was a major success, and I’m glad you were able to put together such a well-rounded team.

(With the Elitists inside of the ring holding microphones, Raven gives Captain Charisma a nod before beginning to speak.)

Raven Roberts: That’s exactly what I wanted from this team. I didn’t need four women waiting for me to tell them what to do. I wanted people who were hungry, who could make their own choices and trust each other to do the same. We all had our own reasons for wanting this, but when the bell rang, we fought as a fucking team.

(Raven looks toward her teammates with a proud smile.)

Raven Roberts: I trusted every one of you, and you proved me right. I’m fucking proud of what we did.

(Hearing this, ARIA smiles.)

ARIA: As am I, of all of us. We heard every bit of doubt and concern towards our team, but none of it mattered. All five of us fought for this, and even when we lost Raven and Ashlynn, we kept moving forward. We believed in each other, and now we can say that Team Voltage won Brand Warfare!

(The fans loudly cheer, and Candice begins to speak, following up on what ARIA said.)

Candice Blair: It’s true that ARIA, Eris and I may have been the ones left standing, but we don’t get there without Raven and Ashlynn, either. Nobody panicked when things went wrong. We trusted each other, kept fighting, and finished what all five of us started. We were hungry, and that’s what mattered. Not the accolades, not what looked right on paper, but how much we actually wanted this. That’s what we were on this team for, and we delivered.

(After saying this, Ashlynn rushes over to ARIA and Candice, hugging them with a bright smile as she speaks.)

Ashlynn Quinn: Exactly! Everybody spent all that time doubting us, and look at us now, babes! I would’ve loved to be one of the last girlies standing too, obviously, but I eliminated Chris Elite, we won, and the Voltage Baddies proved we were just as stacked as I said we were! Period!

(Candice and ARIA embrace Ashlynn’s hug as the fans cheer, while Raven smiles knowing the team came out on top. Ashlynn turns towards Eris, waving her in to join. Eris just watches from the corner of the ring away from her teammates, with an amused but dismissive slight smirk as she remains in place.)

Eris Morti: I enjoyed myself. We won. I see no reason to drag this any further.

(Ashlynn laughs off the comment, as she stays with Raven, Candice and ARIA, enjoying the major victory while Captain Charisma turns toward the War Games winners.)

Captain Charisma: Then we have War Games. Damon, from the moment you were named Captain, you made it clear what you expected. There was honestly no telling what would come from you earning the position of War Games team Captain at Bloodsport. Even less telling what’d come from a team filled with such… I guess you can say personal history. All I knew was that all three of you are incredibly talented Elitists with the ability to be as dangerous as necessary, and in the end you three exceeded any expectation I could’ve possibly had. You said you would put together the team you needed and lead Voltage to victory, and you did exactly that.

(Damon doesn’t say anything as Captain Charisma looks between him, Saori and Auburn. Saori stands confidently beside Damon with the Specialists Championship over her shoulder, while Auburn remains farther away from the two, with her eyes only on the mat below her. Damon’s attention throughout this isn’t on the Commissioner, but on Auburn, who avoids meeting his gaze.)

Captain Charisma: There were plenty of questions about whether the three of you could work together, and after everything you put each other through on the road to Territorial Invasion, I understood why. But when War Games arrived, you found a way to make it work. All three of you went through hell, and when it was over, Voltage was standing tall for the second year in a row.

(The crowd cheers as Captain Charisma smiles.)

Captain Charisma: So Damon, Saori, Auburn, congratulations. You earned this victory just as much as our Brand Warfare team did, and I think all eight of you have earned the right to enjoy what you accomplished at Territorial Invasion—

Saori Aizen: This is besides the point. While I can appreciate the pleasantries, I believe there are far more pressing matters for us to discuss first. You do have business with us, yes? We won War Games, so I believe there is something we’re owed.

(Captain Charisma looks at Saori Aizen, not thrilled about the interruption but able to move on, as he remains excited for what is still to be announced. With a quick sigh, the Commissioner speaks once more.)

Captain Charisma: That’s right. There is a reward that’s in store for all of you out here, and it’s a reward that has come around every single year— with the one exception being last year, where I had to give a separate condition to Voltage’s War Games team thanks to Drake Armstrong. While last year only the individual who achieved the winning fall was rewarded, this year we are returning to the usual style and rewarding every single one of you. Ultimately all eight of you played a significant part in Voltage coming home with not just one but *two* of the tri-brand victories, so all of you will receive something I’m sure you’ll all do very well with. That is of course… a favor of your choosing!

(This gets loud cheers from the crowd, and the Brand Warfare members look pleased with this, with Ashlynn celebrating with Candice and ARIA, who are much more calm in comparison to her. Eris nods hearing this from the Commissioner, while Raven smirks. Saori Aizen seems satisfied with this announcement as well, though with Auburn Ware still thrown off by War Games’ events, Damon Lazarus’ eyes remain fixated on her.)

Captain Charisma: We’re returning to the norm, but with all eight of you all having the chance to ask for whatever you want, there’s really no telling what we’ll get. All of you are going to receive favors, and you deserve it for what you achieved at Territorial Invasion.

(Finally, Damon turns towards the Commissioner. He raises his microphone slowly, before finally beginning to speak.)

Damon Lazarus: It was to be expected. From the moment the idea of leading a War Games team was put in front of me, what you saw at Territorial Invasion was the result bound to arrive. I never had any reason to care for the doubts regarding my decision to choose these ladies for my team. So long as our focus was leaving Territorial Invasion successful our plans were never going to be derailed. My ascension in this company was inevitable, and alongside me were the current, and the previous Specialists Champion. This was always going to be the result, because I believe the events of War Games made it clear that *none* of us were willing to treat failure as an option.

(Damon stops, and while Saori nods, Auburn couldn’t help but notice Damon’s glances towards her, even if she tried not to. She shook her head, part of her not even wanting to be there right now.)

Saori Aizen: Of course not. Victory meant an opportunity added to my resume. The furthering of a legacy which already includes this Specialists Championship. The other teams were fools to think they’d actually be able to prevent our victory— though foolish as they may be, they tried. They fought as hard as they could, but their very best wasn’t enough, nor was it ever going to be. Victory was ours from the beginning, and given we did not collapse as our opponents clearly wished for, I fail to see how that was ever going to change. It is good this is over. Victory in War Games alone was worth the experience, but I’m sure each of us will make use of this favor.

(Saori maintains her smirk as Captain Charisma nods.)

Captain Charisma: Well I can only imagine what you all will have in mind. Whatever the case, I can’t tell you all enough how much you deserve this. You were in top form at Territorial Invasion. All of you, across both matches. I know how difficult both of those matches can be, and we saw some of the chaos and sacrifices that were needed to pull through in the end. Candice, you taking a bullet for ARIA paved the way for ARIA getting the final elimination and winning Voltage the match.

(Candice nods, and Captain Charisma turns towards the War Games team once more.)

Captain Charisma: And Auburn, I don’t know if Voltage walks away with the War Games win without your sacrifice in the main event, putting your own well-being on the line.

(After this comment, it isn’t just Damon that has his eyes on Auburn. Everyone is waiting to see what she has to say, with her actions in the War Games match still fresh on their minds. Auburn is forced to finally look at Captain Charisma, still not giving either of her War Games teammates even the slightest glance as she reluctantly responds.)

Auburn Ware: I just didn’t want to lose, okay? We did what we said we would, and I guess we worked like a team. I said I’d win that match or die trying. I got what I wanted, that’s all that matters.

(Auburn stops speaking after that, sinking back into her corner after those words, not wanting to say anything else. She still avoids looking at Damon and Saori, trying her best to ignore the former’s eyes while the Champion remains satisfied with her victory. There’s a brief silence within the ring with it clear that Auburn’s still shaken from what happened last week, but Captain Charisma does his best to lighten the mood, speaking once more.)

Captain Charisma: Well, I’m sure you’ll have a great opportunity to build on that momentum and get things to continue going your way with that favor. I don’t want to put any ideas into any of your heads. Just remember that they can be used for just about anything within my power, and given what you all poured into your Territorial Invasion matches, it would be wrong if I dissuaded you from using them however you see fit. Seriously, incredible work from each of you, congratulations, and thank you for doing such an incredible job of representing Voltage.

(Captain Charisma stops speaking, and the fans cheer once more. The Brand Warfare members look at each other, with a few short words and glances shared with each other following all that just occurred. Auburn Ware exits the ring, seemingly having had enough, but she isn’t the only one that leaves the ring. Saori Aizen appears content with what’s been said as she steps through the ropes, and slowly but surely Damon Lazarus follows, with his eyes on the ramp, where Auburn Ware is already shown walking up.)

Rich Russillo: The favors have always been a big incentive for Territorial Invasion, and I have to say, I can only wonder what eight different people plan to do with theirs.

Thadd Blazevich: There’s no telling, but this is a real fun situation, isn’t it bro? Not all the people here like each other, but they worked together and they got the job done. Whatever happens next, I think it’s just gonna get even more exciting.

(Raven Roberts looks towards her Brand Warfare teammates, still thinking about her victory as Ashlynn Quinn speaks with Candice Blair and ARIA. Eris Morti slowly slips through the ropes, exiting the ring as Captain Charisma appears happy with Voltage’s Territorial Invasion performance. The camera shows one more shot of the War Games team, with Auburn wasting no time heading to the back, Saori Aizen carrying her Championship and walking alongside Damon Lazarus as Voltage fades from ringside.)

(Commercial for the DC series Lanterns.)

(The scene reopens to the broadcast booth where Rich, Persephone, and Thadd are seen sitting. Two of the three have somber expressions on their faces, while the one in the middle… she appears to be drinking from a flute of champagne. Persephone takes a small sip before she smiles brightly.)

Persephone: At Territorial Invasion we witnessed an absolute miracle and that was Jake Smith disappearing from our screens for good! I want to make a toast to whatever the fuck happened him and here’s to him NEVER reappearing! Cheers!

(Thadd and Rich both cringe as Persephone drains her glass, but it is Rich who finally speaks.)

Rich Russillo: Persephone does not speak on behalf of Thadd and myself, but she is right in the fact we bore witness to a man disappearing before our very eyes. Things have certainly been… interesting, as it pertains to Jake and Caroline this season, and as you all know, they were scheduled for what I can only assume was a ‘Loser Leaves EAW Match’…

Persephone: Call it what it was, Rich. One of those losers was going to burn in Hell beside the Devil himself, and I gotta say, I’m so here for that! Witchcraft, voodoo, occult happens, give me ALL OF IT if it makes members of this godforsaken roster disappear!

Thadd Blazevich: Man, Jake could be in some serious trouble. We don’t even know what happened to bro. We don’t even know if Caroline met some gnarly fate before Territorial Invasion! All we know is that two of Voltage’s rosters member are literally missing and unfortunately we ju-

(Static…)

(White noise…)

(Television screens around the world go black…)

(Darkness…)

(Screams…)

(A sickening thud…)

(Welcome to the void.)

(Jake Smith looks around. For all he knows it’s been hours, or days, or even weeks. He continues to see nothing. All around him there is darkness. All around him there is wind. When the wind stops, the heat rises. He sweats. He grows irritated. He feels like something is keeping chained to the ground.)

(A flash of light.)

(There she is…)

(Jake scrambles to his feet.)

(Caroline has her arms bound behind her back, a noose around her neck, and she is standing on a chair.)

(Belial stands behind her, one foot propped on the chair, chin resting on his hand while his elbow is propped on his knee.)

Belial: Hello, Jake.

(Jake tries to move toward him, but he can’t. Chains bound him from his wrist and ankles to the ground. Belial shakes his head.)

Belial: No, no. I wouldn’t do that… Think about her.

(Belial gestures up to Caroline, who is in a comatosed state, as he glances back at Jake, who is practically shaking in anger.)

Jake Smith: Let… let her-

Belial: Let her go? Why? Should I reward the two of you for conspiring against me? For trying to find a way to get out of the situation that *you* put yourself in?

(Jake’s eyes widen, as Belial chuckles.)

Belial: You didn’t expect me to know? That the two of you were talking behind my back, trying to create this grand conspiracy that there was no way either of you could win? Why would I allow you to go through with that? Whether you are right or wrong, it is clear that you made up your mind. So therefore, you will have to face the consequences for that. It’s as I promised.

(Jake grits his teeth as he continues to try and shake himself free to Belial’s amusement.)

Jake Smith: She has nothing to do with this…

Belial: You’re saying this about the grand perpetrator? The one who wanted this bond between the two of you to be broken in the first place? The one who decided by her own volition to take this knowing the consequences that she would face, and regretting her own decisions because of some lowly human who doesn’t even have the slightest idea of the situation that he is in. I expected better from her, and maybe I expected better from you as well.

(Jake looks in confusion.)

Belial: Someone who Caroline has taken such a fancy to could only be a valuable asset to the underworld. What was it that she said? That I was going to reward you and allow you to walk away with your freedom? Perhaps even stronger than ever? Why would you fight over that? Because it would be without her?

(Belial slightly pushes the chair, causing Jake to jolt, but he was clearly playing a trick.)

Belial: I see… because it would be. The reason that this bond was to be broken in the first place is because you cared about yourself, you neglected her, and all of a sudden now you want both of you to be free. A noble act for sure, but beyond all this composure have you thought even once…

(Belial leaned forward, getting closer to Jake.)

Belial: That even now you don’t wish to sacrifice your freedom in the land of the living?

Jake Smith: …

(Belial smirks.)

Belial: Proved me right.

(Belial continues to smirk…)

(Jake continues to struggle…)

(As silence ensues within the room, Caroline’s head lolls to the side and a slight moan escapes her lips.)

(Belial nudges the chair with his foot and this time it moves. Not enough to knock Caroline’s feet from under her, but she sags against the noose, leaning forward at a dangerous angle.)

(An angry sound erupts from Jake and he breaks one of the chains that holds one of his ankles.)

Belial: Oh.

(The demon chuckles before nudging the chair out further and this time Caroline sways. Jake manages to break one of the chains holding his arms, and once again, a murmur of approval escapes from the lips of Belial.)

Belial: Lo! Let us take this one step further…

(Jake’s eyes widen with something akin to love and fear. Belial shoves the chair out from under Caroline and Jake reacts by ripping himself free and lunging forward. He goes to catch Caroline before her neck snaps…)

(But she is gone…)

(Jake falls on his face at Belial’s feet and laughter echoes throughout the barren room.)

Belial: My oh my. I see why she is so enraptured. The strength you possess without any gifts is truly a sight to see.

Jake Smith: Where the fuck is she??

Belial: Why is that something that you worry about? Better yet, why is that something you believe you deserve the answer to. I would be more than happy now that everything is out in the open to grant you your freedom at the cost of your loved one, yet you choose this mental anguish and turmoil. Why is that?

(Jake doesn’t even look at Belial, his fists clench together as he slams at the ground.)

Belial: This is unlike you, and perhaps… that is a bad thing. Maybe at this point you are not afforded a gesture of good faith from me, because the Jake Smith that I am gifting it to is not the one that earned it in the first place.

(Jake exhales, as he pushes himself back up and lunges toward Belial.)

Belial: I let you have your fun.

(Immediately Jake freezes in place, static in motion, exactly how he was a couple of weeks ago.)

Belial: But now you must face the painful choice that you have chosen to try and fight against. You can either walk away now, continue to live your life without Caroline and allow her to continue to live in exile… or you will fight as promised. Under the same conditions with the smallest chance… at least in your mind… to get what you desire out of this. I will not tell you what is right, I will not tell you what is wrong, I won’t even tell you if I am lying.

(Belial steps forward, putting a condescending hand on his shoulder as he looks down.)

Belial: But it is purely your decision.

(Jake is able to push Belial’s hand off his shoulder which does nothing but amuse the demon. Belial opens a portal and gestures towards it.)

Belial: I will not keep this open long.

(Frustration and heartbreak ripped through Jake, threatening to tear him completely in half. Until now, he did not know the true definition of what it would mean to love someone, but all he could do in this moment was think of Caroline. His eyes wouldn’t even look at the portal. The thought of walking out and securing his freedom held little appeal.)

(Belial tapped a finger against his chin.)

Belial: Hmm. Perhaps I should see what Caroline is truly worth to you. I do know the value she has to me, and the best part of that is she truly has no idea what I have bestowed upon her. She is truly second to only me, Jake, and you must understand why she must remain here. The world is not yet ready for the end times, and when that time comes, she will be the most pivotal part of that. Her prophecy is to set fire to the world, burn the souls of the forgiven, and raise those that are damned. She will give all of herself to my soldiers, and that includes her life.

(A cruel laugh from Belial this time. He is taking great pleasure in prophesying Caroline’s fate to Jake.)

Belial: She will be consumed by fire and die by her own flames. She will weep from the terror and suffer from the pain. She will burn for decades, her life force taken from her slowly. She will continue to strengthen my army, until my plan is fulfilled and there is nothing left but ash. Then, she will continue to smolder, all that beauty gone and her remains never to be found. It is not an easy end, pray tell, but one fitting of her disobedience. Do you still believe you belong here, Jake? Do you still believe that you can find a way to circumnavigate this? You are a bloody fool.

(Without warning, Belial backhanded Jake, sending him against the wall. The back of Jake’s head slammed into the concrete and he slumped into a sitting position.)

Belial: Crawl through the portal, human, on your hands and knees, and I will make sure that you are rewarded within the confines of your pathetic sport. You will not want for championships nor riches, I can promise you that.

(Jake continued to remain still, groaning in pain, but even then… almost refusing to move. It was known by now that Jake Smith never knew how to quit, even if it was against his own good, and right now he was stuck on it… he had made his decision. But alas, it was a decision that Belial wasn’t too particular on.)

(Belial understood this gesture, swiping him by the throat as he lifted him upward.)

Belial: And with all that in mind you STILL continue to fight for her? Let me face you with a hypothetical, Jake. The world burns, the end cometh, do you really believe that because of your allegiance you will be *spared?* That you will be given mercy for your connection with Caroline? No. She will set you ablaze just as she will everyone else because I SAID SO. It is my decision that is final, and you will learn that it is better to spare yourself rather than continue to face yourself with this. I am giving you a chance to make something out of your miserable life because this is my GIFT, and THIS is how you repay me.

(Belial throws Jake to the ground, discarding him like a piece of trash. He presses his foot against him, it searing his chest, almost like a stabbing gesture.)

Belial: Final chance.

(Jake doesn’t even think.)

Jake Smith: BRING ME TO HER!

(Jake erupts forward, forcing his anchor of a leg away as he gets back up. Belial tsks as he chains him again.)

Belial: Perhaps, despite the flames… it is the flame of love that grows stronger than I thought, not one that can be extinguished so easily.

(Belial ponders on this for a moment, before shrugging.)

Belial: Your loss.

(With that… Belial disappears.)

(A cry of anguish escapes from Jake.)

(Darkness…)

(White noise…)

(Static…)

(Television screens around the world flicker back to life…)

(Rich, Persephone, and Thadd are seen sitting behind the broadcast booth, almost in shock. Even Persephone has nothing to say. She simply reaches for her champagne bottle and starts to chug it, as Thadd wishes more than anything he could just light up right there on air.)

(Finally it is Rich who regains some of his composure.)

Rich Russillo: L-ladies and gentlemen… we’re going to um, cut to commercial. We’ll be right back.

(And with that, Voltage fades into a break.)

(Commercial for Friday night Dynasty.)

(Voltage fades backstage; to the sight of the ToXXXin locker room. All three of the ladies simply hung out, though the energy in the air was quite awkward. That much was palpable. Daniella’s expression was proud & empathetic. Selina’s, disappointed. Minerva’s, meanwhile, difficult to read.)

(It simply was not happy.)

(Albeit, she was at least fairly pleased to put the Veena Adams problem to bed. Literally.)

(They’d all be sitting on folded chairs. Daniella leaned towards Minerva. The two were pleasant in discussion despite the energy wandering over the room.)

(Minerva spoke fondly of Daniella’s victory over two men as formidable as Drake Armstrong and Bronson Daniels and consequent World Championship opportunity. Daniella, too, felt Minerva’s psychological will to conquer The Dollhouse was mighty and worth the praise—she did know first hand what it means to face an unpleasant part of the past, and to feel your psyche strung like heartstrings.)

(Still, there was one odd woman out.)

(Selina Reyes.)

(She stood in silence, head down, knuckles curled together. A towel over her styled hair. She was stoic, and focused.)

(The only way she could be after Territorial Invasion’s disappointment.)

(Still, to Minerva, the lack of a voice did not seem like accountability or punishment, but rather avoidance.)

(The Universal Women’s Champion rises up from her chair, even amid Daniella’s whispers sounding in her ear. She stands over Selina, her shadow reflecting on the ground. Selina raises her head for the first time today, and meets Minerva’s eyes.)

(Minerva places a hand on her shoulder. Selina takes it off. She did not deserve it. Minerva felt she was right in making that choice, oddly.)

Selina Reyes: I failed, Minerva.

Minerva: …You did.

Selina Reyes: I apologize.

Minerva: Do not.

(Minerva exhales sharply.)

Minerva: Do not apologize to me. First, apologize to yourself.

(Selina nods her head… Daniella gets up from the folded chair, and crosses her arms next to Minerva. The look on her face carried significantly more sympathy in contrast to Minerva’s stone-faced gaze.)

Daniella Atlas: Sœur… Failure… It can be inevitable. It is often what helps shape our identities and sharpen our blades. That is what matters.

Minerva: Dani, no.

(Minerva gently pushes her chest aside.)

Minerva: Would you want your identity to become failure…?

Daniella Atlas: Minerva, that is not—

Minerva: Please. Know better.

(Daniella exhales, and steps away out of her own volition.)

Minerva: Selina, how do you feel?

Selina Reyes: …Disappointed.

(Selina’s tone was reluctant.)

Minerva: As you should.

(She nods her head, Selina simply looks on at her.)

Minerva: Your fate is not left up to the Gods. Failure is not inevitable. That is simply what losers tell themselves to put their withering hearts at ease. Selina, when is the last time I have failed…?

Selina Reyes: …

(Selina did not even know what answer Minerva wanted, nor did she feel she had the jurisdiction to speak back to her.)

Minerva: I see. Daniella?

Daniella Atlas: …A year and a half ago. Against Joso.

Minerva: Correct. Now, Joso is my boy toy, and I am the Universal Women’s Champion. I have eluded “failure” for over a year— how inevitable is it, really?

(Selina simply nods—as does Daniella, from a distance. Their eyes are detached, stuck in thought. Selina’s, especially.)

Minerva: Selina, look at me.

(Her eyes wander upwards. Minerva leans forward.)

Minerva: I want what is best for you. I care about you and your success. If I did not, then I would treat this with indifference.

Selina Reyes: …I understand.

Minerva: I am glad you do. And I am glad you are disappointed. You should, at all times, be acknowledging of your shortcomings. And… when you lose to some insect who squirmed her way here LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AGO… you absolutely SHOULD be disappointed.

(Daniella’s eyes faintly furrow from the corner of the room. Minerva words left her quite taken aback, and she was not even their target to begin with—but Selina.)

Minerva: ToXXXin is not built on coddling one another and telling them what they like. We are not sycophants. And we are not soft, understand? It would be passable if the competition was worth the praise, and if you had something to learn from their superiority. But what in the world could you learn by letting a woman like Delaney Rhodes get the best of you?

(Minerva takes her palm and rubs it over her face. Selina only watches on, taking in the words.)

Minerva: You are not on your own. Nor are you riding with a woman like Candice Blair. You are with ME, and our reputations reflect off each other. ToXXXin is a direct representation of ME… and incompetence of this scale is inadmissible. I have led you by example, I put my harshest enemies through trials they could not endure, I made them embrace my Hell, I cut them asunder. I disciplined the lesser-thans, squashed them like bugs, forced them to learn their place. I reasonably expect the same to be done by the girls following my way. YOU are the future flag bearers once my legacy is fully cemented. I have put my oath into that. Did your Territorial Invasion performance deliver that message forth, Selina?

Selina Reyes: No.

(Minerva nods.)

Minerva: Wicked Games could have—SHOULD have seen all of ToXXXin — all three of us — covered in gold. Universal Women’s Championship still around my shoulder. EAW World Championship captured by Daniella Atlas. The Specialists Championship snatched away from the muds of that disgusting love triangle and its revolting holder…

(Daniella’s eyes only narrow further at this mention. Whether intentionally or not, she has found herself faintly tangled with that ordeal, and there certainly are conflicting beliefs to hold there.)

Minerva: …but you came up short. To… Delaney… Rhodes…

(Minerva keenly exhales.)

Minerva: Frankly, you spoke about a victory for all us three as if it were a privilege. You spoke of us three holding gold as if it were destiny. Have you ever lived a life of privilege? Have you ever been granted guarantees in life, Selina!?

Minerva: Have you lost sight of what brought us together to begin with? It certainly was not privilege. Quite the opposite! Little things cannot go unpunished any longer. This hubris… the failure of Territorial Invasion… this will be your last. That is your promise to keep.

(Selina begins to nod her head, but Minerva does not wait for the affirmation. She turns her body toward locker door left ajar.)

Minerva: I have to do media— put on a happy face for them…

(Minerva picks up her purse and throws it over her shoulder. She steps away and out of the door, closing it with just enough velocity to shut it and make a noise that best encapsulates her feelings.)

(Still, it felt as if a burden had been lifted. Selina stood in solitude, proverbially wallowing in the depths of her mind as she lowers her head back down. Daniella was not left in the best mood, either. She understood tough love, but how tough can it be until it stops being “love”?)

(Daniella grabs one of the chairs and places it in front of Selina, with its posterior facing her. She places her forearm one over the other, on top of the chair’s top rail.)

Daniella Atlas: Ah… Selina…

(Selina remains unflinching.)

Daniella Atlas: Do not stand in such self-loathing. Be proud of your nights. Good, bad. They are yours to own. Perhaps… Minerva was rather harsh. As much as I can understand her frustration, and as much as I can struggle with the sight of uncontrollable disappointment myself… I know there is a step beyond what is acceptable. Your sadness is likewise my own. Minerva’s anger is our own, too. We are bound by this special relationship… and I do not believe hurdles are cause for abandonment.

(Selina eventually raises her head. She gazes into Daniella’s genuine look, and a very faint smile appears.)

Selina Reyes: Dani…

Daniella Atlas: Well… I find abandonment to simply be inhumane. I never wish to leave you, Selina.

Selina Reyes: I… am appreciative of that.

(Daniella smirks.)

Daniella Atlas: Out there is a vast sea. Perhaps you could think about how you may weather your way through these waves, and create your own opportunity, one that will not lead to disappointment. We both know, one loss is far from the end of the world.

Selina Reyes: Yes…

Daniella Atlas: We are pupils of Minerva… but we are such because we are strong warriors. We do not yield. We do not lie down. We do not allow defeat to reshape us into pitiful husks. That would be doing our talents a disservice. You have cared for me thus far; you have ascertained if my burdens were too much to bear, and whether they would take my sight off of our mutual objective or not. I owe much to you because of that. Perhaps if you were not there to take my mind off this all… I would not have pulled off my victory. I thank you for this, my sister. And…

(She places her palm over Selina’s shoulder, softly, firmly. Selina does not do anything.)

Daniella Atlas: …I will be here for you.

Selina Reyes: Thank you.

(Selina’s eyes reflect hope once more.)

(But outside…. there Minerva still stood. Her ears catching wind of it all. Her lip curled into the faintest expression of disgust. More or less, Daniella was excusing Selina’s inadequacy, coating her in sweet nothings as if she had earned the right to any praise at this point in time. It felt not only like a backstabbing to go against her actions and words, but as if their minds sat in completely opposite places.)

Minerva: Unacceptable…

(Minerva whispered, with much to think about. She walks off the scene, properly, while Selina and Daniella are left in the locker room to speak their next move.)

(Voltage fades elsewhere.)

(The scene fades backstage where Sofia Clarke is seen standing in front of a screen as ready as she usually is with a microphone in her hand.)

Sofia Clarke: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I have a very special guest with me here tonight, please help me introduce none other than the “Samoan General” Reylin Aloali’i!

(Reylin Aloali’i is seen entering the scene ready for his match against Cosmo Goldworthy next as Sofia Clarke continues to speak on.)

Sofia Clarke: Now, Reylin, you’ve been part of the Voltage roster since Bloodsport, and we saw your impressive performance at Territorial Invasion even if the ending of the New Breed Scramble match did not go your way… Do you have any thoughts on how that all went down?

(Reylin Aloali’i smirks a bit, rubs his chin, and shakes his head side to side before speaking into the microphone.)

Reylin Aloali’i: Listen, I don’t have anything to say that you didn’t already see at Territorial Invasion. I lost, it’s whatever. Igon Mordren’s bitch ass been trying to mess with me for weeks, and in the end he did what he could to ruin the match for me without even getting the win himself. I’m not here to waste my time with complaints week in and week out. I’m here to handle my business in the ring, so that Scramble didn’t go my way, cool. That’s not gonna stop me from getting where I want to go.

Sofia Clarke: Well, we know you and Igon have most certainly had your issues as of late. Have you heard what he had to say regarding Territorial Invasion?

Reylin Aloali’i: Yeah and we gon’ shut that shit down quickly, because you know as well as I do he’s doing nothing but making excuses. He’s out here saying he’s still undefeated, dismissing the match itself, but that piece of shit couldn’ pick up the win either and it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Like I said, you saw what happened out there. He can say he wasn’t looking to win the scramble match, but come on. He was trying like everyone else was, and he’s passing that match off like an afterthought for the same reason he passes every loss off as if it’s just “nonsense”. He’s weak, and he can’t handle it. I saw it from the night I joined this company, and if he’s smart, he’ll remember what I did to him then.

Sofia Clarke: So, does that mean it’s safe to say that things between you and Igon are not done just yet, huh?

(Hearing this, Reylin just shrugs.)

Reylin Aloali’i: I have bigger things to worry about than some joke like Igon, but I’m not about to just let him think he can do whatever he wants to me, either. If he has a prohlem we can handle it whenever he wants, but for now? I got a match of my own. A match that he’s not part of. Cosmo got my attention for now, but once I’m done with him, I’m ready for anything. Whether that means putting Igon down for good or moving on to what I came to this company for to begin with– guess you’ll just have to find out.

(Reylin Aloali’i heads out of the interview area as Sofia Clarke stands there by herself, nodding following that answer.)

Sofia Clarke: Well, that was Reylin Aloali’i as he faced off against Cosmo Goldworthy here tonight in the next match, I am Sofia Clarke, and it was an honor to bring you guys this interview!

(The scene fades away to the arena as Bella Braxton stands inside the ring ready to introduce the competitors for the following match.)

Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL…

Crowd: ONE FALL!

(‘RUNITUP’ by Tyler The Creator ft. Teezo Touchdown can be heard throughout the whole arena as the fans boo Cosmo Goldworthy loudly. Cosmo isn’t happy after Territorial Invasion, but he knows now’s the time to get back into the ring, and he looks ready as he shows no intention of losing.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first… From the Golden State, San Francisco, California… Weighing in at 220 lbs… He is… COSMOOOOOOOO “MO MONEY” GOLDWORTHYYYYYYYY!!!

Rich Russillo: This man has it all, the talent, the skill, and the energy but his attitude leaves a lot to be desired even though he had one hell of a match at Territorial Invasion against Diamond Dixon!

Persephone: Too bad he wasn’t good enough to pick up a win so if I was him? I would try and get a win here tonight sooner rather than later, but that’s just MY personal opinion.

(As Cosmo Goldworthy’s theme song slowly fades out, ‘SAME SH!T’ by Isaiah Rashad can be heard playing through the arena with a mix of boos and cheers as they see Reylin Aloali’i making his way down the stage. Reylin is already focused after his interview, and wastes no time walking down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: And his opponent… From Adaleide, South Australia… Weighing in at 250 lbs… He is… “TOP GUN”… REYLIIIIIIIIIIIIIN ALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALI’I!!!!!!

Persephone: Another loser making his way down the ring after not being able to pick up a win at Territorial Invasion… He had quite a few things to say before the match and who knows how some people may feel about it!

Thadd Blazevich: Listen, broette, it’s clear Reylin is not happy with the results, but the guy is legit and I bet you tonight he’s going to show us that what happened at Territorial Invasion won’t be happening again cause Voltage is going to be HIS territory he runs!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Rich Russillo: Well, after a few words from Reylin Aloali’i backstage, it seems that he’s locked in for this match here tonight against Cosmo Goldworthy who’s looking to pick up a win after a big loss at the hands of Diamond Dixon at Territorial Invasion! Both men look at each other intensely as they square off before they go for a lock up in the middle of the ring!

Thadd Blazevich: Not wasting any time however, Reylin drops the lock, and throws a massive chop to the chest of Cosmo Goldworthy bros… Now THAT has to hurt dude, but Cosmo Goldworthy not letting himself be consumed by the pain as he throws an open palm slap to the chest as both men now trading chops and those open palm slaps trying to see who gives in to the pain first!

Persephone: I’m just hoping one of them gives in so this match ends quicker! We already had to hear Reylin waste everyone’s time yapping earlier so who’s to say he can even beat someone like Cosmo, even if these two are just complete losers.

Rich Russillo: Oh, c’mon, Persephone, you know you’re being disingenuous! Anyways, Reylin throws another chop that finally sends Cosmo down to the mat as Reylin mounts on top of Cosmo and begins to apply more pressure by throwing lefts and rights to Cosmo!

Thadd Blazevich: Luckily, it seems Cosbro was able to put up his hands to block a strike from Reylin, allowing himself the opportunity to flip Reylin over as now Cosmo is mounted on top of Reylin! Cosmo throws a couple of strikes on Reylin before getting off him as he stomps on Reylin’s abdomen area while riling up the crowd a bit with loud boos being directed right at Cosmo!

Persephone: D-did you just call him Cosbro?!? Get me out of this hell! Thankfully Cosmo is back focusing on the match as he looks at Reylin, who’s picking himself back up, before he plants him back on the mat with a running knee! Hopefully that means the referee calls the match and we can get out of here sooner rather than later!

Rich Russillo: I hope not as the action just started, with Cosmo Goldworthy running towards the ropes, using them for offense as he grabs onto them, and is looking to connect with a Springboard Moonsault onto Reylin!

Thadd Blazevich: Oh, Cosbro is intercepted by Reylin as he has his knees up at the last second! That’s gotta feel bad for the stomach right there as Reylin isn’t wasting any time here landing elbow after elbow after elbow to keep Cosmo grounded on the mat, before dropping a gnarly Senton on poor Cosmo to add insult to injury!

Persephone: Reylin Aloali’i now dragging Cosmo to the corner hopefully looking to knock out the lights out of him with that one move he does… You know, that one move.

Rich Russillo: You mean the Hip Attack? I think you may be right, as he slams Cosmo right onto the bottom turnbuckle before he starts to take a few steps back! Reylin is locked in on Cosmo here, AND HE BEGINS RUNNING IN FOR THE HIP ATTACK!!!

Thadd Blazevich: COSBRO MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AS THAT HIP HITS NOTHING BUT THE TURNBUCKLE! Cosmo uses this opportunity to get his momentum back with a Enziguri Kick that sends Reylin to a slumped position on that same turnbuckle! Without second thought, Cosmo takes a few steps back and connects with double knees right to the face of Reylin!

Persephone: Well maybe it’s going to end soon after all. He is running back towards the ropes while Reylin is flat on his back, AND SOMEHOW COSMO ACTUALLY MANAGED TO LAND THE SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT! Cosmo goes in to try and end this, covering him with a pin that hopefully ends the match!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEE-

Thadd Blazevich: But the match continues on, bros! Reylin is able to get his shoulder up before the one count, and Cosmo knows he’s going to have to do more than what he’s done so far to keep Reylin down. Cosmo starts picking Reylin back up to his feet, and it seems he has something big planned here!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo Goldworthy once again hitting the ropes in an attempt to connect with a Springboard Cutter… BUTREYLIN WAS ABLE TO GRAB COSMO FROM MID-AIR, AND HE TURNS HIM AROUND TO PLANT HIM DOWN ON THE RING MAT WITH A URANAGE!! THE URANAGE CONNECTS, AND REYLIN QUICKLY THROWS COSMO INTO THE CORNER!

Persephone: I’m glad he’s not wasting any time here. He quickly goes for the Hip Attack so he doesn’t look stupid if Cosmo was able to evade the move for a second time. Cosmo was forced to take that, but as if things couldn’t get any worse, Cosmo’s now rolling out of the ring into safety because apparently we have to drag out matches to be longer than they should!

Thadd Blazevich: I can’t lie and say it wasn’t smart thinking there bros, as Cosmo is making his way to our table to pick himself up. Reylin however not wanting to give Cosbro some breathing room, rolls out of the ring as well before grabbing Cosmo from the back of the head! It looks like Reylin is about to slam Cosmo face first onto our table…

Rich Russillo: But Cosmo Goldworthy is able to throw an elbow right at Reylin Aloali’i’s midsection at the last second, as he slams Reylin down on our table cover instead! He makes sure to slam it a few more times before grabbing him from the back of his head and throwing him to the front side of our table! The referee is looking outside at both competitors as he gives Cosmo a warning to get inside the ring or he will be counted out! Cosmo rolls inside the ring and immediately rolls out to restart the count, before grabbing Reylin and taking him to the barricade!

Persephone: HAHAHA! Cosmo took enough time which allowed Reylin to catch his breath as he’s able to get out of Cosmo Goldworthy’s grasp and instead slam him himself right onto that barricade! Hopefully this is marking the beginning of the end as Reylin starts to pick up Cosmo for a Powerbomb of some sorts…

Thadd Blazevich: You’re right about that my broette! Reylin Aloali’i has Cosmo Goldworthy up for a Powerbomb, AND HE DROPS COSMO BACK FIRST ONTO THE APRON! Wow! That was some serious brute force on display here especially after the words we heard from Reylin before the match itself and now he’s looking to bounce back after Territorial Invasion with a win over Cosmo!

Rich Russillo: Reylin gets inside the ring while Cosmo Goldworthy is slowly picking himself up with help from the ropes while holding his spine, but Reylin is more than ready as he plants Cosmo back to the mat with a Superkick as Reylin goes for a quick cover now!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOO-

Persephone: UGHHHHHH!!! The match continues on as Reylin is left unbothered about the kick out. He starts to slowly get up while Cosmo is still laid out blinking like an idiot, before Reylin slowly starts to pick up Cosmo and Irish Whips him across the ring.

Rich Rusillo: Cosmo bounces off the ropes, AND REYLIN POPS HIM UP FOR WHAT MAY HE A DEVASTATING SAMOAN DROP BY THE TOP GUN— BUT THERE’S COSMO TAKING DOWN REYLIN!! HE JUST USED THE MOMENTUM FROM THE FALL TO TRANSITION INTO A CRUCIFIX BOMB! Reylin is down, and Cosmo pushes himself back up! Cosmo is feeling himself after that reversal, before going to the top rope as Reylin isn’t staying grounded for long here!

Thadd Blazevich: Just as Reylin gets up, Cosbro jumps off the top rope with a Diving Crossbody that sends both men down onto the mat! Reylin rolls out of the ring this time to create distance, but I don’t know if he’s gonna be able to get any time to breathe! It’s lookin’ like Cosbro is cooking something up bros, as he starts running the ropes and goes looking to fly fly fly high in the sky!

Persephone: SUICIDE DIVE TO THE OUTSIDE— HA! Reylin catches Cosmo Goldworthy with both hands before slamming him spine first once again on the ring apron before pushing Cosmo back in the ring! He rolls inside as well, looking to possibly use this opening to FINALLY end this torture of a match.

Rich Russillo: Well, maybe Reylin is about to make your wishes come true here tonight as he grabs the aching Cosmo Goldworthy without giving him any room to breathe, and throws him across the ring into the ropes! Cosmo bounces off of the ropes, AND REYLIN POPS COSMO UP FOR GOD’S WILL— BUT IT’S TURNED INTO A HURRICANRANA THAT SENDS REYLIN DOWN TO THE MAT! HUGE COUNTER AS REYLIN IS DROPPED MOMENTARILY, BUT REYLIN STUMBLES BACK UP…

Thadd Blazevich: AND INTO THE SPRINGBOARD CUTTER!! HE FINALLY GETS IT TO CONNECT IN THIS MATCH BROS, AND HE ISN’T DONE JUST YET!!! REYLIN INADVERTENTLY POPPED UP AFTER THE CUTTER AND IS STANDING WITH RUBBER LEGS, BEFORE COSBRO CONNECTS WITH “READY TO DIE”!!!! THE TORNADO KICK CONNECTS ON REYLIN AND COSMO GOLDWORTHY GOES FOR THE COVER!!!

Cosmo Goldworthy: (off-mic) That’s all she wrote, baby!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Referee: THR-

Thadd Blazevich: Close but no cigar there bros as Reylin is able to get his shoulder up before the three count! I just know Cosmo felt that win, and I know he wants this after his loss at Territorial Invasion against Diamond Dixon. Unfortunately for him though the match continues on! Cosmo looks like he knows what he has to do though, and it’s go even bigger!

Persephone: Anything to get closer to the end of the match I suppose…

Rich Russillo: Cheer up, Persephone, we are seeing two gladiators do what they know best inside that ring! Cosmo Goldworthy heads outside to stand on the ring apron… and I think we all know what exactly Cosmo is looking for as he yells at Reylin to get back up on his feet!

Thadd Blazevich: Oh yes we do know what’s coming next here bros as Reylin is back up wobbly on his knees! Cosmo doesn’t waste any more time! Reylin is back to his feet, AND NOW COSMO LAUNCHES HIMSELF OVER THE TOP ROPE, FLIPPING BACK INTO THE RING FOR THE GOLD RUSH— NO!!!

Persephone: Reylin Aloali’i is able to jump up at the last minute, catching Cosmo with a knee strike that sends Goldworthy stumbling to the corner! For the love of GAWD can we get a winner here already?!?

Rich Russillo: Reylin Aloali’i has Cosmo Goldworthy in the perfect spot while Cosmo doesn’t know where he is at! Reylin rushes in using his deceptive speed, TO CONNECT WITH A “DEAD-LOCK”!!! THE HELLUVA KICK MAKES SURE TO NOT MISS A SINGLE SPOT ON THE FACE OF COSMO AS HE FALLS FACE FIRST ONTO THE RING MAT!! REYLIN GOES FOR THE PIN COVER AS THE REFEREE STARTS THE COUNT!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Referee: THREEEEEE-

Thadd Blazevich: BUT THIS ONE ISN’T OVER, BROS!! The referee calls for a rope break as Cosbro Goldworthy was able to put his foot on the rope at the last second, saving himself the match for right now! That’s gotta be frustrating, but Reylin is not in the mood to extend this match any longer! He makes sure to pick up Cosmo from the neck, clearly looking to end things for good as he extends his arm to the side while turning his hand to a thumb only… It may be over already here bros as “SWITCHBLADE” LOOKS TO CONNECT!

Rich Russillo: COSMO DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND QUICKLY GETS BEHIND REYLIN TO CONNECT WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX THAT PUTS REYLIN DOWN ON THE MAT!! COSMO GOLDWORTHY LAYS ON THE GROUND, CATCHING HIS BREATH AFTER ESCAPING WHAT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN THE END FOR HIM IN THIS MATCH!

Persephone: Just dragging this match to go on for even longer than it should have been, but thankfully it looks like Cosmo is getting back up while Reylin is still laid out…

Thad Blazevich: This may be the opening that Cosmo needed to get the ball rolling till the end as Cosbro is going to the top rope again! He takes his sweet time while Reylin slowly uses the ropes to get up! Cosmo takes the opportunity and dives off landing a Top Rope Blockbuster that sends Reylin to roll out of the ring once again! Reylin is out of there, BUT COSMO WASTES NO TIME LOOKING FOR A TAKE TWO!!

Rich Russillo: THE SUICIDE DIVE CONNECTS AS BOTH MEN ARE ON OUR TABLE AFTER A BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF WHAT WRESTLING IS ALL ABOUT WITH BOTH MEN DOWN AFTER THE IMPACT FROM A MOVE LIKE THAT! Cosmo gets up first as he throws Reylin back inside the ring as he once again heads to the top rope, looking to put the finishing touches to this match as he dives off for a Diving Headbutt!

Persephone: Too much dip on this loser’s chip though, as Cosmo hits the mat face first while Reylin moves out of the way at the last second! Now both men are recovering after such a long boring match… Hopefully one of them gets up soon and finishes up this nonsense!

Thadd Blazevich: This match has been anything but boring, dudette! Reylin is back on his feet, shaking off any of the pain he’s going through after such a hard fought match. He pulls himself onto the middle rope while Cosmo is still holding his head, unable to get up!

Rich Russillo: AND NOW THERE’S REYLIN WITH A DIVING SENTON! Oh, that had to hurt! More than that, I think that may have taken out any of the gas that Cosmo may have had in his reserve right now! Can’t lie guys, I think we are getting closer to the end, and Cosmo may need a miracle to find a bounce back here tonight.

Persephone: Well, Reylin picking up Cosmo after that move better mean that he’s looking to end things, as he once again throws him towards the ropes and throws him up to the sky… WOW. He ACTUALLY connected with the Pop-Up Powerbomb.

Thadd Blazevich: GOD’S WILL CONNECTS, BUT I THINK THAT MIGHTA TAKEN EVERYTHING OUT OF REYLIN! Reylin drops to a knee after planting Cosmo, but look! He isn’t even going for the pin! This has been a hard-fought match, and instead of wasting his time I think Reylin wants to put the exclamation point on this match, and make sure Cosmo is down for good! Reylin pushes himself back up, while he waits for Cosmo to stir!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo Goldworthy makes it back up on his feet, still groggy from the Powerbomb he just took as Reylin Aloali’i once again grabs Cosmo by the shoulder! I think we all know what Reylin has in mind at this point, AS HE EXTENDS HIS ARM AND SETS UP FOR THE SWITCHBLADE!!!

(As Reylin Aloali’i is about to connect the “Switchblade” on Cosmo Goldworthy, ‘Vordt of the Boreal Valley’ by Motoi Sakaruba plays through the P.A System as the fans start to boo VERY loudly while Igon Mordren walks onto the stage with the ugliest sneer imaginable just looking down at the ring. Reylin notices Igon’s presence and stares him down.)

Persephone: Finally… Things are about to be interesting!

Thadd Blazevich: Ah, bros, I don’t have a good feeling about this as Igon is just watching the match from the stage! We know these two have their issues, especially after last week!

(Reylin gestures for Igon to come down to the ring, but Igon doesn’t do that. He just stares where he is, giving Reylin a look filled with disapproval and not even bothering to say anything. There is clear tension between the two that overpowers the boos towards Igon, but Reylin knows time is being wasted. Eventually, it seems Reylin has had enough of Igon and turns away.)

Rich Russillo: It seems Igon is going to be watching this one up close, but he picked a terrible time to do this and I don’t think we even need to ask whether or not this was intentional! Still, there’s not much Reylin can do about that now and he knows it, so rather than focusing on Igon any longer he turns his attention back to his opponent! He drags Cosmo back up, PREPARING TO HIT THE SWITCHBLADE!!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT HE TOOK TOO LONG, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THAT DISTRACTION WAS EFFECTIVE!!! KICK RIGHT TO THE GUT FROM COSBRO AND HE MIGHT’VE JUST GOT EXACTLY WHAT HE NEEDED, AS HE ESCAPES FROM THE GRASP OF REYLIN ALOALI’I BEFORE HE WAS FINISHED!

Rich Russillo: WASTING NO TIME, COSMO GOLDWORTHY RUNS TO THE CORNER ROPES, USES THEM TO ASSIST HIMSELF, AND CONNECTS WITH A “DANCE MACABRE” ONTO REYLIN AS THE SPRINGBOARD DDT OFF THE DISTRACTION FROM IGON MORDREN THAT SAVED COSMO SUCCESSFULLY LANDS! This may be over soon now that Igon interrupted this match with his presence probably after hearing what Reylin had to say earlier today before this match…

Persephone: Yeah, yeah, yeah, a bunch of blah, blah, blah, blah nonsense, but now we’re getting to the best part of any match; the ending where we can stop being bored out of our mind cause these guys are afraid to bleed out!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo is in the corner, waiting as Reylin stumbles up in the middle of the ring! Cosmo starts speeding towards Reylin Aloali’i… “COLDEST WINTER!!! THERE IT IS!! REYLIN IS CUT IN HALF AS THE FINISHING SPEAR CONNECTS!!!

Persephone: YES! HE’S GOING FOR THE COVER, THE REFEREE STARTS THE COUNT, AND I HAVE MY FINGERS CROSSED THAT THIS IS THE FINAL PINFALL FOR THIS MATCH HERE TONIGHT!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH… COSMOOOOOOOOO “MO MONEYYYYYYYY” GOLDWORTHYYYYYYY!!!!

Rich Russillo: What an evenly fought battle we saw here tonight between Cosmo Goldworthy and Reylin Aloali’i, but once that man currently standing on the stage showed up, Reylin lost focus, and that’s where Cosmo came up to use that here tonight to bring a much needed win after Territorial Invasion!

(As Igon Mordren looks at the middle of the ring once the bell rings, he shakes his head, clearly disgusted at what he saw, and walks off back to the backstage area. Meanwhile, ‘RUNITUP’ begins to play once more, as Cosmo pulls himself back up.)

Thadd Blazevich: Well, it doesn’t like like Igon Brodren was satisfied at all with what he saw from Reylin Aloali’i here tonight, but it seems Cosmo Goldworthy can appreciate this big win here tonight, and continue his celebration.

Persephone: I’m just glad this idiot was able to use that distraction to end this match quickly rather than continue to drag it on, but I guess congratulations on the win kid.

(Cosmo Goldworthy is seen celebrating the win here tonight as Reylin Aloali’i is still laid out on the mat trying to gather his surroundings as the scene fades away elsewhere…)

(Promotional ad for Wicked Games.)

(Sunday Night Voltage continues as the camera pans out, revealing the ring to be decorated with balloons and tables along with a big portrait of Miku Sakai. In the ring, we already see Kiko Sakai, looking rather pleased with the result from last weekend at Territorial Invasion, wearing a special dress for the occasion to celebrate what her sister has accomplished. She has a microphone in hand as she says…)

Kiko Sakai: Everyone… Please welcome the new EAW Hardcore Champion… My sister, Miku Sakai!

(As soon as Kiko said that, ‘Life is Short, O Brave Girl’ by Hanabie begins to blast through the PA System. Miku Sakai emerges from the stage, holding on to her newly won Hardcore Championship with a grin on her face as she looks around the crowd before making her way down the aisle and towards the ring.)

Rich Russillo: It’s definitely going to be one interesting celebration to say the least as Miku Sakai is your new Hardcore Champion, and her sister Kiko looks to be making a big deal of this accomplishment by hosting some sort of party in the ring. You can see some balloons, some snacks, everything to really make Miku’s journey into finally becoming a champion once again in Elite Answers Wrestling an extraordinary one.

Thadd Blazevich: You said it best Rich bro! Miku has had a long journey into finally becoming a champion again after many years, many title opportunities slipping through her fingers or chances not going her way, but she was finally able to top the man that ended the career of Adam Lucas in Kai Rabeaux and is now officially the new Hardcore Champion! We already know who’s next in line for that title, but I think for now Miku bro looks to celebrate her win alongside her sister who has been by her side since her return at Bloodsport, costing Bronson Daniels that match.

Persephone: Blah blah, let’s just see what this bitch has to say.

(Miku makes her way down the ramp and slides right into the ring, still holding on to her Hardcore Championship. Kiko begins to clap, loving that her sister has become a champion once again here in EAW. After a while, her music begins to fade out as boos continue to pour out for Miku as Kiko speaks.)

Kiko Sakai: One more time for my sister!

(The crowd continues to boo as Miku herself begins to speak as she says…)

Miku Sakai: GUESS WHO’S THE HARDCORE CHAMPIONS NOW CUCKS!! After many, many stupid attempts from pure fucking bullshit I had to deal with, FINALLY I have myself a championship over my shoulder now. I can call myself champion and no longer be considered an underachiever by that cunt Kai Rabeaux. This is now MINE! It has my name on it and everything because I deserve that! You think I deserve it, Kiko?

(Miku looks towards her sister as she responds with a faint smile saying…)

Kiko Sakai: You absolutely deserve it.

Miku Sakai: You’re so fucking right, too bad a lot of people don’t seem to agree but it’s fine they’re all just a bunch of dipshit morons anyways!

(The crowd boos even more for Miku as she continues to speak.)

Miku Sakai: This is a celebration for ME! A celebration of the fact that I finally have gold on me and while it did take five years to even obtain gold again, it doesn’t really matter all that much. I had to deal with the dumbest people on this planet, and circumstances that were just stupid and should have never happened in the first place! But now I have the thing that I have wanted and I’m going to make sure that I hold this championship as long as possible. So if any of you dumb fuckers think Diamond is going to beat me for this, you better think again. I’m ready for my first defense against her, ready to beat her then face whoever challenges me next… before I beat them too! It’s going to be a cycle you all will have to get used to. With that in mind–

(Before Miku can say anything else, “Nice To Meet Yah” by Asian Doll begins to play as Diamond Dixon emerges from the stage! She looks eager and focused as she makes her way down the aisle, staring a hole into both Kiko and Miku.)

Rich Russillo: Well here comes the number one contender to the Hardcore Champion, Diamond Dixon! Diamond earned that distinction by defeating her former partner in Cosmo Goldworthy at Territorial Invasion in what was a brutal match between the two of them. They laid it all on the line against each other and despite the chip on Cosmo’s shoulder, it was Diamond who was able to prevail and earn herself a title shot.

Thadd Blazevich: I assume Diamond bro didn’t wanna hear Miku say another word about her and is making her presence felt here tonight during her championship celebration… or party… whatever they wanna call it.

Persephone: It can be both, you idiot.

(Diamond soon makes her way to ringside as she climbs the steps and enters between the ropes. Her music begins to fade away as she begins speaking towards Miku as she tells her…)

Diamond Dixon: Is this what you call a celebration? I’m not really that impressed. Kiko threw a party for two people essentially, filled with nothing but balloons and tables and the most bland ass snacks imaginable. It ain’t really a party or celebration, but if I’m being honest, I’m more unimpressed with the woman who’s holding on to that Hardcore Championship. Standing in the middle of this ring, thinking that she’s going to hold on to her title as long as possible and beat challenger after challenger when we all know you shouldn’t get too comfortable, Miku. At least… not when I’m looming around. You’re gonna get it into your head quickly that you have to think and act differently when Diamond Dixon is knocking on your door.

(Diamond says some intimidating words towards Miku as she continues by saying…)

Diamond Dixon: While you have been bragging and feeling good about yourself for winning the Hardcore Championship, I faced Cosmo Goldworthy at Territorial Invasion in a pretty nasty match, all for the sake of being the number one contender to THAT championship that you have around you right now. Getting the win over my former tag team partner, dropping his ass on a bunch of glass and thumbtacks, could very well be one of the most gratifying moments of my career. But it’s done with, he’s in my rearview mirror, and now… I have this opportunity that I have been waiting a long time for.

(Miku hears this from Diamond, but has an uninterested look on her face as she responds by saying…)

Miku Sakai: Oh shut the fuck up… I really don’t care, Diamond. Congrats on becoming number one contender, I guess, but you should have known the second you won that little match of yours that the result is still going to be me kicking your sorry ass all around this ring. I AM THE HARDCORE CHAMPION NOW! I couldn’t give a single fuck if you were unimpressed with me or thought this celebration that Kiko threw together was lame. Your words don’t mean anything to me. You wasted your fucking time with Cosmo Goldworthy because there is no way on earth there’s a chance of you beating me for this title. I have been a champion multiple times in this company and now I have another one to add to my collection, what have you done? You never even came close to being a champion and the opportunity you got from beating Cosmo… it isn’t going to be where things change for you bitch.

(Diamond doesn’t look too happy with what Miku just said to her as she responds by saying…)

Diamond Dixon: You better watch your mouth when you speak to me. The whole reason this celebration is even happening right now is that you yourself went a whole five years without having a championship, five years of constant failures, most of them being title matches not working out for you, and now you want to celebrate like that’s something to gloat about. Now you’re bragging as if you’re the best when clearly you could very well lose that title at a moment’s notice and you’ll just crash out like you always do. I don’t have anything to prove to you, I’m just here to become a champion but since you want to run your mouth like that to me that I wouldn’t mind slapping you in the process.

Miku Sakai: DON’T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT, BITCH! I’M THE HARDCORE CHAMPION, AND IT’S A TITLE YOU WILL NEVER GET FROM ME! YOU’RE NOTHING TO ME!!!

Diamond Dixon: Oh… I see how it is.

Rich Russillo: AND DIAMOND JUST THREW A FOREARM TOWARDS MIKU!!! MIKU FIGHTS BACK AS WE HAVE A BRAWL IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS RING!!! KIKO ROLLS OUT OF THE RING AS DIAMOND AND MIKU ARE TRADING SHOTS BACK AND FORTH!!

Thadd Blazevich: IT’S ALL BOILED OVER AS THESE TWO ARE GOING AT IT ONE ANOTHER!! RIGHTS AND LEFTS BEING THROWN AS– DIAMOND TAKES MIKU DOWN WITH A DOUBLE LEG, GETTING HER IN A MOUNTED POSITION!!

Rich Russillo: BUT MIKU TURNS DIAMOND AROUND AND NOW SHE’S IN THE MOUNTED POSITION LEFTS ON FISTS AND FOREARMS TOWARDS DIAMOND!!!

(Soon enough security guards come rushing down the ring as they grab on to both Miku and Diamond from brawling with each other more.)

Persephone: Boooooo.

Rich Russillo: Now security has rushed the ring separating both women as this championship celebration for Miku has resulted in a brawl between champion and challenger!

(Miku and Diamond are being held back by security as soon enough, the segment fades out as we transition elsewhere.)

(Commercial for the new album of Lucy Bedroque, “c”.)

(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)

Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR…ONE FALL!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!

(‘The Best Damn Thing’ by Avril Lavigne hits as Avril Williams makes her way onto the stage, taking in the crowd before ‘Rompe’ by Daddy Yankee takes over and Carmen Sánchez joins her. Finally, ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’ by KISS hits as Cynthia Valice makes her way out, joining Avril and Carmen before the three head down the ramp together.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first! At a combined weight of 375 pounds… THE TEAM OF AVRIL WILLIAMS, CARMEN SÁNCHEZ, AND CYNTHIA VALICE!!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, Carmen, Avril and Cynthia gave it everything they had at Territorial Invasion, but Divide & Conquer didn’t go their way.

Rich Russillo: Tonight gives all three women a chance to bounce back with a big victory here on Voltage.

Thadd Blazevich: And with tornado rules, bro, they’re gonna have plenty of chances to make it happen!

(‘So Far So Fake’ by Pierce the Veil hits as Candice Blair steps onto the stage, looking out at the crowd before ‘God Shattering Star’ by Takashi Baba takes over and ARIA makes her way out beside her. Finally, ‘Tears’ by Sabrina Carpenter hits as Ashlynn Quinn emerges with plenty of energy, joining Candice and ARIA before the three make their way down the ramp together.)

Bella Braxton: And their opponents! At a combined weight of 375 pounds… THE TEAM OF CANDICE BLAIR, ARIA, AND ASHLYNN QUINN!!

Rich Russillo: Meanwhile, Candice, ARIA and Ashlynn are coming off a successful Territorial Invasion, where they helped Team Voltage win Brand Warfare!

Thadd Blazevich: These three already know they work well together, dude, and now they’re looking to keep that momentum rolling tonight!

Persephone: Good for them. I don’t care what any of these people did at Territorial Invasion.

(The referee looks between both teams as they stand in opposite corners, making sure all six women are ready before signaling for the bell.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Rich Russillo: Here we go! This trios match is officially underway! Tornado rules for this one, meaning everybody is legal as both teams stand in opposite corners, taking in the energy from this crowd before CHARGING RIGHT AT ONE ANOTHER!

Thadd Blazevich: AND BOTH TEAMS MEET IN THE MIDDLE! WE’VE GOT THREE HOCKEY FIGHTS BREAKING OUT AT ONCE! ARIA IS GOING AT IT WITH CARMEN! CANDICE IS TRADING SHOTS WITH AVRIL! AND ASHLYNN AND CYNTHIA ARE LOCKING HORNS! ARIA DRIVES A KNEE INTO CARMEN’S GUT BEFORE CHUCKING HER OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! Aria follows her right out, dude, leaving the other four to keep fighting inside the ring!

Rich Russillo: AVRIL THROWS CANDICE OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE, AND ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE, ASHLYNN DOES THE SAME TO CYNTHIA! That leaves Avril and Ashlynn alone inside the ring, and AVRIL RUSHES ASHLYNN WITH A KICK TO THE GUT! Williams follows by whipping her toward the corner— BUT ASHLYNN VAULTS OVER THE CORNER AND LANDS ON THE APRON! Avril sees that and decides to show off some athleticism of her own, VAULTING OVER A CORNER ONTO THE APRON ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE FROM ASHLYNN!

(Both women take a moment to look around as the crowd cheers the athleticism on display. Avril and Ashlynn soon turn their attention back to each other, pointing across the ring before CHARGING AT ONE ANOTHER ON THE APRON!)

Thadd Blazevich: ASHLYNN BLASTS AVRIL WITH A FOREARM, BUT AVRIL FIRES RIGHT BACK WITH ONE OF HER OWN! Ashlynn answers with another forearm— OH! ARIA SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING AND KNOCKS AVRIL OFF THE APRON WITH A RUNNING FOREARM TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! But Carmen slid back inside at the same time, AND SHE KNOCKS ASHLYNN OFF THE APRON WITH A RUNNING FOREARM TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! Dude, both of them had the exact same idea!

(ARIA and Carmen look over at each other after clearing the apron before slowly turning to face one another. Neither woman backs down, both gesturing for the other to bring it as the crowd reaction begins to rise once again.)

Persephone: We’re barely a minute into this thing and everyone’s already flying in and out of the ring. Can these idiots stay in one place for five seconds? It’s hard enough trying to keep track of who’s beating the shit out of who.

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, since when do you call the action?

Rich Russillo: I was about to ask the same thing.

Persephone: Oh, shut the fuck up, both of you.

Rich Russillo: BOTH SÁNCHEZ AND ARIA LUNGE AT EACH OTHER! ARIA strikes Carmen with a forearm, BUT CARMEN FIRES BACK WITH ONE OF HER OWN! ARIA with another forearm! CARMEN! ARIA! CARMEN! ARIA! Neither woman is backing down— BUT CYNTHIA SLIDES INTO THE RING AND GRABS ARIA FROM BEHIND IN A REAR WAISTLOCK! Candice slides in at the same time, GRABBING CARMEN FROM BEHIND IN A REAR WAISTLOCK OF HER OWN!

Thadd Blazevich: AND BOTH CARMEN AND ARIA GET PULLED AWAY FROM EACH OTHER— BEFORE BEING DUMPED HIGH ON THEIR NECK AND SHOULDERS WITH GERMAN SUPLEXES! GERMAN SUPLEX BY CANDICE TO CARMEN! GERMAN SUPLEX BY CYNTHIA TO ARIA! Dude, both of them got folded with those!

(Cynthia and Candice slowly rise back to their feet, keeping their eyes locked on each other while Carmen and ARIA writhe in opposite corners, each favoring the back of their head and neck after those German suplexes.)

Persephone: See what I mean? Two seconds ago it was ARIA and Carmen, now it’s these two. I’m gonna get fucking whiplash trying to follow this match.

Rich Russillo: AND IT ISN’T LONG BEFORE CYNTHIA AND CANDICE MEET IN THE MIDDLE, THROWING FISTICUFFS IN ANOTHER HOCKEY FIGHT! Cynthia starts gaining the upper hand, mixing in shots to the body of Candice before grabbing hold of her and looking to send her into the corner— BUT CANDICE REVERSES THE IRISH WHIP, SENDING CYNTHIA INTO THE CORNER INSTEAD!

Thadd Blazevich: CANDICE COMES CHARGING IN— BUT CYNTHIA POPS HER UP INTO A CORNER HEADSTAND! Blair is left hanging upside down for a moment before CYNTHIA BLASTS HER IN THE FACE WITH A SUPERKICK! Candice falls to the mat, and Cynthia turns her attention toward ARIA, WHO SHOOTS OUT OF THE CORNER WITH A JUMPING NECKBREAKER!

Rich Russillo: CYNTHIA GETS TAKEN DOWN! Valice writhes in pain and clutches the back of her neck while rolling into the corner! ARIA rises back to her feet, BUT SHE DOESN’T NOTICE AVRIL CLIMBING ONTO THE APRON BEHIND HER— SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK TO THE BACK! ARIA FACEPLANTS INTO THE MAT! Avril pops right back to her feet— BUT NOW ASHLYNN SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING! Williams swings for a clothesline, but ASHLYNN DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES, BUILDING MOMENTUM—

Thadd Blazevich: BESTIE SPEAR!! ASHLYNN DAMN NEAR CUTS AVRIL IN HALF WITH THAT SPEAR, ROLLING THROUGH AS SHE DRIVES RIGHT THROUGH WILLIAMS! Dude, Avril got absolutely drilled!

Rich Russillo: Ashlynn rises to a knee with intensity in her eyes as Avril clutches at her ribs and tries to roll away! BUT SHE DOESN’T GET FAR! Ashlynn catches up and reaches down to pull Avril back up— BUT CARMEN CLUBS ASHLYNN ACROSS THE BACK! That shot jolts Quinn upright, allowing Carmen to grab hold of her and TRY TO TOSS ASHLYNN OVER THE TOP ROPE— NO! ASHLYNN REVERSES IT, SENDING CARMEN THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE INSTEA— WHOA!

Thadd Blazevich: CARMEN SWINGS AROUND WITH A TIGER FEINT KICK, DRIVING BOTH FEET INTO ASHLYNN’S RIB CAGE! Quinn staggers backward from the impact— RIGHT INTO THE CLUTCHES OF CYNTHIA VALICE! OLYMPIC SLAM!! “THE FALLING COURAGE!” CYNTHIA PLANTS ASHLYNN, AND LOOK WHERE QUINN LANDED! She’s in perfect position as Avril Williams is already climbing to the top rope! Cynthia is urging her partner to do it— AND AVRIL COMES CRASHING DOWN ONTO ASHLYNN WITH A 450 SPLASH!!

Rich Russillo: AVRIL CALLS THAT “DIRTY LITTLE SECRET!” Williams puts all of her weight down across Ashlynn with that 450, and this trio is starting to work together like a well-oiled machine!

(Avril rolls off Ashlynn, clutching at her ribs after knocking the wind out of herself to deliver that move. Cynthia helps Avril back to her feet as Carmen re-enters the ring, and the trio meet in the center before putting their hands together in a group team stack. Carmen, Cynthia, and Avril throw their hands into the air afterwards, drawing a huge pop from the crowd as the three stand united.)

Persephone: What the fuck was that?

Thadd Blazevich: Teamwork, bro. You should try it sometime.

Persephone: With who? You two?

Rich Russillo: I mean… would it really be that bad? You could stand to be a little nicer to us.

Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, dude. We’re here with you every Sunday. Show us a little love.

Persephone: Keep pushing your luck and neither of you are gonna make it to next Sunday.

Rich Russillo + Thadd Blazevich: :roman:

Rich Russillo: …noted. But back inside the ring, Carmen and Cynthia seem to have formed a plan and exit the ring together! Cynthia and Carmen pull out a ladder from underneath the ring, the first weapon of this match to be introduced! Meanwhile, Avril pulls ARIA out from the corner, standing her up for a— OH! ARIA EXPLODES WITH A STEP-UP ENZUIGIRI!

Thadd Blazevich: Avril staggers over to the ropes and drops to a knee, stunned. Avril then turns her attention to Carmen and Cynthia at ringside, GOING FOR A BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK TO THE LADDER! BUT CARMEN AND CANDICE LIFT IT UP IN TIME TO AVOID IT, CAUSING ARIA TO SLIDE OUT THE RING, AND BOTH WOMEN DRIVE THE LADDER BACK INTO THE FACE OF ARIA!

Rich Russillo: ARIA rolls through to a knee as Avril returned to her feet inside the ring, using the ropes for assistance before BOUNCING OFF THEM TO DELIVER A SASUKE SPECIAL! GOING OVER HER TEAMMATES AT RINGSIDE WITH A MOONSAULT ONTO ARIA!

Thadd Blazevich: Carmen and Cynthia slide that ladder into the ring, and Cynthia goes in to prop that ladder up in the corner. Meanwhile, Carmen and Avril stay behind to do some more digging underneath the ring! Pulling out TABLES next! Carmen and Avril set them up parallel to the side of the ringposts— BEFORE ASHLYNN COMES FROM BEHIND TO SPIN CARMEN AROUND! BUT CARMEN STRIKES FIRST WITH A FOREARM!

Rich Russillo: Carmen stuns Ashlynn, staggering her back with that forearm and rolls her inside the ring, and Avril does the same with Candice! Cynthia finishes wedging a chair in the opposite corner of the ladder, wedging it between the top and middle rope. ARIA comes crawling back inside underneath the bottom rope and gets STOMPED on the back by Carmen!

Thadd Blazevich: Carmen lifts ARIA up and leans her in the corner with that chair in it. Avril comes over and aids Carmen with a DOUBLE IRISH WHIP TO THE CORNER! SENDING ARIA BACK FIRST INTO THAT LADDER! ARIA collapses to the mat with the ladder timbering down on her, favoring the back of her head and neck.

Rich Russillo: Carmen props the ladder back up in the corner, with Cynthia and Avril bringing Ashlynn to the opposite corner next for a DOUBLE IRISH WHIP INTO THE LADDER! ASHLYNN GOES FLYING OVER THE TOP ROPE AND TO THE OUTSIDE! Next, Carmen and Cynthia bring Candice to her feet in the opposite corner, and CHUCK HER BACK FIRST INTO THE LADDER!

Thadd Blazevich: Somehow, Candice remains standing in the corner, albeit pain etched across her face! Carmen and Cynthia come over to double Irish whip her into the chair! BUT CANDICE SLIDES UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE TO AVOID IT! FROM THERE, CARMEN, AVRIL, AND CANDICE SPIN AROUND AS THEY HEAR THE LADDER DROP! ASHLYNN PUSHED IT OVER DURING HER CLIMB TO THE TOP ROPE, AND FLIES ONTO ALL THREE WITH A DIVING CROSSBODY!

Persephone: Wasn’t Ashlynn basically dead five seconds ago? How the hell is she already flying off the top rope?

Rich Russillo: She’s alive now! Carmen crawls out of the wreckage and uses the ropes to help pull herself back to her feet in the corner— BUT ASHLYNN COMES CHARGING IN WITH A RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! THAT NO DOUBT JACKED CARMEN’S JAW! And Cynthia is back to her feet as well, causing Ashlynn to march toward her— AND DUCK UNDERNEATH A CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT! SUPERKICK BY ASHLYNN! Cynthia goes down from the kick and rolls out of the ring!

Thadd Blazevich: AND NOW AVRIL SLIDES BACK IN! Ashlynn swings for a clothesline, but Avril avoids it by dropping down to the mat before KIPPING RIGHT BACK UP— ONLY TO TURN AROUND INTO A SUPERKICK ANYWAY! Avril goes down, dude, and that leaves Carmen as the only one still standing in the corner! Ashlynn sees her and GOES FOR ANOTHER SUPERKICK—

Rich Russillo: BUT CARMEN SIDESTEPS OUT OF THE WAY! AND ASHLYNN’S FOOT GOES STRAIGHT THROUGH THE STEEL CHAIR WEDGED IN THE CORNER! Ashlynn missed Sánchez, AND NOW HER FOOT IS CAUGHT IN THAT CHAIR!

(Ashlynn drops to her butt and immediately favors her foot, the steel chair still wrapped around it as she scoots away from the corner. Ashlynn manages to pull the chair off before sliding it out underneath the bottom rope. Carmen hesitates for a moment, showing some concern after seeing what happened, but quickly realizes she needs to follow up and hops onto the middle rope.)

Persephone: What are you hesitating for? Her foot’s fucked up. Stop feeling sorry for her and take advantage of it.

Thadd Blazevich: Ashlynn’s in a world of trouble right now— BUT ARIA MAKES THE SAVE BY CHUCKING A TRASH CAN RIGHT INTO CARMEN’S FACE! Sánchez is stunned on the top turnbuckle, and meanwhile, Candice hops onto the apron before climbing to the top rope with her back to Avril and Cynthia at ringside! CANDICE TAKES A LOOK BACK… AND FLIES OFF WITH A MOONSAULT ONTO BOTH OF THEM! Dude, she just wiped out Avril and Cynthia in one shot!

Rich Russillo: AND ARIA ISN’T WASTING ANY TIME EITHER! ARIA positions that trash can before climbing up to the top rope with Carmen still seated on the top turnbuckle! ARIA grabs hold of Sánchez— AND LAUNCHES HER ONTO THE TRASH CAN WITH AN AVALANCHE HURRICANRANA!! CARMEN CRUSHES THAT TRASH CAN UNDER HER BODY! Sánchez rolls around in agony as ARIA crawls over and HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRR—

Thadd Blazevich: SHOULDER UP! CARMEN STAYS IN THIS! ARIA rolls out of the ring next and reaches underneath it, PULLING OUT A KENDO STICK! ARIA slides back inside with the kendo stick and stands over Carmen as she starts sitting up on the mat… BUT AVRIL SLIDES INTO THE RING— AND RUNS RIGHT INTO A KENDO STICK SHOT ACROSS THE GUT! Avril doubles over from the impact, leaving her wide open as ARIA CRACKS THE KENDO STICK ACROSS HER BACK!

Rich Russillo: AVRIL DROPS TO THE MAT, ARCHING HER BACK IN PAIN AFTER THAT SHOT! Candice and Ashlynn slide back into the ring, but Cynthia isn’t far behind as she slides in as well! CYNTHIA CHARGES TOWARD CANDICE— BUT CANDICE SIDESTEPS AND SENDS HER OVER THE TOP ROPE! Cynthia manages to catch herself on the apron— BUT CANDICE KNOCKS HER OFF WITH A RIGHT HAND! Blair follows Cynthia outside before leaning her against the table and laying her across it, UNLOADING WITH A FLURRY OF RIGHT HANDS TO KEEP HER THERE!

Thadd Blazevich: And Ashlynn has the same idea on the other side! Quinn grabs hold of Carmen and THROWS HER OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! Ashlynn follows Sánchez outside before laying her across the table opposite Candice and Cynthia! ASHLYNN STARTS UNLOADING WITH RIGHT HANDS TO THE FACE, MAKING SURE CARMEN STAYS PUT! And now look at this, bro! ASHLYNN AND CANDICE START CLIMBING UP THE TWO CORNERS ON OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE RING!

(Ashlynn and Candice reach the top ropes before looking across the ring at each other, sharing a determined nod as Carmen and Cynthia remain laid out across their respective tables below.)

Rich Russillo: THEY’RE BOTH GONNA DO IT! CANDICE COMES DOWN WITH A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP ONTO CYNTHIA— THROUGH THE TABLE!! AND ASHLYNN LAUNCHES HERSELF OFF WITH A SWANTON ONTO CARMEN, CRASHING THROUGH THE OTHER TABLE!! :damn:

(Both Candice and Ashlynn are left hurting from their respective landings, but slowly begin crawling toward each other. The two use one another for support as they struggle back to their feet, eventually turning their attention toward ARIA inside the ring.)

Rich Russillo: AND AFTER ALL OF THAT, ARIA IS THE ONLY ONE LEFT STANDING INSIDE THE RING! ARIA pulls Avril back to her feet and gets her into position— PHOENIX DRIVER!! TIGER DRIVER 98, SPIKING AVRIL ONTO HER HEAD!! WILLIAMS HAS GONE LIMP, AND ARIA IMMEDIATELY MOVES INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG!

ONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE—

Thadd Blazevich: AVRIL STAYS IN IT! SHE GOT THE SHOULDER UP! Barely, dude! JUST BARELY! Avril inches that shoulder off the mat before three, and ARIA can’t believe it! She thought the Phoenix Driver had just won this match right then and there!

Persephone: Oh, give me a fucking break. She just got dumped on her head and THAT still wasn’t enough? Somebody grab a chair and finish the job.

Rich Russillo: ARIA calls for Candice and Ashlynn to join her in the ring, and both women quickly do! Avril is surrounded by all three as she slowly stirs up to both knees, exhausted as the wear and tear of this match begins to show. Not just on Avril, but on every woman involved! ARIA STANDS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF AVRIL WHILE CANDICE AND ASHLYNN TAKE THEIR PLACES ON EITHER SIDE! Avril is surrounded, and this could be the end—

Thadd Blazevich: OH! CARMEN AND CYNTHIA! CARMEN AND CYNTHIA DRAG CANDICE AND ASHLYNN OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE RING! THEY SEND BOTH WOMEN BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE! Dude, Carmen and Cynthia just saved Avril from whatever those three had planned! Carmen quickly climbs onto the apron, and ARIA RUSHES HER WITH A RUNNING RIGHT HAND— BUT CARMEN STRIKES FIRST WITH A ROPE ASSISTED GAMENGIRI! ARIA gets rocked, and Carmen drops back down to ringside!

(ARIA doubles over, hanging onto the ropes with one hand while favoring her jaw. Avril sees her opening and immediately runs toward the corner in front of her!)

Rich Russillo: AVRIL SEES HER CHANCE— “MIDAIR THIEF!” AVRIL LAUNCHES HERSELF OUT OF THE CORNER— BUT ARIA DROPS DOWN! ARIA COUNTERS THE MIDAIR THIEF INTO A CRUCIFIX PIN AS AVRIL COMES CRASHING DOWN TO THE MAT! ARIA COULD STEAL THIS!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! AVRIL ROLLS THROUGH TO BOTH KNEES WITH ARIA STILL ON HER SHOULDERS! Williams fights through the exhaustion and powers herself all the way back to her feet— SEMI-CHARMED LIFE!! GTS BY AVRIL! ARIA GOT CAUGHT FLUSH!

(ARIA somehow remains on her feet, but only barely, groggily staggering toward the ropes before dropping to both knees with her head draped over the middle rope.)

Thadd Blazevich: AND LOOK WHERE ARIA ENDED UP! Carmen slides back into the ring, and this crowd is getting louder because everybody knows what ARIA is in position for! Sánchez takes off toward the opposite ropes— TIGER FEINT KICK!! THE FIRST HALF OF “LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA” CONNECTS AND SENDS ARIA FLYING BACK TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE RING!

(Carmen re-enters the ring as Cynthia joins her, leaving all three women standing side by side in front of ARIA as she reels on both knees.)

Rich Russillo: CANDICE AND ASHLYNN! THEY’RE BACK! CANDICE DRAGS CARMEN OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE WHILE ASHLYNN DOES THE SAME TO AVRIL ON THE OTHER SIDE! AND BOTH SIDES IMMEDIATELY BREAK INTO HOCKEY FIGHTS AT RINGSIDE! Cynthia looks away for just a moment before turning her attention back to ARIA as she rises to her feet! CYNTHIA SWINGS— BUT ARIA DUCKS UNDERNEATH! SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX!! CYNTHIA GETS DUMPED ON THE BACK OF HER HEAD AND NECK!

Thadd Blazevich: AND THIS WHOLE THING HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN DOWN, BRO! Candice gets the better of Carmen at ringside and SLAMS HER FACE FIRST OFF THE COVER OF OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE! Blair quickly rolls back into the ring as ARIA groggily slides out to ringside! Cynthia is still on a knee after that snap dragon suplex, trying to shake the cobwebs out of her head!

Rich Russillo: Candice grabs Cynthia and pulls her back to her feet— CASTLES CRUMBLING!! NO! CYNTHIA DROPS DOWN TO ALL FOURS AND SLITHERS THROUGH CANDICE’S LEGS! Valice gets behind her and immediately looks for “THE FALLING COURAGE!”— BUT CANDICE SLIPS OUT OF THE OLYMPIC SLAM AND LANDS ON HER FEET BEHIND CYNTHIA!

Thadd Blazevich: KICK TO THE GUT! CYNTHIA DOUBLES OVER, AND CANDICE WASTES NO TIME— CASTLES CRUMBLING!!! CANDICE SPIKES CYNTHIA ON HER HEAD! BLAIR DROPS INTO THE COVER! BOTH TEAMS ARE STILL BRAWLING AT RINGSIDE, AND THEY DON’T EVEN REALIZE WHAT’S HAPPENING!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Rich Russillo: CARMEN REVERSES A THROW BY ASHLYNN— AND SENDS QUINN SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS! CARMEN SEES THE COVER!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Thadd Blazevich: AVRIL’S TRYING TO GET BACK INSIDE— BUT ARIA HAS HER BY THE ANKLE! AVRIL IS DESPERATELY TRYING TO KICK HERSELF FREE, AND THAT LEAVES CARMEN AS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SAVE CYNTHIA!

Rich Russillo: CARMEN SLIDES INTO THE RING! SHE’S GOTTA GET THERE!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

(Carmen desperately dives toward the cover, throwing herself onto Candice and Cynthia— but she is just a second too late.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS… CANDICE BLAIR, ARIA, AND ASHLYNN QUINN!!

(Candice moves onto both knees, raising both fists in the air as ‘So Far So Fake’ by Pierce the Veil begins to play. ARIA and Ashlynn enter the ring and join Candice, hugging her from both sides as the trio celebrate their hard-fought victory together. Meanwhile, Cynthia remains down in pain right in front of them as Carmen kneels beside her to check on her, staring forward at the celebrating trio.)

Rich Russillo: What a match! All six women threw everything they had at each other, but in the end, Candice Blair found the opening she needed and put Cynthia Valice away with Castles Crumbling!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, that was chaos from the opening bell! Carmen was inches away from breaking up that pin, but ARIA and Ashlynn did just enough on the outside to keep everybody occupied, and Candice got the three!

Persephone: Well, Cynthia lost again. At least everybody beat the shit out of each other enough to make sitting through it worth my time.

(Cynthia slowly starts to sit up, staring forward at Candice, ARIA, and Ashlynn as the three kneel in front of her, with Carmen and Avril kneeling behind Cynthia. The two teams take a moment to look at one another before exchanging a nod of respect, acknowledging everything they just put each other through. Candice, Ashlynn, and ARIA then help each other back to their feet and continue celebrating their hard-fought victory as the camera fades elsewhere.)

(Sunday Night Voltage returns as the camera focuses on the backstage area of The Ziggo Dome, where correspondent Sofia Clarke is seen standing by with a microphone in hand and a smile on her face. She’s in her designated interview area, and after a moment, she begins to speak.)

Sofia Clarke: Welcome back to Sunday Night Voltage, and what a show that we have seen so far! We just saw a great trios match, and along with that, we have so much more in store for you, including a stellar main event. But right now, I’d like to take the time to focus on the aftermath of last week’s Territorial Invasion Marquee Event. While most of the members of Voltage can pride themselves on being big winners, most are not as fortunate. Joining me now is former Hardcore Champion… Kai Rabeaux.

(The crowd inside the arena is immediately heard erupting into thunderous boos, as the camera shows Kai Rabeaux wasting no time storming into frame, glaring at Sofia.)

Kai Rabeaux: What was that introduction?

Sofia Clarke: :comeagain:

Kai Rabeaux: You dare shine a light on my failures? What? Because it gives you a sense of purpose? It allows you to stand over someone, something that you have never been afforded in your life? Spare me the pity. You will acknowledge me not by my former alias but my current, and that is The Overlord, a moniker that will ring true for generations to come with or without the Hardcore Championship. Do I make myself clear?

Sofia Clarke: So… I take it you’re not handling your title loss very well.

(Kai scoffs as he steps backward, taking a moment to exhale and compose himself as he continues to stare a hole into her.)

Kai Rabeaux: I am never one who allows my emotions to get the better of me. For all intents and purposes, I am perfect, and that is not an exaggerated statement that I use to stroke my own ego, for it is the truth. Showing a flaw in the manner that I did at Territorial Invasion was unacceptable, but at the same time I must step back and face the reality of the situation, one that deeply benefits me… and that is that it is not something that will happen again. As I stated, a Championship’s value is not held by the title itself, but by the person who holds it. And any Championship exceeds in value when it is in my possession. It was a frustrating roadblock, very much so avoidable, but it is not something that will last. Their parade will be sullied by my comeuppance. That is my promise.

Sofia Clarke: But are you not going to give Miku Sakai any credit?

(Kai pauses, turning his head toward Sofia as he raises an eyebrow.)

Kai Rabeaux: Excuse you?

Sofia Clarke: You have, no doubt, been one of the most dominant Champions this past year. You have defended the Hardcore Championship against some of the best talent that Voltage has to offer; you retired Adam Lucas at Pain For Pride, beating you is an accomplishment.

Kai Rabeaux: Are you trying to claim that Miku Sakai is better than me… because she beat me…?

Sofia Clarke: I actually did not say any of that-

Kai Rabeaux: Beat me by a mere stroke of luck, got away by the skin of her teeth, and you dare try and spew such blasphemy? Why should I give credit to someone who does not deserve it? To an Elitist who has been DEFINED by the bottom of the barrel, whose biggest accomplishment in the past three years is beating ME, having to share credit for that semblance of importance that she has been CRAVING for, ME. I will not allow these MISCONCEPTIONS to stand! I will not allow these lies on my name solely for you or anyone else’s enjoyment; that satisfaction is something that will come to pass.

Sofia Clarke: I’m sorry I angered you, Kai. That was not my intention…

Kai Rabeaux: ANGER? What makes you believe that you have whittled me down to my wit’s end?

(Kai’s eye twitches.)

Kai Rabeaux: This is not an interview; this is an ATTEMPT at a public HUMILIATION. If you wish to make me your laughing stock, the butt of your joke, then you may do so while you can. But it is temporary, fleeting, MEANINGLESS. Continue to live in your dreams, because that is very much where Miku Sakai resided once the three-count commenced and she barely crawled away with MY Championship. For just as quickly as it will dissipate, I will rise back up just as fast, and go beyond her and that title to something far bigger, something much more deserving of my talents. None of you have EARNED the right to question me on this matter, and it is not something that I am going to tolerate whatsoever.

(Kai takes a moment, rubbing his temple as he shakes his head.)

Kai Rabeaux: Again, you must say my name not by what I was, but by what I AM. I AM the OVERLORD. CALL ME AS SUCH-

(In the middle of his rant… something catches Kai’s eye. He glances over to see someone passing by, rolling their eyes at what they’re seeing. Unfortunately, this isn’t lost upon the now-former Champion, as he storms over.)

Kai Rabeaux: Hey… HEY. Look at me when I’m talking to you.

(Auburn Ware stops in her tracks, an unavoidable look of annoyance beginning to cross her face as she begrudgingly turns to face him.)

Auburn Ware: What the fuck did I do to you?

Kai Rabeaux: You do not have the right to look down at me with your condescending looks. If you have a problem, then at my behest, you will STATE it.

Auburn Ware: I don’t have time for this.

(Auburn turns and starts to leave, but Kai grabs her by the shoulder and turns her back around.)

Kai Rabeaux: Do you know who you are talking to? I do not understand why someone who is clearly beneath me is trying to get away with such profound disrespect; that is inexcusable.

Auburn Ware: Can you get the fuck away from me-

Kai Rabeaux: ENOUGH OF THIS.

(Kai finally snaps, as he grabs Auburn by the arms and shoves her against the wall, pointing an accusatory finger toward it. While most would expect the cold and calloused woman to show her fangs as she has done these past couple of months… she does not react in that manner. She has a calm expression on her face, one that, quite frankly, disturbs Kai, as she simply shoves him backward, the Overlord not putting up much of a fight considering the mental state that he is in.)

Auburn Ware: I have my own trauma to deal with; don’t put your problems on me. Thank you very much.

Kai Rabeaux: You believe merely because you have won something that I have already accomplished that it gives you the right to stand up to me! If you knew what was good for you and your pathetic career, you would be bending the knee to me and praising the inevitability that I will enact upon this brand. But instead, you do this?

Auburn Ware: You sound ridiculous right now, Shakespeare. Like on Gawd, I am so beyond SICK of the delusional fucking idiots on this brand and I’ll be damned if you, OF ALL PEOPLE, try and talk to me like I’m some second-class citizen. You are a fucking MURDERER and a PSYCHOPATH and if you EVER put your gross hands on me AGAIN, I’ll cut them off, ball them both into a fist, and LITERALLY SHOVE THEM UP YOUR ASS OKAY BABYKILLER??

(Kai’s mouth drops open in complete and utter shock, almost as if he can’t believe the words that had just come out of Auburn’s mouth. Satisfied with herself, Auburn tosses her dark hair and stalks off. It takes Kai mere seconds to recover and he goes after her, Auburn none the wiser. However, before he can get to her, someone reaches out and grabs him, slamming him back against the wall.)

Damon Lazarus: If I were you, I absolutely would not take another step.

(Kai practically snarls in response as he tries to push Damon back, but locks his forearm under Kai’s neck, practically choking him.)

Damon Lazarus: You can believe she means exactly what she says…

(A dark chuckle escapes from Damon knowing he brought that out of Auburn.)

Damon Lazarus: And I’ll hold your ass down while she does. Don’t follow her if you plan to continue your career.

(Damon steps back, letting up on Kai, who lets out a few coughs. The former Hardcore Champion is beyond angry, but Damon pays him no mind. He simply squints, staring him down, before walking off in the opposite direction of Auburn, almost as if he is daring Kai to follow her.)

(Once Damon is out of the picture, Kai turns around and slams his fist into the wall.)

Kai Rabeaux: Time and place… time and place…

(Kai looks down at his hand, which is bleeding from the knuckles. He scowls at the self-inflicted injury and shakes it off.)

Kai Rabeaux: Everyone is going to pay and no one will be safe.

(A soulless look crosses Kai’s face and finally, he heads off… although it deserves to be pointed out that he went neither in Damon’s direction, nor Auburn’s.)

(The scene slowly fades out.)

(Sunday Night Voltage returns as a shot is shown of the Ziggo Dome. The camera pans in as, almost immediately, the sounds of ‘Ambitionz as a Ridah’ by Tupac hit, causing the Amsterdam crowd to go into a frenzy. We go over to the stage as one-half of the Unified Tag Team Champions, TLA, is seen making his way out. He has a smile on his face as he takes a glance around, and after some time, ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ by Van Halen begins to play. Following closely behind him is the other half of the Champs, Dr. Bethany Blue, as she saunters out with a smirk on her face. The two of them raise their titles in the air as they begin to make their way down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… the EAW UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!! DR. BETHANY BLUE AND TLA… LA FARMACIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: Last week, La Farmacia capped off yet another successful title defense, this time against Showdown’s CATACLYSM in a Poon Palace brawl, and what a spectacle that was.

Persephone: Could probably be on par with one of the worst match types I have ever seen.

Thadd Blazevich: Well, bro, regardless, they have to continue, and as we’ve already seen, they’re fielding title shots for anyone on ANY brand. It could be another from Showdown, a team on Dynasty, or even one here on Voltage. That remains to be seen!

(Bethany and TLA both make their way into the ring, taking microphones for themselves as ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ begins to come to a close. As they head toward the center of the ring, they begin to speak.)

TLA: Amsterdam, Netherlands! ¡¿Qué pasó?!

(The crowd erupts once more, as TLA nods his head in agreement, Bethany following him up.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: Territorial Invasion has come and gone, but one thing remains the same, and that is that La Farmacia are still your Tag Team Champions. The idea that CATACLYSM were going to be the ones that stopped that was a diagnosis that was perpetrated by, frankly, themselves and Silas Mason. It ended up being a misdiagnosis. Now they have to wallow in their failures despite their overabundance of confidence, and I can already hear it now: they have an excuse! They were able to say that we had the ball in our court! Well, they can also say that they confidently accepted the challenge, thinking that it wouldn’t mean anything, and look at what ended up happening as a result. Exactly.

TLA: We’re still your Campeonatos, and life is good, oralé! But no sweat, hombre, CATACLYSM losing ain’t nothing to worry about. Them and that bald cabron should take it as a hint that they still have a lot to work on. They ain’t close to the best tag team in the division, you know why?! Because we’re the best! Ain’t nobody touchin’ us, and y’all better get it into yo cabezas real quick, or else it’s gonna be a rough night for you when we get even more of them title defenses under our belt.

Dr. Bethany Blue: We’ve put CATACLYSM behind us, and now we’re moving on, and there’s a lot of ground to cover, isn’t there? We have Wicked Games coming up, but at the same time, we also have another set of Marquee Events on the horizon for all the brands, and personally, regardless of the challenge, we’re really looking to continue defending these titles and cement our status in the history books as the BEST, no questions about it. And that might be something bold to say, but nobody’s proving us otherwise, right?

TLA: Damn right. They don’t got the cajones for it.

Dr. Bethany Blue: So, let this be put on the record right now that anyone who wants to face us is more than welcome to come out here and prove it. You don’t have to be an experienced tag team or have Championship reigns under your belt; what we want is ambition, and we need you to have the motivation to try and snuff us out to show why you can’t do it.

TLA: We stay raisin’ dat bar. We be raisin’ it so high that none of y’all will be able to reach it. So whoever wants to step up to the biggest, baddest hustlers this entire company got, then we ain’t stoppin’ you.

(TLA lowers his microphone as both members of La Farmacia turn toward the stage. And they’re met with a pleasant surprise as the sounds of ‘The Best Damn Thing’ by Avril Lavigne begin to play through the speakers. The camera then goes over to reveal Avril Williams as she excitedly makes her way out from the backstage area. She has a smirk on her face, and as she turns her head… ‘Rompe’ by Daddy Yankee is heard following that to loud cheers. It then goes over to Carmen Sánchez as she’s seen skipping out from behind her. Both of them glance at one another with looks of opportunity before they make their way down the ramp.)

Rich Russillo: This is a pleasant surprise! Avril Williams and Carmen Sánchez are two women who teamed with each other last week at Territorial Invasion, and this week in the six-women tag team match that took place. Now, they look to continue upping the ante, and what a bold play this is.

Persephone: It’s also stupid. But whatever, I guess. They kinda lost earlier tonight…

Thadd Blazevich: Bro, this would be a huge opportunity for them! La Farmacia opened up the field, and they were quick to jump in and seize it as quickly as they could. It’ll be interesting to see how they take what could be the biggest match of their careers against two former World Champions and bona fide top-tier talent.

Persephone: Well now you just make it sound worse.

(Avril and Carmen both make their way into the ring, taking microphones for themselves as ‘Rompe’ begins to come to a close. TLA and Bethany both have impressed looks on their faces as they lower their mics, allowing them the chance to speak their mind.)

Avril Williams: If you’re looking for a team with ambition and motivation to take you guys on… Well then you’ve come to the right place. Because you’re looking at a couple of rad chicks looking to do just that.

Carmen Sánchez: While Territorial Invasion might have gone great for you guys because of your successful title defense against Ryan and Vincent… it didn’t go exactly the way that me, Avril, or Cynthia wanted for our Divide and Conquer match. It was a tough loss, but after teaming with each other again earlier in the night despite how it may have ended, I think Avril and I both realized exactly where we needed to be. And it should be made abundantly clear to you both that we don’t plan to let that setback get to us.

Avril Williams: You’re damn right, dude! We weren’t going to let a loss like that affect us mentally, especially not when an opportunity like this gets dropped down and needs to get picked right up. TLA mentioned that you guys are raising the bar that no one would be able to reach, but don’t worry, man… Carmen and I are going to reach that and more.

Carmen Sánchez: ¡Exactamente! We want to be next in line for those Unified Tag Team Championships. We’re ready to give you both everything we got because, again, while both Avril and I haven’t been in this company as long as both you have been… we’re hungry, we’re motivated, we want to make an impact in this promotion, and what better way to do that than taking on La Farmacia and challenging for those Unified Tag Team Championships.

(The crowd cheers for both Avril and Carmen as TLA and Bethany look around the arena, seeing the fans’ approval of the team that has stepped up to them tonight. The Champions then look at each other before nodding as TLA is the first to speak.)

TLA: Ay, you want a fight? You’ve come to the right place, homie. Me and Bethany… we up for it! Let’s lucha!

(The crowd cheers for this as both Avril and Carmen share a smile, happy that La Farmacia has accepted their challenge. TLA continues and tells them…)

TLA: We’ll defend these titles against y’all two; it’ll definitely be a whole lot better than facing those two cabrons in CATACLYSM, that’s for sure. You got dat fire, type of shit we looking for in a pair of challengers, and I’m sure mi amigos here tonight in Amsterdam agree with me! But we got una pregunta for y’all two…

Dr. Bethany Blue: Are you guys actually prepared for a match like this? We have been the tag champions since Pain for Pride, taking on any comers who want a crack at these titles and, as a result, them finding out firsthand exactly what La Farmacia is all about. This isn’t just a regular skill set, we’re former World Champions with decorated careers in this company, but you should already know that. So will you be ready for the kind of match that you’re stepping into?

Avril Williams: Hell yeah! Territorial Invasion didn’t go the way we imagined, but it doesn’t negate our will to fight on like a couple of badass warriors. Carmen and I know full well what we’re getting ourselves into and know the risks of facing you both. We’re still going to give everything we got and then some!

Carmen Sánchez: We’re not like CATACLYSM; we don’t constantly attack and blindside like a bunch of bullies to prove our point. Avril and I are ready for the big fight, and you both, we’ll see what we’re capable of soon enough.

(Carmen and Avril drop their microphone as they both stare down the champions.)

Rich Russillo: Wow! What a statement made by Avril and Carmen, looking to be next in line for those titles as the champions accepted.

Thadd Blazevich: It’s going to be radical, bro, that’s for sure.

Persephone: Shut the fuck up, idiot.

(Both teams continue to stare at each other before they start exiting the ring as Sunday Night Voltage continues.)

(Voltage fades to the backstage area and to the sight of Damon Lazarus roaming around after what has already been an interesting night. Having been rewarded for his War Games efforts — with full liberty over what the reward is and when, he rides a high like no other. High, only furthered by his ability to also thwart a heated collision between Kai Rabeaux and Auburn Ware, unbeknownst to Auburn herself.)

(Alas, the night would only grow more eventful. The victorious War Games captain is seen taking some time to himself, perhaps walking to a certain locker room with intent, but whatever his destination was, would be put on a delay.)

(Behind his unhurried steps, an elegantly dressed man approaches. Drake Armstrong—speaking with irritably fake excitement.)

Drake Armstrong: If it isn’t the man of the hour!

Damon Lazarus: …

(Damon’s head turns with menacing patience, meeting Drake Armstrong eye-to-eye — his ire quickly becoming apparent right in his face.)

Damon Lazarus: “Man of the hour”…

(Damon then smirks.)

Damon Lazarus: Bet it pisses you off, don’t it?

(Drake’s brow raises, albeit his confusion possessed more entitlement than anything.)

Damon Lazarus: You playing dumb with me?

(Armstrong chuckles.)

Drake Armstrong: Very well. No, it does not “piss me off”. I *am* the main benefactor behind Voltage’s modern successes, after all. This is the path I laid out. No, Damon, in actuality, I do admire your feat of strategy and the unyielding conviction you displayed in your choice of partners despite all doubts cast upon you. From one captain to another, congratulations.

Damon Lazarus: …I wish that I was just as irritatingly stupid as every other lackwit this sweet talk garbage has worked on. ‘Hell do you want? Somebody to leech off of? Some kinda peace treaty ‘cause Auburn and your boyfriend stirred up some trouble?

(Drake shakes his head.)

Drake Armstrong: Not everything needs to be as elaborate as you insinuate it to be. The success of Voltage REMAINS my success; championship over my shoulder or not, I am simply pleased you have carried the flag all the way to victory.

Damon Lazarus: You sure sound desperate without that title validating your delusions, and I’m not the sycophantic numbskull you may expect me to be. I certainly expected my opinion of you to be *awfully* clear by now.

Drake Armstrong: Well, I doubt those girls had the kindest opinion of you, either. Minds can always be changed.

Damon Lazarus: Fuck off. Y’know what they say about old dogs, don’t you? Look, bud, you want that damn title to make you feel worth somethin’, well then you shouldn’t have fucked up your chance when you had it. I don’t give a damn where you think our interests align, and I’m certainly not ‘bout to sit here and let you take credit for my handiwork while you sat on your ass and let some out of depth girl put her hands on power she cannot maintain.

(Drake raises an eyebrow. The specific insinuation felt curious.)

Drake Armstrong: Sounds troubling to you, that Daniella Atlas finds herself in the limelight, hm? By having a platform, is she threatening to one of *your* interests? Arrangements… favors… can be made… to change that… Damon…

(Damon rolls his eyes. Armstrong’s got him partially figured out, but Damon knows better than to buy what he is selling.)

(Thus, he retorts in the only way Damon Lazarus could.)

Damon Lazarus: You wanna do me a favor? Well go ahead. Take a double barrel and shove it up your fuckin’ mouth.

(Drake’s eyes widened. The disrespect given to him was certainly above all limits, but he had made enough enemies by now. Better off not adding another.)

(Damon simply brushes by him, while a small vein accentuates at the corner of his forehead. As he keeps walking forward, he rushes past a corner without giving it any attention. There, however, stood someone with their back leaned on the wall, and an interest—or perhaps amusement—in the ongoing conversation.)

(Armstrong exhales sharply, before turning his back, preferring not to cross paths again with Damon along the backstage hallways for now.)

???: You ain’t tired of eating shit?

(However, turning the corner Damon just walked past is Bronson Daniels. Drake, of course, has no issue recognizing that voice. He blinks for an elongated period of time… before facing him.)

Bronson Daniels: Dunno about you, but Territorial Invasion wasn’t so bad. You’re without a title shot, and to me that’s good enough.

(Bronson’s arms cross, standing face to face with Drake with whom history has turned bitter over the past year.)

Drake Armstrong: I suppose when you look at last year’s happenings, you would be inclined to settle for mutual defeat. Amusing of the “great” Bronson Daniels.

Bronson Daniels: Can’t help yourself, can you?

(Bronson shakes his head with a frown etched all over his countenance. Last week’s tensions do not even begin to tell the whole story. No; Drake Armstrong was the man behind Elysium’s shattering, and the butterfly effect of that brought nothing but despair for Bronson, both in life and in career. Bronson’s reached a point where he does not know his purpose because of it. His best attempt was making the life of the man responsible for it all hell, but part of him wasn’t as satisfied as he wished.)

Drake Armstrong: You proclaimed you would make sure I do not win that match. At the cost of your childish naivety, a peasant walks into a World Championship opportunity for merely the purpose of needlessly extending the days reigned of an unworthy champion.

Bronson Daniels: Well, I think there’s something you still don’t get: I don’t care.

(Drake raises an eyebrow…)

Bronson Daniels: I don’t care about Hans, I don’t care about his title or his challenger. It feels trivial to concern myself so deeply with another man’s business while I got *much* of my own shit to handle right now. But here’s the funny thing, you’re still trying to conduct business while we’re stuck in this cycle with each other.

Drake Armstrong: *You* are stuck in this cycle. The cycle of biting on my ankle.

Bronson Daniels: You approached me last month, didn’t you? So let’s stop that crap. Give it to me, what’s your issue? What did you even expect to get from Damon?

Drake Armstrong: You can answer that yourself, Bronson.

(Bronson sighs.)

Bronson Daniels: You’re right. I just hoped it would be something deeper than that. Y’know, the threat of “dealing” with Daniella, since it’s in his interest that she stays away from that girl he’s got under a spell. All to get back to the World Title? It’s pretty fuckin’ low, even for you.

Drake Armstrong: No, no Bronson. What is low, is a Hall of Famer allowing inferior competition to get the better of him. What is low, is a defeated chump carrying out a desperate mission for vengeance while having the awareness that it is futile. What is low… is a man who swears on his family, and abandons it likewise. Do you wish to act on your virtue, Bronson? Then go on and “resolve” the matter that earned Voltage a consecutive victory in War Games.

Bronson Daniels: Our way of thinking— it will never align, will it? It was evident for a while, but I think now I’ve come to a proper realization that this is fruitless. You can only interpret my point of view from your own. The language you speak is avarice, and it truly disgusts me each time you speak to me. You don’t got a soul, you don’t got a heart. You hardly even have conviction, Drake. You’re just human garbage, and… you know what?

Bronson Daniels: This isn’t worth it. I don’t want to keep dragging myself down with you. I don’t want to entertain this. You are delusional, you are insufferable, you are everything I hate, and my biggest shame is letting you have even the faintest effect on my life.

Drake Armstrong: No…

Bronson Daniels: Shut it. For once, just fucking shut it! It’s like no matter what, we find our way back to each other; it’s endless, it’s ridiculous, and I can’t let myself be destroyed any further simply because you wanna claim superiority, knowing you don’t stand a chance against me, man to man, both at a hundred percent, both with a sound mind.

Bronson Daniels: I’m good, man. I don’t gotta be the one wearing the cape all the time.

(Bronson shakes his head…)

Bronson Daniels: Go be somebody else’s problem.

(He exhales, then simply leaves Drake behind, walking off without anything more to give…)

(But Drake grabs a hold of his wrist before he can make it far. Drake was not letting it be this easy.)

(Bronson clenches his jaw.)

**SMACK!!!**

(Bronson’s fist clocked Drake flush across the jaw.)

(It took Armstrong by surprise. It even took Bronson by surprise. He only acted on the instinct on frustration. He doesn’t even give Drake another look. He doesn’t care about the damage done—though he certainly felt the force behind it. He just walks away…)

(But Drake was staggered all the way down to his knees. With a furious frown, he watches as Bronson leaves without a care in the world, holding onto his jaw while breathing heavily and uncontrollably.)

(Bronson thought just leaving this behind would mean he was done being the bigger man. The truth, however, was the exact opposite, and that is what left Drake absolutely SEETHING above all.)

(He would scream at Bronson to get back here, but he knew it’d be in vain, and he would only further humiliate his own pride by doing so.)

(Voltage fades elsewhere.)

(Voltage returns to ringside as “The Leaving Song pt. II” by AFI begins to play throughout the arena, immediately bringing the crowd to its feet with cheers for Hans Grayson. The EAW World Champion steps through the curtains with the title resting over his shoulder, taking a moment at the top of the ramp to look across the audience before beginning his walk toward the ring. There is pride in carrying the Championship, but after Territorial Invasion, Hans is noticeably more measured than celebratory.)

Rich Russillo: There is still your EAW World Champion, but Territorial Invasion left Hans Grayson with plenty to think about. Jay Jerry Johnson pushed him to his absolute limit, and Hans ultimately escaped with the Championship by catching Jay with a schoolboy just before Heaven’s Feel could connect.

Persephone: Whether Jay likes it or not, three seconds is three seconds.

Thadd Blazevich: And there’s no time to sit around thinking about it either, bro. Hans already has a new challenger as we saw last weekend.

(Hans makes his way around ringside, greeting a few fans before climbing onto the apron and stepping between the ropes. He moves toward the corner, raising the EAW World Championship into the air before bringing it back down over his shoulder. Hans is handed a microphone as his music begins to fade. He takes a few seconds before speaking.)

Hans Grayson: I’ve had a lot of time to think about Territorial Invasion. I’ve thought about everything Jay said to me before that match. Everything I said back. I’ve thought about the things I promised I wouldn’t become, what kind of Champion I told everyone I wanted to be, and I’ve definitely thought about those final seconds.

Hans Grayson: Because no, that wasn’t how I wanted it to end.

(Hans glances toward the Championship.)

Hans Grayson: I wanted to beat Jay. I wanted to put him down and leave Territorial Invasion with there being no question about who won that fight. Instead, he had me in position for Heaven’s Feel, and if that connected, maybe I’m not standing here with this Championship right now.

Hans Grayson: But it didn’t connect.

Hans Grayson: I got out. I caught Jay in a schoolboy, put everything I had into keeping his shoulders against that mat, and the referee counted to three. I didn’t grab the ropes. I didn’t grab his tights. Nobody came running down here to save me. I didn’t hit him with this Championship or ask anybody to do it for me. Jay tried to finish the match, I escaped, I outwrestled him in that moment, and I retained.

Hans Grayson: Was it the dominant victory I wanted? No. And honestly… I’m sorry that it ended that way.

Hans Grayson: But I’m not sorry that I’m still EAW World Champion.

(The crowd cheers as Hans nods.)

Hans Grayson: Because this keeps happening. I get somebody challenging for this Championship, and suddenly beating me isn’t enough. They have to get inside my head too. They have to convince themselves that if they push enough buttons, if they make things personal enough, if they put me through enough pain, eventually I’m going to crack and become whatever they need me to become.

Hans Grayson: Raven tried it. Jay tried it. Every time, I hear about how they’ll do whatever it takes. How they need this more than I do. How their desperation makes them dangerous and sooner or later, when I’m standing across from somebody willing to throw everything away for this, I’ll have no choice but to do the same.

Hans Grayson: Maybe Jay pushed me closer to that line than anybody else has. I can admit that. But adapting to the fight in front of me doesn’t mean I lost myself. He gave me that fight, and when the moment came, I fired back. So maybe everyone else looking at this Championship can learn something from that. I’m not going to make it easy for anybody to take this from me. You can push me, provoke me, hurt me, and tell me everything you’re prepared to do.

Hans Grayson: Just remember that I’m allowed to fight back.

(Hans pauses.)

Hans Grayson: Which brings me to Daniella Atlas.

(The crowd reacts to the name.)

Hans Grayson: Territorial Invasion gave me my next challenger, and I’m glad it did. Daniella earned that opportunity. I know what it means to spend years chasing something like this, getting close, getting knocked back down, and still believing that eventually your time is going to come. I respect that.

Hans Grayson: I just hope this time things can be different.

(Hans turns and puts his eyes towards the stage.)

Hans Grayson: Because I’m getting tired of seeing this Championship bring out the worst in everybody who comes after it. I’m tired of every defense becoming a question of how far somebody can push me before I stop being myself.

Hans Grayson: So Daniella, whenever you want to come out here and look me in the eye, I’ll be waiting. You earned that much, and I’m ready to give you the same opportunity I’ve given everybody else to come take this Championship from me the right—

(Hans is cut off as “There is Surely Tomorrow” by WAGAMAMA RAKIA hits.)

(The reaction from the crowd surges immediately. Hans lowers the microphone and his eyes narrow as Jay Jerry Johnson steps through the curtains, already holding a microphone. Jay doesn’t waste much time taking in the crowd, making his way directly toward the ring with his attention fixed on Hans.)

(Jay enters and walks into the center of the ring, stopping several feet away from the Champion.)

Jay Jerry Johnson: That’s it?

Jay Jerry Johnson: You’ve thought about Territorial Invasion. You’ve accepted the discomfort. You’ve processed the evening, located your lesson, and now we move neatly along to Daniella Atlas?

(Jay gives a faint shake of his head.)

Jay Jerry Johnson: How convenient for you.

Jay Jerry Johnson: But let’s dissect it a bit. You said something interesting just now. You said you outwrestled me. For three seconds, Hans. That is what you have.

Jay Jerry Johnson: Three seconds where you escaped what was about to happen to you, fell backward into the one arrangement that kept this Championship on your shoulder, and got away before reality finished catching up.

Hans Grayson: I didn’t “fall backward” into anything, Jay. You went for the finish and I got out of it.

Jay Jerry Johnson: Yes. You escaped. Thank you for arriving at the point. You were in my hands. Heaven’s Feel was next, and you knew what it meant because I had already shown you before Territorial Invasion what happened when it landed.

Jay Jerry Johnson: But it didn’t hit. You survived. Not beautifully. Not decisively. Certainly not in this glorious manner you were assuring me your honour would permit.

Jay Jerry Johnson: You found the exit.

Hans Grayson: And apparently the guy who spent all that time telling me the only thing that matters is winning suddenly has standards.

Jay Jerry Johnson: Don’t misunderstand me. I have no objection to the schoolboy. I object to you standing here behaving as though it does not annihilate half the argument you made before the match.

(Jay steps closer.)

Jay Jerry Johnson: I told you morality becomes expensive at altitude. I told you pressure removes choices. I told you that when a man is deep into a match, exhausted, hurt, and seconds away from losing the thing he values most, his philosophy begins negotiating with survival.

Jay Jerry Johnson: You told me I was wrong.

Jay Jerry Johnson: Then you proved me right by taking such a cheap victory!

Hans Grayson: You really wanna talk to me about how I got there?

Hans Grayson: You wanted to send a message. You spent weeks telling me you were willing to play dirty if that’s what it took. You stood there bragging about beating Kai when Miku Sakai smashed him in the face with the Hardcore Championship and handed you the opening!

Hans Grayson: You didn’t have some crisis of conscience then.

Hans Grayson: You saw an opening and took it. I did the same thing to you, except nobody had to hit you with a Championship first.

Jay Jerry Johnson: And again, Hans, I’m not disputing the legality. I’m disputing the idea that you truly outwrestled me across that match.

Jay Jerry Johnson: You looked at me as though desperation was something dirty on my clothes. Something you could identify from across the room and assure yourself would never touch you. Then I put you in the exact position I described, and suddenly adaptation became a much more attractive word.

Hans Grayson: Because there’s a difference between adapting and becoming you.

Hans Grayson: I never said I was going to stand there and let you beat me because the escape wasn’t dramatic enough. You threw everything you had at me. You targeted my back, my arm, every weakness you could find. You kicked out of Imperial Flame. You pushed me further than I wanted to go.

Hans Grayson: And after all of that, you still couldn’t keep my shoulders down for three seconds.

Jay Jerry Johnson: Neither could you after any of your best offense.

(Hans’ expression tightens.)

Jay Jerry Johnson: That’s the part you keep walking around. You threw your fire at me, Hans. I remained.

Jay Jerry Johnson: In the end, I was the one standing over you with the World Championship seconds from changing hands.

Jay Jerry Johnson: You did not bring me down. You escaped me.

Hans Grayson: And you lost.

(The audience reacts loudly.)

Hans Grayson: I know you hate that answer because it doesn’t give you everything you want, but you lost. You wanted a war where anything could happen. You got one. You wanted to push me somewhere nobody else had managed to push me. But after all the mountains, all the war metaphors, all the talk about how reality doesn’t negotiate, reality is standing right in front of you.

(Hans lifts the EAW World Championship slightly.)

Hans Grayson: I’m still Champion.

(Jay stares at Hans for several seconds.)

Jay Jerry Johnson: For now.

(“The Clincher” by Chevelle hits.)

(The crowd reacts as both men turn toward the stage. Daniella Atlas emerges from behind the curtain, staring down toward the ring before beginning her walk down the ramp. There is no rush in her movements. Daniella enters the ring and is handed a microphone, taking her place beside the two men before her music fades.)

Daniella Atlas: I believe this has gone on long enough.

(Jay turns toward her.)

Daniella Atlas: Jay, what occurred at Territorial Invasion was unfortunate.

Jay Jerry Johnson: Unfortunate?

Daniella Atlas: Would you prefer I embellish it, mon ami?

Daniella Atlas: You came extraordinarily close to becoming World Champion. Mais… You did not. I understand that such a result leaves much to fester within one’s mind, particularly when the distance between triumph and defeat was so excruciatingly narrow.

Daniella Atlas: Yet your grievances do not alter what else occurred that evening.

(Daniella looks between Jay and Hans.)

Daniella Atlas: I defeated Bronson Daniels and Drake Armstrong. I became Number One Contender.

Daniella Atlas: Thus, while the two of you may continue examining precisely which of your principles survived three seconds upon the canvas, I am the woman next in line to challenge for the EAW World Championship.

Jay Jerry Johnson: I’m aware of what you won.

Daniella Atlas: Then I trust you understand why I have little inclination to watch you occupy the time that I earned.

Jay Jerry Johnson: Your opportunity doesn’t make my business disappear.

Daniella Atlas: Nor does your dissatisfaction in yourself stop my business.

(Daniella turns her attention toward Hans.)

Daniella Atlas: And Hans, do not misunderstand my arrival as some endorsement.

Hans Grayson: Didn’t expect it to be.

Daniella Atlas: Good.

Daniella Atlas: Because I find what happened to you at Territorial Invasion rather illuminating.

Hans Grayson: The schoolboy?

Daniella Atlas: Hardly. I would be a fool to condemn you for recognizing an opening when the very opportunity I possess was secured in similar fashion.

(Daniella allows the point to linger.)

Daniella Atlas: Bronson Daniels exhausted himself ensuring Drake Armstrong would remain down. I returned, seized the moment presented to me, and three seconds later I became Number One Contender.

Daniella Atlas: There is no dishonour in awareness. My concern is everything required to bring you to that moment.

(Hans watches closely.)

Daniella Atlas: For weeks, you have spoken of what this Championship represents through you. Your drive. Your pride. Your insistence that others may descend into whatever depths they desire while you remain unmoved.

Daniella Atlas: Yet in such a short time, each challenger has drawn something further from you. Anger. Frustration. Increasingly desperate resistance.

Daniella Atlas: Jay may be insufferably pleased with his own analysis, but I cannot entirely dismiss the evidence before me.

Jay Jerry Johnson: “Insufferably” seems unnecessary.

Daniella Atlas: It was chosen with considerable care.

(The crowd reacts as Jay looks away with a faint smirk.)

Daniella Atlas: The pressure of being World Champion is getting to you, Hans.

Daniella Atlas: Territorial Invasion was not merely one clever pinfall. It was the culmination of another challenger dragging you further into a place you insist you are above entering.

Daniella Atlas: And if you believe matters shall become easier now, I fear you are woefully mistaken.

Hans Grayson: I don’t think they’re getting easier.

Daniella Atlas: Then we understand one another.

Daniella Atlas: Because I have waited too long for this. I have challenged for World Championships before. I have watched opportunities escape me, endured the consequences of my own errors, and remained forced to exist beside individuals who already know what it feels like to reach the summit I continue pursuing.

Daniella Atlas: I have no intention of allowing this opportunity to become another lesson in patience. I intend to be the one who will end your reign.

Jay Jerry Johnson: And what happens if I’m not finished?

(Daniella slowly turns back toward him.)

Daniella Atlas: Then finish whatever you believe remains unfinished without obstructing what I have earned.

Jay Jerry Johnson: That’s not how this works.

Jay Jerry Johnson: I was seconds away from that Championship. Hans knows it. I know it. Everyone watching knows it. I’m not walking backward to base camp because the schedule says another name comes next. Frankly, I don’t give a damn about what you earned. I want what should’ve already been mine.

Daniella Atlas: And I shall not relinquish my position because you dislike the conclusion of your match.

Jay Jerry Johnson: I didn’t ask you to relinquish anything.

Daniella Atlas: Yet here you stand between the Champion and his Number One Contender.

Jay Jerry Johnson: Because I belong here. And what I did at Territorial Invasion proves that.

Hans Grayson: Then both of you can listen to me.

(Hans steps forward, raising his voice enough to cut through the argument.)

Hans Grayson: Daniella, you earned your shot. I respect that, and I meant everything I said before Jay came out here.

Hans Grayson: I hope this is different. I hope we can get to Wicked Games without this becoming another month where somebody decides the only way to take this title is to tear apart everything I believe first.

Hans Grayson: But if that’s where it goes, then that’s where it goes. But I’m still the champion…

(The crowd grows louder.)

Hans Grayson: Daniella earned her place.

Hans Grayson: Jay clearly has no intention of going anywhere.

Hans Grayson: Whatever that means by the time Wicked Games arrives, I’ll deal with it. Whoever is coming at me doesn’t matter, because there is one thing that isn’t changing.

Hans Grayson: I plan on leaving Wicked Games exactly the same way I’ll be walking into it.

(Hans raises the EAW World Championship between them.)

Hans Grayson: As EAW World Champion!

(The crowd erupts as Hans lowers the microphone.)

(Daniella’s eyes remain fixed upon the Championship, her expression unwavering as she steps closer. Jay does the same from the opposite side, staring first at the title and then directly at Hans. Hans stands between them with the EAW World Championship raised, Daniella Atlas on one side and Jay Jerry Johnson on the other.)

(None of the three back away. Their eyes fixed between each other and the championship as Voltage fades to commercial.)

(Commercial for belts featuring Pete Golding spanking Lane Kiffin.)

(The camera returns to ringside, where Bella Braxton is seen with a microphone in her hand.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!!!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

(‘Vordt of the Boreal Valley’ by Motoi Sakuraba begins to play, causing an explosive eruption of boos to come from the fans in attendance. Igon Mordren begins walking out to the stage, carrying a stern look on his face. Despite his appearance earlier he is focused, ready for tonight’s match against Raven Roberts as he begins walking down the ramp, showing no trouble ignoring the hostile reception, which may be even worse following his earlier actions.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first… from Belgrade, Serbia… weighing in at 266 pounds… THE WARDEN, IIIIGGGOOONNNN MOOOORRRDDRREEENNNN!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: Igon Mordren certainly made his presence felt tonight, as clearly his issues with Reylin Aloali’i have not been resolved quite yet. Igon made a bold move interfering earlier, given he’s set to compete now.

Thadd Blazevich: Igon’s gonna have to focus up too, ‘cause this match he’s in isn’t gonna be some sorta cakewalk. He’s up against not just a Hall of Famer, but a multiple time Brand Warfare winner!

Persephone: And someone I wish would just retire already. Or jump off a bridge. Either one works.

(‘Ghost Myself’ by DIAMANTE follows, and this brings about a far more positive reception. Raven Roberts begins making her way out to the stage, and while she’s still pleased about the events at the beginning of the night, receiving her reward for the Brand Warfare victory, she knows what’s ahead of her now. She puts a look of focus on her face as she walks down the ramp, staring at Igon Mordren as the Hall of Famer makes her way to the ring.)

Bella Braxton: And his opponent… from Louisville, Kentucky… weighing in at 122 pounds… THE BIRD OF PREY, RAAAAAAVVEEENNNNN RROOOOOBBBEERRRRRRRRTTTSS!!!!!

Rich Russillo: Raven has had quite the good night for herself, but tonight I’m sure she’s looking to get a good singles victory tonight as we now look ahead to Wicked Games. Despite his attitude I do find Igon to be a very serious threat, and with that in mind, this could be a good opportunity for both Elitists.

Thadd Blazevich: Well said, bro. Igon has the chance to beat a Hall of Famer, while Raven can build momentum against a dude who’s not just huge, but has a serious mind for the sport… even if we don’t always agree with his opinions.

Persephone: Nice way to say either the crybaby or the hasbeen can win. Please, let this match end sooner rather than later.

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Rich Russillo: AND HERE WE GO! This main event is underway– AND IGON LOOKED TO LOCK UP, BUT RAVEN CAUGHT ONE OF THE ARMS AND DUCKED, TURNING AND BEGINNING TO KICK AWAY AT THE BACK OF IGON’S LEG! Raven lands a kick! A second one! A third, and it looks like we’ve got our strategy right away, though it’s not one we haven’t seen before!

Thadd Blazevich: Igon twists to get his leg out of the way before grabbing Raven from behind, AND HE GOES FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX, BUT RAVEN LANDS ON HER FEET! She runs in while Igon goes to push himself up– AND SHE JUMPS BEFORE LANDING A STOMP TO THE BACK OF IGON’S ARM!

Persephone: Igon holds his arm like a little wimp as he gets back up, AND RAVEN LANDS A CHOP BLOCK TO THE BACK OF IGON’S LEG!

Rich Russillo: Raven grabs the arm of Igon after this, AND SHE LANDS A DOUBLE KNEE ARMBREAKER, ONCE AGAIN ATTACKING THE RIGHT ARM OF IGON!! Igon gets up and stumbles around, and Raven uses this opportunity to jump up BEFORE APPLYING A SLEEPER HOLD ON IGON! Raven is looking to systematically break Igon down piece by piece! She’s attacked the leg, the arm and now she’s choking him out! Igon is stumbling as the Hall of Famer is doing an excellent job of putting her experience to use! Igon just dropped to a knee, which I think we can all guess is the result of those attacks to the leg!

Thadd Blazevich: Igon is able to take advantage of the situation though, because he leans forward and grabs Raven, pulling her down with a bit of a snapmare! Raven rushes back to her feet to try and recover– BUT IGON CATCHES HER WITH A BIG BOOT!! That immediately rocked Raven, AND DUDE, IGON JUST TURNED AND LEVELED RAVEN WITH A DISCUS CLOTHESLINE!! RAVEN WAS JUST TURNED INSIDE OUT BRO, AND I THINK THAT’S EXACTLY WHY RAVEN HAD BEEN SO AGGRESSIVE FROM THE START! She knew that Igon was the more powerful competitor, and bro just used that to his advantage as he planted Raven with just two moves!

Persephone: I wish I could say Igon is going for the cover and the match is ending, but instead he’s watching Raven use the ropes to get up.

Rich Russillo: Yeah, but not for long! Igon drags Raven in– PULLING HER INTO A KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION! Raven doubles over, and is immediately pulled into a front facelock as Igon has Raven in a bit of a standing guillotine choke! Raven is scrambling– AND NOW IGON JUST TAKES ADVANTAGE OF HIS SIZE, BEGINNING TO SWING RAVEN AROUND WHILE SHE’S IN THE CHOKE, TRYING TO JUST WRING EVERY BIT OF LIFE OUT OF HER!

Thadd Blazevich: RAVEN LANDS A FEW PUNCHES TO THE MIDSECTION, BUT THAT’S NOT ENOUGH! Igon swings her back in forth while holding the front facelock– BEFORE HOOKING THE ARM OVER HIS HEAD AND JUST PLANTING HER WITH A SNAP SUPLEX! IGON NOW WITH THE COVER!

OOOONNNNEEEEE!!!

TTT–

Thadd Blazevich: AND RAVEN’S OUT– BUT IGON IMMEDIATELY HOPS IN FOR A GROUNDED HEADLOCK!

Persephone: Great! Just when I thought this couldn’t get any more boring, here we are!

Rich Russillo: Igon has Raven trapped in the headlock, and given the difference in size between these two, it’s not going to be easy for Raven to fight her way out of this one! Igon is wisely using his size to just snuff out any fire under Raven, but I don’t think the Hall of Famer is going to be willing to give up that quickly!

Thadd Blazevich: Raven starts throwing clubs to Igon’s shoulder, trying her best to attack the right arm once again! She’s not doing a whole lot at the moment, BUT SHE’S ABLE TO PUSH HERSELF UP JUST A BIT– BEFORE IMMEDIATELY DROPPING HERSELF BACK DOWN TO CRUSH IGON’S FOREARM! That made bro loosen his grip on the headlock for a moment– AND FOR A VETERAN LIKE RAVEN, THAT’S ALL SHE NEEDS! SHE SLIPS OUT OF THE HEADLOCK BEFORE PULLING IGON’S ARM, AND LOOK AT THIS! SHE’S ALREADY SETTING UP FOR THE WING BREAKER ON THE BAD ARM!!!

Rich Russillo: BUT IGON IS QUICK TO ACT, PUSHING HIMSELF UP JUST ENOUGH TO USE THE OPPOSITE ARM TO HIT RAVEN WITH A CLUBBING BLOW TO THE CHEST! Raven lets go of Igon as he pulls the bad arm away, and both Elitists make it back to their feet– allowing Igon to grab Raven, AND THIS TIME PLANT HER WITH THE GERMAN SUPLEX!!! RAVEN GOES ROLLING OUT TO THE APRON, AND THIS HAS JUST BEEN ABOUT BETWEEN TWO GENIUSES INSIDE OF THE RING, TRYING THEIR BEST TO GET THE UP ON EACH OTHER!

Thadd Blazevich: Igon heads over to Raven and drags her head over the middle rope, AND IGON STEPS BACK AND LANDS A NASTY BOOT TO THE SIDE OF RAVEN’S HEAD!! Raven nearly fell back into the ring with that one dude, but Igon just sends her back through the ropes before pulling her head up. He drags her towards the ringpost, and he slams her face into the top turnbuckle! Igon now climbing to the middle rope, and he just shakes his head at Raven, before beginning to lift her up!

Persephone: IT LOOKS LIKE IGON’S PLANNING TO BRING RAVEN BACK INTO THE RING WITH A SUPERPLEX OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE!

Rich Russillo: RAVEN WAS ABLE TO SLIP DOWN IGON’S BACK THOUGH, LANDING ON THE MAT WITH A ROLL!! RAVEN IS BACK TO HER FEET AND RUSHES BACK TOWARDS IGON– KICKING HIM IN THE BACK OF THE BAD LEFT LEG, CAUSING IGON TO FALL AS HIS LEGS GET CAUGHT ON THE MIDDLE ROPES AND HIS BACK HITS THE MAT! Igon fell into a setup similar to a tree of woe, only on the middle ropes rather than up top.

Thadd Blazevich: Raven runs in and steps off the middle rope, BEFORE LANDING ON IGON WITH A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE CHEST! Raven grabs Igon by the bad leg after this, pulling him away from the corner BEFORE APPLYING A KNEEBAR!!! RAVEN HAS IGON TRAPPED IN A KNEEBAR, AND YOU KNOW HOW IT GOES WITH STUFF LIKE THIS, DUDE! EVEN IF IGON DOESN’T TAP RIGHT AWAY, HE’S GONNA NEED TO MAKE A MOVE OR ELSE HIS LEG’S GONNA BE COOKED!

Persephone: Thankfully for Igon he is like twice Raven’s size, so I don’t think he’s having the hardest time dragging himself to the corner.

Rich Russillo: Raven takes note of this though, AND BEFORE IGON COULD GET TO THE ROPES SHE TURNS HERSELF AND IGON AROUND SO HE ENDS UP ON HIS STOMACH– AND NOW SHE RELEASES THE HOLD BEFORE LEAPING ONTO IGON’S ARM AND LOCKING IN THE WING BREAKER!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: Igon is down bad, bros! I don’t think Raven would have any problem with tearing his arm out of its socket if she needs to! Igon is trying his best to scramble towards the ropes– BUT RAVEN YANKS BACK ON THE ARM EVEN HARDER! THE REF IS ASKING IF IGON WANTS TO TAP!

Persephone: YES, PLEASE!! I DON’T WANT RAVEN TO WIN, BUT I’LL TAKE IT IF IT MEANS THE MATCH ENDS!!

Rich Russillo: BUT THAT’S NOT HAPPENING!! Igon is able to use his frame to his advantage! He’s pulling himself closer to the ropes while pretty much dragging Raven’s entire body by the arm, AND HE IS ABLE TO GET HIS FOOT UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE! IGON GETS THE ROPE BREAK AND THE REFEREE IS FORCED TO COUNT!

Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE–

Thadd Blazevich: RAVEN LETS GO, AND IGON IMMEDIATELY PULLS HIMSELF UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE AND OUT OF THE RING! Bro pushes himself away from the apron with a clear limp, and he clutches his arm while Raven pushes herself up! Bros, I don’t think she’s about to give Igon much time to breathe!

Persephone: She sure isn’t. Raven runs the ropes while Igon is busy reeling from that dumb armbar, AND RAVEN FLIES AT HIM FOR THE FLYING DESTROYER–

Rich Russillo: BUT IGON TAKES HER OUT OF THE AIR WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: AND RAVEN CRASHES ONTO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR, HITTING HER HEAD AGAINST THE BARRICADE!! DUDE, IGON MADE SURE TO ADJUST TO THE SITUATION, USING THE LEFT ARM TO CHOP RAVEN OUT OF THE SKY RATHER THAN THE DAMAGED RIGHT!! Igon grabs Raven and sends her into the ring, and bro follows behind before immediately dragging her back up!

Rich Russillo: AND IGON JUST LEVELS RAVEN WITH A SECOND KNIFE EDGE CHOP WITH THE LEFT HAND!! WE KNOW HOW DEVASTATING THOSE CHOPS CAN BE, AND RAVEN JUST TOOK TWO OF THEM!! IGON NOW WITH THE COVER!!!!

OOOOONNNNEEEE!!!!

TTTTTWWWWWOOOOO!!!!

TTTTHHHHRREEEEEEEE–

Thadd Blazevich: BUT RAVEN GETS THE SHOULDER UP!! Raven is still in this one bros, she’s still fighting!

Persephone: I know, and I’m annoyed. The whiniest big guy I’ve ever seen versus the worst wrestler ever being a Voltage main event is genuinely unbelievable.

Rich Russillo: Igon Mordren sits up, and he shakes his head before just pulling Raven in- AND BEGINNING TO ELBOW AWAY AT THE BACK OF HER HEAD!! IGON NOW TURNING UP THE AGGRESSION AS HE IS DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN TO JUST TAKE RAVEN OUT! Raven is already lifeless at the moment, forced to just receive these elbows until finally it looks like Igon has gotten another idea!

Thadd Blazevich: Igon drags Raven up before kneeing her in the stomach, AND NOW BRO THROWS HER INTO THE CORNER– BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A GNARLY OPEN HAND CHOP!!! Not quite the knife edge chop bro usually uses, but I think that reaction from Raven is enough to tell you how much damage it did as she couldn’t even scream!

Rich Russillo: Igon pulls Raven out of the corner before landing a clubbing blow to the back, AND NOW IGON LIFTS HER FOR THE POWERBOMB– BUT RAVEN WAS ABLE TO SLIP OUT OF IT!!

Thadd Blazevich: Raven lands on her feet AND SHE GOES FOR A DROPKICK TO THE LEG– BUT IGON WISELY MOVES OUT OF THE WAY!! Dude was prepped for that one, AND NOW SHE DRAGS RAVEN UP AND INTO THE SLEEPER HOLD!!!

Persephone: BUT APPARENTLY RAVEN ACTUALLY ISN’T A COMPLETE IDIOT, BECAUSE SHE BLOCKED HER THROAT FROM IGON WITH HER ARMS! She shoves Igon’s arms away, BEFORE JUMPING AND PULLING IGON DOWN INTO A VICTORY ROLL PIN!!!

OOOONNNNNEEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!

TTTTHHHHRRREEEEEEEE–

Rich Russillo: IGON KICKS OUT!! Both Elitists rush back to their feet as Raven runs off the ropes, AND IGON CATCHES HER WITH A TILT-A-WHIRL–

Thadd Blazevich: ONLY FOR RAVEN TO CATCH IGON WITH THE BEAK BREAKER!!! THE BEAK BREAKER CONNECTS ON IGON, AND WITH THAT BAD LEG HE COULDN’T EVEN THINK OF KEEPING HIS FOOTING! BRO CRUMBLES ONTO THE MAT, AND RAVEN IMMEDIATELY PULLS HERSELF TO THE ROPES, DRAGGING HERSELF UP BEFORE CLIMBING UP TO THE TOP ROPE! IGON IS STARTING TO FIND HIS WAY BACK UP IN A DAZE, AND RAVEN USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO STRIKE!!

Rich Russillo: AERIAL ACE!!! RAVEN LANDS ON IGON WITH THE AERIAL ACE, AND THAT MIGHT’VE BEEN ENOUGH TO PUT THIS ONE AWAY!! IGON JUST GOT HIT WITH TWO OF RAVENS BIGGEST MOVES BACK TO BACK, AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH TO TAKE HIM DOWN I DON’T KNOW WHAT WILL BE!! RAVEN GOES FOR THE COVER, HOOKING THE BAD LEG WITH EVERYTHING SHE HAS!!!

OOOOOONNNNEEEEE!!!!!!

TTTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!!!

TTTTHHRREEEEEEEEE!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT IGON IS STILL ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP!!! Dude, what’s it gonna take!? Raven pretty much threw everything at him just now, but somehow bro was able to get the shoulder up once again!

Persephone: I know, it’s ridiculous. Was Raven always this useless?… No, actually, she definitely was.

Rich Russillo: I don’t know if I’d say that. Not with the condition Igon is currently in. He’s in a bad way right now, and knowing this, Raven’s just keeping her calm, backing into the corner furthest from Igon as she knows she has him right where she wants him!

Thadd Blazevich: Igon slowly starts to stir, and Raven yells for him to get up while he’s on all fours! Igon is able to get to a knee, AND AS SOON AS HE MAKES IT TO HIS FEET RAVEN RUSHES IN FOR THE TALON–

Rich Russillo: BUT IS CUT OFF WITH A DINOSAUR DROPKICK!!! IGON JUST THREW EVERYTHING AT RAVEN, SENDING HER FLYING BACKWARDS INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!!!! Igon holds his bad leg as Raven falls out of the corner, AND RATHER THAN FOLLOWING UP WITH THE POWERBOMB, HE GOES RIGHT IN FOR THE COVER, TRYING TO JUST END THIS AS SOON AS HE CAN!!

OOOOOOOOONNNNNNNEEEEEE!!!!!

TTTTTTWWWWOOOOOOOOO!!!

TTTHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: BUT THIS TIME RAVEN IS ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP!!!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, this match is taking everything out of these Elitists. That dropkick is a perfect setup for the powerbomb, but delivering the dropkick took the usage of his bad leg and thanks to it, bro couldn’t actually hit the finisher.

Persephone: Igon is pissed, and rightfully so. No Raven Roberts match should be lasting as long as this one has.

Rich Russillo: Well Igon is certainly looking to bring an end to this one, as he pulls himself to his feet with his eyes still on Raven. He limps over to Raven with ill intentions in mind, AS HE STARTS TO DRAG RAVEN OFF THE MAT FOR THE POWERBO–

Thadd Blazevich: WAIT, NO! RAVEN WISELY LATCHED ONTO IGON’S BAD LEG!! IGON IS TRYING TO PULL RAVEN OFF OF HIM, BUT SHE IS ABLE TO TWIST HERSELF AND PULL IGON’S LEG OUT FROM UNDER HIM, PULLING HIM INTO AN ANKLE LOCK!!! THAT MIGHTA BEEN A PURE DESPERATE MOVE, BUT IT’S THE KIND OF MOVE THAT WORKS!! IGON IS IN TROUBLE, DUDES!!!

Persephone: THEN JUST TAP OUT ALREADY!! Igon is clearly useless and doesn’t actually have the ability to end the match, so why doesn’t he just stop wasting my time!?

Rich Russillo: Because he doesn’t want to lose! Raven has that ankle lock in tight, but she knows Igon isn’t going to have much trouble making it to the ropes because of his size– SO SHE JUST TWISTS AND DROPS AN ELBOW ONTO THE BACK OF HIS LEG!!! IGON SCREAMS IN PAIN, AND NOW RAVEN WAITS FOR IGON TO FIND HIS WAY BACK TO HIS FEET, BEFORE RUNNING THE ROPES–

Thadd Blazevich: BUT IGON CATCHES RAVEN WITH THE SLEEPER HOLD!!!!

Rich Russillo: NO!!! IT WAS CLOSE, BUT AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME RAVEN WAS ABLE TO DROP DOWN, BRINGING IGON DOWN FOR AN ARM DRAG!!! Igon rushes back to his feet as Raven goes in–

Thadd Blazevich: AND IGON LAYS HER OUT WITH THE KNIFE EDGE CHOP, THIS TIME USING THE BAD ARM JUST SO HE COULD CATCH RAVEN OFF GUARD WITH IT!!!! Igon grabs his arm in pain, but dude, he might’ve just won the match with that one.

Persephone: Thank God. The last thing I need to see is these two trading more holds. Igon drags Raven up, and–

(Suddenly, ‘SAME SH!T’ by Isaiah Rashad hits, causing a huge reaction to rise from the crowd as Igon Mordren’s attention turns towards the stage, with his eyes immediately filling with anger given the interruption.)

Persephone: Great…

Rich Russillo: WELL LOOK WHO IT IS!! IGON MORDREN MADE THE CHOICE TO DISTRACT REYLIN DURING HIS MATCH, AND I THINK HE MIGHT BE MADE TO REGRET THAT NOW!

(Reylin Anoali’i begins to walk out to the stage, staring at Igon as he just shakes his head. He remains on the stage, much like Igon did during his match as Igon–)

Rich Russillo: WOAH!!!

Thadd Blazevich: IGON MORDREN JUST BIEL THREW RAVEN OUTTA ANGER, BUT RAVEN WAS JUST SENT RIGHT INTO THE REFEREE!! BOTH RAVEN AND THE REF ARE DOWN, AND IGON IS TELLING REYLIN TO COME ON, BASICALLY SAYING HE’LL TAKE ‘EM BOTH OUT IF HE HAS TO!

(Reylin begins walking down the ramp, causing an even louder reaction as he speaks.)

Reylin Anoali’i: (off-mic) You really thought I was just gonna let this go after what you did?

Igon Mordren: (off-mic) You’re making a mistake. If you lay one finger on me, you will never stop regretting it!

Persephone: Those two are arguing, meanwhile Raven is being given all the time in the world to recover. Come on, don’t be stupid!

Rich Russillo: Raven sees that the referee is down, before she turns and notices Igon arguing with Reylin, who’s at ringside likely contemplating whether or not he wants to just strike Igon now!

Thadd Blazevich: Even if he won’t, I don’t think the same could be said for Igon’s actual opponent!

(Suddenly, the crowd reaction rises one more time.)

Rich Russillo: RAVEN TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE DISTRACTION, GOING IN FOR A–

Thadd Blazevich: :krabs:

Persephone: HUH????

Rich Russillo: WHAT THE HELL!?!?

Thadd Blazevich: SPEAR!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: IT’S ERIS MORTI!!! ERIS MORTI JUST LEVELED RAVEN ROBERTS WITH THE SPEAR, BUT WHY!?!? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?!? RAVEN’S THE ONE WHO ADDED HER TO THE BRAND WARFARE TEAM! THEY WERE ON THE SAME PAGE JUST LAST WEEK!!

Persephone: Well, I don’t think she’s ever exactly been anyone worth trusting!

Thadd Blazevich: MAYBE SO, BUT COME ON, DUDE! RAVEN WAS JUST FOLDED IN HALF BY THAT SPEAR, AND NOW ERIS BACKPEDALS INTO THE ROPES, WASTING NO TIME DROPPING IN FOR THE METEOR!!!!!!

(The fans are in disbelief as Eris Morti rises off of Raven with a devilish grin. She looks down at Raven, who is clearly unconscious after the combination, before turning to the referee, who is only just starting to stir. Seeing this, she seems to form one more idea.)

Rich Russillo: Oh no… OH NO!

Thadd Blazevich: ERIS PULLS RAVEN UP! DUDE, NO! SHE’S GETTING HER INTO PILEDRIVER POSITION!!

Rich Russillo: AND THERE IT IS!!!! ERIS CALLS THAT “THE HUMAN CONDITION”, AND I DON’T THINK WE NEED TO ASK WHAT CONDITION RAVEN IS IN!! ERIS IS OUT OF THERE, AND I THINK THAT PILEDRIVER CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF BOTH IGON AND REYLIN!!

(Igon turns as Eris rolls out of the ring, immediately realizing what just happened as Reylin watches on. This only adds to Igon’s frustrations knowing that his match has been tainted to this extent, but with the referee waking up and Reylin still at ringside, he knows what the smartest move is.)

Rich Russillo: IGON GOES IN FOR THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEGS AS THE REFEREE FINALLY PULLS HIMSELF IN FOR THE COVER!!

OOOOONNNNEEEE!!!!!!!!!

…

TTTTTTWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!

…

TTTTHHHRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner… IIIIIIGGGOOOONNNNN MOOOOOORRRDDDRRREEENNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!

(There are extremely loud boos as ‘Vordt of the Boreal Valley’ begins to play once more. The fans can’t believe it, but are filled with rage seeing Igon Mordren pick up the victory. Eris stares at the fallen Raven, maintaining the grin on her face after what she had done, before she finally begins to walk away. Igon Mordren rolls off of Raven, still disgusted by the interference, and clutching at his leg once more before beginning to push himself up–)

Rich Russillo: WOAH, REYLIN JUST DRAGGED IGON OUT OF THE RING!!!

Thadd Blazevich: SWITCHBLADE!!!! REYLIN DIDN’T EVEN LET IGON GET BACK TO HIS FEET!! BRO WANTED PAYBACK, AND I THINK IT’S SAFE TO SAY HE’S GONNA GET IT!!! REYLIN JUST WIPED IGON OUT WITH THE SWITCHBLADE RIGHT AFTER WHAT MIGHTA BEEN IGON’S BIGGEST VICTORY THUS FAR, AND NOW REYLIN GRABS IGON BEFORE SENDING HIM HEAD FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS!

Persephone: FIRST RAVEN LOSES, NOW THIS! FINALLY, THIS IS GETTING INTERESTING!

Rich Russillo: THAT COLLISION INTO THE STEPS PUSHED THE STEPS AWAY FROM THE POST AND KNOCKED THE TOP HALF OVER, AND NOW REYLIN GOES TO WORK, GRABBING IGON AND BASHING HIS HEAD INTO THE RING POST!!! IGON MAY HAVE WON THE MATCH, BUT I DON’T THINK HE’S FEELING LIKE MUCH OF A WINNER RIGHT NOW!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: REYLIN GRABS IGON BEFORE SENDING HIM INTO THE BARRICADE, AND DUDE, I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT MOMENT DID IT, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IGON’S HEAD HAS BEEN BUSTED OPEN!!!

Rich Russillo: Igon Mordren is a wreck, and now Reylin seems ready to put the exclamation point on this whole attack as he kicks off the top half of the steps before dragging Igon over the bottom half! Reylin now setting Igon up, OH NO!!

Thadd Blazevich: HEAVY ARTILLERY ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!!!!! IGON MORDREN IS OUT, AND AFTER THAT ONE, I THINK SAYING HIS HEAD’S BUSTED OPEN IS UNDERSTATING IT! BRO IS BLEEDING BUCKETS!!!

Persephone: Yeah, and he really has nobody to blame for that but himself.

Rich Russillo: Honestly, you may be right. Igon is the one who chose to interfere earlier, and while he was able to leave tonight with a victory, he was far too banged up to escape Reylin’s wrath after the fact.

Thadd Blazevich: This has been a wild way to close out Voltage, dude. I still have no clue why Eris did what she did, and given the circumstances I don’t think we’ll be getting any answers tonight. Reylin on the other hand, we know exactly what bro was here for. He wanted revenge, and he got it.

(Medical personnel begin to rush out as Reylin Anoali’i stands up, leaving Igon Mordren in a bloody heap. Reylin calmly begins walking past the medics, keeping a calm look on his face now that he’s done what he intended to. The medical team checks on Igon Mordren, and with this final image of Reylin, Voltage fades to black.)

(EAW logo buzzes.)

(EAW intro plays)

(Showdown opens up with a recap of Territorial Invasion from Showdown’s side. Airi Miyamune defeats Yasmina, Sofia and Circe to win the Futures match. Donovan Duke defeats Cody Maverick thanks to help from El Duque. Joso defeats Milli Banks. And finally, Bea Valentine defeats Impact to retain the Answers World Championship.)

(The recap ends, and it is replaced with the song “Brick Wall” by a Day to Remember, as the camera pans around the inside of the American Airlines Arena in Seattle, Washington. Fireworks shoot out of the entrance stage as the camera pans around the excited crowd cheering loudly. The camera ends up panning over to the commentary table with Deadprez, Gavin Kirkland and Sienna Swann, as they eventually speak up.)

Gavin Kirkland: …welcome to Showdown… woohoo…

Deadprez: He is sad because we lost at Territorial Invasion.

Sienna Swann: There is always next year, sweetie. Always next year.

Deadprez: Well, welcome to Showdown everyone! We keep our head held up high, we keep going forward despite losses like these, we continue to wrestle! And we will continue to wrestle as we head forward to THE LAST STAND!!!!

Sienna Swann: And as for tonight? A lot to look forward to! Grace de Luca will team up with Wynter Kurayami to take on Sofia Drakos and Yasmina, will they co-exist?! We will see Circe and Diego in action! We will have a N1C on the line for the National Elite Championship as Mia Santoro fights against Tafae Toa, and in the main event, Joso versus Rex McAllister!

Gavin Kirkland: Yeaaaaahhh… sigh. Let’s just start with the glorious empress Bea Valentine.

(The camera shot transitions from the commentary table to the entrance ramp as we hear “Gloria” by the London Symphony Orchestra starting to play throughout the arena. Seconds later, the crowd erupts in cheers as the Answers World Champion Bea Valentine enters the arena. She raises the title high in the air as she heads to the ring.)

Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, please welcome THE EAW ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION… “THE ETERNAL CHAMPION” BEA VALENTINE!

Deadprez: It is always a great way to kick off another edition of Showdown with the Answers World Champion, Bea Valentine. She has to be in a good mood after Territorial Invasion last week.

Gavin Kirkland: What a match this beauty had last week as she was able to turn back the challenge from the legendary Hall of Famer in Impact with a huge victory.

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that was a little bit of controversy during that match. But the referee’s decision is final and Bea is still the Champion. Right now, let’s hear what the champion has to say. 

(Bea grabs a microphone from Gina as she enters the ring as the crowd is still cheering for her. After a moment, Bea’s music fades off as she looks out into the crowd with a smile as she begins to speak.)

Bea Valentine: Honey, let me tell you all that I am feeling so good after last week. I told everybody that I was going to walk into Territorial Invasion as the Answers World Champion and then walk out as the champion… and that’s exactly what I did. I am standing here STILLLLLL your Answers World Champion.

(The crowd cheers again as Bea raises the title in the air once again.)

Bea Valentine: Now I was never going to go into Territorial Invasion thinking a match with Impact was going to be easy. Hell no. I knew that Impact was going to be a very tough challenge for me to overcome, especially when Karl Impact was wanting to win his 11th World Championship.

Bea Valentine: He brought the fight that I knew that Impact was going to bring. He literally put me through hell, but I was able to persevere and win the match and keep this beautiful belt on my shoulder, where it is going to stay for a very long time.

(She pats the front plate of the title and motions for the cameraman to come closer.)

Bea Valentine: As I already said, it was a tough challenge at Territorial Invasion, but that’s the job of being the Answers World Champion. With that being said, I am more than ready to pull up my big girl pants once again because I am ready to face my next challenge.

Bea Valentine: Honey, you won’t see me running and hiding. I am the champion and I am ready to take on all challengers. So if you want a shot at me… step right up.

(Bea looks at the entrance ramp and she doesn’t have to wait very long for a challenger to step up as “Section” by The Roots starts to play as Impact enters the arena and heads right to the ring.)

Gavin Kirkland: Now wait a second. I know Bea said she would take on all comers, but Impact already had his chance. Why is he coming out here and trying again? Wouldn’t he be in the back of the line?

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, Impact does have an argument on his side which involves the controversy that we discussed moments ago. I guess Impact is out here to make his case to get another shot at the title. Let’s hear what Impact has to say.

(Impact is in the ring with Bea as his entrance music fades off. He is face to face with Bea as he starts to speak.)

Impact: Congratulations, Bea. You did it. You won the match at Territorial Invasion. Good for you. But if you ask me, Territorial Invasion should feel like a very hollow victory for yourself.

Bea Valentine: Hollow? What are you talking about?

Impact: You need a reference? I would be more than happy to show you, Bea. Take a look at the screen.

(Impact points at the tron, which shows the final count of their match. The footage shows, clear as day, that Impact’s leg was indeed under the rope that the referee completely missed giving Bea the victory.)

Impact: You see what I mean about a hollow victory? My leg was under the rope and that means that the count should have been stopped. As far as I am concerned, you might not have won the match. Hell, I could easily be standing here as the Answers World Champion right now if it wasn’t for that horrible mistake. So if anybody deserves a match for the title… it should be ME!

Bea Valentine: I see what you mean, Karl. So you know what? If you want another match against me, I would be more than happy to give you another match with the title on the line. It’s certainly no problem with me, darling.

(Impact looks pleased with that response, but doesn’t get to enjoy it for very long as “Power” by The Score starts to play throughout the arena. Seconds later, Rex McAllister enters the arena to cheers from the crowd as Rex makes his way to the ring.)

Sienna Swann: Well things just got interesting here, Sweetie, because here comes Rex McAllister. He’s a former World Champion and Hall of Famer in his own right and he would love another chance to make it back to the top of the mountain.

Deadprez: Rex lost to Impact at Midsummer Massacre for the TI match against Bea and TI wasn’t exactly the best of nights for Rex and the Brand Warfare match. This could easily be a way for Rex to get momentum back in his favor, especially with a match against Joso later tonight.

(Rex is now in the ring as he walks over to join Impact and Bea in the middle of the ring as his music fades off.)

Rex McAllister: Well after Bea said that she would defend the Answers World Championship against any challenger that wants an opportunity, that was certainly something that I wasn’t going to ignore.

Rex McAllister: I get that I lost to Impact at Midsummer Massacre for the shot against Bea last week, but it’s a whole new game now.

Rex McAllister: Now it’s been a while since I have been World Champion in EAW, so as far as I’m concerned, I think that my time is NOW.

(After Rex finishes talking, he and Impact lock eyes with each other in an intense staredown as ‘LIKE WEEZY’ by Playboi Carti starts to play and the crowd reaction gets cold as Joso enters the arena to loud boos as he heads to the ring.)

Deadprez: Well here comes a cold hearted bastard for everything he has done since the season started. Especially after getting the win at Territorial Invasion in that chaotic lumberjack match that involved a damn grenade of all things.

Gavin Kirkland: Joso had one mission and that was to defeat Milli and get himself back in contention for the Answers World Champion. That might be exactly what Joso is trying to cash in on.

(Joso is now in the ring with a microphone as he interjects himself into the conversation as his entrance music fades off.)

Joso: Rex, as heartwarming as it is to hear you talking about this being your time… you’re wrong. If it’s anybody’s time to become World Champion right now… IT’S MINE!!

Joso: Did you guys watch Territorial Invasion last week? I defeated a HALL OF FAMER! Since I did what I said I was going to do, now it’s time for me to come back to reclaim what was robbed from me. As far as I am concerned, I am the next in line.

(Now Rex, Impact, and Joso are starting to argue amongst themselves before Bea stops all of that.)

Bea Valentine: Now hold on a second, lovelies. No need to argue. When I said I would take on all comers, I meant it. Why should I just pick one? You can bring them ALL ON!!

(As soon as Bea finishes, Joso takes a cheap shot at Bea.)

Gavin Kirkland: AND HERE WE GO! THE FIGHT IS ON!

Sienna Swann: Of course it’s Joso taking the first cheap shot to start everything. What else is new?

Deadprez: Joso is just throwing fists to Bea, but Rex pulls Joso away AND NOW THEY ARE THROWING FISTS! WE ARE GETTING A PREVIEW OF THEIR MATCH LATER TONIGHT!

Gavin Kirkland: BUT NOW WE HAVE IMPACT STEPPING IN AS HE AND BEA ARE NOW GOING AT IT! LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE NOT DONE AFTER TERRITORIAL INVASION!!

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, these four are just beating the hell out of each other all for the sake of being the next challenger for the Answers World Championship and Bea is fighting back to simply defend herself. Regardless of how they got there, all three of them have a point.

Deadprez: Well, this is certainly a way to kick off Showdown right after Territorial Invasion. Four competitors either wanting to stay or stake their claim to the top of the mountain.

(As the brawl ensues, security and officials have rushed down to the ring to break the fight apart, much to the negative reaction from the crowd as the four fighters in the ring want to keep going.)

Gavin Kirkland: I think it will be safe to say that the crowd really wants to see these four just beat the hell out of each other.

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, after what just occurred, I don’t think we have to worry about these four finding a chance to beat each other up. Especially since Rex and Joso are going one on one later on tonight.

Deadprez: It is safe to say that we have not heard the end of all of this. Not by a longshot considering there are now three viable contenders staking their claim to get the next shot at the Answers World Championship.

(The final shot shows all four competitors trying to break free and continue fighting as security and officials are holding onto all of them for dear life as the camera shot fades to a commercial break.)

(We have returned from the commercial break to see Gina Romano standing in the ring ready to begin the introductions for the opening contest of Showdown.)

Gina Romano: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A TAG TEAM MATCH… SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!

(“Genie In A Bottle” by Christina Aguilera hits to a cascade of boos. The lights shift to a hot pink haze as Grace De Luca emerges at the top of the ramp, chin tilted skyward, one hand on her hip. She mouths something to a fan in the front row that earns her a middle finger. She gasps, clutching invisible pearls, and power-walks toward the ring.)

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST… FROM LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA… WEIGHING IN AT ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONE POUNDS… “THE PARADIGM OF PERFECTION”… GRAAACE DE LUUUUCA!

(“Phantasmagory” by Denkare slithers through the speakers an eerie, dissonant melody. The lights cut to a pale violet wash. Wynter Kurayami emerges from behind the curtain, and she is, of course, smiling. Her head tilts slightly as she surveys the crowd.)

Gina Romano: AND HER TAG TEAM PARTNER… FROM KANAGAWA, JAPAN…WEIGHING IN AT ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINE POUNDS… “THE CENTER OF THE VOID”… WYYYNTER… KURAYAAAMIII!

(Wynter walks to the ring with measured, deliberate steps. She doesn’t acknowledge the crowd. She slides under the bottom rope and rises to her feet directly in front of Grace, who immediately takes a half-step backward. Wynter tilts her head, that smile never wavering.)

Wynter (off-mic): Hi, partner.

Grace (off-mic): …Don’t stand that close to me. You smell like a Hot Topic.

Wynter (off-mic): Thank you!

(“God is a woman” by Ariana Grande fills the arena with a thunderous bass drop. Golden pyro erupts across the stage. A gleaming gold chariot rolls out from behind the curtain, and standing atop it is Sofia Drakos. Two attendants flank the chariot, lifting the hem of her robe as she descends.)

Gina Romano: AND THEIR OPPONENTS… FIRST, FROM MOUNT OLYMPUS, GREECE… WEIGHING IN AT ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIVE POUNDS… “THE GODDESS”… SOFIAAAA… DRAAAKOS!

(The lights cut to crimson then the pyro EXPLODES behind the stage in a wall of red and gold. Yasmina appears at the top of the ramp. Serious expression. She stops, glances side to side, looks down. She kisses the tattoo on her wrist, then points to the sky. She points to the ring.)

Gina Romano: AND HER TAG TEAM PARTNER… FROM PONCE, PUERTO RICO… WEIGHING IN AT ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINE POUNDS… “THE BORICUA BLUE-BLOOD”… YASMIIINAAA!

(DING! DING! DING!)

(Grace starts across from Sofia and immediately freezes. She looks up at the six-foot-one powerhouse and turns to Wynter on the apron.)

Grace (off-mic): …You know what, maybe you should start. 

(Wynter tilts her head.)

Wynter (off-mic): But you looked so excited, Grace. I wouldn’t dream of stealing your moment.

Grace (off-mic): I’m DELEGATING. It’s called LEADERSHIP.

Gavin Kirkland: Grace wants no part of Sofia Drakos to start this match, and can you blame her?

Deadprez: Sixty-four pounds difference between those two, Gavin. Grace ain’t stupid. She’s a LOT of things, but she ain’t stupid.

Sienna Swann: No, she’s absolutely stupid. She’s just also a coward.

(Grace grudgingly turns back to the ring but Sofia has already tagged herself out. She slaps Yasmina’s shoulder hard and steps through the ropes.)

Sofia (off-mic): Handle this one. I’ll take the one worth my time.

(Yasmina’s jaw tightens. She steps through the ropes, eyes on Grace. Grace exhales and the two lock up in a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Yasmina immediately transitions into a side headlock. Grace shoves her off into the ropes— Yasmina comes back with a CLOTHESLINE that puts Grace flat on her back.)

Gavin Kirkland: Yasmina with authority early! Clothesline sends Grace down hard! Grace scrambles up, she charges— Yasmina ducks, catches Grace on the return with a deep arm drag! Grace pops up! Another arm drag! Grace up again and into a DROPKICK from Yasmina! Grace rolls to the corner!

Deadprez: Yasmina is CRISP tonight. That lucha heritage showing up early. Grace pulls herself up in the corner. Yasmina approaches— Grace THUMBS her in the eye!

Sienna Swann: And there it is. The Grace De Luca classic, that is like page one.

(The referee scolds Grace. She throws her hands up and immediately follows with a RUNNING KNEE LIFT to the kneeling Yasmina! Yasmina’s head snaps back! Grace grabs her by the hair and drives her face-first into the middle turnbuckle!)

Gavin Kirkland: Grace taking advantage now, and she’s putting those boots to Yasmina in the corner! Grace stomps methodically! She drags Yasmina out and drops her with a SPINNING BACK SUPLEX! Grace hooks the leg!

ONE!

TWO!!

(Yasmina kicks out! Grace slaps the mat in frustration. Grace gets up and whips Yasmina into the ropes! Yasmina ducks a clothesline, springboards off the second rope— SPRINGBOARD BULLDOG! Grace eats canvas!)

Deadprez: BULLDOG! Yasmina just planted her! Both women are down! Yasmina crawls toward her corner but Sofia is leaning against the turnbuckle, examining her nails. She has no interest in this match right now.

(Yasmina extends her hand. Sofia looks at it. Then glances at Yasmina. Then slowly extends her own hand, but holds it just out of reach.)

Sofia (off-mic): Ask nicely.

Gavin Kirkland: Oh, come on! Tag your partner!

Sienna Swann: Sofia wants Yasmina to beg for the tag. That’s not going to go well with a woman who doesn’t beg for anything.

(Yasmina’s face hardens. She pulls her hand back, gets to her feet on her own, and turns back to Grace— who catches her with a RIPCORD SLAP!)

Grace (off-mic): THAT is what you get for being difficult!

(Grace drags Yasmina to her corner and tags Wynter. She slaps Wynter’s hand!)

TAG!

(Wynter catches Grace’s fingers and holds them for a bit too long, still smiling. Grace yanks her hand free and exits. Wynter enters the ring with unsettling calm. She circles Yasmina, who has risen to one knee. Wynter tilts her head.)

Wynter (off-mic): You look tired. Want to sit down? I can wait.

(Yasmina doesn’t respond. She fires a EUROPEAN UPPERCUT that snaps Wynter’s head back! Wynter staggers and comes back smiling wider. She wipes her lip.)

Gavin Kirkland: That uppercut would have wobbled most people, but Wynter Kurayami looks like she ENJOYED it! Wynter responds with a sharp ENZUIGIRI KICK! Yasmina stumbles and Wynter pounces onto her! GRABBING HER AND HITTING A BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! She bridges into the pin!

ONE!

TWO!!

(Yasmina rolls the shoulder! Wynter sits up, cross-legged, and tilts her head at the referee. Wynter doesn’t rush. She circles Yasmina once then snaps forward and locks in a CRAVATE HOLD, cranking the neck with both hands. Yasmina immediately fights, reaching for the ropes with her free hand. Wynter shuffles sideways, pulling Yasmina back to the center ring and away from the ropes. She drops to a knee, adjusts her grip, and transitions into a STRAIGHTJACKET NECK CRANK! Trapping both of Yasmina’s arms behind her back and wrenching the neck at a sickening angle!)

Deadprez: That hold looks PAINFUL! Wynter’s got those arms trapped, she’s wrenching the neck—

Sienna Swann: And she still has that creepy ass smile on her face. It’s like she’s braiding someone’s hair at a slumber party! But Yasmina powers to her feet, still trapped. She drives backward, ramming Wynter into the turnbuckle! Wynter releases! Yasmina spins and hits a KESAGIRI CHOP! Wynter doubles over! Yasmina hits the ropes and hits a SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Wynter crashes into her own corner!

(Grace reaches down and tags herself in by slapping Wynter’s shoulder. Wynter slowly turns her head to look at Grace, that smile unflinching.)

Grace (off-mic): I have a STRATEGY, you wouldn’t understand.

(Grace enters and charges Yasmina — YASMINA WITH A DROPSAULT! Grace flies backward into the ropes! Yasmina lands on her feet, fires off a SPINNING BACK FIST that catches Grace flush! Grace wobbles, Yasmina lifts her— PONCE POWERBOMB!)

Gavin Kirkland: PONCE POWERBOMB! Yasmina just PLANTED Grace De Luca!

Deadprez: She just drove her through the mat, Gavin! Yasmina covers!

ONE!

TWO!!

THREEEE—

(Grace gets a shoulder up! Yasmina pulls Grace up. She whips her toward the opposing corner! Grace crashes into the turnbuckle! Yasmina charges in— Grace gets a boot up! Yasmina staggers. Grace hops to the second rope — DIVING ELBOW DROP across the back of Yasmina’s neck! Grace scrambles over to Yasmina and slaps on an IRON CLAW! She squeezes, yelling at the referee.)

Grace (off-mic): COUNT HER DOWN! She’s CLEARLY unconscious! COUNT!

Gavin Kirkland: Grace with that iron claw and she’s screaming at the referee to end this match! But Yasmina fights through! She pries at Grace’s fingers, gets to her knees. She grabs Grace’s wrist, twists, and reverses into a SHORT-ARM CLOTHESLINE! Both women are down!

(The crowd starts clapping, building a rhythm. Yasmina crawls toward her corner. This time, Sofia is standing at the apron and she reaches her hand out. Yasmina reaches—)

TAG!

Gavin Kirkland: TAG! Sofia Drakos is in this match for the first time!

(Sofia steps through the ropes and the energy changes. She’s bigger than everyone else in this match by a wide margin. Grace looks up from the mat and her eyes go wide.)

Grace (off-mic): NOPE! NUH HUH! NO WAY! 

(Grace scrambles to her feet and BOLTS for her corner, tagging Wynter. Wynter hasn’t moved. She stands on the apron with her arms crossed,.)

(TAG!)

Wynter (off-mic): But Grace, I thought you had a strategy?

Grace (off-mic): WYNTER, GET IN THIS RING RIGHT NOW!

(Wynter slowly steps through the ropes. Grace dives to the apron. Wynter turns and faces Sofia. Sofia towers over her. Wynter looks up, tilting her head to one side. Then the other.)

Wynter (off-mic): You’re very tall. That must be nice for reaching things on high shelves.

(Sofia says nothing. She fires a BIG BOOT— Wynter ducks! She slides behind Sofia and hits a CHOP BLOCK to the back of the knee! Sofia drops to one knee. Wynter immediately fires a RUNNING DROPKICK to the side of Sofia’s head!)

Gavin Kirkland: Wynter has the right idea! Take those legs out and bring the Goddess down to size! Wynter continues, she grabs it— DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP! Sofia hits the mat! Wynter rolls through and locks in a HEEL HOOK!

Deadprez: She’s got the heel hook! She’s torquing that ankle!

Sienna Swann: Smart wrestling from Wynter. You can’t throw someone across the ring if you can’t stand up.

(Sofia ROARS. She kicks Wynter off with her free leg — the force sends Wynter skidding across the ring! Sofia pulls herself up using the ropes, and limps forward. She catches Wynter coming in— GRABBING HER BY THE NECK AND GOING FOR A GORILLA PRESS! Sofia presses Wynter overhead like she weighs nothing!)

Gavin Kirkland: OH! Gorilla press! Sofia THROWS Wynter! Wynter CRASHES into the mat! Sofia covers!

ONE!

TWO!!

(Wynter kicks out! Sofia pulls Wynter up by the hair! Wynter throws a punch, but Sofia eats it without flinching. She stares down at Wynter, shakes her head, and whips Wynter hard into the corner. The turnbuckle shudders on impact! Sofia charges in— CORNER SPLASH! Wynter crumples into a seated position!)

(Sofia doesn’t let up, she drags Wynter back to her feet by the wrist, reels her in, and wraps her arms around Wynter’s waist. GERMAN SUPLEX! She holds on and rolls through, deadlifts Wynter back up! Another GERMAN SUPLEX! Still holding! She rolls again, powers Wynter up a third time, GERMAN SUPLEX with a bridge!)

ONE!

TWO!!

(Grace runs in and KICKS Sofia in the back of the head to break it up!)

Deadprez: Grace with the save! First useful thing she’s done all match! But Grace immediately retreats to the apron, Sofia sits up slowly, turns her head toward Grace. I think that’s straight murder in her eyes!

Gavin Kirkland: Sofia is looking at Grace De Luca like she just signed her own death warrant! Yasmina reaches over from the apron and tags herself in! Slapping Sofia’s back.

Sofia (off-mic): I didn’t SAY you could—

(But Yasmina is already through the ropes. She targets Wynter! OVERHEAD CHOP! BACKHAND CHOP! CROSS CHOP! A flurry that drives Wynter into the ropes! Irish whip! Yasmina catches her on the rebound— REINA GIRATORIA!)

Gavin Kirkland: “REINA GIRATORIA”! Yasmina connects with her signature move! Yasmina covers!

ONE!

TWO!!

(Wynter gets a shoulder up! Yasmina stays on her. She pulls Wynter up, hooks her for a suplex— but Wynter blocks it! Wynter counters! NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX into a bridge!

ONE!

TWO!!

(Yasmina kicks out! Both women scramble up! Wynter catches Yasmina with a kitchen sink knee to the gut— THE HITS A FALCON ARROW!)

ONE!

TWO!!

THRE— 

(Yasmina barely gets a shoulder up!)

Sienna Swann: The pace has picked up considerably. These two are going move-for-move. Wynter pulls Yasmina up and whips her into the corner! She charges but Yasmina gets both feet up! Wynter staggers! Yasmina climbs to the second rope— DIVING SPEAR!

Deadprez: Both women crash and burn! Yasmina clutches her shoulder. Wynter is folded up near the ropes! The referee starts his count! You can hear Sofia is leaning over the top rope, barking orders!

Sofia (off-mic): Get UP, Yasmina! Finish it! Stop wasting time!

(Yasmina pulls herself up using the ropes. She glares at Sofia.)

Yasmina (off-mic): I don’t take orders from you.

Sofia (off-mic): You’ll take orders from a GODDESS and you’ll be GRATEFUL.

Gavin Kirkland: And there it is. The cracks in that team are getting wider by the minute. Yasmina turns her back on Sofia— Wynter rolls her up! SMALL PACKAGE!

ONE!

TWO!!

(Yasmina kicks out! Both women up— Wynter fires the FOUNDATION OF DECAY! “RUNNING BICYCLE KICK”! Yasmina goes down HARD! Wynter covers!)

ONE!

TWO!!

THRE— 

(Sofia steps in and YANKS Wynter off Yasmina by the ankle!)

Deadprez: SOFIA BROKE IT UP! 

Sienna Swann: Sofia throws Wynter out to the floor and THROWS her into the barricade!  Wynter hits back-first and crumples! The referee is yelling at Sofia but she ignores him completely!

(Grace drops off the apron and comes around ringside, getting in Sofia’s face.)

Grace (off-mic): HEY! That’s MY partner! If she wasn’t then I would happily watch her get beat up.

(Sofia looks down at Grace. Grace suddenly realizes the height difference is very real at floor level. She takes a step back.)

Sofia (off-mic): Move or get hurt.

Grace (off-mic): I’m just saying— there are RULES, and as someone who ALWAYS follows the rules—

(Sofia SHOVES Grace into the steel steps! Grace crashes shoulder-first and yelps!)

Gavin Kirkland: Sofia just launched Grace into the ring steps! This is breaking down! Back in the ring, Yasmina has pulled herself up. She sees the chaos outside. The referee is at a four count. Yasmina hits the far ropes and comes back with a SUICIDE DIVE through the ropes I think she’s aiming for Wynter— but Sofia CATCHES HER mid-flight!

Deadprez: OH! Sofia caught her out of the air! What is she doing? Sofia has Yasmina in a bear hug! Yasmina squirms! Sofia runs her BACK-FIRST into the ring post! 

Sofia (off-mic): You should have stayed on the apron, you should have listened to me. Maybe that will teach you to mind the Goddess, now get back in that ring and try not to be deadweight.

(The referee is at seven. Wynter slides back in at eight. Sofia steps onto the apron. She stands there, arms crossed, looking down at Yasmina crumpled at ringside. The referee reaches nine…and Yasmina rolls in at the last second! Inside the ring, Wynter is waiting however. She pulls Yasmina up— “BAROTRAUMA”! The lungblower connects flush!)

Gavin Kirkland: SHE GOT HER WITH “BAROTRAUMA”! Wynter hooks the leg this could be all she wrote!

ONE!

TWO!!

THRE— 

(Yasmina STILL kicks out!)

Deadprez: HOW?! Yasmina just got driven into a ring post and hit with the Barotrauma and she STILL kicked out!

Sienna Swann: That’s heart, sweetie. She is refusing to lose despite everything applying pressure in her.

(Wynter sits up. She tilts her head. The smile is still there, but something behind her eyes has shifted. It’s impossible to tell what.)

(Wynter drags Yasmina up. She hooks her, going for the “HORROR QUEEN”, the spinning brainbuster— but Yasmina blocks it! Yasmina elbows free! She shoves Wynter into the ropes! Wynter rebounds— Yasmina catches her with a SUPERMAN PUNCH! Wynter drops! Yasmina falls into the ropes! She stumbles to her corner— Sofia is on the apron but hasn’t moved to reach her hand out. Yasmina stops. Stares at Sofia. Sofia stares back.)

Yasmina (off-mic): Are you going to be my partner, or aren’t you…?

Sofia (off-mic): I don’t know? Are you going to start being obedient—

(Yasmina SLAPS Sofia across the face!)

Gavin Kirkland: OH! YASMINA JUST SLAPPED SOFIA DRAKOS!

Deadprez: THAT IS A DEATH SENTENCE! WHY WOULD SHE DO THAT?!

(Sofia’s head slowly turns back. Her eyes are burning with anger. She steps through the ropes looking only at YASMINA. Wynter sees her opening and charges— but Grace reaches over the top rope and BLIND TAGS Wynter!)

Grace (off-mic): MY turn!

(Grace enters, sees Sofia advancing on Yasmina, she charges from behind— CLOTHESLINE aimed at Sofia’s back! Sofia barely moves. She turns around slowly.)

Grace (off-mic): …That usually works.

(Sofia grabs Grace by the throat— “THE QUEEN COMETH”! SITOUT CHOKESLAM!)

Gavin Kirkland: THE QUEEN COMETH! Grace De Luca just got PLANTED! But Sofia turns back to Yasmina! Wynter slides into the ring; she’s not legal, but I don’t think she cares anymore.

Sienna Swann:  Wynter grabs Grace and throws her aside! She faces Sofia. Then she looks at Yasmina!

Wynter (off-mic): This has been so much more fun, isn’t it?

(Yasmina throws a CHOP at Wynter! Wynter ducks and fires back with an ENZUIGIRI!  Sofia grabs Wynter from behind and hits a BACKDROP SUPLEX! Grace crawls up in the corner, sees all three women fighting, and pulls something from her knee pad— PEPPERSPRAY! As Wynter rolls through from the suplex, Grace sprays Wynter in the eyes! Wynter screams, clawing at her face!)

Wynter: YOU- GYAH! RAT!

Deadprez: PEPPERSPRAY! Grace De Luca with the pepperspray! Into her own partner’s eyes! The referee has completely lost control! He’s waving his arms, trying to separate the four women! Sofia grabs Grace— Grace kicks her in the shin and hits a TORNADO DDT! Managing to take down Sofia, but Wynter blindly hits a baseball and slides Grace from behind! Yasmina catches Wynter with a FLYING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT AS SHE IS STILL BLIND! 

(All four women are in the ring! None of them are fighting their opponents anymore! They are all fighting EACH OTHER!)

Gavin Kirkland: This has completely broken down! It’s every woman for herself! Sofia catches Grace with a BICYCLE KICK! Grace crumples to the mat! Yasmina fires a SUPERMAN PUNCH at Sofia! Sofia staggers to the ropes! Wynter hits Yasmina with a “DETONATOR” to the back of the head! Yasmina falls down to the mat! Sofia is back in the fight and grabs Wynter— “OLYMPUS DESCENT”! BUCKLE BOMB into the corner! 

(The referee is screaming but nobody is listening! Grace crawls up and she has the pepper spray again! She blasts Sofia in the face! Sofia is blinded and Grace lines her up— BITTERSWEET CHIN MUSIC! Sofia goes down hard!)

Deadprez: SUPERKICK! BITTERSWEET CHIN MUSIC ON THE GODDESS! But Yasmina spears Grace from behind! Both women crash through the second rope to the floor! In the ring, Sofia is pulling herself up, eyes bloodshot from the hairspray! Wynter rises in the opposite corner, eyes also bloodshot from the pepper spray!

(They stare at each other. The referee steps between them, arms wide, yelling to call for the bell!)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Gina Romano: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN… THE REFEREE HAS DECLARED THIS MATCH A NO CONTEST!

Gavin Kirkland: NO CONTEST! The referee has thrown this match out! It should have honestly been thrown out two minutes ago!

(Sofia shoves the referee aside and charges Wynter! They collide and Wynter hits a ONE LEG DROPKICK TO TAKE HER DOWN TO ONE KNEE! THE GOING FOR THE DOUBLE FOOTSTOMP— but Sofia catches her legs, powers her up with her and gets her into a GORILLA PRESS SLAM!) 

(At ringside, Grace and Yasmina are brawling into the crowd. Grace is trying to run! Yasmina grabs her by the hair and THROWS her over the barricade! Grace lands in the first row! Yasmina vaults the barricade and starts hammering forearms!)

Deadprez: They’re in the CROWD! Yasmina and Grace are fighting in the front row! In the ring, Sofia has Wynter up — “TWELVE LABORS”! THE F-5! She wants to revel in it but  Yasmina slides back in and attacks Sofia from behind! CHOP AFTER CHOP AFTER CHOP! Driving her into the corner! Sofia fires back with clubbing forearms! The two women trade blow for blow!

(Grace crawls back toward the ring, hair destroyed, one boot missing. She grabs a steel chair from the timekeeper’s area.)

Gavin Kirkland: Grace has a chair! Someone stop her!

(Grace slides in with the chair and CRACKS Wynter across the back with it! Wynter drops back to all fours as she tries to get up! Grace raises the chair again! Wynter LUNGES and tackles her! Both women roll, fighting for the chair!)

Sienna Swann: This is what happens when you force four people who can’t stand each other into a ring together.

Deadprez: Somebody get security out here!

(Referees flood the ring. Road agents appear from the back. Sofia is throwing people off her! Yasmina is being held back by two officials but still swinging! Grace is screaming while Wynter stands in the corner, leaning against the turnbuckle, arms folded, blood on her lip, watching the chaos!)

Gavin Kirkland: We need to move on! We need to get some order back on Showdown!

(The camera catches one final shot: Wynter Kurayami, perched on the turnbuckle now, legs crossed, a smile stretching across her face as the chaos swirls below her. She waves at Sofia Drakos, who is being held back by three officials, veins bulging in her neck. The arena buzzes with energy as the broadcast cuts away.)

(The camera shot has transitioned from the ending moments of the previous tag match to the backstage area. More specifically, the office of the Showdown General Manager, Kennedy Street. We can hear the crowd faintly cheering for the General Manager in the background as the camera is focused on Kennedy sitting at her desk as the TV next to her is playing the highlights of last week’s Territorial Invasion event. She turns and watches it for a moment before she starts to roll her eyes.)

Kennedy Street: Yeah Kennie has seen enough of this.

(She picks up the remote and turns off the TV and tosses the remote back on her desk before she rests her head in her hands. She takes a deep breath before looking back up and looking right at the camera.)

Kennedy Street: Kennie must be a glutton for punishment for the amount of times I have replayed Territorial Invasion because part of me is just trying to make sense of it all. I am going to come right out and say it. It doesn’t really matter how many times I watch Territorial Invasion, my feelings about it are never going to change. I am disappointed.

(Kennedy stands up and walks around her desk and crosses her arms as she leans against the front of the desk.)

Kennedy Street: Let me clarify. Kennie is disappointed with the results of Territorial Invasion. Three major interbrand matches of Territorial Invasion and, sadly, Showdown was completely shut out.

(Kennedy rubs her temples to prevent a migraine before she continues speaking.) 

Kennedy Street: Interbrand Scramble Match? Lost. Divide and Conquer? Lost. Brand Warfare? Lost. War Games? Lost… ugh. Even though in Kennie’s opinion Showdown has the best assembled teams across all three of those matches, Showdown still walked away with NOTHING! I’ll be honest and say that Kennie is just a little bit annoyed with it.

Kennedy Street: More importantly, I am annoyed and disappointed because it feels like this entire thing is starting to feel like it is a vicious cycle. 

(There is frustration behind her words as she looks back at the blank TV before she turns back to face the camera.)

Kennedy Street: What is that cycle? It feels to me that Kennie is being forced to watch Dynasty and Voltage time and time again always getting the shine and the attention where Showdown is forced back near the wall watching it all unfold. I am sick of it!

(Kennedy looks up at the ceiling to try and compose herself enough to continue speaking.)

Kennedy Street: I am sick of this because while Dynasty and Voltage are getting the spotlight, Showdown is getting absolutely NO respect. Kennies knows the roster she has assembled. While there are some people on this roster I love and there are plenty of people who drive Kennie insane, the blue brand has a VERY talented roster that she would put up against ANYBODY in EAW today. 

Kennedy Street: But it always seems to me that whenever EAW has a TriBranded Show, The World Championship match from Dynasty or Voltage always seems to main event those shows. It also seems to me that Showdown is never allowed to take center stage. It seems like Showdown is never allowed to be at the forefront of this major event shows. But you know what?

(Kennedy starts to speak with pride as she talks about her brand as she starts to develop a smile on her face as she rubs her hands together with a hardened expression still on her face.)

Kennedy Street: I am very proud of what her roster did at Territorial Invasion. The results were certainly not everything that I wanted, but nobody can say we didn’t bring the fight in every Tri-Brand match.

Kennedy Street: But being proud doesn’t mean that Kennie doesn’t know that her Showdown Elitists can’t accomplish more because I know that they can. So if you think that being shut down at Territorial Invasion means that Showdown is going to take their ball and go home and just go quietly in the night, then you have no idea how Kennedy Street operates.  

Kennedy Street: Kennedy Street is not the type of person to go down without a fight and that includes the brand that Kennie has run for numerous seasons and has brought to new heights. I am not here to just be one brand of Elite Answers Wrestling. I am not here to settle for being the third place brand. I am here to make Showdown the NUMBER ONE brand in Elite Answers Wrestling. 

(Kennedy looks toward the camera with complete confidence and a much softer expression in comparison to what she has had so far.)

Kennedy Street: Season 20 will be the season that it happens. You are hearing it right here and right now straight from Kennie’s mouth. This will be Showdown’s year. Season 20 will belong to the blue brand.

(Kennedy smiles feeling pretty proud of herself. But before Kennedy can continue speaking, she hears the door to her office open.)

?????: Ms. Street.

(That stops Kennedy as she turns to look and see who just entered her office and we see Airi Miyamune come into the office. We hear more crowd cheers faintly in the background as Airi stands next to Kennedy.)

Kennedy Street: Airi.

Airi Miyamune: Ms. Street, I hope you pardon the interruption. I don’t mean to cause trouble.

Kennedy Street: Well that is kind of a moot point considering you are in Kennie’s office. But how can Kennie help you, Airi?

Airi Miyamune: Well, Ms. Street. I just had a quick question for you.

Kennedy Street: Honey, what’s your question?

Airi Miyamune: As you probably already know, I was able to win the Futures Ladder match at Territorial Invasion.

Kennedy Street: I did.

Airi Miyamune: I was just curious as to where I stand.

(Kennedy raises an eyebrow to Airi wondering what she means.)

Kennedy Street: Where you stand?

Airi Miyamune: Yes, Ms. Street. Well, I was wondering that since I won the match and was able to grab the ring,  I was just curious as to what the future holds for me after the victory?

Kennedy Street: Your future?

Airi Miyamune: Yes, Ms. Street.

(Kennedy stays silent for a few moments looking at Airi and figuring out how she wants to answer Airi’s question. After those few moments, Kennedy stops leaning on the desk and turns her attention to Airi.)

Kennedy Street: Kennie would be more than happy to answer your question, Airi. But first, since you are new to Showdown, allow me to make something very clear for you right here and now.

(Airi nods as she listens closely to what Kennedy is about to say.)

Kennedy Street: Honey, I want you to know right now that you do NOT interrupt Kennie like that or enter Kennie’s office like that ever again. I know other people have a habit of barging into my office and acting like they own the place, but don’t learn their habits. There are better people to learn from, honey.

(Airi nods.)

Airi Miyamune: I understand. I apologize for the mistake.

(Kennedy nods as she lets the aggravation in her voice disappear.)

Kennedy Street: All is forgiven, honey. You are new so it’s good to fix that mistake now.

(Kennedy then looks at Airi, who has taken a deep breath and is feeling a little better, as Kennedy smiles.)

Kennedy Street: But I completely understand why you did that. You’re excited after your first major EAW event victory. I can understand your excitement, honey. But you came in here wondering what the future holds, correct?

Airi Miyamune: Correct.

Kennedy Street: Well, let Kennie answer your question.

(Airi once again nods as she stays silent wondering what Kennedy is going to say.)

Kennedy Street: Well, Airi, with your victory in the ladder match last week, you have earned yourself a match at The Last Stand.

Airi Miyamune: That is great news.

Kennedy Street: Not just any match. Your match will be a CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH!

(Airi has a huge smile on her face when she hears that she will have a championship match.)

Kennedy Street: Now your opponent hasn’t been finalized as of right now, so stay tuned for that. But congratulations for your Territorial Invasion victory, Airi.

(Airi’s smile gets even bigger as she shakes Kennedy’s hand.)

Airi Miyamune: Oh, Ms. Street. That is such great news to hear. Thank you. Thank you very much and I will do my best to win that match and become champion.

Kennedy Street: I have no doubt that you are going to do great things here on Showdown and are going to have a great performance.

Airi Miyamune: Thank you again, Ms. Street.

(Kennedy nods to Airi as she leaves the office grinning ear to ear as Kennedy looks over again at the blank TV screen and pounds the desk with her fist as the annoyed look returns to her face as she once again thinks about Territorial Invasion as the camera shot fades elsewhere.)

(After a commercial break, the camera cuts to Gina Romano in the ring.)

Gina Romano: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

Gina Romano: Introducing first already in the ring being accompanied by “Father Chad” this is the team of Cersei and Daigo Montana!!!

Gavin Kirkland: What are we seeing right now?

(The camera cuts to the ring where a cosplayer trio is showing off their outfits of their favorite EAW wrestlers in the ring.)

Deadprez: They are big fans! Big big fans! So we let them wrestle for us tonight!

Sienna Swann: That sounds like a horrible idea sweetie.

Gavin Kirkland: Have our standards truly fallen so low.

(The cosplayer trio continues to show off their outfits in the ring to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Father Chad has to step outside the ring for a minute as his black hair dye and heavy eyeliner begins to run from the hot arena lights and begins to burn his eyes.)

Deadprez: This is probably about to be a “never meet your heroes” moment for these three.

Gavin Kirkland: Not gonna lie “Cersei” is kinda-

Sienna Swann: You like her more than Circe?

Gavin Kirkland: I didn’t say that! You can’t prove I said that!

( “Pins & Needles” by Birthday Massacre hits to loud boos from the crowd. )

Gina Romano: And their opponents… being accompanied by Father Vlad… they are the team of Diego Montana and Circe!!!

(Diego Montana and Circe come out to the stage to heavy boos as Father Vlad follows them down to the ring. As they reach the ring they see their opponents who are dressed up exactly like them and have a quizzical look on their faces.)

Gavin Kirkland: Hol up… which team is which?

Sienna Swann: You gotta be joking sweetie.

Deadprez: With Gavin it’s better to assume he’s not.

Gavin Kirkland: Damn Diego really has put on some weight huh?

Deadprez: No he hasn’t. That’s Daigo Montana, his biggest fan! I agree he’s not exactly in the best shape though. Probably shouldn’t be wrestling.

(Circe is shown getting in the face of “Cersei” and it looks like they aren’t getting along too well. Cersei asks Circe to sign an autograph and instead gets a slap across the face.)

Deadprez: Damn. That was uncalled for. She just wanted to meet her hero!

Sienna Swann: I think that Diego and Circe are not flattered by this. They seem to think their opponents are making fun of them!

Gavin Kirkland: Damn. Why can’t they all just get along? Me and both Circes especially?

(DING! DING! DING!)

Deadprez: The referee calls for the bell as Circe and Diego Montana rush their opponents at the same time in the ring, blindsiding them from behind.

Sienna Swann: Oh we not even gonna wait until everyone is out of the ring? Iight then.

Gavin Kirkland: Circe has climbed on top of Cersei and is punching the hell out of her! Beat that uncreative bitch who stole your gimmick! Stole yo entire name!

Deadprez: I’m pretty sure she just copied the name of the Game of Thrones character. This might not even be a Circe cosplay now that I think of it…

Gavin Kirkland: It doesn’t matter now though! Cuz Circe is big mad and beating the hell out this hoe!

(Circe stomps away at her female opponent before kicking her down into the corner. Circe continues to kick her and punts the back of her head to the ground. As she begins to fall out of the ring Circe continues to deliver hard boots knocking her opponent to the floor on the outside. Father Vlad laughs as Circe leaves the ring and continues the assault on the outside as Diego gets to work on his superfan in the ring.)

Deadprez: Diego Montana with a kick to his opponent’s gut and then throws him backwards with a Suplex! Damn that guy’s gotta be at least 350. Diego on them roids!

Gavin Kirkland: Diego Montana is all about clean living Deadprez. And now he is showing just how much natural physical ability he has as he goes up to the top rope for the Latin Lover Splash!!! Diego comes down crashing onto his opponent flattening him like a pancake!

Sienna Swann: THE COVER!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!-

Deadprez: No! Diego Montana pulled the shoulder up before three! What a piece of shit!

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

(Diego Montana has a shit eating grin on his face as he turns back to his opponent and rubs his boot on his face disrespectfully.)

Sienna Swann: Wait look outside the ring! Circe just grabbed her opponent’s wig and tore it off!!!

(The cosplayer wig of Cersei is torn off revealing matted hair with pieces of Cheetos stuck between the strands. Circe looks disgusted at her opponent before kicking her hard in the face.)

Circe: (off-mic) What the fuck is wrong with you? You should probably put the wig back on-

(Circe hurls the wig at her opponent before putting on gloves before touching her again. Circe throws “Cersei” into the steel ring steps at ringside knocking her unconscious.)

Deadprez: Well I guess this is what happens when you invite a fan into the ring. They aren’t exactly known for their good hygiene.

Sienna Swann: Keep her the hell away from me sweetie. She probably has roaches crawling around all up in there.

Gavin Kirkland: Look! Back in the ring! Diego Montana is going up top once more! Diego going sky high!

Diego Montana: (off-mic) Chinga tu madre pendejo!

Deadprez: The crowd boos as Diego Montana leaps off the top rope yet again with a Latin Lover Splash! Diego had this thing won some time ago but he’s wasting time now. He blows a kiss to Circe outside the ring before picking his opponent back up.

Diego Montana: (off-mic) You ugly homie. You ain’t look like me. You could never be me! I’m the Hardest Ese Ever! You a sawft ass bitch!!!

Deadprez: Diego Montana connects with the Latino Inferno!!! That was completely unnecessary but Diego is finally making the cover! End it quickly ref!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Gina Romano: Here are your winners… DIEGO MONTANAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AND CIRCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

( ‘AY DIEGUITO’ – CALLE 24 hits to boos inside the ring as Circe stomps on her opponent’s head one more time before rolling in the ring to make out with Diego. The crowd boos even louder at this display of affection as a smiling Father Vlad enters the ring after hitting Father Chad with his cane outside the ring.)

Deadprez: Now that was just uncalled for. He wasn’t even part of the match!

Gavin Kirkland: That is the risk you take being at ringside in EAW. You know this as well as I do Dead.

Sienna Swann: Hol up I don’t think they’re done…

(Suddenly, Father Vlad raises his arms emphatically as Circe and Diego Montana roll out of the ring and grab their opponents before tossing them back into the ring. Circe and Diego begin stomping furiously on their opponents.)

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Deadprez: Come on y’all! The match is over!

(DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!)

Sienna Swann: Someone shoot the timekeeper. Ringing the bell like that is NOT going to stop anyone…

(Circe picks up one of her opponents-)

Gavin Kirkland: CIRCE CONNECTS WITH THE DEAD IN TOMBSTONE!!! Circe’s opponent is more dead than Deadprez!

Deadprez: Good one Gavin.

(Deadprez gives Gavin a thumbs up at commentary.)

Sienna Swann: Shut the fuck up sweeties. Diego Montana is about to do something!

(Diego Montana picks up the other opponent in the ring-)

Deadprez: LIVIN’ LIKE DIEGO CONNECTS!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Such devastation by Diego and Circe here tonight. Truly the most dominant power couple in EAW history…

Sienna Swann: I mean let’s see them do this to a real tag team and not a couple of out of shape fans who we for some reason allowed to wrestle and will likely get sued by in the near future.

Circe: (off-mic) Diego… GET THE TABLES!!!

(Circe shoves Diego who goes out of the ring to fetch tables to use on their opponents.)

Father Vlad: (off-mic) Hahahaha!

Deadprez: Come on now. This is getting ridiculous! You’re going to seriously hurt these people! What the hell did they ever do to you?

Gavin Kirkland: This is what happens when you try to be like someone better than you Dead. You both should know this while you are sitting next to the Commentary Legend.

Sienna Swann: Don’t ever call yourself that again Gavin but someone needs to stop Circe and Diego-

( ‘you are stronger’ by lyn inaizumi hits as the crowd erupts into cheers!!! )

Gavin Kirkland: COULD IT BE!?!?

Deadprez: THAT’S MILLI BANKS’ MUSIC!!!

(Milli Banks comes running down the ramp at high speed carrying a steel chair!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Crowd: OAFJOPAJOPJAOPAJPORJAPOJAPO$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deadprez: This place has erupted! Holy shit it is pandemonium here in Seattle!!!

(Milli Banks rushes the ring without stopping and begins swinging the steel chair around wildly-)

Deadprez: SHE’S COMING TO BEAT DIEGO AND CIRCE’S ASS!!! GET THEM! BEAT THEY BITCH ASSES!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Calm down Dead! We don’t want anyone to get hurt!!!

Sienna Swann: You were totally okay with what they were doing just a minute ago tho…

(Diego Montana and Circe quickly roll out of the ring as Milli Banks enters with a steel chair. Milli swings at them through the ropes but they aare quick enough to dodge it.)

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Deadprez: Diego and Circe are running away like bitch ass pussies!

Sienna Swann: Go after em Milli! Don’t stop girl!

(Milli Banks goes to get a microphone.)

Milli Banks: GET YOUR ASSES BACK HERE! I GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU BOTH!!!

Crowd: AJPPFJOAPSFJPOASJFPOAJOFP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deadprez: The crowd wants to see it!

Circe: (off-mic)

Diego Montana: (off-mic)

Gavin Kirkland: Don’t do it!!!

Sienna Swann: Circe and Diego have changed their minds!!! They are making their way back down to the ring!!!-

Father Vlad: (off-mic) NO! SHE’S NOT WORTH IT! SHE AIN’T SHIT!

(Father Vlad steps in front of Diego Montana and Circe blocking their path towards the ring. He begins to hold them back as he tries to usher them backstage away from Milli Banks.)

Milli Banks: Awwww! Come on now? You gonna let that fat fuck stop you? It’s two on one! You should have no problem with lil ol’ me!

Crowd: MILL-I! MILL-I! MILL-I!

Deadprez: But Circe and Diego Montana have changed their mind.

Milli Banks: You can run away with your tails between your legs tonight. But I’ll get you eventually! Get over here you little bitch! Don’t let me catch ya!

(Circe and Diego Montana briefly stop as they turn back towards the ring.)

Milli Banks: Don’t think I forgot what you did at Territorial Invasion! “The Supernova” never forgets!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Get out of here Circe! Let me save you!

Sienna Swann: She’s good sweetie. She’s good.

Milli Banks: You aren’t gonna get away with it! Oh hell no you won’t! I already had to deal with Minerva and look how that turned out! I’m going to the same thing to your little sister that Minerva did to mine!!! SO GET YO BITCH ASS OVER HERE LIL BITCH!!!

(Circe looks absolutely appalled as she turns back towards Milli with rage but Father Vlad grabs her by the arm. Milli holds the steel chair up in the ring victorious as she parades around the ring.)

Circe: (off-mic)

(Diego Montana then starts to smile as he turns towards Circe who laughs. They both begin laughing and pointing at Milli down in the ring as Father Vlad continues to pull them away backstage and through the curtain.)

Deadprez: Well Circe and Diego got away tonight. But Milli Banks is not the one to fuck with. She does not give up and I don’t like Circe and Diego’s chances! The Supernova is coming for them sooner or later and she’s going to get that payback!

Gavin Kirkland: Circe needs to be protected. I know who needs to protect her.

Sienna Swann: Not you that’s for sure. But I don’t think anyone can at this point. Fucking with Milli Banks is something you just don’t do. Circe and Diego have made a fatal mistake!!!

(The camera cuts to a commercial for GTA7 releasing in the next few years I’m sure lil bro.)

(Showdown comes back from commercials, the cameras turning and focusing on the stage as “Live Evil” by Flatlinerz plays on the speakers to a mixed reaction. The lights completely go out in response, before they all begin to turn into a crimson red color. Fire shoots out alongside the beat to the song before the lights turn back to normal, and the camera snaps to see Tafae Toa standing there with his head down, just as he slowly lifts up and he shows the death glare in his face, no emotion in his face as he finally walks forward. Malik Al-Farouq walks forward as he accompanies him, turning over towards the shouting fans in the crowd if they want to talk trash at them.)

Gina Romano: THIS MATCH IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL! AND IT IS FOR A NUMBER ONE CONTENDERSHIP AT THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPIONSHIP!

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST, EXILED FROM THE ISLANDS OF SAMOA, WEIGHING IN AT 285 POUNDS, HE IISSSS “THE EXILED”, TAFAEEEEEEEEEEEE TOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

(He arrives at the end of the ramp, slowly hopping onto the ring apron, yet again looking down at the ground before his head raises up, screaming at the camera as he beats his chest. He turns and then enters inside, yet again standing completely still as he glares down. He slowly backs away and then stands in his corner.)

(After that, “DICTATOR” by Rei Ami plays on the speakers to a huge wave of boos. Mia Santoro walks through the curtains with her arms spread out, she rolls her eyes seeing the booing crowd and she even waves them off in response, they were clearly not pleased at her after what happened at Territorial Invasion. But right now that kind of thing was not something in Mia’s mind. She had a championship to look forward to. She slowly pulls the ring jacket off of her and then lets it drop, as lights of royal purple shine down on her and she strikes a pose. The crowd boos even louder as she moves forward, looking at them with disgust and annoyance as she goes down the ramp.)

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING HIS OPPONENT, FROM KEY WEST, FLORIDA, WEIGHING IN AT 115 POUNDS! SHE IS “LA DESPERADAAAAAAA”, MIAAAAAAAAAA SANTOROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

(She arrives at the bottom of the ramp and goes up to the ring apron, she climbs up the corner and once more poses to a booing crowd. She hops over and then lands on the ring, she strolls around with a confident grin on her face, before moving towards her corner. She begins to warm up as Tafae does not move a single inch, staring her down. The referee checks up on them before…)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Deadprez: This match has just become something incredibly dangerous for Mia Santoro as soon as that bell rings.

Gavin Kirkland: Wow, you are truly a man of no faith here, Deadprez. Did you not hear at all what Mia had to say? She is a woman that is truly amazing in every way possible! She is far more talented than this… gigantic… furious… absolutely cutthroat beast of a man Tafae is.

Sienna Swann: If that is what helps you sleep at night, sweetie, then knock yourself out there. You are not a wrestler, Mia is the wrestler here, and even with all of that confidence, she knows that she has a mountain to climb!

Deadprez: Tafae Toa steps out of his corner and then shoots daggers towards the way of Mia Santoro. Even with those kinds of eyes threatening to go right through her, Mia Santoro stands her ground and approaches herself. Tafae keeps his arm to his sides, only making his way towards the middle of the ring, almost taunting Mia to step up.

Sienna Swann: And for some reason, the woman is not scared at all of him, she raises her arms up and goes to approach. With Tafae actually accepting the two of them to go for a lock up… MIA TRYING TO-

Deadprez: JUST AS TAFAE SUDDENLY PUSHES HER WITH INCREDIBLE FORCE! SHE SENDS HER DOWN HARD ONTO THE MAT!

(Mia falls down hard a few feet away from Tafae after that incredible push he just pulled off, Mia almost immediately rushes up to her feet and tries to signal for a time out but obviously the referee is denying her, Tafae keeps a glare on her and barely moves.)

Gavin Kirkland: Oh my god, he almost sent her flying with a single push, we might be cooked here.

Sienna Swann: The strength on display of Tafae Toa, sweetie! Mia Santoro has a lot of confidence in herself but I think she just got humbled right now. She is going to have to figure out a different approach because she clearly can’t go toe to toe in raw strength.

Deadprez: Mia has calmed down now and once more she is trying to get into a fighting stance, Tafae yet again unmoving, ready for anything. She actually wants to go for a lock up again-

Gavin Kirkland: SIKE! SHE ENDS UP HITTING A DROPKICK RIGHT TOWARDS THE CHEST OF TAFAE!

Sienna Swann: Just for Tafae to tank that dropkick as well! He is still up on his feet and he is getting more annoyed! He goes to snatch Mia by her leg!

Deadprez: JUST FOR MIA TO POP UP AND THEN HIT A JUMPING ENZUIGIRI WITH THE FREE LEG! That is what she was looking for as well! Tafae staggers for a moment and then Mia rushes forward! She slides right through his legs and then goes up! ANOTHER DROPKICK BUT THIS TIME TOWARDS HIS BACK! Tafae is sent flying towards the ropes here as Mia rushes back up!

Gavin Kirkland: AS TAFAE INSTEAD BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES TO GATHER MOMENTUM AND THEN COMES BACK AT MIA SANTORO! HE ENDS UP FLATTENING HER WITH A LARIAT OUT OF NOWHERE! GOOODDDAMNNNN!!! MIA ALMOST FLIPPED WITH THAT ONE!

Sienna Swann: Not a good place to be in after getting hit with that kind of weight at that kind of speed, sweetie! Mia shakes her head in confusion and bewilderment after Tafae was able to pull off that speed, and she does not even have time to process it as Tafae snatches her by her hair and lifts her up!

Gavin Kirkland: TAFAE RUNS FORWARD WITH HER! HE THROWS HER BACK FIRST RIGHT AGAINST THE CORNER! Mia almost bounces off of there with how hard he threw her! But he is already turning and running towards the opposite corner! HE COMES BACK AS MIA TRIES TO-

Deadprez: TAFAE TOA LANDS A HUGE CORNER SPLASH ONTO MIA SANTORO! HE SNATCHES HER AGAIN, HE TURNS OVER- AND THEN SENDS HER FLYIIIINGGG WITH A BIEL THROW! MIA CRASHES DOWN HARD ONTO THE MAT FROM THAT ONE!

Sienna Swann: The crowd is going wild after that sequence of moves, sweetie! Tafae showing he can keep up if he wants to! And it seems that after having a taste of her own medicine, Mia does not want anything more to do with him! She already rolls and tries to leave the ring, trying to recuperate-

Deadprez: But you best believe Tafae is not going to give her any kind of grace there! Tafae yet again tries to grab her by her hair and then pull her up! Mia was able to get to the ring apron but she couldn’t! WAIT!

Gavin Kirkland: SHE GRABS HIS HEAD AND THEN PULLS HIM DOWN, SLAMMING THROAT FIRST AGAINST THE TOP ROPE! THOSE ARE THE SMARTS SHOWING FROM MIA! And it seems she regained her confidence now as she gets back up onto the ring apron! COME ON, DESPERADA!

Deadprez: Mia pulls herself up and then grabs onto the ropes! Tafae tries to turn and then goes for an attack! BUT SHE IS ABLE TO JUMP ONTO THE TOP ROPE WITH AND THEN JUMP OFF! SHE GRABS ONTO TAFAE ON THE WAY DOWN!

Sienna Swann: AND SHE IS ABLE TO GET A SPRINGBOARD BULLDOG! Tafae falls back down onto the mat and then Mia rushes, going on the cover!

Referee: ONE!

Deadprez: JUST FOR TAFAE TO KICK RIGHT OUT AT ONE FROM THAT MOVE! GAWDDAMN!!!

(Mia’s smile drops once more as she sees with her own two eyes Tafae kicking out. Tafae shakes her off and then tries to move back up to his feet as Mia… of course makes sure to get away!)

Gavin Kirkland: TACTICAL RETREAT! COME ON, GO AWAY MIA!!!

Sienna Swann: I think Mia has realized fully what she is dealing with here now! She is definitely not running away but she is making sure to keep her distance! Tafae though turns back to focus on her and is already trying to get on her tail! Mia is able to back away for a bit but she turns!

Deadprez: And of course she ends up running into Malik Al-Farouq here! He ends up blocking her way- JUST FOR MIA TO GRAB HIM BY THE COLLAR OF HIS SHIRT AND THEN PULL HIM! She is using him as a meat shield here as Tafae ends up getting out of the ring. Malik panics in response as Mia ends up now pushing him towards Tafae!

Gavin Kirkland: Tafae ends up catching his manager safe and sound though! He gives him a nod and then gets him out of the way- JUST FOR MIA TO COME FLYING WITH A HIGH KNEE STRAIGHT TOWARDS THE JAW OF TAFAE!

Sienna Swann: Tafae gets rocked across the jaw and now Mia grabs him by the head- AND SHE ENDS UP THROWING HIM TOWARDS THE STEEL STEPS! Tafae crashes hard against the steel steps as well, just as Mia is able to lean against the ring apron and take a breather herself. The smile on her face begins to appear back on her face as draws the ire of the crowd in the process.

Gavin Kirkland: Hey, you have to admit it, this dude Tafae is like ten times her size! You saw how he just went and kicked out like that as well?! I do not blame Mia at all for taking this kind of route knowing that he can just snap her in two if he wanted!

Deadprez: You can take that kind of route when fighting someone else, it is not against the rules at all but Mia should know that you have to face those fears eventually on your own. The more she ignores them, the worse they are going to get when she is finally forced to confront them.

Gavin Kirkland: Well right now she is doing a good job of dealing with them! She grabs onto Tafae as best as she can, pulling him up by his hair and then letting him drop onto the ring apron. See? She is even having a hard time trying to pick him up!

Sienna Swann: She is making it work, sweetie. With the referee counting reaching five she is able to grab the legs of Tafae and then lift up from there using the ring for support. Smart girl.

Deadprez: And at seven she is able to push him in and then hop in herself, just as she is starting to climb the corner after. You don’t usually Mia taking to the corner like this.

Gavin Kirkland: Desperate times call for desperate measures, adapt or die, and so on and so forth! I can’t wait for the beautiful Mia Santoro to take flight! She rises up to the top of the corner, just as Tafae is starting to come to! Along the boos of the crowd- SHE JUMPS OFF OF THE CORNER!!!

Sienna Swann: AND SHE LANDS A DIVING ELBOW DROP FROM THE TOP OF THE CORNER! DIRECTLY ONTO THE HEART OF TAFAE TOA! A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT RIGHT THERE AS SHE LAYS ON HIM, GOING FOR THE COVER!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Deadprez: AND MIA IS ONLY CAPABLE OF GETTING A TWO COUNT?! TAFAE KICKS RIGHT OUT OF AN ELBOW DROP LIKE THAT ONE! Mia is yet again forced to roll away and then put her hands in her face in frustration. She really has to give it her all to be able to take down a beast like Tafae!

Gavin Kirkland: I believe in her to do it!

Sienna Swann: The strength when it comes to Mia Santoro is being able to drag down other people to her level and then force them to fight in her own domain. But Mia is unable to see any actual ways to be able to drag Tafae here…

Deadprez: And just as you end up saying that Sienna, I think a light bulb has just lit up above Mia! She rises again and then backs away, Tafae once more trying to get to his feet-

Gavin Kirkland: JUST AS SHE RUNS FORWARD WITH A SOCCER KICK RIGHT ACROSS THE LEFT ARM OF TAFAE TOA! MY BEAUTIFUL GIRL HAS FIGURED OUT A STRATEGY HERE!

Deadprez: Mia tries to keep hold of the arm of Tafae here! She throws knee strikes towards the arm and she is trying to weaken it here! Tafae grits his teeth in frustration and pain, trying to break free- AND WITH A SINGLE PULL MIA IS FORCED TO LET GO! Yet again with the strength of Tafae!

Sienna Swann: AND MIA TAKES ADVANTAGE TO JUMP UP AND THEN STOMP DOWN HARD ON HIS LEFT KNEE! Tafae falls to one knee and yet again Mia tries to grapple onto that arm, you don’t usually see Mia go for submissions but it is clear she is desperate! She tries to lock in-

Gavin Kirkland: TAFAE JUST SCREAMS RIGHT AT HER FACE- AND THEN LANDS A HEADBUTT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF HER FOREHEAD! MY BEAUTIFUL GIRL IS SEEING STARS WITH THAT ONE!!!

Deadprez: MIA FALLS BACK AGAINST THE CORNER HERE, CLUTCHING HARD ONTO HER HEAD AFTER THE FORCE OF THE HEADBUTT! And as she tries to push through the pain, Tafae is once more running the ropes and gathering speed! HE TRIES TO GO FOR THAT CORNER SPLASH ONCE MORE!

Sienna Swann: MIA IS FAST ENOUGH TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY! Tafae crashes chest first against the turnbuckle! He turns in time- JUST AS MIA LANDS A BACK ELBOW RIGHT TOWARDS HIS JAW! A FOREARM SMASH! A KNEE! A ROPE ASSISTED ENZUIGIRI! THERE WE GO, SWEETIE!

Deadprez: MIA GIVING EVERY BIT OF HER ARSENAL ONTO TAFAE NOW THAT SHE HAS HIM CORNERED IN THE CORNER! One last punch and now she starts to run towards the ropes on the other side, gathering speed just as Tafae stumbles forward out of the corner!

Gavin Kirkland: SHE JUMPS RIGHT ONTO HIM TO GO FOR “ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE”!!!!

Deadprez: WHAT?!

Sienna Swann: OH, SWEETIE, THIS IS HORRIBLE! TAFAE GRABS RIGHT ONTO HER AND WITH PURE STRENGTH HE PREVENTS HER FROM BRINGING HER DOWN!!!

Deadprez: HE REVERSES AND PUTS HER IN A POWERBOMB POSITION!

Gavin Kirkland: WAIT! HAVE MERCY, TAFAE!!!

Sienna Swann: HE RUNS FORWARD WITH HER IN TOW! HE THROWS HER BACK FIRST AGAINST THE CORNER WITH A BUCKLE BOOOMBBBB!!! Mia completely crumbles down onto a seated position! Tafae backs away and yet again he gathers incredible speed! HE RUNS FORWARD LIKE A BULLET!!!

Deadprez: AND HE LANDS A NASTY CORNER CANNONBALL SENTON RIGHT ONTO MIA SANTORO! HE ALMOST SQUEEZED HER LIKE A PANCAKE! He pulls her out of there and then goes for the cover!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: JUST FOR MIA SANTORO TO RAISE HER ARM UP ALMOST AT THE LAST SECOND! LOOK AT HER! SHE IS STILL ALIVE AND KICKING DESPITE FACING A MONSTER LIKE TAFAE TOA! THAT IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT, BABYYYYY!!!!

Sienna Swann: Tafae does not react to that but Malik on the outside looks slightly shocked. It seems they did not expect for Mia to give this kind of fight… maybe Mia did not expect either to be able to kick out of that too.

Gavin Kirkland: No excuse to be mean! You can call her whatever you like but you can not deny the fight that she is giving!

Deadprez: As long as she is able to find herself on the top with a championship it seems Mia can do everything she sets her mind upon. Of course, Tafae snatches her by her hair and then tries to snap her back up to her feet! He pulls her up and then around!

Gavin Kirkland: He wants to go for that Spinning Uranage!!!

Sienna Swann: BUT MIA IS FAST ENOUGH TO LAND ANOTHER ELBOW TO THE TOP OF HIS HEAD! SHE IS ABLE TO PULL HIM DOWN AND THEN THROW HIM OVER WITH AN ARM DRAG!

Gavin Kirkland: Mia is yet again able to roll up to her feet! She runs forward! SUPERKICK RIGHT TOWARDS THE JAW OF TAFAE!!!

Sienna Swann: BUT HE TAKES THE SUPERKICK LIKE IT IS NOTHING! HE INSTEAD ENDS UP RETURNING IT BACK! A SUPERKICK TO THE JAW OF MIA SANTORO! MIA COMPLETELY COLLAPSES BACKWARDS- AGAINST THE ROPES THOUGH!!! She bounces back!

Deadprez: AS TAFAE SNATCHES HER UP AND THEN LIFTS HER UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS! HE TURNS AND THEN RUNS FORWARD WITH HER! HE LANDS A RUNNING FALCON ARROW AND THEN SLAMS HER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Oh wow, it’s over again.

Sienna Swann: You are allowed to be wrong for once, Gavin! At least be a man and die with the loss in your heart!

Deadprez: There might be some hope for Gavin to look forward to, as Tafae surprisingly is not covering Mia at all! He turns and then actually looks towards Malik! He looks to him for advice as Malik shouts over and he gives a nod back. I did not pick up what Malik said but it did not sound good!

Gavin Kirkland: Tafae turns and then heads towards the corner! It is not good indeed! RUN MIA!!!

Sienna Swann: TAFAE GRABS ONTO THE CORNER AND HE STARTS TO CLIMB IT! HE IS LOOKING TO GO FOR THAT MOONSAULT!

Deadprez: NO! SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY! MIA IS GETTING BACK UP! SHE SHOOTS FORWARD AND GRABS ONTO THE LEG OF TAFAE! Tafae turns and he sees this! He pulls back his other leg to go and kick her in the head!

Gavin Kirkland: YET AS HE DOES THAT, MIA TAKES ADVANTAGE TO PULL HIM RIGHT OFF! SHE IS ABLE TO MAKE HIM STUMBLE AND THEN FALL OFF OF THE CORNER!

Sienna Swann: TAFAE LANDS ON HIS FEET THOUGH, SWEETIE! JUST AS MIA RUNS FORWARD- AND LANDS A KICK TO THE GUT! KNEE LIFT ONTO HIS FACE! A SLAP! A PUNCH! SHE BEGINS SENDING A BARRAGE OF FOREARM STRIKES TOWARDS TAFAE, TRYING TO BRING HIM DOWN!!!

Deadprez: AND YET AGAIN TAFAE SCREAMS AT HER FACE IN DEFIANCE! HE PUSHES HER AWAY WITH GREAT FORCE! MIA IS FORCED TO REBOUND OFF OF THE ROPES!

Gavin Kirkland: JUST AS TAFAE IS ABLE TO GRAB ONTO HER AND THEN POP HER UP ONTO THE AIR! OH NO!!!!

Deadprez: “APAI”!!! THE POP UP SAMOAN-

Sienna Swann: NO! MIA TRIES TO REVERSE! SHE GRABS ONTO HIS HEAD AND TRIES TO BRING HIM DOWN FOR A DDT!!!!

Deadprez: NO! NO! TAFAE HOLDS! HE HOLDS HER BY HER WAIST JUST BEFORE SHE CAN BRING HIM DOWN! HE THROWS HER OFF AGAIN AND SHE LANDS IN THE ROPES AGAIN!

Gavin Kirkland: Mia is able to react and grab onto the top rope! BUT TAFAE RUNS AGAIN TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RING!!! HE COMES BACK WITH-

Sienna Swann: MIA GETS OUT OF THE WAY! TAFAE SENDS HIMSELF FLYING OVER THE TOP ROPE!

Deadprez: NO! TAFAE GRABS ONTO THE TOP ROPE AND LANDS ON THE RING APRON! He wobbles as he slowly lifts his head up!

Sienna Swann: AS MIA WITHOUT THINKING BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES AND RUNS TOWARDS TAFAE TOA! SHE LEAPS RIGHT OVER THE TOP ROPE!!!!

Deadprez: SHE GRABS ONTO HIS HEAD!!!

Gavin Kirkland: AND THEN SHE DRILLS HIS HEAD WITH A DDT TO THE OUTSIDE FLOOR!!! MIAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

(The crowd explodes in surprise at what they just saw, Tafae lays barely moving on the floor but Mia grabs onto her back in agonizing pain.)

Deadprez: WHAT A MOVE MIA JUST PULLED OFF THERE!!! I THINK THAT IS WHAT SHE NEEDS!!!

Sienna Swann: And what she needs is going to cost her, sweetie! The two are kissing the ground from that!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Deadprez: Just as the referee is starting to count!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Referee: FOUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRR!!!!

Referee: FIVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: MIA IS TRYING TO GET BACK UP! She is on her hands and knees!

Referee: SIIIIIXXXXXXXXXX!!!!

Deadprez: And even with that, Tafae is moving, he tries to get closer towards the barricades here to use them as support!

Referee: SEVEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNN!!!!!

Sienna Swann: This will be close!

Referee: EIGHT-

(But the referee suddenly stops as Malik begins to shout at him, the referee is forced to stop the count and listen to him.)

Sienna Swann: Oh come on sweetie! Malik is trying to interfere here and give Tafae some extra time!

(Tafae is able to grab onto the barricade and get up… but as soon as he gets up, he gets snatched by his neck.)

Gavin Kirkland: KELIN! KELIIIINNNNN!!!!

Deadprez: KELIN COMES FROM THE CROWD AND SNATCHES TAFAE OVER THE BARRICADE! HE PULLS HIM!!!

Sienna Swann: “ECHOES OF SILENCE”!!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: TAFAE GETS DROPPED HARD WITH THE LARIAT! KELIN IS NOT DONE AT ALL WITH HIM! HE SHOUTS DOWN AT TAFAE JUST AS HE TURNS AND DISAPPEARS INTO THE CROWD!!!!

Deadprez: The referee finally focuses back!

Referee: NINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: AS MIA POPS BACK UP TO HER FEET WITH ONE LAST BURST OF ENERGY AND SHE DIVES IN!!!!

Referee: TEN! RING THE BELL!!!!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Gina Romano: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… BY COUNT OUT! AND YOUUUURRR NEEEEEWWWW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION!!! MIAAAAA SANTOROOOOOOOO!!!!!

(“DICTATOR” plays on the speakers to a huge wave of boos as Mia lays in the middle of the ring, exhausted, hurt, but with a gigantic grin on her face as she raises her arms up to the sky. Malik though stands there confused, bewildered, and his eyes widen even more seeing Tafae over in the crowd for some reason. He rushes forward to check on him, wondering what the hell happened.)

Gavin Kirkland: LET’S GOOOOOO! WE OVERCOME THE ODDS HERE IN THIS PLACE! COME ON, MIAAAAAAA!!!!

Sienna Swann: Can we please be serious?

Deadprez: Well… the fight from the two parties was real, that is for sure! It really looked like it was going to end in a double count out after what Mia did, but KELIN popping out of nowhere and then getting his get back on Tafae from all those few weeks ago benefited Mia when she needed it the most! I am not sure how things would have ended up but Mia scratched and clawed for that victory, even with the circumstances, so congrats to Mia there!

(The referee helps Mia up but she pushes him away, she falls onto the ropes in front of her and begins talking trash to the camera, she pulls herself along and then she gets onto the corner, posing to a booing crowd as she laughs to herself, delighted and victorious. Malik has hopped over the barricade, checking on Tafae just as he turns and he sees KELIN in the distance, a grin from ear to ear on his face as he slowly runs a thumb over his neck, he gives a wave goodbye to them as he then turns and walks away. The last shot of Mia Santoro celebrating another shot to go for the National Elite Championship as Showdown goes to commercials.)

(We have returned from commercial break and we see that any remnants of the previous match have completely disappeared from the ringside area. There is a brief break in the action at the moment, but the silence is broken by the sounds of ‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher playing throughout the arena. Seconds later, the arena is full of cheers as Cody Maverick enters the arena. While the crowd is looking happy to see Cody, Cody does not look happy AT ALL! He looks frustrated and completely pissed off as he heads to the ring.)

Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen! At this time, please welcome “THE SIN CITY SUPERSTAR” CODY MAVERICK!

Deadprez: Here comes one Showdown competitor who is in a very bad mood. I don’t blame him after Territorial Invasion. I’ll go ahead and say it. Cody Maverick got screwed. 

Gavin Kirkland: How in the hell can you say he got screwed? Cody was down. Cody was out and the referee counted the pin leading to Donovan getting the payback victory last week. I see nothing wrong with how the officiating went. 

Sienna Swann: Of course you don’t, Sweetie, because you’re like the biggest El Duque fan ever or something. Let’s face it. Cody had the match won but controversial officiating ruined everything. Now we have to deal with that annoying ass Silas Mason bragging about the win. But first, I wanna hear what Cody has to say about all of this. 

(Cody grabs a microphone from Gina and rolls into the ring. The anger is still very clear and very obvious on his face as his music fades away.)

Crowd: CO-DY! CO-DY! CO-DY! CO-DY! CO-DY!

(Cody gives a nod of acknowledgment to the chants as he looks around at the arena before he begins to speak.)

Cody Maverick: Do you all want to know something? I had this very vivid picture in my mind of how the Showdown after Territorial Invasion was supposed to go. I had it in my mind that I was going to rip Donovan Duke limb from limb last week. This week, more specifically tonight, I was going to come out here and proudly proclaim that I put the crazy psycho bastard down for good.

(The crowd cheers in support and solidarity of Cody’s thoughts. Honestly, because they wanted to see it happen too.)

Cody Maverick: Because winning at Territorial Invasion wasn’t just for me. It was for all you fans that have had to put up with Donny’s bullshit the last two years. It would have been the perfect way for me to begin my focus on becoming the Answers World Champion….

(Cody takes a moment to think and try and compose himself. He shakes his head in frustration and anger before he speaks again.)

Cody Maverick: But that didn’t happen, did it? No. Of course it didn’t because of all the bullshit that went down last weekend. I should have seen it coming because you can NEVER and I mean NEVER trust anybody associated with Silas Mason OR Donovan Duke. 

Cody Maverick: What a crock of shit El Dookie fed to everyone saying he was going to call things down the middle. Lucha honor code MY ASS! That rat bastard screwed me out of a victory. For what? So he didn’t have to see his trainer lose to me again? Oh please. El Dookie is just as much of a liar and a deceiver as Donny is. Always has and always will be. 

Cody Maverick: I know I most likely won’t get Donny because he was beaten senseless at Territorial Invasion and that might have been the best thing for him, but that doesn’t mean that El Dookie isn’t around listening to what I am saying.

(Cody then turns his attention so he is looking up the entrance ramp.)

Cody Maverick: DUQUE! SILAS! How about you get your asses out here right now so I can beat you both within an inch of your lives.

(Cody is continuing to glare up the entrance ramp waiting for El Duque and Silas Mason. He doesn’t have to wait very long before we hear the sounds of “Natural” by Imagine Dragons start to play and the cheers for Cody have turned into loud boos for the entrance of Silas Mason and El Duque. They really don’t care about what the crowd thinks as Silas and Duque look at each other and nod as they head to the ring.)

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, you ask and you shall receive because here comes the man who screwed Cody out of a victory at Territorial Invasion last week. I hope Duque is proud of himself.

Gavin Kirkland: What are you so mad about? Duque did exactly what he said he was going to do. He called the match right down the middle and the best man won. He upheld the Lucha Code of Honor.

Deadprez: Yeah, because a steel chair to Cody’s back is calling it down the middle. Because of El Duque’s biased officiating, Donovan got the victory, but you know damn well this isn’t the end of it.

(Silas grabs a microphone for El Duque before opening up the ropes for El Duque before following him into the ring. Duque has a smirk on his face as Silas stands next to him, which only infuriates Cody even more as Duque’s music fades off and he begins to speak.)

El Duque: Ay, Cody. ¿Qué te pasa? Pareces enojado.

(Cody doesn’t respond, but he stares daggers through El Duque.)

El Duque: I don’t see why you have a stick up your ass about Territorial Invasion. I did exactly what I said I was going to do. I called the match right down the middle, so don’t blame me because you can’t accept the results.

Cody Maverick: Now you wait just a damn min–

El Duque: ¡Cállate! Estoy hablando. You had your time to talk and now it’s mine. You just need to come to grips with your reality. You lost, Cody. You lost to Donovan Duke and that fate was inevitable. You lost fair and square, Cody. The only person you can blame for losing is YOURSELF! No nos culpes si no pudiste terminar el trabajo.

El Duque: You wanted to beat Donovan for yourself and the fans, but you couldn’t do it. Once again, you let your fans down and ruined everything for them. You would think that they would be used to you choking by now. Considering—

Cody Maverick: SHUT UP!

(El Duque and Silas glare at Cody because they do not appreciate being interrupted.)

Cody Maverick: I am so sick and tired with all of this Duke and Duque and Silas and all of this other bullshit. I am done with it all and I want to finish this NOW!! Duque, I want you in this ring TONIGHT!!

(The crowd is cheering at the announcement as Duque and Silas look at each other in amusement before El Duque replies.)

El Duque: No lo creo, amigo. You are really not in any place to be making demands after losing last week. You and me tonight is not going to happen. But if you want to face me so badly, I have a better idea. How about we settle this the LUCHA way.

(Cody looks at Duque wondering what in the hell he has in mind.)

El Duque: Es tan sencillo que incluso tú puedes entenderlo. At The Last Stand, it’s going to be Cody Maverick….

El Duque: Against the rising star ELLLLLLLLLLLLLL DUQUE….

(El Duque then gets right in Cody’s face to declare the match.)

El Duque: Máscara vs. Cabello MASK! VERSUS! HAIR!

(The crowd goes absolutely crazy with cheers at the announcement of the challenge.)

El Duque: This ends at The Last Stand. You either somehow take my mask or I get to shave your head COMPLETELY BALD! So what do you say, hijo de puta?

(Cody doesn’t take his eyes away from El Duque as he thinks about whether he wants to accept this match because if he loses, he loses his hair. But if he wins, he gets the masks and he finally gets to reveal who is under the El Duque mask.)

Cody Maverick:… YOU’RE ON!!

(The crowd is cheering at the acceptance. Until….)

(POW!)

Sienna Swann: CODY JUST HIT DUQUE IN THE HEAD WITH THE MICROPHONE AND NOW THE FIGHT IS ON!!

Gavin Kirkland: WHAT A CHEAP SHOT FROM CODY! HOW DARE HE HIT DUQUE LIKE THAT!

Deadprez: Not like the chair shots Duque gave Cody last week, huh? Dawg, look at Silas Mason getting out of the ring like the little bitch he is.

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, I agree with that statement entirely. But El Duque is now just throwing fists into the skull of Cody and just beating the hell out of him. 

Deadprez: BUT LOOK AT CODY FIGHTING BACK! CODY IS STARTING TO GET THE ADVANTAGE OVER EL DUQUE–

Gavin Kirkland: CODY WITH A RIGHT HOOK KNOCKS EL DUQUE DOWN! HOW DISRESPECTFUL IS THAT?!?!

Sienna Swann: Cody has fire in his eyes as El Duque is scrambling to get back to his feet as Cody runs forward to El Duque–

Deadprez: AND CATCHES EL DUQUE WITH THE LIGHTS OUT! THAT PUNCH SENDS DUQUE THROUGH THE ROPES! Cody tries to grab Duque–

(Silas pulls Duque off the apron and starts heading up the entrance ramp as the crowd boos that Duque and Silas are getting away. Cody is yelling at them and telling them to get back in the ring.)

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, Cody just got a small tiny bit of retribution against that asshole Silas Mason and El Duque.

Gavin Kirkland: But the ante has just been upped. At The Last Stand it’s going to be El Duque and Cody Maverick one more time and it’s going to be Mask vs. Hair.

Deadprez: Either El Duque loses the mask and the mystery is revealed or Cody Maverick is going to have his head shaved completely bald. The stakes are raised and the blood is boiling. What a match this is going to be.

(The final shot shows Cody telling Duque to bring it on as Duque is motioning that he is going to shave Cody’s head as he is held back by Silas as the camera shot fades to a commercial break.)

(Showdown returns from a commercial break with ‘LIKE WEEZY’ by Playboi Carti playing out as Joso walks toward the ring with that signature swagger and the unmistakable confidence of a man who still has the momentum of Territorial Invasion carrying him forward, heading to the ring with every indication that he came here tonight fully prepared.)

Gina Romano: YOUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!… INTRODUCING FIRST!… FROM THE BRONX, NEW YORK!… WEIGHING IN AT 206 POUNDS!… HE IS THE STAR PLAYER!… JOSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: What a chaotic and memorable night Territorial Invasion turned out to be, but when the dust settled, Joso came out on the right side of it and secured the victory when it counted most! Now he is looking to build further momentum and reestablish himself as a genuine top-tier presence on this brand by adding another legend to his collection in the form of Rex McAllister!

Deadprez: Joso is as prepared as he has looked in some time heading into this match tonight, and the hope from this corner of the table is that he does not allow his natural inclination toward showmanship to get ahead of him and hand Rex an opening he does not deserve to be handed.

Sienna Swann: That is going to be the central theme of this entire match, sweetie. 

(“Power” by The Score hits as Joso finishes his warm-up in the ring and Rex McAllister makes his way out, walking with that straight and focused stride of a man who has locked in entirely on what he needs to accomplish tonight.)

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING HIS OPPONENT!… FROM SEA ISLE, NEW JERSEY!… WEIGHING IN AT 238 POUNDS!… THE LIONHEART!… REXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!!!!!!!… MCALLISSSSSSTTTTTTEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deadprez: Territorial Invasion, on the other hand, did not deliver the outcome Rex McAllister was looking for, and his mission went unfulfilled that night. That is not going to slow him down in any meaningful way tonight, though, because Rex operates with the kind of forward-facing mentality that processes a setback and immediately redirects toward the next opportunity. Joso represents that next opportunity and Rex intends to use it.

Sienna Swann: McAllister has understood for a very long time, sweetie, that not every chapter resolves in your favour, but that the ones who last are the ones who plan ahead regardless of the outcome. Tonight is about establishing where he stands heading into what comes next and putting Joso down decisively is the clearest possible statement he can make to accomplish that.

Gavin Kirkland: Regardless, this match has every ingredient required to be a genuinely compelling and entertaining main event, and that absolutely cannot go unacknowledged before that bell rings! I cannot wait to see these two get started!

(DING DING DING!)

Deadprez: Another hard-hitting main event is upon us with two genuinely elite competitors looking to settle their differences tonight. These two come out of their previous encounter with different results but what remains absolutely certain is that both of them are desperate to build momentum heading into whatever awaits them next.

Sienna Swann: This should be a compelling watch, sweetie, and I sincerely hope Joso can locate his composure for the duration of this match and resist the urge to perform for the crowd like it is some kind of variety show.

Gavin Kirkland: Both competitors open in the traditional collar and elbow tie-up to get things started, but McAllister makes a swift transition and seizes control of Joso’s wrist immediately, pressing the Star Player down against the mat with sustained wrist pressure and keeping him firmly in check right from the first exchange!

Sienna Swann: Rex carries that veteran instinct that tells him immediately what kind of competitor he is dealing with, sweetie. He knows a slippery and unpredictable former World Heavyweight Champion when he sees one and he is making sure there are no early surprises from that corner of the ring.

Deadprez: With Rex maintaining the wrist control from above, Joso starts working through it, glances back and rolls through cleanly, reaching for the leg and sending Rex down in the process! The wrist grip loosens, and Joso crawls over to capitalize on the reversal!

Gavin Kirkland: Joso tries to go for an early cover but Rex keeps driving him away before the referee can begin a count! Joso tries again and the referee attempts to get even the opening count started but Rex keeps pushing him away with authority!

Sienna Swann:The man is absolutely desperate to put the legend away early and escape this match before it turns into the drawn-out exercise in suffering that it very likely will become, sweetie. 

Deadprez: And perhaps Joso has finally found the right positioning, pinning himself against the canvas and keeping Rex held down just long enough! Rex tries to push free and the referee begins the count!

ONEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO–

Deadprez: Rex powers out before the count reaches two, and both men get immediately back to their feet, with Rex initiating the next exchange by making contact with both hands against his opponent right away.

Gavin Kirkland: Joso attempts a twist and sends Rex stumbling toward the ropes with an Armdrag that connects cleanly! The Star Player hits the opposite ropes looking to follow through with a clothesline but Rex meets him with a boot that causes Joso to overshoot backward, sending him over the ropes and landing on the apron!

Sienna Swann: Joso’s jaw got rocked and left him completely exposed out there! Here comes Rex grabbing the top rope and launching himself back inside the ring— SPRINGBOARD DROPKICK FROM THE LIONHEART SENDS JOSO DOWN! The Star Player got completely blown away by the full force of that dropkick, sweetie!

Deadprez: Solid, purposeful work from the Lionheart so far, showing he’s lost nothing in pace or precision despite the momentum Territorial Invasion’s earlier events threatened to drain from him. Joso stumbles back toward the corner now, and Rex takes careful aim, perhaps looking for the running corner attack!

Gavin Kirkland: An elbow from Joso stops Rex dead in his tracks before he can get there! Joso spins around and uses the middle turnbuckle as a launch point and– POW! Nice Backflip Kick out of the corner sends Rex stumbling away and leaves the Lionheart stunned by the unexpected and well-timed impact of it!

Sienna Swann: Here comes Joso from behind, pushing Rex toward the ropes and back, a nicely executed Leapfrog from Joso to avoid the return run! Joso spins around and slides underneath as Rex leaps over and lands on both knees! McAllister turns around and manages to shove Joso hard into the ropes and sends him flying over! Just look at the footwork these two are producing out there, sweetie, and we genuinely have to show some appreciation for the technical fluency on display in this main event!

Gavin Kirkland: Speaking of building speed, Joso comes running, and Rex tries to go for the clothesline but it finds nothing! Joso hits the ropes to build momentum, and Rex tries the back elbow, but that does not connect either! Joso comes off the ropes one more time— SLINGBLADE CONNECTS, AND REX GOES DOWN!

Deadprez: And watch Joso immediately go to work the moment Rex hits the canvas! He kips straight back up to his feet without a pause and launches himself off the middle rope— SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT CONNECTS! Beautiful combination from the Star Player, building sustained momentum before transitioning directly into the cover!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Deadprez: Only two counts once again from Rex, leaving Joso with a flicker of frustration that he manages to keep contained, maintaining his focus on the match rather than letting the emotion dictate his next decision.

Sienna Swann: I mentioned at the very start that Joso would be genuinely compelling if he committed to the wrestling and set the showmanship aside for a moment, and look at what we are getting, sweetie. Rex McAllister is finding this a considerably more demanding night than it might have looked on paper.

Gavin Kirkland: Joso reaches for the arm and applies the Armbar, going technical this time to find a deliberate method of torturing the Lionheart and keeping him off balance! Joso is targeting that arm with real purpose, trying to find a consistent way to weaken McAllister further before escalating!

Deadprez: The Armbar holds and Joso slowly drags Rex back to his feet before twisting out and YANKING the arm sharply to further punish the joint! He twists again and ONCE MORE, another firm pull to grind further torque into Rex McAllister’s arm!

Sienna Swann: He is finding proper balance right now, sweetie, and demonstrating that he arrived here ready to win rather than simply entertain. Now Joso drives Rex back into the corner and delivers a CHOP directly across the chest after finishing what he wanted to do with that arm!

(Joso steps back and fixes Rex with a predatory and expectant look.)

Joso: (Off-Mic) Rex, I do not have time for this all day. You need to give me something!

(POUND!)

Gavin Kirkland: Rex has absolutely no interest in playing mind games and SWINGS with a forearm before following with a CHOP of his own that sends Joso stumbling considerably further away from that corner than he anticipated!

(After absorbing the chop, Joso lets out a short laugh.)

Joso: (Off-Mic) See, that is exactly what I was looking for, brother.

Sienna Swann: Here we go, sweetie. Are we really about to witness a chop contest in the middle of a main event?

Deadprez: Joso is preparing to return the favour with a chop of his own…

(But instead he flips Rex off.)

Joso: (Off-Mic) Fuck you.

Sienna Swann: That is not quite the chop I had in mind, Joso.

Gavin Kirkland: Not exactly what any of us were expecting either! AND REX FIRES BACK WITH ANOTHER CHOP, BUT JOSO AVOIDS IT— BACKSTABBER! He baited Rex into that one and takes him down once again! Joso scrambles over and hooks the leg immediately!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gavin Kirkland: REX POWERS OUT AT TWO ONCE AGAIN! 

Deadprez: Joso is apparently not satisfied with what just happened and begins circling Rex once more, repeating the process of throwing right hands at him while Rex is already grounded and taking full advantage of the position he has created.

Sienna Swann: He has his opponent grounded and is elevating his own standing in this match through sustained pressure, sweetie. Men have a particular way of seizing a dire situation and making it entirely their own when the opening presents itself!

Gavin Kirkland: And then Joso turns away to play to the crowd, which is receiving his arrogance with absolutely zero warmth tonight and is not amused by a single second of it.

Sienna Swann: We have to acknowledge that it is entirely justifiable regardless of what this crowd thinks about it, sweetie.

Gavin Kirkland: Joso turns back around, AND REX HAS FOUND HIS SECOND WIND! Right hand from Rex lands clean, Irish Whip sends Joso into the corner, and REX FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH A RUNNING LARIAT THAT PUTS JOSO DOWN AT THE CORNER!

Deadprez: Rex grabs Joso and sends him toward the opposite ropes but here comes Joso firing back simultaneously with a RUNNING BOOT! Rex stumbles and comes back with a boot of his own directly into Joso’s face! Joso tries to throw one back but Rex catches it, spins through— JOSO ANSWERS WITH A DRAGON WHIP KICK IN RETURN THAT STOPS REX COLD!

Sienna Swann: Almost losing his discipline by playing tough guy to the crowd narrowed Joso’s focus just enough to allow Rex to recharge and redirect that energy directly back at him— FOR THE YAKUZA KICK THAT DROPS JOSO TO THE CANVAS THIS TIME, SWEETIE!

Gavin Kirkland: Look at the seriousness written all over his face now and Rex is absolutely done treating this like anything other than a war! McAllister gets back and reaches for Joso, trying to throw him through the ropes but Joso switches out and sends Rex through the ropes to the outside instead!

Deadprez: And here it comes with Joso immediately hitting the ropes the moment Rex lands on the outside! Watch out— SUICIDE DIVE CRASHES DIRECTLY ONTO REX MCALLISTER! Crashing impact that leaves Rex immediately rattled on the floor!

Sienna Swann: McAllister is reaching for the edge of the barricade for support and still desperately trying to locate some composure, falling back to his knees but refusing to stay down, sweetie! Joso spots the compromised position immediately and gets himself up onto the apron! Rex is still trying to gather himself and Joso takes the running start— LOOKING FOR A PENALTY KICK FROM THE APRON!

Gavin Kirkland: McAllister catches him before the kick can land! Watch out now! Rex drags Joso down and swings through, AND DRIVES JOSO INTO THE EDGE OF THE APRON WITH A RELEASE SUPLEX! OH MY, WHAT A CRUSHING BLOW FROM THE LIONHEART TO BRING THE RACING MOMENTUM OF THE STAR PLAYER TO A JARRING HALT!

Deadprez: Rex gets some meaningful momentum swinging back in his direction in this bout! He grabs Joso and returns him to the ring, follows through back inside himself and once back in the flow of things, yanks Joso around and applies a Sleeper Choke from behind to keep the perpetually restless Star Player contained and under control!

Sienna Swann: Precisely what this situation called for, sweetie. Settle him down, limit his movement, and let him absorb the lesson that getting too clever in a main event against a competitor of this calibre carries genuine consequences.

Gavin Kirkland: Sleeper Choke maintains Joso for a sustained moment but Joso manages to locate some grip on his reaction time and begins wriggling before sending Rex rolling forward to break the hold! Rex recovers his footing and comes running! Joso does not have his guard positioned correctly and his face pays for it immediately– BICYCLE KICK FROM MCALLISTER SPINS JOSO AROUND!

Deadprez: We are watching the Lionheart operating at a genuinely impressive level right now and the technique on display is worth every moment of attention! Joso gets picked up from behind following the Bicycle Kick and Rex secures a firm grip— GERMAN SUPLEX DRIVES JOSO DOWN! AND LOOK AT THAT, REX BRIDGES STRAIGHT INTO THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Deadprez: AND DESPITE THE EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY OF THAT WORK, JOSO REMAINS IN THIS MATCH WITH A KICKOUT AT TWO!

Gavin Kirkland: But look at the fire burning in Rex McAllister’s eyes right now! This is a man who has absolutely no intention of letting this match slip away from him!

Sienna Swann: The Lionheart stands tall and begins calling for his opponent to get back to his feet as Joso has only just begun to locate his consciousness! HERE COMES REX HITTING THE ROPES AT FULL SPEED! REX EFFECT!

Deadprez: But the Star Player hangs on! Joso hoists Rex up onto his shoulders and pivots! BUCKLE BOMB DRIVES REX INTO THE CORNER! The sheer effort of executing that however sends Joso falling back to his knees as his own body demands a moment to recharge!

Gavin Kirkland: McAllister gets planted into the corner but THE LIONHEART IS STILL SCREAMING WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS!

Deadprez: The energized and relentless drive that Rex McAllister is displaying tonight is genuinely something to witness, and he comes surging out of that corner and TURNS JOSO AROUND WITH A JUMPING KNEE SMASH IN RETURN!

Sienna Swann: This match is setting the ring on absolute fire tonight, sweetie! What a hard-hitting and passionately contested battle from a man showing the truest and most unfiltered version of what still burns inside him! Rex has Joso turned around and scoops him up immediately— OLYMPIC SLAM AND REX HOOKS THE LEG AS JOSO GOES DOWN!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Sienna Swann: THREE!

Gavin Kirkland: NOT THREE BUT CLOSE! JOSO KICKS OUT ONCE AGAIN DESPITE EVERY SINGLE THING REX HAS THROWN AT HIM IN THIS MATCH!

Deadprez: McAllister’s eyes are showing nothing but the raw strain of a man locked in a genuinely gruelling battle, and yet the Lionheart remains completely relentless in his refusal to yield regardless of what this match is costing him physically! McAllister slowly gets back and drags his opponent along before driving him forward into the corner— CHOP FROM MCALLISTER ONCE MORE LEAVES THE STAR PLAYER THOROUGHLY EXPOSED AND VULNERABLE!

Sienna Swann: Now McAllister is dragging Joso all the way up to the top rope and whatever he has in mind up there, sweetie, it is not going to be comfortable for the Star Player! Rex climbs to the top and appears to be looking for the Superplex with Joso compromised and unable to mount much of a resistance right now!

Gavin Kirkland: REX IS TRYING TO LIFT, BUT JOSO AWAKES AND CLUBS REX ACROSS THE BACK! Joso keeps driving those shots over and over with each one landing stiffer than the last! Rex has no choice but to release the grip and Joso seizes control!

Deadprez: AND STILL REX SIMPLY WILL NOT BACK DOWN! HE HULKS THROUGH THE PUNISHMENT AND REACHES FOR THE SUPERPLEX REGARDLESS—

(CRASHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!)

Sienna Swann: WHATTTTT!?!?!?>?!?!?!?!? 

Gavin Kirkland: ***THE AVALANCHE EXECUTIONER FROM HELL!*** REX INITIATED THE SUPERPLEX, BUT JOSO TURNS THE ENTIRE THING ON ITS HEAD IN MID-AIR, AND NOBODY IN THIS BUILDING CAN BELIEVE WHAT THEY JUST WITNESSED! JOSO CRAWLS OVER AND DRAPES AN ARM ACROSS REX!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—

Gavin Kirkland: AND REX STILL POWERS OUT AT TWO! JOSO CANNOT CLOSE THIS OUT, AND THE LIONHEART FINDS THE SHOULDER UP ONCE MORE! THIS MAIN EVENT IS GOING NUTS! 

Sienna Swann: This entire arena is still processing what it just witnessed, and we are all stunned in equal measure right here at this table, sweetie! The crowd has come completely alive for this match, and they are giving it everything!

Crowd: WE WRESTLE! WE WRESTLE! WE WRESTLE! WE WRESTLE! WE WRESTLE!

Deadprez: This is the truest expression of what runs through the bloodstream of Showdown on its finest nights and we are witnessing a full and cinematic display of professional wrestling at its most compelling right before our eyes!

Gavin Kirkland: While the crowd sustains that energy, Rex is seen crawling over and pulling himself up at the apron while Joso gets back to his feet and reaches over for him! Rex fires an elbow into the gut to create separation and drags Joso along! Now both men are standing tall at the most perilous edge of this ring!

Sienna Swann: Measuring each other up, Rex goes for the elbow, but Joso catches the arm with a boot to avoid it! ENZUIGIRI WITH ROPE ASSIST CATCHES JOSO AND LEVELS REX ACROSS THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD RIGHT THERE ON THE APRON, SWEETIE!

Deadprez: Joso was able to absorb those heavy shots and immediately seizes hold of Rex! WAIT! LOOK AT JOSO! JOSO IS GOING FOR THE KILL! HE IS SETTING UP TO DRIVE REX WITH THE CRIMSON PEAK ON THE APRON!

Gavin Kirkland: But Rex is fighting with absolutely everything available to him, doing whatever it takes to survive and deny Joso any pathway to capitalising on this position! Rex is trying to break free!

(THUD!!!!)

Gavin Kirkland: SPINEBUSTER FROM REX SENDS JOSO CRASHING DOWN HARD ONTO THE APRON! THAT ONE DRIVES JOSO INTO THE HARDEST SURFACE ON THE OUTSIDE AND HE ENDS UP ROLLING BACK INSIDE THE RING FROM THE IMPACT!

Deadprez: McAllister does whatever is necessary to avoid what could have been a genuinely catastrophic outcome out there! Joso goes down and rolls back inside! McAllister climbs back through the ropes and gets himself back in the ring, fired up and visibly determined to close this match out right now! MCALLISTER HITS THE ROPES!

(## REX EFFECT!)

Sienna Swann: REX WAS GOING FOR HIS FINISHING DDT, BUT THE WHIRL IS NEUTRALIZED BY JOSO WHO READS THE MOTION AND TURNS THE MOMENTUM ENTIRELY, SPINNING AROUND AND HOISTING REX UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS!—-

(## GRATEFUL DEATH!)

Gavin Kirkland: JOSO WAS GOING FOR THE ARGENTINE GTS, BUT REX CATCHES THE KNEE AND TURNS HIM BACK DOWN! REX WRAPS THE LEG AND HAS JOSO SECURED! JOSO DESPERATELY REACHES FOR THE ROPES KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT IS COMING, BUT REX HAS HIM COMPLETELY TRAPPED! 

Gavin Kirkland: ## THE REX LOCK! THE REX LOCK IS APPLIED, AND JOSO MAY BE FINISHED RIGHT HERE!

Deadprez: THE REX LOCK DEFINITELY HAS JOSO COMPLETELY TRAPPED RIGHT NOW WITH REX PULLING OUT EVERY STOP AVAILABLE TO HIM IN THIS MATCH! JOSO IS SHAKING HIS HEAD AND REFUSING TO TAP AT ANY COST DESPITE THE TREMENDOUS AND SUSTAINED TORQUE REX IS APPLYING TO THAT HOLD!

Sienna Swann: JOSO IS FIGHTING WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS AND UNDERSTANDING IN THIS MOMENT THAT BEING A SHOWMAN IS NOT GOING TO CARRY HIM THROUGH THIS ONE! HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE A REAL COMPETITOR TO SURVIVE IT, SWEETIE!

Gavin Kirkland: WAIT A MOMENT! SOMEONE HAS JUST ENTERED THE RING AND IS LAUNCHING AN ATTACK ON BOTH REX MCALLISTER AND JOSO SIMULTANEOUSLY!

(DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING!)

Gavin Kirkland: WHAT IN THE WORLD?! THAT IS KARL IMPACT! THE ANGRY VETERAN IS HERE, AND HE IS UNLOADING ON EVERYBODY IN THAT RING WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION!

Sienna Swann: AGAIN?!?!?!?! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SIT AT THIS TABLE AND SUFFER THROUGH THESE INDIVIDUALS RUNNING RAMPANT AND STAGING THEIR PERSONAL MIDLIFE CRISES IN THE MIDDLE OF AN OTHERWISE COMPELLING MAIN EVENT?!?!?!

Deadprez: HE DRAGS REX ALONG AND NOW APPLIES THE WALLS OF IMPACT! KARL IS ABSOLUTELY ERUPTING ON EVERYONE IN THAT RING, AND THERE IS NO DISTINCTION BEING MADE BETWEEN FRIEND AND OPPONENT!

Gavin Kirkland: BUT LOOK AT THIS! JOSO IS GETTING BACK ON HIS FEET, AND HE IS GOING DIRECTLY AT KARL! IT IS HAPPENING ALL OVER AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME KARL IS THE ONE WHO STARTED IT, AND JOSO IS NOT BACKING DOWN FOR A SINGLE SECOND! THROWING HANDS RIGHT AT IMPACT! HE IS FURIOUS THAT KARL HAS DECIDED TO INSERT HIMSELF INTO A MATCH THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM!

Deadprez: KARL SHOVES JOSO OUT OF THE WAY AND PUTS HIM DOWN! NOW JOSO AND REX ARE BRAWLING WITH EACH OTHER, WHILE HERE COME THE OFFICIALS TRYING TO SEPARATE ALL THREE MEN! BUT ALL THREE HAVE TURNED THEIR ATTENTION TOWARD THE OFFICIALS AND ARE MAKING THEM DEEPLY REGRET THAT DECISION!

Sienna Swann: KARL HAS PUT SOME OFFICIALS DOWN, BUT JOSO JUST BARGES STRAIGHT PAST THEM AND COMES CHARGING DIRECTLY AT KARL!

Gavin Kirkland: FIST OF FURY!!!!! KARL CONNECTS WITH THAT DEVASTATING RIGHT HOOK AND KNOCKS JOSO OUT COLD! AND NOW KARL CONTINUES TO UNLOAD ON HIM DESPITE ALREADY HAVING PUT HIM DOWN! THIS IS GOING SEVERAL LAYERS DEEPER THAN IT NEEDED TO GO!

Deadprez: HERE COMES REX FROM BEHIND, DRAGGING KARL AWAY FROM JOSO AND NOW TAKING THE MATTER INTO HIS OWN HANDS! REX IS NOT REMOTELY PLEASED THAT KARL HAS CHOSEN TO INSERT HIMSELF INTO THE MIDDLE OF THEIR BUSINESS TONIGHT!

Sienna Swann: AND KARL SHOVES HIM AWAY AS WELL! REX GETS BACK UP BUT GETS DROPPED WITH THE ABSOLUTION! KARL STANDS TALL OVER BOTH OF THEM! SOMEONE NEEDS TO REMOVE THIS MAN FROM THIS BUILDING PERMANENTLY, SWEETIE! THIS IS COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY UNCONSCIONABLE!

(Suddenly, ‘Gloria’ by the London Symphony Orchestra hits and Karl’s expression only darkens further, the rage intensifying visibly as he turns to face the stage.)

Sienna Swann: OH YES! COME AND GET HIM! PLEASE!

Gavin Kirkland: HERE COMES THE ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION WHO JUST CONCLUDED HER OWN BUSINESS WITH KARL AT TERRITORIAL INVASION AND SHE IS HEADING STRAIGHT FOR THAT RING RIGHT NOW!

Deadprez: IMPACT TURNS TOWARD HER THE MOMENT SHE ENTERS THE RING AND HERE WE GO! THEY ARE TRADING BLOWS RIGHT NOW AND WE ARE RIGHT BACK TO WHERE THIS RIVALRY NEVER TRULY LEFT OFF!

Sienna Swann: BEA VALENTINE AND KARL IMPACT ARE GOING RIGHT AT IT AND BEA IS TAKING A FIRM AND COMMITTED STANCE AND GIVING HIM EVERYTHING SHE HAS! KARL IS FIGHTING BACK WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS LEFT! AND JOSO AND REX ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RING ARE GOING AT IT AS WELL! THIS HAS ERUPTED INTO COMPLETE AND TOTAL CHAOS ACROSS EVERY CORNER OF THAT RING AND NONE OF THIS IS GOING TO RESOLVE ITSELF CLEANLY ANYTIME SOON, SWEETIE!

Gavin Kirkland: THERE ARE GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES FROM THIS PARTICULAR EVENING BUT RIGHT NOW WHAT WE ARE WATCHING IS FOUR PEOPLE WITH UNFINISHED BUSINESS REFUSING TO WAIT FOR THE APPROPRIATE VENUE TO SETTLE ANY OF IT!

(The brawl between Bea Valentine, Karl Impact, Rex McAllister and Joso continues with no sign of resolution, all four competitors locked in a sprawling and chaotic exchange that consumes every corner of the ring and spills toward the ropes as Showdown slowly fades into the commercial break with the conflict still fully alive and nobody within reach of ending it.)

(As it comes back from commercial break, there is a lone spotlight in the middle of the ring. Sitting down by herself is none other than Pandora Paisley. She is in ripped jeans, a tight top, leather jacket and ankle boots. The damage from War Games can be seen on her face as her hair is slicked back in a ponytail with some makeup on. She has a mic in hand as the fans look on.)

Pandora Paisley: Same old shit, different week, love. I made a gamble six years ago when I packed up all of my shit and left England. My mum and brother behind, so that I could pursue this dream of becoming a professional wrestler. I wanted to follow in the footsteps behind some of the other British greats and was trained by the Street Legacy/ I’m not stupid, I know that the first few seasons ai Was careless and made some mistakes which also led to an injury that kept me out for almost a year, but when I came back, it was with a focused attitude.

(She pauses for a moment as the fans give her a mixed reaction but give her the respect to listen as it is mostly silent.)

Pandora Paisley: No one thought that Halsey Neel and I would be the team to retire the Jaded Hearts, we did. Becoming the Unified Tag Team Champions was me highlight career, and we dominated but fumbled into Pain For Pride, and to be fair, I blame the bureaucracy of the EAW because they never believed in The British Invasion could carry the mantle, the people in charge wanted some more established vets like Fire & Ice and pushed them down everyone’s throats until they finally won, in the process Halsey was injured and that left me to make a decision, and so I did… to become a singles star until she came back.

(There is another pause as this time, Pandora Paisley looks up at the camera.)

Pandora Paisley: Last season I had the chance to become the National Elite Champion, screwed out of it. I then was given a chance to become the Answers World Champion, same story, was screwed out of me bloody chance, not once, not twice, but three times. Then at Pain For Pride, I was screwed out of it AGAIN. You can only take so much, and I dedicated me self this season to make sure that I was the best version of me. Kennedy Street believed in Pandora Paisley, so she gave me the honor of becoming the Captain of Team War Games representing Showdown. I vowed to bring it home.

(Pandora stays quiet for a moment before she then turns back and looks at the crowd.)

Pandora Paisley: We had it, that match was ours and everyone knows it, but there is always this bias that Voltage or Dynasty need to be the flagship of this company and no matter what, Showdown is always fighting an uphill climb. Damon Lazarus along with his little harem pulled it off after CTE’ing me for like the third or fourth time, I lost bloody count in the last month, and I was not able to get there fast enough to break the fall. This one hurt because everyone and I mean EVERYONE knows that Team Showdown was the BEST team. Now I am back to square one.

(Her green eyes narrow as she looks into the camera with cruel intent.)

Pandora Paisley: So, I am going to make a promise. I don’t know when, where, or how, but I am going to collect my receipt on Team Voltage, especially Damon Lazarus. I feel like I failed Jon Kelton and Damien Kutcher, but now the season continues and with that said, we have The Last Stand. With that said, I plan to –

(Suddenly she is cut off by “Another World” by Gojira, as Pandora looks up and sees Silas Mason walking out to a chorus of boos.)

Deadprez: It looks like Silas Mason decided to interrupt Pandora Paisley after she was pouring out her heart and the Hellcat does NOT look very happy!

Sienna Swann: No, she does not and this is not going to be pretty, sweetie!

Gavin Kirkland: I think Silas should have stayed backstage, just saying!

(Silas gets to the ring and steps in, he has a mic in hand as Pandora slowly stands up and glares at him as the theme ends.)

Silas Mason: Pardon the interruption, well, not really. What did you expect, Ophelia? THat is right, I am going to call you by your real name because you are not very “Pandora” right now. When you were a part of Silas World, you had a chance to be the very best this business has to offer, but you wouldn’t listen and that has always been your problem. 

Silas Mason: Now look at you. What happened to the fire behind “Pandora” when she was in Silas World? I don’t know, but it sure as hell isn’t here right now. If it was, Ophelia, then your team wouldn’t have lost War Games. 

(Pandora isn’t saying a word, but the glare could easily cut through Silas like a knife.)

Silas Mason: But regardless of everything that has gone down between us recently, I am willing to be the bigger person and be willing to forgive you for what has happened and consider it water under the bridge. You know what? I’ll even offer you your spot back in Silas World.

(Pandora doesn’t react, but the glare is still prominent on her face.)

Silas Mason: Hell, I will even be more than willing to extend the hand of forgiveness to Jon Kelton as well. So what do you say? 

(Silas extends his hand out as the glare in Pandora’s eyes has disappeared and she is actually considering the offer.)

Sienna Swann: Oh she wouldn’t actually take him up on this offer, would she? The last thing she needs to do is associate herself with this scum bucket again. 

(Pandora has her hand out as she looks more than willing to accept Silas’ offer to come back to Silas World. The crowd is losing it and booing as loudly as possible.)

(UNTIL….)

(POW!)

Deadprez: PANDORA JUST SLUGGED SILAS WITH A RIGHT HAND! SILAS IS DOWN! CONSIDER THAT REQUEST DENIED, DAWG!

(The crowd is absolutely loving this as Pandora grabs Silas by the shirt collar ready to just beat the holy hell out of him until the crowd starts booing loudly again.)

Gavin Kirkland: What is going on now?

Sienna Swann: IT’S DONOVAN DUKE! OH GAWD! CRAZY TRAIN IS HERE AND HE JUST SPEARS PANDORA DOWN AND IS STILL PUNCHING THE LIVING HELL OUT OF HER!!

Deadprez: I guess Donovan is here tonight. The lights are on and nobody’s home as he just starts beating the ever living hell out of Pandora Paisley as Silas smiles in delight.

Gavin Kirkland: WAIT A SECOND!!

Sienna Swann: IT’S JON KELTON! KELTON IS RUNNING DOWN THE RAMP AS HE DIVES IN THE RING! Kelton pulls Donovan off of Pandora AND NOW DONOVAN AND KELTON ARE GOING AT IT! BLOW FOR BLOW!!

Gavin Kirkland: Now Pandora is back on her feet and now it’s two on one against Donovan as Pandora is slowly trying to get back into the fight.

(The crowd’s cheers for Kelton immediately turn back into boos.)

Deadprez: Well not for long BECAUSE HERE COMES CATACLYSM! RYAN WILSON! VINCENT MONDRIAN! THEY HAVE COME DOWN THE RAMP AND THEY ARE INTERJECTING THEMSELVES INTO THIS FIGHT!

Sienna Swann: What a big surprise with this jackass Silas Mason. Sweetie, he wouldn’t know how to fight fair if his life depended on it. Too bad it doesn’t as the three of them beat down Kelton and Pandora.

Gavin Kirkland: That’s how Silas World has managed to stay around as long as they have by playing smart. It’s now three on two….

Crowd: AOERGHJAOGHAOGHAOHGAOHA!!

Deadprez: HERE COME THE REINFORCEMENTS AS HERE IS MR. 24/7! DAMIEN KUTCHER IS HERE AND HE HAS EVENED THE NUMBERS! NOW WE HAVE A TRUE BRAWL GOING ON IN THE RING RIGHT NOW!!

Sienna Swann: It’s finally a fair numbers fight against Silas World. It’s about damn time. Fists are flying all over the place as these six are just trying to maim each other. Three on three.

Deadprez: Are you sure about that?

(The crowd is cheering even louder as they see Halsey Neel running down the ramp.)

Gavin Kirkland: HERE COMES PANDORA’S BRITISH INVASION PARTNER IN HALSEY NEEL! SHE IS NOW IN THE RING AND HAS TURNED THINGS IN THEIR FAVOR! OH COME ON!

Sienna Swann: It’s four on three against Silas World and I am absolutely all for it. Sweetie, Halsey’s presence has turned the tide in this fight.

Deadprez: LOOK AT SILAS WORLD! THOSE COWARDLY BASTARDS ARE ESCAPING! THEY HAVE LEFT THE RING AND RUNNING BACK TO SILAS MASON AT THE FOOT OF THE RAMP! WHAT COWARDS!

(Silas World is regrouping at the ramp, but they have smirks on their faces as they see the quartet in the ring slowly making it back to their feet.)

Gavin Kirkland: Silas World might not be the ones standing tall in the ring, but they certainly made their point with why they came out here.

(Kelton is helping Pandora back to her feet as Pandora has the microphone in hand. She has the microphone up to her mouth and we can hear her breathing heavily as she is tired and she is pissed off.)

Pandora Paisley: SILASSSSSSSSSSSS!

(Pandora leans on the ropes and points right at Silas Mason.)

Pandora Paisley: TEMPLE! OF! TRIALS!!!!!!!!!!

(The crowd has absolutely exploded with the announcement as Silas World is glaring at the group in the ring.)

Gavin Kirkland: Did we hear that right?

Sienna Swann: We certainly did, Sweetie. I think the gauntlet has just been thrown down.

Deadprez: Pandora wants Temple of Trials. If she gets her wish, then more than just the gauntlet will be thrown down. I hope Silas Mason and Silas World know exactly what they got themselves into.

(The final shot shows Pandora leaning against the ropes, not taking her eyes off of Silas World before cutting to Silas World glaring down at the ring as they back up the entrance ramp as the show fades to black.)

(EAW Logo Buzzes….) 

[COLD OPEN…]

[SCREENBAR: EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON]

(Outdoors, while the crew members were working diligently to get the ring set up, Tyrone Montgomery stands before the rest of the Dynasty roster. Many, if not all of them, have signs of bruising, welts and cuts that have only just healed. Frankly, they look tired—and annoyed. Still, they’re all seated, and they look on with as much feigned interest as they can muster while the general manager speaks.)

Tyrone Montgomery: Well, good afternoon, everyone. I can, uh, see you guys aren’t exactly in the best of moods, so I’ll keep this meeting brief, especially when we have a whole show to get through.

(He clasps his hands together. Then, a sigh leaves.)

Tyrone Montgomery: Truthfully, I’m doing the best I can to not be too upset, but I have to admit: what happened at Territorial Invasion was simply not good. To say I am disappointed would be an understatement.

(Chris Elite rolls his eyes but has a downward glance while doing so. KASAI, being a few rows behind him, has a deep scowl. Brianna Hill sighs, and Daryl Kinkade is all but nonchalant.)

(Neither Effy McAvoy or Ahren Fournier are in attendance.)

Tyrone Montgomery: Still, there was at least some good that came out of it, and I do wish to highlight them. First off, congratulations to AKIZA for winning Divide and Conquer. Many Elitists who have gone on to be world champions or even hall of famers won that match and it is not a feat given the inquiry stipulations attached. Additionally, congrats to Delaney Rhodes for becoming the number one contender to the Specialists Championship, and Winona Hendrickson for becoming the number one contender to the New Breed Championship. Both of you worked hard and your effort brought you to your respective wins. 

(Delaney and Winona both smile and nod, genuinely appreciative of the shout out. However, Kassidy Heart lets out a small scoff, murmuring something undetectable. Anna Wautier gives a side glance to Winona.)

Tyrone Montgomery: And on that note…

(Tyrone pinches the bridge of his nose.)

Tyrone Montgomery: Honestly? I still don’t even know where the hell to begin. I really expected better when it came to War Games and especially Brand Warfare considering we were the defending winners of that match, but instead, not only did Voltage win both bouts but they get to brag about going back-to-back in their own right. So, yet again, Voltage gets to have fun with another Territorial Invasion performance. Doesn’t even help that Chris and Daryl decided to leave Effy high and dry.

(Both men immediately perk up.)

Daryl Kinkade: Really? Are you joking bruv? You knew what you were doing when you put us together on a team. Maybe you should’ve done what Voltage did at least and, gee, I don’t know, allow the brand captain to select the participants?

Chris Elite: Word, but also, y’all be putting me in that match too many times lol. I’m #tired.

Tyrone Montgomery: :mjlol: !! Maybe because with your veteran experiences and the obvious idea that you two possibly wanted to redeem yourselves I selected you? But either way, your issues with Effy should’ve been curbed to the side. Territorial Invasion is the one out where—

Chris Elite: Alright, now you’re dick eating, damn. We all know what the show is supposed to be about but let’s also be real here: it doesn’t matter AT ALL for the rest of the season. Fuck I look like getting a pair of pom poms together and going “omg guys!! let’s work together!! i’m super excited for brand supremacy! gooooo dynasty!!!

Brianna Hill:

KASAI: Hmph. How childish. You are a disgrace to this brand, and you failed it, along with Daryl. You selfish decisions costed us.

Daryl Kinkade: Oh, fuck off. Seriously. You were the one who wanted to come on in like a bloody hot shot and acted like you could command any of us.

Chris Elite: Careful, she gonna talk about how she a matriarch and she knows shit better than us.

KASAI: Well, yes, that is precisely what a captain and a matriarch is supposed to do. Thank you for that, Chris. 

(KASAI then gets up, straighten out her coat.)

KASAI: But, I will not sully myself by wasting time arguing with you two man children. At least I can say I tired to give my all for that match and the role I earned. Brianna, too.

(Brianna almost looks surprised, but before she can say anything, KASAI is already leaving.)

Tyrone Montgomery: Alright, I didn’t say you could leave.

KASAI: Excuse me? I do not need your permission, Mr. Montgomery. Besides, this is for your own good. It would be a shame if I were to ruin the meeting because two knuckleheads who, now that I think about it, are within the same age bracket as me but wish to act as if they are in the first grade.

(KASAI departs. Tyrone presses both of his hands to his face.)

(King Sulyvahn mutters to himself.)

King Sulyvahn IV: Wow. Didn’t expect this much commotion already…

(But Kassidy Heart, who is seated right behind him, perks up.)

Kassidy Heart: What was that?

(A few surrounding Elitists turn to her and Sulyvahn, who raises a brow, genuinely confused.)

King Sulyvahn IV: Hm?

Kassidy Heart: Hm?? Don’t play fucking dumb; go ahead and speak up, since if we’re comparing shit to a classroom,it’s clear you’re the favored class president.

Tyrone Montgomery: Favored? 

Kassidy Heart: Oh, so now you’re both trying to be stupid? Come on. It’s honestly embarrassing the newer talents are picking up on it. I mean, it’s just stupid, really, and I’m tired. The others are tired too but no one wants to truly speak up and say anything.

Harper Lee: Oh, here she goes again…

Kassidy Heart: I’m sorry, am I saying anything wrong here, Harper? Or do you mean to tell me you still want to talk about people being favored when I just beat you last weekend?m

Harper Lee: Okay, you had your win. I’m still not going to take back what I said, though.  

Kassidy Heart:Of course you’re not, because you too damn stubborn for your own good. 

Tyrone Montgomery: Hey! Let’s not do this, yeah?

King Sulyvahn IV: My apologies, Mr. Montgomery. I didn’t think a simple comment would get her into an uproar—especially when it had nothing to do with her.

Venus de Martin:

Kassidy Heart: I would watch my mouth if I were you because you had your chance to actually win your match, but instead, you went right from facing Drake King for the world title to getting done up by some wall street bitch who barely even learned how to hit the ropes months ago.

(Kendall Von doesn’t respond because she’s too consumed on her phone trading stocks.)

King Sulyvahn IV: Wow. Do you demean all of your fellow talent in this manner?

Kassidy Heart: Only the ones who haven’t earned shit. I don’t care who you are or what forced stupid family you come from; I actually paid my dues here and worked for years to get to this point. Definitely took me a while before I even had to have my first world title match, but you and Venus and Hanko and whoever else get to come in with all of the fanfare and think that makes you worthy of being in elite company?

Venus de Martin: Now why the hell am I in it?!

Hanako Nanami: I can ask the same thing.

Harper Lee:

(Then, another person stands up.)

BRAE: Alright, I think that’s enough. Everyone is feeling raw, but Kassidy, you can be better than this. We needn’t go this far…

Kassidy Heart: Oh, so what, you think you can tell me what to do? Huh. Maybe if you had this energy as team captain you, Cy and that deadweight over there could’ve won!

(That gets Kirk to whip his head around.)

Kirk Redwood: Wanna repeat that?

Kassidy Heart: You heard me.

(Cy noticeably doesn’t say anything. Instead, he sighs, gets up and walks away.)

Tyrone Montgomery: What is going on?! Can ALL of you stop the bickering, I am trying to speak—

Kirk Redwood: Oh, stop. Seriously. None of us are in the mood for this. You wanna bemoan us about our performance but then want to play peacemaker? Fuck outta here.

(Kirk shoots up, storming off. A few more talent do the same, muttering amongst themselves. Tyrone, of course, is not happy.)

Tyrone Montgomery: Wow. Wow. So, that’s it? You guys are you to not only disrespect me but each other? On MY brand?! I think you all are forgetting who is in charge here.

(Kassidy scoffs and walks off herself. More Elitists get up, with the only ones left being BRAE, Anna, Winona, Kendall, Delaney, TFK, Haruka, King Sulyvahn, Venus and Hanako.)

(Tyrone bows his head.)

Tyrone Montgomery: … sorry about that, I guess. 

(The others look a bit uncomfortable but they’re still seated, doing their best to remain respectful of the general manager.)

Anna Wautier: I… do not wish to be what people consider to be a suck up, but you have been doing your best. 

Delaney Rhodes: Yeah. You’ve been nothing but kind to me since I came. Just, try not to take it all to heart.

Venus de Martin: It’s a little crazy here, I can’t lie, but I’m still excited to be. No hating bitches or people who wanna be insecure are ever gonna change that.

Tyrone Montgomery: Right. Right. Well, thanks. 

(Scratching the back of his head, Tyrone glances back, watching the talent who did walk off disappear into the nearby building.) 

Tyrone Montgomery: … well, no sense in you guys staying. Go ahead and get ready for the show. 

(The others nod, gathering any belongings and getting ready to make their way out. BRAE especially looks a bit conflicted, but he decides to follow suit. Everyone leaves, trying to bring their heads to a different place…)

(…)

(…Except for Kendall.)

Tyrone Montgomery: Uh, Kendall?

(She lifts a finger.)

Kendall Von: Sorry, let me just finish this… aaaaand…

(A press of the finger later, and she’s smiling wide.)

Kendall Von: Yes! Got it.

(She snickers then slots the phone away, looking up at Tyrone.)

Kendall Von: Yes?

Tyrone Montgomery: …

(He frowns. Kendall blinks in confusion then looks around, realizing that the meeting has been adjourned.)

Kendall Von: Oh. Guess I got too carried away!

Tyrone Montgomery: Yeah, it’s—it’s fine. But later on, do stop by at my office, please.

(Kendall nods, slinging her purse daintily along her forearm and walks out.)

(…)

(Tyrone slumps into his chair.)

Tyrone Montgomery: … why is everything going so wrong for us lately?

(The scene fades.)

(EAW intro plays.)

(Friday Night Dynasty intro plays. After a recap of Territorial Invasion and the results from it, the shot pans over to the open space of the rodeo arena, where the Mexican fans are excited as can be. A smaller set of pyro lights up, but the red carries on into the sky all the same. Once the shot transitions to the commentary team, however, it is notable that Stew-O, Flannery McCoy and Jake Mercer are still attempting to digest what they saw.)

(Realizing the cameras are on them, all three quickly straighten up.)

Stew-O: Good evening, EAW Universe! We have left the battlefield and now, we are approaching a house—made of glass, of course, as we are now on the road towards our premiere MLE event of October: House of Glass! I am Stew-O, and as always, I am here with my colleagues in Jake Mercer and Flannery McCoy.

Jake Mercer: Well, Territorial Invasion could’ve gone a bit better for us, admittedly, but some of our girls did bring home some wins! Anna Wautier is still your New Breed Champion, Winona Hendrickson stamped herself as next in line to challenge her for said title, Delaney Rhodes is the NEW number one contender for the Specialists Championship, and AKIZA won Divide and Conquer! Not too shabby.

Flannery McCoy: Certainly not. Our Elitists did their best, but by the time Brand Warfare and War Games came… things just weren’t able to click for a myriad of reasons. Still, we move onward, and I am sure our talent are just ready to focus on what can come next for them as we approach fall. Speaking of which—that… feels weird to say already. 

Jake Mercer: Once again, time moves by fast in EAW! I’m just glad it’s still nice and toasty here in Mexico. Sure beats the Nor’easter that’s currently slamming the eastern United States.

Stew-O: I think some can agree with you on that. But on that note, let’s go ahead and kick off with a hot opening contest!

Stephie Love: The following contest is scheduled for.. ONE FALL!!!

(“My House” by Beyoncé began to play through the speakers of the arena, signaling the arrival of “The Don Diva” Venus De Martin!! Venus made her way out onto the stage with a huge smirk on her face, looking ready to go here tonight!)

Stephie Love: Introducing first!! Weighing in at 128lbs!!! Hailing from Houston,Texas!! She is… “THE DON DIVAAAA!!!” VENUS DE MARTINNN!!!!

(Venus made her way down to the ring, entering and stepping towards the center as she spread her arms out in a taunting manner at the crowd, receiving an ovation, before she’d step back into her corner as her music came to a close.. with finally “Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time” by Panic! At The Disco began to play, signaling the arrival of one TFK!!!) 

Stephie Love: And now! Introducing her opponent!! Weighing in at 165lbs!! Hailing from Manila, Philippines!! He is “THE FILIPINOOO KIIID!!!” T-F-K!!!

(TFK began his walk down to the ring, dapping up some of the fans along the way, before finally entering the ring and climbing to the top turnbuckle to raise his arms in the air to get the crowd hyped! Finally after climbing down, he stepped back into his corner, staring over at his challenger..)

(DING!!! DING!!! DING!!)

Stew-O: This should be an interesting matchup! Both of these competitors came up short on their end at Territorial Invasion, so you know here tonight they’re even more motivated. Both Venus De Martin and TFK step out of their corners, sizing one another up now…

Jake Mercer: Here we go, I for one am interested to see how this match plays out as both Venus De Martin and TFK both meet in the center of the ring… engaging in a collar and elbow tie up to start us off in this match!! TFK though, he’s quick to transition into a Wristlock, extending that arm out perfectly! 

Flannery McCoy: Indeed both Venus and TFK with a lot to prove here tonight! As Venus is putting that athleticism on display, rolling through and up onto her feet.. but as she does, she swoops! Down!! PULLING TFK DOWN INTO A SCHOOLBOY PIN!!!

(ONNNEEE!!!)

Stew-O: TFK quick with the kick out!!!

Jake Mercer: Oh this match is moving pretty fast! Both competitors climb back up onto their feet, but it’s TFK who beats Venus De Martin to the punch, grabbing her and turning around for a… BACKSLIDE INTO A PIN!! The referee drops down and starts the count!! 

(ONEEEE!!!)

Flannery McCoy: No! Venus De Martin with the kick out now! Both Venus De Martin and TFK get back to their feet again! And Venus rushes in at TFK!! But TFK saw it coming! With a quick and swift movement, TFK sends Venus up and over! Crashing to the canvas with a huge Arm Drag!! But now he’s got hold of that arm in his grasp, he’s got a grounded Armbar applied trying to wear down that arm…

Stew-O: Definitely not a place that Venus De Martin wants to be, and she’s making that clearly evident with the way that she is starting to fight back up onto her feet, bringing TFK along with her.. but he still has that hold applied! But Venus is starting to throw some elbows into those ribs! Forcing TFK to let go…

(CRACK!!)

Jake Mercer: OH! TFK with a nasty chop to Venus’s chest! Venus grabs at her chest, but TFK isn’t slowing down, he sends her towards the ropes with an Irish whip! Venus De Martin rebounds off of the ropes and she ducks a Lariat from TFK.. Venus De Martin springs OFF OF THE ROPES AND ONTO TFK WITH A SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY!! Into the pin!!

(ONEEEEE!!!)

(TWWWOOO!!)

Flannery McCoy: TFK kicks out with some authority there! However, Venus De Martin is keeping the heat on. Venus De Martin is up on her feet now, she’s got hold of TFK, pulling him to his feet…and she throws a right hand at TFK!! But.. TFK responds back with a Chop again!! Followed by another!! And another!! Backing Venus De Martin into the corner!

Stew-O: TFK is like a ball of fire right now! He’s lighting Venus up with those chops! Before finally he turns and he rushes at the opposite corner! But… Venus De Martin is behind him!! RUNNING FOREARM SMASH CONNECTS INTO THE CORNER!! And now it’s Venus De Martin who is running back towards the opposite corner…

(CRACK!!)

Jake Mercer: TFK CONNECTS WITH A RUNNING BOOT INTO THE CORNER TO VENUS!!! Both TFK and Venus De Martin are on go right now! They’ve turned the heat up! TFK pulls Venus De Martin out of the corner.. and into a SNAP SUPLEX!! Floating over into the pin and hooking the leg!  

(ONEEE!!!)

(TWWOOO!!)

Flannery McCoy: Venus De Martin with the kick out! 

Stew-O: And this match continues! TFK so far has got the advantage and upper hand here. He just needs to keep the momentum rolling! TFK turned Venus over, grabbing her by the legs and applying a Boston Crab!! Wrenching back on the legs of Venus’s and trying to get her to tap out!! Venus De Martin is writhing in pain!!

Jake Mercer: And yet somehow, she is still refusing to give in! With a resounding “no!” To the referee. Venus De Martin is starting to fight back, pushing up onto her hands and pushing herself towards the ropes! But not without struggle! TFK isn’t making it easy…

Flannery McCoy: As TFK sits up to pull Venus back, she uses that advantage to lunge forward, grabbing the ropes to break the hold! TFK is forced to let go. TFK raises his hands, getting to his feet and backing away as Venus De Martin is getting to her feet, using the ropes! TFK rushes in!!

Stew-O: But Venus sends TFK over the top rope and tumbling to the floor at ringside!! TFK is getting to his feet!! Venus grabs hold of the ropes!! Crazy intentions in her eyes!! She takes flight!! CORKSCREW PLANCHA CONNECTS!! Taking both TFK and Venus down to the floor now!! 

Jake Mercer: Venus De Martin is already on her feet! And she’s got hold of TFK, rolling into the ring and she’s rolling behind him.. stalking him and waiting for him to get to his feet. Venus De Martin is looking to keep that offense of hers going. She’s not slowing down one bit. And she’s zoned in completely TFK. With TFK finally getting to his feet…

Flannery McCoy: I don’t believe that TFK knows exactly where he is! But he’s about to

find out as VENUS JUST LEVELED HIM WITH A BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE!! Venus isn’t done!! She pulls TFK’s head down in between her quads!! She may be looking for a Powerbomb here! 

Stew-O: BUT SHE DOESN’T GET IT!! TFK

SENDS VENUS DE MARTIN UP AND OVER WITH A HUGE BACK BODY DROP!! But.. VENUS LANDS ON HER FEET!! TFK turns around…

Jake Mercer: Venus De Martin turns around and she rushes at TFK!! But TFK is the quicker of the two, catching and planting Venus down face first into the canvas with a huge FLATLINER!!! TFK hooks the leg for the pin! Looking to end this match and get some momentum rolling here…

(ONNNEEEEE!!!)

(TWWOOOOO!!)

(THR—)

Flannery McCoy: No! Venus De Martin kicks out again! 

Stew-O: We knew coming into this match that these two were going to refuse to stay down. TFK sits up on his knees, giving a nod towards Venus, before climbing to his feet. He reaches down, grabbing hold of Venus and he pulls her to her a vertical base.. before hoisting her up onto his shoulders into a fireman’s carry.. I think he may be looking for that Detonation kick here!! He gets her up!! “MALAKA—”

Jake Mercer: It doesn’t connect!! Because Venus wiggled down off of TFK’s shoulders!! And now Venus De Martin pushes TFK towards the ropes!! TFK comes rebounding off of the ropes and he ducks under Venus’s Lariat!! Flipping forward into the ropes into a Handspring!! And he comes back at Venus with a LARIAT—

Flannery McCoy: But Venus cuts it off with that Spinning Wheel Kick!! Sending TFK crashing to the canvas! Well I guess that’s one way to kill someone’s momentum. But now that the tables are turned, Venus needs to capitalize. And it seems she’s gonna do just that! 

Stew-O: Venus rushes to the corner!! And she leaps up, using the second rope as a launching pad to propel herself to the top rope!! Performing a Split legged moonsault!! Crashing down onto TFK as she connects with “The V For Vendetta!!!” And she hooks the leg!!!

(ONNNNEEEEE!!!)

(TWWWWOOOO!!!)

(THREEEEEEEE!!!!!)

(DING!!! DING!! DING!!!)

Jake Mercer: Great showing from both Venus De Martin and TFK here tonight. But in the end, it was Venus De Martin.. “The Don Diva” pulled out the win here. 

Flannery McCoy: Well it was certainly an interesting fight. But these two most certainly have bright futures here for sure, wouldn’t take anything away from this match.. win or lose..

(Venus De Martin climbed to her feet, celebrating as “My House” by Beyoncé played over the speakers, the fans cheering and celebrating along with Venus as her raised hand by the referee would be the last thing seen as the show transitioned elsewhere..)

(Friday Night Dynasty returns as the camera focuses on the backstage area of the Arena De Rodeo Guazilancha. There, the camera focuses on Michael Belfort as he’s seen making his way through the hallway, approaching someone who is sitting on a production crate, minding their own business.)

Michael Belfort: BRAE, I don’t mean to be a bother, but do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions???

(The crowd inside the arena erupts into cheers, as BRAE glances up, looking at Michael with a solemn expression on his face. After a moment, he nods.)

BRAE: Go ahead.

Michael Belfort: This past weekend you led Dynasty into War Games, and even though there was no doubt that you fought hard with the hope of adding a massive feather to the cap of all three of your careers, in the end it wasn’t enough, as Team Voltage would end up coming out on top. I just wanted to ask where your mind was after that. 

(This isn’t something that BRAE immediately answers; he pauses as he looks down at the ground, exhaling.)

BRAE: It just wasn’t enough. Maybe that’s as bluntly as I can put it, but I’m tired of giving that same answer. I’m tired of continuing to fall short when I know that I can get to where I need to be. I don’t say it lightly when I say that I am the heart of Dynasty; I am the very best, and I deserve to be at the very top, but at the end of the day, I have nobody to blame but myself when I can’t put these words into action. Operation: Doomsday should’ve been my chance to finally become World Heavyweight Champion on this brand, but instead I had to watch Michael Machina slip the opportunity through his hands last week. Territorial Invasion should’ve been my redemption, my chance to rectify my wrongs for Dynasty… and I ended up falling short as well. 

(BRAE’s mind wanders for a moment.)

BRAE: At some point, the excuses are going to run dry. I’m not going to be able to hang onto my past glories and allow them to be the only things that I can speak for. Action is going to have to be taken, but I suppose that it is just a matter of when… 

Michael Belfort: Do you have any idea of what is next?

(BRAE thinks on this, before shaking his head.)

BRAE: The road is filled with uncertainty, but perhaps that’s the charm of it. Last season I walked in as Interwire Champion, and I promised that the trend of linear progression would only continue even in defeat. It figures that the only thing that would be next is the World Heavyweight Championship, the one that is currently held by that false God Drake King, but as I see that the landscape is already determined, with the main event being a contendership match that I am not involved in, maybe I need to do a little more thinking than I anticipated to move forward. But make no mistake about it… that does not mean that I am not good enough to get there. 

(BRAE’s face turns to a look of determination as he brings his head back up.)

BRAE: But I’d rather not speak into the void with negativity; instead, I will give credit, because not all of last week was a failure. The teammates that I fought with were chosen well on my behalf; Cy Henderson and Kirk Redwood knew the task that was at hand and gave everything that they had in order to make sure that they got there. Thankfully, we are not able to walk away from this saying we didn’t give everything that we had, because we did, and I would stand beside either of them any other day. 

???: I see. 

(BRAE pauses, as he glances over to the side where a voice is heard ringing through. A pair of footsteps are seen making their way in, as Cy Henderson appears in front of BRAE and Michael Belfort. The crowd inside the arena is mixed with cheers and boos, and as BRAE stands up to face him, Cy looks at him with a glare.)

Cy Henderson: You know I don’t play nice with others. 

BRAE: You have made that abundantly clear. 

(Cy pauses as he thinks about what he’s going to say.)

Cy Henderson: I should be mad at you right now, but I can’t find myself doing that. Things may not have worked out for us in War Games, but you know what? You have my respect. Fully.

(He holds out his hand, gesturing toward BRAE, as he accepts the handshake without hesitation, eliciting a loud reaction from the crowd.)

BRAE: I just wanted to tell you-

???: THAT IS RIDICULOUS! ABSOLUTELY ABSURD! 

(BRAE and Cy glance over, as they realize that they’re close to Tyrone Montgomery’s office. Security is seen quickly rushing in, dragging someone out of there, who seems to be in the midst of a heated argument.)

Jamie Valdez: DON’T TEAM ME WITH THAT IDIOT! TEAMING WITH HER BRINGS ME DOWN! DON’T YOU DARE DO THIS! TYRONE! ANSWER ME! STOP SHRUGGING YOUR SHOULDERS!

(Jamie is pushed out of the office as the door slams shut, the security going back to what they were doing as if nothing happened. She looks absolutely furious as she begins to pace around, running her hands through her hair. While she does… she catches both BRAE and Cy looking at her with a weirded-out expression on their faces.)

Jamie Valdez: What the hell are you looking at?! 

(BRAE holds his hands up.)

BRAE: Nothing. 

Jamie Valdez: Oh really? Because it seems like you’re getting a good LAUGH out of my misery right now! It seems like you’re really just enjoying yourselves, and I’m not gonna stand for it! 

Cy Henderson: Lady, if we really have an issue here, then I promise, this is not something that you want to get into. 

Jamie Valdez: Oh, is that how it is? I may have lost last week at Territorial Invasion, but I’m looking at the BIGGEST LOSERS of them all! I’m looking at two people who embarrassed this brand completely, so much so that they had to sit there with these doofus grins on their faces while Tyrone chastised them to all hell! I would actually be embarrassed if I were you. 

BRAE: I’d be careful… 

Jamie Valdez: Or what?! OR WHAT?!

Tyrone Montgomery: What seems to be the issue here?

(Seemingly after just handling his previous problem, Tyrone is seen making his way out of his office, as Jamie snaps back toward him, pointing a finger.)

Jamie Valdez: Don’t try to act as if you care now!

Tyrone Montgomery: You seem to be getting yourself into trouble everywhere I look, Jamie. Don’t tell me you’re starting problems with these two now. 

BRAE: Just a disagreement, I’d say. 

Jamie Valdez: YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH! I have been disrespected and run through the ground for months, and nobody has done anything about it! I am tired of having to deal with it! I am through! I’m not gonna take this bullshit from two people who don’t know how it feels to go through what I’ve been through! Just because they’ve won a couple Championships, been here longer, doesn’t mean they can look down on me! 

Tyrone Montgomery: Okay. So it sounds like you do have a problem. 

Cy Henderson: Sounds like we do. 

Tyrone Montgomery: Sounds like you want a match. 

(There’s a brief pause, Jamie in shock, while Cy and BRAE both look at one another, shrugging their shoulders.)

BRAE: Sure. 

Cy Henderson: Why not. 

Jamie Valdez: WHAT???

Tyrone Montgomery: Okay, great. Tag team match is official. 

(Tyrone looks at Jamie.)

Tyrone Montgomery: I would’ve happily given you the partner that you’re teaming with tonight, but it seems like you’ve made it apparent to me that you’re not too fond of Hanako. So… you can find your own partner. 

Jamie Valdez: Tyrone, you better be careful what you’re doing-

Tyrone Montgomery: Find your own partner. Thank you! 

(Tyrone turns around and makes his way back into his office. While he does, Jamie is completely frozen, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.)

Jamie Valdez: FUCK! 

(She turns around and storms off; meanwhile, BRAE and Cy look toward one another.)

BRAE: Ready to go back into battle? 

Cy Henderson: Gladly.

(BRAE and Cy go their separate ways, as it’s the very last shot seen before Friday Night Dynasty begins to fade to elsewhere.)

(The camera cuts to backstage where Kendall Von is seen walking through the hallway, dressed in her finest clothes, fit for the occasion. She adjusts her purse as she comes to a stop at Tyrone Montgomery’s office. Kendall knocks on the door.)

Tyrone Montgomery: It’s open!

(Kendall grabs the door knob and swings inside of his office, her smile brimming from ear to ear. Tyrone rises to his feet when Kendall enters.)

Tyrone Montgomery: Kendall Von! It’s a pleasure to see you after your fantastic performance at Territorial Invasion. There were a lot of formidable names in that match, and you really showed everyone what you were made of when you left with the win.

(She chuckles, then feigns humility by raising a hand and waving off her own performance.)

Kendall Von: Oh, Tyrone, it’s nothing. That’s what happens when you spend so much time being underestimated, no matter what field you find yourself in. This was just yet another occasion where I was clearly the best in the room and I passed everyone by like it was nothing. I’m excited for the future, because there is more where that came from.

(Tyrone nods his head to Kendall’s words, agreeing with her.)

Tyrone Montgomery: Speaking of, it’s time that we get to the Unique Opportunity that you earned at Territorial Invasion, right?

(That prompts a big smile from Kendall.)

Kendall Von: Yes, of course. I mean, I’m already thinking of all the champions that I could possibly be going up against-

Tyrone Montgomery: Your reward… is a pay raise!

(Before Kendall can even finish her sentence, her lips curl downward and her eyes flutter at Tyrone. She blinks a couple of times, making sure that she heard him correctly. Even after the moment of silence, a look of confusion still marks the face of Kendall.)

Kendall Von: Huh? Excuse me, I–I don’t believe I heard you correctly. Can you repeat yourself, please?

(She steps forward, looking at Tyrone. He glances back, confused at her reaction.)

Tyrone Montgomery: What? You didn’t hear me? I said that you’ll be receiving a pay rai–

Kendall Von: A… what? A pay raise? Why? Usually, the winners of these opportunities receive title matches or something else of equal value! How did I get a pay raise?!

(He scratches the back of his head.)

Tyrone Montgomery: Yeah, I’m aware, Kendall. But I wanted to do something different this time around, and given your strong acumen in Wall Street, I assumed that this would be a nice little reward for you! Was I wrong about that?

(Tyrone looks at Kendall for a moment, and it appears that she’s going to speak up and say something, but she purses her lips and shakes her head.)

Kendall Von: Thank you, Tyrone.

Tyrone Montgomery: My pleasure. Best of luck, Kendall!

(She slowly turns around and marches out of the office, hastily grabbing the door and swinging it closed on her way out. Her fingers curl into a claw, and she considers grabbing at her hair—but remembers how much she spent on getting it done this week and her attention turns elsewhere.)

Kendall Von: Are you kidding me?! First, that …

(Kendall clenches her fists, unable to even think of a good insult due to the rage overwhelming her thoughts.)

Kendall Von: DELANEY! SHE GETS A SPECIALISTS CHAMPIONSHIP SHOT! NOW THIS?! WHAT DID *i* DO TO DESERVE THIS?!

(She looks at her purse and considers hurling it at the wall, but that in itself was also too expensive! She screams out in agony, unable to even properly unleash her anger. Instead, she turns back to the camera pointed at her snarls at it.)

Kendall Von: GET OUT OF MY FACE! WE’RE DONE HERE!

(Kendall mushes the camera away and she storms off. The cameraman is persistent, keeping it focused on her as she leaves, but she’s far away by the time he tries to catch up.)

(A commercial plays for Wingstop.)

Stephie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

(‘Human Nature’ by Michael Jackson hits the speakers to loud cheers as Hanako Nanami makes her way out from the back. She tags a couple fans on her way down, but her theme is promptly interrupted by ‘TEFLON DON’ by Future as Jamie Valdez arrogantly emerges from the back.)

Stephie Love: Introducing first, at a combined weight of 230 pounds, it is the team of “PINK VENOM” HANAKO NANAMI … and “THE PRODIGY” JAMIE VALDEZ!

(Once the two are in the ring, ‘Cassie’ by Flyleaf plays and Winona Hendrickson hustles out from the back, fired up. She nods to the fans and makes her way down the ramp, stopping when ‘DIVE in LIVE’ by YOLOZ begins playing. Anna Wautier runs out from the back with the New Breed Championship wrapped around her chest. She tags some fans and then turns to her partner for the night. There’s a bit of a staredown between the two, before they shake hands and heads to the ring.)

Stephie Love: Their opponents, at a combined weight of 292 pounds, it is the team of “WONDER WOMAN” WINONA HENDRICKSON … and the EAW NEW BREED CHAMPION, “THE THORN PRINCESS” ANNA WAUTIER!

(DING DING DING!)

Stew-O: The bell sounds and it appears that there’s gonna be no immediate tension from the New Breed Champion Anna Wautier and her challenger Winona Hendrickson, who allows the champ to start this one off.

Jake Mercer: On the other side, Hanako Nanami will be starting and this is one hell of a way to get into the action! Both circle the ring, and step into a firm collar & elbow tie-up. Hanako swings behind into a wrist lock, applying deep pressure. Anna struggles, rolling. She kicks at the hand of Hanako, and spins into an arm drag, tossing her. Anna kips up, immediately sending Nanami to the ropes after!

Flannery McCoy: She tries another armdrag, but this time, Hanako cartwheels through it! Anna charges in and Hanako dropkicks her directly into the chest! Wautier rolls away and Nanami rises to her feet, calling Anna up. She charges into a clothesline over the top rope, but Anna ducks it and she nails Hanako with a roundhouse kick that sends her falling through the middle rope.

Stew-O: Anna sees her opening and she leaps to the middle rope! Wautier flies off into a triangle dropkick, nope! Hanako ducks it! Anna lands onto the apron and it’s Hanako who nails her with a big knee to the jaw! Hanako grabs Anna by the head and she tries to lift her up vertically, but Anna lands back into the ring.

Jake Mercer: After that, she grabs Hanako and tosses her in the ring against the ropes! Hanako bounces up to her feet, but Wautier is already springboarding to the middle ropes for a diving back elbow! Hanako goes down and Anna tags in Winona. 

(TAG!)

Stew-O: Winona enters the ring and both women drag Nanami up. They irish whip her off and Winona pops Hanako high up in the air! She lands face first, and as she goes to kneel up, Wautier with a sliding dropkick to the jaw! Cover from Winona!

ONE–

Flannery McCoy: Quick kickout by Nanami. Winona drags Hanako up and nails her with a knife edge chop! Hanako winces, and she throws one of her own! Another chop from Nanami, and then she elbows Hendrickson in the throat! Winona staggers, and Hanako hits off the ropes. She tries to leap up into a hurricanrana, but Winona hangs onto Hanako! She pops her up for a— no! Hanako floats behind her!

Stew-O: Winona staggers on impact, and Hanako catches her with a hook kick! Winona is on wobbly legs, and Hanako falls backwards into their corner. 

(TAG!)

Flannery McCoy: Jamie tags herself in! Hanako looks at Jamie in disbelief, and Valdez comes off the ropes and brings Hendrickson with a slingblade! Hanako rises to protest, but Jamie gets in her face.

Jamie Valdez: (off-mic) I got it from here.

Jake Mercer: Begrudgingly, Hanako exits the ring. Jamie drags Winona up and she starts pounding her fist into her mouth, repeatedly! She might knock a tooth out! Winona staggers around, weakly throwing her fists up. Jamie spins into a sole kick to the ribs, and then an up kick to the jaw! Hendrickson is really on the verge of being out of it now! Valdez turns and runs off the ropes…!!

Flannery McCoy: ONLY FOR HENDRICKSON TO RUN THROUGH HER WITH A SHOULDER TACKLE! She put a lot into that! Valdez doesn’t have a clue of what hit her! She rolls away, crawling up to the turnbuckles. Jamie rises, and Winona runs forward with a corner body block! She hangs onto Jamie and tosses her with a belly to belly suplex! Valdez clutches at her back, grimacing.

Stew-O: Jamie slowly rises, and Winona rocks her with an European uppercut! Another one, and Valdez falls against the ropes. Winona picks her up off of the ropes and scoops her up, but Jamie starts to wiggle her legs! She lands behind Winona and takes her out with a chop block! Hendrickson falls to her fours, and Valdez runs off the ropes, diving into a double foot stomp to the back! Hendrickson goes down, and Jamie rolls her over into a cover!

ONE!! –

Jake Mercer: Kick out! Jamie drags Winona up, and she turns her around. She grabs the waist, trying to lift her up, but Winona sends an elbow behind the ear! Another elbow from Hendrickson, and she spins around, hanging onto Valdez and tossing her with a german suplex! Jamie lands harshly on her neck, and she crawls over, tagging Wautier in!

Flannery McCoy: The champion slingshots into the ring, and Valdez slowly rises. Wautier runs forward with a single leg dropkick! Valdez pops up to her feet and Wautier with another one! Valdez rolls away to the ropes, and Wautier takes the wrist for an irish whip, but Jamie counters it! She tries for a back body drop, but Wautier with a sunset flip, rolling her through for the cover-

Stew-O: –nope! Valdez rolls to her feet and she gets Anna with a sliding knee to the jaw! Wautier rolls over, holding her jaw in pain. Jamie rises to her feet and she calls for Anna to rise up to her feet… As Anna is getting up there, Jamie runs to the ropes!

Jake Mercer: She steps on the middle rope and then springboards off of it, flipping into the ‘DESTINY CUTTER!’ GOODNESS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL COMBINATION! ANNA IS OUT COLD, AND JAMIE QUICKLY ROLLS HER OVER FOR THE COVER! IT COULD BE OVER HERE!

OOONNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWWOOOOOO!!!

Flannery McCoy: No! Anna gets a shoulder up in time! Jamie looks around, pissed off. She rises to her feet and starts stomping at the top of Wautier’s head! Anna has very little to offer, as Jamie drags her up from the mat. She slaps Anna to her knees and she runs off of the ropes, looking to set up for ‘FIERCE KI–’

Stew-O: Anna evades it! Jamie lands harshly on that leg, and Anna dropkicks her kneecap! Valdez falls away, grimacing. Jamie is struggling to stay up on her feet, which isn’t good for her, as Anna smells blood in the water! She tries to rise, and Anna with another dropkick to the knee! Valdez is now kneeling, and Wautier runs off the ropes…

(TAG!)

Jake Mercer: The moment Anna turns her back, Hanako slaps Jamie’s back and she takes advantage! Wautier comes back to Valdez, but Hanako springboards up and FLIES INTO A DROPKICK DIRECTLY TO WAUTIER! BEAUTIFUL MOVE FROM NANAMI RIGHT THERE! Anna is out of it, and Hanako rolls away, quickly making a move to take advantage!

Flannery McCoy: Anna rises, and Hanako comes off the ropes, grabbing her by the head! ‘MAGENTA TWIST!’ THE SWINGING NECKBREAKER CONNECTS! WAUTIER GOT PLANTED RIGHT ON THE BACK OF HER HEAD! Hanako crawls over, hooking the legs, she’s looking to end this one here!

OOONNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWWOOOOOO!!!

Stew-O: Wautier kicks out! Jamie is still clutching at her knee by the ropes, meanwhile Hanako looks to win this match for the team. She pulls Anna up to her feet and turns her around, looking to hook the arms! She wants that tiger suplex, but Anna is stalling it with all of her might! She squats down, and Hanako is forced to squat down with her, as both women battle for that potential match changing move!

Jake Mercer: She begins to scoop Anna up—no! Anna plants her feet onto the middle rope and she springboards off of them, landing behind Nanami! She leaps onto the shoulders of Nanami and drags her down with a POISON RANA! CHRIST! SPIKED HER RIGHT ON THE TOP OF HER HEAD! HANAKO IS OUT OF IT!

Flannery McCoy: And THAT was the opening Wautier needed! She works her way up to her feet and she picks Nanami up from the canvas! She grabs her wrist and traps the arm, heaving her up high in the air…!!! Nanami flails her legs desperately, but it’s no use as Wautier has full grasp over her! ‘LUMINARY!’ DROPPED HER RIGHT ON THE BACK OF HER HEAD! SHE BRIDGES INTO THE COVER!

OOONNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWWOOOOOO!!!

Jake Mercer: VALDEZ DIVES IN TO BREAK THE PIN! She starts throwing hammers down on Wautier! Wautier covers up, and Winona has seen enough! She immediately springs into action, diving right for Valdez! Both women start fighting in the ring while Wautier and Nanami are down!

Stew-O: They’re going back and forth with strikes! Jamie elbows Winona away, and she falls into the ropes! Valdez tries to send her out of the ring, but Hendrickson ducks underneath! Valdez goes full force into the ropes and she bounces off, turning to Winona who is already waiting on her…!!! KICK TO THE GUT!

Flannery McCoy: She hooks the head and scoops her up off of the mat! ‘WH-103!’ THE LIFTING DDT CONNECTS! DOWN GOES VALDEZ! Winona rises to her feet and goes to check on Wautier, but Nanami rises to her feet and she dropkicks Winona out of the ring! Anna begins to rise to her feet and she grabs Hanako, trying to lift her up! Nanami drops down and spins behind her! O’Connor Roll!

OOONNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWWOOOOOO!!!

Stew-O: Wautier kicks out, shoving Nanami to the ropes! BUT NANAMI SPRINGBOARDS UP JUST AS ANNA DOES THAT! ‘LOVE DELUXE!’ THE SPRINGBOARD CUTTER CONNECTS, AND WAUTIER GETS PLANTED RIGHT ONTO THE TOP OF HER SKULL! HANAKO ROLLS OVER AND SHE PINS HER!

OOONNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWWOOOOOO!!!

TTT–

Jake Mercer: WINONA YANKS NANAMI OUT OF THE RING! SHE TAKES HER BY THE WRIST AND PULLS HER INTO ‘MACH 3!’ THE LARIAT ON THE OUTSIDE! NANAMI IS DOWN, AND WINONA FALLS OVER AS WELL! Both women are hurting on the floor, and Winona makes her way up, trying to help her partner out…

Flannery McCoy: Valdez runs around and she shoves Winona into the steps! Hendrickson goes down, shoulder-first! Hendrickson holds at her shoulder in pain, and Jamie scoops Hanako up, throwing her into the ring. Hanako is deadweight, and Jamie rolls in. She doesn’t drag her to her corner to make the pass, though…

Stew-O: Jamie spots Anna beginning to rise to her feet, and she doesn’t want to wait any longer to capitalize! Anna slowly rises, and Jamie comes off the ropes! SHE FLOATS AROUND HER BODY! ‘TILT-A-WHIRL PRODIGY DESTRO—’ NO! WAUTIER HANGS ONTO THE LEGS OF VALDEZ! AND SHE SLAMS HER DOWN! ALABAMA SLAM!

Jake Mercer: Valdez wheezes out in pain, and she sits up off of the impact, clutching at her back… but that was the absolute worst decision she could’ve made! ‘TRUENO DESTRODA!’ THE RUNNING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TAKES VALDEZ OUT OF COMMISSION! She rolls over, holding her chest in agony! Nanami has no clue of where she’s at, and Wautier is about to take the win thanks to Winona’s assist!

Flannery McCoy: Wautier pulls Hanako up off of the mat, and she grabs that wrist, heaving her up off of the canvas! ‘MODERN TRAGEDY!’ THE WRIST CLUTCH OVERHEAD URANAGE! NANAMI JUST GOT SPIKED! AND WAUTIER HOOKS THE LEGS!

OOONNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWWOOOOOO!!!

TTTTHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

(DING DING DING!)

Stephie Love: Here are your winners of this match, ANNA WAUTIER and WINONA HENDRICKSON!!

(Winona rolls into the ring, holding at her shoulder. Anna slowly makes her way up to her feet, and she nods to Winona, who gives her the assist that she needed to pick up the win. The referee hands Anna the New Breed Championship and as Winona approaches her, there is a clear sign of respect between the two future opponents.)

Stew-O: Big win for Wautier and Hendrickson, coming off of their respective victories at Territorial Invasion! Hendrickson took a nasty fall toward the end of the match there,but she sacrificed herself for Anna to pick up the win!

Flannery McCoy: And you can tell that Anna appreciates that. It’s going to be very interesting to see how things play out when these two women are on opposing sides, but I loved what I saw tonight from them.

Jake Mercer: I agree with you. The New Breed division is looking very strong right now, and it only continues from here, I would imagine!

(Friday Night Dynasty returns, as immediately, we’re met with the sounds of ‘In Control’ by Youngboy Never Broke Again as the crowd erupts into boos. The camera goes over to show Chris Elite as he makes his way out, no Sterling Luxe this week, just himself. He has a poised expression on his face as he makes his way down the ramp.) 

Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… EAW HALL OF FAMER!!!!!!! CHRIS ELITEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stew-O: We saw what transpired last week at Territorial Invasion. Dynasty’s Brand Warfare team was just not built to last, and Effy McAvoy’s elimination courtesy of Chris Elite and Daryl Kinkade might have been the thing that toppled the entire foundation.

Flannery McCoy: You can’t do it alone, and if your team isn’t playing nice, then that’s what you’re going to have to expect. The rest of them fought like hell, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough, and by the looks of things… it doesn’t seem like Chris Elite really cares.

Jake Mercer: You know why? Because he has a shot at the Interwire Championship that he’s waiting for! That takes priority above all else! But let’s see where his mind is at. 

(Chris makes his way up the steps and onto the apron as he enters into the ring. He makes his way over and takes a microphone as ‘In Control’ begins to fade out. He then heads toward the center of the ring, taking a moment before beginning to speak.) 

Chris Elite: I don’t even need to talk about what happened at Brand Warfare, what do you expect? For the past couple of years it’s been proven to me that I can’t trust anyone in this business. Last season TLA stabbed me in the back because of a stupid ass loss and I have to watch him parade around a Championship that we should’ve had together if not for his delusion. And you expected me to trust the person holding the title I’m after and Daryl Kinkade’s bitchass? Fuck out of here. What’s done is done, and I don’t really give a fuck about losing Brand Warfare, it seems like it’s the only match that I’m ever in, so I’ll just join it next year and win it there instead with some actually decent teammates. What I’m focused on now is the Interwire Championship. 

(Chris pauses, looking out at the crowd before continuing on.) 

Chris Elite: I talked to Tyrone Montgomery, and after an unnecessary roadblock at Brand Warfare, which the more I think about it… was a complete waste of time. My match for the Interwire Championship that I earned is going to happen at House of Glass. And all I’ll say is about damn time. I am tired of the disrespect and bullshit from people who couldn’t even lace my boots, haven’t done half of what I’ve done, and aren’t even close to being as talented as I am. If Effy McAvoy really has a problem with what happened last week, then she’ll come out here right now and tell it to my face. She can tell it to the person who is going to win the Interwire Championship once again in his career, and continue a Hall of Fame legacy that was never put on halt in the first place for ANYBODY. 

(Chris lowers his microphone, but immediately as he pauses, ‘The Reckoning’ by Within Temptation begins to play up. The crowd gives a loud reaction as the camera goes over to Effy McAvoy storming out from the backstage area. The Interwire Champion has a displeased expression on her face as she makes a beeline toward the ring and her future challenger.) 

Stew-O: Well, it’s official. At House of Glass it will be Effy McAvoy defending her title against Chris Elite, and you can tell that the animosity is already through the roof with these two after what occurred.

Flannery McCoy: Chris allowed his ego to get in the way of his ambitions, and while that was his decision to make, it’s going to have a lot more ramifications if he decides to do that with that title on the line. Regardless, it remains to be seen how Effy feels about all of this.

Jake Mercer: I would be unhappy too! Look at what my own team did to me, dawg! I got hoed! 

(Effy made her way up the steps and onto the apron as she enters into the ring, immediately storming over and snatching a microphone as ‘The Reckoning’ begins to come to a close. She turns around and approaches Chris, before she begins to speak.) 

Effy McAvoy: I’m not going to waste time with semantics, you and I both know why we’re here, so let’s talk about what happened. I thought that you were better than that Chris, the stunt that you and Daryl pulled. But it’s clear that you don’t care about winning more so about being petty. What does that say about you? 

Chris Elite: It says that I can do whatever the fuck I want, beloved. If you got a problem with that, then Effy, you’re not built for this, lil sis. 

Effy McAvoy: But I’m the one with the title. I’m the one who’s been able to say that I’ve had a career in recent memory to be proud of. All of this that you’re “proud” of has amounted to what? Failure? Losses? I don’t expect that to be much different considering what you did and what I expect you to do at House of Glass. Congratulations, you got your match, but are you ready for it? 

Chris Elite: Who are you to judge me? 

Effy McAvoy: Just because you’re a Hall of Famer doesn’t mean that you’re worth that much more than I am. I’ve been around Ahren Fournier enough to know the type of person that you are, and you are NOTHING like the GOAT. 

Chris Elite: Yeah, cuz I trust Ahren Fournier’s opinion. 

Effy McAvoy: It’s all going to come crashing down for you just like it always has in your career. Then what’s next? You’re going to go through the same vicious cycle that you went through last year? Spending the entirety of the season in a drought because you can’t back up what you’re saying? 

Chris Elite: You’ve got a whole lot of nerve tryna talk shit. Regardless of how it looks, regardless of what happened, it doesn’t change the fact that you were one of the first ones out. Someone who CLAIMED that she was the rightful Captain because she had that title around her waist allowed herself to be made a fool of by a bunch of bozos and two people who you deemed not worth your time. Like it or not, that says something about you, that puts something on you that you’re gonna have to recognize real quick, because it means that you’re not this dominant Champion that everyone makes you out to be, and I’m gonna be happy to be the one that exposed that. 

(Chris approaches Effy.) 

Chris Elite: What you thought was gonna happen… isn’t going to mean shit compared to reality. I’m gonna win the Interwire Championship again and there isn’t a damn thing that you’re gonna be able to do about it. 

(Effy continues to stare at Chris, allowing him to continue speaking.) 

Effy McAvoy: From what I saw of you, you let your emotions get in the way of everything that you’ve done this season. For the past year you’ve been nothing but a laughing stock, and instead of taking claims like that seriously, you let what happened at Brand Warfare happen and shoot yourself in the foot. Should I really be convinced that you’re ready for this title to be back around your waist? Or should I chalk it up to delusional confidence as many would expect out of you already. 

Chris Elite: Well, the last person who said that got embarrassed by me. So I think you can infer how House of Glass is going to go. 

???: ENOUGH OF THIS! 

Chris Elite: Oh brother.

(Chris rolls his eyes as he immediately recognizes whose voice that is, as the crowd goes into a frenzy for Daryl Kinkade who’s storming out from the backstage area.) 

Daryl Kinkade: If there’s anyone to blame for what happened last week at Territorial Invasion, it’s YOU, Chris! 

Chris Elite: Don’t you get tired of this? You deadass don’t have anything better to do right now? 

Daryl Kinkade: If you weren’t such a slimy bitch, then this wouldn’t be an issue right now. But I’ve had TWO things robbed from me because of you and something’s gotta give. Brand Warfare was due to you and your childish behavior, and I told you and the rest of the team that I would play nice as long as you did, and you chose the wrong decision. Now I have no reason to stand by your side anymore, nah, I’m just going to take your fucking head off. 

Chris Elite: I would love to see your skinny ass try, motherfucker. 

(Daryl slides into the ring and gets into the face of Chris.) 

Daryl Kinkade: Say that again and see where that gets you.

Chris Elite: I would love to see your skinny ass try, motherfucker.

(Daryl shoves Chris in the chest, as the two of them break off into incoherent arguing. Security is on standby, but before it can truly get heated and out of hand like people expect it to go…)

Effy McAvoy: I’ll face BOTH of you. 

(Chris and Daryl go silent, and immediately their heads turn toward the Champion, who seems to have had enough of this bickering between the two of them, seeing as this extends as far back as when the season began. At this point, something’s gotta give.)

Effy McAvoy: I’ve had enough of the two of you getting in my way because of your own issues, and if neither of you is going to solve it, then I will. Chris was the one who earned the opportunity, but if he thinks that he’s that much better than Daryl, then he’s going to accept this match without any fear that this is going to change anything. That we can finally put these issues to bed and we can all just move on. 

(Effy glares at both of them, Chris pondering to himself for a moment.)

Chris Elite: I don’t really give a fuck. I’ll beat both your asses if that’s what it takes to win that title. If you wanna add his dumbass, then so be it, if that’s what it’s gonna take to get off my dick. 

Daryl Kinkade: You got lucky, bruv. You KNEW that if you faced me in a wrestling ring, you would get eaten alive, but the circumstances allowed you to maneuver your way into a title match that you don’t deserve. 

(Daryl turns to look at Effy.)

Daryl Kinkade: I don’t feel right about this. I want you to know that. I didn’t earn this title win as Chris did, but that doesn’t make a difference. Because all that matters is that I make it there and I win the Interwire Championship. And that’s a reality that is growing closer and closer than you’d think. And Effy is right; we can all just move on knowing who was the better person in this situation, and that’s me. 

Chris Elite: Yo, shut up. 

Effy McAvoy: Then it’s official. At House of Glass, I’ll face both of you in a triple threat match. Chris is right; it won’t make a difference, because I’m going to win. I’ve had one of the most memorable reigns with this title in recent memory, and that’s not something that is put lightly on me. It’s something that I’ve earned, and it’s something that I will continue to earn no matter who I’m up against. And that, above all else, goes for both of you as well. 

(Effy drops her microphone down to the ground as ‘The Reckoning’ begins to play up. She turns around and begins to make her way out of the ring, heading up the ramp with the title around her shoulder. Chris and Daryl are both watching her leave before turning to glare at one another with pure hatred in their eyes. The last shot seen is Effy turning around on the stage, taking her Interwire Championship and raising it into the air, as Friday Night Dynasty begins to fade to black.)

(Backstage, the cameras cut to Michael Machina, who looks stone faced. By him is Michael Belfort, chief interviewer for EAW.)

Michael Belfort: Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome back to Friday Night Dynasty. I am Michael Belfort, and with me is Michael Machina, who, last week, competed against Drake King for the EAW World Heavyweight Championship. It was their first-ever singles encounter despite the year-long rivalry they’ve had on this brand stretching from the previous season, and in the end, Drake King was able to retain.

(The recap makes Machina’s scowl deepen.)

Michael Belfort: Michael, of course, we can… well, see evidently that you remain upset about that result, but as we shift away from Territorial Invasion, the simplest question everyone has for you is: what is next for you? Do you see to go after Drake again? Perhaps have some other motivations you wish to chase?

Michael Machina: … other motivations to chase?

(His brows furrow, and Belfort immediately blinks, getting a bit nervous.)

Michael Belfort: Not in that way, of course. All I’m asking is what do you plan on doing as we head to House of Glass?

Michael Machina: …

(Michael’s hands go to his hips, head slightly bowed. His shoulders tense up. Lips purse together.)

Michael Machina: Frankly? I don’t even know my damn self.

Michael Belfort: :lupe:

Michael Machina: That title… it was everything to me. I was so sure I could get it back and beat the breaks out of that piece of shit so that he could stop the God nonsense for good, but… look what happened. Look how I lost. And then, on top of that, the bastard thought that he was right; that his words had any merit when he is nothing more than a delusional jackass walking around as though he’s not. For an entire year, I have had to see, hear, and deal with him personally. He was a literal crashout, and then he wins at Pain for Pride by some sheer luck. Now, he gets to brag about how he beat me?

(He scoffs, shaking his head.)

Michael Machina: Fuck. That. I’m not gonna stand for it.

Michael Belfort: Well, are you going to get a rematch?

Michael Machina: A rematch?

(He snickers.)

Michael Machina: Well, Mike, that was in the cards, until a certain someone denied me of it because he said I earned my opportunity already and the main event is supposed to give someone else a chance to challenge for the title. “In the spirit of fairness and competition”, or whatever the fuck he said.

Michael Belfort: Wait, you mean the general manager? 

Michael Machina: Nah, friggin’ Santa Clause. Of course it was Tyrone! I went to his office and spoke with him directly but he blew me off. Meanwhile, any other tenured talent can cry, scream, fuss and whine about how they deserve their millionth title shot that they’re going to end up wasting and get it with no problem.

Michael Belfort: :lupe: !!

(The fans in the arena murmur, surprised by the revelation. However, Michael heaves out a deep sigh, running his hand along the top of his head.)

Michael Machina: … so, just like that? I can’t really come barreling in trying to save this brand; this show that I have helped shape into what it is today. My sweat, my blood, my tears don’t mean jack shit around here anymore. And the thing is, I’ve only been here for three years. I’m not some goddamn fossil. I am easily the greatest Elitist of this goddamn generation, but I guess because I’ve been more humble and tried to think above myself that it has gotten people confused about who I am. Or, more specifically, made them forget about what the fuck I can do. But, at least soon enough, they can be given a swift reminder of Michael Machina really is.

Michael Belfort: Ah, yes; on that note, you will be taking on AKIZA in just a few minutes. Do you have any direct thoughts on the match?

(Michael looks at him, and for a moment, he does not speak. That is, until he leans in, and his voice lowers slightly…)

Michael Machina: I’m just tryna win. No matter what.

(And with that, Michael heads off, sharp strides taken. From there, the shot fades elsewhere…)

Stephie Love: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

(The settling crowd immediately popped to their feet when the opening notes of “Apostle’s Warning” by Mobb Deep begin to echo out in the arena, cheering the arrival of Michael Machina as he emerged from the back. It was apparent he was favoring certain parts of his body, wearing the damage of his war with Drake King only a week removed from Territorial Invasion. Still, his face showed no weakness, beginning his march down to the ring.)

Stephie Love: Introducing first…from Brooklyn, New York…he is the New Legend…Michael Machina! 

Stew-O: Despite his best efforts, and they were some incredible efforts, Michael Machina has failed to capture the World Heavyweight Championship. It has to sting for him, but what may be stinging even more is the damage done to his arm and knee. Drake King put him through hell, and now he may have to be extra cautious tonight.

Flannery McCoy: If Michael Machina is one thing it ain’t cautious. Injured or not, he’s gonna trust his gut tonight and look to return to winning ways without much fuss. That’s just who he is. Physically he may be shaken up, but mentally he must be as focused as ever. 

(Michael moved up the steel steps and briefly paused on the apron before entering the ring, posing in the corner before settling against the turnbuckle, taking extra care to stretch out as he awaited his opponent, as Apostle’s Warning began to fade out. Replacing it was “Steel Haze (Where Truth Meets)” by Kota Hoshino. AKIZA soon emerged from the back as well, this time to a more mixed reaction as she started down the ramp.) 

Stephie Love: And his opponent…residing in London, England by way of Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan…’Queen Vermillion’ AKIZA! 

Stew-O: Few people had as electric a weekend as AKIZA, showing up in a huge way to overcome the odds and find victory in Divide & Conquer against a well oiled Team Voltage and experienced Team Showdown! Her demeanor and methods might not rub everyone the right way, but she’s more than earned her rising star status! 

Jake Mercer: She said it herself this week however, holding onto that momentum and making the most of it will be the biggest challenge, maybe an even bigger challenger than winning the match itself, and who is a worse immediate step up in class to face than Michael Machina? And worse than that, a MAD Michael Machina.

(AKIZA slowly moved into the ring, slinking into the opposite corner to swiftly stretch out, keeping her eyes on Michael Machina across from her as the referee signaled for the bell.) 

(DING! DING! DING!)

Stew-O: And we are off! Both elitists move out of the corner in stereo, tracking the other as they circle the center of the ring! AKIZA sends out a prodding hand first, just looking to test the guard of Michael Machina, but he is not the kind of competitor who will sit on the defensive!

Flannery McCoy: He shoots forward, looking for a waistlock, but AKIZA is quick to slip around his grip, taking control of the waist and uses the momentum to push Machina forward, into the ropes, maybe thinking of using the momentum to roll him back-! But Machina holds onto the top rope! 

Jake Mercer: AKIZA rolls back onto her neck and through to her feet, facing Machina as he turns and rushes forward with a clothesline! No, AKIZA ducks out of the way, pulling on Michael’s tights to pull him towards the center of the ring for a roll-up! 

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-!

Stew-O: Not even a one count! He pops right back out and leans forward as AKIZA returns to her feet, immediately firing off with a thrust kick! Machina has the wherewithal to lean back, grabbing the ankle of AKIZA as he begins to roll back, holding onto the foot as he grabs the other, now looking to deadlift AKIZA off the mat! 

Flannery McCoy: And he does so! Machina lifts AKIZA all the way up into a powerbomb position, but he’s not done readjusting, using one hand to prop up the leg while the other repositions AKIZA, lifting her sky high with a brainbuster! He’s looking for Skullpiercer! 

Jake Mercer: A quick wiggle of the legs is enough to delay it though, and AKIZA takes the opportunity to slip out again, pushing herself out of Machina’s grip to land behind him! Machina looks to turn, BUT AKIZA SENDS A STOMP INTO THE BACK OF THE KNEE! 

Stew-O: We knew that AKIZA was going to exploit every damaged piece of Machina there is, and she’s ready to start in the opening exchange! Machina wavers for a second as AKIZA backs up, taking a run up as she sends her boot into the air, looking to drop it into the top of Michael’s head! RED HOT DEVIATION! 

Flannery McCoy: Avoided! Machina leans his head back, barely avoiding the boot of AKIZA, and he pops right to his feet with the window of opportunity before him! AKIZA leans back, ready to send a shoot kick to the chest of Machina, and it connects, properly leveling the chest of Machina—WHAT?! 

Jake Mercer: HE JUST RUN THROUGH THE KICK! LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN HE SHRUGGED IT OFF AND RUNS TO THE ROPES AS AKIZA CAN ONLY SPIN AROUND TO ADDRESS HER OPPONENT AS HE PICKS UP TONS OF SPEED! 

Stew-O: He takes a run towards the center of the ring and AKIZA, but she’s prepared for him and side steps, firing another shoot kick to the torso of Michael! He slows for a moment…BEFORE SPEEDING UP AGAIN, HITTING THE ROPES A SECOND TIME! THIS TIME AKIZA IS GONNA HAVE TO ADDRESS HIM DIRECTLY! MONEY SHOT! 

Flannery McCoy: AKIZA FLOATS OVER, HOOKING BOTH ARMS OF MACHINA AND DRAGS HIM TO THE MAT WITH A BACKSLIDE! SHOULDERS ARE DOWN! 

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Jake Mercer: NOT EVEN CLOSE!

Stew-O: BUT AKIZA MAINTAINS WRIST CONTROL AS THE KICK OUT SENDS MACHINA ROLLING ONTO HIS KNEES! AKIZA HAS HIM RESTRAINED AND STEPS FORWARD! ARONDIGHT!!!

Flannery McCoy: AVOIDED AT THE LAST SECOND! MACHINA LEANS HIS HEAD TO THE SIDE, LEAVING THE KNEE OF AKIZA TO CONNECT WITH AIR AS HE BREAKS OFF WRIST CONTROL, FREEING HIMSELF AS AKIZA STUMBLES PAST HIM! SHE TURNS ON A DIME TO FACE HIM BUT HE’S OFF ALREADY OFF TO THE RACES! 

Jake Mercer: ALL SHE CAN DO IS TURN FULLY AND FACE HIM AS HE LAUNCHES HIMSELF INTO THE AIR WITH THE BULLET FROM HELL!!! 

Stew-O: AKIZA DIVES OUT OF THE WAY, BARELY AVOIDING DISASTER AS SHE ROLLS UNDER THE ROPES AND TO THE OUTSIDE! Man that was close! There may not be another elitist alive who is as explosive as Michael Machina. He’s the kind of competitor who continually impresses you with how much greater his physical abilities are than his contemporaries! 

Flannery McCoy: Machina slides back to his feet, resting his arm on the middle rope as AKIZA takes a breath and takes stock against the apron, keeping her eyes glued to her opponent after such a breakneck exchange! It’s a tall order to ask a New Breed to try and keep up with Michael Machina, but she’s done well so far to keep things at a level pace, but whether she can keep that pace up is another question entirely. 

Jake Mercer: This is a far more daunting opponent than AKIZA has ever had to beat before, and she’s taking the proper amount of caution to handle it so far. She slowly moves back onto the apron, keeping her gaze on Machina across the ring as she inches through the ropes, back into the ring. 

Stew-O: Michael takes the down time to readjust his knee pad, not in the mood to give AKIZA a free target in this matchup. Both are back on their feet and ready to resume this match, marching into the center of the ring for the reset, and AKIZA is back to prodding with the arm.

Flannery McCoy: AKIZA is still trying to be proactive here, not wanting to be at the mercy of Michael’s strength and pace, BUT HE TAKES THE MATCH INTO HIS OWN HANDS IMMEDIATELY! HE LOWERS HIS SHOULDER AND CHARGES AKIZA BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER, SLAMMING HER AGAINST THE TURNBUCKLE! 

Jake Mercer: And that’s not all! He controls the waist as he backs away from the corner, and tosses AKIZA right over the top and to the center of the mat with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex! AKIZA rolls away, holding her back as Michael rolls to his feet! 

Stew-O: He’s the favorite for a reason! Mike takes his time in rising to his feet, walking after AKIZA who is using the middle rope for support, but he grabs the waist again, looking for a stiff German suplex! AKIZA is dropped again, rolling onto her stomach as Michael takes a moment to settle.

Flannery McCoy: No one said this would be easy. Even with a little damage lingering from Territorial Invasion, he is just as lethal as ever, and AKIZA is getting her welcome to the EAW moment tonight! She’s remaining stubborn, pushing onto her feet, and rushing at Michael with a lariat, but he’s on top of it, lowering his shoulder and lifting AKIZA up and into the air with a big back body drop! 

Jake Mercer: He got some crazy height with that one! And this time he’ll decide to drop into the cover, hooking the inside leg! 

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Stew-O: Kick out! Emphatic but you can tell AKIZA is struggling to keep up with the offense on display by Michael Machina. She may be out of her depth tonight, but she’s refusing to say die just yet, and she may have to rely on that counter-based wrestling of hers to squeak a win out.

Flannery McCoy: We’ll have to see how she changes her approach, but Michael Machina doesn’t seem to be slowing down at this stage, returning to his feet in an instant, grasping the wrist of AKIZA as he pulls her to her feet, then up into the Gorilla press position! He’s got Heat’s Descent on the mind, but AKIZA is struggling up there!

Jake Mercer: She keeps a hold of the arm of Michael Machina, sending a slap to the point of the elbow just to try and weaken Machina’s grip, and it does! Michael wavers for just a moment, and AKIZA lands on her feet, catching him on the follow-through with a sharp back elbow to the side of the head! And a sharp kick to the side of the knee brings Michael Machina down to one knee! 

Stew-O: AKIZA spots the positioning of Michael Machina and takes hold, placing him in a front facelock and pulls him to his feet, snapping back and planting Machina with a DDT! It’s not enough to justify making a pinfall attempt, but it’s enough to take a breather and take stock of the match so far and plan out the rest of this run.

Flannery McCoy: Back on her feet, AKIZA measures her options as she looks at the field. Her gaze settles on the corner, then turning to Machina who she immediately moves towards, helping him to his feet before laying in with an overhand chop! Machina stays still as AKIZA grabs the arm and look to whip him across the ring, but Machina holds on, keeping his feet bolted to the ring! 

Jake Mercer: AKIZA raises her free hand and breaks the grip of the both of them, sending Machina’s arm down before LAYING IN WITH A STIFF FOREARM! That one landed flush, and Machina almost lost a step, giving AKIZA the opportunity to grab the arm and Irish whip him to the corner once and for all! Machina hits the corner and AKIZA follows through with a running big boot, sliding it across the face of Machina! 

Stew-O: She’s building some momentum late now, not looking to step off the peddle for one second as she rushes across the ring, hitting the opposite corner before running back across at Machina with another boot—CAUGHT! 

Flannery McCoy: Machina rushes out to meet her, pivoting and throwing AKIZA up and onto the top turnbuckle, followed by a big overhand right to stun her on the top! AKIZA leans back, dazed by the shot as Machina backs up a bit, and this crowd is lifting as he prepares for something insane! 

Jake Mercer: HE RUNS UP AND LEAPS UP TO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE, SHOWING ONE OF THE CRAZIEST VERTICALS YOU’LL EVER SEE! HE DOESN’T WASTE A MOTION UP THERE, LIFTING OFF AGAIN FOR A FRANKENSTEINER OFF THE TOP ROPE! 

Stew-O: MACHINA FALLS—

Flannery McCoy: BUT AKIZA HANGS ON!

Jake Mercer: AKIZA HOLDS ONTO THE ROPES, KEEPING HERSELF BOLTED TO THE TOP AS MACHINA FALLS ONTO HIS KNEES, AND HE’S IMMEDIATELY FEELING IT, TRYING TO GET BACK UP BUT FORCED TO STAY DOWN MOMENTARILY! AKIZA SEES HER OPPORTUNITY NOW THOUGH! 

Stew-O: HE STANDS TALL AND LEAPS INTO THE AIR, CONNECTING WITH A DOUBLE FOOTSTOMP TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! MACHINA STAYS ON ONE KNEE, HOLDING HIS HEAD AS AKIZA LANDS ON HER FEET, TURNING TO MACHINA!

Flannery McCoy: SHE BACKS UP A STEP BEFORE RUNNING FORWARD, SWINGING HER BOOT IN THE AIR BEFORE BRINGING IT DOWN ON THE CROWN OF MACHINA’S HEAD! RED. HOT. DEVIATION! 

Jake Mercer: AND SHE FALLS INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE OUTSIDE LEG!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—!

Stew-O: NO! MACHINA STILL POWERS OUT! THAT AXE KICK LANDED FLUSH BUT MACHINA IS JUST TOO TOUGH, KEEPING HIMSELF ALIVE, AND ALREADY BEGINS TO MOVE TO HIS FEET! AKIZA NEEDS TO CAPITALIZE NOW!

Flannery McCoy: AKIZA rolls to the corner, pulling herself up with the help of the ropes as she keeps her gaze glued to Machina in the center of the ring! She looks down and begins to pull the knee pad down to her boot, revealing the best weapon available! She stands tall, making sure to complete every step in her head first as Machina rises to one knee at the perfect moment! She rushes forward!

Jake Mercer: ARONDIGHT!

Stew-O: SPINEBUSTER!!!

Flannery McCoy: CAUGHT WITH A SPINEBUSTER IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! MACHINA’S EXPLOSIVITY DEFIES LOGIC ONCE AGAIN, AND HE IS FURIOUS! LOOK AT HIS FACE RIGHT NOW, ON THE VERGE OF DESTROYING EVERYONE IN THE VICINITY! THE ANGER THAT HAS BEEN FESTERING FOR MANY WEEKS NOW HAS NOT SUBSIDED! HELL, IT MAY HAVE EVEN GOTTEN WORSE AFTER HIS LOSS TO DRAKE KING! 

Jake Mercer: CONJECTURE ASIDE, MACHINA IS REFUSING TO SLOW DOWN, RISING TO HIS FEET AND CALLING FOR THE END! WE KNOW WHAT COMES NEXT! WE KNOW WHAT FOLLOWS THAT SPINEBUSTER! A DAZED AKIZA IS BROUGHT UP AND PUT IN POSITION! HERE IT COMES, THE .50 CAL!

Stew-O: AKIZA STILL FIGHTS ON, DRIVING A 12-TO-6 ELBOW INTO THE DOME OF MICHAEL MACHINA, FORCING HIM TO FALTER AND DROP HER TO THE GROUND! AKIZA STUMBLES TO HER FEET, LOOKING TO CAPITALIZE-!

Flannery McCoy: A ONE STEP LARIAT BY MACHINA LAYS HER OUT! HE IS ONE STEP AHEAD AND ABSOLUTELY PULVERIZED HER WITH THAT LARIAT! THE MOMENTUM ALMOST CARRIED HER BACK TO HER FEET, UNCONSCIOUSLY CRAWLING TO THE CORNER AS MACHINA HITS THE OPPOSITE CORNER WITH AN IMMENSE FURY!

Jake Mercer: HE’S HUFFING AND PUFFING, LOOKING MORE LIKE A MONSTER THAN A MAN AS HE MEASURES AKIZA! SHE HAD BETTER SNAP OUT OF THIS QUICKLY, AND MACHINA LOOKS PRIMED AND POISED TO CUT HER DOWN ONCE AND FOR ALL, AND I DON’T THINK SHE CAN GET UP FROM THIS ONE! 

Stew-O: SHE’S UP TO HER FEET, AND AKIZA CAN ONLY TURN AROUND AND FACE HER DOOM AS MACHINA ROCKETS OUT OF THE CORNER! THE BULLET FROM HELL CONNECTS!

Flannery McCoy: WHAT?!

Jake Mercer: SWORD CUTLAS! SWORD CUTLAS CONNECTS! AKIZA FEINTS THE BIG BOOT AND SWINGS WILDLY WITH THE BACK ELBOW, CATCHING MICHAEL RIGHT OVER THE EAR, CRASHING INTO HIS SKULL! MACHINA IS ON JELLY LEGS AS AKIZA STANDS HER GROUND IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! 

Stew-O: MACHINA, IN A WILD DAZE, FALLS AGAINST THE ROPES, BOUNCING OFF OF THEM…OH MY GOD! HE PICKS UP SPEED OFF THE ROPES! 

Flannery McCoy: BULLET FROM HELL!!!

Jake Mercer: IT CONNECTS! HE FIGHTS OUT OF THE DAZE FROM THE SWORD CUTLAS TO CUT AKIZA IN HALF WITH THE BULLET FROM HELL! COUNT TO ONE HUNDRED, THIS ONE’S OVER! MACHINA HOOKS THE LEG! 

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

(The crowd erupts with cheers as Machina rolls off her, with “Apostle’s Warning” by Mobb Deep resumes. Machina rubs his jaw as he moves to the ropes, getting back on his feet as the referee rushes to raise his hand.)

Stephie Love: YOUR WINNER…MICHAEL MACHINA! 

Stew-O: A decisive win for Michael Machina in need of a reset after his close loss at Territorial Invasion. He came here to put himself right back in the conversation for the best on Dynasty and he did so emphatically, knocking down a New Breed with a lot of momentum at her back! 

Flannery McCoy: AKIZA put up an excellent fight to even keep up with Machina for so long, but in the end his explosivity was just too much to handle. It’s not a loss to be mad at, but that just shows the level of intensity and ability between Machina and the average elitist! 

(Machina rolls under the ropes after ripping away from the referee, frustration still staining his face as he sits on the apron, running his hands over his face, his arms shaking as his nails dig into the apron. An official moves over to check on him, but he is quick to brush him off, dropping off the apron and walking off, leaving the ring as the match comes to a close and Dynasty transitions elsewhere.)

(A commercial plays for House of Glass.)

(The Friday Night Dynasty video feed fades to a panning view of the EAW Universe live in attendance before ‘When Darkness Falls’ by Killswitch Engage began blaring through the speakers to monumental boos. Drake King sauntered out from behind the stage curtains, World Heavyweight Championship wrapped around his waist, with an infuriatingly smug expression plastered across his face; he spreads his arms out wide at the center of the stage, basking in his own divinity, before making his way down the ramp towards the ring.)

Stephie Love: PLEASE WELCOME AT THIS TIME… He is the World Heavyweight Champion, ‘Our Father, who art in Heaven’, DRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE! KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!

(Drake King calmly stepped into the ring, clasping a microphone in his hand, and waited for his theme song to fade; as it did, the only volume that remained was the booing of the fans. Drake did not look surprised, nor did he look perturbed; God has grown accustomed to the subjects of his savior’s mission to return his ‘magnanimity’ with disdain. He simply waited for them to tire themselves out before he began to speak.)

Drake King: Worry not… I forgive you all. The relentless anger you all display towards me, it is not altogether surprising with the likes of Michael Machina becoming the fixture that he has. But before tonight’s main event begins, I am here for a reason… I tell you the truth, I am here to impart a lesson upon you all, whether you are willing to accept it in the present or in the future.

Drake King: This is a lesson that I have tried to teach everyone for quite some time, but the events of Territorial Invasion have only served to reinforce my point. Anger is a blindfold; it is a vice that a sinner like Machina would happily tie around his own eyes, only to curse the rest of us for the world being so dark. A man consumed with wrath only ever has vision for one thing, and it is the subject of his hatred; he locks onto it and marches forth, completely unaware that he’s walking off the edge of a cliff. Then when he falls off, he’ll convince himself that the wind he feels pelting his face is a sign that he’s getting closer to his goal.

(Drake King shakes his head, pitying Machina.)

Drake King: I did tell him, just as I’ve told all of you. I told him plainly, publicly, and explicitly about the error of his ways, and I did so with far more kindness than he deserved. You can lead a horse to the water but you cannot teach it to drink… you cannot teach it that dehydrating yourself out of spite is the epitome of folly.

Drake King: He did not listen, for his ears were consumed with his own deafening roars. Everything he did to me leading up to Territorial Invasion, every word that came out of his mouth, it was all derived from acts of anger. The biggest demonstration of this is when he put his hands on Mark Abraham, someone who absolutely should not have been touched in the slightest. The question to be asked is… how did Machina benefit from indulging in the sin of wrath?

Drake King: He did not benefit at all. No redemption from Pain for Pride, no vengeance against the God he heretically proclaims to be delusional, and not the World Heavyweight Championship. All he earned himself was his own downfall, just as I promised him; I told him this was not going to work out, and it did not. I told him he would receive retribution for his sins, and he did. Now he is left right back at square one, forced to confront himself as to where it all went wrong as he tries to dig himself out of the rubble he brought upon himself.

Drake King: How sorrowful; it did not have to end this way if he had just opened his mind and heart to God. He could have been working on making the world a better place by making HIMSELF better, but at the end of the day, he simply did not want to get better. Vengeance was too heavy a burden for a simple man like Machina to have carried, and that is why he crumbled beneath its weight; leave the righteous retaliation to God’s judgement, Machina, for only He can avoid letting rage and anger consume His path.

Drake King: No matter how much the sinners of the world have tried to stack the deck against God, I have not lost my composure, I have never allowed emotions to lead me astray from the righteous path, and above all else I have not succumbed to temptation. I have remained the calmest man in the building, for such is the nature of God. What I enact in the ring is not the sin of wrath, but judgement. God’s judgement is absolute and unerring.

Drake King: Have I imparted the necessity of listening to and obeying God well enough tonight? I hope so, because I now relay this message to the rest of the Dynasty roster. Listen very carefully to me; my benevolence does not extend to those that have erred to the point of ending up in the ring against me, and certainly not when you come with greed and envy in your heart for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Drake King: The Eternal Above spreads wide its arms, opening itself to those who pursue a better world with sincerity in their hearts; there is where you will find my benevolence, for all who have felt maligned by this world in desperate need of a savior. You can be given a loving home with forgiveness, if only you have the humility to believe in God and do what is needed.

Drake King: I say this… and yet, I must think to myself whether it is even worthwhile for anyone to think they can strike me down in pursuit of the World Heavyweight Championship. It has been nearly four months since Pain for Pride took place, and to my grave disappointment, my eyes can only see turmoil, anxiety, and anger reflected back when I gaze upon the roster. More than that; in this tempest of negativity, I see a primary cause being the incompetence of Tyrone Montgomery who has only served to stoke the fires of disarrayment.

Drake King: Week after week, this roster consumes itself in the seemingly perpetual throes of sin and suffering, so WHERE, amidst it all, will there emerge someone who could even dare to think of striking at God? Those who can hardly sleep at night because they remain busy counting all who have wronged them? Those who spend every waking hour at another’s throat in an attempt to get ahead and put others down? All I see are more Michael Machinas who run headfirst into despair, with Tyrone doing more to exacerbate the issue than resolve it.

Drake King: Of course, God knew from the very start that Tyrone was ill-equipped for the position that he has been inserted into; I always know from long before. Such is the nature of omniscience. It is reassuring, though, to see that the rest of the world is finally starting to catch up on what I have already held to be a self-evident truth. I never had an ounce of respect for him and I never pretended otherwise.

(It has been quite a bit of gloomy talk thus far, but suddenly, a serene smile appeared on God’s face as he spread out one of His arms with the other still holding the microphone up to His mouth.)

Drake King: BUT. Hear me now, all of you, and hear me well. God implores you to ignore and reject the temptation to resign yourself to this despair; throw such thoughts away, and replace them with unfettered and unadulterated FAITH! Do not hold fear for the state of the world, for faith in God will bring you salvation. I am – as I always have been – working tirelessly to make the world a better place, and all I require from my people is undying faith.

Drake King: The main event resides just around the corner, and it is designed to designate the next individual who will challenge God. In other words, whoever emerges victorious will become imbued with the very transgression that Machina received judgement for; that is, if any of the competitors are worthy to secure such a victory in the first place. It does not matter at the end of the day; all that matters is the Father, who keeps His arms outstretched, awaiting you all to embrace him and the truth once and for all.

(‘When Darkness Falls’ by Killswitch Engage began blaring through the speakers upon that statement, with Drake King outstretching his other arm and once again simply basking in his divinity whilst being pelted with unyielding boos from the EAW Universe. The video feed lingered on the scene before fading to black.)

(A commercial plays for Control: Resonant, featuring Jon Kelton.)

(The camera cuts to Stephie Love in the ring.)

Stephie Love: The following main event contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

(‘Razorface’ by Celldweller can be heard across the speakers as the audience allows for their mixed reactions to be heard, with David Gideon Smith emerging from the back. His face remains obstructed from view with his cloak, as he methodically paces down the ramp with his gaze set toward the ring.) 

Stephie Love: Introducing first! From Omaha, Nebraska, weighing in at 245 pounds… ‘THE SOVEREIGN’, DAVID GIDEOOOOOOOOOOOON SMITH!!! 

Stew-O: David Gideon Smith has remained an elitist to watch out for in this season, as he has been frequenting competition against all kinds of facets across EAW, conquering many in order to find himself with this opportunity here to challenge Drake King! 

(‘The End’ by the Doors can be heard blaring throughout the speakers as Yanni Killebrew makes his way out from the back and to the ramp, as the audience responds in mixed responses while he steadies his focus on the ring, walking down the ramp soon after.) 

Stephie Love: And his opponent! From Woodstock, New York, weighing in at 220 pounds… ‘THE BASILICK KING’, YANNIIIIIIIIII KILLEBREW!!! 

Flannery McCoy: Yanni has quite the opportunity for himself to garner here in a big way! To be able to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship this early on would make plenty of good on his path toward pushing himself all the more! 

(‘Kendrick, Clae & Cole’ by Marqus Clae can be heard blaring throughout the speakers as the audience responds receptively well for NICK, who is able to emerge nodding along to his music subtly as he is confident as ever, trekking down the ramp.) 

Stephie Love: And their opponent! From Detroit, Michigan, weighing in at 215 pounds… THE PUNISHER, NIIIIIIIIIIICK!!!! 

Jake Mercer: And look at this dude right here! Just exuding all of the confidence in the world ahead of what can be the biggest opportunity of his own career! If he can make the most out of this, he finds himself with a title match that’ll give him all of the potential to explore! 

(DING! DING! DING!) 

Stew-O: And we’re off! Triple threat action is officially underway as we have the #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship! NICK, Yanni Killebrew & David Gideon Smith all squaring off right here—AS YANNI SPRAWLS THROUGH WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! NICK is sent spiralling through the ropes & onto the ringside floor! Killebrew is quickly motioning upward as now David finds himself wide eyed, looking toward Yanni with quickness as he’s now rushing forward with every sense of taking Yanni down as he seeks out this BOOT—

Flannery McCoy: YANNI DUCKS UNDER THE BOOT! David is keeping himself steady as he catches himself at the ropes, quickly turning back around AS YANNI LANDS A STRONG EUROPEAN UPPERCUT AGAIN! Now David is rocked into the corner, with Yanni refusing to let up from here, as each and every single forearm is sprawling into David with as much pressure as he can possibly put behind each strike! David is able to use his own size to his advantage as he shoves Yanni back, causing Yanni to motion back while refusing to slow down, rushing back toward David! 

Jake Mercer: BEFORE NICK MOTIONS TOWARD YANNI WITH A SPINNING BACK ELBOW! Yanni is caught off guard as he falters down, clutching his own head as NICK is now turning himself toward David, refusing to let up in his own right as he’s now rushing ahead for a LEAPING ELBOW SMASH INTO THE CORNER—BUT DAVID IS ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY! NICK collides with the corner as he’s now motioning away to keep himself steady while trying not to stray from what’s important here—

Stew-O: ‘TILL DAVID HOISTS NICK UP & INTO A BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX!! NICK is briefly staggered for the moment as this can end up going all the more wrong if they are unable to weather the storm, with David keeping himself ready as NICK is now dazed while motioning on over to the corner. David follows him right to the corner, and he doesn’t seem to be refraining from all of the pressure, as a MASSIVE PUNT across the abdomen is sent into NICK! And another kick! And another one! David is not here to let up, keeping the kicking all the more of a problem for NICK here as he does not look to be letting up for a second! 

Flannery McCoy: As Gideon Smith is simply not letting up, only just now halting the attack to keep his pace steady as to not gas himself out so early into the match—‘TILL NICK SUDDENLY PULLS DAVID INTO THE CORNER, AND NAILS BODY BLOWS!!! David felt every single bit of each punch! NICK is now mounting up all the more, as more hooks follow suit! And another jab!!! Another hook!!! David is being placed in the worst of it here, as NICK is just not looking to relent for all that it’s possibly worth, Gideon Smith remaining backed up in the corner! 

Jake Mercer: AS YANNI NAILS A LEAPING ELBOW STRIKE OF HIS OWN!!! NICK IS SENT INTO GIDEON SMITH!!! NICK & David are staggering away from the corner as they’re clutching onto their own heads, trying to shake off being rattled to hell & back after that collision of skulls! Yanni is now motioning through the ropes, refusing to let up as both men are teetering while Killebrew knows that he has his opportunity to dish out some serious damage right now, BEFORE MOTIONING TO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!

Stew-O: WITH ‘LEAP OF FAITH’ ONTO DAVID!!! NICK EVADES DISASTER IN TIME!!! David is immediately clutching onto his own face as he rolls himself out of the ring, with Yanni pushing himself  back up while NICK is trying to recover as quickly as possible! But Yanni has his eyes set back onto NICK, nodding to himself as he knows that he’s in control for the moment, looking to maintain said control as he’s now rushing back toward NICK with just as much HE CAN TO NAIL THE ‘AFTERIMAGE’ BOOT—

Flannery McCoy: NICK SIDESTEPS—AND THE HEAD & SHOULDERS SUPLEX SPIKES YANNI DOWN!!! Yanni felt every single bit of that as his head whipped downward following the impact of the suplex, dropping himself down against the corner of the ring while NICK is now treading away, glaring toward Yanni while he’s down as he looks to place all of the pressure back in his direction! NICK is now rushing himself forward while Yanni is unable to get himself out of the way! 

Jake Mercer: AS THE MUDHOLE STOMPS ARE TEEING OFF ONTO YANNI’S CHEST!!! The wind is getting knocked out of Yanni’s sails here as he’s now trailing away, trying to get himself back together as he doesn’t want to stay down for long while NICK is able to keep himself mobile! NICK is now nodding to himself, seeing that Yanni is heaving & grabbing onto the rope to try to pull himself back up, as NICK is rushing the ropes, and now RUSHING BACK TOWARD HIS FOR OWN RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!!!! 

Stew-O: YANNI MOVES—AND DAVID CATCHES NICK WITH AN OPEN PALM STRIKE OVER HIS NECK FROM THE APRON!! NICK is staggered against the ropes after Yanni was able to move out of the way from disaster on both ends, with David now keeping himself on the apron as he takes a hold of NICK’s hair… AND NOW IS ABLE TO DELIVER SNAKE EYES RIGHT OVER THE ROPES!! NICK remains in a state of disarray while David is motioning himself through the ropes—

Flannery McCoy: SPINNING ELBOW FROM YANNI CATCHES DAVID WHILE HE TRIED GOING THROUGH THE ROPES!! David is in his own state of flux here as Yanni is holding onto his head after bringing it downward, and doesn’t seem to be all too interested in slowing the pace down here as he’s now able to spike David’s skull into the canvas with a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX!! David crumples down onto the mat while clutching onto his skull, rolling himself away as Yanni is now eyeing NICK, looking to garner some get back here from the suplex! 

Jake Mercer: AS HE APPLIES THE CROSSFACE!!! NICK IS BEING KEPT AT BAY HERE! Yanni is applying as much pressure into the foot against his neck as he possibly can, not refraining from doing whatever it will take to ensure that he is being kept at bay to the most considerable degree. Yanni can hold onto this for as long as he would like, with NICK not being given any room to breathe let alone try to move for himself, this may turn out rather ugly for him sooner rather than later if this persists! BUT NOW DAVID IS RUSHING FORWARD WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN! 

Stew-O: AS YANNI EVADES A RUNNING BOOT! Yanni motioned away as he let go of NICK, who’s clutching onto his own jaw while David is turning back toward Yanni Killebrew—WHO DROPS HIM WITH A POP-UP EUROPEAN UPPERCUT ACROSS THE JAW! David drops to a knee as now Yanni is able to get himself  going all the more, rushing past David & toward the ropes, LOOKING FOR THE LARIAT TO FOLLOW UP—

Flannery McCoy: DAVID CAUGHT HIS ARM AND SPINS HIM AROUND—BEFORE SPIKING HIM ONTO THE CANVAS WITH A SPINNING SPINEBUSTER FOR HIS TROUBLES!!! David is able to get himself back around in this match, now motioning himself over toward Yanni, as he seems to be signalling for the moment to come! David has taken himself to the corner… As he’s lying in wait, looking to garner the measure necessary as he’s not looking to slow himself down here…

Jake Mercer: As he steadies up, before looking to rush himself toward Yanni, as he wants the ‘BLACK BLADE’—NICK BEAMS OUTTA NOWHERE WITH A LEAPING CLOTHESLINE THAT TAKES DAVID DOWN! David is immediately knocked for a loop as now NICK is pushing himself upward, nodding to himself vigorously as he understands how there will be plenty of more from where that came from! NICK is now dragging David upward, and not looking to slow himself down, AS HE INITIATES THE BUTTERFLY SUPLEX!!!

Stew-O: AND TAKES HIM DOWN!!! IMMENSE STRENGTH—BUT YANNI POUNCES ONTO NICK! Yanni is sending repeated elbows, refusing to be caught by any means as NICK is trying to ensure that there’s no way for Killebrew to break him down, AS NICK SENDS AN ELBOW ACROSS THE TEMPLE OF YANNI!! Yanni grits his teeth in response, as NICK is now pulling him directly into place—WITH A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX RIGHT ONTO DAVID!!! Yanni clutches onto his abdomen as David is laid out, with NICK hooking the leg on David! 

ONEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEE—

Flannery McCoy: NO! NOT ENOUGH! David kicks out—AS NICK IS QUICK ON THE ATTACK! He’s sending repeated elbows across the back of Gideon Smith’s head while he’s simply trying to pull himself back up! NICK is refusing to relent back from here, sending the forearms with as much force as he can while David is backed up against the ropes! Gideon Smith will have to resort to quite the much needed risk here if he wants to get himself out of this—AS NICK IS NOW LOOKING TO CLOTHESLINE DAVID—

Jake Mercer: SMITH DUCKS AS NICK TURNS BACK AROUND—AND DAVID TACKLES NICK OUT OF THE RING ALONG WITH HIMSELF!!! They’re both crashing down from over the ropes and onto the floor in a hitch! This doesn’t look like it’ll be too good for either of them if they can’t recover quickly enough, as now both David & NICK are finding their way through the daze that they must both be feeling! Nothing to hold back from as David sends a KNEE across his abdomen! 

Stew-O: NICK returns fire with an emphatic ELBOW across his jaw!!! David returns back with a PUNCH square across the jaw!!! Both men are refusing to give in, not letting themselves be taken off the mantle for as long as they’re able to keep all of this pressure applied while they’re both still standing! The chop! The punch! These exchanges refuse to slow down—‘TILL YANNI CAN BE SEEN SPRAWLING THROUGH! 

Flannery McCoy: WITH A SUICIDE DIVE ONTO BOTH MEN!!!! YANNI JUST DOVE ONTO THEM WITHOUT MUCH AVAIL!!! They’re all down as Yanni is able to get himself moving again, seeing that he has much of the adrenaline now running through him without a hitch! Yanni is taking a hold of NICK, and he’s pushing him back into the ring as now he knows not to slow down from here! NICK is staggering around! 

Jake Mercer: NICK is able to keep himself conscious enough, able to collect himself a bit more in order to raise himself up to a steady knee, refusing to keep himself down while Yanni seems to have other plans in mind here, looking to make all of this count in turn by rushing toward him—WITH THE ‘AFTERIMAGE’ NOW LANDING FLUSH ACROSS NICK’S TEMPLE!!! Yanni is quick to hook the leg as the referee is now counting away!!! 

ONEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEE—

Stew-O: NICK KICKS OUT—WHICH LEADS TO YANNI APPLYING THE CROSSFACE!!!! Yanni is taking no chances tonight!!! NICK is trapped in the submission as he’s struggling to get himself together after just being able to kick out! Killebrew is trying to make the most out of this as NICK is still being as resilient as he possibly can be, steadying himself up onto his feet and not looking to get himself away from where he wants to be! 

Flannery McCoy: But Yanni is refusing to let go! he’s trying to keep NICK trapped in as much of the pain as it’ll take to ensure that he can walk out of this with a secured win under his own mantle! NICK is trying to move despite being trapped, despite being unable to pry Yanni away in this moment where each second is ticking down—

Jake Mercer: ‘TILL DAVID IS RIPPING YANNI AWAY FROM NICK—AND HE PLANTS HIM DOWN WITH FORCE THROUGH AN ‘ENDBRINGER’!!! THE BACKBREAKER!!! GIDEON SMITH COVERS FROM THERE!!! 

ONEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEE—

Stew-O: NO! NOT ENOUGH!!! David is trying to keep himself steady as he’s now rising back upward, taking a hold of Yanni as he’s now looking to ensure that the end is coming right along sooner rather than later, and he’s not slowing himself down as all of this continues to push the pace as much as he can IS HE IS LOOKING FOR THE ‘SOVEREIGN’ GANSO—

Flannery McCoy: YANNI ROLLS DAVID DOWNWARD WITH AN ARM DRAG TO HALT THE STALL! David is quickly motioning upward now, not looking to be deterred from the result that he needs to obtain as he’s now rushing back toward Yanni and LOOKING TO SWING—

Jake Mercer: YANNI DUCKS UNDER—AND INTO A LARIAT FROM NICK!!! YANNI IS TURNED INSIDE OUT AS HE ROLLS AWAY! NICK TURNS TOWARD DAVID AND LOOKS FOR SPINNING ELBOW—WITH DAVID DUCKING THE SWING AS THEY ARE EACH MOTIONING AHEAD OF ONE ANOTHER!!! 

Stew-O: BACK TOWARD ONE ANOTHER—AS NICK CATCHES HIM WITH A LEG LARIAT!!!! David Gideon Smith is down!! NICK is now motioning himself over, nodding to himself as he’s taking a strong grasp of his arms here, as he’s looking to mount up with the ‘STOMP THE STUPID OUT’!!! REPEATED STOMPS FIRING DOWN INTO DAVID AS HE HAS NO WAY OUT OF THE PRESSURE! NICK IS SIMPLY FIRING AWAY! He could be motioning closer to the victory here! 

Flannery McCoy: And Yanni is stirring as NICK lets go, with David wiping the blood away from his lip with a steady grin! He’s seemingly welcoming all of the pressure here as he is nodding to the force being put out by NICK! He’s egging him on! And now NICK seems to be inclined to continue, as he wants to win this just as much as and then some for the chance to become Number One Contender! NICK IS LOOKING TO INVOKE AS MUCH WITH ‘SPINBACK—

Jake Mercer: WHAT THE HELL?!?!? 

(The audience is rather shocked as a swarm of uniquely robed, masked men storm the arena, sprawling across the environment from the ramp to the barricades, as cameramen and officials are motioning away whine they make their targets known.) 

Stew-O: THESE ARE THE FOLLOWERS OF DRAKE KING! THEY ARE ALL EQUIPPED WITH THE WEARS THAT ARE ONLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! AND THEY SEEM TO BE TARGETING YANNI AT RINGSIDE, BEATING HIM DOWN IN MASS! 

Flannery McCoy: NO! NICK IS TRYING TO KNOCK A GOON OFF FROM THE APRON—BUT HE’S THEN TACKLED DOWN BY AT LEAST FOUR MORE! BEING BEATEN DOWN BY THE MANY THAT ARE JUST SWARMING HIM!!! 

Jake Mercer: AND THEY SEEMINGLY DRAG DAVID OUT OF THE RING AS WELL!!!! SWARMING ALL OVER SMITH WITH THE STOMPS AND PUNCHES THAT DON’T SEEM TO BE LETTING UP! WHAT THE HELL IS DRAKE PLANNING??? 

(As the beatdown upon all three men continues—and soon before long, Drake King can be seen stood at the ramp with the World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, with a very low grin on his face as an official has no choice but to call for the bell.) 

(DING! DING! DING!) 

Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, this match has been labeled… A NO CONTEST. 

(The boos begin to rain down on the result being announced, as Drake is given a microphone by one of his men, in no need to return the glance as he retrieves the microphone and speaks accordingly.) 

Drake King: NICK. Gideon Smith. Killebrew. Unfortunately, I cannot in good faith, ever deem either of you to be particularly worthy of this moment. In order to contend yourself against the sole truth of this world, the one who must lead all of us into the most prosperous, secure time that we can have… ‘God’, cannot be sullied by the unworthy… 

(David exhales sharply.) 

Drake King: I expect, better competition… 

(Drake hands off the microphone, as he turns himself around, and motions toward the back—) 

???: I don’t think so, champ’! 

(The audience cheers as Tyrone Montgomery can be seen emerging from the back, shaking his own head as Drake is glaring toward Tyrone with his eyes squinting.) 

Tyrone Montgomery: ‘Cause now you’ve got a whole other problem coming! You think YOU get to decide who deserves to face you, after this match was organized to find a solution to that in the first place?? Yeah, you’re out of your damn mind here, Drake King. So here’s what’s gonna happen! 

(Tyrone points to the ring.) 

Tyrone Montgomery: Because of YOU, you won’t have to worry about looking far. You’ve got NICK… you’ve got Yanni Killebrew… you’ve got David Gideon Smith… you’re getting ALL OF ‘EM at House of Glass! For the World Heavyweight Championship!!! 

(The audience cheers loudly in response to the announcement, as Drake simply stands there, his eyes closing as his head rises upward.) 

Drake King: ……….

(Drake proceeds to purse his lips in mediated disgruntlement, with an elongated breath as he steadies himself toward the back. Yanni is glaring toward Drake with heavy conviction, as NICK has a small nod following the announcement and David is grinning widely while clutching his jaw, all banged up—but driven to make the most out of a future opportunity, as the scene soon fades.) 

(EAW logo buzzes…)

(Night two of Territorial Invasion is live, and once again, the pre-show kicks everything off. The fans are loud just as they were on night one, and the commentary team is captured in full.)

Stew-O: EAW universe, welcome back to night TWO of Territorial Invasion, and with that, we are back with the pre-show! Yesterday was quite the time, wasn’t it, guys?

Gavin Kirkland: It sure was! We got to be treated to three different matches and they were all barn burners, I tell you! Anna Wautier retained the New Breed Championship against Wynter Kurayami, we saw Showdown’s Futures match in which Airi Miyamune emerged victorious, and in the Specialists number one contendership triple threat match, Delaney Rhodes got the win! It truly was a ladies night, and oh, what fun it was!

Persephone: Ugh… here you go again… but yeah, the pre-show wasn’t half bad. Got some decent matches tonight, too. Hopefully someone can bleed or something.

View post on imgur.com

(The camera returns to ringside, where Bella Braxton holds a microphone.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is Hardcore Warfare, scheduled for ONE FALL!!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Bella Braxton: And it is for number one contendership for the Hardcore Championship!

(‘RUNITUP’ by Tyler, The Creator ft. Teezo Touchdown hits, bringing out Cosmo Goldworthy as he sports a much more serious face than usual. He knows what’s on the line tonight, but beyond that this is personal for him, meaning he isn’t in as much of a mood to be flashy. Cosmo begins to walk down the ramp, not wanting to waste any time to get this match started.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first… from the Golden State, San Francisco, California… weighing in at 220 pounds… COOOSSMMOOO GOLLDDDWWOOORRRTTHHYYY!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: We have ourselves a huge match on the way as this is not only to determine Miku Sakai’s first challenger, but is a match to mark the official end of this former alliance.

Thadd Blazevich: Yep. Cosmo Goldworthy and Diamond Dixon been going at it ever since Diamond turned on Cosmo, and one of these two is gonna have the chance to really close this chapter on their own terms.

(‘Nice To Meet Yah’ by Asian Doll follows, and Diamond Dixon doesn’t waste time making her way out to the stage. While she doesn’t lose the confident demeanor she is known for, she does stare at Cosmo Goldworthy, clearly not happy about how things turned out with their alliance. Still, she just walks down the ramp, knowing all that’s left is for her to put this behind her.)

Bella Braxton: And his opponent… from Houston, Texas… weighing in at 176 pounds… DIIIIIIIIIIIAAAMMONNNDDD DDDIIIIIIIIXXOOONNNNN!!!!

Rich Russillo: Diamond wants it to be her who finishes this, but it won’t be easy for either competitor. You have to imagine they know each other very well by now, and they have that hardcore stipulation.

Thadd Blazevich: Good point, bro. This can go either way, but you know what that means! Only thing we can do now is watch them go at it!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Persephone: Oh brother. The LAST thing I want to do is watch this fool mimic Di-

Thadd Blazevich: SAY LESS, BROETTE! Diamond just kicked Cosmo between the legs making sure he won’t ever reproduce and SHE ROLLS HIM UP! DUDE! SHE’S REALLY ABOUT TO WIN THIS!!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREE-

Rich Russillo: NO! Cosmo kicked out at the last possible second and he’s scrambling for the ropes! Diamond is quick to grab him and she starts punching him in the back of the head! Cosmo is trying to fend her off, but Diamond jerks him up and tosses him into the corner!

Persephone: RUNNING BIG BOOT FROM DI-

Thadd Blazevich: DOES NOT CONNECT, MAN!

Persephone: Never in your pathetic life will you ever cut me off again. But yes, Cosmo moved out of the way! Diamond’s leg is hung up on the ropes! Cosmo pulls her down from behind and now he is going for the roll-up!!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEE-

Rich Russillo: POWERFUL kick-out from Diamond and both she and Cosmo leap to their feet! Cosmo goes with a lariat, but Diamond ducks underneath and grabs the waist of Cosmo! Back elbow forces her to release and instead of capitalizing, Cosmo drops to the ground and rolls out of the ring!

Persephone: YES! For once, don’t be such a useless piece of shit and get some weapons!

Thadd Blazevich: Diamond is down on the outside, but she’s on the opposite side of the ring and these two are just pulling all kinds of things out! Yo! I think Diamond just grabbed a hand saw!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo has a mallet! Diamond comes running towards him but Cosmo is able to catch her in the stomach with the mallet! Diamond drops the saw and Cosmo snatches it up and slams it over the top of her head! He grabs Diamond’s hand and places it flat on the steel steps… and no… NO!

Persephone: YES! COSMO IS GOING TO SAW THIS BITCH’S HAND OFF!

Thadd Blazevich: Not if those stiff AF forearms have any say in the matter! Diamond is DESTROYING Cosmo right now with wicked forearms, man!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo finally goes stumbling back and Diamond is able to grab the saw! She makes a beeline for Cosmo and gets him in the stomach! She grabs the hair and smashes his face off the hardest part of the ring and SHE’S SAWING AWAY AT THE BACK OF HIS NECK!!!

Persephone: Okay. Decapitation. I fuck with it.

Rich Russillo: NOT QUITE! Cosmo grabs the ropes and hauls himself, diving back into the ring! He grabs the back of his neck and sees the blood on his hands!

Cosmo Goldworthy: (off-mic) Yo! You crazy fuckin’ bitch! What the fuck??

Diamond Dixon: (off-mic) Man, you tried to take my hand so I went for that big ass head!

Thadd Blazevich: Seriously man, I’m speechless.

Persephone: Well thank Gawd for that!

Rich Russillo: Diamond’s back in the ring now and she motions for Cosmo to lock up with her. The two quickly start jostling back and forth for positioning but it’s actually Cosmo who manages to force Diamond back against the turnbuckles!

Thadd Blazevich: Chop!

Rich Russillo: Backhand!

Thadd Blazevich: Another Chop!

Rich Russillo: Another Backhand!

Persephone: God damn.

Rich Russillo: Cosmo nails some vicious strikes towards Diamond into that corner and– DIAMOND GRABS A HOLD OF COSMO AND PUSHES HIM INTO THE OPPOSITE CORNER AS SHE MANAGES TO HIT HIM WITH A CORNER SHOULDER BLOCK!!! SHE DELIVERS ANOTHER, AND A THIRD ONE AFTER THAT!

Thadd Blazevich: Now Diamond grabs a hold of Money Mo and Irish whips him back into the other corner!! Diamond goes full steam towards Cosmo, but Cosmo’s able to move out the way!! Cosmo jumps and connects with an enziguri right to Diamond’s head, before Cosmo grabs her and pulls her into a side headlock takeover!

Persephone: A side headlock takeover…? What are we doing here, this is a hardcore match.

Rich Russsillo: The blood is dripping from the back of Cosmo’s head because of what Diamond did moments before, but he now has her in a grounded position where she can’t get back on the offensive. This may be the best strategy for Cosmo to use for the time being.

Thadd Blazevich: THAT WON’T LAST FOR LONG THOUGH, DUDE! DIAMOND ROLLS COSMO OVER ON HIS SHOULDER AS THE REFEREE MAKES THE COUNT!!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

Rich Russillo: COSMO GETS THE SHOULDERS UP!!

Thadd Blazevich: He’s forced to let go of that Headlock Takeover as he gets back to his feet and DIAMOND DELIVERS A BIG BOOT RIGHT TO COSMO’S JAW!! HE GOES RIGHT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AS DIAMOND NOW PICKS HIM UP AND DROPS HIM BACK DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A SNAPMARE!! SHE LEAPS OVER COSMO AND BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES–

Persephone: AND HITS HIM WITH A BASEMENT DROPKICK RIGHT IN THE CHEST!!! Cosmo could’ve gotten a heart attack with how bad that dropkick looked, which would’ve been perfectly fine with me!

Rich Russilo: Cosmo rolls out the ring as Diamond looks to see where Cosmo ended up! She enters in between the ropes and stands on the apron as she’s looking to go for some kind of swift kick towards Cosmo! Cosmo is getting back to his feet as Diamond goes for it– BUT COSMO CATCHES IT AND SWEEPS HER DOWN!! DIAMOND LANDS FACE FIRST ONTO THE APRON!!

Thadd Blazevich: OUCH! THAT’S GOTTA HURT, BRO!!! COSMO NOW GRABS A HOLD OF DIAMOND AND– SENDS HER RIGHT INTO THE BARRICADE!!! DIAMOND IS LYING OVER THE BARRICADE AND– COSMO DELIVERS WITH A CHOP TO THE CHEST AND AN ELBOW FOR GOOD MEASURE!!

Persephone: Cosmo doesn’t look to be done yet as now he grabs a hold of chair from underneath the ring and–

Rich Russillo: AND SMASHES THAT CHAIR RIGHT INTO DIAMOND’S STOMACH!! USING THE EDGE OF THE CHAIR TO DESTROY HER MIDSECTION AND–

*BANG!*

Thadd Blazevich: BRO! COSMO SLAMS THE CHAIR RIGHT INTO DIAMOND’S HEAD!! DIAMOND DROPS TO THE FLOOR AND– NOW SHE’S BLEEDING THIS TIME, RIGHT ON HER FOREHEAD!!

Persephone: Cosmo checking the back of his head again like a kid checking the back of his new cut and you can tell he can still feel some blood but it doesn’t look bad as when Diamond initially made contact with it.

Rich Russillo: Cosmo now brings Diamond into the ring and presses her shoulders down looking to end this early for himself.

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEE-

Thadd Blazevich: Diamond gets her shoulders up just in time as Cosmo looks rather annoyed this match is still happening bro! He gets right from his feet and– He’s noticing the turnbuckle on his side as Cosmo is heading towards that upper left turnbuckle and–

Rich Russillo: HE TEARS APART THE PADDING AS HE NOW EXPOSES THAT TURNBUCKLE!!! AS HE GOES RIGHT BACK TOWARDS DIAMOND AND GRABS ONTO HER BY HER HAIR!!! COSMO BRINGS DIAMOND TO THAT CORNER AND–

*BASH!*

*BASH!*

*BASH!*

*BASH!*

Thadd Blazevich: OH MY GOD BRO!! HE’S BASHING DIAMOND’S HEAD INTO THAT EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE!! AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN!! COSMO NOW TURNS DIAMOND AROUND– AND DELIVERS YET ANOTHER CHOP TO THE CHEST!!! DIAMOND IS IN UTTER PAIN BROS!

Persephone: I don’t think cosmo is done because look what he is staring at now!

Rich Russillo: HE’S LOOKING AT THE OTHER TURNBUCKLE AS HE BRINGS DIAMOND WITH HIM AND TEARS OFF THE PADDING OF THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER TURNBUCKLE!!! AND–

*BASH!*

*BASH!*

*BASH!*

*BASH!*

Thad Blazevich: AW DUDE! HE’S BASHING HER HEAD AGAIN INTO ANOTHER EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE!! COSMO IS LOOKING TO ANNIHILATE DIAMOND HERE TONIGHT, AND IF YOU ASK MONEY MO, HE’D TELL YOU EVERY BIT OF THIS IS JUSTIFIED AFTER DIAMOND TURNED ON HIM!

Persephone: Diamond looks like she’s been in a wreckage as now Cosmo turns her around TO NAIL YET ANOTHER CHOP TO THE CHEST!!!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo now looks to seeing the bottom right turnbuckle and I can imagine what he’s going to do here as he brings Diamond to that corner now and– HE RIPS APART THAT TURNBUCKLE YOU CAN THE FIRE IN COSMO’S EYES HE HAS DIAMOND LIKE A CORPSE RIGHT NOW AS LUNGES TOWARDS THAT TURNBUCKLE!!!

Persephone: WAIT A SECOND LOOK!!

Thadd Blazevich: DIAMOND HAS HER FEET UP BETWEEN THE POST!!! SHE’S STILL FIGHTING AS– SHE ELBOWS COSMO RIGHT IN THE FACE!! COSMO IS HOLDING ON TO HIS NOSE AS DIAMOND NOW GRABS A HOLD OF HIM, AND IT LOOKS LIKE SHE’S ABOUT TO GET SOME PAYBACK!!

Rich Russillo: DIAMOND BASHES COSMO’S SKULL INTO THAT TURNBUCKLE NOW!! BLOOD IS NOW DRIPPING OVER COSMO’S FOREHARD AS DIAMOND NOW TURNS COSMO AROUND AND– CONNECTS WITH A CHOP TO THE CHEST OF HER OWN!! THE SOUND RICOCHETS HERE IN OXFORD AS DIAMOND LANDS A FOREARM SMASH RIGHT INTO COSMO’S HEAD!! THE BLOOD SMEARS ALL OVER HER FOREARM, AND NOW LOOK!!

Thadd Blazevich: SHE’S GOUGING THE EYES OF COSMO NOW WITH HER NAILS!!!! COSMO IS UTTER PAIN AS HE SCREAMS!!! THE CROWD IS IN DISBELIEF!! COSMO IS TRYING AS HARD AS HE CAN TO PULL DIAMOND’S HANDS AWAY– BUT DIAMOND NOW GRABS A HOLD OF COSMO, AND HITS HIM WITH A SUPLEX IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!! SHE GOES FOR THE COVER ON HIM!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEE-

Rich Russillo: Cosmo gets his shoulders just in time, AND OH MY GOD! WE HAVE CLOSER LOOK INTO COSMO’S EYES AND SEE THAT THEY ARE COMPLETELY RED WITH EVEN A LITTLE BLOOD DRIPPING FROM ONE EYE!! THAT IS COMPLETELY SICKENING!!

Persephone: Rich we’re on Voltage, this is the good stuff, THIS IS WHAT I LIVE FOR!!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo goes rolling out to the apron, and Diamond makes sure to follow behind as the last thing she wants is to give the man time to recover. Cosmo is a wreck right now, and thanks to that Diamond is able to just scoop him up onto her shoulders in a fireman’s carry!

Thadd Blazevich: Cosmo is trying his best to wiggle and squirm his way out of her grasp– BUT HE DOESN’T GET THE CHANCE, AS DIAMOND PLANTS HIM WITH A FIREMAN’S CARRY SLAM ON THE HARDEST PART OF THE RING! That was a nasty one, bro!

Persephone: She doesn’t seem to be done yet either, thankfully. She immediately dropped off the apron before digging under the ring…

Rich Russillo: AND JUST AS COSMO HOPED TO PULL HIMSELF UP, DIAMOND PULLED OUT A HANDFUL OF SKEWERS AND STABBED HIM IN THE CHEST WITH THEM!

Thadd Blazevich: Cosmo screams out in pain as he rolls off of the apron, and Diamond now holds onto him– BEFORE SENDING BRO FORWARD INTO THE RING POST, SENDING THE SKEWERS EVEN DEEPER INTO HIS CHEST!!

Persephone: Cosmo stumbles off, grabbing his chest in pain as Diamond digs under the ring. She sends chairs into the ring, as well as glass panes, a little bag of thumbtacks and a few coils of razorwire. This is getting pretty intense now. For two terrible wrestlers, I like it!

Rich Russillo: Diamond pulls out another chair before going after Cosmo who is still clutching his chest–

Thadd Blazevich: BUT AS SOON AS SHE GETS CLOSE, COSMO TURNS AND STABS HER IN THE SIDE WITH ONE OF THE SKEWERS! DUDE! COSMO RIPPED THAT OUT HIS OWN CHEST– AND NOW HE GRABS DIAMOND BEFORE SENDING HER HEAD FIRST INTO THE POST!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo sends Diamond back into the ring before following, slowly and painstakingly ripping each of the skewers out. Now he opens the bag of thumbtacks before releasing it onto the mat, before dragging Diamond up and finally lifting him onto her shoulders!

Thadd Blazevich: COSMO HAS DIAMOND UP FOR AN ELECTRIC CHAIR–

Persephone: BUT DIAMOND FALLS BACK, COUNTERING WITH A REVERSE FRANKENSTEINER THAT SENDS COSMO HEAD FIRST INTO THE THUMBTACKS!!

Rich Russillo: Both Elitists are down on the mat after that one, but Diamond Dixon slowly turns herself, reaching out and grabbing one of the razorwire coils! Cosmo meanwhile is right next to the other one, and I think he is slowly starting to see whatever Diamond is planning.

Thadd Blazevich: Diamond wraps the razorwire around her own forearm, before making her way towards Cosmo– BUT COSMO DOES THE SAME WHILE ON THE MAT, AND HE IS ABLE TO CATCH HER WITH A FOREARM TO THE JAW WHILE HE WAS BEING DRAGGED BACK UP! Both Elitists stumble, as despite landing the blow, Cosmo is still reeling from the reverse frankensteiner into the thumbtacks!

Persephone: Cosmo starts to make his way back over to Diamond who just had the side of her face cut by the razor wire– BUT DIAMOND KICKS COSMO IN THE GUT, BEFORE PULLING HIM UP AND LANDING A SHOT OF HER OWN WITH THE RAZORWIRE FOREARM!

Rich Russillo: Cosmo somehow keeps himself up though, AND HE LANDS A SHOT TO DIAMOND IN RETURN, CAUSING DIAMOND TO STUMBLE AND GRAB AT HER FACE, NOTING ALL THE SPILLED BLOOD AS A RESULT FROM THESE FOREARMS ALONE!

Thadd Blazevich: AND NOW IT’S DIAMOND’S TURN! SHE NAILS ANOTHER FOREARM, AND THIS TIME IT’S COSMO FORCED TO TAKE A STEP BACK AS THAT RAZORWIRE NEARLY GOT STUCK, PEELING AWAY AT HIS FLESH!

Rich Russillo: AND COSMO LANDS ONE MORE SHOT, ALL WITH THE RAZORWIRE AS DIAMOND NEARLY LOST HER FOOTING ENTIRELY!

Thadd Blazevich: DIAMOND SWINGS AGAIN–

Persephone: BUT COSMO DUCKS BEFORE GRABBING ONE OF THE CHAIRS, AND HITTING DIAMOND IN THE MIDSECTION WITH IT! Cosmo raises the chair after that, BEFORE SLAMMING IT INTO HER HEAD!

Rich Russillo: Diamond goes down, and now Cosmo goes to work with what little energy he has left in him! He sets up the chair, before grabbing the second chair and setting it up in front of the first! Cosmo now grabbing those glass panes Diamond brought in and placing it on top of both, forming a bit of a bridge– before dragging the upper half of Diamond’s body on top of it!

Thadd Blazevich: Oh man, this can’t be good.

Cosmo Goldworthy: (off-mic) It’s over, Diamond. I told you.

Rich Russillo: Cosmo makes his way up to the top rope, moving at a slow and lethargic pace thanks to the severe damage he’s taken tonight. Fortunately for him, Diamond isn’t in a much better state, and isn’t moving at all.

Thadd Blazevich: And that’s bad news for Diamond! COSMO DIVES OFF THE TOP ROPE!!!

*CRASH!!!!*

Persephone: HOLLOW POINT THROUGH THE GLASS PANES!!!!

Rich Russillo: OH MY GOD!!!! COSMO GOLDWORTHY WITH THE DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD, SENDING DIAMOND’S FACE RIGHT THROUGH THE GLASS!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: COSMO FALLS BACK, AND BRO ISN’T EVEN GOING FOR THE COVER! HE WANTS TO END DIAMOND ONCE AND FOR ALL TONIGHT AND TAKE A STEP CLOSER TOWARDS BECOMING CHAMPION FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND BRO MIGHT JUST HAVE HIS TICKET TOWARDS ACHIEVING THAT WITH THIS ONE!!

Persephone: I can’t believe we’re about to live in a world where Cosmo Goldworthy is in contention for a title held by Miku Sakai.

Rich Russillo: Cosmo uses the chair to help him back up before dragging Diamond back into his grasp, AND HE POWERS HER UP!

Thadd Blazevich: BEFORE DROPPING HER HEAD FIRST INTO THE SHATTERED GLASS WITH A PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!!! THE PACKAGE PILEDRIVER CONNECTS, AND THAT JUST DESTROYED DIAMOND!!! COSMO HOOKS THE LEG OF DIAMOND, AND DUDES, I THINK IT’S SAFE TO SAY THIS ONE IS OVER! COSMO GOLDWORTHY WINS!!!

OOOOOOONNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

TTTTTTWWWWOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

TTTTTHHHRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Persephone: WHAT THE HELL??? DIAMOND DIXON GETS THE SHOULDER UP!!!

Rich Russillo: NO WAY!!! AT THE LAST POSSIBLE FRACTION OF SECOND!! JUST WHEN ALL HOPE SEEMED TO BE LOST FOR HER, DIAMOND DIXON WAS ABLE TO PUSH HER SHOULDER OFF OF THE MAT!!

Thadd Blazevich: Cosmo is furious bros, but I don’t even think he has the strength left in him to act on it! He looks towards the referee, but dude, the ref isn’t budging. That wasn’t a three, which means that this is still anyone’s game whether he likes it or not!

Persephone: Cosmo just shakes his head, before grabbing one of the skewers he left on the apron. Diamond isn’t even moving meanwhile– AND COSMO RETURNS THE FAVOR FOR EARLIER, STABBING DIAMOND IN THE CHEST WITH THE SKEWER!!

Rich Russillo: That caused Diamond to scream in pain, and Cosmo takes advantage of the opportunity by beginning to set up! He grabs the two chairs, turning them around and placing them with their backs against each other! I couldn’t possibly tell you what this man has planned at this point, because these two have just been going to whatever lengths they possibly could in order to dismantle each other.

Thadd Blazevich: Diamond is trying to use the ropes to get up, and seeing this, COSMO RUNS TO THE ROPES!!!

Persephone: BEFORE SPRINGBOARDING OFF FOR DANCE MACABRE INTO THE CHAIRS–

Rich Russillo: NO, NO!!! HE DOESN’T GET IT!!! IT DIDN’T WORK!!!

Thadd Blazevich: DUDE!!! DIAMOND MOVES AS COSMO SPRINGBOARDED, AND WHEN HE REALIZED AND LANDED ON HIS FEET, HE JUST GOT CAUGHT BY THE THROAT!!! DIAMOND HAS HIM, AND SHE LIFTS HIM UP BEFORE CHOKESLAMMING COSMO ONTO THE TWO BACKS OF THE CHAIRS!!!!! Cosmo rolls around in pain, and dude, I don’t know if his spine is gonna recover from that one! That was as nasty as it can get, and the worst part is I don’t even think Diamond’s done!

Persephone: Of course she’s not done. Not after everything Cosmo just did. Diamond pushes the chairs out of the way, leaving only the thumbtacks and the broken glass shards that spilled on top of them!

Rich Russillo: Diamond drags Cosmo back up, AND SHE WASTES NO TIME, LOOKING TO PUT A DECISIVE END TO THIS MATCH AS SHE LIFTS HIM UP–

Thadd Blazevich: BEFORE DRIVING BRO TO THE MAT WITH THE FACELIFT!!!! THE FACELIFT CONNECTS ON COSMO GOLDWORTHY, AND COSMO JUST WENT FACE FIRST INTO SHATTERED GLASS AND THUMBTACKS!!!

Rich Russillo: THAT WAS THE KILLING BLOW THAT DIAMOND NEEDED, AND NOW SHE’S NOT WASTING ANY MORE TIME, USING EVERYTHING SHE HAS LEFT TO TURN COSMO OVER AND GO FOR THE COVER!!!

OOOOONNNEEEEEEE!!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!

TTTHHRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen here is your winner… AND NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP, DIIIAAMMMOONNNDDDD DDIIIIXXXOOONNNNN!!!!!

(‘Nice To Meet Yah’ begins to play once more as Diamond Dixon slowly rolls off of Cosmo Goldworthy. She can’t even stand yet despite being the victor, as that match exhausted everything she had left. She slowly pulls her way to one of the chairs, using that to help her back up before the referee holds her arm up.)

Rich Russillo: AND DIAMOND DIXON DOES IT!!! This was a personal bout with both Elitists wanting to prove they’re the ones that deserve better, but ultimately it was Diamond that managed to get the job done, and thanks to that we now know Diamond Dixon versus Miku Sakai is on the horizon!

Persephone: Well at least they got wild tonight. That’ll make up for whatever I have to put up with when Diamond and Miku start going at it. This match was pretty crazy.

Thadd Blazevich: Of course it was, ‘Seph! Cosmo had a chip on his shoulder, and we already know how Diamond felt. This was a fire performance by both of ‘em, but in the end only one could win and that was Diamond. Congrats to our new number one contender!

(Diamond Dixon remains in the ring for a moment, and she stops and looks down at Cosmo Goldworthy as medical personnel make their way down the ramp. She just shakes her head, before slowly limping her way out of the ring, having done what she planned to do. With this, the camera fades.)

(The matchcard for the next match is shown.)

(https://i.imgur.com/7qfW6qK.png)

(The camera shot switches to ringside where Stephie Love stands in the center of the ring, a microphone in hand as she addresses the rowdy crowd.)

Stephie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for…

Crowd: ONE FALL!

(The crowd couldn’t contain their excitement as Stephie took a step back, the attention of the audience switching to the ramp as “Kendrick, Clae & Cole” by Marqus Clae began to play to an immediate positive reaction. After a momentary pause, NICK. emerged from the back, wearing a strong expression but in obvious pain with each step. Even with the pain etched into his body, he marches on to the ring, loosening up in the meantime.)

Stephie Love: Introducing first, out of Detroit, Michigan…weighing in at 215 lbs…NICK!

Stew-O: Perseverant as ever, NICK. searches for vindication, revenge and glory all in one match, looking to prove David Gideon Smith wrong once and for all at the biggest stage available! He’s fired up tonight!

Flannery McCoy: Fired up, he may be, but the wear-and-tear of his road back here is clear to see for everyone with a working pair of eyes. He looks like he’s in pain with each step, but credit to him, he’s continuing on without a lick of hesitation.

Jake Mercer: He’s gonna have to show the best version of himself tonight to even have a shot, let alone best the man he’s up against.

(NICK. settled in the middle of the ring for a moment before backing into a corner, readying himself for the match ahead as “Kendrick, Clae & Cole” began to fade out from the arena speakers, replaced in due time by “Razorface” by Celldweller, sparking a negative reaction from the crowd. The arena was cast into total darkness for a mere moment until beams of strobing white lights struck across the arena, in time with the music. David Gideon Smith slowly walked to the top of the ramp, his face covered by the end of a black hood. At the peak of the stage, raising his arm out to draw the “Black Blade” across it as pyro set off behind him.)

Stephie Love: And his opponent, from Omaha, Nebraska…weighing in at 247 lbs…DAVID GIDEON SMITH!

Stew-O: His presence is overwhelming as ever. DGS has been plotting and planning each stage of this, and now he’s gotten what he wanted, even if it coincided with what NICK. wants right now.

Flannery McCoy: Still, he’s just an enigma that it’s difficult to understand what he really wants out of this. Was it just to knock a competing elitist off the field? Or was it to get this match with NICK. all along? I’m not too sure, but I have a feeling we’ll understand more once this match is under way.

(DGS continued making his way down the ramp, moving to the steps and then promptly up them and straight up to the top rope, peeling the hood back to let his gaze scan the arena, before falling on NICK. across from him. After a brief pause, he dropped from the top rope, readying himself in the corner.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Stew-O: And we’re under way in this highly anticipated grudge match! NICK. and DGS are slow out of the gate initially, not wanting to overstep and put themselves in a bad position to start this match off. It’s gonna be a battle of wills and styles to determine this one—

Flannery McCoy: OR NICK. IS JUST GONNA FLY IN WITH A LEAPING BIG BOOT TO THE FACE OF DAVID SMITH! DGS STUMBLES INTO THE CORNER AS NICK. LOST HIS FOOTING ON THE BIG BOOT, STUMBLING TO HIS FEET JUST TO MOUNT AN ATTACK ON DAVID!

Jake Mercer: HE’S STUFFED HIM IN THE CORNER AND IS UNLEASHING RIGHTS AND LEFTS, A REPEAT OF LAST WEEK! NICK. IS NOT DETERRED BY THE INJURIES HE IS NURSING AND IS LETTING DGS HAVE IT, TENDERIZING THE TORSO OF HIM WITH THESE HOOKS TO THE RIBS!

Stew-O: DAVID REACHES HIS HAND OUT AND GIVES NICK. A GOOD SHOVE, PUSHING HIM AWAY TO GET SOME ROOM TO BREATHE…ONLY FOR NICK. TO FLY BACK IN, NOT WITH A MOVE OF ANY KIND BUT JUST FLINGING HIS BODY SHOULDER FIRST INTO DAVID GIDEON SMITH!

Flannery McCoy: AND MORE BLOWS RAIN DOWN, NICK. IS BEING IGNITED BY THE ROAR OF THE CROWD AS HE KEEPS FIRING, DAVID DESPERATE TO COVER UP AND FINALLY SHOVES HIM AWAY AGAIN, OH BUT NICK. HOLDS ONTO THE ARM! HE PULLS DAVID IN—!

Jake Mercer: T-BONE SUPLEX! HE DROPS DAVID RIGHT ON HIS BACK AS THIS CROWD REACHES A FEVER PITCH ALREADY! NICK. IS ON FIRE, FLYING TO HIS FEET AS HE LOOKS TO CAPITALIZE ON DAVID WHO HAS BEEN PUT THROUGH THE RINGER SO FAR!

Stew-O: But David is quick to roll under the ropes, avoiding trouble for now as NICK. is just a step too late to take full advantage of all that momentum on his side! David is holding his side, stumbling along the side of the ring as NICK. returns to his feet!

Flannery McCoy: And he rolls right under the ropes as well, looking to pursue David on the outside, and he does so with a big clubbing blow to the back of the head and neck, not giving his opponent an inch as he chases his revenge! Another blow to the back and David is forced to turn and face him!

Jake Mercer: NICK. reels his hand back and nails a knife-edge chop across the chest of David! He isn’t shying away though, catching a follow up chop and throwing his arm down, following it up with a thunderous overhand chop sending NICK. down to one knee! Not for long though, he’s back on both feet after a moment of weakness!

Stew-O: NICK. jumps forward with a flurry of forearms, over and over again he fires and David struggles to cover up—OH WAIT HE LIFTS NICK. UP INTO THE AIR OUT OF NOWHERE!

Flannery McCoy: POWERSLAM INTO THE APRON! OH, DID YOU HEAR THAT SOUND?! THE SPINE OF NICK. CRASHED INTO THE APRON, BENDING AROUND THE HARDEST PART OF THE RING BEFORE SLIDING DOWN AND FALLING HEAD FIRST INTO THE GROUND! NO PROTECTION FOR NICK. WHO IS NOW BEING CHECKED ON BY OFFICIALS!

Jake Mercer: THOSE INJURY WORRIES ARE ALREADY BEING ADDRESSED AS DAVID HELD NOTHING BACK, TAKING THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY AND DEVASTATING HIS OPPONENT, UNDOING ALL THE EARLY OFFENSE NICK. HAD WORKED ON!

Stew-O: This is a bad look for NICK. already, and David isn’t in the mood to let him get away for too long, just pushing past officials to get to NICK. and effortlessly pull him into the air, tossing him into the ring! David follows him into the ring and right into a cover!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

…

Flannery McCoy: KICK OUT! NICK. remains defiant, and won’t let something like that keep him down but you can tell the pain is keeping him grounded! He’s not showing as much physical fight as he wants, and everyone in this arena can see the agony etched into his face. He’s hurt bad, and the longer this drags on, the worse it is going to get.

Jake Mercer: DGS doesn’t let NICK. breathe after the kickout, immediately rolling him onto his side and driving a knee between his shoulder blades, forcing him back down to the canvas. The official backs David away for a moment, but Smith is already stalking toward his opponent again, reaching down and grabbing NICK. by the wrist.

Stew-O: DAVID GIDEON SMITH IS DRAGGING NICK. BACK TO HIS FEET! HE WANTS TO KEEP HIM VERTICAL, KEEP HIM FROM FINDING THAT SECOND WIND!

Flannery McCoy: NICK. IS TRYING TO FIGHT THE HAND AWAY! HE THROWS AN ELBOW BACK—DAVID DUCKS UNDER IT!

Jake Mercer: AND DAVID JUST WRENCHES THE ARM AROUND! NICK. IS FORCED TO TURN WITH HIM—OH! SHORT-ARM CLOTHESLINE!

Flannery McCoy: NICK. goes down hard again, out on the mat without enough energy to get right back up as David maintains wrist control, just standing over his fallen opponent with what may just be contempt on his face. He’s in full control of this match against a man who is struggling to even keep up.

Jake Mercer: David takes his time, dropping to knee and wrenched back on the arm, driving his knee into NICK’s elbow in a meticulous fashion, just looking to punish him for staying alive past the first blow. NICK’s shown spirit but this is the part of the game that will decide the winner, and right now David is running away with it.

Stew-O: He pulls NICK. back to his feet, only to drop him again with an elbow! NICK. falls but is kept leaning up by the wrist as David keeps control, pulling him again just to run him down with another elbow! NICK. falls again, and now David drops the wrist and drops down on top of NICK, mounting him!

Flannery McCoy: And the forearms start to fly! One after the other, not in a burst but in a controlled siege of NICK. who can barely withstand the force being brought down onto his arms, battering his guard with each of these routine blows!

Jake Mercer: David reaches down his free hand and grabs at the guard of NICK, forcefully pulling his guard apart just to lay in with a clean forearm that lands flush against the jaw! That one has NICK. rattled and David is right into the cover, pushing the shoulders down!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-!!

Stew-O: Kick out again! It’s awkward by NICK. but it did the job, able to overpower one side of the cover and push his shoulder off the mat, rolling over for a moment before David takes control again and shoves him back onto his back, laying in with another forearm that NICK. is barely able to parry!

Flannery McCoy: NICK. IS TRYING TO COVER UP, BUT DAVID IS JUST TEARING THAT DEFENSE APART! ANOTHER FOREARM! ANOTHER! NICK. IS ABSORBING THESE SHOTS WITH BOTH HANDS, BUT THERE’S ONLY SO MUCH HE CAN DO FROM HIS BACK!

Jake Mercer: DAVID GRABS THE WRIST AGAIN! HE’S GOT THAT ARM TRAPPED UNDERNEATH HIM, AND HE’S USING HIS ENTIRE BODY WEIGHT TO KEEP NICK. PINNED DOWN!

Stew-O: NICK. IS TRYING TO BRIDGE! HE’S TRYING TO TURN HIS BODY, BUT DAVID SHIFTS WITH HIM! THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE HERE—NICK. IS FIGHTING TO SURVIVE, WHILE DAVID IS FIGHTING TO BREAK HIM DOWN!

Flannery McCoy: NICK. IS SCRAMBLING! HE GETS HIS BOOT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE!

Jake Mercer: BUT DAVID BREAKS THE LEG DOWN, DIVING AT THE OUTSTRETCHED LEG OF NICK. AND DENIES THE REPRIEVE HE IS CHASING! OH WAIT-!!

Stew-O: NICK. GRABS THE ARMS OF DAVID GIDEON SMITH AND BRIDGES OVER, SHOULDERS TO THE MAT!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Flannery McCoy: KICK OUT IMMEDIATELY! DAVID FLIES OUT OF THE COVER AND BACK TO HIS FEET TO MEET NICK, WHO IS ALREADY BACK ON HIS FEET! DAVID SWINGS FIRST, BUT NICK. DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND HITS THE ROPES!!

Jake Mercer: HUGE LARIAT BY NICK!! HE LEAPED INTO THE AIR AND TOOK DAVID’S HEAD OFF, SENDING HIM INTO THE GROUND AND NOW HE’S GOT THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY HE’S BEEN HOPING FOR…OR NOT! NICK. IS TOO EXHAUSTED TO MAKE THE COVER OR EVEN FOLLOW UP, LAYING ON THE MAT IN THE SAME STATE AS DAVID!

Stew-O: Exhaustion has indeed hit NICK. hard, barely able to stand back up as the sheer pain coursing through his body keeps him face down on the mat, though David is in just as bad a shape from such a killer lariat.

Flannery McCoy: Still, he’s far from out of it as both men begin to show signs of life, claiming and crawling to the ropes on opposite ends of the ring. NICK. grabs the bottom rope first, then lunges at the middle rope to hold himself upright, fighting his way upward.

Jake Mercer: On the other side, David does the same, trying to shake off that lariat and get control of this match once again. He’s back to his feet, shaking his head to the side as he turns around—BUT NICK. MOVES FIRST WITH ANOTHER LARIAT!!!

Stew-O: BUT DAVID DOES NOT MOVE! HE WITHSTANDS THE BLOW AS NICK. SINKS TO THE GROUND, FALLING AT DAVID’S FEET AS DGS BRUSHES OFF THE LARIAT!

Flannery McCoy: He is sending a message to NICK. right now and everyone watching at home. He grabs the wrist of NICK. and pulls him upright, giving himself some rope to pull him in and spins around, dropping him with a vicious Void Thunder!

Jake Mercer: NICK. is planted again, and David calmly makes the cover, hooking the inside leg!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-!!!

Stew-O: KICK OUT ONCE AGAIN! These kick outs are getting weaker and weaker as NICK. struggles to stay alive, but his defiance and persistence does not seem to bother DGS who is relishing in this moment, taking advantage of the situation to inflict as much damage as he possibly can in the runtime of this match.

Flannery McCoy: The weakness is only gonna continue to grow with each blow and every forced kick out, but he still showing the fight he needs to claw back into this thing if he even can. David, of course, will not object to a longer beatdown as he remains fully in control.

Jake Mercer: That’s what makes this dangerous, Flannery! David has thrown everything at him and NICK. keeps finding a way to survive, but surviving isn’t winning! At some point, something has to give!

Stew-O: David looks down at NICK and begins to pull him back to his feet. He maintains control of the wrist, just to light him up with an overhand chop to the chest! NICK’s legs give out beneath him, but David does not allow him to fall to the ground, keeping him up right as he props him up!

Flannery McCoy: AND FIRES A ROUNDHOUSE KICK INTO THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD! EDGE LOGIC I AND NICK GOES OUT LIKE A LIGHT, FALLING FACE FIRST INTO THE GROUND! HE MIGHT BE OUT COLD! DAVID COULD TAKE THE VICTORY HERE!

Jake Mercer: BUT DAVID DOESN’T WANT TO BEAT HIM WITH THAT! He’s toying with NICK, barely considering him a threat as he uses his boot to flip him onto his back, openly mocking the efforts as the boo begin to rain down by the heated crowd!

Stew-O: Nothing but disrespect by DGS, who lifts NICK. back up to his feet just to drop him another overhand chop! NICK. crashes to the mat, helpless to keep himself up right, trying with all he has to answer these blows but his body just doesn’t have anything left in him!

Flannery McCoy: David backs up, and now he’s had his fill! His raises his right arm and calls for the end! We know what comes next! David is looking for the Black Blade, and this is a weapon that NICK. will have zero answer for! NICK. is up to his feet, barely turning around as David charges in!

Jake Mercer: THE BLACK BLADE—!

Stew-O: MISSED! NICK. DUCKS UNDER, MAYBE THROUGH BLIND LUCK, BUT HE GRABS THE WAIST OF DAVID FROM BEHIND! HE’S YELLING OUT, REFUSING TO SAY DIE AS HE LEANS BACK WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!

Flannery McCoy: NOW THIS CROWD HAS SOME HEAT AGAIN! A GERMAN SUPLEX BY NICK, MAYBE THE LAST OF HIS STRENGTH ON DISPLAY AS HE SHUTS DOWN THE BLACK BLADE…OH WAIT!

Jake Mercer: HE IS FIGHTING BACK UP, AND STILL HOLDS ONTO THE WAIST OF DAVID GIDEON SMITH! DGS IS TRYING TO FIGHT HIM OFF, BUT NICK. REMAINS RELENTLESS! HE RAISES HIS ARMS UP, AND CAPTURES DAVID’S ARMS IN A FULL NELSON! HE LEANS BACK!

Stew-O: INTO A DRAGON SUPLEX! NICK. BRIDGES OVER FOR THE COVER, OH BUT HE HAS TO GIVE IT UP! HIS STRENGTH FALTERS AS DAVID ROLLS OVER, BUT HE STILL MAINTAINS CONTROL OF THE WAIST! NICK. YELLS OUT AGAIN, REFUSING TO LET GO AS DAVID TRIES TO DRAG HIMSELF TO THE ROPES!

Flannery McCoy: THEY ARE BOTH BACK TO THEIR FEET AS DAVID TRIES TO RUN TO THE ROPES, GRABBING THE TOP ROPE WITH BOTH HANDS, REFUSING TO LET NICK. HAVE HIS WAY! OH WAIT, NICK. RELEASES THE WAIST LOCK, RAISES HIS ARMS IN THE AIR, AND CAPTURES THE ARMS OF DAVID!

Jake Mercer: IT’S A STRAIGHT JACKET! HE HAS THE ARMS RESTRAINED, BACKS UP INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING AND NOW DAVID CANNOT FIGHT IT ANYMORE! HE LEANS BACK, AND DROPS DGS WITH THE STRAIGHT JACKET GERMAN, COMPLETING THE COMBINATION!

Stew-O: THREE THE HARD WAY! HE BRIDGES PERFECTLY THIS TIME! THIS MAY BE IT!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

…

Flannery McCoy: NO HE KICKS OUT! OH THAT WAS CLOSE, BUT DAVID MANAGED TO BREAK OUT OF IT AT THE DEATH! NICK. IS DISTRAUGHT, HE COULD TASTE VICTORY BUT DAVID WAS JUST TOO STRONG AND OVERPOWERED THE PINFALL ATTEMPT!

Jake Mercer: It’s disheartening, it’s demotivating but NICK. has to press on. He has just drawn this thing level and DGS is on the ropes, struggling back to his feet on the heels of three consecutive suplexes!

Stew-O: NICK. rises to his feet, showing a lot more fight and strength than he did prior and David is showing a lot more concern than he did prior. David crawls to his feet, on his knees as he attempts to move away!

Flannery McCoy: But NICK. sends a diving forearm into the back of David’s head! He falls in an instant as NICK. mounts him, lifting his chin up and raises his arm, beginning to lean in with repeating blows to the chest and neck of DGS! Over and over again they land, battering David as one hits the jaw!

Jake Mercer: NICK. drops him momentarily, just to flip him onto his back, and fires away with even more! Now with both of them on his back, HE REELS HIM IN! HE HOOKS THE ARM AND LOCKS IN SECTION 8! THE CHOKE IS APPLIED, AND DAVID SHOULD BE FADING NOW! HE MAY BE SEEING THE END OF THIS ONE!

Stew-O: DAVID THRASHES AROUND, LOOKING FOR AN ESCAPE AS NICK. SQUEEZES TIGHTER AND TIGHTER, TRYING TO APPLY THE HOOKED LEGS OVER HIS TORSO! DAVID’S ARMS REACH OUT WIDE, SEARCHING FOR THE ROPES!

Flannery McCoy: DAVID BITES DOWN, TRYING TO ENDURE THE PRESSURE BUT NICK. IS RELENTLESS, AND HE GETS THE HOOKS IN! THE LEGS ARE CROSSING THE TORSO, AND NOW DAVID GIDEON SMITH IS IN THE DEEP END! DAVID REACHES DOWN TO THE LEGS, AND TRIES TO PRY THEM APART!

Jake Mercer: HE’S STRUGGLING—NO, HE LEANS BACK AND ONTO HIS HEAD, FLOATING OVER AND OH MY GOD HE HAS NICK’S SHOULDERS DOWN TO THE MAT! HE REVERSED THE PRESSURE!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-!!!

Stew-O: DESPERATELY CLOSE! NICK. IS OUT AT TWO, FORCED TO LET GO OF THE CHOKE HOLD AS HE FLIES TO HIS FEET! DAVID FOLLOWS AS WELL, BUT NICK. IS UP FIRST AND LEAPS AT DAVID-!

Flannery McCoy: CAUGHT IN A CHOKE OF HIS OWN! A REAR NAKED CHOKEHOLD BY DAVID GIDEON SMITH! NICK. TRIES TO FIGHT IT OFF, BUT DAVID ISN’T LOOKING FOR A SUBMISSION! HE LEANS BACK AND SPIKES NICK. ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD WITH A SUPLEX! OH THAT WAS VICIOUS!

Jake Mercer: NICK. IS OUT…OR NOT?! HE ROLLS TO HIS FEET, FIGHTING THROUGH THE PAIN! HE RUNS AT DAVID AND DELIVERS A LARIAT! IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO TAKE HIM DOWN, BUT IT SURE KNOCKED THE WIND OUT OF HIM! DAVID LEANS BACK, AND FIRES OFF A CLOTHESLINE, SENDING NICK. BACKWARDS!

Stew-O: NICK. STUMBLES, BUT REFUSES TO BACK DOWN, LEANING FORWARD WITH A CLOTHESLINE! DGS STUMBLES BACK, AND NICK. TURNS TO THE ROPES! HE RUNS AND HITS THEM, LOOKING TO LAY DAVID OUT ONCE AND FOR ALL! ONE MORE FLYING LARIAT—

Flannery McCoy: THE INFINITE IMPALER! THE IMPALER GOT HIM, CUTTING NICK. IN HALF WITH A WICKED SPEAR! NICK. FALLS, AND DAVIDS FALLS WITH HIM, RIGHT ON TOP OF HIM FOR THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

…

(DING! DING! DING!

(Boos fall upon the ring as David rolls off of NICK. with “Razorface” by Celldweller resuming throughout the arena. David slowly moves to his feet as officials check on NICK, holding his back and stomach in agony.)

Stephie Love: HERE IS YOUR WINNER…DAVID GIDEON SMITH!

Jake Mercer: An incredible effort by a damaged NICK. but David Gideon Smith is just too tall a mountain to climb. The resistance was strong but in the end it was futile as DGS came away with a hard fought victory.

Stew-O: It was close, but David was in perfect condition. He had a plan and he executed, targeting the damaged back of NICK. and refusing to give him space to breathe, and that made all of the difference.

(The officials help NICK. out of the ring to check him as David stands alone in the ring, celebrating his victory much to the chagrin of the audience as the match came to a close as Territorial Invasion transitioned elsewhere.)

View post on imgur.com

(Standing inside of the ring were all of the competitors, set to participate in the New Breed Scramble. They all stood amongst one another, looking ready to go! Igon Mordren, Reylin Aloali’i, Diego Montana, Winona Hendrickson, Tafae Toa, Rei Oboro and Sayuri Himura. In the midst of all the competitors is ring announcer Bella Braxton ready to begin the introductions for the next match.)

Bella Braxton: The following contest is the special NEW BREED SCRAMBLE MATCH!!

Crowd: AOHGARHGAOIRHGARGVFNOIRGHOIARHOI!!

Bella Braxton: Now this match has a THIRTY MINUTE TIME LIMIT and can have any number of falls. But the competitor who picks up the FINAL fall as the time limit expires will be the winner and the NUMBER ONE CONTENDER FOR THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP! INTRODUCING THE PARTICIPANTS!

(Bella then motions to each competitor one by one as she introduces them to the crowd.)

Bella Braxton: Representing SHOWDOWN! Exiled from the Island of Samoa! Weighing 285 pounds. Here is “THE EXILED” TAFAE TOA!

(The crowd gives Tafae a loud negative reaction as Tafae just stands there emotionless with his arms crossed as he thinks about just destroying everyone.)

Bella Braxton: Also representing SHOWDOWN! From Arlington, Texas. Weighing 199 pounds. Here is ‘THE HARDEST ESE EVER” DIEGO MONTANA!

(The crowd gives an even louder negative reaction for Diego, who is just hamming it up for the crowd as Bella continues.)

Bella Braxton: Representing DYNASTY! From Aomori, Japan. Weighing 175 pounds. Here is “THE BEAUTIFUL RUIN” REI OBORO!

(The crowd boos her as she just looks around at her competition, ready to cause as much harm as possible.)

Bella Braxton: Also representing DYNASTY! From Washington D.C.! Weighing 150 pounds. Here is “WONDER WOMAN” WINONA HENDRICKSON!!

(We finally hear a positive reaction from the crowd as they love Winona. She is staying focused on her opposition and winning this match.)

Bella Braxton: Representing VOLTAGE! From Belgrade, Serbia! Weighing 266 pounds! Here is “THE WARDEN” IGON MORDREN!

(Possibly the loudest negative reaction of the match as this crowd HATES Igon and his thoughts on today’s state of wrestling. Igon is naturally ignoring the crowd.)

Bella Braxton: Also representing VOLTAGE! Residing in Yokohama, Japan! Weighing 125 pounds! Here is “THE YŪREI” SAYURI HIMURA!

(The boos turn into cheers for Sayuri as she is getting mentally prepared for this scramble match.)

Bella Braxton: And the final participant! Also representing VOLTAGE! From Adelaide, South Australia. Weighing 250 pounds. Here is “TOP GUN” REYLIN ALOALI’I!

(The crowd is giving the Voltage newbie a mixed reaction as Bella exits the ring. The referee looks at all seven competitors before calling for the bell.)

(DING DING DING)

(30:00)

Stew-O: Here we go! The field is set and it’s time for us to get into the action of this New Breed Scramble match! Here we go, Tafae Toa’s eyes have not left Igon Mordren’s since the bell has rung! The rest of the field has the two surrounded! Diego runs in first and is.. DROPPED WITH A LARIAT BY TAFAE TOA!!

Gavin Kirkland: Reylin Aloali’i and Winona Hendrickson are closing in! But Igon Mordren sees Reylin coming from his side view.. he’s quick to turn and.. LEVELS REYLIN COMPLETELY WITH A HUGE BIG BOOT!! That sends Reylin crashing to the canvas.

Persephone: Rei Oboro takes the safe route here! She goes right on the attack, rushing at Sayuri Himura and letting loose with rapid forearm strikes!! Winona rushes in and turns Rei Oboro around and she hits her with a huge knife edge chop to the chest!

Stew-O: Tafae Toa and Igon Mordren are standing in the midst of chaos! Before they start their own!! Trading forearm smashes back and forth between one another! But Igon Mordren gets a boot up! Sending Tafae Toa reeling back into the ropes, Tafae rebounds off.. NAILING IGON MORDREN WITH A SUPERKICK! But Igon Mordren is on wobbly legs right now, he’s staggering.. Tafae Toa rushes at Igon..

Gavin Kirkland: Looking to take him down with a huge Clothesline! But.. Igon ducks under! And he slips behind Tafae.. wrapping his arms around Tafae Toa’s throat for a Rear Naked Choke! Igon Mordren is trying to wear him down! He’s got it locked in tight! But.. Tafae Toa immediately drives him back into the corner!!

Persephone: These two big behemoths.. what the hell..? Tafae rams him back into the corner again! But wait.. Reylin rushes in crushing them both with a.. RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT INTO THE CORNER, ROCKING THEM BOTH!! He’s entered back into the fray! He rushes into the opposite corner, before running back at the tw—

Stew-O: NO!! A SLINGBLADE FROM DIEGO MONTANA SENDS REYLIN CRASHING TO THE CANVAS!! Diego was able to cut him off quickly..but now with Diego getting to his feet.. oh don’t turn around Diego..

Gavin Kirkland: I’m glad he couldn’t hear you! But he doesn’t have to turn around! Because Winona is already on the attack and she’s got her arms wrapped around his waist! Hoisting him up to take him down with a German Suplex!! But.. DIEGO FLIPS OUT OF THE HOLD LANDING ON HIS FEET!!

Diego Montana: (off-mic) Haha! You thought…

Persephone: I don’t believe he ever shuts up..But a RUNNING CROSSBODY OUT OF NOWHERE FROM REI OBORO CONNECTS TO DIEGO MONTANA!! Taking him to the canvas! Rei Oboro hooks that leg looking to pick up the first pinfall in this match..

(ONEEEE!!)

Stew-O: No! Winona just pulled Rei Oboro off of Diego Montana, before the referee could even hit the two count! And now Rei Oboro is up on her feet and herself and Winona are face to face right now… but look out!! TAFAE TOA JUST FLATTENED BOTH WITH A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE!!!

(CRACK!!)

Gavin Kirkland: A Superkick from Reylin lands right on Tafae Toa’s jaw!! But he stumbles back, still on his feet!! Sayuri comes in! And she hits Tafae Toa with a Rolling Elbow!! But Tafae Toa is still on his feet!!

Persephone: Alright man, what exactly is he made of again…? Tafae Toa explodes towards the two! But they duck! Tafae Toa hits the ropes and is… SENT OVER WITH A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE FROM SAYURI AND REYLIN!!

(28:23)

Stew-O: And that’s one big man out of the equation for the moment! But.. Igon Mordren hasn’t gone anywhere! He’s making it known as he’s just grabbed Reylin around the waist!! And.. he SENDS HIM CRASHING TO THE CANVAS WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!!

Gavin Kirkland: Reylin goes crashing down hard! But Sayuri is on the attack as Igon is getting up! She’s throwing Knife Edge Chops and European Uppercuts at Igon Mordren! Igon Mordren is just taking every blow, stumbling back with each blow!!

Persephone: Before.. shoving Sayuri back!! Igon swings for a clothesline!! But Sayuri ducks underneath and rushes the ropes! She comes back to Igon.. LEVELING HIM WITH A SHOTGUN DROPKICK!! Sending Igon tumbling back down onto the canvas! He’s finally down! And Sayuri is back on her feet…

Stew-O: BUT DIEGO MEETS HER WITH A SPRINGBOARD DDT!! Spiking her down onto her head!!

Gavin Kirkland: Where in the hell did he come from…? Or better yet! Where the hell did Winona come from!? CRASHING DOWN ONTO DIEGO MONTANA WITH A FROG SPLASH!!! She hooks the leg looking to get the first pinfall!! Potentially putting herself in the lead…

Persephone: No ma’am… A RUNNING SENTON FROM REI OBORO!! She breaks up the pin, before the referee can even get the count started! Rei Oboro is climbing to her feet now as Winona is instinctively grabbing at her back and rolling off of Diego Montana….

Stew-O: Rei Oboro is calling Winona up onto her feet now, Rei Oboro is dead set on keeping her offense going here as Winona is finally getting to a vertical base. She broke the pin and now is looking to capitalize as she now runs in at Winona!!!

Gavin Kirkland: But Rei Oboro runs STRAIGHT INTO A HUGE BACK ELBOW FROM TAFAE TOA!! Uh oh.. he’s back in this match and he does not look happy one bit. He’s dead set on causing chaos! Tafae Toa grabs Winona and he.. levels her with a Headbutt!! Causing Winona to drop back onto the canvas!

Persephone: Reylin is back into the fray and he’s just rocked Tafae with a European Uppercut! Followed by another one! And another! He’s trying to take him off of his feet.

(27:13)

Stew-O: And that’s one big man out of the equation for the moment! But.. Igon Mordren hasn’t gone anywhere! He’s making it known as he’s just grabbed Reylin around the waist!! And.. he SENDS HIM CRASHING TO THE MATCH WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!

Gavin Kirkland: IGON IS BACK UP BUT LOOK! THERE IS SEXY SAYURI! She leaps on the back of Igon and wraps her arms around his neck! She is looking to try and choke him out, but Igon is backing up and he crushes her against the corner! Sayuri slips down but here comes Rei! Running forearm smash rocks the jaw of Igon!

Stew-O: But Igon sends her crashing to the mat with a massive clothesline!

Persephone: That idiot Diego turns around and is met with a big boot to the face thanks to Reylin! Tafae is right behind him and clubs Reylin in the back of the head with a forearm! Sayuri has gotten back to her feet and she shoves Igon right into Reylin! Tafae takes advantage, with a straight hand to the jaw of Igon and he has him reeling! Another right hand from Tafae! BUT SAYURI! SHE GRABS IGON FROM BEHIND AND ROLLS HIM UP!

OOONNNEEE!!!

Gavin Kirkland: TAFAE RIPS SAYURI OFF IGON AND HOISTS HER UP!

Stew-O: But Sayuri fights back with multiple punches to the skull!

Persephone: Rei comes out of nowhere… CONNECTING WITH A DROPKICK TO TAFAE! Sayuri is dropped while Winona is back in the fray! She goes right for Reylin, grabbing him by the hair and tossing him into the corner! Boot after boot connects to the mid-section of Reylin! Igon comes rushing in… CHOPPING THE HELL OUT OF WINONA ACROSS HER BACK! He grabs her by the hair and throws her clear across the ring! Igon goes to pull Reylin out of the corner but Tafae grabs him from behind and wrestles him to the mat!

Gavin Kirkland: He starts throwing haymakers at Igon while Sayuri drags Reylin out of the corner! She works together with Rei to hook Reylin… and both women drop him with a double suplex! Sayuri looks to cover Reylin but Rei kicks her in the skull before grabbing the hair! She goes for a neckbreaker, but Sayuri reverses and grabs the leg!

Stew-O: Rei is planted on top of Reylin thanks to a Northern Lights Suplex!

Persephone: Diego stomps down on Sayuri’s stomach and reaches for her! She tries to fight him off with forearm shots, but Diego with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Sayuri is grabbing her back and it looks like this loser is going to the top rope!

Gavin Kirkland: THAT’S IT DADDY! LET’S GO DIEGO!

Persephone: You disgust me.

Stew-O: DIEGO WITH ‘LATIN LOVER SPLASH’!!!

Gavin Kirkland: :damn: HE’S CAUGHT… BUT TAFAE! DIEGO IS BEGGING FOR HIS LIFE AS TAFAE GETS HIM IN POSITION… AND THERE’S ‘APAI’!!! THE POP-UP SAMOAN DROP NEARLY PUTS DIEGO THROUGH THE CANVAS AND TAFAE HAS THE COVER!!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Bella Braxton: AND YOUR NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP NUMBER ONE CONTENDER… TAFAE TOA!!!!

(26:28)

Persephone: Unfortunately there’s still a lot of time left on the clock so who knows if this moron can hang on for that long?

Gavin Kirkland: I believe he can :drakelike:!

Stew-O: BUT REI IS LOOKING FOR A ROLL-UP! Tafae is able to roll through! They both scramble to their feet and Tafae goes for a lariat!

Persephone: Rei ducks under… JUST TO EAT A BIG BOOT FROM IGON!

Gavin Kirkland: SHE GOES DOWN HARD AND TAFAE REBOUNDS FROM THE MISSED LARIAT, AND TRIES TO CATCH IGON WITH IT!

Stew-O: IGON DUCKS AS WELL BUT SAYURI OFF THE ROPES! SPRINGBOARD ELBOW SMASH! IGON FALLS INTO THE ARMS OF WINONA HENDRICKSON AND WITH THE HELP OF REYLIN… THEY TOSS IGON UP AND DROP HIM THROAT FIRST ACROSS THE TOP ROPE!

Persephone: REYLIN AND WINONA IMMEDIATELY TURN ON EACH OTHER, THROWING RIGHTS AND LEFTS, WHILE SAYURI IS BROUGHT DOWN BY DIEGO! HE STARTS STOMPING AWAY ON HER WHILE REI ATTEMPTS TO JUMP IN! DIEGO CLOCKS HER WITH A SPINNING BACK FIST AND TOSSES HER RIGHT OUT OF THE RING!

Gavin Kirkland: DIEGO PULLS SAYURI UP BY THE HAIR BUT SHE PEPPERS HIM WITH A FLURRY OF ALTERNATING FOREARMS! DIEGO IS ABLE TO FEND HER OFF WITH A KICK TO THE MID-SECTION AND A HAMMER-FISTED SHOT TO THE BACK OF THE NECK! Poor Sayuri :plead:.

Stew-O: Sayuri is dropped to her knees and Diego turns around… RIGHT INTO CLOTHESLINE FROM REYLIN! Winona jumps on top of Diego and starts throwing lefts and rights, while Reylin takes a hold of the hair. He rakes Winona’s face across the ropes before throwing her right into Tafae’s waiting arms!

Persephone: Belly-to-belly suplex connects! Tafae pops up and goes right for Reylin BUT IGON JUST SLIPPED BACK IN THE RING!

Gavin Kirkland: OOOOF! He just DESTROYED the chest of Tafae Toa! Igon is absolutely lighting up the current number one contender, and Rei is back in the ring now too!

Stew-O: LOW BLOW! LOW BLOW FROM REI TO IGON!

Persephone: Well finally someone did something spicy. Shit has no rules and so far we’ve had a snooze-fest.

Stew-O: REI IS LOOKING TO DELIVER ONE TO TAFAE TOO BUT REYLIN SNATCHES HER FROM BEHIND AND TOSSES HER CLEAR ACROSS THE RING WITH A RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX!

Gavin Kirkland: ‘SAYONARA’!!!! THE KNEE LIFT NEARLY KNOCKS REYLIN OUT AND SAYURI COLLAPSES ON TOP OF HIM… HOOKING THE LEGS!!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Persephone: TAFAE WAS TOO LATE TO BREAK UP THE PIN!

(24:36)

Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN… YOUR NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP…. SAYURI HIMURA!!!

Persephone: Your goat lasted like less than five minutes as the contender or whatever.

Gavin Kirkland: I don’t exactly hate this alternative…

Persephone: You seriously give me the ick.

Stew-O: Well Tafae is absolutely enraged that Sayuri managed to snatch the contendership from him and he’s looking to take it out on her!

Gavin Kirkland: Not sure how smart that is because Igon has made it to his feet! Rei is pulling herself up. Diego slipped out of the ring long enough to get a sip of the matcha latte but he is looking around to see if there’s an opening. Sayuri has rolled off Reylin and it’s starting to dawn on her that she is the biggest target in this match!

Persephone: Winona just licked those disgusting lips of hers and she bulldozes Sayuri into the corner!

Stew-O: Winona is just driving her shoulder right into the ribs of Sayuri right now as Sayuri is just trying to get free and not get caught in a fall.

Persephone: Then why did she show up for this match?

Gavin Kirkland: To become Number One Contender. Keep up.

Stew-O: Meanwhile, Winona uses that power to sit Sayuri on the top turnbuckle before climbing up there herself.

Gavin Kirkland: Dangerous territory as Winona has the facelock applied and there isn’t much fight AS BOTH WOMEN COME OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A PICTURE PERFECT SUPERPLEX!!

Persephone: Neither of them are moving. That is absolutely perfect.

Stew-O: Both women took some damage off of the superplex, but Winona is the first to move AND SHE DRAPES AN ARM OVER SAYURI FOR THE COVER!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEE–

Persephone: She kicked out!

Gavin Kirkland: Very close two count for Winona as she almost became the current Number One Contender there.

Stew-O: Both women are down at the moment as we see the power house Tafae Toa back in the ring. Oh these two are in a mess of trouble.

Persephone: I hope he drives them both through the mat and they never return. That would be so great to see.

Gavin Kirkland: Toa hits the ropes before running to Winona AND LEAVES HIS FEET TO HIT A BEAUTIFUL SPLASH! THAT IS 285 POUNDS LANDING RIGHT ON WINONA!

Stew-O: Winona isn’t moving as Toa picks her up and just dumps her outside the ring with an ugly thud.

Gavin Kirkland: Now he turns his attention to Sayuri, who is the current Number One Contender and picks her up like she was nothing. Toa just tosses her back into the corner as he backs up to the opposite corner.

Persephone: Oh this could be brutal and I am all for it.

Stew-O: TOA RUNS FULL SPEED RIGHT TOWARDS SAORI TO SPLASH HER IN THE CORNER–

Persephone: SHE GETS OUT OF THE WAY AND HE JUST RUNS RIGHT INTO THE CORNER! SHIT, I THINK THE RING JUST SHIFTED A LITTLE BIT! Don’t break the stuff moron!

Gavin Kirkland: That certainly took some damage to Toa as Sayori is right there AND SHE IS JUST DELIVERING KNIFE EDGE CHOPS TO TAFAE TOA!

Stew-O: Those chops aren’t having too much effect, but you gotta give her credit. She certainly has a lot of guts.

Persephone: But no freaking brains. She backs up enough TO TRY FOR A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT–

Gavin Kirkland: DIRECT HIT TO THE JAW AND THAT CERTAINLY DID SOMETHING AS TOA BACKS UP IN RECOIL! Sayori decides to try that one more time–

Stew-O: TOA CATCHES HER AND PICKS HER UP TO HIT A MODIFIED FLAPJACK RIGHT INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!

Persephone: She might have become a permanent part of the turnbuckle there. See ya, bitch.

Gavin Kirkland: This isn’t good as Sayuri comes stumbling out of the corner as Toa grabs her around the waist AND LIFTS HER UP IN THE AIR–

Stew-O: AND DROPS HER WITH THE GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB! SAYURI DRIVEN HARD INTO THE MAT AS HE STARTS TO DROP FOR THE COVER–

Gavin Kirkland: DIEGO MONTANA! DIEGO WITH A MISSILE DROPKICK CATCHING TOA IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! Diego is back on his feet AS HE HITS A SUPERKICK TO THE FACE AND ACTUALLY SENT TAFAE TOA THROUGH THE ROPES!

Persephone: That’s more than I will ever give that weirdo credit for.

Stew-O: Sayuri is still down in the ring and Diego sees a golden opportunity as he climbs all the way to the top rope.

Persephone: You have got to be joking with me.

Gavin Kirkland: DIEGO SHOWS OFF A LITTLE ON THE TOP ROPE BEFORE HE LEAPS OFF AND HITS THE LATIN LOVER SPLASH!

Stew-O: DIRECT HIT BY DIEGO AS SHE HOOKS SAYURI’S LEG FOR THE COVER!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Bella Braxton: YOUR NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP….DIEGO MONTANA!!!

(20:57)

Persephone: You have got to be fucking joking me. This idiot is currently the Number One Contender.

Gavin Kirkland: Diego is very opportunistic and he took advantage of the situation and now he just needs to survive the rest of the time limit and he is the number one contender!

Stew-O: Here comes Rei Oboro back in the ring AND DIEGO TRIES TO RUN AWAY FROM REI, BUT SHE CATCHES HIM! Rei pulls him in AND HITS A BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX ON DIEGO!

Gavin Kirkland: Diego is back on his feet AND REI FIRES BACK WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! DIEGO STUMBLES BACK AND SHE HITS HIM WITH ANOTHER CHOP!

Persephone: A few more of those and he might have the big chest he thinks he does.

Stew-O: Rei is being relentless AND DIEGO WITH A THUMB TO THE EYE STOPS REI IN HER TRACKS!

Persephone: She is so short, I thought Diego would be stupid and miss by going right over her head.

Gavin Kirkland: Rei is trying to get the sting out of her eyes as Diego comes out of the corner AND HITS A SLINGBLADE TAKING REI DOWN!

Stew-O: Now Diego hits the ropes and comes back AND DELIVERS A RUNNING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP RIGHT INTO THE HEART OF REI!

Persephone: Now he is just trying to show off.

Gavin Kirkland: Diego is just starting to feel really confident as he brings Rei back to her feet and applies a waistlock BEFORE HITTING A GERMAN SUPLEX!

Stew-O: REI SENT HEAD OVER HEELS AND NOW THE ARROGANCE IS COMING INTO VIEW AS HE POINTS TO HIS BOOT!

Gavin Kirkland: He is just getting ready for the superkick as Rei starts to get back to her feet AND HE FIRES THE SUPERKICK–

Persephone: SHE DUCKED THE KICK! WHAT AN IDIOT!

Stew-O: Rei is now behind Diego as she PULLS HIM BY THE HAIR AND DOWN INTO THE TEARS IN RAIN! REAR NAKED CHOKE! DIEGO IS TRYING TO FIGHT IT BUT THE FIGHT DOESN’T LAST VERY LONG AS HE TAPS OUT!!

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP…. REI OBORO!!!

(18:58)

Persephone: WOW! A Showdown reject from Sunday Night Voltage was willing to tap out for the inferior brand that’s willing to decide to use our people for any brand if people are used to being used if they are to be using this brand that is starting that as legal citizens in the USA like me and you! We can use their energy and then.. REGARDLESS!

Stew-O: Rei Oboro looks to be the current number one contender!!! There’s still plenty of time left in this match but if no one is able to get another fall she’ll be your new number one contender to the New Breed Championship!

Gavin Kirkland: WAIT JUST A SECOND!! IGON MORDREN JUST RIGHT BEHIND REI AND DELIVERS A GERMAN SUPLEX!! REI DOWN TO THE MATT AS NOW IGON GRABS A HOLD OF REI AND– IS DELIVERING SOME ANVIL ELBOWS RIGHT TO HER SHOULDER!

Stew-O: Some payback towards Rei for nailing that lowblow to Igon minutes ago! Igon looks irate as HE’S NOW STOMPING RIGHT INTO REI’S SHOULDER!! SERBIAN’S OWN IS OUTAGED!!

Igon Mordren: (off-mic) I AM THE GREATEST WRESTLER ON GOD’S GREEN EARTH, DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT???

Persephone: Alright bro we get it.

Stew-O: Igon is not letting this up as– WAIT REYLIN JUST CAME BACK INTO THE RING AND DELIVERED A SLAP RIGHT TO IGON’S FACE!! THESE TWO CANNOT STAND ONE ANOTHER AS NOW IGON DELIVERS AN OPEN HAND PLAM STRIKE RIGHT BACK!! REYLIN THEN DELIVERS WITH AN ELBOW AS BOTH MEN ARE EXCHANGING STRIKES TO ONE ANOTHER!

Gavin Kirkland: BUT TAFAE ENTERS BACK INTO THE RING AS WELL AS HE GOES STRAIGHT AFTER IGON AND REYLIN!! SLAPS TO THE BOTH MEN AS– NOW ALL THREE OF THEM ARE TRADING SLAPS WITH ANOTHER! SLAP FROM IGON! SLAP FROM REYLIN! SLAP FROM TAFAE!! THEY SLAPPING MEAT!!

Persephone: Yo??? Pause???

Stew-O: NO PAUSING HERE PERSEPHONE AS– IGON DELIVERS A CHOP TO REYLIN!!! REYLIN GOES DOWN AS TAFAE– TRIES TO FOR THE FORBIDDEN DEATH GRIP– BUT IGON AVOIDS IT AND NAILS HIM WITH KNIFE EDGE CHOP OF HIS OWN!!!!

Persephone: BUT LOOK! REI IS BACK UP FROM HER FEET AND DELIVERS A RUNNING CROSSBODY TO UNSUSPECTING IGON!!

Gavin Kirkland: IGON IS DOWN AS NOW REI LOOKS TO TAKE CARE OF IGON WITH THE TEARS OF RAIN REAR NAKED CHOKE JUST LIKE SHE DID WITH DIEGO–

Stew-O: IGON GETS OUT OF IT QUICKLY AND– NAILS HER WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP!!! SHE GRABS A HOLD OF HER AND– DELIVERS WITH THAT NASTY POWERBOMB!! HE GOES FOR THE COVER!!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP…. IGON MORDREN!!!

(16:45)

Stew-O: The fans here in Oxford are not happy with that one as now the person who didn’t even wanna participate in this match to begin with is now currently the Number One Contender to the New Breed Championship!

Igon Mordren: (off-mic) THIS IS AMATEUR HOUR!!! I RUN CIRCLES AROUND EVERYONE ELSE HERE!! YOU UNDERSTAND THAT??? YOU SHOULD HAVE GIVEN ME BETTER COMPETITION!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Igon really put salt in the wound as– OH MY GOD!! SAYURI-CHAN IS BACK IN THE RING AND DELIVERS A RUNNING LARIAT TO IGON!!! IGON IS NO MATCH FOR HER SEXINESS!! DO IT FOR ME SAYURI!!!

Persephone: Okay bro, you gotta relax a little bit.

Stew-O: SAYURI DELIVERS THAT RUNNING LARAIT TO IGON WHO STUMBLES FROM IT AS SAYURI– CONNECTS WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT TO IGON!! IGON IS STILL ON HIS FEET AS NOW SAYURI– TRIES TO GO FOR A SAITO SUPLEX!!

Persephone: NOPE! Igon lunges an elbow strike to Sayuri’s face as now Igon grabs a hold of Sayuri from behind and goes for a german suplex on her!!

Gavin Kirkland: SAYURI LANDS ON HER FEET!! IGON TURNS AROUND AND SAYURI MANAGES TO LAND IZANAMI!! ONE SEXY SPINNING BACKFIST AS NOW IGON GOES DOWN TO THE GROUND AS SAYURI GOES FOR THE COVER ON HIM!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE–

Stew-O: WINONA CAME RIGHT IN TO BREAK IT UP IN TIME!! SAYURI COULD HAVE PINNED IGON RIGHT THERE BUT WINONA HAD OTHER PLANS!! SHE GRABS A HOLD OF SAYURI AND GOES FOR A BACKBREAKER!!

Gavin Kirkland: DON’T COUNT OUT SAYURI!! SHE REVERES IT AND DELIVERS A FOREARM RIGHT IN THE BACK OF WINONA’S HEAD!!! SAYURI NOW GRABS A HOLD OF WINONA AND WHIPS HER RIGHT INTO THE CORNER!!!

Persephone: I don’t know what Sayuri is going for here– AND IT WAS A RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!! IT CONNECTS TO WINONA AS NOW SHE BRINGS HER OVER TO THE TOP ROPE!

Stew-O: Winona is positioned as Sayuri– MAY BE GOING FOR A SUPERPLEX HERE TOWARDS WINONA!! SHE HAS IN POSITION AND–

Gavin Kirkland: WHAT THE HELL??? DIEGO MONTANA FROM OUT OF NOWHERE SPRINGBOARD OFF THE ROPES AND FLIPS INTO A SUNSET POWERBOMB TO SAYURI!!! SAYURI IS DOWN AND OUT AS DIEGO HOOKS HER LEG LOOKING TO PIN HER AGAIN TO BE NUMBER ONE CONTENDER!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

Persephone: BUT WINONA FROM THE TOP ROPE LANDS A FROG SPLASH TO BREAK UP THAT PIN!!! SQUISHING BOTH DIEGO AND SAYURI!! DIEGO ROLLS OUT THE RING AS NOW WINONA BRINGS SAYURI BACK TO HER FEET AND–

Gavin Kirkland: HEAVEN SENT!! POOR SAYURI-CHAN GOES DOWN WITH SITOUT POWERBOMB FROM WINONA AS SHE GOES FOR THE COVER!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP….WINONA HENDRICKSON!!!

(14:21)

Stew-O: Winona now is the current number one contender to the New Breed Championship!! We have had so many people get the distinction to be the current holder, trading that spot back and forth until someone remains that holder when the time expires! It’s what makes the scramble match an exciting match prospect!

Persephone: Alright relax nerd.

Gavin Kirkland: Unfortunate Sayuri-Chan got pinned there by Mommy Winona…

Persephone: Those words are not in the bible, what is wrong with you.

Gavin Kirkland: Don’t kill my vibe!

Stew-O: Anyways… Winona is now standing in the ring as Rei Oboro has now entered back into the ring after being taken out by Igon Mordren! Rei delivers with a flurry of palm strikes and knife edge chops!! Winona eats them up, in utter pain but is still standing as Rei tries to go for a back elbow of her own– BUT WINONA COUNTERS IT!!

Gavin Kirkland: She delivers with a chop of her own as she brings Rei in– FOR A SEXY URANAGE!! IT BRINGS REI TO THE GROUND!! WINONA BRINGS REI BACK TO HER FEET LOOKING TO HIT THAT WH-103 LIFTING DDT– BUT REI COUNTERS IT WITH A HEATBUTT!! IT STUNS WINONA AND–

Persephone: REI JUST GOT HER FEET SWEEPED BY– IGON FROM THE OUTSIDE!! HE BRINGS REI TO THE OUTSIDE AND SHOVES HER RIGHT INTO THE STEEL STEPS!!

Stew-O: Rei had Winona possibly in position for something else but Igon disrupts that as he’s got smug look on his face for doing that just now and–

Persephone: LOOK OUT!!

Gavin Kirkland: WINONA TAKES TO THE SKY AND DELIVERS A TOPE SUICIDA TO IGON!! WINONA IS RUNNING OFF ADRALINE AFTER GETTING HIT WITH THAT HEADBUTT AS IGON DIDN’T SEE IT COMING AS WINONA BRINGS IGON TO HIS FEET AND SLAMS HIM RIGHT INTO THE NEARBY BARRICADE!!! IGON GOES DOWN AS WINONA NOW GOES BACK TO REI AND BRINGS HER BACK INTO THE RING AND–

Persephone: LOOK OUT!

Stew-O: SWITCHBLADE!!! THE SAMOAN SPIKE CONNECTS FROM REYLIN TOWARDS WINONA HE GOES RIGHT DOWN!!! REYLIN GOES FOR THE COVER ON WINONA!!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP….REYLIN ALOALI’I !!!

(12:48)

Stew-O: Reylin now is the current number one contender as everyone in this match has at least earned themselves a fall but of course you only win this match if you remain the number one contender until the time expires. Reylin has no time to rest as Tafae is back in the ring and GOES RIGHT FOR A SUPERKICK!!! IT CATCHES REYLIN OFF GUARD AS TAFAE PICKS REYLIN UP– AND DELIVERS WITH A BODY SLAM!!

Gavin Kirkland: Tafae goes for the cover on Reylin!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

Stew-O: Reylin gets the shoulders up! Tafae isn’t done yet though as he brings Reylin up to his feet– BUT REI GETS RIGHT BACK AND DELIVERS A KNEE LIFT TOWARDS REYLIN!!! TAFAE TRIES TO GO FOR A CLOTHLINES– BUT REI DODGES IT AND DELIVERS A DROPKICK!! TAFAE GOES TUMBLING TO THE OUTSIDE AS REI ROLLS OUT AND–

Gavin Kirkland: DIEGO COMES FLYING IN WITH A HURRICANRANA FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!! IT SENDS REI RIGHT INTO THE GROUND AS DIEGO SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING AND TRIES TO COVER REYLIN!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

Persephone: Diego tried sneaking that in like we wouldn’t notice.

Stew-O: Reylin kicks out as Diego sees the opportunity as– and goes towards the top rope! He’s looking to hit that Latin Lover Splash again–

BAM!

Gavin Kirkland: BUT IS MET WITH A DINOSAUR DROPKICK FROM IGON MORDREN!!! IGON HITS THAT MIDAIR TOWARDS DIEGO!!! IGON GETS DIEGO UP FOR A POWERBOMB–

Persephone: TAFAE TOA IS ALREADY BACK IN THE RING AND IGON DROPS DIEGO AND NOW IS BRAWLING WITH TAFAE AGAIN!! THEY’RE EXCHANGING LEFT AND RIGHT WITH ONE ANOTHER!!

Stew-O: Just throwing complete haymakers at one another and– WAIT LOOK OUT!!

Gavin Kirkland: WOW!! WINONA COMES OUT OF NOWHERE AND DELIVERS WITH SKYFALL ON BOTH IGON AND TAFAE!! THEY BOTH GO DOWN AND OUT!!! WINONA GOT ME FEELING SOMETHING!!

Persephone: please don’t say anything else.

Gavin Kirkland: Igon rolls out the way as Winona has her sights on Tafae as she brings him back with all her strength and– LANDS THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS!!! THE SPIKE PILEDRIVER CONNECTS TO TAFAE AS HE LOOKS DOWN AND OUT!!!

Stew-O: Winona goes for the cover to try and take back the number one contendership!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP….WINONA HENDRICKSON!!!

Stew-O: WINONA GETS THE BACK NUMBER ONE CONTENDERSHIP STATUS AND–

Gavin Kirkland: SAYURI-CHAN!!!

Stew-O: SHE LANDS SAYANORA!! THE KNEE LIFT CONNECTS TO WINONA AS SHE GOES DOWN AND SAYURI GOES FOR THE COVER!!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN… YOUR NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP…. SAYURI HIMURA!!!

(10:06)

Stew-O: AND JUST LIKE THAT WINONA IS NO LONGER NUMBER ONE CONTENDER AS NOW AS IT BELONGS TO SAYURI!! WITH ABOUT TEN MINUTES REMAINING SAYURI JUST NEEDS TO STAY CONTENDER FOR THAT AMOUNT OF TIME AND SHE’LL WIN THIS MATCH!!

Gavin Kirkland: Easier said then done Stew-O as– Igon stands right back up and goes towards Sayuri with a Knife Edge Chop– BUT SAYURI DODGES IT AND GOES FOR A KNIFE CHOP TOWARDS IGON!!!

Persephone: Uh-oh

Stew-O: IT DIDN’T PHASE IGON AS RESPONDS WITH AN OPEN PALM STRIKE RIGHT TO SAYURI’S CHEST!! SAYURI TRIES TO GO FOR A SWING BUT IGON DODGES THAT AND– NAILS SAYURI WITH A TILT A WHIRL BACKBREAKER!! SAYURI IS IN AGONY AS IGON NOW GRABS A HOLD OF HER RIGHT LEG– AND APPLIES THE SINGLE LEG BOSTON CRAB!!

Gavin Kirkland: DON’T TAP SAYURI!! PLEASE!!!

Stew-O: IGON HAS THAT BOSTON CRAB LOCKED IN TIGHT!!! SAYURI IS NOT THE BEST OF POSISTON BECAUSE TAPPING OUT MEANS GIVING UP HER BE THE CURRENT NUMBER ONE CONTENDER!!

Persephone: Sayuri I think it’s over…

(8:04)

Stew-O: DIEGO JUST SLID BACK INTO THE RING AND NAILED A DROPKICK TO AN UNSUSPECTING IGON!! HE LEANS OVER TO THE ROPES AS DIEGO RUNS TOWARDS THE ROPES AND– DELIVERS DIRTY MAVERICK!! THE TIGER FIENT KICK CONNECTS!!! THIS COULD BE DIEGO’S OPPERTUNITY!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: BUT REI OBORO FROM OUT OF NOWHERE SWEEPS DIEGO OFF HIS LEGS FROM OUTSIDE BEFORE HE COULD EVER AND LAND SOMETHING ELSE TO IGON!!!

Stew-O: WAIT A SECOND! HERE COMES REYLIN BACK INTO THE MIX WITH A SUPERKICK TO REI! RIGHT IN THE FACE AND THE BACK OF HER HEAD JUST CRACKS THE FLOOR BELOW!

Persephone: We are just so glad that he’s back. Everybody just sing.

Gavin Kirkland: Diego is still on the apron as he is looking to go after Igon, BUT REYLIN PULLS HIM RIGHT OFF THE APRON AND DIEGO’S FACE JUST CRACKS THE EDGE OF THE RING!

Stew-O: Diego bounces hard off the apron as Reylin kicks him and pulls him in for the gutwrench AND HE JUST POWERBOMBED DIEGO ON THE FLOOR! GOOD GAWD!!

Gavin Kirkland: NO! NOT DIEGO! CIRCE WILL BE SO DISAPPOINTED!

Persephone: Don’t worry. That sloot will probably kiss the boo boo and make it feel better. How disgusting.

(5:57)

Stew-O: Two competitors down on the outside as Reylin rolls into the ring as Igon is now back on his feet and he is looking face to face with Reylin.

Persephone: This is going to be either really good or a big clusterfuck with these two big morons. I am leaning towards the second one.

Gavin Kirkland: Time is slowly ticking down on this match and Sayuri is still the Number One Contender for the time being… but she is in trouble because she is down and still trying to recover from the Boston Crab from earlier.

Stew-O: IGON HITS A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ON REYLIN, BUT REYLIN WANTS ANOTHER! HE WANTS MORE AND IGON IS HAPPY TO OBLIGE WITH ANOTHER CHOP!

Persephone: Of course Reylin wants more. He’s fluent in big stupid glutton for pain.

Gavin Kirkland: Igon is just chopping away at Reylin, BUT REYLIN BLOCKS A CHOP AND COUNTERS WITH A SUPERKICK TO THE CHEST! THE FORCE COULD HAVE CAVED IGON’S CHEST IN!

Stew-O: Igon bounces off the ropes and Reylin hoists him onto his shoulder. What power by Reylin as he turns Igon AND DROPS HIM WITH THE SAMOAN DRIVER! ALMOST RIGHT ON HIS HEAD!

(4:19)

Gavin Kirkland: Igon is down once again for the time being and Sayuri is back on her feet in the corner, BUT HERE COMES REYLIN RUNNING IN FOR THE CORNER SPLASH–

Persephone: The idiot missed.

Stew-O: REYLIN FINDS NOTHING BUT THE TURNBUCKLES! Reylin starts stumbling backwards out of the corner AS SAYURI GETS ON HIS BACK AND HAS HIS ARMS HOOKED FOR A CRUCIFIX!!

Persephone: What in the hell is she doing? She doesn’t need to go for a fall on anybody! She’s winning!

Gavin Kirkland: Sayuri is pulling out all stops to try to get the powerful Reylin off of his feet, BUT REYLIN GRABS HER AND PLANTS HER WITH A SAMOAN DROP! OH NO!

Stew-O: Sayuri is down as Reylin picks her up like a sack of potatoes AND DELIVERS THE KILL STRIKE! SAMOAN SPIKE BY REYLIN! THE SWITCHBLADE CONNECT AND REYLIN DROPS INTO THE COVER!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER TO THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP…. REYLIN ALOALI’I !!!

(2:58)

Persephone: Gotta tolerate it when the brain cell works overtime and it pays off.

Gavin Kirkland: That couldn’t have come at a better time for Reylin as he is now the Number One Contender. As we saw on the clock just a second ago, we are pretty much into nut cutting time.

Stew-O: Eloquent as always, Gavin.

Persephone: That was so fucking stupid!

Gavin Kirkland: But am I lying. This is going to be tough as the powerful Reylin just needs to survive the remaining minutes of the match and he leaves as the Number One Contender!

Stew-O: These last few minutes might be a cakewalk for Reylin as nobody is on their feet at the moment. It’s like a massacre has occurred all around… and it has.

Persephone: I know and it’s such a beautiful sight to see. This idiot is just standing around waiting for somebody. Keep killing them… WELL WELL WELL!

Gavin Kirkland: OHHHHH BOY! IGON IS BACK ON HIS FEET AND HE LOOKS ABSOLUTELY PISSED!

Stew-O: I am not sure if I want to be Reylin right now, but he isn’t going to back up from Igon AND REYLIN IS ON THE OFFENSE WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! Igon is on the ropes AS REYLIN COMES RUNNING IN FOR THAT RUNNING HIP ATTACK–

Gavin Kirkland: IGON WITH A BIG BOOT THAT JUST CLOBBERED REYLIN IN THE FACE! REYLIN JUST CRASHED AND BURNED RIGHT THERE!

(1:30)

Persephone: He had no idea what hit him… bet he does now.

Stew-O: Igon isn’t stopping! IGON JUST LIFTS REYLIN BACK TO HIS FEET AND TOSSES HIM DOWN WITH A BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX! IGON IS JUST STOMPING THE HELL OUT OF REYLIN!

Persephone: Yeah but we’re almost out of time. If you kill him too much, he still wins. Don’t be stupid!

Gavin Kirkland: Right now I don’t think that Igon even cares about the title shot. If he does, he is making a statement to get it as Igon pulls him up to his feet once again AND DROPS HIM WITH AN STO!

Stew-O: Reylin goes face first into the mat, BUT HE IS STILL MOVING! HOW?

Persephone: Voluntary spasms. The more stupid they are, the more common an occurrence it is.

Gavin Kirkland: Just because you spend a lot of time at the plastic surgeon doesn’t make you an expert on health.

Stew-O: Call it whatever you want, but Igon will not stop. Igon pulls Reylin up to his feet once again and has him around the waist AND LIFTS HIM UP IN THE AIR AND DRIVES HIM DOWN WITH A POWERBOMB!

Persephone: Alright, stupid. Now go for the cover and win the match for yourself.

(0:45)

Gavin Kirkland: BUT IGON ISN’T STOPPING! REYLIN IS BARELY MOVING AS IGON PULLS HIM TO HIS FEET ONCE AGAIN!

Stew-O: Igon is bringing Reylin in once again with the gutwrench AND LIFTS HIM UP AGAIN AND PLANTS HIM WITH ANOTHER POWERBOMB! THAT ONE COULD HAVE PUT REYLIN THROUGH THE MAT!

Gavin Kirkland: Reylin could get comfortable there. He isn’t moving now. You have made your point. Just pin the man and win.

Persephone: OHHH YE OF LITTLE BRAIN! HE ISN’T DONE YET! NOW LET’S GET TO THE BLOODBATH!!

Stew-O: WHAT IS IGON DOING? IGON IS PULLING REYLIN TO HIS FEET ONCE AGAIN! IGON YOU HAVE DONE ENOUGH!

(0:30)

Persephone: I hate all of the dumbasses, but this? This I can somewhat tolerate, especially if it puts him in the hospital.

Gavin Kirkland: Igon pulls him in one more time with the gutwrench AND HE LIFTS REYLIN UP ONCE AGAIN AND HITS REYLIN WITH A THIRD POWERBOMB!

Stew-O: IGON HAS JUST COMPLETED DECIMATED REYLIN RIGHT THERE WITH THAT ONSLAUGHT OF AN ATTACK LEADING TO THE FINALE OF THREE POWERBOMBS!! IGON JUST STORMS OFF, NOT EVEN GOING FOR THE COVER!!!

Persephone: WHAT IN THE HELL??

Gavin Kirkland: LOOK! SOMEONE HAS JUST CRAWLED INTO THE RING! I CAN’T REALLY TELL WHO IT IS!!

(0:05)

Stew-O: NOT ONLY CRAWLING INTO THE RING! THEY GET THE COVER ON REYLIN! BUT WILL THEY BEAT THE TIME! OHH IT’S GOING TO BE CLOSE!

(0:03)

OOONNNEEE!!!

(0:02)

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

(0:01)

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

(0:00)

(DING! DING! DING!)

(The time has run out and the referee is talking to Bella Braxton. She nods and announces the final decision of the match.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen. The time limit has expired. So the winner of this match….

Bella Braxton: And the Number One Contender for the New Breed Championship….

(The crowd is silent as they wait to see who won the match.)

Bella Braxton: …WINONA HENDRICKSON!!

Stew-O:: WINONA HAS WON THIS MATCH AND IS OFFICIALLY THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDER!!! IGON MORDREN JUST COMPLETELY DESTROYED REYLIN AS HE’S NOW STORMING OUT THE RING!

Gavin Kirkland: Winona with a big win here tonight as she now looks to be next in line to challenge for the EAW New Breed Championship! That was some crazy ass shit, it was wild but in the end it was Winona who left the Territorial Invasion and this scramble match as the winner!

Persephone: Ehhhh.

Stew-O: Regardless, Congrats to Winona for winning tonight’s New Breed Scramble match, as she is the new number one contender for the title!

(Winona slowly stands up before getting her arm raised by the referee as the crowd cheers her on! Igon has already left the ring while the other competitors watch ringside, seeing Winona celebrate her victory. Territorial Invasion soon fades out.)

(EAW logo buzzes.)

(After the intro plays, the camera cuts to the arena, where the fans are fully in attendance for the pre-show. Several angles show off the enthusiastic crowd before the shot fades onto the commentary team.)

Stew-O: Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for WAR! Welcome everyone to the pre-show for TERRITORIAL INVASION! I am Stew-O, coming from Dynasty, and with me are Gavin Kirkland of Showdown and Persephone of Voltage.

Persephone: Ew, why you had to announce us like that? ‘Persephone of Voltage’?

Gavin Kirkland: Well, I quite like it, especially when soon enough, the New Breed Championship will be with Showdown.

Stew-O: I wouldn’t go that far already, but we have three matches on the pre-show for the next hour, and all of them are can’t miss! Speaking of: we will have the New Breed title up first! Anna Wautier defends against Wynter Kuroyami, and both ladies will kick it off for us right now!

(The graphics for the first match appear)

View post on imgur.com

EAW: The camera pans back from commercial and to Stephie Love inside of the ring, microphone lifted up to her mouth…

Stephie Love: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SET FOR ONE FALL!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!

Stephie Love: AND IT IS FOR THE EAW NEEEEEEW BREEEEEEEEEED CHAAAAAAMPIONSHIP!

(‘Phantasmagory’ by Denkare starts to echo around the arena, Wynter Kuroyami immediately making her way out. She starts slowly making her way down to an assortment of boos throughout The Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. She flings her arms around, mocking them as she walks down the entrance ramp.)

Stephie Love: Introducing first…… THE CHALLENGER! From Kanagawa, Japan… Weighing in at 129 pounds… SHE IS “THE CENTER OF THE VOID”! WYYYYYNTERRR KUUUUROOOOOOYAAAAAMI!

(Wynter Kuroyami climbs up the ring apron, entering the ring and making her way into her corner. She stands there, waiting for her opponent.)

(‘DIVE in LIVE’ by YOLOZ starts blasting throughout the arena as the fans in attendance rise for Anna Wautier! Anna makes her way out, a smile on her face and The EAW New Breed Championship strapped around her waist! She makes her way down the entrance ramp, sliding up onto the ring apron, pointing at the fans in attendance as they cheered her on!)

Stephie Love: And her opponent…… THE CHAMPION! From Yokohama, Japan… Weighing in at 142 pounds…. SHE IS THE NEW BREED CHAMPION… “THE THORN PRINCESS”, ANNNNA WAAAAUTIIIIIER!

( DING! DING! DING! )

Stew-O: Two competitors aiming for the same goal, looking to walk out of Territorial Invasion with the same championship, and aiming to bring immense pride to themselves as well as their brands here!

Jake Mercer: Anna representing our home Dynasty and Wynter representing Showdown, both trying to take The New Breed Championship back home!

Flannery McCoy: Anna and Wynter have got themselves in a bit of a staring contest right now! They’ve slowly begun creeping closer and closer to one another, closing the gap between themselves…

Stew-O: HERE WE GO! Collar-And-Elbow Tie Up engaged between the champion and challenger! Anna is attempting to push Wynter back, but Wynter is refusing to give in that easily!

Jake Mercer: Wautier swiftly slipping behind Kurayami, pulling her in with a rear waist lock, keeping her in place! Kurayami is trying to fight back, but Wautier has begun to lift her off of the ground, LOOKING FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX HERE?!

Flannery McCoy: But she can’t do it! Wynter pushes her weight down, keeping herself grounded! Wynter shoots the arm back, firing a back elbow right into the face of Anna Wautier, looking to force a release out of the champion… But that isn’t enough to make Anna release that grip!

Stew-O: Maybe not, Flannery — but that certainly isn’t the extent of Wynter’s attempts! Wynter swings the left arm back, wrapping it around Anna’s head and driving her down to the mat, successfully pulling her down with a headlock takedown! The tides have turned in the favor of Wynter Kurayami!

Jake Mercer: Wynter has that headlock applied, keeping The New Breed Champion grounded is a smart play, but knowing how these two operate? I’m not sure how long it’ll stay a smart play.

Flannery McCoy: You might just be right there, Jake! Anna is beginning to flail around, attempting to squeeze her way out of Wynter’s arms… But it seems like Wynter refuses to let go of the tight grip she has on the champion! Wynter begins wrenching that headlock, trying to take total control of this match!

Stew-O: If that’s Wynter’s game, then she’s certainly playing it right! Right now, Wynter has Anna pinned to the ground, refusing to let go! Wynter has control, but Anna has started fighting it! Anna drives a palm strike into the spine of Kurayami, looking to create some leverage!

Jake Mercer: Wynter was most definitely affected by that palm strike, but she still refuses to let go! She’s trying to restrict as much oxygen from the champion as possible! Wynter continues to wrench that headlock, forcing the champion to dawn a bit of an unpleasant face here!

Flannery McCoy: Despite that… Anna reels back, rolling Wynter’s shoulders on the mat! She could steal it here!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Stew-O: NOT ENOUGH! Wynter rolls back into position, keeping that headlock on the champion nice and tight!

Jake Mercer: …Not for long! Anna lifts her legs up, grabbing Wynter and pulling her down with a headscissors takedown!

Flannery McCoy: However, as soon as Wynter is taken down, she rolls around, clutching the legs and flipping herself over – right on top of the champion! Wynter has Anna’s shoulders pressed against the mat once again!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWWWWWW—

Stew-O: WAIT A MINUTE! ANNA… IS DEADLIFTING WYNTER UP, BREAKING THE JACK KNIFE ROLL-UP!! WHAT AN IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY OF STRENGTH!

Jake Mercer: Anna maneuvering her way around, pulling Wynter in between her legs, lifting her up onto her shoulders… THINKING OF A POWERBOMB?!

Flannery McCoy: No! Wynter slips off of Anna’s shoulders, quickly lunging forward with a European Uppercut! Anna staggering back, Wynter dashing to the ropes!

Stew-O: Wynter coming back hot, looking for a clothesline– NO! ANNA CAUGHT THE ARM! ANNA MANEUVERS THE CHALLENGER AROUND, GETTING BEHIND HER AND PULLING WYNTER DOWN, PUSHING HER ONTO THE MAT WITH A BACKSLIDE ROLL-UP!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Jake Mercer: Wynter frantically kicks out, pushing herself off of Anna and back onto her knees–

Flannery McCoy: –ANNA QUICKLY SHOOTS UP, SWINGING FOR A BUZZSAW KICK TO THE CHALLENGER’S JAW!

Stew-O: SWING AND A MISS! WYNTER DUCKED UNDER THE BOOT!

Jake Mercer: Anna seems to be off-balance, WYNTER TAKES ADVANTAGE, SWEEPING HER FROM UNDERNEATH AND TOSSING HER BODY ON TOP OF ANNA’S, COVERING HER!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Flannery McCoy: ANNA SWIFTLY KICKS OUT! Wynter shoots up to her feet, Anna quickly gets up! Both women turn to one another, swinging wildly at the same time… AND KNOCKING ONE ANOTHER BACK!

Stew-O: Anna staggers back! Wynter staggers back! Anna is the first one to rush forward, looking for another Clothesline… But Wynter moves out of the way, sending Anna into the ropes!

Jake Mercer: Anna rebounds, this time it’s Wynter looking for the Clothesline!

Flannery McCoy: Anna ducks beneath the arm, running to the opposite set of ropes, rebounding in Wynter’s direction once again!

Stew-O: Wynter drops down, looking to trip Anna over… But Anna hops right over the grounded Wynter! She runs off of the ropes once again, Wynter shooting up to her feet, looking to leapfrog over Anna—

Jake Mercer: —BUT ANNA CATCHES HER MID-AIR, LAUNCHING HER BACK WITH A FALLAWAY SLAM! BRIDGE APPLIED!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!

Flannery McCoy: NOT ENOUGH! THE CHALLENGER STAYS ALIVE WITH A KICKOUT!

Stew-O: Anna lets go of the pinfall and Wynter immediately rolls out of the ring, possibly taking a timeout after all that!

Jake Mercer: These two are matching one another’s pace, absolutely refusing to give the other competitor an inch… But from where I’m sitting? I’d argue that it’s Anna Wautier who managed to get the upperhand with that impressive fallaway slam!

Flannery McCoy: That’s true, Jake. Anna seems to have the upperhand, seeing as Wynter just rolled out of the ring to think things over… It looks like those observations that Anna made the other week when Wynter tapped out Triple X World Heavyweight Champion Brickhouse is starting to pay off!

Stew-O: Maybe so, Flannery. Anna takes a few steps back from the ropes, giving Wynter the space she’s looking for… Wynter slowly slides back into the ring, keeping her eyes on the champion…

Jake Mercer: Wynter gets back to her feet as Anna starts creeping in… AND HERE WE GO! RIGHT BACK TO THE COLLAR-AND-ELBOW TIE UP!

Flannery McCoy: Anna and Wynter start to push each other around once again – Wynter swiftly slipping behind Anna and placing her in a rear waist lock! Anna is trying to break free, but Wynter keeps the clutches applied.. ANNA FIRES A BACK ELBOW INTO THE BRIDGE OF WYNTER’S NOSE!

Stew-O: That elbow might’ve done a number on the challenger!

Jake Mercer: The grip is broken and Anna immediately maneuvers her way behind Wynter, grabbing her by the waist and lifting her off of the ground… Looking for a German Suplex!—

Flannery McCoy: —WYNTER PUSHES HER LEGS BACK AND WRAPS IT AROUND ANNA’S WAIST, PUSHING HERSELF DOWN WITH A WHEELBARROW ROLL-UP!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!

Stew-O: ……….ANNA PUSHES HERSELF BACK, DEADLIFTING WYNTER WITH A WHEELBARROW OF HER OWN, IMMEDIATELY PLANTING THE CHALLENGER WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! BRIDGE APPLIED!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!

Jake Mercer: WYNTER KICKS OUT! Yet another impressive counter from the champion, I’m not sure if Wynter should continue playing this kind of game with her!

Flannery McCoy: I agree! Anna has been showing time and time again, she’s going to meet Wynter at every single turn she makes! That back elbow seemed to have rattled Wynter a bit, but she was able to recover from that… Now? I’m not too sure! The bridge on the wheelbarrow roll-up wasn’t too strong, I’d say that back elbow was the reason for that.

Stew-O: I think you’re correct, Flannery… Now that I take a closer look, Wynter is BLEEDING from her nose! That back elbow might have been a piece of what decides this match entirely!

Jake Mercer: I want to believe you, Stew… But…

( Wynter rises up to her knees, wiping the blood from her nose and giving an eerie smile at the sight of her own blood… She tilts her gaze back up to Anna, not backing down a bit. Wynter rises up to her feet, telling Anna to bring it with a wide grin on her face! )

Flannery McCoy: Something isn’t right with Wynter, I’ll be the first to say it tonight…

Stew-O: BUT ANNA REFUSES TO GIVE INTO HER MINDGAMES, IMMEDIATELY CHARGING WYNTER WITH A RUNNING BIG BOOT!

Jake Mercer: ….WYNTER ROLLS UNDER THE BOOT, QUICKLY RISING UP BEHIND THE CHAMPION!

Flannery McCoy: WYNTER PULLS ANNA BY THE SHOULDERS, LEAPING UP–

Stew-O: –POISONRANA SPIKES THE CHAMPION!

Jake Mercer: Anna gets spiked and pops right onto her feet, wobbling around on spaghetti legs! The challenger gets right back onto her feet, turning towards the champion…

Flannery McCoy: ‘FOUNDATION OF DECAY’!!!! THE RUNNING BICYCLE KICK CLOCKS ANNA RIGHT ON THE MONEY!

Stew-O: ANNA FALLS BACK, RIGHT THROUGH THE ROPES AND SPLATTERS AT RINGSIDE! THAT COULD’VE BEEN A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR WYNTER KUROYAMI IN THIS MATCH, BUT IT SEEMS THAT OPPORTUNITY WAS JUST LOST!

Jake Mercer: I don’t believe Wynter wanted to end the match there, Stew! I believe that Running Bicycle Kick was just a message of supremacy sent to The Champion!

Flannery McCoy: Either way, Anna Wautier is down and out at ringside! If Wynter doesn’t get her back into the ring, she cannot become The New Breed Champion!

Stew-O: Wynter rolls out of the ring and starts dragging Anna Wautier back to her feet, not a single good intention on her mind…

Jake Mercer: WYNTER SLAMS ANNA INTO THE RING APRON!

Flannery McCoy: Anna immediately drops down onto a single knee, still feeling the effects of that Running Bicycle Kick – it seems to me that Wynter laid the groundwork for her ticket to The New Breed Championship!

Stew-O: Wynter not stopping there, however. She grabs Anna by her hair, dragging her from the ring post and SLAMMING HER HEAD FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS! Kuroyami is showing no mercy and it doesn’t seem like she has any intention of showing any!

Jake Mercer: That’s not the type of woman Wynter Kuroyami is! She’s not here to give mercy to her opponent, she’s here to get in their head and bring herself a championship like The New Breed Championship home!

Flannery McCoy: Wynter drags Anna’s body off of the hard, cold steel and starts… walking up the steps with Anna in hand? What’s coursing through the mind of the challenger?!

Stew-O: Nothing good I’d imagine.

Jake Mercer: Wait a second… WYNTER HAS ANNA HOOKED BY HER HEAD AND HER ARM, RIGHT OVER THE STEEL STEPS…

Flannery McCoy: WYNTER LIFTS ANNA INTO THE AIR…

Stew-O: ‘HORROR QUEEN’ BRAINBUSTER INTO THE STEEL STEPS!!!

…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…

Jake Mercer: NO!!!! ANNA MANAGES TO MANEUVER HER BODY AROUND AND SEND WYNTER CRASHING DOWN ONTO THE STEEL STEPS WITH AN INVERTED DDT!!!! WYNTER’S BACK MEETS THE COLD STEEL INSTEAD!

Flannery McCoy: The champion just narrowly evaded what may have been an extremely grim fate and possibly the end of her New Breed Championship reign!

Stew-O: Wynter is laid flat on the steel steps and Anna is down right beside her on the ground! The count continues, but Anna is starting to show signs of life!

Jake Mercer: Anna pulls herself up and drags Wynter off of the steps, rolling her into the ring and rolling in herself! Anna hooks the leg! To retain The New Breed Championship!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!

Flannery McCoy: WYNTER GETS THE SHOULDER UP! Anna rolls off of Wynter, pushing herself into the corner, trying to think of what may be next! What can she do to put down The Center Of The Void!

Stew-O: She’s going to have to do a lot more it seems, Flannery! The average person might’ve been out like a light after being driven into the steel steps with an Inverted DDT, but Wynter managed to kick out of it and show signs of life!

Jake Mercer: Even if you take into account the brief intermission between the pinfall and the maneuver, I think you’re right. No normal person could take something like that and still fight any longer!

Flannery McCoy: Wynter is starting to push herself up and Anna is beginning to pull herself up using the ropes… Wynter is back to her feet and Anna is quick to meet her with a Forearm Smash straight to the jaw!

Stew-O: Wynter staggers back, but Anna keeps her in place, hitting her with another one!

Jake Mercer: ANNA HAS BEGUN WAILING OFF ON WYNTER, FIRING MULTIPLE FOREARM SMASHES STRAIGHT INTO THE CHALLENGER’S JAW!

Flannery McCoy: Kuroyami is staggering, seemingly struggling to stay on her feet…! WAUTIER RUNS OFF OF THE ROPES, CHARGING AT THE CENTER OF THE VOID, LOOKING FOR—

Stew-O: —LARIAT FROM KUROYAMI!

Jake Mercer: …….BUT ANNA CATCHES THE ARM, MANEUVERING AROUND WITH IT CLUTCHED, FLIPPING IT ONTO HER SHOULDER!

Flannery McCoy: ‘LUUUUUUUUMINARRRY’ BACKDROP SUUUUUPLEX!!!! WYNTER’S SHOULDERS ARE DOWN! TO RETAIN THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!

Referee: TTTTT—!

Stew-O: WYNTER POPS THE SHOULDER WITH HER FREE ARM—

Jake Mercer: —ANNA GRABS HER BY THE ARM, SHOOTING UP TO HER FEET AND KICKING WYNTER ONTO HER STOMACH!

Flannery McCoy: ANNA WRAPS THE ARM AROUND HER LEG, TRAPPING WYNTER… SHE GRABS THE OTHER ARM – WYNTER TRYING TO KEEP IT DOWN, SHE KNOWS WHAT’S COMING!

Stew-O: BUT WYNTER’S RESISTANCE PROVES TO BE FUTILE! ANNA PULLS THE ARM BACK! OH NO!

Jake Mercer: ‘HANAYOME NO TANSU’!!!!! THE INVERTED ARMBREAKER MAY HAVE JUST SNAPPED WYNTER’S ARM ENTIRELY! HOLY COW!

Flannery McCoy: WYNTER IS FRANTICALLY ROLLING AROUND… THIS ISN’T GOOD FOR THE CHALLENGER! NOT AT ALL!

Stew-O: THIS IS EXTREMELY BAD FOR WYNTER! THAT ARM JUST MIGHT BE USELESS FOR THE REST OF THE MATCH!

Jake Mercer: Tremendously smart play on Anna’s end, taking that arm out and potentially limiting Wynter’s entire moveset here… But for Wynter? This is a bad sign for what could’ve been a huge victory under her belt.

Flannery McCoy: I wouldn’t rule her out just yet, Jake! Wynter’s arm may have been placed in jeopardy here, but I don’t think that automatically means Anna has taken the cake! Anna still needs to capitalize off of this!

Stew-O: I think Anna is about to do just that! She’s calling for Wynter to stand up, and Wynter has begun to cling to the ropes with her right arm, the arm that was not targeted by that inverted armbreaker!

Jake Mercer: Wynter is pulling herself up to her feet, trying to keep herself in the game… OH! ANNA COMES IN WITH A RUNNING BOOT STRAIGHT INTO THE SIDE OF WYNTER’S HEAD!

Flannery McCoy: Wynter must be seeing stars, here! Anna pulls the challenger back, putting her just mere inches away from the turnbuckles… Anna lets go of Wynter, quickly dashing towards the corner and leaping up to the second turnbuckle! ANNA LEAPS TO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!

Stew-O: ‘BELLE PAPILLON’!!!! THE SPRINGBOARD REVERSE HURRICANRANA SPIKES THE CHALLENGER! THIS IS IT! THIS HAS GOT TO BE IT! ANNA ROLLS THE CHALLENGER OVER, HOOKING THE LEG!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Referee: TWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRR—

Jake Mercer: WYNTER FINDS A WAY TO KICK OUT! THE CHALLENGER IS STILL IN THIS MATCH!

Flannery McCoy: I can’t believe it! Even after that nasty armbreaker, even after that reverse hurricanrana, even after the fact that Anna seems to be pulling out all of the stops tonight… Wynter Kuroyami is still finding it in her to kick out! I can’t say I’m not impressed, ladies and gentlemen.

Stew-O: Understandable, Wynter is giving a good performance… But it appears that Anna plans for that to be the extent of her performance! Wautier is back on her feet, beginning to clap her hands, trying to get Kuroyami back onto her feet!

Jake Mercer: Once again, Wynter is forced to use the ropes with her right arm to pull herself up – that arm might have been damaged far too much for her to even think about doing anything with it.

Flannery McCoy: Wynter is back on her feet, ANNA LOOKING TO TURN HER AROUND— NO! WYNTER ROLLS OUT OF THE RING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY!

Stew-O: Anna pushing herself up, shaking her head with disappointment. It seems to me that Wynter’s arm is bothering her a bit there, she might have to get that checked before something bad happens even further…

Jake Mercer: …IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE SHE’S GOING TO GET ENOUGH TIME TO, STEW!

Flannery McCoy: ANNA WAUTIER WITH A SUICIDE DIVE, SENDING WYNTER FLYING STRAIGHT BACK INTO THE BARRICADE!

Stew-O: Wynter slumping down to the ground, but Anna is ready to wrap this up! She drags Wynter up to her feet, immediately sliding her back inside… Anna crawls back into the ring, pulling Wynter away from the ropes, CLUTCHING THAT ARM… AND PUTTING HER INTO A FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! FUJIWARA ARMBAR HAS BEEN LOCKED IN RIGHT!

Jake Mercer: NOT GOOD! Wynter is flailing the opposite arm around, trying to grab onto the ropes, trying to grab onto anything! Anna is taking advantage of that arm, and she’s looking to put the final nails in Wynter’s coffin!

Flannery McCoy: Kuroyami refuses to let things end here! She’s trying to push herself up onto her knees, but Anna just brings her back down, wrenching that arm further back! Wynter continues reaching for the ropes, but I’m not sure she’s close enough to grab them!

Stew-O: Anna continuing to wrench, Wynter continuing to suffer— WAIT! WYNTER MANAGES ROLL SIDEWAYS, TAKING ANNA WITH HER AND ROLLING HER UP! TO STEAL THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Referee: THRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!—

Jake Mercer: ANNA FRANTICALLY KICKS OUT, WYNTER NEARLY HAD IT THERE!

Flannery McCoy: ANNA ROLLS BACK ONTO HER FEET, WYNTER PUSHING HERSELF BACK UP USING ONE ARM! ANNA DASHES AT WYNTER–

Stew-O: ‘FOUNDATION OF DECAY’!!!

Jake Mercer: …IS EVADED BY ANNA WAUTIER! SHE SLIPS BEHIND WYNTER, PULLING HER INTO HER SIDE!

Flannery McCoy: ‘MODERN TRAGEDY’!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stew-O: KUROYAMI IS DUMPED RIGHT ONTO HER HEAD! THAT’S IT! THAT’S ALL SHE WROTE!

Jake Mercer: ANNA PULLS THE LEGS ALL THE WAY BACK!! TO RETAIN THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Flannery McCoy: WYNTER GOT HER FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE—

(DING! DING! DING!)

Stew-O: WHAT?!

Jake Mercer: WHAT?!

Flannery McCoy: WHAT?!

(‘DIVE in LIVE’ by YOLOZ hits the speakers and Anna Wautier rolls off of Wynter, the removal of her weight causes Wynter’s leg to fall off of the bottom rope… The referee hadn’t seen it, and likely never will. Anna crawls onto her knees and is handed The New Breed Championship)

Stephie Love: THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH…….. AND STIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLL THE EAW NEW BREED CHAMPION…. ANNA WAUUUUUTIER!

Stew-O: Despite the controversial fashion of this victory… Anna Wautier is STILL your New Breed Champion.

Jake Mercer: A hard fought victory with a controversial finish, but I doubt Anna had anything to do with it. Simply put, it’s on the referee, not on Anna.

Flannery McCoy: A good effort from Wynter, and who knows – had Anna been positioned any differently, the referee might have spotted Wynter’s foot on the bottom rope and we might have even saw a change in the New Breed Championship lineage.

(Wynter rolled out the ring, clutching her arm on the ground, feeling extremely unsatisfied… And yet, that smile still remained on her face. Anna gets to her feet, lifting The New Breed Championship into the air as Territorial Invasion cuts to commercial.)

(After the commercial break, Territorial Invasion returns as the next match graphic is displayed.)

(https://imgur.com/8QynsCE)

(The camera shot returns to the ringside area where we see numerous ladders around the ring before focusing on the ring the competitors will be trying to grab above the ring before finally focusing on Gina Romano, who is standing in the center of the ring ready to begin the introductions for the match.)

Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is the special FUTURES LADDER MATCH!

Crowd: AORGAORIGAORGHAROGHOARGHARGH!

Gina Romano: In this match, the first competitor to climb the ladder and grab the hanging ring will be VICTORIOUS!!

(As “Ego” by The Warning begins to play in the arena, Yasmina appears. With a serious expression, she stops at the top of the ramp, glancing to one side and then slowly looking the other way. She looks down, makes a gesture with her hand and, after murmuring a few words, points to the sky; she then lowers her hand and points towards the ring. Then pyrotechnics explode behind her and, before she takes her first step onto the ramp, the arena is bathed in red. She walks slowly, never taking her eyes off the ring, paying little heed to the audience.)

Gina Romano: Introducing first! From Ponce, Puerto Rico! Weighing 129 pounds. Here is “THE BORICUA BLUE-BLOOD” YASMINA!

Deadprez: Here comes the very spirited Yasmina heading to the ring for her major event debut here in EAW. Tonight, she has a chance to make a big statement with a victory here.

Gavin Kirkland: Yasmina has said she has been through some hard times. If she pulls off the win here, hopefully Yasmina will be experiencing some good times. She says she has been climbing ladders her entire life, so what is one more. But this one could get her one step closer to gold.

(As she climbs the metal steps, she gives a quick kiss to a tattoo on her wrist bearing her mother’s name. Yasmina then enters the ring and takes a neutral corner as ‘God is a Woman’ by Ariana Grande starts to play as Sofia Drakos is driven out by a Gold Chariot, Sofia wears a big golden crown on her head, slowly, she steps out the chariot as her “servants” lift the back of her robe as she makes her way in the ring)

Gina Romano: Introducing the opponents! From Mount Olympus, Greece. Weighing 185 pounds! Here is “GODDESS” SOFIA DRAKOS!

Sienna Swann: Sweeties, here is perhaps the strongest competitor in the match. Sofia Drakos is a take no prisoners type of person and she will take no issue causing bodily harm in any match she is in.

Deadprez: Sofia made her MLE debut at Midsummer Massacre which unfortunately didn’t go her way, so the powerhouse is looking to change her fortune as she climbs the ladder of success to win this match.

(Once inside, her servants take off the robe for her, and after handing her crown to them she shows off her powerful physique before settling in the corner. Once she is in her corner, we hear ‘Episode X’ by Ado starting to play as Airi Miyamune enters the arena. She takes a look down the ramp to see the environment she is about to enter before she heads to the ring.)

Gina Romano: From Mimasaka, Okayama, Japan! Weighing 111 pounds. Here is “THE WOMAN OF NITEN ICHI-RYŪ” AIRI MIYAMUNE!

Gavin Kirkland: Here comes Airi Miyamune heading to the ring and she looks ready for battle and ready for whatever this match is going to bring.

Sienna Swann: From learning the swordmanship style of Niten Ichi-ryu to the ring of Elite Answers Wrestling here tonight. She’s determined. She’s confident. But will that translate to a victory in this ladder match?

(Airi enters the ring and takes a neutral corner as she look up towards the prize hanging above the ring as The arena goes dark. The pulsating childish jingles sounds of the theme begin to play as the words begin to ring….)

(“Pins & Needles” by Birthday Massacre plays throughout the arena as Circe slowly walks out wearing a doll face mask, tilting her head and looks around before slowly taking it off as she smirks to the crowd and giggles a little. Her long silver hair with black streaks hangs down over her shoulders, holding her large mallet before heading to the ring.)

Gina Romano: Introducing the final participant. From Coyote Flats, Texas. Weighing 115 pounds! Here is “THE PRETTY LITTLE DEVIL” CIRCE!

Sienna Swann: Here is perhaps the most deranged and vicious member of the match, Sweetie. Circe can be very dangerous when given the chance, especially with what we saw at Pain for Pride.

Deadprez: Circe isn’t exactly thrilled to be in this match, but she said if an opportunity is lying in wait, she is going to take it. We know very well that Circe can get the job done. The question is which lady will win this ladder match. We are about to find out, dawg!

(She stops to look around for a bit at the fans and rubs her fingers across their faces before slowly sliding into the ring. She spreads her arms out in the middle of the ring and looks over at the referee, smiles and winks at him gesturing for him to help her take off the leather jacket which they do, she then turns, smiles and winks at him, and even licks her lips. Afterwards, she lays across the bottom rope in the corner while she hangs the doll mask from the corner post. Circe’s music fades off and the lights come on as the referee looks at all four competitors before calling for the bell.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Sienna Swann: Here we go! This ladder match is underway. Sweetie, Gina Romano mentioned that the first lady to climb the ladder and retrieve the ring will win the match. What she didn’t mention was that the winner of the match will receive a future Specialists Championship match. Extra incentive to win in this match.

Deadprez: All four women are being more on the cautious side in the opening moments of this match because they all realize it’s not going to be easy to neutralize three opponents so they can climb the ladder.

Gavin Kirkland: Caution has just been thrown to the wind AS YASMINA AND AIRI START TO DOUBLE TEAM THE POWERHOUSE SOFIA! NO FRIENDS HERE JUST TEMPORARY ALLIES! THEY ARE GOING AFTER WHO THEY SEE AS THE BIGGEST THREAT IN THE MATCH!

Deadprez: In terms of size and strength, she certainly might be, but look at Circe. Circe is just looking at them like they are all stupid and just letting them fight.

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, that might be the smartest strategy at the moment. Because while the other three are fighting… more like Sofia is fighting off Yasmina and Airi as Circe is rolling outside the ring and she goes right for one of the ladders.

Gavin Kirkland: That ladder might weigh as much as she does as she drags it into the ring and works to try and set it up. Poor girl. It took her a bit, but the ladder is standing AND CIRCE STARTING HER CLIMB!

Sienna Swann: CIRCE IS WANTING TO END THE MATCH QUICK AND END THE MATCH HERE! CIRCE IS ABOUT HALFWAY UP THE LADDER–

Deadprez: THE OTHER THREE IMMEDIATELY NOTICE AND TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO CIRCE AS SOFIA JUST YANKS CIRCE OFF THE LADDER WITH EASE AND SOFIA HAS CIRCE IN THE MILITARY PRESS!

Gavin Kirkland: SOFIA IS JUST LIFTING HER UP AND DOWN LIKE SHE IS USING CIRCE AS PART OF A SET AS SOFIA WALKS CIRCE OVER TO THE ROPES–

Sienna Swann: SWEETIE, SOFIA JUST TOSSED CIRCE OUT OF THE RING AND SENDING HER CRASHING ONTO ONE OF THE LADDERS ON THE OUTSIDE! THAT WAS AN UGLY LANDING!

Deadprez: Well that is one way to take a competitor out of the equation for now as Sofia looks down at her first fallen victim for the moment–

Gavin Kirkland: YASMINA AND AIRI WITH A DOUBLE DROPKICK CATCHING SOFIA IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD! THE FORCE WAS ENOUGH TO SEND HER OVER THE TOP ROPE AND ONTO THE FLOOR!

Deadprez: Another person taken out of the equation for now as we are left with the new MLE rookies ready to square up. Yasmina kisses her wrist AS SHE AND AIRI GET RIGHT TO WORK!

Sienna Swann: Forearms being thrown between these two as Yasmina starts to get the better of Airi WITH A BACKHAND CHOP TO THE NECK! GOOD GRIEF!

Gavin Kirkland: That turns the tide in Yasmina’s favor AS SHE FOLLOWS UP WITH A SPINNING BACK FIST TO AIRI’S HEAD! THAT CERTAINLY DAZES AIRI!

Sienna Swann: Airi was knocked for a loop after that shot as YASMINA CLOBBERS AIRI DOWN WITH A CLOTHESLINE!

Deadprez: Yasmina is the only one standing at the moment and the ladder is still standing as Yasmina looks to her wrist and to the sky as she makes the climb for the ring.

Gavin Kirkland: This could be Yasmina’s moment right here as she is making her way up the ladder BUT AIRI MAKES IT BACK TO HER FEET AND SHE CLOBBERS YASMINA IN THE SPINE!

Sienna Swann: Airi halts Yasmina for the moment as she climbs onto the same side of the ladder AND IS TRYING TO PULL YASMINA OFF WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX–

Deadprez: YASMINA IS HOLDING ON FOR DEAR LIFE AS SHE IS TRYING TO STAY ON THE LADDER AND CONTINUE THE CLIMB–

Gavin Kirkland: SOFIA IS BACK IN THE RING AND SHE LOOKS PISSED!

Deadprez: Yasmina and Airi don’t even see Sofia stalking towards them, BUT THEY DO NOW AS SOFIA GRABS THE BOTH AROUND THE WAIST AND PULLS THEM OFF THE LADDER–

Sienna Swann: OH MY GAWD! SWEETIE, THAT IS A DOUBLE OVERHEAD BACKBREAKER! THIS SOFIA IS SCARY POWERFUL AND HAS TO BE GRACED WITH STRENGTH FROM THE GODS OR SOMETHING!

Gavin Kirkland: This is terrifying yet also exciting at the same time to watch. I am getting thoughts.

Sienna Swann: Keep those thoughts to yourself as Sofia walks the both away from the ladder–

Deadprez: SOFIA DROPS TO HER KNEES AND GIVE NEW MEANING TO AN OVERHEAD BACKBREAKER AS SHE DROPS THEM BOTH WITH AIRI TAKING THE WORST OF IT!

Gavin Kirkland: Call it what you want, but both the EAW newcomers are down and Sofia has an easy trip to the top of the ladder as she is the only one standing at the moment. The Gods will be celebrating tonight if she wins this match AND SOFIA IS ALMOST TO THE TOP OF THE LADDER–

Sienna Swann: BUT LOOK WHO HAS CLIMBED UP ONTO THE OTHER SIDE! IT’S CIRCE! SHE IS BACK IN THIS THING AFTER BEING TAKEN OUT IN THE OPENING MOMENTS OF THE MATCH!

Deadprez: But right now she is back and she looks ready to hurt Sofia after launching her onto a ladder AS CIRCE HITS SOFIA IN THE THROAT!

Gavin Kirkland: That halts Sofia for the moment as Circe grabs a double handful of Sofia’s hair AND CIRCE JUST STARTS BASHING SOFIA’S FACE INTO THE LADDER!

Deadprez: Over and over again Circe smashes Sofia’s face into the top of the ladder! Circe is being very relentless right now AS SHE TRIES TO REACH UP FOR THE RING–

Sienna Swann: SOFIA GRABS CIRCE BY THE THROAT! SWEETIE, HER EYES MIGHT POP OUT OF THE TOP OF HER HEAD!

Gavin Kirkland: SOFIA HAS FIRE IN HER EYES AS SHE LOOKS TO CHOKE HER AND POSSIBLY CHOKESLAM HER OFF THE LADDER–

Sienna Swann: AIRI AND YASMINA ARE BACK ON THEIR FEET! SWEETIE, THEY ARE ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE LADDER AND THEY ARE SHAKING THE LADDER TO TRY AND FORCE THEM TO FALL OFF!

Deadprez: They aren’t just shaking the ladder, they are trying to tip the ladder over and it might not be an easy task considering how powerful Sofia is.

Gavin Kirkland: But with Airi and Yasmina’s combined efforts THEY ACTUALLY MANAGE TO TIP THE LADDER OVER—

Sienna Swann: BOTH LADIES GO FALLING AS SOFIA GOES NECK FIRST ACROSS THE TOP ROPE—

Deadprez: BUT LOOK AT CIRCE! Sofia released the choke as they started to fall, but as Sofia fell, Circe jumped off the ladder at the last possible second!

Gavin Kirkland: And she landed on top of Yasmina AND TOOK HER OVER WITH A MODIFIED HEADSCISSORS!

Deadprez: Very innovative move by Circe as she is back on her feet—

Sienna Swann: AIRI WITH A STRAIGHT KICK TO CIRCE’S FACE! SWEETIE, THAT COULD HAVE LOOSENED A MOLAR OR TWO!

Gavin Kirkland: Airi sees a big opportunity to win the match as she pulls the ladder back up standing BEFORE SOFIA COMES BACK WITH A BICYCLE KICK TO THE FACE! AIRI TURNED INSIDE OUT!

Sienna Swann: Sofia is the only one standing at the moment as she once again takes a chance to try and climb the ladder and grab the ring–

Deadprez: YASMINA WITH A CHOP BLOCK TO THE BACK OF SOFIA’S KNEE! Sofia comes off the ladder and this goddess is glaring at Yasmina. SOFIA GOES FOR A BIG BOOT–

Gavin Kirkland: YASMINA GETS OUT OF THE WAY AND SOFIA’S LEG IS HUNG UP ON THE TOP ROPE!

Sienna Swann: Yasmina comes from behind AND CLOBBERS SOFIA IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH A SPINNING BACKFIST! That isn’t going to win her any favors, Sweetie.

Deadprez: Sofia is still stuck and Yasmina takes advantage of the situation and climbs the ladder! THIS COULD BE YASMINA’S MOMENT RIGHT HERE! SHE’S OVER HALFWAY THERE–

Gavin Kirkland: BUT SOFIA IS FREE AND SHE WALKS OVER TO YASMINA AND GETS UNDERNEATH AND PULLS YASMINA OFF THE LADDER AND DRIVES HER DOWN WITH A POWERBOMB!

Deadprez: Airi was dropped with that powerbomb as Sofia once again is looking to climb the ladder–

(CRACK!)

Sienna Swann: CIRCE JUST CRACKED SOFIA IN THE HEAD WITH A STEEL CHAIR BEFORE SHE COULD START CLIMBING THE LADDER!

Gavin Kirkland: BUT SOFIA IS STILL ON HER FEET! This Sofia is very scary with the power that she has–

(CRACK!)

Sienna Swann: CIRCE HAS JUST CRACKED SOFIA IN THE HEAD AGAIN WITH THE CHAIR AND THAT DROPS SOFIA DOWN TO A KNEE! Circe takes this moment to run the ropes BEFORE COMING BACK AND HITTING THE 9:20!!

Deadprez: Double foot stomp takes Sofia down and instead of climbing the ladder, Circe has rolled out to the floor and she is looking under the ring for something. As if having the ladders around ringside wasn’t enough weaponry.

Gavin Kirkland: NOT WHEN YOU HAVE A TABLE! CIRCE HAS PULLED A TABLE OUT AND SHE IS SETTING IT UP AT RINGSIDE! Vicious thoughts are going through that young lady’s mind.

Sienna Swann: Regardless, she is back in the ring ready to do who knows what, BUT SHE IS MET WITH A BACKHAND CHOP FROM YASMINA!

Deadprez: Airi is back on her feet as well and it’s a two on one situation AS AIRI DELIVERS A DROPKICK TO SEND CIRCE TO THE ROPES AND CIRCE HAS GOT STUCK IN THE ROPES!

Gavin Kirkland: THE ROPES ARE TWISTED AND CIRCE HAS NOWHERE TO GO AS YASMINA HAS ROLLED BACK INTO THE RING WITH ANOTHER LADDER! Yasmina now has hold of the ladder like it was a battering ram.

Deadprez: AND SHE RAMS IT RIGHT INTO CIRCE’S RIBS!! Yasmina pulls back AND SHE DOES IT AGAIN!!

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, that second shot actually freed Circe from being tangled in the ropes as she is on her knees in the center of the ring trying to catch her breath after being hit twice with a ladder.

Gavin Kirkland: YASMINA TRIES TO CRACK CIRCE IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH THE LADDER, BUT CIRCE IS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND! BUT THE FORCE CAUSES YASMINA TO DROP THE LADDER!

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, it almost landed on Sofia but she was able to slowly roll away as she is still reeling from the chair shots and foot stomp for Circe.

Deadprez: The two newbies to MLEs, Yasmina and Airi are once again the only two standing in the ring AS AIRI KICKS YASMINA BEFORE TAKING HER UP AND OVER WITH THAT MODIFIED HEADSCISSORS!

Gavin Kirkland: Yasmina was actually taken out of the ring as Airi follows her out. Airi tries to whip Yasmina INTO THE RING STEPS, BUT YASMINA COUNTERS AND IT’S AIRI WHO CRASHES AGAINST THEM!

Sienna Swann: As if two ladders in the ring wasn’t enough, Yasmina has a third ladder in her possession as she gets it positioned on the edge of the ring and the barricade. Sweetie, this is going to be more than a bridge over troubled waters.

Deadprez: Yasmina goes over to Airi and pulls her back onto the edge of the apron before following suit. Yasmina pulls Airi to her feet and grabs her by the head AND YASMINA WANTS TO BULLDOG AIRI THROUGH THE LADDER–

Gavin Kirkland: AIRI HOLDS ONTO THE ROPES! Yasmina tries again, BUT AIRI IS STILL BLOCKING IT! Now Airi pulls Yasmina in AND COUNTERS WITH A BACK SUPLEX OVER THE ROPES! AIRI IS STANDING ON THE APRON AND YASMINA IS IN THE RING AND LOOKS LIKE SHE MIGHT HAVE CRACKED HER HEAD ON THE LADDER WHEN SHE LANDED!

Deadprez: Now Airi has decided to climb up to the high rent district that is the top rope in the hopes that she could hit a big move to possibly eliminate one of her opponents from contention–

Sienna Swann: SOFIA IS BACK ON HER FEET AND SHE GRABS HOLD OF AIRI AND IS TRYING TO GET HER UP IN THE MILITARY PRESS–

Gavin Kirkland: BUT CIRCE WITH A CHAIR TO THE RIBS AND AIRI IS SAFE ON THE TOP ROPE! Circe and Sofia are battling it out while AIRI JUMPS OFF THE TOP ROPE AND HITS THE “UNICORN GALLOP”!

Sienna Swann: Double foot stomp by Airi as she grabs Yasmina and pulls her back to her feet and has the double underhook applied.

Deadprez: AIRI TRIES TO JUMP FOR THE RAIJIN BREAKER, BUT YASMINA PLAYS DEADWEIGHT AND BLOCKS IT!

Gavin Kirkland: Interesting strategy, but it is effective because Airi can’t hit the piledriver. But that isn’t going to stop Airi from trying the move again–

Sienna Swann: YASMINA COUNTERS WITH A BACK BODY DROP AND AIRI LANDS ON THE LADDER! SHE TRIED TO COUNTER, BUT IT JUST DIDN’T WORK!

Deadprez: Airi is down and Yasmina is making her way over to the corner and now she is making her climb up to the top rope. Yasmina wants to take Airi out of the equation.

Gavin Kirkland: Yasmina is on the top rope as she kisses her wrist and looks to the sky AND LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE AND SHE HITS THE ELBOW DROP FROM THE TOP!

Deadprez: She didn’t get all of it, so Yasmina decides to climb up to the top rope one more time. This time, Yasmina is waiting for Airi to get back to her feet.

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, I think she likes to go for the Reina Giratoria in this position as she is calling for Airi to rise. Meanwhile, SOFIA JUST DROPPED CIRCE WITH A GUTWRENCH SUPLEX!

Gavin Kirkland: As we get back to Airi and Yasmina. Airi is using the ropes to get back to her feet, but she is finally up–

Sienna Swann: BUT SHE FALLS INTO THE ROPES AND THAT CAUSES YASMINA TO LOSE HER BALANCE AND LAND ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!

Deadprez: Dawg, she won’t sprain any ankles where she landed. But here comes Airi to join Yasmina on the top turnbuckle. This is looking dangerous.

Gavin Kirkland: Be careful up there!! Airi is pulling Yasmina to her feet on the top turnbuckle as Airi is able to maneuver herself behind Yasmina AS SHE JUMPS UP AND FLIPS BACK–

(CRASH!)

Sienna Swann: THE AIRIRANA BY AIRI AND THAT SENDS YASMINA THROUGH THE LADDER BRIDGE AND SHE CRASHES RIGHT THROUGH IT! OH MY GAWD, SWEETIE! THERE GO TWO LADIES OUT OF THE MATCH!

Deadprez: LOOK! AIRI IS ON THE APRON! From the replay, Airi grabbed the ropes to cushion the blow and landed on the apron while sending Yasmina through the ladder bridge.

Gavin Kirkland: Airi is catching her breath on the apron as we go back to Sofia and Circe as Sofia has just dropped Circe with a spinebuster. Now Sofia has Circe on her shoulders AS SOFIA SPINS CIRCE OUT FOR THE TWELVE LABORS–

Deadprez: LOOK AT THIS! CIRCE TORQUED HER BODY TO GET HER LEGS AROUND SOFIA’S NECK AND SENDS HER OVER THE TOP ROPE!

Sienna Swann: Sofia lands on the apron and is starting to recover as Circe quickly scrambles up to the top rope. What does she have planned?

Gavin Kirkland: I don’t know, but Sofia has barely made it back to her feet AS CIRCE COMES OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH THE FROG SPLASH–

Sienna Swann: AND SHE CONNECT WITH AN ELBOW! MODIFIED STANDING FINGER OF GOD BY CIRCE! THE FORCE OF THE ELBOW SENDS SOFIA OFF THE APRON–

(CRASH!)

Deadprez: AND SOFIA GOES RIGHT THROUGH THE TABLE CIRCE SET UP EARLIER! THAT WAS A HORRIBLE LANDING FOR THE GODDESS!

Gavin Kirkland: Now we are down to two! Airi and Circe are the only two women standing right now AND CIRCE SEES AIRI CLIMBING TOWARDS THE LADDER!

Sienna Swann: Circe cuts her off AND JUST STARTS THROWING CLOSED FISTED PUNCHES INTO HER HEAD! AND NOW SHE’S BITING! CIRCE IS BITING AIRI AND AIRI IS KICKING TO TRY TO GET FREE

Deadprez: Circe pulls Airi back to her feet by the hair and applies the facelook and grabs the leg BEFORE SHE LIFTS HER AND DROPS AIRI WITH THE FISHERMAN’S SUPLEX!

Gavin Kirkland: That looked like a Fisherman’s buster there as Airi is down on the mat and Circe has an easy trek to the ring and the victory in this ladder match.

Deadprez: Circe repositions the ladder right under the ring. She has a smirk on her face as she feels this match is hers… like she has the entire time… and now she begins the climb to the ring and the victory.

Sienna Swann: Circe isn’t even trying to hide the fact that she believes that she’s won, Sweetie. She has just reached the top of the ladder. She reaches for the ring–

Gavin Kirkland: AIRI! AIRI REACHES UP AND PULLS CIRCE DOWN A FEW RUNGS TO STOP HER AS AIRI CLIMBS UP THE OTHER SIDE!

Sienna Swann: Circe climbs back up as Airi is close to the top as Circe fires right hands to try and halt her climb.

Deadprez: But nothing is stopping her right now as both women are at the top of the ladder and now both women are just slugging each other on the ladder. Circe hits a right hand and Airi returns the favor.

Gavin Kirkland: Circe gets a cheap shot and grabs Airi by the hair AND SLAMS HER FACE INTO THE TOP OF THE LADDER! CIRCE DOES IT A FEW MORE TIMES FOR GOOD MEASURE AS SHE REACHES UP FOR THE RING!

Sienna Swann: SWEETIE, CIRCE HAS HOLD OF THE RING! ALL SHE NEEDS TO DO IS PULL IT DOWN AND SHE WINS IT, BUT LOOK!

Deadprez: AIRI HAS HOLD OF THE RING AS WELL AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM ARE WILLING TO LET GO! THEY ARE STILL BATTLING IT OUT WHILE GRABBING ONTO THE LADDER–

(CRASH!)

Gavin Kirkland: BOTH WOMEN HAVE COME OFF THE LADDER, BUT THE RING HAS COME DOWN WITH THEM! BUT WE CAN’T SEE WHO HAS THE RING! IS IT CIRCE OR IS IT AIRI?

Deadprez: Both ladies landed in a way where we can’t see who has the ring, but whoever has it wins the match.

(Circe and Airi both roll just enough to see that one person does in fact have the ring. The referee sees it and calls for the bell.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

(The referee has called for the bell as the referee is standing in the way of who has the ring. Both women are down as the referee goes over to Gina Romano to give her the final decision of the match.)

Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen! Here is your winner….

(The crowd is silent in anticipation as they wait to see who has been ruled the winner.)

Gina Romano: AIRI MIYAMUNE!!!!

(‘Episode X’ starts playing again as the camera shot zooms in on both ladies down and recovering on the mat. We see that when they crashed onto the mat, Circe unintentionally lost her grip on the ring leaving Airi the sole holder of the ring.)

Deadprez: Holy crap! What a match that literally came down to the very last second. Circe and Airi fought tooth and nail on the ladder and off the ladder, but it just came down to an unfortunate case of bad luck on the part of Circe. But congratulations to Airi with the first big win of her EAW career.

Gavin Kirkland: All four competitors really brought the fight in this match and Airi looks a little stunned that she won. With a powerhouse like Sofia or the more experienced Circe, Airi wasn’t exactly a favorite but she is leaving a winner.

(Airi is back on her feet as Circe has sat up in complete disbelief that she lost the ring and the match as the referee raises Airi’s arm in victory.)

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, you said it already that all four people in this match brought the fight. Honestly, any one of them could have won. If they all had this good of a showing here, the future looks bright for the blue brand.

Deadprez: Airi made her MLE debut tonight at Territorial Invasion and she is leaving the one who grabbed the ring. Congratulations once again to Airi on the vict—

(CRACK!)

Gavin Kirkland: WHAT THE HELL?

Sienna Swann: CIRCE HAS ATTACKED AIRI FROM BEHIND AND IS JUST BEATING THE HELL OUT OF HER! SWEETIE, WHAT A SORE LOSER!

Deadprez: Circe has lost her mind as she is just punching Airi right in the face as she pulls Airi back to her feet by the hair and hooks her arm BEFORE DROPPING HER WITH THE OBITCHUARY!!

Gavin Kirkland: The DDT plants Airi as Circe just keeps beating the hell out of Airi. Circe has nobody to blame but herself for losing grip–

Sienna Swann: FINALLY THE REFEREE PULLS CIRCE OFF OF AIRI AND IS TELLING CIRCE TO LEAVE THE RING–

(BAM!)

Deadprez: OH MY GOD! SHE JUST KICKED THE REFEREE RIGHT BELOW THE BELT! SHE HOOKS THE REFEREE AND DROPS HIM WITH AN OBITCHUARY!!

Sienna Swann: Sweetie, that is going to cost her some money for attacking an official. Now Airi and the referee are out as she finally leaves the ring. I completely understand why she is frustrated but this is too much.

(Circe is leaving the ring and as she starts to leave as a fan in the front row catches her attention.)

Fan: (off-mic) You lost, bitch. Get over it.

(Circe’s head snaps over to the fan AS SHE GRABS THE FAN BY THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND PULLS THEM OVER THE BARRICADE!)

Gavin Kirkland: OH COME ON!! THIS IS TOO MUCH! THIS IS A FAN!

Deadprez: Circe doesn’t care. She has snapped as she muscles the fan up before SHE JUMPS AND SPINS–

Sienna Swann: AND DROPS THE FAN WITH THE DEAD IN TOMBSTONE!! NOT THE PILEDRIVER! OHHH THIS IS REALLY GOING TO COST HER SOME MONEY!

(The fan is down and out as the medics rush out to check on the fan. Circe is pissed and has a crazed look on her face as she leaves the ringside area.)

Gavin Kirkland: I get being pissed about losing a match, but there is no need to attack a fan for expressing their opinion.

Deadprez: But I have this feeling that things are only going to get worse before they get better. Circe is on a rampage. Airi wins the match, but Circe is the only one standing. Ohhh Showdown is going to get interesting with this going on.

(The final shot shows the medics checking on the fan, the referee, Airi, Sofia, and Yasmina before cutting to Circe walking up the ramp looking somewhat pleased at the job she did as the camera shot fades elsewhere.)

(Territorial Invasion returns as the next match graphic is seen flashing across the screen.)

(https://i.imgur.com/58V08if.png)

Bella Braxton: The Following is a #1 Contender’s match for the EAW Specialist Championship!! And it’s scheduled for.. ONE FALL!!

(“My Own Summer” by Deftones began to play through the speakers of the arena as Selina Reyes stepped out onto the stage, having a confident look in her eyes as she began to make her way to the ring..)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Hailing out of San Antonio, Texas!! Weighing in at 117lbs… she is “THE ORYX QUEEN!!” SELINAAAA REYEEES!!!

Stew-O: Big match for the ToXXXin member, as she beat Sayuri Himura to qualify for a spot as Voltage’s representative. You know she would want nothing more than to add a singles Championship to her trophy case.

Gavin Kirkland: And this beautiful BUILT woman is capable of doing it! We’ve seen what Voltage’s dangerous trio has been capable of doing together, and we know that Selina is just as dangerous. She is ready to seize the moment!

Persephone: None of you know her like I do, that being said… I don’t really care.

(Selina finally entered the ring, stepping towards the center of it as she outstretched her arms with confidence, before stepping back into her corner and settling in as “Genie In a Bottle” by Christina Aguilera began to play. Grace De Luca stepped out onto the stage not long after..)

Bella Braxton: And her opponent, hailing out of Los Angeles, California!! And weighing in at 121lbs!! She is.. “THE PARADIGM OF PERFECTION!!” GRACEEEE DE LUCAAA!!

Stew-O: Grace has certainly been the firestarter as it pertains to this match, and now more than ever it is time to put up and shut up for her and finally get the opportunity that she’s been waiting for.

Gavin Kirkland: But it’s going to be a long, uphill battle that she’s going to have to prepare herself for as well! But we’ve seen Grace sneak away with some pretty huge victories despite that, so we’ll just have to see.

Persephone: Whatever.

(Grace De Luca struck a confident pose, before she began her walk down to the ring with a smug look on her face, finally entering as she strutted toward the center of the ring, doing a signature pose once more, before stepping back into her corner. As “Memory” by Mercy Drive had begun to play..)

Bella Braxton: And their opponent! Hailing out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota!! And weighing in at 118lbs!! She is.. “THE SHARPSHOOTERRRR!!” DELANEYYYY RHODEES!!!

Persephone: Ew.

Stew-O: Tyrone Montgomery personally chose Delaney Rhodes as the representative for Friday Night Dynasty, and she has been quick to find her footing in this company with a massive start to the season.

Gavin Kirkland: And it’s only up from here, I’m sure! This is the biggest opportunity of her young career, and you know that’s not something she’s going to take for granted.

Persephone: She gives me weirdo vibes.

(Delaney Rhodes made her way onto the stage with a confident look in her eyes, looking more than determined as she began her walk down to the ring, finally entering it as we were set to get this match underway now!)

(DING!! DING!! DING!!)

Persephone: Here we go! This match is set to get underway and it’s for a chance to go on and fight the EAW Specialists Championship! These women looked more than ready here tonight..

Stew-O: I am quite interested in this match up- wait hold on.. what is Grace De Luca doing..? Of course.. Grace De Luca has slid out of the ring and she’s looking to make Selina and Delaney fight it out!

Grace De Luca: (off-mic) Hey.. you guys got this! I believe in the both of you!

Gavin Kirkland: Delaney just shakes her head.. BUT FROM BEHIND SELINA BRINGS DELANEY DOWN WITH A SCHOOLBOY PIN!!!

(ONE!!)

Persephone: Delaney with a quick kick out! Delaney Rhodes, rolls up to a knee with pure shock on her face as she was almost robbed there but… WAIT!! GRACE DE LUCA PULLS SELINA OUT OF THE RING AND….

(THUD!!!)

Stew-O: Grace De Luca just sent Selina crashing into the barricade!! She’s wiping her hands off like she’s just finished doing dirty work and there’s a huge smile plastered on her face. But she can’t forget there’s another woman in this match! Delaney takes off towards the ropes!!

Gavin Kirkland: Grace you have to turn around- IT WAS TOO LATE AS DELANEY CAME FLYING THROUGH THE ROPES WITH A SUICIDE CROSSBODY TO GRACE DE LUCA!!!!

Persephone: Listen to this roaring crowd! Delaney grabs Grace up onto her feet and she rolls her into the ring, rolling in afterward. But no!! Wait!! Selina from behind grabs Delaney up she.. SENDS HER CRASHING INTO THE CORNER WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!!!

Stew-O: Delaney hit those turnbuckles hard! Selina is rolling up and onto her feet! But there was Grace De Luca lying in wait!! She popped Selina up into the air!! Looking to catch Selina off guard with a… POP-UP HAYMAKER!!!

Gavin Kirkland: But… Selina threw her legs around Grace De Luca’s shoulder!! And she sent Grace De Luca crashing to the canvas with a huge HEADSCISSORS TAKEDOWN!! The momentum sent Grace De Luca tumbling up onto her feet and Selina charged in at a discombobulated Grace De Luca!!

Persephone : BUT GRACE POPPED HER UP INTO THE AIR!! CONNECTING WITH THAT HAYMAKER THIS TIME AROUND!!! Selina crashed down onto the canvas and Grace De Luca was quick to crawl into the cover for the pin!! Looking to put away the match!

Stew-O: But Grace De Luca isn’t getting off the hook that easy! Delaney Rhodes is back in the fray! And she’s peeling Grace De Luca up off of Selina with a deadlift!! And she.. sends her up and over!!!!

Grace De Luca: (Off-mic) AHH!! PUT ME DOWN!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Well! She put her down! But not the way Grace wanted!! DELANEY PLANTED GRACE INTO THE CANVAS WITH A DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEX AND SHE HAS IT BRIDGED FOR THE PIN!!!

(ONEEEEEE!!!)

(TWWWWWWOO)

Persephone: GRACE DE LUCA KICKS OUT!!!

Stew-O: This match has been all gas and no breaks since the first bell! And I don’t believe that either of these ladies are slowing down anytime soon! Delaney Rhodes is climbing up onto her feet just as Selina is and.. Delaney delivers a forearm smash to Selina!! Selina stumbles back slightly.. but she retaliates with one of her own!!

Gavin Kirkland: Selina follows up with a nasty European Uppercut that sends Delaney Rhodes reeling back into the ropes! But she’s sent forward from the momentum of the ropes and she CRACKS SELINA WITH A HUGE SUPERKICK!! Selina is on wobbly legs!! She’s stunned Delaney turns and rushes at the ropes…

Persephone: But… GRACE DE LUCA LOWERS THE ROPES AND DELANEY GOES TUMBLING TO THE FLOOR AT RINGSIDE!!! She crashed and burned hard!!

Stew-O: Grace De Luca pushes herself back up to a vertical base! But.. SELINA SENT GRACE DE LUCA OVER THE ROPES WITH A CLOTHESLINE!! Grace De Luca went tumbling to the floor as Delaney was getting up…

Gavin Kirkland: Delaney is up onto her feet as Grace De Luca is getting up onto her own feet! Both women are standing outside of the ring.. but I don’t believe that Selina has any great intentions here as she is grabbing onto the top rope. Selina Reyes!! She springs off of the ropes and to the outside!! CRASHING DOWN ONTO BOTH DELANEY AND GRACE DE LUCA WITH A SPRINGBOARD PLANCHA!!!

Persephone: She just wiped out the whole field, including her damn self. But she’s somehow managing to get back up onto her feet, using the help of the barricade.

Stew-O: Selina grabs Delaney Rhodes to her feet, and now she’s rolling her into the ring. I think Selina may be looking to put it away here as she slides into the ring and she hooks the leg….

(ONEEEEE!!!)

(TWWWWOO!!)

Gavin Kirkland: Kick out!! From Delaney Rhodes! And this match continues. Selina grabs Delaney to her feet, sending her towards the corner. Selina pushes Delaney up to the top turnbuckle into a seated position and Selina is throwing shots as she’s starting to climb up to keep Delaney isolated! Selina throws that arm over her shoulder! She may be looking for a SUPERPLE—

Persephone: Well, she isn’t getting that with the shots that Delaney is throwing at her midsection right now! Delaney manages to slip through! And now Delaney’s climbing the ropes and she’s got hold of Selina at the waist! Maybe setting up for an Avalanche German Suplex! But.. GRACE DE LUCA SLIPS UNDER DELANEY HOISTING HER ONTO HER SHOULDERS FOR AN ELECTRIC CHAIR HOLD! But..DELANEY STILL HAS SELINA!

Stew-O: Whoa!! GRACE DE LUCA TOOK DELANEY DOWN WITH THE ELECTRIC CHAIR AS DELANEY TOOK SELINA DOWN WITH AN AVALANCHE GERMAN SUPLEX!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Selina and Delaney most certainly got the worst of that, but Grace De Luca looks to be wasting no time as she slides into the cover on Delaney…

(ONEEEEE!!!)

(TWWWWOO!!)

(THR—)

Persephone: DELANEY KICKS OUT!!! But now Grace is quick to slither into the cover on Selina! Hooking her leg for the pin!

(ONEEEEE!!!)

(TWWWWOO!!)

(THR—)

Stew-O: No!! SELINA KICKS OUT AS WELL!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Frustration has to be settling in for Grace De Luca as of right now. She thought that she had both Delaney and Selina where she wanted them. And now she has to go back to the drawing board..

Grace De Luca: (off-mic) Get up!

Persephone: Grace De Luca is now on her feet. I mean… this could be Grace De Luca’s moment. Both women are down and she’s the only one- or was the only one standing. She’s pulling Selina Reyes to a vertical base now and she just.. SLAPPED HER ACROSS THE FACE!!

Stew-O: I..don’t think that did anything but wake Selina Reyes up! And she’s firing off chops at the chest of Grace De Luca’s! Grace is retreating to the corner. But Selina is tracking her down rushing in at Grace for a Clothesline into the corner! But.. GRACE MOVES!! And this causes Selina to crash into the turnbuckles sternum first!

Gavin Kirkland: Grace is nursing that chest, trailing along the ropes, but she’s walked right into the arms of Delaney Rhodes.. who.. lifts her up and sends her crashing to the canvas with a T-Bone Suplex!! Grace De Luca crashes down onto the canvas and Delaney Rhodes kips up to her feet.. she’s DROPPING THOSE STRAPS AND SHE IS FIRED UP!!

Delaney Rhodes: (off-mic) Come on!!

Persephone: A little firecracker isn’t she..? Nevertheless Selina rushes in at Delaney, swinging for a Clothesline! But she’s caught and hoisted up, before being planted down onto the canvas with T-BONE SUPLEX!! Selina hits the canvas hard! But now Grace De Luca is getting to her feet and now SHE rushes at Delaney…

Stew-O: But DELANEY SCOOPS HER UP AND PLANTS HER ONTO THE CANVAS WITH ANOTHER T-BONE SUPLEX!!! BRIDGING FOR THE COVER!

(ONEEEEE!!!!)

(TWWWWOO!!!)

(THR—)

Gavin Kirkland: Grace De Luca manages to kick out!! Delaney doesn’t seem to have garnered any frustration though, I think she’s looking to keep her offense! Delaney Rhodes rolls through with the leg of Grace’s in her grasp, hoisting her up onto her shoulders! She may be looking for that ROLL THROUGH PIPER’S PIT!!!

Persephone: And it connects!! But.. SELINA COMES CRASHING DOWN ONTO DELANEY WITH A SENTON FROM THE TOP ROPE!!

Stew-O: But before Selina could reach for the pin, Delaney rolls out onto the apron. Selina just watched the match slip through her fingers like that. And you can sense the frustration as she drops her head, pushing herself to her knees, but out of the corner of her eye she spots Grace getting to her feet…

Gavin Kirkland: Selina wants to make sure that Grace is down! She rushes in at her! Latching onto her waist and sending her crashing to the canvas with a WHEELBARROW BULLDOG!! Selina doesn’t bother to go for the pin! She instead rolls out onto the apron where Delaney is finally starting to gather herself…

Persephone: Selina grabs Delaney up onto her feet, by her hair.. both women on the apron. A European Uppercut connects to Delaney!! Delaney stumbles back along the apron, but simply has mustered up enough to strike Selina with a huge forearm smash! That leaves Selina teetering!

Stew-O: But.. DELANEY ANSWERS AGAIN QUICKLY WITH A SUPERKICK!! Selina is hanging on by a thread right now!! Only one arm on the top rope, keeping her up! And.. Delaney goes for another…

Gavin Kirkland: BUT SELINA CATCHES HER FOOT!!! Selina turns her around and she.. PLANTS HER ONTO THE APRON WITH A SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX!! Delaney goes crumbling down off of the apron and Selina takes a bit of a breather…

Persephone: That looks like it hurts. Selina is taking this moment to push herself back up against the steel ring post, while seated on the apron..

Stew-O: Meanwhile Delaney hasn’t moved since that Snap Dragon Suplex! This match has been physical and chaotic—

(CLANK!!!)

Gavin Kirkland: GRACE CAUGHT SELINA WITH A RUNNING KNEE INTO THE STEEL RINGPOST!!

Persephone: Did you see the way her head bounced off of that steel..? And the sound it made! My goodness! Selina slumped down, rolling back into the ring. Grace began to climb the ropes, her back turned towards Selina, before taking a huge leap!! MOONSAULT ONTO SELINA REYES CONNECTS!! And Grace hooks the leg!!!

(ONEEEE!!!)

(TWWWOO!!)

(THREEEEEE!!)

Stew-O: The pin is… BROKEN UP BY DELANEY RHODES!!! SHE SLIDES IN ENOUGH TIME TO STOP THE REFS COUNT WITH A MOONSAULT OF HER OWN TO THE BACK OF GRACE DE LUCA’S!! “SKYWAY!!!”

Gavin Kirkland: All 3 women are down now in this match now, that’s great. Well.. somebody is going to have to get up first!

Persephone: It seems that “somebody” is going to be Delaney. And she isn’t looking to slow that offense of hers down as she’s grabbed hold of the ankle of Grace De Luca’s!! And she’s got the Ankle Lock locked in!! Grace is screeching out in pain right now!

Stew-O: Delaney has that hold on on super tight!! She’s got Grace in the middle of the ring! But.. from behind SELINA APPLIES A SLEEPER HOLD ONTO DELANEY!! Delaney and Grace are both in precarious positions!! Who is going to give in first!?

Gavin Kirkland: The grip that Delaney has on Grace’s ankle is beginning to loosen, due to the air flow being restricted by Selina Reyes!

Persephone: And this gives Grace De Luca just enough space to roll forward, escaping the Ankle Lock! Meanwhile Selina still has that Sleeper Hold locked in! If Grace De Luca wants to win, she’d better capitalize on this fast!

Stew-O: Well.. it seems she’s taken your words to heart! Because Grace runs at Selina Reyes and Delaney.. SENDING THEM BOTH CRASHING BACK INTO THE TURNBUCKLES WITH A DROPKICK!!!

Gavin Kirkland: This forces Selina to release that death grip that she had on Delaney Rhodes. But now here both of them find themselves seated in the corner!! Grace rushes back in!! RUNNING KNEE STRIKE IN THE CORNER TO BOTH SELINA AND DELANEY!!!

Persephone: Both Delaney and Selina roll out of the corner. Grace has some choices to choose from here and I believe that she sees that. As she’s climbing up to the top rope! Grace leaps off.. DIVING ELBOW ONTO DELANEY RHODES!! Grace hooks the—

Stew-O: NO!! DELANEY CAUGHT GRACE DE LUCA WITH A TRIANGLE CHOKE AS SHE CAME DOWN!! Grace is screeching and squirming desperately trying to get out of the hold! But Delaney has it locked in tight!! Grace’s arm is flailing around! She’s desperately looking for a way out of this hold.

Gavin Kirkland: Well, she’s going to have to keep looking, assuming there’re no rope breaks in a triple threat match with the No DW rule.. Selina is starting to finally come to as Delaney is looking to tap out Grace or put her to sleep!!

Persephone: Selina rolls over, wrapping her legs around the shoulder and neck area of Delaney’s! She uses that lower body strength to turn her over as Delaney releases the hold on Grace!! And… SELINA IS RELENTLESSLY SMASHING DELANEY’s HEAD INTO THE CANVAS REPEATEDLY WITH THAT GROUNDED HEADSCISSORS HEAD SMASH!!!

Stew-O: Oh I know that this is Gavin’s favorite move! And Delaney is defenseless right now in that exact hold!

Gavin Kirkland: You know nothing..! As much as we and yes I mean WE would’ve liked to continue to see Selina smash Delaney’s head in with that move particularly.. She’s finally released the hold, allowing Delaney to roll away. Selina climbing to her own feet.. but GRACE DE LUCA IS SHOOTING FOR THE “GRACE-FUL CLOTHESLINE!!” LOOKING TO END SELINA WITH A DISCUS CLOTHESLINE…

Persephone: BUT SELINA CATCHES THE ARM OF GRACE DE LUCA’S TAKING HER UP!! AND BOTH WOMEN COME CRASHING DOWN ONTO THE CANVAS WITH THE “PUNJABI FLY!!” Selina hooks the leg off of the Spanish Fly….

(ONEEEE!!)

(TWWOOO!!)

(THREEEE!!)

(…)

(…)

Stew-O: GRACE MANAGES TO GET THE SHOULDER UP!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Wait… hold on.. there seems to be a smirk on the face of Grace De Luca’s as we zoom onto the face of Selina Reyes in agony… look at the replay camera…

(Replay screen: As the camera cut, it showed Grace De Luca pulling off a low blow in the midst of kicking out!!)

Persephone: Oh that’s not…well wow. Grace is looking to take complete advantage, pulling a distraught Selina Reyes to her feet! After just hitting her in her woman hood.. that’s I guess one way to survive. But now Grace De Luca is looking to reward that survival as she’s got Selina up and off of her feet! She’s SPIKED HER DOWN HEAD FIRST ONTO THE CANVAS WITH THE “PERFECTION PLEX!!!” The Twisting Brainbuster connects!! And Grace hooks the leg!!

(ONEEEE!!)

(TWWOOO!!)

(THREEEE!!)

(…)

(…)

(…)

Stew-O: DELANEY MANAGED TO BREAK UP THE PIN WITH A DIVE TO GRACE’S BACK!!

Grace De Luca: (off-mic) NOOOO! NO NO! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?

Gavin Kirkland: Uh oh.. careful she may just throw a temper tantrum. Grace is allowing her frustrations to get the better of right now, might not be the greatest idea.. she climbs to her feet and she grabs Delaney up to a vertical base..but..

(CRACK!!)

Persephone: Delaney just struck Grace De Luca with a Superkick!! Causing Grace to wobble on her own legs.. but.. Delaney catches her with another Superkick!! Wait… NO! RAKE TO THE EYES BY GRACE!! This frees up enough space for Grace to send Delaney over the top rope!

Stew-O: But Grace herself is in pursuit of Delaney and there’s no telling what she has in mind right now. She’s eyeing our announce table, that’s for sure.. wait she’s.. RIPPING THE COVER OFF OF THE TABLE!! What for!!?

Gavin Kirkland: My guess.. would be to put Delaney through it…? Grace climbs atop of the table, pulling Delaney up onto it with her! Oh no.. I think she may be looking for that twisting Brainbuster!! Pulling Delaney into a front face lock—

Persephone: Grace De Luca goes to hoist her up.. but Delaney slips out!! She grabs hold of Grace and.. sends her up and over.. CRASHING ONTO OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE WITH A SNAP OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX!! Although the table didn’t crumble under Grace!!

Stew-O: Delaney is taking a moment right here to gain some of her bearings back, while Grace sliding off of the table and to the floor in agony.. WAIT LOOK OUT!! IT’S SELINA!! SHE RUSHES UP THE TABLE AND SHE’S GOT A HOLD OF HER… “PUNJABI FLY!!!” OFF OF THE TABLE, SENDING BOTH HERSELF AND DELANEY CRASHING TO THE FLOOR!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Oh my God!! That was a hard fall!! This match has been nothing short of hard hitting and physical and these women have most definitely been delivering I guess…

Persephone: You guess..? Weird. Neither one of these women have moved at all by the way. It seems the aching fatigue is beginning to set in- wait.. we have some movement from Selina Reyes, using the apron to pull herself to her feet, she’s got hold of Delaney, rolling her into the ring. But… Selina herself steps up onto the apron! She’s calling Delaney up and onto her feet!

Stew-O: Selina knows that she needs to finish this off right here and now and she seems to be looking to do so! Finally Delaney gets to her feet! Selina wastes no time! She springs off of the ropes!! Going for a… SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK!!!

Gavin Kirkland: However… Delaney manages to catch Selina at the legs!! Selina’s back hitting the canvas!! Delaney keeps hold of that ankle! Turning Selina over!! And she.. LOCK IT IN!!! SHE LOCKS THE ANKLE LOCK ON TIGHT!!! Selina groans out in pain!! Shaking her head “no!” As the hold is locked in!!

Persephone: But.. Delaney pulls Selina back towards the center of the ring!! Before, finally… Selina rolls forward!! Sending Delaney crashing into the turnbuckles sternum first!! Delaney stumbles back into Selina’s arms!! Causing Selina to hoist Delaney up and.. PLANT HER DOWN ONTO THE CANVAS WITH A SAITO SUPLEX!! Delaney crashed down hard!! But now Selina is truly looking to end this as she’s backed into the corner.. her eyes locked on Delaney…

(SSSSS!!!!)

Selina Reyes: (off-mic) AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Stew-O: The hell!? GRACE DE LUCA JUST SPRAYED SELINA IN THE EYES WITH THAT HAIRSPRAY!!! Selina is momentarily blind!! Leaving an opening for Grace De Luca as she climbs into the ring!!! Grace may just steal this win here and now!! Grace waits for Selina to turn around and as Selina is able to turn around—

(CRACK!!)

Gavin Kirkland: BANG!!! “Bittersweet Chin Music!!!” The Superkick connects!!! And down goes Selina Reyes!! All Grace has to do is pin her!! She tosses the can to the outside and turns around…

(SMACK!!!)

Persephone: SMACK DAB INTO A SUPERKICK FROM DELANEY RHODES!!! It connects!!! SHE GOT HER WITH ONE OF HER OWN!! But Delaney isn’t finished!! She leaps up.. spiking Grace’s head onto the canvas with a leaping reverse STO!! Connecting with the “MEMORY LANE!!!”

Stew-O: She may do it!! Delaney drops down and hooks the leg of Grace De Luca’s!! And the referee begins the count!!!

(ONNNNEEEEE!!!)

(TWWWWOOOO!!)

(THREEEEEEEEEE!!!)

(….)

(….)

(DING!!! DING!! DING!!)

Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… DELANEY RHODES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Ladies and gentlemen! Your winner of this match and the Number One Contender for the EAW Specialists Championship is Delaney Rhodes!! I can’t lie, it was a great match between all 3 women.. but in the end it was Delaney Rhodes pulling off the win here.

Persephone: I’d have to agree with you.. guess we can’t really take anything from the other two in this match..

Gavin Kirkland: Lighten up, Perse! Delaney has more than earned this in what was an hellacious hill to climb, and there’s no denying the talent that comes from both Selina and Grace as well, but tonight! Delaney proved that she’s ready for the spotlight, the question is whether or not she’s ready for the Specialists Championship?

(Delaney climbed to her feet exhausted, having her hand raised in victory, the camera panning towards a distraught Grace De Luca and upset Selina Reyes, before it was brought back into a celebrating Delaney Rhodes before the camera began to completely fade to black…)

(EAW logo buzzes.)

NIGHT ONE

(EAW Intro Begins)

(The camera pans on a brisk, warm Saturday Morning. The scene then floats over Ole Miss University and College Gameday. The opposing coach and visiting team are front and center, we can hear a familiar voice of a coach.)

Narrator: Alright, everybody, bring it in! We’ve got a big weekend ahead of us, and I hope you ARE ready because EAW is bringing the heat to Oxford, Mississippi! Tonight, and tomorrow night, we are talking about championship gold, personal rivalries, brand supremacy, and some of the biggest matches of the entire season! This is Territorial Invasion, and there isn’t a single competitor on this card who can afford to take their foot off the gas! So grab your jerseys, raise those banners, and get ready for two nights of absolute chaos! Let’s take a look at the lineup!

(The players look intense; they know what is on the line as the coach walks through the plan and starts showing off the different schemes. Different matches start to show up on the screen as the players take notes.)

Narrator: We have a championship showdown as Anna Wautier defends the New Breed Championship against Wynter Kurayami! Then, four hungry competitors in Yasmina, Airi Miyamune, Sofia Drakos, and Circe climb the ladder for a future title opportunity! Selina Reyes, Delaney Rhodes, and Grace De Luca are fighting for a shot at the Specialists Championship!

(The players nod, they start to get excited as the coach continues to speak his gameplan.)

Narrator: Diamond Dixon and Cosmo Goldworthy are battling in Hardcore Warfare for a shot at the Hardcore Championship! NICK takes on David Gideon Smith, and seven competitors in Reylin Aloali’i, Igon Mordren, Sayuri Himura, Rei Orobo, Winona Hendrickson, Tafae Toa, and Diego Montana all fight for a shot at the New Breed Championship!

(The players get even more and more pumped up as he then points at the board, writing down the next formation.)

Narrator: Three teams, three brands, and one battle for supremacy! When the dust settles, only one team will be able to claim victory! Voltages Carmen Sánchez, Cynthia Valice & Avril Williams vs. Dynasty’s AKIZA, Yanni Killbrew & TFK vs. Showdown’s Clayton Golde, Artemis & Adonis Jones!

Narrator: Go on the hard side, hit the sweep as Cody Maverick and Donovan Duke are going to settle things with El Duque as the special guest referee, while Harper Lee takes on Kassidy Heart in a matchup that could steal the show! And don’t forget King Sulyvahn IV, Venus de Martin, Haruka Kashimashi, Jamie Valdez, and Kendall Von battling for a unique opportunity for Dynasty! Five competitors, one chance to change everything!

(The players look at one another, they know the challenge sitting in front of them tonight.)

Narrator: Now, if you thought one night was enough, it was not! Because we have something big, go for the blitz as We’ve got three massive team battles that will put brand pride and supremacy on the line! Voltages Raven Roberts, ARIA, Candice Blair, Ashlynn Quinn & Eris Morti vs. Showdown’s Halsey Neel, Mia Santoro, Rex McAllister, Akari Kiyoko & KELIN vs. Dynasty’s Effy McAvoy, Chris Elite, Daryl Kinkade, Brianna Hill & KASAI

(The players start to get hyped up.)

Narrator: We have one of the best defenses in the league, so get on the strong side and cut off the run, because also we got Kai Rabeaux defending the Hardcore Championship against Miku Sakai, with Kiko Sakai in her corner! And Bronson Daniels, Drake Armstrong, and Daniella Atlas are going head-to-head for a shot at the EAW Championship! And that’s just the beginning! Bea Valentine puts the Answers World Championship on the line against Impact! That’s a whole lot of championship gold up for grabs!

(The players stand up in excitement.)

Narrator: The weak side gets blocked, and then we cut the pass, they love to throw at the Tight End! Just like Hans Grayson puts the EAW Championship on the line against Jay Jerry Johnson, while Milli Banks and Joso collide in a Lumberjack Match! La Farmacia Sexual defend the Unified Tag Team Championships against CATACLYSM, with Silas Mason in their corner, in the Poon Palace Brawl!

Narrator: The safety blitz on the edge! As Jake Smith and Caroline finally face off in a match where the message is simple: It Ends Tonight! Then, we’ve got Minerva defending the Universal Women’s Championship against Veena Adams in The Dollhouse! A champion, a former Answers World Champion, and a whole lot of personal history!

(The players start to scream; they are ready to run out onto the field and play.)

Narrator: WE MAKE OUR STOP! WE HOLD THEM NOW! For in our World Heavyweight Championship showdown, Drake King defends against Michael Machina! Two competitors, one championship, and everything on the line! And finally…. WAR GAMES! Voltages Damon Lazarus, Auburn Ware & Saori Aizen vs. Dynasty’s BRAE, Cy Henderson & Kirk Redwood vs. Showdown’s Pandora Paisley, Jon Kelton & Damien Kutcher! Three teams. Two rings. One steel-enclosed battlefield! War Games is where alliances are tested, rivalries explode, and survival becomes the name of the game!

(The coach brings all of his player in.)

NARRATOR: FINAL HUDDLE! Alright, team, here’s what it comes down to! Two nights of action. Championships on the line. Personal rivalries reach their breaking points. And three massive battles for brand supremacy! Every competitor has a reason to fight. Every championship has a target on its back. And every team has something to prove! So whether you’re here for the gold, the glory, or the opportunity to settle a score, there’s only one place you need to be!

(The players are ready to take the field.)

Narrator: Because tonight and tomorrow night, Biloxi, Mississippi becomes the battleground for the entire EAW universe! THIS IS TERRITORIAL INVASION 2026! LET’S GET THIS GAME STARTED!

(The players scream and run out of the locker room as the coach smiles and follows them out as the scene fades.)

???: AND NOW… RESIDENT EVIL, PAPA JOHN’S AND THE EAW PRESENT THE 2026 TERRITORIAL INVASION!

(The fireworks go off at the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi as the sold-out crowd is on their feet. “Die For You” by From Ashes To New plays throughout the stadium as the excitement can be felt in the air. The Camera pans down to the announce crew of Deadprez, Sienna Swann, and Gavin Kirkland.)

Deadprez: WE ARE AT TERRITORIAL INVASION 2026! WHAT A NIGHT WE HAVE AS I AM DEADPREZ, ACCOMPANIED BY THE LOVELY SIENNA SWANN, AND GAVIN KIKRLAND! WE REPRESENT SHOWDOWN! WE ARE ALSO JOINED BY DYNASTY’S STEW-O, FLANNERY MCCOY, AND JAKE MERCER! ALONG WITH VOLTAGE’S RICH RUSSILLO, PERSEPHONE AND THADD BLAZEVICH! WE ARE GETTING HOT TONIGHT IN OXFORD MISSISSIPPI!

Sienna Swann: WHAT AN INCREDIBLE SOLD-OUT CROWD, SWEETIE! WE HAVE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON THE LINE, THE TRADITIONAL BRAND WARFARE! DIVIDE AND CONQUER! WAR GAMES AND SO MUCH MORE! THIS IS MY FIRST TERRITORIAL INVASION AND I AM EXCITED!

Gavin Kirkland: I AM EXCITED TOO STANDING NEXT TO SIENNA SWANN! BUT WHY WAIT! WITH LUMBERJACK MATCHES, IT ENDS TONIGHT AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER GRUDGES, WHY DON’T WE KICK IT OFF IN A HUGE WAY! LET’S GOOOOO GINA ROMANO!

(The crowd goes crazy when the first graphic of the opening match comes up.)

(https://imgur.com/XaTFf7q)

Gina Romano: THE OPENING CONTEST OF TERRITORIAL INVASION IS FOR THE ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!

(https://imgur.com/XaTFf7q)

(‘Sections’ by The Roots plays as Karl Impact makes his way toward the ring, dressed in full black with subtle red accents throughout, moving with that composed and weighted seriousness that communicates exactly how much this match means to the Quintessential Champion.)

Gavin Kirkland: There is no question about what this match represents to Karl Impact, and tonight he arrives here with the singular intention of becoming an #11Timez and leaving no room for any further conversation about the current state of his career!

Sienna Swann: I have my doubts, sweetie, because Bea Valentine needs to retain this championship and we are thoroughly exhausted of watching veterans running rampant on this brand. And I want to be absolutely clear that I am not exclusively referring to Impact when I say that.

Deadprez: This is bound to be a genuinely legendary contest between two competitors who have both staked everything on this match. Impact has set his sights on making history, and Bea Valentine is going to need every resource available to her to protect the prize she has built her legacy around.

(Karl arrives at ringside and removes his jacket before “Gloria” by the London Symphony Orchestra hits. Bea Valentine strides out in her full white attire with subtle gold accents, the Answers World Championship secured around her waist with Cornelius following close behind. Before she descends the ramp, Cornelius gives his champion one final nod as a gesture of conviction before stepping back and leaving her at the stage to make her entrance alone. Bea marches toward the ring with the focused confidence of someone who has been here before and intends to leave the same way she arrived.)

Sienna Swann: Whatever anyone has to say about this match, the champion arrived looking like a champion and that matters.

Gavin Kirkland: The champion is here! Bea Valentine is making her way toward what promises to be an extraordinary main event tonight as the Quintessential Champion waits! Which of these two storied competitors will leave here with that championship raised above them when it is all over?! The Quintessential Champion or the Eternal Champion?!

Deadprez: Bea Valentine has been making her position abundantly clear throughout this entire build. Regardless of what Impact says about her career and her drawing power, she intends to answer every word of it tonight by doing what she does best and adding another definitive chapter to her Answers World Championship reign.

(Once both competitors are inside the ring, the spotlights converge on them for a prolonged moment that underscores the significance of what is about to unfold. The camera then moves to Gina Romano standing at the centre of the ring with her characteristic bright smile.)

Gina Romano: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL AND IS FOR THE EAW ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!

(The crowd responds loudly. The camera slowly pans to Impact. The reaction is a genuine mixture of boos and cheers, the boos running slightly louder given the nature of what he has been saying throughout the build, though the respect for a legend of his calibre keeps the cheers present and real.)

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST!… THE CHALLENGER!… FROM SEATTLE, WASHINGTON!… WEIGHING IN AT 228 POUNDS!… THE QUINTESSENTIAL CHAMPION!… THE EAW HALL OF FAMER!… IMPACTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Karl extends both arms outward, not offering any sign of a smile, holding that composed and commanding expression on his face before stepping back to his corner and fixing his gaze on Bea from across the ring.)

Gina Romano: AND NOW!… INTRODUCING THE CHAMPION!… HAILING FROM BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS!… WEIGHING IN AT 143 POUNDS!… SHE IS THE EAW ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION!… THE ETERNAL CHAMPION!… BEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!… VALENTINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

(Bea lifts the championship above her head the moment it comes off her waist, staring directly back at Karl Impact who offers absolutely nothing in return. The lights return to normal as the referee moves to the centre of the ring, receives the title, and raises it for the crowd to acknowledge before stepping back.)

(Referee completes the final checks with both competitors, confirms their readiness, steps back to the appropriate position and calls for the opening bell.)

(DING DING DING!)

Gavin Kirkland: Both competitors have had their blood boiling for this moment for weeks and BEA RUSHES IN LOOKING FOR A CLOTHESLINE AT THE CORNER RIGHT FROM THE OPENING SECONDS! But Impact reads it, sidesteps cleanly, and IMMEDIATELY SPINS HER AROUND INTO A TILT-A-WHIRL BACKBREAKER THAT ESTABLISHES THE EARLY TONE OF THIS MATCH IN THE MOST EMPHATIC WAY POSSIBLE!

Sienna Swann: Not the start we needed from the champion, sweetie. Getting put through that inside the first minute by the old man is not the statement a reigning world champion wants to be making. Get up, Bea. Show him what you are actually capable of!

Deadprez: Valentine rolls through the ropes and out to the floor trying to collect herself, but Impact is right behind her and immediately delivers a blistering Knife Edge Chop across her chest that sends Valentine reeling back into the front row barricade!

Gavin Kirkland: But Bea is a fighting champion through and through and fires back with a right forearm directly into Impact’s face despite the pain coursing through her! Impact responds by seizing her by the throat and SLAMMING her spine first into the barricade with authority! The challenger is making his physical presence felt in every single exchange out here!

Deadprez: Bea was trying to reassert herself, but Impact comes charging through and CLOTHESLINES her over the barricade, nearly sending her completely over into the front row crowd who are witnessing this at uncomfortably close range! The referee is doing everything possible to call both competitors back inside the ring while simultaneously having zero control over any of it!

Sienna Swann: Valentine has been dragged through an absolute gauntlet since the opening bell, sweetie, and Impact is taking dead aim at her right now! He is taking his distance and measuring her while she deals with the wound she is carrying! WATCH OUT BEA! HE IS COMING STRAIGHT FOR YOU!

Gavin Kirkland: DROPKICK TO THE LEG FROM VALENTINE SENDS IMPACT STUMBLING AND CRASHING FACE FIRST INTO THE EDGE OF THE BARRICADE! THE OXFORD CROWD COMES ALIVE, AND THE CHAMPION IS BRINGING THE FIGHT BACK TO THE CHALLENGER! Bea is now raining down a handful of heavy clubbing blows the moment Impact hits the floor, refusing to let him reset!

Deadprez: Karl absorbs each shot and stumbles from the sustained right hands landing in succession, eventually working his way back inside the ring. Valentine hauls herself back into this match, pulls Karl back onto his feet, and whips him hard into the corner before following through immediately!

Gavin Kirkland: Valentine comes charging in looking for the clothesline but Impact gets the right elbow up just in time and deflects the approach! Impact creates space and turns on her with a BLISTERING Knife Edge Chop that rattles Bea Valentine all over again! Karl is not remotely finished and delivers ANOTHER thunderous chop across her chest that leaves her propped up and vulnerable!

Sienna Swann: AND THERE IS MORE COMING! KARL IS MAKING HER PAY FOR EVERY SECOND OF THIS RIVALRY RIGHT NOW!

(CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP!)

(…)

Sienna Swann: BUT VALENTINE IS NOT BACKING DOWN! NOT ONE SINGLE STEP! THAT IS PRECISELY WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT, SWEETIE! THAT IS THE WORLD CHAMPION STANDING HER GROUND!

Gavin Kirkland: Valentine drops into a boxing stance, and now she is taking the fight directly to Karl! Look at her go! Throwing a right hook followed by a left jab from the right side and slowly grinding Impact backward toward the corner with every landed shot!

Deadprez: Each stiff body shot finds the accumulated wear on Karl’s body built up over a career spanning decades in this company, and you can see every one of them registering as he gets worn down toward the corner inch by inch!

Sienna Swann: Valentine has Karl backed against the ropes and seizes the wrist, sends him flying across before hitting the ropes herself on the rebound— TAKES IMPACT DOWN WITH THE SLINGBLADE AND THE QUINTESSENTIAL CHAMPION HITS THE CANVAS! NOW THAT IS A GENUINE MOMENTUM SHIFT, SWEETIE!

Gavin Kirkland: Karl tumbles through the ropes to the outside yet again, stumbling back to his feet after absorbing everything that has come his way in this sequence! Bea is absolutely on fire right now and the champion is already sprinting off the ropes! Karl, get your guard up! Watch yourself out there!

(CRASH!)

Deadprez: SUICIDE DIVE FROM THE ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION CRASHES DOWN ON KARL IMPACT AND LEAVING HIM COMPLETELY SPRAWLED ON THE FLOOR! BEA VALENTINE HAS PRODUCED AN EMPHATIC AND POWERFUL SHOWING IN THIS MATCH FROM THE MOMENT SHE FOUND HER FOOTING AND THIS CROWD IS RESPONDING TO EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF IT!

Sienna Swann: She is taking every single message Karl has delivered tonight as a deeply personal challenge and she is responding with everything she has to prove that she is not merely a competent champion but a genuinely extraordinary one. Despite the brutal crash into that barricade, Karl is somehow still trying to find his footing and get himself back upright, sweetie!

Gavin Kirkland: Bea reads that as a clear signal to pile on further damage before he can recover! Valentine slides back inside the ring and hits the ropes, the champion building full momentum and heading back out toward Impact!

Deadprez: Bea was looking for the Suicide Dive again but Karl has the guard up this time and reads the trajectory! He catches her on the way through and hoists her immediately onto his right shoulder!

(THUD!)

Deadprez: AND VALENTINE GETS LAUNCHED FACE FIRST INTO THE STEEL POST WITH A LAWN DART THROW OF DEVASTATING PRECISION! THE CHAMPION GOES FACE FIRST INTO THE STEEL AND CRUMPLES TO THE GROUND!

Sienna Swann: That’s an absolutely sickening sound, sweetie!

Gavin Kirkland: The match has to continue despite that deeply alarming spot at ringside, with the referee trying to get both competitors back inside! Karl gets a firm handful of Bea’s hair and hauls her up onto the apron with no particular gentleness involved in the process!

Deadprez: Karl hits the ropes and slowly drags Bea over and across!— SUPLEX OVER THE ROPES BRINGS HER CRASHING DOWN ONTO THE CANVAS INSIDE THE RING! Karl immediately drops into the cover!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Deadprez: Bea Valentine gets the shoulder up at two but Karl reads the momentary vulnerability in her condition the instant the kickout happens and immediately presses his advantage, pinning her down into a grounded headlock to apply sustained pressure and drain whatever reserves she has left!

Sienna Swann: This crowd is completely and vocally behind the champion throughout this battle, sweetie, and their belief in Bea is being rewarded as she slowly fights her way back to her feet through the sustained pressure of that headlock! The will being displayed right now is extraordinary!

Gavin Kirkland: Valentine eventually claws back to a vertical base despite Karl’s best efforts to keep her grounded! Before she can establish anything however, Karl grabs her and attempts to send her through the ropes but she manages to get herself over the top instead!

Deadprez: Valentine lands on her feet on the apron! Karl spots it and rushes in but gets caught and rocked back with a right hand from Valentine! Bea grips the top rope and uses the momentum to climb! Karl is still trying to collect himself below! DIVING AXE HANDLE TAKES KARL DOWN, AND THE CHAMPION HAS SEIZED THE INITIATIVE!

Sienna Swann: Impact goes down and stumbles back to his feet but Valentine was already anticipating the recovery! She hits the ropes and comes back with a Running Forearm Smash that takes the Quintessential Champion down again! That is exactly the sustained offensive sequence this match needed from Bea, sweetie!

Gavin Kirkland: Karl stumbles back to his feet yet again, absorbing each shot and turns around loading up a wild right hand swing! But Valentine avoids it cleanly and catches him with a School Girl Roll-Up that sends Karl to both knees— SUPERKICK TO THE JAW FOLLOWS IMMEDIATELY!

Deadprez: But Valentine has found an entirely different gear in this match, and the strength flowing through her now is undeniable! She reaches over to Karl and swings through— CODE RED POWERBOMB DRIVES KARL INTO THE CANVAS! BEA IS GIVING ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING SHE HAS AGAINST IMPACT, AND SHE GOES STRAIGHT INTO THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Deadprez: KARL WITH A POWERFUL KICKOUT AT TWO TO REMAIN A SIGNIFICANT AND SERIOUS THREAT IN THIS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH!

Sienna Swann: The stress written across Valentine’s face right now tells you everything about what this match genuinely means to her, sweetie. She is about to stamp yet another legendary championship defence into her legacy, and the weight of that is visible in every expression she makes out there!

Gavin Kirkland: Valentine slowly hauls Karl back to his feet and delivers ANOTHER CHOP that at this point in the match is going to leave Karl’s chest looking like a stop sign by the time this is over! Chop after chop from Bea Valentine as if each one is a punctuation mark in a sentence she has been writing all match long!

Bea Valentine: (Off-Mic) Come on, Karl! Fight me!

(SLAP!)

Deadprez: AND SLAPPED THE TASTE CLEAN OUT OF KARL IMPACT’S MOUTH, SENDING HIM STUMBLING BACK INTO THE CORNER! Bea appears settled and composed, watching her challenger wear down in front of her. The accumulated mileage of a career this long does not disappear on command and Karl’s body has been absorbing the specific kind of punishment that comes from facing a generation that operates differently from the one he dominated!

Gavin Kirkland: We cannot be too quick to write him off, though, because Karl is showing flashes of everything that made him what he is as Bea approaches! AND KARL IMMEDIATELY PLAYS POSSUM AND PULLS HER FACE FIRST INTO THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE! VALENTINE FALLS!

Sienna Swann: Conniving old man finding a cheap way out of a bad situation as usual, sweetie!

Deadprez: That is wisdom, Sienna. That is a man who has survived in this industry longer than most because he never stops thinking! Valentine stumbles out of the corner, and Karl hits the ropes from behind, RUNNING BULLDOG TAKES HER DOWN FACE FIRST INTO THE CANVAS! Karl appears determined to keep sending Bea face first into every surface available to him in this match!

Sienna Swann: Valentine crawls toward the ropes trying to find her footing, and Karl walks down after her with that measured pace, reaching over to seize her! But the champion still has enough left to mount a response the moment Karl reaches out! AND KARL GETS LAUNCHED OVER THE ROPES WITH A HEAVY BACK BODY DROP, HIS BACK CRASHING OFF THE APRON BEFORE HE FALLS TO THE FLOOR! COME ON, BEA! THAT IS THE STRENGTH THIS MATCH NEEDS RIGHT NOW!

Gavin Kirkland: This match has been an absolute war from pillar to post, and it shows no signs of settling down! Valentine drops down through the ropes to the outside and grabs Karl before DRIVING him gut-first into the edge of the apron! Karl stumbles from the impact, and now both of them are drifting dangerously close to our commentary area! Sienna, Prez, brace yourselves because we may be in for another chaotic week over here!

Deadprez: I genuinely hope you are not getting kicked in the face again, Gavin.

Gavin Kirkland: Please! I am begging at this point!

Deadprez: Valentine grabs Karl, who is already completely torn through, and DRIVES him face-first into our commentary table surface!

(## THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!)

Deadprez: Again and again and again, the champion is systematically MAULING Karl Impact using his own face against the commentary table in a way that is deeply uncomfortable to be seated next to!

Sienna Swann: Valentine is pulling back and calculating her next move very deliberately, sweetie! What exactly is she building toward here?! She is making the heavy lift now– FIREMAN’S CARRY DRIVER PUTS KARL DOWN ONTO THE HARD FLOOR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ALL OF US!

Gavin Kirkland: Just witnessing that thud from this proximity sends a genuine ripple up through the back of my spine! Karl gets dragged back to his feet and returned to the ring as Valentine ascends to the top rope with Karl laid out across the canvas below!… DIVING ELBOW DROP FROM THE CHAMPION CONNECTS!

Deadprez: Valentine gets back to her feet and surveys the crowd around her, clearly reading the energy in this building and responding to every decibel of it with a slow nod!

Sienna Swann: The true champion is going to give them exactly what they came for tonight, sweetie, and she is climbing to the top once more while Karl is still down from that Elbow Drop! Bea positioned at the top— FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEA!

Gavin Kirkland: KARL ROLLS CLEAR AND BEA LANDS HARD! KARL COLLECTS HIMSELF AND LAUNCHES IMMEDIATELY TO THE MIDDLE ROPE— FLIGHT SLIGHTS! THE LIONSAULT CRASHES DOWN ONTO THE BACK OF BEA VALENTINE! KARL CAUGHT HER COLD AND HOOKS THE LEG!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gavin Kirkland: THE CHAMPION REFUSES TO BE PUT AWAY AND KICKS OUT!

Sienna Swann: One undeniable truth Karl identified is that Bea Valentine is relentlessly stubborn and constitutionally incapable of surrendering anything easily, sweetie. She is a hardworking champion who will genuinely bleed for that title and tonight is proving every word of that!

Gavin Kirkland: Karl slowly picks her back up despite the sheer fatigue that has caught up with both competitors and throws a forearm directly across her jaw! More forearm shots land stiff and consecutive against it one after another— BUT THE CHAMPION IGNITES HERSELF AND IMMEDIATELY REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES AND POUNDS KARL WITH A DISCUS LARIAT THAT DROPS HIM BACK DOWN DESPITE EVERYTHING HE WAS BUILDING!

Deadprez: Karl Impact goes down, and Bea Valentine capitalises on the moment, hauling Impact back to his feet and slowly beginning to position him up onto her shoulders once more!

Gavin Kirkland: But Karl refuses to be put away that easily and slips free, spinning Bea around and delivering another sharp Knife Edge Chop that stings the World Champion and creates just enough separation! Karl hooks Bea after the chop, and here he goes!… LOOKING FOR A POWERBOMB!

Sienna Swann: AND BEA HOPS OVER THE LEVERAGE OF THE MANOEUVRE AND COMES THROUGH AS SHE PUSHES KARL TOWARD THE ROPES AND CONVERTS IT INTO A CRUCIFIX ROLL-UP!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gavin Kirkland: BEA ALMOST HAD IT, BUT KARL KICKS OUT AND IMMEDIATELY TAKES HIS TURN, ROLLING BEA UP WITH A SCHOOL BOY FROM BEHIND!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—

Gavin Kirkland: ALMOST HAD HER AS WELL! BEA KICKS OUT BUT LOOK AT KARL! HE MAINTAINS HIS GRIP ON THOSE LEGS AND IMMEDIATELY TWISTS INTO POSITION!

Deadprez: BEA KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT IS COMING BECAUSE SHE HAS FELT THIS HOLD BEFORE, AND NO AMOUNT OF RING AWARENESS IS GOING TO SAVE HER IF HE LOCKS IT IN COMPLETELY! KARL IMPACT IS GOING FOR THE WALLS OF IMPACT!

Sienna Swann: Get to those ropes, Bea! Right now, sweetie! Do not let him sink that in fully!

Gavin Kirkland: Karl is trying to complete the Walls but Valentine manages to free her other leg and drives a thrust kick directly into his midsection, pushing him away with just enough force to prevent the hold from being fully applied! Karl has no choice but to release!

Deadprez: Valentine slowly carries herself back to a vertical base and locks in a precise aim at Karl who has just been kicked back and makes her run!

(CLANGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!)

Sienna Swann: OH MY GOD! NO!

Gavin Kirkland: VALENTINE GETS SENT OVER WITH A FLAPJACK, BUT THIS TIME HER FACE CRASHES DIRECTLY ONTO THE TOP OF THE RING POST WITH DEVASTATING FORCE!

Deadprez: Valentine is completely disoriented following that impact, stumbling with no real sense of direction, and Karl knows immediately— THE ABSOLUTION! KARL HOOKS THE LEG!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…

Gavin Kirkland: BEA VALENTINE WITH THE SHOULDER UP AT TWO! That was an agonisingly close call, but the aftermath of that fall is genuinely concerning! Look at her forehead; the blood is slowly surfacing, and she is beginning to wear that crimson mask! Let us look at the replay!

(A slow-motion replay shows the precise and sickening moment of Bea Valentine’s forehead making contact with the top of the ring post, the collision captured in full detail, the burst of blood appearing almost immediately from the impact.)

Sienna Swann: That is one of the most disturbing things I have seen at this commentary table in quite some time, sweetie!

Deadprez: The canvas is slowly being painted with her blood and Karl is now raining down a relentless barrage of right hands, his gloves accumulating the evidence of exactly what he is doing to the Answers World Champion right now!

Gavin Kirkland: Karl is taking absolutely no prisoners in this match, and he is making every single second of this championship opportunity count!

(PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH!)

Deadprez: Someone needs to stop this…..

Sienna Swann: Is she even fully conscious enough to continue competing at this point, sweetie?!

(…)

(PUNCH!!!!)

Gavin Kirkland: AND THAT LAST DISGUSTING RIGHT HAND FROM KARL SENDS BLOOD SPRAYING SIDEWAYS FROM THE CHAMPION’S FACE!

Sienna Swann: Look at what he is doing to her, sweetie. You are systematically dismantling the presence, the composure, and the dignity of the champion while she bleeds on that canvas. I find this deeply offensive on multiple levels and Karl Impact is going to hear about every single one of them before this night is over!

Gavin Kirkland: The ferocious intensity of this competition is stripping everything away right now and even the natural beauty of Bea Valentine is being erased by this sustained assault! Karl hooks both arms while Bea has not come close to fully recovering! AND THE DOUBLE HOOK BACKBREAKER DRIVES HER DOWN!

Deadprez: This could very well be leading to a finish, but Karl is not going for the cover. He is glancing somewhere specific around ringside and appears to have an entirely different and considerably more troubling idea in mind as he rolls to the outside!

Gavin Kirkland: Karl is going after the ringside padding! Oh no, he is doing it!

(Karl methodically peels back the protective ringside mat, revealing the cold and unforgiving concrete floor underneath, a section of the crowd reacting with immediate and audible unease at what they are witnessing.)

Gavin Kirkland: The concrete floor is fully exposed for all of Oxford to see! Karl gets back inside the ring and drags Bea Valentine along and through the ropes, sending her down to that corner area below! He is making an absolutely deliberate and calculating statement with every decision he makes right now against the Answers World Champion!

Sienna Swann: How much is this woman expected to endure just to retain a championship that was already hers, sweetie?!

Deadprez: Karl hooks both arms while Valentine is already somewhere between consciousness and darkness, blood still dripping steadily as Karl takes a prolonged and unsettling moment to savour this position! KARL IS LOOKING TO DRIVE HER FACE FIRST INTO THAT EXPOSED CONCRETE FLOOR WITH THE HAIL MARY!

Gavin Kirkland: WAIT! THE CHAMPION JOLTS AWAKE AND SHE IS FIGHTING THROUGH IT! KARL TRIES TO MAINTAIN THE FULL NELSON BUT BEA FINDS THE LEVERAGE TO BREAK THE GRIP AND SENDS HIM TUMBLING OVER WITH A QUICK ARM DRAG!

Sienna Swann: Karl failed to close it out, and he is staggering away! Bea has gotten herself back to the apron and Karl turns around— WAIT! WHAT IS BEA VALENTINE THINKING RIGHT NOW, SWEETIE?!

(CRASHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!)

Gavin Kirkland: RUNNING CROSSBODY OFF THE APRON TAKES KARL DOWN AND BOTH COMPETITORS CRASH ONTO THAT CONCRETE FLOOR WITH BRUTAL IMPACT! OUCHHHHHHHHHHH!

Deadprez: Heart of the champion is willing to bulldoze through every obstacle this match has placed in front of her and she is slowly hauling Karl back to his feet and returning him to the ring! The Oxford crowd rises to their feet as Bea climbs to the top rope!

(## FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEAAAAAAAA!!!!!!)

Gavin Kirkland: FROG SPLASHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! VALENTINE INTO THE COVER!

Sienna Swann: NO! SHE IS NOT SATISFIED WITH JUST ONE! KARL IS STILL DOWN BUT BEA WANTS TO PUT THIS AWAY WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY AND SHE IS SPRINTING TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER ALREADY! BEA IS FULLY IGNITED AND SHE IS CLIMBING AGAIN WITH BLOOD STILL STREAMING DOWN HER FACE AND ABSOLUTELY NO REGARD FOR HER OWN CONDITION!

Deadprez: LOOK AT THIS WOMAN GO!

(## SECOND FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEAAAAAAAA!!!!!!)

Deadprez: A SECOND CONSECUTIVE FROG SPLASH, THIS TIME LANDING DIRECTLY ACROSS THE BACK OF IMPACT AND LEAVING HIM COMPLETELY FLATTENED ON THE CANVAS!

Gavin Kirkland: BEA VALENTINE IS HEADING TO THE FINISH LINE AND HOOKS THE LEG! THIS IS FOR EVERYTHING!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…

(…)

(…)

(…)

Deadprez: IMPACT–

Gavin Kirkland: NO! NO! ONLY TWO! KARL IMPACT GETS THAT SHOULDER UP BEFORE THE COUNT IS COMPLETE, AND THIS MATCH REFUSES TO END!

Sienna Swann: She is feeling the full weight of every single thing this match has put her through and the strain is written plainly across her face, sweetie! But come on, Bea! You are still standing and that matters more than anything right now!

Gavin Kirkland: Karl Impact is displaying a level of resistance in this match that defies every reasonable expectation but Bea is already back on her feet, bloodied and exhausted and absolutely unwilling to quit, and she is ready to close this out!

Deadprez: She is waving Karl back to his feet! She wants him upright for what comes next and she has the finishing blow loaded and ready to deliver!

Bea Valentine: (Off-Mic) It is over, Karl. GET BACK UP!

Deadprez: THIS COULD BE ONE FINAL DEFINING MOMENT IN THE CAREER OF KARL IMPACT!

(Karl, fading but not gone, looks up at her from the canvas with something still burning behind his eyes and taunts her to bring everything she has left.)

Impact: (mumbling) Bring… it…

(…)

Sienna Swann: ## BEA TRIGGGERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: BEA WAS LOADING UP THE BICYCLE KNEE BUT KARL PLAYED POSSUM AND LET HER COMMIT TO THE RUN! BOTH LEGS CAPTURED AND TAKEN DOWN! THE WALLS OF IMPACT ARE BEING APPLIED!

Sienna Swann: BUT BEA USES THE LEVERAGE OF HER OWN LEGS AND TWISTS KARL INTO A SMALL PACKAGE! SHE CAME PREPARED FOR EXACTLY THIS MOMENT!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—

Gavin Kirkland: VERY CLOSE ONCE MORE BUT KARL IMPACT POWERS OUT! BOTH COMPETITORS BACK TO THEIR FEET AND KARL SWINGS FOR THE FIST OF FURY!

Deadprez: BARELY AVOIDED, AND KARL SWINGS THROUGH NOTHING! He stumbles forward into the corner from the momentum of a punch that found only air! Valentine spins around and comes charging at him, but Karl sidesteps that as well!

Sienna Swann: Valentine immediately reads the new positioning and launches herself up to the second rope, measuring the target— DOWN WITH THE DIVING CROSSBODY!

Gavin Kirkland: AND KARL LETS HER BODY COME THROUGH AND CATCHES HER IN THE AIR, ROLLS THROUGH THE IMPACT AND SECURES THOSE LEGS BEFORE SHE CAN REACT! KARL HAS HER AGAIN, AND THIS COULD GENUINELY BE IT THIS TIME! THE TWIST AND THE TURN AND HE COMES ALL THE WAY THROUGH— WALLS OF IMPACT APPLIED A SECOND TIME!

Sienna Swann: NO! LOOK AT THIS! BEA IS READING THE SITUATION AND TAKES BRILLIANT ADVANTAGE OF THE TWIST DOWN TO THE SIDE!

Deadprez: AND SHE TWISTS FURTHER, HER BODY FOLLOWING THE DIRECTION OF THE ROLL AND CAUSING KARL TO STUMBLE AND LOSE HIS GRIP! AN EXCEPTIONALLY SMART COUNTER BY THE CHAMPION GIVES HER THE SPACE AND THE STANCE TO TWIST ALL THE WAY OUT— TRANSITIONING STRAIGHT INTO THE FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK AND HAS KARL TRAPPED INSIDE IT!

Gavin Kirkland: WHAT AN EXTRAORDINARY EXCHANGE BETWEEN THESE TWO COMPETITORS, AND NOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED COMPLETELY! KARL IMPACT IS LOCKED IN THE FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK, AND HE IS THE ONE DESPERATELY SEARCHING FOR A WAY OUT AFTER HAVING BEA IN THE EXACT SAME POSITION MOMENTS AGO!

Gavin Kirkland: The old man still has an extraordinary amount of fight left, and he is gritting through every ounce of pain the Figure Four is generating! The Quintessential Champion is absolutely refusing to surrender on his end either and is willing to leave everything he has on this canvas if that is what it takes to win the Answers World Championship!

(Karl, locked in the hold and operating somewhere beyond the threshold of ordinary pain tolerance, sits upright through sheer willpower and fixes Bea with a stare that carries every year of his career behind it. Bea returns it without flinching.)

(SLAP!)

Deadprez: A RESUSCITATING SLAP DELIVERED DIRECTLY ACROSS VALENTINE’S FACE! AND VALENTINE SHAKES HER HEAD AND SCREAMS RIGHT BACK AT HIM! THE CHAMPION IS NOT BROKEN! SHE IS BEING MOTIVATED BY THE ABSOLUTE FURY OF THIS BATTLE!

Bea Valentine: (Off-Mic) COME ON, KARL! I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE!

Sienna Swann: A SLAP IN RETURN FROM BEA! YES! GIVE HIM EVERYTHING HE JUST GAVE YOU, SWEETIE!

Gavin Kirkland: OH HERE WE GO! THEY ARE BOTH GOING AT IT AND THE FIGURE FOUR HAS BECOME ALMOST SECONDARY TO THIS EXTRAORDINARY EXCHANGE! SLAP FROM KARL! SLAP FROM BEA! THEY ARE GOING RIGHT AT EACH OTHER AND THIS OXFORD CROWD IS ON THEIR FEET FOR EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OF INTENSITY THESE TWO ARE GENERATING FROM THE CANVAS!

Deadprez: A REPEATED SLAP FROM KARL FINDS BEA FOR A SUSTAINED MOMENT AND BEGINS TO WEAR THE CHAMPION DOWN! KARL MAY BE CLAWING SOMETHING BACK HERE!

(## STIFF SLAP!!!!!!!!)

Sienna Swann: NO! BEA JUST SLAPPED THE LIVING SOUL CLEAN OUT OF KARL IMPACT! THE DROPLETS OF SWEAT LEFT HIS FACE, AND THE ENTIRE BUILDING FELT THAT ONE, SWEETIE!

Deadprez: KARL MAY… NO! NO! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY UNHINGED! HE IS NOT DOWN! HE IS SURGING BACK UP AND COMING AT BEA WITH EVERYTHING, AND SHE CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT SHE IS SEEING! THE QUINTESSENTIAL CHAMPION IS DISPLAYING A LEVEL OF PERSISTENCE AND RESILIENCE IN THIS MATCH THAT DEFIES EVERY RATIONAL EXPLANATION!

Gavin Kirkland: HEADBUTT FROM KARL! AND ANOTHER HEADBUTT! BEA HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO RELEASE THE FIGURE FOUR! KARL EVENTUALLY HAULS HIMSELF BACK UP AND DELIVERS ONE MORE HEADBUTT THAT SENDS THE CHAMPION DOWN TO THE CANVAS!

Sienna Swann: Karl gets immediately back to his feet while Bea stumbles back upright on the opposite side! Karl hits the ropes and comes flying back through– LOOKING FOR A SPINNING HEEL KICK! GET OUT OF THERE, BEA!

Gavin Kirkland: VALENTINE GETS OUT OF THE PATH AND KARL CRASHES DOWN ONTO THE CANVAS! Karl claws his way back to his knees and– HERE COMES VALENTINE CHARGING BACK OFF THE ROPES!… SHINING WIZARD!!!!!!!!

Sienna Swann: Impact is down and trying to drag himself across the canvas to find some space and recover whatever stamina remains! But here comes Bea surging from behind and PULLING KARL BACK!… INTO THE GROUNDED SLEEPER HOLD! KARL IS BEING SENT TO SLEEP RIGHT NOW! COME ON, BEA! PLEASE FINISH THIS!

Gavin Kirkland: BEA IS BACK TO DRAINING THE LIFE OUT OF IMPACT WITH THE SLEEPER HOLD! SHE HAS IT SYNCHED IN DEEPLY BUT KARL IS STILL CLAWING AND SCRATCHING AND REFUSING TO ACCEPT WHAT IS BEING ASKED OF HIM!

Bea Valentine: (Off-Mic) AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sienna Swann: THIS CROWD CANNOT CONTAIN THEMSELVES, AND THE ANXIETY IN THIS BUILDING IS REACHING AN ALMOST UNBEARABLE LEVEL AS EVERYONE WAITS TO SEE WHETHER THIS MATCH REACHES ITS CONCLUSION RIGHT HERE!

Deadprez: AND EVEN WITH BEA HOLDING THE SLEEPER TIGHTLY IN PLACE, KARL IS FINDING SOME FINAL RESERVE OF WILL AND FIGHTING TO GET BACK UP RIGHT THROUGH PURE STUBBORNNESS ALONE! HE EVENTUALLY SURGES BACKWARD INTO THE CORNER AND DRIVES BEA’S SPINE FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS LEFT!

Gavin Kirkland: AND KARL DOES NOT WASTE A SINGLE SECOND OF THE OPPORTUNITY THAT CREATES! HE PULLS BEA OUT OF THE CORNER AND TURNS HER!

(## MILLENNIAL INCARCERATION)

Deadprez: THE COBRA CLUTCH BY IMPACT! KARL HAS CLEARLY DECIDED THAT IF SHE IS GOING TO TRY TO PUT HIM OUT, HE IS RETURNING THE FAVOUR, AND NOW HE HAS BEA SCREAMING THROUGH THAT CRIMSON MASK SHE IS WEARING!

Sienna Swann: THE CHAMPION HAS BEEN PLACED IN A GENUINELY DREADFUL AND DEEPLY PRECARIOUS POSITION, AND THIS CROWD IS MORE ANXIOUS THAN I HAVE EVER HEARD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! NOBODY IN THIS BUILDING WANTS TO WITNESS THE FALL OF QUEEN BEA VALENTINE TONIGHT, SWEETIE!

Gavin Kirkland: BEA IS FIGHTING WITH EVERY LAST FIBRE SHE HAS TO STAY CONSCIOUS, BUT IMPACT IS MAKING IT ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN SHE IS GOING NOWHERE, KEEPING THE COBRA CLUTCH WRENCHED IN AS TIGHTLY AS HIS DETERIORATING BODY WILL ALLOW!

Deadprez: BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO HOLD INDEFINITELY BECAUSE LOOK AT KARL’S FACE! Even as he maintains the grip, the accumulation of this entire match is catching up to him and that body is going to betray him before he is ready for it to!

Sienna Swann: THE OLD MAN IS RUNNING ON VAPOUR AT THIS POINT BUT I HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT, SWEETIE! EVEN FROM WHERE I AM SITTING ROOTING WHOLEHEARTEDLY FOR THE CHAMPION, KARL IMPACT IS PRODUCING SOMETHING GENUINELY REMARKABLE TONIGHT, AND I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE PRETEND OTHERWISE!

Gavin Kirkland: IMPACT IS HANGING ON WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS LEFT! HE HAS A HANDFUL OF OPPORTUNITY TO WIN ANOTHER HISTORIC CHAMPIONSHIP IN THIS RING RIGHT NOW AND HE IS REFUSING TO RELEASE IT FOR ANY REASON!

(But Karl’s body begins sending its final notices regardless of what his mind is demanding.)

Deadprez: WAIT! KARL CANNOT SUSTAIN THE GRIP AND BEA IS REVERSING THE COBRA CLUTCH POSITION!

(## THE CONSPIRACY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Sienna Swann: YES! YES! YES! YES!

Gavin Kirkland: BEA HITS THE CONSPIRACY! KARL GOES HEADFIRST INTO THE CANVAS AS VALENTINE DROPS INTO THE COVER! THIS IS THE MOMENT! THIS IS IT!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

(…)

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

(…)

(Karl Impact’s body…)

Sienna Swann: BEA VALENTINE RETAINS!

(…)

(…)

(## …. IS REFUSING TO GIVE IN!)

Gavin Kirkland: NO! NO! A SHOULDER UP FROM IMPACT AT THE ABSOLUTE LAST POSSIBLE INSTANT! WE THOUGHT IT WAS DONE!

Sienna Swann: I HAD ALREADY CELEBRATED IN MY HEAD, SWEETIE! I WAS ALREADY CELEBRATING! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS MAN JUST DID TO ME AT THIS COMMENTARY TABLE TONIGHT?!?!?!?!?

Deadprez: EVERY SINGLE PERSON AT THIS TABLE AND IN THIS BUILDING THOUGHT BEA VALENTINE WAS TAKING THIS HOME AND ENDING THIS CHAPTER TONIGHT, BUT KARL IMPACT JUST DEMONSTRATED EXACTLY WHAT THE ABSOLUTE PEAK OF IMPACT LOOKS LIKE, AND THIS CROWD HAS COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY LOST THEIR MINDS!

Gavin Kirkland: AT THIS POINT I MAY GENUINELY LOSE MY VOICE BEFORE THIS MATCH IS OVER IF IMPACT PULLS THIS OFF AND MAKES HISTORY TONIGHT!

Deadprez: BEA HAS HER EYES FIXED ON THAT CORNER REGARDLESS! THE CHAMPION READS THE SITUATION AND SHE HAS IDENTIFIED THE ONLY REMAINING PATH TO ENDING THIS RIGHT NOW!

Sienna Swann: KARL IS DOWN ON THE CANVAS AND BEA IS ASCENDING TO THE TOP! THERE IS NOTHING LEFT FOR IMPACT TO GIVE AT THIS POINT AND BEA IS LOOKING DOWN AT HIM FROM THE SUMMIT! BRING IT HOME, BEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

(…)

(## BOSTON BEA PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

(…)

Gavin Kirkland: BEA WAS GOING FOR THE ULTIMATE FINISHING BLOW BUT KARL ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY WITH WHATEVER SURVIVAL INSTINCT REMAINS IN HIS BODY! HE GETS IMMEDIATELY BACK TO HIS FEET AS BEA TURNS AROUND—-

(## EVISCERATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Deadprez: HE GOT IT!

Sienna Swann: NO! STOP THIS MATCH RIGHT NOW!

Gavin Kirkland: EVISCERATION CONNECTS! THE DOUBLE KNEE FACEBREAKER ON VALENTINE AND THIS IS IT! WE ARE SECONDS AWAY FROM CROWNING A NEW ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

(…)

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

(Bea Valentine’s Answers World Championship reign…)

(…)

(…)

(Has come…)

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

(…)

(…)

(To an end…)

(…)

Gavin Kirkland: It is over.

(….)

(…or is it?)

Sienna Swann: ## OH! NO! WAIT! BEA KICKS OUT, SWEETIE! BEA VALENTINE KICKS OUT! THE MATCH CONTINUES! I REPEAT, THE MATCH CONTINUES!

Gavin Kirkland: Karl’s face is a portrait of complete disbelief and the Oxford crowd ERUPTS once more! LOOK AT BEA! SHE IS NOT EVEN FULLY CONSCIOUS AFTER THAT KICKOUT, SWINGING BLINDLY AND OPERATING ON PURE INSTINCT, AND YET SHE IS SOMEHOW RISING BACK TO HER FEET!

Deadprez: KARL IMPACT IS FURIOUS BUT HE CANNOT EVEN SUSTAIN THE ANGER BECAUSE THE SHEER PHYSICAL EXHAUSTION OF THIS MATCH HAS CONSUMED WHATEVER EMOTIONAL ENERGY EITHER OF THEM HAD LEFT!

Sienna Swann: (watching Karl reload) BEA SPINS BACK AROUND AND KARL THROWS A FOREARM DIRECTLY AT HER! HE IS GOING STRAIGHT BACK TO WORK, TRYING TO SHUT THE CHAMPION DOWN AGAIN AND DELIVERS ANOTHER STIFF FOREARM WITH PRECISE AND DELIBERATE AIM, SWEETIE!

(## CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!)

Gavin Kirkland: Impact trying to repeat the process and grind her back down!…. AND BEA VALENTINE IS NOT WAVERING BY A SINGLE INCH! SHE IS STARING DIRECTLY THROUGH THAT CRIMSON MASK INTO KARL’S EYES WHILE HIS FIST IS ALREADY SOAKED WITH HER BLOOD!

(## CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!)

Deadprez: AND NOW BEA IS THE ONE THROWING THE WILD SWING AT KARL! LOOK AT HER GO! RIGHT HAND FROM BEA IN RETURN STAGGERS KARL BACKWARD! KARL REPLIES WITH ANOTHER FOREARM THAT STUMBLES BEA SIDEWAYS!

Sienna Swann: (rising from her seat) THE CHAMPION GETS CRACKED BUT SHE DOES NOT GO DOWN, SWEETIE! SHE HITS THE ROPES AND SPINS BACK AROUND LOOKING FOR THE DISCUS LARIAT!

Gavin Kirkland: KARL AVOIDS IT! BEA PROCEEDS TO HIT THE OPPOSITE ROPES AND THEY COME CHARGING TOWARD EACH OTHER FROM BOTH SIDES!

(## COLLIDE!)

Deadprez: SIMULTANEOUS LARIATS FROM BOTH COMPETITORS AND BOTH OF THEM ARE STILL STANDING!—

(## CRASH!)

Sienna Swann: A SUDDEN CUTTER FROM VALENTINE TAKES IMPACT DOWN! THE CHAMPION IS BUILDING TOWARD SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY IN THIS FINAL STRETCH!

Gavin Kirkland: IMPACT IS DOWN ON BOTH KNEES, HOLDING HIS JAW AND TRYING TO LOCATE HIS BEARINGS AFTER BEING TAKEN DOWN! BEA IS AT THE ROPES TAKING CAREFUL AIM AND LAUNCHES FORWARD!

(## BEA TRIGGER!)

Gavin Kirkland: THAT IS IT! THE BICYCLE KNEE IS COMING!

Deadprez: KARL SIDESTEPS THE KNEE STRIKE AT THE LAST POSSIBLE INSTANT! STEP-UP ENZUIGIRI KICK FROM BEHIND SENDS BEA STUMBLING VIOLENTLY YET AGAIN! KARL COLLAPSES BACK INTO THE CORNER FROM THE EFFORT OF DELIVERING IT!

Bea Valentine: (Off-Mic) AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sienna Swann: AND THE CHAMPION SIMPLY REFUSES TO BE FINISHED! BEA IS BACK ON HER FEET AND TURNING AROUND, SWEETIE!

Gavin Kirkland: RUNNING DOUBLE KNEE FROM KARL SHOOTS THE CHAMPION DOWN! VALENTINE’S LIGHTS GO OUT FROM THE IMPACT OF THAT ONE!

Deadprez: KARL SEES THE OPENING, AND HE IS MOVING ON IT IMMEDIATELY!

(## EYES WIDE SHUT!)

Deadprez: AND THIS HAS TO BE IT! KARL HAS REACHED ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF HIS ARSENAL AND IS COMMITTING EVERYTHING TO CLOSING THIS MATCH OUT RIGHT NOW! THE TRIANGLE CHOKE IS APPLIED ON VALENTINE!

Gavin Kirkland: AND LOOK AT THIS! VALENTINE IS IN A DESPERATE STRUGGLE TO FIND ANY EXIT FROM THIS HOLD, BUT THAT IS GOING TO TAKE CONSIDERABLY MORE TIME THAN SHE MAY HAVE LEFT! IMPACT HAS HER COMPLETELY STIFLED IN THERE DESPITE EVERYTHING BOTH OF THEM HAVE ENDURED TONIGHT!

Impact: (Off-Mic) AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sienna Swann: KARL IS POURING EVERY LAST THING HE HAS INTO THIS SUBMISSION, AND BEA IS FADING! SHE IS GENUINELY FADING, AND THIS MAY BE THE END OF THE NIGHT FOR THE CHAMPION, SWEETIE!

Gavin Kirkland: BEA IS GOING DOWN! SHE MAY BE COMPLETELY OUT, AND THE REFEREE IS MOVING IN TO CHECK ON HER RIGHT NOW!

Referee: (Off-Mic) BEA?!?!?! ARE YOU STILL WITH US?!?!?

(…)

Deadprez: Bea Valentine…

Gavin Kirkland: NO! SHE RAISES HER ARM! AND SHE IS TRYING TO DRAG HERSELF AS CLOSE TO THOSE ROPES AS SHE POSSIBLY CAN!

Bea Valentine: (Off-Mic) AGH! NO!

Sienna Swann: (watching with both hands pressed to the desk) KARL TRIES TO PULL HER BACK FROM THE ROPES AND BEA MANAGES TO GET HER LEG ACROSS JUST IN TIME! THE REFEREE HAS TO CALL FOR THE BREAK!

(After the break is forced, Karl slowly looks up from the canvas and his gaze drifts toward the nearby corner. Something shifts behind his eyes. The expression of a man who has made a decision.)

Gavin Kirkland: Karl slowly getting back to his feet and dragging Bea Valentine along with him, heading deliberately toward the corner and beginning the climb!

Sienna Swann: Oh god. He is going for it again?!?!?!?

Gavin Kirkland:: KARL IS GOING FOR GUNSMOKE! AND THIS CROWD IS ON THEIR FEET AND TERRIFIED! KARL DRAGS BEA INTO POSITION AND REACHES THE TOP! HE IS SETTING UP THE AVALANCHE PILEDRIVER!

Deadprez: NO! BEA SIMPLY CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN! SHE IS THROWING EVERYTHING SHE HAS AT IMPACT AT THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT AFTER SURVIVING THE TRIANGLE CHOKE! IMPACT CANNOT COMPLETE GUNSMOKE AND BOTH OF THEM SLOWLY COLLAPSE DOWN FROM THE ROPES AND BEA GETS FREE!

Gavin Kirkland: KARL IS STAGGERING OUT OF THE CORNER AND BEA IS DOWN ON THE CANVAS BENEATH HIM—

(## CRUSH!)

Sienna Swann: OH! SHE HAS HIM! CORNER RUNNING DOUBLE KNEE CATCHES KARL ON THE WAY OUT! THE BEA SWARM JUST LAUNCHED KARL CLEAN OVER, SWEETIE!

Gavin Kirkland: THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF KARL IMPACT! HE FALLS OUT OF THE CORNER AND TUMBLES DIRECTLY INTO BEA’S WAITING POSITION!

(## BEA STINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Gavin Kirkland: THE DOUBLE FOOT STOMP HAS FINALLY FOUND ITS MARK AND KARL GOES DOWN! THE BEA STING CONNECTS AFTER KARL’S RELENTLESS AND SUSTAINED ATTEMPT TO WIN THIS MATCH! KARL IS OUT COLD AND BEA COLLAPSES INTO THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

(…)

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

(Karl Impact’s pursuit of becoming an eleven-time champion… the foot is under the rope.)

(…)

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

(## IT WILL…)

(…)

(…not continue. Bea Valentine has extinguished the dream of the Quintessential Champion at the very final moment.)

(## DING DING DING!)

Gina Romano: ## HERE IS YOUR WINNER… AND STILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…. EAW ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION!…. BEA VALENTINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

(‘Gloria’ by the London Symphony Orchestra plays once more as Bea releases her grip on Karl Impact and simply falls beside him on the canvas. The camera cuts to a wide bird’s eye view from above, taking in the full picture of the bloodstained ring below. Bea still wearing the crimson mask. Impact soaked and motionless beside her. The referee crouched between both of them, checking on two competitors who lie side by side after finally concluding one of the most brutal wars this championship has ever produced.)

Gavin Kirkland: THE ETERNAL CHAMPION HAS OUTCLASSED THE QUINTESSENTIAL CHAMPION TONIGHT! WAIT…. HIS FOOT WAS UNDER THE ROPES! IT WAS UNDER THE ROPES! BEA VALENTINE IS STILL YOUR EAW ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION BUT I THINK THE REFEREE MADE A MISTAKE! AND WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY MONUMENTAL DEFENCE THAT WAS!

Sienna Swann: Impact kept every promise he made coming into this match, sweetie. He pushed her beyond the boundaries of what anyone believed she could endure and drove her to places she has never been in that ring before. But in the end, it is Bea Valentine who absorbed every last thing he threw at her and proved that this moment belongs to her and that Karl Impact’s era, as magnificent as it has been, is falling further behind him with every championship match that passes.

Deadprez: But Sienna…. he was robbed! Impact’s foot was under the ropes and we know that this will not be the end of this! Bea Valentine has added yet another extraordinary chapter to what is becoming an increasingly untouchable championship reign. Every challenger who watches this match back from here is going to understand something they may not have fully grasped before tonight. This is a champion who survives things that should not be survivable and then finds a way to win anyway. The line to challenge for that title just got considerably longer and considerably more daunting.

(As officials slowly and carefully assist Impact out of the ring who turns and tries to tell the referee that his foot was under the ropes, Bea Valentine remains inside, slowly working her way back to her feet. The referee crosses to her and lifts her arm as the final image locks into place. Bea stands there, soaked in crimson, championship raised high above her head while blood continues to seep from the wound on her forehead as Territorial Invasion fades into the commercial break on that powerful shot of the fighting champion.)

(A commercial plays of the new Resident Evil movie featuring Daniella Atlas.)

(After commercials, the next matchcard graphic is shown.)

Stephie Love: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

Stephie Love: And it is a UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY match! The only way to win is by pinfall or submission!

(‘Human Graduation’ by mercuro hits the speakers and Haruka Kashimashi makes her way out from the back, immediately to boos from the crowd. She doesn’t waste time dwelling on their reactions, instead focusing on the match ahead of her.)

Stephie Love: Introducing first, weighing in at 120 pounds, residing in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, she is “THE MAIDEN OF MADNESS” … HARUUKKKA KASSSHHIIIMAAAASSSHHHIIIII!!!!

(‘My House’ by Beyoncé hits the speakers next and Venus De Martin emerges from the back, already fired up. She tags some fans on her way down to the ring, but her priority is getting inside and going straight into the match.)

Stephie Love: Introducing next, weighing in at 128 pounds, from Houston, Texas, she is the “DON DIVA” …. VEEEENNNNUUUSSSSSS!! DDDDDEEEEEEEEE MMARRRRTTTTIIIINNNNNN!!!!

(‘Dangerous Woman’ by Ariana Grande hits the speakers to boos as Kendall Von struts out from the back. She waves off the crowd’s disdain for her, instead spinning around on the ramp and calling the spotlight and cameras to focus on her. Kendall runs up the steps, swinging into the ring and posing in the center of the ring to even more boos.)

Stephie Love: Next, weighing in at 138 pounds, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, she is “THE JEWEL OF WALLSTREET” … KKEENNNDDDDAAALLLLL!!! VVVVVVOOOOOOOONNNNNNNN!!!

(‘TEFLON DON’ by Future blares throughout the arena and Jamie Valdez emerges from the back, looking around at the crowd with a look of disgust on her face. She doesn’t entertain any of the noise around her, headed straight to the ring and not bothered to make any other poses or movements that deter her focus.)

Stephie Love: Next, weighing in at 120 pounds, from Laredo, Texas, she is “THE PRODIGY”, JAAAMMMIIEEEE! VVVALLLDDDEEEZZZZZ!!!

(‘Equus’ by Ne Obliviscaris to a loud roar of cheers from the fans. King Sulyvahn IV emerges from the back with his trademark wide grin, and he points around to the fans. He drops to a kneel and then extends his arms out, cueing an immense amount of pyro behind him, as he pops up to his feet and tags the fans on his way to the ring.)

Stephie Love: Lastly, weighing in at 222 pounds, from London, England, he is “THE GREATER WILL”, KIIINNNGGGG!!! SULLYYVAAHHHNNNN!!! THE FOOOUURRTTTTHHHHH!!!!

(DING DING DING!)

Stew-O: The bell rings and it’s chaos from the get go as all five names are clearly seeking the early advantage in this match! Kashimashi and Kendall immediately go for Venus and Sulyvahn, the two names that they didn’t feel belong in this match! Both sides are already trading shots!

Jake Mercer: Sulyvahn forearms Kendall away, but Kashimashi elbows Venus back and runs forward, sending Sulyvahn out of the ring through the middle rope with a shotgun dropkick! She rises and Venus turns her around, peppering her with middle kicks to the chest! Haruka falls in the corner, covering up, as Venus begins to obliterate her with elbows to the jaw! Haruka is getting beat up by every shot thrown by Venus, meanwhile she takes her wrist for an irish whip but it’s countered!

Flannery McCoy: Jamie Valdez from out of nowhere with a lariat that just brings Haruka down! Venus swings for Jamie next, but Jamie ducks and spins into a sole kick to the abdomen. She hits the ropes, but Kendall intercepts, scooping Jamie out of the air and then tossing her directly onto the spine of de Martin! Christ! Both women just collapsed hard to the canvas! Haruka and Jamie roll around in pain, meanwhile Kendall pulls Haruka up.

Stew-O: She turns her around and grabs her by the head, trying for a Russian legsweep. Haruka breaks out of it, and she slaps Kendall back! Kendall falls into the ropes, and then Haruka scoops her up for a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Kendall hits the canvas hard, and Haruka isn’t done just yet! She turns to Jamie, who brings her right down with a jawbreaker! Haruka staggers, holding at her jaw in agony. She swings for Jamie, who ducks underneath and leaps to the middle rope, flying into a crossbody!

Jake Mercer: As Valdez rolls through, Venus yanks her out of the ring and she throws her harshly into the steel steps! Jamie collapses to the floor, and de Martin just starts stomping the hell out of her! Jamie covers up to the best of her ability, but Venus is relentless! She hops onto the apron and begins to climb up top, waiting for someone else to rise…

Flannery McCoy: Kendall is up first, and Venus flies off the top rope with a CROSSBODY! A measure of revenge for Venus, who hooks the legs for the first cover of this match!

OOONNNN–

Stew-O: King Sulyvahn IV reintroduces himself into this match by stomping the back of Venus! She rolls away and slowly stumbles up to her feet, and Sulyvahn meets her with a big chop to the chest! Another chop, and Venus falls into the corner. He raises his guard up and peppers her with a jab, and then another one. Sulyvahn winds back for one more, but Haruka grabs his arm and turns him around! She then throws a deadly thrust kick, but Sulyvahn moves and she nails Venus instead!

Jake Mercer: Haruka watches Venus go down in shock, but she shrugs when she realizes she doesn’t care that Venus got hit, and then she turns back to Sulyvahn who is coming off the ropes with a lariat! Haruka goes down, and Sulyvahn gets her with another one! She rises and swings for him, as he takes her down with a spinning scoop slam!

Flannery McCoy: Sulyvahn is looking to end this one early, but before he can, Valdez leaps onto his back and applies a sleeper! Jamie just got back in the ring out of nowhere! Sulyvahn thrashes around helplessly, trying to get Valdez off of his back. He runs backwards, running her right into Venus in the corner! Jamie hangs on, the fall broken…. and as Sulyvahn does it again, Jamie smirks, expecting that cushion—

Stew-O: —but VENUS MOVES OUT OF THE WAY! JAMIE EATS FULL BUCKLES AND SHE DID NOT TENSE UP FOR THAT AT ALL! Jamie goes down hard, howling out in pain! Sulyvahn stumbles out of the corner, and here comes Kendall Von with a BLOCKBUSTER TO SULYVAHN, THAT TURNS INTO A CANNONBALL SENTON TO VALDEZ AS WELL! WHAT A COMBINATION OF MOVES! Kendall rolls away, but she hurries over and pulls Jamie out of the corner, pinning her!

OOOONNNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!

Flannery McCoy: Kick out from Jamie! Not really anyone there to come break the pin, because they all got laid out! Kendall picks Jamie up and she grabs her in a front headlock. Von tries for a suplex, but Jamie floats over and she throws Kendall out of the ring through the middle rope. Von lands onto the apron, and Jamie runs off the ropes quickly, leaping up to the middle rope and soaring into a diving knee strike that sends Kendall flying off the apron and directly onto her back!

Jake Mercer: Jamie turns back around to get Sulyvahn back up, as she sends angry closed-fist punches to the forehead! Sulyvahn’s head rocks back and forth from every angered punch! Valdez swings one more, but Sulyvahn catches her wrist! He spins her around and she bounces her off of the ropes, heaving her up for a back suplex right after! No! Jamie lands onto her feet! She shoves Sulyvahn out of the ring, and he falls over the top and lands on the apron.

Stew-O: Valdez nods, leaping up the middle rope and trying for that triangle knee once again, but Sulyvahn moves—and Valdez gets caught up onto the middle rope! Oh that just had to hurt! Jamie wheezes out in pain, meanwhile Sulyvahn runs forward, bouncing Valdez’s head off the top rope with a bulldog! She falls harshly to the canvas, and Sulyvahn slips back into the ring.

Flannery McCoy: As he does so, Haruka meets him with that thrust kick this time! He falls down hard, and Kashimashi has her sights set on being the first to win this match! She drags Sulyvahn up and tries to lift him over her shoulder, but the weight may very easily be too much for her to carry!

Jake Mercer: Sulyvahn floats over, shoving Haruka into the turnbuckles face first! She bounces backwards off the impact, and then Sulyvahn leaps into the middle rope and flies into ‘GELMIR’S HEEL!’ THE KICK LANDS! AND HARUKA GETS TURNED INSIDE OUT! SULYVAHN HOOKS THE LEGS, WANTING THE WIN HERE!

OOOONNNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!

Flannery McCoy: NOPE! Venus breaks the pin! Venus mounts Sulyvahn and starts laying in forearms to his head! He tries to cover up, but to no avail! Venus rises to her feet, shaking her head. She waits for Sulyvahn to rise to his feet and she runs off the ropes, dropkicking him directly onto Kashimashi’s body! Sulyvahn rolls out of the ring afterward, while Haruka is still hurting after that impact!

Jake Mercer: Venus picks Kashimashi up to her feet and she leans her head down, setting her up for ‘Wig Spli—’ NO! Haruka with a back body drop, and Venus goes flying over the ropes as a result! Kendall sees her chance and she rolls back in! She swings a boot, but Kashimashi catches her ankle and she spins into a dragon screw legwhip!

Stew-O: Kendall shouts out in pain, then Haruka takes her leg and she starts kicking at the shin, over and over! She takes the legs, trying to tie them up, but Kendall starts moving her body backwards! She starts thrashing, doing everything in her power to get free, but Haruka is persistent! She pulls her to the center of the ring and she begins to turn her body over…

Flannery McCoy: ‘SCORCHED BY MADNESS’ IS LOCKED IN! HARUKA SQUATS DOWN, AND SHE’S PULLING ON THE ARMS OF VON! KENDALL CRIES OUT IN PAIN, FLAILING HELPLESSLY! HARUKA IS TORTURTING HER IN THAT SUBMISSION, AND THE ENTIRE BODY IS LOCKED UP! THERE’S NO WAY KENDALL CAN GET OUT OF THIS HOLD!

Jake Mercer: She can hope to try and get her body to the ropes, but that may not even be enough to break the submission! Kashimashi continues to hold it in, and Kendall’s head begins to droop down! The referee is asking if she wants to submit! And Kendall may be considering it right now! She’s getting very…very close—

Stew-O: NO! SULYVAHN SHOVES HARUKA OFF OF KENDALL! That saved the match for everyone involved! Kendall rolls away, holding at her legs in pain. Haruka crawls up, and Sulyvahn places her onto the top rope. He punches her, then climbs the middle rope. Sulyvahn throws multiple punches, trying to set Haruka up!

Flannery McCoy: Sulyvahn tries for a front headlock, but Haruka punches him in the abdomen! Another punch, and then she headbutts Sulyvahn in the ribs! He hunches over, and Haruka takes his head, looking to try and float over him for a sunset flip… but Sulyvahn is hanging on for dear life! Haruka continues to try and roll, but instead, it’s Sulyvahn who wants a back body drop!

Jake Mercer: Haruka lands onto her feet, and she grabs Sulyvahn’s leg! Jamie rolls in, and she grabs the other leg! Sulyvahn looks down in shock, reaching out in an attempt to try and get down, but instead, THEY DRIVE HIM TO THE CANVAS WITH A DOUBLE POWERBOMB! SULYVAHN JUST GOT LAID OUT BY BOTH KASHIMASHI AND VALDEZ! CHRIST! THEY DROP DOWN AND PIN HIM AT THE SAME TIME!

OOOONNNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!

Stew-O: JAMIE SHOVES KASHIMASHI OFF! THE PIN IS BROKEN BY VALDEZ AS WELL! I THINK SHE REALIZED IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT THAT BOTH WOMEN WERE PINNING SULYVAHN!

Jamie Valdez: (off-mic) What are you doing?!

Haruka Kashimashi: (off-mic) What are YOU doing? I’m trying to win this match!

Jamie Valdez: (off-mic) You’re not gonna leech off of me to do it!

Haruka Kashimashi: (off-mic) Are you stupid, huh? You got in the ring and helped me! I was there first!

Jamie Valdez: (off-mic) Correction. I finished the job, because you’re incapable of doing so.

Jake Mercer: THEN KASHIMASHI BLASTS JAMIE WITH AN ELBOW SMASH! JAMIE WITH A FOREARM! NOW BOTH WOMEN ARE GOING BACK AND FORTH! HARUKA STARTS TO BEAT DOWN ON JAMIE WITH THOSE ELBOWS! She spins into a back elbow that stuns Jamie against the ropes! Kashimashi quickly runs off, but Jamie spins past her! Haruka turns back in shock!

Flannery McCoy: Superkick from Valdez! Haruka is on wobbly legs right now! Jamie runs off of the ropes, and she rotates around the body of Kashimashi! ‘TILT-A-WHIRL PRODIGY DESTROYER!’ IT LANDS! KASHIMASHI JUST GOT POPPED RIGHT ONTO HER SKULL! JAMIE ROLLS HARUKA OVER FOR THE COVER, BUT AS SHE STANDS…

Stew-O: VENUS SLIDES INTO THE RING AND RUNS TOWARDS VALDEZ! ‘WIG SPLITTER!!!” SHE GETS HER WITH A DESTROYER OF HER OWN! VALDEZ IS OUT COLD! VENUS ROLLS OVER AND SHE PINS KASHIMASHI!

OOOONNNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!

TTTTT–

Jake Mercer: HARUKA BARELY KICKS OUT! VENUS CRAWLS OVER AND SHE MAKES HER WAY OVER TO VALDEZ, PINNING HER AS WELL!

OOOONNNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!

TTTTT–

Stew-O: KICK OUT FROM VALDEZ AS WELL! VENUS MIGHT’VE BEEN BETTER OFF IF SHE JUST PINNED VALDEZ FIRST! Jamie is out of it, but look at her setup! Venus looks to the top rope, realizing she planted Jamie directly in the drop zone! She steps over her and grabs onto the ropes, preparing herself to fly! She leaps up…

Flannery McCoy: VENUS FLOATS OFF THE ROPES FOR ‘V IS VENDETT’ — NO! KENDALL GRABS HER BY THE HAIR AS SHE’S GOING DOWN AND SHE SLAMS HER DOWN, BACK OF THE HEAD LANDING ONTO THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE! Venus’s eyes nearly bulge out of her head, and now she’s trapped in a tree of woe position against the corner!

Jake Mercer: Kendall begins to climb up the turnbuckles. She stands perched on the top rope, her feet digging into the shins of de Martin, who can’t pull herself out of this situation whatsoever. Venus begins to lift her body, trying to free herself and stop Kendall from making an attack…

Stew-O: But Kendall has PERFECT timing, as she leaps off the top rope in a double footstomp from tree of woe position when Venus does that! Venus topples off the top rope and she does fall onto Valdez! Kendall has her sights on Kashimashi, who is beginning to rise back up to her feet… Kendall likely knew that Haruka could’ve broken any kind of pin right there!

Flannery McCoy: Haruka turns around, and Kendall throws her leg forward! ‘ON THE DOTTED LINE!’ THE KICK TO THE SKULL CONNECTS! KASHIMASHI IS OUT OF IT, AND VON ROLLS HER ONTO HER BACK! SHE HOOKS THE LEGS, NODDING HER HEAD ALONG WITH THE REFEREE’S COUNT!

OOOONNNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!

TTTTTHHHHHRR–

Jake Mercer: NOO! SULYVAHN FROM OUT OF NOWHERE TO BREAK THE PIN! ONCE AGAIN, HE FINDS IT IN HIM TO SAVE THIS MATCH!

Stew-O: After being laid out with the powerbomb, Sulyvahn was the one outlier left in the match and he benefited from it! Kendall rolls away in annoyance, meanwhile Kashimashi uses pure muscle memory to get herself away from these two. Kendall rises and she throws a chop to Sulyvahn, who shakes his head! He beckons her on for more!

Flannery McCoy: Another chop by Kendall, but Sulyvahn just tanks it! Kendall looks at her hand in disbelief! She swings another one, but Sulyvahn runs right through her hand and he leaps to the middle rope! ‘MAGDELENE!’ THE SPRINGBOARD CUTTER CONNECTS! KENDALL GETS PLANTED DIRECTLY ONTO HER FACE! SULYVAHN ROLLS TO HIS FOURS, SLAPPING THE CANVAS!

Stew-O: THERE’S NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW! He rises to his feet and he beckons Kendall up! She rolls over, trying to make sense of where she’s at right now! Sulyvahn grabs her by the head and he yanks her into an inverted facelock! HERE IT COMES! ‘SATURATE!!!’ A MOVE THAT HAS FOLLOWED HIS CAREER LONG BEFORE HE’S COME TO EAW, AND IT CONNECTS TONIGHT! KENDALL IS OUT OF IT!

Jake Mercer: SULYVAHN ROLLS OVER TO MAKE THE COVER—LOOK OUT! JAMIE VALDEZ GRABS SULYVAHN AND THROWS HIM OUT OF THE RING! JAMIE TURNS AROUND AND SHE DROPS INTO THE PIN ONTO VON!

OOOONNNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!

TTTTTHHHHHRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

Jake Mercer: VENUS BREAKS THE PIN AT THE VERY LAST SECOND! HOW CLOSE WAS THAT?! I THOUGHT JAMIE WAS ABOUT TO STEAL IT! AND SULYVAHN ROLLS INTO THE RING, PISSED!

Flannery McCoy: He starts throwing punches at both Venus and Jamie! Everyone in sight is getting nailed by one of his punches! Venus and Jamie back up, but Sulyvahn punches Venus away and focuses on Jamie in the corner! Sulyvahn keeps throwing shots, and Jamie is doing everything that she can! Venus rises to her feet and she soars into a diving elbow smash to the neck!

Stew-O: Sulyvahn falls to his knees, and Jamie starts throwing more forearms! Venus grabs Sulyvahn by the arms and she holds him up! Jamie leaps up to the middle rope, setting up for a DIVING DOUBLE KNEE FACEBREAKER TO SULY—NO! HE MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AND SENDS VENUS INTO IT! VENUS GETS BROUGHT DOWN INSTEAD!

Flannery McCoy: DOWN GOES VENUS! Jamie realizes this and she shakes her head! Sulyvahn quickly scoops her up off of the canvas, into an inverted facelock! Sulyvahn nods his head! HE’S SEEKING A SECOND ‘SATURATE!”

Jake Mercer: NO, LOOK! KENDALL CLIMBED THE TOP ROPE WHILE NO ONE WAS LOOKING AT HER! ‘MARKET CRASH!’ SHE SOMERSAULTS OFF THE TOP ROPE AND BRINGS SULYVAHN DOWN! HE DOESN’T CONNECT WITH ‘SATURATE’ TO VALDEZ, BUT HE DOES GET HER DOWN WITH A REVERSE DDT ON ACCIDENT!

Stew-O: Kendall rolls over and she hooks the legs of Sulyvahn up for the cover! She holds tight, looking to end this one here!

OOOONNNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!

TTTHHHRR—

Flannery McCoy: SULYVAHN GETS A SHOULDER UP IN TIME! Kendall yells out in frustration! She rises to her feet and she exits to the apron, making her way to the top rope. Sulyvahn rolls to his fours, gasping out in pain. He holds at his neck, and Kendall begins to slowly push herself up to the very top rope… Sulyvahn is still slow to rise, though.

Stew-O: Von is screaming for Sulyvahn to rise up to his feet, but Sulyvahn is extremely slow to get up! As Kendall sets herself up, Haruka is back up to her feet and she runs up the ropes! She scoops Kendall up off the top turnbuckle and she dives into a BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX! KENDALL IS DOWN! HARUKA JUST REINVITED HERSELF INTO THE FRAY WITH A BIG MOVE!

Jake Mercer: Sulyvahn is beginning to rise now, and Haruka pushes up to her feet, diving into a boot to the jaw, but Sulyvahn catches her ankle and he spins her around! INVERTED FACELOCK! ONCE AGAIN, LOOKING FOR ‘SATUR–’ NO! HARUKA SLIPS FREE AND SENDS AN UP KICK TO THE SKULL! SULYVAHN STAGGERS, HOLDING THE TOP OF HIS HEAD!

Flannery McCoy: Haruka is up to her feet and she sees Sulyvahn still hurting! She ducks underneath, taking his arm and head! SHE FLOATS OVER HIS BODY, INTO ‘ECLIPSE OF HELL!!!’ SULYVAHN JUST GOT PLANTED ONTO HIS NECK! SULYVAHN IS OUT OF IT, AND THIS IS HER OPENING TO MAKE THE COVER!

OOOONNNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!

TTTHHHRRRRRRE—

Stew-O: VENUS ROLLS OVER AND SHE THROWS HER BODY TO BREAK THE PIN! HOW CLOSE WAS THAT?! Haruka IMMEDIATELY throws a palm strike at Venus! Venus falls back, holding her jaw in pain. Haruka drags Venus up and she elbows her across the jaw!

Jake Mercer: Another elbow from Venus! Then one from Haruka! Both of them are going back and forth! Something’s gotta give! Haruka swings an elbow, but Venus blocks it, and she stomps the toe! An up-kick from Venus, and then an enzuigiri! Haruka is on her knees, and Venus nods her head profusely. She runs the ropes for ‘THE DON SAID S—’ NO! HARUKA THROWS HER ONTO HER FEET!

Flannery McCoy: De Martin barely lands, and then Haruka SPINS INTO ‘NAMELESS BLADE!’ VENUS GOT EVERY BIT OF THAT CRESCENT KICK … BUT SHE FALLS OUT OF THE RING! HARUKA’S EYES WIDEN IN SHOCK! SHE GOES TO REACH OUT FOR VENUS–

Stew-O: BUT KENDALL SPINS HER AROUND! SHE GRABS THE WAIST AND HEAVES HER OVER THE SHOULDER! KENDALL DANGLES HELPLESSLY! ‘EXECUTIVE DECISION!’! PLANTED! HARUKA IS OUT OF IT, AS KENDALL ROLLS HER OVER FOR THE COVER!

OOOONNNNNEEEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!

TTTHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEE!!!

(DING DING DING!)

Stephie Love: Here is your winner of the UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY match …. KKEENNDDDAAALLLL!! VOOOONNNNNNN!!!

(Kendall rolls off of Haruka, elated to have picked up the victory. There’s a sea of bodies around the ring, as Kendall stands tall, the only person able to celebrate her victory. The referee takes her arm and raises it up high, as she gloats, much to the dismay of the booing crowd.)

Jake Mercer: This match was all about who would be in the right place at the right time, and that is exactly what Kendall Von ended up being! She took advantage after Haruka missed her window to take the win over both Sulyvahn and De Martin, and she used that to her advantage!

Stew-O: Extremely smart play from Kendall, who really had to will herself into winning this match with fan favorites like Sulyvahn and de Martin in the fray. She promised to get the win and that is exactly what happened!

Flannery McCoy: Now, we can only imagine what that opportunity will actually be… but Kendall sure has a lot to celebrate.

(A commercial for Wingstop plays featuring Jake Smith.)

(The graphic for the next match is shown.)

(The camera cuts to Gina Romano in the ring.)

Gina Romano: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!!! Introducing first, already in the ring… he is the special guest referee for this contest…

(…)

Gina Romano: EL DUQUEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

(El Duque is shown in the ring wearing a referee shirt as he bows respectfully for the crowd who shows him none in return continuing to boo him mercilessly.)

Gavin Kirkland: Come on. Show some respect. Our EAW referees have a hard job and never get any respect for the work they do… They are just as important as the wrestlers!

( https://i.imgur.com/CQbzpON.png )

( “Enemy” by From Ashes to New hits as the crowd boos even louder than they did for El Duque’s introduction. )

Gina Romano: Introducing first from Stillwater, Oklahoma weighing in at 212 pounds he is “Devious & Debonair” DONOVANNNNNNNNNNNNNN DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Donovan Duke makes his way down to the ring with a cocky smile on his face. He enters the ring and shakes hands respectfully with El Duque as the crowd continues to boo which he ignores.)

Gavin Kirkland: Calling it first. Donovan Duke is going to win this match. Easily.

Deadprez: And why do you think that Gavin?

Gavin Kirkland: Because he’s a fucking badass that’s why. A true gigachad.

Sienna Swann: Oh really? I thought maybe it would be because he has a little advantage here with the referee being who he is.

Gavin Kirkland: Nah. El Duque is a standup guy. A real honorable man. Just because he is Donovan’s protege doesn’t mean he won’t call it right down the middle.

Deadprez: Well I hope he does. I guess we will find out soon.

(‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher hits as the crowd explodes into cheers.)

Gina Romano: And his opponent from Las Vegas, Nevada weighing in at 235 pounds… he is the “Sin City Superstar” CO-DY MAV-ER-ICK!!!!

Crowd: YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

(The crowd continues to cheer loudly as Cody Maverick makes his way down to the ring quickly looking like he wants to waste no time and get his hands on Donovan immediately. El Duque steps between them however to keep them apart until the bell can ring.)

Gavin Kirkland: CoDy MaVeRiCk mehh.

Deadprez: Come on Gavin. Cody is a great wrestler.

Gavin Kirkland: Cody is a “great wrestler” in the same way that you are a “great announcer”.

Deadprez: I’m glad you agree with me.

Gavin Kirkland: ???

Sienna Swann: Better luck next time Gavin. You’ll get him then I’m sure sweetie. But this is Donovan Duke’s turn to get got by Cody Maverick. Donovan is due a real asskicking and I am looking forward to seeing him get one. Let’s start this thing!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Deadprez: This match is underway now as Donovan Duke and Cody Maverick slowly circle around the ring finding their positioning as we begin. They lunge towards each other to engage in a collar and elbow tie-up in the middle of the ring. They seem to be relatively evenly matched here and it will be interesting to see how things proceed.

Sienna Swann: Oh nah we doing chain wrestling. This could be boring sweetie. Where are the shenanigans?

Deadprez: They break up and Donovan rushes Cody but Cody grabs his arm into an Arm Drag taking him down to the mat. Cody keeps Donovan grounded with an Armbar but Donovan twists himself back up and shoves Cody away freeing himself. Donovan rushes in again for another lockup but Cody grabs him and pulls him into a headlock.

Sienna Swann: Oh great a headlock. That’s innovative. Why can’t we do more fun shit?

Gavin Kirkland: We can have some fun Sienna if you want?

Sienna Swann: You know what nevermind. Some good old fashioned slow-paced technical wrestling grabs sounds really great about right now sweetie. Let’s goooooo!!!

Gavin Kirkland: …

Deadprez: Anyway Cody has Donovan trapped in a headlock and Donovan manages to pull his head free as Cody kicks him hard in the gut staggering him backwards into the corner. Cody charges in but Donovan moves trapping Cody in the corner. Donovan with a hard chop to the chest catching Cody off guard. But only for a second as Cody connects with a chop of his own battling back out of the corner. Cody follows it up with several more but Donovan grabs Cody’s arm and takes him down with an Arm Drag into an Armbar of his own.

Sienna Swann: Cody now in the same predicament that Donovan was in a few moments ago. Cody doing the same thing Donovan did and standing up slowly turning around and kicking him to free himself from his grasp and his graps.

Gavin Kirkland: The lockup yet again! This time Donovan has a bit more of an aggressive stance behind it shoving Cody backwards into the ropes. Cody twists around pushing Donovan into the ropes instead but Donovan hurls Cody into the corner sending him head first into the top turnbuckle. Donovan then rushes Cody from behind grabbing him by the hair but Cody is in the ropes and the special guest referee orders the break with a five count.

El Duque: UNO! DOS! TRES! CUATRO! CIN-

Deadprez: Donovan puts up his hands as he releases. Cody steps back into the ring with a snarl on his face as he goes to lock up with Donovan once again! But Donovan sidesteps the lock up and begins laying into the chest of Cody with repeated chops. Cody falls backwards into the ropes before rushing forward nailing Donovan in the face with a hard forearm. Donovan shakes it off before rushing Cody again-

Sienna Swann: But Cody batters Donovan backwards into the ropes with repeated forearms. Donovan bounces off the ropes rushing towards Cody and taking him down with a Shoulder Block. Cody falls down to the mat but immediately gets back up and begins laying into Donovan with more hard forearm shots battering his brains in. Donovan losing even more brain cells I didn’t really think that was possible sweetie.

Deadprez: Cody bashes Donovan’s head with those forearms before grabbing him by the arm and whipping him across the ring. Donovan comes rushing back but Cody is waiting for him and takes him down with a standing Dropkick. Perfect form from Cody there as he slides on top of Donovan for the first cover in this match.

El Duque: U-

Sienna Swann: Extremely quick kickout there from Donovan Duke but that is to be expected at this point in the match. Cody Maverick is not at all shocked by it either as he immediately gets back up and runs the ropes. Cody off the ropes as he slides into Donovan on the ground with a Baseball Slide. Donovan goes flying under the bottom rope falling out of the ring. Didn’t take too long for this one to go to the outside. I definitely don’t think that’s where Donovan wants to be.

Gavin Kirkland: Donovan lands on his feet on the outside as Cody Maverick grabs the top rope and hurls himself over the top. Cody comes flying over crashing down on top of Donovan on the outside!!! They both fall backwards from the force of the plunge with Donovan falling back first into the barricade with Cody on top of him. Cody bounces off and lands on the floor as Donovan holds his back in pain.

Deadprez: Cody Maverick taking a risk early on and it looks like it paid off as Donovan Duke is in clear pain. Cody pulls himself back up to his feet as Donovan collapses to the ground. Cody rolls back into the ring possibly wanting to win this thing by count out.

El Duque: UNO! DOS! TRES! CUATRO! CINCO!

Sienna Swann: Donovan Duke pulling himself back up outside the ring and up to the apron as he easily survives the count there. But Cody Maverick is waiting for him as he grabs him on the apron and punches him hard in the mouth with a straight right hand. Donovan turns away from Cody trying to protect his face but Cody grabs Donovan from behind over the top rope. Cody throws Donovan backwards over the top rope with a German Suplex into the ring! Cody then follows up with a crushing elbow drop and then makes his way to the middle rope. Cody off the middle rope with a Flying Senton!!! Cody crushes Donovan! Another cover by Cody!

El Duque: UNNNNNNNN-

Deadprez: Definitely made some progress there. Surprised that was only one as Donovan has been taking some real punishment. But he’s obviously very resilient and Cody Maverick knows this.

Sienna Swann: Cody helps Donovan back up and hooks his arms from behind. Cody going for a Double Underhook Suplex!!!-

Gavin Kirkland: But Donovan struggles thrashing around refusing to leave his feet. Donovan pulls himself forward into the ropes to escape the hold.

El Duque: UNO! DOS! TRES! CUATRO! CINCO! ¡LIBÉRENLO DE INMEDIATO!

Deadprez: Cody releases Donovan but then begins hammering away at his back. Donovan steps away from the ropes-

Sienna Swann: CODY MAVERICK FLIES THROUGH THE AIR WITH A JUMPING CLOTHESLINE!!!-

Deadprez: But Donovan with a somersault roll across the ring avoiding it while deftly rolling up to his feet and turning immediately back to face his opponent. Cody charges in!!!-

Sienna Swann: Donovan palm strikes Cody right in the face! Donovan with a thumb to the eye as well as Cody holds his face in pain. The crowd boos as Donovan kicks low on Cody’s leg causing him to stumble to a knee. Cody fights back with a forearm to the skull but Donovan grabs him by the head into a headlock-

Gavin Kirkland: Donovan then falls backwards dropping Cody to the mat with a leaping DDT! Cody just got planted head first! Donovan to the cover!!!

El Duque: UNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!-

Deadprez: A quick kickout by Cody Maverick! Cody immediately rolls across the ring to the outside escaping as soon as he has lost control of this match. Cody putting some distance between himself and Donovan is the smart move here as Cody is holding his head in pain possibly having suffered some CTE here tonight. Cody recovering on the outside as special guest referee El Duque will only give him until the count of ten to return to the ring.

El Duque: UNO! DOS! TRES! CUATRO! CINCO! SEIS! SIETE! OCHO! NUEVE! DI-

Sienna Swann: And Cody Maverick does not want to lose so he gets back into the ring to confront his opponent once more. Back to where we began as they circle each other and go to lockup-

Deadprez: Nope! Donovan not having any of that! Donovan with the fakeout as he kicks Cody hard and then begins laying into his chest with repeated chops. Damn those chops are echoing across the entire arena tonight turning Cody’s chest bright red from the impact. Donovan does not stop and only hits him harder! Cody fires back with a chop of his own but Donovan deflects it with his other arm before chopping Cody even harder yet again! Cody with a forearm to the skull-

Sienna Swann: No! Donovan ducks it! Donovan sidesteps Cody and swings around backwards with a Spinning Back Chop to the back of Cody’s neck! It connects! Cody hit right at the top of his spine as he collapses to his knees in pain. Donovan grabs Cody by the head and pulls him up before dropping him down with a Suplex! No! Cody falls back behind Donovan! Cody runs the ropes jumping Donovan from behind!!!-

Gavin Kirkland: But Donovan had him scouted! Donovan turns around and tears Cody inside out with a Running Knee Lift to the gut. Cody sent flipping across the ring from the hard impact of Donovan’s knee. His chest and midsection have to be killing him from all of this punishment and Donovan most definitely plans to take full advantage.

Deadprez: Donovan pulls Cody back up to his feet and whips him across the ring. Donovan holds the arm of Cody pulling him back into a knee shot to the gut. Donovan then whips Cody around again pulling him in to a Clothesline taking Cody down to the mat. Donovan drops the knee across the skull of Cody before picking him up again. Donovan yanks the arm of Cody hard nearly tearing it out the socket. Donovan yanks Cody in before stepping behind him and hooking the leg with his leg for a Russian Legsweep. Donovan into the cover…

El Duque: UNNNNNNN-

Sienna Swann: But a near immediate kickout from Cody Maverick. Yeah.

Deadprez: Donovan begins furiously stomping and dropping his knee down on Cody. He’s going to punish him for daring to kick out. Donovan slows a bit before methodically stomping on Cody’s midsection targeting the injured midsection. Donovan then pulls Cody up and flings his arms over the top rope to keep him standing and his chest exposed. CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! Donovan continues to chop into the chest of Cody which is now turning even redder as pieces of flesh are torn off the top layer of skin on Cody’s chest. No doubt that is going to hurt in the morning.

Sienna Swann: Donovan whips Cody across the ring-

Gavin Kirkland: But Cody holds onto the arm of Donovan pulling himself back in for a headbutt into Donovan! Donovan staggers backwards… Cody runs the ropes gaining momentum against Donovan-

Deadprez: Donovan with a Superkick to the jaw! Cody crumbles to the mat and he might have just got knocked the hell out! That was a direct shot from Donovan’s foot to Cody’s jaw! He might have lost some teeth!

Sienna Swann: Cody almost mounted a comeback there but Donovan maintains control as he slowly moves over to Cody grabbing his arm and yanking him back up. Donovan puts Cody in the corner and then begins pummeling him hard in the gut. Then the chopping resumes. CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! Donovan picks up Cody and hits a Snap Suplex into the middle of the ring.

Deadprez: Donovan then applies an Ankle Lock on Cody near the ropes. But he manages to maneuver Cody slightly away from the ropes to get the hold locked in. Probably not the best positioning as Cody is right by the ropes. Donovan lets go of the ankle to stomp on Cody’s arm as he reaches out and grabs the ropes. Donovan trampling on Cody’s fingers and that looked painful as hell.

Sienna Swann: Donovan stomps hard on Cody’s back continuing to target his spine before he picks him up. Cody suddenly begins laying into Donovan desperately trying to fight him off! Donovan falls back into the ropes and comes charging back into Cody. Cody with a hard Lariat-

Gavin Kirkland: But Donovan ducks low running into Cody’s midsection like a battering ram. SPEAR! SPEAR! SPEAR!

Deadprez: Cody is wincing in pain holding his midsection as Donovan just slammed into him like a cannon ball. Cody might have internal injuries to his organs at this point and it’s only a matter of time before Donovan locks in some submission or another and it’s going to be hard for Cody to withstand. Donovan stomps hard down on Cody’s midsection before pulling him up into the ropes and jabbing him hard in the gut. Donovan whips Cody into the corner and begins dealing hard Shoulder Thrusts.

Sienna Swann: Cody collapses in the corner from the pain but Donovan yanks him back out into the middle of the ring by the arm. Donovan ducks around behind Cody and contorts his body into an Abdominal Stretch position. This is bad news for Cody who has already taken much punishment to his abdomen. He might want to give up here and save his health at this point.

Deadprez: Donovan only pulls the hold harder nearly tearing Cody in half. Cody slowly maneuvers his footing around the ring trying to get closer to the ropes. Cody manages to eventually step slowly one step at a time to fling his arm over the ropes. Now for the br-

Sienna Swann: Donovan immediately breaks it up and charges Cody with a knee lift before throwing him into the corner. Donovan now just laying in straight punches lefts and rights into the midsection of Cody. Cody begins coughing as a splattering of blood sprays from his mouth and drips down his chin. Cody is in a bad way. Donovan slaps Cody across the face for spitting the blood at him before stomping him down into a sitting position in the corner. Donovan yanks Cody back up pulling him out into the ring.

Gavin Kirkland: Donovan applies the Abdominal Stretch yet again-

Deadprez: No! Cody ducked behind Donovan tripping him up and pulling him backwards into a rollup!

El Duque: UNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

El Duque: DOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

El Duque: TREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!

Sienna Swann: No! Donovan kicked out! That was the closest pinfall so far! Cody Maverick nearly stole it out of nowhere!

Deadprez: Donovan quickly gets back up as Cody spins around and kicks his head off with a Spinning Heel Kick! Donovan goes down suddenly with a thud. Cody stands in the ring for a moment catching his breath. He spits out traces of blood as he regains his composure before getting back to work.

Sienna Swann: Cody Maverick grabs the arms of Donovan stretching them out behind his back with his knee pressed into Donovan’s spine. Donovan powers back up to his feet but Cody holds on. Donovan manages to use all of his strength to eventually twist himself around and out of Cody’s grasp. But Cody immediately kicks him hard in the leg. Donovan falls to the side holding himself up on the ropes. Cody with a Dropkick! Donovan flies up nearly over the top rope but manages to throw himself sideways into the corner instead.

Gavin Kirkland: Donovan charges out of the corner with a running spear battering into Cody’s midsection again!!!-

Deadprez: No! This time Cody had it scouted and connects to the skull of Donovan with his boot! Donovan just got his head kicked the hell off!

Sienna Swann: Cody looking to capitalize here! Cody waits for Donovan to get back up before charging in…

Deadprez: CODY CONNECTS WITH THE LIGHTS OUT! HIS FIST CONNECTS RIGHT INTO THE SKULL OF DONOVAN AND I COULD ALMOST HEAR A CRACKING SOUND FROM THE IMPACT!!!

Sienna Swann: But can Cody capitalize? Cody now going up to the top rope! Cody is not finished with Donovan just yet! Cody off the top with a Flying Elbow Drop onto Donovan!!!

Gavin Kirkland: He got all of it! Cody with the cover!

El Duque: UNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

El Duque: DOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

El Duque: TREEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!

El Duque: …

El Duque: …!

Deadprez: The kickout by Donovan Duke! Cody Maverick almost had him there!

Sienna Swann: Immediately after the kickout Donovan rolls out of the ring to escape. Smart move by Donovan as Cody let his opponent slip away from him and regroup. Cody chasing after him but then thinks better of it recovering some stamina by chilling out in the ring for a minute as Donovan recovers from this grueling contest on the outside before rolling back in.

Deadprez: As soon as Donovan rolls back in Cody is on him hammering his back and then hooking his arms and throwing him backwards with a Double Underhook Suplex. Cody then picks up Donovan again and drops him with a DDT to the mat. Cody not even going for the cover anymore he just picks up Donovan and slams him down hard to the mat with a body slam followed up with an elbow drop. Cody then picks up Donovan and drops him with a Fisherman’s Buster back down to the mat before going up to the top rope once again.

Sienna Swann: Cody does not go to the top rope much but this match with Donovan is pushing him to try new things. Love to see it sweetie.

Gavin Kirkland: Cody off the top rope with a Frog Splash!!!-

Deadprez: But maybe sometimes it’s bad to try new things. Donovan Duke gets the knees up! Cody Maverick just crashed and burned!

Sienna Swann: The hype built up by the crowd just deflated following that massive fail from Cody. Donovan took some punishment too but he manages to roll on top of Cody and moves into a seated position as he applies a Camel Clutch. Donovan has not forgotten the pain that he inflicted on Cody earlier and he’s stretching the life out of Cody until he can force him to submit!!!

Deadprez: Cody powers up to his knees as Donovan maneuvers himself further up on Cody’s back to keep the pressure applied. But Cody has the strength advantage here and manages to move his knees slowly one by one over to the ropes!

Sienna Swann: Cody grabs the ropes and El Duque forces yet another break!

Gavin Kirkland: Props to El Duque for calling this match down the middle so far. A respectable referee. A true man of honor.

Deadprez: Well the match is not over but I can agree with you so far.

Sienna Swann: Donovan takes Cody down to the mat with a Snapmare and applies a Sleeper Hold. If Cody won’t give up on his own accord I guess Donovan is going to put him to sleep the hard way. But Cody won’t go down without a fight! He begins kicking his legs across the ring to try and get to the ropes.

Deadprez: But he’s fading! Cody might not make it this time! He’s losing his grip on reality!

Crowd: CODY CODY MAVERICK! :musical_note: CODY CODY MAVERICK! :musical_note: CODY CODY MAVERICK! :musical_note:

Sienna Swann: But the love and support from our great EAW fans is giving Cody Maverick the energy he needs to survive! Cody is getting a second wind as he manages to power up to his feet! Cody powers up to his feet and begins slamming his elbow hard into the midsection of Donovan Duke! Donovan is surprised by this inhuman display of recovery as Cody breaks free and then punches him hard right in the face!

Gavin Kirkland: Donovan nearly went down from that one hard shot to the face. Cody has a boxing background don’t forget that shit. That’s important lore right there.

Deadprez: It sure is good job Gavin. But also good job Cody because he’s now throwing even more punches at Donovan making a quick recovery here and battling back against him! Cody grabs Donovan picking him up before slamming him down to the mat with a Sidewalk Slam! The crowd believes in Cody Maverick!

Sienna Swann: Cody Maverick is shining like a true hero. A true star. He stands back up to his feet before taking Donovan down with a Wheelbarrow German Suplex into the cover!

El Duque: UNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

El Duque: DOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

El Duque: TRESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS-

Deadprez: Kickout by Donovan Duke. The crowd boos this heavily as the longer this match rages on the more invested they become in Cody Maverick’s imminent success. They believe now if they did not believe before that this man has what it takes to take down Donovan Duke and end his tyranny over EAW once and for all!

Sienna Swann: We are truly witnessing absolute peak now as Donovan Duke picks up Cody Maverick and drops him head first into the corner. Cody then picks up Donovan’s legs slung over the corner before dropping him down head first into the mat. THE MONEYMAKER CONNECTS!!! CODY HAS THIS! THE COVER!

El Duque: UNNNNNNNNNN…

El Duque: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

El Duque: DOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

El Duque: …

El Duque: TRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

Gavin Kirkland: Kickout by Donovan Duke! Donovan is still in this thing! Don’t let the hate get to you! These people ain’t shit Donovan!

Deadprez: Hmmm that seemed like a bit of a slow count there from El Duque. Maybe he’s getting tired? Either way that wasn’t very good.

Sienna Swann: Well he’s not a professional referee Dead. He’s a professional wrestler. So I guess mistakes happen. We will give him this one… but if it continues…

Deadprez: Cody Maverick looks frustrated as I think he noticed the count might have been a bit off there too but he’s getting right back into the fight instead of dwelling on it. Instead of bitching and whining like he could he’s going to be a man about these things and take responsibility for manifesting his own success in the EAW ring.

Sienna Swann: Cody pulls Donovan up and then staggers him backwards with a hard uppercut to the head. Donovan gets nailed in the jaw and then Cody follows it up with a hard punch to the eye knocking Donovan down to the mat. Donovan might have a black eye tomorrow.

Gavin Kirkland: Donovan tries to fire back with a boot to the face but Cody catches it and takes Donovan down twisting his leg down to the mat. Cody tries to twist Donovan around into a Boston Crab but Donovan kicks him away sending him into the corner. Donovan quickly rolls out of the ring trying to escape yet again. Cody chases after him hurling himself over the top rope!

Deadprez: But Donovan moved!

Sienna Swann: But Cody caught the top rope as he went over and landed feet first on the apron! Cody runs the apron and kicks Donovan hard in the skull on the outside! Donovan goes down flipping in the air from the force of Cody’s kick! Cody then leaps off the apron with a splash crushing Donovan on the floor!

Deadprez: Cody not letting Donovan escape! He’s had enough! He smells blood in the water and he’s tossing Donovan back into the ring. Cody runs up on Donovan as he goes for the Sin City Stunner!!!

Sienna Swann: CODY GOT ALL OF IT!!! DONOVAN SENT FLYING ACROSS THE RING FLIPPING BACKWARDS FROM THE IMPACT OF THE SIN CITY STUNNER!!!

Gavin Kirkland: But Donovan falls backwards right into El Duque! El Duque just got knocked down!!!

Deadprez: Cody Maverick grabs Donovan and throws him to the middle of the ring as he goes for the cover! El Duque is tough. He can revive quicker than most referees to make the count!!!!

Sienna Swann: THE COVER!!! CODY FOR THE WINN!!!

El Duque: …

Deadprez: Well maybe I spoke too soon.

Sienna Swann: El Duque is down and completely knocked out! How the hell did he get knocked unconscious just from another man bumping into him slightly?!?!

Gavin Kirkland: These referee shirts make you fragile… I don’t know what to say man…

Deadprez: Cody Maverick realizes that El Duque is down and he is not happy about it! Cody goes over to El Duque shaking him by his referee shirt but it has no effect! Damn El Duque might actually be seriously injured. Maybe Donovan bumped into him harder than we thought…

Sienna Swann: Cody now calling for another referee to come out from backstage but it doesn’t look like anyone else is coming. Wait Donovan from behind!!!-

Deadprez: But Cody saw him and sidesteps! Cody throws Donovan into the ropes sending Donovan flying over the top to the outside!!! Cody rolls to the outside following after Donovan!

Sienna Swann: It looks like Cody is going to kill some time here while El Duque recovers. But hopefully we can get some medical staff and a replacement referee down here if El Duque really is that badly hurt.

Gavin Kirkland: I don’t like what you are insinuating Sienna. Is there a specific reason you think that El Duque is untrustworthy for some reason. :mjpls:

Deadprez: Well no time to dwell on that now as Cody Maverick lays out Donovan Duke with another Sin City Stunner on the outside. Donovan is literally convulsing on the floor from the pain and suffering that Cody has inflicted on him. I think it is safe to say Cody has this match won as soon as we can get a god damn referee out here.

Sienna Swann: Cody Maverick slams Donovan Duke’s skull off the ring post knocking him down and out. A stream of blood begins to seep from the head of Donovan as he looks like he doesn’t even know where he is.

(Another referee is shown running down to the ring from backstage.)

Deadprez: About damn time.

Sienna Swann: Donovan Duke has noticed the other referee making his arrival as he tosses Donovan Duke back into the ring. Cody Maverick follows him in and pulls Donovan Duke up one more time-

Gavin Kirkland: SIN CITY STUNNER!!!

Deadprez: Cody with yet another Sin City Stunner! The third time is the charm! Cody falls on top of Donovan with the cover! For the win! Finally let’s get this shit over with!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Referee: …

Referee: ..

Referee: .

Sienna Swann: I literally cannot even. How the hell.

Deadprez: DONOVAN DUKE KICKED OUT!!!

Sienna Swann: Damn. That’s crazy sweetie.

Gavin Kirkland: Now maybe you all will acknowledge Donovan’s greatness! Not many could kick out of three consecutive Sin City Stunners! Has that move defeated any other wrestlers before?

Deadprez: I’m pretty sure it has Gavin. But it looks like Donovan is not one of them. This has to be very demoralizing for Cody Maverick.

Crowd: CO-DY MAV-ER-ICK! YEAH! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Deadprez: But Cody Maverick cannot let his fans down! He must not! Cody climbs on top of Donovan and begins punching his bloody face. Cody getting blood on his hands literally here as he continues to beat down on Donovan with straight up punches beating Donovan black and blue before our eyes. Donovan should have just laid down. He’s just prolonging his suffering at this point.

(PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH!)

Sienna Swann: Cody Maverick has snapped! He’s ignoring the referee’s warnings as he continues to deliver closed fist punches to the face of Donovan Duke! Cody shoves the referee away from him and continues to beat Donovan down!

(PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH!)

Deadprez: Cody Maverick is risking disqualification here. He might not want to put his hands on the referee like that again. Cody shoves the referee getting blood on the referee’s shirt as the referee returns to yell at him one last time.

Referee: FINAL WARNING CODY! I’M SERIOUS! I REALLY MEAN IT THIS TIME!

Sienna Swann: Cody Maverick finally listens to reason as he climbs off Donovan Duke who is not moving and looks like he can’t even see his eyes are all swollen and beaten down from Cody’s nonstop assault.

Deadprez: Come on Cody. Just finish him already!!!

Sienna Swann: Cody Maverick applies a Sleeper Hold on Donovan on the mat! Donovan is going to go out peacefully in his dreams. Cody being much nicer to this guy than he deserves. The referee checks Donovan to see if he’s holding in there.

Deadprez: Donovan keeps the arm up!!!!-

Gavin Kirkland: But not for long… The arm droops down…

Referee: ONE!

Deadprez: Check him again ref! I think this is the end of Donovan! I think it is really over for real this time!

(The arm falls yet again.)

Sienna Swann: It’s over! Calling it now!

Gavin Kirkland: Don’t give up Sienna. You gotta believe…

(The arm falls yet again.)

Referee: THRE-

(But then it springs back up!)

Deadprez: DONOVAN IS STILL ALIVE! DONOVAN IS MAKING IT BACK UP TO HIS FEET!

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Gavin Kirkland: The hate from the crowd is giving Donovan Duke supernatural powers! He’s emerging as a stronger being than ever before! This is not even his final form!

Deadprez: Donovan powers back up to his feet!!! Donovan drives hard elbow shots into the gut of Cody Maverick! Donovan breaks free! Donovan with a thumb to the eye! How the hell…

Gavin Kirkland: DONOVAN DUKE GETS CODY MAVERICK KUP FOR THE MIND FUNERAL!!! FINISH HIM!!!-

Deadprez: No! Cody Maverick slips out of it and lands behind Donovan! Donovan turns around!!!

Sienna Swann: SIN CITY STUNNER!!! NUMBER FOUR!!! HE GOT ALL OF IT!!

Deadprez: Donovan Duke is done!

Sienna Swann: Cody Maverick with the cover! There’s no way Donovan can kick out of four right?

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: .

Referee: ..

Referee: …

(Donovan Duke does not kick out this time.)

Deadprez: IT’S OVER! CO-DY MAV-ER-ICK YEAH!!!! AOPSJAFOPSA

(But the referee doesn’t make it to three.)

Sienna Swann: WHAT THE HELL?!?!

Deadprez: EL DUQUE IS BACK UP! HE JUST RAMMED A STEEL CHAIR INTO THE BACK OF THE REFEREE!!!

Gavin Kirkland: The true referee has recovered! It’s a miracle!

Deadprez: Come the fuck on!!!

(El Duque slams the chair down to the mat and then grabs Cody Maverick.)

Deadprez: EL DUQUE CONNECTS WITH THE MIND FUNERAL ONTO THE STEEL CHAIR!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Damn. Cody must have really cheated to piss a referee off this badly.

Sienna Swann: This is wild. El Duque why?

(Cody Maverick is out as El Duque grabs the arm of Donovan Duke and drapes it over the chest of Cody Maverick.)

El Duque: yawns

(El Duque shrugs and yawns as he nonchalantly lowers himself down to make the count.)

El Duque: UNO! DOS! TRES!

Deadprez: That’s a little fast there buddy…

(DING! DING! DING!)

Gina Romano: Here is your winner… DONOVANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!! DUKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

(“Enemy” by From Ashes to New hits to heavy boos from the crowd.)

Deadprez: That’s some bullshit there I just saw.

(El Duque raises up Donovan Duke’s arm but Donovan doesn’t even know where he is and remains motionless on the ground.)

Sienna Swann: We just saw a real robbery out here. Someone call the police!

Gavin Kirkland: Why would you be calling the police on El Duque? :mjpls: Care to elaborate Sienna??!?! :mjpls:

Deadprez: This was one of the worst screwjobs I’ve seen in some time! Cody Maverick had that match won! El Duque won this match! Donovan Duke didn’t win shit!

Gavin Kirkland: LOL! LMAO DEAD! ROFLMFAO!

Deadprez: ???

Gavin Kirkland: Keep making excuses. You all just don’t recognize greatness. El Duque called this match fair and square the whole time.

Sienna Swann: Are you a fucking idiot Gavin? What the fuck is wrong with you? How the fuck do you have this job?

Gavin Kirkland: I knew Donovan was going to win from the start. That makes me better at this job than both of you two virgins. Get on my level pussies.

Deadprez: Somehow I don’t think this is over. Cody Maverick may have “lost” here tonight but there is going to be hell to pay for El Duque and Donovan Duke!!!

(El Duque is shown sliding Donovan Duke’s unconscious body out of the ring as the scene fades to a commercial.)

(A commercial airs announcing that instead of having Territorial Invasion next year, EAW will be supporting the return of territorial lands to their rightful peoples in 2027.)

(A commercial plays for Wendy’s.)

(After coming back from commercials, the next match card graphic is shown…)

(https://i.imgur.com/XNbI8QA.png)

Stephie Love: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FOLLOWING MATCH IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

(‘Sweet Dreams’ by Eurythmics began blaring through the speakers to tremendous boos as Harper Lee, with the Cash in the Vault briefcase, made her way out onto the stage; she marched down the ramp, mocking the jeering crowd as she did, making her way into the squared circle.)

Stephie Love: INTRODUCING FIRST! Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, weighing in at 114 pounds… SHE IS THE TROUBLEMAKER, HARPERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

(‘Partition (Smearcase Trap Remix)’ by Beyoncé began blaring through the speakers to a massive mixed reaction as Kassidy Heart strutted her way onto the stage with the EAW cameramen capturing every angle before she sauntered down the ramp towards the ring, shooting a death glare at Harper Lee.)

Stephie Love: AND HER OPPONENT! Hailing from Sydney, Australia, weighing in at 141 pounds… SHE IS THE MAULER, KASSIDYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! HEAAAAAAAAAAAAAART!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Stew-O: And the match is underway! Kassidy Heart vs Harper Lee, two extremely notorious elitists that have both made their intentions perfectly clear!

Flannery McCoy: They both view themselves as the premier wrestler on the Dynasty brand and with the World Heavyweight Championship currently held by Drake King, they are both eager to make history as the first woman to ever hold the tremendous world championship!

Jake Mercer: The only problem is that there’s only one World Heavyweight Championship and that means only ONE of them could be the one to make history, if they’re able to defeat Drake King, the current champion, that is!

Stew-O: Kassidy Heart has always been one of the most domineering and dominant wrestlers in the entirety of the professional wrestling industry, and that reputation preceded her as she started pursuing Harper Lee, who currently holds the Cash in the Vault briefcase, which may very well be her key to beating Kassidy to the punch at getting the title!

Flannery McCoy: This is pure, ruthless competition, and the question to be asked is which one of these two will be able to walk away with the momentum here at Territorial Invasion, one of the biggest shows of the year!

Jake Mercer: The bell has rung and it’s clear there is no love lost between them, just two competitors that just can’t stand each other one bit! Kassidy Heart has a bit of a size advantage here and a definite power advantage, but that has never stopped someone like Harper Lee who has punched above her weight class for her entire career!

Stew-O: Harper Lee has always shown herself to be quite strategically sound, and going up against someone with as storied of a career as Kassidy Heart, you’ve got to believe that she’s got a lot of strategies up her proverbial sleeve!

Flannery McCoy: But will strategy be able to hold up against pure, unfettered aggression and power from Kassidy Heart?! She bursts out from her corner with aggression emanating from every pore as she lurches forward and immediately strikes first with a stiff forearm, causing Harper to stumble right back into her corner!

Jake Mercer: And she attempts to follow it up with a knife-edge chop, but Harper Lee managed to duck underneath, shoving Kassidy into the corner before firing off a quick dropkick to the back of Kassidy’s knee, forcing her to drop to a kneeling position right in front of Harper’s corner!

Stew-O: AND HARPER FOLLOWS IT UP! METEORA RIGHT TO THE BACK OF KASSIDY’S HEAD, PLUNGING IT RIGHT INTO THE LOWER PADDED TURNBUCKLE! HARPER’S QUICK TURNAROUND MANAGED TO LET HER LAND SOME HEAVY OFFENSE RIGHT FROM THE START OF THE MATCH!

Flannery McCoy: And look at that as she just hurls caustic insult after caustic insult at Kassidy, looking to grate at the infamously irritable Mauler! She’s definitely feeling herself, but she’ll need to remember that overconfidence is definitely not going to serve her well, especially against a competitor like Kassidy!

Jake Mercer: Harper pulls Kassidy up, looking to push her back into the corner– BUT NO, KASSIDY CONNECTS WITH A SUDDEN ELBOW TO THE MIDSECTION BEFORE HARPER COULD EVEN REALIZE KASSIDY HAD ALREADY RECUPERATED FROM THE DAMAGE OF THAT DEVASTATING METEORA!

Stew-O: You’d think landing a heavy shot to Kassidy’s head would have had her loopy, but despite all the brain damage, you need to remember that Kassidy is above all else one of the most DURABLE wrestlers in EAW and it’ll take a lot more than that to really put her down for any significant amount of time!

Flannery McCoy: After that elbow smash, we’ve got Kassidy hoisting Harper Lee up with ease before dropping her with a front powerslam RIGHT out of the corner! The Troublemaker has been planted for making that trouble, and now she’s arching her back in pain after feeling the wrath of the Mauler’s mauling!

Jake Mercer: Kassidy is back on her feet and she’s dragging the Troublemaker back up to her feet by the hair! The referee is warning her to watch it with the hair, but I don’t think Kassidy particularly gives a damn when it comes to unleashing punishment, especially on someone that has intentionally pissed her off the way that Harper has!

Stew-O: She pie faces Harper to turn her around before latching on a quick rear waist lock and, without wasting a moment of time, she arches back and PLANTS Harper Lee once more, this time with a snap German suplex! Not only that, she keeps it bridged to attempt an early pin, but will she be able to get it?

ONEEEEEEEE!

Flannery McCoy: But don’t count out Harper’s own endurance, because it’ll take a lot more than that to put her down as well! Harper is rolling away to create some distance as she quickly scrambles back up to her feet, but Kassidy Heart, ever the aggressor, is right there as she executes a boxing style body punch! And another one! A third for good measure as she keeps pressuring Harper back!

Jake Mercer: Kassidy is just teeing off on Harper’s ribs, likely making it harder for her to breathe! Not only that, but if Kassidy decides to pay her husband a tribute with that move, you know the one, then all these punches will pay dividends later in the match!

Stew-O: Harper is doubled over in pain as Kassidy grabs her by the wrist and executes a front kick to her arm before following up with a hammer fist right to the same spot from the upper side of the arm!

Flannery McCoy: Clearly looking to just take Harper apart bit by bit like a shark that has smelled blood in the water, Kassidy is hellbent on proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is the most dominant wrestler on the brand and that she’ll soon have the World Heavyweight Championship to match the status she looks to claim as her own!

Jake Mercer: She’s looking to continue focusing on that arm as she yanks it back behind Harper’s back with a VERY rough hammer lock and wrenches back on it, and I have to say, Harper is in quite a bit of trouble early in this match! She needs to create some space between herself and Kassidy and she needs to do it fast!

Stew-O: OH, and there it is as Harper rolls through the lock and reverses it with a wristlock of her own, shifting the pressure back to Kassidy Heart and wrenching it like her life depends on it! Her eyes flit back and forth as she makes a quick calculation before she takes aim and…

Flannery McCoy: GOES FOR THE STEP-UP ENZIGUIRI, USING KASSIDY’S OWN TRAPPED ARM FOR LEVERAGE TO GET HERSELF UP HIGHER! BUT NO, LOOK AT THAT, KASSIDY BLOCKED THE KICK WITH HER FREE ARM—

Jake Mercer: BUT REVERSAL AFTER REVERSAL! BLOCKING THAT MOVE DID NOTHING AS HARPER GOT HER OTHER LEG SWUNG AROUND, GETTING KASSIDY’S HEAD TRAPPED BETWEEN BOTH HER LEGS BEFORE LURCHING BACK AND LAUNCHING KASSIDY HEART WITH A HURRICANRANA! KASSIDY IS LAUNCHED ACROSS THE LENGTH OF THE RING AS HARPER LEE MANAGES TO KIP HERSELF BACK UP TO HER FEET WITH THE SWIFTNESS!

Stew-O: That was quite the impressive bit of maneuvering by Harper, and a good display of the type of strategic thinking that has gotten her this far in her career as a former world champion and the current holder of the Cash in the Vault briefcase!

Flannery McCoy: Harper Lee is starting to feel herself once again as she glares daggers across the ring with Kassidy Heart already starting to scramble back up to her feet! It looks like the Troublemaker isn’t going to allow Kassidy to get back the momentum she’s had for most of the match as Harper breaks into a sprint towards where Kassidy is getting back onto her feet, and…

Jake Mercer: SINGLE LEG DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE MAULER! Kassidy Heart gets sent stumbling forward right into the ropes before getting her upper body draped over the middle rope, surprisingly looking truly dazed for the first time in this match as though she truly wasn’t expecting another follow up attack at that pace!

Stew-O: But Harper gets a cheshire cat type of smile on her face as she notices Kassidy’s positioning because it doesn’t take any more than a mere second before Harper quickly turns around and runs towards the ropes on the opposite side of the ring!

Flannery McCoy: She rebounds off the ropes before rushing right back towards where Kassidy is draped before she swings her legs through the ropes with momentum and CONNECTS WITH A TIGER FEINT KICK! THE TIGER FEINT KICK HITS WITH AUTHORITY AS KASSIDY HEART IS FORCED OFF THE ROPES! SHE STAGGERS BACKWARDS RIGHT INTO THE RING, CLUTCHING AT HER FACE IN IMMENSE PAIN AFTER EXPERIENCING THE FULL BRUNT OF HARPER’S SHINS!

Jake Mercer: KASSIDY CONTINUES STAGGERING BACKWARDS BEFORE SHE STUMBLES INTO THE ROPES THAT HARPER USED TO REBOUND FOR THAT VERY SAME TIGER FEINT KICK! BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RING, HARPER USED THE MOMENTUM FROM THAT TIGER FEINT KICK TO SLIP RIGHT BACK INTO THE RING, AND SHE’S ONCE AGAIN TAKING AIM AT KASSIDY HEART!

Stew-O: She hops twice, psyching herself up before once again rushing towards the dazed Kassidy Heart who is leaning back against the ropes before leaping up into the air towards her… AND CONNECTING WITH A MASSIVE LEAPING CLOTHESLINE THAT SENDS KASSIDY STUMBLING OUT ONTO THE APRON AND THEN ONTO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR! HARPER HAS FORCED THIS MATCH OUT OF THE RING NOW WITH KASSIDY HAVING FALLEN OUT OF THE SQUARED CIRCLE!

Flannery McCoy: But a testament to Kassidy’s endurance here… even after that tiger feint kick and now after having gotten knocked out of the ring with that leaping clothesline, she’s STILL on her own two feet! She’s in pain without a doubt, but the fact that she’s still standing is just insane!

Jake Mercer: But it looks like Harper isn’t looking to let that… STAND…

Flannery McCoy: Perish.

Stew-O: HARPER RUSHES ACROSS THE RING ONCE MORE, BUT THIS TIME SHE GOES THROUGH THE ROPES WITH ONE HELL OF A SUICIDE DIVE, TAKING OUT KASSIDY HEART AND BRINGING HER CRASHING DOWN TO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR!

Flannery McCoy: Wait… OH! LOOK AT THE REPLAY THERE! EVEN AS HARPER HIT THAT SUICIDE DIVE, IT LOOKS LIKE KASSIDY HEART CONNECTED AT THE SAME TIME, HITTING AN ELBOW SMASH CONNECTING RIGHT WITH THE JAW OF HARPER LEE! SHE WASN’T ABLE TO GET ALL OF IT WITH HOW QUICK HARPER WAS GOING, BUT IT WAS ENOUGH TO DEAL SOME DAMAGE!

Jake Mercer: THAT’S why Harper Lee went down too! All her velocity and momentum may have let her crash into Kassidy Heart and take her down, but it really turned out to be a TRUE ‘suicide’ dive as Kassidy Heart made sure she went down with her all the same!

Stew-O: Both women look knocked out cold as they’re both sprawled out on the ringside floor with the referee going out to check on them! It looks like with Kassidy not getting all of the elbow smash, Harper is able to recover just a bit faster as she starts staggering up to her feet! Kassidy starts getting up as well, but Harper is quick on the draw as she quickly forces Kassidy back into the ring from under the bottom rope!

Flannery McCoy: But Harper isn’t joining Kassidy through the bottom rope to get into the ring! No, she’s on the apron and as Kassidy starts getting back to her feet with furious anger apparent on her face, Harper is scaling the corner as quickly as she can! But she takes a bit longer as she stumbles, still clutching at her jaw as she reels from the damage dealt by Kassidy’s elbow no matter how much Harper tried enduring it without flinching!

Jake Mercer: Harper DOES make it to the top rope, though, just as Kassidy makes it back to her feet! Harper Lee now barely has any time to take aim as she just takes to the skies as quickly as she can, launching herself towards Kassidy Heart with a DIVING CROSSBODY! SHE CONNECTS WITH THE MAULER, BRINGING HER DOWN ONCE MOR—

Stew-O: OR NOT, OR NOT! KASSIDY MANAGED TO ROLL THROUGH IT, HAVING SCOUTED HARPER OUT! THAT ELBOW PAYS DIVIDENDS AS KASSIDY GETS BACK TO HER FEET WITH HARPER LIFTED UP IN A SCOOP SLAM LIFT!

Flannery McCoy: HARPER SCREAMS! What just happened?! OH, LOOK! KASSIDY RAKED HER BACK WHILE IN THE SCOOP SLAM LIFT… RIGHT BEFORE PLANTING HER WITH A BODY SLAM RIGHT ONTO THAT RAKED BACK! HARPER ARCHES HER BACK IN IMMENSE PAIN AFTER THAT MONSTROUS TECHNIQUE BY THE MAULER!

Jake Mercer: It looks like Kassidy didn’t take too well to the blitz of offense that Harper was able to unleash, because now Kassidy is really pulling out all the stops to make Harper Lee suffer! The Mauler now glowers down at Harper Lee as she squirms and writhes in pain after getting dropped on those forcefully opened wounds!

Stew-O: But there isn’t even a hint of mercy in Kassidy’s Heart as she violently grabs a hold of Harper Lee’s hair and aggressively forces her back up to a standing position! What does she have planned here?!

Flannery McCoy: She practically FLINGS Harper into the ropes, forcing her to rebound back towards Kassidy… WHO INTERCEPTS HER WITH A GO TO GAWD! SHE PLANTED THE SEEDS WITH THOSE BODY PUNCHES EARLIER AND NOW THEY’RE FLOURISHED WITH THAT TREMENDOUS SPEAR THAT JUST CUT HARPER LEE IN HALF!

Jake Mercer: AND KASSIDY HEART DECIDES TO GO FOR THE PIN OFF OF THAT! DOES SHE HAVE IT?! THE REFEREE IS SLIDING IN FOR THE COUNT!

ONEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

THREE-

Stew-O: NO! HARPER LEE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET HER SHOULDER UP, AND THAT ONLY SEEMS TO HAVE INFURIATED KASSIDY HEART THAT MUCH MORE! SHE PRACTICALLY GROWLS DOWN AT HARPER LEE BEFORE PLUCKING HER BACK UP OFF THE CANVAS!

Flannery McCoy: RIGHT INTO A BEAR HUG! THE SMALLER HARPER LEE HAS BEEN HOISTED UP OFF OF HER FEET AND SHE’S NOW DANGLING OVER THE CANVAS WITH KASSIDY HEART EXERTING AS MUCH FORCE AS SHE POSSIBLY CAN TO BREAK HARPER’S RIBS AND FORCE HER TO TAP OUT OR PASS OUT!

Jake Mercer: HARPER LEE IS SCREECHING IN PAIN AS WE CAN SEE ALL OF KASSIDY’S MUSCLES TENSING UP IN ORDER TO APPLY EVEN MORE PRESSURE THAN SHE ALREADY IS! THE CLENCHED FISTS OF KASSIDY ARE RUBBING UP AGAINST AND DIGGING INTO THE SCRATCHED OPEN WOUNDS ON HARPER LEE’S BACK, WHICH ONLY SERVES TO EXACERBATE THE DAMAGE!

Stew-O: WHAT THE HELL?!

Crowd: IREHGOIAEHGOAIEUHGOIAUEOGAUGAOIUREHG

Flannery McCoy: HARPER LEE… SHE JUST SUNK HER TEETH INTO THE SKIN OF KASSIDY HEART! SHE’S PLAYING KASSIDY’S OWN GAME AGAINST HER, AND THE SHOCK OF THAT AGONY CAUSED KASSIDY TO SUDDENLY RELEASE THE BEAR HUG!

Jake Mercer: Kassidy is clutching at that bite wound as Harper breathes heavily, glaring at Kassidy before firing off a stiff kick right to the midsection, forcing the Mauler to double over in pain! Harper deliberately scratches at the bite wound, perhaps enacting some payback for that back rake, before hoisting Kassidy up into the air on her shoulders!

Stew-O: We don’t often see Harper lift opponents up because she mostly deals with elitists a lot bigger than her, but Kassidy looks to be within lifting range for the Troublemaker as she has her up… AND THEN PLANTS HER! SITOUT POWERBOMB CONNECTS!

Flannery McCoy: AND HARPER KEEPS HER LEGS ON KASSIDY’S SHOULDERS, KEEPING HER PLANTED FOR A PIN ATTEMPT! THE REFEREE SLIDES IN TO COUNT IT, BUT WILL KASSIDY STAY DOWN?!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOO-

Jake Mercer: NO! KASSIDY KICKED OUT OF IT WITH GUSTO! THE MAULER IS STILL IN THE GAME AND NOW HARPER IS GETTING JUST AS FRUSTRATED, YELLING INSULTS AT KASSIDY!

Stew-O: Kassidy has been able to take control of this match time and time again, so when Harper manages to get her momentum going and it STILL isn’t enough to put Kassidy down, you can’t really blame her for it! She’s facing a legitimate industry titan here!

Flannery McCoy: But frustration aside, it doesn’t look like Harper is quite ready to give up just yet! For every bit of anger in her eyes, there’s determination to prove her innumerable doubters wrong and cement that she really IS one of the best!

Jake Mercer: Harper now grabs a hold of Kassidy’s hair and starts dragging her towards the corner, connecting with a quick punch to the side of Kassidy’s head in an attempt to keep her dazed and target Kassidy’s weak spot! We saw the back of Kassidy’s head bounce off the canvas with that sit-out powerbomb, but even after that, Kassidy was STILL able to kick out!

Stew-O: It looks like Harper is looking to up the ante as she gets Kassidy back up to her feet before dragging her up the corner… getting up on the top rope with your opponent is a precarious position for anybody, but perhaps doubly so if your opponent is Kassidy Heart of all people!

Flannery McCoy: Will Harper be able to pull off the strategy that’s brewing in her mind?!

Stew-O: IT’S BECOME CLEAR WHAT HARPER LEE IS GOING FOR! SHE’S GETTING A HOLD OF KASSIDY HEART’S HEAD AND AIMING TO DROP HER FROM THE TOP ROPES DOWN TO THE CANVAS WITH DIRTY FIREWORKS, HER SIGNATURE AVALANCHE SWINGING NECKBREAKER!

Flannery McCoy: BUT KASSIDY HEART IS STRUGGLING AGAINST THE ATTEMPT AS MUCH AS SHE CAN! SHE’S STILL DAZED FROM THE SIT-OUT POWERBOMB, BUT THIS WOMAN IS DRIVEN BY PURE FURY AND RAGE AT THIS POINT!

Jake Mercer: HARPER GETS IT– NO, KASSIDY KICKED HER LEG OUT, CAUSING HARPER TO STUMBLE! HARPER LOOSENS THE HOLD ON KASSIDY’S HEAD AS SHE TRIES TO LATCH IT BACK ON–

Stew-O: BUT NO, KASSIDY GOT FREE AND FIRED OFF A HEAVY STRIKE RIGHT TO THE FACE OF HARPER LEE, STUNNING HER!

Flannery McCoy: HARPER LEE, THOUGH, IS DRIVEN BY SPITE IN EQUAL MEASURE, AND FIRES A STRIKE RIGHT BACK AT THE TEMPLE OF KASSIDY HEART!

Jake Mercer: THESE TWO ELITISTS ARE TEEING OFF ON ONE ANOTHER IN THE MOST PRECARIOUS PART OF THE RING! IF THERE’S ONE PLACE YOU DON’T WANT TO BE WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING, IT’S IN THE CRASH ZONE!

Stew-O: HARPER SWINGS– BUT KASSIDY DUCKED THAT LAST ONE, AND CAME OUT RIGHT FROM UNDERNEATH WITH A HUGE UPPERCUT THAT REALLY DAZED HARPER BY CONNECTING RIGHT WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE JAW!

Flannery McCoy: HARPER IS SWAYING ON TOP, AND IT LOOKS LIKE SHE’S ABOUT TO LOSE HER BALANCE… WAIT! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!

Jake Mercer: KASSIDY JUST BOUNCED UP FROM THE ROPE SHE WAS STANDING ON TO GET BOTH OF HER LEGS AROUND THE HEAD OF HARPER LEE BEFORE ARCHING HERSELF BACK!

Stew-O: NORVINA LIGHTS FROM THE TOP ROPE! SPIKE AVALANCHE HURRICANRANAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Flannery McCoy: THAT HAS TO BE IT! I THINK HARPER LEE HAS TO BE KNOCKED OUT AT BEST, AND POSSIBLY INJURED AT WORST!

Jake Mercer: WHATEVER THE CASE, KASSIDY COULD DEFINITELY GO FOR THE PIN NOW!

Stew-O: So… why isn’t she?!

Flannery McCoy: IT LOOKS LIKE KASSIDY MAY HAVE HURT HERSELF BY EXECUTING SUCH A DANGEROUS MANEUVER! CRASHING DOWN ONTO THE CANVAS FROM THE TOP ROPE, I THINK HER HEAD MAY HAVE BOUNCED OFF THE CANVAS EVEN AS SHE TRIED HER BEST TO PROTECT IT!

Jake Mercer: HARPER LEE IS DEFINITELY IN MUCH WORSE CONDITION AT THE MOMENT, BUT NEITHER OF THE WOMEN ARE STIRRING! THE REFEREE IS CHECKING ON BOTH OF THEM AS THEY’RE BOTH JUST WRITHING ON THE CANVAS RIGHT NOW!

…

…

…

Stew-O: THE REFEREE HAS STARTED COUNTING UP TO TEN! IS THIS GOING TO END IN A DOUBLE COUNT OUT?!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

FIVE!

Flannery McCoy: KASSIDY IS STARTING TO STIR!

SIX!

SEVEN!

Jake Mercer: KASSIDY IS STAGGERING UP… AND SHE’S BACK ON HER FEET! THIS MAY JUST END UP WITH HARPER STAYING DOWN FOR THE TEN COUNT… BUT I THINK THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TIME FOR HARPER TO GET SOME RESPITE, BECAUSE SHE’S STARTING TO STIR, AND KASSIDY SEES IT!

Stew-O: NOW KASSIDY IS PISSED OFF! IF THIS ENDS WITH JUST A COUNT OUT LIKE THAT, I THINK KASSIDY INTERPRETS THAT AS HARPER HAVING AN EXCUSE THAT SHE STILL DIDN’T GET TAKEN OUT FOR GOOD! SHE’S APPROACHING HARPER, TELLING THE REFEREE TO GET OUT OF HER WAY!

Flannery McCoy: THE REFEREE IS TALKING BACK TO HER AS HARPER CONTINUES TO STIR FROM BEHIND… UNTIL–

Jake Mercer: OH MY GOD!

Stew-O: HARPER JUST SHOVED THE REFEREE HEAD-FIRST INTO KASSIDY’S HEAD! A FORCED HEADBUTT BY HARPER USING THE REFEREE AGAINST KASSIDY KNOCKS THE REFEREE OUT OF IT, AND DAMAGED KASSIDY ALL IN ONE FELL SWOOP! KASSIDY IS UTTERLY DAZED AS SHE WASN’T BRACED FOR THAT IMPACT IN THE SLIGHTEST, AND NOW HARPER IS BACK ON HER FEET, A BIT OF BLOOD SPILLING FROM HER HEAD BUT WITH THAT TRADEMARK SMUG GRIN ON HER FACE!

Flannery McCoy: SHE SEES THE REFEREE IS DOWN AND IMMEDIATELY DROPS TO THE CANVAS, ROLLING OUT TO GRAB A HOLD OF THE BRIEFCASE! THE CASH IN THE VAULT BRIEFCASE THAT HARPER OWNS IS NOW IN HER HANDS, AND SHE LOOKS TO USE ITS POWER! THIS ISN’T FAIR AT ALL!

Jake Mercer: SINCE WHEN HAS HARPER EVER BEEN ABOUT PLAYING FAIR?! SHE SLIDES RIGHT BACK INTO THE RING WITH THAT CASH IN THE VAULT BRIEFCASE IN HAND AND TAKES AIM AT KASSIDY HEART WHILE THE REFEREE IS FAR TOO OUT OF IT TO BE ABLE TO NOTICE, LET ALONE CALL FOR A DISQUALIFICATION!

Stew-O: HARPER LEE TAKES AIM AT THE HEAD OF KASSIDY HEART… AND FIRES OFF THE BRIEFCASE AS HARD AS SHE POSSIBLY CAN WITH A BRIEFCASE SHOT TO THE HEAD!

Flannery McCoy: BUT NO! KASSIDY STILL HAD ENOUGH WHEREWITHAL TO SEE THAT DIRTY TRICK COMING! SHE DUCKED UNDERNEATH IT, EVEN WITH ALL THE HEAD TRAUMA CLOGGING UP HER MIND!

Jake Mercer: SHE WRENCHES THAT BRIEFCASE OUT OF THE HANDS OF HARPER LEE AND THROWS IT OUT OF THE RING BEFORE GETTING RIGHT BEHIND HARPER…

Stew-O: OH MY GOD!

Flannery McCoy: NECRO MAULER! NECRO MAULER! THE DREADED NECRO MAULER IS LOCKED IN!

Jake Mercer: HARPER IS STRUGGLING BUT KASSIDY HAS IT LOCKED IN TIGHTER THAN EVER BEFORE!

Stew-O: SHE MUST BE OFFENDED BY THE BITE THAT HARPER DID BECAUSE NOW SHE’S RETURNING THE FAVOR, WITH HARPER SCREAMING AND FIGHTING TO GET OUT!

Flannery McCoy: BUT IT’S NO USE SHE’S DONE FOR! SHE’S TAPPING!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

(‘Partition (Smearcase Trap Remix)’ by Beyoncé began blaring through the speakers to a huge reaction)

Stew-O: SHE DID IT! HARPER TRIED PLAYING DIRTY AS SHE OFTEN DOES BUT KASS HAD IT SCOUTED!

Flannery McCoy: HARPER PUT IN ONE HELL OF AN EFFORT BUT IT JUST WAS NOT ENOUGH TO TAKE KASS DOWN!

Jake Mercer: SHE STILL HAS THE BRIEFCASE BUT TONIGHT BELONGS TO THE MAULER!

(The video feed lingered on Kassidy’s celebration as the referee clutched at his head in pain and Harper tended to her wounds before the feed faded to black.)

(A commercial plays for Persona 4 Revival featuring the Jones Brothers.)

(The camera returns to ringside as the crowd buzzes in anticipation. The ring has been cleared, the referee stands waiting in the center, and Bella Braxton raises her microphone.)

Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A HARDCORE MATCH SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!

Bella Braxton: AND IT IS FOR THE EAW HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

(The opening of “Life is Short, O Brave Girl” by Hanabie blasts throughout the arena.)

(The reaction erupts with boos as Miku Sakai steps onto the stage with Kiko Sakai several paces behind her. Miku immediately throws both arms out and screams toward the crowd before pointing directly at the camera. Miku starts down the ramp with a huge grin across her face, bouncing from side to side and mouthing off toward anybody close enough to hear her. Kiko follows quietly behind, her expression composed as she keeps her eyes locked on the ring.)

Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST, THE CHALLENGER! ACCOMPANIED TO THE RING BY KIKO SAKAI! FROM FUKUI, JAPAN! WEIGHING IN AT ONE HUNDRED AND TEN POUNDS… “THE AUDACITY”… MIIIIIIIKUUUUUU SAAAAAAKAAAAAIIII!!!!

Rich Russillo: Miku Sakai has talked, threatened, and fought her way to this opportunity, but tonight there is nowhere left to go. She wanted Kai Rabeaux and she wanted the Hardcore Championship. She has both standing in front of her tonight.

Thadd Blazevich: And this is exactly the kind of environment Miku wants, bro. No disqualifications, no restrictions on what she can use, and Kiko Sakai is right there at ringside. Miku has never needed permission to make a match ugly, and tonight she doesn’t even have to pretend there are rules holding her back.

Persephone: She survived Bloodsport by getting her sister to cave Bronson Daniels’ skull in, so yeah, I’d say she’s comfortable with this shit.

(Miku reaches ringside and immediately climbs onto the apron. She steps through the ropes before running straight across the ring and jumping onto the middle turnbuckle. Staring out at the crowd with a cocksure grin.)

(Kiko takes her position at ringside while Miku hops down and begins pacing around the ring. Her music fades, but Miku continues talking to herself and occasionally glancing toward the entrance.)

Miku Sakai: (Off Mic) COME ON, ASSHOLE!

(The arena darkens.)

(“The Promised Consort” by Shoi Miyazawa begins to play.)

(Kai Rabeaux steps onto the stage with the EAW Hardcore Championship secured around his waist. He stops beneath the lights and slowly looks across the arena before lowering his eyes toward the ring.)

Persephone: And here comes Baby Killer himself.

Rich Russillo: Kai Rabeaux has carried himself like the Hardcore Championship is proof of everything he has ever claimed to be. The strongest. The superior competitor. The man who decides who belongs and who does not. Tonight Miku Sakai is trying to take away the piece of evidence he values most.

(Kai unfastens the Hardcore Championship and raises it high above his head without taking his eyes off Miku.)

Bella Braxton: AND HER OPPONENT! FROM NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK! WEIGHING IN AT TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY POUNDS! HE IS “THE OVERLORD OF THE NEXT GENERATION”… AND THE REIGNING EAW HARDCORE CHAMPION… KAAAAAIIIIII RAAAAABEAUUUUUXXXX!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: Kai’s been through wars with that championship, dude, and every time somebody has tried to drag him down into their kind of fight, he’s found a way to survive it. People can hate everything about this guy, but nobody can pretend he hasn’t been dangerous as hell with that title.

(Kai begins walking down the ramp at a deliberate pace. Miku continues shouting from inside the ring while Kiko remains several feet away from the aisle, watching him carefully.)

Persephone: Miku looks like she wants to jump him before he even gets inside.

Rich Russillo: I’m not convinced she’ll wait much longer.

(Kai reaches ringside and stops directly in front of Kiko. Kiko doesn’t move. Kai looks down at her for several seconds before slowly raising the Hardcore Championship between them. Kiko’s expression doesn’t change. Kai gives her a faint, contemptuous smile before walking past her.)

Thadd Blazevich: Kiko isn’t backing away, bro, but she isn’t taking the bait either. She knows why she’s here tonight.

(Kai climbs the steel steps and steps through the ropes. Miku immediately advances, but the referee gets between them and forces her backward.)

Miku Sakai: (Off Mic) GIVE ME MY FUCKING BELT!

(Kai looks down at the championship in his hands and then back at Miku.)

Kai Rabeaux: (Off Mic) You have mistaken proximity for ownership.

Miku Sakai: (Off Mic) SHUT THE FUCK UP!

(Kai raises the Hardcore Championship directly in Miku’s face before handing it to the referee.)

(Kai steps onto the middle rope and spreads his arms as the crowd rains noise down upon him. He looks over his shoulder at Miku before stepping back onto the canvas.)

(The referee moves to the center of the ring and raises the EAW Hardcore Championship high above his head.)

Rich Russillo: That is what this comes down to. The EAW Hardcore Championship. Pinfall or submission must happen inside this ring, but beyond that, there are no disqualifications and virtually no restrictions on what either competitor can do to the other.

Thadd Blazevich: And neither one of these two needs much encouragement, bro.

(The referee hands the championship through the ropes to the timekeeper. Kiko moves into Miku’s corner at ringside. Kai backs into his corner and stretches his neck from side to side. Miku doesn’t back into hers. She stands in the center of the ring staring directly at Kai. Kai slowly steps out of his corner. The referee looks between them and signals for the match to begin.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Rich Russillo: THERE’S THE BELL, AND MIKU SAKAI FLIES ACROSS THE RING! Miku immediately unloads with forearms to Kai Rabeaux, and Kai fires right back! Miku catches him across the mouth, Kai rocks her backward with a harder shot, AND MIKU RESPONDS BY CLAWING AT HIS EYES!

Persephone: CAT SCRATCH FEVER! Only five seconds into the match. Perfect. She knows trying to outmuscle Kai would be fucking stupid, so gouge his eyes out instead.

Rich Russillo: Kai grabs Miku around the waist and physically tears her away from his face before throwing her across the ring! Miku rolls through to her feet, comes straight back, ducks underneath a lariat and rebounds off the ropes with a RUNNING DROPKICK TO THE KNEE! Kai drops down and Miku immediately starts hammering kicks into his chest!

Thadd Blazevich: That knee is the obvious target, bro. Kai has a lot of height and over a hundred pounds on Miku, but none of that matters quite as much if she can make the dude fight on one leg.

Rich Russillo: Miku grabs Kai by the head and drives a knee into his face! Kai falls backward and Miku jumps onto the cover!

Referee: ONNNNEEE!!!!

Rich Russillo: KAI POWERS OUT! Miku rolls through the landing and keeps moving! RUNNING BLOCKBUSTER! She hooks the leg again!

Referee: ONNNEEEE!!

Rich Russillo: ANOTHER KICKOUT! Miku tries to pull Kai into a DDT, but Kai pushes with his legs and hoists her up onto his shoulder! Kai carries Miku into the corner and drives her spine-first into the turnbuckles before unloading with forearms to the jaw!

Persephone: There’s the problem. She needs combinations to put Kai down. Kai gets both hands on her once and suddenly she’s furniture.

Rich Russillo: Kai whips Miku hard into the opposite corner and charges after her— MIKU GETS BOTH BOOTS UP! Kai staggers away! Miku climbs onto the middle rope and launches herself with a flying forearm! Kai stays upright, so Miku rebounds off the ropes and DROPKICKS THAT KNEE AGAIN!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku keeps going back to it, dude! Kai drops to one knee and she’s already moving again!

Rich Russillo: MIKU WITH A RUNNING KNEE TO THE FACE! Kai falls flat! Miku could stay on him, but instead she rolls underneath the bottom rope and starts searching beneath the ring!

Persephone: And there goes whatever illusion remained that this was going to resemble normal wrestling. Thank Gawd!

Rich Russillo: MIKU PULLS OUT A STEEL CHAIR! Kai is already dragging himself upright and Miku slides back inside before raising the chair high! MIKU SMASHES IT ACROSS KAI’S BACK! Kai drops to one knee, AND MIKU HITS HIM AGAIN!

Thadd Blazevich: Kai is still trying to stand, bro! Miku raises that chair for a third shot!

Rich Russillo: KAI SURGES UP AND KICKS MIKU IN THE STOMACH! Miku drops the chair, Kai catches her around the waist AND LAUNCHES HER ACROSS THE RING WITH A BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX!

Persephone: Congratulations, Miku. You brought the man a weapon.

Rich Russillo: Kai grabs that chair as Miku tries to rise AND SMASHES IT ACROSS HER BACK! Miku goes flat to the canvas! Kai strikes her a second time, then lays the chair across Miku’s upper back and neck before stepping onto it!

Thadd Blazevich: Kai is putting all his weight down through that steel, dude! Miku is trapped underneath it and there’s no rope break to save her!

Rich Russillo: Miku claws forward, reaches back and manages to hook Kai’s standing leg! SHE SWEEPS IT OUT! Kai falls backward and Miku slips out from underneath the chair! Kai gets back up and charges after her—

Thadd Blazevich: MIKU THROWS THE STEEL CHAIR DIRECTLY INTO HIS FACE BRO! Kai staggers backward! Miku follows with a running knee to the jaw and hooks the leg!

Referee: ONNNEEEEEEEE!!

Referee: TWWWWWW—

Rich Russillo: KAI GETS THE SHOULDER UP!

Persephone: Good. I’d have been offended if one flying chair ended this. I want blood.

Rich Russillo: Miku immediately rolls outside again and pulls another chair from beneath the ring! She throws it inside, follows after it and opens the chair in the middle of the canvas! Kai rises behind her and catches Miku with a forearm before she can turn around!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku fires one back, bro! Kai answers! Miku again! Kai rocks her with another and hooks her around the waist!

Rich Russillo: Kai is trying to suplex Miku onto that open chair, but Miku starts driving elbows into the side of his head! Miku breaks free and lands behind him! She shoves Kai toward the chair, but Kai jumps over it and catches himself on the ropes!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku charges from behind, bro! Kai sidesteps! Miku manages to leap over the chair too, but she turns— A SHOOT KICK TO THE CHEST! Kai fires another! A third backs Miku against the ropes!

Persephone: That size difference becomes a lot more noticeable when Kai starts kicking her like he’s trying to send her into another zip code.

Rich Russillo: Kai whips Miku across the ring and pops her into the air on the rebound! Miku twists around his shoulders and counters with a WHEELBARROW BULLDOG! Kai gets driven face-first into the mat!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku sees the first chair, dude! She’s got it again!

Rich Russillo: Kai pushes himself up AND MIKU SMASHES THE CHAIR ACROSS HIS HEAD! Kai falls to a knee and blood immediately starts running from his forehead!

Persephone: Much better.

Rich Russillo: Miku sees that blood and dives onto Kai! Forearm after forearm directly into the cut! Kai covers his face, but Miku keeps hammering until Kai gets both hands underneath her— AND HE THROWS HER THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE FLOOR!

Persephone: Kai follows her outside and drives Miku face-first into the barricade! He does it again! Miku tries to elbow herself free, but Kai catches her— AND DRIVES HER SPINE-FIRST INTO THE EDGE OF THE APRON!

Thadd Blazevich: That stopped her cold, bro. Kai’s bleeding, but he finally has enough room to start imposing himself.

Rich Russillo: Kai fires a shoot kick into Miku’s chest that knocks her toward the barricade! Another one lands! Kai charges, BUT MIKU PULLS HIM FACE-FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE!

Persephone: She keeps finding that cut. Smart little asshole.

Rich Russillo: Miku immediately dives beneath the apron and pulls out a length of rope! Kai is trying to get back to his feet, but Miku loops that rope around his throat from behind and plants a foot into his back!

Thadd Blazevich: SHE’S CHOKING HIM, DUDE! No disqualification, no five count, and no ropes to save Kai out here!

Rich Russillo: Miku pulls with everything she has! Kai wedges his fingers underneath the rope and starts forcing himself upright! Miku climbs onto his back and keeps the rope cinched around his throat, but Kai gets all the way to his feet with Miku still hanging from him!

Thadd Blazevich: KAI CHARGES BACKWARD INTO THE RING POST BRO! Miku gets crushed between Kai and the steel and drops to the floor! Kai rips the rope away from his neck, but he doesn’t throw it aside!

Persephone: Oh good. Now baby killer gets a turn.

Rich Russillo: Kai wraps the rope around Miku’s wrist and pulls her up! He yanks her straight toward him AND TURNS HER INSIDE OUT WITH REDLINED ON THE FLOOR! Kai keeps hold of the rope and drags Miku toward the steel steps!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku is trying to brace herself, bro, but Kai gives that rope another yank!

Rich Russillo: MIKU GOES SHOULDER-FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS! Kai pulls her back and sends her into them a second time! Miku crashes against the steel and Kiko Sakai is starting to move closer!

Thadd Blazevich: Kai sees Kiko in the corner and turns toward her! Kai warns her away, and Kiko stops several feet back! BUT MIKU YANKS ON THE ROPE FROM BEHIND! Kai gets pulled off balance and Miku rushes forward!

Rich Russillo: KAI GOES FACE-FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS! That cut on his forehead is opened even wider!

Persephone: He looks considerably less divine when blood is running into his eyes.

Rich Russillo: Miku tears the rope away and searches beneath the ring again! SHE PULLS OUT A TABLE! Miku gets it open at ringside while Kai uses the apron to pull himself back up!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku charges, bro, but Kai catches her around the waist!

Persephone: KAI LIFTS MIKU INTO A HIGH-ANGLE POWERBOMB POSITION! That table is directly behind him and Miku starts hammering fists down into Kai’s head!

Rich Russillo: KIKO SAKAI JUST SMASHED A STEEL PIPE ACROSS THE BACK OF KAI’S KNEE! Kai’s leg buckles and Miku drops free!

Persephone: Baby Killer didn’t pay attention to the sister that should’ve been aborted. How fitting.

Rich Russillo: Kai clutches his knee and turns toward Kiko, but Miku immediately kicks the same knee! Kai drops down! Miku jumps onto the apron, runs along it AND DRIVES A KNEE INTO THE SIDE OF KAI’S HEAD! Kai falls against the table but it stays standing!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku sees another chance, dude! She’s charging again!

Rich Russillo: KAI TURNS AND CATCHES HER! Miku starts throwing elbows, but Kai powers through them and LAUNCHES MIKU THROUGH THE TABLE WITH A FALLAWAY SLAM!

Thadd Blazevich: Kiko tries to rush in with that pipe again, bro! Trying to help her sister! BUT KAI TURNS AND PLANTS A THRUST KICK TO HER CHEST! THE PIPE GOES FLYING AND KIKO IS KNOCKED DOWN!

Persephone: Heh. I guess dumb bitch number two only delayed the inevitable for dumb bitch number one.

Rich Russillo: Miku is buried in broken wood at ringside! Kai grabs her by the hair, drags her from the wreckage and throws her underneath the bottom rope! Kai follows her inside and plants Miku with a HALF AND HALF SUPLEX!

Persephone: Kai drags her up before she can stay down! BACKBREAKER ACROSS THE GOOD KNEE! Kai keeps hold of Miku and delivers A SECOND BACKBREAKER before finally covering!

Referee: ONNNNEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Rich Russillo: MIKU KICKS OUT!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku’s back just went through a table and then across Kai’s knee twice, bro, but she’s still moving!

Rich Russillo: Kai wipes the blood from his forehead and pulls Miku back up! Kai fires a forearm! Miku answers! Kai hits another! Miku staggers but returns one of her own! Kai rocks backward and Miku immediately kicks the damaged knee!

Rich Russillo: Another kick to the knee drops Kai down! Miku hits the ropes AND DRIVES A RUNNING KNEE INTO HIS FACE! Kai falls backward, but Miku doesn’t cover! She drags Kai toward the corner and turns back! She sets and charges!!

Persephone: Oh Christ.

Rich Russillo: MUSTACHE RIDE! Miku drives into Kai’s face with the bronco buster, smashing his head into the turnbuckles before pulling him away!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku grabs one of the steel chairs and opens it in the center of the ring again, bro! Kai is getting back up and Miku tries to pull him toward that chair, but Kai breaks her grip with a forearm! Miku swings back! Kai answers with a knee to the stomach!

Rich Russillo: Kai hooks Miku around the waist and tries to lift her toward the open chair! Miku starts hammering elbows into the side of his head! Kai loses his grip! Miku lands behind him!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku kicks the knee again, bro! Kai drops down!

Rich Russillo: Miku hits the ropes and charges, BUT KAI EXPLODES UP WITH SHRINE! THE BICYCLE KNEE CATCHES MIKU DIRECTLY IN THE FACE!

Persephone: No cover. Kai knows that isn’t enough anymore! He goes to the corner before ripping off the middle turnbuckle padding, and now Kai just scoops Miku up, BEFORE RUNNING IN AND THROWING MIKU HEAD FIRST INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE WITH A LAWN DART!

Rich Russillo: Miku doesn’t even know where she is after that one, and Kai just shakes his head, not impressed whatsoever from the looks of it.

Thadd Blazevich: Kai tries to set her up again, bro, but Miku drops to one knee and drives a forearm into his stomach! Another one lands! A third forces Kai to release her!

Rich Russillo: Miku hops onto the middle rope before jumping onto Kai, AND SHE LOOKS FOR A HURRICANRANA, BUT KAI HOLDS ON AND STUMBLES TOWARDS THE ROPES!

Thadd Blazevich: EXCEPT MIKU IS ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS, USING THE ROPES TO SEND HERSELF AND KAI OVER THE TOP ROPE WITH THE HURRICANRANA!!! BOTH ELITISTS CRASH ONTO THE FLOOR OUTSIDE, BUT KAI GOT THE WORST OF THAT ONE!

Persephone: Miku takes the opportunity to dig under the ring while Kai stirs and gets to a knee, AND MIKU TAKES OUT A TOOLBOX!

Rich Russillo: SHE GOES TO SMASH IT IN KAI’S FACE—

Thadd Blazevich: BUT KAI CATCHES IT, BEFORE SENDING IT RIGHT INTO MIKU’S HEAD!! MIKU STUMBLES BACK TO THE BARRICADE AND KAI RUSHES IN!

Rich Russillo: AND THERE’S THE HOLLOW POINT! That running high kick nearly takes Miku’s head off, and Kai just sends Miku back into the ring before taking a drill out from the toolbox!

Persephone: Kai follows behind as he turns on the drill, AND HE WAITS FOR MIKU TO GET UP BEFORE GOING IN!

Thadd Blazevich: KICK TO THE KNEE AGAIN, BRO! KAI IS STAGGERED!!

Rich Russillo: AND MIKU TAKES HOLD OF THE DRILL, JUST ENOUGH TO APPLY IT TO KAI’S SIDE!!!! KAI SCREAMS IN PAIN AS LOUD AS HE CAN!!!! MIKU JUST DRILLED A HOLE INTO KAI’S SIDE!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: AND NOW SHE PULLS HIM IN BEFORE DELIVERING A TORNADO DDT!!! MIKU IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS WITH THE COVER!!!!!

Referee: ONNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEE—

Persephone: PLANNED PARENTHOOD GETS THE SHOULDER UP!

Rich Russillo: Miku sits up in disbelief, but she doesn’t waste time arguing! She grabs Kai by the head and tries to pull him up again! Kai shoves her backward! Miku rebounds off the ropes and charges—

Thadd Blazevich: BLADE OF BABYLON!

Rich Russillo: NO! MIKU DUCKS IT! SHE HITS A SHARP KICK TO THAT BAD KNEE! Kai grimaces in pain and Miku turns through! She grabs one of the chairs— AND SWINGS IT AT KAI’S FACE!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT KAI CATCHES THE CHAIR WITH HIS HANDS! HE RIPS IT AWAY AND SHOVES THE TOP OF IT INTO MIKU’S STOMACH! AND HE SMASHES IT INTO HER HEAD FOR GOOD MEASURE! Miku is down! And Kai finally has a second to beat some life into that bad knee while he recovers!

Rich Russillo: Kai rolls away and under the bottom rope to the floor, clutching at his side as blood continues pouring out! He searches beneath the ring and comes back inside with a black bag! Kai unties it and empties it across the canvas!

Thadd Blazevich: THUMBTACKS SCATTER EVERYWHERE BRO! Thousands of them! Kai has just covered a section of the ring in thumbtacks!

Rich Russillo: Miku sees them and immediately starts rolling herself away! Kai grabs her by the ankle and drags her toward the tacks! Miku rolls onto her back and kicks at Kai’s face! One connects! Another forces Kai to release her!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku gets back up, bro! Kai charges! Miku sidesteps! Kai manages to stop himself just short of the thumbtacks!

Persephone: Shame.

Rich Russillo: Miku jumps onto Kai’s back and starts clawing at his eyes! Kai staggers blindly toward the tacks! Miku is trying to force him backward into them, but Kai reaches over his shoulder and catches her by the hair!

Persephone: KAI PULLS MIKU IN AND THROWS HER OVER HIS SHOULDER! MIKU LANDS BACK-FIRST IN THE THUMBTACKS!

Thadd Blazevich: JESUS CHRIST, DUDE! Miku’s back and shoulders are covered in them!

Rich Russillo: Miku arches off the canvas in agony! Kai grabs her by the wrist and tries to drag her back up, but Miku slaps him across the face! Another slap! And—

Thadd Blazevich: AND KAI JUST ROCKS HER WITH A SUPERKICK, BEFORE TURNING AND JUMPING OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH A CRYSTAL KINGDOM CUTTER INTO THE THUMBTACKS!!! MIKU GOES FACE FIRST INTO THE TACKS, AND KAI HOLDS HIS SIDE IN PAIN, BEFORE HOOKING THE LEG!!

Referee: ONNNNNNNEEEEEE!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Rich Russillo: MIKU MANAGES TO POWER OUT! You can still see all the thumbtacks stuck in her face! But she is still fighting!

Thadd Blazevich: Kai is getting angry, bro! He slowly pushes himself up, grabbing his side once again. Now he grabs Miku by the head and pulls her up! Laying in one punch! Two! Three! Now he backs up and rushes in for a Lariat! REDLINED!

Rich Russillo: MIKU SLIPS UNDERNEATH HIM AND BACKDROPS KAI INTO THE THUMBTACKS!

Persephone: Now they match.

Rich Russillo: Kai rolls onto his side with thumbtacks embedded throughout his back and arms! Miku is barely able to stand, she rolls out underneath the bottom rope and drops her feet to the floor to help herself stand up all the way!

Thadd Blazevich: But she won’t leave empty handed! She reaches down and searches under the rung again! What the hell is left under there, bro?

Rich Russillo: MIKU PULLS OUT A BOX CUTTER!

Persephone: Apparently things can still get worse.

Rich Russillo: Kai is crawling away from the thumbtacks while Miku slides back inside with that blade! Kai gets to one knee and sees what she has! Miku lunges— KAI CATCHES HER WRIST!

Thadd Blazevich: THEY’RE FIGHTING OVER THE BOX CUTTER, DUDE!

Rich Russillo: Miku drives a knee into Kai’s damaged leg! Kai’s grip loosens and Miku rips her arm free! MIKU DRAGS THE BLADE ACROSS KAI’S UPPER ARM!

Persephone: There it is.

Rich Russillo: Kai recoils as blood immediately begins running down his arm! Miku comes after him again, but Kai kicks her hand and sends the box cutter skidding across the ring!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku charges anyway, bro! Kai grabs her and throws her toward the ropes! Miku rebounds and leaps—

Rich Russillo: KAI CATCHES HER IN MID-AIR! Miku starts hammering elbows into his head! Kai loses his grip and Miku lands behind him!

Thadd Blazevich: Both of them are bleeding, both of them have thumbtacks stuck in them, Kai’s leg has been attacked all match, and that box cutter is still sitting a few feet away, bro!

Persephone: Kai swings a back elbow! Miku ducks underneath! Kai turns around and Miku kicks him in the stomach! Miku grabs the second steel chair and raises it—

Rich Russillo: KAI KICKS THE CHAIR BACK INTO MIKU’S FACE!

Persephone: And neither one of them even thinks about covering anymore.

Rich Russillo: Miku stumbles against the ropes! Kai picks up the steel pipe Kiko used earlier! Kai looks at the pipe, then at Miku!

Thadd Blazevich: KAI SWINGS THE STEEL PIPE, BRO! Miku ducks underneath! Kai turns around— MIKU DROPKICKS THE DAMAGED KNEE! Kai drops the pipe and falls to one knee!

Persephone: Miku grabs the pipe herself! Kai starts to rise—

Rich Russillo: MIKU DRIVES THE STEEL PIPE INTO KAI’S RIBS AGAIN! AND THEN CRACKS THE PIPE ACROSS KAI’S BACK! Kai falls forward onto his hands and knees!

Thadd Blazevich: But Miku knows that isn’t enough for a pin now, bro! She’s not even trying! Miku throws the pipe aside and looks around at the wreckage! Two battered chairs, rope at ringside, broken table pieces, thumbtacks scattered across the canvas, the box cutter lying near the ropes, and both wrestlers covered in blood!

Rich Russillo: Miku grabs Kai by the hair and tries to pull him back up, but Kai suddenly drives a forearm into her stomach! Another! Kai gets back to his feet and catches Miku with a vicious knee to the face!

Persephone: And somehow neither idiot is done.

Rich Russillo: Kai grabs Miku and throws her through the ropes to the apron! Miku catches herself! Kai charges— MIKU KICKS HIM IN THE FACE THROUGH THE ROPES!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku climbs to the top rope, dude! Kai is turning around!

Rich Russillo: MIKU LAUNCHES HERSELF—

Thadd Blazevich: KAI CATCHES HER, BRO!

Rich Russillo: Kai has Miku across his shoulders and looks down at the thumbtacks scattered across the ring!

Persephone: Oh, that is a terrible place to be.

Rich Russillo: Miku realizes it and starts throwing elbows into Kai’s head! Kai staggers but keeps hold of her! Miku drives another elbow into the cut on his forehead! Kai’s grip finally loosens and Miku slips down behind him!

Persephone: Miku shoves Kai toward the thumbtacks! Kai stops himself! Miku charges!

Rich Russillo: KAI TURNS AND BLASTS HER WITH A FOREARM!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku drops to one knee, bro!

Rich Russillo: Kai grabs one of the bent steel chairs and looks down at Miku! Miku looks up at the chair! KAI RAISES IT OVER HIS HEAD—

Thadd Blazevich: KIKO HAS THE ROPE, BRO! Kiko snatches up the rope from ringside and loops it around Kai’s ankle through the bottom rope!

Rich Russillo: KIKO YANKS WITH EVERYTHING SHE HAS! KAI’S INJURED LEG GETS RIPPED OUT FROM UNDER HIM! The chair flies from his hands and Kai drops to a knee!

Persephone: That quiet little bitch picked the perfect second to save her sister from additional CTE!

Rich Russillo: Kiko releases the rope and it spills underneath the bottom rope as Kai stumbles into the corner in a daze!

Thadd Blazevich: AND MIKU TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THIS, RUNNING IN AND LANDING THE MUSTACHE RIDE! KAI’S HEAD SNAPS BACK AND MIKU DRAGS HIM OUT OF THE CORNER BEFORE FALLING ACROSS HIM!

Referee: ONNNNNNEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Rich Russillo: KAI KICKS OUT! THE HARDCORE CHAMPION IS STILL ALIVE!!

Persephone: FUCK! He ate every bit of that and still threw a shoulder up!

Rich Russillo: And Miku looks like she’s reaching her breaking point! She can’t believe this! Miku immediately grabs Kai by the head and starts hammering him with punches! There is no technique to this, she’s just trying her best to hurt Kai!

Thadd Blazevich: Kai covers up and manages to shove her away! Miku comes charging back, but Kai catches her with a forearm that sends her stumbling into the ropes! Meanwhile Kiko is climbing onto the apron again, bro! She’s trying to give Miku another opening!

Rich Russillo: Kai sees her this time! Kiko reaches through the ropes toward him, BUT KAI SNATCHES THE BOX CUTTER OFF THE CANVAS!

Rich Russillo: KAI SWINGS THE BLADE ACROSS KIKO’S FACE!

Persephone: HAHA! SHE’S BLEEDING LIKE THE PIG SHE IS!

Thadd Blazevich: KIKO DROPS OFF THE APRON, DUDE! SHE’S GOT BLOOD POURING DOWN THE SIDE OF HER FACE!

Rich Russillo: Kai turns back toward Miku—

Thadd Blazevich: MIKU TACKLES HIM, BRO! Miku is unloading with punches! Kai tries to cover up, but Miku rakes her fingers across that bloody forehead and drags Kai back toward the thumbtacks!

Rich Russillo: Kai throws a wild elbow! He catches Miku on the jaw! And has just enough time to grab that chair again! AND HE SWINGS THE SIDE EDGE OF IT INTO MIKU’S THROAT!!

Persephone: MIKU IS DROPPED! She looks like she can’t breathe and I think she just coughed some blood from that!

Thadd Blazevich: Kai is immediately on the offensive, bro! He grabs Miku and pulls her up!

Kai Rabeaux: (off mic) I TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE NOT READY! I TOLD YOU I WOULD DESTROY YOU!

Rich Russillo: Looks like Kai wants to go for the Kingstone Piledriver again—

Persephone: RIGHT IN BABY KILLER’S BABY MAKERS!

Thadd Blazevich: MIKU WITH THE LOW BLOW AND KAI’S EYES NEARLY BULGE FROM HIS HEAD! Kai drops down to a knee, and Miku Sakai might have just gained the perfect opportunity, bros! Miku drags herself to the ropes!

Rich Russillo: AND SHE JUMPS ONTO THE MIDDLE ROPE, SPRINGBOARDING OFF FOR A HURRICANRANA—

Persephone: BUT KAI CATCHES MIKU, AND HE USES EVERYTHING HE HAS LEFT TO POWER HER UP BEFORE THROWING HER INTO THE TURNBUCKLES WITH A BUCKLE BOMB!!!!

Rich Russillo: Miku falls out of the corner, and Kai immediately falls back and leans against the ropes, struggling to even stand after all he’s received. Kai isn’t satisfied with all that’s been done just yet though, as he grabs Miku BEFORE JUST SLAMMING HER FACE FIRST INTO THE THUMBTACKS! Miku grabs at her face in pain, and Kai uses the opportunity to grab the fallen rope!

Thadd Blazevich: Kai loops that rope around Miku’s throat, bro! HE’S CINCHING IT TIGHT!

Rich Russillo: KAI PULLS BACK WITH BOTH HANDS! Miku is clawing desperately at the rope around her neck! And more blood is flowing from her mouth as she coughs and chokes! Kai plants his knee between her shoulder blades and keeps pulling!

Persephone: Kiko can barely see through the blood on her own face, and she’s trying to get back up! Miku might be unconscious before she gets there!

Rich Russillo: Miku’s movements are slowing! Kai keeps that rope tight around her throat until Miku’s arms begin to drop! Blood bubbling from her lips at this point!

Persephone: KIKO JUST SLID INTO THE RING! SHE SNATCHES THE PIPE AND SWINGS IT AT KAI’S HEAD!

Thadd Blazevich: KAI DROPS THE ROPE AND DUCKS THE PIPE! BLADE OF BABYLON TO KIKO SAKAI!

Rich Russillo: Kiko drops to the mat and rolls to the outside but she got Kai to release the choke! But it doesn’t look like he’s finished! Miku isn’t even moving! Kai grabs the chair and lays it flat in the center of the ring! He drags Miku’s limp body over it and pulls her up!

Persephone: Oh, yeah. She’s a corpse now.

Rich Russillo: Kai starts to lift Miku, and I think this one may be over!

Thadd Blazevich: That’s right! KAI DRAGS HER UP FOR THE KINGSTONE PILEDRIVER!!

Persephone: BUT MIKU HAS THE BOX CUTTER!

Rich Russillo: MIKU DRIVES THE BOX CUTTER INTO KAI’S SIDE! SHE WAS PLAYING POSSUM!!!! KAI WAS FORCED TO LET GO, AND SHE WASN’T ACTUALLY UNCONSCIOUS!!

Thadd Blazevich: Miku keeps hold of the blade AND SLASHES IT ACROSS KAI’S STOMACH!

Persephone: HOLY FUCK! I THINK I SEE HIS INTESTINES!

Rich Russillo: There’s definitely a ton of blood, that’s for sure! Kai staggers backward clutching his abdomen! Blood is pouring between his fingers! AND NOW MIKU RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE JUMPING UP!!

Thadd Blazevich: CUCK KILLER!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: MIKU SAKAI LANDS THE DOUBLE KNEE FACEBREAKER, AND THAT’S IT!!! KAI IS DONE!!!! MIKU DROPS INTO THE COVER, AND THIS ONE HAS TO BE OVER!!!

Referee: ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Referee: THHHRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Persephone: No way.

Rich Russillo: # KAI KICKED OUT!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, this is insane. This guy just won’t stay down! Miku Sakai is just totally stunned, and I don’t blame her! Kai has been an almost unstoppable Hardcore Champion, and times like this just make him terrifying.

Rich Russillo: It is. Kai Rabeaux has had an extremely successful past year, and THIS is why! Miku is at a loss for words, but just look at Kai. Somehow even after all he’s taken, he’s still trying to move! Kai has life in him still, and I think that fact just pisses Miku off even more!

(Miku Sakai stares at Kai, almost frantically shaking her head out of disbelief. She’s right on the door of winning her first Championship in five years, but somehow even after everything thrown at him, the Hardcore Champion won’t fall. Miku breathes heavily, having exhausted just about all of her options.)

(Until… Her eyes dart towards the box cutter.)

Persephone: Miku is picking that box cutter back up, and I think she knows she’s out of options besides killing the guy.

Rich Russillo: Kai makes it to all fours— AND NOW MIKU POUNCES, BEFORE REPEATEDLY STABBING HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH THE BOX CUTTER!!!

Thadd Blazevich: IS THIS WHAT IT’S GONNA TAKE TO KEEP HIM DOWN???

Persephone: SHE’S NOT HOLDING BACK AT ALL! SHE’S ACTUALLY TRYING TO END KAI!

Rich Russillo: MIKU DOESN’T EVEN CARE WHERE SHE STABS ANYMORE, LANDING STABS TO THE BACK, THE NECK AND THE BACK OF KAI’S HEAD!!! MIKU STABS KAI OVER AND OVER, CONTINUING UNTIL KAI IS JUST LIFELESS!!!

Thadd Blazevich: MIKU CONTINUES UNTIL ENOUGH BLOOD POURS FROM KAI’S HEAD TO MAKE THE RING LOOK LIKE A CRIME SCENE! KAI ISN’T MOVING, AND FINALLY MIKU DRAGS HIM OVER THE THUMBTACKS, GIVING A SCREAM AS SHE PULLS HIM UP!!!

Rich Russillo: MIKU LIFTS KAI INTO THE DOUBLE UNDERHOOK CANADIAN BACKBREAKER RACK!

Persephone: # REST IN PISS!

Rich Russillo: MIKU TWISTS THROUGH WITH THE MODIFIED CORKSCREW NECKBREAKER! KAI IS DRIVEN INTO THE CANVAS, AND THEY BOTH LAND IN THE TACKS!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT MIKU REFUSES TO STOP NOW, AS SHE FORCES HER ARM OVER KAI WITH THE LAST BIT OF STRENGTH SHE HAS LEFT!!!!

Rich Russillo: SHE GETS IT!! MIKU GETS THE ARM OVER KAI!!!!!

Referee: ONNNNNNEEEEEEEEE!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

…

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN… the winner of this match…

Bella Braxton: # AAAAANNNNDDDD NNEEEWWWW EAW HARDCORE CHAMPION… MIKUUUUUU SSSAAAAAKKAAAIIIIII!!!!!

(Bella Braxton lowers the microphone as “Life is Short, O Brave Girl” blasts through the arena. Miku remains sprawled across Kai for several seconds, barely moving.)

Rich Russillo: IT’S OVER! MIKU SAKAI HAS DONE IT! After everything Kai Rabeaux put her through tonight, Miku Sakai is leaving Territorial Invasion as the Hardcore Champion!

Thadd Blazevich: Look at both of them, bro! Blood everywhere, thumbtacks stuck in their bodies, neither one can even stand! Kai gave her absolutely everything!

Persephone: And somehow the obnoxious little bitch actually fucking did it. She brought the Baby Killer’s reign to an end.

(The referee retrieves the Hardcore Championship as Kiko pulls herself into the ring, blood still running from the slash across her face. She stumbles her way over toward Miku.)

Rich Russillo: Kiko paid a price too, but every time Miku needed her tonight, her sister found a way to be there.

(The referee approaches with the championship. Miku sees it.)

Miku Sakai: (Off Mic) GIVE ME THAT FUCKING THING!

(The referee hands it over. Miku clutches the Hardcore Championship against her chest before a huge smile finally breaks across her blood-covered face, like a years-long weight has been lifted off of her shoulders.)

Miku Sakai: (Off Mic) ha… hahaha… HAHA! I FUCKING TOLD HIM!

(Her voice is rasped and strained through the blood in her throat, but it doesn’t stop her. Kiko helps Miku sit upright and get to a knee. Kiko raises her sister’s hand in the air as Miku raises the championship over her head.)

Thadd Blazevich: There it is, dude. That’s what all of this was for.

Rich Russillo: Whatever anyone thinks about Miku Sakai or the way she fights, tonight she finally has championship gold again.

(Several feet away, Kai begins to stir. Blood covers his face and abdomen as he reaches weakly toward the championship before trying to push himself up.)

(Kai collapses back down.)

Persephone: Reality finally caught up with him.

Rich Russillo: But what a reign it took to end. Kai Rabeaux has been a vicious Hardcore Champion, and tonight he nearly broke Miku Sakai in half trying to keep it. Love him or hate him, Kai Rabeaux has been incredible with that title. From his controversial victory, to ending the career of Adam Lucas, to the dominance he’s had as Champion… I think we’ve only seen the beginning of what path Kai Rabeaux’s career can take.

(Miku notices Kai moving and stares across the ring at him. She raises the Hardcore Championship directly in his line of sight.)

Miku Sakai: (Off Mic) MINE.

(Miku holds up a middle finger. Kai glares back, barely conscious as medics begin to swarm him.)

(Miku grins.)

Miku Sakai: (Off Mic) WHO’S THE FUCKING UNDERACHIEVER NOW?!

(Kiko turns Miku away from Kai. She helps her sister to the corner where Miku climbs to the top and holds the championship high as Kiko applauds her sister.)

Thadd Blazevich: She earned this one tonight, bro.

Rich Russillo: Kai Rabeaux’s reign ends at Territorial Invasion. And Miku Sakai is the new EAW Hardcore Champion.

(Final shot is of Miku posing with her title on the top turnbuckle.)

(Commercial for Planned Parenthood.)

(Moments later, a graphic for the following contest would appear on screen…)

Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL…

Crowd: ONE FALL!

Bella Braxton: AND THE WINNER WILL BE DECLARED THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDER FOR THE EAW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!!

(‘Run Into Flowers’ by M83 would blare through the speakers as Bronson Daniels’ graphics would flash up on the ribbon at the top of the stage, though the setup clearly was not the attraction, as this capacity stadium hoarded the stage, as they hoarded Bronson Daniels. Their reaction to The Heartbeat was electrifying, stepping out of the curtains to feel the rumbling noise surrounding him, arms flailing down just to get a touch of their favourite competitor. As much as Bronson appreciated their support, raising his hand to high five as many audience members as he possibly could, he was completely and entirely focused on the occasion. He knows from experience that the journey to get to World Championship glory was far harder than anything else in the game, and his sour memories from this very event one year ago was absolutely still in his mind.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first… Hailing from Los Angeles, California, weighing in at 190 pounds… HE IS ‘THE HEARTBEAT’… BRONSOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNN DANNNNNNNIEEEEEELLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

(He made his way down the ramp and into the ring; beyond a shadow of a doubt, the favourite in this match. Not referring to the odds, referring to the support. Very few Elitists could garner a louder reaction than Bronson Daniels, perhaps it would take a hometown crowd and an intentionally antagonistic Bronson to do so; they wanted him to pull through. Especially considering his opponents. ‘Pride and Arrogance’ by Takeru Kanazaki hit the speakers to perhaps the complete opposite reaction to what had greeted Bronson Daniels. The former World Champion made his way onto that stage, the flailing arms remained, though it wasn’t a sign of greeting — they were scratching and clawing at Drake Armstrong, hoping to reach them. While Bronson reached out, Drake didn’t, allowing them to come nowhere near close to him, as he marched down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: Next… Hailing from Scarsdale, New York, weighing in at 235 pounds… HE IS ‘YOUR IMMACULACY’… DRAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEE AAAAAAARMSTROOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!

(Drake slowly stepped up onto the apron, and into the ring, he and Bronson Daniels already beginning to spark tension between the two. Polar opposites in every way, shape and form — a man of the people against the wealthy, the beloved and the universally despised. ‘The Clincher’ by Chevelle hit the speakers, the reaction somewhere in between. If Bronson was the light, if Drake was the dark, Daniella was somewhere in between, though she was absolutely just as hungry. She had as much to prove if not more than either competitor in the ring, those two had already achieved it all. They had been to the top, Daniella knew she could get there. She had to go through both of them to do so.)

Bella Braxton: Lastly… Hailing from Dunkirk, France, weighing in at 170 pounds… SHE IS THE BLADE OF HERMES… DANIELLAAAAAA AAAATLAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

(The former Specialists Champion entered the ring, all three of them knew that this contest would be starkly different in terms of their approaches. They all removed their entrance outfits, jackets removed, accessories removed; the time for action was upon them.)

(And then…)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Rich Russillo: The bell has rung and we are underway, ready to declare a Number One Contender for the EAW World Championship here in the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium! Two former World Champions, a former Specialists Champion, all squaring off to see who gets a shot at the richest prize in the game!

Thadd Blazevich: It’s gonna be a close contest, for sure bro! When you have competitors of this caliber, it’s always going to be a tough one to win! But I know that my twin Bronny D can pull through brah, I know I should be impartial but I have faith!

Persephone: Speaking of Bronson; isn’t it kind of Drake for being charitable tonight?

Rich Russillo: He is?

Thadd Blazevich: What does that have to do with Bronny D???

Persephone: He’s gonna be putting him on a sobriety program by kicking the drugs out of his system. :mjlol:

Thadd Blazevich: Big bro don’t even smoke anymore!

Persephone: I sure need to when I watch him wrestle.

(The three competitors would circle the ring as the bell sounds off; three-ways were always difficult to gain control over. It was almost a guarantee to be chaotic, though ironically, if any competitor preferred stability over said chaos, they had no choice but to take it slow. Perhaps all three of them knew that sooner or later the action would spiral out of control, and it became clear that it wasn’t part of their game plan to let another be the catalyst for it. All three knew this matchup could be in the favour of somebody else if it started any given way. If Drake Armstrong were to slow this one down to nearly a halt, and find a way to keep on top of Bronson and Daniella, reducing them to counter attacking wrestling, it would absolutely favour him. For Bronson, letting this spill to the outside would favour him greatly, using the ringside set-up and the tight spaces would lend credence to his high-flying style and experience with his back up against the octagon cage. For Daniella…)

Rich Russillo: And it looks like Drake Armstrong is going to make the first move!

(The chaos WAS in her favour.)

Thadd Blazevich: BUT DANIELLA ATLAS STOPS THE FORMER CHAMPION DEAD IN HIS TRACKS WITH THE ‘INAMORATA’ LARIAT!!!!!

Rich Russillo: BRONSON DANIELS RECOILS; HE WAS EXPECTING DRAKE ARMSTRONG TO START THE OFFENSE, AND HE WAS PLANNING A COUNTER ALREADY! HAD HE STEPPED EVEN AN INCH FORWARD, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT WITH THAT LARIAT INSTEAD OF DRAKE!!!

Thadd Blazevich: BRONSON NOW HAS HIS ARMS AROUND THE TORSO OF DANIELLA, LOOKING FOR THE GERMAN SUPLEX— BUT THE FORMER UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPION UNLOCKS HIS GRIP, AND SHIFTS HER BODY TO HIT THE ‘MEMORY ROOM’ SWINGING REVERSE STO!!!

Rich Russillo: The ‘Blade of Hermes’ knows this one isn’t finished quite yet — sure, she may have hit two huge manoeuvres right out of the gate, but these are two former World Champions she’s going up against! It’s going to take a lot more than that, and she knows it!

(Daniella sinks her fingers into the hair of Drake Armstrong, and throws him through the middle rope. She wasn’t going to let Drake nor Bronson dictate the pace, she wanted this match to be paceless. She wanted the competitors to feel out of their comfort zone, unable to determine what twists and turns this match would take, as this stipulation has historically favoured her in the past. She followed Drake to the outside, the former World Champion struggling to regain his bearings — a sight Daniella no doubt cherished. She dug her nails into Drake’s tights, lifting him to his feet…)

Rich Russillo: BACK SUPLEX ONTO THE ANNOUNCE TABLE! DRAKE HOLDS ONTO HIS BACK RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF US!

Thadd Blazevich: That bro ain’t gonna be feeling too charitable after that one, the curve of the table cover just bent in the shape of his lower back! If I had an arch like that I’d be doing TikTok dances brah!

Rich Russillo: But here comes Bronson! Rolling out of the ring, he hits Daniella with a forearm to the back, causing her to stumble over to the barricade!

Thadd Blazevich: Bronson looks to take advantage of this one, sprinting forwards for a running Big Boot, only for Daniella to lift him over and send him crashing into the timekeepers area! Big Bronny D really wasn’t expecting that one!

Rich Russillo: Daniella Atlas has been maintaining control of the early goings of this matchup, and it’s become abundantly clear that she doesn’t want this to be your classic three way contest! The desire to take this one to the outside so early says to me that she has some much, MUCH deeper plans for one if not both of these competitors here tonight!

Thadd Blazevich: And those plans might be coming to fruition real soon brah, because she’s climbing up onto the announce table right beside us! Drake Armstrong is still hurting and I don’t think he’s playing possum, because Daniella is already hoisting him up! This isn’t going to be good, Richy!

(…)

(CRASH!)

Rich Russillo: AS DANIELLA POWERBOMBS HIM THROUGH THE SPANISH ANNOUNCE TABLE!!! 6 FOOT 2, 235 POUNDS AND SHE STILL HAD THE STRENGTH TO HOIST HIM UP INTO THE AIR, AND SEND HIM CRASHING TO THE GROUND OUTSIDE!

Persephone: Drake sure took a rough landing, his head carved a hole through the table. We’re pretty unlucky he didn’t get a cable wrapped around his throat though.

Rich Russillo: BUT LOOK OUT, THIS ACTION STILL ISN’T DONE AS DANIELLA TURNS AROUND TO SEE BRONSON DANIELS STANDING ON THE BARRICADE! THE TWO TIME WORLD CHAMPION LEAPS, AND CONNECTS WITH A HUGE DIVING METEORA!!!

(CRASH!)

Rich Russillo: NOW BOTH ANNOUNCE TABLES ARE COMPLETELY SHATTERED!!! DANIELLA ATLAS WANTED CHAOS AND SHE ABSOLUTELY GOT IT HERE TONIGHT, BUT WITH THAT HIGH RISK DEFINITELY BACKFIRED HERE TONIGHT!! BRONSON IS CLUTCHING HIS KNEES BUT YOU CAN’T HELP BUT THINK THAT IT WAS A PERFECTLY VIABLE TRADE CONSIDERING WHAT BOTH DRAKE AND DANIELLA MUST BE FEELING RIGHT NOW!

Thadd Blazevich: BRONNY D NOW PICKS DRAKE ARMSTRONG BACK UP TO HIS FEET, AS HE THROWS HIM BACK INTO THE RING! HE CLIMBS UP ONTO THE APRON BEFORE SHOOTING OVER THE TOP ROPE; SLINGSHOT DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO DRAKE ARMSTRONG’S BACK AS HE BEGINS TO RETURN TO HIS FEET! BRONSON IS CERTAINLY FEELING HIMSELF NOW, BRO!

Rich Russillo: INTO THE COVER!!!

ONE!

TWO!

Rich Russillo: But an emphatic kick-out from Drake Armstrong here, certainly having taken his fair share of punishment early on, and it looks like he’s about to take some more! Bronson returns to his feet, and marches to the corner… he’s got this one in the bag, as he handsprings forward, looking for the pele kick…

…

…

‘CELESTIAL WHIRLWIND’!!!!!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT DRAKE CATCHES HIM IN THE AIR! ‘NATURAL TALENT’!!! THE HALF-NELSON CHICKENWING SUPLEX, DRIVES BRONSON ON THE INTERSAPULAR REGION OF HIS SHOULDERS! COVER!!!

OOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: BUT HERE COMES DANIELLA! SHE PULLS DRAKE OUT OF THE COVER BY HIS BOOT, AND GETS HIM UP FOR THE NIAGARA DRIVER!!! ‘ANIMUS’!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT DRAKE SLIPS OUT, AND USES HIS MOMENTUM TO SHIFT DANIELLA OFF HER FEET!!! INTO THE INVERTED BELLY-TO-BELLY; LOOKING FOR ‘DEATH PENALTY’!!!

Rich Russillo: DANIELLA SLIDES DOWN, DIRECTLY INTO A ROLL-UP!!!

OOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: ‘BATMAN PUNCH’ FROM BRONSON!!! DANIELLA FALLS BACK, AND NOW DRAKE GETS HER IN A ROLL-UP OF HIS OWN!!!

OOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: ANOTHER ‘BATMAN PUNCH’ —

Rich Russillo: DENIED! DRAKE LETS GO OF THE HOLD, AND LOOKS FOR ANOTHER ‘NATURAL TALENT’ —

Thadd Blazevich: BRONSON FLIPS OUT OF IT! SCURRYING TO THE CORNER, HE INVITES DRAKE ARMSTRONG IN, WHO CHARGES FORWARD…

Rich Russillo: AND BRONSON LEAPS OVER HIM!! A FULL SPRINT FORWARD, ‘FLYING BRONSONS’!!! STANDING SHOOTING STAR PRESS ONTO DANIELLA ATLAS, AND DIRECTLY INTO THE COVER!!!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT HERE COMES DRAKE! LIFTING BRONSON OUT OF THE COVER, HE PICKS HIM UP ONTO HIS SHOULDER! CHARGING FORWARD, IT LOOKS LIKE BRO IS ABOUT TO GET A TASTE OF THE ANNOUNCE TABLE HIMSELF — ONLY THIS TIME, THERE’S NOTHING TO CUSHION HIS IMPACT!!! DRAKE THROWS…

(CRASH!!!!!!!)

Rich Russillo: AND BRONSON LANDS ON THE DEBRIS OF THE SPANISH ANNOUNCE TABLE, MAKING THAT HOLE LEFT BY DRAKE ARMSTRONG A WHOLE LOT BIGGER!!!

(The audience roared the moment Bronson’s body collided against the painted wooden surface that laid flat on the ground. For once in anybody’s entire life, perhaps he was lying there wishing that a table really had been there after all. There was nothing to make the concrete less of a devastating landing, he simply crashed through the table and bounced off the floor. Splinters sank into his back, writhing in agony though barely able to move his body due to the harsh impact. Perhaps it was better for him to rest right now. But how could he? He didn’t need to be pinned nor submitted to lose this one, and that was detrimental to his chances. He could rest now, with the idea of waiting for Drake and Daniella to get as worn down as he is, only to lose and not be involved.)

(Bronson rolled from the announce table, looking to rise back up to his feet!)

(For a brief moment, the world believed he was still in this fight…)

(Until… THUD! He fell back down to the mat. The break wasn’t a choice, it was forced upon him. For the first time in this match, it became a one-against-one…)

(And Drake Armstrong looked to capitalize.)

Thadd Blazevich: Daniella is crawling to the ropes, looking to pull herself back up, but Drake notices her before she even gets the chance — and now he’s going to capitalize, brah!!! The ‘Bourgeois Blight’ is locked in, and this could be all she wrote! Brosette is stuck and has nowhere to go, she may have lifted Drake up earlier but that weight difference isn’t going to be too easy to bypass this time! With Drake’s knee against her spine and all of his weight atop her, this one feels like it’s over and done with!

Rich Russillo: Try as she might, but Drake Armstrong is perhaps the best technical wrestler in this match, maybe even the best on Voltage! This slower, methodical pace was no doubt exactly what he wanted, and without the need to have eyes in the back of his head, he can do anything he wants in this matchup tonight! Daniella is sinking her nails into the canvas, but it’s no use! She may have to tap out right now!

Thadd Blazevich: This is one of the toughest submission holds to escape, brah, it’s just far too unorthodox to train for! Wrestlers know every way in and out of a headlock but only Drake Armstrong knows the combination for this safe, and he’s got Daniella Atlas rolled up tighter than a joint in the hands of a bro who’s scared of losing the weed! Point being, there’s not gonna be any easy way out of this one for Daniella!

Rich Russillo: But she sure is fighting, maybe a rope break isn’t the way out for her here, but the thing with technical offense is — it’s not entirely a contest of strength! When there’s a technique in there’s a technique out, and perhaps that weight difference might actually be beneficial to Daniella! She slips her head out from his grasp, and all of a sudden that tight pressure Drake was applying now backfires, and the whiplash sends him falling backwards and losing his balance!!!

Thadd Blazevich: AND NOW DANIELLA COMES IN WITH THE DISCUS ELBOW TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! DANIELLA KNOCKS DOWN THE FORMER CHAMPION WITH ‘BLACK DEATH’ AND SHOOTS THE HALF, IMMEDIATELY ENTERING THE COVER!!!

OOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

…

…

…

…

…

Rich Russillo: BUT DRAKE ARMSTRONG ESCAPES! A HUGE KICKOUT THAT SAVES THE MATCH, AND DANIELLA CLEARLY THOUGHT THAT SHE HAD IT! SHE WAS JUST AN INCH AWAY FROM BECOMING THE NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER, BUT DRAKE POPS THE SHOULDER UP AND SAVES THIS FOR HIMSELF!!!

Thadd Blazevich: SHE ISN’T DONE HERE THOUGH, AS SHE LIFTS DRAKE UP TO HIS FEET! SHE’S LOOKING FOR ‘SOUTH OF HEAVEN’ HERE…

Rich Russillo: BUT BRONSON IS BACK IN THE MIX!! SPRINGBOARD FOREARM SMASH KNOCKS DANIELLA OFF HER FEET, AND SENDS DRAKE ROLLING TO THE OUTSIDE!!! I’M NOT SURE HOW BRONSON DANIELS IS STILL STANDING, I’M NOT SURE HOW HE’S EVEN MOVING, I’M NOT SURE HOW HE’S EVEN BREATHING!!! BUT HE PUSHED THROUGH AND FOUND HIMSELF BACK IN THIS FIGHT, DANIELLA COULDN’T EVEN PREPARE FOR IT!!! THE HALL OF FAMER IS DETERMINED TO REGAIN A SPOT IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CONVERSATION, AIMING TO WIN HIS THIRD OF ALL THREE WORLD TITLES! WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT, ANSWERS WORLD AND EAW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TO HIS NAME; COULD TONIGHT BE THE NIGHT THAT HE DOES IT????

Thadd Blazevich: DANIELLA TO HER FEET, FORCED UP BY BRONSON, AS HE HOOKS THE LEG!!!!

SAVAGE MODE!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: SHE’S OUT! SHE’S OUT!!! INTO THE COVER!!!!!!!!

OOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: AND WE HAVE A NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDER!!

…

Thadd Blazevich: OR NOT!! IT’S ONLY A TWO!!!!!!!! BROSETTE POPS HER SHOULDER OFF THE CANVAS, HE REALLY THOUGHT THAT ONE WAS IT!!!!!!!!! DANIELLA FOUND HERSELF IN THE SAME POSITION THAT DRAKE WAS IN ONLY MOMENTS PRIOR!! BRONSON HAS HIS EYES SHUT, EYEBROWS FOLDED!

Persephone: Bronson I’m watching your stream why you trying not to laugh?

Rich Russillo: I think he’s much more closer to frustration, Seph, he thought that would have been enough!! But he’s got more in the tank I’m sure, lifting Daniella up for another…

Thadd Blazevich: But she pushes him back into the turnbuckles using the last of her strength! She fought well to get out of that one, but she clearly doesn’t have much left in the locker as Bronson is still the one who feels in control! He shifts their positions, placing Daniella against the turnbuckles, and begins to lift her onto the very top! This is a dangerous position for brosette to be in, and I promise you, Bronson is going to make the most out of it! There’s a reason he’s a two time World Champion, former Interwire and New Breed Champion — he’s been in this position time and time again and he knows how to maximise these moments! Big Bronny D scales the turnbuckles alongside her, and if he gets to pull off his idea, this one could be huge!!! He hooks the leg, hooks the head… THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR THE FORMER SPECIALISTS CHAMPION —

Rich Russillo: AVALANCHE GO HOME DRIVER!!!!!!! PLANTING DANIELLA ON THE TOP OF HER HEAD, THAT WAS A NASTY IMPACT RIGHT THERE! BRONSON IMMEDIATELY COVERS—

Thadd Blazevich: BUT HERE COMES DRAKE TO STEAL IT FOR HIMSELF! HE LIFTS BRONSON UP AND THROWS HIM TO THE OUTSIDE, BEFORE HOOKING DANIELLA’S LEG HIMSELF!!! COULD THIS BE IT???

OOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

…

…

…

Rich Russillo: NO! IT’S TWO! IT’S TWO! IT’S TWO! I HAVE NO EARTHLY IDEA HOW DANIELLA POPPED THE SHOULDER UP AGAIN, BUT STILL, IT’S ONLY A TWO COUNT!!

(Drake Armstrong rolled out of the cover with a hint of pure frustration in his eyes. The chaotic action had clearly taken a toll on his body, and it was taking everything out of him to fight that natural instinct telling him to give up; something all of the best competitors had to do. It wasn’t just about being the most naturally gifted, it took unnatural levels of courage, endurance and fighting spirit to power through matches like these, moments like these. The splinters were still stuck in his back, the ringing in his ear from the Discus Elbow was still cancelling out the sounds of officials telling him that it was only a two — Drake fell backwards, and for a split moment, he let his hands fall onto the top of his head. In that moment he wanted to severely question what it took to put Daniella down, though it wasn’t long before he began to realize that those spare seconds simply weren’t available for him in a matchup like this. The former World Champion began to regroup just as Bronson was slowly entering the ring. Though perhaps…)

(Perhaps it was just too late…)

Rich Russillo: BRONSON CHARGES FOR IT!!!

‘MICKEY I JUST KNOCKED YOUR HEAD OFF’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: DRAKE SLIPS UNDERNEATH IT, AND HE BOUNCES UP TO A STANDING BASE!!! BRONSON’S MOMENTUM SENT HIM SLIDING ACROSS THE RING, AND NOW DRAKE LOOKS TO CAPITALIZE! DRAKE CHARGES FORWARD…

‘IMMACULATE BLADE’!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: THAT’S DENIED ALSO, BRONSON FINDING A WAY TO SIDESTEP AND SHIFT BEHIND DRAKE! BOTH GOING FOR FINISHING BLOWS, BOTH SCOUTING IT KNOWING FULL WELL THAT IT COULD BE LIGHTS OUT FOR THEIR CHANCES OF VICTORY HAD THOSE BLOWS LANDED!!! BRONSON PULLS DRAKE UP INTO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR…

Thadd Blazevich: BUT DRAKE COUNTERS WITH THE POISONRANA, SENDING BRONSON DANIELS ONTO THE DOME OF HIS HEAD!!!

Rich Russillo: BUT EVEN THAT WASN’T ENOUGH TO KEEP BRONSON DOWN, AS HE FIGHTS THROUGH THE IMPACT AND RETURNS TO HIS FEET! HE CHARGES FORWARD!

‘MICKEY I JUST KNOCKED YOUR HEAD OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Thadd Blazevich: BUT DRAKE ARMSTRONG GOES FLYING THROUGH THE ROPES BEFORE BRONSON CAN HIT IT! HE HAD IT SCOUTED, AND BRONSON GOES CRASHING INTO THE ROPES!!

Rich Russillo: AND BRONSON KEEPS THE MOMENTUM GOING!!! HE HITS THE ROPES, SPRINTING ACROSS THE RING AND BACK AGAIN; HE LOOKS TO FOLLOW DRAKE OUT!!!!!!!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: ‘MICKEY I JUST KNOCKED YOUR HEAD OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’

(https://c.tenor.com/TdRAd0zHJY4AAAAd/tenor.gif)

Thadd Blazevich: DRAKE ARMSTRONG IS DOWN AND OUT, HE THOUGHT HE HAD COMPLETELY EVADED THAT FLYING ELBOW BUT BRONSON DANIELS SHOWED HOW TRULY INNOVATIVE HE IS, BRO!!!! HE SLIDES HIM BACK INTO THE RING, AND HE’S LOOKING TO FINISH THIS ONE OFF HERE!!! INTO THE COVER!!!!!!!

OOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

…

…

…

TTTTTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

…

…

…

TTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

…

…

…

Rich Russillo: AND…

…

…

…

Thadd Blazevich: DANIELLA MANAGES TO BREAK IT UP! THIS MATCH WILL CONTINUE!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: BRONSON DANIELS CAN’T BELIEVE HIS EYES! THAT WAS PERHAPS HIS MOST PATENTED MANOEUVRE, ONE THAT HAS WON HIM MULTIPLE CHAMPIONSHIPS, DEFEATED SOME OF HIS GREATEST RIVALS, GOT HIM THIS FAR INTO HIS CAREER AS AN EAW HALL OF FAMER, AND HE HAD HIT IT WITH PERHAPS FAR MORE MOMENTUM THAN HE EVER HAS AND MAYBE EVER WILL AGAIN IN HIS ENTIRE CAREER! HE PUT HIS BODY ON THE LINE JUST TO LAND IT, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTEROUS FOR HIM AND YET IT PAID OFF; BUT HERE WE ARE, THIS MATCH CONTINUES, BECAUSE DANIELLA ATLAS RESCUED IT FOR HERSELF!!!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT MAYBE THAT WON’T LAST TOO LONG, BRAH! SHE LIFTS BRONSON UP TO HIS FEET, AND LOOKS TO END IT WITH ‘SOUTH OF HEAVEN’ — SENDING BRONSON CRASHING ON TOP OF DRAKE ARMSTRONG!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: BUT BRONSON SLIDES OUT OF IT, FINDING HIS WAY BEHIND DANIELLA, AND SWIVELING HER AROUND; ‘SAVAGE MODE’!!!

Thadd Blazevich: HE COULDN’T EVEN LIFT HER UP BEFORE SHE STARTS TO EVADE, LOOKING FOR ‘BLACK DEATH’ —

Rich Russillo: BRONSON DUCKS, AND HE HITS THE ROPES!!!

Thadd Blazevich: # MICKEY I JUST KNOCKED YOUR HEAD OFF!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: ‘BLACK DEATH’!!! SPINNING ELBOW AS BRONSON FLOATS THROUGH THE AIR, THIS ONE COULD ALL BE OVER!!! DANIELLA HOOKS THE LEG!

OOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

…

…

…

Rich Russillo: BRONSON KICKS OUT! BRONSON KICKS OUT! I DON’T KNOW HOW HE DID IT, BUT HE DID IT; BRONSON DANIELS POPS THE SHOULDER UP AND THIS MATCH IS CONTINUING!!!

(Daniella rolls away from Bronson Daniels; much like Drake Armstrong earlier, her body sank backwards into the canvas, and her hands instinctively touched her forehead. She didn’t know what more it would take to get this victory, she had no idea what more she needed to do in order to keep either competitor down. She knew from the get go that Bronson would be resilient and that Drake would be crafty, though no part of her ever considered it would get to this point. The Blade of Hermes began to crawl towards the ropes, internally telling herself that it would only take one more big move. Perhaps she was right. She had already been hit with Savage Mode, Drake and Bronson both were hit with ‘Black Death’ — all three competitors had taken finishing blows and lived to tell the tale. The next one would be it. The next blow would be the one to end the match…)

(And Daniella wanted it to be her.)

(She lifted Bronson to his feet…)

(The final nail in the coffin.)

Rich Russillo: # SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!

…

…

…

Thadd Blazevich: DRAKE ARMSTRONG IS BACK, A CHOP BLOCK TO THE LEG OF DANIELLA ATLAS BEFORE SHE HAS THE CHANCE TO FINISH BRONSON OFF!!!

Rich Russillo: SHE STUMBLES TOWARDS THE ROPES, AND DRAKE HAS HER SCOUTED!!!

Thadd Blazevich: # ‘IMMACULATE BLADE’!!!!!!!!!

…

…

…

(And…)

Rich Russillo: IT CONNECTS! IT CONNECTS! IT CONNECTS!!!

…

Thadd Blazevich: BUT DANIELLA FALLS TO THE OUTSIDE!!! THROUGH THE ROPES SHE GOES, BRO! DRAKE CAN’T TAKE ADVANTAGE!!!

(… It was in vain. That truly would have been the finishing blow, perhaps if Drake had the strength to pull her back into the ring, it would be. But he didn’t. Drake didn’t have the strength to even crawl. Somehow, he found himself doing that. He didn’t have the strength to return to his feet. Somehow, he found himself back up. Maybe that was everything left inside of him, perhaps he really had nothing more. He didn’t have energy to waste. If he were to slide outside and get Daniella, would he even be able to return to the ring?)

(He couldn’t take that chance.)

(Instead… he had to turn to Bronson.)

Rich Russillo: AND NOW… WE’RE DOWN TO THESE TWO! DANIELLA IS OUT; NOW, THIS IS BETWEEN BRONSON DANIELS AND DRAKE ARMSTRONG! THE FORMER EAW WORLD CHAMPION, AND THE HALL OF FAMER THAT IS PUSHING HIS BODY BEYOND ITS OWN LIMITS, CLIMBING BACK UP TO HIS FEET WHEN HE PERHAPS SHOULDN’T!

Thadd Blazevich: HIS BODY IS TELLING HIM TO GIVE UP! HIS BODY IS TELLING HIM TO STOP FIGHTING! HIS BODY IS TELLING HIM ALL OF THESE THINGS…

Rich Russillo: BUT HIS HEART! HIS BEATING HEART; HIS HEART IS TELLING HIM TO CONTINUE!

…

…

…

Thadd Blazevich: # AS THEY CHARGE FORWARD TO BRAWL!!!

Rich Russillo: BRONSON THROWS A STIFF FOREARM!

Crowd: YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: BUT DRAKE THROWS A HAYMAKER BACK!!!

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: A FOREARM IN RETALIATION!

Crowd: YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: AND ANOTHER HAYMAKER!!

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: ANOTHER FOREARM LIGHTS THE CROWD ON FIRE!

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: ONLY FOR DRAKE TO DAMPEN THEIR SPIRITS!!!

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: FOUR CONSECUTIVE HAYMAKERS, AND BRONSON DANIELS IS OUT ON HIS FEET! LEGS LIKE JELLY, FEET BARELY PLANTED INTO THE MAT, HE HAS NO IDEA WHERE HE IS RIGHT NOW!!!

Thadd Blazevich: AND DRAKE IS LOOKING TO END IT, BRO!!! HE TURNS AND HITS THE ROPES…. THIS ONE IS ALL OVER…

…

…

Rich Russillo: # ‘IMMACULATE BLADE’!!!!!!!

…

Thadd Blazevich: IS COUNTERED BY ‘BATMAN PUNCH’!!!! DRAKE ARMSTRONG IS DOWN AND OUT, THIS ONE IS BRONSON’S MOMENT!!!

Rich Russillo: THIS IS IT! IT’S ALL OVER! HE SLIDES HIS ARM UNDERNEATH DRAKE ARMSTRONG, AND HE LIFTS HIM HIGH INTO THE AIR!!!!

…

…

…

Thadd Blazevich: # SAVAGE MODE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

…

…

…

Rich Russillo: CONNECTS! BRONSON DRIVES HIS KNEE THROUGH THE TORSO OF DRAKE ARMSTRONG!!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: AND HE’S NOT DONE! BRONSON MAINTAINS HIS GRIP, ROLLING THROUGH, HE LOOKS TO BRING DRAKE ARMSTRONG BACK TO HIS FEET!!!!!! IT ISN’T OFTEN WE SEE BRONSON DO THIS, BRO, BUT IT’S GONNA PAY OFF!!! DRAKE’S LIGHTS ARE OUT! NOBODY IS HOME! HE CAN’T FIGHT BACK!

Rich Russillo: BRONSON LIFTS HIM UP AGAIN…

Thadd Blazevich: A SECOND SAVAGE MODE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: IF DRAKE ARMSTRONG HAD ANYTHING LEFT IN HIM AFTER THAT FIRST ONE, HE CERTAINLY DOESN’T NOW!!! HE’S COMPLETELY OUT OF IT, BUT BRONSON IS MAKING SURE HE PUTS HIM DOWN!!!

Thadd Blazevich: NO HALF MEASURES, BRAH!!! HE RETURNS TO HIS FEET, LOOKING TO COMPLETE THE TRILOGY!!!!

Rich Russillo: # SAVAGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

…

…

…

Thadd Blazevich: DANIELLA! DANIELLA! DANIELLA! SCHOOLBOY PIN!!!

OOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

TTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Rich Russillo: WHAT??? SHE’S DONE IT! DANIELLA HAS DONE IT!!!!!!!!

(‘The Clincher’ by Chevelle blares through the speakers as the Oxford, Mississippi crowd becomes unglued — shock plastered across all of their faces as Daniella Atlas comes out of nowhere to steal the victory for herself. The world was sure that Bronson Daniels had this one in the bag, so much so that they weren’t focused on the regrouping Daniella Atlas at ringside. Fighting through a bloody nose, she slid into the ring before the third and final ‘Savage Mode’ to roll the Hall of Famer up, planting his shoulders into the mat… he had no strength left to kick out. He spent it all on the damage he had done, and was planning to continue dealing to Drake Armstrong.)

(It was a valiant effort from Bronson… but the winner…)

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER, AND THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDER FOR THE EAW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP… DANIELLAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAATLAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: I can’t believe what I’m witnessing; nobody here at ringside had their eyes on Daniella, NOBODY even saw her enter the ring, and just as we thought that Bronson Daniels had this victory in the bag, Daniella swept him off his feet and picked up the victory!

Thadd Blazevich: It was no doubt a close one, brah, and had Bronson pinned Drake after the first or second ‘Savage Mode’ maybe we would have a different winner, but you can’t blame Bronson for going the extra mile! Drake Armstrong is an elite competitor and Bronson knows what it’s like to be in this position and face off against Elitists who refuse to stay down, Drake Armstrong is one of those people!

Rich Russillo: Drake fought his way to the main event of Pain For Pride, he dethroned the great Adam Lucas in his very final Championship reign, and Bronson has faced off against people of that calibre! Limmy Monaghan, Andre Walker, Jake Smith, Myles, TLA, Methuselah — he knows what it’s like to be in the ring with Elitists who REFUSE to give up, and he wasn’t taking any chances with Drake! In any other scenario, that would have been the right move! Hell, it was the right move in THIS scenario… but unfortunately, Daniella Atlas was enough proof of the theory; you have to be precise with Elitists who refuse to stay down… and she refused!

(Bronson Daniels sat in the corner of the ring with his lips against his hands. Pure shock was on his face, watching Daniella celebrate her victory. Across the ring from him, Drake Armstrong was waking up. Perhaps it was the music, perhaps it was the announcer or perhaps it was the crowd, but it had brought him back to consciousness, and he couldn’t believe it either!)

(Daniella Atlas stepped back from the ropes, making it away from the hardcam…)

Rich Russillo: WAIT A SECOND! WAIT A SECOND! DRAKE ARMSTRONG ISN’T GOING TO LET HER LIVE!! HE’S RUSHING FORWARD, LOOKING TO CONNECT WITH ‘IMMACULATE BLADE’!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT BROSETTE MOVES OUT OF THE WAY…

Rich Russillo: AND HE HITS BRONSON DANIELS, WHO HAD RETURNED TO HIS FEET JUST SECONDS BEFORE!!!

(THUD!)

(Bronson Daniels would hit the mat, with Drake’s knee driving through his head. Daniella slid out of the ring, Drake clearly intending to get his frustrations out… but he got the wrong person. It certainly didn’t help.)

(Daniella began to stumble up the ramp; Drake Armstrong looking down at Bronson Daniels…)

(As quickly as she slithered in to steal the victory, she slipped out to avoid the ramifications…)

(And then, Territorial Invasion would fade elsewhere…)

(Commercial plays for Burger King featuring Drake Armstrong eating a whooper.)

???: Welcome to The Dollhouse!!!

(Isabela, the doll. Frizzy hair. Blond, black, ginger strands desperately stuck together. Rosy-cheeked. Porcelain head; partially cracked. A single eye smudged black. Glossy-skinned body. Pink—ravaged—dress. Size of a small hand. She hung over a chandelier.)

Isabela the Doll: Minerva and Veena will have a looot of fun. They will learn much. They will play. They will share their toys with other kids.

Isabela the Doll: The rules go as follows: these beautiful dolls will fight in The Dollhouse for, at minimum, 20 minutes. They will begin in this neutral hallway. NO WEAPONS ALLOWED. Then, the door to The Living Room will open after no longer than five minutes. This room… I hear it advantages Veena Adams. Oh, yes. They may use the environment to their liking inside The Living Room.

Isabela the Doll: After five more minutes have passed, the door to The Closet will open. The Closet is… gloomy. Decorated to Master Minerva’s liking. More toys are available here!

Isabela the Doll: Once another five minutes have elapsed, The Vanity Room will unlock! Here, you may make yourself or your opponent beautiful. Or the opposite. I like to call it… psychological real estate.

Isabela the Doll: When their makeover concludes, the next door opens. The Black Rose Room. I have never seen the Black Rose Room before. I am strictly forbidden from doing so. If I even try… she will know…… BUT I AM CERTAIN THERE IS NOTHING SCARY AWAITING! Mommy always says monsters do not exist…

Isabela the Doll: I hope she is right. Well, after The Black Rose has her fun… The Bedroom unlocks. This is a more… neutral space. A manifestation of the inhabitants’ naughtiest desires. I do not know what this means. I am simply a doll for you to play with!

Isabela the Doll: Well, that is all I can say— Where—

Isabela the Doll: Ah! Okay! You’ve made it; I’m so happy. Hi Master! I’ve been waiting to play!

(The doll winked at Minerva. The gesture wasn’t returned. Minerva remained stoic. Veena simply looked tired of the unexplainable theatrics already.)

(How did they even get here…?)

Isabela the Doll: Ughh okay, look, just fight! Survive for 5 minutes and I’ll let you in The Living Room.

(No time for questions.)

00:00

(The Hallway, it stretches farther than the house should allow, walls papered in partial blush-pink damask and otherwise black Victorian floral. The seams between them cracked like a scar. Chandeliers of cut crystal and wrought iron alternate overhead, throwing light that is neither warm nor cold. Isabela watches peacefully.)

(Minerva runs straight for Veena. An all-out brawl breaks early. Veena herself doesn’t relent.)

Isabela the Doll: Strike! Harder! Harder! Wow!! Wow! Minerva! Veena! Minerva! Veena! Minerva! Veena!

Isabela the Doll: Ow.. that is a cheap blow to the gut by Veena! Anything is worth the advantage but remember: no. cheating.

(Veena grabs Minerva by the nape, and throws her into a hallway door, which does not budge.)

Isabela the Doll: Hey, did you just try to cheat the system!?

Veena Adams: Gawd, I am so taking out your batteries…

Isabela the Doll: Sorry…

(The doll frowned, as if it actually had batteries. Veena took a hold of Minerva’s neck, wrapping herself around it for a chokehold, though Minerva keeps herself in the contest well enough, she was the Universal Women’s Champion after all.)

(The struggle carries great tension already. Minerva barges towards hallway walls, it wounds Veena, but her choke does not relent.)

Isabela the Doll: Ow!

(Minerva lunges forward—with her head.)

(It was a grip held too long. A headbutt decks Veena in the face, it sends a tooth flying. The taste of blood already begins to be swallowed.)

(Veena’s nose wrinkled. Minerva grinned.)

Minerva: Get used to it. Long night ahead…

(Veena giggles under muttered breaths.)

Veena Adams: This is nothing new—

SMACK!!

(Minerva’s forearm finds Veena. She meant what she said.)

SMACK!! SMACK!! SMACK!!!

Isabela the Doll: O, Master, you are ruthless! Keep this up and you won’t even see The Living Room…

(Veena’s leaned against the tight hallway… Minerva gained some distance, and charged.)

(A big boot aims itself at Veena’s face—)

(But Veena ducks.)

(Minerva’s boot goes through the wall. Dust forms around the hole. Powder and chalk on Minerva’s boot.)

Minerva: …fuck.

(Her foot is stuck.)

Isabela the Doll: A grip on the language, please, Master!

(Veena smiles. She’s quick to approach Minerva—and grab the untrapped leg.)

SNAP!!!

(Minerva’s leg twists inside out. Isabela covers its eyes, while the “Master” rages in agony.)

Veena Adams: You are lucky I can’t pin you babe. Or better yet… make you submit.

(Amidst her cries of pain, Minerva begins to mix in laughter.)

Minerva: You could never… beat me… into submission…

Veena Adams: I’d be less confident considering you gotta look up at me through teary eyes right now.

Isabela the Doll: Hey!! Don’t talk down on Master! You do not want to talk down on Master…

(Veena shoots the doll a glance. The thing only added gasoline to her fire.)

(She grabs the twisted left leg of Minerva’s, and locks in a single leg crab hold.)

(Minerva’s hardship amplifies. But that was just the beginning.)

(Veena stretches both her back, and Minerva’s leg… until it almost touched her own head.)

(Minerva screams, and she screams, but her screams only echo amongst themselves.)

(She wouldn’t tap. Of course she wouldn’t, but even if she would, it would not change a thing. They are a long distance away from the finish line. The match only ends when all rooms have been unlocked… explored… and survived.)

(But, speak of the devil.)

05:00

(A door creaks open.)

Isabela the Doll: Whoa, would you look at that! You are now free to play in The Living Room. I have a feeling little miss Adams will have a lot of fun there. Or maybe she will get too comfortable.

(But Veena’s hold remains wrenched in. The power doesn’t relent. It’s as if Veena is completely zoned out of it. She just wants to hurt Minerva.)

Isabela the Doll: HEY, DIDN’T YOU HEAR ME?? THE LIVING ROOM IS OPEN!!

(No. It didn’t matter. Minerva should keep on hurting until she has no leg to walk with. Veena does not give a single damn about entertaining this mind game.)

(Minerva screams until there is no breath left to scream with. Deafening echoes still ring in the hallway.)

(Minerva tries for a position. Her palms clinch onto the floor, but the hallway was an empty one. Nothing to hold onto. Nothing to grab.)

(Minerva herself is the only weapon she has.)

(Sometimes… that is all you need.)

(Her palm finds a tight grip of the flooring. The less damaged leg finds its way out of the rut.)

WHACK!!

(An inventive Capoeira Kick smacks Veena across the head with surprising precision given the predicament.)

(Veena is dazed for long enough. Minerva gains some footing.)

(She stomps her boot out of anger. It’s enough adrenaline to numb the pain.)

(Veena jumps right back toward Minerva, but Minerva goes for a tackle. It’s messy. Neither woman gets any advantage. They just fight for footing, for any advantage, slamming each other into whatever they can find.)

(Until they stumble into the one opened door.)

(Behold, the Living Room.)

(A pink shag rug swallows the floor beneath a heart-shaped velvet sofa; plush cushions, teddy bears, dolls. Gold-trimmed side tables hold a tea set that’s never been touched, and a glass lamp shaped like a stiletto casts the whole room in a soft, cotton-candy glow, though it was randomly thrown on the floor… It was uncanny… but perfect. Too perfect.)

(The walls were isolated. No sound gets out. Small cracks in the walls are covered up by stickers, peeking out only slightly. It was all glitter, hm?)

(The women spill out into the room. Isabela was having a seat at the tea party. It remained attentive.)

(They roll off of each other. Their eyes meet before collision happens once more. There was no precision. Only haphazard strikes, rushed movements. Anger overcame both women by now. They never even took the time to admire the view.)

(Eventually, Minerva gets just the proper opportunity. Veena’s head was exposed for a strike. She’d be a fool not to hit.)

SMACK!!!

(Veena stumbles, the match sees separation for the first time in a decent while. Minerva takes a moment to breathe.)

(This childish decor. Insufferable.)

(She’s seen too much of this nonsense.)

(Minerva drives herself into Veena, but Veena has time to establish her footing. She moves out of the way, and gets a hold of Minerva.)

BOOF!!!!!

(Veena yanked Minerva by hair, and her spine went right into the edge of the tea party table.)

Veena Adams: I’m really ruining some kewt kewt things here with you, you know?

(She goes forward, grabbing Minerva, but the champion drops her weight.)

CRAAAAASHHH!!!!

(A sluggish back body drop puts Veena through the table. The plastic breaks, as do all the empty cups. Isabela’s chair remains untouched, somehow.)

(Minerva took a moment to breathe. Two. Three. She’d count in cycles. Beat. One. Two. Three.)

(She needed to keep her head in the game.)

(Before Veena can recover, Minerva ultimately grabs her out of the rubble. Dragging her by the arm, methodically, agonizingly, until they reach the unlocked door. She places Veena in the hallway. Minerva remains inside, still holding her by the arm. Meticulously placed at the perfect angle)

Minerva: Scream, bitch.

SLAMM!!! SLAAAAMMMM!!!! SLAMMM!!! SLAAMMM! SLAAMMMM!!!! SLAMMM! SLAAMM! SLAM!! SLAM!! SLAM!! SLAM!! SLAM!!! SLAM!! SLAM!!! SLAM!!! SLAM!!!

(With Veena’s arm held in the tight opening, Minerva bangs the door back and forth, sandwiching the shoulder. Veena indeed screams with her high pitched cadence. It was music to one set of ears.)

SLAM!!

SLAM!!

(Veena needs to do something.)

(Find an escape.)

SLAM!!! SLAMM!!!

CRASH!!!!

(She just sends her body into the door. It almost unhinges. It shouldn’t have worked, but it did. That’s just the opening she needed.)

(Veena hurries herself. Fucked shoulder be damned.)

(She clobbers Minerva with the good arm, then drives her over the couch.)

(Veena leans herself down onto the couch. Minerva is regaining her senses.)

(Using nothing but her shoulder at this point, she pushes the couch forward.)

(Minerva begins to rise.)

CRASH!!!

(She manages to flip the couch over.)

(Its entire weight drops onto Minerva. She is fine for now—but the arm isn’t.)

(Minerva is trapped under the couch. Veena needs a second to herself.)

Veena Adams: (panting) Doll… How much time…

Isabela the Doll: (quieter, upset by the rage she feels inside of Minerva) 8… and a half… minutes…

Veena Adams: Good.

Isabela the Doll: You should run.

(Veena rolls her eyes. When you’ve seen what she has, a creepy talking doll spewing threats isn’t much.)

Isabela the Doll: Miss Adams, you have to. You will run out of time.

(Minerva’s eyes slowly open.)

Isabela the Doll: You know, I’m like the referee. I’m supposed to be neutral. Run. You have a minute. run. Run. Run. Run. RUN.

(Veena remains leaned on the couch. Taking heavy breaths. Regaining composure. This is like a marathon. A really sick one.)

(Her mistake, though, is not keeping her eyes on the enemy.)

Isabela the Doll: Thirty, miss Adams. RUN!!

Veena Adams: Yeah, yeah.

(Veena slowly gets up. Minerva fights under consciousness.)

Veena Adams: Still with us, Minnie??

CRACK!!!

(A glass lamp breaks over Veena’s hurt shoulder.)

(It stuns her. She goes down on one knee. Some blood trickles from the shoulder.)

(Minerva isn’t doing better herself. She barely crawled her way out from under the couch. That was most of what she could do.)

10:00

(Their struggle was irrelevant. Another door creaked open.)

(A striking, yet smaller one.)

(It was dim inside.)

(The best both the ladies could do was win the race towards mystery.)

Isabela the Doll: Well, I told you miss Adams.

(Minerva is close to gaining proper footing. Veena is not far behind.)

Isabela the Doll: It’s a race for the new toys now. I wish you luck, miss Adams! Master loves new toys.

(Minerva upholds herself using the couch that held her captive. Veena simply follows behind. The shot with the Stiletto lamp got her good.)

(The door flaunted in the air almost mockingly, even if there was no window inside the closet.)

(Neither woman is the type to take kindly to that.)

(Minerva, on limped steps, reaches out towards the door.)

(But with Veena trailing, she is exposed.)

(Minerva trips. The pain Veena inflicted on her leg was one that would only linger the longer she fought.)

(But she’s not completely off balance.)

(She still has a chance.)

(Or, had.)

(Veena shoves her out of the way. The leg was an obvious target, and the former Answers World Champion was ready to take advantage of it.)

(Veena Adams enters The Closet.)

(Racks of black garments crowd in from every side, the space narrow enough that shoulders brush fabric on both walls at once, voluminous enough to simultaneously hide weapons under them. A single candle gutters on a shelf along with Isabela between coiled chains and a mannequin missing its face, illuminating more shadow than light.)

(Veena’s expression plummets at the sight of all the edgy decor.)

(She just shakes her head, and arms herself with a Stiletto.)

(Minerva eventually crawls her way in. But she’s prey for Veena.)

(Veena grabs her arm.)

WHACK!!!

(And drives Minerva’s face into the long, sharp heel.)

(It took a toll on her own shoulder, but it did the trick.)

(Veena knelt. She dragged Minerva’s body all the way inside the room.)

SLAM!!

(…And the door slammed itself shut. A single candle lit up in the closet, held by Isabela.)

Veena Adams: Great…

(There was no other door inside the room.)

(Veena shrugged. This was creepy, not quite her taste, a small room with just the two of them..? From a different point of view though, Minerva was simply trapped with her.)

(That’s all she needed to know.)

(Veena sits down, takes Minerva’s head, places it on her lap. It’s the best constituent with the bad shoulder. The good arm is armed with the shoe.)

Veena Adams: Your fun is over.

SMACK!!

SMACK!!

SMACK!!

SMACK!!

SMACK!!

Veena Adams: “mY HeAvEN yOuR HeLL”, my ass.

SMACK!!

SMACK!!

SMACK!!

(She’d hit the side of Minerva’s head until the heel broke off.)

Veena Adams: NOT SO FUN NOW, IS IT!?

SMACK!!

SMACK!!

(Blood poured from the side of her head. Veena just struck with the tip of the shoe until it deformed.)

Veena Adams: You are quick to point fingers, Minnie, but have you ever considered the hurt YOU have caused?!

SMACK!!!

Veena Adams: Or I guess you didn’t care, you fucking narcissist. And that’s coming from me.

SMACK!!!

Veena Adams: Only I know the effects of your wrath. What you left behind. Because I had to be strong. I had to be the shoulder for my bestie to cry on.

SMACK!!!

Veena Adams: Because unlike you, I don’t abandon people when they need me most! I don’t kill my boyfriends and bury them in the woods! I don’t carry any self-centered agendas that are advertised differently!

SMACK!!

Veena Adams: I’m not friggin’ perfect. I’m lil’ ole me. Doing my best. And sometimes that’s all you need.

SMACK!

Veena Adams: I still don’t give a shit what Uncle Ryan told you. I’m just mad he didn’t put you in the fucking dirt.

SMACK.

Veena Adams: Rest next to your mother, if you care that much!

smack.

(The shoe completely shattered. Steadily, with each strike having grown weaker. While Veena’s vitriol only strengthened.)

(The unmistakable shade of red poured out of Minerva’s head. It stood out even from her orange-colored hair.)

(But her red eyes were opened wide.)

(That was the issue with these Adams… they never knew which lines not to cross.)

STAB!!!

(A fire poker punctures Veena’s shoulder.)

(Head dazed, stars running in circles around her, Minerva slowly gets on two knees, while Veena screams.)

(The champion drives the fire poker further into the shoulder.)

(Further. And further.)

(FURTHER.)

(FURTHER.)

(FURTHER.)

Minerva: Is it deeper in than Charlie on his best night yet…?

(FURTHER.)

(FURTHER.)

(FURTHER.)

(FURTHER.)

Minerva: Must be.

SLASH!!!

(She plunges the fire poker out of Veena’s shoulder. A tempest of blood pours out of it.)

(Minerva drops the fire poker. She eases herself up to her feet, using Veena’s own body.)

(She clinches a grip of her long ponytail, and grabs something very specific from the closet.)

(Then, the champion slowly drags her challenger to the door.)

(She pushes on it. It doesn’t budge.)

Minerva: Doll.

(Isabela had fallen silent up to now.)

Isabela the Doll: Master… I… It’s not yet time.

Minerva: I DECIDE WHEN IT’S TIME. OPEN IT.

Isabela the Doll: …

(Creak…)

(The only room in the door opens, not to the Living Room, but the Vanity Room.)

(Light pierced through the door. Minerva squinted her eyes as she opened the door.)

(White porcelain furniture lines the walls, pristine. A vanity table with a gilt-edged mirror at its center throwing back a light that’s too even to describe as warm. Perfume bottles and brushes sit arranged with surgical precision, not a hair out of place anywhere inside the space.)

(She dragged Veena’s body in. Her shoulder, under bright lighting, became an entirely open wound. Flesh, blood, and bone. In all its grotesque nature.)

(It brought shame to the flawless Vanity Room.)

(Minerva’s other hand held an iron.)

(It didn’t need to be plugged into anything. Minerva decided as such. It’s her Dollhouse, after all.)

Minerva: This is a sensation I will never forget. Father called it benevolent exorcism. Drake King didn’t care to veil it. I am somewhere in the middle. I want to hurt you. Similarly, I want to exorcise that “perfection” out of you. Can you live life as a witch?

(The iron puffed. It exhaled vapors.)

Minerva: Burn.

(A VISCERAL SCREAM.)

14:00,01

14:00,05

14:00,12

14:00,20

14:00,50

14:00,70

14:00,85

14:01

(Veena screamed until her voice literally broke.)

(Minerva smirks proudly.)

14:17

(She puts away the iron, bottom up, without much care.)

Minerva: Let’s look at you.

(Her bloodied arm wrenches on Veena’s blonde ponytail, dragging her up like a worthless carcass.)

(All the way to the mirror.)

15:00

(She shoves Veena into a sofa. Face to face with the mirror.)

(Minerva rotates the sofa to capture just the right angle in the mirror.)

(In flawless, even lighting, there it was.)

(Her masterpiece.)

(Minerva slowly raises Veena’s jaw with her forefinger.)

(But her eyes stay shut.)

Minerva: Look. At. You.

(Her eyes slowly open.)

(She… does not know how to react.)

(Her own flesh, exposed, burnt, in its entire clarity?)

(She’s been through it all. But this is an entirely new sight.)

17:30

(Her skin lost all color.)

(Burnt to a crisp.)

(The entire shoulder.)

Veena Adams: (extremely faint whisper, exhausted) You’ve done it.

(Minerva tilts her head.)

Veena Adams: (whisper) You mutilated me.

18:00

Minerva: Yeah.,,

Veena Adams: (whisper) Do you think that’s it?

Minerva: …?

Veena Adams: That this is my “Achilles’ heel”?

(Minerva does not reply.)

(Veena chuckles. She coughs. She laughs. She coughs again. Laughter.)

Veena Adams: You don’t know shit.

(Minerva exhales sharply.)

(She spins the bloodied white sofa back around.)

(Veena stares in her face. Minerva is one blow away from the final one.)

(# 18:30)

(The time on the clock doesn’t matter anymore.)

(She is killing Veena Adams.)

(Maybe she’ll deliver her head to Milli Banks’ doorstep.)

(The rest of the body in pieces, to her close family.)

(Her lower torso just for Uncle Ryan. He would probably like it.)

(Minerva chuckles to herself.)

(Whatever he does to her body, she deserves it.)

(# 19:00)

Minerva: Adio.

(…Minerva goes to pick the iron back up.)

(First it was her shoulder. Now it shall be her face that burns.)

(She gives her a final arrogant smirk. Veena’s last ever sight.)

(…)

(…)

PPTTUUUU!!!

(Blood-filled spit flies into Minerva’s eye. It’s enough to catch her completely off guard.)

(# MINERVA SCREAMS.)

(…)

(The iron… it crashed and took her hand with it.)

(Veena tries to contain her laugh. Her body hurts too damn much.)

(All 5 fingers on Minerva’s hands are not just crushed, but burning.)

(She has no choice but to push it away with the other hand… but the damage had been done.)

(The champion looks up at Veena—)

SMASH!!!

(The glass mirror hung up on the wall — the same one Veena looked into, shattered over Minerva’s head.)

(That mishap gave Veena enough time—injuries be damned—to take the mirror and weaponize it.)

(This mishap may even cost her the battle.)

(How bitter.)

(# 20:00)

Isabela the Doll: Um… You may…

(The door behind them creaks open.)

Veena Adams: What was it, The Black Rose Room? Oh boy, I sure wonder if this room will have black roses or something stupid like that.

(Veena rolls her bloody eyes.)

(Veena just pushed through the door. Whatever fear there was of all this creepiness is, frankly, gone by now.)

Veena Adams: (from a distance) You are sooooo uncreative, Minnie…

(Minerva picks up a broken shard of glass… and crawls…)

Veena Adams: (from a distance) Is this likeee… supposed to be the living manifestation of your mind or something? :mjlol:

(And she crawls…)

(There she sees it.)

Veena Adams: (from a closer distance) It’s just a giant rose!

(The Black Rose.)

(Black roses climb among the walls in wrought-iron trellises, their thorns grown long and cruel enough to pass for wire, dried petals crushed underfoot like old blood. Ornate blades rest in a red enamel pot with a traditional white dot pattern. The scent of rot and roses hangs thick.)

Veena Adams: Here you are. Okay, it’s almost over babes…

(Veena grabs a hold of Minerva’s hair.)

(SLICE!!)

(The glass shards slices at Veena’s ankle. She moans in pain. Minerva has to take the opportunity—even if one-handed.)

(She grabs Veena, who is, ironically, likewise one-handed by this juncture.)

(# 21:00)

(SLICE!!)

(A small, silver blade with gothic ornaments slices at Minerva’s stomach.)

Minerva: ‘Tu-ți morții mă-tii…

(Minerva grunts with an evident frown…)

(But that won’t stop her from rising.)

(She steps forward, in Veena’s space.)

(Both were armed.)

(Both slowly help each other up.)

(Both one-handed. Both armed with sharp blades.)

(CLINK!)

(Veena swings her blade again, but it’s deflected. The two trade a flurry of rapid sparks and metal clashes.)

(They are both impressed they can fight at this speed. It just means that much to them, after all they’ve endured.)

(Minerva swings the glass shard, deflected as expected—but that was the red herring.)

(The good leg kicks at Veena’s stabbed ankle.)

(The cadence of steel comes to an unexpected catharsis.)

(SLASH!!)

(The glass cuts a straight line across Veena’s left eye.)

(Minerva circles Veena like a wolf tasting the wind. The blood on the shard of glass was like a trophy.)

(Veena glances upwards.)

(She still had fight in her.)

(Minerva cannot be too shocked.)

(She explodes forward with the shard of glass.)

(CLINK. CLINK. CLINK. CLINK.)

(Veena manages to track the blue-opaque flashes through the gloom. Minerva swings again. Veena catches it on the edge of her blade. She twists her wrist for a perfect deflection.)

(The sheer force rotates Minerva off-balance, sending her stumbling into the thorned walls. She heaves a grunt…)

(# 22:00)

(But still lunges forward with vicious slashes. Veena backpedals, dodging with posture alone.)

(Minerva swings overhead. Veena’s boot slips. Her top’s got a hole slashed in it, and it didn’t forget the skin.)

(Minerva is disappointed it wasn’t the face.)

(Veena lunges upward.)

(CLINK.)

(Downward.)

(CLINK)

(Downward.)

(CLINK)

(Sideways.)

(CLINK.)

(Upward.)

(# 23:00)

(HIIIIIIISSSSS.)

(Dark mist blew into Veena’s face before the swing landed. Her bloodied glamor shrouded in darkness.)

(Minerva puffs on the shard of glass with mist.)

(STAB!!)

(And pricks it into the affected shoulder. The burnt, open wound is infected by black mist.)

(Veena, out of instict alone, just plucks it out, but the damage had been done. A waterfall of blood pouring as consequence felt trivial by now. With her shoulder, Minerva drives Veena into the wall—)

(SLAM!!)

(Barbed wire-like thorns are driven into her skin.)

(SLAM!!)

(SLAM!!)

(SLAM!!)

(SLAM!!)

(SLAM!!)

(This is Minerva’s playground. Her “Dreamhouse.” Her Heaven, Veena’s Hell.)

(# 24:00)

(She drags a sepal out and wraps it around Veena’s neck.)

(With the one hand she can use, Minerva PULLS on the sepal.)

(Veena gasps.)

(Her neck is being pricked while simultaneously being choked out. Doesn’t help she can hardly see anything.)

(SWOOSH!)

(But she never let go of her blade. Swung it forward like a dart.)

(Whether she meant it or not… it doesn’t matter…)

(It scrapes viciously right into Minerva’s wounded leg.)

(She has no choice but to stumble down, and let go of the sepal.)

(Veena is out of the chokehold.)

(But she collapses. As does Minerva.)

(# 25:00)

Isabela the Doll: Th– The— B—Bedroom— Yeah—

(The final door creaks open.)

(Jury’s out if any of them will journey through it.)

Isabela the Doll: If you… manage to enter… um— one of you can win. P–pinfalls. Sub— Submissions– are allowed. I don’t want to watch anymore.

(Damn their lion hearts. Despite it all, they still attempt to crawl.)

(One step at a time. One claw at a time.)

(This nightmare has to be conquered.)

(Minerva, with one good hand and one usable leg, just crawls. As if she were lost on desert sand.)

(Veena wipes the mist out of her eyes. She can only trail. One hand. Internal bleeding. Coughing up that same blood.)

(Both can see the “light”.)

(The Bedroom.)

(Minerva patiently opens the door…)

(With overwhelming presence; blush silk drapes over black wrought-iron bedposts, and satin sheets rumple like the Bedroom’s poise couldn’t hold.)

(She slowly climbs over.)

(From the velvet headboard hang black leather cuffs and coiled straps.)

(Candlelights burn low and red, carrying the warmth of intimacy.)

(She enters the Bedroom.)

(Veena isn’t that far behind.)

(Minerva puts her hand on the first thing she can find—a bedpost—to help herself up.)

(Veena crosses over to the room.)

(She’s in.)

(…And she lunges at Minerva’s ankle.)

(She holds onto it like a pest, and it hurts Minerva. It’s that damaged, even this pitiful “bearhug” hurts like hell.)

(Minerva is desperate for footing, using the bed. Veena is using Minerva to do the same.)

(No…)

(She isn’t only using Minerva for leverage.)

(Veena BITES at the ankle. Her teeth peel back layer after layer, until it reaches flesh.)

(Minerva screams.)

(And the ground she had quickly vanished.)

(Veena helps herself up. She uses the bed’s silk sheets as a towel to clean the mist from her eyes. Finally, she can actually see.)

(Now, with the fraction of time to capitalize she has… she analyzes the room.)

(She is dumbfounded… but part of her rocks with it.)

(There’s just one thing on the nightstand. Cat o’nine tails.)

(She hurries to grab Minerva and place her onto the bed. It’s a struggle, all things considered… but if Minnie wants to get freaky? They can get freaky.)

(Veena pulls on the leather cuffs as hard as possible to restrain Minerva’s arms and legs. The straps constrain her torso.)

(Veena takes the cat o’nine tails, while Minerva begins to struggle.)

(She runs her fingers through the nine tails…)

Veena Adams: Gosh… Minerva… which one of them was getting down like this? Myles…? Chris…?

(She chuckles.)

Veena Adams: Oooooohhhh… Josooo?!

Veena Adams: Ah… I’d cry from laughter if I wasn’t in this much pain.

Isabela the Doll: Oh– you both made it— that means I have to count—

(Isabela peeks inside to see Minerva placed in the bed’s contraption.)

Isabela the Doll: Aw dude…

Veena Adams: Look away, weird creepy doll. “Mommy” is going to get punished.

(WHIPPP!!!!!! WHIPPP!!!!!! WHIPPP!!!!!! WHIPPP!!!!!! WHIPPP!!!!!! WHIPPP!!!!!! WHIPPP!!!!!! WHIPPP!!!!!! WHIPPP!!!!!!)

(The “tails” all leave their mark on Minerva’s front. Nine lacerations, one strike.)

Veena Adams: You know, Minnie. I… have an idea.

(Veena just… drops on top of Minerva for a pinfall.)

(The shoulders are… technically down…?)

(Isabela reluctantly counts.)

ONNNEEEEEEEE!!!!!

TWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

THHHREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

(…)

(…)

(All of Minerva’s weight went into at least getting one shoulder up.)

Veena Adams: Aww… Imagine if you lost your title like that? :mjlol:

(Veena was still leaned forward on top of the bed. Minerva sees the opening, and lunges with a HEADBUTT…)

(…and fresh blood directly pours out of a newly made cut… on both of their faces.)

(That is enough to daze Veena.)

(Minerva begins to struggle out of the bed’s constraints.)

(One hand… is all she needs.)

(She begins to scream. It’s guttural.)

(All of her willpower…)

(…)

(…)

(Shreds through the leather. Peeling the skin off her own wrist in the process—that was the price for freedom. But that is all she needed.)

(She slowly freed herself… and pure vitriol overwhelmed the champion, watching as Veena struggled, soon to recover.)

(Minerva lunges at Veena, driving her into the wall. But Veena is right back at it, tripping both of them right on top of the bed mattress.)

(Lou thesz press blows into Minerva’s face—reciprocated when Minerva turns it back—)

(Reciprocated again…)

(The two stumble out of the bed, and onto the ground. Veena punches away at Minerva.)

(Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack. Until her bloody knuckles go numb, she smacks.)

(She takes a deep breath. Veena glances back at the bed…)

(And goes right to the corner of the mattress, desperately trying to get it off the bed, before Minerva is back in the fight.)

(Little by little, Veena sees plates of hard wood. Steel springs—that without care could as well impale someone. A metal frame…)

(She pushes, harder and harder…)

(Until the bed base is fully exposed.)

(Veena sees red. She clutches onto Minerva’s hair, slowly dragging her up…)

(A forearm smacks the dome. Another into the gut.)

(She delivers a kick, before picking Minerva up for a powerbomb…)

(# BUT MINERVA RAKES HER EYES.)

(…and with such an opening, the champion does not hesitate.)

(# Daniella Atlas’ BLACK DEATH smashes open the back of her skull…)

(Veena collides all the way back towards Minerva’s own shoulders. Head leaning upwards, forced to meet her red eyes, unmistakable in the blur…)

(Minerva shares the gaze. That’s her shred of respect.)

Minerva: My Heaven, your Hell…

(She spins the challenger back around, and, fucked-up leg be damned, she gets a good enough grip with her feet, and picks her up…)

(# Selina Reyes’ ORYX AWAKENING sends Veena crashing into the bed base. Past woodboards. Breaking metal. Twisting springs into her body.)

(Minerva turns her face up…)

(Somehow…)

(Veena…)

(…still had a breath left to give.)

(The champion hoists her upwards, even on spaghetti legs.)

(Into her face—her skin—her pores— she digs long, sharp nails. A dreaded iron claw. Veena feels disfigured, past the numbness.)

(Without being able to use the leg—though likely not even necessary—she drives Veena down with a follow-up STO onto the bed’s debris…)

(# THE STIR OF ECHOES… is resolute.)

(The claw firmly remains over her face. Shoulders are down enough.)

(Isabela counts.)

ONE!!!

TWOO!!!!!!

THRRREEEEEEEE!!!!!!

(Of course, Veena does not move.)

(Count to a hundred. It’s over.)

Isabela the Doll: Um… c– congratulations, Master… You’ve… won!

(Minerva collapses next to Veena.)

(Dolls just like Isabela suddenly open their eyes inside of the room.)

(They all chant.)

(Glory. Glory. Glory.)

Creepy Isabela Dolls: GLORY TO THE BLACK ROSE. GLORY TO THE BLACK ROSE. GLORY TO THE BLACK ROSE. GLORY TO THE BLACK ROSE. GLORY TO—

(The Dollhouse; end.)

(Commercial plays for Lanterns featuring Damien Kutcher.)

(The final match graphic of the night flashes across the screen sending the fans into a tizzy.)

(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton, who has a huge smile on her face.)

Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN… THE FOLLOW CONTEST IS OUR MAIN EVENT OF NIGHT ONE!

Fans: :blessed: :blessed: :blessed:

Bella Braxton: AND IT’S BRAND WARFARE!!!!

(“Nakamura” by Lil Midi Vert begins to blast across the PA system inside of Ole Miss’ massive stadium. Red fireworks start shooting off as the Empress of Elite walks onto the stage carrying Dynasty’s flag.)

Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST… THEY ARE THE DEFENDING BRAND WARFARE CHAMPIONS… LEAD TO THE RING BY THE EMPRESS OF ELITE, KASAI, PLEASE WELCOME THE HALL OF FAMER CHRIS ELITE, BRIANNA HILL, DARYL KINKADE, AND THE REIGNING, DEFENDING INTERWIRE CHAMPION EFFY MCAVOY… TEAM DYNASTY!

Stew-O: :blessed: Last year, it was Milli Banks who became the sole suvivor of this match, leading Dynasty to a huge victory over Voltage and Showdown! I know this year’s team has their own sets of issues, but I don’t know, guys. I just have a really good feeling that our brand is going to bring it home for the second straight year.

Persephone: I wish I cared, but I absolutely don’t. You have two washed-up has-beens and three bitches who will never amount to anything. Just waiting for KASAI to fumble the bag with her cash-in and I am so ready to literally never see Goth Girl again.

Gavin Kirkland: Seriously? While I am solidly team Showdown because of Halsey Neel and Mia Santoro :mjlit:, I think KASAI, Brianna, and Effy are fantastic representations for this match.

Persephone: :mjpls: Of course you do.

Stew-O: And Chris and Daryl…

(Gavin can be heard scoffing as Dynasty gets inside the ring and stands together as a collective. A few seconds later, their music fades out and is replaced by “Ghost Myself” Diamante.)

Gavin Kirkland: :gladbron: You know that I’m all about Showdown but here comes the Brand Warfare team of my dreams!!!!

Bella Braxton: AND THEIR OPPONENTS… BEING LED TO THE RING BY THE HALL OF FAMER RAVEN ROBERTS… PLEASE WELCOME ASHLYNN QUINN, CANDICE BLAIR AVA, ERIS MORTI, AND ARIA… TEAM VOLTAGE!!!

(The members of Voltage move as one to the ring with Candice, ARIA, and Ashlynn linking arms.)

Persephone: Imagine picking Raven Roberts, of all people :mjlol:, as your captain in big 2026. Captain Charisma just wants our brand to be humiliated, not that I give a shit.

Stew-O: :mjlol: Well, Voltage certainly let their voices be heard this week showing off their unity. I think this team is the one to watch out for because for all five of them, the only thing they have to focus on is the win.

Gavin Kirkland: Excuse me, I’ll be right back. I think Candice, ARIA, and Ashlynn need me to help them inside the ring.

Persephone: Sit your pervy ass down. You do realize that if this were any other company other than EAW, your mouth would have gotten you fired, right??

(Raven plants the Voltage flag next to Dynasty’s as she gets in the ring. Everyone follows in behind her and there’s a tense staredown between Dynasty and Voltage as Raven’s music fades out.)

(For a few precious seconds, the only thing that can be heard is the roar of the crowd, and then “No One Knows” by Queens of the Stone Age begins to play. A headset can be heard hitting the desk as the camera pans to the broadcast booth. Gavin Kirkland is on his feet, clapping.)

Persephone: There’s not enough wine left in this bottle to help me make it through this shit.

Bella Braxton: AND THEIR OPPONENTS… LED TO THE RING BY HALSEY NEEL AND MIA SANTORO… THEY ARE KELIN, THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION AKARI KIYOKO, AND THE HALL OF FAMER REX MCALLISTER…. TEAM SHOWDOWN!

(Halsey and Mia walk out first, both holding the Showdown flag. Halsey passes it off to Mia before leading the way to the ring. Everyone else follows suit with Rex locking eyes with Raven during his walk.)

Gavin Kirkland: (off-mic) WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! LETS FUCKING GO SHOWDOWN! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Stew-O: I can’t deny that Showdown has a stacked team. KELIN has been impressive ever since his debut, and it goes without saying the experience Rex and Akari bring to this team. When you combine that with the fact Halsey and Mia are both former champions in their own right? Showdown might be the team to watch out for :wow:.

Persephone: Let me just top off my class because fuck Rex McAllister.

(Showdown gets in the ring after Mia plants the flag, and all 15 competitors are now in the ring. The referee explains the rules, the concept of Brand Warfare, and all that good stuff even though no one’s listening. They’re just ready to go.)

(DING DING DING!)

Stew-O: MAIN EVENT TIME! 15 ELITISTS, ALL WITH THEIR OWN GOALS AND MOTIVATIONS LEADING INTO THIS MATCH, BUT THEY ARE UNITED UNDER THREE DIFFERENT BANNERS FIGHTING FOR THE SAME RESULT: VICTORY!

Persephone: Ohhh myyyyy Gooooood, do you HAVE TO SCREAM LIKE A FUCKING IDIOTIC BANSHEE?! WE GET IT; IT’S TERRITORIAL INVASION, DAMN! WE KNOW HOW THIS WORKS SINCE WE’VE BEEN WATCHING IT FOR 20 FUCKING YEARS NOW!

Stew-O: :roman:

Gavin Kirkland: Well, nice to see you bring your usual team spirit to this show, Perse!

Persephone: Kill yourself.

Gavin Kirkland: Telling me to do that given the month? Not very woke of you.

Persephone: ohmygodpleasepleasepleaseletthesetwodropdeadsoongodiambeggingyou.

Stew-O: … At any rate, it is the team captains that are starting things off—as in, KASAI for Dynasty, Raven Roberts for Voltage, and both Halsey Neel and Mia Santoro of Showdown, but of course, the other Elitists are looking confused.

Gavin Kirkland: What? Why? Can’t two pretty women join up who were rightfully given such high honors for their first Brand Warfare match not team up? It’s nothing out of the ordinary!

Persephone: Or maybe it is, because you usually need one legal person for each team, dipshit. One of them is gonna have to take their ass out to the apron.

(The microphone on a nearby camera at ringside can pick up on the words exchanged between Halsey and Mia.)

Mia Santoro: (off-mic) You can go on out; I’ve got this.

Halsey Neel: (off-mic) I go out? No offense, Mia, but I’m the tag specialist here. I have history with these women too.

Mia Santoro: (off-mic) And that’s cute and all, doll, but frankly? I sorta, kinda, don’t give a fuck.

Halsey Neel: (off-mic) :francis: !!

Akari Kiyoko: (off-mic) :kurt:

KELIN: (off-mic) :wtf:

Rex McAllister: (off-mic) Are we seriously doing this right now?

Stew-O: And it looks like there’s some issues already within the Team of Reality for Showdown!

(The ladies of Team Voltage on the apron try to contain their laughs while Team Dynasty watch on in sick amusement—especially when Halsey narrows her eyes at Mia.)

Gavin Kirkland: (sigh) Why do women always have to compete and recognize they’re both amazing and beautiful?

Persephone: snrk. I have to admit, kinda funny to see this going down when Showdown and especially Halsey have been trying to make it seem like their differences weren’t gonna be an issue. Guess even a former tag team champion can be naive, eh?

Stew-O: Certainly—BUT SHE ISN’T THE ONLY ONE! KASAI JUST CAME IN WITH A SINGLE LEG DROPKICK INTO MIA, SENDING HER CRASHING INTO HALSEY! NEEL TUMBLES OUT AND INTO AKARI! BOTH ARE DOWN! The Dynasty captain has decided to be the one to turn up the heat immediately here!

Persephone: Cute, but the Empress better watch out because Raven isn’t going to have any of that. She grabs her from behind and whirls her around—

(CRAAAAAAAACK!)

Persephone: Oh, that was a hard-as-shit slap. :lupe:

Gavin Kirkland: God, I wish that were me.

Stew-O: :dahell:

Persephone: Again, I’m not even going to entertain you, but I will entertain the fact that Raven doesn’t look happy with that. I sure would like to see her fuck her up for that. :umad:

Stew-O: KASAI isn’t timid, however; the Empress of Elite is smiling right at the other captain and egging her on to strike—and Roberts complies with a series of stiff forearms to the face! This may already come around to bite KASAI!

Gavin Kirkland: Whew! The Bird of Prey is not playing around! She backs KASAI up into the ropes, but she has to be careful, because anyone on team Dynasty can tag in… or… not? She Irish Whips her across the ring!

Stew-O: Hm.

Persephone:

Stew-O: KASAI comes back on the rebound, and Raven shoots in with a big boot that MISSES! Dynasty’s team captain was able to slide under it! She pops back up, and Raven comes in, GOING FOR A ROARING FOREARM!

Gavin Kirkland: Ducked again! Raven turns around, and she is FLOORED WITH A ROUNDHOUSE! She drops to a seated position! She backpedals into the ropes—

(TAG!)

Stew-O: BRIANNA HILL TOOK THE INITIATIVE TO TAG IN! KASAI STRIKES RAVEN WITH A PENALTY KICK, AND BRIANNA COMES IN WITH A RUNNING SLIDING FOREARM TO TAKE DOWN THE HALL OF FAMER! KASAI almost looks surprised, but she and Brianna lock eyes and… they nod at each other!

Chris Elite: (off-mic) :eyeroll:

Stew-O: KASAI decides to step out to join the rest of the team as Brianna covers!

(ONEEEEEE—)

Persephone: Kick out. Yeah, as if that sorry ass “teamwork” was ever gonna be enough. Candice is already calling for a tag though, as is the rest of Team Voltage. Eris—alright, man, I get she’s been looking forward to this and all, but she don’t gotta look all bug eyed in excitement like that.

Gavin Kirkland: Well, at the very least, they’re enthusiastic. Can’t say the same for Team Dynasty, though.

Stew-O: But from Showdown it’s Mia Santoro, who barrels in with a stiff kick to Brianna in the side of her head! She grabs her and throws her out of the ring, and now, she’s dropping down to cover Raven!

(ONEEEEEE—)

Persephone: Same result. Shocker!

Gavin Kirkland: Oh, hush! Mia knows what she is doing, especially when she’s leading Raven up and beginning to attack with forearms across the back! There you go! That’s how a former Specialists Champion performs!

Stew-O: And she’s striking with a few more. Raven appears to be getting overwhelmed early on. Mia whips her into the corner, lower spine hitting the padding hard. Mia is smirking, dangerous intentions brewing in her eyes! She runs in! Step-up knee!

Persephone: Nope! She hits the padding, and Raven snaps her down! Some of Team Showdown try to take a swipe at her but she’s able to run forward with a penalty kick landing on the back! Now, she heads to her team…

(TAG!)

Persephone: And now Candice Blair is the legal person. She backs up and flips over with a neckbreaker! Damn. Someone’s gonna have a serious case of whiplash.

Stew-O: She’s moving quick, eager to get things rolling as she has been consistent throughout the lead-up of this match, and she hits the ropes before coming back, NAILING a falling senton! Mia gets flattened!

Gavin Kirkland: Oh dear, our co-captain is in a pickle, I can’t lie, but there’s nothing she can’t come back from—OH! What the—was that a missile dropkick from Brianna?!

Persephone: No, it was a flying 720 doohickey spiral ultra special.

Gavin Kirkland: :francis: !! Just surprised she was able to come back into this match in that manner is all—and oh, how I wished she would come back to her rightful home of Showdown.

Stew-O: Well, luckily for us, she is right here on Dynasty, looking to turn the tides to favor the red brand. She backs up—

(TAG!)

Stew-O: And that was a tag by the Interwire Champion!

Persephone:

Gavin Kirkland: Brianna seems a bit surprised by that as she glances over at Effy, but it’s clear the champion wants a piece of the action. Meanwhile, Halsey and Akari have both recovered on the outside but you can tell they are not happy about the earlier collision. :yikes: Guess Voltage has their stuff together the most.

Persephone: Thank God. Now, they need to get back in the game, but Effy is coming in and HITS A CARTWHEEL DOUBLE KNEE TO CANDICE?! What the hell?!

Stew-O: A little innovation there! Effy is trying to make the most of this match, especially when she was part of the winning Brand Warfare team last year for Dynasty! She grabs Candice and lifts her up for a bridging fisherman’s suplex! It connects! Cover!

(ONEEEEEEEEE—)

Gavin Kirkland: Kick out! Effy backpedals in the corner—

(TAG!)

Gavin Kirkland: And it’s KASAI! Effy doesn’t look too happy with that, but KASAI tells her to scram! Oh, boy…

Persephone:

Stew-O: Effy and her trade some words but she relents, and KASAI goes to grab Candice, only for Mia to shoot in with a knee! Down the Empress goes, and Mia stomps down on her repeatedly! Mia backs off with a satisfied grin as the crowd boos!

Gavin Kirkland: The captain sure does look good in this position!

Persephone: Alright, settle down… oh, and would you look at that? Is she actually going to tag?

Stew-O: It seems so. Team Showdown all look on, with Halsey especially speaking up! Mia looks around at all of them before she steps forward…

(TAG!)

Stew-O: And she opts for Rex McAllister!

(TAG!)

Gavin Kirkland: DARYL KINKADE JUST TAGGED HIMSELF, TOO! Both men get in and meet up, coming face to face! Some history here as well between these two, and don’t forget about Daryl with Candice!

Persephone: Oh brother, I am NOT trying to see ANY of that again! :Noah:

Stew-O: TOO LATE! THEY’RE BATTERING INTO EACH OTHER, LAYING IN SOME STIFF FOREARMS AND ALTERNATING! Rex then fires off with a chest-burning chop, only for Kinkade to reciprocate!

Gavin Kirkland: Kick to the stomach by McAllister! Rex hits the ropes—WAIT! CANDICE COMES AND STOPS HIM IN HIS TRACKS! ARM WRAPS AROUND HIS HEAD, AND SHE LEAPS UP, TRAPPING DARYL’S WITH HER LEGS! SHE TOOKS BOTH MEN FOR A RIDE WITH THE SNAPMARE/HEADSCISSORS COMBO!

Persephone: :notbad:

Stew-O: Team Voltage are rooting for her, but KASAI darts in, and the Empress decides she’s done with waiting her turn! She clobbers Candice from behind, and ARIA is the first to dart in, shoving her off and mounting her! Halsey comes in and tackles her down! IT’S CHAOS!

Gavin Kirkland: Well, it was only inevitable, wasn’t it?!

Persephone: Yes! We get actual fighting! :blessed:

Stew-O: More Elitists pour in, although Daryl heads over to the corner nearby Chris! Effy looks like she wants to jump in but remains cautious; Akari joins the fray, as do the rest of Voltage! The referee is trying to get a handle, but this is quickly becoming too much! Some of them are taking the brawling outside!

Gavin Kirkland: Oh, dear! So much to keep up with! But.. I think I see Rex! He’s able to recover and—

(TAG!)

Gavin Kirkland: THE BIG GUY TAGS HIM! KELIN! He enters, and Rex looks back at him, but Kelin nods… and Rex nods right back at him before McAllister heads on over and TAKES OUT ERIS AND ARIA WITH A SUICIDE DIVE!

Persephone: …? Eh? What the hell are Daryl and Chris mumbling over about over there?

Stew-O: Not sure, but Daryl turns to Effy and—

(TAG!)

Stew-O: Tags her in! Effy looks confused by the sudden compliance, but Daryl is insisting her to enter!

Daryl Kinkade: (off-mic) You’re the champ, right? Come on, then; you wanna make up for last year and not doing much? This is your chance!

Effy McAvoy: (off-mic) Respectfully, Daryl, I don’t need a pep talk from you.

Gavin Kirkland: :lupe:

Stew-O: Effy shakes her head—BUT CHRIS ELITE TOSSES HER INTO THE RING FOR HIMSELF, AND DARYL PULLS HER UP?!?! WHAT THE HELL?!!

Persephone: LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Gavin Kirkland: MONKEY FLIP?!!!

Stew-O: WHAT IS HAPPENING?!!

Gavin Kirkland: I DONT KNOW! BRIANNA AND KASAI MANAGE TO SEE WHAT JUST UNFOLDED AND TRY TO RUSH BACK IN, BUT ASHLYNN CATCHES BOTH WOMEN WITH A CROSSBODY FROM THE STEPS, WIPING THEM BOTH OUT! AND DARYL SLINKS OUT, LEAVING EFFY TO THE MERCY OF KELIN!

Persephone: Tears in my eyes.

Stew-O: I-NO! Team Dynasty cannot implode this soon!

Gavin Kirkland: But it is! Kelin hoists her up, not wasting time! ‘No Man Left Behind!’ Muscle Buster connects in full, and he covers!

(ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

(TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)

(THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

Bella Braxton: EFFY MCAVOY HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Stew-O: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Persephone:

Gavin Kirkland: I.. I am so sorry, Stew-O.

(Chris looks satisfied, as does Daryl. Kelin rises up, all pumped up as he not only got the first elimination in favor of Showdown, but got rid of the Interwire Champion at that. Majority of the fans in attendance, especially fans donning Dynasty merch, look on in disbelief and anger.)

Persephone: So how does that feel, Stew? KELIN just beat your Interwire Champion and she is the first eliminated and Dynasty is the first team to implode. That’s funny.

Stew-O: Shut up.

Persephone: Ohhhh. Sore spot. That makes it even funnier.

Gavin Kirkland: Dynasty suffers the first elimination in the way of a mutiny and KELIN just pinned the Interwire Champion and all the people rooting for Dynasty are pissed. Now who is going to step up and enter the match for Dynasty?

Stew-O: Looks like it’s going to be Chris Elite and he better not let what he and Daryl did to Effy screw up Dynasty’s chances of winning this match.

Gavin Kirkland: I think they are already in the toilet because look at KELIN!!! He got the first elimination and he hasn’t even broken a sweat.

Persephone: But look at this idiot Elite stepping right up to take the challenge. Kelin should rip this idiot limb from limb and leave a mess in the ring.

Stew-O: Elite isn’t backing up AS HE HITS THE BOZO SILENCER! WHAT A SLAP FROM CHRIS ELITE! NO RESPECT AND NO INTIMIDATION FROM CHRIS ELITE!

Persephone: No brains either as KELIN DELIVERS A HEADBUTT! Elite might be out on his feet and it’s probably not the first time that happened in his life.

Gavin Kirkland: KELIN just hoists Elite in the air AND DROPS HIM WITH A SAMOAN DROP! KELIN could stay in the match the entire time and we will win. GO SHOWDOWN! BE JEALOUS!

Stew-O: But Candice is still legal for Voltage. She has watched everything unfold AS SHE DELIVERS A STRAIGHT PUNT KICK TO THE BACK OF KELIN’S KNEE!

Persephone: Oh yeah, like that’s going to do anything.

Gavin Kirkland: Well, he actually stumbled a step and now he turns his attention to the lovely Candice Blair. Say good night to Candice for Voltage.

Stew-O: KELIN turns and grabs for Candice, BUT CANDICE DUCKS OUT OF THE WAY! Candice is behind KELIN AS SHE JUMPS ON HIS BACK AND APPLIES A CHOKEHOLD!

Gavin Kirkland: That isn’t going to do much, BUT SHE’S ALSO GOUGING AT HIS EYES AND BITING! COME ON! THAT’S NOT FAIR!

Persephone: Who are you to complain about fair, but he is trying to reach and grab the bimbo on his back AND SHE KEEPS MOVING!

Stew-O: Candice is doing whatever she can to try and get an advantage over a powerhouse like KELIN who could easily run through this competition–

(TAG!)

Persephone: WHAT IN THE HELL IS THIS BITCH DOING?

Gavin Kirkland: Eris Morti has tagged herself in and I don’t think anybody in the ring realizes it AS KELIN GRABS CANDICE BY THE NECK AND SNAPS HER OFF HIS SHOULDERS!

Stew-O: BUT SHE LANDS ON HER FEET! Elite is back on his feet as Candice and Elite are working together for the time being AS THEY DUCK THE DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT BY KELIN!

Persephone: How cute.

Gavin Kirkland: They hit the ropes on the other side AND DELIVER A DOUBLE DROPKICK THAT SENDS KELIN BACK! KELIN is on my team, but I can admit that was impressive to get the big man reeling like that.

(TAG!)

Stew-O: NOW MIA SANTORO HAS TAGGED HERSELF INTO THE MATCH!

Persephone: BAHAHAHAHAHA! Gavin, your team is just as bad in cohesion right now as Dynasty. This is hilarious.

Gavin Kirkland: WHAT ARE YOU DOING, MIA? WE HAVE A GOOD THING GOING WITH KELIN!

Stew-O: KELIN is also caught off guard by the blind tag as Mia is in the ring and is being ushered back to the outside.

Mia Santoro: (off-mic) You did good, but I got this. Just watch and see. Watch and see.

Gavin Kirkland: Mia is feeling pretty confident with herself as she turns her attention to Eris who is now in the ring AND IS RUNNING FULL SPEED AT MIA LOOKING FOR THE SPEAR!

Persephone: Mia gets out of the way! HOW IN THE HELL COULD YOU MISS THAT!

Stew-O: BUT SHE DIDN’T MISS CHRIS ELITE WHO WAS TRYING A SNEAK ATTACK ON MIA, BUT HE TOOK THE FULL FORCE OF THAT SPEAR WHEN MIA MOVED OUT OF THE WAY!

Persephone: But Eris really could care less who she hit because she hit somebody. I share in the same sentiment of caring less as she tries for the cover–

Gavin Kirkland: MIA WITH A THRUST KICK FROM BEHIND SENDING ERIS INTO THE ROPES AS MIA FROM BEHIND WITH A SCHOOLBOY ROLLUP! IT COULD BE TWO ELIMINATIONS IN A ROW FOR SHOWDOWN! ERIS’ SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!

(ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

(TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)

Stew-O: WAIT A SECOND! MIA HAS A HANDFUL OF TIGHTS! THE REF DOESN’T SEE IT! OH COME ON!!

(THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

Persephone: Don’t piss your pants, Stew! She didn’t do that good of a job because Eris kicked out. Besides, it’s not your team anyway. It’s my group of skanks!

Gavin Kirkland: Eris was able to roll the shoulder up at the last second and get free before being eliminated and Mia is still on the attack WITH A FOREARM STRIKE TO THE BACK OF THE NECK!

Stew-O: But Eris is still fighting back to her feet AS MIA GRABS HER AND DROPS HER WITH AN EXPLODER SUPLEX! Eris is down, BUT HERE COMES CHRIS ELITE!

Gavin Kirkland: ELITE WITH A SPRINGBOARD NECKBREAKER TAKING MIA DOWN! Elite is up as he pulls Mia back to her feet AND TRIES TO GO FOR THE FUSION DANCE–

Persephone: Bitch with a thumb to the eye gets herself free BEFORE SHE SUPERKICKS HIM IN THE KNEE!

Stew-O: Elite drops to a knee AS MIA HITS THE ROUNDHOUSE KICK! TWO FOR THE ROAD–

Persephone: ERIS TRYING FOR THE SPEAR AGAIN AS MIA ONCE AGAIN GETS OUT OF THE WAY!

Gavin Kirkland: Mia pulls Eris back around and locks her head in and tries to grab her leg for the Blackest Hour neckbreaker–

Stew-O: ERIS SPINS OUT AND GETS FREE AS SHE GRABS MIA BY THE NECK AND THROWS HER BACK FOR THE BED OF NAILS! SLEEPER SUPLEX DROPS MIA!

Persephone: But she just couldn’t be done, could she?

Stew-O: Mia is down as Eris gets back on her feet and jumps up AND CATCHES MIA WITH THE METEOR! THAT SHOT RIGHT TO THE FACE COULD HAVE BEEN A KNOCKOUT SHOT AS ERIS GOES FOR THE COVER!

(ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

(TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)

(THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

Bella Braxton: MIA SANTORO HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Gavin Kirkland: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! SON OF A BITCH!!

Persephone: This is great! I hope you start crying, Gavin!

Gavin Kirkland: :mjcry:

(Mia is being rolled out of the ring as the rest of the Showdown team is in disbelief about what just went down.)

Stew-O: Well one of the Showdown Team Captains is gone and look who is coming in for Showdown. The National Elite Champion Akari Kiyoko.

Persephone: Boring!

Gavin Kirkland: It was in this same match last year where Akari had his first of many star making moments. I have no doubt that Akari is going to do the same thing this year.

Stew-O: Akari is in the ring and he is getting face to face with Eris Morti who is back on her feet after eliminating Mia AND SHE FIRES OFF A CHOP RIGHT TO AKARI’S CHEST!

Gavin Kirkland: Akari looks amused by it AND HE FIRES OFF A DISCUS LARIAT THAT TAKES ERIS INSIDE OUT! Akari is right there to bring Eris back to her feet and lifts her up in the air AND DROPS HER DOWN WITH THE USHIGOROSHI!

Persephone: No broken bones. No decapitation. No interest.

Stew-O: Akari is back on his feet AS CHRIS ELITE COMES FROM OUT OF NOWHERE WITH THE ALMIGHTY PUSH! THAT POUNCE SENT AKARI HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING! THAT HAD SOME FORCE BEHIND IT!

Persephone: You mean he actually used his brain for once? Good for him. Guess there is more than just air and elevator music in his head.

(TAG!)

Gavin Kirkland: Chris Elite is feeling pretty good after that move, but he makes the tag to Daryl Kinkade.

Stew-O: The man who needs his head examined for what he did.

Persephone: Aww. Is somebody still mad his brand’s team is full of a bunch of fuck ups?

Gavin Kirkland: Both Akari and Eris are back to their feet AND HERE COMES DARYL IN WITH THE HANDSPRING ROUNDHOUSE KICK–

Stew-O: THE KICK GRAZED AKARI AND CAUGHT DIRECTLY ON ERIS AS SHE IS SENT BACK TO THE MAT!

Persephone: Wow. She contributed so much.

Gavin Kirkland: Daryl turns around AND AKARI IS ABLE TO CATCH DARYL WITH A JUMP ENZUIGIRI KICK TO THE FACE! Daryl is dazed as Akari gets him up on his shoulders–

Stew-O: DARYL SLIDES OFF THE SHOULDERS AND BRINGS AKARI DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A SUNSET FLIP! SHOULDERS ARE DOWN AND DARYL COULD STEAL IT HERE!

(ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

(TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)

(THREEEEEEEEEEE—)

Gavin Kirkland: AKARI JUST BARELY KICKS OUT! WOOOOOOOOO! GO SHOWDOWN!

Persephone: Will you shut the hell up?

Gavin Kirkland: NEVER!!!

(TAG!)

Stew-O: While that was going on, the referee saw that Eris has tagged in Ashlynn Quinn.

Persephone: Well the IQ of the match just dipped into the negatives. What lows we have reached with this hell.

Gavin Kirkland: Ashlynn quickly making her presence felt as Akari was pulling himself over to the corner AND ASHLYNN COMES RUNNING OVER AND DELIVERS THE BRONCO BUSTER!! I WANT ONE!!

Stew-O: Gavin, you are disgusting.

Gavin Kirkland: BUT DARYL RUINS IT WITH A BOW DOWN TO THE KINK! THAT ELBOW TO THE BACK OF ASHLYNN’S HEAD MID BRONCO BUSTER! BOOOOOOOOOOO!

Persephone: You have got to be joking.

Stew-O: Ashlynn has rolled to the ropes for the moment as Daryl pulls Akari to his feet and has the double underhook BEFORE LIFTING HIM ON HIS SHOULDERS—

Gavin Kirkland: AKARI SLIDES OFF AND LANDS ON HIS FEET! Daryl turns around and is met with a kick to the gut AND AKARI HAS THE UNDERHOOK NOW AND LIFTS DARYL IN THE AIR!

Persephone: This is kind of petty, but it’s not the worst thing that has happened AS AKARI HITS THE MIDNIGHT STARFALL!

Stew-O: Akari adding insult to injury with his own version of the move as he rolls Daryl over for the cover!

(ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

(TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)

(THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

Bella Braxton: DARYL KINKADE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

(Daryl is gone as the referee rolls Daryl out of the ring and out of the match as Chris can’t believe what just happened. Brianna and KASAI aren’t too pleased either, but they aren’t entirely broken-hearted after what happened earlier.)

Stew-O: Dynasty loses another participant as Daryl Kinkade is eliminated. The Dynasty faithful are giving mixed reactions because they lose another person but it’s Daryl who has pulled the same stunt of attacking his own teammate two years in a row. That leaves Dynasty down to 3.

Gavin Kirkland: Showdown is currently holding strong at 4.

Persephone: And we have… ALL FIVE STILL? HOW IN THE FUCK HAVE THESE BITCHES MANAGED TO THAT SO FAR?

(TAG!)

Gavin Kirkland: Gawd, I hate you, bitch. But Akari has decided to take a breather and tag in the… sole Captain of Showdown now… Halsey Neel.

Stew-O: As Brianna Hill has decided to come into the match to replace her fallen teammate. Meanwhile, Ashlynn Quinn is starting to get back to her feet after being hit in the back of the head.

Gavin Kirkland: There is a standoff in the middle of the ring AND BRIANNA HIT A BICYCLE KICK ON ASHLYNN SENDING HER INTO THE CORNER WHILE HALSEY COMES BACK AND HITS THE SAME MOVE ON BRIANNA!

Persephone: Wow. These people are SOOOOOOO original.

Stew-O: Brianna comes off the ropes AND COMES BACK AT HALSEY WITH A SLAP IN THE FACE!

Persephone: Bitch with a bitch slap on a bitch!!

Gavin Kirkland: Brianna tried for another slap on Halsey, BUT HALSEY GETS OUT OF THE WAY AND PULL BRIANNA INTO A FULL NELSON AND DROPS HER WITH THE FULL NELSON BACKBREAKER!

Stew-O: Brianna shoved down to the mat as Halsey hits the ropes and comes back TO LEAVE HER FEET AND HIT A HEADBUTT ON BRIANNA! Halsey tries to go for a cover–

Persephone: BUT ASHLYNN COMES FROM OUT OF FUCKING NOWHERE WITH A CRUCIFIX TO TRY AND STEAL THE WIN ON HALSEY! WHEN DID THIS BITCH GET A BRAIN!

(ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

(TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)

(THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

Gavin Kirkland: HALSEY KICKS OUT AT TWO! That was a very close near fall for Ashlynn to get her first elimination of the match

Stew-O: Both women get back to their feet as Ashlynn beats Halsey to the punch AND DELIVERS A SUPERKICK TO HALSEY’S FACE! Halsey is down as Ashlynn tries for another cover AS BRIANNA COMES IN WITH AN ELBOW TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!

Persephone: Well her brief moment of having a brain has come to an end.

Gavin Kirkland: Brianna pulls Ashlynn to her feet AND TRIES FOR THE BACK SUPLEX, BUT ASHLYNN ROLLS BACK AND LANDS ON HER FEET!

Stew-O: Brianna turned by Ashlynn AS ASHLYNN GOES FOR A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX–

Gavin Kirkland: BRIANNA MANAGES TO FLIP FREE AT THE LAST SECOND AND LAND ON HER FEET, BUT CAN’T KEEP HER BALANCE AS SHE GOES TOWARDS THE ROPES!

(TAG!)

Persephone: Oh this is going to be good.

Stew-O: Chris Elite has tagged himself in and Brianna isn’t pleased one bit. This just keeps getting worse for Dynasty.

Persephone: This is hilarious.

Brianna Hill: (off-mic) What in the hell are you doing? I had this!

Chris Elite: (off-mic) Get the hell out of the ring! Watch and learn!

Gavin Kirkland: Chris Elite just told Brianna to watch and learn as he turns to get back into the match–

Stew-O: INTO THE BESTIE SPEAR FROM ASHLYN QUINN! FOR THE LOVE OF GAWD! ELITE TURNED INSIDE OUT!

Persephone: Oh we are watching and learning… how to look like a fucking idiot.

Gavin Kirkland: Elite has ended up on his knees AS ASHLYNN RUNS OVER AND HITS THE PINK STAR DIAMOND! KNEES DRIVEN INTO THE FACE AS ASHLYNN SCRAMBLES FOR THE COVER!

(ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

(TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)

(THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

Bella Braxton: CHRIS ELITE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

(Elite his holding the back of his head as he rolls out of the ring holding two fingers. The referee is holding up three as they help roll Chris Elite out of the ring.)

Stew-O: This just keeps turning into a bigger nightmare for Dynasty it is now five on four on TWO!! Brianna Hill and KASAI are the only two people left for Dynasty while Showdown and Voltage have almost full and completely full teams.

Persephone: I think it’s funny that Chris Elite got hit so hard he thought it was a two count. I always knew counting wasn’t one of his strong suits.

(Brianna and KASAI are on the apron looking at what has just gone down knowing they are in a big mess of trouble before looking at each other and nodding in silent understanding.)

Gavin Kirkland: Dynasty knows they are up the creek without a paddle right now. These two aren’t exactly the best of friends, but they know that they have to work together or else it will be a quick night for Dynasty.

Stew-O: KASAI has decided to enter the fray for Dynasty as Halsey is back on her feet while Ashlynn is standing again as she is feeling pretty good after her elimination.

Gavin Kirkland: All three women are standing once again as KASAI HITS A QUICK BACKSTABBER ON ASHLYNN!

Persephone: I bet Ashlynn can’t walk and chew gum at the same time.

Stew-O: Ashlynn dropped to her knees, shut up Persephone, as KASAI and Halsey are battling it out in the middle of the ring as Halsey hits a knife edge chop on KASAI!

Persephone: What the hell did I do? Rude!

Gavin Kirkland: KASAI comes back WITH A SPINNING ELBOW THAT CATCHES HALSEY IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! KASAI tries for another one and HALSEY DUCKS!

Stew-O: She lifts KASAI up AND THEN JUST SLAMS HER DOWN WITH THE ALABAMA SLAM!

Persephone: NOW ASHLYNN COMES IN AND STACKS KASAI TO TRY AND STEAL ANOTHER ELIMINATION! Again, when did this bitch get a brain?

(ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

(TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)

(THREEEEEEEEEEEEE—)

Gavin Kirkland: KASAI ROLLS THROUGH AT TWO! Ashlynn tries to go for the legs AS KASAI KICKS HER BACK AND INTO HALSEY–

(TAG!)

Stew-O: AND KASAI TAGS BRIANNA BACK INTO THIS MATCH AS SHE DELIVERS A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE TO ASHLYNN AND HALSEY!

Gavin Kirkland: Both women get back to their feet as BRIANNA HITS A THESZ PRESS ON HALSEY BEFORE SENDING HER SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RING POST!

Stew-O: BUT HERE COMES ASHLYNN WITH A RUNNING KNEE TO THE JAW! Brianna drops to her knees AS ASHLYNN TRIES FOR A ROLL UP!

Persephone: She gets the head locked for a DDT, BUT SHE GETS LIFTED UP AND OVER! BIG FREAKIN SURPRISE!

Gavin Kirkland: Ashlynn lands on her feet AND TRIES FOR THE BESTIE SPEAR ONCE AGAIN, BUT BRIANNA WITH A DROP TOE HOLD SEND ASHLYNN THROAT FIRST INTO THE MIDDLE ROPE!

Stew-O: Ashlynn is on the ropes and Brianna gets her in prime position as he hits the far ropes before coming back–

Gavin Kirkland: BRIANNA HITS THE HOTLINE! TIGER FEINT KICK CAUGHT HER RIGHT IN THE FACE AND SEND ASHLYNN FLYING BACK!

Persephone: Call the botox provider on Monday.

Stew-O: BRIANNA GETS IN THE RING AS ASHLYNN ROLLS TO A KNEE, AND BRIANNA CONNECTS WITH HITS DIFFERENT!!! Brianna sees an opportunity to make the numbers better as she stacks Ashlynn up for the cover.

(ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

(TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)

(THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

Bella Braxton: ASHLYNN QUINN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

(Ashlynn is assisted out of the ring after her elimination, but in a show of team solidarity, is staying at ringside for the remainder of the match. Meanwhile, Brianna is feeling pretty good to finally get Dynasty another elimination.)

Persephone: Boy, so sad to see her go! I’m sure Voltage will somehow find a way to carry on without Ashlynn Quinn. Truly devastating stuff.

Stew-O: Brianna’s proud to have scored an elimination for Dynasty, but she needs to keep her head on a swivel because this match stops for no one! Up next, IT’S THE TEAM CAPTAIN, RAVEN ROBERTS! RAVEN ENTERS THE RING AND IMMEDIATELY SWINGS WILDLY WITH A CLOTHESLINE AT BRIANNA, BUT BRIANNA DUCKS UNDERNEATH! BRIANNA HOOKS BOTH ARMS FROM BEHIND AND PULLS RAVEN DOWN INTO A BACKSLIDE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Gavin Kirkland: HALSEY! HALSEY RE-ENTERS THE FRAY AND BREAKS UP THE COVER BY CATCHING BRIANNA WITH A SCHOOL GIRL!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Stew-O: BUT THERE’S RAVEN! RAVEN COMES FROM BEHIND AND SNATCHES HALSEY OFF THE COVER, ROLLING HER UP WITH A SCHOOL GIRL OF HER OWN!

ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO—

Gavin Kirkland: ALMOST A TWO COUNT, BUT NOW BRIANNA SNATCHES RAVEN OFF OF HALSEY WITH ANOTHER SCHOOL GIRL! THESE THREE ARE TRADING PINS FASTER THAN THE REFEREE CAN KEEP UP!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Stew-O: AND HERE COMES HALSEY! HALSEY CORKSCREW JUMPS INTO A SUNSET FLIP ON BRIANNA, PULLING HER OFF OF RAVEN AND INTO ANOTHER COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Gavin Kirkland: RAVEN OUT OF NOWHERE WITH A SEATED CRUCIFIX PIN ON HALSEY, PULLING HER OFF THE COVER ON HILL! THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Stew-O: KICKOUT! FINALLY, A KICKOUT, AND ALL THREE QUICKLY RUSH BACK TO THEIR FEET! Neither one of them makes another move just yet, LEAVING ALL THREE AT A STALEMATE FOR NOW!

Persephone: What a fucking waste of time. This is an elimination match, idiots! Why do you keep breaking up each other’s pins?! Let one of these bitches get eliminated and make your lives easier!

Gavin Kirkland: I believe it was less about trying to break up the pins and more about trying to pull a fast one on each other. Everybody saw an opportunity to sneak one through and tried to take it.

Persephone: Yeah, well, look where that got them. All that pin trading and not a single elimination to show for it.

Stew-O: I’m sure KASAI can breathe a sigh of relief after those close calls didn’t result in another elimination for Dynasty! If Dynasty loses another member, KASAI will be the last one left standing for her team, which means there’ll be nobody left for her to tag out to! Her endurance would truly be put to the test at that point, especially with members of BOTH Showdown and Voltage still left for her to get through!

Gavin Kirkland: Yeah, and while I’d love the opportunity to run through these women myself, I certainly wouldn’t want to do it in a Brand Warfare match! These women are no slouches!

Persephone: :comeagain:

Stew-O: Yeah, I’m not even gonna comment on that— AS HALSEY NEEL SHOVES BRIANNA! But as expected, Brianna isn’t about to take that without giving something back, AND SHE SHOVES HALSEY RIGHT BACK! Neither woman backs down afterwards as they get right in each other’s face, BUTTING HEADS WHILE THE TENSION CONTINUES TO RISE!

Gavin Kirkland: There’s plenty of trash talk being exchanged between these two, BUT RAVEN ROBERTS STEPS IN AND PUSHES THEM APART! Raven reminding both women that she’s still very much a part of this equation, and ignoring an EAW Hall of Famer is never a smart move! …BUT HALSEY NEEL TAKES THE INITIATIVE AND CATCHES RAVEN WITH A KICK TO THE GUT! Roberts doubles over from the kick, allowing Halsey to BACK HER INTO THE CORNER WITH A FLURRY OF RIGHTS!

Stew-O: RAVEN DROPS DOWN TO THE MAT IN THE CORNER, AND HALSEY IMMEDIATELY STARTS GOING TO WORK WITH REPEATED STOMPS! Neel is targeting the head as Raven curls up and tries to cover herself, BUT HALSEY IS ABSOLUTELY UNRELENTING WITH THOSE STOMPS— UNTIL BRIANNA FINALLY INTERJECTS! Brianna grabs Halsey and turns her around, BEFORE CRACKING NEEL WITH A FOREARM!

Gavin Kirkland: HALSEY FIRES BACK WITH A FOREARM OF HER OWN! BRIANNA ANSWERS RIGHT BACK! HALSEY! BRIANNA! HALSEY! BRIANNA! Brianna gets the better of the exchange with another forearm— BUT HALSEY— HALSEY RESPONDS WITH A POKE TO THE EYE!

(Brianna immediately grabs at her eye as Halsey Neel shrugs her arms, looking out toward the crowd with a cheeky grin as she receives a mixed reaction, with some fans unable to help but be amused by it.)

Persephone: Work smarter, not harder. Now that’s a move I can agree with. Enough of this “I hit you, you hit me” nonsense.

Stew-O: Halsey starts marching her way toward Brianna— BUT EATS AN OVERHAND CHOP TO THE CHEST THAT KNOCKS NEEL ON HER BUTT IN THE CORNER! Brianna shakes the remaining cobwebs out of her head, finally clearing her vision after that eye poke, and she sees an opportunity to capitalize! BRIANNA SHOOTS OFF THE OPPOSITE CORNER TO BUILD MOMENTUM—

Gavin Kirkland: BUT RAVEN INTERCEPTS HER MID RUN BACK TO HALSEY WITH A SPRINGBOARD HURRICANRANA FROM THE APRON! BRIANNA GOES SLITHERING OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! Meanwhile, Halsey pulls herself back up in the corner as A FIRED UP RAVEN ROBERTS COMES CHARGING IN— BUT HALSEY NEEL SENDS HER UP AND OVER HER SHOULDER!

Stew-O: LUCKILY, RAVEN CATCHES HERSELF ON THE APRON— BUT HALSEY BLASTS HER WITH A RIGHT HAND! Raven barely manages to hang on as Halsey sees an opportunity and runs off the opposite set of ropes to build momentum— BUT HALSEY FALLS FACE FIRST ONTO THE MAT AS BRIANNA TRIPS HER FROM RINGSIDE! BRIANNA GRABS HOLD OF NEEL AND DRAGS HER OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE!

Gavin Kirkland: AND BRIANNA CATCHES HER WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! Halsey reels slightly from the impact before FIRING BACK WITH A LEFT HAND! Brianna responds with a left hand of her own! HALSEY! BRIANNA! THESE TWO ARE GOING BACK AND FORTH AT RINGSIDE— BEFORE RAVEN ROBERTS COMES SOARING OVER THE TOP ROPE WITH A TOPE CON HILO! :damn:

Stew-O: THE RAVEN SOARING THROUGH THE AIR ON THAT ONE, TAKING OUT BOTH WOMEN AT RINGSIDE! Roberts throws caution to the wind and wipes out Halsey and Brianna in one fell swoop!

Persephone: You really couldn’t hold that one in, could you?

Stew-O: The opportunity was right there. :mjgrin:

Persephone: :wow: Ugh, whatever.

Gavin Kirkland: Raven picks Brianna back up and rounds the corner before rolling her back inside the ring! Brianna is on all fours, struggling to get her wits about her as Raven slides back in and rises to her feet— BEFORE BRIANNA SUDDENLY CLOTHESLINES RAVEN OVER THE TOP ROPE!

Stew-O: RAVEN STRUGGLES BACK TO HER FEET AT RINGSIDE— BEFORE BRIANNA COMES FLYING OVER THE TOP ROPE WITH A TRIANGLE CROSSBODY! Brianna wipes Raven out at ringside and quickly returns to her feet— BUT SHE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE A SECOND TO CELEBRATE AS HALSEY ROUNDS THE CORNER WITH A RUNNING KICK TO THE GUT! Brianna doubles over, allowing Halsey to grab hold of her and AGGRESSIVELY SEND BRIANNA SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE! Brianna’s entire body crashes sideways into the barricade with all that force and momentum behind her!

Gavin Kirkland: HALSEY WASTES NO TIME ROLLING BRIANNA BACK INSIDE THE RING, AND NEEL SLIDES IN AFTER HER BEFORE HOOKING THE LEG FOR A COVER!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Gavin Kirkland: KICKOUT! BRIANNA KICKS OUT— AND HALSEY INSTANTLY KNOCKS RAVEN DOWN WITH A RIGHT HAND AS SHE SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING! Halsey catches Raven with another punch between the eyes while she’s down before dragging her back to her feet— AND A KNIFE EDGE CHOP DROPS RAVEN RIGHT BACK DOWN!

Stew-O: Halsey drags Raven back up by the head, clutching her jaw with one hand— BUT RAVEN EXPLODES WITH A RIGHT HAND TO THE BODY! Raven alternates with the left, THEN DRIVES ANOTHER RIGHT INTO THE RIB CAGE! Roberts is starting to build some momentum— BUT HALSEY STOPS HER IN HER TRACKS WITH A KNEE TO THE GUT! Neel turns Raven toward the corner and looks to send her in with an Irish whip— OR AT LEAST SHE ATTEMPTS TO, AS RAVEN TURNS IT AROUND AND SENDS HALSEY INTO THE CORNER INSTEAD!

Gavin Kirkland: RAVEN RUSHES IN— BUT HALSEY SENDS HER UP AND OVER HER SHOULDER TO THE APRON! Raven manages to catch herself, and Halsey turns around looking for a right hand— BUT RAVEN BLOCKS IT AND KNOCKS HER BACK WITH A FOREARM! Halsey staggers away as Raven sees her opening and springboards back inside the ring— BUT HALSEY CATCHES HER OUT OF MID AIR WITH “REALITY KILLED THE VIDEO STAR!” WHAT A SPEAR BY HALSEY NEEL!

Persephone: Cover her!

Stew-O: HALSEY RISES BACK TO HER FEET AS RAVEN WRITHES IN PAIN— AND SIDESTEPS BRIANNA HILL AS SHE COMES DASHING IN! Halsey looks to capitalize with a rebound German suplex, BUT BRIANNA BACKFLIPS ONTO HER FEET! Halsey quickly jumps back to hers— BUT BRIANNA CATCHES HER RIGHT IN THE MUSH WITH A BIG BOOT! HALSEY CAN BARELY STAND AFTER THAT SHOT— BUT SHE FIRES BACK WITH A KIC— OH, WAIT!

Gavin Kirkland: “A NIGHT ON THE OPERA!” THE QUESTION MARK KICK CONNECTS ON BRIANNA! Hill is stunned, and that leaves her completely open for “THE WALL!” HALSEY PLANTS BRIANNA WITH THE NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB! NEEL SITS RIGHT ON TOP OF BRIANNA’S CHEST AND PULLS THE LEG BACK FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Bella Braxton: BRIANNA HILL HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

(Halsey rolls off the cover and rises to a knee as Brianna rolls out of the ring…)

(TAG!)

Stew-O: The tag is made!

(Halsey looks over her shoulder as Rex enters the ring, slowly walking toward his wife as Raven makes it to a knee, still holding her ribs in pain after that spear. Raven looks up at Rex before gritting through the pain and pushing herself back to her feet, leaving Fire and Ice standing across from one another… but before either makes a move, their attention soon shifts toward someone else entering the ring.)

Stew-O: Don’t forget about KASAI, the only woman left standing for Team Dynasty!

Persephone: And somehow KASAI doesn’t look the least bit bothered by that. Her entire team is gone, she’s got nobody left to tag, and she’s still walking in here like this is exactly where she wants to be. Either she’s really confident or completely fucking insane.

Stew-O: Rex places himself in the middle, darting his attention back and forth between KASAI and Raven while staying on guard the entire time! …But it looks like both Raven and Rex, Fire and Ice, have decided to set their sights on KASAI! They’re beginning to close in on her from both sides…

Gavin Kirkland: IF KASAI’S GOING DOWN, SHE’S GOING DOWN SWINGING! KASAI catches Rex with a right hand as he lunges forward, AND IMMEDIATELY TURNS HER ATTENTION TO RAVEN WITH A FLURRY OF RIGHTS! Rex tries to grab hold of KASAI from behind— BUT EATS A BACK ELBOW FOR HIS TROUBLES, KNOCKING HIM BACK A BIT!

Stew-O: KASAI KEEPS HER FOCUS ON RAVEN, HAMMERING HER WITH RIGHT HANDS! Raven starts firing back, AND NOW THE TWO ARE TRADING PUNCHES BACK AND FORTH IN A HOCKEY FIGHT— BEFORE REX JOINS THE FRAY! Rex comes to Raven’s aid, and Fire and Ice begin BEATING KASAI DOWN TO THE MAT WITH CLUBBING BLOWS BEFORE STOMPING HER OUT!

Gavin Kirkland: KASAI tried to fight off both of them for as long as she could, but those numbers quickly caught up to her! Raven pulls KASAI back to her feet— AND CHUCKS HER OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! That leaves just Raven and Rex inside the ring, husband and wife squaring off… AND RAVEN TAKES THE FIRST SHOT WITH A RIGHT HAND! REX FIRES BACK WITH ONE OF HIS OWN! RAVEN! REX! RAVEN! REX! OH! BOTH COMPETITORS EXPLODE INTO A HOCKEY FIGHT!

Stew-O: THEY’RE JUST THROWING RIGHTS AT EACH OTHER! Raven and Rex continue trading punches until both finally stagger back after going at it for so long, FEELING THE EFFECTS OF EVERYTHING THEY’VE BEEN THROUGH IN THIS MATCH! But neither stays back for long— THEY GO RIGHT BACK ON THE ATTACK, THROWING FISTICUFFS ONCE AGAIN! Raven manages to shove Rex away, sending him back toward the ropes— AND REX REBOUNDS OFF THEM, LOOKING FOR THAT SIGNATURE JUMPING KNEE!

Gavin Kirkland: BUT RAVEN SIDESTEPS IT! Rex goes past her before quickly turning around, AND DUCKS UNDERNEATH A CLOTHESLINE FROM RAVEN! Both competitors turn and lunge at each other again— AND THEY HAD THE EXACT SAME IDEA! DOUBLE FOREARMS CONNECT, STUNNING BOTH RAVEN AND REX! They’re rocked, but only momentarily as THEY LUNGE AT EACH OTHER AGAIN— AND BLAST EACH OTHER WITH FOREARMS FOR A SECOND TIME! Neither one is willing to give an inch!

Stew-O: AND THEY BOTH LUNGE FOR A THIRD— BUT THIS TIME, RAVEN BEATS REX TO THE PUNCH! RAVEN LANDS THE FOREARM FIRST, AND REX IS ON WOBBLY LEGS! McAllister can barely keep himself steady— BUT HE EXPLODES FORWARD WITH A JUMPING KNEE STRIKE! NOW RAVEN IS THE ONE ON WOBBLY LEGS! Rex sees the opening and SWINGS WILDLY WITH A CLOTHESLINE—

Gavin Kirkland: BUT RAVEN DUCKS UNDERNEATH! Roberts races toward the ropes and rebounds back as Rex turns around— TALON!!! THE CLAYMORE KICK CONNECTS! REX GOES DOWN, AND RAVEN COLLAPSES ALONGSIDE HIM, DRAPING AN ARM OVER HER HUSBAND FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Bella Braxton: REX MCALLISTER HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

(Raven crawls over to the ropes, draping her head across the bottom rope where she comes face to face with KASAI, who uses the apron to help herself back to her feet at ringside. Neither woman breaks eye contact…)

Stew-O: ROUNDHOUSE KICK! KASAI JUST CAUGHT RAVEN WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE HEAD! Raven rolls away from the ropes and back inside the ring, instinctively rising to her feet as she clutches at her head in pain—

(Raven suddenly stops in her tracks as she backs into a giant obstacle standing behind her.)

Persephone: :mjlit: Yes! Kill her!

(KELIN.)

Gavin Kirkland: RAVEN TURNS AROUND AND SWINGS AT KELIN— BUT KELIN SIMPLY GRABS HER BY THE THROAT! Raven is lifted off her feet— AND KELIN DRIVES HER DOWN WITH THE CHOKESLAM BACKBREAKER! KING’S CALLING BY KELIN! Raven rolls through to all fours from the impact, BUT KELIN ISN’T FINISHED! The big man immediately pulls Raven back to her feet and gets her into position— ZERO ZENITH!!

Stew-O: NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB BY THE BIG MAN! RAVEN IS PLANTED INTO THE CANVAS, AND KELIN MAKES THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Bella Braxton: RAVEN ROBERTS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Stew-O: KELIN WITH ANOTHER ELIMINATION! He’s now looking to bring himself back up, not trying to stay immobile for too long while there’s still a sizable amount of this field that needs to be taken care of! He’s bringing himself up to a KNEE—

Gavin Kirkland: AS KASAI SENDS A BLISTERING KNEE INTO HIS TEMPLE!!! The knee seems to rattle Kelin while bringing the big man up to his feet! Trying to shake it off to the best of his ability as KASAI does not want to slow down!

Persephone: ‘CAUSE SHE SENDS A SHOTGUN DROPKICK THAT KNOCKS KELIN INTO THE CORNER! Kelin is sent into the turnbuckles as now KASAI is working to bring herself back up, refusing to halt herself as she’s now rushing toward Kelin—WHO RUSHES BACK AT HER!

Stew-O: AS SHE CATCHES HER WITH A BLACK HOLE SLAM!!! KASAI is immediately arching in pain as she rolls away & toward the apron! Kelin is bringing himself back up as he’s always refusing to keep himself down for long, looking to scan the area while catching another presence at the corner of his eye!

Persephone: AS CANDICE BLAIR LEAPS OFF THE TURNBUCKLE TO TAKE KELIN DOWN—

Gavin Kirkland: NO! KELIN CAUGHT HER!!! Kelin is shaking his own head as he’s not giving Candice that time of day! Candice is trying to squirm free as now the behemoth from Showdown looks to—WHAT THE?!?!?

Stew-O: DIVING ‘PHOENIX CUTTER’!!!! ARIA JUST DROPPED KELIN WITH THE CUTTER FROM THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!!! Kelin is shooting right back up!!! Dazed but still kicking!!!! Candice herself is wide eyed as she’s now quick to her feet, nodding to herself before RUSHING TOWARD KELIN WITH ALL THAT SHE’S GOT!!!

Gavin Kirkland: ’STARLIGHT’ TORNADO DDT! BUT KELIN WILL NOT STAY DOWN!!! HE’S EATING ALL OF THESE FOR BREAKFAST! KASAI realizes that action must be taken now! The entire turf may be filled to the brim with enemies, but she doesn’t have a choice!!!

Persephone: ’ABDICATION’!!!! NOW KELIN DROPS DOWN TO THE CANVAS! FINALLY!!! KASAI WITH THE COVER MADE!!!!

(## ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!)

(## TWOOOOOO—)

Stew-O: ## KELIN SHOVES KASAI OFF!!!

Gavin Kirkland: WHAT THE HELL?!? WHAT IS THIS GUY MADE OF??? KELIN IS SHAKING HIS OWN HEAD AS HE’S NOW TRYING TO GET HIMSELF MOVING AGAIN! Candice immediately looks toward the ringside area, as Akari is trying to fix himself back into the fray!

Persephone: ‘Till Candice gets on the apron—AND LEAPS RIGHT ONTO AKARI WITH A METEORA TO PUT HIM BACK DOWN!!!! Kelin is rising back up while ARIA & KASAI are wide eyed in their own right! They’re preparing for what’s to come—

Stew-O: ## BUT HERE COMES ERIS!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: ## SPEAR!!!!!!!

Persephone: SPEAR TAKES KELIN DOWN!!!!! THAT’S GOTTA BE ENOUGH NOW!!!! HOW IS HE STILL ABLE TO MOVE AT ALL AFTER THAT!

Stew-O: HE’S SHAKING HIS OWN HEAD, REFUSING TO GIVE IN TO THE PRESSURE! TRYING TO GRAB ONTO THE ROPES, BUT THE SPEAR KNOCKED TOO MUCH OF THE WIND OUT OF HIS SAILS!!!

Gavin Kirkland: ’J4A’ ACROSS THE TEMPLE FROM ARIA!!!! KELIN IS DOWN ON THE CANVAS!!! HALSEY LOOKING TO RUSH INTO THE RING—BUT ERIS WITH A BASEMENT DROPKICK REFUSES HER! KASAI NOW SEES HER MOMENT AS SHE CLIMBS UP TO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!!! KELIN IS GAZING UPWARD, SHAKING HIS HEAD VIGOROUSLY—BUT IT’S TOO LATE!!!!

Persephone: ## ‘KITSUNE BLESSING V2’!!! MOONSAULT STOMP!!!

Stew-O: KELIN CLUTCHES ONTO HIS ABDOMEN AS KASAI LEAPS FOR THE COVER!!! ERIS COVERS UP KELIN AS WELL!!! AS DOES ARIA!!!!

(## ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!)

(## TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!)

(## THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!)

Bella Braxton: ## KELIN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Gavin Kirkland: HOLY SMOKES! THEY GOT HIM OUTTA THERE WITH ALL THAT THEY HAD!

Stew-O: It seems that they’re all collectively breathing a sigh of relief! As Candice Blair is looking to bring herself back up to the top turnbuckle—BUT SHE’S BEING DRAGGED AWAY FROM THE GRASP OF THE ROPES!!! HALSEY HAS HER OVER HIS SHOULDERS—GOOD GOD!

Persephone: POWERBOMB ONTO THE BRUNT OF THE BARRICADE!!!! CANDICE IS IN PAIN!!! ARIA & Eris look toward what’s going on at ringside as Halsey is glaring up toward the ring while the two Voltage members ARE IN TROUBLE NOW!!!

Gavin Kirkland: WOAH!!! SPRINGBOARD DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE FROM AKARI KIYOKO!!! NATIONAL ELITE CHAMP’ TAKES DOWN BOTH MEMBERS OF VOLTAGE IN AN INSTANT!!! KASAI realizes she can’t stay dormant for long!

Stew-O: KASAI WITH A DROPKICK THAT SENDS AKARI THROUGH THE ROPES & OUT OF THE RING! She’s making her way back up now—BUT HALSEY APPLIES A REAR NAKED CHOKE!!! KASAI IS IN TROUBLE!!! Halsey has her forearm embedded right over the throat of KASAI, doing all that she can to cut off the lights from KASAI & eliminate Dynasty from this match!

Persephone: BUT KASAI QUICKLY ARCHES FORWARD AND ROLLS HALSEY RIGHT OVER! Halsey is able to roll herself forward and jump right up to her feet, turning herself toward KASAI as she’s not remaining dormant for long—

Gavin Kirkland: SPINNING BACK FIST FROM KASAI CAUSES HALSEY TO FALTER!!! KASAI is keeping herself on the move as the sole survivor Dynasty in this moment! She’s rushing over to the ropes & running toward Halsey with momentum, LOOKING FOR ‘DEADLIGHTS’—

Stew-O: HALSEY HALTS HER WITH A STEADY ELBOW INTO HER JAW!! KASAI immediately clutches onto her own jaw as she drops down to a knee, with Halsey revving up from here as she’s now looking for ‘A NIGHT IN THE OPERA’—

Persephone: HEADBUTT!!!! HAD TO HAVE BROKEN HER FUCKING NOSE THERE! KASAI ROCKS HALSEY!!!! She’s grinning it up as she knows Halsey is vulnerable here, rushing back toward her while she’s weak to PUT HER LIGHTS OUT!

Gavin Kirkland: ## ‘MATRICIDE’!!!!

Stew-O: HALSEY EVADES THE KICK—AND SHOVES KASAI INTO THE ROPES AHEAD!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: AKARI BLASTS KASAI WITH ‘UNITED STATES OF SMASH’ FROM THE APRON!!!! FULL FORCE ELBOW RATTLES KASAI TO HER CORE!!!! SHE’S STUMBLING BACKWARD, UNABLE TO PULL HERSELF TOGETHER AS SHE’S TURNING HERSELF AROUND—AND HALSEY REELS HER IN JUST TO HOIST HER UP HIGH!!!

Persephone: ’THE WALL’!!!!!!! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB PLANTS KASAI DOWN IN FULL MOTION!!! THE COVER IS MADE BY HALSEY!!!!

(## ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!)

(## TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!)

(## THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!)

Bella Braxton: ## KASAI HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Stew-O: Unfortunately, that’s all of Dynasty gone!

Gavin Kirkland: YES! YES! YES! HALSEY WITH YET ANOTHER ELIMINATION!! KASAI IS GONE!!! Halsey is trying to get herself moving again soon before long—WATCH OUT!!!

Persephone: SPEAR!!!!! ERIS JUST TOOK OUT HALSEY IN A BLINK!!! THE COVER IS MADE!!!!

(## ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!)

(## TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!)

(## THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

Stew-O: NO! HALSEY KICKS OUT!!! THE HAND IS RAISED!!!

Gavin Kirkland: ‘TILL ERIS QUICKLY MOTIONS HERSELF RIGHT BEHIND HALSEY AFTER TAKING HOLD OF HER ARM—AND NOW HER NECK!!

Stew-O: ## ‘THE WITHER’!!!!

Persephone: ERIS IS TRYING TO CHOKE HALSEY OUT UNCONSCIOUS!!! GIVING IT ALL THAT SHE’S GOT TO PUT HER AWAY! But this bitch is ANNOYINGLY tough! She’s just not willing to give any quit to this submission!

Gavin Kirkland: HALSEY IS FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE TO SURVIVE THIS! C’MON HALSEY!!! ERIS IS TRYING TO SINK HER ARM AROUND HER NECK EVEN FURTHER TO CUT OFF CIRCULATION!!!

Stew-O: AS BLOOD POURS OUT FROM HALSEY’S NOSE, BUT SHE’S REFUSING TO SUBMIT! SHE’S VIGOROUSLY GRITTING HER TEETH DOWN WHILE ERIS IS NODDING TO HERSELF! SHE KNOWS SHE CAN’T HOLD OUT FOREVER—

Persephone: ‘A K-NEE OF DEATH’ FROM AKARI!!!! FUCK!! ERIS IS ROCKED BY THE FLYING REGAL KNEE!!! INTO THE CORNER! Halsey coughs up a storm as now Akari is dragging Halsey over to their corner, refusing to let it end like this!

(TAG!)

(TAG!)

Gavin Kirkland: AND ERIS IS TEETERING AWAY FROM THE CORNER AS AKARI IS NOW RUSHING TOWARD HER IN FULL SPEED—WITH A LEG LARIAT THAT TURNS ERIS INSIDE OUT!!! KIYOKO IS KEEPING THE PACE!

Stew-O: AS HE SLAMS HIS FIST INTO THE CANVAS BEFORE MOTIONING OVER TO CORNER! HE’S LOOKING TO TAKE ERIS’ HEAD OFF WITH WHAT’S ABOUT TO SPRAWL HER WAY!!! AKARI RUSHES FORWARD!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: ## ‘PEACH DREAM’—

Persephone: ## ARIA LEAPS ONTO AKARI WITH A DIVING METEORA!!!

Gavin Kirkland: POW!!!! AKARI JUMPS UPWARD & ROCKS ARIA WITH ‘UNITED STATES OF WORLD SMASH’!!! ELBOW LEAVES ARIA REELING!!!

Stew-O: AND AKARI RUSHES BACK TOWARD ERIS WITH ‘PEACH DREAM’!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: SPIDER WALK!!!! AKARI LANDS FLAT ON HIS BACK AS HE’S MOTIONING BACK UPWARD WHILE HE CAN—

Persephone: ## TO GET CAUGHT BY SPEAR!!!!

Stew-O: ## ‘PEACH DREAM’!!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: BANG!!!!! AKARI HIT THE NAIL ON THE DAMN HEAD!!! ERIS GOT SPARKED!!! NOW AKARI IS RUSHING HIMSELF ON OVER, SITTING HIMSELF OVER ERIS WITH THE COVER TO GIVE ANOTHER ONE TO SHOWDOWN!

(…)

(………..)

(The referee doesn’t count.)

Gavin Kirkland: …..? HELLO?!?!? COUNT THE PIN, DOOFUS!

Persephone: ERIS ISN’T LEGAL, DOOFUS!

Stew-O: CANDICE BLAIR IS!!!

Persephone: ## ‘GOLD RUSH’!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: NO NO NO NO NO!!!! CANDICE TAGGED IN JUST AS AKARI DID EARLIER! DISCUS LARIAT DOES IT THERE! AKARI IS DAZED AS HE’S NOT STAYING DOWN! C’MON AKARI! YOU’RE UP TO A KNEE! GET BACK UP—CRAP!!!!

Stew-O: # ‘CASTLES CRUMBLING’ CANADIAN DESTROYER!!!!!!

Persephone: AKARI IS SPIKED ON HIS FUCKING HEAD!!! CANDICE RUSHES HERSELF OVER FOR THE COVER!!!!

(## ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!)

(## TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!)

(## THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

Bella Braxton: ## AKARI KIYOKO HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!!!

Stew-O: SHOWDOWN IS DOWN TO 1! VOLTAGE HAS 3 REMAINING!!!! CANDICE BRINGS HERSELF UPWARD HERE—

Gavin Kirkland: RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT INTO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!!!! MY GOODNESS!!! AND NOW CANDICE IS LAID OUT!!! BUT HALSEY’S NOT DONE!!!

Persephone: ‘CAUSE HALSEY IS JUST DRILLING ELBOW AFTER ELBOW ONTO CANDICE’S SKULL!!! HER CRANIUM IS BUSTED OPEN! I DON’T MIND THIS!! BLOOD’S SPILLING OVER!!!!

Stew-O: AS CANDICE IS KICKING HALSEY AWAY WITH A BOOT TO HER FACE! She’s finally got some space but there’s a crimson mask spread across her own face now! She’s rolling over to the apron, trying to recover the best she CAN—

Gavin Kirkland: QUESTION MARK KICK STUNS CANDICE IMMENSELY!!! SHE FALTERS RIGHT OVER THE BOTTOM ROPE!!! Halsey holds onto the rope, glaring toward Candice is she’s now heading through the ropes and onto the apron!!!

Stew-O: Candice’s upper body is dormant over the apron as… Halsey is… OH NO… HALSEY’S GLARE INTENSIFIED AS SHE RUSHES AHEAD!!!!!

Persephone: GODDAMN!

Gavin Kirkland: CURB STOMP ONTO THE FREAKIN’ APRON!!!!! CANDICE IS UNCONSCIOUS!!! THERE’S JUST NO WAY!!! HALSEY NEEDS TO PUSH CANDICE INTO THE RING FULLY! C’MON!!!

Stew-O: ERIS!!!! ERIS CATCHES HALSEY’S LEG—AND REELS HER RIGHT OVER HER OWN SHOULDERS!!!!

Persephone: POWERBOMB ONTO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR!!!! DELIVERING HALSEY A TASTE OF HER OWN MEDICINE!!!

Gavin Kirkland: NOT GOOD… I DON’T LIKE THIS… ERIS ISN’T JUST PUSHING HER BACK INTO THE RING…

Stew-O: Halsey is not staying down, crawling along the floor as Eris is catching her own breath, and she takes notice to a new opportunity here… SHE KNOWS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE…

Persephone: HALSEY IS DRAGGING HERSELF UP WITH A PALM OVER THE BARRICADE—AND DOESN’T HAVE A CLUE WHAT’S COMING HER WAY!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

(# CRASH!!!!!!!!)

Stew-O: # SPEAR THROUGH THE BARRICADE!!!!!!!!!

(## …)

(## …….)

Persephone: ## SHIT!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: ## HALSEY EVADED THE SPEARRRR!!!!

Stew-O: ERIS RAN FULL FORCE INTO THE BARRICADE & PAID THE PRICE!!!! SHE’S BURIED UNDERNEATH THE DEBRIS!!!!

Persephone: AND HALSEY REALIZES SHE NEEDS TO ACT! SHE LOOKS OVER TO THE DEAD ASS CANDICE THAT’S ONLY MANAGED TO LIFT HER HEAD! SHE SLIDES HERSELF BACK INTO THE RING—

Gavin Kirkland: SUPERKICK FROM ARIA!!!! HALSEY SLUMPS AS ARIA IS NOW QUICKLY SETTING OVER TO THE CORNER, AND SHE LENDS HER HAND OUT!!! CANDICE ONLY HAS ENOUGH ENERGY TO WEAKLY TAG OUT!!!

(TAG!)

Stew-O: AND NOW ARIA IS IN THIS!!! HALSEY IS STILL ROCKED WHILE ARIA IS LOOKING TO SEAL THE DEAL FOR VOLTAGE!!!! ALL THAT IT’LL TAKE TO SECURE AN IMMENSE VICTORY!!! SHE RUSHED FORWARD!!!

Gavin Kirkland: ## ‘FANTASY LIVES ON’—

Persephone: DISCUS LARIAT TURNS ARIA INSIDE OUT!!!!! ARIA IS DAZED!!! HALSEY, SOMEFUCKINGHOW, IS PUSHING THE PACE AGAINST THESE THREE! THEY ALL SUCK!!!

Gavin Kirkland: AND NOW HALSEY HAS HER OWN MOMENT!!! ARIA DOESN’T KNOW WHERE THE HELL SHE IS!!! HALSEY DRAGS ARIA RIGHT OVER, THIS IS ALL SHE WROTE!!!

Stew-O: ## ‘THE QUEEN IS DEAD’!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: ARIA SHIFTS THROUGH THE MANEUVER AS AN ARM DRAG CAUSES HALSEY TO ROLL AWAY!!! HALSEY HALTS HERSELF AT THE ROPES—AND ARIA DARTS TOWARD HER ONE MORE TIME!!!!

Persephone: ## ‘J4A’!!!!!!!

Stew-O: MATRIX EVASION FROM HALSEY NEEL!!! ARIA FALLS FLAT ON HER BACK AS SHE’S STRUGGLING TO GET BACK UP—AND IT COSTS HER!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: # ‘REALITY KILLED THE VIDEO STAR’!!!!!

(# …)

(# …)

Persephone: ## CANDICE SHOVES ARIA OUT OF THE WAY!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: AND SACRIFICES HERSELF IN GETTING BULLDOZED BY HALSEY NEEL!!!!

Stew-O: HALSEY IS WIDE-EYED WHILE CANDICE IS IMMEDIATELY CLUTCHING ONTO HER ABDOMEN! HALSEY BRINGS HERSELF BACK UP, LOOKING BACK FOR ARIA—

Persephone: #’J4A’!!!! THE FUCKING KNEE DROPS HALSEY NEEL!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: NO!!!!!!!!! NONONO!!!!! ARIA DRAPES HERSELF OVER HALSEY!!!!! C’MON!!!!!!

(## ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!)

(## TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!)

(## THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)

(## ……..)

(## ……………..)

(## DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: ## HALSEY NEEL HAS BEEN ELIMINATED! THE WINNERS OF THIS MATCH: ARIA, CANDICE BLAIR, ERIS MORTI, RAVEN ROBERTS, & ASHLYNN QUINN… TEAMMMM VOLTAGE!!!!!!

Stew-O: WHAT A MATCH! WHAT A WAR! As much as I can feel the disappointment for Dynasty suffering such a loss, Voltage certainly earned themselves this victory tonight after all of the pace that they have managed to push through every bit of the struggle faced! This was one hell of a battle to witness!

Persephone: Eat shit.

(Persephone smacks the back of Gavin’s head.)

Gavin Kirkland: OW???

Persephone: Voltage dubs what can I say, they kept the match full throttle and you know what??? I’ll give it to all of the teams, they were out there putting everything on the line, but the team that just wanted it that much more took it home.

Gavin Kirkland: Yeah yeah, I suppose there’s no arguing against that… Sigh congratulations to Team Voltage, and the sole survivors in ARIA, Candice Blair & Eris Morti especially in career-making performances…

(‘God Shattering Star’ emanates throughout the speakers as ARIA is breathing heavily, quickly motioning herself toward Candice without hesitation. Candice can barely sit herself up after all of the punishment, but she gives a weak nod to ARIA with a low smile, as ARIA hugs her closely in celebration. Eris brings herself up onto the apron with a palm over her own shoulder as she remains near the two, with a glance to the embrace—and a scoff, followed by an eye roll, as the three survivors of the bout’ relish in the aftermath of the Brand Warfare victory, as the scene soon fades.

(EAW logo buzzes.)

NIGHT TWO

(EAW Intro Plays)

???: AND NOW… RESIDENT EVIL, PAPA JOHN’S AND THE EAW PRESENT THE 2026 TERRITORIAL INVASION!

(The fireworks go off at the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi as the sold-out crowd is on their feet. “Die For You” by From Ashes To New plays throughout the stadium as the excitement can be felt in the air for Night Two of Territorial Invasion. The Camera pans down to the announcement crew of Rich Russillo, Thadd Blazevich, and Persephone.)

Rich Russillo: WELCOME TO NIGHT TWO OF TERRITORIAL INVASION! WHAT A NIGHT ONE WE HAD, CROWNING SOME NEW CHAMPIONS, BRAND WARFARE CLOSED OUT THE SHOW AND WHAT A DOLLHOUSE! BUT TONIGHT WE HAVE SO MUCH MORE INCLUDING THE WAR GAMES!

Thadd Blazevich: BRRROOOOOO! IT WAS AN AMAZING NIGHT ONE! BUT NIGHT TWO IS GOING TO DELIVER WITH SO MUCH MORE AND WE GET TO HEAD INTO THE POON PALACE!

Persephone: Whatever…. So, we are joined by the Dynasty and Showdown teams tonight as well, I don’t care who they are…. BUT… I LOVE MYSELF THIS KIND OF MATCH SO TAKE UT AWAY BELLA BRAXTON!

(The camera pans to Bella Braxton just as the graphic for the opening match of Night Two flashes and the fans go off in a roar.)

(https://i.imgur.com/OxI1DeH.png )

(The camera then goes over to Bella Braxton standing inside the ring, holding a microphone in her hand as she begins to speak.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… IT! ENDS! TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!

Crowd: :krabs:!!!

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzwwMUd1cvc)

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(An overwhelming number of boos are heard erupting from the crowd in attendance as ‘Nightreign’ by Shoi Miyazawa begins to play. The camera goes over to the stage as Jake Smith is seen slowly making his way out from the backstage area. He doesn’t exude the usual confidence that he has, at least… not all of it. There’s an air of uncertainty, and it’s apparent on his face as he looks around, trying to keep his cool. After a moment, he glances over to the ring, slowly beginning to make his way down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first… from Los Angeles, California… weighing in at 265 pounds… he is THE GREATEST OF ALLLLLLLLLL TIMEEEEEEEEEEE… JAKE SMITHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Persephone: Okay, so is nobody going to explain what this match is? HELLO?! HELLO?!?!

Rich Russillo: To be completely fair, a lot of things surrounding Jake Smith as of late have been shrouded in mystery. Ever since Caroline turned her back on him and vowed to end the bond that they had with one another, Jake has been on a spiral to try and find answers.

Thadd Blazevich: And it all leads to this, bro! The title is exactly as advertised: It Ends Tonight, and after everything that we’ve seen, whatever happens in this match is anyone’s guess! I’m just surprised that they’re actually heading out to the ring, dude.

(Jake makes his way up the steps and onto the apron. He then enters through the ropes and enters the ring, making his way toward the center of the ring, pointing to the sky…)

Rich Russillo: It goes without exaggeration that we have no idea what could happen in this match. We know that whoever wins will have their humanity restored… It’s just a matter of-

Persephone: Um, I don’t mean to be that person, but…

Thadd Blazevich: ???

(The camera goes over to the ring as it briefly pans over to the commentary desk… and Jake Smith has completely disappeared.)

Rich Russillo: Uh…

(There’s a brief murmur from the crowd, as it quickly cuts off, leaving everyone in confusion. Nobody knows what to do, and truthfully, nobody even knows if Jake even had an opponent in the first place who was heading out to the ring.)

(…)

Persephone: So is anybody gonna fucking do something, or do we not have a FUCKING OPENER TO THE SHOW!

Thadd Blazevich: Bro… what can we do?

(After a moment, the ringside official is seen walking up to Bella Braxton, whispering something. She has a reluctant expression on her face as she raises the microphone to her mouth.)

Persephone: Ladies and gentlemen, I have just received word from Captain Charisma that, due to the unknown status of both Jake Smith and Caroline… this match has been CANCELLED!

(The crowd doesn’t even know whether to boo this or not, because who knows what in the world just happened.)

Rich Russillo: This is certainly not the way that we wanted the show to start, but if we don’t know anything about the match, I think it’s worth it to say that we don’t even know what to do.

Persephone: I say they both lose; we consider them dead, and they’re off the roster. Deal? Deal.

Thadd Blazevich: Well, bro… hopefully we get a status report on them in the coming weeks, if not later tonight, but right now… I guess we’re just going to have to move on.

(The last shot seen is the empty ring, where Jake Smith resided before completely evaporating out of thin air… as Territorial Invasion begins to fade to elsewhere.)

(The camera returns to ringside, where Bella Braxton can be seen with a microphone in her hand.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Bella Braxton: And it is for THE EAW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

(The fans cheer, and those cheers are followed by ‘Once Then We’ll Be Free’ by Wisp. This brings about a somewhat mixed reception, as Jay Jerry Johnson begins walking out to the stage. Jay just gives a slow nod as he walks out, already focused and prepared for the match ahead as he chooses not to look towards the loud audience. Jay’s focus is purely on the ring as he walks down the ramp, as he knows now’s his best chance to finally become World Champion.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first… from Chicago, Illinois… weighing in at 215 pounds… HE IS THE ARTIST, JAAAYYYYYY JJEEEEEERRRYYYY JJJOOOOOOOOHHHHHHNNNSSSOOONNNNNN!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: This is going to be an interesting match, because one thing is clear. Jay Jerry Johnson wants that World Championship more than anything right now, to the point where you can even consider him desperate for it.

Thadd Blazevich: Well we’ve been seeing another side of Triple J lately, and honestly that’s starting to become a theme with Hans’ challengers in general. Raven was already tough dude, and for the last few weeks you could tell this has all been getting to Hans.

Persephone: Well that’s his problem if everyone wants to beat him up. Maybe Hans just has a punchable face.

(With this, ‘The Leaving Song Pt. II’ began to play. The fans immediately explode with cheers once the music hits, and as Jay waits inside of the ring, Hans Grayson begins to walk out. Hans gives a nod to the crowd, but afterwards his eyes quickly dart to his opponent in the ring. Hans clearly isn’t happy after all that has gone down, but he does his best to keep his composure despite it all. He begins walking down the ramp, high-fiving fans though giving Jay a cold glare as he heads to the ring.)

Bella Braxton: And his opponents… from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada… weighing in at 219 pounds… HE IS THE EAW WORLD CHAMPION… THE FIRE BREATHING DRAGON, HHHAAAAAANNNNSSSSS GGGGRRRAAAAAYYYYSSOOOONNNNN!!!!!

Rich Russillo: Here comes the Champion, who I’m sure is ready to try and put this behind him. It won’t be easy though, because I think Jay is going into this read to throw everything he possibly can.

Thadd Blazevich: Fair enough, but it won’t be easy for either bro. Hans has been through the ringer and still has managed to come out of it all as Champ. That can’t be for no reason. We’ll just have to see whether or not Triple J is the exception!

Persephone: Well I lose regardless of who wins, so they better make it good. There’s clearly animosity between them.

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Rich Russillo: AND HERE WE GO! THE BELL RINGS, AND IT DOESN’T TAKE LONG FOR THESE TWO TO LOCK UP AT ALL! Both men rush into the lock up, and they have a struggle for control as neither man has a significant physical advantage over the other! They’re of the same height and similar weight, and beyond all that they both have tension that’s going to have to be let out tonight!

Thadd Blazevich: Both dudes are really going at it as they struggle and stumble around the ring trying to overpower each other or at least find an opening– AND JAY MIGHTA FOUND ONE, AS HE TURNS AND FORCES HANS BACK FIRST INTO THE ROPES–

Rich Russillo: NO!

Thadd Blazevich: HANS TURNS JAY AROUND, PRESSING HIM AGAINST THE ROPES!

Persephone: But that just forces that stupid rope break!

Referee: (off-mic) Come on, break it up! ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Rich Russillo: And there’s the break! Hans raises his hands to show that he’s backing off–

Thadd Blazevich: BUT JAY JUST KICKED HANS IN THE GUT!!

Persephone: And Hans WANTED to go right after Jay, but this buzzkill referee is separating them because of the ropes. Come on. There’s already not gonna be any weapons, the least you could do is let them go at it.

Rich Russillo: Hans has no choice but to begin backing up– BUT JAY TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY AND PUSHES PAST THE REFEREE BEFORE LANDING AN ELBOW SMASH!! JAY ONCE AGAIN CATCHES HANS OFF GUARD– BUT NOW ALL BETS ARE OFF, AND HANS TAKES JAY TO THE MAT WITH A DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN!!

Thadd Blazevich: HANS IMMEDIATELY STARTS POUNDIN’ AWAY AT TRIPLE J, LAYING IN PUNCH AFTER PUNCH AS JAY STRUGGLES TO GET HIS ARMS UP TO BLOCK! WE’RE STARTING THIS ONE OFF HOT, BROS!!

Persephone: Jay is able to shove Hans off of him, and now both men rush back to their feet. Hans swings at Jay– but Jay ducks under before turning, and kicking Hans’ leg out from under him!

Rich Russillo: Hans drops down to his knees, AND NOW THERE’S A KICK TO THE CHEST! Hans grabs at his chest in pain, BUT JAY LANDS A SECOND ONE! HE QUICKLY LANDS A THIRD BEFORE HANS COULD EVEN REACT TO THE SECOND, AND THERE’S A FOURTH! Jay now winding up, BEFORE HE GOES FOR A ROUNDHOUSE KICK–

Thadd Blazevich: WHICH DOESN’T CONNECT!! HANS DUCKS IT BEFORE SHOVING TRIPLE J INTO THE CORNER! The Champ shoves himself back up before racing into the corner, AND HE HITS JAY WITH AN AWESOME JUMPING KNEE! Hans pulls Jay into a headlock after that, AND HE STARTS RUNNING OUT OF THE CORNER FOR A BULLDOG–

Rich Russillo: BUT JAY THROWS HANS OFF OF HIM! Hans lands on the mat– AND NOW FROM BEHIND JAY CONNECTS WITH THE ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!! Hans drops, rolling out of the ring as the challenger’s aggressive approach was rewarded to start this one off!

Thadd Blazevich: Triple J quickly follows Hans out of the ring– AND HE RUNS INTO THE CHAMP, MUSCLING HIM INTO THE BARRICADE BACK FIRST! Jay scoops Hans up after that, BEFORE JUST DROPPING HIM ONTO THE BARRICADE WITH A BODY SLAM! Hans falls onto the ringside floor, and dude, Jay is really going for it right now! He doesn’t even hesitate to drag Hans back up, and he just pulls him away from the barricade, BEFORE RUNNING IN AND THROWING HANS BACK FIRST INTO THE RING POST! Hans holds his back in pain, falling down to all fours as the challenger takes control!

Persephone: I’m so glad being a complete loser lit a fire under Jay. The last thing I need right now to see is him putting Hans in a bunch of boring “holds”.

Rich Russillo: Jay drags Hans back up before sending him back into the ring, and Jay is quick to follow behind as Hans starts to stumble back up! Hans tries to steady himself as fast as he can, AND HE TRIES SWINGING AT JAY– BUT JAY CATCHES HIM AND DELIVERS AN STO BACKBREAKER, WHICH IS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A NECKBREAKER! JAY WITH THE LATERAL PRESS, PINNING BOTH SHOULDERS DOWN!

OOOOOOONNNEEEEEE!!!!

TTTTTWWWWOOOOOOOOO!!!

Thadd Blazevich: HANS KICKS OUT, but he immediately turns and grabs at his back after that one! Jay shakes his head as he gets back up, just walking to Hans’ legs as he knows he’s totally in control! Jay grabs Hans by the legs, AND HE TURNS HANS OVER AND APPLIES A BOSTON CRAB!!!

Persephone: What!? No no NO!!! I thought I was gonna be free from the stupid submissions!

Rich Russillo: You may not be, but it seems Hans is! He had the wherewithal to turn onto his back before Jay could get that submission in tight– AND HANS IS ABLE TO FREE ONE OF HIS LEGS, BEFORE RAPIDLY KICKING AT JAY UNTIL HE LETS GO! Jay stumbles back and Hans rushes back to his feet–

Thadd Blazevich: RIGHT INTO THE PRETTY VISITOR!!!

Rich Russillo: NO!! Hans had that one scouted and was able to shove Jay away! Hans turns and runs off the ropes, AND HE USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO JUMP UP FOR THE FLAMING PUNCH!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT JAY CATCHES HANS, SCOOPING HIM UP BEFORE PLANTING HIM WITH A MICHINOKU DRIVER!!! HANS LANDED RIGHT ON HIS BACK, AND NOW JAY HOOKS THE LEG FOR A SECOND COVER!!

OOOOOOONNNNNEEEEEEE!!!!

TTTTTWWWWWOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Persephone: BUT HANS ANNOYINGLY KICKS OUT AGAIN!!! Jay is looking a little desperate tonight, isn’t he? Not that I mind, since for once someone’s actually trying to end the match ASAP.

Rich Russillo: I don’t think Jay has really hidden that he’s desperate. He wants that victory more than anything right now, and to his credit, he’s really working for it. Hans is just being forced to survive this onslaught, as Jay has truly had an answer for everything Hans could do. I can’t imagine all that damage to the back is feeling great, either.

Thadd Blazevich: Speaking of, Jay just dragged Hans to his feet, BEFORE USING ALL HIS POWER TO SEND HANS INTO THE CORNER! Hans collides with the turnbuckles back first, and he’s forced to hang onto the ropes just to keep himself on his feet! Hans grabs at his back before pulling himself back, AND NOW TRIPLE J USES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO START CHARGING IN–

Persephone: BUT HANS LIFTS JAY OVER HIS HEAD, SENDING JAY OUT TO THE APRON! Hans quickly turns and grabs Hans by the head, looking to send him into the ring post–

Rich Russillo: But Jay stops himself, before knocking Hans back with a right hand! Hans stumbles enough for Jay to start making the climb up to the top rope, AND NOW THERE IT IS! JAY JERRY JOHNSON LANDS THE MISSILE DROPKICK ON THE CHAMPION, AND HANS IS STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW AS THE CHAMPION STAYS FIRMLY ON THE OFFENSIVE! JAY GOES IN FOR ONE MORE COVER!!!

OOOOOONNNNNEEEE!!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOO!!!

TTTT–

Rich Russillo: BUT THAT DOESN’T GET THE JOB DONE EITHER!!

Thadd Blazevich: Jay pushes himself back to his feet, immediately yelling at Hans to get up as he doesn’t seem finished just yet! Hans doesn’t even know where he is! Hans looks like he’s both in pain and shocked! I don’t think he was prepped for the aggression Triple J’s had for him tonight!

Rich Russillo: Hans starts to stumble his way back up in a daze, AND NOW JAY SCOOPS HIM UP FOR HEAVEN’S FEEL!!!

Thadd Blazevich: NO!! HANS STILL HAD SOME WHEREWITHAL LEFT IN ‘EM, AND BRO SLIPS OUT OF JAY’S GRASP BEFORE PULLING HIM DOWN INTO A SUNSET FLIP!!!

OOOOONNNNEEEEE–

Thadd Blazevich: HE DOESN’T HOLD THE PIN, THOUGH! JAY IS QUICK TO ROLL OUT OF IT BEFORE BACKPEDALING INTO THE ROPES– AND BRO TRIED TO RETURN FIRE WITH A PENALTY KICK, BUT HANS DUCKED UNDER IT BEFORE TURNING AND PUSHING HIMSELF BACK UP!! JAY QUICKLY TURNS HIMSELF BACK AROUND AND RUSHES BACK TOWARDS HANS–

Rich Russillo: BUT HANS SURPRISES HIM WITH A FLAMING PUNCH!!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: AND JAY GOES DOWN!!! HANS FALLS INTO THE ROPES, LEANING INTO THEM AND HOLDING ON JUST TO KEEP HIMSELF UP! Bro immediately grabs at his back, but dude just caught Triple J off guard entirely! Hans shakes his head trying to shrug off the pain, rushing in for the cover as that might’ve been his best shot all night!

OOOOOONNNNNNEEEE!!!!

TTTTTWWOOOOOOOO!!!!

TTTTHHHRRRRE–

Persephone: BUT ANNOYINGLY, JAY’S ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP!! I guess that’s what happens when you spend ninety percent of the match so far getting beat up.

Rich Russillo: Hans shakes his head seeing that Jay’s still in this one, but there’s nothing he can do now besides stay on the offensive. Hans slowly starts to push himself back up, and he grabs Jay by the arm, dragging him back up BEFORE PULLING HIM INTO A KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION! Hans grabs Jay after this and throws him into the corner, AND HANS IMMEDIATELY RUSHES IN, LANDING A JUMPING KNEE TO JAY! Hans hit that at the start of the match, but it doesn’t look like he wants the bulldog this time!

Thadd Blazevich: Jay nearly sinks into the corner, but Hans drags him right back up BEFORE LANDING A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! Jay grabs at his chest in pain, and Hans just lifts him up before placing him on the top rope!

Persephone: So he’s gonna do something like this with a hurt back? Yeah, I’m sure that’s gonna go well.

Rich Russillo: Well we’ve known Hans long enough to know he doesn’t mind having to suffer a bit of damage as long as he can get through the match. This just seems like another one of those cases as he hits Jay with a second knife edge chop, and now pulls himself onto the top rope where Jay is! Hans hooks the arm, and he’s not wasting time. RIGHT AWAY HE’S LOOKING TO TAKE JAY OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A SUPERPLEX!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT TRIPLE J’S NOT LETTING THAT HAPPEN! HE STARTS TO REPEATEDLY PUNCH HANS IN THE RIBS BEFORE HANS COULD LIFT HIM UP– AND NOW LOOK!

Persephone: JAY THROWS HANS TO THE SIDE, SENDING HIM OVER THE TOP ROPE!

Rich Russillo: And Hans thankfully is able to hold onto the ropes, stopping himself from what would’ve been a nasty fall onto the ringside floor! Jay drops down from the top rope though, and he runs off the ropes while the Champion pulls himself back onto the apron–

Thadd Blazevich: EXCEPT HANS IS ABLE TO CONNECT WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZUIGIRI! Jay stumbles thanks to that and Hans jumps into the ring– BEFORE DUCKING A CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT FROM TRIPLE J! Jay turns around, AND HANS JUMPS AND CONNECTS WITH A PELE KICK! Jay goes down before he stumbles back up in a daze, AND HANS CATCHES JAY BEFORE LANDING A SAITO SUPLEX, FLOORING THE CHALLENGER!

Rich Russillo: Hans forcefully pushes himself back to his feet, shaking his head as he’s forced to just grit past the damage to his back! Hans takes a moment and takes a deep breath, as clearly Jay’s attacks have taken a slight toll. Not a surprise given he was slammed onto the barricade and much more, but it seems Hans isn’t going to let that deter him now!

Thadd Blazevich: Hans takes off and starts to run the ropes, BEFORE GOING FOR THE FIRESAUL–

Persephone: NO, LOOK!!!!

Rich Russillo: JAY GOT UP JUST AS HANS JUMPED ONTO THE ROPES, AND HE CATCHES HANS IN A WAISTLOCK BEFORE PLANTING HIM WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: JAY KEEPS THE BRIDGE IN FOR A PIN!!!

OOOOOOONNNNEEEEE!!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOOOOO!!!

TTTHHHH–

Rich Russillo: BUT HANS IS OUT OF THAT ONE!!! Jay sighs, but look, he’s back in the game! Hans took just a second too long to process all that terrible damage he’s taken, and unfortunately that pain setting in gave Jay just enough time to get up and make a move. Given his incredible in-ring IQ, I’m not even surprised by how good of a move it actually was!

Thadd Blazevich: Hans rolls to the ropes, and dude, that was not the landing he needed right now. Jay has been on him for every little mistake, and I don’t think Hans is gonna get a whole lotta time to breathe tonight.

Persephone: Good.

Rich Russillo: Hans uses the ropes to start pulling himself up as Jay approaches– but Hans suddenly is able to get a boot up! It wasn’t enough to drop Jay, but it caught him off guard and was enough for Hans to catch his breath a bit. Jay is already going back on the offensive though, as he charges back in to swing at Hans!

Thadd Blazevich: HANS BLOCKS IT, BEFORE LANDING A SHOT TO JAY’S JAW! Jay stumbles back, AND HANS GRABS HIM BEFORE LANDING ANOTHER! Hans grabs onto him one more time as Jay continues to backpedal to the other side of the ring, AND ONE MORE CONNECTS, FOLLOWED BY AN IRISH WHIP TO THE ROPES! Jay bounces off of them, and right into an arm drag! Jay hits the mat hard but is in a rush to get back to his feet–

Persephone: AND HANS CATCHES JAY WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK! Hans stumbles back because he did all that right after getting dumped on his neck, but Jay is probably worse off right now given what just happened to him.

Rich Russillo: Jay just rolled over to the roles, but Hans isn’t giving him the chance to recover– which is smart, given everything Jay has already done. Hans runs the ropes while Jay pulls himself up, AND NOW THERE’S A CLOTHESLINE, TAKING JAY OVER THE TOP ROPE! Jay just barely managed to grab onto the ropes to force an apron landing, but as I said Hans is staying on him.

Thadd Blazevich: Hans waits as Jay drags himself up on the apron, and he lands a kick to the midsection before grabbing bros head, and pulling it into the ring over the top rope! Hans now backing up, BEFORE HE RUNS IN, HITTING JAY WITH A BOOT TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! Jay falls, and bro is just left lifeless, hanging on the middle rope as Hans heads out to the apron!

Persephone: Hans drags Jay back out to the apron and pulls him into a waistlock– and I think he wanted a German suplex off the apron, but Jay is quick to start sending back elbows at Hans to try and force him off!

Rich Russillo: Hans won’t let go that easily– BUT JAY STOPS HIM FROM LIFTING HIM FOR THE MOVE, AS HE QUICKLY BACKPEDALS AND SENDS HANS BACK FIRST INTO THE APRON! That was just enough to force Hans off of him, as Hans nearly fell off the apron and had to grab onto the top rope in order to save himself!

Thadd Blazevich: Triple J takes advantage of the situation by hooking Hans, LIFTING HIM FOR A FALCON ARROW ONTO THE APRON!!!!

Rich Russillo: BUT HANS LANDS ON HIS FEET– AND HE USES EVERYTHING HE HAS TO POWER JAY UP!!

Thadd Blazevich: BEFORE DROPPING JAY ONTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE WITH A GOURDBUSTER!!!

Persephone: Oh, yikes.

Rich Russillo: Wow! Hans had Jay up, and he was able to stop himself short and drop Jay stomach first onto the top turnbuckle! Hans immediately drops to a knee clutching the side of his back, clearly having had to exert himself a bit more than he should’ve. Hans knows this one isn’t over yet though, and thanks to this he starts to climb the turnbuckles as Jay slowly starts to crumble down on the opposite side!

Thadd Blazevich: Hans hits Jay with a forearm, and he lands a few more for good measure! I don’t know what Hans has in mind, but he hesitates for a bit, grimacing before he starts to pull Jay up!

Persephone: AND JAY CATCHES HANS OFF GUARD WITH A HEADBUTT!

Rich Russillo: That was a move done out of sheer desperation. You can tell just from Jay’s lack of an immediate follow-up, but that doesn’t matter as it clearly worked out. It forced Hans to stop for a bit as he holds his head, and now Jay is able to slowly pull himself up the turnbuckles and over Hans, BEFORE DELIVERING A CLUBBING BLOW TO THE BACK! Jay lands a second one, and he follows it up by beginning to repeatedly drop elbows onto the back of Hans’ head!

Thadd Blazevich: Jay hooks Hans’ arms into a double underhook once he realizes that Hans doesn’t have any more fight in him, AND HE BEGINS LIFTING HIM UP FROM THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE ON THE APRON!! DUDE, WHAT’S TRIPLE J DOING!?!?

Persephone: A BUTTERFLY SUPERPLEX OUT OF THE RING, THAT’S WHAT!!

Rich Russillo: OH MY GOD!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: HANS GRAYSON AND JAY JERRY JOHNSON BOTH CRASH ONTO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR!! DUDE, THAT WAS INSANE!!! TRIPLE J JUST HIT A BUTTERFLY SUPERPLEX ALL THE WAY OUT TO RINGSIDE, AND IF HANS’ BACK WAS IN PAIN BEFORE, I DON’T EVEN KNOW IF BRO’S GONNA BE ABLE TO WALK AFTER THAT ONE!

Rich Russillo: I don’t even know if I can call that an exaggeration, because even Jay is struggling to move!

Thadd Blazevich: That was an insane risk, bro! Jay put everything on the line there!

Persephone: But it paid off! Jay’s using the apron to drag himself back up, meanwhile Hans Grayson is just laid out on the ringside floor, squirming in pain!

Rich Russillo: Jay forces himself back up before dragging Hans up, relying on the apron to bring him back to his feet! Jay sends Hans back into the ring before falling behind, and I don’t think Hans even realizes what’s in store for him as he finally starts to come to his senses!

Thadd Blazevich: Hans uses everything he can to push himself to a knee, AND JAY USED THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRAG HIM UP!

Rich Russillo: BEFORE PLANTING HIM WITH THE PRETTY VISITOR!!!!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: HE DIDN’T GET HIM!!

Persephone: # HANS JUST TURNED AROUND BEFORE PULLING JAY INTO A BACKSLIDE PIN!!!!!

OOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: But a roll up isn’t ending this Championship match! Once again Hans releases the pin as Jay rolls through, and both men rush back to their feet as fast as they can given the circumstances! Hans looks to strike!

Thadd Blazevich: THAT DOESN’T GO TO PLAN THOUGH! TRIPLE J DUCKED AND PULLED HANS INTO AN INVERTED FACELOCK BEFORE LIFTING HIM UP–

Persephone: AND PLANTING HIM WITH THE YKHM LAST LOVE!!!!

Rich Russillo: AND THERE’S NO ESCAPING THIS ONE! JAY JERRY JOHNSON CONNECTS WITH THAT PUMPHANDLE EMERALD FLOWSION, AND AFTER THAT SUPERPLEX TO THE OUTSIDE, THAT HAS TO BE THE WORST MOVE HANS COULD RECEIVE RIGHT NOW!!

Thadd Blazevich: Triple J put everything he had into that one, AND NOW HE HOOKS THE LEGS, TO BECOME A FIRST-TIME WORLD CHAMPION!!!!

OOOOOOONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

TTTTWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

TTTTHHHHHRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Persephone: BUT HANS GETS THE SHOULDER UP!!!!

Rich Russillo: And STILL, this match is not over! Hans was barely even able to get his shoulder off the mat, and all Jay can do is slowly roll off of Hans. Jay is spent, and at this point I think both men are starting to run out of gas. How are they still going after that huge ringside superplex!?

Thadd Blazevich: We said it at the start, bro. Jay is a desperate guy right now, trying pinfall after pinfall to end this one. To his credit, I think it’s starting to work, bros. Hans is totally starting to run out of options with all that back targeting. We saw what happened when he went for the Firesault in spite of it. Jay went into this one prepared, dude. Honestly, this might be his time to become World Champion.

Persephone: Aren’t you speaking too soon? Jay is down on the mat right next to Hans. Neither of them are in good shape– which isn’t a surprise since neither of them are even decent wrestlers.

Rich Russillo: It is true that Jay has definitely exhausted himself right with Hans, but he is clearly the man better off right now, and it seems as long as he has any strength left he’s going to fight. Jay is pushing himself back up while Hans slowly starts to stir.

Thadd Blazevich: Jay catches Hans by the wrist just as Hans turns himself over, and Jay pushes himself up before STOMPING ON HIS BACK! Hans winces in pain, BUT TRIPLE J JUST STOMPS ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, BEFORE DELIVERING A FEW MORE STOMPS TO THE BACK!

Persephone: Jay pulls Hans up before grabbing him by the waist, AND DRIVING HANS BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! Hans nearly fell to his knees from that alone, but Jay doesn’t let him. He just grabbed Hans by that arm that’s probably been wrecked five times over by now.

Rich Russillo: AND NOW HE WRAPS IT AROUND THE TOP ROPE, BEFORE PULLING AWAY AT IT AS HANS STRUGGLES!! JAY HAS BEEN TARGETING THE BACK ALL NIGHT, AND NOW HE’S GOING BACK TO THE WELL SO MANY OF HANS’ OPPONENTS HAVE GONE TO! JAY IS TRYING TO RIP HANS APART PIECE BY PIECE!

Thadd Blazevich: And Hans is in no condition to do anything about it! The ref starts the count!

Referee: (off-mic) One! Two! Three! Four! FIVE!

Persephone: And Jay unfortunately lets go–

Rich Russillo: BUT AS SOON AS HE DOES, HANS USES THE FREE ARM TO KNOCK JAY BACK WITH A PUNCH STRAIGHT TO THE JAW!

Thadd Blazevich: Hans immediately clutches at his arm in pain– BUT HE STILL GETS NO TIME TO BREATHE, AS JAY KICKS HIS LEG OUT FROM UNDER HIM! Jay grabs Hans by the bad arm, and he starts to drive elbows down right into the shoulder and tricep! Hans pushes himself to his feet, trying to find some way to keep going, but Jay just continues the onslaught!

Persephone: Jay now pulling Hans in for a short-arm clothesline–

Rich Russillo: BUT THAT WAS IT!!! THAT WAS THE OPENING HANS NEEDED, AS HE DUCKS AND PULLS JAY’S ARM INTO A HAMMERLOCK!

Thadd Blazevich: BEFORE CONNECTING WITH THE HEAT TWIST!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: HANS GRAYSON FOUND AN OPENING TO STRIKE, AND STRIKE HE DID!!! JAY JERRY JOHNSON IS OUT, AND NOW HANS IS FORCING HIMSELF UP IN SPITE OF THE INJURIES HE SUFFERED TONIGHT, JUST LIKE HE DID AGAINST DRAKE ARMSTRONG!!! JUST LIKE HE DID AGAINST RAVEN ROBERTS!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: JAY STARTS TO STUMBLE TO A KNEE IN A DAZE, AND HANS DOESN’T EVEN WAIT! HE DRAGS BRO BACK UP BEFORE TURNING JAY AROUND, YELLING AS HE JUMPS UP!!!

Persephone: # IMPERIAL FLAME!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: THE IMPERIAL FLAME CONNECTS, AND HANS GRABS HIS SHOULDER BEFORE QUICKLY TURNING JAY OVER!!! HANS HOOKS THE LEG WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS LEFT, GOING FOR THE COVER TO END THIS MATCH!!!!!

OOOOOOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

TTTTWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

TTTHHHRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: # JAY JERRY JOHNSON GETS THE SHOULDER UP!!!!

Persephone: …what?

Rich Russillo: JAY JERRY JOHNSON GOT THE SHOULDER UP! THIS MATCH ISN’T OVER!! THE WORLD TITLE IS STILL ON THE LINE, AND HANS GRAYSON CAN’T EVEN BELIEVE IT!!!

Thadd Blazevich: Man, I can’t believe it myself! We literally saw all the people that move has put down as of late, and Hans already hit bro with the Heat Twist! I was certain it was wraps, but Triple J is still fighting! This is terrible for Hans, bro. First it was his back, now another weakness is developing with the surgically repaired arm. The longer this goes, I think this actually favors Jay.

Rich Russillo: Hans slowly pushes himself to his knees, and you can see the stress on his face as he’s just being forced to ask himself what more he could possibly do.

Thadd Blazevich: Hans slowly starts to push himself up, even stumbling in the process as bro is just barely able to keep himself up. Triple J meanwhile has crawled into the corner and is sat there, and seeing that look on Hans’ face, I don’t think that’s where Jay wants to be!

Persephone: Hans storms over to Jay, AND HE DELIVERS A BOOT TO THE JAW, BEFORE BEGINNING TO JUST STOMP AWAY AT JAY!

Rich Russillo: HANS WAILS AWAY AT JAY IN THE CORNER, STOMPING HIM OVER AND OVER AS THE REFEREE IS FORCED TO BEGIN COUNTING HIM NOW!

Referee: (off-mic) One! Two! Three! Four! FIVE! GET OFF HIM, HANS!

Rich Russillo: THE REFEREE PULLS HANS AWAY–

Thadd Blazevich: BUT HANS PUSHES PAST BRO, DRAGGING JAY UP BEFORE THROWING HIM INTO THE OPPOSITE CORNER! Hans goes charging in, AND HE LANDS ONE MORE JUMPING KNEE! HANS DRAGS JAY OUT OF THE CORNER, AND THIS TIME HE LANDS THE BULLDOG OUT OF THE CORNER– EXCEPT HANS DOESN’T EVEN GO FOR THE COVER!

Rich Russillo: Instead, he just gets on top of Jay’s back, BEFORE BEGINNING TO THROW FOREARMS AT THE BACK OF HIS HEAD!

Persephone: Okay, that’s pretty nasty for Hans’ standards. Jay must’ve really been pissing him off.

Thadd Blazevich: Of course! It’s bad enough Jay did all that to get under Hans’ skin in the build. Now he’s been a huge problem tonight on top of that. I think Hans is really being forced to pull out all the stops, AS HE JUST CONTINUES PUMMELING TRIPLE J WITH THE FOREARMS TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!

Persephone: All those forearms clearly got some sort of response from Jay. He’s trying his best to find some sort of way out of this!

Rich Russillo: And he goes after Hans’ bad arm, grabbing it before pulling it down!

Thadd Blazevich: JAY IS ABLE TO BRING HANS TO THE MAT, JUST LONG ENOUGH FOR HIM TO PUSH HIMSELF UP AND LOCK IN AN ARMBAR!!

Rich Russillo: CLOSE!! JAY NEARLY CAUGHT HANS WITH THE ARMBAR WITH JUST THAT ONE SMALL OPENING, BUT HANS WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO GET HIS ENTIRE LEG ONTO THE BOTTOM ROPE! Jay doesn’t have the strength in him right now to try pulling Hans away! He’s gonna have to release the submission! Jay reluctantly lets go–

Thadd Blazevich: BUT AS SOON AS HE DOES, HANS GRABS HIM TO PULL HIMSELF FORWARD– LANDING A FOREARM TO JAY’S JAW!!

Persephone: Hans goes for a second one, BUT THIS TIME JAY IS ABLE TO BLOCK IT, BEFORE PUNCHING HANS OFF OF HIM!

Rich Russillo: Hans falls back before he pushes himself back to a knee, AND JAY PUSHES HIMSELF UP BEFORE LOOKING TO RAM HANS INTO THE TURNBUCKLES– BUT HANS TURNS IT AROUND LAST SECOND, SENDING JAY INTO THE CORNER! Jay hits the turnbuckles, AND HANS PUSHES HIS HEAD UP BEFORE BEGINNING TO JUST LAY INTO HIM WITH PUNCHES!

Thadd Blazevich: THE REF’S GONNA HAVE TO START ANOTHER COUNT–

Rich Russillo: NO, HE DOESN’T GET THE CHANCE! JAY WAS ABLE TO GET THE BOOT UP, USING IT TO PUSH HANS BACKWARDS! Hans falls and rolls backwards back to his feet– BUT JAY CHARGES IN DURING THIS, AND HE’S ABLE TO CATCH HANS OFF GUARD WITH A PUMP KICK! That was a clean shot, and Hans was nearly floored by that one!

Thadd Blazevich: He stays standing though, AND THAT ALLOWS JAY TO START THE KNOCKOUT ARTIST COMBINATION!! A BACK ELBOW CATCHES HANS, WHICH JAY FOLLOWS UP WITH THE RIGHT HOOK!! Hans was rocked by those attacks, but the combo isn’t finished just yet! JAY SWINGS AT HIM FOR THE LARIAT!

Rich Russillo: BUT HANS DUCKS UNDER IT, BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! Hans follows with a forearm, AND NOW A SECOND CHOP! Another forearm! Another chop! Jay is being backed towards the ropes, AND NOW HANS JUST LANDS FOREARM AFTER FOREARM AFTER FOREARM, UNTIL FINALLY HE STARTS TO LOSE HIS STRENGTH– AND RESORTS TO GRABBING JAY AND HEADBUTTING HIM!!

Thadd Blazevich: Hans hooks him in, and I think he wants maybe a suplex–

Persephone: BUT THAT’S A STUPID MOVE WHEN YOU HAVE A HURT BACK AND ARM, SO JAY IS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY PULL HIMSELF DOWN BEFORE LIFTING HANS UP! JAY MAY BE LOOKING FOR A GOURDBUSTER!

Rich Russillo: BUT WE WILL NEVER KNOW, AS HANS IS ABLE TO SLIP OUT OF JAY’S GRASP AND LAND ON THE APRON!! HANS GRABS JAY BY THE BACK OF HIS HEAD AS HE TURNS AROUND- AND HE DELIVERS A NECKBREAKER INTO THE TOP ROPE!

Thadd Blazevich: TRIPLE J GOES DOWN, AND HANS GRABS THE ROPES, PULLING HIMSELF BACK UP TO HIS FEET!! DUDE, JAY WAS JUST DROPPED, AND IT’S LOOKIN’ LIKE BRO JUST FELL INTO PERFECT POSITION FOR A HUGE MOVE FROM HANS!!

Persephone: But is he even in any condition for all that? The way he’s been moving for the last few minutes, even trying a dropkick might mess him up.

Rich Russillo: Well he’s certainly going to try! He takes a deep breath while Jay is down, AND NOW HANS JUMPS!

Thadd Blazevich: GRAYSON SPLASH!!!!!

Persephone: # PRETTY VISITOR!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: HE CAUGHT HIM!!!!! HANS WENT FOR THE SPRINGBOARD 450, BUT JAY WAS ABLE TO POP UP AND CATCH JAY WITH THE CUTTER!!!!! That was a huge risk from Hans, and it SEVERELY backfired as Jay just caught him with the Pretty Visitor! Hans Grayson is down and out, and I think he might be done! He gave it all he had, but that one mistake may have caught him!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, look at him! Hans has NOTHING left, AND JAY KNOWS IT! HE’S CALLING FOR HANS TO GET BACK UP, AND DUDE, THIS IS IT! THIS IS JAY’S CHANCE TO DO IT, TO FINALLY BECOME A WORLD CHAMPION!!

Persephone: I can’t believe this.

Rich Russillo: HANS SLOWLY STARTS TO SLOWLY STUMBLES TO HIS FEET, BUT LOOK AT HIM!! HE DOESN’T HAVE ANY LIFE IN HIM, AND HE IMMEDIATELY JUST STUMBLES AND CRUMBLES FORWARD–

Thadd Blazevich: RIGHT INTO JAY’S GRASP!!! JAY SCOOPS HANS UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS!!!!

Rich Russillo: # FOR HEAVEN’S FEEL!!!!!!!

Persephone: HANS ESCAPES!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: HANS SLIPS DOWN JAY’S BACK ONCE AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME HE GRABS JAY WITH HIS GOOD ARM AND PULLS HIM DOWN WITH A SCHOOL BOY, PUTTING ALL OF HIS WEIGHT DOWN ON JAY!!!!

OOONNNNEEEE!!!!!

TTTWWWOOOO!!!!!

TTHHREEEEEEEE!!!!

EAW: # Ding! Ding! Ding!

Thadd Blazevich: :krabs:

(The fans are shocked as Hans Grayson rolls out of the ring. Jay Jerry Johnson is able to push himself back to a knee, frantically pulling himself to the ropes, beyond stunned after what just occurred. Hans Grayson lays against the barricade, breathing heavily as he just stares at Jay, all while ‘The Leaving Song Pt. II’ begins to play once more.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen here is your winner… AAANNDDD STTIIIILLLL THE EAW WORLD CHAMPION…. HAAAAAAAAANNNNSSSSSS GGGRRRAAAYYYYYSSSOOONNNNNN!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: NO WAY!!! Hans Grayson gets the victory, but I don’t think I could’ve expected it to happen like that! Jay was right on the verge of getting it done! He nearly had Hans beat, but Hans… Hans stole the victory.

Thadd Blazevich: I think some of Jay’s desperation rubbed off on Hans, bro. Jay had been getting to Hans, and in the late stretch of the match we saw Hans turn up the heat and become more aggressive. Jay still got him in spite of that, so I guess bro just did what he felt he needed to do to retain. Still, I can’t believe it!

Persephone: So much for a World title match not ending in a roll up. Welcome back 2024 Jake Smith.

Rich Russillo: I wouldn’t go that far. Hans has shown countless times he has a good heart. The stakes are just at their highest, and it seems Jay Jerry Johnson wasn’t the only man willing to do whatever it takes to hold onto that title. Congratulations to Hans Grayson, but I don’t know if either man will be happy about this one, knowing that this is how it ends.

(Hans Grayson is handed his Championship by the referee. After some time Hans slowly uses the barricade to pull himself up, and the entire time, he and Jay do not take their eyes off of each other. Jay is furious knowing his opportunity to become World Champion was stolen in such a manner, and that there’s nothing he can do about that now. Hans just shakes his head, slowly limping back up the ramp while Jay is left in the ring. From there, Territorial Invasion fades from ringside.)

(A commercial plays for Persona 5 The Phantom X featuring Bronson Daniels.)

Bella Braxton: The following contest is a Divide and Conquer match scheduled for ONE FALL!

(“Betty (Get Money)!” by Yung Gravy hits, with Clayton Golde, Artemis Jones and Adonis Jones all coming out. The twins side-eye Clayton but all three move down to the ring, ready to get going.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first, representing Showdown, they are CLAYTON GOLDE, ADONIS JONES, ANNNNND ARTEMIS JOOOONES!

Gavin Kirkland: Look at this unit! Who is beating them!? Granted, we all know how this is going to ultimately end, but I truly do believe this can be an all-Showdown affair with all three at the helm!

Persephone: Oh, I’m so sure.

Stew-O: Clayton, despite his… controversial, to say the least, perception, has already proven himself as a former New Breed Champion whereas Artemis and Adonis have been able to work towards participating in one of the most pivotal matches at Territorial Invasion. There’s a lot they can bring to a contest like this.

Gavin Kirkland: As long as one of them wins, then that’s all that matters!

(‘Rompe’ by Daddy Yankee hits. Carmen Sanchez jogs out, along with Avril Williams and Cynthia Valice. All three hit their respective poses before they head down to the ring.)

Bella Braxton: Next, representing Voltage, they are AVRIL WILLIAMS, CYNTHIA VALICE, AAAND CARMEN SAAANCHEEEZ!

Persephone: Yeah, woo, go Voltage, or whatever. I don’t know; they’re gonna have to beat the crap out of each other anyhow :mjlol: but as long as one of them wins that’s all that matters.

Gavin Kirkland: Oh, come on, you can do better than that! Where’s your enthusiasm? Where’s your pride! Especially for these three pretty ladies.

Persephone: They’re old enough to be your daughters. Please settle down.

Gavin Kirkland: :roman:

Stew-O: Wow. Well then, Voltage has some decent talent here. Wouldn’t be a shock at all with one of these three end up making it to the end!

(Then, ‘Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time’ by Panic! At The Disco hits. TFK comes out, then AKIZA, and lastly, Yanni Killbrew. The two notably have some distance behind him as they make their way down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: And representing Dynasty, they are T!F!K! AKIZA, and YAAANNIII KILLLBREWWWW!

Stew-O: And Dynasty looks about ready to go! TFK, AKIZA and Yanni Killbrew are here to make a statement, especially in lieu of Reckless Wiring where all three were unable to win the New Breed Champion from Anna Wautier. Now, they look to make up for it–but of course, only one can win.

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA is so dangerous! That’s like a panther stalking in the gross. Rawr.

Persephone: Please, for the love of god, tell me you didn’t just do that…

Gavin Kirkland:

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Stew-O: AND HERE WE GO! Divide and Conquer is up, and TFK, Carmen and Clayton are all starting this one off! The three Elitists circle the ring, UNTIL CLAYTON GOES AFTER THE SMALLEST ELITIST, ATTEMPTING TO WIPE OUT CARMEN WITH A CLOTHESLINE!

Gavin Kirkland: THAT DOESN’T WORK OUT FOR HIM, THOUGH! CARMEN DUCKS UNDER– AND SHE DUCKS A SECOND ATTEMPT BEFORE JUMPING ONTO THE MIDDLE ROPE, SPRINGBOARDING OFF FOR A HURRICANRANA THAT SENDS CLAYTON ROLLING! Carmen rushes back to her feet–

Persephone: And TFK catches Carmen with a kick to the midsection. He sends a kick up into Carmen’s face before turning and landing a spinning kick to the gut. TFK hooks her…

Stew-O: BUT HE DOESN’T GET IT! CARMEN IS ABLE TO SLIP OUT OF TFK’S GRASP AND LAND BEHIND HIM–

Gavin Kirkland: ONLY FOR CLAYTON TO GRAB CARMEN BY THE LEG AND DRAG HER OUT OF THE RING! Clayton grabs Carmen, AND HE JUST SENDS HER CRASHING INTO THE STEPS! Ugh, I can’t be happy seeing something like that happen to Carmen, but we know how smart Clayton can be! There’s a reason he was New Breed Champion! Clayton rushes onto the apron after wiping out Carmen, and he has a grin on his face!

Stew-O: BUT THAT GRIN’S ABOUT TO BE WIPED OFF– BECAUSE THERE’S TFK WITH A TRIANGLE DROPKICK!! THE TRIANGLE DROPKICK KNOCKS CLAYTON OFF OF THE APRON, AND TFK BURSTS BACK TO HIS FEET BEFORE TAGGING YANNI IN! TFK now taking off as he starts running the ropes, all while Clayton starts finding his way up!

Gavin Kirkland: SUICIDE DIVE BY TFK TO CLAYTON!!! CLAYTON HITS THE BARRICADE, AND YANNI DRAGS CARMEN UP BEFORE JUST HITTING HER WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! Yanni grabs Clayton after that, sending him back into the ring while TFK heads back onto the apron! Team Dynasty is on a tear right now!

Persephone: I guess. Then again, it’s not like the competition is great, and yes I’m including my brand’s team.

Stew-O: Clayton stumbles back to his feet, AND YANNI CONNECTS WITH A SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! YANNI MAINTAINS THE BRIDGE, FORCING AN EARLY PINFALL AS CLAYTON MIGHT BE DAZED!!!

OOONNNNEEE!!!

TTTWWWWOOOO!!!

Stew-O: NO! Clayton is out of that one! Yanni is immediately back to his feet though, and I don’t think he’s too mad at the kickout as he’s always been more than willing to inflict serious punishment!

TAG!

Stew-O: He starts to drag Clayton back to his feet, BUT HE MIGHT WANT TO LOOK OUT!

Gavin Kirkland: CARMEN JUST DOVE OFF THE TOP ROPE, HITTING YANNI WITH A DROPKICK!! That knocked Yanni off balance and sent him backpedaling into the ropes! He bounces off of them while Carmen quickly rolls out of the ring, AND LOOK WHO JUST TAGGED HERSELF IN! AVRIL LEAPS UP TO THE TOP ROPE, BEFORE TAKING YANNI DOWN WITH A SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY!! AVRIL WILLIAMS ENTERS THIS MATCH IN A BIG WAY, AND SHE HOLDS YANNI IN PLACE FOR A COVER OF HER OWN!

OOONNNNEE!!!

TTTTWWWO–

Persephone: BUT YANNI SHOVES AVRIL OFF OF HIM! Can’t even pretend to be surprised about one since Yanni’s one of the biggest people in the match. Clayton’s been using the ropes to pull himself up in the meantime though, and it’s looking like Avril just figured that out!

Stew-O: Avril rushes in towards Clayton– BUT CLAYTON’S ABLE TO GET THE BOOT UP, AND HE FOLLOWS IN BY RUSHING INTO HIS OWN CORNER AND TAGGING ADONIS IN! Adonis makes it into the match while Avril’s dazed, AND HE HYPES HIMSELF UP BEFORE RUNNING IN AND FLOORING AVRIL WITH A SINGLE LEG DROPKICK!

Gavin Kirkland: YES! It’s time for the Jones brothers to get going! YEET!

Persephone: Don’t do that again.

Stew-O: Adonis rushes in on Yanni as Killebrew stumbles back up, AND ADONIS LANDS A PUNCH! A SECOND! A THIRD, AND NOW THERE’S THE ADONIS PUNCH, CAUSING YANNI TO BE SENT STUMBLING AWAY AND INTO THE ROPES! Adonis is on fire right now, and that was a smart tag by Clayton as team Showdown may be getting back into this one! Adonis now rushing in after Yanni–

Gavin Kirkland: BUT YANNI CATCHES ADONIS WITH A KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION! Yanni follows that up with a vicious European uppercut that rocks Adonis, BUT ADONIS RETURNS FIRE WITH A SUPERKICK! THAT ONE LANDED FLUSH!!

Persephone: Adonis turns while Avril gets back up, AND HE GOES FOR A SECOND SUPERKICK!

Stew-O: BUT AVRIL CATCHES THE BOOT, AND IT LOOKS LIKE SHE JUST GOT AN IDEA! SHE SPINS ADONIS AROUND BEFORE LEAPING ONTO HIS SHOULDERS– AND SHE CONNECTS WITH A POISONRANA! HUGE POISONRANA BY AVRIL WILLIAMS, AND THIS DIVIDE AND CONQUER MATCH HAS ALREADY BEEN CHAOTIC AS NOBODY HAS BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE UPPER HAND FOR LONG! AVRIL GETS TO HER CORNER, AND SHE TAGS CYNTHIA IN WHILE ADONIS IS STILL DAZED!

TAG!

TAG!

Gavin Kirkland: Cynthia Valice gets in the ring, AND SHE RACES IN TOWARDS ADONIS–

Persephone: BUT SHE IS INTERCEPTED BY A BOOT TO THE FACE FROM AKIZA, WHO TAGGED IN AT THE SAME TIME AS HER!!

Stew-O: Cynthia goes down, AND NOW AKIZA TURNS AND KICKS ADONIS IN THE SHIN, DROPPING HIM TO A KNEE BEFORE SHE KICKS HIM IN THE HEAD WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK! ADONIS GOES DOWN, AND JUST LIKE THAT AKIZA HAS CLEARED THE FIELD! We have no eliminations yet as of right now, but already everyone is showing what they’re made of!

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA drags Cynthia up while pressing her against the ropes, AND SHE LANDS A SHOOT KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! SHE CONNECTS WITH A SECOND ONE– AND SHE FOLLOWS UP WITH A CHOP TO THE CHEST! Cynthia is reeling, and now AKIZA grabs her before throwing her into the ropes!

Persephone: AKITEN-BOMB–

Stew-O: NO! CYNTHIA ROLLS THROUGH, PULLING AKIZA DOWN INTO A SUNSET FLIP PIN!!!

OOOONNNEEEE!!!

TT–

Stew-O: AKIZA IS ABLE TO QUICKLY ROLL OUT OF IT THOUGH, GETTING BACK TO HER FEET BEFORE SHE GOES FOR A ROUNDHOUSE!

Gavin Kirkland: Cynthia ducks under that though, AND SHE IS ABLE TO SHOVE AKIZA AWAY, ALL WHILE ADONIS MAKES THE TAG TO HIS BROTHER ARTEMIS!

Persephone: AKIZA quickly turns and runs back to Cynthia– BUT CYNTHIA TURNS ONTO HER STOMACH TO TRY TO TRIP AKIZA UP, FORCING AKIZA TO HAVE TO ABRUPTLY RUN OVER HER–

Stew-O: AND ADONIS QUICKLY GETS IN THE WAY BEFORE SHE CAN STOP HERSELF, POPPING HER UP INTO A SAMOAN DROP FROM ARTEMIS!!! THAT WAS A BIG MOVE FROM ARTEMIS AND NOW HE GOES FOR THE COVER, KNOWING THAT CYNTHIA HAS NO REASON TO BREAK THIS ONE UP!!

OOOONNNNEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

Stew-O: BUT IT DOESN’T MATTER, AS AKIZA GETS THE SHOULDER UP ANYWAY!!

Gavin Kirkland: Artemis just shakes his head, before grabbing AKIZA and throwing her through the ropes! I have to say that was smart from Artemis, keeping this one on one to limit all the chaos! Artemis drags Cynthia up, AND HE CONNECTS WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! Cynthia is hurting after that one–

Persephone: BUT SHE FIGHTS BACK WITH A FOREARM TO THE FACE! Cynthia recovered a bit too quickly for my liking. What type of weak chop did Artemis hit her with?

Stew-O: Artemis swings but Cynthia ducks, BEFORE HITTING A SECOND FOREARM! A THIRD! A FOURTH, AND NOW CYNTHIA RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE LANDING A FOREARM SMASH THAT DROPS ARTEMIS! ARTEMIS STUMBLES BACK UP, AND SHE LANDS ANOTHER ONE! ARTEMIS FINDS HIS WAY BACK TO HIS FEET AND SWINGS AGAIN, BUT CYNTHIA DUCKS BEFORE RUNNING THE ROPES ONE MORE TIME, LEAPING IN FOR A–

Gavin Kirkland: SUPERKICK!!! Artemis connects with a superkick, and now he scoops Cynthia up, before tossing her with a fallaway slam! Cynthia lands near an empty corner, and to her credit she’s not giving up yet! She’s trying to drag herself up using the turnbuckles!

Persephone: But Artemis sees this, so he’s probably about to do something stupid.

Stew-O: Artemis charges in as Cynthia finds her way back up– AND IT LOOKS LIKE ARTEMIS WANTED A SPLASH, BUT CYNTHIA WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE!! Artemis collides with the turnbuckles, before beginning to stumble out of the corner…

Gavin Kirkland: AND RIGHT INTO A SHY FLASH FROM CYNTHIA VALICE!!!

Stew-O: IT CONNECTS!!! CYNTHIA LANDS THE SHY FLASH ON ARTEMIS, AND NOW SHE–

Persephone: WAIT A SECOND, AKIZA JUST HIT A BICYCLE KNEE TO CYNTHIA’S BACK!!

Stew-O: SHE’S BACK!! AKIZA made it back into the match, and in big fashion as Cynthia was just struck in the back at a big moment! Cynthia just fell into the ropes before bouncing off as slowly just crumbling down onto the mat, and now it seems AKIZA has a big chance to potentially get our first elimination!

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA goes over to Cynthia before grabbing her, AND SHE STARTS TO PULL HER OFF THE MAT!

Stew-O: SHE SURE IS, AND NOT JUST FOR ANY REASON!!! AKIZA IS LOOKING FOR ARCANA ARCADIA!!! CYNTHIA IS MUCH TALLER, BUT AKIZA HAS THE POWER ADVANTAGE AND IT SEEMS SHE MAY BE ABLE TO USE THAT HERE AS SHE STARTS LIFTING CYNTHIA UP!!! AKIZA WITH THE DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEX–

Gavin Kirkland: BUT CYNTHIA IS ABLE TO ROLL FORWARD AND COUNTER INTO A MODIFIED VICTORY ROLL! SHOULDERS ARE DOWN AND CYNTHIA COULD STEAL AN ELIMINATION HERE!

OOOONNNNEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

THHHHHRRRRR–

Persephone: Oh for the love of gawd! AKIZA rolls back and the pin is reversed and Cynthia’s shoulders are down. Dumb bimbo is about to screw this up for herself.

OOOONNNNEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

THHHHHRRRRR–

Gavin Kirkland: CYNTHIA JUST BARELY KICKS OUT! Cynthia was less than a second away from being the first elimination of the match by kicking AKIZA off of her–

Stew-O: AND SENDING HER RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK FROM ARTEMIS! THAT HAD TO HAVE SENT HER TO DREAM STREET!

Gavin Kirkland: YEET! SWAG!

Persephone: Oh please shut the fuck up before you get strangled. It’s enough hearing those morons do it. I don’t need the idiot next to me doing it too.

Stew-O: AKIZA is down as Cynthia gets back to her feet. Cynthia hits the ropes and runs toward Artemis AND DUCKS THE ARTEMIS CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT BEFORE GRABBING HIS ARM AND GETTING INTO THE CRUCIFIX POSITION!

Persephone: What in the hell does she have planned? It doesn’t look smart and that isn’t setting the bar high for her.

Gavin Kirkland: Cynthia is trying to bring Artemis down for a rollup, but it isn’t going to be very effective considering he’s double her weight–

Stew-O: AND IT DOESN’T AS ARTEMIS DROPS DOWN WITH THE SAMOAN DROP SMASHING CYNTHIA INTO HARD INTO THE MAT!

Persephone: Wow. He did that without hurting himself. That’s a huge shocker right there.

Gavin Kirkland: Don’t you be making disparaging remarks about Showdown. Look at Artemis. He is pulling Cynthia over to the corner as he makes his climb to the top rope.

Persephone: Somebody better get him a map or he’s gonna get lost. Look. He made it to the top rope. Good for him.

Stew-O: Artemis has his balance on the top rope BEFORE HE LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE FOR THE LEG DROP FROM THE TOP!!

Persephone: BAHAHAHAHHAHA! NOBODY HOME FOR THIS DUMBASS!

Gavin Kirkland: OH NO!! CYNTHIA ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY AND ARTEMIS FINDS NOTHING BUT THE MAT!!

Stew-O: He won’t sprain his ankles the way he landed as he is trying to recover BUT AKIZA IS RIGHT THERE WITH A RIPCORD SLAP TO THE FACE!

Gavin Kirkland: That is NO YEET! Poor Artemis just got the taste slapped out of his mouth by AKIZA as she goes back to the ropes to build more momentum as she comes right back AND HITS A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT RIGHT IN THE JAW!!

Persephone: We can only hope that it will shut him up for a little bit. Probably not.

Stew-O: Artemis is trying to recover off the uppercut as AKIZA is trying to pull him back to her corner. I don’t think that is working as well as she thinks it is.

Persephone: What in the hell is wrong with these people? Are they all stupid or something? Use your head, nitwit!

Gavin Kirkland: Give AKIZA credit for trying, BUT ARTEMIS JUST KICKS HER OFF LIKE IT WAS NOTHING!

Stew-O: AKIZA goes sailing to her corner as Artemis is making it back to his corner–

TAG!

Persephone: Great the other half a whole idiot is back in the match. I think this one is even more annoying.

Gavin Kirkland: Adonis comes running into the ring to go after AKIZA, BUT HE FALLS VICTIM TO A DROP TOE HOLD FROM CYNTHIA! COME ON ADONIS!

Stew-O: Meanwhile AKIZA is a fingertip away from making the tag to her team–

TAG!

Persephone: She got a tag. Good for her.

Gavin Kirkland: TFK is now the legal person in the match for his team as he runs right over to the recovering Adonis AND DROPS HIM FACE FIRST WITH A FLATLINER!

Stew-O: AND CYNTHIA HAS A SINGLE LEG BOSTON CRAB APPLIED! SUBMISSION HERE COULD TAKE ADONIS OUT OF THIS MATCH!

Gavin Kirkland: But Adonis is still too strong for it to work at the moment–

Persephone: WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING?

Stew-O: TFK! TFK OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A DIVING ELBOW DROP TO THE BACK OF ADONIS’ NECK! THE REFEREE IS RIGHT THERE TO SEE IF ADONIS WANTS TO GIVE IT UP!

Persephone: Does he even know how? I mean those are some pretty hard words. I, give, and up all in the same sentence. Might burst a brain cell or two!

Gavin Kirkland: Will you stop making it sound like the Jones’ Twins are stupid or something. They are very intelligent and have all the skill in the world to be Tag Team Champions.

Stew-O: Well the Single Crab has Adonis’ knee in a horrible torque and now that he has shaken off the cobwebs from the elbow drop to the head, he is able to roll onto his back AND KICK CYNTHIA RIGHT IN THE FACE!

Persephone: Now he gets back to his feet and he punches Cynthia with one of Adonis Punches… AND THIS FUCKING CROWD IS CHANTING YEET! I HATE THIS PLACE!

Gavin Kirkland: Now a YEET from Adonis and HE CATCHES TFK WITH ONE OF THOSE PUNCHES! HE IS JUST ALTERNATING BETWEEN THESE TWO! ALL OF THE YEET!

Stew-O: The crowd seems to be enjoying this just as much as Adonis is.

Persephone: How in the fuck did we end up with a match where nine participants have the equivalency of two and a half brains. We damn well know NONE of those brains are contributed by Showdown!

Gavin Kirkland: I hope to gawd we win so we can rub the victory in your botox filled face, BITCH!

Stew-O: As we get back to the match, Cynthia was just knocked down by a punch from Adonis BEFORE TFK IS TAKEN DOWN BY A ONE LEGGED DROPKICK!

Gavin Kirkland: His opposition is down as he climbs to the top rope. Hopefully he has better luck than Artemis had AS HE LEAPS AND HITS THE DIVING HEADBUTT! HE GOT THEM BOTH! TWO FOR ONE SPECIAL BY ADONIS!

Persephone: Two idiots hit with a headbutt by a third idiot. Sounds about right. We know damn well this Adonis didn’t take any damage BECAUSE HE HAS NOTHING UP THERE TO HURT!

Stew-O: You can call it what you want, but it was effective. Adonis holds his head from the recoil damage as he goes for the cover to eliminate Cynthia!

OOOONNNNEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

Persephone: She kicked out. Big surprise.

Gavin Kirkland: Adonis sees another opportunity unfolding as he now goes for the cover on TFK!

OOOONNNNEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

Stew-O: TFK GETS THE SHOULDER UP AT TWO!

Persephone: Anybody could have seen that coming… unless they are the Showdown team.

Gavin Kirkland: I am getting really tired of you right and insulting my Showdown Team’s intelligence.

Stew-O: As we get back to the match, Cynthia and TFK are recovering on the mat as Adonis decides to go up to the top rope one more time.

Persephone: Oh this is going to be good.

Gavin Kirkland: Adonis is perched up there as he watches Cynthia and TFK both getting back to their feet.

Stew-O: Once they are back up, ADONIS GOES FOR THE DIVING CROSSBODY… BUT BOTH CYNTHIA AND TFK JUST TAKE A FEW STEPS BACK AND ADONIS CRASHES INTO THE MAT!

Gavin Kirkland: ADONIS!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING??

Persephone: BAHAHAHAHA! I told you that was going to be good and I wasn’t wrong.

TAG

Stew-O: Carmen has been tagged in for Voltage as she and TFK are battling it out as Adonish has made it back to his feet–

TAG

Persephone: Let’s just continue with the cavalcade of stupid now that Clayton Golde is in the match.

Gavin Kirkland: COME ON CLAYTON! YOU GOT THIS!!

Stew-O: Clayton gets right over to TFK and Carmen AND HE GOES FOR A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE, BUT THEY GET OUT OF THE WAY!

Persephone: So they try the same thing and Clayton avoids it as well. He hits the ropes and tries for a double bulldog–

Gavin Kirkland: AND THEY BLOCK IT AND HIT A DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX ON CLAYTON! HIS FOLLOWERS ARE GOING TO HATE THIS!

Stew-O: Now we are back to TFK and Carmen and CARMEN HITS A BEAUTIFUL PELE KICK CATCHING TFK IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD!

Persephone: She grabs TFK by the head and yells out like a stubborn banshee for a DDT–

Gavin Kirkland: TFK lifts her up in the air AND SENDS HER STOMACH FIRST INTO THE MAT! She is getting back to her feet AS TFK GRABS CARMEN AND PLANTS HER WITH THE LODI DDT!

Stew-O: Carmen planted face first as TFK goes for the cover–

Gavin Kirkland: BUT CLAYTON GRABS HIM BY THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND SPIKES HIM DOWN WITH THE NECKBREAKER! C’EST LA VIE BY CLAYTON GOLDE! TFK IS DOWN!

Persephone: This bastard is dropping into the cover and we are not going to hear the end of this.

OOOONNNNEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

THHHHHRRRRRRREEEE!!

Bella Braxton: TFK HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!!

(Team Dynasty suffers the first casualty of the evening as the referee helps TFK out of the ring. AKIZA and Yanni look frustrated knowing they are already one person down.)

Stew-O: These elimination matches have just been a nightmare for Dynasty this year as we once again suffer the first elimination of the match as TFK is gone and the red brand is immediately at a disadvantage already being down a person.

Persephone: Sucks to suck doesn’t it? Now can somebody shut Clayton the hell up. He got an elimination. Good for him. He’s not a total loser.

Gavin Kirkland: You shut up! This is the first of many eliminations for the blue brand because we are going to shut out Dynasty and Voltage.

Stew-O: You are aware only one person can win this match.

Gavin Kirkland: Uhh… DUH! I know that. As long as Showdown wins, I don’t care who the last person standing is because we are awesome.

Persephone: If anybody cares, and I don’t, the bearded weirdo is entering the match for your team of morons, Stew.

Stew-O: His name is Yanni Killebrew, Persephone.

Persephone: Like it really matters.

Gavin Kirkland: Carmen is still recovering from the DDT and Clayton is telling the world how awesome he is–

Stew-O: AND IT MIGHT COST HIM AS YANNI SNEAKS OVER AND HOOKS THE CRUCIFIX AND BRINGS CLAYTON DOWN FOR THE COVER! YANNI COULD STEAL IT HERE!

OOOONNNNEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

THHHHHRRRRRRRE—

Persephone: He kicked out, but damn! That would have been so hilarious to go out that way. Ohh I love seeing stupid people get what they deserve.

Gavin Kirkland: Well all it did was make Clayton mad as he gets right back to his feet AND GRABS YANNI AND LIFTS HIM INTO THE AIR BEFORE DRIVING HIM DOWN WITH A POWERFUL SPINEBUSTER!

Stew-O: Clayton did appreciate that one bit as he brings Yanni back to his feet and whips him to the ropes.

Gavin Kirkland: Yanni comes back off the rebound AND CLAYTON GOES FOR A SUPERKICK–

Persephone: He missed. Big shock.

Stew-O: Yanni gets behind Clayton and grabs him around the waist AND LIFTS HIM UP AND OVER FOR A HUGE GERMAN SUPLEX! AND CLAYTON WAS DROPPED ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD!

Persephone: Should have knocked him out, but it is what it is.

Gavin Kirkland: As Clayton is recovering, Carmen is back on her feet as she catches Yanni off guard AND GETS HER LEGS AROUND HIS HEAD AND SENDS HIM FOR THE RIDE WITH A HEADSCISSOR TAKEOVER!

Stew-O: Yanni was sent halfway across the ring as AKIZA is ready to make the tag and Yanni is happy to reciprocate.

TAG

Persephone: Great. She’s back.

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA is back in the match AND SHE RUNS RIGHT TOWARDS CARMEN! Carmen ducks the clothesline attempt. As AKIZA turns around. Carmen rolls onto her back and flips back into the wheelbarrow position looking for the wheelbarrow bulldog–

Stew-O: SHE GOT IT! AND AKIZA IS PLANTED FACE FIRST OFF THE MAT AND NOW CLAYTON IS BACK TO HIS FEET–

Gavin Kirkland: AND HE MEETS CARMEN WHO FIRES OFF AN ENZUIGIRI TO SEND CLAYTON STUMBLING BACK TO HIS CORNER!

TAG!

Persephone: Great. He’s back!

Stew-O: Artemis Jones is back in the match and he runs over to Carmen AND CATCHES HER WITH A NECKBREAKER!

Persephone: I mean at least he is doing something right as he took his opponent down.

Gavin Kirkland: He once again pulls Carmen back to her feet and grabs her around the waist before TAKING HER UP AND OVER WITH A GUTWRENCH SUPLEX BEFORE FLOATING INTO THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!

THHHHH-

Stew-O: CARMEN KICKS OUT AT TWO! Once again Artemis pulls Carmen back on her feet AND PLANTS HER WITH THE DDT!

Persephone: Like it would do anything to improve her looks.

Gavin Kirkland: Carmen is down and now Artemis is focusing his attention on AKIZA!

Stew-O: AKIZA is back on her feet as Artemis easily picks her up and TOSSES HER BACK WITH THE FALLAWAY SLAM!

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA was launched halfway across the ring and she finds herself in the only neutral corner of the ring.

Persephone: And here comes Artemis who climbs on the second rope AND STARTS PUNCHING HER IN THE HEAD!

Crowd: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE–

Stew-O: AKIZA GRABS THE BACK OF THE TIGHTS AND BRINGS ARTEMIS DOWN WITH A MODIFIED POWERBOMB! NOW AKIZA FINDS HERSELF ON THE SECOND ROPE!

Persephone: Oh what does this weirdo have planned.

Gavin Kirkland: Artemis has made it to his knees AS AKIZA COMES OFF THE SECOND ROPE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION OF THE RED HOT DEVIATION! AXE KICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD AS SHE ROLLS ARTEMIS OVER FOR THE COVER!

OOOONNNNEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

THHHHHRRRRRRREEEE!!

Bella Braxton: ARTEMIS JONES HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!!

(Clayton is pissed off that his team is down a person and Adonis can’t believe his brother has just been eliminated from the match. AKIZA is taking a moment to rest in the corner as the referee assists Artemis out of the match.)

Persephone: Well well well. Where is your YEET bullshit now, Gavin? Showdown loses a person. That’s what you get for being a loudmouth dumbass.

Gavin Kirkland: I think that was only a two count. This was supposed to be a Showdown Shutout! What happened?!?

Stew-O: Well he had a good amount of momentum building and it all came to a screeching halt with one kick to the back of the head and now Showdown is also down to two competitors.

Persephone: Oh great. Now Clayton is back in this match. Aren’t we lucky?

TAG!

Gavin Kirkland: I think we are because we now have the lovely Avril Williams entering the match. I am glad to see her in the ring.

Stew-O: Please seek some help, Gavin.

Gavin Kirkland: What I mean is that Avril is a high flyer and is not afraid to take a risk when the situation calls for it AS HERE COMES CLAYTON RUNNING RIGHT TOWARDS HER–

Persephone: He missed.

Stew-O: Avril pulls the ropes down and sends Clayton falling out of the ring and right to the floor.

Persephone: Now AKIZA is going to be just as stupid and go for the kick–

Gavin Kirkland: AVRIL GRABS THE LEG AND LIFTS HER UP TO SEND AKIZA OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE FLOOR–

Stew-O: WAIT! CLAYTON CAUGHT HER WHEN HE GOT TO HIS FEET!

Persephone: How precious.

Gavin Kirkland: Avril sees this a golden opportunity to build some momentum for herself as she hits the ropes on the far side and comes back with full speed–

Stew-O: SHE LAUNCHES HERSELF OVER THE ROPES AND TAKES BOTH AKIZA AND CLAYTON DOWN WITH A BEAUTIFUL SASUKE SPECIAL!! THE CROWD IS ABSOLUTELY LOVING THE ATHLETICISM OF AVRIL WILLIAMS MAKING HER TERRITORIAL INVASION DEBUT TONIGHT!

Gavin Kirkland: Avril slaps a few hands at ringside before she grabs AKIZA and rolls her back into the ring. She does the same thing for Clayton BUT FIRST SHE SMASHES HIS FACE INTO THE RING APRON FOR GOOD MEASURE BEFORE SENDING HIM BACK!

Persephone: Didn’t improve his looks.

Stew-O: Avril is feeling pretty good as she gets herself back into the ring and goes right after AKIZA as she tries for the TRIANGLE MOONSAULT–

Persephone: The bitch missed.

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA GOT OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND AS SHE ROLLS HERSELF OVER TO HER CORNER–

TAG!

Stew-O: And she tags Yanni Killebrew back into the match for Dynasty.

TAG!

Persephone: While that was going on, one moron tagged in another.

Gavin Kirkland: Adonis Jones got tagged in as the two gentlemen meet up in the center of the ring

Stew-O: ADONIS GOES FOR A HEADBUTT, BUT YANNI GETS OUT OF THE WAY AND GRABS ADONIS INTO A HAMMERLOCK BEFORE PULLING HIM DOWN INTO THE BACKBREAKER!

Gavin Kirkland: Nice technical offense being shown by Yanni as he hits the ropes. Yanni with the rebound BEFORE HE HITS THE ELBOW STRIKE! RIGHT INTO THE HEART OF ADONIS!

Persephone: He went for a cover, but Adonis rolled over to stop it. Go figure.

Stew-O: Yanni decides to pull him back to his feet. The waistlock is applied AS HE LIFTS HIM UP FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX-

Persephone: Look at that. He countered.

Gavin Kirkland: He certainly did as he landed on his feet. Yanni is up and he turns around AS ADONIS LEAPS UP AND HITS THE HURRICANRANA! HE TRIES FOR THE COVER–

Stew-O: ADONIS FALLS BACK AS THE PIN HAS BEEN REVERSED BY ADONIS GETS FREE BEFORE THE COUNT CAN EVEN START!

Persephone: Exciting.

Gavin Kirkland: Both men are back to their feet as Yanni has a clothesline attempt ducked as Adonis hits the ropes on the other side. Yanni turns around–

Stew-O: INTO THE DON DADA BOUNTY! WHAT A SPEAR FROM ADONIS JONES! Yanni is down as Adonis is in firm control as he decides that he wants to make sure that Yanni is eliminated here—

Gavin Kirkland: MIDAIR THIEF!!

Persephone: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING!

Stew-O: ADONIS JONES WAS SPIKED DOWN BY AVRIL WILLIAMS! SHE WAS IN WAIT THE ENTIRE TIME AND SHE STRUCK AT THE PERFECT MOMENT! AVRIL WITH THE COVER!

OOOONNNNEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

THHHHHRRRRRRREEEE!!

Bella Braxton: ADONIS JONES HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!!

(Adonis is assisted out of the ring and Clayton slowly realizes he is in trouble right now as he is all by his lonesome in this Divide and Conquer match.)

Stew-O: And you can see the concern etched firmly across Clayton’s face as he is now the sole representative for Showdown! There is a true danger of this brand being completely eliminated out of this match, and this is the predicament all Elitists fear when it comes to Divide and Conquer!

Gavin Kirkland: :lupe: !! Well, hey, he’s a former champ; frankly, the only one in this field who has won a championship already in EAW. He’s got this!

Persephone: Sounds like coping. :mjlol:

Gavin Kirkland: Oh, shush! Clayton gulps, but… you know what? I don’t think it’s that bad. In fact, he’s in the ring! See? He’s ready to go!

Persephone: He has to be since he’s the only Elitist for Showdown, idiot. He doesn’t have much of a choice!

Stew-O: That, he does not—and Avril isn’t wasting time! She rushes in, eager to get at him, but he manages to sidestep and toss her out onto the apron! Williams hangs on to the top rope though, and Golde walks RIGHT into a roundhouse kick, stumbling him back! Avril is quick like a mouse, scaling the top rope nearby, and now, it’s looking like she’s intent on eliminating him right away! She LEAPS OFF, HONING IN ON THE FORMER NEW BREED CHAMPION!

Gavin Kirkland: BUT HE AVOIDS IT! THANK GOD! Avril is able to roll forward so as to not crash and burn—BUT SHE’S GRABBED FROM BEHIND! GERMAN SUPLEX!

Persephone: Nope, lands on the feet, and she hops up with a double foot stomp! Damn! Gotta say, she was quick with that. I think a lot of things are about to go horribly wrong for Clayton’s small penis ass self soon.

Gavin Kirkland: WHAT???

Stew-O: I… you know what? I’m speechless. I have nothing to say.

Persephone: :troll:

Gavin Kirkland: Well, I do, and Mr. Golde is not small at all! :stfudamn: But he is going to have to be careful, because once again, Avril is looking to put him down for good and quickly! Come on, Clayton! You can do this! You’re an alpha, damn it!

Stew-O: Avril leads him up… AND SHE GETS A STIFF PUNCH TO THE JAW! She staggers off into the corner, clutching right where she got hit! Meanwhile, Yanni Killbrew has begun to recover and is working his way up to his feet! He has been able to remain firm with AKIZA for Dynasty, and with Clayton and Avril a bit hurt here, he may have his opening—WHICH HE SEEKS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AS HE BOLTS TOWARDS CLAYTON! RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!

Gavin Kirkland: AHH–WAIT! CLAYTON MOVED OUT OF THE WAY AGAIN, AND YANNI CRASHES INTO AVRIL INSTEAD! He almost looks shocked, but Avril’s slumped, and Yanni quickly dashes out, trying to get at Clayton again!

Stew-O: ‘DEMONETIZED’! Yanni Killbrew just ran into that, and he couldn’t have foreseen getting levelled with the discus elbow! He looks dazed and confused, but Clayton hurries, not at all concerned with wasting time! He grabs him and sends him crashing down with the inverted stunner he calls ‘C’est La Vie’!!

Persephone: Oh, damn. He actually got it?

Gavin Kirkland: AHAHAHA, YES! HE DID! He quickly scrambles into the cover!

OOOONNNNEEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

THHHHHRRRRRRREEEE!!

Bella Braxton: YANNI KILLBREW HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

Stew-O: It doesn’t bring me much joy to say, but Yanni Killbrew is out, and that means Dynasty is down to one as AKIZA is the only one left for our brand! She realizes it, but it doesn’t seem like she’s torn up about the situation!

Persephone: Well, that’s how these things go. The more people from your team get gone, the greater chance you have of winning—you just have to, well, make sure you don’t choke and become ass.

Gavin Kirkland: Oh, easy for you to say! All three of the beautiful women you have are still here! Damn it, it’s just like Brand Warfare last night!

Persephone: :son:

Stew-O: Well, that is true: AKIZA and Clayton Golde are going to have to be extra careful here because Avril Williams, Carmen Sanchez and Cynthia Valice remain! AKIZA snakes into the ring, and Clayton… wait, he’s saying something to her!

Clayton Golde: (off-mic) Okay, I usually don’t… well, like pairing up with…

AKIZA: (off-mic) With…?

Clayton Golde: (off-mic) …

Clayton Golde: (off-mic) You know what, it doesn’t matter! But, you know how Avril tossed you out earlier and I caught you? We should team up! Just really quick! We got no one else!

AKIZA: (off-mic) Well, that only caused us to be set up for that moonsault, but…

(AKIZA turns—)

(TAG!)

(And she sees that Carmen has tagged herself in, moving quickly to get in the ring!)

AKIZA: (off-mic) Tch. Fine. Watch behind you, though.

Stew-O: Clayton whips around, and Carmen gets a boot in! However, AKIZA grabs her and whips her into the ropes! It seems like a bit of an alliance has been formed here! Sanchez comes back and leaps up, looking to send AKIZA rolling with a headscissors… but AKIZA’s able to hold her, stopping the momentum! Meanwhile, Clayton recovers, and he hits the ropes, coming back in with a rough boot to the side of her head! AKIZA lifts Carmen, tossing her back onto her feet! She wobbles, and AKIZA shoots in with a knee, connecting STIFF under the chin! Goodness!

Persephone: She falls right down on her ass, and Clayton’s coming back with another boot to the mush! Carmen tries to sit back up, but AKIZA comes in with a soccer kick that nearly takes her entire head off! Surprised that it didn’t go flying into the crowd. Heh, can you imagine the visuals of that?

Gavin Kirkland: God, what is with you? You’re sick in the head, Persephone!

Persephone: Pot, meet kettle.

Stew-O: Either way, the alliance seems to be working, and AKIZA covers!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO—

Stew-O: But Carmen is able to kick out of it! AKIZA looks irritated, but she takes her along and props her up onto her shoulders! Clayton grins! He hits the ropes—

Gavin Kirkland: WAIT! Carmen slipped down behind AKIZA and shoves her forward! SHE GOES COLLIDING INTO CLAYTON! NOOOOO!

Persephone: Wow. So much for that, huh? :mjlol:

Stew-O: Clayton stumbles outside, and AKIZA holds her forehead, groaning in pain! Carmen backpedals into the corner!

(TAG!)

Stew-O: And Cynthia Valice comes rushing in, looking to take the pressure off of her! She roars in with a back elbow, catching AKIZA! She rushes back up to her feet, but another elbow clips her! Queen Vermillion appears to be in trouble as Valice charges in—BULLDOG! She spikes her down into the canvas and hurries for a pin!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO—

Stew-O: SHOULDER RAISED!

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA is still in this, but Cynthia, admittedly, has a good base to work off of. Clayton is still outside unfortunately, and Valice raises AKIZA up, taking her closer to the center of the ring. She has hold of the arm, looking for some kind of submission attempt, I believe!

Persephone: Hm, but AKIZA is resisting; she’s struggling, and making it hard for her to lock it in place. Cynthia looks like she’s getting flustered, but she knees her in the gut. Looks like that finally put an end to the damn worming and squirming—oh, and look at that! Got another knee up to her cheek! :notbad:

Stew-O: Cynthia knows that it’s crunch time. If she can get an elimination, then Dynasty will be out of this match entirely, and Voltage would only have to worry about Clayton! It has been a while since a Divide and Conquer came down to a singular brand. Can these three pull it off?

Gavin Kirkland: :whoa:

Persephone: Someone’s scared.

Stew-O: Cynthia hits the ropes! She comes back in, looking for something big—AND INSTEAD, SHE’S SENT UP INTO THE AIR AND IS SLAMMED DOWN INTO THE CANVAS WITH A POWERBOMB! ‘AKITEN-BOMB’!

Persephone: IIIIIIIIIIIII spoke too soon.

Stew-O: AND AKIZA ALWAYS LIKES TO STACK THE OPPONENT AFTERWARD WITH THE PIN! SHOULDERS ARE ON THE MAT! WILL THIS BE IT FOR CYNTHIA VALICE!?

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

…

Gavin Kirkland: SHE KICKED OUT?!?!

Persephone: :gladbron:

Stew-O: WOW! SO CLOSE, BUT CYNTHIA WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THAT ONE! AKIZA IS NOT HAPPY WITH THAT! A good way of catching her by surprise, but it wasn’t enough! Still, if she can hurry and put her out with a finisher, she will have her out of this match soon!

Persephone: Guess we’ll see, huh? AKIZA goes to the corner—and would you look at that? Avril and Carmen are trying to take swipes at her, but they BOTH get elbowed! Damn…

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA is intent on making this move be the one that gets the job done for her! She runs in, and leaps off! AXE KICK!

Stew-O: NO! CYNTHIA ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY! AKIZA HITS NOTHING BUT THE MAT, AND CYNTHIA PULLS HER DOWN FOR A SCHOOLGIRL!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—

Stew-O: Kick out! Kick out! Both women race up—WHOA! BOTH GO DOWN WITH A SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINE FROM CLAYTON GOLDE!!

Persephone: Well, shit. So much for that little alliance, eh?

Gavin Kirkland: He’s got a mind of Golde! It was effective for the time being, but Clayton saw his chance after recovering! AKIZA rolls out of the ring, but Cynthia is favoring her throat! Clayton immediately hoists her up and takes her through! ‘THE GOLDE PILL’!!

Persephone: :roman:

Stew-O: AND HE GOT ALL OF IT! CYNTHIA IS OUT! HE COVERS! WILL THIS BE ANOTHER ELIMINATION FOR HIM!?

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Stew-O: IT IS!

Bella Braxton: CYNTHIA VALICE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!!

Gavin Kirkland: YES! YES! CLAYTON GOLDE IS CLUTCHING UP! THAT’S TWO ELIMINATIONS, AND THE FIRST PERSON OUT FOR VOLTAGE! BAHAHAHA, SUCK IT, PERSEPHONE!!

(Clayton releases the cover and raises both fists from a seated position before pushing himself back to his feet as Cynthia rolls out of the ring. Clayton turns his attention toward the opposite corner, where Carmen and Avril stand on the apron, cockily beckoning for one of them to enter the ring next as the two glance at each other.)

Clayton Golde: (off-mic) Come on! Which one of you wants to be number three? I’ve got plenty of room left on the highlight reel!

Persephone: Finally, someone steps to the plate.

Stew-O: Yeah, and it’s Carmen Sánchez!

(Carmen enters the ring and stands across from Clayton Golde, who points directly at her before looking around with a cocky expression, still showing no signs of concern.)

Clayton Golde: (off-mic) Look at this. Two eliminations, carrying an entire brand by myself, and they send me you?

(Clayton laughs to himself before bending down to Carmen’s eye level, wearing a smug grin as he points between the two of them.)

Clayton Golde: (off-mic) Do you understand how much more valuable every second you spend in this ring with me makes y—

Stew-O: OH! AND CARMEN’S HEARD ENOUGH! Carmen marches right into Clayton’s face and STARTS HAMMERING HIM WITH RIGHT HAND AFTER RIGHT HAND!

Persephone: About time somebody shut him up. Jesus.

Gavin Kirkland: CARMEN CONTINUES TO UNLOAD ON CLAYTON— BUT GOLDE MANAGES TO SHOVE HER BACK! Carmen rebounds off the ropes and nearly gets caught with a clothesline, BUT SHE DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE FOR A CROSSBODY!

Stew-O: CARMEN TAKES CLAYTON DOWN WITH THE CROSSBODY! Sánchez rolls off of him and uses the ropes to help herself back to her feet, BUT CLAYTON IS ALREADY BACK TO HIS AND STARTS MARCHING TOWARD HER— ONLY TO GET CAUGHT WITH A SUPERKICK TO THE GUT! Clayton doubles over as Carmen sees another opening and SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE AGAIN! THIS TIME LOOKING FOR A WHEELBARROW—

Gavin Kirkland: BLOCKED! CLAYTON LIFTS CARMEN OFF THE MAT WHILE SHE’S IN THAT WHEELBARROW POSITION! Golde turns around before placing Carmen back on both feet, maintaining control with a rear waistlock! CLAYTON HOOKS HER ARM FROM BEHIND AND SPINS SÁNCHEZ AROUND— DEMONETIZED!! THE DISCUS ELBOW CONNECTS! BOTH COMPETITORS GO DOWN, CLAYTON FALLING FROM THE SHEER AMOUNT OF FORCE HE PUT BEHIND THAT ELBOW!

Stew-O: BUT CLAYTON QUICKLY RECOVERS AND MOVES INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE—

Stew-O: SHOULDER UP! CARMEN GETS THE SHOULDER UP!

Persephone: Of course.

Gavin Kirkland: Carmen stays alive, but for how much longer?! Clayton Golde wastes little time dragging her back to her feet and leaning Carmen against the ropes— BEFORE LIGHTING HER UP WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST!

Stew-O: OUCH! THAT CHOP HAS CARMEN REELING, AND CLAYTON TAKES ADVANTAGE BY SENDING HER OFF THE ROPES! Carmen comes racing back— AND CATCHES GOLDE WITH A TILT-A-WHIRL HEADSCISSORS! Clayton gets sent onto the middle rope, leaving him hung up and RIGHT WHERE CARMEN WANTS HIM! Sánchez sees the opening and runs off the ropes, LOOKING FOR “LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA!”

Gavin Kirkland: :lupe: NO, NO! COME ON, CLAYTON! GET UP! SHOWDOWN IS COUNTING ON YOU!

Persephone: Yeah, and counting on him was your first mistake.

Stew-O: TIGER FEINT KICK— NO! CLAYTON DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT! Carmen’s momentum sends her spinning out into the center of the ring while Golde uses the ropes to pull himself back to his feet! Clayton staggers into the corner, and CARMEN RUSHES IN AFTER HIM— BUT CLAYTON SENDS HER INTO THE TURNBUCKLES WITH A HIP TOSS! Carmen crashes hard into the corner, LANDING HIGH ON THE BACK OF HER NECK AND HEAD!

(Clayton looks down at Carmen as she struggles to shake the cobwebs loose on the mat, confidently gesturing that it’s over as boos pour in from the crowd.)

Gavin Kirkland: I’ll hate seeing Carmen go, but I’ll love watching her leave as Clayton picks her back up!

Stew-O: Clayton gets Carmen into position and lifts her up, LOOKING TO DELIVER THE GOLDE PILL— BUT CARMEN SLIPS OUT OVER HIS SHOULDER! Sánchez staggers back a bit after landing, BUT QUICKLY RUSHES TOWARD CLAYTON FOR A WHEELBARROW… RANA!! CARMEN SENDS GOLDE INTO THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH THE WHEELBARROW RANA, AND CLAYTON FINDS HIMSELF IN NO MAN’S LAND ONCE AGAIN!

Gavin Kirkland: CARMEN TAKES OFF TOWARD THE ROPES— TIGER FEINT KICK CONNECTS! CLAYTON GOES DOWN… AND NOW HE’S IN PERFECT POSITION FOR THE SPRINGBOARD STOMP! “LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA” CONNECTS!! COME ON, CLAYTON! KICK OUT! KICK OUT!

ONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Bella Braxton: CLAYTON GOLDE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

(Clayton rolls out of the ring as Carmen starts struggling back to all fours, and reaches for the tag to Avril on the apron before AKIZA comes sliding in and grabs her ankle!

Stew-O: YOU CANT FORGET ABOUT AKIZA! AKIZA TRYING TO STOP CARMEN FROM MAKING THE TAG OUT TO AVRIL, BUT CARMEN ROLLS ON HER BACK AND SHOVES HER AWAY WITH BOTH FEET! FINALLY, CARMEN LEAPS FOR THE TAG!

(TAG!)

Stew-O: SHE GETS THE TAG! AVRIL IS THE LEGAL WOMAN AND MAKES HER PRESENCE KNOWN INSTANTLY WITH A… SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINE! Avril Williams comes flying in with the springboard clothesline, WIPING OUT AKIZA! Williams is fired up as she rolls through to her feet, while AKIZA crawls into the corner and uses the ropes to help pull herself back up!

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA LOOKS LIKE SHE’S ON DREAM STREET RIGHT ABOUT NOW!

Stew-O: Avril marches toward the opposite corner and lines AKIZA up— RUNNING FOREARM SMASH! Avril connects in the corner before looking to keep the momentum going, SHOOTING TOWARD THE OPPOSITE CORNER— BUT AKIZA CHASES RIGHT AFTER HER! Avril turns around as AKIZA closes in— AND WILLIAMS GETS THE BOOT UP!

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA IS ON SPAGHETTI LEGS AFTER THAT BOOT! Avril sees her opening and hops onto the middle rope— DIVING BLOCKBUSTER! AKIZA gets driven into the canvas, and Avril quickly crawls over into the cover!

ONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Stew-O: KICKOUT! AKIZA KICKS OUT! Avril rises to all fours and takes a moment to psych herself up, knowing she has to keep pushing forward! Williams gets back to her feet and brings AKIZA up with her before trying to lift her for SEMI-CHARMED LIFE— BUT AKIZA STOPS HER WITH A WELL-PLACED ELBOW TO THE JAW! Avril staggers back a few steps, giving AKIZA some much-needed space!

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA SWINGS FOR A CLOTHESLINE— BUT AVRIL DUCKS UNDERNEATH! Williams spins around and tries for a roundhouse kick, BUT AKIZA DUCKS THAT AS WELL! AKIZA catches Avril with a kick to the gut before grabbing hold of her— AND SPIKES WILLIAMS WITH A DDT! AKIZA hooks the leg!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHH—

Stew-O: KICKOUT AT TWO! AKIZA takes a moment to get her wits about her before pulling Avril back to her feet… AND AKIZA SENDS HER TOWARD THE ROPES, LOOKING FOR THE POP UP POWERBOMB! AKITEN-BOMB— NO! AVRIL LEAPS OVERHEAD AND LANDS ON HER FEET BEHIND AKIZA! AKIZA turns around— AND AVRIL CATCHES HER WITH A KICK TO THE GUT!

Gavin Kirkland: AVRIL PULLS AKIZA IN AND LOOKS FOR A POWERBOMB OF HER OWN— BUT AKIZA COUNTERS WITH A BACK BODY DROP! WAIT! AVRIL LANDS ON HER FEET, BUT THAT LANDING WAS A LITTLE AWKWARD! Keep that surgically repaired right knee in mind! At this stage of the match, one bad landing could make all the difference!

Stew-O: BUT IT DOESN’T LOOK TO BE HINDERING HER RIGHT NOW! AKIZA turns around— SUPERKICK TO THE GUT! AKIZA doubles over, and Avril follows with A PENALTY KICK TO THE CHEST! That jolts AKIZA upright for A DISCUS ELBOW— BUT AKIZA FIRES BACK WITH A SUPERKICK! Avril is rocked and groggily turns around… BEFORE ANSWERING WITH A PELE KICK!

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA STAGGERS BACK INTO THE ROPES AND COMES REBOUNDING FORWARD— CLOTHESLINE! AKIZA nearly takes Avril’s head off with that clothesline! Williams is down, BUT AKIZA ISN’T DONE! She deadlifts Avril off the mat— GERMAN SUPLEX! AVRIL GETS DUMPED HIGH ON THE BACK OF HER NECK AND HEAD! AKIZA pops back to her feet and immediately races into the corner as AVRIL GROGGILY STARTS RISING AGAIN!

Persephone: Oh, just stay down. You’re making this harder than it needs to be.

Stew-O: AVRIL HAS NO IDEA WHAT’S WAITING FOR HER AS SHE GETS BACK TO HER FEET… ARONDIGHT!!! RUNNING KNEE LIFT BY AKIZA! AVRIL GOES DOWN, AND AKIZA IMMEDIATELY DROPS INTO THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Bella Braxton: AVRIL WILLAIMS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

(The crowd boos as AKIZA pulls Avril back to her feet and chucks her out through the middle rope, clearing the ring! AKIZA barely has time to catch her breath before turning around as Carmen slides back inside!)

Stew-O: SWORD CUTLASS!! CARMEN SLIDES RIGHT INTO THE SPINNING BACK ELBOW FROM AKIZA! Sánchez never saw it coming, and AKIZA knew exactly where she was going to be! Carmen collapses to the mat, BUT AKIZA ISN’T LETTING HER STAY DOWN! AKIZA pulls Carmen back to her feet, looking to finish off the final member of Team Voltage!

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA SENDS CARMEN TOWARD THE ROPES AND LOOKS FOR THE AKITEN-BOMB— BUT CARMEN LEAPS OVERHEAD! Sánchez lands on her feet behind AKIZA, avoiding the pop up powerbomb in almost the exact same fashion as Avril did earlier!

Stew-O: DROPKICK!

Gavin Kirkland: CARMEN DRIVES BOTH FEET INTO AKIZA’S BACK, SENDING HER CRASHING ONTO THE MIDDLE ROPE! Wait a minute! Carmen sees where AKIZA landed, and she knows exactly what she wants! SÁNCHEZ IS LOOKING FOR “LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA!” If she hits this, Voltage might still have a chance!

Stew-O: Carmen races toward the opposite set of ropes to build momentum before coming back— TIGER FEINT KIC— CAUGHT!! AKIZA CATCHES CARMEN IN MID SWING! AKIZA drags Sánchez away from the ropes in a cradle position and carries her toward the center of the ring! Carmen is trapped as AKIZA POPS HER UP INTO A SUPLEX— BUT CARMEN STARTS DRIVING REPEATED KNEES INTO THE TEMPLE!

Gavin Kirkland: CARMEN FORCES AKIZA TO LET HER DOWN! AKIZA doubles over from those knees and staggers back into the corner, while Carmen quickly turns around— AND AKIZA COMES RUSHING IN! BUT CARMEN CATCHES HER WITH A BACK ELBOW! AKIZA is staggered, and Carmen sees her chance! Sánchez turns toward the corner and GOES FOR BROKE WITH A LITTLE ODE TO AVRIL… “GASOLINA!” :damn:

Persephone: Nope!

Stew-O: AKIZA GRABS CARMEN BY THE ANKLE JUST AS SHE SPRINGS UP ONTO THE MIDDLE ROPE— AND YANKS HER LEG OUT FROM UNDER HER! CARMEN LOSES HER BALANCE AND CRASHES FACE FIRST ONTO THE TOP OF THE RINGPOST! Sánchez is stunned after that nasty collision, and AKIZA wastes no time dragging her away from the corner and BACK TO THE CENTER OF THE RING!

Gavin Kirkland: AKIZA HOOKS CARMEN UP— BEFORE SPINNING HER DOWN WITH A FALCON ARROW!! EVENT HORIZON!!! AKIZA PLANTS CARMEN RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! SÁNCHEZ MIGHT BE DONE! DYNASTY MIGHT HAVE THIS WON! AKIZA PULLS THE LEG BACK AND MAKES THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: CARMEN SÁNCHEZ HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

(The crowd erupts into boos as AKIZA releases the cover and rolls onto her back, exhausted after eliminating the final member of Team Voltage. “Steel Haze (Where Truth Meets)” by Kota Hoshino begins to play as AKIZA slowly sits up, realizing that she has done it.)

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… AKIZA!!!!

Stew-O: WHAT A WIN FOR DYNASTY! TFK and Yanni Killebrew may have been eliminated earlier, leaving AKIZA all by herself, BUT SHE REFUSED TO FOLD! AKIZA had nobody left to tag out to and had to survive on her own, but she managed to eliminate Avril Williams before putting away Carmen Sánchez to finish the job!

Gavin Kirkland: I thought Clayton had this for Showdown! I really did! Then Voltage still had Avril and Carmen fighting to keep their team alive, BUT IN THE END, AKIZA OUTLASTED THEM ALL! Dynasty entered this match as a team, but remember, only one person can win Divide and Conquer, and that was AKIZA!!!!

Persephone: Great. She won, everybody else lost, and now we can go home. Sounds good to me.

(AKIZA slowly pushes herself back to her feet as the referee approaches and raises her arm in victory. AKIZA remains composed despite the boos raining down around her, taking in what she accomplished without much celebration. She eventually pulls her arm away from the referee and climbs onto the middle rope, looking out at the crowd while Carmen rolls out of the ring below. AKIZA shows little reaction to the hostile response before stepping back down and leaving the ring, having reached the end of Divide and Conquer, becoming the winner of the entire match. With this, Voltage fades.)

(A commercial plays for the Buffalo Dispatch Center.)

The camera slowly pans around the ring, showing all of the lumberjacks and lumberjills at ringside before it moves towards the entrance stage. “LIKE WEEZY” by Playboi Carti plays on the speakers to a huge wave of boos. Joso walks out, adjusting his jacket and looking forward, his eyes covered by the sunglasses he wore, a small scoff escaping out of him seeing the hate from the people around him. He grabs onto the necklace with the black rose, giving it a kiss before he spreads his arms and walks forward, a gigantic grin of arrogance appearing on his face as he goes down the ramp.

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST, FROM THE BRONX, NEW YORK, WEIGHING IN AT 206 POUNDS, HE IS THE “STAR PLAYER”, JOOOOOOOOSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

The wrestlers part slightly to let him pass, Joso sees a lot of familiar faces, yet no friend in sight. He slides inside and then raises his arms up again, moving towards the ropes and posing on top of them. There was no way that his career was going to stop tonight, it was to the top no matter what he had to do. That is what he tells himself. And as he hops off the ropes and then goes to the corner, preparing himself…

“You Are Stronger” by Lyn Inaizumi plays on the speakers to a wave of cheers. Milli Banks walks forward, not moving along to the beat of the song, her expression is completely serious. She glares forward, no joy to feel when facing her opponent tonight, the stars in her ring gear shine brighter than ever before. She throws her ring jacket to the floor and looks around, reassuring herself as she gets the support of the people but even with that, no smile breaks through her face. She walks down the ramp.

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING HIS OPPONENT, FROM BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, WEIGHING IN AT 142 POUNDS, SHE IS “THE SUPERNOOOOVAAAAAAA”, MILLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII BAAAAAAAAAAAAAANKSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!

The wrestlers at ringside part as well for Milli Banks, she looks around and sees some familiar faces, good and bad. Yet she does not see Veena at all. She couldn’t come after that match yesterday. Milli pushes that worry deep down and she gets up through the steel steps, she passes forward and then poses in the middle of the ring to the support of the crowd, her head turning during the pose to glare directly at Joso. He responds back with a shit eating grin.

She pulls back and then goes to her corner, she warms up as well. The referee checks on them both, before finally…

DING! DING! DING!

Gavin Kirkland: …DID KENNEDY ACTUALLY GET THE ENTIRE ROSTER OUT THERE?!?!?!?!

As the camera panned out, there was no kidding, the entire Showdown roster surrounded the outside. On one side of the ring, Pandora, Halsey, Kelton, Damien and Mia stood together, with Akari, Rex and KELIN close to them. Cody stood by himself, Bea stood by with a focused expression accompanied by Cornelius himself, Impact stood all the opposite way of her by himself glaring at her.

On the other side, Silas World stood together, Diego and Circe stood together hugging each other, Grace de Luca was trying to find something in her pockets, Clayton was trying to not lose it right now with the Jones brothers annoying him. The rest of the rookies like Tafae, Wynter, Sofia, Yasmina and Airi stood spread out.

Milli grimaced seeing some allies… and a lot of enemies too. Joso stood more confident but he definitely knew who would make things worse for him.

Deadprez: I am not sure if this is one of her best ideas… or the worst ones.

Sienna Swann: Let’s see how it pans out… Milli and Joso push out of their corners and Milli already wants to go for a kick to the shin, Joso pulls back and avoids it! He tries to go for a sudden forearm but Milli ducks under and then avoids it too! She wants to back away towards the ropes behind her-

Gavin Kirkland: BE CAREFUL, SUPERNOVA! El Duque and Vincent try to reach over and then sweep at her feet! Milli is fast enough to be able to jump over and avoid their hit- BUT JOSO ENDS UP TAKING ADVANTAGE AND HE RUNS FORWARD! He delivers a Shotgun Dropkick and sends Milli back first against the corner! She grits her teeth in pain and now Joso pulls her out of there and then slams her into the mat face first!

Joso pulls back and then goes to focus back on Milli… before he is interrupted as he sees Grace reaching over with coupons in her hands, shouting loudly.

Grace de Luca: (off-mic) Joso, I got a deal for you! Promise the ever wise and beautiful Grace de Luca the first title shot to whatever championship you win next and I will not attack you at all! A great deal if you ask me!!!

Deadprez: Joso waves Grace off and then delivers a kick to the spine of Milli Banks! Grace stands there in pure shock and disgust at Joso ignoring her! Joso grabs Milli by her hair and then goes to follow up with an Irish Whip but Milli is able to reverse, knee lift! She knees Joso’s hand away and then goes for a slap to the face!

Sienna Swann: Joso catches her hand and then pulls her in! He goes to get her up on his shoulders! HE ALREADY WANTS TO TRY AND THROW HER OVER THE TOP ROPE!

Gavin Kirkland: MY SUPERNOVA WORKING OVERTIME HERE! She is able to struggle and then slip behind Joso! She tries to push him towards them, but Joso is able to use them instead to bounce back! He wants to go for a clothesline yet Milli is fast enough to duck down, she runs forward and then jumps onto the middle rope! She wants to go for a Springboard-

Deadprez: HUH?! CIRCE REACHES OUT AND HOLDS ONTO THE FOOT OF MILLI, PREVENTING HER FROM GOING FOR A SPRINGBOARD! That gives Joso the chance to grab her by her waist and then bring her back- HITTING HER DOWN WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! Circe falls back laughing to herself! Guess the dislike for Milli runs in the family!

Joso yet again uses the time to fully focus on Milli and wear her down. The longer the match goes, some people just… grow disinterested. KELIN is the one to first turn and go to lay close to one of the barricades, simply standing to watch, and Rex follows through as well, accompanying the big man. Tafae steps away as well, he hangs in another corner followed by Malik. He and KELIN do not look away from each other.

Finally, Impact walks over towards the commentator table, taking one of the extra chairs from ringside and grabbing a headset.

Gavin Kirkland: Oh my god??? LOOK GUYS, IT IS THE GREAT IMPACT IN THE IM-

Impact: Shut up and stay quiet. I am obligated to be here so I might as well entertain myself somehow.

And as he says that, another person joins in with a chair and headset.

Clayton Golde: I could not agree anymore! The Golde God here to bless you all as well with my presence and my voice-

Artemis Jones: (off-mic) YESSIIIIRRRRR!!!

Adonis Jones: (off-mic) YEET!

The smile almost immediately disappears off of Clayton’s face as Adonis and Artemis appear out of nowhere and snatch his headset.

Artemis Jones: WE IN FOR THE RIDE NOW, UCE! This is a 7 person booth now!

Sienna Swann: This might be worse than just Gavin being with both us, sweetie.

Deadprez: Just keep a calm mind. Joso has been going away at Milli with stomps and punches, trying to pull her back up to her feet and try to follow through with another suplex but once more! Milli is full of surprises! She is able to pull him down and reverse into a package roll up!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOO-

Adonis Jones: Nobody home there, Uce, just a two count! The traitorous Joso rushes up to his feet!

Clayton Golde: Hey, give me the damn headset!

Artemis Jones: BUT THE SUPERNOVA AIN’T QUITTING! SHE GRABS ONTO HIM AND THEN PULLS HIM DOWN WITH AN ARM DRAG! SHE TRANSITIONS RIGHT OVER! SHE GOT THAT KIMURA ON THAT MAN!!!!

Deadprez: Joso with quick thinking! He turns over and reverses just before she can fully lock it in! Now he has her on his own roll up!

Referee: ONEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Deadprez: Milli is able to kick out right in time! Her body whips forward from the kick out-

Gavin Kirkland: WITH JOSO TRANSITIONING RIGHT INTO A TRIANGLE CHOKE! He tries to lock it in further!

Impact: Here, you see that? Joso is putting pressure over trying to restrict the carotid artery but Milli Banks was fast enough to put one of her arms just between her neck and that pressure point. A simple game of quick thinking.

Sienna Swann: Did not think you would give praise that easily, Karl Impact.

Impact: Oh, I am not. It should be logical actions to take in this situation. I hate that kid but I am forced to respect him. Milli Banks has been a mainstay for women’s wrestling for ages now, it should be no surprise they know the basics like that, and here I am pointing it out to the less wise.

As Milli tries to find a way to struggle out of there, Yasmina suddenly gets away from the crowd too carrying a bag of popcorn. She fearlessly goes to stand beside Tafae, eating the popcorn and handing some to him as he gives her a menacing side eye.

And followed after that, Sofia Drakos just turns away and completely leaves, going up the ramp.

Deadprez: Oh, Sofia Drakos is leaving! Guess she is not scared at all of possible repercussions from Kennedy.

Impact: I would not blame her. I would have already left a long time ago. But we got our world champion Betty Boop over there watching me like a hawk, and I am not risking turning my back with her around.

Gavin Kirkland: Milli… FINALLY BREAKS FREE AND SHE PUSHES JOSO BACK BY HIS LEGS! She forces him to roll up to his feet! She goes for a Roundhouse Kick!

Clayton Golde: Joso easily catches it and then pushes it back! She should have put more meat on that chicken leg to be able to land some actual damage! Joso pulls her in for a suplex again!

Adonis Jones: NUH-UH! SHE GOT THAT! SHE REVERSES INTO A WHEELBARROW AND BRINGS JOSO DOWN!!!

Artemis Jones: AND THEN TRIES TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TOWARDS THE CHEST OF JOSO!

Deadprez: Joso is able to roll out of the way in time and avoid the foot stomp! He rises and then rushes with a barrage of strikes towards Milli! She moves fast and avoids them! She tries to go for a forearm, Joso catches her arm! He spins her around!

Sienna Swann: Milli is able to grab onto his wrist in the middle of the motion! She throws a knee to the gut! She spins over and around, along with Joso- JUST BEFORE GETTING HIM WITH THE RIPCORD SLAP! Joso falls back grabbing onto his jaw as Milli has him set! SHE RUNS FORWARD! TRYING TO GO FOR A BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE!!!

Gavin Kirkland: NO! JOSO IS ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY IN TIME! MILLI GOES FLYING THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE BY ACCIDENT!!!

Deadprez: SHE SPILLS OUT ONTO THE OUTSIDE AND SHE GETS SWARMED!!!

Sienna Swann: ALL OF SILAS WORLD DESCEND UPON HER! DONOVAN, EL DUQUE, VINCENT AND RYAN BEGIN TO STOMP HER DOWN HARD! DIEGO AND CIRCE JOIN IN THEMSELVES, WITH WYNTER FOLLOWING IN AS WELL! SEVEN PEOPLE COMPLETELY BEATING DOWN MILLI BANKS!!!

The beat down goes for quite a while as the other wrestlers on the other side are forced to see Milli get hurt like that. Until finally they stop and they back away. Milli lays there, barely moving after almost getting beaten to a pulp.

Gavin Kirkland: MY POOR SUPERNOVA!!!!

Deadprez: I am not sure how she is even moving after that one! She is trying to reach forward but Donovan grabs her by her head and then he throws her back inside. The hyenas have completely torn her apart when they saw their opportunity! It is even worse for Milli knowing that Veena could not make it tonight due to that match against Minerva, who does she even have as an ally?!

Impact: She is going to be fine.

Gavin Kirkland: I seriously doubt that!

Impact: If she is alive, that is what most matters, no?

Adonis Jones: Man, look at the grin on the face of that dude! He thinking all of this is so funny!

Artemis Jones: No yeet!

Artemis and Adonis have tangled the cables of the headset all over Clayton’s neck and by trying to pass it around between each other they are choking him out without them noticing. Meanwhile the grin on Joso’s face does not even disappear for a single bit.

Deadprez: And now Joso is going to take advantage of a weakened Milli- TO START NAILING A KNEE RIGHT ACROSS HER GUT! HE FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH A DDT DOWN ONTO THE MAT! He moves right after and then goes to lift her up into the air, just to slam her down with a vertical suplex in the middle of the ring! The crowd boos loudly at the display of arrogance from Joso as he gets back up and spreads his arms to the side!

Joso takes in the boos of the people all while Yasmina continues to enjoy her popcorn, and even though Tafae has ignored it, Malik is taking some of the popcorn and eating it too.

Akari and Cody show clear worry in their expression, and Bea can’t really ignore either the situation Milli finds herself in. Milli tries to drag herself to the ropes, Grace is shoving the coupons on her face too.

Grace de Luca: (off-mic) Milli Banks! YOU should take MY offer, you will not regret it a single bit! Reward me in exchange for my services and I will happily… kind of defend you, lots of people there just beat you up so can’t promise much!

Gavin Kirkland: AND NOW DONOVAN WITH A PUNCH RIGHT TO THE JAW OF MILLI BANKS! His punch sends her back away from the ropes and he turns further drawing the ire of the crowd!

Deadprez: Grace remains unsuccessful in her quest…

Gavin Kirkland: You want to know who else won’t be successful?! DONOVAN DUKE! LOCK THIS MAN UP! THROW THE KEY AWAY, JUST DO WHATEVER YOU WANT SO HE CAN BE PUNISHED! Not my supernova!

Joso pulls Milli back up and he plans to continue but as he turns, seeing none other than Pandora Paisley could not look away from Milli, an idea comes up.

Joso: (off-mic) Hey, Pandora! You wanted to get back at her, right? She’s all yours!

Sienna Swann: AND NOW JOSO TURNS AND THROWS MILLI THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE, TOWARDS THE OTHER SIDE WITH PANDORA!

Milli falls onto the ground with a loud ‘THUMP’! She whines and tries to stammer something but sounds of pain can only come out of her. Pandora stares barely reacting. She approaches the weakened Milli, seemingly with not good intentions-

Akari Kiyoko: (off-mic) Stop.

At that moment, Akari steps up and cuts her off. He turns to look right at Pandora as she looks confused, and then scoffs in response.

Pandora Paisley: (off-mic) What are you doing, love?

Akari Kiyoko: (off-mic) Do not do this.

Pandora Paisley: (off-mic) This is not your fight-

Akari Kiyoko: (off-mic) You can harbor whatever feelings you have towards Milli Banks here, but you must see from the two people fighting, she is not the one that deserves what is happening to her. In your eyes, she might be, but in the eyes of others, it is clear what is the answer. Calm down, fall back… you have a match to prepare for as well.

Pandora’s annoyance showed further in her expression but as she saw Rex and KELIN move over to back him up, with Cody, Bea and Airi as well hearing them out. Pandora crosses her arms and then lets out a big sigh.

Pandora Paisley: (off-mic) Fine then. This is stupid anyway. Have fun.

Pandora surprisingly does not continue attacking Milli, either a gesture of small kindness or just pity, she leaves up the ramp. She is followed after by Kelton, and Mia as well right behind her. Halsey goes to follow as well before she turns and she sees Damien not moving, she sighs.

Halsey Neel: (off-mic) Alright, what happened now?

Damien Kutcher: (off-mic) …eh. She never did anything wrong to me.

Halsey simply rolls her eyes at Damien’s response, but she doesn’t say anything else and gives him a reassuring nod to let him stay. Damien turns and both him and Akari gave each other a small nod, Cody and Bea stay close and the two of them check up on Milli and they are even able to help her up, even Airi Miyamune steps in, all while Joso looked over disinterested and unsurprised at what Milli is trying to do. Milli rises fully and then looks around at all the people watching her back. Her expression shows vulnerability for a moment before a determined expression then appears and she slides back inside!

Gavin Kirkland: HERE COMES MY SUPERNOVA! JOSO TRYING TO GO FOR A SUPERKICK RIGHT OFF OF THE GATE, BUT MILLI IS ABLE TO DUCK AND AVOID IT! She rolls forward and then gets back up to her feet! Joso tries to go for a back elbow but Milli rises up her leg and then kicks the elbow away! JOSO WITH A PELE!

Deadprez: Milli sidesteps and avoids the Pele Kick! Joso lands on his knees! She tries to snatch that arm but Joso is able to hoist her up!

Impact: You don’t do all of that just to go for an arm bar!

Sienna Swann: And you are right on that! Milli tricks Joso to hoist her up, as she is able to grab his other arm with her legs- SHE BRINGS HIM DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A CRUCIFIX DRIVER! MILLI HOLDS IT FOR THE PINFALL ATTEMPT!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEE-

Gavin Kirkland: DANG IT! JOSO ENDS UP KICKING OUT!

Deadprez: BUT FROM THE KICK OUT NOW MILLI TRIES TO USE HER LEGS TO BE ABLE TO TRULY GET THAT ARM LOCK NOW!!!

Artemis Jones: LOCK HIS ASS UP, UCE! LOCK HIM UP IN THAT ARMBAR!!! LOCK HIM DOWN!

Sienna Swann: But Joso is able to use his other arm and then push Milli away from him just before she can lock it! He rolls away and then runs forward, lariat attempt! Milli is faster and is able to jump onto him, wheelbarrow!

Deadprez: No! Joso lifts her up, trying to go for a suplex! She grabs onto his arm and reverses herself! ARMDRAG!

Gavin Kirkland: JOSO PUTS OUT HIS FREE ARM AND REVERSES WITH A ONE ARM HANDSTAND! HUH?! HE HOPS BACK UP ONTO HIS FEET!

Joso: (off-mic) Hah! Sure can’t do that anymore with your weak ass knee, huh?

Adonis Jones: JOSO GETS A SPINNING BACK ELBOW FOR TALKING TRASH!!! YEET!!!

Deadprez: MILLI IS FAST ENOUGH TO GET BACK UP AND HIT JOSO WHILE HE WAS TRASH TALKING! A CHOP TO THE CHEST! A PUNCH RIGHT TO THE JAW!

Artemis Jones: SWAG! SWAG! SWAG! SWAG! SHE HITTING PUNCH AFTER PUNCH! SHE AIN’T NEED NO LEG TO KICK HIS ASS!!!

Impact: Yet when that leg is your weak point, what other options do you have left? That damned kid of Joso ends up retorting back with a stomp towards the previously injured knee of Milli!

Deadprez: MILLI STOPS THE ONSLAUGHT AND GRABS ONTO THAT KNEE BY REFLEX! JOSO WITH A THRUST KICK TOWARDS THE JAW AND MILLI COMPLETELY COLLAPSES BACK TOWARDS THE ROPES BEHIND HER!

Gavin Kirkland: Come on, Milli! Come on!

Impact: Joso turns with a grin on his face! He runs forward to bounce off the ropes and then gather momentum! HE RUNS TOWARDS THE WEAKENED MILLI TO GO FOR A RUNNING BICYCLE-

Deadprez: MILLI DUCKS!

Sienna Swann: AND SHE PULLS THE TOP ROPE DOWN WITH HER! JOSO MISSES COMPLETELY AND GOES FLYING OUT OF THE RING! RIGHT ONTO THE LUMBERJACKS AND JILLS!!! AND HE LANDED ON THE WORST SIDE FOR HIM!!!!

Deadprez: BEA AND CORNELIUS ARE ALREADY ON HIM WITHOUT A SINGLE BIT OF MERCY! CORNELIUS THROWS PUNCHES DOWN ONTO JOSO AS HARD AS SHE CAN, BEA IS EVEN USING HER SHOES TO STOMP THEM DOWN ONTO HIM!

Gavin Kirkland: AKARI! DAMIEN! CODY! EVEN AIRI END UP JOINING IN! THEY ARE STOMPING THE HELL OUT OF JOSO ALL TO THE LOUD CHEERS OF THE CROWD!

Artemis Jones: THEY BEATING JOSO’S ASS LIKE THEY BEAT COUSIN ARES THAT ONE TIME HE FOUGHT AGAINST THAT GANG OF BIKERS!!! IT’S A MASSACRE!

Adonis Jones: YEET ON THAT, BRO BRO!

Sienna Swann: Oh sweetie! Look out! SILAS WORLD WANTS TO DO SOMETHING!

Silas World rushes forward to go and start a brawl with everyone else when suddenly, Rex steps in front of them, and he is accompanied by none other than KELIN.

Rex McAllister: (off-mic) Going anywhere, gentlemen?

They quickly stop in their tracks and the glare KELIN sends at them quickly makes them think twice. Finally, they swarm away from Joso as Bea grabs onto him and then throws him back inside! Yeah, he not good.

Deadprez: The field has evened out now! The two of them have taken an immense beating from the wrestlers on the outside and something tells me that if they fall outside one more time, it will be over for one of them!

As Joso and Milli are trying to get back up, the scene pans towards all of Silas World trying to talk between one another, kind of huddled up as a team.

Silas Mason: (off-mic) Alright, the main target is Milli Banks, but with a beast like KELIN over there preventing us from ruining her day tonight, then we reach nowhere. Do any of you have any ideas on how to pass through him?

The men of Silas World try to come up with something but Donovan and Vincent has nothing, El Duque tries to signal something.

Ryan Wilson: (off-mic) Hey, I think he has got an idea but he doesn’t know how to express it in English.

Silas Mason: (off-mic) Damn it. Shouldn’t have skipped out in my Spanish classes.

Diego Montana: (off-mic) Hey team, what is the plan?

Diego suddenly joins in the huddle and everyone looks at him confused and disgusted.

Silas Mason: (off-mic) Get out of here, you are not with us- wait. Do you know Spanish?

Diego Montana: (off-mic) Eeehhh… a little bit of this… a little bit of that.

Silas Mason: (off-mic) Anything is good! Just translate for him!

Diego then listens intently to what El Duque has to say as they whisper to each other, nodding along to every word that he says.

Diego Montana: (off-mic) Mhm, mhhmm… mmmmmhhhhmmmmmmmmm…

Silas Mason: (off-mic) Well, what does he say?!

Diego Montana: (off-mic) …dude, I don’t know what kind of Spanish they teach at Oklahoma but it sounds more like English! Some wild shit, dawg.

Everyone else in the group groans loudly, fully stumped.

Circe: (off-mic) I mean… have you all just tried doing this?

Deadprez: CIRCE JUST THROWS A STEEL CHAIR RIGHT AT THE HEAD OF KELIN WITHOUT A SINGLE PLAN IN MIND!!!

Sienna Swann: I DON’T THINK SILAS WANTED THAT AT ALL BUT AT THIS POINT, NO TAKE BACKS! SILAS WORLD DESCEND ON REX MCALLISTER AND BEAT HIM UP!

Gavin Kirkland: AKARI, DAMIEN, CODY RUSH TO THE HELP OF REX!!! CIRCE AND DIEGO TRY TO GET INVOLVED THERE BUT BEA AND CORNELIUS END UP CUTTING THEM OFF THERE AS WELL! CHAOS HAS ENSUED!!!

Sienna Swann: KELIN TRIES TO SHAKE HIMSELF OFF AND GO BACK TO FI- AS TAFAE TOA COMES OUT OF NOWHERE AND THEN CLASHES WITH HIM!!! THEIR LAST ALTERCATION HAS NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN!

Gavin Kirkland: YASMINA TRIES TO RUSH IN AND AVOID THE FIGHT- BUT AIRI CUTS HER OFF AND THE TWO CLASH AS WELL, AIRI NOT FORGETTING YASMINA CHEATING AGAINST HER! GRACE TRIES TO ESCAPE THROUGH THE CHAOS, JUST FOR WYNTER TO GRAB HER FROM BEHIND AND SLAM HER TO THE STEPS, WYNTER NOT DONE EITHER WITH HER YET!

Adonis Jones: HEY MAN, CLAYTON! WE GOTTA WATCH YOUR BACK, EVERYONE GONE CRAZY!

Artemis Jones: FOR SURE! GET DOWN!!!

Clayton Golde: GET OFF ME YOU IDIOTS- AAAAHHH!!!

Impact: Well… that’s it for me. See you if I see you.

And as the Jones Brothers dive to the ground with Clayton to protect him, Impact speaks last with a somber tone, and with no risk of being attacked, he gets up and then turns to go through one of the barricades, and leaves through the crowd as he disappears among the fans.

Joso and Milli Banks finally rise up, battered, hurt, barely moving, all while the wrestlers around them go into a frenzied brawl. Their resolve does not waver.

Deadprez: MILLI MOVES FORWARD, TRYING TO GO FOR HER OWN RUNNING KNEE STRIKE!

Gavin Kirkland: JOSO RISES UP HIS ARMS AND THEN PUSHES HER LEG DOWN, PREVENTING HER FROM LANDING THE STRIKE! JOSO GOES FOR A ROUNDHOUSE KICK!

Deadprez: IT IS DUCKED UNDER BY MILLI BANKS! SHE REACHES OUT AND TRIES TO SWIPE AT HIS LEGS, YET JOSO IS FAST ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO HOP OVER! He snatches her by her waist and tries to lift her up! MILLI THIS TIME WITH JUST A GOOD OLD ELBOW TO THE FACE! She grabs his arm, spins around! STOMP TO THE KNEE!

Sienna Swann: “MEGIDOLADYNE”!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: JOSO CATCHES HER LEG AND THEN LIFTS HER UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS! HE DROPS HER DOWN! HE HOLDS ON TIGHTLY, “CRIMSON PEAK”!!!!

Deadprez: BUT WITH INCREDIBLE CORE STRENGTH MILLI LIFTS HERSELF UP BEFORE JOSO CAN HOOK THE LEGS! SHE IS ABLE TO REVERSE INTO A HURRICANRANA AND THEN BRING JOSO DOWN TO THE MAT! SHE HOOKS BOTH LEGS!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Sienna Swann: Joso reverses and leans forward with her in tow! HE HAS MILLI’S SHOULDERS DOWN NOW IN THE MAT!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Deadprez: MILLI IS FAST ENOUGH TO KICK OUT! THE TWO OF THEM ROLL BACKWARDS AND BACK UP TO THEIR FEET! JOSO GOES FOR A KICK JUST AS MILLI DOES SO!

Sienna Swann: THEIR KICKS CLASH IN SYNC! MILLI LANDS A SHARP ELBOW! JOSO LANDS A HUGE FOREARM TO THE JAW OF MILLI! THE TWO STUMBLE! THE TWO KICK EACH OTHER AWAY!

Deadprez: THE TWO OF THEM RUN FORWARD WITHOUT ANY FEAR TOWARDS THE ROPES, BOUNCING OFF THEM!!!

Gavin Kirkland: JUST AS THEY COLLIDE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING WITH TWO LARIATS AT THE SAME TIME! THE TWO OF THEM GO DOOOOWN!!!!

Deadprez: MILLI AND JOSO LAY COMPLETELY OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!

Circe is able to slip away with all of the chaos happening, as she sees Diego she grabs onto him and then pulls him over.

Circe: (off-mic) Oooh, Dieguito! It is time to end this once and for all! Let’s end this with a bang!

Diego Montana: (off-mic) Alright, what you got in mind?!

Circe suddenly rummages through her pockets…

Diego Montana: (off-mic) …mi amor, is that a fucking grenade?

(Alright no need to be ridiculous, there is no way- holy shit she actually has a grenade.)

Circe: (off-mic) I stole it from one of those weird soldiers that were with Armstrong! Poetic, right?!

Diego Montana: (off-mic) Circe, I don’t think…

Circe: (off-mic) Happy one year anniversary to getting blown up, Joso! Hope you enjoy it again this time with Milli!

Deadprez: …WHAT THE HELL DOES CIRCE HAVE IN HER HAND???

Gavin Kirkland: A GRENADE AGAIN?!?!?!?! WE CAN’T GET BLOWN UP LIKE LAST YEAR!!!!

Sienna Swann: CIRCE GOES TO-

Bea Valentine: (off-mic) OH NO YOU DON’T!!!!

Deadprez: BEA STEPS IN AND THEN TRIES TO SNATCH THE GRENADE AWAY FROM CIRCE! CIRCE TRIES TO PULL BACK, AS DIEGO GOES TO HELP HER OUT! WITH CORNELIUS HELPING BEA TOO! THE FOUR OF THEM PULL AS HARD AS THEY CAN TRYING TO WRESTLE FOR THE GRENADE! Cornelius changes grips-

(But as he does so, the couple suddenly stop pulling and Bea and Cornelius go flying…)

(As he grabs onto the pin and pulls it by accident from the whiplash.)

(And the force of the pull makes Circe and Diego’s grip slip…)

(As the grenade flies out and lands just inside of the ring.)

Deadprez: HOLY SHIT!!!

Sienna Swann: GET DOWN!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

(Everyone at that moment ducks down onto the ground, the rest of the wrestlers just dive down as far away as they can and protect themselves.)

(Once Joso realizes what he sees, his body fully goes into Fight or Flight mode. He musters up all his energy and then gets up to run away, Milli feels dread and panic once she realizes as well. She rushes to get up too.)

(JUST FOR JOSO IN HIS OWN PANIC TO PUSH MILLI OUT OF THE WAY… RIGHT AGAINST THE GRENADE!!!!!!!)

(…)

(…)

(…)

(Milli firms it. She doesn’t fall, she doesn’t stumble. Without any other choice…)

(SHE GRABS ONTO THE GRENADE AND THEN THROWS IT UP IN THE AIR AS HIGH AS SHE CAN!!!!!!!)

( # BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!! )

(The whole arena around reverberates with the explosion, smoke from the explosion bellows and spreads down, obfuscating the sight of many… but in the end, no one was hurt.)

(Donovan, El Duque, Vincent and Ryan are able to move, with Silas on the ground checking he wasn’t having a heart attack. Akari, Damien and Cody too are getting up, Rex helps Airi up after covering her, Grace hid behind KELIN during the explosion just as Yasmina and Malik did as well with Tafae. The Jones brothers are still protecting Clayton, as Diego coughs loudly trying to find Circe in the smoke.)

Diego Montana: (off-mic) Yeah, yeah… horrible idea that one…

(Diego looks and finally sees a silhouette in the smoke, grabbing onto her and hugging her shoulders.)

Diego Montana: (off-mic) There! I got you, mi amor!

Wynter Kurayami: (off-mic) Hi.

Diego Montana: https://tenor.com/Zxfl.gif

Diego Montana: (off-mic) GET AWAY FROM ME, BICHA!!!

Wynter Kurayami: (off-mic) Byeeee!!!

(Diego turns in a panic and then grabs onto another woman’s shoulders without looking.)

Diego Montana: (off-mic) Circe! There you are!

Bea Valentine: (off-mic) …

Diego Montana: (off-mic) …

Bea Valentine: (off-mic) …

Diego Montana: (off-mic) …you know. I think you’d look good rocking the goth look.

(BEA SLAPS DIEGO RIGHT ACROSS THE FACE!!!!!)

(Diego’s head whips to the other side hard from the slap, moving around wildly as someone finally moves and grabs onto him instead.)

Diego Montana: (off-mic) DON’T TOUCH ME!

Circe: (off-mic) …?

Diego Montana: https://tenor.com/ddJv4kJqbNm.gif

Diego Montana: (off-mic) Happy to see you safe too.

(As everyone else at ringside and the crowd are shown to be safe, the commentators are still down and kind of taken aback at what just happened, even the referee has dived out of there onto the outside… the camera turns to now inside the ring. Joso rests his hand on his heart, feeling it beat fast… as he sees as well, Milli in the middle of the ring… gritting her teeth in absolute fury. Her eyes widen with rage as she glares at Joso.)

Milli Banks: (off-mic) You… piece of shit.

(The man she knew, the Joso she knew… would have never done that to her. And Joso, almost stammers slightly. He doesn’t know what to think for a few seconds. It was now or never to go forward in the path of success, but… he never thought he would be capable of doing that to someone else, he took a grenade before… and now he threw someone into it… even if it was not intentional.)

(He rises up to his feet, still keeping up the confidence, the ruthlessness… but there was a clear hint of hesitation.)

Joso: (off-mic) Milli-

(Milli does not hold back. She completely goes at him, she throws strikes after strike, every bit of rage in her body behind her strikes. Chops, forearms, kicks, punches. Joso tried to block them but she was not stopping at all. Knee, after knee, slap, slap, slap.)

(Joso tries to get something in but he is stopped, a punch to the throat, a knee to his ribs. A previous friend reached a point like this. She could not forgive him at all. She grabs him.)

(MEGIDOLADYNE.)

(MEGIDOLADYNE.)

(MEGIDOLADYNE.)

(ME-)

(Her energy reaches the limit, her grip slips, Joso can’t hold himself up anymore and falls through the middle ropes and then spills into the outside. She collapses to the mat. Come on… so close…)

Deadprez: We… WE ARE BACK! WE ARE BACK! MILLI WAS CLOSE TO FINISHING THIS OFF BUT JOSO FELL THROUGH THE ROPES!

Sienna Swann: AKARI, REX, CODY AND DAMIEN RUSH OVER TO TRY AND GRAB ONTO JOSO AND THROW HIM BACK INSIDE- JUST FOR SILAS WORLD TO CUT THEM OFF AND START BRAWLING AGAIN!!!! JOSO IS LEFT IN THE GROUND!

(Milli tries to rise back up again… just as she feels herself getting hit against the ropes.)

Circe: (off-mic) SHOULDN’T HAVE RUINED MY FUN, MILLI!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: CIRCE ENTERS INSIDE AND HITS MILLI AGAINST THE ROPES!

Deadprez: JUST FOR MILLI TO FIGHT BACK WITH ONE MORE BURST OF ENERGY! SHE BOUNCES BACK AND THROWS A HAYMAKER AT CIRCE! ANOTHER! AND ANOTHER! SHE WANTS TO GO FOR THAT KICK!

Sienna Swann: DIEGO TRIES TO HOP INTO THE APRON! WITH MILLI TURNING AND INSTEAD KICKING HIM DOWN!!! SHE TURNS BACK TO GO AT-

Gavin Kirkland: SALT GETS THROWN RIGHT AT MILLI’S FACE!!! WHAT?!?!?!

(The camera turns…)

Deadprez: IT IS FATHER VLAD! HE HOPPED ONTO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RING! WHERE DID HE COME FROM?!

Sienna Swann: ”OBITCHUARY!!!!!!” FROM CIRCE TO MILLI!

Deadprez: NO! NOT LIKE THIS! CIRCE ROLLS OUT OF THERE!

(And with everyone fighting each other again, Joso is able to slip inside and then rise up, he looks down at Milli fully laid out. Yet again, no emotion as he grabs onto her and goes to lift her up, but without thinking, he simply speaks to himself.)

Joso: (off-mic) …sorry.

Gavin Kirkland: ”HEAVEN’S GATE!!!!!”

Sienna Swann: JOSO ROLLS HER OVER! HE COVERS! THE REFEREE GETS BACK INSIDE! UNBELIEVABLE!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

(# DING! DING! DING!)

(The whole arena erupts in boos, they completely drown out “LIKE WEEZY” coming out of the speakers. Joso is already out of there, he slides out and then slips through the chaos at ringside, moving up the ramp as much as his body can. The commentary goes into pure silence at what just happened, the brawl between the rest of the roster not looking like it was going to stop, as other referees and security rush beside Joso to go and stop it.)

(Milli lays there in the middle of the ring, unmoving, defeated… thoroughly disappointed in herself… and at the man who she once trusted. All over again.)

(Father Vlad stands in contemplation at ringside, Circe and Diego rushing over to him giddy and proud at their job done, but they are taken aback as Father Vlad suddenly snaps at them.)

Father Vlad: (off-mic) What the hell were you two thinking trying to pull that off?! Don’t you see in your lunacy you almost blew Joso up? Let me tell you then and hope this sticks deep into both of your minds… that man over there…?

Father Vlad: (off-mic) He is family.

(He turns over and then directly looks at Joso up on the ramp, as he gives a small nod to himself, and a smile appears too.)

Father Vlad: (off-mic) Good job… son.

(The last shot before the scene fades out is of Joso collapsing at the entrance stage, and then looking at everything that he has caused, a sliver of a smile appears before it completely disappears and not any other bit of emotion appears again. He feels the slightest bit of regret, for a few seconds, but why show that in a place like this? That regret can kill you. And he wasn’t going to let anybody else use him as a stepping stone ever again. He rises and then turns around, leaving victorious… yet losing a part of himself in the process. Territorial Invasion fades away from there.)

(A commercial plays for the Los Angeles Clippers featuring Jake Smith.)

(POON PALACE: MISSISSIPPI.)

(Dust drifts across the gravel lot. The pink neon sign buzzes overhead, the “P” flickering. A tumbleweed rolls past a row of pickup trucks and stops against a hitching post. On the porch, TLA rocks slowly in a creaky wooden chair, hat tilted low over his eyes, boots crossed at the ankle. The Unified Tag Team Championship rests across his lap. He plays a lazy, wandering tune on a harmonica, a little off-key and completely unbothered.)

(Beside him, Bethany stands rigid at the edge of the porch, arms crossed, eyes locked on the empty road. The harmonica wheezes. Her eye twitches.)

Bethany Blue: Can you not?

(TLA lifts the brim of his hat with one finger and keeps playing.)

Bethany Blue: (through her teeth) Seriously. They’re going to be here any minute, and you’re here playing music.

(TLA lowers the harmonica and grins.)

TLA: Ay, Bethany. Relájate, mujer. A little music never hurt anybody.

Bethany Blue: It’s going to get you hurt if you keep playing it; I have sensitive ears.

TLA: Fair enough, where are those pendejos anyway? Should’ve been here by now. Think they got lost?

Bethany Blue: Let’s hope they fell into an alligator pit or something.

(Unfortunately, she was wrong. Far down the road, headlights appear through the dust. Bethany’s smile slowly disappears. TLA’s doesn’t, however. A black sedan skids into the gravel lot and kills its engine. Dust settles over the pickup trucks. Four doors open. Ryan Wilson steps out first, sunglasses on at night, adjusting his cuffs. Vincent Mondrian follows, pinching the bridge of his nose at the smell. Behind them, a nervous Referee.)

TLA: I guess not.

(He tips his hat, pockets the harmonica, and lifts the championship belt to his shoulder.)

TLA: Ahí vienen.

Vincent Mondrian: “Poon Palace.” Ryan, I’ve seen porta potties with better branding than this place.

Ryan Wilson: Some that smell better as well.

(Ryan scans the porch and sneers at TLA, still rocking in his chair, and at Bethany, arms crossed.)

Ryan Wilson: Look at who we have here. Two champions in a dump like this. It’s beneath us, and it’s beneath the titles.

Vincent Mondrian: But we’re professionals. If we have to wade through this filth to take those belts, we’ll at least enjoy the walk back.

(TLA stops rocking. A smile spreads under the hat brim, and then he laughs.)

TLA: Ay, caballeros. You think you came to an EAW ring? No, no, no. Here we do things the Poon Palace way.

(He stands, tips his hat back, and cradles the title belt in the crook of his arm.)

TLA: And the Poon Palace way starts with hospitality. I see you brought your own referee? That’s very kind of you. But we won’t be in need of his services.

(TLA whistles. The saloon doors swing open. A pair of glamorous Hostesses in sparkly, over-the-top cowboy-burlesque outfits saunter out, one on each side of the referee. He freezes like a deer in headlights.)

Hostess #1: Hey there, sugar. You look like you’ve had a long drive.

Hostess #2: We’ve got cold drinks, a corner booth, and nobody’s going to bother us.

Referee: I… I’m supposed to… there’s a title match…

Hostess #1: Sure there is, honey.

(They steer him toward the saloon doors, his feet barely keeping up. Halfway there, he glances back at Cataclysm.)

Referee: I’ll… be right back!

(The doors swing shut behind him. Ryan and Vincent stare at the empty spot where their referee used to be.)

Vincent Mondrian: What was that? That was our referee, you can’t just kidnap him!

Ryan Wilson: I think he went willingly.

TLA: Like I said, we do things the Poon Palace way.

(TLA snaps his fingers. The doors swing open again, and a model struts out in a wildly impractical referee outfit: tiny black-and-white stripes, a whistle on a sparkly lanyard, and thigh-high boots.)

TLA: Gentlemen, meet your new official. Honestly I don’t think she has ever seen a wrestling match in her life, but I promise she’s very fair and can count to three.

Bethany Blue: Sounds good to me.

(The Model blows her whistle, gives them a bored thumbs-up, and pops her gum. Vincent’s jaw hangs open. Ryan finally takes off his sunglasses.)

Ryan Wilson: This is a setup, there is no way this…woman is qualified.

TLA: Hey, you are always welcome to surrender and leave us be.

Vincent Mondrian: You know what? Maybe we will. This isn’t a fair match and we aren’t going to waste our time dignifying it. Let’s go Ryan.

(Cataclysm turns as if to leave. Ryan mutters something to Vincent, and they take two slow steps toward the sedan. Then both men crouch and scoop up fistfuls of gravel.)

TLA: Ay, no…

(Gravel sprays across both champions’ faces. TLA staggers back, spitting and swearing in Spanish. Bethany shrieks and claws at her eyes. Ryan and Vincent charge in swinging, throwing wild rights and lefts at their heads. The Model referee blows her whistle again.)

(They grab their opponents and hurl them through the swinging saloon doors, which fly off their hinges. The doors skid across the floor. Ryan and Vincent step through the wreckage.)

Model Referee: Guess we are starting.

(Red velvet booths, gold-painted mirrors, a mirror ball throwing pink dots across the walls. A jukebox wheezes out slow, sleazy blues. On two raised platforms, dancers in sequined outfits work brass poles, and they do not stop despite the chaos breaking out.)

(Vincent drags TLA off toward the back rooms and out of sight. Ryan hauls Bethany by the hair into the middle of the bar.)

Ryan Wilson: This is where you belong, sweetheart. Among the trash!

(He whips her into a row of tables. The wood splinters and glasses shatter. Bethany crashes down in a heap of ice and broken bottles. Behind the bar, the ancient bartender keeps polishing the same glass and doesn’t look up.)

(Ryan stalks her, hauls her upright, and hammers her with rights across the jaw. Her head snaps side to side. A dancer on the nearest pole pauses mid-spin to watch and slowly lowers her sunglasses.)

Ryan Wilson: You and TLA really thought you had a chance? Those Tag Team Championships are as good as ours!

(Ryan throws one more punch— but Bethany’s hands shoot up and her thumbs jam straight into his eyes!)

Ryan Wilson: AAAAGH!

(He lets go and stumbles backward, clawing at his face and knocking over a barstool. Bethany rises slowly through the wreckage of the table, shaking glass out of her hair. The dancer on the pole gives her a slow, approving nod. The Bartender finally sets down his glass.)

Bartender: That one’s coming out of somebody’s tab.

Bethany Blue: Take it out of his.

(Ryan blinks, half-blind, swinging at empty air. Bethany lunges through the haze and grabs Ryan by the back of the head. She hauls him up and SLAMS his face into the bar top.)

(She drags him down the length of the bar by his face! Every glass in his path shatters in a rolling chain of crashes, a glittering wave of glass that ends in a spray of ice and whiskey. The dancers have stopped mid-spin. One of them puts a hand over her mouth.)

(Bethany holds Ryan by the back of his neck, spins, and HEAVES him over the bar! He crashes into the bottle shelf behind it, and a rack of liquor tumbles down with him!)

(The dancers whoop and clap without using their hands. A man in a booth in the corner throws his hat in the air. Bethany pumps a fist and turns to the crowd, soaking it in.)

(Behind her, an arm rises from behind the bar. Then a head. Ryan, bloodied, clutching a full bottle of Crown Royal by the neck. Bethany hears the shelf creak and starts to turn—)

(CRACK.)

(The bottle comes down on her skull! It does not break. It bounces with a hollow thunk that makes the whole room wince. Bethany’s eyes roll back, and she folds to the floor!)

Bartender: Damn that’s a good bottle.

(Ryan stares at the bottle, then at Bethany, then at the bottle again.)

Ryan Wilson: They don’t make ’em like they used to.

(He tosses it aside and climbs up onto the bar, dripping with liquor and glass. He spreads his arms to the crowd, stands over Bethany, and launches himself!)

(ELBOW DROP! It lands with a sickening thud! Ryan hooks a leg, and looks up for the count!)

(Nobody is there.)

(He looks left. He looks right. He looks behind the bar. Not a referee in sight.)

Ryan Wilson: Where’s the ref?

Bartender: I think I saw her go by with the other fellas.

(Ryan slaps the floor twice in frustration. A distant CRASH echoes from the back of the palace. TLA yells in Spanish.)

(The door bursts open and TLA and Vincent tumble in, locked together, throwing forearms and elbows. The bathroom flickering fluorescent tube, a wall of graffiti, and a hand dryer bolted up crooked.)

(TLA rips loose and throws a right hand. Vincent slips it, grabs him, and HURLS him into the mirrors. The glass spiderwebs! TLA’s reflection fractures into a dozen!)

TLA: Ay… seven years bad luck for you.

(Vincent hauls him up, hoists him onto his shoulder, and SLAMS his spine down across the row of sinks! The middle one rips off the wall with a shriek of metal, gushing water across the tile! TLA arches and gasps!)

Vincent Mondrian: Need some paper towels or maybe some further assistance?

(He drags TLA by the hair toward the last stall and kicks the door open. A sad little light bulb swings above a toilet. The bowl has not been flushed. It may never have been flushed. Vincent’s smile widens.)

Vincent Mondrian: Your team wanted the Poon Palace way. Well then you’re going to get exactly what you asked for!

(He shoves TLA’s head down toward the bowl! TLA’s eyes go wide!)

TLA: No, no, no, NO, NO…

(TLA’s hands shoot out and brace against the stall walls. He strains, shaking, an inch from the disgusting bowl. Then he drives an elbow back into Vincent’s ribs, and twists free, and the two of them slam into the stall walls!)

(They trade punches in the cramped space, elbows smacking metal, shoulders bouncing off the partitions. There’s no room to swing, so every blow lands. The stall shudders! The lock rattles! The toilet paper roll spins, unspooling across both of them!)

(Grunts! Thud! A muffled “AY!” The whole stall shakes, with the sound bouncing off the tile, and it sounds like …something else entirely. The bathroom door creaks open.)

(A guy with a trucker shuffles in, mid-conversation with himself, zipping up a jacket. He stops and listens. The stall shakes and someone groans. His eyes drift slowly to the two pairs of boots in the stall.)

Trucker Hat Guy: Fellas.

(The stall goes still for half a second. Two faces, TLA’s ear in Vincent’s hand and Vincent’s head in a headlock, turn slowly toward him over the top of the door.)

Trucker Hat Guy: Get a room.

(He turns around, walks out, and lets the door swing shut behind him.)

Trucker Hat Guy: Should’ve gone to Applebee’s.

(TLA and Vincent look at each other, then at the door, then back at each other.)

Vincent Mondrian: That was awkward.

TLA: Sí. Should we…

(They both nod, and the punching resumes!)

(The stall door bursts off its top hinge and both men spill out in a tangle of limbs and toilet paper. They roll across the wet tile, and Vincent scrambles up first, swinging! TLA ducks, catches him and HURLS him headfirst into the last unbroken mirror!)

(CRASH! Glass rains into the sink. Vincent slides down the wall and flops onto his back, twitching, with a shard still stuck to his forehead!

(TLA drops to a knee and hooks the leg. He looks up, ready for the count, and sees there’s no one there to give it.)

TLA: Ay, where is she…

(Down the hall, footsteps and a heel clicking on tile. TLA lifts his head. In the doorway, Ryan Wilson has the model referee by the wrist. His hair is soaked in liquor, blood trickles from his nose, and one eye is swollen half shut. He’s hauling her backward. She’s chewing gum and looking around, blissfully unaware.)

Ryan Wilson: Come on, sweetheart. I need a count.

(TLA springs to his feet, lunges out of the bathroom, and snatches her other wrist.)

TLA: Oye! Ella es mía! Find your own referee!

(They pull. The Model stretches between them like the rope in a tug-of-war, blinking slowly.)

Ryan Wilson: We did have a referee but you got rid of him, you idiot!

TLA: Oh right…I still need her!

(The Model glances at Ryan’s grip. She glances at TLA’s. She shrugs, blows her bubble gum into a big pink balloon, and pops it.)

Model Referee: Fellas, you’re both very sweet.

(A beat of silence.)

(RYAN SWINGS!)

(His right fist cracks across TLA’s jaw! TLA’s head snaps to the side and the Model slips loose! TLA rolls with the punch, turns back, and buries a CHOP across Ryan’s chest! Ryan grunts, chops back! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! A machine-gun like exchange!)

TLA: Es todo lo que tienes?

Ryan Wilson: I’m just getting started!

(Ryan throws a FOREARM! TLA blocks it and hits him with a forearm of his own! They trade shots back and forth! Ryan and TLA slam off the walls, trading forearms and ducking under the low-hanging pipes! A framed picture of Jesus falls off its nail! The hallway dead-ends at a heavy wooden door with a hand-painted sign: “GOOD VIBES ONLY.”)

(Ryan swings a wild right. TLA blocks it with his forearm, grabs Ryan and lifts him up.)

TLA: Ay, amigo. You looked so tired. Let me take you off your feet!

Ryan Wilson: Wait…

(TLA drives him backward! Ryan hits the door and it EXPLODES off its hinges! They both fly through the opening and tumble down a long, rickety flight of wooden stairs, bouncing off every step!)

(THUD! CRASH! CLANG!)

(The two of them land in a heap on the concrete floor, groaning and covered in splinters!)

(Silence. Then a slow, cloudy hiss.)

(Thick, sweet-smelling smoke rolls across the ceiling in lazy waves. Low velvet couches ring the room, and scattered Persian rugs cover the concrete. Brass hookahs stand in every corner with long, coiled hoses draped over cushions. String lights drip from the rafters, and a lava lamp the size of a fire hydrant glows purple on a table.)

(Around the room, a dozen Patrons in flowing robes and sunglasses lounge with hose stems in their mouths. Nobody looks up. One man slowly exhales a perfect smoke ring, and it drifts over Ryan’s head like a halo.)

(Ryan raises himself on one elbow, coughing, staring at the scene.)

Ryan Wilson: You degenerate.

(TLA sits up beside him, and smiles.)

TLA: Hey, good vibes only Ryan. You’re being too negative.

(Somewhere in the smoke, a patron slowly lifts his head, looks at them, and gestures lazily with his hose.)

Hookah Patron: TLA? Is that you man? I’m way too high for this.

TLA: The one and only, don’t worry though, you can enjoy yourself. I just have to beat Ryan’s ass really quick.

Hookah Patron: Oh cool…I think you should watch out though, it looks like Ryan is right behind you.

(Behind him, Ryan’s hand closes around the neck of the nearest glass hookah, and he swings it like a bat.)

(CRASH!)

(The glass base explodes against the back of TLA’s head in a spray of water, shards, and perfumed smoke. TLA’s eyes go glassy! Ryan drops the broken stem, hauls him up by the hair, and runs him head first into the concrete wall! WITH A SICK THUD! TLA slides down the wall!)

(Ryan drops on top of him, firing off punches keeping him down. Then he stands and starts stomping! Across the room, the patrons stir. A unified “Boooo” rolls through the smoke from a dozen unbothered mouths. Someone tosses a pillow, and it bounces off Ryan’s shoulder.)

Hookah Patron: You have horrible vibes! What is wrong with you?

Ryan Wilson: What is wrong with me? What is wrong with you?! You’re smoking hookah in some random basement!

Hookah Patron: This is a judgement free zone.

Ryan Wilson: …Whatever, I can’t wait to get the hell out of here.

(He sneers, wipes blood from his nose. Behind him, TLA drags himself across the rug on his elbows. He reaches the nearest hookah, a big brass beauty with an ornate peacock etched on the side, and grabs the hose. His fingers wrap around the mouthpiece and he looks up at Ryan, who is stalking back toward him, cracking his knuckles.)

Ryan Wilson: Don’t think I forgot about you old friend, like I said we are just getting started.

(TLA gives him a bloody, gap-toothed grin. He takes a long, slow pull from the hose, and the coals glow orange in the dim light.)

Ryan Wilson: Gotta get your last hit before I put you in a hospital?

TLA: Sí.

(He exhales a thick, sweet cloud of smoke straight into Ryan’s face! Ryan freezes. His eyes water and his throat spasms. He claws at the air, coughing, staggering, blinking through the white haze!)

Ryan Wilson: I can’t… my eyes… what is that?!

TLA: Peach mango.

(TLA pushes off the rug, gets up and drives a SPINNING BACK ELBOW into the side of Ryan’s jaw! Ryan’s legs give out and he drops onto his backside in the middle of a Persian rug, dazed and blinking, a cloud of peach-scented smoke rising around him! One by one, the patrons applauded from their couches, hoses still in their mouths.)

Hookah Patron: I wasn’t expecting hookah and a show, this is the best place ever!

(Ryan lies flat on the rug, blinking at the ceiling through a haze of peach-mango smoke. Nearby, TLA limps toward a closet in the corner and pulls the door open. Shelves of dusty supplies. Extra hoses. A disco ball with a cracked panel. He digs past them and comes out with a battered wooden box.)

(He sets it down in front of Ryan and lifts the lid with a smile. Inside, on faded red velvet: a bottle of baby oil, a leather whip, a ball gag, and a pair of fuzzy pink handcuffs. Ryan stares at the box. His swollen eye opens as wide as it can.)

Ryan Wilson: What… What are you gonna do with that?!

(TLA cracks the whip once and a wicked smile creeps across his face.)

TLA: Ay, amigo. It’s time for some real Poon Palace fun.

(Somewhere in the smoke, a patron slowly lowers his hookah hose. Another one quietly stands and leaves the room.)

(Elsewhere, Bethany’s back hits the wall! Vincent’s follow-up punch punches straight through the drywall an inch from her ear. Plaster dust puffs out. The framed photo of TLA shaking hands with a mariachi band drops off its nail and shatters.)

(The office is a monument to bad decisions: a giant mahogany desk, a taxidermied armadillo in a tiny top hat, a neon sign that reads “MANAGEMENT” with the “-AGEMENT” burned out. Bethany’s hair is a mess, and there’s a fresh lump on her forehead from the Crown Royal.)

(Vincent leans in, panting, his fist stuck in the wall.)

Vincent Mondrian: You die today Bethany.

(He yanks his hand free. Bethany blinks slowly. Then she gives him a smile.)

Bethany Blue: I’d love to see you try.

(She launches off the wall and LEAPS onto him like a cat, wrapping her legs around his waist and hammering his head with both fists. Vincent staggers backward, flailing, and crashes into the desk. Papers, a stapler, and a novelty stress ball shaped like a cactus scatter across the floor!)

(She rides him down onto the desktop and mounts him, throwing punch after punch! His head bounces off the wood!)

Vincent Mondrian: GET THE HELL OFF ME!

Bethany Blue: MAKE ME!

(She sits up, breathing hard, scanning the desk for a weapon. Her hand lands on a sticky, coffee-stained computer keyboard. She grips it with both hands and lifts it over her head!)

Vincent Mondrian: WAIT! WAIT!

(SMACK!)

(The keyboard comes down across his face. Keys rocket across the room! Vincent’s eyes roll back, and a “L” key sticks to his forehead! Bethany stands over him, chest heaving, the ruined keyboard dangling from one hand by its cord!)

(Bethany’s eyes sweep the wreckage of the office and land on the corner, where two flagpoles stand in a brass stand. The Mexican flag hangs proudly on the left, its green, white, and red catching the neon glow. On the right hangs the Stars and Stripes.)

(Her hand goes to the Mexican flagpole. She pauses. She looks at it for a long moment, then gently lets go and gives it a small, respectful nod.)

Bethany Blue: TLA would kill me.

(She grabs the American flagpole instead and rips it from the stand. The flag unfurls, snapping in the air. She levels the pointed brass tip at Vincent, who is groaning on the desk, and charges.)

Bethany Blue: GAAAAAH!

She lunges! Vincent rolls at the last second! The pole punches through the desk with a violent crack! The flag draped over the wood like a tablecloth! Bethany yanks at it, but it’s wedged deep!

Bethany Blue: Come ON!

(Vincent rises behind her, blood on his teeth, keyboard letters stuck in his hair. He spins her around and lands a HARD backhand across her face! Bethany reels before she can recover, Vincent kicks her in the midsection, grabs her, and scoops her onto his shoulders into powerbomb position!)

Vincent Mondrian: You look like you could use some air!

(He turns and sprints toward the window!!Bethany’s eyes go wide!)

Bethany Blue: No no no no NO!

(Vincent HURLS her through the glass!)

(CRAAAASH!)

(Shards fly into the night, and Bethany tumbles through the air, the neon “POON PALACE” sign flashing across her face as she falls.)

(THUD!)

(She lands flat on her back in the gravel, two stories down, glass raining around her! The wind is knocked out of her in one long wheeze.)

(A pair of polished loafers steps carefully around the shards and stops beside her head. Silas Mason, looks down at her from behind rimless glasses. He has been standing in the parking lot this entire time.)

Silas Mason: Tsk, tsk, tsk. Not a pretty landing Doctor.

(Bethany groans and tries to lift a hand. Silas steps back an inch, as if she might be contagious.)

Silas Mason: I would help you out but I know where you have been and I don’t want to touch you. Might catch something without a cure.

(Vincent comes down and outside with the model referee in hand.)

Silas Mason: Vincent, my boy. You did well, where is Ryan?

Vincent Mondrian: He should be taking care of TLA, knowing Ryan he definitely kicked his ass so we won’t be worrying about him anytime soon.

(As he said that, Ryan crawls out from the basement window into the parking lot! Both Silas and Vincent were shocked, going to check on Ryan. He was glistening with baby oil and covered in red wipe marks.)

Vincent Mondrian: What the hell happened?!

Silas Mason: And why do you smell like Peach Mango?

Ryan Wilson: I don’t want to talk about it! I almost didn’t make it out, TLA was distracted and I slipped out! Just pin Bethany and let’s get out of here.

(As they say that, TLA steps out from the Palace with a baseball bat in hand. He taps it onto his palm as he looks at the three men.)

TLA: Not so fast amigo, what kinda guest would I be if I didn’t show you out?

(Ryan and Vincent look at TLA, then at each other. It’s two against one.)

Ryan Wilson: Get him!

(They rush him at the same time. TLA swings the bat and CRACKS it across Vincent’s ribs! He spins and buries a boot in Ryan’s gut! Both men stagger!)

TLA: Come on!

(He swings again! Vincent ducks under it and tackles him at the waist! Ryan grabs the bat with both hands and they wrestle for it, both of them stumbling across the gravel and slamming into the side of a pickup truck! TLA holds on with everything he has, but Ryan wrenches the bat free!)

Ryan Wilson: GIVE ME THAT!

(He winds up and CRACK! The bat slams across TLA’s back! TLA’s knees buckle. CRACK! Across the ribs! Vincent stomps on TLA’s hand, and TLA screams. Silas watches from a safe distance, clapping. Vincent shoves the Referee aside. She stumbles, blows her whistle, and gives the closest thing to a concerned look she has managed all night.)

Referee: Um… is this legal?

Silas Mason: Sweetheart, there are no rules in the Poon Palace!

Referee: (shrugging) If you say so.

(In the gravel, Bethany drags herself to her knees, one arm hanging awkwardly. She stares at TLA, bloody and crumpled beneath the bat.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: GET AWAY FROM HIM!

(She staggers to her feet and charges, swinging with everything she has left. She gets one shot in and drives a forearm across Vincent’s jaw, but Vincent grabs her by the hair and hurls her sideways into the pickup truck! She bounces off the hood and lands hard!)

(Ryan strolls over and swings the bat into her stomach. Bethany folds. Ryan drops the bat on the gravel beside her, flexes his shoulder, and rolls his neck.)

Ryan Wilson: Stay down. You’ll want a good seat for this.

(He grabs TLA and drags him across the lot. TLA’s boots leave two long trails in the gravel. Ryan hauls him up against a rusted street light pole at the edge of the lot, and TLA slumps against it, barely conscious, blood running from his forehead. The pole’s single bulb flickers above him.)

Ryan Wilson: This ends now, you won’t interfere with my legacy anymore.

(Ryan turns and walks back across the lot. Vincent and Silas glance at each other.)

Vincent Mondrian: Ryan what are you doing?

(Ryan doesn’t answer. He walks to the black sedan, opens the door, and slides behind the wheel. The engine ROARS to life! The headlights snap on and flood the lot in white light, blinding TLA against his pole. Silas takes a slow, careful step backward. Even he looks uncertain.)

Silas Mason: Ryan…perhaps a pin would suffice?

(The engine revs. Ryan grips the wheel, eyes locked on TLA through the windshield. On the ground, Bethany lifts her head. Through the gravel and glass and blood, she sees the headlights, the pole, and TLA’s limp shape in front of them. Her hand claws into the dirt.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: COME ON! TLA! WAKE UP!

(TLA barely lifts his head. He squints into the blinding light, the neon sign buzzing overhead. The sedan lurches forward, tires spitting gravel, engine screaming! Inside the car, Ryan tightens his grip on the wheel. The car CRASHES headfirst into the light pole! The airbag deploys and a cloud of thick white smoke billows up from the crumpled hood and swallows the entire lot!)

(There was silence. Bethany lifts her head from the gravel, blinking through the haze.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: No…

(Vincent and Silas take a step forward, squinting.)

Silas Mason: Is…is it over? Did he…?

(Through the smoke, a figure rises near the wreck, tall and upright and moving slowly.)

Silas Mason: Ryan! There he is! Ryan, my boy!

(But it isn’t Ryan. The smoke thins. TLA steps out of the haze with blood on his face, dragging Ryan Wilson’s limp body out of the driver’s seat. Ryan’s head lolls.)

Vincent Mondrian: No…SON OF A BITCH!

(TLA staggers three steps and drops on top of Ryan, hooking the leg. He looks up at the Referee, who has been standing in the lot the whole time on her phone.)

TLA: (weakly) Cuenta… por favor.

(The Referee blinks, pops her gum, drops to her knees, and slaps the gravel.)

Referee: ONE!

(Vincent rushes forward to break it up! But a shape steps in front of him. Bethany, plants herself directly in his path with her fists at her sides.)

(He stops. He looks at her…and I mean really get a good look at her, her bloodied face and her dagger eyes. The fight goes out of him. He doesn’t move.)

Referee: Um…oh yeah! TWO!

(He should shove past her. He should grab TLA and tear him off Ryan. But he just stands there, staring, and Bethany stares right back.)

Silas Mason: Vincent! What are you doing?! BREAK IT UP!

(Bethany steps forward and SHOVES him! He hits the gravel hard, and she drops onto his chest and pins his shoulders down with both hands. He still doesn’t fight back.)

Referee: THREE!

(She rings a tiny handbell.)

(DING DING DING!)

Referee: WINNER! WINNER! La Farmacia! They are your NEW Unified Tag Team Champions!

TLA: Still…chica…still…

(TLA drops flat on his back beside Ryan, laughing weakly at the sky. Bethany doesn’t move. She and Vincent are still locked in a stare, inches apart, neither saying a word.)

(After a long moment, Bethany finally rises, brushes gravel off her knees, and picks up her Unified Tag Team Championship from the dirt. She limps over to TLA and helps him to his feet, slinging his arm over her shoulder. TLA lifts his own belt with a weak grin. The two of them stand together as La Farmacia, champions still! But Bethany glances back over her shoulder.)

(Vincent is still on the ground, still staring, and he hasn’t looked away once.)

Silas Mason: WHY?! Vincent, WHY?! You had them! You HAD them! Say something! ARE YOU AN IDIOT! WHY ARE YOU AN IDIOT?!

(Vincent says nothing. Watching Bethany and TLA take their celebration back into the ruins of Poon Palace, fading to black.)

(A commercial plays for Wolverine featuring Kirk Redwood as Sabretooth)

(The matchcard for the next match is shown off, causing the fans to spur onto their feet.)

(https://i.imgur.com/VoFL3H7.png)

Stephie Love: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL, and it is for the EAW World Heavyweight Championship!

(Apostle’s Warning by Mobb Deep hits. Michael Machina comes out, and his displeasure and anger over everything is evident in his expression as he heads down to the ring.)

Stephie Love: Introducing first, the challenger! From Brooklyn, New York, he is the New Legend, MIIIICHAAEEEEL MAAACHIIIINAAAA!

Stew-O: Can we even call it a game face when he looks about ready to tear into Drake King tonight?

Flannery McCoy: I’d say so. There’s just some added emphasis given the history and how many times these two have clashed over the course of the past month. Nothing about this feud has been pretty or cordial, and frankly? It never will be. Michael has made it known how he feels about Drake and him having the title. He wants to do everything he can to take the title off of him tonight. By any means necessary.

(After he gets to the ring, ‘When Darkness Falls’ by Killswitch Engage hits. Drake King comes out to a chorus of boos. However, his attention remains solely on Michael, whose eyes immediately dart at him as he backs up into his corner.)

Stephie Love: And the champion! From Heaven’s Gate, he is Our Father, who art in Heaven… ‘God’, DRAAAAKE KIIIIIING!

Stew-O: Drake is just as ready to settle everything and carry out his plans for The World, as he likes to say. The very first singles meeting between these two, and the stakes couldn’t be any higher! He looks just as determined, and his eyes do not peel away from Michael whatsoever as he enters.

Jake Mercer: They both have vastly different temperaments and viewpoints. Neither of them like each other. You can expect this to be a vitriolic fight over the title, perhaps even more so than their match at Pain for Pride was!

(DING DING DING!)

(Drake and Michael step out of their respective spots. The fans cheer, their support for the challenger evident; their enthusiasm reaching the absolute heights of the arena. Yet, the former World Heavyweight Champion does not heed the chants and calls of his name, for there was only one that reverberates in his mind—and it belongs to the man, the God, that stands right before him.)

(The sight of his face is enough to make his nose crinkle in disgust.)

Stew-O: No love lost here! Even though this is the first-ever singles match between Drake King and Michael Machina, these two have such a tied history to one another. It’s like there is a red string of fate attached to their fingers, and that thread continues to run between them even now. Still, can Michael cut off that string and prove that Pain for Pride was just an unfortunate night of misfortune, or will God prove himself to be above the Machine?

Jake Mercer: We’re going to find out soon enough, that’s for certain!

(And Michael refuses to wait for that answer.)

Flannery McCoy: Michael darts in to start off, and he pushes Drake back into the corner! Already the challenger is beginning to unload with a series of punches, aiming everywhere! Face, chest, stomach, arms—nothing is being spared here! The champion is forced into playing defense while the fans are calling for his blood! This is going to get nasty, and fast!

(…)

(…)

(…?)

Jake Mercer: Michael… eases off a bit. He looks on, eyes blown wide in surprise as Drake is—is laughing.

(Those laughs continue to permeate. The champion eases out of the corner, looking right at Michael. Confusion quickly blends into frustration; frustration, leading into anger.)

Michael Machina: (off-mic) What the hell is so funny, jackass? Huh?

(Drake’s mirthful vocalizations simmers into chuckles, sifting low in his throat. Fingers trail along the cheek, blossoming with a faint red from where it was stricken at.)

Drake King: (off-mic) It’s just… you feel it too, don’t you? All of that rage which boils in your veins; the frustration that sits and stews?

(Drake tilts his head, eyes landing more intently.)