(EAW Intro Plays)
A recap of 2025 starts to play for Showdown. All of the great moments are shown including what happened at Road to Redemption and the Festival of Lights Christmas Show. It shows various matches and highlights from Veena Adams winning the Answers World Championship to the formation of Silas World, to Harper Lee winning the National Elite Championship, then Daryl Kinkade, Auburn Ware with the Specialist title, Clayton Golde with the New Breed, and The Temple of Trials match. It then switches to all the wrestlers that have been on Showdown in 2025 before it fading.)
(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 Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Fireworks are shooting out of the stage and the whole crowd can be seen cheering and being excited for the show. The camera ends up panning over to the commentary table with Deadprez, Eve and Gavin Kirkland as the commentators start talking.)
Deadprez: WE ARE IN THE MOST PEACEFUL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, DAWG! SWEDEN! AND WHAT A NIGHT WE HAVE! Welcome everyone to a brand NEW YEAR of Showdown in 2026! I am Deadprez accompanied by Eve and Gavin Kirkland! We are going to kick off the New Year with a King of Elite tournament matches to see who will represent Showdown at the annual event in Rome, Italy!
Eve: We are so excited for 2026, and let me tell you that 2025 ended not so well for Silas World, they look to bounce back tonight! We will also see the return of Ryan Joseph Wilson as he will make his debut for Showdown in Season 19 after taking some time off! We will hear from STILL the Answers World Champion, Veena Adams, and so much more. Also, Ms. Extreme has decided to take a break, we wish her the very best as she was an incredible champion! Opportunities are opening up!
Gavin Kirkland: They sure off and why wait!? We are going to kick off 2026 with SILAS WORLD!
(The camera pans to ringside.)
(The camera shot transitions from the commentary table to the top of the entrance ramp where ‘Another World’ by Gojira starts to play. The arena crowd immediately starts to boo as loudly as possible because they know exactly who is about to come out. Seconds later, Silas Mason enters the arena before being joined by Vincent Mondrian, Pandora Paisley, Harper Lee, and Donovan Duke. They all look extremely annoyed and angry as Silas leads them to the ring.)
Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen! At this time, please welcome to the ring… SILAS MASON! VINCENT MONDRIAN! DONOVAN DUKE! PANDORA PAISLEY! AND HARPER LEE! SILAS WORLD!
Eve: Well this is certainly a crappy way to start off 2026. Out of all the people it could have been, why did it have to be Silas World. Nevermind. I think we know why.
Gavin Kirkland: You mean the carriage of injustice that happened to poor Harper and Pandora at Road to Redemption? It was such a crime watching them lose.
Deadprez: What about Donovan and Vincent, dawg?
Gavin Kirkland: Who cares about those two psycho bastards? They got what they deserved.
Eve: Well to say the very least, Silas World’s 2025 did NOT end the same way it started. Harper Lee lost the National Elite Championship to Daryl Kinkade without even being involved in the deciding fall. Harper and Pandora were not happy and that explains why we are one Silas World member down… permanently.
Gavin Kirkland: Then both Vincent and Donovan couldn’t bring the Answers World Championship to Silas World in the Extreme Elimination Chamber. I better not say that too loudly because Donovan might clobber me with a cowbell.
Deadprez: To make things worse for Silas World, Donovan and Harper lost a Couple vs. Couple tag team match to the Tag Team Champions, Fire and Ice. Dawg, I think we might need to get five straight jackets ready for this group. But let’s hear what they have to say anyway.
(Silas World reaches ringside and grabs a microphone from Gina Romano before walking up the entrance steps to let Silas World into the ring. Donovan takes Silas’ place and lets Harper into the ring before entering himself. Silas World stands front and center as their entrance music fades off… but the crowd’s booing is almost deafening as Silas… at least tries… to speak.)
Silas Mason: Yeah yeah yeah. Keep it up, you idiots. I know you all just LOOOOOOOOOVE to hear yourselves boo the greatest combination of talent in Elite Answers Wrestling history!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Silas Mason: You all are such damn sheep it’s pathetic. The fact that I am even able to talk to you people without absolutely losing my mind is a testament to the restraint that I have right because I AM ABSOLUTELY PISSED OFF AS HELL RIGHT NOW!
(The crowd cheers at how angry he is right now and that doesn’t do anything to make Silas feel any better. Actually, it gets him even more pissed. Silas paces the ring trying to cool his temper before he begins to speak again.)
Silas Mason: You guys think you are all very funny, but I am not going to let you lamebrains ruin what I have to say because let me tell you that it is very important. First of all, none of us are going to mention what happened at Road to Redemption because it was all a bunch of bullshit anyways. Leave it to Kennedy Street to still find a way to screw Silas World over.
Crowd: KENNEDY! KENNEDY! KENNEDY! KENNEDY! KENNEDY! KENNEDY!
Silas Mason: She has brainwashed all of you dumbfucks. But right now, I am concerned about the mission I have for Silas World. Kennedy might be trying to keep us down, but we are far from being put down because Silas World is going to be on top for as long as I see fit.
Silas Mason: Silas World isn’t settling for some. Silas World wants it all and Silas World is going to take it all. A member of Silas World is going to win the King of Elite tournament. Then Silas World is going to take the National Elite Championship BACK! Then Silas World is taking the Answers World Championship back to where they all belong… WITH US!!
Silas Mason: After that clusterfuck at Road to Redemption, Silas World has cut the dead weight that has been holding the group back and it was a long time coming. Now that that’s all over, I am focused on one thing and that is to take OVER in 2026. And that mission? That mission starts TONIGHT!
(Silas hands the microphone over to Vincent Mondrian.)
Vincent Mondrian: You know I should be standing here as the Answers World Champion right now if it wasn’t for that stupid Milli Banks sticking her nose in business where it didn’t belong considering it wasn’t even her brand. But 2026 will be the year that Vincent Mondrian gets his next taste of Championship gold. Just you wait and see.
(Vincent then hands the microphone over to Pandora Paisley.)
Pandora Paisley: Milli and Veena might have enjoyed themselves celebrating their success at our expense, but that celebration is going to be cut off very shortly because I wasn’t kidding around when I said I wanted gold. I want it and I am going to get it by any means necessary. I will be champion. I guarantee it.
(After Pandora finishes talking, she hands the microphone over to Harper Lee. The crowd is starting to cheer and laugh at her expense because she lost the National Elite Championship at Road to Redemption.)
Harper Lee: You all can just shut up right now because I am sick and tired of you idiots trying to make fun of me for stupid crap like that. As far as I am concerned, I didn’t lose that title. I was never pinned. I never gave up. NONE OF IT! The way I see it, I am still the rightful champion and I will be getting gold back around my waist one way or another.
(After Harper finishes, she hands the microphone over to Donovan Duke. They take a moment to look into each other’s eyes briefly as Harper smirks and pats Donovan on the arm before he speaks.)
Donovan Duke: You all just keep going and ahead making fun of me because I was eliminated from the Chamber by a fast counted pin. That was bullshit and everyone knows it. But I was the one who got the last word and I would have got the last laugh if it wasn’t for a nosy bitch who doesn’t know when to quit. I will get gold again and bring dignity and prestige to whatever I hold because that’s what you people need. The pretty little scars and bruises your favorites will receive will just be an added bonus.
(After Donovan finishes, he hands the microphone back to Silas Mason, who unfortunately, is never at a loss for words.)
Silas Mason: Now I want all of you to clean the crap out of your ears and listen closely to what I have to say and that includes the rest of the Elitists in the back right now. I am here to tell all of Elite Answers Wrestling that NOBODY is safe!
(Silas drops the microphone as ‘Another World’ starts playing as all of Silas World look out to the crowd with a mix of anger and determination. They stand in the ring for a moment longer before all leaving the ring and heading up the entrance ramp.)
Eve: For the love of gawd!! Here we go again. Silas World are all pissed off again which means they are going to be a nightmare for the rest of us. Aren’t we just so lucky?
Gavin Kirkland: I mean Silas World is the greatest faction in EAW today with the beautiful Harper Lee and Pandora Paisley in the group. I want them to have all the success possible.
Deadprez: What about Donovan and Vincent?
Gavin Kirkland: Ehh. Take them or leave them. I could care less about those crazy fucks. They need to be locked up for being the crazy psychos that they are.
Eve: Of course you would think like that, and even though we give Silas World a lot of shit, they can certainly be dangerous when they are going after something they want. Now that all five of them are extremely pissed off they made it perfectly clear that nobody is safe.
Deadprez: Silas Mason’s mission is to make sure that Silas World gets back on top and that includes taking back the Answers World Championship and the National Elite Champion as well as winning the King of Elite tournament. When all is said and done, this is going to end up going either really good or really bad for them. I for one want to see things continue to blow up in their face, but we will see how that plays out as Donovan Duke and Vincent Mondrian are both in first round matches in the King of Elite tournament later on tonight. I guess we will see how things play out, dawg.
(The final shot shows Silas World all standing at the top of the entrance ramp looking more determined… or more pissed… than ever as the camera shot fades elsewhere….)
(The camera cuts to the ring where Gina Romano is waiting.)
Gina Romano: The following contest is a first round match in the King of Elite tournament and is scheduled for one fall!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
( ‘chain’ by BACK ON hits to cheers from the crowd as Akari Kiyoko emerges.)
Gina Romano: Introducing first he is one half of Showtime… AKARIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII KIYOKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
(Akari Kiyoko makes his way down to the ring running laps around the ring slapping hands with the fans.)
Eve: Akari Kiyoko has been thought of as one of the stars to watch here on Showdown in 2026. A lot of people think he is on the verge of breaking out and this year is going to be the year he does that!
Deadprez: I could not agree more but I could say the same about his partner as well as their team as a whole. It is hard to tell which way it is going to go but the King of Elite tournament is every man for himself so only one can survive!
( “Ruff Ryders Anthem” by DMX hits to cheers from the crowd.)
Gina Romano: And his opponent… the other half of Showtime… DAMIENNNNNN KUTCHERRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
(Damien Kutcher comes down to the ring also running laps around the ring and slapping hands with the fans. Lots of fans are shown in the crowd wearing Showtime t-shirts clearly hyped up for this match.)
Eve: This is a dream match for Showtime fans! I personally can’t wait!
Gavin Kirkland: It is about time to find out which one of these two is good and which one is trash. Can we fire the loser?
Deadprez: No Gavin. We definitely can’t do that. Although it will be sad for one of them to have to sit out the rest of the tournament. But I think that sportsmanship will prevail in the end!
Gavin Kirkland: What is “sportsmanship”?
Deadprez: :francis:
(DING! DING! DING!)
Eve: We are underway in this first round King of Elite contest as two partners collide! Let’s go everyone! It’s SHOWTIME!!!
Gavin Kirkland: *dies of cringe*
Eve: :francis:
Deadprez: Akari Kiyoko and Damien Kutcher lock up intensely in the middle of the ring! They are fighting for position and this crowd is hyped and fully divided between the two of them. There can only be one winner and tonight we will find out which member of Showtime will advance to the next round of the tournament and who will be forced to watch the rest of it from the sidelines!!!
Eve: Damien appears to overpower Akari shoving him backwards towards the corner-
Deadprez: But Akari with the Leg Sweep sending Damien face first into the corner! Damien stops himself just in time and gets back up rushing back up on Akari to lock up once again. Akari twists Damien into a Headlock but Damien powers out and shoves Akari across the ring. Akari comes running back with a Lariat… but Damien gets the Side Elbow up nailing Akari hard in the face taking him down to the mat.
Gavin Kirkland: Akari in the corner now holding his jaw in pain as his partner got the better of him on that exchange. They lock up again but this time Akari immediately breaks up the lock up and then hits Damien in the chest with a Dropkick! Damien falls back into the ropes holding his chest but doesn’t go down! Great strength on display from Damien as Akari looks impressed that Damien didn’t go down from his Dropkick.
Eve: They lock up yet again but this time Damien immediately headbutts Akari! Damien pulls Akari in and drops him with a Piledriver in the middle of the ring! Damien then grabs Akari from behind and rams his knee down hard into the back of his neck! Akari quickly rolls out of the ring holding his neck in pain. Smart move there to get out as Damien was doing some real damage all of a sudden! But Damien isn’t playing nice anymore as he goes out to the apron chasing after Akari! But Akari won’t back down as he jumps up onto the apron and chops Damien hard across the chest! Damien responds with a Big Boot to the face sending Akari flying outside the ring to the floor! Damien hops down off the apron as he goes after Akari on the outside!
Deadprez: Damien lifts Akari up over his head with a Military Press and hurls Akari through the ring ropes back to the inside of the ring! Damn Akari is getting thrown around out here! Damien climbs back into the ring and pulls Akari back up and sends him into the corner. Damien with hard elbows to Akari in the corner-
Eve: But Akari ducks the elbow and begins throwing hard right hands to Damien in the corner! Damien shoves him off and rushes out into the ring but Akari catches him and pulls him sideways for a Scoop Slam! Damien rolls through it back up to his feet as Akari grabs him for another! But Damien sandbags it and lands on top of Akari instead for the cover!
Referee: ONNNNNNNNN-
Deadprez: Immediate kickout by Akari Kiyoko as he gets back up only to eat a Dropkick from Damien Kutcher! Damien sends Akari down to the mat as he rolls out of the ring again! No wait Damien grabbed him by the arm and yanked him back in telling him there is no escape this time! Damien pulls Akari up and yanks him into a hard knee strike to the gut. Damien slams his elbow down on the top of Akari’s head staggering him back. Damien whips Akari across the ring and he comes running back with speed.-
Gavin Kirkland: Akari with a Running Shoulder Tackle on the rebound as he slams hard into Damien! But Damien doesn’t go down! Akari back up as Damien is wobbling on his feet and Akari grabs him… Jumping Cutter!!!-
Eve: But Damien shoves Akari away in midair! Akari goes flying across the ring and lands hard on his back. Damien gets his shit together and then comes back towards Akari who kips up out of nowhere and hits him with a Dropkick! Damien falls back into the corner as Akari rushes in grabbing his arm as he goes up to the middle rope! Akari jumps off the middle rope and uses the momentum to toss Damien across the ring with an athletic looking Armdrag! Damien goes rolling almost out of the ring but gets himself back up! He charges in full speed at Akari who ducks a Clothesline and grabs Damien from behind! School Boy rollup!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Deadprez: Akari steals it!
Eve: No! Kickout by Damien Kutcher with authority! Damien back up and goes for another Clothesline on Akari! He gets it this time and Akari is leveled and flipped inside out! Akari falls to the mat as Damien grabs his arm twisting into an Armbar. Damien lifts his legs up bringing them down to smash the arm of Akari repeatedly with his knees. Akari screams out in pain as Damien tortures his opponent trying to rip his arm out of the socket! Damien sits on the Armbar to add additional pressure but Akari smartly repositioned himself closer to the ropes! Akari flexes out his leg sideways and gets a boot on the ropes!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!
Deadprez: Damien has to let go! Akari made it to the ropes! Damien does so without much protest as he gives Akari space to recover for a moment and get back to his feet. It is nice to see such sportsmanship from these two partners here tonight!
Gavin Kirkland: Fuck that! They need to cheat and fuck each other over if they want to succeed in this business!
Eve: That is a great attitude Gavin. Really teaching the kids something. Damien then grabs Akari by the arm and pulls him in… but Akari with the other arm hits a hard forearm! Damien falls backwards as Akari rushes in! But Damien charges at the same time! Damien picks up Akari and throws him around hard slamming him to the mat with a vicious Spinebuster!
Deadprez: Damien goes up next to Akari and begins doing pushups. However, each time he completes a pushup he pushes himself up into the air and then drops himself head first onto Akari! Damien with some interesting looking headbutts as he shows off for this crowd here tonight!
Eve: Damien might be getting a bit too cocky her-
Deadprez: And Akari moved out of the way as Damien went for a pushup headbutt! Damien slammed himself head first into the mat! His cocky maneuver backfired!
Gavin Kirkland: Akari back up as he runs across the ring and hits Damien as he sits up with a Shining Wizard! Akari to the cover!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-
Eve: Damien kicks out with authority! Damien back up now but Akari is waiting for him and goes in with a Buzzsaw Kick! But Damien manages to avoid having his head kicked off by Akari! Damien grabs Akari and lifts him up dropping him chest first over the top rope! Akari falls backwards into the ring and Damien hits a Guillotine Leg Drop across his chest. Damien pulls Akari back up and whips him across the ring. Clothesline! No! Akari ducks beneath! Akari comes flying across the ring and leaps into the air! CROSSBODY FLATTENS DAMIEN! The cover!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-
Deadprez: Damien kicks out but he also wraps his arms around Akari! Damien wraps his arms tightly around Akari and rolls on top of him! Damien rolls back up to his feet and applies a Bearhug! Damien is squeezing the life up and out of Akari! Akari is going to be forced to submit here if he can’t escape! But Akari with his hands is slapping the sides of the head of Damien trying to break free! He slaps both of Damien’s ears hard with his palms and Damien is forced to let him go! Damien falls backwards as Akari falls down on his knees. Damien comes off the ropes with a Running Knee but Akari rolls out of the way-
Eve: Akari back up as he catches Damien with a Hurricanrana and hooks the legs!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Referee: T-
Deadprez: Damien kicks out! Damien immediately back up as Akari tries to put him in a Headlock but that was a bad call as Damien immediately throws Akari back dropping him on his head with a Back Suplex. Akari yells out in pain before flipping over into the corner as Damien recovers in a corner of his own. Suddenly, both men charge out of the corners at each other! They both go for a Clothesline at the same time! They both get it! They both go down to the mat!!
Gavin Kirkland: Both men have been laid out on the mat and the referee is beginning the ten count! They both might end up being counted out here!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT!
Eve: This is not good! If they are both counted out here they will both be eliminated from the King of Elite tournament! Not to mention we will be deprived a winner between this epic clash of SHOWTIME!
Referee: NINE! TE-
Deadprez: But both Akari Kiyoko and Damien Kutcher stagger up to their feet just in time! They beat the ten count as they move in towards each other and begin to throw punches in slow motion at each other!
Eve: AKARI! DAMIEN! AKARI! DAMIEN! Akari with a hard elbow strike to the top of Damien’s head sending a jolt through his entire body! Akari then runs the ropes and comes back into Damien with a Running Forearm Smash! Damien takes it in the face and falls back into the ropes then comes running back with a Rushing Shoulder Tackle! But Akari moves out of the way! Akari moves as Damien crashes and burns through the ropes and tumbles to the outside of the ring! Damien falls to the floor as he gets back up and storms back up to the apron only to be met with a Dropkick from Akari! Damien falls down onto the apron as Akari runs the ropes-
Deadprez: BASEBALL SLIDE!!!
Gavin Kirkland: Akari kicks Damien hard off the apron sending him flying across the floor and smashing back first into the barricade! Such force!
Eve: Akari is rolling now as Damien slowly pulls himself back up on the outside! Akari runs the ropes in the ring and dives to the outside!!!
Deadprez: Akari with a Suicide Dive to the outside of the ring! He got all of it taking down Damien! But can he get him back in the ring to finish the match in time?!?!?!?
Eve: Akari is shown struggling to pick up Damien but eventually he gets him up on the apron! Akari shoves Damien into the ring and rolls back in after him just in time to beat the referee’s ten count! Akari rolls over Damien and makes it to the cover! This could be it!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR-
Deadprez: But Damien kicks out with such force that Akari goes flying into the air and comes down landing on top of the referee! The referee just got smashed and Akari rolls off before checking on the motionless official while apologizing for his actions.
Gavin Kirkland: AKARI JUST ATTACKED THE OFFICIAL! CALL FOR THE DQ! DING! DING! DING!
Eve: Bro… that was obviously an accident. Shall we review the replay footage!
Gavin Kirkland: No! I am always right until you do that!
Deadprez: Damien gets up as Akari is checking on the referee and rushes him from behind-
Eve: No! It looks like Damien considered it but ultimately decided not to as he waits instead for his partner to get up and turn around. Akari gets up from the referee and turns around and realizes what Damien was thinking of doing! Akari is pissed off!
Deadprez: Akari is yelling at Damien now for holding back against him! Akari slaps Damien hard across the face!!! But Damien is pissed off now too! Damien slaps the shit out of Akari! Akari hauls off with a Back Chop to the chest of Damien! And Damien fires back with one of his own! AKARI! DAMIEN! AKARI! DAMIEN! AKARI! DAMIEN! DAMIEN! DAMIEN!
Gavin Kirkland: It looks like Damien won the chop off as he hammers Akari back into the corner and begins choking him around the neck until the referee counts him off! Damien headbutts Akari hard in the skull and then kicks him repeatedly in the gut as he stomps a mudhole into Akari who sinks down to the mat! Damien grabs Akari and Snapmares him down to the mat. Akari sits back up as Damien runs the ropes and comes rushing in with a Running Boot to the skull! Damien just kicked Akari’s head off! But Damien isn’t even going for a pin! He picks up Akari in the air and then makes his way up to the middle rope! Damien hurls Akari all the way across the ring with incredible power! Military Press Slam from the middle rope! Akari is in a bad way!
Eve: Damien sees victory in his sight now as he goes up to the middle rope again and dives off with a Flying Splash! Damien flattens Akari like a pancake and slides into the cover!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!-
Deadprez: Damn that was the closest fall so far! Damien almost won but Akari kicks out on instinct alone! Damien deadlifts Akari and slings him up over his shoulders! Possibly looking for a Razor’s Edge? No! He falls down onto his knees hard and opts for a Shoulderbreaker instead! Akari is sent down to the mat writhing in pain! Akari might be wishing he took advantage of that opportunity to attack Damien from behind a short while ago because now he is paying for it and suffering severely!
Eve: Damien picks Akari up and slams his head repeatedly into the turnbuckle before hurling him over the top rope to the outside! Akari crashes on the outside as Damien waits in the ring possibly planning on winning this thing by count out!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!
Deadprez: But it looks like Damien has changed his mind and actually wants to win this thing straight up! Akari isn’t moving and this might be a mistake from Damien as I don’t think he’s going to beat the count.
Referee: FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT!
Deadprez: Damien slides Akari back into the ring but Akari grabs the ropes and spins around kicking Damien sending him flying back!
Referee: NINE!
Gavin Kirkland: Damien is going to get counted out!
Referee: TE-
Eve: Damien lunges into the ring and just barely beat the count! Damn that was close! Damien’s attempt to get Akari back into the ring nearly backfired!
Deadprez: Damien and Akari slowly get back up to their feet-
Eve: DAMIEN GRABS THE ARM OF AKARI AND YANKS HIM DOWN INTO THE GIMME THAT!
Deadprez: Damien’s deadly Inverted Armbar has been applied! He is going to force Akari to tap out right here right now!!!-
Gavin Kirkland: But he applied it too close to the ropes! Akari manages to touch the tip of his boot to the ropes! Apparently that is good enough as the referee orders the break!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! LET HIM GO DAMIEN RIGHT NOW!
Eve: Damien is much more reluctant this time to let go as you can tell he was really hoping to end the match there. But he’s going to have to put in some more work and find another way to finish Akari off!
Deadprez: Akari slowly gets back up holding his arm in pain. Damien kicks him in the gut and he keels over. Damien runs the ropes…
Eve: SMOOVE OFF!!!-
Deadprez: No! Akari managed to avoid Damien’s finisher! Akari grabs Damien from behind and rolls him up!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEE—
Gavin Kirkland: No! Damien kicks out! Akari nearly stole it there!
Eve: Both men get up as they charge into each other with Forearms at the same time! They both collide into each other’s strikes and fall back into the ropes! Damien falls into the ropes and staggers forwards-
Deadprez: But Akari leaps up to the middle rope and comes flying backwards into the ring! Akari with a Flying Headscissors on Damien throwing him across the ring!
Eve: Damien staggers back up to his feet but Akari hits him with a big Superkick to the skull! Damien whirls around falling face first into the corner as Akari charges in with a Double Knee Strike to the back!!! Damien falls towards Akari in the ring who grabs him and gets him in position for a Reverse DDT! Akari to another cover!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEE—
Deadprez: But somehow Damien still kicks out! Akari is looking annoyed now as he grabs Damien and begins to pull him up! Akari going for the Midnight Starfall!!!
Gavin Kirkland: But Akari is too weak to lift Damien up for it! Damien sandbags and falls back down to the mat!!!
Eve: SMOOVE OFF CONNECTSS!!!-
Deadprez: No! Akari with the Peach Dream out of nowhere before Damien can hit his own move! Damien Kutcher just got knocked the hell out!!!! Akari collapses to the mat as he crawls across the ring to make the cover!!!
(Akari Kiyoko is down as he slowly crawls across the ring but he is exhausted having put everything he had left into that kick!)
Deadprez: Can he make it?!?!
(Akari Kiyoko crawls over and throws himself towards Damien with the last of his strength!!!)
Eve: Akari gets a hand over the chest of Damien!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEE—
Referee: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Gina Romano: Here is your winner… AKARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRI KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
( ‘chain’ by BACK ON hits to cheers from the crowd as Akari Kiyoko is helped up by the official and has his arm raised. )
Eve: Akari Kiyoko did it! He definitively defeated his own partner Damien Kutcher to advance in the King of Elite tournament!
Deadprez: Big win for Akari and it has to be a rough night for Damien Kutcher who has been eliminated in the first round of this tournament.
Gavin Kirkland: It’s sad that they won’t be able to be a team anymore because of this. Their egos simply won’t allow them to coexist anymore now that one of them has beaten the other.
Eve: I don’t think that is how that works Gavin…
(Damien Kutcher is shown getting up clearly disappointed as he confronts Akari Kiyoko in the ring.)
Gavin Kirkland: See look what I told you. Damien is salty as fuck and is going to attack Akari for revenge!
(Damien Kutcher lunges towards Akari-)
Gavin Kirkland: Oh no!
(Damien lunges out his hand to shake Akari’s hand and then raises up Akari’s hand in victory as the crowd cheers.)
Eve: What a great moment for Showtime! Damien definitely has nothing to be ashamed of for this performance here tonight! It really could have gone either way!
Gavin Kirkland: I am confused? Is this actual sportsmanship? You mean it exists in real life?!?!
Deadprez: Indeed, it does Gavin and these two have shown they are all about that here tonight on Showdown! What a great moment!
(The camera cuts to a commercial for an upcoming EAW event in Japan that will be streaming live at 3am on a weekday. We can’t wait to see you all there!)
(The camera cuts to the ring where Gina Romano is shown holding a microphone.)
Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen… at this time please welcome the… NEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW EAW NEW BREED CHAMPION…. CLAYTONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLDDEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
(The crowd erupts into boos as “Betty (Get Money)!” by Yung Gravy blasts across the speakers.)
Eve: Damn the hate for this guy is real.
(The arena shakes from the rage being thrown by the crowd as eventually Clayton Golde steps out onto the stage with a shit eating grin on his face and the EAW New Breed Championship around his waist.)
Deadprez: I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we are not happy to have this man as the New Breed Champion. If he is what represents the next generation of EAW Elitists then lawd help us!
Gavin Kirkland: You definitely don’t speak for everyone Dead. I for one welcome a positive role model for all of the young men in this audience. Even I as a high value male myself have a lot to learn and have been studying Clayton’s streams and taking his advice as to how to one day become more of an alpha male than I already am.
Eve: Ah yes clearly it is working…
Gavin Kirkland: I am glad you noticed Eve!!!
(Eventually the music quiets down as Clayton Golde is in the ring. He demands Gina Romano hand him the microphone and then condescendingly pats her on the head and orders her to leave the ring causing the crowd to boo even louder.)
Clayton Golde: Oh my god! Will you all shut the fuck up and let me talk?!?
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Eve: I think the crowd is gonna keep booing until he goes away.
Clayton Golde: I WILL JUST HAVE TO TALK LOUDER THAN ALL OF YOU BETAS THEN!!!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Deadprez: This is going to be painful to listen to.
Gavin Kirkland: I agree. These morons need to shut up and show the champ some respect!
Clayton Golde: You know for too long I have had to listen to you people mock me and not take me seriously. You don’t take anything I have to say seriously and you condescend to me and try to tell me that I am not worthy. But I proved at Road to Redemption as well as the Festival of Lights that I am the real deal baby. I successfully defended my championship clean as a whistle against Nick and it has melted all of your brains because you literally just can’t accept the reality that I am better than you all. You make excuses about certain things happening outside of the ring or whatever to cover up for the failures of your precious “heroes”. Your quirky little nerd heroes who think that they are going to make the world a “better place” and eliminate my “toxic” ways from this company are just fooling you all. You see I know the natural order of things which is why I don’t care about anything you all have to say. I was right. You were wrong. And this… this right here is the proof. It is a new year. It is 2026. And you are all looking at the face of the next generation here in EAW! Because guess what wimps… CLAYTON… is now… FULL OF “GOLDE”!!!!
(The crowd boos extremely loudly as Clayton Golde raises up the New Breed Championship in a dramatic pose in the middle of the ring. He continues to raise it with a smile on his face as the crowd only boos louder.)
Crowd: PUSSY! PUSSY! PUSSY!
Clayton Golde: I know you are chanting that because you really want some! But unfortunately for y’all it has all been reserved for me!!! Hahaha!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Clayton Golde: 2026 will be the year of Golde. Mark my words! You see this championship hasn’t really mattered for a long time. I mean look at the recent champions. All pretty much worthless and they fell off as soon as they dropped the title. They all acted like they were going to go on to do bigger and better things but they couldn’t even replicate their original success! You hate to see it! But with me… this isn’t just a stepping stone. I don’t care about going on to bigger and better things. I care about making this title bigger and better than it has ever been before. You see you all tell me I am a coward and a cheater and all kinds of other hateful bullshit you make up to project your own failings onto me. But I am a fighting champion and if anyone wants to step… then get froggy and leap! Come at me bro! COME THE FUCK AT ME!!! COM-
( ‘COMO CAPO’ – Clave Especial ft. Fuerza Regida hits as the crowd continues to boo. )
Eve: Oh god. This just went from bad to worse.
Gavin Kirkland: Hmm. These two could be a good team…
(Clayton Golde looks a bit shocked as Diego Montana comes out and walks down to the ring. He is being booed by the crowd as he combs his moustache in the ring before his music fades away.)
Diego Montana: Oye Clayton! Congratulations homie you know you got that New Breed Championship in! Just like the Hardest Ese Ever spent the whole holidays gettin’ in all of these fine ass mamis. Just like I am slaying all these chicas around here in Sweden. They just can’t leave me alone if ya feel me.
Clayton Golde: Gracias Diego. You know I can relate to that. When you are the champ you know that you have all of these disgusting fat hogs trying to get some of that Golde. I just have to turn em all down you know.
Diego Montana: So true bestie. So true. You know I was backstage and Ashlynn Quinn wouldn’t give me an opportunity. She was always hating on me and not giving me what I deserved no matter how many times I showed up in her locker room. She even called security on me once can you believe that?
Clayton Golde: That is just what I am talking about bro. I mean she wasn’t a good champion at all. I’m a fighting champion though don’t you worry about it none.
Diego Montana: That makes me real happy to hear biggest of bros. You know I am out here right now to challenge you for that title! Because I deserve it more than anyone else!
Clayton Golde: I can’t deny that at all. But are you sure you meet the height requirements to challenge for the title?
Diego Montana: …
Clayton Golde: I’m just joking bro! Chill out! Of course I accept your challenge! Should we clear the ring out right here right now?
Diego Montana: Nah nah nah. Not here. You know I already got plans. I am a busy homie. Besides these losers in Sweden don’t deserve to see a match of this caliber.
Clayton Golde: Yeah was joking I didn’t even bring my ring gear. No way in hell I am wrestling here tonight.
Diego Montana: You really mean it my guy? You are gonna give me a shot? That mean so much to me mayne! This is the match that is going to truly define what Showdown is all about in biggest of big 2026!
(Diego Montana is shown producing two Modelos from somewhere in his pockets and hands one to Clayton Golde.)
Diego Montana: Let’s celebrate yo! We are going to start 2026 off with a bang!!! To the Match of the Year Award winner for 2026… At King of Elite… Clayton Golde!!!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Diego Montana: VS. DIEGO MONTANA!!!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
(Diego and Clayton drink their Modelos together as the crowd boos even louder. Diego leaves as “Betty (Get Money)!” by Yung Gravy plays across the speakers.)
Eve: Well that is a depressing start to the year. I didn’t think I could hate a match anymore than this but here we are.
Gavin Kirkland: You really are just becoming a hating old hag aren’t you Eve? Diego Montana and Clayton Golde represent exactly what EAW and Showdown is all about in 2026! This is the NEW BREED division Eve and if you don’t fuck with it then you are going to get left behind!
Deadprez: You know I want to see the New Breed division succeed… but these two are the creepiest bastards on the entire roster…
Gavin Kirkland: They seem perfectly normal to me. *shrugs*
Deadprez: I rest my case.
Gavin Kirkland: :wth:
(The camera cuts to a commercial announcing a discount on “Golde” tier subscriptions to Clayton Golde’s podcast.)
(In Street’s Office, the General Manager sat at her desk looking at contracts and other sorts of paperwork. When suddenly, Alana Starr came peeking in.)
Alana Starr: Good news, your new acquisitions are here to see you.
Kennedy Street: Oh great! I have been waiting for them long enough, please send them inside. But one at a time please, I don’t want things to get super overwhelming.
(Alana nods and steps out, gently closing the door behind her. A moment passes before there’s a knock. Kennedy doesn’t look up from her paperwork just yet.)
Kennedy Street: Come on in.
(The door opens and in steps Christian Miyazaku, composed and confident, hands folded behind his back. Kennedy finally looks up, immediately offering a small but genuine smile.)
Kennedy Street: Christian Miyazaki. I’ll be honest, you’re one of the names I circled the fastest.
(Christian straightens a bit, clearly appreciative.)
Kennedy Street: I’ve watched your work. I’ve heard the buzz. Everywhere I turn, it’s consistency, discipline, and results. UNW couldn’t stop talking about you, and frankly? Neither could the people I trust the most. I knew you’d be the perfect person for the Showdown brand!
Christian Miyazaki: That means a lot, Kennedy. I didn’t come here for hype or shortcuts. I came here because EAW is where the standard is set. and I plan on meeting it and not just that, surpass it. Every night. No excuses. You can count on that.
(Kennedy nods approvingly.)
Kennedy Street: Good answer. Because I expect wins from you. I expect growth. And if you do what I believe you’re capable of? Championship gold isn’t a question of if, it’s when. Trust me, I can be very generous about people who make an effort around here!
(Christian allows himself a brief smile.)
Christian Miyazaki: Then I’ll make sure I don’t waste the opportunity.
(They exchange a respectful nod. Kennedy gestures toward the door.)
Kennedy Street: Love to hear that, Welcome to Showdown, Christian.
(Christian exits. Almost immediately, there’s another knock but this one a bit lighter, almost hesitant.)
Kennedy Street: Come in.
(The door opens to reveal Cynthia Valice, practically glowing with excitement. She steps inside like she’s trying not to trip over her own enthusiasm.)
Cynthia Valice: Hi! Oh my gosh— hi! It’s really nice to finally meet you in person, Ms. Street. Your office is so cool! Way bigger than I imagined.
(Kennedy raises an amused eyebrow but smiles.)
Kennedy Street: Relax, Cynthia. You’re not in trouble. I don’t know why you’re so tense.
Cynthia Valice: Oh! Good— because I was worried I walked in too fast or maybe too slow or— sorry, I’m rambling.
(She laughs awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck.)
Cynthia Valice: I’m just…really excited to be here. I’ve wanted this for a long time. EAW, Showdown, all of it. I promise I’m going to work really hard and give everything I’ve got.
(Kennedy leans back slightly in her chair, studying her.)
Kennedy Street: You know, it’s refreshing. You’re honest. You’re eager. And you don’t seem to be pretending to be something you’re not. I like that, I love a bit of an honest and genuine character.
(Cynthia’s eyes light up.)
Cynthia Valice: Really? That’s… wow. Thank you!
Kennedy Street: Keep that energy. The locker room will try to toughen you up, maybe even shake that optimism out of you. Don’t let it just learn when to sharpen it.
(Cynthia nods enthusiastically.)
Cynthia Valice: I will! I won’t let you down.
Kennedy Street: I don’t think you will. Welcome to Showdown, Cynthia.
(Cynthia practically floats out of the office, closing the door behind her. Kennedy barely has time to breathe before the door suddenly swings open! No knock.)
Grace De Luca: Alright, are we done with the meet-and-greets yet?
(Kennedy slowly looks up. Standing in the doorway is Grace De Luca, arms crossed, unmistakable swagger radiating off her.)
Grace De Luca: Because let’s be real! This division just got interesting again! I’m back in EAW, I’m on Showdown, and I don’t see why we’re wasting time parading around future “prospects” when the next champion is standing right here!
(Christian and Cynthia can be seen lingering down the hallway, both turning at the sound of Grace’s voice.)
Grace De Luca: I didn’t come back for handshakes! I came back for GOLD! TITLES. HEADLINES. So let’s skip ahead to that part!
(Kennedy doesn’t react immediately. Instead, she smirks slowly, knowing, almost entertained.)
Kennedy Street: Grace De Luca… welcome back. I have to say, a lot of people missed you. Maybe not as many as you would like.
(Grace scoffs lightly.)
Kennedy Street: You’ve always been very clear about who you are and what you want. That hasn’t changed and neither has this place.
(She stands up from her desk.)
Kennedy Street: You want to be a champion? Earn it. Just like everyone else.
(Grace smirks back, clearly unfazed.)
Grace De Luca: Wouldn’t have it any other way. Prepare the confetti for the next time I become Champion!
(She turns and walks off, brushing past the others. The hallway clears, and the door finally closes. Silence settles in the office. Kennedy exhales, then looks toward Alana Starr, who has re-entered and is leaning against the wall, arms folded.)
Kennedy Street: You know… different personalities, different paths, different expectations.
(She glances down at the contracts on her desk, then back up.)
Kennedy Street: But something tells me 2026 is going to be a very good year for us.
(She smiles knowingly as the camera fades.)
(Showdown returns to ringside.)
Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is an Empress of Elite tournament first round match, scheduled for ONE FALL!!!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!!!!
(‘Cult Leader’ by KING MALA hits, causing loud boos to come from the fans in attendance as Mia Santoro begins to make her way out to the Showdown stage. Mia has a confident look on her face, not too worried ahead of her Empress of Elite match. She begins to walk down the ramp, ready for her upcoming match as she ignores the boos from the fans.)
Gina Romano: Introducing first!… Key West, Florida… Weighing in at 115 pounds… MMMIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAA SSSSSAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNTTTOOOOORRROOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Deadprez: Mia Santoro is here on Showdown, and after an impressive Specialists Championship reign, she’s looking to take the next step by potentially winning the Empress of Elite tournament!
Gavin Kirkland: YES!!!! I’ve been waiting to finally see Mia Santoro on Showdown! This is gonna be amazing.
Eve: Right. Well I do think this has the makings of a good match, because both Mia Santoro and her opponent tonight are very unpredictable, meaning that this won’t be easy for either Elitist.
(‘Living Dead Girl’ by Rob Zombie follows, and while the boos continue, the camera slowly pans back towards the stage. Caroline slowly begins to walk out to the stage, keeping nothing but a cold look on her face as she briefly glares at her opponent within the ring. Caroline doesn’t waste any time, beginning to walk down the ramp as she approaches the ring.)
Gina Romano: And her opponent… Residing amongst the shadows… Weighing in at 109 pounds… CCCCAAAAAARRRRROOOOOOLLLLLLLIIIIIIINNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Deadprez: And here comes Showdown’s own Caroline. We haven’t seen Caroline inside of the ring as often this season, but we know exactly how tough she is, but even more importantly, how terrifying she can be.
Gavin Kirkland: FINALLY! I am gonna love every moment of this match. Caroline is getting back in the ring, and I wouldn’t want to miss this for the world.
Eve: Caroline is a former New Breed Champion. Much like with Mia, this is her chance to take a step closer to her first ever World Championship!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Eve: The bell has rung, and round one in the Empress of Elite tournament is officially underway between Caroline and Mia Santoro! Caroline with a piercing stare into Mia’s soul as she circles her, and locks up in the center for a collar and elbow tie-up! Caroline slips behind Mia for a rear waistlock, but Mia escapes with an arm wringer that she transitions into a hammerlock!
Deadprez: Caroline reverses! Slipping behind Mia for a hammerlock of her own, and quickly transitions into a standing side headlock! Wrenching on the hold until Mia bounces her off the ropes to escape! Caroline rebounds back with a SHOULDER TACKLE! Dropping Mia Santoro to the floor, and Caroline instantly goes for the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
Eve: Just a one count before the emphatic kickout by Santoro! Mia scrambles to all fours, but gets immediately grabbed into a grounded front facelock by Caroline!
Gavin Kirkland: Caroline’s applying pressure! Looking to squeeze the life out of her opponent, and I’ve never wanted to be Mia Santoro so bad in a situation than right now.
Eve: I’m… so sure.
Deadprez: Mia grits through the pain, and rises back to her feet— OVERPOWERING CAROLIN AS SHE SCOOPS HER UP, AND RAMS HER BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER WITH A SPINEBUSTER! Mia is unrelenting with her assault! Repeatedly driving her shoulder into the abdomen of Caroline! No doubt knocking the wind out of her!
Eve: Mia finally relents, and CLUBS Caroline across the back afterwards! Dropping Caroline to all fours as she crawls to the center, and gets stood up for a powerbomb attempt! MIA MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR A “FORGET ME NOT!” BUT CAROLINE COUNTERS WITH A BACK BODY DROP! MIA ATTEMPTS TO REVERSE IT WITH A SUNSET FLIP-
Gavin Kirkland: BUT CAROLINE ROLLS THROUGH, AND DELIVERS A BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE FACE!
Deadprez: Mia makes it to a knee, but it’s clear that dropkick had its effect as she favors her jaw. Caroline marches over, and grabs Mia in a standing side headlock! GOING TO END THIS EARLY WITH “A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE!” BUT MIA SHOVES HER OFF, AND INTO THE CORNER!
Eve: MIA CHARGES IN! BUT NOBODY IS HOME AS CAROLINE MOVES OUT THE WAY OF A HIGH KNEE! MIA’S KNEE COLLIDED WITH THE TOP TURNBUCKLE, AND SHE GOES TUMBLING UP AND OVER TO THE OUTSIDE! TAKING A NASTY SPILL!
Deadprez: Mia crawls toward the apron, and pulls herself back up- BUT GETS A BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK FOR HER TROUBLES! KNOCKING MIA INTO THE BARRICADE!
(Caroline sits on the apron briefly before pulling herself up with assistance from the ropes, stalking Mia as she crawls toward the apron, using it for assistance to stand herself up as well.)
Eve: CAROLINE BUILT MOMENTUM FOR A PENALTY KICK, BUT MIA CAUGHT IT, AND YANKS CAROLINE’S LEG FROM UNDER HER! CAUSING HER TO PLOP FACE FIRST ONTO THE APRON, AND MIA ROLLS CAROLINE BACK INSIDE THE RING! HOPPING UP ONTO THE APRON HERSELF BEFORE A SLINGSHOT SOMERSAULT SENTON ONTO CAROLINE! CRUSHING UNDERNEATH THAT 115 POUND FRAME, AND HOOKS THE LEG DEEP FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Gavin Kirkland: BUT IT’S A KICKOUT BY CAROLINE! Former New Breed Champion going up against a former Specialists Champion, this is one SPICY fight that we’ve got going on here!
Deadprez: Mia looks frustrated as she immediately rolls Caroline onto her back, and she’s not wasting any time beginning to unload on her with repeated punches to the face! Caroline is trying her best to block them but Mia is relentless! She grabs a hold of her and brings her up to her feet before sending her into the corner! AND NOW MIA RUNS FORWARD AND TRIES TO CONNECT WITH A HARD FOREARM STRIKE-
Eve: BUT CAROLINE MANAGES TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY! Mia collides chestfirst with the corner and tries to get her wits about her, BUT CAROLINE JUST RUSHED FORWARD AND CONNECTED WITH A SHOULDER THRUST DIRECTLY TO THE ABDOMEN! She then grabs a hold of Mia, rolling her down to a seated position off a Snapmare, and now she’s running the ropes and back, LEAPING UP INTO THE AIR AND CONNECTING WITH A FRONT DROPKICK DIRECTLY TO THE CHEST THAT TAKES MIA SANTORO DOWN TO THE GROUND!
Gavin Kirkland: Mia is clutching her face as she tries to make her way up to her feet, but before she can do anything, it seems as though Caroline has her eyes set! CAROLINE RUNS TO THE ROPES AND LEAPS OFF OF THEM, AS SHE SEEMS TO BE GOING FOR ‘WICKED’! BACKFLIP DDT DIRECTLY TO MIA-
Deadprez: BUT MIA MANAGES TO KEEP HERSELF UP AND DRIVE A KNEE DIRECTLY INTO THE HEAD OF CAROLINE! Caroline releases the hold that she has on her and now it’s Mia on the prowl! SHE RUSHES FORWARD AS SHE LEAPS INTO THE AIR!
Eve: GOING FOR AN ATTEMPT AT ‘KILLING MOON’! THE ROLLING WHEEL KICK DIRECTLY TO THE FACE OF CAROLINE!
Gavin Kirkland: BUT CAROLINE MANAGES TO SHIFT HER BODY AND GRAB THE ANKLE OF MIA! She rolls her backward as Mia is up to a kneeling position, AND IMMEDIATELY CAROLINE RUSHES FORWARD AND NAILS HER WITH A KNEE STRIKE DIRECTLY TO THE FACE!
Deadprez: And Mia is immediately out of the ring, realizing the trouble that she’s in and knowing that she has to create some distance before it’s too late. Meanwhile, Caroline isn’t going to let up on the pressure, she’s making her way onto the apron and it seems like she’s waiting for Mia to make her way back up to her feet! AND NOW CAROLINE RUSHES FORWARD, AS SHE LEAPS OFF AND GOES FOR A MOONSAULT OFF OF THE APRON AND ONTO MIA-
Eve: BUT MIA MANAGES TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY JUST IN TIME! Caroline lands on her feet, BUT IT GIVES MIA ENOUGH TIME TO GRAB A HOLD OF HER AND SEND HER BARRELING INTO THE BARRICADE SHOULDER FIRST! CAROLINE IS COMPLETELY WIPED OUT ON THE OUTSIDE!
Deadprez: Caroline gets to all fours to try and get herself back up, but Mia wastes no time dragging her up before slamming her face onto the apron! Mia sends her back into the ring before immediately following behind, and Caroline stumbles into the corner, giving Mia the perfect chance to line her up for something! Mia now running in, AND SHE’S ABLE TO CONNECT WITH A JUMPING KNEE! Mia pulls Caroline out of the corner following this, AND SHE BEGINS TO POWER CAROLINE UP ONTO HER SHOULDERS FOR THE POWERBOMB! CAROLINE MIGHT BE IN A BAD SPOT RIGHT NOW!
Gavin Kirkland: BUT CAROLINE IS ABLE TO SLIP OUT OF MIA’S GRASP, AND SHE GRABS MIA BEFORE DELIVERING A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!! CAROLINE ROLLS BACKWARDS ONTO HER FEET, AND SHE JUMPS UP AND DELIVERS A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP ONTO MIA SANTORO! WOW! That was an amazing combination of moves from Caroline. I’m so glad to get to see her in action again! Caroline is dragging Mia Santoro back up before pulling her into a headlock, and I think she has an idea in mind! CAROLINE STARTS RUNNING FORWARD BEFORE STEPPING OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE, GOING FOR A SPRINGBOARD BULLDOG!
Eve: BUT SHE DOESN’T GET IT! MIA WAS ABLE TO SHOVE CAROLINE OFF OF HER! Caroline is able to just barely land on her feet- BUT MIA TAKES ADVANTAGE OF CAROLINE’S BRIEF HESITATION BY CLUBBING HER IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Caroline drops to her knees, and now Mia grabs her by the head, BEFORE SLAMMING CAROLINE’S FACE INTO THE MAT! Mia is definitely starting to feel the competitive nature of this match. She looks ready to put this one away, and I think she is done wasting time! Mia Santoro starts making her way up to the top rope, and I don’t think we’re gonna need to take too much time wondering why!
Deadprez: IT’S LOOKING LIKE WE’RE NOT GONNA FIND OUT, EITHER! CAROLINE STARTED TO PUSH HER WAY BACK UP AS MIA SANTORO WAS MAKING HER WAY UP TOP- AND NOW CAROLINE RUNS IN BEFORE YANKING MIA’S LEG OUT FROM UNDER HER, CAUSING MIA TO FALL AND HIT THE BACK OF HER HEAD RIGHT AGAINST THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! MIA FALLS INTO CAROLINE’S GRASP, AND CAROLINE DROPS HER WITH A SNAP DDT!
Gavin Kirkland: Wow! That was one hell of a way to turn things around, but what else can we expect from an Elitist like Caroline? Whew, I love the Empress of Elite tournament!
Eve: Caroline doesn’t look satisfied with just that DDT. She turns her attention back into the corner as Mia holds her head, slowly pushing herself to her knees. Caroline heads out to the apron, and she begins climbing up to the top rope!
Deadprez: Caroline definitely has something big in mind right now! Mia Santoro pushes herself back up to her feet, but I’m not gonna lie, I don’t think she wants to be on her feet right about now, as she’s right where Caroline wants her to be!
Gavin Kirkland: MY SWEET JUICY CAROLINE IS ABOUT TO PUT MIA AWAY! WHAT I WOULD DO TO HAVE HER HIT ME WITH THIS–
Deadprez: SHE LEAPS–
Eve: FOR ‘WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME’!!! PHOENIX DRAGONRANA–
Deadprez: DENIED! MIA DUCKS HER HEAD AND HITS THE TURNBUCKLES, CAROLINE MISSES; LANDING ON HER FEET AT THE LAST MOMENT! ROLLING TO A STANDING BASE HERE….
Eve: AND NOW MIA ATTEMPTS ‘ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE’!!!
Deadprez: THIS TIME CAROLINE HAS HER SCOUTED! SHOVING MIA BACKWARDS, CAROLINE ESCAPES WHAT COULD VERY WELL HAVE BEEN A TRAGIC FATE IN ROUND 1!!
Gavin Kirkland: That Leaping Leg Lariat is so perfect! I’m sure she’s such a rough rider, man!
Eve: 🤨
Deadprez: Caroline isn’t interested in going any longer, however! She hooks Mia by the head, looking to connect with ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’–
Eve: Mia holds onto the ropes tight! She’s forcing Caroline to remain in a standing base, shoving her backwards once she’s in the clear!
(Caroline stumbles towards the center of the ring, all that’s blocking her path is the referee. Caroline places a foot down, stopping herself dead in her tracks – after all she needs the referee to win this match. Moments later, however…)
Deadprez: BUT HERE COMES MIA TO CAPITALIZE!!! YAKUZA KICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! CAROLINE DROPS TO HER KNEES, SHE’S ROCKED!!!
Eve: AND NOW MIA ROLLS HER FORWARD, GEDO CLUTCH! SHE HAS CAROLINE IN THAT TIGHT PINNING HOLD!!!
OOOOOONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
Deadprez: WAIT, WAIT! SHE’S HOLDING ONTO THE ROPES!!!
TTTTTTTTWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
………
Deadprez: AND THE REFEREE NOTICES!!! THE PINFALL IS NOW OBSOLETE!!!!!!!
Eve: AND MIA ISN’T TOO HAPPY ABOUT IT!!!!!!
(Mia looks towards the referee, slowly returning to her knees.)
Mia Santoro: (off-mic) UM???? EXCUSE ME???? WHY DID YOU STOP COUNTING!!!
Referee: (off-mic) You had the ropes! That’s illegal!
Mia Santoro: (off-mic) THE SMELL OF YOUR BREATH SHOULD BE ILLEGAL!
Eve: Mia is looking to put Caroline away for real this time, watching as she returns to her feet; Mia hits the ropes…
Deadprez: ‘APHRODITE’S KISS’!!!
Eve: DENIED! CAROLINE HOOKS THE ARM TO COUNTER; GANNOSUKE CLUTCH! A PINNING HOLD OF HER OWN HERE!!!!!
OOOOONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
TTTTTTTTTWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
TTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRR–
Deadprez: MIA SANTORO KICKS OUT, A CLOSE CALL, AFTER ALMOST STEALING IT!
Eve: THE TWO RETURN TO THEIR FEET, AND NOW SPRINT TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER!!!
Deadprez: RUNNING FOREARM SMASH FROM MIA!! CAROLINE IS ROCKED–
Eve: THOUGH SHE HAS ENOUGH STRENGTH TO TURN BACK AROUND AND USE HER MOMENTUM TO COLLIDE WITH A DEVILISH EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!!!
Deadprez: MIA TOOK THAT RIGHT ON THE JAW, STANDING WITH JELLY LEGS! MIA RETURNS THE FAVOUR; A HUGE GAMENGIRI TO CAROLINE!!!
Eve: THAT ONE STUNNED CAROLINE, WE COULD HEAR THE IMPACT FROM HERE! SHE MAY BE OUT OF THIS ONE DEADPREZ–
Deadprez: COMMENTATOR’S CURSE, EVE! ROLLING ELBOW FROM CAROLINE, SHE SPINS MIA AROUND WITH THE IMPACT!!
Eve: MIA DOESN’T TAKE LONG TO FIRE BACK– PELE KICK!!! THE LAST OF HER ENERGY, SHE’S OUT COLD!!
Deadprez: CAROLINE IS OUT ON HER FEET, COMPLETELY FACING AWAY FROM MIA–
…
…
…
Eve: ‘DARK HALLOWS’!!!!! SHOOTING STAR KNEE DROP, RIGHT ONTO THE SPINE OF THE DOWNED MIA SANTORO!! THOSE KNEES SHREDDED THROUGH HER BACK!
Deadprez: AND SHE’S GOING TO FOLLOW THAT UP BY DOING EVEN MORE DAMAGE! CAROLINE TIES THE LEGS TOGETHER, WE KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS!!!
Eve: ‘CROWN OF MIDNIGHT’!!!! SHE BRIDGES OVER AND APPLIES THAT INVERTED INDIAN DEATHLOCK!!! MIA IS IN GRUELING AGONY, WITH NOWHERE TO GO!!!
Deadprez: I’M NOT SURE IF THAT WAS A MOMENT OF GENIUS FROM CAROLINE, OR A MOMENT OF FATE! THOSE KNEES RIGHT TO THE SPINE SET THIS ONE UP PERFECTLY!!
Eve: AND THAT’S ALL SHE WROTE FOR MIA!!! SHE’S FORCED TO SUBMIT! CAROLINE IS YOUR WINNER!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner via submission… And advancing to the next round of the Empress of Elite tournament… CAAAAAARRRROOOOOOOLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
(‘Living Dead Girl’ begins to play once more as Caroline releases the submission, letting go of Mia Santoro. Caroline takes a moment before pushing herself back up to her feet. The fans begin to boo, but Caroline doesn’t appear bothered by this, just satisfied to have advanced to the next round as she has her hand raised by the referee.)
Deadprez: Caroline is able to get the job done! Caroline advances to the next round of the Empress of Elite tournament! Mia Santoro put up an excellent fight, but in the end she got caught with the Crown Of Midnight, sealing her fate!
Gavin Kirkland: Showdown gets another win heading towards the semi’s! I’m glad to have had the chance to see Mia Santoro tonight, though. She put on a performance to watch, that’s for sure.
Eve: Congratulations to Caroline. She alongside Jake Smith and formerly Xander Payne may have played a part in terrorizing this brand this season, but it can’t be denied how talented of a competitor she really is.
(Mia Santoro slowly rolls out of the ring, dropping to a knee as she recovers from that submission, both frustrated and disappointed to have lost that match. Caroline meanwhile just makes her way out of the ring, having achieved all she intended to. As Caroline walks up the ramp, Showdown fades from ringside.)
(The camera cuts from the ringside area and the aftermath of the previous match to somewhere within the backstage area where Mikaela Street is standing in front of the rich blue Showdown banner. Mikaela has a smile on her face and a microphone in her hand as she begins to speak.)
Mikaela Street: The first Showdown of 2026 is in full swing as we have already witnessed two amazing first round matches of the King of Elite tournament and there is even more to come with the other two first round matches for Showdown and the King of Elite tournament coming up later tonight.
Mikaela Street: But before we get into the major talks of 2026, including the upcoming King of Elite event, I wanna talk about how 2025 ended for the Elitists of the Showdown brand. For some of them, Road to Redemption or the Festival of Lights Christmas show didn’t exactly end well for them. But for others, 2025 ended on an extremely high note.
Mikaela Street: Because my guest at this time had one of the better Road to Redemption weekends on the Showdown roster. My guest is the brand NEW Specialists Champion. She is the one and only AUBURN WARE!
(Seconds later, Auburn Ware comes into camera view as she stands next to Mikaela. Auburn has a huge ear to ear grin on her face and the Specialists Championship on her shoulder. Vaguely in the background, we can hear the Showdown crowd cheering loudly for Auburn and her title win. Auburn might hear the crowd because her smile gets even bigger if that’s at all possible as she turns her attention to Mikaela.)
Mikaela Street: Auburn, first off I want to say thank you very much for giving me a little bit of time for this interview. I really appreciate it.
Auburn Ware: Think nothing of it, Mikaela. I am more than happy to be here. Thank you for having me here for this time.
Mikaela Street: It’s my pleasure, Auburn. First off, congratulations on winning the Specialists Championship at Road to Redemption a few weeks ago.
Auburn Ware: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Even though it’s been a few weeks, it still doesn’t feel real.
Mikaela Street: Oh, Auburn. I can understand that. But it’s real. It’s very real. You are the new Specialists Champion.
Auburn Ware: I can’t believe it!!
(Auburn is extremely excited as she grabs Mikaela into a hug. Mikaela laughs and returns the hug.)
Mikaela Street: As great as it is to see how happy you are to be champion, how about we get down to business.
(Auburn takes a few moments to take a few deep breaths to calm herself down so the interview can begin.)
Auburn Ware: Alright. I am good now. Let’s do this.
Mikaela Street: This first question is going to be completely obvious, but now that you have had time to think about it, how are you feeling now that you are the Specialists Champion?
Auburn Ware: I am TOTALLY EXCITED! Oh my goodness. It’s so hard to put into words how I am feeling, but I think my emotions are making it easier to express how I am feeling.
(Auburn looks at the Specialists Championship and adjusts it on her shoulder with her smile still very prominent on her face as she continues to speak.)
Auburn Ware: Oh my gosh, Mikaela, I can’t tell you how proud I am that I was able to win at Road to Redemption and win the Specialists Champion. My first title win in Elite Answers Wrestling. It means the world to me.
Mikaela Street: And what a road you have had to travel in order to earn this crowning glory moment.
Auburn Ware: You can say that again. It was a very tough road. When I lost at Pain for Pride, I carried that pain and frustration for six months. But I knew that things were going to get better.
Mikaela Street: And they certainly did pay off for you.
Auburn Ware: You bet they did. All that hard work and all that dedication I have had towards improving in this business and to finally win my first EAW title and it finally did. I know I have already said this, but I am super excited to be a champion.
Mikaela Street: I will tell you that I was like many of the fans in attendance that night who were very excited to see your title victory. Oh my goodness those cheers.
Auburn Ware: Those cheers. So grateful to have them.
Mikaela Street: With that being said, do you have anything to say to the person you beat for the title, Mia Santoro.
Auburn Ware: Honestly, I don’t care much for Mia Santoro as a person, but I do give her a lot of credit for her title reign. She was a hell of a champion and she put up a really strong fight to keep the title, but it just wasn’t meant to be for me and it was meant to be for me.
Auburn Ware: Mikaela, I knew for a very long while that my time is coming and it finally has and I am very excited for the next chapter of my career.
Mikaela Street: With 2026 being the start of the next chapter of your career, what are some of your goals as Specialists Champion?
Auburn Ware: An obvious one is to show the world that I am not going to be some flash in the pan fluke champion. I am in this for the long haul and I am ready for any challenge that steps in my way as champion.
Mikaela Street: Do you have any preference on who you would like to defend your title against first?
(Auburn smiles and shakes her head no in response to the question.)
Auburn Ware: No preference at all. I know that anybody at any moment could step up to the plate and want to try and dethrone and I am here to say that I ready for any challenge that will come my way bec—
(Auburn starts to taper off as she gets a look and the smile disappears from her face. The camera moves over and shows BOA standing right next to Mikaela. BOA has a commanding presence that makes Mikaela a little nervous, but not Auburn. BOA steps closer and almost gets face to face with Auburn.)
Auburn Ware: BOA.
BOA: Champ.
Auburn Ware: Is there anything that I can help you with?
BOA: I wanted to come over and let you know that when me and you were in the ring together for a match, it was nothing but luck on how you were able to beat me.
Auburn Ware: Agree to disagree, but I don’t consider it luck when I beat you in the ring.
BOA: Oh yeah?
Auburn Ware: But don’t get it twisted. It was a hell of a fight and you really pushed me, but I came out victorious. As you can see, that same hard work has paid off big time.
BOA: You might be the Specialists Champion right now, but if you don’t think beating me was luck. I would like to see you try and do it again. How about another match against me?
Auburn Ware: You want another match against me?
BOA: That’s right.
(Auburn thinks about it for a brief moment before answering BOA’s request for a rematch.)
Auburn Ware: You know what? That sounds fine to me. You got your match.
(The crowd in the background starts cheering for the challenge being accepted.)
Auburn Ware: Better yet, I know exactly where we can have our rematch. How about we do it at King of Elite?
BOA: King of Elite is perfect. I will see you there, Champ.
(BOA nods in a show of respect to Auburn Ware before shaking Auburn’s hand and walking off. Auburn is a little stunned at the show of respect considering the lack thereof being shown in recent months.)
Auburn Ware: Well that certainly wasn’t on my bingo card for 2026. I guess anything can happen around here.
(Mikaela nods in agreement as she is still shaking off the nerves of the powerful BOA standing next to her.)
Mikaela Street: It certainly can. It looks like now you have plans for the King of Elite event as well as your possible first challenger for the Specialists Championship.
Auburn Ware: I guess I have. What a match it’s going to be, too.
Mikaela Street: It certainly will be. But once again, Auburn, thank you so much for your time and good luck at King of Elite.
Auburn Ware: It’s my pleasure.
(Auburn’s smile returns as she nods to Mikaela and walks away leaving Mikaela by herself.)
Mikaela Street: Well there you have it. Let’s send it back for more Showdown action.
(The final shot shows Mikaela smiling to the camera as the camera shot fades into a commercial break….)
(The camera shot returns to the ring where Gina Romano is standing front and center as she is ready to begin the introductions for the next match.)
Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a FIRST ROUND KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT MATCH AND IT IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(‘Save You’ by YUTA starts playing as Matthew Kazama enters the arena to a decent reaction from the crowd. The look on his face shows the stakes in this match. Kazama is strictly business as he heads to the ring.)
Gina Romano: Introducing first and making his way to the ring! From New Orleans, Louisiana! Weighing 220 pounds. Here is MATTHEW “SILVER” KAZAMA!!
Deadprez: Here comes Silver Kazama heading to the ring for his first round tournament match. After a good performance at Road to Redemption, but falling a little short in his match, he would love to get momentum started again.
Gavin Kirkland: A victory here could certainly do that, especially if he can win his first round match. But have you seen the tournament bracket for Showdown?
Eve: Five former champions. Three former World Champions and a former King of Elite are in the Showdown bracket, but Silver has been the type of guy to take challenges head on. This match is no different.
(Silver enters the ring and takes a neutral corner as his entrance music fades off and ‘Legendary’ by Skillex blasts through the sound system of the venue, immediately the fans erupt in cheers as Ryan Joseph Wilson bursts through the curtain! Ryan blasts upon the scene, an intense glare upon his face with an inferno in his eyes and a smile on his face as he hypes the crowd while making his way to the ring.)
Gina Romano: Introducing his opponent!! From Montréal, Québec, Canada. Weighing in at 230 pounds… RYAN! JOSEEEEEEEEEPH!! WILLLLL-SOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!
Gavin Kirkland: LISTEN TO THE OVATION!! RYAN JOSEPH WILSON IS HERE! THE WORKHORSE IS BACK AND HE IS BACK ON SHOWDOWN! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Eve: What a way for the former New Breed Champion to return as an entrant in the King of Elite tournament!! Ryan has been on the shelf since before the season started and he is no doubt itching to get back into competition.
Deadprez: Dawg, that would be a great way for him to return by advancing in the King of Elite tournament. The question is will Ryan be starting a Cinderella story or will Kazama take advantage of Ryan’s time away from the ring? We are about to find out!
(Ryan enters the ring and takes his corner as his entrance music fades off. The referee checks both competitors before calling for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Eve: Here we go! The bell has rung and this First Round matchup is underway. This is the third of the four First Round matchups tonight so it’s going to be interesting to see how this goes.
Deadprez: Both competitors meet up in the center of the ring and shake hands in a sign of good sportsmanship, which is always a good thing to see around here.
Gavin Kirkland: You make it sound like that sportsmanship is lacking around here or something.
Deadprez: Because it is when it involves certain people.
Eve: As we get to the match, Silver and Ryan meet up in the center of the ring and have a lockup and it is the bigger Ryan Wilson who gets the early advantage with a side headlock, BUT KAZAMA GETS FREE QUICKLY AND COUNTERS IT INTO A HEADLOCK OF HIS OWN!
Gavin Kirkland: Certainly didn’t expect Ryan to be countered so quickly. We had heard gossip around the locker room that Ryan had changed up his style a little bit so I was expecting him to come in guns blazing.
Eve: Remember that Ryan has been on the shelf with shoulder surgery since before the season started. We don’t know how much time Ryan spent training before this match.
Deadprez: This is also Ryan Wilson’s first match since late June. You can’t expect perfection right out of the gate, dawg.
Gavin Kirkland: If Silver is smart, he would go after that recently repaired shoulder since that’s the biggest bullseye on Ryan Wilson.
Eve: Kazama brings Ryan back down to the mat with the side headlock before transitioning into a hammerlock. Kazama changes position and Ryan uses his free arm to try and grab Silver, but Silver jumps up–
Deadprez: HE DRIVES HIS KNEE RIGHT INTO RYAN’S RIGHT SHOULDER! THAT’S THE SURGICALLY REPAIRED SHOULDER AND RYAN CERTAINLY FELT THAT ONE!
Gavin Kirkland: Ryan needs to try and get free or else his return will be over in record time, which he is doing.
Deadprez: Ryan is able to roll out of the hammerlock and counter with an arm drag sending Kazama across the ring. Silver is back on his feet AND RYAN WILSON WITH AN MMA STYLE TAKEDOWN!
Eve: Ryan is in the mount position AND HE JUST STARTS THROWING PUNCHES RIGHT IN KAZAMA’S FACE!! Ryan Wilson is unleashing those punches like no other. Kazama is blocking as many of the punches as he can.
Gavin Kirkland: But those punches aren’t going to last very long as the referee is telling Ryan to open up those fists and he’s just going to town on Silver.
Eve: He is but the referee has started a count on Ryan. Ryan acknowledges the count and stops punching Silver on four or else he would have been disqualified on five.
Deadprez: That certainly would not be a good way to come back by getting disqualified and eliminated from the tournament. We don’t have to worry about it right now because Ryan brings Silver back to his feet and sends him into the corner.
Gavin Kirkland: Silver hit the turnbuckles hard as Ryan goes running right to the corner AND GOING FOR THE HELLUVA KICK EARLY–
Eve: SILVER MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AND RYAN LANDS AWKWARDLY IN THE CORNER! RYAN’S LEG IS CAUGHT ON THE TOP ROPE AS SILVER PULLS HIM BACK INTO A ROLL UP FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWW-
Deadprez: RYAN KICKS OUT! Silver tried to steal it early, but he has been able to stay one step ahead of Ryan in the early goings of this match, dawg.
Gavin Kirkland: Both men are back to their feet as Silver delivers a kick to the gut and doubles Ryan over before grabbing him around the waist for a gutwrench suplex–
Deadprez: RYAN WITH ELBOWS TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD TO GET FREE AS RYAN LANDS ON HIS FEET! Silver turns around AND IS MET WITH CHOPS TO THE CHEST! GOOD GRIEF, DAWG!
Eve: Those are some pretty loud chops as he continues firing them into Silver’s chest until he is backed up against the ropes.
Gavin Kirkland: Ryan whips him over to the other side as Silver rebounds off the ropes. Ryan grabs him AS SILVER LOOKS TO COUNTER WITH AN OCTOPUS SUBMISSION–
Eve: BUT RYAN SIMPLY DROPS DOWN AND COUNTERS WITH A MODIFIED SIDEWALK SLAM AS SILVER IS DOWN ON THE MAT!
Deadprez: Ryan playing for keeps in this match, his first in over six months, as he rolls Silver onto his stomach BEFORE DRIVING HIS ELBOW INTO SILVER’S SPINE!!
Gavin Kirkland: That got a groan from Kazama as Ryan rolls him back on his stomach AND DROPS ANOTHER ELBOW INTO HIS SPINE! Ryan is trying to hurt Silver where it hurts the most.
Eve: Ryan wants to neutralize as much of Kazama’s offense as possible to make things easier for himself as Ryan is now sitting on Kazama’s back. Is Ryan looking for a submission?
Deadprez: No. Instead, Ryan is THROWING CROSSFACE STRIKES RIGHT ACROSS KAZAMA’S FACE! THAT COULD LOOSEN SOME TEETH, DAWG!!
Gavin Kirkland: Those strikes are legal AS RYAN CATCHES KAZAMA IN THE THROAT AS RYAN ROLLS HIM OVER AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWW–
Deadprez: NOW SILVER KICKS OUT AT ONE! Resiliency being shown by both competitors with these quick kickouts. This is looking to be a very even battle between these two.
Eve: The major outlier in this match is how well is Ryan’s conditioning and stamina right now? We don’t know how much time he had to prepare for his return. That right there could be the difference between Ryan Wilson advancing or being eliminated from the King of Elite Tournament.
Gavin Kirkland: That’s exactly why Ryan is trying to do whatever he can to end this match as soon as possible and not leave anything to chance. I wish he would have gotten a haircut, though. He still looks like a bum.
Eve: This is not a beauty contest, Gavin. But Ryan grabs Silver and picks him up into the gutwrench position AND GOES FOR THE GUTWRENCH SUPLEX–
Deadprez: KAZAMA SOMEHOW LANDED ON HIS FEET! THAT WAS INNOVATIVE, DAWG! Kazama gets his balance AND FIRES OFF A BACK KICK TO SEND RYAN STAGGERING TO THE ROPES!
Gavin Kirkland: Silver quickly follows up WITH A CLOTHESLINE THAT SENDS RYAN RIGHT OVER THE TOP ROPE! BUT RYAN WAS ABLE TO LAND ON THE APRON!
Eve: Ryan goes for a right hand, but Kazama blocks it AND CATCHES RYAN IN THE TEMPLE WITH A RIGHT HAND OF HIS OWN! Ryan is a little dazed after that shot as Kazama grabs him around the neck.
Deadprez: Kazama pulls Ryan back into the ring but leaves Ryan’s feet on the top rope. Kazama has the facelock applied BEFORE DROPPING DOWN WITH THE TOP ROPE DDT!
Gavin Kirkland: That’s not going to do Ryan Wilson any favors being spiked down from the top rope. That looked like a knockout move right there as Kazama drags Ryan from the ropes and goes for the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHH-
Deadprez: RYAN KICKS OUT! Near fall for Kazama as he grabs Ryan by the head and pulls him back to his feet. Kazama has another facelock applied–
Eve: KAZAMA SNAPS RYAN OVER WITH THE SNAP SUPLEX, BUT KAZAMA KEEPS HOLD OF HIM! Kazama is back on his feet AS HE TAKES RYAN UP AND OVER WITH ANOTHER SNAP SUPLEX!
Gavin Kirkland: He still has the facelock applied as he lifts Ryan up straight in the air AND HE IS JUST HOLDING HIM UP THERE AND LETTING THE BLOOD RUSH TO RYAN’S HEAD!
Eve: Amazing show of power by Kazama AS RYAN IS TRYING TO KICK FREE OF THE VERTICAL SUPLEX BY CHANGING MOMENTUM IN HIS FAVOR!
Deadprez: He does it as he is able to get free and land behind Kazama. Ryan grabs Kazama around the waist AND LIFTS HIM UP FOR THE BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX! KAZAMA LANDS HARD ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD!
Gavin Kirkland: BUT RYAN KEEPS THE WAISTLOCK AND SIMPLY BRIDGES UP FOR A COVER! SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHH-
Eve: KAZAMA KICKS OUT! Unfortunately, Ryan lost the bridge to the pin and made things easier for Kazama to kick out. Could we be seeing the lack of ring time starting to rear its ugly head?
Deadprez: It’s a very strong possibility, but that isn’t going to stop Ryan from trying to win this match. Kazama has rolled onto his stomach and Ryan drives his knee into Kazama’s spine.
Gavin Kirkland: Now Ryan is pulling back on Kazama’s head and has him locked into almost a modified camel clutch submission. Ryan is really wrenching on Kazama’s head and neck.
Deadprez: The referee is right there to see if Kazama wants to give it up, BUT KAZAMA STARTS TO LEAN BACK FAR ENOUGH FOR RYAN TO FALL BACK! KAZAMA COUNTERS WITH A COVER!
Eve: BUT RYAN IS ABLE TO REVERSE IT INTO A MODIFIED CRUCIFIX THAT KAZAMA KICKS OUT OF BEFORE A COUNT CAN START!
Gavin Kirkland: Kazama is the first to get to his feet AND HE DELIVERS A DROPKICK RIGHT TO THE SIDE OF RYAN’S HEAD!
Eve: Kazama is back up and he once again applies the facelock AND LIFTS RYAN INTO THE AIR! KAZAMA GONNA TRY FOR THE VERTICAL SUPLEX ONCE AGAIN—
Deadprez: THIS TIME HE DOESN’T KEEP RYAN UP AS LONG BEFORE DROPPING HIM WITH THE VERTICAL SUPLEX!
Gavin Kirkland: THAT LOOKED MORE LIKE A BRAINBUSTER WITH THE WAY RYAN WAS DROPPED ON HIS HEAD!
Eve: That might have been the plan as Ryan did land on his head and Kazama quickly floats over into the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREE—
Deadprez: RYAN IS ABLE TO KICK OUT AT TWO! Another nearfall for Kazama. Kazama rolls Ryan onto his back again and now Kazama is in the mount position—
Gavin Kirkland: KAZAMA IS NOW PUNCHING RYAN WILSON! KAZAMA RETURNING THE FAVOR FROM EARLIER AND NOW IT’S RYAN ON THE DEFENSIVE!
Deadprez: The referee hasn’t had to worry much about having to step in with this match but now the referee is warning Kazama about those closed fists.
Eve: Kazama keeps going and the referee is left with no choice but to start a count. The referee reaches four on the count before Kazama stops the punches.
Gavin Kirkland: Kazama hovering close to disqualification with those punches, but Kazama is willing to step up his game in order to win this tournament match.
Eve: Especially since it’s single elimination. Win and you advance. Lose and you are done.
Deadprez: Kazama is not letting up on his offense as he pulls Ryan back to his feet. Kazama has Ryan by the back of the tights AND RUNS HIM TO THE CORNER–
Gavin Kirkland: KAZAMA TOSSES RYAN THROUGH THE ROPES AND RYAN GOES RIGHT SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE STEEL RING POST! KAZAMA SEEMS TO BE TRYING TO TAKE THAT SHOULDER OUT OF THE EQUATION!
Eve: Ryan comes out of the corner holding his shoulder in pain as gets himself out of the corner. Ryan has his back turned—
Deadprez: “DEVIL TRIGGER” BY SILVER KAZAMA! 540 KICK TO THE BACK OF RYAN’S HEAD! BOOT TO THE SKULL TAKES RYAN DOWN!
Gavin Kirkland: Ryan could be knocked out right now as Kazama drags him by the right shoulder away from the corner as he hooks the leg for the cover! Kazama could advance here!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEE!
Deadprez: OH THE NEAR FALL! RYAN USES HIS GOOD SHOULDER TO KICK OUT OF THE COVER! KAZAMA CAN’T BELIEVE IT!
Eve: Well that isn’t going to stop Kazama from winning this match as he brings Ryan back to his feet and shoves him into the corner–
Gavin Kirkland: KAZAMA WITH REPEATED KICKS TO THE RIBS AND TO THE FACE! The referee is telling him to get Ryan out of the corner and he does by whipping him to the ropes–
Eve: RYAN IS ABLE TO COUNTER! Ryan reverses the Irish Whip and sends Kazama to the ropes. Kazama rebounds off the ropes–
Deadprez: BUT KAZAMA LEAVES HIS FEET AND TAKES RYAN DOWN WITH A SLINGBLADE RIGHT ACROSS THE THROAT! Ryan is down once again as Kazama quickly pulls Ryan back to his feet.
Gavin Kirkland: Kazama whips Ryan to the ropes and this time Ryan hits the ropes. Ryan with the rebound AND KAZAMA TAKES HIM UP AND OVER WITH THE BACK BODY DROP! RYAN ALMOST LANDED ON HIS SHOULDER!
Eve: Kazama has been dominating Ryan the last few moments of the match and that goes back to the ring rust that Ryan Wilson no doubt entered this match with, but you got to give him credit for hanging in there.
Deadprez: Kazama brings Ryan back on his feet and hooks both his arms for the Double Underhook DDT–
Gavin Kirkland: RYAN COUNTERED!! RYAN LIFTED UP KAZAMA AND COUNTERS INTO A MODIFIED NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!! RYAN BRIDGES UP AND LOCKS FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEE!
Deadprez: KAZAMA KICKED OUT! Ryan falls to his knees as Kazama goes for a clothesline, BUT RYAN DUCKS OUT OF THE WAY AND PULLS KAZAMA DOWN INTO A SCHOOLBOY ROLLUP! RYAN COULD GET IT HERE!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEE!
Eve: KAZAMA KICKS OUT AND RYAN ALMOST STOLE THE MATCH THERE! Ryan actually gets back on his feet first AND GOES FOR A SPINNING BACK FIST THAT KAZAMA DUCKS OUT OF THE WAY OF–
Gavin Kirkland: BUT RYAN CAUGHT THE BACKFIST WITH THE OTHER HAND! KAZAMA IS DAZED AS HE DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! Ryan grabs hold of Kazama and hoists him onto his shoulder and backs to the corner.
Eve: Ryan goes for a running powerslam, BUT KAZAMA FLIPS FORWARD AND LANDS ON HIS FEET BEFORE FIRING OFF A ROUNDHOUSE KICK CATCHING RYAN IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!
Deadprez: Ryan knocked loopy after that shot as Kazama grabs Ryan in the gutwrench and lifts him up straight in the air AND DROPS HIM DOWN WITH THE GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB!
Gavin Kirkland: RYAN DROPPED ON THE MAT HARD OFF THE POWERBOMB AS KAZAMA STACKS HIM UP AND GOES FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEE!
Eve: RYAN KICKS OUT AT TWO! ANOTHER CLOSE NEAR FALL FOR KAZAMA! Ryan was able to roll on his knees in order to quickly recover, but Kazama is back on his feet as he hits the ropes–
Deadprez: KAZAMA WITH A KNEE STRIKE TO RYAN’S HEAD AND RYAN GOES RIGHT BACK DOWN TO THE MAT! Kazama flips Ryan onto his back and drags him over to the corner before climbing up to the high rent district.
Gavin Kirkland: Kazama finds his way up to the top rope. He finds his balance and gets himself in position BEFORE JUMPING OFF THE TOP ROPE FOR THE 450 SPLASH–
Deadprez: NOBODY HOME OFF THE 450 SPLASH!! KAZAMA GOT SOME REAL AIR TIME BUT HE JUMPED INTO AN EMPTY POOL AS RYAN GOT OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND!
Eve: Kazama went high risk, but it unfortunately didn’t pay off as he crashes and burns on the apron. Ryan makes it back to his feet and runs over to Kazama AND HITS HIM WITH A SWINGING NECKBREAKER!
Gavin Kirkland: Kazama is down as Ryan is back up and looking a little worse for wear right now. He has got to be running on fumes right now as he pulls Kazama back to his feet.
Eve: Ryan has Kazama in a pumphandle position AS HE MANAGES TO LIFT KAZAMA UP AND FLIPS HIM AROUND–
Deadprez: AND DROPS KAZAMA WITH “THE TABLE FLIP”! KAZAMA GOES FACE FIRST INTO THE MAT IN WHAT LOOKS LIKE THE ATAXIA STYLE STO! KAZAMA COULD HAVE BEEN KNOCKED OUT AS RYAN ROLLS HIM OVER FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEE!
Gavin Kirkland: HE GOT IT! RYAN GOT THE THREE COUNT!
Eve: NO HE DIDN’T! THE REFEREE SAW KAZAMA’S FOOT ON THE ROPE! THAT STOPS THE COUNT! RYAN ONLY GOT A NEAR FALL!!
Deadprez: Ryan was starting to celebrate, but the referee motions over to Kazama and Ryan sees the bad news. Ryan can’t believe it. An innocent mistake that could cost Ryan the match.
Gavin Kirkland: There’s that lack of ring time coming back to haunt Ryan Wilson. Lack of practice had him not even thinking about pulling Kazama away from the ropes. Other than a haircut, Ryan needs to stay focused on the match.
Deadprez: Ryan goes back on the attack by picking Kazama up and DROPPING HIM ACROSS THE KNEE WITH A BACKBREAKER!
Eve: Ryan still has hold of Kazama AND HE DROPS HIM WITH ANOTHER BACKBREAKER!
Gavin Kirkland: Ryan is choosing to go for the hat trick as he picks up Kazama for the third backbreaker-
Eve: KAZAMA WITH SHOTS TO THE RIBS BEFORE FLINGING HIS BOOT BACK TO KICK RYAN IN THE FACE TO GET FREE!
Deadprez: Kazama is free of Ryan as he kicks Ryan and hooks his arms AND THIS TIME KAZAMA IS ABLE TO PLANT RYAN WILSON WITH THE DOUBLE ARMED DDT!
Gavin Kirkland: Ryan planted on his head once again and Kazama makes sure to keep Ryan away from the ropes as he goes for the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEE!
Eve: RYAN KICKS OUT AND NOW KAZAMA IS JUST THROWING RIGHT HANDS ACROSS THE BACK OF RYAN’S SKULL! KAZAMA IS BEING MORE AGGRESSIVE THAN NORMAL IN THIS MATCH!
Deadprez: The referee gets to a four count as Kazama stops the punches. Kazama delivers a knee for good measure before deciding to climb up to the top rope once again
Gavin Kirkland: This isn’t for show. Kazama wants to finish this match once and for all. He gets his balance AND LAUNCHES HIMSELF OFF THE TOP ROPE! “THE LAST KAZAMA” ON THE WAY–
Deadprez: RYAN WAS PLAYING POSSUM AS HE GETS BACK TO HIS FEET AND DROPS KAZAMA WITH THE “WILSON CRUSHER” AS KAZAMA WAS COMING DOWN!
Eve: Kazama was going for the Corkscrew Shooting Star Press, but Ryan used the momentum of Kazama coming down as the popup so he could hit the cutter!
Gavin Kirkland: Kazama is down and out, but Ryan falls to his knees in exhaustion. Ryan crawls himself over to Kazama and rolls him over before draping himself over for the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘Legendary’ starts playing again as the crowd erupts once again in cheers as Ryan rolls off of Silver and tries to catch his breath as Gina Romano announces the final decision of the match.)
Gina Romano: Here is your winner… AND ADVANCING IN THE KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT! RYAN! JOSEPH! WILSON!!
Deadprez: RYAN WILSON HAS DONE IT!! First match back on Showdown and he advances in the King of Elite Tournament!! What a performance.
Gavin Kirkland: These two competitors really threw everything at each other for the sake of victory and they brought it.
(Ryan gets back to his feet and the referee raises his hand in victory as the referee goes to check on Silver as Ryan soaks in the cheers for another moment before leaving the ring and heading up the entrance ramp.)
Eve: This match seriously could have gone either way, but it was Ryan Wilson who was able to turn things his way and get the victory.
Gavin Kirkland: Yeah, good for Ryan. But you gotta give credit to Kazama for the effort he put into this match. He was close to winning the match on numerous occasions, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Deadprez: There will be another day for Silver Kazama, but this match belongs to Ryan Joseph Wilson, dawg. Congrats to Ryan Wilson for advancing in the King of Elite tournament in his first match back.
(The final shot shows Ryan celebrating his victory at the top of the entrance ramp before cutting to Kazama, who is sitting up and looking very disappointed about the defeat as the camera shot cuts elsewhere.)
Gina Romano: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL! AND IT’S A FIRST ROUND MATCH IN THE KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(LIKE WEEZY’ by Playboi Carti hits. Joso steps out,
swagger dripping from every movement, ice around his neck glinting under the lights. He points to the hard cam, then to the ring, letting everyone know this is his moment.)
Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST! FROM BRONX, NEW YORK! WEIGHING IN AT 206 POUNDS! THE STAR PLAYER! JOOOOOSOOOOOO!
(‘The Birth of Fused Zamasu’ by Friedrich Habetler hits. The lights cut to crimson as Vincent Mondrian emerges, Silas Mason flanking him like a shadow. Vincent rolls his neck, eyes locked on Joso, murder in his gaze.)
Gina Romano: AND HIS OPPONENT! ACCOMPANIED BY SILAS MASON! FROM LAREN, NETHERLANDS! WEIGHING IN AT 220 POUNDS! THE SOUL REAPER! VINCENTTTTT MONDRIANNNNNNN!
( DING! DING! DING! )
Gavin Kirkland: And here we go! King of Elite action officially underway! Joso steps out of his corner first, eyes scanning Vincent Mondrian from head to toe! Mondrian remains still for a moment longer, and now steps forward to meet him! The two begin circling at the center ring, neither man committing to contact yet but you can guarantee they both are feeling the pressure of this match!
Eve: I think that’s an understatement, feel how careful this is already. Neither man wants to make the first mistake because that could cost both of them! Joso feints with his lead hand, testing Mondrian’s reactions! But Vincent doesn’t bite. He shifts, keeping his distance exact, not turning his back, not overreaching. Joso finally steps in for a collar-and-elbow tie-up—
Deadprez: Here we go! They lock up, and immediately Joso tries to assert himself, leaning in, attempting to steer Mondrian toward the ropes! Mondrian plants his feet, lowers his base, and refuses to budge! Joso shifts tactics, looking to roll through the tie-up— but Vincent smoothly slips around into a side headlock, cinching it in tight!
Gavin Kirkland: Mondrian with the first real control of the match! Joso braces, hands on Vincent’s hip, and shoots him off the ropes! Mondrian releases at the last moment, he rebounds, and ducks under a quick clothesline attempt from Joso! Vincent spins behind, briefly hooking the waist! Joso fires an elbow backward to break free!
Eve: Joso reacts quickly, but notice Mondrian was already one step ahead. They are restarting again! Joso shakes out his arm and steps in again, quicker this time, locking up and immediately trying to turn Vincent for a snap suplex—
Deadprez: But Mondrian drops his hips! He’s not going anywhere! Vincent counters with wrist control, twisting Joso’s arm and forcing him to rotate! Joso rolls forward, attempting to alleviate the pressure, but Mondrian kneels just enough to keep the hold intact! Joso finally slips free and backs off!
Gavin Kirkland: That’s veteran-level control from Mondrian early on. Joso steps forward again, this time firing a quick low kick at Mondrian’s lead leg—
Eve: Mondrian checks it cleanly! Joso tries another kick, faster— AGAIN BLOCKED! Vincent answers with a SHARP OPEN HAND CHOP TO THE CHEST! Joso switching angles! He lunges in with a probing forearm strike— Mondrian absorbs it on his guard and steps inside the pocket, closing the distance before Joso can retreat! They clinch again, foreheads nearly touching, each man fighting for hand position!!
Deadprez: This is a grind already, and we’re just getting started! Joso shifts his weight, trying to muscle Mondrian into position for a throw, but Vincent slips behind into a deep waistlock! Joso widens his stance, fighting it, reaching down to pry the hands apart! Vincent keeps the pressure, forcing Joso to work just to stay upright!
Gavin Kirkland: Joso can’t get anything clean going here! Joso finally breaks free and backs away, hands briefly resting on his hips as he reassesses! The former King of Elite wasn’t expecting this kind of resistance this early! You can see it on his face. Joso is surprised by how disciplined Mondrian is!
Eve: And now Joso steps back in again, jaw set, eyes sharper than before! He reaches out trying to grab wrist control— BUT MONDRIAN SNAPS HIS HAND AWAY AND FIRES ANOTHER OPEN-HANDED SLAP ACROSS THE CHEST! Vincent Mondrian just turned the temperature up!
Deadprez: Joso exhales hard, chest already reddening, and answers back with a sharp forearm shot aimed at the jaw! Mondrian rolls with it, STEPS IN AND BLASTS JOSO WITH YET ANOTHER KASIGIRI CHOP! Joso stumbles back a half-step, Mondrian follows immediately with YET ANOTHER HARD CHOP! Then AGAIN, driving Joso toward the ropes!
Gavin Kirkland: Mondrian pressing forward now! He’s not letting Joso reset! Joso swings desperately for a lariat— but Mondrian ducks underneath, spins behind, and SNAP-GERMANS JOSO INTO THE MAT! Joso rolls through instinctively, popping up to his feet— ONLY TO GET DRILLED BY A RUNNING FOREARM SMASH!
Eve: Vincent Mondrian is exploding right now! Every transition is shutting Joso down before he can breathe! Mondrian grabs a front facelock, muscles Joso upright, and lifts— VERTICAL SUPLEX! Held high in the air for a full count before crashing down! Mondrian floats over, hooks the leg!
ONE!
…
TWO—
Deadprez: Quick kickout from Joso! Mondrian doesn’t argue the count. He drags Joso up immediately, snaps him into a front headlock again, then shifts his grip— FISHERMAN SUPLEX! He bridges deep, shoulders arched!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
Gavin Kirkland: Joso gets out again, but look at the pressure Mondrian isn’t letting him get stable footing! Joso scrambles toward the corner, trying to create space, but Mondrian beats him there— RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT TO THE CORNER! Joso’s head snaps back violently as he slumps against the turnbuckles! Mondrian backs up two steps and charges again— RUNNING METEORA, BOTH KNEES CRUSHING JOSO INTO THE PADDING!
Eve: Mondrian pulls Joso out of the corner, hooks the arm— HALF AND HALF SUPLEX! Joso flips over and crashes down on his upper back and neck! Joso is trying to find momentum, but Vincent Mondrian is cutting him off at every turn!
Deadprez: Joso struggles back to his feet! Firing a sudden kick out of desperation— but Mondrian catches the leg! He sweeps the standing foot and dumps Joso flat on his back, then steps through into a HALF BOSTON CRAB, sitting down hard! Submission attempt here! Mondrian wrenching back on the spine! Joso’s reaching, but he’s nowhere near the ropes!
Gavin Kirkland: Joso claws forward, finally dragging himself close enough to hook the bottom rope with his fingertips! The referee calls for the break, and Mondrian releases— only to STOMP THE LOWER BACK ON THE WAY UP! Vincent uses the full five count there, staying ruthless.
Eve: Mondrian pulls Joso upright again and whips him across the ring! Joso rebounds and tries to fire back with a bicycle knee— BUT MONDRIAN STEPS INSIDE AND DROPS HIM WITH A DISCUS FOREARM! Joso collapses to the mat!
Deadprez: He didn’t even let that knee land! Mondrian grabs both arms, hauls Joso up, and drives him down with a DOUBLE UNDERHOOK BACKBREAKER, snapping Joso over his knee before shoving him aside! Mondrian follows with a quick cover!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
Gavin Kirkland: Another kickout! Joso is getting worn down piece by piece! Mondrian backs up, measuring him now. Joso pulls himself up using the ropes— Mondrian charges for a RUNNING YAKUZA KICK! Joso collapses through the ropes to the apron, barely hanging on! Vincent Mondrian is dominating this stretch of the match!
Eve: Joso’s experience and resilience is the only thing keeping him alive right now! Mondrian steps onto the apron with him, grabbing Joso by the head— Joso suddenly fires back with a sharp elbow to the ribs! Then another! He tries to lift Mondrian, looking for a vertical suplex— but Mondrian blocks it, hooks the waist, and USES A SUPLEX OF HIS OWN ON JOSO!
Deadprez: Mondrian standing tall over Joso, who clutches his back in pain! Vincent breathes deep, shakes out his arms, and looks completely locked in!
Gavin Kirkland: Vincent Mondrian drags Joso back up by the wrist, pulling him toward the center of the ring again— BUT JOSO SUDDENLY DROPS HIS WEIGHT AND RIPS MONDRIAN DOWN WITH A SNAP DDT OUT OF NOWHERE! THAT’S IT! That’s the opening Joso needed!
Eve: Mondrian’s head snaps off the canvas as both men go down, but Joso is the first to stir. He rolls to his knees, breathing heavily, shaking out his arms as if trying to wake himself up. Vincent pushes up to all fours— but Joso is already on him, grabbing the waist and deadlifting him! DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEX! JOSO PLANTS HIM!
Deadprez: Mondrian lands hard on the back of his shoulders and neck, rolling through from the impact. Joso isn’t done, he keeps the grip, drags him back up— ANOTHER GERMAN! THIS ONE WITH AUTHORITY! That’s how Joso swings momentum. He stacks damage fast!
Gavin Kirkland: Joso rolls through this time, keeping control, and bridges into a HALF NELSON SUPLEX! The bridge is tight, chest pressed down!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
Eve: Mondrian kicks out, but that was the strongest sequence Joso’s had all match! Joso doesn’t waste the moment. He pulls Mondrian up by the head and drives a sharp European uppercut under the jaw! Mondrian stumbles— Joso hits another! Then a spinning heel kick to the ribs! Mondrian drops to a knee! Joso’s finally got him on the defensive!
Deadprez: And now he’s smelling blood. Joso hits the ropes and charges RUNNING METEORA— BUT MONDRIAN SHIFTS AT THE LAST SECOND! Joso’s knees crash into the mat! Mondrian surges up behind him, hooking the arms! DOUBLE UNDERHOOK—NO! JOSO DROPS DOWN AND COUNTERS SLIPPING BEHIND HIM FOR A BACKSTABBER! WHAT A COUNTER!
Gavin Kirkland: Mondrian folds around Joso’s knees, clutching his back as he rolls away! Joso follows, dragging him in and snapping off a quick PENALTY KICK to the chest! Mondrian gasps as the air is driven from his lungs! Joso drops into a cover!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
Eve: Mondrian still alive! Joso exhales sharply, nodding to himself. He grabs Mondrian’s arm, stepping over— FUJIWARA ARMBAR! He drops his weight back, wrenching the shoulder! Submission attempt by Joso now! He’s attacking the joints, slowing Mondrian down!
Deadprez: Mondrian rolling his body, stacking his weight forward. He presses up, forcing Joso to adjust— now suddenly rolls through, grabbing the waist! MONDRIAN ESCAPES AND LIFTS— NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! GOING FOR THE PIN!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
Eve: Joso kicks out again! Neither man giving an inch! Both scramble back to their feet! Joso fires first— BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE! MONDRIAN EATS IT! He stumbles back and Joso charges— SHOTGUN DROPKICK SENDING HIM STRAIGHT INTO THE CORNER! Mondrian’s spine snaps against the turnbuckles as he drops to his knees. Joso doesn’t slow down, he grabs the head—
Deadprez: TORNADO DDT! SPIKES HIM! Joso hooks the leg!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
THREE—
Gavin Kirkland: NO! MONDRIAN KICKS OUT! Joso sits back on his heels, hands on his head for just a second but his expression hardens. He pulls Mondrian up, hooking him in— He’s thinking Brainbuster! Mondrian blocks it! Kicks him in the gut and quickly lifts him up! SIT-OUT POWERBOMB BY MONDRIAN! HE SLAMS TO THE GROUND! The ring shakes as Joso crashes down! Mondrian collapses into the cover!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
THREEEE—
Eve: Joso survives again! Both men lie flat now, chests heaving. Slowly roll toward opposite sides of the ring, pulling themselves up with the ropes. This is a war of attrition now. Every move hurts more than the last. They turn at the same time and charge—
Deadprez: DISCUS LARIAT FROM JOSO— BUT MONDRIAN FIRES BACK WITH A BACK ELBOW BEFORE GOING DOWN! BOTH MEN GO DOWN AGAIN!
Gavin Kirkland: The referee’s count reaches four before either man even stirs! Joso rolls onto his side first, using the ropes to drag himself up, while Vincent Mondrian pushes to a knee at the center ring, shaking his head, trying to clear the fog! You can feel the shift right now. Joso’s weathered the storm and now he’s starting to look comfortable.
Eve: This is where experience kicks in. Joso’s been here before. He knows how to survive and turn it into control! Joso steps in first, snapping a sharp European uppercut under Mondrian’s jaw! Vincent staggers, but fires back with a forearm smash of his own! Joso absorbs it and answers immediately with a spinning heel kick to the ribs! Mondrian bends forward and Joso grabs him—
Deadprez: SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! MONDRIAN DUMPED ON HIS SHOULDERS! Mondrian rolls through to a knee again, refusing to stay down, but Joso is already there— RUNNING SHOOT KICK TO THE CHEST! Mondrian falls back flat, arms splayed!
Gavin Kirkland: Joso is stringing these together now! He’s not letting Vincent reset! Joso hauls Mondrian up by the arm, wrenches it, and drills him with an armbreaker! That’s nasty! Mondrian struggles up, clutching his arm and Joso explodes forward with a Slingblade— snapping Vincent down to the canvas! Joso kips up immediately!
Eve: STANDING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE CHEST! Joso drops to the cover and hooks the leg!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
THREEE—
Eve: Mondrian kicks out but barely! Joso sits back on his knees, breathing heavy now, but there’s a sharp focus in his eyes. He pulls Mondrian up, hooks him going for a BRAINBUSTER ATTEMPT—
Deadprez: MONDRIAN BLOCKS IT! Vincent shifts his hips, muscles Joso up with an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Joso crashes hard! Mondrian crawls over, grabbing the wrist MONDRIAN TRYING TO SWING THIS BACK! Vincent pulls Joso up again with a NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! He rolls through and goes for GERMAN SUPLEX! Joso lands high on the shoulders! Mondrian keeps the waist BRIDGING!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
Gavin Kirkland: JOSO KICKS OUT! JUST IN TIME! That was inches away from disaster for Joso! Mondrian stays on him, dragging him upright— KASIGIRI CHOP! THEN ANOTHER! Joso fires back with a KNEE STRIKE that stops Mondrian cold! Vincent drops to one knee JOSO WITH THE OPENING! Joso grabs the head INVERTED 1916— NO! MONDRIAN SHOVES HIM OFF! Vincent charges RUNNING HIGH KNEE—
Eve: CAUGHT! PACKAGE POSITION! The crowd gasps as Joso hoists Vincent up, arms trapped— HEAVEN’S GATE! PACKAGE PILEDRIVER! MONDRIAN IS SPIKED DEAD CENTER OF THE RING! THAT’S IT! THAT HAS TO BE IT! Joso collapses into the cover, hooking both legs deep!
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
THREEEEE!!!
Deadprez: WAIT! WAIT! FOOT ON THE ROPE! SILAS MASON JUST PUT MONDRIAN’S FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE! The referee stops the count, waving it off as the crowd ERUPTS in boos! Joso’s is in disbelief, staring at the official!
Gavin Kirkland: That was three! That was absolutely three!
Eve: Silas Mason just saved Vincent Mondrian’s tournament life! Joso scrambles to his feet, furious, shouting at the referee and pointing toward ringside, where Silas Mason calmly steps back, hands clasped behind his back like nothing happened! Joso can’t believe it! He had won this match!
Deadprez: Inside the ring, Vincent Mondrian lies motionless near the ropes, chest barely rising, saved by inches and by interference.
Gavin Kirkland: The referee immediately waves his arms and drops down beside Vincent Mondrian! He’s checking on him after that Heaven’s Gate, and you can see the concern all over his face!
Eve: That Package Piledriver was nasty. The official has every right to check on Mondrian after a shot like that.
Deadprez: You don’t rush this. You make sure the man can even continue. The referee gently lifts Mondrian’s head, speaking to him, checking his eyes. Vincent is barely moving, one arm twitching as he tries to respond. The crowd buzzes anxiously, unsure of what’s coming next.
Gavin Kirkland: Meanwhile, look at Joso! Joso’s had enough! Joso slides out of the ring, eyes locked on Silas Mason at ringside. His face is twisted in fury as he marches toward him, pointing and shouting, letting the world know exactly what he thinks about Silas Mason.
Eve: Joso had this match won! Anyone in his position would be livid!
Deadprez: Silas Mason knew exactly what he was doing.
( Silas stands his ground, calm and collected, hands raised just enough to look innocent as Joso gets right in his face. Words are exchanged, heated and fast, Joso shoving a finger into Silas’ chest as the referee inside the ring making sure Vincent wasn’t hurt. )
POOF!
Gavin Kirkland: WHAT THE—?!
Eve: BLACK MIST! BLACK MIST FROM THE CROWD!
( Caroline emerges from the crowd out of nowhere, hood pulled low, and blasts Joso directly in the face with a cloud of black mist! Joso screams, clutching at his eyes, staggering backward in complete shock and pain! )
Deadprez: CAROLINE JUST BLINDED JOSO! HE NEVER SAW IT COMING!
Gavin Kirkland: Joso was focused on Silas, he had no idea she was even there! Hell who even knew she was there.
( Joso stumbles blindly, crashing into the barricade, falling to his knees as he desperately tries to wipe the mist from his eyes. Caroline slips back into the crowd just as quickly as she appeared, vanishing before the referee could see her. Vincent was fine, now he is starting the count! )
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
THREE!!!
…
FOUR!!!
…
FIVE!!!
…
Deadprez: Joso can’t see! He doesn’t even know where the ring is!
( Inside the ring, Mondrian rolls onto his side. Vincent’s eyes finally focus, realization slowly setting in as he hears the count continuing. )
SIX!!!
…
SEVEN!!!
…
Gavin Kirkland: Joso is still down on the floor unable to find his way to the ring! Joso crawls, disoriented, reaching out, trying to find the apron— but he’s crawling the wrong direction!
EIGHT!!!
…
NINE!!!
…
Eve: This can’t be how it ends but it might be! Joso finally staggers to his feet, eyes still burning, vision blurred. He turns—
TEN!!!
…
DING! DING! DING!
Gavin Kirkland: THAT’S IT! JOSO HAS BEEN COUNTED OUT!
Eve: Oh my god…
Deadprez: All thanks to Caroline, Vincent moves on in the tournament!
( The referee raises Vincent Mondrian’s hand as he leans heavily against the ropes, still clearly shaken, still recovering but victorious. )
Gina Romano: HERE IS YOUR WINNER BY COUNT OUT…VINCENT MONDRIAN!
Gavin Kirkland: Vincent Mondrian survives! Most importantly, he advances in the tournament!
Eve: Joso was moments away from winning this match, and it all slipped through his fingers! All thanks to Silas Mason and most surprisingly Caroline!
( Outside the ring, Joso drops to his knees in disbelief, rage and frustration across his face as he finally realizes what just happened. Inside the ring, Mondrian looks out toward the crowd and briefly, toward where Silas Mason stands before collapsing to a knee, exhausted, battered, but still alive in the tournament. The camera fades on Vincent’s devious smirk!)
(Backstage, the cameras catch Daryl Kinkade, National Elite Champion, adjusting his jacket and looking composed but intense. His Union Jack-themed belt gleams over his shoulder as he notices Kyra Phillips approaching with a microphone.)
Kyra Phillips: Daryl, congratulations again on retaining your National Elite Championship at Festival of Lights. Can you talk to us about what this moment means to you?
(Daryl takes a slow breath, a small, proud smile forming as his British accent fills the room.)
Daryl Kinkade: Thank you, Kyra. It’s… it’s been a long road, hasn’t it? Honestly, after all the near-misses, all the times I came up short, to finally be standing here with this belt it’s worth every single setback. Every single moment of doubt, every single time I questioned if I could make it… it all leads to this.
(He pauses, looking down at the belt over his shoulder, then back up with determination.)
Daryl Kinkade: Surviving Silas World… that was a test in itself. And to defend this championship successfully at the Festival of Lights? Walk into the new year, as a Champion. That was more than a victory. That was proof, to myself, to the fans, and to anyone who’s ever doubted me that I belong at the top. That finishing this year as a champion… that was exactly where I needed to be bruv.
(He leans slightly closer to the camera, his gaze sharp.)
Daryl Kinkade: But don’t think for a second that I’m resting on my laurels like some people say that I am going to do. This title is mine, sure, but it’s open. Open to anyone with the courage, the skill, and the fire to step up. And believe me, I’ll be right here, waiting. Next week, the National Elite Championship isn’t just going to sit pretty on my shoulder. It’s going to prove itself in the hands of whoever dares to try and take it. I’m going to prove that what I did at Road to Redemption, and what I did at Festival of Lights, wasn’t just a one time thing. It was the start, to what’s to come for this belt and myself.
(Daryl straightens, letting the intensity linger, a hint of a cocky grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.)
Daryl Kinkade: So, come on then anyone in the back. Step up. Give it your best shot. I’ll see you next week if you have the balls.
(He lifts the belt over his shoulder once more and walks off, head high, as the camera fades to black.)
(Saturday Night Showdown returns from commercial with Gina Romano standing at the center of the ring to announce the main event.)
Gina Romano: YOUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING IS THE FIRST ROUND OF KING OF ELITE AND IT IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(‘We’re All Mad Here’ by Aberdeen is Dead plays as a subdued, forlorn Impact slowly saunters down the ring, playing to the crowd as the legend engages in high-fives, some of which are understandably not reciprocated by fans whose trust and adulation he has not gained. Impact returns the ire of some of his detractors with a sigh and a smirk as he continues his march toward the ring. Before entering the ring, surveys the arena each way, taking everything in, nodding before he either slides underneath the ropes or walks up the steel steps, and places his right fist against the EAW logo on the turnbuckle, fixed on it, in total understanding of his assignment.)
Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST!… FROM SEATTLE, WASHINGTON!… WEIGHING IN AT 228 POUNDS!… THE EAW HALL OF FAMER!… THE QUINTESSENTIAL CHAMPION!… IMMMMMMPPPPPPPPPPPPAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eve: This is a narrative fulcrum in the rebirth of Impact, proof that after years of turmoil, the shame of Extreme Elimination Chamber, and the existential crises that have stalked him, Impact is still not finished. This tournament has transcended rivalry and become a proving ground for whether he truly belongs in this company again!
Deadprez: It is also about erasing months of psychological sabotage, all those voices insisting he is obsolete. Donovan Duke has been one of the loudest spearheads of that narrative, and a victory here would draw a decisive line through the idea that Impact’s time has passed.
Gavin Kirkland: What happened at Extreme Elimination Chamber was a disgrace, a swarm of bodies trying to erase a legend, but tonight is about exposure and humiliation. This is the moment to tear the mask off Donovan Duke and remind everyone that the Quintessential Champion is not dead, not broken, and not done yet!
(‘Enemy’ by From Ashes to New erupts through the arena and the mood instantly curdles, Impact staring toward the stage as Donovan Duke struts out with unapologetic arrogance, fury etched across his face after what Silas World endured at year’s end, madness flickering in his eyes while Silas Mason trails behind in eerie silence.)
Gina Romano: INTRODUCING HIS OPPONENT!… ACCOMPANIED BY SILAS MASON!… FROM STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA!… WEIGHING IN AT 212 POUNDS!… DEVIOUS & DEBONAIR!… DONOVANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!… DUKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gavin Kirkland: Well, this is the man who never once cared about a redemption story, because to him this has always been about himself and only himself. He walks into this match convinced that Impact has nothing left to offer but low effort and nostalgia!
Eve: That mindset fits perfectly with how Duke sees Silas World, believing they carry Showdown on their backs while Impact is irrelevant to the equation. In his eyes, this is not a rivalry but a pest control operation, a chance to erase someone he views as a relic trying to siphon revenge!
Deadprez: There is an undercurrent of volatility in this match that goes beyond competition, yet Impact is not retreating from that narrative, no matter how loudly Duke insists that Showdown belongs to him. What are you waiting for, 10? Save us from this terrorist and prove him wrong!
(DING DING DING!)
Gavin Kirkland: The first round of King of Elite is officially underway in this main event, and there is nothing subtle about the opening salvo as Donovan Duke explodes out of the corner, trapping the Quintessential Champion against the ropes with clubbing blows, trying to suffocate any resistance before it can even form!
Eve: The intent is crystal clear here, denying Impact any space to breathe or reset, but there is a composure to how Impact absorbs those strikes, weathering the storm before shifting his base and scooping Duke up to the top turnbuckle!… A KNIFE EDGE CHOP FOLLOWS, AND THAT BRUTALITY BLASTS STRAIGHT ACROSS THE CHEST, SENDING DONOVAN CRASHING DOWN ONTO THE APRON!
Deadprez: Anyone trying to step to this man better not miss, and right now Duke is whiffing like he is shadowboxing with himself!
Gavin Kirkland: Stakes could not be higher with only one man advancing from this main event, and now there is movement from Impact as Donovan struggles back to his feet on the apron! Elevation is gained to the second rope and here it comes… SPRINGBOARD DROPKICK SENDS DONOVAN FLYING OFF THE EDGE!
Silas Mason: (Off-Mic) OH COME ON!
Eve: Disbelief is written all over Silas Mason’s face right now, watching in horror as the supposed crown jewel of Silas World gets manhandled by someone he probably dismissed as washed up!
Gavin Kirkland: Because the man standing in that ring is not some relic, it’s IMPACT, and you are looking at greatness in human form!
Deadprez: Back on his feet already and drifting toward the ropes, Impact barely has time to breathe before Donovan Duke tries to recover from that springboard dropkick and shoots in, looking for a basement dropkick on the way out-
Eve: THAT CONNECTS JUST ENOUGH TO TRAP IMPACT BETWEEN THE APRON MAT AND THE EXPOSED RING EDGE, CREATING A BRUTAL PINCH POINT, AND NOW DUKE IS UNLOADING WITH EVERY OUNCE OF VENOM IN HIS RIGHT HAND WHILE THIS CROWD IS ABSOLUTELY LIVID!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Silas Mason: (Off-Mic) Good strategy! Let’s go, Donny!
Eve: Those punches from Donovan are steadily deteriorating Impact’s posture, forcing him down to one knee while he is half buried under the apron mat, and now both legs are being snatched to drag him clear of that danger zone!
Gavin Kirkland: Sadistic intent written all over this as Duke hauls him out… AND WHIPS HIM THROUGH A SHORT GIANT SWING THAT LAUNCHES IMPACT STRAIGHT INTO THE FRONT ROW BARRICADE!
Deadprez: Celebration mode is fully activated out here as Donovan Duke soaks in the moment with Silas Mason, and you can see one of the younger members in the front row absolutely losing their mind watching this unfold.
Some kid in the front row: (Off-Mic) You still fucking suck!
(Donovan snaps his head around and feints a backhand, making the kid flinch so hard he almost bursts into tears before Duke casually turns back to the fallen Impact like nothing ever happened.)
Donovan Duke: (Off-Mic) Screw your New Year, you fucking brat!
Gavin Kirkland: Unfiltered evil right there from Donovan Duke!
Eve: Control is being reestablished as Impact is hauled up again, with a slow, deliberate setup, both arms hooked, and this is shaping up to be ugly… AS DONOVAN LOOKS TO HURL HIM INTO THAT SAME FRONT ROW BARRICADE WITH A DOUBLE ARM SUPLEX!
Gavin Kirkland: Resistance kicks in as Impact plants his weight and refuses to be dragged, the referee stepping in to plead with both men to get back inside before the count escalates!
Deadprez: Eventually, the grip is broken as Impact twists the arm free, keeps hold of the wrist, and detonates a short arm clothesline that staggers the Devious and Debonair before his storm can even gather!
Eve: That blast sends Donovan reeling down near the steel steps, and now Impact tries to rally with a desperate run-
Deadprez: BUT DUKE SIDESTEPS AT THE LAST SECOND AND IMPACT GOES FLYING STRAIGHT INTO THE STEEL STEPS, SENDING THEM SCATTERING EVERYWHERE!
Gavin Kirkland: Recovery comes disturbingly fast as Donovan shakes off that clothesline and zeroes back in on Impact near the steel steps, summoning every ounce of raw horsepower to haul that heavier frame onto his shoulders, and look at the grotesque strength on display from the former Answers World Champion!
Eve: The lift is secured on Donovan’s shoulders, and here it comes… POWERBOMB DRIVES IMPACT SPINE FIRST DOWN ONTO THE STEEL STEPS, AND THEY EVEN COLLAPSE UNDERNEATH THE FORCE OF IT!
Deadprez: That was the worst possible landing for a man who has bled and sacrificed for this sport his entire life, and now he is absorbing a collision like that straight through the back. How in the world is anyone supposed to advance to the next round in any kind of condition after a hit like that?
Gavin Kirkland: It could have been worse, but this is Impact we are talking about, the quintessential specimen with the constitution and longevity to survive across eras and generations, so this is just another battle scar on the road back to the top!
Eve: Composure is gone on Donovan’s end as he slides back into the ring, flaunting arrogance while Silas Mason looks on with glee, and the referee begins the count!
Referee: (Off-Mic) ONE!… TWO!…. THREE!….
Gavin Kirkland: Movement finally stirs from Impact after that horrendous landing, slowly dragging himself upright with a desperate grip on the apron just to stay vertical!
Referee: (Off-Mic) FOUR!… FIVE!…
Deadprez: Feet are found for Impact but Duke is already in motion again, slipping under the bottom rope… AND BLASTING IMPACT WITH A BASEMENT DROPKICK, SENDING HIS BACK CRASHING INTO THE EDGE OF OUR COMMENTARY TABLE AND DUMPING HIM RIGHT BACK DOWN!
Eve: That collision sends pain straight through the spine again, and it is getting harder to imagine how he even makes it back in time with Donovan hovering like a vulture!
Referee: (Off-Mic) SIX!… SEVEN!… EIGHT!
Gavin Kirkland: Teeth are clenched as Impact crawls closer to the ring, the count almost at its limit!
Referee: (Off-Mic) NINE!-
Deadprez: AT THE FINAL POSSIBLE SECOND, IMPACT SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING AND KEEPS THIS MAIN EVENT ALIVE!-
Eve: But look at this, Donovan is already sprinting past the referee, scaling the top rope with pinpoint aim at a prone opponent… DIVING SHOOTING STAR PRESS CRUSHES IMPACT ON HIS BACK, AND DONOVAN IMMEDIATELY ROLLS HIM OVER FOR THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Eve: Relief ripples through the arena as Impact kicks out at two, sparing everyone from an early New Year nightmare of Donovan Duke stealing this one!
Gavin Kirkland: Frustration is boiling over now as Duke storms back to his feet and begins driving furious stomps into Impact’s back, trying to compound the damage and make survival impossible!
Deadprez: Karl Impact is going to need to reanchor his base before mounting any counteroffense, because right now Donovan is tightening the screws and cinching in that Rear Naked Choke to keep him completely neutralized!
Eve: Whatever plans Impact might have had are starting to blur as oxygen is cut off, with Duke trying to drag him into a suffocating oblivion and put him to sleep for good!
Gavin Kirkland: Desperation is clear as Impact claws for anything within reach, but this is all unfolding dead center in the ring and there is nowhere to crawl to right now!
Deadprez: At least some motion is still there, a faint wiggle to escape this stranglehold, but Donovan only amplifies the pressure, and you can literally see Impact’s eyes glazing over. This is a nightmare scenario for the Quintessential Champion!
Eve: Could this be the end here, consciousness fading fast as the Rear Naked Choke keeps tightening, and Donovan is milking every second of this suffocation!
Silas Mason: (Off-Mic) KILL HIM!
Gavin Kirkland: There is barely any movement now, and Duke decides to settle in deeper, sitting back to apply full torque and grind this out on the mat-
Eve: WAIT A MINUTE, LOOK AT THIS, IMPACT SUDDENLY THROWS HIS WEIGHT BACKWARD, COLLAPSING ONTO DONOVAN WHILE HE IS STILL LOCKED IN THE REAR NAKED CHOKE! IMPACT BRINGS HIS HIPS UPWARD AND TWISTS HIS SHOULDERS TOWARD THE MAT, USING THE ARCH OF HIS BACK TO FORCE DONOVAN’S SHOULDERS DOWN EVEN WHILE HIS OWN NECK IS TRAPPED, CONVERTING THE REAR NAKED CHOKE INTO A PINNING COMBINATION, AND THE REFEREE IS COUNTING THE SHOULDERS DOWN.
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Eve: SO CLOSE! THAT WAS PURE GUILE FROM IMPACT, PLAYING POSSUM AND WEAPONIZING DONOVAN’S OWN GRIP AGAINST HIM, BUT DUKE CATCHES THE COUNT IN TIME AND FORCES A KICKOUT BEFORE THE THEFT CAN BE COMPLETED!
Gavin Kirkland: Rising from the canvas, Impact gets cut off by a quick kick to the gut from Donovan, halting the legend in his tracks before Duke hurls himself back into the ropes-
Deadprez: STEP-UP ENZUGIRI CONNECTS ON THE RETURN, CATCHING DUKE FLUSH ON THE WAY BACK! Impact scrambles upright and tries to force him toward the ropes, but Donny snaps into a handspring-
Eve: GERMAN SUPLEX SNARES HIM ON THE REBOUND AND DONOVAN IS DRILLED INTO THE MAT! THIS IS A CLASSIC EXCHANGE OF MOMENTUM AND ONLY ONE MAN IS CAPITALIZING AS IMPACT BRIDGES INTO THE COVER IMMEDIATELY!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Eve: A KICKOUT AT TWO, BUT THIS IS THE STORY OF EXPERIENCE MEETING INNOVATION, THE OLD SCHOOL INSTINCTS COUNTERING THE MODERN AGGRESSION AS IMPACT KEEPS DONOVAN FIRMLY IN CHECK!
Gavin Kirkland: Disbelief is etched all over Silas Mason’s face watching his golden boy get dragged through this ordeal, but honestly, you never doubt Impact in moments like these!
Deadprez: The crowd is rallying hard behind Impact tonight, and nobody wants to see Silas World conjure another miracle for themselves. Control is starting to settle in as Impact surveys the damage and lines up his next move!
Gavin Kirkland: As you just pointed out, there is movement toward the second rope-
Eve: What the hell is Silas Mason doing right now?!
Gavin Kirkland: DANG IT! This dude just clipped Impact’s leg and nearly caused a catastrophic landing! The referee had no idea because Donovan yanked him into a distraction!
Deadprez: He is acting innocent like nothing happened, but that was pure sabotage. Impact was setting up for Flight Sights and got chopped down mid ascent!
Gavin Kirkland: Opportunity is seized immediately as Donovan shoves the referee aside and hauls Impact back to his feet, muscling him up before charging to the center of the ring… RUNNING POWERSLAM FLOORS IMPACT!
Eve: That interference changed everything, and thanks to Silas Mason, Donovan has snatched the momentum right back!
Gavin Kirkland: That running powerslam finally grounded Impact, but the stakes are still sky high as Donovan immediately ascends, smelling blood after that takedown!
Deadprez: Footing is barely being found right now, the back is screaming in agony, and Donovan launches himself off the ropes… VELVET RODEO CRASHES DOWN ON IMPACT’S BACK! THE SIGNATURE 450 SPLASH FINDS ITS MARK!
Eve: IMPACT IS SHOVED ONTO HIS SHOULDERS THROUGH SHEER TORMENT AND DONOVAN EXPLOITING EVERY FRAGMENT OF ADVANTAGE HE CAN FIND! A COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-
Eve: SO CLOSE, BUT IMPACT SURVIVES AGAIN WITH A KICKOUT AT TWO, AND THE FRUSTRATION ON DONOVAN’S FACE SAYS EVERYTHING!
Gavin Kirkland: Even with Silas Mason barking orders and Donovan throwing everything he has at him, Impact refuses to yield, and those higher stakes are only igniting more defiance in this battle!
Deadprez: You can see Silas already signaling for the finish, Donovan reading it immediately and reaching in for the double hook!
Eve: Hold on, something is being said here, Impact is trying to communicate while barely staying upright!
(Impact looks unsteady as Donovan towers over him, appearing almost ready to surrender while Duke stares down in contempt.)
Donovan Duke: (Off-Mic) What’s the matter, old man? Already giving up? STAND UP! YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE MY VICTORY LEGITIMATE WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!
Gavin Kirkland: This is surreal to watch, is Impact actually breaking here? That is a sight nobody expected to see!
(Impact starts shaking his head as the referee steps in to check on him, but Donovan is having none of it.)
Donovan Duke: (Off-Mic) Get out of my way!
(Duke shoves the referee aside and storms back toward Impact.)
Donovan Duke: (Off-Mic) Listen to me, you weak son of a bitch-
Eve: EYE POKE CONNECTS! IMPACT JUST BLINDED DONOVAN IN RETALIATION FOR WHAT SILAS MASON DID EARLIER, AND NOW THAT TREACHERY HAS COME FULL CIRCLE AGAINST HIS OWN PARTNER!
Gavin Kirkland: He just fell straight into one of Impact’s manipulation traps!
Deadprez: SILAS MASON IS LOSING HIS MIND TRYING TO WARN HIM, BUT DONOVAN CANNOT SEE A THING AS IMPACT SNAPS HIM DOWN INTO A BACKSLIDE ROLL UP FOR ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT STEALING THIS MAIN EVENT!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-
Deadprez: OH OH! THAT WAS CLOSE, IMPACT ALMOST STOLE IT, BUT DONNY KICKS OUT JUST IN TIME!
Gavin Kirkland: Springing right back up, Impact tries to build momentum but gets intercepted as Donovan charges in and clocks him square in the face with a vicious running knee lift!
Eve: The impact of that shot sends him reeling, but the response is immediate with a rebound headbutt that rocks Donovan and drops him to one knee!
Deadprez: Karl is fighting with everything he has left, refusing to let his legacy get trampled by any of Silas Mason’s cronies!
Gavin Kirkland: ARMS ARE THREADED UNDERNEATH NOW AND THE GRIP IS LOCKED, LOOKING TO SNAP HIM IN HALF WITH THAT DOUBLE UNDERHOOK BACKBREAKER-
Eve: DONOVAN KICKS THE LEGS OUT AND USES HIS WEIGHT TO TILT KARL OFF AXIS, FORCING A RELEASE BEFORE THE HOLD CAN BE COMPLETED AND SHIFTING THE ATTEMPT INTO A POWERBOMB SETUP-
Gavin Kirkland: OH MY GOD, DONOVAN FLIPS THROUGH WITH A HURRICANRANA TO COUNTER THE POWERBOMB ATTEMPT!-
Deadprez: BUT THE GRIP NEVER BREAKS, BOTH HANDS OF IMPACT GLUED TO THE LEGS LIKE IRON CLAMPS, ROLLING THROUGH THE ROTATION AND POPPING STRAIGHT BACK UP TO HIS FEET! HOW IN THE WORLD DID HE PULL THAT OFF?!
Gavin Kirkland: AND NOW THAT CONTROL IS CONVERTED INTO WALLS OF IMPACT, KARL IS CINCHING IN THE LIONTAMER! THIS IS VINTAGE IMPACT, THE SAME HOLD THAT HAS BROKEN CHALLENGERS ACROSS GENERATIONS!
Eve: THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF FIGHT LEFT AS DONOVAN CONTORTS HIS BODY, BENDING AND TWISTING TO KEEP THAT HOLD FROM FULLY LOCKING IN!
Deadprez: BUT IMPACT ROTATES THE TORQUE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, FORCING THE ESCAPE ATTEMPT TO COLLAPSE AND NOW IT FINALLY CINCHES IN… WALLS OF IMPACT IS LOCKED!
Gavin Kirkland: BUT WHERE IS THE REFEREE, DAMN IT?! SILAS MASON IS CLIMBING INTO THE RING AND PULLING THE OFFICIAL’S ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE SUBMISSION!
Eve: THE STRANGLEHOLD CANNOT BE COMPLETED AS IMPACT HAS TO RELEASE IT TO DIVE OFF AND TRY TO TACKLE MASON OFF THE APRON, BUT THE COWARD SLIPS AWAY AND NOW FURY IS WRITTEN ALL OVER IMPACT’S FACE!
Deadprez: THE REFEREE IS CHECKING ON DONOVAN, WHO IS PRETENDING TO BE IN AGONY, WHILE IMPACT IS STILL DEALING WITH SILAS MASON TRYING TO GRAB HIM FROM THE APRON-
Eve: OH NO! THAT WAS A HOTSHOT, SILAS SNAPPING THE ROPE DOWN AND SENDING IT STRAIGHT INTO IMPACT’S THROAT!
Silas Mason: (Off-Mic) FUCK YOU, KARL!
Gavin Kirkland: THAT SNAKE SLITHERS AWAY AGAIN, AND IMPACT IS LEFT EXPOSED AS DONOVAN GETS BACK UP AND SWINGS!… FORCE OF WILL CRACKS IMPACT’S JAW WITH A SPINNING BACKFIST!
Deadprez: THE FALL IS COMING, BUT DONOVAN IS NOT DONE, PULLING HIM BACK IN WITH MALICIOUS INTENT… RUINS AND DEMISE DRIVES IMPACT DOWN! THE TIGER DRIVER ‘98 JUST SPIKED HIM!
Eve: THAT HAS TO BE THE END OF THE ROAD HERE! THE CROWD IS IN ABSOLUTE REVOLT, AND SILAS MASON IS ALREADY CELEBRATING AS DONOVAN DROPS INTO THE COVER! NOT LIKE THIS!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!-
(….)
(….)
(….)
Eve: OH MY GOD! TWO! TWO! Impact powers out at the very last second and the entire arena is in disbelief!
Gavin Kirkland: Shock is plastered all over Silas Mason’s face as he spins back toward the ring, staring at Donovan with the same wide eyes, because Impact just survived Ruins and Demise!
Crowd: IMP! IMP! IMP! IMP! IMP! IMP! IMP! IMP!
Deadprez: THE AVICII ARENA IS COMING UNGLUED FOR THE LEGEND WHO REFUSES TO SURRENDER AT THIS AGE, BUT DONOVAN IS NOT BUYING INTO THE ROMANCE, DRAGGING IMPACT BACK TO HIS KNEES AND ROLLING THROUGH… TRYING TO TURN HIM DOWN INTO A GOGOPLATA! HE IS HUNTING FOR THE SHADOW OF EYES!
Eve: FIGHTING SPIRIT SURGES AGAIN AFTER THAT MIRACULOUS KICKOUT, REFUSING TO LET THE CHOKE BE COMPLETED AND FORCING HIMSELF BACK TO HIS FEET! LOOK AT THIS, HE IS GOING FOR IT AGAIN… WALLS OF IMPACT!
Gavin Kirkland: EVERYTHING HE HAS IS BEING POURED INTO THAT ATTEMPT, BUT DONOVAN SNAPS OUT A SHARP KICK WITH ONE LEG TO SHOVE HIM OFF BALANCE!
Deadprez: Ground is reclaimed as Impact holds firm and shifts the movement toward the corner… THEN TRIES TO CATAPULT DONOVAN STRAIGHT INTO THE TURNBUCKLES-
Gavin Kirkland: BUT ATHLETICISM DEFIES GRAVITY AS DONOVAN FLIPS HIMSELF UP ONTO THE SECOND ROPE, THAT FLEXIBILITY IS UNREAL!
Eve: No hesitation as Impact charges, but Donovan kicks him away from the perch, resets his balance, and then launches back down-
Deadprez: EVISCERATION! EVISCERATION! A MID-AIR CODEBREAKER EXPLODES ON DONOVAN, AND THIS PLACE JUST ERUPTED! A COVER IS MADE TO ADVANCE TO THE NEXT ROUND FOR IMPACT!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!-
(….)
(….)
(….)
(….)
Gavin Kirkland: THREE! THAT IS IT!
Eve: Wait, what?!
Gavin Kirkland: DAMN IT!
Deadprez: THE FOOT, THE FOOT, IT IS ON THE ROPES! SILAS MASON JUST SPRINTED IN TO SHOVE DONOVAN’S FOOT ONTO THE BOTTOM ROPE AND SAVES HIM FROM BEING PINNED COMPLETELY! THE REFEREE DIDN’T CATCH THAT!
Gavin Kirkland: THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IMPACT’S VICTORY, BUT SILAS MASON JUST STOLE IT RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR EYES!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gavin Kirkland: The match is forced to continue after that heart wrenching near fall that Impact should have taken!
Eve: Barely able to stand, Donovan gets clipped by a sharp elbow from Impact that sends him staggering and almost tumbling out of the ring!
Deadprez: A desperate rebound off the ropes follows with a clothesline attempt, but it barely nudges Impact at all, the power just is not there yet!
Gavin Kirkland: BUT IMPACT SWEEPS BOTH LEGS, DRAGS DONOVAN TOWARD THE CENTER, AND SHUTS DOWN ANY CHANCE FOR SILAS TO INTERFERE…. HE IS LOOKING FOR THE WALLS OF IMPACT AGAIN!
Eve: WAIT A MINUTE, SILAS WORLD IS STORMING THE RING! VINCENT MONDRIAN HAS A STEEL CHAIR! HARPER LEE IS RIGHT BEHIND HIM! PANDORA PAISLEY IS HERE TOO!
Deadprez: Of course, this is when they decide to show up!
Gavin Kirkland: ORDERS ARE BEING BARKED AND VINCENT IS THE FIRST ONE IN, SLIDING UNDER THE ROPES WITH A STEEL CHAIR AND SWINGING FOR IMPACT WITHOUT HESITATION!
Eve: THE CHAIR MISSES AS IMPACT DUCKS UNDER AND LEAVES DONOVAN BEHIND, VINCENT TURNS…. RIGHT INTO A FIST OF FURY THAT KNOCKS HIM OUT COLD!
Deadprez: HARPER LEE WASTES NO TIME, SPRINGING OFF THE ROPES FOR A MISSILE DROPKICK!
Gavin Kirkland: Footwork saves the day as Impact sidesteps and scoops up the chair at the same time, Lee lands on her feet and pivots for Lonely Star-
Eve: CHAIR THROW TO THE KNEE! WHAT A SHOT! LEE IS CLIPPED OUT OF MID AIR AND CRASHES DOWN! THAT JUST WIPED OUT TWO THIRDS OF SILAS WORLD IN SECONDS!
Deadprez: Chaos everywhere as the referee tries to restore order while Impact is dismantling every intruder before a disqualification can even be considered!
Gavin Kirkland: Vincent and Lee are crawling on the outside now, Pandora tries to rush in next, but Impact hoists her onto his shoulders… AND LAUNCHES HER INTO BOTH OF THEM WITH A POWERBOMB! ALL THREE ARE WIPED OUT!
Eve: Control finally shifts back to the official as Silas World is forced away from the ring, but Impact has to turn around-
Deadprez: LOW BLOW FROM DONOVAN THE SECOND IMPACT TURNS AROUND! THE REFEREE NEVER SAW IT WHILE TRYING TO EJECT SILAS WORLD!
Gavin Kirkland: MOMENTUM SWINGS INSTANTLY… SUPREME VERDICT DRIVES IMPACT DOWN! WIDOW’S PEAK CONNECTS AND AFTER ALL THAT INTERFERENCE! A COVER! DONOVAN DUKE IS ABOUT TO ADVANCE!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
(….)
(….)
(DING DING DING!)
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gina Romano: HERE IS YOUR WINNER AND ADVANCING TO THE NEXT ROUND OF SHOWDOWN’S KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT… DONOVAN DUKE!
(‘Enemy’ by From Ashes to New hits as Donovan Duke rolls off Impact, gasping for air while the arena erupts in deafening boos after the controversial finish and yet another night of Silas World’s sabotage.)
Gavin Kirkland: This is disgusting! Donovan Duke is marching into the next round only because Silas World bent every rule in the book to protect him! Somebody needs to shut this pack of degenerates down before this entire tournament gets poisoned beyond repair!
Deadprez: The message from Silas Mason is loud and cruel, he wants everyone to feel the bitterness of this outcome, and I can only hope whoever draws Donovan Duke next is the one to finally cut off this streak of villainy!
Eve: Every conceivable countermeasure was in Impact’s arsenal tonight, but even that was not enough to overcome the systemic interference of Silas World. That is the most alarming part of this result.
(Duke stumbles out to the floor and the referee raises his arm, a hollow smile crossing his exhausted face as he looks back at the fallen Impact before rushing to check on him. Silas World gathers around Donovan in celebration, hoisting him up while soaking in the venom from the crowd. Inside the ring, Impact slowly processes what just happened, fists clenched in silent fury, eyes burning with disbelief as Showdown fades into commercial.)
(“7 Rings” by Ariana Grande starts to play as the crowd stands up and cheers. Veena Adams walks out with the Answers World Championship around her waist. Wearing a red outfit with white trim looking beautiful as ever as she smiles and stands at the entrance way while the fireworks shoot out. She then makes her way to the ring as she enters with a mic in hand.)
Deadprez: The Answers World Champion is here! She survived the Elimination Chamber even when it became a two on one, when Donovan Duke decided to come back after he was eliminated first surprisingly and now with the help of her bestie, Milli Banks, they were able to fend off the attack of Silas World.
Eve: It has really been the banner year for Veena Adams, an impeccable record in 2025, she had a career year and to be honest, this might even be better. But the question is, who is next. She has beaten them all!
Gavin Kirkland: She is rocking the Sweden colors! And our Answers World Champion is now here to grace us with her beautiful presence!
(As the music dies down, Veena walks around the ring and looks out to the crowd. She has a smile on her face and holds up the Answers World Championship as the fans in Sweden cheer even louder.)
Veena Adams: Hellooooo Stockholm! Your Answers World Champion is HERE!
(She gets a huge pop again as the gorgeous World Champion looks around at the warm reception. She takes a second before speaking again.)
Veena Adams: 2025 was really a magical year, it was rough at the start with an ankle injury, but when I was able to come back I put the pedal to the medal and didn’t look back. I wanted to finally reach the pinnacle and that is exactly what I did, and at Pain For Pride it all became true, it wasn’t a dream anymore, and after all those years busting my ass and not getting the results that I wanted, I stood there holding the Answers World Championship. Since then, it has been a Road to Redemption.
(She paces for a second, before she turns back to speak.)
Veena Adams: And after defending it against Hall of Famers, Main Eventers and the very best this brand has to offer, I walk right into 2026 ready to continue my climb to the very top of the EAW and be the Champion that I have always wanted to be for not only me…. But believe it or not…. But for all of you!
(That reaction she gets is even bigger as Veena smirks, but she continues to speak.)
Veena Adams: But now, what I look at now is the future, and what is not next, but first for Veena Adams in 2026. After the Extreme Elimination Chamber and that hell I went through, I am not done and that is why I want to give a huge shout out to my bestie, my girl…. Milli Banks who saved my ass and I owe her, so babes, you know that we are not done with Silas World, but definitely we are –
(Suddenly “Gloria” by the London Symphony Orchestra starts to play as the crowd stands and cheers. Veena turns and sees Bea Valentine walk out with Cornelius as she doesn’t look happy about what happened at Road to Redemption.)
Deadprez: Bea Valentine is here and technically she was not eliminated! Well, she was mauled by Silas World but was unable to continue! She is obviously not happy with those results!
Eve: As well she should be! Bea was robbed.
Gavin Kirkland: She has a gripe but that was not Veena’s fault, they were both mauled by Silas World, she just didn’t have a friend like Milli Banks, Veena did!
(Bea Valentine stands at the entranceway as her music dies down.)
Bea Valentine: First off Darling…. CONGRATULATIONS are in order. What you did was amazing and a testament to the changes you have made in your career with he hard work and dedication, a true inspiration for us all.
(The fans cheer at this statement as Veena Adams looks on.)
Bea Valentine: And what you did at Road to Redemption was both amazing and undeniable, that much is certain. But… there is a BUT, I was neither pinned or submitted and instead robbed of my opportunity to become the Answers World Champion, I think we can both agree with that. And I like you Veena, we are a lot alike, teamed well together, we would probably have a good time drinking spiked coffee and playing parcheesi.
Veena Adams: I don’t know how to play that, but yes, I understand where you are coming from Bea, and as we both know, I never duck any challengers. So how about at The King of Elite you and m-
(But before Veena could finish, suddenly “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics starts to play throughout the arena as the crowd boos. Harper Lee walks out with Silas Mason and he has a mic in hand. Neither Veena nor Bea looked too pleased.)
Silas Mason: Sorry to interrupt you here ladies, but I’m going to need you to hold that thought, Veena. See, Bea no matter how you spin it, the truth is, it was Silas World that was screwed out of Road to Redemption. Now, Vincent Mondrian and Donovan Duke are both still in the King of Elite tournament and would make no sense to put them in a position to jeopardize that, but someone else that was screwed out of her National Elite Championship is none other than Harper Lee who still remains unpinned since last season and there isn’t a single person here that can deny her march for the Answers World Championship!
(Veena Adams simply rolls her eyes.)
Harper Lee: Roll your eyes all that you want, but the truth is, I EARNED this. I didn’t lose the title because Daryl Kinkade was better than me! He won the title because Brianna Hill is a friggin’ doofus and an incompetent fool! I should be challenging for that belt, and yet I find it hilarious that the Empress of Elite tournament doesn’t have names like me, Harper Lee, Minerva, Pandora Paisley, and others. Instead they are all hacks, and that’s fine because what my eyes are on now is THAT Answers World Championship around your waist.
Veena Adams: I have no issues defending the title against both of you and –
(Silas though cuts her off.)
Silas Mason: Whoever said both of them?
(Suddenly Silas strikes Cornelius as he falls and Harper attacks Bea Valentine. Veena looks on a bit surprised as Harper and Bea are brawling.)
Deadprez: AND A FIGHT HAS BROKEN OUT! BOTH WOMEN ARE FIGHTING EACH OTHER AS THE REFEREES AND OFFICIALS COME RUNNING OUT!
Eve: THEY ARE TRYING TO SEPARATE THE TWO WOMEN AS SILAS MASON WATCHES ON! WHAT THE HELL!? THEY ALL WANT A PIECE OF THE ANSWERS WORD CHAMPION AND –
Gavin Kirkland: …. WAIT!? LOOK BEHIND VEENA!
(The fans starts to scream as Veena is watching the brawl going on, she doesn’t realize what is behind her, she turns around and – )
Gavin Kirkland: FIST OF FURY! AND THAT RIGHT HOOK KNOCKED VEENA ADAMS CLEAN OUT! IT IS IMPACT! HE JUST LOST THE MATCH EARLIER THANKS TO ALL OF SILAS WORLD AND I THINK HE HAS HAD ENOUGH!
(Impact stands over an almost unconscious Veena Adams, he sighs and then grabs a handful of her hair and raises her up, she is wobbly and barely conscious. Impact grabs the mic.)
Impact: While those two bitches fight for whatever it is they think is owed, I am tired of being the one that is really getting screwed over. At Road to Redemption, you needed three others to eliminate me. Tonight, the entire Silas World needed to get involved to get me out of the King of Elite tournament. NO MORE. You know how much respect I have for your uncle, and for that I won’t tear you apart tonight. I will do that at the KING OF ELITE.
(The crowd roars and boos as Impact just shakes his head and whispers… “I’m sorry.”)
Eve: EVISCERATION! He just really knocked Veena out with that one and she is motionless on the mat as he grabs the Answers World Championship and holds it up for a moment before laying it on Veena. Staring her down as the crowd is stunned.)
Deadprez: IMPACT MADE HIS SHOT; HE TOOK IT AFTER WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN HIS LAST TWO MATCHES! THIS MIGHT BE THE TOUGHEST TEST FOR VEENA ADAMS AT THE KING OF ELITE! WE ARE OUT OF TIME, BUT WHAT A SHOCKING TURN OF EVENTS! FOR GAVIN KIRKLAND AND EVE, GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE!
(The final shot is Impact staring down at an unconscious Veena Adams, almost showing some remorse but knowing that it is all business when it comes to the Answers World Championship while the brawl continues at the entranceway.)
(EAW Logo Buzzes)
