(EAW intro plays)
(Showdown opens up with a recap of last week’s show. Bea Valentine yet again celebrates a new defense but three men in Impact, Rex and Joso respond trying to prove they deserve a shot at her, before finally, all four start to brawl and security stops them. The tag match between Grace, Wynter, Sofia and Yasmina ends in a no contest as all four begin brawling between each other, before then being pulled by security. Kennedy tells Airi she has earned a future title shot. Diego and Circe defeat some local competitors before they are forced to run away when Milli Banks tries to beat their ass. Mia Santoro defeats Tafae Toa by countout to get a N1C at the National Elite Championship as KELIN costs Tafae the win. Cody Maverick is nowhere near done with Silas World, and yet again El Duque tries to mock him, and Cody wants none of his bullshit, he wants another match and finally they come to a consensus, one more match, Hair vs Mask, and as Cody accepts, the two fight and Cody stands tall. In the main event between Joso and Rex, it ends in a no contest as Impact gets himself involved, Bea comes out after and yet again the four of them break into a brawl. The closing segment is Pandora trying to come to terms with the loss at Territorial Invasion, not sure where to go from there and with Silas Mason trying to take advantage of her, trying to convince her to come back, Silas ends up getting hit in the face by her, Donovan comes to attack her, with Kelton coming to the rescue, Cataclysm rush to attack them with Halsey and Damien coming as well for back up. Silas World are sent running and finally Pandora lays down the challenge and she shouts Temple of Trials, being clear on where they have to go to end this.)
(The recap ends, and it is replaced with the song “Brick Wall” by a Day to Remember, as the camera pans around the inside of the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Fireworks shoot out of the entrance stage as the camera pans around the excited crowd cheering loudly. The camera ends up panning over to the commentary table with Deadprez, Gavin Kirkland and Sienna Swann, as they eventually speak up.)
Deadprez: WELCOME TO SATURDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN! OH YEAH, DAWG! WHAT AN INSANE WAY TO END LAST WEEK, AND NOW WE PUSH FORWARD TOWARDS THE LAST STAND WITH A CLEAR WAR READY TO END IN CHAOS!
Sienna Swann: We will figure out more about that later in the night, sweetie! But aside from that, we wrestle here as always! We will see Clayton Golde fight against Halsey Neel, the Jones Brothers will be in action, the King of Elite Cody Maverick will fight the National Elite Champion Akari Kiyoko and in the main event, Bea Valentine teams up with Impact to fight against Rex McAllister and Joso! Can they co-exist?!
Gina Romano: LET’S NOT WASTE ANYMORE TIME! LET’S START THIS RIGHT OFF WITH OUR BEAUTIFUL GENERAL MANAGER, KENNEDY STREET!!! :blessed:
(The camera transitions from the commentary table to the entrance ramp where we see General Manager Kennedy Street coming down the ramp as the crowd starts to cheer as she gives a small smile to the crowd as she makes her way to the ring.)
Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen! At this time, please welcome THE GENERAL MANAGER OF SATURDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN! KENNEDY STREET!
Deadprez: What a great way to kick off this edition of Saturday Night Showdown than with the General Manager of Showdown. After last week, she certainly is coming to the ring with a mission.
Gavin Kirkland: And that mission is to make Season 20 the year of Showdown. She wasn’t happy about what happened at Territorial Invasion and she is dead set on making sure that the blue brand gets the spotlight this season.
Sienna Swann: Sweetie, with The Last Stand coming up soon, she is no doubt looking to make the best matches possible for the event and show how truly talented the Showdown Elitists are. Let’s hear what our amazing General Manager has to say.
(Gina hands Kennedy a microphone as Kennedy gives her a polite nod and smile as she walks up the ring steps to enter the ring. Kennedy stands front and center as she lets the crowd cheer for a moment longer before they start to quiet down and she begins to speak.)
Kennedy Street: GOOD EVENING, PORTLAND!
(The crowd immediately starts to cheer loudly again at the mention of their town, which gets Kennedy to smile.)
Kennedy Street: Kennie loves how excited you are right now for all the Showdown action. Let me tell you that tonight’s show is action packed from top to bottom.
Kennedy Street: But that isn’t the only Showdown show that is going to be filled with top to bottom action. Coming up very soon, Kennie and the Showdown Elitists are going to present the major event THE LAST STAND!
Crowd: AOIGAGHAOGAOGIHOHGAOGAJAOIHJGOIAG!
(Kennedy smirks and nods her head in agreement with the cheers from the crowd before she continues.)
Kennedy Street: So let Kennie go ahead and get started by making some matches official. How about we start with the big one first. After last week’s chaos at the end of Showdown, it’s official. At The Last Stand, we are going to have THE TEMPLE OF TRIALS!!
Crowd: AORIGJAOGHJOAIRGJHAROGHJAOIHRJG!!!!!
Kennedy Street: It’s going to be Pandora Paisley, Halsey Neel, Jon Kelton, and Damien Kutcher to take on Silas World inside the Temple of Trials… with one small condition.
Kennedy Street: As you can already see, the numbers are uneven for the teams. So, Silas. Honey, unless you are going to get some gear and wrestle yourself, you need to find a fourth member for your team or Silas World will compete at a disadvantage.
(The crowd is still cheering as Kennedy continues.)
Kennedy Street: How about Kennie adds some title fights into the mix. For winning the Futures match at Territorial Invasion, Airi Miyamune will challenge…FOR THE A CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE LAST STAND against whoever wins the Specialists Championship match tomorrow night on Voltage.
Kennedy Street: Not only that, Akari Kiyoko will defend the National Elite Championship against the Number One Contender…MIA SANTORO!! But that’s not all.
Kennedy Street: It’s been over five years since EAW has seen a match like this, but at The Last Stand this rivalry comes to a boiling point as Cody Maverick will face El Duque… IN A HAIR VERSUS MASK MATCH!!! Honey, we will see either Cody Maverick get his head shaved bald or we see El Duque unmask and the mystery gets revealed.
(Before Kennedy can continue, we hear the sounds of “Gloria” by the London Symphony Orchestra start to play throughout the arena. Seconds later, the crowd comes alive once again as the Answers World Champion, Bea Valentine, enters the arena. She raises the Answers World Championship in the air for the crowd to see before she heads to the ring.)
Sienna Swann: Well, Sweetie, things just got interesting. Because here comes the Answers World Champion, Bea Valentine. She is normally in a very good mood, but after the last few weeks, Bea isn’t happy considering the brawls and arguments she has been in and they all surrounding the Answers World Championship.
Deadprez: Last week made it clear that Bea Valentine is willing to defend the title against any and all challengers who are willing to step up and step up they did.
Gavin Kirkland: Bea had a tough title defense at Territorial Invasion and you have to think that she is already looking towards who she is going to defend the title against at The Last Stand. The question is who is she going to defend the Answers World Championship against? I guess we might find out here as Bea looks like she has something to say.
(Bea enters the ring after grabbing a microphone. She adjusts the title on her shoulder as she walks over to Kennedy and offers a polite smile. Kennedy gives a nod of acknowledgement in return as Bea’s music slowly fades off and Bea begins to speak.)
Bea Valentine: Ms. Street. I sincerely apologize for my intrusion while you were speaking. I hope you understand.
(Kennedy shakes her head with a polite look on her face as she puts her hand out, telling Bea not to worry about it.)
Kennedy Street: You are completely fine, Bea. Kennie is used to this and at least you were more polite about it compared to others. Now how can Kennie help you, Bea?
(Bea nods in understanding and looks at the crowd before she answers Kennedy.)
Bea Valentine: I am going to go ahead and ask the simple question, Ms. Street. I think it is safe to say that I am going to be defending the Answers World Championship at The Last Stand, correct?
(Kennedy offers a smile in response.)
Kennedy Street: That is a pretty safe assumption, Bea. You are correct. You will be defending your Answers World Championship at The Last Stand.
(The crowd cheers in the excitement of the announcement of a World Title defense.)
Kennedy Street: That actually leads Kennie to her next match announcement, Bea.
Bea Valentine: Oh yeah?
Kennedy Street: Of course. I was just getting ready to tell the world who you will be defending your Answers World Championship against.
(Kennedy stops for a second and sees that Bea has a look on her face and wonders what is wrong.)
Kennedy Street: Is there something wrong, Bea?
Bea Valentine: Oh no. Nothing is the matter. You see, that’s exactly why I came out here to talk to you.
Kennedy Street: Ohhhh. Alright. Were you wanting a little bit of input on who you were wanting to defend your title against?
Bea Valentine: You can say that.
Kennedy Street: I mean Kennie is all ears about matches on her show. Now, Bea. As you saw last week, there were plenty of viable contenders ready to challenge you for the Answers World Championship.
Bea Valentine: There are.
Kennedy Street: Now if you had a preference, who would you like to defend your title against?
(Bea goes silent but it doesn’t take her long to give Kennedy an answer.)
Bea Valentine: All of them.
(The crowd goes wild hearing that declaration.)
Kennedy Street: Excuse me.
Bea Valentine: Ms. Kennedy, that’s what I came out here to tell you. I don’t want just one of them at The Last Stand. Impact. Joso. Rex McAllister. I want all three of them in the ring. I said I would take on all challengers and I meant it. I want all three of them in a four way match at The Last Stand.
(Kennedy looks at Bea for a moment and considers the request Bea has.)
Kennedy Street: Are you sure this is what you want?
Bea Valentine: Absolutely. I am not going to let anybody push me around and if I am going to show why I am a fighting champion, I am not going to be afraid of having three challengers thrown at me.
(Kennedy nods in understanding as she thinks about it once again before giving Bea an answer.)
Kennedy Street: Sweetheart, if you want all three of them… YOU GOT IT! At The Last Stand it’s going to be Bea Valentine defending the Answers World Championship against Impact, Joso, AND Rex McAllister.
(The crowd cheers loudly as the match is made official.)
Kennedy Street: But first….
(Bea looks at Kennedy confused for a moment.)
Kennedy Street: First you need to survive tonight’s main event.
(Bea smirks and nods.)
Bea Valentine: That’s completely fine with me.
Kennedy Street: Well there you go. Good luck tonight.
(Kennedy smiles as she leaves the ring leaving Bea to hold her title high in the air once again for the crowd.)
Gavin Kirkland: Holy crap! What an announcement. So many great matches being made for The Last Stand. National Elite Championship. Airi gets a shot at the Specialists Title. Hair vs. Mask.
Sienna Swann: Not only that, we have the infamous Temple of Trials returning as well as now a fatal four way match for the Answers World Championship. Sweetie, what a card we have.
Deadprez: So many high profile matches on tap for The Last Stand that any of them could steal the show. Things are starting to heat up tonight on Showdown, but after the break, we will have our opening contest. Stay with us.
(The final shot shows Kennedy walking up the ramp as Bea continues to hold her title as the camera shot fades into a commercial break.)
Gina Ramano: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!
(Betty (Get Money) by Yung Gravy hits and a wall of heat from the crowd as golden smoke rolls across the stage. Clayton Golde saunters through the curtain with both arms spread wide, rotating slowly in the spotlight. He straightens his ring jacket and descends the ramp at his own pace.)
Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST!…BILLED FROM HIS GOLDEN COMPOUND IN ROMANIA!… WEIGHING IN AT 210 POUNDS! CLAYTONNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!! GOOOLLLLDDDDDEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(The drumbeat of “No One Knows” by Queens of the Stone Age. The stage floods deep red as the guttural guitar riff ignites. Halsey Neel strides out with both arms outstretched, chin tilted skyward, soaking in the reaction from every corner of the building with a smirk. She cracks her neck, gives the ring a slow once-over, and begins her descent.)
Gina Romano: AND HIS OPPONENT!…FROM BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND! HAAAAAAAAALSEEEEEEYYYY!!!!!!!! NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Deadprez: THE BELL RINGS AND HALSEY DOESN’T WAIT A BREATH! SHE EXPLODES OUT OF THAT CORNER AND LEVELS GOLDE WITH A RUNNING FOREARM SMASH TO THE CHEST BEFORE HE EVEN SETTLES INTO A STANCE! GOLDE STAGGERS BACK INTO THE FAR BUCKLE AND HALSEY IS ALREADY ON TOP OF HIM— EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! THE BACK OF HIS HEAD CRACKS OFF THE TOP BUCKLE EACH TIME AND GOLDE’S ARMS COME UP BUT THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO WITH THEM!
Gavin Kirkland: THERE IS NO FEELING-OUT PROCESS TONIGHT! HALSEY NEEL HAS ARRIVED TO THIS MATCH WITH INTENT AND THIS CROWD KNOWS IT FROM THE OPENING SECOND!
Sienna Swann: Both of Clayton’s hands are up and he’s appealing to the referee who barely had time to get out of the way, sweetie. He wanted a moment to compose himself and Halsey Neel is giving him absolutely none of it!
Deadprez: HALSEY WRENCHES GOLDE OUT OF THE CORNER BY THE ARM, SENDS HIM HARD ACROSS THE RING INTO THE FAR ROPES— GOLDE RETURNS AND DUCKS UNDER THE LARIAT! SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE SECOND ROPE AND CATCHES HALSEY ON THE RETURN WITH A DROPKICK THAT KNOCKS HER SIDEWAYS!
Gavin Kirkland: GOLDE BOUGHT HIMSELF A SPLIT SECOND WITH THAT SPRINGBOARD COUNTER AND HE SCRAMBLES FOR HER— HALSEY KIPS UP INSTANTLY AND GOLDE STOPS DEAD IN HIS TRACKS, RETREATING THREE FULL STEPS BACK TOWARD THE ROPES!
Sienna Swann: He did not enjoy what he just saw, sweetie.
Deadprez: GOLDE ATTEMPTS A COLLAR-AND-ELBOW TIE-UP AND HALSEY IMMEDIATELY BREAKS THE GRIP, TURNS THE WRIST, AND DRIVES HIM DOWN TO THE CANVAS WITH A HAMMERLOCK! SHE GRINDS IT AGAINST THE SHOULDER BLADE AND GOLDE YELPS AND CLAWS FRANTICALLY FOR A ROPE— HALSEY DRAGS HIM BACK TO CENTER BEFORE HIS FINGERS FIND ONE!
Gavin Kirkland: THE ESCAPE ROUTE IS CLOSED! HALSEY HAS GOLDE ANCHORED IN THE CENTER OF THE RING AND IS METHODICALLY TAKING THAT SHOULDER APART WHILE GOLDE TRIES EVERY COMBINATION OF WORDS HE KNOWS TO TALK HIS WAY OUT OF IT!
Sienna Swann: Clayton Golde can do nothing unless he finds his way to the ropes, which Halsey is not going to let him do.
Deadprez: GOLDE WRENCHES TO A BASE AND SPINS — HALSEY RELEASES THE HAMMERLOCK, CATCHES THE ARM, EXECUTES A SHORT-ARM PULL AND DRIVES GOLDE FACE-FIRST INTO THE CANVAS WITH A HAMMERLOCK DDT! THE IMPACT IS NASTY AND HALSEY IMMEDIATELY FLOATS INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Gavin Kirkland: SHOULDER UP AT TWO! GOLDE TWISTS TOWARD THE ROPES! HALSEY IS ALREADY THERE, CUTS THE ESCAPE OFF WITH A BOOT TO THE RIBS, HAULS HIM BACK TO CENTER— SNAP SUPLEX THAT CRATERS HIM INTO THE MAT! BACK ON HIM IMMEDIATELY! DOUBLE KNEE DROP ACROSS THE CHEST! ANOTHER COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Sienna Swann: TWO AGAIN! Clayton is getting absolutely no time to think in this match and that is by design, sweetie.
Deadprez: HALSEY DRAGS GOLDE TO THE CORNER AND POSTS HIM AGAINST THE BUCKLES— A SERIES OF MEASURED CHOPS THAT ECHO EACH TIME THEY LAND! GOLDE’S CHEST IS TURNING RED AND HIS ARMS KEEP COMING UP AND THEY KEEP GETTING SLAPPED BACK DOWN!
Gavin Kirkland: THE CROWD GOING CRAZY WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE!
Deadprez: HALSEY STEPS BACK— RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT INTO THE CORNER! SHE GRABS THE WRIST AND SENDS GOLDE HARD ACROSS THE RING! CHARGES IN— RUNNING HIP ATTACK DRIVES HIM CHEST-FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! GOLDE STAGGERS! HALSEY SPINS HIM BY THE SHOULDER! HOOKS THE NECK— “WHAT’S THE STORY MORNING GLORY”? THE AIR RAID CRASH NECKBREAKER PLANTS GOLDE IN THE CENTER OF THE RING AND THE CROWD SURGES!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Gavin Kirkland: TWO COUNT! THIS CROWD IS ON ITS FEET AND BARELY FIVE MINUTES HAVE ELAPSED!
Sienna Swann: Clayton Golde is receiving exactly what he signed up for, sweetie. Every syllable of it.
Deadprez: HALSEY BACK ON HIM IMMEDIATELY— PULLS GOLDE INTO A FIREMAN’S CARRY, SHIFTS HIM INTO A GUTBUSTER ACROSS THE KNEE! GOLDE FOLDS AROUND HER LEG AND CRUMPLES TO THE CANVAS! HALSEY STEPS OVER AND DRIVES MEASURED STOMPS ACROSS THE SPINE BEFORE STEPPING BACK TO MEASURE THE GAP!
Gavin Kirkland: SHE IS DISMANTLING THE GOLDEN GOD AND GOLDE IS ALREADY CALCULATING HIS ESCAPE ROUTES!
(Clayton drags himself toward the apron on his hands and knees. As the referee moves into position, Clayton reaches upward and rakes both thumbs across Halsey’s eyes the instant she leans in to collect him. The referee sees nothing.)
Deadprez: EYE RAKE! GOLDE WITH AN EYE RAKE AND THE REFEREE WAS OUT OF POSITION AND DIDN’T CATCH A SINGLE FRAME OF IT! HALSEY STAGGERS AWAY CLUTCHING HER EYES AND GOLDE IS IMMEDIATELY ON HER!
Gavin Kirkland: OF COURSE! OF COURSE HE FINDS A WAY! THE MOMENT HALSEY BLINKS HE WILL FIND SOMETHING UNDERHANDED TO SWING THIS IN HIS DIRECTION!
Clayton Golde: (Off-Mic) That was a REFLEX! My hand grazed her eyelashes! You’re looking into it way too much!
Deadprez: GOLDE DRIVES A KNEE INTO THE MIDSECTION AS HALSEY STRAIGHTENS— RUNNING NECKBREAKER PUTS HER DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THIS MATCH! GOLDE INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Gavin Kirkland: BARELY ONE! Golde looks delighted with himself and immediately starts telling the referee to pick up the pace on the count!
Deadprez: GOLDE HAULS HALSEY UP AND SENDS HER INTO THE ROPES! CATCHES HER ON THE RETURN WITH A SPINEBUSTER THAT PUTS HER DOWN HARD! HE BOUNCES OFF THE FAR ROPES, AS HALSEY STRUGGLES TO MAKE HER WAY UP— “DEMONETIZED”! THE STANDING DISCUS ELBOW CONNECTS AS HALSEY STARTS TO RISE AND SHE GOES RIGHT BACK DOWN! INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Gavin Kirkland: TWO! GOLDE ARGUES THE COUNT BUT THAT WAS FIRMLY A TWO!!
Deadprez: GOLDE HAULS HALSEY UP, DRIVES HER INTO THE CORNER, AND STARTS UNLOADING WITH SHOULDER CHARGES INTO THE MIDSECTION! THE REFEREE STEPS IN WITH A WARNING AND GOLDE BACKS OFF WITH BOTH HANDS RAISED— THEN THE INSTANT THE REFEREE TURNS TO ATTEND TO HALSEY, GOLDE DRIVES A KNEE INTO THE BACK OF HER THIGH AND GRABS A FISTFUL OF HAIR AND DEPOSITS HER TO THE CANVAS!
Gavin Kirkland: THE REFEREE SPUN AROUND HALF A BEAT TOO LATE AND MISSED EVERY BIT OF THAT! GOLDE DROPS INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Sienna Swann: STILL TWO! Halsey Neel is not losing this match on the strength of Clayton Golde’s cheating, sweetie.
Deadprez: GOLDE DROPS DOWN AND LOCKS IN A GROUNDED SLEEPER HOLD! WRAPPING BOTH ARMS AROUND HALSEY’S NECK AND TRYING TO DRAIN THE PACE OUT OF THIS MATCH COMPLETELY! HE KNOWS HE CANNOT OUTWORK HER IN A STRAIGHT EXCHANGE SO HE IS TRYING TO CHANGE THE TEMPO ENTIRELY!
Gavin Kirkland: THIS IS GOLDE WRESTLING HIS MATCH NOW! FORCE THE PACE DOWN, HOLD HER THERE, STEAL THE POINTS WHEREVER HE CAN! THE CROWD IS WILLING HALSEY BACK INTO THIS!
Sienna Swann: Every second that holds on is a second Halsey can’t use her athleticism, her technical wrestling— and Clayton knows that better than anything else happening in this ring right now, sweetie.
Deadprez: HALSEY FIGHTS THROUGH IT! BACK ELBOW INTO GOLDE’S RIBS! A SECOND! A THIRD! HIS GRIP BEGINS TO LOOSEN AND HALSEY DRIVES A FOURTH ELBOW THAT BREAKS THE HOLD ENTIRELY! GOLDE STAGGERS— HALSEY SPINS! HALF-NELSON SLAM THAT CRATERS GOLDE INTO THE CANVAS!
Gavin Kirkland: AND THIS CROWD COMES ALIVE! HALSEY IS BACK AND SHE IS NOT SLOW ABOUT IT!
Deadprez: HALSEY FIRES A PENALTY KICK INTO GOLDE’S CHEST THE INSTANT HE REACHES A SEATED POSITION! THE IMPACT IS AUDIBLE IN THE BACK ROW! PULLS HIM TO STANDING! GRABS THE WRIST! YANKS HIM IN— “A NIGHT AT THE OPERA”! THE RIPCORD QUESTION MARK KICK CATCHES GOLDE ON THE TEMPLE AS HE SPINS AROUND!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THREEEEEEEEEE—
Sienna Swann: OH! THIS CROWD THOUGHT THAT WAS IT, SWEETIE!
Deadprez: HALSEY BACK TO HER FEET! DRAGS GOLDE TO CENTER RING, DROPS A MEASURED ELBOW ACROSS THE COLLARBONE, AND STEPS OVER INTO A GROUNDED OCTOPUS STRETCH! THE SUBMISSION IS LOCKED IN AND GOLDE IS CONTORTED AT AN ANGLE HIS BODY WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR!
Gavin Kirkland: THE FULL TECHNICAL ARSENAL OF HALSEY NEEL ON DISPLAY RIGHT NOW AND GOLDE IS SCREAMING! THE REFEREE IS DOWN ASKING IF HE WANTS TO SUBMIT AND THE CROWD IS BEGGING HIM TO!
Deadprez: GOLDE INCHING! CLAWING! HIS FINGERTIPS GRAZE THE BOTTOM ROPE AND THE REFEREE CALLS FOR THE BREAK! HALSEY RELEASES CLEANLY AT THE FOUR COUNT— THEN IMMEDIATELY DRIVES A SOCCER KICK INTO THE SMALL OF GOLDE’S BACK THE INSTANT THE HOLD RELEASES! GOLDE STAGGERS TO HIS FEET USING THE ROPES AND IMMEDIATELY APPEALS TO THE REFEREE ABOUT THE KICK— AND GOLDE USES EVERY SECOND OF THAT ARGUMENT TO GATHER HIMSELF!
Sienna Swann: HALSEY CHARGES IN— AND GOLDE SIDESTEPS AND SHOVES HER SHOULDER-FIRST INTO THE RING POST! HALSEY’S SHOULDER DRIVES INTO THE STEEL AND SHE CLUTCHES IT AS SHE STAGGERS BACK!
Gavin Kirkland: OH NO! THE SHOULDER INTO THE RING POST CAN DO A LOT OF DAMAGE AND CHANGE THE MOMENTUM IN THIS MATCH IN THIS MATCH!
Deadprez: AND GOLDE KNOWS THAT! POUNCES ON THAT SHOULDER IMMEDIATELY— SHOULDER BREAKER DRIVES THE INJURED ARM INTO THE MAT! HALSEY GRIMACES AND GOLDE DROPS INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Gavin Kirkland: KICK OUT BUT GOLDE GOES RIGHT BACK TO THE SHOULDER! WRENCHING THE ARM AGAINST THE JOINT AND LEANING IN WITH ALL OF HIS WEIGHT! HE HAS FOUND SOMETHING AND HE IS NOT LETTING GO OF IT!
Deadprez: HALSEY TWISTS AND DELIVERS A SHARP HEADBUTT THAT STAGGERS GOLDE SIDEWAYS! SHE FIRES A FOREARM! THAT SNAPS HIS HEAD BACK AND THE CROWD IS WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE! THE SHOULDER IS AFFECTING HER BUT THE FIRE IN HALSEY NEEL IS NOT SOMETHING THAT GOES OUT EASILY!
Sienna Swann: THERE SHE IS! THERE SHE IS, SWEETIE!
Deadprez: HALSEY SNATCHES THE WRIST— “REALITY KILLED THE VIDEO STAR”! THE MATRIX EVASION ROLLS UNDER GOLDE’S DESPERATE LARIAT AND HALSEY COMES UP INTO A FULL HEAD OF STEAM AND DRIVES A SPEAR INTO GOLDE’S MIDSECTION THAT FOLDS HIM IN HALF AND SENDS BOTH OF THEM SPRAWLING ACROSS THE CANVAS!
Gavin Kirkland: THIS CROWD IS LOSING THEIR MINDS! HALSEY JUST TURNED THIS MATCH ON A SEQUENCE AND GOLDE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY EMPTIED OUT!
Deadprez: HALSEY HAULS HERSELF UPRIGHT! GOLDE DESPERATELY GRABS FOR HER BOOT TO SLOW HER DOWN AND SHE SHAKES FREE AND DRIVES A PENALTY KICK INTO HIS CHEST! PULLS HIM TO STANDING— PUMPHANDLE EXPLODER SUPLEX THAT ARCS GOLDE ACROSS THE RING AND PLANTS HIM AGAINST THE FAR BUCKLE!
Gavin Kirkland: THIS CROWD KNOWS SOMETHING IS COMING!
Deadprez: HALSEY MEASURES GOLDE AS HE PEELS HIMSELF OFF THE TURNBUCKLE! GRABS THE WRIST AND YANKS HIM IN— “THE BENDS”! THE KONDO CLUTCH IS LOCKED IN! THE ARM IS TRAPPED AND THE NECK IS CRANKED AND THE REFEREE IS IN GOLDE’S FACE ASKING IF HE WANTS TO SUBMIT!
Gavin Kirkland: THE ARM IS TRAPPED AND THE NECK IS CRANKED AND GOLDE HAS NO WAY OUT OF THIS UNLESS HE FINDS A ROPE!
Sienna Swann: TAP, SWEETIE! JUST TAP!
Deadprez: GOLDE IS SCREAMING AND THE REFEREE IS HOVERING—
Gavin Kirkland: GOLDE’S BOOT FINDS THE BOTTOM ROPE AND THE REFEREE CALLS FOR THE BREAK! THE ROPES SAVE HIM!
Deadprez: HALSEY DOESN’T GIVE HIM A BREATH! SHE DRAGS GOLDE BACK TO THE CENTER OF THE RING, DROPS HIM, AND STEPS BACK! SHE IS SIZING HIM UP AND THIS ENTIRE BUILDING IS RISING IN ANTICIPATION! GOLDE GETS TO HIS FEET AND DOESN’T KNOW WHAT IS COMING! HALSEY CHARGES— AND GOLDE DROPS TO THE CANVAS AND PULLS THE TOP ROPE DOWN! HALSEY GOES OVER THE TOP AND LANDS ON THE APRON!
Gavin Kirkland: HALSEY CATCHES HERSELF ON THE APRON! GOLDE STAGGERS TO HIS FEET AND CHARGES AT HER! HALSEY HEADBUTTS HIM BACK INTO THE RING AND SPRINGBOARDS— GOLDE CATCHES HER MID-AIR AND DRIVES A FALLING POWERBOMB INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Sienna Swann: TWO AND A HALF AND HALSEY PRESSES THE SHOULDER UP, SWEETIE!
Deadprez: GOLDE SLAMS HIS PALMS ON THE MAT AND HAULS HALSEY UPRIGHT — TRIES TO EXECUTE THE LAW OF ATTRACTION, GOING FOR THE ARM-TRAPPED BOSTON CRAB — HALSEY FIGHTS THE POSITIONING! TWISTS AND DROPS GOLDE DOWN INTO A SMALL PACKAGE OF HER OWN!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gavin Kirkland: NEARLY! GOLDE ESCAPES AT TWO AND A HALF AND BOTH ARE BACK TO THEIR FEET!
Sienna Swann: Halsey Neel will not stay down for anyone, let alone this man, sweetie.
Deadprez: GOLDE FIRES A DESPERATE LARIAT— HALSEY DUCKS! SPINS AND LOCKS IN A FULL NELSON! GOLDE SCRAMBLING, REACHING FOR ANYTHING SOLID! HALSEY IS DRIVING HIM DOWN! SHE IS TRANSITIONING INTO THE “QUEEN IS DEAD”— THE CRADLE FULL NELSON LEADING INTO THE WHEELBARROW SUPLEX AND GOLDE GRABS THE REFEREE’S SHIRT! THE REFEREE IS TANGLED! THE HOLD BREAKS! THE REFEREE WARNS GOLDE AND GOLDE RAISES BOTH HANDS APOLOGETICALLY WHILE EXPLAINING THAT HE STUMBLED!
Gavin Kirkland: GOLDE USED THE REFEREE AS A HUMAN SHIELD!
Deadprez: HALSEY FURIOUS NOW— CHARGES GOLDE AGAINST THE ROPES AND GOLDE DUCKS AND REACHES INTO HIS WAISTBAND AND PRODUCES A LOADED OBJECT! HALSEY TURNS BACK TOWARD HIM AND GOLDE DRIVES IT ACROSS HER HEAD AS SHE CLOSES THE DISTANCE! HALSEY DROPS! THE REFEREE DID NOT SEE IT AND GOLDE SHOVES THE OBJECT BACK INTO HIS WAISTBAND BEFORE ANYONE CAN CONFIRM WHAT IT WAS!
Gavin Kirkland: WHAT WAS THAT?! DID GOLDE JUST PULL SOMETHING OUT OF HIS TRUNKS?! HALSEY WENT DOWN AND THE REFEREE IS COMPLETELY IN THE DARK!
Sienna Swann: I SAW SOMETHING AND I CANNOT TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS BUT I CAN TELL YOU IT DID NOT BELONG IN THAT RING, SWEETIE!
Deadprez: GOLDE DROPS INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Gavin Kirkland: HALSEY GETS THE SHOULDER UP AT THE LAST SECOND AND GOLDE CANNOT BELIEVE IT!
Deadprez: GOLDE HAULS HALSEY TO HER FEET AND TRIES TO SPIN HER INTO “THE GOLDE PILL”! THE ROTATING FLATLINER — HALSEY SLIPS FREE, SPINS GOLDE AROUND! DROPS HIM WITH “WHAT’S THE STORY MORNING GLORY”? THE AIR RAID CRASH NECKBREAKER SPIKES HIM DOWN FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT AND THE CROWD DETONATES!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Gavin Kirkland: SO CLOSE! THE SHOULDER IS OFF THE CANVAS BY THE ABSOLUTE THINNEST POSSIBLE MARGIN AND HALSEY CANNOT BELIEVE IT EITHER!
Sienna Swann: He is surviving on instinct and nothing else at this point, sweetie.
Deadprez: HALSEY PULLS GOLDE BACK TO CENTER— LOCKS THE ARMS! SHE IS POSITIONING HIM FOR “THE WALL”! THE NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB AND THIS MATCH IS ABOUT TO BE CONCLUDED WITH THE MOST EMPHATIC POSSIBLE EXCLAMATION POINT! GOLDE IS FIGHTING IT! WRENCHING BUT HALSEY IS GETTING THE LIFT!
(Halsey has Golde off the canvas, moving toward vertical. But then—)
Sienna Swann: WAIT A MINUTE!
Gavin Kirkland: CATACLYSM! RYAN WILSON AND VINCENT MONDRIAN ARE STEPPING OUT ONTO THAT RAMP!
Deadprez: HALSEY’S GRIP LOOSENS! HER EYES SNAP TOWARD THE RAMP AND GOLDE DROPS FREE! HALSEY TURNS AND SQUARES HERSELF TOWARD WILSON AND MONDRIAN! SHE IS READY FOR CATACLYSM TO JUMP IN AN INTERFERE IN THIS MATCH!
Sienna Swann: BUT I THINK THEY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED?! HALSEY BEHIND YOU—
(SMALL PACKAGE FROM GOLDE! HIS HAND DIGS DEEP INTO A FISTFUL OF TIGHTS!)
Gavin Kirkland: GOLDE HAS HER ROLLED UP! THE REFEREE DROPS AND DOESN’T SEE IT!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Gina Romano: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… CLAYTONNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOOOOLLLLLLDDDDDDEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
Clayton Golde: (Off-Mic) PREMIUM CONTENT! ALL OF YOU GO SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLDEN GOSPEL RIGHT NOW! THIS IS WHAT WINNING LOOKS LIKE!
Gavin Kirkland: HALSEY ARGUING WITH THE REFEREE AND THE DECISION IS FINAL AND NOW CATACLYSM IS SLIDING UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE AND THIS IS ABOUT TO BECOME AN ASSAULT!
Deadprez: WILSON GOES FOR HALSEY FIRST AND SHE MEETS HIM WITH A FOREARM— BUT MONDRIAN DRIVES A KNEE INTO HER RIBS FROM BEHIND AND THE TWO-ON-ONE ADVANTAGE TAKES OVER! WILSON FOLLOWS UP WITH A CLUBBING FOREARM ACROSS THE BACK OF THE HEAD THAT DROPS HALSEY TO ONE KNEE!
Sienna Swann: Somebody needs to get out here right now, sweetie!
Gavin Kirkland: MONDRIAN AND WILSON HAULING HALSEY UP — BUT WAIT!
Gavin Kirkland: PANDORA PAISLEY! JON KELTON! MR. 24/7 DAMIEN KUTCHER HITTING THAT RAMP AND THEY ARE NOT SLOWING FOR A SINGLE STEP!
Deadprez: PANDORA SLIDES IN FIRST AND CRACKS WILSON WITH A HEADBUTT THAT SENDS HIM THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! KELTON IN BEHIND HER AND A SHORT-ARM LARIAT SENDS MONDRIAN OVER THE TOP TO THE FLOOR! DAMIEN IN NEXT— AND GOLDE SEES ALL THREE OF THEM AND RETREATS TO THE FLOOR BEFORE A SINGLE HAND FINDS HIM!
Gavin Kirkland: CATACLYSM REGROUPING ON THE FLOOR AND THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THESE ODDS TONIGHT! THE FOUR MEMBERS OF THE TEMPLE OF TRIALS TEAM STANDING TALL IN THAT RING!
Sienna Swann: They got here in time, sweetie. The four of them in that ring right now is not an image Silas World is going to sleep comfortably watching on replay tonight.
(Halsey recovers against the ropes, jaw set and eyes burning. Pandora steps to her left. Damien Kutcher takes his position without a word. Kelton cracks his knuckles and stares at the floor below. Four in a line and Cataclysm and Clayton, regrouped at the base of the ramp, look up at them and then look behind them.)
(Silas Mason walks out to the ramp with Donovan Duke.)
Gavin Kirkland: SILAS MASON IS HERE! DONOVAN AT HIS SIDE AND THE FULL WEIGHT OF SILAS WORLD IS ASSEMBLED ON THAT RAMP!
(Silas Mason produces a microphone from inside his jacket. He does not rush.)
Silas Mason: A very sturdy team that you got there. I will admit, you four are tough but more so…really stubborn. But it doesn’t matter to me, because my team will get rid of your four once and for all. Especially when I announce my fourth member. Who happens to be amongst us already.
(He slowly turns toward Clayton Golde.)
Silas Mason: The fourth member of the Silas World team at Temple of Trials… is CLAYTON GOLDE!
Gavin Kirkland: THERE IT IS! THE SILAS WORLD TEMPLE OF TRIALS TEAM IS COMPLETE! DONOVAN! RYAN WILSON! VINCENT MONDRIAN! AND NOW CLAYTON GOLDE STEPPING IN AS THE FOURTH MAN! THE PICTURE IS FULLY DRAWN! THE LAST STAND IS GOING TO DELIVER SOMETHING THIS COMPANY HAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE!
Sienna Swann: The most dishonest man on this roster just received the biggest opportunity of his career, sweetie.
(The camera holds; Silas, Donovan, Cataclysm, and a grinning Clayton Golde unified on the stage while Pandora, Kelton, Damien, and Halsey stare back from the ring. The scene fades to commercial.)
(We have returned from commercial break and there is a brief break in the action after the previous match. But that break quickly ends as “God is a Woman” by Ariana Grande starts to play as Sofia Drakos enters the arena to loud boos from the crowd, but Sofia looks as poised as ever as she makes her way to the ring.)
Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen! At this time, please welcome “GODDESS” SOFIA DRAKOS!
Deadprez: Here comes a powerful and intimidating woman heading to the ring with something on her mind.
Gavin Kirkland: Last week on Showdown, she was involved in tag team action which essentially broke down to say the least with all four participants just brawling not just in the ring, but in the crowd as well.
Sienna Swann: I am wondering if Kennedy Street fined her for putting her hands on the referee? Well that’s a question for another time as it looks like Sofia has something to address.
(Sofia enters the ring with a microphone and stands as strong and as confident as ever as her music fades off and she begins to speak.)
Sofia Drakos: Let me make something perfectly clear. I came to EAW to be the best and to dominate the competition. As for this season, I am getting a little bit tired of all the disrespect being thrown my way.
Sofia Drakos: I am not here to be some joke. I am in EAW because I want to elevate myself to the upper echelon of EAW and elevate myself to a title shot. And after last week’s trash? I am done playing around with the sad and pathetic little girls. That’s because—
(Sofia doesn’t get a chance to continue as ‘Phantasmagory’ by Denkare starts to play as Wynter Kurayami enters the arena to boos from the crowd, but she still has a smile on her face as she makes her way to the ring.)
Sienna Swann: Well here comes Wynter, who by all means, should be the New Breed Champion right now.
Gavin Kirkland: Unfortunately, circumstances outside her control prevented that. But last week, it was Wynter who Sofia primarily brawled with. Now they are in the same ring again. This could get interesting
(Wynter also enters the ring after grabbing a microphone as she smiles and walks up to Sofia, who doesn’t sell Wynter’s presence as Wynter’s music fades off and she begins to speak.)
Wynter Kurayami: Sofia, you are not the only one who wants to reach the next level of this company. I am more than ready for another opportunity to come my way.
(Wynter walks around the ring for a moment as Sofia watches this unfold and rolls her eyes as Wynter comes back and bounces on her heels before continuing.)
Wynter Kurayami: Now even though I was unfortunately robbed of a victory in my last championship match, if it wasn’t for unfortunate circumstances I’d be champion right now. But what can you do? With what I have done this season, I feel like I am deserving of another title opportunity. Can you really—
(The peace doesn’t last long as ‘Genie In A Bottle’ by Christina Aguilera starts playing and naturally Grace De Luca comes out wanting the spotlight on her as she smiles and makes an overexaggerated entrance before heading to the ring.)
Deadprez: Aren’t we just so lucky. Grace De Luca is here and she is ready to put the spotlight on herself once more. Geez, no microphone needed for how loud she is screaming.
Gavin Kirkland: She holds herself to high standards and makes sure everyone else knows it too. She was also involved in that tag team match and it looks like we’re getting Grace’s input on the manner.
(Grace enters the ring and shoves Wynter out of the way to make sure she is the center of everything as her music fades off and she begins to speak.)
Grace De Luca: First off, you two need to shut up about what you two THINK you deserve because as far as I’m concerned, you two deserve NOTHING!
(Sofia looks annoyed at Grace while Wynter is just smiling at her. Grace looks and shakes her head before continuing.)
Grace De Luca: But there is one person who has earned the right to talk about what they want…ME! Because I have been here longer than all three of you put together and I am still not being taken seriously. I am tired of all this crap.
Grace De Luca: If anybody deserves something, it’s me. I deserve a title match. I deserve to be the top star on Showdown. I deserve to have my face on all the event posters. I DESERVE EVERYTHING!
(Grace looks to continue her rant, but she is interrupted by “Ego” by The Warning. Grace is not happy at all as she quickly turns to the ramp to see Yasmina entering the arena and making her way to the ring.)
Sienna Swann: Sweetie, here comes Yasmina who was also involved in that tag team match and was the one fighting Grace in the first three rows.
Deadprez: Yasmina had a great showing at Territorial Invasion and is looking to build some momentum to get her first major opportunity in EAW. Let’s hear what she has to say about all of this.
(Now Yasmina is in the ring with a microphone as she enters the fray with the other ladies in the ring as she looks around. Her music has faded off and she begins to speak.)
Yasmina: Now I might be one of the newest competitors on Showdown, but that doesn’t mean that I am simply going to step aside and let others take opportunities that I could earn myself.
Yasmina: I didn’t come to EAW to simply take part. I am here to make an impact and I am going to make my mark on Showdown and in EAW as a whole. Just you all wait and see.
(All four women are in the middle of a staredown not making a move.)
(Until….)
Sienna Swann: GRACE JUST SHOVES YASMINA DOWN AND TACKLES HER TO THE MAT AND THE FIGHT IS ON ONCE AGAIN, SWEETIE!
Gavin Kirkland: Grace and Yasmina are fighting again AND WYNTER DELIVERS A BOOT TO SOFIA’S GUT AND THOSE TWO ARE BATTLING IT OUT AGAIN!
Deadprez: This is turning into a repeat of last week, but the battles have started to combine together.
Sienna Swann: Now it is just a free for all, Sweetie. Fists are flying and they don’t care who they hit. They just want to establish why they are the most deserving of an opportunity. Listen to the crowd. They are absolutely loving seeing everything just break down the way they have once again.
(Seconds later, EAW Officials and Security have entered the ring to break up the fighting to the sounds of the boos from the crowd.)
Gavin Kirkland: Well the crowd wanted to see them fight, but officials had other plans in mind and the fans are really letting them hear how they feel about stopping the fight.
(As the ladies are trying to break free and continue fighting, they all are caught off guard by a voice coming through the arena.)
????: STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!
(All four women are still being held back as General Manager Kennedy Street comes onto the entrance ramp and looks down at the four competitors as she speaks up.)
Kennedy Street: That is enough from all four of you. I heard all four of you speak up about wanting or “deserving” an opportunity to the point that you all have decided to try and rip each other apart for the second week in a row to the point where security and officials have to break you up.
(Kennedy pauses and looks from one competitor to the next as they have stopped struggling to get free to listen to what Kennedy has to say.)
Kennedy Street: Well… if the four of you can’t play nice and be in the same ring together for more than a few minutes, I am going to give all four of you the perfect opportunity to settle this little rivalry.
(The competitors in the ring look at Kennedy wondering what she has planned.)
Kennedy Street: There is an old saying that has come from Kennie’s past that really fits this situation and it’s that “Iron sharpens Iron”. Kennie means that tough competition makes you stronger and forces you to be better.
Kennedy Street: Now Kennie sees four very talented competitors in that ring. Even though some of your attitudes really leave something to be desired, you are all on my show because I see potential in all of you.
Kennedy Street: If you four like taking valuable Showdown time to fight and settle your differences, then Kennie will give you plenty of time to fight it out. Because at The Last Stand….
Kennedy Street: It’s going to be Sofia Drakos taking on Wynter Kurayami… Grace De Luca… AND Yasmina….
Kennedy Street: IN A THIRTY MINUTE IRON WOMAN MATCH!!
(The arena erupts at the announcement.)
Kennedy Street: Good luck ladies. Now save your fight for The Last Stand.
(Kennedy waves as she leaves the ramp and heads back to her office.)
Gavin Kirkland: What an announcement from Kennedy Street! Another great match set for The Last Stand.
Sienna Swann: These four have been battling it out to get more opportunities and in a few weeks, they all get their chance in an Iron Woman Match.
Deadprez: They will have thirty minutes to battle it out to see who will win and be the Iron Woman. What a battle this is going to be between four of Showdown’s rising stars.
(The final shot shows all four women being held back but staring each other down as the camera shot fades into a commercial.)
(The camera cuts to Gina Romano in the ring.)
Gina Romano: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
Gina Romano: Introducing first… already in the ring from right here in Portland, Oregon… weighing in at a combined weight off… 102 pounds? This can’t be right… please welcome indy darlings… Kevin and Chad… FLIP INCORPORATED!!!
(The tag team in the ring does flips off the top rope and then poses in the ring. They then slide out of the ring and hand out their contact information to various indy promoters at ringside hoping that this spot on EAW TV will help them get more booking dates.)
Gavin Kirkland: Ah I see. EAW is a charity now.
Deadprez: Come on Gavin… They look… they look like they could pop a crowd of 50 people in a shopping mall parking lot.
Sienna Swann: Stfu Dead. Those parking lot shows are sometimes some of the best shows you can ever go to. I won’t tolerate any of this elitism here in… Elite… you know what never mind sweetie.
Deadprez: :mjgrin:
Gina Romano: And their opponents…
( ‘National Treasure’- Drake hits as the crowd erupts into cheers nearly causing the building to collapse from the sound wave that has just emanated from within the Moda Center.)
Deadprez: Here they come! LET’S FUCKING GOOO!!!
Gavin Kirkland: Sigh…
Gina Romano: From Huntington Beach, California… they are Artemis and Adonis… the JONEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS BROTHERSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
(Artemis and Adonis Jones appear in the crowd dancing to their music as they celebrate with the fans on their way down to the ring for several minutes.)
Gavin Kirkland: This entrance is probably longer than this match is going to be.
Sienna Swann: Oh there was never any question of that sweetie.
(The Jones Brothers finally get into the ring.)
Adonis Jones: (off-mic) YEET!!
Crowd: YEET!
(The Jones Brothers pose on the top rope as fireworks explode all around the arena.)
Gavin Kirkland: Now why in the hell are these two getting a main eventer tier entrance? What have they ever done to deserve that?
Deadprez: Keep hatin’ Gavin. The Jones Brothers pay our salaries!
Gavin Kirkland: ??? No. They don’t.
(The Jones Brothers turn towards their opponents in the ring.)
Deadprez: YEET PUNCH OUTTA NOWHERE!!! THE JONES BROTHERS JUST HIT THEIR OPPONENTS IN THE JAW AND TOOK THEM OUT AS THE REFEREE CALLS FOR THE BELL! YEET!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Deadprez: We are underway now as Adonis Jones begins throwing hands with Kevin of Flip Incorporated.
Crowd: YEET! YEET! YEET!
Adonis Jones: (off-mic) You all know what time it is??!?! It’s time to lock this shit down uce!!!
(Adonis Jones connects with a Superkick on Kevin. The Superkick appears to miss the mark but catches Kevin in the throat instead as he falls to the mat and begins choking and struggling to breath.)
Adonis Jones: (off-mic) Oh shit! My bad little homie! What you having trouble breathing? You and me both uce! You know an entrance like mine takes a lotta work! What you know bout that lil bro?
(Adonis Jones tags in his brother before lifting Kevin up as he throws him into Artemis for a mid air Cutter to the ground. Artemis goes for the cover!!!)
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEE-
Deadprez: BUT CHAD COMES OFF THE TOP WITH A DOUBLE 450 SPLASH CRASHING DOWN ON TOP OF ARTEMIS!!!
Adonis Jones: (off-mic) The fuck!!!
Artemis Jones: (off-mic) Ay yo that kinda hurt uce!
Adonis Jones: (off-mic) Beat his ass for me bro!
(Artemis Jones gets back up as he corners Chad in one of the ring corners.)
Artemis Jones: (off-mic) MARK ASS STOOGE! INDY NERD! COME GET THIS WORK!!!
Deadprez: ARTEMIS JONES JUST LAID OUT THE ILLEGAL MAN WITH A SUPERKICK!!!
(Chad goes flipping out of the ring crashing onto the apron neck first and then bouncing off doing a triple flip in midair before landing back first on the ground.)
Gavin Kirkland: That was a bit much…
Deadprez: The strength of Artemis Jones’ superkicks is something else…
Sienna Swann: YEET!
Gavin Kirkland: Now I know how Persephone feels every time she has to call a match.
Deadprez: Artemis Jones now turning back to his other opponent! Artemis picks up his opponent and twists him up over his head before dropping him with a Burning Hammer! Artemis then grabs his opponent and twists him around into a Sasori-gatame! Artemis is going to make his opponent tap out here tonight!!
Sienna Swann: Just tap out already! This match is over!
(Adonis Jones is seen entering the ring.)
Gavin Kirkland: The opponent is tapping! His hand hits the mat!!!-
(But Artemis Jones grins down at his opponent as he grabs his hand preventing him from tapping out.)
Adonis Jones: (off-mic) Not tonight cuz!
(Artemis Jones releases Kevin before lifting him up and tossing him into Adonis Jones who takes him out in midair with an Uppercut to the skull! Kevin gets knocked out but not before doing a backflip and cartwheel across the ring causing him to hang upside down in the corner.)
Gavin Kirkland: We need to teach these dudes how to sell…
Deadprez: They won’t be seen again after this match. So it’s not really our problem.
Gavin Kirkland: Fair enough.
(Artemis Jones tags in Adonis Jones who goes up to the top rope.)
Adonis Jones: (off-mic) LOOK OUT BELOW!!!
Deadprez: The 405 SoCal Splash connects!! Adonis got all of it!!!
Artemis Jones: (off-mic) Who’s that jumping out the sky-
Sienna Swann: The cover!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Gina Romano: Here are your winners… the JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONEEEEEEEEEESSS BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSS!!!
(‘National Treasure’- Drake hits as the crowd erupts into cheers. Several members of the crowd overflow over the barrier and rush to the side of the ring. Parents are shown holding their children up to the ring apron as the Jones Brothers come over to sign autographs.)
Gavin Kirkland: What the hell is this?? SECURITY! Do yo damn jobs!!
Deadprez: They aren’t hurting anyone Gavin! They just want to meet their heroes!
(The Jones Brothers spend several minutes signing autographs as their music plays and the entire audience yeets to the music.)
Gavin Kirkland: What has happened to the game I love??
(The camera cuts to a commercial for Halloween candy by a company known for making razor blades.)
(Live Evil – Flatlinerz hits to boos from the crowd.)
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen at this time please welcome… accompanied by his manager Malik Al-Farouq… He is “The Exiled” TAFAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE TOOOOOOOOOOOOOAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Deadprez: Here comes a big motherfucker.
Gavin Kirkland: Definitely not one to be messed with.
Sienna Swann: And both Tafae and Malik are pissed off this week as well after what happened last week. Malik has been going around backstage telling everyone that his client was screwed. Now I guess we all gotta hear about it.
Deadprez: I imagine that is the case. Malik looks like he is going to pop an artery.
(The music fades as Malik Al-Farouq takes a microphone and steps into the ring right next to an angry looking Tafae Toa who folds his arms menacingly in the ring.)
===
Malik Al-Farouq: Alright everyone quiet down right now. I, the great Malik Al-Farouq have something to say.
Crowd: MALIK SUCKS! MALIK SUCKS! MALIK SUCKS!
Malik Al-Farouq: You can all have whatever opinion you like about me. But that just proves that you all would never be stupid enough to say something like that about my client Tafae F’n Toa.
(Tafae Toa snarls at the camera as Malik continues to talk.)
Malik Al-Farouq: Last week what happened was a true travesty. The man standing by my side is undisputedly the next big thing here in Elite Answers Wrestling. He should have been the next contender for the EAW National Elite Championship. I think we all know it is only a matter of time before he has gold around his waist. But Kelin wants to play games. Why would you play games with a man like Tafae Toa? It’s just not very intelligent but he does it anyway. What happened last week was a true travesty… but it’s a travesty for Kelin not for Tafae Toa because when it comes to “The Exiled” Tafae Toa the best you can do is delay the inevitable. You can’t stop him Kelin. You will find this out.
(Malik Al-Farouq pauses for a minute as a Kelin chant begins in the audience.)
Crowd: KELIN! KELIN! KELIN!
Malik Al-Farouq: You all clearly do not care about Kelin’s well-being for you to be encouraging him like this. Do you all hate Kelin that much? He’s an idiot but I’m sure he’s not a bad guy… But then again you all are idiots as well so it makes sense you would stick together.
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Malik Al-Farouq: Let me reiterate once more. Kelin you made a very big mistake and Tafae Toa is going to make your life a living hel-
( ‘Let God Sort ‘Em Out’ by Clispe, Pusha T and Malice hits to cheers from the crowd. )
Deadprez: Kelin has had enough of this from Malik Al-Farouq! If Malik is going to talk shit he can talk shit to Kelin’s face!
Gavin Kirkland: Tafae Toa doesn’t fear Kelin. Kelin shouldn’t have done what he did! He’s going to pay!
Sienna Swann: I’m sure he’s literally shaking.
(Kelin enters the ring and takes a microphone as his theme fades. He gets up in the face of Tafae Toa and they almost start throwing down right there but then Kelin takes the mic and begins to speak.)
Kelin: Malik… Malik… Malik… why would you come out here and tempt fate in the way that you have? You are a smarter man than this. You know that this display is quite unbecoming of you Malik. You know how this looks right? You come out here ranting and raving about my success and saying that it should not be. Yet it is and there is nothing you can do to change that. At Territorial Invasion… I was the star. Not you. Not Tafae Toa. Kelin was the star of Territorial Invasion.
Crowd: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Malik Al-Farouq: That’s… that’s not true!-
Kelin: Oh but it is Malik! You must accept the truth that I have laid before you. But I can see in your eyes that you will not. You will not accept what I have so generously laid out before you. Therefore I must settle this a different way before you make trouble for me any further.
Malik Al-Farouq: Tafae Toa doesn’t have time for you Kelin. He has a National Elite Championship to win.
Kelin: No! No he does not! For we must settle things now! We must settle this-
Malik Al-Farouq: Fine. You want to settle this Kelin. Let’s settle this. I hope you know what you’re asking for. To settle this… it will be you Kelin vs. my client TAFAE TOA and it will all go down at THE LAST STAND… and it will be…
(Malik Al-Farouq pauses for drama.)
Malik Al-Farouq: A LAST MAN STANDING MATCH!!!
(Kelin pauses for a second glaring at Tafae Toa before turning back to Malik Al-Farouq.)
Kelin: You have yourself a deal little man.
(Kelin shakes Malik Al-Farouq’s hand.)
Malik Al-Farouq: Such a gentleman. Shaking my hand like that. But it is not me you will be facing at the Last Stand… and it is not me you will be facing here tonight!!!-
(Suddenly Tafae Toa blindsides Kelin from the side with a rushing forearm knocking Kelin down and sending him flying out of the ring.)
Deadprez: And the fight is on! We could have guessed this would go down from the moment Tafae Toa’s music hit. Not surprised at all!!!
Gavin Kirkland: Kelin right back up as soon as he fell out of the ring! He got knocked the hell out but he shrugged it off like it didn’t matter at all! Like he didn’t even feel it!
(As soon as Kelin gets up on the outside Tafae Toa leaps off at him from the apron with a Leaping Clothesline!!!)
Sienna Swann: TAFAE JUST SLAMMED INTO KELIN LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN! THESE TWO BIG BEEFING MEN ARE SLAPPING THE SHIT OUTTA EACH OTHER’S MEAT SWEETIE!!!
Gavin Kirkland: Ay fucking yo!
Deadprez: Calm down Sienna! But I don’t think that she can! Because these two behemoths are back up and they are pounding the shit out of each other all the way back up the entrance ramp! They are trading blows back and forth throwing those massive tree trunk like arms into each other’s faces but each shot seems to have no effect whatsoever!
(Both men get to the top of the ramp as they continue to brawl intensely.)
Gavin Kirkland: KELIN! TAFAE! KELIN! TAFAE! KELIN! TAFAE!
Deadprez: They are punching the hell out of each other! And here comes Malik Al-Farouq in to try to break it up!
Malik Al-Farouq: (off-mic) It’s not worth it Tafae! Let’s go backstage! This dumb brute isn’t worth our time!!
Gavin Kirkland: But Tafae isn’t paying any intention to Malik as he lunges towards Kelin!!!
(Both men are right up against the edge of the stage!!!)
Sienna Swann: This is dangerous! Move back sweeties!
(Kelin moves back away from the ledge to avoid falling off.0
Deadprez: Good call ther-
Gavin Kirkland: NO! KELIN JUST CHARGED IN WITH THE IMPALEMENT!!!
(CRASH!!!)
Deadprez: KELIN JUST GORED TAFAE TOA IN HALF RIGHT OFF THE STAGE!!!
(Both men crash off the stage and slam into the EAW electrical equipment down below. Sparks begin shooting everywhere as some of the electrical equipment bursts into flames from the damage. EAW crew is shown rushing over to the scene with fire extinguishers to put it out and to stop Tafae and Kelin from being enveloped in searing flame.)
Crowd: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!
(Malik Al-Farouq looks stunned as neither Kelin nor Tafae Toa are moving at all in the wreckage down below.)
Deadprez: This is… this is not good. Forget a Last Man Standing match at The Last Stand. Neither of these two are going to be standing before we get to the Last Stand! I think Kelin just ended both his and Tafae’s career in one stroke!
Sienna Swann: It’s so over.
(The camera cuts to a commercial featuring nonstop neverending political ads that make you want to commit dat.)
(Showdown comes back from commercials as “Kostas” by Westside Gunn plays on the speakers to a wave of cheers, Cody walks out to the entrance stage, he nods to himself and looks at the people cheering for him, he takes off the sunglasses and then throws them off to the side, adjusting his jacket before he moves forward with conviction and determination. The crowd chants for him as he goes.)
Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST, FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, WEIGHING IN AT 235 POUNDS, HE IS THE “SIN CITY SUPERSTAR”, AND THE KING OF ELITE, CODYYYYYYYY MAVERIIIIIICKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!
(He does not waste much time as he is already hopping onto the ring apron, climbing up the corner and then posing towards louder cheers. He hops off and then talks trash towards the camera at him before getting to his corner. ‘chain’ by BACK ON plays on the speakers to another wave of loud cheers. Akari Kiyoko walks forward with his head down, the National Elite Championship on his hand, he spreads his arms for a few seconds as he shows off the beautiful jacket in him before pointing to the camera and posing with the National Elite Championship in the other. He finally walks forward and he raises his arm, trying to get the crowd to cheer louder.)
Gina Romano: AND INTRODUCING HIS OPPONENT, WEIGHING IN AT 231 POUNDS, HE IS “THE HEART OF SHOWDOWN”, THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION, AKARIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII KIYOKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
(Akari arrives at the end of the ramp and once more poses with the championship. He turns and stares Mia Santoro down as she sits over at ringside with a confident grin in her face. He hops onto the ring apron and then passes through, yet again taking in the cheers before he puts his championship down in the corner. The two men warm up and are checked by the referee before…)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Gavin Kirkland: LET’S GET IT, BOOOYYSSSSSS!!!
Sienna Swann: A very interesting and exciting match right now with these two, especially when they ended up facing last time in the King of Elite finals, and with a chance to prove themselves against in these singles match, Akari has a lot riding for himself here, just the same for Cody Maverick!
(Akari and Cody slowly walk out of the corner and seemingly ready to start the match off already, they stop in the dead center of the ring… just as Akari stretches a hand out for a handshake, Cody looks at it and doesn’t hesitate and he shakes it immediately to the loud cheers of the crowd.)
Deadprez: And with an incredible show of respect as well to start this off. Cody and Akari begin circling the ring once more and not looking away from one another, before they rush forward- AND THEN LOCK UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! The two of them start pushing forward trying to get the other one closer to the ropes but the two of them are not budging!
Gavin Kirkland: Akari is trying to get some leeway here but Cody at the last moment tries to spin over while keeping hold of him, but Akari ends up reversing himself and spins again! Finally getting Cody close to the ropes here! He snatches his arm and then uses an Irish Whip to throw him to the other side of the ring! Akari quickly drops onto the mat trying to trip him up!
Sienna Swann: Cody is able to hop right over Akari and now runs to the other side of the ring again, he bounces off them as Akari gets up to his feet, he tries to catch Cody in the middle of the middle of the ring!
Deadprez: Cody is fast enough to duck under and then grab Akari by the waist, pulling him down with a roll up attempt!
Referee: ONE!
Gavin Kirkland: Akari almost immediately kicks out and pushes Cody away! Cody waits for Akari to get back up as he runs again- HE TRIES TO GO FOR A TORNADO DDT!
Deadprez: Akari is fast enough- AND STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD CODY UP ON HIS ARMS! He runs forward and then throws Cody back first onto the corner! He runs to the other side of the corner and then goes to run back, gathering momentum!
Sienna Swann: Cody is able to move out of the way! Akari almost smashes against the corner just as Cody bounces off the corners and then comes back over- TRYING TO GO FOR A DROPKICK! Akari sidesteps and then pushes Cody’s legs down to the ground, Akari backs away! HE TRIES TO GO FOR HIS OWN DROPKICK!
Gavin Kirkland: But Cody is now the one that is able to avoid it! CO-DY, MAVERICK, YEAH!!!
Deadprez: CODY GOES FOR THE JUMPING ELBOW DROP BUT AKARI IS ABLE TO ROLL OUT OF THE WAY! Cody ends up smashing his elbow onto the mat as Akari now tries to move over, he tries to go for a stomp, Cody rolls away too! Cody gets up-
Gavin Kirkland: AS THE TWO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING AND STARE EACH OTHER DOWN! WHAT A CRAZY WAY TO START!!!
(The crowd cheer in support after seeing the two of them pull that kind of thing of, Akari and Cody stare in silence all while on the outside Mia Santoro is rolling her eyes, not surprised at all by that.)
Sienna Swann: The National Elite Champion and the King of Elite move once more and they begin to figure out what to do next… as the two of them lock up once more! Akari tries to go on the offense but as he wants to go for a push, Cody is able to take him off guard and push with everything that he has! He tries to get him to the ropes this time but Akari breaks the lock up and sidesteps, he grabs Cody by his waist and tries to lift him up to the sky!
Deadprez: Cody is fast enough to counterattack! He is able to send a back elbow to the face of Akari! Akari ends up letting go and Cody- ANOTHER BACK ELBOW TO FORCE HIM TO BACK UP! Cody turns and then jumps- CODY WITH A JUMPING NECKBREAKER AND BRINGS AKARI DOWN! Cody rushes over back up and then runs towards one of the corner, jumping onto the second rope, just as Akari forces himself to get back up to his feet! AND NOW CODY DIVES OFF THE SECOND ROPE! HE BRINGS AKARI DOWN WITH A LEAPING NECKBREAKER!!!
Gavin Kirkland: LOOK AT HOW CODY MAVERICK IS MOVING! He pushes Cody over and then goes for the cover on him! Come on, referee!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Sienna Swann: And now Akari ends up kicking out right at the count of two! Cody nods to himself though, knowing that taking Akari down this fast was not going to end up happening, he is already back up to his feet and he is trying to get Akari up as well, throwing him towards the corner! Cody rushes over- and then he tries to send a barrage of punches to the gut of Akari, showing off those boxing skills here.
Gavin Kirkland: The National Elite Champion is still moving though! He pulls up his arms and is able to block the punches that Cody sends towards him- BUT CODY IS ABLE TO SNEAK A PUNCH TO THE JAW OF AKARI! Cody grabs him and then pulls him up! CODY THROWS AKARI OVER WITH AN EXPLODER SUPLEX FROM OUT OF THE CORNER ONTO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!
Deadprez: Cody tries to follow through and then go for a cover attempt but Akari with some ring awareness, he is able to roll towards the ring apron here. Akari stays there for a moment but Cody has a feeling that he can let Akari go so easily, he grabs onto his hair as he is able to pass through the ropes. Cody keeps hold of his head and I do not like what Cody wants to do here!
Sienna Swann: HE WANTS TO TRY A DDT ON THE RING APRON! Akari struggles through and is able to lift Cody again on the air! He wants to go for that Northern Lights Suplex! Cody is able to send a back elbow to the top back of Akari and he lets go! CODY TRIES TO LIFT AKARI UP HIMSELF!
Gavin Kirkland: CODY WANTS TO TRY FOR A FISHERMAN’S BUSTER! HE WANTS TO HOOK THE LEG!
Deadprez: BUT AKARI IS ABLE TO SLIP AND LAND RIGHT BEHIND HIM! HE SNATCHES HIM BY THE WAIST, AND HE THROWS HIM OVER!!! AKARI LANDS THE GERMAN SUPLEX!!!
Sienna Swann: CODY WITH A NOT SO PRETTY LANDING AS WELL! He lands hard on his upper back first from the German Suplex! Cody rolls out of the ring apron and then falls back onto the floor. Akari rolls back inside and then turns! He starts slamming his hand onto the turnbuckle to a beat, and he is able to get the crowd to clap along! He is planning something crazy here, sweetie!
Gavin Kirkland: Akari runs towards the ropes and then bounces off them, gathering speed, and just as Cody is able to get back up to his feet- AKARI DIVES THROUGH THE ROPES AND HITS HIM DOWN WITH A SUICIDE DIVE! THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION TAKES CODY MAVERICK DOWN JUST LIKE THAT! And the crowd is going crazy after that as Akari gets back up and he is feeling the adrenaline! He grabs the head of Cody and goes to throw him back inside!
Deadprez: Akari though is beginning to start feeling himself and I think that he is starting to think crazy himself, he knows that anything conventional is not going to take Cody down so he jumps onto the ring apron and then starts to climb up the corner here, Akari planning to fly again!
Sienna Swann: Akari slowly rises, and a man with that kind of muscle wanting to fly in the air does not have a good plan at all, he waits for Cody to get back up-
Gavin Kirkland: WAIT! CODY ALMOST BY INSTINCT RUSHES FORWARD AS SOON AS HE GETS UP! Akari tries to prepare and in those last few seconds- CODY IS ABLE TO JUMP UP TO THE TOP OF THE CORNER WITH A SINGLE JUMP!!! WHAT THE HELL?! CODY HAS THOSE KINDS OF SPRINGS????
Deadprez: HE SNATCHES AKARI BY THE WAIST AND THEN THROWS HIM OFF WITH A HUGE AVALANCHE BELLY TO BELLY, GOOODDDAAAAAAAAAMNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!
Sienna Swann: A great move to be able to seriously hurt Akari there but it does not work as well if you hurt yourself as well in the process! Cody is not able to take advantage of it as he is grabbing hardly onto his back after doing that, not very smart, sweetie!
Deadprez: Come on now, Sienna, Cody had to go in a fight or flight response, and besides, he did get dropped onto the ring apron with that German Suplex, it is a show of resilience from Cody that he was able to leap up to the top of the corner after that.
Gavin Kirkland: And a show of resilience from Akari as well as he is able to show some life after taking that kind of move!
Deadprez: Cody is able to roll over and then get onto his knees, he grabs onto the ropes and then uses them to get back up to his feet, he moves forward and grabs onto Akari, pulling him along- AND CODY MAVERICK WITH A CHOP TO THE CHEST! Akari falls back against the ropes behind, he bounces off them- AND CODY WITH A JAB! A SECOND JAB! AND A THIRD JAB!
Gavin Kirkland: Cody backs away! He spins! HE TRIES TO GO FOR A DISCUS LARIAT!
Sienna Swann: AKARI DUCKS UNDER AND AVOIDS THE LARIAT! CODY IS ABLE TO STOP, AND THEN HE TURNS-
Gavin Kirkland: AS AKARI SUDDENLY HITS HIM RIGHT ACROSS THE FACE WITH A FOREARM STRIKEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE SOUND OF THAT HIT WAS HEARD ALL ACROSS THE ARENA!
Deadprez: AKARI ALMOST KNOCKS CODY THE HELL OUT!!! Cody falls down hard and Akari goes for the cover!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
Gavin Kirkland: COME ON NOW! CODY ENDS UP KICKING OUT RIGHT BEFORE THE COUNT OF THREE! Akari rolls off of him and he starts to look slightly frustrated but he knows Cody just as much, he does have to bring out something deep within him to keep Cody down!
Sienna Swann: Akari slowly gets up to his feet, grabbing Cody by his head and then lifting him up to his feet, he hooks his arms around his head! HE GOES TO LIFT HIM UP! HE SPINS AROUND! A SPINNING FALCON ARROW!
Deadprez: NO! CODY IS ABLE TO ESCAPE THE CLUTCHES OF AKARI AND THEN LAND ON HIS FEET JUST BEFORE HE CAN LAND THE FALCON ARROW! CODY WITH A LARIAT TOWARDS THE CHEST OF AKARI!
Gavin Kirkland: AKARI TAKES THE LARIAT TO THE CHEST AND HE PUSHES THROUGH THE PAIN! HE FALLS BACK TO THE ROPES AND BOUNCES OFF THEM, GATHERING MOMENTUM! HE COMES BACK WITH A LARIAT OF HIS OWN!
Sienna Swann: NO! A KICK TO THE GUT FROM CODY!!!
Deadprez: CODY WITH A “SIN CITY STUNNER”!!!!
Gavin Kirkland: NO! AKARI IS FAST ENOUGH TO SNATCH CODY BY THE WAIST!! OH MY GOD! AKARI WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!!! HE LANDS IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING AND HE IS ABLE TO GET THE BRIDGE HERE, AS THE REFEREE DROPS DOWN AND THEN GOES FOR THE PINFALL ATTEMPT!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Deadprez: NO! CODY IS ABLE TO KICK OUT IN TIME AND RAISE HIS SHOULDER UP TO THE SKY!
Sienna Swann: BUT AKARI KEEPS HOLD OF HIM AND ROLLS THROUGH WITH HIM! HE TRIES TO TURN HIM OVER AND THEN SNATCH HIS HEAD, HE LIFTS HIM UP FOR THE USHIGOROSHI!!!
Gavin Kirkland: NO! CODY IS ABLE TO PULL HIS ARM OUT AND THEN GRAB ONTO THE HEAD OF AKARI- AS HE IS ABLE TO REVERSE IT INTO A DDT! HE SMASHES THE HEAD OF AKARI ONTO THE MAT! HE TURNS HIM OVER AND GOES FOR THE COVER!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Deadprez: AKARI IS NOW THE ONE THAT KICKS OUT HIMSELF! CODY GRABS HIM BY THAT ARM AND THEN PULLS HIM OVER! HE GOES FOR A QUICK PACKAGE ROLL UP!!!
Referee: ONE!
Referee: TWO!
Gavin Kirkland: Akari is able to reverse the package and then turn it over, Cody is now the one that has his shoulders covered, the referee restarts the count!
Referee: ONE!
Referee: TWO!
Deadprez: Cody is able to reverse it back, he is able to go for a deep cover and keep Akari’s shoulders down!
Referee: ONE!
Referee: TWO!
Referee: THREE!
Sienna Swann: NO! AKARI IS ABLE TO KICK OUT AND THEN PUSH CODY OFF OF HIM! THE TWO MEN ARE ABLE TO GET BACK UP TO THEIR FEET IN A RUSH! AKARI TRIES TO GO FOR THE DISCUS FOREARM BUT CODY IS ABLE TO DUCK UNDER AND AVOID IT IN TIME! HE RUNS THE ROPES!
Gavin Kirkland: AND HE COMES BACK, JUMPING UP AND THEN TRYING TO GO FOR THE “LIGHTS OUT” PUNCH!!!
Deadprez: AKARI RISES HIS ARMS FAST ENOUGH AND THEN CATCHES HIS FIST! HE CATCHES HIS OWN FIST AND THEN SPINS HIM AROUND! AKARI TRIES TO GET HIM UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS AND THEN LIFT HIM UP! HE WANTS TO GO FOR THE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cody is able to slip from behind and yet again is able to pull him with the roll up attempt!
Sienna Swann: BUT CODY DOES NOT GO FOR THE PINFALL ATTEMPT! HE SNATCHES HIM BY THE WAIST AND THEN LIFTS HIM UP INTO THE AIR! HE HAS AKARI UP IN THE POWERBOMB POSITION! AND THEN SLAMS HIM DOWN HARD ONTO THE MAT!
Gavin Kirkland: CODY GRABS ONTO HIM AND THEN FORCES HIM TO ROLL THROUGH TOWARDS HIS KNEES! CODY THEN COMES BACK WITH A KNEE STRIKE-
Deadprez: AKARI CATCHES THE KNEE OF CODY JUST BEFORE HE IS ABLE TO LAND IT! HE LIFTS HIM UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS! AKARI KIYOKO!
Sienna Swann: HE LANDS THE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! HE ROLLS THROUGH BACK UP TO HIS FEET! HE FOLLOWS THROUGH- “GOLDEN TIME LOVER”!!!
Gavin Kirkland: AKARI YET AGAIN PUTS AN ARM OVER CODY! IS THIS IT?!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
Deadprez: JUST FOR CODY TO SHOW ONCE MORE THAT HE IS NOT GOING DOWN EASILY! HE IS ABLE TO KICK OUT OF THE “GOLDEN TIME LOVER”! YET AGAIN AKARI WITHOUT AN ANSWER HERE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CODY DOWN! Akari falls onto the mat and slams his fist in frustration, what can these men do at this point?!
Sienna Swann: The man is not done yet! They better dig deep and find what they need because nobody else is going to do it for them!
Deadprez: Akari slowly rises again just as Cody is able to roll away and then grab onto the ropes. He uses them to get up just as his legs are starting to wobble, and the exhaustion is beginning to hit him, but Akari is reaching his own limits here.
Sienna Swann: Akari slowly approaches- BUT CODY IS ABLE TO LAND A JAW TOWARDS THE FACE OF AKARI! Akari ends up getting rocked… although Cody doesn’t follow through, he catches his breath- AND AKARI LANDS HIS OWN JAB!
Deadprez: CODY BACK WITH A STRIKE! AKARI! CODY! AKARI! CODY! AKARI! CODY! THE TWO START THROWING A BARRAGE OF PUNCHES AT ONE ANOTHER! AKARI SNATCHES THE HAIR OF CODY JUST BEFORE HE CAN LAND THE PUNCH, HE PULLS HIM BACK! HE WANTS TO GO FOR A SHORT ARM LARIAT!
Gavin Kirkland: CODY IS FAST ENOUGH TO DUCK DOWN AND AVOID THAT NUKE RIGHT THERE! HE IS ABLE TO GET BEHIND AKARI AND THEN PUSH HIM TOWARDS THE ROPES! AKARI BOUNCES BACK ONTO THE HANDS OF CODY! HE TRIES TO LIFT HIM UP! “HIGH ROLLER!!!”
Deadprez: NO! AKARI WRAPS HIS LEGS AROUND CODY’S WAIST JUST BEFORE HE CAN LAND THE OLYMPIC SLAM! HE PULLS HIM DOWN WITH A WHEELBARROW! YET AGAIN WITH THE QUICK COVER!!!
Referee: ONE!
Referee: TWOOOO!!
Referee: TH-
Gavin Kirkland: CODY FAST ENOUGH TO BEAT THE COUNT! HE KICKS OUT AND PUSHES AKARI AWAY FROM HIM! AKARI TOWARDS THE ROPES AGAIN, BOUNCES OFF THEM, AND TRIES TO COME BACK WITH A RUNNING ELBOW-
Deadprez: JUST FOR CODY TO RUN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION! WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING?!?!
Sienna Swann: A DESPERATE SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT FROM CODY MAVERICK CATCHES AKARI MID ATTACK! THE CROWD EXPLODES IN CHEERS AT THE SUDDEN MOVE! HE ALMOST BROKE HIS NECK THERE BUT HE WAS ABLE TO LAND IT!
Gavin Kirkland: CODY MAVERICK GRABS ONTO HIM AND THEN LIFTS HIM UP! NOT EVEN A KICK! “SIN CITY-”!!!
Deadprez: AKARI TRIES TO LIFT CODY UP FOR A BACKDROP SUPLEX!
Gavin Kirkland: CODY IS ABLE TO LAND ON HIS FEET MIRACULOUSLY! AKARI TRIES TO GET BACK UP! CODY FAST ENOUGH TO LAND A KICK TO THE GUT- AKARI CATCHES IT! HE FORCES CODY TO SPIN AROUND!
Sienna Swann: JUST FOR CODY TO LAND A HAYMAKER ACROSS AKARI’S FACE WHEN HE COMES BACK! HE FORCES AKARI TO TURN AROUND!!!
Deadprez: CODY GOES FOR THE “DEAD MAN’S HAND”! THE DEAD MAN’S HAND!!!!
Sienna Swann: THE MOVE THAT DEFEATED AKARI AT KING OF ELITE!!!!!!
Gavin Kirkland: *AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND AKARI SNATCHES CODY’S ARM, HE THROWS HIM OVER WITH A JUDO THROW!!!* HE THROWS HIM HARD ONTO A SEATED POSITION!!!!
Deadprez: *”UNITED STATES OF SMAAAAAASHHHH”* TO THE BACK OF CODY’S HEAD!
Sienna Swann: AKARI IS NOT DONE! HE SNATCHES CODY AND LIFTS HIM UP! OH MY GOD, SWEETIE!!!
Gavin Kirkland: *”MIDNIGHT STARFALL”* IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!!! HE FORCES CODY TO ROLL THROUGH ONTO HIS KNEES! AKARIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!
Deadprez: **”PEACH DREAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMM”**!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sienna Swann: AKARI COMPLETELY COLLAPSES ONTO CODY AS IT LANDS! THE COVER!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(“chain” plays on the speakers to a gigantic wave of cheers, Akari slowly rolls off of Cody and then he lays there on the mat, breathing heavily in and out, ready to collapse right then and there into pieces but the only thing he could do was raise his arm up to the sky in victory to the support of the people around him. He got it.)
Gina Romano: HERE IS YOUR WINNER, THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION, AKARIIIIIIIIIIIII KIYOKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Deadprez: AKARI HAS DONE IT! AKARI HAS ACHIEVED HIS REDEMPTION AND DEFEATED THE KING OF ELITE AFTER WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER IN THE YEAR!!!!
Gavin Kirkland: MY PEACH BABYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!
Sienna Swann: What a great match we saw between those two. The two of them had so much more to prove when they faced off tonight, trying to show why they both carry such prestigious titles on themselves, and at the end of the day Cody made Akari work for that victory! Props to them both but most of all, congrats Akari for the win!
(Akari gets to both of his feet, as the referee moves and raises his arm up to the sky in triumph. He slowly lets him go and he turns to see Cody resting against the ropes in a seated position, still a bit out of it. Akari walks over and then extends a hand to him once more, Cody looks at it in silence before again, he shakes it again to the cheers of the crowd.)
(Cody lets him celebrate as he rolls out of the ring, with the referee moving to assist him. Akari nods to himself and then turns slowly, ready to go get his title… before he sees Mia Santoro entering the ring holding it. She smirks and stares down at it with evil intentions… as she turns back and shoves it into the chest of Akari. Akari does not seem unfazed as he raises the championship up and then poses with it, with Akari and Mia both staring each other down.)
(Cody is able to get towards the top of the entrance stage, turning over to see Akari-)
(BAM!!!)
(Cody goes down! Some of the crowd boos in response as El Duque stands right over him. He hit him in the back of the head with the steel hair clippers in his hand. El Duque laughs to himself as he looks down at the knocked down Cody.)
El Duque: Preparate Cody! De Superestrella al Calvo de Showdown! Eso es lo que te espera!
(El Duque now stands tall over the knocked down Cody and poses to some of the boos of the crowd, the last shot is of them as well as Akari and Mia having that stare down over on the ring, just before Showdown goes to commercials.)
(We have returned from the commercial break and the action from the previous match has cleared away from the arena as there is a brief break in the action before the sounds of “Pins & Needles” by Birthday Massacre starts to play throughout the area. There is almost a chill in the air now as Father Vlad enters the arena first. There is a loud negative reaction coming from the crowd as the camera focuses on Father Vlad’s dark expression before the duo of Diego Montana and Circe enter the area following Father Vlad. The couple have their hands on each other as the trio head to the ring.)
Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen! Accompanied by Father Vlad, please welcome DIEGO MONTANA AND CIRCE!!
Deadprez: Well here comes Showdown’s creepiest and most nauseating couple in Diego and Circe as they are accompanied by a very demonic man in Father Vlad as things have been getting very hellacious between these three and Milli Banks.
Gavin Kirkland: This rivalry has been building with Milli and the Vladislav family ever since earlier this year when Milli and Minerva had their rivalry. The complexion changed when Father Vlad made his presence felt.
Sienna Swann: Especially last week. Sweetie. Diego and Circe picked up the win in tag team action before Milli Banks came to the ring and looked ready to fight, but Father Vlad prevented Diego or Circe getting into any sort of confrontation. Naturally, they are in a good mood right now, but it looks like we are about to hear from the Vladislav family in just a few moments.
(Diego opens the ropes for Circe, who kisses Diego before entering the ring, and Father Vlad before entering the ring himself. The crowd is still booing the trio out of the building as Circe’s music slowly fades off before Circe begins to speak.)
Circe: It is such a horrible sight to see, isn’t it? If you are a little confused about what I am talking about, allow me to explain. I am talking about poor, sad, pathetic Milli Banks.
(Circe and Diego look at each other and start laughing at the thought of Milli Banks while Father Vlad just stands there with an emotionless expression on his face.)
Circe: Oh how the mighty hath fallen. Isn’t that right, Diego?
Diego Montana: It’s a shame to see. A Hall of Famer on such a meteoric fall.
Circe: Honestly, it was to be expected considering everything that has happened to her since she stupidly decided to cross the family.
Diego Montana: A Hall of Famer on top of the world as the Universal Women’s Champion.
Circe: And that went up in smoke when Vlad’s daughter took her title and now she is on top of the world while Milli is still trying to pick up the pieces.
(Circe looks to Father Vlad who nods and brings the microphone up to speak.)
Father Vlad: Then that ruffian had the nerve to try and end my precious daughter’s life. How disgusting can you be?
Circe: Milli knew that the only way she could defeat my sister by using the most dastardly methods possible.
Father Vlad: Now trying to use such methods against a member of our family is something that we just can’t ignore. It is now time for Milli Banks to pay her penance to us… and it is going to be AN EYE FOR AN EYE–
(Before Father Vlad could continue, we hear the sounds of ‘You Are Stronger’ by Lyn Inaizumi starting to play throughout the arena and the crowd is going crazy with cheers and are on their feet for the entrance of Milli Banks. She has no smile on her face but a look of fire in her eyes as she makes her way down the ramp.)
Gavin Kirkland: Ohhhh. I think the classic saying of business about picking up really fits here because here comes Milli Banks and she looks pissed.
Sienna Swann: Well, sweetie, how would you respond when Father Vlad is talking about pay penance and saying an eye for an eye? At this point, Milli is probaby sick and tired of this whole situation.
Deadprez: Sick, tired, angry, or any emotion of the sort, Milli better be careful because right now it’s three against one and one of those people is Father Vlad and I am not even sure what Father Vlad’s full capabilities are, Dawg. I, for one, don’t want to find out what that full level is. But right now, let’s hear from the Supernova of Elite Answers Wrestling.
(Milli grabs a microphone from Gina, but instead of getting into the ring, Milli plays it smart and stays outside the ring at ringside. Milli keeps her eyes focused on the trio in the ring. The crowd is still cheering Milli on as Milli’s music fades off. She still looks very pissed as she starts to speak.)
Milli Banks: —
Circe: Awwww. What’s the matter, love? You look a little mad to see us.
Milli Banks: For the love of gawd, can you shut your condescending ass up for five minutes to let somebody else talk?
(The crowd gets loud again after that subtle dig at Circe.)
Milli Banks: Father Vlad, I know that in your corrupted old mind of yours that I am going to pay for what I did or tried to do to your precious little Minerva, here is something that you need to think about.
(Milli looks right at Circe before pointing her finger right at her. )
Milli Banks: Maybe it’s your precious little Circe who better be careful in the parking lot.
(Circe glares at Milli for what she is insinuating.)
Father Vlad: What exactly do you mean by that?
Milli Banks: It should be obvious. You all need to remember that it was your deranged little Minerva who took out my little sister….
(Milli looks down for a second to compose herself before she continues speaking.)
Milli Banks: I haven’t forgotten about that and because dear Circe did that to my little sister… I am going to make sure that I do the exact same thing.
(Circe keeps looking at Milli with a dark look in her eyes due to the threat, but then Circe smirks before laughing a little bit.)
Circe: Oh, Milli. Sweet ignorant Milli. Need I remind you that there is one person to blame for your precious little sister getting hurt? It’s YOU! Since we are on the subject of people you care about getting hurt, you are aware that YOU were also the one who got your tag team partner… your so-called “bestie” hurt as well when she tried to beat Minerva to get payback for you. This is all YOUR fault and you know it.
Circe: But if you are feeling pretty confident about yourself….
(Circe stands on the bottom rope as if welcoming Milli to get into the ring.)
Circe: If you are wanting to step up, then how about you get your ass into this ring RIGHT NOW!!
(Circe smirks as she stands on the rope feeling arrogant as she waits for Milli to make a decision….)
(THUD!!)
(Milli doesn’t take very long to make her decision as she tosses the microphone down and sprints right to the ring and Circe gets off the ropes to get ready to fight.)
Deadprez: It didn’t take Milli long to decide what she wanted to do as she dives right into the ring AND HERE WE GO!! MILLI TAKES CIRCE DOWN WITH A SPEAR BEFORE HITTING DIEGO WITH A RIGHT HAND!
Sienna Swann: Father Vlad gets out of the way, either planning something sinister or not wanting a piece of Milli. Regardless, sweetie, Milli is doing a hell of a job fighting off the family as she puts the boots to Circe.
Gavin Kirkland: BUT THE NUMBERS ARE STARTING TO GET TOO MUCH FOR MILLI AS DIEGO CATCHES MILLI FROM BEHIND! MILLI IS DOWN AS CIRCE GETS BACK TO HER FEET!
Deadprez: It’s two on one against Milli and Father Vlad looks pleased with Circe and Diego just beating the hell out of Milli.
Sienna Swann: Sweetie, this is exactly what Father Vlad wanted to see happen to put Milli in her place….
(Until….)
(“7 Rings” by Ariana Grande starts to play as the crowd comes absolutely unglued as Veena Adams enters the arena and makes a sprint right to the ring.)
Gavin Kirkland: WOOOHOOOO! IT’S VEENA! VEENA IS BACK AND SHE IS RUNNING RIGHT TO THE RING! VEENA IS HERE AND SHE IS GOING TO HELP MILLI! KUTE AND KUNTY ARE BACK IN FULL POWER!
(When Veena slides into the ring, Diego, Circe, and Father Vlad get out of the ring with no contact being made which causes the crowd to boo and Veena helps her bestie back to her feet.)
Deadprez: Thank gawd for Veena, dawg, or else Milli would have been in a huge mess of trouble. Look! Veena has grabbed one of the mics left in the ring. I can only wonder what is on her mind.
(Veena grabs a microphone for herself and for her bestie as Veena keeps an arm around her bestie to help her stay up as she addresses the trio who beat up her best friend.)
Veena Adams: Well you two certainly don’t like to stay around and fight when the numbers are fair, do you? Well how about you two put this on for size and actually put your money where your mouths are and actually fight fair. You two… against us two….
(Veena and Milli look at each other and nod.)
Milli Banks: AT THE LAST STAND!
(The crowd cheers at the challenge as Diego and Circe look at Father Vlad as he gives them a nod before he lifts his microphone up to address the challenge.)
Father Vlad: As tempting as that offer is, if my family is going to accept this challenge, how about we up the ante a little bit?
(Milli and Veena look at Father Vlad as he continues.)
Father Vlad: How about instead of some run of the mill tag team match…we make things a little more interesting. How about we make it A HOLLYWOOD HORROR NIGHTS MATCH!!
(Milli and Veena wonder what in the hell Father Vlad is getting at, but they look at each other and talk to each other for a moment before they answer the challenge.)
Veena Adams: We accept! It doesn’t matter what stipulation you add, we’re going to show you what happens when you mess with Kute and Kunty.
(Veena and Milli drop their microphones as the crowd cheers loudly in excitement as the two sides stare each other down as Father Vlad motions for Circe and Diego to head up the ramp.)
Sienna Swann: Well, sweeties, things just got a little more interesting for The Last Stand. It’s going to be Circe and Diego… with Father Vlad no doubt being in there somewhere against Kute and Kunty in a Hollywood Horror Nights match. What in the world is that going to entail?
Deadprez: I don’t know, but what I do know is that whatever it is going to be, it is for sure going to be a fight. These four are going to beat the hell out of each other.
(The final shot shows Kute and Kunty raising their arms in solidarity before cutting to Circe, Diego, and Father Vlad heading up the ramp and not taking their eyes off of Veena and Milli as the camera shot fades into a commercial.)
(Showdown returns from the commercial break for the final time with Gina Romano standing by at the centre of the ring.)
Gina Romano: YOUR MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING IS A TAG TEAM MATCH SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(‘Section’ by The Roots plays as Impact makes his way out to the stage and pauses for a moment. After a brief beat, ‘Gloria’ by the London Symphony Orchestra follows and Impact turns toward Bea Valentine with a visibly conflicted expression, the bitterness of Territorial Invasion still sitting openly on his face. He works through it, refocuses, and the two walk down to the ring together with the uneasy composure of two professionals who understand what the moment requires of them regardless of personal grievances.)
Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST!… THE TEAM OF BEA VALENTINE AND IMPACT!
Sienna Swann: Look, Impact can carry on expressing his feelings about Bea Valentine for as long as he likes, sweetie, and I will be honest with you, he is not entirely wrong about some of it. But Bea Valentine has already demonstrated comprehensively that she is the superior competitor and the more accomplished elitist by every measurable standard, so the notion that Impact can genuinely attribute his loss at Territorial Invasion to anything other than his own shortcomings is a conversation I find increasingly difficult to take seriously.
Deadprez: Whatever the personal history between these two, they have agreed to set it aside for now and are going up against a pairing that carries its own deeply complicated partnership issues. The hope is that Karl and Bea can manage the tension between them with considerably more maturity than the team across from them has demonstrated recently.
Gavin Kirkland: Karl is obviously still carrying the weight of what happened to him at Territorial Invasion personally and would absolutely prefer that things had resolved themselves differently that night. But tonight is a different night and a different challenge and both of them are going to have to find a way to function as a unit regardless of what either one of them is still processing from that evening.
(Once Bea and Karl are settled in the ring, ‘Power’ by The Score plays and Rex McAllister walks out looking thoroughly focused and prepared. Before he can settle into his entrance however, ‘LIKE WEEZY’ by Playboi Carti cuts in immediately and Joso walks right past Rex as though the man does not exist, heading straight down to the ring and commandeering the spotlight without a second thought. Rex watches Joso go, takes a visible breath, shakes his head with the restrained expression of someone choosing their battles, and follows him down to the ring.)
Gina Romano: INTRODUCING THEIR OPPONENTS!… THE TEAM OF REX MCALLISTER AND JOSO!
Gavin Kirkland: We all witnessed how last week ended with Impact’s interference potentially altering what could have been a clean and definitive outcome between these two, and now both sides are being required to set all of that aside and function as cohesive units in the same ring tonight!
Sienna Swann: Rex had better keep a very close eye on Joso the moment things start going sideways in that ring, sweetie, because we have already witnessed exactly what happens when that particular individual decides the match is no longer running on his terms.
Deadprez: Regardless of the surrounding complications, this should still be a genuinely compelling watch. We have four legitimately elite-level competitors who are all operating in the orbit of the world title conversation and this match functions as a preview of what their chemistry looks like when they are all sharing the same ring at the same time. That is worth paying attention to.
(DING DING DING!)
Gavin Kirkland: Two teams carrying very well-documented tension toward each other coming into this match and what we have here is an unresolved chemistry between all four competitors, particularly given everything that erupted at the end of last week between Rex McAllister and Joso. This environment is not built for a clean and uneventful tag match.
(Bea Valentine gives Impact a professional nod and steps forward, doing her best to keep things composed between them despite the extensive and complicated history they share. Rex attempts to step forward as well but Joso puts a hand flat against his chest and stops him in his tracks.)
Deadprez: Rex clearly does not appreciate that gesture in the slightest but to his credit he raises both hands and steps back without escalating, choosing not to let himself get rattled before a single bell has rung.
Sienna Swann: Or alternatively, sweetie, it could end in the exact same catastrophe we witnessed last week. Personally if I were Rex I would have already addressed that particular hand on my chest in a considerably more direct manner.
Gavin Kirkland: Joso and Bea Valentine are opening this match with Joso charging immediately and the champion matching his energy! Both engage in a collar and elbow but Joso enforces considerably more pressure and takes a decisive step forward, driving Valentine back into the corner without hesitation!
Deadprez: There is a sharp and focused determination in Joso’s movement from the very first second and he SWINGS a right hand ruthlessly at the champion! The champion tries to charge back in and reassert herself!
Sienna Swann: But Joso sidesteps it and connects with a Superkick directly into the gut instead! He grabs the champion by the wrist and drives her back into the corner, following through immediately! But Bea is not interested in being dominated this early and gets herself clear just in time, sending Joso crashing into the corner instead and THRUSTING him back into it with authority!
Gavin Kirkland: Valentine follows with a precise Chop that lands directly across his chest! Joso barely has time to register the pain before ANOTHER CHOP lands and denies him any chance of a breather!
Sienna Swann: The Eternal Champion putting considerable early pressure on Joso from the opening exchanges and then letting him stumble out! Steps in looking for a Superkick, but Joso manages to get hold of the leg and swings around, looking for a German Suplex! Watch yourself, sweetie!
Deadprez: Valentine with a quick counter, securing the leg before Joso can complete the rotation and bringing him down to the canvas! Valentine turns back around, secures both hands and SENDS JOSO LAUNCHING SKYWARD WITH A MONKEY FLIP THAT CRASHES HIM HARD ONTO THE CANVAS! Clean and intelligent play from the champion in the opening moments of this match!
Gavin Kirkland: Not a particularly enjoyable opening stretch for Joso as Valentine continues to impose her will and march all over whatever momentum he was hoping to establish tonight! Joso gets hauled back to his feet and gets driven toward the ropes!
Sienna Swann: Dropkick to the leg from Valentine leaves Joso completely exposed and the footwork propels her straight back up and NAILS HIM WITH A BASEMENT DROPKICK DIRECTLY TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! Some genuinely sharp and deliberate work from the champion to establish exactly who is running this match, sweetie!
Deadprez: Valentine pulls Joso back to his feet and makes efficient work of the moment before driving him into the corner and reaching out to make the tag with the Quintessential Champion!
(TAG!)
Gavin Kirkland: Impact wastes absolutely no time, moving like a man who has been waiting for this specific opportunity to get his hands on someone he has considered a considerable irritant for quite some time! Karl unloads forearm shot after forearm shot on Joso in that corner and absolutely pins him there, leaving Rex watching with visible concern from his own corner at the state his partner is already in!
Sienna Swann: Here comes the Quintessential Champion building further momentum by dragging Joso out of the corner, but Joso attempts to reverse the Irish Whip and Karl ends up driven into the corner instead! Joso comes charging after him! Not this time, sweetie!
Gavin Kirkland: That Running Bulldog leaves Joso thoroughly vulnerable but Impact still does not go for the cover just yet, instead throwing hands at a completely defenceless Joso and taking full advantage of the situation to unload on him! Karl is pouring out every accumulated ounce of frustration that has been building inside him since Pain For Pride and Joso is on the receiving end of all of it right now!
Sienna Swann: He has absolutely been waiting for this specific opportunity, sweetie, and the way he is hauling Joso back to his feet and going for the Irish Whip tells us exactly how much of this has been sitting with him since that night.
Deadprez: But Joso refuses to simply absorb it and manages to reverse the momentum, driving Impact into the corner instead! Joso tries to press forward immediately, but Impact throws him over the ropes before he can capitalize! Joso lands on both feet on the apron and keeps his composure!
Gavin Kirkland: Impact turns around and immediately catches an elbow directly to the jaw from Joso! Joso measures his target and launches himself— SPRINGBOARD FROG SPLASH CONNECTS ON KARL IMPACT! STRAIGHT INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gavin Kirkland: Kickout at two from Karl! And Rex, watching from the corner and reading the situation clearly, comes around trying to reach out toward Joso and offer some assistance in what is becoming a complicated position!
Sienna Swann: Come on, make the smart decision and get your partner in there, sweetie. You are not equipped to handle this particular moment by yourself right now.
Joso: (Off-Mic) Shut up, Rex! I have got this handled myself!
Sienna Swann: Apparently, the confidence is intact.
Deadprez: Joso gets back to his feet and hauls Karl along, still working to piece things together after absorbing that aerial attack! Joso delivers a sharp shoot kick directly to the chest that leaves Karl thoroughly exposed before following with a Snapmare that deposits Impact at the centre of the ring! PENALTY KICK TO THE BACK! We are getting some genuinely stiff and purposeful striking on display right now!
Gavin Kirkland: Joso is clearly carrying real frustration about having his momentum disrupted earlier in this match and now he is making everyone in that ring feel the consequences of it! He hauls Karl back to his feet and continues the punishment! GERMAN SUPLEX DRIVES KARL DOWN AND IMPACT ENDS UP ON HIS KNEES! ROUNDHOUSE KICK FOLLOWS THROUGH IMMEDIATELY!
Sienna Swann: As I have been saying consistently, sweetie, Joso is a completely different and considerably more compelling competitor when he commits to the wrestling and leaves the performance at the curtain.
Gavin Kirkland: And now Joso retreats toward the corner and reaches back for the tag! Based on the sour and reluctant expression on his face, he is not particularly thrilled about making that call, but the accumulated toll of this match has left him with no sensible alternative for the moment!
(TAG!)
Deadprez: The tag is made and Rex McAllister steps through the ropes ready to put some real work in! Impact forces himself back to his feet and tries to swing for the chop but Rex reads it and runs, circling around and building full speed off the ropes before TAKING IMPACT DOWN WITH A REBOUND LARIAT!
Sienna Swann: Impact stumbles back to his feet trying to locate some composure and ends up drifting into the nearby corner! McAllister gets back to his feet and heads straight for that corner! JUMPING CORNER CLOTHESLINE CONNECTS ON KARL AND THE LIONHEART IS OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY RIGHT NOW, SWEETIE!
Gavin Kirkland: Look at the speed and the decisiveness of Rex McAllister going to work in this match! He drags Karl out of the corner and follows through! BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX! STRAIGHT INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gavin Kirkland: Impact kicks out once more but Rex ensures he stays positioned exactly where he wants him, now throwing repeated shots at Impact’s head and keeping him as grounded and immobilised as possible before he can generate any movement or create any space!
Deadprez: Shot after deliberate shot, McAllister finally shifts Karl out of position and attempts to send him into the corner! Impact reverses it out of sheer desperation, but it works, driving Rex back first into the corner with real impact!
Gavin Kirkland: Rex stumbles out of the corner, and Karl is right there to meet him with a Knife Edge Chop that stings across his chest! Impact spins Rex around toward the ropes and sends him across with the Irish Whip– TILT-A-WHIRL BACKBREAKER BY IMPACT DRIVES REX DOWN! COVER BY IMPACT THIS TIME, WHILE STILL HOLDING THIS BACK!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gavin Kirkland: And Karl still manages to kick out despite everything that has been thrown at him in this match!
Sienna Swann: These two are absolutely going to be fighting each other all night long, sweetie, and I sincerely hope the Answers World Champion gets considerably more time in this match before it concludes because that is where my interest genuinely lives tonight.
Deadprez: Karl gets back and tries to drive Rex into the corner the moment he is being dragged back up, but Rex swats those hands away and returns fire with repeated elbows that stack damage with every single shot! Elbow after elbow landing and Rex winds up for the big one!
Gavin Kirkland: Looking for the Discus Elbow to close that sequence out but Karl sidesteps it and gets behind him! ELBOW TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Rex stumbles and turns straight into Impact! STEP-UP ENZUIGIRI FROM IMPACT PUTS REX DOWN TO ONE KNEE!
Sienna Swann: AND WITHOUT WASTING A SINGLE MOMENT, KARL IS BACK ON HIS FEET AND DRIVES A SHOT INTO JOSO’S FACE THAT SENDS HIM CLEAN OFF THE APRON, SWEETIE!
Deadprez: And here comes Rex, immediately surging in from behind, looking for the O’Connor Roll before Karl can reset!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Deadprez: Joso is furious on the outside about what Impact just did to him and fights to get back to the apron!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gavin Kirkland: KICK OUT FROM KARL! Rex gets pushed away from the kickout and ends up colliding directly into Joso who was just getting back to his position and sends him crashing down to the floor again!
Sienna Swann: That poor man is having an absolutely catastrophic evening out there and not a single bit of it is going according to any plan he had, sweetie!
Deadprez: McAllister stumbles and turns around with barely any time to process what just happened! Impact is already there and hooks both arms– DOUBLE UNDERHOOK BACKBREAKER IN POSITION!
Gavin Kirkland: But the Lionheart slips over Impact’s back before the move can be completed! Comes all the way over and TURNS IMPACT INTO A SIT-OUT ROLLUP! WHAT A PRESENCE OF MIND FROM REX MCALLISTER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gavin Kirkland: KARL IMPACT POWERS OUT AT TWO!
Sienna Swann: And Rex is back on his feet the instant Impact tries to rise! YAKUZA KICK SMASHES DIRECTLY INTO HIM AND SNAPS HIS HEAD SIDEWAYS! The strike turns Impact around completely and gives Rex the opening he needs to capitalize from the side! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP DRIVES KARL TO THE CANVAS!
Deadprez: While we have an excellent match developing in that ring, not everyone appears to be in the right headspace to appreciate it!
Sienna Swann: And the reason why is glaringly obvious to anyone paying attention, sweetie!
Gavin Kirkland: Joso is on the outside, and he is genuinely considering walking away from this match entirely, and Rex is up trying to call him back into the ring! Come on, Joso, where is the team spirit?!
Rex McAllister: (Off-Mic) JOSO!
Joso: (Off-Mic) Man, forget this! I cannot deal with any of this right now….
Rex McAllister: (Off-Mic) Come on, stay focused!
(Joso stops walking, pauses for a long moment, shakes his head, and reluctantly turns back toward the ring.)
Sienna Swann: At least sparing himself from further embarrassment than he has already accumulated in this match tonight, sweetie. Get back in that ring and do something useful.
Deadprez: After a considerable amount of visible friction between the two of them, the partnership is reluctantly restored, and the tag is made, with Joso clearly forcing himself through every inch of the decision!
(TAG!)
Gavin Kirkland: Joso steps back through the ropes and immediately drags Karl along before dropping him cleanly with a Snap Suplex and hooks the leg right away!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEE! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gavin Kirkland: Impact powers the shoulder up at two and Joso immediately goes back to maintaining a headlock over him to keep him grounded!
Deadprez: Once he regains the position, Joso is clearly determined to rebuild the momentum that deserted him earlier in this match! He thrashes Impact toward the corner after pulling him back to his feet and redirects, perhaps looking for a Running European Uppercut!
Sienna Swann: But Karl gets clear as Joso was looking to send the old man’s teeth through the back of his skull! Missed entirely and Karl counters with a Backslide Rollup, rolling Joso through and hoisting him up! GOING FOR THE POWERBOMB TO PUT THE STAR PLAYER DOWN AND SHUT HIM UP, SWEETIE!
Gavin Kirkland: But here is where the genuine innovation comes in! Joso takes full advantage of the elevated position and clamps in the Triangle Choke while suspended in Karl’s arms! Making absolutely certain there is no breathing room available to the Quintessential Champion whatsoever and no remaining energy left for any further offensive efforts in this match!
Deadprez: Valentine on the outside trying to communicate with Karl and keep him focused while Karl is doing exactly that on the inside despite everything being done to prevent it! Years of sustained and brutal competition have not only made him wiser but measurably stronger as well, and the legend is powering through! Joso gets hoisted all the way up despite taking the seemingly intelligent route of applying that Triangle Choke! POWERBOMB CONNECTS! INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEE!
Sienna Swann: Just the one count as Karl is absolutely not finished and goes right back to it! INTO A SITOUT POWERBOMB AS A SECOND CONSECUTIVE IMPACT LANDS AND FLATTENS JOSO! COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Sienna Swann: TWO COUNTS! JOSO KICKS OUT and Karl wastes absolutely no time retreating and immediately puts that tag team partnership to proper use, sweetie!
(TAG!)
Deadprez: Tag made and the Answers World Champion fires right back into the picture with genuine authority! Here comes Valentine, while Rex is still focused on shouting instructions at his partner from the outside before getting knocked clean off the apron with a forearm for his trouble!
Gavin Kirkland: Joso sees nothing good coming his way but has no choice but to pull himself together and go at Valentine! He tries to go for the Bicycle Knee Strike but swings through nothing as Valentine turns around and puts him flat with a Discus Lariat that completely drains whatever reserves Joso had left in that moment!
Sienna Swann: Joso stumbles back to his feet and falls right into Valentine’s range! He gets pulled over and sent to the ropes but counters the Irish Whip! Valentine comes back and Joso POUNDS her in return with a Bicycle Knee Strike as payback for that Lariat!
Gavin Kirkland: But there is always a price to be paid and Valentine is absolutely not inclined to let any of that go!… SUPERKICK IN RETURN as her own form of retaliation for what Joso just tried— RUNNING CUTTER FOLLOWS IMMEDIATELY AFTER! Valentine coming back with full force and letting everything loose on the Star Player!
Deadprez: Here comes Rex McAllister trying to shift the balance back toward his side and charges in looking for a Running Clothesline but Valentine sidesteps it and sends Rex’s chest rebounding off the ropes instead! INTO A SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX THAT PUTS REX DOWN TO ONE KNEE!
Sienna Swann: Valentine is fully back in command of this match and demonstrating exactly what it means to be the reigning Answers World Champion on a night like this, sweetie! The Eternal Empress retreats to the corner and locks in her aim at the kneeling Rex— SHINING WIZARD PUTS HIM DOWN! The champion is running this show and everyone in that ring is being reminded of it right now!
Gavin Kirkland: Joso slowly getting back to his feet and Karl is loading that right fist up with everything he has! In a vulnerable state like this, Karl is looking to take full advantage and swing for everything!
(## FIST OF FURY!)
Sienna Swann: WATCH OUT, SWEETIE!
Deadprez: JOSO MOVES OUT OF THE PATH AND THE RIGHT HOOK NEARLY CONNECTS WITH BEA!
(Karl manages to arrest the fist at the last possible moment, stopping it directly in front of Valentine’s face. Bea does not flinch. She has recently survived one of the most brutal championship matches of her career against this exact man and a near-miss from a closed fist is not going to rattle her. The two share a long, cold stare for a suspended moment before Karl allows a slight smirk to form and retreats to the corner.)
Gavin Kirkland: As we just witnessed, Karl is acknowledging her composed and entirely unmoved reaction while also making it very clear that he could have followed through if he had chosen to. But there is a main event to run and everyone in this building knows it.
Sienna Swann: I prefer to think he recognised that pulling that trigger right now would jinx any chance he has at becoming a twelve-time champion and simply does not want to admit it, sweetie.
Deadprez: BUT WAIT! LOOK AT THIS! JOSO SENDS KARL FLYING OVER THE TOP ROPE WHILE KARL WAS MAKING HIS WAY BACK TO THE APRON! Came from behind and launched him over at the precise moment Karl was trying to de-escalate and keep things from spiralling further! Another one rises to ruin his parade!
Sienna Swann: That man is constitutionally incapable of not being sneaky, sweetie!
Gavin Kirkland: Valentine reacts immediately with visible shock and rushes over toward Joso trying to throw him into the corner behind her! But Joso reads the attempt and takes full advantage of the position, leaping up and FLYING DOWN WITH A SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT ON VALENTINE!
Deadprez: Once Joso takes control of the situation, he is right back in the swing of things! Valentine stumbles back to her feet, and the champion falls directly into the position where Joso can strike from behind and hoist her up!… INVERTED 1916! Joso quickly hooks the leg, trying to put her away!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Deadprez: BEA KICKS OUT AT TWO! Remaining firmly in this match, her sheer willpower continues to frustrate Joso, who is working hard to close this out!
Gavin Kirkland: Joso backs toward the corner and Rex reads the body language immediately, seeing the opening to get himself back into this match!
(TAG!)
Sienna Swann: Tag made and McAllister comes rushing in while Valentine, having just absorbed considerable punishment from Joso, is now falling into Rex’s path as he grabs her and lifts! OLYMPIC SLAM! McAllister backs into the corner once he has Bea positioned, firing himself up while Valentine tries to work her way back to vertical!
Gavin Kirkland: Impact on the outside is getting himself back up to the apron, trying to re-enter the situation, but HERE COMES JOSO RUSHING FROM THE SIDE WITH A DROPKICK THAT SENDS KARL BACK DOWN! Joso denies Impact any further involvement in this match! SUICIDE DIVE KEEPS KARL GROUNDED AND WELL AWAY FROM ANYTHING RESEMBLING A VICTORY TONIGHT!
Deadprez: Valentine has finally fought her way back to her feet and McAllister is wasting absolutely no time! Charging out looking for the move we have been building toward all night! COMING IN FOR THE REX EFFECT PERHAPS!
Sienna Swann: CHOP TO THE CHEST FROM VALENTINE! The champion’s resilience stops McAllister’s momentum entirely, and she hits the ropes! AND REX CATCHES VALENTINE IN MID-MOTION AND DRIVES HER DOWN WITH A SPINNING SIDE SLAM!
(Before Rex can go into the cover, Joso suddenly calls out to him from the apron.)
Gavin Kirkland: Joso is making a call to his tag team partner from out there! Is he actually looking to make the tag at this specific moment?!
Sienna Swann: McAllister is looking confused, trying to stay focused on the match and the cover while being suddenly summoned like this! What exactly is this man planning right now, sweetie?!
(McAllister walks over and Joso lets a slow smirk spread across his face.)
Joso: (Off-Mic) Aye man, I am sorry about everything that happened out there. That one was entirely on me….
(Joso places his hand on Rex’s shoulder.)
(Tap, tap.)
Joso: (Off-Mic) But I genuinely appreciate everything you put in tonight, bro.
(TAG!)
Deadprez: WAIT! THAT WAS A TAG! JOSO JUST USED THAT ENTIRE MANUFACTURED MOMENT OF RECONCILIATION TO STEAL THE TAG AND IS NOW RUSHING OVER TO CAPITALISE ON EVERY OUNCE OF WORK REX JUST PUT INTO BEA VALENTINE BY GOING STRAIGHT FOR THE PINFALL!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Deadprez: AND VALENTINE KICKS OUT! Afterwards, Rex walks directly into Joso’s face and the argument that has been simmering beneath the surface of this entire match finally begins to boil over! Rex has been trying to hold his composure and keep this partnership functional and he is now staring down the man who just used a fake apology as a tagging mechanism!
Gavin Kirkland: These two men are on completely different pages once again and Valentine has used every second of the distraction to get herself back to her feet! SHE RUSHES OVER AND SHOVES JOSO DIRECTLY INTO REX, SENDING HIM TUMBLING TO THE OUTSIDE!
Sienna Swann: The opposing team falling apart yet again through their own dysfunction, sweetie! Bea immediately rolls Joso up to take full advantage of the chaos!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Sienna Swann: JOSO KICKS OUT AT TWO! Scrambles back to his feet with that infuriating confidence still fully intact! Bea gets up and Joso immediately goes for the Curb Stomp looking to end this right now! Do not let him stomp on your crown, Bea, sweetie!
Gavin Kirkland: Valentine avoids the Stomp cleanly and Joso finds nothing but canvas! Valentine hits the ropes and the champion builds momentum at full speed! BEA TRIGGERRRRRRRRRR! JOSO GETS TURNED COMPLETELY INSIDE OUT AND CRASHES DOWN! THAT IS IT! BEA IS GOING FOR THE WIN AND TAKING THIS ONE HOME FOR HER TEAM!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…
Crowd: THREE!
Sienna Swann: THREE!
Gavin Kirkland: NO! JOSO’S FOOT IS ON THE ROPE!
Deadprez: Hold on a moment! IMPACT?! HE JUST COST BEA A POTENTIAL VICTORY RIGHT THERE BY POSITIONING THAT FOOT ON THE ROPE!
Gavin Kirkland: To Karl, this is unfinished business from Territorial Invasion and he is extracting whatever revenge he can from the outside! The referee caught completely off guard as Impact gets right into Valentine’s face and now the two of them are arguing with each other in the middle of an ongoing tag match! This is poisoning the well of this entire match further and further with every passing second!
Sienna Swann: Bea is clearly furious that Impact is still carrying what happened at Territorial Invasion around with him and making it everyone else’s problem, sweetie! Deal with it in a sanctioned match like an adult!
Deadprez: WATCH OUT! REX FROM BEHIND WITH THE CORKSCREW AXE KICK AT BEA BUT VALENTINE SIDESTEPS IT AND SENDS REX FLYING DIRECTLY INTO HER PARTNER!
Gavin Kirkland: No time to stand around arguing when your opponent could be lurking anywhere in this match! Valentine dives back into the action but Rex quickly hoists Bea up and appears to be looking for the Fireman’s Carry Driver!
Sienna Swann: McAllister cannot get it completed, Bea showing her resilience and slips out before shoving Rex toward the ropes! BUT REX COMES FLYING BACK LOOKING FOR THE REX EFFECT!
(CRACKKKKKKK!)
Gavin Kirkland: JOSO WAS COMING IN FROM BEHIND LOOKING FOR THE BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE AT BEA BUT ENDS UP CRASHING DIRECTLY INTO REX AND TAKES HIS OWN PARTNER OUT! This match has become an absolute carnival of unintended consequences and every single offensive attempt at this point is hitting the wrong target!
Deadprez: Valentine turns around after absorbing everything this chaotic match has thrown at her and WAIT A MOMENT! JOSO HAS HER CAUGHT IN A SMALL PACKAGE IMMEDIATELY WHILE SHE WAS STILL TRYING TO LOCATE HER FOCUS! COMPLETELY CAUGHT HER OFF GUARD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CONFUSION!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
(…)
Sienna Swann: THREE! WHAT?!?!?! JOSO JUST PINNED THE ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION AND STOLE THE VICTORY, SWEETIE!
(DING DING DING!)
Gina Romano: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS!… JOSO AND REX MCALLISTER!
(‘LIKE WEEZY’ by Playboi Carti plays as Joso rolls to the outside and scrambles back to his feet, that smug grin spreading wide as he stares back at Valentine with the full and unrepentant satisfaction of a man who just robbed the house and walked out the front door.)
Gavin Kirkland: OUT OF ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE! JOSO CATCHES BEA VALENTINE IN A SMALL PACKAGE WHILE SHE WAS DISTRACTED BY EVERYTHING HAPPENING AROUND HER AND THE REFEREE COUNTS THREE! THE STAR PLAYER PINS THE ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION AND WALKS AWAY WITH THE WIN!
Sienna Swann: (staring at the ring with genuine disbelief etched across her face) I cannot comprehend how he walked away with that, sweetie! How does Joso turn a main event that had completely slipped away from him into a pinfall over the Answers World Champion?! HOW?!
Deadprez: Joso did not win this match so much as this match handed it to him while he was paying attention, but that is still a win. The Star Player has pinned the Answers World Champion and this main event is going to have consequences well beyond tonight!
(As the match concludes, the Answers World Champion gets back to her feet and fixes a furious and smouldering glare down at Joso on the outside, the reality of what just happened visibly settling over her with every passing second. On the other side of the ring, Karl Impact and Rex McAllister come face to face once more, the two legends locking eyes in a long and loaded stare that communicates everything remaining unresolved between them as Showdown comes to an end.)
(EAW Logo buzzes.)
