(EAW intro plays)
(Showdown opens up with a recap of last week’s show. Bea Valentine and Impact go on another back and forth before Bea suddenly hits him below the belt and she stands tall, taking revenge for what Impact did last time. Grace de Luca and Clayton Golde defeat Trae Brooks and Wynter Kurayami, with Wynter attacking and laying Grace out after the match. Clayton leaves and goes backstage where he bumps into the Adonis Brothers and they have problems, before Kennedy appears out of nowhere and puts the three of them to join the Divide and Conquer team for Showdown. Circe defeats a local talent with Father Vlad after the match sending some words of warning to the entire roster. Tafae Toa defeats Sofia Drakos to qualify for the New Breed Scramble at Territorial Invasion. Akari does an interview when Halsey and Mia interrupt him, wanting him to join the Brand Warfare team, Akari thinks it over before eventually accepting. Pandora, Kelton and Damien come out, solidifying themselves as the team for Wargames, making promises for each of them with a point to prove, they will be able to succeed no matter who is placed in their path. And in the main event, Milli Banks is able to defeat Donovan Duke by countout as Cody interferes, Cody and Donovan brawl all over the arena as Joso then suddenly appears out of nowhere and attacks Milli, as he runs off after just before Veena can help her out.)
(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 Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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: WELCOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! TO SATURDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN! OH YEAH, DAWG! Our teams for Territorial Invasion are shaping up nice and well! We are going strong into such an event all around while as for tonight? We will continue to show why we the best brand when it comes to wrestling!
Sienna Swann: Rah rah rah, we wrestle, I know. Let’s not just speak it, let’s show them with some actual matches. We will see the debut of Airi Miyamune going up against Trae Brooks, we will see one half of the Adonis Brothers in Adonis Jones fight against Mia Santoro, we will see Damien Kutcher the 24/7 Contract Holder in action and in our main event, the King of Elite Cody Maverick teams up with the Answers World Champion Bea Valentine to fight against Impact and Donovan Duke!
Gavin Kirkland: LET’S NOT WASTE ANYMORE TIME, LET’S START THIS SHOW RIGHT OFF!!!!
(“BFG Division” by Mick Gordon starts to play throughout the arena as Silas Mason slowly walks out and behind him is Vincent Mondrtian and Ryan Joseph Wilson to loud boos as they both pose in front of the entrance ramp before heading to the ring.)
Gina Romano: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome accompanied by Silas Mason… CATACLYSM!
(The crowd boos as Cataclysm walks down with Silas Mason, the fans did not like what they did to La Farmacia Sexual at the last Voltage as they will now face them for the Unified Tag Team Championships at Territorial Invasion.)
Deadprez: A very cold reception aimed at Cataclysm after what they did to La Farmacia Sexual, and now I am sure we are going to hear a bunch of gloating.
Sienna Swann: They made a mistake jumping Dr. Bethany Blue after the hell she went through and was finally going to celebrate with her partner, TLA. She is the wrong person to piss off.
Gavin Kirkland: La Farmacia is dangerous, but these are two guys that want those titles and will not stop until they get them.
(They finally get to the ring as the theme dies down, Silas Mason has the mic as he listens to the boos and that doesn’t bother him at all.)
Silas Mason: Sometimes we have to make the moves to show exactly why Silas World is still on top, and while some of you may think that because Harper Lee is now on Dynasty, the truth is, that we wish her nothing but the best of luck, and yet everyone thinks that Silas World is weakened, that somehow, we are going to be at some disadvantage, but who is back? Donovan Duke and like we told you from day one, he and El Duque are different people. But I am not out here to talk about that, instead, Cataclysm had to send a message to the lovely Dr. Bethany Blue and TLA.
(The crowd cheers hearing their name, as Silas Mason just smirks, looking at his two men knowing what they did at the last Voltage.)
Silas Mason: Hey look, I’m a huge fan of the Doctor, been that way for years, but after such a tragic situation last season, she has gone soft and maybe last week was a wake-up call and an unfortunate one, but guess what? They have something that my boys want and that is the Unified Tag Team Championships. Last week was simply the first shot, La Farmacia Sexual wanted to celebrate after such a long and arduous road, sure, but at the end of the day do we really give a damn? No, because what this is all about is the Unified Tag Team Championships. Don’t you see it? The times are changing, and while Kennedy Street has decided not to have Silas World be involved in the War Games or the Brand Warfare, so what do you think we were going to do, huh? That is why we picked our shots and that was not going to be anything less than who we are NOW.
(The crowd continues to boo. Silas though is not done as he continues to speak.)
Silas Mason: Here are two men that everyone forgot about. Vincent Mondrian is a man that should have gold in his possession, and when it comes to Ryan Wilson, he is a man forgotten, one that all of you took advantage of and it makes me sick. But why stop there, gentlemen?
(He passes the mic over to Vincent Mondrian as he smirks before speaking.)
Vincent Mondrian: I’m going to say that it felt good giving the Doctor a taste of her own medicine, a move she uses as a finisher, and I planted her head the same way she has so many others to show that we are on THAT level. I made a choice to join Silas World because I knew that the opportunities would come following a genius in Silas Mason. Last week we made a choice to send a message to a Hall of Famer and a sure-fire Hall of Famer, and made it clear that this belongs to us, we don’t give a damn that they were celebrating or that we stole the moment from Bethany, because the truth is, we are going to take those titles at Territorial Invasion and no one is going to stop us. I wanted to make sure that I had the right partner, and so with a man that has so much history with the tag team champions, well…. It just makes this that much more enticing to take.
(Vincent Mondrian hands the mic over to Ryan Joseph Wilson.)
Ryan Joseph Wilson: The Good Doctor is a woman that was a friend of mine for many years, do not mistake what I did last week as some show of disrespect, but instead a line drawn. TLA is my former tag team partner, and while we failed to win the Unified Tag Team Championships, he somehow won them with a woman that he hated, and one that at times was someone that was close to my life, one that helped me keep my job as General Manager of this brand, even after everything that we had gone through. Now, they are the champions and have something that we both want. Far as I am concerned, while you people can hate me all that you want, the truth is neither one of them would have been anything without ME! I was a damn good partner and friend to both Bethany and TLA, yet just like everyone else, they left me in the dust!
(The crowd boos loudly.)
Ryan Joseph Wilson: We took the first shot, and we will have the last laugh, because no matter what any of you think, Vincent and I are primed for this moment, and we WILL be the Unified Tag Team Champions! Now one more thing, I wanted to pound on the Doctor’s face because –
(Suddenly ‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac starts to play throughout the arena as the fans get up on their feet and cheer. Silas, Vincent and Ryan turn their attention toward the entranceway they stand ready.)
Gavin Kirkland: FBDWIHWBFIYFBFIYGVBFIYGHEIUPGHWIWFBGV!!!! TLA IS HERE! BACK ON SHOWDOWN! AND THE DOCTOR WHO ONCE HAS MY…. Never mind! THEY ARE BACK!
Deadprez: Business is about to pick up Dawg! Shucky Ducky Quack Quack!
Sienna Swann: After last week’s attack, sweetie I am not surprised and Gavin, I would probably never mention that again.
(The crowd starts to go ballistic.)
Sienna Swann: See what I mean!?
Deadprez: TLA AND BETHANY SLIDE IN FROM BEHIND AS THEY CAM IN THROUGH THE CROWD, VINCENT MONDRIAN TURNS AROUND…. TJD!
(The superkick from Bethany connects flush on Mondrian’s face as he falls, Ryan quickly turns and TLA Clotheslines him so hard he almost flips over in midair. Silas Mason quickly jumps out of the ring as Bethany takes off her Championship belt and throws it on the mat. She grabs Vincent by the hair and drags him over it.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: (Off Mic) YOU WANT TO GET CUTE AND PLAY GAMES!? WELL MALEVOLENT SHRINE!? MEET CONCUSSION PROTOCOL…. BITCH!
Deadprez: BETHANY RUNS AGAINST THE ROPES AS VINCENT IS SLOWLY TRYING TOI GET UP AND CONCUSSION PROTOCOL! BETHANY RETURNS THE FAVOR WITH HER VERSION OF THE CURB STOMP ON VINCENT MONDRIAN HEADFIRST INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND HE IS NOT MOVING!
Gavin Kirkland: AND TLA BEHIND RYAN AS HE GETS BACK UP AND TLA HITS HIM WITH A VERY MEXICAN UPPERCUT AS HE STUMBLES RIGHT INTO A TJD AND RYAN THEN FALLS INTO A MEXICAN DESTROYER!
TLA and Dr. Bethany Blue stand over their fallen opponents but then Bethany jumps on Ryan and starts punching him in the face, he can’t even cover up as she is striking him hard.)
Sienna Swann: BETHANY IS A WOMAN POSSESSED AND SHE IS GETTING BACK AT RYAN FOR WHAT HE DID TO HER LAST WEEK AS WELL AND RAINING THOSE FISTS ON HIM! WAIT… TLA IS GRABBING HER FROM BEHIND AND PULLING HER OFF!
(Bethany turns with rage in her eyes and TLA cups his partner’s face and tries to calm her down, he is saying something to her that cannot be picked up as she slowly eases up and nods, he then let’s go and picks up the mic.)
TLA: ORALE SHOWDOWN! WE ARE BACK! But it seems like these pendejos wanted to jump us from behind last week? Well, guess what homies, we byke and it’s our turnos, putos!
(Bethany grabs the mic now standing over them.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I SPENT THE LAST QUARTER OF THE SEASON IN HELL! I FINALLY PUT THAT SHIT TO BED AND YOU TWO WANT TO RUIN OUR CELEBRATION LAST WEEK AFTER ALL THAT ME AND THIS MAN HAVE BEEN THROUGH! THE SUFFERING AND THE SHIT I PUT UP WITH!? FINE… NOT ONLY DO WE ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE, BUT WE WILL ALSO MAKE SURE THAT CATACLYSM ENDS UP WITH TOE TAGS IN THE MORGUE!
(Bethany throws the mic as it bounces off the mat, she glares at Silas who stands back and has his hands up. ‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac starts to play throughout the arena as she picks up the championship and they both hold them up in the air.)
Deadprez: AND THE CHAMPIONS STAND TALL! CATACLYSM TOOK THE FIRST SHOT BUT LA FARMACIA SEXUAL HIT THEM WITH THE RECOIL!
Sienna Swann: THAT IS HOW YOU MAKE A STATEMENT SWEETIE, AND SILAS DOESN’T LOOK LIKE HE WANTS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THEM, THAT WEASEL!
Gavin Kirkland: TLA AND BETHANY ARE BACK ON SHOWDOWN!
(The final shot is the Unified Tag Team Champions standing tall over Cataclysm as they both lie motionless in the middle of the ring while Silas angrily looks on before going to a commercial break.)
(“Pardon Me” by Lil Yachty (feat. Future & Mike WiLL Made-It) blasts throughout the arena as Trae Brooks bursts onto the stage full of energy. He repeatedly hops into the air before pumping his arm forward with a fired up yell toward the crowd, clearly having the time of his life. Trae then heads down the ramp, high fiving fans all the way to the ring.)
Gina Romano: Introducing first! From Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 195 pounds… TRAE BROOKS!
(The lights shift to a cool white-blue as “Episode X” by Ado play. Airi Miyamune steps out from the curtain, giving a small, respectful bow toward the crowd before making her way down the ramp.)
Gina Romano: And his opponent! From Mimasaka Okayama, Japan, weighing in at 111 pounds…AIRI… MIYAMUNEEEE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(Airi Miyamune and Trae Brooks circle each other for only a moment before both of them charge in at once, immediately trading quick strikes! Airi fires off a kick, aimed high, but Trae ducks under it smoothly, pivoting for an enziguri of his own!)
Gavin Kirkland: Trae ducks it clean, spinning for the ENZIGURI!
Deadprez: But Airi snatches his leg out of the air before it lands, yanking it out from under him and dropping him flat on his face!
Sienna Swann: Airi read that completely, and Trae just ate canvas!
Gavin Kirkland: Airi doesn’t waste the opening, STOMPING DOWN hard across Trae’s shoulder blade, driving him further into the mat!
Deadprez: She is not giving him one second to reset after that! Trae tries to push himself back up— but Airi bounces off the ropes, coming back with speed!
Sienna Swann: KICK TO THE TEETH! Trae’s head snapped back, and there he went right back down! Airi drops immediately into a cover, hooking the leg!
ONE!
…
Gavin Kirkland: KICKOUT! Trae gets the shoulder up before even the count of one!
(Airi hauls Trae up onto his knees, planting her feet and firing off a series of hard kicks straight into his chest, each one snapping his upper body back.)
Deadprez: She is picking her spots with those kicks, man. Every single one landing exactly where she wants it! She winds up for one more, aiming high for the head— but Trae drops low at the last second, rolling forward and snatching her legs out!
Sienna Swann: Trae saw that coming! Trae rolls Airi up into a small package!
ONE!
…
Gavin Kirkland: She’s already kicking out and rolling through with it, trying to keep the advantage! Airi comes up off the roll, charging right back in— runs directly into a DROPKICK that sends her sprawling to the mat!
Sienna Swann: That is exactly the counter Trae needed! Airi got a little too aggressive coming out of that roll and paid for it immediately!
Gavin Kirkland: You love to see a guy who can think that fast under pressure! Down for a count, and in the span of about two seconds he’s turned the whole thing around!
Deadprez: Trae steps out to the apron, climbing up onto the apron, setting his sights on Airi sprawled in the ring!
Sienna Swann: TRAE LAUNCHES INTO THE 450– BUT AIRI GETS HER KNEES UP AT THE LAST SECOND!
Gavin Kirkland: RIGHT INTO THE KNEES! That is going to take a lot out of him! You cannot just walk that off!
(Trae rolls off, clutching his ribs, but forces himself back up regardless.)
Deadprez: The fact that he’s barely standing right now says a lot about his conditioning; that had to hurt a lot! Airi runs at him and wraps her legs around his head, whipping him face-first into the corner with a head scissor! She’s not giving him a second to recover from it either! Straight into the buckle!
(Trae stumbles backward off the impact, right into Airi’s waiting arms!)
Sienna Swann: GERMAN SUPLEX! Airi bridges into the pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
…
Gavin Kirkland: KICKOUT! That one felt a lot closer than the other near-falls in this match! Both competitors rise to their feet at roughly the same time, sizing each other back up, and this time neither one rushes in!
Deadprez: You can see it on both of their faces right now, the respect in this match just shot up! Airi’s realizing this ain’t the pushover a lot of people probably told her Trae was, and I think Trae’s realizing the exact same thing about her! Trae extends an arm, testing distance, and Airi mirrors him, circling slowly!
Sienna Swann: Neither one wants to be the first to commit here. When you’ve been countered as many times as these two have tonight, you start thinking twice before you throw anything out there.
Gavin Kirkland: This is chess at this point. Airi suddenly closes the distance, shooting in low for a leg— but Trae sprawls back, denying the takedown attempt entirely!
Deadprez: Trae saw that shot coming a mile away! Airi doesn’t relent, popping back up and immediately transitioning into a wristlock, torquing the arm— but Trae rolls through it, flipping out and reversing the hold onto her instead!
Sienna Swann: Good exchange, sweetie. Both of these two clearly have more in the tank than just high-flying, and I think that’s catching some people off guard.
Gavin Kirkland: This is the kind of sequence that separates good wrestlers from great ones. Airi reverses out of the wristlock with a cartwheel, breaking the grip cleanly, and both competitors reset a few feet apart, breathing a little harder now!
Deadprez: Neither one of them is getting an advantage out of any of this! It’s just reversal after reversal after reversal! Trae goes for a leg sweep— Airi hops over it! He follows immediately with a spinning back kick— she ducks under that too, popping up and answering with a spin kick of her own that Trae slips just in time!
Sienna Swann: They are reading each other in real time right now! Every single thing one of them throws out a strike, the other one has an answer for it immediately!
Gavin Kirkland: The exchange speeds up! Airi springs off the ropes— Trae meets her with a dropkick attempt, but she leapfrogs over it, landing behind him!
Deadprez: SHE JUMPED RIGHT OVER IT! Trae spins around just in time to catch Airi coming off a second rope bounce, ducking a crossbody attempt by dropping flat to the mat!
Sienna Swann: Neither one of these two is missing a beat! This is one of the most precise sequences I’ve seen in this ring in a long time!
Gavin Kirkland: You have got to have complete trust in your opponent to run a sequence at this speed. One miscalculation and somebody gets seriously hurt.
Deadprez: And look, that’s the thing about both of these two — they’ve earned each other’s trust over the course of this match. Every single counter tonight built up to exactly this moment right here.
(Both competitors pop back up to their feet almost simultaneously, and this time they run the ropes together! Trae to one side, Airi to the other building speed, converging in the center of the ring!)
Sienna Swann: They’re both running the ropes now! Where is this going?!
Gavin Kirkland: Trae leaps for a crossbody! Airi leaps at the exact same instant for one of her own— and the two bodies crash together in mid-air! Cancelling each other out completely, both crashing down to the mat in a heap!
Deadprez: THEY BOTH JUST WIPED EACH OTHER OUT!
Sienna Swann: Both of them thinking exactly alike in that exact moment, and it cost them both!
(Both wrestlers lie on the mat for a beat, then start to stir at the same time, pushing themselves up in perfect unison, almost mirroring each other’s movements without meaning to.)
Gavin Kirkland: Look at this, they are getting up at the exact same pace, they’re stuck in sync with one another.
Deadprez: This whole match has been like that, man. Now they circle once more, and this time Trae fakes a kick— Airi doesn’t bite, and fires a real one of her own, which Trae narrowly avoids by inches!
Sienna Swann: OH! That one had bad intentions behind it and Trae barely got out of the way in time!
Gavin Kirkland: Airi is not playing any games tonight! Every strike she’s thrown has looked like she wants to end this match with it! Trae ducks another strike and springs up to the top rope in one motion! Looking for “BROOKSIDE”— Airi reads it immediately and meets him there, climbing up after him, and now both competitors are perched on the same turnbuckle, grappling for position!
Deadprez: This is dangerous territory for either one of them right now!
Sienna Swann: Whoever wins this battle up there could be looking at putting this match away! Trae shifts and fights for a superplex position, Airi resists, shoving him back! He grabs hold again, but she headbutts him loose—
(In the scramble, both of them lose their footing at the same moment, flipping off the top rope and each one landing on their feet!)
Gavin Kirkland: HOW DID THEY BOTH LAND ON THEIR FEET?!
Deadprez: I’ve been doing this a long time and I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people fall off the same turnbuckle and stick the landing like that!
(Both of them stagger for a half second, catching their balance, and then look up at each other from across the ring, both clearly stunned by what just happened.)
Trae Brook: (off mic) AY YOU SAW THAT?!
Sienna Swann: Neither one of them can quite believe that just worked out the way it did!
(Trae shakes his head, almost laughing despite the circumstances, and gets back into a fighting stance. Airi mirrors him, a small smile crossing her face for the first time all match.)
Gavin Kirkland: Would you look at that, is that a little bit of mutual respect?
Deadprez: I mean, how can you not respect that? That was the coolest shit I have ever seen.
(They step toward the center of the ring, they go for a lock up…pyro explodes at the entrance ramp and “Live Evil” plays!)
Gavin Kirkland: What in the world is this?!
Deadprez: WHAT IS TAFAE TOA DOING OUT HERE?
(Tafae Toa storms out through the curtain, Malik trailing a step behind him, Tafae doesn’t slow down, running into the ring and catching both Trae and Airi with a RUNNING CLOTHESLINE!)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Sienna Swann: HE JUST LEVELED BOTH OF THEM AT ONCE! THIS MATCH IS BEING THROWN OUT BUT TAFAE IS NOT FINISHED WITH THEM!
Gavin Kirkland: Tafae Toa hauling Airi up off the mat like she weighs absolutely nothing— POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! CRUSHING AIRI WITH THE “APAI”!
Deadprez: Airi is twitching right now, the amount of power put into that might have made her paralyzed from the neck down! We need a medical team out here fast!
(Trae scrambles up behind Tafae, leaping onto his back, trying desperately to throw down strikes onto his head!)
Sienna Swann: Trae might be an idiot for trying that! Look at Tafae just shrugging him off like he’s nothing!
(Tafae reaches back, peeling Trae off his shoulders and flinging him across the ring like he weighs nothing at all. Before Trae could recover, Tafae charges forward and hauls Trae up by the throat with one hand, squeezing down on his throat, Trae’s legs kicking helplessly in the air as his face changes color!)
Gavin Kirkland: “THE FORBIDDEN DEATH GRIP”! HE’S GOT HIM BY THE THROAT AND HE IS NOT LETTING GO!
Deadprez: Somebody has got to stop this! Trae Brooks cannot breathe right now!
(Trae’s struggling slows, then stops entirely, his body going limp in Tafae’s grip and only then does the big man finally release him, letting him crumple to the mat, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Malik enters the ring, grinning wide as Tafae stands over the two motionless bodies in the center of the ring.)
Malik Al-Farouk (off mic): THIS is the future ladies and gentlemen! You either accept it or get the hell out of its way! Am I understood?
(Tafae steps over the two bodies, exits the ring, and drops down to the floor as Malik claps him on the shoulder, the two of them walking back up the ramp unbothered, leaving the carnage behind them in the ring.)
Sienna Swann: I don’t know what this means for these two competitors going forward, but I can tell you the entire complexion of Territorial Invasion just changed in the last ninety seconds.
Gavin Kirkland: Medical staff are all over that ring right now, and folks, we are going to take a quick break but do not go anywhere, because we need to figure out exactly what we just witnessed.
(The scene fades to black on both Airi and Trae being checked on, as Malik and Tafae look back, staring back at the carnage caused.)
(The camera cuts backstage where Diego Montana and Circe are sitting in metal folding chairs as Father Vlad paces dramatically in front of them. They have gathered around him to listen to him speak. Diego looks uninterested but Circe jabs him and forces him to pay attention as an old man is speaking.)
Father Vlad: Listen well now my children! For it is important to hear the words of wisdom that I tell you now today. You may not believe them to be important but you will understand in time. For it is very important to understand what Territorial Invasion means now. You must recognize that Territorial Invasion is a very important night indeed. A night not to be forgotten. A night not to be underestimated.
Diego Montana: Si padre… it’s a big ass show. I already been knew this.
Father Vlad: Silence!
(Circe shushes Diego Montana as Father Vlad continues to speak.)
Father Vlad: Your lack of patience and focus displays only your unreadiness for the matter at hand! You are not aware of what Territorial Invasion means but do not concern yourself with figuring it out. For I, Father Vlad, shall teach you. I shall fill your skulls with the knowledge required to overcome all. I look at you both now and I see the future of this wrestling business. I see you Diego and…
(Father Vlad looks at Diego before turning to Circe.)
Father Vlad: I see you are sitting right next to Circe who is in for big things!
Diego Montana: :WTH:
Father Vlad: Do not allow such petty emotions as jealousy to overcome you Diego. You must know the words that I speak are true!
Circe: He’s right Diego. I am in for big things! Do you disagree?
Diego Montana: Of course not mi amor. But I am in for big things too!
Father Vlad: Of course. Of course. But Circe first. For my daughter is the priority of all things. If only she can stay focused. She must stay focused and she must slowly do what her older sister did. She must follow in the footsteps of Minerva’s greatness and climb to the top of this very industry. For now she is but a pale imitation. A nepo baby hire that nobody takes seriously.
Circe: Come on father you did not need to say it like that…
Father Vlad: Silence my daughter! You must hear the harsh truth! You must overcome the shackles that my legacy has placed on you!
Diego Montana: Bro you talk about my girl like that I will fuck you up pendejo. The fuck you think you are?
(Father Vlad steps up to Diego Montana and smacks him across the skull with his cane.)
Diego Montana: FUCK!
Father Vlad: There is more where that came from! Much more! Your insolence shall not be tolerated in my presence! If I am to forge you into successful competitors on the same level as Minerva… No… You must surpass her! That is my goal! That is your destiny! You must focus! You must achieve!
Circe: But do I even have a match at Territorial Invasion? I mean I should be in the main event I think we can all agree on that. But I don’t get shit.
Father Vlad: Worry not my child. For I, Father Vlad, shall march upon the gates of Kennedy and overcome the barriers placed before us. I will guarantee that you have a match which means something. I shall not take no for an answer. No, Circe, you need not debase yourself by begging in her presence. For I shall ensure you have a match that means more than you could ever imagine! I shall not allow Kennedy to withhold from you your birthright and your family legacy any longer. She does not understand that you are the blood of Father Vlad, and you walk in the footsteps of Minerva. You are not to be treated just like any other wrestler who shows up on the Showdown roster. It is time that everyone understands that you are much greater than they are and deserving of such privilege.
Circe: I could not agree more daddy. All the veterans backstage have been begging me to help set up the ring for shows. Fuck outta here. I am here to wrestle not do any of that low class shit.
Diego Montana: Fuck paying your dues for real. Ain’t no real ese doin’ none of that shit.
Father Vlad: Good good. You appear to see reason at last Diego. For you too shall achieve greatness as well. At Territorial Invasion, you will be competing in the New Breed Scramble Match. I shall see to that as well. You must conquer the New Breed division for the family if you are to be worthy of the hand of my beloved daughter. Failure shall not be tolerated. If you disgrace the family I shall have no choice but to remove you from my sights and mark you as unworthy of consideration in future times.
Diego Montana: Come on papa. I got this. The New Breed division ain’t shit compared to the Hardest Ese Ever. They all soft lil bitches.
Father Vlad: So you say. So it must be.
Diego Montana: You know that I am down for this fine ass chica Circe. We done showed that to the entire world at Pain for Pride and we been showing that every week since. We in this together. I will protect mi amor con mi vida. Y’all know that Diego Montana is a reliable hombre who Circe can rely on both in the ring as well as behind closed doors back at her apartment if ya feel me.
(Diego Montana leans over to kiss Circe as Father Vlad watches on stoically.)
Father Vlad: It would seem that all is in order. You say that you shall protect my daughter Diego? Of course. Of course. I know you will. For if you do not… the consequences shall be quite severe.
Diego Montana: You ain’t even gotta worry padre. You know that Circe is my main mujer.
Circe: We are the true power couple of EAW. Kassidy Heart and Mr. DEDEDE who? Adam Lucas and Dr. Bethany Blue what? Rex McAllister and Raven Roberts why? Nobody gives a fuck about any of those oldheads.
Diego Montana: They all basura compared to us.
(Circe and Diego kiss again before patting Father Vlad on the shoulder and walking out. After they leave Father Vlad looks around briefly to ensure he is alone. He then picks up the phone and makes a call before speaking slowly.)
Father Vlad: Soon…
(Father Vlad briefly pauses.)
Father Vlad: Son… Soon, it will be time.
(Father Vlad hangs up the phone. He smiles evilly into the camera before turning around and walking out.)
(The camera cuts to a commercial for yo mom’s OnlyFan’s.)
(Showdown comes back from commercials, the camera panning first towards Halsey Neel and Clayton Golde both in their own chairs next to the commentator’s table, Halsey having a focused expression while Clayton looks more like he doesn’t want to be there. The camera pans back to the stage as “DICTATOR” by Rei Ami plays on the speakers to a wave of boos. Mia Santoro walks forward, adjusting her fur jacket as she stands atop of the stage and then whips her hair, posing with a confident grin on her face before she turns back and the spreads her arms to the side. She simply sneers at the people booing her and keeps going knowing tonight was an important match to gather momentum heading into Territorial Invasion.)
Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST, FROM KEY WEST, FLORIDA, WEIGHING IN AT 115 POUNDS, SHE IS “LA DESPERADA”, MIAAAAAAAA SANTOROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
(Mia finally arrives at ringside and then walks forward, jumping onto the ring apron and once more posing to the boos of the crowd, the smile on her face never disappearing a single bit as she goes through the ropes and then walks towards her corner. It is then that “National Treasure” by Drake plays on the speakers to cheers, the lights shine all around the entrance stage as Adonis Jones bursts through onto the stage, he nods his head along to the beat of the song and runs around from one side to the other, hyping the people up and trying to get them up to their feet. He comes back as his brother Artemis Jones walks out, the two of them high fiving and fist bumping each other as Adonis turns and heads down the ramp.)
Gina Romano: AND INTRODUCING HER OPPONENT, FROM HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA, HE IS “THE DON”, ADONIIIIISSSSSS JONEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
(He reaches out and high fives the people in the front row as he rushes up to the ring apron, seeing everyone up on their feet he jumps onto the corner and rises up his arms- before he starts to wave them up and down, “yeeting” towards the crowd as they quickly follow along with him. The camera panning to see the many people waving their arms in sync. Adonis finally stops and then jumps inside of the ring, still hyped up, still on the flow as he takes off his sunglasses and stands on the corner, itching to get a fight in.)
(Mia throws away her jacket and prepares. The referee goes to check on the two of them before…)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Sienna Swann: I have a feeling that I am going to have a heart attack in the middle of this match.
Gavin Kirkland: Hey! Why are you saying that Sienna? Look at how excited the crowd is looking after that!
Sienna Swann: I have a horrible horrible feeling…
Deadprez: Mia shakes her head in annoyance and she approaches out of the corner, moving to go and lock up with Adonis Jones… but Adonis stops in his tracks as he tries to walk out of the corner.
Crowd: RUN IT BACK! RUN IT BACK! RUN IT BACK! RUN IT BACK! RUN IT BACK!
Sienna Swann: No no no…
Gavin Kirkland: Adonis turns to the chants of the crowd and a gigantic smile begins to appear on his face hearing them chant that! He is motioning to run it back all while the people cheer louder!
Sienna Swann: Don’t you dare do it!
Deadprez: AS ADONIS TURNS AND THEN GOES TO CLIMB THE ROPES, BEGINNING TO YEET-
Gavin Kirkland: JUST AS MIA GRABS ADONIS BY HIS LEGS AND THEN PULLS HIM OFF THE CORNER! SHE MAKES HIM SMASH HIS FACE AGAINST THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!!!
Sienna Swann: Bless you Mia Santoro! You ended up stopping him just before I lost my mind!
Gavin Kirkland: And now she is not giving any grace to the poor guy! She just starts kneeing him in the gut and then stomping him out in the corner all while the crowd loudly boos Mia!! Not cool at all, gurl!
Deadprez: Well, the crowd may love it but you never turn your back on your enemy like that! Mia finally stops the stomping and then goes to pull Adonis out of there! A SNAP SUPLEX SENDS HIM OFF OF THE CORNER AND BRINGS HIM DOWN TO THE MAT! She goes for the quick cover too!
Referee: ONEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOO!!
Gavin Kirkland: Adonis Jones raises his shoulder up in time! The Yeeting Man himself isn’t going down so easily!
Sienna Swann: …What the hell did you just say, sweetie?
Gavin Kirkland: That his shoulder raised up in time.
Sienna Swann: …Ugh, whatever.
Deadprez: Mia already wraps her arms around the head of Adonis and she goes to throw him towards the other corner, yet again to repeat the same process but Adonis grabs onto the ropes- HE TRIES TO SQUARE UP AND DODGE THE STRIKES THAT MIA SENDS HIM!
Gavin Kirkland: OOOHHH! IT IS LIKE MUHAMMAD ALI DID THAT ONE TIME! LOOK AT HIM-
Sienna Swann: Mia just ends up sending a strike towards his stomach and he ends up doubling over.
Gavin Kirkland: Ah. I think he just needs a little work with that.
Deadprez: Mia Santoro pushes him off of there as she gathers some distance- AND SHE HITS ADONIS DOWN WITH A DROPKICK TO THE BACK! Mia once more tries again and goes to turn him over, going for the cover on him!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOO!!
Gavin Kirkland: AND ADONIS KICKS OUT! Look at the resilience that he is showing!
Sienna Swann: Please do not keep messing with me, Gavin.
Gavin Kirkland: Messing with you? I am simply telling the truth and talking about what we are all seeing right now! That is Adonis not giving up and not letting Mia Santoro beat him down! He is trying to get back up but Mia tries to grab him by the hair!
Sienna Swann: Well, grab him from whatever hair he has there on top of his head.
Deadprez: Chill, Sienna. Mia already wants to find a way to end this! She pulls Adonis in- SHE WANTS TO GO FOR “APHRODITE’S KISS”!!!!
Gavin Kirkland: NO! ADONIS WAKES UP IN TIME! HE IS ABLE TO LIFT HER UP- HE BRINGS HER DOWN WITH AN URANAGE HERE! The crowd explodes in cheers as Adonis rises and then he tries to get to a standing position! He is here trying to beckon Mia to get back up to her feet! She wobbles on her feet- AS HE STARTS TO THROW A BUNCH OF PUNCHES TOWARDS MIA!
Deadprez: ADONIS THROWS STRIKE! AFTER STRIKE! AFTER STRIKE! Each punch makes Mia wobble on her feet, as Adonis suddenly hits… a dance move?
Gavin Kirkland: AND HE HITS HER DOWN AFTER WITH THE ADONIS PUNCH!!! LOOK AT THAT PUNCH! HE COULD KNOCK EVERYONE OUT IN THE WORLD WITH THAT ONE!!!
Sienna Swann: It always feels like I am in some weird dream or like, drunk out of my mind, when I have to see things like this and Gavin is for some reason hyping it up.
Deadprez: He’s just really excited.
Adonis Jones: (off-mic) THAT IS HOW WE DO IT HERE! YEET!
Artemis Jones: (off-mic) YEET!
Crowd: YEET!!!!
Gavin Kirkland: YEEEEEETTTT!!!!!!
(The camera pans to Gavin making the Yeet move as he gets up off of the announcing table, Halsey giving him the side eye with a disgusted expression on her face while Clayton is looking away, very hardly pinching the bridge of his nose seeing all of this.)
Sienna Swann: *Very* excited I see.
Deadprez: Mia finally is able to come to herself and use the ropes behind her to get to her feet but Adonis trying to put pressure here! He is able to push her to the ropes and then he tries to go for an Irish Whip- but Mia is able to grab onto his arm and then reverse it! MIA WITH A FOREARM RIGHT TO THE FOREHEAD HERE! Mia goes to throw Adonis to the other side of the ropes! She tries to wait for him to come back as she runs- TRYING TO GO FOR A HIGH KNEE!
Gavin Kirkland: NO! ADONIS IS FAST ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO DUCK UNDER AND THEN GRAB MIA MID-AIR! HE HITS HER DOWN WITH THAT SAMOAN DROP! He covers her for that pinfall attempt!
Referee: ONEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOO!!
Referee: THREE-
Sienna Swann: Mia Santoro for goodness sake is able to kick out of that Samoan Drop!
Deadprez: Adonis lets out a tired sigh- wait, is he already tired???
Gavin Kirkland: Hey, hey, do not go criticizing and making observations for things you do not want to see! He is just… admiring the situation right now with really loud breaths to be able to figure out what is his next move to take out the dastardly Mia Santoro!
Sienna Swann: Uh-huh.
Gavin Kirkland: He is already getting up though! AND WITH ANOTHER YEET TO GET THE CROWD GOING! LET’S GO BRO! He turns and then waits for Mia to get up to her knees!
Deadprez: AS ADONIS RUNS FORWARD- AND GOES FOR A RUNNING SUPERKICK TO MIA’S JAW!
Gavin Kirkland: NO, WAIT! MIA ENDS UP DUCKING DOWN IN TIME AND AVOIDS IT, FORCING ADONIS TO STUMBLE FORWARD!
Sienna Swann: …Gavin, I am pretty sure he missed that super kick instead and tripped himself up.
Gavin Kirkland: Don’t know what you are talking about at all, Sienna.
Sienna Swann: Whatever, Mia ends up capitalizing off of that mistake either way! She rises and then tries to run forward! She wants to attempt for an Enzuigiri here to hit against Adonis Jones but Adonis is fast enough to duck under the Enzuigiri! He steps to the side- AND HE ACTUALLY HITS THE SUPERKICK HERE AGAINST MIA!!!
Gavin Kirkland: Mia wobbles on her feet and Adonis backs away, running forward to try again, this time going for a Superkick to the gut- BUT MIA IS ABLE TO CATCH HIS LEG! She tries to pull him in and then go for a Dragon Screw-
Deadprez: WITH ADONIS JONES BEING ABLE TO BEAT HER TO THE PUNCH! HE DELIVERS A HEADBUTT DIRECTLY TOWARDS HER FOREHEAD! Mia eventually lets go and then backs away to the ropes, grasping onto her head!
Gavin Kirkland: LOOK AT ADONIS JONES! HE RUNS TOWARDS THE ROPES RIGHT NEXT TO MIA- AND THEN HE GRABS HER! HE SLAMS HER DOWN WITH A RUNNING NECKBREAKER!!!!
Sienna Swann: Neck-… breaker??? Sweetie, that looked more like a face buster to me.
Deadprez: Dawg, that looked more like a bulldog to me what he just did.
Gavin Kirkland: WELL WHAT HE DID ENDED UP WORKING OUT! HE RISES UP AND THEN TRIES TO GET THE CROWD BACK UP TO THEIR FEET! HE HITS ANOTHER YEET! LOOK AT THAT RIGHT THERE, I AM WAVING MY HANDS TOO!!!
Sienna Swann: Jesus Christ, Mia gets up to her feet- ADONIS FROM BEHIND TRYING TO LOCK IN- I am not saying the stupid names this guy has.
Deadprez: ADONIS TRYING TO LOCK IN “DEAD OPPS”!!!
Gavin Kirkland: MIA FIGHTS BACK! A BACK ELBOW TO THE JAW MAKES ADONIS BACK AWAY- SUPERKICK TO THE KNEE! MIA FALLS! SUPERKICK TO THE JAW! COME OOOONNNN!!!!
Deadprez: Adonis Jones actually stumbles to the corner and he is calling for Mia to get up one more time! The crowd are up on their feet!
Gavin Kirkland: AS ADONIS JONES FINALLY RUSHES OUT OF THE CORNER!!! “DON DADA BOUNTY”!!! THE SPEAAAARRRR-
Sienna Swann: “KILLING MOON” OUT OF NOWHERE!!! MIA STOPS ADONIS RIGHT ON HIS TRACKS!!! SHE GETS HIM BACK UP!
Deadprez: “ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE”!!! MIA HITS ADONIS WITH THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! DONE AND DUSTED!
Sienna Swann: Good riddance, Mia with the cover!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEE!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(“DICTATOR” plays on the speakers to a wave of boos, Mia Santoro pushing the leg of Adonis away as she rises. She shakes her head and the referee goes to grab her hand and then lift it up but she pulls it away beginning to talk trash towards the people booing and the camera in front of her.)
Gavin Kirkland: Aw man.
Sienna Swann: Wonderful job for Mia Santoro there! Destroyed this little party before it could even start.
Deadprez: Mia was ruthless and cutthroat trying to fight against Adonis Jones here. Adonis showed many comebacks and ways to try and bring her down but Mia’s experience and mindset was too much for Adonis there as she ends up taking the win here tonight!
(Halsey ends up getting off of the chair and enters inside, clapping in an impressed manner. She even goes and lifts up the hand of Mia instead as Mia lets her. Artemis checks over on his brother as he rolls to the ropes and Clayton just gets up and goes to leave for himself. The last shot being of Mia Santoro victorious with Halsey by her side as Showdown goes to commercials.)
(The camera shot has transitioned from the ringside area to the backstage area, more specifically, General Manager Kennedy Street’s office. Kennedy is reading over some paperwork and is engrossed in her work as he hears a knock on the door.)
(KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!)
(Kennedy looks at the door and acknowledges the knocks.)
Kennedy Street: Come in, honey.
(Seconds later, the door opens and we see Wynter Kurayami entering Kennedy’s office. Wynter has a smile on her face as she normally does as she walks over to Kennedy’s desk. Kennedy rises from her chair and shakes Wynter’s hand.)
Kennedy Street: Wynter. It’s a pleasure to see you. Kennie is glad you were able to come see me so quickly.
Wynter Kurayami: I am glad to be here, Miss Street. What exactly did you need me to come to your office for?
(Kennedy gets a smile on her face as she gets ready to explain why Wynter has been called to her office.)
Kennedy Street: Well, Wynter, the reason that Kennie has called you to her office is becau–
(Kennedy is cut off by the sight of Wynter starting to walk around the office and she still has that smile on her face and that leaves Kennedy looking confused.)
Kennedy Street: Ohhh! We… well okay then. Wynt… Wynter. WYNTER! Can you stop walking around the office for a second so I can tell you what the news is?
(Wynter does stop in front of Kennedy and she smiles at Kennedy.)
Kennedy Street: Thanks, Honey. What I–
(Now Wynter is just bouncing on her heels and Kennedy just looks at her before shaking her head and accepting this.)
Kennedy Street: Alright. This is fine and you are at least staying in one spot for now. Now that I have you in one spot, allow Kennie to tell you why I had you brought to my office.
(Wynter nods as she keeps smiling.)
Kennedy Street: First off, congratulations once again on winning the elimination match at Midsummer Massacre. It was a very hard fought victory against three… yes three… very tough and talented competitors.
Wynter Kurayami: I really appreciate it, Miss Street.
Kennedy Street: Now of course you know I didn’t bring you into my office just to congratulate you. Kennie is here to tell you about what you get for winning the match.
(Wynter nods as she is still smiling and bouncing around.)
Kennedy Street: Now you know very well that the winner of the Elimination Match at Midsummer Massacre will earn a shot at the New Breed Championship, correct?
Wynter Kurayami: That’s correct.
Kennedy Street: Well, Kennie is happy to tell you that you will be getting your shot at the New Breed Championship very soon.
Wynter Kurayami: How soon is soon if you don’t mind my asking?
Kennedy Street: Kennie doesn’t mind you asking… especially since this is the first major bout of politeness I have seen in a long time.
Wynter Kurayami: Excuse me.
Kennedy Street: Nothing to worry about, honey. Anyways, Kennie is telling you that you get your shot at the New Breed Championship AT TERRITORIAL INVASION!
(Wynter is still smiling, but Kennedy isn’t sure what Wynter’s reaction to the news is. Again, Wynter does a lap or two around the office and Kennedy doesn’t stop her this time around. When it gets to the point that she thinks Wynter won’t stop, she gently grabs Wynter by the wrist and stops her… and Wynter goes back to bouncing on her heels.)
Kennedy Street: I think it would be safe for Kennie to assume that you are pleased with the news, Wynter?
Wynter Kurayami: Oh, I am very pleased, Miss Street. Thank you very much for trusting me with such a huge match and huge opportunity at such a big event in EAW’s season. And I am more than ready to become the New Breed Champion and to bring the New Breed Championship back to Showdown.
(Kennedy looks at Wynter and sees the confidence coming from her and smiles as well.)
Kennedy Street: Well, honey, I have no doubt at all that you have all the capability and the talent in the world to win the New Breed Title and bring it back to Kennie’s brand… where it rightfully belongs. Especially since Showdown is the brand with the best and most talented up and coming st–
(SLAM!!)
(Kennedy’s office door is slammed open, snapping Wynter and Kennedy out of their conversation. Wynter is still smiling as Kennedy looks down and shakes her head in disbelief.)
Kennedy Street: Oh gawd! Please tell me it’s not–
????: MISS KENNEDYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
(Kennedy finally looks up and sees that it’s definitely Grace De Luca who barged into her office and slammed her office door open. Grace looks to not be in a very good mood as she steps right in front of Wynter and is right in front of Kennedy.)
Kennedy Street: Of course it’s her. My day of peace just couldn’t last very long, could it?
Grace De Luca: Excuse me
Kennedy Street: *sigh* It’s nothing. Just making some mental notes for later. *sigh* Yes, Grace. What can I do for you?
Grace De Luca: Miss Kennedy. I am here right now to tell you that this is NOT FAIR!
Kennedy Street: What is not fair, Grace?
Grace De Luca: THIS! THIS is NOT FAIR!
(Kennedy is really close to losing her temper as she turns around and takes a deep breath and counts to ten… maybe eleven or twelve considering it’s Grace… before turning back around.)
Kennedy Street: You have to give Kennie a little more to work on, Grace. Now what is not fair?
Grace De Luca: TH–
Kennedy Street: Now before you say THIS again. I am going to remind you that you are an adult and an Elitist on Kennie’s show. You use your big girl words or else I am going to throw you out of my office because you have been warned repeatedly about slamming doors to Kennie’s office. Am I clear?
(Grace is to the point of almost pouting but Grace does nod in the affirmative.)
Kennedy Street: Good. Now Kennie is going to ask this again… what is not fair.
Grace De Luca: It’s not fair that we are going into one of the biggest events of the season, Territorial Invasion, and I don’t have a title shot. I mean everybody knows I absolutely deserve a title shot because I mean look at me. Don’t you think that I am deserving of a title shot? You think I am, right? I know you think I do.
Kennedy Street: Well….
(Grace is waiting for Kennedy’s response but is tapped on the shoulder by Wynter. Grace immediately gets more annoyed as she turns around to face Wynter… and that sort of creepy almost deranged smile of hers.)
Grace De Luca: What do you want? Can’t you see I am busy talking to Miss Kennedy about getting a title shot?
Wynter Kurayami: Excuse me, Miss Grace, but you had a chance to get a title shot at Midsummer Massacre. You didn’t get it, because I was the winner of that match.
Grace De Luca: How could you say that to me? That match was not fair! I was the winner and you know it! That title shot should be MINE!
(Wynter doesn’t respond, all she does is smile and bounce on her heels as Grace glares at Wynter because all that smile does is piss Grace off even more. The two ladies are having a face-to-face moment before Kennedy steps in between the ladies.)
Kennedy Street: Look here, you two. There will be no fighting in Kennie’s office. Now look, Grace.
(Grace now turns to look at Kennedy.)
Kennedy Street: Before you throw a hissy fit about not being on Territorial Invasion, let me tell you that you will indeed be at Territorial Invasion. You see, you will be representing Showdown at Territorial Invasion in the Number One Contender’s match for the Specialists Championship.
(That certainly changes Grace’s mood as she has a smile on her face.)
Grace De Luca: YES! I knew that you couldn’t leave me off the card because Grace De Luca is needed and now I am going to become the Number One Contender for the Specialists Championship. That title is going to look so good on me.
Kennedy Street: Good luck with your match, but next week are going to be settling what is going on between you two. That’s right. Grace De Luca will be going one on one with Wynter Kurayami.
(Both women look back at each other and smile.)
Grace De Luca: Perfect. Now I will get another chance to show why I should have won at Midsummer Massacre in the first place.
Wynter Kurayami: I wish you the best of luck, Miss Grace, because I really hope you don’t get disappointed when this match will have the same result as the last one.
(Wynter is still smiling as she leaves the office. Grace scoffs and rolls her eyes before leaving the office. Kennedy takes a breath before she looks over and sees that Father Vlad has walked in.)
Father Vlad: Hello, Ms. Street.
(The cameraman has been ushered out of the room as Father Vlad closes the door behind him and the shot transitions elsewhere.)
(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 Oklahoma City… he is Oklahoma’s own… “GOOD OL’” JED ROSS!!!
(A large overweight man in a black cowboy hat is shown standing in the ring. He is shown casting angry glares at the commentary team after they refused to allow him to join them on the show tonight.)
Deadprez: I gotta say this guy does not look like he is in the shape required to be competing in the ring.
Sienna Swann: It’s almost sad to see. Sweetie you don’t belong over there. You don’t belong at commentary with us either though. I mean don’t be salty because I got your job sweetie.
Gavin Kirkland: BAH GAWD DEAD! IT’S GOOD OL JED ROSS! HE’S ABOUT TO HAVE AN ALL-TIME SLOBBERKNOCKER RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA! BOOMER SOONER!!!
Deadprez: Stfu Gavin.
Gavin Kirkland: Don’t be jealous because of my superior 90s commentary skills.
(“Hard Out Here For A Pimp” by Three 6 Mafia hits to cheers from the crowd.)
Gina Romano: And his opponent… being accompanied by Pandora Paisley and Jon Kelton… he is “Mr. Hustle & Flow” DAMIEN KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTHCERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!
(Damien Kutcher makes his way out to the ring wearing a Showdown t-shirt as are Pandora Paisley and Jon Kelton.)
Deadprez: Here comes the Showdown War Games team! They definitely look ready for action. I would honestly bet on them bringing the trophy home for the blue brand this year!
Sienna Swann: They had better sweetie. Because Showdown’s dominance must be secured for our future as a brand. We are truly superior after all.
Gavin Kirkland: Well maybe Damien should be facing tougher competition if he really wants to get ready. Is beating up old fat guys really going to send the message that Team Showdown wants to send?
Sienna Swann: Well this is about the level of competition I imagine the other brands will be sending so…
Deadprez: Come on. The other brands have some good wrestlers too.
Gavin Kirkland: Am I detecting disloyalty to Showdown Dead? Do I need to speak to Kennedy about this.
Deadprez: Y’all already know who I’m rooting for.
(DING! DING! DING!)
Deadprez: Well this match is underway and I don’t expect it to last long.
Gavin Kirkland: Damien Kutcher towers over this man. He’s going to murder him!
(“Good Ol’” Jed Ross walks up to Damien Kutcher looking him over with a scowl on his face.)
Jed Ross: (off-mic) Now you listen to me! I can tell you a thing or two about the rasslin’ business! You gotta pay yo dues young man! I ain’t saw you helping put up the ring earlier tonight! The fuck you were at? You think you can wear that Showdown shirt in here? I oughta take you out behind the woodshed and give you a whipping! Send you running like a scalded dog!-
Deadprez: DAMIEN KUTCHER GRABS HIS OPPONENT!!! THE TRENCHES CONNECTS! THE TRENCHES JUST PUT HIM DOWN!!!
Gavin Kirkland: BAH GAWD HE KILLED HIM! HE JUST MURDERED THAT OLD MAN! BAH GAWD ALMIGHTY HE’S BROKEN IN HALF!!!
Sienna Swann: The cover and it’s obviously over.
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Gina Romano: Here is your winner… DAMIEN KUUUUUUUUUUUUTCH-
(Damien Kutcher rolls out of the ring to take the microphone. A man sitting ringside is shown running over to check on “Good Ol’” Jed Ross in the ring.)
Damien Kutcher: Now that was no competition at all. Not even a warmup. I didn’t even break a sweat! Mr. Hustle & Flow is not about to settle for that. I’m wrestling again and I demand some competition. I know there’s someone out there in this arena who wants some!
(Damien Kutcher is shown scanning the crowd. Eventually he turns his eyes on the man who is checking on his easily defeated opponent in the ring.)
Damien Kutcher: How about you? You look like you are in good shape? You think you can last more than five minutes in the ring with “The Monarch of Motion”?
(The athletic looking man turns towards Damien Kutcher with tears in his eyes.)
Jed Ross Jr: That was my daddy man! You killed my daddy! How dare you?!?!
(Damien Kutcher laughs as the young man angrily takes off his shirt and screams at him to get back in the ring.)
Jed Ross Jr: I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU! YOU KILLED MY FATHER! DAMIEN YOU PIECE OF SHIT!
(Damien Kutcher shrugs before rolling back into the ring and asking the referee to call for the bell.)
Deadprez: Well I guess Damien is not done. We are having another match…
(DING! DING! DING!)
Sienna Swann: At least this guy looks like he can handle himself in a fight. I’m not sure he is going to be quite on the level of actual Showdown talent but maybe he will last more than 30 seconds?
Gavin Kirkland: I for one am appalled that Damien Kutcher would assault a defenseless old man like that for no reason. He shouldn’t be allowed to wear that Showdown t-shirt. He doesn’t represent our values.
Deadprez: The match is underway as Damien and Jed circle the ring and prepare to lock up.
Gavin Kirkland: Damien Kutcher quickly takes his opponent down with a wrestling toss. But his opponent grabs his leg from behind and twists him around into a legbar on the ground. Damien stays on top of him wrapping his legs around Ross Jr. as he begins to focus on his midsection with the legscissors. Damien slaps him hard on both sides of the skull his ears gotta be ringing something fierce.
Sienna Swann: But Ross Jr. manages to power back up to his feet! He lays into Damien with hard chops to the chest. Damien is taken aback by the sheer power of his opponent and falls back into the corner! Ross Jr. charges in with heavy shoulder thrusts ramming into the midsection of his opponent with force! The air is taken out of Damien as he falls down to a sitting position in the corner. Jed Ross Jr. runs around the middle of the ring in a circle building up speed before charging in!!!-
Deadprez: BASEMENT DROPKICK TO DAMIEN IN THE CORNER!!! LOOK OUT!!!-
Gavin Kirkland: Damien Kutcher manages to move out of the way! Jed Ross Jr. slams into the corner with force sliding all the way into the metal pole! God damn bro just went nuts first into the metal pole!
Deadprez: Damn that’s gotta hurt. Looks like there won’t be a Jed Ross III in the family.
Gavin Kirkland: Damien Kutcher grabs his opponent pulling him out of the corner before connecting with the Trenches yet again!
Sienna Swann: THE TRENCHES CONNECTS!!! DAMIEN KUTCHER WITH THE COVER!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Gina Romano: Here is your winner yet again… DAMIEN KUTCHERRRRRRRRR!!!!
(“Hard Out Here For A Pimp” by Three 6 Mafia hits to cheers from the crowd as Damien Kutcher has his arm raised by the referee in the ring.)
Deadprez: What a massive victory here tonight for Damien Kutcher. Well two victories. Bro really racking up them Ws!
Gavin Kirkland: Voltage could never. Dynasty could never.
Sienna Swann: Showdown is definitely in promising hands at War Games.
(Jon Kelton and Pandora Paisley enter the ring and pick up Damien’s fallen opponent before tossing him out of the ring like trash. Kelton laughs as he lands on the back of his neck and a loud cracking sound is heard.)
Deadprez: Oh nah we need medical out here. Is this guy even a licensed wrestler?
Gavin Kirkland: Who cares? He agreed to wrestle it’s his fucking fault.
Sienna Swann: I’m not sure that’s how the law works Gavin but regardless. Who is going to stop Team Showdown?!?!
(Pandora Paisley and Jon Kelton are shown with microphones in the ring.)
Pandora Paisley: Good work Damien. You have showed just what we are going to do to the other brands at War Games.
Jon Kelton: Indeed. Victory is truly assured more than ever. This is truly the best and most dominant team that I have ever been a part of. Good work Damien. You are truly leagues above all my previous partners.
(Damien Kutcher takes a microphone as well.)
Damien Kutcher: Tonight was a night of action. I took on multiple opponents because I am just that damn good. This is what the other brands will have to contend with because we are not just waiting around anymore. From now on… Showdown is on the warpath!
Jon Kelton: Facts big guy.
Pandora Paisley: I could not agree more Damien. Now is as good a time as any… NOW is the time for us to go on the attack!!!
Jon Kelton: Watch the fuck out for us! We comin’!
(All three slam the microphone down before throwing the referee out of the ring as they head backstage looking ready to commit violence on anyone in their path.)
Deadprez: Can Showdown even be stopped?
Gavin Kirkland: I think I would be more intimidated if I was the other brands if it was anyone besides “Jon Kelton” making these kinds of threats.
Sienna Swann: Well it is a lot of people besides him and I wouldn’t underestimate any of them. Showdown just might not want to wait until Territorial Invasion! Sweeties yo asses just got put on notice!!
(The camera cuts to a commercial featuring the Jones Brothers using words they probably shouldn’t be using.)
(The shot has transitioned from the ringside area to the backstage area where we see Halsey Neel and Mia Santoro walking, but they are not alone. Walking with them is the National Elite Champion, Akari Kiyoko, with his championship resting proudly on his shoulder as he walks with them and listens to them talk about Territorial Invasion, especially since he accepted to join the Showdown Brand Warfare team last week. They stop in front of the locker room doors as the cameras pick up what the trio are talking about.)
Halsey Neel: I don’t know about you two, but I think we have created a pretty formidable team to contend with at Territorial Invasion and we don’t even have a full team yet.
Mia Santoro: Emphasis on yet. But even though we are leading the team, no doubt to victory, that doesn’t mean that I am not going to pretend that there isn’t something else that I want.
(Mia looks over and points to the National Elite Championship on Akari’s shoulder.)
Mia Santoro: That precious National Elite Championship that should rightfully be mine. I am not done fighting for that title yet. Not by a long shot.
(Akari looks at Mia and smirks before patting the front plate of his National Elite Championship.)
Akari Kiyoko: I know you do and I already told you that you can most definitely have another shot at the title should you want it.
Mia Santoro: And I told you last week that I most definitely want another shot at the title and I graciously accept your challenge.
(Halsey looks between the two and rolls her eyes, seeing where this could possibly go.)
Halsey Neel: As I bloody well told you both last week, you can have your match, but it needs to wait until AFTER Territorial Invasion because we have something much more important that we need to focus on and that is the Brand Warfare match.
Mia Santoro: I know that. I am the co-captain of the team and I want to win just as much as you do.
Akari Kiyoko: I understand. Form the best team and bring superiority and bragging rights to Showdown. We can definitely do that.
(Despite the back and forth over the National Elite Championship, there is no bad blood or hostility between the Brand Warfare team members.)
Akari Kiyoko: Well I do have a question for you two.
Mia Santoro: Yeah?
Halsey Neel: What’s that?
Akari Kiyoko: Right now, there is you, me, and Mia as official members of the Brand Warfare team, correct?
Mia Santoro: Yeah.
Halsey Neel: That’s correct.
Akari Kiyoko: And by Territorial Invasion, Showdown needs to have a team of five unless the rules have changed since last year.
Mia Santoro: No. The rules haven’t changed.
Halsey Neel: Alright, Akari. No more beating around the bush. What point are you trying to get at with this bloody buildup?
Akari Kiyoko: I was just curious on who you had in mind to round out the rest of the Brand Warfare team?
(Halsey and Mia look at each other as Halsey gets a smirk on her face.)
Halsey Neel: Akari, you don’t need to worry about that because I talked with somebody last week who I think would be a very welcome edition to the team and would only improve the chances of a Showdown victory.
Akari Kiyoko: Oh yeah?
Halsey Neel: Yeah.
Akari Kiyoko: Well if you talked to somebody, who was it?
Halsey Neel: Rex McAllister.
Akari Kiyoko: Really? You talked to Rex?
Mia Santoro: Yep. We approached Rex last week about joining the Brand Warfare team.
Halsey Neel: Kennedy trusted Mia and myself to form the most talented team possible in order to maximize Showdown’s chance of victory. Of course, I am going to talk to Rex. I explained to him how great of an opportunity it would be to have a talented Hall of Famer like himself to be on the Brand Warfare team.
Akari Kiyoko: Well what did he say? Did he accept?
Halsey Neel: Well, he didn’t give an answer just yet, but he did say he would think about it.
Mia Santoro: We are safely assuming that Rex is going to give us an answer this week.
?????: Well your assumption would be correct, Mia.
(The trio look around and wonder where the person is that spoke up as Rex McAllister comes up and we can hear cheers for Rex faintly in the background. Rex stands with the Brand Warfare team and nods to all three of them in respect.)
Mia Santoro: We were wondering if we were going to hear from you tonight.
Rex McAllister: I said I would give you an answer and I was going to as soon as I had a decision for you.
Halsey Neel: Well since you are here right now, I guess you have an answer for us?
Rex McAllister: I certainly do.
Halsey Neel: Well….
Mia Santoro: Well….
(Even Akari has perked up and is intrigued to see what Rex says.)
Akari Kiyoko: Well….
Rex McAllister: Territorial Invasion is a beast of a different sort, especially in a match like this. You can have five talented wrestlers together on one team, but it doesn’t necessarily make them a great team. Even I was a little surprised that you asked me, but you did provide a very convincing argument.
Mia Santoro: We can be very convincing sometimes.
Rex McAllister: You two can be. Especially when you brought up that you wanted somebody with experience and somebody who has been in this type of match before. Somebody who knows what Brand Warfare is all about.
(Halsey, Mia, and Akari all nod.)
Rex McAllister: So I have thought about it. I’ve thought through the match and thought about the people involved and thought about Territorial Invasion as a whole. So that’s why I have decided….
(Halsey, Mia, and Akari look at Rex and wonder what decision Rex has made about the Showdown Brand Warfare team.)
Rex McAllister: I have decided to accept your offer and join the Showdown Brand Warfare team at Territorial Invasion.
(There is a brief moment of silence because they weren’t sure if they heard Rex correctly.)
Mia Santoro: You’re in?
(Rex nods and smiles before he extends his hand.)
Rex McAllister: That’s right. I’m in.
(Halsey immediately smiles after hearing that declaration.)
Halsey Neel: That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.
(Halsey steps forward and shakes Rex’s hand before Mia steps up and shakes Rex’s hand as well.)
Mia Santoro: Glad to have you on the team.
(Then Akari steps up and he also shakes Rex’s hand.)
Akari Kiyoko: Good to have you on the team.
(Rex nods as Halsey and Mia smile because they know their team just got a little more dangerous now that Rex is on the team.)
Halsey Neel: Looks like we are making some good progress with the formation of our team.
Mia Santoro: That’s right. Four members down and only one more to go.
Akari Kiyoko: The big question is who do you have in consideration for the last member of the team?
(Halsey thinks about it for a moment before she shakes her head.)
Halsey Neel: I am not really sure. But I think that whoever the fifth person is should really change the complexion of the entire match just by entering the ring.
Rex McAllister: What about somebody who could be a powerhouse and boost the overall strength level on our team. We don’t even have to like them. What about Do–
Mia Santoro: Don’t suggest it! Literally anybody but him!
Akari Kiyoko: I agree, but does anybody have someone in mind?
(At that point, Mia gets a big smirk on her face and that gets everyone’s attention.)
Mia Santoro: Well… I kind of already talked to someone who I really felt like would help us greatly in the match.
Halsey Neel: Huh? You did.
Mia Santoro: I certainly did and you are going to love it.
Akari Kiyoko: Well who is it?
Mia Santoro: Let me tell you that the person I talked to fits the bill of exactly what we are looking for… and they are right there.
Halsey Neel: Who in the bloody hell is it? I mean—
(Halsey is cut off by the sight of the person who just walked up that Mia talked to earlier….)
(KELIN!)
(Halsey couldn’t even say anything, but she has a big ear to ear grin on her face because she knows damn well that KELIN being here means that the team she and Mia have envisioned has just come together perfectly. Mia simply looks over at KELIN and smiles.)
Mia Santoro: Since you are here, I guess you thought about my offer to join the team?
KELIN: I did.
Mia Santoro: And?
KELIN: I accept. I agree to join the Brand Warfare team.
(Mia smiles and pats KELIN on the back.)
Mia Santoro: That’s what I was hoping you would say. Now our team is definitely a force to be reckoned with.
(The final shot shows the now complete Brand Warfare team talking amongst themselves as the camera shot fades elsewhere.)
(The show comes back from commercial break and pans to 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 Karl Impact strides out to the ring carrying that familiar aura of seasoned confidence, every step deliberate and purposeful. Shortly after, ‘Enemy’ by From Ashes to New follows as Donovan Duke marches out with a sharp and focused intensity behind him, the full weight of what he needs to accomplish tonight written across his expression as he heads toward the ring.)
Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST!… ACCOMPANIED BY SILAS MASON!… THE TEAM OF IMPACT AND DONOVAN DUKE!
Gavin Kirkland: Last week we saw exactly what transpired between Impact and Bea Valentine to set the stage for their collision at Territorial Invasion! This could very well be Karl’s final meaningful opportunity to send an undeniable message before that night arrives, and tonight he wants to make it absolutely clear that he is coming for that championship and coming to make history!
Sienna Swann: Sweetie, we are about to witness what should be a rising star dismantling a man who has been in this industry long enough to be considered a historical artefact. And then there is Donovan Duke standing beside him. They are Silas World… they SUCK and Silas Mason is a disaster in a suit. That covers my assessment of this entrance.
Deadprez: But speaking of the broader Silas World complications, there are also very specific problems waiting alongside this match tonight that sit uncomfortably close to someone with a deeply personal connection to Cody Maverick. Donovan Duke has to navigate all of that baggage in the same evening. And last week was already a frustrating chapter for Donovan, with a championship moment slipping away at the critical instant because of Cody’s interference. He is coming into tonight looking to extract something from that unfinished ledger.
(‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine and Benny the Butcher plays as Cody Maverick walks out, cracking his knuckles and delivering the kind of entrance that communicates exactly one thing: he came here tonight to handle something personal. Shortly after, ‘Gloria’ by the London Symphony Orchestra swells through the arena as Bea Valentine marches out with the EAW Answers World Championship wrapped around her waist, moving with the composed authority of a reigning champion who does not need the occasion to remind her of her own significance, Cornelius following closely behind.)
Gina Romano: INTRODUCING THEIR OPPONENTS!… ACCOMPANIED BY CORNELIUS!… THE TEAM OF CODY MAVERICK AND THE EAW ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION!… BEA VALENTINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
Gavin Kirkland: We witnessed everything that unfolded between Bea Valentine and Karl Impact last week and tonight we are getting a preview of exactly what Territorial Invasion has in store for both of them when it all comes to a head on the grandest stage available
Sienna Swann: It is not going to unfold any differently than we already know it will, sweetie, because Karl Impact in his current chapter is simply not operating at the level required to dethrone someone like Bea Valentine. I respect the career entirely, but the time for that particular conversation has passed. What I am considerably more invested in watching tonight is Cody Maverick making Donovan Duke deeply regret everything that has accumulated between them. Now THAT is the compelling subplot of this main event.
Deadprez: The tension building between those two specifically has been at a sustained simmer for some time now and tonight we are almost certainly going to see it boil over the moment that bell rings. Everything else in this match is secondary to what Cody and Donovan represent when they share the same space and we are seconds away from finding out exactly what that looks like in real time.
(DING DING DING!)
Gavin Kirkland: The match is underway, and we are opening with Cody Maverick at the frontline of his team going directly across from Donovan Duke! The weight of history between these two is impossible to ignore, but tonight the honeymoon period is firmly over, and these two are bound to collide once more, whether they want to or not!
Deadprez: Both men step up, and the tension between them is palpable from the first moment they share the same space… AND TO IGNITE THIS THING IMMEDIATELY, A SLAP ACROSS MAVERICK’S FACE! BUT MAVERICK COMES BACK WITH A RIGHT HOOK LOADED WITH EVERY OUNCE OF FURY HE HAS AND NOW REPEATS THOSE PUNCHES, DRIVING DONOVAN BACKWARD!
Gavin Kirkland: But Donovan answers with a right hand of his own the moment he creates space, follows with a kick to the gut and now a headlock that pushes Maverick toward the ropes before DRIVING him down with a sharp shoulder tackle! Donovan tries to hit the opposite ropes but MAVERICK IS ALREADY OFF THE CANVAS WITH A ROLLING ELBOW ON THE REBOUND!
Sienna Swann: So much accumulated tension detonating in the opening seconds, sweetie, and honestly if any of it serves to push Donovan’s luck out of this match, I am fully invested in every second of it. Silas World needs to fracture and tonight feels like the right occasion.
Gavin Kirkland: Maverick ends up driven back into the corner and Valentine has the instinct to make the tag immediately as Donovan retreats to his own corner and tags out to Impact!
(DOUBLE TAG!)
Gavin Kirkland: AT THE SAME MOMENT! Impact comes swinging at the rising Maverick but Cody sidesteps it and BEA CONNECTS WITH THE SUPERKICK! Impact staggers and Maverick seizes the waist and LAUNCHES IMPACT OVER WITH THE TILT-A-WHIRL POWERSLAM! WHAT A FEROCIOUS START BETWEEN THESE TWO TEAMS FROM THE OPENING BELL!
Deadprez: And there is no sign of this slowing down at any point soon! Impact and Donovan regroup on the same side of the ring while Silas Mason watches from outside with that familiar anxious expression, and here comes Bea hitting the ropes with Maverick opening the path ahead of her! SUICIDE DIVE WAS SUPPOSED TO CRASH ONTO BOTH MEN, BUT DONOVAN SHOVES IMPACT OUT OF THE WAY AND ABSORBS THE WHOLE THING HIMSELF!
Sienna Swann: Even with that connection going slightly wide of its intended target, we are in very capable hands here, sweetie. And Silas Mason, pacing at ringside, looking like a man attending his own funeral, continues to be the most entertaining subplot of this entire match.
Gavin Kirkland: Impact is still feeling the accumulated effects of everything that has been thrown at him regardless, and Valentine sends him back inside the ring while Cody steps out to the apron as Bea moves toward the corner to make the tag!
(TAG!)
Gavin Kirkland: Tag made as Cody Maverick steps back through the ropes and Impact barely has time to get vertical before being forced to absorb a relentless barrage of precisely placed body punches landing with conviction on every single shot! Impact is left completely disoriented and begins stumbling backward into the corner under the sustained assault, Cody continuing to unload shot after shot until the referee is forced to step in and call for separation!
Sienna Swann: The combination of precision and barely contained emotion in those body punches is genuinely something, sweetie. Cody Maverick is not swinging wildly!
Deadprez: Cody Maverick in a corner with Karl Impact and a referee trying to pull him back. That is a complicated situation for everyone involved, and the referee is not entirely wrong to be concerned about what happens if he steps away.
Referee: (Off-Mic) COME ON! ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!–
Gavin Kirkland: Cody releases the pressure but immediately yanks Impact out of the corner and attempts the suplex! Impact counters quickly and tries to redirect the momentum his way, but Maverick slips out of the attempt and lands behind him! Impact pivots and locks in a waistlock of his own to regain some control!
Deadprez: Donovan Duke slides back into the ring, apparently incapable of staying out of situations that do not directly involve him, and tries to take Cody over from behind! But Cody fires a kick back at him! The standing switch creates a chain reaction, and Maverick sends Impact crashing directly into Donovan and launches him through the ropes! Karl stumbles from the collision and turns straight into Maverick for a SWINGING NECKBREAKER THAT PUTS HIM DOWN!
Gavin Kirkland: Both teams have been working remarkably well given the circumstances in this match! Maverick retreats to the corner and lets the momentum shift play itself out as Bea Valentine accepts the tag and positions herself at the top rope!
(TAG!)
Sienna Swann: Bea is exactly where she belongs, elevated above those two thoroughly unpleasant men below her, and she is coming down on Impact with a DIVING ELBOW DROP! That is what I like to see, sweetie!
Deadprez: Impact absorbs the full collision and ends up on the outside trying to regroup with Donovan Duke who is right there attempting to assist him! They are consolidating while Bea clearly still has further chaos planned! Maverick signals her to go for it and BEA IS UP, CHARGING OFF THE ROPES AND FLYING DOWN WITH THE DROPKICK THROUGH THE ROPES!
Gavin Kirkland: Donovan was positioned to protect Impact this time and catches Valentine as she comes flying through; now watch out at this table, everyone!
Sienna Swann: NOT AGAIN THIS WEEK, SWEETIE!
(CRASH!)
Gavin Kirkland: DONOVAN WITH THE NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX THAT ALMOST SENDS VALENTINE DIRECTLY TOWARD OUR TABLE!
Sienna Swann: THIS GUY IS NUTS! SOMEONE NEEDS TO DEAL WITH HIM AND DEAL WITH HIM IMMEDIATELY, SWEETIE!
Deadprez: But hold on, Donovan may have temporarily neutralised Bea and is trying to send her back inside the ring, but CODY IS ALREADY UP AT THE TOP ROPE!
(## PLEASE DON’T DIE!)
Deadprez: CODY LAUNCHES INTO THAT DEATH-DEFYING MOONSAULT AND TAKES DONOVAN DUKE DOWN IN THE PROCESS AFTER WATCHING HIM DISPOSE OF HIS PARTNER!
Sienna Swann: The entire crowd was on their feet, genuinely unsure whether he was going to die, and he absolutely delivered, sweetie!
Gavin Kirkland: Maverick slowly pulls himself back to his feet and drags Donovan Duke up toward the apron with him! OH NO! Both of them are in an extraordinarily precarious position right now, and Cody is perhaps setting up for a Vertical Suplex from the apron! But Impact gets back in time and DELIVERS a sharp Knife Edge Chop directly across Maverick’s chest before anything further can develop!
Deadprez: Impact has recovered just in time to prevent this from spiralling into something catastrophic! Donovan Duke seizes the moment that intervention created and DRIVES MAVERICK DOWN ONTO THE APRON WITH A TIGER SUPLEX! WHAT IMPACT! No pun intended toward the other gentleman!
Sienna Swann: JUST AS I WAS BUILDING TOWARD SOME OPTIMISM, SWEETIE!
Gavin Kirkland: Bea Valentine is still prone in the ring after Cody Maverick gets taken out so abruptly! Impact slides back inside as she begins working her way back to vertical and PLANTS HER FACE FIRST WITH A RUNNING BULLDOG FROM BEHIND!
Gavin Kirkland: Donovan Duke tries to communicate something to Impact as he begins hauling Bea back to her feet and positioning her for a Powerbomb! Donovan climbs up top!… AND A CROSSBODY FROM THE TOP DRIVES DOWN INTO THE POWERBOMB ON BEA! Genuinely creative combination from these two when they actually cooperate!
Deadprez: Donovan rolls clear and we realize this as the continuation of Impact’s sequencing as he proceeds to hoist Bea back up off the canvas onto his shoulders once more! THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE POWERBOMB IN THE SAME ROLL! IMPACT HOOKS THE LEG!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Deadprez: BEA VALENTINE KICKS OUT! And I have to credit both teams here because they have been working with a surprisingly cohesive and effective rhythm throughout this match to this point.
Sienna Swann: That may well be true, sweetie, but it does not mean I have any interest in watching them win tonight.
Donovan Duke: (Off-Mic) COME ON, KARL! GET OVER HERE!
Gavin Kirkland: Karl crawling over after expending so much in this match and reaching out to make the tag with his partner, sending Donovan Duke back inside the ring!
(TAG!)
Deadprez: Donovan Duke steps through the ropes and immediately scoops up Bea Valentine who is still feeling the full accumulation of that extended attack sequence! Impact simultaneously positions himself on the second rope! DONOVAN DUKE HAS HER IN THE RUIN AND DEMISE POSITION AND THIS IS A DEEPLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR BEA!
Gavin Kirkland: But Valentine recognises the danger with just enough presence of mind to power her way off the shoulders and out of the setup! She sends Donovan stumbling and he nearly collides with Impact on the second rope, almost sending him toppling off entirely! Valentine comes running and Donovan attempts a Back Body Drop but she vaults over the top and meets KARL ON THE SECOND ROPE! LOOK AT THIS!
(## CRASHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!)
Gavin Kirkland: AVALANCHE CUTTER FROM THE SECOND ROPE TAKES IMPACT CLEAN OFF AND DRIVES HIM DOWN TO THE CANVAS!
Sienna Swann: What on earth is happening in that ring right now, sweetie?! This match has been completely unhinged from the moment the bell rang and somehow it keeps finding another gear!
Deadprez: Donovan turns around and sees nothing good coming his way, trying to take Bea off her feet with a Spear, but Bea sidesteps it and redirects Donovan straight into the ring post! Donovan stumbles back out from the impact and Valentine is already running at him from the near side, hitting the second rope and COMING DOWN WITH A TORNADO DDT THAT PLANTS DONOVAN DUKE INTO THE CANVAS! BEA COVERS!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gavin Kirkland: TWO! Donovan Duke powers the shoulder up at two before things can take the worst possible turn! Silas Mason is nearly beside himself at ringside while Cornelius stands nearby with unwavering belief in his Madam and what she is capable of producing in this match!
Deadprez: The match has to keep moving despite some of the bodies scattered around the ringside area, and what we have witnessed so far has been genuinely compelling! Bea Valentine slowly rises in the corner as Impact is the first to get back to his feet and charge at her, but Valentine fires a boot directly into his face before he can get anywhere near her!
Gavin Kirkland: Valentine steps out and BLASTS Impact in the leg with the Dropkick to the leg to follow up! Donovan Duke is working to get back upright and looks to come in with a Running Knee Lift, but Bea powers through it and catches the knee— UPPERCUT FROM VALENTINE SENDS DONOVAN THROUGH THE ROPES AND OUT TO THE FLOOR!
Sienna Swann: Impact on his knee trying to turn around, but Bea accelerates off the ropes and TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A SHINING WIZARD! This is precisely what I appreciate about the spirit and fire she brings, sweetie, especially given that this match has Silas Mason lurking at ringside doing what that heartless individual always does. This energy is exactly the antidote to his presence.
Deadprez: Speaking of renewed energy, Cody Maverick is back at the apron after being down for quite a considerable stretch, and he is reaching out for the tag! Bea is doing everything she can to crawl through the pain, and Cody is stretching his arm out as far as it will go! BEA LEAPS FOR THE TAG…
(PULL!)
Gavin Kirkland: NO! VALENTINE WAS RIGHT THERE, BUT DONOVAN, WHO HAD JUST FALLEN TO THE OUTSIDE, REACHES UP AND DRAGS MAVERICK DOWN FROM THE APRON BEFORE THE HANDS CONNECT! DONOVAN SEIZES HIM AND DELIVERS A MICHINOKU DRIVER THAT PLANTS MAVERICK ON THE RINGSIDE GROUND!
Sienna Swann: Every single time, sweetie! Every single time there is a moment of genuine hope in this match, that man finds a way to reach in and extinguish it!
Deadprez: Which gives Impact just enough time to recover from the Shining Wizard he absorbed earlier and now he is targeting Bea Valentine, who just narrowly missed the tag! He hauls her along the ground before sending her hard into the ropes! AND BEA COMES REBOUNDING DIRECTLY INTO THE TILT-A-WHIRL BACKBREAKER!
Gavin Kirkland: Donovan is seen rushing back over after dealing with Cody Maverick who is still suffering from the effects of that Michinoku Driver on the floor! Donovan hops up to the apron and reaches out for the tag as Impact falls back and makes the connection!
(TAG!)
Deadprez: Tag made, and Bea is down on the canvas clutching her back and fighting through every ounce of pain she has accumulated in this match! Donovan Duke perches at the top rope while Valentine is still grounded below him, and he stands tall up there! DIVING SHOOTING STAR PRESS CONNECTS ON VALENTINE! INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gavin Kirkland: AND CODY MAVERICK SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING AND BREAKS THAT COUNT UP JUST IN TIME! STILL HURTING FROM EVERYTHING HE ABSORBED EARLIER BUT REFUSING TO LET THIS MATCH END WITHOUT HIM!
Deadprez: Impact sees the bad shape of things developing in the ring and comes surging up off the floor, sliding in and launching a right hand at Maverick who has barely managed to get back to his feet! Impact grabs him and shoves him hard toward the ropes as Maverick rebounds! Impact swings for the clothesline but Cody ducks underneath it and slips behind him! BACK SUPLEX DROPS KARL FLAT ON THE CANVAS!
Gavin Kirkland: Maverick gets back up and spots Donovan Duke approaching with a swing, but it misses entirely! Maverick spins around going for the Discus Punch of his own but that also misses as Donovan allows his hand to trail toward the ropes and uses the momentum to spring off them looking for the Handspring Elbow! BUT MAVERICK LETS HIM SAIL OVER HIS BACK AND STRAIGHT INTO VALENTINE WHO HAS GOTTEN BACK TO HER FEET AND CATCHES HIM! HALF NELSON NECKBREAKER FROM BEA!
Sienna Swann: Well, we are back in business and I am every bit as pleased as Cornelius appears to be from where he is standing right now, sweetie!
Deadprez: Maverick is back on the apron, reaching out for Bea Valentine as she finally summons enough to get onto at least both feet and stumbles toward Cody!
(TAG!)
Deadprez: AND THIS TIME IT CONNECTS! FINALLY! Maverick comes through the ropes and immediately charts a direct course toward Donovan Duke, who is working his way back up! Right hands thrown at him with everything Cody has, and now mounted punches raining down on Donovan, who is left completely senseless before getting sent hard into the ropes!
Gavin Kirkland: But Donovan fires back with a kick to the jaw as he returns, hits the opposite ropes himself looking to build momentum, but JUST AS HE THOUGHT HE HAD CREATED SOME BREATHING ROOM, DONOVAN GETS LAUNCHED OVER WITH THE BACK BODY DROP!
Deadprez: Impact has recovered from the Back Suplex he absorbed earlier and tries to spin Cody around, but Cody loads up a wild jab sequence, jab after jab connecting and landing at Impact, and then SWINGS INTO A DISCUS LARIAT THAT TAKES IMPACT CLEAN OFF HIS FEET! CODY MAVERICK IS ABSOLUTELY ON FIRE RIGHT NOW!
Sienna Swann: That is the kind of sustained offensive fury needed to burn these morons down completely tonight, sweetie! Keep going!
Gavin Kirkland: Donovan Duke is seen stumbling back into the corner, in considerable pain, and Maverick comes storming toward him, POUNDS Donovan at the corner with a Running Clothesline! AND HERE IT COMES! LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THAT CORNER! THE MACHINE GUN CHOPS BEGIN FIRING AT FULL VELOCITY!
(CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP!)
Sienna Swann: IT JUST KEEPS GOING! CODY IS RELENTLESS TONIGHT, SWEETIE!
Gavin Kirkland: AND ONE ENORMOUS FINAL CHOP TO PUNCTUATE THE ENTIRE FURIOUS SEQUENCE THAT WE HAVE ALL WITNESSED TOGETHER, LEAVING DONOVAN DUKE DRAPED IN THE CORNER AND COMPLETELY VULNERABLE TO WHATEVER COMES NEXT!
Deadprez: Karl is working his way back off the canvas yet again after being taken down, but the man is operating through considerable pain as he reaches over Cody, trying to drag him away from Donovan! But Cody puts a stop to it immediately with a sharp back elbow that sends him stumbling!
Gavin Kirkland: Standing switch as Cody turns back around and Impact comes into his path, but Impact catches the elbow shot and attempts to throw Cody into the corner! IMPACT LEAPS HIGH FOR THE STEP-UP ENZUIGIRI BUT DRIVES THAT KICK DIRECTLY INTO DONOVAN’S FACE INSTEAD, WITHOUT REALISING FOR A SINGLE SECOND WHO HE ACTUALLY CONNECTED WITH!
Deadprez: An elegant solution to a two-man problem as Cody gets himself up from behind the confusion and immediately focuses on Impact, throwing him toward the ropes and IMPACT COMES SURGING RIGHT BACK INTO A SCOOP SLAM FROM CODY! Karl eventually has to roll himself out to the floor and take stock of his own accumulated damage out there!
Sienna Swann: Finally, we have someone keeping Karl Impact at a comfortable distance while Donovan Duke continues to suffer in that corner, sweetie. This is precisely the kind of organized chaos I can appreciate!
Gavin Kirkland: Cody Maverick hauls himself back to his feet after putting Karl down, drags Donovan Duke along and hurls him toward the opposite corner! Maverick turns and follows in but Donovan sidesteps it and sends Cody into the corner instead!
Deadprez: Duke presses forward and tries to send him with the Irish Whip, but Maverick reverses it, sidesteps the return, and perhaps looking for the Handspring Elbow which ends up sending Donovan tumbling over and landing on the apron! SLINGBLADE FROM VALENTINE ON THE OUTSIDE CATCHES DONOVAN ON THE APRON AND TAKES HIM DOWN!
Sienna Swann: What a perfectly timed intervention from Bea Valentine, sweetie! She read that moment from the outside and delivered it exactly when it was needed, knocking him back and disrupting everything he had left to offer!
Gavin Kirkland: Which gives Cody Maverick the opening to seize Donovan, drag him back into position, push him into the corner and hoist both legs up from under him! MONEYMAKER DDT DRIVES DONOVAN DUKE HEADFIRST INTO THE CANVAS! DONOVAN DUKE IS DOWN AND CODY GOES STRAIGHT INTO THE COVER!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gavin Kirkland: POWERING OUT AT TWO! DONOVAN DUKE GETS THE SHOULDER UP DESPITE THE SHEER VOLUME OF EFFORT AND PUNISHMENT THAT THE WORLD CHAMPION AND THE KING OF ELITE 2026 WINNER HAS POURED INTO THIS MATCH TONIGHT!
Sienna Swann: Just one more reason to be deeply and personally annoyed by this main event, sweetie!
Deadprez: But we may be edging closer to this main event reaching a conclusion on the right note just yet as Donovan Duke has been thoroughly worked over and Bea Valentine is on the outside making calls alongside Cornelius, who looks absolutely desperate to see this through to its proper ending. Cody drags Donovan along and hauls him back to his feet! LOOKS LIKE HE IS GOING FOR THE HIGH ROLLER! THIS COULD BE THE CLOSING STATEMENT!
Gavin Kirkland: But wait! Donovan slips out at the precise moment Impact gets back to his feet on the inside— THE ABSOLUTION BY IMPACT TAKES MAVERICK DOWN! NO!
Sienna Swann: DO YOU SEE WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS ENTIRE MATCH?!?!?!?
Deadprez: Just when we believed we were approaching the finish line, Bea Valentine tries to get back inside the ring to intervene, but Donovan Duke rebounds off the ropes and DROPS HER WITH A SPEAR THAT SENDS VALENTINE BACK TO THE FLOOR! Silas Mason is screaming from ringside for Donovan to make the cover on Cody, but Donovan has something else entirely in mind! He rushes up and ascends to the top corner while Maverick is already down below with his full attention locked in!
(## VELVET RODEO!)
Deadprez: AND THE 450 SPLASH CONNECTS! DONOVAN DUKE HOOKS THE LEG WHILE IMPACT POSITIONS HIMSELF TO INTERCEPT BEA VALENTINE SHOULD SHE ATTEMPT TO GET BACK INSIDE THE RING FROM ANY ANGLE!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE–
Deadprez: AND NO! KICK OUT! CODY MAVERICK POWERS THE SHOULDER UP AT TWO!
Sienna Swann: YES! YES! LOOK AT SILAS MASON’S FACE! HE CANNOT COMPREHEND HOW HIS TEAM KEEPS FALLING SHORT AGAINST CODY MAVERICK AND THE WORLD CHAMPION! THAT EXPRESSION IS WORTH EVERY DIFFICULT MOMENT OF THIS ENTIRE MATCH, SWEETIE!
Gavin Kirkland: THE ENTIRE ARENA COMES ALIVE ONCE MORE! THEY ARE WITNESSING THE MAIN EVENT CALIBRE RESILIENCE OF A MAN WHO SIMPLY REFUSES TO STAY DOWN IN THE BIGGEST MOMENTS!
Deadprez: This may not sustain itself in Cody’s favour, though, as Impact is communicating something urgent to Donovan Duke right now, and they very clearly have a coordinated plan taking shape.
Impact: (Off-Mic) Let us just get this finished. I am completely done with both of them.
Donovan Duke: (Off-Mic) Could not agree more, Imp.
Gavin Kirkland: Cody has been hauled back up to his feet, and both of his arms are hooked simultaneously! Impact is positioning himself on the second rope, and this is already beginning to look like the premeditated conclusion of Cody Maverick’s evening! THEY ARE SETTING UP THE ASSISTED RUIN AND DEMISE ON MAVERICK!
Deadprez: WAIT! BEA VALENTINE GETS HERSELF BETWEEN THEM AND DRIVES A SUPERKICK INTO DONOVAN’S FACE BEFORE THE EXECUTION CAN BE COMPLETED!
Sienna Swann: THANK GOODNESS! She is clearly still carrying significant pain from everything she has absorbed but HERE COMES IMPACT LOOKING TO FLY OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE!
(## BEA TRIGGER IN MID-AIR!)
Gavin Kirkland: THE BICYCLE KNEE CATCHES KARL CLEAN WHILE HE IS STILL AIRBORNE! WHAT A BEA TRIGGER THAT JUST STOPPED IMPACT DEAD IN FLIGHT AND SENDS HIM THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE OUTSIDE! DONOVAN DUKE IS NOW COMPLETELY ISOLATED IN THAT RING WITH VALENTINE RISING TOWARD THE CORNER AND REACHING OUT FOR CODY TO MAKE THE TAG!
Sienna Swann: EXACTLY WHAT THIS MATCH NEEDS RIGHT NOW! COME ON!
Bea Valentine: (Off-Mic) CODY! COME ON, GET THERE!
Deadprez: CODY IS CRAWLING AND FIGHTING THROUGH EVERY OUNCE OF ACCUMULATED PUNISHMENT TO CLOSE THAT DISTANCE!
(TAG!)
Deadprez: AND FINALLY, THE WORLD CHAMPION IS BACK IN THIS MATCH! DONOVAN DUKE SCRAMBLES BACK TO HIS FEET AND SWINGS FOR THE FORCE OF WILL BUT FINDS NOTHING AS VALENTINE DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND COMES OFF THE ROPES! SLINGBLADE TAKES DONOVAN DOWN AGAIN!
Gavin Kirkland: Donovan stumbles back upright, and Valentine fires a sharp chop directly across his chest that drops him to one knee! Bea leaps over him— CODE RED DRIVES DONOVAN DOWN WITH TREMENDOUS FORCE! BEA HOOKS THE LEG!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Deadprez: DONOVAN KICKS OUT, BUT LOOK AT BEA VALENTINE WORKING WITH PRECISE AND RELENTLESS EFFICIENCY! SHE SWITCHES HER FOOTWORK IMMEDIATELY AND TRANSITIONS RIGHT INTO AN O’CONNOR ROLLUP DIRECTLY OFF THE KICKOUT TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON DONOVAN!
ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Deadprez: BUT STILL A KICKOUT! AND THAT ONE SENDS SILAS MASON INTO A BRIEF BUT VERY VISIBLE STATE OF PANIC AT RINGSIDE!
Gavin Kirkland: Donovan eventually has no idea where he is in this match and Impact is fighting desperately to get back onto his feet and provide some assistance, but Bea Valentine is going to put a definitive end to all of this before that can happen! She reaches over to collect Donovan and begins turning him into position! GOING FOR THE BEA MY VALENTINE!
Deadprez: Donovan escapes and manages to shove her away in the final instant! At that same moment, Impact has recovered enough to attempt the Bea Trigger counter heading back inside! FIST OF FURY ATTEMPT, BUT NOBODY IS HOME, AND IT FINDS NOTHING!
Sienna Swann: HERE COMES MAVERICK, WHO HAS GOTTEN BACK UP AND TACKLES IMPACT DOWN, TAKING HIM ALL THE WAY TO THE OUTSIDE! LEAVE THAT RING TO BEA AND DONOVAN, SWEETIE! THAT IS ALL WE NEED RIGHT NOW!
Gavin Kirkland: WAIT! DONOVAN IS COMING FOR THE FORCE OF WILL AGAIN, BUT BEA CATCHES THE ARM WITH A KICK BEFORE IT CAN CONNECT— BEA TRIGGER LANDS CLEAN!
Sienna Swann: YES! YES! AND SHE HAS DONOVAN HOOKED AND GOES FOR IT!… THE CONSPIRACY! BEA VALENTINE GOES FOR THE COVER, BUT THAT INSUFFERABLE BASTARD HAS ROLLED HIMSELF TOWARD THE ROPES AND OUT OF REACH!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gavin Kirkland: DONOVAN DUKE SURVIVES BY THE NARROWEST POSSIBLE MARGIN AND THE CROWD CANNOT BELIEVE IT! BEA VALENTINE HAS DONE EVERYTHING REQUIRED TO FINISH THIS MATCH AND KEEPS FINDING THE DOOR LOCKED FROM THE OTHER SIDE!
Deadprez: Valentine has no choice but to follow through to where Donovan has retreated, pursuing him to the outside and reaching out to get her hands on him! Meanwhile, on the other side of the ring, Impact and Cody are brawling against each other before CODY GETS SENT INTO THE BARRICADE AND NEARLY GOES OVER!
Gavin Kirkland: Now Impact can finally redirect his attention toward Bea and he is making his way toward her with bad intentions!
Sienna Swann: If this keeps spiralling the way it is spiralling, sweetie, this is not going to end in any way that anyone at this table is going to feel good about!
Deadprez: IT DOES NOT MATTER BECAUSE OUR WORLD CHAMPION IS BACK AND BEA VALENTINE IS DOWN THERE FIGHTING OFF KARL IMPACT WITH BOTH HANDS! NOW THEY ARE EXCHANGING ON THE RAMP! RIGHT HAND FROM BEA! RIGHT HAND FROM IMPACT!
Gavin Kirkland: IMPACT SHUTS HER DOWN WITH A RIGHT HAND TO THE GUT AND QUICKLY TAKES DOWN THE LEGS, LOOKING TO APPLY THE WALLS OF IMPACT RIGHT THERE ON THE RAMP! CODY IS GETTING BACK UP TRYING TO HELP BUT HERE COMES DONOVAN DUKE CUTTING HIM OFF AND NOW THESE TWO ARE GOING AT EACH OTHER AS WELL!
Sienna Swann: THIS HAS DISSOLVED INTO COMPLETE AND TOTAL CHAOS! THIS IS NOT GOING TO END WELL FOR EITHER TEAM TONIGHT AND I CANNOT WATCH ANOTHER ONE OF THESE CONCLUSIONS, SWEETIE!
Referee: ONE!…. TWO!… THREE!… FOUR!….
Deadprez: BEA HAS MANAGED TO WORK HER WAY OUT OF THE WALLS OF IMPACT JUST BEFORE IT COULD BE FULLY APPLIED! HERE COMES IMPACT TRYING TO CLOSE THE DISTANCE AGAIN AND YET AGAIN THE SUPERKICK CONNECTS AND STOPS HIM IN HIS TRACKS! BEA HAULS IMPACT UP ONTO HER SHOULDERS AND DRIVES HIM DOWN WITH THE FIREMAN’S CARRY CUTTER, BUT THE IMPACT OF THAT MOVE SENDS PAIN RADIATING BACK THROUGH BEA’S ALREADY DAMAGED BODY!
Referee: FIVE!… SIX!… SEVEN!… EIGHT!…
Gavin Kirkland: CODY MAVERICK IS OUT THERE BRAWLING WITH DONOVAN DUKE! BOTH MEN COLLIDING AT RINGSIDE WITH SILAS MASON TRYING DESPERATELY TO MANAGE A SITUATION THAT HAS LONG SINCE ESCAPED ANY FORM OF MANAGEMENT!
Deadprez: BUT CODY IS NOT LISTENING TO ANYONE OR ANYTHING RIGHT NOW! HE DRAGS DONOVAN TOWARD THE COMMENTARY TABLE AND THEY ARE THROWING HANDS DIRECTLY OVER OUR WORKSPACE RIGHT NOW AND THIS HAS THE VERY REAL LOOK OF SOMETHING ABOUT TO GO CATASTROPHICALLY WRONG!
Referee: NINE!…
Sienna Swann: WHY DOES IT ALWAYS HAVE TO BE THIS TABLE, SWEETIE?! WHY IS IT ALWAYS OUR TABLE?!
Gavin Kirkland: MAVERICK THROWS A HAND AND TRIES TO SHOVE DONOVAN OFF BUT DONOVAN DUKE HAS HIM POSITIONED AND OH NO!
(## CRASHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!)
Gavin Kirkland: CHANGE OF HEART DRIVES CODY MAVERICK STRAIGHT THROUGH OUR COMMENTARY TABLE! WE HAVE LOST ANOTHER TABLE THIS WEEK AND THIS HAS DEVOLVED INTO ABSOLUTE RINGSIDE CARNAGE WITH BODIES SCATTERED EVERYWHERE! SILAS MASON DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH HIMSELF AND CORNELIUS STANDS THERE EQUALLY SPEECHLESS AS THE COUNTOUT REACHES ITS CONCLUSION!
Referee: ….. TEN!
(DING DING DING!)
Gina Romano: DUE TO THE REFEREE’S DECISION, THIS MATCH HAS ENDED IN A DOUBLE COUNTOUT!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Deadprez: It does not matter because the fighting refuses to stop regardless of what the bell just declared! Bea and Impact are still going at it on the stage while Donovan Duke and Cody Maverick are both down in the wreckage of what used to be our commentary table! This could genuinely run all night if someone does not step in and physically separate these people!
Sienna Swann: WHERE IS SECURITY?! WHERE ARE THEY?! They are terrible at their jobs, and tonight is the clearest possible evidence of that, sweetie!
Gavin Kirkland: AND SPEAKING OF WHICH, HERE COMES SECURITY FINALLY RUSHING OUT TO TRY AND PULL THESE FOUR APART! BEA IS STILL TRYING TO GET AT IMPACT, AND IMPACT IS BEING PHYSICALLY RESTRAINED AND SENDING THE SAME MESSAGE RIGHT BACK AT HER!
(The final image of Showdown settles on Bea Valentine and Karl Impact still straining against the security personnel holding them apart, both of them locked in a brawl that security is making every effort to contain within the chaotic and disheveled ringside area. The scene remains unresolved and volatile as Showdown fades into the commercial break.)
(We have returned from commercial break for the final time tonight and the silence of the ringside area is quickly replaced by the sound of “7 Rings” by Ariana Grande playing throughout the arena and the crowd goes absolutely crazy when Veena Adams and Milli Banks enter the arena. They look at each other and nod and smile to the crowd as they head to the ring.)
Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen! At this time, please welcome to the ring… VEENA ADAMS! MILLI BANKS! THEY ARE KUTE! AND! KUNTY!
Deadprez: Here comes the Kute and Kunty combination heading to the ring and both Milli and Veena certainly had some positive moments last week not just on Showdown but on Voltage as well.
Gavin Kirkland: Milli Banks got a countout victory over Donovan Duke last week thanks to Cody Maverick interjecting himself in the match. Not only that, we found out on Voltage that Veena got the match that she wanted as she challenges Minerva at Territorial Invasion.
Sienna Swann: Sweetie, the history has just got more interesting as Veena is Milli’s bestie and Milli lost the Universal Women’s Championship to Minerva. Now put Joso, Minerva’s… boyfriend I guess, into the equation because he attacked Milli after her match and put her down and out. A lot of different pieces are associated with this puzzle. But let’s hear what Milli and Veena have to say.
(Milli and Veena each grab microphones from Gina before they enter the ring. When in the ring they stand in front and center and listen to the crowd’s cheers as the music fades off and they begin to speak.)
Veena Adams: So like, do you want to speak first, bestie?
Milli Banks: Actually yes. I do want to speak first tonight, girl.
Veena Adams: Alright. The floor is yours.
Milli Banks: Thank you.
(Milli nods to Veena before looking out to the crowd.)
Milli Banks: I am not going to let this drag on any longer than necessary because I want to talk about last week after I defeat Mr. Crazy Pants. It was a countout, but enough to piss him off. I am talking about what happened after the match when Joso attacked me.
Milli Banks: If you ask me, I think Joso is just a desperate little boy being even more desperate in his attempt to get back into the World Title picture that he attacked me because I want a shot at the title as well. Joso, I hope you are listening because you will NOT be using ME as a steppingstone to get back into title contention. That’s for damn sure.
(Then Milli turns to look at her bestie Veena.)
Milli Banks: Speaking of World Championships, I know I had some apprehensions about Veena challenging Minerva for the Universal Women’s Championship, but I want to make it known now that I support my girl 100% as she challenges Minerva and I will be there for my girl every step of the way.
(Veena walks over and hugs Milli.)
Veena Adams: You are like the best ever, bestie. I love you soooo much!
Milli Banks: I love you too, girl.
(Veena now steps up front and center and has a smile on her face as she addresses the crowd.)
Veena Adams: If you guys didn’t watch Voltage last week, then you were like missing out because I got exactly what I was looking for and that is a match for the Universal Women’s Championship at TERRITORIAL INVASION!
(The crowd goes crazy with cheers.)
Veena Adams: Even though I didn’t end last season as a World Champion and it totally and completely sucked, but now I have a chance to become a World Champion once again. Because I definitely want to become the next UWC.
Veena Adams: The first reason I made pretty obvi is because I want to become World Champion again. But that isn’t the only reason. I also want to become the new UWC is so I make damn sure that I get revenge for my bestie, Milli, for what Minerva did to her. It also makes me feel so happy that my bestie has given me her blessings and will be there supporting me every step of the way.
Milli Banks: Girl, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
(After they finish speaking, we hear “LIKE WEEZY” by Playboi Carti start to play and any remnants of cheers are completely gone as Joso enters the arena to the sound of loud boos from the crowd. He could care less what the crowd thinks as he heads right to the ring.)
Sienna Swann: Sweeties, we had to expect this was coming because Joso might be a loudmouth and a buzzkill, but he isn’t going to let Milli and Veena say his or Minerva’s name without there being any sort of response.
Gavin Kirkland: He has been on a crusade to get back into the World Championship picture since losing at Midsummer Massacre.
Deadprez: Joso attacked Milli last week after her match and you have to wonder if her declaration to go after the Answers World Championship fueled the fire of Joso? Maybe it’s Milli’s association with Veena and her history with Minerva? I guess we are about to find out.
(Joso is in the ring after grabbing a microphone and he walks straight up to Milli and Veena. He doesn’t look too pleased as his music fades off and he begins to speak.)
Joso: I can’t believe I waited this long to break up this sickening love fest, but I am glad I did because I don’t think I could listen to this for another second.
(Joso then turns and looks at the crowd.)
Joso: You’re welcome, by the way.
(The crowd just starts booing even louder and Joso shakes his head.)
Joso: Morons.
(Joso then turns his attention back to Milli and Veena.)
Joso: You want to know the truth, Milli? I attacked you last week because you are another big fish in this pond of Showdown. I chose you because if I am going to get back into the Answers World Championship picture, then I need to make a statement against the biggest names possible.
Joso: But there is another reason I did what I did and it isn’t just because the Answers World Championship is within reach. It’s because of what you tried to do to the woman I am in love with. You see, Milli, when you tried to kill Minerva, you didn’t realize it then and I am going to make sure you realize it now.
Milli Banks: Realize what?
Joso: I am going to make you realize that trying to kill my love was not only the biggest mistake of your career, it was the biggest mistake of your LIFE. And in honor of Minerva, I am going to make sure that I return the favor and finish the job.
(Milli is annoyed at Joso as Joso turns his attention from Milli and turns it to Veena.)
Joso: As for YOU….
Veena Adams: Oh, this ought to be good.
Joso: Shut up. Anyways, I want you to know as well that you fucked up too, Veena.
Veena Adams: How is that? Please enlighten me.
Joso: You fucked up the moment you challenged Minerva and now you are going to regret that decision when Minerva rips you apart.
(Veena almost looks amused at what Joso just said.)
Veena Adams: You think so? Like… yeah right!
(Veena and Joso glare at each other until they hear the sound of the crowd going absolutely nuts.)
Gavin Kirkland: What in the hell is going on–
Deadprez: IT’S MINERVA! THE UNIVERSAL WOMEN’S CHAMPION IS HERE AND SHE HAS JUST ROLLED IN THE RING AND STRUCK VEENA FROM BEHIND!!
Sienna Swann: Joso uses the distraction of the attack TO ATTACK MILLI! JOSO AND MINERVA ARE ASSAULTING KUTE AND KUNTY ON SHOWDOWN!
Gavin Kirkland: BUT LOOK! VEENA AND MILLI HAVE STARTED TO FIGHT BACK AND NOW THE BATTLES HAVE FINALLY EVENED OUT AND THEY ARE ALL JUST FLAT-OUT BRAWLING!
Sienna Swann: Sweetie, these four have such connected histories with each other and it’s just at one level of a fever pitch and it’s only going to get more intense as time gets closer to Territorial Invasion.
Deadprez: Look at the fists fly! Minerva and Veena! Milli and Joso! They are trying to tear each other in this hellacious melee.
(Security have come down the ramp and have rolled into the ring to separate the four competitors from fighting anymore and the crowd doesn’t like it at all.)
Crowd: LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!
Gavin Kirkland: I agree. Let them keep fighting.
Sienna Swann: Sweetie, there is going to be plenty of time for these four to beat the hell out of each other.
Deadprez: This will most definitely not be the last time that Milli and Joso will battle. We also know that Minerva and Veena have a date with destiny at Territorial Invasion with the title on the line. Things are only going to get even more heated between now and then.
(The final shot shows security trying to keep all four competitors separated as the crowd wants them all to keep fighting. They are all trying to break free as the shot fades to black.)
(EAW Logo Buzzes….)
