(EAW intro plays.)
(The camera shows a recap of last week’s Voltage, before fading to the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, Illinois. The crowd for tonight’s show appears as excited as always, with the thousands of fans cheering as pyro shoots from the stage. With a pan around the crowd, the camera fades over to the commentary table where Rich Russillo, Thadd Blazevich and Persephone could be seen.)
Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Sunday Night Voltage! Grand Rampage is getting closer and closer, and we’re keeping our foot on the gas as we have another big night ahead of us!
Thadd Blazevich: That’s right bro! The Unified Tag Team Championships are on the line, and we also have the Hardcore Champ in action! There’s so much more too, and I just wanna get straight to it!
Persephone: Me too, so we can hopefully wrap this show up quicker.
(The camera fades towards the stage, and ‘Duel’ by JINJER hits. Loud boos spill from the crowd, and before long, Minerva, Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes can all be seen beginning to walk out to the stage. Daniella and Selina are wearing their Championships, while all three women have microphones. They make their way down the ramp, ignoring the hostile reception as they all appear pleased following last week’s events.)
Rich Russillo: ToXXXin is here, and this could be a very good two-week span for these three women. We already saw Minerva in action last week as she and Eris Morti won a huge fatal four way tag team match. Tonight could be Selina and Daniella’s turn for a huge win!
Thadd Blazevich: Yep, but let’s not forget the stakes here, dude! They’re up against Caroline and the Answers World Champ, and their Tag titles are on the line! It’s gonna be radical, but before we get there, we gotta hear what they got on their minds!
Persephone: Do we, though? I seriously don’t see what could be so important right now.
(The three members of ToXXXin climb their way onto the apron, taking a moment and staring out at the hostile fans in attendance, before finally making their way into the ring. ‘Duel’ begins to fade out, and as a smirk slowly forms on the face of Minerva, she begins to speak.)
Minerva: Isn’t this getting tiring?
(These words bring about more boos, and Minerva just shakes her head before she continues.)
Minerva: When ToXXXin began I was questioned for the fact that I was willing to trust two Elitists who were newer to the EAW roster compared to many of the others on this brand. I had a vision that they couldn’t see, and as a result they couldn’t prepare themselves for the destruction we had in store for them. They failed to see Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes for the threats they were capable of being, and some of you were even foolish enough to doubt me. Last week I was surrounded by those doubters. Those who in a few weeks will share the Grand Rampage match with us, as well as other Elitists I either have crossed paths with in the past, or have just never been on my radar. This was an opportunity that I could’ve very easily discarded knowing that my teammate was not one of ToXXXin, but an Elitist I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting in Eris Morti, but I wasn’t interested in leaving any stones unturned.
Minerva: It turns out that Eris and I wanted the same thing, after all. I knew from the start that only the two of us would be capable of leaving that match with the victory, and now that it’s over, it’s time to shift our eyes towards the future. A future where Damon Lazarus, TLA, and Jon Kelton will be forced to relive the fate they already met, as well as the twenty four people besides them who get in our way at Grand Rampage. Some of you should already be well aware of how dangerous I am. Some of you have already had a hand in the trail of blood left by ToXXXin. The Grand Rampage match will be filled with those who know that it is unwinnable, and the fact that they compete in this match in spite of this knowledge will lead them only to further suffering.
(A sinister expression crosses the face of Minerva with these final words, before Selina Reyes prepares to speak, while the camera pans towards her.)
Selina Reyes: It’s true, and while I’m certain that many of you are too ignorant to realize the kind of threat making its way into the Grand Rampage no matter how many warnings you are given, you’ll thankfully be given one last opportunity to see everything you need to tonight. Daniella and I will be defending our Unified Tag Team Championships against that arrogant fool Jake Smith and Caroline, and the Championship around his waist may have been enough to lead Jake to the belief that those two are capable of taking these Championships from us, but time is running out. Jake’s delusions will not last much longer, and even Caroline will not be able to save him from the humiliation that comes his way tonight… Just like Jake failed to save her.
(A smirk forms on Selina’s face as she says this, and Daniella adds to this, with a grin on her face as well.)
Daniella Atlas: Then again, it isn’t as if Jake actually made any effort to help Caroline last week. Jake may be the Answers World Champion, a fact that we do not take lightly, but for Jake to even attempt to compare himself and Caroline to us as a unit is, quite frankly, embarrassing.
Selina Reyes: Of course. Jake doesn’t actually have the ability to stand at the top of this division alongside Caroline. He merely wanted another addition to his resume, and becoming the Answers World Champion only strengthened this desire. However, what he didn’t account for is the fact that we are the greatest tag team in this company.
(Daniella nods to Selina, before turning forward towards the crowd, taking a step forward as she places her hand on her Championship.)
Daniella Atlas: By challenging us, Jake has effectively thrown both himself and Caroline to the wolves. Wolves who will devour the two of them, before moving onto the Grand Rampage match where the three of us will dismantle every single threat that stands between us and victory. Truthfully, Caroline doesn’t need to be part of this. It isn’t her ego that put her in this spot as it is Jake’s, but she allowed Jake to drag her into this. She allowed him to speak for her and pull her into this match. She was never going to back down from this opportunity even if it does mean having to continue putting up with Jake’s lowly antics, so what happens tonight will be the result that Caroline allowed to happen, and what Jake begged for. A proper look into the future for those with the eyes to see it.
(This brings about another loud reaction, one filled with boos. This however remains ignored by ToXXXin, as Minerva puts her hand on Daniella’s shoulder, walking towards the ropes as she begins to speak once more.)
Minerva: Last week, tonight, no matter how many more challenges are brought to us, nothing will change. Grand Rampage will be upon us very soon, and when it is here, there is no use in expecting anyone else to have their time. This match belongs to ToXXX-
(Before Minerva can continue, the sound of ‘Until It Sleeps’ by Metallica is heard playing up. The crowd gives a loud negative reaction as the camera goes over to the stage, revealing Damon Lazarus as he methodically makes his way out from the backstage area. He has a glare in his eyes as he stares at the ring, looking at the numbers that are against him. He’s not intimidated by it at all as he begins to make his way down the ramp.)
Rich Russillo: Here comes one of the many Voltage roster members who have thrown their name in the hat for the Grand Rampage match. Last week, Damon Lazarus teamed with Auburn Ware, and due to Auburn getting distracted checking on the wellbeing of Damon, she would end up getting pinned by Eris Morti to win the match. Interesting dynamic there between those two, huh?
Thadd Blazevich: Well, if there’s one thing I can say, bro, Damon was definitely not happy allowing that to happen. But regardless, he knows he has to keep his eye on the ball, and he has to keep his entire focus on the Grand Rampage match. He’s got some big odds against him, especially when it comes to the people in the ring, but given his veteran experience and his overall willingness to head down to the ring tonight, I don’t think he’s backing down, dude!
Persephone: Lord, I can only imagine what this sicko did to Auburn. Maybe it interests me, maybe it doesn’t, I don’t know.
(Damon makes his way up the steps and onto the apron as he slowly enters into the ring. He doesn’t take his eyes off the three members of ToXXXin as he makes his way over, taking a microphone from the ringside area while ‘Until It Sleeps’ begins to come to a close. He approaches them, not backing down,a s he raises his microphone and begins to speak.)
Damon Lazarus: I’ve never been one to mince words, so I’ll let you know right now that I’m not looking over what happened last week. I’m unhappy about it, it’s a loss that shouldn’t have happened, but mistakes were made. Mistakes that I wouldn’t have made… mistakes that needed to be reprimanded. I’m not pleased with the circumstances of the match, but I’ve addressed and dealt with the problem, and the only thing that I have my eyes on now is the Grand Rampage match. And it seems if that’s the case, well then the four of us… appear to have a problem.
(Damon tilts his head as he begins to pace around, identifying the three of them who watch intently, ready for anything to happen.)
Damon Lazarus: Minerva, your little group seems confident in yourselves. What did you say? I’m going to be forced to relive a fate that I already met? No. What happened… it doesn’t define what’s going to happen in the Grand Rampage match. Nothing has changed, and if that means I have to go through you, or your two other friends here, it doesn’t matter to me. I entered this match and I don’t expect to leave if I’m not pointing at the Pain For Pride logo by the end of it. I’ll make damn sure of that.
(Damon lowers his microphone as the crowd continues to get loud. Minerva looks amused by this, as she looks at Selina and Daniella, but before she can say anything… ‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac begins to play up. The crowd gives a thunderous reaction as the camera goes over to show TLA as he makes his way out to the stage. He has a smile from ear-to-ear on his face as he listens to what everyone has had to say for themselves. He looks at the camera pointed at him, giving a small shrug of the shoulder, as he makes his way down the ramp.)
Rich Russillo: Here comes TLA, and he played a part in Eris and Minerva getting a victory last week. It was a great night for him especially with the magnitude of the event, but now he has to keep his eye on the ball, with the sole focus being righting the ship in terms of what has happened this season and walking into a Pain For Pride main event.
Thadd Blazevich: But he seems to forget that someone is breathing down his throat, bro! Chris Elite, imprisoned or not, has made it known that he’s coming for him. After what he’s done to him, pinning the blame on their Shock Value loss to him and attacking him, he’s entered the Grand Rampage match too to make sure TLA doesn’t win! Regardless, it doesn’t seem like La Pantera Sexual pays no mind to it, as he heads down to the ring looking to face the odds heads-on.
(TLA makes his way up the steps and onto the apron as he enters through the ropes and into the ring. He makes his way over and takes a microphone from the ringside area as ‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ begins to come to a close. As he turns around and approaches the four other people in the ring, he doesn’t waste any time beginning to speak.)
TLA: Yoyoyo, it seems like we have a fiesta up in here! We gettin’ lit right now, and shit, I don’t blame y’all for thinking that you gonna win the Grand Rampage match. We all been working our asses off, putting in that trabajo to make sure that we reach the top. But no matter who yo boi is up against, it don’t make a damn difference. Imma walk into that bih and take it all, and idgaf who boutta be da one to try and get in the way of that.
(TLA looks around, as his eyes land on Damon, a smirk on his face.)
TLA: Even if it’s you, Damon, homie! I ain’t phased. Look, mb about what happened last week, fr. I ain’t know yo girl was about that, y’know? You got a good one forsure. But you know just as well as anyone else that keeping yo eye off the ball is exactly what’s going to fuck you over. I’m willing to go through your ass or any other amigo who thinks they have what it takes to win this match, even if it’s ToXXXin here. Hola, mamis!
(TLA gives a wave as he glances over at Minerva, Selina, and Daniella, who don’t look very amused.)
TLA: Seems like we all think that we boutta win this. Minerva, you and I, we got dat historia fr. Been through hell and back especially on the yellow brand, shit, we bled sangre just at the beginning of the season. You may have won then, but trust it ain’t gonna be the same thing here. Even if you got your poons over here tryna get in the way of that, ain’t nobody gonna stop the Baddest Hombre on The Planet from getting what he deserves. And what does he deserve, que? He deserves a Pain For Pride main event and another Campeonata to wear around his waist! Orale!
(“Kendrick, Clae & Cole” by Marqus Clae plays as NICK steps out onto the stage with a microphone already in hand, a relaxed but confident look on his face. He walks a few steps down the ramp, glancing around at the crowd before casually gesturing for the music to be cut. As it fades out, NICK rolls his shoulders and begins to speak.)
NICK: Damn… I leave you all alone for five minutes and it turns into a group therapy session about who’s gonna win Grand Rampage.
(NICK slowly walks down the ramp, looking from TLA to Damon, then over toward ToXXXin, shaking his head.)
NICK: I’m hearing destiny… I’m hearing inevitability… I’m hearing confidence… and I’m hearing a whole lotta people talking like they already punched their ticket. Funny thing is, that’s the same energy I heard a few weeks ago when I walked up to you, Damon.
(NICK points toward the ring.)
NICK: You remember that, right? You looked me dead in the eyes, called me a nobody, said I’d be the fastest one eliminated. Told me I signed my own death warrant. All that experience talk, all that resume talk… real poetic stuff.
(NICK shrugs.)
NICK: Thing is… I’m still here. Still standing, still breathing… and when the time comes, I’m tossing your crusty ass over the top rope myself.
(The crowd reacts with “ooh’s” as NICK keeps walking.)
NICK: And it ain’t just you either. Minerva talking like this match already belongs to ToXXXin. TLA talking about fiestas and Pain For Pride main events. Everybody got a speech. Everybody got a plan. Everybody thinks they’re the one.
(NICK stops at the end of the ramp.)
NICK: I don’t got a speech, I don’t got a prophecy, and I damn sure don’t got a whole faction backing me up either. What I got… is the same thing I always had. I fight, I survive, and when the moment comes, I take my shot.
(NICK smirks slightly.)
NICK: You can call that arrogance if you want. You can call it delusion. Hell, Damon already did. But I’ve been underestimated my whole life, and every time somebody thinks I don’t belong, I end up right in the middle of the fight… proving them wrong.
(NICK looks around at everyone in the ring.)
NICK: So go ahead, keep talking about how this is your match. Keep convincing yourselves. Because when that bell rings and bodies start flying over that top rope, none of this talking is gonna matter.
(NICK starts walking toward the steps.)
NICK: And when it’s all said and done, I don’t care if it’s the veteran, the Hall of Famer, the faction, or the fan favorite… I’m throwing whoever I have to over that rope.
(NICK steps onto the apron.)
NICK: And if any of you got a problem with that… get in line, because—
(Just as NICK begins to step into the ring… “All of the Lights (Interlude)” by Kanye West hits to a negative reaction, and annoyance from everyone in the ring as Kelton starts making his way down the ramp with a microphone in hand now.)
Persephone: Oh, brother.
Jon Kelton: Hold on! Hold on a second!
(Kelton walks down the ramp slowly, composed, eyes locked on the ring.)
Jon Kelton: I’m not coming out here to repeat what everyone else already said. I don’t need to talk about destiny, confidence, or who thinks this match belongs to them. I’ve heard it all before.
(Kelton continues toward ringside.)
Jon Kelton: What I care about is simple. I’ve spent too long being close. Close to the top, close to the opportunity, close to finally proving I belong where I’ve always said I do… and every single time, I’ve walked away empty-handed.
(Kelton shakes his head.)
Jon Kelton: That’s not happening again.
(Kelton stops at the bottom of the ramp.)
Jon Kelton: I don’t need a group. I don’t need momentum. I don’t need people behind me. All I need is one moment, one opening, and one chance to throw every single one of you over that top rope.
(Kelton looks around at everyone.)
Jon Kelton: I’m not here to make friends. I’m not here to trade words. I’m here because this is the opportunity that changes everything, and I’m done letting it slip through my hands.
(Kelton steps up onto the apron.)
Jon Kelton: Grand Rampage isn’t about who talks the most. It’s about who refuses to fall short… and I refuse to be second again.
(Minerva just shakes her head, and Daniella begins to speak.)
Daniella Atlas: What makes you think you have a choice in the matter?
Jon Kelton: It’s simple. I-
???: Dumbass wifi, bro.
(A voice is heard booming through the speakers of the arena as the titantron lights up. The people in the ring turn their attention toward it, as they’re met with yet another participant in the Grand Rampage match.)
Chris Elite: First off, fuck all of you. Second off, fuck TLA specifically.
(Chris Elite is seen, currently at his temporary residency at Central Penitentiary in Oaxaca, Mexico. He’s adjusting his camera against one of the window ledges as he takes a step back. He’s clearly pissed off, rubbing his head in frustration.)
Chris Elite: In case he didn’t tell you yet, TLA made sure that I wasn’t going to be here this week. Yeah, imagine my shock when I was told the judge suddenly extended my sentence an extra week when I should’ve been out the next night. Hm, now I wonder who could’ve done that.
(TLA sarcastically tugs his collar.)
Chris Elite: A bunch of bullshit, but if you think for a second that was ever going to stop me from talking shit, then you’re stupid. Once I get out of jail, the first thing I’m doing is making sure that I win the Grand Rampage match and main event Pain For Pride.
(Given what has developed between the two throughout the season, Chris Elite trapped in the jail cell brings a different look to the face of Minerva. Her previous smirk has been wiped away and she now appears to be frustrated with the circumstances he’s in. She turns towards TLA, beginning to speak.)
Minerva: Are you serious about this?
TLA: Lo siento, amiga. I got no idea what you talking about. What you even mad about???
Minerva: About leaving Chris trapped in jail in Mexico because you couldn’t accept losing to ToXXXin. TLA, the sad reality is that you were never going to defeat Daniella and Selina. These two wouldn’t be standing here right now if defeating them was a simple task. Chris is not to blame for the loss, and he shouldn’t be spending the final weeks before Grand Rampage locked up elsewhere because of your inability to come to terms with the fact that ToXXXin turned out to be everything we said it was. We’re the ones to blame for your loss TLA, because no matter what Chris chose to do that night, the end result was always going to be the same.
(There’s a staredown between TLA and Minerva, one that’s filled with tension given the history between these two, even just this season alone. Finally, TLA begins to respond.)
TLA: Nah, we ain’t gonna pull that shit. If Daniella and Selina could do some hablar of their own, they would tell you just how close we were to taking those titles away from y’all. But unfortunately, my tag team partner just ain’t have his head in the game. Mb for standing on business, holmes, but you know I gotta put me first! It’s okay tho fr, cuz you all gonna get the chance to come after La Pantera Sexual for everything that he did to you guys, but don’t be surprised when shit don’t go your way, ese. Cuz all this means for me is four other people I can toss over the top rope on my way to winning dat Grand Rampage match.
(Hearing these words from TLA just annoys Chris Elite, causing him to fire back.)
Chris Elite: I don’t know why we can just stand here and act like you’re not the bad guy in this situation. I know people like to hate on me and shit, but for the first time, I truly can’t see where I went wrong here. I defended myself and gave us the option to part ways mutually, but instead you decided to attack me. Now all of a sudden I’m getting kicked in the nuts by a kid and wrongfully detained. I tried to reason with you, TLA, but it doesn’t seem like you’re in the business for that, so instead I’m just going to make sure that you don’t win the Grand Rampage match, it’s as simple as that.
TLA: Nah, holmes, that ain’t boutta happen. That’s what YOU think is boutta happen, but never in a million years am I boutta have my shot thrown away by someone who ain’t know a damn thing about hustling the way that I do. I gave you yo chance, I gave you more of a chance than anyone else would’ve gave you, and damn homie, you did what you always did and that’s throw it away. You can be angry at me for it, you can even get yo girl here to fuck me up and try and take me out before Grand Rampage or whatever. That don’t mean shit compared to what I’m boutta do in this match, you feel me?
Chris Elite: Hell no I don’t feel you, damn. Out there talking all that shit, you’re lucky as hell that I’m not there right now or else I would’ve smacked the shit out of you. This should’ve been an issue that was handled a long time ago, but since you want to run around and act like a child, I’m going to be the one that handles it for you. Don’t be too shocked when it doesn’t end up going the way that you think.
Selina Reyes: I fail to see why we should be forced to put up with the bickering between the two of you. Shock Value is irrelevant now. Daniella and I have already moved onto our next Championship defense which we’re bound to also succeed in, and once Grand Rampage comes around, it’s not like either of you are actually going to win that, either. This is ToXXXin’s match just as Shock Value was, so the two of you are going to continue fighting, and continue finding new ways to mess with each other, all so you can continue to repeat history.
(This causes boos to come from the fans in attendance, but NICK. takes a moment to think about what Selina just said, before beginning to speak.)
NICK: Repeat history? Nah… what I see is three people getting real comfortable talking like numbers mean anything in a match where everybody’s on their own. You can call it bickering, but at least we’re being real about what this is. Grand Rampage isn’t some coordinated plan, it’s chaos, and the second you start believing you’ve got it under control… that’s when you’re the first one getting tossed.
(Selina takes a moment, taking in what NICK just said, but seemingly confused by his decision to argue against ToXXXin’s chances of victory.)
Selina Reyes: Excuse me?
NICK: I’m saying you’re acting like this already belongs to ToXXXin. Like the rest of us are just stepping stones. But when that bell rings, it doesn’t matter if you came in with two partners or twenty. Somebody’s getting thrown over that rope, and I’m not standing there watching you three walk to the end like it’s already decided.
(Selina looks at Minerva and Daniella, baffled by what she was just told. Daniella just shakes her head, not impressed as she responds to NICK’s words.)
Daniella Atlas: NICK, you can remain as confident as you’d like, but doubting us merely for the sake of holding onto whatever chances of victory you think you have won’t lead you where you’re hoping it will. The biggest threat in this match is standing right in front of you all, and we aren’t backing down from the challenge the target on our backs will present. We’re ready for Grand Rampage, and if you truly believe that you’ll get somewhere at our expense then I fear you haven’t the slightest clue what a match like this really has in store for you. You’re in the way, NICK. You don’t want to be there once we are in the ring.
(NICK doesn’t back down despite these words, staring at Daniella Atlas as the fans boo her. However, before he gets the chance to respond, Jon Kelton cuts in.)
Jon Kelton: You keep talking like everyone else is in your way, but the truth is… you’re standing in mine. Grand Rampage isn’t about who looks the most dominant walking in, it’s about who’s still standing when everything falls apart, and I’ve already made it clear, I’m not letting this opportunity pass me by.
Daniella Atlas: Of course… You truly don’t learn, do you?
(Hearing this almost brings a smirk to his face, unable to believe Daniella would even ask him that.)
Jon Kelton: I’ve learned more than enough. I’ve learned what happens when I hesitate, what happens when I give people the benefit of the doubt, and what happens when I fall short. If I want that to change, I can’t afford to wait for the perfect moment anymore. So whether it’s you, your partners, or anyone else in that match… I’m not thinking twice.
Damon Lazarus: Well then, you’ll find out there’s a whole lot more that you just don’t realize yet. I’ll address the elephant in the room, this is a match that I have never been in before. I have no idea what’s in store for me, but one thing I’ve learned is that unpredictability is what truly does bring out the best in me. I’m not going to wait around for the next best opportunity, that’s never been my mentality. I’m taking it now, and if I have to go through every single one of you to do it, then that’s just the price I pay for greatness.
NICK: You keep talking like going through everyone is nothing, but that goes both ways. You’re not the only one stepping into chaos. You can call me a kid all you want, but when it comes down to it, I’m just as ready to fight through everyone in that match as you are.
Damon Lazarus: The last I checked, I didn’t ask you, kid. If you think you’re going to be the differencemaker then you better make damn sure that you have the tools to back it up. Because not only are you going to have to go through me, but you’re going to have to go through everyone else, and unlike you, all of that is just a nonfactor to me.
(Immediately after this is said, the three members of ToXXXin step forward, as the rest of the Elitists inside of the ring keep their guard up. Minerva stares at Damon, and she just shakes her head.)
Minerva: You understood the threat you were against when you and I crossed paths last week. Don’t forget about that, because it’ll be much, much worse at Grand Rampage.
(TLA chuckles hearing this from Minerva, stepping up to ToXXXin.)
TLA: Amiga, I don’t really think you wanna come out here and make claims like that. Nah, not when I’m around. Ain’t nothing boutta be able to save you or Damon in that Grand Rampage match, when it’s every person for themselves. You may think that you got it in the bag right now, but imma do what I do and sneak in, stealing it right from under your nose, and there ain’t gonna be a damn thing that you can do about it.
Chris Elite: Not when I’m around. You’re not about to do shit. As long as my mind is completely focused on making sure that I win this Grand Rampage match, then you are not going to get anywhere close to a spot that you clearly do not deserve. We already gave you a chance this season, TLA, and look what you did with it? I’m not interested in hearing what you have to say whatsoever, and if I had to guess, everyone else is sick of your shit too.
Damon Lazarus: Endless talk and baseless claims, it seems like we’ve gotten to the root of the issue when it comes to our disagreements. You can continue writing checks that you won’t be able to cash, or you can back it up in this ring. And judging by the looks of it, it doesn’t seem like any of you will be capable of doing that, especially not against me.
Jon Kelton: You can keep doubting me if you want, but I’m not waiting around for permission. I know what this opportunity means, and I know what it’s going to take. When that match starts, I’m doing whatever I have to do to make sure I’m the one left standing.
NICK: Sounds like we agree on one thing… nobody’s waiting. Everybody in this ring thinks they’re walking out the winner, and that just means it’s gonna come down to who actually backs it up when it matters.
(TLA just shakes his head, before going to speak once more.)
TLA: I-
Thadd Blazevich: BRO!!! COME ON DUDE, MINERVA JUST BOOTED TLA IN THE STOMACH!
Rich Russillo: AND NOW ALL OF TOXXXIN JOINS IN, AS THEY ALL BEGIN TO BEAT DOWN TLA!!!!! TOXXXIN IS ALL OVER HIM- BUT THERE IS JON KELTON, TARGETING SELINA AS HE RUSHES IN WITH A JUMPING KNEE, BACKING SELINA UP! THINGS HAVE DEFINITELY BROKEN OUT HERE AS DANIELLA RUSHES IN TO ATTACK KELTON FROM BEHIND, ALL WHILE MINERVA AND TLA CONTINUE TO FIGHT!
Thadd Blazevich: NICK goes to join in-
Rich Russillo: BUT DAMON IMMEDIATELY GRABS NICK FROM BEHIND- BEFORE THROWING HIM SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RING POST!!!!! NICK falls out of the corner and stands himself back up- BEFORE DAMON RUNS IN WITH A CLOTHESLINE INTO THE CORNER! Damon grabs NICK and throws him out of the ring, and he wastes no time following behind!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA IS ABLE TO LAND A FEW SHOTS TO THE RIBS OF MINERVA, ALLOWING HIM TO PUSH HIMSELF BACK UP! MINERVA AND TLA TRADE BLOWS- BUT TLA LANDS A GOOD ELBOW ON MINERVA, STUMBLING BACK JUST ENOUGH FOR TLA TO TURN AND RUN TOWARDS THE ROPES- BEFORE DIVING OVER THEM!
Rich Russillo: AND RIGHT INTO BOTH NICK AND DAMON LAZARUS!!!!!
(The crowd explodes with cheers as TLA gets back to his feet. The three members of ToXXXin roll out of the ring, with Jon Kelton being dragged out of the ring by his legs directly after this.)
Rich Russillo: Daniella grabs Kelton before going to send him into the barricade- BUT KELTON TURNS IT AROUND, SENDING DANIELLA INTO IT INSTEAD!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT SELINA IS IMMEDIATELY ON TOP OF HIM! SELINA AND KELTON GO AT IT AS TLA HOPS ONTO THE APRON, AND BRO, LOOK AT TLA GO!
Rich Russillo: TLA RUNS IN, DIVING OFF THE APRON BEFORE WIPING OUT SELINA WITH A DIVING KNEE! MINERVA HEADS INTO THE AREA THOUGH, AND THIS BRAWL CONTINUES AS SHE SURPRISES JON KELTON WITH A KNEE TO THE BACK! Damon Lazarus and NICK get up in the meantime as TLA fights with Daniella-
Thadd Blazevich: AND DAMON RIPS TLA AWAY FROM DANIELLA, BEFORE THROWING HIM INTO THE RING POST! NICK QUICKLY ATTACKS DAMON RIGHT AFTER WITH AN ELBOW, BUT DAMON IS ABLE TO RESPOND WITH A PUNCH TO NICK, CAUSING HIM TO STUMBLE BACK! IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE HE’S BACKING DOWN THOUGH, DUDE!
(As the brawl continues, not letting up whatsoever as everyone involved finds a way to continue fighting, security guards can be seen rushing down the ramp. This leaves the crowd booing, but as the guards run out, above them is the titantron, which shows Chris Elite as he is growing increasingly frustrated. He’s furious, slamming his fist onto the wall knowing that he can’t get involved in this due to his imprisonment.)
Rich Russillo: SECURITY IS HERE, AND THEY’RE TRYING TO PULL EVERYONE AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, BUT THEY’RE NOT HAVING THE EASIEST TIME DOING SO! DAMON LAZARUS GRABBED ONE OF THE SECURITY GUARDS, THROWING THEM OFF OF HIM WITH A BACK SUPLEX TOSS ONTO THE BARRICADE! TOXXXIN IS FIGHTING THE SECURITY GUARDS OFF OF EACH OTHER! TLA, JON KELTON, NICK, THEY’RE ALL GOING AGAINST THE SECURITY GUARDS JUST TO GET TO EACH OTHER!
Thadd Blazevich: I SAY WE JUST LET ‘EM FIGHT, BROS!! MORE GUARDS ARE RUNNING DOWN THE RAMP, BUT THIS IS NUTS! THE SECURITY GUARDS ARE FINALLY STARTING TO SUBDUE THE ELITISTS, JUST BY COMPLETELY OUTNUMBERING THEM!
Persephone: Well this has been about as stupid as I’d expect things to be around Grand Rampage time.
Rich Russillo: I don’t know, I think this has been a great preview of what Grand Rampage will have to offer! This is what Grand Rampage is, after all! Nonstop chaos, until the numbers dwindle down to the final one!
(All of the Elitists at ringside slowly begin to get pulled away from each other, now with more and more security guards latching onto them to prevent them fighting out of their grasp. One last shot is shown of everything that has happened at ringside, slowly panning to reveal Chris Elite, who still is heated knowing that he is in jail rather than at Voltage. From there, the camera begins to fade away from ringside.)
(Commercial for Saturday Night Showdown.)
(The camera opens back up to ringside once again, cutting to the stage as ‘God Shattering Star’ by Takashi Baba hits. This receives a loud reaction as the fans cheer, but as ARIA and Candice Blair walk out to the stage, neither woman appears to be happy. They both are holding microphones in their hands, storming down the ramp as they appear to be in a hurry to get to the ring.)
Rich Russillo: ARIA last week had one of her biggest matches yet as she faced Drake Armstrong for the EAW World Championship, and I think what occurred towards the end of that match is the reason she and Candice are currently out here.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah dude. One huge shot to the face with the title changed everything, and you have Diamond and Cosmo to thank for that.
Persephone: And I do thank them. If it wasn’t for them, there’s no telling when that match would’ve ended.
(The two women make their way into the ring, and once in the ring, ARIA paces around, collecting her thoughts as she processes everything that occurred last week. Slowly but surely she comes to a stop, and after a moment, she finally looks towards the crowd.)
ARIA: Last week I faced Drake Armstrong for the EAW World Championship, and I knew this would be a challenge. I never expected this to be easy, but I knew that if there was anyone who needed to be removed from their spot as World Champion, it was him. I gave that match my all, not just because I wanted to take Drake down, or because I wanted to make everyone happy knowing that we won’t have to worry about Drake Armstrong plaguing the World Championship picture anymore. I also gave it my all because I wanted to be a World Champion, and I think I gave Drake a fight. As good of a fight as I could’ve. Now I am not here to make excuses, or to guarantee that the result would’ve been different with better circumstances, but ever since last week I’ve been thinking about one thing.
(She stops, and after a moment she just sighs.)
ARIA: What would’ve happened if Diamond and Cosmo never interfered?
(Despite her composure it is clear that ARIA is frustrated. She doesn’t continue after this, but Candice Blair takes a few steps forward, beginning to speak.)
Candice Blair: We didn’t provoke those two. We didn’t go out of our way to get on their bad sides, we accepted a challenge because we thought that we were all on the same page- but clearly, we were wrong for expecting that much from them. Diamond and Cosmo knew that ARIA was on the verge of becoming Champion, and they didn’t like it. For some reason they didn’t like that after everything all four of us had been through, ARIA was about to achieve something as incredible as becoming a World Champion. ARIA deserved the victory that was coming her way, but it was stolen from her, and the last thing we’re about to do is sit back and let Diamond and Cosmo think that they can just do as they please at our expense.
(ARIA looks over towards the stage, gesturing over to the ramp.)
ARIA: Diamond, Cosmo, I think the least the two of you could do right now is come out here. I believe you owe us an explanation.
(ARIA and Candice wait, until finally ‘Nice To Meet Yah’ by Asian Doll hits. The camera pans towards the stage, where Diamond Dixon and Cosmo Goldworthy could be seen beginning to walk out to the stage. The two are holding microphones, and neither Elitist appears to be remorseful over what they did, walking down the ramp both with calm looks on their faces.)
Rich Russillo: Diamond and Cosmo are here, and it seems like we’re going to get a much needed confrontation after what these two did last week, where they just couldn’t stay out of that big Championship match.
Thadd Blazevich: It sucks that things ended that way bro, but I guess we’ll see what’s gonna happen now. Things might get heated.
Persephone: Hopefully it does. Otherwise there’s literally no reason I should have to see any of these people right now.
(Diamond and Cosmo walk up the steel steps before entering the ring, stepping through the ropes. Diamond’s entrance music fades out, and there is a brief staredown between the two teams, before finally Diamond begins to speak.)
Diamond Dixon: Look, I’m not gonna lie. You two are upset about what happened last week and I get it. Big title match, you had yourself a shot at winning the big one, but I don’t know what you were expecting. We already told you what it was. We had no reason to just sit back and watch, and you knew this. I don’t know why you suddenly thought we were just gonna sit back and leave you alone as if we don’t have a match at Grand Rampage coming up. You shoulda expected us, and that’s just me being real. We’re not here to be friends with you. We’re not here for the games, we’re here to become Champions, and right now the first step to us doing that is beating you. Right now we’re focused on making sure we walk into Grand Rampage ready to win, so you can feel how you want as far as I’m concerned. It doesn’t matter to us.
(ARIA and Candice just stare at Diamond, not saying anything as a more negative reception comes from the crowd, not happy with this response to last week’s actions. Noticing the expressions on ARIA and Candice, Cosmo begins to speak.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: Alright, let’s be for real. What were y’all actually expecting? Did you think we were just gonna come out here and apologize as if we’re the only reason ARIA lost? You should just be glad we spared you the disappointment and got to the point. Like Diamond said, we’re not friends here, and this ain’t a game. You know how long I been waiting for an opportunity that doesn’t just get snatched away from me by someone that doesn’t deserve it? How long Diamond’s been fighting to get to where she’s more than capable of achieving? We don’t have time to sit here and shed tears for you ‘cause you didn’t get your way, so if you really called us out here so we can apologize, get on our knees and beg for your forgiveness, you’re out of luck.
(The fans boo, and Candice turns towards Cosmo with a more annoyed look on her face, beginning to respond.)
Candice Blair: We didn’t ask for an apology. We asked for an explanation, and now we can see that it’s just as stupid as we thought. You could’ve been facing the EAW World Champion at Grand Rampage, but you ruined that because you were-
Cosmo Goldworthy: Let me guess, jealous? Look, ARIA didn’t do bad against Drake, but she lost. That’s it. You can come up with whatever explanation you want for it, but that’s not gonna change the fact that Grand Rampage is coming, and when it does y’all are gonna have a way bigger problem on your hands than a fumbled title shot.
(This brings more boos from the crowd, and while Candice looks annoyed by Cosmo’s comments, ARIA just nods.)
ARIA: Yeah, you’re right. Grand Rampage is still to come, so I know that we can’t dwell on what happened last week for too long. It’s dangerous to allow defeat to stick to you for too long in this industry, especially when on the road towards matches that require as much of your attention as possible. I want to move on from my loss against Drake even if the circumstances were far from ideal. However I do have one more question, and this one is not for everyone in the crowd, or everyone watching at home. It’s for the two of you.
(ARIA walks up to Cosmo and Diamond before continuing.)
ARIA: After what you did last week, do you really think we’ll just let you walk into Grand Rampage and beat us?
(These words cause loud cheers to come from the fans, as ARIA stares at the Elitists in front of her. Cosmo just shakes his head, shrugging before beginning to respond.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: Who cares about-
ARIA: Cosmo, just stop. You do not realize what kind of challenge you asked for when you went after us, and you definitely don’t understand what you did when you and Diamond cost me last week. Everything that happens at Grand Rampage will be exactly what you asked for.
Diamond Dixon: And that’s how it should be. You don’t see us backing down or nothing, do you? We’re right here and we’re not going anywhere. We already told you how this is gonna go, and if you wanna bring the fight to us and try to get some payback or something that’s cool, ‘cause we’re ready for that and it’s been that way from the start. If we weren’t ready to get down with you two then we wouldn’t be doing this right now, so if you’re mad that’s fine, I don’t even blame you. I just think there are way better ways for you to spend your time than by trying to vent to us about your issues, ‘cause we really don’t have it in us to feel for you right now.
Candice Blair: Drop it, Diamond. This isn’t about sympathy. I just thought you two would be capable of showing your opponents the respect that was shown to you, and again, I was clearly wrong to think so. We don’t need your sympathy and we definitely don’t need you to feel anything for us. We’re just telling you what’s going to happen at Grand Rampage, which is us beating you. I don’t know what the rest of the season has in store, but like ARIA said, we don’t have time to waste worrying about one loss. We have stuff to do, and that includes going through the two of you.
Diamond Dixon: Cool, well I’m not about to keep going back and forth with you.
Candice Blair: Perfect. Then you shouldn’t have an issue with us finishing what you started right now then, should you?
Diamond Dixon: Girl you can try whatever you want. You just better not go crying when it doesn’t end how you thought it would.
(Cosmo just chuckles before stepping up, as the two teams now stand face to face with each other.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: Alright, so we really doing this then?
ARIA: It looks like it.
(All four Elitists toss away their microphones, and the crowd reaction rises as the two teams appear ready to fight. However, just before anything could happen between the two teams…)
???: WAIT!
(They all stop and turn towards the stage, where Eden Sinclair could be seen walking out. Eden stands at the stage, watching the scene that has unfolded inside of the ring, as they were all seconds away from breaking into a brawl with each other. Seeing this, Eden begins to speak.)
Eden Sinclair: I don’t need any of you getting yourselves into a huge fight right now, not when I have some very important information that concerns the all of you.
(The four Elitists inside of the ring choose to wait, listening to what Eden has inside of the ring as she continues.)
Eden Sinclair: Recently we’ve been thinking about what the next step will be regarding the tag team division and the Unified Tag Team Championships. As we all know ToXXXin is defending their titles tonight against Jake Smith and Caroline as they’ll be competing in the Grand Rampage match, but after that we still have Fighting Spirit, as well as Pain for Pride. One thing we’ve always made sure to do is make a path for those titles to have as exciting of a Championship defense as possible, and we’ve figured out exactly how we’ll be doing that this time around. That is of course, with the return of the tag team turmoil tournament!
(This causes loud cheers from the crowd, as the tag turmoil tournament hadn’t been seen in years on Voltage. Eden smiles at the positive reception from the crowd, before turning back to the Elitists inside of the ring, going into more detail about the tournament.)
Eden Sinclair: As always this will be a tournament between randomized teams, and we are looking to kick this off as soon as possible. The Monday directly following Grand Rampage, a drawing for the tournament will be held live for you all to see. The tournament itself will take place on Voltage the following week, and this tournament will go on all the way to Fighting Spirit, where the finalists will compete for a shot at the Unified Tag Team Championships at Pain for Pride. Now, why am I making that announcement right now? That’s simple.
Eden Sinclair: It’s because the tag team match between the four of you at Grand Rampage is now for the chance to bypass the tournament entirely and go straight to Fighting Spirit, as the tag team turmoil tournament finals will be a TRIPLE THREAT tag team match, featuring the two teams that make it to the end of the tournament, and the team that wins between you at Grand Rampage.
(This causes more cheers to come from the crowd now that they know a triple threat tag team match is coming at Fighting Spirit, and that the stakes have been raised for the match between these four Elitists at Grand Rampage.)
Eden Sinclair: So, you four may want to save your animosity towards each other for Grand Rampage. Given everything I’ve heard, I don’t think any of you want to miss out on an opportunity like this.
(The fans continue to cheer, and Eden Sinclair begins to head to the back as the four Elitists inside of the ring are left to think about what was just said by her, knowing that they now have a huge opportunity on their hands.)
Rich Russillo: WOW! That was a huge announcement from Eden Sinclair, and I think the Elitists at ringside are thinking about what was just said. One of these two teams will have a huge opportunity to potentially fight for the Unified Tag Team Championships at Pain for Pride!
Thadd Blazevich: This is huge dude, but that’s not all! Bro, the tag turmoil tournament is back! I can’t wait for that, it’s gonna be fun!
Persephone: Or stupid like the last one was. Whatever. Can we just move on? Diamond has a match up next, doesn’t she?
Rich Russillo: That’s right. Diamond will be up against TLA in a few moments. Hopefully she can shift her focus despite what she just heard.
(ARIA and Candice stare at Diamond and Cosmo one last time, before finally beginning to exit the ring. Diamond and Cosmo could be seen sharing a few words with each other ahead of Diamond’s match, as Voltage fades away from ringside.)
(Promotional ad for Grand Rampage, where Candice Blair and ARIA face Diamond Dixon and Cosmo Goldworthy for a spot in the Tag Team Turmoil Tournament Finals.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(“Nice To Meet Yah” by Asian Doll plays as Diamond Dixon is already inside the ring, nodding her head with confidence. Cosmo Goldworthy stands beside her, and the two share a quick fist bump while Candice and ARIA are seated at ringside next to the commentary desk, watching closely as Diamond prepares for the match ahead.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Already in the ring! Hailing out of Houston, Texas, weighing in at 176 pounds, accompanied to the ring by Cosmo Goldworthy… SHE IS THE CROWN JEWEL… DIAMOND DIXON!!
(“Ambitionz az a Ridah” by Tupac plays as TLA walks onto the stage with a relaxed swagger and a confident grin on his face. He looks around at the crowd for a moment before pointing toward the ring. TLA then makes his way down the ramp, loose and composed, showing confidence as he heads to the ring ready for the match ahead.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent! Hailing out of Tlaxcala, Mexico, weighing in at 210 pounds…LA PANTERA SEXUAL…TLA!!
Rich Russillo: Last week, TLA was in the ring here in Oaxaca welcoming Javier and hyping up the crowd, turning it into a feel good moment for everyone in attendance.
Thadd Blazevich: But it didn’t stay that way for long, bro. Chris Elite came out, tensions rose, Javier hit the low blow, and TLA followed it up with a Mexican Destroyer to lay him out in the middle of the ring.
Persephone: And then later Chris ended up getting arrested after the situation with TLA’s car. So yeah, eventful night for him.
(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Alright, this is a huge opportunity for Diamond Dixon as she goes one on one with TLA! The EAW Hall of Famer! Diamond’s been tested before throughout her run here in EAW, and she has managed to impress, sometimes even surpass expectations with some big wins. Tonight might be her biggest test yet.
Thadd Blazevich: That’s right, bro, and we’re about to find out just how ready she really is! Both competitors circle to start things off with Cosmo Goldworthy rooting for his partner at ringside! TLA and Diamond lock up, and after some jockeying for position, Diamond powers TLA back into the corner! Keeping him pressed there momentarily before the referee steps in to separate them!
Persephone: They circled, locked up, and went to the corner. Riveting start.
Rich Russillo: We get a clean break as Diamond backs to the center of the ring, beckoning TLA forward. TLA exits the corner and circles around Diamond for another collar and elbow tie up, but Dixon overpowers him again! Driving him back into the corner and holding him there before the referee intervenes for a second time.
Thadd Blazevich: Once again, a clean break as Diamond backs off to the center. TLA circles around her a third time, and it looks like we’re getting another tie up— or so I thought! TLA slips behind and grabs a standing side headlock! He wrenches on the hold, but Diamond presses her boot into the back of his knee, forcing him down to a kneel!
Rich Russillo: Diamond slips out of the side headlock and transitions into a wristlock! She’s wrenching on the arm while TLA is still on a knee! You can see the discomfort on TLA’s face, but he rolls through to his feet and counters with an arm wringer! Now TLA traps Diamond in a wristlock of his own, cranking up the pressure as he gains control!
Thadd Blazevich: Diamond wrings TLA’s arm to reverse back into a wristlock, and DRIVES her shoulder into his with a short-arm shoulder block! TLA drops to a knee as Diamond keeps hold of the wrist, pulling him up for ANOTHER shoulder block! She yanks him right into it!
Rich Russillo: Once again, TLA drops to a knee before Diamond bars the arm! TLA powers back up though, and counters with an ARM DRAG! He grounds Diamond with an arm bar of his own! Cosmo’s shouting at ringside, urging Diamond on, and she starts fighting her way back to her feet! Diamond backs TLA into the ropes and sends him off to escape!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA rebounds with a SHOULDER TACKLE! Diamond absorbs it! She doesn’t go down, and gives him another shot! TLA hits the ropes again— ANOTHER shoulder tackle! Diamond staggers back into the ropes, but fires back with one of her own! TLA gets knocked down! Diamond runs the ropes, forcing TLA onto his belly! He tries to trip her— but Diamond hurdles over!
Persephone: You’re acting like this is incredible, Thadd. They’re literally just bouncing off ropes.
Rich Russillo: Diamond rebounds— BUT TLA POPS BACK TO HIS FEET! HE GOES FOR AN ARM DRAG! Diamond blocks it! She plants her feet and DEADLIFTS TLA ONTO HER SHOULDER! POWERSLAM POSITION! SHE CHARGES TOWARD THE ROPES!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT TLA SLIPS OFF BEHIND HER AT THE LAST SECOND! HE SHOVES DIAMOND OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! Diamond gets back to her feet on the outside— AND TLA RUNS THE ROPES! BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK THROUGH THE BOTTOM ROPE! DIAMOND DIXON IS DOWN!
Rich Russillo: And now TLA soaking in the reaction! The crowd firmly behind the Hall of Famer as he plays it up at ringside!
TLA: :lick:
Thadd Blazevich: Diamond rises to all fours, trying to shake the cobwebs out of her head as TLA grabs hold of her and pulls Dixon back up— SENDING HER SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE HARD! That impact echoed around ringside! Diamond rolls away, favoring that shoulder as she tries to recover, but TLA stays right on her, bringing her back up and rolling her into the ring!
Rich Russillo: Diamond’s on her side, stunned, as TLA slides in and approaches. TLA stands her up and drives her down with a PENDULUM BACKBREAKER, showing off his power game! Diamond clutches her back while lying on her side before being lifted up to both knees— KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST!
Persephone: Oh no… not the chop. How will she ever recover.
Thadd Blazevich: TLA doesn’t stop there! SHOOT KICK TO THE CHEST! AND ANOTHER! AND ANOTHER! HE GOES FOR A FOURTH— BUT DIAMOND CATCHES THE BOOT! Diamond powers back to her feet with both arms clutching the leg before dropping it— FOREARM TO THE FACE!
Rich Russillo: That forearm rocks TLA! Diamond runs the ropes— but TLA drops down! Diamond hurdles over, and TLA pops right back to his feet— DROPKICK! DROPKICK BY TLA FLOORS DIXON WHERE SHE STOOD! TLA crawls into the cover, hooking the leg deep!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: Two count! Diamond kicks out, but she got rocked there! TLA transitions immediately into a rear chinlock, tightening the hold and slowing this pace down!
Persephone: Ah, yes. The thrilling part where nothing happens.
Rich Russillo: Diamond starts fighting back to her feet, loosening his grip with alternating shots to the rib cage! But TLA shuts her down with a KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION! He backs Diamond into the ropes for an Irish whip— NO! Diamond reverses it!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA hits the ropes as Diamond ducks for a back body drop— BUT TLA BACK ROLLS OVER HER BACK! Lands on his feet behind her! Diamond turns— CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT! TLA ducks underneath and slips behind for a rear waistlock!
Persephone: This is starting to look like a dance.
Rich Russillo: Diamond with a standing switch! Rear waistlock of her own! TLA pries the hands apart and tries to switch again—
Thadd Blazevich: WAIT! TLA slips behind, but Diamond swings a back elbow! He ducks! Dixon spins around— KNEE TO THE GUT! That doubles TLA over!
Rich Russillo: Diamond hooks the front facelock and lifts! STALLING SUPLEX! Holding him high as the crowd counts along! She keeps him up there— AND DROPS HIM! Diamond floats over into the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA pops the shoulder up! Diamond Dixon seemed to almost expect it, but it was worth a shot on her end, and even if it doesn’t get the three, you’re still making your opponent expend energy when they have to kick out.
Persephone: Yes, incredibly taxing. Lifting a shoulder.
Rich Russillo: Took the words right out of my mouth, Thadd, as Diamond brings TLA back to his feet! Directing him to the corner before slamming him off the top turnbuckle FACE FIRST! Diamond then lines him up for a CLUBBING FOREARM TO THE CHEST! Driving it into TLA while he’s pinned in the corner before she sends him with a HARD Irish whip into the opposite corner! Diamond Dixon just hammer threw him!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA collapses down to a prone position immediately from impact, favoring his back as Diamond Dixon rises to a knee, looking to Cosmo at ringside with a gigantic smirk! Having TLA right where she wants him as she closes in, and stands him back up in the corner for a HARD IRISH WHIP TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER AGAIN!
Rich Russillo: TLA collapses down to the mat before rolling out toward Diamond Dixon, who moves into the cover while he writhes in pain!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Kickout! TLA stays in it, but for how long against Diamond as she brings him back to his feet— BUT TLA EXPLODES WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! AND UNLEASHES A FLURRY ON DIAMOND, BACKING HER AGAINST THE ROPES BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE OPPOSITE SET FOR A— OH! DIAMOND LAUNCHES TLA UP AND OVER HER SHOULDER TO THE OUTSIDE WHERE HE FACEPLANTS!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, there is very thin padding out there! That’s gotta hurt! Diamond Dixon heads to the outside, and picks TLA back up before leaning him against the barricade for a KNIFE EDGE CHOP! TLA tries to get away, clutching at his chest before Diamond quickly catches up to him for an IRISH WHIP BACK FIRST INTO A CORNER OF THE BARRICADE!
Persephone: That’s better, but he’s still moving. So what’s the point?
Rich Russillo: DIAMOND THEN RUSHES IN WITH A DEVASTATING BIG BOOT, SENDING TLA UP AND OVER AS HE SPILLS INTO OUR TIMEKEEPERS AREA! Diamond heads into it herself, and directs back to the ring where she rolls him into it! Diamond climbs to the top turnbuckle, a rare move from her as she lines TLA up… with him struggling back to his feet…
Thadd Blazevich: Stumbling around before she FLIES OFF WITH A DIVING SHOULDER TACKLE! COVER IS MADE, HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: NO! Despite Diamond doing something a little out of the ordinary from her typical bag, she’ll still have to dig deeper to take down TLA! Diamond looks to bring TLA back to his feet, but he fights back with alternating shots to the ribs before EXPLODING WITH A FOREARM! DIAMOND GOT HER BELL RUNG AS TLA FOLLOWS IT UP WITH ANOTHER!
Thadd Blazevich: DIAMOND RESPONDS BACK WITH A FLURRY OF HER OWN, ALTERNATING BETWEEN BOTH FOREARMS! DAZING TLA WITH THAT LAST ONE AS HE IS OUT ON HIS FEET BEFORE SHE RUNS OFF THE ROPES— BUT TLA RUSHES IN! DIAMOND SIDE STEPS! TLA GOES CHEST FIRST INTO THE ROPES AND REBOUNDS BACK!
Rich Russillo: ROLLING ELBOW TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! TLA doubles over, grabbing hold of the top rope with one hand as Diamond Dixon wraps her arms around him from behind!
Thadd Blazevich: She has him in position for a ripcord as she brings TLA to the center of the ring, and SPINS HIM AROUND FOR A CLOTHESLINE— WAIT! TLA DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND— “CARTEL KICK!”
Persephone: That’s usually where things start wrapping up, right?
Rich Russillo: IT USUALLY MEANS THEY’RE CLOSE TO WHEN THE CARTEL KICK CONNECTS! THE PELE KICK DROPS DIAMOND DOWN TO A KNEE AFTER SHE WAS OUT ON HER FEET MOMENTARILY! DIAMOND IS STUNNED, AND REACHES OUT TO HER CORNER BEFORE PULLING HERSELF UP IN IT STUNNED! MEANWHILE, TLA STAGGERS BACK TO HIS FEET IN THE OPPOSITE CORNER!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA CHARGES IN— AND DIAMOND DIXON PUTS HIM RIGHT BACK DOWN WITH A URANAGE FROM THE CORNER! TLA is forced back up to his feet, stumbling toward the ropes and using them for assistance as Diamond marches right toward him— BUT WALKS STRAIGHT INTO A BACK ELBOW THAT STUNS HER!
Rich Russillo: TLA LOOKS TO SPRINGBOARD OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE— BUT DIAMOND DIXON DROPKICKS HIM UP AND OVER THE TOP! TLA nearly spills to the outside, but manages to hang onto the top rope! He pulls himself up onto the apron with his back to Diamond inside the ring— AND DIAMOND GRABS HIM FROM BEHIND FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX!
Thadd Blazevich: DIAMOND TRYING TO DEADLIFT HIM BACK OVER THE TOP— BUT TLA DRIVES THE BACK OF HIS HEAD INTO DIAMOND’S FACE! That staggers her back toward the center! TLA turns around on the apron as Diamond shakes the cobwebs out— SHE CHARGES IN— AND TLA LOW BRIDGES THE TOP ROPE!
Rich Russillo: DIAMOND GOES FLYING OVER THE TOP— BUT LANDS ON HER FEET! TLA has his back turned on the apron— AND FLIPS BACK! BACKFLIP OFF THE APRON INTO AN INVERTED DDT AT RINGSIDE! THE BACK OF DIAMOND’S HEAD BOUNCING OFF THE FLOOR!
Persephone: Good. Keep doing moves like that and maybe this ends sooner.
Thadd Blazevich: Diamond rolls over to all fours as TLA rises back to his feet, grabbing her and sending her back inside the ring! TLA drags Diamond up by the back of her head and swings with a right hand— BUT SHE BLOCKS IT! He swings with the other— SHE BLOCKS THAT TOO!
Rich Russillo: DIAMOND SWINGS WILDLY WITH A CLOTHESLINE— BUT TLA DUCKS UNDERNEATH! SPINNING PIMP SLAP! “SWAG SHOT” CONNECTS! Diamond is rocked and stumbles straight into the corner!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA CHARGES IN— BUT DIAMOND SENDS HIM UP AND OVER— NO! TLA CATCHES HIMSELF ON THE APRON! He blocks a right hand and fires a FOREARM! Diamond staggers back toward the center! TLA SPRINGBOARDS IN— “VERY MEXICAN UPPERCUT!”
Rich Russillo: THAT JACKS THE JAW OF DIXON! She’s trying to shake the cobwebs out as she slowly rises, already forcing herself back up despite that impact! TLA stalks her as she doubles over— LEGSPRING OFF THE ROPES— REBOUND SITOUT POWERBOMB!
Thadd Blazevich: “DESMADRE!!” PLANTING DIAMOND IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! TLA HOLDS IT FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE—
Thadd Blazevich: HOW DID DIAMOND KICK OUT OF THAT, BRO?!
Persephone: I don’t know, but it’s starting to piss me off. Can one just end this already?
Rich Russillo: Diamond struggles up to a knee before TLA lunges forward, grabbing her in a front facelock and single underhooking the arm! Maybe looking for “Crossed Paths!”— BUT DIAMOND DRIVES HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER BEFORE HE CAN CONNECT!
Thadd Blazevich: Diamond stumbles back toward the center, clearly feeling the effects of those signature moves, barely able to stand before rushing back in— BOOT UP! TLA gets the boot up— BUT DIAMOND CATCHES IT! She throws it down and CONNECTS WITH A CLOTHESLINE IN THE CORNER!
Rich Russillo: DIAMOND WHIPS HIM TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER— ANOTHER RUNNING CLOTHESLINE! She short-arm pulls him into a rear waistlock, bouncing TLA off the ropes— but he grabs the top rope! Flings her off as she rolls through to her feet!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA CHARGES IN— BUT DIAMOND CATCHES HIM! SPINNING SITOUT CHOKESLAM! SHE DROPS HIM RIGHT IN THE CENTER FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE—
Thadd Blazevich: NEARFALL! TLA GOT THE SHOULDER UP!
Rich Russillo: Diamond almost had the win there! She drags TLA back to his feet and sets him in the corner before lifting him up to the top turnbuckle! Diamond climbs to the middle rope, hooking TLA up for a SUPERPLEX— BUT TLA FIGHTS BACK WITH REPEATED SHOTS TO THE RIBS!
Thadd Blazevich: DIAMOND DOUBLES OVER! TLA CONTINUES WITH CLUBBING BLOWS TO THE BACK! HE LOOKS FOR AN AVALANCHE SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB— NO! DIAMOND HOLDS ONTO THE TOP ROPE!
Rich Russillo: TLA THEN TRAPS DIAMOND’S HEAD AGAINST THE TOP TURNBUCKLE— AND SUPERKICKS HER RIGHT IN THE FACE! SMASHING HER NOSE WHILE SHE’S STUCK IN PLACE! TLA hoists her into a TORTURE RACK! He carries her toward the center— TORTURE RACK FACEBUSTER! TLA ROLLS DIAMOND OVER INTO THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHH—
Thadd Blazevich: NO! TLA RUSHES BACK TO HIS FEET! HE BUILDS MOMENTUM— RUNNING SHOOTING STAR PRESS! A LIGHTER VERSION OF THE “420!” HE GOES FOR THE COVER AGAIN!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEE—
Rich Russillo: STILL NOT ENOUGH!
Persephone: Ugh. Then what will be?
Rich Russillo: TLA signals what could be the beginning of the end, almost playing around as he brings Diamond Dixon back to her feet! He places her head between his legs, looking for the “MEXICAN DESTROYER!”— BUT DIAMOND DRIVES HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER! Using her strength to stop him before he can spike her!
Thadd Blazevich: Diamond slowly staggers back, trying to regain her footing— BUT TLA RUSHES RIGHT BACK IN! HE HOOKS HER AGAIN! PUTTING HER BETWEEN HIS LEGS FOR A SECOND MEXICAN DESTROYER ATTEMPT! BUT DIAMOND AVOIDS IT WITH A BACK BODY DROP! SENDING TLA UP AND OVER HER HEAD—
Rich Russillo: —BUT TLA ROLLS THROUGH INTO A SUNSET FLIP ATTEMPT! TRYING TO STEAL ONE HERE!
Persephone: Please let that be it. I’m begging.
Thadd Blazevich: DIAMOND STAYS ON HER FEET! Maintaining her balance! She reaches down and DEADLIFTS TLA OFF THE MAT INTO POSITION FOR A SUPLEX!
Rich Russillo: BUT TLA COUNTERS WITH REPEATED KNEES TO THE TEMPLE! Driving them in until Diamond is forced to drop him! TLA stumbles back into the corner trying to reset— AND DIAMOND RUSHES IN!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT TLA GETS THE ELBOW UP! Stopping her right there! TLA turns his back and springboards off the middle rope for a MOONSAULT—
Rich Russillo: WAIT! DIAMOND CATCHES HIM ON HER SHOULDER! WHAT POWER FROM DIXON! SHE WALKS HIM OUT TO THE CENTER OF THE RING—
Thadd Blazevich: TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER!! SPIKING TLA RIGHT ON HIS HEAD! DIAMOND DROPS INTO THE COVER! HOOKING THE LEG!
Persephone: This better end it.
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE—
Rich Russillo: TLA INCHES THE SHOULDER UP! DIAMOND’S BEGINNING TO QUESTION WHAT MORE SHE HAS TO DO, AND AS AM I! BUT DIXON BRINGS TLA BACK TO HIS FEET, LOOKING FOR A POWERBOMB BUT HE BLOCKS IT! HOLDING HIS WEIGHT DOWN ON HER!
Thadd Blazevich: DIAMOND STILL GETS HIM UP HALFWAY, TRYING TO DEADLIFT TLA UP! But it’s proving difficult as she immediately drops him back down! She tries again— STILL CAN’T GET HIM ALL THE WAY UP! TLA is keeping that weight down, making her work for every inch! Diamond gets him up halfway a third time— BUT TLA DROPS HIS WEIGHT AGAIN AND SPINS OUT WITH A RIGHT HAND THAT STUNS DIAMOND!
Persephone: This is taking forever.
Rich Russillo: BOTH COMPETITORS ARE ON WOBBLY LEGS HERE AS TLA CONNECTS WITH ANOTHER RIGHT HAND! DIAMOND RESPONDS WITH ONE OF HER OWN! THAT ONE ROCKS TLA! HE’S BARELY HOLDING HIMSELF UP AS DIAMOND GRABS HIM BY THE HEAD— SHE PULLS HIM IN FOR A “FACELIFT!”
Thadd Blazevich: DIAMOND DIXON WITH THE FACEBUSTER! SHE SPIKES TLA DOWN AND THIS COULD BE IT! SHE TURNS HIM OVER, HOOKS THE LEG, AND SHE’S ABOUT TO STEAL THIS ONE!
(Diamond immediately releases the leg after sitting up to notice Cosmo getting into it with ARIA and Candice after they were taunting him at ringside—)
Rich Russillo: WAIT A SECOND! DIAMOND JUST LET GO OF THE COVER! SHE HAD THIS MATCH WON, BUT HER ATTENTION JUST SHIFTED TO THE CHAOS AT RINGSIDE!
Persephone: Of course she did. Why win the match when you can get distracted by idiots outside the ring?
Rich Russillo: WHOA! CANDICE BLASTS COSMO IN THE FACE WITH A FOREARM! NOW ARIA JOINS IN AND BOTH OF THEM BEGIN PUMMELING COSMO AT RINGSIDE!
Thadd Blazevich: THEY’RE JUST JUMPING HIM, BRO! COSMO TRYING TO COVER UP BUT THE NUMBERS GAME IS TAKING OVER!
(Diamond Dixon yells out to ARIA and Candice at ringside to stop before looking to step out there and assist… TLA rolls to the ropes, using them to pull himself up. He shakes his head, trying to regain his bearings as Diamond turns her back to him—)
Rich Russillo: DIAMOND IS DISTRACTED AND TLA IS BACK TO HIS FEET! HE’S STAGGERING FORWARD, LOOKING TO CAPITALIZE FROM BEHIND!
Persephone: Cmon! Hit her already.
(TLA lunges forward toward Diamond—)
Rich Russillo: HEY, WAIT A MINUTE! THAT’S—
Thadd Blazevich: THAT’S DAMON LAZARUS! DAMON JUST SLID INTO THE RING OUT OF NOWHERE AND BLASTED TLA IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH A FOREARM!
Rich Russillo: TLA NEVER SAW HIM COMING! DAMON MOUNTS HIM AND STARTS RAINING DOWN RIGHT HANDS!
Persephone: Great. Now we’ve got even more people. Exactly what this needed.
Thadd Blazevich: AND LOOK AT RINGSIDE! DIAMOND HAS LEFT THE RING AND NOW IT’S A FOUR-WAY BRAWL! DIAMOND GOING AFTER ARIA! CANDICE SWINGS AT COSMO AGAIN! EVERYBODY IS THROWING HANDS!
Rich Russillo: THE REFEREE IS TRYING TO RESTORE ORDER BUT THIS IS COMPLETELY FALLING APART! DAMON IS STILL ALL OVER TLA IN THE RING WHILE CHAOS ERUPTS AT RINGSIDE!
Persephone: Just throw the match out already. Nobody’s even pretending to wrestle anymore.
Rich Russillo: THE REFEREE HAS LOST ALL CONTROL!
(DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: THE REFEREE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO SIGNAL FOR THE BELL, BUT THAT ISN’T STOPPING ANYBODY! DAMON GRABS TLA AND CHUCKS HIM THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE!
(TLA spills out to ringside, landing on all fours. He shakes his head, trying to clear the cobwebs, but Damon is already stalking after him—)
Rich Russillo: TLA TRYING TO REGROUP— BUT DAMON GRABS HIM AND SENDS HIM HEAD FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS! JUST LIKE WHAT TLA DID TO HIM LAST WEEK!
(TLA immediately grabs at the top of his head, writhing in pain on the floor as a cut begins to form, blood starting to trickle down his face.)
Thadd Blazevich: DAMN, BRO! THAT WAS NASTY! TLA IS HURT BAD AND DAMON ISN’T DONE YET!
Persephone: Good. Don’t stop now. If you’re gonna hurt him, actually hurt him.
Rich Russillo: AND THIS CHAOS IS EVERYWHERE! DIAMOND BIELS ARIA OVER THE BARRICADE! ARIA CRASHES INTO THE FRONT ROW!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CANDICE RUSHES DIAMOND FROM BEHIND! THE TWO START THROWING FISTS IN A FULL-ON HOCKEY FIGHT! THEY’RE JUST SWINGING WILDLY!
Persephone: Finally, something entertaining.
Rich Russillo: COSMO JOINS THE FRAY! HE STARTS THROWING SHOTS AT CANDICE— BUT ARIA CLIMBS BACK OVER THE BARRICADE!
Thadd Blazevich: ARIA RUNS ALONG THE BARRICADE— AND SHE LAUNCHES HERSELF OFF WITH A SPLASH ONTO ALL FOUR OF THEM!! EVERYBODY GOES DOWN!
Rich Russillo: BACK OVER HERE— DAMON GRABS TLA AGAIN AND THROWS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE RING POST! TLA STUMBLES BACK, COMPLETELY OUT OF IT—
Rich Russillo: CTE! JUMPING CUTTER BY DAMON! HE PLANTS TLA ON THE OUTSIDE!
(TLA collapses onto the floor, barely moving, blood dripping down his forehead.)
Persephone: He’s still moving. That’s disappointing.
Thadd Blazevich: Well… Damon looks satisfied with that. He’s starting to walk up the ramp now.
(Damon slowly begins walking up the ramp as TLA struggles up to all fours, blood dripping onto the floor. Damon glances over his shoulder… then suddenly stops. He turns around and begins lining TLA up.)
Rich Russillo: WAIT A SECOND… DAMON JUST TURNED AROUND! HE’S LINING HIM UP!
Persephone: Yes. Do it. Kick his head off.
Rich Russillo: IN ABSENTIA—
(Security rushes down the ramp, grabbing Damon before he can connect, while more security rush to ringside to break up the ongoing four-way brawl.)
Thadd Blazevich: SECURITY JUST STOPPED HIM! DAMON WAS GOING FOR THAT VICIOUS PUNT!
Rich Russillo: THEY’RE HOLDING DAMON BACK! HE WAS ABOUT TO DO SERIOUS DAMAGE!
Persephone: Oh come on, let him do it. You already rang the bell. What’s the problem?
(Damon tries to break free from security as TLA struggles on the outside, blood dripping from his head. Meanwhile, the chaos at ringside continues as Diamond, ARIA, Candice, and Cosmo keep trying to get at each other.)
Thadd Blazevich: SECURITY IS TRYING TO SEPARATE EVERYONE BUT NOBODY WANTS TO BACK DOWN!
Rich Russillo: THIS HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN DOWN! SECURITY FINALLY GETTING CONTROL OF THE SITUATION AS THEY HOLD DAMON BACK AND PULL EVERYONE APART AT RINGSIDE!
Persephone: And just when it was getting interesting…
(Security continues holding everyone apart as officials check on TLA, and the camera fades elsewhere.)
(Commercial for Daredevil: Born Again season 2.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns as the camera pans around to show a shot of the Bank of Springfield Center, as the crowd murmurs in anticipation of what is to come next. Before long, ‘Bad Blood’ by Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar begins to play through the speakers, as the crowd begins to cheer loudly. The camera goes over to the stage as Auburn Ware is seen making her way out. The Specialists Champion clearly looks off, with a look of embarrassment on her face as she is looking like she’s not in the best of shape. She takes a moment to compose herself, before beginning to make her way down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… the EAW SPECIALISTS CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!! THE PRODIGY… AUBURN WARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Last week was certainly an interesting night for Auburn Ware. Her and Damon Lazarus have developed a… situation… with one another. And in their tag team match, she would get distracted after Damon got busted open, leading Eris Morti to take advantage and get the pin on her to secure the win for her team.
Thadd Blazevich: That certainly does not put her in the best mindset, but ultimately, she needs to keep her eye on the ball, and what that entails is making sure that she can keep the Specialists Championship around her waist, bro! We know how good of a champion she’s been, but if she lets Damon Lazarus distract her, then who knows if this will be another defense for her!
Persephone: Damon Lazarus is an ugly, bald, old man. I don’t know why this woman has suddenly gained an infatuation toward him, but that’s her loss. If she wants to fuck herself over, then I guess that’s what she wants to do.
(Auburn makes her way up the steps and onto the apron as she enters through the ropes and into the ring. She makes her way over and takes a microphone from the ringside area, while ‘Bad Blood’ begins to come to a close. As she heads toward the center of the ring, she does what she can to try and compose herself, shaking her head rapidly before raising her microphone as she begins to speak.)
Auburn Ware: Last week, I messed up. I… messed up badly. I didn’t want to be a hindrance to my partner but I was. I messed things up for myself… and I messed things up for Damon. And I’ve had a long time to think about this, to understand what I did wrong, and I’d like to start this off by issuing an apology to Damon. I… I know that you warned me to keep my head together and even gave me a second chance to get it right, but I didn’t listen to you and I’m sorry. Our loss was my fault because I took my eye off the ball. I promise it won’t happen again.
(Auburn’s face is a little pink at the moment but she clears her throat, adjusts her title over her shoulder, taking a glance at it as she begins to speak.)
Auburn Ware: I don’t want that to define my current status in this company right now. If anyone thinks, especially the three people that I’m facing at Grand Rampage, that this happening to me is a sign of weakness, then you’re in for one hell of a surprise at my hands. I made a promise that I was going to win this match, after everything that I’ve done to get to this title and making sure that I keep it, I’m not going to let it go now just after what has happened these past couple of weeks. I’m going to stand tall, and I’m going to walk into this match with my head high because I know that this is a match that I can win. Eris Morti got a pin on me last week, and that’s something that I’m certain she is going to make sure that I don’t live down. But I want her to tell me to my face why she thinks that she is going to win, and I’m going to prove to her why things aren’t going to go the way that she thinks.
(Auburn waited, until finally, ‘Burn Victim’ by Methwitch would begin to play.)
Rich Russillo: Well, it looks like Auburn’s getting her wish! The woman who pinned her last week is here, and it looks like Auburn wants to confront that threat head on.
Thadd Blazevich: This should be interesting, bro. Auburn isn’t happy with how last week ended, but with how Eris is, there’s no telling how this will go!
(Before long, Eris Morti slowly began to walk out, holding a microphone in her hand. She looks at Auburn with a casual demeanor, even nodding along to what Auburn has had to say. Eris’ entrance music fades as she walks down the ramp, allowing her to speak on her way to the ring.)
Eris Morti: I hope you’re right, Auburn… I really do.
(Eris slowly reaches the ringside area, and as she walks up the steel steps she suddenly stops, turning and staring at the Specialists Champion before giving her a smirk, which isn’t returned as Auburn remains silent, waiting to see what Eris has to say.)
Eris Morti: When the dust settled following our triple threat at Shock Value and you introduced yourself to the feud Ashlynn, Saori and I had already developed, I was very intrigued as to what the Champion herself may bring to the table. Before a no-contest was merely the result of an uncontrollable catastrophe, but now such a result would be a mark against your reign as Champion. In a way you’ve become the difference maker, so I was willing to brush aside your interference in me and Ashlynn’s tag team match. I was even willing to look past your sudden shift in demeanor ever since you laid your eyes on Damon Lazarus.
(As she says this, Eris enters the ring. She stands by the ropes, temporarily keeping her distance from Auburn so she can observe her reactions. Auburn maintains her composure and remains patient with Eris, but she doesn’t appear to be pleased by the mention of the recent events between her and Damon. Naturally, noticing this only causes the smirk on Morti’s face to widen a bit.)
Eris Morti: I gave you the benefit of the doubt last week under the impression that you wouldn’t allow whatever’s been clouding your judgment as of late to override your desire to prove yourself… Whether it be thanks to your own will, or because Mister Lazarus wouldn’t let you. I suppose this all went out of the window the moment he was left a bloody heap right before your eyes though, didn’t it? You’re kind, not like many of the awful people in this company, but beyond that you just couldn’t bear to see Damon hurt, no matter how much he may have deserved it. It’s sweet darling, truly. For you to care so deeply about his broken condition to the point of being left fully unaware of the looming threat behind you takes some true compassion, true empathy, true…
(Before she could finish her thought, Eris began to walk up to Auburn, as the smirk on her face slowly dropped. In a matter of seconds the two were left face to face, and only then did Eris finally finish speaking.)
Eris Morti: Weakness. Weakness I hope to have speared out of you.
(Eris pats Auburn on the shoulder, slowly stepping back after telling Auburn everything she needed to. Hearing this all, Auburn just stares at Eris for a moment. It was clear that Auburn had a lot on her mind from the look on her face, and after some time, she finally began to respond.)
Auburn Ware: That was not a weakness. What happened last week was not supposed to happen. I’m woman enough to admit that it was my fault, but none of those factors are going to play into what’s going to happen at Grand Rampage. If you think that you’re going to be able to get into my head and try to mess with me, then maybe you are going to lose. But I’m not going to let that be the reason that I’m going to lose this title. It’s not going to slip through my hands just because people think they know what I’m going through right now.
Eris Morti: Think?
(Eris just begins to laugh, before slowly regaining her composure, beginning to speak once more.)
Eris Morti: Auburn, last week you had your back turned to me because you could not keep your eyes off of Damon. This isn’t a matter of what I or anyone else in this sport “thinks” anymore. Your lack of focus has already cost you, and it’ll only continue to cost you for as long as you lose yourself in the midst of battle. I may not know every thought that was running through your head, but I know exactly what you were going through, because I could tell that your focus wasn’t on me. I could tell that your mind was no longer on winning a match, nor standing your ground as Champion. If that’s not weakness, what is it?
Auburn Ware: It was a mistake, one that I’m not going to make again. We all make mistakes, you know you would know as much, and you’re just going to make another mistake taking this approach and that mistake is going to cost you the Specialists Championship.
Eris Morti: Well, I don’t believe I’m asking you for too much. You have something to prove after last week’s disaster, and I want you to prove it. Grand Rampage. Don’t mess up.
Auburn Ware: I don’t intend to. And I surely do hope you don’t fall into the same trap yourself. I think-
(Suddenly, ‘Tears’ by Sabrina Carpenter begins to play through the speakers of the arena. The crowd boos loudly as the camera goes over to show Ashlynn Quinn as she makes her way out. She has an annoyed look on her face, with this back and forth already getting on her nerves before she can even make her presence felt, as after a moment, she begins to make her way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Here comes Ashlynn Quinn, and considering she was on the losing end to Eris and Minerva alongside Auburn, she certainly is not very happy about the events that occurred either. And if I had to guess, she certainly doesn’t want to hear the bickering that is going on right now in her eyes.
Thadd Blazevich: She believes that she is the most capable person to win that title, bro, especially considering her track record already this season. And while I wouldn’t put it past her to come away with the victory, she has one hell of a task ahead of her if she wants to do that.
Persephone: God, none of these people deserve to be a Champion. But if I had to choose, it’s definitely not going to be her regardless.
(Ashlynn makes her way up the steps and onto the apron as she enters through the ropes and into the ring. She storms over and snatches a microphone from the ringside area while ‘Tears’ begins to come to a close. As she turns around and glares at the two of them, she begins to speak.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Oh my Gawd, can the two of you just shut up??? Nobody wants to hear any of this! Do you think that anyone cares about Auburn’s little boy trouble, and Eris, I hope you didn’t just go and forget about what you did. Don’t you realize how absurd all of you are being right now?! It’s clear to me what’s happening and that’s that all of you are distracted. Fueled by delusions that will NEVER happen as long as I’m here. We need to focus on a true star, a true Champion, and someone that the spotlight can shine down on and people KNOW that they deserve it. That person is me, and none of the two of you. I’m so tired of this idiotic bitching and moaning! If you two uggos keep going like this, don’t blame me for what’s about to happen at Grand Rampage!
(Ashlynn screams into the microphone, clearly frustrated.)
Ashlynn Quinn: I could care less about what either of you have to say, and regardless of whether someone got distracted or someone won, whatever! It was never going to make a difference in the first place. The only thing that the two of you are doing is wasting everyone’s time, wasting your time, and most importantly, wasting MY time. If there is anything that the two of you showed, it’s how little you actually do deserve those titles. So let’s stop beating around the bush and address the real elephant in the room here, and it’s none of your drama, it’s how Ashlynn Quinn is going to win her second Championship in this company, and just how sweet that is going to feel!
Auburn Ware: I think if there is one thing that you’ve shown, it’s just how unprepared you are to wear this title around your waist. You let it get to your head, and now you walk down here and claim that you’re not going to have a problem taking this title away from me. You haven’t shown anything of the sort these past couple of weeks.
Ashlynn Quinn: Do you want to know why, uggo?! Because of YOU! You and your ANTICS thinking that you can just run around doing whatever you want! If what you did last week wasn’t enough, don’t think I forgot what you did a couple weeks back, interfering in my match before you got stopped because of your little boy problems. You beating me? That was in the past, everything that we’ve gone through with one another is minor compared to what is going to happen at Grand Rampage. Don’t even get me started!
(Eris Morti slowly just nods.)
Eris Morti: I like the fire I’m hearing from you, Ashlynn. Does this mean you won’t disappoint me next time?
Ashlynn Quinn: I never did, if anything, you have to prove why you’re not a deadbeat! You should know how amazing I am right now considering you were by my side for that long. You continue to try and blame me for YOUR mistakes, which is just so lame and contrived! You stabbed me in the back, you tried to make me into someone that I was NEVER meant to be, and when you attacked me after I thought you were my bestie, I couldn’t have felt more hurt! But that’s okay, because while you may have caught me off guard one time, Grand Rampage is going to be different, because I’m going to be the one that stands tall!
(Auburn just shakes her head hearing Ashlynn’s words, while Eris doesn’t show much of a reaction. Before Ashlynn could even think to continue however, ‘Let Me Hear’ by Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas hits. This causes the women inside of the ring to turn their attention towards the stage, where Saori Aizen could be seen storming out. She is holding a microphone in her hand already, and she does not appear to be impressed by the back and forth that has unfolded between her Grand Rampage opponents up to this point, as she wastes no time heading towards the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Well it was only a matter of time before Saori Aizen joined us, if you ask me. Saori has been out to get Auburn Ware, but I wonder how she’s feeling after last week’s events.
Thadd Blazevich: Last week was a crazy one, bro. I’m interested in seeing what Saori’s gotta say right now, ‘cause we know she’s never been one to be okay with losses!
Persephone: Okay, so I don’t see why there’s a mic in her hand. Can she just like, attack someone or something?
(Saori Aizen climbs onto the apron before stepping into the ring. She takes a moment, staring at her three Grand Rampage opponents as her entrance music fades out.)
Saori Aizen: What is the meaning of this? What purpose is there to spend weeks arguing about the meaningless details surrounding the inevitable outcome to our match at Grand Rampage?
(Ashlynn Quinn rolls her eyes at this, but Saori steps towards her, staring at Ashlynn before continuing.)
Saori Aizen: Step aside, doll. You may have at one point convinced us that you were an opponent actually worth the attention you’ve been given, but that time has passed and you’ve since then returned to the shell that has left you the worthless insect that you’ve been for so long. Right now you are in the way for the sole purpose of being a slight inconvenience, and at Grand Rampage you’ll be swatted away. You, as well as the other one in the way.
(As she says this, Saori’s eyes dart towards Eris. Saori turns towards her, keeping the cold look on her face as she keeps speaking.)
Saori Aizen: Rest assured, I will not allow Grand Rampage’s result to mirror last week’s. You were able to get the upper hand, but you know as well as I do why this turned out to be the case. I told you already, Eris. Even if the weeks leading towards Grand Rampage fell out of line, come Grand Rampage I will finally capture the Specialists Championship. Last week’s result was not ideal, but it did grant me one piece of knowledge I’m sure will prove very useful once that fatal four way arrives. That is, of course…
(Finally, Saori’s attention turns towards Auburn Ware.)
Saori Aizen: That you are unfit to hold that Championship.
(There is a brief staredown between Saori and the Champion, who doesn’t appear pleased with her words. Auburn stands her ground as Saori walks up to her.)
Saori Aizen: There is no “hope”. Not for you. There’s no use in clinging to the possibility that you finally regain your focus. You knew from the start that you’d know your next challenge following Shock Value and rather than keeping your attention where it belongs, you’ve unraveled and became an even easier target than I had anticipated. I now struggle to imagine what Grand Rampage would have looked like had the Specialists Championship match been fought between only you and I, as much as I wanted that very opportunity. As it stands, you do not stand even the slightest chance of stopping me.
(Saori Aizen stands in the middle of her three Grand Rampage opponents, as the fans just loudly boo. Between the four competitors there is a brief silence, until finally, the Champion chooses to break it.)
Auburn Ware: Saori, you’ve done everything in your power to try and establish control against me. You attacked me from behind, caught me when I least expected it, but I was never going to let that fly. Especially seeing how deluded you are right now, how you let everything get to your head, someone is going to have to bring you down to Earth, and that person is going to be me. And the only way that I can do that is by making sure that you don’t get your way.
(With this, a smirk forms on the face of Saori Aizen.)
Saori Aizen: Do not make me laugh. You are Champion in name only. Come Grand Rampage that Championship will fall into the hands of a true wielder, who should’ve won it before you even had the opportunity to fight for it. You do not know what is coming your way, and I am more certain of this fact than ever before. I already believed your time was coming. Now, it appears that you’ll go down without a fight.
Auburn Ware: Don’t be stupid, Saori. The last thing I expected you to do was try and play that card with me, but it seems like you’re just that confident in yourself that you think everything is going to fall right into your hands. I think you do understand the magnitude of a match like this, but I don’t think you get exactly what’s on the line, or who you’re up against.
(Saori just scoffs, but she turns towards Eris, realizing that she has had her eyes on Aizen for quite some time now. Staring at Saori, Eris speaks.)
Eris Morti: I think you should listen to her, Aizen. Grand Rampage is where the stakes will be at their highest, and besides, for all you’ve just said, you weren’t the one that won last week. You’ve made your threats, you’ve declared that your time was upon us, but this all seemed quite irrelevant once given the opportunity to prove this, didn’t it?
(Saori just turns to Eris, not amused as she begins to respond.)
Saori Aizen: Last week hardly matters to me now. I’ve never been one to accept defeat with a smile, but Eris, your victory has only granted me even more tools to use at my disposal. As I told you, I’m not concerned with playing your game any longer. My only concern is victory, and I will leave Grand Rampage with that Championship no matter the-
(Finally, Auburn Ware grabs and turns Saori Aizen around, an angered look on her face as she speaks.)
Auburn Ware: If you think that you can get away with that bullshit then you might as well just leave. Nobody is going to stand here and be a pushover for you, and none of this is going to warrant giving you a reason to walk out of Grand Rampage as the Specialists Champion.
(Saori Aizen remains silent as she stares at Auburn, but Ashlynn just rolls her eyes.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Please! All this back and forth nonsense! It’s not going to make a difference! None of you are going to win anyway!
Eris Morti: That’s true, but do you really think *you* will?
(Ashlynn turns to Eris, stunned by the sudden disrespect that’s been shown to her by Eris as of the last few weeks.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Truly, Eris! Honey! What are you expecting from me??? Let’s not forget that I am the first person in this match to hold a title in EAW, being the GREATEST New Breed Champion that this place has ever seen. And if anything, I’ve already shown YOU just how dangerous I can be.
Eris Morti: You’re correct. I’ve seen for myself just what you’re capable of, and I’d much rather see more of that than more of the woman who was made to look like a fool.
Ashlynn Quinn: The only person who was made to be a fool was you, idiot! You made a mistake getting on my bad side. We could’ve been besties! I could’ve led you to victory! But you chose the path of a failure and a lame, and that’s not Championship material whatsoever. I’ll leave you and the rest of these losers in this ring with a warning, the LAST thing that you want to do is underestimate Ashlynn Quinn and what she’s actually capable of doing.
Saori Aizen: Will the two of you save it? I do not need my Championship match tainted with your foolishness. If the two of you are still so interested in wasting each other’s time, do it away from my ring. I have a Championship to win, and I don’t desire to watch Ashlynn Quinn continue to be treated like the charity case that she is.
(Ashlynn Quinn turns towards Saori with an annoyed look on her face, but before she could respond to Saori herself…)
Auburn Ware: And the last thing I need to hear is you continuing to run your mouth. Or else I’ll be more than happy to handle this situation right here, and right now.
(Hearing these words makes Saori stop. She stares at Auburn for a moment, before finally she just breaks into laughter. Saori steps further, even closer to the Champion as an increasingly enraged look appears on her face.)
Saori Aizen: You will do… *Nothing*.
(Saori grabs Auburn by her hair as she says this, pulling it backwards as she stares at her.)
Saori Aizen: I will NOT continue to leave you with warnings that fall on deaf ears. You meet your end at Grand Rampage, no matter-
(Suddenly, the crowd reaction rises.)
Rich Russillo: AUBURN WARE JUST PUNCHED SAORI IN THE JAW!!! THAT NEARLY JUST FLOORED SAORI!!
Persephone: Well, she had that coming. Saori must be a bigger idiot than I thought.
(The fans cheer loudly as Saori stumbles, even dropping to a knee as she holds her face, both thanks to the pain of the punch and out of shock that Auburn responded as quickly as she did. However, that shock quickly turns into rage.)
Rich Russillo: AND I CAN’T SAY I AM SURPRISED TO SEE IT COME TO THIS! SAORI SWUNG AT AUBURN- BUT AUBURN IS ABLE TO DUCK UNDER BEFORE TAKING SAORI TO THE MAT WITH A DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN!!! AUBURN WARE AND SAORI AIZEN ARE GOING AT IT AFTER SAORI JUST TRIED TO SHOW SOME SERIOUS DISRESPECT TOWARDS THE CHAMPION, AND NOW IS THE TIME WHERE I THINK THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET OUT OF HAND!
Thadd Blazevich: SAORI PUSHES AUBURN OFF OF HER, AND AUBURN ROLLS OUT TO THE APRON! Auburn tries to sit up- BUT SAORI JUST LEAPS AT HER, DIVING THROUGH THE ROPES AND TAKING BOTH WOMEN TO THE MAT! BOTH WOMEN ARE DOWN ON THE RINGSIDE FLOOR, YET THEY’RE STILL GOING AT IT!
Persephone: At least they’re actually fighting now and not just running their mouths. Saori and Auburn actually look like they want to hurt each other now.
(Saori and Auburn continue to fight, with Auburn managing to get on top of Saori, slamming the back of her head onto the ringside floor. Eris Morti and Ashlynn Quinn remain in the ring, and the intense brawl between the two women has caught Eris’ attention, bringing a wide grin to her face. However, just as she goes to walk towards the two…)
Rich Russillo: WAIT, ASHLYNN JUST TURNED ERIS AROUND, BEFORE HITTING HER RIGHT IN THE JAW WITH HER MICROPHONE!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: ERIS STUMBLES BACKWARDS AND IS BARELY ABLE TO CATCH HERSELF ON A KNEE, AND I DON’T THINK SHE EXPECTED THAT ONE! She holds her jaw processing what just happened, and she just nods… BEFORE PUSHING HERSELF UP AND SWINGING AT ASHLYNN!
Rich Russillo: BUT ASHLYNN DUCKS UNDER IT!!! ERIS TRIED TO TAKE THAT STRIKE AS AN INVITATION FOR BATTLE, BUT I THINK ASHLYNN THOUGHT AHEAD!! ASHLYNN BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES- AND CONNECTS WITH THE BESTIE SPEAR!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: ERIS HOLDS HER RIBS IN PAIN, BUT IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE ASHLYNN’S DONE YET! THESE TWO HAVE HAD QUITE THE STRANGE HISTORY OVER THESE LAST FEW MONTHS, BUT I THINK ERIS IS ABOUT TO GET EXACTLY WHAT SHE ASKED FOR!
Rich Russillo: ASHLYNN GRABS ERIS BY THE ARM BEFORE PULLING HER UP, BEFORE PLANTING HER WITH RED BOTTOMS!!!!! ERIS GOES DOWN, AND NOW ASHLYNN GETS BACK TO HER FEET, TURNING HER ATTENTION TOWARDS THE FIGHT AT RINGSIDE!
Thadd Blazevich: At ringside Saori managed to push Auburn off of her, allowing both women to get back to their feet! Saori runs in, AND SAORI JUST RAN IN AND RAMMED AUBURN BACK FIRST INTO THE APRON, BRO! Auburn stumbles off of the apron- AND SAORI GOES FOR THE FOLLOW UP, BUT AUBURN GRABS SAORI BEFORE PUNCHING HER IN THE RIBS, AND FOLLOWING UP WITH A FOREARM TO THE JAW!
Rich Russillo: Saori stumbles back and Auburn goes right back after her, BUT SAORI DOESN’T BACK DOWN, AND BOTH WOMEN JUST GO RIGHT BACK TO FIGHTING!! THINGS HAVE SOMEHOW ONLY GOTTEN EVEN MORE HEATED BETWEEN THESE FOUR WOMEN, AND- HEY, WAIT A SECOND!
Thadd Blazevich: ASHLYNN RUNS THE ROPES WHILE SAORI AND AUBURN BRAWL IN FRONT OF THE RAMP- BEFORE FLYING AT THEM ALL WITH A SUICIDE DIVE!!!!!!
(While Ashlynn Quinn is far from a fan favorite on the Voltage roster, this move excites the fans, causing a loud reaction to come from the crowd as Ashlynn Quinn returns to her feet, fired up after taking out all three women.)
Rich Russillo: Wow! Ashlynn Quinn has laid out all three of her Grand Rampage opponents, and this is exactly what she was warning them about! Ashlynn is on fire right now, and was able to put an end to what has been a very heated brawl by standing tall!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, one thing is for sure now, and it’s that these women are gonna be at each other’s throats at Grand Rampage! Could Ashlynn repeat history at Grand Rampage, and win a second title??
Persephone: God, I hope not. Last thing I need to see is her with another title.
(Ashlynn Quinn stands over Auburn Ware and Saori Aizen, looking down on the two. For a brief moment she turns and glares at Eris Morti inside of the ring, who is still laid out, before turning back towards the Champion. With this final shot, Voltage fades from ringside.)
(The camera opens to the backstage area as Sunday Night Voltage continues. The usual movement of crew and production fills the space as the camera settles near a stack of production crates, where Carmen Sánchez is mid-conversation with a backstage producer holding a clipboard.)
Carmen Sánchez: I’m telling you, I don’t even care about the loss like that. That part is whatever. I knew coming in here it wasn’t going to be easy, I knew I was going to have to learn some things the hard way, and yeah, maybe that’s what this is, maybe that’s just part of it. But there’s a difference between getting beat and getting robbed, and that’s what that was. He didn’t out-wrestle me, he didn’t outthink me, he grabbed the tights and got away with it, and then tried to shake my hand after like we just had this honorable fight or something. Nah. I’m not doing that. I’m not playing along with that. If you beat me, you beat me, I’ll take it, I’ll learn from it, I’ll come back better. But don’t cheat me and then try to act like you earned something you didn’t. That’s the part that sticks with me.
Producer: You have a long career ahead of you. Don’t let that one match get to you too much. Shake it off and you’ll be fine.
Carmen Sánchez: I get it. I’m just not super pleased with the results so far. That doesn’t mean I don’t know what I’m capable of, though. I can feel it when I’m in there. I know I belong here. I know I can hang with people who’ve been doing this longer than me. It’s just… little things. Timing, experience, knowing when to expect something like that. That’s stuff I’m still figuring out. But I’m not going to sit here and pretend like I’m just okay with it either. I’m not wired like that.
(The producer shrugs.)
Producer: It all comes with time. At least that’s what I always hear the wrestlers say.
Carmen Sánchez: Yeah, I know. I know it’ll come. I’m not worried about that. I’m just— I don’t like feeling like I got played, you know? That’s all.
???: That is because you did.
(Carmen turns her head as Sayuri Himura steps into the conversation. She turns towards the producer.)
Sayuri Himura: A moment if you don’t mind?
(The producer then walks away, returning to the production truck.)
Carmen Sánchez: So I got played. Do you have anything to say about it?
(She shifts her stance slightly, giving Sayuri a more direct look now.)
Carmen Sánchez: You’ve been watching, right? You saw all of it.
Sayuri Himura: I did. And you did well.
(Carmen lets out a small breath, shaking her head.)
Carmen Sánchez: I lost. I don’t really know how that translates to doing well.
Sayuri Himura: You were not defeated because you were the lesser competitor. You were defeated because your opponent chose a dishonorable path to secure his victory. That is not a reflection of your ability.
(Carmen studies her for a moment before responding, her tone not dismissive, but not fully accepting either.)
Carmen Sánchez: Maybe not. But it’s still a loss at the end of the day. That’s what goes on the record, that’s what people see, and right now I’ve got two matches and not a whole lot to show for it. So yeah, I get what you’re saying, I do, but it doesn’t really change how it feels.
Sayuri Himura: Feelings and reality are not always aligned. If you allow that result to define your performance, then you will overlook what actually occurred in that ring.
Carmen Sánchez: And what actually occurred is that I had him, and then I didn’t, because he took a shortcut. That’s what actually happened.
Sayuri Himura: Yes. And the fact that he needed to do that is what matters.
(Carmen pauses for a second, seemingly caught by the logic. She then exhales through her nose.)
Carmen Sánchez: I mean… yeah. I get that. I do. I just don’t like it.
Sayuri Himura: You are not meant to.
(Carmen gives a small nod, then tilts her head slightly, her focus sharpening a bit.)
Carmen Sánchez: Okay. Fine. I don’t like it and I’m not supposed to. So what’s the point of this? Because I don’t think you came over here just to tell me I got cheated. I already know that. You’ve been watching me for a few a bit now, you’ve made that pretty clear, and I remember what you said before about how this place needs more people who want to do things the right way. I get that. I’m trying to be that person too. But I don’t see you doing this with anyone else. So what is it? What are you looking for?
(Sayuri doesn’t answer immediately, taking a moment before speaking.)
Sayuri Himura: I have been considering where I go next. After my loss to Clayton Golde, I realized that continuing forward without direction would lead me to the same result. I needed to find something that would push me beyond where I currently stand. Not just any opponent, but the right one. Someone who would force me to improve, someone who would not allow me to remain stagnant. That is what I have been looking for.
(She keeps her eyes on Carmen.)
Sayuri Himura: And that is why I have been watching you.
(Carmen lets out a short breath, almost a quiet laugh, though there’s skepticism in it.)
Carmen Sánchez: Me. That’s where you landed. I just got here, I’ve had two matches, and as we’ve discussed, my record doesn’t make it look like I’m stacking up wins right now, and somehow I’m the one you’re looking at like that’s your answer. You don’t think that’s a little off?
Sayuri Himura: No.
Carmen Sánchez: No?
Sayuri Himura: No. Because I am not looking at your results. I am looking at how you respond to them. I am looking at how you carry yourself in those moments. In both of your matches, you were tested. In both of your matches, you were placed in difficult situations. And in both of your matches, you continued forward. You did not hesitate. You did not retreat. You did not look for an excuse. That is what caught my attention.
(Carmen crosses her arms again, considering that.)
Carmen Sánchez: That’s just what you’re supposed to do, though. You get in the ring, you fight. That’s the job.
Sayuri Himura: And yet not everyone treats it that way. Your opponent did not.
(Carmen’s expression tightens slightly.)
Carmen Sánchez: Yeah. I noticed that part. Look, I’d rather do things the right way. That’s what I’m trying to carry with me here. But I’m not just going to sit there and let someone take advantage of that either. If someone wants to go low first, I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty to make sure they don’t get away with it.
Sayuri Himura: Then you risk becoming what you stand against.
(Carmen shakes her head immediately.)
Carmen Sánchez: No. There’s a difference. I’m not the one starting it. I’m not the one taking shortcuts. But I’m also not going to let someone walk all over me just because I’m trying to do things the right way. That’s not how this works. That’s not how I work. That’s why I’m still pissed about last week. The slap didn’t feel like I paid it back enough.
Sayuri Himura: It is a narrow line. One that many believe they can walk without crossing. Many are wrong.
Carmen Sánchez: Maybe. But I’m not them.
(A short silence sits between them, not uncomfortable, but heavier now than before.)
Sayuri Himura: You have also been watching me.
(Carmen blinks once, then shrugs.)
Carmen Sánchez: Yeah. I mean… yeah. You stand out. You don’t exactly blend in around here. You’ve got your whole thing, the way you carry yourself, the way you talk, the way you fight, plus you burst on the scene with some big wins. It’s hard not to notice that.
Sayuri Himura: Then you understand why I am here.
Carmen Sánchez: I understand that you’re looking for something. I just didn’t expect that something to be me.
Sayuri Himura: It is not a matter of expectation. It is a matter of recognition.
(Carmen folds her arms and shifts her hips to the side, raising an eyebrow.)
Carmen Sánchez: You really don’t make anything straightforward, do you?
(Sayuri’s expression doesn’t change, but there’s a faint shift in it.)
Sayuri Himura: Simplicity does not lead to growth.
Carmen Sánchez: Yeah, well… sometimes it makes things a lot easier. So what, you want a match? Because if that’s what this is, you could’ve just said that. You didn’t have to come over here and turn it into this whole… thing.
Sayuri Himura: This is not just about a match. It is about understanding what that match represents. When that moment comes, it should not be just another contest. It should be something that pushes both of us beyond where we are now.
(Carmen considers that for a moment.)
Carmen Sánchez: I mean… I get that. I do. I just don’t know if I’m what you think I am yet. And I’m also not the biggest fan of this mental gymnastics thing you’re doing. I’m still figuring this out. I’m still learning. I’m still trying to put all of this together.
Sayuri Himura: You do not need to be there yet. You only need to be willing to get there.
Carmen Sánchez: That part’s not a problem. I don’t back down. I don’t quit. I’m not going to start now.
Sayuri Himura: I know. That is why I am interested. And that is why, sooner or later, I would like to see for myself what you are capable of.
(Sayuri’s expression shifts just slightly, the faintest hint of a smirk forming before she turns and begins to walk away. Carmen watches her go, her expression shifting—less frustration now, more focus, but still not entirely settled.)
Carmen Sánchez: …what the hell even was that?
(She shakes her head slightly, still watching the direction where Sayuri walked off.)
Carmen Sánchez: Guess we’ll see.
(The camera lingers for a moment before fading elsewhere.)
(The camera fades to ringside.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(‘RUNITUP’ by Tyler, The Creator ft. Teezo Touchdown blasts throughout the arena and Cosmo Goldworthy comes strutting out with confidence, having regrouped following the events earlier. Diamond Dixon follows closely behind him. He hypes up himself and the crowd as he heads down to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST…ACCOMPANIED BY DIAMOND DIXON…FROM THE GOLDEN STATE…WEIGHING IN at 220 POUNDS…HE IS COOOOOOSSSMMMOOOO ‘MONEY MO’ GOLLLLDDDWWOORTTHHYYY!
Rich Russillo: Cosmo Goldworthy is looking confident as ever! He and Dixon seemed to have regrouped from the chaos earlier in the night! He walks into this one hoping for a big win to carry into Grand Rampage!
(‘Thoughts of a Dying Atheist’ by Muse begins to play as the crowd cheers. Jay Jerry Johnson slowly walks onto the stage with intense focus, ready for the match ahead of him, and for now taking his mind off of Drake Armstrong. He looks at Goldworthy with determination before making his way down to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: AND HIS OPPONENT…FROM CHICAGO, ILLINOIS…WEIGHING IN AT 223 POUNDS…’THE ARTIST’ JAYYYYY JEEEERRRYYYYYY JJOOOOOOHHHNNNNSSSSOOONNNNNN!!!!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: And bro, Jay Jerry Johnson is here to take care of business tonight! He’s coming in here fresh off the absolute chaos of last week’s business but he is as focused as ever! Cosmo Goldworthy is going to be in for a war tonight!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: And there’s the bell and this one is underway! And look at the cocky Cosmo Goldworthy strutting towards his opponent looking to lock up! Johnson goes in for it but Goldworthy slips behind him instead! He tries to take him down with a back suplex! Up Johnson goes but he rolls behind and lands on his feet! AND WITH A HARD STRIKE HE GETS HIM WITH A KICK STRAIGHT TO THE CALF! Did you hear that crack? You could hear the impact from that strike from all the way in the back! Goldworthy shakes off the kick and replies with a big right hand!
Thadd Blazevich: But Johnson catches it bro and gets him with a slap across the face! It staggers him for a moment and Johnson tries to follow up with a middle kick! BUT GOLDWORTHY CATCHES THE LEG DUDE AND TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A DRAGONSCREW LEGWHIP! From there, he looks to apply a submission hold, making an attempt at the Figure Four Leglock! Johnson is able to free a leg before it can be locked in and kicks Goldworthy in the face! He then scrambles back to his feet…BUT GOLDWORTHY CATCHES HIM WITH A DROPKICK!
Persephone: He catches him right in the center mass and sends Johnson reeling towards the corner. Goldworthy meets him there with a charging back elbow! He then lets Johnson stumble towards the center of the ring as he climbs up onto the middle rope! HE COMES DOWN WITH THE EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Rich Russillo: But Jay Jerry Johnson was able to move out the way! Goldworthy catches him on the mat and scrambles to find his balance! BUT HE’S MET WITH A BIG LARIAT FROM JOHNSON! That one nearly took his head off! He then follows that up with the switchblade kick right to the spine of Goldworthy! Johnson now targets the leg again, knowing that he needs to cut off some of that offense! HE GOES FOR THE ANKLE LOCK!
Thadd Blazevich: And he gets it dude! He’s got an iron grip on his opponent’s leg right now just absolutely twisting it as much as he can! Goldworthy is definitely in pain and he can’t afford to be in this move for very long! He crawls towards the ropes and is able to get there! The referee calls for the break and Johnson obliges! But as soon as Goldworthy is up…HE SUCKER PUNCHES JOHNSON WITH THE SPINNING BACK ELBOW! He keeps hold of him bro! BIG GERMAN SUPLEX THERE AND GOLDWORTHY GOES FOR THE FIRST COVER OF THE MATCH!
ONE!
TW-
Persephone: But it wasn’t enough to get the job done! Jay Jerry Johnson was able to kick out before the two count! Goldworthy has zero hesitation though! He immediately gets some submission revenge with a Fujiwara armbar!
Rich Russillo: Look at that! Goldworthy is trying to snap his opponent’s arm off! He might be able to remove his opponent’s capacities for submission moves at the very least! Johnson is in pain here but he manages to tear his arm away! He gets back to his feet but Goldworthy is on him in a flash! HE LOOKS FOR THE IMPLANT DDT…BUT JOHNSON DRIVES HIM INTO THE CORNER INSTEAD! Goldworthy makes a hard impact with the turnbuckles! JOHNSON UNLEASHES A MASSIVE KICK STRAIGHT TO HIS CHEST NOW! HE THEN ROLLS HIM FORWARD WITH A SNAPMARE AND GETS HIM WITH THE SOCCER KICK RIGHT TO THE BACK!
Thadd Blazevich: A gnarly combination there but I have a feeling the worst is yet to come for Cosmo Goldworthy! JOHNSON GETS A RUNNING START AND THEN IMPALES HIM WITH THE DOUBLE FOOT STOMP! AND NOW HE HOOKS THE LEG FOR A COVER!
ONE!
TW-
Persephone: BUT GOLDWORTHY GETS HIS SHOULDER UP RIGHT BEFORE THE TWO COUNT! Damn, I guess this one is going to keep going. Johnson seems calm as he evaluates his next move! AND HE LOOKS FOR A STEP-UP SOCCER KICK NOW! BUT GOLDWORTHY IS ABLE TO DODGE IT! He rolls back to his feet and Johnson comes straight at him! COSMO…ROLLS OUT OF THE RING!
Rich Russillo: Well…that’s one strategy. And now look at Goldworthy gloating on the outside and talking trash to his opponent! I guess trying to get into Johnson’s head is an effective strategy! BECAUSE HERE COMES JOHNSON RUSHING TO THE OUTSIDE! HE LOOKS FOR A LARIAT BUT GOLDWORTHY CATCHES THE ARM…AND SLAMS IT RIGHT INTO THE RING POST! That’s flesh on metal ladies and gentlemen! And now Goldworthy grabs the wrist of his opponent and slams it into the post over and over again!
Thadd Blazevich: Goldworthy is a very clever Elitist! Bro knows that Johnson’s right wrist has that lingering injury and now he’s exploiting it however he needs to! Johnson tries to get back at him with the bicycle knee strike! BUT GOLDWORTHY AVOIDS IT! HE THEN LIFTS HIM UP AND DROPS HIM ONTO THE STEEL APRON WITH A BACK SUPLEX! NO WAY DUDE! Goldworthy is just using whatever is in his environment to maximize damage tonight!
Persephone: And now he rolls Johnson back inside the ring! The damage has been done and he looks extremely confident now. Goldworthy makes his way up onto the top rope now! He grins at Johnson who is slowly rising back to his own feet! AND THEN GOES FOR THAT DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! THE HOLLOW POINT!
Rich Russillo: BUT JOHNSON DODGES IT AT THE LAST SECOND! Goldworthy’s legs land awkwardly and he rolls back to his feet! BUT HE’S IMMEDIATELY MET WITH A KICK TO THE CALF BY JOHNSON! That one just takes his legs out right from underneath him! Johnson now grabs the ankle and tries to reapply the lock! But Goldworthy thinks quickly, rolling forward and sending his opponent with him! He tries to scramble back to his feet to take advantage! BUT JOHNSON REMAINS VIGILANT! HE AVOIDS A PUNCH FROM GOLDWORTHY AND SPIKES HIM DOWN WITH THE SITOUT REAR MAT SLAM!
Thadd Blazevich: The back of Goldworthy’s head collides with the mat and he might be seeing stars bro! Johnson gets back to his feet and then reaches down to grab his opponent! AND LOOK AT THIS STRENGTH DUDE! JOHNSON IS LIFTING GOLDWORTHY OFF THE MAT AND INTO THE SKY! HERE COMES THE FALCON ARROW! BUT NO! GOLDWORTHY DRIVES HIS KNEE INTO THE SKULL OF JOHNSON INSTEAD! HE MANAGES TO GET DROPPED DOWN TO HIS FEET! HE THEN LAUNCHES HIM WITH AN EXPLODER SUPLEX!
Persephone: And launching him is exactly what that looked like! He managed to get some distance on that one. He staggers towards the ropes to keep himself standing. But once he rallies, he heads back over to his opponent to keep the offense going! HE HOOKS THE ARMS…HERE COMES THE ECSTASY OF GOLD!
Rich Russillo: But Johnson frees himself before it can connect! HE THEN GOES TO SWEEP THE LEG OF GOLDWORTHY WHO JUMPS OVER IT! GOLDWORTHY RUNS TO THE ROPES INSTEAD…AND HE COMES BACK LOOKING FOR A CUTTER! BUT JOHNSON CATCHES HIM…AND OBLITERATES HIM WITH A DRAGON SUPLEX! He looks for another cover to put this one away!
ONE!
TWO!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT BRO KICKS OUT RIGHT AT THE TWO! That was close but no cigar! Johnson needs to start digging down deep and get Goldworthy with some big offense! And that seems to be his intention now dude as he brings his opponent back to a vertical base! HE GETS HIM WITH THE SIDE ELBOW…THEN THE RIGHT HOOKS…AND HERE COMES THE LARIAT TO COMPLETE THE KNOCKOUT ARTIST COMBINATION!
Rich Russillo: BUT GOLDWORTHY DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT! HE THEN SENDS HIS OPPONENT INTO THE ROPES WITH AN IRISH WHIP! OFF THE REBOUND HE LOOKS FOR THE JUMPING KNEE BUT JOHNSON AVOIDS IT! Johnson keeps running to build up speed! AND HE LOOKS FOR THAT PUMP KICK!
Persephone: But Goldworthy catches the leg! HE THEN SPINS JOHNSON AROUND AND TAKES HIM DOWN WITH THE RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP! He rolls back to his feet…AND THEN RUNS TO THE ROPES! HE TAKES FLIGHT AND CRASHES DOWN ON JOHNSON WITH THE SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT! HE HOOKS THE LEG!
ONE!
TWO!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT HIS OPPONENT KICKS OUT AT THE TWO COUNT! GOLDWORTHY IMMEDIATELY REPLIES BY PLACING HIS OPPONENT IN THE CROSSFACE CHICKENWING! HE PINS THE WRIST UP AS HE DOES, TRYING TO DO AS MUCH DAMAGE AS HE CAN TO JAY JERRY JOHNSON! AND THEN HE TRIES TO SWITCH IT UP…TRANSLATING IT INTO THE ECTASY OF GOLD ONCE AGAIN!
Rich Russillo: BUT JOHNSON ESCAPES AGAIN, TWISTING OUT OF IT! HE THEN TAKES GETS GOLDWORTHY WITH A SINGLE LEG DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Goldworthy staggers and stumbles his way into the corner! JOHNSON COMES IN FROM BEHIND, DRAGGING HIM AWAY FROM THE TURNBUCKLES WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! Goldworthy is barely able to stand able that, doubled over at the moment! AND THEN JOHNSON RUSHES IN WITH THE SPRECHOR CROSSLINE! THE OVER CROSS DDT SPIKES GOLDWORTHY’S HEAD INTO THE MAT! THIS MIGHT BE OVER! JOHNSON COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
T-
Persephone: BUT GOLDWORTHY GETS THE SHOULDER UP! HE KICKS OUT TO THE SURPRISE OF JOHNSON! But Johnson isn’t about to relent for a moment! HE GRABS THE ARM AND DRAGS HIS OPPONENT BACK UP! HE LOOKS FOR THE PUMPHANDLE SPINNING EMERALD FLOWSION! YKHM LAST LOVE!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT GOLDWORTHY BRINGS HIS KNEE UP AND RIGHT INTO THE SNOUT OF HIS OPPONENT! HE THEN RUNS TO THE ROPES WHILE HIS OPPONENT IS STUNNED AND GETS HIM WITH THE SPRINGBOARD CUTTER! Dude senses the opportunity here! HE TAKES HOLD OF HIM AND HAULS HIM TO HIS FEET…AND THEN HITS THE UNPRETTIER! MONEY TALKS BRO! COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
T-
Rich Russillo: AND NOW JOHNSON KICKS OUT YET AGAIN! These two are pulling out their big guns but neither one can seem to gun the other down! Goldworthy looks at the ref with a scowl before focusing back on Johnson! He drags him to his feet and then gets him in the hammerlock! Once again he’s going after that arm…BUT JOHNSON USES HIS FREE ARM TO ELBOW HIM IN THE FACE!
Persephone: He manages to get free and then turns around…ROUNDHOUSE KICK! That was pretty flawless, catching his opponent right in the side of the head! He turned him around with that one! And then from behind…HE GETS HIM WITH THE REVERSE POWERSLAM!
Thadd Blazevich: An impressive showing from these two competitors tonight, really pulling out all the stops so far bro! Johnson looks to finish this off now! He lifts his opponent up a vertical base with his foot…AND THEN LOOKS FOR THAT SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE KICK! DRAGONSLAYER!
Rich Russillo: BUT GOLDWORTHY DUCKS UNDERNEATH THAT LETHAL BLOW! HE LIFTS HIS OPPONENT UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS INSTEAD AND PUTS HIM BACK DOWN WITH A MASSIVE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! That one right there might spell the beginning of the end! Cosmo Goldworthy though focuses back on the submission offense! HE LIFTS HIS OPPONENT BACK TO HIS FEET AND HOOKS THE ARM! HE GETS HIM WITH BUTTERFLY SUPLEX AND THEN GOES RIGHT INTO THE ARMBAR! GOLDWORTHY SPECIAL!
Persephone: And look at the way he’s pulling on that arm! He wants to rip it right out of the socket! That would be pretty funny actually! But Johnson is definitely in a lot of pain here, the constant attacks on his arm has to be getting to him!
Thadd Blazevich: But bro is looking to dig down deep here! He knows that he cannot afford to tap out on the road to Pain for Pride! He finds his foot and rolls on top of his opponent! HE MANAGES TO HOLD ONTO HIS OWN WRIST! AND NOW HE’S LIFTING GOLDWORTHY UP HERE! LOOK AT THE SHOCK ON GOLDWORTHY’S FACE BRO! HE CAN’T BELIEVE THIS AND NEITHER CAN WE! AND NOW JOHNSON SLAMS HIM DOWN WITH A POWERBOMB TO BREAK THE HOLD!
Rich Russillo: And Johnson is out of that armbar his arm has taken a lot of damage! There’s a lot that might have been stripped from his arsenal tonight! BUT THAT ISN’T GOING TO STOP HIM! AS GOLDWORTHY ROLLS TO HIS FEET, JOHNSON PUNISHES HIM WITH THE DRAGONSLAYER! THE SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE KICK CONNECTS AND JOHNSON ROLLS ON TOP OF HIM WITH THE PIN!
ONE!
TWO!
T-
Persephone: BUT NO! GOLDWORTHY IS ABLE TO KICK OUT OF IT! He just nearly got his head kicked off and somehow he’s still in this! Johnson knows that he needs to put this away as soon as he can! He lifts her opponent up to his feet! HE THEN LIFTS HIM UP FOR THE KNEELING BACK-TO-BELLY PILEDRIVER! BUT AS HE GETS HIM UP FOR HEAVEN’S FEEL, COSMO GOLDWORTHY SLIDES THROUGH!
Thadd Blazevich: AND BRO MANAGES TO TAKE HIS OPPONENT DOWN WITH THE SMALL PACKAGE! AND THEN HE CATCHES HIM WITH AN AXE KICK! What a move right there dude and Cosmo Goldworthy has seized back control of this one! He then picks his opponent back up and punishes him further with the snap suplex! He rolls to his feet, taking his opponent with him! HE THEN DELIVERS A GNARLY BRAINBUSTER TO HIS OPPONENT!
Rich Russillo: And now he begins his ascent once more! Cosmo Goldworthy slowly makes his way up onto the top rope! He’s hindered by that leg that’s been targeted all match! But he still gets up there! HE THEN DIVES DOWN OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH THE SHOOTING STAR PRESS! COSMOLOGY!
Persephone: BUT HIS OPPONENT MOVES OUT OF THE WAY! GOLDWORTHY LANDS FACE FIRST ON THE MAT AND KNOW HE MIGHT KNOW WHERE HE IS! Jay Jerry Johnson slowly climbs back to his feet! He then sees the opportunity…AND GOES FOR THE PRETTY VISITOR! THERE’S THE JUMPING CUTTER!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT COSMO IS ABLE TO CATCH HIM! HE SHOVES HIM INTO THE ROPES! RIGHT OFF THE REBOUND HE LEAPS UP AND GOES FOR THE TORNADO KICK! READY TO DIE CONNECTS! HE NEARLY TAKES HIS OPPONENT’S HEAD OFF WITH THAT ONE BRO! He then hooks the leg and goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-
Rich Russillo: BUT NO! He manages to kick out of it! Somehow, someway Jay Jerry Johnson is still in this match! I cannot believe this! This one is somehow still going! That is much to the chagrin of Goldworthy who slowly climbs back to his feet! He then heads out to the apron and gets in position! He’s going in for the kill here as he watches Jay Jerry Johnson slowly gather! HE THEN LEAPS OVER THE TOP ROPE LOOKING FOR THAT BUCKSHOT LARIAT! HERE COMES A GOLD RUSH!
Persephone: BUT HIS LEG GIVES OUT ON HIM! HE SLIPS OFF THE TOP ROPE AND THAT LOOKED PAINFUL! He limps back over to his opponent! BUT HE’S MET BY A BRUTAL CALF KICK! HE FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A PUMP KICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! HE FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH THE REVERSE POWERSLAM! That was a completely brutal combination!
Thadd Blazevich: And now it’s Johnson coming in for the kill bro! He hoists his opponent off up on the mat…AND PLANTS HIM WITH THE THAT PUMPHANDLE SPINNING EMERALD FLOWSION BRO! THE YKHM CONNECTS! But Johnson isn’t about to look for the cover! Instead he looks for the finale here! HE DRAGS GOLDWORTHY UP ONTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE NOW! HE THEN CLIMBS UP AFTER HIM AND GETS INTO POSITION FOR THE AVALANCHE HEAVEN’S FEEL! THIS COULD BE OVER!
Rich Russillo: BUT GOLDWORTHY SLIPS OFF AND LANDS ON THE APRON! HE THEN SHOVES JOHNSON OFF THE TOP ROPE AND HE GOES CRASHING DOWN IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! Look at the smile on the face of Goldworthy! He knows that he could end this one right here! He lines up his shot as Jay Jerry Johnson staggers back to his feet! AND GOLDWORTHY MANAGES TO FLIP OVER THE ROPES SUCCESSFULLY THIS TIME! HERE COMES THE GOLD RUSH TO PUT THIS AWAY!
Persephone: BUT JOHNSON INTERCEPTS IT WITH A DROPKICK! HE LEAPS UP AND CATCHES GOLDWORTHY RIGHT IN THE CHEST! Both of them collapse now in the middle of the ring! Goldworthy and Johnson are both looking tired. GET UP AND FINISH IT!
Thadd Blazevich: AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT BOTH OF THESE DUDES INTEND TO DO HERE! Goldworthy and Johnson roll to opposite corners! Both of them have to use the turnbuckles to pull themselves up onto their feet! This has been a competitive match and it’s showing! AND THEN THEY MEET IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! JOHNSON LEAPS OVER THE COLDEST WINTER ATTEMPT BY GOLDWORTHY! AS SOON AS HE GETS UP…HE UNLEASHES ANOTHER DRAGONSLAYER RIGHT ACROSS GOLDWORTHY’S HEAD! THIS IS IT!
(Suddenly, ‘Pride and Arrogance’ by Takeru Kanazaki begins to play.)
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Oh no, not now!
(Jay Jerry Johnson’s attention suddenly turns towards the stage, and Jay has an annoyed look on his face, knowing that something is bound to happen as soon as Drake comes out.)
Rich Russillo: THERE’S NO WAY! IS THE WORLD CHAMPION ABOUT TO COME OUT HERE!
Thadd Blazevich: I…I don’t see him, dude!
(After some time the boos continue, not because of Drake Armstrong’s presence… But because of his lack of it.)
Rich Russillo: Oh, great. Drake isn’t even here, but it looks like Johnson’s attention has turned fully towards that entrance ramp, ready to fight off Drake Armstrong if he arrives!
Persephone: Well, maybe he should pay attention to the ring! BECAUSE HERE COMES COSMO GOLDWORTHY FROM BEHIND WITH THE ROLL-UP! HE’S ABOUT TO STEAL IT!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘RUNITUP’ by Tyler, The Creator ft. Teezo Touchdown blasts throughout the arena as Cosmo Goldworthy rolls off of his opponent and slips outside to celebrate with Diamond Dixon. The fans boo loudly, but Cosmo couldn’t care less, forming a wide grin on his face as he stumbles towards the ramp, being followed by Diamond. Jay just returns to a knee, frustrated knowing the distraction worked.)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER…COOOOOSSSMMOOOO GOLLLDDDDWOOORTTHHYYY!
Rich Russillo: I cannot believe it folks! Cosmo Goldworthy just absolutely stole that match from Jay Jerry Johnson! I mean, he was moments away from putting the finishing touches on him before Armstrong’s music started to play!
Thadd Blazevich: These two bros put each other through the wringer together! But Rich man, Johnson took his eye off the ball! He allowed himself to be distracted there! Of course Goldworthy was going to take advantage of it dude!
Persephone: But look, the real deal is here now.
(Drake Armstrong walks out on stage with a smug look on his face, holding his championship high above his head as Jay Jerry Johnson glares at him.)
Rich Russillo: Oh great, and now he’s here only AFTER the damage has already been done! This is just unreal.
Thadd Blazevich: Jay doesn’t look happy at all, dude. Something tells me he’s not just gonna let this slide.
(Jay Jerry Johnson gives Drake Armstrong a death stare, frustrated after what just went down. Drake isn’t bothered by this however, paying no mind to Jay’s anger as he continues to raise his Championship. With this final shot, Voltage fades away.)
(Promotional ad for Grand Rampage, Kai Rabeaux defends the Hardcore Championship against Diego Montana.)
(The camera fades to the backstage area of the Bank of Springfield Center following the match between Jay Jerry Johnson and Cosmo Goldworthy, where Captain Charisma could be seen storming through the hallway, with both concern and frustration apparent on his face. Security guards are rushing past him, trying to get to a certain area where something important must’ve happened. It took some time, but Captain Charisma arrived on the scene, soon enough to see something he did not expect.)
Captain Charisma: Hey… HEY!
(A hooded individual could be seen running away from the area, dropping a baseball bat so he can free himself from the grasp of the security guards trying to catch them. After this Captain Charisma turns his attention elsewhere, looking down to see exactly what the individual has done.)
Captain Charisma: Oh my- HEY! I NEED MEDICAL RIGHT NOW!
(Captain Charisma quickly rushes over, where Adam Lucas could be seen unconscious on the floor. There was a wound on the side of his head, where blood was seen profusely leaking out of. Immediately, it was clear what had happened. He knew that the hooded individual had attacked Adam, clearly intending to do severe damage to him. However there was a problem, and Captain Charisma knew it.)
(Given the circumstances, there was no telling who was responsible for the attack.)
(Adam Lucas had gained many enemies throughout his time on Voltage in the past two seasons, and the last few months haven’t been any kinder to him in that regard. On that basis it could’ve been anyone, but Captain Charisma did know of exactly two people who’d want Adam to be taken out right at this time, and once he realized, his frustration only grew. Eventually medical did arrive, and once the personnel was around to tend to Adam, Captain Charisma turned and began to walk away. Sofia Clarke noticed everything that had occurred, and seeing Captain Charisma leaving the scene, she rushed over for a word with him.)
Sofia Clarke: Captain Charisma, if you don’t mind me asking, what happened just now?
Captain Charisma: *Someone* tried to take Adam Lucas out, for good.
Sofia Clarke: Do you have any idea on who might’ve been responsible?
Captain Charisma: Yeah. Two.
(Captain Charisma continues walking, abandoning the area as he leaves Sofia behind. Sofia remains in the area, turning and keeping an eye on the scene as the medical personnel tend to Adam Lucas, trying to help him onto a stretcher. With this, the camera begins to fade to ringside.)
(Once at ringside, ‘Self Help Tape’ by Moses Sumney hits, and it doesn’t take too long for the Voltage Commissioner to follow. Captain Charisma just shakes his head as he storms out, meanwhile the fans in attendance are still stunned by the gruesome image of Adam Lucas that they just witnessed moments ago. Captain Charisma heads down the ramp, before heading to the timekeeper’s area to retrieve a microphone.)
Rich Russillo: Well, I don’t even know what to say right now. Adam Lucas clearly has been attacked backstage by a mysterious assailant, and I don’t really know who could’ve done it, but I think Captain Charisma has something in mind, as he’s getting a microphone.
Persephone: I don’t get what the big deal is. I think we’d all be much better off without Adam Lucas around, so whoever that attacker was did us a favor as far as I’m concerned.
Thadd Blazevich: That’s rude, Seph. Besides, I think we both know Adam isn’t the type to take an attack like that lightly, dude. Especially not the way he’s been lately…
(Captain Charisma walks up the steel steps before entering the ring, with a microphone now in hand.)
Captain Charisma: That’s it! I’m tired of dealing with this. See I’m not here to micromanage every single facet of this brand, but I’m also not here to watch as someone is laid out backstage or right outside the venue in a growing pool of blood every single week, and yet that’s EXACTLY what I’ve had to deal with every single week since Shock Value! Grand Rampage is only weeks away, and we are far too close to the event to risk members of the roster not being in any condition to make it to the show! I’m not going to waste any time, because you all saw what happened not too long ago, and there are two people in the back who are going to need to show their faces for their match anyway, so let’s just speed up the process.
(Captain Charisma turns towards the stage, taking steps backwards to make space inside of the ring.)
Captain Charisma: Kai, Miku, just get out here.
(‘Burn in My Light’ by Mercy Drive hits, causing loud boos to immediately fill the crowd. The camera pans towards the stage, and Kai Rabeaux slowly walks out, dressed in his gear for his match up next. Kai wears his Championship on his shoulder and holds a microphone in his hand, but the most notable trait right now is his facial expression, as he seems strangely calm despite the circumstances.)
Rich Russillo: The Hardcore Champion is here, and it seems he wants these two to come out here as a result of what we just saw.
Thadd Blazevich: You think he thinks one of them attacked Adam?
Persephone: Duh. That, or they know who did it. They’re the obvious picks.
(Kai walks up the steel steps before entering the ring, walking up towards Captain Charisma. Kai’s entrance music fades out as the boos can still be heard, until finally, Kai just asks the Commissioner a question.)
Kai Rabeaux: Can I ask why I’m out here before I am scheduled to compete?
Captain Charisma: You know why.
(Captain Charisma just turns away, annoyed by Kai’s remark as he continues to wait. Kai doesn’t appear bothered by this response, just turning towards the stage as ‘Lowlife Princess’ by BIBI hits. The boos return, and Miku Sakai doesn’t look at all pleased as she storms out, also holding a microphone. Miku shakes her head on the way to the ring, already believing this to be a waste of time.)
Rich Russillo: Miku Sakai is here now, and she doesn’t look too thrilled to have to deal with this before her match.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, but she’s probs real happy knowing Adam’s probably not in any condition to get involved. We heard how annoyed she was about Adam before this.
Persephone: Another reason she might’ve attacked him.
(Miku enters the ring, and as her entrance music fades out, she just folds her arms, not saying anything. Miku and Kai wait, as Captain Charisma finally gets to what he called them out for.)
Captain Charisma: Alright… Which one of you did it?
(Hearing this causes the look on Miku’s face to change, as she goes from annoyed, to seemingly confused.)
Miku Sakai: Did what?
(Captain Charisma just stares at her for a moment, already not thrilled by how the conversation is going.)
Captain Charisma: I don’t want to make this a bigger deal than it already is. Just tell me which one of you attacked Adam Lucas.
(Despite the tone in his voice, neither Elitist appears willing to go along with this. Miku and Kai both look at each other, turning back to the Commissioner.)
Miku Sakai: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Kai Rabeaux: Not a clue.
(It is at this point that the Commissioner just grows fed up once more. Bad enough that Adam Lucas was attacked, but now the two likeliest to do it won’t even cooperate. Captain Charisma waits for a moment, doing his best to remain calm as he responds.)
Captain Charisma: Alright. Then how about I give you two a bit of help. You two are scheduled to compete in a few minutes, and right before it’s time for you to come out here and wrestle, the same man that has been breathing down your necks is suddenly left in a bloody heap backstage by someone who made sure their face wasn’t seen. Now I’m not stupid, it wasn’t rocket science figuring out that one of you- if not both of you wanted to make sure you could spend your night without Adam Lucas around to worry about. It’s bad enough for you Kai that you’ll have Diego lurking at ringside. Just tell me. Do you have anything to do with this?
(Another moment of silence occurs within the ring, until finally, Kai Rabeaux chooses to speak.)
Kai Rabeaux: To be honest, I find the idea that I’d need to hide my face to attack Adam Lucas quite insulting. As you said, I already have enough to think about right now. I have a match in a few minutes that I should be completing my preparations for right now, and that weasel Diego Montana will be at ringside. Diego is enough of a nuisance as is, and yet I’m sure you have yet to find him with a hole in his head. What makes you think I even had the opportunity to do the same to Adam?
Captain Charisma: I don’t know, Kai. Maybe the fact that Adam’s one and only goal as of late has been to get his hands on you.
Kai Rabeaux: Well you certainly have quite the vivid imagination, but I regret to inform you that your theory is far from reality. It may be beneficial to me knowing his status, but you know exactly what was preventing me from focusing even the slightest bit of attention on Adam Lucas to begin with. I am the Hardcore Champion, the most important holder of this Championship in its history, on the verge of a title defense against the complete shell of a man that’ll be present at ringside tonight. I don’t have any reason to have done this, but here is my question for you.
(After this, Kai turns his head.)
Kai Rabeaux: What alibi does Miku have?
(The camera cuts to Miku Sakai, who looks at Kai with a shocked look on her face, taken aback by the sudden question.)
Kai Rabeaux: It wouldn’t be the first time Miku has left Adam in such a state, and given recent events I think she’d have even more reason to want Adam Lucas taken care of. Unlike myself, Miku has no match at Grand Rampage. She has nobody preparing to watch her at ringside tonight. She has nothing to worry about. Nothing… Except the rabid dog who was apparently taken out at the most convenient time. Isn’t that strange?
(Immediately after this, Miku interjects.)
Miku Sakai: Woah woah woah, what the fuck? Are you really about to blame me for this???
Kai Rabeaux: Just asking the proper questions.
Miku Sakai: Alright fuckface, well first of all this whole thing is stupid, because Captain Charisma literally saw this whole thing, so he should already know it can’t be me! Like… How the hell am *I* one of the two prime suspects here?? Kai and I are literally nowhere near the same size. What, do you think I asked for a favor or something?? It obviously couldn’t have been Kiko’s dumbass for a hundred different reasons, and unlike this dipshit, I’m not friends with Drake Armstrong! In fact, I hate Drake’s guts because he attacked me and then spent weeks lying about it. Drake can go fuck himself, and as for Adam… All I’m saying is that when I felt like beating the shit out of him, I did it myself and I made sure he knew I did it. I’m not the one that spent weeks hiding from him.
(Hearing this, Kai raises an eyebrow.)
Kai Rabeaux: “Hiding” is not the appropriate term, and you know that.
Miku Sakai: What else do you call spending weeks making sure you and Adam aren’t at the same place at the same time?
Kai Rabeaux: Having other priorities. I understand it has been a few years but you should know that it comes with being a Champion.
Miku Sakai: Alright you little sh-
Captain Charisma: GET TO THE POINT!
(Kai and Miku stop, and Captain Charisma just shakes his head before continuing.)
Captain Charisma: I need answers, and right now that’s not what I’m getting. All I’m getting is the two of you going back and forth throwing the blame at each other like you’re children.
Miku Sakai: Alright, fine. You want some answers? Just take a second and think about it. Some random guy shows up to attack Adam Lucas right before a match featuring someone who obviously wants nothing to do with him. CLEARLY it was someone too tall to actually be me or my useless sister since Kai is one of the suspects. The guy makes sure not to expose himself so that he can’t get in trouble after being caught, because his match is literally up next and he doesn’t want to screw anything up when he already has a disadvantage. It is OBVIOUSLY Kai, why are we still talking???
Kai Rabeaux: Then why not attack Diego and remove all of my problems?
Miku Sakai: Because that’d just point all fingers to you, duh.
(Captain Charisma listens to the arguments made by Miku, considering the possibility that it may have been him, which wouldn’t be far-fetched whatsoever.)
Captain Charisma: Kai. Did you do it?
Miku Sakai: YES!
Kai Rabeaux: Obviously not.
Captain Charisma: And what, am I supposed to just believe you? Do you really expect me to take all this at face value?
(However, being confronted once more about this just brings a smirk to the face of the Hardcore Champion.)
Kai Rabeaux: No. Of course not. Since you clearly don’t believe me, you can just take a look.
(After this Kai points towards the stage, as the titantron lights up. Captain Charisma watches on, paying attention as footage is shown.)
[SCREENBAR – 9:23 PM]
(The footage is short, but the timestamp alone is enough to serve Kai’s point before it has even been made. The footage is security footage of Kai in the parking lot, exiting his vehicle and making his way into the Bank of Springfield Center. Kai is wearing a suit, carrying his Championship on his shoulder while dragging a suitcase with him. He doesn’t try to sneak elsewhere in the building, or avoid any of the many cameras, which he isn’t shown even paying attention to. He just walks into the building, which unfortunately for the many fans in attendance, appears to be enough to remove the suspicion that is on him.)
(The video ends, and the look on Captain Charisma’s face changes. He turns towards Kai, and it’s as if he already knows what Kai is about to say before it has even been said.)
Kai Rabeaux: Now, the time that this footage was taken was 9:23 PM. That of course is when I entered this building, and I am sure even with that angle you were able to get a good enough look at what I was wearing. For this idea that I was Adam’s attacker to be correct, I’d have had to come to the arena, throw on a disguise, arm myself, attack Adam Lucas, then get dressed in my gear all in between the time of me arriving to the arena and me walking out here. Now I am not sure if you’re carrying a phone on you to check for yourself, but do you really believe enough time has passed for all of this to be possible?
(Captain Charisma just shakes his head. There’s no need for him to check the current time, as he knows it is unlikely for Kai to have been able to do all of this himself. He looks at Miku, and he notices the expression on her face, which is filled with both disgust and disbelief over this mess.)
Captain Charisma: Miku, what was it you said? About Drake Armstrong?
Miku Sakai: That I’m not his friend like this dumbfuck?
(After this, the Commissioner finally begins to piece things together, understanding what could’ve happened, even if it wasn’t either Elitist in the ring directly.)
Captain Charisma: She’s right, Kai. You’re one of the only people on the roster that has ever had a positive relationship with Drake Armstrong, and Drake has had his own issue with Adam Lucas in recent memory. We know how Drake operates with his own hired help. Did he do you a favor, to get rid of a mutual enemy?
(This just gets a chuckle out of Kai, immediately brushing off the idea.)
Kai Rabeaux: Well that’s just a ridiculous, baseless accusation. Besides, Miku has never been one to avoid assistance, has she? Wasn’t there a time where she’d use her own fans to do her bidding?
(This, Captain Charisma unfortunately cannot deny.)
Captain Charisma: That’s true… That is true.
Miku Sakai: Woah, that’s obviously not the same thing! Do you really think any of those fat fucks would actually manage to sneak around anywhere, let alone backstage??
(This shocks some of the fans in the crowd, and Miku just waves them off, still staring at Captain Charisma. Unable to come to a clear answer with these two, Captain Charisma just shakes his head.)
Captain Charisma: Alright. I’m done, I can’t keep doing this. We’re gonna figure out who attacked Adam, but for now, here’s what we’re gonna do. Miku, you’re not being let off the hook here. You started a fight with Adam that’s clearly not going to stop until you’re both given the opportunity to settle your issues the proper way. With that being said, at Grand Rampage, you better be ready, because you’ll be facing Adam Lucas.
(This causes the crowd to explode with cheers, but Captain Charisma is not finished. While Miku Sakai takes in that announcement from the Commissioner, Captain Charisma walks up to Kai.)
Captain Charisma: And Kai, if you had anything to do with this, you better speak up before it’s too late.
(With this, Captain Charisma finally begins to exit the ring, leaving the two to finally have their match. With Captain Charisma leaving, Miku turns towards Kai, saying just a few more words before tossing her microphone away.)
Miku Sakai: Yeah, better speak up, asshole.
Kai Rabeaux: Stop wasting everyone’s time. You and I both know that you-
Rich Russillo: WOAH!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: THAT’S DIEGO MONTANA, DUDE!!! DIEGO JUST CAME OUTTA NOWHERE AND BLINDSIDED KAI RABEAUX!!!! KAI DROPPED TO THE GROUND, AND NOW DIEGO IS JUST STOMPING ALL OVER DUDE, RIGHT BEFORE BRO COULD FACE MIKU SAKAI!
(Captain Charisma is on the stage, and he sees what’s going on inside of the ring. The Commissioner shakes his head in annoyance, calling to the back as Diego continues his attack.)
Rich Russillo: DIEGO DROPS DOWN AND PUNCHING AWAY AT KAI, AND I THINK MIKU IS JUST GONNA LET THIS HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE ARGUMENT SHE AND KAI JUST HAD WITH EACH OTHER!
Thadd Blazevich: YEAH, BUT THE SAME CAN’T BE SAID FOR CAPTAIN CHARISMA!!! THE COMMISSIONER JUST CALLED FOR THE REF TO COME OUT HERE, AND THE REF IS RUNNING DOWN TO THE RING! THE REF IS HERE, AND HE PULLS DIEGO MONTANA AWAY FROM KAI, TRYING TO GET DIEGO TO BACK OFF SO THE MATCH CAN HAPPEN!
Persephone: Ugh, and for some reason he actually does. What’s this idiot doing?
Rich Russillo: I think he’s just playing it safe knowing that Captain Charisma wanted to put a stop to this. The Commissioner is heading to the back now, but I think Diego is satisfied with what he’s done, as he just holds his hands up and backs away, before rolling out of the ring.
Thadd Blazevich: Meanwhile Kai Rabeaux is trying to shake off the cobwebs, using the ropes to pull himself back up as bro might not even know where he is. Unfortunately for him… He has a match coming up, and I think it’s happening now!
(Kai slowly backs into his corner involuntarily, stumbling there following that attack. The referee looks at both him and Miku Sakai in the opposite corner, before giving one last glare towards Diego Montana, who once again raises his hands to show he won’t do anything. After this, the referee calls for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Well, we weren’t expecting the match to start out like this, but here we go. Kai and Miku are going one on one right here and right now after the interrogation from Captain Charisma.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, Kai is still yelling at Diego and he is absolutely pissed off right now. BUT HERE COMES MIKU SAKAI COMING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION AS SHE CATCHES KAI IN A SCHOOLBOY ROLLUP!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRR-
Persephone: BAHAHAHAHAHA! THAT DUMB BASTARD ABOUT LOST IN RECORD TIME! WHAT AN IDIOT!! THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN FUNNY!
Thadd Blazevich: Miku about stole the win very quickly in this nontitle match, bro. Now she gets her nails in the back of Kai’s neck AND JUST BRINGS HIM BACK DOWN TO THE MAT, BRO!
Rich Russillo: Catching him off guard and bringing the fight to him early on is certainly one way to get the Hardcore Champion off of his game.
Persephone: What game? Hopscotch? Four square? That dumb bastard has no game at all.
Rich Russillo: Well right now he doesn’t because it has been all Miku Sakai for the opening minutes of the match. Now she is just throwing lefts and right into Kai’s head.
Persephone: Yeah and Diego is watching this like the brain dead moron that he is.
Thadd Blazevich: The referee tells Miku to open the fists and she does BEFORE SHE STARTS BITING! MIKU IS BITING KAI’S TEMPLE! BRO, MIKU IS INSANE!
Rich Russillo: She certainly is and the referee is telling her to stop biting. She isn’t listening and the referee starts a count.
Thadd Blazevich: The referee hits four and Miku stops and jumps up and starts to get in the referee’s face, bro. The referee is warning her about her attitude.
Persephone: Good luck with that. The lights are on and nobody is home.
Thadd Blazevich: Miku turns her attention back to Kai, BUT KAI KICKS HER IN THE LEG TO SWEEP HER FORWARD AS SHE GOES FACE FIRST INTO KAI’S KNEECAP!
Rich Russillo: Miku holds her nose in pain as Kai gets back to his feet. He lifts Miku up AND SLAMS HER RIGHT DOWN TO THE MAT!
Persephone: Wow. That had some force behind it. He could have broken the bitch’s back. That was SOOOOOOOOOOO strong.
Rich Russillo: You’re dripping with so much sarcasm that you are making a mess on the floor.
Persephone: Guess I better be careful, now. Rich is learning.
Thadd Blazevich: Now that Miku is down, Kai is just putting the boots to her as she starts rolling over to the ropes to try and get a breakaway.
Rich Russillo: She does and the referee forces Kai back away from the ropes as Miku gets to her feet on the apron–
Thadd Blazevich: KAI WITH A BREAKAWAY AS HE GRABS MIKU BY THE NECK TO GET HER BACK TO HER FEET. NOW KAI STARTS TO PULL HER INTO THE RING–
Persephone: BAHAHAHAHAHA! Bitch got him with a thumb to the eye to get free. Then she follows it up with a back elbow to the throat. Amusing. Not exciting, but it does make me laugh watching someone get treated like a bitch.
Thadd Blazevich: Kai is holding his throat as Miku makes her way over to the corner and all the way up to the top rope. High rent district for Miku, bro.
Rich Russillo: Miku is perched and ready to fly as Kai turns around AND MIKU JUMPS OFF THE TOP ROPE LOOKING FOR THE HEADSCISSORS–
Persephone: LOOK! That idiot uses his brain and blocks the move and now that bitch is just dangling in the air.
Rich Russillo: The Hardcore Champion uses his power advantage and hoists Miku back in the air in the powerbomb position, BUT INSTEAD HE FALLS BACK AND SENDS MIKU OVER HIS HEAD AS SHE CRASHES DOWN INTO TO THE MAT WITH THAT ALLEY OOP STYLE MOVE!
Persephone: No wonder that move isn’t a main staple of his arsenal. It looks so stupid and didn’t permanently disfigure her.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, not every move has to lead to a permanent injury. Either way, Kai walks over to Miku and grabs her around the waist and hoists her back onto her feet.
Rich Russillo: Kai still has Miku around the waist AS HE LIFTS HER UP IN THE AIR BEFORE TAKING HER OVER WITH A GUTWRENCH SUPLEX!
Thadd Blazevich: Miku was thrown around like a sack of potatoes as Kai floats over into the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWW—
Persephone: She kicked out. Big shocker there.
Thadd Blazevich: Miku was able to power out before two and now Kai is just punching Miku right in the head. He is relentless right now, Bro.
Rich Russillo: The referee is telling Kai to open up the fists and naturally he is ignoring the referee which prompts a count.
Persephone: Of course he stops. I am not sure what is more annoying, the fact that these damn referees just can’t count to five to end a match or the fact that Kai acted like a little bitch and stopped punching her lights out. Grow a pair!!
Rich Russillo: Kai is not letting up as he drags Miku over to the corner and forces her to her feet AND JUST STARTS BASHING HER HEAD INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! OVER AND OVER AGAIN!
Persephone: There is that damn referee being annoying again starting a count. GO AWAY!! AND TAKE THIS STUPID ASS DIEGO MINNESOTA WITH YOU!!
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, it’s Diego Mo– you know what? Nevermind. The referee reaches four on the count and Kai stops before risking disqualification on five.
Rich Russillo: Kai doesn’t care. Kai just wants to hurt Miku while also proving a point and making an example out of her for Diego Montana.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, Kai just lifts Miku up in the air and sits her on the top turnbuckle. Now Kai climbs onto the second rope and applies the facelock for what looks to be a superplex attempt.
Persephone: There is nothing super about it unless it hurts them both. Look. He is struggling to lift that bitch up and she weighs like 12 pounds. Come on!! You are looking more stupid by the second.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, if you would look, Miku wove one of her legs within the ropes so she can block the suplex attempt.
Rich Russillo: That isn’t stopping Kai from the just BLASTING HER WITH RIGHT HANDS TO TRY AND FORCE HER TO GET OUT OF THE ROPES ALL WHILE THE REFEREE IS TELLING THEM BOTH TO GET OFF THE CORNER!
Persephone: This referee is really starting to get on my nerves with all this counting and crap. Just butt out for a few minutes and let these two kill each other.
Rich Russillo: Kai manages to get Miku free and she is standing on the top rope BUT SHE GETS OUT OF THE FACELOCK AND CATCHES KAI WITH “CAT SCRATCH FEVER”!
Persephone: Of course this bitch would resort to doing shit like that. What a load of crap.
Thadd Blazevich: Miku rakes the eyes of the Hardcore Champion as she starts pounding on the back of Kai’s head as his forehead is now resting on the turnbuckle.
Rich Russillo: Miku gets herself in position by getting off the top turnbuckle and sitting on Kai’s back and wrapping her legs around him–
Thadd Blazevich: MIKU USES ALL THE FORCE SHE CAN MUSTER AND TAKES THEM BOTH OFF THE ROPES AND OUT OF THE CORNER FOR A SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!!
Persephone: I would say that move wasn’t pretty, but nothing about this match is pretty except for me.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, Kai landed hard on the apron and that was an ugly way for his head and neck to snap. Miku doesn’t care as she stacks Kai up for the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHH–
Rich Russillo: HE KICKS OUT AT TWO!!
Persephone: Of course he does. What else is new?!?
Rich Russillo: Miku wasn’t strong enough to keep the Hardcore Champion down for the three with the size difference they have and the point in the match they are in right now.
Persephone: Blah blah blah. That’s a bullshit excuse and you know it.
Thadd Blazevich: Miku isn’t happy that Kai kicked out and Diego is on the outside and he isn’t happy that Kai kicked out, either, Bro.
Rich Russillo: That doesn’t stop Miku from just starting to pound the crap out of Kai and his back trying to cause more damage to Kai and keep him down on the mat.
Thadd Blazevich: But it isn’t working, Bro, as Kai is still using his power advantage over Miku to get back on his feet AND MIKU IS NOW ON HIS BACK TRYING TO APPLY A SLEEPER HOLD TO CHOKE HIM OUT!
Persephone: He looks so stupid as he tries to throw that bitch off of his back. She looks just as stupid trying to hang on for dear life.
Thadd Blazevich: The Hardcore Champion is swinging around and trying to throw Miku off, but Miku is showing some grit hanging on for this long–
Rich Russillo: MIKU’S LEGS LOST GRIP AND KAI IS ABLE TO SWING HER AROUND AND GRABS HER AROUND THE WAIST!
Persephone: She gets everything that he deserves for looking so stupid.
Rich Russillo: Kai is going for a backbreaker or a sidewalk slam, BUT MIKU IS ABLE TO GET HER LEGS AROUND KAI’S NECK AND GET A LITTLE MOMENTUM GOING AND SHE COUNTERS WITH A MODIFIED HEADSCISSORS!
Persephone: The only positive thing about that move was that it dropped Kai on his head. It didn’t break his neck so it was stupid. But that idiot Diego is cheering and hollering like it did something. Damn! Somebody needs to shut him up.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, Kai was sent for the ride and he finds himself in the corner and Miku is coming in at full speed–
Rich Russillo: MIKU JUMPS UP AND ONTO KAI’S LEGS AND FALLS BACK FOR THE MONKEY FLIP, BUT KAI WAS ABLE TO FLIP AT THE PERFECT TIME AND LAND ON HIS FEET!
Thadd Blazevich: Beautiful counter by the Hardcore Champion. Miku is trying to get to her feet, BUT SHE DOESN’T GET A CHANCE AS KAI DELIVERS A KICK RIGHT TO MIKU’S FACE!!
Persephone: Did it knock her out? Did it bust her open? No? It didn’t? OH COME ON! HOW HARD IS IT TO DISFIGURE SOMEBODY? THIS IS SHOWDOWN FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!
Thadd Blazevich: That boot certainly rocked Miku as she holds her nose like it was broken AS KAI DELIVERS A KICK TO THE SIDE OF MIKU’S HEAD AND SHE IS KNOCKED BACK DOWN TO THE MAT!
Rich Russillo: Kai pulls Miku to her feet and gets her into position BEFORE LIFTING HER UP AND DROPPING HER WITH A HALF AND HALF SUPLEX! MIKU LANDS HARD ON THE BACK OF HER HEAD!
Persephone: About damn time they start beating the hell out of each other. It only took about two years. How much slower can they be?
Rich Russillo: The Hardcore Champion is starting to build momentum as he pulls Miku onto her feet and starts throwing those forearm strikes.
Persephone: Wow. That was exciting. It ranks up there with clipping my nails.
Thadd Blazevich: Miku is being backed up after each forearm shot from Kai until she has been backed into the ropes.
Rich Russillo: Miku is leaning on the ropes as Kai backs up BEFORE RUNNING BACK WITH FULL SPEED–
Thadd Blazevich: BRO, HE GOT THE “HOLLOW POINT”! RUNNING HIGH KICK BY THE HARDCORE CHAMPION AND MIKU FALLS TO THE MAT! THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A KNOCKOUT SHOT!
Persephone: This could be a match ender and that idiot takes a moment to glare at Diego before dropping down and hooking the leg for the cover! He better not have screwed things up.
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEE!
Thadd Blazevich: MIKU GOT THE SHOULDER UP AT TWO! VERY DANGEROUSLY CLOSE NEAR FALL FOR THE HARDCORE CHAMPION!
Persephone: BIG FREAKING SURPRISE! WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
Rich Russillo: Kai thought he had the match there, but it was that brief lapse of judgement when Kai took a moment to glare at Diego Montana instead of immediately going for the cover.
Persephone: I said he better not screw things up and he went ahead and screwed it up. Why are these people so stupid?
Rich Russillo: Kai might have been trying to make a statement at Miku’s expense with Diego at ringside but it might have cost him the match.
Persephone: Might have been trying to make a statement? That’s exactly what he was doing! Might have cost him the match? Of course it did. That idiot could have won, but he let things get personal.
Thadd Blazevich: Kai gives Diego another look before he brings Miku back to her feet and applies the gutwrench AND LIFTS HER UP IN THE AIR FOR A POWERBOMB–
Rich Russillo: MIKU FOUND SOME FIGHT! MIKU IS PUNCHING KAI RIGHT IN THE HEAD TO TRY AND GET FREE FROM THE POWERBOMB–
Thadd Blazevich: BRO, SHE IS ABLE TO CHANGE POSITION AND GRAB KAI’S HEAD AND COUNTER INTO A MODIFIED AND GNARLY TORNADO DDT!
Persephone: It looked gnarly because it looked stupid. Sure, he got spiked on his head, but that’s the least he deserves for being a dumbass earlier.
Thadd Blazevich: The Hardcore Champion is down and Miku drags him over to the corner. Kai is just sitting there as Miku backs up to the opposite corner–
Rich Russillo: MIKU RUNS FULL SPEED AND CATCHES KAI IN THE BRONCO BUSTER!! LOOKS LIKE KAI IS GOING ON A “MUSTACHE RIDE”!
Persephone: That is crass. That is obscene. That is absolutely disgusting. I am going to be sick!
Rich Russillo: The referee starts to count Miku out because that is an illegal move in the corner and she stops on four while also saying a few choice words towards the referee.
Persephone: Probably not the first time the referee heard those words being yelled at them.
Thadd Blazevich: Miku watches as Kai gets back to his feet and when he gets close, Miku hits the ropes to build some momentum as she comes back AND GOES FOR THE RUNNING DROPKICK–
Rich Russillo: WHAT THE? KAI GRABBED THE REFEREE AT THE LAST MOMENT AND THE REFEREE GOT THE DROPKICK RIGHT IN THE FACE AS THEY HIT THE ROPES AND FALL TO THE MAT!!
Thadd Blazevich: That was a horrible miscue, Bro. Miku missed the dropkick and now the referee is down.
Persephone: This bitch screws up and yells at the referee. Then again, these referees are fragile as shit.
Thadd Blazevich: The referee is down as Miku gets back to her feet and she has no idea what is about to happen–
Rich Russillo: AS SHE TURNS RIGHT INTO THE “BLADE OF BABYLON”! THAT ELBOW CAUGHT MIKU RIGHT IN THE JAW AND SHE IS OUT!! THIS MATCH IS OVER!!
Persephone: Well it would finally be over if the referee wasn’t taking a nap on the job.
Rich Russillo: Kai rolls over Miku and hooks the leg for the cover and normally the crowd would be counting along.
Persephone: But they hate this bastard so they aren’t gonna do shit for him.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, I think that Kai is hoping that another referee is going to come down and count the fall, but it looks like that isn’t going to happen–
Rich Russillo: WHAT IS HE DOING?
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO MONTANA HAS ENTERED THE RING AND HE PULLS KAI OFF OF MIKU!
Persephone: This looks absolutely ridiculous. If it ends the match, I will be the referee. DING DING DING! YAY!!
Thadd Blazevich: Kai and Diego are just glaring at each right now as Kai wonders what the hell Diego is doing in the ring—
Rich Russillo: AND HE JUST FOUND OUT AS DIEGO SPRAYED MATCHA IN KAI’S FACE! GOT HIM RIGHT IN THE EYES!!
Persephone: It’s probably the cheap shit. The high quality doesn’t burn like that.
Rich Russillo: Kai is blinded for a moment as we see that Diego has the Hardcore Title belt AND HE JUST CLOCKS KAI IN THE HEAD WITH THE TITLE BELT!!
Persephone: ABOUT DAMN TIME SOMETHING AWESOME HAPPENS!! THAT DUMBASS DIEGO JUST BUSTED KAI OPEN!! FINALLY SOME BLOOD!!
Thadd Blazevich: Bro! Kai has been knocked out by his own Hardcore Title and Diego tosses the title outside the ring and drags Kai out of the ring with him.
Rich Russillo: Diego continues to drag him over to the ringside barricades and now he is reaching into his pocket–
Thadd Blazevich: HE HAS HANDCUFFS! DIEGO HAS THE CUFFS AND HANDCUFFS KAI RABEAUX TO THE BARRICADE!!
Persephone: Oh those things aren’t that hard to get out of. Just dislocate your thumb and you will be fine.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, now the referee is starting to come to and sees Miku knocked out inside the ring and Kai knocked out outside the ring. They don’t see the handcuffs at the moment but they start a groggy count.
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!
Rich Russillo: Oh what a way for this match to end. Kai can’t do a thing about it and Diego is just laughing his ass off. All the while, Miku doesn’t realize what has gone down as she is still out.
Referee: FIVE! SIX! SEVEN!
Persephone: She should just be happy that she might win. It rarely happens for her.
Referee: EIGHT!
Rich Russillo: Now Miku Sakai is starting to wake up as she slowly gets to her feet and now Kai is conscious and he sees he’s handcuffed and he tries to pull himself free! And Diego is so damn proud of himself.
Referee: NINE!!
Thadd Blazevich: MIKU HEARS THE COUNT AND SHE SEES THE HANDCUFFS AROUND KAI’S WRIST AND SHE CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT SHE SEES! BRO, I DON’T THINK THIS IS WHAT MIKU WANTED AT ALL!!
Referee: TEN! THAT’S IT! RING THE BELL! RING THE BELL!
Rich Russillo: THIS MATCH IS OVER AND TO THE SHOCK OF NOBODY AND CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCES, KAI RABEAUX HAS BEEN COUNTED OUT!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(The bell has rung and the crowd is voicing their displeasure as Diego is just bouncing around and gloating and laughing at Kai, who is still trying to get free as Bella Braxton announces the final decision of the match.)
Bella Braxton: Here is your winner as a result of a COUNT OUT… MIKU SAKAI!
(The crowd starts booing even louder at the announcement and Miku doesn’t look happy about that at all.)
Rich Russillo: Well this was certainly not on my bingo card for the match.
Persephone: Who cares? Stupid match with a stupid ending.
(Miku rolls out of the ring as the referee tries to raise her arm in victory, but she snatches it away as the referee walks over to Kai and tries to free him from the handcuffs as he is thrashing about.)
Thadd Blazevich: That referee better be careful or else their arm might get snatched off.
Rich Russillo: Meanwhile, Miku is irate that Diego interfered in her match and she is walking up to him all while he’s dancing around at the trouble Kai is in.
(While Miku is slowly walking to Diego, Diego is rubbing it in Kai’s face.)
Diego Montana: (off-mic) HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT, HUH? NOT SO TOUGH WHEN HANDCUFFED TO THE BARRICADE!! KISS THAT TITLE GOODBYE BECAUSE I AM ABOUT TO BECOME THE NEW HARDCORE CHAMP–
(SLAP!)
Persephone: BAHAHAHAHAHA! BITCH SLAPPED HIM LIKE A BITCH!! THAT WAS GREAT!
Rich Russillo: Miku didn’t appreciate Diego’s help and then slapped the taste out of his mouth. What a shot!
(Diego holds his cheek and jaw after that slap and wonders what Miku’s problem is.)
Diego Montana: (off-mic) What the hell was that for?
(Miku is angry as she points a finger right in Diego’s face.)
Miku Sakai: (off-mic) Don’t you ever… EVER… interfere in one of my matches EVER AGAIN! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?
(Diego doesn’t say a word, but he does nod in understanding.)
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, Diego got read the riot act and all his dancing around came to a giant halt thanks to Miku. From the look on her face, she might just beat the shit out of him right now.
(Miku looks pissed as she glares at Diego….)
(Until….)
(Miku pulls Diego in and gives him a big kiss on the lips.)
Rich Russillo: WHAT IN THE HELL?
Persephone: THAT IS DISGUSTING!
Thadd Blazevich: BRO… WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS?
(Miku pulls him back and just glares at him before walking up the entrance ramp.)
Persephone: As if this place couldn’t get any creepier and stupider, it tops itself.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, that is certainly an interesting development to say the least.
Rich Russillo: I don’t even know what to make of this. Either way, Miku picks up the win and we can only wonder what in the world is going to happen with all of this.
(The final shot shows Miku walking up the entrance before cutting to Diego, who is looking up the ramp and wondering what the hell just happened before cutting to the referee who is trying to help Kai get free as the camera shot fades elsewhere.)
(Commercial for matcha latte’s with Diego Montana.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues on as “The Leaving Song Pt. II” by AFI begins to blast through the P.A System. The camera goes over as it’s none other than Hans Grayson, who emerges to a great reaction from the crowd here tonight in Springfield, Illinois. He is seen wearing an all white oversized t-shirt and black cargo pants as he makes his way down to the ring holding on to his Cash in the Vault briefcase, not looking particularly happy at the moment, but still taking the time to high five some fans as he makes his way down the aisle.)
Bella Braxton: PLEASE WELCOME AT THIS TIME…. MR. CASH IN THE VAULT…. HANS GRAYSON!!
Rich Russillo: Hans can’t be in the greatest mood right now after what transpired last week between him and Cody Maverick. We already saw tensions flare up between the two of them before their tag team match, and ultimately, miscommunication by Hans is what allowed Sayuri to pick the win for her team. What happened after the match is what left us all stunned, no pun-intended.
Thadd Blazevich: I suppose you can say that, broski! After Hans helped Cody back up to his feet, apologizing for what happened after trying to break up the pin, Cody attacked him with punches to the head! He then nailed him with the Sin City Stunner, as the King of Elite left Oaxaca in a not so pleasant mood! I’m sure Hans bro has a lot he wants to say to Cody because, bro… I THOUGHT THEY WERE FRIENDS.
Persephone: Shut up, Thadd. You don’t even have any friends to begin with.
Thadd Blazevich: Not true, broski! All the people here in Springfield are my friends, bro!
Persephone: CORNY!
(Hans continues his walk down to the ring as he slides right into the squared circle, asking for a microphone from a ring-side official as he gets one tossed to him. Soon enough, “The Leaving Song Pt. II” begins to fade slowly, as Hans stands in the ring with a positive reaction from the crowd, taking a look around before raising his fist up in support of the cheers given his way. Then, he begins to speak to everyone in the building tonight.)
Hans Grayson: Appreciate that one, Springfield.
(The crowd pops for Hans as he continues on, saying…)
Hans Grayson: I have a lot to talk about tonight, Springfield. A lot I want to say to a particular individual after what he did to me last week. And to those who are unfamiliar with what’s going on… I’ll explain it all. Shock Value didn’t turn out the best for me. I did everything I could to win my return match against Kai Rabeaux, but it’s clear my everything wasn’t enough, seeing as I lost. But that wasn’t all. Later that night, after Drake Armstrong retained his title, tossing Cody in that tank full of electric eels, he couldn’t celebrate his victory, because I came out right after… with this briefcase right here. However, doubts filled my mind as I stood in that ring, realizing everything that I had gone through earlier in the night… I didn’t wanna just fumble my once in a lifetime opportunity right there. I think most understood that as we now fast forward to what happened after the Marquee Event.
(Hans pauses for a moment before continuing to talk.)
Hans Grayson: Cody and I had a brief back and forth before our scheduled four way bout later that night. I asked the man how his eye was after competing in a match like the one he had at Shock Value, and we talked about how guys like Drake Armstrong and Kai Rabeaux… they wait for an opening. They wait for a crack in the armor, and I told him that we can’t underestimate those kinds of people. I have dealt with that devil for years at this point, and just when I think I neutralized a man like Drake, he always sneaks around and somehow finds his way to ultimate power. That power is holding the EAW World Championship. He took me out for months, and like I told Cody, I was rooting for him at Shock Value. Everything was fine, until we had our match later that night, a match that turned pretty ugly when the bell rang and it was thrown off. Emotions boiled over as we continued to fight. Both Cody and I agreed that it was in the heat of the moment after a hard fought battle, that shit happens. But what that little snake Drake Armstrong tried doing the very next week was amusing to say the least.
(The crowd here in Springfield boo at the mention of Drake Armstrong as Hans continues to speak.)
Hans Grayson: I didn’t catch what they were saying, but after asking Cody about it, he told me that Drake had essentially been planting a narrative about me to him. That it was in Cody’s best interest to take me out and rule me out of the title scene, questioning why I wanted to talk to him before getting into a physical altercation after our match, framing me as someone who isn’t what they claimed to be. It’s the typical Drake Armstrong manipulation tactic, trying to put these thoughts and narratives into people’s heads before offering them an alliance. He did that with young Kai heading into our match inside War Games, wanting young Kai to be focused on his goals instead of on outside distractions. Drake tried that with me and it only worked in his favour due to certain circumstances, so I understood right away what Drake was trying to and thought Cody saw right through it. I thought he saw the play Drake was doing, but… he then asked if there was any truth to what he was saying about me, and I told him again that Drake will twist and turn whatever narrative to benefit him.
(Hans takes a breather before continuing to speak as he says…)
Hans Grayson: Flash forward to our match that saw me accidentally hitting Cody. I was trying to break up the pin, it was an honest mistake. Miscommunication on my behalf, and as a result, Sayuri Himura was able to pin Cody and secure the win for her team. Again, that’s not what I wanted, and I thought Cody knew what I did was a mistake. What I did was an error on me, but what he did to me… that wasn’t no mistake. He sucker punched right in my jaw, beating the hell out of me before delivering that Sin City Stunner. That is the part where I am left confused. Where I am left wondering what is even going on. I’m left thinking that the conversation between Cody and Drake was more than meets the eye, and his attack on me wasn’t because of a miscommunication. I am left with a lot of questions that need to be answered. So, Cody… if you don’t mind, won’t you join me in this ring and say what you need to say.
(Hans waits for a moment, waiting patiently for the King of Elite as soon enough, ‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher begins to play. The camera goes over to the stage, as out comes Cody Maverick, who gets an interesting reaction from the crowd. He walks with much urgency, as Hans eyes him while he makes his way to the ring.)
Rich Russillo: The man of the hour, ladies and gentleman. Look no further than Cody Maverick. As Hans stated moments ago, he has a lot to answer for regarding what transpired after that six-person tag match teaming alongside him and Adam Lucas. I’m sure some people like Persephone loved that Cody did something like this, but by all accounts, there has never been any personal animosity between Cody and Hans in the past.
Thadd Blazevich: For sure, Rich. If anything, they have a competitive rivalry against each other, but more so respect kind of, you know, broski! Like they want to see who’s the better guy and what not, but between the miscommunication and tensions boiling, we’re going to have to see what Cody bro has to say.
Persephone: You both are too vanilla, I want to watch the world burn that includes these two.
(Cody picks up a microphone that was placed on the ring steps, as he climbs up the steps and enters in between the ropes. Cody and Hans share a glare at each other before Cody’s music begins to die down. Cody, with the microphone in his hand, starts to speak to Hans as he says…)
Cody Maverick: Look, Hans, let’s address the elephant in the room: There is nothing more to that conversation between myself and Drake Armstrong. He felt the need to come to me to try and form some sort of alliance, on some enemy of my enemy is my friend bullshit when you aren’t even an enemy to begin with. You have been my rival for sure, but it’s always been about sports like competition between us and wanting to see who’s the better man. Drake tried to offer me to do his bidding and neutralize the Dragon like I needed the money, but that doesn’t really matter to me because I don’t like Drake Armstrong, any more than you do, Hans.
(Cody Maverick pauses for a few seconds and says…)
Cody Maverick: That being said though, I’m not going to let myself be a pushover just because I won the King of Elite tournament and the opportunity that comes with it. I’m not going to let anyone throw their weight around with me because that is not how I operate. I don’t play second fiddle to anyone, Hans. I’m going to become world champion whenever the right opportunity presents itself for me to use this opportunity. I’ve been taking the time to think about all this, what people have said, what others may have said… and, more importantly, the idea that as long as we’re both after the world title… You’re a threat to me, Hans. You are very much standing in my way and as much I don’t want to give Drake any credit… he was right about that point. That doesn’t mean I’m going to align with Drake, be his friend, or whatever nonsense you’re thinking right now because none of that is true. What I am saying is that when it comes to being a world champion, you’re directly in my path.
(Hans doesn’t look too pleased over Cody’s reasoning, but he isn’t done yet as he continues to speak, saying…)
Cody Maverick: Maybe I got a little too heated last week, maybe I did something that I probably shouldn’t have done by nailing you right in the face and delivering that Sin City Stunner. Maybe that was overkill, so my bad on that. But what you should also remember Hans is that before I attacked you, before I laid my hands on you after the match… you cost our team the victory. I was the one lying on the mat from a mistake that was caused by you. You did that to yourself Hans, and my emotions maybe carried me away, but don’t think it all stemmed from me-
(Hans doesn’t look necessarily happy with Cody’s comments as he interrupts him and says…)
Hans Grayson: I told you man, it was an accident! You think I would do something that deliberate and cost us the match? Maybe you’re right, that emotions got the better of you considering what had happened to us weeks ago in another match we were a part of. The heat of the moment got the best of me in particular, so I understand that, Cody. What I don’t understand is this justification that I had something to do with how you reacted when I told you it was an honest mistake.
(Cody hears this and responds back to Hans by saying…)
Cody Maverick: Maybe it was an honest mistake, but let’s not forget how you reacted when I asked you specifically if anything Drake had to say regarding you was true. You were quite defensive about that, ensuring me that it was just Drake spinning and twisting the narrative. You were almost annoyed that I even asked you that question to begin with.
(Hans looks even more annoyed as he replies back to Cody by saying…)
Hans Grayson: Why wouldn’t I be annoyed at that, Cody? You asked if what DRAKE ARMSTRONG of all people was saying was true. Drake is nothing more than a little bitch who thinks he can dictate what his future is when I have this briefcase in my possession that I can use at any time. As the clock keeps winding down on his inevitable doom, he can’t go a single second without thinking about it, so much so he had to go try and to talk to the person he just defended the title against. Apparently, he thinks I’m in your way, that I’m a threat to you. And for some damn reason, you think he’s right about that point.
Cody Maverick: I don’t like the man, Hans. I don’t like him being champion as much as you. But he made a good point, and in your mind you probably think I’m threatening you becoming a world champion as well. But you just can’t see that because of your disdain for that man.
Hans Grayson: The man took three months off my career, Cody. He tried so hard after Territorial Invasion to still be my ally so much so he would frame me for an attack I never even did just so it can give me a reason to face you, Miku and Jay at Wicked Games. I made the mistake to let my guard slightly towards Drake, and, like the snake that he is, struck. So I don’t plan on making that same mistake again. I don’t plan on letting my guard down to anything pertaining to him, and by the looks of it… I ain’t letting my guard down against you either. So if there’s any issues between us, I don’t want to let it keep bothering us. I don’t want to get to a point of no return, Cody.
Cody Maverick: So what do you have in mind?
Hans Grayson: Let’s have a match… at Grand Rampage. We get this whole problem over and done with. The words we are exchanging aren’t going to solve itself unless we fight each other. I choose that instead of letting it boil over. So what do you say, Mr. Sin City… let’s settle it in Nashville.
(Cody thinks about it for a few moments, before saying to Hans…)
Cody Maverick: I accept… I’ll see you at Grand Rampage… Dragon.
(Cody and Hans share a stare at each other, before Cody ultimately leaves the ring.)
Rich Russillo: WHAT A CHALLENGE SET!!! Hans Grayson laid it out and Cody Maverick accepted, as it looks like we have ourselves a one on one encounter between the two made official for Grand Rampage! The current Cash in the Vault holder vs the King of Elite winner in what will surely be a fantastic bout at the event.
Thadd Blazevich: Hans and Cody have faced each other numerous times in the past, but this feels a little different, as we’ll see who walks out of Nashville as your winner!
(Cody makes his way to the stage area as Hans Grayson soon leaves after while the segment fades out.)
(Promotional ad for Grand Rampage, where Cody Maverick faces Hans Grayson.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR…ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
Bella Braxton: AND IS FOR THE UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS!!
(‘Living Dead Girl’ by Rob Zombie plays to a negative reaction from the crowd as Caroline steps onto the stage through the fog, calm and composed. She waits at the top of the ramp before ‘Stop Breathing’ by Playboi Carti hits, bringing out Jake Smith. Jake joins her on the stage, flaunting the Answers World Championship around his waist as the two look toward the ring before making their way down together.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! At a combined weight of 319 pounds… THE TEAM OF CAROLINE AND ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION… JAKE SMITH!
Thadd Blazevich: Jake Smith riding high right now after becoming Answers World Champion, and tonight he’s looking to make it even bigger by going after the Unified Tag Team Titles alongside Caroline.
Rich Russillo: That’s easier said than done though. ToXXXin has been dominant as a unit, and with Minerva at ringside, Jake and Caroline are going to have to deal with more than just the two champions.
Thadd Blazevich: Still, if they can keep control and avoid getting overwhelmed, this could turn into a huge night for Jake Smith.
(“Duel” by JINJER hits as the lights dim and a red spotlight shines on the stage. Daniella Atlas steps out on one side, Selina Reyes on the other, before Minerva emerges between them. Minerva twirls the black rose before the three begin walking down the ramp together, calm and composed.)
Bella Braxton: And their opponents! At a combined weight of 287 pounds, accompanied to the ring by Minerva… THEY ARE THE UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS… THE TEAM OF DANIELLA ATLAS AND SELINA REYES… TOXXXIN!!
Rich Russillo: And here comes the Unified Tag Team Champions alongside Minerva, and you can’t deny how dominant ToXXXin has been as a unit.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, they’ve backed up everything they’ve said so far, and tonight they’re looking to keep that momentum going with another big defense.
Persephone: I’ll take anything over Jake Smith as a double champion.
(The referee signals to the bell as both Jake and Selina start things off.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: So… Jake Smith, ever the opportunist, last week managed to become the Answers World Champion, and he’s looking to carry that momentum over to tonight by becoming Unified Tag Team Champions alongside Caroline. Of course, with Minerva at ringside, Jake may not be able to rely on his usual shortcuts.
Persephone: That won’t stop him from trying. It never does.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, Minerva’s a valuable tool to have watching your back, and we know ToXXXin don’t mind using their numbers game when it comes down to it. But for now, it’s Selina Reyes starting things off against Jake Smith. Both competitors circle each other cautiously before a collar and elbow tie-up in the center of the ring! As expected, Jake begins to overpower Reyes, steadily backing her towards the ropes.
Rich Russillo: Jake leans her up against there, and lines Selina up for a KNIFE EDGE CHO— no! Jake Smith faked her out, and simply pats Selina on the head instead, to which she quickly swats away! Jake’s got a cocky grin on his face as he backs to the center of the ring while Reyes looks visibly upset. Last thing Jake wants to do is anger his opponent early on if you ask me.
Persephone: I was hoping she’d just slap him.
Thadd Blazevich: The two circle each other a second time before another collar and elbow tie-up! Again, Smith starts to overpower Selina back towards the ropes— but she shifts around last minute, and pins Jake up against the ropes instead! Selina leans him up against there before WINDING UP FOR AN OVERHANDED CHOP! …but Selina takes a page out of Jake’s playbook, stopping herself at the last moment.
Rich Russillo: Selina lightly pats him on the chest before backing to the center, beckoning Jake forward, who I guess doesn’t like the shoe being on the foot—
Persephone: This is already annoying.
Rich Russillo: AS HE CHARGES FORWARD! JAKE WENT FOR A CLOTHESLINE, BUT SELINA DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND CATCHES HIM WITH A SPINNING BACK KICK! JAKE’S DOUBLED OVER AND SELINA JOLTS HIM BACK UP WITH A PUNT KICK TO THE CHEST!
Thadd Blazevich: SELINA WENT FOR A ROLLING ELBOW— BUT JAKE DUCKED UNDERNEATH IT TO SCORE WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP AS SELINA TURNED AROUND! JAKE FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION BEFORE BACKING HER AGAINST THE ROPES FOR AN IRISH WHIP!
Persephone: There. Less games, more hitting. It’ll help this whole thing go by a lot faster.
Rich Russillo: SELINA REBOUNDS BACK WITH A TILT-A-WHIRL HEADSCISSORS TAKEDOWN! BOTH COMPETITORS SCRAMBLE BACK TO THEIR FEET WITH SELINA TRYING FOR A DROPKICK— BUT JAKE SIDESTEPS OUT THE WAY! SELINA POPS TO BOTH KNEES, CLUTCHING AT HER TORSO—
Thadd Blazevich: SUPERKICK TO THE SIDE OF HER FACE! Jake caught her flush and Selina goes down! That might’ve knocked her silly!
Persephone: She’s still moving, so clearly not hard enough.
Thadd Blazevich: Selina tries crawling towards Daniella in the corner, reaching out but Jake grabs a handful of hair before directing her to his corner! Bouncing Selina FACE FIRST off the top turnbuckle!
(TAG!!)
Rich Russillo: Jake tags Caroline in before keeping Selina pinned in the corner as Caroline enters the ring to deliver a PUNCH TO THE ABDOMEN! Caroline brings Selina to the middle of the ring after she doubles over, and SMASHES HER WITH A FOREARM! BUT SELINA SHRUGS IT OFF AND BATTLES BACK WITH ONE OF HER OWN!
Thadd Blazevich: FOREARM FROM CAROLINE! FOREARM FROM SELINA! CAROLINE! SELINA! CAROLINE! SELINA— BREAKS UP THE REPETITION WITH A KNEE TO THE ABDOMEN, THEN GOES TO SEND CAROLINE INTO THE ROPES! BUT CAROLINE TURNS IT AROUND, SENDING SELINA THERE INSTEAD BEFORE DROPPING DOWN!
Persephone: Thank God. That was going nowhere.
Rich Russillo: THOUGHT SELINA WAS GOING TO TRIP OVER CAROLINE’S BODY, BUT SHE DOES A FORWARD ROLL OVER IT INSTEAD! CAROLINE POPS TO HER FEET BEFORE GETTING BACKED AGAINST THE ROPES BY SELINA FOR AN IRISH WHIP! BUT CAROLINE REVERSES IT, TRYING TO KNOCK SELINA OFF HER FEET WITH A CLOTHESLINE AS SHE COMES REBOUNDING BACK!
Thadd Blazevich: SELINA DUCKED UNDERNEATH THAT ONE AND DUCKS UNDERNEATH A BACK ELBOW AFTER REBOUNDING BACK A SECOND TIME! CATCHING CAROLINE WITH A HURRICANRANA AS SHE REBOUNDS BACK A THIRD TIME!
Persephone: You’d think after the third time she’d actually manage to stop her, but no.
Rich Russillo: Caroline’s on all fours, trying to shake the cobwebs out of her head as Selina approaches… Caroline rises to a knee before Selina grabs hold of her arm for an arm wringer! Gaining control of the wrist before backing towards her corner for a tag!
(TAG!!)
Thadd Blazevich: Tag is made as Daniella climbs to the top turnbuckle and CRASHES DOWN WITH A DOUBLE AXE HANDLE TO THE ARM WHILE SELINA STILL HAD CAROLINE IN THAT WRISTLOCK! Caroline spins around, favoring her arm momentarily before getting backed against the ropes by Atlas for a DOUBLE TEAM IRISH WHIP!
Rich Russillo: CAROLINE GETS KNOCKED DOWN WITH A DOUBLE BACK ELBOW BEFORE SELINA LEAPS INTO A WHEELBARROW ON DANIELLA BEFORE GETTING LAUNCHED OFF WITH A SENTON ONTO CAROLINE! DANIELLA DROPS INTO THE COVER AFTER THAT IMPRESSIVE DOUBLE TEAM!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: Kickout! Caroline’s ribs must be hurting as Daniella stands her back up— BEFORE CAROLINE CATCHES HER OFF GUARD WITH A FOREARM! BUT THAT BARELY DOES A NUMBER ON THE FRESH ATLAS, WHO RESPONDS BACK WITH ONE OF HER OWN! FOREARM FROM CAROLINE IN RESPONSE, AND LAST THING YOU WANT IS TO GET IN A STRIKE EXCHANGE WITH THE BIGGER AND STRONGER OPPONENT!
Persephone: Yeah, this won’t last long.
Rich Russillo: BOTH WOMEN ARE GOING BACK AND FORTH BEFORE DANIELLA SHUTS THINGS DOWN WITH A FOREARM THAT ROCKS CAROLINE BEFORE A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! FOLLOWED BY A ROLLING ELBOW! IF THAT WAS TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD, WE’D BE CALLING THAT “BLACK DEATH!” BUT IT MIGHT HAVE CLOSE TO THE SAME EFFECT AS CAROLINE COLLAPSES TO THE MAT IN A HEAP OFF THAT ELBOW STRIKE!
Thadd Blazevich: Caroline might be out as Daniella just simply drags her up off the mat, and goes for a “SOUTH OF HEAVEN!” BUT CAROLINE SPRINGS TO LIFE IN TIME TO COUNTER, SLIPPING OUT OVER DANIELLA’S SHOULDER! LANDING BEHIND HER BEFORE SHOVING DANIELLA INTO HER CORNER! JAKE DELIVERS A FOREARM AS ATLAS CAME CHARGING IN—
Rich Russillo: BUT DANIELLA SHRUGS IT OFF TO KNOCK HIM OFF THE APRON WITH A FOREARM OF HER OWN! Jake’s on all fours, favoring his jaw as Daniella yells out to him briefly before turning around in said corner— AS CAROLINE FLIES IN WITH A DROPKICK TO THE FACE THAT STUNS DANIELLA FOR CAROLINE TO LEAN HER UP AGAINST THE ROPES FOR AN IRISH WHIP!
Persephone: There you go. Hit her again before she shrugs that off too.
Thadd Blazevich: WAIT! DANIELLA REVERSES, SENDING CAROLINE TO THE ROPES INSTEAD FOR A— HANDSPRING BACK ELBOW!! CAROLINE CONNECTED WITH A HANDSPRING BACK ELBOW ONTO ATLAS! Caroline managed to floor Daniella with that one as she lies on her side, clutching at her chest.
Rich Russillo: That caught Daniella clean, and you can see her trying to gather herself while Caroline wastes no time getting back up!
Thadd Blazevich: Caroline hurries back to her feet, and tags out to Jake!
(TAG!)
Rich Russillo: Jake enters the ring, and looks to capitalize as Daniella pulls herself up to a knee with assistance from the ropes. Jake stands Daniella up before backing her into a corner, and JACKING HER JAW WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! Daniella doubles over as Jake begins talking trash—
Persephone: His usual. The idiot loves hearing himself.
Thadd Blazevich: And that might come back to bite him here— DANIELLA FIRES BACK WITH AN OVERHAND CHOP TO THE CHEST! BUT THAT ONLY SEEMED TO ANGER JAKE AS HE RESPONDS WITH A STOMP IN THE CORNER BEFORE UNLOADING WITH FOREARM AFTER FOREARM! Jake just teeing off here!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE—
Rich Russillo: Jake finally relents, walking away after sinking Daniella down to the middle turnbuckle. It’s clear that she’s dazed before Jake Smith lines her up from the opposite corner, stalking his prey before coming in hot with a RUNNING JUMPING BACK ELBOW! Daniella drops to a knee in the corner before Jake directs her over to his corner for a tag!
(TAG!)
Thadd Blazevich: Jake gets Daniella in position for a neckbreaker as Caroline climbs to the top rope… WITH A “WIDOW SPLASH!” 450, NECKBREAKER COMBO! That was perfectly timed!
Persephone: I’m impressed, which I don’t say often for a Jake Smith match. If that doesn’t end it, nothing will.
Thadd Blazevich: JAKE SCRAMBLES TO HIS FEET! KNOCKING SELINA OFF THE APRON WITH A RUNNING FOREARM! MINERVA CHECKS ON HER AT RINGSIDE WHILE THE REFEREE STARTS COUNTING CAROLINE’S PIN!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHH-
Rich Russillo: NO! ATLAS KICKS OUT! It’s still a bit too early in the match for her to be beaten like that.
Persephone: Dammit, I thought that’d be the end of it.
Rich Russillo: To be fair, that is only her signature, Persephone.
Persephone: What? You think I keep track of Caroline matches? I don’t know what she wins with.
Thadd Blazevich: Can’t say I blame you there, Seph.
Rich Russillo: I guess fair enough… as Caroline brings Daniella back to her feet, and backs her against the ropes. Leaning her against them to score with ALTERNATING FOREARM SHOTS TO THE FACE! CAROLINE WINDS BACK FOR ONE REALLY BIG ONE, AND THAT DOUBLES HER OVER AS CAROLINE TAGS JAKE BACK IN!
(TAG!)
Thadd Blazevich: Jake enters the ring, and it’s clear his confidence is running high, having Daniella right where he wants her. Jake simply throws Daniella down to the mat where she lands on a knee, and looks up as Jake hurls down trash talk before using his boot to nudge Daniella’s head! Showing an absolute lack of respect!
Persephone: That’s Jake for ya. Talks too much, then wonders why he gets hit.
Rich Russillo: That shove with his boot might have been enough to wake up Atlas, who rises back to her feet, and stands face-to-face with him! But look at this, the Answers World Champion is unfazed! Continuing to mouth off—
Thadd Blazevich: OOH! KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST, ECHOING THROUGHOUT THE ARENA! DANIELLA GOT HIM GOOD THERE AS JAKE STAGGERS BACK INTO HIS CORNER, HIS FACE TWISTED IN PAIN AS HE CLUTCHES AT HIS CHEST!
Persephone: There it is. That’s what you get.
Rich Russillo: Now, it’s Daniella talking a bit of trash! Encouraging Jake to come forward, and meet her once again in the center of the ring—
(TAG!)
Rich Russillo: But Caroline tags herself in and rushes at Atlas— RUNNING RIGHT INTO A BIG BOOT THAT SPINS HER OUT AS CAROLINE’S ON WOBBLY LEGS! JAKE COMES STAGGERING OUT THE CORNER AND INTO AN OVERHAND CHOP! DANIELLA FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A KNIFE EDGE ONTO CAROLINE! GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN BOTH HER AND JAKE, SWITCHING UP BETWEEN OVERHAND AND KNIFE EDGE CHOPS!
Thadd Blazevich: JAKE— BREAKS THINGS UP WITH A KICK TO THE GUT! DOUBLING DANIELLA OVER FOR A DOUBLE IRISH WHIP OFF THE ROPES BY BOTH HIM AND CAROLINE! …WHO GET DROPPED WITH A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE! “INAMORATA” TAKES OUT BOTH COMPETITORS, EVEN TURNING CAROLINE INSIDE OUT!
Persephone: Haha!
Rich Russillo: DANIELLA IS FIRED UP AS BOTH CAROLINE AND JAKE STRUGGLE BACK TO THEIR FEET, USING EACH OTHER’S BODY FOR ASSISTANCE BEFORE CAROLINE CHARGES AT DANIELLA! BUT GETS SIDESTEPPED AND THROWN UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE!
Thadd Blazevich: JAKE TRIES TO CHARGE HER— BUT GETS FLOORED WITH ANOTHER “INAMORATA!” DANIELLA STEAMROLLED HIM AFTER RUNNING, AND TAGS OUT TO SELINA REYES ON THE APRON!
(TAG!)
Rich Russillo: TAG! SELINA CLIMBS UP TO THE TOP ROPE, HER BACK FACING JAKE AS HE STRUGGLES TO HIS FEET AFTER SUFFERING NOT ONE, BUT TWO “INAMORATA” LARIATS FROM ATLAS! SELINA FLIES OFF THE TOP WITH A REVERSE CROSSBODY ONTO JAKE!
Persephone: Good. End it while he’s still confused.
Thadd Blazevich: SELINA ROLLS OFF HIM AS JAKE RUSHES BACK TO HIS FEET AND SWINGS WILDLY FOR A CLOTHESLINE! BUT SELINA DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND SLIPS BEHIND HIM IN A REAR WAISTLOCK BEFORE THROWING JAKE INTO THE ROPES FOR A DROPKICK! JAKE TUMBLES OUT THROUGH THE BOTTOM ROPE, LANDING ON HIS FEET!
Rich Russillo: CAROLINE HOPS BACK ONTO THE APRON, AND SELINA USES THE TOP ROPE FOR ASSISTANCE WITH A STEP-UP ENZUIGIRI! KNOCKING HER OFF! JAKE TRIES TO HELP CAROLINE BACK TO HER FEET, DISTRACTED WITH THAT AS DANIELLA SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING!
Persephone: Way to turn around at the worst possible time.
Thadd Blazevich: SELINA RUNS OFF THE ROPES, BUILDING MOMENTUM BEFORE DANIELLA HIP TOSSES HER OVER THE TOP AND ONTO BOTH JAKE AND CAROLINE AT RINGSIDE! BIG DOUBLE TEAM THERE! MINERVA WATCHES ON, OBVIOUSLY LIKING WHAT SHE SEES!
Rich Russillo: SELINA POPS BACK TO HER FEET, ADRENALINE COURSING THROUGH HER VEINS AS JAKE AND CAROLINE WRITHE IN PAIN AT RINGSIDE! ToXXXin firmly in control right now!
Thadd Blazevich: Selina reaches down, and rolls Caroline back inside the ring where she returns to a knee, and looks to see both Caroline and Daniella standing right in front of her. This is the last thing you want to see if you’re Caroline, who slowly rises back to her feet, cautious— BEFORE SELINA EXPLODES WITH A SUPERKICK! CAROLINE IS REELING, BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP BY ATLAS!
Persephone: Yeah, that’s not a good place to be.
Rich Russillo: THERE’S A PUMP KICK TO THE KNEE, DROPPING CAROLINE DOWN TO JUST ONE BEFORE DANIELLA RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR ANOTHER “INAMORATA” LARIAT! CAROLINE IS DOWN, POSSIBLY OUT AS DANIELLA SCOOPS SELINA UP AND SLAMS HER DOWN ONTO CAROLINE WITH A BODY SLAM! NO DOUBT KNOCKING THE WIND OUT OF CAROLINE AS SHE SITS UP, COUGHING AS SHE ROLLS AWAY!
Persephone: That could’ve been it. Should’ve covered.
(Selina bumps forearms with Daniella before pointing to Caroline as she rises to all fours against the bottom rope, possibly discussing their next plan of attack before—)
Thadd Blazevich: JAKE! JAKE JUST SLID IN FROM BEHIND AND SHOVED SELINA INTO ATLAS! DANIELLA GETS KNOCKED BACK AGAINST THE ROPES AS SELINA RISES UP FROM A KNEE AND CHARGES AT JAKE— “LAST SEDATION!” JAKE NAILS HER WITH THE POP-UP POWERBOMB!
Rich Russillo: Daniella successfully shakes the cobwebs out of her head before RUNNING AT JAKE TO DELIVER AN INAMOR— NO!! JAKE DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT AND SLIPS BEHIND HER FOR A WAISTLOCK BEFORE SHOVING DANIELLA INTO CAROLINE FOR A RUNNING SPANISH FLY! USING THAT MOMENTUM AGAINST HER!
Persephone: That was actually smart.
Thadd Blazevich: Caroline rolls Daniella out underneath the bottom rope as Jake turns his attention back over to Selina! Meanwhile, Caroline follows Daniella out at ringside in front of us, and pulls her back up by the hair. Caroline rounds the steps with Daniella before BUILDING STEAM TO THROW HER HARD BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE! DANIELLA WRITHES IN PAIN ON THE FLOOR WHILE CAROLINE CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE AS JAKE SMITH PLANTS SELINA WITH A BODY SLAM!
Rich Russillo: PERFECT POSITIONING FOR CAROLINE TO FLY OFF WITH “DARK HOLLOWS!” RIGHT ON THE MARK! Selina rolls to the center, struggling to breathe as she rises to all fours with Jake and Caroline stood over her. A similar position to which Caroline was just in herself recently.
Persephone: Just finish her.
Thadd Blazevich: Jake and Caroline are stalking her, beckoning Selina back to her feet as she struggles up to a knee— BEFORE EXPLODING WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO CAROLINE! UNLEASHING AN OVERHAND CHOP TO JAKE! GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN BOTH WITH CHOPS!
Rich Russillo: Selina trying to fight her way out here, but she’s clearly running on fumes after everything she’s taken!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CAROLINE SHUTS HER DOWN WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! ITS CLEAR THOSE SHOTS DIDNT HAVE AS MUCH BEHIND THEM AS SELINA WOULD LIKE THEM TO!
Persephone: Yeah, she’s got nothing left. Wrap this up already.
Rich Russillo: DOUBLE IRISH WHIP BY JAKE AND CAROLINE, WHO DUCK DOWN FOR PERHAPS A DOUBLE BACK BODY DROP! BUT SELINA HANGS ONTO THE ROPES, HALTING HER MOMENTUM SHORT BEFORE DELIVERING A PUNT KICK TO CAROLINE’S FACE! JOLTING HER UPRIGHT BEFORE JAKE GRABS SELINA FROM BEHIND IN A REAR WAISTLOCK!
Persephone: Jake actually making himself useful for once.
Thadd Blazevich: CAROLINE THRASHES AROUND, REACHING FOR THE TAG AS DANIELLA SLOWLY PULLS HERSELF UP ON THE APRON! JAKE REALIZES WHAT’S HAPPENING AND TURNS AROUND WITH SELINA BEFORE SHOVING HER TOWARDS CAROLINE! MAYBE GOING FOR A REPEAT OF WHAT THEY DID TO DANIELLA—
Rich Russillo: BUT SELINA WAS WISER WITH A SHOTGUN DROPKICK THAT LAUNCHES CAROLINE INTO THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE! CAROLINE’S ROCKED IN THE CORNER AS SHE’S SAT DOWN BEFORE SELINA SCRAMBLES TO HER FEET! CHARGING AT JAKE— BEFORE DROPPING TO ALL FOURS, CRAWLING THROUGH HIS LEGS BEFORE LEAPING FOR THE TAG OUT TO DANIELLA!
(TAG!)
Persephone: It’s about time. Selina was sorely in need of some assistance.
Thadd Blazevich: SHE GOT IT! DANIELLA RUSHES INTO THE RING AS CAROLINE GROGGILY MARCHES OUT OF THE CORNER! DANIELLA WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ONTO JAKE, CATCHING CAROLINE WITH AN OVERHAND CHOP AS SHE STAGGERS OVER! SIMILAR SCENE TO EARLIER, ALTERNATING BETWEEN BOTH WITH CHOPS BEFORE CAROLINE STAGGERS AWAY SLIGHTLY AFTER ONE CATCHES HER GOOD!
Rich Russillo: DANIELLA TURNS AROUND INTO A CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT BY JAKE— BUT DANIELLA DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT AND HE SPINS AROUND! DANIELLA GRABS HIM FROM BEHIND WITH A REAR WAISTLOCK, AND DUMPS JAKE HIGH ON HIS NECK AND SHOULDERS WITH A SAITO SUPLEX!
Persephone: That’ll slow him down.
Thadd Blazevich: DANIELLA POPS TO HER FEET AND SWINGS WILDLY AT CAROLINE AS SHE COMES CHARGING IN! DANIELLA TRIED FOR A LARIAT, BUT CAROLINE DUCKED UNDERNEATH! TRIED FOR A BACK ELBOW AS SHE CAME REBOUNDING BACK— STILL NO!
Rich Russillo: FINALLY, DANIELLA GETS HOLD OF CAROLINE AS SHE POPS HER UP FOR A HEADBUTT! HEADBUTT TURNS CAROLINE INSIDE OUT AS SHE SCOOTS BACK INTO THE CORNER, AND JAKE CHARGES AT DANIELLA— BUT GETS SCOOPED ON HER SHOULDERS FOR A RUNNING DEATH VALLEY DRIVER INTO A SEATED CAROLINE!
Persephone: That should do it.
Thadd Blazevich: DANIELLA ROLLS HIM OUT AS CAROLINE ROLLS OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! HOOKING THE LEG FOR A COVER!!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE-
Rich Russillo: CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR FOR DANIELLA AS JAKE KICKS OUT! IMAGINE HOW BIG OF A WIN THAT COULD’VE BEEN! PINNING THE WORLD CHAMPION!
Thadd Blazevich: Jake rolls into the corner, pulling himself up with assistance from the ropes and Daniella closes in to lift him to the top turnbuckle! DANIELLA UNLEASHES A SICKENING KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST, JAKE’S SKIN TURNING BEET RED AS SHE CLIMBS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE! HOOKING HIM UP FOR A SUPERPLEX—
Persephone: Really, a superplex? Out of all moves? Why not just piledrive him the dummy on his head on somethin’?
Rich Russillo: BUT JAKE! JAKE STARTED GRABBING AT THE EYES WITH HIS HAND WRAPPED AROUND HER NECK, AND FREES HIMSELF BEFORE AN EYE RAKE KNOCKS DANIELLA OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE! DANIELLA’S STILL ON HER FEET, HOWEVER, ALBEIT STAGGERED! JAKE PERCHES HIMSELF ON THAT TOP TURNBUCKLE, NOT OFTEN HE GOES HIGH RISK—
Thadd Blazevich: BUT DANIELLA CHARGES HIM ON THAT TOP TURNBUCKLE AND JAKE LEAPS UP AND OVER HER HEAD! ROLLING THROUGH TO HIS FEET WHERE HE CHARGES DANIELLA FOR A— OOH! DANIELLA CAUGHT HIM WITH A KICK TO THE GUT! DOUBLING JAKE OVER FOR “ANIMUS” AS SHE GOES TO HOIST HIM UP!
Rich Russillo: BUT JAKE BLOCKS IT! HOLDING HIS WEIGHT DOWN SO SHE CAN’T BEFORE DROPPING TO ALL FOURS AND SLITHERING THROUGH HER LEGS! JAKE RISES BACK UP IN THE CORNER AND DANIELLA TURNS AROUND, CHARGING HIM— BUT RUNS RIGHT INTO A BOOT TO THE FACE THAT STUNS HER! DANIELLA DOUBLES OVER AS JAKE HOPS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE FOR—
Thadd Blazevich: “HELL ABOVE!!” JAKE CONNECTS WITH HELL ABOVE, SPIKING DANIELLA ONTO HER HEAD! BUT JAKE CAN’T EVEN CAPITALIZE AS BOTH COMPETITORS ARE DOWN, THE WEAR AND TEAR STARTING TO SHOW! DANIELLA’S DOWN, BUT NOT OUT— HER EYES ARE OPEN, BUT SHE MIGHT HAVE NO IDEA WHERE SHE IS RIGHT NOW!
Persephone: Please, her eyes are open. Mine are about to drift off to sleep.
Rich Russillo: JAKE SEEMS A BIT ROCKED HIMSELF BEFORE ROLLING ONTO HIS BELLY, TRYING TO CRAWL TOWARDS CAROLINE IN THE CORNER! DANIELLA ROLLS ON HER BELLY SHORTLY AFTER, CRAWLING TOWARDS SELINA IN HER CORNER! WHO’S GONNA GET THE TAG FIRST?!
(TAG!)
Rich Russillo: TAG IS MADE FOR BOTH SIDES AS CAROLINE AND SELINA RUSH INTO THE RING! MEETING IN THE MIDDLE WITH A RUNNING BIG BOOT BY CAROLINE! SELINA STANDS HER GROUND AND SHRUGS IT OFF TO RESPOND WITH A PUMP KICK! CAROLINE STAGGERS A BIT BEFORE ANOTHER BIG BOOT— WAIT! SELINA CATCHES IT FOR A DRAGON SCREW!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT SELINA KEEPS HOLD OF THE LEG AND MAYBE GOES TO TRANSITION WITH SOMETHING ELSE— BUT CAROLINE BOOTS HER IN THE FACE WITH HER FREE LEG! CAROLINE RUSHES BACK TO HER FEET, GOING TO ATTACK SELINA BEFORE A KICK TO THE GUT DOUBLES HER OVER!
Persephone: Gee, what’s she going for here? Hopefully something that isn’t boring…
Rich Russillo: SELINA TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SCORE WITH CODE RED! HOLDING THAT SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRR-
Rich Russillo: NO! CAROLINE KICKS OUT AND ROLLS INTO THE NEARBY CORNER FOR SPACE! BUT SELINA RISES TO HER FEET AND MARCHES TO THE OPPOSITE, HAVING CAROLINE IN HER SIGHTS FOR THE “KNOCKOUT SMASH!”
Persephone: Fingers crossed she hits it.
Thadd Blazevich: WENT FOR THAT RUNNING HIP ATTACK, BUT NO WATER IN THE POOL AS CAROLINE ROLLED OUT THE WAY AND SELINA FAVORS HER BACK MOMENTARILY BEFORE SHOOTING OUT OF THE CORNER AT CAROLINE WHERE THE TWO COLLIDE WITH DOUBLE CLOTHESLINES!
Rich Russillo: BUT NEITHER GO DOWN! BOTH WOMEN STRUGGLING TO STAY UPRIGHT BEFORE DIGGING DOWN DEEP, FIRING UP AND CHARGING AGAIN FOR A SECOND DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE— BUT SELINA BIG BOOTS CAROLINE IN THE WRIST, TURNING HER AROUND FOR A POISONRANA!! DUMPING CAROLINE ONTO HER HEAD!!
Persephone: :gladbron: Are we actually close to the ending now?
Thadd Blazevich: SELINA RUSHES BACK TO HER FEET, PULLING CAROLINE BETWEEN HER LEGS FOR THE “ORYX AWAKENING!” SHE HAS CAROLINE SUSPENDED UPSIDE DOWN— BUT CAROLINE STARTS FIRING BACK! REPEATED SHOTS WITH THE BOOT TO THE TEMPLE! FORCING SELINA TO LET HER GO!
Rich Russillo: SELINA’S STUNNED, STRUGGLING TO STAND AS CAROLINE SCRAMBLES BACK TO HER FEET! GRABBING HER IN A STANDING SIDE HEADLOCK POSITION FOR THE DRIVER! A SONG OF ICE AND FIR— NO! SELINA SHOVES HER OFF INTO THE CORNER BEFORE STAGGERING BACK INTO HER OWN!
(TAG!)
Thadd Blazevich: DANIELLA MAKES A TAG, UNBEKNOWNST TO CAROLINE! BOTH SELINA AND CAROLINE SHOOT OUT THEIR RESPECTIVE CORNERS WITH CAROLINE ACTUALLY CATCHING SELINA WITH A BUSAIKU KNEE! USING HER OWN MOVE AGAINST HER!
Persephone: Wrong person.
(Caroline rises to a knee, admiring what she did to Selina before “7 Rings” by Ariana Grande plays to a loud pop. Jake Smith was in the midst of pulling himself up with assistance from the announce table, and looks to the stage with sheer shock and panic as Caroline even senses something wrong.)
Rich Russillo: UH-OH! ITS THE FORMER CHAMPION AND SHE’S MAKING A BEELINE DOWN THE RAMP TOWARDS JAKE!
Persephone: YES! GET HIS ASS!
(Jake tries to escape through the timekeepers area after rushing to grab his Answers World Title, but Veena Adams grabs a handful of his hair, pulling him back towards ringside!)
Rich Russillo: VEENA HAS A HOLD OF HIM! CAROLINE DOESNT KNOW WHAT TO DO HERE, HER ATTENTION DIVIDED— BLACK DEATH! DANIELLA HITS IT FROM BEHIND, SHOOTING THE HALF FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS… AND STILL THE EAW UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS… TOXXXIN!!
Rich Russillo: WELL, THE BELL HAS RUNG! BUT THE BEATING HASN’T STOPPED FROM VEENA ADAMS AS SHE BOUNCES JAKE OFF OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE COVER REPEATEDLY!
Persephone: Don’t stop now.
(Veena leans Jake up against the announce table, holding him by his jaw with one hand, and holding the Answers World Championship up to his face with another before backing away with it…)
Rich Russillo: OOH! VEENA JUST CRACKED JAKE IN THE SKULL WITH THE BELT! SMITH DROPS TO ALL FOURS BEFORE VEENA GRABS HOLD OF HIM AGAIN, AND THROWS JAKE FACE FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST! BEFORE CHUCKING HIM OVER A CORNER OF THE BARRICADE BEFORE FOLLOWING HIM IN THERE HERSELF!
Persephone: Yes. Keep going.
Thadd Blazevich: OH NO! VEENA JUST PICKED UP A FAN’S CHAIR AND SMASHES JAKE IN THE BACK WITH IT! SMITH TRIES TO RETREAT UP THE STAIRS, BUT VEENA ISN’T HAVING THAT! GRABBING HOLD OF HIS ANKLE TO PULL IT OUT FROM UNDER HIM, CAUSING JAKE’S FACE TO BOUNCE OFF THE STEP!
Rich Russillo: VEENA MOUNTS HIM WITH RIGHT HANDS, AND SHE IS UNRELENTING IN HER ASSAULT! UNDERSTANDABLY SO AFTER WHAT WENT DOWN BETWEEN THEM!
Persephone: Finally something worth watching.
(ToXXXin seem a bit distracted by what’s going on before Minerva hands them both their titles, and raises Selina and Daniella’s hands in victory before—)
Thadd Blazevich: WHAT THE— KELTON! WHERE THE HELL DID HE COME FROM?!
(Kelton attacks Minerva from behind, knocking her to the mat before mounting her with right hands as Selina and Daniella immediately spring into action! Dragging him off her and to the corner where they unload with stomps!)
Rich Russillo: KELTON JUST ATTACKED MINERVA FROM BEHIND, BUT LIKE A PACK OF DOGS, DANIELLA AND SELINA POUNCED ON HIM!
Thadd Blazevich: I THINK KELTON KNEW THE CONSEQUENCES, HE JUST DIDN’T CARE!
Persephone: Yeah, and now he’s paying for it.
(Minerva interjects, pulling Daniella and Selina off, wanting Kelton to herself as she goes to town with stomps in the corner while he tries to cover up… meanwhile, the crowd reaction rises as NICK and TLA come running down the ramp with TLA lagging behind a bit after being banged up by Damon earlier.)
Rich Russillo: NICK SLIDES IN THE RING, DUCKING UNDERNEATH A CLOTHESLINE FROM DANIELLA BEFORE CLOTHESLINING HER OVER THE TOP ROPE!
Thadd Blazevich: MEANWHILE, SELINA MET TLA HALFWAY AT RINGSIDE WITH TLA BLOCKING A PUNCH AND SCORING WITH ONE OF HIS OWN THAT SENDS HER STAGGERING! NICK AND TLA CONTINUE TO BRAWL WITH TOXXXIN AT RINGSIDE WHILE MINERVA STOPS WHAT SHE’S DOING, TAKING NOTICE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING—
Rich Russillo: BEFORE KELTON SHOOTS OUT OF THE CORNER WITH THE GALICK GUN! NEARLY KNOCKING HER HEAD OFF WITH THAT SUPERKICK! MINERVA STUMBLES BACKWARD BEFORE KELTON STARTS STOMPING HER OUT IN THE CORNER!
Persephone: Good. Don’t let her breathe.
Thadd Blazevich: KELTON IS ALL OVER MINERVA RIGHT NOW, UNLOADING WITH STOMPS WHILE SHE’S TRYING TO COVER UP— AND NOW MINERVA IS ABLE TO CATCH KELTON BY SURPRISE WITH A KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION, CAUSING HIM TO STUMBLE BACKWARDS!
Rich Russillo: MINERVA FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH SATAN’S KISS, CAUSING KELTON TO LOSE HIS BALANCE AS DANIELLA ATLAS BLINDSIDES HIM! SELINA SLIDES IN RIGHT AFTER AND DRAGS KELTON BACK UP, AND IT SEEMS TOXXXIN HAS SOMETHING IN MIND!
Persephone: This is already better than the match.
Thadd Blazevich: THE NUMBERS ARE JUST TOO MUCH! DANIELLA GRABS KELTON FROM BEHIND WHILE SELINA STARTS FIRING SHOTS TO THE RIBS! THEY’RE TRYING TO WEAR HIM DOWN— BUT HERE COMES NICK BACK INTO THE RING!
Rich Russillo: NICK WITH A FOREARM TO SELINA! ANOTHER TO DANIELLA! HE’S CLEARING SPACE FOR KELTON AS TLA SLIDES IN RIGHT AFTER HIM! NOW THIS IS A FULL ON BRAWL!
Persephone: Finally, everyone’s doing something useful.
Thadd Blazevich: TLA AND NICK BRAWLING WITH SELINA AND DANIELLA, WHILE KELTON GOES RIGHT BACK AFTER MINERVA! THIS HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN DOWN!
Rich Russillo: SECURITY IS GONNA HAVE TO GET OUT HERE AGAIN— THIS IS CHAOS AFTER THE MATCH!
Thadd Blazevich: OH, DAMON! DAMON JUST JUMPED THE BARRICADE AND GRABBED TLA FROM BEHIND! TRYING TO SLAM HIM FACE FIRST OFF THE APRON— BUT TLA GOT HIS HANDS IN FRONT TO BLOCK! FIRING BACK WITH AN ELBOW TO THE MIDSECTION!
Rich Russillo: TLA’S UNLOADING WITH RIGHT HANDS ON LAZARUS AND SELINA TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SLIDE IN THE RING! JUMPING ON KELTON’S BACK TO ASSIST MINERVA AS KELTON TRIES DESPERATELY TO GET HER OFF!
Thadd Blazevich: KELTON AND NICK ARE STILL SWINGING, BUT HERE COMES SECURITY! OFFICIALS RUSHING DOWN THE RAMP TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON THIS BEFORE IT GETS EVEN WORSE!
Rich Russillo: SECURITY FLOODS THE RING, FORCING THEM BETWEEN KELTON, NICK, AND TOXXXIN! THEY’RE TRYING TO SEPARATE EVERYONE BUT NOBODY WANTS TO BACK DOWN!
Persephone: Boo. Let them fight.
Thadd Blazevich: MORE SECURITY AT RINGSIDE TOO! THEY’RE PULLING DAMON AWAY FROM TLA WHILE TLA’S STILL TRYING TO LUNGE BACK IN! THIS HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN DOWN AFTER THE MATCH!
Rich Russillo: VEENA’S STILL BEING HELD BACK IN THE CROWD AREA AS WELL, JAKE TRYING TO ESCAPE THE OTHER WAY! THIS IS ABSOLUTE CHAOS ALL OVER THE ARENA!
(Security continues separating everyone, holding Kelton and NICK back on one side while ToXXXin are restrained on the other. At ringside, Damon is forced away from TLA while Veena is kept back as Jake stumbles away. The competitors continue shouting over security as the officials finally begin to regain control of the situation before Voltage fades elsewhere.)
(Promotional ad for Grand Rampage, where Adam Lucas faces Miku Sakai.)
(Voltage returns from commercial for one final time… drones pan around the arena; fans are tired yet still brimming with absolute excitement, ready for a final piece of cutthroat words and thrilling action. Then, in the middle of the ring stands Bella Braxton with a microphone in hand, matching the audience’s excitement with a smile on her face.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… PLEASE WELCOME…
Crowd: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bella Braxton: … THE EAW WORLD CHAMPION, DRAKE ARMSTRONG!!
Crowd: WOO— BBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(“Pride and Arrogance” by Takeru Kanazaki obnoxiously blasts inside the Springfield Center as the fans’ excited smiles turned to frowns, their expressions slowly being drowned out by the darkened golden lights signature to Drake Armstrong. Soon after, the EAW World Champion walks out with the title over his shoulder, and the usual three-piece suit to follow, completely ignoring the negative reaction from the audience while strutting down the entranceway as ostentatiously as Drake Armstrong could.)
Rich Russillo: Well we saw this man earlier tonight, but… You know… it… it’s just always awkward having to commentate these Drake Armstrong entrances the week after a match of his.
Thadd Blazevich: I… totally get what you mean. Okay, I’ll break the ice this time since it’s usually my buddy Richie having to do this. A Drake Armstrong title defense always ends with a monstrous amount of blood and unnecessary brutality, but I mean, this is the Voltage brand, and if Voltage is known for anything, it’s being a bit uncautious when it comes to preserving our talents’ well-being and health, for better or for worse. Our wrestlers are passionate about their craft, and if you ask them, they will take these blows a hundred times over! That said…
Rich Russillo: Last week was a more special occasion.
Thadd Blazevich: Indeed. All of us wanted to make it a great, enjoyable show for the people of Oaxaca, Mexico, and especially for Javier Torres. The small town atmosphere is always different, everybody knows each other, and everybody in Oaxaca knows about Javier and his story, and now so do we. When Drake Armstrong berated and put his hands on a teen with a Make-A-Wish, it was obviously not going to go well. Of course, Armstrong has his own arguments, the odds were quite stacked against him but that’s what usually happens when you give everybody a reason to dislike you. In the end, Armstrong once again went overkill, hitting ARIA with a plethora of knee strikes to the head, forcing Javier to call the bell and ending what was meant to be a beautiful night in a nightmare.
Rich Russillo: There was too much chaos to even count at the moment it happened… but I was asking around if somebody kept count, and now I can tell you; Armstrong hit ARIA with **13 Immaculate Blades** one after another last week. We saw ARIA tonight already, but not inside the ring, and I don’t think that’s a surprise. We hope there are no long-term effects on ARIA’s health after that, and well… I think we’re all also hoping the madness will come to an end.
Persephone: Rich, you’ve been around since forever. You’re a Voltage fossil. You were here before me, and long before Thadd. You should know that on Voltage, the madness *never* comes to an end, it just comes in different flavors.
Rich Russillo: That may be true, but we haven’t reached a point like this one in a pretty long time.
Persephone: To each their own, but I think I prefer billionaire dirtbags and baby killers over the New Eden days. Well… now that I hear myself out loud, maybe I don’t…
(Armstrong uses the steel steps to get up on the apron. He rubs his shoes on the mat, and enters the ring through the middle rope. “Pride and Arrogance” fades as Drake is handed a microphone. He stands in the middle of the ring, gauging the reaction. Everybody is still loudly booing, but perhaps after how loud the crowd felt in the more constrained arena back in Oaxaca, the jeers now feel mild. Still, Armstrong smiles to be back in a massive, packed-out arena, and begins speaking.)
Drake Armstrong: It’s unfathomable that I must say it feels good to be here. That it feels good to be in front of this crowd. And no, Springfield, that is not because you are in any shape special. That is not because you are any less filthy than the usual peasants. But because I return to the norm I am used to. “Arena San Francisco” in Oaxaca reeked of filth. Unpolished tapestry, dirty walls, a putrid audience. These “smaller-scale” environments are not the kind I voluntarily step into myself, but sometimes I do not have a choice. Mr. Matthieu Daniels and Ms. Eden Sinclair were quite adamant that I appear on that lowly charity show — just for them to berate me for doing my job the same way I always do, which was to retain my EAW World Championship by all means necessary, even despite the ridiculous obstacles put in my way. I again have been reminded how irksome it can be dealing with Voltage’s commission… perhaps I should begin ignoring calls much like they did last month! But they would not like that, would they? Of course they wouldn’t. My good friend Kai Rabeaux is not allowed to do things under his own terms either despite the dangers presented to him by merely showing his face on Voltage, and it seems I get the message by now. I get it quite well, actually, so all I have to say is simply to know what you’re getting yourself into when you ask ME to perform “for charity.”
Drake Armstrong: We mustn’t be ridiculous, after all. It is ridiculous to expect a different side of Armstrong than the one who brutalized both the erstwhile EAW World Champion and the one who was heir to my King of Elite crown in cold blood. It is ridiculous to stack the odds against me yet not expect me to singlehandedly find a way to turn these odds into my favor. RIDICULOUS. POINT. BLANK. PERIOD. RIDICULOUS!! Of course ARIA would brutally have her head bashed a multitude of times when the rulebook is in the hands of three others who obviously preferred she walk away with the victory! And of course, the only way somebody like ARIA could ever win a World Championship is if the circumstances favor her in such an outrageous way, but I am not the type of World Champion cheap tricks work on. I am the type of World Champion that will walk away victorious no matter the circumstance. Adam Lucas had to learn that the hard way. The princeling, Cody Maverick, had to learn that the hard way. And now ARIA had to learn it the hard way. I would hope by watching on from ringside, Jay Jerry Johnson walked away with the same lesson, but something tells me his arrogance remains persistent. Very well.
Drake Armstrong: Jay Jerry Johnson, last week you were a footnote in my eyes. You had to be shoved to the side. That is the role you should perpetually play, but you fight against it; so irregardless, I will put you in your place and relegate you to a lifetime spent in the background of wrestling’s imagery. Any idea that a talent like ARIA could defeat me, dethrone me from my spot atop this marvelous castle was always a foolish one. There was never any doubt that I would manhandle that virtuous little insect, even if her inevitable fate came with more resistance from many different parties than it ever should have. When I stood over that small world in Oaxaca as those peons tried to rush into the ring, as they threw their trash at me, as they screamed vulgarities at me, it was only reaffirmed to me that I truly exist on a different height of existence entirely than these people. Stepping into that arena, in front of those fans, it was a disgrace to MY EXISTENCE. Pretending to smile for a dying kid who had all eyes set on making sure I lose my championship was a DISGRACE to MY EXISTENCE. Having to clean ARIA’s INFERIOR blood off my knee was a disgrace to my existence. Little Javier Torres is lucky his days will eventually come to an end and that I have bigger fish to fry, because what I could do to him if I wanted to is significantly worse than the hellfires life’s circumstances alone brought him. Lesson learned, everybody: do NOT disgrace MY EXISTENCE.
Drake Armstrong: But enough about this forgetful past, enough about insignificant pests, allow me to talk about the man of the hour properly, allow me to get to the supposed quote-unquote “main event”, Jay Jerry Johnson. Deceitful Artist, you are biting off more than you can chew. And you know it. After last week, you certainly know it, but there is no backing out now, is it? I am glad you were there to watch the action unfold. I am glad you were there to “enforce” yourself upon the action, because just like every big match you find yourself in, not only did your “enforcement” have no overall impact on the result of the match, but you also saw, from the sideline, just how minuscule you are in comparison to this plate of competition. ARIA is closer to you than you are to me, Jay Jerry Johnson, and what happened to that fool of virtue is precisely what you are setting yourself up for.
(“Thoughts of a Dying Atheist” by Muse begins playing right as Drake finishes that thought, with the crowd gaining a reason to cheer yet again. Jay Jerry Johnson walks out, ring gear and entrance jacket on, and with a microphone in hand. His theme song fades, and he immediately speaks to Drake while walking down the ramp.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: Drake, if I didn’t already know what you were capable of, then there would be no point in taking a shot at you to begin with. I know what you’re capable of, but I don’t think you know what I am capable of, and that stunt earlier messing with my match proves it. What I am capable of can absolutely put you down. Hearing you speak, you see, even just now, has made me realize your braggadocious attitude is even more exaggerated than I initially expected. You speak about yourself in the most hyperbolic manner, and it’s the same when you need to talk about everyone else, except you see them as far beneath you. You’re the type of man who sees in extremes, Drake, especially when it comes to your place in the world versus your average Joe. I get it, you’re a narcissist at your core, but you don’t exactly have the authority to speak about yourself in this manner while blocking all challengers standing in your way from even getting an opportunity. Because it’s quite obvious, Armstrong, you’re a coward deep down. Despite the image you sell of yourself, you know something isn’t right about it in your mind yet you keep going, and I think that’s the difference between us. I’m content with being down to earth about myself. I don’t need to overexaggerate my value, my “existence”, or my ability. You do. Because otherwise, you find it hard to live in a world where everybody is simply common at the end of it all, no matter what special skills they possess.
(By this time, Jay had fully made it down the ramp, and now he’s climbing into the ring.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: At Grand Rampage, that championship won’t be yours anymore. The EAW World Championship will be mine, and your hubris will only bury you deeper into this pit you’re already in unless you get a grip before it’s too late. You see, I saw it all go down last week from the sidelines, that is before you attacked me of course. I saw you control the matchup, I also got a glimpse of the way you brutalized ARIA, but I also saw you let your guard down in key moments. I saw you underestimate ARIA so much that she got some momentum in the match that, if you were a man of your word, and if your judgment was at all accurate, she should never have gotten. Drake, you underestimated Adam’s psyche and he put you through a car crash. You underestimated Cody Maverick’s ability to get down and dirty and you needed to leave scars that will follow him forever to put him down. You thought ARIA would be a walk in the park yet despite it all, she almost had you, multiple times. I see a common mistake here, and while you’ve been able to adapt in real time, your time is limited. Someone will punish these mistakes. Someone will completely ignore and see through your arrogance, your flamboyance, and will simply go to work on you and put you down, no matter what. And the person who will finally punish all of your mistakes is *me.*
Jay Jerry Johnson: I have been biding my time the entire time you were champion. I was closely watching all of your moves. When Damon Lazarus stood in my way, the seconds I got without his voice constantly ringing in my head, I realized my true obsession was scouting all of your in-ring flaws so that I could exploit them and take your championship, make it mine, and finally call myself a World Champion in this place. Nothing was ever going to steer me away from you, not even the “example” you put on last week. Armstrong, I am on a journey to solidify myself as the best WRESTLER in this entire industry, and while that championship is not a telltale sign of that, while the symbol someone is as champion will change depending on who holds it, I believe that championship is a necessity to craft my own symbol. You’ve symbolized yourself as a champion who is ruthless and deceitful. Somebody who leaves no stone unturned for better or for worse, yet that is absolutely disgraceful to the craft I practice, and the gospel you preach is one I cannot get behind. I know what brand we’re on. I know what type of culture lurks around us. I know brutality is the name of the game, and I had to channel the worst of me in the past as well, but I am bell-to-bell the best technical wrestler in the entire world, and at Grand Rampage, Armstrong, I don’t plan to brutalize you. I don’t plan to manipulate any narratives. I plan to *outwrestle* you. I want to make you look like a fool who hasn’t ever sniffed a wrestling ring before. I don’t need weapons. I don’t need cars to crash. I don’t need to leave incurable scars on your body. No, Drake, because none of that pain will match the psychological scar I’ll leave on your confidence when you have to live with the reality that inside of the ring, I was better than you, and that someone else simply wrestled circles around you and crumbled that pseudo-kingdom you keep clamoring on that you have built.
Drake Armstrong: I’ve gone through this same song and dance too many times at this point, Jay. The dawn of my championship victory wasn’t eons ago whatsoever, yet it truly feels that way with how tiring this becomes. You think you have me read like a book, yet you are far too stuck on your rhetoric, on your own “tale”, that you can’t realize just how ridiculous you sound. You say you’ve been observing, but clearly haven’t done so with enough attention. Adam Lucas spewed this same drivel. Cody Maverick was blabbering about my arrogance and how that will come to cost me. ARIA had the GALL to call me mediocre. Yet they all fell down inevitably. They all were sent retreating. Halfway desperate. Left with killing blows. The mere fact they live is an act of mercy by their king, yet you, just like them, remain ungrateful at the sight of mercy. You wanna know the truth, Jay Jerry Johnson?! YES! I AM ARROGANT!! But I have earned my arrogance! I have earned the right to brag! Since birth, the higher standard was nailed into me with a hammer. The higher standard was beaten into me. This higher standard follows me around no matter where I go. In each room I have to step in, I must be the best. I must be the finest. I must be the person EVERYONE looks at and thinks of. When someone sees me, when they walk past me, I want them to notice me, I want them to think of me. I want my PRESENCE ALONE to leave a significant air that lingers in their minds. Now, what I act upon, is an even more, as you would say, “exaggerated” story. But what you find hyperbole, what you find exaggerated, is my truth. Because I want perfection. You may tell me perfection doesn’t exist, and if that’s the case, then I want to be the closest thing to perfection. As a matter of fact, I WANT perfection to be unattainable, because then I have something to always chase when I’ll know every human left on this earth is beneath me.
Drake Armstrong: When I step in the ring, Jay, I see myself as an “artist” too. And my art shapes itself on human skin. On the scars I leave on the bodies of the filth. Of those who thought they could verse the king, yet whose swords weren’t even sharp enough to cut through the first layer of my skin. You will be no different, because your tale is just as cautionary as everybody else, you are simply unable to find these common patterns within you because you cannot accept the truth. And the truth is that you’re simply too small for me. You say I can’t accept certain aspects of reality, that I shield myself from the harsh truth, but that projects onto you, Jay, and the fact is? You’re an absolute joke in front of your king.
Jay Jerry Johnson: These comparisons only lead me to believe how little you understand, Armstrong. Because I am not like the rest of the herd. I am not another sheep. All these talents you’ve beaten, obviously outstanding in their own right. Obviously made it this far in the industry for a reason, but that doesn’t mean the more accomplished a man is, the less they trap themselves with their own ideas and away from their flaws and mishaps. I try to avoid this foolish mistake whenever I get far. I try to remain aware of my surroundings, and aware of myself especially. I know my drawbacks, Drake. I won’t list them out for you of course, but I know what you can exploit, and I must prepare for a counterplay if you figure that much out. There is no albatross around my neck, Armstrong, unlike how there *is* one around yours, and I haven’t gotten to that point by now for a reason. Maybe the heat of the moment can get me at times. Maybe I can underestimate the lengths you are willing to go to in order to keep that Championship, but it’s realizing that now that will aid me in my opportunity against you. You see, in these brutal means you have of keeping your crown, the foundation of your castle crumbles; and in there is inherent desperation. You can deny it, that’s fine, but denying that is, inherently, a desperate retort. I will not let you brutalize me, Armstrong. But I will let you get desperate. Then, when your cool is completely gone, as whatever you try cannot get you the victory, when you’ll never be able to force the bell to be rung, I will strike, and I will put you down. I don’t gotta break the rules, Armstrong. I don’t gotta get rough. I don’t need to get some outrageously priced royal robes dirty, because what I do completely builds up my own symbol as a beacon of pro wrestling artistry. I will outwrestle you, Armstrong, I repeat. I will outwrestle you. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me, because trying to stop me means you’re playing my game. So, when you’ll have to voluntarily tap out to my submissions, when you’ll have to literally give up EVERYTHING, then what will you fall back upon?
Jay Jerry Johnson: There’s gonna be no castle for you to come back to. The village you ostracized and treated as subhuman will not welcome you into their arms. You’ll have to retreat to some shack hidden in the woods and never show your face again. You’re done for, Armstrong.
Drake Armstrong: Lovely anecdote. But allow me to bring you back to reality. Challenging me was the biggest mistake you could have possibly made for your career. As I said, I REFUSE to do CHARITY. You don’t walk in the ring with me, suffer defeat, but put up a decent enough fight that your name is out there, that you’ll learn something, and in the long run you’ll be decently off. This EAW World Championship you say I’ve ruined under my rule, under my “symbol” is NOT for CHARITY, and those who have let it become charity are the ones who brought RUIN to this title. You step in the ring with the King of the World, and you don’t walk away better off despite the loss. No, you step in the ring with the King of the World, and your dreams CRUMBLE, your mental comes to RUIN, and the scars will forever ache if they even heal. You make an enemy out of me, Mr. Triple J, and I will maul your body like a rabid animal, then pay off every single trustworthy doctor in this entire world more than your yearly paycheck to REFUSE to treat you. Your family won’t look at you the same. Nobody close to you will be able to approve the idea that wrestling is the best thing you could do. The wounds I make are fatal, Jay, and if you sign a contract to face me at Grand Rampage, you sign a death warrant. When I’m done with you, you will not step in the ring again. You won’t be able to. You’ll work in grocery stores, hoping that struggling customers won’t be disgusted by the scars that will follow. Or maybe you’ll go back to that little coffee shop you have back in Japan, working from the shadows, knowing you cannot show your face again in front of a culture that cherishes pro wrestling as much as they do. At Grand Rampage, you’ll come to the obvious realization that everything I said had merit to it. And, once it’s already too late, you will have to accept that you made a filthy poor decision, one that will have consequences to follow until you’re left laying in your grave, overtaken by embarrassment, with a fading will.
(Jay seems to listen with focus, but when thinking of these threats, he seems to brush them off, preferring to believe in his side of the story more, though he is aware of the effects his past challengers have suffered.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: Well then… I suppose we’ll just never see eye to eye, Drake.
Drake Armstrong: That’s blasphemy. If you’re stubborn, I’ll make sure we see eye to eye myself—
**SMACCCKK!!!**
(Armstrong threw the microphone right in Jay’s face, both hurting and staggering him for a second, before striking his head with a big boot.)
(Drake leaves the EAW World Championship hanging neatly on the top rope next to him, before picking Jay up off the ground before he can get a chance to recover.)
(He takes the challenger up for the “Death Penalty”, the modified gotch-style piledriver, to send a message, and to forcefully beat Armstrong’s ideals into The Artist before these two even come to clash on the grand stage, but Jay keeps struggling and transferring his weight in different parts of his body so that Armstrong can’t properly lock in the move.)
(Jay tries using his legs to apply a choke on the standing champion, which slowly frees him up and causes Drake to lose his balance.)
(Jay sees the opportunity, and flies out of what would be a brutal piledriver to take. He goes back to the imbalanced Drake, and applies a choke with both hands, while using his legs to trap in the champion’s body.)
(Jay Jerry Johnson locks in the “Jerry Special 99”, his signature Peruvian necktie. He intensely tightens the choke around Armstrong’s neck like never before. The fans in the audience are surprised, watching as Jay gets red, screaming, while his veins are starting to pop out from the pressure he’s applying on that choke. They’ve seen him pull off this move tens of times, maybe even hundreds, *but never with this much force.*)
(Jay’s intent didn’t seem to be to just send a quick message to the champion, or to keep the hold locked until he lost consciousness… instead, he wanted to choke Armstrong out **until all air left his body, and he was left dead.**)
**TAP!! TAPP!!! TAPPP!!!!**
(Drake Armstrong, struggling for his life, quickly taps on the mat so loud that the whole arena could hear it. Jay instinctively softens the hold, his muscle memory clashing with his ferocity, which gives Armstrong enough of a window to roll out of the hold, and run out of the ring, taking the ache of embarrassment along with him.)
(Drake, at ringside, his eyes almost popping out of his face, looks on at Jay, then, behind him, was the EAW World Championship he left behind, as his pride shatters. Jay follows Drake’s gaze, and his eyes meet the EAW World Title. Jay takes the title left on the top rope, and raises it high in the air, standing tall, and staring a hole into Drake Armstrong, who has no choice but to retreat…)
(Voltage comes to a close with Jay keeping his eyes locked on Armstrong, while maintaining the championship held up in the skies. The crowd cheers along, but Jay has completely channeled everything else out, only feeling the championship’s leather on his fingers, and the emotion of disdain the longer his eyes see Drake Armstrong’s figure.)
(EAW logo buzzes.)
