(EAW intro plays)
(The camera opens up and a recap of last week’s Voltage actually begins to play this time. The show starts off with an incredibly angry Drake King demanding Methuselah come out. As Methuselah himself is pretty happy about Kassidy winning the Grand Rampage Match, Drake obviously isn’t, as the plan they had was all ruined because of that so Methuselah tells him to calm down and gives him an easy option, a title shot at the EAW Championship. This makes Myles come out, annoyed himself that they are just giving Drake free title shots while he worked to get here, but after Methuselah saying a few words and Myles knowing they wouldn’t let it go, he accepts the challenge and Drake of course accepts the title shot too. James Ranger beats Rory Slate. More people are revealed for the Ultimate Opportunity Ladder Match at Fighting Spirit. The people being revealed are Mercer Mckay, Daryl Kinkade and sadly Ronan, as he is his usual annoying self and for his troubles, he ends up getting put through Captain Charisma’s desk by Mercer. Madison Hansen defeats Korey Gaines. Hikari comes out to talk about her next opponent for the Hardcore Championship, Ayu Megumi, and she isn’t very impressed about her fighting for her belt. Ayu comes out and the two go on a back-and-forth with Hikari thinking Ayu doesn’t have what it takes to beat her and Ayu defending herself, and it ends with Hikari hitting Ayu in the face with the belt. Ronan is able to catch off-guard and defeat Mercer and beat the odds of the Disney Besties. ARIA wants to challenge Dr. Bethany Blue for the Universal Women’s Championship at Fighting Spirit. Ayu and Hikari aren’t able to co-exist as Sierra and Halsey are able to take the wins for themselves, and after the match Ayu is able to lay out Hikari. Yhwach goes out to the ring, angry about the result that happened at Grand Rampage, and he swears revenge on Methuselah but he has his sight on other things, he says a message filled with mystery and leaves. Meanwhile backstage, Minerva is seen. She is satisfied after sending a message when beating Samael, but as for her journey to Pain for Pride, she has planned something that nobody will see coming. Molly Waters recaps Bethany and Sheridan’s trilogy of matches and has interviews with the two women, with Bethany being proud of her win and ready to defend her title at Fighting Spirit, while Sheridan is disappointed about the loss and is ready to pick herself back up. She declares herself for the Ultimate Opportunity Ladder Match at Fighting Spirit. In the main event, Miku Sakai is able to sneak one out over TLA and beat him. Finally, Captain Charisma reveals there will be a new commentator on Voltage now, and it is none other than the EAW Hall of Famer, Rex McAllister!)
(The recap ends and then Sunday Night Voltage transitions to show a shot of the “Disney Wish” Cruise Ship. An edited version of ‘33rd Blakk Glass’ by ZilaKami & SosMula is played as the cameras pan around showing various people cheering loudly either standing around, sitting in lounge chairs or in the pool while from the top of the ship shot out gold pyro. The camera then goes over to show the broadcasting team of Rich Russillo, James Peters, Persephone and the new addition of Rex McAllister. Of course, for safety precautions, Rex and Persephone are separated by Rich and James)
Rich Russillo: Welcome everyone…TO SUNDAY NIGHT VOLTAGE! Presenting you live here from the “Disney Wish” Cruise Ship as we are one week away from Fighting Spirit, and we are one step closer to Pain for Pride! We have a stacked show from top to bottom but we can’t forget at all the new addition here to the commentary team, the EAW Hall of Famer, Rex McAllister! How are you feeling tonight, Rex?
Rex McAllister: Feeling fantastic! Very excited to be commentating tonight for the first time-
Persephone: OIDSUFUHISFUISDUIOFIUSHDFIHSIFDUSFHIFFIDUS!
Rex McAllister: …So what I was saying, I am looking forward to commentating with you gentlemen and the lady for tonight-
Persephone: JSAOJDOIASJDOIJOIAJSOIDJOASIDJODIJOSDIJOIDSJG!
Rich Russillo: Persephone, are you alright?
Persephone: …
James Peters: I think she only acts like that when Rex talks. Sadly, we have to keep going with the introduction so…
Rex McAllister: I seem to be in a bit of a pickle, don’t worry, continue on without me, another time I hope I can introduce you all well!
Persephone: JIDOIADOIFJOISDJFOIFD-
James Peters: Right, anyway, as Rich said, this show is stacked from top to bottom, from new blood, established competitors and legends from the past, we have a Voltage versus Dynasty Showcase between the newcomers Kasai and Valerie Hellstorm, Ronan Malosi going up against Madison Hansen, Korey Gaines facing Rory Slate and Halsey Neel fighting against Mercer McKay!
Rich Russillo: And we can’t forget either as we see Theron Nikolas in action against James Ranger, the Hardcore Championship being put on the line as Hikari Kanno defends against Ayu Megumi and a massive main event, Methuselah, Drake King and Myles fighting against Yhwach O’Hara, Minerva and TLA! Well, Persephone usually says this last part so Rex?
Rex McAllister: On it. Persephone?
Persephone: YES REXY! LET’S GET ON WITH THE SHOW WOOOOOO! :blessed:
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: The following contest is a Voltage vs. Dynasty Newcomer Showcase Match!!!
(“KARATE” by BABYMETAL hits to cheers from the crowd.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first from Amani, Kagoshima, Japan representing VOLTAGE!!!
Crowd: PAPJFPOSAJFOPSAJR_SA)JRJASF_SAJFOSAPJFSA
Bella Braxton: She is “The Huntress” KASAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!
(Kasai makes her way down to the ring in a red and gold entrance attire. She looks determined as she has arrived tonight to hunt her prey. She is very aware of her surroundings even during her entrance. When she enters the ring she removes her jacket, clearly ready for the upcoming match as she waits for her opponent.)
Rich Russillo: Here comes Voltage’s own Kasai! One of the great newcomers we have here on Voltage! You will see just what the future of this brand has in store for us!!!
James Peters: The future is indeed bright Rich. What a war of words these two had this week and despite not having been around very long I am very hyped for this match. You gotta love the energy they are bringing to EAW!
Persephone: There is definitely something great about the energy on Voltage this week compared to previous weeks. I am not sure what it is but there is definitely something.
Rex McAllister: Why are you looking at me? Anyway, this is going to be a great match. Kasai the huntress is here. She is on the hunt!
(‘Mountains’ By Coi Leray hits to heavy boos from the crowd.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent from Huntington Beach, California representing Dynasty…
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Bella Braxton: She is “The Star Girl” VALERIEEEEEEEEEE HELLLLLLLLLLSTORMMMMMMMMMMM!!!
(Valerie Hellstorm comes to the ring wearing royalty attire, showing her confidence as she walks down the ramp. Valerie has a grin on her face as she doesn’t even look at her opponent, meanwhile the boos continue both because of Valerie representing Dynasty and because they don’t like her attitude so far.)
Rich Russillo: Wow our fans are very rowdy tonight. This is a cruise after all. Must be very drunk. I don’t know how we will eject people from the ship though. Might have to throw them overboard!
Persephone: I wouldn’t mind being thrown overboard. Because I know that Rex would catch me. <3
Rex McAllister: I am not sure how that would work… But our loyal Voltage fans sure are saying what they think about Valerie! Despite the tribalism I know she is a great competitor in her own right and look forward to seeing what she is made of.
James Peters: Valerie Hellstorm claims she is the inevitable future. If that is true… that future begins NOW!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: This match is underway now as we are looking to see if Kasai of Voltage and Valerie Hellstorm of Dynasty can make some magic happen tonight in that ring! As soon as the bell rings you can almost see Hellstorm’s demeanor just change completely into a mad fury. She charges in to meet Kasai in the ring as they trade blows! Kasai seems to come out the better of it bashing Hellstorm back with forearms to the face! Kasai battering Hellstorm backwards into the corner as she tries to cover herself up in a defensive position but Kasai is relentless! Kasai now with repeated headbutts to the face of Hellstorm bashing her down in the corner eventually getting Hellstorm in a seated position! Hellstorm being stomped on into the corner as the referee tries to separate them due to Hellstorm being within the ropes! The crowd is fired up and they love to see it!
James Peters: The Voltage faithful are definitely on the side of Kasai here tonight who is fighting as if she has something to prove! Vicious attack out the gate from Kasai in the early goings of this match. Kasai breaks for a bit allowing Hellstorm to get back up before grabbing her arm and whipping her across the ring into the opposite corner! No! Valerie Hellstorm manages to slide onto her stomach and back up to her feet before she hits the corner. She whirls around… only to be hit with a Superkick to the face from Kasai! Hellstorm collapses down onto the mat with a thud as Kasai goes for the cov-
Rex McAllister: Oh! No I guess not! Looks like instead Valerie Hellstorm is rolling out of the ring! Probably a good idea to get some distance from the action. Hellstorm has been taken off guard in the early goings of this match. I think she anticipated a much slower start than we are seeing here tonight. These Voltage fans are ruthless and heckling her on the outside calling her all kinds of names. She’s going to have to get back up into that ring eventually though! Well… maybe not! As it looks like Kasai is rolling out of the ring as well! Kasai creeps up behind Hellstorm and smashes her face into the LED barricade at ringside! Those are expensive watch out!
Rich Russillo: The relentless attack by Kasai continues as she alternates between bashing in Valerie Hellstorm’s head into the steel steps, the barricade, and even the Spanish announce table!
Spanish Commentator: Por favor Kasai no rompas nuestra mesa. Si rompes la mesa, será el último error que cometas. :ufdup:
James Peters: It seems the Spanish commentators are not messing around tonight. Kasai wisely redirects Valerie Hellstorm away from the table. Hey that doesn’t mean bash her head into our table as well!
(Rex McAllister is shown scattering away from the table along with Rich Russillo and James Peters to get away from the violence at ringside.)
Persephone: Wait! Rex? Where are you going? Don’t leave me!
Rich Russillo: Kasai tosses Valerie Hellstorm back first into the LED barricade before running her shoulder first into the ring pole across the ring on the other side. I think it is safe to return to the commentary table now! Hopefully they stay over there so we can do our jobs!
James Peters: Kasai tosses Valerie Hellstorm back into the ring… The Huntress is hunting! Valerie back up…
Rex McAllister: SPIDER SUPLEX!!! KASAI WITH A SPIDER SUPLEX ON VALERIE HELLSTORM AS SHE SLIDES INTO THE COVER!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-
Rich Russillo: Kickout by Valerie Hellstorm! If she had lost then and there this would have been an incredibly one sided match. Of course it still could be if Valerie can’t find a way to turn this match around soon! Both competitors back up now as-
James Peters: SUPERKICK!!! Valerie Hellstorm possibly out of pure instinct and desperation hits a Superkick to the skull of Kasai! Both women collapse in the middle of the ring as Valerie has finally ended the hunt of The Huntress for a moment at least!
Persephone: You know Rex… I am something of a Huntress myself. But I only have one specific prey in mind if you catch my meaning. :mjlit:
Rex McAllister: :lupe: !!!
Rich Russillo: Valerie Hellstorm with a chance to potentially turn this match around as she grabs Kasai and whirls her around before throwing her shoulder first right into the turnbuckle pole! No! Kasai with the awareness to duck beneath using the momentum instead to slide under the bottom rope and to the outside of the ring! But Hellstorm is staying right on her sliding to the outside of the ring and grabbing her by the arm. Hellstorm slams the arm of Kasai across the top of the steel steps at ringside! The referee showing leniency with the outside count per their discretion in this match. I guess they want to see a definitive winner between Voltage and Dynasty tonight as well! This match will prove which brand is superior once and for all!
James Peters: Let’s not get carried away Rich… But this is a very exciting match and I too want to see a winner. Which more and more is looking like it is going to be Valerie Hellstorm as she slams the face of Kasai into those steel ringsteps! This match has become an all out brawl. No fancy technical wrestling to be seen which is honestly what I expected given the style of these two wrestlers! But they are showing they can get down and dirty when necessary!
Persephone: You know Rex… I too can get down and dirty when necessary. :mjlit:
Rex McAllister: Hmm maybe you should compete against the winner next week. It would be interesting to see how your styles compare.
Persephone: :whoa: ! That is not what I was talking about!
Rich Russillo: Regardless I think it’s a good idea! Just like I think it is a good idea for Valerie Hellstorm to be dragging Kasai back into the ring. Valerie with a Ripcord Knee Strike!!! Kasai goes down as Valerie slides into the cover!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-
James Peters: Kickout from Kasai!!! The match continues on! The hopes and dreams of Voltage live on!
Persephone: I too would like this match to continue for as long as possible. It is like a dream to be here. With you. Forever.
Rich Russillo: I admire your commitment to your job! We could all do with an attitude like that! Just like I can admire Kasai for her ability to kick out of that! Both competitors back up as Valerie Hellstorm kicks Kasai in the gut and performs a standard Suplex in the middle of the ring. Great form! Hellstorm stays on Kasai sliding into a Headlock but Kasai immediately powers back up to her feet. Kasai with hard elbows to the gut of Hellstorm and she is fiercely fighting out of this predicament! Kasai with hard forearms bashing Hellstorm back into the corner. Hellstorm bursts out but Kasai catches her around the waist! Belly to Belly Suplex connects! Such force! Kasai just tossed Hellstorm all the way straight up across the ring!
James Peters: Kasai now looking to turn things around as Valerie Hellstorm is right back up! Kasai with a flurry of rapid fire chops to the chest sending Hellstorm back into the corner! Hellstorm flailing but there is no escape from Kasai’s chops! Kasai with a boot to the gut for good measure as she pulls Hellstorm back into the ring! She tips her upside down and lifts her up into the air between her legs! This is not going to end well for Hellstorm!
Rex McAllister: PILEDRIVER!!! I always love seeing that move when it is pulled off well! Kasai into the cover!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-
Rich Russillo: Kickout by Valerie Hellstorm! I thought she had her neck snapped there but she is still alive!!! Kasai is looking annoyed that didn’t end things but she needs to stay focused. She is close and could end this match at any point.
Persephone: No! Drag it out a little longer!
James Peters: It’s like I don’t even recognize you anymore. But Kasai seems to recognize exactly what needs to be done here! Valerie back up as Kasai runs right at her throwing shots with brute force! Valerie Hellstorm responds in kind and they are just beating each other with everything they got! Kasai shoves Valerie away… BUT HELLSTORM CHARGES IN WITH A RUNNING SPEAR! SPEAR! SPEAR! SPEAR!
Rich Russillo: Right through the middle ropes! Valerie Hellstorm tackles Kasai to the outside as they continue throwing punches on the floor as if that fall didn’t affect them at all!
Referee: ONE!
James Peters: Kasai kicks the steel steps sending them flying towards Valerie Hellstorm! But Valerie parries the steps with her boot kicking them back towards Kasai!
Referee: TWO!
Rich Russillo: Kasai leaps up over the steps tackling down Valerie and throwing shots at her with a Thesz Press! She is unleashing an entire fury of blows!
Referee: THREE!
Rex McAllister: But Valerie Hellstorm rolls on top of Kasai and now she is the one throwing the punches!
Referee: FOUR!
Persephone: And now Persephone is maneuvering herself on top of Rex McAllister with her own Thesz Press!
Referee: FIVE!
Rex McAllister: :whoa: !
Referee: SIX!
Rich Russillo: You best stay in your chair right now missy! Kasai throws Valerie off her and tosses Valerie over the barricade into the crowd! Kasai leaps up on the barricade and comes off it… FLYING CROSSBODY INTO THE CROWD ON VALERIE!!!
Referee: SEVEN!
James Peters: These two have lost all control as Kasai and Valerie Hellstorm continue to brawl into the crowd but they seem to have realized the count out is looming over them!
Referee: EIGHT!!!
Rich Russillo: Valerie Hellstorm jumps the barricade as she makes her way back into the ring to beat the count!
Referee: NINE!
James Peters: But Kasai grabs the hair of Valerie Hellstorm and yanks her down! Kasai stomps down hard on the face of Valerie! Valerie grabs the leg of Kasai and twists her down into an Ankle Lock!
Referee: TEN!
Rex McAllister: :lupe: !!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: The referee has declared this match… a DOUBLE COUNT OUT!!!
Rich Russillo: The crowd booing loudly now at the unsatisfying conclusion of this match. But it doesn’t really seem to be over! Valerie Hellstorm and Kasai are continuing to fight at ringside! These two had quite a war of words this week and it looks like they are matching that energy with their relentless all out assault on each other here tonight!
James Peters: Valerie Hellstorm and Kasai brawling over in front of our commentary table! Kasai just bashed Valerie’s brains in against the side of our desk! Kasai back up but Valerie trips her and she lands on her face! Hard knee to the back of Kasai’s head from Valerie! Valerie now shoving the timekeeper aside as she grabs a steel chair!
Rex McAllister: This is getting out of hand!
Persephone: This is so dangerous and scary! Protect me Rex!
Rich Russillo: Well here comes all the protection we need!
(Suddenly a horde of EAW security comes running down the ramp and out of the crowd to tackle both Kasai and Valerie Hellstorm. The steel chair is secured and removed from their possession as both competitors are dragged backstage kicking and screaming.)
James Peters: That was surprisingly efficient for EAW security. I am glad to see that they seem to be doing their job and actually managing to separate the wrestlers for once this time.
Persephone: It was terrible Rex. They were so violent. I need someone to comfort me in these trying times.
Rex McAllister: It will be alright I’m sure. But um I have a feeling it’s not over between these two! We didn’t get a winner.
Persephone: I disagree. I feel like I have won tonight if I am being honest.
Rich Russillo: :comeagain:
James Peters: Well this match was a Voltage vs. Dynasty Newcomer Showcase Match and while we did not get a winner we definitely got a showcase of what they can do. You said it’s not over but they are on different brands so who knows when we will see these two in action again. With the draft coming up in a couple months you never know what can happen!
(Voltage fades away from ringside.)
(Commercial for Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 3 Part 2, releasing this fall. POTARA explains not to spoil anyone as some people’s lives depend on them seeing the ending to this series.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, where the setup for a contract signing is seen inside of the ring. As always, there is a table in the center of the ring with a chair on opposite sides. There is a contract on the table, and there are two pens and two microphones next to the contract. Inside of the ring is James Peters, and he is holding his own microphone in his hand with a smile on his face. The fans cheer loudly as they’re excited to see the upcoming contract signing, and before long James begins to speak as the fans quiet down.)
James Peters: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the contract signing for the Universal Women’s Championship match at Fighting Spirit!
(This causes loud cheers once more as James continues.)
James Peters: This match became a possibility following ARIA’s statement that she wanted to face the Champion, Dr. Bethany Blue. Dr. Bethany Blue would accept the challenge earlier this week, and tonight we will be making that match official! With that being said, let’s bring out the two Elitists that will be competing in the match!
James Peters: Introducing first is the challenger! She is a former Specialists Champion, winning that title at Road to Redemption and holding it up until Grand Rampage just a few short weeks ago! She is a member of the Ice Aces and has undoubtedly made her impact on EAW. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome ARIA!
(“DESTINY” by Saori Yoshida begins to play on the speakers and the crowd cheers loudly for the woman coming out first, she calmly walks out to the ramp and looks on with a small but proud smile on her face, as she had a business casual look for the contract signing tonight to look professional and just in case things break out into a fight.)
Rich Russillo: And here comes the challenger first, ARIA! Last week she ended up setting out a challenge for the Universal Women’s Champion, Dr. Bethany Blue, and during the week the doctor accepted the challenge, after losing the Specialists Championship it is clear ARIA wants to come back from it big, and going for the Universal Women’s Championship seemed to be her main option to accomplish that!
Persephone: I do not understand something, she gets to act all sad in front of a camera, be a crybaby about losing and then she gets a free title shot?! What has happened to this company?
Rex McAllister: In my opinion, I think ARIA has earned that title shot, after winning the Specialists Championship and promising to defend it against everybody she could, she deserves getting that opportunity to prove herself and see how far she has come.
Persephone: OH MY GAWD, YES REXY! You are totally right, ARIA is very cool and all of that, mhm!
Rich Russillo: …This is going to be the whole night, isn’t it?
(She walked down the ramp high fiving a few people and not wasting any time getting inside of the ring, she quickly moved over to shake hands first with James and then took her spot on one side of the table. Her music died down and Aria looked over for a moment, calmly grabbing one of the microphones and taking a deep breath in and out as she raised her voice up.)
ARIA: People here on the cruise ship, are you all excited?!
(The crowd cheered louder than before as the smile Aria had on her face got a little bit bigger, beginning to speak into the microphone again.)
ARIA: Man, doing that never gets old. I am glad to see you all excited and happy as well, because as for me, I am very excited too but…there is always those little nerves playing down on me again, you know? It happened as well when I first set out that challenge to Dr. Bethany Blue, I was genuinely asking myself if I was starting to become crazy thinking this would be a good idea, because I knew I needed to take a gigantic step in the right direction after I lost the Specialists Championship, and the idea that ended up coming to me first was…you guessed it, fighting for the Universal Women’s Championship, and so, after thinking it over and over, I ended making my mind up and doing the challenge right then and there, and now I stand here in front of a table with a contract for a World Title match, my first ever in this company actually, is it cool? Oh yes, absolutely, I am very much looking forward to doing this but it is normal to feel some nerves when this is your first time doing this kind of thing, I am not going to let those nerves get to me though, after the journey that I went through I have grown to simply use those nerves as fuel to push me forward and don’t look back on what has happened.
ARIA: This is a big match for me, it is a way to send a message on how I have grown and progressed here in EAW through the time that I have been here, about what I learned, about what I accomplished, about the friends and enemies I made along the way, and about what my limit is at this point…and how can I break it, and I think facing a woman like Dr. Bethany Blue will help me be able to test what my true limit is, is my ceiling the Specialists Championship or am I good enough to break that and be able to become the Universal Women’s Champion? I promise to all of you, as I promise every time I go out there in that ring, I will give it my all, I will give it my dang best, because you know what I would have been doing? I would have been drowning on my sorrows, and beating myself over for losing the first championship I have been able to hold in my entire career, being stuck on the same night that I failed what I said I was going to do and never progress, but I am not that kind of woman, I simply got up, gave my congratulations and then continued on to bigger things, to continue the story of that detective girl called Aria, to continue helping everybody here, including myself, and to be able to change the whole world, and just winning the Specialists Championship won’t bring me to reaching that objective, I knew I had to do more and this was my response to that challenge, I will bring everything I got into this, it will be especially hard considering I am up against a very talented woman and someone I respect a lot, but let me tell you, at Fighting Spirit, I am gunning for that championship and I am not accepting any other truth-
(‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ by Van Halen hits, and this also causes loud cheers from the crowd. Dr. Bethany Blue would walk out with her Universal Women’s Championship, and once she reaches the stage, she spends a few seconds just staring directly at her challenger. She doesn’t look too impressed with what she had to hear from her, and after the few seconds she begins walking down the ramp. ARIA looks a bit surprised to be interrupted by the Champion, and quickly James Peters begins to speak.)
James Peters: Ladies and gentlemen… Here is the Champion, who won her title at King of Elite by dethroning Sienna Jade after cashing in her Empress of Elite crown for the opportunity! She has defended the Championship twice already and she is looking at her third challenger right this second. Please welcome the Universal Women’s Champion, Dr. Bethany Blue!
(The reaction grows louder as Dr. Bethany Blue makes it down to ringside.)
Rex McAllister: I have to say, I didn’t expect Dr. Blue to interrupt ARIA like that! It looks like she might have heard something she didn’t like, but from what I know these two haven’t had much animosity towards each other.
Persephone: 😍 I know… It’s so surprising, right Rexy?? 😍
Rich Russillo: I wonder what Bethany’s got to say. We got to hear some of her thoughts earlier in the week, but she must have something on her mind right now.
(Dr. Bethany Blue enters the ring, and she picks up the remaining microphone before taking a seat in her chair. She looks at ARIA for a few more seconds, before finally beginning to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: ARIA… You do know exactly who I am, right?
(This question catches ARIA off guard, and Dr. Bethany Blue continues.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I really don’t think that you do, because if any of your detective work actually told you anything about me you’d know that there is nothing that could get me to lose this Championship. If you knew me you’d know that there’s no reason why you should be sitting here right now. If you knew me at all you’d know that challenging me was flat out stupid, and while I’ve never been the type of Champion to turn down a fight or ignore a challenger, it really would have been in your best interest to look away and focus on something you’d actually have a shot at winning. You’ve seen how hard I’ve worked for this. You’ve seen what it took for me to reach this point, and you know just how much I’ve had to fight for the sake of being your Universal Women’s Champion. For you to walk out here and tell these people that this is some kind of test takes either ignorance or stupidity, because this isn’t a test. You’re not being judged. You’re not being looked at for your ability to defeat me and take this Championship, because that ability doesn’t exist. It never did and for you to suddenly pretend that it does when you know just as well as I do that you have more work to do is questionable. It’s a really questionable decision that you’re gonna have all the time in the world to think about after you lose at Fighting Spirit.
Dr. Bethany Blue: I’m not sure if you think the rest of us forgot, but you were defeated at Grand Rampage. You lost to Milli Banks, and this marked the end of a Specialists Championship reign where you were defeated by various Elitists, one of them being me. How much time did you actually take to think about your future after Grand Rampage? How much thought actually went into your decision to challenge me? It couldn’t have been that much, because you’re not ready for this and you know this just as well as I do. There’s no chance that you walk out of this match with the victory, yet this is still what you asked for. You’re not just fighting an uphill battle. You’re not just facing a challenging opponent. You’re my third successful defense, and you’re not going to be anything more than that. We’ve seen you at your best. I got to see what you’re capable of back when we last faced each other, and it’s not Universal Women’s Championship level. After the reign that you had, the last thing you should be doing is chasing after me and my Championship, because I’m at the top of my game and the only thing you’ll be facing is disappointment.
(There is a staredown between the two as ARIA clearly didn’t entirely expect the hostility from Dr. Bethany Blue. However, at this point she has gotten over the shock, and she’s not happy with what she’s heard from the Champion. After a little while, ARIA begins to speak.)
ARIA: Is that what you think?
Dr. Bethany Blue: More than that, it’s exactly what’s going to happen. You’re going to lose.
(ARIA stood silent for a moment just taking in the words before a small but cheeky grin appeared on her face.)
ARIA: Oh wow, I really thought I ended up saying something bad about you or insulted you in a random week having to see you come out here all angry and fired up, but now I understand, you are just simply getting serious, so alright, let me get serious too. Yes, I have done my research Bethany, I know how hard you have worked to get to that championship and how much it means to you being able to hold that but let me remind you, you aren’t the only person who works hard here, you aren’t the only person who has struggled to reach what she has fought for countless of times, I know what you have been able to do, but in my humble opinion, and how I have said various times myself, I think I am the most determined Elitist in this company, because I have went through my own personal demons, but on top of that I have to suffer loss after loss, failure after failure on top of disasters and heartbreaks. The fact that I have had a 0-100 record and I have been able to come back from that AND become a champion is a miracle of itself, and I have been a woman who can make miracles happen no matter what. I know I had plenty of losses, everyone has suffered them, but everytime I came back from them stronger, wiser and more determined than ever before to make what was right. I always got better no matter what and it wasn’t any different when we first fought. So if you want me to think about my future, then my trajectory is just to keep going up, upping the ante, getting to bigger heights, and I won’t know where I can reach unless I start flying first, and the person I wanted to challenge to show that I can truly reach that “next level” was you, and only you.
(Dr. Bethany Blue just shakes her head, before beginning to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Whose problem is it that you have to suffer these losses, ARIA? Whose fault is it that you keep facing these setbacks? It’s not like you’ve always been screwed over or held back by certain circumstances. You’re just not good enough. You make mistakes that I wouldn’t. You’re outwrestled by people I either already have or absolutely would defeat. You’ve already proven even before we actually faced each other that you weren’t the type of Elitist that was capable of defeating me. You never were and you definitely aren’t now, so all you’re doing by challenging me is setting yourself up for a loss that we all knew was coming your way. I won’t be losing my title to you of all people, so you can just get that thought out of your head. I haven’t faced all of the failures you have this season because I’m past that point. I’m at a stage in my career where I can compete against the level of competition you’re used to facing and come out on top every single time. This isn’t a joke, or a game. When this Championship is on the line I do whatever it takes to leave the ring with it in my hands. If my last two challengers couldn’t cut this reign short, I don’t see why you think you’ll surprise me.
ARIA: You’re underestimating me. I understand that your first World Championship is on the line here, but you really don’t want to overlook my abilities heading into a match like this.
Dr. Bethany Blue: Overlooking? Is that really what I’m doing to you? The way I see it, all I’ve done is tell you exactly who you are and who you’re up against. All I’ve done is tell you that you’re in an unwinnable situation, and putting yourself in a match like this isn’t going to do you as many favors as you think it will. I’m not here to be a stepping stone, and I’m not-
ARIA: No, you know what? It is funny that you say that when you are treating me here as I am just a stepping stone, stop trying to bring down what I have been able to do myself. Stop trying to undervalue the accomplishments that I have been able to make here when I have proven I am more than capable. I am more than the normal wrestler who arrives here and thinks they can be gifted the world. I have put effort into my research, into my training, into actually being the best women’s wrestler I could ever be, and you think I am not worth it just by some losses? YOU have failed yourself and had to be forced to eat the ground several times yourself, you came back from those but for some reason, I can’t do that? Even though I have proved several times I am the best at that kind of thing? I have proven I am good enough to hold titles, heck, even a title YOU held yourself. You have made the mistakes that I did in the past. And don’t even start saying I get “outwrestled” when in every match I ever had I either won by scratching and clawing or I went down swinging, and even though that is what happened when we first faced, when I say that “won’t happen the second time”, it isn’t just a cute little retort, it is a straight up fact because everyone knows that when I get up and go again I end up succeeding with flying colors.
Dr. Bethany Blue: This isn’t one of those situations ARIA, and you should really stop thinking that it is. I’m not Sierra Everett, who you shouldn’t have lost to in the first place. I am the Universal Women’s Champion, and you need to realize just what that means before we enter the ring at Fighting Spirit.
ARIA: It is clear this route you are going to is making you underestimate everything about me, and even I know that the doctor I know would find that kind of option as incredibly stupid, you are just going to end up losing the title to me that way. The never’s and what if’s don’t work next to my name, and me being able to come back from that loss and holding the title that you have on your shoulders…is just a matter of when. So either way, we are going to end up going in circles here, let’s sign the contract and let’s get this over with.
(ARIA picks up one of the pens and signs the contract before putting it down, and getting out of her seat. The two Elitists stare each other for a few seconds, before finally Dr. Bethany Blue signs the contract, causing loud cheers as they see the match is official. Dr. Bethany Blue gets back to her feet, putting her Universal Women’s Championship on her shoulder, and the staredown continues between the two.)
James Peters: Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes the contract signing between Dr. Bethany Blue and ARIA for Fighting Spirit’s Universal Women’s Championship match! It’s clear that these two are both very passionate about both that Championship and about the match that’s ahead of them! In just one week we’ll see whether Dr. Bethany Blue is able to retain her Championship, or if ARIA is able to defeat her and become the Universal Women’s Champion for the first time in her career!
(The camera shows a close up of the staredown between ARIA and Dr. Bethany Blue. This shot is the last image shown as Voltage fades away from ringside and into a commercial break.)
Promotional ad for Fighting Spirit, where Dr. Bethany Blue defends the Universal Women’s Championship against ARIA.)
(Voltage returns to ringside.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SET FOR ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(‘Mo Money’ by Ben McLusky plays as the crowd immediately rains down boos on Ronan Malosi as he soaks in the negative reaction. He has a smirk on his face as he is confident in his chances tonight, and he walks down the ramp while bad mouthing the fans on his way to the ring. Before long, his personal announcer Amaya begins to speak.)
Amaya: INTRODUCING FIRST…FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA….WEIGHING IN AT 267 POUNDS.. HE HAS MORE MONEY THAN YOU…ROONNNAAANNNNN MAAALOOOSSSIIIIIII!!!!!
James Peters: You would think he has a lot of eyes at the back of his head with everything that has happened to him from Mercer putting him through a desk to the #DisneyBesties vowing to put an end to him.
Rich Russillo: Also remember if that “injury” he was going on about last week comes into play.
Rex McAllister: I definitely don’t believe that bit, that’s for sure. Ronan did get into a bit of a brawl last week, but I doubt he’ll still be feeling the effects of it now.
Persephone: See, you actually know what you’re talking about! That’s why you’re my favorite commentator ♥️.
(“Physical” by Shershen & Saristkaya plays as the crowd gives a negative reaction to Madison Hansen who shows no attention to it, basking in the spotlight scanning the arena on her way to the ring. She looks at Ronan Malosi for a second, but ultimately doesn’t pay too much attention to him as she makes her way down the ramp, showing her confidence heading into this match.)
Bella Braxton: AND HIS OPPONENT…FROM ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA…WEIGHING IN AT 152 POUNDS…SHE IS “THE ULTRA STAR”….MADDDISSOOONNNN HAANNNSEEEENNNNN!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Here comes a woman who is new to the brand and in my opinion has such a bright future. She picked up a huge victory last week and we’ll see if she can do it again tonight.
Rex McAllister: Agreed, lots of charisma and talent, I think she can go far.
Persephone: I AGREE WITH REX! WE STAN MADISON HANSEN!!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
James Peters: And this match is underway! Ronan is pretty much making a mockery of this while stepping up to Madison in the center of the ring….AND MADISON POPS RONAN RIGHT IN THE MOUTH! Ronan falls back into the corner and Madison runs to the opposite corner and runs at Ronan….BUT RONAN STEPS OUT FROM THE CORNER AND TAKES MADISON DOWN WITH A BIG BOOT TO THE FACE!! Ronan now takes this time to recuperate before checking his lip for blood.
Rex McAllister: Not too sure Ronan is the type of competitor who can overlook anybody.
Persephone: YEAH!! That’s such a great observation Rexy!
Rex McAllister: It’s just common sense.
Rich Russillo: And Ronan goes on the attack by now stomping the lights out of Madison before dropping down and putting her in a headlock! Ronan is applying as much pressure as he can as Madison is trying to get up to a vertical base. She gets to a knee and drives her elbow into his midsection before running and tossing him to the ropes,but Ronan takes her down with a shoulder tackle!! Ronan then runs off the ropes… But Madison pops up and delivers an arm drag! That caught Ronan out of nowhere as he stands in the corner and Madison charges at him again… AND THIS TIME CONNECTS AS SHE HITS A RUNNING SPLASH IN THE CORNER BEFORE FOLLOWING IT UP WITH A RUNNING BULLDOG!! Madison quickly goes for the pin!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!
Rex McAllister: And the kickout from Ronan! Man, Madison has come out swinging in the early goings and Ronan looks a little rattled as she quickly picks him up and goes for a DDT, BUT RONAN SPINS OUT OF IT BEFORE PUSHING MADISON AWAY AND THEN DELIVERING A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE THAT ALMOST TURNS HER INSIDE OUT!!
Persephone: (under her breath) I wish you’d turn me inside out.
James Peters: :skip: Ronan again stands up and stomps on the body of Madison again before picking her up by the head and places her between the legs… AND PICKS HER UP IN A POWERBOMB POSITION… BUT MADISON IS FIGHTING BACK WITH SHOTS TO THE TOP OF THE HEAD, BUT RONAN GOES AHEAD AND LAUNCHES HER INTO THE CORNER CONNECTING WITH A BUCKLE BOMB!! Madison steps out from the corner… AND RONAN PLANTS HER WITH SPINNING URANAGE SLAM BEFORE DROPPING DOWN GOING FOR THE COVER!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
Rich Russillo: And Madison survives! AND Ronan immediately mounts over the top of Madison and rains down several forearm shots to the face as Madison is trying her best to cover up but is having little to no luck, and now Ronan picks Madison up and picks her up in a bear hug! Madison is trying her best to fight out of it but Ronan begins to swing her back and forth ragdolling her and she might be in some serious trouble here as Ronan is squeezing the life out of her.
James Peters: But Madison is still fighting to the best of her abilities as she begins to throw elbow shots to the face of Ronan….And Ronan drops her as she immediately chops Ronan down with a chop block to his front kneecap! Madison immediately follows that up and delivers a DDT spiking Ronan’s head into the mat! Madison takes this time to regain her composure and catch her breath a little bit after being in the bear hug for so long. Madison sees Ronan stirring back to his feet and she runs and springboards off the second rope – AND DELIVERS A SPRINGBOARD ENZIGURI KICK TO THE SIDE OF RONAN’S HEAD AND RONAN IS RATTLED BEFORE FALLING DOWN TO THE MAT! AND OH NO…MADISON DELIVERS A STANDING MOONSAULT ON TOP OF RONAN BEFORE GOING FOR THE COVER!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
Rex McAllister: Ronan kicks out! And now Ronan, to nobody’s surprise is trying to scatter away to the outside, but Madison isn’t letting it happen grabbing him by the feet and dragging him back, but Ronan is holding on to that bottom rope for dear life. AND THEN RONAN GRABS AHOLD OF HER ARM AND PULLS HER BACK AS SHE GOES SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE SECOND TURNBUCKLE!! Ronan rolls away from Madison and stirs back to his feet checking his face for blood before refocusing on Madison in the corner – AND RONAN RUNS AND DELIVERS A SPLASH IN THE CORNER – AND FOLLOWS IT UP TOSSING HER TO THE CENTER OF THE RING! Ronan is in control and that horrible grin crosses his face.
(Ronan poses to a chorus of boos from the crowd.)
Persephone: Nice to know that you also hate baldy’s smile. Could you literally be any more perfect?! 😍
James Peters: The man is married.
Persephone: So?
Rich Russillo: ANYWAY!! Ronan approaches Madison in the corner – AND MADISON SWITCHES PLACES WITH RONAN PLACING HIM IN THE CORNER AND SHE BEGINS THROWING SEVERAL BODY SHOTS TO THE RIBS BUT NOT FOR LONG AS RONAN PUSHES HER BACK AND CHARGES AT HER…AND HE RUNS RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK FROM MADISON! Ronan still hasn’t learned the lesson to not let up on your opponent no matter what as I believe that time he spent taunting gave Madison the time she needed to regroup as Madison now looks to be the one in control.
James Peters: Madison unlike Ronan wastes no time is getting Ronan back up to his feet by the head and places him between the legs…AND SHE MIGHT BE GOING FOR A PILEDRIVER – BUT SHE CAN’T LIFT RONAN ALL THE WAY AND RONAN COUNTERS DELIVERING A BACK BODY DROP! Ronan looks like he avoided disaster there as he walks towards Madison and pulls her in for “Death-Ro!!” BUT MADISON LANDED ON HER FEET SOMEHOW AND THAT CAUGHT RONAN A BIT OFF GUARD AND MADISON DELIVERS A STIFF ELBOW STRIKE RIGHT TO THE FACE THAT DROPS HIM DOWN TO A KNEE! AND MADISON FOLLOWS IT UP WITH “MEET THE HEELS!” THE DISCUS BIG BOOT DROPS RONAN DOWN AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE WIN!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!
Persephone: Ronan kicks out and Madison nearly pulled off the upset.
Rex McAllister: To be honest I wouldn’t really call it an upset. After all, Madison has already shown a great amount of talent.
Persephone: OMG YOU’RE TOTALLY RIGHT, THAT’S WHAT I MEANT TO SAY!!! IT’S NEVER A SHOCK TO BEAT BALDY!
Rich Russillo: Madison now looks to stay on the attack by repeatedly stomping the chest of Ronan before looking up top and she makes her way over to the corner and begins her climb up to the top turnbuckle – AND MADISON GOES FOR A MOONSAULT OFF THE TOP ROPE!! BUT NOBODY HOME AS RONAN MOVED OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SPLIT SECOND!! Ronan pulls himself up using the ropes and Ronan looks to strike as he sees Madison in a vulnerable spot and he approaches her…AND PULLS HER IN AND CONNECTS WITH “VERTIGO”!!! THE SPINNING SLAM CONNECTS AS RONAN FOLLOWS IT UP WITH THE COVER!! IS THIS GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO PUT MADISON AWAY?
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
Rex McAllister: MADISON SURVIVES AS SHE GETS THE SHOULDER UP! Ronan isn’t too happy pounding the mat in some frustration repeatedly asking the referee if it was only a two count. Again if I were him I wouldn’t take my attention off Madison.
Persephone: YEAH!! Me and you just think alike.
James Peters: Ronan looks to finally go back on the attack and he is pretty much begging for Madison to stand up as she is slowly stirring back to her feet…AND RONAN TRIES PULLING HER IN AGAIN – A HIGH KNEE STRIKE ACROSS THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE FROM MADISON!! MADISON NOW FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX! Madison has regained the upper hand as the momentum has completely shifted in her favor and she looks to take advantage…AND SHE DROPS DOWN AND PUTS THE LEGS BETWEEN RONAN’S HEAD AND SHE LOCKS IN “MONEY TALKS!!!” THE CODE OF SILENCE SUBMISSION IS LOCKED IN AND RONAN HAS NOWHERE TO GO AND MIGHT BE IN SOME SERIOUS TROUBLE!!
Rich Russillo: RONAN IS TRYING HIS BEST TO FIND A WAY OUT OF THIS, BUT MADISON IS RELENTLESS PUTTING EVERYTHING SHE HAS TRYING TO MAKE RONAN TAP, BUT IS HE? Ronan still is trying everything to get out, AND HE BEGINS CRAWLING HIS WAY OVER TO THE ROPES AND GOES GETTING CLOSER AND HE REACHES OUT – AND HE GRABS THE BOTTOM ROPE FORCING THE BREAK!! Madison uses the full five count to her advantage before letting go and drags Ronan back to the center of the ring….AND SHE TRIES TO LOCK IN “MONEY TALKS” AGAIN –
James Peters: BUT RONAN HOLDS HIS HEAD DOWN AND AND REFUSES IT TO HAPPEN! AND RONAN GRABS THE ROPE AND PULLS HIMSELF TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE RING! AND MADISON RIGHT AWAY RUNS AND TAKES RONAN OUT WITH A SUICIDE DIVE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE RING!! Madison right away throws him back inside before hopping up on the apron – AND SHE GOES FOR A SLINGSHOT SPEAR BUT RONAN CATCHES HER WITH A KICK IN MID AIR!! MADISON STUMBLES BACK UP AND TURNS AROUND AND WALKS RIGHT INTO RONAN’S “DREAM CRUSHER” RIGHT HOOK SHOT!! RONAN QUICKLY DROPS DOWN AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE VICTORY!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
Rex McAllister: AND MADISON KICKS OUT!! Ronan is in absolute disbelief.
Persephone: :mjlol:!!! Right Rexy?!
Rich Russillo: She kicked out and Ronan wonders what next he has to do in order to put the newcomer Madison away. Ronan now slowly looks down on Madison and picks her up from the front, but Madison continues to fight as she delivers several shots to the ribs… AND THEN DELIVERS AN UPPERCUT THAT DRIVES RONAN BACK A FEW FEET… AND THEN MADISON DELIVERS “MEET THE HEELS” AGAIN FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!!! THE DISCUS BOOT AGAIN TO RONAN, BUT CAN MADISON CAPITALIZE?!
James Peters: Madison is slowly trying to crawl over to Ronan but Ronan is using his ring awareness and rolls under the bottom rope as Madison tried getting to him to make the cover. Madison tries to pry Ronan away from the ropes – BUT RONAN DELIVERS A UPPERCUT TO THE THROAT THAT DRIVES MADISON BACK INTO THE CORNER!! Ronan now sits her up on the top rope, and MAdison tries fighting back as he joins her on the top…AND NOW BOTH OF THEM ARE BATTLING FOR CONTROL ON THAT TOP ROPE…AND OH MY GOD!!! MADISON DELIVERS A SUNSET FLIP BOMB FROM THE TOP ROPE AS RONAN LANDS HARD ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD! MADISON THEN FOLLOWS IT UP BY STACKING RONAN UP FOR THE COVER!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!
Rex McAllister: OH DID SHE GET HIM?!
James Peters: The referee says no as Ronan kicked out just in the nick of time! Madison now feels this is her best chance to put Ronan away as she is stalking Ronan before turning him around placing him between the legs and hooks both of his arms going for what she calls “The Runway”!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT RONAN SPINS OUT OF IT AND PULLS HER IN FOR “DEATH-RO” ONCE MORE… BUT AGAIN MADISON COUNTERS BY LANDING ON HER FEET BEFORE DRIVING RONAN CHEST FIRST INTO THE CORNER BEFORE ROLLING HIM UP!! BUT RONAN HELD ON TO THE TURNBUCKLE AS MADISON ROLLS BACK UP TO HER FEET… AND RONAN RUNS AND TAKES HER DOWN WITH A BIG BOOT OF HIS OWN!! Ronan stumbles back into the corner in exhaustion and he looks like he now wants to put an end to this match as he stalks Madison who is stirring back to get to her feet – AND GRABS HER BY THE THROAT AND PICKS HER UP FOR A CHOKESLAM!!
James Peters: BUT MADISON COUNTERS AGAIN BY LANDING ON HER FEET AND SHE DRILLS RONAN IN THE BACK OF HIS HEAD WITH A FOREARM! AND THEN MADISON RUNS OFF THE ROPES… AND RUNS RIGHT INTO ANOTHER “DREAM CRUSHER” RIGHT HOOK FROM RONAN!! Ronan can feel victory is within reach as he now quickly picks Madison up off the mat…AND HE PULLS HER IN AND GOES FOR “DEATH-RO” FOR THE THIRD TIME – AND IT FINALLY CONNECTS!! THE “DEATH-RO” PLANTS MADISON FACE FIRST ON THE MAT AND RONAN TURNS HER OVER AND MAKES THE COVER!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
Rich Russillo: WAIT, RONAN GETS HIS FEET ON THE ROPES!!!! RONAN IS CHEATING!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
(‘Mo Money’ by Ben McLusky plays as Ronan Malosi quickly rolls out of the ring with a cocky smile on his face. The fans quickly begin booing as loud as possible, but Ronan doesn’t care. He raises his arms, soaking in on the boos from the crowd as Madison is still down and out.)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER…. ROONNNNAANNNNN MAALLLOOSSIIIIIIII!!!!
James Peters: Oh come on, not like that!
Rich Russillo: It was an impressive win for Ronan with an impressive showing from Madison. Unfortunately, Ronan went and used the ropes for leverage, not even giving us the chance to see if Madison could have survived the Death-Ro!
Rex McAllister: That’s Ronan, for you. He finds a way to win, and usually “a way” means resorting to dirty tactics.
Persephone: You said it best. :wow:
James Peters: Ronan picks up some momentum here tonight with the win, but that’s the kind of win only Ronan could take pride in.
(The final shot is of Ronan celebrating his win up on the ramp as Madison looks on, disappointed from ringside. From there, Voltage fades away from ringside.)
(Promotional ad for Fighting Spirit, where the Ultimate Opportunity ladder match will take place.)
(Voltage faded into backstage where Sofia Clarke was standing there with a smile on her face.)
Sofia Clarke: Hello ladies and gentlemen, as always I am Sofia Clarke and I hope all of you are enjoying the show so far. Tonight I will bring to you another interview with someone you could say hasn’t been afraid of making a great first impression here in EAW. She has made a big splash when it comes to the modeling industry and the contributions she has made there, so she has set her objectives to conquer the wrestling industry as well and she has selected EAW as her place to show who she is. Please welcome my guest at this time, Madison Hansen!
(As the camera panned over to the side, it quickly showed Madison taking a few steps forward and standing next to Sofia with confidence. She was still in her ring gear from her match just moments ago but she had time to put on a fur coat and sunglasses to look decent for the interview. She let out a small grin and didn’t waste any time speaking up.)
Madison Hansen: Yes, camera man, focus on my face, a little bit more…don’t get too close to me and touch the fur coat, it costs a lot more than the camera you are holding…and yes, there we go, perfect! Oh, Sofi, honey, can I call you Sofi?
Sofia Clarke: Well uh…I usually don’t get called that, but if you want to, you can Miss Hansen.
Madison Hansen: Oh, don’t worry, you can call me Maddi with an ‘I’, you have that privilege over undeserving people because that intro you just did for me! It was really good, fabulous even! They should give you a raise for the research that you do.
Sofia Clarke: Oh wow, t-thank you!
(Sofia was a bit taken aback by the sudden compliment but she quickly focused and spoke up once again.)
Sofia Clarke: Right then…Maddi, as I said before you have focused your attention here in EAW to make sure your wrestling career prospered, and I want to ask, what do you think of your run this far in the company? And what do you plan to do as well in the future?
Madison Hansen: Well considering Ronan Malosi just had to resort to cheap tactics in order to beat me, I think I’m going to be just fine here. That being said,
I left my mark in the modeling industry through all of the years that I was there. It was an amazing time just simply focusing on fashion and all of the runways, making all of that sweet, sweet money, best life you could ever have of course! But there are sometimes where you are going to get bored doing the same thing over and over again. You have to put some spice into your life every now and then, and I am not talking only in the bedroom if you know what I mean. So you know what? I got into wrestling! I have always had an interest in it due to the strong and determined women participating in it and obviously, the fashionable outfits, so I was immediately hooked in and I put myself into work, and started wrestling like my life depended on it, and would you look at that? I am now standing beside you, having left a great impact on the modeling industry and then soon, the wrestling industry as well. So far as it seems, you could say I am enjoying my run here a lot and we are simply getting started. Imagine where I would be in just one year?
(There’s a hint of arrogance in Madison’s voice and it’s clear that she’s not at all bothered by what happened in her match against Ronan.)
Madison Hansen: Now come on Sofi, do you really think it is necessary to ask me that last question? What do I plan to do in the future? Well, isn’t it obvious? I plan to get filthy rich AND win some championships, and if the EAW Universe actually put some insight into who I am just like Sofi has, it is clear to see that I am bound to be a champion sooner rather than later, because a star like me hasn’t been seen before in this company. I made myself a star in one industry and now I’m doing a fantastic job transitioning into something as physically demanding as wrestling. And I’m going to succeed in this business. Mark my words, guys! I am like nothing you have seen before and I was able to mostly prove that last week, and why do I say mostly? I mean…did you look at who my opponent was? Korey Gaines could face a non-living vending machine and the vending machine would win but considering he has been wrestling a long time and he has had the…experience, there is something to be admired about me coming in with not much of that experience and beating him straight as a whistle. Isn’t that just impressive, Sofi? That just tells me that my future is bright and the spotlights on the stage will be in full power, no dim lights for me, no, no! I am going to be rising up the ranks faster than anyone could expect, and there is nothing that anyone will be able to do to stop me as I become the woman everyone wants on all of the posters and graphics around here. Are you good with that response, Sofi?
Sofia Clarke: Wow, uhm…yes, yes, thank you very much Maddi for the response and you being able to show up to the interview.
Madison Hansen: Oh, don’t worry about it, the pleasure is all mine, ho-
???: Well, well, well, fancy meeting you here, “Maddy”.
(At that moment Madison’s eyes rolled so hard to the back of her head that they were gone for a few seconds as none other than Korey Gaines showed up to interrupt her interview. He quickly entered into the shot with a less than pleasant expression on his face and when Madison saw that, she thought of putting salt on the wound, as she let out an exaggerated gasp and she quickly pulled Sofia away to the side.)
Madison Hansen: SOFI! Be careful of that man, you could catch his infinite virginity and NEVER be able to be together with another man again!
Sofia Clarke: I…don’t think that is how it happens?
Madison Hansen: Yes, I know, but you can’t be too sure about it!
Korey Gaines: Oh, you really think this is funny, huh? Taking me as a joke will end up being your downfall Maddy-
Madison Hanson: How many times do I have to tell you to not call me that?!
Korey Gaines: If you are not going to give me respect I might as well not give anything back then, so as I was saying, that gigantic ego of yours will end up being your downfall, you think that what happened last week will end up happening again? It won’t at all, even though I have taken loss after loss, those losses just end up firing me up and continue to make me fight there in that ring! You can mock me all you want, but I am never an easy fight, and last week I gave you quite a tough battle, so maybe when we end up facing again in another match, you won’t be so lucky and you won’t be so arrogant about saying those things about me, because next time I will be ready, and if you aren’t careful you might not even get the chance to really become a star.
(Madison really wanted to facepalm at this moment, and so, she ended up doing it. She let out an annoyed groan and looked towards Gaines.)
Madison Hansen: You know what, Gaines? You just made me remember someone else I know. Let me tell you a story. There was this young and seemingly promising new model who luckily ended up landing in on the same show as I had that day. She was all happy and joyous about meeting me, she said that she wanted to be a star like me and finally be able to reach her dreams after the countless number of bad things that happened to her in her life. She was mocked by almost everyone that knew her and she truly believed being on this show would be her break-out moment. And you know what she ended up doing? Tripping, falling off the runway and taking out three people with her. You see where I am getting at, Korey? It is ok, you don’t need to get angry about stuff like that, sometimes you just suck at things, and you suck at being a star and that is ok. Just leave it to other people to do that. I mean, cool, nice speech? I beat you. I have nothing else to prove to you, but if you ever want to get embarrassed again, I truly have no problem with that. I wouldn’t really be surprised if you have a thing for that-
Korey Gaines: Jesus, we get the jokes already! But alright, whatever, I won’t back down so easily and be intimidated by your words like that. Whenever we face again, I assure you, I am not the one who will be looking up to the lights!
(Korey then turned around and slowly walked away as Madison crossed her arms again and turned to Sofia Clarke.)
Madison Hansen: Does he always have to be that annoying?
Sofia Clarke: Well I-
Madison Hansen: No, don’t worry Sofi, no need to respond. I know you agree with me. But as for where I left off, I will now leave and enjoy a well-deserved drink, tootles!
(Madison then went the other way and walked away as well. Sofia simply stood there feeling…more confused than normal when ending these interviews, and on that note, Voltage faded away from backstage and into a promotional ad for Fighting Spirit!)
(Promotional ad for Fighting Spirit, where Myles defends the EAW World Championship against Drake King.)
(Voltage returns to the stage, and after a little while, “What’s Up Danger” by Blackway & Black Caviar plays as Korey Gaines walks out to a mixed reaction from the crowd. He pays no attention to it as he quickly makes his way down the ramp, clearly confident in his chances tonight as he has a smirk on his face.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SET FOR ONE FALL!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST….FROM OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA…WEIGHING IN AT 170 POUNDS. .”THE EXTREME”… KOORREEEYYY GAAIINNNEESSS!!!!
James Peters: It’s been a little bit of a rocky road for Korey lately, but we all know all it takes is only one match to turn it all around and Korey can take that first step here tonight.
Rich Russillo: That’s right, but will this be the one for him? He is facing another newcomer, and last week shows that facing newcomers could open the door for you to be surprised.
Rex McAllister: That’s true, but you could make the argument for both Elitists tonight, as Korey of course has the experience advantage.
(‘The Rapture (but it’s pink)’ by Scene Queen & Mothica) plays as the crowd gives a mostly negative reaction to Rory Slate. She looks around the arena ignoring the reaction and heads straight to the ring with her eyes focused on Korey. Rory also looks confident, taking her time on her way down to the ring as she isn’t in a rush to face Korey Gaines.)
Bella Braxton: AND HIS OPPONENT…FROM CHICAGO, ILLINOIS…WEIGHING IN AT 131 POUNDS…SHE IS “THE DARK SAINT”….RORRYYYYY SLLLAATTTEEEEE!!!!!
James Peters: Somebody who we’ve seen only a little bit from, but can tell she can be one of the best one day and I can’t wait to see what else this young woman is capable of here tonight.
Rich Russillo: She came up short in her last match, and time will tell whether she can rectify that loss tonight.
Rex McAllister: I can’t wait, this should definitely be a good one.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rex McAllister: And we’re off with this one and this should be interesting.
Persephone: YES IT MOST DEFINITELY SHALL!! 😍 I just absolutely love and adore wrestling!
Rich Russillo: :usure:
James Peters: But anyways, Korey and Rory both circle the ring waiting for the other to make the first move before they finally lock up in the center of the ring. Korey gets Rory in a side headlock and drops down to a knee, but Rory quickly gets back up and pushes Korey to the ropes and oh my, Rory just leapfrogged over him as Korey runs off the opposite ropes… AND RORY TAKES KOREY DOWN WITH A HIP TOSS!! Rory then delivers a spin kick to the midsection that drives Korey back into the ropes!
Rich Russillo: AND RORY RUNS AND DELIVERS A LEAPING FOREARM IN THE CORNER! Rory runs to the opposite corner and charges at him full speed… BUT NOBODY HOME AS KOREY SIDESTEPPED IT! Korey then runs off the ropes with a full head of steam and takes down Rory with a leaping double leg lariat! Rory then rolls out of the ring right next to her… AND KOREY IS RIGHT ON HER TAIL AS HE DELIVERS A TOPE CON HILO OVER THE TOP ROPE!! Korey feels all the momentum is on his side as he tosses Rory back inside the ring as he climbs up to the apron to the top turnbuckle… AND HE LEAPS OFF AND DELIVERS A FROG SPLASH ON TOP OF RORY BEFORE HOOKING THE LEG!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
Rex McAllister: Rory kicks out of it! And Korey wastes no time in trying to go back on the attack as he picks her up and goes for a suplex, but Rory blocks it with her foot before going for one of her own but Korey drops back down to the floor and delivers a snap suplex! Korey again looks to be in control here as he then grabs Rory by the arm and pulls her in for a ripcord knee strike… BUT RORY CAUGHT THE LEG AND TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A DRAGON SCREW! A nice counter there from the young woman.
Persephone: You’re so insightful because you’re so right, that was SUCH an amazing counter. Is there anything you can’t do Rexy? 🥰
James Peters: Korey limps back to his feet a bit before Rory is waiting for him as he hits several kicks to the lower body and backhanded elbow strikes to the face… AND UH OH! RORY PLANTS KOREY FACE FIRST WITH A REVERSE STO!! Korey might be in some trouble here as he scoots over to the corner as Rory charges to the corner before balancing herself… BEFORE DROPPING HERSELF DOWN DRIVING BOTH FEET INTO THE HEART OF KOREY!! What a move from Rory there as she drags Korey away from the ropes and she climbs up to the top turnbuckle now… AND NOW SHE HITS A FROG SPLASH OF HER OWN! AND NOW HERE’S THE COVER ON KOREY!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
Rich Russillo: Korey kicks out and Rory isn’t wasting any time in picking him back up – BUT KOREY DELIVERS AN ENZIGURI KICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD THAT DROPS RORY DOWN TO A KNEE! Korey stumbles back up as he runs off the ropes…AND DELIVERS A FRANKENSTEIN DDT SPIKING RORY’S HEAD INTO THE MAT! Korey looks to have the momentum once more as he sits up in the corner and awaits for Rory to stand up and turn around to face him.
Rex McAllister: Kick to the midsection from Korey.. BUT RORY TWIRLS OUT OF AND THEN JUMPS ON THE BACK OF KOREY AND HAS HER “CHICAGO ANYWHERE” SLEEPER HOLD ON HIM! RORY PUTTING AS MUCH PRESSURE AS SHE CAN HERE AS KOREY SEEMS TO BE FADING OUT A LITTLE BIT! Korey though is trying to fight out of it to the best of his abilities as he stands up to a vertical base… AND HE RAMS RORY BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER CAUSING HER TO LET GO! BUT NOT FOR LONG AS SHE TRIES GOING FOR IT AGAIN, BUT KOREY FLIPS HER FORWARD ON HER BACK BEFORE JUMPING UP AND DRIVING BOTH FOOT INTO THE HEART OF RORY WITH A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP! Rory with quite an impressive showing here tonight!
Persephone: Everybody has to show out when you’re around!!
Rich Russillo: Rory looks like she’s heading up to the top rope once more, but Korey rolls away which causes her to hop down. She measures Korey up as he stands up in the corner… AND HERE SHE COMES WITH A FULL HEAD OF STEAM – BUT KOREY STOPS HER IN HER TRACKS GETTING HIS FEET UP! And now what’s this? Korey gets his feet in-between her head and connects with a hurricanrana from the corner! Korey looks to have the momentum going in his favor as Rory quickly stands and turns to face him…AND KOREY DELIVERS SEVERAL KICKS TO THE LOWER BODY BEFORE…”SUPERKICK PARTY!!!” A SUPERKICK RIGHT TO THE FACE AS KOREY FALLS DOWN ON RORY FOR THE WIN!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
THREE-
James Peters: AND RORY KICKS OUT! I THINK KOREY WAS EXPECTING IT AS HE IMMEDIATELY TRANSITIONS INTO A TRIANGLE CHOKE! RORY IS IN A PANIC ON WHAT TO DO AS KOREY MIGHT HAVE HER DEAD TO RIGHTS! Rory though isn’t giving up as she’s trying to inch her way over to the ropes but Korey isn’t making it easy squeezing the air out of her. Rory reaches out and she’s almost there….AND RORY GETS HER FOOT ON THE ROPE AS KOREY IS FORCED TO BREAK THE HOLD!!
Rich Russillo: Great heart shown there from Rory but you just have to wonder how much she’s got left after all she went through. AND Korey realizes that as he quickly pulls her by the feet back to the middle of the ring….BUT RORY PUSHES HIM WITH HER FEET INTO THE CORNER WHICH BUYS HER TIME TO GET TO A KNEE BEFORE KOREY CHARGES AT HER – AND RORY TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A JUMPING HURRICANRANA!! Rory and Korey both race up to their feet and then turn to face one another in the middle of the ring…AND RORY PULLS HIM IN AND PLACES HIM BETWEEN THE LEGS AND HOOKS THE ARMS – SHE CONNECTS WITH “PROTECT YA NECK!!!” THE ARM TRAPPED PILEDRIVER CONNECTS AS RORY TURNS HIM OVER AND GOES FOR THE COVER!!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!!
Rex McAllister: KOREY SURVIVES AND KICKS OUT OF IT! Some frustration boils over on the face of Rory who looks to regroup and thinks of what to do next in order to put Korey away. Rory then picks him up but Korey begins to fight back with shots to the ribs…AND THEN HE DELIVERS A STEP UP KNEE ACROSS THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE…BEFORE RUNNING AND SPIKING RORY’S HEAD INTO THE MAT WITH A TORNADO DDT! Both of them are down now before Korey scoots over to the corner and pulls himself up.
James Peters: Korey looks to perhaps put the finishing touches on this one as Rory stands up, AND KOREY GOES FOR A SUPERKICK! BUT RORY CAUGHT HIS LEG…AND THEN FLIPS HIM BACKWARDS, BUT KOREY LANDS ON HIS FEET! That caught Rory off guard as Korey then connects with a superkick to the face! Rory falls back and bounces off the ropes into Korey’s hands…AND KOREY DRILLS HER WITH A SECOND ONE! Rory might be completely out as Korey makes his way over to the corner and begins ascending up to the top turnbuckle. KOREY BALANCES HIMSELF AND THEN LEAPS OFF GOING FOR HIS “OKIE DOKIE” 450 SPLASH!!!!”
RIch Russillo: BUT RORY GOT HER KNEES UP JUST IN TIME!!! AND UH OH RORY FOLLOWS IT BY TRANSITIONING INTO AN INSIDE CRADLE!!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!
Rex McAllister: WHOA DID SHE GET HIM?! Apparently not as we’re all in shock thinking Rory was about to pull this one out.
Persephone: Yes, we are all in absolute shock!! 😱😱
Rich Russillo: Both are racing back to their feet now and Rory goes for a clothesline but Korey ducks it before running and springboarding off the second rope – AND RORY CATCHES HIM IN MID AIR WITH A KNEE STRIKE!! AND NOW RORY…RORY RUNS UP BEHIND HIM AND LOCKS IN THE “CHICAGO HANGOVER” ONCE MORE! SHE HAS HER SLEEPER HOLD LOCKED IN AGAIN AND KOREY IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE RIGHT NOW…AND KOREY LOOKS TO BE FADING OUT! BUT LOOK…KOREY LOOKS TO HAVE A SECOND WIND AS HE GETS TO A VERTICAL BASE AS HE DROPS DOWN AS RORY ROLLS THROUGH BACK TO HER FEET….AND KOREY TAKES RORY DOWN WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE HEAD! Both of them are down now and it’s a race to see who gets to their feet first.
James Peters: And both of them are stirring and they turn around to face each other, and a right hand to the face from Korey! And then a forearm shot from Rory, both of them going back and forth exchanging shots with one another, who’s gonna get the upper hand on the other? And now Korey pushes Rory away before she charges right back at him…BUT KOREY COUNTERS WITH A FLAPJACK AS RORY LANDS FACE FIRST ON THE TURNBUCKLE IN THE CORNER! Korey smells blood in the water here as he stalls Rory from behind…AND KOREY RUNS AND SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE – AND HE CONNECTS WITH THE “OKIE CUTTER”!!!! THE OKIE CUTTER PLANTS RORY FACE FIRST AS KOREY TURNS HER OVER AND GOES FOR THE COVER, THIS HAS GOTTA BE IT!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEE!!!
Rex McAllister: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Rory kicks out and she continues to fight and this match rolls on!
Persephone: FIGHT FOREVER…unless you don’t want that, Rex!
Rex McAllister: It’s fine by me because they’re both showing off so well great athleticism and heart…AND UH OH KOREY LOOKS TO GO FOR AN ARMBAR BUT RORY IS DOING HER BEST TO PREVENT IT BY LOCKINGBHER FINGERS TOGETHER! Korey is trying to pry the arm away but is not having any luck….AND RORY FLIPS THE PRESSURE AS SHE MOUNTS OVER KOREY AND BEGINS RAINING DOWN RIGHT HANDS TO THE FACE OF KOREY CAUSING HIM TO LET GO OF HER ARM! Rory takes this time to regroup before standing back up her feet.
James Peters: And now Rory is stalking Korey as he gets to his knees, and she runs off the ropes and delivers a dropkick to the face! Korey is in a dangerous spot here as he rolls into a seated position in the corner – AND HERE COMES RORY AS SHE DELIVERS A RUNNING DROPKICK TO THE FACE IN THE CORNER! RORY GOES UP TOP AND GOES FOR ANOTHER FROG SPLASH….AND AGAIN IT CONNECTS AS SHE HOOKS THE LEG!! WILL THIS BE ENOUGH TO PUT KOREY AWAY?!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
Rich Russillo: NO IT’S NOT! Korey again kicks out of it and you can see the frustration setting in on Rory’s face. Rory knows she can’t give Korey any room to breathe though as she slowly picks Korey up by his head and what does she have in mind here?
Rex McAllister: But before we could know what she had in mind Korey drives her back first into the corner!! Korey then drives his shoulder into the rings of Rory before sitting her up on the top rope. Korey goes up top and is trying to go for the superplex, but Rory is fighting back throwing shots at his ribcage…and now Rory looks to be setting up for something, bur again Korey battles back AND UH OH….KOREY LEAPS AND DELIVERS A HURRICANRANA FROM THE TOP ROPE!! KOREY CRAWLS OVER AND JUMPS ON TOP OF RORY FOR THE COVER!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
Rich Russillo: THE KICKOUT AGAIN FROM RORY AND THIS MATCH CONTINUES ON!! And now Korey looks like he knows what he has to do as he quickly rolls under the rope and makes his way up to the top rope…AND HE LEAPS OFF GOING FOR “OKIE DOKIE” FOR THE SECOND TIME!!
James Peters: AND NOBODY HOME AS RORY MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND! Will that high risk end up costing Korey here? Korey stands and turns around walking right into the arms of Rory…AND SHE PLANTS HIM INTO THE MAT WITH A URANAGE! Rory has that look on her face that she’s ready to put this natch to bed as she stalks Korey as he slowly stirs back to his feet….KICK TO THE MIDSECTION AND HOOKS THE ARMS GOING FOR “GTFO” – BUT KOREY ESCAPES OUT OF IT BEFORE DELIVERING A SUPERKICK THAT STUNS RORY! AND THEN AGAIN WITH ANOTHER! RORY IS DOWN AS KOREY GOES UP TOP AGAIN, WILL THE THIRD TIME BE THE CHARM? YES IT WILL BE!!!! KOREY DELIVERS THE “OKIE DOKIE” 450 SPLASH!! AND HERE’S THE HOOK OF THE LEG FROM KOREY!!
Rich Russillo: BUT NOBODY HOME AS KOREY CRASHES AND BURNS WITH THE “OKIE DOKIE!!” AND LOOK!!!! RORY ROLLS HIM UP!!!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
(‘The Rapture (but it’s pink)’ by Scene Queen & Mothica plays as Rory quickly gets back up to her feet, as does Korey Gaines who is shocked by what just happened. Rory rolls out of the ring, and she has a grin on her face after picking up the victory against a more experienced competitor.)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER…RORRYYYY SLLAATTEEEEE!!!!
James Peters: WOW!! What a win for Rory Slate! That’s huge momentum for her. Korey took a huge risk and it ended up costing him and Rory picks up a huge win, congratulations to her!
Rich Russillo: A very impressive win for Rory Slate against a very game Korey Gained! A great match between two bright young stars of the Voltage brand but tonight belongs to Rory!
Rex McAllister: Many people aren’t fans of the way Rory won tonight, and while I don’t blame them one bit, I’m sure in her mind she just did what was necessary in order to win.
Persephone: I wish this match didn’t end. I need tonight to last forever :wow:.
(Korey Gaines shakes his head as Rory is laughing. After a little while, he reluctantly begins clapping, giving Rory applause for her ability to pick up the victory tonight as Rory celebrates her win from the ramp. From there, Voltage fades away from ringside.)
(Commercial for Pizza Hut featuring Ronan Malosi. Eat at Pizza Hut, where they hopefully won’t cut your pizza the wrong way.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, and the ring has been set up. Above the ring are two briefcases, much like what will be seen during the Ultimate Opportunity ladder match at Fighting Spirit. All seven Elitists competing in this match are seen inside of the ring as Sheridan Müller, Daryl Kinkade, Miku Sakai, Mercer McKay, Korey Gaines, Halsey Neel and Ronan Malosi are all seated in chairs, holding microphones in their hands. Also in the ring is Sofia Clarke who is holding a microphone of her own. The fans in the arena are all cheering, excited to see what’s about to happen between the seven participants in the match. As the cheers slowly begin to die down, Sofia begins to speak.)
Sofia Clarke: Ladies and gentlemen, right now I’ve been given the opportunity to interview the seven Elitists that’ll be competing for the opportunity to enter the Cash in the Vault ladder match! After Fighting Spirit next week, two of the Elitists currently sitting here with me will be representing Voltage at Pain for Pride! Those Elitists are none other than Sheridan Müller, Miku Sakai, Daryl Kinkade, Ronan Malosi, Mercer McKay, Halsey Neel and Korey Gaines!
(There is a loud mixed reaction, cheering for some of the names in the match while booing some of the others. After a few seconds, Sofia begins to speak once more, turning her attention to the competitors in the match.)
Sofia Clarke: So tonight I have a few questions for you, and-
Miku Sakai: Actually, I have a question of my own!
(Miku points at Ronan Malosi)
Miku Sakai: How the [BLEEP] did he get here again? Has he even won a match this season?
Ronan Malosi: :comeagain: I won earlier tonight, thank you very much.
(Ronan immediately gets out of his seat and yells at Miku.)
Ronan Malosi: “Why am I here”??? I’m here because I’m the ONLY megastar on this brand! Unlike a few of you, I’ve been around all season proving that I belong in the spotlight instead of in a hospital bed!
Daryl Kinkade: No, you definitely haven’t. If anything, you’ve really only proved that you’re out of place competing in matches like this.
Korey Gaines: :mjlol: Of course he doesn’t belong here!
Mercer McKay: You’re not in a much better spot, Korey. I didn’t think that we’d be meeting each other again in a match like this, but I’ll have no problem making sure you’re taken out on my road to Cash in the Vault.
Korey Gaines: Just shut up, if anyone’s gonna be walking out of this match with a spot in Cash in the Vault it’s gonna be me!
Halsey Neel: Nobody believes that.
(The arguing between six of the competitors continues, but Sheridan Müller does not join in, only shaking her head before turning her attention to Sofia Clarke.)
Sheridan Müller: Just ask the questions.
(Sofia looks at all of the people arguing, and after a bit of hesitation, she begins to speak.)
Sofia Clarke: AHEM… The first question that I have is very simple. The two people that win this match will be representing Voltage in the Cash in the Vault ladder match, so what do you believe makes you the right person to represent Voltage in the Cash in the Vault ladder match?
(Sofia had managed to catch the attention of the other six competitors, and Sheridan is the first to speak.)
Sheridan Müller: The Cash in the Vault ladder match provides an opportunity to become World Champion, and this obviously would mean a lot to everyone sitting in the ring right now. Everyone wants to reach the top of EAW for their own reasons, but I don’t believe that anyone sitting here with me is prepared to become a World Champion the way that I am. I don’t think anyone in this match could have come as close as I have to a World Championship on two separate occasions, and after I win that briefcase I’ll be able to pick the time and place for my third World Championship match since returning. When the day comes that I fight for a World Championship again I’ll be more prepared than ever, and at that point I’ll be more than capable of correcting my past mistakes. That match, as difficult as a multi-man ladder match may be, is an opportunity to reach a stage in my career I’ve been fighting to reach for a while now. It’s not something that I want to pass up.
(Sofia Clarke nods with a smile on her face, appreciating the answer from Sheridan Müller. Miku Sakai on the other hand rolls her eyes before beginning to speak.)
Miku Sakai: What a stupid answer. All you did was lose to Sienna Jade and Dr. Bethany Blue or whoever, and now you think you’re gonna win both this and the Cash in the Vault that easily? Even if you win the second spot at Fighting Spirit you’re not getting that future World Championship match, because I’M 2023’s Cash in the Vault winner! In case you all forgot, the very first Championship I won in EAW was in a match filled with idiots, just like both this Ultimate Opportunity match and the Cash in the Vault! I actually know how to win in matches where the odds should be against me, so why wouldn’t I win now? I’ve already accomplished more than most people do in their careers, and the Cash in the Vault ladder match is just my chance to complete the triple crown and get what I deserve, which is a World Championship reign that’s better than ANY reign that came before mine.
Korey Gaines: Believe what you want, it’s not gonna be that easy.
Miku Sakai: Shut up.
Daryl Kinkade: Can we just focus on the interview?
(Daryl turns to Sofia.)
Daryl Kinkade: Much like Sheridan I’ve had opportunities to become World Champion this season, and unfortunately I did not leave any of them with the Championship. I could’ve allowed that to discourage me, but instead that’s going to be fuel for me to push myself further as I win this match and enter the Cash in the Vault ladder match. The Cash in the Vault is something special. We’ve seen the lengths people go in order to win it, and I think it’s safe to say the match will be just as chaotic as always this year. I know that the match won’t be easy, and I know that all of the other people that enter the match will want a future World Championship match just like I do. Furthermore, it’s not like there’s the benefit of two chances, like this match holds. It’ll be tough, but that’s how the road to becoming World Champion is. In the end, it’ll all be worth it.
(Sofia nods, before turning towards the next participant, which is Halsey Neel.)
Halsey Neel: It’s simple, honestly. All I have to do to prove that I’m the best fit to represent Voltage in the Cash in the Vault ladder match is beat my opponents next week and win one of those two briefcases at Fighting Spirit. I’ll be doing exactly that, and when I do it #DisneyBesties will be one step closer to standing at the top while the people that deserve to fail continue to fail. People like Ronan over there, who really have no place in a match like this and will be getting embarrassed as soon as I’m able to get my hands on him. There’s a bunch of people who shouldn’t be anywhere near the front of a brand, especially not ahead of Candice, Sierra and I, and that’s all going to be corrected with time. My career is still young and there’s a lot that I’ll be able to accomplish with time. That World Championship is just one of those things I’ll have the opportunity to win once I’m the one holding that briefcase.
(Ronan Malosi stares directly at Halsey, and he begins to speak before Sofia could even move on to the next person.)
Ronan Malosi: Wait wait wait, you think YOU belong in the front of a brand? :mjlol2: HAHAHAHAHAHA, if only Roald was here to see this! That joke was almost good enough to rival his! Anyone that actually has a brain knows that the only one here that’s capable of being the face of a show is me. I already humiliated you and your group of idiots, and at Fighting Spirit I’m going to be getting what I deserve and entering the Cash in the Vault ladder match! See, I actually have Cash in the Vault experience. I know what it’s like in a match like that, and I know that last time I was in the match I simply didn’t have luck on my side like Jake Smith did. Things will be different this time though, so it goes without saying that if anyone should be representing Voltage in the Cash in the Vault ladder match, it’s me!
Halsey Neel: Trust me Ronan, you won’t even come close to winning this match, and soon enough you’ll be nothing.
Ronan Malosi: Right.. I’m soooo scared of Halsey Neel! :mjlol: I can’t wait to see the look on your faces when I climb that ladder and unhook that briefcase at Pain for Pride.
Korey Gaines: I think ignoring anything that Ronan and Mercer say is what’s best. Ronan’s just a clown that embarrasses himself every single day, and while Mercer and I have a good amount of history with each other that I can’t really say has been resolved, I can promise you that neither of them are gonna be leaving Fighting Spirit with a Pain for Pride opportunity. I get that people are thinking that I don’t belong in a match with World Championship stakes. I’ve been through all this before. I’ve had people underestimate and overlook me because they think I’m not gonna be putting up a fight once I enter the ring, but any time I’ve entered the ring I’ve always put in my one hundred percent and in a match like this I’m gonna be going all out. I plan to surprise each and every one of you, and humiliate some of you.
(Mercer stares at Korey Gaines as Sofia turns her attention to him. Mercer doesn’t say anything for a little while, until finally he just shakes his head and begins to speak.)
Mercer McKay: Korey Gaines is a fool, and that’s been well documented. I’ll have no problem running through everyone in my path at Fighting Spirit, and it’s for that reason that I’ll be entering the Cash in the Vault ladder match at Pain for Pride. It doesn’t matter if I’m the “right” person to compete in that match, or the most fitting Elitist to represent Voltage at Pain for Pride. That’s not what I am here for. I’ve been able to learn from the failures I’ve endured since my arrival to this company, and at Fighting Spirit six Elitists will have the misfortune of seeing just how much I’ve learned. I’m the least experienced Elitist here. I don’t have a prior run with the company under my belt, nor have I been here for years. In only a few months I’ve made an impact, and that impact was only the beginning.
(There’s a brief moment of silence as Sofia Clarke nods, preparing to continue.)
Sofia Clarke: Thank you everyone. As for my next question, I-
Korey Gaines: Wait, I’m sorry to interrupt you Sofia, but I’m clearly missing something here. Mercer, you really think you can take me out that easily?
Mercer McKay: I just told you exactly what I plan to do. If anyone stands in my way I’ll tear them apart, and you’ve been there for some time now.
Ronan Malosi: Nah, Korey’s actually right for once! If he really thinks he’s getting anywhere near the Cash in the Vault ladder match he’s obviously missing something, and I don’t mean his dead-
(This time it’s Korey Gaines getting out of his seat, walking over to Ronan Malosi.)
Korey Gaines: We don’t have to wait for Fighting Spirit, we can settle this right now!
Sheridan Müller: There’s no need for that. We’re in the middle of something.
Miku Sakai: What’s your deal? Don’t be a [BLEEP], there’s no point in answering a bunch of questions about a match I’m obviously gonna win, anyway.
Sheridan Müller: I’ve already made it known that I have very little interest in the outlandish things done for the sake of entertainment, but beyond that, I don’t see either Korey Gaines or Ronan Malosi leaving Fighting Spirit with a Cash in the Vault spot. Fighting over a match they’ll both lose is pointless.)
(Sofia Clarke quickly takes the opportunity to ask her next question before things could get any worse.)
Sofia Clarke: My next question is about the season that you all have had. Whether you were here from the start or only a few months, you all were here long enough to take part in some big matches. How do you think your season has prepared you for this Ultimate Opportunity match?
Daryl Kinkade: I’m not sure about everyone else, but I’m still interested in doing this interview, so I’ll answer that. I can say that my mindset towards all this has changed, and I’ve come a long way from being the type of Elitist that would question why I’m even in a match like this. I may not have been able to become a World Champion before, but Sheridan said it herself. Once you win the Cash in the Vault briefcase, you have the time to prepare yourself. You have the time to work on yourself and fix your mistakes, and I’ve already spent one season doing exactly that. By the time I make it to Pain for Pride and I start climbing that ladder I’ll be more ready than I’ve ever been, and things will only get better from there. At Fighting Spirit I’ll show you all how much I’ve grown, and I’ll do it by-
Halsey Neel: Daryl, who are you fooling, here?
Daryl Kinkade: Excuse me?
Halsey Neel: The only answer you should have given Sofia is that you aren’t prepared. Anything else would be wrong, because you’re not ready for this. You have no idea what’s coming your way, and to be honest that goes for everyone in this match.
Daryl Kinkade: Everyone except you, I’m guessing?
Miku Sakai: Everything about this is dumb. How has my season prepared me? What kind of question even is that? Not only have I only been back for a few months, but I haven’t had the chance to compete in something like a ladder match since returning. I already explained why I’m gonna win, so I don’t see why I still need to be here instead of doing something better with my time.
Sofia Clarke: Well, I-
Miku Sakai: No, don’t even explain. We don’t need to hear anything else from you.
Sheridan Müller: I actually had no problem answering the question, but I understand that this is the kind of person you are, and you seem to enjoy being difficult.
Ronan Malosi: As far as I’m concerned, we’ve already heard everything that needs to be said. Ronan Malosi is this year’s Cash in the Vault winner, and while the rest of you cry I’ll be winning my first World Championship and continuing to prove that I’m a star.
Sheridan Müller: Ronan, stop talking. You’re not doing yourself any favors.
Korey Gaines: Trust me, that’s not anything new.
Mercer McKay: I find that funny coming from you, but it is about time that you all understood this wasn’t going anywhere, anyway. In the end we’re all going to hurt each other as badly as we possibly can. We’re going to injure each other, scar each other, whatever there is to do in pursuit of a spot in that Cash in the Vault ladder match. I will be entering that match, and if any of you think you can stop me, feel free to try. I’m not the type to make the same mistakes again, and you’ll see that soon enough, Ronan.
(Korey Gaines, Ronan Malosi and Mercer McKay all stare at each other. Until…)
Ronan Malosi: Whatever, it doesn’t-
Rich Russillo: WOAH!! HALSEY NEEL JUST RAN IN AND ATTACKED RONAN MALOSI FROM BEHIND!!!! HALSEY JUST ATTACKED RONAN AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS HAD STARTED UP SOME SORT OF BRAWL! KOREY GAINES LANDED A FEW SHOTS IN ON RONAN, BUT MERCER MCKAY JUST GRABBED KOREY AND PULLED HIM OFF, SEEMINGLY LOOKING TO SETTLE SOME UNFINISHED BUSINESS!
Rex McAllister: Mercer McKay knees Korey in the midsection before throwing him into- WAIT NO! KOREY TURNED IT AROUND, SENDING MERCER RIGHT INTO SHERIDAN AND DARYL!!!! MIKU MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND, AND AFTER NEARLY GETTING HIT SHE RUNS AT KOREY GAINES AND STARTS ATTACKING HIM!
Persephone: 😍 I agree! Let’s go Miku!
James Peters: MERCER GETS BACK UP, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE NEITHER SHERIDAN NOR DARYL WERE TOO HAPPY ABOUT GETTING TAKEN DOWN BY HIM! ALL THREE OF THEM GET BACK UP, AND SHERIDAN STARTS HITTING MERCER WITH REPEATED STRIKES! SHERIDAN NOW SWINGING ONCE MORE- BUT MERCER DUCKS UNDER, CAUSING HER TO HIT DARYL!
Rich Russillo: DARYL NOW RESPONDING WITH A FOREARM TO SHERIDAN, AND NOW SHE HITS DARYL WITH AN UPPERCUT AS ALL OF THE ELITISTS IN THIS MATCH ARE FIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER! MIKU SAKAI AND KOREY GAINES! RONAN MALOSI AND HALSEY NEEL! SHERIDAN MÜLLER, DARYL KINKADE AND MERCER MCKAY!
Rex McAllister: It looks like Sofia Clarke is getting out of there, and that’s for the best! Knowing some of these Elitists, something like this was never going to remain civil for too long!
Persephone: Yep! Isn’t it just great!? 🥰
James Peters: The action continues as Ronan Malosi hits Halsey Neel with a big boot, and Korey Gaines starts to get the upper hand against Miku Sakai! Korey now looking for a superkick, BUT MIKU DUCKS IT BEFORE CLAWING AT THE EYES!
Rich Russillo: RONAN TRIED TO PULL HALSEY IN FOR THE DEATH-RO, BUT HALSEY COUNTERED WITH A FOREARM STRIKE BEFORE BEGINNING TO SEND RONAN STUMBLING BACKWARDS WITH A SERIES OF STRIKES! Meanwhile Mercer McKay just hit Sheridan with a kick to the midsection before throwing her right into Daryl Kinkade, and that’s the kind of threat these competitors will have to face soon!
Rex McAllister: Sheridan gets right back up though, AND MERCER CHARGES IN- BUT SHERIDAN GETS A BOOT UP, CAUSING HIM TO RUN RIGHT INTO THE BOOT! Mercer stumbles back, AND NOW DARYL CONNECTS WITH A SUPERKICK, CAUSING MERCER TO STUMBLE BACKWARDS-
James Peters: AND NOW SHERIDAN RUNS IN AND HITS DARYL WITH A KNEE!
(During all of the commotion, tons of officials begin running out. This causes the fans to boo, as they of course are interested in all of the chaos going on inside of the ring. Nonetheless, the officials begin storming the ring, looking to separate all seven Elitists from each other as they continue to fight.)
James Peters: It looks like the officials are out here to separate things, and while this is for the best, this can’t be an easy task given how many Elitists are in there, as well as the size of two of them! We don’t usually see this many people out here for the sake of stopping a brawl, but this clearly isn’t the average fight!
Rich Russillo: That’s true. As much as the fans tonight clearly want to see these seven Elitists tear each other apart, Fighting Spirit is only next week and they don’t want to enter that match injured! If anything, this is for the best!
Rex McAllister: I have to agree, honestly. I know what this is like, and really nothing good comes from situations like this. That interview may not have gone well, but at Fighting Spirit we will still be able to see two people earn spots in the Cash in the Vault ladder match!
Persephone: So smart… I knew you’d have the right things to say! 😊
(The officials do their best to separate the Elitists, but some of the more heated brawls take a few more officials to separate. As the officials are seen pulling each of the Elitists away from each other, Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)
(Promotional ad for Fighting Spirit, where Voltage’s Candice Blair challenges Milli Banks for the Specialists Championship.)
(The camera returns to ringside where Bella Braxton is standing in the middle of the ring with a microphone in hand, ready to make the introductions for the next match.)
Bella Braxton: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(‘Seek and Destroy’ by Metallica starts playing as Halsey Neel appears on deck. The crowd is showering her with loud and obvious boos, but Halsey really doesn’t care what they think as she heads to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first and making her way to the ring! From Birmingham, England! Weighing in at 149 pounds. Here is “THE RIPPER” HALSEY NEEL!
James Peters: Here comes Halsey Neel ready for singles action. Honestly I’m surprised we’re even getting this match after what happened before the break, but she has got to be feeling good, especially after what happened last week.
Rex McAllister: That’s right, last week, Halsey Neal picked up the upset victory in her tag team match against Ayu Megumi and Hikari Kanno. Regardless of the circumstances, she did pin the Hardcore Champion and that has got to send her confidence and her stock rising tremendously after that victory.
Persephone: Oh yes, Rexy. Even if Ayu did leave her partner hanging, pinning the Hardcore Champion has got to build up her confidence. Especially going into Fighting Spirit. I agree with everything you say, Rexy.
Rich Russillo: That’s right. She was just announced as one of the participants in the Ultimate Opportunity match at Fighting Spirit. If she keeps this up, she could make herself one of the favorites, but she better be careful because her opponent is not happy with her one bit.
(Halsey enters the ring and takes her corner as her entrance music fades away. Seconds later, “Run” by Zeal & Ardor starts to play as Mercer McKay appears on deck. The crowd is still booing, but not as loudly as they were for Halsey as he heads to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing her opponent! From The Black Cabin! Weighing in at 283 pounds! Here is “THE MASTODON” MERCER MCKAY!
Rich Russillo: Here comes the opposition and he certainly lives up to his moniker of The Mastodon. He is big and strong and powerful. Tonight, he is NOT in the best of moods, especially after last week.
Rex McAllister: Last week, Mercer lost a match via countout to Ronan Malosi and call it how you see it, Halsey Neel and her #DisneyBesties teammates were a viable cause in Mercer losing last week.
Persephone: That’s right, Rexy. Isn’t it just the worst when people have to stick their noses where they don’t belong and ruin such a hard hitting match. Even if said match did have Ronan Malosi in it.
James Peters: That loss didn’t sit well with Mercer and he is also in the Ultimate Opportunity match at Fighting Spirit, but tonight, Mercer is out for a little revenge as he looks to take out Halsey Neel for what she did. Will he get some payback or will his anger cause him to lose two weeks in a row. We’re about to find out.
(Mercer enters the ring and he has not taken his eyes off of Halsey as his entrance music fades off. The referee checks both of the competitors before calling for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
James Peters: Bell has rung and here we go. McKay vs. Neel. One on one. Both competitors lock up in the center of the ring AND MCKAY EASILY OVERPOWERS NEEL AND SHOVES HER RIGHT DOWN TO THE MAT!
Rich Russillo: That is going to be the biggest obstacle Halsey will have to deal with and that is the extreme power disadvantage she has against McKay, but that really won’t stop her. She’s getting right back up and gets right back into his face.
Rex McAllister: Halsey is doing a lot of jaw jacking at the moment and Mercer doesn’t look any different than before because he is not happy about last week, but Halsey gets his attention WITH A SLAP TO THE FACE!
Persephone: THAT WAS A HORRIBLE SLAP, REXY! It isn’t very Disney like for one of the #DisneyBesties. Mercer looks even more angry and he heads straight for Halsey. Halsey hightails it and gets herself in the ropes.
Rich Russillo: The referee, poor soul, has to break it up between these two. We are hoping for a clean break and we are surprised that Mercer is obliging so easily, but I highly doubt that will last very long.
Persephone: The man is not exactly playing with a full deck, but if he gets his hands on Halsey, we could easily see her flying above the announce table when Mercer throws her like a frisbee. That will be hilarious to see.
Rex McAllister: Come on, Persephone. No need to be like that.
Persephone: You are right, my amazing Rexy. I will do better on that.
Rex McAllister: Umm…thank you. Right now, Halsey gets out of the ropes AND DELIVERS A KICK RIGHT TO THE GUT! That doubles Mercer over and Halsey is just going to town.
James Peters: Halsey just starts throwing forearms onto the back trying to bring the big man down, but right now she has him down to a knee. Now she lays off the forearms AND FIRES OFF A ROUNDHOUSE KICK–
Rich Russillo: BUT MERCER DUCKS THE KICK AND LIFTS HER UP IN THE AIR! Halsey is in the Electric Chair position as he walks her over to the ropes AND WHIPS HER FORWARD AND HALSEY CATCHES HER THROAT AND NECK ON THE TOP ROPE! HANGMAN STYLE MOVE BY MERCER!
Rex McAllister: Halsey is holding her throat in pain and her nightmare might be about to happen as Mercer has her in his sights. MERCER GRABS HALSEY BY THE THROAT AND HOISTS HER UP IN THE AIR! WHAT POWER!
Persephone: OH YES, REXY! That is true power being shown by Mercer McKay and Mercer sits her on the top rope and she holds on for dear life BEFORE HE HEADBUTTS HER AND KNOCKS HER OUT OF THE RING! She knocked that bit– person right to the floor.
Rich Russillo: Halsey landed hard outside the ring and Mercer is outside the ring and stalking his pretty. Halsey might need to bend over and kiss her butt goodbye. Halsey is still down and Mercer picks her back up AND NOW SHE’S UP IN THE AIR IN THE MILITARY PRESS!
Persephone: That crazy man might be just playing around with her right now because he can. Then again, who is going to stop this psychopathic man? Come on, Rexy. Protect me, my knight in shining armor.
Rex McAllister: The last thing I should do right now is get in his way, especially when he’s angry. Mercer still has Halsey up in the air as he walks her right over to the ring apron AND HE JUST THROWS HER!
James Peters: HE THREW HER BACK IN THE RING AND SHE LANDED HARD WITH A THUD! Power on display by The Mastodon as he gets back into the ring. Halsey is slowly back to her feet AND MERCER OUT OF NOWHERE CLOBBERS HER IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH A LARIAT!
Rich Russillo: Mercer now in complete control of this match and Halsey is being treated like a sack of potatoes. Once again, Halsey was hoisted back to her feet and Mercer whipped her to the ropes.
Rex McAllister: Mercer fires off a clothesline, BUT HALSEY DUCKS IT! Halsey stops in her tracks and JUST STARTS KICKING AT MERCER’S LEGS! Halsey is trying to take out at least one of those big tree trunk legs of The Mastodon to try and weaken him.
Persephone: Oh yes, Rexy! That is a very smart strategy. A very good strategy because you mentioned it. She keeps kicking the back of his knee to take him down, AND SHE MANAGED TO GET HIM BACK DOWN TO A KNEE ONCE MORE!
Rich Russillo: Halsey decides to hit the ropes AND COME BACK WITH A KNEE STRIKE TO THE JAW! She got all of it, BUT HE IS STILL UP! She tries the roundhouse kick again AND THIS TIME SHE CAUGHT HIM RIGHT IN THE TEMPLE!
Persephone: But that big scary monster is still up. The whack job is bound to lose it at any second. Someone switch me seats so Rexy can protect me. Come on!
Rex McAllister: He is not going to come over here and attack you, Persephone. You need to calm down before you have a breakdown. Now Halsey is just going to town once again throwing punches and palm strikes trying to take him completely off his feet-
James Peters: BUT ONE SWIPE OF HIS MASSIVE ARM SENDS HALSEY FLYING INTO THE ROPES AND CRASHING ONTO THE MAT! Mercer is right back to his feet and goes right to Halsey and whips her to the ropes.
Rich Russillo: Mercer quickly follows by running full speed to the corner BUT HALSEY GETS OUT OF THE WAY AND MERCER CRASHES INTO THE TURNBUCKLE! Halsey once again takes advantage of the miscue.
Rex McAllister: HALSEY WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP THAT YOU COULD HEAR OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN! AGAIN AND AGAIN AS SHE TRIES TO FIND ANY WAY SHE CAN TO WEAKEN MERCER!
Persephone: That is completely correct, Rexy. Now she is throwing some muay thai knee strikes AND ONE CAUGHT HIM RIGHT IN THE JAW! That might have woken up his dentist. Does he have one? I don’t know.
Rich Russillo: MERCER JUST GRABBED HALSEY AND LIFTED HER UP! Halsey is now sitting on the top turnbuckle and Mercer quickly follows to the second rope. Mercer has a front facelock AND MERCER IS TRYING TO SUPERPLEX HALSEY!
Persephone: But somehow this girl is blocking it. What in the world happened? Where do these people find that energy? It’s a little annoying if you ask me.
Rex McAllister: It’s the competitor’s drive within to keep fighting. That’s why they keep fighting even when it looks like they should be down and out. That’s what makes the Elitists of EAW some of the best in the business.
James Peters: Mercer keeps trying to lift her up, but Halsey has her legs wrapped tight on the top rope AND NOW SHE IS BITING! HALSEY IS BITING TO GET MERCER OFF OF HER! The referee is counting and she stops on four.
Rich Russillo: She takes advantage of the situation by KICKING HIM RIGHT IN THE FACE AND THAT KNOCKS MERCER OFF THE SECOND ROPE AND TO THE FLOOR! BUT HE IS STILL ON HIS FEET!
Rex McAllister: What is it going to take to get Mercer off of his feet? Who knows. But Halsey is standing on the top rope ready to fly BEFORE SHE JUMPS OFF THE TOP ROPE AND CATCHES MERCER IN THE FACE WITH A SINGLE LEG DROPKICK! WHAT A MOVE!
Persephone: Yes, Rexy! That was such a great move that could have knocked him out, but he is still up.
Rich Russillo: Halsey gets back to her feet and hits the ropes BEFORE HITTING A BICYCLE KNEE RIGHT UNDER THE CHIN! Now she tries to whip Mercer to the ropes and she somehow succeeds.
Persephone: Hurry up and finish this match. Then again, maybe not. Either way, the big crazy man comes back from the ropes. What is she doing?
Rex McAllister: Mercer rebounded off the ropes AND HALSEY CAUGHT HIM RIGHT IN THE CHIN WITH THE YAKUZA KICK! THAT COMBINATION IS CALLED “FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS” AND THAT WAS RIGHT ON THE MONEY!
James Peters: Somehow Mercer is still on his feet, BUT HE IS LOSING HIS BALANCE! Halsey hits the ropes before rebounding AND CATCHING MERCER WITH A BICYCLE KNEE TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD… AND HE FINALLY GOES DOWN! WHAT A MOVE BY HALSEY AS SHE QUICKLY PUSHES MERCER OVER AND GOES FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEE!
Rich Russillo: MERCER POWERS OUT AT TWO! Mercer throws her off him like she was nothing with authority and Halsey quickly mounts Mercer while he’s still down and just starts throwing punches and elbow strikes to his face and his head.
Rex McAllister: The referee is telling her to open the fists, but she is milking the referee’s five count as long as she can. She opens the fists on four and gets right back to her feet. Mercer is starting to get back to his feet so Halsey hits the ropes.
Persephone: Yes she did and she comes back with a knee drop to the back of his neck, but he is still getting back up to his feet so she tries to hit the ropes and build some velocity to her next move.
Rich Russillo: Halsey comes back AND SHE WAS JUST PLANTED WITH A SPINEBUSTER FROM MERCER MCKAY! WHAT A COUNTER! HALSEY’S NECK SNAPPED BACK WITH THE IMPACT!
Persephone: Mercer brings her back to her feet and has his arms wrapped around her waist before he hoists her up in the air with the gutwrench and Mercer has her up for the gutwrench powerbomb–
Rex McAllister: HALSEY WITH A DOUBLE AXE HANDLE TO THE TOP OF MERCER’S HEAD, FORCING HIM TO LET GO! Halsey is now free and she runs to the ropes one more time.
James Peters: Halsey comes back from the ropes and MERCER POPS HER UP IN THE AIR BEFORE CLOBBERING HER RIGHT IN THE FACE WITH THAT BACK ELBOW STRIKE! “EMPTY PRAYERS” BY MERCER MCKAY! WHAT A SHOT!
Rich Russillo: WHAT AN ELBOW BY MERCER MCKAY AND THAT COULD HAVE KNOCKED HALSEY OUT COLD! HALSEY IS DOWN AND HE FALLS INTO THE COVER! LEGS ARE HOOKED!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEE!
Rex McAllister: SHE GOT THE SHOULDER UP! OH THAT WAS SO CLOSE! MERCER ALMOST GOT THE WIN RIGHT THERE AND HE IS BACK TO HIS FEET AS HE STARTS TO CLIMB TO THE TOP ROPE!
Persephone: Oh my Rexy, that is a very dangerous spot, but he goes for the leg drop in that position. If he hits it, then he could easily win the match right there. Mercer is standing up on the top rope as he finds his balance-
Rich Russillo: HALSEY NEEL OUT OF NOWHERE! HALSEY IS BACK TO HER FEET SOMEHOW AND SHE RUNS OVER TO THE ROPES AND BUMPS THEM! MERCER IS WAVERING SO HALSEY HITS THE ROPES AGAIN AND NOW MERCER LOSES HIS BALANCE AND HE HAS AN UGLY LANDING ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
Persephone: Where in the world did she find that energy? Either way, I don’t think he saw that one coming. Look at his eyes widen after that landing! That’s why I say that people need to stay away from the top rope. It’s dangerous and it almost never works. Like now.
Rex McAllister: MERCER IS CERTAINLY FEELING IT AS HE STARTS ROLLING FORWARD OFF THE TURNBUCKLE, BUT HALSEY CATCHES HIM AND PULLS HIM AWAY! HIS LEGS ARE UP IN THE AIR! WHAT POWER BEING SHOWN BY HALSEY AS MERCER IS IN A DANGEROUS POSITION! SHE TAKES A FEW STEPS BACK BEFORE SITTING DOWN—
James Peters: “THE FALL”! WHAT A PILEDRIVER BY HALSEY NEEL! I DON’T THINK SHE GOT ALL OF IT, BUT MERCER WAS STILL SOMEWHAT SPIKED ON HIS HEAD! MERCER HIS DOWN AND HALSEY GOES FOR THE COVER! DID SHE GET ENOUGH?
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘Seek and Destroy’ starts to play again as Halsey rolls off of Mercer as she slowly makes it back to her feet. The crowd is really letting her have it once again with the boos as Bella Braxton announces the final decision.)
Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… HALSEY NEEL!
Rich Russillo: What a match between two of the rising stars of Voltage. Both competitors fought hard, but in the end, it was Halsey Neel who will walk away from this match victorious.
(The referee raises Halsey’s arm in victory as she continues to soak in the hatred the fans are giving her before the referee goes back to check on Mercer and she leaves the ring to walk up the deck to the entrance area.)
Rex McAllister: A lot of people are going to consider this win for Halsey an upset because of Mercer McKay’s stature and power, but I am not sure if I agree with that. Ever since becoming a #DisneyBestie, her skills have improved tremendously.
Persephone: I agree, Rexy. She has done an amazing job improving and she now has a chance to qualify for Cash in the Vault match at Fighting Spirit.
James Peters: When it comes to Mercer McKay, you have to give it up to him. He once again showed that he is a very dangerous threat in the ring and he can throw around his strength and power any time he wants.
Rex McAllister: He’s in the Unique Opportunity match as well and next week, I don’t think anybody is going to be safe. One loss made him mad, but two losses have to have Mercer about to blow a fuse.
James Peters: Mercer did an amazing job in this match and he almost had it on a few occasions. He put up a heck of a fight, but one unfortunate run of bad luck cost him the match. Tonight’s match belongs to Halsey Neel. Halsey picks up the win and she has some momentum going into Fighting Spirit. Congratulations to Halsey Neel.
(The final shot has Halsey still standing on deck with a huge smile on her face knowing that she caused Mercer to lose again before cutting to Mercer, who is still down inside of the ring. Voltage fades away from ringside.)
(Commercial for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3.)
(Sunday Night Voltage fades back into a shot of the Disney Cruise Line’s ‘Disney Wish’ Cruise Ship. The crowd in attendance is met by the sound of ‘Rhapsody in Pink’ by Stela Cole (Clean Version), to which they give a huge negative reaction. The camera goes over to show a very confident Candice Blair strutting out, hands on her hips while she stands at the stage. Her hair blows in the wind while she simply bears a smirk on her face, looking around and taking in the atmosphere tonight here at sea, before she then begins to make her way down the ramp, confident as ever despite what happened just recently on Friday Night Dynasty.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… CANDICE BLAIR!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Well it’s safe to say that the #DisneyBesties didn’t have the best of luck in their appearance on Friday Night Dynasty. They had the opportunity to enter the Unified Tag Team Championship match at Pain For Pride, but unfortunately they found themselves coming up empty handed at the hands of the Off-Brand Amphetamines. That certainly left a bad taste in Candice and Sierra’s mouth, but that didn’t mean they left Friday night without an opportunity…
James Peters: Of course not, we saw backstage that they were met by the Specialists Champion Milli Banks, who put out an offer for Candice to face her at Fighting Spirit for the title. Candice of course accepted, and now she finds herself with the opportunity next week in Miami to win her first title in EAW. If I know her she’s going to come down to the ring to gloat about it, and predetermine what happens at the Marquee Event, but if she does so, I’m more than certain that the Champion won’t just take that lying down tonight.
Rex McAllister: I think Milli is a tremendous Champion from what I’ve seen, and as great as Candice is, it’s going to take a lot to take that title that she’s worked hard for. I can’t guarantee which way the match will go, but it’s certainly going to be one to tune in for.
Persephone: I’ll tune in if you’re there, Rexy. 😍
James Peters: Someone please save us…
(Candice makes her way up the steel steps and onto the apron, stepping through the ropes before being handed a microphone from the ringside area. She makes her way over to the center of the ring while ‘Rhapsody in Pink’ comes to a close, allowing the crowd to die down before she begins to speak with a smirk on her face.)
Candice Blair: Oh May 6th couldn’t come any sooner. If you ask me, I think all of you are witnessing history here tonight. 🤩 This is the last time you’re going to see Candice Blair without gold around her waist!
(The crowd boos loudly at this, Candice ignoring them as she continues on.)
Candice Blair: Now I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to end up in this position. If you asked me at the start of the week, I was under the guise that I’d be getting an opportunity at the Unified Tag Team Championships alongside Sierra Everett, but a fluke win prevented that from happening. But now I’ve been granted something even sweeter, and that’s the chance to become the new Specialists Champion. I’d say I’m pretty satisfied with how Dynasty went. 😊 I was pretty surprised when Milli gave me this offer, it was clear that she was making a mistake and getting too over her head by giving me this opportunity, knowing very well what was going to happen to her reign if she gave me the match. But she was insistent, and you know I can’t just turn an opportunity like this down. She says that she admires my confidence, well I certainly admire her’s, but at the end of the day it’s going to be for nothing. She’s gotten too big for her britches and I think we can all agree that winning that title has gotten to her head. But I’ll be more than happy to cut her down to size and give her the reality check that she desperately needs.
(The crowd continues to boo, as far as they’re concerned, it’s the other way around.)
Candice Blair: I can understand the questions about how I’m going to fare in a match like this, but if you ask me? I’m pretty confident in what I’m able to do. I’m confident, and especially considering my drive and passion for this match knowing how close it’s getting to Pain For Pride, and how just like she said this could very well be my last opportunity, well then, I don’t think anything is going to stop me. I’ve gotten my chance at the Specialists Championship numerous times in the past, but now more than ever I believe that this is my moment, and you could only imagine my excitement knowing that the spotlight is finally going to be on me. I’d like to thank Milli for this, but I can’t help but feel pity that it had to end this way. I don’t think it takes a genie to know that she has worked very hard to get this title and I was only looking out for her by initially being apprehensive about the offer… for her own good of course. But a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do, and I’ll be more than happy to stamp my ticket to Pain For Pride as a Champion and make it known that-
???: Now hold on…
(The crowd cheers loudly upon hearing the recognizable voice, Candice quickly looking toward the stage to show none other than the Specialists Champion Milli Banks begin to make her way out. It’s clear that she couldn’t stomach listening to this any longer, and decided to come out to put an end to the ego driven rant that Candice has been going on. Candice doesn’t look all that happy about the interruption, but was completely expecting a confrontation between the two while Milli begins to make her way down the ramp with a microphone in hand.)
Milli Banks: Nah, I don’t know what hole you climbed out of, sis. But trust me, it is not going to be that easy. Let’s look past Milli Banks for a second, let’s look past how hard she’s had to work to get here because I think all of us already know that for sure. Let’s look at Candice Blair, let’s look at the reason why she’s not ready for this match next week at Fighting Spirit. You see, there’s a reason that you’ve never been able to grab that brass ring in the past, there’s a reason you’re just now looking to capture your first title here in EAW, it’s because you’ve never been able to get the job done when it counts. You said it yourself, you’ve gotten more than enough opportunities to win this Specialists Championship before I was even in this company, and you know what’s happened each and every time? You’ve lost, you failed, and why is that? Because unlike what you seem to believe, you’re just not good enough.
(Candice shakes her head, more than disagreeing with what Milli has to say.)
Candice Blair: You’re right, let’s get it out of the way now, I haven’t had the most of luck when the stakes are high, I’d be stupid to ignore that. But now more than ever especially with that experience I know I have what it takes to be a Champion, I just haven’t gotten the proper opportunity to prove it. You see Milli I alluded to this on Dynasty but I’ll say it again, you are way out of your realm trying to give me an opportunity like this, because your naivety will get the better of you compared to what I bring to the table. My entire livelihood has been this business, I live and breathe professional wrestling, so to say that I’m not ready for this is disrespecting everything that I’ve done since making my debut in this company. I have struggled more than you could ever imagine, and it is finally time to get my due. So you have no right to say that I’m not ready for this, because as far as I’m concerned, I know I am.
Milli Banks: Oh girl, I know you’re not trying to compare struggles with me, cause you’d be surprised the type of bull that I’ve had to go through my entire life. But that’s a conversation for another time. Maybe if anything that you said was true, it would’ve been applied to all the other opportunities that you’ve had, but now that it’s just ideal for you to try and prop yourself up on this pedestal, all of a sudden you’re ready? Give me a break, let’s nip it in the bud while we still can, this is not your match to win. I have absolutely no intentions of losing this title this close to Pain For Pride, and not even you apparently can stop me from doing so. You may think that this is the fairytale ending that you expected, but you’d be surprised what I’ve been able to do to gals that were just as confident as you were about their chances… I think you can fill in the blank. Trust me, this match isn’t for you to win and you should be thankful that someone even considered for something as prestigious as a match against Milli Banks, but hey, may the best woman win, right?
(Milli holds out her hand, trying to show some respect toward Candice. Candice is disgusted by the insults that were hurled her way by Milli, and while she slowly holds out her hand…)
Rich Russillo: AND HERE WE GO, CANDICE SWINGS AT MILLI!
James Peters: BUT MILLI SAW IT COMING AND DUCKED UNDER IT! SHE WAS EXPECTING THAT OUT OF CANDICE, AND GRABS HER AROUND THE WAIST BEFORE TAKING HER DOWN TO THE GROUND!
(Milli mounts on top of Candice and begins to unload with strikes toward her head, but Candice quickly rolls them around so that Milli is on her back, grabbing her by the head and repeatedly slamming it down onto the canvas. The crowd cheers loudly as it’s apparent that there is a brawl on our hands, and that type of chaos is what the Voltage crowd absolutely dies for. Candice breaks away and gets back up to her feet, while Milli grabs the back of her head and staggers up as well.)
Rich Russillo: CANDICE GOES FOR A ‘ALMOST THERE’! DISCUS CLOTHESLINE-
James Peters: BUT MILLI DUCKS UNDER, BEFORE RUNNING THE ROPES AND CONNECTING WITH ‘NO FAKE BILLS HERE’! THE RUNNING SINGLE LEG HIGH KNEE TAKES CANDICE DOWN TO THE GROUND!
(Milli shakes her head and yells at Candice, begging her to get back up to her feet so that she can finish the job and make the biggest statement possible heading into Fighting Spirit… but that’s when the crowd begins to boo loudly!)
Rex McAllister: But it looks like whatever Milli has in mind is going to be put on ice! Halsey Neel! Sierra Everett! The deplorable #DisneyBesties have swarmed the ring to help Candice!
Persephone: Yes, absolutely deplorable! I can’t believe they would do something like this!
(Milli clocks Halsey while she slides into the ring, but is taken out by Sierra who connects with a Clothesline to the back of the head. Halsey falls back against the ropes but quickly recovers as she stomps down on Milli, Sierra doing the same. The #DisneyBesties have surrounded the Specialists Champion like a pack of hyenas and she’s absolutely defenseless, meanwhile Candice Blair is slowly rising back up to her feet, yelling at the two of them to get Milli back up to her feet.)
Rich Russillo: Candice and Halsey drag Milli back up…
James Peters: CANDICE KICKS HER IN THE ABDOMEN, BEFORE PULLING HER IN AND CONNECTING WITH A ‘DISNEYLAND DESTROYER’! FLIP PILEDRIVER CONNECTS, AND WHAT A STATEMENT MADE BY THE CHALLENGER TONIGHT ON VOLTAGE!
(Candice dusts herself off after spiking Milli on her head, meanwhile Sierra and Halsey look down at the Champion with matching smirks. Candice gets back up to her feet, taking the Specialists Championship in her possession before crouching down.)
Candice Blair: (Off-Mic) Fighting Spirit, your dream… is over.
(Candice drops the title down on an unconscious Milli before standing back up, the last shot being shown is the #DisneyBesties standing tall over the Specialists Champion, a huge statement being made while Sunday Night Voltage fades to commercial.)
(A commercial is shown for Teremana Tequila featuring Jake Smith.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(Track 11 : 狂気の蛇眼 (Snake Eyes Of Madness) blares throughout the arena, garnering negative feedback from the audience, who continue to boo James as she saunters down to the ring, holding his wife’s hand along the way, but focused upon the task at hand, which is defeating Theron tonight.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Hailing out of London, England, weighing in at 243 pounds, accompanied to the ring by Joyanne Rose Ranger…HE IS THE BLACK MAMBA…JAMES RANGER!!
James Peters: James has a huge task ahead of him, and that is to defeat Theron Nikolas.
Rex McAllister: If you’re looking to elevate your stock in EAW, that’s one way to do it.
Rich Russillo: But it’s easier said than done. However, maybe James’ focus and determination will help him towards victory.
(“Show Me Your God” – The Amity Affliction blares throughout the arena next to a mostly positive reaction as fans prefer Theron as opposed to James Ranger, who doesn’t take his eyes off him from the ring. Theron is completely focused on this match, not paying any attention to the more positive reaction as he walks down the ramp, clearly only thinking about the match.)
Bella Braxton: And his opponent! Hailing out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, weighing in at 224 pounds…HE IS THE GHOST…THERON NIKOLAS!!
Rich Russillo: There doesn’t look to be much fear or intimidation in Theron’s eyes, not that I expected it. He’s feeling confident going into this thing.
James Peters: But confidence can sometimes be the kiss of death.
Rex McAllister: True. Accomplishments aren’t a shield you can hide behind. Anybody can be beaten on any given day, all it takes is having the right mindset.
Persephone: Couldn’t have said it better myself, Rexy!
(The referee checks with both competitors in opposing corners before signaling the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
James Peters: The bell has ru-
Persephone: Shush! Let Rexy say it.
Rex McAllister: Uh, okay. The bell has rung, and the match between James Ranger and Theron Nikolas is officially underway.
Persephone: 😍
James Peters: Both competitors circle one another, and initiate a collar and elbow tie-up in the center of the ring, jockeying for position. Theron scores with a straight knee to the midsection, doubling James over, and breaking the collar and elbow in the process. Theron grabs the back of Ranger’s head, and slams him face first off the top turnbuckle. Ranger tries getting away from Theron, stumbling to the corner at the opposite end of the ropes.
Rich Russillo: Nikolas is in hot pursuit, and walks into a kick to the midsection, doubling him over. James connects with a right hand, turning Theron around, and causing him to drop to both knees. Nikolas crawls away from Ranger, and pulls himself up in the corner. We witness a role reversal as James is the one hot on Theron’s heels now.
James Peters: James pins Theron up against the corner, landing a kick to the midsection, AND HAMMERS HIM WITH REPEATED RIGHT HANDS! Theron is doing his best to cover up, but sinks down to a knee in the corner. James Ranger is showing zero signs of relenting, and the referee is forced to intervene with a five count.
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!
Rich Russillo: The referee gets involved, pulling Ranger away from Nikolas. As you can see, James is on the aggressive side tonight.
Rex McAllister: He must be aggressive, he’s in there with Theron Nikolas, someone whose list of accomplishments is long.
Persephone: You know anything else that’s long, Rexy? 🤤
Rich Russillo: Following the brief separation, Theron rises back to his feet in the corner. James marches over, but makes the same mistake as Theron, walking right into a kick to the abdomen! Theron switches spots with James, pinning him in the corner now, and irish whipping him HARD to the opposite corner! Ranger goes down, and favors his lower back. Theron slithers in, shooting the half for a cover!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWW-
James Peters: Kickout! James gets to all fours, but Theron is to his feet first, pulling Ranger back up, and planting him in the center of the ring with a SNAP suplex! Theron floats over for a cover!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rex McAllister: Kickout, but energy is expended by James each time he does that.
James Peters: James crawls toward the ropes, and uses them for assistance in getting to a knee. Theron approaches, and lifts him back to a vertical base, so he can irish whip him off the ropes! OOH! Kitchen sink by Theron, who immediately goes for a third cover on James, hooking the leg deep!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Kickout! James rolls out underneath the bottom rope to the apron, and pulls himself up, using the ropes for assistance. Theron grabs a handful of James’ hair, BUT JAMES EXPLODES WITH A RIGHT H- BLOCKED! THERON RETURNS WITH A RIGHT HAND OF HIS OWN, STUNNING JAMES ON THE APRON!
James Peters: Theron slides through James’ legs to the outside, and grabs Ranger by the ankle, YANKING HIM OFF THE APRON, AND CAUSING JAMES TO COLLIDE FACE FIRST WITH THE APRON ON THE WAY DOWN!
Rex McAllister: That’s the hardest part-
Persephone: Hardest part of the ring! Look at our chemistry, Rexy!
Rex McAllister: Yeah, our chemistry as color commentators only.
Persephone: :kyrie:
Rich Russillo: James spins around to face Theron, clutching his nose after hitting the apron, and THERON SENDS JAMES BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE! James winces in pain, as he leans back against the barricade. Theron rolls James back inside the ring, and goes to re-enter himself through the middle rope- BUT CAN ONLY PEEK HIS HEAD IN BEFORE BEING GRABBED FOR A HANGMAN DDT BY RANGER, SPIKING THERON ON HIS HEAD!
James Peters: Theron tumbles back inside the ring, and James makes the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO-
Rex McAllister: Just like that, James Ranger has positioned himself in the driver’s seat.
James Peters: All it can take is one wrong move for your opponent to gain the upper hand. James rises to his feet, and stalks Theron as he gets to all fours. RANGER DELIVERS A BIG BOOT TO THE SIDE OF THERON’S SKULL! Nikolas rolls away from James, creating separation, and distances himself more, crawling towards the middle rope, which he drapes himself on.
Rich Russillo: James presses down on the back of Theron’s neck, and chokes him across the middle rope! Again, the referee will have to intervene with a five count.
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!
Rich Russillo: James sends Theron down to the canvas with a MAT SLAM- NO! THERON NIKOLAS MANAGES TO SLIP OUT OF JAMES’ GRASP AS HE LANDS BEHIND JAMES, AND NOW THERE’S A GERMAN SUPLEX BY THERON! That German suplex hit hard, as James rolls back to his feet and stumbles backwards into the corner of the ring!
James Peters: Theron Nikolas now running in, AND HE CONNECTS WITH A RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! Theron tossed James out of the corner as James tries to get back up, and now Theron gets James in a headlock!
Rex McAllister: That hold will serve to halt any momentum that James is trying to build for the time being, but also give Theron some time to think about his next move, as he has had control over most of this match so far.
Persephone: Isn’t he smart? 😃
Rich Russillo: Yes, Persephone, Rex is very smart. But focusing back on the in-ring action, James Ranger is slowly trying to push himself back up, meanwhile Theron is holding that headlock in as tightly as he can! Theron has had a great performance tonight, and I don’t blame him for wanting to bring his best as we get closer to Pain for Pride!
Rich Russillo: It looks like James might be finding a way out of this! James loosens Theron’ grip with a right hand to the rib cage, followed by another! James officially breaks it with a right hand to the skull, staggering Theron back slightly. James grabs hold of his wrist, and irish whips him in the corner- WAIT NO, THERON TURNS IT AROUND AND SENDS JAMES INTO THE CORNER INSTEAD! THERON CHARGES IN!
James Peters: THERON RUNS RIGHT INTO A KICK TO THE GUT, DOUBLING HIM OVER MOMENTARILY AS JAMES HOPS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE, AND DIVES ONTO THERON WITH A SUNSET FLIP! THERON ROLLS THROUGH TO HIS FEET, AND STACKS RANGER UP FOR A COVER OF HIS OWN!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHH-
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT AT TWO! BOTH COMPETITORS SCRAMBLE BACK TO THEIR FEET, AND JAMES GETS CAUGHT WITH A KICK TO THE KNEE BY THERON, SENDING HIM DOWN TO A KNEEL MOMENTARILY! Theron grabs James by the arm before pulling him in, AND PLANTING JAMES WITH A SPINNING URANAGE SIDESLAM! THERE’S THE COVER NOW BY THERON!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHH-
James Peters: Two! James kicks out at two! Theron rushes back to his feet, and stalks James as he slowly sits himself back up. THERON RUNS OFF THE ROPES IN FRONT OF A STUNNED RANGER, AND CATCHES HIM WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT WHILE HE WAS SEATED!
Rex McAllister: Both men have tried scoring quick victories over the other, which is ideal for anyone stepping inside the ring. Take as little damage as possible, and get the job done, but as you can see, that isn’t going to be easy for either competitor. Theron is making James work for the victory.
Rich Russillo: Theron mounts James with repeated right hands to the temple, showing signs of frustration at not being able to put away Theron thus far. Theron wraps up punching James, and finishes it off with a VICIOUS STOMP TO THE FACE! James clutches at his face while rolling out underneath the bottom rope, and to the apron.
James Peters: Theron lines James up as he gets to his feet on the apron. THERON RUNS OFF THE OPPOSITE SET OF ROPES, AND KNOCKS RANGER OFF THE APRON WITH A FOREARM, SENDING HIM RIB FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE! James writhes in pain on the outside, and Theron heads out there to retrieve him, rolling Ranger back inside the ring. James Ranger is in a lot of trouble right now!
Rich Russillo: James Ranger slowly is pushing himself back up, but I’m really not sure if that’s what he wants to do at a time like this! Theron grabs him and pulls him up, and now Theron irish whips James toward the ropes! CLOTHES- NO! JAMES DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES AGAIN! THERON SPINS AROUND, AND BOTH MEN CRASH INTO ONE ANOTHER WITH A DOUBLE CROSSBODY!
Rex McAllister: Not sure who got the better of that exchange.
Persephone: The real winner right now is me.
James Peters: :wow: Theron pulls himself up in the corner. James gets to his feet in the center of the ring, AND TRIES FOR A STINGER SPLASH ON NIKOLAS! BUT THERON AVOIDS IT AT THE LAST MINUTE! JAMES STUMBLES AROUND, AND WALKS RIGHT INTO A BACK BODY DROP!
Rich Russillo: James arches his back in pain, which he grits through, quickly getting back to his feet, AND CHARGING AT THERON WITH A CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT! THERON DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND BOUNCES OFF THE OPPOSITE SET OF ROPES TO JAMES! RUNNING FOREARM SMASH BY THERON! BOTH COMPETITORS POP RIGHT BACK UP, AND CHARGE AT ONE ANOTHER AGAIN! THERON TAKES JAMES DOWN WITH A CLOTHESLINE THIS TIME!
James Peters: James hurries back to his feet, BUT QUICKLY GETS CAUGHT IN AN USHIGOROSHI BY THERON! COVER IS MADE!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHRRRRRRR-
James Peters: TWO AND A HALF, JAMES RANGER KICKS OUT! Ranger wisely rolls away from Nikolas, creating some slight separation between the two. Both competitors get back to their feet, each at the same time. Theron looks to keep his momentum rolling with a right hand! BUT JAMES DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND PLANTS THERON ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE BY RANGER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Two count as Theron Nikolas powers out!
Rex McAllister: But being dumped on his head like that cannot be good for him or anybody, he’s most certainly rattled right about now.
Rich Russillo: Both competitors get to all fours, James makes it before Theron, and as a result, pulls Nikolas back to his feet. James rebounds Theron off the ropes for an irish whip, but Theron reverses, and sends James toward the ropes instead! BACK ELBOW BY THERON! Almost out of instinct, James rushes back to his feet, and CATCHES THERON OFF GUARD WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION!
James Peters: JAMES RUNS OFF THE ROPES, AND TRIES FOR THE FINAL EXECUTION! BUT THERON JOLTS UPRIGHT, GETTING HIS HEAD OUTTA HARMS WAY FOR THE AXE KICK! AND THERON DROPS JAMES WITH A RIPCORD LARIAT, NEARLY TAKING JAMES HEAD OFF! TOUCH OF HEROINE HAS CONNECTED, AND THERON HOOKS THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: WAIT! JOYANNE ROSE RANGER GRABBED THE REFEREE’S LEG, AND PULLED HIM OUTSIDE THE RING!
Rex McAllister: Here comes shenanigans to interrupt a good match.
Persephone: Well, if said shenanigans mean the match goes on longer, and I get to spend more time with you, then I’m fine with it. 😌
Rex McAllister: :francis:
Rich Russillo: The referee reprimands Joy before going back inside the ring. But Joy didn’t heed much of the referee’s warning, hopping up on the apron, and distracting Theron Nikolas, who approaches her. BUT GETS OUT OF THE WAY AS JAMES RANGER CAME CHARGING FROM BEHIND!
James Peters: JAMES BRINGS HIMSELF TO A HALT, ALMOST COLLIDING WITH HIS WIFE ON THE APRON! BUT THERON TAKES ADVANTAGE OF JAMES’ SHOCK WITH AN O’CONNOR ROLL!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
James Peters: WAIT! THERON ROLLS JAMES THROUGH TO HIS FEET, AND RIPCORDS HIM AROUND FOR THE CARPE DIEM! RIPCORD SPINNING BACK ELBOW TO THE TEMPLE! JOY CAN’T BELIEVE IT, BUT RELUCTANTLY STEPS OFF THE APRON AS THERON MAKES THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERES YOUR WINNER… THERON NIKOLAS!
(“Show Me Your God” – The Amity Affliction plays, and Theron sits up off James Ranger, who rolls to the outside, and is tended to by his wife. Theron rises to his feet, and gets his hand raised by the referee in victory.)
James Peters: Congratulations to Theron, scoring a win over James Ranger, and keeping some momentum to his name.
Rex McAllister: Speaking of momentum, James tried to halt Theron from picking up steam, but once Theron got rolling, it was hard to make him stop.
Rich Russillo: Yeah, Theron started having an answer to most of James’ stuff, and even surprised him at the end, faking James out with the cover, and instead, turning it into Carpe Diem. Better luck next time for Mr. Ranger.
(Theron exits the ring, and backpedals up the ramp as the camera fades elsewhere.)
[ SCREEN BAR – EARLIER TODAY ]
(The scene opens to one of the outdoor areas of the ‘Disney Wish’ cruise ship. It’s very early in the A.M., with most of the revelers on the ship sleeping after attending the previous night’s Showdown broadcast. Sofia Clarke is seated poolside with Usagi Senshi, on the upper deck of the ship. The area has been roped off to keep the early rising fans at bay, and several have gathered to watch Sofia and Usagi.)
Sofia Clarke: Thank you so much for joining me, Usagi.
Usagi Senshi: My pleasure, Sofia.
Sofia Clarke: I don’t see the point in beating around the bush here. When Season 16 began, I know there was a shift within the Ice Aces and that you assumed responsibility for the group as a whole. Since then, you have been vilified and raked over the coals by your fellow Elitists, and the Ice Aces haven’t had the success I am sure you thought they would have. How do you feel about that?
(It was obvious that this interview was going to be a serious one, and Usagi’s expression remained neutral.)
Usagi Senshi: I’m not going to act like I’m not at fault for it. I’m not going to act like they aren’t valid for trying to make me look like this villain amongst all, because I need to be brutally honest with myself; I set myself up for it. I thought I was doing what would be best for The Ice Aces, I got far over my head after all of my failures that I have had to go through, and I snapped. I don’t understand the way that I think sometimes. And sometimes, I look around me – I look around at ARIA and Ayu – and all it does is make me drop my head down in disappointment. Of myself. I understand now why I was looked at as a villain, and most times it just left me in a state where I shouldn’t have been in. I guess that can stem from the fact that my alcoholism throughout the year put me in a state that I never wanted to be in. I did it to myself, and I don’t look for forgiveness. All I can do is own up to my own mistakes.
Sofia Clarke: Do you have any regrets about taking on the very role of ‘leader’?
Usagi Senshi: Every single day.
(A sigh escapes from Usagi’s lips.)
Usagi Senshi: I regret everything that I did ever since taking the leadership of The Ice Aces. It was an irrational thought at the wrong time, and it made everything play out the way that it did this season. It sucks. It sucks that I acted out the way that I did, and I wish I never did. I knew from the very beginning that I lost myself that day, and I wish I could go back and make sure I never acted out the way that I did in response to our loss on that night. I don’t know if it will mean much; it probably won’t. The damage has probably already been done. But I guess I would like to make the announcement right here, that I’m stepping down from that “leader” role. I’m abolishing the leadership in The Ice Aces. It is time that things go back to the way they were. I don’t want to be known as the leader of the group anymore. To be honest, I don’t think I can handle being known as the “leader.” I think it’s best things go back to normal now. I hope so.
Sofia Clarke: :wow: That is very great to hear, Usagi.
(Usagi gives Sofia a small smile.)
Sofia Clarke: If you had to do it all over again, would you have allowed the cameras to catch such an intimate view of your relationship with Ayu Megumi? You’ve been painted as an emotionally abusive partner all season long. That has to have taken its toll on you and Ayu ever since that night.
(Remorse and regret flicker over Usagi’s face.)
Usagi Senshi: I wish I would have never allowed myself to get over my head and say the things that I said in the first place. I was in such a horrible state at that time. The fact that it was caught on cameras as well just made it all that much worse for me. I know that what happened that night in the warehouse was the cause of everything that followed. If I had the chance to do it over again, I would have never allowed for it to happen at all period. I hurt the one that I loved the most. I made a horrible mistake, and it was a mistake that I have tried my very hardest to make sure would never, and I mean never, happen again. Ayumu never deserved any of that suffering that was caused to her throughout this season. I just want to make sure that it never happens again. I want to see her thrive and be just be able to be happy without anyone trying to make her life a living hell because of our personal relationship. I want to protect her again. I just want to keep her safe now.
(Usagi’s voice cracks a little bit at that last part, but she quickly regains her composure. Sofia reaches out and puts a reassuring hand on Usagi’s shoulder, and the Japanese Elitist seems grateful for the show of compassion. After a moment, Sofia begins to talk again.)
Sofia Clarke: So how do you change the narrative? Just speaking to you candidly, I would wager that the majority of your peers probably don’t care what goes on between Ayu and yourself behind closed doors. But they say what they say because it clearly gets to you and Ayu both. Why put that power in other people’s hands?
Usagi Senshi: To be completely and brutally honest with you, Sofia? I… I really don’t know. I don’t know how I am going to change the narrative people have held over my relationship with Ayu throughout this entire season. The best answer I can give you to this is to simply take control of it. Take control of the narrative that is presented in front of me. I want to continue to better myself. I want to learn from my mistakes. If people don’t believe that I am trying my absolute hardest to be the best girlfriend that I can be for my precious Ayumu, then that is fine by me. I can’t act like it will come easily. I just know that I need to better myself right now.
(Usagi pauses for a moment, thinking about what she wants to say next, then continues.)
Usagi Senshi: Everything happens for a reason. During the week leading up to Tempest, I had a heated back and forth with Minerva, and while I didn’t win the match, I left with some very valuable lessons. Everything that she said hit home to me. She had me in a state where I really was questioning what I am doing with myself right now. It’s because of her that I want to make sure things can go back to normal. I know she doesn’t like me, she probably doesn’t respect me, but I admire her for being able to do that. For being able to get it through my head when no one else thought that it could be possible, not even myself. I realized what I needed to do.
Usagi Senshi: When they say it, when it gets to both myself and Ayu, you have to realize where we are coming from at least. Especially add in the fact that I have a history of not being able to control my temper. Of course it is going to get under my skin. I can’t control how I react, but I have been trying to manage it. Been managing my cool, ARIA even got me into therapy and anger management for it. Because I’m sick of giving people that power. I’m sick of giving them a reason to make The Ice Aces look like fools even more. Because right now, I feel pretty damn foolish for everything that I have caused. But as I said, I’m going to fix it.
Sofia Clarke: Is there a part of you that’s truthfully jealous it was ARIA who became the first Ice Ace to win a singles championship?
(At this, Usagi actually cracks a full smile.)
Usagi Senshi: That is a very interesting question that you are trying to ask me here, Sofia. I’m not going to even sugarcoat, of course with the competitive side of me, I would be jealous to think that she won a championship here in this company before me. Maybe there is a bit of jealousy, maybe it’s because I thought I could have done it. But I’m proud of her, Sofia. I have always been proud of her since day one. I was there with her back in Japan when she didn’t score a single win, 100 straight losses, and I was there in her first couple of wins ever not only in EAW, but her whole entire wrestling career. She made step by step progress slow and steady, that turned into leaps and bounds, and now she has made it to the point I knew that she could. Jealous? Maybe. Maybe a little bit. But that doesn’t mean I’m not proud of her, because that isn’t true. I will *always* be proud of her no matter what. ARIA is the future of this company, and if there are still people out there who doubts it, they better start believing.
Sofia Clarke: Do you still have the belief in yourself that you’ll have championship gold around your waist some day?
Usagi Senshi: Do I, Sofia? That is a question that I don’t think can go answered right now. As much as I can say that I am confident in myself that I am going to be able to hold championship gold, be able to wear it around my waist, as of right now, where I’m standing, my mindset has been so up and down. One day I am on top of the world, the next I am at the very bottom of hell, and I haven’t been able to control it. One day? Maybe.. I don’t know. I don’t think I’m ready right now at least. Maybe that’ll change in the upcoming days? Weeks? Months? Maybe it just will never change. But I’m never going to stop chasing my dreams.
(There was nothing but determination in Usagi’s voice and that made Sofia smile.)
Sofia Clarke: Well, we are in the midst of Pain for Pride season. How would you like to finish off your season now we’re heading towards the end game?
Usagi Senshi: There are a lot of ways that I can answer this question, and knowing me, I will make it as complex as possible. To be completely honest Sofia, I would really love to end the season with at least being able to fight for a championship. I don’t know if it’s asking a lot to be able to hold one, but that is my mental state right now. There is also making sure that things just have a good road ahead of The Ice Aces for season 17; the last thing that I would want is for the next season to go the same as this one did. I’m really struggling right now. Mentally, emotionally, even physically as I can feel my body starting to break down on me, but I am going to keep fighting no matter how much it hurts. I need to make the rebound.
Usagi Senshi: I’m going to be the best friend that ARIA deserves. I’m going to be the best girlfriend that Ayumu deserves. I am going to keep pushing through all the downs like I have always done, and this time around, I am going to make sure that it benefits me. I am going to make sure that I use it to my advantage. I am going to make sure that one way or another, I make it back to who I used to be. I don’t want to be a misfortune. I just want to be great again, and the only way I can do that is by taking in all of my mistakes and mess ups, and better myself because of it. There are so many other things that I can say, but to keep it short and simple, better myself. Better myself and own to my mistakes.
Sofia Clarke: If you and I were to sit down again at this time next year, what do you hope has changed in your career?
Usagi Senshi: Everything. I hope my attitude has changed, I hope my mindset has changed. Maybe even my personality. Honestly, Sofia? I hope that by next year, if we happen to sit down with each other again, face to face, you see the version of Usagi Senshi that should have been here since day one. The Usagi that is happy. Because now, that isn’t the case. I’m not happy with myself, I’m not happy with anything I have “accomplished” – because I haven’t accomplished anything. I do wish that I could say something different, but that really is all there is to it. We’ve seen how my season has gone down. You know where I’m at right now. And by next year, I hope that all changes. By next year, I hope I can say that Usagi Senshi is better than before. But, we’re just going to have to see right?
Sofia Clarke: Is there anything else you want to let people know? Now’s your chance.
Usagi Senshi: I want to take the moment to talk to everyone who is watching this right now, as the interview suggests; heart-to-heart. As well, I want this to be a bit of advice. Basically, if anyone out there is struggling with finding themselves, and struggling to see their wrongs and mistakes that they have been making, it’s going to be okay. It’ll always be okay in the end. Throughout this year, this season, I’ve come to realize what I’m doing wrong. I’ve had my ups, but it’s incomparable to the downs that I’ve had to go through throughout this season alone. I burnt a lot of bridges, I made a lot of enemies out of people who I thought I could actually be friends with. But in the end, I know that I’ll be able to better myself and change not only as a person, but as an Elitist.
Usagi Senshi: I am going to make sure that one way or another, no matter how long it may take, I am going to make sure that I get back on track. I am going to make sure that I work to be my absolute best, because look. We all have our downs, I have had to go through quite a lot, but I need to make sure that I grow from it. There are times where I feel like I even want to quit, where I just want to give up, but I’m not going to. If my performance against the likes of Minerva? TLA? Myles? And so much more? I think I am going to be okay. I had an amazing performance in the Grand Rampage match, and I think that is a step in the right direction. ARIA and Ayu are going about their business; ARIA is going for the Universal Women’s Championship while Ayu might just win the Hardcore Championship. But I also need to work on myself. I am going to make sure that I work my way to the championship gold, that I earn it. So when you ask what is next for me… there you go. That is all that I have to say, really. Do you see a new look in my eyes, Sofia? It’s time that I become my absolute best.
(The two women exchanged smiles and there was a look of relief on Usagi’s face. It’s almost like everything she said in this interview is stuff she’s been holding in for awhile.)
Sofia Clarke: Personally, I’m rooting for you, Usagi.
Usagi Senshi: Thank you.
Sofia Clarke: Thank you so much for your time, Usagi.
(The two women embrace as the scene fades out.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, where Bella Braxton is seen with a microphone.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is a HARDCORE MATCH… Scheduled for ONE FALL!!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!!
Bella Braxton: AND IT IS FOR THE HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!
(‘LIKE IT! LOVE IT!’ by Setsuna Yuki hits, and the fans cheer loudly as Ayu Megumi begins walking out to the stage, more focused than ever as she has an upcoming Hardcore Championship match. Ayu stares directly at the ring and takes a deep breath, quickly beginning to make her way down the ramp as she understands this won’t be the typical match.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first… From Okinawa, Japan… Weighing in at 115 pounds… AAAAYYYYUUUUUUU MMMEEEEEEGGGGUUUUUUMMMIIII!!!!!
James Peters: Ayu Megumi is here for one of her biggest opportunities yet, as if she wins tonight she may just walk into Pain for Pride as the Hardcore Champion!
Rich Russillo: Anybody would love to enter the biggest show of the year as a Champion, but of course it won’t be easy. Hikari Kanno has been one hell of a Champion!
Rex McAllister: I have to agree. It won’t be easy at all taking that title from her, though that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. We’ve seen many surprising results in the past.
Persephone: I know, right Rexy 🥰!
(‘Trepanation’ by Millennium Parade follows, and this is met with a more mixed reaction as the Hardcore Champion begins to walk out to the stage. Hikari Kanno has her Hardcore Championship on her shoulder, and she is staring directly at her challenger. After only a few seconds, Hikari begins walking down the ramp, with a look of both confidence and focus on her face heading into her third Hardcore Championship defense.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent… From Okinawa, Japan… Weighing in at 121 pounds… SHE IS THE HARDCORE CHAMPION, HIIIIIKAAAARRIIIIII KKAAANNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
James Peters: Here comes the Champion, and I’m sure Hikari Kanno is as focused as she could possibly be right now. Nobody wants to be in the losing position at a time like this either, especially not after the reign Hikari has had so far.
Rich Russillo: This will definitely be an interesting match, especially with the addition of the Hardcore rules!
Rex McAllister: These two will definitely be bringing the best out of each other, and that alone makes a match like this really interesting!
Persephone: Yep! I hope it lasts forever.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
James Peters: HERE WE GO, THIS HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH IS UNDERWAY AND BOTH ELITISTS RUSH IN! They both want to be the first to gain control as they know how great it is to have the advantage early on, but because they had the same idea it looks like they’ve engaged in a bit of a lock up! Hikari pushes Ayu away, AND NOW AYU RUNS IN FOR THE ETHEREAL BLADE- BUT HIKARI MOVES OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE RUNNING IN FOR A KNEE STRIKE- WHICH DOESN’T CONNECT! AYU NOW LOOKING FOR RYO NO IKARI- BUT HIKARI DUCKS UNDER!
Rich Russillo: HIKARI LOOKS FOR BRIGHTSTAR- BUT AYU STARTS CONNECTING WITH ELBOWS TO THE SIDE OF HIKARI’S HEAD, CAUSING HIKARI TO BACK OFF! Ayu now running in- BUT HIKARI DUCKS DOWN AND PULLS THE TOP ROPE DOWN WITH HER, CAUSING AYU TO GO FLYING OVER THE TOP ROPE AND OUT TO RINGSIDE! Hikari is quick to roll out of the ring in pursuit of Ayu, AND NOW HIKARI SENDS AYU CRASHING INTO THE STEEL STEPS! Already this match seems to be taking a bit of a nasty turn as Ayu attempts to pull herself up, BUT HIKARI PULLS AYU INTO A HAMMERLOCK BEFORE SHOVING AYU BACK FIRST BACK INTO THE STEPS!
Rex McAllister: Hikari clearly targeted the arms there, and that is really bad news for Ayu! Hikari is digging under the ring and it looks like she’s the first to grab a weapon, pulling a steel chair out from ringside! Hikari sees Ayu getting back up to her feet, AND NOW HIKARI HITS AYU IN THE MIDSECTION WITH THE CHAIR, BEFORE SMASHING IT OVER AYU’S HEAD! Hikari now wrapping that chair around Ayu’s arm, and it looks like Hikari is looking to do a lot more damage to that arm as she walks up the steel steps… BEFORE JUMPING OFF, STOMPING ON THE CHAIR THAT’S FOLDED UP AROUND AYU’S ARM!
Persephone: This is just an amazing match, right Rexy 🥰? It’s nowhere near as great as all of your matches, but I’m loving every second of this. Hikari is in control of the match right now and I personally wish she was a bit more careful, because I don’t want this night to end any sooner! I need all the time I can get here, so Ayu needs to figure something out before Hikari crushes her Championship dreams!
James Peters: Ayu is squirming in pain after that stomp to the arm, and Hikari just shakes her head. Hikari drags Ayu back to her feet before heading over towards the timekeeper’s area, causing Bella and the rest of the staff to move out of the way as they see something bad is about to happen! Hikari is pulling Ayu into a front facelock, and I really don’t like the look of this! Behind Hikari and Ayu is the chair Bella was seated in, and Hikari knows that very well! Hikari now…. LIFTING AYU UP, LOOKING FOR A SUPLEX INTO THE CHAIR!
Rich Russillo: WAIT, NO! AYU MANAGED TO PULL HERSELF DOWN, LANDING ON HER FEET ON TOP OF THE CHAIR! I DON’T KNOW HOW AYU MANAGED TO PULL THAT OFF, BUT BEFORE HIKARI COULD EVEN PROCESS WHAT JUST HAPPENED, AYU JUMPS ONTO THE BARRICADE BEFORE IMMEDIATELY PUSHING HERSELF OFF, DELIVERING ALMOST A SPRINGBOARD VERSION OF A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! Ayu is quickly back up and it isn’t taking Hikari too long to return to her feet, either! Ayu seems to know this though, AND SHE QUICKLY GRABS THE RING BELL FROM THE TIMEKEEPER’S AREA BEFORE THROWING IT AT HIKARI’S FACE!
Rex McAllister: Hikari managed to catch it- BUT AYU RUNS IN BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A SHOTGUN DROPKICK, SENDING THE RING BELL INTO HIKARI’S FACE AS PLANNED! Now it’s Ayu digging under the ring, and she pulls out a table before continuing to look for something else! It looks like she’s found what she wanted as she has a kendo stick in her hand! Hikari Kanno pulls herself up, JUST FOR AYU TO BEGIN WHACKING HER IN THE BACK WITH THE KENDO STICK! AYU WITH KENDO STICK SHOTS OVER AND OVER, FORCING HIKARI TO ROLL INTO THE RING TO CREATE SOME SPACE!
Persephone: 😁 Great job Hikari! Make all the space you need! We need this match to last forever! Ayu grabs a pair of handcuffs from under the ring before sliding the table in, and I’m not too sure what she’s planning but Hikari seems to have something in her mind as well, as she is removing the padding from all of the turnbuckles in the corner that she is in! I don’t think Ayu has noticed, as she just pulls a baseball bat out of the ring! Ayu now sliding into the ring with the bat and the handcuffs, and she-
James Peters: WAIT A SECOND, HIKARI JUST THREW THE PADDINGS AT AYU! THIS OBVIOUSLY DIDN’T HARM AYU AT ALL, BUT THAT DISTRACTION ALLOWED HIKARI TO RUN IN BEFORE DELIVERING A BIG BOOT! HIKARI NOW GRABBING AYU FROM BEHIND BEFORE TAKING A FEW STEPS BACK, AND NOW SHE CONNECTS WITH A DRAGON SUPLEX, SENDING AYU CRASHING INTO THE CORNER WHERE THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLES ARE! In a match where you’re allowed to do whatever is necessary in order to win, Hikari actually played that really well! You usually don’t see people use the paddings to their advantage, but Hikari did and that kind of thinking is part of the reason she is Champion!
Rich Russillo: Ayu managed to pull herself out to the ring apron, but unfortunately for her… She’s dropped the handcuffs! Hikari notices this and quickly picks it up before handcuffing Ayu’s hand to the middle rope! Ayu is now trapped as she is seated out on the apron trying to recover, and Hikari now steps out as she seems to have something in mind! OH NO, RUNNING BOOT TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD BY HIKARI KANNO, AND AYU COULDN’T DO MUCH TO PREVENT THAT! Hikari drops off of the apron now, heading over to the timekeeper’s area before grabbing something!
Rex McAllister: It looks like Hikari’s grabbed a microphone, but not a normal one! It’s a diamond studded microphone! Hikari Kanno makes her way back over towards Ayu Megumi as she turns the mic on, and it looks like she has something to say as she walks over.
(Hikari Kanno climbs onto the apron, kneeling next to Ayu Megumi as she begins to speak.)
Hikari Kanno: It looks like this match isn’t going how you expected it to. Any thoughts?
(Hikari holds the microphone towards Ayu, who is still feeling the effects of the damage she’s taken so far. She doesn’t respond, and Hikari pulls the microphone away.)
Hikari Kanno: I thought that would be the case.
James Peters: Hikari just turned the mic off, AND NOW SHE JUST BEGINS SMASHING IT OVER AYU’S HEAD REPEATEDLY! HIKARI KANNO IS HITTING AYU IN THE HEAD OVER AND OVER WITH THE DIAMOND STUDDED MICROPHONE, AND THERE’S NOT A SINGLE THING AYU CAN DO ABOUT IS AS SHE’S STILL HANDCUFFED TO THE MIDDLE ROPE! HIKARI CONTINUES TO BASH THE MIC OVER AYU’S HEAD, UNTIL FINALLY SHE STOPS, DROPPING THE MIC AS AYU LOOKS UNCONSCIOUS!
Rich Russillo: Hikari Kanno drops down to ringside and digs under the ring once more, grabbing some light tubes! Hikari tosses a few of them into the ring before holding onto one of them, AND SWINGING IT RIGHT INTO AYU’S MIDSECTION, CAUSING IT TO SHATTER! AYU SCREAMS IN PAIN, AND NOW HIKARI REMOVES THE HANDCUFF FROM THE MIDDLE ROPE, ALLOWING HIKARI TO ROLL AYU INTO THE RING! Does Hikari think Ayu is ready to be put away!? Ayu is obviously hurting really badly, but she is able to use the ropes to pull herself back to her feet!
Rex McAllister: HIKARI GRABS AYU AND GOES FOR THE KANNO SUPER BUSTER!!!!
Persephone: NO!!!! YOU CAN’T COUNTER A MOVE REXY JUST SAID THE NAME OF, HOW DARE YOU!?
James Peters: AYU MANAGED TO COUNTER THE KANNO SUPER BUSTER WITH A HURRICANRANA, AND NOW BOTH ELITISTS RUSH BACK TO THEIR FEET! HIKARI SWINGS AT AYU- BUT AYU IS ABLE TO DUCK UNDER THE STRIKE BEFORE HOOKING HIKARI’S ARMS!!! STARSTORM ONTO THE LIGHT TUBES!!!!!! AYU JUST SENT HIKARI CRASHING NECK FIRST INTO THE LIGHT TUBES, AND NOW AYU PULLS HERSELF ON TOP OF HIKARI FOR THE COVER, RIGHT ON TOP OF THE SHATTERED REMAINS OF THE LIGHT TUBES!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-
Rich Russillo: HIKARI GETS THE SHOULDER UP!!!! That was a huge shot from Ayu though, and that may have evened the odds as up to this point, Hikari Kanno held control of the majority of this match! I think now Ayu has a huge opportunity to turn things around, and Ayu must know that herself as she quickly crawls over to the baseball bat that she dropped earlier! Ayu uses the ropes to pull herself back up, and I think Hikari is about to regret undoing the handcuffs!
Rex McAllister: You’re right about that! Hikari is trying to get back up- AND AYU JUST SWUNG THE BASEBALL BAT INTO THE BACK OF HIKARI’S HEAD!!! THAT ONE SHOT WITH THE BAT KNOCKED HIKARI BACK DOWN ONTO THE MAT, AND IT LOOKS LIKE BLOOD MIGHT BE STARTING TO POUR FROM THE BACK OF HER HEAD! I understand Disney tends to censor things like this, but even they have to understand that matches like this will never be pretty! Those microphone shots got a bit of blood to spill from the top of Ayu’s forehead, and now Ayu just returned the favor.
Persephone: I agree 🥰!
James Peters: Hikari slowly rolls out to ringside, and while Ayu has the time, she removes the handcuff from around her wrist before holding it in a fist, almost as if it was brass knuckles! Ayu clearly has something on her mind as she follows Hikari out of the ring, AND AS HIKARI GETS UP SHE TRIES TO THROW A PUNCH- BUT AYU CATCHES IT BEFORE PUNCHING HER IN THE FACE, USING THE HANDCUFFS TO HER ADVANTAGE! AYU NOW GRABBING HIKARI, AND-
(Quickly, all four commentators are forced to get out of harm’s way as Ayu throws Hikari across the commentary table.)
Rich Russillo: OH MY GOD! That was a really close call, Hikari nearly flew right into us! Ayu Megumi just tossed Hikari Kanno right into our path as Hikari is behind the commentary table now, using the barricade just to try and pull herself up! It’s interesting seeing how the tables have turned in the past few moments! For a while it was Hikari Kanno that had the upper hand, and now it’s Ayu Megumi that’s looking to take advantage as she walks over to Hikari and pulls her up by her hair-
Rex McAllister: QUICK THINKING BY HIKARI! HIKARI JUST GRABBED A MONITOR BEFORE HITTING AYU IN THE FACE WITH IT!!! AYU MEGUMI BACKS OFF, HOLDING HER FACE IN PAIN, AND NOW HIKARI HAS THE CHANCE TO RECOVER! Hikari once again showing how smart she is as she finds a way to get Ayu off of her! Both Elitists slowly stumble away from the commentary table as Hikari Kanno has seemingly started to turn this match around once again! Ayu Megumi drops down, and it looks like she might be trying to pull something else out from under the ring before Hikari could get to her, but what could she find on such short notice?
Persephone: Rexy, I am just sooooo scared after what those two did! I think you should hold me, just to be safe!
James Peters: A STAPLE GUN! WHY IS THAT EVEN UNDER THERE!? AYU HAS A STAPLE GUN AND SHE JUST CAUGHT HIKARI IN THE ARM WITH A STAPLE! HIKARI HESITATES AS THAT CLEARLY HURT, AND NOW AYU USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIT HIKARI IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD WITH THE STAPLE GUN ITSELF! HIKARI DROPS DOWN TO THE GROUND, AND ONCE AGAIN AYU IS IN FULL CONTROL AS THE TIDES SEEM TO HAVE COMPLETELY TURNED IN THIS ONE!
Rich Russillo: Ayu Megumi starts looking under the ring once more, and she starts pulling out a bunch of chairs, sending each of them into the ring! I really don’t know what she has planned here, it’s not like those chairs break easily. Why would she need so many of them!? Ayu grabs Hikari before slamming her face onto the ring apron, and now she sends Hikari back into the ring before following behind with that staple gun! Hikari Kanno is in a ton of trouble right now, and I’m not even sure she realizes it!
Rex McAllister: Ayu Megumi now, BEGINNING TO STAPLE HIKARI KANNO OVER AND OVER! HIKARI IS ALMOST COMPLETELY DEFENSELESS- BUT NOW SHE GRABS ONE OF THE CHAIRS AYU SLID INTO THE RING BEFORE THROWING IT DIRECTLY AT AYU’S HEAD, CAUSING AYU TO LOSE HER BALANCE AND DROP THE STAPLE GUN! Ayu dropped to a knee after that, and now Hikari is rushing back to her feet! AYU TRIES TO PUNCH HIKARI, BUT HIKARI DUCKS UNDER IT BEFORE GRABBING AYU!
Persephone: YES, SHE JUST HIT AYU WITH THAT ONE MOVE THAT SHE DOES! GOOD CALL REXY!
James Peters: THAT’S NOT JUST ANY MOVE! HIKARI JUST HIT AYU WITH BRIGHTSTAR, DROPPING HER ONTO THE SAME PILE OF CHAIRS THAT SHE CREATED IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! BOTH ELITISTS ARE DOWN, BUT HIKARI STILL HAS ENOUGH LEFT IN HER TO PULL HERSELF OVER AYU!!! HIKARI KANNO HOOKS AYU’S LEG, AND THIS MIGHT BE IT!!!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-
James Peters: WHAT!? HOW!? AYU MEGUMI SURVIVES, KEEPING THIS ONE ALIVE AS HIKARI KANNO’S HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP REIGN IS STILL IN DANGER HERE TONIGHT! This is a bad time to be Hikari Kanno, as Ayu Megumi still has a chance to win this one!
Rich Russillo: Hikari Kanno takes a little while, but eventually she is able to push herself back up to her feet! She is slowly picking up one of the steel chairs that Ayu brought into the match, AND NOW HIKARI BEGINS HITTING AYU WITH THE CHAIR, OVER AND OVER AGAIN AS AYU IS IN NO CONDITION TO EVEN ATTEMPT FIGHTING BACK! These two have taken a lot out of each other far quicker than they would’ve in a normal match, and things like this are exactly why! Hikari now stretching Ayu’s right arm out before stepping on her hand, AND NOW SHE PRESSES THE CHAIR AGAINST AYU’S ARM AS AYU SCREAMS OUT IN PAIN! THAT’S THE SAME ARM HIKARI TARGETED EARLIER!
Rex McAllister: HIKARI TAKES HER FOOT OFF OF AYU’S HAND, AND NOW SHE SWINGS THE CHAIR AT AYU, HITTING AYU’S ARM BEFORE SHE COULD PULL IT AWAY! Hikari Kanno can’t have too many options left, though seeing all the work she’s done to that right arm, she must have a lot of faith in whatever option she’s setting Ayu up for! Hikari Kanno slowly starts dragging Ayu up- BUT AYU IS ABLE TO CREATE SOME DISTANCE, USING THE LEFT ARM TO PUNCH HIKARI IN THE JAW!
Persephone: I’m so glad Ayu did that! Rex is the best commentator EVER, I don’t want this show to end any sooner than it needs to! Hikari tried hitting Ayu with the chair in response, BUT AYU MANAGED TO CATCH IT BEFORE KICKING HIKARI’S LEG OUT FROM UNDER HER! AYU MEGUMI RUNS THE ROPES, AND SHE GOES FOR FATALITY- BUT HIKARI GETS OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE TURNING AYU AROUND AND GRABBING HER! HIKARI GOES FOR BRIGHTSTAR ONE MORE TIME- BUT AYU JUMPED OUT OF HIKARI’S GRASP! AYU WITH THE SACRED ARROW!!!
James Peters: HIKARI DUCKS UNDER IT!!!! HIKARI KANNO NOW LOOKING FOR A THRUST KICK- BUT THIS TIME IT’S AYU DUCKING UNDER THE STRIKE, AND SHE HITS HIKARI WITH RYO NO IKARI!!!! RYO NO IKARI CONNECTS, AND BOTH ELITISTS DROP ONTO THE MAT AS IT LOOKS LIKE AYU MEGUMI IS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO CAPITALIZE! SHE’S TAKEN SO MUCH DAMAGE IN THIS MATCH THAT SHE CAN’T EVEN GO FOR THE COVER IMMEDIATELY, AND THAT JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW DANGEROUS HIKARI KANNO CAN REALLY BE, EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS THE ONE HIT WITH THE MOVE! AYU MIGHT HAVE HAD THIS MATCH WON!
Rich Russillo: Ayu slowly crawls towards the baseball bat that was used earlier, and she grabs onto it before grabbing the ropes to slowly pull herself back up to her feet! Ayu is stumbling over to Hikari, AND NOW AYU SWINGS THE BAT INTO HIKARI’S MIDSECTION! AYU WITH A SHOT TO THE SIDE NOW JUST AS HIKARI SAT UP, CLUTCHING HER STOMACH IN PAIN, AND NOW AYU LANDS A SHOT TO THE BACK WITH THE BASEBALL BAT! AYU CONTINUING TO THROW EVERYTHING SHE HAS AT HIKARI, ALL FOR THE SAKE OF BECOMING HARDCORE CHAMPION! Ayu throws the bat down, and she looks towards the table that was sent into the ring early on!
Rex McAllister: Ayu just set up that table, and I guess she is planning to put Hikari through it very soon! Ayu slowly drags Hikari up into a front facelock, AND NOW AYU STARTS ELBOWING HIKARI IN THE BACK OF HER HEAD AND HER NECK! AYU WITH REPEATED ELBOWS AND HIKARI IS IN TROUBLE, AND I THINK AYU IS LOOKING TO FINISH THIS MATCH OFF BY PUTTING HIKARI THROUGH THE TABLE!! Ayu hooks Hikari’s arm over his head, AND NOW SHE LIFTS HIKARI UP FOR A-
James Peters: NO!! HIKARI CONNECTS WITH A KNEE TO THE TOP OF AYU’S HEAD!!!! HIKARI DROPS BACK DOWN TO HER FEET, AND NOW SHE HITS AYU WITH A THRUST KICK, SENDING AYU ACROSS THE TABLE!!! Ayu falls over towards the corner, and somehow Hikari is still in this! Ayu pulls herself back up to her feet- BUT HIKARI THROWS ANOTHER CHAIR AT HER FACE, CAUSING AYU TO DROP BACK DOWN ONTO THE MAT! Hikari Kanno is doing whatever she can in order to remain in this match, meanwhile Ayu Megumi is really having a tough time here as she is trying to put Hikari away!
Rich Russillo: Hikari Kanno slowly walks over to Ayu Megumi before dragging her up, AND SHE SLAMS AYU’S FACE ONTO THE TABLE! Hikari now trying to pull Ayu up onto the top turnbuckle- BUT AYU STARTS ELBOWING AWAY AT HIKARI, LOOKING TO MAKE SURE HIKARI LETS GO OF HER! HIKARI IS EXHAUSTED AFTER THE DAMAGE SHE’S TAKEN, AND SHE HAS NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO LET GO OF AYU JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE DOESN’T KEEP TAKING THESE ELBOW STRIKES! HIKARI COULDN’T GET AYU UP TOP, AND AYU MIGHT HAVE JUST DODGED A BULLET!
Rex McAllister: AYU CONNECTS WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! HIKARI RESPONDS WITH AN ELBOW! AYU DELIVERS ANOTHER UPPERCUT, AND HIKARI CONNECTS WITH ANOTHER ELBOW! HIKARI GETS THE BETTER OF AYU AS SHE LANDS A SECOND- BUT AYU IS ABLE TO DUCK UNDER THE THIRD, SCOOPING HIKARI UP BEFORE PLACING HER UP ON THE TOP ROPE! AYU QUICKLY HITS HIKARI WITH A RIGHT HAND, AND IT LOOKS LIKE AYU WAS ABLE TO OUTSMART HIKARI THIS TIME AROUND! She not only ducked under the strike, but she put Hikari up top instead of continuing the strike exchange for no reason!
Persephone: Yes, very smart! Not as smart as you though, Rexy 🥰!
James Peters: Ayu Megumi starts climbing up to the top rope, AND AYU BEGINS CONNECTING WITH REPEATED FOREARMS, CLEARLY SETTING UP FOR SOMETHING AS SHE’S TRYING TO WEAR HIKARI DOWN AND STOP HER FROM FIGHTING BACK! AYU CLEARLY HAS SOMETHING PLANNED, AND WHATEVER THIS PLAN IS, IT MIGHT JUST BE ABLE TO BRING THIS MATCH TO AN END! Ayu now pulling Hikari into a front facelock, and she might be looking to put Hikari through the table with a superplex! We could be seeing the end of the match right now!
Rich Russillo: WAIT A SECOND, NO! HIKARI JUST SHOVED AYU OFF OF THE TOP ROPE, BUT SHE HELD ONTO AYU’S ARM!!!! HIKARI SLOWLY DRAGS AYU BACK UP ONTO THE MIDDLE ROPE, ONLY WITH AYU FACING AWAY FROM HIKARI!!! HIKARI IS HOLDING ONTO AYU’S BAD ARM, AND SHE IS NOW USING IT TO APPLY A HAMMERLOCK FROM THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!! THERE ARE NO DISQUALIFICATIONS SO THERE IS NOTHING THE REFEREE CAN DO TO STOP THIS, BUT WHAT IS HIKARI THINKING!? IS THIS HOW HIKARI PLANS TO RETAIN THE HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP!?
Rex McAllister: Wait, no! It looks like she actually has something way bigger in mind!
Persephone: 😁 Yep, it’s definitely something great! Wait.. This won’t end the match, right?
James Peters: You might not want to hear this, but it actually might! HIKARI MANAGES TO LIFT AYU MEGUMI UP ONTO HER SHOULDER WITH HER ARM STILL IN THE HAMMERLOCK, AND NOW HIKARI JUMPS OFF THE TOP ROPE, PUTTING AYU THROUGH THE TABLE WITH THE BOOK OF THE END!!!!!!!! HIKARI KANNO JUST PUT AYU MEGUMI THROUGH THE TABLE!!!!
Rich Russillo: HIKARI KANNO REMAINS ON TOP OF AYU, AND THERE’S THE COVER TO PUT THIS ONE AWAY!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!
Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… AND STIIIIILLLLLLLL THE EAW HARDCORE CHAMPION….. HHHIIIIIIIKKAAAARRRIIIIIIIII KKAAANNNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
James Peters: Wow! What a Hardcore Championship match by these two! I don’t think there was ever any doubt that these two would deliver, and in the end they managed to do exactly that! Ayu Megumi did her best and managed to put up a fight, but in the end Hikari Kanno was able to retain after using one of the most dangerous moves in her arsenal!
Rich Russillo: Hikari Kanno has been a fantastic Champion, and now she is one step closer to walking into Pain for Pride as the Hardcore Champion! I’m sure Hikari Kanno would love the opportunity to walk into the biggest show of the year as Champion, and she might just do that.
Rex McAllister: This was a great match. They both brought a lot out of each other, with Ayu having to fight as hard as she can and Hikari relying on some quick thinking at points. Hikari gets her third successful defense, and she definitely earned that one!
Persephone: I know, right 😍! You always know what you’re talking about. :wow:
(‘Trepanation’ hits, and there are loud cheers as Hikari Kanno slowly rolls off of Ayu Megumi. Hikari remains on the mat for a little while, before finally she is able to crawl to the ropes, using them to pull herself up. Hikari is handed the Hardcore Championship, and as the referee raises her arm, Hikari raises the Championship with her other arm. Ayu Megumi is still down and out inside of the ring, having not moved at all since getting hit with “Book of the End”. A shot with Hikari Kanno raising the Hardcore Championship is the last image seen as Voltage fades away from ringside.)
(The camera fades backstage to where the busiest woman on Voltage, Sofia Clarke, is shown standing by with a microphone.)
Sofia Clarke: This Voltage episode has been fire and we still have a great main event to come! The team of Methuselah, Drake King, and Myles will be taking on Yhwach O’Hara, Minerva, and my guest at this time… TLA!!!
(TLA slides into view as he smiles for the camera and shows off his merchandise. TLA puts his La Pantera Sexual snapback onto Sofia’s head as he waits for the crowd to quiet down in the arena.)
TLA: Orale mami Sofia you know that they be giving me that interview time on Voltage. This a very special occasion indeed.
Sofia Clarke: That is true TLA and I am glad to have you here tonight. You are going to be appearing in the main event in just a little bit but I wanted to get your thoughts before the big match.
TLA: You know how it be. It’s a real big lucha and got some real big luchadores up in it. But y’all know a hombre doin’ big hombre thangs always gonna be even bigger. So I ain’t afraid of whatever they packin’. Cuz you know I always be coming prepared. Methuselah, Drake King, Myles? I’ve beaten all of them before one way or another and I will do it again tonight if I gots to. I know that my partners this week feel the same way and soon enough we are going to get to beastin’.
Sofia Clarke: That is all well and good but do you think that you are the weak link in this match considering what happened last week against Miku Sakai in the main event? Do you worry that it could be two losses in a row on Voltage?
TLA: Cálmate Sofia. You know what I think about last week? I think it just continues a trend of people around here seemingly only able to defeat me by flukes or cheating. I mean props to Miku for pulling it off I guess. Pero that was hardly an honorable victory by any definition. Deep down she knows that she didn’t really defeat TLA and she just got one over on me. Pero I got plans to get one over on her. More on that to come you know I just be giving y’all a bit of a spoiler up in here.
Sofia Clarke: That is very interesting TLA but you know I am not going to just let you get away with saying something like that. I mean after this season you have had… I have to say out of all the wrestlers on the Voltage roster I feel like your path is… the most unclear if you catch my drift. Don’t get me wrong. You are a great wrestler. But it seems that your season this year has been a bit rocky. A bit up and down. You’ve had some great matches and some great moments. But I am not so sure that after recent weeks you are going to be getting that Pain for Pride main event you have been gunning for.
TLA: Ouch. Y’all really putting them daggers right through my heart. You know you going to be getting that Poon Palace membership revoked out here. You ain’t gotta hate like that spittin’ like that. You know I am the one supposed to be cutting a promo here not you.
Sofia Clarke: My bad.
TLA: Nah nah it’s all good. You be spitting all that honesty. Bringing that realness. I can respect it. Ain’t none realer than this vato for real. But you know what? Let’s get real then. Let’s do this thing and open it all up for the EAW fans. I ain’t know when Voltage is going to give me the chance to speak directly to the people again so I best make the most of it. Use all this time up and just get to spittin’.
Sofia Clarke: The mic is all yours then.
TLA: You gots to recognize that last year after Pain for Pride shit done changed. Lots of big changes. Weekly changes. I done lost my championship to Impact. I was drafted sent away to Voltage una vez mas. You know it was the end of an era in a way. I was looking to make a fresh start. Find a new family here on Voltage. I suffered a big L but you know I wasn’t looking to hold it. Then Disney came into the picture. They be all smiles. Big happy smiles. Big happy corporate speak. Telling us what we can and can’t do. Telling us what we can and can’t say. Tryna change EAW to fit they image. Disney is family friendly entertainment they tell us all! We going to put the entire force of the greatest American media entertainment megagiant of all time here in EAW and we going to make it bigger and better than ever. One big happy family!
(TLA pauses for a moment as he strokes his beard before smiling into the camera.)
TLA: But did any of their promises actually come true? Did Disney make any of your dreams come true Sofia? They sure ain’t made any of mine come true. Like you said, my status in the main event of Pain for Pride be feeling a little uncertain right now. But even more than that this so-called family friendly entertainment company… came in and they tried to take away mi familia. They tried to take away my life, my career. They tried to take away everything that I had worked for my entire life. Sure I got my job back in the end but I had to fight kicking and screaming every inch of the way just to survive. All because of this big happy family friendly company! I won right? Now they booking me in Taco Bell themed matches and telling me that TLA ain’t a main event level talent no more. They saying sure you got your job back… but you still ain’t part of the Disney family.
(TLA taps the top of the microphone for dramatic effect.)
TLA: They saying TLA the black sheep of the family at best. They wanna keep a vato out the game but they can’t keep the game out the vato. So you know what Sofia? I ain’t need y’all family. I have proven time and time again just what kind of competitor I am. I have competed for the EAW World Championship on multiple occasions this season and given this brand some of the most legendary matches of the year and if they ain’t want to acknowledge that then that is their loss. I’ve never had a problem ducking the mainstream before. I’ve never had a problem taking my lucha and getting a little underground if ya feel me. Maybe TLA just ain’t the family friendly face of EAW that Disney is looking for. That is fine. I can be the bad guy in they eyes. I can find that straight savagery up inside my soul and get to destroying every bag of meat that y’all wanna throw in front of me.
Sofia Clarke: So what are your plans going forward TLA? If Disney doesn’t see you as qualified for another EAW World Championship opportunity… then what is left? At this point in your career, you are a Hall of Famer, a multiple time World Champion. Is there even a reason for you to still be in EAW?
TLA: That is a good question Sofia. I have thought the same myself if I am keeping it real with y’all. Maybe this is the end of TLA. Maybe I should just bow out while I am still at the top of my game. Another year like this and maybe I ain’t even going to have much of a legacy left. My legacy will just be the guy who beefs with management and loses EAW World Championship matches. Is that how I want to be remembered? Or should I just take my leave and call it a career?
Sofia Clarke: Well I think that I speak for all of your fans when I say that I hope you stick around. And you never know you have fought back to the World Title scene before you can do it again whether it is at Pain for Pride or not.
TLA: Y’all right Sofia. You know it ain’t even really crossed my mind to be leaving EAW. Not after I fought so hard to stay in the company all year long. I still got that DAWG in me and you know I ain’t ready to say adios just yet. I be swinging and I ain’t about to go down without that fight. As far as I’m concerned any negativity surrounding my career right now… is just another setback. Setbacks have never stopped me before. Why should they start now? I have overcome far far worse than what? Miku Sakai cheating me out of some random Voltage main event? Like congrats gurl you prolly needed the W more than I do. Drake King getting a lucky elimination over me at the Grand Rampage cuz I went up to the top rope? Damn bro that’s crazy! I basically eliminated myself from that match and y’all think you actually did something impressive? What else we got? Losing EAW World Championship matches? The champion we got should be grateful that I have. Cuz that’s the only reason he’s champion right now. Not to mention these challengers. Myles defended against Samael at Tempest right? I mean I beat the big homie down not once this year… but twice! Same goes for Mercer McKay. These some real big homies for real. I be a straight up giant slayer up in here Sofia. What I got to be afraid of in EAW?
Sofia Clarke: That is a good point TLA. So then what is next for TLA? What are your plans for Pain for Pride? What is this “giant” you are going to be slaying this year?
TLA: With Pain for Pride coming up… I ain’t going to be missing out on the opportunity to compete in a real big a- I mean a real important match. I am looking to be competing in one of the biggest matches on the card whether it is the main event or not. In 2023 terms, that basically translates to competing for a championship. Gotta get that oro in you know winning them belts I be building mi legado up in here. I told everyone I was gunning for that main event, but a main event is all about winning a championship. So I figure imma find the perfect championship that defines TLA at this point in my career. A championship that maybe ain’t the main event. Maybe it ain’t the big mainstream thing. Maybe it ain’t the kind of championship that Disney looks too fondly on. Maybe it is a championship being held by someone that my opponent last week who done screwed me over like that knows very well. I think y’all might have some idea of where I am heading with this. What you gotta realize is that I have made it a habit of competing for title after title after title at Pain for Pride. My first Pain for Pride? I won the New Breed Championship. My second Pain for Pride? I won the Interwire Championship. I’ve competed for Cash in the Vault. I’ve competed in World Title matches. This year Sofia? Imma go straight back to my roots. Take it to these calles. Show y’all that the OG vato still exists. Lead pipe in hand imma smash heads if I gotta. Run these rivers red you know it going to be brutal and imma carve a path through the entire roster until I get exactly what I am looking for.
Sofia Clarke: :lupe: So the title you are looking to win is—
TLA: ¡Si claro Sofia! Y’all done heard it here first! The title that La Pantera Sexual is coming for… is the EAW HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP!!! Lemme tell y’all something. If you thought I was dangerous before in a ring with all them reglas holding me back… Wait until you see just what I am capable of when you unleash me on the EAW roster with no chains whatsoever. These hos ain’t ready but y’all best get ready and fast. Cuz TLA is straight up coming for y’all neck! Now excuse me Sofia… I gots a main event to go win!
(TLA hands the mic back to Sofia as he takes his leave and makes his way towards the entrance ramp for the main event.)
Sofia Clarke: Like TLA said! You heard it here first! TLA is coming for the EAW Hardcore Championship. Given this man’s past as a street brawler I have to say… I like his chances… but this is EAW and anything can happen. I am sure the current reigning champion will have something to say about that. Now back to ringside!
(The camera fades back to ringside where the main event is about to begin.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR…ONE FALL!!
(“SUN//EATER” by Lorna Shore plays down Yhwach O’Hara first, who saunters to the ring, doing his usual entrance. He walks down the ramp, and eventually his music is replaced as “Blood, Milk & Sky” by White Zombie plays. This receives a positive reaction from fans as Minerva marches down to the ring. By this point Yhwach is already at the ring, and as Minerva walks down the ramp ‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac plays down TLA, who high fives fans in route to the ring. All three Elitists look ready for this match, despite their completely different attitudes.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! At a combined weight of 522 pounds… THE TEAM OF TLA, MINERVA, AND YHWACH O’HARA!
James Peters: Here are TLA, Minerva, and Yhwach, who some are saying have the advantage going into this thing.
Rich Russillo: Why is that?
James Peters: Some feel as if they have a shot at being more cohesive than the opposing team, and they might be onto something.
Rex McAllister: Given that Myles is his partner, and Drake is insufferable, that does put them at a disadvantage.
(‘Low of Solipsism II’ by Yoshihisa Hirano plays to thunderous boos from the audience as Drake King makes his presence known, and stops himself on the ramp, awaiting the arrival of Methuselah, who is followed by a blue spotlight as “Blackstar” by David Bowie plays. The spotlight shines on both Drake and Methuselah as Methuselah positions himself next to Drake. But the lighting goes back to normal as ‘Enemy Strike’ by Yuki Hayashi plays, and World Champion Myles quickly pushes past them, marching to the ring, and both Drake and Methuselah follow after him.)
Bella Braxton: And their opponents! Weighing in at a combined weight of 665 pounds…THE TEAM OF DRAKE KING, MYLES, AND METHUSELAH!
James Peters: See? The dissension is already visible, as its clear Myles would rather be anywhere else, possibly on the other team.
Rich Russillo: Can you blame him? He’s a sitting duck out there with Myles and Methuselah.
Rex McAllister: Tag teams are about trust, and it’s clear Myles doesn’t have much of it.
James Peters: But if he wants to win, needs to try, and work through it.
(The referee signals to the bell as both Myles and Yhwach start things off.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
James Peters: There’s the bell, and it’s time for our main event of the evening! Methuselah, Drake King, and Myles taking on Yhwach O’Hara, Minerva, and TLA! This match has combustible written all over it!
Persephone: Only thing that could make it better is Sexy Rexy being in there.
Rex McAllister: Uh, thanks?
Persephone: Anytime…
Rich Russillo: Turning our attention back to the in-ring action, it’ll be World Champion Myles, starting things off with Yhwach O’Hara. The crowd is electric, excited to see these two go at it, and I’m alongside them. Myles versus Yhwach is a Pain for Pride worthy match up, and were witnessing it somewhat on free TV. Both competitors lock up in the center of the ring, and after a brief jockey for positions, Myles backs Yhwach into the corner. I mean, let’s not sell O’Hara short, he is in great shape, PHENOMENAL shape even, but Myles is massive compared to him, in terms of broadness, in terms of definition, and might have the slight strength advantage.
James Peters: We’ve seen Myles’ strength on full display at Tempest, lifting up the much larger Samael, and slamming him down with De Facto.
Persephone: That’s nothing! Sexy Rexy could easily do that, and more.
Rex McAllister: I appreciate that, Persephone, but I don’t think that’s a conversation we should be having right now.
Persephone: You’re always the conversation in my eyes.
Rex McAllister: :roman: Anywho… the referee urges for both competitors to break the collar and elbow tie-up, beginning a five count. If neither competitor breaks it before then, that’ll equal a disqualification.
Referee: ONE! TWO!
James Peters: Oh, we get a clean break by both competitors- WAIT! MYLES GOES FOR A SWING, BUT MISSES AS YHWACH DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT! Role reversal now, as Myles finds himself in the corner! REPEATED RIGHT HANDS FROM YHWACH CONNECT! BUT MYLES GRABS YHWACH BY THE NECK WITH BOTH HANDS, AND WHIPS HIM BACK IN THE CORNER!
Rich Russillo: KNIFE EDGE CHOP FROM MYLES ECHOES THROUGHOUT THE ARENA! Pain is etched across the face of Yhwach, who gets caught with ANOTHER knife edge chop to the chest! However, that one seemed to anger Yhwach, who fights out of the corner with punches! Myles is stunned momentarily, and Yhwach grabs him in a standing side headlock! Thinking on his feet, Myles quickly bounces Yhwach off the ropes to escape!
James Peters: OOH! Shoulder tackle takes Myles down! Yhwach runs off the ropes beside him, but Myles rolls over onto his belly, forcing Yhwach to leap over, so he doesn’t trip on the hurdle that is Myles. Yhwach runs off the ropes a second time, and Myles pops back to his feet, having Yhwach right where he wants him as he rebounds off the ropes!
Rex McAllister: Myles bends down for a back body drop, BUT YHWACH DOES A BACKWARDS ROLL OVER MYLES BACK, LANDING ON HIS FEET BEHIND HIM!
Rich Russillo: Myles jolts back upright, and gets grabbed in a rear waistlock! BUT TRIES TO FIGHT HIS WAY OUT OF IT WITH BACK ELBOWS! Myles loosened Yhwach’s grip with two, and goes to break it with a third! BUT YHWACH DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND WRAPS HIS ARM AROUNDS MYLES’ WAIST FOR A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!
James Peters: NO! Myles blocks it with a clubbing blow to the back, and transitions into a suplex attempt! BUT YHWACH FLOATS UP AND OVER MYLES, LANDING BEHIND HIM, AND ROLLS MYLES UP FOR A SCHOOL BOY!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
James Peters: Kickout! Both competitors scramble back to their feet, AND MYLES DROPS YHWACH WITH A STIFF FOREARM SMASH! Yhwach favors his jaw on the canvas, and starts rising back to his feet, but Myles actually pulls him back to a vertical base himself, keeping the attack on Yhwach with a forearm smash that backs him up against the ropes!
Rich Russillo: Myles irish whips O’Hara off the ropes, but Yhwach reverses at the last minute, sending Myles toward the ropes instead! YHWACH LEAPS HIGH IN THE AIR FOR A DROPKICK, BUT LANDS ON HIS BACK AS MYLES HOOKED BOTH ARMS ON THE TOP ROPE! Yhwach sits up, clutching the back of his head, which must’ve smacked off the canvas. MYLES PICKS HIS SPOT, BOUNCING OFF THE ROPES, AND GOES FOR A SEATED BIG BOOT!
James Peters: BUT YHWACH AVOIDS IT, LYING HIMSELF FLAT ON THE MAT! MYLES SPINS AROUND, AND CHARGES AT YHWACH, WHO POPS BACK TO HIS FEET! MYLES WINDS UP RUNNING FULL STEAM AHEAD INTO AN ARM DRAG, TRANSITIONED INTO AN ARM LOCK!
Rich Russillo: Yhwach brings Myles back to his feet, and places him in a wristlock as he extends his hand out for a tag to Minerva, who contemplates tagging in, but ultimately decides to go for it!
**TAG!!**
Rich Russillo: Here comes Minerva, who takes the reigns from here, wringing the arm of Myles, and repeatedly yanks on it three times!
Rex McAllister: She could pull that arm out of its socket if she’s not careful.
James Peters: Everyone knows about the history between Myles and Minerva, but that’s all being tossed aside right now. Because in this moment, they aren’t stablemates, they aren’t lovers, they are opponents, and I’m sure both competitors realize that, especially Minerva, who transitions into a side headlock takedown on Myles!
Rex McAllister: Both of Myles’ shoulders are on the canvas, and the referee quickly counts!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWW-
Rex McAllister: Myles gets the shoulder up, and makes sure to keep it up.
Persephone: I’m gathering valuable insight from you just being here, Rexy! 😌
Rich Russillo: Myles powers back to his feet, BUT GETS BROUGHT RIGHT BACK TO SQUARE ONE AS MINERVA SCORES ANOTHER SIDE HEADLOCK TAKEDOWN! Minerva wrenches further on the hold, and tries to score a fast one, rolling both Myles shoulders on the canvas again!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
James Peters: Quick kickout! Myles presses his forearm against the jaw of Minerva, possibly trying to push her off. But with how tight Minerva has the hold cinched in, that isn’t going to happen for Myles, who is forced to power back to his feet a second time, exerting energy to do it. Minerva forced Myles to exert energy with those kick outs as well.
Rich Russillo: Myles looks for an escape again, bouncing Minerva off the ropes, which frees him! MYLES TRIES TO REGAIN CONTROL WITH A CLOTHESLINE! BUT MINERVA DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT, AND KEEPS HER MOMENTUM GOING, RUNNING OFF THE ROPES STILL! MYLES TRIES FOR A BACK ELBOW THE SECOND TIME AROUND! BUT AGAIN, MINERVA DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES A THIRD TIME!
James Peters: BUT MYLES BRINGS HER MOMENTUM TO A SCREECHING HALT, KNOCKING MINERVA DOWN WITH A WICKED CLOTHESLINE! Minerva scoots back in the corner, taken aback by that clothesline from Myles, who plants himself in the center of the ring, not taking his eyes off Minerva, and keeping his guard up. Neither competitor will take it easy on one another.
Rex McAllister: Well, I beg to differ. Myles is taking it a bit easy on Minerva, as he could’ve immediately capitalized off that clothesline, but didn’t. Instead, he’s giving her time to breathe, and time to recover, which is a noble move on his end, but could easily backfire as well.
Rich Russillo: Minerva pulls herself up in your corner, and marches toward Myles, who bounces off the ropes for a SHOULDER TACKLE! Taking a page out of O’Hara’s book, who knocked Myles down with one earlier on. Minerva sits up slightly, and Myles runs off the ropes! BUT MINERVA POPS BACK TO HER FEET, AND FINDS HERSELF ON TOP OF MYLES WITH A LOU THESZ PRESS, HAMMERING DOWN WITH PUNCHES IN BUNCHES! PERHAPS THE AGGRESSION IS BEING UPPED BY MINERVA!
James Peters: MYLES SHOVES MINERVA OFF, AND RUSHES BACK TO HIS FEET, STAGGERING BACK AGAINST THE ROPES! MINERVA CHARGES IN- BUT MYLES SIDESTEPS WHATEVER SHE HAD IN MIND, SENDING MINERVA UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE! NO! MINERVA CAUGHT HERSELF ON THE APRON, AND MYLES REALIZES THIS, MARCHING STRAIGHT TOWARDS MINERVA-
Rich Russillo: BUT SHE BAITED HIM IN FOR A FOREARM SMASH, STUNNING MYLES FOR A HOTSHOT! HE WENT THROAT FIRST ACROSS THE TOP ROPE, AND SPINS AROUND, CLUTCHING AT SAID THROAT BEFORE COLLAPSING DOWN TO A KNEE!
James Peters: Minerva slides back inside the ring, and grabs Myles by the back of his head, directing him towards her corner, and bouncing him FACE FIRST off the top turnbuckle. Myles finds himself where he doesn’t wanna be, and that’s pinned in the enemy’s corner.
Rex McAllister: Myles is at their mercy, and needs to get out of there fast. If not, they can continue to isolate him, cutting off the ring, so Myles can’t tag out, which would leave him vulnerable.
**TAG!!**
Rich Russillo: TLA enters the ring for the very first time, and leads Myles to the center for a body slam! But Myles slips behind him, and dazes TLA with a right hand! Myles grabs hold of TLA’s wrist, and bounces him off the ropes for an irish whip! BUT TLA REVERSES, SENDING MYLES TO THE ROPES WITH AN IRISH WHIP OF HIS OWN! TLA FEIGNS A BIG BOOT, BUT DELIVERS A SPINNING BACK ELBOW, TAKING MYLES DOWN! TLA HOOKS THE LEG FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRR-
James Peters: Nearly a three count on Myles, who was briefly knocked loopy there by TLA! Myles has not yet tagged out, and I don’t think the opposing team is too keen on letting him. TLA brings Myles back to a vertical base, and knocks him back in the corner with a THUNDEROUS knife edge chop to the chest! Right hand by TLA, followed by another knife edge chop! Myles is reeling, and TLA irish whips him to the opposite corner!
Rich Russillo: TLA BUILDS A FULL HEAD OF STEAM- BUT RUNS RIGHT INTO A BACK ELBOW FROM MYLES! TLA is staggered momentarily, and Myles hops to the middle rope, seating himself on the top turnbuckle! BUT TLA LEAPS IN THE AIR WITH A HURRICANRANA THAT SENDS MYLES CRASHING DOWN TO THE CANVAS! TLA quickly crawls into the cover, hooking the leg!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
James Peters: Kickout at two! TLA pulls Myles to his feet, BUT GETS RAMMED BACK FIRST INTO THE OPPOSING TEAM’S CORNER AS A RESULT! MYLES KEEPS HIM PINNED THERE, BURYING HIS SHOULDER INTO THE MIDSECTION OF TLA, AND DRAKE KING TAGS HIMSELF IN!
**TAG!!**
Rich Russillo: Drake King enters the ring, and delivers a HARD right hand shot to the face of TLA, who was defenseless in that corner! Myles goes to exit the ring, but not before staring Drake down briefly. These two don’t like each other in the slightest, but it’s proven that they can work together effectively in the past. Maybe if they can tap into some of that New Eden chemistry, they can get the upper hand over TLA’s team.
Persephone: Speaking of chemistry-
James Peters: I’ll cut you off right there, because I know the comment probably pertains to you and Rex.
Persephone: Sexy Rexy, are you going to let him talk to me like that? 😠
Rex McAllister: :mackie:
Persephone: Hello?
Rex McAllister: Huh? Sorry, I was busy watching the match go on. TLA pushed past Drake after being attacked with a right in the corner, and tries staggering to his corner, but Drake catches up to him, spinning TLA around, and bouncing TLA off the ropes for an irish whip!
James Peters: TLA twists Drake’s arm, AND COUNTERS WITH A SHORT-ARM CLOTHESLINE! Drake goes down, and TLA hooks the leg!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
James Peters: As expected, Drake King manages to kickout, and rushes back to his feet! TLA scores with a knife edge chop, and follows that up with a right hand, repaying the favor to Drake! Another knife edge chop connects, backing Drake up against the ropes for an irish whip! TLA ducks down, signaling a back body drop early, BUT DRAKE KING STOPS HIMSELF SHORT, AND SPIKES TLA WITH A DDT!
Rich Russillo: Drake King sits up, and a small smirk creeps onto his face, knowing he has successfully regained the advantage. Drake doesn’t go for the cover, and instead, opts to stand TLA up, slamming him face first off the top turnbuckle in the corner. Luckily for TLA, Drake chose a different corner, and not his team’s corner, wanting to inflict further damage before possibly tagging out.
James Peters: TLA IS ON THE DEFENSIVE AS DRAKE LANDS RAPID FIRE STOMPS IN THE CORNER, SINKING HIM DOWN TO THE SECOND TURNBUCKLE! Drake stands TLA back upright in the corner, and delivers a right hand! BUT TLA RETURNS FIRE WITH ONE OF HIS OWN, SHOWING SIGNS OF LIFE! DRAKE TRIES TO EXTINGUISH THAT FLAME WITH ANOTHER RIGHT HAND! BUT TLA FIRES BACK WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST, STAGGERING DRAKE BACK, AND ALLOWING TLA TO EXIT THE CORNER!
Rich Russillo: TLA WALKS RIGHT INTO A RIGHT HAND! BUT ANSWERS WITH ONE OF HIS OWN! KNIFE EDGE CHOP BY TLA, WHO IS STARTING TO GAIN MOMENTUM, BUT DRAKE SNUFFS THAT MOMENTUM OUT WITH A KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION!
James Peters: DRAKE SENDS TLA TO THE ROPES, AND REBOUNDS OFF THE SAME SET HIMSELF! TLA HALTS HIS MOMENTUM, AND SPINS AROUND TO FACE KING, WHO CATCHES HIM OFF GUARD WITH A SLINGBLADE! Drake doesn’t go for the cover, and with his opponent down, tags out to Methuselah!
**TAG!!**
Rex McAllister: That completes it, every member of each team has entered the ring, but the most decorated man in said ring is entering it for the first time.
Rich Russillo: Methuselah enters the ring, and runs off the ropes for a twisting elbow drop! BUT TLA AVOIDS IT! Methuselah rises back to his feet, holding his elbow. TLA makes it to his feet as well, AND ROLLS UNDERNEATH A CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT! ROLLING THROUGH TO HIS FEET, AND TAGGING OUT TO YHWACH O’HARA!
**TAG!!**
James Peters: BEFORE O’HARA CAN ENTER THE RING, METHUSELAH CHARGES! HE TRIES FOR A RIGHT HAND, BUT YHWACH BLOCKS IT, AND SCORES ONE OF HIS OWN! Methuselah staggers to the corner, and Yhwach enters the ring, in hot pursuit! Yhwach irish whips Methuselah to the opposite corner, and Methuselah comes staggering out, clutching at his back! YHWACH CRASHES INTO HIM WITH A JOHN WOO DROPKICK, CAUSING METHUSELAH TO COLLIDE BACK FIRST AGAIN WITH THE CORNER, AND HE COLLAPSES DOWN TO THE CANVAS!
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH IS SPRAWLED, AND IN PERFECT POSITION FOR THE DIVING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP! MYLES REALIZES THIS, AND ENTERS THE RING, RUNNING FULL STEAM AHEAD TOWARD O’HARA, ALL IN HOPES OF SAVING THE MATCH FOR HIMSELF, NOT MUCH HIS TEAM! BUT YHWACH SIDESTEPS MYLES, AND SENDS HIM UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE!
James Peters: DRAKE KING IS NEXT TO ENTER THE RING, AND RUNS RIGHT INTO A SHOOT KICK TO THE CHEST, KNOCKING HIM DOWN MOMENTARILY! METHUSELAH BLINDSIDES YHWACH WITH A RUNNING FOREARM TO THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, SENDING O’HARA DOWN TO ALL FOURS! METHUSELAH STANDS O’HARA UP, AND REBOUNDS HIM OFF THE ROPES!
Rich Russillo: YHWACH RETURNS WITH A FLYING FOREARM! O’HARA IS ROLLING- WAIT! YHWACH SAW THAT DRAKE KING WAS BACK TO HIS FEET, AND WALKED RIGHT INTO A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! DRAKE HOOKS THE ARMS, AND PLANTS HIM WITH A PEDIGREE! THE ASCENSION LEAVES O’HARA LAYING!
James Peters: MINERVA RUSHES INSIDE THE RING, TRYING TO GET HER HANDS ON DRAKE, WHO QUICKLY ROLLS OUTSIDE OF IT, KEEPING HIS DISTANCE!
Rex McAllister: Drake wants no parts for the time being, but the damage might have already been done with that pedigree. Minerva returns to her corner. Methuselah slowly begins to stir, favoring his mouth and nose area before rolling to his corner, and tagging out to Myles, who recently got himself back on the apron.
Persephone: So observant! 😩
James Peters: Myles enters the ring, and approaches a prone O’Hara, grabbing both wrists, and pulling him up to both knees. OOH! DOUBLE WRIST-CLUTCH KNEE STRIKE BY MYLES, WHO HOOKS THE LEG FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHH-
Rich Russillo: Yhwach barely gets the shoulder up! Myles rises to a kneel, possibly contemplating his next move.
**TAG!!**
Rich Russillo: Nevermind. Drake doesn’t give him a chance to make his next move, tagging himself in, which predictably upsets Myles, who reluctantly leaves the ring. Yhwach pulls himself up in the corner, and Drake King goes after him. Drake delivers a right, BUT YHWACH RETURNS WITH ONE OF HIS OWN! DRAKE FIRES BACK! YHWACH FIRES BACK! DRAKE! YHWACH! DRAKE! YHWACH! YHWACH! BOTH COMPETITORS EXCHANGED BLOWS, BUT YHWACH MIGHT HAVE WON THE EXCHANGE, BOUNCING DRAKE OFF THE ROPES WITH AN IRISH WHIP!
James Peters: DRAKE REVERSES THE IRISH WHIP FOR ONE OF HIS OWN, SENDING O’HARA TOWARD THE ROPES! CLOTHESLINE BY DRAKE- MISSES AS YHWACH DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND KEEPS HIS MOMENTUM ROLLING, RUNNING OFF THE ROPES AGAIN! BUT DRAKE SPINS AROUND AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND, AND LEVELS HIM WITH A CLOTHESLINE, TURNING O’HARA INSIDE OUT!
Rich Russillo: COVER IS MADE, HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Kickout! Drake pounds the mat in frustration, and tags out to Methuselah!
**TAG!!**
Rich Russillo: Uh-oh! Methuselah enters the ring, and lines Yhwach up from the corner as he slowly gets back to his feet.
Rex McAllister: Yhwach might not want to turn around, but his bell could be rung, and when your bell is rung, you do lose some wherewithal.
Rich Russillo: Yhwach turns around, AND METHUSELAH BUILDS MOMENTUM FOR THE SPEAR! BUT GETS CAUGHT IN A SMALL PACKAGE!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
James Peters: KICKOUT! BOTH COMPETITORS SCRAMBLE BACK TO THEIR FEET, AND YHWACH TRIES TAGGING OUT, ATTEMPTING TO LEAP OVER METHUSELAH! BUT GETS CAUGHT ON HIS SHOULDER, AND METHUSELAH DRIVES YHWACH BACK FIRST INTO HIS CORNER! METHUSELAH BURIES HIS SHOULDER INTO THE MIDSECTION OF O’HARA REPEATEDLY!
Rich Russillo: The referee backs Methuselah away from O’Hara in the corner, but with his back turned, Drake grabs Yhwach in a sleeper hold from the apron, keeping him pinned in the corner, despite O’Hara’s thrashing! Methuselah pushes past the referee, AND SCORES A RUNNING BIG BOOT TO YHWACH IN THE CORNER! RAPTURE! RAPTURE CONNECTS! YHWACH COLLAPSES PRONE, AND METHUSELAH SHOOTS THE HALF FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEE-
James Peters: Kickout! Yhwach tries crawling to his corner, but Methuselah grabs hold of his ankle, not allowing O’Hara to get away. Yhwach rises to his feet, hopping on one leg, and spins around, CATCHING METHUSELAH OFF GUARD WITH AN ENZIGURI! Methuselah goes down to all fours, trying to shake the cobwebs out of his head, but Yhwach gets back to his feet, and brings Methuselah back to his.
Rich Russillo: YHWACH HOOKS HIM UP FOR THE SINGLE UNDERHOOK BRAINBUSTER! BUT METHUSELAH SHOVES O’HARA BACK, AND TAGS OUT TO DRAKE! MEANWHILE, MINERVA TAGS HERSELF IN AS YHWACH CAME IN HER VICINITY OFF THE SHOVE!
**TAG!!**
(Yhwach turns to Minerva, visibly annoyed as she has tagged herself in.)
Rich Russillo: BOTH MINERVA AND DRAKE ENTER THE RING! MINERVA TAKES DRAKE DOWN WITH A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE! DRAKE KING RUSHES BACK TO HIS FEET, GOES FOR A RIGHT HAND, BUT SHE CATCHES THE ARM, AND SLAMS HIM DOWN WITH A SAMBO SUPLEX!
James Peters: MINERVA IS FEELING IT, BUT GETS DISTRACTED AS METHUSELAH TRIES GETTING UP ON THE APRON! BUT IS KNOCKED DOWN WITH A FOREARM SMASH! MINERVA TURNS AROUND, AND CAUGHTS WITH A KICK TO THE GUT, DOUBLING HER OVER IN POSITION FOR THE CURB STOMP! DRAKE GOES TO RUN OFF THE ROPES, BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A SPRINGBOARD VERY MEXICAN UPPERCUT BY TLA!
Rich Russillo: ALMOST OUT OF INSTINCT, DRAKE RUSHES BACK TO HIS FEET, BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH ATLAS FALLS! ATLAS FALLS! MINERVA HOOKS THE LEG DEEP FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!
Rich Russillo: NO! METHUSELAH PULLS MINERVA OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! YHWACH GRABS MYLES, AND SENDS HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE! BOTH COMPETITORS EXCHANGE FISTICUFFS WHILE METHUSELAH HAMMERS DOWN ON MINERVA WHILE SHES LEANED UP AGAINST THE APRON, DOING HER BEST TO COVER UP!
James Peters: METHUSELAH ROLLS MINERVA BACK INSIDE THE RING, BUT IS IN FOR A SHOCK AS HE LOOKS UP!
Rex McAllister: TLA OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A MOONSAULT!
Persephone: :damn:
Rich Russillo: BUT METHUSELAH GETS OUT OF THE WAY, AND TLA LANDS ON THE OUTSIDE HARD, NOBODY HOME FOR HIS DIVE! METHUSELAH SLIDES IN THE RING AS MINERVA RISES TO HER FEET!
James Peters: DEVILS TOUCH ATTEMPT BY MINERVA, BUT METHUSELAH CAUGHT THE BOOT, AND SPINS MINERVA AROUND FOR AN MK DRIVER! LIFTING DOUBLE UNDERHOOK DDT PLANTS HER! YHWACH SLIDES BACK INSIDE THE RING, AND IN AN IRONIC TWIST, SPEARS METHUSELAH THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! BOTH COMPETITORS GO TUMBLING OUT!
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH RUSHES BACK TO HIS FEET, AND CHARGES AT YHWACH WITH A SPEAR! BUT YHWACH SIDESTEPS, AND METHUSELAH GOES SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS! BUT BACK INSIDE THE RING! INSIDE THE RING, DRAKE IS BEGINNING TO STIR, MUCH TO THE CROWD’S CHAGRIN! HE’S BEEN ALMOST MOTIONLESS AFTER BEING ON THE RECEIVING END OF ATLAS FALLS! AND WITH THE FIELD CLEAR, ALONG WITH YHWACH DISTRACTED, REIGNING DOWN MOUNTED PUNCHES ONTO METHUSELAH WHILE A RECOVERED TLA REIGNS DOWN STOMPS AS WELL, DRAKE CRAWLS INTO A COVER ON MINERVA, DRAPING HIS ARM OVER HER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
James Peters: KICKOUT! DRAKE CANT BELIEVE IT, AND THE DISBELIEF IS ETCHED ACROSS HIS FACE AS HE SITS UP! METHUSELAH IS BEING ISOLATED BY TLA AND YHWACH, BUT MYLES HOPS BACK UP ON THE APRON, EXTENDING HIS HAND FOR A TAG! WITH HIS OPTIONS LIMITED, AND MINERVA BEGINNING TO STIR, DRAKE GOES TO TAG OU-
Rich Russillo: WAIT! MYLES MOVED HIS HAND AT THE LAST MINUTE, ENRAGING DRAKE, WHO SCREAMS AT HIM! BUT NOT FOR LONG AS MYLES CRACKS KING WITH A RIGHT HAND! DRAKE STAGGERS BACK INTO MINERVA, WHO CONNECTS WITH A CLOCKWORK ORANGE! ABDOMINAL STRETCH DRIVER! BOTH OF DRAKE’S SHOULDERS ARE DOWN FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERES YOUR WINNERS… THE TEAM OF MINERVA, YHWACH O’HARA, AND TLA!
(“Blood, Milk & Sky” by White Zombie plays, and Minerva releases the pin on King, who rolls out of the ring. But Minerva rises back to her feet, and gets her hand raised in victory while Myles watches on from the apron.)
James Peters: Well, what a match we just witnessed in our main event of the evening!
Rich Russillo: Minerva, Yhwach, and TLA prevails, but the assist goes to Myles, who cost himself, and his team the victory there. But I don’t think he cares.
James Peters: Myles was never pleased about teaming with Drake in the first place.
Rex McAllister: I don’t think many people would be pleased about that.
Rich Russillo: Drake can be a… character, which winds up getting him in situations like tonight, getting cracked in the mouth by his own partner. But he has the chance to make it right at Fighting Spirit.
(Myles enters the ring, and there’s some tension lingering as him and Minerva stare one another down… that is before a smirk forms on their faces, and they march toward one another for a hug in the center of the ring, which the crowd pops for, happy to see their relationship on a good note still.)
Persephone: That could be us, Rex, but you keep playing…
Rex McAllister: Noted, Persephone. But… I’m happily married.
Persephone: 🙄
(Finally, Myles and Minerva end their hug, and Myles raises Minerva’s hand before exiting the ring, grabbing his Championship, and placing it over his shoulder before casually walking over a downed Drake King in his route to the back. The camera cuts back to the ring, and TLA slides in to celebrate while Yhwach stays on the outside, staring down at Methuselah, who is sat up against the steel steps, writhing in pain from the attack by both competitors he suffered.)
James Peters: Well, this week, similar to last week, Voltage ends on a happy ending.
Rich Russillo: Not just thanks to the winners, but because we’re heading straight into Fighting Spirit next. Buckle up as it is the last show before the much anticipated Pain for Pride.
(“Blood, Milk & Sky” by White Zombie continues playing as TLA and Minerva celebrate inside the ring, and the closing shot is them posing on the middle ropes.)
(EAW logo buzzes.)
