(EAW intro plays.)
(A recap is shown of Fighting Spirit, highlighting the major events of the night before the highlight reel comes to an end. The camera then opens to the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, where thousands of fans are seen cheering in anticipation for tonight’s show. Pyro shoots from the stage before panning towards the crowd, and finally the camera fades over to the commentary table, where Rich Russillo, Thadd Blazevich and Persephone are.)
Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen… Welcome back to Sunday Night Voltage! We’re officially on the road to Pain for Pride, and we have ourselves a big night planned tonight!
Thadd Blazevich: We sure do, bros! A Cash in the Vault qualifier, a Championship match, and don’t forget what Milli said on Dynasty. We have the Universal Women’s Champ in the building tonight!
Persephone: Great… Whatever, let’s just hurry up and get through this ASAP.
(The camera faded over towards the stage, before finally ‘you are stronger’ by lyn inaizumi began to play. This resulted in the crowd exploding with cheers for the Universal Women’s Champion, but Milli Banks did not make her entrance right away…)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… At this time please welcome the Universal Women’s Champion… EAW HALL OF FAMER, MILLI BANKS!
(After these words from Bella Braxton, a beautiful car could be seen beginning to slowly drive out the entrance way towards the ramp. It was a Lamborghini Temerario in Blu Caelum Metallic, and before long it became clear exactly who was driving, as the door opened to reveal the Universal Women’s Champion herself. Milli had a confident smirk on her face as she stepped out of the car, closing the door behind her as she walked down the ramp, looking towards the fans in attendance.)
Rich Russillo: Well, look at this! Quite the extravagant entrance here from our Universal Women’s Champion, who we learned would be joining us here tonight back on Dynasty!
Thadd Blazevich: We now know that a HUGE match is coming at Pain for Pride for the Universal Women’s Championship, and I think Milli’s ready for Minerva! Dude, she even called out everyone in ToXXXin!
Persephone: I don’t know why she’d do that. I don’t even want to see Milli, what makes her think I want to see the other three too.
(Milli Banks walked up the steel steps before entering the ring, and once there, she took a moment to acknowledge the cheering fans in attendance. The Champion walked towards the ropes after this, receiving a microphone from the timekeeper’s area. As Milli’s entrance music faded out, she began to speak.)
Milli Banks: I told y’all I was coming tonight, didn’t I?
(This only caused the cheers to rise once more, which made Milli laugh for a moment before she continued.)
Milli Banks: I know the fake goth bitches think they run shit around here since they’ve been on a run against everyone else, but they don’t scare me. I knew what I was getting into from the start. Minerva has her eyes on me, Daniella and Selina had their eyes on me, I was always going to end up outnumbered because that’s how they are. Thing is, I’m not the type to crumble under pressure. I’m not gonna let their threats or their lil’ games get to me. They already tried it back at Fighting Spirit, and how’d that play out for them? They told me my time was up and that this Championship was gonna be thrown away just so ToXXXin can spend Pain for Pride fighting amongst themselves, but that didn’t happen. Nah, I’m still here. I did what I said I was gonna do. I beat Daniella, Selina and Caroline’s asses, and Minerva? You’re next.
(The grin that was on Milli’s face began to drop after these words, as she turned her attention away from the fans and towards her Pain for Pride opponent.)
Milli Banks: So look, I’m just going to get ahead of this shit now since I know we’re going to get there eventually. Minerva, Daniella, Selina, I told all three of you that I wanted you here on Friday, so I don’t see why we need to waste any more time. Get out here so we can go ahead and handle this right now, and Ryan, Daryl, I know you two are backstage waiting for your chance to send a message before your title match in the main event- but I’m gonna need y’all to stay your bitchasses in the back and let me handle this.
(Milli turned towards the stage, and she didn’t have to wait long for the three Elitists she called out. ‘Duel’ by JINJER would begin playing, which brought out Minerva, Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes. Minerva was already holding a microphone in her hand, and Milli just extended her hand to the members of ToXXXin, telling them to join her in the ring. Minerva had a smirk on her face as she passed the Lamborghini on the stage and began walking down the ramp, with the Unified Tag Team Champions right alongside her.)
Rich Russillo: Well it looks like Milli Banks is getting her wish, as all three members of ToXXXin are on their way to the ring. There’s definitely been tension between them, and that’s an understatement.
Thadd Blazevich: Hell yeah it is, Milli just faced two of them at Fighting Spirit! Then there’s her Pain for Pride opponent Minerva, and honestly dude, I have no clue how this is gonna go.
Persephone: Hopefully something even slightly interesting, like them actually getting bloody.
(Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes remained at ringside, spreading out to opposite sides of the ring in a way that left Milli Banks surrounded. Milli didn’t show any fear in this situation, instead glaring at the Champions momentarily before turning right back towards Minerva, who entered the ring. As ‘Duel’ faded out a staredown would commence between the two Pain for Pride opponents. This would last until finally, Minerva broke the silence.)
Minerva: Don’t worry, Milli. We all heard you loud and clear and quite frankly we were planning to make an appearance anyway… Though I do have to question your intentions here. Do you really intend to prove a point you couldn’t even prove while your Championship was on the line? I’m sure you’d be much better off with Ryan and Daryl at your side.
Milli Banks: Don’t play with me right now.
Minerva: No, I’m serious. You’re trying to make a statement by putting yourself in a situation where you’re outnumbered just to show everyone that you aren’t afraid, but I can see it on your face and it’s the same look I’ve seen on so many of my opponents before I tore them to shreds. I saw it weeks ago, when you first showed up to Voltage to confront Daniella and Selina. You were paranoid, and at the time none of us had even laid a finger on you. You were afraid, and I can see why. It was because you knew you were entering not just the most perilous stretch of your reign as Universal Women’s Champion, but the end of the road. Don’t forget, Milli. This did not begin with me stating which Champion I’d face at Pain for Pride, as one normally would after winning the Grand Rampage match. It began with *you* calling *me* out because you knew deep down that you were in danger, and you knew exactly why. You’re not being brave right now. This is just self-sabotage, which I suppose isn’t anything you’re unfamiliar with.
(That final comment didn’t impress Milli, but she kept her composure as she thought about everything else Minerva said. To an extent Minerva was correct, as Milli was the one to reveal that Minerva planned to use her Grand Rampage victory to challenge her. However, Milli had a lot to say about the implications of this that Minerva had suggested, and didn’t waste the opportunity to fire back.)
Milli Banks: You’re right about one part. I did call you out, but that’s because I’m not fucking stupid. I know what type of person you are, which is why I called it out this time two years right before I beat your ass and took this exact same Championship from you at Pain for Pride. A thin-skinned, insecure bitch was never gonna let me end her Pain for Pride win streak after five wins in a row and end her Universal Women’s Championship reign without ever coming to get her lick back. You spent this whole season attempting to make up for the fact that your last season did not pan out the way you thought it would. All them setbacks made you rethink how you were gonna approach returning to Voltage and that’s fine, but this is where you fucked up. I won this title at Road to Redemption and only a few months later you’re throwing yourself into the Grand Rampage after spending the entire season without the slightest bit of urgency regarding the EAW World Championship- and I see why. Behind this whole stable you made so you can get two other bitches that clearly don’t know any better to hype you up and follow your every command, you’re still bitter because I’m not here just to bow down to you, and now after already beating you to win this title I was able to return from injury and win it again, all before entering the Hall of Fame.
(These words brought loud cheers from the fans in attendance, who were firmly behind the Universal Women’s Champion. Minerva just forced a smile after hearing Milli’s response, but it didn’t last too long, dropping as soon as Minerva began to once again speak.)
Minerva: I don’t think you are in any position to use the term ‘thin-skinned’, Milli. You’ve already spent enough time over the past year proving how fragile you can be, both mentally and physically.
(Minerva looked towards Milli’s leg as she said this, which brought loud boos from the fans. Milli just rolled her eyes from this comment, not letting such a thing get to her knowing that it had already been nearly a year since she suffered that injury. Minerva quickly moved on from the comment though, as she continued speaking.)
Minerva: It is true, though. I wanted vengeance against you ever since our match at Pain for Pride, which I feel I made clear enough at Fighting Spirit. I was never going to let go of that match so easily, especially knowing that the only chance I’ve gotten to rectify it since was in a War Games match tainted by the interference of Joso, which you so happily accepted so long as it meant you survived against me once more. I can see why. When you’ve done just about everything there is to do and defeated everyone there is to defeat any blemish on the record will stand out, and who would not wish to be that blemish? You ended my streak at Pain for Pride. You took the Universal Women’s Championship from me and I could never forget that… But you did not defeat me. You did not pin me. You did not submit me. Hikari Kanno was the reason you became the Universal Women’s Champion, and as you can see, she is no longer here.
Minerva: I’m glad you decided to bring this up, though. I remember the entirety of that road to Pain for Pride, where I recall you being quite bitter yourself. I wonder why that was.
Milli Banks: You better watch what you’re about to say.
Minerva: All I have to say is that you should be grateful, because when Hikari Kanno went out of her way to hurt you in a way that ensured she was under your skin, I remained focused on making it out of Pain for Pride as Champion. I could’ve hurt you far worse than Hikari ever did and had I done what I clearly needed to do, you may never have had the chance to stand here right now because you’d have turned out exactly like everyone else who had been given the platform to become a star only for their light to be snuffed out by the most dangerous person in this entire company. I got in your head just by doing my job, and in the end I was defeated only by circumstance. By the fact that I allowed the mess between yourself and Hikari Kanno to take center stage. Despite the warnings I had given you and so many others in my way I was too merciful for my own good, and I got rid of that weakness a long time ago.
(Minerva stared at Milli Banks for a moment, as a much colder look formed on her face.)
Minerva: Don’t underestimate what I’ll do to rip that Championship out of your hands.
(The boos continued following these words from Minerva, but Milli didn’t back down. She just slowly began to nod, not even taking her eyes off of Minerva despite the presence of the Unified Tag Team Champions at ringside.)
Milli Banks: Yeah, Hikari attacked Gemma and thought she could get away with it, but pissing me off clearly wasn’t the move, now was it? I don’t know what you think you’re doing but I have enough history now to warn you not to start trying to make this deeper than it already is. That match was about more than the title and that wasn’t a good thing for either of you, and you know it, because I remember how you felt. You felt slighted that I was taking that match as seriously as I was, as if I didn’t have every reason to want to knock Hikari’s teeth down her throat and whoop your ass for trying to take advantage of the whole thing. It was my first ever Pain for Pride main event and I walked into it with nothing but hate in my heart thanks to you two, yet somehow you were the one playing victim. Hikari attacked my sis and all of a sudden the whole thing ended up being about you and what you went through, and I’m not gonna pretend I give a fuck when you keep thinking you can play with my name.
Milli Banks: You keep doing all this talk like you respect me and you know what I’m capable of, but here you are making excuse after excuse about our history when I *already* told you that I’m not content with there being any asterisks attached to my wins over you. I don’t need to hear that right now. It’s been two years, Minerva. I’m not who I was back then, but clearly you haven’t changed as much as you think you have. You can bitch and cry about what happened two years ago as much as you want, but I’m here for what’s gonna happen in a few weeks, because sure. Back then you weren’t the one that I took down to win this title, but guess what?
(Milli took a few steps forward, reaching the center of the ring as she continued staring at Minerva.)
Milli Banks: I’m here now.
(The cheers would start once more, and Milli would even go as far as to remove her Universal Women’s Championship from her waist, holding it up high right in front of her challenger. Minerva looked at it for a moment, before finally she turned back to Milli.)
Minerva: You are, and this is where your reign ends.
(This time it was Minerva who entered the center of the ring, as the Pain for Pride opponents now stood face to face. This caused the excitement to rise from the crowd, as Minerva continued speaking.)
Minerva: You have nothing left to give, Milli. Back then you were a fresh, rising star fueled by your hatred for your opponents, but this year? This year you will walk into Pain for Pride as the jaded, fearful Champion with a bad leg, who has already known that she was on borrowed time for the past month. I warned you before our triple threat years ago that your attitude was going to limit the potential of any reign you had as Champion. Your emotions were going to get the better of you and you’d only end up hurting yourself, and ultimately you’ve done all of that and more. I am watching you spiral as we speak, and this is after a two year stretch that consisted of your first World Championship hands coming at the hands of someone that has your number, various breaks and an injury in a Pain for Pride main event. You don’t crumble under pressure? You have been crumbling under pressure for years now, so it doesn’t concern me if you believe I haven’t changed since 2024. The consequences that are to come will be all you need to see when it comes how dangerous I can really be, and you? You’re right, you won’t be who you were two years ago. You’ll be in an even worse place, because you will be alone, with nobody to save you, nobody to support you, and nobody to prevent you from once again falling apart.
(Milli glared at Minerva for a moment, but while she wasn’t too pleased having the low parts of history thrown in her face, she didn’t plan to let Minerva get to her now.)
Milli Banks: Right. Okay, let’s talk about it. I took time away from the ring, and then what? I came back, won Brand Warfare, regained the Universal Women’s Championship by winning *another* Extreme Elimination Chamber, making it past *your* little henchmen here and securing yet another Pain for Pride main event for myself. Crumbling under pressure doesn’t get you where I am and if anyone knows that it’s you, so don’t act stupid. It’s funny because I remember how you and Myles used to talk about me. First you didn’t think I could take this Championship from you because of my attitude. Then you thought I was “devaluing” this title because I competed in War Games and wasn’t the Captain of my team, and now a little while later Myles isn’t even here while you’re back chasing after me and my title. You’re gonna keep moving the goalposts because I’m gonna keep shattering whatever expectations you try setting for me, and that includes doing what nobody has ever done before and beating you one on one at Pain for Pride. Shit, maybe once this is over you can go ahead and join Myles in retirement, because we’re all good without you over here without you spending another two years crying because you couldn’t beat me.
(These words brought a grin back to Milli’s face as the fans cheered, while Minerva remained unamused. Milli took a moment after this, glancing towards Daniella and Selina momentarily before looking back at Minerva, growing impatient.)
Milli Banks: Anyways, I’m sure we’re getting to the part where you start barking orders at the other two like they’re your dogs, so can we speed this up?
Minerva: What is the rush? You seem perfectly content with digging your grave all on your own.
(Milli didn’t respond to this, standing her ground despite the words coming from Minerva. Minerva on the other hand would point towards ringside, gesturing towards the Tag Team Champions as she continued.)
Minerva: You mock Daniella and Selina, but ToXXXin exists because I see the future in those two. I see two women who have the potential to become the names standing at the very top of the women’s division. You made it out of Fighting Spirit as Champion by the skin of your teeth but there is no guarantee the same will occur the next time you cross paths with them, because while I once saw you and saw the future just as I have with Daniella, Selina, Bea Valentine and so many others… I see now that you are different. You’re a fool. You haven’t grown from the arrogant child that put an end to her own Olympic career after mocking a contestant’s deceased mother, so I feel no shame when I tell you that the pain you have coming your way was years in the making. Serenity Valdez, Bea Valentine, Hikari Kanno, Veena Adams, I have already seen you at your lowest, and I know you can go lower. I will give you but one warning, Milli… What I can and will do to you will be worse than anything you’ve ever experienced in your career.
(Minerva stepped even closer as she said this, making sure to get right in Milli’s face. Despite everything Minerva had to say, Milli chose not to argue back, saying nothing in response. Seeing this, Minerva appeared satisfied with the statement she had made.)
(*THUD!*)
Rich Russillo: MINERVA IS DOWN!!!
Thadd Blazevich: MILLI JUST HIT MINERVA WITH HER MICROPHONE!! I THINK SHE’S HAD ENOUGH, BRO!!!
(With this, the crowd roared as Milli Banks finally took the fight to Minerva.)
Rich Russillo: WE KNEW IT WAS COMING, ESPECIALLY AFTER TRADING ALL THOSE VERBAL SHOTS! MILLI BANKS IS ALL OVER MINERVA RIGHT NOW, WHO IS ON A KNEE AFTER GETTING SURPRISED BY THAT MICROPHONE RIGHT TO THE JAW!! IF THERE’S ONE THING WE KNOW ABOUT MILLI, IT’S THAT SHE’S NOT ONE TO JUST ACCEPT BEING DISRESPECTED!!
Thadd Blazevich: YEAH, BUT I DON’T THINK MINERVA IS, EITHER! MINERVA JUST RAN FORWARD AND RAMMED MILLI BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!! THAT SURPRISED MILLI AND I THINK KNOCKED THE WIND OUTTA HER- AND THANKS TO THAT MINERVA’S ABLE TO DELIVER REPEATED SHOULDER THRUSTS, BEFORE PULLING BACK AND HITTING MILLI WITH A NASTY ELBOW!
Persephone: MINERVA GRABS MILLI AND TURNS HER AROUND SO SHE CAN SEND HER FACE INTO THE TURNBUCKLE- BUT MILLI GETS HER BOOT ONTO THE TURNBUCKLE BEFORE PUSHING HERSELF OFF, SENDING BOTH HER AND MINERVA TO THE MAT!
Rich Russillo: Milli rolls backwards to her feet as Minerva rushes back up, AND NOW BOTH WOMEN CHARGE AT EACH OTHER BEFORE JUST DUKING IT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! THIS IS A NASTY FIGHT- AND IT LOOKS LIKE MINERVA HAS NO PROBLEM WITH THAT AS SHE IMMEDIATELY GOES FOR A TAKEDOWN, ATTACKING THE FORMERLY INJURED LEG OF MILLI!
Thadd Blazevich: SHE GETS IT AND SHE STARTS NAILING RIGHTS AND LEFTS ON MILLI- BUT MILLI IS ABLE TO SURPRISE MINERVA WITH A SUDDEN RIGHT HAND! THESE TWO ARE ON THE MAT JUST HITTING EACH OTHER BACK AND FORTH, AND NOW I THINK MILLI IS LOOKING TO TAKE THE UPPER HAND AS SHE ROLLS ON TOP OF MINERVA!
Rich Russillo: BUT MINERVA IMMEDIATELY PUSHES MILLI OFF OF HER! Both women get back to their feet but Minerva is up first- AND SHE IMMEDIATELY STARTS PULLING MILLI IN FOR ATLAS FALLS-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT MILLI PULLS HERSELF BACK DOWN BEFORE RUSHING MINERVA INTO THE CORNER- AND GRABBING MINERVA’S HEAD AND SLAMMING THE BACK OF IT INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! MILLI DOES IT AGAIN! AND AGAIN! AND SHE DOES IT ONE MORE TIME AS MINERVA STUMBLES OUTTA THE CORNER!
Persephone: Minerva’s stupid followers are still watching at ringside. Are they not even gonna help??
Rich Russillo: It looks like this one’s gonna be left to Minerva and Milli! Minerva is struggling to even stand and Milli can see it, SO NOW SHE RUNS THE ROPES, BEFORE GOING FOR-
Thadd Blazevich: THE DEVIL’S TOUCH!!!
(Immediately, the crowd’s loud cheers turned into boos, as Milli Banks’ head rocked backwards, causing her to stumble backwards to a knee. Minerva saw that the fight had left Milli following that superkick, and she just shook her head, picking Milli’s own Championship off of the floor before beginning to run the ropes.)
Rich Russillo: OH NO!
Thadd Blazevich: MINERVA HITS MILLI BANKS WITH HER OWN CHAMPIONSHIP, AND MILLI IS DOWN!!!!!!
(Milli Banks was unconscious from that point onwards, but Minerva didn’t appear satisfied just yet. She dragged Milli Banks towards the ropes, pulling her up before hanging Milli’s arms over the top rope so that she was left involuntarily standing. After this, Minerva ran the ropes once again, picking up Milli’s Championship once more.)
Rich Russillo: AND THERE’S A SECOND SHOT WITH THE TITLE, BUT MILLI DOESN’T FALL!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, but that’s not a good thing in this case! Minerva runs the ropes again, AND THERE’S A THIRD ONE!!!! MILLI’S ARMS FALL OFF THE ROPES AFTER THAT, AND MILLI SLOWLY JUST STUMBLES OFF OF THE ROPES AS MINERVA RUNS THE ROPES ONE MORE TIME-
Rich Russillo: BEFORE DROPPING MILLI WITH A FOURTH TITLE SHOT!!!!
(The boos only grew louder, but at this point, Milli Banks wasn’t just unconscious. Blood was pouring from her head as a result of the repeated shots with the Championship, and this was a sight that caused smiles to appear on the faces of both Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes.)
Persephone: Wow, I actually got what I wanted for once! Maybe this wasn’t so bad.
Rich Russillo: Well, you asked why ToXXXin wouldn’t get involved… I think you got your answer.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah… That got brutal dude. Things are definitely heated now, and with Minerva in the form she’s been in this season coming after the title, Milli’s got one hell of a challenge on her hands.
(The blood continued to pour down the face of Milli Banks, as well as the sides of her head, slowly forming a small pool of blood. Minerva observed this sight for some time, before finally she just dropped the Universal Women’s Championship by Milli’s feet, before turning and beginning to exit the ring. Minerva joined back with Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes at the ramp, and the trio looked back at Milli Banks as they slowly backpedaled up the ramp, grinning at the sight of the fallen Universal Women’s Champion. With this, Voltage began to fade from ringside.)
(Promotional ad for Pain for Pride 19, where Minerva faces Milli Banks for the Universal Women’s Championship.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to show the backstage area of the Rogers Arena, and the camera immediately focuses on a pair of feet briskly walking through the halls. As the shot begins to pan up… it’s revealed to be Auburn Ware, and the tension immediately shifts. There’s a sense of urgency in her step, but along with that, there’s an immediate sense of rage that washes over her face.)
(For the past couple of months, Auburn has been a girl who knew how to hide it. How to mask all her dread and despair with a smile, knowing that she had to focus on being the best wrestler that she could possibly be. But even if she had to admit, that recently, it has become so much more than just wrestling. Everything involving Saori Aizen… and Damon Lazarus… had completely overtaken her life, and it had uprooted everything that she was fighting for until the point that Fighting Spirit happened…)
(The absolutely worst night of her life.)
(It tore her apart, not just the fact that Saori beat her, but to her… it seemed as though Damon had picked Saori’s side already. That he tossed her away like a broken, discarded toy and waited around until it was the final nail in the coffin to make sure she was gone. But Auburn wasn’t gone, even though that would be a fate that she would not be opposed to at this point, she was still here. She was at Voltage, and she was furious. She was not only angry at Saori, but heartbroken by her own decisions. Thoughts swirled through her mind, questioning why she would allow this to happen with her, but the damage had already been done. The pain had already been inflicted, and now she was just going to have to let it fester. But at the same time, she wasn’t going to go out without a fight.)
(She reached a place that had become all too familiar for her, the locker room for Damon Lazarus. But the formality was gone, she was done trying to cozy up to him because it was clear, in her mind, that he picked his side already. It frustrated her, it tore her apart, and without a doubt, it was something that she was not going to stand for.)
(She doesn’t try to knock, she immediately goes to open the door.)
(THUD!)
(But it’s locked. She tries to rattle the door handle, but it doesn’t budge, and in her mind, she can already see what’s happening inside. Damon and Saori in a violent liplock, pressed against one of the lockers. Damon is seated, Saori straddling on top of her, neither of them with any regard for the world around them. And right next to them, propped up adjacent to their bodies… was her Specialists Championship. Perhaps, in her mind, that title was the one thing that kept her sane.)
(But now it is gone, so really… what was stopping her?)
Auburn Ware: GODDAMMIT!
(BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!)
(Auburn starts slamming against the door repeatedly in anger, perhaps not even expecting an answer at all, but she wanted everyone, including the people inside the locker room, to hear *everything* that she was saying.)
Auburn Ware: I gave EVERYTHING to you! EVERYTHING! And what did you do with it??? WHAT DID YOU DO?! You BROKE my HEART! Ran away with that rat BITCH and left me to fucking DIE! Is that your game??? Was any of this ever real to you?! Just playing with my fucking heart, playing with my feelings…
(BANG!)
Auburn Ware: FUCK YOU!
(BANG!)
Auburn Ware: FUCK YOU!
(BANG!)
Auburn Ware: FUCK YOU!!!
(Auburn’s head presses against the door as she continues to slam it repeatedly with her fists. She’s fighting back tears at the moment, but why is she even fighting them? Nobody is watching anyway, nobody even seems to care. She’s just a girl who has surrounded herself with a world that has passed her by, and they’ve made it apparent how they’ve felt, so why not show them how she feels now as well. Her lip quivers, before she continues to shout.)
Auburn Ware: What have you done to me…? What have you done…? ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING RIGHT NOW?! DO YOU EVEN CARE?! YOU ABSOLUTE HYPOCRITE! How could you??
(But in fact, even if she didn’t realize it, someone was listening.)
(Saori Aizen was heading back to Damon’s locker room when she heard the commotion, and judging by the expression on her face, she didn’t seem entirely surprised that it would come to this at some point. But truthfully, why would she even care? She got everything that she wanted out of this, and she reaped the benefits more than she could ever imagine, getting so much more than just the title. But maybe even a part of her wanted Auburn to be gone, to not have to revel in her misery and pain, because as far as she was concerned… she was beneath her.)
(So admittingly, she was annoyed, even though she shouldn’t really be annoyed. If this was the life that she was going to be subjected to because of what she did, even with her very first Championship in EAW, then she knew that she had the power to put a stop to it before this got out of hand. She turned the corner and stormed toward Auburn, who didn’t even realize she was there at all.)
(She approached her and shoved her left side, forcing her away from the door. Auburn stumbled back, almost as if she was snapped out of a trance, with a lingering look of bewilderment as she tried to comprehend what just happened. But as soon as her eyes lock onto Saori, her anger immediately comes back, in fact, her rage is stronger than ever.)
Auburn Ware: Get the fuck away from me…
(Auburn tries to storm off, but Saori grabs her shoulder and pushes her back.)
Auburn Ware: Okay, what the FUCK do you want?! What MORE do you want to take away from me?! You’ve already taken away EVERYTHING! Was that not enough for you?! Do you need to make sure that I’m fucking dead in order for you to be satisfied with what you’ve done?! HUH?! IS THAT GOING TO BE WHAT IT TAKES?!
Saori Aizen: I do not need to concern myself with you anymore, Auburn Ware. I told you exactly what was going to happen, and everything came back to you tenfold, so pray tell, why do I need to hear the aftermath? Maybe, truly, this meant a lot more to you than it did to me, and maybe it’s because I’m not the one who had everything slip away from her in an instant, but you don’t need to blame me for that, because it was all YOUR fault.
(In the middle of this heated exchange, someone else has seemed to have encountered it. A shadowy figure is seen lurking in the distance, but it’s undeniable who it is. His eyes narrow as he watches the two of them from afar.)
Auburn Ware: THIS WAS NEVER MY FAULT! DO YOU THINK I ASKED FOR THIS?! Do you think I asked to be some fucking pawn in both of your games?! I just wanted to WRESTLE, Saori. I NEVER asked to be dragged into any of this. But I guess it’s my fault that I’m a STUPID fucking BITCH who likes to have her feelings PLAYED with, and LOVES to continue to HURT herself for other people’s enjoyment. MAYBE that’s my fault, and if THAT’S the case, MAYBE I DO DESERVE IT! But that doesn’t mean you hear the last of me…
Saori Aizen: YES… that is what it means. You had your chance, and you let it slip away because of a foolish mistake, and you do not DESERVE the right to try and take that out on me, do you understand me? I did everything that I promised I would do, I punished you, I made sure you suffered, and now you’re GONE. Do you understand me??? Whatever problems have arisen from this are your own. You do NOT take it out on other people.
Auburn Ware: Well then MAKE ME, Saori! FUCKING MAKE ME!
(Auburn approaches Saori, a look of fire in her eyes as, maybe at this point, she does want to start a conflict with her. The issues that these two have had has made itself more than apparent, and if the past month has shown anything, it has become a lot more than just wrestling when it comes to them. It’s a whole lot more personal, so maybe Auburn has made her bed, maybe she’s forced to lay in it, but she’s making sure that she takes someone down with her.)
(Meanwhile, the person in the distance continues to watch. As Auburn presses Saori, he catches the look in her eyes, the fury, the rage, something that he had only seen a couple of times… something that gives him glimpses of what she has buried deep down… something that just maybe he’s wanted to see more of…)
Auburn Ware: Bash my head against the wall, beat me to a bloody pulp, make sure that my breathing slows and send me to the fucking morgue. Because that is the ONLY way that you are going to get rid of me, Saori… do you hear me???
(Saori doesn’t seem at all taken aback by this, once again, all of this was something that she came to expect from a shortfuse like Auburn Ware, why should she be surprised at this point? Instead, she merely smirks.)
Saori Aizen: Do you want to know how it felt, Auburn? Hm…?
Auburn Ware: …
Saori Aizen: When I won the Specialists Championship, and went back and saw Damon afterward. Do you want me to describe in detail what the two of us did?
Auburn Ware: Shut your mouth…
Saori Aizen: Oh, it was truly amazing. Must I go into vivid detail?
Auburn Ware: SHUT THE FUCK UP-
???: Ahem… *Saori.*
(Auburn freezes, her eyes widening as she hears the voice, and she doesn’t need to see a face to associate it, she already knows it all too well. The voice that has haunted her mind, tore her apart at the very seam, ruined her life in more ways than one, even before Saori came along. It was one, even after all this time, made her heart skip a beat, and perhaps that was what she hated the most about it.)
(But Saori… reacted a lot differently. She turns her head as she sees the man slither out from the shadows, a straight expression on his face as he eyes the scene that he’s certainly seen enough of to get the full picture. Saori… can only smirk triumphantly, feeling like the battle had already been won without her having to do anything.)
(She pays no attention to Auburn, as if she wasn’t there anymore, and allowed Damon to casually put a hand on her hip.)
Damon Lazarus: *Let’s go.*
(Damon, without even looking up at Auburn again, turns around and leads her away from the scene, away from the locker room, and to somewhere private where perhaps even Auburn couldn’t find them.)
(But she had more to think about at this point.)
(Auburn was stunned, completely red in the face. It felt as though she had lost all the feeling in her legs, as she stumbled backward and almost fell against the door, as if she was collapsing against it. But after a moment, through her quivering breathing, she managed to slump herself down against the side of it, falling into a seated position.))
(Thud. Thud. Thud.)
(Before slamming the back of her head against the door, quietly, until it picked up.)
(Thud. Thud. Thud.)
(Curse her stupid heart.)
(Thud. Thud. Thud.)
(After a moment, her fists clenched, before she finally managed to will herself to stand up to her feet. She turned and didn’t even follow them, instead making a beeline toward *Captain Charisma’s office.*)
(It was the very last shot seen before the camera faded out.)
(The camera returns to ringside.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING IS A SINGLES MATCH SET FOR ONE-FALL!
(‘Burn Victim’ by Methwitch begins to play as the crowd has a mixed reaction to Eris Morti. She walks out on stage looking a mix of confident and focused. But there’s a wicked smile on her face as she heads down to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST…FROM PARTS UNKNOWN…WEIGHING IN AT 130 POUNDS…SHE IS “DOMINA MORTIS”…EERRRRRRIIIIIISSSS MOORTTIIII!
Rich Russillo: There is plenty of bad blood between these two folks! I mean, the gauntlet was thrown down a few weeks ago! Eris Morti made her presence known with a sadistic attack! You have to wonder if she’s in her opponent’s head like she wants to be!
(‘REVIVER’ by MY FIRST STORY begins to play and the crowd cheers for Sayuri Himura. She looks to be in a completely focused state when she arrives on stage, looking straight at Eris Morti. She heads down there, staring her down.)
Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING HER OPPONENT…RESIDING IN YOKOHAMA, JAPAN…WEIGHING IN AT 125 POUNDS…SHE IS “THE YUREI”…SAAAYYYUUUUURRRRRIIII HIMMMMURRRRRAAAA!
Thadd Blazevich: And bro, Sayuri Himura looks completely focused here! She said that she wanted to do this her way and now she has that chance! Can you shake off the attack from a few weeks ago and finally put all this to rest?
(Sayuri Himura gets inside the ring and there is a tense stare down between the two. Eventually though, they are ushered back to their own corners and the bell is rung.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: There’s the bell and this match is officially underway here folks! Sayuri Himura and Eris Morti have so much bad blood between them! AND IT IS HIMURA WHO MAKES THE FIRST MOVE HERE! SHE COMES RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE WITH A RUNNING UPPERCUT THAT NEARLY TURNS HER OPPONENT INSIDE OUT! She immediately drags her opponent back off the mat and gets her with a massive knife-edge chop! AND ANOTHER! Himura drives Morti right toward the corner with this opening onslaught of offense!
Thadd Blazevich: Once her opponent is in the corner…she sends her across the ring with an irish whip! Eris stumbles out of the corner… AND HIMURA TRIES TO MEET HER WITH THE SHOTGUN DROPKICK! But Morti is able to move out of the way bro! As Himura tries to get back on her feet Morti grabs her and strikes her down with a german suplex! AND THEN SHE LOCKS IN A DRAGON SLEEPER!
Persephone: Already with a submission hold here, Eris Morti is trying to squeeze the life out of her opponent! BUT HIMURA DRIVES HER KNEE UPWARDS AND STRAIGHT INTO THE HEAD OF MORTI! She manages to get the hold broken up and gets to her feet…ROLLING ELBOW!
Rich Russillo: But Eris Morti ducks underneath it and gets behind her opponent! SHE TRIES TO LIFT HER UP FOR THE SAITO SUPLEX! HIMURA THOUGH IS ABLE TO ROLL OFF HER OPPONENT’S SHOULDERS AND ONTO HER FEET! She quickly makes an attempt to hit her own saito but Morti drives an elbow back right into the side of her head! Eris turns her opponent around and gets her with a massive knife-edge chop! SHE FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH THE SPINNING CHOP AND IT KNOCKS HIMURA RIGHT OFF HER FEET!
Thadd Blazevich: That was a gnarly shot right there bro! Himura tries to scramble back to her feet but her opponent stays on her! Morti picks her up, getting her onto her shoulders now! BUT HIMURA GIVES HER AN ELBOW RIGHT TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! SHE KEEPS HAMMERING AWAY UNTIL HER OPPONENT LOWERS HER BACK DOWN! HIMURA THEN LIFTS HER OPPONENT UP FOR THE FALCON ARROW! BIG IMPACT INCOMING HERE DUDES!
Persephone: BUT ERIS MORTI DRIVES HER KNEE DOWN RIGHT INTO HER OPPONENT’S HEAD! These two are fighting annoyingly hard to prevent each other from getting their big offense in! Eris manages to get dropped down to her feet, AND THEN SHE DELIVERS A GNARLY HEADBUTT TO HIMURA…BEFORE PULLING HER IN FOR A RIPCORD LARIAT! Here comes the first cover of the match!
ONE!
TW-
Rich Russillo: BUT SAYURI HIMURA IS ABLE TO KICK OUT JUST BEFORE THE TWO COUNT! Eris Morti is relentless though! The moment that shoulder goes up, she reaches down and places her opponent into the guillotine choke! Himura isn’t about to catch a break here folks!
Thadd Blazevich: But she’s not about to give up either bro! Sayuri digs down deep and extends her arms towards the ropes! WITH A SUDDEN BURST OF STRENGTH, SHE MANAGES TO ROLL HER OPPONENT OVER AND GET WITHIN RANGE! The referee is now telling Morti to release it! And she has no choice but to comply here dudes!
Persephone: Sayuri Himura is now able to get back on her feet…AS SOON AS SHE DOES HER OPPONENT LOOKS FOR THE PUMP KICK! But Himura dances around it and gets right behind Morti! SHE GETS HER WITH THAT RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX! I mean, she practically tosses her with that one!
Rich Russillo: That was a hard impact with the mat there for Morti! She struggles to get back onto her feet…AND HER OPPONENT IS MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP! ERIS IS ROCKED BY A DISCUS ELBOW THAT CATCHES HER RIGHT IN THE TEMPLE! She might have been knocked out by Himura! And now Himura is the one hooking the leg for a cover!
ONE!
TW-
Thadd Blazevich: NO BRO! That wasn’t enough to get the job done! Himura doesn’t seem all that surprised though! She knew going into this that it would be a fight! She brings her opponent back to her feet…AND SHE GETS HER WITH A KNIFE-EDGE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GUNSHOT GOING OFF! She then sends her into the ropes with an irish whip…AND LOOKS FOR THE LARIAT OFF THE REBOUND!
Rich Russillo: BUT MORTI DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT AND KEEPS BUILDING UP SOME SPEED! SHE COMES RIGHT BACK AT HIMURA LIKE A BULLET! THE PUMP KICK NEARLY TAKES HER HEAD OFF THERE! And just like that the tide has turned once again here! Himura doesn’t look like she even knows where she is at the moment! BUT MORTI HELPS HER REMEMBER WITH A SHARP KICK TO THE BACK!
Persephone: And now more punishment is about to follow! Morti reaches down and brings her opponent back to her feet! SHE TAKES HER DOWN WITH A T-BONE SUPLEX! Himura is taking a beating at the moment…and Morti looks like a predator stalking its prey.
Thadd Blazevich: Indeed she does dude! She’s looking pretty confident after that onslaught of offense! And she isn’t done quite yet! SHE STOMPS RIGHT DOWN ON HIMURA’S ARM! It looks like she wants to dismantle some of her arsenal here! SHE DELIVERS SOME GNARLY ONES BEFORE LOOKING FOR THAT FUJIWARA ARMBAR!
Rich Russillo: But Himura is able to tear her arm away and scramble back to a vertical base! Eris Morti stays hot on her trail though…BUT SHE’S REPELLED WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! That one seemed to hurt her own arm a bit…clearly showing signs that Morti’s targeted attack was effective! BUT HIMURA SHAKES IT OFF WITH A SHOTGUN DROPKICK! SHE CATCHES MORTI SQUARE IN THE CHEST SENDING HER SLAMMING INTO THE CORNER TURNBUCKLES!
Persephone: Himura takes a second here to catch her breath and brainstorm what she needs to do next! She makes her decision and drags Morti back to her feet! SHE UNLEASHES A BARRAGE OF EUROPEAN UPPERCUTS HERE! She strikes her opponent over and over again, clearly trying to wear her down!
Thadd Blazevich: AND SHE TRIES TO FINISH THE COMBINATION WITH THE IZANAMI! THE SPINNING BACKFIST DOESN’T FIND IT’S DESIRED TARGET! Morti ducks right underneath it! SHE THEN LIFTS HER OPPONENT UP AND SPIKES HER WITH THE HALF AND HALF SUPLEX! She quickly scrambles on top of Himura for a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Rich Russillo: But Himura is able to get that shoulder up! This one still isn’t over! Morti though is more than determined to put this one away though! She lifts her opponent back up and gets her into position for the powerbomb! Himura begins raining down elbows though, desperately fighting against this! She manages to be dropped back down to her feet…AND SHE GETS MORTI WITH A ROLLING ELBOW!
Persephone: The impact knocks Morti back towards the ropes…she bounces off it and right back towards Himura! SHE GETS LIFTED UP AND TAKEN DOWN BY A MASSIVE FALCON ARROW! She pulls the leg back of her opponent and covers!
ONE!
TWO!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT MORTI GETS THE SHOULDER UP AT THE TWO COUNT BRO! Himura looks frustrated that she wasn’t able to get the job done! But she quickly shakes that off and gets back into the action! She reaches down and grabs Morti…HOOKING THE ARMS AND WE’RE ABOUT TO SEE THAT TIGER DRIVER ’98! HERE COMES BLACK MEMORY!
Rich Russillo: BUT MORTI IS ABLE TO TWIST OUT OF IT…AND SHE ROCKS HER OPPONENT WITH A MASSIVE HEADBUTT! Her opponent stumbles back towards the corner…AND MORTI LIFTS HER UP AND PLACES HER ON THE TOP ROPE! She follows her up there and unleashes a few more headbutts, wearing her opponent down! You have to believe that she has some dangerous designs up there! Sayuri Himura is in a very dangerous position here!
Persephone: BUT HIMURA FIRES BACK WITH A MASSIVE HEADBUTT OF HER OWN! She knocks Eris Morti off the top rope…or at least that’s what she thinks! Instead Morti catches herself by the legs and pulls herself back up here! ARE WE ABOUT TO SEE THE STUPID SPIDER PLEX!
Thad Blazevich: NO! HIMURA LEAPS DOWN ON TO THE APRON INSTEAD AND THEN BACK INSIDE THE RING! SHE NAILS MORTI IN THE BACK WITH A MASSIVE ELBOW BRO! AND THEN SHE CLIMBS UP TO THE TOP ROPE AFTER HER! HIMURA THROWS HER BACK DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A MASSIVE GERMAN SUPLEX! THAT WAS VILE BRO!
Rich Russillo: And it was quite the awful landing for Eris Morti! I mean, coming down from that height and landing on your head and neck like that? She might be out of this one! Sayuri Himura knows that she needs to capitalize on this immediately! This could be the opening right here to put it away! She slowly drags her opponent back to her feet…AND LOOKS FOR BRIDGING DRAGON SUPLEX! HERE COMES TSUKOYOMI!
Persephone: BUT MORTI IS ABLE TO WRAP HER LEGS AROUND THE BOTTOM ROPE! She holds on tight in order to prevent being lifted! Her opponent has to improvise here now! Himura instead delivers an elbow to the back of her head…AND THEN TEARS HER AWAY FOR THE GERMAN SUPLEX INSTEAD!
Thadd Blazevich: AND MORTI HITS THE MAT AND KEEPS ROLLING! Himura doesn’t have any time to capitalize before her opponent is outside of the ring! I don’t know if that was instinct there or perhaps Morti is just working on pure spite bro! Sayuri Himura has no choice but to head to the outside, she is not going to let this one end by count-out!
Rich Russillo: She goes to drag her opponent back inside the ring…BUT MORTI SMACKS HER FACE RIGHT OFF THE METAL APRON! And look at the smirk on the face of Eris! Himura turns back around and that definitely got a rise out of her! SHE LUNGES FORWARD FOR THE RUNNING LARIAT…
Persephone: BUT MORTI IS ABLE TO EVADE IT WITH EASE! HER OPPONENT TURNS AROUND AND SHE CUTS HER DOWN WITH THE SPEAR! She quickly picks her opponent back up and rolls her inside the ring! Eris Morti goes for the cover and this one is over!
ONE!
TWO!
T-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT NO BRO! SHE GETS THE SHOULDER UP! Eris Morti managed to land that gnarly spear, but it was not enough to keep Sayuri down, and Eris just shrugs before she drags Himura back up to a vertical base! SHE SLAPS HIMURA ACROSS THE FACE! I THINK IT’S BOTH DISRESPECT AND HER TRYING TO WAKE HER UP! SHE GETS HER WITH ANOTHER…AND HIMURA REPLIES WITH A FOREARM!
Rich Russillo: Eris Morti grins and fires back with a nasty elbow smash! It sends her opponent stumbling back towards the ropes…AND SHE BOUNCES BACK WITH A MASSIVE RUNNING LARIAT! THAT JUST TURNED ERIS INSIDE OUT, AND NOW SAYURI WILLS HERSELF BACK TO HER FEET! And now she lifts her opponent back up…EXPLODER SUPLEX! Himura tosses her opponent across the ring and then leaps up to her feet! The crowd explodes now, cheering on Himura as she zeroes in on her opponent!
Persephone: And now she has an opportunity here…a chance to finally put Morti away! She better take it! Himura stalks her opponent like prey, waiting for her to get back to a vertical base! SHE THEN RUSHES FORWARD AND LOOKS FOR THE SAYONARA!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT MORTI IS ABLE TO DODGE IT AT THE LAST SECOND! SHE GRABS HER OPPONENT IN POSITION FOR THE SLEEPER HOLD…AND THEN SHE LOOKS FOR THE SLAM BRO! THE BED OF NAILS IS COMING!
Rich Russillo: BUT HIMURA MANAGES TO STEP FORWARD AND GET HER HANDS ON THE TOP ROPE! She refuses to be lifted up by her opponent here! SHE MANAGES TO SHAKE HER OFF AND HER OPPONENT IS SENT ROLLING BACKWARDS! Morti gets back to her feet and runs right towards her…BUT GET’S ROCKED BY A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! HIMURA HOOKS THE ARMS…AND GETS HER UP IN THE AIR FOR THE TIGER DRIVER ’98! THE BLACK MEMORY FINALLY CONNECTS!
ONE!
TWO!
Persephone: OH COME ON! SOMEHOW ERIS MORTI IS ABLE TO KICK OUT OF IT! Sayuri Himura thought that she had put her opponent away, and I sure wish she did! She now brings her opponent back to her feet and then sends her into the corner with an irish whip! Eris collides with the corner turnbuckles, AND HER OPPONENT THEN MEETS HER THERE WITH A SHOTGUN DROPKICK! And Eris collides with the turnbuckles once more!
Thadd Blazevich: And now Sayuri drags her lifeless opponent back up and looks to get her with the german suplex! BUT AS SHE GOES FOR IT, ERIS MORTI LANDS ON HER FEET! Himura thought that she got her there…AND IS SURPRISED WHEN MORTI COMES FROM BEHIND WITH A SAITO SUPLEX! AND NOW’S FIGHTING LIKE A RABID ANIMAL! SHE DELIVERS SOME BIG KNEES TO HIMURA’S RIBS DUDE! But that’s not enough for her!
Rich Russillo: ERIS MORTI DELIVERS A MASSIVE KNEE DROP RIGHT TO BACK OF HER OPPONENT’S HEAD AS WELL! She is going all out now! With her opponent being softened up by that absolutely flurry of strikes….SHE LOCKS IN THE ANGEL TRAP! A BRUTAL SUBMISSION HOLD HERE FOLKS AND SHE USES HER FREE ARM TO KEEP HAMMERING ELBOWS DOWN INTO HER OPPONENT’S STOMACH!
Persephone: There is absolutely nowhere for Himura to go here people! She’s going to tap out! It is just a matter of time at this point! And it’s looking closer and closer every second here! Each blow seems to be taking the life out of her! Are we about to see her tap out?
Thadd Blazevich: BUT NO BRO! SAYURI HIMURA IS ABLE TO RALLY! SHE MANAGES TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND GET HER FOOT ON THE ROPE DUDE! She had to dig down really deep for that one! But Eris Morti doesn’t release the hold until the four count hits! She lets go of her opponent but Himura looks like she’s barely functional at the moment!
Rich Russillo: Eris Morti slowly drags her lifeless body away from the ropes! She then gets her opponent up and into position for that Gotch Style Piledriver! IT LOOKS LIKE A FUNERAL IS IMMINENT FOLKS!
Persephone: BUT WITH A SUDDEN BURST OF STRENGTH HIMURA THROWS HER OPPONENT OVER HEAD INSTEAD! Morti goes up and lands on the mat awkwardly! She tries to scramble back to her feet…BUT HIMURA TURNS HER AROUND WITH THE SPINNING BACKFIST! IZANAMI!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT SHE HASN’T HAD ENOUGH YET BRO! HIMURA GRABS HER FROM BEHIND…AND SPIKES HER HEAD INTO THE GROUND WITH TSUKYOMI! THAT’S THE BRIDGING DRAGON SUPLEX! THIS ONE IS SO OVER BRO!
ONE!
TWO!
THR-
Rich Russillo: HOW? ERIS MORTI MANAGES TO KICK OUT OF THAT! Sayuri Himura looks at Eris Morti in awe, wondering how she’s still in this! But she has no choice but to keep going here! She slowly gets back to her own feet then reaches down and pulls her opponent back to theirs! AND THERE’S ANOTHER EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! FOLLOWED BY THE KNIFE-EDGE CHOP! AND IT LOOKS LIKE SHE’S JUST SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH AS SHE LAYS INTO MORTI!
Persephone: BUT MORTI CATCHES HER OFF-GUARD WITH THE URANAGE! SHE SPIKES HER DOWN INTO THE MAT! Sayuri turns over and holds her back as she gets to a knee, AND ERIS PULLS HER IN FOR A DDT- But Himura is able to spin out of it! SHE TRIES FOR A LARIAT BUT MORTI EVADES IT! SHE GOES TO THE ROPES AND LOOKS FOR THE SPEAR HERE!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT THAT SPEAR IS MET WITH A BOOT TO THE HEAD! HIMURA SAW THAT ONE COMING FROM A MILE AWAY BRO! SHE THEN LIFTS HER UP AND GETS HER WITH THE SNAP BRAINBUSTER! But she doesn’t let go bro! No! Instead she rolls back to her feet with Morti! AND NOW HERE’S THE FALCON ARROW ONCE AGAIN! A vicious combination from Himura here!
Rich Russillo: This match is escalating here! These two are going to do whatever they need to in order to put this away! AND SAYURI HIMURA BRINGS HER OPPONENT TO HER FEET ONCE AGAIN! SHE TRIES FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB…BUT MORTI PUNCHES HER IN THE RIBS! She keeps hammering away until she’s free…AND GETS HER WITH A BUZZSAW KICK!
Persephone: AND NOW IT SEEMS LIKE HIMURA IS STUNNED FOR THE MOMENT! ERIS MORTI GRABS HER AND HOISTS HER INTO THE AIR FOR THE POWERBOMB! AND HITS THE LUNGBLOWER VARIATION! HIMURA COMES RIGHT DOWN ON HER KNEES!
Thadd Blazevich: And she was just absolutely folded with that one bro! Eris Morti smirks as she looks down at her opponent! She knows that she’s going to finish this off! SHE THEN RUNS FORWARD AND GOES FOR THE METEOR! THE H-BOMB IS ABOUT TO COME CRASHING DOWN ON HIMURA!
Rich Russillo: BUT HIMURA ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! IT WAS SO CLOSE TO OVER IN THAT MOMENT! But Himura slowly manages to crawl back to her feet…BUT MORTI STAYS ON HER! SHE GRABS HER AND TRIES FOR THE SHEER DROP BRAINBUSTER! SHE’S LOOKING TO PLUNGE THE DAGGER HERE!
Persephone: BUT HIMURA DRIVES A KNEE DOWN INTO HER HEAD! SHE MANAGES TO GET DROPPED DOWN BACK TO HER FEET! SHE STRIKES ERIS DOWN WITH AN ELBOW! ONCE AGAIN…SHE LINES UP HER SHOT! SHE’S LOOKING FOR THAT KNEE LIFT AND IT COULD BE SAYONARA FOR ERIS MORTI!
Rich Russillo: BUT AS SHE SWINGS HER KNEE, MORTI GETS OUT OF THE WAY AND ROLLS HER UP! SHE’S GOT BOTH OF HER OPPONENT’S SHOULDERS PRESSED TO THE MAT! IS SHE ACTUALLY ABOUT TO STEAL IT LIKE THIS?
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘Burn Victim’ by Methwitch begins to blast throughout the arena as the crowd boos. Eris Morti gets off of Himura and rolls to the outside with a smile on her face, while Sayuri Himura quickly gets back to a knee. She looks confused, shocked to see such a move from Eris of all people, especially after everything that has been said between them.)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER…EERRRRRIIIIISSSS MMOOORTTTTIIIII!
Rich Russillo: There’s no way…I…I can’t believe it folks! After all of that, Eris Morti just stole the victory out of nowhere! I mean, I thought she was about to get taken down by that Sayonara! Instead she rolled up Himura! I wouldn’t have expected that, not tonight.
Thadd Blazevich: Well dude, we remember how their first match back at King of Elite ended! Going off that I’d wanna guess that maybe Eris is trying to get a bit of “payback”, but there’s no telling what’s running through her head. For all we know this could all be part of some weird game. Still, this was a war bros, and in the end Eris snuck out of it with this win.
Persephone: All that for a roll up. That was a complete waste of time.
(Sayuri Himura is in the ring, running her hands through her hair as she looks completely devastated. She turns towards the stage to see Eris Morti slowly backpedaling up the ramp, laughing at Sayuri for the unexpected turn of events.)
Eris Morti: (off-mic) Did you really think this was over? It’s only the beginning! For *both* of us.
(Eris mockingly blows Sayuri a kiss, continuing to backpedal up the ramp before just turning around and walking up the ramp, not taking too much time to celebrate her victory. Sayuri is left in the ring, both processing what Eris just did, and thinking about what she just said. With this Voltage fades out.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues on as we cut to the parking lot, it’s there we see a mysterious car pull up to the arena, entering through the back of Rogers Arena. As the person steps out of the vehicle… it’s revealed to be none other than Circe, who we just saw make her presence felt last week at Fighting Spirit! She is wearing a unique set of casual attire, with the crowd giving a loud reaction to her stepping out of the car as she looks around for a moment, before beginning to make her way into the arena. After a moment, a producer comes running up to her and asks… )
Backstage Producer: Excuse me, ma’am… Would you like some coffee or anything?
(Circe hears the producer loud and clear. She doesn’t look too impressed as she looks the producer up and down… and doesn’t say anything whatsoever.)
Circe: …
Backstage Producer: I said… Can I get you anything?
Circe: Yeah… You can go bother someone else… I already told someone to get me my order… Thank you.
(Circe continues to walk, telling the producer to beat it as they leave and go elsewhere. She looks at all the other producers and backstage personnel roaming around, with some giving a few glares toward her given her actions at Fighting Spirit attacking Cynthia Valice. She makes her way toward the general backstage area as, all of a sudden, we hear a voice coming from her right side.)
???: WASSUP, MAMACITA!
(The voice is immediately distinguishable, as the camera pans over to reveal, to the surprise of no one, Diego Montana. He gets massive boos from the audience here in Vancouver as Circe and Diego share a look with one another. He has a big grin on his face greeting her, as Circe has an impressed look on her face. Diego tells her…)
Diego Montana: So glad you could make it to Voltage! I really need that support for when I qualify for Cash in the Vault later, you heard? Come on, let me show you around baby!
(Circe has a smirk on her face as Diego wraps his arm around hers and starts to lead her down the hallways of the backstage area. Many people are seen staring at the two of them from a distance as they walk with one another, as Diego glances over to Circe, continuing to talk to her as he says…)
Diego Montana: Ignore some of the perros here, they don’t know any better. That’s the one thing I learned when I first joined this company… Everybody here is just jealous of you and how cool you are. Like, you don’t make money without having some enemies, you get what I’m saying, Mamacita?
(Circe hears this advice from Diego and looks quite interested in what he is saying, as she responds to him by saying…. )
Circe: I hear you, Diego… You have a lot of enemies, yes?
(Diego answers quickly as he responds to Circe.)
Diego Montana: Oh, you bet! Like, they don’t understand my swagger, you know? They don’t like the way I vibe. They see me being a player, they see me getting that PAPER and realize they can’t be me. Take Jay Jerry Johnson and Chris Elite… they were mad hating on me. Between me and you, shorty, I think they jealous of the flow I got on my head, you heard? None of those cabrons are going to win this match tonight, because if anyone is going to be in the Cash in the Vault ladder match… it’s going to be the hardest ese around!!
(Circe hears this from Diego, but is left wondering about something else as she then asks him about another competitor that was not mentioned who’s going to be in the same match.)
Circe: … And what about Miku Sakai?
(Diego hears this question from her and is annoyed hearing that name again after what happened at Fighting Spirit. He answers Circe by saying…)
Diego Montana: OH BROTHER, don’t get me started on her punk ass. She was holding me back, Mamacita. Let’s be honest, she ruined the best thing to ever happen to her… me. And now she is going to be bitching and moaning when I advance to Pain for Pride and compete in the Cash in the Vault ladder match. Big Diego is gonna get that work done and I’m glad at least somebody recognizes that.
Circe: You had such a rough night at Fighting Spirit. But don’t worry… I’m sure tonight will be a better night for you… Daddy Diego.
(Diego’s eyes widen even more from what Circe just said as they continue to walk down the hallway together. As they enter the vicinity where the locker rooms are, they both proceed to stop as the camera pans over to reveal the ToXXXin Locker Room which is indicated on the door. Diego turns to Circe as he says… )
Diego Montana: Ouu shiii! Big sis might be in there, huh?
???: Not exactly.
(The camera then pans over to reveal Minerva, who appears to be coming back from somewhere else before she ran into both Diego and Circe. Both sisters look at each other with lingering stares, before the two of them start smiling at one another. Diego steps back a bit, as Minerva speaks to Circe, saying… )
Minerva: About time you showed up here… I was wondering when that was ever going to happen.
(Minerva lets out another smirk, as Circe responds right back to her by saying… )
Circe: The best things are worth the wait… You should know that quite well. I was going to show up eventually, you know that.
(The two continue to share a smile with another, with both sisters now in the same company. They’re having a very cute moment between each other, but Diego in the background feels like a sore thumb in the exchange as he speaks.. )
Diego Montana: He–
(Before Diego can even utter a word out of his mouth, Minerva puts her hand up right in front of him. He doesn’t say a word as it takes him by surprise, while Circe watches on with a smile on her face, as Minerva says…)
Minerva: Save it… just don’t fuck up, or I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you do.
(Circe lets out a giggle whilst Diego looks scared for his life concerning what Minerva just said. She then proceeds to walk past the two of them and enter ToXXXin’s locker room as Diego tells Circe…)
Diego Montana: Wow, mamacita… That was crazy.
Circe: Don’t worry about it… let’s keep walking.
Diego Montana: BET!
(Diego wraps his arm around Circe’s elbow again as they continue with their walk down the halls, and soon enough, they enter into the catering area, where you can see some people talking and eating whatever they had to serve. Both Circe and Diego look around the area, as Diego looks quite annoyed at the selection, as he tells Circe…)
Diego Montana: You know they got all these types of foods and what not… like we got some caesar salads and oatmeals but like… I don’t want any of these, you heard. And look! All they got here is some green tea, like HUH? They don’t even have any matcha drinks here… THESE IDIOTS COULDN’T EVEN GET ME SOME MATCHA!! This is outrageous, Mamacita.
(Circe doesn’t look as bothered as Diego may seem as, all of sudden, a stagehand comes from their right side holding a tray of drink orders from Starbucks. Diego looks and eyes it as a stagehand talks to Circe, saying… )
Stagehand: Here’s your Starbucks order, ma’am! Skinny Vanilla Latte and… Matcha Latte just like you asked.
Circe: Thank you very much.
(Circe takes both drinks from the stagehand as they hurry away, while she hands the matcha latte drink to Diego. His earlier annoyed expression has turned into complete joy as he has gotten his matcha! He then tells Circe…)
Diego Montana: Man… you really are perfect, Mamacita!!! I really hit the jackpot yooooo!
(Circe lets out another smirk as she replies to Diego by saying…)
Circe: You’re not wrong about that… Daddy Diego.
(Once again, Diego has a widened look on his face toward Circe as he looks extremely pleased with everything that’s going on at the moment. She gives another seductive smile towards him as she then says…)
Circe: Let’s talk more about the match you have coming up.
Diego Montana: Oh definitely, baby… We already know all those punks are jealous of me. That’s already obvious. All those other people have already been in Cash in the Vault, sure… but me?? God, I’m going to be a demon in that match, you heard!
(Diego and Circe continue to talk, holding and drinking their Starbucks orders as Circe nods in agreement to what he is saying to her. They continue to speak on the qualifying match that’s going to happen soon as the camera slowly pans out and the scene fades out. Sunday Night Voltage continues forward, transitioning elsewhere in the arena.)
(Commercial for IHop.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to a panaround shot of the Rogers Arena, with the crowd murmuring in anticipation for what is to come in what has already been a jampacked show. And it’s not long before ‘Rompe’ by Daddy Yankee begins to hit through the speakers. The crowd erupts into thunderous cheers as the camera goes over to reveal Carmen Sanchez as she’s seen making her way out from the backstage area. She glances around, bearing a relatively serious expression on her face as she begins to make her way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… CARMEN SANCHEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Needless to say, Carmen Sanchez is all business, especially after what she showed us last week at Fighting Spirit. After the hellacious battle that Saori Aizen would have against Auburn Ware, Carmen would attack the new Specialists Champion from behind, laying her out before proclaiming that she had next up for the title.
Thadd Blazevich: And who can blame her for asserting that, bro? She got the Specialists Championship match that she earned at Grand Rampage and had it thrown away because of Saori’s issues with Auburn, so there’s no doubt that she would be coming back around, looking to get what she feels has been stolen from her. We know that she has always been one to take a stand, and I suppose that this is just another case of her doing that tonight!
Persephone: Who genuinely gives a fuck? I mean, honestly, is there any world where Carmen Sanchez becomes the Specialists Champion? Because I’m struggling to wrap my mind around that right now. If I were her, I would just count up my losses and leave. That would be an excellent solution for all of us.
(Carmen makes her way up the steps and onto the apron as she enters through the ropes and into the ring. She makes her way over and takes a microphone from the ringside area while ‘Rompe’ begins to come to a close. As she heads toward the center of the ring, she takes a moment, giving a deep exhale, before beginning to speak.)
Carmen Sanchez: Do you know what really grinds my gears? How this week feels more like one of those telenovelas I’d watch when I was a child rather than an actual wrestling show. It’s loca how Voltage has BARELY started and it’s already the Auburn and Saori show, personally, I’ve had just about enough of it, especially when the discussion shouldn’t be about them. See, they had their moment in the sun, they had their little match where they did a pretty swell job demeaning the Specialists Championship and turning it into a sideshow act, we gave them that grace. But then when it was all over, I stepped in.
(Carmen has an amused expression on her face as she paces around.)
Carmen Sanchez: I gave those two pendejas a lot more grace than they deserved. I have been nothing but disrespected and stepped on since I won my opportunity to fight for the Specialists Championship, and it’s very ironic considering that I made a promise to make sure something like that never happened again. That’s why I laid out Saori Aizen, and that’s why I stated that I would be next, because I have a reason to be. What happened in my match against Auburn was a disgrace, and forgive me for thinking that she would be better than that in any sort of way, but she had to get herself involved in this debacle and now all of a sudden? No more good girl. I really thought that she was another person that I would come to respect in this company, but I was proven wrong. And you know what? That’s okay, because I know that was never something I came here to do in the first place, if you want to be feisty? I can be feisty. So I hear a lot of people are unhappy about what I did, specifically the two parties involved, and to that I say…
(Carmen turns toward the hard camera, glaring at it with a smirk.)
Carmen Sanchez: I told you both I was coming for the winner. Why are you surprised?
(Carmen gives a small chuckle at this, but before she can continue on… ‘Let Me Hear’ by Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas begins to play through the speakers. The crowd erupts into thunderous boos as the camera goes over to reveal Saori Aizen who saunters out from the backstage area. She has the Specialists Championship around her waist as she glares at the woman inside of the ring, lingering around the stage for a moment before then beginning to make her way down the ramp.)
Rich Russillo: Here comes the Champion, and there certainly hasn’t been any downtime since winning her title. From getting attacked by Carmen, to what happened earlier with Auburn, needless to say, she hasn’t gotten a break.
Thadd Blazevich: But, bro, it doesn’t seem like she cares! We know that Saori is a notorious agent of chaos! If she wants to stir shit, then that’s what she’s going to do, and she’s more than willing to pay the price for that. But right now, she has her complete focus on Carmen.
Persephone: Again, a complete waste of time, but hey! What do I know?!
Thadd Blazevich: Nothing, really.
Persephone: WHAT-
(Saori makes her way up the steps and onto the apron as she enters through the ropes and into the ring. She makes her way over and takes a microphone from the ringside area before ‘Let Me Hear’ begins to come to a close. As she turns around, she begins to approach Carmen, before then beginning to speak.)
Saori Aizen: You are quite the foolish girl. You don’t seem to know the scope of this situation, do you? Let me make it clear, Auburn Ware is not someone who deserves the time I dedicate to her “issues”. All she is to me is a jealous little girl who thought that she could walk into Fighting Spirit with everything… and left with nothing. And look where that got her?
(Saori pauses, glancing over at her title around her waist with a smirk.)
Saori Aizen: I reaped the benefits, and I don’t regret any of that. The only game that is being played is by me, and she played right into my hand. You have so much to learn in this company, especially when you try to come after someone like me who is very clearly above your level of expertise. I am on top of the world now, while you… you’re nothing more than a cockroach. You’re someone who’s secondary, who I can step over and move on with my life, you’re never going to be someone who puts my title reign in danger, no… but you certainly wish, don’t you?
(Saori ponders to herself for a moment, before tilting her head.)
Saori Aizen: But the last thing I want to do is try and make a bunch of excuses. I don’t want you to be able to run around with the fact that I am denying a challenge from you, in fact, I am doing exactly the opposite. If you want a shot at my title then you can have it next week on Voltage, but the last thing that I am doing is giving you an opportunity at Pain For Pride.
(The crowd boos loudly at this, as Carmen can only chuckle.)
Carmen Sanchez: And why is that?
Saori Aizen: Because no mere rookie is deserving of a spot like that at the biggest show of the season.
(Carmen once again is forced to stifle a laugh. Quite hypocritical coming from her considering Damon Lazarus is a “rookie” and is in Cash in the Vault, but regardless, she puts it behind her, as she shakes her head and continues to speak.)
Carmen Sanchez: It’s funny, it seems like you don’t want to get embarrassed at Pain For Pride. And you know what? That’s okay. I’m willing to play your games, you know why? Because I know that one way or another, it’s going to end with me as Champion, and you can talk all you want about how little it matters to you, but I never needed to convince you of anything. I never needed to convince ANYONE of anything, and whether it’s next week or at Pain For Pride, I am going to show you who the better luchadore is, and that’s me.
(Saori continues to smirk at this, but before she can say anything else…)
(‘Bad Blood’ by Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar hits.)
(The crowd almost gasps at this, as Saori slowly rears her head… all to see Auburn Ware storming out from the backstage area. She has a furious expression on her face, still enraged by what happened earlier, as she makes her way down the ramp, not wasting any time.)
Rich Russillo: Welp, here we go. We saw what happened earlier, and if I had to guess, I think Auburn believes that Damon Lazarus has picked his side when it comes to her and Saori.
Persephone: I’m sorry, was that not made more apparent when he cost that hoe bag the Specialists Championship last week?! Why are we all being so fucking stupid right now?!
Thadd Blazevich: Regardless, Auburn is coming out here with a purpose, bro. And it seems like she’s going to make sure that she doesn’t let this situation go. I guess we’re just going to have to see what happens from here.
(Auburn slides into the ring as she already bears a microphone in her hand. ‘Bad Blood’ begins to come to a close as she approaches the two of them.)
Saori Aizen: What?
(Auburn stops in her tracks as she glares at Saori, who speaks up before she can.)
Saori Aizen: Are you going to attack me? Take out all your anger for everything that I have done to you? Well, go ahead. Do it.
(Auburn pauses, as if she’s considering it in her mind for a moment. But surprisingly, cooler heads manage to prevail… at least for the time being.)
Auburn Ware: I have… every fucking reason… to make sure that you do not even get the chance to walk into Pain For Pride, but after what you did to me, after what… he… did to me… I decided to make a trip to Captain Charisma. When I first got to EAW, people wanted to drag me through the mud for being the protege of Ronn Banks. They went as far as to call me a nepo baby for even getting here in the first place… but nepotism has its perks.
(Saori almost looks concerned, as she raises her eyebrow, continuing to listen to her.)
Auburn Ware: I was not… I was not going to let what happened at Fighting Spirit fly. And I was damn sure never going to let you run around thinking that you have the upperhand on me, because trust me… you have no idea… no… fucking… idea… what I am capable of. And yes… I understand that I am stepping on a couple of toes…
(Auburn glances over at Carmen, who rolls her eyes in annoyance.)
Auburn Ware: But I’m not going to take that away from you, because you have a point… you earned that. But after talking to Captain Charisma, it’s just not going to be the two of you, in fact… it’s going to be a triple threat at Pain For Pride between us.
(The crowd erupts into thunderous cheers for this. Auburn seems as satisfied as she can be in her current mental state about this. Carmen doesn’t seem to care, as long as she gets her title shot, but Saori…)
(Saori is not happy about this.)
(She looks just as angry as Auburn is about this, but before she is able to say anything…)
Captain Charisma: Before all of this gets too out of hand… I have something to add.
(The crowd exhales as they expected a fight, and all three of them turn to the stage to see Captain Charisma as he makes his way down the ramp.)
Captain Charisma: I don’t think that there’s any denying it, there is tension between all three of you. And fortunately for all of you, since we are so close to Pain For Pride and the anticipation is reaching a fever pitch, I am here to… for lack of a better word… stir the pot. :troll:
(The crowd murmurs in anticipation for this as Captain Charisma enters into the ring.)
Captain Charisma: You three ladies will get to play a game that EAW is very familiar with called “Pick Your Poison.”
(Captain Charisma smiles at this as the crowd lets him know, reacting loudly.)
Captain Charisma: Where you three get to pick opponents for one another, and whomever wins their match, or in the case of multiples… whoever goes the longest against their chosen opponent, they… can pick the stipulation for Pain For Pride. Saori, you can pick Carmen’s opponent. Carmen, you can pick Auburn’s opponent. And Auburn, you can pick Saori’s opponent. The floor is yours.
(There’s a lingering moment of silence between the three of them, as if they’re delegating in their minds who they’re picking for each of them. But Saori doesn’t waste much time, as if she’s already got someone in mind.)
Saori Aizen: Damon Lazarus will face Carmen.
(The crowd boos at the name, Carmen nodding her head, still looking to get some revenge after Damon nearly kicked her head off of her shoulders in the Tag Team Turmoil Tournament. Auburn, on the other hand, practically twitches at this, but before she can even react, Carmen says something.)
Carmen Sanchez: Alright, then. Well, in that case, Auburn will face… fuck it. Drake Armstrong.
(The crowd once again boos, not really favorable names being chosen here. Captain Charisma is amused that Carmen decided to go straight for the EAW World Champion, but he doesn’t particularly say anything either. Auburn, having been dragged to hell and back, finally gets the chance to speak.)
Auburn Ware: That bitch will face Daniella Atlas.
(The crowd gets loud for that, knowing the history between Saori and Daniella dating back to last season. Saori’s face almost drains of color, as her eyes flutter hearing that name again. All the while, Captain Charisma is seen smirking about the toxicity surrounding all of this.)
Captain Charisma: :mjlol: Well then. You three certainly don’t hold anything back do you. It’s official then.
(The crowd cheers loudly as he turns around and begins to make his way out of the ring. The Voltage Commissioner makes his way up the ramp, leaving all three future Pain For Pride opponents inside of the ring, looking uneasy, and on the edge. Auburn hasn’t taken her eyes off Saori, and the same can be said for Carmen, as Saori grips the title around her waist, narrowing her eyes at the two of them, with that being the very last shot seen before the camera begins to fade out.)
(Commercial for the new film “Obsession” with Diego Montana. In theaters now!)
(The camera cuts to Damon Lazarus seated at ringside beside the commentary table before shifting focus to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A CASH IN THE VAULT QUALIFYING MATCH SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(“Lowlife Princess” by BIBI blares throughout the arena as Miku Sakai storms onto the stage, clearly in a bad mood after Fighting Spirit. She talks trash off-mic to fans while making her way down the ramp, not taking her eyes off the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Hailing from Fukui, Japan, weighing in at 110 pounds… SHE IS THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE… MIKU SAKAI!
Rich Russillo: Miku Sakai does not look happy tonight! She and Diego Montana were forced together in the Tag Team Turmoil Tournament, but things finally fell apart at Fighting Spirit!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, Miku seems done with Diego, bro. No teamwork tonight, just a shot at Cash in the Vault!
(‘COMO CAPO’ by Clave Especial ft. Fuerza Regida plays to a negative reaction from fans as Diego Montana steps onto the stage. Miku stares him down from the ring while Diego brushes it off, jaw jacking with fans as he heads down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: Hailing out of Arlington, Texas, weighing in at 199 pounds…HE IS THE EL DIABLO GUAPO…DIEGO MONTANA!!
Rich Russillo: Diego Montana and Miku Sakai somehow made it all the way to the Tag Team Turmoil finals after being paired together in the lottery, but after Fighting Spirit, it looks like that partnership is over! With Diego perhaps… already moving on?
Persephone: Good for him, I guess. He somehow keeps failing upwards.
(‘Thoughts of a Dying Atheist’ by Muse hits as Jay Jerry Johnson steps onto the stage. He nods to himself before making his way down the ramp, focused on the match ahead as he doesn’t pay much attention to Damon Lazarus at ringside, instead looking only at his opponents.)
Bella Braxton: Hailing out of Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 223 pounds…HE IS THE ARTIST… JAY! JERRY! JOHNSON!!
Rich Russillo: Jay Jerry Johnson has another huge chance tonight after coming up short at Fighting Spirit! And with Damon Lazarus watching from ringside, you know Jay has to stay focused!
Thadd Blazevich: Jay and Chris were forced together in that lottery too, bro, and somehow made it all the way to the finals! Now they’re both trying to keep their Pain for Pride hopes alive!
(“Invincible” by Pop Smoke hits to a mixed reaction from fans as Chris Elite marches onto the stage. No messing around tonight as he heads straight for the ring, focused on the opportunity in front of him as he isn’t too happy following everything that happened at Fighting Spirit.)
Bella Braxton: Hailing out of Brooklyn, New York, weighing in at 210 pounds… HE IS GAWD GIVEN GREATNESS… CHRIS ELITE!
Rich Russillo: Chris Elite and Jay Jerry Johnson came close at Fighting Spirit after being forced together as a team, but close doesn’t count when Pain for Pride is on the line!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, now it’s every person for themselves. One of these four is getting closer to Cash in the Vault tonight!
Rich Russillo: Oh, and what’s this…?
(Circe Vladislav makes her way through the timekeeper’s area holding a steel chair, setting it up on the opposite side of the commentary table from Damon before taking a seat. Diego Montana looks distracted for a moment after noticing her, but quickly turns his attention back to the ring as the referee signals for the bell and each competitor stands ready in their corner.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: The bell has rung, and here we go! Diego Montana, Jay Jerry Johnson, Chris Elite, and Miku Sakai are all fighting for the same opportunity… a chance to compete at Pain for Pride in a match that could completely change the course of their careers. Three of the four Elitists in this match have never become World Champion, and even for Chris Elite, someone who has reached that mountaintop before, the Cash in the Vault briefcase could be exactly what puts him right back in the picture at any moment.
Persephone: God knows he couldn’t get it off merit. Same goes for that mustached ferret in the ring, Diego Montana. Seriously, what does this Circe girl even see in him? Are we sure she’s actually Minerva’s sister?
Rich Russillo: It’s been confirmed, yes.
Persephone: Really?
Rich Russillo: Well, she’s right there. Why don’t you go ask her yourself?
Persephone: I’d… rather not.
Rich Russillo: Wise choice.
Thadd Blazevich: All four slowly exit their corners, meeting in the middle— BEFORE DIEGO MONTANA PIE-FACES CHRIS ELITE! THE DISRESPECT TO AN EAW HALL OF FAMER!
(Diego shoves Chris’ face away, shouting trash talk before turning his attention to Jay Jerry Johnson beside him, getting right in his face and continuing to mouth off. Jay quickly shoves Diego back! Diego answers with one of his own, Jay firing right back again before Diego raises his hands, trying to calm things down before—)
Rich Russillo: OH, AND A DISCUS PUNCH THAT FLOORS MIKU SAKAI! MONTANA WITH A BIT OF PAYBACK AFTER FIGHTING SPIRIT, TAKING THE CHEAP SHOT ON HIS FORMER… situationship?
Persephone: I believe that was what he called it, yes…
(Diego yells down at Miku while she rolls away before pushing her out underneath the bottom rope with his boot, continuing to hurl trash talk before spinning around—)
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO! DIEGO CHARGES JAY AND CATCHES HIM WITH A BOOT TO THE GUT BEFORE TURNING AROUND! SHIFTING HIS ATTENTION OVER TO CHRIS ELITE WITH A RIGHT HAND— THAT GETS BLOCKED! CHRIS BLOCKS IT AND BACKS DIEGO UP AGAINST THE ROPES WITH A FLURRY OF RIGHT HANDS! PROMPTING JAY TO JOIN IN FOR A DOUBLE TEAM IRISH WHIP OFF THE ROPES!!
Rich Russillo: …but Diego Montana halts his momentum! Stopping short of the ropes and exiting the ring!
(Diego walks over to Circe at ringside, taking hold of her hand before bending down to kiss it, leaving her visibly smitten by the gesture.)
Persephone: Oh, brother. Focus on the match!
(Diego throws both fists in the air, taunting the crowd as boos rain down before beginning a victory lap around ringside, rounding the corner before suddenly stopping—)
Thadd Blazevich: CANNONBALL! MIKU SAKAI FLIES OFF THE APRON WITH A CANNONBALL SENTON ONTO MONTANA AT RINGSIDE! WIPING HIM OUT!
Rich Russillo: Diego tries to crawl away from Miku, who’s in hot pursuit as Jay and Chris stand across from each other in-ring. Former tag team partners turned back to rivals as they lock up for a collar and elbow center of the ring! Jay gets the upper hand with a standing side headlock, wrenching on the hold before Chris bounces him off the ropes to escape!
Thadd Blazevich: JAY FIRES BACK WITH A SHOULDER TACKLE, DROPPING CHRIS ELITE TO THE MAT! HE HITS THE ROPES— BUT CHRIS ROLLS TO HIS STOMACH, FORCING JAY TO HURDLE OVER HIM! CHRIS POPS RIGHT BACK TO HIS FEET— DROPKICK!! A BEAUTIFUL DROPKICK BY CHRIS ELITE SENDS JAY JERRY JOHNSON ROLLING OUT OF THE RING TO CREATE SOME SPACE!
Persephone: Meanwhile, Miku has hold of that rat’s nest on Diego’s head and pulls him back to his feet… DRIVING DIEGO GUT FIRST INTO A CORNER OF THE BARRICADE WHERE HE SPILLS OVER INTO THE CROWD AREA!
(Diego struggles up to a knee in the crowd area while Miku Sakai slides back into the ring with Chris Elite waiting for her.)
Rich Russillo: Miku locks up with Chris Elite in the center of the ring— with Miku gaining the upper hand after a standing side headlock! Chris backs Miku against the ropes to escape, bouncing her off the ropes and Miku Sakai comes back with a SHOULDER TACKLE! Putting everything into that to drop Chris Elite down the mat before she runs off the ropes! Building momentum for a— no!
Thadd Blazevich: Chris rolls onto his belly, forcing Miku to jump over him… Chris pops back to his feet for a DROPKICK! BUT MIKU SAKAI HANGS ONTO THE ROPES AND CHRIS ELITE BACKFLIPS ONTO HIS FEET! A GREAT READJUSTMENT IN MID AIR— BUT MIKU SAKAI RUSHES HIM!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS ELITE TRIES TO SCOOP MIKU UP, BUT SHE GOES OVERHEAD AND SLIPS BEHIND HIM FOR A REAR WAISTLOCK! MIKU DRIVES CHRIS INTO THE ROPES FOR AN O’CONNOR ROLL, LOOKING TO PULL A FAST ONE OVER THE HALL OF FAMER WITH A HANDFUL OF TIGHTS!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: Kickout! Miku gets sent toward the ropes and rebounds back, but Chris Elite drops down to the mat! Miku hurdles over — AND TAKES DIEGO MONTANA OFF THE APRON WITH A RUNNING FOREARM AS HE TRIED TO CLIMB BACK UP! DIEGO GOES TUMBLING TO RINGSIDE BEFORE MIKU SPINS RIGHT BACK AROUND AND RUSHES CHRIS WITH A TILT-A-WHIRL HEADSCISSORS TAKEDOWN!
Rich Russillo: MIKU SCRAMBLES INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: AND JAY JERRY JOHNSON BREAKS IT UP, DRAGGING HER OFF BY THE ANKLE TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE RING! JAY GOES TO STOMP HER FACE INTO THE MAT — BUT MIKU SLIPS OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND! SHE SCRAMBLES TO HER FEET IN THE CORNER TRYING TO CREATE SPACE, BUT JAY IS RIGHT THERE TO CATCH HER WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Persephone: Hopefully he broke her jaw and finally puts an end to Miku’s banshee-like screaming.
Thadd Blazevich: Sakai gets sent to the opposite corner by Jay, who rushes in— OOH! MIKU SHUTS WHATEVER HE HAD PLANNED DOWN WITH A BACK ELBOW! JAY STAGGERS BACK, STUNNED FOR A MOMENT, BEFORE MIKU SPRINGS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE AND FLIES OFF WITH A HURRICANRANA!
Rich Russillo: Jay rolls out to the apron, trying to shake the cobwebs out of his head… but before Miku can follow up, Diego sneaks in from behind with a BACK RAKE! DIEGO JUST RAKED THE BACK OF MIKU! GIVING HER A LITTLE TASTE OF HER OWN MEDICINE WITH THOSE SAME TACTICS!
Persephone: Makes me wonder why this didn’t work out. They’re basically the same kind of pest.
Thadd Blazevich: Miku stumbles into the ropes, favoring her back as Diego marches over and grabs hold of her— SLAMMING MIKU FACE FIRST OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE IN THE CORNER!
(Diego starts yelling at Miku in the corner, ranting about how things between them didn’t have to end up this way before—)
Rich Russillo: OH, AND MIKU’S HEARD ENOUGH! SHE SENDS DIEGO INTO THE CORNER AND RAKES THE EYES WITH “CAT SCRATCH FEVER!” DIEGO STUMBLES AWAY, TRYING TO CLEAR HIS VISION AS HE MAKES IT TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER! HE LEANS FORWARD AGAINST THE TOP ROPE, STILL TRYING TO GET HIS BEARINGS, BUT MIKU COMES RIGHT UP FROM BEHIND AND CLAWS AT HIS EYES AGAIN! A LITTLE PAYBACK FROM MIKU SAKAI!
Thadd Blazevich: Diego drops to all fours in pain before rolling underneath the bottom rope! Miku follows him out and goes to whip him into the barricade— BUT DIEGO REVERSES IT! MIKU GOES BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE HARD!
Rich Russillo: Meanwhile, Chris Elite has rolled Jay Jerry Johnson back into the ring before sliding in himself! Jay gets back to his feet as Chris winds up with a RIGHT HAND! Jay stumbles into the corner— ANOTHER RIGHT HAND SENDS HIM INTO THE NEXT! Chris closes in again—
Thadd Blazevich: BUT JAY CATCHES HIM WITH A STIFF EUROPEAN UPPERCUT TO THE JAW! CHRIS STUMBLES AROUND THE RING BEFORE JAY SENDS HIM INTO THE ROPES WITH AN IRISH WHIP! KITCHEN SINK ON THE REBOUND DROPS CHRIS TO A SEATED POSITION— AND A PENALTY KICK CRACKS ACROSS HIS BACK!
Rich Russillo: OUCH! YOU COULD HEAR THAT IMPACT ECHO THROUGH THE ENTIRE ARENA!
Persephone: :mjlol2: It’s always great seeing Chris Elite in pain.
Rich Russillo: Jay rolls Chris onto his stomach and starts setting him up for a Mexican surfboard, grabbing hold of the wrists before dropping back! JAY JERRY JOHNSON HAS CHRIS ELITE SUSPENDED IN THE AIR, AND THAT CANNOT BE A COMFORTABLE POSITION TO BE IN— BEFORE DIEGO MONTANA DRIVES A POINTED ELBOW ACROSS HIS FACE! JAY’S FORCED TO LET CHRIS GO!
Thadd Blazevich: From there, Diego rolls Jay onto his stomach and tries to set up a Mexican surfboard stretch of his own! He just needs the arms— BUT JAY POWERS UP AND THROWS DIEGO OFF OF HIM! DIEGO HITS THE MAT HARD, THE BACK OF HIS HEAD BOUNCING OFF THE CANVAS AS HE ROLLS AWAY WHILE JAY TRIES TO GET BACK UP— BEFORE MIKU COMES OUT OF NOWHERE WITH A SMALL PACKAGE!
ONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: JAY BURSTS OUT AT TWO!
Persephone: Between Miku’s move and Diego Montana existing, that makes two small packages in this match.
Thadd Blazevich: Wait, when did Diego do a… ohhh. :oh:
Persephone: Glad to see you finally connected the dots, moron. 🙄
Rich Russillo: Jay sits up after kicking out, only for Miku to drag him back to his feet— AND IMMEDIATELY REGRET IT AS JAY BLASTS HER WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Persephone: God, he’s been spamming that move all match. Can he please do literally anything else?
Thadd Blazevich: Miku rolls away from Jay, checking to make sure her jaw still works. Last thing you want is an injury this close to Pain for Pride! But over in the corner, Chris Elite is stomping away on Diego Montana while he tries to cover up and beg him off! Chris wants no part of “El Diablo Guapo” begging for mercy!
Persephone: As he should.
Rich Russillo: Persephone’s right, there are no friends in a fatal four way— AND JAY JERRY JOHNSON JUST PROVED IT! HE ROLLS CHRIS ELITE UP FROM BEHIND WITH A SCHOOL BOY!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHH—
Thadd Blazevich: KICKOUT, BRO! Jay Jerry Johnson pops back up, not giving Chris even a second to recover before snapping him over with a snapmare! NOW JAY LOCKS IN A REAR CHINLOCK— BUT DIEGO COMES FROM BEHIND AND LOCKS IN A REAR CHINLOCK ON JAY! AND NOW MIKU JOINS IN, LOCKING A REAR CHINLOCK ON DIEGO! SHE MIGHT HAVE THE BEST END OF THIS DEAL SINCE SHE’S THE ONLY ONE NOT GETTING HER FACE CRANKED BACK!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS ELITE POWERS BACK TO HIS FEET— SHOULDER JAWBREAKER TO BREAK EVERYBODY APART! DIEGO AND JAY HIT THE MAT, BUT MIKU SAKAI IS STILL STANDING! BARELY, THOUGH, AS SHE’S WOBBLING AFTER THAT JAWBREAKER— BUT CHRIS IS ALREADY BACK UP AND GOING AFTER HER!
Thadd Blazevich: MIKU SAW IT COMING! SHE DOUBLE LEGS CHRIS TO THE MAT AND TIES HIM UP IN A FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! FIGURE FOUR APPLIED BY MIKU SAKAI! IF YOU TAKE AWAY CHRIS ELITE’S LEGS, YOU TAKE AWAY A LOT OF HIS OFFENSE! HARD TO FLY WHEN YOUR LEGS AREN’T WORKING, AND CHRIS IS SCREAMING IN PAIN!
Rich Russillo: BUT DIEGO ROLLS BOTH OF THEM OVER, REVERSING THE PRESSURE OF THE FIGURE FOUR! AND NOW HE MOUNTS MIKU FROM BEHIND WITH A CAMEL CLUTCH! SMART THINKING BY DIEGO MONTANA!
Persephone: Yeah, imagine if he used that “brainpower” more often. Wouldn’t stop him from being a bum, but maybe a slightly smaller one.
Thadd Blazevich: Diego’s yelling for Miku to tap— BUT HERE COMES JAY JERRY JOHNSON OFF THE ROPES WITH A RUNNING SHOOT KICK RIGHT TO THE CHEST! DIEGO LOSES THE HOLD AND ROLLS TO THE OUTSIDE! CHRIS AND MIKU BOTH PULL THEMSELVES APART TOO, CLUTCHING AT THEIR LEGS ON THE MAT!
Rich Russillo: Jay takes his pick between Miku and Chris, pulling Chris back to his feet for a HARD European uppercut that drops him! Jay grabs hold of the leg, looking for a figure four of his own— BUT CHRIS HAS IT SCOUTED THIS TIME! CHRIS KICKS JAY AWAY WITH HIS FREE LEG BEFORE HE CAN TURN HIM OVER!
Thadd Blazevich: JAY GOES REBOUNDING OFF THE ROPES— BUT DIEGO MONTANA GRABS THE ANKLE AND YANKS HIM OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! JAY GOES RIBS FIRST INTO THE FRONT OF OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE!
(Jay drops to a knee, leaning against the announce table before Diego glances in Damon’s direction, signaling that he’s got eyes on him to a very unintimidated Damon before turning back toward the ring—)
Rich Russillo: CHRIS ELITE! CHRIS WENT TO SLINGSHOT OVER THE TOP ROPE WITH A CROSSBODY— BUT DIEGO SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING MIDWAY THROUGH! CHRIS ADJUSTS IN MID AIR, CATCHING HIMSELF ON THE APRON BEFORE DIEGO MARCHES OVER— AND EATS A FOREARM TO THE FACE! DIEGO STAGGERS BACK AS CHRIS ELITE SPRINGBOARDS TO THE TOP ROPE!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT DIEGO SHOVES HIM OFF TO RINGSIDE! CHRIS CRASHES RIGHT INTO JAY JERRY JOHNSON AS HE GOT BACK TO HIS FEET, BOTH MEN WIPED OUT AS THE BACK OF THEIR HEADS SMACK OFF OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE!
Persephone: I can’t believe Diego Montana is actually starting to look like a contender in this match. I’m gonna throw up.
Rich Russillo: NOT SO FAST! NOT IF MIKU HAS ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT IT! DIEGO TURNS AROUND INTO A KICK TO THE GUT THAT DOUBLES HIM OVER, STUMBLING INTO THE NEAREST CORNER! MIKU DOESN’T LET UP, CLOSING THE DISTANCE AND IRISH WHIPPING DIEGO TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER!
Thadd Blazevich: MIKU CHARGES IN— BUT DIEGO LIFTS HER UP AND OVER HIS SHOULDER! MIKU CATCHES HERSELF ON THE APRON AND WINDS UP FOR A FOREARM AS DIEGO TURNS— BUT DIEGO DRIVES A SHOULDER INTO HER MIDSECTION! MIKU GETS STUNNED ON THE APRON, AND DIEGO FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A MIDDLE ROPE HUNG NECKBREAKER! MIKU GETS PLANTED INSIDE THE RING AS DIEGO DRAGS HER AWAY FROM THE ROPES FOR A COVER, HOOKING THE LEG DEEP!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHH—
Rich Russillo: SHOULDER UP! Diego’s already barking at the referee to count faster before bringing Miku back up for a snapmare— FOLLOWED BY A DOUBLE BOOT SCRAPE RIGHT ACROSS THE FACE! MIKU SITS UP, GRABBING AT HER EYES BEFORE DIEGO GOES TO BRING HER UP AGAIN— BUT FIRST TAKES JAY OFF THE APRON WITH A RUNNING FOREARM AS HE TRIED TO GET BACK IN!
Thadd Blazevich: Now Diego turns all his attention back to Miku, standing her up in the corner before whipping her to the opposite side! DIEGO CHARGES IN— RUNNING FOREARM IN THE CORNER! DOWN GOES MIKU, AND DIEGO HOOKS THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! Diego brings Miku back up— BUT MIKU FIRES BACK WITH A FLURRY OF FOREARMS! MIKU HITS THE ROPES— FOREARM SMASH DROPS DIEGO! SHE HITS THE ROPES AGAIN AS DIEGO SCRAMBLES UP— ANOTHER FOREARM SMASH! MIKU GOES FOR A THIRD— BUT DIEGO SIDESTEPS HER! MIKU GOES TUMBLING THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE TO THE OUTSIDE, DROPPING TO A KNEE!
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO LOOKS TO BUILD MOMENTUM OFF THE ROPES— BUT JAY JERRY JOHNSON SNATCHES THE ANKLE FROM THE OUTSIDE! DIEGO FACEPLANTS ON THE MAT! HE STUMBLES BACK UP AS JAY CLIMBS TO THE APRON— ONLY TO GET KNOCKED RIGHT BACK OFF WITH A RUNNING SHOULDER THRUST!
Rich Russillo: NOW DIEGO HITS THE ROPES FOR A— NO! MIKU TRIPS HIM UP TOO AS HE LOOKED FOR A SUICIDE DIVE ONTO JOHNSON!
Persephone: :mjlol2:
Thadd Blazevich: Miku climbs onto the apron as Diego struggles back to his feet before trying to RAM HER OFF WITH A SHOULDER— BUT MIKU HAS IT SCOUTED! A SLINGSHOT ROPE-HUNG LEG DROP CRACKS ACROSS THE BACK OF HIS HEAD! DIEGO STUMBLES FURTHER INTO THE RING—
Rich Russillo: AND CHRIS ELITE COMES FLYING OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A SPRINGBOARD EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Rich Russillo: DIEGO STUMBLES GROGGILY INTO THE CORNER— CHRIS RUSHES IN WITH A FOREARM STRIKE! HE TOSSES DIEGO RIGHT INTO MIKU, WHO BLASTS HIM WITH A SPINNING BACK KICK THAT DOUBLES HIM OVER FOR A “DEATH NOTE!” DIEGO ROLLS AWAY, FAVORING THE BACK OF HIS HEAD—
Thadd Blazevich: BUT JAY JERRY JOHNSON SLIDES RIGHT BACK IN AND BLASTS MIKU WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! SENDING HER BACK INTO THE CORNER— AND CHRIS TRIES TO JUMP HIM FROM BEHIND, BUT GETS HIS JAW ROCKED WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT OF HIS OWN! CHRIS GOES STAGGERING BACK!
Rich Russillo: Miku stumbles out of the corner and Jay grabs hold of her for an Irish whip— BUT MIKU REVERSES, SENDING JAY INTO THE CORNER INSTEAD! JAY FLIPS UP AND OVER HER WITH A BACKFLIP EVASION, LANDING ON HIS FEET— BUT CHRIS ELITE GRABS HIM FROM BEHIND WITH A REAR WAISTLOCK! STANDING SWITCH BY JOHNSON— AND HERE COMES MIKU OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH A DIVING SUNSET FLIP!
Thadd Blazevich: SUNSET FLIP BY MIKU ONTO JAY! THAT FORCES JOHNSON TO RELEASE CHRIS ELITE WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX— CHRIS LANDS HIGH ON HIS NECK AND SHOULDERS WHILE MIKU HOLDS THE SUNSET FLIP FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! Jay rolls away from Miku, who turns her attention to Chris Elite and pulls him off the mat— BUT CHRIS ELITE EXPLODES WITH “OPEN YA MATA!” THAT BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE TO THE FACE!
(Miku spins around and drops to a knee, using the ropes to pull herself back up before coming face to face with Circe on the apron, who gives her a small wave before winding back—)
Rich Russillo: FOREARM! BUT IT HIT THE WRONG PERSON! MIKU MOVED OUT OF THE WAY AS CHRIS ELITE RUSHED IN FROM BEHIND— AND HE EATS THE FOREARM FROM CIRCE! CIRCE DROPS OFF THE APRON IN SHOCK WHILE MIKU ROLLS CHRIS UP WITH A SCHOOL BOY!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHRRRRRRRR—
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO DRAGS MIKU OFF THE COVER!
Persephone: FUCK! This idiot can’t do anything right. I wanted this match to end!
Rich Russillo: MIKU POPS BACK UP AND STARTS THROWING RIGHTS WITH DIEGO! THESE TWO GOING BACK AND FORTH IN A FULL ON SLUGFEST AS CHRIS ELITE STARTS TO GET BACK TO HIS FEET— ONLY TO GET SPUN AROUND FOR A “PRETTY VISITOR!”
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS ELITE TRIES TO COUNTER, POPPING JAY UP FOR A “FUSION DANCE!” — BUT JAY BACKFLIPS OUT OF IT! JAY SENDS CHRIS SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST, SENDING HIM TUMBLING OUT OF THE RING! MEANWHILE, JAY TURNS AROUND JUST IN TIME TO SEE DIEGO GETTING THE BETTER OF THE EXCHANGE WITH MIKU, STUNNING HER WITH A RIGHT HAND!
Rich Russillo: MIKU CAN BARELY STAND— BEFORE “CUCK KILLER!” MIKU CAUGHT HIM OUT OF NOWHERE WITH “CUCK KILLER!” AND SHE STARTS TO CRAWL INTO THE COVER—
Thadd Blazevich: BUT JAY MOVES IN AND THROWS MIKU OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! JAY HOOKS THE LEG ON DIEGO!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… JAY JERRY JOHNSON!
(Miku lies on the floor with both hands clutching her head as ‘Thoughts of a Dying Atheist’ by Muse begins to play through the arena. At ringside, Circe watches with a hand on her hip and a faint grin, clearly not too upset that Miku came up short before turning her attention toward Diego. She quickly helps Diego roll out of the ring, draping his arm over her shoulder as she tries to comfort him and guide him toward the ramp while Jay Jerry Johnson has his hand raised in victory inside the ring.)
Rich Russillo: JAY JERRY JOHNSON JUST PUNCHED HIS TICKET TO PAIN FOR PRIDE! What a performance in a chaotic fatal four way, and now he officially joins the Cash in the Vault field with a chance to completely change his future!
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, you can feel how much that one meant to him! Jay’s had so many moments this season where he came close and couldn’t quite get over the hump, but tonight? Tonight he got it done when it mattered most!
Persephone: Cool. Great. Another guy obsessed with becoming World Champion gets a shiny little briefcase opportunity. At least this means he gets to fall off a ladder on the biggest stage possible.
(Chris Elite pulls himself up to a knee at ringside using the apron for support, staring daggers into the ring at Jay with clear frustration, clutching at his shoulder while Jay simply shrugs back at him. In the background, Miku storms toward the ramp, angrily kicking the steel steps on her way past and cursing to herself, visibly furious over how everything unfolded.)
Rich Russillo: Safe to say there’s no shortage of frustration around ringside right now. Chris Elite looks furious, Miku’s beside herself, and Jay? He doesn’t seem too bothered at all.
Thadd Blazevich: And honestly, why would he be, bro? Like it or not, Jay Jerry Johnson is heading to Pain for Pride!
(Damon rises from his chair at ringside before slowly making his way up the steps as the music begins to fade in the background, coming face to face with Jay Jerry Johnson in the ring as the two familiar rivals stand across from one another once again.)
Rich Russillo: You can feel the tension in the air right now. These are two familiar rivals standing face to face again, and neither man looks ready to back down.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, bro, Damon already punched his ticket to Cash in the Vault and now Jay just joined him. Something tells me this won’t be the last time these two cross paths before Pain for Pride.
Persephone: :roman:
Rich Russillo: DAMON WENT FOR THE CTE! DAMON TRIED TO CATCH JAY JERRY JOHNSON OFF GUARD WITH THAT CUTTER!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT JOHNSON SAW IT COMING! SHOVING DAMON AWAY AND BACKING HIM INTO THE CORNER WITH A FLURRY OF RIGHTS!
Rich Russillo: DAMON DROPS INTO A SEATED POSITION AS JAY STOMPS HIM DOWN IN THE CORNER! NOW JAY STEPS BACK— FIRED UP AS HE CALLS FOR DAMON TO GET BACK TO HIS FEET!
(Jay motions for Damon to stand, but Lazarus stays sitting in the corner, still looking out of it. Jay starts to lose patience and walks over, reaching down to drag Damon out!)
Thadd Blazevich: Jay drags Damon out of the corner— BUT WAIT! DAMON WAS PLAYING POSSUM! A LOW BLOW UPPERCUT TO JAY JERRY JOHNSON!
(Jay drops to both knees beside Damon as Lazarus slowly rises with a devilish grin on his face. Holding onto Jay’s hair, Damon throws trash talk at him that the mics can’t pick up before forcing Jay onto all fours and backing into the corner…)
Rich Russillo: Oh no… no, no— NO!!
Thadd Blazevich: IN ABSENTIA!!
Rich Russillo: DAMON LAZARUS WITH THE PUNT KICK TO THE HEAD! HE NEARLY TOOK JAY’S HEAD OFF! A BRUTAL MESSAGE SENT EARLY BY DAMON LAZARUS AHEAD OF PAIN FOR PRIDE!
(Damon Lazarus drops beside Jay on all fours, moving the hair from his unconscious face before pointing up at the Pain for Pride sign as ‘Until It Sleeps’ by Metallica begins to play.)
Rich Russillo: DAMON LAZARUS JUST DROPPED JAY JERRY JOHNSON WHERE HE STOOD! WHAT A MESSAGE TO SEND RIGHT AFTER JAY PUNCHED HIS TICKET TO CASH IN THE VAULT!
Thadd Blazevich: And look at Damon, bro! He’s got his eyes locked on that Pain for Pride sign like he already sees how this ends!
(Damon hits his signature pose beside Jay’s fallen body, the Pain for Pride sign hanging clearly in the background as the crowd rains down boos and we fade elsewhere.)
(Promotional ad for Pain for Pride 19, where the Cash in the Vault ladder match will take place.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, and the crowd erupts with boos as “Nice To Meet Yah” by Asian Doll hits. The camera pans towards the stage as Diamond Dixon storms down the ramp alongside Cosmo Goldworthy, both looking visibly pissed off and annoyed, even shoving the camera aside as they make their way toward the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Well, this certainly isn’t the happiest mood we’ve ever seen from Diamond Dixon and Cosmo Goldworthy. First appearance since Fighting Spirit, and after everything that went down? You can tell neither one of them has moved on from what happened.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, I wouldn’t be in a good mood either! They came THAT close to winning Tag Team Turmoil, half a million dollars, and a shot at the Unified Tag Team Championships at Pain for Pride, only for Candice and ARIA to get involved and blow the whole thing up! You know that’s gotta sting!
Persephone: Yeah, yeah, heartbreak, betrayal, ruined dreams, whatever. Diamond shoved the camera out of the way and Cosmo looks pissed, so at least somebody out here finally seems ready to do something interesting.
(Diamond steps into the ring, grabbing microphones for both of them and handing one off to Cosmo as the music slowly fades. Microphone in hand, Diamond paces in front of him, raising a finger in the air before finally stopping.)
Diamond Dixon: …Y’know what’s crazy?
(Diamond shakes her head, glancing around the arena before pointing that finger back toward Cosmo over her shoulder.)
Diamond Dixon: Me and Mo should’ve been out here talking about Toronto. We should’ve been out here talking about Pain for Pride. We should’ve been talking about finally getting our shot at ToXXXin after busting our asses, after calling our shot, after doing exactly what we said we were gonna do from the start. We worked for that. We earned that. We spent months betting on ourselves, proving we belonged, proving we weren’t just another team taking up space, and instead? We gotta stand out here pissed off because two bitter ass people decided if they couldn’t get to Pain for Pride the way they wanted, then nobody else deserved to either.
Cosmo Goldworthy: Deadass.
(Cosmo lets out a quiet laugh through his nose.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: I’mma be real, this whole thing been annoying me all week, because the more I sat and thought about it, the more disrespectful it felt. We did everything right. We beat Candice and ARIA at Grand Rampage. Fair and square. No excuses, no controversy, no debates about it. We should’ve been fighting for the titles then and there if anything, but that’s not what’s bothering me. We earned our spot, skipped the mess, and went straight to the finals because we handled business while everybody else kept fighting for something we already had. Then Fighting Spirit comes around and suddenly? We gotta deal with people we already beat throwing a tantrum because things didn’t work out for them.
Diamond Dixon: That’s what gets me.
(Diamond gestures toward the hard cam.)
Diamond Dixon: We spent weeks sitting back and watching everybody else struggle for a spot we already earned. We watched teams argue, watched people barely function together, watched everybody stress over chemistry and trust while me and Cosmo stayed focused because we already knew exactly what we were building toward. We knew what the goal was and we stayed locked in on it. So yeah, excuse me if I’m irritated that instead of sitting on the bench and watching what a real team looks like, Candice and ARIA decided to stick their noses somewhere they didn’t belong because they couldn’t handle seeing somebody else actually move forward.
Cosmo Goldworthy: And honestly? If I’m y’all, I’m embarrassed.
(Cosmo scoffs, pointing to himself with his free hand before raising it and waving things off.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: Straight up. We already beat you. We moved on. We kept winning. But somehow what me and Diamond had going on mattered so much to y’all that instead of worrying about yourselves, you showed up and made sure the biggest moment of our season blew up in our faces. That screams bitter to me. Cause while y’all were trying to figure out what your season even looked like after losing, me and Diamond were actually building something. We chose this team. We worked for this team. We wanted this. We had each other’s backs and we earned every bit of momentum we had.
Diamond Dixon: And before anybody starts twisting words, let me make something real clear. Yeah, we lost. But let’s stop acting like we lost because another team was better. Let’s stop acting like me and Cosmo suddenly stopped clicking or that we somehow weren’t good enough to get the job done. We lost because two people who were already out the picture got bitter and decided to make everybody else pay for it. We lost because instead of accepting what happened and moving forward, y’all decided if your season felt miserable, ours had to feel miserable too.
Cosmo Goldworthy: See, me personally? If I lose, I hold that. I get better. I move on. I don’t start moving like some bitter ex trying to ruin somebody else’s future because mine didn’t work out. Candice. ARIA. Y’all should’ve just sat down and watched. Maybe learned something. Maybe seen what chemistry actually looks like. Maybe seen what trust looks like. Maybe seen what two people who actually got each other’s back and actually wanna be here look like instead of trying to drag us back down with you.
Diamond Dixon: But nah.
(Diamond shakes her head.)
Diamond Dixon: Instead, now we gotta be out here talking about y’all when we should’ve been focused on championships. We should’ve been talking about Pain for Pride, about titles, about Toronto, but instead we’re standing here talking about the same people who couldn’t stand seeing us succeed. Trust me… that ain’t sitting right with either one of us.
(‘God Shattering Star’ by Takashi Baba plays, prompting Diamond and Cosmo to turn their attention toward the stage, immediately bracing for a fight as they begin beckoning for ARIA and Candice to come out. Their posture eases slightly as both Candice and ARIA step onto the stage with microphones in hand, exchanging brief looks while the music fades.)
ARIA: …That is certainly one way to tell the story.
Candice Blair: And if we’re being honest, I think there’s a few pretty important parts you conveniently left out.
Cosmo Goldworthy: Nah, nah. Don’t do that from the stage.
(Cosmo motions them forward, wanting Candice and ARIA to meet them inside of the ring if they’re going to have this conversation.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: Bring all that to the ring and say it to our faces.
Diamond Dixon: Yeah. Since y’all got something to say, come do it here.
(Candice and ARIA exchange a quick look before shrugging and heading down the ramp, showing absolutely no fear as the crowd reaction grows louder.)
Rich Russillo: Uh oh… and now Candice Blair and ARIA are making their way to the ring. You can feel the tension building already after everything that’s been said here tonight!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, bro, and with emotions already running this high? You gotta wonder if this stays a conversation for long or if somebody’s about to throw the first shot!
(Candice and ARIA enter the ring, standing their ground across from Diamond and Cosmo. Already the tension is nearly visible between the two teams, and after a moment, ARIA begins to speak.)
ARIA: Bitter…
(ARIA shakes her head.)
ARIA: You keep saying that word like this happened for no reason, as if Candice and I woke up one day with the objective of ruining your night at Fighting Spirit with no motive beyond hurting you. No. That is not who we are, nor who we’ve ever been. What happened at Fighting Spirit did not come from nowhere, and that’s the part the two of you keep choosing to ignore. You made your choice first, and it didn’t happen in a match between any of us. No, it happened in a match the two of you had no business being part of. You decided to involve yourselves in something that mattered to me. You decided to cost me a World Championship match and the opportunity to carry the EAW World Championship into Pain for Pride, and yet you genuinely expected to face no repercussions?
Candice Blair: That’s the part you keep leaving out.
(Candice steps forward slightly.)
Candice Blair: You’re upset because your road to Pain for Pride got interrupted? Fine. I’ve been here long enough now to understand that feeling more than you probably think, but you two have been trying to get under our skin for a while now, and it shouldn’t be difficult for you to understand something as simple as actions having consequences. Neither of you have had an opportunity that big before. You don’t realize just how special of a match you ruined. Next time, before you involve yourselves in somebody else’s match, before you cost someone a World Championship match and stand there smiling while it happens, you stop and think about what comes after.
Candice Blair: Because we won’t hesitate to fire back.
(The fans cheer, but Diamond and Cosmo both appear unimpressed with these words, with Cosmo just shaking his head.)
Diamond Dixon: You two realize how long ago that match was, right?
Cosmo Goldworthy: I mean we’re talking before Grand Rampage. Before we went and beat you. Why should we care about what happened against Drake Armstrong anymore? That’s in the past, so yeah, I think you two are just bitter. Bitter because you couldn’t hang where it mattered no matter how hard you cling to this fake little friendship. Candice has been losing her entire career and ARIA? You had one small little moment in the sun in a career full of mediocrity, so if you ask me we did you a favor. We gave you an excuse.
(The fans boo, and ARIA just stares at Cosmo, processing the fact that he’d even have the audacity to say something like that. She just smirks for a moment, slowly nodding before she begins walking closer to Cosmo and Diamond.)
ARIA: You believe this came from bitterness. No. This came from retribution. I lost something that mattered because of the two of you and since then the two of you have been trying to mock us, ridicule us and worst of all, watch our every move just for the sole purpose of praying for our failures. The two of us are used to doubters, but when those doubters force themselves into our careers for the sole purpose of hoping to confirm their suspicions, they get what’s coming for them. I’m not sure what either of you were hoping for, but if it was an apology I’m afraid it’s not happening, because I don’t have an ounce of remorse nor sympathy to offer either of you.
ARIA: No. You got back what you gave.
Cosmo Goldworthy: Here y’all go rewriting history.
(Cosmo gestures between himself and Diamond.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: You know what’s the difference between us, right? We actually earned our spot. We beat y’all, skipped the line, and got one step from Pain for Pride. Then suddenly because things didn’t go your way, now everybody gotta suffer? That ain’t consequence, that’s y’all being mad.
Diamond Dixon: Exactly.
(Diamond points toward Candice and ARIA.)
Diamond Dixon: This is wrestling. People interfere. Opportunities get ruined. It sucks, but you move on. We got screwed before all this too and still found a way to build something out of it. We moved forward. We made ourselves better. Y’all just stayed mad long enough to make yourselves our problem, and I know you two thought what you did at Fighting Spirit was cute, but I’m not like the two of you. I didn’t come here just to be disrespected and just accept it. I have way bigger plans than dealing with the two of you, so if you really want to do this with us we can go ahead and repeat Grand Rampage.
(There was a serious, stone cold look on the face of Diamond Dixon as this was said. However, Candice Blair only smirked seeing this.
Candice Blair: Funny.
(Candice tilts her head slightly.)
Candice Blair: You two have spent weeks mocking us for rightfully taking issue with what you did, and it’s for the exact reasons you just gave. This is wrestling, it’s not personal, all of that, but it was already feeling personal when you cost ARIA against Drake and we tried to warn you then. You didn’t listen, and now look. Now you can say whatever you want, but from where I’m standing? It sounds like you’re just upset somebody finally responded instead of letting you run around and do whatever you want because your momentum hasn’t fizzled out yet like it usually does.
(A brief silence hangs as Diamond and Candice stare at each other, but Candice takes a moment and sees the looks on everyone’s faces. She knows that none of them actually want to keep talking right now, and that they actually just want to settle their issues once and for all.)
Candice Blair: We’re not afraid of either of you, Diamond. You want revenge, we want revenge, we can keep doing trading shots as much as we’d like but there’s clearly still tension here, and clearly none of us are moving on from it until we finally give ourselves good reason to move on. So why not settle it? One more match.
(These words bring about loud cheers from the crowd, as the fans seem to be in full support of the idea of a rematch between these two teams. Diamond and Cosmo look at each other for a moment, but before they can actually respond…)
???: Wait! Hold on!
(Eden Sinclair steps out onto the stage with a microphone in hand, raising a hand toward the ring for all four to slow down for a moment.)
Eden Sinclair: I know that all four of you are excited right now, and trust me, I get it. A lot has happened between you four, but before anybody gets too carried away here. We’ve had a lot of chaos going on in the last few months, and we have to draw the line somewhere. Please, don’t go and start doing anything crazy right here and now. Let me remind all four of you that Captain Charisma and I are the ones who make the matches around here.
(The crowd immediately boos, sounding disappointed as it briefly seems like Eden is about to shut down the match they clearly want to see.)
Eden Sinclair: But…
(A small smile crosses Eden’s face.)
Eden Sinclair: I’m not gonna lie, after listening to all of this? I actually like the sound of it.
(The crowd begins to cheer.)
Eden Sinclair: There’s clearly a lot of bad blood here. This has gone way past one match, way past one moment, and from the sound of it, none of you are exactly interested in letting this go. Diamond Dixon and Cosmo Goldworthy ruined ARIA’s chance of becoming EAW World Champion. You two had your match at Grand Rampage, but seeing how things played out since, that clearly wasn’t enough for you. You wanted more, and Candice and ARIA certainly proved as much when they cost Diamond and Cosmo at Fighting Spirit. All four of you have put each other through Hell, and it sounds like this isn’t going to end until only one team manages to crawl out of it on top.
(Eden points toward the ring.)
Eden Sinclair: So if the four of you really want to settle this once and for all, then at Pain for Pride, it’ll be Diamond Dixon and Cosmo Goldworthy taking on Candice Blair and ARIA!
(The crowd immediately explodes, and the cheers bring a wider grin to the face of Eden Sinclair, who gives the fans the chance to process the huge announcement. With her job done, Eden turns and heads to the back as the arena continues to loudly cheer.)
Rich Russillo: WOAH! THERE IT IS! IT’S OFFICIAL!
Thadd Blazevich: BROOOO! Talk about a grudge match! These four have had problems for months and now it all comes to a head at Pain for Pride!
Persephone: Cool. At least one side finally gets to stop crying about it.
(Cosmo raises the microphone, motioning for the crowd to quiet down with his free hand while glaring daggers at Candice and ARIA.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: Aight then. Bet.
(Cosmo nods to himself, taking a slow step forward while keeping his eyes locked on Candice and ARIA.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: Since y’all wanted one more match so bad, now you got it. But don’t get it twisted, this ain’t some fresh start or clean slate. We already beat y’all once, and at Pain for Pride? We finish what should’ve already been over. Cause if all this was supposed to prove some point, then cool. Now we get to prove ours too.
Diamond Dixon: And trust me, after everything that’s happened? We’re way past just wanting to win.
(Diamond takes a small step forward beside Cosmo, her expression hardening.)
Diamond Dixon: You wanted another fight, you wanted one more shot, and now you got it. But when Pain for Pride comes around, don’t stand there shocked when all this finally blows up in your face. Cause after months of this back and forth, after everything both sides have done? Me and Cosmo are making sure this ends with y’all finally understanding exactly why we moved forward in the first place.
(Diamond lowers her mic as all four stand in place for a moment, taking in the energy from the crowd. They nod to themselves, eyes locked on the opposing team while trading trash talk off-mic. All four Elitists look focused, ready for Pain for Pride and their chance to finally put an end to this feud once and for all. The tension hangs in the air between the two teams who are forced to resist any urge they have to fight here and now and the camera fades elsewhere.)
[SCREEN BAR – EARLIER TODAY]
(The scene opens with Molly Waters sitting with the beautiful Dr. Bethany Blue. It is her first interview since Shock Value and though she has spoken and touched on a few things, she hasn’t really opened up about it on a one on one and personal level. She sits across from Molly in black wide legged pants, open toed Louboutin heels and a blue button up blouse with her sleeves rolled up, untucked. Her long sandy blonde hair is straightened, hanging down, nails polished a bright red. There is a certain demeanor from the Good Doctor that no one has seen all year until she came back. Molly Waters speaks.)
Molly Waters: Hello EAW Universe, I am super excited to have a very special guest at this time. She is a former Universal Women’s Champion, Specialist, Interwire, Unified Tag Team, and the longest reigning Hardcore Champion of all time, a sure fire inductee into the Hall of Fame in the future. She is Dr. Bethany Blue. Thank you for accepting the invite and being here.
(Dr. Bethany Blue does brandish a small smile and nods.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Thank you for having me here, Molly. I know we haven’t done many of these but it’s a pleasure sitting down and answering some questions.
Molly Waters: Great, thank you and why don’t we get started, but before we do, I just want to comment on how beautiful you look.
Dr. Bethany Blue: Thank you, I really appreciate that.
Molly Waters: Okay, so my first question, how does it feel to be challenging for the Unified Tag Team Championships at Pain for Pride?
(Bethany pauses for a second, trying to formulate the right answer as she turns to Molly and answers.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Molly, I’m going to be honest and transparent in this interview here today. This was NOT on my Bingo Card. I really thought at the beginning of the season that I would be defending the Hardcore Championship at Pain For Pride, but it’s crazy how things can just turn and flip in a second. Challenging for any championship in the EAW especially at Pain For Pride ALWAYS feels good. But this one is very different because of the circumstances and my partner. But overall, I am really excited to get the opportunity to wrestle either ToXXXin or Ryan Wilson & Daryl Kinkade, a man I have a lot of history with, in Ryan since his days running Showdown and honestly, into the ground. I wouldn’t mind punching him in the heart for making my experience there a complete disaster.
Molly Waters: Yes, it could be either one of those two teams, fair enough. My next question is this, I know you and TLA have history with each other, so where do things stand between you two after the last few weeks?
(Bethany pauses for a moment before she answers.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: It is no secret that TLA and I are not friends, and for most of the season we battled for the Hardcore Championship or were involved with his deal against Adam Lucas. I know that I cost him the EAW World Championship in Mexico after he blasted me with a chair the week before as I went to check on Adam. That did piss me off, so I made sure that he was embarrassed in front of his family and friends. Then it led to the Hardcore title match in which I defeated him, but just recently when I returned in the Grand Rampage match, he eliminated me. So, I guess that makes us even? For now. As far when it comes to TLA and Dr. Bethany Blue as a tag team, I think everyone saw that we are two professionals that put their differences aside for a common goal. Are we friends? No. Are we tag team partners? Yes, and for now that is good enough. Could I have said that earlier this year? No way, but things are different now. I think it is safe to say that both TLA and I can at least trust one another to do the right thing in order to succeed and win gold. And considering TLA has never held those titles, I’m pretty positive I was the last person he ever thought to be his partner and have the best chance in winning the belts. We are in it for the win.
(Molly seems very impressed with Bethany’s openness and nods as she asks the next question.)
Molly Waters: Now, I want to pivot and ask the obvious if you do not mind. With everything going on, how have you been doing as of late?
(There is a slight pause for a moment, then Bethany unfolds her legs and sits up some, as she looks directly at Molly Waters. There is a sense of humility in her voice.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I told you Molly that I was going to be honest and transparent. It is hard, I have my good and bad days. Sometimes I am deep in my work whether it is wrestling or running my private practice, and it helps dealing with the hurt. Then in turn, I could be sitting in my car or just laying on the couch watching TV or reading, where without warning I break down and cry hard, sometimes at the house I have actually cried myself to sleep. It’s an emotional rollercoaster and physically I am starting to feel like myself again, admittedly the first few weeks in that tournament, TLA has had to do a lot as my body and mind continue to adjust, I mean, if you haven’t noticed, he has scored all the falls so far, but that is fine, I feel the best I have ever felt physically and mentally heading into Pain For Pride. I feel like at Fighting Spirit was the hump to get over.
(Molly nods as she sees Dr. Bethany Blue sitting there stoically as she asks the next question.)
Molly Waters: Thank you for being honest. Dr. Blue, what made you decide to return to the ring when you did?
Dr. Bethany Blue: Will, determination, and the fact I cannot sit at home if I can physically compete. After Shock Value, I went through a lot of trauma, most of it was physical thanks to that coward in Kai Rabeaux and of course, my own husband, Adam Lucas. Mentally I was destroyed, blaming myself for being such an anal Doctor to my patients but never taking the time to care for my own body. I sat there one night just contemplating what I was going to do. I was angry, frustrated, saddened at the whole pattern of how it all fell into place, situation after situation which really was so unfortunate, it broke my heart, I can freely admit it. I needed to get back in the ring at any cost, and well, while again, it is no secret that I have not had the best working relationship with Captain Charisma, I called him and asked to return, was medically cleared and came back sooner than I probably should have but to be in my first Grand Rampage, why not? I couldn’t rot at home anymore, Molly. Being a Doctor wasn’t enough. It just wasn’t.
(Taking a deep breath, Bethany turns to look at Molly who nods, asking her the next question.)
Molly Waters: With that said, everyone was shocked at your return at the Grand Rampage. Do you think being able to return to the ring has in any way changed your perspective on your career or anything you may have done in the past?
(Bethany again pauses, this time though she lowers her head a little, staring down at the floor and her feet before her eyes slowly glance over to Molly Waters.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Molly, I have been an insufferable bitch for a long time, I would even go as far to say the c-word. Truth is, I was a very angry and desperate woman, wanting the same success as everyone else. I have always worried about what everyone else was doing and not what I was doing. Take for example what I did to Kassidy Heart. It was years of frustration, knowing in my mind that I was on the same level if not better than her, but I didn’t allow for my skill set to speak for itself, I ran scared and used chickenshit tactics to get my way and ultimately it turned me into this bitter woman that hated everything about this business including what Adam Lucas was doing. I didn’t give ANYONE a reason to cheer for me or even feel any ounce of remorse for what happened At Shock Value. I have used those tactics to get my way, look at Jay Jerry Johnson, that man changed because of his hatred toward me after what we did to one another. Same goes to TLA and though some, not going to lie, deserved every bit of shit that I gave them, many didn’t. Then, something happened that changed me.
Molly Waters: What changed?
Dr. Bethany Blue: The second I stepped out from the back, the first thing that came to my mind was that no one was going to care and boo me out of the building the second I showed up at the Grand Rampage, and instead… instead… They cheered.
(Bethany starts to get a little emotional, something you normally do not see from the stoic doctor.)
Dr, Bethany Blue: I have never felt like that before, Molly. I could see the people actually care about my condition and what happened. The outpouring of the fans after everything that I have said and done was unbelievable, caught me by surprise. It was an energy that I had never experienced before, truly it wasn’t. I walked out to that ring and felt alive for the first time and nothing that was bothering me existed. While I will never apologize for the things that I have done as I know that was never the real me and instead a woman that was simply a creature of her own habitat in survival mode, I do indeed regret some of the things I have done at least to those that never deserved it, but Molly, in this business there are very FEW and FAR in-between.
(Molly is a bit shocked by her answer as Bethany looks extremely sincere, waiting to answer the next question.)
Molly Waters: Dr. Blue, I think the EAW Universe needs to know this. Do you have anything on your mind about Adam Lucas putting his career on the line against Kai Rabeaux?
(A sigh slips from Bethany as she proceeds to answer the question.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I knew this question was coming, and all I have to say about Kai Rabeaux is that he is a coward, plain and simple. He couldn’t beat me one on one when I gave him the chance while I was pregnant, so he cashed in his 24/7 Contract at the opportune time when I was about to win and go on to a full year as champion. Why was I in that position in the first place? Adam Lucas, because he decided to take everything I said to him and throw it back in my face pretending this was the right thing to do when I never once stepped in his lane. Molly, I had to get extensive oral surgery and get skin graphs on my face on top of losing a child. What he did is unforgivable and I am trying so hard to get past those hurt feelings, I really am. But I don’t know. At this point what Adam did was foolish, he didn’t need to put his career on the line, Kai needed to defend the title or be stripped of it, Adam should have played his cards right. So, all I can say is that I am disappointed but knowing Adam, he will want to get rid of Kai once and for all since he took his chance away from being a father. Adam loves wrestling, this was not a choice he should have made, and maybe he wouldn’t have had I been by his side, but there is nothing I can do to change it. Do I feel partly responsible for it? Yes. But most of the burden falls on his shoulders on this one, unfortunately.
(Bethany stops to think for a moment and Molly Waters catches on to that, so she asks the next question.)
Molly Waters: Dr. Blue, I need to ask this question, do you believe your marriage with Adam is beyond repair?
(There is a pause, she knew this question was coming, and while she would probably just ignore it, Bethany chooses not to.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I don’t know Molly. I’m hurt, feel betrayed. Look, I’m not blind to what he was saying to me outside my locker room before Kai attacked him, or what he did after I was walking up the ramp at Grand Rampage. I have heard every single word he has said, but I need to heal, I must find that forgiveness in my heart, but of course, I also have so many feelings right now that I need to somehow harness the hatred, frustration, vitriol, and the love I have and try my best to separate it. Molly, I was pregnant with his child and we lost it, he played a part in it; I played a part in it; Kai finished it. When it comes to Kai, I will always hate him, and one day I will put him down once and for all, but I am okay with letting Adam and him tear one another apart. After this is over? I don’t know. Maybe I can forgive, or maybe I can’t. The thing is Molly, I created a lot of this, I know it. A few years ago, I was so paranoid and bitter, wanting him to realize that the fans were not helping him, that being nice was not going to win him championships. While his success speaks for itself after the change, I also made him into something that he isn’t. Adam is a good man, I miss him Molly, but at the same time the things he said and did to me heading into Shock Value and in that match? Hard to forgive and forget. Is it beyond repair? I don’t know, maybe… maybe not, I’m sorry I can’t truly answer that.
(Molly Waters actually shows some compassion to a woman who has been a notorious rulebreaker and complete bitch for so long to the wrestling industry, that she reaches out and holds Bethany’s hand which catches her by surprise. The Doctor nods and half smiles at the show of concern and warmth.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Thank you for that.
Molly Waters: Of course. I only have a few more questions. Now that you’re back and have done nearly everything there is to do, is there anything else you still plan to accomplish?
(Now Bethany sits back and crosses her legs again, a more comfortable and determined look is on her face.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I’m going to make a confession, Molly. I felt a little snubbed at the Hall of Fame this year at first, and then I thought about it, really sat down and thought about how these amazing Elitists got in before me even though I have been here longer and accomplished so much, even beating them all. There is one thing I have always wanted to do and that is win a Brand World Championship. I needed to filter that bitterness out and actually feel joy and happiness for those that went in, because they deserved while releasing that I am not undeniable… not yet. See though, Season 20 is where I will rise back up and do what I have promised and become undeniable. First by walking into as the Unified Tag Team Champions with TLA and show the world that I can team with anyone and win, and secondly win that brand World Championship leaving no doubt that I deserve to one day be immortalized with the rest of them. All the victories, and the humiliating defeats, moments, etc., will all be finally worth it. I WILL be a World Champion again, Molly. After that, who knows. We’ll cross that bridge when it comes.
Molly Waters: I like that. Two more questions, first Is there any team you’re hoping leaves with the Unified Tag Team Championships in the main event of Voltage?
Dr. Bethany Blue: Not really. I feel like ToXXXin has been running amuck, and it is no secret that Siobhan and I are friends outside of the business. She built an incredible stable and is a very dangerous and devious woman with this new attitude, though honestly It isn’t very known, she has always been like that by more reserved than now and I get it. I have faced Selina earlier this season, she is a future singles champion, Daniella Atlas as well, they are amazing as a tag team, very similar to TLA and myself, both enemies brought together by a common goal. As for Daryl Kinkade and Ryan Wilson. Well, I have a lot of issues with Ryan, so they need to be resolved, Daryl I have not had much but last season we had a few run-ins. Overall, I personally do not care but if I had to pick? Definitely ToXXXin.
(Molly nods as she prepares to ask her final question.)
Molly Waters: The final question, Dr. Blue. What is your goal as Champion if you and TLA are able to win at Pain for Pride?
(Bethany chuckles a little)
Dr. Bethany Blue: My Goal? That is easy to answer; to win the Unified Tag Team Championships with a man I never thought to be teaming with and show that you don’t need to like one another in order to have one common goal. TLA and I are from different sides of the spectrum, but I truly believe that we could be one of the greatest tag teams of all time, and it’s simple, we win, walk out and then show the world that TLA and Dr. Bethany Blue truly are La Pharmacia Sexual.
(Molly Waters smiles as Bethany winks.)
Molly Waters: That is all and thank you so much for your time.
(Molly extends the hand but Bethany shakes her head and instead stands up and pulls her up as they hug.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: No Molly, thank you.
(With that said Bethany makes her way out as Molly looks on and nods in approval.)
(Voltage fades to commercial.)
(Promotional ad for Pain for Pride 19, where Dr. Bethany Blue and TLA face either ToXXXin or Daryl Kinkade and Ryan Wilson for the Unified Tag Team Championships.)
(The camera returns to ringside.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is a CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATOR MATCH, SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!!
(‘Kendrick, Clae & Cole’ by Marqus Clae begins to play, bringing about cheers from the fans as NICK steps out to the stage. NICK has a calm, focused look on his face, just focusing on the moment as he knows what’s on the line, as well as who he is facing. He begins walking down the ramp, ready to get this match started.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first!… From Detroit, Michigan… Weighing in at 215 pounds… NNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCKKKKKKKK
Rich Russillo: If you don’t know what this type of match is, it’s simple. If NICK can defeat the New Breed Champion tonight, he’s the new number one contender for the New Breed Championship! Given the time of year, I’d say this is must win for NICK.
Thadd Blazevich: It sure is bro, as this could be his ticket to a title match at Pain for Pride. He’s gonna need to be locked in, you don’t wanna miss out on something like this.
Persephone: I wish I could miss out on this match.
(‘Betty (Get Money)!’ by Yung Gravy follows, and the fans immediately begin to boo. Clayton Golde walks out with his New Breed Championship, full of confidence and lacking the serious demeanor that NICK had. Clayton brushes off the boos from the fans, taking in the spotlight before another match knowing he is coming off another successful Championship defense. He begins walking down the ramp, taking his time heading to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: And his opponent… From his Golden Compound in Romania… Weighing in at 210 pounds… HE IS THE NEW BREED CHAMPION, CLAAAYYYYYTTOOOONNNNN GGOOOOOOLLLDDDEEEE!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: The New Breed Champion is here, and no matter how you feel about him, you have to admit that he has had an impressive reign thus far. However, some would argue that reign wouldn’t have lasted as long as it has had Ashlynn Quinn not interfered when his opponent tonight last faced him.
Thadd Blazevich: That’s definitely arguable, and honestly I can see it. Still, that was six months ago. Dude’s gonna have to make sure he can do what he didn’t back then, ‘cause Clayton looks like he’s ready.
Persephone: Does he? He looks like just as much of an idiot as always to me.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: AND THIS CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATOR MATCH IS UNDERWAY AS BOTH MEN BEGIN TO CIRCLE THE RING! Clayton Golde is going to want to be cautious tonight, as one mistake can result in him having a set challenger at Pain for Pride! I’m sure that’s the last thing he wants right now, meanwhile NICK is literally telling Clayton to bring it!
(NICK gestures towards Clayton to come at him, but Clayton just yawns. Eventually his inaction leaves NICK annoyed, as he begins walking towards him.)
Rich Russillo: UH OH, I THINK THIS IS WHAT CLAYTON WANTED! NICK IS CHARGING IN, AND CLAYTON RUSHES IN WITH A RIGHT HAND-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT NICK WAS READY FOR IT, BRO! HE DUCKED UNDER CLAYTON’S SWING- AND NOW THERE’S A RIGHT HOOK BY NICK! CLAYTON STUMBLES, AND NOW AN UPPERCUT BY NICK SENDS BRO BACKPEDALING INTO THE CORNER! NICK RUSHES IN WITH A FOREARM IN THE CORNER, AND NOW HE DELIVERS A KNEE TO CLAYTON’S MIDSECTION! NICK IS ALL OVER THIS DUDE, TAKING HIM OUTTA THE CORNER WITH AN IRISH WHIP- AND CATCHING HIM OFF THE REBOUND WITH A FLAPJACK!! THE CHAMP IS DOWN, AND NICK IS LOOKING FIRED UP RIGHT NOW!
Persephone: I don’t see why. It’s not like Clayton Golde is anything impressive.
Rich Russillo: Well regardless of your thoughts on him, we know this is a major opportunity, and we also know that these two have history. Clayton has rolled out of the ring after that onslaught by NICK, and now NICK is just once again waiting for Clayton to come at him. He’s wise for not following Clayton outside, as this leaves Clayton firmly on the defensive. Clayton now has no other choice here but to slowly re-enter the ring, hoping NICK doesn’t go back on the offensive.
Thadd Blazevich: WELL UNFORTUNATELY FOR HIM, NICK’S DOING EXACTLY THAT! AS SOON AS CLAYTON SLID INTO THE RING NICK STARTED STOMPING AT HIS BACK! CLAYTON IMMEDIATELY BACKS HIMSELF INTO THE ROPES AS NICK STARTS THROWING PUNCHES, AND NOW HERE COMES THE REF TO START COUNTING SO THIS CAN BE SPLIT UP!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FI-
Thadd Blazevich: WOAH!!
Rich Russillo: JUST AS NICK WAS ABOUT TO BACK OFF, CLAYTON RUSHED FORWARD AND DROPPED DOWN, PULLING NICK INTO A SCHOOL BOY ROLL UP!
ONE!
TWO!!
T-
Rich Russillo: WOW! IT WAS NEARLY OVER RIGHT THERE BUT NICK KICKED OUT-
Thadd Blazevich: ONLY FOR BRO TO GET TAKEN OUT BY A SUPERKICK! Clayton Golde manages to take control of the match, and dude I think we’re about to see exactly what caused him to hold onto the New Breed Championship for this long! NICK is holding his jaw in pain, and now Clayton quickly rushes in and applies a grounded headlock, keeping NICK trapped on the mat so he can’t build anymore momentum! The fans don’t look too happy about what we’re seeing right now, but you can’t deny that Clayton’s methods are effective!
Persephone: The only thing his “methods” are is boring as hell. Clayton has NICK trapped on the mat, and at this point I don’t know why NICK doesn’t just tap out. Not like anyone actually cares to see “NICK” in a Championship match at Pain for Pride.
Rich Russillo: Well even if you don’t, NICK himself certainly does! NICK managed to fight his way up to a knee- BUT CLAYTON TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THIS FACT, LETTING GO OF THE HOLD BUT RAKING THE EYE IN THE PROCESS!!! THAT BLINDED NICK TEMPORARILY AND I THINK CLAYTON WAS SNEAKY ENOUGH TO AVOID THE REFEREE SEEING IT!
Thadd Blazevich: Clayton immediately uses the opportunity to drag NICK over to him, BEFORE DELIVERING A BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! NICK was planted by that one, AND NOW CLAYTON ROLLS OVER ONTO NICK BEFORE GOING FOR THE GROUND AND POUND! CLAYTON IS JUST LAYING INTO NICK RIGHT NOW, AND I THINK I CAN SEE THE PLAN, BRO! HE’S TRYING TO JUST WEAR NICK DOWN, PICKING HIM APART TO STOP THE DUDE FROM GOING CRAZY LIKE HE DID AT THE START OF THE MATCH AGAIN!
Persephone: Well whatever the plan is, I guess it’s working. He’s been all over NICK as of late, it’s kinda pathetic.
Rich Russillo: DON’T SPEAK TOO SOON, PERSEPHONE! NICK WAS ABLE TO PULL HIMSELF OVER CLAYTON BEFORE GETTING UP- AND PULLING HIM INTO A TRIANGLE CHOKE! CLAYTON IS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY ROLL OVER AND GET HIS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE, BUT HE LOOKS PANICKED AS HE KNOWS THINGS JUST TURNED AROUND IN A MASSIVE WAY!
Thadd Blazevich: NICK lets go of the submission and Clayton rolls out of the ring, BUT THIS TIME NICK FOLLOWS BEHIND, AND HE’S RIGHT ON HIS TAIL! Clayton stumbles to his feet, AND NICK GRABS HIM BEFORE SLAMMING HIS FACE ONTO THE APRON! NICK TAKES CLAYTON AFTER THAT, BEFORE THROWING HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE RING POST! CLAYTON FALLS BACKWARDS, AND NICK JUST SENDS HIM BACK INTO THE RING, NOT WASTING ANY TIME GOING TO CAPITALIZE!
Rich Russillo: NICK SLIDES INTO THE RING AS CLAYTON STUMBLES BACK UP, AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT BE TIME FOR THE CHAMPION TO RECEIVE THREE THE HARD WAY!! NICK APPLIES THE WAISTLOCK, STARTING WITH THE GERMAN SUPLEX-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT NICK DOESN’T EVEN GET TO LAND THE FIRST ONE, AS CLAYTON FLIPS OUT OF IT AND LANDS ON HIS FEET! CLAYTON WAITS FOR NICK TO GET UP- AND BRO, NICK TRIED TO RUSH AT CLAYTON TO REGAIN THE UPPER HAND, BUT CLAYTON SCOOPED NICK UP INTO A STUN GUN! NICK STUMBLES BACKWARDS TO A KNEE, AND NOW CLAYTON RUNS IN BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A FAMOUSER!!! CLAYTON NOW WITH THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!!
Persephone: And of course, NICK’s out at two! Can Clayton hit better moves or something? Clearly this isn’t working, and it’s getting embarrassing watching these two fail to put each other away.
Thadd Blazevich: But Seph, I think these two both still have a lot of energy left! They can probably go for much longer at this rate.
Persephone: Ugh, that’s the last thing I need to hear.
Rich Russillo: Well it doesn’t look like Thadd was wrong, as NICK is finding his way up to his feet. Clayton takes notice of this and quickly approaches, AND HE CONNECTS WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! NICK keels over after that one, and Clayton just laughs, looking towards the fans as he points down at NICK. The fans are booing, and I can’t say I’m surprised. They’ve been waiting for this man to lose his New Breed Championship for a while now, but he just keeps winning.
Thadd Blazevich: NICK stumbles forwards a bit, and NOW CLAYTON CONNECTS WITH A SECOND CHOP! NICK is hurting, and once again Clayton plays to the angry fans, asking if they heard that one! Clayton just laughs off the boos, AND NOW HE RUNS TOWARDS THE ROPES, BEFORE SPRINGBOARDING OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE BEFORE THE BRAND DEAL-
Rich Russillo: NO! NICK CATCHES CLAYTON BY THE WAIST, AND NOW THERE’S THE GERMAN SUPLEX!!!! NICK PUSHES HIMSELF BACK TO HIS FEET WHILE HOLDING ONTO CLAYTON, AND NOW HE RAISES THE ARMS, BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A DRAGON SUPLEX!!!
Thadd Blazevich: NICK DOESN’T SEEM TO BE FINISHED THERE EITHER, BRO! HE ROLLS OVER TO A KNEE WHILE HOLDING ONTO CLAYTON, AND BRO ONCE AGAIN FORCES HIMSELF BACK UP, HOLDING ONTO NICK BEFORE GRABBING HIS ARMS, TRANSITIONING INTO A STRAITJACKET HOLD, BEFORE DELIVERING THE FINAL SUPLEX!! THREE THE HARD WAY CONNECTS, AND NICK MAINTAINS THE BRIDGE TO PIN THE NEW BREED CHAMPION!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-
Persephone: BUT HE DOESN’T GET IT!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? Why is Clayton Golde kicking out of moves?? What is going on, do these people just show up to Voltage trying to go out of their way to annoy me??
Rich Russillo: NICK sits up, just nodding his head as he knows he’s going to need a bit more to take down Clayton tonight. NICK knows how huge this opportunity is, and I don’t think he plans to pass this up knowing just how close we are to the biggest event of the year. Clayton rolled towards the ropes in the last few moments and has been using them to try and pull himself up, AND NICK JUST DELIVERS A SHOOT KICK! Clayton grabs his midsection, BUT NICK JUST PULLS HIM INTO A CLINCH, BEFORE DRIVING HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!
Thadd Blazevich: NICK IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS THAT UP BY PULLING CLAYTON INTO REPEATED KNEES TO THE MIDSECTION, WHICH HE FOLLOWS UP WITH A SWEEP KICK TO DROP CLAYTON DOWN INTO A SEATED POSITION BEFORE THE REF COULD BREAK THIS UP! NICK takes a step back, BEFORE RUSHING BACK IN WITH A BOOT TO THE FACE, FOLLOWED BY VICIOUS MUDHOLE STOMPS TO THE CHEST! NICK IS ALL OVER CLAYTON RIGHT NOW, AND THE FANS ARE LOVING IT, DUDE!
Persephone: NICK backs off so Clayton can pull himself back to his feet, but as soon as he’s up NICK sends him into the ropes with an Irish whip. NICK ducks under a swing from Clayton before running the ropes himself-
Rich Russillo: AND HE FLOORS CLAYTON WITH A BICYCLE KICK!!! NICK IS DEFINITELY FIRED UP, AND NOW HE BACKS AWAY INTO THE CORNER, KNOWING THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE OPPORTUNITY HE’S BEEN LOOKING FOR! NICK IS WAITING FOR CLAYTON TO GET BACK UP TO HIS FEET, BUT SOMETHING TELLS ME THAT THAT’S THE LAST THING CLAYTON WANTS TO BE DOING RIGHT NOW!
Thadd Blazevich: CLAYTON IS GETTING BACK UP NOT KNOWING WHERE HE IS, AND NOW NICK RUSHES IN FOR THE SPINBACK-
Persephone: BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A SPINEBUSTER!
Rich Russillo: WOW! Didn’t think Clayton had anything in him at that moment, but it turns out he had just enough wherewithal to find the counter when he really needed it! Clayton pushes himself to all fours, and that seriously was one hell of a way to cut NICK off just as he was getting going! The Champion finds his way back up before dragging NICK to his feet, AND NOW CLAYTON SENDS NICK SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RING POST! NICK FALLS THROUGH THE ROPES AND ONTO THE APRON AFTER THAT ONE, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS MATCH MAY BE TAKING A BIT OF AN AGGRESSIVE TURN!
Thadd Blazevich: Clayton joins NICK at ringside as bro holds his shoulder in pain- AND NOW FROM BEHIND CLAYTON RUNS IN AND SHOVES NICK, SENDING HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE RING POST! NICK falls off of the apron, and dude, just look at the smug grin on bros face after wiping out NICK like that! Clayton drops down to ringside to retrieve NICK, and he drags him up, BEFORE SENDING HIM CRASHING INTO THE STEEL STEPS! NICK GOES DOWN, AND BRO, CLAYTON’S JUST ROLLING BACK INTO THE RING! Is he just gonna take the countout!?
Persephone: Well that’s something you don’t see every week.
Referee: ONE!… TWO!… THREE!…
Rich Russillo: NICK is breathing heavily, trying his best to push himself past the pain, but being repeatedly sent into steel isn’t something you can so easily recover from. :lupe:
Thadd Blazevich: I hate to say it, but you’re right, dude.
Referee: FOUR!… FIVE!… SIX!…
Rich Russillo: NICK is starting to stir, but it’s really not looking good. Meanwhile, Clayton Golde is already celebrating!
Persephone: Okay, so can we hurry and get to ten? NICK is actually getting closer to the ring, and I don’t like that.
Referee: SEVEN!… EIGHT!… NINE!…
Rich Russillo: NICK IS PULLING HIMSELF ONTO THE APRON, BUT I DON’T KNOW IF HE CAN DO IT! THAT SMILE ON CLAYTON’S FACE IS STARTING TO FADE, HE’S CUTTING IT CLOSE!
Referee: TEN-
Thadd Blazevich: HE MADE IT-
Rich Russillo: ONLY TO RECEIVE A LEG DROP TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
Thadd Blazevich: NICK ROLLS OVER AS CLAYTON GETS BACK UP, AND CLAYTON LANDS A SECOND ONE!
Rich Russillo: AND A THIRD!
Thadd Blazevich: AND A FOURTH!
Persephone: AND NOW A FIFTH!
Rich Russillo: THE GOLDE RUSH CONNECTS, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THAT MAY HAVE PUT AN END TO NICK’S FIGHT TONIGHT! CLAYTON NOW HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-
Rich Russillo: NO, NO IT’S NOT OVER!!! NICK WAS ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BRO, CLAYTON CAN’T BELIEVE IT! HE’S IN COMPLETE DISBELIEF RIGHT NOW, AND IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THERE’S ANYTHING FOR HIM TO LAUGH ABOUT ANYMORE! HE THOUGHT HE HAD THIS MATCH IN THE BAG, BUT NICK WANTS A TITLE MATCH AT PAIN FOR PRIDE, AND IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE HE’S GONNA STOP UNTIL HE GETS THAT OPPORTUNITY!
Persephone: This is genuinely ridiculous. Like, this has to be some type of joke.
Rich Russillo: There’s no joke here, this match is still on! Clayton Golde just questioned the referee, but we all know there’s no point in arguing right now. This isn’t over yet, and Clayton’s just gonna have to think of another way to put down NICK. Clayton begins dragging NICK up before scooping him up into his arms, AND I THINK CLAYTON IS READY TO END THIS ONE, NOT GIVING NICK THE CHANCE TO GET BACK INTO THIS AS HE SETS UP FOR THE GOLDE PILL!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT IT MIGHT ALREADY BE TOO LATE!!! NICK is elbowing Clayton in the side of the head, frantically trying to escape his grasp- AND CLAYTON SWUNG NICK ANYWAY TO TRY AND STILL HIT THE FLATLINER, BUT NICK MANAGED TO LAND ON HIS FEET BEFORE TURNING AND DROPPING CLAYTON WITH A JUDO THROW! BRO, WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM!? IT LOOKS LIKE ARGUING WITH THE REF HAD ITS CONSEQUENCES, AS NICK FOUND THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET BACK INTO THIS!
Persephone: NICK pulls Clayton in, and I think he’s about to try and lift him up for a powerbomb or something.. BUT CLAYTON STARTS LIFTING NICK OVER HIS HEAD FOR A BACK BODY DROP-
Rich Russillo: WHICH NICK COUNTERS WITH A BIT OF A SUNSET FLIP! NICK DOESN’T MAINTAIN THE SUNSET FLIP AS HE INSTEAD ROLLS CLAYTON TO HIS KNEES, AND NOW HE IMMEDIATELY GRABS CLAYTON BY THE WAIST, TRYING TO DEADLIFT HIM UP FOR THE GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB! WHAT A SHOW OF STRENGTH BY NICK!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CLAYTON ISN’T HAVING IT! BRO’S ABLE TO PULL HIS WEIGHT BACK DOWN- AND HE USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SCOOP NICK UP BEFORE DELIVERING THE FIREMAN’S CARRY TAKEDOWN! That wasn’t enough to completely wipe out NICK but it definitely got bro off of him! Both men get back up- AND NOW THERE’S A COLLISION, AFTER THEY BOTH ATTEMPTED TO HIT EACH OTHER WITH LARIATS!
Persephone: Oh great, just what I needed to see. Look, I get that this match kinda determines if we’re getting a New Breed Championship match soon, but it really doesn’t need to be this long. NICK and Clayton clearly don’t know what they’re doing. We need to just get this match called off already. That, or they can do me a favor and bring in some blood.
Rich Russillo: NICK and Clayton Golde are both finding their way back up, although Clayton is shaking his head as he does so, possibly surprised at the fact that this match is even still going. Clayton looks a bit frustrated but he shakes it off, BEFORE TURNING AND RUSHING AT NICK FOR-
Thadd Blazevich: SPINBACK!!!!
Rich Russillo: WHAT THE HELL!?!? NICK JUST CAME OUTTA NOWHERE AND HIT THE SPINBACK, LAYING CLAYTON OUT WITH THAT FLYING FOREARM SMASH!!! HE COULDN’T CAPITALIZE IMMEDIATELY THANKS TO THE DAMAGE HE’S TAKEN, BUT HE IS QUICKLY TO PULL HIMSELF OVER TO CLAYTON BEFORE HE CAN ROLL ALL THE WAY OUT OF THE RING!!
Thadd Blazevich: THIS IS NICK’S CHANCE AT THE TITLE MATCH HE’S WANTED SINCE HIS LAST AGAINST CLAYTON, AND HE MIGHT HAVE JUST TAKEN IT!!! NICK WITH THE COVER, TO GET HIMSELF A HUGE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH TO END THE SEASON!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Persephone: IS IT OVER?? PLEASE TELL ME IT’S OVER!!
Thadd Blazevich: I wanna say it’s over, but dude… Look!
Persephone: Oh come on.
Rich Russillo: CLAYTON GOLDE MANAGED TO GET HIS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!!! I can’t believe it, no way this match is still not over even after that! NICK stopped Clayton from rolling out of the ring after the Spinback, but unfortunately for him Clayton had rolled just far enough to save himself, anyway! It’s unfortunate for NICK, but he can’t lose focus now!
Thadd Blazevich: Well that’s easier said than done, bro! That was rough, but still, NICK is a fighter and he definitely knows that this is the best chance he’s gonna get! NICK forces himself up to his feet before dragging Clayton towards the middle of the ring… AND NOW HE GRABS HIM BY THE ARMS BEFORE BEGINNING TO REPEATEDLY STOMP ON HIS FACE!!!! KNOWING WHAT HE CALLS THIS, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY BRO’S STOMPING THE STUPID OUTTA CLAYTON RIGHT NOW, AND POTENTIALLY EARNING HIMSELF A NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH!!!
Persephone: OKAY COOL, CAN CLAYTON HURRY UP AND SAY HE GIVES UP ALREADY!? Doesn’t he have things to do besides wrestling!? I’m sure he doesn’t want to further ruin his already horrific looking face, so just GIVE UP!
Rich Russillo: WELL EVEN IF HE WAS GOING TO, I DON’T THINK NICK PLANS TO GIVE HIM THE CHANCE JUST YET! He just relented on the stomps, and I think it’s because he has something even bigger in mind here! He drags Clayton back up to his feet, BEFORE SCOOPING HIM INTO THE FIREMAN’S CARRY! I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHAT NICK IS SETTING UP HERE, AND IT’S THE MOVE TO PUT THIS ONE AWAY!!!! BI-
Thadd Blazevich: WAIT, WAIT A MINUTE NO!!!
Persephone: You can’t be serious.
Rich Russillo: CLAYTON GOLDE FOUND ONE SMALL OPPORTUNITY, AND WITH THAT HE SLIPPED DOWN NICK’S BACK BEFORE PULLING HIM INTO A SCHOOL BOY ROLL UP!!!! CLAYTON HAS NICK DOWN IN THE PIN, AND THE REFEREE DOESN’T EVEN NOTICE HIM HOLDING ONTO THE TIGHTS!!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner… THE NEW BREED CHAMPION, CLAAAYYYYTTTOONNNNN GGGGGOOOOOOLLLLDDDEEEEE!!!!!!
(The fans loudly boo as Clayton Golde immediately rolls out of the ring, nearly collapsing as he stumbles into the barricade. ‘Betty (Get Money)!’ is playing once more, and Clayton has a huge grin on his face. NICK can’t believe it, staring at Clayton, before turning towards the referee who didn’t see that Clayton held the tights. NICK is both shocked and furious, but he knows there isn’t anything he can do now, so he just shakes his head, storming out of the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Unbelievable! Clayton Golde blatantly stole that victory, and robbed NICK of the chance to get what may have been a New Breed Championship match at Pain for Pride! That was such a competitive match to that point, too.
Thadd Blazevich: Beyond that, bro. I think NICK had it won! Clayton made a desperate move and in the end I guess it paid off, and that’s a real bummer. NICK is furious and rightfully so, there’s no telling what’s next for him now.
Persephone: Boo hoo. He should’ve won earlier then none of this would’ve happened. That’s his fault.
(As NICK storms up the ramp, Clayton stumbles towards the timekeeper’s area, snatching both his Championship and a microphone. He brushes off the referee, slowly walking towards the ramp as he begins to speak.)
Clayton Golde: I told you all, didn’t I? I understand that everyone wants to share the spotlight with yours truly, but “Nick” was NEVER good enough to be my Pain for Pride opponent! He’s not meant to hold this Championship, and you know what? I think that goes for the rest of the division as well.
(The boos only grow louder, especially knowing how Clayton Golde managed to pick up the victory.)
Clayton Golde: No, no just listen. I have held this Championship for six months, and in those six months I have been met with challenger after challenger, or should I say leech after leech. Everyone wants the clout but nobody actually has the talent to earn it, which is why I’m still here after all this time. Nobody can beat me. I have overcome every challenge that’s been put in front of me in convincing, dominant fashion, and if I were to defend this title at GOLDE for Pride absolutely nothing would change. Unfortunately I am just too talented for my own good, and the losers in the back all have to suffer for it. I’d just have yet another easy match against someone that doesn’t actually deserve a Championship match against me. That’s why…
(The grin on Clayton’s face only widens as he prepares for what he has to say.)
Clayton Golde: I’m not defending my title!
(The boos flood the crowd, and Clayton only laughs hearing this reaction from the fans. He raises his Championship just to rub salt in the wound, before continuing to speak.)
Clayton Golde: I already defended it at Fighting Spirit and won. I did my job, so I have no obligation to defend my title at Pain for Pride when THIS match was already supposed to determine my challenger. If “Nick” wanted a shot so badly he should’ve just been better! He had his chance and blew it, too bad. The Golden God has much better things to do than entertain some sorta charity case title match at the biggest show of the year, so that’s not going to happen. I will be at Golde for Pride, but it’ll be in a non-wrestling role, because none of you deserve me. Now if you’d excuse me I have places to be. I’m a winner both in the ring and at life, so I can’t afford to be stuck here staring at-
(Suddenly, just as Clayton was about to turn to leave, ‘DIVE in LIVE’ by YOLOZ began to play.)
Rich Russillo: OH, WAIT A SECOND!!
Thadd Blazevich: THIS IS A SURPRISE IF I’VE EVER SEEN IT!
(The fans cheer loudly, as Anna Wautier begins walking out to the stage. She is holding a microphone in her hand, and her appearance completely catches Clayton Golde off guard, staring at her with an almost confused look on his face as he wonders what she wants. However, it doesn’t take long for this question to be answered.)
Anna Wautier: Mr. Golde, congratulations for your victory. I am sure such a victory means a lot to you ahead of Pain for Pride. However, I believe all of us witnessed how you achieved it, and it wasn’t quite fitting for a Champion like yourself. You stole it, and cheated your way through another important match.
(The fans cheer, and Clayton just shrugs, unsure of what he did wrong as Anna continues.)
Anna Wautier: I’m sure you don’t care how you win as long as you are capable of doing so, but I want you to know that this won’t get you as far as you’d like. My match against Mr. Machina at Fighting Spirit gave me a taste of the pinnacle of this company. Championship contention is not easy, but I plan to take the steps towards wearing one of those Championships myself, and with Pain for Pride having nearly arrived, I believe it is time for me to set my sights on that goal. Mr. Golde, I see that you now have no apparent challenger thanks to your victory tonight… But don’t think you will take the night off at Pain for Pride.
(Clayton stares at Anna Wautier as she takes a few steps towards the ramp, a smile appearing on her face as she continues.)
Anna Wautier: I will be the one who challenges you for your Championship, and you will not be able to cheat your way through me.
(This causes the crowd to explode, and the eyes of the New Breed Champion to widen.)
Rich Russillo: WOW! WHAT A CHALLENGE FROM ANNA WAUTIER, WHO HAS SEEMINGLY STAKED HER CLAIM TO THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP!
Thadd Blazevich: Clayton said nobody was good enough, and I think Anna would like to disagree with that one! This is huge! Could she be the one to finally take him down!?
(Anna Wautier stares at Clayton Golde with a focused look on her face, while Clayton just shakes his head, backpedaling towards the corner of the barricade before jumping over. Clayton doesn’t look thrilled that his celebration was cut short, especially not for something like this.)
Persephone: Look at him. He looks like an idiot. How’d he manage to hold the title this long??
Rich Russillo: Because like it or not, he knows what he’s doing inside of the ring. He definitely has a problem on his hands now though, and it’s one he was not expecting!
(Anna Wautier smiles, looking towards the fans after that major challenge knowing that they’re firmly behind her. Clayton Golde is still just shaking his head, as if he’s trying to just pretend Anna didn’t just challenge him to a match at Pain for Pride. He continues leaving through the crowd, while a focused Anna remains on the stage, watching as Voltage fades from ringside.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues on as we cut to the backstage area, where we see Ashlynn Quinn talking to someone that isn’t seen by the audience just yet. She is in a casual attire while she talks to this mysterious person, appearing more flirtatious and lively, her eyes staring directly toward them as she says…)
Ashlynn Quinn: OH MY GOD! And the way you upstaged him at Fighting Spirit! You totally slayed him right there. And now he’s got you in… what match is it again?
(The camera pans over to reveal that it’s none other than Hans Grayson, who gets a big reaction from the audience here tonight from the crowd in the Rogers Arena, who are cheering loudly for their hometown hero! He has a small smile on his face as he replies back to Ashlynn, saying…)
Hans Grayson: Barbed Wire Massacre. And I don’t think “slayed” is the right term for what I did at Fighting Spirit… it was more so a confirmation to what will be Drake’s worst nightmare… getting into the ring with me… on the biggest stage… in EAW’s most prolific matchup in all of its history.
(Ashlynn smirks at what Hans says as she responds right back, saying…)
Ashlynn Quinn: Either way, that was such a COOL moment at Fighting Spirit, and now you’re main eventing Pain for Pride… like, oh my gosh! That’s gotta be so exciting for you!
(Hans smirks as well as he responds back to Ashlynn by saying… )
Hans Grayson: It really is! Main eventing Pain for Pride in my home country definitely feels surreal, but at the same time, I can’t lose focus… I need to be in the absolute best shape if I want to beat the living hell out of Drake in Barbed Wire Massacre.
Ashlynn Quinn: Well… I think you’re already in pretty good shape… y’know?
(Ashlynn looks at Hans with a glimmer in her eyes, as he simply smiles back politely hearing what she says, before replying right back to her by saying…)
Hans Grayson: Touche! You’ve also been in… pretty good shape yourself!
(Before the conversation continues on, we see Sofia Clarke come up right besides Ashlynn Quinn. She taps her on her shoulder as Ashlynn turns around, saying to her…)
Ashlynn Quinn: Ummmm… Sofia!
(Ashlynn says this in a tone of annoyance, as she was clearly pretty preoccupied. But Sofia brushes past it, responding back to her.)
Sofia Clarke: I’m sorry to bother you right now, Ashlynn, but is it okay if we do an interview right now?
(Ashlynn turns right back to Hans, who doesn’t seem all too bothered, as he tells the both of them… )
Hans Grayson: Oh! Don’t worry, I was just about to go anyway. You can conduct your interview, I’ll see you guys in a bit.
(Hans leaves the scene as Ashlynn gives another sly look to him, before turning back around to Sofia, saying…)
Ashlynn Quinn: So, like… What do you want?
Sofia Clarke: Firstly, I want to say thank you for taking the time to do this interview. And I just wanted to ask, with Pain for Pride approaching in a month’s time… What is next for you, Ashlynn Quinn?
(Ashlynn, upon hearing this from Sofia, ponders on it for a few moments before answering her.)
Ashlynn Quinn: What’s next for me? What answer are you looking for? That I’m just sitting by, enjoying a margarita and watching everyone else find themselves in a major spot at Pain for Pride? That I’m just going to go on vacation and even then, still be more glamorous than everyone else? As much as those things do sound quite nice, none of those are the answer… What is next for me is looking for another opportunity, another chance here on Voltage. I don’t plan on entering Pain for Pride this year without a big match… AS IF! I’m not going to let another uggo be placed into the spotlight while I just fade into the background… I don’t operate that way, Sofia! I have proved I am a Championship worthy top level act here on Voltage, and the LAST thing I want is to be overlooked or get taken for granted on the road to Pain for Pride.
(Sofia nods her head in approval to what Ashlynn said, as the former New Breed Champion stops herself for a moment before continuing.)
Ashlynn Quinn: So with that in mind, this opportunity that I want… is for the Hardcore Championship.
(The crowd inside of the arena has a surprised reaction as they hear what Ashlynn says, and Sofia shares that same expression. She responds to what Ashlynn just told her by saying…)
Sofia Clarke: Wow, I actually didn’t expect you to say that… that really does change a lot on the road to Pain for Pride.
Ashlynn Quinn: Um…. Why is that so surprising? Can’t a woman like me go for another championship so soon?? Don’t be one of those uggos who’s praying for my downfall, Sofia!!
Sofia Clarke: No, no, no, it’s not that. It’s just that Adam Lucas and Kai Rabeaux are already scheduled to fight each other at Pain for Pride in a Title versus Career match. Adam Lucas’ career is on the line in that match, so considering what that match entails… you still have your eyes set on the Hardcore title?
(Ashlynn hears this as doesn’t look all too concerned, replying back to Sofia.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Umm… I don’t know. I mean, they can still fight at Pain for Pride, and Adam can still put his career on the line if it means kicking Kai Kai’s ass. They can still do that no problem. But, we all heard what Kai Kai said at Fighting Spirit, right? He was going every possible route to try and avoid defending that title against Adam at Pain for Pride until he put his career on the line, and one of the things he said was that he was willing to defend it on the road to Pain for Pride as well. So you know what… Why not me?
(Sofia hears Ashlynn loud and clear as she listens to her reasoning as to why she wants an opportunity at the Hardcore Title, before she responds right back and tells her.)
Sofia Clarke: I mean, fair enough. Kai Rabeaux did in fact state that at Fighting Spirit, so maybe talking to Captain Charisma or Eden Sinclair about that could be a way for you to shake things up massively entering into Pain for Pride.
(Ashlynn nods in agreement to what Sofia says as she replies back by saying… )
Ashlynn Quinn: Like I said, Sofia… I wasn’t going to enter Pain for Pride without a major match, and what better way to do that than by beating someone that I used to love. That I thought cared for me, but was just a selfish, narcissistic douchebag who was taking lessons from that scum, Drake Armstrong. It’s about time I get what I deserve, and that Hardcore Championship is just the thing.
(Sofia hears this from Ashlynn and looks impressed by what was just said, as she hits Ashlynn right back with another question regarding Kai Rabeaux.)
Sofia Clarke: Will your history with Kai that you mentioned affect you if you were to get an opportunity to fight for the Hardcore Title?
Ashlynn Quinn: Oh, Sofia… If anyone is going to feel affected by it, it’s going to be Kai Kai. I mean, you must’ve seen how jealous he got the other week when I was simply talking to Hans after he stood up to Drake and stopped him from attacking me. Like, wow… after the way he treated me, choosing to focus on his career instead of us… then to see him act all jealous over me… Kai Kai is the only person that is going to lose focus when he steps into the ring with me. So, beating him to become the new Hardcore Champion would be SOOO perfect for me! Doing that before Pain for Pride as well? Will be on the icing on cake en route to Toronto.
Sofia Clarke: That sounds wonderful Ashlynn. Quite a big challenge and opportunity you’re making for yourself there, so I guess… Good luck on that endeavour, and good luck on getting yourself into a major spot at this year’s event.
Ashlynn Quinn: Thanks, but I don’t need luck when I face Kai Kai… if anyone is going to need any luck… it’s going to be him
(Ashlynn then walks the other direction, saying her final statement as she leaves the scene. Sofia looks quite happy with the interview she conducted with Ashlynn, as she looks at the camera and says… )
Sofia Clarke: Well, there you have it folks! Major implications for Pain for Pride may soon come if things can get official for Ashlynn Quinn. Sounds like Kai Rabeaux may be in for one hell of a road bump on the path to his match with Adam Lucas at the biggest event of the season.
(Sofia gives a slight smile to the camera, before the scene officially fades off. Sunday Night Voltage proceeds to transition elsewhere in the arena.)
(Commercial for Invincible with Jon Kelton.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to the familiar tune of “Self Help Tape” by Moses Sumney ringing inside the Rogers Arena. Captain Charisma emerges on the stage with a microphone already in his hand as the crowd gives him a worthy ovation. He takes a second to nod and acknowledge the reaction, before making a focused stride towards the ring in order to address the business at hand.)
Rich Russillo: There really is *a lot* on our Commissioner’s plate lately… huh?
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah bro, that is for sure, and I’d hate to be in that position myself. We really gotta be grateful all we gotta do is observe the action and provide our thoughts on what’s goin’ on so these fans stay entertained ‘cause dayum man, you can tell these things can take a toll on somebody!
Persephone: Wipe your tears away, Thadd. This is the BEST era of Voltage of all time! When have you seen something as electrifying as the Fighting Spirit contract signing between Adam and Kai? And no, I don’t mean the boring talking, I mean the stabbing! And the 20-foot falls!! WE, the dedicated fans of Voltage, NEED more of this!! Who’s with me!!
Thadd Blazevich: You know ‘Seph… Maybe we could see you throw down in a deathmatch if you’re so excited!
Persephone: Umm… I am only interested in the professionals, Thadd! 😊
(With a smile on his face, Captain Charisma readjusts the collar on his turtleneck as “Self Help Tape” fades out.)
Captain Charisma: An explosive Sunday Night Voltage as always, with an awesome crowd to match the energy! Thank you for being electric as always, Vancouver!
Crowd: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Captain Charisma: During the earlier commercial break, I took the time to speak to Ashlynn Quinn after what she’s had to say minutes ago, and I’ve come to an interesting conclusion. To those just now tuning in — Ashlynn Quinn wants a bite at Kai Rabeaux— a shot at his Hardcore Championship. Of course… last week was quite the bloody brawl that took place at the end of that contract signing after the unsanctioned format the Pain For Pride bout will take place under has been established… Thankfully, I can confirm our medical experts have not found any major injuries suffered by either Adam Lucas or Kai Rabeaux. This is obviously great news. But…
(Matthieu exhales sharply.)
Captain Charisma: I have to draw back a little with the lengths both of the two are willing to go to. Pain For Pride will remain an Unsanctioned match… but the days we have left until then? I will do my due diligence to guarantee the safety of both talents walking into Pain For Pride. Extremely high stakes are on the line, but they are not stakes we will back away from until that moment of truth comes for… well… either man.
Captain Charisma: Now, circling back to Ashlynn Quinn…
Captain Charisma: There is a clear drive to the former New Breed Champion, both the drive to find herself in championship conversations once more and the drive to get back at Kai after the bitter falling out they had over the last few months. So? We got a match for next week! Kai Rabeaux. Ashlynn Quinn. For the Hardcore Championship!!
(The crowd roars in anticipation, at this point preferring anybody holds that title if it’s at Kai’s expense… Notwithstanding, their fun would not last long. “Burn In My Light” by Mercy Drive quickly drowns out all of the noise, as the Hardcore Champion steps out on the stage with an unimpressed, perhaps even disgusted look on his face. He eyes down Captain Charisma with a narrow glance, still carrying himself highly with the Hardcore Championship over his shoulder as he makes his way to the stage, as ostentatious as ever despite his visible discontentment.)
Persephone: He’s really alive??
Thadd Blazevich: Feels like deja vu. Kai just comes back from everything — I mean, both men, safe and healthy? That’s a miracle, and I’m very glad to hear that.
Persephone: I’m not.
Rich Russillo: I’m still… shocked after all of that. I mean, sheer brutality aside… Adam Lucas’ career on the line at Pain For Pride? Even more stakes added to Kai Rabeaux’s road to Pain For Pride? The obstacles keep getting better and better, just when you think you’ve seen it all… it turns out we’ve seen nothing at all, and I think the surprises won’t stop coming because Kai does NOT look happy right now!
(Kai eventually climbs up the steel steps and enters the ring. He shoots the Commissioner a sarcastic smirk as he walks past him and requests a microphone be handed to him. With a look of uncertainty written on Captain Charisma’s forehead wrinkles, he keeps his sight on the Hardcore Championship even from the corner of his eye, knowing the champion has been at odds with him and is known not to pull many punches.)
(Kai acknowledges the look on Matthieu’s face with an arrogant nod as he takes small steps around him. His presence was intimidating, but Captain Charisma had his fair share of dealing with dangerous people. Was Kai much different? Who even knows.)
(Reluctantly, Kai lets a grimace show before he raises the microphone up toward his lips, close enough to pick up a sardonic chuckle from beneath his breath.)
(He shakes his head, and looks straight at the Commissioner.)
Kai Rabeaux: I mean… Just what in damnation need I say more? You are not even hiding it anymore, Mr. Daniels!
(The Commissioner’s hands clasped in front of him as he responded to Kai’s words with a head tilt, perhaps not fully understanding where Kai is getting at.)
Kai Rabeaux: No point playing the fool, “Charisma”. After I had to do linguistic gymnastics to convince both you and that grieving fool to come to a compromise in order to even the stakes for that Pain For Pride match-up you “meticulously” cooked up, here you come now, walking back on your own words—and it all just happens to work against my favor. How curious…
(Matthieu shakes his head with an ironic smile.)
Captain Charisma: Kai— I can assure you—
Kai Rabeaux: You don’t need to assure me of anything! Firstly, you decided nothing that has to do with Adam Lucas and I is on your plate anymore… but now you wish to backtrack and sanction what you must. I can live with that… that imbecile would get himself slayed amidst my path before I could even get the chance to slay his career myself. However… and secondly, when Adam Lucas agreed to face me at Pain For Pride without the championship on the line, just what did you have to say? That there is no such compromise. That the Hardcore Championship must be on the line at Pain For Pride no matter what—no excuses, no workarounds. I could see through the flattery, the nonsense, but I was willing to compromise justice… that was… until you decided to stop pretending outright. Ashlynn Quinn? Next week? Title on the line? Are you serious!?
Kai Rabeaux: Remind me, Mr. Commissioner, how did Ashlynn Quinn paint the circumstance? Verbatim?
Captain Charisma: …That you promised to defend the championship on the road to Pain For Pride.
Kai Rabeaux: “PROMISED”. Words will always hold weight… and I mean… *wow*… “Promised…”
(Kai laughs, almost hysterically.)
Kai Rabeaux: Since when did a suggestion made amidst negotiations become **a promise?** Plans are final, I thought, Mr. Daniels… What now?
Captain Charisma: I mean, Kai… They are— and they still are, let’s make that clear, but the Hardcore Championship being under contention at Pain For Pride was already inked on the paper. I cannot cross it out with a pen, and poof! It becomes official. You know, this goes through a lot of people before the contract is presented on the table for you to sign.
Kai Rabeaux: So, what happens if, by some catastrophic event, Ashlynn Quinn somehow manages to slither her way into victory…?
Captain Charisma: Well, we are forced to pivot, since you would not be champion. Essentially, as long as you’re the champion, you cannot just refuse to do your job, Kai. Even if I wanted to let you, I have a whole legal team to respond to… I don’t *run* this whole thing, after all, and you’re savvy enough to know that.
Kai Rabeaux: I totally understand…
(Kai sighs.)
Kai Rabeaux: I understand that there is *no* reasoning with this! And I’ve understood it to be this way a long time ago; no matter how much I may have to object, you would not listen… Not now, not ever…
Captain Charisma: You know that is not the case, Kai. Some real pieces of work have been on this brand—you being one of them—and I’ve made the effort to reason with all of them. Problem is, with everybody, is that they’re all riding their high horse. When the mind is made up, there’s not much you can do to change it.
Kai Rabeaux: Then “reason” to me… Under what conditions does Ashlynn Quinn qualify for a shot at me? When was the last time she has won a match, Mr. Daniels? When was the last time she even left a good impression inside the squared circle?? I want to be a great champion, I want to beat the best… and to distract from the parasitic, lingering Adam Lucas… and just what do you opt to give me? Diego Montana, that moronic con artist? Ashlynn Quinn?? Who would rather get in bed with Hans Grayson than admit to her fundamental failure as a COMPETITOR in front of the best jewel she could ever obtain? I am cornered from all sides, forced to steer a ship with a gaping hole right in the middle of it. Adam Lucas cannot leave my sight for his own sake. The challengers you plan for me, meanwhile? They leave much to be desired. I am handed the worst of both worlds—it’s almost impressive, Mr. Daniels! Impressive how ridiculous this is! For how *adamant* you have been that I am present every Sunday… You are certainly hellbent on making each one an absolute waste of *precious* time.
Captain Charisma: Kai, if this is all a waste of time to you, then I believe you shouldn’t even entertain the idea of losing to Ashlynn, correct?
Kai Rabeaux: You really have a talent for deflecting and twisting my words, I have noticed… Almost as if I don’t need to plan for every outcome regardless of its possibility—high or downright minuscule alike. You are not giving Ashlynn this shot because she had earned it… She was pinned in her last championship opportunity… Has made no strides since. You are doing it for the drama. To entertain her feeble, *emotional* heart… and it’s quite *sick*, because this is not about Ash’s feelings much like it never was about Adam’s grief — it is all about selling tickets and pulling in viewers— and I am not content with being your punching bag in hopes someone out there would sympathize enough and buy one Ashlynn Quinn shirt, so all those $30 can just go right into your pockets.
(Matthieu simply smirks while shaking his head at Kai’s claim, knowing just how far he is going with these accusations yet knowing he has to be the better man, holding back every urge to take action and make this as ugly as Kai is asking for.)
Captain Charisma: You’ve done a fantastic job running smear campaigns for this brand, especially knowing you are the man at the center of what may very well have been the biggest PR nightmare in the two long decades this company has had— and I say this as somebody who has been along for the whole ride. It’s a lot of skeletons in those closets, Kai, and you know that very well because you have your own. Let’s not make this a bigger issue than it needs to be. It’s got nothing to do with Hans Grayson; Ashlynn is hungry, she wanted the shot, she’s been able to hold her own and was a champion for six months just this season. She is very much a worthy challenger for that championship, plus… You did say you would defend the championship ON THE ROAD to Pain for Pride!
(Kai takes a long breath, attempting his best to hide a grimace.)
Kai Rabeaux: Is this not yet another attempt to screw me over? Despite it all, you’d rather run in circles and let each of my words fall on deaf ears. You should be thankful I am in any position to compete next week to begin with. After what you allowed to happen at Fighting Spirit? Withdrawing all of those security guards who were there for a reason? You achieved your earthly-minded interest, then rid yourself of all accountability like the wolf in sheep’s clothing… wishing grown adults would cry you tears of condolence as if Adam Lucas alone doesn’t already fill up the pity pot. My flesh has bled enough. My life has been put at risk enough. I am doing this for a brand that doesn’t even treat me fairly. I am no puppet, never have been, and yet that is the one biggest misconception that has perpetually followed me since my association with Drake Armstrong, despite its fallacious nature.
Captain Charisma: I will admit… things did get out of hand. More out of hand than I ever would have thought… and maybe that is on me for not understanding that there truly are no limits to how far you and Adam are willing to go when face to face with one another. As said, I have decided it’s necessary I still step in at times leading to Pain For Pride, after all, you both must be healthy. Frankly, I’ve come to a compromise, Kai, solely for the sake of making sure you walk into Voltage next week in good health.
(Kai tilts his head, but instead of any elucidations from the Commissioner, he instead points his arm towards the stage, as “Everybody Knows (Unstoppable)” by Royal Deluxe blasts to add to Kai’s confusion. Expecting the worst, Kai assumes a fighting stance in anticipation for Adam Lucas… but instead, Adam emerges on the stage, and stops there, as he motions his palm downwards, signifying that Kai should simmer down before the adrenaline pumps in.)
(Adam certainly does not look like he came out for a fight, not with the microphone his calloused hands gripped onto especially. Instead, he allows the energy in the arena to cool off, before he hovers the microphone just one whisper away from his lips.)
Adam Lucas: Kai… You fucking bastard, Kai… No matter what goes down between us, it’s just never enough, is it? Well… Pain For Pride will certainly be enough. My career may be on the line, but once I take your title, your pride goes along with it, and a man like you, without any pride left? It may as well spell out retirement. Pain For Pride is inevitably approaching, and I am well aware of that. As much as I want to end you right here, and right now? I have my sights set on the bigger picture for a change. Even if I beat you to a bloody pulp, until your heart just stops beating for good, you just manage to find a way to come back, so I’d rather go where it hurts most for assholes like you; I’d rather go right for your pride… and only at Pain For Pride can I do that.
Adam Lucas: The compromise? It’s an interesting one. I’m not gonna get my hands on you… at least not right now. Would I break that agreement…? Give me a reason to, and yeah, it’s real likely. So cherish this week of peace, and if you want it to remain any peaceful, I definitely suggest you don’t speak another word into that mic. You got a title match coming up… Got what you wanted, go on and be the “high and mighty” Hardcore Champion we all know you will never be. Beat that girl you emotionally manipulated to a bloody pulp if you must; all it’s going to prove is that you truly are a soulless piece of crap who can never be helped.
Adam Lucas: But after what you’ve done? I’m not gonna settle with letting you get your way, and the only way you can change that is if you manage to end my career at Pain For Pride… Because I’m not going anywhere, and next week, I’m getting a real up close and personal look at your championship match. Figured the least Charisma could do after the shit he put me through for the last 2 years is giving me the best seat in the house. You will certainly see me over your shoulder at all times, Kai.
Adam Lucas: And when I say “the best seat in the house”…?
(Adam looks deep into Kai’s now tousled eyes… The worst Kai could think of truly coming to be after his strong words for Captain Charisma. It feels as if the ceiling was falling all over him…)
Adam Lucas: I really mean it.
(And the cherry on top?)
Adam Lucas: I won’t just be watching your title defense next week. **I will be the Special Guest Referee.**
Thadd Blazevich: WHATTT??!!!
(The crowd explodes at the announcement, while Adam takes a faint moment of joy to watch Kai’s composure crumble with anger, before walking out, his job finished, quick and to the point.)
(Inside the ring, Kai leans on the ropes, gripping them with his knuckles until they turn white, as he looks down into absolutely nothing.)
(He spares Captain Charisma a glance from over his shoulder, the color red all in his eyes as he does so, but Matthieu reluctantly shakes his head, knowing the price for business. The Commissioner leaves, leaving Kai alone to control his almost unrestrained fury after the sound of all the news—it’s as if he had been played for a fool by everybody. His face quickly burns in its tense color, as drops of sweat emerge on his expression — who knows just how much longer Kai could still contain this all?)
(In this moment, the day of reckoning—Pain For Pride—truly felt like an eternity away for him…)
(With that final scene of Kai shaking in rage, Voltage faded into another break.)
(Commercial for next week’s Voltage, where Kai Rabeaux defends the Hardcore Championship against Ashlynn Quinn, with Adam Lucas as the special guest referee.)
(Moments later, we begin to fade back into the Rogers Arena…)
(‘Run Into Flowers’ by M83 blares through the speaker system, as the crowd begins to battle with it; a war of noise between the cheers and the music, Bronson Daniels’ name highlighted on the LED above the stage. With a microphone in hand, he begins to step through the curtains. Slow. Taking in every last second. It still feels like a dream to him, being back, competing in front of his people, the people he has fought for since he got here. He was far from larger than life, he didn’t want to be. He didn’t want to be a God, he wanted to be their man. Their wrestler. Their Heartbeat. Thus even in this moment, after all that has happened, he let this moment soak in as he marched down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome… BRONSON DANIELS!!!!!!!!
Crowd: :blessed: :blessed: :blessed:
(The Heartbeat stepped up the steel stairs, standing on the apron with his arm over the yellow ropes. It was then everything began to sink in. This moment was more than just fighting for his people. He had to fight for himself. He had something he needed to address, a heavy burden that weighed on his shoulders.)
(He entered the ring as his music began to fade out. Waiting for the audience’s noise to dampen down, even if it took far longer than he expected.)
(The Heartbeat spoke…)
Bronson Daniels: So…
(A small breath escaped his lips. He was far more focused than ever before. This wasn’t just a moment where he could let loose, speak from his mind as the thoughts slowly came to him. He had to process every word before it left his lips. This was something that had been weighing on him for far longer than he’d have liked.)
Bronson Daniels: Ever since returning at Grand Rampage I’ve had a roller coaster of emotions. I don’t want to use the phrase “up and down” because that just isn’t true. Even in spite of the fact that I do not stand here with the EAW World Championship, I don’t feel as if my time on Voltage since April has at all been an injustice. I’m proud of the return I made, and I’m happy with the excitement it sparked. Grand Rampage wasn’t about punching my ticket to Pain For Pride, it was about the message it sent, and I think it came across pretty well. I know I’m the type of wrestler who can win a World Championship at any given notice, and I feel as if my Hall of Fame induction proves that. I’ve done it all. But unfortunately, Fighting Spirit just didn’t go to plan. That’s no one’s fault but my own. I own that one, and I’m not going to let it put a damper on everything I’ve planned to do since I came back here. I had my eyes focused on someone else. I had my eyes fixated on a problem that should have been settled long ago. So much so that, for one second, for one split second, I took my eye off the ball. I wrote off the one man who is willing to do anything he possibly can to skate away with victory. I took my eye off the ball and couldn’t help but fixate on the biggest problem I have ever faced…
(Bronson paused for one split second. Yet in his eyes that moment felt like a millenia. He’s been the victim of countless hurdles throughout his career, it hasn’t been what he dreamt of as a kid — he achieved every accolade he ever wished to achieve and he met the love of his life, yet it came at the expense of years upon years of turmoil. He always dreamt of the highs but not once had he ever considered the lows. Yet in some strange sense he wouldn’t have had it any other way. He never would have appreciated his career as much if he marched into this land no different to an unbeatable God than a man wanting to do his best. Even the countless broken hearts that he forced himself to mend, filling the gaps with warm memories, juxtaposed to the drugs he mended those holes with many moons ago; he has matured into a man truly worthy of being called the “Heartbeat.” He stands here unphased by the loss, willing to own up to it, as he always has. Yet there is still one gap he needs to fill…)
Bronson Daniels: I’ve encountered many “problems” in my career. For a while I couldn’t shake the curse of Andre Walker getting in my way, constantly halting my title reigns and one-upping me in some sense. Breaking records I wanted to break, rubbing it in my face. But I fixed that problem and I’m the only one left standing, with a Hall of Fame ring he wishes he could have for himself; I surpassed him long ago. Whether it be “problems” like Methuselah, trying to rip Dynasty from me, use me as a scapegoat, and turn it into something it’s not. Beating me at Pain For Pride and sending me away to another brand just to humiliate me. I became World Champion for a second time in my career, because I wouldn’t let someone like him keep me down. The next “problem” in my career is none other than my brother, Jon Kelton. I’ve had people test my accolades, test my spirit, test my heart. But in some weird way none of that felt personal, in the sense that everything done to me was just “business” to those people, even if “business” and “personal” cross paths and blur their lines far too often for me. But with Kelton? That was more than just professional wrestling, more than just EAW; that was somebody I bonded with when the cameras were off and the nights were dark, when it was just me and him with nobody to appeal to, nobody to present ourselves to as our best selves – the luxury of being fragile with one another. There were no lines to blur, no difference between Bronson Daniels and Bronson D. Jackson; it was just us.
Bronson Daniels: That’s what makes this far more personal than any other “problem” I’ve faced in the past, because to some degree it was just people looking out for themselves without thinking about the ramifications, without thinking about who they’d hurt in the process — what Jon Kelton did, the ONLY thought process was who he would hurt in the process. That’s what makes it different. I’ve been personally attacked by all those aforementioned names but I understood that it was their goals first and their disdain for me second, deep down Jon Kelton knows that his hatred for me sits above anything else he values in this life. Whether he wants to admit it or not. That’s why he’s a problem. And truth be told, that’s why he’s a problem that needs to be settled once and for all.
Crowd: :lupe:
Bronson Daniels: This is different. This isn’t something I can settle by moving on and “doing my own thing” as an old friend of mine once put it. Believe me, if the best way to solve the Jon Kelton problem was to go elsewhere and win a million more titles, I’d have done that, but that’s not how this is going to get finished. That’s not how this is going to get settled…
(The former World Heavyweight and Answers World Champion looked down at his finger. In a matter of weeks he’s going to have a Hall of Fame ring around it, yet part of him still wishes that it would be Jon Kelton being the one to induct him. That they would share that moment together. That they would share that honor together…)
(…)
(…)
(…)
???: Oh, please.
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Bronson’s train of thought was interrupted. A familiar voice began to bellow through the speakers… no… more than a familiar voice. It couldn’t have been anybody else, it sounded like nobody else. There was no guessing nor doubting who this was. There were no other options. This was Jon Kelton.)
(Marching onto the stage, each step was done with hatred. He moved with power, far from lax. He had a message he wanted out there.)
Bronson Daniels: Come down to this ring right now.
(And as soon as he walked out… Kelton stopped.)
(He bit his tongue.)
(…)
(…)
(…)
Jon Kelton: … Nah.
(And immediately following his response, the hatred of the crowd was not only heard but felt; the cameras shaking, a roar so loud a glass may have shattered somewhere in the venue.)
Jon Kelton: Because let’s be honest, Bronson. We’ve shared many words, haven’t we? We’ve been at odds, we’ve come for each other’s throats, but in the end you and I both know how this could have ended if you really did want it to end. You had that option and you had it for four months. You sat at home on your couch and you pondered to yourself for four months. You sat at home by your lonesome, and you had the option to ensure that this between us was over for four months. This would have been over had you never chosen to come back here. That was your choice. This problem of yours you speak of, this issue you still have with me, it was you who revived it, who lit a spark back underneath it — is this problem truly Jon Kelton stabbing Bronson Daniels in the back? Is this problem truly Jon Kelton betraying Bronson Daniels? No. It hasn’t been since you came back. The only man who has betrayed you is you. You had that peace and quiet you so desperately wanted after the months of hell we put one another through and instead you chose to come back and make life hell for me after you had already been given the chance to escape it. For once in your life the option fell in your hands without the need to fight for it. And what happened, exactly? What did you do with that luxury, Bronson? What did you do, huh?
Jon Kelton: You came back. You reignited this flame, you once more made an enemy out of me, and you stole my chance to become World Champion. You talk about things being personal, talk about my goals mattering less than my hatred for you — you know that above all else, the World Championship is the one thing I have always desired and I have been chasing for years. You made the choice to cost me that opportunity, Bronson, and you did so at your own expense. You’re a hypocrite. YOUR hatred for ME matters far more than YOUR goals. Never once did I eliminate myself from a match like Grand Rampage just to get back at somebody else.
(Kelton meant every word. Bronson chuckled. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing; not because he hadn’t heard it before, but because he knew Jon Kelton truly believed himself. In his eyes, Jon Kelton had fallen for every lie that he ever told himself.)
Bronson Daniels: Am I supposed to feel bad for you, Jon? Woe is you, you’ve won pretty much every Championship there is to win but the big one; you’ve had a career with far more longevity and success than most Elitists ever will have, with many more years left to give. You have such a hard time getting paid millions to hear egotistical scumbags brag about their accolades and make you feel little, while people out there work themselves to the bone 9 hours a day 5 days a week and feel no shred of creative fulfillment in their lives doing EVERYTHING they can just to get by; but Jon Kelton is the one who has it bad, Jon Kelton is the one who struggles, Jon Kelton is JUSTIFIED throwing his brother under the bus because he has never had a World Championship in his hands. Woe is you, how I pity you. Don’t you remember how this began, Jon? What you did to me? Quite frankly I consider myself justified in costing you that opportunity to become World Champion as that’s what you did to me almost a year ago; the difference is you and I were calling one another brothers every week, we were partners. I stabbed you in the front, you stabbed me in the back and twisted the knife and forced me to listen to you cry about first world problems with millions of dollars in your bank account while far less privileged people are legitimately held down.
Jon Kelton: Don’t you dare try to reach the moral high ground, Bronson. You and I are both privileged, we both live a luxurious life, we’re both addicted to the grind, the only difference is you just have the honor of having done what I’ve fought years to do, and having done it twice. This isn’t about either of us having terrible lives, this is about doing whatever it takes to get to the top, and while you’re gaslighting yourself into believing that I’m obsessed with you, and obsessed with playing the victim, you’re treading on your own feet, sabotaging your own dreams just to prevent me from achieving mine; I cost you the World Championship with the goal of gaining it myself, and you knew that I was desperate to do so. YOU have the luxury of throwing that away because you have NOTHING to prove. I don’t have that luxury. I can’t afford tossing away a Grand Rampage, when I did it to you I did it with intent; you burned both of our dreams up, you watched it turn to ashes, and that’s far more personal than anything I’ve ever done to you. You’re an immoral man who wishes he was moral, you’re using the lives of others to put me down for desiring to elevate mine, am I not allowed to feel hurt by the fact that in a game of inches, in a game of margins, I’m the one struggling to get through the final hurdle?
Bronson Daniels: This has been about morality ever since it began, Jon. You know full well that I’d have done the honorable thing, you know full well that I’d have taken your needs into consideration as well as mine, but you did the immoral thing and stabbed me in the back. That’s not a first world problem, that’s not me being narcissistic, egotistical, much like you are; that’s just the truth. I’ve made a habit out of representing the people that pay their hard earned money to watch me compete for years, and I’m not going to listen to some privileged piece of shit undermine my message just to fuel his own ego–
Jon Kelton: So why didn’t you fucking join them? You had the choice to sit at home just like them, to be with your people, to be with the people who have supported you for years, and leave me to my dreams. Because deep down, Bronson? You’re just as big of an egomaniac as you claim I am. You’d rather throw yourself out of the Grand Rampage than watch me win it. You’d rather stop me from becoming World Champion than hold it yourself. That’s privilege. You’re not the heart and soul, you’re a capitalist; looking to hoard your wealth and eternally hold it over my head. It’s as I said. You can’t help yourself.
(Bronson groans. Kelton begins to march down the ramp…)
Jon Kelton: You can’t hold yourself accountable. You can’t accept that you played a role in your own unhappiness. You can’t accept that you have failed to truly represent these people, that you became everything that holds them down. You can’t help yourself. You have to point fingers. You have to blame me. Because it’s a far more comfortable position than taking off your mask and accepting who you are.
Bronson Daniels: You’re unbearable.
Jon Kelton: A facade. A fraud. The heartbeat that stopped beating many moons ago. You take their hard earned money and you throw it away at my expense. You’re the epitome of everything you’ve sworn to fight against for years.
Bronson Daniels: You’re delusional.
Jon Kelton: You’re no better than Methuselah…
(Kelton approaches the apron, looking to climb up onto it…)
Jon Kelton: You’re no better than Andre Walker…
(It’s clear a war is once more about to break out.)
Jon Kelton:…Not nearly as talented though, huh?
(**THUD.** Bronson drops his microphone. He calls for Jon Kelton to step into the ring…)
???: ENOUGH!
(And immediately, their attention is diverted towards the top of the stage. Security guards rush down the ramp, and swarm the ring, preventing Jon Kelton from entering, and Bronson Daniels from leaving. Through the curtain, steps Captain Charisma.)
Captain Charisma: ENOUGH. I understand the two of you have extremely personal feelings towards one another. You’ve made that clear for quite a while. And while I hate to deny these fans an opportunity to see two men bloody one another up, Pain For Pride is right around the corner and I cannot let you two leave me two roster members down.
(Bronson rolls his eyes, while Kelton listens intently.)
Captain Charisma: After everything that has happened, I can’t let you two tear each other apart now. This one is personal, and thus, I really have no choice…
Crowd: :lupe:
Captain Charisma: At Pain For Pride, it will be Bronson Daniels… against Jon Kelton…
(…)
(…)
(…)
Captain Charisma: THREE STAGES OF HARDCORE HELL.
Crowd: WHAT. WHAT. WHAT. WHAT. WHAT.
(The crowd roars. The two competitors appear absolutely confused, as is the crowd, yet the audience presents this confusion completely differently. They blow the roof off of the place!)
(The broadcast begins to fade out, with Jon Kelton and Bronson Daniels processing this announcement; their eyes widened.)
(Commercial for the final season of The Boys.)
(Voltage returns to the sight of Bella Braxton standing beneath the spotlight in the middle of the ring while the Vancouver crowd is as rowdy as expected in the background. She radiates a bright smile from beneath her glossy lips, before formally welcoming a name that was about to flip the energy inside of the building upside down.)
Bella Braxton: Please welcome at this time… THE EAW WORLD CHAMPION—
Crowd: **BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!**
Bella Braxton: —”THE KING OF THE WORLD”, *DRAKE ARMSTRONG!!*
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(The Canadian crowd allows for their displeasure to be known, but moments later the commanding melody of “Pride and Arrogance” by Takeru Kanazaki blasts as loudly as possible, almost censoring their overwhelming jeers.)
(Drake Armstrong arises on the stage’s bright lights with the EAW World Championship illuminating in its utmost immaculacy over his shoulder. Inner beauty of leather & gold maintained onto with a tight grip by the champion. Armstrong peeks his ear towards the audience whose voice is almost drowned out, intentionally so, with a mocking smirk on his face hearing the sound of nothing else but the tune by now concomitant with his brand of excellence.)
(His smirk never leaves his face following the mockery addressed at the hostile crowd and especially following Fighting Spirit’s result—which is what all the record sheets note, ultimately.)
Persephone: This insufferable cunt has truly had far too much luck. I mean, wow!! Surprise!! Elysium was stuck focusing on each other instead of that title they “apparently” cared so much about! Then after six months of Drake Armstrong barely able to stand on his feet once the final bell rings, Hans Grayson decides his best course of action is not to cash in while this asshole is roasted barbecue chicken, no, but instead to announce his cash-in all ahead of time!
Thadd Blazevich: Bros on social media have been saying “this is like giving Batman prep time”, and I mean, Drake Armstrong certainly prides himself on strategy, so the more time he is given to prepare and think of everything, the better the outcome for him! He has proven as much, always being able to be ahead of all situations placed in front of him—but let’s not forget, everyone! Drake’s song is blaring really loudly for a reason, and that is because we’re not just anywhere… We’re in Canada. These are Hans Grayson’s people… and you have to wonder just how much the noise gets to Drake Armstrong!
Rich Russillo: Well, Drake’s lived an entire life with the world hating him. We know he can handle enormous press and vitriol alike, if anything he prides himself on it, but coming face to face with this, with your biggest enemy and his army of supporters—you gotta wonder if Drake is reaping what he sowed here, and if with all this “intimacy” happening on a personal scale… If this is the limit for the man who has had this brand in a chokehold since the day he first stepped foot on it.
(Drake Armstrong steps inside of the ring, his thumb holding a tight grip on the EAW World Championship and his arms spread wide in front of the hostile crowd that remains fighting against the silencing volume of his music. Watching all of the obscene gestures and ill-regards thrown towards him, Drake Armstrong cannot help but smile in his moment of glory.)
(Eventually, a personal crew member of Armstrong’s steps into the ring, bowing his head upon reaching the King’s glorious sight, and gently extends a microphone towards him, to which Drake obliges, hovering his palm in the air as he is then handed the microphone.)
(“Pride and Arrogance” began slowly ebbing away, peeling back the curtain for…)
Crowd: **BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!**
(…The full sonic brunt of Vancouver’s detestation for the EAW World Champion.)
(Drake Armstrong hides a grimaced expression behind an arrogant smile, seemingly enjoying the overwhelmingly negative reception even if his eyes told a different story. Reluctantly, Drake shakes his head and opts to speak over the crowd.)
Drake Armstrong: Behold—-
Crowd: **BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!**
Drake Armstrong: RAISE THE VOLUME ON THIS STUPID THING!!
(He taps his knuckle against the microphone, a dull thump-thump sound then echoing right through the brutal jeers. Drake Armstrong smirked, as he proceeds to address the EAW audience as planned, regardless of the tough crowd.)
Drake Armstrong: How curious, I thought Canadians carried the reputation of being ✌️✌️ “the nicest people on earth”! Yet when I glance upon every centimeter of this arena, what do I see? Only HOOLIGANS and SYCOPHANTS!!
(Drake chuckles as the negative energy intensifies.)
Drake Armstrong: Now, Vancouver, *BEHOLD* beneath your eyes the sight of esteemed greatness, of an otherworldly phenomenon in the flesh, of the very great namesake that holds firmly the power of the Elite Answers Wrestling World Championship…
Drake Armstrong: AND LEARN YOUR PLACE! ADHERE TO YOUR STATUS!! KNEEL ON YOUR FEET! BOW YOUR HEADS!!! GIVE GLORY TO YOUR IMMACULACY!!!!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
(Drake raises the championship high in the sky, expecting nothing but unbridled rage from Vancouver and getting just that, the crowd in the palm of his hands as he’s right under their skin.)
(Drake then firmly clicks the buttons of the championship to wrap it around his waist, sitting pristinely against the golden bright lights of the arena, as he claps his palms to further infuriate the crowd that feels too proud to hand him his flowers, and that blindly plays into his game.)
Drake Armstrong: Thank you, Vancouver. The feeling is mutual. Now, I did not march out to give worthless plebeians the light of day and an attentive ear for them to channel their hatred into. I have business to attend to, and no matter the territory, I know extremely well that I will see whatever purpose brings me there to its end, no matter the obstacles feeble-minded people like to represent.
Drake Armstrong: Fighting Spirit! Weighing far above the bad—more on that later—is yet another showcase of Your Immaculacy’s absolute greatness. Vanquishing the Elysian fools, counterattacking off the windows of opportunity they’d created with their own moves, an absolute hit to their pride for me to infatuate myself on and take in all the spoils once it was said and done. By all means—what better heartbreak is there than to be on the precipice of gaining everything, off the basis of your own hard graft, before it’s all taken away from you… as the plan had always been? HAH!! Those halfwits had a bone to pick with me, and they made themselves very vocal in that regard, and yet where did their focus lie? It lied on everything! Myself! One, and the other! That title! Their frail-minded issues! No surprise whatsoever that with minds clouded by chaos, no worthy tactics could ever arise and impede me! Especially not the greatest strategist in this entire industry!
Drake Armstrong: The tale remains perpetual. I have VANQUISHED the Elysian fools once more, taking yet another close-to-heart prize from the thin foundations of their pride! They are left to dish punishment to each other on the lesser stage of Pain For Pride, curtain jerking for yours truly as I head towards the first of many Pain For Pride main event bouts that I will collect under my legendary belt! And as long as those lackwits will be in contention with me for that spot… then I can certainly guarantee, they could have whatever they want, they could have pity Hall of Fame inductions, for what they will NEVER have as long as I am around is the chance to headline Pain For Pride—the grandiloquent event that starting from this era onwards, will become the MECCA of IMMACULACY!!
Drake Armstrong: But…
(Drake heaves a sharp sigh.)
Drake Armstrong: It would be remiss of me not to address the elephant in the room… *Feebleheart…*
(He smirks, ominously.)
Drake Armstrong: Vancouver… Your home city prince in arms truly is not the brightest tool in the shed, is he!?
(Vancouver lets their thoughts on that question show without remorse… Thumbs are down along with many other hand gestures and profanities aimed at Drake.)
Drake Armstrong: It was only logical to expect that insect to show his face… After all, he’d certainly done it amidst each of my championship victory celebrations without fail, and of course, it is the obvious circumstance of this very fool biding his time so much, to the point that he ran the risk of his contract expiring, void, just like that, because Hans Grayson, the dysfunctional man he is, has NEVER been able to pull that trigger. So, what was Hans Grayson’s message to cap off such a monumental event? It was a desperate one. It was a last measure that he had no choice but to take. What choice did Hans Grayson have, if not to use that briefcase? That is, perhaps, not the most battered I’ve ever walked out of a match… However, he would rather ostentatiously flaunt that stupid briefcase in my face when better opportunities came on the horizon. Suffice it to say, the aftermath of that Triple Threat match at Fighting Spirit certainly left me in a harmed state… one where, if somebody happened to hold a certain contract that would force me under no objections into a championship defense right then and there… The odds would not be in my favor.
(Drake snickers, with resentful disbelief as he shakes his head.)
Drake Armstrong: But to be as foolish as to use that gift towards a scheduled championship match? Wow, Hans Grayson! You have TRULY outdone yourself here. You found yourself with multiple cakewalks in a row, all opportunities to take this championship away from me and leave me with the scars you so desperately desire to inflict upon me… *and yet.* O, to be in as privileged, as fortunate of a position as the one you have been in for the past YEAR… and yet refuse to capitalize nevertheless, all for whatever stupid sake you’ve contrived in that minute mind of yours? You CHEATED to defeat me with less reluctance! You’ve done my own dirty work with less reluctance! You’ve sprayed ACID in the faces of Methuselah and Drake King WITH LESS RELUCTANCE!!!
Drake Armstrong: But now, you’d rather be honorable, you lackwit? What an erroneous farce of an image you’ve built for yourself. You may have fooled the people of this city who embrace you in their arms—they are, after all, the same people that are well-renowned as the population of the city with the MOST illicit drug mortality rate in all of Canada! Nearly *three times* the national average! And, oh, Feebleheart, substance influence is certainly not out of the picture when analyzing the nonsensical actions you’ve opted to take to combat me!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Drake Armstrong: Just what type of man makes such decisions, and as a cherry on top, decides to attach the one and the only Barbed Wire Massacre stipulation to our matchup as if he runs the show? Certainly not a sober one! To attempt to force a stipulation upon me, to remove all limits from my arsenal, while you pride yourself on foolish honor? It’s as if you couldn’t make the heartbreak for all of the people of Canada you will carry on your back more inevitable!
Drake Armstrong: You have enacted your courage, chose our date as the first Barbed Wire Massacre matchup since Fighting Spirit 2025… the first one under the brightest lights since the sixteenth Pain For Pride! I truly hope… you are aware of what you are getting yourself into. You are a man who has certainly made it clear he will stop at nothing until I am… as little as… simply unhappy. Your games have certainly achieved that. Your condescending words have truly left something to ruminate upon. Your decision to force me to get my hands dirty, and vanquish you in front of your whole country, on the grandest stage there is? No doubt… Extra effort makes me unhappy… but that is not to say I will not take absolute pride in EMBARASSING you at your own game and HUMILIATING every last bit of you in front of these people you call family!
Drake Armstrong: Once it is all said and done, YOUR NATION will be exposed to just the COWARD I know you to be. I had initially excused the blood we spilled as water under the bridge. I had taken you on the path with me. I had taken the decision to swallow my pride… *just to help you.* Yet it seems you could not help yourself. The ever-so short-sighted & impertinent Hans Grayson dared commit treason. I have once exposed glimpses in our bitter past… Now? I shall lay it all out for the entire world to see—
Crowd: BOO— WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
(The loud boos from the crowd would totally shift in the span of a second… because none other than AFI’s “The Leaving Song Pt. II” reverberated inside of the venue at the rising rhythm of the audience’s surging glee. The ovation only grows earthshakingly louder as the hometown hero himself, Hans Grayson, steps out from gorilla, a lone spotlight shining on him, along with all eyes in the building alike. The man of the hour himself takes a faint moment to truly take it all in—even for a guy as beloved as he is, he’s never quite heard a crowd be so loud for him—before ultimately striding down the ramp, his eyes stuck on Drake Armstrong, the shared animosity written clearly in their eyes.)
Thadd Blazevich: The Vancouver boy, fully embraced by the Vancouver crowd! What a freakin’ night it was for Hans Grayson at Fighting Spirit! Massive dub over The King of Elite Cody Maverick, and an event capped off by the season-long issues between himself and Armstrong coming to a climax and a confirmed date for their conclusion! Or so… we hope it’ll be a conclusive clash.
Rich Russillo: After Drake Armstrong came out during Hans’ bout with Cody, one that really meant a lot to both men, it was just fuel added to a forest fire. Drake, in an attempt to screw over Hans Grayson the same way he did at Grand Rampage, wound up accidentally clocking Cody Maverick over the head with the EAW World Championship… and well, Drake himself told us exactly what followed on the next night…
Persephone: That’s right, Barbed Wire Massacre is back, and while I would have wished those two would throw it down in a Bra & Panties Deathmatch, it seems Hans Grayson is still confused about his identity… so we’ll have to give him time. I will take the blood, I guess…
Rich Russillo: Ahem.
(Hans enters the ring with clear intent and motivation, sizing up to Drake Armstrong as if this moment was an inevitability from day one. As the familiar song that has always accompanied Hans drifts away, the agitation of the crowd only grows louder, as, too, does the shared reflection of his eyes meeting Drake’s, with mere inches separating them…)
Crowd: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
(…But the cheers emerge at such a deafening volume, that Hans Grayson is taken out of the resentful trance related to Drake Armstrong. Instead, he waves at the crowd, a true, uncontained smile showcasing his gratitude towards his own people for the once in a lifetime ovation, as he slowly circles around Drake, requesting a microphone from the hard workers at ringside.)
Hans Grayson: Thank you Vancouver for the ovation! I love this city, I love my home, and I love my people. I would definitely not be here right now if it wasn’t for the amazing culture we all got the fortune to share together, and—
Drake Armstrong: Hans Grayson. You have interrupted me. You will address me. I do not have the time for your worthless bootlicking!
Hans Grayson: Tough crowd, aren’t you, Drake? Would certainly not understand what it means to be loved. Not by a family nor a city, so I can’t blame you, but you’re wrong!
(The crowd cheers Hans on!)
Hans Grayson: You have called us dumb. You’ve called us drug addicts. “Peasants.” “Hooligans.” Degenerates. But that’s not what these great people are. These are people with passion, with soul, and with kindness in their heart, supporting one another out as one big family towards making ourselves stronger, together! This is a big city, and yet it feels small—that’s a feeling you’ll never get, Drake. So let’s leave these people that are rightfully expressing their feelings alone, and let’s focus on the matter at hand… just the two of us, just like you asked for.
Drake Armstrong: You amuse me… and the source of that is the weakness you flatter yourself with, so proudly waving this flag of heart, soul, and virtue! But I know the type of man you are, Hans Grayson…
Hans Grayson: And what type of man is that, huh?! Because from what I’ve heard, you’ve been amplifying that same old smear campaign, throwing dirt on my name, when you know you assume me to be somebody I am far from. And if you truly understood any of it, Drake! Then we wouldn’t even be having this discussion! But you’re too stuck in your ways to change…
Drake Armstrong: That so? Then explain to us all… just what logic led you to forcing our upcoming war into becoming a bloodbath of the highest degree?! Is it shortsighted impulsiveness? After you could not handle the innermost means of absolute warfare and brutality, as proven by this latest Bloodsport, or War Games? The former of which your very mercy for our opposition kept us from victory…? You expect to defeat me under circumstances you’ve PROVEN to lack the guts in? Or is it so you can dodge the moral responsibility of just what you are willing to do to take me off my pedestal and get away with the vile act you pulled at Pain For Pride: Kingdom once more? After all… You could get away then. But not now. You cannot cheat me out anymore. Not with all eyes on you. Not in the main event. Not in front of the same people that proclaim you as their national hero…
(Hans smirks.)
Hans Grayson: Still stuck on Pain For Pride: Kingdom, aren’t you? Even after all this time. You don’t like it when the joke is on you, and you’ve shown as much with the way you’ve carried yourself ever since that match. It still haunts you, doesn’t it? And that doesn’t surprise me, really, it doesn’t, but what happened then? That was what you deserved. And everything I have done to you now and WILL DO in Toronto… is just as deserved. You had it all coming, Drake. The writing was on the wall when you got your gang of masked guys to break my arm when you couldn’t even do it yourself! When you put me out of action for months, away from doing the thing I love! When I had to sit at home, watching you do whatever the hell you wanted, while my arm was stuck in a sling, while I was unable to even move it! And that one was just the straw that broke the camel’s back, Drake! Because it’s a real long list.
Hans Grayson: The way you tried to manipulate me into doing your dirty bidding, the role you’ve played in essentially driving a massive rift between myself and Cody Maverick, and coming out there to screw me over on every occasion, the ways you’ve played every card so young Kai would be on your side in the end, and Ashlynn Quinn would be left hurting! It’s all your fault, and you never cared about any of it! Only where it led you. Not the state you’d leave Ashlynn in! The people you’d hurt! The senseless punishment you’d dish when things didn’t go your way! What you did to Ashlynn a few weeks ago was despicable, Drake! The lows you sink to just to keep your image intact are disgusting, and yet you take pride in all of it! All of the bad the people of Voltage have had to go through finds a way to circle back to you, you’re the root of all malice, Drake, and I’m not just gonna let it happen anymore!
Drake Armstrong: If you cared about any of that, you would have stopped me much sooner, you had many opportunities to do so. All the blood? Is on your hands too. The blood of Adam Lucas. The blood of the princeling. The blood of ARIA. Of Jay Jerry Johnson. Of Ashlynn Quinn. Of the Elysian fools—even more directly with the Elysian fools!! It is all on your hands. You had far too many openings to end my “tyranny”, Hans Grayson… and yet? Why did you not do it? Because you chased the spectacle… and now you have what you want! Pain For Pride! The foreground of all the promotional material! The home country adulation! The perfect, most iconic stipulation! It’s all about the spectacle, Hans! You may fool the world, but you cannot fool me! “Don’t give me a reason to!” is the best you could always mutter… yet I always gave you plenty of reasons. Did you lack the guts, Hans? Or are you simply TOO self-obsessed and going out of your way to make the marketing team’s dreams come true?
Hans Grayson: No, Drake, that’s not it. It’s because I was too forgiving. I had too much mercy in me, even when it comes to a guy like you, and now you’ve left quite the path in your wake, and that aches at me. You think you’re above it all, so no matter how much I’d threaten you, how much I’d let my presence be known, the most I’d be doing was crashing your party, before you’d go on and repeat those same things. Fighting Spirit was my last straw, Drake. When you snuck your nose into my rematch with Cody, when you took pride in stealing victory from the same guys you manipulated me into tearing apart, that’s when I realized that no matter what I do, I have to step in, and put an end to this… and yeah, part of me still didn’t wanna blindside you. I still couldn’t take the free victory, and you know what? Maybe that’s a fundamental flaw of mine, Drake, but it’s something I would gladly take over being in your shoes!
Drake Armstrong: Hans Grayson, the benevolent Fireheart, the hero of Voltage… What a pretty anecdote you’ve crafted and sold to the entire audience, home crowd included… but your one fatal flaw at the end of it all was believing in the delusion you could beat me inside of that ring, when no holds are barred, and all the barbed wire in the world is mine to put to use. Your morality isn’t your fatal flaw—not the most fatal, at least—but instead, your overzealousness. You became overzealous and committed treason at Road To Redemption… and I quickly repaid you with a broken arm. Pray tell, Feebleheart, just how do you expect Pain For Pride to end for you, after all that you’ve done, when Road To Redemption alone came with such monumental consequences?
Hans Grayson: You really don’t get it, Drake, and you never will. I really can hardly wait for Pain For Pride to come around. I can hardly wait to punish you, and dish out all the anger that is still in me after you left me on the shelf with a broken arm. I had all the opportunities in the world to cash in—but that also meant giving you excuses! And I am done giving you a way out, Drake. You’ll have no more excuses left to give after Pain For Pride, because that’s where I plan to destroy you once and for all and walk home with that EAW World Championship, restoring order on this brand while you’ll be left with nothing! None of the fruits of your labor will belong to you anymore, Drake.
(Armstrong shakes his head, stepping closer to Hans who lowers his microphone, staring right into his eyes with an ice cold glare. Hans grits his teeth, meeting Drake right there, the blazing inferno in his own eyes burning right back at Drake. It’s real. It’s extreme. It’s personal.)
(And at Pain For Pride, it all comes to a monumen—)
…
(But before even a simple thought could be finished… All eyes in the crowd suddenly fixate towards the stage and Hans and Drake’s grave staredown is disrupted just as abruptly.)
(“Kostas” by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher takes the arena by storm… and sure enough, Cody Maverick, the King of Elite hastens his way out, without any regard whatsoever to the crowd reception nor the displeasure on the faces of Hans and Drake.)
Thadd Blazevich: Ohhhhh boy… It’s unfinished business after Fighting Spirit, and the look on Cody’s face only makes me think he’s out there to put an end to it!
Rich Russillo: Last week, Cody Maverick and Hans Grayson had their second one-on-one marquee clash, but it came down to pure chaos as Drake Armstrong got himself involved, ready to screw over Hans Grayson just like he did at Pain For Pride, but the same trick didn’t work twice and it quickly backfired, as Hans Grayson emerged victorious… and it wasn’t Drake with his face in the dirt… It was Cody.
Persephone: It feels as if the tension was just now starting to rise, and after we’ve seen Cody and Hans unleash some sexual chemistry out of one another last week, you have to be wondering who is daring enough to take the next step… and is Drake Armstrong the missing piece in all of this? Is he the JEALOUS third wheel??
Rich Russillo & Thadd Blazevich: :mjlol:
(Cody carries a microphone in hand, and that’s always meant one thing: he is ready to shake up the picture, and put the entire world on notice.)
(He shoots both Hans and Drake grimaced looks, before getting right in the middle of them, clearing his throat with unmistakable intent behind his eyes.)
Cody Maverick: Long time no see, jackasses. Don’t think I’d just sit idly by, all happy and dandy and shit to be left in the background after the ride you two decided to take me on. I was done spending time in the background after Shock Value, and that type of resentment only began adding up with the way things have gone down since. Drake Armstrong, first and foremost, fuck you. And Hans Grayson? I can’t say I like you very much either. I don’t care about these hero-villain roles; I don’t care about the fanfare Hans Grayson gets for coming out every month to send the crowd home happy without actually doing anything, and I don’t care about the disdain people have for Drake.
Cody Maverick: You know what I care about, instead? I care about being the best on this entire goddamn brand, I care about using that King of Elite crown I earned and becoming the EAW World Champion. You both have done one hell of a job dragging me into the middle of your problems, so now that that’s all done? You think I’m just gonna fade out’ the picture and let you have your little moral debates and chess maneuvering admissions? No! Instead, I’ll give you two just what you want, and I’ll go right ahead and pull the rug right from under you both. Between all these issues with Hans, the man’s insecurities, the way he “coincidentally” poses himself as a superior to everybody just because of that briefcase, even after the actual blood that’s poured inside that ring in trying to handle Armstrong never once was his blood, and between Drake himself constantly getting in the way of my issues with Hans, his stupid sort of flattery, his lies, his “offers”, his goddamn interferences, the most recent of which even cost me? I’m just about ready to take matters into my own hands and finally shut both you up for fucking good. No tyrannical dreams for Drake. No homecrowd glory for Hans.
Cody Maverick: It wasn’t the Sin City Superstar’s night at Shock Value. And while I was wincing in pain, spikes stabbed in my brain, sticks stuck in my eye, Hans Grayson went out there, and shattered Drake’s celebrations when I shouldn’t have let any celebration happen to begin with. It wasn’t the Sin City Superstar’s night at Fighting Spirit either, and that was only ‘cause of some idiot. And with that same idiot’s presence taking the whole spotlight, not even Grand Rampage was my night the way it should’ve been! I hate not settling this once and for all with you, Hans, and proving what I’ve always known: that I’m the better man. The better wrestler. The man who should tackle the pressure of keeping these fans buzzing, happy another piece of crap has been sent to the back of the line. Instead, you’re basking in that glory, Drake Armstrong is basking in all sorts of glory in that disillusioned numbskull of his. While me? The fuck am I basking in? In your goddamn shadows, after you got me in this to begin with? Nah, nah.
(Cody flings his sunglasses off, taking a real good look at Hans Grayson, and at Drake Armstrong… especially the glistening championship sat right across his waist.)
Rich Russillo: Hold on…
(Cody shakes his head with clear resentment, as his grip onto the microphone tightens.)
Thadd Blazevich: Is that…
(The crowd suddenly ignites into noise… for what can only be presumed to be a clear announcement of what Cody has been alluding to…)
Cody Maverick: I got the final ace up my sleeve. And with the road to Pain For Pride in full swing…?
(Cody confidently smirks.)
Cody Maverick: I’m—
…
…
…
Rich Russillo: LOOK OUT FROM BEHIND!!
(**THUUDD!!!**)
(The King of Elite suddenly plummets to the ground… seconds before declaring words that would have shaken the landscape of Pain For Pride down to its very core…)
(…His glasses shattered on the covered wooden mat. The microphone sharply bounced and sounded a crackle as it dropped to the mat next to Cody… And both Hans Grayson & Drake Armstrong hadn’t moved an inch… instead, they’re looking down at Cody with dropped jaws…)
(Before their glances move upwards, at the man standing over him.)
(Chris. Elite.)
…
…
Thadd Blazevich: WHAT!!! *IT’S CHRIS ELITE!!!!*
Rich Russillo: **CHRIS ELITE SNUCK UP BEHIND CODY MAVERICK IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THIS TENSION, AND JUST NAILED HIM WITH A BOX OFFICE SMASH STRAIGHT TO THE HEAD!!**
Persephone: Oh my God…???
(Chris Elite pants with heavy breaths, a merciless stare handed towards the knocked down Cody Maverick. Hans Grayson and Drake Armstrong prepare themselves for just about anything… but Chris Elite only spares them a faint, scowled gaze, meeting the hints of confusion on their faces with nothing but anger and determination.)
(He moves his eyes back to the ground—more specifically, the microphone dropped on the ground. He quickly grips it right off the ground, and steps right over Cody Maverick, ignoring the two other men in the ring and moving his attention straight towards the confounded crowd that meets him with signs of anger.)
(Chris sharply exhales into the mic.)
Chris Elite: I’m not ending this fuckin’ season empty-handed. It ain’t nun’ personal, Cody, but fuck you. Fuck these two other bozos in the ring too. And fuck what everyone else thinks and has to say about me. I walked into Pain For Pride last year with a title ‘round my waist. Now I ain’t got shit. No Tag Titles. No Turmoil win. No Cash In The Vault. I gotta take matters into my own hands now.
(Chris looks back at Cody Maverick from over his shoulder, directly addressing him even if the man may not even be conscious to hear any of it.)
Chris Elite: I don’t care what you got planned. Clear your calendar for Pain For Pride, Cody— ‘cause I’m coming for you…
(The crowd begins to erupt as Chris’ heavy breaths of frustration vocalize themselves clearly into the microphone, all while the other two men remain completely stunned at this turn of events… but his gaze doesn’t set itself away from Cody… almost like a match with Cody is not all that he wants.)
Chris Elite: **And I’m coming for that King of Elite crown.**
Thadd Blazevich: HUHH????
(Chris flings the microphone down to the mat. His gaze sets upon Drake, whose head remained tilted, and then upon Hans, whose eyes have narrowed even further. Chris Elite’s answers only brought more questions, but he wasn’t here to clear up any confusions — he was here to take what’s his. He fiddles with his mouth without sparing anything else—not a glance, not even a word—to the other two men left in the ring, as he takes his leave with the stunned noises of the crowd trailing right behind him.)
Rich Russillo: I think Cody was about to— Then— Chris Elite just put an end to that…! He took Cody out, just to declare HE WANTS THE KING OF ELITE CROWN ON THE LINE AT PAIN FOR PRIDE!!
Persephone: I mean… this looks a lot like a desperate first stage of breakup after having to move on from TLA! It’s clear his heart is broken into pieces, and he wants to earn that King of Elite crown back and make his way back to the World Title so he could impress TLA and make him come back into his arms!!
Thadd Blazevich: Welp, I’m not sure that’s it, but bro! Chris Elite has truly shaken everything up after what was definitely a horrible night for him at Fighting Spirit! These two met in a brutal triple threat match in the main event of Bloodsport last summer, and to send it all full circle, it looks like they’re bound to clash at the show of shows!!
Rich Russillo: And by reading into everything Chris Elite just gave us… I don’t think he’s settling for anything but the exact match he just asked for at Pain For Pride!
Thadd Blazevich: I mean… I’m speechless! Drake and Hans are speechless! Vancouver is spee— WHAT THE!!!!
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(**CRAACCK!!!!!**)
Rich Russillo: HANS GRAYSON JUST GOT HIT WITH THE EAW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!! HANS IS STUMBLING ON SHAKY FEET AFTER THAT BLOW, BUT IT DOESN’T TAKE HIM LONG TO REALIZE WHERE THAT CAME FROM—
Thadd Blazevich: AND JUST AS SOON AS HE WAS ABOUT TO CLAP BACK AT DRAKE, THE CHAMPION SLITHERS OUT OF THE RING AND ESCAPES!! HANS IS HOLDING ONTO THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, WHILE STARING A HOLE INTO DRAKE, WHO LOOKS PROUD OF HIMSELF!!
(Drake Armstrong raises the World Title right into Hans’ face as the Vancouver audience rains him with jeers, while Hans points right at the culprit, shaking his head and mouthing his displeasure towards him.)
(After a combustible turn of events, filled with twists & turns alike, Voltage swiftly shifts to a commercial spot amidst all the chaos.)
(Promotional ad for Pain for Pride 19, where Drake Armstrong defends the EAW World Championship against Hans Grayson in Barbed Wire Massacre 12.)
(The camera shot returns to the ringside area for the final time tonight as Bella Braxton is standing front and center in the ring. She has a smile on her face as she begins the introductions for tonight’s main event.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Bella Braxton: And it is for the ELITE ANSWERS WRESTLING UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS!
(‘Legendary’ by Skillex blasts through the sound system of the venue, immediately the fans erupt in cheers knowing who is about to step through the curtain! Seconds later, Ryan Wilson blasts upon the scene, an intense glare upon his face as his music is replaced ‘Kamikaze’ by RedHook, which is followed by the National Elite Champion Daryl Kinkade. They look at each other and nod as they head to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first and making their way to the ring are the CHALLENGERS! At a total combined weight of 455 pounds. Here is the team of RYAN JOSEPH WILSON, AND THE EAW NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION DARYL KINKADE!
Rich Russillo: Here come the challengers for the Unified Tag Team Champions and you have to believe the champions are out for blood tonight after that little stunt Ryan pulled at Fighting Spirit
Persephone: Dumbass deserves everything that he gets…plus it would be funny to see him get beat up.
(The camera breaks away from the entrance to show TLA and Dr. Bethany Blue both sitting at ringside waiting for this match to start.)
Persephone: Now why in the hell are those two idiots here? Don’t they have anyone else they can annoy with their presence?
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, they have good reason to be out here because this match has major implications on their match at Pain for Pride as the winners of the Tag Team Turmoil Tournament. The winners tonight defend the gold in Toronto against TLA and Bethany.
(Ryan and Daryl enter the ring and take their neutral corner as the lights go out, the strings to “Duel” by JINJER start to play, a lone red spotlight shines on the entranceway as Daniella Atlas appears on one side, then Selina Reyes on the other turning their back toward as from the shadows appears Minerva who stands in the middle of them and stretches out her arms as Daniella Atlas slams her foot and yells as Selina Reyes smirks and holds one finger up before Minerva leads them to the ring after twirling her black rose and placing it in her mouth. They walk down to the ring slowly and methodically.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing their opponents! Being accompanied to the ring by Minerva! From THE VOID! At a total combined weight of 287 pounds! Here are the REIGNING AND DEFENDING ELITE ANSWERS WRESTLING UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! “THE BLADE OF HERMES” DANIELLA ATLAS. “THE ORYX QUEEN” SELINA REYES. TOOOOOOXXXINNNNNN!
Persephone: Oh goody. As if we don’t have enough dumb bitches around here already. Let’s just add a few more while we’re at it.
Thadd Blazevich: Well Toxxin look extremely pissed right now after Ryan Wilson cost them a chance to leave with the Universal Women’s Championship. Tonight they get their chance at revenge.
Rich Russillo: This is a rivalry that has been brewing for some time. Ryan said he had some backup to take on ToXXXin and it is in the form of National Elite Champion Daryl Kinkade. Will their mutual respect lead them to Pain for Pride and the Tag Team Titles? Or will the dangerous champions get their payback? We’re about to find out.
(Daniella and Selina enter the ring as Minerva takes her place at ringside and as their music fades off. The champs hand their titles to the referee who presents them to champions and challengers before raising them up for the crowd to see. The referee hands the titles to Bella before calling for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Here we go! Our main event is underway with the Unified Tag Team Championships on the line. This match could have major Pain for Pride tendencies.
Thadd Blazevich: Right now the two teams are trying to decide who will start this match, BUT BRO, SELINA JUST RUNS OVER TO RYAN WILSON AND JUST CLOBBERS HIM IN THE BACK! I GUESS RYAN IS BEING FORCED TO START!
Persephone: Better have him start now because if he doesn’t, he won’t do much else in this match.
Thadd Blazevich: To be honest, Bro, I kind of don’t blame Selina for being angry after she got hit with a hockey stick by Ryan Wilson at Fighting Spirit. Now she is really letting him have it right at the opening bell!
Rich Russillo: Selina drags Ryan back to the center of the ring and brings him back to his feet before lifting him up enough to HIT AN ATOMIC DROP!! THAT WAS NOT A PRETTY LANDING!
Persephone: Oh please! There isn’t much down there to hurt anyways. Now she grabs him again AND DOES THE SAME THING AGAIN!! Maybe if she keeps doing that, we might find an octave of his voice that won’t drive us all insane.
Rich Russillo: Ryan having to be on the defensive early AS SELINA COMES BACK WITH A VERY LOUD CHOP ACROSS HIS CHEST!! Ryan certainly felt that one AS SELINA HITS ANOTHER FOR GOOD MEASURE!
Persephone: Is she sure she wants to do that? Gawd knows when the last time Ryan took a bath was. Damn, I can smell him all the way over here. Yuck!!
Thadd Blazevich: You are just being mean for the sake of being mean, Bro. Either way, Selina tries to whip Ryan to the corner, BUT RYAN REVERSES AND SENDS SELINA INTO THE CORNER!
Rich Russillo: Ryan comes running towards the corner AND SELINA IS THERE WITH A BACK ELBOW TO THE JAW! THAT ALMOST LOOKED LIKE IT HIT HIM IN THE THROAT!
Thadd Blazevich: I think it did as Ryan is gasping and coughing after that shot, bro. Selina trying to sneak in a cheap shot here and there to prove a point.
Persephone: About time that bitch did something smart in this match. Now she is going to do something stupid by climbing up to the top rope. Don’t even get me started.
Thadd Blazevich: We won’t. But Selina has herself in position on the top turnbuckle BEFORE COMING OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A CROSSBODY! DIRECT HIT ON RYAN–
Rich Russillo: BUT RYAN IS ABLE TO USE HIS SIZE ADVANTAGE AND ROLL THROUGH THE CROSSBODY AND GET BACK TO HIS FEET!
Persephone: Told you it wasn’t going to work.
Rich Russillo: Now Ryan has Selina on his shoulder AS HE RUNS TO THE CENTER OF THE RING AND HITS A BEAUTIFUL RUNNING POWERSLAM FOR THE QUICK COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOO–
Persephone: She kicked out! I could have told you THAT wasn’t going to work either.
Thadd Blazevich: Ryan is quickly back on his feet as he whips Selina into his team’s corner and quickly tags in Daryl.
(TAG!)
Rich Russillo: Here comes the National Elite Champion as he enters the ring and has a facelock applied with Ryan as the referee is telling Ryan to get out of the ring–-
Thadd Blazevich: DOUBLE SUPLEX RIGHT INTO THE TURNBUCKLES AS RYAN ROLLS OUT OF THE RING TO BREAK THE REFEREE’S FIVE COUNT! BRO, SELINA WAS TURNED INSIDE OUT!
Persephone: Maybe she will have better luck in this match if she is upside down? Who knows?
Thadd Blazevich: After that flurry of offense from Selina earlier, the momentum is now in favor of the challengers as Daryl hooks the arms of Selina AND TRIES FOR A BUTTERFLY SUPLEX–
Rich Russillo: SELINA IS ABLE TO BLOCK IT AND KICK DARYL IN THE GUT! THAT LOOKED A LITTLE LOW!!
Persephone: Have you seen the four in this match? They are all low and why don’t we throw in the orange haired bitch, the quick, and the smut peddler into the mix while we’re at it.
Rich Russillo: Daryl trying to regain his composure after that questionable kick AND MUSTERS UP SOME STRENGTH AND SOMEHOW COUNTERS THE BUTTERFLY HOLD INTO A MODIFIED NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOO–
Persephone: Another kickout. I am afraid there is going to be a shit ton of these before this match is finally over.
Thadd Blazevich: I never really agree with you, Persephone, but I do in this case, Bro. This is going to be a long match with the talent these four have.
Rich Russillo: Selina is back to her feet first as Daryl tries to recover BUT SHE HITS DARYL WITH A CLOTHESLINE TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD TAKING HIM DOWN!
Thadd Blazevich: That was as stiff of a shot that I have seen in a very long time, Bro. Daryl was knocked loopy after that shot as she pulls Daryl to his feet and shoves him into the ToXXXin corner and Daniella is happily reaching out for the tag!
(TAG!!)
Persephone: Oh goody. Now the other bitch is in the ring and they both have the weirdo Daryl by the head–
Thadd Blazevich: THEY RUN TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE RING AND PLANT DARYL WITH THE DOUBLE BULLDOG! DARYL GOES FACE FIRST INTO THE CANVAS BRO!
Rich Russillo: Selina rolls out of the ring and now it’s the powerhouse of the team, Daniella Atlas, in the ring with the National Elite Champion. The question is as this match goes on longer, will the advantage slowly fade towards the champions?
Persephone: Nobody cares about that crap as long as the match ends.
Rich Russillo: Thanks as always, Persephone. I say that because while Ryan and Daryl have a mutual respect, they do not have the teaming chemistry that ToXXXin has.
Persephone: Blah blah blah. Nobody cares.
Thadd Blazevich: As this philosophical discussion was going on, Daniella has been throwing forearm after forearm into Daryl’s face. Not helping his state of loopiness, is it?
Rich Russillo: Daniella is back on her feet and whips Daryl into a neutral corner and just starts putting the boots to him as the referee tells her to let him out of the corner.
Thadd Blazevich: Daniella listens for a brief second before shoving him back into the corner AND SHE PUTS HER BOOT TO HIS THROAT AND IS CHOKING HIM WITH HER BOOT!
Persephone: Eww. She’s seemingly hyperextending her own leg to cause more damage. As much as I love pain and torture, this is kind of boring.
Thadd Blazevich: But it is also illegal, bro. The referee is once again warning Atlas about the illegal choke, but she is still going and the referee has no choice but to start a count.
Rich Russillo: She releases on four to risk being disqualified on five. So she pulls Daryl out of the corner AND CLOBBERS HIM WITH ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE! Daryl not having good luck in the clothesline department tonight.
Persephone: I just realized something. Why in the hell did that dumb bitch stop? If she gets disqualified, that means the title doesn’t change hands.
Rich Russillo: She has her reasons no doubt. Right now she is just putting the boots to Daryl as he rolls over to the ropes to try to get a quick breather–
Persephone: Look. She doesn’t listen as the idiot referee tries to back the bitch off, but she runs right past them AND DELIVERS A DROPKICK–
Thadd Blazevich: THAT SHOT SENDS DARYL FLYING OFF THE APRON AND RIGHT TO THE FLOOR! WHAT AN UGLY LANDING, BRO!
Rich Russillo: Daryl hits the floor hard as Daniella goes over to the corner and tags in Selina.
(TAG!)
Thadd Blazevich: Selina is legal as she goes to the far side of the ring as Daryl starts to recover. Selina runs to other side of the ring with full speed AND SHE JUMPS ONTO THE TOP ROPE AND LEAPS OUT OF THE RING HITTING A BEAUTIFUL SPRINGPLANCHA TO THE OUTSIDE, BRO!
Persephone: Come off it. It wasn’t THAT impressive. They are both moving so it wasn’t that effective.
Thadd Blazevich: Direct hit with the plancha as Daniella is trying to get into the ring, which has the referee distracted. That gives Selina an opportunity to use this to her advantage as she pulls Daryl over to the ringsteps AND BOUNCES HIS HEAD OFF THE STEEL STEPS!!
Rich Russillo: That gets Ryan to try to get into the ring AND THE REFEREE IS BLOCKING HIM! RYAN IS TRYING TO TELL THE REFEREE TO TURN AROUND BUT THE REFEREE IS TRYING TO GET HIM BACK OUTSIDE THE RING!
Persephone: Everyone is such a damn idiot in this match. Just end this match on account of overload of stupidity.
Rich Russillo: Of course you think that, but that distraction by Ryan gives Daniella a chance to run over to Selina as they pull Daryl up to his feet in the facelock.
Persephone: I hope they actually do something because this match is boring as hell.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, they lift Daryl up in the air AND DELIVER A DOUBLE SUPLEX RIGHT ON TOP OF THE RING STEPS!! GOOD GAWD, BRO! DID YOU HEAR THAT SOUND ON IMPACT?
Rich Russillo: Daryl took a lot of damage off the suplex as they roll Daryl back into the ring. Daniella gets back on the apron as Selina gets back in the ring. The referee finally gets Ryan out of the ring as Selina goes for the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRR-
Thadd Blazevich: RYAN WILSON BREAKS UP THE COVER! HE COULDN’T STOP THE DOUBLE TEAM BUT HE SURE AS HELL CAN STOP THE COUNT!
Persephone: Well look at him doing something halfway intelligent in this match. I guess he does have a little bit of brain power.
Thadd Blazevich: The referee is forcing Ryan to get back outside the ring and warning him that he is pushing his luck as Selina stays on the offensive AND DROPS AN ELBOW IN DARYL’S CHEST!
Rich Russillo: Now Selina drags Daryl over to the corner as she once again decides to make her way all the way to the top rope.
Persephone: Oh great! This crap again? Why not? It worked so well before, so what could possibly go wrong.
Rich Russillo: Selina is on the top rope and has her balance BEFORE LAUNCHING HERSELF OFF THE TOP ROPE FOR THE SENTON—
Persephone: BAHAHAHAHA! I KNEW THAT IT WOULD BACKFIRE ON THAT BITCH!
Thadd Blazevich: DARYL GOT HIS KNEES UP AND THEY WERE DRIVEN RIGHT INTO SELINA’S SPINE! NOW BOTH COMPETITORS ARE DOWN AS THE REFEREE STARTS A COUNT!
Rich Russillo: Both competitors are moving and trying to make their way back to their corner to get their teammates back into this match–
Thadd Blazevich: DANIELLA ENTERS THE RING AND HITS A SHOULDER TACKLE THROUGH THE ROPES TAKING RYAN OFF THE APRON AND CRASHING TO THE FLOOR! LISTEN TO THE CROWD JUST BOO THAT LITTLE STUNT, BRO!
Persephone: Let them keep crying. If it means the match ends faster, then so be it. Now this bitch just drags her partner over to the corner and gets a tag.
(TAG!)
Thadd Blazevich: Daniella is back in the match as she helps Selina back to her feet before grabbing Daryl and pulling him back to his feet, Bro.
Rich Russillo: ToXXXin locks Daryl into a double front facelock. It wasn’t good the first time this happened AND IT ISN’T GOOD THE SECOND TIME AS THEY SPIKE DARYL DOWN WITH A DOUBLE DDT!
Persephone: It isn’t that effective. There isn’t much up in that head of his to hurt anyways.
Rich Russillo: What makes you say that?
Persephone: Well he is teaming with Ryan Wilson willingly so his brain power is obviously lacking.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, Selina gets out of the ring and Daniella brings Daryl back to his feet AND LIFTS HIM UP AND HAS HIM IN THE MILITARY PRESS! HOLY CRAP, BRO! HOW POWERFUL IS THIS DANIELLA ATLAS?
Rich Russillo: Daryl is 50 pounds heavier than Daniella, but Daniella is a freak of nature with this power. She could be in the running for one of the most powerful members of the entire EAW roster.
Thadd Blazevich: She walks Daryl to the center of the ring AND LETS DARYL JUST FALL TO THE MAT!
Persephone: BAHAHAHAHAHA! HE’S GONNA SPLAT!! I LOVE IT!
Thadd Blazevich: WAIT! DARYL IS ABLE TO GRAB HOLD OF DANIELLA’S WAIST BEFORE HE HIT THE MAT AND HE TAKES DANIELLA DOWN WITH A SUNSET FLIP! HER SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEE-
Rich Russillo: DANIELLA KICKS OUT AT TWO! DARYL WAS LESS THAN A SECOND AWAY FROM STEALING THE TAG TEAM TITLES AND BECOMING A DOUBLE CHAMPION!
Persephone: We were about to live in a world where Daryl freakin’ Kinkaid of all fucking people was about to be a double champion? Stop the game. I don’t wanna play anymore.
Rich Russillo: Of course you would think that. But Daniella is back to her feet quicker than Daryl was. Daryl gets pulled back to his feet by Daniella and she whips him to the ropes–
Persephone: HE DOES A HANDSPRING AND COMES BACK TO HIT DANIELLA WITH THE ROUNDHOUSE KICK! BAHAHAHAHAHA! KICK HER AGAIN!
Thadd Blazevich: Daniella was knocked loopy off that kick, bro, as Daryl falls to his knees and tries to make his way to the corner where Ryan is chomping at the bit to get back into this match–
Rich Russillo: DANIELLA GRABS DARYL BY THE ANKLE AND HE IS PULLED BACK TO HIS FEET! DARYL WAS SO CLOSE TO MAKING THE TAG! NOW HE IS HOPPING AROUND ON ONE FOOT TRYING TO GET FREE–
Thadd Blazevich: HE COUNTERS WITH A STEP UP ENZUIGIRI ROCKING DANIELLA AND GETTING HIMSELF FREE! RYAN IS REACHING OUT FOR THE TAG AS DARYL LAUNCHES HIMSELF TOWARDS HIS CORNER–
(TAG!)
Persephone: Great. Ryan’s back in the match.
Thadd Blazevich: RYAN GOT THE TAG AND IS IN LIKE A HOUSE OF FIRE, BRO! Daniella is back on her feet AND RYAN CATCHES HER WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT TO THE JAW!
Rich Russillo: Daniella was rocked but still on her feet AS RYAN COMES BACK WITH CHOPS TO THE CHEST! REPEATED CHOPS SEND DANIELLA BACK TOWARDS THE ROPES!
Persephone: Wow. That is like so exciting.
Rich Russillo: Ryan goes to whip Daniella, BUT DANIELLA COUNTERS AND SENDS RYAN FOR THE RIDE! Ryan rebounds off the ropes as Daniella puts her head down for a back body drop–
Persephone: BAHAHAHAHAHA! THE UGLY MAN JUST KICKED THE BITCH IN THE FACE!! THAT’S HILARIOUS!
Thadd Blazevich: Daniella was rocked by the kick and Ryan grabs Daniella by the head AND DROPS HER WITH A SWINGING NECKBREAKER!
Rich Russillo: Now Selina enters the ring and catches Ryan from behind WITH A RAKE OF THE EYES!
Thadd Blazevich: Ryan did not like that one bit as HE GOES RIGHT AFTER SELINA WHO GETS OUT OF THE RING! NO CONTACT MADE–
Persephone: Until Daniella comes up from behind and clobbers him. Should have seen that coming.
Thadd Blazevich: Ryan was knocked to his knees as Daniella picks him up and calls for Selina to get ready.
(TAG!)
Rich Russillo: Selina is now legal as Daniella gets Ryan in one of the corners and sits him on the top rope and climbs up as well as she looks for a superplex. Selina is in an adjacent corner climbing up to the top rope!
Persephone: I don’t know what they are trying to do, but it is going to look absolutely stupid.
Rich Russillo: DANIELLA LIFTS RYAN UP AND DANIELLA HITS THE SUPERPLEX AND SELINA COMES OFF THE TOP ROPE AND SHE HITS THE SPLASH!! THAT’S “THE FALLOUT”!
Persephone: Told you it looked stupid.
Thadd Blazevich: WHAT A POWERPLEX BRO!! DIRECT HIT ON RYAN WILSON! DANIELLA ROLLS OUT OF THE RING AND SELINA HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER! CHAMPS COULD RETAIN HERE, BRO!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEE!
Rich Russillo: DARYL JUMPS IN AND BREAKS UP THE PIN AT THE LAST SECOND AND SAVES THE MATCH FOR HIS TEAM! THEY ARE STILL ALIVE IN THIS MATCH!
Thadd Blazevich: What a match this has been, Bro. We are also watching TLA and Bethany watching this match from ringside and they are staying as stoic and expressionless as possible as they watch their future Pain for Pride opponents.
Persephone: Stoic? Nice word, nitwit. But, seriously, who the hell cares about what those two losers think about this match. But what I think about this match is that it’s going too damn long.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro.
Rich Russillo: As you two were arguing, Daryl got the hell out of the ring as Selina tried to get her hands on Daryl. Meanwhile, Ryan is starting to recover while Selina realizes it and turns her attention back to Ryan–-
Persephone: WHAT A DUMB FUCKING BITCH!! SHE LET HIM RECOVER AND HE CATCHES HER IN AN INSIDE CRADLE! IF SHE LOSES, SHE FUCKING DESERVES IT!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEE!
Rich Russillo: SELINA KICKS OUT AT TWO!! Selina is back to her feet first and grabs Ryan WHO DROPS DOWN AND COUNTERS WITH A JAWBREAKER THAT STAGGERS SELINA! Ryan gets back on his feet AND CATCHES SELINA WITH A SPINNING BACK FIST!
Persephone: She had a dazed look on her face the entire match. At least now she has a reason to be looking stupid.
Thadd Blazevich: Ryan grabs Selina and whips her to his team’s corner as he backs up into the opposite corner. Ryan runs full speed–
Rich Russillo: HE GOT THE HELLUVA KICK!! RIGHT IN SELINA’S FACE!
(TAG!)
Thadd Blazevich: BRO, WAIT A SECOND! DARYL TAGGED HIMSELF IN OFF OF RYAN’S BOOT!
Persephone: That was a stupid looking tag. Look at these morons trying to be creative and cute. It’s nauseating.
Thadd Blazevich: Selina comes stumbling out of the corner off the Helluva Kick as Daryl jumps into the ring and onto the ropes. Selina turns AS DARYL COMES OFF THE ROPES–
Rich Russillo: D! K! O! WHAT A CUTTER BY THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION! HE SPIKES SELINA FACE FIRST ONTO THE MAT! SELINA ISN’T MOVING AS DARYL ROLLS HER OVER FOR THE COVER! LEGS ARE HOOKED!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEE!
Persephone: OH FOR THE LOVE OF GAWD!! COME ON!!
Rich Russillo: DANIELLA BREAKS UP THE COVER BEFORE THE REFEREE COULD MAKE THE THREE COUNT SAVING THE MATCH FOR TOXXXIN!!
Persephone: Son of a bitch!! Just let the match end. Look at that bitch Minerva just sitting back and watching the match like a useless orange waste of space.
Thadd Blazevich: Daryl didn’t appreciate that shot AS HE RUNS OVER AND DELIVERS A RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT TO DANIELLA TO SEND HER FLYING OFF THE APRON! WHAT A SHOT, BRO!
Rich Russillo: Selina is just starting to recover AS DARYL RUNS OVER AND HITS THE SHINING WIZARD ON SELINA BEFORE DRAGGING HER OVER BACK TO HIS CORNER AND HE TAGS RYAN WILSON BACK INTO THE MAT!
(TAG!)
Thadd Blazevich: Ryan is back in the match as he grabs Selina by the legs and drags her towards the center of the ring BEFORE HE TURNS HER OVER FOR “THE LE CRABE DU QUÉBEC”! SUBMISSION HOLD IS APPLIED!
Persephone: First off, submissions are just as boring and stupid as going to the top rope. Waste of time that could be saved with a shot with a steel chair. Second off, this bearded loser is a pretentious little shit. That is just a Boston Crab with a weird torque.
Thadd Blazevich: He can call it whatever the hell he wants if it brings him the Tag Team Titles and it very well could do that as Selina has nowhere to go and if she doesn’t think of something soon, Daniella and Selina could be OUT of Pain for Pride.
Rich Russillo: Daryl is watching closely to make sure Daniella doesn’t try to run interference again. Daniella is still down off the uppercut from Daryl earlier so he should be safe for now.
Persephone: All I hear is that idiot referee asking Selina if she wants to give up the match. We all already know what she is going to say so you might as well just ignore her and ring the bell.
Rich Russillo: LOOK AT SELINA! SELINA IS STARTING TO FIGHT BACK! SELINA IS TRYING TO DRAG HERSELF OVER TO THE ROPES AND FORCE A BREAK!
Persephone: This is why submissions very rarely work. These dumbasses always seem to want to fight back and try to keep this match going.
Thadd Blazevich: BRO, LOOK AT SELINA! SHE IS ABOUT AN INCH AWAY FROM THE ROPES TO FORCE A ROPE BREAK–
Rich Russillo: RYAN DRAGS SELINA BACK TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE RING AND TRIES TO LOCK THE SUBMISSION IN DEEPER–
Thadd Blazevich: BRO! SELINA IS ABLE TO PUSH UP ENOUGH AND ROLLS FORWARD TO PUSH RYAN BACK AND SHE IS BACK ON HER BACK!
Persephone: Why in the hell is Ryan reaching down? JUST TRY AND ROLL HER BACK STUPID–
Thadd Blazevich: SELINA GRABS RYAN BY THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND ROLLS HIM OVER FOR A MODIFIED INSIDE CRADLE! SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEE!
Rich Russillo: WAIT A SECOND! RYAN IS ABLE TO ROLL OVER AND REVERSE THE PIN! NOW SELINA’S SHOULDERS ARE DOWN! IS THIS GOING TO BACKFIRE ON SELINA!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEE!
Persephone: She kicks out! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
Rich Russillo: Sarcasm duly noted. But what a match this has been for the Unified Tag Team Championship.
Persephone: What a match is right. But what I think and what you think are probably on two different sides of the spectrum.
Thadd Blazevich: Ryan brings Selina back to her feet and whips her to the corner. Ryan follows suit AND IS MET WITH A PALM STRIKE TO THE THROAT!! Ryan staggers back as Selina climbs up to the top rope.
Rich Russillo: SELINA COMES OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A MISSILE DROPKICK THAT SENDS RYAN HEAD OVER HEELS INTO ANOTHER CORNER! SHE COMES RUNNING IN AND TRIES FOR A MONKEY FLIP-
Thadd Blazevich: RYAN BLOCKS IT AND SITS SELINA ON THE TOP ROPE! Ryan goes for another shot, BUT SELINA BLOCKS IT! Selina wraps her legs around Ryan’s neck and pushes herself off of the top rope and now she is sitting on Ryan’s shoulders–
(TAG!)
Persephone: Ryan Wilson is an idiot!
Thadd Blazevich: RYAN HIT THE ELECTRIC CHAIR DROP ON SELINA AND DANIELLA TAGS HERSELF IN AS SELINA WAS COMING DOWN!
Rich Russillo: Now Daniella is in the match as Ryan gets back to his feet AND DANIELLA HITS HIM WITH A SPINNING HEEL KICK TO THE FACE! RYAN WAS TURNED INSIDE OUT AS DANIELLA GRABS HIM BY THE HEAD AND GOES FOR A FACEBUSTER–
Persephone: Ryan gets free and counters with a gutwrench suplex. I guess the brain cell in his head isn’t lonely.
Rich Russillo: Daniella lands hard as Ryan grabs her AND SPIKES HER DOWN WITH AN IMPALER DDT! DANIELLA LANDS ON HER HEAD!
Persephone: Won’t make her any smarter if you ask me.
Thadd Blazevich: Ryan brings her to her feet and whips her to his team’s corner. Daryl grabs hold of Daniella and holds her in place for a Helluva Kick for Daniella. RYAN COMES RUNNING FULL SPEED FOR THE HELLUVA KICK–
Rich Russillo: DANIELLA GOT OUT OF THE WAY AND RYAN JUST HIT DARYL WITH THE HELLUVA KICK! DARYL GOES FLYING OFF THE APRON AND TO THE FLOOR AND RYAN CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED!
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, that was a very ugly case of miscommunication right there. Ryan is in shock as he looks down at Daryl AND DANIELLA CLOBBERS RYAN FROM BEHIND WITH THE “INAMORATA”!
Persephone: That idiot deserves to get hit with that lariat to the back of the head.
Thadd Blazevich: Ryan is down as Daniella is in control by picking Ryan up and back to his feet. Daniella gets him in the pumphandle position BEFORE LIFTING HIM UP IN THE AIR–
Rich Russillo: AND DROPPING HIM WITH THE “SOUTH OF HEAVEN”! WHAT A PUMPHANDLE DROP BY DANIELLA AS RYAN IS ROLLED OVER AND DANIELLA GOES FOR THE COVER!!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(“Duel” starts playing again as the crowd immediately starts booing. Daniella has rolled off of Ryan and is sitting on the mat to catch her breath as Bella Braxton announces the final decision of the match.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of this contest…
Bella Braxton: AND STILLLLLLLLLL THE ELITE ANSWERS WRESTLING UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! DANIELLA ATLAS! SELINA REYES! TOOOOOOXXXINNNNNNNN!
Rich Russillo: What a match! Great match between two teams for the Unified Tag Team Championships.
Persephone: Yeah yeah. Heartwarming and that shit, but let’s wrap this up.
(Selina is back in the ring and she helps Daniella get back to her feet as the referee hands the duo their Tag Team Titles. The referee goes to raise their arms, but Minerva is in the ring and glares at the referee. They back off and check on Daryl and Ryan, who has just rolled out of the ring as well.)
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, I can’t believe the action throughout this entire match. This match could have gone either way, but it was the very talented and very dangerous ToXXXin team that kept their titles.
Rich Russillo: But you have to give Ryan and Daryl a lot of credit for the effort they showed in this match.
Persephone: No we don’t! Just let their loser asses go back to Showdown so we don’t have to see them on this show anymore. We have enough of our own losers!
Thadd Blazevich: Of course you would think like that, but Ryan and Daryl were dangerously close to winning the Tag Team Titles and changing the complexion of Pain for Pride, Bro.
Rich Russillo: They certainly could have, but it was one unfortunate miscue between Ryan and Daryl that led to their demise. It was the chemistry of ToXXXin and taking advantage of the miscue situation of their challengers that led to ToXXXin retaining the titles. Congrats once again to–
(Rich is cut off by the sight of TLA and Bethany slipping into the ring and walking over to ToXXXin.)
Persephone: Come on, dumbasses. Make a statement and clobber the shit out of them.
(ToXXXin turns around and they see TLA and Bethany. Minerva takes a step back as Daniella and Selina step up to their challengers and they have a staredown before the Champions raise their titles in the air.)
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, here is the match for the Unified Tag Team Championships at Pain for Pride. What a match this is going to be.
Persephone: You mean boring, stupid, and a waste of time?
Rich Russillo: No. But TLA and Bethany do not have the same level of tag team chemistry that ToXXXin have. TLA and Bethany might have won the Tag Team Turmoil tournament, but will that luck lead them to winning the Tag Team Championships?
(The final shot shows TLA, Bethany, Daniella, and Selina still staring each other down as ToXXXin still have the titles raised in the air as the show fades to black.)
(EAW Logo Buzzes….)
