(EAW intro plays.)
(A recap of last week’s Voltage is shown, where Daryl Kinkade, KASAI and Xander Payne are all seen picking up victories. The camera then transitions to the South of France Arena in Montpelier, France. Inside of the arena, the pyro can be seen shooting from the stage, as the camera pans around the audience. After this, the camera cuts to Rich Russillo and Persephone, who can be seen at the commentary table as always.)
Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Sunday Night Voltage! The road to Pain for Pride has been an exciting one, and tonight I think it’ll get even better as we have some great matches ahead of us!
Persephone: Great? What’s so great about tonight’s matches? All we have is Xander Payne facing Methuselah, Ms. Extreme returning to a Voltage ring against Effy McAvoy and a few other matches.
Rich Russillo: Well you already listed off two great matches there, and we have even more to come as we’re getting closer and closer to Pain for Pride!
(Voltage fades towards the stage, as ‘Apostle’s Warning’ by Mobb Deep hits. The crowd explodes with cheers, and before long Michael Machina begins to walk out. The EAW World Champion isn’t alone however, as Bea Valentine walks out alongside him, wearing her Universal Women’s Championship around her waist. Both Elitists are holding microphones in her hand, and they don’t look happy following last week’s events.)
Rich Russillo: Both of Voltage’s World Champions heading into Pain for Pride are here tonight, and we all know now who they will be facing at the biggest event of the year, and it’s safe to say those challengers made quite the statement last week as both Adam Lucas and Ms. Extreme attacked the Champions.
Persephone: Yeah, I remember. Adam Lucas thankfully cut that match between Machina and Bea short. Unfortunately, because of that I now have to hear them speak. That’s annoying.
Rich Russillo: Well they obviously have a lot to say given what just happened last week. Personally, I’m ready to see what they have to say.
(Michael Machina jumps up onto the apron and holds the middle rope down, allowing Bea Valentine to enter the ring. Michael Machina follows as his entrance music fades out, and soon after this, Bea Valentine begins to speak.)
Bea Valentine: HEAR HE! HEAR HE! Your Universal Women’s Champion is not happy right now, and I’m sure the majority of you already understand exactly why, but I will explain for those who do not. Last week, I was scheduled to face Mikey in the main event of Voltage, and unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to this match at my one hundred percent, and it’s all thanks to a woman who doesn’t even belong in this year’s Pain for Pride main event, Miss Extreme. She attacked me, but that wasn’t enough to stop me from competing! I made it to my match against Mikey, and as expected, we tore the house down. We had a thrilling match, but alas, this match never saw a proper end. It was cut short, all thanks to someone who already has his EAW World Championship match set for Pain for Pride, yet still found it necessary to attack us and ruin our match. Our match was ruined by Adam Lucas.
(The fans begin to boo hearing Adam Lucas’ name mentioned after what he did to ruin their match. After this, Bea Valentine continues.)
Bea Valentine: I can’t imagine two former World Champions, one of which already being a Hall of Famer, still finding themselves so desperate to send a message that they can’t even allow a single match to end before striking, but this is who we’ll be taking on at Pain for Pride. These are the people who are looking to take these Championships from us, and I for one will not allow that to happen. Miss Extreme thought that attacking me and coming out at the end of Voltage last week would scare me, but here I am! I’m still the Universal Women’s Champion, and no matter if Miss Extreme wants to steal other Elitists opportunities and show up to work only when it’s convenient for her, I’ll still be the Universal Women’s Champion once Pain for Pride comes to an end.
(The fans cheer hearing these words. Bea Valentine looks towards the fans with a look of determination on her face, but as Michael Machina begins to speak, he looks directly towards the stage.)
Michael Machina: Adam, Camille, just get out here.
(Michael Machina stops speaking, taking a few steps back to make room inside of the ring for the two Elitists he just called out. He and Bea Valentine wait inside of the ring, until eventually, ‘RED THUNDER’ by Butcher Babies hits. Ms. Extreme begins to walk out with a microphone in her hand, wasting no time beginning to walk down the ramp. Bea Valentine doesn’t appear to be amused seeing Ms. Extreme come out, but she continues to wait as her challenger makes it towards ringside. On her way to the ring, Ms. Extreme begins to speak.)
Ms. Extreme: So what are you two expecting right now? You’re not getting an apology, and I’m not backing out of the Pain for Pride match or letting my No Way Out win go to waste no matter how much bitching Bea does over these next few weeks. I know what I did last week, and if you have a problem with that or anything to do with my spot at Pain for Pride…
(Ms. Extreme climbs up the apron before entering the ring, walking directly up to the two World Champions.)
Ms. Extreme: I’d be more than willing to handle that problem right now.
(Ms. Extreme stops speaking, and there’s already clear tension inside of the ring. Bea Valentine raises her microphone to speak, obviously not happy, but before she can say anything, ‘Everybody Knows (Unstoppable)’ by Royal Deluxe hits. Adam Lucas begins to walk out, and he’s holding a microphone of his own, staring directly at Michael Machina. After a moment, Adam begins walking down the ramp, looking to join the other three Elitists inside of the ring.)
Rich Russillo: It looks like both challengers to the World Champions will be making an appearance here, as Adam Lucas is coming out following a bold statement from Ms. Extreme!
Persephone: See, this is why I didn’t want them to start talking. Now Adam also has to say something, and I really don’t want to see that.
Rich Russillo: Maybe you don’t, but I do think we need to hear what he has to say after his attack last week, which disrupted the match between Michael Machina and Bea Valentine.
(Adam Lucas walks up the steel steps and onto the apron before his entrance music fades out. Michael Machina stares at him, and as Adam enters the ring, the challenger to the EAW World Championship begins to speak.)
Adam Lucas: I have to agree with Ms. Extreme. Are the two of you really this pissed off over a match being ruined? A match that Bea couldn’t even make it to entirely healthy? Last week I talked about the fact that I knew what I was getting myself into. I acknowledged the run you’ve been on this season, but if I’m going to continue being honest with you, I have to say that right now I’m pretty disappointed. I don’t care that I ruined your match against Bea, because in case you’ve forgotten, I’m after your World Championship. If you thought you were safe just because you made it to Pain for Pride you were wrong, and I’m not sure why you’d even bother making such a ridiculous assumption. Is it because this is your first time in this position, or is it because you’re so arrogant you didn’t even stop to realize that the Elitist standing at ringside who you’ll be facing in a few weeks might want to give you a brief look at what’s to come?
(The fans boo, but after hearing everything Adam Lucas had to say, a smirk just appears on the face of Michael Machina. He takes a moment, shaking his head before finally beginning to speak.)
Michael Machina: It’s not that I thought I was “safe”. I know I have a target on my back at all times and I always welcome people to take their shot if they have the guts to. I just find all this funny, because since coming back Camille’s been doing a lot of talking about people around here bitching and I don’t think anyone’s been doing that more than you Adam. You spent this entire season crying over Jake Smith and the second you were able to put him down you came out here celebrating, and I had no problem with that. I was glad, because I thought I was gonna be getting a Pain for Pride opponent that actually had it in them to face me like a man. Instead, you took the first opportunity you got to take a page out of Jake’s book and attack me in the middle of a match. So what was the problem, Adam? Was it that Jake was a coward, or was it that you just couldn’t beat him? I already warned you once that you weren’t walking out of this as Champion. I hope you don’t think playing games is gonna change anything, because if that’s what we’re gonna do I ain’t gonna be wasting my time sending messages. I’m just gonna make you wish you never came after this title.
(The fans in attendance cheer, but Adam Lucas doesn’t look impressed as he begins to speak.)
Adam Lucas: If you think I’m not serious about this because of what I did last week, you’re in for a reality check at Pain for Pride. From what I can see, the only Elitist not being serious here is the one next to you who just spent last week trying to replace her Pain for Pride opponent.
(Bea Valentine’s jaw drops hearing this from Adam Lucas, and she quickly fires back.)
Bea Valentine: Excuse me?? I’m being completely serious about this Championship!
Ms. Extreme: If this is you being serious then I can see why you’re desperately trying to get out of facing me, because this Championship reign is coming to an end really soon. Last week you tried to relate to my situation prior to me leaving the ring, but there’s a difference between the two of us, Bea. Your issues started when you lost “Gloria” because for some reason you were so attached to your Specialists Championship you treated it like a living being. You couldn’t even fathom living in a world without it and once KASAI beat you for it you fell apart and it took you the rest of 2024 to recover. You do this to yourself, and when this is the kind of Elitist you are all you’re doing is making way for an Elitist like me to get back to where I belong and take back what’s mine. Wrestling is what I was made for Bea and for a long time I wasn’t able to perform to the best extent of my abilities, and match by match it was tearing me apart. I came back at Fighting Spirit during a time where my name wasn’t even considered for Pain for Pride, and I won a No Way Out match against all the people with their eyes on you, which should tell you one thing. I’m the biggest threat to your Championship reign.
Bea Valentine: Maybe so, but are you forgetting that I’ve defeated Methuselah this season?? Have you also forgotten that I won the Empress of Elite tournament, and proceeded to defeat the Elitist that broke *your* record for the longest Universal Women’s Championship reign?? I may have been in a bad spot ever since KASAI stole Gloria from me, but I came back and now I am at the top of my game.I won’t be knocked off the spot I’m in so easily this time around. The same can’t be said for you. You had to run away once things got too tough, and now you think you can just show back up and get not just a Pain for Pride main event, but the Universal Women’s Championship as well?
Ms. Extreme: None of the people in the No Way Out match were able to stop me, so it’s not about what you or I think. It’s about what’s gonna happen in a few weeks from now at Pain for Pride, and you really think what I did last week was bad then just wait because once that title is on the line, I’ll gladly snap your arm in half if I have to. It’s like Adam said about Machina. This is your first time in this spot. This is your first ever Pain for Pride main event, and I don’t know nor care what’s gonna happen between the two of them, but I can guarantee your first main event won’t end well for you. You can say whatever you want about the season I had. This won’t be my first time in this spot and I don’t plan to let it be my last, because I’m taking that Championship from you and the longer you keep going on about whether or not I deserve this and the state my career may have been in months ago, the worse you’re going to make this for yourself once it’s time for you to stop running your mouth.
(Bea Valentine doesn’t look too happy hearing this, but Michael Machina begins speaking up after this.)
Michael Machina: If either of you really think Bea isn’t serious about this then it’s not the two of us that don’t know what we’re in for. It’s you. Camille I thought you’d be a bit smarter by now since for you the season started with you questioning what I’d be capable of just because I wasn’t the experienced veteran you are only to get speared so bad the rest of your season went to shit, but clearly not much changed. The two of us are the World Champions here for a reason, and it’s not because of a lack of competition. It’s because that competition just wasn’t good enough to take these from us. You’re gonna find out what Bea can do at Pain for Pride, but I’m only gonna warn you once to stay out of my business.
Ms. Extreme: Your business? You mean when Bea ran out there to help you with Adam? Michael I couldn’t give any less of a fuck about you right now, but I’m not scared of you. I haven’t forgotten about Bloodsport either, and trust me I don’t plan to keep saying over and over that things now won’t turn out the same way they did months ago, so if you’d prefer me to just show you, I’ll gladly do so.
Michael Machina: Don’t go making threats if you’re not gonna back it up, ‘cause I’ll gladly make sure you don’t even make it to Pain for Pride-
Adam Lucas: Instead of doing that, why don’t you worry about your actual Pain for Pride opponent? I’m the one that ruined your match Michael, and if you’re willing to take this any further then I won’t stop you, because when we make it to Pain for Pride and we both face off one last time I’m gonna be the one that comes out on top while you walk out of Pain for Pride proving that despite all the dominance you’ve been capable of showing, you just can’t get the job done under the biggest spotlight, on the biggest stage, and under the most pressure. This is the most important match you’ll have in a long time, and once again you’re gonna screw it up, because you can’t see that this is about a hell of a lot more than just playing mind games.
Michael Machina: You sure you wanna talk about our track records at Pain for Pride? I don’t run away from my losses, Adam. I know what happened last year and I’m damn sure not about to walk out of Pain for Pride with another loss, but do you think we forgot about how Pain for Pride ended for you last year? I’m sure you didn’t forget what your own wife did to you last year, and that’s someone that cares about you. I’m not Dr. Bethany Blue. What I do to you at Pain for Pride won’t be out of love. It’ll be to make sure that no matter what I leave Pain for Pride as World Champion even if it means tearing you in half. I know you’re after me Adam, so trust me. When Pain for Pride comes, what I do to you will be ten times worse than what Bethany did.
(Adam Lucas doesn’t look happy hearing Dr. Bethany Blue mentioned by Michael Machina, but before he could say anything, Bea Valentine looks at Michael Machina before beginning to speak.)
Bea Valentine: That match did get really bloody, didn’t it? I wonder if that’s why Adam ruined our match. He was jealous seeing a couple face each other without almost ruining their relationship. :lupe:
(Bea turns towards Adam before continuing.)
Bea Valentine: I understand that what Bethany did must’ve been very traumatic, but there’s no need for you to take that out on-
Adam Lucas: Are you done yet?
(A brief smirk appears on the face of Michael Machina, and Adam continues.)
Adam Lucas: I didn’t forget about what happened last year, but a lot has changed since then. I’m not the same Elitist I was last year, and at Pain for Pride Michael, you’ll have more than enough time to see that for yourself. A year ago, I’d have probably waited for you to take the first shot. I’d have probably waited for you to strike, knowing that I’m not doing myself any favors. If you couldn’t tell after last week, that’s not going to happen right now. I’m done letting other people ruin my chances of becoming World Champion. I’m done letting guys like Jake Smith ruin things for me, and I won’t let you leave Pain for Pride getting your big Pain for Pride moment at my expense after everything it took just for me to get a shot at becoming a two-time World Champion that isn’t filled with bullshit.
(Adam turns towards Bea Valentine.)
Adam Lucas: Instead of making jokes about what happened against my wife last year you should be worried about that Championship of yours. “Mikey” won’t be ending Pain for Pride with his, so if I were you I’d do my best to make sure you both don’t have to leave empty handed.
(Adam Lucas and Bea Valentine stare at each other, and Bea has a serious look on her face hearing this, beginning to respond to Adam.)
Bea Valentine: The fact that Miss Extreme doesn’t even belong in the World Championship picture aside, I’ll be perfectly fine. I’m the Universal Women’s Champion for a reason after all. I didn’t just win the Championship a week ago, I’ve been carrying this Championship since Shock Value and I’ve been giving everything I have to it. Even if I’m to one day lose this Championship, that day won’t be Pain for Pride and it most certainly won’t be by the hands of Miss Extreme of all people. Neither of these Championships are going anywhere, so it’s a good thing the two of you should already be used to being empty handed by now, because things aren’t going to change anytime soon.
Ms. Extreme: They already changed Bea, because for the first time in a very long time you have the chance to face a Ms. Extreme that’s actually back to the form that got her the Universal Women’s Championship in the first place. I earned my spot here. I fought my way to this position, and if I can do that after an entire season of being knocked further and further down the ladder and thinking my career is over, what do you think I can do now that I just got the perfect reminder of what I’m really capable of? I might not be the longest reigning Universal Women’s Champion anymore but soon enough I’ll be a two-time Champ, and who knows? Maybe after Pain for Pride, I’ll just go and take that record back.
(Bea Valentine just sighs after hearing this, shaking her head in disappointment before beginning to speak once more.)
Bea Valentine: I didn’t revive my career, become the people’s Eternal Empress and win the Universal Women’s Championship all for it to go down the drain all because you missed having the spotlight on you! To take back your record, or to even become a two-time Universal Women’s Champion you’d first need to defeat me, and that won’t happen just because you attacked me. I don’t think either of you understand what it took to win these Championships to begin with.
Adam Lucas: No, you don’t understand what it took to get the chance to fight for those Championships. This is it. We can keep arguing all night long, but as far as I’m concerned my actions last week said everything that needed to be said. I won’t be losing this match, and right now I don’t care what it takes for me to win.
(Adam Lucas walks up to Michael Machina, before continuing.)
Adam Lucas: You better be ready, because last week was only the start.
(Michael Machina remains silent for a moment, before finally he begins speaking once more.)
Michael Machina: You’re not like Ms. Extreme. You didn’t take any time off. You weren’t away from the company at any point this season. You were here every week, which is good ‘cause it means I shouldn’t need to explain to you exactly why I’m ready. You were here to see me win this title. You saw every single Championship defense I had. You know exactly what I’m capable of, so you should also know that next time either of you come up with the bright idea of going for another attack, it’s not gonna end the same way last week did.
(Michael Machina drops his microphone after this, and stares directly at Adam Lucas as the fans in attendance loudly cheer. Meanwhile, Ms. Extreme and Bea Valentine are staring at each other, both focused ahead of their Universal Women’s Championship match at Pain for Pride.)
Rich Russillo: Things look heated between these four Elitists heading towards Pain for Pride, and these are two matches that I’m extremely excited for. These are the two World Championship matches Voltage has to offer, and it looks like all four Elitists had their opinions on each other.
Persephone: That was just very annoying. I can’t believe I’m even saying this, but I’d rather see them wrestle than keep listening to speak. At least then someone would get hurt.
Rich Russillo: Well, plenty of that will be happening at Pain for Pride, and from the looks of it, everyone involved in our main events are ready.
(The staredown continues between the four Pain for Pride main eventers, as there’s clear tension between them. The fans continue to cheer, excited for the upcoming matches at Pain for Pride. From there, Voltage begins to fade from ringside.)
(Promotional ad for Pain for Pride, where Michael Machina defends the EAW World Championship against Adam Lucas.)
(The camera has returned from commercial break and we see that Bella Braxton is in the middle of the ring with a microphone in hand as she is ready to begin the introductions for the first match of this edition of Voltage. )
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, our opening contest is a CASH IN THE VAULT PREVIEW MATCH AND IT IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(“Kamikaze” by RedHook starts playing as Daryl Kinkade enters the arena to loud boos from the crowd. Daryl is not paying them any mind as he heads to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first and making his way to the ring! From Norwich, England! Weighing 225 pounds. Here is “THE KINK OF ELITE” DARYL KINKADE!!
Rich Russillo: Here comes Daryl Kinkade heading to the ring for singles action and he has got to be feeling pretty good after qualifying for the Cash in the Vault match last week.
Persephone: More like he qualified by default since his opponents were idiots and cancelled each other out. But Daryl is only happy because he’ll take victories any way he can get them since they rarely happen for him.
Rich Russillo: Be nice!! Daryl would love nothing more than to get a victory here tonight to start his momentum towards Pain for Pride! His opponent is someone you shouldn’t sleep on.
(Daryl enters the ring and takes a neutral corner as his music is replaced by the sounds of “The End” by Lil Uzi Vert (feat. BABYMETAL) playing. The crowd starts to cheer as KASAI walks out, and she has a grin on her face as she stares at Daryl, before finally she begins making her way down the ramp and towards the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing his opponent! From Amani, Kagoshima, Japan! Weighing 145 pounds! Here is “THE IMMORTAL SLAYER” KASAI!!
Persephone: Oh great! Another dumb bitch heading to the ring. Do you think that this company could start making intelligence tests a mandatory part of the screening process?
Rich Russillo: Will you stop? KASAI is the other representative of Voltage in the Cash in the Vault ladder match at Pain for Pride after she won a four way of her own to advance. She would love to follow up her Specialists Title reign with the Cash in the Vault briefcase.
Persephone: Blah blah blah whatever. If these two are representing Voltage, I hold no hope for this brand. Either way, let’s see what this match will show. Let’s get this over with.
(KASAI enters the ring and takes a corner as her entrance music fades off. Seconds later, the referee checks both competitors before calling for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Here we go! The bell has sounded and we are underway with our opening contest of Voltage. Both KASAI and Daryl have held gold during their EAW careers and are hoping to ease their way into more with a victory at Pain for Pride.
Persephone: Hell, I could care less about these two. I’ll like them a little bit more if this match ends in about two minutes.
Rich Russillo: Of course you would, but now these two are locking up in the center of the ring with Daryl using his size advantage to gain the early advantage.
Persephone: Wow. A headlock. I’d get more interested in painting my nails. But if this boring KASAI has one redeeming quality, which is already a shocker, it’s that she likes to strike. One good kick to that empty head of his and this match is over.
Rich Russillo: Daryl has the headlock on tight, BUT KASAI IS ABLE TO GET FREE AND COUNTER WITH A HAMMERLOCK BEFORE SHE KICKS DARYL IN THE BACK OF THE KNEE TO BRING HIM DOWN TO HIS KNEES!
Persephone: I said kick him in the HEAD! Not the KNEE!! Did this bitch flunk biology or something?
Rich Russillo: You need to learn some patience because KASAI is a very methodical competitor who doesn’t like to rush things. Right now she has a torque on Daryl’s arm as he is on his knees.
Persephone: Not for long AS DARYL FLUNG HIS FREE HAND BACK AND CAUGHT KASAI RIGHT IN THE FACE!! BAHAHAHAHA! THAT WON’T IMPROVE HER LOOKS!
Rich Russillo: But it will force KASAI to let the hammerlock go and let Daryl get free. I wouldn’t be surprised if that broke KASAI’s nose right there. No blood, so I think she’s good.
Persephone: Damn it.
Rich Russillo: Daryl is back on his feet as KASAI turns around to a boot to the gut. KASAI is doubled over as Daryl hooks her arms AND LIFTS HER UP AND OVER WITH THE BUTTERFLY SUPLEX!
Persephone: Not just one! This show off rolls through and keeps the arms hooked AS HE HITS HER WITH ANOTHER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! HOW SO EXCITING!
Rich Russillo: I don’t think Daryl is finished as he rolls through one more time AS HE GOES FOR ONE MORE BUTTERFLY SUPLEX–
Persephone: HA! Bastard got a little cocky as KASAI is able to change momentum and counter the suplex into some modified inside cradle pin. Either way, the shoulders are down!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWW–
Rich Russillo: NEAR FALL FOR KASAI AS DARYL IS ABLE TO KICK OUT! KASAI is back to her feet first as Daryl quickly follows suit. Daryl is up AND KASAI GOES FOR A KICK TO THE HEAD BUT DARYL DUCKS IT—
Persephone: BUT HIS DUMBASS GOT CAUGHT WITH THE OTHER FOOT!! MORON DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING AS HE IS SENT TO THE ROPES!! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Rich Russillo: Daryl is no doubt on dream street as KASAI comes in for another move BUT DARYL WAS SOMEWHAT PLAYING POSSUM AS HE JUMPS UP AND CATCHES HER WITH THE REVERSE STO RIGHT INTO THE BOTTOM TURNBUCKLE!
Persephone: Sorry, Bitch. That bottom turnbuckle doesn’t taste as sweet as candy, but Daryl grabs KASAI AND JUST STARTS BASHING HER FACE INTO THE BOTTOM TURNBUCKLE! THIS IS AMUSING, BUT THAT DAMN REFEREE IS THERE TO RUIN THE FUN!
Rich Russillo: The referee is telling Daryl to stop before they start a count to which Daryl lets KASAI go at four in order to not risk disqualification on five. Daryl brings KASAI back to her feet AND STARTS DELIVERING KICKS TO THE MIDSECTION!!
Persephone: The referee is starting another boring count! Seriously! If you are going to risk being disqualified just crack each other in the heads with steel chairs. Not on a stupid referee count.
Rich Russillo: Another four count before Daryl grabs KASAI by the neck AND SNAPMARES HER OVER BEFORE DELIVERING A DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE NECK!
Persephone: Daryl backs up to the ropes to build some momentum before he comes back AND LEAPS IN THE AIR TO HIT A STANDING SHOOTING STAR PRESS! He didn’t land on her neck but he does hook the leg for the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!
Rich Russillo: KASAI POWERS OUT AT TWO! Daryl brings KASAI back on her feet and whips her to the ropes, BUT THIS TIME SHE HOOKS HER ARMS AROUND THE ROPES TO STOP HERSELF!
Persephone: That might be what that moron wanted as he runs in AND TRIES FOR THE EUROPEAN UPPERCUT, BUT BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HE MISSED LIKE THE MORON THAT HE IS!
Rich Russillo: Persephone means that KASAI ducked the European Uppercut attempt AND LIFTED DARYL RIGHT OVER THE TOP ROPE AND TO THE FLOOR, BUT DARYL WAS ABLE TO CATCH HIMSELF AND LAND ON THE APRON!
Persephone: About time that he did something right, BUT IT DOESN’T LAST LONG AS KASAI KICKS HIM IN THE HEAD AGAIN AND KNOCKS HIM RIGHT OFF THE APRON TO THE FLOOR!
Rich Russillo: Daryl is trying to get back to his feet as fast as he can, but what he doesn’t realize is that KASAI is waiting for that exact moment. Daryl is close as KASAI hits the ropes to build some momentum.
Persephone: Now she comes back AND SHE LAUNCHES HERSELF OVER THE ROPES AS DARYL REACHES HIS FEET AND CRASHES ONTO HIM WITH THE TOPE CON HILO!
Rich Russillo: Direct hit as the back of Daryl’s head crashes hard against the ringside floor. Listen to the crowd! They are really getting behind the former Specialists Champion!
Persephone: Yeah. She is someone the crowd can really get behind, but that’s not saying much.
Rich Russillo: KASAI brings Daryl back on his feet and whips him to the ring AND HE GOES BACK FIRST INTO THE EDGE OF THE RING!! GOOD GAWD! DARYL LOOKED LIKE HE HAD A CASE OF WHIPLASH THERE!
Persephone: KASAI in firm control of this match, which I hope ends soon, as she rolls Daryl back into the ring and she climbs all the way to the top rope. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO GET FLASHY!!
Rich Russillo: KASAI doesn’t climb up to the high rent district very often, but when she does, she has a purpose. It looks like she does AS SHE LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE AND HITS THE LEG DROP FROM THE TOP ROPE! RIGHT ACROSS DARYL’S THROAT AS KASAI HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHH–
Persephone: HE KICKED OUT! DAMN!
Rich Russillo: Very close near fall for KASAI as she brings Daryl back to his feet and whips him to the corner. Daryl hits the turnbuckle and KASAI runs to the corner–
Persephone: DARYL COMES OUT OF THE CORNER WITH A BOOT TO KASAI’S FACE! KASAI is staggered for a moment as Daryl grabs her AND TOSSES HER INTO THE TURNBUCKLE WITH A BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX!
Rich Russillo: KASAI is down and with this being a Cash in the Vault preview match, you would have to believe that Ryan Wilson and Miku Sakai from Showdown as well as Hans Grayson and Kirk Redwood from Dynasty are no doubt going to be watching this match very carefully making notes.
Persephone: Nah. None of them are that smart to do something like that.
Rich Russillo: You need to give them all more credit than you are giving them. KASAI is holding the back of her head in pain as Daryl drags KASAI to the center of the ring before bringing her back to her feet.
Persephone: Daryl tries to whip KASAI to the other side, BUT KASAI DOES SOMETHING FOR ONCE AND REVERSES THE IRISH WHIP SENDING DARYL TO THE ROPES! BORING!
Rich Russillo: But Daryl is able to stop enough in his tracks to bounce off the ropes with a handspring before coming back AND CATCHING KASAI IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH A HANDSPRING ROUNDHOUSE KICK TAKING KASAI DOWN!
Persephone: This bitch is looking even loopier than normal as Daryl actually tries to do something as he brings KASAI back on her feet and lifts her up BEFORE DROPPING HER ON THE BACK OF HER HEAD WITH THE REVERSE DDT!!
Rich Russillo: Daryl is just trying to knock KASAI senseless with all those shots to the head and right now, KASAI really needs to get back on track with her momentum or else the end may be near for KASAI.
Persephone: She should just quit while she is ahead and let this match end because this is only the first match of the night and I am already sick and tired of this crap.
Rich Russillo: That’s your opinion, Persephone.
Persephone: It’s the only opinion that fucking matters so don’t you fucking forget it.
Rich Russillo: KASAI is trying to recover and get back to her feet, but Daryl is once again keeping control of the match as he hits the ropes before coming back AND HITTING KASAI IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD WITH A SHINING WIZARD!
Persephone: If that bastard had any brains left, he would stop going for the head and start taking out her legs because that bitch has some decent level kicking power.
Rich Russillo: That was probably the most astute observation you have made the entire match, Persephone. I am proud of you.
Persephone: Shut the hell up, asshole. I can be just as astute as any of the fuckers here on commentary, but I just choose not to because I don’t like any of you.
Rich Russillo: Duly noted, but Daryl still has control right now as he brings KASAI back to her feet before kicking her in the midsection as she doubles over. Daryl grabs KASAI by the waist AND LIFTS HER UP IN THE AIR!
Persephone: This moron decides to show off by keeping KASAI in the air as he walks to the center of the ring–
Rich Russillo: AND DRIVES HER BACK DOWN INTO THE MAT WITH A POWERFUL LIGER BOMB! KASAI’S HEAD AND NECK SNAPPED BACK HORRIBLY ON IMPACT BEFORE DARYL STACKS HER UP FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE–
Persephone: She kicked out. Of course she did!
Rich Russillo: THAT WAS A VERY CLOSE NEAR FALL FOR DARYL AS KASAI BARELY GOT HER SHOULDER UP RIGHT AS THE REFEREE WAS COMING DOWN FOR THE THREE COUNT!
Persephone: While this sad bastard should be staying on the attack, he is wasting time acting all show offy. People like that make me sick.
Rich Russillo: Daryl is back on his feet as he brings KASAI back on her feet and brings her in before grabbing her by the waist AND BRINGING HER IN THE AIR ONCE AGAIN!
Persephone: Are you kidding me right now? This idiot is trying for the Liger Bomb again. Newsflash! It didn’t work the first time! WHY IN THE HELL IS IT GOING TO BE ANY DIFFERENT THIS TIME!?
Rich Russillo: Daryl is hoping that the second time is going to be the charm AS DARYL BRINGS KASAI UP FOR ANOTHER LIGER BOMB–
Persephone: I KNEW THAT HE WOULD SCREW UP! KASAI grabs Daryl by the neck and manages to get free of the powerbomb before he plants this moron with a DDT!
Rich Russillo: Daryl was spiked on the top of his head as he rolls over onto his stomach as he tries to recover. KASAI is back on her feet as she backs up towards the corner and waits for Daryl to get right where she wants him.
Persephone: I want them both to leave the ring, the arena, and never come back. This match has gone on way too long.
Rich Russillo: The fans would disagree with you because they are enjoying this match very much. Listen to the crowd, Persephone.
Persephone: I’d prefer not to because all they do disagree with me regardless of what I think.
Rich Russillo: As we get back to the match, Daryl has recovered enough to make it onto his knees, AND KASAI RUNS FULL SPEED TOWARDS DARYL AS SHE CLOCKS DARYL IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD WITH THE “SILVER BULLET”!
Persephone: The Kinshasa Knee might have just knocked his dumbass out cold and I am all for it if it means the match ends. KASAI actually gets her head out of her butt and rolls him over for the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!
Rich Russillo: HE GOT THE SHOULDER UP! DARYL GOT THE SHOULDER UP! DAMN THAT WAS A VERY CLOSE NEAR FALL FOR KASAI! SHE THOUGHT SHE HAD IT RIGHT THERE!
Persephone: OH FOR THE LOVE OF GAWD!! COME ON!! IT WAS RIGHT THERE!!
Rich Russillo: Daryl and KASAI are both very tough competitors and this match is really showing what Showdown and Dynasty’s Cash in the Vault competitors are in for in just a few weeks at Pain for Pride.
Persephone: Yeah, this is so exciting.
Rich Russillo: As we get back to the match, KASAI shoves Daryl to the mat BEFORE CATCHING HIM IN THE CHEST WITH A POWERFUL KNEE DROP! DARYL IS HOLDING HIS CHEST IN PAIN AS HE GASPS FOR AIR!
Persephone: They need to stop with this low level crap and go right to the big level moves if they wanna win this match. These bitches need to quit being bitches. Speaking of bitches, KASAI puts Daryl back on the mat before she hits the ropes.
Rich Russillo: KASAI comes back and leaves her feet AS SHE LOOKS FOR THE SPINNING LEG DROP, BUT NOBODY WAS HOME AS DARYL WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND AS KASAI FOUND NOTHING BUT THE CANVAS!
Persephone: BAHAHAHAHAHA! Dumb bitch landed right on her ass! That’s hilarious.
Rich Russillo: That was not a pretty landing for KASAI as she tries to get back to her feet, BUT DARYL HAS RECOVERED AS HE GRABS KASAI BY THE ARMS AND DROPS HER WITH A TIGER SUPLEX!
Persephone: Too bad these shots aren’t knocking them unconscious. Look, KASAI is still moving.
Rich Russillo: KASAI is trying to recover off the suplex, but Daryl is right there as he brings KASAI to her feet and gets her into the pumphandle position.
Persephone: Daryl lifts her up in the air and gets this bitch into position BEFORE DROPPING HER RIGHT ON HER HEAD!! FINALLY! IT’S ABOUT TIME THIS DAMN BASTARD DID SOMETHING HALFWAY ENTERTAINING IN THIS MATCH!
Rich Russillo: DARYL GOT THE “HAIL TO THE VICTOR”! HE GOT THE PUMPHANDLE PILEDRIVER AND KASAI LOOKS TO HAVE BEEN KNOCKED OUT COLD! KASAI IS NOT MOVING AS DARYL DRAGS KASAI TO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!
Persephone: SON OF A BITCH! OH COME ON!!
Rich Russillo: KASAI GOT THE SHOULDER UP!! THAT WAS A VERY DANGEROUSLY CLOSE NEAR FALL FOR DARYL KINKADE OFF THE PUMPHANDLE PILEDRIVER AND DARYL IS NOT HAPPY!
Persephone: Instead of staying on the offensive, this idiot is arguing with the referee about what he considers a very slow count. Maybe he just sucks!
Rich Russillo: I think that KASAI was able to kick out because as the replay of the piledriver plays on the screen, you can see that KASAI was starting to fall over to the side a little bit so he didn’t get all of the piledriver that he wanted.
Persephone: Call it whatever you want, but all I know is that this damn match is continuing and Daryl is throwing a temper tantrum to the referee. What a big damn crybaby.
Rich Russillo: That is also a mistake because the longer Daryl argues with the referee, the more time KASAI gets to recover from the piledriver.
Persephone: That’s why Daryl isn’t champion right now. Because he’s an idiot doing stupid shit that leads to disastrous results. LIKE RIGHT NOW!
Rich Russillo: KASAI is back on her feet AS SHE QUICKLY RUNS OVER TO A DISTRACTED DARYL AND ROLLS HIM UP FROM BEHIND!! SCHOOLBOY ROLL UP! KASAI IS GOING TO STEAL IT HERE–
Persephone: But the light switch in Daryl’s head switched back on as he quickly rolled out of the pin before a count could be started. Both competitors are back on their feet AS DARYL THROWS A KICK THAT KASAI CATCHES–-
Rich Russillo: BEFORE FOLLOWING IT UP WITH A STEP UP ENZUIGIRI! BOOT RIGHT TO THE FACE AND THAT SENDS KASAI STUMBLING OVER TO THE ROPES!
Persephone: Daryl grabs hold of KASAI quickly by the neck AS HE GOES RIGHT FOR THE FRONT FLIP DDT–
Rich Russillo: “MONKĒ FLIP” GETS COUNTERED AS DARYL LANDS ON HIS FEET, BUT KASAI GRABS HIM FROM BEHIND AND COUNTERS WITH A BACKSTABBER! KNEES TO THE SPINE SENDS DARYL BOUNCING BACK INTO THE ROPES!
Persephone: KASAI quickly gets back on her feet AS SHE GOES FOR A BORING NECKBREAKER THAT DARYL QUICKLY COUNTERS!
Rich Russillo: Daryl jumps on KASAI’s shoulders AND GOES FOR THE POISONRANA, BUT KASAI AGAIN LANDS ON HER FEET! DARYL GETS BACK UP AND HE RUNS RIGHT INTO A SAVATE KICK FROM KASAI!
Persephone: That might have knocked his ass out and I hope that the end is near.
Rich Russillo: Daryl is trying to recover off the kick and KASAI is waiting for him. KASAI WANTS TO FINISH THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL!!
Persephone: Oh my gosh! Is this match about to end? Oh thank gawd… WHAT THE HELL?
Rich Russillo: WAIT A SECOND! SOMEBODY JUST SLID INTO THE RING AND JUST CLOBBERED KASAI FROM BEHIND! THAT’S… THAT’S MIKU SAKAI FROM SHOWDOWN!
Persephone: MIKU SAKAI?!?!? Why the hell is that dumb bitch here. She doesn’t belong here. She needs to go back to Showdown where she really doesn’t belong. Now this bitch is beating up on our bitch!
Rich Russillo: MIKU IS JUST CLOBBERING THE CRAP OUT OF KASAI FROM BEHIND! THE REFEREE IS TRYING THEIR DAMNDEST TO TRY AND STOP MIKU, BUT THEY ARE LEFT WITH NO CHOICE BUT TO CALL FOR THE BELL! THE REFEREE HAS JUST THROWN THIS MATCH! DAMN IT!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(The referee has called for the bell as Miku Sakai is beating up on KASAI. The crowd is booing Miku as loudly as they can as she continues the assault.)
Persephone: Why in the fuck is that dumb bitch doing on our show?!?! We have enough dumb bitches here that we don’t need any from Showdown.
Rich Russillo: What she is doing is ruining an amazing match by sticking her nose where it didn’t belong.
(Miku is still beating up on KASAI until Daryl gets back on his feet and pulls Miku off of KASAI.)
Persephone: Now what in the hell is this asshole doing? If he was smart, he should just let these two beat the hell out of each other. What a moron.
Rich Russillo: Daryl and Miku are arguing with each other UNTIL MIKU SAKAI JUST STARTS BEATING UP ON DARYL! Miku Sakai is just beating Daryl down and it’s all because she wants the spotlight for herself.
Persephone: A very delusional bitch, but KASAI is back on her feet and is going back to fight Miku. Why the hell for? These two are huge idiots. Why not let the other just get the shit beat out of them? I hate this place.
Rich Russillo: Daryl and KASAI are showing brand loyalty as KASAI grabs Miku from behind AND NOW DARYL AND KASAI ARE DOUBLE TEAMING ON MIKU SAKAI!
Persephone: About damn time these two idiots decided to use their brains and do something smart for once. Get that Showdown trash out of the ring and out of the company. Then go along with her.
Rich Russillo: Of course you would go there as Daryl and Kasai pick up Miku and whip her to the ropes BEFORE THEY TAKE HER DOWN WITH A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE!
Persephone: That’s what that dumb bitch gets for fucking this all up when Voltage was capable of fucking everything up on their own AND NOW WHAT IN THE HELL IS THIS DUMBASS DOING HERE?
(The crowd gives a mixed reaction as Ryan Wilson comes running down the entrance ramp.)
Rich Russillo: IT’S RYAN WILSON! RYAN IS THE OTHER SHOWDOWN REPRESENTATIVE FOR CASH IN THE VAULT AND HE IS SLIDING INTO THE RING!!
Persephone: Now that he’s here, I can take a nap considering this asshole can put anybody to sleep. What the fuck does he plan on doing?
(Ryan is in the ring as Kasai and Daryl back off of Miku as she tries to recover and as Ryan keeps a close eye on the situation.)
Rich Russillo: This could go a lot of different ways as there is some brand loyalty with Showdown, but there are also the issues that Ryan and Miku as they had a match just last night.
Persephone: Well we are about to see how this falls apart as Miku is getting back to her feet–
Rich Russillo: WHAT THE HELL? RYAN WILSON JUST GRABBED MIKU SAKAI AND LIFTS HER UP IN THE AIR FOR A POWERBOMB BUT THEN DROPS HER INTO THE CUTTER! RYAN CALLS THAT “ENOUGH TALK” AND THAT’S ENOUGH TALK FROM MIKU SAKAI TONIGHT!
Persephone: Now Ryan is standing over Miku like he actually accomplished something for once in his sad sack life.
Rich Russillo: Well, I guess that these three have some solidarity against Miku Sakai as Ryan continues to yell at a down Miku–
Persephone: SOLIDARITY MY ASS! KASAI AND DARYL JUST ATTACKED RYAN FROM BEHIND! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! WHAT AN IDIOT!!
Rich Russillo: Ryan is down as KASAI RUNS FORWARD AND HITS RYAN WITH URAI’S CURSE!! WHAT A KICK TO THE SKULL BY KASAI BUT THAT IS NOT IT!!
Persephone: Now Daryl feels like he has to be included for some reason as he brings Ryan back to his feet and lifts him up in the air–
Rich Russillo: DARYL DROPS HIM ON HIS HEAD WITH “A BEAUTIFUL LIE”! CROSS LEGGED FISHERMAN BUSTER TAKES RYAN OUT OF THE EQUATION!
(Daryl is back on his feet as the Voltage crowd cheers for their competitors. Both Daryl and KASAI look at each other for a brief second before they nod at one another and leave the ring.)
Persephone: Looks like Voltage stands tall this time around.
Rich Russillo: I don’t think that this is a sign of friendship between Kasai and Daryl, but this might be a temporary sign of solidarity against the other brands.
Persephone: Speaking of brands, the losers from Dynasty have to be the ones with the most brain cells because they aren’t even here right now.
Rich Russillo: They might not be, but there is no doubt in my mind that somewhere Hans Grayson and Kirk Redwood have to be watching what went down right now. Oh what a war this Cash in the Vault ladder match is going to be.
(The final shot shows Kasai and Daryl walking up the entrance ramp before cutting to the ring where the referee is checking on Ryan and Miku before the camera cuts elsewhere.)
(Promotional ad for Pain for Pride, where the Cash in the Vault ladder match will take place.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to a pan-around shot of the South of France Arena as the crowd bustles in anticipation for what is to come in what has already been an explosive start to the show so far. It’s not long before they get what they ask for, with ‘Rhapsody in Pink’ by Stela Cole beginning to play through the speakers of the arena. The crowd cheers as the camera goes over to the stage, and with no real theatrics and a very straightforward appearance, Candice Blair begins to make her way out from the backstage area. She has an unhappy expression on her face, which she tries to mask with a small smile in reaction to the crowd’s positivity toward her, but she’s pretty pissed off after what was revealed to her last week. She takes a moment before then beginning to make her way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… CANDICE BLAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: This has been a hectic past couple of weeks for Candice. She anticipated walking into the No Way Out match at Fighting Spirit and potentially getting the opportunity to main event Pain For Pride, competing for the Universal Women’s Championship. Still, instead, she gets attacked to open the show.
Persephone: And just like the soap opera that this situation panned out to be, it was revealed the following week that it was her jealous now-ex-partner looking to take her out because she was chosen over her for the match! Oh, the tragedy! Oh, the drama!
Rich Russillo: This would all be revealed during Selina’s match against KASAI, Ashlynn Quinn & Bridget Bridget in a Cash in The Vault qualifier, where the footage of the attack would air on screen and Candice would proceed to cost Selina the match entirely.
Persephone: And now this buffoon is out here to speak, perhaps on how she didn’t expect this whatsoever from someone she considered her friend! Yeah, pal, I could’ve told you this would happen from a mile away. Tch.
(Candice makes her way up the steps and onto the apron as she enters through the ropes and into the ring. She heads over and takes a microphone from the ringside area as “Rhapsody in Pink’ begins to come to a close. With a displeased expression on her face, she quickly begins to speak, not wasting much time in doing so.)
Candice Blair: Usually in this company, they tell you it’s in your best interest not to trust anyone. Everyone is in this for themselves, people are going to be selfish and do whatever it takes to put themselves over you. But sometimes you think you find friends who feel the same way that you do. Who are not just willing to see themselves go to the top, but see you go to the top as well. And for a minute, that’s what I thought Selina Reyes and I had. It wasn’t a partnership that anybody expected, and in any other circumstance, I wouldn’t have even given her a second glance. But despite how different we were, we both knew exactly what we wanted out of this place. We both knew exactly what we deserved on Sunday Night Voltage, and we were going to stop at nothing to do it. I was more than willing to cooperate with her and be by her side, in hopes that not just myself, but BOTH OF US would reach our goals, and I thought that we were getting somewhere. Having had the opportunity to fight for the Unified Tag Team Championships with her and compete in big-time matches that raised our stock both as a team and as singles competitors, I thought that we had not only reached a level of respect for each other but trust as well. But I learned quickly that no matter how much you trust someone, they’ll always be jealous of you.
Candice Blair: They don’t want to be seen as the weak link; they don’t want to be seen as someone who’s standing in the shadow of the other; they always want to be ahead. And even if it means stabbing their friend in the back, they’re going to do whatever it takes. I expected my partner to be better than that, but I was wrong. When I was chosen for the No Way Out match after my performance in Grand Rampage, Selina told me that there were no hard feelings and that she was happy for me. She hoped that I would win the match and do what both of us worked hard to do, and that’s succeed on the big stage, and for a minute, I believed her. I thought that she truly meant what she was saying, but clearly, she was just as jealous as everyone else and wanted all the glory for herself. She had deep-seated envy for me getting the spot over her, and you could boil it down to a lot of things, but I knew that the main reason was that she wasn’t in it for us; she was in it for herself. So that’s why she did what she did; she ripped this opportunity away from me because she didn’t get it, right now, that’s the only reason I could think of for why she attacked me, to remove me from the No Way Out match. I expected better from her, I expected that she would at least have some dignity for herself and live by her word. I’m ashamed that’s not the case.
Candice Blair: She not only took me out of that match, but she also took me out of the chance to potentially main event Pain For Pride, and even though I think I have this all figured out in my mind, it’s still confusing to me, despite the obvious, why Selina would do something like this to her after all the time that we spent working together. I had hoped that she was better than this, but I’m wrong. So that’s why I did what I did. I gave her a receipt for what happened at Fighting Spirit, and I cost her a chance to be in the Cash in The Vault match. I cost her a chance to become a World Champion, so now she knows exactly how I feel. But at the same time, I don’t think that’s enough, it’s not going to be enough to send a message to show exactly the type of mistake that she made. So here’s the deal: I want Selina to come out here and meet me in this ring right now so she can tell me to my face exactly why she did what she did. Beyond the fact that she was jealous, beyond the fact that she wanted this opportunity more than I did, I want to hear from her mouth why she decided to do what she did.
(Candice lowers her microphone as she turns toward the stage, and it’s not long before ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’ by Deftones begins to play through the speakers of the arena to thunderous boos from the crowd. The camera goes from the ring to the stage to show Selina Reyes as she saunters out with a serious look on her face. She doesn’t seem to have any regrets for what she did at Fighting Spirit and is pretty unhappy about what she’s hearing Candice say right now as she begins to make her way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Well, it looks like Selina Reyes is making her way to the ring in just as bitter a mood as Candice is currently in. And even though I can’t blame her for feeling that way, considering she was close to getting an opportunity to compete in the Cash in The Vault match at Pain For Pride, I can’t say she didn’t deserve it.
Persephone: She asked for it! This is just a battle of who’s going to be the most petty over the other; it’s very unproductive, but at the same time, it’s very entertaining. How about we just skip the arguing and go to fists? I want to see them bloody each other up right about now!
(Selina makes her way up the steps and onto the apron as she enters the ring. She heads over and takes a microphone from the ringside area as ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’ begins to come to a close, and she turns around and gets into the face of Candice Blair. She takes a moment to compose herself as the crowd quiets down and begins to speak.)
Selina Reyes: Candice, I can understand you being angry, but I don’t understand what you’re so confused about. From the moment that I stepped foot into this business, from the moment that I signed pen to paper with Elite Answers Wrestling, I always believed in wrestling solely for myself. And yes, I did align with you, I stood by your side, but it was in hopes that BOTH OF US would benefit, not just one of us. So if you think even for a moment that I was going to stand by and watch you succeed while I stood back and applauded you, then you thought wrong. I was going to do whatever it took to show exactly who deserved these sorts of opportunities, and if it wasn’t both of us, it was me. I needed to move my career forward, and I took the opportunity to do exactly that, and I just wasn’t interested in continuing to work alongside you if you were the only one who was going to benefit from that.
Selina Reyes: I wasn’t going to watch you enter the No Way Out match and potentially win. I wasn’t going to watch you main event Pain For Pride and compete for the Universal Women’s Championship against Bea Valentine. If there was anyone who deserved that above you, it’s me, and I have shown that consistently. You didn’t seem grateful for the help anyway, so I decided to take it upon myself to show what mattered to me, and that’s myself and my gain. It seems selfish, but it’s something that you should’ve known from the very beginning. You have been in this business long enough to understand that message loud and clear, but you don’t. And now you want to act surprised that I took this opportunity away from you? You’re foolish, and, most importantly, you’re predictable.
Candice Blair: You’re right, Selina, maybe I am predictable. Maybe I was a fool to trust you, but my apologies for putting my faith in someone who didn’t deserve it. I try to help you out, Selina, just like I thought you would for me, but it’s clear that you cared about yourself even more than I thought you would. I told you exactly how I felt and that if you kept your head down and pushed forward, you would get your moment just like I did. But you strayed from the course. Why? Because you weren’t good enough? Because you felt jealous of me? I don’t get it. I don’t get why you would throw it all away. Was it because you felt like I was holding an opportunity that you should have had? You had an opportunity, Selina. Don’t you remember when you faced Brianna Hill for the Specialists Championship at Grand Rampage? I stood by your side even if I felt like I should have been fighting for that title, even if I felt like I would’ve fared better against Brianna in comparison to you. When you lost, I stood by you, just like you should’ve stood by me in the No Way Out match.
Candice Blair: I’m let down by myself, but I’m also ashamed of you. We’ve been working together for so long, I thought we were past this point, but clearly not. You want to play the bad guy so bad, so I’m going to make you one. And just like in any good story, I’m going to blow you down. This is what you asked for, and this is what you’re going to get, and I’m not going to have any mercy anymore. I’m done beating around the bush. I’m done giving you sympathy when you fail. When the time comes for us to step into this ring, which I know will happen, I am going to shatter your dreams once and for all, and I am going to show you just how much of a mistake you made messing with Candice Blair.
Selina Reyes: But what good would that have done to me, Candice?. What good would that have done to stand by and wait for my opportunity? I’ve already done that long enough; I’ve spent my entire career in this company up to this point waiting for my opportunity. When is it going to be my chance? When am I going to be rewarded for the same amount of effort that you put in? You got your opportunity in the No Way Out match because of your performance in the Grand Rampage match, but my Specialists Championship against Brianna should have more than warranted being in the same position that you were in coming out of the event. Yes, I lost, but I showed more potential than you ever could in a sea of 29 other people, with a good majority of them outshining you.
Selina Reyes: Am I wrong for believing in myself? Am I wrong for wanting as much opportunity as the next person? That’s what it seems like you’re doing, it seems like you’re chastising me for putting myself first, and that’s not the mentality of a winner, that’s the mentality of someone bitter. If this is how you’re going to act, Candice, then I didn’t want a team with you at all. This is the path that you chose, and more importantly, this is the path that you’re going to die on. And if you want to test me, then we can settle this in the ring. But it’s not going to end the way that she wanted to. If you want to make me the bad guy, so be it, but it’s only going to mean so much to your little narrative when I beat you just as I expected to and finally take the spotlight for myself.
Candice Blair: You threw all of this away because you wanted to put yourself in front of me. Is that the case? Or is it that you didn’t have confidence that you were going to get the same opportunities that I would? Would your performance at Grand Rampage have warranted a spot in the No Way Out match? Let’s be honest, probably not, and even if it did, would you even come close to winning it and main eventing Pain For Pride? Probably not. I got closer to that than you ever will, and it eats you alive. I’m going to hold that above your head. Because once I’m done with you, I’m going to move on to the next season and focus my priorities exactly on where it matters, and that’s winning the Universal Women’s Championship that I should have been competing for. You’re going to be left with nothing, exactly as you feared, and instead of feeling bad for you, instead of trying to motivate you like I would have done if we were partners, I’m just going to look down at you and leave you in the dust.
Selina Reyes: Candice, attacking you? I would have done it all over again. If it meant getting what I wanted out of this place, I would have stabbed you in the back a long time ago. I knew that I was never going to get anywhere if I stood by like you have for your entire career and watched these opportunities go by. I had to take initiative, and unfortunately, you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Does it hurt me? Not really. Because I knew this team never meant much to me, it only meant something if I continued to progress in this company, and it came to a point where it was only hindering me by sticking around. I watched you progress further instead of me, and yes, that did eat me alive, but that didn’t mean that I couldn’t change anything. You took the opportunity of being in the Cash in The Vault match from me, and now I take everything away from you. You’re not going to compete for the Universal Women’s Championship, you might not even make it to next season. Once you step into the ring with me, this is going to mark your end and the beginning of my era. The era of the Oryx Queen.
(Candice takes a moment to compose herself as she looks away from Selina, she shakes her head before turning back around.)
Rich Russillo: AND CANDICE HAS FINALLY HEARD ENOUGH! SHE ATTACKED SELINA AND TOOK HER DOWN TO THE GROUND! AND NOW SHE’S BEGINNING TO UNLOAD ON HER WITH REPEATED PUNCHES TO THE FACE!
Persephone: YEAH, NOW WE’RE TALKING! SELINA MANAGES TO TURN IT AROUND AS SHE ROLLS CANDICE ONTO HER BACK AND BEGINS TO CONNECT WITH PUNCHES OF HER OWN! AND IT’S A CATFIGHT RIGHT NOW!
Rich Russillo: CANDICE MANAGES TO SHOVE HER AWAY AS SHE GETS BACK UP TO HER FEET! SELINA STAGGERS BACK BUT CHARGES FORWARD, ONLY FOR CANDICE TO GRAB HER BY THE WAIST AND RUN HER FORWARD, RAMMING HER DIRECTLY INTO THE TURNBUCKLES AND BEGINNING TO CONNECT WITH REPEATED BODY SHOTS! SHE’S LAYING INTO HER RIGHT NOW!
Persephone: BUT SELINA MANAGES TO CONNECT WITH AN AXE HANDLE BEFORE GRABBING HER AND SENDING HER THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! CANDICE IS TAKEN DOWN, AND SELINA IS BEGINNING TO CLIMB UP TO THE TOP ROPE! SUICIDE JUMP! YEAH!
Rich Russillo: AND SELINA LEAPS OFF AND TAKES CANDICE DOWN TO THE GROUND WITH A CROSSBODY TO THE OUTSIDE! SHE THEN GRABS A HOLD OF HER AND BRINGS HER UP TO HER FEET BEFORE SENDING HER SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE! SHE THEN GRABS HER AND TURNS HER AROUND BEFORE THROWING HER INTO THE STEEL STEPS-
Persephone: BUT CANDICE MANAGES TO TURN IT AROUND AND SEND HER INTO THE STEEL STEPS INSTEAD! SHE POUNCES TOWARD HER LIKE A RABID ANIMAL AND TRIES TO ATTACK! But here come these buzzkills.
(Security quickly rushes out as they grab Candice before she can do anything else and breaks her up. Selina winces in pain but tries to respond as she rushes toward her, but another line of security manages to filter in at the right time and break her up as well. Both of them are yelling at each other as they’re being escorted in different directions, but before it can truly settle, someone is seen briskly making their way out to the stage.)
Eden Sinclair: Ladies! That’s enough!
(Voltage Consultant Eden Sinclair makes her way out with a microphone in her hand as she looks at the two of them. Candice and Selina stop their resistance and turn their attention toward her as she continues.)
Eden Sinclair: It’s clear that you two have unsettled issues, and in this business, the only way that we can put that to bed is inside the ring. Luckily for both of you, I have just the solution.
(Eden pauses, a smirk raising on her face before she speaks once more.)
Eden Sinclair: It will be Candice Blair versus Selina Reyes at Pain For Pride in a NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH!
(The crowd roars at this as both Candice and Selina are satisfied by this, both of them looking bloodthirsty and ready to tear into each other. Eden turns around and makes her way out of the scene. As Candice and Selina are both escorted away from security, it’s the last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage then begins to fade to elsewhere.)
(Commercial for Marvel Rivals with Ryan Wilson, who shows off gameplay with the new character: Ultron.)
(“It Follows” by Cane Hill begins to play. Xander Payne slowly walks out onto the stage. There is a serious expression on his face as he walks towards the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Uh oh, it looks like Xander Payne is coming out here now folks! There’s no doubt that there is a lot on his mind, especially considering everything that went down last week!
Persephone: Oh boy, I can’t wait to hear what he has to say. Oh wait, actually I can.
(Xander slides inside the ring with minimal pomp and circumstance. He looks out at the crowd for a moment before asking for a microphone. He’s handed one and he circles the inside of the ring, looking for what he wants to say.)
Xander Payne: Last week? Yeah, last week was lookin’ pretty damn good. For once. I was in there with Holly Arrow, right? And don’t get it twisted, that was a fight. A good fight, even. A great one, if I’m being honest. We went out there, two wrestlers, and we tore each other apart in the ring. The crowd was on its feet, and when the dust settled, I was the one with my hand raised. It was a perfect damn night. The kind you dream about when you’re busted up and bruised, staring at the ceiling, wondering why the hell you put yourself through this. The kind of night that makes it all worthwhile. But then, because nothing good can ever last in this godforsaken business, some pieces of trash just had to come out and spoil it. Two of ’em. Like damn vultures, they swooped in after the bell, when I was winded, when I was celebrating, when my guard was down. They decided it was the perfect time to blindside me. To jump me from behind like the cowards they are. And I’ve been racking my brain, trying to figure out why. What the hell did I do to piss off Jake Smith and Caroline enough for them to pull that kind of stunt? Seriously, I’m drawing a blank.
Xander Payne: Now, I got my theories, sure. And they all boil down to their own pathetic situations. Take Jake Smith, for example. The big shot. Mr. “I’m going to get my world title match.” He had his shot at a world title match at Pain for Pride, didn’t he? And what happened? He choked. Blew it. Then he waltzes into Fighting Spirit acting like he had a guaranteed spot on the card, like he owned the damn place. And then Adam Lucas came along and knocked his teeth down his throat, reminding him exactly where he stands. Maybe he’s mad that he’s not me. As for Caroline, I don’t even want to know why she’s out here. Probably the same reasons Jake Smith is. This desperate need to have something to do at Pain for Pride. But I don’t think either of them really thought this through. I don’t know what they want but if they want to target me? If they want to try and take a piece of me…they are more than welcome to try.
(Xander Payne walks over to the side of the ring facing the stage. He stares at it if he brings the mic up to his face.)
Xander Payne: Do you want me to come back there or are you going to come out here? Because Jake, I know just the sort of little rat you are. I have no doubt that you are waiting somewhere back there, loving all the attention that someone is giving you. But the two of you need to understand something. If we’re going to do this…then we are going to do this. LET’S LIGHT THIS CANDLE RIGHT HERE IN FRANCE!
Rich Russillo: OH WOW! Xander is calling Jake Smith out right here, right now! Looks like we might have a fight on our hands here!
(The crowd roars in excitement as Xander Payne seems to be awaiting an answer from his challengers. But it dies down when no one comes out. Xander shakes his head in disappointment.)
Xander Payne: Oh really? Is this the game that you want to play tonight? You want to do a little bit of cat and mouse? Well screw it. I’m coming to you then.
Persephone: Patience doesn’t seem to be his strong suit. I would hate to be Jake Smith right now. But I would love for his stupid face to get punched in.
(Xander Payne throws the mic behind him and begins to exit the ring. As he does “Stop Breathing” by Playboi Carti begins to blast through the arena. The crowd begins to loudly boo as Jake Smith saunters out onto the stage with Caroline behind him.)
Rich Russillo: Welp, it seems like Jake Smith has decided to come out here after all! It’s not a surprise at all that Caroline is right behind him!
Xander Payne: Look at that, you’re saving me some steps. I guess I’ll have to meet my step goal later. Look at that, you have Caroline with you. What a shocker.
(Jake Smith and Caroline surround the ring on both sides, glaring Xander down. Caroline then goes and grabs Jake a microphone, placing it in his hand as he enters the ring. He walks right up to Xander and begins to speak.)
Jake Smith: Surprised Xander?
Xander Payne: I’m surprised that you managed to fly all the way to France…and forget a toothbrush.
Jake Smith: That’s genuinely hilarious, pal. A real side-splitter. But you want to know what the actual gut-buster was? It was the absolute trouncing we handed you last week on Voltage. Remember that? Because judging by how you’re strutting around now, chest puffed out like a puffed-up peacock, making all these grand demands of me as if you suddenly grew a spine and some authority, you seem to have forgotten. Let me be unequivocally clear, Xander: I am not afraid of you.
(As he says this, he gets right up into the face of Xander, staring right down without blinking. He then reels back a bit and paces around the ring.)
Jake Smith: Not an even iota. Not even the slightest tremor of intimidation runs through me when you’re around. If last week’s decisive victory wasn’t enough to hammer that truth home for you, then let me deliver it to you personally, right here, right now, with every fiber of my being. You can huff and puff all you want, but the reality is, you’re a paper tiger. Last week, we exposed that, and if you think a week has changed anything, you’re living in a fantasy. Your bravado is nothing more than a flimsy facade, and quite frankly, it’s pathetic. So go ahead, keep making your empty threats. They mean absolutely nothing to me, especially not after we beat the crap out of you. Hell, especially since this season you have made it damn clear that you are the half the man you used to be.
Xander Payne: Jake, I’m genuinely baffled by your current delusion. What exactly is your problem right now? Because, and let me be absolutely clear about this, I had no beef with you. None whatsoever. As far as I was concerned, any lingering animosity or rivalry between us was decisively put to rest when I beat you not that long ago. I moved on. I buried the hatchet. And you, my friend, are going to deeply regret not having done the same. Now, here you are, back in my face, clinging to some past slight like a desperate, crazy ex-girlfriend who just can’t let go. See, you didn’t just ‘make a problem’ last week. You actively, deliberately, and with full intent, ignited a new conflict. Which, let’s be honest, was precisely what you were trying to accomplish, wasn’t it? Stir the pot, get a reaction, feel relevant. But now, you are going to be forced to grapple with the very real, very severe consequences of those reckless actions. And quite frankly, considering every single opportunity you’ve fumbled and every single ball you’ve dropped this entire season, it’s glaringly obvious that you are utterly, demonstrably not equipped to deal with them. You’re out of your depth, Jake. You always have been.
(That comment seems to draw the ire of Jake Smith. He looks agitated as he goes to reply.)
Jake Smith: Out of my depth? MY DEPTH? Xander, where is your world title match? Oh wait, you don’t have a match at Pain for Pride either. Because, Xander, this season hasn’t been treating you kindly, has it? Let’s jog your memory, shall we? Limmy Monaghan didn’t just beat you; he desecrated your family name. He took your flesh and blood, your own wife, and subjected her to a spectacle of pure, unadulterated torment, electrocuting her in front of millions of eyes, a public humiliation that would break a lesser man. And where were you, Xander? Helpless. Watching. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he systematically dismantled you at Grand Rampage. You were left sprawled on that canvas, a crumpled heap of what once was, unable to answer the referee’s count. Ten. Long. Seconds.
Jake Smith: That wasn’t just a loss, Xander; that was an indictment. It was a declaration to the world that you are no longer the man to be feared. And before that, you couldn’t even get the job done against Solomon Stane. You came out of retirement only to be utterly humiliated. Strapped into that chair, rendered completely powerless by that biblical phallus. You came back to conquer, and instead, you became a prop in someone else’s highlight reel. So, I ask you, Xander, with all sincerity: what is there to fear from you these days? Seriously? You’re not out of your depth, Xander. You’re simply out of time.
(The smirk on Xander’s face fades and he is back to looking deadly serious. He approaches Jake Smith and puts his finger right in his face.)
Xander Payne: I’m not the one out of time Jake. What are you without the little bit of spotlight you had? You’re already shriveling up here bud. You practically had a stroke before Sabrina the Teenage Witch over here put some ideas in your head. You come out here and you look to make a statement.
Jake Smith: And I’ve done a damn good job of doing that.
Xander Payne: Yeah, you have. But you made the biggest mistake of your career thinking that it would be at my expense. Because I’m not going to take this lying down. No, you wanted some relevancy, you want to have something else to do besides watch the big show from catering….you got it. It’s you and me Jake. One on one. At Pain for Pride. Since you don’t have the stomach to come on out and say it yourself, I’ll lay down the gauntlet.
(Jake Smith walks around the ring in silence for a moment. He seems to be pondering the challenge. He exchanges a glance with Caroline.)
Xander Payne: What’s the matter tough guy? It is a yes or no answer. Do you accept my challenge or not? I’m not out here to play games with you. Answer me. Now.
(As Jake Smith goes to answer…”Judas” by Lady Gaga interrupts the thought. Holly Arrow out onto the stage meaning business.)
Rich Russillo: Holly Arrow is out here now! Last week she came to the aid of Xander when he was being attacked! I wonder what she has to say about all this?
Holly Arrow: You know, I was just standing in the back there listening to all this dick-swinging. It gave me an idea.
Jake Smith: An idea? What are you talking about?
Holly Arrow: I mean, we could do Jake Smith versus Xander Payne at Pain for Pride. That is certainly an idea that is on the table right now. And who wouldn’t want to see that? There is a lot of history there. A lot that could be unpacked but there is also the history here too. Me and you Jake. And there was all that business last week wasn’t there? You and Caroline attacked my opponent after the match. Did you actually think I was going to sit there and do nothing about that? So yeah, the two of you could run this back Mano y Mano. We could see Xander Payne versus Jake Smith at Pain for Pride.
Holly Arrow: Or we could have a tag team match.
(The crowd erupts at the idea, seemingly very much into it. Jake Smith doesn’t seem to know what to say again. She wastes no time getting in the ring and staring down Caroline while standing next to Xander.)
Holly Arrow: Is this not the type of opportunity that you want Jake? You and Caroline versus me and Xander Payne. It’s perfect when you think about it. And you know what? I think the EAW Universe thinks the same thing.
Jake Smith: A tag team match? Really?
Xander Payne: Why not?
Holly Arrow: Unless you don’t want a match at Pain for Pride? But we all know how desperate you are at this point. It seems like the best idea for everyone.
(Jake Smith goes to answer but as he does, Caroline grabs his hand. She then tears the microphone out of it and stares down both Xander and Holly.)
Caroline: We accept.
Persephone: Welp, I guess Jake Smith got what he wanted. A match.
Rich Russillo: BUT HOLLY ARROW IS GETTING MORE THAN SHE JUST BARGAINED FOR! CAROLINE GOES FOR THE POISON MIST ON XANDER PAYNE! She wanted to blind him right there but Payne was able to duck under it!
Persephone: She’s about to regret that one. HOLLY ARROW GETS HER WITH THE PALM STRIKE RIGHT TO THE THROAT! XANDER PAYNE GETS JAKE SMITH RIGHT ON THE FOREHEAD WITH A HEADBUTT! Damn, they really just took the two of them down a leg there.
Rich Russillo: Arrow and Xander now grab Smith and Caroline…tossing them right out of the ring! They land on the floor and immediately begin scrambling up towards the stage! It seems like there was definitely a statement made!
(Jake Smith and Caroline collect themselves and glare back into the ring.)
Persephone: They really look mad here. I mean, they started this anyway. But I have a feeling that they’re going to find some way to get even with Xander and Holly.
Rich Russillo: Folks, Jake Smith has punched his ticket to Pain for Pride! We are going to have an absolutely fantastic tag team match! I’m excited for it!
(Xander Payne and Holly Arrow stand tall in the ring. Meanwhile Jake Smith is seen heading back towards the ring for his match.)
Jake Smith (off-mic): I’m not getting in there until these savages leave.
(The official talks to the two of them and they begin heading back towards the stage. Smith slides in the ring looking annoyed as he preps for the next match.)
(They stop at the stage and Jake Smith grabs the official. He’s telling them to do something and the referee calls for security. They come out onto the stage and escort Payne and Arrow backstage as we go to a commercial.)
(A promotional ad for Pain for Pride airs, featuring the newly signed tag team match between the team of Xander Payne and Holly Arrow against Jake Smith and Caroline!)
(Voltage returns to ringside.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING IS A SINGLES MATCH SET FOR ONE-FALL!
(Jake Smith is already in the ring, pacing back and forth and speaking with Caroline.)
Bella Braxton: ALREADY IN THE RING…ACCOMPANIED BY CAROLINE…FROM PARTS UNKNOWN…WEIGHING IN AT AN UNKNOWN WEIGHT…HE IS “THE PROCESS”…JAKKKKEEE SMIITTTHH!
(‘No One Knows’ by Queens of the Stone Age begins to play as the arena goes dark. ABSOLUTE TOP CUNT appears on the titantron before Halsey Neel walks out like a rockstar. Pandora Paisley is right behind her.)
Bella Braxton: AND HIS OPPONENT…REPRESENTING THE BRITISH INVASION, AND ACCOMPANIED BY PANDORA PAISLEY…FROM BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND…WEIGHING IN AT 149 POUNDS…SHE IS ONE HALF OF THE EAW UNIFIED CHAMPIONS…”THE UPSET QUEEN”…HAALLLLSEEEEYYYY NEEELLL!
(She gets down to the ring and Pandora Paisley immediately heads towards Caroline. She gets her to back up as Neel makes her way inside the ring. Neel holds up the tag team championship before handing it off to the official. From there, she goes to her corner and the official calls for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: And with that ring of the bell, this match is now officially underway here! AND THERE IS NOT EVEN AN OUNCE OF HESITATION FROM NEEL OUT OF THE GATE HERE! SHE RUSHES DOWN SMITH AND DROPS HIM WITH THE SHORT-ARM CLOTHESLINE! He looks shocked as he scrambles back up to his feet! As he does, she gets him across the chest with the knife edge chop! Smith stumbles back from the impact, finding himself in the corner!
Persephone: Damn, she’s going all cobra Kai here. No mercy. She sprints into the corner and makes the attempt at the back elbow! BUT SMITH COUNTERS BY RAISING UP THE KNEES! He manages to catch her in the back with them! AND THEN FROM BEHIND HE GETS HER WITH THE CHOPBLOCK! He takes her knee out, nearly flipping her over in the process!
Rich Russillo: Smith now looks to control the pace here! He comes in from behind with the chin lock! A lot of pressure applied here but Neel is bringing the fight right back! She takes hold of his hands, prying the fingers off from around her face! HE PULLS HIS ARM FREE AND NAILS HER WITH A FOREARM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD INSTEAD! She’s knocked right back down to her knees…and now he gets her in the headlock! Look at the smirk on his face as he locks in it! Smith is feeling confident in these early goings!
Persephone: But that confidence begins to wane as he takes an elbow in the stomach from Neel! She manages to pull her head through and out, getting behind Jake Smith now! SHE LOOKS FOR HER OWN HOLD HERE! She wants to help Smith take a nap as the sleeper hold is locked in! Damn, she is being absolutely vicious now! She is squeezing with everything she’s got and Smith’s face is already turning a little red! He lunges forward though and takes hold of the ropes! The official calls for the break!
Rich Russillo: As soon as the referee begins to pull Neel away…SMITH BREAKS THROUGH WITH A BACK ELBOW! He then takes hold of her…and sends her into the corner with a big Irish whip! She collides with the turnbuckles with force! SMITH DOESN’T LET UP! HE GETS HER WITH A CORNER ENZIGURI! Neel stumbles towards the center of the ring and Smith runs the ropes! HE GETS SOME SPEED AND THEN LOOKS FOR THE CLOTHESLINE!
Persephone: It almost worked too. BUT SHE DUCKS RIGHT UNDER IT! Jake Smith keeps going with the momentum and catches himself on the ropes! He turns around though…AND HE’S MET WITH A BIG BOOT! It knocks him over the top rope and out onto the ringside floor here! Smith takes hold of the apron and begins to pull himself back to his feet! NEEL GETS HIM WITH A SLIDING DROPKICK ON HER WAY OUT THERE!
Rich Russillo: He’s knocked right down and things are not looking good for Smith! Neel drags him up to his feet and gets him above her shoulders! BUT HE SLIPS RIGHT OFF THEM AND GETS BEHIND HER! WITH DESPERATE HE SHOVES HER FORWARD RIGHT INTO THE CORNER POST! Her forehead bounced right off the steel and I think she might be knocked out! Smith picks her up and throws her back inside the ring! He looks for the cover!
ONE!
TW-
Persephone: And of course she manages to kick out there. Halsey was never going to be down by something like that. Jake Smith of course is going to pick the offense back up here. He grabs her and hoists her up into the air. Oh, I think he might be considering doing a little bit of brain busting right now.
Rich Russillo: But Halsey Neel is able to drive her knee down into his head! She lands on her feet as he drops her back down! NEEL GETS SMITH WITH THE DOUBLE SLAP TO THE FACE! Those were extremely stiff and I think they knocked some sense right out of her opponent! From there…SHE GETS HIM WITH THE STEP-UP KNEE STRIKE! GOD! I think one of those pearly whites of his just landed out there in the audience! That’s definitely a collector’s item! The offense continues even further…AS SHE LOOKS FOR THE EXPLODER SUPLEX!
Persephone: But Jake Smith gets her with an elbow in the side of the head! He then shoves her away but she’s like an animal here. SHE LUNGES AT HIM WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF HESITATION! BUT SMITH RESPONDS WITH A KNEE RIGHT TO THE STOMACH! He then grabs her by the head and brings her in for another one! He practically keels over from the impact! Smith has her in a position her needs here! HE GETS HER UP ABOVE HIS HEAD! HERE COMES THE POWERBOMB!
Rich Russillo: But it doesn’t like it was meant to be! She reigns down as many fists as she can! She is just beating the crap out of him from up there! Eventually he has no choice but to drop her back down! Neel is able to land on her feet! As soon as she does…SHE NAILS HIM IN THE FACE WITH A THRUST KICK! He’s dropped down to a knee and from there…HE EATS A NASTY ROUNDHOUSE KICK! He might be literally knocked out right now! Neel hooks the leg and goes for the cover!
ONE!
TW-
Persephone: Yikes. That vicious combo wasn’t even close to getting the job done. Maybe try it again. This time with meaning.
RIch Russillo: That does seem to be her intent here! She grabs him by the arm and drags him back up to his feet! SHE GETS HIM WITH A BEAUTIFUL PUMPHANDLE EXPLODER SUPLEX! As soon as Smith hits the mat he rolls…all the way out of the ring again! Halsey Neel goes to the outside in pursuit! This time she seems more cautious because of what happened earlier in the match! HE TRIES TO SURPRISE HER WITH A SUPERKICK BUT SHE AVOIDS IT! INSTEAD SHE SHOVES HIM RIGHT INTO THE POST! He stumbles off of it and she lifts him up! SAITO SUPLEX!
Persephone: BUT HE MANAGES TO FLIP OVERHEAD! He lands on his feet and once again he shoves Neel right into the post! SHE MANAGES TO STOP HERSELF JUST BEFORE THE IMPACT! Smith doesn’t like that one bit! He comes in from behind…AND NEEL THROWS HIM INTO THE POST INSTEAD! His face bashes right off of it and honestly? It’ll make him look a little better. Neel grabs him and tosses him back inside the ring! From there, she makes her way up onto the ropes! HERE COMES THE DIVING SENTON!
Rich Russillo: JAKE SMITH ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! Halsey Neel crashes down spine first onto the mat! It looks like she might have had the wind knocked out of her there! There is minimal hesitation from Smith as he picks her back up! HE CONNECTS WITH THE GERMAN SUPLEX! He keeps a hold of her as he rolls back up to his feet! HE THEN GETS HER WITH A NECKBREAKER! That right there was a brutal combination! Smith isn’t quite done yet! HE PUTS HER IN THE CLOVERLEAF SUBMISSION!
Persephone: Damn, that’s gotta hurt with Jake’s fat ass weighing down on her. You know, her spine’s gotta be close to snapping especially after that botched senton. Neel seems to be attempting to crawl towards the ropes but like…is she actually going to move Smith?
Rich Russillo: IT SURE SEEMS LIKE IT! Halsey Neel is crawling for her life here and she actually gets a hand on the bottom rope! The referee separates the two and Jake Smith doesn’t seem super pleased about that! He releases the hold and gets up into the face of the official! Meanwhile, Neel is beginning to get back up onto her feet!
Persephone: NEEL TRIES TO TAKE HIM DOWN FROM BEHIND! She looks for a discus elbow strike but he ducks under it! NEEL STOPS HERSELF JUST BEFORE SHE MAKES CONTACT WITH THE REF! That could have been really funny. INSTEAD SMITH COMES IN FROM BEHIND WITH THE LUNGBLOWER! The knees are driven right into her back and Smith scrambles on top of her for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Rich Russillo: BUT NEEL IS ABLE TO KICK OUT! That was a nice try from Smith but it didn’t pan out for him! He gets back up to his feet, dragging Halsey with him! HE ROCKS HER WITH A MASSIVE FOREARM! Now he’s dragging her opponent towards the corner of the ring! HE BOOTS HER IN THE STOMACH AND THEN MAKES HIS WAY UP ONTO THE MIDDLE ROPE! HE’S SETTING UP FOR THAT HELL ABOVE!
Persephone: NEEL LUNGES FORWARD AND GETS HIM RIGHT IN THE JAW WITH A JUMPING HEADBUTT! He begins to fall forward but she lifts him up onto the top rope instead! SHE CLIMBS UP AFTER HIM AND GETS HIM WITH ANOTHER HEADBUTT! She then unleashes a flurry of forearms…practically caving his stupid face in! SHE NOW GRABS HIM AND SHE’S STARTING TO LIFT HIM UP! HERE COMES THE AVALANCHE BRAINBUSTER!
Rich Russillo: But he doesn’t want permanent brain damage! HE LIFTS HER UP AND TOSSES HER FORWARD INSTEAD! He just bailed himself out there! AND NOW HE LOOKS FOR THE HELL ABOVE ONE MORE TIME! Neel through is able to avoid it! Smith lands on his feet and tries to steady himself…BUT NEEL GRABS HIM AND SPIKES HIM DOWN WITH A DRAGON SUPLEX! HE LANDS ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD AND ROLLS BACKWARDS INTO THE CORNER! SHE RUNS FORWARD AND DELIVERS A RUNNING KNEE! THEN SHE PULLS HIM UP…WHAT’S THE STORY, MORNING GLORY?! The air raid crash neckbreaker connects and she goes for a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Persephone: There’s no way. Smith manages to get his foot on the bottom rope! The official notices it at the three count! Seems like Halsey Neel should have thought about positioning.
Rich Russillo: She’s about to! SHE DRAGS HIM BACK TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE RING AND GETS HIM IN THE TRIANGLE ARMBAR! She manages to get the full extension here and it seems like she’s going to tear that arm right off of him! Jake Smith tries to drag his opponent towards the ropes but he’s struggling to get his footing here! SO INSTEAD HE CHOOSES TO GO UP! HE BEGINS TO PULL NEEL UP, LIFTING HER INTO THE AIR WITH THE HOLD STILL LOCKED IN! HE THEN DROPS HER INTO THE MAT WITH AN IMPROVISED POWERBOMB TO BREAK THE HOLD!
Persephone: Look at him, he’s taking a few steps back to evaluate the situation! He then realizes what he wants to do next! He takes hold of Neel and pulls her to the outside! HE PICKS HER UP AND DRIVES HER INTO THE RINGSIDE BARRICADE! You know, he sure does love everything outside here. And look at that, he’s bringing her over to the ring post again. I do wonder what he might want to do here. What a shocker! He tries throwing her into it!
Rich Russillo: ONCE AGAIN THOUGH NEEL IS ABLE TO BLOCK IT! SHE TURNS AROUND AND NAILS HIM WITH A HEADBUTT! SHE THEN GETS HIM IN POSITION FOR A POWERBOMB AIMED DIRECTLY AT! Jake Smith though is able to counter with the hurricarana! Neel rolls toward the post as Smith gets up…AND HE GETS HER WITH A SUPERKICK THAT BOUNCES HER HEAD OFF THE METAL! Neel might have a concussion here! Smith rolls her back inside the ring and drags the barely moving Neel to her feet! HE HITS THE PROPHETIC! This has to be it! He looks for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
T-
Persephone: Holy crap. She actually kicked out of that. Maybe there is something empowering about brain damage? Smith doesn’t look too happy with that! He’s insisting to the official that the count was there! The official doesn’t change his mind so Smith resorts to more dire means! He gets Neel back on her feet and sends her across the ring with an Irish whip! OFF THE REBOUND HE THROWS HER UP FOR THE LAST SEDATION!
Rich Russillo: BUT ON THE WAY DOWN SHE SLAMS AN ELBOW INTO THE TOP OF HIS HEAD! He drops her down and she immediately takes him down with the exploder suplex! SHE THEN FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH THE DOUBLE STOMP RIGHT INTO THE STERNUM! That definitely had to hurt there! Smith is suddenly the one lying back first on the mat! Who knows for how long as Neel circles around him like a vulture!
Persephone: PENALTY KICK RIGHT ACROSS THE BACK! She gets him right in the spine there! She reaches down picks him back up…AND TRIES TO SPIKE HIM DOWN WITH THE URANAGE! Jake Smith is able to counter, taking her down with a quick arm drag! As she goes to get up, he quickly takes a hold of her and puts her into the mat with a DDT! Her face bounces off the mat with vicious force! That doesn’t seem very good for her.
Rich Russillo: No it doesn’t! Smith just took down Neel in a single move! He now brings up her to feet and grabs her hair! HE BRINGS HER IN THE KNEE STRIKES! Each one is more violent than the last as he attempts to cave her entire face in here! Neel is looking out of it after those hits, so Jake Smith drags her over to the corner! HE PLACES HER UP ONTO THE TOP ROPE! HE LEAPS UO AFTER HER…HE’S TRYING FOR THE AVALANCHE HURRICARANA!
Persephone: OH SHIT! She catches him up there! I don’t know how she’s lugging his ass like she is, but Halsey Neel is carrying Smith! SHE PULLS HIM UP AND DROPS HIM DOWN ONTO THE MAT WITH A POWERBOMB! SHE THEN TAKES HIS ARM AND DRAGS HIM UP ONTO HIS FEET! SHE DELIVERS THE RIPCORD QUESTION MARK KICK! A NIGHT AT THE OPERA! She just obliterated Jake Smith and now she’s hooking the leg for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-
Rich Russillo: I don’t know how but Jake Smith got his shoulder up even after that! Clearly he’s operating purely on spite at this moment! Halsey Neel looks shocked that she’s not having her hand raised in her this moment! But she isn’t going to let any of this stop her! SHE TAKES HOLD OF SMITH AND TRIES TO GET HIM UP FOR THE THE WALL! COULD WE SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB RIGHT HERE?
Persephone: Apparently not! Jake Smith manages to get out of it! He gets behind Neel and gets her with a superkick right to the back of the knee! HE FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH ONE TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Neel collapses onto the mat and definitely has some sort of head trauma. Jake Smith now picks her back up, leaving her on the knees. He begins to pick up some speed and I think we all know what he wants to do here! HERE COMES THE GOD COMPLEX!
Rich Russillo: BUT NEEL MANAGES TO DUCK UNDER IT JUST BEFORE IMPACT! She springs up onto her feet and looks to capitalize! SHE LOOKS FOR THE BICYCLE KICK AS SMITH TRIES TO GET UP! But Smith catches the leg and spins her around! HE GETS HER WITH A BACKDROP SUPLEX AND THEN SPRINGS BACK ONTO HIS FEET! HE THEN FOLLOWS THAT UP BY DROPPING A KNEE DOWN RIGHT ON HER HEAD! He’s cooking here! HE PUTS HER IN THE CROSSFACE!
Persephone: Damn she is slippery! Neel manages to escape before the hold is truly applied. She gets back up to her feet but is definitely looking staggered! She tries to catch Jake Smith with a discus elbow but he ducks under it and lifts her into the air! LAST SEDATION! HE GETS HER WITH THE POP-UP POWERBOMB OUT OF NOWHERE! He rolls on top of her for the cover and this is thankfully the end!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-
Rich Russillo: WOW! SHE KICKS OUT! Halsey Neel stays alive here tonight! Jake Smith looks furious and so does Caroline out there at ringside! The two of them are now arguing with the official, clearly insisting that it was a three count! Pandora Paisley comes over and begins to argue with Caroline! The official seems to be busy with all of this as Jake Smith turns back around to deal with Neel!
Persephone: AND NEEL MANAGES TO SURPRISE HIM WITH A HUGE EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! It knocks him back and Halsey is back up now! Both of these dudes are looking rough right now. SMITH FIRES BACK WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT OF HIS OWN! Oh good look at this! We are now getting an exchange here as both competitors are going back and forth! Each one is hitting harder than the last! SMITH FINALLY BREAKS THE STALEMATE WITH A BIG SLAP RIGHT ACROSS THE FACE OF NEEL!
Rich Russillo: SHE GETS HIM WITH A STEP-UP ENZIGURI IN RETURN! Jake Smith is stunned here for a moment and that is all she needs! NEEL GOES IN FOR THE ALABAMA SLAM! BUT JAKE SMITH ROLLS THROUGH INTO A SUNSET FLIP PIN! HE GOES FOR THE COVER AND HE MIGHT STEAL IT RIGHT HERE!
Persephone: HALSEY TURNS IT AROUND INTO A PIN OF HER OWN!
Rich Russillo: AND JAKE IMMEDIATELY GETS OUT OF IT- BUT AS SOON AS BOTH ELITISTS ARE BACK UP, HALSEY IS ABLE TO DROP JAKE WITH THE WALL!!! THE WALL CONNECTS, AND NOW HALSEY NEEL GOES FOR THE COVER!!!
Persephone: BUT THE STUPID REF IS TOO BUSY DEALING WITH CAROLINE AND PANDORA TO PAY ATTENTION! He’s not even counting the cover here as he’s trying to break up the argument before it gets physical! What a waste of time, I wanted this to end-
(*CRACK!*)
Rich Russillo: WAIT A MINUTE! THAT’S RAVEN ROBERTS! SHE SLIPS UNDERNEATH THE ROPES WITH THE STEAL CHAIR AND SMASHES IT RIGHT ON THE HEAD OF HALSEY NEEL! Pandora shoves Caroline away and leaps up onto the apron to save her partner!
Persephone: BUT NOW REX IS HERE! HE PULLS HER OFF THE APRON AND A BRAWL IS BEGINNING HERE! RAVEN CONTINUES ATTACKING HALSEY, AND THE REFEREE IS SEEING ALL OF IT! The ref finally pulls his hand out of the sand and calls for the bell!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Chaos is unfolding here and it seems like we don’t have an official winner! Jake Smith has rolled out of the ring during this brawl between the two teams, and now he and Caroline up the ramp, clearly looking to avoid everything that is beginning to unfold! Unfortunately this match is over, as now a brawl has begun!
Persephone: Oh look…the cavalry.
Rich Russillo: AND THAT LOOKS LIKE JON KELTON AND BRONSON DANIELS! ELYSIUM IS NOW HEADING DOWN TOWARDS THE RING!
Persephone: Looks like they’re joining in on the chaos. They’re trying to fight off Fire and Ice alongside Neel and Paisley! Even more of a brawl is happening here and things are just out of control! I love it! KELTON SLIDES INTO THE RING, AND NOW HE RUNS AT REX BEFORE GOING FOR THE FINAL ATONEMENT!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT REX MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AND KELTON COLLIDES WITH PANDORA PAISLEY INSTEAD!
(Jon Kelton stops in his tracks, surprised after accidentally taking out Pandora with that spear, which clearly wasn’t his plan. Kelton looks at Pandora for a moment to make sure she’s okay.)
Persephone: He looks completely shocked! That’s hilarious! Kelton accidently took out Pandora! HE TRIED TO CHECK ON PANDORA, BUT HE DOESN’T GET MUCH TIME TO DO SO AS REX JUST BOOTED HIM IN THE FACE!
Rich Russillo: BRONSON HELPS HIS TEAMMATE AS HE PULLS REX OFF OF KELTON AND FIGHTS HIM, MEANWHILE HALSEY PUSHES RAVEN AWAY AS SHE RUSHES TO HELP PANDORA BACK UP, BUT THERE GOES RAVEN TO PUT A STOP TO THAT!
Persephone: UGH, COME ON! SECURITY IS RUNNING DOWN THE RAMP TO STOP THE FIGHT! BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Rich Russillo: And now security is officially breaking this all up! Look at how fast this all erupted here tonight!
(The camera focuses in on the teams in the ring. The British Invasion, Fire and Ice and Elysium are all held on opposite sides of the ring. The camera fades.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues forward as we see Bridget Bridget backstage on her phone as she looks to be once again on Instagram as she is looking for some questions from her fans and followers. She is seen wearing her ring gear as she has a match later tonight, teaming with someone that she had a run-in with last week, Ashlynn Quinn. Bridget would say to those that are watching her live…)
Bridget Bridget: Like, oh my God, guys! You’re telling me that I have to team with her tonight??? Ashlynn Quinn??? After what she was saying to me last week, God, why do I have to team with her? Like, sure, she’s alright in terms of looks, but to say she’s prettier than me is laughable. Like, come on, I am as pretty as pretty can get. I’m sure you all can agree with me on that? And the fact that Ashlynn is in the New Breed Championship match as well??? UGHH!
(Bridget scrolls through her comments as she spots one and says…)
Bridget Bridget: You’re exactly right, Bridgetfan00011, Ashlynn shouldn’t be in that match at Pain for Pride. Like, we have to be serious here…
???: You’re that jealous, huh?
(Bridget turns around as the camera pans over to reveal Ashlynn Quinn standing beside her. Bridget is a little surprised that she was nearby as Ashlynn continues to speak…)
Ashlynn Quinn: Now I understand, Bridget, you’re so mad that someone as GORGEOUS as me is in the New Breed Championship match at Pain for Pride. Trust me, I would, too. If I were someone else, let’s say, you, for example, and I saw someone who looked as pretty as me was in a title match over them, it’s only natural for all the other uggos to feel some type of way. I make all the other ladies jealous of not just how I look but what I bring to the table, and soon enough, I’m going to be the winner that walks out of Pain for Pride with my first Championship and takes that title away from that little weirdo Effy.
(Bridget looks appalled as she turns around to face her phone and says…)
Bridget Bridget: Can you believe this chat??? THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE!
(Bridget turns to face Ashlynn again as she says to her…)
Bridget Bridget: Of course, I’m mad that you’re in that New Breed Championship match at Pain for Pride, not because I think you’re prettier than me, but because of how unfair it all is. I mean, YOU getting into that match and not me is ridiculous! A robbery! I’m better than you, Ashlynn, inside this ring and outside the ring. I have better followers and fans than you, and whenever I’m in that squared circle, I’m always outshining you every time. The last thing I would be jealous of is your looks, and yeah, you look good, but you’re not hotter than me whatsoever. If anyone, and I mean ANYONE, is deserving to be in that New Breed Championship at Pain for Pride, it should be me!! I should be competing for that New Breed Championship, not you; you don’t deserve to, especially not after the way you were talking to me last week. Let me give you some words that you can learn from: saying stuff that isn’t true isn’t great for your health. My chat was telling me that on my stream the other day.
(Ashlynn takes offense at Bridget not liking the fact that she’s in the New Breed title match and not her, as Ashlynn responds to Bridget by saying…)
Ashlynn Quinn: UMMMM…. OKAY? Listen, Bridget, if you’re going to be so mad that I’m in the New Breed title match at Pain for Pride and you’re not, let me remind you and your obsessive, wrong fans about a… FACT CHECK! You already had your championship opportunity against Effy for the New Breed title. You had that match at Golden Gods, that should have been your opportunity to win and enter Pain for Pride as Champion, but guess what?? THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN. You had your shot before, and you blew it away, so don’t be so mad that I’m getting this opportunity now. You couldn’t get the job done against Effy, so that’s your fault that you’re in this match, not mine. Maybe you can wait around after Pain for Pride when I take that title from her.
(Bridget looks more annoyed than Ashlynn as she responds right back to her by saying…)
Bridget Bridget: Ummmmm… you think that’s a diss towards me? Look, that match was a fluke, just like the win that vulture Selina got on me weeks ago was also a fluke. These were one-time instances where I was pinned because, in the end, I’m going to be someone who’s going to bring all the fame and attention here as I rack up title wins and even more money from my outside ventures. Compared to you, though, Ashlynn, you have been losing ALL SEASON! You have been on the downward slope all season long, and now suddenly you’re good enough to compete in a championship match at Pain for Pride? That is insulting to me, and quite frankly, the more stunning girl should be in the match to improve it, not Ashlynn Quinn.
Ashlynn Quinn: AS IF! Look, hun, you had your chance at Golden Gods, you had your opportunity, and you couldn’t capitalize! Don’t project your failure at winning the title from Effy onto me; this opportunity that I have is the biggest one I’ve had since I challenged Cameron Ella Ava for her Hardcore Championship. While this season may not have been the best, I’m going to end it on a high note and walk out of Barcelona with the New Breed Championship. Maybe we’ll still do that collab because, after all, you would love the attention I would bring to your basement-dwelling fans.
Bridget Bridget: Getting attention from you? AH! Listen, I was all for the collab even after your words from last week, because after all, I am a businesswoman, but don’t be so insulting towards my loving fanbase. It’s okay to be a little jealous that all my fans adore me and are constantly asking questions on all platforms. They all know how talented I am in this ring, and they love the content I provide for them. They all know that I’m the biggest star this company has and that everyone else on this roster doesn’t even come close to me, so the fact you got a title match at Pain for Pride while I don’t is again ridiculous! We all know if we put Ashlynn Quinn in this position, you weren’t going to succeed, but put me in your spot, and a new champion will be crowned at Pain for Pride.
(Ashlynn looks very annoyed now at Bridget Bridget who tries to downplay her once more as Ashlynn responds by saying…)
Ashlynn Quinn: You know what… enough of this. Since you’re SOOO clearly upset and jealous over my championship match at Pain for Pride and how these last few weeks have been, it’s time we settle this in the ring. We teamed together against Damien and Akari tonight, but next week let’s have a match and settle our issues at the Beach Brawl Voltage show. We can settle the score between us and prove without a shadow that the prettiest here is Ashlynn Quinn. So are you up for the challenge, Bridget??
(Bridget takes a moment to consider Ashlynn’s challenge before she looks back at her phone and asks her Instagram Live viewers…)
Bridget Bridget: Hey chat! Do you think I should accept Ashlynn’s challenge for Beach Brawl next week?
(Ashlynn would roll her eyes at Bridget asking her to chat as all the comments on the Instagram Live would have everyone spamming yes to her question as Bridget looks back at Ashlynn and tells her…)
Bridget Bridget: Yeah, Ashlynn, I accept your challenge for next week. We’ll team together tonight, but next week I’m going to show you who’s the prettiest, the hottest, and the sexiest here and why you shouldn’t be having your title match in the first place. Once you get outmatched and outclassed by me, with your shoulders pinned to the ground… You won’t even want to show up to Pain for Pride and compete for that New Breed Championship. You’ll be too embarrassed and humbled that your status as Miss Voltage won’t mean a thing when I’m the one standing tall when our match is over and done with. So I’ll see you there, “partner.”
(Bridget looks before she goes back to the phone and starts talking to her fans and viewers again. She walks off the scene as the camera pans over to Ashlynn Quinn, who has a heated look on her face as she says…)
Ashlynn Quinn: UGH! I have to team up with her tonight, God help me…
(Ashlynn then walks off the scene herself as the segment quickly fades as we transition back to the ringside for our next matchup here on Sunday Night Voltage.)
(Commercial for Star Wars Battlefront 2 with Jake Smith.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR…ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(‘Juno’ by Sabrina Carpenter plays to a negative reaction from fans, and Ashlynn Quinn makes his way onto the stage area, striking a pose before “Bad Bitch” by Bebe Rexha immediately interrupts. Bridget Bridget pays Ashlynn Quinn no attention as she brushes past her, bumping shoulders. Quinn looks offended, but shrugs it off for now as she walks down the ramp as well.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! At a combined weight of 229 pounds… THE TEAM OF ASHLYNN QUINN AND BRIDGET BRIDGET!!
Rich Russillo: Bridget Bridget and Ashlynm Quinn already don’t like each other-
Persephone: So, you know what that means, Rich?? Can they coexist?!
Rich Russillo: We’ll see, but their entrances tonight are already not a good sign.
(“24s (Vocals Only)” by T.I. plays to a mixed reaction from fans as Damien Kutcher struts onto the stage, standing alongside his tag team partner, Akari Kiyoko, with Luna Adeline standing in the middle on the stage area. Flanking the pair as they saunter down to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: And their opponents! At a combined weight of 427 pounds, accompanied by Luna Adeline… THE TEAM OF DAMIEN KUTCHER AND AKARI KIYOKO… SHOWTIME!
Rich Russillo: Meanwhile, look at Showtime. These two are a unit, coming out together.
Persephone: Funny, because just weeks ago they were at each others throats.
Rich Russillo: What matters is: they managed to get back on track, which not every team does, so I gotta commend them for it. We’ll see how they fare against Bridget and Ashlynn… with Ashlynn needing to pick up momentum heading into Pain for Pride.
(The referee signals to the bell as both Kutcher and Quinn start things off.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: So, it’s Damien Kutcher and Ashlynn Quinn starting things off against each other! This oughta be interesting. I’m excited to see what this clash of styles will lead to as both competitors initiate a collar and elbow tie-up in the center of the ring! Kutcher gets the upper hand with a standing side headlock, and wrenches on the hold!
Persephone: Great, because that’s what we need more of. “Holds.”
Rich Russillo: Fear not, because Quinn escapes it by bouncing Kutcher off the ropes! DAMIEN REBOUNDS BACK WITH A SHOULDER TACKLE! FLOORING HIS OPPOSITION, AND USING THAT STRENGTH ADVANTAGE BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE ROPES AGAIN! QUINN ROLLS OVER ONTO HER BELLY FOR A DROP DOWN, AND KUTCHER HURDLES OVER! ASHLYNN POPS TO HER FEET AS HE COMES REBOUNDING BACK, AND GOES TO LEAPFROG OVER-
Rich Russillo: BUT SHE GETS CAUGHT OUT OF MID AIR BY KUTCHER IN POSITION FOR A SPINEBUSTER! KUTCHER GOES TO WALK WITH ASHLYNN TO HIS CORNER, A PLACE NO ONE WANTS TO BE IN A TAG MATCH! BUT QUINN SLITHERS OVER HIS SHOULDER, AND STACKS HIM ONTO HIS SHOULDERS WITH A SUNSET FLIP!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Persephone: Dammit, almost.
Rich Russillo: BUT KUTCHER KICKS OUT, AND BOTH COMPETITORS RUSH TO THEIR FEET WITH DAMIEN TAKING THE FIRST SHOT! DELIVERING A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION, DOUBLING QUINN OVER FOR A SIDE HEADLOCK TAKEDOWN!
Persephone: Sure, Kutcher has regained control of the match, but imagine if he actually lost the match there. We might have to revisit the weak link conversation again.
Rich Russillo: I don’t think either member of Showtime has a clear weak link, they’re both supremely talented.
Persephone: Yeah, yeah. Every team has a weak link. Check Showdown for example with Jon Kelton and Bronson Daniels. There’s only one weak link on that team, and it ain’t the latter.
Rich Russillo: Whoa, where did the vendetta with Elysium come from?
Persephone: Hey, I’m just saying…
Rich Russillo: I guess we’ll agree to disagree on that, but that’s what makes our chemistry so strong if you think about it. The fact we can-
Persephone: Focus on the match.
Rich Russillo: Right. Uhm… Ashlynn Quinn powers back to her feet in the side headlock, and bounces Kutcher off the ropes again! DROP DOWN BY ASHLYNN, AND KUTCHER HURDLES OVER AGAIN UNTIL ASHLYNN POPS TO HER FEET! GOING TO BRING DAMIEN’S MOMENTUM TO A HALT VIA HIP TOSS! BUT KUTCHER COUNTERS BY HOLDING HIS WEIGHT DOWN ON ASHLYNN! BLOCKING THE HIP TOSS ATTEMPT!
Rich Russillo: DAMIEN SHIFTS THE MOMENTUM FOR A HIP TOSS OF HIS OWN! BUT ASHLYNN REVERSES BY FRONT FLIPPING ONTO HER FEET, AND WRINGS THE ARM OF KUTCHER! GAINING CONTROL OF THE WRIST, AND GUIDING HIM TOWARDS HER CORN- NO! KUTCHER SNATCHES HIS HAND AWAY BEFORE ASHLYNN COULD GET HIM TO THE CORNER!
Persephone: Kutcher can do one thing right this match, and use his strength advantage over Ashlynn, which he appears to be doing, so… good job.
Rich Russillo: Wow, I’m shocked to hear some actual praise from you.
Persephone: Yeah? Well, don’t get used to it. I still don’t like anyone in this match.
**TAG!!**
Rich Russillo: Oh, Bridget decides to tag herself in. Ashlynn doesn’t seem too happy with that, but exits the ring anyways. Kutcher backpedals into his corner, and issues a tag out to Akari Kiyoko!
**TAG!!*^
Rich Russillo: Two fresh competitors in the ring now as it’s Akari Kiyoko and Bridget Bridget.
Persephone: Can’t say I’m excited for “Bridget Bridget” graps. But maybe she’ll surprise me. (She won’t.)
Rich Russillo: Bridget and Ashlynn already seem to be butting heads, which isn’t good when you’re up against a team like Showtime. Both Akari and Damien started out as makeshift, but have morphed into this connection. Their chemistry has only been growing with every match. If they want to win, Ashlynn and Bridget will have to try getting along.
Persephone: Why do I feel like I’m having deja vu?
Rich Russillo: Because Damien and Akari capitalized off a situation similar to this one recently against Michael Machina and Solomon Stane.
Persephone: Right, I totally wiped that memory from my mind completely.
Rich Russillo: I mean, it was a highly talked about victory amongst-
Persephone: You think I check what internet dweebs have to say about a match? I can form my own opinion, thank you.
Rich Russillo: Then what’s your opinion about this match?
Persephone: It’d drastically improve if they gave me something to latch onto. I’d love to see some blood and guts!
Rich Russillo: I… highly doubt we’ll get that in a format like this.
Persephone: Welp, my opinion’s never going above one star then. Maybe two if Bridget and Ashlynn get their asses kicked. Ugh, I can’t stand those two bitches.
Rich Russillo: That’s fitting, given they can’t stand each other either. But turning our attention back to the action, because it’s Bridget Bridget and Akari Kiyoko squaring off! The distance gets closed, and a collar and elbow tie-up is initiated! Center of the ring! Bridget applies a standing side headlock on Akari, who attempts to escape with a back suplex!
Rich Russillo: BUT BRIDGET BACKFLIPS ONTO HER FEET, AND TURNS AKARI AROUND FOR ANOTHER STANDING SIDE HEADLOCK! AKARI BOUNCES BRIDGET OFF THE ROPES TO ESCAPE, AND BRIDGET COMES REBOUNDING BACK WITH A SHOULDER TACKLE! BUT AKARI HAD BRACED FOR IT, AND SENDS BRIDGET TUMBLING OUT THROUGH THE BOTTOM ROPE AFTER THEIR COLLISION!
Persephone: Ha!
Rich Russillo: Bridget pounds the floor in frustration before sliding back into the ring! Anger can either be a strength or weakness, depending on who you are, and Bridget hurries to slide back into the ring!
Persephone: Guess it’s a weakness. :mjlol:
Rich Russillo: Bridget rushes back into the ring, and does her best to SHOVE Akari Kiyoko! Kiyoko seems more amused than anything, and blasts Bridget with a kick to the gut! AKARI DIRECTS BRIDGET TO HIS CORNER, AND SLAMS HER FACE FIRST OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
**TAG!!**
Rich Russillo: AKARI TAGS OUT TO KUTCHER, AND DAMIEN ENTERS THE RING WITH BOTH MEN LEANING BRIDGET UP AGAINST THE ROPES FOR A DOUBLE IRISH WHIP! SENDING HER FLYING INTO THE AIR WITH A DOUBLE BACK BODY DROP!
Persephone: Perfection, 10/10.
Rich Russillo: BRIDGET RUSHES BACK TO HER FEET, FAVORING THE BACK, AND KUTCHER DIRECTS BRIDGET TO THE CORNER! PLACING HER THERE FOR A KNIFE EDGE CHOP- NO! BRIDGET DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND SLAPS KUTCHER ACROSS THE CHEST WITH AN OVERHEAD CHOP!
Rich Russillo: BUT THAT ONLY SEEMS TO HAVE FIRED KUTCHER UP AS HE MARCHES TOWARD BRIDGET, WHO BACKS AWAY BEFORE ROLLING OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Persephone: Pussy.
Rich Russillo: Damien Kutcher is beckoning for Bridget Bridget to get in the ring, which she finally does after some time on the outside.
**TAG!!**
Rich Russillo: And makes an immediate tag out to Ashlynn Quinn. :mjlol;
Persephone: Ashlynn didn’t seem to expect it either. I guess Bridget is dumping her problems onto someone else. Though, it couldn’t happen to a better person.
Rich Russillo: Ashlynn is annoyed, but regardless enters the ring, and locks up with Damien in the center! Ashlynn gains the advantage with a standing side headlock, and Damien bounces her off the ropes to eacape! ASHLYNN SLIDES THROUGH THE LEGS OF KUTCHER, AND POPS TO HER FEET BEHIND HIM! GOING FOR A POISONRANA!
Rich Russillo: BUT DAMIEN KUTCHER POPS HER OFF HIS SHOULDERS, AND SHOVES ASHLYNN TOWARD THE ROPES! ASHLYNN REBOUNDS BACK INTO A SHOT TO THE GUT, WHICH DOUBLES HER OVER AS DAMIEN KUTCHER RUNS OFF THE ROPES BESIDE HER FOR A SOMERSAULT NECKBREAKER!
Persephone: I barely knew Kutcher had that in him. Granted, it wasn’t too impressive.
Rich Russillo: KUTCHER DEFINITELY GOES OUT THE BOX FOR A MAN OF HIS SIZE, AND BOTH COMPETITORS RETURN TO THEIR FEET! ASHLYNN IS A BIT DAZED FROM THAT NECKBREAKER, BUT GOES TO SHIFT THE MOMENTUM BACK IN HER FAVOR WITH A WILD SWING! KUTCHER DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT, AND PLANTS HER WITH A RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP! COVER IS MADE!
ONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! BUT DAMIEN ISNT DETERRED AS HE QUICKLY DRAGS ASHLYNN BACK UP FOR A SNAP SUPLEX! FLOATING OVER INTO THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo; Only a two count! Kutcher seems a bit annoyed by this, but lifts Ashlynn to her feet. KUTCHER WHIPS HER TOWARD THE ROPES, AND KNOCKS HER DOWN WITH A BACK ELBOW BEFORE IMMEDIATELY TAGGING OUT TO AKARI!
**TAG!!**
Rich Russillo: Akari gets in the ring, and-
Persephone: What are they doing?
Rich Russillo: Damien lifts Akari up for a powerbomb… AND POPS HIM OFF HIS SHOULDERS INTO A MOONSAULT ON ASHLYNN! AKARI HOOKS THE LEG DEEP FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! ASHLYNN QUINN STAYS IN IT! HOWEVER, AKARI STAYS ON HER, AND STANDS QUINN BACK UP FOR A- OOH! QUINN PLAYS A LITTLE DIRTY, RAKING THE EYES OF AKARI KIYOKO! QUINN STAGGERS TO HER WHILE KIYOKO REMAINS STUNNED, AND QUICKLY TAGS OUT TO BRIDGET!
**TAG!!**
Rich Russillo: BRIDGET RUSHES INTO THE RING, AND A BLINDED AKARI SWINGS WILDLY! BRIDGET DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND CONNECTS WITH A BACK ELBOW! BRIDGET PUTS HER EDUCATED FEET TO GOOD USE AS SHE FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A SPINNING BACK KICK! AKARI DOUBLES OVER, AND BRIDGET DOES A PENALTY KICK TO THE CHEST!
Persephone: I’m sorry, but are we going to gloss past you saying educated feet?
Rich Russillo: Trying something new. :mjgrin:
Persephone: Don’t.
Rich Russillo: :kyrie: …Akari spins around from that penalty kick, and staggers toward the ropes! BRIDGET COMES FROM BEHIND WITH A BACKSTABBER- WENT FOR HER SIGNATURE! BUT AKARI HANGED ONTO THE TOP ROPE! AND BRIDGET FALLS HARD ONTO HER BACK! BUT RISES BACK TO HER FEET, AND CHARGES TOWARD AKARI UP AGAINST THE ROPES!
Rich Russillo: BUT AKARI SENDS HER UP AND OVER HIS SHOULDER TO THE OUTSIDE! HARSH LANDING FOR BRIDGET, WHO MAKES IT TO ALL FOURS! SHAKING THE COBWEBS OUT OF HER HEAD! AKARI EXITS THE RING, AND LIFTS BRIDGET BACK TO HER FEET! BUT BRIDGET EXPLODES WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! AND SLAMS AKARI’S FACE DOWN ONTO THE APRON AFTERWARD!
Persephone: Bridget finally gains some semblance of control as she rolls Akari back inside the ring.
Rich Russillo: Akari has already risen to a knee as Bridget enters the ring, and walks right into a KNIFE EDGE CHOP FROM AKARI! BRIDGET RESPONDS BACK WITH ONE OF HER OWN! AKARI GOES TO DO THE SAME-
(Bridget spins around, cowering from another chop by Akari.)
Persephone: :mjlol:
Rich Russillo: AKARI WITH A CHOP TO THE BACK OF BRIDGET’S BACK THAT ECHOES THROUGHOUT THE ARENA, AND SHE GOES STAGGERING INTO THE CORNER! AKARI LINES BRIDGET UP IN THE CORNER, AND GOES FOR A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! BUT BRIDGET DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND GOES FOR ONE OF HER OWN AS AKARI FINDS HIMSELF IN THE CORNER!
Rich Russillo: BUT AKARI DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT AS WELL, AND BRIDGET FINDS HERSELF BACK IN THE CORNER! GETTING STRUCK WITH ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST THAT LEAVES A MARK AS AKARI PULLS HER IN FOR AN EXPLODER SUPLEX IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! LAUNCHING BRIDGET!
Persephone: Seeing Bridget getting ragdolled is almost therapeutic.
Rich Russillo: BRIDGET MIGHT GET PINNED AS AKARI CRAWLS INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: SHOULDER UP! Akari stays focused, and goes to lift Bridget back to a vertical base. BUT BRIDGET CRAWLS THROUGH HIS LEGS AS SHE ROSE UP TO ALL FOURS! SLIPPING BEHIND AKARI, AND SENDING HIM SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST!
Persephone: That wasn’t so much therapeutic.
Rich Russillo: BRIDGET RUSHES OVER, AND IMMEDIATELY MAKES THE TAG OUT TO ASHLYNN AS AKARI REMAINS THROUGH THE TOP AND MIDDLE ROPE!
**TAG!!**
Rich Russillo: ASHLYNN IS STILL ON THE APRON, AND RUNS OVER TO DELIVER A BIG BOOT INTO AKARI’S SKULL! CRUSHING IT BETWEEN HER SOLE AND RINGPOST!
Rich Russillo: Akari might be seeing stars at the moment, much to the worry of Luna on the outside, including his partner on the apron. Ashlynn enters the ring, and pulls Akari out from between the ropes, leaning him up in the corner… KNIFE EDGE CHOP FROM ASHLYNN! THROWING MULTIPLE TO THE CHEST OF AKARI, ALMOST ENACTING SOME REVENGE!
Persephone: What took her so long? About time she got aggressive.
Rich Russillo: ASHLYNN IS NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE, AND IS PROVING IT HERE AS SHE STOMPS AKARI DOWN TO A SEATED POSITION IN THE CORNER! ASHLYNN KEEPS GOING TO TOWN WITH STOMPS TO THE FACE AS AKARI DOES HIS BEST TO COVER UP!
Rich Russillo: KIYOKO MIGHT BE KNOCKED LOOPY IN THAT CORNER, AND ASHLYNN STANDS GIM UP IN THE CORNER! QUINN WHIPS AKARI TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER- WELL, TRIED TO! KIYOKO REVERSES, AND SENDS ASHLYNN QUINN TO THE CORNER INSTEAD! KIYOKO CHARGES IN! BUT QUINN SIDE STEPS, AND HE GOES STERNUM FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
Persephone: Ashlynn’s looking to end this match early with a school girl. Fantastic!
Rich Russillo: YOU MIGHT HAVE SPOKE TOO SOON AS ASHLYNN ROLLS AKARI THROUGH TO HIS FEET FOR A SPIKE DDT! QUINN CALLS THAT PASADENA NIGHTS! KUTCHER RUSHES INTO THE RING, AND CHARGES QUINN WITH A CLOTHESLINE! BUT SHE TRAPS THE ARM, AND PLANTS HIM WITH A DDT AS WELL! PASADENA NIGHTS!
Rich Russillo: KUTCHER ROLLS OUT THE RING AS ASHLYNN TURNS HER ATTENTION TOWARDS KIYOKO, WHO PULLS HIMSELF UP IN THE CORNER! ASHLYNN CHARGES IN! BUT AKARI SENDS HER UP AND OVER HIS SHOULDER TO THE OUTSIDE! QUINN CATCHES HERSELF ON THE APRON, AND AKARI SPINS AROUND INTO A HOTSHOT! DROPPING HIM THROAT FIRST ACROSS THE TOP ROPE!
Persephone: Akari staggers away, struggling for air. If only she crushed his windpipe, then we’d have no choice but to call the match off.
Rich Russillo: Well… I’m never one to wish injury on a performer.
Persephone: But I am.
Rich Russillo: :whoa: …Ashlynn climbs back on the apron, having Akari Kiyoko in her sights as he turns around into a SLINGSHOT ROLLING THUNDER DROPKICK TO THE THROAT! QUINN KICKED HIM RIGHT IN THE THROAT WITH TREND SETTER, CAPITALIZING OFF THE BREATHING ISSUES FROM KIYOKO, AND COVERS HIM!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEE-
Rich Russillo: AKARI KICKS OUT! AND ASHLYNN QUINN POUNDS THE MAT IN FRUSTRATION, BELIEVING SHE HAD HIM DEAD TO RITES THERE!
Persephone: She did the same thing in that fatal four way match. Quit your bitching, and keep going.
Rich Russillo: ASHLYNN QUINN GETS HERSELF BACK IN ORDER, AND STANDS AKARI KIYOKO BACK UP! ASHLYNN WRINGS HIS ARM FOR AN EAT DEFEAT! GOING FOR RED BOTTOMS- BUT AKARI SHUTS IT DOWN AS HE SLAPS HER HAND AWAY, AND SWINGS WITH A CLOTHESLINE! QUINN CATCHES HIM, HOWEVER, IN POSITION FOR THE MACHINATION! THAT STO BACKBREAKER-
Rich Russillo: BUT AKARI FIGHTS HIS WAY OUT OF IT WITH REPEATED BACK ELBOWS THAT STUN ASHLYNN, PUTTING HER ON WOBBLY LEGS! AKARI RUNS OFF THE ROPES TO DELIVER A CLOTHESLINE- BUT ASHLYNN DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES HERSELF!
Persephone: Akari spins around into a mid clothesline from Ashlynn…
Rich Russillo: WAIT! AKARI TRAPS QUINN’S ARM, AND PUTS HER INTO POSITION FOR THE STORMBREAKER! AKARI HOOKS HER FOR ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES, AND LIFTS QUINN UP ONTO HIS SHOULDER! GOING FOR IT NOW- WHOA! QUINN COUNTERS WITH A HURRICANRANA, HOOKING BOTH LEGS FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHH-
Rich Russillo: ALMOST! QUINN ALMOST GOT THE WIN BY SURPRISE THERE OVER AKARI! BUT ASHLYNN BECKONS FOR HIM TO GET UP, FEELING FIRED UP FROM THIS WAVE OF MOMENTUM SHE’S ON! AKARI STIRS TO A KNEE, AND QUINN TAKES OFF TOWARD THE ROPES FOR A SPRINGBOARD CUTTER! BAD AND BOUJEE!
Persephone: Finally, it’s over.
Rich Russillo: MAYBE, JUST NOT IN THE WAY YOU THINK AS AKARI BLOCKED THE SPRINGBOARD CUTTER ATTEMPT! HOLDING ASHLYNN UP, AND LOCKING HER INTO A STANDING DRAGON SLEEPER! AKARI HAS SENBONZAKURA APPLIED! QUINN HAS TWO CHOICES! EITHER TAP OR NAP IF SHE’S IN THIS HOLD LONG ENOUGH!
Persephone: I don’t care which, just whatever choice leads to this match up being over!
Rich Russillo: QUINN FLAILS HER ARMS, AND FINDS A WAY OUT OF IT VIA SNAPMARE! AKARI ROLLS THROUGH TO HIS FEET IN THE CORNER, AND SHOOTS OUT OF IT TO CATCH ASHLYNN WITH A FLYING KNEE STRIKE AS SHE RISES TO A KNEE! A-KNEE OF DEATH FROM KIYOKO!
**TAG!!**
Rich Russillo: AKARI MAKES IT TO HIS FEET, AND INSTANTLY TAGS OUT TO DAMIEN! THESE TWO ARE LOOKING TO WRAP THINGS UP AS ASHLYNN BEGINS TO STIR! KUTCHER PROPS IN THE CORNER, AND CUPS HIS HANDS FOR AKARI TO STEP ON! LAUNCHING HIM TO THE CENTER AT ASHLYNN WITH AN ASSISTED CUTTER!
Rich Russillo: BUT BRIDGET COMES FROM OUTTA NOWHERE TO SHOVE QUINN OUT THE WAY FOR A BACKSTABBER! BRIDGET INTERCEPTED AKARI’S CUTTER OUT OF MID AIR WITH A BACKSTABBER! KIYOKO ROLLS OUT THE RING, WRITHING IN PAIN! KUTCHER IS SHOCKED AT FIRST, AND CANT BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED!
Persephone: Don’t just stand there, do something!
Rich Russillo: KUTCHER QUICKLY SPRINGS INTO ACTION AS HE SHOOTS OUT THE CORNER WITH A BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE THAT HE WAS GOING TO HIT ON ASHLYNN TO COMPLETE HEAVENLY RESTRICTION! BUT BRIDGET SLIPS BEHIND HIM INSTEAD, AND CONNECTS WITH ANOTHER BACKSTABBER!
Rich Russillo: KUTCHER GETS POPPED UP, AND SENT INTO A CODEBREAKER FROM ASHLYNN! PINK STAR DIAMOND CONNECTS, AND QUINN MAKES THE COVER WHILE BRIDGET KEEPS GUARD! RARE TEAMWORK BETWEEN THESE TWO! IT MIGHT GET THEM THE VICTORY!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: AKARI! AKARI TRIES TO SLIDE IN THE RING, BUT BRIDGET GRABS HIM IN A FRONT FACELOCK! IT MIGHT BE TOO LATE!
Persephone: YES!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEE-
Rich Russillo: NO! AKARI OVERPOWERS BRIDGET, AND SPEARS HER INTO THE COVER! KIYOKO DRAGS BRIDGET BACK UP, AND GOES TO SEND HER OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! BUT BRIDGET REVERSES LAST MINUTE, SENDING KIYOKO INSTEAD!
(Bridget grabs hold of Ashlynn while she’s attempting to recover, and roughly drags her into the corner before exiting out to the apron, then tagging herself in.)
**TAG!!**
Persephone: Great. Bridget Bridget finds herself back in this match. Hooray.
(Bridget goes to march towards Damien to finish things off, but gets turned around by Ashlynn, who doesn’t appreciate the way Bridget handled her.)
Rich Russillo: WAIT! DAMIEN KUTCHER! KUTCHER SHOVES BRIDGET INTO ASHLYNN! ASHLYNN GOES TUMBLING OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE, AND DAMIEN SPINS BRIDGET AROUND FOR BFT! THE DIVINE FINISH FROM DAMIEN, WHO MAKES THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERES YOUR WINNERS… DAMIEN KUTCHER AND AKARI KIYOKO… SHOWTIME!
(Damien Kutcher releases the cover as “24s (Vocals Only)” by TI begins to play as Akari slides into the ring, and raises Damien’s hand in unison to celebrate their victory with Luna entering the ring herself, proud of their efforts.)
Rich Russillo: Big win for Showtime! Although, not a good look for either Bridget and Ashlynn.
Persephone: When is it ever?
Rich Russillo: The duo were so close towards the end there, but I think their short lived burst of teamwork immediately broke down due to ego.
Persephone: Well, one person’s trash is another man’s treasure. In this case, two men.
(Showtime! leave the ring as Ashlynn slides in, staring daggers at the trio, upset from her loss. Bridget begins to stir on the canvas, and starts to catch Ashlynn’s attention as she yells out.)
Bridget Bridget: (off-mic) This… is all… your fault!
(Ashlynn points to herself in disbelief of how Bridget could draw that conclusion as she rises to her feet.)
Rich Russillo: Already, tempers are beginning to flare between this team again, and-
(Ashlynn shoves Bridget back down to the canvas as she looks extremely offended with Quinn exiting the ring herself afterwards.)
Rich Russillo: That’s one way to shut an argument down.
Persephone: Seriously, all this talk about whose fault it is. It’s both! They both suck!
(Ashlynn trash talks Bridget on the outside before storming up the ramp as the camera fades elsewhere with a humiliated Bridget inside the ring livid.)
(Promotional ad for Pain for Pride, where Effy McAvoy defends the New Breed Championship against Ashlynn Quinn and Grace De Luca.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues forward as we transition to the backstage area of the South of France Arena, where we see Sofia Clarke standing by in front of a large LED board with Voltage graphics on it inside of an interview set replicating a wrestling ring. She is seen wearing a nice, fancy, all-black dress for the evening, along with a pearl necklace to accompany it. She gives a nice smirk towards the camera as she then begins to speak to the fans, not only here in Montpelier, France, but those watching around the world!)
Sofia Clarke: Hello, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome back to Sunday Night Voltage! It’s been an action-packed show here tonight as we head closer and closer towards the biggest event of the season here in EAW, which is, of course, Pain for Pride! The intensity and excitement surrounding this year’s event have been nothing like the past few years, as the road that we traveled to get to this point has been an unbelievable ride, and I’m sure this destination will end spectacularly for our EAW Elitists. Speaking of our Elitists, though, while some have punched their ticket to the grandest stage, others are still looking for their spot, still looking for what Pain for Pride could entail for them, and my guest here this evening is an example of someone looking for what the final stop will be for them this season. Ladies and gentlemen… please welcome at this time… Octavia!
(The camera pans to reveal the ever-so-crazy and twisted Octavia, who could be seen wearing casual attire for this interview, as the crowd in the arena booed at her presence. She has a sly look on her face as she eyes Sofia, with the Voltage correspondent reacting unsettled as she begins to speak to her.)
Sofia Clarke: Thank you for joining me here tonight, Octavia.
Octavia: Sure… Sofia…
(Octavia proceeds to bite her lip, Sofia letting out an uncomfortable chuckle before she says to her…)
Sofia Clarke: Well, Octavia… With this being your first season here in EAW since arriving on the scene back at the Christmas Show special, making an impact by attacking your older sister, EAW Hall of Famer Cleopatra, you have had plenty of opportunities to earn yourself many Championships and achievements in your young career. In your opinion, how has this season gone for you, and what could be in store for the biggest show of the year as we approach Pain for Pride in Barcelona?
(Octavia has to think about it a little bit, as she puckers her lips, tilting her head while she thinks. Eventually, she responds to Sofia’s question by saying…)
Octavia: Well, Sofia… My season so far has not been what I have been expecting, it wasn’t something I planned to be the case… No, it should have gone another way, but it didn’t. I mean, I didn’t want to lose to Dr. Bethany Blue, but unfortunately, that’s what occurred, and the same can be applied when I tried to win the New Breed Championship from Effy McAvoy. Nor was my intention to win the Grand Rampage match the result that I wanted. I’m not happy with how this season has gone for me, because I’m a future star in this business, bound to win future titles to carve my legacy… This is not how I wanted my first season here in EAW to go.
(Sofia responds to Octavia and tells her…)
Sofia Clarke: So you’re saying you have been disappointed with how this season has gone for you thus far?
(Octavia has a mean look towards Sofia, as she does, Sofia looks a little bit scared from her glance. Octavia answers her question by saying…)
Octavia: I guess you can say it’s disappointing…. I’m sure you love that, huh, Sofia?
(Sofia shakes her head, disagreeing with what Octavia says as she continues to speak…)
Octavia: Listen, I knew it was going to take some time to accomplish everything I set out to do, after all, Sofia, empires aren’t built in just one day—they need the foundation to be built for them to rise and rule with an iron fist. I had my expectations that coming into EAW was going to build that great foundation, and this season would have seen me be a Champion heading into Pain for Pride, and instead, that’s not what happened. The foundation hasn’t been built quite yet, and of course, that’s disappointing because, after all, I’m a future great in this sport. It’s undeniable that my name will be a future Pain for Pride headliner, a future World Champion; it’s all inevitable for me, but for this season, I have had more setbacks than I expected. I had more roadblocks than I anticipated, and now heading into Pain for Pride, this is not where I want to be; this is not the position I should be in right now heading towards Barcelona.
Sofia Clarke: So, if this isn’t the position you want to be in, what will you be doing at Pain for Pride, since I did ask you that earlier?
(Octavia has another mean-looking expression towards Sofia as she responds to her by saying…)
Octavia: Well, Sofia, if you had let me continue what I was saying, I was going to answer that for you. You’re a little impatient, are you…?
(Sofia looks a little distraught from her comment as Octavia gets a little chuckle from what she said as she continues…)
Octavia: I expected to be in a big Championship match at Pain for Pride, after all, I’m the future of this promotion, but I’m not. It’s annoying for sure because I should be featured in a marquee match for the biggest show of the year, I should be competing for a title and walking out of Barcelona with gold strapped around my waist… but since that won’t happen now, I’m just going to make sure I set things right heading into next season. Set things up great for me coming out of Pain for Pride, and there is one match that can guarantee me a title match any time of my choosing.
(Sofia has a confused look on her face as she responds to Octavia by saying…)
Sofia Clarke: You mean…
Octavia: Yes, Sofia, I’ll be entering this year’s 24/7 Battle Royal match at Pain for Pride. An opportunity that could very well help me out heading into next season and become a winner in this promotion. While not being able to be in a Championship match at Pain for Pride is quite an annoying situation, the opportunity that’s presented will be the one I’m going to take advantage of. This Battle Royal has seen numerous winners successfully trade in that contract and become Champion off it, and trust me, Sofia, I will do exactly what SOSA Henderson, Roberto De La Rosa, and Donovan Duke have done coming out as winners of this match. Once I win this match, once I’m the last one remaining, as all the other individuals in this match are sent over the ropes… It’s only a matter of time before I’m a Champion like I should be.
Sofia Clarke: I can respect that determination to try to win that 24/7 Battle Royal, it’s a match where we have seen people become Champion after trading that contract in, and for some, it was their first title, so perhaps that could be for you as well.
(Octavia has a wicked smile on her face as she responds to Sofia by saying…)
Octavia: AWWW! Thank you, Sofia…. Aren’t you glad that I got around to your question?
Sofia Clarke: I do appreciate that. If I could take another question, that would be great-
Octavia: Hold on… Don’t be so greedy, Sofia. HAHAHAHAH! I gave you my answer to your question, I don’t think I need to answer another question for you. Maybe another time, but for now, let it be known that Pain for Pride will be my moment for everyone to see. It will be my moment to achieve glory and be the one who walks out of Barcelona with that 24/7 Contract in my hands. So until then, I’ll see you soon.
(Sofia is taken aback by Octavia interrupting her and refusing to take another question from her as Octavia exits the scene, as the camera now only focuses on Sofia Clarke, who looks a little bit more relaxed now that Octavia has left the interview set. Sofia looks straight into the camera as she says…)
Sofia Clarke: Well… there you have it, folks! Octavia will be entering this year’s 24/7 Battle Royal, which I’m sure will be as jam-packed as it was the previous year. You’ll never know who’s going to be walking out of Pain for Pride with that 24/7 contract. It will be an exciting watch for sure! Sending it back to Rich and Persephone, enjoy the rest of the show!
(Sofia has a brief smirk on her face before the scene eventually fades as we transition from the backstage area back to the arena as Sunday Night Voltage continues forward.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to the ringside area where Bella Braxton is ready for the next match.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… the following contest is scheduled for…
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(“Psycho” by That’s Outrageous hits the speakers as Effy McAvoy walks out through the curtain. She has the New Breed Championship proudly around her waist. She stops and looks around at the crowd who give her a mixed reaction before taking the title off and holding it in the air, placing it on her shoulder before walking down the ramp towards the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first, making her way to the ring from Watch Hill, Rhode Island… she is the EAW New Breed Champion… EFFFFFFYYYYY MCCCAAAVVVOOOYYYYY!!!
Persephone: Well last week Effy robbed me of my next piece of man meat so here she comes to do something else I guess.
Rich Russillo: The protege of Ahren Fournier has had an incredible year, rising to the top of the New Breed division and now prepares to enter Pain for Pride as the reigning champion. She made a statement last week about how she will take on any challengers that step up to the plate and last night we learned that her opponents will be Grace de Luca and Ashlynn Quinn at Pain for Pride. But tonight, she has an opportunity to take on the number one contender for the EAW Universal Women’s Championship. She said this week that this is a chance she takes very seriously not just as the New Breed Champion, but also as a future contender for the Universal Women’s title.
(Effy makes her way down the ramp and walks up the steps. She stops and looks at the camera with a smirk before swinging through the ropes and into the ring.)
Persephone: Well I guess we’ll see if she has what it takes.
(The crowd waits for a moment as Effy’s music fades. A few seconds later, “Juno” by Sabrina Carpenter hits to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Everyone, including Effy, looks confused as Ashlynn Quinn walks out onto the ramp with a microphone in hand and starts making her way towards the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Well… this is not the number one contender to the Universal Championship. Effy is scheduled to take on Ms. Extreme here tonight, but Ashlynn Quinn has decided to grace us with her presence it seems.
Persephone: You mean I have to wait EVEN LONGER NOW for this show to be over?
(Ashlynn walks up the steps and pauses on the ring apron with a smile towards Effy. She then turns and makes a grand gesture towards the audience.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Hello! Hello to all of my adoring public!
(Ashlynn steps through the ropes and looks towards Effy again with a glowing and cocky smile.)
Ashlynn Quinn: And hello to you… Effy McAvoy… the… “current” New Breed Champion.
(Effy’s eyes narrow at Ashlynn’s words, not appreciating the tone of her voice.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Last night, it was announced that I will be in the match for the New Breed Championship at Pain for Pride, and I couldn’t be more overjoyed to have this chance. And I want all of my public to know that I will not waste the opportunity. In fact, I’ve every intent to capitalize on what’s in front of me. So I just wanted to come and give you a little preview of the future of the New Breed division, a vision of beauty that’s yet to come, Ashlynn Quinn… the NEXT New Breed Champion of all EAW, here to usher the division into a new era of glamour and adoration that it is so sorely lacking right now.
(Effy clenches her fist and begins to take a step towards Ashlynn, but Ashlynn puts a hand up and motions for her to wait.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Now, now. You’ve done well. You beat up a steroid guy they found in a back alley somewhere last week and you’ve won some good matches in honor of that sheep man you love so much. Honestly. You have my applause. Now, you might be wondering why I’m here. I convinced the stagehands to give you an early call time so that we could just have a moment together. Previous champion to new champion. We should have a cordial relationship. The previous Miss America has a role in helping the next Miss America, I think it only makes sense we set up to do the same. And as this season’s Miss Voltage, I think it only right that I grace you with the opportunity to perform your duties properly.
Effy McAvoy: (Off mic and looking around dumbfounded at the audacity.) What in the—
Ashlynn Quinn: Of course, I know it’s early. Still a few weeks away. But we have much to discuss. So when I take on that dunce Bridget next week at Beach Brawl, whom is the sole reason for our loss earlier, you will bear witness to why I will soon set a new standard for New Breeds. So let’s—
???: Oh… no no no.
(The camera cuts over to see Grace De Luca walking out onto the stage, also a microphone in her hand. She has an arrogant grin on her face and raised eyebrows as she cuts off Ashlynn’s speech. She starts making her way down to the ring now.)
Grace De Luca: Okay, Ashlynn, I know this is not what you’re doing right now. First of all, it’s pathetic that you’ve even gotten into this match at all. How desperate are you? Taking a spot in a match for New Breeds. You’ve been here… what? Almost three years now since your debut? The only thing “new” about you is your extensions.
(Ashlynn clutches at pearls that aren’t there, offended at the words as Grace climbs the steps and into the ring. Grace smiles at Ashlynn’s reaction while Effy leans against a rope, waiting to see where this goes.)
Grade De Luca: Yeah, even the silicone is old and dusty.
Ashlynn Quinn: You listen. I’m a part of this match and rightfully so! If anything I have more claim to the title shot than you do and you’re an idiot if you think otherwise!
Grace De Luca: No, you listen. We’ve all listened to you long enough. Fake call times, acting all thankful, predicting your win, shut up before someone actually worth anything loses their lunch at the stench of desperation. I don’t care how things went before. I don’t care what decisions were made. You don’t deserve to be in this match. I’m the only one who deserves this shot at the New Breed Championship. I’m the only one who should have even been in the conversation. I’m a future champion. I’m the future of the whole company. My perfect face is what sells the tickets, the only thing you’re selling is what’s left of your dignity. All I know about you, all I know about both of you, is that you are not me. Which means the only thing I need to describe both of you is “Less Than.” Ashlynn is clinging to what’s left of any hype she had, and Effy is out here living her life for someone else entirely as if Ahren isn’t just using her. I fight for the most important person in this ring… ME. So when I leave Pain for Pride as the New Breed Champion then—
(Effy snatches the microphone away from Grace who looks disgusted at the action. Effy shakes her head and taps the microphone against her leg for a moment as she looks between her two challengers before finally raising the microphone to speak.)
Effy McAvoy: You two are going to give me a headache. So let me make all of this very clear. I don’t give a damn if it’s one of you or both of you. I said I’d take on any challengers and I meant it. Do you two understand what a Pain for Pride win would mean to me? What it would mean to Ahren’s legacy. That’s right, Grace. I do fight for someone besides just myself. I am the living legacy of a bonafide Hall of Famer, a world champion and all timer. The only thing you fight for is that bloated ego that makes your forehead so damn big. And Ashlynn, I really couldn’t care less about your little beauty pageant crap.
(Effy holds the New Breed Championship high over the heads of both challengers.)
Effy McAvoy: You may have been named Miss Voltage, but I hold something of actual value in this company, not a cheap sash and crown that look like they came out of a happy meal. So whatever bickering you two want to do, argue about who deserves what or who should or shouldn’t or any of it, that’s up to you. I don’t care. I just can’t wait to get in there and beat the hell out of you both and walk out with my win. Because THAT is what’s most important to me right now. And speaking of, I have a match. So get the hell out of my ring.
(Effy stands her ground and is squared up with Grace De Luca. Grace looks between Effy and Ashlynn, trying to figure out what to do.)
Rich Russillo: ASHLYNN QUINN WITH A FOREARM TO EFFY MCAVOY! TRYING TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE CHAMPION! PUNCHES TO EFFY’S HEAD! AND SHE SHOVES EFFY AWAY!
Persephone: EFFY COMES BACK THOUGH AND THE TWO EXCHANGE BLOWS! TRADING SHOTS BACK AND FORTH! BUT ASHLYNN LANDS A STIFF UPPERCUT TO THE STOMACH! AND FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A JUMPING KNEE! RIGHT TO THE FOREHEAD! EFFY IS KNOCKED BACK!
Persephone: BUT EFFY BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES! PROTECT YA NECK! THE CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL TAKES OUT ASHLYNN QUINN!
Rich Russillo: Ashlynn was getting the better of that one but Effy McAvoy shows that she has more than just little fight in her as she takes out one of her upcoming challengers! But wait— BITTERSWEET CHIN MUSIC! GRACE DE LUCA CATCHES EFFY RIGHT ON THE JAW WITH THAT MASSIVE SUPERKICK AND EFFY IS LAID OUT!
(Grace De Luca rolls out of the ring and begins to quickly make her way up the ramp. “Genie in a Bottle” by Christina Aguilera begins to play as Grace smirks at the ring, still making her retreat. She moves quickly, making sure she is gone before anything can happen to her. Back at the ring, Ashlynn rolls out of the ring and an official begins helping her back up as she starts making her way out, clutching at her neck. Effy is still dazed in the ring, only just beginning to stir.)
Rich Russillo: The New Breed Title match isn’t just heating up, it’s already combusting with weeks still to go before Pain for Pride! Grace De Luca walks back to showdown standing tall, and Ashlynn got some shots in… but Effy McAvoy still has a match to compete in against none other than Ms. Extreme with almost no time to recover! And that match is next!
(The camera fades to a commercial promoting a recap of Friday Night Dynasty.)
(The camera cuts to Effy McAvoy in the corner, using it to prop herself up with Bella Braxton heard in the background.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Already in the ring! Hailing out of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, weighing in at 125 pounds, accompanied to the ring by EAW Hall of Famer, Ahren Fournier…SHE IS THE EAW NEW BREED CHAMPION… THE OMEN… EFFY MCAVOY!
(‘RED THUNDER’ by Butcher Babies plays next, and Ms. Extreme makes her way onto the stage, marching her way down to the ring as she stares daggers into Effy. Camille is focused, and determined to pick up momentum heading into Pain for Pride.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent!! Hailing out of Calabasas, California, weighing in at 140 pounds…SHE IS THE PROBLEM CHILD…MS. EXTREME!!!
Rich Russillo: Tonight, Ms. Extreme has her first singles match back, and Captain Charisma hasn’t exactly made it easy for her. Being pitted up against the New Breed Champion.
Persephone: Captain Charisma may not have made things easy, but after what went down prior, Ashlynn and Grace might have.
Rich Russillo: Very true, I’m curious to see how much Effy will have left in the tank.
(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners. Effy shakes the cobwebs out of her head, and proceeds forward, gritting through any pain she might be in.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Alright, so… Ms. Extreme, our number one contender to the Universal Women’s Championship! Effy McAvoy, our current New Breed Champion, whose star is only growing! This match has combustible written all over it, and I can’t wait to see this clash of styles as both women circle around to start things off!
Persephone: Great, it’ll be one of “those” matches.
Rich Russillo: Those matches?
Persephone: Yeah, the type that starts off really slow. Wake me up once it becomes interesting.
Rich Russillo: Persephone, you could argue that-
Persephone: Zip it.
Rich Russillo: :kyrie: Fine… let’s just focus on the match as both women initiate a collar and elbow tie-up in the center! Ms. Extreme bars the arm, and transitions into a wristlock on Effy! Effy rolls forward to a seated position, and moves to all fours before HEADSPRINGING back to her feet! Effy then counters with arm wringer, gaining control of Camille’s wrist before pulling her into a standing side headlock!
Persephone: It’s always good to see an Ava-Cunt getting punished, but I wanna see Effy do more! Maybe she could bring a chair into the ring, and smash her with it! :mjlit:
Rich Russillo: :whoa: Effy still wants to win this match.
Persephone: Ugh, I guess.
Rich Russillo: Speaking of, Effy wrenches on the hold… before Ms. Extreme bounces her off the ropes to escape! CAMILLE DUCKS DOWN, SIGNALING FOR A BACK BODY DROP EARLY! BUT EFFY AVOIDS IT WITH A PENALTY KICK TO THE CHEST, JOLTING HER OPPONENT UPRIGHT, AND PUTTING HER ON WOBBLY LEGS! EFFY THEN SWINGS WILDLY WITH A CLOTHESLINE! PROTECT YA NECK-
Persephone: Unfortunately, she ducks it.
Rich Russillo: EFFY SPINS BACK AROUND- AND INTO A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST FROM CAMILLE! EFFY INSTANTLY RESPONDS BACK WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP OF HER OWN, ABLE TO SHRUG IT OFF! BUT CAMILLE GRITS THROUGH THE PAIN AS WELL WITH ANOTHER EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST! AND EFFY- OOH! EFFY CATCHES HER SURPRISE, DECIDING TO POKE CAMILLE IN THE EYES!
Persephone: Might’ve been the smartest thing she’s done so far. But don’t get me wrong, she’s still a total freak.
Rich Russillo: CAMILLE STRUGGLES TO REGAIN HER VISION, AND EFFY TAKES FULL ADVANTAGE! USING HER SHOULDER TO DRIVE CAMILLE BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER, AND IS GOING TO DOWN ON MS. EXTREME WITH REPEATED SHOULDER THRUSTS INTO THE GUT! THE REFEREE IS ON THAT IMMEDIATELY, GIVING EFFY TIL THE COUNT OF FIVE!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!
Rich Russillo: EFFY FINALLY RELENTS, BUT LINES CAMILLE UP FOR A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST IN THE CORNER! FOLLOWING IT UP WITH A VICIOUS FOREARM, AND BEGINS TO STOMP EXTREME DOWN TO A SEATED POSITION BEFORE PRESSING HER FOOT INTO THE THROAT! CHOKING HER! AGAIN, THE REFEREE INTERJECTS WITH A FIVE COUNT!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!
Rich Russillo: Again, Effy relents!
Persephone: I don’t think Effy is respecting his authority. He should assert dominance and disqualify her anyway!
Rich Russillo: :roman: …Ms. Extreme is gasping for air after that, and understandably so. But Effy isn’t going to allow her much leeway, and drags her back to a vertical base in the corner. Effy grabs hold of the wrist, and irish whips her to the opposite! BUT MS. EXTREME GOES UP AND OVER EFFY IN THE CORNER, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES TO BUILD MOMENTUM!
Rich Russillo: EFFY RUSHES FROM OUT THE CORNER, AND TRIES TO STOP CAMILLE AS SHE REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES! BUT CAMILLE SLIDES THROUGH EFFY’S LEGS, AND POPS TO HER FEET BEHIND HER! SHOVING EFFY TOWARDS THE ROPES WHERE SHE REBOUNDS OFF HERSELF INTO A HURRICANRANA!
Persephone: Effy scrambles back to her feet, but the dumbass runs right into another move!
Rich Russillo: THIS TIME, AN ARM DRAG THAT GETS QUICKLY TRANSITIONED INTO AN ARM BAR BY MS. EXTREME! CAMILLE APPLIES PRESSURE, BUT EFFY POWERS BACK TO HER FEET IN THE HOLD, AND GRABS MS. EXTREME’S HAIR WITH HER FREE HAND! USING IT FOR LEVERAGE TO BACK CAMILLE INTO THE CORNER! …BUT TWO CAN PLAY AT THAT GAME AS CAMILLE GRABS HOLD OF EFFY’S HAIR, AND USES IT TO PLACE HER INTO THE CORNER!
Persephone: I don’t get why more people don’t yank on the other’s hair.
Rich Russillo: …probably because it’s illegal? 😅
Persephone: So?
Rich Russillo: Uhm- CAMILLE! CAMILLE CONNECTED WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP AFTER SWAPPING PLACES WITH EFFY IN THAT CORNER! …Effy is certainly feeling the effects of that one as she staggers from out the corner, and Camille turns her around for ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST THAT FLOORS HER!
Rich Russillo: Effy sits up, favoring her chest area, which might become red by the time this match is over.
Persephone: Please, don’t imply that this match is going on for much longer. I can barely take it now.
Rich Russillo: Ms. Extreme stands Effy back up, and backs her against the ropes for an irish whip! BUT EFFY REVERSES, AND SENDS CAMILLE TOWARD THE ROPES INSTEAD! EFFY TRIED TO SCOOP HER UP WITH A BODY SLAM, BUT MS. EXTREME WENT OVERHEAD! LANDING ON HER FEET BEHIND EFFY, WHO SPINS AROUND INTO A HURRICANRANA…NO! EFFY CAUGHT HER!
Rich Russillo: EFFY HAD IT SCOUTED THIS TIME AROUND, AND HOLDS MS. EXTREME UP IN POSITION FOR A POWERBOMB! CAMILLE FLAILS HER ARMS AROUND, REALIZING SHE’S IN TROUBLE AS EFFY CHARGES TOWARD THE ROPES! PERHAPS GOING TO LAUNCH HER OVER THE TOP!
Persephone: Yes, please! 🤞
Rich Russillo: BUT MS. EXTREME GRABS HOLD OF THE TOP ROPE, AND USES EFFY’S OWN MOMENTUM AGAINST HER! SENDING MCAVOY UP AND OVER THE TOP WITH A HURRICANRANA! EFFY LANDED ON ALL FOURS WHILE MS. EXTREME HANGED ON, AND PULLS HERSELF UP TO THE APRON!
Rich Russillo: UH-OH! MS. EXTREME LOOKS OVER HER SHOULDER AS EFFY RISES BACK TO HER FEET! AND CAMILLE FLIES OFF THE APRON WITH A MOONSAULT- LANDING ON FEET AS EFFY SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING TO AVOID IT! CAMILLE DROPS TO A KNEE MOMENTARILY FROM HER LANDING, AND CANT STOP EFFY AS SHE RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR A BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK!
Persephone: But Ms. Extremely Bland side steps out way, and Effy slides out underneath the bottom as a result.
Rich Russillo: EFFY REGAINS HER BALANCE, AND NARROWLY AVOIDS A KNIFE EDGE CHOP FROM CAMILLE! DUCKING UNDERNEATH IT! AND MS. EXTREME TURNS AROUND INTO A KICK TO THE GUT, THEN AN IRISH WHIP- COUNTERED! MS. EXTREME COUNTERED WITH AN IRISH WHIP INTO A CORNER OF THE BARRICADE!
Rich Russillo: Effy staggers away, favoring her lower back in pain. But Ms. Extreme quickly catches up to her, and leans Effy up against the barricade for a KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! Effy pushes past Ms. Extreme, and groggily rolls back inside the ring after that one. Camille slides in after her, and finds Effy up to a knee. CAMILLE SCOOPS HER UP, AND PLANTS HER WITH A BACK SUPLEX! HOOK OF THE LEG IS MADE!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT!
Persephone: Fucking sigh.
Rich Russillo: Effy crawls away from Camille after the cover, attempting to create separation as she pulls herself up in the corner. Effy has her back facing towards Camille, and Ms. Extreme takes advantage by lifting her to the top rope! CAMILLE CLIMBS TO THE MIDDLE- BUT GETS KNOCKED OFF WITH REPEATED BACK ELBOWS FROM EFFY!
Rich Russillo: Ms. Extreme drops off the middle rope, clutching at her jaw as she doubles over. BUT BEFORE EFFY CAN FULLY GET HER WITS ABOUT HER ON THAT TOP ROPE, MS. EXTREME DECIDES TO HANG HER UPSIDE DOWN! EFFY PANICS SLIGHTLY AS SHE FINDS HERSELF IN A TREE OF WOE, AND MS. EXTREME USES HER LIKE A HUMAN PINATA! THROWING REPEATED SHOOT KICKS TO THE CHEST!
Persephone: You’d think Ahren would train her better. She can’t even untangle herself from the top rope.
Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME RUNS TOWARD THE OPPOSITE CORNER, AND BOUNCES OFF FOR MOMENTUM! CONNECTING WITH A TREE OF WOE RUNNING DROPKICK TO THE FACE! EFFY FALLS OFF FROM THE TREE OF WOE, AND ROLLS TO THE CENTER OF THE RING! CAMILLE CRAWLS OVER, HOOKING THE LEG FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: SHOULDER UP! MCAVOY POPS THE SHOULDER UP! However, Ms. Extreme isn’t deterred, and tries to drag Effy back to her feet- BUT EFFY FIRES BACK WITH ALTERNATING SHOTS TO THE RIB CAGE BEFORE EXPLODING WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST! STUNNING MS. EXTREME AS SHE RUNS OFF THE ROPES!
Rich Russillo: BUT RUNS RIGHT INTO A SNAP OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY! EFFY CLUTCHES AT HER BACK AS BOTH WOMEN RETURN TO THEIR FEET, AND EFFY WANDERS RIGHT INTO A KICK TO THE GUT! CAMILLE TRIES FOR A SUPLEX- BUT EFFY BLOCKS IT! HOLDING HER WEIGHT DOWN!
Persephone: If she hit the gym more, perhaps she could lift her up…
Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME STUNS EFFY WITH SHOTS TO THE RIB CAGE, AND SUCCESSFULLY HOISTS HER UP THIS TIME FOR THE SUPLEX! BUT EFFY FLOATS OVER BEHIND MS. EXTREME, LANDING ON HER FEET! EFFY GRABS CAMILLE IN A REAR WAISTLOCK, BUT IT GETS INSTANTLY BROKEN BY A HARD BACK ELBOW! MCAVOY GOT CAUGHT FLUSH, AND STRUGGLING TO STAND AFTER THAT ONE!
Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES- AND INTO A SPINEBUSTER FROM MCAVOY! EFFY POPS TO HER FEET, AND WALKS TO THE HEAD OF MS. EXTREME! REACHING DOWN TO GRAB HER- BUT MS. EXTREME GRABS HER INTO A VICTORY ROLL! LOOKING TO SCORE A FAST ONE!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Persephone: Of course, she fucking kicks out.
Rich Russillo: AND BOTH WOMEN SCRAMBLE BACK TO THEIR FEET WITH EFFY CHARGING MS. EXTREME WITH A CLOTHESLINE! CAMILLE RUSHES BACK TO HER FEET, AND GETS DROPPED WITH A RUNNING BACK ELBOW! AGAIN, MS. EXTREME IS BACK TO HER FEET, AND GETS WHIPPED INTO THE CORNER BY EFFY! EFFY RUNS IN-
Rich Russillo: BUT EATS A BOOT FROM MS. EXTREME! EFFY IS ROCKED, AND STAGGERS AWAY AS MS. EXTREME HOPS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE! EFFY TURNS AROUND, AND INTO A DIVING TORNADO DDT FROM CAMILLE!! MS. EXTREME MOVES INTO THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THH-
Rich Russillo: ONLY A TWO! EFFY MCAVOY STAYS IN IT, ALBEIT BARELY WITH THE GLOSSED OVER LOOK IN HER EYES!
Persephone: It’s not too different from the usual look in her eyes that screams batshit crazy.
Rich Russillo: Ms. Extreme came extremely close there against Effy… get it? Extre-
Persephone: Rich, say another word of that sentence, and I’ll slap you.
Rich Russillo: …so, Ms. Extreme begins lifting Effy back to her feet— AND EFFY STUNS HER WITH A JAWBREAKER! NO DOUBT JACKING THE JAW OF MS. EXTREME AS SHE FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A STEP-UP ENZIGURI! MS. EXTREME IS ON SPAGHETTI LEGS AFTER THAT ONE, AND EFFY PULLS HER INTO A RIPCORD! MCAVOY’S GOING FOR THE CLIMAX! THAT RIPCORD KNEE STRIKE!
Rich Russillo: BUT MS. EXTREME SIDE STEPS THE KNEE, SLIPPING BEHIND HER! CAMILLE SHOVES MCAVOY INTO THE CORNER, AND CHARGES IN! BUT EFFY HALTS HER MOMENTUM WITH A BACK ELBOW, AND HOPS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE, SEATING HERSELF ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE- ONLY TO GET CAUGHT WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZIGURI FROM MS. EXTREME!
Persephone: Jesus, this match is really still going…
Rich Russillo: YEAH, BUT THE WEAR AND TEAR FROM BOTH WOMEN IS SHOWING, SO WHO KNOWS HOW LONG FOR?!
Persephone: Don’t give me hope.
Rich Russillo: AFTER THAT ENZIGURI FROM MS. EXTREME, EFFY WENT TUMBLING OVER THE TOP! BUT HANGS ONTO THE TOP ROPE, PULLING HERSELF BACK UP ONTO THE APRON! MS. EXTREME HAS AN IDEA POP INTO HER HEAD AS SHE SPRINGS OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE FOR A TRIANGLE- NO! EFFY COUNTERED WITH A HOTSHOT! CAMILLE SPRINGBOARDED RIGHT INTO A HOTSHOT FROM MCAVOY! DROPPING HER THROAT FIRST ACROSS THE TOP ROPE!
Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME FALLS FLAT ON HER BACK AS EFFY DROPS OFF THE APRON FROM THAT HOTSHOT, AND MCAVOY SLITHERS INSIDE THE RING! STALKING HER OPPONENT!
Persephone: I suppose stalking has served Effy well throughout her career, perhaps it’ll serve me well too if she can end the match here.
Rich Russillo: Ms. Extreme rises to all fours, struggling for air as she crawls to the center. Effy McAvoy stands her up- BUT MS. EXTREME EXPLODES WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! SHOWING THERE IS STILL FIGHT LEFT WITHIN HER! MS. EXTREME CONNECTS WITH ANOTHER, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES TO BEGIN MOUNTING SOME MOMENTUM FOR HERSELF!
Rich Russillo: BUT EFFY SHUTS THAT DOWN AS SHE TRAPS THE ARM OFF A CLOTHESLINE, AND HOISTS MS. EXTREME UP FOR A BUTTERFLY SUPLEX TRANSITIONED INTO A CROSS ARMBREAKER! CALL TO ARMS! EFFY HAS THE CALL TO ARMS APPLIED- WELL, I SHOULD SAY SHE’S TRYING TO APPLY IT! BUT MS. EXTREME KEEPS HER HANDS CLASPED TOGETHER, REFUSING TO BREAK HER GRIP!
Persephone: Cmonnnn… break her grip!
Rich Russillo: EFFY ADJUSTS ON THE FLY, AND TRANSITIONS INTO A TRIANGLE CHOKE! TRIANGLE CHOKE BY MCAVOY! BUT MS. EXTREME IS FIGHTING THROUGH THE PAIN, AND POWERS BACK TO HER FEET! GOING TO LIFT MCAVOY UP FOR THE KNOCKOUT SLAM! RED QUEEN’S RAMPAGE!
Rich Russillo: AVOIDED! EFFY RELEASED THE TRIANGLE CHOKE LAST MINUTE, AND LANDED ONTO HER FEET! SENSING WHAT MS. EXTREME WAS GOING FOR, AND EFFY DRIVES HER BACK INTO THE CORNER! MS. EXTREME HIT THE TURNBUCKLES HARD, AND GETS HOISTED TO THE TOP ROPE FOR A… SUPERPLEX!! HUGE SUPERPLEX BY MCAVOY! EFFY MOVES INTO THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHH-
Rich Russillo: CLOSE!
Persephone: Yeah, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, so it’s completely and utterly useless.
Rich Russillo: That’s… certainly one way of looking at it, sure. 😃
Persephone: :mjpls:
Rich Russillo: Both women have brought the fight to each other tonight, and one has to question what it’ll take to put the other down. Both have been wary of the other’s signature moves, and Effy McAvoy might be setting up for another as she stands Camille up. Effy directs her to the corner, and slams Ms. Extreme FACE FIRST off the top turnbuckle!
Rich Russillo: Effy lifts Ms. Extreme to the top rope again, and climbs to the middle for another superplex! BUT MS. EXTREME BATTLES BACK THIS TIME WITH SHOTS TO THE RIB CAGE, AND LAUNCHES EFFY OFF THE MIDDLE WITH A GOURDBUSTER! EFFY HIT HARD WITH A GOURDBUSTER FROM MS. EXTREME, AND WRITHES ON THE CANVAS IN PAIN! CLUTCHING AT HER RIBS!
Persephone: Ms. Extreme’s trying to get herself perched on the top rope. Meanwhile, Effy’s rising back to her feet. Truth be told: I don’t care anymore.
Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME GOES OFF THE TOP WITH GLASS CEILING! TOP ROPE STUNNER FROM MS. EXTREME— GETS BLOCKED! BLOCKED BY EFFY, WHO HOLDS HER UP, AND TRANSITIONS INTO A REAR NAKED CHOKE FROM BEHIND! ANOTHER VERSION OF THE LULLABY FROM EFFY!
Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME’S IN TROUBLE, AND I THINK SHE KNOWS IT AS SHE FLAILS HER ARMS AROUND! TRYING TO MOVE TOWARDS THE ROPES! EFFY TRIES TO CINCH THE HOLD IN FURTHER, DROPPING TO HER BACK, AND ATTEMPTING TO GRAPEVINE HER LEGS AROUND THE WAIST! BUT MS. EXTREME TURNS IT INTO A COVER INSTEAD! FRONT NECK BRIDGE FROM CAMILLE WHILE STILL IN THE LULLABY!
Persephone: LET IT BE AVA-CUNT WHO WINS, I DONT CARE! JUST LET THIS BE IT!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRR-
Persephone: FUCK!
Rich Russillo: EFFY RELEASES THE HOLD, AND MS. EXTREME RETURNS TO HER FEET WHERE SHE STAGGERS BACK AGAINST THE ROPES! BOUNCING OFF THE ROPES FOR A LEAPING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP AS EFFY RETURNS TO HER FEET AS WELL! HOLY GROUND!
Rich Russillo: EFFY! EFFY DROPS TO ALL FOURS TO AVOID IT, AND WRAPS HER ARMS AROUND CAMILLE’S WAIST FROM BEHIND! REAR WAISTLOCK, AND EFFY DRIVES CAMILLE TOWARD THE ROPES! BOUNCING HER FOR AN O’CONNOR ROLL!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! EFFY GETS SENT TOWARD THE ROPES, AND REBOUNDS OFF AS MS. EXTREME MOVES TO A DROP DOWN! BUT MCAVOY REVERSES IT WITH A GEDO CLUTCH, ROLLING MS. EXTREME ONTO BOTH SHOULDERS!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Persephone: These pinfalls are neverending.
Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME KICKS OUT, AND BOTH WOMEN RUSH BACK TO THEIR FEET! EFFY SWINGS WILDLY WITH A CLOTHESLINE! BUT CAMILLE COUNTERS IT INTO A BACKSLIDE!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: ANOTHER KICKOUT! BOTH WOMEN SCRAMBLE, AND EFFY MCAVOYS FIRES THE FIRST SHOT OFF WITH A FOREARM! MS. EXTREME STUMBLES BACK AGAINST THE ROPES, AND EFFY CHARGES IN- ONLY TO GET SENT UP AND OVER CAMILLE’S SHOULDER TO THE OUTSIDE! MY GOD, IT LOOKED LIKE EFFY FACEPLANTED ONTO THE FLOOR!
Persephone: Good. Serves her right for making me watch this garbage.
Rich Russillo: McAvoy grabs at her face… MEANWHILE, MS. EXTREME RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR A SUICIDE DIVE! SOARING THROUGH THE MIDDLE! EFFY GOES BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE, AND MS. EXTREME PULLS HER UP! ROLLING MCAVOY BACK INSIDE THE RING! CAMILLE CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE! …DIVING CROSSBODY! HOLDS IT FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEE-
Rich Russillo: NO!
Persephone: Is there a God?
Rich Russillo: BOTH EFFY AND MS. EXTREME ARE BACK TO THEIR FEET, ALBEIT WITH EFFY ON DREAM STREET AT THE MOMENT! MS. EXTREME BLASTS HER WITH MULTIPLE KNIFE EDGE CHOPS, BACKING EFFY INTO THE CORNER FOR AN IRISH WHIP INTO THE OPPOSITE! EFFY GOES UP AND OVER!
Rich Russillo: OR AT LEAST ATTEMPTED TO, BECAUSE MS. EXTREME SAW IT COMING! CAMILLE HALTED HER MOMENTUM BEFOREHAND, AND EFFY BACKPEDALS INTO A GERMAN SUPLEX! BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE BY MS. EXTREME!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHRRRRRREEEE-
Persephone: :russwtf:
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! BUT MS. EXTREME KEEPS HER HANDS LOCKED AROUND EFFY’S WAIST, AND DRAGS HER BACK UP FOR ANOTHER GERMAN SUPLE- NO! CAMILLE ONLY GOT HER UP SLIGHTLY BEFORE EFFY BLOCKED IT WITH A BACK ELBOW! BUT MS. EXTREME’S HANDS REMAINED LOCKED, AND EFFY SWINGS FOR ANOTHER BACK ELBOW!
Rich Russillo: BUT CAMILLE DUCKS UNDERNEATH AS EFFY SPINS AROUND, AND GETS CAUGHT WITH A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! MS. EXTREME ROLLS THROUGH, AND TRIES TO DEADLIFT EFFY UP FOR A SUPLEX!
Persephone: Oh, cmon. She could’ve pinned her right there!
Rich Russillo: BUT EFFY SHIFTS THE MOMENTUM! HOISTING CAMILLE UP WITH A SUPLEX INSTEAD TO DROP HER INTO ANOTHER LULLABY- STUNDOG MILLIONAIRE! CAMILLE TURNS IT INTO STUNDOG MILLIONAIRE! SHE WAS TRYING TO GET OFF GLASS CEILING EARLIER! BIT OF A MODIFIED VERSION THAT STUNS EFFY!
Rich Russillo: CAMILLE MAKES IT TO HER FEET, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES… HOLY GROUND! LEAPING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP CONNECTS, AND THE COVER IS MADE!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… MS. EXTREME!
(Ms. Extreme releases the cover as ‘RED THUNDER’ by Butcher Babies blares throughout the arena, and Camille rises to her feet, getting her hand raised in victory by the referee.)
Rich Russillo: Ms. Extreme picks up a win over Effy McAvoy!
Persephone: And my misery is over, thank God.
Rich Russillo: Huge win for Ms. Extreme, albeit a bit tainted, given the state Effy McAvoy was in. Clearly not at one-hundred percent.
Persephone: Who cares?
(Ms. Extreme turns her attention towards the stage area as Bea Valentine appears, holding the Universal Women’s Championship close to her chest.)
Rich Russillo: Uh-oh… something tells me Ms. Extreme’s night may not be over.
Persephone: Oh, brother.
(Ms. Extreme shows no fear, and flashes a cocky grin before signaling for the title around her waist, which Bea takes great offense too, tightening her grasp around the title. Bea Valentine appears to be furious, staring directly at Ms. Extreme as the camera fades elsewhere with both women staring the other down.)
(Promotional ad for Pain for Pride, where Bea Valentine defends the Universal Women’s Championship against Ms. Extreme.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, and after some time, ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ by Van Halen hits. Boos come from the fans in attendance as the camera pans towards the stage, and soon enough, the Hardcore Champion begins making her way out to the stage. Dr. Bethany Blue can be seen holding a microphone in her hand, but this week she appears to be in a much better mood as she heads towards the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Dr. Bethany Blue is here, and things got heated very quickly between her and her Pain for Pride opponent, Limmy Monaghan. We’ve seen both sides attack each other now, and while Bethany appears ready to speak right now, if this pattern continues I can see things taking a turn very quickly.
Persephone: Well hopefully we can just cut straight to that part. I’ve already seen enough talking tonight, and the last thing I need is Dr. Bethany Blue running her mouth for too long.
Rich Russillo: Well Bethany is on her way to the ring as we speak, so let’s see what she has to say ahead of her Hardcore Championship match at Pain for Pride.
(Dr. Bethany Blue walks up the steel steps before entering the ring. ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ begins to fade out after this, and she begins to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I’m not sure what it’ll take for people to stop thinking that I’m the kind of Elitist they can step over without a problem. You’d think an Elitist like Limmy Monaghan would think twice about trying to get on my bad side knowing how horrible of a season he’s already had, but instead he decided to attack me and leave me unconscious with my own blood surrounding me. He thought it was the right choice to make simply because he had his eyes on the Hardcore Championship, but as you all saw last week, Limmy doesn’t know anything. He doesn’t know what he got himself into. He doesn’t know what’s in store at Pain for Pride, and he doesn’t even know that what I did to him last week doesn’t even compare to what’ll come his way at Pain for Pride. Limmy dug his own grave, and in a few weeks he’s gonna wish he never set his sights on my Championship.
(The fans in attendance begin to boo, but Dr. Bethany Blue doesn’t appear to be bothered by this as she continues to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: It isn’t my fault that Limmy ran out of options because he spent this season dropping the ball and coming up short when it mattered most. He couldn’t win Brand Warfare, he couldn’t win the Extreme Elimination Chamber, he wasted half of his season fighting Xander Payne week after week, and when the time came for him to take his eyes off of Xander just for one more night and compete in the Ultimate X match, he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t look away from Xander, he couldn’t win the match, he couldn’t do anything to stop me from eventually going on to win this Championship. Now he thinks he’s going to be the one to TAKE this from me? Limmy is setting himself up for failure, and I’ll be more than happy to be the reason this season ends for him the same way it started, and he ends Pain for Pride with yet another loss to his name.
(‘Number One’ by Shirō Sagisu and Hazel Fernandes hits as soon as Dr. Bethany Blue finishes speaking, causing her to turn towards the stage. Dr. Bethany Blue stares at the stage, waiting until finally Limmy Monaghan begins to walk out, causing the fans in attendance to cheer. Limmy stands on the stage. While he is still recovering from the Hardcore Champion’s attack last week, he has a calm and focused look on his face as he stares at Dr. Bethany Blue.)
Persephone: See, this is why I’m mad security showed up and ruined everything last week. If they just let Bethany finish the job, Limmy wouldn’t be here right now.
Rich Russillo: I think that’s exactly why they didn’t let her continue the attack… We have a huge Hardcore Championship match coming up at Pain for Pride, and as much as these two seem to hate each other, it’d be a shame if anything happened to stop this match from happening.
Persephone: Well, if I have to keep sitting through this they better kill each other once Pain for Pride comes around.
(Dr. Bethany Blue waits, but Limmy Monaghan remains on the stage as his entrance music begins to fade out. He waits a moment, and a slight smirk actually appears on his face as he begins to speak.)
Limmy Monaghan: Do you really believe I’m unsure of what I’m getting myself into? I’ll admit, I did not expect you to strike when you did. You caught me off guard at the time, but let’s be honest. You were always going to attack eventually. It’d be more surprising if you didn’t, because as you already spent the last few weeks making perfectly clear, you despise me and it’s for reasons that go far beyond my eyes being on your Championship. You’re the kind of Elitist that likes to take matters into their own hands whenever they have a problem, and that’s the kind of mentality that constantly leads you to doing what you do. It’s what leads you to being Kassidy Heart’s secret attacker years ago. It’s what leads you to harming your own husband. It’s what leads you to constantly pick fights with members of the roster. It’s what makes you who you are, but Bethany, I think you should remind yourself how this typically ends for you, because when Pain for Pride comes around, I don’t intend to hold back.
(The fans cheer hearing this, but Limmy continues.)
Limmy Monaghan: Fighting Spirit was simply me taking the first shot. Someone had to do it eventually, and I don’t plan to be the victim of any more unprompted attacks this season. I’m sure last week won’t be the last time the two of us find ourselves fighting, but you need to remind yourself that I’m not your husband, who allowed you to do everything you did to him only to roll over and die once it was time to fight back at Pain for Pride. You know my history with Adam, and that history is part of the reason you have so much disdain for me, but if you’re so familiar with me you should already know what I’ll be willing to do once it’s time to deliver. You should already know that once that bell rings, there’s no length I won’t go to in order to win the Hardcore Championship. I’ll gladly beat you at your own game if it means walking out with the gold. I nearly killed Adam Lucas to win that same Championship. If I have to go further to take it from you, don’t think I won’t do it.
(Dr. Bethany Blue doesn’t look happy whatsoever hearing Limmy speak about his match against Adam Lucas years ago, but she quickly begins to respond.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: You’re right, I do remember that. That was years ago though, and all that’s happened this season was you deciding that instead of being the Limmy Monaghan that became a World Champion and remained on top of Dynasty for almost an entire year, you’d rather pretend to be Jamie O’Hara only to fall as short as possible because you’re not half the Elitist you think you are, let alone who you want to be. You’ve had the opportunities this season Limmy, and in case you’ve forgotten, you already tried killing me. More than once actually. You tried in the Ultimate X match, yet I still walked out of that match with the win. You tried back at Fighting Spirit, but even after that entire attack I still had enough strength to stop you. You don’t have it in you to go further, Limmy, so what’s there for me to worry about?
(This causes boos to come from the fans in attendance, but Limmy just shakes his head before beginning to speak.)
Limmy Monaghan: If you think Fighting Spirit was me trying to kill you, you seem to be severely unprepared for what’s to come at Pain for Pride. I had just told you I wanted your Hardcore Championship. Why would I jeopardize that by putting you in the ground? Besides, it’s like you said. You already showed me what you can withstand back at Shock Value, meaning that now I won’t make the same mistakes. I know just how much further I need to take this, and if you think I’m incapable of crossing that line just because of whatever setbacks I may have faced, you’re delusional. I didn’t become the World Heavyweight Champion when I did through sheer luck. I did it because despite what your victory back at Shock Value or even that Hardcore Championship may be telling you, you’re not the most dangerous Elitist on this brand. I am.
Dr. Bethany Blue: And why’s that? Because you invaded Xander Payne’s home? Because you electrocuted his wife? Because you *tried* to kill me at Shock Value? Limmy, there was never anything I wasn’t capable of doing when it comes to picking up a victory. There was never a line I wasn’t willing to cross, because I know how important it is holding Championships like these, and I didn’t become the Hardcore Champion just so you can use it as a consolation prize because you weren’t good enough to find yourself in the World Championship picture at Pain for Pride. I’ll be holding this title for a long time so you might as well focus on whatever you’ll do after Pain for Pride is over, because you’re not getting your hands on this title.
Limmy Monaghan: How many times now have you said that heading into these events? The last time you defended your Championship at Pain for Pride you were telling many of the same stories, even believing you were doing others a favor through retaining your Championship, but by the time Pain for Pride came around none of that happened did it? At the same event where I retained a World Championship while injured you were unable to hold onto the Universal Women’s Championship, and now two years later you’ll be losing the Hardcore title to the same man that took it from your husband. You’re not doing anyone a favor here, Bethany. Not Adam, not the people watching, you’re not even helping yourself right now. The only Elitist you did a favor in all this was me, because you agreed to face me. You set yourself up for failure, and you ruined your chances of walking into next season as Champion.
(Loud cheers come from the fans, but despite the statement from Limmy Monaghan, a grin appears on the face of Dr. Bethany Blue.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Limmy, I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of how Pain for Pride turned out for you last year, so instead of revisiting history and going back and forth as if you could actually be compared to any of the Elitists I’ve lost to, why don’t I tell you something that I’m sure you’ll find interesting?
(Limmy seems confused by this, but after a moment he answers.)
Limmy Monaghan: What is it?
Dr. Bethany Blue: I’m not interested in having a normal Hardcore match at Pain for Pride. Since you think you’re so great, I have something better in mind. You took the first shot. You interrupted me at Fighting Spirit. You decided to attack me. You’re the one that wants this match so badly, so I’ll give you the fight you want, but we’re going to do this on my terms. You’re going to face me in a match called the Doctor’s Playground.
(The fans seem surprised hearing this from Dr. Bethany Blue, but Limmy Monaghan has a focused look on his face. Dr. Bethany Blue then continues to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: You’re right, I’ve known you for a long time. I’ve seen what you did to Adam years ago, just like I saw what you did weeks ago when the same man who claims to be the most dangerous Elitist on the roster was forced to capitalize on someone else’s work to win. You’re not impressing me Limmy, but since you asked for this I’m going to give you what you asked for, and make sure that by the time this ends, it’s not just you that regrets facing me. Everyone watching will wish you didn’t show up at Fighting Spirit, because when the season is over you won’t be holding the Hardcore Championship. You won’t have another Pain for Pride win to your name. You’ll be in a hospital bed.
(Loud boos come from the fans in attendance after these words from Bethany. Finally, Limmy begins to respond.)
Limmy Monaghan: Do you think I have a problem with doing this on someone else’s terms? I said I was coming after your Championship. I didn’t say I’d only face you as long as I have an advantage. I didn’t set any conditions for facing you at Pain for Pride. All I said was that I’d be taking your Hardcore Championship, and I intend to do so regardless of what kind of match it is. Even in a Hardcore match my life would be put at risk, so if you think I have a problem with walking into the unknown and doing the same thing when that Championship will be on the line, you must not understand who it is you’re facing. Make whatever match you want, Bethany. When it’s over, I’ll be standing tall.
Dr. Bethany Blue: Are you sure about that? You’re talking a big game now, but you have no idea what you’re walking into right now. You were never going to win this match Limmy, and that’s the thing you for some reason can’t get through your head. Have you really forgotten about how poorly this season has gone for you, and why it’s gone so badly? It’s not a matter of you just facing a few setbacks. You were constantly trusted to deliver in opportunities I didn’t even have and you just couldn’t do it. I didn’t get to compete in the first EAW World Championship match of the season. I didn’t get to compete in the Extreme Elimination Chamber. I wasn’t in either of the tournaments at the start of the year. You did though, and everything went wrong either because of your own incompetence or your own actions. Either way it was your fault, and now you’re once again digging a hole for yourself that you won’t be able to climb out of.
Limmy Monaghan: What’s the point of endlessly reminding me of failures I’ve faced throughout the season? What kind of reaction are you expecting? I won’t think twice about facing you just because of a match I lost at the first marquee event of the season. I know what my track record looks like. I knew it when I walked out at Fighting Spirit, but did that stop me from beating you within an inch of your life? I don’t believe it did. At Pain for Pride I don’t intend to blindside you. I won’t be surprising you, much like you’re looking to surprise me with this “Doctor’s Playground” stipulation. All I plan to do is defeat you, and there are many ways for me to accomplish that goal. Doing worse than I did back at Fighting Spirit is one of them. You gave me this opportunity Bethany, and when this ends I just think you should remember that. When I leave Pain for Pride with the Hardcore Championship and I cut this reign short to deny you of another Pain for Pride moment, just remember that you agreed to this fight *knowing* just how much I wanted it.
(This once again causes cheers to come from the fans in attendance, who appear to be behind Limmy Monaghan. Dr. Bethany Blue slowly raises her microphone after hearing everything Limmy had to say, beginning to speak once more.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Trust me, I’ll remember every bit of what happened at Fighting Spirit, because what happens when our match ends is something you’ll have deserved for a long time. For what you did to me at Fighting Spirit, for what you did to Adam weeks ago and back in 2021. By the time this is over, you’ll even wish you never took up Jamie’s moniker, because when this match is over you’ll be lucky if you ever get back in a wrestling ring.
(Dr. Bethany Blue stops speaking after this, dropping her microphone onto the mat. The two Elitists fighting for the Hardcore Championship stare at each other, both focused ahead of this match at Pain for Pride which already looks to have tension.)
Rich Russillo: I already talked about how things have gotten heated, but I think it’s safe to say this has been taken to a new level. This match now has a new stipulation known as the Doctor’s Playground, and whatever it is can’t be good for Limmy Monaghan.
Persephone: Probably not, but it is something different, and as much as I don’t like Dr. Bethany Blue, if she’s the one that came up with it it’s probably something that won’t be boring.
Rich Russillo: Whatever the case, Limmy has a tough task ahead of him at Pain for Pride, but these are two high level Elitists going at it in a beyond heated match. No matter what, this is bound to be good.
(Limmy Monaghan and Dr. Bethany Blue stare at each other, with the fans in attendance all excited for the upcoming match between them. With a final shot of the staredown between the two Elitists, Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)
(Promotional ad for Pain for Pride, where Dr. Bethany Blue defends the Hardcore Championship against Limmy Monaghan in the Doctor’s Playground.)
(Moments later, we would begin to fade back to the ringside area, as the crane cam pans around the South of France Arena. Soon, we would hear a familiar voice…)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and Gentlemen… SOLOMOOOOONN STAAAAAAAANEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
(And immediately – the crowd would let out a roar of jeers. ‘The World Is Gonna End Tonight’ by Dan Romer & Peter Harper would play through the speaker system, with a lone spotlight being cast on the stage. Stepping into it, slowly, would be Solomon Stane, an expression almost reading as deadpan on his face; though a glint in his eye and a twitch from the corner of his lips would imply it to be far more devilish than deadpan. A microphone already in hand, Solomon slowly began to march down to the ring. In previous weeks, he and SOSA Henderson began to have tensions rise, going from zero to one hundred extremely quickly; fresh off an attack on SOSA himself, Solomon now stands alone, perhaps to ensure the safety of Trixie Stane and the rest of his followers, or perhaps to make a statement of his own towards SOSA Henderson. His focus never left the ring, as he reached the bottom of the ramp, a spotlight now beginning to appear in the very middle of the canvas. Solomon’s head would tilt. Marching up the steps, Solomon then entered the ring, stepping into the spotlight, now directing all attention to him, and solely him.)
(Moments later, his theme song would fade out – as his microphone began to raise.)
Solomon Stane: I have competed at many Pain For Pride events at this stage in my career. I have retained the Unified Tag Team Championships, just as I have failed to capture them. I have competed in bloody, ruthless Buried Alive bouts. From one year to the next, this world has seen larger and larger glimpses of my abilities, furthermore, coming to understand Solomon Stane far beyond the person; understanding my role here in Elite Answers Wrestling. Slowly – perhaps extremely slowly – but surely, the understanding that I am Your Saviour, it is coming to fruition. Such is why, at Pain For Pride, my intentions were to make my bout a step up from what it had been at Kingdom, at 16, at 15. It was my intention to enter Pain For Pride with the World Championship over my shoulder; then, it was my intention to enter Cash in the Vault. Ripped from my cold hands, by a man who longs for nothing more greatness – SOSA Henderson started a war, one of which he is not and could never be prepared for. From Fighting Spirit, to this very week, he has continued to make an enemy out of Your Saviour. A lust and greed for gold, notwithstanding that men who walk the same path such as his, who cross Your Saviour, do not find their salvation – instead, they come to understand why it is that they are nothing more than an empty husk with dwindling dreams and desires, too snatched from their hands.
Solomon Stane: What SOSA did was make a mistake. The very same way Cameron Ella Ava, Xander Payne, and many more made the very same mistakes. To be more accurate, SOSA has made many a mistake; however the challenge he made ended up being the nail in the coffin. Perhaps egged on by Your Saviour, yet still, a mistake made. I understand SOSA wishes to make an impact at Pain For Pride. Having collected singles gold for the first time in years, he wishes to make Pain For Pride as legendary as yesteryear, however in spite of this, in spite of all of his desires, all of his dreams, Pain For Pride shall end in humiliation for him. His mistake in calling me out will only result in complete and utter failure, his decisions over the course of this month shall only come back to haunt him, and I shall finally mark my spot at the top of this proverbial mountain. SOSA, perhaps listening to this as we speak, may be thinking the end I speak of is a mere defeat for him, perhaps he believes that I am simply going to walk down that ramp in Barcelona, connect with Sanity’s Sake in the centre of that ring, before walking out – perhaps he believes that is the outcome I am expecting for myself. An unfavourable outcome to process, I’m sure, yet I can guarantee only one more thing, one more single detail that he is not going to acknowledge…
(Solomon pauses; he strings the crowd around his finger and leaves them guessing…)
Solomon Stane: Pain For Pride is going to be a deconstruction, and decimation of SOSA Henderson. A far worse fate than merely losing a wrestling match awaits SOSA at Pain For Pride; he is going to come face to face with the most definitive loss he has ever had at the show of shows. There will be no one else for him to blame, but himself. He dug his grave, you cannot blame me for lying him down in it, toppling the gravel atop his body, and leaving him to rot. If he knew any better, he would have stayed far, far away from Your Saviour. He-
(However, he would not be able to finish his sentence – ‘Faneto’ by Chief Keef would begin to blare through the speaker system as the Montpelier audience would suddenly boom. Solomon’s movements were slow, his head creaked over to face the entrance way, as his eyes met SOSA Henderson’s, stepping onto a Voltage stage for the first time in quite some time, once upon a time standing as EAW World Champion on this very brand. With a microphone propped in his hand already, SOSA began to march down the ramp. He didn’t seem too threatened, too angered, in spite of his previous attack; he maintained his stoic and confident vibe just as he always did, a small detail that visibly got under Solomon Stane’s skin. He stepped up the ring steps, before slipping into the ring, circling Solomon, the two once more coming face to face.)
SOSA Henderson: I’m gonna set one thing straight, there’s nothing you have, can or will say that is going to intimidate me in whatever way you intend. Yeah, I get it, you’re tough, you got Championships under your belt, monumental victories this season, you feel a little bit insulted by the King of Philly – the rage inside of you is only gonna build up and lash out against me. Thing is, it’s nothing I haven’t already heard before. You’ve done nothing I ain’t already felt before. I’ve been around the block. I signed pen to paper in late 2018, I’ve seen highs and I’ve seen lows. I’ve gone toe to toe with the likes of Rex McAllister and The Visual Prophet, just as I’ve beaten hotheaded, overconfident, full-of-themselves rooks like you. Yeah I know, you’ve been here for years, but this is your breakout season, and you got a lot to learn. I had my breakout moment a long, long time ago; as I said, I’ve seen it all, as much as you tryna intimidate me right now, you’re not getting under my skin, I’m not shivering in my boots, I ain’t fear you. I ain’t fear anyone, least of all you. Pain For Pride’s the show of shows, I’m a big game player. You can consider yourself whatever type of man, or deity, you wish to be; I’ve sent messages throughout my whole career and I’ve carried through on them time and time again. This won’t be any different.
SOSA Henderson: I made my message loud and clear last week, don’t you think? You can dream and cry about Cash in the Vault all you wan’t, I ain’t really care, I wouldn’t have done it if your little sob story mattered to me – I sent a message and it got under your skin. The message is clear; I’m coming for yet another win at Pain For Pride. One to the many under my resume already, last year I won the 24/7 Battle Royal, this year I’m putting you down and letting you know that dreamers and overconfidence isn’t gonna get you over the finish line against a man like me. If you think you can stop me then sure, go ahead. You’ve got your chance just like you wanted, take your best shot, I’m Bulletproof for a reason. You don’t stand a chance, and you ain’t gonna get your moment, certainly not at my expense. You can go and tell Trixie the same thing too, or whoever else from your little church who needs to hear it – not a single damn one of them gonna get in the way of this beating I’m gonna give you. Do whatever makes you feel powerful, I don’t give a damn, you’re getting chewed up and spat back out just like you deserve. You, your wife and your church can all bitch and moan about it because you ain’t gonna shoot me down. You’re not built for this stage more than me, and I’m gonna show you that in Barcelona. Lil bitch.
(Solomon scrunches up his nose, shaking his head.)
Solomon Stane: I told you. You made a mistake.
SOSA Henderson: Okay. Keep telling yourself that. Ain’t gonna change a thing.
Solomon Stane:… But it will.
(Solomon drops the mic…)
Rich Russillo: OH GOD!
(Before he throws a punch! A haymaker seeks to catch SOSA off guard; however SOSA came prepared, he didn’t just enter to talk, he came for a fight! SOSA fights back, throwing haymakers of his own, sending Solomon stumbling into the ropes. SOSA looks to Irish Whip Solomon…)
Rich Russillo: SPEAR FROM SOSA! SOLOMON IMMEDIATELY DROPS DOWN, CLUTCHING THE MID SECTION, AS SOSA ROLLS OUT TO THE APRON! HE CLIMBS THE TURNBUCKLES
(Solomon is visibly dazed, too focused on the pain in his torso than keeping his eye on SOSA. A grave mistake of his own…)
Rich Russillo: ‘PAID IN FULL’!!!! THE STOMP TAKES SOLOMON STANE DOWN!!
(Immediately, SOSA bounces to his feet, and his eyes become intertwined with the hardcam.)
Rich Russillo: Solomon Stane promised SOSA Henderson made a huge mistake; but SOSA is here standing his ground tonight!
(‘Faneto’ by Chief Keef would play through the speaker system once more, as SOSA steps back, looking down at the grounded Solomon Stane. He would anchor down beside Solomon, pointing his finger, promising him that it won’t be the last time he sees this, and to get ready for Pain For Pride; declaring himself the winner. Slowly, Voltage would begin to fade out to commercial break…)
(Promotional ad for Pain for Pride, where Solomon Stane will face SOSA Henderson.)
(Voltage returns to ringside.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
(‘It Follows’ by Cane Hill hits, and there’s cheers from the fans in attendance tonight as Xander Payne begins to make his way out to the stage. Xander has a calm and focused look on his face as he stands on the stage, but as he begins to head down the ramp, he fires himself up ahead of this big match against Methuselah. He keeps his focus on the match ahead of him as he makes his way to ringside.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first!… From Toronto, Ontario, Canada… Weighing in at 262 pounds… XAAAAAAANNNDDEEEEERRRRRRR PAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYNNNEEEEEE!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Xander Payne is here, and we’ve seen things heat up between this newfound alliance of him and Holly Arrow and the duo of Jake Smith and Caroline. This isn’t about that though, and I think this could be a good opportunity for Xander to build momentum.
Persephone: I guess so, it’s Methuselah he’s facing after all. I don’t care to watch the match though, so hopefully whoever wins squashes their opponent.
Rich Russillo: I’m not so sure that will happen. These are two Hall of Fame Elitists we’re talking about here.
(As Xander Payne waits inside of the ring, ‘Praise Gawd’ by Kanye West hits. The fans in attendance boo as smoke fills the stage, and Methuselah begins to step out. Xander stares at Methuselah from inside of the ring, meanwhile Methuselah looks ready for this match against Xander. Methuselah doesn’t spend too much time on the stage, beginning to walk down the ramp and towards the ring so he can get the match started.)
Bella Braxton: And his opponent… From The Mount Adams Observatory… Weighing in at 17 stone… THE OVERMAN, MEEEEEETTTHHHHUUUUUSSEEEEELLAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Methuselah is out here, and I’m sure he also has a lot on his mind thanks to Minerva, but he needs to focus on Xander Payne. Otherwise, Xander might just get himself a big win tonight.
Persephone: I think everything Xander does is big. I mean, just look at his stomach.
Rich Russillo: Right. Well, we have a great main event match ahead of us, and I for one can’t wait to see who will walk out of this one with the victory. Let’s get this match started!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: And this main event contest is underway as Xander Payne stares down Methuselah! These two men actually have history with each other, and now they look to square off once more as they begin to circle the ring! Xander and Methuselah lock up, and Methuselah is able to take immediate control as he gets Xander in a side headlock! Xander begins lifting Xander up for a back suplex- but Methuselah pulls himself back down before dropping to the mat, taking Xander with him with a headlock takedown!
Persephone: Boring. Xander uses his legs to pull Methuselah off of him with a headscissors, and now both men get back up-
Rich Russillo: BEFORE METHUSELAH LOOKS TO CATCH XANDER OFF GUARD WITH THE SPINNING HEEL KICK! Xander was able to duck under it though, AND THANKS TO THIS HE’S ABLE TO LUNGE AT METHUSELAH, TAKING HIM TO THE MAT WITH A LARIAT! Great start by these two Hall of Famers as Methuselah gets back up, only to be sent into the corner of the ring by Xander! Methuselah’s back collides with the turnbuckles, and now Xander Payne comes charging in-
Persephone: But he isn’t able to do anything as Methuselah is able to get the boot up, hitting Xander in the face. Methuselah grabs Xander and pulls him into the corner, and he begins throwing boxing style punches at Xander while the referee… Isn’t even attempting to count. Why isn’t he counting?
Rich Russillo: After what happened to the last referee that pissed Methuselah off, I don’t think they’re willing to take any chances.
Persephone: Ugh, I forgot about that. Methuselah starts stomping away at Xander in the corner which forces Xander into a seated position, and Methuselah just takes a few steps back before hitting a running facewash.
Rich Russillo: Xander falls out of the corner and immediately grabs the ropes to begin pulling himself back up, but Methuselah grabs him before Irish whipping him into the opposite set of ropes- ONLY FOR XANDER TO GRAB ONTO THEM, NOT ALLOWING HIMSELF TO FALL INTO METHUSELAH’S GRASP! Xander now pushes himself off and runs in, BEFORE KICKING METHUSELAH’S LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HIM, DROPPING METHUSELAH TO THE MAT! Xander quickly runs the ropes as Methuselah stumbles back up, AND HE FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A BIG BOOT TO DROP METHUSELAH ONCE MORE! What a match this has been so far!
Persephone: Methuselah stumbles into the ropes as Xander runs in to clothesline him out of the ring- BUT METHUSELAH DUCKS DOWN AND LIFTS HIM OVER THE TOP ROPE, SENDING XANDER OUT TO RINGSIDE!! I THINK I JUST FELT THE ENTIRE ARENA SHAKE!
Rich Russillo: Xander is able to push himself back to his feet after that one, BUT HE DOESN’T STAY UP FOR LONG, AS METHUSELAH IS ABLE TO DELIVER A PHENOMENAL FOREARM OUT TO RINGSIDE, COLLIDING WITH XANDER PAYNE TO TAKE HIM DOWN!! Methuselah gets back to his feet, and already these two are just throwing everything at each other!
Persephone: Methuselah drags Xander up before immediately throwing him into the ring post, and this time I’m pretty sure the ring just shifted a few inches. Is it just me?
Rich Russillo: Yes, I believe it is. Anyways, Methuselah doesn’t slow down with this assault on Xander, as he grabs him before pulling him back first into the barricade! Xander drops down to a seated position after that connection, and Methuselah grabs him by the head before just bashing it back against the barricade! Methuselah is just being methodical right now, taking shots he knows Xander won’t be able to avoid.
Persephone: Methuselah drags Xander up again before kneeing him in the midsection, and now he sends him back into the ring. Xander is able to pull himself into the corner and start using the ropes to pull himself up there, but as he’s doing that, Methuselah just ran into the opposite corner. I guess he just came up with an idea.
Rich Russillo: HE SURE DID, AS XANDER DOESN’T SEEM TO REALIZE HE JUST PUT HIMSELF IN THE PERFECT SPOT FOR METHUSELAH! METHUSELAH BURSTS OUT OF THE CORNER, AND HE RUSHES IN FOR RAPTURE-
Persephone: BUT XANDER CATCHES HIM, AND HE DROPS HIM OUT OF THE CORNER WITH A URANAGE! METHUSELAH IS DOWN, AND XANDER FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A SENTON ON TOP OF METHUSELAH BEFORE HOOKING THE LEG FOR THE COVER!
ONE-
Persephone: Aaand Methuselah kicked out at one. That’s annoying, but it’s not exactly unexpected, either.
Rich Russillo: That was still a great way to get back into this from Xander, who begins dragging Methuselah back up without much hesitation. Xander now holding onto him from behind, BEFORE DELIVERING A HALF AND HALF SUPLEX TO DROP THE CHAIRMAN ONTO HIS HEAD!! THE MOMENTUM CAUSES METHUSELAH TO FALL BACK ONTO HIS KNEES, AND XANDER QUICKLY LOOKS TO CAPITALIZE!
Persephone: Xander pulls Methuselah in, BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A KNEELING TIGER BOMB! XANDER HOLDS METHUSELAH IN PLACE FOR THE COVER!
ONE-
Persephone: AND OF COURSE ANOTHER USELESS MOVE ONLY GETS A ONE COUNT- BUT THIS TIME XANDER SHOWS HE ACTUALLY HAS A FEW BRAIN CELLS LEFT AS HE JUST TURNED METHUSELAH OVER FOR A BOSTON CRAB!! Now all I need is for Methuselah to hurry up and tap out. You don’t need this match that badly! Just get this over with so this show can end.
Rich Russillo: It doesn’t look like that’s gonna happen, as Methuselah is pulling himself closer and closer towards those ropes! Xander recognizes this and begins dragging Methuselah away before he can grab onto them- BUT METHUSELAH USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN HIMSELF OVER ONTO HIS BACK!, GETTING OUT OF THE BOSTON CRAB!
Persephone: He’s not in the clear yet though, because Xander just rolled over Methuselah to put him in a jackknife pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
THR-
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH KICKS OUT, BUT THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A CLOSER CALL THAN I THINK HE ANTICIPATED! Xander clearly knows what he’s doing here- AS HE IMMEDIATELY DRAGS METHUSELAH UP BEFORE HE COULD GET TO HIS FEET, LOOKING FOR THE RIPTIDE!
Persephone: HE DOESN’T GET IT THOUGH, BECAUSE METHUSELAH LANDED BEHIND XANDER BEFORE SHOVING HIM INTO THE ROPES!
Rich Russillo: XANDER TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY HE WAS JUST GIVEN, JUMPING OFF THE ROPE AS HE LOOKS FOR THE PAYNEMAKER- BUT WAIT A SECOND!!! METHUSELAH PREVENTS THE SPRINGBOARD STUNNER AS HE CATCHES HIM, BEFORE DRIVING XANDER FACE FIRST INTO THE MAT WITH THE ROLLING DEMOLITION!!! WHAT A COUNTER AS METHUSELAH IS ABLE TO PLANT XANDER, AND NOW THERE’S THE COVER TO POTENTIALLY END THIS ONE!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-
Persephone: :francis: But of course, the match isn’t over yet for some odd reason.
Rich Russillo: Methuselah gets back to his feet before dragging Xander up- AND IT LOOKED LIKE METHUSELAH MAY HAVE BEEN SETTING UP FOR THE MK DRIVER, BUT XANDER IS QUICKLY ABLE TO BEGIN THROWING PUNCHES TO THE RIBS! Xander is hurt, but he has the experience to know that at a time like this, he needs to get out of there no matter what! Xander is able to free himself from Methuselah’s grasp- BUT METHUSELAH RESPONDS BY PUNCHING XANDER IN THE JAW, CAUSING XANDER TO STUMBLE AND NEARLY DROP TO THE MAT!
Persephone: Methuselah grabs Xander and connects with a second punch, and he doesn’t stop at that either. He keeps punching Xander over and over as Xander looks like he isn’t even trying to fight back- UNTIL XANDER CATCHES HIM OFF GUARD WITH A HEADBUTT! Methuselah falls backwards into the ropes- AND ONCE HE BOUNCES OFF, XANDER CATCHES HIM WITH A POP UP DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! I didn’t expect Xander to still have anything left in him. Unfortunately that just means Methuselah didn’t do his job properly, and the match now has to continue.
Rich Russillo: Both men are down, but that doesn’t last for too long as Xander slowly pulls himself up, before heading out to the apron and beginning to climb to the top rope! Methuselah is still down and out in the ring, so this might just be the perfect opportunity for him to go high risk! Xander makes it to the top rope, BEFORE DIVING ONTO METHUSELAH WITH A SWANTON!!!
Persephone: BUT METHUSELAH GETS THE KNEES UP!!! XANDER ROLLS OFF OF METHUSELAH AND STUMBLES BACK TO HIS FEET, AND NOW METHUSELAH PUSHES HIMSELF BACK UP BEFORE CHARGING AT XANDER WITH THE SPEAR!!!
Rich Russillo: NO! XANDER BARELY GETS OUT OF THE WAY, AND METHUSELAH GOES SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RING POST! XANDER RUNS INTO THE OPPOSITE CORNER AS METHUSELAH FALLS INTO A SEATED POSITION, AND NOW XANDER RUSHES BACK IN BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A RUNNING CANNONBALL!! WHAT A HUGE MOVE TO METHUSELAH, BUT IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE HE’S FINISHED JUST YET, EITHER! XANDER DRAGS METHUSELAH AWAY FROM THE ROPES BY HIS ARM- BEFORE PULLING METHUSELAH UP AND INTO THE DAWNBREAKER!!!
Persephone: YES, THE MOVE ACTUALLY CONNECTED!! NOW HURRY UP AND PIN HIM, DON’T WASTE ANY TIME!!
Rich Russillo: IT LOOKS LIKE XANDER IS LOOKING TO DO JUST THAT, AS HE CRAWLS IN FOR THE COVER!!!
ONE!
TW-
Rich Russillo: BUT METHUSELAH IS ONCE AGAIN ABLE TO KICK OUT BEFORE EVEN THE COUNT OF TWO!! What will Xander need to do in order to put this man away!? Xander returns to his feet and I think he’s beginning to wonder the same thing, but instead of spending too much time waiting, I think he’s getting ready to make a move! Xander grabs Methuselah and begins dragging him back up to his feet, BEFORE SETTING HIM UP FOR A STUMP PULLER PILEDRIVER!!
Persephone: IT DOESN’T CONNECT THOUGH, BECAUSE METHUSELAH WAS ABLE TO RUN INTO THE CORNER TO RAM XANDER BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! That’s so disappointing. A piledriver onto Methuselah at his age might’ve actually killed him, and I would’ve loved to see that happen. Still, both men are stumbling out of the corner, BUT XANDER IS ABLE TO HIT METHUSELAH WITH A BACK ELBOW BEFORE HE COULD CAPITALIZE!
Rich Russillo: Xander turns and grabs Methuselah to try and make the most of it- BUT METHUSELAH IS ABLE TO DELIVER A JAWBREAKER TO CATCH XANDER OFF GUARD! XANDER STUMBLES AWAY FROM METHUSELAH, AND NOW METHUSELAH CONNECTS WITH A BIG BOOT!
Persephone: He follows that up with a big boot, and that combination really showed Methuselah’s age. I don’t think wrestlers have been moving like that since the 80’s.
Rich Russillo: Methuselah runs the ropes before looking for his twisting elbow drop- BUT XANDER AVOIDS IT, AND AS HE RUSHES BACK UP, HE’S QUICK TO KICK METHUSELAH IN THE MIDSECTION! XANDER SENDS METHUSELAH INTO THE ROPES, AND AS METHUSELAH BOUNCES OFF XANDER POPS HIM UP FOR THE LAST SEDATION!
Persephone: HE DOESN’T GET IT THOUGH, BECAUSE THE OLD MAN JUST SOMEHOW LEAPED OVER XANDER! METHUSELAH BOUNCES OFF THE OTHER SET OF ROPES-
Rich Russillo: AND AS XANDER TURNS AROUND, HE’S CUT IN HALF BY A HUGE SPEAR!!! THE SPEAR CONNECTS, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THAT MIGHT JUST BE IT FOR XANDER PAYNE AS METHUSELAH LOOKS TO FINISH THIS ONE UP! METHUSELAH NOW WITH THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT SOMEHOW, METHUSELAH HAS NOT WON THIS MATCH JUST YET AS XANDER PAYNE WAS ABLE TO ONCE AGAIN GET THE SHOULDER UP!!! XANDER PAYNE IS STILL IN THIS MATCH, AND METHUSELAH DOES NOT LOOK TOO AMUSED SEEING THIS!
Persephone: Yeah, well I’m not amused either.
Rich Russillo: Methuselah gets on top of Xander before just beginning to punch away at him, and given the state Xander is in, I don’t think he has it in him to do a very efficient job of blocking these strikes! Methuselah keeps laying in punch after punch, BEFORE JUST GRABBING XANDER BY THE HEAD AND BEGINNING TO REPEATEDLY BASH IT AGAINST THE MAT! Methuselah showing some of the same aggression that has made him one of the most dangerous Elitists in history, and right now Xander is in a lot of trouble!
Persephone: Hopefully this means the match will actually be ending soon. This has already gone on way longer than it needs to.
Rich Russillo: Methuselah gets back to his feet before looking to grab Xander- BUT XANDER HAS THE AWARENESS TO GRAB METHUSELAH, PULLING HIM INTO THE INSIDE CRADLE!!!
ONE!
T-
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH KICKS OUT, BUT THIS ALLOWS XANDER TO ROLL OUT OF THE RING AND CREATE SOME DISTANCE! That was much needed for Xander, who may have lost this one if he didn’t find room to recover! Xander is holding onto the apron and using it to drag himself to his feet, BUT AS HE DOES THIS, METHUSELAH RUNS THE ROPES! VINTAGE DEDEDE!!!
Persephone: DOESN’T CONNECT!!! XANDER JUST ROLLED BACK INTO THE RING, LEAVING METHUSELAH TO CRASH AND BURN LIKE AN IDIOT AS HE LANDED ONTO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR! This is the perfect chance for the ref to count him out! Methuselah is like 50 so he definitely broke something landing like that!
Rich Russillo: Xander Payne just gave himself not only breathing room, but a very good advantage as Methuselah is hurt outside of the ring! Methuselah is pushing himself to all fours, but he took some serious damage with that landing! After all, there’s a reason they call it high risk!
Persephone: Yeah. It’s because it’s stupid and if you do it you’re also stupid.
Rich Russillo: Methuselah grabs onto the apron before using it to pull himself back into the ring, and that really just gave Xander the exact kind of opening he needed! Methuselah pushes himself back to his feet-
Persephone: BUT IN DOING SO HE ENDS UP WALKING RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK, CAUSING METHUSELAH TO FALL BACKWARDS INTO THE ROPES!
Rich Russillo: AND AS METHUSELAH BOUNCES OFF OF THEM, XANDER PAYNE HITS HIM WITH THE LAST SEDATION!!! THE LAST SEDATION CONNECTS THIS TIME, AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT XANDER NEEDED!!! HIS GO-TO FINISHING MOVE CONNECTS, AND NOW XANDER DROPS DOWN ON TOP OF METHUSELAH FOR THE COVER TO END THIS ONE!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Persephone: ARE YOU SERIOUS??
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH KICKS OUT!!! THIS MATCH STILL ISN’T OVER! XANDER PAYNE JUST SITS UP AND SHAKES HIS HEAD, KNOWING THAT SOMEHOW HIS LAST SEDATION JUST COULDN’T GET THE JOB DONE!
Persephone: This is getting ridiculous now.
Rich Russillo: Xander Payne pushes himself back up before slowly dragging Methuselah up, AND HE DELIVERS A KNEE TO THE FACE OF METHUSELAH WHILE HE’S STILL ON A KNEE! XANDER HOLDS ONTO METHUSELAH’S HEAD, AND HE JUST BEGINS PUNCHING AWAY AT METHUSELAH NOW, SHOWING SOME OF HIS OWN AGGRESSION WHICH WE’VE ALSO SEEN OVER THE YEARS OF XANDER’S CAREER!
Persephone: Methuselah is able to shove Xander off of him- BUT XANDER CONNECTS WITH A REBOUND LARIAT, DROPPING METHUSELAH BEFORE HE COULD EVEN DO ANYTHING! If only Xander could actually do something to end the match that’d be great, but clearly he just isn’t good enough to do that. The fact that these two are still fighting is just ridiculous, it’s really getting annoying now.
Rich Russillo: Xander Payne drags Methuselah back up, AND HE SENDS HIM INTO THE ROPES FOR A SECOND LAST SEDATION- BUT THIS TIME IT’S METHUSELAH THAT GRABS ONTO THE ROPES, PREVENTING XANDER FROM GOING FOR THE MOVE! Xander rushes in, but Methuselah is able to land an elbow that rocks Xander! Xander stumbles back before fighting back with a right hand- BUT METHUSELAH IN RETURN DELIVERS A SPINNING BACK FIST! Xander once again stumbles, and now Methuselah grabs Xander before landing a punch to the jaw! A second one now! A third! A four-
Persephone: He doesn’t get it this time! Xander was able to break free before connecting with a bell clap! Methuselah turns around in pain, AND NOW XANDER TRIES TO LIFT HIM UP FOR LE BOMBE BLEU-
Rich Russillo: BUT METHUSELAH IS ABLE TO ROLL BACK AND LAND BEHIND XANDER! METHUSELAH USES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LIFT XANDER UP, BEFORE FINALLY HE DROPS XANDER BACK FIRST ONTO HIS KNEE WITH A BACKBREAKER!! XANDER IS IN PAIN, BUT METHUSELAH DOESN’T EVEN GIVE HIM A MOMENT TO REST, AS HE LIFTS HIM UP BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A SECOND BACKBREAKER!! METHUSELAH NOW GRABBING XANDER, AND HE SENDS HIM INTO THE CORNER OF THE RING!
Persephone: Methuselah backs into the opposite corner, BEFORE RUSHING IN AND DROPPING XANDER WITH RAPTURE!!! Xander drops to the mat, and this is exactly what I needed to see. After that one I’m not so sure Xander has much left in him, and the closer this match is to ending, the better. Methuselah backs into the far corner of the ring once more, and I think he’s setting up for the same move he hit earlier in the match.
Rich Russillo: You may be right about that one! Xander Payne is slowly beginning to get back to his feet, but he’s clearly dazed, and I don’t even think he realizes what he’s about to walk into! Xander Payne is back on his feet, AND NOW METHUSELAH BURSTS OUT OF THE CORNER!
Persephone: METHUSELAH CHARGES AT XANDER PAYNE FOR A SECOND SPEAR-
(Suddenly, a loud reaction comes from the crowd.)
Rich Russillo: WHAT THE HELL??
Persephone: Oh.
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH WENT FOR THE SPEAR, BUT IT WAS JUST INTERCEPTED AS MINERVA HAS ENTERED THE RING AND DROPPED HIM WITH THE DEVIL’S TOUCH!!! METHUSELAH IS DOWN AND OUT ON THE MAT, AND NOW I THINK IT’S METHUSELAH THAT DOESN’T KNOW WHERE HE IS AFTER THAT ONE!
Persephone: FINALLY!!! I DON’T REALLY CARE ABOUT ANY OF THE BEEF BETWEEN MINERVA AND METHUSELAH, BUT MINERVA JUST ATTACKED METHUSELAH AND THE REFEREE IS STARING RIGHT AT THEM! HE’S GONNA HAVE TO CALL THE MATCH OFF!
Rich Russillo: IT LOOKS LIKE YOU’RE RIGHT ABOUT THAT, BUT MINERVA COULDN’T CARE LESS AS SHE GETS ON TOP OF METHUSELAH AND BEGINS PUNCHING AWAY AT HIM! MINERVA JUST RUINED THIS MATCH, AND IT LOOKS LIKE SHE STILL ISN’T FINISHED WITH METHUSELAH AFTER HE REFUSED TO FACE HER AT PAIN FOR PRIDE!
(Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH OFFICIALLY WINS THIS BY DISQUALIFICATION, BUT I DON’T THINK HE FEELS MUCH LIKE A WINNER RIGHT NOW AS MINERVA CONTINUES TO PUNCH AWAY AT HIM! MINERVA IS ALL OVER OUR CHAIRMAN NOW, AND NOW SHE STARTS THROWING IN ELBOWS AS WELL AS SHE SEEMS TO HAVE HIT THE CHAIRMAN WITH A GOOD ONE! IT LOOKS LIKE MINERVA HAS BUSTED METHUSELAH OPEN, MEANWHILE WE JUST MISSED OUT ON A FANTASTIC MAIN EVENT!
(Xander Payne slowly stirs and notices the brawl taking place inside of the ring between Minerva and Methuselah. While confused about what’s going on, he chooses not to get involved in what isn’t his fight. Xander drops down to a knee before rolling out of the ring, shaking his head as he walks up the ramp. Meanwhile Minerva continues to attack Methuselah, until…)
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH IS ABLE TO PUSH MINERVA OFF OF HIM!
Persephone: Both Elitists get back up, and they just keep fighting as they don’t stop throwing punches at each other. Methuselah must be pretty annoyed having Minerva constantly coming after him.
Rich Russillo: Both Elitists are just brawling in the center of the ring, AND MINERVA IS ABLE TO LAND AN UPPERCUT TO METHUSELAH- BUT METHUSELAH IS ABLE TO RESPOND WITH A KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION BEFORE THROWING SOME OF THE SAME BOXING STYLE PUNCHES WE SAW AGAINST XANDER! THE TWO ELITISTS CONTINUE FIGHTING- BUT MINERVA IS ABLE TO TAKE METHUSELAH TO THE MAT WITH A DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN!
Persephone: Methuselah is quickly able to turn Minerva over though, and he begins to choke her out!
Rich Russillo: This time it’s Minerva that’s able to find the counter though, AS SHE PULLS METHUSELAH IN BY HIS HAIR BEFORE RAKING HIS EYE! Minerva rolls under the bottom rope before pulling Methuselah out of the ring-
Persephone: BUT AS SOON AS SHE DOES THAT, METHUSELAH IS ABLE TO CATCH MINERVA WITH A BACK ELBOW! Methuselah grabs Minerva now, BEFORE SENDING HER CRASHING INTO THE STEEL STEPS!
Rich Russillo: MINERVA IS DOWN AND OUT, BUT METHUSELAH DOESN’T APPEAR TO BE SATISFIED JUST YET!
Persephone: Methuselah drags Minerva back up by her neck, before… HEY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING??
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH JUST THREW MINERVA ONTO OUR TABLE! Minerva is laid out on our table, and now Methuselah quickly grabs one of the steel chairs from the timekeepers area, BEFORE SLAMMING IT RIGHT ONTO THE FACE OF MINERVA! METHUSELAH JUST HIT MINERVA IN THE FACE WITH THAT CHAIR, AND WITH HER LAID OUT ON OUR TABLE, HE BEGINS MAKING HIS WAY TO THE RING WITH THE CHAIR IN HIS HAND!
Persephone: Methuselah climbs up the apron before beginning to climb up to the top rope, and I think it’s pretty obvious what he has in mind right now…. Which I don’t like, because I think our table is about to be destroyed.
Rich Russillo: IT LOOKS LIKE YOU’RE RIGHT, BECAUSE METHUSELAH JUST DOVE OFF THE TOP ROPE, BEFORE CONNECTING WITH THE WINGS OF HELL!!!!! METHUSELAH TAKES OUT MINERVA WITH THE WINGS OF HELL, AND FOR ONCE I THINK MINERVA MAY BE REGRETTING CHOOSING TO STRIKE!
Persephone: Yikes. I’ve seen that move up close a few times now and I still haven’t gotten used to it.
Rich Russillo: I don’t think anyone has. Methuselah is unreal, but this is the kind of threat Minerva wants to go up against at Pain for Pride. Right now… All I have to say is good luck, because defeating someone like Methuselah could never be easy.
(Both Elitists remain laid out in the rubble of the table… Until finally, Methuselah is able to sit up. Some blood can still be seen pouring down the side of his head, but he has a sneer on his face following that brawl with Minerva. The camera shows one more shot of the laid out Minerva before cutting back to Methuselah, and with this last shot of the Chairman, Voltage fades to black.)
(EAW logo buzzes.)
