(EAW intro plays.)
(The recap shows highlights of the first Voltage of Season 20, kicking off the new season in exciting fashion. After the recap comes to an end, the camera opens up to the Donald L. Trucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Florida, where tonight’s show will be taking place. Pyro shoots from the stage as always while the fans in attendance loudly cheer, before finally the camera pans to the commentary table, where Rich Russillo, Thadd Blazevich and Persephone are seen.)
Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Sunday Night Voltage! Last week we opened up Season 20, and we are now on the road to Bloodsport as we look to continue what has been a hot start for the season!
Persephone: I… I just don’t care. Nothing tonight actually matters, except maybe the steel cage match. I just want to get to Bloodsport already.
Thadd Blazevich: Hey, don’t be so negative! We got a wicked cool show coming up tonight with a banger main event, but before we get there let’s cut to the ring, as it looks like we’re actually about to learn a bit more about Bloodsport right now!
(The camera pans over towards the ring, where the Voltage Commissioner Captain Charisma can be seen holding a microphone in his hand. That is not all, as while the fans cheer, it is not just for the Commissioner. In front of Captain Charisma is a table with a chair on each side, and on top of the table is a match contract, two pens and two microphones. Along with this is a familiar item to fans of Voltage, as a large wheel can be seen propped up next to the Commissioner.)
Captain Charisma: Ladies and gentlemen… Welcome to Sunday Night Voltage!
(The fans cheer, putting a smile on Captain Charisma’s face. He takes a moment to allow the cheers to continue, before finally he just nods before beginning to speak once more.)
Captain Charisma: Now listen. I know you see the set-up, so I’m not going to beat around the bush. We have a contract signing to open the show, but that’s not all! We’re going to be doing two things at once here, as not only will we be making a Bloodsport match official, but we will be learning the stipulation for that match thanks to the returning Bloodsport Wheel of Death!
(The fans cheer loudly, excited knowing that the Bloodsport wheel is back and that we will soon learn the fate of one of Bloodsport’s matches. The grin remains on the face of Captain Charisma, as he finally reveals which match that will be.)
Captain Charisma: Now of course, the match in question will be the EAW World Championship match between Raven Roberts and Hans Grayson! I believe this is bound to be an excellent match given the talent both of these Elitists possess. Raven Roberts has a chip on her shoulder in her return to Voltage, while Hans Grayson is a first-time World Champion and doesn’t want that to end so soon. This is a match I’m sure you’re all looking forward to, so let’s get this running. First up, please welcome the challenger… EAW Hall of Famer, Raven Roberts!
(The camera pans towards the stage as ‘Ghost Myself’ by DIAMANTE hits. The fans cheer, although the reception is slightly mixed after what Raven Roberts did at the Draft. Still, Raven begins walking out, and she seems ready to get this contract signing over with. Wasting no time, she walks down the ramp and begins heading to the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Raven Roberts is here, and we saw her shocking actions at the Draft, but she can’t be too thrilled after Hans got a bit of payback last week, disrupting her match against Miku Sakai.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, but it was only fair if you ask me bro. Raven fired the first shot, and Hans shot back. Hopefully that doesn’t cause this to go south, though.
Persephone: I for one hope it does. Besides the stipulation, there’s literally nothing good to look forward to with some stupid contract signing.
(Raven Roberts walks up the steel steps and enters the ring, glancing at the wheel before heading towards her chair. She takes a seat, simply waiting for Captain Charisma to announce her opponent.)
Captain Charisma: Raven, thank you for joining us. Now, I’d like for everyone to welcome the champion… Our new EAW World Champion, Hans Grayson!
(The crowd explodes, and ‘The Leaving Song Pt. II’ by AFI hits, bringing out more cheers. Hans Grayson begins to walk out, carrying his EAW World Championship on his shoulder as he stares at Raven Roberts. He is still thinking about the heated direction things have taken between them for the last few weeks, but he keeps his cool, beginning to walk down the ramp as he begins high-fiving a few fans on his way to the ring.)
Rich Russillo: The Champion is now on his way out, and I just wonder what’s running through his head now that he is on the verge of his first title defense as a World Champion. This is a big time for him.
Thadd Blazevich: Sure is, bro! This is huge for Hans, but it could also be bad for him. Raven is ready to get her moment as a two-time World Champ, and if Hans isn’t locked in it could be at his expense.
Persephone: Okay but, that’s only if they sign the contract right? Is it too late to replace Raven with a better wrestler or something?
(Hans climbs onto the apron, entering the ring before nodding to Captain Charisma. Hans slowly approaches the table, placing his Championship down as he keeps his eyes on Raven. As Hans sits down in his chair however, Raven finally begins to speak.)
Raven Roberts: I shouldn’t be surprised you interrupted my match. It was bound to happen after what I did at the Draft, wasn’t it?
(Hans stares at Raven for a moment before he answers.)
Hans Grayson: Yeah, I guess it was.
(Raven nods.)
Hans Grayson: You know it didn’t have to be like this, right? I put out an open challenge for a reason. The whole point was that I was willing to defend my Championship against anyone. All you had to do was walk out, say “I want the match” and it would’ve been yours. Was kicking me in the face really worth it?
Raven Roberts: Yes, it was.
(It surprises fans in attendance seeing how fast Raven answered that question, with no hesitation whatsoever as she looks the World Champion in the eyes.)
Raven Roberts: I understand that it’s your first ever World Championship reign and again, congratulations to you for that. You came a long way from where you used to be but there’s clearly a lot you haven’t figured out, and it has to do with the stakes when you’re holding that title. I know what it was like being a World Champion and it was one of the toughest challenges I’ve had because I knew that at all times I had a target on my back, and no. I don’t say this to say that the entire division was after me. I say this to say that the most dangerous people this company has to offer were after me, and ultimately what cost me the title was the current Universal Women’s Champion choosing her moment to catch me off guard and strike, using her Iconic Cup to take my title from me.
(There are a few boos, noting the reference to the current Universal Women’s Champion, Minerva. Hans doesn’t respond to this, allowing Raven to continue speaking.)
Raven Roberts: Nobody is going to wait around, hold your hand and guide you to the perfect Championship reign. I wanted to get it through your head. I wanted to make sure I pissed you off, because you don’t have many options right now. Either you’re cut out for this or you’re not, and right now I’m after a second World Championship. I didn’t just learn from my past reign. I learned from everything I’ve been through since then, and I can’t afford to miss out on a chance that was looking me in the face. So yes Hans, I could’ve just walked down the ramp. I could’ve just said that I wanted an opportunity, but I opted to make an impact. I opted to make sure that I was the only threat you were worried about. Every part of what I did was worth it, because what I’m going to do at Bloodsport is going to be worse. You need to prepare for that instead of worrying about what could’ve been, because I was ready for this before my boot even met your face.
(Hans takes a moment to think about what Raven just said to him. He slowly nods, accepting her words before beginning to respond.)
Hans Grayson: Yeah, I get it. Trust me, I do. I’ve never been a World Champion before and I get that, but I think I’ve been through enough to know how cutthroat this place can be. I was on Voltage for only one season and ended up with a broken arm only six months in, so I don’t need a warning about how this place can be, because I already learned how to prepare myself for war. You didn’t need to add to the problem, Raven. I get it. You’re tired of the losses. You don’t want Cash in the Vault to be representative of where you are going forward, but you could’ve helped change this brand for the better. You could’ve helped us push away from the likes of Drake Armstrong, Kai Rabeaux, Damon Lazarus, ToXXXin and everyone else making this place a living hell, and look at what you’re doing instead. Justifying unneeded cheap shots as if any of it changes the basics. You’re facing me for the EAW World Championship at Bloodsport, and I’m not just handing you an easy ticket to another World title. If you want this title, you’re going to have to take it from me.
(Loud cheers follow these words as Hans stares at Raven, but Raven doesn’t back down, instead responding soon after the cheers die down.)
Raven Roberts: That is the plan, Hans. I took my shot because I plan to take that Championship, and I decided I wasn’t going to wait to do it.
(There is a staredown between the two Elitists after this, and Captain Charisma notices the tension between them. Wanting to diffuse the situation, he quickly speaks up.)
Captain Charisma: Alright, let’s not forget why we’re here. It isn’t often we do things at once like this, so I’ll leave it in your hands. Do you want to sign the contract first, or would you rather first find out just what you’ll be entering at Bloodsport? That stipulation could help you decide whether or not you really want to go through with this, or you could wait until there’s no backing out to learn your fate. It’s your call.
(Hans and Raven look at each other for a moment, before Hans turns towards Captain Charisma and answers.)
Hans Grayson: Listen, I think everyone here wants to find out what that stipulation’s going to be, so I don’t want to keep them waiting. I’m all for getting this over with now.
(Captain Charisma nods as the fans cheer, and he turns towards the challenger.)
Captain Charisma: Raven?
Raven Roberts: I have no plans to back out of this regardless of what the wheel lands on, so I’m fine with spinning the wheel first.
Captain Charisma: Alright, perfect! Hans, would you do the honors?
(Hans nods, and after glaring at Raven for a moment, he gets out of his seat and walks towards the wheel. Hans grabs the wheel, staring at it and the many stipulations listed on it before finally giving it a spin. He steps back, allowing the camera to get a good look at the wheel as it continues spinning. Raven and Captain Charisma both watch, and the fans quiet down as they wait to see what the result will be.)
(Finally, the wheel slows down.)
(With every second that passes it continues to slow down, before finally coming to a complete halt. Cheers are heard by fans, and Captain Charisma steps forward before reading what’s on the wheel.)
Captain Charisma: Hans, Raven… I hope you two don’t go back on your words, because you two are competing in the Cage of Death!
Rich Russillo: WOW! That’s one hell of a stipulation! We saw the damage it did just last year!
Thadd Blazevich: We sure did, bro! This is the perfect stip for these two.
Persephone: Finally, this is getting interesting.
(The crowd now explodes with cheers. The fans are excited, and Hans and Raven both look content with this, seemingly not intimidated by this choice.)
Captain Charisma: This won’t be the first time this stipulation was used for the World Championship match at Bloodsport. I for one would love to see what you two can bring to the table in the match this year, but with the spinning of the wheel now out of the way, you know what’s left to do. Once both of you have signed that contract, this one is official.
(Raven grabs the contract, looking at it for a moment. However, rather than picking up the pen, she holds onto her microphone.)
Raven Roberts: Well, I said what I said. It doesn’t matter to me what the stipulation is. The Cage of Death isn’t a simple stipulation. I understand it’ll be tough, however this isn’t the first time I have been on this brand Hans so you should know that the ridiculous, life-threatening stipulations you’ll only find here are nothing new for me. Some of the biggest matches of my career happened while I was a member of the Voltage roster. I’m already used to putting everything at risk, and if anything Bloodsport will just be me returning to the norm. I can say for certain that I am ready for Bloodsport, and while yes it’s true you can say the same… Can you actually *mean it* while that arm you mentioned is likely still hanging on by a thread?
(These words surprise the fans, and Hans doesn’t react immediately, knowing that it’s true that he had been through a lot at Pain for Pride, with Drake trying to undo a majority of the healing that had been done for his arm.)
Hans Grayson: Alright, fair enough. I can’t deny that my arm is still pretty banged up, and can you blame me? I went through hell at Pain for Pride. I had my arm torn open, nail after nail ripped out of it. I was bad, but you remember how that match ended, don’t you?
(Raven doesn’t answer this, but the look on her face is enough to show Hans that she knows exactly what he’s referring to.)
Hans Grayson: I won Barbed Wire Massacre with one arm, Raven. Sure, I may not have been on Voltage in an entirely different era the way you’ve been so you may be used to this in a way that I’m not. You have experience on your side and from the start I’ve never been shy about that, but are you really going to pretend I haven’t adapted to this brand? You see the way people talk about Voltage, Raven. This brand is a warzone. The kind of warzone someone like me wouldn’t be able to survive if I let guys like Drake Armstrong tell the story- but I didn’t let guys like him decide that for me. I didn’t let him get his way. I ended Pain for Pride on top and I conquered the WORST this brand had to offer! I didn’t just survive. I won the most dangerous match this company has with one arm, so I don’t care if my arm isn’t at one hundred percent yet. I won this Championship by being the guy willing to fight through whatever adversity is thrown at me, and I’m willing to defend this Championship the same way.
(The fans cheer, and Hans grabs his chair, taking a seat once more as he stares at his Bloodsport opponent.)
Hans Grayson: So sign the contract, Raven. Let’s go ahead and make this official, because I’m not backing down.
(Raven stares at Hans for a moment. She starts to raise her microphone, seemingly having more to say. However, she stops. After a moment of thought, she places the microphone on the table, before finally picking up her pen and signing the contract. This move brings cheers from the fans, and after this Raven places the contract down before passing it to Hans, before picking her microphone back up.)
Raven Roberts: It’s done. All that’s left is for you to sign, but there’s no backing out after this so I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into. Believe it or not, I don’t even have any personal issues with you. I don’t take kindly to you getting involved in my match and trust me I don’t plan to just sit back and let you get away with that, but right now this is just about that Championship for me. It’s about the next step forward and taking my career to another height even after my Hall of Fame induction. This is an opportunity I can’t afford to pass up and I have no intention of taking this easy, especially not in a Cage of Death. I know you wanted a challenge, but sometimes you really need to be careful what you wish for.
Hans Grayson: Right. Well, I’ve never been one to fear consequences. Whatever happens happens, but I’m not backing out of the fight I asked for, and I won’t be entering that cage to lose.
(The crowd gets louder as Hans puts down his microphone, taking both the contract and pen before signing it without any hesitation. The crowd explodes with cheers, and Captain Charisma speaks once again.)
Captain Charisma: And there you have it! It is now official! At Bloodsport, Hans Grayson will defend the EAW World Championship against Raven Roberts, and it will be in the Cage of Death!
(The fans cheer, and before long, both Hans Grayson and Raven Roberts get out of their seats. There is a staredown between the two, both of them appearing focused yet confident ahead of their World Championship match at Bloodsport. The crowd has been electric all throughout the contract signing, and it is no different seeing this staredown, as the fans cheer for both Elitists.)
Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen, it is now confirmed! Captain Charisma said it himself, but we now have our World title match set for Bloodsport and it is a big one!
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, I can’t wait. Raven and Hans are both fan favorites on this brand, but they’re locked in. They’ve taken their jabs, they’ve taken their shots, but they both want the same thing and that’s to be Voltage’s best!
Persephone: Well it’s not like there’s a high bar to clear. That stipulation works, though. Maybe this time, someone will finally rip that arm off of Hans.
(There is one more shot of the two participants of Bloodsport’s EAW World Championship match, as Hans Grayson picks up his title, placing it on his shoulder. Raven Roberts doesn’t take her eyes on him, focused knowing that it is another chance to finally become a two-time World Champion. With this staredown between both Elitists, Voltage fades away from ringside.)
(The camera cuts backstage to the interview area where Sofia Clarke is seen standing with a smile, microphone in hand.)
Sofia Clarke: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guests at this time… Diamond Dixon and Cosmo Goldworthy.
(Diamond steps into the frame with Cosmo Goldworthy close behind her. Cosmo briefly looks over his shoulder before turning his attention toward Sofia alongside Diamond, as the crowd rains down with boos.)
Sofia Clarke: Last week on Voltage, the two of you made quite the statement after Cosmo’s match against Cynthia Valice. Even after the match was over, the two of you attacked Cynthia before standing over her as if Cosmo had won the match. Later that night, Carmen Sánchez made it very clear that she wasn’t happy with what happened and even called the attack unacceptable. What are your thoughts on Carmen’s comments?
(Diamond lets out a laugh before looking over at Cosmo. Cosmo shakes his head with an amused smirk before stepping toward the microphone.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: Man… I knew we wasn’t gonna have to wait long before somebody started sticking they nose where it don’t belong.
Diamond Dixon: Ain’t that the truth.
Cosmo Goldworthy: Carmen, let me do you a favor. Mind your damn business. You over there giving speeches like you Cynthia’s bodyguard or somethin’. That girl got her ass beat because she decided to get in my way, and if you keep running your mouth about what Diamond and I do? Don’t be surprised when the exact same thing happens to you. It really ain’t complicated. We ain’t asking for permission. We ain’t looking for approval. If somebody gets in our business, we handle it.
Diamond Dixon: And that’s exactly what y’all still don’t seem to understand. Everybody keeps trying to paint us like we’re the villains because we refuse to let people disrespect us without consequences. Cynthia caught a lucky break and rolled Cosmo up. Congratulations. Gold star. But after that bell rang? Reality set right back in. We reminded everybody exactly who was controlling the situation.
Cosmo Goldworthy: She won the match. Cool. But tell me this… who was laid out in that ring? Who was the one needing the referee to check on her? It damn sure wasn’t me.
Diamond Dixon: Exactly. People can cry about morals and sportsmanship all they want. We don’t care. We came into this season saying we’re done wasting opportunities. We didn’t get where we wanted at Pain for Pride, but that ain’t changing what we’re about to do this season. We are still the future around here.
Cosmo Goldworthy: And this season? I’m collecting. Wins. Respect. Gold. Everything I should’ve been getting already. I ain’t dwelling on last season anymore. I’m using it. Every loss, every setback, every time somebody thought they got one over on me… that’s fuel now. Anybody standing in front of me is getting run the fuck over.
Diamond Dixon: Which is why people like Carmen should really think twice before volunteering themselves. The last thing she needs is to make herself another example. And while we’re at it? Keep the names Diamond Dixon and Cosmo Goldworthy outta your mouth.
???: I don’t think she’s the one who should be worried.
(The crowd erupts as Cynthia Valice steps into frame, still sporting the bruises from last week’s attack. She takes her place opposite Sofia, staring directly at Diamond and Cosmo as they turn their attention toward her.)
Cynthia Valice: You know… I actually watched this interview hoping one of you would’ve said something different. I thought maybe after a week had passed, you’d calm down a little and realize things got carried away after the match so we could all just move forward. I know that probably sounds optimistic, but that’s just how I like to think.
(Cynthia shakes her head.)
Cynthia Valice: Instead, you two are still trying to convince everyone that what happened after the match mattered more than what happened during it.
Cosmo Goldworthy: ’Cause it did.
Cynthia Valice: No, Cosmo… it didn’t.
Cynthia Valice: You lost. I know you don’t like hearing that, and I know you’re probably tired of people saying it, but it’s still true. I found an opening, I took advantage of it, and I won. That’s what we’re all trying to do every time we step into the ring.
Diamond Dixon: Girl, all you did was catch him with a roll-up. Quit acting like you climbed a mountain.
Cynthia Valice: I’m not acting like I climbed a mountain. I’m just proud of myself, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
(The crowd applauds as Cynthia keeps her attention on Diamond and Cosmo.)
Cynthia Valice: I’ve spent months trying to prove that I belong here. Every match I’ve had, I’ve learned something, and every loss has made me look at what I did wrong so I could be better the next time. I’m still rough around the edges, and I know that. I’m not pretending to be the finished product. But beating someone like Cosmo meant something to me, not because I thought I’d suddenly made it, but because it showed me that all the work I’ve been putting in is finally starting to pay off.
(Cynthia’s expression becomes more serious.)
Cynthia Valice: Then the match ended, and instead of accepting that it just wasn’t your night, the two of you jumped me.
Cosmo Goldworthy: Accept it? Why the fuck would I accept losing?
Cynthia Valice: You don’t have to like losing. Nobody does. But there’s a difference between being disappointed and taking it out on somebody because your pride got hurt.
Diamond Dixon: Oh, here we go. Now we gotta hear another lecture.
Cynthia Valice: It’s not a lecture. It’s the truth. You keep saying you made an example out of me, but attacking me after the bell didn’t change the result. It didn’t restart the match. It didn’t erase the referee counting three. All it did was show everybody that the two of you couldn’t leave well enough alone.
Cosmo Goldworthy: And I’d do it again.
Cynthia Valice: I know you would, and that’s the disappointing part. Because I actually respected you before last week. I knew how talented you were, I knew how close you’ve come to doing big things around here, and I was excited to wrestle you because I thought it would be a chance for both of us to start this season the right way. Instead, you turned it into this.
(Cynthia briefly looks between both competitors.)
Cynthia Valice: And now Carmen speaks up because she sees what happened, and instead of thinking about why someone would have a problem with it, your first reaction is to threaten her too.
Cosmo Goldworthy: She should’ve kept her mouth shut.
Cynthia Valice: Or maybe she just did what she thought was right. Maybe she saw someone getting beaten down two-on-one and decided she wasn’t okay with it. That doesn’t make her your enemy. It just means she wasn’t willing to look the other way.
(Cynthia takes another step closer.)
Cynthia Valice: But I don’t want you getting the wrong idea either. I’m not standing here because Carmen defended me. I’m standing here because what happened last week doesn’t sit right with me, and I’m not going to spend this season wondering if the two of you are waiting to jump me every time I turn my back. You wanted to send a message last week. Well… I heard it, and here’s mine. I’m still here, I’m still standing, and I’m not backing down from either of you.
(Cosmo tries to get in Cynthia’s face, but Diamond quickly steps in front of him, placing a hand against his chest to stop him.)
Diamond Dixon: Relax. I got this.
(Without warning, Diamond spins around and CRACKS Cynthia with a forearm, staggering her back! Cynthia barely stays on her feet before exploding forward with a double leg takedown, driving Diamond to the floor and immediately raining down punches! Sofia Clarke quickly scrambles out of the interview area as all hell breaks loose backstage!)
(Cosmo Goldworthy rushes in from behind and hooks both of Cynthia’s arms, dragging her back to her feet! Diamond quickly gets back to a vertical base and starts unloading with right hands to Cynthia’s face while Cosmo keeps her restrained! Cynthia eventually drops to both knees, but Cosmo still won’t let her go as Diamond grabs her by the jaw with one hand!)
Diamond Dixon: You should’ve stayed down the first time.
(Diamond pulls her arm back, looking to deliver the final blow…)
(BANG!)
(Diamond goes down as a steel chair comes flying in from off-screen, CRASHING into the side of her head! The crowd erupts into cheers as Carmen Sánchez rushes into frame and snatches the chair back up! Cosmo immediately tosses Cynthia aside before charging straight at Carmen—)
(BUT CARMEN DRIVES THE EDGE OF THE CHAIR INTO COSMO’S MIDSECTION, DOUBLING HIM OVER! SHE FOLLOWS UP WITH A THUNDEROUS SHOT ACROSS HIS BACK! Cosmo crumples to the floor, writhing in pain as he clutches his back, while Diamond remains down nearby, holding the side of her head. Carmen takes a moment to admire her handiwork with a satisfied grin before remembering Cynthia. Her expression quickly changes as she kneels beside her, checking on Cynthia while she slowly pushes herself up to one knee, still shaking the cobwebs out of her head.)
Carmen Sánchez: You alright?
(Carmen helps Cynthia back to her feet before taking a quick look around at the aftermath. Cosmo and Diamond are still down on the floor, writhing in pain, before Carmen turns her attention back to Cynthia. Cynthia shakes the last of the cobwebs loose and finally manages a response.)
Cynthia Valice: …Yeah. Thanks.
(Cynthia looks over at Diamond and Cosmo, who are still down on the floor, before turning back to Carmen.)
Cynthia Valice: I guess I owe you one.
Carmen Sánchez: Nah. You don’t owe me anything.
(Carmen gives Cynthia a small smile.)
Carmen Sánchez: Just couldn’t stand by and watch two pendejos jump somebody again.
(Cynthia can’t help but smile back, giving Carmen an appreciative nod. The two stand side by side for a moment before looking back down at Diamond and Cosmo, who continue to writhe in pain on the floor. The camera lingers on the fallen pair as Cynthia and Carmen walk off together, and the scene fades elsewhere.)
(Commercial for Avengers: Doomsday.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(“REVIVER” by MY FIRST STORY plays to a strong, positive reaction from the crowd as Sayuri Himura steps out onto the stage. She pauses for a brief moment, taking in the crowd before her expression turns focused. With her eyes locked on the ring, Sayuri confidently makes her way down the ramp, ready for the match ahead.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Residing out of Yokohama, Japan, weighing in at 125 pounds…SHE IS THE YŪREI…SAYURI HIMURA!!
Thadd Blazevich: Let’s do this, bro! Sayuri’s looking to start this season off on the right foot. She came up just short at Pain for Pride, but last week she made it clear she’s not dwelling on that. She’s just focused on getting better every single time she steps into the ring.
Rich Russillo: Unfortunately, that positive attitude earned her nothing but a forearm from Auburn Ware backstage. Even after that, though, Sayuri kept her composure. That’s who she is, and tonight she’ll look to let her wrestling do the talking.
Thadd Blazevich: Easier said than done against someone like Carmen, but if anybody can stay focused after everything that’s happened, it’s Sayuri.
(“Rompe” by Daddy Yankee plays to a warm reaction from the crowd as Carmen Sanchez steps out onto the stage with a smile on her face. She makes her way down the ramp, high fiving fans along the way before heading up the steel steps and stepping into the ring. Carmen flashes another smile toward the crowd before making her way to her corner.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent! Hailing out of Reno, Nevada, weighing in at 102 pounds…SHE IS EL TIGRE…CARMEN SÁNCHEZ!!
Rich Russillo: Carmen Sánchez had a busy night before this match even began, but now it’s all about the task in front of her. Standing across the ring is one of the toughest competitors on the Voltage roster in Sayuri Himura.
Thadd Blazevich: Exactly, dude. Whatever happened earlier is gonna have to wait. Right now, Carmen’s gotta keep her head on straight, because Sayuri’s the kind of opponent that’ll make you pay for even the smallest mistake.
Persephone: Shame. I was hoping she’d still be distracted. That would’ve sped this match up a little.
(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Oh, we’re in for a treat as it’s Carmen Sanchez versus Sayuri Himura! Two fan favorites! Two completely different styles! But I’m excited to see how they’ll mesh as this match is officially underway! Both competitors close the distance before locking up with a collar and elbow tie-up in the center of the ring! Sayuri quickly pulls Carmen into a standing side headlock, wrenching on the hold!
Thadd Blazevich: Nice, dude! Sayuri’s got that headlock cinched in tight! She takes Carmen down with a side headlock takedown and just keeps cranking on it. Carmen fights her way back up, backs Sayuri into the ropes, and sends her off to break free! Sayuri comes flying back with a SHOULDER TACKLE!
Rich Russillo: And given the size difference between these two, Carmen gets knocked right off her feet! She rolls through to a knee, reaching for the back of her head and neck as she tries to shake it off. Sayuri doesn’t give her a second to recover, pulling Carmen back to her feet before CRACKING HER ACROSS THE CHEST WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP THAT DROPS HER RIGHT BACK DOWN!
Thadd Blazevich: :yikes:
Rich Russillo: Like I said, two completely different styles. With Carmen, you’re probably gonna see that high-flying, high-octane offense come into play. Meanwhile, Sayuri’s more the type to just punch you in the face… and dump you on your head while she’s at it!
Persephone: Two different styles, yet I’m willing to bet neither makes for an actually entertaining match to watch. …Then again, it was pretty funny seeing Carmen get smacked around just now.
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, those chops are brutal! Carmen struggles back to a knee, clutching at her chest as Sayuri pulls her up and backs her into the corner… ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP! Carmen’s hurting as she staggers toward another corner, just trying to get away and make herself some space.
Rich Russillo: But Himura’s right on her heels, catching up to Carmen in the corner for an Irish whip to the opposite! Sayuri charges in after her— BUT CARMEN SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE BOTTOM ROPE, GOING UP AND OVER SAYURI IN THE CORNER! Sayuri stops herself before crashing into the turnbuckles and turns around just in time to CRACK CARMEN WITH ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP AS SHE CHARGES BACK IN! Carmen gets floored!
Thadd Blazevich: Man, those chops just keep landing. Carmen’s gotta figure something out, or she’s in for a long night. Trust me, I’ve taken plenty of chops myself. They sting like crazy, and they’ll leave your chest burning for days.
Persephone: You ever think about stepping back into the ring? I’d love to see how you size up against this current crop of talent. Maybe Igon Mordren… or Damon Lazarus?
Thadd Blazevich: 🙅♂️ No thanks, dude. I got my fill at Grand Rampage.
Persephone: 🙄
Rich Russillo: Carmen uses the ropes to pull herself back up before stumbling into the corner… Sayuri Himura closes in for an Irish whip to the opposite! BUT CARMEN REVERSES IT, SENDING SAYURI TO THE CORNER INSTEAD FOR A— OOH! CARMEN RUNS FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! Sanchez staggers back in a daze before Sayuri grabs the back of her head and SLIDES HER OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CARMEN ROLLS THROUGH TO HER FEET AT RINGSIDE! Sayuri bounces off the ropes, looking for a baseball slide as Carmen rushes to re-enter the ring— BUT CARMEN SIDESTEPS IT! Carmen slides back into the ring while Sayuri slides all the way out!
Rich Russillo: CARMEN HITS THE ROPES AS SAYURI ROLLS BACK INTO THE RING AND IMMEDIATELY GOES INTO A DROPDOWN! Carmen hurdles right over her and rebounds off the opposite side! TILT-A-WHIRL HEADSCISSORS! Sayuri gets launched into the middle rope, draped across it! Carmen hits the ropes again, looking for the start of “LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA!” SHE’S GOING FOR THE TIGER FEINT KICK— BUT SAYURI HIMURA ROLLS OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE, STOPPING CARMEN IN HER TRACKS!
(Sayuri takes a moment to catch her breath at ringside while Carmen grins, holding her fingers just inches apart to show how close she came to landing “Livin La Vida Loca.” Carmen then motions for Sayuri to get back in the ring, smiling as she patiently waits for her opponent.)
Rich Russillo: Sayuri barely escaped there, and Carmen knows it as she waits for her opponent back inside the ring. Sayuri’s taking her time, though. She’s not about to rush back into a bad situation.
Persephone: Yeah, well, she can’t take too much time. There’s a ten count for a reason… although I wouldn’t mind if she ignored it and got us one match closer to Rex.
Rich Russillo: :cmon: You know Sayuri isn’t about to lose by countout. She finally heads up the steel steps and climbs back into the ring. Both competitors circle one another once again before locking up with another collar and elbow tie-up— SAYURI DRIVES A KNEE INTO CARMEN’S MIDSECTION! Carmen doubles over, and Sayuri grabs her by the back of the head before SLAMMING HER FACE FIRST OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
Thadd Blazevich: Ooh, dude! Carmen’s rocked! KNIFE EDGE CHOP IN THE CORNER! Sayuri just keeps going back to those chops, and honestly, why stop? They’ve been working all match long. She lines Carmen up for ANOTHER ONE— OH! NEVER MIND!
Rich Russillo: CARMEN DUCKS UNDER THE CHOP! NOW SAYURI’S THE ONE STUCK IN THE CORNER! FOREARM BY CARMEN! ANOTHER ONE! AND ANOTHER! CARMEN’S FIRING OFF A FLURRY OF FOREARMS, GIVING SAYURI A TASTE OF HER OWN MEDICINE WITH SOME HARD-HITTING OFFENSE! BUT SAYURI TURNS THE TABLES! SHE SPINS CARMEN BACK INTO THE CORNER AND CRACKS HER WITH YET ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, that one folded her! Carmen rolls underneath the bottom rope, staying on her feet as she rounds the corner while clutching her chest, trying to create some distance… BUT SAYURI ROLLS OUT OF THE RING TO CUT HER OFF! She blocks Carmen’s path, stands her upright, and CRACKS HER WITH ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP THAT DROPS HER RIGHT TO THE FLOOR!
Persephone: Seriously, I could watch this all day.
Rich Russillo: Carmen sits up, still feeling the effects of that chop before Sayuri hauls her back to her feet and rolls her inside the ring. Sayuri follows right behind, bringing Carmen up once more before taking her over with a SNAPMARE! Carmen hits the canvas, and Sayuri immediately follows it up with a STOMP TO THE SIDE OF THE FACE! Just vicious!
Thadd Blazevich: Ooh, dude… Carmen rolls onto all fours, grabbing at the side of her face, and you can tell she felt every bit of that stomp. Sayuri brings her back up and leans her against the ropes before sending her off with an Irish whip— BUT CARMEN DOESN’T REBOUND! SHE HOOKS BOTH ARMS OVER THE TOP ROPE TO STOP HERSELF! Sayuri charges in instead— AND GETS DROPPED WITH A DROP TOE HOLD! SHE’S DRAPED RIGHT ACROSS THE MIDDLE ROPE!
Rich Russillo: Carmen takes off toward the opposite ropes, looking to finally connect with that “LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA!” She’s going for the Tiger Feint Kick— BUT SAYURI TRIES TO CUT HER OFF WITH A BIG BOOT! CARMEN BASEBALL SLIDES RIGHT UNDERNEATH IT! Carmen pops back to her feet and retreats to the ropes as Sayuri turns around and comes charging right at her!
Thadd Blazevich: CARMEN GETS THE BOOT UP! That rocks Sayuri and leaves her doubled over in the center of the ring! Carmen steps in with a LEG KICK! Then another! She’s trying to chop Sayuri down before sending her toward the ropes with an Irish whip— BUT SAYURI REVERSES IT! CARMEN COMES REBOUNDING BACK— TILT-A-WHIRL BACKBREAKER! BEAUTIFULLY DONE! Sayuri hooks the leg deep!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Two count!
Persephone: Great, this match rolls on. Can’t you tell I’m excited by the tone of my voice? 😐
Thadd Blazevich: No, not really. Honestly, it kinda sounds like you’re being sarcastic.
Persephone: BECAUSE I AM, YOU DOPE!
Thadd Blazevich: Oh… my bad, bro.
Persephone: Ugh.
Rich Russillo: Carmen gets the shoulder up off the backbreaker and sits up on the canvas, trying to shake the cobwebs loose. But Sayuri slips in from behind with a BODYSCISSORS, wrapping her legs tightly around Carmen’s waist and looking to squeeze the air right out of her! Carmen reaches for the ropes, but she’s nowhere close. She’s trapped right in the middle of the ring!
Thadd Blazevich: Smart stuff from Sayuri, dude. She gets a chance to catch her breath while making Carmen work even harder… BUT LOOK AT THIS! SAYURI ROLLS CARMEN ONTO BOTH SHOULDERS FOR A SURPRISE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Kickout! Carmen rolls onto all fours before pushing herself back up, but Sayuri’s right there waiting with a LEG KICK! Carmen spins away, grabbing at that leg as she stumbles back into the corner!
Persephone: Please. I don’t think it’s physically possible to chop Carmen down to size.
Rich Russillo: It’s a smart target nonetheless. If Sayuri can take those legs away, she takes away half of Carmen’s offense. Carmen thrives on speed and explosiveness, and you can’t do any of that without a solid base underneath you.
Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri heads into the corner and grabs Carmen by the wrist for an Irish whip across the ring! …CARMEN TRIES TO SPRING INTO A CORNER HEADSTAND HEADSCISSORS TAKEDOWN! BUT SAYURI SEES IT COMING! SHE CATCHES CARMEN’S LEGS, THROWS THEM UP INTO THE AIR, AND SENDS HER TUMBLING OVER THE TOP ROPE! BUT CARMEN HANGS ON, LANDING ON THE APRON!
Rich Russillo: Carmen catches herself on the apron and immediately drives a SHOULDER THRUST THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE INTO SAYURI’S MIDSECTION! A forearm follows! Then ANOTHER SHOULDER THRUST! That finally forces Sayuri back a step! Carmen springboards onto the top rope, twisting in midair to turn her back toward Sayuri! It looks like she’s got a moonsault in mind!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT SAYURI SHUTS IT DOWN! SHE RUSHES IN AND CROTCHES CARMEN ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE FROM BEHIND! She shoves Carmen’s legs right out from underneath her, and Carmen gets hung up before falling upside down into a TREE OF WOE!
Persephone: 😏 Carmen actually looks pretty funny hanging upside down like that.
Rich Russillo: She’s completely defenseless now! Sayuri pulls Carmen up slightly by the head before DRIVING A PENALTY KICK INTO HER BACK! AND ANOTHER! Then she lets Carmen fall right back into the Tree of Woe! Sayuri backs up, bounces off the ropes, and comes charging in with a RUNNING KNEE STRIKE!
Thadd Blazevich: OOF! SAYURI WENT FOR THE RUNNING KNEE— BUT CARMEN USES HER CORE STRENGTH TO SIT UP, JUST BARELY GETTING OUT OF THE WAY! Dude, that’s the same leg Carmen was blasting with those kicks earlier! Sayuri grabs at it as she hobbles away, and meanwhile Carmen manages to perch herself on the top turnbuckle, still facing away from her opponent…
Rich Russillo: AND SANCHEZ TAKES FLIGHT WITH A MOONSAULT PRESS! SHE WIPES SAYURI OUT! Carmen rolls off for just a moment before rolling right back over, draping the arm across Sayuri’s chest for the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHH—
Thadd Blazevich: SHOULDER UP! SAYURI’S STILL GOT PLENTY OF FIGHT LEFT, DUDE! AND LISTEN TO THIS CROWD! THEY’RE STILL FIRMLY BEHIND BOTH OF THESE WOMEN!
Persephone: How they’re not tired is beyond me.
Rich Russillo: Maybe because it’s the… first match of the card?
Persephone: Really? It feels like this show’s been going on forever.
Rich Russillo: Well, buckle in, because we’re in for a long night.
Persephone: :noah: If this job didn’t pay well, I’d have quit a long time ago.
Rich Russillo: Carmen rolls off Sayuri before beginning to rise back to her feet. Both women climb up at the same time, never taking their eyes off one another as they go from all fours to standing… BEFORE CARMEN FIRES THE FIRST SHOT WITH A LEG KICK! Sayuri stumbles back into the ropes, favoring the leg as Carmen closes in, looking for an Irish whip!
Thadd Blazevich: Carmen sends her off! Irish whip to the ropes, and she’s already ducking down early, looking for a back body drop— BUT SAYURI COUNTERS! SHE THROWS CARMEN TOWARD THE ROPES INSTEAD, AND CARMEN COMES REBOUNDING RIGHT BACK INTO A SNAP POWERSLAM! SAYURI HOOKS THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRR—
Rich Russillo: TWO AND A HALF! Sayuri almost caught Carmen slipping there, but Sanchez gets the shoulder up just in time! BUT SAYURI ISN’T DONE! SHE GRABS THAT ARM AND IMMEDIATELY TRANSITIONS INTO A FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Rolling Carmen onto her stomach, and now Sayuri’s pulling back with everything she’s got, trying to hyperextend the arm and force a submission!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, she’s really cranking back on that arm! Finisher or not, Carmen might have to tap if she can’t find a way out of this!
Persephone: Cmonnnn… I’m hoping she taps out. Literally crossing my fingers she does.
Rich Russillo: Carmen’s far too determined to quit that easily! She’s fighting through the pain, twisting herself around until she’s facing the ropes and desperately trying to crawl her way out! She reaches forward… but she’s still got a long way to go!
Thadd Blazevich: Carmen just keeps dragging herself closer and closer! She’s literally fingertips away from the ropes— BUT SAYURI SEES IT! SHE CRAWLS RIGHT OVER THE TOP OF CARMEN AND TRANSITIONS INTO AN OVER THE SHOULDER CROSSFACE!
Rich Russillo: Sayuri pulls back even harder on the submission! Carmen’s still crawling somehow, inch by inch, refusing to give in… AND SHE GETS A HAND ON THE BOTTOM ROPE! The referee immediately calls for the break as Sayuri hangs on until the count begins!
Referee: ONE! TWO!
Rich Russillo: Sayuri finally releases the hold, and Carmen rolls onto her back, clutching at her shoulder after the damage that submission just did.
Thadd Blazevich: Carmen rises to her feet, keeping one arm close to her side and using the ropes for assistance before getting Irish whipped off them by Sayuri! SAYURI WENT FOR A CLOTHESLINE— BUT CARMEN DUCKED UNDERNEATH AND BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES FOR A TILT-A-WHIRL FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! TILT-A-WHIRL ARMBAR BY CARMEN, GIVING SAYURI A TASTE OF HER OWN MEDICINE!
Rich Russillo: CARMEN’S REALLY PULLING BACK ON THAT ARMBAR AS SAYURI SCREAMS OUT IN PAIN, TRYING TO GRIT THROUGH IT AS SHE DRAGS HERSELF TOWARD THE BOTTOM ROPE… FORCING A BREAK AS SHE GRABS HOLD OF IT!
Persephone: Another rope break… can someone just tap already?
Thadd Blazevich: Carmen releases the hold and rolls out to the apron, pulling herself up with help from the ropes as Sayuri does the same inside the ring… Sayuri groggily marches toward Carmen on the ropes, waltzing right to a SHOULDER THRUST THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE INTO THE ABDOMEN! SAYURI DOUBLES OVER SLIGHTLY BEFORE A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZUIGIRI BY CARMEN TURNS HER AROUND!
Rich Russillo: CARMEN SEES AN OPENING AND SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE TOP BEFORE COLLIDING INTO SAYURI FROM BEHIND WITH A FRONT MISSILE DROPKICK! SAYURI STUMBLES FORWARD, TUMBLING OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE!
Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri quickly rises to all fours, beginning to stir at ringside as Carmen exits to the apron once again before climbing up to the top turnbuckle… Carmen’s got Sayuri in her sights at ringside before FLYING OFF WITH A CROSSBODY! BOTH COMPETITORS ARE DOWN!
Persephone: Any chance we can get a countout?
Rich Russillo: No, because it looks like Carmen’s already stirring! She gets back to her feet, grabs hold of Sayuri Himura, and drags her back up before rolling her into the ring. Carmen slowly climbs onto the apron herself, and you can really see the wear and tear beginning to set in for both women as Sayuri regains her footing inside the ring.
Thadd Blazevich: Carmen heads up top with a springboard— SEATED SENTON! RIGHT ON TARGET! Carmen’s kicking things into second gear now as she keeps the pressure on, bouncing off the ropes! SAYURI SWINGS FOR A CLOTHESLINE— BUT CARMEN DUCKS UNDERNEATH! SHE SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE AND CRASHES INTO SAYURI WITH A CROSSBODY! Carmen hooks the leg!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHH—
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! Sayuri gets the shoulder up in time! Carmen rolls off her as Sayuri pushes up to a knee! Carmen wastes no time, hopping onto Sayuri’s shoulders as she rises back to her feet! SHE’S LOOKING FOR “CEREBRO!” SHE’S TRYING FOR THE REVERSE RANA— BUT SHE JUST ENDS UP HANGING UPSIDE DOWN! Sayuri plants her feet and completely shuts it down!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, Carmen’s core strength is unreal! She sits herself back up from that position and starts firing punches right to the top of Sayuri’s head! VICTORY ROLL! CARMEN ROLLS HER THROUGH!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: SAYURI ROLLS THROUGH! SHE TURNS IT AROUND, ROLLING RIGHT BACK ON TOP OF CARMEN AND PINNING HER SHOULDERS TO THE MAT!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRR—
Rich Russillo: CARMEN EXPLODES OUT AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND! Sayuri gets back to her feet and quickly walks over to the referee, asking if that was three after such a close near fall— BUT SHE TURNS AROUND RIGHT INTO A LEG KICK FROM CARMEN! That one makes Sayuri hop off the canvas! Carmen swings for another— BUT SAYURI CATCHES THE LEG AND SHOVES CARMEN BACK INTO THE CORNER!
Thadd Blazevich: RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! BUT CARMEN SIDESTEPS OUT OF THE WAY! Sayuri goes back first into the corner instead! She stumbles back out as Carmen charges in, BUT SAYURI ALLEY OOPS CARMEN OVER HER HEAD! Carmen goes flying toward the turnbuckles… NO! She catches herself on the middle rope! Carmen springboards right back off as Sayuri turns around, REVERSE RANA! “CEREBROS” CONNECTS!
Rich Russillo: SAYURI GETS SPIKED! She instinctively rolls away from Carmen before groggily crawling over to the middle rope, draping herself across it! Carmen’s got that look in her eyes! We all know what’s coming next as she takes off toward the opposite ropes…
(“Nice To Meet Yah” by Asian Doll suddenly hits to a chorus of boos, causing Carmen to stop in her tracks.)
Rich Russillo: Oh no… you had to know Diamond Dixon and Cosmo weren’t going to let what happened earlier slide. But seriously? Right now?
Persephone: Yes, right now! I can’t think of a better time than any! SAVE US!
(Neither Diamond nor Cosmo appear on the stage. After a brief glance toward the entranceway, Carmen shakes it off and continues her run off the ropes.)
Thadd Blazevich: LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA! NO! Sayuri ducks underneath the Tiger Feint Kick! Carmen spins through to the center of the ring and regains her footing, RIGHT INTO “IZANAMI!” THE SPINNING BACK FIST LANDS FLUSH AND DROPS CARMEN!
(Sayuri shoots an irritated glance toward the stage, looking between the entranceway and the fallen Carmen before begrudgingly deciding to capitalize. As “Nice To Meet Yah” begins to fade out, Sayuri hauls Carmen back to her feet.)
Rich Russillo: …MUKANJYO! THE NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB DRIVES CARMEN INTO THE MAT! SAYURI HOOKS BOTH LEGS!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… SAYURI HIMURA!!
(Sayuri rolls off the cover and onto one knee, not exactly thrilled with how things played out as she looks down at the motionless Carmen Sanchez. After a moment, Sayuri rises to her feet and has her hand raised in victory as ‘REVIVER’ by MY FIRST STORY continues to play throughout the arena.)
Rich Russillo: Sayuri Himura picks up the victory, but you can tell she isn’t happy with how it happened. Carmen had all the momentum before Diamond Dixon and Cosmo Goldworthy stuck their noses into this match!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, dude, Sayuri did what she had to do, but Carmen’s gonna know exactly who cost her tonight, and I don’t think Diamond or Cosmo are gonna like what happens when she gets back up—
(Cosmo Goldworthy suddenly slides into the ring behind Sayuri, appearing over her shoulder in the camera shot before—)
Rich Russillo: LOOK OUT! FROM BEHIND! COSMO GOLDWORTHY JUST BLINDSIDED SAYURI WITH A RUNNING FOREARM TO THE BACK!
(Sayuri drops to the mat as Cosmo immediately boots her underneath the bottom rope to the outside. The referee rushes over to stop him, but Cosmo pulls his fist back, causing the official to back off. Cosmo then turns his attention to Carmen Sanchez, mounting her and unloading with right hands.)
Rich Russillo: This is sick! Carmen just went through a hard-fought match, and now Cosmo’s picking her apart! RIGHT HAND AFTER RIGHT HAND!
Persephone: See? I knew something entertaining would happen eventually.
(The boos only get louder as Diamond Dixon runs down the ramp and slides into the ring. Cosmo grabs Carmen by the head, dragging her into a seated position in the corner before stomping away at her.)
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, this is turning into a two-on-one beatdown! Carmen doesn’t stand a chance!
(Cosmo steps aside, letting Diamond take over as she starts firing punch after punch into the seated Carmen Sanchez.)
Rich Russillo: Someone needs to get out here and stop this!
(Before anyone can—)
(“I Was Made For Lovin’ You” by KISS hits to a huge ovation!)
Rich Russillo: OH, HERE COMES THE CAVALRY! CYNTHIA VALICE IS HERE WITH A CHAIR!
(Cynthia Valice runs down the ramp with a steel chair in hand. Diamond Dixon immediately rolls out underneath the bottom rope, but Cosmo Goldworthy stays in the ring, waiting for Cynthia.)
Thadd Blazevich: CYNTHIA SLIDES INTO THE RING AND TAKES A HUGE SWING AT COSMO!
Rich Russillo: BUT COSMO JUST GETS OUT OF THE WAY! He rolls underneath the bottom rope before that chair can connect!
(Cosmo regroups with Diamond Dixon at ringside, and the two slowly back up the ramp while shouting off-mic at Cynthia and Carmen.)
Rich Russillo: Cynthia Valice just returned the favor for Carmen Sánchez after everything we saw before this match, but in the process, Sayuri Himura has become collateral damage in a rivalry that just keeps escalating!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, dude! Carmen had Cynthia’s back earlier, and now Cynthia’s got Carmen’s. But Diamond Dixon and Cosmo Goldworthy just crossed another line tonight, and these four are only getting deeper and deeper into this fight.
(Cynthia kneels beside Carmen in the corner, chair still in hand as she stares daggers at Diamond Dixon and Cosmo Goldworthy. The two continue backing up the ramp, soaking in the loud boos while taunting the crowd as Cynthia keeps her eyes locked on them. The camera lingers on the scene before fading elsewhere.)
(Commercial for Taco Bell with Delaney Rhodes.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns from a brief commercial break as the camera focuses on the backstage area of the Donald L. Trucker Civic Center. There, a pair of feet is seen making its way through the hallways, with the shot panning up to reveal it being none other than Sayuri Himura. She is coming off of her match with Carmen Sánchez, not at all happy with how it went down, but forced to let it simmer as she heads straight from Gorilla Position to medical with a towel wrapped around her neck, but before she can go any further…)
Sofia Clarke: Sayuri! I know you have a lot to think about regarding what happened in your match against Carmen, with Diamond and Cosmo meddling in it to allow you to get the win, but do you mind if I ask you some questions?
(Voltage’s Backstage Correspondent Sofia Clarke is seen quickly approaching her. Sayuri glances over as she brings herself to react with a light smile.)
Sayuri Himura: What happened in that match is completely irrelevant. What is it that you would like to know?
Sofia Clarke: Well, I’d like to talk about what happened last week. You and I were conducting an interview with one another before it was interrupted by Auburn Ware, who stormed through the backstage area in an angry tirade. You had attempted to calm her down, saying that she was being very unlike herself, before she nailed you with a forearm, taking you out before leaving. What are your thoughts on that?
(Sayuri takes a moment to think to herself, looking down at the ground and exhaling. After some time, she looks back up at Sofia and responds.)
Sayuri Himura: It was… troubling what had happened between myself and Auburn Ware. Quite a shame actually, because she is a woman that I expected so much more out of. As I mentioned when I was speaking to her, she wasn’t always like this. The good, pure-hearted version of her was someone with whom I could resonate because we had the same goals. We had an undeniable passion for wrestling and sought to be the very best at what we do. But… things have changed, and I can’t say that I am very sure of what’s come over her as of late. But I have never been a woman to allow my emotions to get in the way of wrestling, and that does not change even though I did not get the expected response out of her.
Sofia Clarke: I certainly think it’s safe to say that is not something that you are going to take kindly, though? She did respond to you with aggression and violence.
(Sayuri looks at Sofia before nodding her head in agreement.)
Sayuri Himura: That much is true. People have a cruel and twisted interpretation of who Sayuri Himura is in hopes of treating me as lesser. They believe that I am not the confrontational type, that I am the one who is going to put peace in front of everything else. But I know that was never going to be the case, especially in a business like this. If there is one thing that I am never going to tolerate, it’s disrespect at my expense. I am never going to allow myself to be treated as lesser by someone who does not deserve such a luxury. I am going to take a stand for myself. I understand what Auburn has been going through a lot, and I sympathize with her even though a lot of people have already discarded her and tossed her away. But I do not intend to tolerate her or anyone else’s disrespect, especially when they think that they can just put their hands on me. I am not going to let her punch me in the face and get away with it, no… I am going to do something about it
(Sayuri pauses before she looks at the camera.)
Sayuri Himura: She is going to find out soon enough that she barked up the wrong tree. That she is going to regret messing with someone who is *better* than her inside of that ring. Whether she likes it or not, she is going to learn from her mistakes. I do not anticipate her changing her ways after this. I do not expect her to be any different regardless of what happens between the two of us, but I am not going to be the stepping stone to her or anyone else’s ambitions. I made a promise that this season was going to be mine and mine alone, and that is not going to change regardless of the circumstance. I will let you know now, Sofia Clarke.
???: Dumb bitch.
(Sayuri glances over as she furrows her eyebrows. The camera pans over to Auburn Ware as she’s seen storming into the scene, having overheard everything, and immediately getting in Sayuri’s face. She doesn’t back down, neither of them seem to, and Sofia Clarke is quick to scurry out of the scene, realizing exactly what this could spiral into if she’s not careful.)
Auburn Ware: You think any of this is going to be some fairytale that you’re going to live out, where the hero slays the villain and has a happy ending? Fuck no. I saw through your lens firsthand and watched what it did to me. I watched as this brand and everyone else beat me down and spat on my carcass, tossed me around like I was nothing, and I promised myself that I would never let that happen to me again. If you have some sort of humiliation kink, then you are more than welcome to continue to partake in this, but I don’t want to hear shit about you being better than me in the ring, because time has shown otherwise, and I’m most definitely not going to take this from someone who I KNOW I can beat.
(Sayuri tilts her head as Auburn continues to scowl.)
Auburn Ware: You were better off minding your own business. NOTHING of what is going on with me has anything to do with her, but you felt the need to step in. You felt the need to give your own input, thinking that it was going to solve anything. Why? Because your way is the right way? That we should treat everything with purity in our hearts? Fuck off. If I don’t tell you this now, then you’re going to spend the rest of the season getting the shit kicked out of you. And while I definitely don’t care what happens to Sayuri Himura of all people, I would most definitely fancy doing it myself if I had the chance, because if you’re not the most insufferable person that I’ve ever seen, then truly, I don’t know what is.
Sayuri Himura: If you believe even for a second that any of what you said is meant to stray me away from my purpose, then you must have a twisted perception of reality yourself. I tried to understand you, I tried to reason with you, but now that’s over with, Auburn Ware. You are going to understand that karma has a cruel way of coming back to you, and it is going to be by my hands. You may say whatever you want to say; you may try to get under my skin, but do not anticipate getting very far with that notion, because you are very much going to end up in disappointment once you’re through.
Auburn Ware: Don’t fucking try me with this shit; you know better than that. You’re the one that’s barking up the wrong tree, and maybe if that wasn’t the case, then you’d have a lot more to offer me than a couple of second-place trophies and consolation prizes. Let’s admit it: you know that this place was never going to be easy, but you also know that you’re going to inevitably be eaten alive if you continue like this. But let’s face it: you’re never going to change in the first place; you refuse to, and that’s going to be where you fail.
Sayuri Himura: I do not need to change because I have more than proven that this current iteration of Sayuri Himura BELONGS in Elite Answers Wrestling. There is no need to debate this when this is something that I have heard multiple times before. I have nothing to prove, especially to you. Do you know why? That is because I am better than YOU-
Auburn Ware: SHUT UP!
(Auburn has finally had enough, she snaps as she swings her arm forward and goes for a forearm to the face!)
(But this time, Sayuri manages to see it coming as she blocks it! Auburn struggles to get herself free…)
(SLAP!)
(But Sayuri nails her with a backhand directly to the face that sends her down to the ground. Auburn lands against a nearby wall with a thud, clutching her spine in pain. Sayuri glances at her, shaking her head.)
Sayuri Himura: I’m disappointed, Auburn Ware. I gave you a chance, but it is clear that you do not want that chance, so now you face the consequences. If you want a fight… then you can have it at Bloodsport.
(The crowd inside the arena cheers loudly as Sayuri turns around and makes her way out of the scene. The camera completely focuses on Aubrun, who looks incensed, shaking her head in frustration as she slowly manages to get back up to her feet.)
Auburn Ware: FUCK.
(Auburn shook her head as she looked to storm off in the opposite direction of Sayuri, but before she could go too far…)
???: Real unfortunate situation you found yourself in, hm…?
(She froze, as standing across from her… was none other than Damon Lazarus. He had his arms crossed, a sly grin crossing his face, as he examined her.)
Auburn Ware: Go away.
Damon Lazarus: No, no, princess. You don’t get to get away so easily. Isn’t this everything that you wanted? My full… undivided… attention? Or have things “changed”?
(Auburn fixated him with a look of pure, undisguised disgust.)
Auburn Ware: EVERYTHING has changed. You made your choice long before Pain for Pride, but what you did with Saori in front of me, my family, and the world?
(She just shakes her head.)
Auburn Ware: Go away, Damon. Just get the fuck away from me.
(Auburn attempted to pass him, but Damon placed one foot to his left and shifted, purposely blocking her path. Auburn’s eyes went wide. She clenched her fists at her side. Her nostrils flared.)
Damon Lazarus: I don’t think you have any room to be making demands… Don’t you agree? Real neat bruise you got on your cheek there, seems like I’m not the only problem that you have right now.
(Auburn turned her face away, Damon continuing to have a smug expression. He gripped Auburn’s face and turned it towards him, admiring the mark Sayuri left on her.)
Damon Lazarus: Not a very flattering look to allow yourself to be pushed around like this. Then again… quite customary nowadays. Can’t say I’m not impressed by this new attitude you’ve got to you.
(Auburn slapped his hand away, which drew a chuckle, and she pushed him back with every bit of strength she had. It caught Damon off guard, nearly causing him to stumble, but he recovered real quick, and those cold blue eyes of his flashed with something Auburn wasn’t sure how to interpret.)
Auburn Ware: Go find Saori or something. We don’t have any business with one another anymore. You made your choice perfectly clear so going forward, I expect you to stay the fuck out of my way, Damon Lazarus.
(Damon took a few steps forward, closing the gap between them.)
Damon Lazarus: Or what?
(He was taunting her. Auburn closed her eyes, to give herself a moment, and she punched him right in the chest.)
Auburn Ware: OR NOTHING! HOW ABOUT YOU JUST MIND YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS FOR ONCE?? YOU’VE ALREADY DESTROYED MY LIFE! SAORI HAS DESTROYED MY LIFE! I HOPE YOU TWO FUCKING ROT IN HELL TOGETHER BECAUSE THAT’S THE ONLY FATE YOU BOTH DESERVE! YOU’RE AN ASSHOLE. SHE’S A FUCKING CUNT! AND I HATE YOU!
(Auburn pounded on his chest until Damon was forced to grab her by the wrists. Auburn fought like a wildcat to get her hands free, scratching and clawing until Damon forced her back against the wall. She brought her knee up, catching him in the stomach and that allowed her to shove him back.)
Auburn Ware: I just… I just really fucking hate you.
(Auburn ran off after that, leaving Damon alone. His look of surprise turned into a slow, malicious and rather amused smirk as he watched the princess disappear from his line of sight.)
Damon Lazarus: She’ll learn…
???: DAMON!!!
Damon Lazarus: (Mumbling) Son of a…
(The camera quickly went over as it revealed Jay Jerry Johnson as he stormed into the scene. He has a look of rage in his eyes as he approaches Damon, but before he can do anything… security quickly comes.)
Security: Back up, Jay! Back up!
Jay Jerry Johnson: SHUT UP! He asked for this! Actions have consequences, and I’m going to make sure that he pays tenfold for what he did to me!
Damon Lazarus: Didn’t you learn your damn lesson the first time around?! This is not the fight that you want to pick! You know better than to test fate against someone who it was never going to fare against anyhow! Don’t you have a match to focus on??? Why don’t you take your head out of the clouds and focus on that.
Jay Jerry Johnson: YOU’RE the one that continues to pick this fight. YOU’RE the one who continues to try to fuck me over every single chance that you get. If you ever thought even for a second that I was going to stand for that, then you’re as idiotic as I know you to be! What I did last week was DESERVED, and now I’m going to take everything away from you starting at Bloodsport.
Damon Lazarus: Then what are you waiting for?! Punch me in the face and see what happens to you because I guaran-goddamn-tee you that you’re not going to make it to Bloodsport once I’m done with you.
(Jay scrunched his face as security continued to hold him back. After a moment, he finally relented as he held his hands up.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: I’m done… I’m done…
(He scowled as he approached Damon.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: You made the biggest mistake of your life and it is my duty to show you exactly why. Captain Charisma made the right decision adding me to your match with Jake, and trust that this is only the beginning when it comes to what you have in store for you. I just figured I’d give you a warning. A courtesy you never gave me.
(Before Damon can respond, the lights backstage flicker. Both men look confused and then Jake Smith appears in front of Jay, knocking him in the face with a sucker punch. Damon goes to react but another flicker of the lights sees Jay and Jake disappear.)
Damon Lazarus: The fuck??
(A fog appears before Damon and out of the mist steps the ‘Queen of Shadows’ herself. Her dead eyes lock on Damon, who’s not exactly amused at this situation. Caroline walks a circle around, almost as if she is examining, and it takes everything inside of Damon not to lash out at the petite Elitist. Caroline stops in front of Damon and throughout this the expression on her face hasn’t changed.)
Caroline: Lazarus.
Damon Lazarus: Not so sweet, Caroline.
Caroline: Mm. I am not here to play games with you but to deliver something akin to a warning. Though you have your beady little eyes sat upon Johnson, it is Jake that you must worry about. For he is not who he appears to be, at least not any longer. The days of ridicule and mockery are behind him, and now all that dwell in the land of Elite will see what Jake has come to be. You may wish to see yourself as the monster of this brand, but you currently play a game you have no chance at winning. Do not assume you can walk into Bloodsport and emerge victorious as the victory was taken from you the moment Jake was named as your opponent.
Damon Lazarus: Hm…
(Damon tilted his head as he glared at Caroline.)
Damon Lazarus: What changed? Why do you need to be the messenger for a man who is seemingly above that? A man gets a new personality, new attitude, bigger ego, and all of a sudden… you rear your head back at him and go back to doing his bidding. Don’t you think that you’re above that? Coming to me to give me a “warning” that I *know* that I don’t need…
(He approached her.)
Damon Lazarus: What now? Are you going to go back to doing his dirty work? Helping him win matches and cheat even though he claimed that he doesn’t need to do that anymore? What now, Caroline? What more are you going to do to lower yourself to *his* standards-
(Caroline held up a hand, wishing to silence Damon. Damon squinted at her and decided that for now, he was content to play along.)
Caroline: There is but a method to the madness, Damon, and answers to questions that will be asked in due time. The 20th Season has brought forth new opportunities and a change to erase the stench of Showdown from both of us. You do not know what it is like to be forced to act out and do things that you do not wish to do because you allowed others to pull the strings, but fret not. The Caroline before you is the not the disgusting husk of a woman that played second fiddle to Jake Smith. The birth of the new Caroline took place upon the conclusion of Pain for Pride.
(Caroline took a step closer to Damon, eyes narrowed at him.)
Caroline: As quickly as I appeared before you, I sent Jake and Jay away to play amongst themselves. Jay finds himself thrust into this fray because of you and pray, Damon. Why is that? What is but your obsession with such a simple human being, one who does not yet realize he has long since reached his ceiling. You wish to dance with the devil before you take his crown and sit upon his throne in Hell, but yet you waste your time. For what? Amusement? The fruit is plentiful here in the land of Elite, but something draws you to the poison and the spoiled. You hold a poisoned apple in your left hand. You have a spoiled apple in your right one. I know there is but one you truly wish to taste and it is written all over your face.
(Damon finds himself growing increasingly irritated with Caroline and he steps right in front of her, glaring down. Caroline does not flinch. In fact, a sinister little smile touches her lips.)
Caroline: Perhaps Jay is the way you choose to distract yourself but I shall tell you a secret, Damon Lazarus. There will forever be a bane of your existence here in Elite Answers Wrestling and do not assume that you have come across that as of yet. For even Achilles had his own weakness and we both know yours is not your heel.
Damon Lazarus: What is happening between me and Jay is none of your business. He’s an idiot who is going to be handled in due time, and while I am more than certain he doesn’t understand the sheer magnitude of what he’s gotten himself into, I know damn well that you don’t either. You don’t realize it’s not as easy as wishing for something and manifesting it into existence. Being the person that you *want* to be doesn’t allow you to escape the person that you are right now. What you do with your career is not my problem, ‘cause simply put it doesn’t involve me. But what you’re not going to do is get in my face and try and tell me what to do.
(Damon glared at Caroline, shaking his head.)
Damon Lazarus: … Nobody tells me what to do.
(He gave a slight shrug of the shoulders.)
Damon Lazarus: So… if I were you, I would think twice about what you try to say to me, because it would serve both you and that fragile ego idiot well to not try and test me.
(Caroline tilted her head, as she smirked.)
Caroline: I think not.
(Damon scoffed as he looked away for a brief moment…)
(BUT AS SOON AS HE TURNED BACK, CAROLINE MISTED HIM RIGHT IN THE FACE!)
(Damon is blinded as he screamed in pain, clutching his face, he swung his arms around wildly, but before he could get his hands on Caroline-)
(A CHAIR IS SMACKED AGAINST HIS SPINE! Damon is sent crumbling down to the ground as the camera panned upward.)
Jake Smith: You stupid son of a bitch.
(Jake snatched a hold of Damon, bringing him up to his feet, before he turned him around and threw him shoulder first directly against the concrete wall. Damon bounced off, but Jake was far from through, as he grabbed Damon and sent him over a nearby production crate, as Damon was toppled over and dropped down to the ground.)
(Jake approached him, grabbing a hold of him by the head as he pulled him upward.)
Jake Smith: WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
(THUD!)
(As he dropped an elbow hard directly against his face.)
Jake Smith: THIS IS MY VOLTAGE!
(THUD!)
Jake Smith: MY EAW!
(THUD!)
Jake Smith: I PUT FOOD ON *YOUR* TABLE!
(THUD!)
(Damon bounced off of the ground, as blood began to show on his face. Jake snatched a hold of him…)
(THUD!)
(As he nailed him with a vicious headbutt right against the face! Damon’s blood smeared on the face of Jake, as he wiped his forehead with a scowl.)
Jake Smith: You see this??? You see what happens when you bark up the wrong tree?! You don’t do something about this, then I’m gonna be the one who takes the food OFF of the table.
(Jake shook his head as he glared at the camera pointed at him. As he turned around…)
(He was met face-to-face with Caroline, who continued to stare at him, a smirk lingering on her face as she stepped backward, disappearing into the shadows without a trace.)
(Jake exhaled, slicking back his hair as he turned around and made his way out of the scene in the opposite direction. The last shot seen is Damon laid out on the ground, clutching his head as blood pooled around his head, all while Sunday Night Voltage faded out to elsewhere.)
(Promotional ad for Bloodsport, where Hans Grayson defends the EAW World Championship against Raven Roberts in the Cage of Death.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(‘Burn Victim’ by Methwitch blares throughout the arena as Eris Morti slowly steps out onto the stage, a twisted grin spread across her face. She takes a slow look around the arena before making her way down the ramp, looking completely at ease as she casually saunters toward the ring, seemingly enjoying every second of the hostile atmosphere around her.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Hailing from Parts Unknown, weighing in at 130 pounds… ERIS MORTI!
Thadd Blazevich: We didn’t see Eris Morti at all throughout last week’s show until much later in the night, bro, and when we finally did… she was laid out backstage in a pool of her own blood after Caroline got the better of her.
Rich Russillo: Most competitors would be looking for revenge after something like that, but Eris Morti is wired differently. Pain almost seems to motivate her, and that mindset makes her one of the most dangerous competitors on the Voltage roster.
Thadd Blazevich: Daniella Atlas can’t afford to get dragged into Eris’ game tonight. Eris doesn’t just want to beat people, she wants to change them, and that’s a scary thought heading into this match.
(‘The Clincher’ by Chevelle plays as Daniella Atlas steps out onto the stage with a focused look on her face. She wastes no time making her way down the ramp, quietly mouthing the lyrics to her theme while keeping her eyes locked on the ring, completely dialed in for the fight ahead.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent! From Dunkirk, France, weighing in at 170 pounds…THE BLADE OF HERMES…DANIELLA ATLAS!
Rich Russillo: Daniella Atlas has had plenty on her plate lately alongside ToXXXin, but tonight none of that matters. This is a one-on-one fight against one of the most unpredictable women in all of EAW.
Thadd Blazevich: Daniella’s built a reputation for staying composed no matter what’s thrown at her, bro, but Eris Morti has a way of pushing people to their absolute limit. That’s gonna be the biggest test tonight.
Persephone: Great. One woman enjoys getting hurt, and the other looks like she hasn’t smiled in three years. Somebody hurry up and knock the other one out already.
(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: There’s the bell, and this match is officially underway! Eris Morti versus Daniella Atlas! One thing’s for sure, this one’s bound to be hard-hitting! It’s bound to be violent as these two circle one another to start things off… COLLAR AND ELBOW TIE-UP IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! Daniella has both the size and strength advantage, slowly backing Eris toward the ropes after some jockeying for position…
Thadd Blazevich: Eris turns it around, backing Daniella into the ropes instead! Daniella answers by driving Eris into the corner… but Eris spins things around again, pinning Daniella in the corner! Atlas starts powering her way back out, forcing Eris to give up a few steps, but neither woman’s willing to let go of this tie-up!
Rich Russillo: Eris digs her heels in and takes control once more, driving Daniella back into the corner and keeping her pinned there until the referee has no choice but to step in! Both competitors have until the count of five to break!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!
(Daniella calmly raises both hands, showing she’s complying with the referee as Eris continues pressing into her. Eris finally backs off a step, briefly exchanging words with the official… BEFORE SHOVING DANIELLA ACROSS THE FACE WITH ONE HAND, TRYING TO GET A REACTION OUT OF HER IN THE CORNER!)
Thadd Blazevich: That’s not about doing damage at all. Eris is trying to bait Daniella into losing her cool!
(Eris spreads both arms, taunting Daniella with trash talk as the referee pulls her back for a moment before stepping aside. Daniella lets what just happened sink in before—)
Rich Russillo: WHOA! ERIS GOT TOO CLOSE, AND DANIELLA STARTS UNLOADING WITH FOREARMS, SPINNING HER AROUND BEFORE DRIVING HER BACK INTO THE CORNER WITH EVEN MORE! IT’S FOREARM AFTER FOREARM, DROPPING ERIS INTO A SEATED POSITION BEFORE THE REFEREE HAS TO STEP IN AND PULL DANIELLA AWAY!
(The referee pulls Daniella away from the corner, and Atlas immediately raises both hands, keeping her composure despite the flurry she just unleashed. Meanwhile, Eris struggles up to one knee, still reeling from those forearms as Daniella stands over her, questioning if that was what she wanted.)
Daniella Atlas: (off-mic) …is this truly all you wished to accomplish?
Rich Russillo: Daniella lifts Eris back to her feet before a DEVASTATING KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST!
(Eris doubles over, staggering forward a few steps as Daniella simply steps aside, calmly watching her. The camera catches a masochistic smile spread across Eris’ face as she quietly laughs to herself before slowly looking over at an unimpressed, unamused Daniella and standing back upright.)
Persephone: God, she’s such a fucking weirdo, isn’t she?
Rich Russillo: Eris is definitely a… unique competitor, to say the least. She’s almost welcoming the offense from Daniella Atlas, which… I’m not sure how smart that is, but I’m willing to bet there’s a method to her madness as she SCORES WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT IT DOESN’T DO A THING TO ATLAS, WHO FIRES RIGHT BACK WITH ONE OF HER OWN! Dude, Eris barely even flinched! She was ready for that one! Eris chops Daniella! Daniella chops Eris! ERIS! DANIELLA! ERIS! DANIELLA! ERIS! DANIELLA! ERIS! DANIELLA! ERIS— WHOA, ERIS!
Rich Russillo: ERIS STARTS BITING THE FOREHEAD OF ATLAS, POTENTIALLY TRYING TO DRAW BLOOD BEFORE FINALLY RELENTING! She gives Daniella a shove, sending her stumbling back into the corner!
Persephone: C’mon, ref! Disqualify her!
Rich Russillo: He isn’t going to disqualify Eris, but he is going to give her a warning that I highly doubt she’ll pay any attention to before marching right over to Atlas in the corner! She grabs hold of the wrist for an Irish whip to the opposite side! ERIS CHARGES IN— EATS A BOOT RIGHT TO THE FACE! Eris spins around, doubled over for a moment as Daniella hops onto the middle rope before charging back in!
Thadd Blazevich: DANIELLA BOOTS ERIS IN THE FACE A SECOND TIME, TURNING HER AROUND FOR A HANGING DRAGON SLEEPER FROM THE SECOND ROPE! Dude, she’s got Eris hanging completely off the mat! The referee’s gotta start counting!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!
Rich Russillo: ATLAS RELEASES!
Thadd Blazevich: Good. Way too good of a match to have it end like that.
Persephone: …Really? Are you sure about that?
(Eris drops prone before rolling underneath the bottom rope, struggling for air as she staggers over to the barricade, leaning against it…)
Rich Russillo: Eris looking to create a little separation here, struggling to catch her breath… BUT LOOK OUT! DANIELLA CHARGES IN WITH A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE, SENDING ERIS UP AND OVER THE BARRICADE INTO THE TIMEKEEPER’S AREA!
Persephone: :roman:
Thadd Blazevich: Dude… she just leveled her.
Rich Russillo: Eris comes crawling out from behind the timekeeper’s area, still reeling after that clothesline before Daniella hauls her back to her feet for ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST! That one finally seems to stun Eris, and Daniella wastes no time rolling her back inside the ring.
Thadd Blazevich: Eris returns to her feet, staggering into the corner as Daniella slides in after her. Daniella closes the distance for a KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST! Eris gets snapmared down into a seated position, and Daniella hits the ropes in front of her before coming back with a SLIDING LARIAT! SLIDING LARIAT BY ATLAS!
Rich Russillo: Daniella quickly rolls into the cover, hooking the leg deep!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Kickout! I don’t think anyone expected Eris to go down that easily, not even Daniella herself. Every kickout forces your opponent to expend energy, though, and that’s exactly how you wear somebody down over the course of a match.
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, if Daniella wants to wear Eris down, she’s gonna have to keep laying it in, because Eris is already back on her feet! She’s stumbling into the ropes, but Atlas doesn’t let up for a second! She leans Eris back against them before ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! AND A STRAIGHT PUNCH RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES!
Rich Russillo: DANIELLA FOLLOWS UP WITH YET ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP BEFORE SENDING ERIS ACROSS THE ROPES WITH AN IRISH WHIP! DANIELLA DUCKS DOWN FOR A BACK BODY DROP— BUT SHE TELEGRAPHED IT TOO EARLY! ERIS YANKS HER DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A HAIR-PULL MAT SLAM!
Thadd Blazevich: Daniella gets back to a knee, grabbing the back of her head as Eris closes in! DANIELLA SWINGS FOR A LARIAT! Eris ducks underneath, slips behind her, AND DRIVES HER DOWN WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! Dude, Daniella landed high on her neck and shoulders!
Rich Russillo: Daniella rolls herself into the corner, using the ropes to help pull herself back to her feet as Eris Morti begins making her way over.
Persephone: You know, Eris Morti seems to be having fun. It’s a shame I’m not, but… good for her.
Rich Russillo: Eris climbs onto the middle rope with Daniella trapped in the corner, raining down punches as this crowd can’t help but count right along with her!
Crowd: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE! TEN! ELEVEN! TWELVE! THIRTEEN! FOURTEE—
Rich Russillo: OH, NOT AGAIN! ERIS GOES RIGHT BACK TO BITING THE FOREHEAD OF DANIELLA ATLAS, POSSIBLY TRYING TO DRAW BLOOD ONCE MORE AS THE REFEREE STARTS HIS COUNT!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!
(Eris drops back down to the mat, raising both hands with a grin as the referee reprimands her. Daniella staggers out of the corner, remaining leaned against the ropes while checking her forehead for blood.)
Rich Russillo: Eris moves right past the referee, going straight back after Daniella and dragging her toward the center of the ring for a BODY SLAM! Eris drops into the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
Thadd Blazevich: Not even a two! Daniella powers out at one!
Persephone:
Rich Russillo: That’d frustrate most competitors in Eris’ position, but for Morti, it only seems to excite her. She stalks Daniella as she slowly rises to a knee… Eris stands her up for a KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST, CALLING BACK TO EARLIER! BUT DANIELLA SHRUGS IT OFF AND IMMEDIATELY FIRES BACK WITH ONE OF HER OWN! That chop may have awakened the “Blade of Hermes,” which… might’ve been exactly what Eris was trying to do as she answers with a forearm!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT DANIELLA FIRES A FOREARM RIGHT BACK! Eris is rocked as Daniella winds up for another— BUT ERIS DUCKS UNDERNEATH, SLIPS BEHIND HER, AND CONNECTS WITH ANOTHER GERMAN SUPLEX! This time, though, she hangs on to the waistlock!
Rich Russillo: Eris drags Daniella right back to her feet with a sick smile across her face! Daniella starts reaching for the ropes, but Eris jerks her right back toward the center of the ring! Nowhere to go— BUT DANIELLA BLOCKS THE SECOND GERMAN SUPLEX, DROPPING HER WEIGHT!
Thadd Blazevich: DANIELLA STARTS FIRING BACK WITH ELBOWS! She’s throwing everything she’s got to break that waistlock… AND SHE DOES! Multiple elbows to the face finally force Eris to let go! Daniella hits the ropes— BUT RUNS RIGHT INTO A BIG BOOT! That spins her around, and Eris grabs her again for ANOTHER GERMAN SUPLEX!
Rich Russillo: DANIELLA ROLLS THROUGH TO HER FEET! She stumbles back into the corner, favoring the back of her head and neck after being dumped high on her shoulders! Eris is right back up, charging in with a RUNNING CLOTHESLINE IN THE CORNER!
Thadd Blazevich: Eris goes to bounce out of the opposite corner to build up some momentum for another one— BUT DANIELLA TAKES OFF AFTER HER AND CRASHES INTO ERIS WITH A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE OF HER OWN IN THE CORNER! Dude, she wasn’t giving Eris a chance to get going there!
Persephone: Good! Quit entertaining this whackjob and shut her down already!
Rich Russillo: Daniella grabs hold of Eris’ wrist, looking to short-arm her right into an “INAMORATA” OUT OF THE CORNER! BUT ERIS SLIPS BEHIND FOR ANOTHER GERMAN SUPLEX! Daniella narrowly backflips onto all fours! Eris realizes it, and both women scramble back to their feet… WITH DANIELLA LANDING A ROLLING ELBOW FIRST!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, Daniella’s elbow is no joke! We’ve seen what her “BLACK DEATH” can do, and that caught Eris flush! Daniella drops down to all fours after putting everything into it, while Eris stumbles back into the ropes before bouncing off and collapsing down to all fours herself!
(Both Daniella and Eris remain on all fours for a moment before slowly turning their heads toward one another. They’re right beside each other. The two press their foreheads together, locking eyes with intense stares as they slowly rise back to their feet. Eris grabs the back of Daniella’s head, keeping their foreheads pressed together, and Daniella immediately returns the gesture. The two exchange heated words off-mic, each daring the other to bring it on.)
Rich Russillo: ERIS HITS THE ROPES AS DANIELLA CAN BARELY STAND IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! Morti charges in with a clothesline! BUT DANIELLA DUCKS UNDERNEATH! Eris rebounds off the ropes again, coming back with a FLYING CROSSBODY— BUT DANIELLA CATCHES HER! Atlas muscles Eris up, walks her a few steps, AND LAUNCHES HER WITH A FALLAWAY SLAM!
Thadd Blazevich: Eris rolls underneath the bottom rope onto the apron, using the ropes to pull herself back up as Daniella gets to a knee… DANIELLA SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH A TRIANGLE LARIAT! But Eris saw it coming! She ducks underneath, turns around on the apron— AND GETS FLOORED BY AN “INAMORATA!”
Rich Russillo: THE “INAMORATA” KNOCKS ERIS FLAT ON THE APRON! She rolls off and stumbles toward the barricade, using it to stay on her feet as Daniella Atlas climbs to the top rope! We don’t see this very often from Daniella, lining Eris up for a DIVING CROSSBODY TO THE FLOOR!
Persephone: It’s a shame she didn’t slip and seriously injure herself.
Rich Russillo: I, uh… wouldn’t consider that a shame.
Persephone: Well, I would.
Rich Russillo: :francis:
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, she wiped Eris out! Daniella rolls right through to her feet before hauling Eris up from all fours and rolling her back into the ring! Daniella slides in after her— OH! ERIS CLUBS HER RIGHT ACROSS THE BACK! Daniella can’t even get up before Eris starts stomping away at the ribs, then hits the ropes— BUT DANIELLA CATCHES HER WITH A POP-UP SITOUT POWERBOMB! SHE HOLDS IT FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHH—
Rich Russillo: ERIS GETS THE SHOULDER UP! Eris gets the shoulder up and immediately rolls underneath the bottom rope to the outside!
Thadd Blazevich: Eris leans back against the apron before getting a move on as Daniella slides out after her. Eris rounds the corner, staggering toward the barricade as Daniella starts to close in… BUT ERIS RAKES THE EYES! Dude, she was baiting Daniella the whole time! She rakes the eyes before THROWING DANIELLA BACK FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS!
Rich Russillo: Daniella rolls onto her side, the pain written all over her face as she clutches at her back. Eris drags the steel steps away from the ringpost before grabbing Daniella by the hair and dragging her up with her. Eris gets Daniella on top of those steel steps before placing her head between her legs… oh no… what’s Eris thinking here— OH NO!
Persephone: Oh yes! :gladbron:
Thadd Blazevich: “THE SKY BURIAL!!” :damn: ERIS JUST HIT A GOTCH-STYLE PILEDRIVER ON THE STEEL STEPS! Dude, that’s sick!
Persephone: :mjlol: Again! Again!
(Eris remains seated atop the steel steps with a sadistic smile spread across her face as Daniella crumples to the floor, laid out and visibly unconscious. Eris casually rolls back into the ring before signaling for the referee to start the count, then lounges across the top rope in the corner with a smug grin.)
Rich Russillo: The referee begins his count, and I don’t know if Daniella Atlas is going to be able to answer after that “Sky Burial” on the steel steps! Eris Morti may have just changed the complexion of this match!
Referee: …FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN!
Thadd Blazevich: Daniella’s barely moving out there! We’re finally starting to see some signs of life, but I don’t know if they’re gonna come quick enough!
Referee: …EIGHT! …NINE! …TE—
Rich Russillo: DANIELLA SUDDENLY SURGES FORWARD AND THROWS HERSELF UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! ATLAS BEATS THE COUNT AT THE VERY LAST POSSIBLE SECOND!
(Eris drops down from the top rope in pleasant surprise, having secretly hoped Daniella Atlas would beat the count so this match could continue. She crouches in the corner, stalking Daniella as she groggily gets back to her feet…)
Rich Russillo: SPEAR!!! ERIS WITH A SPEAR THAT NEARLY CUTS DANIELLA IN HALF! Eris drags Daniella back to the center of the ring by the ankle before dropping into the cover, hooking the leg!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT!
Thadd Blazevich: SOMEHOW, SOME WAY, DANIELLA GOT THE SHOULDER UP!
Persephone: Are you fucking kidding me right now??
Rich Russillo: DESPITE THAT GOTCH-STYLE PILEDRIVER ON THE STEEL STEPS, DANIELLA IS STILL ALIVE IN THIS MATCH! But you’ve gotta wonder how much of this is instinct at this point, because those eyes look completely vacant!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, Eris almost looks impressed! She sits up before dragging Daniella back to her feet and into the corner. Eris lifts her onto the top turnbuckle before A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! Then a forearm! Daniella’s barely hanging on up there… but she’s still got enough left to fire back with a forearm of her own!
Rich Russillo: ERIS ANSWERS WITH A FOREARM OF HER OWN, THEN ANOTHER! AND ANOTHER! A flurry of forearms rocks Daniella before A STIFF HEADBUTT! Eris has practically beaten the fight out of Atlas as she climbs to the middle rope, hooking Daniella up for a SUPERPLEX!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, Daniella is completely out of it after that! She slowly rolls toward the center of the ring while Eris just scoots over into another cover, almost casually hooking the leg!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRR—
Rich Russillo: SHOULDER UP AGAIN!
(Daniella lies face down with a glazed look in her eyes as Eris grabs a fistful of hair, forcing her up onto both knees…)
Rich Russillo: How much does Daniella Atlas have left?! We’re about to find out as Eris DRILLS HER WITH A SHOOT KICK TO THE CHEST! Then another! Daniella’s expression is starting to change! Those kicks might be waking something up inside her as Eris lands ANOTHER! AND ANOTHER! Eris hits the ropes, charging back in for a BIG BOOT!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT DANIELLA CAUGHT IT! Dude, Daniella catches the boot and forces herself back to her feet before throwing Eris’ leg aside for A ROLLING ELBOW STRIKE! Both women are barely standing after that one! Eris stumbles on spaghetti legs before firing back with a forearm! FOREARM FROM ERIS! FOREARM FROM DANIELLA!
Rich Russillo: ERIS! DANIELLA! ERIS! DANIELLA! ERIS! DANIELLA! THEY’RE TRADING SHOTS IN THE CENTER OF THE RING— OH, COME ON! ERIS GOES RIGHT BACK TO THE BITING! SHE’S BITING THE FOREHEAD OF DANIELLA ATLAS AGAIN, AND THIS TIME SHE’S DRAWN BLOOD! Eris backs away with a satisfied grin, blood smeared across her mouth, before sprinting off the ropes! Daniella hits the opposite side as well! Eris turns around in the center, swinging wildly for a clothesline!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT DANIELLA DUCKS UNDERNEATH! Eris rebounds again— BIG BOOT! Daniella nearly takes her head off! SAITO SUPLEX! Eris gets dumped high on her neck and shoulders! …BUT SHE ROLLS THROUGH TO HER FEET! Dude, she’s still coming! Eris charges right back in— RIGHT INTO AN “INAMORATA!”
Rich Russillo: DANIELLA JUST TURNED ERIS INSIDE OUT WITH THAT RUNNING LARIAT! Both women are down! Daniella’s barely moving, but she’s somehow able to roll out onto the apron and drag herself up with the ropes! Eris stirs back to a knee… BEFORE BLASTING DANIELLA WITH A RUNNING FOREARM THAT SENDS HER FLYING OFF THE APRON, FACE FIRST INTO OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE COVER!
(Daniella crashes to the floor before slowly crawling to all fours. Eris wastes no time, rolling underneath the bottom rope before frantically clearing off the announce table and dragging Daniella on top of it.)
Persephone: Oh, what now?
Rich Russillo: ERIS HAS DANIELLA BETWEEN HER LEGS FOR “THE SKY BURIAL!” SHE’S TRYING TO PILEDRIVE HER RIGHT THROUGH OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE— BUT DANIELLA COUNTERS WITH A BACK BODY DROP TO THE FLOOR!
(Daniella collapses onto all fours atop the announce table, looking back over her shoulder as Eris twitches on the floor after crashing down hard. A fiery look washes over Daniella’s face before she crawls off the table.)
Thadd Blazevich: Dude… I thought that was it. I thought Eris was about to spike her right through our table.
Rich Russillo: OH, AND DANIELLA’S NOT WASTING A SECOND! She rolls Eris back inside the ring before immediately hooking her up for “SOUTH OF HEAVEN!” SHE STACKS ERIS UP FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
Persephone: Finally, it’s— WHAT?!
Rich Russillo: ERIS KICKS OUT! SHE KICKS OUT OF SOUTH OF HEAVEN! I DON’T BELIEVE IT!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, what is it gonna take?!
(The arena erupts as Eris rolls onto her stomach, crazily muttering to herself. Daniella slowly pushes herself back to her feet and stumbles into the corner, slightly put off by that kickout, but not losing focus. Eris can barely move at this point, and after all of the back and forth between the two she is sporting a cut of her own, just above her eyebrow. After some time, Eris just nods.)
(Eris is slowly able to push herself up just enough, not to fight back, but to send a message. Eris glances back over her shoulder before beckoning Daniella in, basically begging for more. She spreads her arms wide with her back completely turned to Atlas. Daniella looks conflicted by it. She knows that Eris is still trying to goad her into bringing her worst just as she’s done all throughout this match, but after everything these two have put each other through she just quietly mutters…)
Daniella Atlas: (off-mic) …très bien.
(Daniella comes spinning out of the corner to deliver…)
Rich Russillo: …BLACK DEATH!! ERIS CRUMPLES LIKE AN ACCORDION UNDER THAT ROLLING ELBOW, AND I THINK ERIS GOT EXACTLY WHAT SHE ASKED FOR!! DANIELLA STACKS HER UP FOR THE COVER, AND I THINK THIS ONE IS OVER!!!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… DANIELLA ATLAS!
(‘The Clincher’ by Chevelle plays as Daniella remains kneeling over Eris for a moment before slowly rising to her feet, her hand raised in victory. Daniella stares into the hard camera before looking back down at Eris, standing over her fallen opponent as Daniella thinks about what she just did, and everything she chose to feed into tonight.)
Rich Russillo: Daniella Atlas has survived everything Eris Morti threw at her tonight, but judging by that look on her face, I don’t think she feels any satisfaction from giving Eris exactly what she wanted.
Persephone: Who cares how she feels? She finally knocked that freak unconscious, won the match, and ended this nightmare. That sounds pretty satisfying to me.
Thadd Blazevich: Congrats to Daniella Atlas for the victory! That was an awesome win, and it definitely wasn’t easy getting it.
(Daniella shakes her head before exiting the ring, slowly making her way up the ramp while feeling the blood on her forehead. Inside the ring, Eris Morti slowly begins to stir, pushing herself onto her stomach before looking ahead with a sick smile on her face, Daniella’s blood still smeared across her mouth.)
(The woman hailing from Parts Unknown began to crawl towards the ropes. In spite of the blood pouring down from a vertical slice above her eyebrow, evidently woozy — her limbs moving with far less endurance as she first entered the Donald L. Trucker Civic Center — she still bared her fangs with a grin plastered on her face. Her white teeth became stained with the red hue of her own blood as well as her opponent’s, though no second of it appeared to bother her. Not the taste of iron dominating her mouth nor the impaired vision from the thick red fluid seeping into her eyes. It was as if she was right where she wanted to be. The circumstances didn’t seem to weigh down on her shoulders, the loss and the pain didn’t seem to drag her down. Not mentally nor physically. Eris scaled the ropes, pulling herself back to a standing base.)
Persephone: I’m not exactly sure what this weirdo has to be happy about. She lost the match. 🤨
Thadd Blazevich: I don’t think that was the point brah! She was clearly competing for more than just a win!
Persephone: Carry that same mentality into a casino and see what happens. Money’s on the line and, most importantly, my time.
Rich Russillo: All due respect… I don’t think Eris cares about your time. :mjlol:
Persephone: What on earth did you say?
Rich Russillo: My fault. 🥺
(Eris inched closer to the South-East turnbuckle, signalling with her hand that she wanted a microphone. Ringside staff would oblige with a hint of confusion on their face, rather wanting to give her medical attention than let her speak. Yet Eris insisted on addressing her season thus far.)
(Domina Mortis stepped to the centre of the ring, a slight chuckle audible as she raised up the microphone.)
Eris Morti: I think I got what I wanted.
(Through deep breaths, she continued.)
Eris Morti: I think I’m satisfied. At the very least, with my business involving Blade. What I am not satisfied with is a certain Caroline. Hah. It’s as I said a handful of days ago. If I’m going to be led to believe that there is more from you sweet Caroline, please do not be shy! Last week really was exciting after all. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t expect you. I didn’t expect that *from* you. I didn’t think you could. But you did, alas you did! And now, I’m in deep waters that I haven’t been in before! Exploring the unfamiliar is different, it’s enjoyable, and I truly hope that you will make your presence felt once more!
(Eris paused. She turned to face the entranceway, with a slight hint of anticipation in her eye.)
Eris Morti: It’s a new feeling, after all; having a target on my back. That’s all thanks to you, sweet Caroline! It’s a different feeling, not being the hunter. Though I guess you would know that wouldn’t you?
(She nodded.)
Eris Morti: I want more. You know I want more and I don’t want to wait. Please, sweet Caroline. Entertain me. ☺️
(Once more… Eris waited. And… she waited… and waited. Until… nothing. Despite invoking Caroline’s name, addressing the past few weeks of this growing tension between the two, and reminding the world of her excitement towards feeling as if she was the hunted rather than the hunter; Caroline did not appear. Eris Morti couldn’t get everything she wanted tonight.)
Eris Morti: Hahahaha. Haha. Haha. Ha. Carolineeeeee.
(Her pitch raised almost as if she was playfully dropping Caroline’s name, but it was clear from the dropped eyebrows that she was becoming more and more frustrated by the lack of an answer from Caroline.)
Thadd Blazevich: Brosette really going through it tonight.
Rich Russillo: It’s hard to really tell what exactly Eris Morti wants. On one hand she said she was satisfied and definitely seems it, but the little twinge in her eye, the constant glances towards the top of the ramp; something is clearly bugging her here. She’s never going to be an Elitist we can read, but…
Eris Morti: Aren’t you going to answer, Caroline? No? How sad. How truly, truly… boring. It’s such a shame, sweet Caroline.
(Eris let out a jagged sigh; her breath feeling shaky and cut up. She shook her head.)
Eris Morti: Okay. I understand what you’re doing here, Caroline. I understand that you want to rob me of what I want, you want to play games here, you want me to react the exact way that I’m reacting now. You WANT me to be annoyed, I get it. I’m no stranger to this behaviour, sweet Caroline. I’m no stranger to it at all!
(Her finger gently wagged, with as much energy as she possibly could muster considering everything that she’s been through.)
Eris Morti: It doesn’t matter. Does it? You can have your fun but it’s not going to put an end to what’s between us, and one way or another we are going to meet again. We are going to lock eyes and you’re not going to have the jump on me like you would hope. You’re not going to get to play your little games—
(Eris’ speech continued though it became overridden by the noise of the crowd quickly rising. Eris’ voice became inaudible, with the 12,000+ audience members in attendance popping to their feet — noticing something that Eris Morti clearly didn’t.)
Thadd Blazevich: OH NO, BRO! ERIS DOESN’T KNOW IT YET BUT…
Rich Russillo: SHE’S GETTING EXACTLY WHAT SHE ASKED FOR!
Thadd Blazevich & Rich Russillo: CAROLINE IS STANDING RIGHT BEHIND HER!
(Eris stepped back slowly.)
Eris Morti: We are going to cross paths, sweet Caroline. And I hope…
(She begins to turn around, unknowingly.)
Rich Russillo: SHE MIGHT NOT BE TOO HAPPY ABOUT THIS ONE!
(***SPIT!***)
Thadd Blazevich: CAROLINE WITH THE MIST!!!!!!
…
…
…
…
…
…
Rich Russillo: ERIS WITH PICTURE PERFECT TIMING! SOMEHOW SHE MANAGED TO BOB HER HEAD UNDERNEATH THE CLOUD OF MIST THAT HISSED OUT OF CAROLINE’S MOUTH; SHE WAS RIGHT, THEY WERE GOING TO MEET AND IT WAS FAR SOONER THAN SHE HAD INITIALLY EXPECTED!
Thadd Blazevich: AND NOW ERIS MORTI IS ON THE ATTACK BRAH! WRAPPING HER ARMS AROUND CAROLINE’S LEGS, SHE QUICKLY TAKES THE QUEEN OF SHADOWS DOWN TO THE MAT YO! PERHAPS ERIS MORTI IS GETTING ***EVERYTHING*** SHE ASKED FOR TONIGHT AFTER ALL!
Rich Russillo: CAROLINE IS TRYING TO PLAY DEFENSIVE HERE, BUT THERE’S NOT MUCH SHE CAN DO AS ERIS IS THROWING HAMMERFISTS DOWN ON CAROLINE’S HEAD! CAROLINE IS USING HER NAILS, LOOKING TO SCRATCH AND CLAW — TRYING TO DIG HER NAILS INTO THE DEEP WOUND ON ERIS’ HEAD; THIS ONE IS OUT OF CONTROL!
Thadd Blazevich: GOUGING AT THE CUT, THIS CRAZY BROSETTE GETS THE ADVANTAGE, ROLLING ERIS ONTO HER BACK NOW! IT’S CAROLINE’S TURN TO THROW THE HAYMAKERS, MAYBE IT’S HER THAT’S GOING TO GET THE UPPER HAND!
Rich Russillo: ERIS MORTI ASKED FOR THIS AND SHE GOT IT; SHE CAN’T HAVE ANYTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HERE! THOUGH IT DOESN’T SEEM LIKE SHE WILL, AS SHE’S NOW REGAINING CONTROL HERE!
(THUD!)
(THUD!)
(THUD!)
(THUD!)
Rich Russillo: CONTINUING THE STRIKES OF HER OWN, CAROLINE IS BACK PLAYING DEFENSIVE–
Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
(Once more, the roar of the crowd would begin to cancel out the noise of any vocals; though this time it would be in complete disapproval. Eris and Caroline continued to grapple and brawl, but unfortunately for those in attendance, it would quickly be cut short. A horde of security ushered to the ring by Eden Sinclair began to rip both women off of one another, ruthlessly preventing Eris and Caroline from doing any further harm to the other.)
(It wasn’t pretty; it was scrappy, it was messy, but in the end, the security hounded the two competitors and kept them held in opposite corners of the ring.)
(The crowd eventually began to die down.)
(With that; Eden Sinclair raised a microphone to her lips.)
Eden Sinclair: Alright, alright, alright; that’s enough! I understand what Voltage is all about and I understand that you two haven’t exactly been the best of friends — if anything it’s been the complete opposite. But there’s no need for this to continue right now, not when there’s much bigger things to worry about on the horizon, and that INCLUDES the both of you!
Eden Sinclair: I’m not going to let the two of you tear one another apart right now, that’s not how we do things here. You both have issues with one another and while I’m no expert in psychology, I can tell that there’s only one way for you to settle this thing that has been brewing since Pain For Pride. You both want an opportunity to settle the score? That’s fine by me; you can do it on August 9th in three weeks time at Bloodsport!
Crowd: :blessed:
Eden Sinclair: That satisfy either of you?
Thadd Blazevich: WHAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM EDEN, BRAH!
Rich Russillo: I’m sure Eris Morti will be glad to hear that, but still; she doesn’t seem too happy! Neither of them do!
(Eris and Caroline both tried to scrape by and make their way to one another. The overwhelming numbers completely prevented that however. It was almost as if neither of them acknowledged the security, and that it was simply fate stopping them from clashing once more. Their eyes didn’t meet with any of the security, not even Eden. They only had eyes for one another.)
(Slowly, Voltage would begin to fade elsewhere; closing on Eris Morti and Caroline desperately trying to rush towards one another, held back by security.)
(Commercial for the most recent “SKATE” game with Avril Williams, out on all platforms.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR…ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(‘Great Champions’ by Tony Clarke begins to blast through the arena as we see someone who looks as generic and bland as you can get beginning to make their way toward the ring. This relative unknown looks nervous, not having much confidence, but doing it anyways!!)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! From… Tallahassee, Florida!!! WEIGHING IN AT 165 POUNDS… HE IS…. LANDON BENZ!!!
Persephone: What the hell is a Landon Benz? Is he supposed to be a car???
Rich Russillo: Let’s not make fun of this gentleman’s name! This is a massive opportunity for this young man, getting a match here on Voltage can put all eyes on the other general managers EAW has to offer. If he has a good showing here, Landon may be signed to an exclusive deal.
Rich Russillo: For sure, broski! Landon Benz may not be known to us but being the hometown boy, everyone is cheering on Landon for support as he makes his official debut here in Elite Answers Wrestling!!!
Persephone: Yeah… good luck pal.
(Soon enough Landon rolls into the ring as the crowd here in Tallahassee shows their love for their hometown boy! Landon rushes towards the corner and raises both his arms up, while still unconfident he is ready for the battle… but his face soon turns into a state of shock as ‘Vordt of the Boreal Valley” by Motoi Sakuraba begins to blast through the P.A System as out comes Igon Mordren with a sophisticated and mean look on his face. He’s determined and ready for whatever he is about to do here to Landon tonight on Voltage. Igon looks around before making his way down the aisle and towards the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing next! From Belgrade, Serbia!!! WEIGHING IN AT 266 POUNDS… HE IS ‘THE WARDEN’… IGON MORDREN
Persephone: What were you guys saying again???
Thadd Blazevich: Ummmm… I don’t know what you’re talking about bro.
Rich Russillo: Whatever confidence Landon may have had, was turned upside the moment we heard that music as out comes one of the newest signees, and recently got drafted to Voltage! He was in utter disgust of “the nonsense” that was displayed in Avril’s match, talking about how barbaric it was, as the two of them shared some words with each other! Now he has arrived and he’s here for his official in-ring debut tonight on Voltage.
(Igon makes his way up the steps and onto the apron, glancing out before entering through the ropes and into the ring. As he makes his way toward the center of the ring, he brings his hands behind his back, scanning around at the crowd who are not entirely pleased to see him after their first impression of him last week.)
(As he takes off his entrance coat, his eyes catch something at ringside.)
Avril Williams: 👋
(Avril Williams is seen, more than introduced to Igon after their previous encounter. She’s sitting on her skateboard, swaying back and forth in front of the commentary table, chewing gum in a very obnoxious way. Igon is not entirely pleased by this, but he keeps himself calm, focusing on the match ahead as he makes his way toward the corner. The referee looks at both competitors before signalling for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: HERE WE GO! LANDON TRIES TO GO FOR A FLYING FOREARM AND– AND IS MET WITH A CHOP FROM IGON!!! THE SOUND ECHOES EVERYWHERE IN THE ARENA AS YOU CAN EVEN SEE MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WINCING!!!
Thadd Blazevich: Even Avril bro is even giving an uncomfortable look as Igon looks towards where Avril is standing by, as he grabs a hold of Landon by the neck!
Igon Mordren: (off-mic) YOU SEE THIS??? THIS IS WHAT THIS SPORT IS ABOUT!!!
Persephone: Avril doesn’t look impressed with what Igon is saying as she swats her right away, not fully respecting what Igon is telling her!! NOW IGON LOOKS EVEN MORE PISSED! GREAT JOB AVRIL!!!
Rich Russillo: HE’S NAILING POOR LANDON WITH ANVIL ELBOW STRIKES!!!! LANDON IS ALREADY IS UTTER PAIN AS NOW IGON BRINGS HIM BACK UP– INTO A GERMAN SUPLEX!!! LANDON GOES FLYING ACROSS THE RING AS IGON LOOKS BACK AT AVRIL!!!
Igon Mordren: (off-mic) THIS IS WHAT THIS BEAUTIFUL SPORT IS!! NOT YOUR TRASH!!!
Thadd Blazevich: Igon turns around as he grabs a hold of Landon bro and– DELIVERS ANOTHER GERMAN SUPLEX!!! THE CROWD HERE TONIGHT IS BOOING IGON!
Avril Williams: 👎
Thadd Blazevich: AND SO DOES AVRIL WHO’S PUTTING A THUMBS DOWN!!! TAUNTING IGON WHO IS OBVIOUSLY NOT THRILLED TO SEE HER, BRO!
Persephone: Landon ain’t even on the same planet right now, he’s in a complete universe if we’re being honest. IGON PUTTING BELT TO ASS ON HIM!!
Rich Russillo: I don’t know if that’s the way to describe but nonetheless, Igon now brings Landon right back to his feet and– DELIVERS A BACKBODY SUPLEX!!! HE LANDS RIGHT ON HIS HEAD AS LANDON IS SCREAMING IN PAIN!!! IGON STILL HAS HIS EYES TOWARDS AVRIL AS HE GOES FOR THE COVER!!!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: IGON STOPS THE COUNT HIMSELF AS HE BRINGS LANDON UP FROM HIS HEAD!!! CLUTCHING ONTO HIS HAIR AS HE LOOKS RIGHT BACK AT AVRIL WITH AN ANGRY LOOK IN HIS FACE, NOT PLEASED THAT WITH WHAT SHE WAS DOING EARLIER!!!
Persephone: Igon just end this match please, not for that schmuck’s sake but so we can move to the barbic stuff you hate.
Rich Russillo: It looks like IGON is going to continue with the beatdown on Landon, with more forearm clubs right into this chest!! Just looks brutal as it can get as Igon continues with this onslaught towards Landon Benz!
Thadd Blazevich: Igon bro now brings Landon up to his feet as it looks like he may be going for something here!! IGON GOES FOR ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP LIKE HE HIT EARLIER!!! BUT WAIT– LANDON DUCKS IT!!! HE RUNS TO THE ROPES AND BACK– AND LANDS A FOREARM TO IGON!!!
Persephone: LANDON RUNS FROM THE ROPES AND BACK FOR ANOTHER FOREARM RIGHT IN IGON’S FACE!! THE CROWD IS FEELING IT!! LANDON IS FEELING IT!! HE RUNS TO THE ROPES FOR ANOTHER FOREARM–
Rich Russillo: DINOSAUR DROKICK!! IT DELIVERS AS IT LOOKED LIKE A SHOTGUN WAS BLASTED FROM THE WARDEN!!!
Persephone: I don’t think Landon is feeling it anymore.
Thadd Blazevich: Igon bro has had enough toying around as he brings Landon right back to his feet– AND DELIVERS WITH THE POWERBOMB!!! HE GOES FOR THE COVER AS AVRIL LOOKS ON!!!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!
TTTTTHHHHHRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(“Vordt of the Boreal Valley” begins to play through the speakers again as Igon Mordren immediately rises back up to his feet. He has a disgusted expression on his face as he raises his own arms in the air, the crowd continuing to boo this disgusting display that was shown here tonight, meanwhile, the referee crouches down and checks on the enhancement talent which is in an absolute heap in front of Igon.)
Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… IGON MORRRDRENNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Well, that’ll do it.
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, what a display by Igon Mordren tonight in his debut match! You know that he values the sanctity of this sport and that was definitely a way to back that up. I have no doubt in my mind that he is going to make an impact on this roster.
Persephone: But it doesn’t seem like he’s done. Avril, you better get your ass out of here…
(Igon leaves the ring as he approaches Avril, who is continuing to sit on her skateboard, whistling as she looks around, sarcastically pretending he’s not here.)
Igon Mordren: (Off-Mic) Get up!
Avril Williams: (Off-Mic) Dude. C’mon.
Igon Mordren: (Off-Mic) I will not deal with this foolishness! Get up!
(Avril groans as she stands up.)
Avril Williams: (Off-Mic) You gotta chill out, man.
Igon Mordren: (Off-Mic) Do you think this is a game?!
Avril Williams: (Off-Mic) My bad for the unintentional ragebait, just… alright? You don’t need to get all mad about it, y’know?
(Igon exhales as he continues to glare at her. After a moment, he finally turns around and relents.)
Avril Williams: (Off-Mic) Thank you-
(SMACK!)
Rich Russillo: CHOP TO THE CHEST BY IGON SENDS AVRIL BACKWARD!
Thadd Blazevich: AVRIL FALLS BACK AGAINST THE EDGE OF OUR ANNOUNCER’S TABLE, AS IGON PRESSES HIS HAND AGAINST HER-
(SMACK!)
Thadd Blazevich: BEFORE NAILING HER WITH AN OPEN HAND PALM DIRECTLY TO THE CHEST! AVRIL HAD THE WIND TAKEN OUT OF HER, AND IGON HAS CLEARLY HAD ENOUGH!
(Igon grabs a hold of Avril and brings her toward him, throwing her under the bottom rope and back into the ring. She tries to stagger up to her feet, but Igon grabs her by the hair.)
Persephone: Oh dear.
(SMACK!)
(SMACK!)
(SMACK!)
(SMACK!)
Rich Russillo: OH MY GOD! IGON IS BEGINNING TO CHOP AVRIL REPEATEDLY!
Thadd Blazevich: JUST BEATING THE SHIT OUT OF HER! STOP IT!
(Igon is finally satisfied as officials run in, breaking the two of them up. He drops her down to the ground, as Avril is laying on the ground withering in pain. Igon makes his way over, putting his foot on top of her and raising his hand into the air.)
Persephone: That’s what you get, I guess.
Rich Russillo: Igon Mordren showed Avril Williams exactly what happens when you go against him and this sport in his eyes, and he stands tall here tonight. My lord, what a beating.
(Avril groans, but as she rolls to the side.)
(A slightly small smirk begins to creep on her face despite what happened, knowing deep down, she did ask for this, and she got it.)
(The last shot seen is Igon leaving the ring and storming up the ramp as Sunday Night Voltage fades to elsewhere.)
(Voltage fades to the commentary table, with Rich Russillo sitting in the middle; Persephone and Thadd Blazevich to his side.)
Rich Russillo: For our penultimate match of the evening… “The Heartbeat” Bronson Daniels steps in the ring for the first time this season, looking to attain a statement victory after a heartbreaking Pain For Pride, and tensions beginning to rise to start the season off with none other than Miku Sakai…
Thadd Blazevich: And on the other side of the ring will be Candice Blair, the little Ava sis who is also making her in-ring debut this season, and is entering it with new fire in her veins after closing the book on the issues between ARIA and herself against Cosmo Goldworthy & Diamond Dixon! Both of these two are long tenured competitors but their resumes are very different, yet one thing we can certainly say right now is that Candice Blair has been bridging the gap for the last calendar year, and with newfound motivation, a win against the newly inducted Hall of Famer is just what she’s looking towards!
Persephone: Do we really have to pretend that Candice stands a chance…? I mean, I know Bronson is all sad and everything, but Bronson is always all sad. He may be the sorriest Hall of Fame inductee we’ve ever had, but after losing to “Jon Kelton”, I think the last thing he wants is to keep laying down for people. :mjlol:
Thadd Blazevich: How about some positivity, sis?? Wrestling is a game of right place, right time, and anything can happen!
Rich Russillo: Well, I guess we’ll have to see which side emerges victorious in spite of the strong opinions! Candice Blair takes on Bronson Daniels up next… However, before that, we’ll send it to Molly Waters for some pre-game words from Candice.
(The feed then transitions to the backstage area, where Molly Waters is equipped with a microphone in her hand, and a gleaming smile. To her side is Candice Blair, behind her ARIA and Ashlynn Quinn.)
Molly Waters: Thank you, Rich. Candice, glad you’re joining me.
Candice Blair: Of course.
(Candice gives a tight-lipped smile.)
Molly Waters: You’ve made a name for yourself for years, being this company’s good samaritan. Sometimes that’s been put into doubt, sometimes you’ve doubted your capability to do that yourself, but it seems that no matter what, even if you’re not saying it, you still gravitate towards that, right?
Candice Blair: You put it this way, then yeah, that does seem to be the case. Honestly, when Selina turned her back on me, and I had to put both her and myself through Hell itself just to emerge victorious at Pain For Pride last year, a part of me shattered… and it only continued shattering and shattering when Saori Aizen put my worldview to the test… when, quite ironically, it was Ashlynn I couldn’t beat for the New Breed Championship… and when Daniella Atlas showed me the extent of her force… I lost myself, and that part of me remains lost… however…
(Candice exhales, with a slight smile emerging.)
Candice Blair: Out of pure circumstance, I managed to gravitate towards ARIA, and honestly? She’s kept me above the water when I couldn’t. There’s cause for celebration after we defeated Cosmo & Diamond, but we didn’t want to take the moment… We saw a chance to help, and… just wanted to prioritize that, in spite of everything.
(Ashlynn slowly nods her head, acknowledging her history with Candice, grateful that in spite of her past and her antics, she was granted help and empathy. That’s something that she didn’t think she’d deserved, that she knows she hadn’t earned… but it still came.)
Molly Waters: You have a match with Bronson Daniels up next, which speaks for itself. Is victory in your sights tonight?
Candice Blair: Of course. I know I am counted out, and I’m well aware everybody loves Bronson for everything he’s done, but I don’t want to pretend, I’ve seen a broken man, trying to reassemble pieces of himself but looking in all the wrong places. I’ve felt the way he aimed his pity towards me, and I’ve seen the look of judgement… that’s a man that deep down knows he doesn’t understand what it means to be me, because the difference will always be the awareness of our privileges. He looks at me as a lesser-than, and in all honesty? I can’t look at somebody like that as honest.
Candice Blair: And, regardless of his feelings, I do have a chip on my shoulder. Both to avenge ARIA for the Tag Team Turmoil and the early elimination, and to simply pick up a victory against a decorated, former World Champion. If there was ever a better time to strike for me, it would be while he is down, still processing his pain, while I get just the victory that proves to the likes of Minerva and the rest of ToXXXin myself and the rest of us are not to be treated as roadkill. I’ll beat Bronson, and I’ll go as far as to *break* him even further…
Molly Waters: I see. When it comes to ToXXXin, tell me a bit about last week.
Candice Blair: You could call it happenstance, but you could also deem it a calling. When Ashlynn was confronting ToXXXin, we saw someone outnumbered, and it just so happened, that ARIA’s opponent for the night, Selina Reyes, seemed more focused on getting her hands dirty with Ashlynn than ARIA, her actual opponent, and for myself personally? It felt disrespectful to ARIA. To me, it felt like ToXXXin and Selina didn’t even account for her. That they didn’t care about her. That ARIA, as an opponent, was not worth even thinking about.
Candice Blair: And Molly, we both know that could never be the case.
(Molly nods.)
Molly Waters: In the end, ARIA emerged victorious in the 1-on-1 against Selina…
Candice Blair: She did, and… I think it’s in ARIA’s right to talk about that match herself.
(Candice steps behind, placing ARIA in the forefront.)
ARIA: Candice is correct, and what drove me, above all, is empathy. While Selina needed to be reminded who her opponent was, she and all of ToXXXin needed to know they cannot run around bullying people. I don’t doubt I was underestimated, perhaps Selina had grown overconfident because she’s been able to pick up victories against me in the past, but history is not simply guaranteed to repeat! It never is!
ARIA: I am proud of my victory, and I am happy to send her back down to earth, but above all I truly take pride in standing our ground, and being on the right side of history! Both in the match itself, and after! ToXXXin was quick to unleash an assault after the result they got wasn’t the one they desired. Nothing they wanted went their way last week, and we want to continue this trend, and show ToXXXin they cannot simply run the show! Ashlynn may be the one gunning for Minerva’s championship, but we’re not letting her deal with this alone. We already know what it’s like having to deal with people like ToXXXin and the mess they cause, and we know what it’s like for others to try to guide us off our righteous path and into darkness to fulfill their sadistic desires. When somebody like Ashlynn emerges, a story of redemption seeking, the last thing we’d want is for these evils to sway her away early and rob her of this chance. You can show people there is only cruelty in the world, or you can show them that above all of this cruelty, good still reigns supreme. We want to be the latter!
Candice Blair: ToXXXin don’t have the numbers advantage anymore, and you know what? I think it’s about time things start to change for the better in this place.
Molly Waters: I see your minds center around your quarrels with ToXXXin. In this case, I’d like to ask Ashlynn about last week as well… What drove you to sticking around for ARIA’s match with Selina?
(Ashlynn steps forward, pointing to herself, exaggeratedly surprised she’s being asked a question for this interview.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Oh Molly! I totes thought I was supposed to stay here and just look pretty without being asked anything, so I can’t really say I prepared an answer to that question. I guess I appreciate Candice and ARIA having my back out there, and decided I’d stick around if any baloney would happen! That’s ToXXXin’s M.O. after all, righttt?? When somebody helps Handsome Hans, I saw him stick around to help them in return, so I am simply doing the same!
Ashlynn Quinn: I’m especially NAWT impressed with Minerva’s little attempt at intimidating yours truly! Look, cutie, I’ve had a swim with electric eels once upon a time so I’m TOTALLY not *shook* by some scary-looking girlie patooties, okay? I want the Universal Women’s Championship to serve as a tangible landmark for my *amazing* improvement as a person, and when I beat her, Minerva cannot say I live through other people! I mean, speaking of, what a sudden shift in the narrative! I thought I was a narcissist or something like that!!
Ashlynn Quinn: Minerva’s mind games won’t work against Miss Voltage herself, and if nothing else? Tonight will be the purrrrfect chance to show her just what I am capable of up close! After Candice Blair will totally beat lovely bestie (by association of lovely Veena 😍) Bronny Daniels, I will have to find a way to work together with jaded, angry, little Minnie! And maybe we won’t work together, but neither will Kai Kai (ew) and TLA! Neither will Triple J and Jakey-boy! I’m gonna have Minerva SHOOK in the main event tonight, and I’ll show her— AGH!!
**SMACK!!!**
(Suddenly, Ashlynn is blindsided… forearms in tandem striking the back of her head, from Selina Reyes and Daniella Atlas.)
(Ashlynn is sent to the ground as Molly Waters runs away, looking for security.)
(Candice and ARIA quickly retaliate, jumping the pair of Selina and Daniella with overhead blows to the back, but that doesn’t send the toxic pair down, as they send the two back first into the wall.)
(Meanwhile… twirling a rose around her fingers, Minerva’s boots slowly thud on the floor in the wake of the attack.)
(Seeing Minerva, fire burns in Ashlynn’s eyes as she quickly aims for the champion!)
(She deals a blow to Minerva’s jaw, which only angers her as she is quick to retaliate.)
(Minerva deals a headbutt which staggers Ashlynn, followed up by a lariat, sending her down while Selina and Daniella are still fighting in the chaos with ARIA and Candice.)
(Minerva joins in and kicks at the leg of ARIA, causing her to lose balance. Selina and Minerva take the opportunity to throw her over an equipment box. As Daniella and Candice fight back and forth, she finds herself quickly outnumbered.)
(A headbutt from Daniella makes her dizzy! Selina grabs her nape, and sends her face-first into the nearby television screen! Candice’s world is suddenly shaking, but the punishment isn’t over yet.)
(Security emerges, but is fought off by Selina and Daniella.)
(Minerva picks Candice up…)
**THUD!!**
(And drives her head first into the concrete floor with a piledriver.)
(Candice’s eyes look aimlessly, as her hands grab all over her head, wherever.)
(Minerve remains seated for a brief second next to Candice…)
Minerva: “Focus on your match”… should’ve taken your own advice…
(Minerva smirks, amusingly, as security eventually catches up and grabs her, with, frankly, not much of a fight from Minerva as she is getting picked up.)
(ToXXXin is escorted from the area, as Candice is left in nauseating pain.)
(ARIA and Ashlynn regain their senses, and crawl next to Candice.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Oh my gosh… Candice??
ARIA: We need a doctor…
(The two of them slowly try to pick up Candice, but once she has some footing, Candice begins to resist, lightly shoving Ashlynn away.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Candice girl, aren’t you like, concussed or something?? You’re um, staring into space, and stuff!
ARIA: Your head must really be hurting… You can’t compete, Candice!
Candice Blair: No.
ARIA & Ashlynn Quinn: Hm??
Candice Blair: I’m fine. I’m going out there and I’m *competing.*
(Though ARIA and Ashlynn are worried at the thought of Candice having suffered a concussion right before her match, she refused to back down. Being robbed of this match, having her autonomy taken away, would only be playing into ToXXXin’s hands and falling for their methods.)
(For Candice, defying this enemy matters significantly more than her health or her fate at this point in time.)
(Promotional ad for Bloodsport, where Jake Smith, Damon Lazarus and Jay Jerry Johnson face off for the right to lead the War Games team.)
(The camera shot has returned to the ring where we see Bella Braxton standing front and center as she is ready to begin the introductions for the next match.)
Bella Braxton: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!
(“Run Into Flowers” by M83 starts to play as Bronson Daniels enters the arena to cheers from the crowd. There is no doubt a lot on his mind, but he is staying focused for this match as he heads to the ring, even high diving a few of the fans in attendance as he does his best to get back to his usual spirit.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first and making his way to the ring! Residing in Los Angeles, California! Weighing 190 pounds. Here is “THE HEARTBEAT” BRONSON DANIELS!
Rich Russillo: Here comes the new Hall of Famer coming to the ring for singles action and he has certainly been through a lot recently.
Persephone: You mean being a crybaby and giving up a Pain for Pride victory and ruining his own stock? I have no sympathy.
Thadd Blazevich: Miku Sakai certainly didn’t make things any better with her remarks. Either way, Bronson says if he has to work his way up the ladder in order to get into contention for a title, he’s gonna do it.
(Bronson enters the ring as his music is replaced by ‘So Far So Fake’ by Pierce the Veil. Seconds later, Candice Blair comes out looking VERY worse for wear after what happened moments ago as she stumbles. ARIA is standing next to her and catches her from falling as she is still trying to convince her to not do this match. Candice still wants to compete as ARIA shakes her head and supports her friend as they head to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing his opponent! Being accompanied to the ring by ARIA! Residing in Malibu, California! Weighing 130 pounds. Here is “THE REALITY BREAKER” CANDICE BLAIR!
Persephone: Well, the choke artist may have this match handed to him on a surgically enhanced platter because look at this bitch.
Thadd Blazevich: For people just tuning in, before the break, ToXXXin attacked from behind and brutalized Candice Blair. That concussion has her equilibrium off and she is nowhere near in condition to compete. But Candice isn’t the type of person to lay down and surrender.
Persephone: That’s not what I heard.
Rich Russillo: Oh just shut up. ARIA tried to convince Candice not to compete but one way or another, Candice is going to go through with it. I hope she knows what she is doing or else this is going to be a very short match.
(Candice slowly walks up the steps to get on the apron as the referee opens the ropes to make it easier for Candice to get into the ring. Candice makes it in and keeps her balance as she holds her head and goes to a corner as her music fades off. The referee asks Candice if she really wants to compete. Candice slowly nods as the referee understands and, possibly reluctantly, calls for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Thadd Blazevich: Bro, here we go. This match is underway and I think this match might not be the best one of the night considering how Candice is not at 100 percent right now, Bro.
Rich Russillo: But give credit to Candice for coming out her and trying to compete given the situation Candice finds herself in. ARIA does not look pleased right now considering ARIA said that Candice should not compete.
Thadd Blazevich: All the Elitists of EAW have a stubborn streak as Candice is trying to shake off the cobwebs. Even Bronson is looking a little hesitant about starting this match, BUT HE GOES FOR A LOCK UP ANYWAY–
Persephone: Dumb bitch got out of the way and Bronson gets a forearm to the back of the neck for his trouble. Don’t hit him too hard. He might cry and quit. She’s dumber than a sack of hammers right now and she somehow managed to get a hit.
Thadd Blazevich: Candice is putting the forearms to Bronson in the opening moments of this match and she gets Bronson down to a knee. Not bad. But ARIA is watching, and she seems pretty concerned given the state of Candice.
Rich Russillo: But Bronson is fighting back to his feet AND HE GOES BACK AND TRIES FOR AN UPPERCUT–
Thadd Blazevich: HE DIDN’T DO IT! HE HESITATED!! He didn’t wanna hit her because she is already concussed, BUT CANDICE IS TELLING BRONSON TO BRING IT ON!!
Candice Blair: (off-mic) COME ON! DON’T HOLD BACK!!
Rich Russillo: I think the referee should call this match because I don’t think she knows what she is saying. Candice looks like she could drop at any second.
Thadd Blazevich: Bronson is still hesitating, BUT CANDICE SLAPS HIM IN THE FACE! OH NO, BRO!!
Persephone: Concussed or not, anybody who has a free chance to slap Bronson should.
Rich Russillo: Bronson didn’t like that at all and I think his temper unintentionally overrode his feelings AND HE CAUGHT CANDICE WITH AN UPPERCUT!! OH GOODNESS! One thing is clear, and it’s that Bronson has the edge going into this. He’s a Hall of Fame level talent and Candice is hurt. This is an uphill battle for Candice, and we’re seeing that just from how hurt she is following that uppercut!
Persephone: I don’t feel that bad because if you are in a horrible condition and still choose to compete, you deserve everything coming to you. I would say it was awesome if it would shut her up, but we know it won’t so it’s whatever.
Rich Russillo: That uppercut sends Candice stumbling into the ropes as the referee tells Bronson to get Candice off the ropes and he does by whipping her off the ropes to the other side. Candice comes back off the rebound AND BRONSON GOES FOR A ROUNDHOUSE KICK–
Persephone: She ducks it. How in the hell did he miss such a plastic target like that? What a moron. Regardless, the bitch hits the ropes on the other side.
Thadd Blazevich: She comes back off the other side and Bronson grabs her for a backbreaker, BUT SHE GETS HER LEGS AROUND BRONSON’S HEAD AND TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A HEADSCISSOR TAKEOVER!
Rich Russillo: Bronson was taken up and over, BUT CANDICE KEEPS HOLD OF BRONSON’S ARM AND MOVES HIM INTO THE CROSSFACE! SUBMISSION APPLIED IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
Thadd Blazevich: Can you imagine how Bronson will feel if he loses in the opening minutes of the match. Miku will come back out here and ridicule him again.
Persephone: That’s all we need out here is another damn loudmouth. Are we sure that this Ava bitch is not faking all of this?
Thadd Blazevich: BUT LOOK! BRONSON GETS TO HIS KNEES AND ROLLS FORWARD! BRONSON BRIDGES UP AND CANDICE’S SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWW–
Rich Russillo: One count for Bronson as Candice breaks the hold and kicks out, but stuff like that is why Bronson is a Hall of Famer. Thinking on his feet and coming up with innovative solutions.
Persephone: Yeah yeah. Bronson is back on his feet first with the Ava bitch following not long after. Bitch comes running in AND SHE IS TAKEN DOWN WITH A DROP TOE HOLD! BAHAHAHAHAHA! I didn’t think that would hurt considering all the plastic in her face.
Rich Russillo: You know that is not nice. But Candice is on the mat and Bronson goes to grab her by the head, though it looks like he doesn’t feel the best about doing that to someone who was just attacked and likely suffered a concussion just before this match.
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, I get it. But as much as we love Candice, she has accepted her fate by choosing to still compete, but Bronson manages to push the hesitation aside as he locks in a headlock type move AND HE FLIPS FORWARD INTO A BRIDGE WITH A BRIDGING CHIN LOCK!
Persephone: All that just to wrench on her neck? A little excessive but if it breaks something and injures her, then I will tolerate it. I doubt it, but whatever.
Thadd Blazevich: Bronson still has that chin lock applied BUT NOW BRONSON HAS MOVED ONTO HIS KNEES AND HAS AN EVEN WORSE TORQUE ON CANDICE’S NECK!
Rich Russillo: Candice is unintentionally showing how flexible she is with this chin lock BUT CANDICE IS ABLE TO BRIDGE UP AND GET ON HER FEET BEFORE COUNTERING WITH A NECKBREAKER! THAT PROBABLY WASN’T THE BEST MOVE FOR HER TO USE!
Thadd Blazevich: More innovation in this match as Candice actually gets back to her feet first. She stumbles a little because her equilibrium is messed up. But she starts putting the boots to Bronson as he tries to roll himself to the ropes.
Persephone: Of course he makes it to the ropes and the referee pushes the bitch back. Just let them keep fighting and beat the hell out of each other.
Thadd Blazevich: Candice gets free as ARIA watches on from ringside looking very nervous and she goes back to the ropes BUT BRONSON CATCHES CANDICE IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD WITH A KICK!
Rich Russillo: Oh damn! That probably didn’t help that concussion as Bronson grabs Candice and has a facelock on Candice AND LIFTS HER UP FOR A SUPLEX! HE GETS HER OVER THE ROPES–
Persephone: AND HE DROPS HER FACE FIRST ON THE APRON! BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! THAT WAS FUNNY! DID YOU SEE THE WAY HER FACE BOUNCED OFF THE APRON?
Rich Russillo: OH MY GAWD! RIGHT ON HER FACE!! THE REFEREE REALLY NEEDS TO STEP IN AND SEE IF CANDICE CAN CONTINUE! I DON’T LIKE THIS AT ALL! SHE COULD BE COMPLETELY OUT OF IT!!
Persephone: That’s why she has a plastic surgeon on speed dial. But look at her trying to get back on her feet like she’s a fighter. It’s so cute and kind of stupid.
Thadd Blazevich: That’s because she is a fighter, bro. ARIA looks like she is about to have a panic attack watching Candice compete. Either way, Candice has made it back to her feet AS BRONSON JUMPS ONTO THE ROPES!
Rich Russillo: Bronson is on the second rope AS HE LAUNCHES HIMSELF STRAIGHT BACK WITH THE TRUST FALL TYPE MOVE–
Thadd Blazevich: CANDICE GOT OUT OF THE WAY AND BRONSON LANDS BACK FIRST ON THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF US! BRO, HE COULD HAVE BROKEN HIS BACK RIGHT THERE!! THAT WAS NOT A GOOD LANDING!
Rich Russillo: Did Candice realize what was going on or did she seemingly almost pass out? Who knows, but it worked in her favor.
Persephone: Speak for yourself. I thought it was a beautiful and hilarious landing and that’s exactly what he gets for going high risk.
Thadd Blazevich: Unfortunately, that gamble did not pay off for Bronson as Candice is getting back on her feet, BUT SHE STUMBLES A BIT! She stays standing as she takes advantage of the mistake Bronson made and DELIVERS A KICK RIGHT TO THE SPINE!
Rich Russillo: That has got to leave a numbing feeling for Bronson as Candice pulls Bronson back to his feet AND RUNS HIM BACKWARDS AND SPINE FIRST INTO THE APRON! Bronson is down and the referee is stepping in and checking on Candice to see if she can continue.
Referee: (off mic) Candice, are you sure that you can continue?
Candice Blair: (off mic) Of course I can! GET OUT OF MY WAY!
Thadd Blazevich: CANDICE SHOVES THE REFEREE OUT OF THE WAY! Bro, I think that the confusion is really setting in because she just put her hands on an official and Bronson is still down holding his back.
Persephone: After Pain for Pride, I find it hard to believe that Bronson has any sort of spine. Anyways, the bitch shoves the jellyfish back into the ring. All while the referee counts as slowly as they possibly could so this match could continue.
Rich Russillo: Bronson is in the middle of the ring as Candice gets a little risky as she makes her way to the second rope. Come on, referee! Get Candice off the ropes. She doesn’t need to be up there.
Persephone: Oh for the love of gawd. She saw him screw up, getting risky and now she is doing the same thing? I guess too much botox takes away brain power.
Rich Russillo: Candice waits as Bronson stirs, beginning to push himself back up. Candice seems to have something in mind, AND NOW SHE DIVES AT BRONSON FOR A-
Thadd Blazevich: NO!!! BRONSON COUNTERS WITH A DROPKICK, TAKING CANDICE RIGHT OUT OF THE AIR AS SHE GOES DOWN!!! THAT WAS A ROUGH LANDING FOR HER BRO, AND BRONSON JUST SHAKES HIS HEAD!!
Persephone: Bronson drags Candice back up before sending her into the corner. Candice stumbles off the turnbuckles, AND HE RUNS IN BEFORE DELIVERING A SHOTGUN DROPKICK! I wish Candice would just stay down already, but there she is still trying to pull herself up.
Rich Russillo: Bronson probably feels the same way, though not for the reason you do. Bronson just steps back as Candice tries her best to recover, AND NOW HE RUNS IN TOWARDS CANDICE-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CANDICE JUST BARELY GETS OUT OF THE WAY, DROPPING TO A KNEE WHILE BRONNY HITS THE TURNBUCKLES! Candice takes a moment to get her bearings as she now gets back to her feet, AND JUST FIRES OFF A CHOP RIGHT TO HIS CHEST! DAMN, BRO, DID YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF THAT SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT?
Rich Russillo: I certainly did, BUT CANDICE FIRES OFF ANOTHER CHOP TO BRONSON! ANOTHER AND ANOTHER AND ANOTHER! LOOK AT THOSE MACHINE GUN CHOPS TO THE HALL OF FAMER!
Thadd Blazevich: I give Candice all the credit in the world for being able to fight, but those chops look to be weakening with each passing shot. Is it only a matter of time before she gives out??
Rich Russillo: Either way she gets Bronson backed into the corner as Candice pulls Bronson out of the corner and grabs him by the head before climbing onto the top turnbuckle. Come on, Candice.
Thadd Blazevich: Candice is a fighter and she is going to fight until the very end AS SHE COMES OFF THE TOP AND SPIKES BRONSON DOWN WITH “STARLIGHT”! TORNADO DDT BY CANDICE BLAIR!
Persephone: For once she doesn’t hit her head and the other guy might be out cold. She is conscious enough to go for a cover. Hopefully it ends this shit show.
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOO!
THHHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEE!
Thadd Blazevich: BRONSON KICKS OUT AT TWO! WHAT A VERY CLOSE NEAR FALL FOR CANDICE BLAIR! Honestly, bro, was anybody expecting Candice to bring this much of a fight?
Persephone: No. We barely expect her to do anything.
Rich Russillo: Candice is taking a moment to get herself together. She is pushing herself over to the ropes to try and catch a breather.
Persephone: I wonder if she is seeing double and tries to grab the wrong ropes and misses. That would be kind of funny.
Rich Russillo: Well she made it to the ropes and ARIA is right there just saying whatever she can to either keep her in this match or make her rethink this over. Who knows what?
Persephone: I would be surprised if the phrase “dumb bitch” didn’t come into play a few times. It certainly would if I was talking to her and that would unfortunately mean talking to her.
Thadd Blazevich: But that gives Bronson plenty of time to recover and he grabs Candice by the arm and pulls her up to her feet. Oh this is not going to be good.
Rich Russillo: Bronson grabs Candice around the waist AND TAKES HER UP AND OVER WITH A GUTWRENCH SUPLEX! Bronson keeps hold of Candice AND MANAGES TO SLAM HER DOWN ON THE MAT!
Thadd Blazevich: See, bro. There is still some humility being shown by Bronson because none of the moves he has used there do not involve hitting Candice in the head. He wants to win, but he doesn’t want to hurt Candice more than she already has.
Persephone: He needs to stop being a bitch and just do whatever it takes to win the match. That is the point, right?
Thadd Blazevich: Candice is down on the mat as Bronson decides to hit the ropes before coming back AND HE LEAVES HIS FEET–
Rich Russillo: AND HE HITS THE “FLYING BRONSONS”! STANDING VERSION OF THE SHOOTING STAR PRESS HITS CANDICE DIRECTLY ON THE RIBS! CANDICE IS BARELY MOVING AS BRONSON GOES FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOO!
THHHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEE!
Thadd Blazevich: SHE KICKED OUT!! CANDICE GETS THE SHOULDER UP BEFORE THREE AND THAT WAS A VERY CLOSE NEAR FALL! But Bronson is staying consistent and he brings Candice back to his feet and whips her to the corner.
Rich Russillo: Candice hits the turnbuckle AND BRONSON LOOKS TO BE GOING FOR A KICK TO THE HEAD–
Thadd Blazevich: BRONSON QUICKLY CHANGES COURSE AND THROWS THE KICK INTO HER MIDSECTION! REPEATED KICKS TO THE GUT AS THE REFEREE TELLS HIM TO GET HER OUT OF THE CORNER!
Persephone: That is a waste of time. Just let them beat each other into the hospital. The referee should piss off.
Thadd Blazevich: The referee gets out of Bronson’s way and Bronson goes right back to the corner AND HE RUNS RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK FROM CANDICE BLAIR!
Rich Russillo: BRONSON IS STILL ON HIS FEET AS CANDICE GOES FOR BRONSON, BUT BRONSON DROPS DOWN AND COUNTERS WITH A JAWBREAKER!
Persephone: This bitch looks like she could just pass out at any second. Let her and this match end.
Rich Russillo: Bronson grabs hold of Candice in the facelock AS BRONSON LIFTS HER UP FOR SAVAGE MODE–
Persephone: HOW IN THE HELL DID SHE DO THAT?
Thadd Blazevich: CANDICE SHIFTS MOMENTUM AND COUNTERS IT INTO AN INSIDE CRADLE! SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOO!
THHHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEE!
Rich Russillo: BRONSON IS ABLE TO REVERSE THE PIN AND NOW CANDICE’S SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOO!
THHHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEE!
Thadd Blazevich: CANDICE BARELY KICKS OUT!! THAT WAS A VERY WEAK KICKOUT, BRO, BUT IT IS ENOUGH TO KEEP THE MATCH GOING?
(Both competitors are on the mat trying to recover as the crowd suddenly starts booing very loudly as ToXXXin are heading down the entrance ramp.)
Persephone: Oh great! These dumb bitches are back!!
Thadd Blazevich: Oh no!! Here goes ToXXXin. This trio already caused enough trouble before this match. What do they want, bro?
Rich Russillo: They want to finish the job. They have already caused a lot of damage to Candice, who is barely still able to compete because the effects of the beatdown are really starting to appear.
Thadd Blazevich: All three members of ToXXXin are stalking ARIA, who is cheering Candice on. NOW SHE SEES TOXXXIN–
(CRACK!)
(CRACK!)
(CRACK!)
Persephone: Oh great. More stupidity!
Rich Russillo: IT’S ASHLYNN! ASHLYNN QUINN WITH A STEEL CHAIR! ASHLYNN STAYED IN THE BACK UNTIL NOW AND SHE HAS CLOBBERED ALL OF TOXXXIN WITH THE CHAIR! ASHLYNN IS TEAMING UP WITH MINERVA LATER, BUT I DON’T THINK THAT’S GONNA STOP HER FROM EVENING THE ODDS!!
Thadd Blazevich: ASHLYNN IS READY TO FIGHT AND HERE COMES ARIA AS SHE JOINS IN THE FRAY AND WE HAVE A FIGHT ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP!! BUT IT’S TWO ON THREE FOR TOXXXIN, AS DANIELLA AND SELINA BOTH GO AFTER ARIA WHILE ASHLYNN HITS MINERVA WITH THE CHAIR AGAIN!
Persephone: You are an idiot. That steel chair can be an equalizer in any type of fight. It’s like you don’t know weapons or some shit.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah yeah, bro. ARIA and Ashlynn are really bringing the fight to ToXXXin, but the chair can only do so much when it is two on three.
Rich Russillo: MINERVA CATCHES THE CHAIR, BEFORE SHOVING IT INTO ASHLYNN’S FACE!!! MINERVA GRABS ASHLYNN AND STARTS TO PUNCH AWAY AT HER, AND NOW TOXXXIN HAVE THE UPPER HAND IN THIS FIGHT AS THEY START TO GET THE ADVANTAGE IN THIS FIGHT!
(As the match is going on in the ring and as the fight is going on on the ramp, security have finally come out to separate the five competitors.)
Persephone: Damn security ruins everything. Why are they here?
Rich Russillo: Probably to prevent what happened to Candice earlier from happening again. What else would it be?
Persephone: To annoy me.
Thadd Blazevich: As the fight is being broken up and security is trying to separate the competitors on the ramp, there is still a match going on in the ring.
Rich Russillo: Candice has Bronson in position for “Castles Crumbling”, BUT BRONSON LIFTS CANDICE IN THE AIR AND GETS CANDICE IN POSITION FOR THE “SAVAGE MODE”! HE HITS THE GUTBUSTER THIS TIME AS HE ROLLS CANDICE OVER FOR THE COVER!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT THE REFEREE IS DISTRACTED WITH THE FIGHT GOING ON OUTSIDE THE RING! BRO, WE CAN HEAR THE CROWD COUNTING AND THIS MATCH SHOULD BE OVER!
Rich Russillo: Bronson pounds the mat in frustration and goes to get the referee so the match can end–
Thadd Blazevich: LOW BLOW!!
Persephone: BAHAHAHAHA! COULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING!
Thadd Blazevich: IT’S MIKU SAKAI! MIKU SNUCK INTO THE RING AND DELIVERED A LOW BLOW TO BRONSON AND BRONSON DROPS TO HIS KNEES!
Rich Russillo: We saw their confrontation last week and Miku is here to make a point. Bronson had this match won and now Miku grabs Bronson by the hair–
Thadd Blazevich: BEFORE SHE DROPS DOWN WITH THE “CUCK KILLER”! THE FACEBREAKER DRIVES HER KNEES INTO BRONSON’S FACE AND HE IS OUT!
Persephone: He should have seen that coming!
Rich Russillo: Meanwhile, Miku rolls Bronson over and drags Candice’s unmoving carcass and places it right on top of Bronson before rolling out of the ring, hiding by the apron! Now the referee turns back to the match and sees the cover and starts a count! OH COME ON!!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!
THHHHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen here is your winner…. CAAAAANNNDDIICCCEEEE BLLLAAAAAIIIRRRR!!!!!
(‘So Far So Fake’ begins to play, but through no fault of Candice’s own, the fans begin to boo. Miku Sakai, who is still at ringside, just laughs as Candice Blair stirs. As she wakes up, there is a bit of confusion on her face as she pushes herself up and hears her entrance music. It is only as she raises her hand as she sees what happened, watching the replay with a look on her face that’s enough to express how much she isn’t thrilled.)
Rich Russillo: Wow, look at that! Candice Blair just picked up a HUGE victory, but it’s not even in the way she’d have wanted! She warned Bronson Daniels to focus up this week because she was the biggest problem he had on his hands, but in the end it was Miku’s involvement that led to her victory.
Thadd Blazevich: Miku found a way to leave no one happy, but dude, that was a wild match from the jump. These two were cooking, and then ToXXXin, ARIA and Ashlynn came out and things got crazy! Unfortunately, that gave Miku the chance to screw Bronson over, but why!? Is she really that mad over last week?
Persephone: Maybe she just wanted to see the match end. I wouldn’t blame her for that.
(Candice Blair leaves the ring knowing that there’s nothing she can do about what happened to Bronson, and that ultimately, a win is a win given the condition she is in. She puts her attention back onto ARIA and Ashlynn as she limps towards the back, meanwhile Bronson starts to stir, all while Miku Sakai shows her face once more now that the match is over.)
(After he recovers, Bronson Daniels slowly rolls himself out of the ring, shaking his head as he limps towards the timekeeper’s area, seemingly trying to hold back whatever frustration he’s feeling following Miku Sakai’s interference. Bronson grabs a microphone, before turning and heading back to the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Well Bronson doesn’t seem to be taking Miku’s actions too lightly, as he is getting a microphone and seemingly has something to say.
Thadd Blazevich: Well can you blame the guy? First Miku interrupted him last week, now she costs him against Candice. It’s gotta be annoying for bro to deal with all this right after Pain for Pride.
(Bronson slides into the ring, immediately turning towards Miku Sakai, who remains at ringside following her interference in the match between Bronson and Candice. She doesn’t appear at all remorseful for her actions, which just annoys Bronson more as he stares at her.)
Bronson Daniels: Really? It wasn’t enough coming out here last week for the sole purpose of adding salt to the wound? Did you really need to take it a step further?
(Miku Sakai doesn’t say anything in response to this, only giving an uncaring shrug. Bronson stares at Miku for a moment, having to take a moment before he continues to speak.)
Bronson Daniels: I could’ve done the same thing to you last week, you know that right? I could’ve screwed you over, I could’ve had the match called off before Hans ever interfered, I could’ve made sure you entered the match hurt and basically handed Raven a victory, but I didn’t do that. I didn’t feel the need to get involved, because despite all of your constant whining, I didn’t feel as if you were my problem. You wanted the chance to become Champion just as I did so I left you to prove that you deserve it on your own, and what happened? That didn’t work out so you decided to take your problems out on me, is that it? Is that what you think I’m here for? Just so you can make my life more of a living hell than it’s already been whenever you don’t get your way?
(Bronson walks towards the ropes, making sure he is able to get a closer look at Miku. He stares Miku in the eyes as he continues, speaking with a much more stern tone of voice.)
Bronson Daniels: It’s pathetic, Miku. Whatever this obnoxious coping mechanism is. Whatever’s causing you to point fingers at everyone else instead of looking in the mirror just once and acknowledging that you have nobody to blame but yourself for the fact that you haven’t held gold since your debut year, it needs to stop. You need to get it under control, because this is going to blow up in your face just like it already has time and time again in the past. Did you already forget what happened when you did this to Adam Lucas? Did you forget what happens *every* time you decide to stick your nose in business that doesn’t concern you just for the sake of making your problems everyone else’s?? You’re the one who complained about me being out here. You complained about me being in my way, so I stepped out of it. You CHOSE to come back after me, so you can’t complain about anything that happens next. Not anymore.
(These words cause loud cheers to come from the fans in attendance, and Miku Sakai just rolls her eyes, going and grabbing a microphone herself. She remains at ringside for a moment, finally giving Bronson a response.)
Miku Sakai: Look, I got involved because I think you’re annoying as fuck and you deserved it. Isn’t that enough??
(Miku looks to her left and right, and as one could expect, she is met with nothing but boos. Miku just shrugs, before walking towards the ring and climbing onto the apron. She enters the ring, remaining by the ropes as she continues.)
Miku Sakai: Whatever. I just don’t like you, Bronson. I don’t like the fact that you get to lose again and again and again and move on like nothing happened, but when I get screwed over I don’t get the same treatment. I just have to sit back, put up with creeps like Diego Montana, watch everyone else get the opportunities I deserve and listen to dumbasses like you tell me that it’s MY fault! What happened at Pain for Pride was stupid, but I am not going to let you of all people tell me how I should feel about it knowing it’s been years since you’ve actually been useful to literally anybody in any way. You’re not in the same position I’m in, Bronson. You’re worse, because unlike you I actually DESERVE to be in the Championship picture, and you’re lucky to even be back on Voltage after how trash you were last season.
Bronson Daniels: I don’t hide from my setbacks, Miku. No matter how I feel about them, no matter whether or not I believe they should’ve happened, I understand that they did and that all I can do is start over. I get it. I didn’t have my way last season and if that wasn’t bad enough Jon Kelton found the one way he could possibly drive the knife in my back even further than he already has, so I don’t need you spelling all of this out for me! You want to get under my skin, but why? What is the point? What are you actually trying to accomplish beyond throwing tantrums over your own incompetence?
Miku Sakai: See, that’s what I’m talking about! Who the fuck are you to call me incompetent?? I don’t care if you spend every week admitting that you’re terrible at your job. If any of that actually mattered Captain Charisma would’ve booted you off his show and left Showdown or Dynasty to pick you up- not that Dynasty would even want your ass knowing how you failed them a few years ago. You don’t have any right to complain about me getting involved in your match, Bronson. You should just be glad I didn’t do worse, because I could’ve. Nobody gives a fuck about some stupid match against Candice Blair. I could’ve sent you into a hospital bed or better yet I could’ve made sure you never showed your face around here again, so instead of bitching because I got involved in one of your matches you should be glad you’re even standing right now, because after everything I dealt with last season I think I have the right to handle my anger however the fuck I want.
(Loud boos are heard from the fans, which Miku ignores as she stares at Bronson, almost waiting for an answer. He goes to speak, but he stops, not saying anything for a moment which catches the attention of Miku.)
Miku Sakai: What? Nothing to say? Clearly you know I’m right, so why don’t you just get ou-
Bronson Daniels: That’s not it.
(Annoyed, Miku stops.)
Bronson Daniels: I’m just… Appalled. Truly. I am beyond baffled right now, because you have been here for five years, Miku. Five years. That’s more than a lot of the people in this company now can say for themselves, yet in all the time you’ve been here, all of the matches you’ve had, the opportunities you’ve received, both the victories you’ve earned and the losses you’ve suffered… You have somehow learned *absolutely nothing*.
(The fans cheer, and growing more frustrated with the conversation, Bronson Daniels walks up to the ropes, standing right in front of Miku Sakai.)
Bronson Daniels: How many times do you need to keep digging your own grave before you realize that you’re your own biggest enemy? You have an entire season ahead of you. A new, fresh year of opportunities is right there at your disposal, yet instead of taking advantage of that fact you chose *me*. You decided to waste the time you have picking an unnecessary fight, as if this is actually going to help your case. I don’t need this right now. I have bigger things to worry about than whatever petty issue you have with me and quite frankly I think you do too, but listen. I refuse to sit back and allow you to interfere with my career as much as you’d like. If this is the path you want for yourself fine, but you’ll get what’s coming to you and once again, you’ll have nobody to blame but yourself.
(The cheers continue, and Miku only appears further irritated by Bronson’s words. After some time, she takes a few steps forward, refusing to back down as she stares Bronson in the eyes.)
Miku Sakai: I don’t give a fuck, Bronson. Nothing you’re saying actually matters to me. I don’t care about fighting you, I care about getting my career to where it belongs and finally getting rid of everything annoying me one by one. I don’t have any problem starting with you, so if you really wanna make a big deal out of this that badly, go ahead and do what you want. As long as you know that this is not gonna end well for you, and soon you’re gonna be right back to crying about how badly your life sucks now that everything you had going for you is over at Showdown.
(There is a heated staredown between the two Elitists, as if a fight is going to start at any moment, even with Bronson still feeling the effects of his match against Candice. Silence lingers within the ring for some time, until finally… ‘Self Help Tape’ by Moses Sumney hits.)
Persephone: What a waste of time. They were all in each other’s faces, a fight was going to start any second now and now it’s ruined.
Rich Russillo: The Commissioner is here, and it seems he has some words following what has definitely become a heated confrontation between Bronson Daniels and Miku Sakai!
Thadd Blazevich: It’s a good thing Double C came out when he did. Like Seph said, it looked like a fight was about to start right there.
(Captain Charisma walks out to the stage, holding a microphone in his hand as the fans cheer. He looks out at Bronson Daniels and Miku Sakai in the ring, and Bronson slowly steps back before turning towards the Commissioner. ‘Self Help Tape’ begins to fade out before long, and Captain Charisma begins to speak.)
Captain Charisma: Bronson, Miku, please use this chance to calm down before things get out of hand, and I am forced to bring out security. I know you two have your issues with each other and after the last two weeks, I understand it. However, we’re also only two weeks into the season and I have more than enough experience to know just how things can get when I let the roster run wild, and I don’t think I need to take any chances right before Bloodsport when I could instead use this opportunity to give everyone what they clearly want.
(This causes some excitement from the fans, who eagerly wait to hear what Captain Charisma will say. Bronson and Miku glance towards each other, before turning and staring at the Commissioner, remaining silent.)
Captain Charisma: I know the two of you have both been feeling down following Pain for Pride and that somehow, you want to find your way back to Championship gold. I get it, because both of you are very talented and have all of the tools to make a very big impact on this brand, which is exactly why you’re here now. The only thing you two are lacking is the opportunity, and it seems that fact has one way or another led you two to each other. There’s clearly tension between the two of you and let’s be honest, it’s only a matter of time before this gets physical. With that being said, I’m going to solve both matters at once, as I’m going to give you the chance to finally deal with this issue. At Bloodsport it will be Bronson Daniels versus Miku Sakai, and it will be a Unique Opportunity match!
(The crowd explodes with cheers following this announcement, and at this point, neither Miku Sakai nor Bronson Daniels appear upset with this. For both of them, it is a chance to get rid of this problem as soon as possible, while also being a potential step closer towards becoming a Champion. As Captain Charisma said, it is a chance to solve both problems at once, and hearing the reaction from the crowd, a smirk appears on the Commissioner’s face.)
Captain Charisma: Now please, don’t make me regret this. Actually try to make it to Bloodsport, so at least one of you can walk out of it with what you want.
(Bronson slowly nods, as Captain Charisma turns and walks to the back. The fans are still excited following this announcement, while Bronson just appears focused knowing what’s to come.)
Rich Russillo: That was a surprise if I’ve ever seen it! It looks like we now have another match set for Bloodsport, and it is a UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY match!
Thadd Blazevich: I can’t wait, dude! Bronson and Miku are both awesome competitors, and with everything going on between them, I-
(Suddenly, Miku Sakai is heard laughing.)
Persephone: Oh, great. What could possibly be funny now?
(Miku turns towards Bronson, and she just shakes her head.)
Miku Sakai: Yikes. I’m about to finally get what I deserve, so it looks like you’re just gonna have to take yet another big loss. Serves you right.
(After this, Miku just turns and begins exiting the ring, seemingly satisfied with the newfound opportunity. ‘Lowlife Princess’ by BIBI begins to play once more, while Bronson Daniels remains in the ring, left to process everything he heard from Captain Charisma.)
Rich Russillo: Miku Sakai is clearly confident, but she has to know that she has a serious challenge coming her way at Bloodsport. Bronson Daniels is a two-time World Champion and Hall of Famer, and that’s for good reason.
Thadd Blazevich: Well, I think confidence is expected from Miku at this point, bro. She definitely thinks she’s got this one figured out, and who knows? Maybe she does! Only one way we’re gonna find out, and that’s with the awesome match that’s to come at Bloodsport!
Persephone: “Awesome” because of whatever stipulation they end up with. Not because either of them are actually decent wrestlers.
(Miku Sakai is shown continuing to walk up the ramp, brushing off all of the boos as she remains confident, knowing that things may finally be going her way. The camera cuts back to Bronson Daniels, and he doesn’t let Miku’s final comments get to him. Instead, the look of focus remains on his face, ready for what’s to come at Bloodsport as the camera fades away from ringside.)
(Promotional match for Bloodsport, where Bronson Daniels and Miku Sakai face off in a Unique Opportunity match.)
(“Pride and Arrogance” by Takeru Kanazaki blasts inside the Donald L. Trucker Civic Center, much to the ire of the Floridian audience. Drake Armstrong steps onto the stage, retaining his smug attitude as he dons a three-piece suit, basking in the boos before stopping right at the head of the ramp. “Pride and Arrogance” comes to a close, as…)
(“The Promised Consort” by Shoi Miyazawa begins to reverberate in its place, and the negative reaction only grows with velocity. Kai Rabeaux emerges in ring attire, Hardcore Championship wrapped around his waist. He takes a moment to pose next to Drake, before the two begin walking down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: Please welcome at this time, the Hardcore Champion Kai Rabeaux, and “His Immaculacy” Drake Armstrong!
Persephone: Being forced to sit through anything that has to do with Kai and Drake may be a new torture method. And I think the audience agrees.
Thadd Blazevich: Season just started, and we’re already off to some good old terrorism, aren’t we? Somehow, someway, these two got a date booked against the Unified Tag Team Champions for Bloodsport, and they look really confident in their chances at taking that gold for themselves!
Rich Russillo: They do indeed, but that is their modus operandi, isn’t it? To add more gas to the fire, and to make the world burn for the sake of their pleasure! These two are advertised to reveal a tag team name for themselves… and I can only bet it’s something obnoxious.
Thadd Blazevich: I mean, getting a name going and everything?? Bro, they may be going all in on getting these tag titles!
(Drake and Kai enter the ring as the music fades. Drake solicits microphones from a personal assistant… but only gets one.)
(Drake rolls his eyes, asking for another in an angered tone hidden behind a fake smile.)
(Once he gets it, he hands one microphone to Kai, and keeps the other to himself.)
Drake Armstrong: There is scarcely a reason to call both myself and Kai Rabeaux enthused over the happenings of this past Draft event, however, what cannot be doubted is the intelligence of Matthieu Daniels, like always, proving to be backwards, thus making this situation rather… tame. Surprisingly so! Perhaps, for somebody so quick to renounce the talents of Kai and I, you would think he would make greater, more concise & focused attempts at sabotaging us, though what I see in our “charismatic” fellow we must call a boss, is repeated mistakes and fortuitous chances for myself and the young Hardcore Champion to rise above the dirty agenda there has been no effort in hiding.
Drake Armstrong: To be as clear as Mediterranean water; giving us the chance to wrest even more gold was a fatal mistake. You do not give the two most proficient professional wrestlers EAW has ever seen “freebie” opportunities, and you especially do not dare even think to count us out, a unit that has conquered War Games, a unit that has conquered each of its challenge in spite of all manufactured tension and hateful scrutiny… against two Tag Team Champions that COULD NOT EVEN STAND one another until two months ago!
Kai Rabeaux: Should last season be a barometer for ourselves — rightfully so — then it’s simple to extrapolate the proof that our efficiency in attaining conquest is simply unmatched. The earlier spoken of War Games victory is merely one example, though simultaneously the strongest in showcasing that no matter what stands atop the mountain, we are conquering and reaching our desired peaks no matter what. When the widow found a way to defeat me… I retaliated by shattering her ENTIRE world from the inside out… and the proof remains around my waist to this day. We have not only defeated our opposition amidst our seeking for gold, but we have DESTROYED each and every single enemy standing in our path as if it was child’s play.
Kai Rabeaux: Armstrong did not need to whine for a thousand chances to gain the EAW World Championship. He simply created his most beneficial circumstance, and by proxy had set up the complete annihilation of the Lucas family, execution carried forth by yours truly, The Overlord. Though TLA and Bethany Blue are efficient and decorated in their own manner… there has been no doubt droughts have stricken them akin to everybody else. Therein lies the difference—Armstrong and I, regardless of anything, are anomalies, for we do not suffer such droughts. Even the most decorated elitists of all time, as already proven through our victories this past season, cannot maintain the capabilities at which we excel at, as consistently as we do.
Kai Rabeaux: Thus, I believe it’s high time we make this alliance official… and present to the filth of this world the trademark we shall compete under.
(Armstrong steps forward, opting to do the honors.)
Drake Armstrong: We shall be addressed as… *The Hegemony.*
(The crowd boos, as the two arrogantly smile.)
Drake Armstrong: For the uneducated masses, “Hegemony” is the overwhelming dominance of one ideology over others. A situation where a power exercises influence SO deeply, that it shapes the political, economic, and cultural norms of society—accepted by subordinate groups as merely common sense.
Drake Armstrong: Ancient Sparta’s dominance over the Peloponnesian League. The United States’ role as a global superpower. And Drake Armstrong & Kai Rabeaux’s undefeatable coalition in the ranks of Voltage.
Drake Armstrong: The hegemon controls power in its palm… and that, sycophants with your butts in these seats, showing your lack of admiration like the peasants you are, is unparalleled dominance.
Kai Rabeaux: Our victory feels nigh inevitable come Bloodsport. Making me a double champion, and quickly regaining Drake Armstrong the momentum lost at the hands of Hans Grayson. Merely one year ago, at Reckless Wiring, Drake competed for the Unified Tag Team Championship with the petulant Hans by his side, and the two of them had Fire & Ice beat before the Elysian pipsqueaks interfered in their affairs. Now, with an aligned partner by Armstrong’s side, just what does anybody expect to happen?
???: Sure you wanna know the answer to that, hombre?
(TLA and Dr. Bethany Blue walk up on the stage with microphones, making their way to the ring while speaking.)
TLA: We expectin’ to deliver y’all a well-deserved ass-beating!
(Kai rolls his eyes.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Don’t just go treating this like it’s just an inconvenience, Kai. The least you could do to save your fate was give this entire thing the serious attitude it deserves. You’ll be getting what you asked for, and frankly? You’re lucky if you only walk away never hearing the end of it.
(TLA and Bethany enter the ring, with a tight grasp over their championships sitting over their respective shoulders.)
Kai Rabeaux: That is if I am lucky? Hm, then I suppose I should pay Vegas a visit, and cash in until the well runs dry out of money. By your own standard, I’ve been FAR MORE than lucky, and that trend should only continue. Let’s be honest, widow, you’ve always been a hubristic one and never made an attempt to change that. You cannot guarantee punishment; you’d only be walking into your husband’s footsteps. He, too, guaranteed to bring me punishment, and instead, I got his head on a silver platter.
TLA: Y’know Kai I’d really beat yo punk ass right now if we ain’t have to team up real soon, so call yourself lucky!
Kai Rabeaux: You are the type to do as you please. What stops you now?
Drake Armstrong: No, better yet, *what stops Bethany from unleashing this “punishment”?*
Dr. Bethany Blue: Stop. I know you want to make everything as difficult as possible on the way to this title match, but once we win, this all truly ends. Maybe I wasn’t there for him… and maybe I should have, but I’ve seen this exact playbook get used on my husband, to rile him up only when you know he can’t do anything to you, to keep throwing cheap shots, I’m almost desensetized to it because of all the ridicule I’ve seen even if a part of me just wants to fucking scream, but remember Kai, you are truly lucky nothing is gonna happen to you now.
TLA: And y’all don’t even get it twisted, making the match for Bloodsport official was no mistake! Ya’ll gon’ get everythin’ that’s comin’ to you and little boi Armstrong will join you.
Drake Armstrong: TLA, I am aware you did not spend enough time in your mother’s cocoon, but it would be appreciated if these words were not so empty… I have already walked over you to win my King of Elite crown, frankly, this era of Armstrong you all loathed came because YOU were not good enough to stop me, way before both of us even stepped foot on Voltage last season, so, what are you looking for, really? There is not a chance you are genuinely wishing to get some redemption for a woman who has cost you so much, and whom has barely apologized to anybody, there is a selfish aspect to take in, isn’t there?
TLA: Nah you make a good point Drake, but you’re wrong to think I don’t wanna help out Bethany forreal forreal, ‘coz I do. There’s this thing called empathy that you a complete stranger to, but I was also getting real sick of watching you terrorize the people of Voltage last season while I never was able to get my hands on you! We ain’t seen face to face since them King of Elite Finals but Drake, you did ruin that nice charity show we made for the poor homie Javier, just like you ruin everything you touch, and that really ain’t sit right with me, not at all, ‘coz you don’t even be making exceptions for the sick & innocent kiddos! I got that real lucha fire in me and it’s been a long time coming forreals, but this lil’ charade of yours is coming to an end if Hans Grayson didn’t do it properly, ya ain’t getting anywhere in our division, Drake!
Drake Armstrong: You lack even the slightest idea of what is to come, but very well, remain short-sighted as you always have been, it’s only right for you, TLA, to be oblivious yet rise as a hero when it’s convenient.
Kai Rabeaux: In spite of your best attempts, once it’s all said and done, the Tag Team Championships will simply be yet another precious thing I take from Bethany…
(Hearing this, Bethany instantly gets in his face. Kai smirks, continuing.)
Kai Rabeaux: And something tells me… just like the Hardcore Championship was more precious than your kid…
Kai Rabeaux: The loss of the Tag Team Championship alike will be a far greater blow to your pride than the loss of your pitiful husband…
(Kai’s laugh echoes as he drops the microphone to the mat, Bethany shaking, one step away from punching the crap out of him…)
(But Armstrong gets in the middle of it, and almost sarcastically breaks up the tension, giving Bethany absolutely nothing.)
(Though furious in his own right, TLA talks Bethany out of her anger… as she reluctantly manages to leave the ring, not getting her hands on Kai, for now.)
(Drake obliges too, leaving the ring, and leaving the two makeshift partners in the ring by themselves.)
(Kai side-eyes TLA with a pure grimace on his face, while TLA tries to pretend Kai doesn’t even exist so he doesn’t do anything he may [or may not] regret)
(Commercial for Spider-Man Brand New Day, in theaters next week.)
(The camera returns to ringside, where TLA and Kai Rabeaux are both seen inside of the now lowered steel cage. Neither of them appear thrilled to be next to each other, but they reluctantly wait for the upcoming match.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is a TRIPLE THREAT TAG TEAM STEEL CAGE MATCH, and it is scheduled for ONE FALL!!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
Bella Braxton: Introducing first… At a combined weight of 440 pounds… THE HARDCORE CHAMPION KAI RABEAUX, AND ONE HALF OF THE UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, TLA!!!!!
Rich Russillo: We have some steel cage action coming up, and this is about as chaotic as it gets. A small structure like this, trapping three teams composed of people who don’t even like each other!
Thadd Blazevich: I know, bro. I mean, we already saw what JUST happened with Kai and TLA before the break. I don’t know how they’re gonna work together.
Persephone: Maybe they don’t. It’d make this a lot more entertaining.
(‘Once Then We’ll Be Free’ by Wisp hits, and there are cheers coming from the crowd as Jay Jerry Johnson begins walking out to the stage. He chooses to wait, standing at the cage and staring at the steel cage as ‘Nightreign’ by Shoi Miyazawa follows. This causes the boos to fill in, and slowly but surely, Jake Smith walks out at a methodical pace. Jake doesn’t pay any mind to his teammate, walking right past him as he walks down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: Next, at a combined weight of 488 pounds… THE TEAM OF JAY JERRY JOHNSON, AND JAKE SMITH!!!!
Rich Russillo: Jake and Jay are next on their way out, and if you ask me, this is the team that really needs to work together. Unless Damon takes the win at Bloodsport, one of these men will lead the War Games team at Territorial Invasion and they could use this chance to prove they can be a team player.
Thadd Blazevich: Good point right there. Jake and Jay may not like each other, but they’re gonna need to at least pretend to be bros just for this one night.
Persephone: I don’t know why. Not like this match matters. Just give me blood, I don’t care how.
(As the four inside of the ring stare at each other, ‘Tears’ by Sabrina Carpenter hits to loud cheers. Ashlynn Quinn makes her way out, and she puts a focused look on her face, especially knowing that Kai Rabeaux is one of her opponents. She doesn’t wait to start walking down the ramp, but as she does, ‘Blood, Milk & Sky’ by White Zombie replaces her music. The Universal Women’s Champion Minerva begins walking out, not impressed with Ashlynn whatsoever as the fans boo. She glares at Ashlynn for a moment, before beginning to walk down the ramp, having not forgotten about everything that transpired earlier.)
Bella Braxton: And finally on their way to the ring… At a combined weight of 237 pounds… ASHLYNN QUINN AND THE UNIVERSAL WOMEN’S CHAMPION, MINERVA!!!!!
Rich Russillo: And this team, I don’t even know how it’ll work after everything that’s happened tonight. Ashlynn set her sights on Minerva’s Championship, and since then things have been pretty heated between these two.
Thadd Blazevich: It’s definitely been wild. Ashlynn gave herself a hell of an uphill battle, but that’s not for now. Tonight these two are somehow gonna have to coexist, and hopefully they can do that.
Persephone: Well Kai is here, so maybe that’s a bit more incentive for Ashlynn.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: AND HERE WE GO!!! THIS STEEL CAGE MATCH IS UNDER WAY, AND RIGHT AWAY ALL SIX ELITISTS JUST START SPLITTING OFF INTO THEIR OWN FIGHTS!!! I DON’T THINK ANY OF THEM ACTUALLY WANT TO WORK WITH THEIR TAG PARTNERS, BUT THEY’RE MAKING IT WORK FOR NOW AS THEY KNOW THEY DON’T HAVE A CHOICE!! ASHLYNN QUINN JUST FLEW AT KAI RABEAUX WITH A THESZ PRESS, JAKE SMITH IS BRAWLING WITH TLA, AND MINERVA WAS ABLE TO INTERCEPT JAY WITH AN UPPERCUT, BEFORE IMMEDIATELY GOING TO SEND HIM INTO THE CAGE WALL!!!
Thadd Blazevich: JAY GRABS ONTO THE CAGE WALL TO STOP HIMSELF- BUT MINERVA USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO LET GO OF JAY AND DELIVER AN ELBOW TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Minerva sends Jay into the corner, AND IMMEDIATELY SHE JUST STARTS PUTTING THE BOOTS TO TRIPLE J, ALL WHILE ASHLYNN IS POUNDING AWAY AT HER EX ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RING!! IT LOOKS LIKE MINERVA AND ASHLYNN ARE STARTING THIS ONE OFF WITH THE UPPER HAND!
Persephone: Yeah, meanwhile TLA and Jake are still pretty evenly split in the middle of the ring. Jake is so annoying he just trapped TLA in a headlock, but now TLA rushes into the ropes and bounces Jake off of them. Jake rebounds off the ropes as TLA charges in- AND JAKE SWUNG AT TLA BUT TLA DUCKED UNDER IT BEFORE CONTINUING TO RUN FORWARD, SPRINGBOARDING OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE BEFORE GOING FOR A HURRICANRANA-
Rich Russillo: CAUGHT!!! JAKE CAUGHT TLA ON HIS SHOULDERS, AND NOW HE QUICKLY TURNS AND SENDS TLA INTO THE BACK OF MINERVA’S HEAD WITH A BIT OF A BUCKLE BOMB!!!! I DON’T KNOW IF IT WAS HIS INTENTION TO SAVE JAY AS MUCH AS IT WAS TAKING OUT TWO OPPONENTS AT ONCE, BUT IT GOT THE JOB DONE ANYWAY AS MINERVA STUMBLES TO HER KNEES, HOLDING THE BACK OF HER HEAD AFTER THAT COLLISION!
Thadd Blazevich: KAI MANAGED TO SHOVE ASHLYNN OFF OF HER DURING THIS- AND ASHLYNN ATTEMPTED TO GO FOR A PUMP KICK WHILE KAI WAS STILL ON A KNEE, BUT KAI WAS ABLE TO BARELY GET OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE PUSHING HIMSELF UP! ASHLYNN TURNS AROUND- RIGHT INTO A JUMPING BOOT BY THE HARDCORE CHAMP! KAI GRABS ASHLYNN- AND OH NO!! KAI IS THE FIRST TO USE THE CAGE AS A WEAPON SUCCESSFULLY, AS BRO SENDS ASHLYNN FACE FIRST INTO IT!!!
Persephone: Ashlynn falls back into his grasp, and now Kai lifts her up into a powerbomb carry, turning around while Jay Jerry Johnson is pulling himself up in the corner. Kai runs in, AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE HE’S TAKING FROM JAKE’S PLAYBOOK AS HE IS LOOKING TO POWERBOMB ASHLYNN INTO JAY!!
Rich Russillo: JAY GETS OUT OF THE WAY THOUGH, AND AT THE LAST SECOND ASHLYNN IS ABLE TO COUNTER WITH A HURRICANRANA, SENDING KAI SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RING POST!!! GREAT MOVE BY ASHLYNN THERE, BUT AFTER THAT SHOT INTO THE CAGE, I DON’T KNOW IF SHE’LL HAVE MUCH ROOM TO CAPITALIZE!
Thadd Blazevich: Triple J quickly goes to grab Ashlynn after getting out of that wild situation-
Rich Russillo: BUT TLA QUICKLY PULLS JAY INTO A SCHOOL BOY ROLL UP, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE FACT THAT MINERVA AND JAKE ARE BRAWLING!!!
ONE!
T-
Rich Russillo: JAY IS ABLE TO QUICKLY KICK OUT-
Thadd Blazevich: AND NOW ASHLYNN PULLS TLA DOWN INTO A ROLL UP OF HER OWN!!!
ONE!
T-
Rich Russillo: BUT JAKE RIPS ASHLYNN RIGHT OFF OF TLA, BEFORE SENDING HER INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!
Thadd Blazevich: AND MINERVA USES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER A CHOP BLOCK TO THE BACK OF JAKE’S LEG!!! Minerva might’ve been able to stop Jake from doing all that to Ashlynn, but it looks like she instead opted to get herself an opening to strike! Jake is down to a knee, AND NOW MINERVA RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE DELIVERING A BOOT TO THE SIDE OF JAKE’S HEAD!! JAKE STUMBLES AFTER THAT, AND MINERVA GRABS HIM BEFORE RUNNING FORWARD, SENDING JAKE THROUGH THE ROPES AND CRASHING INTO THE CAGE WALL!!! That wasn’t great teamwork, but it was definitely smart as-
Persephone: HOLD YOUR THOUGHT!! TLA JUST DROPKICKED MINERVA IN HER BACK, SENDING HER THROUGH THE ROPES AND FACE FIRST INTO THE CAGE!!!
Rich Russillo: TLA turns around- AND JAY USED THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO FOR PRETTY VISITOR- BUT IT DIDN’T WORK!!! TLA WAS ABLE TO SHOVE JAY AWAY- BEFORE PULLING JAY BACK IN AND HOOKING THE ARMS FOR A TIGER SUPLEX!! JAY LANDS ON HIS HEAD BEFORE ROLLING BACK TO A KNEE, AND YOU CAN SEE HIM HOLDING THE BACK OF HIS HEAD IN PAIN AS TLA WAITS FOR HIM TO GET BACK UP! Jay stumbles to his feet, AND NOW TLA GOES FOR A SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT WAIT A SECOND, BRO!!!!!!!! JAY JUST TOOK TLA OUT OF THE AIR WITH THE PRETTY VISITOR!!!!! JAY CAUGHT HIM THIS TIME, AND NOW THE FIRST BIG MOVE OF THE MATCH CONNECTS AS TRIPLE J HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT THERE’S A STOMP TO THE FACE BY KAI RABEAUX, BREAKING UP THE PIN AS JAY ROLLS OFF OF TLA IN PAIN! Again, I don’t know if that was even about saving his teammate. Kai just kept the match alive, and it just so happened that TLA benefited from that! Kai grabs Jay and sends him into the corner- AND KAI GOES FOR THE HOLLOW POINT!!!!
Persephone: JAY IS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY!!! Kai stumbles out of the corner, and-
Rich Russillo: STARMAKER!!!
Thadd Blazevich: TO TRIPLE J!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: KAI PULLED JAY IN FRONT OF HIM, CAUSING JAKE TO ACCIDENTALLY TAKE OUT HIS OWN PARTNER AS SOON AS HE RECOVERED!!! KAI GRABS JAKE AND INSTANTLY TRIES SENDING HIM OUT OF THE WAY TO CAPITALIZE- BUT JAKE IS PREPARED AND TURNS IT AROUND, SENDING KAI INTO THE CORNER! JAKE NOW WITH REPEATED CLOTHESLINES TO KAI, ALL WHILE ASHLYNN SEEMS TO NOTICE WHAT’S GOING ON IN FRONT OF HER AFTER RECOVERING!
Thadd Blazevich: Jay Jerry Johnson stumbles back to his feet without any idea where he is- AND ASHLYNN QUINN CHARGES IN, WIPING HIM OUT WITH THE BESTIE SPEAR!!!!
Persephone: JAKE NOTICES THIS AND GOES AFTER ASHLYNN-
Rich Russillo: BUT MINERVA RUNS IN AND STEPS OFF OF TLA, JUMPING AT JAKE WITH A FOREARM AS ASHLYNN GOES FOR THE COVER!!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-
Rich Russillo: BUT JAY IS ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP!!!!! JAY JERRY JOHNSON STAYS IN THIS ONE AND KEEPS JAKE SMITH’S CHANCES ALIVE IN THE PROCESS- BUT THE CHAOS ISN’T OVER YET, AS KAI RABEAUX IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MINERVA’S ATTACK ON JAKE AND IS ALL OVER HIM WITH FOREARMS AND STOMPS!!!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA is using the ropes to pull himself back up, AND MINERVA GOES AFTER HIM, DELIVERING A KNEE TO HIS MIDSECTION! Minerva holds him up by his jaw, BEFORE JUST DRIVING ELBOWS INTO BRO’S FACE!!! MINERVA WITH ELBOW AFTER ELBOW, ALL WHILE JAKE IS ABLE TO FEND OFF KAI RABEUX- PUSHING HIM OFF BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A BIG BOOT!
Persephone: BUT ASHLYNN USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO FOR PINK STAR DIAMOND ON JAKE!!!
Rich Russillo: AND THAT BACKFIRES, AS JAKE CATCHES ASHLYNN AND HOLDS ONTO HER- BEFORE POPPING HER UP AND DROPPING HER WITH A POWERBOMB!!!! ASHLYNN GOES DOWN AS JAKE STUMBLES INTO THE CORNER-
Thadd Blazevich: GIVING KAI A CLEAR SHOT AS HE CHARGES IN, DROPPING JAKE WITH HOLLOW POINT!!!!! JAKE STUMBLES OUT OF THE CORNER AFTER KAI LANDS THE KICK, WITH A BIT OF AN ACCIDENTAL ASSIST FROM ASHLYNN!!! KAI NOW RUNNING THE ROPES WHILE JAKE IS ON SPAGHETTI LEGS, AND HE CONNECTS WITH “SHRINE”!!!!!!!! THE BICYCLE KNEE LAYS OUT THE HALL OF FAMER, AND LOOK!!!
Persephone: TLA WAS ABLE TO CATCH MINERVA OFF GUARD, APPLYING A SLEEPER HOLD TO PREVENT HER FROM BREAKING UP THE PIN!!!! MINERVA IS FLAILING, BUT TLA IS THE LARGER MAN!!! KAI HOOKS THE LEGS, AND THIS ONE IS OVER!!!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT MINERVA PUSHES HERSELF OFF OF THE ROPES, CAUSING BOTH HERSELF AND TLA TO BACKPEDAL AND TUMBLE INTO KAI AND JAKE, FALLING ON TOP OF HIM AND BREAKING UP THE PIN!!!!!! THIS MATCH STAYS ALIVE, AND THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW THE STRUGGLE OF TRYING TO WIN A MATCH WITH THIS MANY PEOPLE, EVEN IF YOU DO HAVE THE BENEFIT OF A TAG TEAM PARTNER! WITH SIX BODIES IN THE RING AND A STEEL CAGE SURROUNDING THEM, THERE ISN’T ENOUGH SPACE FOR AN UNINTERRUPTED THREE COUNT!!!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA let go of the submission after that fall, and TLA quickly pulls herself up- BEFORE KICKING TLA IN THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD, DROPPING HIM! Kai is holding the back of his head as he pushes himself to a knee, AND MINERVA QUICKLY GRABS KAI, RUNNING AND SENDING HIM HEAD FIRST INTO THE CAGE WALL!!! MINERVA HOLDS ONTO HIM AND PULLS HIS HEAD AWAY- BEFORE BASHING BROS HEAD INTO THE WALL!!! AGAIN!! AND AGAIN!! AND AGAIN!!
Rich Russillo: Minerva pulls Kai off of the cage wall- AND KAI THROWS A SWING AT MINERVA OUT OF DESPERATION- BUT MINERVA DUCKS UNDER IT BEFORE CONNECTING WITH SATAN’S KISS!!!! THAT DEVASTATING HEADBUTT SENDS KAI TUMBLING INTO THE ROPES- AND OFF THE REBOUND HE IS MET WITH THE DEVIL’S TOUCH!!!!! THE HARDCORE CHAMPION HAS JUST BEEN DROPPED BY THE UNIVERSAL WOMEN’S CHAMPION, AND WITH EVERYONE ELSE DOWN AND OUT, I THINK THIS IS MINERVA’S CHANCE TO WIN THIS THING!!!
Thadd Blazevich: MINERVA PULLS KAI UP, BEFORE PLANTING HIM HEAD FIRST ONTO THE MAT WITH THE SIREN’S LONELY SONG!!!! KAI IS DOWN AND OUT, AND NOW MINERVA HOOKS THE LEG!!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Persephone: WAIT, ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?
Rich Russillo: JAKE PULLS MINERVA OFF OF THE COVER BEFORE LIFTING HER UP, AND PLANTING HER WITH THE GOD COMPLEX!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: THAT WAS OUT OF NOWHERE!!!! I KNOW JAKE IS THE LARGER ELITIST, BUT STILL!!! JAKE JUST HIT THAT WICKED CRAZY BLUE THUNDER BOMB, AND HE HOLDS MINERVA IN PLACE FOR THE COVER TO PRETTY MUCH STEAL THE WIN!!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Rich Russillo: BUT EVEN AFTER ALL THAT, MINERVA IS ABLE TO KICK OUT JUST BEFORE THREE!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: WOW! This has been an insane match, dudes. Bodies have just been flying, and after that insane onslaught from everyone, I don’t think anyone is really in the best shape.
Persephone: And yet I am looking, and I don’t see a single drop of blood. What is this, a kids show? YOU’RE IN A STEEL CAGE! DO SOMETHING USEFUL!
Rich Russillo: Jake is pushing himself back up, but he’s not alone. Jay Jerry Johnson has also seemingly recovered, and after a brief staredown between the two, it seems they may reluctantly be back on the same page. They’re just stomping away on the other four Elitists, doing what they can to maintain the upper hand! Jay grabs Minerva and sends her into the cage, while Kai is thrown shoulder first into the ring post again by Jake! Jay now going after TLA, and he just starts stomping on him in another corner!
Thadd Blazevich: Jake meanwhile starts pulling Ashlynn Quinn up, and-
Persephone: OH! THERE WE GO! SOMETHING GOOD FROM ASHLYNN!!!!
Rich Russillo: ASHLYNN QUINN JUST PULLED JAKE INTO THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE WITH A REVERSE STO, AND IT LOOKS LIKE SHE UNDID THE TURNBUCKLE PADDING BEFOREHAND!!! JAKE JUST WENT HEAD FIRST INTO THE STEEL, AND NOW HE DROPS DOWN AS JAY TURNS TOWARDS ASHLYNN, SURPRISED BY WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT TRIPLE J TOOK HIS EYES OFF THE BALL, AND THAT WAS A MISTAKE!! TLA PULLS HIMSELF UP, AND NOW THERE’S A ZIG ZAG TO JAY, TAKING BRO DOWN TO THE MAT!!!! JAY GOES DOWN, AND NOW ASHLYNN QUICKLY RUNS OVER TO TLA- WENT FOR THE RUNNING KNEE BUT TLA GOT OUT OF THE WAY!! ASHLYNN TURNS AND TLA QUICKLY HOOKS HER IN, SEEMINGLY LOOKING FOR A VERTICAL SUPLEX, BUT LOOK AT THAT! ASHLYNN SLIPS OUT OF TLA’S GRASP BEFORE PULLING HIM DOWN WITH A ROLL UP!
ON-
Rich Russillo: TLA ROLLS THROUGH, BUT I THINK THAT WAS THE POINT!!! ASHLYNN PULLS HIM IN FOR PASADENA NIGHTS!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT TLA DOESN’T LET THAT HAPPEN!! BRO USES HIS SIZE ADVANTAGE TO HOLD ONTO ASHLYNN BEFORE RETURNING TO HIS FEET- AND NOW HE POPS ASHLYNN INTO THE AIR!!
Persephone: BEFORE TAKING HER OUT OF IT WITH A VERY MEXICAN UPPERCUT!!!!!
Rich Russillo: AND ASHLYNN QUINN GOES DOWN, FALLING DOWN RIGHT NEXT TO JAY JERRY JOHNSON!!! TLA SEES BOTH OF HIS OPPONENTS IN PERFECT POSITION AND IS QUICK TO SCALE UP TO THE TOP ROPE… But wait a second! TLA’s not stopping there! Jake is in the corner with a seemingly busted open head. Minerva and Kai are still dazed after what they’ve been hit with, and Ashlynn and Jay aren’t moving! I think TLA realized that if there’s any time to end this one it’s now, and there’s one way for him to guarantee that this one really does end!
Thadd Blazevich: TLA HAS MADE IT TO THE TOP OF THE CAGE!!! TLA IS STANDING ON TOP OF THE CAGE, AND HE LOOKS AT THE EXCITED FANS IN ATTENDANCE, GIVING THEM A NOD BEFORE LOOKING DOWN ON HIS OPPONENTS!!!
Persephone: AND TLA DIVES!!!!
Rich Russillo: BURNOUT!!!! BURNOUT FROM THE TOP OF THE CAGE ONTO BOTH ASHLYNN QUINN AND JAY JERRY JOHNSON!!!!! THAT WAS AN INSANE MOVE FROM TLA, AND ONE HELL OF A RISK THAT HAS SEEMINGLY PAID OFF!!!! TLA PUT EVERYTHING ON THE LINE RIGHT THERE, AND IN THE END THAT HIGH RISK, HIGH REWARD MENTALITY TLA MAY HAVE JUST GOTTEN HIM A VICTORY IN THIS VOLTAGE MAIN EVENT!!!! TLA HOOKS THE LEGS OF ASHLYNN QUINN!!!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT SOMEHOW, MINERVA WAS ABLE TO PUSH HERSELF INTO THE COVER AND BREAK IT UP!!!!
Persephone: Wow. You mean that didn’t finish the match? What a waste.
Rich Russillo: TLA sits up and just shakes his head before turning towards Minerva. TLA starts pushing himself up, as does Minerva- AND MINERVA IS THE FIRST TO STRIKE AS SHE LANDS AN ELBOW ON TLA! TLA STUMBLES, BUT HE RESPONDS WITH A FOREARM! MINERVA NOW WITH ONE OF HER OWN, BUT SHE DOESN’T STOP THERE! SHE KNEES TLA IN THE MIDSECTION BEFORE RUSHING TOWARDS THE CORNER JAKE WAS IN- SENDING TLA FACE FIRST INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE!
Thadd Blazevich: Minerva takes a moment, and after all the damage she’s taken I don’t blame her! Minerva now grabs TLA by the head, AND SHE STARTS TO REPEATEDLY SLAM HIS FACE INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE!! MINERVA RIPS TLA’S HEAD AWAY FROM THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE, AND NOW THERE’S SOME MORE BLOOD AS MINERVA JUST BUSTED TLA OPEN!!! MINERVA ONCE AGAIN SHOWING HOW DANGEROUS SHE IS, GRABBING TLA AND PULLING HIM UP BEFORE RUBBING HIS FACE ACROSS THE CAGE WALL!!!
Persephone: MINERVA KEEPS GOING UNTIL SHE’S SATISFIED, FINALLY THROWING TLA TO THE MAT!! TLA goes down, and now-
Rich Russillo: KAI RUNS IN AND SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE- CATCHING MINERVA BY SURPRISE WITH THE CRYSTAL KINGDOM CUTTER!!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: KAI GETS A BIT OF PAYBACK ON THE UNIVERSAL WOMEN’S CHAMPION, DROPPING MINERVA WITH THE SPRINGBOARD CUTTER!! Kai stumbles back to his feet, BUT HE’S NOT SAFE!!! JAKE JUST GRABBED KAI FROM BEHIND, THROWING HIM OVER THE TOP ROPE AND SENDING KAI BACK FIRST INTO THE CAGE!!! KAI FALLS DOWN AND DROPS DOWN ONTO THE APRON, AND DUDE, THIS MATCH HAS BEEN INSANE! NOBODY HAS HAD ANY TIME TO BREATHE!!!
Persephone: Jake drags Kai back into the ring before pulling him back up- AND KAI GRABS JAKE BY THE HEAD BEFORE PULLING HIM INTO A HEADBUTT!! Kai drops down to a knee after that while Jake stumbles away, AND KAI GOES FOR SHRINE AGAIN, BUT JAKE IS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY! KAI RUNS OFF OF THE ROPES AND JAKE CHARGES IN, GOING FOR THE STARMAKER A SECOND TIME TO TAKE OUT ONE OF THE ONLY PEOPLE ON THE PLANET MORE UNLIKABLE THAN HIM!!!!
Rich Russillo: KAI WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY!!! ONCE AGAIN KAI SURVIVES THE SUPERMAN PUNCH, AND NOW HE GOES FOR A CHOP BLOCK TO THE BACK OF THE LEG!! Jake goes down to a knee while Kai stands back up, AND KAI DELIVERS A NASTY ELBOW TO THE BACK OF JAKE’S HEAD!!! JAKE TEMPORARILY DROPS DOWN TO ALL FOURS BEFORE PUSHING HIMSELF BACK UP TO A KNEE, AND NOW KAI LANDS A SECOND ELBOW!! KAI NOW RUNNING THE ROPES, GOING FOR THE BLADE OF BABYLON-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT JAY JERRY JOHNSON RUNS IN JUST AS KAI WAS GOING TO RUN THE ROPES, INTERCEPTING HIM WITH A BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE!!!! I THINK HE DIDN’T CATCH AS MUCH OF THE BURNOUT AS ASHLYNN DID!! HE WAS ABLE TO PUSH HIMSELF UP AND SAVE JAKE AT THE LAST SECOND, AS BOTH HE AND KAI GO DOWN!!!!
Rich Russillo: Jake was just helped out massively by Jay, and I think that right there is a great indicator of the kind of person that Jay is! Obviously there is tension between the two, but Jay is more than willing to put that aside at least until the match is over. I’m not so sure whether or not Jake shares the same interest in teamwork, but one thing is for sure and it’s that he doesn’t plan to lose this match so easily.
Thadd Blazevich: Jay Jerry Johnson pulls himself up using the ropes, and it looks like there’s a bit of a staredown between Triple J and Jake. Like you said Rich, there’s definitely tension there knowing that they’re gonna be going at it at Bloodsport. Still, it looks like they’re more focused on getting the job done so they can get momentum on their side, and it looks like they’re about to use this opportunity now!
Persephone: Welp. Jake is going after the useless one, so this match is as good as over.
Rich Russillo: Jake grabs Ashlynn Quinn and starts dragging her up, and-
(‘Until It Sleeps’ by Metallica hits.)
Persephone: ????
Thadd Blazevich: WAIT, NO WAY!!! NOT RIGHT NOW!! WE’RE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF A STEEL CAGE MATCH!!!
Rich Russillo: THAT’S THE ENTRANCE MUSIC OF DAMON LAZARUS!! JAY JERRY JOHNSON AND JAKE SMITH ARE SET TO FACE THIS MAN AT BLOODSPORT IN A TRIPLE THREAT!! WE ALREADY SAW DAMON EARLIER TONIGHT THOUGH, IS HE REALLY COMING BACK OUT HERE!?!?
(The reaction is loud, filling the entire building as the fans are shocked. It doesn’t take long for the boos to pour in however, and both Jake Smith and Jay Jerry Johnson turn their attention towards the stage, watching as Damon Lazarus storms out. The effects of Caroline’s attack are still present, as the black mist remains on Damon’s face, accompanied with a bitter, almost unsettlingly intense look as he walks down the ramp at an alarming pace. Jay especially keeps his eyes on Damon, though he isn’t sure what his plan could be while the steel cage is closed.)
Rich Russillo: DAMON IS ON HIS WAY TO THE RING, BUT THIS MATCH IS STILL UNDERWAY!!! MINERVA, ASHLYNN TLA AND KAI ARE ALL STIRRING AND STARTING TO GET UP! IS DAMON JUST TRYING TO PROVIDE A DISTRACTION!?
Persephone: Great question. Not like Damon of all people is going to climb the cage… Right?
(Damon Lazarus walks down to ringside, and without hesitation he shoves past the referee in control of the door. He grabs both sides of the door, giving only one deep breath before…)
(*CLINK!*)
Rich Russillo: WHAT THE HELL!?!?
Thadd Blazevich: DAMON LAZARUS JUST RIPPED OFF THE CAGE DOOR!!!! THE CAGE DOOR WAS LITERALLY JUST RIPPED OFF OF ITS HINGES, AND WITHOUT WAITING DAMON SLIDES INTO THE RING! DAMON RUNS AT JAKE AND DELIVERS A BIG BOOT, BEFORE GOING AFTER JAY WITH A DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN!!!! JAY POUNCED ON DAMON AS SOON AS HE GOT IN THE RING, BUT DAMON WAS ABLE TO GET THE LEGS AND THANKS TO THAT BRO TOOK TRIPLE J TO THE MAT!!!
Persephone: THERE ARE NO DISQUALIFICATIONS IN A STEEL CAGE MATCH, SO DAMON IS FREE TO BEAT JAY UP AS MUCH AS HE WANTS!
Rich Russillo: JAY PUSHES DAMON OFF OF HIM BEFORE TRYING TO GET BACK UP- BUT DAMON IS RIGHT BACK ON JAY, LANDING A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION!! DAMON IS ALL OVER JAY JERRY JOHNSON RIGHT NOW, JUST BEATING HIM DOWN IN THE CORNER OF THE RING- BEFORE BASHING THE BACK OF JAY’S HEAD INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE!!
Thadd Blazevich: DAMON DOES IT AGAIN, AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN!!! BRO, YOU CAN SEE THE BLOOD SPILLING FROM THE BACK OF TRIPLE J’S HEAD!!!! DUDE IS JUST DESTROYING JAY, AND NOW HE JUST THROWS HIM INTO THE MAT!!
(Damon Lazarus backs into the corner while Jake is on a knee, holding his jaw in pain as he stares at Damon Lazarus, not amused whatsoever by his interference as Damon has Jay lined up. Throughout this however, TLA and Kai Rabeaux have recovered, as both men have started pulling themselves up. TLA is focused entirely on the action, but Kai on the other hand is looking at his own teammate.)
Rich Russillo: JAY JERRY JOHNSON IS PUSHING HIMSELF TO ALL FOURS, AND NOW DAMON LAZARUS RUNS IN!!!
Thadd Blazevich: IN ABSENTIA!!!
Persephone: NO!! JAY GETS OUT OF THE WAY!!!
Rich Russillo: JAY PUSHES HIMSELF BACK TO HIS FEET, AND HE LANDS A ROUNDHOUSE KICK, ROCKING DAMON AND SENDING HIM STUMBLING RIGHT INTO JAKE’S PATH!!!
Thadd Blazevich: JAKE GRABS DAMON, AND IT SEEMS HE’S ABOUT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION!! HE GRABS DAMON, AND HE RUSHES IN TO THROW DAMON BACK OUT OF THE CAGE-
Persephone: BUT DAMON TURNS IT AROUND AND SENDS JAKE TO THE ROPES!!! JAKE CATCHES HIMSELF- BUT DAMON CHARGES IN WITH A CLOTHESLINE, SENDING HIMSELF AND JAKE SMITH OVER THE TOP ROPE AND THROUGH THE EXIT WHERE THE DOOR WAS RIPPED OFF, SENDING BOTH DAMON AND JAKE TUMBLING OUT OF THE CAGE!!!!
(Damon Lazarus and Jake Smith remain laid out at ringside for a moment, feelin the impact of that fall. While technically escaping the cage is a victory in a steel cage match, in a tag team match both members of the team would need to escape for that to be the case. Damon and Jake slowly push themselves up, and before long, Damon hits Jake with a punch, which is responded to with a punch by Jake. The two begin going back and forth, while Jay remains in the ring, taking a moment to catch his breath.)
Rich Russillo: Jay takes a moment, BUT I DON’T THINK HE’S GONNA HAVE THE CHANCE TO EVEN CONSIDER LEAVING THE CAGE! TLA GOES AFTER HIM-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT KAI RABEAUX JUST BLINDSIDED HIM!!!!
(The fans loudly boo as TLA drops to his knees. Kai Rabeaux just takes a moment, standing over him and staring at one of his two Bloodsport opponents, before committing to his decision as he grabs TLA by the back of his head.)
Persephone: AND I GUESS THIS MATCH HAS FALLEN APART!!! DAMON AND JAKE ARE FIGHTING AT RINGSIDE, AND KAI JUST THREW HIS OWN TEAMMATE INTO THE CORNER BEFORE BEGINNING TO PUNCH AWAY AT HIM!!!
Rich Russillo: TLA IS ABLE TO START FIGHTING BACK, BUT NOW IT’S JUST AN ALL OUT BRAWL BETWEEN THEM!!! JAY SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN DISTRACTED BY THE ONGOING FIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO, BUT I THINK JAY NEEDS TO FOCUS, BECAUSE THERE IS STILL ONE MORE TEAM!!
Thadd Blazevich: ASHLYNN QUINN LANDS A STEP-UP ENZUIGIRI!!! JAY DROPS DOWN TO A KNEE, AND ASHLYNN FOLLOWS UP WITH THE SUPERKICK!!!! BRO, THAT WAS OUT OF NOWHERE!!! JAY IS DAZED, AND NOW ASHLYNN RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE GOING FOR THE PINK STAR DIAMOND-
Persephone: BUT OF COURSE, USELESS ASHLYNN QUINN CAN’T GET IT DONE!!!
Rich Russillo: JAY CATCHES ASHLYNN, AND HE THROWS ASHLYNN DOWN ONTO HER FACE!! Ashlynn holds her nose as Jay turns-
Thadd Blazevich: AND GETS CAUGHT WITH THE DEVIL’S TOUCH!!!!
Rich Russillo: WE SAID HE STILL HAD ANOTHER TEAM TO WORRY ABOUT, AND WE MEANT IT!!! MINERVA WAS BACK UP, AND SHE JUST KICKED JAY’S HEAD OFF!!!! JAKE IS STILL FIGHTING DAMON ON THE OUTSIDE!!! TLA AND KAI ARE STILL GOING AT IT!!! THERE IS NOBODY TO HELP JAY- AS MINERVA DRIVES HIS HEAD INTO THE MAT WITH THE SIREN’S LONELY SONG!!!! THIS ONE IS OVER!!!!
(However… The crowd reaction suddenly rises just as Minerva prepares to go for the cover.)
Thadd Blazevich: WAIT, WAIT A SECOND BRO!!! ASHLYNN JUST PULLED MINERVA AWAY FROM JAY, BEFORE STEALING THE COVER FOR HERSELF!!!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, here are your winners… ASHLYNN QUINN AND THE UNIVERSAL WOMEN’S CHAMPION, MINERVA!!!!!
Rich Russillo: AND IT’S OVER!! Ashlynn Quinn and Minerva get the victory, but Ashlynn steals the winning pinfall for herself, playing a bit of games with the Universal Women’s Champion after tensions have been running high!
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, but is it really safe for ‘em to even catch a breather right now?? There’s literally action everywhere around them! Jake Smith and Damon Lazarus are brawling outside of the cage, and TLA and Kai are fighting inside of it!
(Ashlynn Quinn pushes herself off of Jay Jerry Johnson with a smile on her face as the fans cheer for her. She uses the ropes to pull herself back to her feet, and she points to the cheering fans in attendance. However, behind her is the Universal Women’s Champion, who looks insulted seeing what Ashlynn just did…)
Persephone: WELL, SO MUCH FOR THAT!
Rich Russillo: MINERVA JUST ATTACKED ASHLYNN QUINN!!!!!! ASHLYNN GOES DOWN AFTER A FOREARM TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD, AND NOW LOOK!!!! ASHLYNN AND MINERVA ARE FIGHTING, JUST WHEN IT LOOKED LIKE THINGS WERE WRAPPING UP!!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: ASHLYNN IS TRYING TO PULL HERSELF OUT OF THE CAGE- BUT MINERVA GETS UP AND GRABS HER, BEFORE JUST THROWING HER THROUGH THE ROPES!!! ASHLYNN TUMBLES OUT OF THE CAGE AND NOW MINERVA FOLLOWS, ALL WHILE TLA STARTS GETTING THE BETTER OF KAI!!! TLA LANDS A DROPKICK THAT SENDS KAI STUMBLING INTO THE CORNER, AND NOW HE RUNS IN-
Rich Russillo: BUT KAI GETS OUT OF THE WAY! TLA RUNS INTO THE TURNBUCKLES, AND NOW KAI LANDS A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!!! MEANWHILE DAMON HAS GRABBED JAKE, BEFORE SLAMMING THE BACK OF HIS HEAD INTO THE CAGE WALL!!! THERE IS A LOT GOING ON- BUT LOOK AT THE STAGE!!!
(The fans loudly cheer, as while Minerva has been viciously attacking Ashlynn Quinn, ARIA has begun running out.)
Rich Russillo: ARIA IS HERE!!!! SHE STAYED IN THE BACK DURING THE MATCH, BUT SHE’S NOT GOING TO SIT BACK AND LET ASHLYNN GET ATTACKED, EVEN IF CANDICE CAN’T JOIN HER AFTER EVERYTHING EARLIER!!!! ARIA RIPS MINERVA AWAY FROM ASHLYNN-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT BEFORE SHE CAN DO ANYTHING, SHE IS ATTACKED FROM BEHIND!!! SELINA REYES AND DANIELLA ATLAS ARE HERE, AND NOW WE HAVE AN ALL OUT BRAWL ON OUR HANDS, BRO!!!! ARIA GOES BACK AND STARTS FIGHTING WITH SELINA, BEFORE DANIELLA RIPS ARIA AWAY AND SENDS HER INTO THE BARRICADE!!! ASHLYNN USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUSH HERSELF UP- AND SHE HITS MINERVA WITH A FOREARM!!!
Rich Russillo: MINERVA RESPONDS WITH AN ELBOW, BEFORE GRABBING ASHLYNN AND SENDING HER INTO THE STEEL STEPS!!!! TLA MEANWHILE HAS FOUGHT BACK AGAINST KAI- BUT KAI GRABS HIM AND SENDS TLA INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE!!!!! JAKE AND DAMON ARE STILL GOING AT IT, AS JAKE BOOTS DAMON OFF OF HIM AND DRIVES HIM INTO THE BARRICADE!!!!! IT HAS BEEN ALL AROUND CHAOS HERE, AS KAI NOW STARTS TO REPEATEDLY KNEE TLA IN THE MIDSECTION! TLA DROPS DOWN, AND I THINK KAI WANTS TO USE THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE!!
(Suddenly the crowd reaction rises once more, as ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ by Van Halen hits.)
Rich Russillo: UH OH!!!
Persephone: That’s probably the last person Kai wants to see right now.
(Dr. Bethany Blue walks out to the stage, and Kai’s attention immediately shifts to her. Bethany has a look of rage on her face watching Kai attack her teammate, and before long, she begins storming down the ramp-)
Thadd Blazevich: WAIT A SECOND, BRO!!!!
Rich Russillo: DRAKE ARMSTRONG IS HERE!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: BETHANY WAS LOOKING TO RUN INTO THE CAGE TO HELP KAI, BUT DRAKE JUST HOPPED THE BARRICADE AND INTERCEPTED BETHANY WITH A LARIAT!!! BETHANY IS QUICKLY BACK UP, BUT SHE WAS CAUGHT OFF GUARD WITH THAT ONE!!!
Rich Russillo: DRAKE GRABS BETHANY- BUT BETHANY LANDS A KNEE TO THE RIBS, CAUSING HIS GRIP TO LOOSEN!!!! BETHANY LANDS A FOREARM, AND NOW THESE TWO ARE JUST FIGHTING- ALL WHILE TLA WAS GIVEN ENOUGH CHANCE TO RECOVER AND CATCH KAI BY SURPRISE WITH A PUNCH TO THE JAW!!!!
Thadd Blazevich: THE TAG TITLE MATCH COMPETITORS ARE GOING AT IT, AND THAT’S NOT ALL!!!! TOXXXIN IS FIGHTING ASHLYNN AND ARIA, AND DAMON AND JAKE ARE BRAWLING WHILE JAY IS STILL RECOVERING!!!! THIS HAS BEEN ONE HELL OF A WAY TO END THE SHOW, DUDES!!! IT’S PURE CHAOS HERE, AND AT THIS RATE, I DON’T KNOW WHAT’LL STOP IT!!!!
(One last shot is shown of all the action happening at ringside. Drake Armstrong and Dr. Bethany Blue are at the bottom of the ramp, trading punches with each other as near the cage door, ToXXXin is brawling with their own foes. ARIA has driven Selina into the barricade, but Daniella is able to send her into the corner of the cage before pulling ARIA away. Ashlynn lands another shot on Minerva, but Minerva catches the next one before kneeing Ashlynn. During this Damon Lazarus and Jake Smith are near the timekeeper’s area, allowing Jake to slam Damon’s mist-covered face into the barricade. Inside of the ring TLA and Kai Rabeaux are going at it, while Jay Jerry Johnson has finally managed to pull himself out of the cage, before jumping at Jake’s back with an elbow. With the action continuing with no clear end, Voltage finally fades to black.)
(EAW logo buzzes.)
