(EAW intro plays.)
(A recap of Pain for Pride 18 is shown, showcasing key moments of the event on the Voltage side. Adam Lucas wins the EAW World Championship, Dr. Bethany Blue retains the Hardcore Championship. Ashlynn Quinn becomes the new New Breed Champion. The British Invasion lose the Unified Tag Team Championships to Fire & Ice, while Bea Valentine loses the Universal Women’s Championship to Ms. Extreme. A few more moments are shown, before the camera fades to the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The fans are loud tonight, and the opening pyro shoots from the stage before the camera pans around the audience. After this, the camera pans towards the commentary table, where Rich Russillo is seen with Persephone, as well as a face familiar to long time EAW fans.)
Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen… Welcome to the FIRST Sunday Night Voltage of season 19! As always I am Rich Russillo, and with me is Persephone Tsitsipas and the NEWEST member of the Voltage commentary team… Thadd Blazevich!
Thadd Blazevich: What’s up, bros! Radd Thadd is back, and I’m glad to be here!
Rich Russillo: It’s been a while since you were here, hasn’t it?
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, bro. I was on the Deathmatch scene for the last few years and it was wild, but those days are behind me. I’m on Voltage now, and I’m here to stay, bro!
Persephone: Wait… As in, you’re gonna be on the commentary team with us forever?
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, dude!
Persephone: I’m gonna kill myself.
(Voltage fades to the stage, and ‘Self Help Tape’ by Moses Sumney hits to loud cheers. Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair can both be seen beginning to make their way out to the stage, both with microphones in their hands following Pain for Pride and the Draft, making their first entrance of the new season. The two begin to walk down the ramp, making their way towards the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair are both here, and I can imagine there’s a lot to address with this being the beginning of a new season! I’m looking forward to seeing what they have to say to us tonight before we get to the rest of tonight’s show.
Thadd Blazevich: Me too, man. I can’t wait for all the matches we got coming up, but I’m stoked to see the Commish!
Persephone: Of all the people we could’ve been stuck with, did it have to be this guy?
Rich Russillo: What do you mean?
Persephone: Forget it. Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair are here. Let’s just hear whatever they have to say, I guess.
(Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair enter the ring, and they make their way into the center of the ring as ‘Self Help Tape’ begins to fade out. After this, Captain Charisma begins to speak.)
Captain Charisma: Ladies and gentlemen… WELCOME BACK TO SUNDAY NIGHT VOLTAGE!!!
(The crowd loudly cheers once more, and Captain Charisma continues.)
Captain Charisma: I’ve been the Commissioner of this brand for a very long time, but as every year goes by I never stop looking forward to introducing you all to a new season. The rosters may change, but this is still Sunday Night Voltage, and if the main event for tonight’s show didn’t tell you all what you needed to know already, I don’t plan to change the way we do things around here. This brand has always been unique thanks to the way we handle things, and that’ll continue this season as I can guarantee you all will get to see all the same chaos Voltage has become known for.
Eden Sinclair: But speaking of that main event, there is a reason we’re out here besides welcoming you all to the new season, and it’s actually to address something that happened last week between three of the participants in tonight’s main event. As we all know the Draft show was last week, and at this show Adam Lucas decided to make a statement following his EAW World Championship win at Pain for Pride. However, that would be interrupted, as not one, but two Elitists decided to set their sights on him. That being said, I believe what happened last week needs to be addressed as things played out in a manner we didn’t expect, and I think it’s best that we get that out of the way as soon as possible.
Captain Charisma: That’s right. So, Adam Lucas, Chris Elite, Cody Maverick, I’d like all three of you to come to the ring so that we can settle this.
(The two wait for a moment, until finally ‘Invincible’ by Pop Smoke hits. There’s a mostly positive reaction from the fans in attendance, and Chris Elite can be seen walking out to the stage. He is holding a microphone in his hand, and he doesn’t look too thrilled about being called out to the ring. However, he does begin to walk down the ramp to join Eden and Captain Charisma in the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Well it looks like we’ll be getting some answers following the big confrontation we saw at the Draft, where Chris Elite would make a challenge to Adam Lucas, only for both Chris and Adam to find themselves getting attacked by Cody Maverick.
Thadd Blazevich: Chris is the real deal, bro. Former World Champ, even won the Interwire Championship last season. I can see why he wants a shot at the EAW World title.
Persephone: Well I’m not interested in seeing it, so I really hope they’re not planning to waste my time right now. If it were up to me, Chris and Cody would both be suspended just for making me sit through all of that at the Draft last week.
(Chris Elite climbs onto the apron and enters the ring, but as soon as he enters the ring, he begins to speak.)
Chris Elite: There’s nothing to settle. I told Adam what I wanted and he knew what it was. I was coming for his Championship and Cody came in and ruined it. Only thing you need to do is give me my Championship match and the chance to beat Cody’s ass. I don’t know who the fuck he thought he was back at the Draft, but he’s not about to be the reason I miss out on a World Championship match.
(Captain Charisma goes to respond, but before he gets the chance, ‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher hits, causing an explosion of cheers from the crowd. Cody Maverick begins to walk out with a microphone of his own, and he doesn’t appear to be too bothered by the remarks from Chris Elite, who is staring at Cody from inside of the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Cody Maverick is joining us now, which I can’t say is too surprising given what we just heard from Chris Elite. I think it’s safe to say Chris isn’t too happy about that attack from Cody back at the Draft, not that I blame him.
Persephone: Well that doesn’t mean I actually care to see him. Seriously, couldn’t Eden and Captain Charisma have gotten to the point without dragging everyone else out here?
(Cody Maverick climbs onto the apron, before entering the ring and walking up to Chris Elite. After this, he begins to speak.)
Cody Maverick: I didn’t do what I did last week to take a World Championship match from you. As a matter of fact, I couldn’t really care less whether or not you get involved with the World title. I did what I did to stake my own claim to that Championship in a way I wasn’t able to in the past. See you can think whatever you want of me Chris but I’m an honest man, and I know whether or not I’m ready to shoot at the very top. I spent all of last season putting in the work. I climbed up the ladder, I rose up the ranks, whatever you want to call it I did it. If there was ever any time for me to take my shot it was right then and there, and since you also had your eyes on that title, you got caught in the crossfire.
(The fans cheer, but hearing these words only seems to annoy Chris Elite.)
Chris Elite: Caught in the crossfire? You weren’t even out there until I already told Adam what I wanted. I didn’t get caught in the crossfire, you stuck your nose in my business as if I’m supposed to just let that slide. You fucked up. That’s all that happened, and I’m not about to sit here and listen to you try to explain why you didn’t. This didn’t concern you, and if we’re being for real it still doesn’t, because it’s not like you’re gonna be winning the EAW Championship anyway. You can come out of nowhere and attack me at the Draft, but like I said you’re not taking this from me. I told Adam what I wanted, and that wasn’t just to fight for the EAW Championship. It was to win the title, and now you’re getting in the way of that and for what? So I can start the season by embarrassing you?
Cody Maverick: I did what I did because I’m a firm believer that actions speak louder than words, and saying what you’ll do means absolutely nothing if you’re not actually going to go out there and do it. I didn’t say I’d come after the EAW World Championship. I didn’t say I’d lay out both Adam Lucas and Chris Elite at the very first show of the season. I didn’t say a single word on camera following Pain for Pride, but that didn’t stop me from doing what I did. I don’t need to convince you of anything, Chris. You can feel free to believe what you want, but if you’re hoping I back down just because you didn’t like how I went about things, you’re not gonna be happy ‘cause it isn’t happening.
(Chris Elite just shakes his head, as if he can’t take Cody’s words seriously before he begins to speak once more.)
Chris Elite: I-
(However, before Chris could get his sentence out, ‘Everybody Knows (Unstoppable)’ by Royal Deluxe hits. This brings about a mixed reaction from the fans, as Adam Lucas begins to walk out to the stage. Adam is carrying his EAW World Championship on his shoulder, and he has a microphone on his own. As he walks down the ramp, he begins to speak, having heard the back and forth between Chris Elite and Cody Maverick.)
Adam Lucas: Before you two tear each other apart, I believe Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair called all three of us out here. Now, I’m not sure what they have planned, but I just hope the both of you understand that I don’t have a preference here, and quite frankly I couldn’t care less which of you I end up defending my Championship against. I won this title at Pain for Pride, and I didn’t do so expecting to waste time sitting on the bench. I knew that I’d become a target the second I won this title, and in the end that’s exactly what happened. Chris Elite came out and challenged me, while Cody Maverick decided to send a message by attacking the both of us.
(Adam Lucas makes it up the steel steps, and he enters the ring before continuing, staring directly at both of the men inside of the ring with him.)
Adam Lucas: I’ve been World Champion before, so I know what it requires. I know that I need to be prepared for whatever’s to come, and should someone take a shot at me, I just need to be ready to fire right back at them. This is going to be an even better reign than I had with the Answers World Championship, so if you two both want to get in my way, that’s fine. Go ahead and come at me. I don’t care to sit here and argue all night over what happened last week, but I don’t take kindly to being attacked, so anything that gives me the chance to put all this to an end is good for me.
(Adam stares at Cody Maverick, before saying a few more words.)
Adam Lucas: If that really was your idea of sending a message, you got ahead of yourself.
Cody Maverick: If I did then so be it, but I don’t regret doing what I did last week and right now there’s not a single man in this ring I don’t think I can beat.
Chris Elite: So what? That doesn’t mean shit. You’re still only in the way right now. This is supposed to be between me and Adam, but if I gotta take you out to get the EAW Championship I don’t mind that, either. Like I said last week, I’m not about to slow down just ‘cause of what happened at Pain for Pride. I’m getting back to where I belong, and that means I’m taking the EAW World Championship regardless of what I gotta do to get it. I don’t even know why you showed up at the Draft Cody, but if you really want to get humiliated and sent to the back of the line that badly, we can do it. All I know is that title is mine.
(After this, Chris turns to Adam Lucas.)
Chris Elite: So you better get ready to put that Championship on the line.
Adam Lucas: Like I said, it doesn’t matter who I defend against. You, Cody, even both of you if I have to. I’ll do it, and I will walk out of it with my EAW World Championship. You two keep arguing over which one of you will be the one to get the job done, but the part you’re both missing is that regardless of what you do to each other, I’m the one you need to overcome if you want this title. I’m the one you two need to be worried about, and when the time comes, I’ll be the one raising this Championship. I know you two are coming off of some big losses at Pain for Pride and are looking to bounce back, but you should’ve thought about this some more before you got in each other’s way just to get to me.
Cody Maverick: I haven’t forgotten who’s in my way, Adam. In fact, that’s exactly why I decided I wouldn’t waste my time talking like our friend Chris. If I shoot straight at the top, I can’t afford to play it safe. I can’t afford to let the opportunity slip past me because I was afraid to strike. I have spent an entire year building myself up for this, so no, I’m not afraid of the fact that Chris Elite wants a fight, nor am I afraid of the idea of facing you for the World Championship. I know what I’m doing, and whatever Captain Charisma and Eden are planning to do, I’ll go with it, because when all this is over I intend to be the one holding the EAW World Championship, and I don’t need to repeat myself a hundred times to make it happen. All I need is to go out there and get the job done.
(The three Elitists stare at each other as the fans in attendance are loud for them. It is a tense staredown, but the tension ends up being disrupted, as ‘Pride and Arrogance’ by Takeru Kanazaki hits. The fans in attendance begin to loudly boo, and the three Elitists inside of the ring all turn their attention towards the stage, while both Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair appear to be surprised. The King of Elite, Drake Armstrong, begins to walk out to the stage with a microphone in hand, and he has a smirk on his face.)
Rich Russillo: Well look who it is! The King of Elite winner Drake Armstrong is here, and while I can’t say I expected to see him, I think we all know exactly why he is! With that King of Elite crown, he can challenge Adam Lucas to a Championship match whenever he wants, meaning that if he pleases, he can disrupt the EAW World Championship picture this very moment!
Thadd Blazevich: That’s crazy, bro. That means Adam Lucas is like, surrounded by challengers right now, doesn’t it?
Rich Russillo: Sure does. Adam Lucas knew he had a target on his back, but if it wasn’t already obvious, it’s not just Chris Elite and Cody Maverick aiming at him. It’s a tough time to be a World Champion seeing who is on the Voltage roster.
(Drake Armstrong slowly walks up the steel steps before entering the ring, ignoring the loud boos from the crowd as his entrance music fades out. Drake Armstrong stands in a far corner of the ring, keeping his distance from the other three Elitists as he stares at Adam Lucas, ignoring Chris and Cody as he begins to speak.)
Drake Armstrong: Are you really such a fool that you’d open the door for anyone on the roster to challenge you knowing that if I wanted to, I could end your Championship reign before this night is finished?
(The fans boo hearing this question, but Adam Lucas doesn’t budge, quickly answering back.)
Adam Lucas: Didn’t you say you wouldn’t cash in during the main event so you don’t ruin your own chances? It’s not like I actually trust you, but I’m sure you already know that’s a horrible idea.
Drake Armstrong: I didn’t say anything about the main event just now, did I? Of course, it doesn’t have to be tonight, either. I have months to cash in this King of Elite crown, and by the time I’ve made my decision there’s no telling whether or not you’ll even be the one holding that Championship. Still, the one thing an Elitist in your position is supposed to do right now is watch their back, and it looks to me like you’re doing anything but. You allowed Cody Maverick to wipe you out with ease at the Draft, and had I wanted to, I could’ve chosen that night to become a World Champion. Now here you stand, saying that if necessary, you’d even put your Championship on the line against both of these two imbeciles. For an Elitist who just preached to his potential challengers about the dangers of focusing on the wrong man, it appears to me that you’re making the same mistake.
(Adam Lucas just shakes his head. He goes to speak, but he ends up being cut off, as Chris Elite steps forward and begins to speak.)
Chris Elite: I’m not gonna lie, I’m getting real tired of being interrupted and cut off before I can find out how I’m getting my title match. Drake, I don’t give a fuck about that crown. If you’re gonna cash in, do it. If not then get the fuck out of the ring, ‘cause the rest of us are in the middle of something. If for some reason you’re the one I gotta face to win the EAW Championship, that’s cool. I don’t care if it’s you, if it’s Adam, it could be anyone else on the roster and it still won’t matter. I said I was coming for that title. That doesn’t mean I’m gonna stop just ‘cause someone else got to Adam before I did.
(Drake Armstrong just begins to laugh hearing this response from Chris Elite, before beginning to respond.)
Drake Armstrong: Unfortunately, you’re not the man in possession of the King of Elite crown, and therefore can’t decide when it is used. I’m sure you’d love nothing more than for me to be out of your way, but for as long as you’re in the World Championship picture, I’m as significant of a problem for you and Cody as I am for the Champion himself. I’ve already made clear the lack of faith I have in your ability to defeat Adam Lucas, however it would be unlike me to not consider all possibilities. After all, these possibilities all work to my favor, as no matter how this ends between the three of you, you’ll have to carry the EAW World Championship knowing that your time at the top is limited, and there is a man far out of your reach waiting to rip that Championship out of your hands.
Cody Maverick: Are you done, yet?
(This brief response causes cheers to come from the fans, and as Drake turns his attention to Cody, Cody continues.)
Cody Maverick: I didn’t do what I did at the Draft expecting my actions to sit well with either man. If I made enemies with them with that attack so be it, but what I won’t do is ignore who they are. You can say whatever you want, but if you actually think anyone here is going to back down just because you have a crown that you can cash-in at any time you have no idea who you’re standing in the ring with, and that’s embarrassing knowing just how much history you have with the men in the ring with you. I won’t speak for Chris, and I definitely won’t speak for the man I intend to take the EAW World Championship from, but I’m not going to let anyone stop me from fighting for the World Championship.
Drake Armstrong: I don’t intend to stop any of you from fighting for it. I’m merely posing a question to you all. When this is over and one of you ultimately raises the EAW World Championship… Should I cash in my crown, who will stop me from taking my rightful spot as EAW World Champion?
(After saying this, ‘The Leaving Song Pt. II’ by AFI hits, causing an explosion of cheers to come from the crowd. Drake Armstrong doesn’t appear to be amused, and seeing this, Hans Grayson has a smirk on his face as he begins to walk out, carrying both a microphone and his Cash in the Vault briefcase.)
Rich Russillo: Well if there’s anyone that could get in the way of Drake Armstrong’s World Championship plans, I’d say it’s this man! Mr. Cash in the Vault is here, and while it’s Drake Armstrong that was just interrupted, I’d be pretty nervous right now if I was Adam Lucas.
Persephone: Why? It’s not like Drake and Hans would both cash in right now, right? Even if they wanted to, it probably wouldn’t be very smart with Chris Elite and Cody Maverick around to screw things up.
Rich Russillo: That’s a fair point, but you never know what’s gonna happen, especially not here on Voltage.
(Hans Grayson makes his way down the ramp, before climbing onto the apron. He joins the people inside of the ring as his entrance music begins to fade out, and he briefly looks towards Drake Armstrong.)
Hans Grayson: I wouldn’t get too confident, Drake. You have the opportunity to fight for the EAW World Championship at any given moment, but you’re not alone there. Season 18 was a long season for me filled with both ups and downs, but I was able to end that season on a note that not many get the chance to, by winning one of the toughest matches you could win at Pain for Pride. I made it through a huge ladder match to get where I am now, so I believe I earned the right to be standing in this ring with the rest of you. You asked who could stop you should you cash in that Championship at the right moment, and well…
(Hans raises his briefcase, causing more cheers to come from the crowd before he continues.)
Hans Grayson: I think this should tell you everything you need to know.
(Drake Armstrong doesn’t look pleased, but after saying this, Hans turns his attention over to the Champion.)
Hans Grayson: However, I hope you realize what this means. I’m sure I’m not saying anything besides the obvious, but if the opportunity presents itself, it could be you I’m cashing in on, too. I worked my way up to this very moment, and secured the chance to one day become a World Champion. It wasn’t an easy road. In fact, it was a journey that took me nearly the entirety of season 18, and it still isn’t over. I know you already have Cody Maverick and Chris Elite looking to take their shots, and Drake Armstrong is waiting to rip that title away from whoever he can, but I’ll be there too, and I’ll be waiting for my opportunity to become a World Champion. Should that opportunity present itself, don’t expect me to wait around and let it go to waste.
Adam Lucas: I wouldn’t expect you to, just like I wouldn’t expect Drake to. Whether I like it or not, both of you earned the right to cash in whenever you want and fight for this Championship, no matter what condition I’m in. Whether it’s fighting me at my best or picking up the scraps following another match, you can choose whatever opportunity you please to try and take this from me. However, I hope you realize that I don’t plan to let go of this Championship so easily, and I don’t really care what either of you plan to do about it. I’ve been put in unfair situations before and found a way to come out of it on top, so do what you must and I’ll do what I can to walk out as World Champion.
(There’s a brief staredown between the two, but Hans just nods his head, seemingly satisfied with the answer from Adam Lucas.)
Hans Grayson: That works for me. As long as you-
Drake Armstrong: Hold on one second. What makes you believe that you’re any exception to what I’ve said?
(The fans begin to boo as Drake Armstrong and Hans Grayson stare at each other, and Drake continues.)
Drake Armstrong: I understand that you’re the holder of the Cash in the Vault briefcase, but I do intend to end this season with the EAW World Championship in my possession and this entire brand firmly in my grasp. I am walking into season 19 as the first Elitist outside of the World Champions to be drafted and I’ll be ending it not only as a World Champion myself, but as the man at the very pinnacle of this industry. You won’t prevent that Hans, because you don’t know when I will cash in, and I don’t believe you’d be willing to waste your own time waiting for me to strike.
Hans Grayson: Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be ready for whatever happens. I have more time than you do, Drake. I can pick my spot, and I can make sure I’m ready for when the time comes. I was willing to do everything in my power to win Cash in the Vault because there was no telling when I’d have another shot to get close to the World Championship, but now I’m in a position where I can choose when it’s time to fight for the title. Now there’s no chance of me not being prepared. Now there’s no chance of it not being my time. I intend to make the most of being Mr. Cash in the Vault, and sorry but I don’t really care what you plan to do about that. Now’s not the time for you to try to get inside my head, especially not knowing that we’ll need to team up later tonight.
Drake Armstrong: You don’t need to be concerned about our match later. You should already understand that I’m not one to walk into matches like this unprepared, but right now we are speaking about the future, are we not?
Adam Lucas: More importantly, you’re all speaking about a Championship you all for some reason feel entitled to. You all keep talking about what’ll happen whenever you strike, you keep talking about getting your moment, about reaching the top, and all of these different things, all without even acknowledging the possibility that it all goes wrong. I didn’t become the EAW World Champion just because I was in the right place at the right time. I got here because I fought my way here, and I’ll continue to fight no matter how many of you want to get in the way.
(There’s a loud reaction from the fans, and Drake Armstrong no longer has the grin on his face that he had before, just brushing off the words of Adam Lucas. However, Hans Grayson begins to speak after this, turning to Cody Maverick and Chris Elite.)
Hans Grayson: I get that the two of you already have your own business with Adam Lucas, so I’m not going to pretend that I know what’ll happen. Adam’s right. He worked to get where he is now, but that’s also true for everyone in this ring, which is why it doesn’t matter to me who ends up holding the EAW World Champion by the time I cash in. I don’t want to be someone that makes it to the top through sheer luck. When I become the World Champion I’ll be holding onto that title for a while, because I’ll be the kind of Champion that’s capable of taking on whoever gets in his way. If that means being patient then I’ll do it, but if not, one of you may be seeing me very soon. It’s not about feeling entitled to that Championship. It’s about making all the work I’ve put in up to this point mean something.
(The fans once again begin to cheer. Cody Maverick and Chris Elite choose not to say anything, as the King of Elite holder, Mr. Cash in the Vault and the EAW World Champion briefly argued amongst themselves. However, this argument would also be disrupted, as ‘Mr. Rager’ by Kid Cudi begins to play.)
Thadd Blazevich: Let’s go, it looks like the fun’s not over!
Persephone: Ugh, I forgot these two were drafted to Voltage. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, here comes Jon Kelton.
Rich Russillo: Not just Jon Kelton, but Bronson Daniels is here as it looks like Elysium is also getting themselves in on this! These two are an extremely great tag team, and while things didn’t go their way at Pain for Pride, they’ve both proven how great they perform with World Championship stakes, with Bronson even winning Showdown’s Extreme Elimination Chamber prior to Donovan Duke cashing in.
Persephone: Yeah, he must have PTSD seeing Hans carry that Cash in the Vault briefcase.
(Bronson Daniels and Jon Kelton both have microphones of their own, and they begin to make their way up onto the apron before slowly entering the ring. At this point, Adam Lucas notices that the ring is filled with Elitists, and he is basically surrounded as even Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair are unsure of what to think. Elysium’s entrance music begins to fade out, but the cheers are still present as Bronson Daniels begins to speak.)
Bronson Daniels: You all have spent more than enough time speaking about the near future, and trust me, I understand. Hans Grayson is the Cash in the Vault briefcase holder, and much like the King of Elite Drake Armstrong, he can cash in whenever he pleases. Meanwhile, both Cody Maverick and Chris Elite have already staked their claim to the Championship and believe they should both receive a Championship shot soon. I get it, but you’re not alone in wanting that Championship, and you’re not the only people that are willing to put in as much work as they possibly can in order to find themselves fighting for that Championship. I said it to Adam that a one on one match between us for that Championship was just about inevitable, and I didn’t say it out of arrogance. I said it because I’m ready to make it happen, and there’s no better time to set the stage for that future encounter than tonight.
(The fans cheer, and after this, Jon Kelton begins to speak up.)
Jon Kelton: Of course, there are always some things we’re unable to account for. Whether it be Hans or Drake cashing in, or Cody or Chris being able to dethrone Adam, that doesn’t change anything for us, because we’re after far more than just a Championship. Last year Bronson had his moment stolen from him within minutes, and the season I thought would result in me finally reaching a position I’ve never been able to find and becoming a World Champion for the first time ended with me holding absolutely nothing. We don’t just plan to rectify that. This is our first time on Voltage, and we plan to make that count. No matter what happens, soon enough the two of us will be in the Championship picture, and when the time comes, this won’t end the same way last season did. Bronson’s ready to turn things around, and so am I.
(The cheers continue, but after hearing all of this, Chris begins to speak up once more.)
Chris Elite: That’s cool, but why’s that our problem? You had the chance to come out at the Draft and you didn’t. If you’re willing to wait, then there’s no point in even talking to Adam because he’s not the one that’s gonna be holding the Championship once you fight for it. That title’s gonna be on my shoulder, and I don’t have nothing against either of you but I’m not about to lose that Championship just so you guys can make up for how last season went. If you want a World title you’re gonna have to wait a while, ‘cause that title reign isn’t happening at my expense. Not for either of you.
(Bronson Daniels goes to respond, but immediately, Cody Maverick interjects.)
Cody Maverick: That’s not for you to decide. You haven’t even made it through Adam yet and there’s no telling whether or not you’ll actually get the chance to, because like you said, you have no problem fighting me, and unfortunately for you Chris I’m not looking to let this opportunity slip by me either.
(After this, Cody turns to the two members of Elysium.)
Cody Maverick: As for the two of you, trust me, I know what you’re capable of. We have our history. We both fought the same battle over on Showdown, but when it comes to the EAW World Championship this is a different story and only one of us can come out on top. I took my shot at Adam last week for a reason, and of all the people inside of the ring, I think the two of you should be able to get exactly why. You were on the same brand as me last season, so you know how far I’ve come. You know that I’m not the same competitor I used to be, and I’m sure you also knew that my loss at Pain for Pride was never going to keep me down for long. All I needed was to take the next step, and that’s what this is.
Jon Kelton: You’re right, but you’re not the only one looking to take that next step. Inside of the ring right now there are four Elitists who have never been World Champion, but none of you have been here as long as I have. I’ve seen just about everything there is to see, but I can’t say I’ve done everything there is to do because there’s still one major achievement that’s eluded me all this time. I don’t intend to let this continue, especially not knowing just how close I was to the title last time I competed for a World Championship. This isn’t the time for us to slow down. This is the time to push forward, pick up the pace and finally get to the point we’ve been trying to achieve ever since Bronson and I decided to become a team in the first place.
(After hearing this, Adam looks towards the two members of Elysium.)
Adam Lucas: And how will you achieve that? You two can’t hold this Championship at the same time.
Bronson Daniels: Do you think this is our first time dealing with this situation? Ultimately it’ll have to come down to one of us being able to get the job done, but that doesn’t mean that either of us will stop trying. Honestly, we didn’t walk out here to get wrapped up in a drawn out argument over who’ll be the one to dethrone you. We’re simply here to make a statement, and if you choose not to listen, what happens will be on you. I want Jon to get his moment just like I want to be able to become World Champion once more, and we’re not going to let this season end without making it happen. There’s a lot in your way, between Cash in the Vault, King of Elite, and even the two men who showed up in the Draft, but as this season progresses, I’m sure very few of the people in this ring will still be in any position to keep throwing threats around.
(There’s another loud reaction from the fans after this, but Drake Armstrong just begins to laugh, which catches the attention of those around him.)
Hans Grayson: What’s so funny?
Drake Armstrong: The implication that of everyone in the ring, Elysium are the Elitists here to stay is what’s funny.
(Drake Armstrong stares at Bronson Daniels and Jon Kelton before continuing.)
Drake Armstrong: You two should just remember who decides when the EAW World Championship is on the line before throwing yourselves into the picture. After all, I’m sure you wouldn’t want another Championship victory to be ruined within minutes.
(Bronson Daniels doesn’t appear to be amused hearing this, but Captain Charisma quickly gets involved, speaking up before things could get out of hand.)
Captain Charisma: Before things get out of hand, I think you all should remember that you’ll all be competing in the main event later tonight, where many of you will have to work alongside each other whether you like it or not.
(The Elitists inside of the ring look at each other, knowing that Captain Charisma is right, and they’ll all have to co-exist for the time being.)
Eden Sinclair: I understand that everyone here is passionate about the EAW World Championship, and rightfully so, but we called Cody, Chris and Adam out here to resolve what happened at the Draft. We have a long season ahead of us and there will be enough chances for everyone to get themselves in the picture, but for now, I think it’s time to get back to our reason for asking the three of you out here.
Captain Charisma: We’ve decided that we will figure out the first challenger to Adam Lucas’ EAW World Championship, and we’ll do it by allowing Cody Maverick and Chris Elite to settle issues that I’d imagine are now present. Cody, Chris, next week the two of you will face off in a number one contendership match, where the winner will take on the EAW World Champion, Adam Lucas!
(This causes a loud reaction to come from the crowd, and Cody Maverick and Chris Elite both stare at each other, seemingly focused and ready for next week’s match. Meanwhile, Adam Lucas appears to be satisfied with what he has heard. After this, Captain Charisma continues.)
Captain Charisma: For many of you this is your first time on Voltage, so I’m sure it’ll take you some time to get used to how things are around here. After all, Voltage has the reputation that it does for a reason, and I don’t exactly plan to get rid of it. I believe the match you have coming up tonight will be the perfect introduction to how things work here on Voltage, so I hope you all enjoy getting to compete in a match like this. This is going to be a great season, so I’d like to wish every single one of you both in the ring and in the back good luck heading into season 19. If I were you, I’d try to make the most of the season ahead of you.
(The cheering continues, and Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair finally begin to take their leave, beginning to make their way out of the ring as the seven Elitists inside of the ring remain.)
Rich Russillo: Well there you have it! We have ourselves a number one contenders match coming up next week, but we’ve also learned that there are a whole ton of people after the EAW World Championship! I’d hate to be Adam Lucas right now, but the fact that he’s not backing down is exactly why he’s fit to hold that title.
Thadd Blazevich: That was crazy, man. Adam’s totally the kind of Champ you want at a time like this, but I’m stoked for that main event later! How often do we see a match like that??
Persephone: You’re the last person I want to agree with, but it doesn’t happen enough. If I’m lucky, everyone involved will die and I won’t have to sit through an awful match next week.
Rich Russillo: Regardless of what happens tonight and next week, we now know that Elysium also have their eyes on the title, and on top of that, Drake Armstrong and Hans Grayson are always gonna be around, waiting to strike. It’ll be interesting seeing how this all plays out.
(The seven men remain in the ring, all staring at each other as Adam Lucas carries his EAW World Championship, staring at all of his potential challengers. He has a focused look on his face knowing that there’s a chance he could find himself having to face all of the people in the ring, and there’s high tension inside of the ring between everyone involved. With this staredown between all of the competitors, Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)
(Commercial for the upcoming movie ‘SUPERMAN’, in theaters soon.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(‘COMO CAPO’ by Clave Especial ft. Fuerza Regida plays to a mixed reaction from fans, barely knowing what to make of this elitist yet, but his behavior has earned him his fair share of boos as Diego saunters onto the stage, cracking a brief smirk before strutting down to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Hailing out of Arlington, Texas, weighing in at 199 pounds…HE IS THE EL DIABLO GUAPO…DIEGO MONTANA!!
Thadd Blazevich: I won’t know what to say about this dude ‘till he gets in the ring and makes his debut, but can I just say… the mullet is magnificent!
Rich Russillo: It is a nice mullet, but it takes more than looking pretty to make it here in Elite Answers Wrestling. Diego does have a background in both wrestling and football, which I imagine we’ll see on display tonight.
Thadd Blazevich: Fasho, this match is bound to be off the hook!
(“Red Criminal” by Oral Cigarettes blares throughout the arena as Chiyo Gedo makes his way onto the stage area. Gedo crouches down, staring daggers into Diego in the ring, who remains unphased, and can be seen trash talking a bit off-mic. Regardless, Chiyo remains focused as he marches down to the ring, removing his ring jacket.)
Bella Braxton: And his opponent! Hailing from Osaka, Japan, weighing in at 220 pounds… HE IS THE FACELESS TERMINATOR… CHIYO GEDO!
Rich Russillo: Diego isn’t the first irritable elitist Chiyo has come across, and certainly won’t be the last. But tonight, he has an opportunity to shut him up.
Thadd Blazevich: Imagine how devastating it’d be for Diego to lose in his debut match. That’s a blow to anyone’s confidence. Not cool, bro.
Persephone: Then again, imagine how pathetic it is LOSING to Diego in his debut match. :mjlol2:
(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: The bell has rung, and- wait, what’s happening? I believe Diego Montana is requesting a handshake from Chiyo. I mean, it’s good sportsmanship to start things off, but one has question how genuine Diego is at this very moment.
Thadd Blazevich: I don’t know, dude, his mustache makes him seem pretty trustworthy.
Persephone: No, it makes him look stupid.
Thadd Blazevich: I thought you liked guys with a mustache.
Persephone: That was one time.
(Diego insists for Chiyo to shake his hand, and after some brief consideration, he goes to… only for Diego swipe his away last minute, slicking his hair back instead.)
Rich Russillo: Guess it was too good to be true as Diego looks pretty proud of himself right now.
Persephone: Yeah, for a trick you learn back in grade school.
Rich Russillo: BUT GEDO ISN’T TOO IMPRESSED, AND BLASTS DIEGO WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! DOUBLING HIM OVER! AND PROCEEDS TO GRAB DIEGO BY THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, DIRECTING HIM TOWARDS THE CORNER!
Thadd Blazevich: Oh no! Not the mullet!
Rich Russillo: CHIYO SLAMS HIM FACE FIRST OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE, AND GOES TO MAKE DIEGO PAY WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST! THAT ONE ECHOED THROUGHOUT THE ARENA, AND YOU CAN SEE THE PAIN ETCHED ACROSS MONTANA’S FACE!
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO TRIES EXITING THE CORNER FOR SPACE, BUT CHIYO STOPS THAT FROM HAPPENING! CONNECTING WITH ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST!
Rich Russillo: THINGS AREN’T LOOKING GOOD FOR MONTANA AS CHIYO LEANS HIM UP AGAINST THE ROPES FOR AN IRISH WHIP! CHIYO WINDS BACK, PREPARING TO MONTANA TO COME REBOUNDING OFF THE ROPES! BUT DIEGO HOOKS BOTH ARMS ONTO THE TOP, HALTING HIS MOMENTUM! AND SLIDES OUT THE RING!
(Diego holds his chest in pain from the chops, and gives a dismissive wave towards Chiyo in the ring, saying “forget this” as he starts heading up the ramp.)
Persephone: You can’t be serious. He’s going to desert his debut match?
Thadd Blazevich: Bummer. I was having fun.
(Chiyo shakes his head, refusing to let his match end in such a way as Diego doubles over on the ramp to catch his breath. Chiyo rolls out the ring, and marches toward him-)
Rich Russillo: NO, WAIT! DIEGO EXPLODED WITH A CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT! PERHAPS SUCKERING CHIYO IN- BUT CHIYO SAW IT COMING, AND DUCKED UNDERNEATH! FLOORING MONTANA WITH A HUGE CLOTHESLINE INSTEAD!
Thadd Blazevich: Diego was baiting him in, but it didn’t work out as Chiyo maintains control over this match.
Rich Russillo: DIEGO LOOKS AS IF HE’S BEEN HIT BY A TRUCK BEFORE CHIYO DRAGS HIM UP TO A VERTICAL BASE! ROLLING MONTANA BACK INSIDE THE RING!
(Montana scoots back towards the ropes, attempting to beg Chiyo off as he re-enters the ring. Chiyo remains focused as he slowly stalks toward Diego.)
Persephone: This might go down as the worst debut in history with how Diego’s been performing.
Thadd Blazevich: Hey, there’s been worse.
Persephone: You’re right, I forgot you. Double, if you count tonight.
Thadd Blazevich: Harsh, Seph.
Persephone: Good.
Rich Russillo: WAIT! CHIYO WENT TO REACH DOWN, AND GRAB MONTANA- BUT DIEGO GRABBED HIM BY THE WAIST OF HIS TRUNKS FOR LEVERAGE! JERKING CHIYO FORWARD, AND SENDING HIM OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! CHIYO LANDS ON ALL FOURS, AND STRUGGLES TO SHAKE THE COBWEBS OUT OF HIS HEAD AS DIEGO’S EYES GOES WIDE!
Thadd Blazevich: MONTANA REALIZES THIS IS HIS OPPORTUNITY, AND RUSHES BACK TO HIS FEET AS CHIYO BEGINS TO STIR! DIEGO RUNS OFF THE ROPES, BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR A SUICIDE DIVE!!
Rich Russillo: WHICH SENDS CHIYO GEDO FACE FIRST INTO OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE COVER!
(Diego scrambles back to his feet, and leans back against the apron, looking quite smug as he lets his tongue hang before flexing to a chorus of boos.)
Rich Russillo: Diego certainly isn’t short on confidence. That’s for certain.
Persephone: You’d think it’d be opposite after spending an entire match on the defensive thus far.
Thadd Blazevich: Hey, I’m all for letting the guy cook.
Rich Russillo: Well, Diego rolls Chiyo back inside the ring, and slithers in himself! Hooking the leg for a cover!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT AT TWO!
Thadd Blazevich: Chiyo is struggling after that collision with our announce table, and rolls onto his side, attempting to get himself back into this.
Rich Russillo: But Diego Montana isn’t making it easy with slaps to the back of Gedo’s head.
Persephone: This might have the opposite of his desired effect, because he hasn’t learnt his lesson from last time.
Rich Russillo: The disrespect toward Chiyo at the start certainly fired him up, and it might do it again if Montana’s not careful. But as it stands, he has things firmly in control, and lifts Chiyo back to his feet. BUT CHIYO EXPLODES WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! UNLOADING WITH MULTIPLE AS HE STUNS DIEGO ENOUGH FOR AN IRISH WHIP TO THE CORNER!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CHIYO REVERSES! SENDING DIEGO INTO THE CORNER INSTEAD, AND CHARGES IN! DIEGO GETS THE BOOT UP- BUT IT DOESN’T MATTER AS GEDO AVOIDS IT! SLIDING UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE, AND FACEPLANTING DIEGO AS HE PULLS BOTH LEGS OUT FROM UNDERNEATH IT!
Rich Russillo: CHIYO STILL MAINTAINS HOLD OF HIS OPPONENT’S ANKLES, AND PULLS DIEGO CROTCH FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST!
Thadd Blazevich: OOH! He’ll be feeling that one til next week… :yikes:
Persephone: As if this couldn’t become any more stupid.
(Diego claws out from underneath the bottom turnbuckle, and holds his groin in agony while rolling onto his back. Diego writhes in pain before Chiyo reaches underneath the bottom rope while ringside, dragging Diego out there with him.)
Rich Russillo: UH-OH! THE “FUN” ISN’T OVER FOR MONTANA AS HE GETS DRAGGED OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE BY GEDO! CHIYO DELIVERS A KICK TO THE GUT, AND HOOKS DIEGO UP FOR A SUPLEX AFTERWARDS!
Thadd Blazevich: WHOA! DIEGO BLOCKS IT! HOOKING HIS LEG INSIDE OF GEDO’S, AND SHIFTS THE MOMENTUM FOR A SUPLEX OF HIS OWN ON THE OUTSIDE! GEDO HIT HARD, AND DIEGO SCRAMBLES TO HIS FEET! SLIDING IN THE RING, AND DEMANDING THE REFEREE COUNT! Not like this, bro!
(Diego staggers to the corner, and continues favoring his groin as the referee begins his count with Chiyo holding his back in pain ringside.)
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!
Rich Russillo: I’d hate to see a match end like this.
Thadd Blazevich: You and me both, dude.
Persephone: Well, you don’t speak for me. Because I’d LOVE to see a match end like this.
Rich Russillo: Usually, I’d rather see a definitive victory between both competitors. But I guess Diego doesn’t see things that way. Preferring to win by any means necessary it seems.
Referee: FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EI-
Thadd Blazevich: YES! CHIYO BEATS THE COUNT!
Rich Russillo: CHIYO SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING IN TIME! MUCH TO THE CHAGRIN OF DIEGO, WHO IMMEDIATELY POUNCES WITH A DOUBLE AXE HANDLE TO THE BACK! TURNING CHIYO OVER BEFORE MOUNTING HIM WITH REPEATED RIGHT HANDS!
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO HAS TURNED UP THE AGGRESSION, WHICH MIGHT BE WHAT HE NEEDS AT THIS POINT IN TIME!
Persephone: What I needed was for this match to end there, but this idiot just had to slide back in.
Rich Russillo: DIEGO STANDS UP FROM THE MOUNT, AND LEAPS TO DELIVER A STOMP TO THE FACE OF GEDO! CAUSING CHIYO TO SIT UP, FAVORING HIS EYE BEFORE MONTANA GETS HIM IN A REAR CHINLOCK!
Persephone: Because that’s what this match needed. To be even slower.
Thadd Blazevich: Slow and steady wins the race, bro.
Persephone: What- how does that apply here??
Thadd Blazevich: Ya know…
Persephone: No, I don’t. Explain!
Rich Russillo: This isn’t going to win Diego the match, but it is going to wear his opponent down further, and soften him up for some big moves.
Thadd Blazevich: The crowd are totes rallying behind Chiyo, and desperately want him to fight out of this situation.
Rich Russillo: Goes to show that Diego has not quite endeared himself to Voltage faithful.
Persephone: Shocker.
Rich Russillo: Chiyo starts to fire up, and powers back to his feet… DRIVING THE POINT OF HIS ELBOW INTO DIEGO’S ABDOMEN A FEW TIMES! MANAGING TO BREAK HIS GRIP, AND WHIPS DIEGO INTO THE CORNER! CHIYO RUSHES IN- BUT EATS A BACK ELBOW FOR TROUBLES!
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO HOPS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE, AND GOES FOR A TORNADO DDT WHILE CHIYO IS STUNNED! BUT CHIYO FLINGS HIM OFF WITH A FREE FALL DROP MID SPIN!
Rich Russillo: DIEGO LANDED ROUGH, BUT IS QUICKLY BACK TO HIS FEET, AND STAGGERS TOWARD THE ROPES! LEANING HIMSELF UP AGAINST THEM BEFORE CHIYO COMES IN WITH A CLOTHESLINE! SENDING DIEGO UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE!
Thadd Blazevich: CHIYO GRABS HOLD OF THE TOP ROPE, AND URGES FOR DIEGO TO GET UP RINGSIDE, WHICH HE DOES! AND CHIYO SPRINGBOARDS HIMSELF ONTO DIEGO WITH A SOMERSAULT PLANCHA! WIPING MONTANA OUT!
Rich Russillo: CHIYO IS BACK TO HIS FEET, AND ROLLS DIEGO INSIDE! CHIYO CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE, AND STALKS HIS PREY BEFORE DIVING OFF WITH A CROSSBODY! HOOK OF THE LEG, COVER IS MADE!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHH-
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT!
Persephone: Oh, brother…
Rich Russillo: CHIYO ROLLS OFF OF DIEGO, AND PULLS HIMSELF UP IN THE CORNER! LINING MONTANA UP AS HE STIRS!
Thadd Blazevich: CHIYO SHOOTS OUT FROM THE CORNER, AND FEINTS A BIG BOOT BEFORE HIS SPINNING BACK ELBOW!
Rich Russillo: WENT FOR THE HEAT SEEKER- BUT DIEGO HAD IT SCOUTED, AND DUCKS UNDERNEATH! RUNNING OFF THE ROPES- AND RIGHT INTO A MICHINOKU DRIVER FROM CHIYO! PLANTING HIS OPPONENT, AND PULLS THE LEG BACK FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRR-
Rich Russillo: ALMOST! CHIYO ALMOST DIEGO BEAT THERE! CATCHING HIM JUST OFF GUARD WITH THAT MICHINOKU DRIVER! BUT MONTANA POPPED THE SHOULDER UP!
Persephone: I can’t believe this. Somehow, it’s still going…
Thadd Blazevich: Cmon, Persephone. Quit being such a grouch. They’re putting on a great match!
Persephone: Depends what you define as great.
Rich Russillo: Chiyo scoots away from Diego, and rolls out to the apron… beginning his ascension to the top rope. We’ve seen Chiyo go up there before for that crossbody, but could he be going to the well one too many times- THERE’S YOUR ANSWER AS DIEGO THROWS HIMSELF AT THE TOP ROPE! CAUSING IT TO SHAKE AS CHIYO DROPS CROTCH FIRST ONTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
Thadd Blazevich: LOOKS LIKE A BIT OF PAYBACK FOR EARLIER, BRO!
Rich Russillo: DIEGO MARCHES TOWARD CHIYO ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE, AND SMACKS HIM ACROSS THE CHEST WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP BEFORE CLIMBING UP TO THE MIDDLE ROPE HIMSELF!
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO GRABS CHIYO IN A FRONT FACELOCK, LIKELY GOING FOR A TOP SUPERPLEX!
Rich Russillo: But of course, not before taunting…
(Diego does a shimmy while he has Chiyo hooked up for the superplex, laughing at the booing fans in attendance.)
Persephone: That’s an awful shimmy.
Thadd Blazevich: Relax, he’s got some rhythm!
Rich Russillo: DIEGO GOES TO HOOK CHIYO UP FURTHER FOR THAT SUPERPLEX- BUT CHIYO STARTS TO BATTLE BACK WITH SHOTS TO THE RIB CAGE! AND LAUNCHES DIEGO OFF THE ROPES WITH A GOURDBUSTER!
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO HOLDS HIS RIB AREA IN PAIN AS CHIYO PERCHES HIMSELF UP ON THE TOP ROPE! GEDO LEAPS OFF- BUT DIEGO ROLLS OUT THE WAY!
Rich Russillo: CHIYO WAS EXPECTING IT, HOWEVER! AND ROLLS THROUGH TO HIS FEET! DIEGO SCRAMBLES BACK TO HIS IN THE CORNER, AND CHIYO COMES CHARGING IN- BUT DIEGO SENDS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE WITH A DROP TOE HOLD!
Thadd Blazevich: CHIYO STAYS RESTING HIS CHIN ON THAT MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE AS DIEGO RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR MOMENTUM!
Rich Russillo: DIEGO WENT FOR THE DIRTY MAVERICK! THAT CORNER TIGER FEINT KICK- BUT CHIYO SAW IT COMING, AND GRABS BOTH LEGS OF DIEGO TO DRAG HIM BACK INSIDE THE RING!
Persephone: Jesus. Nothing is going right for this poor fool tonight.
Thadd Blazevich: CHIYO PULLS DIEGO THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! BUT DIEGO IS HANGING ONTO THE TOP WITH BOTH HANDS FOR DEAR LIFE!
Rich Russillo: CHIYO FINALLY YANKS DIEGO OFF- BUT MONTANA BACKFLIPS ONTO HIS FEET! BUT RIGHT INTO POSITION FOR A POWERBOMB! DIEGO HAS ENOUGH WHEREWITHAL TO BACK BODY DROP CHIYO OVER THE TOP ROPE! BUT GEDO CATCHES HIMSELF ON THE APRON!
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO DOESN’T NOTICE, AND CHARGES OFF THE ROPES OPPOSITE TO CHIYO! BUT GEDO SLINGSHOTS HIMSELF THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE AS DIEGO COMES REBOUNDING BACK FOR… UNEXPECTED WHIPLASH!!
Rich Russillo: ROLLING THUNDER CUTTER… BLOCKED! DIEGO DID A HANDSTAND TO AVOID IT! AND I DONT THINK CHIYO REALIZES IT AS HE SITS UP! BUT DIEGO SNATCHES HIM INTO A CRUCIFIX PIN!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEE-
Persephone: WHAT!
Rich Russillo: EVEN IM WITH YOU, I THOUGHT FOR SURE DIEGO HAD THE MATCH WON THERE!
Thadd Blazevich: LIKE, ME TOO BRAH! BUT CHIYO MANAGED TO KICKOUT, AND SCRAMBLES BACK TO HIS FEET, ALONG WITH DIEGO!
Rich Russillo: CHIYO GOES FOR A STRAIGHT UP CUTTER! BUT UNEXPECTED WHIPLASH GETS COUNTERED AGAIN AS DIEGO TURNS IT INTO A BACKSLIDE!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thadd Blazevich: KICKOUT!
Rich Russillo: CHIYO ROLLS THROUGH TO ALL FOURS! BUT DIEGO POPS TO HIS FEET, PULLING CHIYO UP IN A POWERBOMB POSITION BEFORE HOOKING BOTH ARMS! I BELIEVE HE’S GOING FOR THAT STORMBREAKER! WHICH HE CALLS LATINO INFER-
Persephone: NO!
Thadd Blazevich: CHIYO COUNTERS WITH A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX WHILE WITH BOTH HIS ARMS ARE STILL HOOKED! LOOKING TO SCORE A FAST ONE OVER MONTANA! KINDA LIKE DIEGO HAS BEEN TRYING TO DO TO HIM!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHH-
Rich Russillo: DIEGO GETS HIS SHOULDER UP WHILE KEEPING BOTH ARMS HOOKED, AND ROLLS GEDO ONTO ALL FOURS! RISING BACK TO HIS FEET WITH HIM BACK INTO POSITION FOR THAT STORMBREAKER! BUT THIS TIME, HE GETS HIM UP- AND CHIYO SLIPS OUT THE BACK! LANDING ONTO HIS FEET AS HE STUMBLES TOWARD THE CORNER!
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO TURNS AROUND, AND RUNS FULL SPEED AT CHIYO IN THE CORNER! BUT LIVES TO REGRET IT AS GEDO STEPS OUT THE WAY LAST MINUTE WITH DIEGO GOES ARMPIT FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
Rich Russillo: MEANWHILE, CHIYO’S MOMENTUM REMAINS ROLLING AS HE REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES FOR A SPINNING BACK ELBOW AS DIEGO CAME STAGGERING OUT THE CORNER!
Persephone: :roman:
Thadd Blazevich: BOTH MEN GO DOWN! BUT ARE NOT OUT AS DIEGO LOOKS STUNNED, AND CHIYO IS ALMOST INSTANTLY BACK TO HIS FEET! PULLING DIEGO UP TO HIS! CHIYO WRINGS THE ARM, GOING FOR THE DESTINO THAT HE CALLS A SWIFT ENDING-
Rich Russillo: BUT DIEGO CATCHES HIM WITH A KICK TO THE GUT BEFORE STUMBLING TO THE CORNER!
Persephone: What’s he doing now?
Thadd Blazevich: DIEGO IS UNDOING THE TURNBUCKLE PAD!
Rich Russillo: BUT THE REFEREE WONT ALLOW THAT!
(The referee stops Diego from undoing the turnbuckle pad, and starts tying it back up. But this is exactly what Diego wanted as he starts digging in his tights to pull out a $100,000 Diamond Patek Philippe Watch, which he wraps around his fist like a knuckle duster with the referee’s back turned.)
Thadd Blazevich: Sick watch!
Persephone: That’s your takeaway?
Rich Russillo: MINE IS THAT DIEGO’S ABOUT TO CRACK CHIYO IN THE FACE WITH THAT WATCH-
Thadd Blazevich: BUT CHIYO DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND DOES A REVERSE ROLLING THUNDER AS DIEGO SPINS AROUND!
Rich Russillo: UNEXPECTED WHIPLASH! BIT OF A MODIFICATION THERE WITH THE REVERSE ROLLING THUNDER, BUT CHIYO GOT HIM, AND NAILED WITH THAT JUMPING CUTTER! AND SHOOTS THE HALF FOR A COVER!
Thadd Blazevich: THAT WAS AWESOME!
Rich Russillo: REFEREE SLIDES INTO THE COUNT!
ONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERE’S YOUR WINNER… CHIYO GEDO!!
(Chiyo rises to a knee, and looks down at Diego with annoyance before returning to his feet, getting his hand raised in victory by the referee as “Red Criminal” by Oral Cigarettes plays.)
Thadd Blazevich: Wow! Big win for Chiyo, man!
Rich Russillo: Gedo kicks off his season the right way, and is definitely entering with momentum!
Persephone: Meanwhile, Diego can rot in hell for all I care!
Thadd Blazevich: Harsh.
(The camera fades elsewhere with Chiyo exiting the ring, and heading up the ramp as Diego lies there in the center.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues forward as we see Sofia Clarke standing by backstage. She’s in a hallway, as many of the crew are seen passing by her with several people lurking around. There, the correspondent is wearing a nice gold dress, as she gives a wholesome smile while gesturing toward the camera. After a moment, she then begins to speak to the EAW audience, not just watching inside the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, but also to those watching around the world.)
Sofia Clarke: Welcome back everyone to Sunday Night Voltage!! The new season has arrived, and after the events that have transpired over the past couple of weeks, from Pain for Pride to the annual EAW draft, SZN 19 is now officially underway here on Voltage, with a brand-new roster of talent that sees the likes of Drake Armstrong, Hans Grayson, Elysium, Daniella Atlas, and many others joining the brand, as we have a stacked lineup for tonight’s show, including the insane Eight-Man Texas Tornado Tag Team Deathmatch which will be taking place in our main event of the evening! But while new faces have arrived, some have gone; some have stayed on the Voltage for this season, and this woman in particular is no exception. Everyone, please welcome… the brand-new EAW New Breed Champion… Ashlynn Quinn!!!
(Ashlynn Quinn enters the scene with a smile on her face as the crowd in the arena boos her! She has the New Breed Championship over her shoulder along with a witty smile across her face! Sofia is a bit surprised by the excitement that’s been shared by Ashlynn as the champion begins to speak.)
Ashlynn Quinn: EEEEKKKKK! Do you see this title, Sofia? I won this title! This title!!! At Pain for Pride, no less, and I mean, what other result could have happened, am I right??
Sofia Clarke: I can see the excitement still boiling over you, Ashlynn, but I guess congrats on becoming the New Breed Champion at Pain for Pride; it was a very well-earned victory for you.
(Ashlynn raises her eyebrow as she responds to Sofia right back by saying…)
Ashlynn Quinn: Ummmm…. Excuse me??? I guess??? No, Sofia, you need to be even more excited than I am, you need to have more energy in your voice and some tears rolling down your face, and maybe a tear or two for the championship win I got at Pain for Pride!
(Sofia is taken aback by what was just said as she responds to Ashlynn by saying…)
Sofia Clarke: Trust me, Ashlynn, I am excited because you have finally won a championship, and you did so at Pain for Pride, so I would love to ask you how you are feeling right now over this big win you obtained along with a new accolade to add to your trophy case.
Ashlynn Quinn: Even though I think you should be a little bit more excited about Sofia, but AHHHHHH!!! All those uggos that ever doubted, saying I wouldn’t be anything of value or just making up complete lies about me, must feel pretty stupid now. I have become a champion here at EAW. I won myself a title not only for the season on a massive high but also to do so at Pain for Pride? When all of my baddies were watching through their phones, or whatever haters decided they were going to hate-watch me for my match, I took the biggest victory lap you can get by winning this title and finally becoming a champion! This is everything I have been working on, and these past few years have finally acclimated me to holding championship gold! I just know that I made Veena, Miss Valentine, and Cornelius proud! And I mean… WHO WOULDN’T BE!! I’M A CHAMPION!!!
(Ashlynn has a big smile on her face as she radiates a very annoying energy towards not just Sofia but also the fans watching in the arena. Sofia then proceeds to keep the interview going as she says…)
Sofia Clarke: That’s good to hear, Ashlynn, as I guess that kind of makes me get to my next question, which is that while you remain here on Sunday Night Voltage… Bea Valentine was drafted to Showdown, while Michael Machina was drafted to Dynasty. For the first time in a while, you are pretty much by yourself, so how are you going to navigate this season without those two being in the same show as you are?
(Ashlynn nods along to what Sofia is saying to her as she responds to her by saying…)
Ashlynn Quinn: Hmmmm…. I’m hearing you out, Sofia… I mean, of course… Both Miss Valentine and Mikey are in different brands this season; we all got separated from the draft, and truly, it’s a shame. I mean, I saw what some of my avid followers have been saying because they’re going to miss me hanging out with Miss Valentine and Cornelius, and I understand it from that point of view as well! I guess the Uggos managed to get some sense of victory after I became New Breed champion, and that’s all of us being on different brands, but yeah, I’m sure they’re both still jealous of what I was able to accomplish, and maybe even Veena is too, to a degree. Either way, I’m ready for what this season has to offer for me because again, as much as it PAINS me to not be on the same brand as Miss Valentine, someone who took me in again last season as her lady-in-waiting, I am quite eager to see what type of losers this brand has for me this season so I can send them a one-way ticket to Uggoville and remain as your New Breed Champion!
Sofia Clarke: I appreciate the answer. I just have one more question for you, if you don’t mind.
Ashlynn Quinn: That’s it? I only have three questions for my first interview as New Breed Champion. Seriously, Sofia, you should have lined up a truck full of questions for me! You should have been asking me a lot because, quite frankly, this is a big deal, and you should have been more prepared!!! Imagine if the queen of England were still alive, would you only have three questions for her? Or you have a lot of questions because of the importance, and my crowning at Pain for Pride is just as important.
Sofia Clarke: Alright fine, since you want more questions, I guess I could ask you about your strategies for this upcoming season–
(All of a sudden, in the background, we see Kai Rabeaux in his ring gear as he walks past the interview set as Ashlynn’s eyes begin to widen! She says to Sofia…)
Ashlynn Quinn: Hold that thought, Sofia….
(The camera zooms out a little as we see Kai, who looks to be getting warmed up before his match later tonight in the main event. Ashlynn’s eyes are still wide, having her attention towards him as she looms over Sofia and asks her…)
Ashlynn Quinn: Oh, wow… Who’s that????
Sofia Clarke: That Ashlynn… is Kai Rabeaux… You know the man who won the 24/7 contract at Pain for Pride?
(Kai does one of his stretches and looks back to see both Ashlynn and Sofia staring at him. Ashlynn, with the title on her shoulder, gives a sly look towards the 24/7 contract holder. Kai sees Ashlynn and gives her a small smile. He turns back around and finishes his stretch before continuing down the hallway. The camera turns to see Ashlynn’s face, and you notice her cheeks are blushing. She bites her lip just a little bit before Sofia tells her…)
Sofia Clarke: So should I continue off what I was asking? I have a lot of questions you could answer for me now since you asked…
(Ashlynn doesn’t respond as Sofia asks her once more…)
Sofia Clarke: Ashlynn? Hello???
(Ashlynn hears her this time as she snaps out of herself from noticing Kai Rabeaux as she turns to Sofia Clarke and tells her…)
Ashlynn Quinn: You know… you can just keep the questions Sofia, it’s all good by me.
(Sofia has an annoyed expression on her face from Ashlynn changing her mind on being asked more questions as she responds to her by saying…)
Sofia Clarke: What? You asked me for more questions, and now you’re just going to leave??
Ashlynn Quinn: Ummmm…. Yeah! Bye-bye now!
Sofia Clarke: But–
(Ashlynn turns to the other side and leaves the interview scene with her title still intact. Sofia still has that annoyed look on her face as she glances towards the camera.)
Sofia Clarke: Well… that was certainly interesting, to say the least. Some insightful comments from our New Breed Champion, and whatever her mind went through in those last few moments. Either way, thank you all for listening as we continue along here on Sunday Night Voltage.
(Sofia has an awkward smile on her face as she looks at the camera after what transpired. It takes a few seconds before the scene fully fades as we transition into our next segment here on Voltage.)
(We see Miku pacing around backstage somewhere. She has an upset look on her face, as she tries to settle herself down, but it’s clearly not working. We can hear her talking to herself, though not well as she is keeping it at a murmur, most likely not even realizing that she’s doing it.)
Miku Sakai: It’s bullshit, that’s all, just fucking bullshit. I should’ve won… Me! I had that shit in my hands! It was MINE! Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! Fucking piece of shit Ryan Wilson. He’s so fucking obssessed with me! WHAT A FUCKING MORON! FUCK! I should be the CITV holder right fucking now! The only reason I fell so far in the fucking draft is that ginger fucking freak! FUCK FUCK!!! It’s fine, it’s fine, gotta pivot, that’s all.. I just have to.. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?!!
(A helpless EAW backstage employee sulks by with their hands up, showing they mean no harm.)
Miku Sakai: YOU THINK I’M JUST FUCKING ZOO ANIMAL TO STARE AT??!! YOU WANT ME TO PUT ON A FUCKING SHOW FOR YOU??!! OOOH MIKU SAKAI THE BIGGEST FUCKING LOSER IN EAW! LETS ALL POINT AND LAUGH! THE BIGGEST DRAFT FALL IN EAW HISTORY! THE LOSER WHO COULDN’T WIN CITV! Fuck OFF!
(The employee starts running down the hall. As he does, someone else passes by walking toward Miku. She doesn’t notice though.)
Miku Sakai: They’re out to get me. I’m sure there was some fucking hit piece on me painting me out to look like a bad guy. AI bullshit about how I stole food from the poor or some shit… Yeah AI! That’s the problem… They’re all out to get me. I can’t trust any of these motherfuckers. It’s all disguises, and ruses! They want me dead I’m sure. But I won’t die so easily. YOU HEAR ME YOU SON OF A BITCH??!! MY LIFE CAN’T GET ANY WORSE RIGHT NOW! THERE IS JUST NO POSSIBLE WAY THAT IT CAN GET WORSE!
(Suddenly a voice comes crashing down the hallway bringing back a load of bad memories)
???: MIIIIKKKKUUUUUU!!!!
(She knows that voice all too well. Her blood runs cold, and she stops in her tracks. She not only knows that voice.., She HATES that voice. Nails to a chalkboard from a past long gone. She hates this voice so much, and the person that it belongs to.. It’s… It’s)
Kiko Sakai: BIG SISTERRRR!
(Kiko, Miku’s little sister sprints up to Miku, and gives her a big bear hug! Mikus’ skin crawls, and she can’t even think. The shock courses through her body)
Miku Sakai: NOOOO!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
(Miku pushes Kiko off, and gives her an angry scowl)
Miku Sakai: NO! YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE! YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO BE HERE! SECURITY!! I NEED SECURITY NOW!! STRANGER DANGER! SHE’S NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE HERE!!
(Kiko just gives a little chuckle)
Kiko Sakai: Oh Miku, my beloved sister. I’ve missed you!
Miku Sakai: Well I haven’t thought of you at all, so this is awkward. Why the fuck are you here?!
(Kiko holds her hands, and does a little curtsey)
Kiko Sakai: I saw my sister in distress and I knew that I needed to come to her side! I watched you every week Miku, and all this talk about killing yourself; well it just hurt my soul. Then Pain For Pride! I couldn’t bear watching it. Ryan Wilson was out to get you! Had you had someone watching your back this whole time, you would’ve won like thousands of championships by now. I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing while my big sister was hurting! So I got on a plane and came right to you!
(Kiko lets out a little giggle)
Miku Sakai: AREN’T YOU UNEMPLOYED!!! How are you getting plane tickets?? Do Mom and Dad know about this???
(Kiko winces a little, and shrugs.)
Kiko Sakai: Oh well you know? What’s money anyway? I miiiiight have “borrowed” Moms credit card. And they miiiiiight not know that I’m here actually. So… But it’s for the greater good! I got a work visa, and a passport. It’s not like I’m here illegally. So yeah! It’s all fine. I mean, you need me!
Miku Sakai: So you stole money from our parents, and came to bum fuck heroine capital of the USA, and decided what? What is your plan? You say you have a job, and yet, I don’t believe you.
(Just as Miku said that Captain Charisma walks by them)
Captain Charisma: Ah Miku! Welcome back to Voltage! It’s been a while, but I’m glad we could get you back where it all began.
Miku Sakai: YOU SHOULD’VE DRAFTED ME FIRST!! WHY PUNISH ME FOR WHAT RYAN WILSON DID?!?!
Captain Charisma: Um, I’m not sure what you’re talking about… Oh!
(Captain Charisma sees Kiko standing beside Miku)
Captain Charisma: Glad to see that you’ve met one of the newest members of the Voltage roster! HA, I’m kidding, I know she’s your sister. Must be nice to have family so willing to drop everything to become your manager. When I saw your glowing recommendation on Kiko, I was blown away! I didn’t know you felt that way about anyone. Welcome aboard Kiko!
Miku Sakai: WHAT??!!!
(Captain Charisma continues to walk off as Miku freaks out more.)
Miku Sakai: MY WHAT?? KIKO???
(Kiko runs here fingers over her temples trying to remember)
Kiko Sakai: Oh right, funny story! I work here now. I might’ve forged your recommendation, but how else was I going to come help you?! As for where I’m staying… Wellll, I thought I could stay with my super cool big sister! And we can hang out like old times, and I can help you navigate this rough patch.
Miku Sakai: What old times? I actively tried to stay away from you! I was in idol school, I never fucking saw you! And when I did, you annoyed the shit out of me.
Kiko Sakai: Hmmm, that’s not how I remember it at all. INTERESTING!
Miku Sakai: Oh fuck off. I’m calling Mom. This is getting settled RIGHT NOW!
(The camera pans over to Miku who is already on the phone)
Miku Sakai: Yeah Mom? Guess who the fuck is standing right in front of me as we speak. Your little shit daughter Kiko. …. Yeah! She stole your fucking credit card, and decided she wants to play wrestling manager or some shit?…. Well what the fuck do you want me to do about it? I didn’t invite her??? Ok so call the cops, I don’t care! She’s illegally in this country!… I mean she said she has a visa, and all that shit…But it’s probably fake! You know her!
(Miku lets out a sigh and shoots her eyes like daggers at Kiko before finishing the call)
Miku Sakai: Yeah…. God damnit, yeah… Fuck… Fine!
(Miku hangs up.)
Miku Sakai: Fuck you.
Kiko Sakai: Awww c’mon Miku! I’m sure we’re gonna have lots of fun! What did Mom say by the way…
(Miku lets out an exaggerated sigh)
Miku Sakai: She said that you’re my sister, and even though you’re a nuisance that you’re an adult somehow, and that there’s nothing she can do about it. You’re my problem now, and basically that I should just deal with it.
(Kiko jumps and claps)
Kiko Sakai: Yayyyyy! Just think of it, Miki! Finally someone you can trust, watching your back, lifting you up! Way up high hiiiiiigh high! I got your back sister! Hey so like… I noticed you never mentioned me, you know? On camera. What’s that about? Weird, right? HAHAHA!
Miku Sakai: Don’t you EVER fucking call me MIKI! SHIT NICKNAME! IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN! IT’S NOT CUTE! And of course I never mentioned you. I wished to forget. Was hoping one day to get a call saying you died, but here you are.
(Kiko smiles and gives Miku a little love tap on the shoulder.)
Kiko Sakai: Oh Miki! You’re so funny! You got all the jokes..
Miku Sakai: Not joking, kill yourself.
Kiko Sakai: Aw c’mon Miku! Who are you going to trust other than your sister??? I told you Hikari was nothing but trouble, and ARIA?? What were you even doing with her? You were enemies before anything! ! If you can’t trust me, who can you trust! I’m you sister for gosh sakes!
Miku Sakai: Only by blood.
Kiko Sakai: What? OH! Hahaha you’re so funny.
Miku Sakai: So you’re here to protect me? Are you a wrestler now or something? God you always wanted to be me, you’re no better than Ryan fucking Wilson, this is ridiculous.
(Kiko shakes her head.)
Kiko Sakai: Oh no, no, no, I am NOT a wrestler.
Miku Sakai: So how in the actual fuck do you plan on protecting me??? Can you even fight?
Kiko Sakai: It’s more like, MIKU WATCH OUT!! OMG THEY’RE ATTACKING YOU! You know? I give the best heads up!
Miku Sakai: No… Fuck! Look you little shit. I am having some of the worst fucking string of weeks in my entire fucking life. Pain for Pride, I was fucked over, the draft I saw my stock drop off a fucking cliff, and I have no idea why! But even with all that I could put things into perspective, because FINALLY I was able to get off that bum ass show Showdown, and get a little bit of breathing room to calm the fuck down… Only for you to FUCK THAT UP!
(Kiko puts her hand on Miku’s shoulder, but Miku quickly throws it off of her.)
Miku Sakai: Look, if we’re going to do this, and it seems I have no fucking choice in the matter. I’m forcing you to get wrestling training or some form of fighting training, because you’re going to be no help to me if you can’t actually do something about the bullshit that goes around here. Saying “Miku watch out!” Doesn’t fucking help.
Kiko Sakai: Fighting training? But won’t that hurt? That doesn’t seem like fun Miku. Plus, like bruises exist, and those are yucky to look at. Look, I’m not trying to be a wrestler, Miku. I just want to protect my big sis! I’m the eyes! I’m the manager! And not to mention the translator!
Miku Sakai: What the fuck do you mean translator??? I speak better English than you do motherfucker!
(Kiko waves Miku off)
Kiko Sakai: Oh no no, nothing like that! Like I said I know you better than anyone! So, I know how you can come across to people. You’re harsh and prickly on the outside, but the true meaning of your words are so gooey on the inside! So, I just wanted to interpret your words in a more digestible way for everyone!
(Miku has a blank stare on her face)
Miku Sakai: What the fuck are you talking about?? That’s fucking stupid, I don’t need that shit.
Kiko Sakai: Miku translation: I’m sorry, but what do you mean? I don’t think I need a translator, I think the words I use perfectly insinuate what I mean
Miku Sakai: Fuck you!
Kiko Sakai: Miku Translation: I am unhappy with your decision.
Miku Sakai: Fucking whatever! I don’t care! You want to be here, and help me? Fine! But if nothing fucking changes, I’m calling ICE!
Kiko Sakai: Hmmm guess you got me there! Come on, let’s go get you everything you’ve ever wanted! Baby sister has your back!
(Kiko starts pulling Miku by the arm offscreen as she hangs her head.)
Miku Sakai: God fucking damnit…
(Screen fades to black)
(Commercial for ‘SQUID GAME’ season 3, now on Netflix.)
(Voltage returns to ringside.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING IS A SINGLE MATCH SET FOR ONE-FALL!
(‘RUNITUP’ by Tyler, The Creator ft. Teezo Touchdown begins to play as Cosmo Goldworthy emerges onto the stage. There is a smile on his face as he looks out at the Showdown crowd. He’s met with boos but he loves it. He’s talking trash to the crowd and taunting them.)
Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST…FROM THE GOLDEN STATE…WEIGHING IN AT 220 POUNDS…HE IS “MONEY MO”….COOOOOSSSSMOOO GOOLLLDWWORRTHHY!
Rich Russillo: Cosmo Goldworthy is here on Voltage for the first time, but he doesn’t have an easy match here as he looks to make his first impression on this brand against a returning former Specialists Champion!
Thadd Blazevich: It’s no problem, man. I think it’ll be a radical match, and that’s all that matters! Besides, maybe my guy Cosmo can pull off the win!
(He walks down to the ring with extreme confidence. He hops up onto the apron and continuously brags before heading inside the ring. He then hops up on the turnbuckles, waiting for his opponent. ‘God Shattering Star’ by Takashi Baba begins to play and the crowd begins to cheer. ARIA walks out, an extremely determined look in her eyes. There is a smile on her lips but she is focused on the task ahead.)
Bella Braxton: AND HIS OPPONENT…RESIDING IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA…WEIGHING IN AT 130 POUNDS…SHE IS AARRRRIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Rich Russillo: And here is ARIA, who hasn’t been in EAW for quite some time. She is back now, and from the looks of it she’s a far different person than she used to be. I can’t wait to see what she has to offer now.
Persephone: Probably not much.
Thadd Blazevich: Don’t be like that, brah! She’s a former Champ, I’m sure she’ll do great!
(She gets down to the ring and looks at Cosmo. He’s immediately talking shit to her but she ignores it, refusing to let it get to her. The referee eventually gets them to their corners and calls for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Persephone: Finally, this one is actually starting. And it looks like Cosmo got a little excited there. He leaps right at ARIA trying to take her down early with the shoulder tackle. She moves out of the way and grabs him from behind. She’s trying to get him up for a German suplex but he doesn’t want to go. Instead he begins chopping down at her arms, freeing himself before it can connect. He then slips behind her instead…AND LOOKS FOR A BACK SUPLEX!
Rich Russillo: ARIA Is able to counter it! She manages to put her opponent in a headlock here! Goldworthy doesn’t seem to like that at all! He gets free, sending ARIA into the ropes with an irish whip! OFF THE REBOUND HE GETS HER WITH THE SHOULDER TACKLE! That was quite the impact there and ARIA is now down! You can see the smirk on Goldworthy’s face! He brings her back up onto her feet and gets her up for the brainbuster! BUT ARIA DRIVES A KNEE RIGHT DOWN INTO HIS HEAD INSTEAD!
Thadd Blazevich: OH DUDE! SHE FALLS DOWN OFF HIS SHOULDERS AND MANAGES TO GET HIM IN THE DRAGON SLEEPER! That is definitely not where you want to be this early in the match bro. But then again, maybe Goldworthy is able to catch some z’s!
Rich Russillo: It doesn’t seem to be what he has in mind here! Goldworthy tries to stand back up while the hold is still locked in! He manages to get onto his feet! He then shoves ARIA off of him…but she remains persistent! She comes in close and gets him with a European uppercut! It causes him to stumble back and into the corner! From there, she does the handspring…AND LOOKS FOR THAT ELBOW STRIKE!
Persephone: But Goldworthy is able to get the knees up to block it! She’s ejected from the corner and he makes his way up onto the middle rope! HE GOES FOR THE DIVING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! AND HE GETS IT! Damn, he nearly knocked her head off with that one! ARIA gets rocked and Goldworthy hooks the leg for the first cover of the match!
ONE!
TW-
Thadd Blazevich: And ARIA is able to kick out just before the two count! Noice. Cosmo wants to keep up the pressure though! He grabs onto one of her legs and he goes for the figure four leglock! SHE SHOVES HIM BACK INSTEAD! ARIA gets back on her feet but Goldworthy comes in with a pump kick! SHE CATCHES THE LEG! SHE SPINS HIM AROUND AND THEN ROCKS HIM WITH THE ENZIGURI! That was a gnarly one there.
Persephone: Goldworthy is knocked down to the mat! ARIA takes position above him! SHE GOES FOR A STANDING MOONSAULT! BUT GOLDWORTHY ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! He crawls back up to his feet as she recovers! HE THEN GRABS HER BY THE HEAD AND GETS HER IN POSITION FOR THE IMPALER DDT! However, she begins punching him in the stomach! She manages to twist out of it…SHE PULLS HIM IN FOR THE BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX!
Rich Russillo: BUT HE SHOVES HER AWAY INSTEAD! He comes in close to follow up but ARIA doesn’t let him pull anything off! INSTEAD SHE DUCKS UNDER A RIGHT HAND! SHE THEN GETS HIM UP FOR THE BLUE THUNDER POWERBOMB! Here comes the cover!
ONE!
TW-
Persephone: But now it’s his turn to kick out! ARIA doesn’t seem dismayed just yet, she rolls on top of him and takes hold of the leg! SHE GETS THE HEEL HOOK IN! Look at that! That’s going to do some damage. She’s putting all that pressure on the knee and Cosmo Goldworthy isn’t doing a very good job masking his discomfort. It would be pretty embarrassing for him to tap out this early.
Thadd Blazevich: Would be but I don’t think that’s an option for bro. Instead, he begins to crawl towards the ropes! It seems like Goldworthy is taking his opponent with him! Super soldier stuff for real. HE MANAGES TO GET HIS HAND ON THE BOTTOM ROPE! The referee is calling for the rope break and ARIA lets go! She gives Goldworthy the chance to get up onto his feet! SHE THEN APPROACHES BUT HE SENDS HER UP AND OVER THE ROPE!
Persephone: She’s able to land on the apron! As soon as she does, Goldworthy leaps towards her and takes her down with a scorpion kick! SHE’S KNOCKED DOWN ONTO THE FLOOR! He then begins to build up some speed! HERE HE COMES LIKE A METEOR! SUICIDE DIVE!
Rich Russillo: BUT ARIA LEAPS UP AT THE LAST SECOND AND GETS HIM WITH THE DOUBLE KNEE FACEBUSTER! That was a perfect counter there! And it seems like Cosmo Goldworthy is laid out on the floor here! ARIA though isn’t going to let this opportunity go to waste! She climbs up onto the apron! THE CROWD IS BEHIND HER HERE! THEY LET OUT SOME CHEERS AS SHE DELIVERS A 450 OFF THE BARRICADE!
Persephone: And with that, she scrapes him up off the mat and throws him inside the ring! BUT COSMO GOES LIMP! She’s trying to lift him up but he’s being completely uncooperative! ARIA tries to soften him up with a superkick! BUT HE AVOIDS IT AND GETS BEHIND HER! He then shoves her right into the ring post as hard as he can! SHE HITS IT FACE-FIRST! Damn, hopefully she knows a good plastic surgeon. She might need it after that one.
Thadd Blazevich: Goldworthy picks her back up and brings this one back to the inside! She drags her up onto her feet! HE THEN GETS HER UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS! HERE COMES THE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! BUT ARIA IS ABLE TO SLIP OFF AND STUMBLES INTO THE CORNER! She turns around and she’s met there by a back elbow! From there, he rolls her forward with a snapmare! FOLLOWED UP BY A DROPKICK RIGHT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! BRROOOOO…that’s definitely some brain damage. From there, he goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Persephone: And it seems like she’s able to kick out still. Cosmo doesn’t seem too happy about that. He gets her up onto her feet! HE THEN ROCKS HER WITH THE GAMENGIRI! Before she can fall all the way back down, he catches her! HE LOOKS FOR THE EXPLODER SUPLEX!
Rich Russillo: BUT SHE DRIVES AN ELBOW INTO THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD INSTEAD! She then is able to counter with a jumping DDT! SHE SPIKES HIS HEAD RIGHT INTO THE MAT! From there, she springs right back up onto her feet! SHE THEN REACHES DOWN AND GETS HIM UP! SHE’S ABOUT TO TRY FOR THAT FALCON ARROW!
Thadd Blazevich: But a desperate Goldworthy manages to escape it before she can connect! He lands on his feet and into the corner! NOW IT’S ARIA’S TURN TO MEET HIM THERE! SHE GETS HIM WITH A RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT AND ROLLS BACK! SHE THEN COMES IN HOT WITH THE CANNONBALL INTO THE CORNER! She grabs him by the leg and drags him into the middle of the ring for the cover! Sick combo there!
ONE!
TWO!
Rich Russillo: And Goldworthy gets that shoulder up! It seems like things are still far from over in this one! ARIA though isn’t giving up! SHE REACHES DOWN AND BEGINS TO LIFT UP HER OPPONENT! THERE IS A 90 POUND WEIGHT DIFFERENCE HERE SHE IS IGNORING! SHE THEN GETS HIM UP FOR THAT GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB!
Persephone: The girlhood dream doesn’t come true. He manages to land on his feet instead. HE THEN IMMEDIATELY PUNISHES HER WITH A SNAP SUPLEX! Cosmo rolls through on it, bringing both competitors back up to their feet! HE THEN GETS HER WITH A BRAINBUSTER! That was a big combo right there. He could probably get the cover and end things right now. But of course, he doesn’t. He’s looking for even bigger offense now.
Thadd Blazevich: Dude he’s making his way up onto the middle rope! He then waits for ARIA to get back up into position! HE COMES CRASHING DOWN WITH THAT DOUBLE FOOT STOMP, LOOKING TO GET HER RIGHT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD! HOLLOW POINT!
Persephone: But she’s able to move out of the way before it can even connect! INSTEAD SHE GETS HIM WITH A BIG STRIKE TO THE JAW! HOOK KICK! He then folds forward and she gets him in position! HERE COMES THAT CANADIAN DESTROYER!
Rich Russillo: BUT HE SENDS HER OVERHEAD WITH A BACK BODY DROP INSTEAD! He certainly got some height with that one! She plunges down into the mat with a hard impact! As she barely gets up onto her feet…HE CLOSES THE DISTANCE WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK! SHE DUCKS UNDER IT THOUGH! SHE SHOVES HIM INTO THE ROPES…AND THEN GETS HIM WITH A SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX!
Thadd Blazevich: He landed right on the back of his head and neck with that. He’s barely getting back to his feet here. Definitely seems like he might have a concussion and you know what? He’ll probably be smarter for it. ARIA ON THE OTHER HAND RUNS TO THE ROPES! SHE GOES FOR THE HANDSPRING INTO THE CUTTER! Oh that’s cool stuff there. PHOENIX INJECTION!
Rich Russillo: BUT COSMO GETS HER WITH A JUMPING KNEE RIGHT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD! That was a nasty interception there and she could have been knocked out! Cosmo Godworthy takes advantage without hesitation! HE GETS HER BACK UP AND SPIKES HER INTO THE MAT WITH A URANAGE! He crawls on top of his opponent for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Persephone: Wow, she still manages to kick out. Seems like Goldworthy can’t get the job done. Come on buddy, you’re on Voltage now. Do something.
Rich Russillo: I think he might have heard you Persephone! With a smirk on his face, he takes hold of his opponent! HE GETS HER IN POSITION FOR THAT TIGER SUPLEX 85! HERE COMES THE ECSTASY OF GOLD!
Persephone: BUT ARIA LANDS ON HER FEET NOW! SHE DELIVERS A DROPKICK RIGHT TO HIS KNEE! She then follows that up with a superkick right to the side of the head! Goldworthy isn’t looking too hot as she drills him with that shining wizard! Another big combination from ARIA but is it going to matter?
Thadd Blazevich: There’s no doubt in my mind dude! She rushes to the ropes…AND MANAGES TO GET HIM WITH THAT SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT! Pretty radical! Here comes a cover from ARIA!
ONE!
TWO!
Persephone: And that doesn’t get the job done either. Come on ARIA…you got to do better than that! Maybe I’m too loud here because I think she’s looking at me. She drags her opponent back up onto her feet…AND IT SEEMS LIKE SHE’S GETTING HIM POSITION FOR THAT STYLES CLASH! GLITCH IN THE MATRIX!
Rich Russillo: BUT GOLDWORTHY DOESN’T WANT TO BE LIFTED! HE INSTEAD DROPS DOWN AND CRAWLS BETWEEN HER LEGS! He pops up on the other side of her as she’s turning around! HE GETS HER WITH KICK RIGHT TO THE KNEE! AND THEN THE ROUNDHOUSE NEARLY TAKES HER HEAD OFF! A brutal combination from Goldworthy and I have a feeling it’s about to get so much worse! He’s back up onto the middle rope…AND THIS TIME HE TAKES HER DOWN WITH A BLOCKBUSTER!
Thadd Blazevich: The back of her head snaps against the mat in a big way. That’s not very good…for her bro. For Goldworthy, this is the perfect opportunity. HE GETS HER IN POSITION! AND THEN HE LUNGES FORWARD TO CONNECT WITH THAT TORNADO KICK!
Rich Russillo: BUT ARIA ISN’T READY TO DIE JUST YET! She rolls forward and under it! She makes her way up onto the ropes! SHE LEAPS UP ONTO THE ROPES AND THEN TAKES HIM DOWN WITH THE SPRINGBOARD ARM DRAG! It launches her opponent across the ring! He ends up in the corner and she comes in hot! HANDSPRING ELBOW STRIKE! SHE THEN GETS HIM UP ONTO THE TOP ROPE!
Persephone: And now she’s climbing up after him! It looks like she’s trying for the Spanish fly off the top rope! He might be in a bad spot here…OR NOT! HE SHOVES HER RIGHT OFF THE TOP ROPE! She hits the mat hard! She struggles to get up while Goldworthy readjusts himself…AND THEN HE GETS HER WITH THAT HOLLOW POINT! THE DOUBLE FOOT STOMP COMES BACK ON THE BACK OF HER HEAD! Goldworthy goes for that cover and I think we have a winner here.
ONE!
TWO!
T-
Thadd Blazevich: OH SNAP! ARIA still kicks out even that! It looks like she’s going to bring plenty of heart into this next season my dudes! Goldworthy seems ticked off now! He rolls on top of his opponent and begins raining down plenty of hard right hands! The crowd is beginning to boo and that gets under his skin! He stands back up and heads over to the ropes, talking trash to the EAW Universe!
Cosmo Goldworthy: (off-mic) Why are you booing? This right here is called winning. Something she don’t know anything about!
Persephone: Now he turns back around and forces ARIA up onto her feet. Seems like he actually wants to put the finishing touches on her now. He begins running the ropes, building up some speed! And look at the smile on his face as he does! HE THEN LOOKS FOR THAT COLDEST WINTER!
Rich Russillo: BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THINGS ARE JUST HEATING UP! ARIA DRIVES A KNEE RIGHT INTO HIS AS HE TRIES TO MAKE CONTACT! It seems like he might be out cold here! She scrapes him off the mat…AND THEN DELIVERS THAT STYLES CLASH! GLITCH IN THE MATRIX! ARIA looks for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
TH-
Persephone: Of course he kicks out. Seems like his ego is doing all the heavy lifting here. Thought it would be wayyy more fragile than that.
Thadd Blazevich: I don’t know what to expect here but ARIA definitely seems shocked! She was hoping she could end it with that one! Guess she’s gotta double down bro. But it looks like she’s pulling a different weapon out of her arsenal here! She forces him up onto his feet…AND GETS HIM POSITION FOR THAT FISHERMAN BUSTER! TRUE TO HER NAME!
Persephone: BUT GOLDWORTHY GETS OUT OF IT! He then gives her a free tooth removal, delivering a nasty pump kick! As she’s on her knees, he looks to follow up! HE BRINGS A FOOT DOWN ON THE BACK OF HER HEAD FOR AXE KICK! But she dodges it…great.
Rich Russillo: She gets back up and behind him! BACKSTABBER! She drives both of her knees right into his spine! ARIA tries to follow up quickly! SHE TAKES A RUNNING START AND THEN GOES FOR THAT RUNNING SHOOT STAR PRESS! BUT HE COUNTERS! HE GETS HER WITH A CRADLE INSTEAD…AND HE’S HOLDING THE TIGHTS!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-
Thadd Blazevich: And she still manages to get out of it! Bro tried to rob her. Cheat harder next time dude. Both of these competitors scramble back up to their feet and stare each other down. Looks like they’re watching each other, waiting for someone else to make a move here.
Persephone: You know what I say? Hurry the hell up.
Thadd Blazevich: Sometimes you gotta plan it out bro. Slow and steady sometimes.
Persephone: What are you even talking about? Didn’t the tortoise die at the end of that?
Rich Russillo: I don’t think that’s true and even if it was, we got a match to call here! COSMO GOLDWORTHY IS COMING IN HOT LOOKING FOR A CHARGING BACK ELBOW! ARIA denies it! SHE CATCHES HIM WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! She then tries to follow that up with a kick right to the front of him! BUT HE LIES BUT AND ROLLS HER UP WITH THE SCHOOL BOY!
Thadd Blazevich: Looks like bro went all the way through with it, getting back up on his feet! AND BAM! GETS HER WITH A DROPKICK RIGHT TO THE FACE! ARIA definitely had to feel that one. Goldworthy adds more gas here, lifting her up and getting her in position for that Unprettier! GUESS WE’RE ABOUT TO SEE IF MONEY TALKS DUDE!
Persephone: I know you should shut up. ARIA IS ABLE TO SHOVE HER OPPONENT AWAY! As he turns back around, she rushes forward and gets him with a European uppercut! His head snaps back but she pulls it forward…GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB! Yikes, now Goldworthy is lying flat on his back, probably wondering how that tiny thing just lifted his ass.
Rich Russillo: ARIA drags him back up on his feet and gets ready…SHE TAKES A FEW STEPS BACK BEFORE ROLLING FORWARD FOR THAT ROLLING KOPPU KICK! FANTASY LIVES ON!
Thadd Blazevich: Oh man, Goldworthy is able to catch the leg! Solid block bro. He rolls her back up…AND GETS HER WITH A BIG RIGHT HAND! He then gets her with a back elbow before running to the ropes! DANCE MACABRE! WOAAAAH! That springboard DDT actually hit! This might be over for ARIA!
Persephone: God I hope so. And now Cosmo Goldworthy makes his way out onto the apron! I think we all know what he’s looking for! He gets in position and then waits for ARIA to get back on her feet! She’s slowly rising back on her feet and I don’t think she knows where she is at all!
Rich Russillo: AND HERE IT COMES! HE FLIPS OVER THE ROPES AND COMES IN FOR THAT LARIAT! HE CALLS THIS ONE THE GOLD RUSH!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT BRO GETS INTERCEPTED WITH THAT RUNNING KNEE STRIKE! Yo, the Justice 4 All connects and I think Goldworthy just got knocked out! ARIA hooks the leg and makes her cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘God Shattering Star’ by Takashi Baba plays throughout the arena as ARIA crawls off of her opponent. The fans cheer following that match, glad to see ARIA get her first win back as she takes a moment to catch her breath following that match. She pulls herself back up to her feet and raises her arm with a smile on her face.)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER…ARRRIIIIAAAA!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, that was awesome. This Cosmo guy put up a heck of a fight. In fact, he was pretty close at some points to scoring that w. ARIA though really did pull through in the end.
Rich Russillo: Yeah, I was definitely impressed by both of these Elitists tonight! But in the end, there could be only one winner! And it looks like ARIA has grabbed some momentum heading into Season 19!
Persephone: Sure yeah…totally. Wait a second…
(After this, someone can be seen walking out, which catches the attention of the fans. A reaction comes from the crowd, causing ARIA to look towards the stage confused.)
Persephone: Isn’t that the new woman? Kiko Sakai? She’s heading down the ramp right now.
Thadd Blazevich: Oh yeah it is! Kiko is the little sis of Miku Sakai! We saw her earlier tonight but now it seems like she’s entering the ring! She’s walking right up to ARIA, but is she clapping for her?
(ARIA doesn’t know what to think as she just watched Kiko clap for her, not saying anything as Kiko has a large smile on her face, seemingly not malicious despite the sudden appearance. After a moment, Kiko begins to speak.)
Kiko Sakai: (off-mic) Welcome back! That was a good match. I’m excited to see what you do this season.
Rich Russillo: ARIA seems pretty confused by the compliments, but now Miku Sakai is making her way out there! SHE GRABS HER SISTER BY THE SHIRT AND BEGINS HAULING HER BACK UP THE RAMP!
(Miku Sakai doesn’t look happy as she drags Kiko back up the ramp, just shaking her head in annoyance. The camera pans back to ARIA, and while she’s confused by what happened, she looks a bit bothered, as someone she has a lot of history with in Miku Sakai didn’t even give her a glance.)
Rich Russillo: We know ARIA and Miku had some history with each other and were allies before ARIA’s departure. She doesn’t look that happy that Miku just ignored her, but with that in mind, congratulations to ARIA for winning her first match back!
Persephone: Seriously, what just happened?
(The camera fades back to ARIA, who despite what just happened tries to continue celebrating her win. Cosmo is seen at ringside, looking unhappy with the result. We then fade elsewhere.)
(Seconds later, as Voltage began to return from commercial break, a crane-mounted camera panned throughout the Moda Center, in Portland, Oregon – slowly moving forward to showcase the titantron. The audience would quickly begin to light up, as the titantron faded from the Voltage signature to a shot of none other than Candice Blair Ava, standing in the backstage area – an equipment box behind her. Fitted in her most fashionable outfit, and her prettiest makeup, she grinned with a pleased look on her face, following Pain For Pride.)
(Thus, she began to speak up.)
Candice Blair: I won’t say that I’m not satisfied. Because to be honest, I really am 😌. The season that I had culminating in the way that it did really had the potential to grind my gears. Because the truth is I was just a single victory away from main eventing Pain For Pride as a whole. And like, I could view that as a missed opportunity. I really could. I could sit here and beat myself up over it, over everything that happened, but what good would it do? There was nothing more I could have done, I had someone I thought was a friend go out of their way to try and take me out of that match, and they succeeded. Really, I don’t have anything to be mad at myself for. I can’t blame my performances, I can’t blame anyone but Selina Reyes. I didn’t do anything wrong. Last season was what it needed to be, it’s what *I* needed; I pushed, and I pushed, and I pushed – and I proved that I’ve got it in the tank to become something big in this company. And guess what? I’ll do it. Pain For Pride proved that. It wasn’t just a match to me, it wasn’t just an opportunity to me, it was all about showing the world how I can thrive under pressure, something that was robbed from me just a month earlier – but I’m not going to let that hold me back any longer, trust me.
Candice Blair: I’m done with Selina. She tried to make her name at my expense by trying to pull me down at my absolute highest like I was worth nothing to her, and in the end, it only came to bite her back in the ass. That was karma incarnate in Barcelona and it was absolutely what she deserved. There’s no going back for her. She just has to accept it, and I’m just going to revel in it for the short time that I can. I went in there with a mission statement and I came out with even more confidence in myself, even more belief that I can transform myself into something bigger than is even expected of me. No Way Out was robbed from me but you can’t take Pain For Pride away from me too, that night is going to live on in my psyche forever. Now all that’s important is moving forward. Now all that’s ready for me is taking this season head-on, and making something big out of it, bigger than the last. I’m marching forward, I’m planning to come out on top, and I’m planning to make this season MY stand-out season 🤩. But of course, I can’t do that with just my words, can I? I can’t just say to myself that I’m going to do something and act like that’s good enough. Mm, nope. Not how it works. So I guess there’s only one thing for me to do, mhm?
(Candice smirks, as she pats her bottom lip with her index finger, theatrically thinking to herself for just a moment.)
Candice Blair: That’s it 😻! A challenge. I mean, the only place you can go is up, isn’t it? I want to challenge myself. I want a match with anyone, whether it be a hungry competitor, a Champion, or a giant six way much like No Way Out – anything put in front of me, I’ll take, because I want to push my limits, I want to test just how far I’m willing to go, just how far my body is willing to go before it gives up on me, and prove to the world that I’m going to push myself over that finish line time and time again. I want to push myself, and I promise you, I am going to find that challenge. By hook or by crook, I can promise you that I’m starting this season off right, I’m starting it off excitingly, and I’m starting it off with a bang. I’m sure some other lady back here is gonna want to prove a point, and I have no doubts that I’m going to find her and put that to the test–
(Yet, almost as if she was being watched, being heard, she was cut off at the precise time.)
???: Is that so… Side Character?
(Candice Blair’s eyebrows dropped for a split second before they rose; a smirk on her face grew even larger, as she turned her body.)
Candice Blair: Ah huh. I asked for more tough competition. I guess you’re putting your name in the hat? 😇
(Slowly stepping into view, would be Saori Aizen. A hint of agitation in the delivery of her words yet her face oozes composure. Despite the result at Pain For Pride, she manages to keep herself cool.)
Saori Aizen: Perhaps. However, I do not expect you to maintain that… plastic… expression. In more ways than one. Interpret that second meaning however you will; I intend to wipe that grin off your face and allow the entire world to see your true colors.
(Saori Aizen shakes her head.)
Saori Aizen: An easily broken little girl desperate for attention.
(A sigh escapes her lips.)
Saori Aizen: So, while you may find this to be beneficial – maybe deep in your soul you are looking through me, looking to step on my neck. No. No, no! Many have tried, and I refuse to let someone make a name for themselves at my expense. Not again… Black Flame may have slipped by, however you… you will not do the same, Side Character.
(Saori crosses her arms.)
Saori Aizen: So, what do you say?
(Candice lets out a small jovial sigh-filled laugh, she too shakes her head.)
Candice Blair: Is that right? You’re not going to let me stand on your neck? Nothing stopped Daniella; so what’s stopping me?
(The Reaper would scoff as she hears her comment.)
Saori Aizen: The Black Flame got lucky at Pain For Pride and that is all. I find it to be inexcusable that someone like you could hold that against me as if you weren’t just trying to justify being taken out of the No Way Out match. That all falls on your shoulders. Yet, that is neither here nor there. Pain For Pride was just a small moment in what shall become a large and illustrious career, spanning years of Elite Answers Wrestling lore, and it’s something that only you could dream of. The Black Flame was just a hurdle, an unfortunate and unlucky bump in the road for me. You will not be the same.
Candice Blair:… :usure:?
Saori Aizen: Positive, Side Character. I maintain that I am the absolute best there is within Elite Answers Wrestling. You are in no position to jest, Blair Ava. One mere “”””loss”””” shall not define me like how you have let all of yours define you. Believe me, my victory over you will not feel like an uphill battle, it will not feel as if I am overcoming the odds, it is simply how it was made to play out. While the results may not have been in my favor last season, this season aims to be different, and it WILL be at your expense.
Candice Blair: Alright, Saori. If you really believe that then maybe you’ll get a chance to prove that. We’ll just have to see, won’t we?
(Candice smirks, before she twirls, and steps away from Saori – her long brunette hair wafting in the face of the Tokyo-born athlete, which clearly strikes a nerve. Saori would let out a large, grumbling sigh…)
(Before she charges forward, and drives her forearms into the back of Candice Blair’s head.)
(Candice crashes to the concrete ground and is quick to try and defend herself as Saori would mount her, raining down palm strikes that very swiftly break through Candice Blair’s defense. She was not prepared for this whatsoever, her challenge being answered perhaps, but not in this manner.)
(Saori would continue to rain down strikes, as Candice’s defense began to get looser, and looser, before eventually shattering, allowing Saori Aizen the chance to palm strike her directly into the head.)
(Strikes would rain down over, and over, and over, while Candice felt helpless to stop it. Attempting to scurry away, Candice would kick and scratch, yet Saori Aizen’s momentum was maintained, keeping the upper ground for a handful more seconds, prior to Candice making it to her knees.)
(Yet, she was nowhere near escaping Saori’s wrath, as she would quickly grab Candice by the very same hair that she wafted into Saori’s face – using it to lift her up to her feet, before dragging her and throwing her using it, the leverage providing a nasty collision for Candice, as she would be driven shoulder-first into the equipment box sat behind the two!)
(Candice would wince in pain, holding her shoulder, as Saori stood above her, with a satisfied look. Now, a grin appeared on her face.)
(Suddenly security rushed over to aid Candice, but they were too late to stop Saori. Saori would step away unpunished, as Candice held her shoulder.)
(Moments later, Voltage would fade away.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues forward as ‘My Own Summer’ blasts through the P.A. system, with Selina Reyes making her entrance to a chorus of boos raining down from the audience. She emerges from the stage, wearing casual attire tonight since she’s not wrestling here in Portland, wearing a pair of black jeans and a leather jacket with a t-shirt of Deftones t-shirt underneath. Selina looks around in the arena with a frustrated look on her face as she begins making her way down the aisle.)
Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN… PLEASE WELCOME…. THE ORYX QUEEN…. SELINA REYES!!!
Rich Russillo: Another star that has returned to the Voltage brand, and it’s none other than the Oryx Queen herself, Selina Reyes! Pain for Pride wasn’t the greatest for her, as despite the fight and violence that was brought, in the end, it was Candice Blair who got the victory over her in that No Disqualification match.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, bro! That was such a cool and wicked match, dude! I wish I were there in person for that; like, that whole thing was gnarly. I would have been pissed as well if I lost that match, but it was still a great match anyways, dude.
Persephone: Oh my god, can you shut the hell up? Why did they have to hire him?? WHY, CAPTAIN CHARISMA, WHY???
Thadd Blazevich: You’re just going to have to get used to it, dude.
(Selina continues making her way down to the ring as she eyes the fans in the crowd booing her, ignoring them completely as she continues her entrance. She walks right up the steel steps, entering the ring through the middle rope as she makes her way over and motions for a microphone from the timekeeper area as a ringside official hands her one. ‘My Own Summer’ begins to fade out as the boos reign even more for Selina while she stands in the middle of the ring with a microphone in her hand, after a long pause, she begins to speak…)
Selina Reyes: I should be standing in this ring feeling victorious over my win against my former partner, Candice Blair, at Pain for Pride, as the No Disqualification Match that we had should have been the last we see from her, that I was going to make sure she was retired and gone from this business like I intended… but that’s not what happened. Instead, I lost to her. I lost to that woman at the biggest stage of the season at Pain for Pride, and that is quite unfortunate, to say the least. The match should have been mine to win, and instead, I let Candice Blair get the privilege of winning at Pain for Pride in a match that really should have been her last match, and as unfortunate as it was losing that match, that will never happen again.
(More boos rain down on Selina Reyes, who once again just ignores them as she continues with what she’s saying…)
Selina Reyes: It’s a new season here in Elite Answers Wrestling, a new opportunity for me because this season is mine for the taking, and this time I won’t hold anything back. That loss I endured at Pain for Pride was not ideal, but I know that something like that won’t happen again, especially not to someone like Candice Blair. New ventures are awaiting me. No longer being shackled to someone who was benefiting from a partnership more than I, this will be my season to fully ascend. This will be my season to truly break out and come out on the other side as a successful woman.
Selina Reyes: I have a far different view of things this season, and I don’t plan to let things pan out the same way they did last season. Selina Reyes will be a name everyone on the roster will remember when all of their faces are smashed into a million different pieces-
(Before Selina could say anything else, a loud reaction can be heard from the crowd as ‘Vortex’ by Jinjer begins to play as Daniella Atlas emerges from the stage. Selina has a very annoyed look on her face as Daniella, who is in her ring attire with a match scheduled against TLA later tonight, stops to look around before making her way down the ring.)
Rich Russillo: While Selina wouldn’t pick up a victory, a woman who did was Daniella Atlas, as she defeated Saori Aizen at Pain for Pride, getting the big win over her as she now finds herself as a part of the Voltage brand this season!
Thadd Blazevich: Cowabunga, dude, Daniella looks ready to go for her match later! She’s got some insane physique. I need to hit her up on what she eats, bro.
Persephone: I can guarantee her diet isn’t whatever carbs you digest, loser.
Thadd Blazevich: You gotta lighten up, Persephone, bra! Let’s hear what Daniella Atlas has to say to Selina over here.
(Daniella makes her way to the ring as she climbs the steel steps and picks up a microphone that was already placed there. She enters between the ropes as an annoyed Selina Reyes looks on as Daniella’s music begins to fade down. Selina begins to speak as she asks Daniella…)
Selina Reyes: Can I help you?
(Daniella has a little smirk on her face as she responds to Selina by saying…)
Daniella Atlas: Mon chéri… I couldn’t help but overhear what you’re saying right here, that this season is going to be yours for the taking, that this season is going to be one where Selina Reyes ascends. As much as those aspirations that you have sound quite reasonable and enthusiastic, unfortunately for you… You’re not the only one with the same type of goal. You’re not the only one who plans to make this season theirs, because, Selina, you are looking at that person right now who has those same intentions. After everything that had transpired beforehand this year, I was able to vanquish the thorn that is Saori Aizen at Pain for Pride. Enter purgatory and leave as a winner, as now my intentions are set and clear to make this upcoming season for the Black Flame the most successful one thus far.
(Selina has a frustrated look on her face towards Daniella as she responds to her by saying…)
Selina Reyes: I see what you’re saying, but I honestly couldn’t care less if you have the same goals this season as I do.
Daniella Atlas: Peut-être que tu devrais t’en soucier, ma chère. Perhaps you should care, Selina, because while you were too busy losing your No Disqualification Match at Pain for Pride towards Candice Blair, I was putting an end to Saori Aizen at Pain for Pride, and maybe you’re the one that’s next for me to put down in the middle of this ring.
(The crowd reacts loudly to what Daniella just said towards Selina Reyes, but the look on Selina is a completely different story. She doesn’t look quite impressed over what Daniella said to her as she responds to her by saying…)
Selina Reyes: Again, do you think I care that you won your match at Pain for Pride? Congratulations, Daniella. You beat Saori Aizen at that show. That accomplishment and your threat towards me don’t hold any significant value to me, nor does the value of what anybody here in this arena thinks.
(The crowd boos at Selina as she continues to speak to Daniella…)
Selina Reyes: Anybody else could have the same goal as me or the same type of desire that I have and wouldn’t care whatsoever because I’m not focused on others surrounding me, I am only focused on myself and becoming a woman who has herself a championship hanging right above her shoulder. That is all that I care about, and that is what I will do no matter who decides they want to get in front of the Oryx Queen’s way.
(Daniella hears Selina’s voice loud and clear as she responds right back to her by saying…)
Daniella Atlas: Again, Selina, even if you don’t care if others share the same sentiment… The Black Flame is someone who can easily ruin things for you and send you crashing down more than what Candice Blair did to you when she nailed you with that Castle’s Crumbling onto a flaming table.
Daniella Atlas: Trust me, cheri… I can do worse…
(Both Selina and Daniella have an intense staredown with each other as some heated words are exchanged between the two elitists. They would continue to stare each other down until Daniella was the one who backed off slowly from Selina as she cracked open a smile before blowing a kiss towards Selina Reyes. Daniella exits out of the ring as annoyed Selina Reyes looks on.)
Rich Russillo: An interesting development, to say the least, some words being thrown out by Daniella and Selina here as both women have their intentions made to make this upcoming season theirs and perhaps be in each other’s way!
Thadd Blazevich: A collision course is sure going to be brewing, my dudes.
(The final shot sees Daniella making her way up the ramp as Selina begins to leave herself as the segment fades out as we transition to what’s next here on Voltage.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to show the backstage area of the Moda Center as the camera focuses on head correspondent Sofia Clarke as she is seen standing by. She’s in front of an interview area, microphone in hand and a smile on her face, as the crowd tonight here in Portland, Oregon, begins to calm down while the shot pans in. She takes a moment, before raising her microphone and beginning to speak.)
Sofia Clarke: Welcome back to Voltage, and what a show it has been to kick off the new season! We’ve seen a whole lot of action so far from a who’s who of new and returning faces, and that is only going to continue as the night goes on, as we’re still anticipating our star-studded eight-person Texas Tornado Tag Team match, which closes off the show! Right now, though, we have a familiar face joining me at this time, someone who has been on the Voltage brand in the past but is looking to make her presence felt once more as she touches back down this season. Please welcome my guest at this time, EAW Hall of Famer, Minerva!
(The crowd roars as the camera pans over to show Minerva beginning to make her way into the scene. She has a relatively serious expression on her face, only greeting Sofia with a brief nod as the interview commences. Sofia takes a moment to let her guest get settled into the scene, before she then begins to speak once more.)
Sofia Clarke: Minerva, thanks for joining us tonight. As we know, two weeks ago at Pain For Pride, we saw you get a massive win against EAW Hall of Famer and Chairman Methuselah. It was certainly a war of attrition between the two of you in a match that I am sure the EAW faithful are not going to forget for a very long time, and even now, you bear the scars of what was a violent, bloody affair. As you walk into the next season with your hand raised high, returning to the Sunday Night Voltage brand, what are your thoughts?
(Minerva takes a moment to think about what she’s going to say, glancing down at the ground for a moment before looking back up at Sofia, as she begins to respond.)
Minerva: For six years, I have been a woman who has not only worked hard, but has worked harder than the rest. I have established myself in a position where I can safely say that I am not just any other Elitist on the roster, not just a pretty face, but one of the most dominant, destructive women that the EAW has ever seen. This is not something that I take lightly, but it seems like for the past couple of months, it has been the contrary. While it is easy for a lot of people to say that their runs have been perfect, with nothing going wrong, even a woman of my stature bears her scars. I wear the wars that I have won and defeated, and no matter the result, it seems as though people have forgotten exactly who I am and what I bring to the table. It’s easy for them to sweep me under the rug and so easily claim that I am not up to the same level that I used to be. It came to a point where I was never going to stand for that.
Minerva: To sustain my dominance, I had to call out someone who was in the position that I wanted to be; Methuselah was that person. From the very beginning of my career back in 2019, he has been the one constant of this company, “going strong” and continuing to be a prominent face nearly 19 years into the existence of Elite Answers Wrestling. It’s not something that I take lightly. I knew that he was someone I had to beat, someone I had to slay, to truly feel as though I am someone who is not only a fierce competitor, but a fierce constant who, no matter the time, no matter the period, can still be a prominent fixture in this company for years to come. At Pain For Pride, I walked into a war that people didn’t believe I would be able to win, and I did exactly that. I won my battle and I’m able to hold my head high, but the job is not done, no, as far as I’m concerned, the job is never done.
Sofia Clarke: Well, that brings me to my next question: What do you believe is next for you?
(Minerva takes a deep breath as she pauses, before continuing.)
Minerva: It was a relief to defeat Methuselah. I ended the season with the big victory that I had looked toward even though I was quite disappointed with how my run was going up until that point, something I’ve been very open about. But I know that this is only the beginning of what I’m going to have to do if I want to get to where I want, no, need to be. I do not deserve to be amongst everyone else, content with not being given what I felt I deserve, that was never who I was, and more importantly, it was never who I was meant to be. I am ready to move on, I am ready for the dominance of Minerva to be felt once more as it has so many times throughout my career. I am ready to move on and get back to doing what I am used to. And that is take over..
(Sofia smiles as she nods her head at this, looking to continue with the questions, but before she can do that…)
???: Chica! There you are!
(The crowd roars as they hear the familiar voice, with the camera going over to show TLA as he’s seen making his way into the scene with a smile on his face. He greets Minerva, who seems pleased to see him, with the two having a profound amount of respect for each other after all the history that they’ve had, especially on this brand. She pulls him into a hug, as the two of them embrace before TLA continues.)
TLA: Lo siento, I didn’t mean to barge in. I just wanted to hit up all my new rostermates since we back in this bitch on Sunday Night Voltage! Minerva, you the homie for real, I saw you fuck shit up at Pain For Pride, slappin’ around Methuselah, packin’ that heat. I just wanted to tell you how great it is to see you again. The two of us are real hustlers, and it’s exciting to see what the two of us are going to be able to do on Voltage. Shit’s boutta be muy caliente. :whew:
(Minerva smiles as she nods her head in agreement. Sofia, though, looks to ask TLA some questions as well, considering she stumbled on him, beginning to speak.)
Sofia Clarke: Well, while you’re here, do you mind if I ask you some questions, TLA?
TLA: Shit, I mean, I got a match coming up against Daniella Atlas. But she can wait. :mjgrin:
Sofia Clarke: Well, as with Minerva, you’re someone who’s returning to the Voltage brand after a stint away, and we know how much history that you have with this place. What do you plan to do now with a new season ahead of you?
TLA: I’m real honored to be here forsure. Last season was one I’m proud of, considering we did some real damage around them Showdown parts. Answers World Champion, another Pain For Pride main event, shit, got a vato fiendin’ for more. Back in this bitch I feel like I got some unfinished business for real. We got some work to do and you best believe that I’m gonna put that shit in to get where I need to be. The goal is always the same, we’re going to tear this bitch down, and Sunday Night Voltage ain’t gonna be ready for what we got in store because we gonna be beastin’ all the way ‘till the next Pain For Pride!
(The crowd inside the arena cheers as TLA nods his head. After a moment he continues on.)
TLA: When I see an amiga like Minerva, that shit is invigorating, holmes. What that does is motivate me to make this mfer my best season yet. To see the challenges and see who wants it more than I, it makes me want to go out there and show why I need it more than they do. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want this season to go to waste, you get me? We gonna do some real damage around here and shit, maybe I want another Pain For Pride main event, maybe I want another World Championship, I guess we gonna have to see. All I know for certain is that we just gotta keep going to work, show why we real hustlers for real. So I guess you can say, Minerva, that this is me wishing you good luck as well, because if you ain’t careful, I might just swoop in and take dat shit. :lick:
TLA is very confident in himself as he beats his chest. Minerva then approaches him as she nods her head, taking a moment before speaking to him directly.)
Minerva: I’m very glad to see you as well, TLA. I can’t wait to see what you do on this brand, and if we have to meet each other out there, just know that it’s an honor to go face-to-face against someone I have a profound amount of respect for. But at the same time, I’m glad that you can acknowledge as well that both of us are standing in the way of our own ambitions, and that’s fine, because I’m more than willing to go past you and anyone else who tries to step up to me and show exactly what Minerva brings to Sunday Night Voltage. I hope that you’re not only ready for this, but I hope that you’re ready to face the biggest fight of your life, because trust me, I am very different from the last time that we’ve faced on this brand. I just hope you’re the same.
TLA: :mjgrin: Glad we can agree, hombre.
(Minerva holds her hand out, gesturing for a handshake, as TLA accepts, the two of them showing their respect once more. They shake hands for a brief moment, but as TLA goes to let go…)
(CRACK!)
(Minerva pulls TLA toward her and nails him directly in the face with a forearm strike! TLA is taken aback as he’s dropped down to a kneeling position, only for Minerva to rush forward and connect with a knee directly to the face! TLA is unable to fight back, and this gives Minerva the chance to grab hold of him by the head, turning him around and sending him shoulder-first right into the concrete wall!)
(The crowd inside the arena is shocked by what they’re witnessing right now, and Minerva is quick to grab hold of TLA by the wrists, beginning to stomp down repeatedly on his chest to make sure that he stays down on the ground. Sofia Clarke is in the background looking shocked by what she’s seeing right now, and once Minerva feels satisfied by what she’s done, she makes her way back up to her feet before turning around and eyeing the interviewer with a scowl.)
Minerva: Whatever you thought you knew about Minerva can be thrown out the window! Because you have absolutely no idea what I have in store for Voltage this season…
(Minerva turns around and storms out of the scene, as officials quickly make their way over to tend to TLA, who is groaning in pain after the assault that was inflicted on him in a very shocking manner. It’s the very last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage begins to fade to elsewhere.)
(Commercial for next week’s Voltage, where Chris Elite and Cody Maverick face each other in a number one contendership match for the EAW World Championship.)
(Voltage returns to ringside.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A SINGLES MATCH SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
(‘Vortex’ by Jinjer begins to play as the crowd begins to boo. Daniella Atlas arrives on the stage with a bit of a smirk on her face. She marches down towards the ring, and eventually the look becomes one of disdain, as she appears to be ready for her upcoming match. She looks incredibly focused as she walks down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST…FROM DUNKIRK, FRANCE…WEIGHING IN AT 170 POUNDS…SHE IS “THE BLACK FLAME”…DDAAAAIIINNIEELLLLAAA ATTLLLAAASS!
Rich Russillo: Daniella Atlas was very impressive last season, and now she’s here on Voltage hoping to outdo herself. We saw what she had to say to Selina, let’s see if she can back it up with a victory.
Persephone: Not like it should be too difficult seeing what Minerva just did to her opponent. If anything, this match shouldn’t last longer than thirty seconds.
(She gets in the ring and looks around at the crowd. Her eyes then zero in on the stage and a sadistic smile spreads across her face. ‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac begins to play as a low rider drives onto the stage. TLA gets out of the car with a pained smile. He is still feeling the effects of the vicious attack from earlier.)
Bella Braxton: AND HER OPPONENT…RESIDING IN THE POON PALACE IN MIAMI, FLORIDA…WEIGHING IN AT 210 POUNDS…LLLAAA PANNNTERRRAAA SEXUUAALLL…T! L! A!
Rich Russillo: TLA is here, and I’m sure this isn’t how he was expecting to make his return to Voltage, but you never know what happens on this brand, especially when dealing with Elitists as unique as Minerva. Unfortunately, I don’t think TLA’s night will get any easier.
Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, that wasn’t cool, dude. TLA’s a total bro, though. I’m sure he’ll be able to give a good fight even after that!
(TLA still remains confident as he heads towards the ring. He gets inside the ring and looks at Atlas. She looks at his condition and a shark-like smile appears on her face. She smells the blood in the water. TLA remains confident, climbing up on the turnbuckle for the fans before getting in his corner. The ref calls for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: There’s the bell and this match is officially underway here! TLA and Daniella Atlas are going toe-to-toe to kick off this season! The two of them lock up in the center of the ring! TLA is able to pull her down into the headlock! Atlas tries to escape but TLA brings her down to the mat, keeping his hold firm! However, she’s able to bring the knee up into the back of his head! He releases the hold and quickly gets back to his feet! As he does…ATLAS GETS HIM WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP!
Thadd Blazevich: I thought bro was in rougher shape than that. Still seems to have some energy!
Persephone: Eh, probably not much though. He staggers back slightly…and she looks for another! TLA though is able to duck underneath it! He then delivers a right hand right to the jaw! FOLLOWED BY A DROPKICK! Atlas now stumbles back and finds herself in the corner! TLA takes a running start and she brings up a foot to stop his momentum! HE CATCHES IT! And now look at him, he’s wagging a finger right in the face of Atlas telling her “not this time”!
Rich Russillo: BUT SHE ROCKS HIM WITH A HEADBUTT! Atlas just stunned him with that one! She then follows that up with a massive knee right into the stomach! Now she takes hold of him…AND GETS HIM UP IN THE AIR FOR THE FALCON ARROW! BUT AS SHE DOES, HE BRINGS A KNEE DOWN RIGHT ON THE CROWN OF HER HEAD! He manages to escape yet again! HE THEN RUNS FORWARD AND LEAPS UP FOR THE DRAGONRANA! HE TAKES HER DOWN!
Thadd Blazevich: She rolls back to her feet and catches herself on the ropes! But TLA is on her in a flash dude! He knocks her right over the top rope with a clothesline! Oh bro. It didn’t take long for this one at all to be taken to the outside. Atlas gets back on her feet but TLA has already built up some speed, doesn’t seem to be moving too fast though. HE LEAPS OUT OF THE RING, LOOKING FOR THAT SUICIDE DIVE!
Rich Russillo: AND SHE CATCHES HIM IN MID-FLIGHT! SHE THEN DROPS HIM DOWN ON THE FLOOR WITH THE FALCON ARROW! He wasn’t able to get out of it that time! And it seems like a lot of damage down to TLA from that one move! Daniella Atlas picks him and throws him back inside the ring! TLA however, doesn’t seem to be playing along with her plan! He rolls all the way through and right back to the outside! He lands on all fours and tries to get up…but he’s struggling!
Persephone: Daniella Atlas doesn’t seem amused by that at all. She heads around the ring, getting into a full sprint! SHE TRIES TO TAKE HIM DOWN WITH A BICYCLE KICK BUT HE SIDE-STEPS IT! HE THEN LEAPS UP FOR THE ZIG-ZAG! Atlas is able to take hold of the ring apron, preventing herself from being taken down! He scrambles back up to his feet…BUT SHE ROCKS HIM WITH A FOREARM RIGHT TO THE JAW! She then rolls him back inside the ring and keeps hold of him!
Thadd Blazevich: She keeps his head on the apron as she climbs up it! SHE THEN STOMPS RIGHT DOWN ON HIS HEAD! JUST A VICIOUS SERIES OF STOMPS! Gnarly. She then shoves him all the way back in before heading back inside! From there, she lifts him up…GETTING HIM IN POSITION FOR THE POWERBOMB!
Persephone: But TLA still has a few tricks up his sleeve apparently. He manages to reach out towards the ropes! He pulls himself onto the apron! ATLAS TRIES TO CUT HIM DOWN WITH A HIGH KICK BUT HE CATCHES THE LEG! HE DROPS IT RIGHT DOWN ON THAT TOP ROPE! That was a nasty counter and it has sent his opponent reeling here! From there, he leaps back inside the ring and grabs his opponents arms! HE LOOKS FOR THE TIGER SUPLEX!
Rich Russillo: But he’s too tired to pull it off. ATLAS IS ABLE TO TEAR HER ARM AWAY! She then catches him with an elbow right to the jaw! THEN SHE TAKES HIM TO THE GROUND WITH AN ARMDRAG! From there, she begins raining down elbows right into the side of her opponent’s head! She keeps control of the limb while doing so, just grounding and pounding away at him! She then tries to change things up, lifting him back up to his feet! SHE TRIES TO GET HIM POSITION FOR ANOTHER POWERBOMB…
Thadd Blazevich: This dude really counters again! Does not like powerbombs. This time he drops and goes right in between her legs! He makes it over to the ropes! Daniella Atlas charges right at him, hoping to dispatch him with a forearm! BUT HE SLIPS BEHIND HER AND LEAPS UP! ZIG ZAG! The back of her head is driven right into the mat! He quickly hooks the leg and looks for the first cover of the night!
ONE!
TW-
Rich Russillo: But Atlas is able to power out before that two count! He’s doing pretty good considering his state! TLA doesn’t look all that surprised here! In fact, he’s got a grin on his face! TLA makes his way up onto the top rope! He looks out at this Oregon crowd! HE THEN LEAPS OFF THE TOP LOOKING FOR THE MOONSAULT!
Persephone: But Atlas is able to roll out of the way just before impact! TLA lands face first on the mat! Atlas gets back up to her feet…and takes hold of his arm! SHE THEN PULLS HIM IN FOR A VICIOUS RIPCORD DROPKICK! She manages to get him right in the chest, possibly knocking the wind right out of him! From there, she rolls right on top of him once again! She begins to rain down elbow strikes once again! Seems like she really does like beating him up!
Rhadd Thadd: TLA is able to block one of her fists! SHE THEN PULLS HIM IN FOR A HEADBUTT! She skitters away as TLA manages to get back up onto his feet! He looks to take advantage of this opening, giving her a quick kick in the leg! He then kicks her other leg…FOLLOWED BY A BOOT TO THE STOMACH! AND A SWIFT PUNT TO THE FACE! A lightning fast combination that has her with a massive kick to the head! NASTY DUDE!
Persephone: With that, Atlas doesn’t seem to knock where she is! TLA raises his arm…AND TRIES TO GET HER WITH THAT VERY MEXICAN UPPERCUT! BUT SHE BLOCKS THE ARM! AND THEN SHE GETS HIM RIGHT ON THE NOSE WITH A MASSIVE HEADBUTT! From there, she lifts him up…AND DROPS HIM WITH THE NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! She bridges right into the cover!
ONE!
TW-
Rich Russillo: TLA is able to kick out before a two count! Seems like we still have a long way to go in this one! Daniella Atlas though seems intent on shortening that! SHE DRAGS HIM BACK TO HIS FEET! AND THEN SHE GETS HIM IN POSITION FOR THE SWINGING REVERSE STO! THE MEMORY ROOM! However, TLA is able to slip out of and get behind her! HE STAGGERS BUT GETS HER WITH A DROPKICK TO THE BACK! It sends her forward, landing in perfect position on those middle ropes! He calls for it! HERE COMES THAT 305! He slows down and takes a second to catch his breath…BEFORE GOING IN FOR IT ANYWAYS!
Persephone: ATLAS IS ABLE TO CATCH THE LEGS! She apparently isn’t a fan of being kicked in the face. She pulls him back towards the middle of the ring but he refuses to let go of the ropes! He gets her with a boot right to the face! He manages to free himself…AND THEN HE RUNS FORWARD FOR THE HURRICANRANA! Atlas is taken down and she rolls right into the corner! TLA meets her there, looking to start off another series of strikes!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT ATLAS SHUTS THAT DOWN QUICKLY! That’s rough, man. She catches his arm and throws him into the corner! SHE THEN GETS HIM WITH A VICIOUS CHOP TO THE CHEST! From there, she drives another knee right into his chest! She then unleashes a brutal series of stomps, getting him all the way down into a seated position! From there, she gets him with a dropkick right to the face! She’s just wailing on bro right now.
Persephone: TLA isn’t looking so hot! Daniella Atlas grabs him by the leg and drags him out towards the center of the ring! And now it looks like she wants to fly. Atlas climbs up onto that top rope, looking down at the unmoving TLA! She comes crashing down like a meteor with that diving senton!
Rich Russillo: TLA GETS HIS KNEES UP! That’s gotta be bad for Atlas’s lumbar! She lands right on those knees and she begins to crawl back to her feet! TLA gets back on his own! HE QUICKLY GRABS HER! HE GETS HER UP FOR THE POWERBOMB! HE THEN BOUNCES HER OFF THE ROPES! HERE COMES THAT DESMADRE!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT ATLAS IS ABLE TO COUNTER WITH A HURRICANRANA OF HER OWN! As TLA struggles to recover, she takes hold of him…AND THROWS HIM NEXT FIRST INTO THE ROPES! Yikes dude! He bounces off of it in a sickening way! Sucks to be him. Daniella Atlas now wants to come in for the kill! She lifts him back up and lifts him up onto the top turnbuckle! She climbs up after him…AND THEN GETS HIM WITH SEVERAL HUGE HEADBUTTS!
Rich Russillo: AND NOW SHE TRIES TO LIFT TLA UP! SHE’S LOOKING FOR THAT SUPERPLEX HERE! TLA HOWEVER IS ABLE TO SLIDE BETWEEN HER LEGS! HE TAKES HOLD OF HER AND BRINGS HER DOWN ON THE ROPES! THE DESMARDE CONNECTS THIS TIME! He flops on top of her for a cover and he might have taken this here!
ONE!
TWO!
Persephone: Somehow she was able to power out of that one! TLA immediately shoves her legs off over to the side! HE REACHES DOWN AND GETS HER WITH THAT MANDIBLE CLAW! Look at that, he’s got her fingers down her throat. That’s certainly not creepy at all.
Thadd Blazevich: Daniella Atlas doesn’t seem to like it much! She takes hold of the arm and gets back up onto her feet! SHE THEN SHOVES IT AWAY BEFORE DROPPING HIM WITH THE SPINNING HEEL KICK! From there…SHE LIFTS HIM UP OFF THE MAT! SHE GETS HIM UP OVERHEAD AND I THINK WE MIGHT SEE THE ANIMUS RIGHT HERE!
Persephone: BUT TLA MANAGES TO GET HIS LEGS AROUND THE ROPES! It doesn’t seem like he’s going anywhere at the moment! Atlas switches it around and shoves him over the top rope! He manages to catch himself on the apron…BUT SHE DRIVES A KNEE IN THE BACK OF HIS HEAD AS HE TRIES TO PULL HIMSELF UP! She then climbs onto the apron and lines up her shot! SHE THEN GETS HIM WITH A MISSILE DROPKICK!
Rich Russillo: SHE GETS HIM WITH A PERFECT SHOT! He gets knocked partly up the ramp! From there, Daniella Atlas tries to bring him back towards the ring! We’ve seen this one before! SHE TRIES TO SEND HIM BACK INSIDE WITH THE IRISH WHIP! TLA LEAPS UP ONTO THE APRON THOUGH! AND THEN LANDS BACK ON HER WITH A MOONSAULT!
Thadd Blazevich: Sick flip! Now both of them are down on the outside. It seems like TLA is the first one back up to his feet! He grabs Daniella and tries to bring her back towards the ring! He throws her inside and climbs onto the apron! HE THEN GETS HER WITH THE SPRINGBOARD SPLASH! Lot of high flying here! The fans love it and I’m definitely here for it bros!
Rich Russillo: TLA looks to gamble one more time! He makes his way up onto the top rope for the second time in this encounter! There’s a smile on his face as he looks at the barely moving Atlas! HE THEN COMES DOWN WITH THAT 420! THE SHOOTING STAR PRESS!
Persephone: And it finally pays off for all of us. He misses and he bounces off the mat! Daniella Atlas immediately gets back on her feet! She stalks her opponent like an animal looking at a smaller, weaker animal or something. As he slowly rises back up to his feet…SHE LEVELS HIM WITH INAMORATA! THE LARIAT NEARLY TAKES HIS HEAD OFF! She hooks the leg and goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT TLA KICKS OUT AT THE TWO! These two competitors are definitely resilient. That is a testament to it bro! Atlas seems less than satisfied with that though! She reaches down and takes hold of his arms! SHE THEN STOMPS DOWN RIGHT ON HIS HEAD! She’s just mean bro. Just absolutely trying to pick TLA apart here! Once he seems softened up, she forces him back up to his feet! SHE BRINGS HER ARM BACK…AND LETS A BIG KNIFE CHOP GET HIM RIGHT IN THE CHEST!
Persephone: TLA stumbles back and towards the ropes! HE LEANS INTO THEM AND FIRES BACK WITH THE HEADSCISSORS TAKEDOWN! Atlas wasn’t expecting that at all! Not after all the damage she just dealt! TLA is rallying some momentum here and ducks under another lariat attempt from his opponent! HE LEAPS OFF THE SECOND ROPE…AND TAKES HER DOWN WITH A MOONSAULT!
Rich Russillo: This capacity crowd certainly loved that one! Listen to them cheer! TLA now makes his way up onto the top rope! This isn’t the first time he’s been up there in this match! I’m beginning to doubt it’ll be the last time either! HE THEN LOOKS FOR THAT 420! THE SHOOTING STAR PRESS!
Persephone: BUT ATLAS GETS HER KNEES UP! He lands right across them and bounces to the other side of the ring! Daniella Atlas limps back up to her feet and stalks her opponent! She waits for him to get in close…AND HERE COMES BLACK DEATH!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT TLA WAS ABLE TO SENSE IT COMING MY DUDE! HE MUST HAVE EYES IN THE BACK OF HIS HEAD BECAUSE HE DUCKS RIGHT UNDER IT! He springs back to his feet and his opponent swings wildly in an attempt to cut him down! BUT HE DUCKS UNDER THAT AS WELL…AND GETS HER WITH CARTEL KICK! THE PELE KICK GETS HER RIGHT IN THE JAW! That was righteous! TLA rolls on top of her for a cover to end the match!
ONE!
TWO!
TH-
Persephone: That was close. But Atlas gets that shoulder up still. TLA gets back up onto his feet! He picks her back up onto her feet! HE GETS HER IN POSITION FOR THE MEXICAN DESTROYER! TLA is thinking of all of us right now…all of us who want to get to the commercial break.
Rich Russillo: BUT DANIELLA ATLAS LUNGES FORWARD AND DRIVES HIM INTO THE CORNER INSTEAD! She then unloads with a series of forearms, beating down TLA! She then sends him to the other side of the ring with an irish whip! HE THEN RUNS TOWARDS HIM AND GETS HIM WITH A RUNNING FOREARM! HE THEN LIFTS HIM UP AND GETS HIM IN POSITION FOR A POWERBOMB!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT HE LEAPS UP OVER HER INSTEAD! He lands on his feet and as she turns around…HE GOES FOR THE MANDIBLE CLAW! BUT SHE CATCHES THE ARM AND PULLS HIM IN FOR A HEADBUTT INSTEAD! AND THEN SHE GETS HIM WITH THE MEMORY ROOM! THE SWINGING REVERSE STO CONNECTS! She hooks the leg and goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-
Persephone: And he kicks out. I thought this dude was wounded. Can he not just like…stay down?
Thadd Blazevich: I don’t know about that one bro. He’s got the heart of a lion.
Persephone: And you have the face of a horse.
Rich Russillo: Let’s focus on the action guys! Daniella Atlas is back to stomping down on TLA with a fury! I really don’t know how much more he can take here! I do think we are about to see…as she hoists him back up to his feet! SHE GRABS THE ARM…MEANING TLA IS ABOUT TO TAKE A LITTLE TRIP SOUTH OF HEAVEN!
Thadd Blazevich: But my dude manages to go up and over his opponent! TLA now takes her and throws her into the corner! From there, he delivers some swift kicks, trying to wear down his opponent as much as he can! HE THEN LETS HER STUMBLE OUT OF THE CORNER…AND HE RUNS AT HER AND TRIES FOR A DRAGONRANA!
Persephone: But she shuts that down in brutal fashion! SHE HEAVES HIM UP FOR THE POWERBOMB! BUT DROPS HIM DOWN INTO A HEADBUTT INSTEAD! I think she might have actually broken his jaw there. At least we won’t have to listen to him talk for a long time.
Rich Russillo: SHE GRABS THE LEGS OF TLA AND TRIES TO GET HIM IN POSITION FOR THE HERMES LAW NOW! BUT HE GRITS HIS TEETH AND ESCAPES IT! He shoves her away, KNOCKING HER INTO THE OFFICIAL! The ref is knocked down, but TLA gets Daniella with a forearm right to the face! HE LETS OUT A RUSH OF THEM, STUNNING HER BEFORE RAISING UP HIS ARM FOR THAT PIMP SLAP!
Thadd Blazevich: Denied! She gets him with another headbutt dropping him down! She’s looking down at him right now, looking furious!
(*CRACK!*)
Persephone: BUT FROM BEHIND COMES A CHAIR SHOT! THAT’S SELINA REYES! SHE SLAMS A CHAIR INTO THE BACK OF ATLAS’ HEAD, AND THE REF IS STILL DOWN SO IT WENT UNNOTICED!
Rich Russillo: SELINA REYES DROPS DOWN TO RINGSIDE AS THE REFEREE BEGINS TO STIR, AND AS DANIELLA FALLS FORWARD TLA GETS UP AND GETS HER INTO POSITION! MEXICAN DESTROYER!!!! I DON’T THINK TLA REALIZED WHAT JUST HAPPENED, BUT HE MOST CERTAINLY WAS ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT AS DANIELLA IS DOWN AND OUT! TLA HOOKS THE LEGS FOR THE COVER!!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac begins to play as TLA rolls off his opponent. There is a smirk on his face as he does, knowing he was able to pick up the victory despite the attack he suffered earlier. He takes a moment, before beginning to push himself back up to his feet, having his hand raised by the referee.)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER…LA PANTERA SEXUALLL…T! L! A!
Thadd Blazevich: Woah, was not expecting that one. Seems like Atlas might have a hater out there dudes. I’ve had my share of enemies so I know just bad blood can get.
Rich Russillo: It was an uphill battle for TLA considering his state heading into this one! It seemed like Daniella Atlas might have the edge too! But in the end, Selina Reyes just took away any chance she had!
(TLA rolls out of the ring, celebrating his victory as Reyes rushes right by him. He shrugs as he limps up the ramp.)
Persephone: And it looks like she’s coming back in for more! WOO! Look at her go, just slamming that chair into Atlas over and over again! Selina Reyes is starting this season off right!
(The fans are loudly booing as Selina Reyes continues to repeatedly slam the chair onto Daniella Atlas, not even caring where she hits as long as it hits her target. As the chair shots continue, Selina can be heard yelling at Daniella.)
Selina Reyes: (off-mic) THIS IS NOT YOUR SEASON!
(Selina continues hitting Daniella with the chair, but as she does this, security guards begin to run out.)
Thadd Blazevich: I think she received the message there dude. This is just a gnarly attack right here. And now the security team is coming out to end this one pronto!
Rich Russillo: BUT SHE’S STILL GOING! SHE IS REFUSING TO LET UP! SECURITY HAS TO TEAR THE CHAIR AWAY FROM SELINA REYES AS SHE STARES DOWN THE BARELY MOVING ATLAS!
(Eventually, security is able to remove her from the ring. Atlas is in a bloody heap on the ground, barely looking up at Reyes after the damage she just suffered. Selina Reyes doesn’t say anything else, but she is still staring at Daniella as she is dragged away. From there, the camera fades out.)
(Promotional ad for Bloodsport, the first Voltage marquee event of the season.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, and fades towards the stage as ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ by Van Halen hits. From the stage, the Hardcore Champion Dr. Bethany Blue can be seen beginning to make her first entrance of the season, not bothered by the negative reception from the crowd following her successful Championship defense at Pain for Pride. Bethany is wearing her Championship around her waist and carrying a microphone in her hand, and she begins to make her way down the ramp and towards the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Dr. Bethany Blue is here following Pain for Pride, where she had an incredible match against Limmy Monaghan. In the end Bethany was able to retain her Championship, and given how brutal that match was, I’d imagine that winning felt very good for her.
Thadd Blazevich: It was radical, dude! Sucks I wasn’t back here with you guys when it happened, but I wasn’t missing that match for anything, bro. Nothing better than two top names going at it with no rules!
Persephone: God, it’s been one night and I’m already tired of hearing you. Why is Bethany even out here, anyway? I was hoping she and Limmy would kill each other but that didn’t happen, and that sucks.
Thadd Blazevich: Bethany’s mic’d up, so she totally has something to say.
Rich Russillo: It looks like that’s the case, and I can’t say I’m surprised following such a big win. Let’s see what the Hardcore Champion has for us following the Doctor’s Playground match!
(Dr. Bethany Blue makes her way up the steel steps and enters the ring, brushing off the boos as she still has a grin on her face. Her entrance music fades out, and soon after this, she begins to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Did I not do exactly what I promised? Limmy Monaghan for whatever reason thought he could step into my own world, and thanks to that he was humbled at the biggest show of the year. Limmy didn’t know what he was getting himself into, and he showed it. Nobody in their right mind would do what Limmy did. He shouldn’t have even challenged me to begin with knowing his history with me, but he did it, and now he’s off to Dynasty empty handed while I am STILL your Hardcore Champion. Limmy had it coming. He deserved every bit of what happened to him at Pain for Pride, but here’s the part you all need to understand. This reign is far from over. Limmy is officially in the past, and there’s still a lot more I plan to do as Hardcore Champion.
(The fans begin to boo, but Bethany just laughs it off before continuing to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I think it’s about time for me to look for my next challenger, because my Hardcore Championship reign still has a lot more to offer, and I’m not interested in sitting down and letting the months go by without a fight. I am the best Champion in this company and one of only TWO to retain their Championships at Pain for Pride, and I retained mine in the most definitive fashion possible. I ended my Pain for Pride opponent, and whoever is interested in stepping up next, you need to understand that you’ll be suffering the same fate as Limmy. That being said, I don’t plan to waste my time against lesser competition knowing they don’t even belong in the same ring as me. I want an actual fight.
Dr. Bethany Blue: With that being said, I just hope you all are listening, because I already gave this warning in the past, telling you all that this is not a Championship just any of you could win anymore. I’m going down as the greatest Champion this Hardcore Championship has ever had, so-
(‘There Is Surely Tomorrow’ by WAGAMAMA RAKIA hits, cutting Dr. Bethany off before she could finish her sentence. This causes a loud reaction to come from the fans in attendance, who are shocked to see Bethany be interrupted by this Elitist. The Hardcore Champion turns to the stage with an annoyed look on her face, as Jay Jerry Johnson begins to walk out to the stage. Jay Jerry Johnson has a microphone of his own, and with a calm look on his face he begins walking down the ramp and to the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Well look who we have here! Jay Jerry Johnson was extremely impressive last season, and it looks like he is planning to follow up his great season by facing the Hardcore Champion, and potentially winning his third Championship!
Thadd Blazevich: Sweet. He’s tied for the record of most Interwire Championship reigns already, isn’t he?
Rich Russillo: He is, and he achieved that record shortly after making his return to EAW!
Thadd Blazevich: That’s gnarly, man. I’d love to see this dude fight for the Hardcore title.
Persephone: I wouldn’t.
(Jay Jerry Johnson climbs onto the apron, before entering the ring. Dr. Bethany Blue stares at Jay, not amused as Jay’s entrance music begins to fade out. After this, he begins to speak.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: If it’s a challenge you’re after, I don’t believe you’ll need to look any further. You don’t want an opponent here merely to waste your time, and the season I’ve had should tell you that wasting time is the last thing I am interested in. Tying the record for Interwire Championship reigns was something I accomplished shortly after returning, but I did not return to this company just for a moment. I didn’t return only to be boiled down to one unexpected victory, which is why I reigned as long as I did as Interwire Champion, only to live up to my own words and take down Brian Daniels at Pain for Pride as soon as the reign was over. I’m walking into this season with momentum, but I’m looking for more than that right now, and you’ve opened the door for me to set my sights on something I currently have yet to achieve.
(Dr. Bethany Blue remains silent, staring at Jay Jerry Johnson with an expression that tells him everything he needs to know, knowing she isn’t thrilled about being interrupted by him.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: I have evolved, but evolution is not something that stops. I don’t intend to stand in one place, especially not now that I’ve returned to Voltage. I’m looking ahead of me, so if you want a challenger then I’ll not only provide that to you, but I’ll also be the reason your reign as the Hardcore Champion comes to an end. I don’t believe it ever mattered who walked down this ramp. You were never going to accept the idea of losing your Championship directly after retaining it at the biggest event of the year. You were always going to deny the possibility that you fall short, but right now I’m not looking to merely prove to you that I’m unlike everyone else. I’m looking to take your Championship, and allow the moment where I raise that Championship to say everything necessary.
Dr. Bethany Blue: Are you out of your mind?
(The fans begin to boo Dr. Bethany Blue for this response, but seeing that Jay Jerry Johnson chose not to answer, the Champion continues to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I’m not the Hardcore Champion by coincidence. I have held this title since Grand Rampage and made it past Pain for Pride with this Championship still in my possession, and like you said it didn’t matter who was going to walk down the ramp because I never planned to lose, but that doesn’t mean I am interested in facing just anybody. I said that I wanted a fight, and do you really believe that of all the people on this brand, you’re the one that’ll bring me the best fight? Do you know who I am, Jay? I’m the best this company has to offer. There is nobody greater than me at what I do, and there’s nobody more fit to hold a Championship like this. I’ve spent years showing exactly what I can do, so why should I wait around to see what you can do when none of it will be enough to take me out?
Jay Jerry Johnson: Who said you needed to wait? It’s not like I haven’t already proven myself time and time again prior to this season. I’ve been back for some time now Bethany and I’ve gone against some of the toughest names Dynasty could throw at me, so whether or not you’ve been paying attention is on you. I am not who I used to be. I’m not whatever version of Jay Jerry Johnson you may have had in your head over a year ago. What I am now is something far greater, and if I’m to keep reaching new heights, isn’t it only right that I stake my claim to the Championship currently held by the supposed best EAW has to offer? I am not afraid of a challenge, and I most certainly don’t intend to back down just because you don’t think I have what it takes. If I were to do that, it’d mean passing up the perfect opportunity to win my third Championship all for the sake of protecting your ego.
Dr. Bethany Blue: You really need to get it through your head that I’m not Vincent Mondrian, or Brian Daniels or the rest of the competition you had over on Dynasty. I haven’t had the chance to cross paths with you for a long time so I’m sure you feel that you’ve become a great deal better than you used to be, but in reality you weren’t even on my radar throughout this past season. You’re not someone I had in my mind, because while I was here on Voltage, I was surviving being stabbed in the neck to win Ultimate X. I was becoming the Hardcore Champion, and I was taking down the same man that just main evented Friday night. This isn’t the match for you Jay, because should I defend this Championship against you, it won’t be close. You’ll be eaten alive, and by the time the match ends you’ll wish that you just stayed in the back and let someone else set themselves up for failure.
(After saying this, Dr. Bethany Blue points towards the stage.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: You still have time! You can always walk back up the ramp and avoid the embarrassment. You made the mistake of interrupting me as I was in the middle of speaking, but you could easily walk that back right now. There’s no need for you to waste your time knowing you couldn’t even lace my boots.
(There are some boos from the fans following Bethany’s harsh words. However, Jay Jerry Johnson doesn’t remove, choosing to remain in the ring and ignore the Champion’s suggestion as he begins to speak.)
Jay Jerry Johnson: You can give up on trying to get me to walk back up the ramp. I’m not going anywhere.
Dr. Bethany Blue: You’re that committed to losing to me?
Jay Jerry Johnson: No. I don’t intend to lose at all. Again, I’m not concerned with what you think of me, because right now the only one setting themselves up for failure is you. You’ve been the Hardcore Champion for some time, and this hasn’t gone unnoticed. I know what you’ve done. I’ve seen what you’ve been capable of this season. The fact that I am out here right now in spite of all of that should tell you that I’m not intimidated by you or anything you’ve achieved thus far, because I’m more than capable of leaving you laid out on the mat and walking out of the ring with that Championship in my hand. You’re not the only one that left Pain for Pride with their hand raised. I know what I am doing here, and you could doubt it now, but you won’t by the time this is all over. Time is ticking, Bethany. You’ll meet the end of your Championship reign soon enough, and when it ends it’ll be because I made my return to Voltage as the new Hardcore Champion.
(This receives a loud, slightly mixed reception from the fans in attendance. Jay Jerry Johnson has a focused look on his face, but after hearing what he had to say, Bethany just shakes her head.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: You’re not accomplishing anything besides setting your season off to an awful start. I’ll give you as much time as you need to rethink your decision, but like I said, I don’t plan to wait around for a real challenger. I have things to do, and I have a Hardcore Championship reign to make sure goes down in history, so you better hurry up and come to your senses, otherwise you’ll have a terrible night and a harsh reminder that you and I are nowhere near the same level. I’m the last person you should’ve ran to if you wanted a Championship shot, because I’m just getting started here, and you’re the last person I’d let ruin everything I have going. Get used to seeing me with this Championship Jay, because things will be staying this way for a long time, and there is nothing you can do about it.
(After this, Dr. Bethany Blue raises her Hardcore Championship. The fans in attendance boo, but Jay Jerry Johnson still has a focused look on his face, clearly not backing down from the Champion. ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ begins to play once more, but the two Elitists remain in the ring, staring directly at each other.)
Rich Russillo: Well we just saw a heated exchange between these two as Jay Jerry Johnson seems to be the one who wants a shot at Dr. Bethany Blue’s Hardcore Championship! However, Bethany didn’t appear too eager to give Jay what he wanted. One could argue she may be underestimating him.
Thadd Blazevich: Gotta give the people what they want, bro! Everyone here totally wants to see Bethany and Jay go at it. I think that’d be awesome.
Persephone: I guess it wouldn’t hurt as long as it still has the Hardcore stipulation attached. Otherwise there’s no way I’d want to sit through a match between these two, especially not with this idiot on commentary. Still, that’s if Bethany even ends up accepting the challenge. For all we know, she could just say no.
Rich Russillo: Well, I suppose we’ll have to wait and see exactly what happens between these two. For now though, it looks like Bethany isn’t in the clear, as a very tough competitor has their sights set on her Championship.
(One more shot is shown of the intense staredown inside of the ring, as neither Dr. Bethany Blue nor Jay Jerry Johnson back down from each other. The fans are loud for the staredown, and this is the final shot shown as Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)
(Commercial for the Nintendo Switch 2.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A TEXAS TORNADO DEATHMATCH SCHEDULED FOR…ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(“Mr. Rager” by Kid Cudi plays first to a thunderous ovation from our audience as Bronson Daniels and Jon Kelton step out onto the stage area. Both men hype up the crowd before ‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher blares throughout the arena next. Cody Maverick daps both men up on the stage area before his song abruptly ends due to “Invincible” by Pop Smoke cutting it off. Chris Elite walks onto the stage area, and both Cody and Chris begin to stare the other down before Elysium gets them back on track with both men reluctantly heading to the ring side by side.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! At a combined weight of 845 pounds… THE TEAM OF BRONSON DANIELS, JON KELTON, CODY MAVERICK, AND CHRIS ELITE!
Thadd Blazevich: Tension is already there between Chris Elite and Cody Maverick!
Rich Russillo: But that’s to be expected with the recent announcement made by Captain Charisma.
Thadd Blazevich: Tonight, they’re partners. Next week, they’re rivals vying for the same opportunity. Radical, dude.
Rich Russillo: I wonder if both men can even wait til next week. Elysium might have quite the handful dealing with those two.
(‘Burn in My Light’ by Mercy Drive echoes throughout as Kai Rabeaux makes his way onto the stage area, and saunters down the ramp before waiting at the end of it for his teammates. “The Leaving Song Pt. II” by AFI is next, and Hans Grayson receives a positive ovation from the crowd. Hans walks down the ramp, and doesn’t share much besides a simple glance up and down with Kai, neither being exactly thrilled to team with each other tonight. Hans equally isn’t happy at having to hear ‘Pride and Arrogance’ by Takeru Kanazaki. Drake is wearing his fancy robe while walking down the ramp, and cracks a dismissive smirk toward both his partners once getting to the end of it. “Everybody Knows (Unstoppable)” by Royal Deluxe plays last with Adam Lucas marching down to the end of the ramp, completing his team.)
(Grayson looks down at the World Championship over his shoulder, and holds up the CITV briefcase, potentially teasing a cash in if the opportunity presents itself. Meanwhile, Drake Armstrong is eyeing the gold as Lucas angrily stands between both.)
Stephie Love: And their opponents! At a combined weight of 933 pounds… THE TEAM OF KAI RABEAUX, HANS GRAYSON, DRAKE ARMSTRONG, AND EAW WORLD CHAMPION… ADAM LUCAS!
Rich Russillo: Adam has to keep eyes in the back of his head tonight, because he’s surrounded by sharks in the form of Hans Grayson, Drake Armstrong, and even Kai Rabeaux.
Thadd Blazevich: How unlucky can one man be.
Persephone: If anyone deserves this, believe me… it’s Adam. I hope the absolute worst for him tonight.
(Adam drops his belt, and charges into the ring with the others as the referee signals for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: AND WE ARE UNDERWAY! BOTH TEAMS HAVE STORMED THE RING, AND ARE EXCHANGING BLOWS! IN THE MIDDLE, YOU HAVE CHRIS ELITE AND ADAM LUCAS THROWING HANDS! CHRIS! ADAM! CHRIS! ADAM!
Thadd Blazevich: MEANWHILE, ITS TURNED INTO A HOCKEY FIGHT BETWEEN BOTH DRAKE AND CODY! BUT CODY GETS THE UPPER HAND WITH A KNEE TO THE GUT, DIRECTING DRAKE TO THE CORNER WHERE HE BOUNCES HIM OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE FACE FIRST!
Rich Russillo: HANS AND BRONSON WERE DUKING IT OUT! BUT HANS GETS THE UPPER HAND OF THEIR EXCHANGE WITH A WELL-PLACED RIGHT HAND THAT SENDS BRONSON TUMBLING OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE! BUT LANDS ON HIS FEET AS HANS FOLLOWS HIM OUT THERE!
Thadd Blazevich: KELTON AND KAI FOUND THEMSELVES IN A HOCKEY FIGHT TO START OFF AS WELL! BUT KELTON SENDS KAI OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE IN FRONT OF OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE AREA! KAI LANDS ON HIS FEET, BUT KELTON FOLLOWS HIM OUT THERE, AND GETS CAUGHT WITH A PUNCH TO THE GUT!
Persephone: Jesus, I’m struggling to keep up. Because it’s turned into all out chaos. Which- usually, I enjoy. BUT SLOW DOWN!
Rich Russillo: KAI TRIES TO SLAM KELTON OFF THE ANNOUNCE TABLE COVER FACE FIRST! BUT KELTON GETS HIS HANDS IN FRONT TO BLOCK, AND ELBOWS KAI IN THE ABDOMEN! SLAMMING HIM DOWN ONTO THE ANNOUNCE TABLE FACE FIRST AFTERWARDS! CONTINUING TO DO SO REPEATEDLY!
(**CRACK!!**)
Rich Russillo: WHOA! KELTON LITERALLY SPLIT THE COVER IN HALF WITH KAI’S HEAD! DRIBBLING IT LIKE A BASKETBALL, AND KAI HAS SOME BLOOD DRIPPING OUT HIS FOREHEAD!
Thadd Blazevich: KAI DROPS TO A KNEE, AND KELTON HAS CRUEL INTENTIONS IN MIND AS HE REMOVES OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE COVER!
Rich Russillo: BUT BACK INSIDE THE RING, CODY MAVERICK CONTINUES PUTTING THE HURT ON DRAKE IN THAT CORNER WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! DRAKE TRIES TO ESCAPE- BUT GETS PLACED BACK INTO THE CORNER FOR ANOTHER! MAVERICK IS SHOWING ABSOLUTELY NO MERCY!
Persephone: Good! Beat his entitled ass!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT IN THE CENTER, CHRIS ELITE AND ADAM LUCAS ARE STILL THROWING HANDS! WITH CHRIS ELITE GETTING THE BETTER OF THIS EXCHANGE, BACKING ADAM AGAINST THE ROPES WITH REPEATED RIGHT HANDS! CHRIS ELITE IRISH WHIPS HIM OFF-
Rich Russillo: BUT ADAM TURNS IT AROUND AT THE LAST MINUTE, SENDING CHRIS ELITE TOWARD THE ROPES INSTEAD! ADAM DUCKS DOWN, PERHAPS SIGNALING EARLY FOR A BACK BODY DROP! BUT CHRIS ELITE BACK ROLLS OVER ADAM’S BACK, LANDING ON HIS FEET BEHIND HIM!
Thadd Blazevich: WHOA! THAT WAS RAD FROM CHRIS ELITE, AND ADAM LUCAS TURNS AROUND TO GET CAUGHT WITH A KICK TO THE GU- NO! BECAUSE ADAM CATCHES THE BOOT, AND TRIES TO FLIP CHRIS ONTO HIS FEET! BUT ELITE LANDS ON HIS FEET! AND BLASTS ADAM LUCAS BEHIND THE EAR WITH A STEP-UP ENZIGURI!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS SCRAMBLES TO HIS FEET, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES- LUCAS POPS HIM UP IN THE AIR! GOING FOR LEVEL UP! BUT CHRIS ELITE COUNTERS WITH A HURRICANRANA! SENDING ADAM LUCAS SLITHERING OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! CHRIS ELITE STANDS HIMSELF BACK UP, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR A…
Thadd Blazevich: SUICIDE DIVE!!
Persephone: :roman: It’s nonstop since the opening bell. I need a nap.
Rich Russillo: CHRIS ELITE WIPED ADAM LUCAS OUT WITH THAT SUICIDE DIVE, AND QUICKLY DRAGS HIM BACK TO HIS FEET! CHRIS ELITE DELIVERS A RIGHT HAND THAT SENDS ADAM STAGGERING UP THE RAMP!
Thadd Blazevich: SPEAKING OF RIGHT HANDS, CODY MAVERICK HAS CLIMBED TO THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH DRAKE IN THAT CORNER, AND BEGINS REIGNING DOWN PUNCHES AS THE CROWD COUNTS ALONG!
Crowd: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EI-
Rich Russillo: LOW BLOW!
Thadd Blazevich: NOT COOL, BRO!
Persephone: Ha!
Rich Russillo: ARMSTRONG JUST UPPERCUTTED MAVERICK IN THE GROIN, AND DRAKE DROPS OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE! WRITHING IN PAIN ON THE CANVAS BEFORE ARMSTRONG POUNCES ON TOP OF HIM! SCORING WITH MULTIPLE RIGHT HANDS! REMEMBER, DRAKE TECHNICALLY DIDN’T CHEAT THERE! TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE RULES!
Thadd Blazevich: DRAKE RIPS THE BOTTOM TURNBUCKLE PAD OFF NEXT, AND PLACES CODY’S MOUTH ON THAT EXPOSED METAL! MAKING HIM BITE THE TURNBUCKLE BEFORE…
Rich Russillo: ARMSTRONG JUST CURB STOMPED CODY! AND MAVERICK WRITHES IN PAIN FROM HIS TEETH! HAVING BLOOD POUR OUT FROM THE MOUTH!
Thadd Blazevich: BRONSON AND HANS HAVE BEEN RINGSIDE SCUFFLING FOR A WHILE NOW! AND HANS GOES TO SEND BRONSON INTO A CORNER OF THE BARRICADE- BUT BRONSON TURNS IT AROUND! SENDING HANS GUT FIRST AS HE SPILLS OUT UP AND OVER INTO THE CROWD AREA!
Rich Russillo: BRONSON BUILDS UP A FULL HEAD OF STEAM, AND DIVES OVER THE BARRICADE AT HANS! TACKLING HIM DOWN, AND WIPING BOTH COMPETITORS OUT MOMENTARILY!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT FOR THE OTHER HALF OF ELYSIUM, KELTON DRAGS KAI UP ONTO OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE!
Persephone: Yeah, I’ll just…
(Persephone starts clearing out.)
Persephone: Thadd, you’re more than welcome to stay seated.
Thadd Blazevich: Nah, I’m good brah.
(Thadd starts to clear out himself with the rest of commentary, creating some distance from that announce table.)
Rich Russillo: KELTON PULLS KAI BETWEEN HIS LEGS FOR A POWERBOMB- BUT RABEAUX BLOCKS IT! HOLDING HIS WEIGHT DOWN, AND BACK BODY DROPS KELTON OFF THE ANNOUNCE TABLE! MY GOD, KELTON HIT WITH A MIGHTY THUD ON THAT FLOOR!
(Kai drops to all fours, and looks over his shoulder at Kelton on the floor with a satisfied grin on his face.)
Thadd Blazevich: Kai is definitely proud of himself. But in a match like this, you can’t stop to feel remorse, cause your opponent certainly won’t.
Rich Russillo: KAI CRAWLS OFF THE ANNOUNCE TABLE, AND EYES THE STEEL STEPS! DECIDING TO REMOVE THE TOP PART AS KELTON BEGINS TO STIR! KAI HAS THAT STEEL STEP IN HAND, AND BASHES KELTON IN THE SKULL AS HE RETURNS TO HIS FEET!
Persephone: Kelton being useless as usual.
Rich Russillo: KAI PLACES THE STEP DOWN, AND LIFTS KELTON UP! SLAMMING HIM DOWN WITH A DDT ONTO THE STEP‘S EDGE! BUSTING KELTON OPEN AS HE WRITHES IN PAIN!
Thadd Blazevich: BRONSON DRAGS HANS BACK TO HIS FEET IN THE CROWD AREA, AND GOES FOR A RIGHT HAND- BUT HANS BLOCKS IT TO SCORE WITH ONE OF HIS OWN! CONNECTING WITH ANOTHER ON BRONSON BEFORE DANIELS STAGGERS AWAY! ATTEMPTING TO CREATE A LITTLE SPACE!
Rich Russillo: HANS CATCHES UP TO BRONSON STAGGERING DOWN THE WALKWAY, AND GETS A KICK TO THE GUT FOR HIS TROUBLES! BRONSON MIGHT HAVE SUCKERED HIM IN, AND SLAMS HANS DOWN FACE FIRST ONTO THE INNER BARRICADE! SENDING GRAYSON DOWN TO A KNEE!
(Bronson grabs a drink from a fan that was urging for him to take it.)
Thadd Blazevich: AND BRONSON USES THE ENVIRONMENT! SMASHING HANS IN THE FACE WITH THAT SODA CUP!
Persephone: I see 2020 taught us nothing about taking items from these disgusting fans.
Rich Russillo: BACK INSIDE THE RING! DRAKE DRAGS CODY BACK TO HIS FEET, GOING FOR THE DEATH PENALTY! LIFTING HIM ON HIS SHOULDER FOR THE TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER! BUT CODY MAVERICK SLIPS OUT BEHIND DRAKE, AND TURNS HIM AROUND FOR A KICK TO THE GUT! GOING FOR THE SIN CITY STUNNER-
Thadd Blazevich: COUNTERED! DRAKE SHOVES CODY OFF, AND INTO KAI FOR A DEVASTATING SUPERKICK! CODY STAGGERS BACK, AND INTO THE CLUTCHES OF ARMSTRONG FOR A BACK SUPLEX- BUT MAVERICK BACKFLIPS ONTO HIS FEET, AND STAGGERS BACK INTO THE CORNER!
Rich Russillo: DRAKE RUSHES IN FIRST, BUT MAVERICK SENDS HIM UP AND OVER HIS SHOULDER TO THE OUTSIDE! ARMSTRONG HITS HARD, I BELIEVE LANDING FACE FIRST!
Thadd Blazevich: KAI CHARGES IN NEXT- BUT GETS A BIG BOOT FROM CODY THAT SENDS HIM STAGGERING! CODY HOPS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE, AND DIVES OFF WITH A TORNADO DDT ONTO RABEAUX! HOOKING THE LEG FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT!
Persephone: Thank God. A deathmatch ending via “tornado DDT.”
Thadd Blazevich: It was totally worth a shot on Maverick’s end!
Rich Russillo: BUT ON THE OUTSIDE, ARMSTRONG IS RISING BACK TO HIS FEET AFTER THAT SPILL HE TOOK AT THE HANDS OF MAVERICK! DRAKE SHAKES THE COBWEBS OUT OF HIS HEAD, AND MAKES IT BACK TO HIS FEET WITH SOME ASSISTANCE FROM THE BARRI-
(**CRASH!!**)
Thadd Blazevich: KELTON! KELTON CAME FROM OUT OF NOWHERE, AND SPEARED ARMSTRONG THROUGH THE BARRICADE! FINAL ATONEMENT THROUGH THE BARRICADE, AND BOTH LIE IN THE RUBBLE CURRENTLY! WITH KELTON WRITHING IN PAIN!
Rich Russillo: BUT DRAKE HASN’T MOVED MUCH SINCE CRASHING THROUGH THAT BARRICADE, HE MIGHT BE OUT!
Persephone: About time Kelton did something useful.
Thadd Blazevich: BUT BACK TO ADAM LUCAS AND CHRIS ELITE! CHRIS CONTINUES BACKING ADAM UP THE RAMP WITH RIGHTS, AND ADAM FIRES BACK WITH A KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION! BEFORE SENDING CHRIS FACE FIRST INTO THE MINI TRON!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS FALLS TO ALL FOURS, AND LUCAS FINALLY HAS GAINED SOME CONTROL OVER THE SITUATION! PULLING CHRIS BACK TO HIS FEET, AND DELIVERING A SUPLEX ONTO THE STAGE AREA!
Thadd Blazevich: ADAM MIGHT HAVE HURT HIMSELF IN THE PROCESS, FAVORING HIS BACK AS HE SITS UP!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS ELITE FAVORS HIS AS WELL, WORKING HIS WAY BACK UP TO ALL FOURS ALONGSIDE ADAM!
Thadd Blazevich: ADAM GRABS HOLD OF ELITE’S HEAD, AND DRAGS HIM BACK UP TO A VERTICAL BASE! LUCAS IS GUIDING CHRIS INTO THE BACKSTAGE AREA!
Persephone: Great. They’re spreading out further, just what we needed to make this match even harder to keep up with!
Rich Russillo: THANKFULLY, WE HAVE A CAMERAMAN ON THIS AS BOTH MEN HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES BACKSTAGE IN GORILLA POSITION!
Thadd Blazevach: ADAM GRABS CHRIS IN A FRONT FACELOCK, AND STARTS CLUBBING HIM ACROSS THE BACK REPEATEDLY! HIS AGGRESSION IS OFF THE CHARTS RIGHT NOW, DUDE!
Rich Russillo: ADAM BEATS CHRIS DOWN TO A KNEE BEFORE SENDING HIM FACE FIRST INTO A WALL! CHRIS COLLAPSES TO ALL FOURS, AND ADAM LUCAS RETRIEVES ONE OF THE CHAIRS IN THAT AREA!
Thadd Blazevich: AND GOES TO WRAP IT AROUND CHRIS ELITE’S SKULL! BUT LUCKILY, ELITE GETS HIS HANDS UP TO BLOCK UP FROM HAPPENING! WITH THE TWO JOCKEYING FOR POSITION OVER THE CHAIR!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS CONNECTS WITH A SHOT TO THE MIDSECTION THAT DOUBLES ADAM OVER, AND CONNECTS WITH A STEEL CHAIR SHOT ACROSS THE BACK!
Thadd Blazevich: ADAM JOLTS UP, ARCHING HIS BACK IN PAIN! OUCH! BEEN THERE BEFORE, BRO!
Rich Russillo: LUCAS STUMBLES OUT THROUGH THE CURTAIN WITH CHRIS ELITE HOT IN TOW AS THEY GO DEEPER INTO THE BACKSTAGE AREA!
Persephone: Our pussy of a champion is trying to run away.
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS ELITE GOES THROUGH THE CURTAIN, BUT GETS TACKLED INTO A MIRROR ON THE WALL BY ADAM! CRACKING IT!
Rich Russillo: ADAM GOES TO SEND CHRIS FACE FIRST INTO THAT CRACKED GLASS- BUT CHRIS GETS HIS BOOT UP TO BLOCK! AND SENDS ADAM INTO IT, GRATING HIS FACE ACROSS THE GLASS BEFORE ADAM SHOVES HIM AWAY! LUCAS HAS BLOOD POURING OUT THE GLASS IN HIS CHEEK!
Thadd Blazevich: GNARLY VISUAL ON ADAM’S FACE AS HE TRIES TO GET AWAY, AND IS THROWING VARIOUS OBJECTS AT CHRIS ELITE! EVEN KNOCKING OVER THOSE ROAD CASES! DOING ANYTHING TO SLOW HIS PATH!
Persephone: This is like a horror movie, except the killer is ugly and bald.
Rich Russillo: CHRIS ELITE IS HOT IN PURSUIT OF ADAM, EVEN AS HE STUMBLES OUT THROUGH THE OPEN GARAGE DOOR! ADAM NOTICES A PARKED CAR, AND I THINK HE’S COME UP WITH AN IDEA AS HE STUMBLES TOWARDS IT, BEFORE FORCING HIS WAY INSIDE OF THE CAR! MAYBE TO DRIVE OFF, OR EVEN RUN OVER CHRIS ELITE!
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS DROPS THE CHAIR, RUNNING AFTER ADAM, AND SNAPS THE DOOR OPEN! SLAMMING ADAM FACE FIRST OFF THE STEERING WHEEL!
(**HONK!**)
Rich Russillo: CHRIS DRAGS ADAM OUT FROM THE CAR, AND GOES TO WHIP HIM INTO THE OPEN DOOR! BUT ADAM REVERSES AT THE LAST MINUTE, SENDING CHRIS SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE DOOR INSTEAD!
Thadd Blazevich: DAMN! THE WHOLE THING CAME FLYING OFF
Persephone: Whoever’s car that is going to be pissed.
Rich Russillo: ADAM LUCAS HAS A SINISTER SMIRK ON HIS FACE AS HE APPROACHES CHRIS ELITE ON THE GROUND, AND DRAGS HIM BACK TO HIS FEET!
Thadd Blazevich: LUCAS PULLS CHRIS BETWEEN HIS LEGS FOR HIS SIGNATURE POWERBOMB! GOING TO LAUNCH CHRIS INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WITH LEVEL UP! A RELEASE POWERBOMB VERSION OF LEVEL UP!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS GETS HOISTED UP- BUT FIGHTS BACK WITH REPEATED SHOTS TO THE SKULL OF LUCAS!
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS SLIPS OFF THE SHOULDERS, AND ADAM CHARGES AT HIM- BUT CHRIS USES THAT MOMENTUM AGAINST HIM WITH A DROP TOE HOLD THAT SENDS ADAM FACE FIRST INTO THE CAR HOOD!
(Adam is on both knees, leaning on the car hood before Chris Elite raises the car hood, and bends Adam Lucas under it.)
Rich Russillo: OH NO, NO, NO, NO- OOH! CHRIS SLAMS THAT CAR HOOD DOWN ONTO ADAM’S BACK!
Persephone: :yikes:
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS ELITE GRABS HOLD OF LUCAS AS HE FALLS TO A KNEE, AND SLAMS HIM FACE FIRST OFF THE TRUNK OF ANOTHER CAR PARKED IN THAT LOT!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS ELITE OPENS THE TRUNKS, AND GOES TO PLACE ADAM LUCAS IN IT! BUT ADAM GETS HIS HANDS IN THE WAY TO BLOCK IT! REFUSING TO LET HIMSELF GO IN THERE, AND BLASTS CHRIS WITH A BACK ELBOW TO THE MIDSECTION!
Persephone: Lame.
Thadd Blazevich: ADAM FIGHTS IT OFF WITH CHRIS STAGGERING BACK! LUCAS REACHES IN THE TRUNK, AND PULLS OUT A FREAKIN TIRE IRON BEFORE SMASHING CHRIS IN THE HEAD WITH IT!
Rich Russillo: DID YOU HEAR THAT CLANG?!
Thadd Blazevich: OH, I HEARD IT, BRO! LOUD AND CLEAR!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS ELITE DROPS TO A KNEE, CLUTCHING AT HIS HEAD IN PAIN! AND ADAM LUCAS THROWS HIM IN THE TRUNK OF THAT CAR!
(Adam looks down at Chris in the trunk while he writhes in pain, having an idea slowly form in his head before hanging Chris’ arm off the side of the trunk.)
Persephone: I have a feeling I know what he’s going to do, and for once, I like it!
Thadd Blazevich: LUCAS HAS HISTORY IN THE HARDCORE DIVISION! IF HE WANTS TO GET RUTHLESS, HE CAN! AS HE GRABS THAT HOOD, AND GOES TO SLAM IT DOWN ONTO CHRIS ELITE’S ARM! WHICH IS NO DOUBT GOING TO BREAK IT!
Rich Russillo: GUESS THAT PUTS HIM A CHALLENGER DOWN- NO! CHRIS ELITE GETS HIS FOOT UP ON THE TRUNK, USING HIS LEG IT FROM COMING DOWN ONTO HIS OUTSTRETCHED ARM! THANK GOODNESS!
Persephone: NO, NOT THANK GOODNESS! I WANTED TO SEE BONE!
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS USES HIS BOOT TO KICK ADAM IN THE GUT, DOUBLING HIM OVER! AND CHRIS KICKS HIM AGAIN! THIS TIME, IN THE FACE!
Rich Russillo: ADAM LUCAS DROPS TO ALL FOURS AS CHRIS ELITE CLIMBS OUT, AND SLAMS THAT TRUNK BACK CLOSED! ADAM RISES TO A KNEE, AND CHRIS GRABS HOLD OF HIM! BUT ADAM SHOVES ELITE BACK FIRST INTO THE TRUNK!
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS HIT HARD, BUT GRITS THROUGH THE PAIN AS HE MARCHES TOWARD ADAM- BUT ADAM POPS CHRIS IN THE AIR ONTO HIS SHOULDERS FOR A POWERBOMB!
(**CRACK!!**)
Rich Russillo: LEVEL UP ONTO THE BACK WINDSHIELD!
(Chris Elite rolls off the cracked window, and rolls in pain whilst clutching at his back, which has pieces of glass sticking to it.)
Persephone: Get fucked, baldy!
(Adam Lucas seems proud of his actions as he starts slowly making his way back toward the ring, struggling to stand a bit after going back and forth with Chris Elite.)
Rich Russillo: I’M STARTING TO UNDERSTAND PERSEPHONE AS THERE’S SO MANY MOVING PIECES AT ONCE, I’M STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP MYSELF! BUT HANS GRAYSON AND BRONSON DANIELS HAVE BRAWLED THEIR WAY UP THE STAIRCASE WITH HANS DRAGGING BRONSON THROUGH THE CURTAINS! ENTERING OUR CONCOURSE AREA!
Thadd Blazevich: Dude, can you remind us what a concourse is?
Rich Russillo: Well, it’s… you know what? There’s not enough time to explain that, but picture it as the place people walk through to find their seats.
Persephone: I’m losing brain cells with each minute I spend with this cretin.
Rich Russillo: HANS MAINTAINS CONTROL OVER DANIELS- UNTIL BRONSON FLIPS THE SWITCH BY DRIVING HANS BACK FIRST INTO A GARBAGE BIN! KNOCKING IT OVER AS THE TOP FLIES OFF!
Thadd Blazevich: NOW, HES ADDING INSULT TO INJURY! WITH BRONSON DUMPING THOSE REMAINS ONTO A DOWNED GRAYSON!
Rich Russillo: HANS SHAKES THE COBWEBS OUT OF HIS HEAD, AND STRUGGLES BACK TO HIS FEET! ATTEMPTING TO STAGGER AWAY FROM BRONSON- BUT BRONSON LIFTS THAT TRASH BIN OVER HIS HEAD, AND CHUCKS IT AT HANS’S HEAD!
Thadd Blazevich: HANS STUMBLES AWAY- BUT BRONSON EASILY CATCHES UP! GUIDING HANS TOWARD THE CONCESSION STAND, AND GRABS A PLATE A NACHOS FROM THE PICKUP SECTION! SHOVING THEM INTO HANS’ MOUTH AFTER GRABBING A HANDFUL! …gee, I sure could go for nachos right about now.
Persephone: I’m sure Rich and I could take it from here! Why don’t you go and get yourself some nachos?
Thadd Blazevich: Nah, I’ve made it this far! I can hold off a bit, but thanks for your concern, dude!
Rich Russillo: HANS SPITS OUT THE FOOD STUFFED IN HIS MOUTH! KNOWING HIM, HE’D PROLLY PREFER SOME POUTINE! BUT BRONSON DANIELS CREATES A BIT OF SPACE, AND WAITS FOR HANS TO TURN AROUND!
Thadd Blazevich: THAT IS BEFORE CHARGING IN- BUT HANS LAUNCHES BRONSON OVER HIS HEAD WITH AN ALLEY-OOP! BUT BRONSON LANDS ON HIS FEET, CATCHING HIMSELF ON THE CONCESSION COUNTERTOP! HANS DOESN’T REALIZE THIS, HOWEVER, AS HE TURNS AROUND!
Rich Russillo: AND BRONSON FLIES OFF WITH A MOONSAULT! HANS GRAYSON GOT WIPED OUT TEMPORARILY, AND BOTH MEN RETURN TO THEIR FEET WITH BRONSON GRABBING HOLD OF HANS’ HEAD! GUIDING HIM OVER TOWARDS OUR MERCHANDISE STAND!
Thadd Blazevich: THOSE FANS ARE CLEARING OUT, INCLUDING THE WORKER, SO I FEEL BAD FOR ANYONE THAT WAS HOPING TO GET A SOUVENIR FROM TONIGHT!
Persephone: They’re buying merchandise during the main event? Who waits til last minute like that?
Rich Russillo: BRONSON IS EYEING THAT TABLE, AND GOES TO SUPLEX HANS THROUGH IT! BUT HANS FLOATS OVER, LANDING ON HIS FEET BEHIND HIM AND THE TABLE!
Thadd Blazevich: BRONSON SPINS AROUND, AND GETS HIS FACE BASHED OFF THE TABLE BY HANS!
Rich Russillo: BRONSON DROPS TO A KNEE BEFORE CRAWLING AWAY FROM THE TABLE AS GRAYSON LINES HIM UP FROM BEHIND IT!
Thadd Blazevich: HANS FRONT FLIPS HIMSELF OVER THE TABLE, USING IT AS SUBSTITUTE FOR THE ROPE! GOING FOR THE BURNING SHOT LARIAT AS BRONSON TURNS AROUND! NICE USE OF EQUIPMENT!
Rich Russillo: SWING- AND A MISS! AS BRONSON DUCKS UNDERNEATH, SLIPPING BEHIND HANS FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX THROUGH THE TABLE-
Persephine: Dammit!
Thadd Blazevich: GRAYSON AVOIDS IT WITH A BACK ELBOW AS BRONSON DANIELS LIFTED HIM UP SLIGHTLY! DANIELS DOUBLES OVER, AND HANS STAGGERS AWAY MOMENTARILY BEFORE TURNING AROUND TO FACE HIM! GRAYSON RUSHES IN!
Rich Russillo: BUT BRONSON SEEN HIM COMING, AND BACK BODY DROPS HANS OVERHEAD! SENDING HIM CRASHING THROUGH THE MERCH TABLE! BRONSON DROPS TO ALL FOURS, AND BEGINS CRAWLING AWAY FROM GRAYSON AS HE LIES IN THAT TABLE RUBBLE!
Thadd Blazevich: LIKE, I BELIEVE BRONSON IS MAKING HIS WAY BACK TO THE MAIN AREA!
Rich Russillo: SPEAKING OF, HIS TEAM SEEMS TO HAVE IT WELL HANDLED AS KELTON HAS CRAWLED OUT FROM THAT BARRICADE AFTER SPEARING ARMSTRONG THROUGH IT!
Thadd Blazevich: KELTON IS DIGGING UNDERNEATH THE RING!
Persephone: For once, it isn’t his ass.
Rich Russillo: KELTON RETRIEVES A GARBAGE CAN, AND TOSSES IT INSIDE! WHICH MAVERICK CATCHES IN HIS HANDS, AND PLACES ON KAI RABEAUX, WHO WAS ON BOTH KNEES! STILL TRYING TO GET HIMSELF BACK INTO THIS!
Thadd Blazevich: KELTON SLIDES IN THE RING WITH TWO KENDO STICKS, AND HANDS ONE TO MAVERICK BEFORE THE TWO START GOING HAM!
Rich Russillo: BOTH KELTON AND CODY ARE TAKING TURNS TO WHACK KAI WITH THOSE KENDO STICK! KAI CANT EVEN DEFEND HIMSELF WITH THAT TRASH CAN OVER HIS HEAD!
Thadd Blazevich: RABEAUX COLLAPSES TO BOTH KNEES AS KELTON AND CODY ARE BOTH UNRELENTING IN THEIR ASSAULT!
Rich Russillo: FINALLY, KAI GETS THAT TRASH CAN TO SLIP OFF! CODY BREAKS THE KENDO STICK OVER HIS KNEE, AND STICKS THE JAGGED END INTO KAI’S MOUTH! DRAWING BLOOD AS HE CUTS THE INSIDE OF HIS CHEEK! …KELTON AND CODY DROP THEIR KENDO STICKS WITH KELTON PICKING UP KAI, AND HOLDING BOTH ARMS BEHIND HIS BACK!
Thadd Blazevich: NOW, CODY HAS HOLD OF THAT TRASH CAN, AND RAISES IT ABOVE HIS HEAD-
Persephone: YEAH! HIT HIM IN THE SKULL!
Rich Russillo: BUT KAI BLASTS MAVERICK WITH A KICK TO THE GUT! CODY DOUBLES OVER, AND KAI GETS HIS HAND FREE! BACK ELBOWING KELTON! KELTON STAGGERS BACK AGAINST THE ROPES! AND KAI MARCHES TOWARD CODY, HOOKING HIM UP WITH A FALCON ARROW ONTO THE TRASH BIN!
Thadd Blazevich: CODY’S BODY TOTALLY CRUSHED IT!
Rich Russillo: KAI POPS BACK TO HIS FEET AS KELTON REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES, AND TRIES FOR A CLOTHESLINE! BUT KAI DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND CATCHES KELTON WITH A SUPERKICK TO THE MIDSECTION!
Thadd Blazevich: KAI FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A PENALTY KICK TO THE CHEST! JOLTING KELTON UPRIGHT, AND KAI GOES TO SPRINGBOARD OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH A CUTTER!
Rich Russillo: CRYSTAL KINGDOM CUTTER!! …BLOCKED! KELTON CAUGHT KAI OUT OF MID AIR IN A REAR WAISTLOCK, AND IS GOING FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX! HOWEVER, KAI IS FIGHTING IT OFF! TRYING TO HOLD HIS WEIGHT DOWN AGAINST KELTON!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT ADAM LUCAS! ADAM LUCAS HOPPED UP ON THE APRON, AND SLINGSHOTS HIMSELF OVER THE TOP ROPE FOR A BUCKSHOT LARIAT!
Rich Russillo: KAI NARROWLY DUCKED UNDERNEATH, AND HE CAUGHT KELTON FLUSH WITH THAT EQUALISER!
Thadd Blazevich: THAT NAME COULDN’T BE ANY MORE FITTING THAN IT IS NOW! CAUSE ADAM SWOOPED IN JUST AT THE NICK OF TIME!
Persephone: But how did he know Kai was going to duck under it?
Thadd Blazevich: Uh, lucky guess? 😅
Rich Russillo: I actually think that’s what Kai Is confronting him over!
(Kai turns Adam around, and the two begin arguing back and forth with Kai calling Adam out for almost hitting him with the Equaliser. But Adam quickly reminds Kai the main focus, gesturing to Kelton, and the two find themselves back on the same page with Adam grabbing hold of Jon.)
Thadd Blazevich: ADAM SENDS KELTON OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE, AND FOLLOWS HIM OUT THERE! KELTON GETS TO A KNEE, TRYING TO DESPERATELY FIGHT BACK WITH RABID SHOTS TO THE ABDOMEN! BUT KAI QUICKLY INTERJECTS HIMSELF AS WELL! AND THE TWO GET TO CLUBBING DOWN ON KELTON!
Rich Russillo: KAI AND ADAM BEAT KELTON DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND START PUTTING THE BOOTS TO HIM AS WELL!
Thadd Blazevich: ADAM LUCAS LIFTS KELTON BACK TO HIS FEET, AND PUTS HIM BETWEEN HIS LEGS FOR A POWERBOMB! WANTING TO PLANT HIM THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE! WITH KAI THERE TO ASSIST- BUT RABEAUX NOTICES SOMETHING AS HE RUNS TOWARD THE BARRICADE-
Rich Russillo: BRONSON!
Persephone: He couldn’t have just stayed away just a minute longer?
Rich Russillo: BRONSON RETURNS FROM THE CONCOURSE AREA, AND LEAPS UP ONTO THE BARRICADE! FLYING DOWN ONTO KAI WITH A CLOTHESLINE! LUCAS SETS KELTON ASIDE, AND GOES TO RUN AT BRONSON- BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A BATMAN PUNCH!
Thadd Blazevich: BATMAN PUNCH FROM BRONSON DANIELS SENDS THE WORLD CHAMPION DOWN!
(Bronson is fired up with the crowd firmly behind him, and he notices Kelton leaned up against the announce table before reaching his hand down.)
(Kelton takes it, and Bronson helps pull him up into a brief hug, garnering cheers from the audience-)
Persephone: Oh, not this fuck.
Rich Russillo: DRAKE! DRAKE ARMSTRONG BLINDSIDES BRONSON WITH A RUNNING FOREARM TO THE BACK THAT SENDS HIM DIRECTLY INTO KELTON! :krabs:
Thadd Blazevich: :krabs:
Persephone: :krabs:
Rich Russillo: KELTON GOES TUMBLING OVER THE SECOND ANNOUNCE DESK, AND DRAKE SENDS BRONSON FACE FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST!
Thadd Blazevich: GOOD GRIEF! BRONSON CAN BARELY STAND AS HE WOBBLES AROUND BEFORE DROPPING TO BOTH KNEES!
(Drake reaches into his trunks, and pulls out the Armstrong Family Ring!)
Persephone: Him and that damn ring.
Rich Russillo: DRAKE HAS THE ARMSTRONG FAMILY RING, AND ITS BECOME SOMETHING WERE ALMOST ACCUSTOMED TO SEEING! USUALLY, WHEN HE’S ABOUT TO CRACK SOMEBODY RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES WITH IT!
(Bronson remains on both knees as Drake comes from behind, and reaches around with his free arm to wrap over Bronson’s neck.)
Thadd Blazevich: AND DRAKE IS PUTTING THAT RING TO GOOD USE! REPEATEDLY SMASHING BRONSON DANIELS IN THE HEAD WITH IT!
Rich Russillo: I THINK I SEE BLOOD STARTING TO PILE UP ON SAID RING AS A WOUND OPENS UP ON BRONSON’S FOREHEAD WITH THAT REPEATED BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA!
(Bronson drops to all fours, and starts crawling away from Drake, who has a crazed look in his eyes as he slowly stalks behind Bronson.)
Persephone: I’m starting to think Bronson Daniels should’ve stayed in the concession area, which is an allegory for his whole career if you ask me. Seriously, how is this guy not flipping burgers yet next to his tag partner?
Thadd Blazevich: DRAKE IS CLOSING IN ON DANIELS- BUT FORGETS ABOUT CODY MAVERICK BACK INSIDE THE RING! WHO GLIDES THROUGH THE BOTTOM ROPE WITH A WRECKING BALL DROPKICK!
Rich Russillo: DRAKE GETS KNOCKED BACK INTO THE BARRICADE FROM THAT DROPKICK! AND CODY MAVERICK RUSHES HIM! HAMMERING DRAKE WITH REPEATED RIGHT HANDS AS HE DOES HIS BEST TO COVER UP!
Thadd Blazevich: SOON ENOUGH, BRONSON DANIELS JOINS IN ON THE FRAY! UNLOADING WITH LEFTS AND RIGHTS, ALONGSIDE CODY MAVERICK AS ARMSTRONG DOES HIS BEST TO COVER UP!
Rich Russillo: KAI! KAI RABEAUX JOINS THE FRAY! BLINDSIDING CODY MAVERICK, AND THE TWO WIND UP IN A HOCKEY FIGHT WITH BRONSON AND DRAKE GETTING IN ONE OF THEMSELVES!
Thadd Blazevich: ADAM LUCAS INTERJECTS! TRYING TO DOUBLE TEAM CODY WITH KAI- BUT KELTON LUNGES AT ADAM! GETTING IN A BACK AND FORTH WITH HIM TOO RINGSIDE! NOW, IT’S THREE PAIRS FIGHTING!
Rich Russillo: THEY’RE SO DISTRACTED WITH EACH OTHER, THEY’VE FAILED TO NOTICED CHRIS ELITE CLIMBING TO THE TOP ROPE! HAVING EMERGED FROM THE BACKSTAGE AREA!
Persephone: Who let him back in here?
Rich Russillo: CHRIS ELITE GOES TO PERCH HIMSELF FOR A DIVE- BUT HANS GRAYSON SNEAKS UP ONTO THE APRON BEHIND CHRIS, AND SHOVES HIM OFF ONTO EVERYBODY WITH A SWANTON! WIPING THE FIELD OUT!
Thadd Blazevich: GRAYSON AND CHRIS, LIKE, TOTALLY CAME FROM OUT OF NOWHERE DUDE!
Rich Russillo: AND HANS GRAYSON MIGHT HAVE THE MATCH WON FOR HIS TEAM AS HE RETRIEVES CHRIS ELITE FROM THE PILE OF BODIES, AND ROLLS HIM BACK INSIDE THE RING!
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS ELITE STILL HAS BLOOD ON HIS BACK FROM THAT GLASS, WHICH IS STUCK TO IT! HANS GRAYSON GOES DIGGING UNDERNEATH THE RING, AND PULLS OUT SOME BARBED WIRE! WRAPPING IT AROUND HIS ARM BEFORE GETTING UP ONTO THE APRON!
Rich Russillo: UH-OH! CHRIS DON’T TURN AROUND!
Thadd Blazevich: BURNING SHOT LARIAT WITH THE BARBED WIRE!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS ELITE GOT TURNED INSIDE OUT, AND HANS HOOKS THE LEG FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!
Perssphone: It’s over. Leave it to-
Rich Russillo: SPOKE TOO SOON! JON KELTON BREAKS UP THE COUNT LAST MINUTE! THROWING HIMSELF AT HANS WITH A DOUBLE AXE HANDLE!
Thadd Blazevich: GRAYSON LOOKS ANNOYED AS HE STORMS BACK TO HIS FEET WITH KELTON USING THE ROPES FOR ASSISTANCE IN RETURNING TO HIS!
Rich Russillo: JON KELTON LOOKS LOST AT THE MINUTE, PERHAPS USING HIS LAST BIT OF ENERGY TO STOP THE PINFALL FROM HAPPENING!
Thadd Blazevich: KELTON TURNS AROUND- AND ALMOST GETS CAUGHT WITH A BARBED WIRE LARIAT FROM HANS! BUT KELTON TRAPS THE ARM, AND SPIKES GRAYSON DOWN WITH A FUTURE SHOCK DDT! CHANGE THE FUTURE FROM KELTON!
(Kelton rolls Hans onto his back, and mounts him to remove the barbed wire from around his arm. Kelton takes a tool from Grayson’s playbook, and wraps the barbed wire about his arm before reaching down. Kelton grabs Hans in a front facelock almost, and rolls onto his back.)
Rich Russillo: GUILLOTINE! KELTON HAS THE GUILLOTINE ON GRAYSON! HE CALLS THIS THE AVADA KEDAVRA! BUT THE TRUE STORY HERE IS THAT BARBED WIRE BEING WRAPPED AROUND HIS ARM! AS IT’S DIGGING INTO THE THROAT OF HANS! THAT BLOOD SLOWLY CREEPING OUT!
Thadd Blazevich: HANS ISN’T MOVING! NO, HES GOING LIMP AS KELTON CINCHES THE HOLD AROUND HIS HEAD AND NECK TIGHTER WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THAT BARBED WIRE!
Rich Russillo: REFEREE GOES TO RAISE HANS’ ARM, AND HE MIGHT CALL IT HERE!
Persephone: I mean, there’s blood pouring his neck, and he isn’t moving. If that isn’t means to call a match, I don’t know what is.
Rich Russillo: DRAKE! DRAKE SLIDES IN THE RING, AND STARTS HAMMERING KELTON IN THE SKULL WITH PUNCHES! USING THAT RINGED FINGER TO BREAK UP THE GUILLOTINE CHOKE! DOING WHAT HE DID TO BRONSON, AND JUST OPENING UP THAT WOUND FROM EARLIER FURTHER WITH RIGHT HANDS!
Thadd Blazevich: HANS ROLLS OUT THE RING, AND MIGHT BE OUT AS HE LIES MOTIONLESS WITH DRAKE CONTINUING TO GO HAM INSIDE THE RING!
Rich Russillo: DRAKE PULLS KELTON BACK TO HIS FEET, AND HOISTS HIM UP FOR THE DEATH PENALTY! BUT BRONSON COMES FROM BEHIND, AND YANKS KELTON OFF! DRAKE SPINS AROUND, AND INTO A DOUBLE SUPERKICK!
Thadd Blazevich: DRAKE ROLLS OUT OF THE RING, AND FINDS HANS GRAYSON STIRRING! DRAKE PULLS HANS BACK TO HIS FEET FOR SOME ASSISTANCE!
RIch Russillo: BUT BRONSON AND KELTON FLY THROUGH THE AIR WITH A PAIR OF SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINES! SENDING EACH MAN CRASHING THROUGH THE ANNOUNCER TABLE! DOUBLE SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINES THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!
Persephone: Fucking idiots! Now, they’re both out!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT INSIDE THE RING! FOUR MEN SLITHER IN! TWO FROM EACH SIDE! THAT BEING KAI RABEAUX AND ADAM LUCAS! CODY MAVERICK AND CHRIS ELITE!
(As the men slide into the ring, Cody can be seen holding a small bag while Chris Elite has a roll of barbed wire. The two men drop their items once in the ring, going face to face with Kai and Adam.)
Rich Russillo: BOTH SIDES STAND UP ON THEIR OWN, AND ITS CALLBACKS TO THE START OF THE MATCH! AS BOTH SIDES IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE IN FISTCUFFS! ONCE AGAIN, ANOTHER HOCKEY FIGHT BREAKING OUT! CHRIS ELITE AND ADAM LUCAS! KAI RABEAUX AND CODY MAVERICK!
Thadd Blazevich: BUT FATIGUE IS STARTING TO SET IN AS BOTH SIDES STAGGER BACK AS THEY’RE STRUGGLING TO STAND! BUT BOTH SIDES GO FOR FOREARMS TOWARD THE OTHER, AND EACH COLLIDE IN THE MIDDLE!
Rich Russillo: BOTH SIDES STAGGER BACK AGAIN WITH CHRIS AND ADAM GOING FOR CLOTHESLINES! THAT CAUSE THEM TO COLLIDE ONCE AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE!
Thadd Blazevich: KAI AND CODY WENT FOR THE SAME THING- BUT CODY HAD IT SCOUTED! TRAPPING KAI’S ARM, AND TURNING HIM AROUND FOR A KICK TO THE GUT! DELIVERING A STUNNER!!! A SIN CITY STUNNER!
Rich Russillo: KAI BACKFLIPPED FROM THE IMPACT, AND ROLLS OUT THE RING! LEAVING CHRIS, ADAM, AND CODY! CHRIS AND ADAM ARE STILL DOUBLED OVER SLIGHTLY FROM THOSE STEREO CLOTHESLINE!
Persephone: But I think it’s starting to dawn on this poor fuck that he’s toast!
(Adam looks up to notice Chris Elite and Cody Maverick standing side by side together.)
Persephone: :mjlol:
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS AND CODY SWARM LUCAS! CLUBBING HIM DOWN TO ALL FOURS!
(As Cody Maverick continues punching away at Adam Lucas, Chris Elite grabs the bag before pouring thumbtacks on the mat. After this, Chris walks away and goes for the barbed wire.)
Thadd Blazevich: What’s he doing?
Persephone: This oughta be good.
Rich Russillo: Cody stands Adam up, AND LIFTS ADAM UP BEFORE DROPPING ADAM ONTO THE THUMBTACKS WITH THE HIGH ROLLER!!!! THE HIGH ROLLER CONNECTS ONTO THE THUMBTACKS, WHICH CAUSE ADAM TO INVOLUNTARILY SIT UP IN PAIN AS HIS BACK IS COVERED IN THUMBTACKS!
Thadd Blazevich: GNARLY MOVE THERE FROM CODY!
Rich Russillo: THAT’S GONNA BE HELL TO TAKE OUT LATER, BUT IT ISN’T OVER YET!!!! CHRIS WRAPS THE BARBED WIRE AROUND HIS BOOT BEFORE BACKING UP AS LUCAS REMAINS IN A SEATED POSITION! …BOX OFFICE SMASH!
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS ELITE WITH A BOX OFFICE SMASH, KICKING ADAM IN THE HEAD AS THE BARBED WIRE GOES DIRECTLY INTO ADAM’S SKIN BEFORE TEARING AWAY!! ADAM LUCAS IS OUT AND COVERED IN BLOOD, AND CODY MAVERICK GOES TO MAKE THE COVER-
Rich Russillo: BUT CHRIS ELITE GRABS, AND SENDS HIM OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE!
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS RUSHES INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS… THE TEAM OF BRONSON DANIELS, JON KELTON, CODY MAVERICK, AND CHRIS ELITE!
(”Invincible” by Pop Smoke plays to a positive reaction from fans as Chris Elite pops to his feet, getting his hand raised in victory while the camera pans around to show the carnage. Drake, Hans, Kelton, and Bronson each lie in that announce table rubble. Meanwhile, Cody Maverick seems irate as he pulls himself up with assistance from the apron.)
Rich Russillo: WELL, THE ENDING WASN’T PRETTY! ESPECIALLY FOR OUR CHAMPION! BUT CHRIS ELITE PICKS UP THE VICTORY FOR HIS TE-
Thadd Blazevich: HEY!
Rich Russillo: CODY MAVERICK JUST BLINDSIDED CHRIS WITH A RUNNING FOREARM TO THE BACK OF HIS HEAD! KNOCKING HIM OVER!
Thadd Blazevich: I DIDN’T TAKE CODY AS THE TYPE TO LET THAT GO! GETTING THE PIN STOLEN BY CHRIS ELITE, WHO WANTED THE WIN ALL FOR HIMSELF!
Rich Russillo: CHRIS SCRAMBLES TO SIT HIMSELF INTO THE CORNER, AND CODY MAVERICK STARTS GOING TO TOWN WITH STOMPS! STOMPING A MUDHOLE INTO HIS PARTNER!
Thadd Blazevich: THEY ARE NOT PARTNERS ANYMORE! THAT ALLIANCE DIED THE SECOND THIS BELL RUNG!
Persephone: I’m tired. Can we pick this up sometime next week?
Rich Russillo: CODY IS STILL STOMPING A MUDHOLE INTO CHRIS ELITE, AND TRIES TO DRAG HIM BACK TO HIS FEET!
Thadd Blazevich; BUT CHRIS TACKLES CODY DOWN TO THE GROUND, AND UNLOADS WITH RIGHT AND LEFT HANDS!!
Rich Russillo: CODY MAVERICK IS TRYING TO COVER UP BEFORE ROLLING CHRIS ELITE ONTO HIS BACK! MOUNTING HIM NOW WITH LEFTS AND RIGHTS!
Thadd Blazevich: CHRIS ELITE SHOVES CODY OFF, AND BOTH MEN SCRAMBLE TO THEIR FEET WITH CHRIS CATCHING CODY WITH A BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE! OPEN YA MATA!!
Rich Russillo: CODY STUMBLES BACK AGAINST THE ROPES, AND BOUNCES OFF TO CRACK CHRIS ELITE IN THE JAW WITH A SUPERMAN PUNCH!
Persephone: They’re STILL going?!
Thadd Blazevich: BARELY!
Rich Russillo: BOTH MEN ARE STRUGGLING TO STAND AFTER CONNECTING WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE MOVES! BUT CODY GOES TO GRAB CHRIS- THAT IS BEFORE ADAM SLINGSHOTS OVER THE TOP WITH AN EQUALISER FOR BOTH MEN!
(Adam drops to all fours, coughing as he’s still struggling to breath, but his anger overrides that for now as he rises back to his feet.)
Thadd Blazevich: LUCAS IS BACK UP, AND POWERBOMBS CODY ONTO CHRIS ELITE’S BACK WITH A LEVEL UP! ADAM STANDS CHRIS ELITE UP, AND SHOVES HIM INTO THE ROPES FOR A POP-UP POWERBOMB!
Rich Russillo: LEVEL UP! BUT SLAMS CHRIS DOWN ONTO CODY MAVERICK’S BODY!!
(Chris rolls off Maverick, and both men are writhing in pain whilst holding their ribs. Adam demands his Championship, and snatches it from a stagehand ringside after reaching through the middle rope.)
Rich Russillo: Despite losing the match, our Champion has made a statement regardless…
Thadd Blazevich: How Adam is still standing right now is beyond me! But goes to show how damn tough he is!
Persephone: You’ll be saying the same about everyone else once they’re still somehow competing next week.
(Adam doubles over briefly in the center while coughing before holding his title up, angrily staring down at both Cody Maverick and Chris Elite inside the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Tonight, Adam didn’t score the victory. But Chris Elite and Cody Maverick certainly don’t look like winners.
Thadd Blazevich: Not at all, man.
Rich Russillo: I imagine there’ll be hell to pay for this. But one has to question their condition for next week where they’ll compete for number one contendership of that title.
Persephone: Yeah, well, you’ll have to tune in next week for that! Anyways, that’s our show! Bye!
(Persephone is desperate to rush off the air as the camera’s final shot is Adam Lucas slinging the Championship over his shoulder while standing tall over both Chris and Cody Maverick.)
(EAW Logo Buzzes.)
