Voltage

(EAW intro plays.)

(A recap is shown of last week’s Voltage as always, before the highlight package fades to black. Following this the camera opens up to Amarillo National Center in Amarillo, Texas, and pans to the crowd, revealing thousands of fans who appear excited for the show ahead. The camera cuts to the stage as pyro shoots out, before transitioning to the commentary table where Rich Russillo, Thadd Blazevich and Persephone are seen.)

Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Sunday Night Voltage, and as we continue heading towards Territorial Invasion, we’re back with what’s bound to be another fantastic night!

Persephone: Yay.

Thadd Blazevich: You know the drill, dudes! TI’s coming up, and on the road to getting there we got a hell of a night planned, packed with some radical matches with gnarly stakes! Before we get there though, we got some footage after Showdown last night, which got pretty wild.

[SCREENBAR – Last night, after Showdown.]

(The camera opens up to the commotion that occurred at the end of Showdown, where Milli Banks and Veena Adams got into a brawl with Joso and Minerva. It was a messy fight that required security to get involved. Now, those security guards are shown dragging Minerva and Joso away from the area, bringing them backstage while Milli and Veena are shown being taken through the crowd, making sure to keep the Elitists far away from each other. They all struggle trying to get out of the grasp of the many security guards, but by this point too many of them have flooded in for that to be possible. As Milli and Veena are taken up the steps in the crowd area the camera shows one last shot of the backstage area of the Paycom Center, as Minerva and Joso are taken out towards the parking lot by the security guards. After this, the camera fades out.)

(The camera returns to tonight’s show after this, fading towards the stage as ‘Blood, Milk & Sky’ by White Zombie begins to play. The fans in attendance immediately begin to loudly boo, with the boos only growing louder as Minerva, the Universal Women’s Champion begins to walk out. She is not alone tonight however, as following Showdown’s events she is here with a special guest, that being none other than Joso.)

Rich Russillo: Showdown last night ended with one hell of a brawl which we just saw the aftermath of, and it seems like thanks to that, Minerva has brought a guest with her tonight as Joso is here from Showdown!

Thadd Blazevich: Talk about a surprise, dude! I didn’t expect to see Joso here on Voltage, and the fact that he’s here makes me real interested in what’s gonna happen tonight!

Persephone: You can speak for yourself. The last person I care to see right now is Joso. I don’t even want to see the people actually on our brand.

(The two Elitists make their way down the ramp, both holding microphones in their hands as Minerva also carries her Championship on their shoulder. They make their way into the ring, and despite last night’s events, Minerva has a smirk on her face as her entrance music fades out. The boos continue, but this doesn’t seem to bother the two in the ring, especially not Joso who already seems to have a lot in mind. Before the fans can even quiet down, Joso begins to speak.)

Joso: You know, I was hoping after Midsummer Massacre I could move on and focus on getting myself back where I belong, but apparently Milli Banks had other plans. I already made it clear that losing to Bea Valentine wasn’t gonna stop me, and if anybody thought I was gonna sit around feeling sorry for myself, they clearly haven’t been paying attention. I’m trying to turn things around and remind everybody why I’m the one that belongs at the top of Showdown, and I’m not letting Milli get in the way of that because she’s still pissed about what I did to her last week.

(Joso briefly glances toward Minerva before turning his attention back to the crowd.)

Joso: Milli can come looking for payback, she can bring Veena with her and start as many fights as she wants, but I don’t regret what I did. She was in my way, so I dropped her, and last night she decided she wanted to make that an even bigger problem. Fine by me. Security had to drag us apart because everybody knew where that was heading, and if Milli wants to keep this going, I’ll gladly finish it. Territorial Invasion is coming up and I plan to take my place at the forefront of Showdown where I belong. If getting rid of Milli Banks is what I have to do before I can get back to what actually matters, then that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.

(Joso lowers his microphone, turning toward Minerva as she maintains the grin on her face. After a moment she turns, facing the crowd as she begins to speak.)

Minerva: I understand what Veena and Milli mean to Showdown. I may not be a member of that roster, but I have kept an eye on that brand, enough to know that against the competition they have faced, they have proven to be credible threats in their own rights. I already understand what Milli is capable of, which is why I hold this Championship right now. Veena on the other hand is someone who for quite some time now, with the exception of matches such as 2024’s War Games, I’ve had to watch grow from afar. Truthfully, both of these women have been successful enough in their own right. I can understand why they mean so much to Showdown. However…

(The grin on Minerva’s face widens.)

Minerva: This is the wrong fight for them.

(Boos follow Minerva’s words, but she maintains her composed demeanor, just shaking her head and letting out a sigh before she continues.)

Minerva: It’s too bad. I thought Milli might’ve known better by now. Allowing her own friend to step up to me like a lamb to the slaughter after what I did to her at Pain for Pride. Either Milli is foolish or she doesn’t care for Veena as she says, but the blame isn’t solely hers to carry. Veena did not have to do this to herself. She made the conscious decision to challenge for the Universal Women’s Championship, and what happens to her because of this will be something she has to live with. This Championship will remain on my shoulder once Territorial Invasion is over, so-

(Both Minerva and Joso turn their attention toward the stage as “7 Rings” by Ariana Grande hits, bringing Veena Adams out with a microphone already in hand. Veena comes to a stop on the stage, staring back at Joso and Minerva in the ring with a slight smirk as she tilts her head. But as her theme begins to fade, “You Are Stronger” by Lyn Inaizumi takes over, causing the crowd reaction to grow even louder as Milli Banks steps out to join Veena on the stage. Milli stands alongside her as the two stare down Minerva and Joso in the ring.)

Veena Adams: Oh, please. 🙄 By this point, Minerva, you should know better than to think I’m actually gonna be scared of anything you have to say to me. You can call me a lamb to the slaughter, tell me I picked the wrong fight, and like go on and on about everything you’re gonna do to me at Territorial Invasion, but do you seriously think I give a shit? I knew exactly what I was getting into when I challenged you for that Championship. I know what you’re capable of, I know what you did to Millz at Pain for Pride, and guess what? I still walked right up to you last week and told you I wanted a match. Nobody talked me into this. Nobody pushed me into it. I chose you.

(Veena and Milli begin making their way down the ramp as Minerva and Joso watch from inside the ring. Veena keeps her eyes locked on Minerva while continuing to speak, the confident smirk never leaving her face.)

Veena Adams: So don’t like try putting this on Millz either, because she didn’t send me after you and she sure as hell isn’t leading me anywhere. She knows better than basically anyone that once I decide I want something, there’s not a person in this company that’s gonna talk me out of going after it. I wanted a shot at the Universal Women’s Championship, you’re the bitch holding it, and now here we are! You can threaten me all you want, Minerva. You can promise to hurt me, embarrass me, make me regret ever stepping up to you, whatever makes you feel better about yourself. I literally don’t care. You’re still gonna have to actually do it.

(Veena walks up the steps and enters the ring, with Milli following behind her. The two approach Minerva and Joso before coming to a stop across from them in the center of the ring. Veena looks Minerva up and down, briefly glancing at the Universal Women’s Championship on her shoulder before meeting her eyes again.)

Veena Adams: And trust me, I’m like not losing any sleep thinking about what you might do to me at Territorial Invasion. I’m way more interested in what happens when you realize I wasn’t talking out of my ass when I said I could take that Championship from you, because unlike the Veena you might remember from years ago, I don’t need anyone to pretend I belong here anymore. I already proved that. So like maybe instead of worrying about whether Millz should’ve stopped me, you should start worrying about what you’re gonna do when I become a two-time World Champion at your expense. 💁🏼‍♀️

(The fans cheer, and there is a brief staredown between the two as Veena smirks.)

Minerva: So, we do this again. I can’t control your actions, I am well aware of that. You’re free to make whatever mistake you wish to, but that doesn’t prevent this from being the wrong decision, does it? On Showdown you were the Answers World Champion and while you had a very productive reign, your time as Champion ended months ago and your opportunity to change that was ruined against Jake Smith and Bea Valentine. During that time I have been the biggest threat this division has to offer bar none, and that fact hasn’t changed since this season began. You may step forward, but in turn this reign will only continue to be built off of the suffering of the both of you.

(Minerva looks towards Milli after saying this as Veena refuses to let Minerva’s words get to her, but before Minerva can continue, Milli speaks up.)

Milli Banks: Don’t start with me, Minerva. I get it. I lost at Pain for Pride and you walked away with the Universal Women’s Championship but you’re out of your mind if you think anything changed on my end after you attacked my sister. I’m not going to warn you too many times not to try me, because I’m not even the one facing you at TI. Veena’s gonna have all of Territorial Invasion to beat your ass and win her second World Championship but since we’re here now, I really don’t mind picking up where we left off last night. You just need to focus on handling your problems, while I handle mine.

(Minerva doesn’t respond to this, and Milli turns towards Joso.)

Milli Banks: Joso, you have serious audacity making me out to be the problem after you attacked me last week. It’s crazy. I used to think you were better than… *This*. I remember back when you were on top of the world, carrying the World Heavyweight Championship and actually proving you belonged at the top of this place because you cared about showing it where it actually mattered. Now here you are. Bitter, resentful and willingly standing next to this bitch while you burn all the other bridges you built for the last few years. I’m beyond over this and if this is what you want to be then fine, but seriously, don’t expect me to just sit back and let you do what you want.

(Milli Banks walks up towards Joso.)

Milli Banks: If you want a fight, you don’t need to attack me from behind. I’ll *gladly* give you the fight you want.

Joso: See, that right there is your problem. You’re so stuck on who you think I’m supposed to be that you haven’t stopped to realize I don’t give a damn about living up to your expectations. Yeah, I was World Heavyweight Champion. I know exactly what I was capable of then, and I know what I’m capable of now. The difference is I’m not interested in playing nice with everybody just to prove I still got it. I’m gonna get back where I belong my way, and if that means burning a few bridges along the way, then so be it. You wanna fight me because you don’t like what I did? Cool. Just understand you’re not getting an apology from me, and you damn sure aren’t gonna make me regret it.

(Joso takes a step closer to Milli, refusing to back down from her challenge.)

Joso: You said I don’t need to attack you from behind if I want a fight, right? Well, here I am. I’m standing right in front of you now, and I’m telling you the same thing Minerva’s been telling Veena. You might think you know what you’re getting yourself into, but wanting this fight and actually dealing with what comes with it are two different things.

(Minerva nods her head.)

Minerva: It is true, though I suppose it’d be unlike both Milli and Veena to actually consider that the “threats” being thrown at them are actually a reality. Two-time World Champion? Against Bea Valentine perhaps that’d be a possibility, or you may repeat history against Impact should he prevail at Territorial Invasion. You however have set yourself up for disappointment Veena, and I have no intentions of saving you from that. You’re a fool. You not only lack understanding of what you’re asking for, you are choosing to ignore it. You’re living in a fantasy that’ll fall apart once you and I step into the ring.

(Veena rolls her eyes, clearly growing tired of hearing the same warnings from Minerva.)

Veena Adams: Oh my God, there you go again. 😭 Minerva, how many different ways are you gonna tell me that I don’t know what I’m getting myself into before you realize I just don’t care? You keep talking about me like I’m some clueless little girl who woke up one morning and randomly decided being Universal Women’s Champion sounded fun, when I’ve already been at the top of this company. I know what it takes to become World Champion, I know what it feels like to lose it, and yeah, I know what it feels like when getting another shot doesn’t go my way. None of that means I’m supposed to stop trying. If anything, it’s exactly why I’m standing here now.

(Veena takes a step closer to Minerva, looking down at the Universal Women’s Championship once more before looking back into her eyes.)

Veena Adams: You can call it a fantasy all you want, but you’re the one acting like what you’ve done somehow makes you untouchable. I don’t need you to save me from anything, babe. I asked for this match because I believe I can beat you, and when Territorial Invasion comes around, we get to find out which one of us was actually right.

(Joso shakes his head before looking between Veena and Milli.)

Joso: Man, both of y’all got an answer for everything. That’s cool, but eventually all this talking has to turn into something. Veena, you can laugh off everything Minerva says and convince yourself that Championship is already halfway around your waist, but she’s telling you exactly what’s waiting for you. And Milli, you can keep looking at me like I’m somebody you don’t recognize anymore, but I’m not asking you to recognize me. I’m telling you that if you keep coming after me because you think I owe you something, then we’re gonna keep having the same problem we had last night.

(Joso turns his attention fully towards Milli.)

Joso: I already told you I’m trying to get back to the top, and I’m not letting anybody become another roadblock for me. Not you, not Veena, not anybody else. So if you really wanna make this your problem too, go ahead. Just don’t expect me to handle it any differently because we used to be cool.

Milli Banks: You just need to watch yourself Joso, because as far as I’m concerned I still owe you for what you pulled last week. You can go around making threats promising to handle your problems however you see fit, but I’ve been dealing with stuff like this for years now. I just didn’t think I’d have to go through this with you, but I guess I should be thanking you for opening my eyes. Clearly my expectations were a bit too high.

(The fans cheer, and Joso looks irritated as he stares at Milli Banks. Veena turns towards Minerva, staring at her as she follows up.)

Veena Adams: And Minerva? Keep the Championship nice and shiny for me until Territorial Invasion. I’d like it looking cute when I take it from you. 😘

(The cheers grow louder, and Veena lowers her microphone as her and Milli stare at Minerva and Joso. Minerva and Joso stand their ground, as the four Elitists stand face to face with each other to a loud reception from the crowd, all while ‘7 Rings’ begins to play once more.)

Rich Russillo: Things are definitely getting heated. Tensions are running high, and we already saw these four get into a brawl on Showdown last night.

Thadd Blazevich: You’re right bro, and we’ll have to see what happens with Milli and Joso on Showdown, but we know what’s next for Milli and Veena! TI is up next, and I don’t know if either woman is gonna want to just keep throwing shots on the mic.

Rich Russillo: After last night? I think it’s safe to say they don’t. I applaud them for their composure, because I think already both women want to hurt each other.

(One more shot is shown of the four Elitists inside of the ring, which at this point is filled with tension given everything that has already been said and done between them. Veena looks confident as she stares at the composed Champion Minerva, and it is clear both Joso and Milli haven’t forgotten about last week’s events as they don’t take their eyes off of each other. With this final shot, Voltage fades from ringside.)

(Voltage fades backstage and shows the two remaining ToXXXin members, Daniella Atlas and Selina Reyes, watching a monitor. Daniella’s expression is one that is stoic, while Selina’s look is a little more expressive. She frowns as the scene at ringside cuts and then she turns towards Daniella.)

Selina Reyes: Hmm.

Daniella Atlas: Penny for your thoughts?

Selina Reyes: I thought the American government stopped production on such a thing.

(The briefest of smiles are exchanged between the former Unified Tag Team Champions.)

Daniella Atlas: True as it is, your thoughts on that situation are worth much more.

Selina Reyes: Indeed they are. Do you find it odd that Minerva requested for us to stay backstage during this?

(Daniella thought for a moment, then she shrugged. It didn’t matter to her one way or another what Minerva chose to do, but she could see that Selina felt a way about it.)

Daniella Atlas: Perhaps this situation is far more suited for her to handle, than to involve us in it any further. It doesn’t matter, really, because you have your own opportunity tonight, and it is a big one at that.

(Selina nodded, even though something felt off to her about this situation. Perhaps Minerva wasn’t interested in hearing Veena, or Milli for that matter, bring up something that could paint ToXXXin in any sort of negative light. Instead of thinking about it further, put the thought in the back of her head.)

Selina Reyes: You’re right. I want to become the Specialists Champion and getting through Sayuri tonight is going to be a piece of cake. I’m not worried about her, even though she does possess a lot of talent. I won’t take that away from her, but I’m better. I truly see myself having my hand raised at Territorial Invasion and earning that contendership. Bringing another piece of gold into ToXXXin would be lovely, especially when you consider how prestigious the Specialists Championship is. It’s been sullied and forgotten about these last few months thanks…

(Selina’s voice trails off as Daniella gives her a sharp look.)

Selina Reyes: You know what I mean.

Daniella Atlast: Oui, but still. It is not the fault of Auburn nor Saori that things have dissolved into this.

Selina Reyes: I understand that, and I understand why you’re concerned about the situation. But there’s something I don’t understand…

(Daniella folded her arms across her chest and raised an eyebrow.)

Daniella Atlas: What might that be, chère?

Selina Reyes: You have the opportunity to focus on doing what’s best for you, but your attention still seems to be elsewhere. I could already tell you were concerned last week when we spoke, but then I found out about what happened after the show at the hotel. Something happened between Saori and Auburn. There was a fight, and you intervened.

(To this, Daniella doesn’t say anything.)

Selina Reyes: Their mess is not yours, Daniella. Saori and Auburn may have gotten into it, but cleaning up their mess isn’t your responsibility. Why did you feel the need to step in and get involved in the middle of their fight? Their situation doesn’t involve you, Daniella, and it seems to me that you put yourself right in the middle of it.

(Selina was referring to an incident between Saori and Auburn, occurring at a hotel following Voltage. A hostile argument led to a fight breaking out between them, and after Daniella’s door was pushed open, she would help break it up. Selina’s words were delivered with kindness, but Daniella still had difficulty not taking offense to them. Instead of replying straight away, she took a small step backwards and thought long and hard about what she wished to reveal in the moment.)

(Noticing the internal struggle, Selina didn’t push. Over the course of the last season, she had gotten to know Daniella extremely well; learning her triggers, quirks, and everything else in between. It dawned on Selina that perhaps this situation was more personal than surface level for Daniella, and she found that interesting to say the least.)

Daniella Atlas: They all but knocked down my door. What else was I to do? Security was not very helpful, so I simply stepped in and helped break it up. Auburn and Saori may feel how they do about each other and I don’t hold the power to alter that, but if I am forced to watch it all unfold right in front of me, I cannot be expected to stand by and do nothing.

(Selina simply nodded. There wasn’t anything else to say unless she wanted to call Daniella out for clearly hiding something.)

Daniella Atlas: I’m sorry, it’s complicated.

(Daniella sighed, and looked away. Despite that, she felt Selina’s penetrating gaze on her.)

Daniella Atlas: This situation is disturbing and frustrating, and every week it seems to get a little bit worse. I shudder to think what will happen when and if Lazarus names Saori as the final member of this War Games team he unfortunately got to captain.

Selina Reyes: Do you think he would do that?

(Daniella shot Selina a look. Before the conversation could go any further, someone bumped into Selina, which sent her crashing into Daniella. Daniella steadied her partner before cutting her eyes at the man on the phone.)

(Drake Armstrong.)

Drake Armstrong: No! NO! That is not what I was trying to get out of this deal. Armstrong Legal needs to rework that contract and add in the demands I made. This is a situation that I simply will not settle on. Get it fixed and email me the final copy. I want this done within the hour.

(Drake pocketed his phone and let out an insufferable sigh.)

Drake Armstrong: Incompetent fools.

(Selina regains her balance and immediately turns toward Drake, who finally seems to notice the two women standing there.)

Selina Reyes: Excuse you?

(Drake looks at Selina, then Daniella, before glancing at the hallway around them.)

Drake Armstrong: Perhaps the two of you could find somewhere more appropriate to hold your conversations rather than standing directly in the way.

(Selina stares at Drake in disbelief.)

Selina Reyes: Are you serious? You walked into me.

Drake Armstrong: Yes, because you were standing in the middle of the hallway while I was handling important business.

Selina Reyes: You weren’t even looking where you were going. You had your face buried in your phone the entire time, yet you intend to make this our fault?

Drake Armstrong: I was correcting the incompetence of people who apparently require constant supervision to perform the simplest of tasks. Forgive me if watching for people standing around backstage was not at the forefront of my mind, but perhaps this could have been avoided had you shown some awareness of your surroundings.

Selina Reyes: I could not care less what you were doing. You ran into me Drake, and I won’t have my intelligence insulted. Just admit you weren’t paying attention and move on rather than trying to play us for fools.

Drake Armstrong: I have nothing to admit. Had you not been occupying the path in front of me, there would have been no collision in the first place. I would think that much is rather simple to understand.

(Selina scoffs before stepping closer.)

Selina Reyes: I can see why you make so many enemies. You really can’t ever be wrong, can you? You could walk straight into a wall and you’d still find a way to blame the person who built it.

Drake Armstrong: A poorly positioned wall, perhaps.

(Selina shakes her head as Drake straightens his jacket, clearly seeing no fault in anything he has done.)

Selina Reyes: You obnoxious imbecile.

Drake Armstrong: How vulgar. Though I suppose expecting anything better would have been foolish on my part. If this is truly how you intend to conduct yourself over something so insignificant, then I am beginning to understand why you have found it necessary to surround yourself with others.

(Selina’s expression immediately changes at the comment about ToXXXin.)

Selina Reyes: It’d be wise for you to watch your words, because I do not plan to stand here and listen to you run your mouth about myself or ToXXXin, all because you’re pissed off about whatever happened on that phone call.

Drake Armstrong: I assure you, Miss Reyes, whatever frustration I have with my business dealings has absolutely nothing to do with you. Until you decided to turn an accidental collision into this tiresome confrontation, neither did you.

Selina Reyes: Keep talking down to me and see what happens.

Drake Armstrong: Is that a threat?

Selina Reyes: Take it however you want.

(Selina steps closer again, getting directly in Drake’s face. Drake doesn’t back away, instead looking down at her with an expression that only makes Selina angrier.)

Drake Armstrong: It would behoove you to reconsider whatever thought is currently passing through your mind. You have already wasted enough of my time by standing in my way, and I have no desire to waste any more of it teaching you your place.

Selina Reyes: My place?

(Selina starts forward, but Daniella immediately grabs her by the arm and pulls her back.)

Daniella Atlas: Selina.

Selina Reyes: Let go of me, Daniella. If he wants to keep running his mouth, I’ve got no problem shutting it for him.

Daniella Atlas: And what exactly does that accomplish for you? You have Sayuri tonight.

(Selina keeps her eyes locked on Drake.)

Selina Reyes: I know what I have tonight.

Daniella Atlas: Then focus on it. You have an opportunity to represent Voltage at Territorial Invasion and put yourself in position to become Specialists Champion, which is exactly what we were discussing before this interruption. Do not allow yourself to lose sight of that because someone has managed to irritate you.

(Drake watches quietly as Selina looks toward Daniella, still visibly angry.)

Daniella Atlas: You said yourself that Sayuri possesses talent, so give her the attention she warrants. You want another Championship within ToXXXin, and tonight is the first step toward making that happen. Focus on what actually matters.

(Selina takes a moment before finally backing down. Daniella releases her arm, and Selina gives Drake one last glare.)

Selina Reyes: Fine. You’re right.

(Selina points at Drake.)

Selina Reyes: Next time, watch where you’re going.

Drake Armstrong: There won’t be a next time, so long as you know your place and stay out of my way.

(Selina rolls her eyes before turning and walking off down the hallway, forcing herself to leave the confrontation behind and focus on her upcoming match against Sayuri Himura.)

(Daniella watches Selina leave before slowly turning back toward Drake, who is already staring directly at her.)

(The two simply glare at one another for a few moments, neither looking particularly impressed with the other. Drake eventually adjusts his jacket before walking past Daniella without another word.)

(Daniella turns her head as Drake passes, watching him continue down the hallway. She remains where she is, glaring after him until he disappears around the corner before Voltage fades elsewhere.)

(Commercial for the new DC series “LANTERNS”.)

(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)

Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!

Bella Braxton: And the winner will represent Voltage in a number one contendership match for the Specialists Championship… AT TERRITORIAL INVASION!

(“REVIVER” by MY FIRST STORY hits to a strong reaction as Sayuri Himura steps onto the stage, with a focused look on her face given the opportunity at stake. She briefly takes in the cheers before turning her focus toward the ring, confidently making her way down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Residing out of Yokohama, Japan, weighing in at 125 pounds…SHE IS THE YŪREI…SAYURI HIMURA!!

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri’s got a huge opportunity tonight, dude! Win this match and she may very well be next in line for a shot at Saori Aizen and the Specialists Championship!

Rich Russillo: And we know how dangerous Sayuri can be. She has all the tools to get the job done tonight, but she has a very tough opponent standing in her way.

Thadd Blazevich: No doubt, bro! She’s gotta bring her best tonight because Selina Reyes isn’t gonna make this easy!

(‘My Own Summer’ by Deftones hits to a negative reaction as Selina Reyes strolls onto the stage, looking to brush off her prior encounter with Drake Armstrong. She briefly surveys the crowd with a stoic expression before setting her sights on the ring and making her way down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: And her opponent! Hailing out of San Antonio, Texas, weighing in at 117 pounds…SHE IS THE ORYX QUEEN…SELINA REYES!!

Rich Russillo: Selina has the exact same opportunity in front of her, and a win tonight puts her one step away from getting a shot to fight for the Specialists Championship!

Thadd Blazevich: Selina’s tough, aggressive, and willing to do whatever it takes, dude. Sayuri better be ready for a fight!

Persephone: Can they just fight already? I’d rather get this over with as soon as possible.

(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Rich Russillo: The bell has rung, and this qualifier for the number one contendership match is officially underway! It’s Sayuri Himura versus Selina Reyes, both battling for the opportunity to compete at Territorial Invasion and possibly face Saori Aizen! You can bet the Champion is watching this one closely somewhere as these two circle each other before locking up in the center of the ring!

Thadd Blazevich: Selina quickly muscles Sayuri back into the corner, keeping her pinned there as they aggressively jockey for position! Neither woman wants to give an inch, but the referee has to step in and start the five count!

Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!

Rich Russillo: Sayuri gets her boot up between them, using it to push Selina back and force the break! Both women reset and begin circling each other again before locking up for a second time! Selina gets the upper hand with a standing side headlock, wrenching away at Sayuri, but Himura backs her against the ropes and keeps her pinned there! Sayuri finds a slight opening and slips her arm through, reversing into a side headlock of her own!

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri drags Selina back toward the center of the ring and really cranks on that headlock, forcing her down to a knee! Sayuri switches into a front facelock from there and wrestles Selina down to the mat before slipping behind for a rear waistlock! Selina doesn’t stay grounded for long, though, scrambling back to her feet and immediately trying to pry Himura’s fingers apart!

Persephone: Riveting stuff so far. I’m practically glued to my seat.

Thadd Blazevich: I’m getting this weird feeling you’re being sarcastic, dude.

Persephone: YES, YOU MORON! What the hell gave it away?!

Thadd Blazevich: :whoa:

Rich Russillo: Selina bars Sayuri’s arm to break the rear waistlock before slipping behind her for a hammerlock, applying pressure to the arm and shoulder joint— BUT SAYURI STARTS TO FIGHT HER WAY OUT, CATCHING SELINA WITH A BACK ELBOW! That stuns Reyes long enough for Sayuri to slip behind and apply a hammerlock of her own! Now Selina’s getting a taste of her own medicine, and Sayuri might be looking to prove she can match her hold for hold!

Thadd Blazevich: Selina reaches back with her free arm and manages to escape into a standing side headlock on Sayuri! Reyes switches arms to get a better grip before cranking on the hold, dropping to a knee and dragging Sayuri down to one with her! Selina keeps squeezing, but Sayuri powers her way back to her feet and drives Reyes against the ropes!

Rich Russillo: Sayuri bounces Selina off to escape— but immediately reels her back in by the rear of her attire, trying to wrap Reyes in a standing side headlock of her own— OR AT LEAST SHE TRIED TO! SELINA DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND AS SAYURI SPINS AROUND— DOUBLE-HANDED CHOP TO THE THROAT! Reyes catches her right across the throat!

Persephone: Okay, watching Sayuri struggle for air right now is actually pretty funny.

Thadd Blazevich: That was dirty by Selina, but I don’t think she cares, dude. Anything to get the advantage— BUT SAYURI RESPONDS WITH A STOMP TO SELINA’S FOOT! Reyes can barely put weight on it as Sayuri shoots off the ropes… but Selina leapfrogs over her before dropping down as Sayuri rebounds a second time! Himura hits the ropes for a third— AND THIS TIME GETS CAUGHT WITH A DROPKICK! SELINA HALTS HER MOMENTUM JUST LIKE THAT!

Rich Russillo: Selina rises to her feet as Sayuri stirs to all fours before coming over and pulling her upright… Reyes grabs two fistfuls of hair and drags Sayuri toward the corner— BEFORE SLAMMING HER FACE FIRST OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! Himura is reeling in that corner as Selina winds back— KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST!

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri doubles over slightly, favoring her chest before Selina grabs two handfuls of hair again and leans her back against the ropes for an Irish whip! SELINA WINDS BACK FOR SOMETHING, BUT SAYURI HOOKS BOTH ARMS AROUND THE TOP ROPE, STOPPING HERSELF FROM REBOUNDING! Reyes doesn’t like that one bit and charges in— BUT RUNS RIGHT INTO A BACK ELBOW FROM HIMURA!

Rich Russillo: Selina staggers back, favoring her mouth and nose before angrily charging at Sayuri a second time— BUT THIS TIME SHE RUNS RIGHT INTO A KNEE TO THE GUT! Reyes drops to all fours before crawling into a seated position in the corner! She’s struggling to breathe as Sayuri marches toward her, and Selina desperately raises a hand, almost pleading with Himura to stop!

Thadd Blazevich: Look at Selina trying to beg her off while she can barely catch her breath— BUT IT WAS A TRAP! REYES GRABS SAYURI BY THE WAISTBAND AND YANKS HER FORWARD, SENDING HIMURA FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!

Persephone: What an idiot.

Rich Russillo: Selina returns to her feet, taking a moment to shake the cobwebs out of her head before turning her attention to Sayuri, who slowly comes staggering out of the corner! Reyes closes in and winds back for a right hand— BUT SAYURI BLOCKS IT AND FIRES BACK WITH A FOREARM! That knocks Selina back a step, and Himura follows up with ANOTHER FOREARM! SAYURI IS FIGHTING HER WAY BACK TO THE CENTER OF THE RING—

Thadd Blazevich: BUT SELINA CUTS HER OFF WITH A FOREARM TO THE FACE AS SHE STARTS MARCHING FORWARD! Sayuri’s on spaghetti legs after that one, dude, and Selina sees her chance to capitalize— BUT SAYURI CATCHES HER WITH A FOREARM AS SHE MOVES IN CLOSE! FOREARM BY SELINA! FOREARM BY SAYURI! HIMURA REARS BACK FOR A HEAVIER SECOND— BUT SELINA DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND TAGS HER WITH A JUMPING ENZUIGIRI!

Rich Russillo: SAYURI SOMEHOW REMAINS ON HER FEET, BUT JUST BARELY! Himura drops to a knee for a moment before forcing herself upright, showing just how much she’s struggling to remain vertical! Selina recognizes the opening and immediately closes in, hooking Sayuri up for a BRAINBUSTER— BUT SAYURI FLOATS OVER AND LANDS ON HER FEET BEHIND REYES!

Thadd Blazevich: SELINA TURNS AROUND— AND GETS CAUGHT WITH A PUSH KICK! SAYURI SHOVES REYES BACK INTO THE CORNER! Himura creates some distance with a back roll to her feet before charging in! Selina tries to get both boots up to stop her— BUT SAYURI CATCHES THEM AND SPINS REYES AROUND, LEAVING HER HUNG UP OVER THE MIDDLE ROPE!

Rich Russillo: SELINA IS HUNG UP ON THAT MIDDLE ROPE, AND SAYURI DRILLS HER WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZUIGIRI TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Himura immediately takes off toward the opposite set of ropes, building momentum as she comes racing back… SLIDING GERMAN SUPLEX! SAYURI RIPS SELINA OFF THE ROPES AND DUMPS HER ONTO THE BACK OF HER HEAD! Reyes rolls toward the center of the ring, writhing in pain after that nasty landing!

Thadd Blazevich: SAYURI SLITHERS BACK INTO THE RING AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR A COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Thadd Blazevich: SELINA POPS THE SHOULDER UP AT TWO!

Persephone: Of course she kicked out. Getting dumped on her head couldn’t just end the match, could it?

Rich Russillo: Selina rolls onto her side, trying to get her wits about her— BUT EVEN THERE SHE ISN’T SAFE AS SAYURI KICKS HER IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Reyes grits through the pain and pushes herself to all fours, only for Sayuri to catch her with ANOTHER KICK TO THE HEAD! Selina manages to rise to a knee as Himura lines her up for a THIRD KICK TO THE HEA— NO! SELINA CATCHES IT! Reyes has Sayuri’s left leg trapped in her clutches as she powers back to her feet!

Thadd Blazevich: AND SELINA STARTS RAINING DOWN ELBOWS ON THE KNEE! Sayuri finally yanks herself free and staggers away after that last one, doubling over slightly while favoring the knee! Selina sees the opening and marches forward— LEG KICK! ANOTHER LEG KICK BY REYES! She’s going right after that weakened leg now— BUT SAYURI RESPONDS IN TYPICAL SAYURI FASHION! A HARD-HITTING ELBOW STRIKE TO THE FACE! Selina gets rocked and staggers all the way into the corner!

Rich Russillo: Sayuri backs into the opposite corner, shaking out that leg and trying to get some blood flowing through it before marching across the ring— KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO SELINA IN THE CORNER! Himura follows by snapmaring Reyes down to the mat before DROPPING A KNEE ACROSS HER FACE! Selina immediately rolls out of the ring after that one, stumbling over and leaning forward against our announce table…

Thadd Blazevich: But Sayuri’s hot on her heels, dude! Himura rolls out after Selina and spins her around— STRONG JAB TO THE FACE! Reyes staggers away from the impact, but she doesn’t go down, instead firing right back with a FOREARM STRIKE OF HER OWN!

Rich Russillo: Sayuri staggers away from Selina and winds up leaning against the steel steps as Reyes closes in— BUT SAYURI LURED HER RIGHT INTO A BOOT TO THE GUT! Selina doubles over, and Himura immediately stands her upright— BEFORE CRACKING HER WITH A HEAVY FOREARM STRIKE TO THE FACE!

Thadd Blazevich: And surprisingly, Sayuri doesn’t follow up! Himura rolls back into the ring while Selina drops to a knee at ringside, still trying to shake those cobwebs out of her head! Sayuri leans against the ropes and watches her from inside, practically daring Selina to get back in there with her!

Rich Russillo: Selina finally regains enough of her wherewithal and begins rolling into the ring, pushing herself to all fours— BUT SAYURI WAS WAITING FOR HER! HIMURA BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES AND BLASTS SELINA WITH A BASEMENT SINGLE-LEG DROPKICK TO THE SIDE OF THE FACE! Reyes gets knocked flat, and Sayuri immediately crawls over and lays across her for the cover!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Persephone: Oh, come on. Stay down this time, Selina. Nobody needs another ten minutes of this.

Rich Russillo: Selina’s still in this thing, and she pulls herself up in the corner! Naturally, Sayuri goes right after her— BUT WALKS STRAIGHT INTO A KICK TO THE GUT! That stuns Himura, and Selina fires off ANOTHER KICK THAT FINALLY SENDS SAYURI STAGGERING BACK! Reyes marches out of the corner, keeping the pressure on with a KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! Sayuri doubles over slightly— AND SELINA CRACKS HER WITH A FOREARM TO THE FACE!

Thadd Blazevich: SELINA KEEPS ’EM COMING, DRIVING SAYURI CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE CORNER! Reyes starts unloading now, hammering Himura with forearm after forearm in quick succession before taking a step back— KICK TO THE GUT— NO! SAYURI CATCHES THE BOOT! Himura throws the leg down and immediately comes back with a HIGH KNEE LIFT TO THE FACE!

Rich Russillo: Selina stumbles back into the corner she just came from as Sayuri staggers into the opposite, doubling over momentarily to catch her breath and regain her bearings! Himura finally turns around and CHARGES ACROSS THE RING WITH A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE IN THE CORNER! Sayuri drags Selina out toward the center before taking off for the ropes, looking to build momentum for a— PUNJABI FLY!!

Thadd Blazevich: SELINA JUST USED SAYURI’S OWN MOMENTUM AGAINST HER FOR A BLINK-AND-YOU’LL-MISS-IT PUNJABI FLY! Dude, I don’t think either woman even has a second to register what just happened! They both roll away from each other after that collision, finding opposite sets of ropes and using them to drag themselves back to a vertical base!

Rich Russillo: Both women grit through the pain they’re clearly in and charge straight at one another! SELINA FLOORS SAYURI WITH A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE, BUT HIMURA QUICKLY SCRAMBLES BACK TO HER FEET— ONLY TO GET DROPPED AGAIN WITH A RUNNING BACK ELBOW! Sayuri forces herself up once more, refusing to stay down— AND SELINA RUNS THROUGH HER WITH ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE!

Thadd Blazevich: Selina starts pulling Sayuri back to her feet— BUT HIMURA EXPLODES WITH A ROLLING ELBOW! NO! SELINA GETS THE BOOT UP AND KICKS SAYURI RIGHT IN THE ELBOW! That spins Himura around, and Reyes wastes no time— POISONRANA! DUDE, SELINA JUST DUMPED SAYURI RIGHT ON HER HEAD WITH THAT POISONRANA! Reyes crawls over and hooks the leg for the cover!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREE—

Rich Russillo: AND A KICKOUT! SAYURI STAYS ALIVE, GETTING THE SHOULDER UP JUST BEFORE THREE! Selina looks stunned at first, but she quickly shakes it off and refocuses, dragging Sayuri back to her feet! Reyes pulls her in for the ORYX AWAKENING! SHE’S TRYING TO LIFT SAYURI INTO THAT STYLES CLASH— BUT HIMURA BACKS HERSELF AGAINST THE ROPES AND TRIES TO DUMP SELINA OVER WITH A BACK BODY DROP!

Thadd Blazevich: SELINA CATCHES HERSELF ON THE APRON! Sayuri realizes it and spins around, winding up for a rolling elbow— BUT SELINA STRIKES FIRST! REYES CRACKS SAYURI WITH A FOREARM FROM THE APRON, STAGGERING HER AWAY FROM THE ROPES! Selina sees her opening and launches herself up— SPRINGBOARD FOREARM BACK INTO THE RING! SELINA CATCHES SAYURI FLUSH! Reyes crawls into another cover, laying across Himura and hooking the leg!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHRRRRRRRR—

Rich Russillo: SHOULDER UP! SAYURI GETS THE SHOULDER UP BEFORE THREE!

(Selina slumps off Sayuri following the kickout and rolls onto her back, staring up at the lights as she questions what more she has to do. The wear and tear is clearly setting in for both women, but Sayuri continues to find a way to survive.)

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, what a match this has been! Sayuri and Selina have been throwing everything at each other, and neither one of them is willing to stay down!

Rich Russillo: With a Specialists Championship contendership match at Territorial Invasion on the line, can you blame them?! Both of these women know what this could mean for their careers, and they’re fighting like it!

Persephone: Yeah, it’s been incredible. I especially love the part where they keep kicking out and making the match longer.

Thadd Blazevich: Come on, you gotta admit this has been pretty gnarly.

Persephone: No, I actually don’t. I want one of them to lose.

Rich Russillo: Well, unfortunately for you, Persephone, neither one seems interested in doing that!

Persephone: I hate this job.

Rich Russillo: Sayuri stirs to all fours, but Selina isn’t far behind and drags Himura back to her feet… Reyes stands her upright before SHOOTING IN FOR A SINGLE-LEG TAKEDOWN! Selina immediately looks to transition into a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK, GOING RIGHT BACK AFTER THAT DAMAGED LEG— BUT SAYURI TURNS OVER AND USES HER FREE LEG TO SHOVE SELINA AWAY! REYES GOES TUMBLING OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE!

Thadd Blazevich: Selina lands on a knee before quickly popping back to her feet and jumping onto the apron— BUT SAYURI COMES BARRELING IN WITH A RUNNING BIG BOOT! Reyes gets knocked off the apron, but manages to land on her feet at ringside! Sayuri sees her standing and immediately takes off toward the ropes— SUICIDE DIVE— BUT SELINA GETS OUT OF DODGE!

Rich Russillo: BUT SAYURI SAW IT COMING! Himura puts on the brakes and simply slips through the middle rope instead, landing safely on her feet at ringside! Selina turns around and realizes she’s been outsmarted before dashing toward Sayuri— BUT GETS FLOORED WITH A BIG BOOT! THAT’S ONE WAY TO HALT HER MOMENTUM!

Thadd Blazevich: Sayuri wastes no time, rolling Selina back inside before pulling her up and looking for a suplex or maybe a brainbuster— BUT SELINA BLOCKS IT! Himura manages to muscle Reyes off the mat a second time— BUT SELINA STARTS DRIVING KNEES INTO THE TEMPLE! KNEE AFTER KNEE CONNECTS UNTIL SAYURI FINALLY LOSES HER GRIP AND DOUBLES OVER!

Rich Russillo: AND SELINA TAKES ADVANTAGE, DRAGGING SAYURI CLOSER TO THE CORNER— SNAP SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! HIMURA CRASHES INTO THE BUCKLES BEFORE ROLLING AWAY, AND SHE’S SPRAWLED OUT IN PERFECT POSITION! Selina looks toward the top turnbuckle and gets an idea before starting to climb! Reyes is looking to take a risk here… BUT SAYURI ROLLS ALL THE WAY INTO THE OPPOSITE CORNER BEFORE SELINA CAN TAKE FLIGHT!

Persephone: Oh, great. She rolled away. Now Selina has to climb all the way back down and we get to keep doing this.

Thadd Blazevich: And climb back down she does! Selina marches toward Sayuri in the opposite corner— BUT SAYURI GETS THE KNEE UP! Reyes staggers back, and Himura comes out of the corner looking for IZANAMI! THE SPINNING BACKFIST— BUT SELINA DUCKS UNDERNEATH! Reyes immediately chops away at that damaged leg with another LEG KICK, FOLLOWED BY A SPINNING BACKFIST OF HER OWN! Selina winds up to cap the combination off with a discus lariat— BUT SAYURI SWATS THE ARM DOWN WITH AN ELBOW!

Rich Russillo: Sayuri immediately hooks Selina for a NECKBREAKER— BUT REYES TURNS TOWARD HER AND LEAPS UP FOR A POISONRANA! Himura manages to block it, throwing Selina down in front of her— BEFORE SNATCHING HER UP FOR A SNAP TSUKUYOMI! SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Reyes rolls through to a knee in the center of the ring, and Sayuri sees her opening! Himura shoots out of the corner— SAYONARA! THE KNEE LIFT—

Thadd Blazevich: BUT SELINA ROLLS THROUGH SAYURI’S LEGS! Dude, Reyes was one step ahead of her! Selina pops up in front of Himura and pulls her into position for a powerbomb, trying to lift her into the ORYX AWAKENING— BUT SAYURI COUNTERS WITH A BACK BODY DROP! Selina tries to turn it into a sunset flip— BUT SAYURI ROLLS HER THROUGH TO A KNEE! Himura immediately takes off toward the ropes and comes racing back— SAYONARA TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! SELINA JUST GOT BLASTED FROM BEHIND!

Rich Russillo: SAYURI FLATTENS REYES WITH THAT KNEE! Selina collapses prone to the mat as Himura knows this could finally be her opportunity! Sayuri drags Reyes back to her feet in front of her, looking to put the finishing touches on this match as she pulls her in for the MUKANJYO! SHE’S LOOKING FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB— BUT SELINA COUNTERS INTO A SMALL PACKAGE!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHH—

Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! Both women scramble back to their feet, and Selina charges— BUT SAYURI SWINGS WITH A CLOTHESLINE! Reyes ducks underneath and keeps moving, bouncing off the corner as Sayuri turns around— ALAMO KNEE! ALAMO KNEE CONNECTS! THE BUSAIKU KNEE STRIKE CATCHES HIMURA FLUSH, AND SELINA DROPS INTO THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER… SELINA REYES!!

(‘My Own Summer’ by Deftones plays as Selina Reyes releases the pin and rises to a knee, brushing the hair out of her face before striking her signature finger pose. The referee grabs hold of her wrist as Selina returns to her feet, raising her hand in victory to a negative reception from the crowd as the fans continue to shower Reyes with boos.)

Rich Russillo: What a victory for Selina Reyes! Sayuri Himura pushed her to the limit, but that Alamo Knee sealed the deal, and now Selina is heading to Territorial Invasion!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, Selina earned this one! Now a number one contendership match is waiting for her at Territorial Invasion, and if she wins, Saori Aizen is next!

Persephone: Finally. I was starting to think neither of them knew how to lose.

(Selina climbs onto the middle turnbuckle and poses as the boos continue. Sayuri remains down recovering while Selina celebrates her victory, having officially earned her Specialists Championship number one contendership opportunity at Territorial Invasion as Voltage fades elsewhere.)

(The camera fades into the backstage area of the arena, where Raven Roberts and Eris Morti are seen walking through one of the hallways. Raven appears focused as she moves with purpose, while Eris walks beside her with her hands folded behind her back. The two are clearly already in the middle of a conversation regarding Voltage’s Brand Warfare team.)

Eris Morti: All three of them.

Raven Roberts: Yes.

Eris Morti: At once.

Raven Roberts: Still yes.

(Eris turns her head slightly towards Raven.)

Eris Morti: You sound as though you’re becoming irritated with me, Bird.

Raven Roberts: You’ve asked me the same question three different ways.

Eris Morti: I am merely attempting to understand the logic.

Raven Roberts: You understand it. You just don’t agree with it.

(Eris gives a faint smile.)

Eris Morti: Perhaps.

Raven Roberts: Then save yourself the effort. Captain Charisma gave me control over this team for a reason. I know what Brand Warfare takes, I’ve won it before as a captain and I’m not putting this team together by throwing names at a wall and hoping something sticks.

Eris Morti: Yet your answer is to take three women who failed together at Bloodsport.

(Raven stops walking. Eris takes another step before stopping and turning towards her.)

Raven Roberts: And you lost at Bloodsport too.

(Eris’ smile grows slightly.)

Raven Roberts: So did I. If losing one match disqualified somebody from being useful, we’d have a pretty fucking small roster to choose from. That isn’t what I’m looking at. I’m looking at what happens after the loss. I’m looking at who still wants something badly enough to keep moving.

Eris Morti: Hunger?

Raven Roberts: Exactly. Every person I’m considering for this team has something they want. You want competition that actually makes you feel something. I want to get myself back into position for singles gold. The three women we’re going to see right now all walked out of Bloodsport without the championship they wanted, and all three of them still want opportunities of their own. None of us are doing this because we suddenly discovered some deep spiritual devotion to brand supremacy.

Eris Morti: How inspiring.

Raven Roberts: I’m not trying to inspire you.

(Raven starts walking again, and Eris follows.)

Raven Roberts: I’m trying to win.

Eris Morti: And you believe selfish motives alone will accomplish that?

Raven Roberts: I think pretending nobody has selfish motives and that those motives can’t be put to use is how teams fall apart.

(Raven glances towards Eris. Eris gives another quiet laugh.)

Eris Morti: You truly have thought this through.

Raven Roberts: I told you. It’s my team. I know what I’m doing.

(The two finally reach a locker room door. Raven looks towards Eris.)

Raven Roberts: Let me handle this.

(Raven knocks. After a few moments, the door opens and ARIA steps out, with Candice Blair and Ashlynn Quinn visible behind her.)

ARIA: Raven?

Candice Blair: And Eris too. So… I’m guessing this has something to do with Territorial Invasion?

Raven Roberts: It does.

Ashlynn Quinn: WAIT!

(Ashlynn’s eyes widen as she notices Eris.)

Ashlynn Quinn: ERIS!

(Eris barely has time to react before Ashlynn rushes forward and wraps her in a hug. Eris remains completely stiff, her arms hanging at her sides as she looks down at Ashlynn with an expression of absolute disinterest.)

Ashlynn Quinn: I haven’t seen you in, like, FOREVER! It’s been so long, I hope you’re not mad about the battle royal!

Eris Morti: You may release me now.

Ashlynn Quinn: Awww, you missed me too!

(Ashlynn finally lets go, still smiling despite Eris’ lack of expression. Raven chuckles, amused at Eris’ momentary discomfort.)

Raven Roberts: Well, now that we got that reunion out of the way…

Candice Blair: So what exactly is going on?

Raven Roberts: You already guessed it. I was named Captain of Voltage’s Brand Warfare team, and Captain Charisma gave me full control over who stands beside me. Eris already agreed to join.

ARIA: And you came to us.

Raven Roberts: All three of you.

(Ashlynn’s face lights up.)

Ashlynn Quinn: Oh my God.

(Eris remains noticeably less enthusiastic.)

Raven Roberts: I watched what happened at Bloodsport. I know none of you got the result you wanted. Neither did I. Neither did Eris. I could stand here and spend ten minutes talking about how much that sucks, but I’m not interested in building a team around everybody feeling sorry for themselves.

(Candice nods slightly.)

Raven Roberts: What matters is that none of us are satisfied where we are right now.

(Raven looks between the three women.)

Raven Roberts: ARIA, you want to get back to championship gold. Candice, you’ve made it clear you’re not interested in spending another season watching opportunities pass you by. Ashlynn, you want to prove everything you’ve been saying about changing and becoming something more wasn’t just talk.

Ashlynn Quinn: Absolutely.

Raven Roberts: I want singles gold again. Eris wants whatever the hell Eris wants.

Eris Morti: Stimulation will suffice.

Raven Roberts: …Sure.

(Raven turns her attention back to the trio.)

Raven Roberts: Point is, none of us are entering Territorial Invasion because we’re content. Every person on this team has something they’re chasing. Those things may be completely selfish. I don’t care. Mine is selfish too.

ARIA: And how do you feel that selfishness will help?

Raven Roberts: Because none of our goals have to contradict each other. At least not immediately. Getting through Territorial Invasion as a unit gets each of us closer to what we want as individuals. All five of us want something bigger and better than what we left with at Bloodsport.

Raven Roberts: We may want the same championship. We may even share the same career goals. Ultimately, we don’t need to like each other. What we need is one common objective at Territorial Invasion, and that’s making sure Voltage wins. Because if we do that, every one of us walks out in a better position than we walked in.

Candice Blair: I can’t argue with that.

Raven Roberts: And there’s another reason I came to you three specifically. You already know how to work together.

(ARIA looks towards Candice and Ashlynn.)

Raven Roberts: That gives us an advantage over the average Brand Warfare team. They’re going to have talented people. I’m sure of that. But talent doesn’t mean chemistry. Five great wrestlers thrown together at the last minute are still five individuals trying to figure each other out while the match is already happening.

(Raven gestures towards the three.)

Raven Roberts: You don’t have that problem. You already fought beside each other. You already learned how the others think. You already proved you can put your own issues aside and work toward the same result. Bloodsport didn’t end the way you wanted, but that doesn’t erase what you demonstrated along the way.

Eris Morti: Or perhaps it merely demonstrated that cooperation alone is insufficient.

(Raven darts a glare at Eris. Candice looks up as well.)

Candice Blair: Nobody said it was enough by itself.

ARIA: We lost. We understand that. But if you’re asking whether we learned anything from fighting together, then yes, we did.

Ashlynn Quinn: And if you’re asking whether I want another chance to show what the three of us can actually do when everything is on the line? Obvi.

ARIA: We said after Bloodsport that we weren’t going to let one loss stop us from moving forward. This is exactly the kind of opportunity we were talking about.

Candice Blair: And if being on this team means we can get a big win while putting ourselves back in position for whatever comes next, then I’m interested.

Ashlynn Quinn: Interested? Babe, I am SO in. Brand Warfare is huge, and after Bloodsport I am absolutely not planning on walking out of another event empty-handed.

ARIA: Neither am I.

Candice Blair: Same here.

(Raven smiles and then nods, satisfied.)

Raven Roberts: Then that settles it.

(Raven looks between all three women.)

Raven Roberts: Welcome to Team Voltage.

(Ashlynn claps excitedly.)

Ashlynn Quinn: We are actually STACKED.

Eris Morti: That remains to be seen.

Ashlynn Quinn: Oh, come on! You know you’re excited! This is the perfect kind of match for us.

(No response is given from Eris, and Raven moves on.)

Raven Roberts: Regardless. It’s important that we establish ourselves quickly. We still have a few weeks before Territorial Invasion. Building upon the existing chemistry is going to be the big key between now and then.

(Raven steps back.)

Raven Roberts: We’ll get everyone together again soon. We have enough individual talent already. Now we make sure that when Territorial Invasion comes, we actually operate like a team instead of five people just wearing the same colors.

ARIA: We’ll be ready!

Raven Roberts: I know you will.

(Raven turns and begins walking away, with Eris following behind her. Once they have made it some distance down the hallway, Eris glances towards Raven.)

Eris Morti: You place quite a bit of confidence in them.

Raven Roberts: I place confidence in what they’ve already shown me.

Eris Morti: And if you’re wrong?

(Raven continues walking.)

Eris Morti: I know Ashlynn well, and I have shared a ring with Candice and ARIA. Talented, but I’m not so certain I see the fire that you do. If this grand little theory of yours proves incorrect, and the three of them become the weakness that costs us victory, what then?

(Raven finally stops and turns towards Eris, eyes like daggers and her voice cold as ice.)

Raven Roberts: Then I deal with it.

Eris Morti: That simple?

Raven Roberts: Yes.

(Raven folds her arms.)

Raven Roberts: But right now I’m trusting them to understand what this opportunity means. They’re hungry. They’ve already proven they can work together. They have their own reasons for wanting this win, and I’m counting on those reasons being strong enough to keep them focused when the match gets ugly.

(Eris raises an eyebrow.)

Raven Roberts: Just like I’m counting on yours.

Eris Morti: Mine?

Raven Roberts: You wanted Brand Warfare because it gives you competition. Fine. You’ll have plenty of it. But when Territorial Invasion comes, I need that appetite of yours pointed in the right direction.

(Eris’ expression shifts slightly.)

Raven Roberts: Not Caroline. Not whatever unfinished business you think you have with her or anyone else. Not whether somebody across the ring manages to give you the greatest fight of your life. We have one goal that night.

Eris Morti: Victory.

Raven Roberts: Exactly.

(Raven steps closer.)

Raven Roberts: I’m trusting ARIA, Candice, and Ashlynn to use this opportunity to move themselves forward. I’m trusting you to do the same. Whatever any of us wants afterward is our own business.

Raven Roberts: But the best way any of us gets what we want is by making damn sure Team Voltage wins first.

(Eris studies Raven for a moment before a slow grin appears.)

Eris Morti: Selfish people united by mutual benefit.

Raven Roberts: Call it whatever you want.

(Raven turns and begins walking again.)

Raven Roberts: Just make sure it fucking works.

(Eris chuckles quietly before following Raven down the hallway. The camera lingers on the two as they disappear around the corner before the scene fades elsewhere.)

(The camera cuts backstage, where Cosmo Goldworthy is walking down a hallway with an angry look on his face. Cosmo stops at one of the doors and opens it, looking inside for a moment before moving on when he doesn’t find Diamond Dixon. He checks another room, then another, becoming more frustrated each time.)

Cosmo Goldworthy: Diamond! Where the hell are you?!

(Cosmo shuts another door and continues down the hallway, looking through every open room he passes. A crew member walks around the corner carrying a box of equipment, and Cosmo quickly steps in front of him.)

Cosmo Goldworthy: Yo, hold up. You seen Diamond?

Crew Member: Diamond Dixon?

Cosmo Goldworthy: Who else would I be talking about? Yeah, Diamond Dixon. You seen her or not?

(The crew member points down the hallway.)

Crew Member: Yeah, I think she’s doing some kind of photoshoot down there.

(Cosmo looks in the direction he pointed.)

Cosmo Goldworthy: A photoshoot. Of course.

Crew Member: Is everything alright?

(Cosmo turns back towards him with a glare.)

Cosmo Goldworthy: Do I look alright to you?

Crew Member: …No.

Cosmo Goldworthy: Exactly. Keep it moving.

(The crew member quickly walks past Cosmo, who heads in the direction he pointed. Cosmo eventually turns the corner and stops when he spots Diamond Dixon posing in front of a backdrop as a photographer takes pictures of her.)

Photographer: Perfect. Hold that.

(The camera flashes as Diamond changes her pose.)

Photographer: Yeah, just like that. Give me one more.

(Diamond adjusts her hair and looks into the camera, still unaware that Cosmo has found her. Cosmo stares at her for a moment before walking straight into the middle of the photoshoot, finally getting Diamond’s attention.)

Photographer: Hey, man, we’re in the middle of—

Cosmo Goldworthy: I don’t give a damn what you’re in the middle of.

(Cosmo points towards Diamond.)

Cosmo Goldworthy: I been looking all over this place for you.

(Diamond lowers her arms and places a hand on her hip, looking more annoyed than surprised to see him.)

Diamond Dixon: Okay. You found me. What do you want?

Cosmo Goldworthy: What do I want? I wanna know what the hell your problem is! Everything was cool between us, then outta nowhere you decide you’re done with me and pull that shit last week. After everything we been through together, I wanna know what changed, because clearly you got some issue with me that I ain’t know about.

(Diamond rolls her eyes.)

Diamond Dixon: I already told you what my problem was, Cosmo. I’m tired of you holding me down, and if you really need me to explain that again, then maybe you weren’t listening last week.

Cosmo Goldworthy: Holding you down? When have I ever stopped you from doing anything?

Diamond Dixon: It’s not about you stopping me. It’s about how much time I’ve wasted trying to drag you along when I could’ve been worried about myself. When I agreed to this alliance, I thought we were on the same page and both wanted better for ourselves, but somewhere along the way it became pretty clear that I wanted it more than you did. Every time I thought you were finally gonna get your shit together, we’d end up right back where we started, and I got tired of waiting for something to change.

Cosmo Goldworthy: Oh, come on. You keep talking like everything that went wrong was because of me, but you were right there at Bloodsport too. We BOTH lost that match, Diamond. You didn’t walk out of there with your hand raised either, so don’t act like you were just cleaning up another one of my messes. I thought the whole point of us being together was that when shit went bad, we figured it out and came back better.

Diamond Dixon: And how long was I supposed to keep waiting for that? Bloodsport happened, and I still came back the next week and stood in your corner. I helped you against Sayuri, gave you an opening and watched you lose anyway. At some point I had to look at what we were doing and realize it wasn’t getting me anywhere.

Cosmo Goldworthy: So you just decided I had to go? That’s really what you came up with?

Diamond Dixon: I decided to get rid of the problem.

(Cosmo stares at Diamond for a moment, taken aback by how easily she says it.)

Cosmo Goldworthy: See, that’s the shit I’m talking about. You keep making this sound like I’ve just been some weight around your ankle this whole time, when I thought we were supposed to be figuring shit out together. Things haven’t gone our way lately, I get that, but I didn’t know that meant you were ready to give up on everything the second you got tired of how things were going.

Diamond Dixon: What did you want me to do? Keep telling you everything was gonna be alright while we ended up in the same place every week? I’m over it. I’ve got my own career to worry about, and I shouldn’t have to keep telling a grown man to get his shit together.

Cosmo Goldworthy: Nobody asked you to! I never needed you worrying about me like I was some project you had to fix, and if that’s really how you felt this whole time, then you should’ve just kept it real with me. Instead, you went behind my back and made the choice for both of us, so yeah, I’m gonna call that shit exactly what it is. That’s some snake shit, Diamond.

(Diamond scoffs.)

Diamond Dixon: Then call me a snake. I don’t care, because at least I’m finally thinking about myself. I’m trying to be a star in this company, Mo, and I’m not wasting any more time wondering when you’re gonna finally put everything together. This was supposed to make both of us better, but instead I kept finding myself worrying about you, and I’m done with that.

Cosmo Goldworthy: Man, you keep talking like being with me is the reason shit hasn’t worked out for you. We BOTH wanted more when we started this, and just because things didn’t happen as fast as you wanted doesn’t mean I was the one keeping you from getting there. If you really believe dropping me is suddenly gonna fix everything, then cool, but don’t put all that shit at my feet.

Diamond Dixon: I’m not rewriting anything. I know we both screwed up at Bloodsport, but the difference is I looked at where I was and decided I wasn’t staying there. I don’t wanna keep wondering which Cosmo I’m getting every week or whether this time you’re finally gonna get it right. Your inconsistency isn’t my problem anymore, and neither are your losses. Whatever happens to you from here is on you.

Cosmo Goldworthy: Aight, then I guess you got it all figured out. You made up your mind, decided you’re better off without me, and nothing I say is gonna change that, right?

Diamond Dixon: I’m telling you that whatever this was isn’t worth my time anymore. I thought we could help each other get somewhere, and now I think I can get further without you. If that pisses you off, then be pissed, but I’m not changing my mind just because you came back here looking for me.

(Cosmo lets out a short laugh, although there is nothing amused about it.)

Cosmo Goldworthy: Man, fuck that. I came back here thinking there had to be something more to this, but I guess you really just decided this is how it’s gonna be.

Diamond Dixon: You wanted an answer and you got one. What else do you want from me?

Cosmo Goldworthy: Shit, I don’t know. Maybe I thought you’d actually give a damn after everything.

Diamond Dixon: Well, maybe you expected too much.

(Diamond turns away from Cosmo and looks back towards the photographer.)

Diamond Dixon: We done here?

Cosmo Goldworthy: Nah, you don’t just get to say all that shit to me and decide we’re done when you feel like it.

Diamond Dixon: Well, I am. I’ve already wasted enough time on this, and I have a photoshoot to finish, so whatever else you wanna say, find somebody else to say it to.

(Diamond places a hand against Cosmo’s chest and shoves him back a step.)

Diamond Dixon: Leave me alone.

(Diamond walks back towards the backdrop, leaving Cosmo staring after her with his jaw clenched.)

Diamond Dixon: Sorry about that. We can keep going.

(The photographer hesitates for a moment before raising the camera again. Diamond immediately goes back to posing, treating Cosmo as if he isn’t even there.)

Photographer: Alright… just look this way.

(The camera flashes.)

Photographer: Good. One more.

(Another picture is taken while Cosmo remains where Diamond left him. Diamond changes her pose without even looking in his direction, making it clear that as far as she is concerned, the conversation is over. Cosmo watches her before his eyes drift towards another camera sitting nearby.)

(Cosmo walks over and grabs the camera.)

(Diamond hears the movement and turns towards him, immediately noticing what Cosmo has in his hands.)

Diamond Dixon: Mo, don’t—

(COSMO THROWS THE CAMERA STRAIGHT AT DIAMOND’S FACE!)

(Diamond is struck by the camera and immediately drops to the floor! The photographer jumps back in shock before rushing over to check on her, while Cosmo remains where he is, breathing heavily as he stares down at Diamond.)

Cosmo Goldworthy: You wanted me to get serious? There you go.

(Cosmo looks at Diamond for another moment before turning around and storming away from the photoshoot. The photographer remains beside Diamond as Cosmo heads back down the hallway without looking back, disappearing around the corner as the camera fades elsewhere.)

(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)

Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A PURE RULES MATCH!

(‘SAME SH!T’ by Isaiah Rashad hits to a mixed reaction as Reylin Aloali’i steps onto the stage with a focused look on his face. He briefly looks around at the crowd before rolling his shoulders and starting down the ramp, keeping his attention locked on the ring.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Hailing out of Adelaide, South Australia, weighing in at 250 pounds…HE IS THE SAMOAN GENERAL…REYLIN ALOALI’I!!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, you can feel the tension already! Reylin has been waiting to get Igon in this ring ever since everything that went down at Bloodsport, and now there’s nowhere for either of these guys to go. They finally get to settle this face-to-face!

Rich Russillo: And remember, it was Reylin who put his hands on Igon at Bloodsport and made it clear he wanted to make an example out of him. Igon certainly hasn’t forgotten that, but Reylin has a chance tonight to do something nobody else has managed to do so far and hand Mordren his first defeat.

Thadd Blazevich: And he might be one of the few dudes on this roster built to do it! Reylin is 250 pounds, Igon is 266, and neither guy is gonna be able to just bully the other around like they usually do. This is gonna be a straight-up hoss fight, bro!

(‘Vordt of the Boreal Valley’ by Motoi Sakuraba begins to play as Igon Mordren emerges onto the stage to a mixed reaction from the crowd, wearing a cold, intense expression as he stares toward the ring. Igon wastes little time taking in the atmosphere, marching down the ramp with purpose and keeping his eyes fixed ahead, showing no interest in any theatrics as he approaches the ring.)

Bella Braxton: And his opponent! From…From Belgrade, Serbia!!! WEIGHING IN AT 266 POUNDS… HE IS ‘THE WARDEN’… IGON MORDREN!!!

Rich Russillo: Igon Mordren has been nothing short of dominant since arriving on Voltage, and tonight he walks into this match still undefeated. But this isn’t simply about protecting that record anymore. Reylin made this personal at Bloodsport, and you can tell by the look on Igon’s face that he hasn’t come out here to wrestle him and move on.

Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, dude, Igon’s pissed. Reylin wanted to step up and test himself against the undefeated guy, and now he’s got exactly what he asked for! These are two dudes who genuinely believe they can beat the hell out of the other, and Pure Rules means they’re gonna have to prove who’s actually the better wrestler while they’re at it!

Persephone: Great. Two enormous assholes who hate each other, and we’re making them follow Pure Rules. Somebody better forget the rules eventually or this is gonna be a huge waste of my time.

(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Rich Russillo: Here we go! It’s Igon Mordren! It’s Reylin Aloali’i! It’s Pure Rules! These two circle each other to start us off, exchanging words the entire time before locking up in the center of the ring! Both men jockey for position, neither looking to give an inch! It’s a true hoss fight— AND REYLIN SEEMS TO BE WINNING IT! Aloali’i starts muscling Igon toward the corner, but look at this! Mordren’s feet aren’t even budging! He’s firmly planted on the mat, AND REYLIN IS STILL SOMEHOW SLIDING HIM BACK!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, Igon’s built like a brick wall and Reylin is moving him without his feet even leaving the mat! That tells you everything you need to know about the strength of Aloali’i!

Persephone: Okay, I’ll admit that’s impressive. I still didn’t come here to watch these two wrestle, though.

Rich Russillo: Reylin fully backs Igon into the corner, but Mordren quickly shifts the momentum by turning things around and pinning Reylin against the ropes! Aloali’i reverses right back, pressing Igon against the ropes— and these two keep going back and forth, neither man able to maintain control for long! Reylin eventually muscles Igon into the corner and keeps him pinned there, but Mordren turns the tables once again, forcing Aloali’i against the ropes! The referee finally has to step in and start the five count!

Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!

Thadd Blazevich: FOREARM CLUB! IGON JUST BLASTED ALOALI’I ACROSS THE CHEST WITH THAT THING! Reylin staggers forward, clutching his chest before Mordren snatches him into a standing side headlock! Igon cranks on the hold, but Reylin quickly drives him against the ropes and bounces him off to escape! IGON REBOUNDS WITH A SHOULDER TACKLE— BUT REYLIN BRACES FOR IMPACT, AND THESE TWO COLLIDE SHOULDER TO SHOULDER!

(Neither man budges an inch. Igon and Reylin stare each other down, exchanging heated words off-mic before Mordren gestures toward the ropes, inviting Aloali’i to try his luck.)

Rich Russillo: Reylin accepts the challenge and shoots off the ropes— SHOULDER TACKLE! ALOALI’I MANAGES TO KNOCK IGON BACK INTO THE ROPES! Mordren rebounds right back— BIG BOOT! THAT CATCHES REYLIN FLUSH AND SENDS HIM STAGGERING INTO THE ROPES! Aloali’i rebounds off, looking to swing the momentum back in his favor— BUT IGON IMMEDIATELY TAGS HIM WITH ANOTHER BIG BOOT!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, that’ll slow down anybody, even Reylin! Aloali’i staggers into the corner, trying to shake the cobwebs out of his head as Igon marches after him— OPEN HAND CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! Those chops already suck enough, but coming from a dude built like Igon? That’s gotta feel like getting hit with a frying pan!

Rich Russillo: Reylin tries creating some space and separation, staggering away from Mordren and into another corner at the opposite end of the ropes! But Igon stays right on his heels, closing the distance— AND CRUSHING REYLIN WITH A VICIOUS RUNNING ELBOW SMASH!

(Igon grabs a handful of Reylin’s hair and drags him toward the center of the ring, barking trash talk directly into his ear as Aloali’i tries to pull himself free!)

Igon Mordren: (off-mic) COME ON! You wanted to step into the ring with me, Reylin! Now show me that you actually belong here!

Thadd Blazevich: IGON SHOOTS OFF THE ROPES— BUT PAYS FOR ALL THAT TAUNTING AS REYLIN DROPS HIM WITH A RUNNING BACK ELBOW! Mordren scrambles back to his feet before stumbling into the corner, and Reylin marches to the opposite side of the ring! Aloali’i takes off— REVERSE BODY AVALANCHE! REYLIN CRUSHES IGON AGAINST THE TURNBUCKLES, KNOCKING ALL THE WIND OUT OF HIM! Mordren slumps down to a seated position, coughing and gasping for air as Reylin marches back to the opposite corner!

(Reylin spreads both arms in the corner before letting out an intense scream—)

Rich Russillo: REYLIN CHARGES IN— BUT IGON ROLLS OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! Aloali’i has no choice but to cut his momentum short! Igon is on spaghetti legs at ringside as Reylin steps through the ropes and onto the apron before taking off with a running— OH! IGON SWATS HIM OUT OF MID-AIR WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, Reylin just got chopped out of the sky! Aloali’i falls to all fours before Igon stands him back up— AND DRIVES REYLIN BACK FIRST INTO THE APRON! Mordren keeps him leaned against it before following up with ANOTHER OPEN HAND CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! Igon has gone to those chops a LOT already, and I wouldn’t be surprised if welts are starting to form across Reylin’s chest!

Rich Russillo: Igon rolls Reylin back inside the ring, where Aloali’i rises to all fours as Mordren slides in after him.

(Igon gestures for Reylin to bring it on, continuing to talk trash as he slowly closes the distance between them.)

Igon Mordren: (off-mic) GET UP! You wanted to make an example out of me, didn’t you!? COME ON! Show me what makes you so special!

Rich Russillo: Igon is staying right on top of Reylin here! Mordren hasn’t forgotten what happened at Bloodsport, and you can tell he’s making Aloali’i pay for putting his hands on him that night!

Persephone: Good. Keep beating the shit out of each other and maybe Pure Rules won’t be completely unbearable.

Thadd Blazevich: Uh-oh. It might be closing time for Mordren! Igon drags Reylin back to his feet and pulls him into position for a powerbomb! If Igon gets him up— well, I was gonna say it’s over! BUT REYLIN KNOWS THAT TOO, DROPPING TO A KNEE AND PUTTING ALL HIS WEIGHT DOWN TO BLOCK IT! Igon isn’t giving up, though! Mordren muscles Reylin back to his feet and tries to hoist him up for that powerbomb a second time!

Rich Russillo: IGON GETS HIM HALFWAY UP— BUT REYLIN DROPS TO A KNEE AGAIN AND BLOCKS IT! Mordren is getting frustrated now and CLUBS REYLIN ACROSS THE BACK! Igon decides to switch strategies, barring the arm of Aloali’i instead! The crowd starts rallying behind Reylin, willing him to fight his way free as he slowly powers back to his feet… AND BLASTS IGON WITH AN ELBOW! That breaks the armbar, but Mordren refuses to let go of the wrist!

Thadd Blazevich: REYLIN REARS BACK FOR ANOTHER ELBOW— BUT IGON DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND SLIPS BEHIND! SLEEPER HOLD! IGON HAS THE SLEEPER LOCKED IN! Might be a little early to be slapping this thing on, but dude, REYLIN COULD BE GOING TO SLEEP RIGHT HERE! Mordren has that arm wrapped tight around the neck, and Reylin is already trying to peel him off!

Rich Russillo: Reylin desperately pries at Igon’s arm, but Mordren has that sleeper cinched in too tight! Aloali’i realizes he isn’t going to break the grip that way, so he changes course— AND DRIVES IGON BACK INTO THE CORNER! MORDREN GETS CRUSHED BETWEEN REYLIN AND THE TURNBUCKLES! That finally forces Igon to release the sleeper, and Reylin comes staggering out of the corner, trying to shake the cobwebs out of his head and get some air back into his lungs!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT IGON CHOPS HIM ACROSS THE BACK OF THE NECK! Reylin jolts upright from the impact— AND MORDREN SNATCHES HIM BACK INTO THE SLEEPER HOLD! IGON HAS IT AGAIN, AND THIS TIME HE’S GOT IT EVEN TIGHTER! Reylin is fighting at the arm, trying to keep some space around his neck, but Igon keeps squeezing and FORCES ALOALI’I DOWN TO A KNEE!

Rich Russillo: REYLIN’S DOWN TO ONE KNEE, AND THIS IS GETTING DANGEROUS! Igon has his weight bearing down on Aloali’i while wrenching that sleeper with everything he has! Reylin reaches out with his free hand, searching for anything he can grab onto, but they’re nowhere near the ropes! THERE’S NO EASY ESCAPE FOR REYLIN HERE, AND IGON MORDREN MAY BE SECONDS AWAY FROM PUTTING HIM TO SLEEP!

(Igon grinds the sleeper in even tighter, leaning down beside Reylin and continuing to yell directly into his ear while Aloali’i begins to fade!)

Igon Mordren: (off-mic) THIS is what happens when you step into my ring! Where’s all that strength now, Reylin!? Where’s the man who was going to embarrass me!?

(Igon gives the sleeper another violent wrench, but Reylin’s eyes suddenly open wider at those words. His hand, which had slowly begun falling toward the mat, instead clenches into a fist.)

Igon Mordren: (off-mic) YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER PUT YOUR HANDS ON ME AT BLOODSPORT! YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER—

Reylin Aloali’i: (off-mic) Man… shut the FUCK up.

(Reylin suddenly begins forcing himself back to his feet, Igon still hanging onto the sleeper as Aloali’i powers through the hold!)

Persephone: Oh, THANK GOD! I think Reylin finally got sick of hearing Igon talk as much as I did!

Rich Russillo: REYLIN STARTS TO LIFT IGON ONTO HIS SHOULDERS IN A FIREMAN’S CARRY! Aloali’i is powering his way out of this— BUT IGON STARTS BATTLING BACK WITH SHARP ELBOWS TO THE JAW! Mordren lands enough to slip off Reylin’s shoulders and immediately gets behind him— RIGHT BACK INTO THE SLEEPER HOLD! I thought we were about to see Reylin rally, but Igon shuts that down almost immediately!

Thadd Blazevich: Reylin drops back to a knee, and Igon leans all his weight down across the back of Aloali’i, trying to smother whatever fight he has left! BUT REYLIN IS FIRING UP AGAIN! Aloali’i is getting pissed now as he powers his way back to his feet— AND IGON JUMPS ONTO HIS BACK, KEEPING THAT SLEEPER LOCKED IN! Reylin doubles over with Mordren hanging off him, and dude, HE’S STARTING TO FADE! Aloali’i looks like he might finally be going out—

Rich Russillo: BUT REYLIN SUDDENLY THROWS HIMSELF BACKWARDS! ALOALI’I DROPS HIS FULL BODY WEIGHT DOWN ONTO IGON, CRUSHING MORDREN BENEATH HIM AND FINALLY BREAKING THE SLEEPER HOLD!

Thadd Blazevich: Igon writhes in pain on the canvas, clutching his ribs after getting crushed beneath Reylin’s full weight! Aloali’i sees an opening and steps out to the apron, beginning his climb toward the top rope… BUT IGON STOPS HIM ON THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH A CLUBBING BLOW ACROSS THE CHEST! Reylin drops back down to the apron before collapsing to all fours and starting to crawl away, while Mordren steps through the ropes himself, stalking Aloali’i from behind!

Rich Russillo: Reylin drags himself up to a knee on the apron, using the ropes for assistance— BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A BIG BOOT TO THE FACE! IGON ROCKS ALOALI’I WHILE HE’S STILL KNEELING, THEN LIGHTS HIM UP WITH ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! Mordren grabs Reylin and drags him back to his feet before pulling him into position for a powerbomb! WAIT A SECOND! IS IGON REALLY LOOKING TO POWERBOMB REYLIN ONTO THE APRON?!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, I think he’s thinking even worse than that… OFF the apron?!

Persephone: I don’t care if Igon powerbombs him onto the apron or straight to the fucking floor, just pick the nastier option and DO IT!

Rich Russillo: IGON STARTS TO GET REYLIN UP FOR THAT POWERBOMB, BUT HE CAN’T GET HIM ALL THE WAY— ALOALI’I BLOCKS IT! Reylin fights against the lift before suddenly standing up and LAUNCHING IGON UP AND OVER HIS SHOULDER WITH A BACK BODY DROP ONTO THE APRON! MORDREN CRASHES BACK FIRST ONTO THE HARDEST PART OF THE RING! IGON HIT HARD!

Persephone: Well, I guess that’ll suffice.

Thadd Blazevich: Igon immediately grabs at his back before rolling off the apron and landing on his feet— ONLY TO COLLAPSE TO THE FLOOR! Mordren is still favoring that back while Reylin shakes the cobwebs out of his head on the apron, trying to regain enough of his senses to capitalize! Aloali’i finally sees Igon down and takes off— DIVING SPLASH OFF THE APRON ONTO MORDREN! DUDE, THAT’S 250 POUNDS COMING DOWN ON TOP OF IGON! HE JUST GOT CRUSHED UNDERNEATH REYLIN!

Rich Russillo: Igon had the wind knocked out of him by that splash, and Reylin drags Mordren back to his feet before rolling him inside the ring!

(Igon struggles up to a knee as Reylin rolls back inside, slowly walking toward him before turning the tables from earlier. Aloali’i gestures for Mordren to bring it on, talking trash and daring Igon to get back to his feet.)

Reylin Aloali’i: (off-mic) What’s up now, Igon!? COME ON! You had all that shit to say earlier, get your ass up!

Thadd Blazevich: Reylin places a hand on Igon’s shoulder— BUT MORDREN FIRES BACK WITH A SHOT TO THE GUT! Igon powers to his feet and EXPLODES WITH A FOREARM STRIKE TO THE FACE! Reylin staggers from the impact, but fires right back with one of his own! FOREARM FROM IGON! FOREARM FROM REYLIN! IGON! REYLIN! IGON! REYLIN— AND ALOALI’I GIVES MORDREN A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST!

Rich Russillo: Igon staggers back against the ropes… but look at Mordren! He grits through the pain, rage and intensity filling his eyes before FIRING BACK WITH AN OPEN HAND CHOP IN RESPONSE! REYLIN FELT THAT ONE! Both competitors are struggling to remain standing after everything they’ve put each other through— BUT REYLIN ANSWERS WITH ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP! AND IGON FIRES RIGHT BACK WITH AN ELBOW RIGHT TO THE JAW!

Thadd Blazevich: Reylin is reeling from that chop, but Igon doubles over from the punishment he’s taken— AND ALOALI’I JUST SAYS SCREW IT AND CLOCKS HIM WITH A STRAIGHT PUNCH TO THE FACE!

(Igon drops onto his backside, clutching his jaw as he looks up at Reylin. Aloali’i shakes out his hand after the punch before the referee immediately gets in his face with a warning, reminding him that closed-fist strikes aren’t going to fly under Pure Rules, and one more will be a disqualification!)

Referee: (off-mic) Hey! Open hands only! You know the rules!

Reylin Aloali’i: (off-mic) Yeah, yeah. My bad.

(Reylin pushes past the referee, ignoring the warning as he grabs Igon by the head and drags him back to his feet.)

Rich Russillo: WHOA! IGON EXPLODES WITH A BIG BOOT, CATCHING REYLIN RIGHT IN THE JAW! Reylin reels from the impact, and Mordren follows it up with ANOTHER! Igon creates some distance, letting out an intense scream before marching forward and winding up for a lariat— BUT REYLIN CATCHES HIS HAND! Aloali’i stares Igon down, slowly shaking his head before THROWING THE ARM DOWN!

Thadd Blazevich: AND REYLIN TAGS IGON WITH A VICIOUS HEADBUTT! Mordren staggers back from the impact— BUT FIRES BACK WITH A LARIAT! IGON ALMOST TAKES REYLIN’S HEAD OFF, BUT LOOK AT THIS, DUDE! ALOALI’I DOESN’T GO DOWN! Reylin is rocked, but he’s still standing! Igon takes off toward the ropes, looking to build some extra momentum— BUT REYLIN INTERCEPTS HIM WITH A SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK RIGHT TO THE FACE STOPS MORDREN DEAD IN HIS TRACKS!

Rich Russillo: Igon spins around from that superkick, barely able to keep himself upright as he stands on wobbly legs with his back turned to Reylin! Aloali’i immediately grabs hold of Mordren from behind and pulls him around with the ripcord— KNEE STRIKE! SEARING SHOT! REYLIN CONNECTS WITH A RIPCORD VARIATION OF THAT BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE! IGON CRUMBLES TO THE MAT, AND REYLIN DROPS INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE—

Thadd Blazevich: ALMOST! DUDE, REYLIN ALMOST JUST BEAT IGON AT HIS OWN GAME! Aloali’i was a fraction of a second away from snapping that undefeated streak in half— BUT SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY, IGON GOT THE SHOULDER UP!

Rich Russillo: Igon struggles to all fours after Reylin rolled onto his knees, contemplating his next move. But I think he’s got it as he drags Igon back to his feet, pulling him in for a powerbomb of his own! Reylin likes to use a powerbomb himself called the God’s Will! AND HOISTS IGON UP— BUT IGON DROPS OFF THE SHOULDERS, LANDING ON HIS FEET IN FRONT OF HIM FOR A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST!

Thadd Blazevich: REYLIN GOES DOWN, AND DUDE, THAT’S ONE OF IGON’S BIG MOVES FOR A REASON! IGON DOESN’T LOOK SATISFIED THOUGH, AND HE DRAGS REYLIN BACK UPRIGHT FOR A LARIAT TO THE FRONT! THEN GOES BACK TO THE REAR WITH A NORTHERN LARIAT, FOLLOWED BY A STANDARD! IGON SCORES WITH ANOTHER LARIAT TO THE BACK OF HIS HEAD AS REYLIN JUST CRUMBLES TO HIS KNEES, AND IGON SHOOTS OFF THE ROPES!

Rich Russillo: …SAMOAN DROP! REYLIN WITH A SAMOAN DROP ON IGON, AND CRAWLS INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG DEEP!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE—

Rich Russillo: IGON EXPLODES OUT THE COVER, STAYING IN THIS!

Persephone: Ugh, of course. For two guys this fucking big, they’re having a surprisingly hard time keeping each other down.

Thadd Blazevich: Reylin returns to his feet and lays Igon flat on the mat before backing into the corner! Aloali’i takes a second to line him up— BEFORE SHOOTING OUT WITH A RUNNING SENTON! BUT IGON GETS THE KNEES UP! Reylin crashes across both knees and immediately shoots back to his feet, clutching his lower back in agony! Igon sees the opening and takes off toward the ropes— DEVASTATING LARIAT! MORDREN NEARLY TAKES REYLIN’S HEAD OFF! Aloali’i finally goes down, and Igon immediately makes the cover!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRR—

Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! Igon can’t believe Reylin survived that one, but he doesn’t waste much time dwelling on it! Mordren gets back to his feet and begins making the climb toward the top rope! It isn’t often we see Igon venture up there, and Reylin knows he has to stop whatever he has planned— FOREARM STRIKE TO THE FACE! Aloali’i catches Igon on the top turnbuckle and leaves him stunned— BUT MORDREN RESPONDS WITH A RIGHT HAND!

(Reylin falls back against the ropes, struggling to shake the cobwebs from his head as the referee immediately warns Igon from below, reminding Mordren about the closed-fist strike while he remains perched on the top turnbuckle.)

Thadd Blazevich: REYLIN TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THAT BRIEF DISTRACTION! HEADBUTT TO IGON ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! Mordren is rocked as Aloali’i climbs onto the middle rope, but Igon isn’t going quietly— OVERHAND CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST! Reylin almost loses his footing, but fires right back with an OVERHAND SLAP ACROSS THE FACE! Punches aren’t legal under Pure Rules, dude, BUT THAT SURE AS HELL IS!

Rich Russillo: Igon is stunned, and Reylin sees his chance! Aloali’i climbs all the way to the top rope and hooks Mordren up— AVALANCHE SUPERPLEX!!! BOTH MEN COME CRASHING DOWN FROM THE TOP ROPE! IGON AND REYLIN ARE DOWN! THEY MIGHT BOTH BE OUT AFTER THAT LANDING! Neither man is moving at first, but Reylin knows how close he could be to ending this! Aloali’i wills himself to roll onto his belly, slowly crawling toward Mordren before reaching out to drape an arm across his chest—

Thadd Blazevich: BUT IGON ROLLS OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE! Mordren manages to land on his feet at ringside, preventing Reylin from making the cover! Igon can barely stand after that superplex, staggering backward and slightly up the ramp while keeping his eyes locked on Aloali’i— BUT REYLIN IS ALREADY FOLLOWING HIM OUT THERE! Reylin slides underneath the bottom rope and immediately charges straight toward Mordren—

Thadd Blazevich: TACKLE!!! REYLIN SPEARS IGON DOWN ON THE RAMP! BOTH MEN GO CRASHING DOWN, AND ALOALI’I JUST THREW EVERYTHING HE HAD INTO MORDREN!

Persephone: Okay, that was nasty, but they better remember there’s still a count going. I’m not sitting here watching both of them get counted out after all this.

Rich Russillo: Reylin drags Igon back to his feet, keeping hold of the back of his neck as he directs Mordren down the ramp toward the ring— BUT IGON SUDDENLY SHIFTS THE MOMENTUM AND SENDS REYLIN FACE FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST! ALOALI’I CRASHES INTO THE STEEL AND DROPS TO THE FLOOR!

Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Thadd Blazevich: Reylin doesn’t even know what hit him after that one, dude! Aloali’i is laid out on the floor as Igon reaches down and drags him back to his feet— FOREARM STRIKE! MORDREN ROCKS REYLIN— BUT ALOALI’I FIRES ONE RIGHT BACK! FOREARM FROM IGON! FOREARM FROM REYLIN! IGON! REYLIN! IGON! REYLIN!

Referee: FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT!

Rich Russillo: AND THESE TWO ARE STILL GOING! Igon grabs Reylin and drags him up onto the apron with him, but Aloali’i immediately fires another forearm! IGON ANSWERS! REYLIN ANSWERS BACK! The referee’s count is getting higher, and I’m not even sure either of these men realizes it!

Referee: NINE! TEN! ELEVEN! TWELVE!

Thadd Blazevich: NOW THEY’RE JUST HOCKEY FIGHTING ON THE APRON! Reylin grabs hold of Igon! Igon grabs hold of Reylin! THEY’RE THROWING FOREARMS BACK AND FORTH, DUDE! I don’t think either man can even hear that count anymore! They’re seeing red and trying to knock each other’s head off!

Referee: THIRTEEN! FOURTEEN! FIFTEEN!

Rich Russillo: THE REFEREE IS AT FIFTEEN! Neither man is even attempting to get back inside the ring! Igon and Reylin are still trading wild shots on the apron, completely consumed with beating the hell out of each other!

Referee: SIXTEEN! SEVENTEEN! EIGHTEEN!

Thadd Blazevich: BOTH MEN TUMBLE OFF THE APRON— BUT THEY’RE RIGHT BACK TO THEIR FEET! Reylin beats Igon to the punch by a split second, CLUBBING MORDREN ACROSS THE BACK! But Igon refuses to give him any ground, hammering Aloali’i with repeated shots to the body before DRIVING REYLIN BACK FIRST INTO THE APRON! Aloali’i gets pinned against the edge of the ring— AND NOW IT’S IGON UNLOADING! MORDREN CLUBS DOWN ACROSS REYLIN’S BACK OVER AND OVER, AND THESE TWO HAVE COMPLETELY LOST SIGHT OF EVERYTHING BUT EACH OTHER!

Referee: NINETEEN!

Rich Russillo: THE REFEREE IS AT NINETEEN! THEY HAVE TO GET BACK IN THE RING! Igon is still hammering away at Reylin against the apron, and neither man is making a move—

Referee: TWENTY!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: THIS MATCH HAS RESULTED IN A NO CONTEST DUE TO A DOUBLE COUNTOUT!

(The referee immediately steps outside and forces himself between both men, finally managing to separate them as Reylin rolls back inside the ring. But Aloali’i clearly isn’t finished, beckoning Igon to come join him and continue the fight! Mordren has absolutely no problem with that as he also slides into the ring. However, multiple officials get in between the two, doing what they can to keep the two away from each other.)

Rich Russillo: This one may officially be over, but I don’t think either of these men gives a damn! Reylin is calling Igon back into the ring, and Mordren is doing everything he can to get past the referee!

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, they just beat the hell out of each other for that entire match and STILL want more! Somebody better get more officials out here before this turns into another full-blown fight!

Persephone: Or don’t. If they wanna keep trying to kill each other, who am I to stop them?

(The fans in the arena are still shocked after what just occurred, but before anything else can happen, the camera goes over to show Eden Sinclair as she begins to make her way out from the backstage area. She’s wearing a dark blue dress as she walks down the ramp and toward the ring, seemingly looking to address both Reylin and Igon following the match they just had.)

Rich Russillo: Wow, this is interesting! Eden Sinclair is out here now after Reylin and Igon’s match, and considering what we just saw in what was a hellacious PURE Rules match, I’m wondering what she’s even going to say. She might very well be out here to reward them considering how things are conducted here on Voltage around Territorial Invasion time; she and Captain Charisma love nothing more than to see two Elitists passionate about the brand.

Persephone: Maybe she’s going to fire both of them? That would be great, honestly.

Thadd Blazevich: After the match they just had, bro? I don’t think so broski! Both men went into this match wanting to kill one another, and you can feel that strong dislike towards one another even in the conditions of PURE Rules. Eden just picked up a microphone from the steps and is getting into the ring!

(Eden climbs up the steps, holding onto a microphone in her hands as she enters in between the ropes! She stands in the ring while both Reylin and Igon are still recovering as she begins to speak to both of them.)

Eden Sinclair: I hope everyone is having a great time here tonight on Voltage, and normally I wouldn’t come out here after a match like this, but I couldn’t help but be impressed with what you both did here tonight. A great showing from the two of you, as in general… both of you have been quick to make quite an impact since arriving here on Voltage. Igon, obviously you were drafted to Voltage and made your mark immensely competing here, including getting a major win against Avril Williams at Bloodsport, while Reylin made his presence felt after that match and took you out, which of course led to this match between the two of you here tonight.

(Both Igon and Reylin are listening tentatively as Eden continues speaking.)

Eden Sinclair: So I feel it’s appropriate for you both to get a chance at Territorial Invasion and see what you can do with that! This is a massive opportunity that any other member of the roster would love to have, and both of you are getting just that. At the Marquee Event, there will be a New Breed Scramble match, and both of you will be Voltage’s representatives for it! You get to compete on an even bigger platform, and winning this match against New Breeders from the two other brands will surely put you on the road to success here in Elite Answers Wrestling!

(The crowd cheers for this announcement, excited at the prospect of the scramble match. Reylin looks pleased with his participation, but Igon, however, does not look happy as he asks for a microphone from a ringside official and responds to Eden by saying…)

Igon Morden: Are you joking? Is this some prank that you’re playing on me, Eden?

(The crowd boos Igon for this comment, as it looks like he is not pleased with this, which confuses Eden as she responds by saying…)

Eden Sinclair: Why would I be joking here, Igon? This is a massive opportunity for you both to compete in a match at Territorial Invasion. I didn’t think you’d take such offense to this.

Igon Morden: I could be doing several things at that event, but this? This is seriously what you have me doing? I feel absolutely insulted that you have me in a match with a bunch of other New Breeders when I am NOT a New Breeder. I am the best wrestler on this planet; I should be fighting the very best this brand has to offer, not fighting a bunch of amateurs trying to find their footing in this sport. You think my talent belongs in the ring with a bunch of hacks who wouldn’t be able to lace my damn boots? This is an utter outrage, Eden, and you should be disappointed in yourself for even having me be a part of this match!

(Eden hears this from Igon as she responds right back by saying…)

Eden Sinclair: As I said, this would be an amazing opportunity for you, Igon, and can allow you the chance to compete for your first championship here in Elite Answers Wrestling if you can come out of this match as the winner. Even if you feel you shouldn’t be in a match with other New Breeders, it is still an opportunity, and you should take it instead of complaining about it to me.

(Igon hears what Eden just said to him, but he still isn’t thrilled with the idea of competing in the match at Territorial Invasion. He responds right back….)

Igon Mordren: You practically have me doing babysitting duties. Yeah, I’ll wipe the floor out of those amateurs at Territorial Invasion, but I deserve better opponents that I can maul down and destroy rather than rookies who might slip and fall entering the ring. I am the WARDEN!! I am the best wrestler in this sport, and I should be given much more respect than being thrown in the ring with other barbarians like HIM-

(BAM!)

Rich Russillo: WOAH!! AS SOON AS IGON MENTIONED REYLIN THE WAY HE DID, THE SAMOAN GENERAL DROPS IGON WITH A STRAIGHT PUNCH TO THE JAW!!! IGON IS DOWN ON THE MATT AS THE CROWD CHEERS REYLIN FOR FINALLY SHUTTING HIM UP!! REYLIN NOW TAKES A MICROPHONE FROM SOMEONE RINGSIDE!!

Thadd Blazevich: BRO JUST NAILED IGON WITH OA NE-TWO COMBO THAT WAS CRAZY BRO!!! NOW HE LOOKS TO SPEAK!!!

(Reylin with a microphone in his hand begins to talk as he says…)

Reylin Aloali’i: You can’t help but hate on everything, can you? Like you can’t shut your ass up and be a little bit grateful that you even got ANY opportunity to begin with. That’s why you are an annoying motherfucker, having to hear you talk about being in a match with a bunch of other new breeders and that it’s insulting for someone like you… Let me give it to you straight right here, right now… NOBODY CARES IGON!!

(Reylin then turns his direction towards Eden as he tells her…)

Reylin Aloali’i: As for what I think of this match? I don’t mind being a part of it; I don’t mind competing with anybody else that stands in my way, including the guy lying down on the mat right now. I don’t mind because it’s an opportunity right off the bat, and if I were to win this match, it would get me into a conversation of competing for my first championship. As I said, I don’t care who I have to go through or what I have to do… I’m heading to the top no matter what.

(The crowd respects this from Reylin and so does Eden Sinclair as she responds with…)

Eden Sinclair: I can very well see that from you, Reylin. Making it to the top is a long journey, but winning this match at Territorial Invasion may make that journey a lot shorter than most would anticipate. You’re not just going to outlast everyone in this scramble match, but be the one left standing as the true winner.

Reylin Aloali’i: Trust me, Eden… that’s exactly what I plan on doing. I vow to win this Scramble match and earn myself a New Breed Title match, and when I get that title match… I’m taking that championship too.

(Reylin drops his microphone as his music begins to play shortly after. Eden looks rather pleased with herself as he rolls out of the ring and makes his exit. The crowd looks to be hyped over what just happened as Eden herself begins to leave too.)

Rich Russillo: DAMN! What a huge announcement made by Eden Sinclair, and even more jarring how both Igon and Reylin approached being a part of this New Breed Scramble Match at Territorial Invasion. Igon looks almost disgusted to even be a part of the match, while Reylin is embracing this opportunity because, as he said himself, he’s going straight to the top no matter what.

Thadd Blazevich: Oh, for sure, Rich! Reylin just had enough of what Igon bro was complaining about and made his intentions known. Since this match will involve other New Breeders, let’s hope someone from Voltage wins that match.

Persephone: Please, do you really want Mr. I don’t belong here winning this?

Thadd Blazevich: Aye, anybody from Voltage and I’m happy. Even if it’s Igon, bro.

(Igon recovers in the ring, staring right towards Reylin with a furious look on his face, who’s making his way to the back. This was the final moment before the segment fades out and transitions elsewhere in the arena.)

(Voltage opens backstage where Auburn Ware is seen walking down the hallway. It’s certainly been an interesting week for the troubled young Elitist, who last week, found herself placed on Damon Lazarus’ War Games’ team. Under normal circumstances, this would have been a blessing and a thrill for someone as competitive as Auburn, but obviously the circumstances surrounding her inclusion on his team are far from normal. While the announcement was one thing, the aftermath of it was a whole different story. An early morning confrontation between Saori Aizen and Auburn had led to hotel security getting called, and all the drama that surrounding their past had certainly alienated Auburn. Not having any desire to be at Voltage this week, the look on Auburn’s face is pensive to say the least. As she rounds the corner, she sees backstage correspondent, Sofia Clarke, approaching her and she can’t help but let out a sigh.)

Sofia Clarke: Auburn! Are you able to spare a few minutes to talk about what happened last week?

(Despite the fact she is normally accommodating, this time Auburn just shakes her head.)

Auburn Ware: I don’t really want to talk about the situation, Sofia, because it’s clear that all of this has been done to fuck with me. One cruel, sick joke by our “tEam CaPtAiN” to bring out a side of me that quite frankly he doesn’t want to see. So the less I have to talk about it, the better; thank you very much.

Sofia Clarke: Do you think Damon is using you to win or is this part of something deeper?

Auburn Ware: When has Damon NOT been using me, Sofia? I’m not going to play into his hand; it’s exactly what I said last week. He’s going to find out exactly what he missed out on, and that’s going to hurt more than anything else I could do to him with or without this stupid partnership.

Sofia Clarke: Fair enough, Auburn. Thank you for your time.

Auburn Ware: (muttering under her breath) As if I had a choice.

(Auburn walks off and into catering, where she immediately feels her hackles raise. Standing to the side, looking at her phone, is none other than the Specialists Champion, Saori Aizen. Not wanting anything to do with the situation, Auburn turns to walk off, but Saori clears her throat.)

Saori Aizen: Running away… again.

(Auburn stops and slowly turns around.)

Auburn Ware: Maybe I just don’t want to deal with you.

Saori Aizen: Quite the change of heart compared to recent months. Have you finally given up?

(Saori readjusts the championship over her shoulder in an attentive manner. The gold reflects even off of the cold LED lights, sparkling right into Auburn’s face.)

Saori Aizen: A part of me doubts you truly have, but you have sunk to quite the level. Have you lost the hope that you can fight your battles and get “vengeance”? Are you sitting on a worship chair, tone of voice desperate, praying that “karmic justice” will do me in?

Auburn Ware: I really don’t understand why you want to stand there and rehash everything because clearly it’s not going anywhere. I’ll gladly drop everything and jam another stiletto in your neck then beat your ass again, but you’re still going to walk around with the same skewed narrative. Get over yourself, Saori. I don’t give a fuck what you have going on and the fact you’re desperately trying to relive everything we’ve been through sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself of something more than me.

(Auburn shrugs her shoulders and heads to the end of the table, selecting a bottle of Fiji water.)

Auburn Ware: You’re clearly insecure as fuck right now. Green is not a good color for you. At all.

Saori Aizen: …Because I would envy a shallow hot mess like you of all people, hm?

(Saori chuckles.)

Saori Aizen: Indeed, Auburn! I have taken everything from you, and now I stand jealous.

(She shakes her head sarcastically.)

Saori Aizen: You’ve never gotten it through your thick skull where our priorities lie, did you? Despite all this time, despite this… inescapable connection. You remain oblivious all the more. So, allow me to make one thing clear, *for the umpteenth time*, this is strictly professional. That man you are in awe over had decided we must find a way to work together. Of course, you reluctantly accepted because of your pride. “Show what was missed out upon.” I do not care what conclusions you draw about me and the way I live my life. I am certainly not allowing myself to be so easily destroyed without resistance. You are the last person in a position to judge. That said, my question is simple: do you wish to win your “dream” match?

(Auburn just sighed, clearly exhausted by this whole situation.)

Auburn Ware: Why do you even care? You’re not on the team Saori! Like stop forcing your fucking bullshit on me because I will NEVER listen to you. I fucking hate you. I want nothing to do with you. I don’t want anything to do with Damon. But clearly I’m just an easy target for the two of you because of how badly he’s fucked my head, and you thinking you have any right whatsoever to speak to me is wild, to say the least. So shut the fuck up, go suck a dick, and STAY THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY! I DON’T WANT TO BE ON THE TEAM WITH HIM!!

(Saori’d been watching on blankly, locking onto her amidst the angry words with stillness cloaking her true feelings as best as possible. All that broke the look was a tightening near her eye, twitching every so often.)

(Auburn takes a deep breath.)

Auburn Ware: You are so fucking miserable, and hell, maybe that’s why you and Damon gravitate towards one another. You both are the worst fucking people I have ever met in my life and thanks to both of you, I’m no better, and I hate that.

(Saori’s features were smoothed into a blank mask. She exhaled as if she wanted to retort, but instead she closed her eyes and gave it a beat.)

Saori Aizen: The compliment is greatly appreciated.

(She tilted her head and brightly smiled at Auburn in the fakest, most aggressive way possible.)

Saori Aizen: Now…!

(She exhaled.)

Saori Aizen: I am as happy as you are about these circumstances. Perhaps for once I am angrier than you; I simply regulate myself better. Now, do you wish to win your “dream” match, or would you rather manifest another nightmare while you wallow in your own self-pity?

(Auburn simply continued to glare at her for a moment.)

Auburn Ware: I wish for all of you to leave me alone, but I’m clearly not getting that, am I? For as much as you want to say that I’m being “childish,” this is certainly a childish situation that I’ve been dragged into. A supposedly grown woman getting up in arms because her man has his attention more on me than he does her. It’s not like I want that to happen, but I know how that makes you feel, and maybe that does bring a smile to my face.

(Auburn tilted her head, the smallest hint of a grin beginning to show.)

Auburn Ware: Jealousy isn’t a good look on you, and you know that. Maybe it’s eating you alive to know that you feel this way about a woman that you’re supposedly above in every single way.

(Saori exhales a whisper that keeps itself from going far. She stammered for a few moments, her palm stopping itself every few seconds as getting the right words here had become quite the challenge. Especially when there are some things she cannot quite deny.)

(Her eyes fully met Auburn’s.)

Saori Aizen: I do wish whatever emotions I felt were as strong as the ones you possess for him. Maybe then I could make proper sense of it. I would tell you that love itself never makes sense to begin with — but whatever’s suddenly stricken you, it is not love. And I imagine you recognize that, too.

Auburn Ware: And who are you to tell me about that, Saori? Huh? Don’t get all sappy with me just because your little fuckbuddy decided he wanted to mess with *both* of us. I have nothing to relate to when it comes to you and truthfully I’d rather you choke on his penis then try and sympathize with me on ANY level. I suppose that we both just have to lie in our graves now. Now you know at least an ounce of how I feel.

Saori Aizen: So that’s what you would prefer, lying in your grave?

(She shook her head.)

Saori Aizen: You have the nerve to still step up to me despite everything I’ve done. That is good. Irksome, but good. You cannot do the same when it comes to him? You would prefer to remain destroyed, to squirm around, to let whatever is left in you die? You would rather become a doll, than fight for the life you were robbed of.

(Saori rolls her eyes with disgust. It was that final notion that truly annoyed her. After all, she still scratches and claws to make things right over the cards she’d been dealt throughout her entire life. Submission meant defeat. That is a perspective she could never accept.)

(Unfortunately, she had to care. Not for Auburn, but for herself. What she does is driven by what she requires. The measures taken by Saori that led these two here were for the sake of taking a championship she wanted at all costs, and a partial, sickly benevolent lesson. Today, while Auburn doubts this isn’t just another joke at her expense, Saori truly does beg to differ.

(She knows the way Damon’s intentions work far too well by now. All the nights spent in bed is enough time to thoroughly study someone’s way of being. Damon was always deliberate, meticulous, and serious. *This* was happening, and with Saori’s unconfirmed expectation of being on the War Games team, she needed Auburn to get back on her feet, to drop this stigmatized view, and to simply get over things. It sounded inconsiderate, and it very much was. Saori knew it wasn’t as simple as “getting over it”. If anything, Auburn’d done her best to do so, yet here she is.)

Auburn Ware: Can *you* step up to him?

(As Auburn said that, almost ironically, she peered over Saori’s shoulder. She noted a deep crevice of shadow in a far corner outside of catering. She didn’t even need to see someone to know that they were watching…)

(Just those eyes, which pierced in the darkness as they loomed over the two of them.)

(Auburn managed to keep her composure just enough to not to alert Saori. Merely giving a smirk as she continued to keep her eyes away from her.)

Auburn Ware: Would you like to say it to his face…?

(As both questions seemed to stay unanswered with Damon’s silhouette just appearing out of the blue at a rather curious time… Saori, confused, turned her head, and looked over her shoulder.)

(Before she could even register if Damon was there…)

POW!!!

(Auburn drives her knuckles into Saori’s cheek, punching her right in the teeth.)

(She let out the faintest smile, before slamming Saori into a table, sending her splattering over plates with food. She struts around the table, grabbing Saori and launching her into the brick walls. Saori’d try to fight back, but something else unleashed in Auburn that spiked her adrenaline. She tackles Saori, sending her back first into a huge metal bucket full of ice and drinks. A familiar coincidence.)

Auburn Ware: Pray he saves you again, bitch.

(Auburn wraps her hands around Saori’s throat with absolute force, her nails digging into skin. She shoves her under the water, attempting to drown her. Saori kicks and thrashes as she did before, but…)

(Auburn is sent to the ground.)

(Saori breathes fast, getting her face out of the water the second the pressure Auburn was putting was gone.)

(Auburn didn’t even have to look at his face to know it. The body shape was all she needed. It was Damon.)

Auburn Ware: Ugh! Truly cannot let me have even this. You’re such a fucking asshole.

(Damon doesn’t grant her a response. Hardly even a glance.)

(He goes to check on Saori. Her grimace did not look away from Auburn. Damon lightly grabbed her jaw, and turned her eyes to him.)

Damon Lazarus: Go.

(He gently pushed Saori towards the way out of catering. Security’d finally show up, though it was all over by now. As late as always, Damon thought, but they *could* help with orders.)

Damon Lazarus: Keep ‘em apart for the rest of the night. And escort her to my locker room.

(Security didn’t ask any questions. They knew better. Multiple guards would grab Saori’s arm, who didn’t try to put up a fight. She simply looked toward Auburn only, until her neck physically could not.)

(But Auburn had been staring at Damon for all this time. With everything handled, Damon finally stares her down. It sends a feeling down her spine to be seen, but she could feel it in Damon’s stare. He was not enamored, nor entertained. It was something tense…)

(It’s the very last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage begins to fade to elsewhere.)

(Promotional ad for Territorial Invasion, where the War Games match will take place.)

(We have returned from commercial break and the camera shot has returned to the ringside area where Bella Braxton is standing in the ring and ready to begin the introductions for the next match.)

Bella Braxton: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

(‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac starts to play as the crowd’s cheers get louder for the arrival of the Unified Tag Team Champions, La Farmacia Sexual. TLA is flying solo tonight, but his partner Dr. Bethany Blue is right by his side to make sure there is no funny business going on. The duo raise their titles in the air as they head to the ring.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first and making his way to the ring and accompanied to the ring by Dr. Bethany Blue. Residing in The Poon Palace in Miami, Florida! Weighing 210 pounds. He is ONE HALF OF THE EAW UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, LA FARMACIA SEXUAL! Here is “LA PANTERA SEXUAL” T! L! A!

Rich Russillo: Here come the Tag Team Champions as TLA is ready for singles action and you have to believe that TLA and Bethany aren’t in a good mood after what happened last week on Voltage.

Persephone: They asked for it, so they have nobody to blame but themselves.

Thadd Blazevich: TLA and Ryan used to be Tag Team Partners in the past. Now TLA has the gold, Bro, and he said he will take no issue in slapping the shit out of Ryan and sending him packing back to Showdown.

(TLA enters the ring and hands his title to Bethany as he takes his corner and starts preparing as ‘BFG Division’ by Mick Gordon starts to play and the cheers immediately turn to boos as Ryan Joseph Wilson enters the arena being accompanied by his partner Vincent Mondrian and the infamous Silas Mason. Ryan could care less what the crowd thinks as the trio head to the ring.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing his opponent! Representing SILAS WORLD! Accompanied to the ring by Vincent Mondrian and Silas Mason! From Montréal, Québec, Canada. Weighing 211 pounds. He is one half of CATACLYSM! Here is RYAN! JOSEPH! WILSON!

Persephone: Goody! Here comes the opposition. Didn’t he used to call himself a workhorse? He looks more like a jackass!

Thadd Blazevich: Last week, Cataclysm saw an opportunity to make a statement at the Champion’s expense and they made the most of it with Ryan and Vincent leaving the Champs down and out. Could that lead to a title victory at Territorial Invasion?

Rich Russillo: Before Voltage, Ryan said he and Vincent are going to stop at nothing to make sure they leave with the gold and he can get a chance to bring the gold back to Montreal. A battle of former tag team partners is about to commence.

(Ryan enters the ring and takes a neutral corner as Vincent and Silas take a spot at ringside. The music has faded and the referee checks both competitors before calling for the bell.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Thadd Blazevich: Here we go with this one on one match up in a battle of former tag team partners now champion and future challenger doing battle as the guys lock up in the center of the ring.

Rich Russillo: Ryan showing that small power advantage he has to muscle TLA into a side headlock before TLA throws an elbow into the ribs to get free–

Thadd Blazevich: BUT RYAN QUICKLY RECOVERS AND GRABS TLA BY THE LEGS AND HITS AN MMA STYLE TAKEDOWN!

Persephone: Now this weirdo is in a mount position and punching TLA in the head. Great. Now they’ll both be braindead and stupid.

Thadd Blazevich: TLA has blocked a good portion of the shots before he is able to shove Ryan off of him, but Ryan is right there trying to grapevine TLA’s leg, BUT TLA TRIES TO KICK HIM OFF AND RYAN HOLDS ON!

Rich Russillo: Instead, TLA bridges up enough to get himself into a handstand and gets his free leg around Ryan’s neck AND HE TURNS TO COUNTER INTO A MODIFIED HEADSCISSOR TAKEOVER!

Persephone: Well wasn’t that just a cute little move right there?

Rich Russillo: It did get Ryan to let go of TLA and created some distance between the two as TLA starts to get back to his feet by the ropes and Ryan goes back to TLA–

Persephone: THE IDIOT GETS LIFTED INTO THE AIR AND BACK BODY DROPPED OVER THE ROPE AND HE CRASHES ONTO THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF US! WHY ALWAYS IN FRONT OF US?

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan lands hard on the floor but he was able to grab the apron enough to cushion his fall a little bit and prevent more damage from being done.

Rich Russillo: TLA is now on the apron as he watches Ryan slowly getting back to his feet. Meanwhile Silas is watching very carefully with Bethany watching Silas on the other side.

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan has made it back to his feet AND TLA JUMPS ONTO THE ROPES AND LAUNCHES HIMSELF BACK TO HIT A BEAUTIFUL ASAI MOONSAULT ONTO RYAN!

Persephone: Ryan’s head made a pretty amusing thud on the floor. Shame it was the mat and not the actual floor.

Thadd Blazevich: TLA is back on his feet and the crowd is firmly behind half of the Tag Team Champions as he brings Ryan back to his feet and drags him over before rolling him back into the ring.

Rich Russillo: Ryan is back in the ring as TLA is back on the apron AS HE LEAPS TO THE TOP ROPE AND SPRINGBOARDS OFF BEFORE HITTING A BEAUTIFUL SPLASH! DIRECT HIT BY TLA AS HE GOES FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOO!

Persephone: He kicked out! Big shock there!

Rich Russillo: Near fall for TLA in the first cover of the contest as TLA is now putting the boots to Ryan as Ryan is just trying to find a breakaway to get free of TLA’s onslaught.

Persephone: I mean he could leave the ring and not come back. That would work.

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan makes it to the ropes as the referee backs TLA off to create some breathing room between the competitors, but TLA gets free and goes right back to Ryan–

Rich Russillo: RYAN WAS PLAYING POSSUM! RYAN GRABS TLA AROUND THE WAIST AND LIFTS HIM UP TO SEND HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE WITH THAT MODIFIED HOTSHOT!

Thadd Blazevich: TLA is against the turnbuckle AND RYAN RAMS HIS SHOULDER INTO TLA’S LOWER BACK! Ryan flips TLA around AND CHOPS HIM RIGHT ACROSS THE CHEST! GOSH THAT SOUNDED LIKE A WHIP CRACKING, BRO!

Persephone: Yeah, we aren’t that lucky to be using that stuff in this match.

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan fires off a few more chops before pulling TLA in AND CLOBBERING HIM WITH A SHORT ARM LARIAT!

Rich Russillo: TLA sent back into the corner as Ryan pulls him by the head and applies the facelock and turns around BEFORE SENDING TLA CRASHING UPSIDE DOWN IN THE CORNER OFF THE SNAP SUPLEX!

Persephone: Probably not the first time he was upside down in some form of his work, but now he is stuck in the Tree of Woe.

Rich Russillo: Not a good position for TLA to find himself in, ESPECIALLY WHEN RYAN HAS HIS BOOT AGAINST TLA’S THROAT! COME ON! THAT’S ILLEGAL!

Persephone: The referee is ruining the most tolerable part of the match by telling Ryan to let TLA free. Naturally, the referee gets ignored. No surprise there.

Thadd Blazevich: The referee has started a count and Ryan finally releases the choke on four or else risks being disqualified on five. TLA is still in the Tree of Woe as Ryan backs up and RUNS FULL SPEED FOR A LOWBALL DROPKICK–

Rich Russillo: TLA ROLLS HIMSELF AND RYAN KEEPS ON GOING UNTIL HE GETS A SEVEN TEN SPLIT AGAINST THE CORNER POST! OHHH THAT LOOKS LIKE HURT!

Thadd Blazevich: TLA was able to roll back up all the way and get himself on the top turnbuckle as Ryan is crawling out of the corner. TLA is watching closely as Ryan is in the danger zone AS HE TRIES FOR A LEG DROP OFF THE TOP ROPE–

Persephone: HE MISSED IT! BAHAHAHAHA! THE ASS LANDED ON HIS ASS!

Thadd Blazevich: RYAN ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY AS TLA CRASHES AND BURNS ON THE MAT! Bro, at least he didn’t sprain any ankles the way he landed.

Rich Russillo: Ryan gets back to his feet and makes his way onto the second rope as TLA is slowly recovering. Ryan is waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Persephone: Perfect? TLA? He will never find it.

Rich Russillo: TLA has slowly made it back to his feet and turns around AS RYAN JUMPS OFF THE SECOND ROPE AND GRABS TLA BY THE HEAD AND SPIKES HIM DOWN WITH A TORNADO DDT!

Persephone: Probably the safest part of his body.

Thadd Blazevich: TLA is down on the mat and Ryan takes the opportunity to hook both legs for the cover!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOO!

THHHHHH-

Rich Russillo: TLA KICKS OUT AT TWO! Near fall for Ryan as he stays on the offensive by throwing those elbow smashes right into TLA’s spine to try and keep him grounded for the time being and that might be the best strategy to go with to neutralize the Hall of Famer.

Thadd Blazevich: Now Ryan is pulling TLA’s arms back and is driving his boot into TLA’s spine and the referee is right there to check and see if TLA wants to give it up.

Persephone: I can only hope, but I already know what the answer is. How annoying.

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan has a really horrible torque on TLA before moving his boot from his spine AND STARTS KICKING HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND IT’S LEGAL BRO!

Rich Russillo: TLA might be knocked unconscious at this rate, BUT HE IS ABLE TO PULL HIS ARMS FORWARD AND TAKING RYAN OVER WITH A MODIFIED SNAPMARE!

Persephone: Now we hear Dr. Pain in the Bitch rooting for TLA as Ryan is back up–

Rich Russillo: Ryan tries to pull TLA back to his feet And TLA JUMPS UP AND ONTO RYAN’S LEGS–

Persephone: Instead, he slides down Ryan’s shoulder and takes him down for a sunset flip. Wow, that really got my energy up. End the damn match with that!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOO!

THHHHHH-

Thadd Blazevich: WAIT A SECOND, BRO! RYAN ROLLS THROUGH AND QUICKLY STACKS TLA OVER AND REVERSES THE COVER! SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOO!

THHHHHH-

Rich Russillo: TLA KICKS OUT AT TWO ONCE MORE! BUT HE AGAIN FINDS HIMSELF IN THE HANDSTAND POSITION AND IS STARTING TO SPIN AND BUILD SOME MOMENTUM–

Thadd Blazevich: PROPELLER STYLE HEADSCISSORS! THAT WAS INNOVATIVE BY TLA TAKING RYAN ACROSS THE RING!

Persephone: Please. It looked stupid because he didn’t get that many revolutions. Good gawd!

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan gets back to his feet as TLA runs in AND DUCKS THE RYAN WILSON CLOTHESLINE–

Rich Russillo: TLA JUMPS ONTO THE SECOND ROPE AND NOW THE TOP ROPE AS HE FLIPS BACK AND CATCHES RYAN WITH THE MOONSAULT AS HE TURNED AROUND! RYAN’S HEAD HITS THE MAT HARD AND TLA HOOKS THE LEG!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHHHRRREEEEEEEE-

Persephone: Ryan kicked out. Big shock considering it didn’t look that hard to do.

Rich Russillo: Very close near fall for TLA as he pulls Ryan back to his feet as he hooks both arms AND TRIES TO LIFT HIM FOR THE TIGER SUPLEX–

Persephone: Ryan flung his head back and caught TLA in the nose. That was certainly a dumb way to do it but it worked.

Thadd Blazevich: The force of the headbutt causes TLA to let Ryan go AND RYAN HITS A SPINNING BACKFIST RIGHT ACROSS TLA’S JAW, BRO!

Rich Russillo: That might have been a knockout shot right there as Ryan turns around grabs TLA around the waist and LIFTS TLA UP AND OVER WITH A GUTWRENCH SUPLEX!

Thadd Blazevich: TLA rolls onto his stomach AND RYAN JUST SITS ON TLA’S SPINE AND THAT IS NOT SOME CHIROPRACTIC MOVE, BRO!

Rich Russillo: Ryan repositions and gets TLA’s arms over his knees AND HAS A CAMEL CLUTCH! SUBMISSION APPLIED HERE!

Thadd Blazevich: The referee is right there to check and see if TLA wants to give this match up and it might be a harder decision to make considering that they are in the center of the ring.

Persephone: I have a preference on what I would like to see happen, but it won’t happen because these idiots like to make my life miserable.

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan is trying to take out TLA’s lower back and wrench on his neck as TLA IS TRYING TO DRAG HIMSELF OVER TO THE ROPES AND CAUSE A BREAK!

Rich Russillo: LISTEN TO BETHANY CHEER HER TAG TEAM PARTNER ON TO GET BACK IN THIS MATCH AS SILAS AND VINCENT ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RING TRYING TO THROW TLA OFF HIS GAME!

Persephone: Is there anything lower than mute for this match? All this yelling is annoying all because TLA is about a foot away from the ropes–

Rich Russillo: RYAN STARTS TO DRAG TLA BACK TO THE CENTER OF THE RING–

Persephone: Ugh. TLA rolls forward and sends Ryan throat first into the ropes. Great. What are these idiots gonna try next?

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan is leaning against the ropes as TLA gets back to his feet and the crowd is cheering wildly because they know what is about to happen.

Rich Russillo: TLA hits the far side ropes with full speed as he runs back to Ryan AS TLA LOOKS FOR THE “305” TIGER FEINT KICK–

Thadd Blazevich: RYAN DUCKS OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND AS TLA GOES STUMBLING BACK INTO THE RING TO TRY AND KEEP HIS BALANCE!

Persephone: When one moron uses his brain, the other moron’s brain shuts down. Like TLA couldn’t have seen that coming as Ryan is getting back to his feet.

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan lifts TLA up in the air to try for a back suplex, BUT TLA IS ABLE TO FLIP BACK OFF OF RYAN’S SHOULDER–

Rich Russillo: RYAN GRABS TLA BY THE NECK AND PLANTS HIM WITH THE BACKDROP CUTTER! THAT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND TLA GOES FACE FIRST!

Persephone: I guess Ryan’s brain cell isn’t as lonely as he thought it was as he might do two things right in a row as he rolls TLA over for a cover! END THIS MATCH!!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHHHRRREEEEEEEE!

Rich Russillo: TLA GOT THE SHOULDER UP! THAT WAS A VERY CLOSE NEAR FALL FOR RYAN!

Persephone: OH COME ON!!

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan really thought it was a three count as he punches the mat in frustration as he gets back into that mount position and just starts throwing fists into TLA’s face and not letting up on the assault.

Rich Russillo: And Silas Mason is just cheering him on. We know that Silas wants Ryan to make another statement at TLA’s expense again as they get closer to Territorial Invasion and Silas would love nothing more than to get more gold back in Silas World.

Thadd Blazevich: Bro, TLA will not let those titles go without a fight and he does not want to lose any sort of momentum on the way to Territorial Invasion.

Rich Russillo: Ryan finally lets up and pulls TLA back to his feet and whips him to the ropes.

Thadd Blazevich: TLA with the rebound as Ryan grabs TLA and pulls him up and tries for a TILT A WHIRL BACKBREAKER—

Persephone: He counters. Big shock there.

Thadd Blazevich: TLA slides off Ryan’s shoulder and Ryan quickly turns around—

(BAM!)

Rich Russillo: RYAN TURNED RIGHT INTO THE “SWAG SHOT”! WHAT A SLAP TO THE FACE! RYAN WAS KNOCKED LOOPY AFTER THAT SHOT!

Persephone: Nothing like a bitch slap to knock someone loopy and it looks like his eyes are glazed over.

Rich Russillo: TLA gets himself into position as flips back AND HITS THE “CARTEL KICK”! BEAUTIFUL PELE KICK BY THE HALF OF THE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS CAUGHT RYAN IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD AS RYAN HITS THE MAT AND TLA ROLLS HIM OVER FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHHHRRREEEEEEEE!

Persephone: OH FOR THE LOVE OF GAWD! WHY????

Thadd Blazevich: RYAN GOT THE SHOULDER UP RIGHT BEFORE THREE! Silas lets out a breath of relief for a brief second before he and Vincent yell for Ryan to get back into this match, bro.

Rich Russillo: To be quite honest, I am surprised to see that Silas World has yet to run interference in this match.

Thadd Blazevich: Bro, I think it’s because of Bethany and I don’t think either one of them wants to mess with the doctor right now, especially after last week.

Rich Russillo: Very possible as Ryan is still down at the moment as TLA drags him closer to one of the corners and decides that it’s time to climb to the top. TLA heading to the high rent district to possibly finish this match once and for all.

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan hasn’t moved after the Pele kick earlier as TLA now has his balance on the top rope BEFORE HE LAUNCHES HIMSELF OFF THE TOP ROPE! BRO, THAT IS A THING OF BEAUTY–

Persephone: NO IT WASN’T BECAUSE THE DUMBASS JUST CRASHED AND BURNED ON THE MAT! He got exactly what he deserved.

Thadd Blazevich: TLA was going for the “Burnout” there. That was a beautiful Corkscrew 630, but unfortunately for TLA, it might have taken too much time as Ryan got out of the way.

Rich Russillo: TLA crashed hard onto the mat spine first and that could change the complexion of the match to the point that it could cost TLA a nontitle victory against Ryan.

Persephone: Again I say, it will be exactly what he deserves for being a showoff and going for the flashy moves. Damn moron.

Rich Russillo: Sometimes a big risk can equal a big payoff. It just didn’t for TLA at that moment as Bethany is trying to get TLA back into the match.

Persephone: Scream all she wants. It doesn’t mean he is going to get any smarter.

Thadd Blazevich: TLA is still recovering on the mat as Ryan gets his way back on his feet as he pulls TLA back to his feet.

Rich Russillo: Ryan now has TLA in a really interesting lock that’s almost a modified gutwrench.

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan once again lifts TLA up in the air AND RYAN ONCE AGAIN PLANTS TLA FACE FIRST WITH THE ATAXIA STYLE MOVE!

Rich Russillo: RYAN CALLS THAT “THE TABLE FLIP” AND TLA ONCE AGAIN KISSES THE MAT AND THAT COULD END THE MATCH HERE AS RYAN ROLLS TLA OVER FOR THE COVER! LEG IS HOOKED!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHHHRRREEEEEEEE!

Thadd Blazevich: DID RYAN GET IT? I THINK HE GOT IT, BRO!

Persephone: You already know that he didn’t get it, stupid. Why are you even bothering asking?

Thadd Blazevich: Dude, that’s harsh!

Rich Russillo: THAT WAS A VERY CLOSE NEAR FALL FOR RYAN AND HE CAN’T BELIEVE IT! RYAN IS ARGUING WITH THE REFEREE BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS A THREE COUNT!

Persephone: Yeah because that’s going to turn the match in your favor. Get back to work and end the match, you idiot!

Rich Russillo: Ryan turns his attention back to TLA and moves his arm back AND TRIES TO LOCK IN THE SUBMISSION! RYAN IS TRYING TO LOCK IN THE “WILSON BITE”!

Persephone: Seriously? That name freaking bites–

Thadd Blazevich: LOOK! TLA IS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND REVERSE THE SUBMISSION INTO A MODIFIED INSIDE CRADLE! RYAN’S SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEE!

Rich Russillo: LOOK! RYAN IS ABLE TO REVERSE THE MOVE AND CHANGE THE ROLLUP IN HIS FAVOR AND TLA’S SHOULDERS ARE DOWN NOW!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEE!

Thadd Blazevich: TLA KICKS OUT AT TWO! THAT WAS A COUPLE OF CLOSE NEAR FALLS THERE THAT STARTED WITH RYAN GETTING FRUSTRATED AND ALMOST COSTING HIMSELF THE MATCH!

Rich Russillo: Both competitors somehow get back to their feet and throw hands and strikes at each other in order to get the advantage AND RYAN WITH A LOW KICK TO GET THE ADVANTAGE!

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan throws a couple of knees to the cut before he whips TLA to the ropes. TLA with the rebound–

Persephone: Ryan catches him and manages to pop TLA up into the air. Ryan is looking to finish the match with his “Wilson Crusher”. Wow. An original name–

Thadd Blazevich: TLA WAS ABLE TO ADJUST IN THE AIR AND GRAB RYAN AND HE TURNED THE CRUSHER RIGHT INTO A “MEXICAN DESTROYER”! RYAN WAS SPIKED RIGHT ON HIS HEAD, BRO! HOLY SHIT!!

Rich Russillo: RYAN DID NOT SEE THAT COMING AT ALL AS IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE! RYAN IS DOWN AND TLA GOES FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEE!

(DING! DING! DING!)

(‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ starts playing again as TLA slowly rolls off of Ryan as he catches his breath as Bella announces the final decision of the match.)

Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… ONE HALF OF THE UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS… T! L! A!

Rich Russillo: Wow what a match between these two. I mean that’s all I can really say. What a fight.

Persephone: Yeah yeah yeah. A great match and all. Now let’s get on with the show.

Thadd Blazevich: This match could have gone either way and Ryan Wilson was close on numerous occasions to winning the match. He looked to have the match on lock, bro.

Rich Russillo: Very strong effort from Ryan, but it was a last minute change from TLA who hit the Mexican Destroyer to seal the end and win the match. Congrat–

(TLA is back on his feet and the referee is raising his arm in victory… until Vincent sneaks into the ring.)

Thadd Blazevich: BRO! VINCENT MONDRIAN FROM BEHIND AND HE IS NOT HAPPY THAT TLA PICKED UP THE WIN AS VINCENT STARTS PUTTING THE BOOTS TO TLA!

Rich Russillo: BUT LOOK! DR. BETHANY BLUE IS IN THE RING AND GOING RIGHT AFTER VINCENT–

Persephone: He escapes. Nobody saw that coming.

Thadd Blazevich: Ryan and Vincent both roll out of the ring and they are hightailing it up the ramp. Where’s your courage now, Bro?

(Ryan and Vincent are pissed and want to go back to fight some more, but Silas is standing in front of them and trying to calm them down.)

Silas Mason: (off-mic) Not now! Not now!! You’ll get another chance. You’ll get your chance real soon, and with the titles on the line.

(Ryan and Vincent are still annoyed, but they have calmed down as TLA and Bethany look up the ramp.)

Persephone: Well this was fun.

Rich Russillo: Things are just getting started between these four teams. TLA got some retribution for La Farmacia Sexual. But the question remains is will it continue when the gold is on the line?

(The final shot shows the two teams having a staredown as TLA and Bethany raise their titles in the air as the camera shot fades elsewhere.)

(Commercial for Disney+.)

(Sunday Night Voltage continues on as we see Cynthia Valice and Carmen Sanchez backstage sitting on top of production crates, not looking entirely happy with how their match last week went for the Hardcore Championship. Disappointing losses happened for both of them as they tried to take the title from Kai Rabeaux but were unfortunately unsuccessful. They’re in the middle of a conversation with one another as we hear what they’re saying..)

Carmen Sánchez: Even having an entire week to think about it, not the way we wanted things to go, unfortunately.

Cynthia Valice: Yeah, it sucks. I thought for sure either one of us was walking away with that title, but sadly Kai escaped still holding onto it. We tried our best, but it just didn’t go our way.

(As both Carmen and Cynthia discuss the disappointment that has come from not being able to capture the Hardcore Championship last week, we hear a familiar voice shout to them.)

???: Hey guys!!

(Carmen and Cynthia turn their heads as the camera pans over to reveal Avril Williams standing by! She’s wearing a checkered shirt with cargo pants, looking as cool and rad as one can be. She looks to be more upbeat compared to Carmen and Cynthia as she tells them…)

Avril Williams: I just noticed you guys were just sitting down here, and I just wanted to say you both did great last week in your guys’ match for the Hardcore Title, like seriously… You guys were killing it out there! It was pretty gnarly the stuff you guys were doing out there last week, and while I know it for sure sucks you didn’t take that title away from that complete loonie in Kai Rabeaux… y’all should be proud of what you did.

(The crowd watching this segment claps and cheers for what Avril says as this brings the mood up of Carmen and Cynthia. They both respond to her by saying…)

Cynthia Valice: Aww… thank you, Avril! That means a lot to us. We just went out there and gave it everything, and while it does suck that neither Carmen nor I left Voltage as the new Hardcore Champion… I am glad of the appreciation and support coming from you.

Carmen Sánchez: Definitely not the best feeling in the world not walking away with the title, but gracias for the compliment, Avril. We know more opportunities will come our way, and when they do… whether it’s Cynthia or me… we’re going to make sure we leave it all out again and continue to do what we do in that ring. Enough about us though, congratulations on that match you had against Reylin last week, an amazing win for you, Cielo.

Cynthia Valice: Yeah!! Awesome win for you, Avril. I know that loss against Igon was a real bummer, but hey, you bounced back and defeated someone that had that bully looking up at the lights at Bloodsport.

(Avril smiles at what both Carmen and Cynthia are saying to her as she responds by saying…)

Avril Williams: Aye, I appreciate it, dude! I know Igon may have gotten himself involved in the match and whatever, but getting a win like that is what I definitely needed. Reylin was a tough competitor, no doubt about it, but getting that win over him… I feel like that puts me in a good position, maybe getting an opportunity of some kind, you know? I think that’s what I’m looking for next, but what about you guys? What y’all planning on doing moving forward?

Carmen Sánchez: Just keep on fighting, cielo, as I said earlier; other opportunities will come knocking, so we just gotta continue to be consistent and be ready for opportunities like you are. We defeated Cosmo and Diamond at Bloodsport after all, so we’ll stay ready!

(Cynthia nods her head in agreement with Carmen as she says towards Avril Williams.)

Cynthia Valice: Yep! That opportunity will come for us again, and I hope you get that opportunity too, Avril! We’re some of the few on this brand that aren’t complete bullies, so if either of us gets it done, that would be amazing.

(Avril has a big smile on her face as she looks ecstatic at what Carmen and Cynthia are telling her as she responds by saying…)

Avril Williams: Hell yeah dude! I’m very certain you both are going to kill it when that next chance comes!

(All three women are in much higher spirits talking to one another, as the crowd watching the segment can feel that same enthusiasm as well. Suddenly they hear a voice being spoken near them.)

???: Excuse me, ladies, may I have a word with you all?

(Avril, Carmen, and Cynthia turn around and notice who said that as the camera pans over to reveal it to be none other than Captain Charisma, who’s looking dapper as usual. He’s wearing a blue blazer with a turtleneck as he begins speaking to all three ladies about something.)

Captain Charisma: I’m glad all three of you are here at the same time, exactly who I wanted to see at this moment. Don’t worry, this isn’t anything negative; rather, I have been quite impressed with how all three of you have been doing thus far this season on Voltage. Avril, you have been adjusting very well since joining this company and being drafted here on Voltage, and while Bloodsport may not have gone exactly how you wanted… you managed to score a pinfall last week, giving you some momentum. Carmen and Cynthia, you both have also shown immense talent being alongside each other and pulled out all the stops last week in that Hardcore Title match.

(All three ladies begin to smile, and be appreciative of what Captain Charisma is saying to them as he continues to speak by saying…)

Captain Charisma: When looking at the card for Territorial Invasion so far, typically on a major show like that there’s a lot of opportunities at stake for talent to show what they can do when given that chance. Whether that’s competing in War Games or Brand Warfare, or the other ultimate opportunities that may be in play… It’s definitely an event where you can really make a name for yourself in this promotion, and one of those matches coming up is Divide & Conquer. It’s been tradition to have this match take place with representatives from each brand, as this year it will be formatted into a trios triple threat style match rather than it just being two teams.

(Carmen, Avril and Cynthia are listening closely to Captain Charisma as he follows this up by asking them…)

Captain Charisma: With that being said, I would like to offer all three of you a part of this match as I think you’ll be perfect for a match of this kind and further showcase your talent in a major match like Divide and Conquer. So what do you say? Is that fine with all of you?

(Carmen, Avril, and Cynthia all look at each other and share a simple nod as they all answer individually what their answer is to Captain Charisma’s offer of being a part of Divide & Conquer.)

Avril Williams: Count me in, dude!

Cynthia Valice: So am I!

Carmen Sánchez: ¡Sí! I would be glad to be a part of a match like this!

(Captain Charisma has a smirk on his face as he responds to them.)

Captain Charisma: Excellent, I will go ahead and make it official.

(It looked like Captain Charisma was about to leave, but he just remembered something as he continued and told them.)

Captain Charisma: I forgot to mention one part… Only one person can win this match since it is Divide & Conquer. Eliminate the other team, and if there are members remaining, then you fight amongst yourselves, but I still think you all will be perfect for this and that you three can bring Voltage the win at Territorial Invasion. So best of luck to you all!

(Captain Charisma shares a nod to three women who will be competing in the Divide and Conquer before he leaves the scene. The camera pans back to focusing on Carmen, Cynthia and Avril as they speak on what just happened.)

Avril Williams: We were literally just speaking about getting some type of opportunity, and we just got that! Hey, best of luck to us at Territorial Invasion; let’s beat those people on the other teams, and if it comes down to the three of us… we’ll battle it out like there’s no tomorrow!

Carmen Sánchez: 100% Avril! It’s just an opportunity we’ve been hoping for!

Cynthia Valice: We’ll get it done against those other teams, I know we will!

(Avril shares a fist bump with both Carmen and Cynthia before leaving the scene, and the final moments see Carmen and Cynthia still talking to one another about the opportunity they just got as the segment then fades out and Sunday Night Voltage continues elsewhere.)

(The camera returns to ringside, where Bella Braxton is seen with a microphone.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for ONE FALL!!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

(‘Life is Short, O Brave Girl’ by Hanabie. begins to play, bringing out loud boos from the fans as Miku Sakai storms out, with Kiko Sakai not far behind. Miku appears confident, and is doing her best to ignore the fact that she is teaming up with Bronson Daniels tonight. However, the annoyance can’t be hidden once ‘Run Into Flowers’ by M83 follows. Bronson Daniels walks out to loud cheers, and while he does take a moment to acknowledge the crowd, there is clear focus on his face, likely to override his own frustrations. He heads down the ramp, not at all bothered nor surprised by Miku’s attitude.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first!… Accompanied by Kiko Sakai… At a combined weight of 300 pounds… THE TEAM OF MIKU SAKAI AND BRONSON DANIELS!!!

Rich Russillo: We have ourselves tag team action, and it must be unfortunate to be these two. I understand they both have things going on with the members of the Hegemony, but how will they work through their own problems?

Thadd Blazevich: I dunno, bro. Bloodsport has already passed though, so they’re just gonna need to focus more on their opponents than each other.

Persephone: Or they can not, so this match isn’t forced to drag out for as long.

(‘Pride and Arrogance’ by Takeru Kanazaki hits to extremely loud boos, as Drake Armstrong begins to walk out to the stage. He doesn’t look amused seeing Bronson Daniels, but he stops and waits on the stage as ‘The Promised Consort’ by Shoi Miyazawa follows. The boos don’t die down whatsoever as Kai Rabeaux walks out with his Hardcore Championship around his waist, shaking his head at the sight of Miku Sakai as the Hegemony stand together. Both men remain confident despite their irritation, and together the two men begin to walk down the ramp, ignoring the hostile reception given to them.)

Bella Braxton: And their opponents… At a combined weight of 465 pounds… THE TEAM OF DRAKE ARMSTRONG AND THE HARDCORE CHAMPION KAI RABEAUX… THE HEGEMONY!!!

Rich Russillo: Here comes the Hegemony, and while Kai Rabeaux already has a future Championship defense against Miku Sakai to look forward to, Drake Armstrong has been getting himself into quite a bit of trouble lately.

Thadd Blazevich: Sure has, bro. I mean first it was Bronson Daniels, now he’s been getting involved with ToXXXin. These two really know how to get on people’s bad sides, huh?

Persephone: Well, yeah. It happens when you choose to be the worst people ever.

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Rich Russillo: Bronson Daniels and Kai Rabeaux are starting off this match, and the two men begin to circle the ring- AND KAI IS THE FIRST TO GO IN AS HE TRIES TO TAKE BRONSON DOWN, BUT BRONSON HAS THIS SCOUTED AND GRABS ONTO THE ARM OF KAI, BRINGING THE CHAMPION DOWN TO A KNEE AND WRENCHING ON THE ARM! Kai grabs onto the leg of Bronson though with the other arm, AND HE TAKES BRONSON TO THE MAT BEFORE FLOATING OVER FOR A PIN-

ONE!
TWO-

Rich Russillo: BUT BRONSON GETS THE SHOULDER UP AND TURNS OVER TO A KNEE!

Thadd Blazevich: BRONSON PULLS KAI UP AND INTO A FRONT FACELOCK- AND HE LOOKS FOR AN EARLY SAVAGE MODE, BUT KAI PUSHES HIMSELF OUT OF BRONSON’S GRASP AND LANDS BACK ON HIS FEET! Kai swings at Bronson, BUT BRONSON DUCKS UNDER BEFORE LANDING A PUNCH TO THE RIBS, FOLLOWED BY A RIGHT THAT CONNECTS WITH KAI’S JAW! BRONSON LOOKS FOR AN IRISH WHIP- BUT KAI PULLS BACK AND SENDS BRONSON CRASHING INTO HIS OWN CORNER! Kai now running in- BUT BRONSON IS ABLE TO GET THE BOOT UP! Bronson now-

*TAG!*

Thadd Blazevich: OH WAIT A SEC, BRO! Bronson just pulled Kai in for a German suplex, but before he could do it, Miku tagged herself in!

Persephone: Miku gets in the ring and just shoves Bronson, BEFORE LANDING A CLUBBING BLOW TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Kai drops to a knee, AND MIKU LANDS ANOTHER SHOT TO THE BACK! ANOTHER! ANOTHER, WHILE BRONSON JUST STANDS THERE LOOKING STUPID!

Rich Russillo: I would more call that annoyance after Miku tagged herself in and shoved him, but it’s bound to happen making these two team up with each other right after Bloodsport. Bronson shakes his head and heads to the apron while the number one contender goes for the Champion, and now she grabs the head, BEFORE STEPPING OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE AND DELIVERING A TORNADO DDT! MIKU WITH A COVER!

ONE!
TWO!-

Thadd Blazevich: But it’s not enough yet as Kai is able to kick out! Kai sits up as Miku rushes back to her feet, AND SHE RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE DELIVERING A DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Kai rolls away towards the ropes holding his head, and Miku is lookin’ to stay right on the offensive! She gets up as Kai uses the ropes to pull herself up, AND NOW SHE RUNS IN-

Persephone: BUT KAI SENDS MIKU OVER THE TOP ROPE!

Rich Russillo: Miku is able to hang onto the top rope- BUT SHE’S IN THE DANGER ZONE, AS DRAKE JUST RUNS IN AND BOOTS MIKU IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! Drake backpedals back to the tag rope, AND KAI TAGS DRAKE IN! Drake drops off of the apron, and this is the downside of facing two people who are an actual team like the Hegemony. They just understand how to find openings and turn this around in a second.

Thadd Blazevich: Drake makes his way over to Miku, AND HE JUST LIFTS HER UP BEFORE DELIVERING A BODY SLAM ONTO THE APRON! Miku screams in pain as she falls onto the ringside floor, and Drake quickly drags her back up before throwing her RIGHT INTO THE BARRICADE! Miku is in some serious trouble right now dude, as her wanting to go after the Hardcore Champ mighta put her in a bad spot! Drake sends her back into the ring and follows, BEFORE HE THROWS HER SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RING POST!

Persephone: And now Drake tags back to Kai, before holding Miku in place so Kai can deliver a kick to the midsection. Is Miku actually gonna have to rely on Bronson here? That’d be pretty funny given what she and her dumb sister did to him at Bloodsport.

Rich Russillo: Well it does seem like things may be going that way. Kai drags Miku up as Drake heads out to the apron- AND MIKU SLAPS HIM IN THE FACE! Kai just shakes his head after that, AND HE SWINGS AT MIKU- BUT MIKU DUCKS UNDER BEFORE HITTING KAI WITH A FOREARM! SHE STARTS TO NAIL KAI WITH FOREARMS BEFORE DELIVERING AN IRISH WHIP TO SEND KAI OFF THE ROPES! MIKU DROPS DOWN TO TRY AND TRIP KAI, BUT KAI RUNS OVER BEFORE BOUNCING OFF THE OPPOSITE PAIR!

Thadd Blazevich: MIKU GETS BACK TO HER FEET AND JUMPS UP- BUT KAI CATCHES HER, AND RUNS BACK INTO THE HEGEMONY’S CORNER BEFORE DELIVERING A SNAKE EYES TO MIKU! Kai now making the tag back to Drake Armstrong, and bro, these two are seriously applying the pressure. Kai is heading out while Drake gets back into the ring, AND BRO PRESSES HIS BOOT AGAINST MIKU’S THROAT, CHOKING HER IN THE CORNER WHILE THE REF COUNTS!

Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE-

Persephone: And unfortunately, Drake lets go!

Rich Russillo: Drake drags Miku out of the corner before just kneeing her in the midsection, and now he sends her into the ropes- BUT OFF THE REBOUND MIKU RUNS IN, LOOKING FOR THE CUCK KILLER!!

Thadd Blazevich: DRAKE CATCHES HER THOUGH, AND SLAMS HER ONTO THE MAT!! Drake rolls Miku over after this to a knee, BEFORE PULLING HER IN AND DELIVERING A POWERBOMB! Drake is just using that size and power advantage freely, AS BRO JUST DEADLIFTS MIKU RIGHT BACK UP, GOING FOR ANOTHER POWERBOMB-

Rich Russillo: WAIT, NO! MIKU PUT BOTH HANDS ON DRAKE’S HEAD TO OBSCURE THE FACT THAT SHE JUST PUT BOTH THUMBS TO HIS EYES!! MIKU WITH THUMBS TO THE EYES, AND DRAKE IS FORCED TO LET GO OF MIKU! Miku drops back down and goes stumbling, backpedaling back into her corner as-

*TAG!*

Rich Russillo: As one could probably expect after earlier events, Bronson tags himself back in! Bronson wastes no time leaping up top as Drake stumbles trying to clear out his eyes, AND BRONSON SOARS ONTO DRAKE WITH A DIVING CROSSBODY!! What a move by Daniels!

Thadd Blazevich: Drake stumbles back to his feet, AND BRONSON LANDS A SUPERKICK! DRAKE IS DAZED AND BRONSON KICKS OUT THE LEG, BEFORE LANDING A ROUNDHOUSE KICK! BRONSON NOW STEPPING UP FOR A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE BACK- BUT DRAKE IS ABLE TO ROLL OUT OF THE WAY, BEFORE DELIVERING A CHOP BLOCK TO THE BACK OF THE LEG! Drake follows that up with a nasty lariat to the back of the head, and now he backs up, shaking his head as he doesn’t seem to want to give Bronson any more room to attack! Drake tags Kai in, only it seems dude has a plan as he’s still in the ring!

Persephone: Drake makes his way over towards Bronson- BUT BRONSON KIPS UP AND CONNECTS WITH AN ENZUIGIRI! Drake stumbles- BUT KAI QUICKLY PULLS BRONSON UP INTO A CLUBBING BLOW TO THE BACK! Kai now lifting Bronson up onto his shoulders as Drake drops down to a knee, AND KAI DELIVERS A POWERBOMB ONTO DRAKE’S KNEE! Pretty much a powerbomb backbreaker by then, and now Kai hooks the legs while Drake rolls out, to HOPEFULLY end the match!

ONE!
TWO!!

Rich Russillo: BUT BRONSON STAYS IN THIS ONE, GETTING THE SHOULDER UP!!

Persephone: 🫤

Rich Russillo: Miku didn’t seem to be in much of a rush to get in the ring there, instead more annoyed watching that pin go down. It’s really hard to tell how these two are going to act towards each other as I doubt they want to lose, but things got pretty bad between them.

Thadd Blazevich: We’re just gonna have to see, but so far it’s not looking great. Kai drags Bronson back up before sending him into an empty corner, AND WITHOUT WASTING TIME HE CHARGES IN FOR THE HOLLOW POINT!!

Rich Russillo: BUT BRONSON AVOIDS IT!! BRONSON WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE THE CORNER JUST BEFORE THE HOLLOW POINT COULD CONNECT- BEFORE LEAPING UP AND HITTING KAI WITH THE GODBREAKER!!!! THE GODBREAKER CONNECTS, AND KAI RABEAUX IS SENT FALLING THROUGH THE ROPES AND OUT TO RINGSIDE!!! Bronson holds his back as he uses the ropes to get back up, backpedaling into his corner as he aims to tag Miku back in!

(Miku puts her hands up before Bronson could make the tag, shaking her head and telling Bronson that he’s got it handled as the fans boo. Bronson just shakes his head, not even surprised as he just steps away from Miku.)

Thadd Blazevich: Welp, didn’t take long for us to get our answer, bro. Bronson’s gonna have to figure this one out on his own for now, as bro waits for Kai to slowly recover from the Godbreaker! Kai was lucky enough to roll out to ringside, stopping Bronson from being able to go for a cover! Too bad for him though, he is still right in Bronson’s sights!

Persephone: Kai starts to finally find his way back to his feet after what had to have been worth like three ten counts by now, AND BRONSON RUNS THE ROPES, BEFORE FLYING OVER THE TOP ROPE FOR THAT STUPID TRUST FALL THING HE DOES!!

Rich Russillo: BRONSON SENDS KAI INTO THE RING, AND NOW HE CLIMBS UP TO THE TOP ROPE, LOOKING TO PUT AN END TO THIS MATCH!

Thadd Blazevich: FLYING BRONSONS!!!!

Rich Russillo: OH NO!!! Kai was able to get the knees up, and a nasty collision causes Bronson to roll off of Kai and stumble away, holding his midsection in pain! Kai pushes himself back up, NOTICING BRONSON BACKPEDAL RIGHT INTO THE CORNER! KAI PUSHES HIMSELF FORWARD AND RACES IN!

*TAG!*

Thadd Blazevich: HOLLOW POINT!!! The Hollow Point connects this time bro, and Kai takes a moment as Bronson drops to the mat! The ref goes to check on bro, as- OH HOLD ON!

Persephone: MIKU JUST TURNED KAI AROUND BEFORE CLAWING AT KAI’S EYES!!! Miku tagged herself in right before Kai could hit the Hollow Point, and now she just used the opportunity to get Kai with the Cat Scratch Fever! Miku rushes into the ring while Kai is blinded, AND MIKU PULLS KAI DOWN WITH A ROLL UP!

ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-

Persephone: BUT OF COURSE, KAI KICKS OUT!! I swear, nobody can do anything right around here.

Rich Russillo: Kai stumbles back to his feet but still doesn’t know where he is, causing him to drop to a knee! Miku runs the ropes, AND SHE CONNECTS WITH A RUNNING KNEE!!! Kai goes down and rolls towards his corner, pulling himself into a seated position in the Hegemony’s corner as Miku gets up and backpedals, keeping herself just out of Bronson’s reach to prevent a tag! Miku now running in, LOOKING TO HIT KAI WITH THE MUSTACHE RIDE-

Thadd Blazevich: BUT KAI MOVES!! KAI GETS OUT OF THE WAY, AS DRAKE TAGS HIMSELF IN!! THAT WAS A CLOSE ONE DUDES, AND NOW MIKU SAKAI IS IN TROUBLE AS DRAKE JUST DRAGS HER BACK UP!

Persephone: NATURAL TALENT!!!

Rich Russillo: DRAKE ARMSTRONG CONNECTS WITH NATURAL TALENT, DROPPING MIKU SAKAI ON HER HEAD! Drake and Kai are just working like a well oiled machine right now as Miku Sakai is down and out, and after a move like that this very well could be it! DRAKE ARMSTRONG GOES FOR THE COVER, STARING DIRECTLY AT BRONSON DANIELS!

ONE!
TWO!
THREE-

Rich Russillo: BUT MIKU IS JUST BARELY ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP!!! MIKU STAYS ALIVE, AND I DON’T THINK DRAKE ARMSTRONG WAS TOO THRILLED ABOUT THAT ONE!

Thadd Blazevich: Yeah, meanwhile Kiko is lookin’ relieved. You gotta wonder if she’s contemplating getting involved like she did at Bloodsport. We know one thing for sure, if she wants to she’s not gonna hesitate as much as she used to.

Persephone: Then she needs to hurry up and do her thing. It’s been seriously annoying watching these two “teams” go back and forth pretending to have a wrestling match.

Rich Russillo: Well, if Drake Armstrong has his way this might not last much longer. Drake backs into the corner as he waits for Miku to find her way back to her feet. Miku starts to stumble back up, AND NOW DRAKE RUNS IN FOR THE IMMACULATE BLADE-

Thadd Blazevich: BUT MIKU JUMPS UP AND CATCHES DRAKE OFF GUARD WITH A DROPKICK! MIKU STUMBLES BACK UP AND RUSHES INTO HER CORNER, SLAPPING BRONSON TO FORCEFULLY TAG HIM BACK IN! Bronson just shakes his head before jumping into the ring while Drake stumbles back up! Bronson charges in to take advantage of Miku’s dropkick, AND IT WORKS, AS HE NAILS DRAKE WITH A BATMAN PUNCH!!! THE BATMAN PUNCH CONNECTS, AND BRONSON RUSHES IN FOR THE COVER!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-

Persephone: BUT FOR SOME REASON, DRAKE ARMSTRONG WAS ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP! Just end this already, please!

Rich Russillo: Bronson gets up, and he just looks at Miku before backing into an empty corner, shaking his head as he seems content with finishing this up himself! Bronson waits as Drake Armstrong turns himself over, slowly pushing himself to his knees. Drake lifts his head up, and I think we all know what that means! Bronson bursts out of the corner, FOR MICKEY I KNOCKED YOUR HEAD OFF!!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT IT DOESN’T CONNECT! DRAKE DUCKED AND AVOIDED THE ELBOW! Bronson rushes back to his feet and turns towards Drake- BUT DRAKE PULLS BRONSON WITH AN INSIDE CRADLE!

ONE!
TWO!!

Thadd Blazevich: BRONNY’S OUTTA THAT ONE, BROS! Both dudes rush back to their feet- AND BRONSON GETS THE FIRST SHOT AS HE LANDS A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! BRONSON NOW SENDING A KICK UPWARDS INTO THE FACE OF DRAKE, AND BRONSON LOOKS TO SEND A RIGHT HOOK TO THE JAW-

Persephone: BUT DRAKE DUCKS UNDER IT BEFORE BOUNCING OFF THE ROPES!

Rich Russillo: AND DRAKE IS ABLE TO LAND A BIG BOOT, CAUSING BRONSON TO STUMBLE BACK INTO HIS CORNER AS DRAKE ALSO BACKPEDALS! KAI AND MIKU BOTH TAG THEMSELVES IN, AND NOW MIKU AND KAI BOTH RUSH INTO THE RING BEFORE GOING AFTER EACH OTHER! MIKU GOES AT KAI WITH FOREARMS, BUT KAI IS ABLE TO DELIVER A FEW IN RETURN! BOTH ELITISTS ARE BRAWLING INSIDE OF THE RING RIGHT AFTER BECOMING THE LEGAL COMPETITORS AGAIN- BUT HOLD ON A SECOND!!

Thadd Blazevich: DRAKE ARMSTRONG RUSHES IN AND KICKS MIKU IN THE STOMACH, GIVING KAI THE UPPER HAND! BOTH ELITISTS JUST START JUMPING MIKU-

Rich Russillo: BUT LOOK AT BRONSON! BRONSON FLIES IN WITH A JUMPING FOREARM, CAUSING DRAKE TO STUMBLE BACK! BRONSON RUNS IN AND CLOTHESLINES DRAKE OVER THE TOP ROPE, SENDING HIM OUT TO RINGSIDE AS HE LANDS ON HIS FEET! BRONSON JUMPS OVER THE TOP ROPE AND ONTO THE APRON, BEFORE RUNNING IN AND DELIVERING A PENALTY KICK TO DRAKE-

Thadd Blazevich: OR NOT! BRO JUST CAUGHT THE LEG OF BRONSON, AND HE PULLS THE LEG OUT SO BRONSON FALLS FACE FIRST ONTO THE APRON! Bronson falls off of the apron and holds his face in pain, and now Kai grabs Miku and hooks her in for a suplex of some sort!

Persephone: But Miku slips out of Kai’s grasp, and she delivers a dropkick to the back of Kai. Kai is sent forward and falls onto the middle rope.

Rich Russillo: Meanwhile Drake grabs Bronson, SCOOPING HIM UP BEFORE SLAMMING HIM DOWN ONTO THE BARRICADE! Bronson falls onto the ringside floor, but Drake looks like he is looking to dispose of Bronson once and for all for tonight! He drags Bronson up to his feet, BUT BRONSON LANDS A PUNCH TO THE RIBS! AN UPPERCUT FOLLOWS THAT!

Thadd Blazevich: DRAKE POWERS BRONSON INTO THE BARRICADE THOUGH, SENDING BRONSON BACK FIRST INTO IT AGAIN! Miku meanwhile is running the ropes, AND THERE’S DOUBLE KNEES TO THE BACK OF KAI! Miku now watches as Kai rolls backwards and turns to a knee, AND MIKU RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE DELIVERING A RUNNING BLOCKBUSTER! MIKU GOES IN FOR THE COVER!

ONE!
TWO!!

Thadd Blazevich: KAI KICKS OUT!! DRAKE TRIED TO SLIDE INTO THE RING TO BREAK IT UP- BUT BRONSON WAS ABLE TO PULL DRAKE BACK OUT OF THE RING, BEFORE GRABBING BRO AND SENDING HIM INTO THE BARRICADE TOWARDS THE TIMEKEEPER’S AREA!

Rich Russillo: Drake hits the barricade hard- AND NOW BRONSON GOES RUNNING IN, DELIVERING A CLOTHESLINE THAT SENDS BOTH DRAKE AND HIMSELF OVER THE BARRICADE AND INTO THE TIMEKEEPER’S AREA!! DRAKE AND BRONSON BOTH GO OVER THE BARRICADE, LEAVING ONLY MIKU AND KAI AT RINGSIDE AS THE ACTION INSIDE OF THE RING CONTINUES! This has been one hell of a tag team match, and now I think Miku might just have the perfect chance to put an end to this match! Kai is still reeling after that blockbuster, and Drake isn’t around to help him out!

Thadd Blazevich: This could be a preview of Territorial Invasion bros! It’s looking like Miku might just pin the Hardcore Champ before the big Championship match!

Persephone: Great… As if Kai couldn’t find a way to be even more embarrassing.

Rich Russillo: Miku Sakai pulls herself up to the top rope, waiting for Kai Rabeaux to find his way back to his feet! Kai doesn’t even know where he is right now after what Miku just did, AND NOW MIKU DIVES OFF THE TOP ROPE, GOING FOR THE WALK OF SHAME!!!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT KAI CATCHES MIKU!!!! KAI CAUGHT MIKU, AND BRO, HE SHOVES MIKU INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!! MIKU TURNS AROUND-

Rich Russillo: AND KAI IMMEDIATELY CATCHES HER WITH THE HOLLOW POINT!!! THE HOLLOW POINT CONNECTS ON MIKU, AND KAI STUMBLES BACK AS MIKU FALLS FORWARD, DROPPING RIGHT INTO KAI’S GRASP!!

Thadd Blazevich: KAI HOISTS MIKU UP, AND BRO BACKPEDALS INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING AND SPINS AROUND- BEFORE DROPPING MIKU WITH THE KINGSTONE PILEDRIVER!!!! BOTH BRONSON AND DRAKE ARE STILL IN THE TIMEKEEPER’S AREA, MEANWHILE KAI RABEAUX JUST DROPPED MIKU SAKAI!!! KAI GOES AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER, AND DUDE, THERE’S NOBODY TO BREAK THIS UP!! KIKO IS WATCHING, HOPING FOR MIKU TO KICK OUT!!!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… Here are your winners, THE HARDCORE CHAMPION KAI RABEAUX AND DRAKE ARMSTRONG, THE HEGEMONY!!!!

(Bronson Daniels slowly lifts his head up, and just shakes his head hearing the result. The fans loudly boo as Kai Rabeaux rolls off of Miku Sakai. Kiko rushes over to Miku’s side, meanwhile Kai sits up, holding his back for a moment before turning towards the timekeeper’s area. Initially he planned to wait to receive his Championship, but once his attention is on the timekeeper’s area he notices the chaos still unfolding.)

Rich Russillo: WOW!! KAI RABEAUX WAS ABLE TO GET THE PINFALL ON MIKU SAKAI, POTENTIALLY SENDING A HUGE MESSAGE AHEAD OF TERRITORIAL INVASION!!! Kai just gained some incredible momentum ahead of the event, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW MAY BE NO TIME TO CELEBRATE!

Thadd Blazevich: THAT’S RIGHT BROS, ‘CAUSE BRONSON AND DRAKE ARE STILL GOING AT IT! DRAKE THREW A RIGHT HAND AT BRONSON WHILE BOTH MEN WERE GETTING UP, AND NOW DRAKE THROWS BRONSON OVER THE BARRICADE AND BACK TO RINGSIDE!

Persephone: Here we go…

Rich Russillo: DRAKE MAKES HIS WAY BACK- BUT BRONSON RUNS IN AND DRIVES HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE! BRONSON STARTS TO PUMMEL DRAKE WITH FOREARMS, BUT DRAKE IS FIGHTING BACK!

Thadd Blazevich: It looks like tensions finally boiled over, bro!

Rich Russillo: It really does seem that way, as these two being out brawling may have played a part in Kai finding an opening to put Miku down!

(Kai watches the brawl between the two men, and it seems he is considering intervening, looking to help Drake Armstrong. However, before he even has the chance to make a move…)

???: THAT’S ENOUGH!

(This catches the attention of Bronson Daniels and Drake Armstrong, who can’t help but turn towards the stage after hearing a recognizable voice. The two men keep their guard up, remaining wary of each other as Kai Rebeaux grabs his Championship, while Captain Charisma walks out to the stage. The Commissioner holds a microphone in his hand, and with Bronson and Drake impatiently waiting to see what he has to say.)

Captain Charisma: Listen, just calm down for a moment. I understand tensions have been running high between both of you, you have your own grievances and- regardless of who is responsible, your paths have crossed. I’m sure you two probably feel that you have unfinished business, and if that really is the case, I’ll give you the chance to settle that… At Territorial Invasion.

(The fans loudly cheer, and Bronson Daniels takes a moment, before beginning to nod his head. Drake just stares at Captain Charisma, not giving much of a visible reaction to this. However, before long, Captain Charisma continues.)

Captain Charisma: I’m not finished.

(The fans quiet down, eager to hear what is going to be said.)

Captain Charisma: Just to sweeten the pot and give you two a further incentive, I decided to raise the stakes. This match will be a number one contendership match, and the winner… Will fight for the EAW World Championship at Wicked Games.

Rich Russillo: WOAH!

Thadd Blazevich: Awesome! That’s huge!

(The crowd explodes with cheers, excited not only for the match between Drake Armstrong and Bronson Daniels, but for the future World Championship match to come. Bronson and Drake glare at each other for a moment, and while things haven’t calmed down just yet, they can’t ignore the opportunity that was just presented to them. Captain Charisma smirks hearing the loud cheers from the fans, before he prepares to take his leave.)

Captain Charisma: Now, you two just-

???: Wait.

(Captain Charisma turns, and the fans are surprised as Daniella Atlas begins walking out to the stage. Immediately Drake Armstrong’s irritation grows, knowing that earlier events are still on Daniella’s mind. Daniella holds a microphone in her hand as she approaches the stage, glaring at Drake before turning towards the Commissioner.)

Daniella Atlas: I understand the stakes that are present, and given the tension between Bronson Daniels and Drake Armstrong I can see why a match like this would be inevitable… However, ToXXXin was always penciled in to compete at Territorial Invasion. The only thing that was uncertain is just what each of us would spend the event doing… And this is it.

(Drake Armstrong stares at Daniella Atlas, and his eyebrows drop as he shakes his head.)

Drake Armstrong: (off-mic) What?… No, what are you-

Daniella Atlas: Minerva will defend her rightful position as the Universal Women’s Champion, and Selina will fight to challenge for the Specialists Championship. All that leaves is my place, and tonight has given me the opportunity to consider my next option. I too feel that an ego such as Drake Armstrong’s is best dismantled and humbled, and while I could leave such a task to Bronson Daniels, I have no intentions of missing out on the chance to compete at Territorial Invasion in a match that provides the opportunity to not only achieve what I personally have wanted to, but what will push ToXXXin even further. If you’re going to put a match like this together, I am telling you, I want to be part of it.

(There is a loud, mixed reaction. While Daniella Atlas is no fan favorite, the fans like the sound of Drake Armstrong being given another problem, and this match becoming more chaotic. Bronson Daniels simply waits, looking to see what Captain Charisma will say. Captain Charisma takes a moment to think, considering the offer as he briefly looks at Bronson and Drake before turning towards Daniella.)

Captain Charisma: Daniella…

(Captain Charisma hears the cheers from the fans, while Daniella waits for the Commissioner’s answer.)

Captain Charisma: A triple threat to determine the next EAW World Championship challenger? I think that’s a fantastic idea, and you’ve more than proven yourself worthy of this. You’re in.

(There is a loud reaction, and Captain Charisma nods before making his way back to the backstage area. Daniella Atlas appears satisfied hearing, but she soon after turns towards Drake Armstrong, who just takes a deep breath out of frustration.)

Rich Russillo: I have to say, this took an unexpected turn! Daniella Atlas is in, and now this is a TRIPLE THREAT to get a World Championship match!

Thadd Blazevich: I wonder what Bronson thinks about all this. I think we all know how Drake feels, and bro is not happy whatsoever given what happened earlier. Things just got tougher for Bronson too though, and we know the last few months have also been rough.

Persephone: Who cares? There’s one good thing about a triple threat, and it’s that they can do whatever they want. With the beef they have with Drake Armstrong and now Daniella making Bronson’s life harder, they’ll hopefully take full advantage of that.

(One last shot is shown of the three participants in the triple threat number one contendership at Territorial Invasion. Kiko has helped Miku through the crowd, and Kai has also taken his exit during all of the commotion, having done what he planned to and sent a huge message. The Elitists remaining are staring at each other, keeping their guard up as Voltage fades from ringside.)

(Promotional ad for Territorial Invasion, where Bronson Daniels, Daniella Atlas and Drake Armstrong face off for an EAW World Championship opportunity.)

(Sunday Night Voltage returns as the camera focuses on a shot of the Amarillo National Center. The crowd begins to simmer down, but as they do, they immediately come back to life with resounding boos as ‘Nightreign’ by Shoi Miyazawa is heard playing through the speakers of the arena. Inevitably, the shot goes over to reveal Jake Smith as he slowly begins to make his way out from the backstage area. He’s in his ring gear for his match against Hans Grayson coming up next, but right now, his demeanor is not one of fierce preparation like he usually possesses.)

(Something is off.)

(As his eyes flutter momentarily, a mere shake of the head being the only thing that comes out, he begins to make his way down the ramp and toward the ring.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… JAKEEEE SMITHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: Last week, we saw an interesting scene with Jake Smith and his manager Buford Brunt. The two of them found out firsthand exactly what happened when they mess with The Queen of Shadows, and Jake would be forced to accept a match where the loser… gets condemned to hell.

Persephone: I don’t know why Jake is so surprised, that little shit should’ve realized that he was going to hell a long time ago.

Thadd Blazevich: Perhaps it’s because he thought it wouldn’t manifest into something true! But now more than ever, I think he’s starting to believe in the devil, bro.

(Jake makes his way up the steps and onto the apron as he enters through the ropes and into the ring. He immediately makes his way over and takes a microphone from the ringside area, having some thoughts before his match, as ‘Nightreign’ begins to come to a close. As he heads toward the center of the ring, he takes a moment, before beginning to speak.)

Jake Smith: Let’s preface this by acknowledging the blatant disrespect that has been allowed to happen for a talent like myself. I’m not gonna deny it, I am someone that has been put in a vulnerable position these past couple of weeks, and instead of doing anything about it, Voltage decides to exacerbate it and allow it to compromise my career further. What was intended to be the *reminder* of what greatness looks like, instead… I’m stuck having to deal with a situation that should’ve been handled a longgggggg time ago. And to be honest with you…?

(Jake pauses, exhaling for a moment.)

Jake Smith: I don’t know what I did wrong.

(The crowd boos. They know that Jake knows what he did. Or maybe he’s that delusional to force himself to believe that he doesn’t.)

Jake Smith: And even if what I did was wrong, why would I need to explain that in any way shape or form? That just doesn’t make sense, does it? See, I don’t think any of you or the perpetrator of my recent woes fully comprehends the situation at hand here. You can mess with anyone else on this roster, try to pull the same shit that you tried last week with me, and it might work. But when it comes to the likes of myself… that’s your biggest mistake. Trying to bring the situation in your hands, that was never going to happen. There is only one person who has control when it comes to this whole debacle and it’s not… Caroline… it’s ME! And that may be something that’s hard to believe, something that you can’t comprehend, but there’s a reason that I’m out in this ring right now and I’m the safest that I’ve ever been, because NO ONE is able to touch me in here.

(Jake chuckles to himself, almost having a face of disappointment while he does.)

Jake Smith: But you see, that’s just not something that I want right now. No… I’m not used to making demands and having it not be obliged. I’m not used to my commands falling on deaf ears, because that’s just not how things work around here. All I asked for out of Caroline was to be able to see her face-to-face instead of whatever shit that she’s pulling, and instead she’s decided to play games with me. When has that ever worked for anyone? I don’t think so. I told all of you this, the last thing that I need is for *this* to get in the way of what I plan to do on Voltage. The last thing I need is for this to go any further, so let me give some advice to Caroline if she’s listening, and I sure as hell hope that she’s hearing me loud and clear…

(Jake pauses, thinking to himself for a moment before continuing on.)

Jake Smith: You’re trying to sever the bond between the two of us, and that’s just something that I can’t allow to happen. You… have created an assumption about who I am that has fractured what we once I had, and I thought… I thought… that when we arrived to this brand there was a clear establishment of what we both wanted, and that we couldn’t do it by ourselves. Maybe I would be the type to understand this further had it been explained to me in a more… *personal* manner, but it appears that you’re not giving me that courtesy. I don’t deserve that, you hear me…? I DON’T DESERVE THAT-

(Suddenly, as Jake is mid-rant, everything goes black.)

(At least for him.)

Caroline: (voice-over) Foolish… foolish man. If last week failed to show you the gravity of this situation, then I stand firm in my conviction that my actions were justified. I am not to blame for what happened, Jake Smith. That responsibility falls squarely upon your broad shoulders. To not admit that you besmirched my name, stood in my path to glory, and abused me shows how truly pathetic you are at the very root of your core. You do not deserve to see ‘The Queen of Shadows’ at this juncture for I owe you NOTHING.

(Jake stood alone in this abyss of nothing, almost unnerved, as if he expected this to happen at some point or another.)

(Almost as if he begged for it.)

Jake Smith: Show yourself…

(Jake almost murmured it, but he didn’t get an answer, he knew he wouldn’t. He shook his head.)

Jake Smith: You don’t owe me anything except the courtesy of explaining why you’ve done THIS. You said it yourself, you did not know if there was a way to break this bond, yet you went out of your way to go to unspeakable lengths to try anyway. To take such a risk and to banish us to the depths of hell. What do you expect me to do? You expect me to apologize and all of a sudden that’s gonna make things better? Hell no. You already took it to this level, and the only thing that I can truly do about it is resign myself to that reality. The only thing I want is to say it to your face and you’re not even giving me that.

(Jake exhaled.)

Jake Smith: Am I so wrong to think that?

(The scene opens up. A woman’s naked back is seen and blonde hair cascades around her shoulders. She tilts her head to the side as a flash of a man appears in front of her. His black eyes clash with Jake’s before turning red and he sinks his teeth into the woman’s neck. She moans and looks over her shoulder.)

Jake Smith: Caroline?? WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS??

(Blackness resumes and then there’s a laugh.)

(Her laugh.)

Caroline: (voice-over) Baliel and I are busy. As you can see, there is but nothing I will do in order to separate myself from you. Baliel has assured me that whomever emerges from our battle will be the one who returns, free of the other and able to continue on. The other?

(There’s a pause.)

Caroline: (voice-over) An eternity condemned to do his bidding. Perhaps that’s always been my fate, Jake, as he is the one who raised me up in the first place. I was never supposed to resume my time on Earth but he had other plans….

(Another pause.)

Caroline: (voice-over) Maybe it was to use me to get to you.

(Jake clenches his jaw as he closes his eyes, doing everything that he can to compose himself.)

Jake Smith: It shouldn’t have come to this. Neither of us deserve to be condemned to this, you know as much. My job is not finished on this Earth, I still have to complete what I promised I would do, your job isn’t finished either…

Caroline: (voice-over) Why? Because you said so? Because you think that you still have control over me? Listen to yourself, Jake.

Jake Smith: Because you told me yourself! And if you allow this to happen then you will *never* get the satisfaction that you wish for, regardless of if you come out on top or not. I will not allow you to make this decision for US! You don’t get to choose…

(Jake falls into silence for a moment as he looks down at the ground.)

Caroline: (voice-over) You’re scared.

(The voice booms through the air, breaking Jake out of a trance. But it was said less as a statement, but rather as a moment of realization.)

Caroline: (voice-over) Has your composure truly been cracked?

(Jake is forced to think about this, because this is something that has never happened to him.)

Jake Smith: What was so wrong about me, Caroline?

Caroline (voice-over) Mmm. If you do not know such an answer then I suppose there is no need to further this discussion.

Snap.

Jake Smith: NO!

(To everyone else, nothing happened. To them, Jake had a lapse mid-sentence, and as he realizes that he’s back in the ring… he almost collapses down to the ground. He barely manages to keep himself up on his knees, visibly hyperventilating, as if he’s about to have a stroke, but if they saw what he saw, truthfully they wouldn’t blame him.)

(But they didn’t see what he saw.)

Persephone: Finally, he’s dying. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this?

Rich Russillo: Well… we’ll have to see how Jake Smith is feeling before his match against Hans Grayson, because I have no idea what just happened, but he certainly looks out of it.

Persephone: Seriously? He’s dying and that’s all you have to say? Boring as shit…

Thadd Blazevich: Well, bro, the only thing that we can do is wait and see. He doesn’t seem too happy.

(After a moment, Jake finally lets out a yell of frustration, before he slams his microphone down to the ground. He takes his entrance shirt off before turning to the stage, prompting to instead focus on the match that he has up next before anything else.)

(Promotional ad for Friday Night Dynasty.)

(The camera returns to ringside as ‘Nightreign’ by Shoi Miyazawa is already playing. The camera pans to ringside as Jay Jerry Johnson is seen seated next to the commentary table, while at ringside Buford Brunt is shown, still shaken after what happened moments ago. Jake Smith is inside of the ring, and while the same can be said for him, he tries to keep his focus, waiting as Bella Braxton begins to speak.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!!!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Bella Braxton: Already in the ring, accompanied by Buford Brunt… From Los Angeles, California… Weighing in at 265 pounds… JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE SMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITH!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: Jake Smith has a big match against the World Champion, but given everything going on with Caroline, I honestly don’t know how he is going to be able to focus.

Thadd Blazevich: Same here dude, but Jake is a tough bro, so he’s gonna have to lock in. This is honestly a really big match we’re getting tonight, and I think it can be really awesome!

Persephone: I don’t, but for some reason that’s not respected.

(‘The Leaving Song Pt. II’ by AFI follows to loud cheers, and the EAW World Champion Hans Grayson makes his way to the stage. Hans as always greets the fans with a smile, high fiving them as he begins to make his way down the ramp. He doesn’t ignore the presence of Jay Jerry Johnson however, now Buford Brunt as he makes his way to ringside, with his focus apparent on his face. Before long he makes it to ringside, ready for the upcoming match.)

Bella Braxton: And his opponent… From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada… Weighing in at 219 pounds… HE IS THE EAW WORLD CHAMPION, HAAAAAAAANNNSSS GGGRRRAAAAAAAYYYYSSSOOONNNN!!!!!

Rich Russillo: And here comes Hans Grayson, who as we know had Jay Jerry Johnson step up to challenge him. Jay is here at ringside watching, and hopefully Hans’ focus isn’t broken, either.

Thadd Blazevich: With Jay and Buford both here this could be a tough task for Hans, but on the bright side, Triple J is a chill guy. Maybe he really is just here to watch.

Persephone: He can literally do that backstage. Why does everyone have to do things in the most obnoxious way possible?

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Rich Russillo: AND HERE WE GO! With Jay Jerry Johnson at ringside, Hans Grayson and Jake Smith are going at it! The two men stand in their opposite corners before making their way into the middle, AND NOW THEY LOCK UP IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! An intense collar and elbow tie up ensues as the two struggle for control- AND HANS IS THE FIRST TO ACT, DRAGGING JAKE INTO A HEADLOCK! The World champ takes charge, but Jake doesn’t seem to be staying trapped in that headlock for too long! He’s using his strength advantage to overpower Hans!

Thadd Blazevich: Jake breaks free before trapping Hans in a waistlock, AND HE LIFTS HANS UP BEFORE DROPPING HIM ON HIS FACE! Hans turns around, and now Jake’s the one trapping bro in a grounded headlock! Jake shakes his head, and I gotta give bro some serious credit, ‘cause he’s doing all this just minutes after some seriously wild stuff just went down between him and Caroline. For real though, how do you even lock in after something like that?

Persephone: Who knows, who cares? The last thing I needed to see after all that was some lock ups and chain wrestling, but here we are.

Rich Russillo: Hans is struggling a bit to try and get out of Jake’s grasp, but Jake is able to just power Hans down, keeping him trapped on the mat! Hans uses his legs though, using a headscissors to pull Jake off! Jake and Hans both find their way back to their feet- AND HANS ATTEMPTS A HIP TOSS- BUT JAKE STOPS HIMSELF BEFORE LANDING A PUNCH TO HANS’ STOMACH! Jake follows up with a snapmate and tries to go for a rear chinlock- BUT HANS TURNS AND SWIPES THE LEG OUT FROM UNDER JAKE!

Thadd Blazevich: HANS LOOKS FOR A QUICK COVER BUT JAKE SHOVES HIM OFF IMMEDIATELY! Both men rush back to their feet- AND JAKE CAUGHT HANS WITH AN UPPERCUT, CAUSING HANS TO NEARLY FALL AND STUMBLE BACKWARDS INTO THE CORNER! Hans was rocked by that one and Jake is looking to take full advantage, making his way into the corner before HITTING HANS WITH A CLOTHESLINE! Hans is hurting, AND JAKE LANDS A SECOND ONE! A THIRD! Jake Smith is all over the Champ right now, AND BRO GOES FOR A FOURTH-

Persephone: But Hans ducked under that, and Jake turned around into a knife edge chop.

Rich Russillo: Hans now with an Irish whip to send Jake into the opposite corner, AND HANS FOLLOWS UP BY RUNNING IN AND DELIVERING THAT PATENTED JUMPING KNEE! I think we already know what comes next! Hans pulls Jake in, AND IT LOOKS LIKE HE’S AIMING FOR THAT BULLDOG OUT OF THE CORNER-

Thadd Blazevich: BUT JAKE STOPS HIMSELF, BEFORE LIFTING HANS UP FOR THE GOD COMPLEX!

Rich Russillo: AND HANS IS ABLE TO ROLL OUT OF JAKE’S GRASP AND LAND ON HIS FEET! Jake turns around, AND HANS TURNS AND DELIVERS A SPIN KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! Hans runs and rebounds off the ropes after this, BEFORE DELIVERING A FOREARM SMASH TO JAKE!

Thadd Blazevich: Jake stumbles and drops to a knee momentarily, but bro gets up while Hans rushes off the ropes again! A SECOND FOREARM SMASH CONNECTS, AND JAKE STUMBLES ONCE AGAIN! This match is starting to pick up the pace and dude, that’s exactly the kind of pace that’ll favor Hans more than Jake! Hans runs off the ropes one more time- BUT JAKE GETS OUT OF THE WAY OF THE FOREARM! HANS REALIZES AND TURNS, BACKPEDALING INTO THE ROPES AND REBOUNDING- RIGHT INTO A BIG BOOT!!

Persephone: Aaand the Champion is down! Hans Grayson genuinely is the worst.

Rich Russillo: Jay Jerry Johnson is still keeping a focused eye on this one, meanwhile Jake Smith grabs Hans while he’s down on the mat, applying that rear chinlock before wrenching on the arm of Hans! Jake found the opportunity, and is taking it to slow the pace down to his liking! Smart move from Jake there, as Hans is again forced to struggle to get out of his grasp knowing that Jake is the larger competitor!

Thadd Blazevich: Hans is fighting his way back to a knee though, trying his best to find just some way he can push himself back up! Dude is still trapped in Jake’s grasp, BUT HANS STARTS TO FALL BACK UNTIL HE CAN PUSH HIMSELF TO BOTH FEET, BACKPEDALING SO JAKE GOES BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! Jake lets go of Hans, AND HANS LANDS A BACK ELBOW! Hans turns, AND HE SWINGS AT JAKE- BUT JAKE DUCKS UNDER BEFORE LIFTING HANS UP, AND DROPPING THE CHAMPION WITH A URANAGE SLAM! HANS GOES DOWN, AND NOW JAKE GOES IN FOR THE COVER!

ONE!
TWO!-

Persephone: AND HANS KICKS OUT, FOR WHATEVER REASON!

Rich Russillo: Hans is forced to roll out of the ring, and Jake just slowly nods, knowing that he is finding his groove after that whole mess with Caroline. Jake rolls out of the ring as Hans stumbles towards our table, right by Jay Jerry Johnson who I’m sure is taking in everything he is seeing, especially since he already has experience going up against Jake Smith with this new attitude after Bloodsport. Jake makes his way over, AND HE JUST THROWS HANS INTO THE BARRICADE, CAUSING HANS TO TRIP AND COLLIDE WITH JAY, KNOCKING HIM OVER!

(There is a loud crowd reaction as Hans gets back on a knee, holding his head. Jay rolls off of the fallen over chair, and he just shakes his head as Jake walks over.)

Thadd Blazevich: AND JAKE GRABS HANS- BUT HAND JUST ENOUGH TIME TO RECOVER, AN BRO DRIVES AN ELBOW INTO JAKE’S CHEST! Jake backs off a bit, BEFORE HANS NAILS HIM WITH A RIGHT HAND! Jake turns after getting struck in the jaw, AND HANS GRABS JAKE BEFORE HEADING IN, AND SLAMMING BROS FACE INTO THE APRON! All this action was unfolding right in front of Jay, but Hans sends Jake back into the ring before climbing up top! Looks like he might be planning to go aerial with it, only Jake is finding his way back up!

Persephone: Jake just ran to the corner to try and stop Hans, but Hans jumped over and rolled to his feet before turning around. Hans now running in-

Rich Russillo: AND JAKE POPPED HANS UP, BUT HANS WAS ABLE TO JUMP OVER AND LAND BEHIND JAKE! JAKE RUNS THE ROPES, AND OFF THE REBOUND HE GOES FOR THE FLAMING PUNCH!!!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT HE DOESN’T GET IT!!!!!! JAKE DUCKS DOWN AND SCOOPS HANS UP FOR A SAMOAN DROP!!!

Rich Russillo: IT CONNECTS, AND JAKE GETS BACK TO HIS FEET BEFORE FRANTICALLY BACKING INTO THE CORNER! Jake shakes his head, and I think it’s starting to look like Jake wants to wrap this up sooner than later, not that I blame him after what he had to deal with tonight. Jake is waiting for Hans to find his way back to his feet, and after that samoan drop it can’t be easy, but Hans seems to be doing it anyway! Jake has Hans lined up, AND HE CHARGES IN FOR THE STARMAKER!!!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT HANS DUCKS UNDER! JAKE TURNS TO HANS- AND HANS GRABS JAKE’S LEFT ARM AND TWISTS IT AROUND INTO A HAMMERLOCK, BEFORE TURNING BACK AND CONNECTING WITH THE HEAT TWIST!!!!! THE HEAT TWIST CONNECTS, AND BRO, I THINK HANS MIGHTA JUST FOUND THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO KNOCK JAKE’S LIGHTS OUT!! JAKE IS DOWN, AND HANS HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-

Persephone: BUT FOR SOME REASON, THIS MATCH ISN’T OVER!

Rich Russillo: I THINK IT’S CLEAR TO SEE WHY, AS JAKE WAS ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP!

(Hans Grayson pushes himself up, before backpedaling and leaning against the turnbuckles. He stops and turns towards Jay, who has already gotten up before returning to his seat. Jay stares at him, but he just gives a nod, seemingly brushing off what happened earlier in the match as Hans nods back.)

Rich Russillo: It looks like Jay has gotten over that little collision earlier, which is good for Hans as he does his best to focus on what’s bound to be a tough task, putting down Jake Smith tonight. Jake is starting to raise his head, BUT HANS KICKS HIM BACK DOWN, BEFORE RUNNING THE ROPES FOR A FIRESAULT!!!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT JAKE GETS OUTTA THE WAY!!! BRO AVOIDED THE FIRESAULT LAST SEC, AND THAT WAS A NASTY CRASH FOR HANS!! Jake grabs onto the ropes to start pulling himself back to his feet, AND NOW HE RUNS IN BEFORE JUST CLOBBERING HANS WITH A CLOTHESLINE! Jake holds the back of his head for a moment, before he just drags Hans back up to his feet! Jake is trying to get Hans up for the God Complex again, bro wants to get out of here ASAP!

Persephone: And I want that too, but Hans isn’t letting that happen. He’s driving elbows down onto the top of Jake’s head before Jake can get him up!

Rich Russillo: Jake lets go of Hans, AND NOW HANS RUNS TO THE ROPES BEFORE DELIVERING A HANDSPRING ROUNDHOUSE! IMPRESSIVE MOVE BY THE CHAMPION, AND THAT ONE CAUSES JAKE TO STUMBLE TOWARDS THE ROPES! Hans rushes back to his feet, AND NOW HE CHARGES IN BEFORE CLOTHESLINING JAKE OVER THE TOP ROPE! The Champion is getting the better of the Hall of Famer right now, as Jake is able to land on the apron before starting to pull himself up.

Thadd Blazevich: Hans now runs in, AND HE LANDS A BOOT TO KNOCK JAKE OFF OF THE APRON! Jake falls to his knees out at ringside, holding his jaw. Hans turns and looks back at Jay for a moment, and I think bro is still thinking about what happened earlier. Jay looks cool though, so I probably wouldn’t worry too much. So far this seems like a rare title match where the two opponents aren’t at each other’s throats. Hans grabs onto the top rope while Jake finds his way to his feet, AND BRO FLIPS OVER THE TOP ROPE FOR A RINGSIDE BURNING SHOT LARIAT!!!

Rich Russillo: BUT JAKE POPS HIM UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS!!! JAKE RUNS TOWARDS THE APRON- BEFORE THROWING HANS ONTO THE APRON WITH A POWERBOMB!!! THAT WAS A NASTY COUNTER BY JAKE, AND I THINK THAT JUST KNOCKED ALL THE FIGHT OUT OF GRAYSON!! Hans is laid out on the ringside floor, and that was a huge move from Jake Smith, who sends Hans into the ring before immediately following behind and running the ropes!

Thadd Blazevich: STARMAKER!!! HANS CONNECTS WITH THE STARMAKER AS SOON AS HANS STUMBLED UP, AND JAKE GOES IN FOR THE COVER!!!!!!!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!

Persephone: ARE YOU SERIOUS!?

Rich Russillo: HANS GRAYSON POPS THE SHOULDER UP JUST BEFORE THREE!! Jake sits up, staring at Buford as Buford honestly looks concerned. I doubt Buford is going to forget the insane things he’s had to see lately, so it must make things a whole lot worse seeing Hans fight the way he is right after everything that just happened. However, Hans is the World Champion for a reason. It was never going to be a simple task trying to put him down, even if Jake is a Hall of Famer in his own right.

Thadd Blazevich: Jake just begrudgingly pushes himself back up before backing into the corner of the ring, and once again bro is waiting for Hans to get back up. Hans is in bad shape after that powerbomb and Starmaker, though. It’s seriously impressive the kind of punishment these dudes can take and still get back up. It’s amazing that Hans is even trying to get back to his feet right now, but bad thing is, I think this is exactly what Jake is waiting for!

Persephone: It very obviously is. Hans has made his way back up, AND NOW JAKE RUNS IN FOR NIGHTREIGN!!

Rich Russillo: BUT HANS STOPS HIM WITH A BOOT TO THE FACE!!!! Jake steps back, AND NOW HE TRIES TO SWING AT HANS WITH A LARIAT- BUT HANS DUCKS UNDER BEFORE RUNNING AND JUMPING OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE, DELIVERING A STYLIN’ DDT!!!! Huge move by Hans Grayson, but that had to have taken a toll on him as much as it did Jake given he was just powerbombed onto the apron! Hans turns and is holding his back in pain, but he just shakes his head, pushing past the pain as he rolls out to the apron!

Thadd Blazevich: Jake turns to a knee before starting to stumble back to his feet, AND NOW THERE’S ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT THE BURNING SHOT LARIAT- BUT, OH WAIT A MINUTE!!! JAKE WENT TO COUNTER WITH HIS OWN LARIAT, BUT HANS SAW IT COMING AND WAS ABLE TO FLOAT OVER!! HANS LANDS ON HIS FEET AND PULLS JAKE IN, AND HE GOES FOR A SU-

Persephone: NOPE! THOSE STUPID FLIPS AND STUFF DIDN’T ACTUALLY MATTER, BECAUSE JAKE JUST USED HIS STRENGTH TO LIFT HANS FOR THE JACKHAMMER!

Rich Russillo: ONLY, HANS DOESN’T LET IT CONNECT!! Hans is able to slip out of Jake’s grasp and land back on his feet!

Thadd Blazevich: Jake is prepped for that though, AND HE TURNS AND NAILS HANS WITH AN UPPERCUT!

Rich Russillo: That caught Hans good and made him turn around- BUT THE CHAMPION RESPONDS WITH A PELE KICK, ONE THAT LANDS FLUSH AS JAKE DROPS TO THE MAT!!!!! Jake goes down, meanwhile Hans is already down after delivering the Pele kick! Both men are really exhausting everything they have in their arsenals, making for one hell of a match all while Hans’ challenger watches at ringside!

Thadd Blazevich: Both men turn and slowly start finding their way to a knee, AND THEY BOTH HAVE A LOCK UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING, TRYING TO GET THE BETTER OF EACH OTHER AS NEITHER OF THEM WILL GIVE AN INCH! Both of them start to slowly make their way to their feet, AND JAKE IS ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS AS HE HAS THE SIZE ADVANTAGE! He starts to power Hans into the corner- BUT HANS TURNS IT AROUND AND BACKS JAKE INTO THE TURNBUCKLES- BEFORE BREAKING THE LOCK UP AND NAILING JAKE WITH A RIGHT! A SECOND ONE CONNECTS, AND NOW HANS RUNS INTO THE OPPOSITE CORNER!

Persephone: Hans runs back in, AND HE CONNECTS WITH A SECOND KNEE! This time he grabs Jake by the arm though, AND HE FOLLOWS THE KNEE UP WITH A SHORT-ARM LARIAT!! The lariat didn’t even take Jake down because both of these idiots are so worn out, but it did cause both of them to drop to their knees. Hans is able to get back up to his feet after a moment, and he pulls Jake in for A SECOND LARIAT! That still didn’t drop Jake!

Rich Russillo: Jake did fall back to a knee though! Hans had the opportunity to keep applying pressure, AND HE TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY AS HE GOES FOR A THIRD SHORT-ARM LARIAT- BUT THIS TIME JAKE CATCHES HANS BY SURPRISE WITH A HEADBUTT!!! That headbutt did some serious damage, surprising Hans as the Champion stumbles away! Hans bounces off of the ropes, AND JAKE CONNECTS WITH ANOTHER BOOT! HANS DROPS MOMENTARILY BEFORE GETTING UP AND FALLING INTO THE CORNER! Hans is trying to shake off the cobwebs, but it doesn’t look like he has much time to act! Jake comes charging in!

Thadd Blazevich: BUT HANS MOVES AND SENDS JAKE FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! Hans grabs his face and slams it into the top turnbuckle for a second time, and he turns Jake around before lifting him onto the top rope! Hans now making the climb up top while Jake is set up, and I dunno what Hans has in mind, but given the circumstances I think I can imagine it’s about to be something big!

Rich Russillo: Hans makes it to the top rope before pulling Jake up, and I think what you said is an understatement, Thadd! Hans isn’t just going for something big, HE IS GOING FOR THE FIRE FLY!!!!

Thadd Blazevich: AND IT CONNECTS!!! THE FIRE FLY CONNECTS, AND HANS IMMEDIATELY GOES ROLLING OUT TO THE APRON WHILE JAKE IS IN SERIOUS PAIN! Hans just hit an INSANS move on Jake, and bro is in a super good spot right now! The referee is checking on Jake, meanwhile Hans is gearing up for the follow up!

Persephone: Hans now, WITH THE GRAYSON SPLA-

Rich Russillo: OH, WHAT THE HELL!?!?

(The fans are shocked as Hans’ legs are swept out from under him as he jumps, causing the Champion to be dropped back first onto the apron. Hans immediately turns, revealing Jay Jerry Johnson who takes a few steps back.)

Hans Grayson: (off-mic) What are you doing!?

Jay Jerry Johnson: (off-mic) It’s nothing personal, but you’re my enemy as long as the title’s on the line. Don’t forget that.

(Hans sighs out of frustration, pulling himself back up as he shakes off the cobwebs.)

Rich Russillo: JAY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE REFEREE CHECKING ON JAKE, DISRUPTING HANS’ ATTEMPT AT THE 450 SPLASH! Now Jake is starting to get back up to his feet, and it looks like he’s going to have to change strategies!

Thadd Blazevich: Hans shakes his head, giving one last glare towards Triple J before turning back to Jake! HANS NOW WITH THE SPRINGBOARD, AND HE GOES FOR THE BURNING SHOT PILLAR-

Rich Russillo: NIGHTREIGN!!!

Thadd Blazevich: OH NO!!!!

Rich Russillo: HANS WENT FOR THE RARE BURNING SHOT PILLAR, BUT JAKE CAUGHT HIM IN MID AIR WITH THE NIGHTREIGN!!!! THAT DISTRACTION FROM JAY WAS A LETHAL ONE, GIVING JAKE THE TIME NEEDED TO GET HIS HEAD BACK IN THE GAME AT A CRITICAL MOMENT!!!! HANS GRAYSON IS DOWN AND OUT, AND JAKE JUST FALLS IN FOR THE COVER!!!!!!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner… JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE SMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITH!!!!!!

(‘Nightreign’ begins to play once more, and Jake slowly rolls off of Hans. Jake sits up, staring at Buford for a moment before just nodding his head, knowing that he managed to get the victory despite what occurred tonight. Buford looks relieved, and quickly makes his way into the ring as Jake slowly pushes himself up, holding his ribs. Buford shoos the referee away before raising Jake’s hand, all while Jay Jerry Johnson watches at ringside.)

Rich Russillo: JAKE SMITH HAS PINNED THE EAW WORLD CHAMPION! That was a huge victory, but we can’t ignore the circumstances that led to it! Jay pretty much paved the way for that, throwing Hans off his game and pushing him right into Jake’s grasp!

Thadd Blazevich: That was wild, bro. I get it, all bets are off when there’s a title on the line, but still. That’s gotta sting for the Champ knowing how hard he tries to do the right thing. I’ll say this though, this has to feel good for Jake knowing what he went through earlier.

Persephone: I guess. I’m just glad it’s over.

Rich Russillo: Congratulations to Jake Smith, but wow. What an eventful night this has been for both Jake and Hans. After what Jay Jerry Johnson did, I think any chance of this being a somewhat “respectful” title match just went out the window.

(Jake and Buford begin to make their way out of the ring, all while Hans Grayson remains laid out near the bottom rope, having recovered a slight bit. Hans looks out at Jay, frustrated after what he did, all while Jay just keeps his composure. Jake and Buford make their way up the ramp, and with one more shot of Hans and Jay, Voltage fades away from ringside.)

(Promotional ad for Territorial Invasion, where Hans Grayson defends the EAW World Championship against Jay Jerry Johnson.)

(Sunday Night Voltage returns as the camera focuses on the Amarillo National Center for the final time tonight. As we do, ‘Going Under’ by Evanescense is heard blasting through the speakers of the arena.)

Crowd: :lupe:

(The shot then goes over to show Auburn Ware as she storms out from the backstage area, and needless to say, she’s seeing red. She doesn’t waste anytime with theatrics, having her eyes completely focused on the ring as she makes her way down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… AUBURN WAREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: It’s certainly been an interesting week for Auburn Ware since she found out that she’s going to be a member of Damon Lazarus’ team at Territorial Invasion. She’s specifically found herself in some heated altercations with Saori Aizen, who has certainly displayed how unhappy she is because Damon chose her first.

Persephone: Wow, known manwhore Damon Lazarus decided to fuck with his current girl to get with another??? I’m so surprised. It’s as if I didn’t expect this to happen from the very beginning. But yes, let’s all pretend that we’re not surprised by this.

Thadd Blazevich: Regardless, it doesn’t change the fact that Auburn is pissed off by this, and the last thing that she’s going to do is let Damon poke and prod at her and get away with it. She’s going to take action, and that’s exactly why she’s making her way out to the ring tonight.

(Auburn slides into the ring as she immediately makes her way over and snatches a microphone from the ringside area. ‘Going Under’ begins to come to a close as she makes her way toward the center of the ring, beginning to speak.)

Auburn Ware: What do you want me to say that I haven’t already said? I have been more than keen on expressing my feelings about this fucking shitshow but it appears that it’s fallen on nothing but deaf ears. Nobody gives a fuck, but it’s fine, I’m used to it. The one thing that I don’t want is people trying to misconstrue how I feel about the situation. Think that I’m just going to bend the knee to “dAddY DAmoN” and help him win Wargames. No, if there was anything that was made clear to me, it’s that I’m not fighting for him or his team anymore, I’m fighting for myself. NONE OF THIS was going to take away from the fact that Wargames is my dream match, it’s one that I wanted to compete in, and more importantly, one that I’ve dreamed of winning. And the one problem that I continue to beat myself up over is the fact that I’ve allowed idiotic people like Damon and Saori to get in the way of my career when I promised myself that I wouldn’t. But that changes.

(Auburn shakes her head in frustration.)

Auburn Ware: I don’t know what’s going to happen next. Damon could come out here and tell me that he’s going to make my life shit just to make me a better partner for him, go on ahead, you’ve already done more than enough. But the one thing that I just want to say is that regardless of how I feel about this and what I’ve been forced to do, that does not change the fact that I am going to give my all to this match. I am not going to let him take control of me and make me who he wants me to be, I’m going to win this through my own hands and that’s going to be more of a defeat for him than losing Wargames EVER would be. Because it means that I succeeded regardless of what he put me through.

(Suddenly, ‘Until It Sleeps’ hits through the speakers as the crowd begins to boo loudly. Auburn’s head turns toward the stage as Damon Lazarus is seen making his way out from the backstage area. He has a smirk on his face as he stares directly at his Wargames partner, beginning to make his way down the ramp.)

Rich Russillo: Well, if there’s one thing that Damon feels right now, it’s certainly some form of amusement seeing Auburn like this. She definitely doesn’t like the cards that she’s dealt, but truthfully… this is exactly what he wanted.

Thadd Blazevich: He’s going to use that to make sure that he has the best team possible heading into Territorial Invasion, dude! And who knows what his final partner is going to be, but I guess we’re just going to have to wait and see.

Persephone: I… don’t care.

(Damon makes his way up the steps and onto the apron as he enters through the ropes and into the ring. He makes his way over and takes a microphone as ‘Until It Sleeps’ begins to come to a close. As he approaches Auburn, he begins to speak.)

Damon Lazarus: There is fire in those words. I like that.

(Auburn grimaced towards him dismissively. Damon saw a front.)

Damon Lazarus: You had been given the week to think about all this. This talent within you truly needed to be let out, but it required encouragement. Following this extremely interesting crucible, the time has come, Auburn. War Games will be your proving ground. Excel, it becomes your playing ground…

Damon Lazarus: But we are not venturing alone. We will have a special third guest joining us in the decimation of Dynasty and Showdown—

Auburn Ware: Just get it over with!!

(Damon chuckled, rather dismissively, veiling a layer of annoyance.)

Damon Lazarus: Well then, who do you think it is…?

(Damon crosses his arms as he raises his eyebrow, Auburn falling into silence as her eyes land on the ground.)

Damon Lazarus: I don’t like being ignored.

Auburn Ware: …

(Without time to take a guess, though that may have never come, it was the primary suspect lingering on everyone’s minds that emerged. It truly was a fucking nightmare… but not just for Auburn.)

(“Let Me Hear” by Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas sounded across the packed Amarillo National Center to a reaction as negative as one would expect. Saori emerges on the stage with the Specialists Championship held firmly in hand. Her cheek was slightly bruised while marks couldn’t be mistaken around her throat. Her styled hair was just slightly beat out of shape. The flair of usual arrogance was not present. Her energy was different.)

Rich Russillo: It doesn’t seem like the Specialists Champion enjoys being thrown into this situation herself, but at the same time, it seems as though she expected as much.

Thadd Blazevich: The dynamic is crazy, bro! How are any of them gonna coexist??? That’s beyond me! But it seems like both of them realize that Damon is using them to their advantage, and knowing Saori, I don’t think she really blames him.

Persephone: I… still don’t care.

(Calmly but chaotically making her way to the ring… she takes multiple moments on the apron, staring a hole into both Auburn and Damon respectively.)

(The music halts, and Damon gives an inscrutable look toward Saori who hesitantly steps from under the ropes. Damon did not bother to lower them for her.)

(As Saori’d clear her throat…)

Saori Aizen: Quite the liberty you’ve taken.

(Damon grinned, his command not having been given for anyone to come out.)

Damon Lazarus: Well, the view you possess of yourself is confidently unyielding no matter the circumstance. You’ve been… insistent… out of order… but in the end, you’ve concluded correctly, Saori.

(Saori’s eyes narrow analytically at Damon’s words. She’d truly become skeptical of many things, his presence becoming an overbearing one for her, overwhelming her more “casual” expectations. Still, it was a breath of relief to not truly be thrown in the mud and be outright snubbed from this team.)

Damon Lazarus: Well then.

(Damon smirks coldly.)

Damon Lazarus: You have both trusted me well enough up to this point. I expect your differences to be shoved to the side, and trust that there is no better unit I could have built. You’ve both become aware of the bigger picture. Slowly realizing the “why” behind all that has been happening and will continue to happen.

Damon Lazarus: I am not so accepting of… *indiscipline*… and if there is anger you must let out, there are six bodies better fit to lay a beating on. Furthermore, I would actually encourage your anger to be channeled out. Rage is the driving force behind winning wars… and anger will be what puts down our inferior competition.

Damon Lazarus: …Correct, Auburn?

(She looked at Damon with disgust, not letting any answer out.)

Damon Lazarus: Do I have to repeat myself…?

(Saori, meanwhile, only nodded her head slowly and lightly shrugged. Despite her disliking for this circumstance, Damon’s point wasn’t wrong per se.)

(He shot Saori a halfhearted glance; but his focus remained on Auburn.)

(Damon stepped closer towards her, his size and pace sending trembles into the audience.)

Damon Lazarus: C’mon Auburn… Show me your **hatred.**

SLAP!!!

(Damon’s head cocks back to the side, Auburn’s palm leaving a bright mark on Damon’s face. He stood still for a moment before grinning. To most, it looked as if Damon didn’t feel a hint of pain from that, but Damon himself begged to differ. He was pleased.)

Damon Lazarus: Good. They will hate to see you coming… Well, they may also *love* to see you coming, depending on who you target with that fascinating ruthlessness of yours, Auburn.

(Damon steps back. His sight finally reached Saori. With a hint of palpable disappointment in his expression, he finally gives her some attention.)

Damon Lazarus: You, too, should be careful who you lash out at… Who you make the target of your fury. It would be remiss of me to say I would expect better from you in that aspect… Saori…

(Her eyes narrowed into a grimace…)

Damon Lazarus: But I am *certain* you both will solve this issue. You will have to.

(Saori clears her voice.)

Saori Aizen: I do not plan on losing. Neither do you.

(She was right. Damon smiled with cockiness.)

Saori Aizen: Deep down, I do not think she does either.

(Saori glances towards Auburn.)

Saori Aizen: You’ve chosen quite the *complex* predicament, Damon. An all or nothing play. I suppose I cannot judge a man for… assuming a tremendous risk… even if there were—

Auburn Ware: Can you shut your fucking mouth? Even for a goddamn second? Frankly, I don’t want to hear any of what you have to say because I know regardless of how you feel you’re still going to be eating out of the palm of his hand because that’s just who you are. You’re a subservient pet who will bark for their owner as long as you get a treat and maybe why Damon is so fixated by me is because he’d know I’d rather bite him than do his dirty work.

(Auburn shook her head.)

Auburn Ware: That’s never who I was, and that’s not going to change just because I’m forced to be in this situation. I’m fighting for myself and Voltage, not for any of you, and the last thing I’m going to do is let shit like this compromise my chance to win this match, so if you know what’s good for you then you’re going to stay the fuck out of my way and everything will be just fine.

(Saori took a long, deep breath. Damon reserved himself out of the situation briefly, merely to see where it goes.)

Saori Aizen: So, you do want to win. Good—

Damon Lazarus: Prove it.

(Damon gives both them a stern look. This wasn’t a game.)

Damon Lazarus: You will have to work together. Embrace the other’s strength. Cover one another’s weaknesses. Swallow your pride. *Prove* to me, both of you, that you truly want to win, and are willing to make the proper compromises.

(Auburn shakes her head, partly fucking sick of this, partly confused like hell by what that means. Saori merely tilted her head with a blank stare.)

Damon Lazarus: When PURE Rules became Pain For Pride’s billing, let’s say I was on the edge because of the mutual respect this stipulation had to abide by. Alas, that cowardly official could not dare make this *fun*. But I will. And, sweetheart, you will get your wish too.

(Damon faintly smiled toward Saori’s direction while Auburn slowly began to lose her mind all over again. Saori wanted to test if Auburn could swallow her pride at Pain For Pride. Now…)

Damon Lazarus: Shake hands.

(In a sick turn of events, it was now the last thing she’d rather do.)

(The two women look toward each other with indescribable disgust and vitriol.)

(Damon analyzed them both—then he lightly sent Auburn a few steps ahead.)

(Saori, hesitantly, moves forward. It’s whatever it takes… it’s bigger than hatred and pride…)

(Auburn grits her teeth. Saori swallows emptily.)

???: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: OH MY GOD!

Thadd Blazevich: SOMETHING JUST COLLIDED DIRECTLY INTO DAMON, BRO!

BRAE: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Persephone: OH MY FUCKING GOD GET HIM OUT OF HERE!

Rich Russillo: TEAM DYNASTY IS HERE, AND THEY’RE BEGINNING TO BRING THE FIGHT TO TEAM VOLTAGE! CY HENDERSON! KIRK REDWOOD! AND THEIR TEAM CAPTAIN BRAE ARE ALL LOOKING TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME HERE TONIGHT!

Thadd Blazevich: BRAE GRABS DAMON AND THROWS HIM THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE AND OUT OF THE RING! MEANWHILE, AUBURN IS BEING BOMBARDED IN THE CORNER BY STRIKES COURTESY OF CY AND KIRK! BUT LOOK!

Persephone: SAORI LAUNCHES AT THE TWO OF THEM AND BEGINS TO THROW PUNCHES OF HER OWN! Seems like she doesn’t want to be humiliated by another brand! Yes girl, throw away that pride!

Rich Russillo: DAMON IS TRYING TO FIGHT BACK, BUT BRAE GRABS A HOLD OF HIM-

(THUD!)

Thadd Blazevich: THROWING HIM FACE FIRST DIRECTLY INTO THE RINGPOST! BRAE ROUNDS THE CORNER-

Rich Russillo: BUT LOOK! PANDORA PAISLEY JUST LEAPED OVER THE BARRICADE AND TACKLED HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND! TEAM SHOWDOWN WASN’T FAR BEHIND!

(In an instant, Damien Kutcher and Jon Kelton slide into the ring, as Kelton goes under and tackles Cy down to the ground, while Kutcher rushes forward and takes down both Kirk and Saori with a double Clothesline!)

Thadd Blazevich: ALL THREE TEAMS HAVE BEEN MADE OFFICIAL, AND IMMEDIATELY IT’S GONE TO PANDEMONIUM! DAMIEN AND KELTON ARE IN THE RING, BUT AUBURN JUST LATCHED ONTO THE BACK OF DAMIEN AS SHE TRIES TO SUBDUE HIM WITH A SLEEPER HOLD!

Persephone: BUT KELTON YANKS HER OFF OF HIM, THE TWO OF THEM GRAB A HOLD OF HER… AS THEY THROW HER DIRECTLY INTO THE RINGPOST! MEANWHILE PANDORA HAS ROUNDED THE RING AND RUSHED TOWARD BRAE WITH A PUMP KICK TO THE FACE TO DROP HIM DOWN TO THE MAT!

Rich Russillo: FROM BEHIND! DAMON GRABS PANDORA AND RUNS HER FORWARD, SLAMMING HER DIRECTLY INTO THE SIDE OF THE STEEL STEPS! DAMON THEN GRABS PANDORA AND BRINGS HER BACK UP-

Thadd Blazevich: BUT KIRK REDWOOD JUST LAUNCHED HIMSELF OFF OF THE APRON AND COLLIDES INTO THE TWO OF THEM WITH DOUBLE KNEES DIRECTLY TO THE FACE! I CAN’T EVEN TELL WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW, DUDE! THIS IS CRAZY!

Rich Russillo: FINALLY, SECURITY IS BEGINNING TO COME IN!

Persephone: “FINALLY”??? Fuck it, let them fight! Let them kill themselves so we can cancel War Games for the year!

(Security grabs hold of Kirk as he’s kicking and shouting; meanwhile Damien and Kelton are both dragged away along with Pandora, with all of them equally unhappy that the fight started without them. Lastly, BRAE comes to his senses and is forced away as well, with Cy being dragged out of the ring as he continues to try and break free… leaving only three people there in the wake of a chaotic brawl.)

(Damon. Auburn. Saori.)

(Saori held onto her ribs in the corner. Auburn’s hand was left holding her head, the world around her shaking. A potential concussion.)

(In the middle of the ring, blood pours out of Damon, drenching the ring mat in the crimson red all around him. He’d caught the worst end of the brawl. Concerned, Auburn begins to brawl towards him. Hesitantly, so does Saori. They scratch their fingers onto the mat, without regard for the blood that’d stain them.)

(The two share yet another intense glance, but Auburn’s concern outweighed everything. Saori’d be left shaking her head. Their palms caressed over his wounds, cleaning his blood, bringing warmth to his cold skin, as Voltage comes to a close.)

(EAW logo buzzes.)