MNB #592 (SEASON 24 OPENER) - LONG BEACH
Feb 13, 2023 21:55:55 GMT -6
The Mad King, Melinda Rhodes, and 4 more like this
Post by MNB on Feb 13, 2023 21:55:55 GMT -6
WARNING:
This live event contains strong coarse language (L), and intense violence (V) which may be unsuitable for younger viewers. None of the matches you are about to watch have been predetermined. Only some of the thematic story-lines have been discussed beforehand. Accordingly, EWC and it's producers must insist that no one attempt to recreate or re-enact any match or activity performed in this live event.
The Extreme Wrestling Corporation presents
MONDAY NIGHT BRAWL
EPISODE #592 | FEBRUARY 13TH 2023LIVE! from the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California
EWC BRAWL
General Manager(?): Jim Connors
Assistant/Interim GM: Timothy Kahrs
Commentators: Joe Aiello & Steve 'The Predator' Bennett
Announcer: Jessica Stroup
Senior Referee: Paul Turner
Referee: Josh Daniels
Backstage Interviewer: Bob Murray
General Manager(?): Jim Connors
Assistant/Interim GM: Timothy Kahrs
Commentators: Joe Aiello & Steve 'The Predator' Bennett
Announcer: Jessica Stroup
Senior Referee: Paul Turner
Referee: Josh Daniels
Backstage Interviewer: Bob Murray
"STARTAFIGHT" by Joey Valence & Brae blasts in the Arena
The show starts off with video footage detailing historic events over Monday Night BRAWL's history.
From episode 001 in 1997 all the way down to the last episode #591 in New York City.
Images of previous EWC Champions are shown, starting with the very first Champion Black Ninja, then moving onto Big Mac and Steve Bennett. Sped up footage then shows a special montage of Memphis Reigns, Shadow Man, Hirsh Valentine, Jesse Nunez, Hurricane Jeff, Moses Lake, James Chambers, BDC, Jay Cee, Stray, Gladiator, The Rev, and Ruthless Aggression, all with the EWC Championship.
From there we look at the dawning of the Undisputed Championship as we know it today, with a focus on the men and women who have been a part of the red brand who have held the illustrious title including Sour Candy, Dominic Sanders, Cyrus Black, and Xavier Reid, before ending on the current champion Melody Malone.
Sped up footage again then takes us through to current Monday Night BRAWL Superstars: Xavier Reid, King Flip, Tyler Bradford, KU, Antoni Malietoa, Stitches, Melinda Rhodes, Darius, Iggy Swango, Dio, Captain Morgan Darkwater, JoJo Rush, Bathsheba and others making their way onto the red brand.
We then get a shot of the Champions of BRAWL:
Melinda Rhodes with the FX Broadcast Championship
King Flip with the EWC International Championship
The opening pyros blast across the stage and here we go.
A wide aerial shot shows that the Long Beach Arena is electric for Monday Night BRAWL as we kick off Season 24!
A wide aerial shot shows that the Long Beach Arena is electric for Monday Night BRAWL as we kick off Season 24!
A chant begins of
"MNB!"
"MNB!"
"MNB!"
"MNB!"
A thick layer of fog circles the arena, and camera flashes repeatedly strobe the area!
The camera feed pans to different areas in the arena and we see fans cheering in excitement!
The fans are shown smiling, laughing, and pumping their fists in excitement
as fireworks emit from each corner of the ring!
A thick layer of fog surrounds the fans from the firework display.
A thick layer of fog surrounds the fans from the firework display.
The show is live... and the excitement is at a fever pitch!
Signs can be seen all over the arena, some reading:
"INSERT BADGER MEME HERE"
"GIVE 'EM HELL, FLIP"
"WHERE WE'RE GOING, WE NEED REBEL...RHODES"
"YOU THOUGHT THIS WAS A SIGN, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY DIO"
"ONE RING TO RULE THE BRAWL"
and "THE GUY BEHIND ME CAN'T READ THIS SIGN, HURR HURR"
Aiello: Hello everyone, and welcome to the Season 24 premiere of Monday Night BRAWL! I'm Joe Aiello alongside EWC Hall of Famer Steve Bennett, and we are pleased as punch to be coming to you LIVE from the Long Beach Arena as we kick off a new year for the red brand!
Bennett: It was a cold, cold winter not bein' in this here hot seat to call the action, Joe...but we're here now, and I'm excited as all hell!
Aiello: We have a big show ahead of us, with a massive main event that was set after WrestleFest XX! Melinda Rhodes won the FX Broadcast Championship from Gabrielle Visconty after a brutal battle, and all eyes are on this rematch!
Bennett: I'm convinced these two are gonna unleash hell and fury, but only one is coming out of here with the title!
Aiello: We also kick off the Legends of the Ring tournament tonight as four of Brawl's brightest look to shine! We have a clash of former champions as Darius takes on Stitches, and our current EWC International Champion takes on someone who's shown a lot of promise as King Flip takes on JoJo Rush!
Bennett: Nobody tell Captain Morgan Darkwater, but I think JoJo Rush could well take advantage of the help of his new friends in The House to overcome our own C-H-K here tonight! On top of that, we've seen Darius and Stitches really tear into their opponents before...so tonight's gonna be a brutal battle of these sons o' bitches!
Aiello: Who will advance to the second round? We find out tonight! Plus, we have two triple threat matches that will look to solidify some title pictures here as Caleb Scott, Chelsea Skye, and Iggy Swango square off, alongside the returning Tyler Bradford, Dio, and Xavier Reid!
Bennett: Everyone in these matches has their eyes set on a new change of direction and a win here tonight can help them take the first steps!
Aiello: Rounding out the action tonight is an X-Division match that sees Zack Tyler taking on someone joining the red brand's ranks tonight, Bathsheba!
Bennett: I've been hearing that her wicked ways on PRIME were maybe a little too much for GM Jordan Sharpe, but lemme tell ya I think she's gonna fit in just fine here on BRAWL...even if that means going up a man looking to find his footing in this division in Zack Tyler!
Aiello: What a night we have in store, folks! Don't go away, we'll be...
The camera fades-in backstage, to the parking lot of the Long Beach Arena, where a large, black SUV with tinted windows slowly pulls up. Over the low humming of the engine we can hear the loud, muffled ranting of its occupant.
Bennett: Whoever that is, they’re ready to raise some hell!
The vehicle finally pulls up to a stop, the back passenger door flying open to reveal the large, hulking figure of Captain Morgan Darkwater, dressed to the nines in his full pirate garb, complete with tricorn hat, ruffled collar, and his trusty cutlass Black Betsy strapped to his hip. Indignant rage is written all over his gnarled and weathered face, flushed a deep crimson that matches his rugged leather coat. He jumps out of the SUV, eyes bulging, veins in his tree-trunk neck popping, head snapping from side-to-side, his ranting finally audible.
Darkwater: Where is he? Where is that scum suckin’, two-faced, whore mongerin’, fish-fiddlin’ son of a manatee Connors?! I’ll gut th’ spineless bastard and force feed that offal t’ those damned House dogs! I’ll flay ‘im alive an’ use the skin fer boat sails!
Bennett: I’m not sure if these can be taken as viable threats, but it’s safe to say the Captain is pissed… hell yeah! He should probably watch what he says, though. You never know what Connors might use against him!
Aiello: And why wouldn’t he be frustrated? The man got removed from the Tournament of Legends, Steve, and ultimately denied a shot at the Undisputed Championship for no other reason than Connors’ ongoing vendetta against the Captain! Even suspended, the General Manager of Brawl is screwing the Captain over. It doesn’t look like Morgan is even aware Connors isn’t here tonight!
The camera was following the Brawling Buccaneer’s furious storming backstage as the large man stomps down corridors, accosting everyone in sight for the location of the still suspended GM, only to be answered with shrugs and confused looks, until he reaches a lone stagehand with a clipboard in hand.
Darkwater: You! Yer gonna tell me where that loathsome bastard Connors is, or I swear by all that be holy that I’ll kick yer ass down e’ery corridor o’ this damned arena til he personally comes out t’ stop me!
Stagehand: Uhm… Mr Connors is still suspended, Mr Darkwater…?
Darkwater: Captain Darkwater - an’ Hades’ inflamed bollocks, he is! That cur screwed me outta this tournament, he’s gotta be here! If ye be tryin’ t’ hide him from me, ye best be warned lest ye wanna share his fate once I get me hands on him!
Stagehand: I’m telling you the truth, Captain. He’s not here, he’s not even allowed to be here. Mr Kahrs is the interim GM, but I’m afraid he’s extremely busy getting this packed show underway, and dealing with the first rounds of the Legends of the –
Darkwater: Don’t finish that sentence! I don’t wanna hear th’ damn thing’s name! Yer gonna have a collection of past champions, living legends, an’ let th’ Captain be excluded? This travesty will not stand! Who th’ blazes could possibly replace the Roughhousin’ Rogue? The Brawlin’ Buccaneer? Th’ Seafarin’ Superstar? Who, damn ye, who?!
The stagehand, who had shrunk back further and further with each outburst from the Captain, hurried checked the show schedule on their clipboard, flipping pages until their eyes finally fell upon the answer to Morgan’s demands.
Stagehand: Oh… ahh… Hmm… How to put this…?
Darkwater: I swear, if the next words comin’ outta ye rhyme wit’ Mojo Mush…
Stagehand: … I’m sorry.
Darkwater: T’hell wit’ this!
The furious Captain smacks the clipboard from the stagehand’s grasp, sending it clattering down the hall out of shot, as the burly man squares up to the unfortunate worker, eye twitching, nostrils flaring, fists balled at his sides as he stares the smaller man down for what seems like a painful eternity.
Bennett: Get the hell outta there, lil man!
Finally, the Captain lets out a ragged breath and steps back, clenching his hands together and cracking his knuckles.
Darkwater: Damn it all… very well, tell yer blessed Kahrs that th’ Captain is headed to the ring, so he better make time fer me - an’ if he refuses, remind him th’ Captain came t’ fight, an’ he don’t give a damn who it be with!
Stagehand: Uhh, su-sure, Captain, I’ll get right on that.
Morgan stares him down a while longer, then brushes forcefully past him as he strides towards the main arena with renewed purpose.
Bennett: You saw it here first, folks! Captain Darkwater is on the warpath, and looking to raise some hell!
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A NEW ERA OF VIOLENCE BEGINS!
SINGLES MATCH, X-DIVISION RULES
Zack Tyler
VS Bathsheba
SINGLES MATCH, X-DIVISION RULES
Zack Tyler
VS Bathsheba
We return to ringside where commentary is standing by!
Aiello: Welcome back folks, we are ready to kick off the in-ring action tonight with an X-Division match between Zack Tyler and recent BRAWL signee Bathsheba!
Bennett: There's a spooky as hell aura surrounding her, Joe, and bringing that to the red brand could spell trouble for anyone getting in her way!
Stroup: The following match, set for one fall, is to be fought under X-Division Rules. Joining us first, residing in Babylon and weighing in at 130 pounds. She is known as The Whore of Babylon. She is ... BATHSHEBA!
As the violin starts the arena plunges into darkness and stays pitch black for the first 40 seconds until the piano starts. When it does a red spotlight shines down shines down on Father Mathias who is cackling with laughter. After another 20 seconds he slams his cane on the stage which causes fire to shoot up from the stage behind him to the left and right. Bathsheba comes crawling out from under the stage and stops when she gets to Father Mathias' feet. Together they go to the ring where Bathsheba slides under the bottom rope where she listens to Father Mathias' last minute instructions
Stroup: And the opponent, coming to us from the alley out back and weighing in at 175 pounds ... ZACK TYLER!
Sections of lights within the arena begin to randomly cut off until it is completely dark. Fog machines then proceed to slowly billow the entrance area just as the giant production screen flashes an image of a Red circle that is drawn around a Red Left hand palm print. Zack's [3:14] music then plays. At the [:17] mark, a Red flash of light illuminates the entrance stage and again at the [:20] mark. At the [:27] mark, Zack rolls out slowly on a skateboard dressed in a Black full length coat with his arms folded over his chest. As he approaches the ring, the skateboard rolls under the ring as he slides under the bottom rope onto his stomach. The ringside camera catches an up-close image of Zack as his eyes are darkened with makeup. Slithering into the corner, he grabs the ropes and pulls himself up to his feet, removing his coat. His music by now has looped or replayed until he folds his hands together as if praying. His eyes roll in the back of his head as he evilly grins just as the lights come up to normal.
DING DING DING
Bathsheba boots Tyler in the gut and grabs him for a DDT. Tyler quickly counters with a back drop. He then turns and cracks Bathsheba with a right hand to the jaw. Tyler pulls Bathsheba to her feet and hits a European Uppercut that staggers her before he takes Bathsheba to the mat with an armdrag. Bathsheba rolls to her feet and she runs at Tyler dropping him to the mat with a clothesline. As Tyler gets to his feet, Bathsheba runs at him hitting a shotgun dropkick. She makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Tyler gets a shoulder off the mat. Bathsheba pulls Tyler to his feet but he scoops her up and drops her across the top turnbuckle with a snake eyes. Tyler smashes Bathsheba with a short arm lariat that drops her to the mat where Tyler makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Bathsheba gets a shoulder off the mat. Both slowly get to their feet. Father Mathias slides his cane into the ring. Bathsheba grabs it and cracks Tyler in the ribs with it. He drops to the mat where Bathsheba brings the cane across his back. Bathsheba uses the cane to drag him to his feet and uses it to hit a white Russian legsweep. Tyler slowly gets to his feet where Bathsheba stands behind him. She slides the cane around his front and pulls him into a German suplex. Bathsheba rolls him over and makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Tyler manages to push Bathsheba off him to break the count. Both get to their feet. Bathsheba is on her feet first. Tyler grabs her ankles and tosses her over the top rope to the outside floor. Tyler takes a moment before throwing himself over the top rope with a plancha. On the outside, he gets to his feet and grabs Bathsheba. He throws her spine first into the ringside barrier.
Aiello: My God did you hear that impact?!
Bennett: Hear it? Bathsheba felt it!
Tyler lifts Bathsheba to her feet but she rams her shoulder into Tyler’s gut. He drops to the floor as Bathsheba reaches under the ring. She pulls out a bowling ball. Before she can do anything with it, Tyler grabs her legs and pulls her down to the ringside mats. Tyler drops an elbow to her chest before grabbing a chair from ringside. Tyler smacks Bathsheba on the back with the chair before tossing the chair into the ring. Tyler then grabs Bathsheba and rolls her into the ring before sliding under the ropes after her. Bathsheba pulls herself to her feet but stumbles into the grasp of Tyler to drives her onto the mat with a Left Hand Drop. He holds his grip as the referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Bathsheba just manages to get a shoulder off the mat to break the count. Tyler gets to his feet but Bathsheba smacks him across the back with the chair sending Tyler through the ropes to the apron. As Tyler pulls himself to his feet, Bathsheba grabs him and drags him into a Hangman’s DDT. Tyler rolls to the middle of the ring where Bathsheba hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Tyler rolls onto his front to break the count.
Aiello: So near yet so far!
Bennett: Bathsheba has gone from almost defeated to a half count from victory. Zack Tyler has gone the other way but I wouldn’t say he’s out of this match either.
Bathsheba grabs the chair. Before she can do anything with it, Tyler elbows the chair into Bathsheba’s face. She drops to the mat. Tyler places his foot under Bathsheba’s jaw and uses his boot to lift her to her feet. He spins looking for 666 but Bathsheba ducks it and, after hitting nothing but air, Tyler crashes to the mat. Bathsheba smacks him upside the head with Decapitation. He drops to the mat where Bathsheba makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall... BATHSHEBA!
Bathsheba gets to her feet before Father Mathias slams his cane on the ground motioning for her to exit the ring. She drops to her knees and rolls out of the apron. Bathsheba crawls behind Mathias until she reaches the point of the stage where she came from.
Aiello: A big win here for Bathsheba. She came close to losing, came close to wining and when all was said and done she took advantage of one momentary mistake from Zack Tyler and comes away with the win.
Bennett: Exactly. We’ll see a lot of Bathsheba this season but I feel the same for Zack Tyler. As you say, one mistake was the difference.
Aiello: Folks, up next we have the first of our triple threat matches as Caleb Scott, Chelsea Skye, and Iggy Swango face off...but I'm being told there's something going down backstage!
Camera cuts to ...
...absolute chaos in the backstage area, where we see the direct result of Captain Morgan Darkwater finding Assistant GM Timothy Kahrs, the Captain rushing at him before being pulled away by security. As we see Darkwater being taken away, Kahrs shouts at his men.
Kahrs: And get him the heck outta here! Morgan, I told you there's nothing I can do about you not being put in for the Legends of the Ring tournament, but if you can't cool down you're better off goin' home for the night.
Flustered by what's gone down, Kahrs adjusts his times and takes a deep breath as we go to commercial.
LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK IN SEASON 24!
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Caleb Scott
VS Chelsea Skye
VS Iggy Swango
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Caleb Scott
VS Chelsea Skye
VS Iggy Swango
We return to ringside where Aiello and Bennett are standing by on commentary!
Aiello: Holy moly, what a confrontation backstage!
Bennett: Looked like the Captain got a small bit o' rage out of the interim General Manager, but now he's gonna have to way to get his hands on JoJo Rush!
Aiello: You gotta wonder what's gonna become of that, but right now we need to focus on the first of our triple threat matches as Caleb Scott, Chelsea Skye, and Iggy Swango face off in what could be a chance to stake a claim in the FX Broadcast Championship picture!
Stroup: The following match, set for one fall, is a Triple Threat Match. Joining us first, from St Cloud, Minnesota and weighing in at 215 pounds... CALEB SCOTT!
Lights go black as Ze Nigmar plays. Four hooded figures with torches come out and stand on the stage, two on each side of the entrance. Lights stay off as the song intro plays. Once the drums in the song start, a single beam of light from above the ring shoots to the stage as Caleb Scott walks out through a thick white fog and stands between his hooded drudges. Holding his chain-wrapped bat, Caleb stands there for a few seconds looking out at the crowd. Caleb begins to slowly walk to the ring as a short row of fire ignites on either side of the entrance ramp. Caleb approaches the steel steps and places his bat on the top step. He then places his hand on top of it and closes his eyes for a few seconds before going up the steps and into the ring, the single beam of light follows him the entire time. He walks towards the corner and stands on the middle rope. He stares out into the crowd for a few seconds before taking a deep breath, extending his arms out to the side, and unleashing a loud, thunderous scream before the lights come back on.
Stroup: And the opponents, first from Chicago. Illinois, she is the “Nightmare Angel”... CHELSEA SKYE!
The Opening riff to "Reborn Through Failure" hits the speakers and Chelsea comes out ready for action, she makes her entrance and poses for the crowd once she's in the ring.
Stroup: Finally, residing in The Dreamatorium and weighing in at 156 pounds... IGGY SWANGO!
The guitar strums of "Moonage Daydream" echo through the arena as the lights dim low. Strobe lights begin to flash on stage. Soon, Iggy Swango walks from behind the curtain as smog engulfs her. She pauses, adjusts her sun glasses, before making her way down the ramp. Its a slow deliberate walk, as she is clearly vibing to the music. After entering the ring, She looks up to the ceiling, and throws her hands up in a classic rock and roll pose. Iggy starts bouncing on the stage and rocking out with an air bass playing along with the music before making her way down the ramp. Iggy rolls under the bottom rope and pops up on her knees in the middle of the ring. She slowly stands her to her feet before raising her hands into the air once more.
DING DING DING
All three slowly circle each other in the ring before Chelsea smacks Caleb with a superkick that knock him through the ropes to the outside. Chelsea turns to Iggy but she eats a right hand. Iggy whips Chelsea off the ropes but Chelsea reverses it sending Iggy off the ropes. Chelsea bends looking for a backdrop but a rebounding Iggy grabs her hitting a snap suplex. Iggy pulls Chelsea to her feet and dumps her into the corner. Iggy runs but Chelsea gets her feet up to block. Iggy staggers as Chelsea lifts herself to the middle rope and leaps at Iggy. Whatever she was going for is countered when Iggy hits a European uppercut. Chelsea lands on her feet but is groggy. Iggy bodyslams Chelsea to the mat and runs off the ropes hitting a low dropkick. Iggy makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Caleb grabs Chelsea and drags her out of the ring. He slides into the ring himself. Iggy runs off the ropes but Caleb catches her and drives Iggy to the mat with a spinebuster. He pulls Iggy to her feet and whips her to the corner. Iggy reverses sending Caleb to the corner. He bounces back out hitting Iggy with a spear. Iggy staggers to her feet as Caleb grabs her and drops her in the corner with snake eyes. Caleb runs off the ropes and smacks Iggy with a clothesline from Hell. He makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Chelsea dives into the ring breaking the count. Chelsea hits Caleb with right hands as Iggy rolls to ringside. Chelsea lashes out for a superkick that Caleb blocks. Chelsea smacks Caleb with a forearm before spinning him to the mat with a hurricanrana. Caleb staggers to his feet as Chelsea climbs to the top turnbuckle. She dives off at Caleb hitting a spear. The both crash to the mat where Chelsea makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Caleb rolls to his side breaking the count.
Aiello: So near, so far. All looking good in the early going of this contest.
Bennett: Looking good but all three will know they need to step up if they want to win this match.
Chelsea gets to her feet and pulls Caleb to his. She positions him and attempts a suplex. Caleb blocks. She tries again and Caleb blocks again. Caleb lifts Chelsea into the air for a suplex but drops her to the mat with Cemetery Moonlight. He puts his feet on Chelsea’s shoulders as the referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Iggy dives into the ring to break the count. Caleb gets to his feet but Iggy spins him hitting a ripcord roundhouse kick. As he gets to his knees, Iggy runs off the ropes cracking Caleb on the back of the head with a Scorpio Rising. She covers Caleb.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Chelsea grabs Iggy’s ankle and pulls her off Caleb. Chelsea runs off the ropes and spins round Iggy hitting For Justin. Chelsea leaps back hitting Caleb with a standing moonsault before leaping at Iggy with a splash. Chelsea hooks the legs.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Iggy just manages to lift a shoulder off the mat to break the count.
Aiello: I thought that was a three count!
Bennett: So did a lot of people here in this arena. With that kick out Iggy Swango keeps not just herself in the match but she keeps Chelsea Skye AND Caleb Scott in this.
Chelsea gets to her feet but Caleb is on his also. He spins Chelsea around. He lifts Chelsea and drops her on to Iggy with a Grave Plot. Chelsea just manages to roll away, but Caleb covers Iggy as the referee counts!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall CALEB SCOTT!
Caleb stands on the middle rope and stares out into the crowd for a few seconds before taking a deep breath, extending his arms out to the side. He unleases a loud, thunderous scream before leaping over the ropes to the floor and heading up the ramp.
Aiello: Dropping one opponent on the other to win a match like this is new on me. A big win for Caleb Scott here tonight on Brawl.
Bennett: Both Iggy Swango and Chelsea Skye have nothing to feel bad for. This match could have gone any of three ways at any time. Tonight was just Caleb Scott’s night. There will be other nights and those will belong to Iggy Swango or Chelsea Skye. This season is still in its infancy.
Aiello: Agreed, Steve! Now up next we have more triple threat action between Tyler Bradford, Dio, and Xavier Reid...but the latter seems to be dealing with something backstage!
Camera cuts to ...
The camera cuts backstage inside the Love Club Locker Room where we find Xavier Reid, as he is getting ready for his match later tonight and a Love…but not his manager Tommy or girlfriend Bunny but Buddy Love…who is standing over him as he pulls on his wrestling boots.
Buddy Love: You know I have been a fan of yours forever Xavier, I think underneath that rough homicidal outer shell of yours you are just a good guy that wants a hug and if I’m being honest with you you will never get that hug from my father, I mean I sure haven’t…clearly Bunny hasn’t or she wouldn’t be the…
Xavier looks up at Buddy who catches himself before he finishes that sentence and smiles.
Buddy Love: The free spirit she turned out to be…
Buddy’s smiles widens when he realizes Xavier isn’t going to crack his head open/
Buddy Love: What my half brother did to you at WrestleFest was inexcusable, we are a team here, part of something bigger…The Love Club is an institution here in the EWC and you don’t do something like that that could jeopardize it…
Xavier exhales as he double knots his boot and looks up at Buddy.
Xavier Reid: You mean like signing Gabi Visconty to be one of your ‘buddies’...
Buddy smiles and waves off this allegation.
Buddy Love: Gabi was a pre-existing condition…wait, has a pre-existing condition, no that’s not it either…
Buddy stops and looks off to the side trying to find the right words before giving up and looking back at Xavier.
Buddy Love: Gabi was a OG Love Club member…one of the originals with Kill…I mean Ibuki, they were the first two members and you know The Love Club is…4-LIFE…all I did was bring her back into the fold and made us a stronger unit for it…I know the two of you have had your ups and downs but she’s really nice when you get to know her and that’s why I’m here tonight…well that and I’ll be in her corner tonight when she wins back the FX Broadcast Champion…I want to bring peace between the two of you…
Xavier Reid: You might have better luck with the Middle East Buddy…
Buddy Love: Oh everything can be forgiven over some wings and Dr. Pepper besides…
Buddy looks around to make sure they are alone.
Buddy Love: How can you trust my father after WrestleFest…are you telling me you think he was unaware of Jamie’s dealing…my father, who knows everything about everything was blind to all this…and to make matter worse he’s going to try and manage you both…after that…come on Xavier…
Buddy shakes his head.
Buddy Love: Had that been me and I was The Bastards manager I would have shown YOU my loyalty…now I love my brother, I do but I don’t stand with what he did…you don’t go against family…
Xavier gives Buddy the ‘side eye’ look.
Xavier Reid: And what are you doing at this very moment…trying to poach one of your father’s clients…
Buddy Love: I’m doing what’s best for The Love Club Xavier…we need someone strong at the helm and right now I’m not sure if my father is Love Club or The House…where is he now…
Buddy holds out his arms and looks around.
Buddy Love: Off somewhere talking with Jamie instead of being in here with you getting you ready for Tyler Bradford and Dio…is your match not important to him? Clearly he’s mad that you aren’t in the Legends of the Ring but Jamie is and I know my father, that Main Event spot at StrangleMania is the MOST IMPORTANT thing on his mind right now…he’s off prepping Jamie for Queen Mel while you are left here all alone to strategize for yourself…what’s the use of having him around if he’s not going to be around right?
Buddy smiles as Xavier hasn’t taken his eyes off him this entire time.
Buddy Love: I mean look at me Xavier, I have Ibuki in the Legends of the Ring Tournament but I’m here with Gabi giving her my all…
Xavier Reid: No, you are in here with me trying to steal me away from your father instead of being with her…
Buddy once again smiles and waves off Xavier.
Buddy Love: No she’s changing at the moment and has it in her contract that I have to be ‘legally speaking’ on the other side of the arena until she pages me so I won’t be tempted to walk in on her…
Buddy holds up his 1990 pager and smiles.
Buddy Love: All I am saying Xavier is think about it and if the time comes when you might want my services…
But before he can finish his pitch ‘The Memphis Mouthpiece’ Tommy Love walks in the door and looks at his son standing over his client.
Tommy Love: What in the fuck is going on here…
Buddy jumps and looks around the room.
Buddy Love: Well heck, Gabi isn’t in here…this isn’t the ladies locker room…geez, I got all twisted and turned around…
Tommy Love: Right…well you better get the hell out of here before I ‘twist and turn’ your nutsack into a pretzel boy…
Buddy drops both of his hands over his balls and looks at Xavier.
Buddy Love: Well best of luck out there tonight Xavier, I’ll be rooting for you…
He looks at his father, who takes a step towards him and Buddy runs towards the door.
Buddy Love: For The Love Club dad…geez, we are all on the same team here…
Buddy runs out the door as Tommy throws The Love Stick at him, hitting the door behind him before turning to Xavier.
Tommy Love: What the hell was all that about?
Xavier reaches out and taps the phone that’s in Tommy’s left hand.
Xavier Reid: How’s your boy doing Tommy? Is he all ready for the Undisputed Champion Friday night?
Tommy tucks his phone into his pocket and looks at Xavier.
Tommy Love: Is that what this is all about?
Xavier Reid: Who were you on the phone with? Did Jamie need just a little more attention?
Tommy doesn’t answer him but Xavier just smirks.
Xavier Reid: Buddy was just wishing me luck out there tonight, you’d have heard it if you were here doing your job and not using Brawl time to get ready for Rampage time…but I guess ‘House’ business trumps Love Club business these days…
Tommy Love: Xavier…
But Xavier cuts him off.
Xavier Reid: Save it Tommy…they just better understand that if they get in my way I’ll bring the whole house down…
Xavier stands up and gives Tommy a soft pat on the side of his face.
Xavier Reid: Make sure you call and tell Jamie that…
Xavier smirks as he walks to the door and kicks the Love Stick back at his manager before we move to a commercial break.
FIRST TIME EVER!
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Tyler Bradford
VS Dio
VS Xavier Reid
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Tyler Bradford
VS Dio
VS Xavier Reid
We return to ringside where Tyler Bradford, Xavier Reid, and Dio are facing off in a Triple-Threat
Aiello: Tyler Bradford is caught in the middle between Xavier Reid and Dio. Who must have some bad blood after their exploding barbwire match at Wrestlefest, Steve!
Bennett: Bradford ain't no slouch, Aiello. If anything, he's my favorite to win this match.
Stroup: The following match is a Triple-Threat match. Joining us first, from New York City, weighing in at 220 pounds, representing the Love Club ... XAVIER REID
The spotlights inside the arena start to flash around the crowd as 'Papercut' starts to play out. Xavier Reid walks out onto the stage and pulls his t-shirt off and drops it on the stage. His manager, ‘The Memphis Mouthpiece’ Tommy Love follows him out onto the stage, waving 'The Love Stick' around. Xavier walks to the front of the stage and crosses his arms into an X in front of his chest and smirks as Tommy follows from behind and acts as if he’s going to hit the camera with the ‘Love Stick’. Tommy points to the ring and Xavier marches up the steps and steps into the ring, goes to the far corner and jumps up to the second rope and looks out over the fans as Tommy Love walks towards the referee, already complaining about something trying to influence the referee or at least bully him into giving them the advantage
Stroup: And his opponent, from Miami Beach, Florida, weighing in at 223 pounds ... TYLER BRADFORD!
"Iconic" by Jaxon Gamble hits and Tyler Bradford steps out from behind the tron, he looks out at the crowd solemnly as a few of them remember him and still boo and jeer the former 2x FX Broadcast Champion. He pulls his suit jacket tight, looks down sadly, and marches his way to the ring paying the fans no attention. He gets into the ring and awaits his opponent, staring off up the ramp.
Stroup: And finally, from Seattle Washington, weighing in at 205 pounds ... DIO!
The lights dim down, and a voice comes over the PA system.
”I am your Crux.”
The phrase kicks off the sounds of “Change (in the house of flies)” by the Deftones as Dio emerges from the curtain and stands atop the stage. He surveys the crowd, tugging at the collar of his leather jacket before heading down toward the ring.
DING DING DING
The three men start the match with a stand off, they circle the ring, eying one another to watch for who goes for the first move. Dio and Xavier lock up immediately and throw blows at each other. Eventually with Xavier throwing Dio into a corner to continue trading blows. Xavier wins the dominant position, and stomps Dio into the corner, Xavier hears Tyler sprinting behind and evades Tyler, allowing Tyler to hit Dio with a Penalty Kick, connecting hard with that punt kick to a seated Dio.
Aiello: Oh, that's a rough deal for Dio!
Bennett: Gonna sting tomorrow that's for damn sure!
Xavier gets Tyler's attention with a slap to Tyler's face. Tyler returns the favor by slapping right back and then firing a chop to the chest. Xavier and Tyler tie up with Xavier launching Tyler off the ropes and catches him in a perfect standing Spanish Fly! Rainham Maker! Xavier kips up to his feet and wastes no effort in dragging Tyler to a ring corner. Xavier lifts Tyler up to the top and attempts to set up Tyler for a CTE, but Tyler slips out of the top rope turnbuckle brainbuster attempt and lands a superkick on Xavier, which leaves Xavier stunned against the corner.
Tyler ties up with Xavier before launching Xavier off the ropes and goes for his finisher, Shhh but slips between the ropes on the running knee attempt, causing Tyler to painfully slam his knee into the top rope. Dio gets back up and quickly takes the opening and plants the unsuspecting Tyler with the Inevitable!
Dio quickly follows up on that Diamond Cutter with the Insufferable. Tyler is caught in the middle of the ring on that bridging Fujiwara armbar, but before he can tap, Xavier breaks the submission by planting a boot right against Dio's temple, stunning the submission expert. In a haze, Dio sits up and Xavier follows it up with a Hit and Run, connecting with running kick to the chest! Tyler rewards Xavier for his efforts by hitting Xavier with a superkick! Tyler franticly pins Xavier!
ONE...
TWO...
kickout!
Tyler sits up exasperated he crawls over to Dio and tries to pin him instead!
ONE...
TWO...
kickout!
Aiello: Wow, what a close one for Tyler!
Bennett: Gave it his best go considering both guys were down at the time!
With Tyler in control of the match, Tyler takes a hold of Dio's arms and proceeds to stomp at his face shouting "I hate you!" After enough stomps, Tyler pulls a stunned Xavier off the ground and lifts him up high in a military press for his finisher, Witness Me! But before Tyler Bradford can hit the Pele kick itself, Dio finishes playing possum and hits Tyler from behind with a low-blow! Xavier lands face first into the mat, Dio rolls him out of the ring and hastily ties Tyler into an Enlightenment, locking in the Code of Silence submission hold. Tyler struggles as he tries to get out...but has no other option but to tap!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via submission... DIO!
Dio finally lets go of the hold to get to his feet as the ref raises his arm in victory.
Aiello: What a match here folks, and what a win for Dio!
Bennett: Tyler gave it his best go on his return but he was no match for that Enlightenment, and you know Reid's not thrilled about being left out in the cold on the outside!
Aiello: Big win for Dio tonight, but folks, up next we have the first of our Lord of the Rings tournament bouts as JoJo Rush takes on King Flip! Don't go away!
Camera cuts to ...
We cut to the parking lot outside Long Beach Arena, which seems rather odd at first...until we see a limo pulling in. As it approaches, the window rolls down...and while we cannot see who's inside, we do hear a voice speaking.
??: Yep, this is it. Let's find us a spot to park and wait things out.
The window rolls back up as the limo drives away, looking for a spot to park as we go to commercial break.
Xavier is the first one back through the curtain following his match, Tommy Love is trailing back a bit, having stopped to yell at a kid about something but as Xavier turns to look back for his manager he is met with a chair to the face knocking him off his feet and to the ground. Standing over him is none other than House Member JoJo Rush. He bring the chair up once again and starts reigning down blows to the back of Xavier Reid before delivering one final blow to the back of the head as Tommy Love walks back through the curtain and sees what is going on.
Love: WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING…I SAID XAVIER WAS OFF LIMITS!!!
JoJo looks at Tommy with murderous intentions stopping Tommy in his tracks.
Rush: I don’t take orders from you Tommy…our name came out of THIS MAN’S MOUTH and he’s going to learn what happens when you threaten The House…
JoJo brings the chair up one more time and down across the back of Xavier Reid. Tommy holds out his hands, almost pleading with JoJo…
Love: ENOUGH…JoJo…ENOUGH…God Damn it!!!
JoJo slams the chair down and then bends down towards Xavier, flipping him over showing the blood rushing from his head from that first chair shot. He grabs Xavier by the head and leans in.
Rush: Jamie and The House send their regards.
JoJo callously drops Xavier's head, which bounces off the floor. JoJo apathetically looks down at the bloody mess before promptly leaving to head down to the ring for his own match as Tommy rushes to Xavier’s side and looks around for help.
Love: MEDIC…WE NEED A MEDIC OVER HERE!!!
Tommy looks down at Xavier;s blood on his hands and exhales.
Love: God damn it…
Tommy moves back a bit as the Brawl Medical Staff arrives and goes to work on the bleeding Xavier Reid as we have no choice but to head back to ringside…
LEGEND OF THE RING - SWEET 16
SINGLES MATCH (NON-TITLE), WINNER ADVANCES TO NEXT ROUND
JoJo Rush
VS King Flip
SINGLES MATCH (NON-TITLE), WINNER ADVANCES TO NEXT ROUND
JoJo Rush
VS King Flip
We return to ringside where the crowd, and commentary, is losing their collective mind over what we just witnessed!
Aiello: What the hell was that about!? JoJo attacking Xavier Reid after that last match, sending a statement on behalf of The House!
Bennett: That son o' bitch just made a name for himself at the expense of a Grand Slam Champion, Joe...and now he's about to take on the EWC International Champion, King Flip, and try to stamp his name as a real legend of the ring! I love it!
Stroup: The following contest is a first round match in the Legend of the Ring tournament, it is a singles bout scheduled for one fall! Joining us first, being accompanied to the ring by Tori as representatives of The House, from The Badlands, weighing in at 270 pounds ... JOJOOO RUUUSH!
JoJo approaches the stage with Tori and points a "Too Sweet" hand gesture toward the ring similar to a finger gun. When JoJo "fires", pyro explodes behind him around the Extreme-Tron. JoJo approaches the ring keeping his attention focused on the task at hand, ignoring jeers and boos. Once in the ring, JoJo stares directly at the hard cam and points a finger gun, and fires it once more.
Stroup: And his opponent, from The Land of Money and Fame, weighing in at 220 pounds ... he is YOUR International champion ... KIIING FLIP!
K I N G F L I P zooms from right to left across the EXT and is followed swiftly by a small pyro. 'Machinegun' begins to play as the man in the hooded vest, head low, emerges from the curtain with the International championship brandished around his waist. He gets to the edge of the rampway when he lifts his hood to reveal that arrogant half smile. The lyrics chime in as he walks slowly down the ramp with his eyes locked in on the ring. He slides into the ring and takes to the turnbuckle with arms agape. After a moment, he turns to his opponent ready for the action to start as his theme fades. Flip hands off the International championship to the referee who is quick to hand it off to a stage hand at ringside.
Aiello: These two men have a lot of respect for one another, but we're about to see what happens when two men put that aside for a moment when everything is on the line. And it starts... right now!
DING DING DING
The International champion opens the match by calling JoJo off from rushing him. He's yelling something that seems to intrigue JoJo, pressing into his chest as he pleads some sort of case. Then it happens: he throws his right hand open the air, open palm, and the audience goes wild as they recognize what the King is initiating. A contest of strength. Rush looks almost humored as he steps up to interlock the fingers of his left hand with Flip's right. At the last second Flip pulls back and throws up his left hand in the same way.
Once again Flip does a bait and switch just when JoJo is going to lock hands. This happens two, three more times before JoJo just boots the air from Flip's lungs. The King spins back to his feet after crumpling to the mat and the two men begin circling the ring. Rush is first to make an offensive maneuver, leaping forward to grapple the champion. Flip has other plans and rolls out of the ring. He comes face to face with Callie Clark's long-time bodyguard, Tori, and stops with a smile on his face. It looks like the champion is flirting with the strong woman, the audience whooping and whistling in response to the one-sided advance. Tori seems to only be containing Flip's attention; meanwhile, JoJo Rush slowly slithers out of the ring just around the corner.
He comes barreling forward in a roar and heaves the CHK into the guardrail with an impressive European uppercut. Flip turns right into the attack and is slammed back first right over the railing. He flips onto his feet on the concrete and stumbles into the front row of the audience. Tori and JoJo nod as they bump fists, the referee spouting off in the ring until he finally begins a count.
ONE... TWO...
JoJo climbs over the guardrail as Flip steals a fan's Dasani and reluctantly pounds it as fast as he can. The champion is stumbling away from Rush, using his free hand to aid his voyage up the flight of concrete steps, but JoJo quickly reaches his target. Rush grabs Flip by the back of the head. SPLOOSH! Flip spins about and squeezes some water into the cowboy's eyes.
THREE... FOUR...
This only makes JoJo shout in surprise and take a single step back to wipe his eyes. He's right back on the aggressive but Flip has hopped over the handrail to the other side of the steps and has continued going up. JoJo makes chase.
FIVE... SIX...
King Flip: Now it's a race!
Flip motions toward the ring, the audience echoing the referee's sixth count, and JoJo looks a little surprised at the number. Both men go into sprints down the audience's aisleway to the guardrail.
SEVEN... EIGHT...
Both men get over the railing at roughly the same time in their own ways.
NINE...
JoJo and Flip slide into the ring ready to turn this race right into a fistfight. Alarmingly for the champion, Rush is quicker to a vertical base and comes barreling forward with a big boot. The King rolls underneath it at the detriment of rolling right into a turnbuckle. JoJo inadvertantly boots the taste out of the referee's mouth! Huge and resonant wincing reaction from the jam-packed crowd.
This doesn't stop the cowboy from puttin boots to Flip, however, as he turns on a heel and catches the champion with thunderous boots to the face and chest while they're still discombobulated against the turnbuckle. Just then, "The Sunk'n Norwegian" plays on the EXT and JoJo stops in his tracks. He slowly turns around with a burning rage in his eyes, chest heaving, as Morgan Darkwater's tron displays on the EXT alongside the song.
Aiello: Holy cows, Los Angeles! What an interesting way for the first match in the first round to start. From a fake test of strength to a full-on race down the concrete steps, all it took to go sideways was an errant boot from JoJo Rush to the referee. Now we've got Morgan Darkwater's theme playing. What could possibly happen next?
Bennett: I've got a couple ideas, Joe.
The song plays with the video for nearly a minute before both fade away. This distraction seems to have given Flip enough time to pull himself to the thinly-padded concrete outside the ring with a plop. He gets himself beneath the ring apron and underneath the ring before JoJo so much as turns around in a roar. Rush jerks from one side to the other trying to get eyes on the International champion. He glances over to Tori, who shrugs, while the referee is being looked at by a ringside medical official. JoJo calls out with his arms extended to physically and verbally challenge Flip to come out of hiding. The King uses a distraction from the referee to make his presence felt.
Referee Thom Yhamhom is furious with JoJo who is mostly ignoring a verbal scalding. It's when Rush yells back the referee to back off when Flip comes rushing in. A flurry of forearms from the King serve only to irritate Rush. The elbows connect with his shoulders, back, ribs, and nothing. Rush slowly turns into elbows to the chest and face. JoJo snaps, lifting Flip by the throat as he sandwiches the champion into the corner. The crowd goes from agitated to upset as one Jack Severn reveals themselves at ringside. Severn pulls down a plain hoodie, removing it before hopping over the railing and discussing something with Tori at ringside.
JoJo looks over with a nod to his two stablemates before continuing his onslaught. He takes the King from pillar to post with an Irish whip after several European uppercuts. Flip bumbles off the opposite turnbuckle by the face and turns right into it. Rush lifts the champion onto his shoulders and plants a picture perfect, game ending fireman's carry cutter. GOING 90!
Wait a minute, Chanel is huffing wind down the aisleway with something in her hands. POP-POP-POP! As JoJo Rush confidently lifts both legs of King Flip in a pin, Chanel has shocked the daylights out of the referee by setting off several party poppers. The King's manager argues about something as she jumps to the ring apron. A loud count comes from the audience. They get to about five before Rush angrily shoves his opponent's legs to the mat and stands.
Aiello: Is this a first round match in the Legend of the Ring tournament or a damn carnival show, Steve? This is ridiculous! Darkwater's music played, Flip plays around under the ring, Jack Severn comes in out of nowhere, now CHANEL has come out here, and we all know how Chanel and Tori feel about each other. Neither left Alcatraz island the same in that war not that long ago.
Bennett: I love it, Joe! I hope they pull each other's clothes off. Then the party can start.
Aiello: You're disgusting.
Bennett: And you're a damn lizardman if you don't want to see that happen.
King Flip lies completely limp in the center of the ring as JoJo slowly moves toward Chanel on the ring apron. She's yelling at him but he motions to his stablemates to keep their distance as he gets closer. Then Chanel flips the script and grabs JoJo by the sideburns. SMOOOCH!~ She plants a wet one on The Blackhat much to the chagrin of Tori and the excitement of the fans. Tori yanks Chanel by the boots in a frenzy. The poor manager's dome bounces off the ring apron and once again Tori and Chanel are tearing into one another. They're screaming, they're pulling hair, they sandwich Jack Severn into the guardrail and roll around on the thinly-padded concrete... and Jack Severn... as droves of security detail come rushing through the curtain. JoJo seemed almost remiss of words as this unfolds before him. Flip is still unconscious.
The referee is trying to help the situation ringside, yelling orders to the detail as well as the performers outside the ring, his attention completely away from the ring as JoJo turns to a frozen stun. It's Cap'n Morgan! Flip is still out cold, but Darkwater has used the massive distraction to make his way through the crowd, over the railing, and into the ring. He runs at JoJo, but Rush gets the upperhand with a swift twist. The cowboy grabs the pirate by their greasy locks and uses their momentum against them with a thrust over the ropes into the ridiculous amount of people outside the ring.
Even more personnel pour from backstage as now Chanel, Tori, Darkwater, and Jack Severn are all being pulled apart and away from the action inside the squared circle. Severn seems the only one allowed to stick around throughout the kerfuffle. Meanwhile, Rush has returned to the task at hand by springboarding off the ropes in a gorgeous moonsault. High Noonsault!
But alas, Flip's eyes shoot wide as the big man soars through the air. The King skirts out of the way with no room for failure. JoJo bounces painfully off the canvas and rolls to his back. Flip desperately runs to the ropes and uses the momentum to roll into a rolling thunder. The Dethronement! NO AGAIN! JoJo gets the knees up and Flip yelps out as he bends in painful ways before rolling onto the canvas.
Aiello: Both men try a signature move, both men miss their mark. We're down to the wire here, folks!
Bennett: I'm still kinda shocked you didn't want to see Chanel and Tori's bazongas, Joe.
JoJo and Flip are both slow to their feet. Severn hesitantly calls out to Flip, something about 'just business,' catching the King's attention just long enough for JoJo to signal the firing of his finger gun. He storms Flip but the King telegraphs. Crowning Moment! Flip connects with his STIFF signature pele kick. For a second, JoJo is stunned on his feet. A second long enough. THE BEHEADING! PIN!
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
.
.
.
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall, and advancing to the second round of the Legends of the Ring Tournament... KING FLIP!
The ref raises Flip's arm in victory as Rush is able to finally roll himself out of the ring, slowly heading back up the ramp to regroup before we cut to commentary.
Aiello: What a battle tonight, folks! JoJo thought he had it all worked out with the help of The House, but even after an amazing performance he falls to the EWC International Champion!
Bennett: A damn good effort from Rush for sure, Joe, but King Flip now moves on to the second round! Holy hell, what a match!
Aiello: Folks, in just a moment we will find out who Flip faces at our next BRAWL show to go to StrangleMania in the finale, as Darius takes on Stitches up next!
Camera cuts to ...
The camera cuts to the backstage area where Darius is seen in his locker room, lacing up his boots as he prepares for his match against Stitches. Elissa then leans into the frame, handing Darius a bottle of water as a knock is heard on the door.
Elissa: Were you expecting anyone?
Darius: Not that I'm aware of ... Maybe it's Connors with the Golden Ticket information he's been holding out on.
Elissa: Kahrs, not Connors. Kahrs is in charge while Connors is out, remember?
Darius just shrugs his shoulders, then reaches for the door, pulling it open, which leads to Timothy Kahrs walking into the room with a piece of paper in his hands.
Kahrs: There ya are, Darius. I meant to swing by earlier, but...tonight's been chaotic, to say the least. Anyway, I wanted to congratulate you again on winning the Golden Ticket back at WrestleFest XX, and to give you an understanding of exactly what's on the table for you. As you know, the Golden Ticket grants you a title shot of your choosing at any point between now and the end of the season...but I do need you to understand that what's at stake here is a shot at just about any title you want.
Tim pauses for a moment, something Darius picks up on immediately.
Darius: What do you mean, just about?
Tim gulps, already feeling the tension rise as he responds.
Kahrs: Well, given that we have the Legends of the Ring tournament going on now, with the EWC Undisputed Championship potentially up for grabs, I need you to know that it is the one title you cannot cash that ticket on. You can go for either of the other divisional championships whether you want to dive into the X-Division or tag team division, or go after the FX Broadcast or even EWC International Championship...but this tournament is your shot at the biggest prize in the business.
Darius just shoots the interim GM a glare as Tim sets the paper down on the bench next to him.
Kahrs: So, uh...no pressure or anything, y'know? Good luck out there tonight, and whenever you're ready to cash that bad boy in, just let me--
Darius cuts him off, snapping at the interim GM with a bit of rage.
Darius: Get the hell outta here, Connors!
Elissa quickly shows Tim the door, nearly shoving him out to slam the door in his face. Just before it closes we can hear him shout.
Kahrs: It's Kahrs, dammit!
Darius and Elissa look at each other with a mix of anger and confusion over this bit of news, as we move to a commercial break.
Back from commercial, we find ourselves at the parking lot outside the Long Beach Arena, where an angry Timothy Kahrs is accompanied by several security guards...and the interim GM is on a hunt.
Kahrs: Where'd he go, dammit? I specifically told the Captain to go the hell home, and he deliberately disobeyed me! It's no damn wonder Connors has so much beef with...
Before he can finish his statement, Tim notices a limo parked off in the distance. He walks over, his anger giving way to confusion as he sees the door open...but the assistant peeks his head in, immediately recognizing who's inside before we get a good glimpse.
Kahrs: Oh, hell no. I know why you're here, and I'm in no mood to put up with it! Connors has already told you no, and I'm going to be his little parrot tonight...the answer is STILL no, so get out of here before I let the higher-ups know what you're trying to plot here!
Tim slams the door close, just moments before the limo pulls away. We're left with a seething interim GM as we cut back to ringside...
LEGEND OF THE RING - SWEET 16
SINGLES MATCH (NON-TITLE), WINNER ADVANCES TO NEXT ROUND
Darius
VS Stitches
SINGLES MATCH (NON-TITLE), WINNER ADVANCES TO NEXT ROUND
Darius
VS Stitches
We return to ringside where commentary is standing by!
Aiello: Well folks, it looks like a whole lot just fell on Timothy's plate tonight!
Bennett: It ain't easy running a show Joe, especially when you have people deliberately getting on your bad side!
Aiello: We on the other hand have to focus our attention on the other half of this first round of the Legends of the Ring tournament, as Darius takes on Stitches!
The sound of rapid drumbeats and guitar riffs blare through the arena as white smoke billows from the stage area ...
ON THIS DAY!
I SEE CLEARLY!
EVERYTHING! HAS COME TO LIFE!
I SEE CLEARLY!
EVERYTHING! HAS COME TO LIFE!
Stroup: The following match is set for one fall! The winner of this match will move onto the next round of Legend of the Ring! Introducing first, making his way to the ring, from Albany, New York, weighing in at 265 lbs ... He is the "E of the EWC" ... DARIUS!
Darius rushes through the smoke, hyping himself up at the top of the ramp as Elissa emerges behind him. He runs to each side of the ramp, firing up the crowd as he reaches them, and then makes his way back to Elissa, giving her a big kiss before standing at the end of top of the ramp for his signature pose.
I'LL NEVER LONG FOR WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN!
AND NOW REGRET WON'T WASTE MY LIFE AGAIN!
I WON'T LOOK BACK!
I FIGHT TO REMAIN!
AND NOW REGRET WON'T WASTE MY LIFE AGAIN!
I WON'T LOOK BACK!
I FIGHT TO REMAIN!
Darius and Elissa then march down the ramp until they reach the ring, where Darius then slides into the ring and looks around the arena with a grin before jumping to his feet. He leaps onto a turnbuckle and throws up devil horns as he waits for the match to begin.
Stroup: And his opponent, residing in The Carnival of Shattered Dreams, weighing in at 260 lbs … STITCHES!
'One Missed Call (2008) Theme' plays as the lights go dark. As the beat in the music drops Stitches appears from behind the curtain. Stitches methodically makes his way down the entrance ramp with no care for the audience. Stitches approaches the nearby steel stairs, climbs up onto the apron and begins walking the edge of the apron like a tight rope before reaching the nearby ring post. Stitches climbs up onto the second rope and throws his arms out wide. Stitches enters the ring and sits down in the corner of the ring, waiting for the bell to ring.
DING DING DING
Darius charges Stitches as soon as the bell rings, going for a rolling elbow to the side of the head, but Stitches manages to duck out of the way and strikes Darius in the kidney with a stiff elbow shot! Darius turns to face Stitches and is met with a stiff lariat to the throat, knocking Darius flat onto his back! Stitches wastes no time and immediately goes on the attack as he mounts over Darius, grabs a handful of hair in each hand, then proceeds to slam his own forehead against Darius’ forehead over and over again!
After a few stiff headbutts, Stitches adjusts his position, locks his arm around Darius’ neck, and applies the Dragon Sleeper! Darius thrashes his feet, trying to break free from the hold, but Stitches sinches the hold tighter! Darius’ face starts to turn blue as his kicks slow down, seemingly losing the match early on … but then a surge of energy allows Darius to kick his leg out to the side just enough to catch the bottom rope, breaking the hold! The referee tells Stitches to release the hold, but Stitches holds on until the count of four, using every second possible to wound his opponent!
Aiello: Stitches absolutely going to town with that Dragon Sleeper!
Bennett: Yessir, but good on Darius for that bit o' ring awareness to find the bottom rope!
Stitches gets back to his feet, a sadistic grin plastered across his face as he watches Darius struggle to his feet, using the ropes to pull himself up. Darius stumbles his way into a corner, using the turnbuckle to support his weight, but then watches as Stitches rushes forward, this time looking to take Darius’ head off with a Lethal Lariat in the corner, but this time Darius rolls out of the way, making Stitches crash into the corner, slamming his forehead against the top turnbuckle! Darius flips back around and shoves Stitches against the corner, following up with numerous stiff shots to the gut and sides as Stitches tries to defend the blows, but the daze from his head against the turnbuckle makes it difficult!
Darius then grabs Stitches by the hair, shoves his head down toward the top rope, and pushes Stitches throat against the top rope, attempting to crush his windpipe with the rope! The referee pulls Darius away and warns him about disqualification, but Darius waves him off and goes to attack Stitches again, but Stitches quickly rebounds off the ropes, and manages to whip Darius toward the ropes! Darius rebounds off the ropes and attempts to clothesline Stitches, but he rolls out of the way! Darius rebounds off the opposite ropes and then this time flies towards Stitches with his signature spear … but Stitches moves out of the way at the very last moment, thus leading to Darius hitting the referee with The Hunter’s Mark!!
Aiello: Oh my! The ref just got nailed with that Hunter's Mark!
Bennett: That does NOT look good for Darius, Joe!
Darius yells out a few expletives, then turns his attention to the now chuckling Stitches. Darius just grins, then rolls out of the ring, immediately reaching under the ring to pull out a pair of kendo sticks. Stitches paces around the ring, watching Darius carefully as he stands on the outside, slamming the sticks together before tossing one of the sticks to Stitches, who catches it mid air. Darius slides into the ring, licking his teeth with anticipation as he spins the kendo stick around in his hand like a professional.
Aiello: Bit of a turning point here!
Bennett: This may not be contested under X-Division rules, but Darius is gonna put out the same amount of damage!
Darius starts to taunt Stitches, telling him to bring it on, but then charges Stitches with the stick, swinging with a downward motion, but Stitches parries the blow! Stitches immediately returns the favor as he spins on his heel and goes for an angled slash toward Darius’ side, but Darius catches the stick under his arm, and then headbutts Stitches! Stitches stumbles back, but then Darius tosses the stick back to Stitches, and as soon as Stitches catches it, Darius unleashes a brutal barrage of strikes against Stitches, landing numerous shots on the shoulders, arms, and hips until Stitches is backed into a corner.
As the barrage continues, Darius lets out a primal roar, seemingly unleashing all of his hatred and frustration onto the clown. The stick splinters into pieces, so Darius snaps it in half over his knee, tosses the longer end away, then shoves the shorter broken end into Stitches’ forehead, digging it into the skin until blood is drawn! Darius then hears Elissa call to him from the outside of the ring, motioning to the referee. Darius turns his attention to the referee, seeing he’s starting to pull himself up with the rope, but the brief distraction gives Stitches an opening as he reaches his hands around Darius from behind and claws at his eyes!
Darius stumbles forward, holding his hands to his face, but then Stitches hooks his fingers into Darius’ mouth, pushes him down to the mat, and locks in The Cheshire Smile, pulling back on Darius’ skin as hard as possible, trying to make him tap out! Darius reaches for the ropes but is too far away, so he instead grabs the referee’s pant leg, drags him closer, and uses the referee as leverage to break the hold, escaping from Stitches!
Aiello: Another close call there for Darius, just narrowly escaping the hold!
Bennett: Stitches has made it a point to try and make Darius submit tonight, but it's gonna take a bit more damage to get the result he wants here Joe!
Both men get to their feet, Darius spitting blood from his mouth while Stitches wipes blood from his forehead. Darius rushes Stitches, launching his boot forward to kick his head off, but Stitches ducks the boot, slips behind Darius, grabs Darius by the hair, then yanks his head down hard, slamming Darius’ back over Stitches’ knee! Darius crumples onto the mat, reaching for his lower back, but Stitches gives him no time to recover as he sits Darius up and starts to twist his body around Darius, locking in The Carnival Pretzel!
Darius tries to find his way to the ropes, tries to find a way to fight out of the hold, but the struggle only expedites the viciousness of the hold! Darius continues the struggle, trying to fight his way out of it, but then uses his last moments of consciousness to tap out as the referee manages to get to his feet!
DING DING DING
Stroup: Here is your winner via submission, and advancing to the second round of the Legends of the Ring Tournament … STITCHES!!
After a moment, Stitches finally lets go of the hold, getting to his feet as the ref raises his arm in victory.
Aiello: What a brutal, brutal affair folks!
Bennett: These two went toe to toe with a dangerous intent, but a damn good effort from Darius was just shy of getting a win over Stitches!
Aiello: So now we know, on our next BRAWL stop we will see King Flip take on Stitches in a singles rematch of sorts from WrestleFest...only this time a shot at either the EWC Undisputed Championship or to become its number one contender is waiting for either man at StrangleMania! Don't you go away folks, up next we have a banger of a main event for the FX Broadcast Championship as Gabrielle Visconty challenges the woman who won the title at WrestleFest XX, Melinda Rhodes!
Stitches continues to celebrate as we go to a commercial break.
A WRESTLEFEST REMATCH FOR THE GOLD!
SINGLES MATCH
FOR THE FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Gabrielle Visconty
VS Melinda Rhodes
SINGLES MATCH
FOR THE FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Gabrielle Visconty
VS Melinda Rhodes
We return to ringside where the crowd is in an uproar, already dueling chants for the final two contestants of the evening.
Aiello: We're bringing you banger after banger here in Long Beach, and the time has come for our main event; a rematch from WrestleFest, where Rebel Rhodes shocked the world - and certainly her opponent - by coming back for her title in glorious fashion. Gabi Vee took her to the limit, and just a little beyond, Steve. Is it her turn for payback?
Bennett: You can bet your ass that's what she has in mind, Joe. Visconty about broke herself last season, worked her way back up the ladder, and finally had gold in her clammy mitts - only to be shot down, bang, bang, by the Rebel Star. They might have shared a hug and some warm words, they might have all the respect in the world for each other, but the former Gremlin is gonna tear the roof off this arena if she has to; Rebel's in for the fight of her life! Again!
Stroup: The following match is for one fall, and is for the FX Broadcast Championship! Joining us first, from Honolulu, Hawaii, weighing in at one hundred and twenty pounds ... GABI VEE!
The lights in the arena dim as a single spot light shines down on the entrance. BLACKPINK's "Shut Down" begins to play as the EXT lights up to display G A B I V E E ! ! ! before the lyrics to “Shut Down” begin to scroll across it.
It's not a comeback since we've never left
Heads turn, careful, you might break your neck
Pink ice drip, drip, drip, freeze 'em on sight
Shut it down, what, what, what, what?
It's not a game since we've never lost
Bark, because the leash on your neck is mine
Pedal to the metal, we go two-zero-five
Shut it down, uh-uh, uh-uh
Heads turn, careful, you might break your neck
Pink ice drip, drip, drip, freeze 'em on sight
Shut it down, what, what, what, what?
It's not a game since we've never lost
Bark, because the leash on your neck is mine
Pedal to the metal, we go two-zero-five
Shut it down, uh-uh, uh-uh
Gabrielle Visconty runs out of the back and stops at the top of the ramp, followed a second later by Buddy Love. Her blue eyes scan over the area as the fans welcome Gabi Vee with cheers. A huge grin spreads across her face before her and Buddy walk down the ramp and towards the ring. The lyrics continue to follow along on the EXT.
Nah, you don't wanna be on my bad side, that's right, I'm slidin' through
Bunch of wannabes that wanna be me, me three if I was you
Been around the world, pearls on ya girl, VVS's we invested, uh
Need a lesson, see the necklace, see these dresses
We don't buy it, we request it, uh
A rock star, a pop star, but rowdier
Say bye to the paparazzi, get my good side, I'll smile for ya
Know it ain't fair to ya, it's scarin' ya like what now?
BLACKPINK in your area, the area been shut down
It's a shutdown
Bunch of wannabes that wanna be me, me three if I was you
Been around the world, pearls on ya girl, VVS's we invested, uh
Need a lesson, see the necklace, see these dresses
We don't buy it, we request it, uh
A rock star, a pop star, but rowdier
Say bye to the paparazzi, get my good side, I'll smile for ya
Know it ain't fair to ya, it's scarin' ya like what now?
BLACKPINK in your area, the area been shut down
It's a shutdown
Gabi slaps hands and interacts with the crowd before she hops up nimbly onto the edge of the ring to grin out at the crowd once more. Gabi turns and springboard herself gracefully into the ring, then ventures over to her corner where Buddy has taken his place outside the ring. The two share a brief conversation before Gabi turns her attention back to the ring.
The lights drop to a dim blue only to brighten to a bright red as "The Steeple" by Halestorm plays over the P/A speakers. With a pyro explosion, the Rebel bounds from the curtains and onto that stage with a wicked grin. She sports her ring gear, a red leather vest with her winged star logo, aviator shades, and fingerless gloves. On her shoulder rests the FX Broadcast Championship. Mel strides down the aisle, taking her time and rocking with the fans in attendance. She's high-fiving fans, giving hugs to kids, and one lucky fan's child ends up with a parting gift, her chrome aviator shades getting placed right on the kid's face.
Stroup: And her opponent, hailing from Rome, Georgia, she stands at 5'11" and weighs in at one hundred and forty five pounds ... she is the FX Broadcast Champion ... "THE REBEL STAR" ... MMMMMMEEEELLLLLLIIINNNDDDAAAA RRRRRHHHHOOOODDDDDEEESSS!
After making the rounds at ringside, pumping up the front row fans, Rhodes slides under the ropes, pops up and runs up to the far turnbuckle, hoisting her championship in the air while headbanging to her music. She then turns and runs to the opposite side, arms out at her sides as she shouts "COME ON!!!!" to the fans, working them up just a little bit more. She hops down and places her belt down in the corner. Turning, Mel removes her vest, crouches low in her corner and waits for the bell.
Aiello: The atmosphere is electric, there's steel in hearts and daggers in eyes. Buddy Love is sweating at ringside. It's time for Gabi Vee to bare it all, and for Melinda Rhodes to remind us that she never. Stops. Fighting.
DING DING DING
It all comes down to this.
Both women explode off the mark into a fury of motion, Rhodes flying from a crouch to a full head of steam as Visconty falls back against the ropes and dashes into a bold tumble, a single-handed cartwheel carrying her out of harm's way. She lands on her feet behind the challenger, who spares a brief smirk as she realizes she's off-guard, but twists around too late to avoid eating the full extent of a beautiful dropkick! Vee rolls back to her feet, dashes in to intercept Rhodes as she stumbles off the ropes, and is surprised by a wild, desperate haymaker that nails her between the eyes! The crowd react EXPLOSIVELY as Visconty falls onto one knee, only to get jerked back to her feet into a tumultuous arm drag, the champ hanging onto the arm like a pitbull as she threatens early with an armbar!
With the crowd behind her, Gabi waves off the official with repeated denials of the pain and pressure, struggling in the stronger woman's clutches as she locks eyes with Buddy Love at ringside. His encouragement reaches her, calms her, and she's able to contort around until she gets her feet beneath her, and forcibly drags Rebel's load with her toward the apron, making the break with outflung fingers - two of which barely snag the bottom rope.
Rhodes releases her, stands up and backs off, falling into a relaxed boxer's stance. Circling the other woman as she stands, sportsmanship is on full display - until she catches the look in the rising Gabi's eyes. Both of them yield a smile that turns to focused grit, as Rebel lunges into a double jab, the second stinging the jaw as Visconty takes the feint and attempts to step around. A follow-up hook is ducked, and the Angel explodes into a European uppercut! Rebel's head snaps back, but she flows back into stance, and weaves around to drive in a kidney shot, forcing the fight from Visconty - then playing her own game of 'anything you can do' as she hops up to hit a stunning reverse Frankensteiner!
Aiello: She calls that one the Skull Tattoo, and I believe it's the first time she's used that move on EWC's resident Angel, Steve. A statement from the Rebel Star, who doesn't have an ounce of quit in her soul!
Bennett: A big risk! She always knew how to fly, but she ain't the spring chicken she used to be. And Gabi...
Visconty rolls away from a pin attempt, stumbling upright in the corner, looking a little dazed as she rapidly hauls herself up and over Rebel Rhodes - who almost rushes headfirst into the turnbuckle. Ever the wily veteran, she puts out a hand to catch herself, but turns right into a headscissor takedown, bouncing off the canvas and back to her feet, closely pursued by the tenacious challenger. Rebel's caught flush, and pulled right into what almost resembles their post-match hug from December, until Vee uses her whiplash body to hit a spinning sitout shoulder jawbreaker, leaving the other woman momentarily upright and stunned to another tremendous pop from the arena!
Rebel Rhodes falls forward, straight into a roll-up from a breathless Visconty. The crowd shout along with the count!
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Rhodes flops to a three-point crouch and staggers upright, wiping at her forehead as she turns and finds Gabi still coming at her, a pair of forearms meeting a raised guard but forcing the Rebel Star back into the corner. Visconty shoves her the rest of the way with a rapid teep, then twists into a hook kick to the temple! It connects, but Rhodes grabs the raised leg, rocks Visconty with an uppercut to the jaw, then spins her around, catching her flailing body with a reverse STO into the turnbuckle! It's a brutal counter that has the crowd raising the roof once more, their dueling chants deafening.
"LET'S GO REBEL!"
"GA-BI VEE!"
"LET'S GO REBEL!"
"GA-BI VEE!"
"GA-BI VEE!"
"LET'S GO REBEL!"
"GA-BI VEE!"
Taking the moment to compose herself, Rhodes exchanges a few words with a fan at ringside, keeping a wary eye on Visconty as the other woman stirs. Giving her scant time to recover, she rushes the challenegr down with a knee to the midsection, then falls back to hurl her into the center of the ring with a tomoe nage, kipping up and into an Asai moonsault for a cover of her own! Obligingly, the crowd count along a second time - utterly divided for these two!
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!!
Aiello: Tit for tat, this for that, you can tell these two know all about each other and are digging deep to find fresh surprises. Creative combinations on display, as the pendulum swings back and forth.
Bennett: Rhodes is never out of tricks, and Gabi's keen to keep up with her. I gotta say though, the champ seems to be on top of this - for my money, blow for blow? That pendulum is swinging in her favor, Joe.
Both women are up, and Rhodes is running herself ragged trying to keep the distance closed as the acrobatic Angel leads her a merry chase around the ring. Keen to avoid a standing trade of strikes, she ducks and weaves as if she were the boxer, choosing to engage only with looping low kicks that repeatedly catch the champion's left thigh and calf. Rhodes looks a mite frustrated, wiping ruefully at one corner of her mouth after she eats a particularly meaty thwack across the hamstring. Gabi takes the brief opening, darting around into a spinning mule kick that connects beneath the ribs, driving the air from Rebel's lungs. As if she doesn't even need to breathe, the champ stumbles into a somewhat clumsy grapple attempt, appearing to take control of the smaller woman...
Until Visconty flips clean up onto her shoulders, gives a fierce yell, and nails her with a rolling Yoshi Tonic! The official hits the mat, but there's a big fat count of zero as Rebel refuses to be held in place, shoving her legs against Gabi and ending up straddling her with a series of hammer blows that the challenger can do seemingly little to answer! Shifting her feet to either side, Rhodes stands up, dragging Visconty with her to nail an exploder suplex that sends her skidding off under the apron, as she herself sprawls out, heaving for air after this struggle for supremacy.
Aiello: I was feeling smug for a moment, but you could be right, Steve. Rebel Rhodes has an answer for everything.
Bennett: Yup. Every answer costs her, though. Don't forget about that.
On the outside, Buddy Love is fretting over Visconty, sending furtive glances toward Rebel Rhodes, who storms around the ring, shaking the ropes and firing up the fans - who respond explosively to a suggestion that she might take flight. With a game smirk, Melinda fakes a sprint that has the man cowering, pulling up short to lash out with a kick that misses by inches as Gabi springs to her feet and jerks him away from the blow. The two exchange a few words, as Vee now checks on her manager; the pair of them distracted as Rhodes darts to one side, scrapes a boot on the canvas...
And LAUNCHES into a three-step sprint, arching her back to curl over the top rope with a gorgeous plancha--
--that Gabi becomes aware of at the last possible second, her eyes widening before she takes this single moment to SHOVE Buddy Love out of the collision course, taking the full brunt of the splash on her own body! She and Rebel smash into the barricade, the champ flopping back-first across it into the crowd as the challenger crumples against it, her full weight falling onto one shoulder and one hip with a painful crunch.
"HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!"
Rebel bounds up on the other side, but instantly buckles into one knee, gasping and grinning as she high-fives a few of the fans gathered around her. One particularly well-dressed Gabi Vee fan gives her a down low, too slow, and then cheers for her actual favorite - prompting a chagrined bark of laughter from the veteran, who grins and flips her off before bounding up onto the barricade--
--right into a perfectly-timed headscissor takedown that HURLS the Rebel Star face-first into the apron. She busts open on impact, recoils and somehow manages to flip and land on her feet, in a wild stumble until Visconty captures an arm, twists her around into a straightjacket and ERUPTS a second time with a massive IDJITBUSTER that flings Melinda Rhodes right back into the waiting crowd! They part like the Red Sea, and there's an explosion of steel chairs and concession snacks as the champion tumbles end over end and comes to a messy halt amidst the rubble. The crowd cheer, and Gabrielle gives them a big, tired smile, throwing up her arms as the adrenaline spikes through her system. Buddy Love raises her arm like she just won the damn match, and then the pair of them register the official administering the count...
Determined to win not just the match but the title, Gabi gives over the barricade, homing in on Rhodes as the other woman struggles to her feet, disentangling a steel chair from around her neck. It's a small error from Visconty that she approaches with such determination, as she walks right into a shot to the skull! And then a second! With a muted groan, Gabi is driven to the floor, as the champion tosses the dented chair to one side, eating a small chorus of boos with a shrug before she bends to scoop up Visconty, drape her across her shoulders, and stagger toward the ring.
Bennett: You gotta do what you gotta do. The people know.
Aiello: There's still plenty of cheering for the champ; the EWC faithful absolutely know what it takes, Steve.
The count is up to nine when Rhodes slides Gabi under the bottom rope, pausing for breath and to nurse her wracked knee before following her under - as Buddy Love looks on, clearly conflicted, with the timekeeper's bell hanging despondently from one hand. Rebel attempts to drag her fallen opponent into the middle of the ring, but with a desperate hiss of breath, Vee surges into a brisk double-leg, taking down the larger, stronger woman and finding herself momentarily in mount. She throws down a few strikes that get easily covered, then shakes her head and moves to stand.
Shaking her own head, Rhodes pops to her feet and gives chase, driving in a kick to the midsection, then locking up for a hiptoss that gets easily countered into a back somersault, and a Mexican arm drag that sends her tumbling. She explodes back into action immediately, shooting in for a Rhodes Kill as Vee storms after her - it's brutal, it's fast, and the challenger has it scouted to perfection, spinning around the shot and falling backwards against the ropes. As Melinda recovers, turning back to face her, Gabi tumbles head over heels, lands on the apron and is ready to meet the oncoming train of her opponent with a rapid-fire dropkick, through the middle rope back into the ring, slithering next to Rhodes, who eats the shot but still manages to grab a double handful of Angel hair--
--which doesn't stop Gabi Vee in the slightest. She puts out an arm, and twists the pair of them back into the ropes, springboarding off to pull Rebel into a clinch and down, down, into both knees! ANGELBOMB!
The blonde dynamo thrashes upright, looks wide-eyed out at the crowd, who are bursting in her favor. She points to the top rope, drags Rebel into position, then mounts the turnbuckle, and rises up, her arms spread, measuring her downed opponent.
"GA-BI VEE! GA-BI VEE! GA-BI VEE!"
She takes flight, soars into a cyclone, and GETS ALL OF IT! THE FALLING!!!
ONE...
TWO...
THR--NO!!!
There's an expulsion of mixed shock and delight from the crowd as Melinda Rhodes kicks out one, more, time, extending the match and extending her career as champion another desperate inch to the utter consternation of Gabi. The Angel momentarily turns back a little Gremlin, grabbing at her hair - a little matted with blood from the earliest chair shots - and kicking her legs before she pulls herself back together and clambers to her feet. Rebel isn't far behind, already on her knees, and she unleashes a scream and a kick to the older woman's bloodied face, slamming her back into the canvas!
She does for the cover again, but the kickout is almost immediate, Rebel twisting her over in the process, gathering her up in her arms and rising to her feet as she staggers toward the corner and powerbombs the smaller challenger against the turnbuckle! With a yell of her own, coarser and rougher, beating her chest with her fists, Rhodes starts to muscle Gabi Vee up onto the top rope, getting her into position as she delivers a few tight body shots to keep her there.
The crowd see what's coming, and turn their favor to the champion.
"LET'S GO, REBEL!" clap-clap-clapclapclap "LET'S GO, REBEL!" clap-clap-clapclapclap
With Gabi stunned on the top, Rhodes slips down momentarily, points up at her with a single finger-gun, and then LAUNCHES herself off the bottom ropes, springing up and around, twisting to catch Gabi's skull in her grip and drag her forward and down, into an impact that almost drives the smaller woman THROUGH the canvas!
Aiello: A Shot Through the RING!?
Bennett: Phrasing.
Rebel Rhodes isn't done, holding on as the pair of them hit the deck, ROARING as she arches her ageing, protesting, adrenaline-fueled body up and over into the REBEL STAR SLAYER! With the Dragon sleeper applied, it's only a matter of time - this is, after all, how she took back her championship at WrestleFest. The crowd know it, and they're divided it once more, the Gabi contingent rallying behind their fallen heroine and soon drowning out those in support of the champion as many are simply stunned by this new turnabout in Rebel's fortunes!
"Tap, darlin'," the ring mics pick up Rebel muttering, not unkindly, as she cranks on the hold, "Just give it up."
Buddy Love is hammering on the apron, shouting out support and encouragement, and as the official turns to call for the bell, there's a defiant screech from the ailing Visconty, and with a massive surge of effort she twists her arm up and around, pulling Rhodes off-center and unbalancing her enough that she can wriggle a foot onto the ropes.
Love calls out insistently, and the official turns, making the rope break!
Aiello: Unbelievable. The grit and tenacity of Gabrielle Visconty.
Bennett: The ingenuity of the champion. These two could fight forever.
The crowd is chanting exactly that, but as Gabi Vee struggles to a seated position, clutching at her reddened throat, and Rhodes wipes the blood from her eyes, shaking her head in disbelief as she stares at the younger woman, both of them show clear awareness that something - somebody - has to give. Visconty takes a breath, slides to her feet, and beckons the Rebel Star on with both hands. Hawking a mouthful of crimson-flecked saliva to ringside, Rhodes runs a hand through her hair and steps forward, gamely circling for a lock-up. She goes for it...
And Visconty isn't there, blurring to one side, slithering onto her shoulders and driving her legs up as she looks for a gogoplata out of nowhere! Rhodes is equal to it, grabbing both legs and swinging Gabi toward the corner post - but the acrobatic Angel manages to get her hands down, pulling herself out of the grip and then with an astonishing spin manages to flip herself up and over the rope, landing on the apron to Rebel's flank. Eyes wide, but the crowd baying her on, she follows up with a flexible high kick that catches Rebel in the temple and spins her onto one knee.
Vee gets her hands on the top rope, starts to spring-- and is met by pure thunder, as Melinda Rhodes digs deep one, more, time and beats her to the proverbial punch with a RHODES KILL! Through the middle rope she goes, spearing Gabi clean off the apron and back into the barricade for a second time, the back of her skull rebounding with a sick thud.
"HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!"
The official is applying the count, as a shaking Rhodes pulls Visconty to her feet, and nails a snap suplex for good measure, before pausing to collapse against the apron and take a few deep breaths. The count is up to five, and Gabi still hasn't stirred, the punishment finally conspiring to undo her at this late stage. Rebel glances at Vee, looks to the ring and the counting official, and laughs. With a shrug that says, 'to hell with it' she pulls herself up onto the barricade, and turns to face the crowd - rallying them behind her with a flourish. As they chant her name, she braces herself, bends her agonized knees...
And the crowd EXPLODES.
Bennett: Well, I'll be damned.
Suddenly, Rhodes isn't bearing only her own weight - but that of Visconty, who has tumbled from down and out, to up and venemous, leaping onto the imminently-airbound champion's shoulders then slipping like quicksilver into a modified Huracanrana, spinning in place to drive her down a third time into the hearts and souls of the waiting fans. Again they part, and this time BOTH women are sent crashing down into the waiting chairs, but only is spiked head-first by the other - and there's no doubt who gets the worst of the messy, ugly collision. The count reaches seven...
Melinda Rhodes gets to one knee, finds the other leg trapped in a tangle of chairs, cursing as she tries to get free.
Then eight...
Gabrielle Visconty struggles to her feet against the barricade, dazed and bleeding profusely now from the re-opened dent in her scalp. As blood pitter-patters around her, streaking through silky blonde hair, she all but falls over the barricade to the other side. She's still falling as the crowd hold their breath.
Nine...
Rebel Rhodes rolls free, and starts pulling herself over the barricade, as Buddy Love pulls Gabi Vee to her feet, and gives her the boost she needs to flop beneath the bottom rope as the count reaches ten.
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via count-out ... GABI VEE!
Visconty is on all fours, staring down at the canvas, her mouth hanging open, blood still falling like raindrops before a storm. She's still processing as she's pulled to her feet by the official, who looks to raise her arm only to have it snatched away. The crowd is mixed in their reaction, most cheering but many confused and dismayed by the outcome as they watch the high-flying Angel react with twisted lips and a look of angry disdain. She's pointing at one ear, then across the arena where Stroup's announcement has utterly failed to announce her as champion.
Aiello: Communication appears to have broken down here, folks. Rest assured that the announcement we just made was correct - Gabrielle Visconty is the winner of this match, after a nail-biting performance that came down to the wire, but the title does not change hands on a count-out. Melinda Rhodes is STILL the FX Broadcast Champion.
Bennett: And Gabi's pissed! You would be too! She won fair and square, she deserves that title.
Aiello: I'm not sure about that, Steve, and I'm not sure about how she's treating our official.
Gabi has the man by the scruff, shaking the front of his shirt as she protests the decision. On the outside, Rebel Rhodes puffs out her cheeks, and goes to retrieve her championship only to have it kept from her clutches. She's confused now, too, and then there's another ripple of shock through the crowd as a suit-clad figure appears on the ramp, and starts making his way to ringside.
Bennett: Oh, great. Just what we need.
Aiello: That's Timothy Kahrs! Perhaps we can get this straightened out and finally talk about what a great match that was...
Kahrs climbs the steps into the ring, only to be immediately rounded on by the red-faced, bloody-haired Vee, who's in his face before he even ducks through the ropes. His hands are up, and he's attempting to speak calmly, several awkward moments of conversation - inaudible, beneath the confused din of the crowd - passing before the diminutive Gabi screams in frustration and shoves the man with both hands, staggering him back into the corner! He moves to cover up, but she doesn't continue the assault, exchanging an angry, frustrated stare with Rebel Rhodes before ducking out of the ring and making her way up the ramp at a furious stomp, clawing at her hair.
Buddy Love meekly follows, trying to wrap an arm around her only to get shoved away.
Kahrs has pulled himself together, wetting his lips and adjusting his necktie before calling out to ringside for a microphone, which is rapidly hurried over to him. He clears his throat into it just before Gabi can exit stage left.
Kahrs: Oh no you don't, Miss Visconty! You don't get to assault me and just walk away from this. I know you've been struggling to deal with things lately, but if this is how you're gonna behave you're... you're...
Bennett: Spit it out, man.
Kahrs: YOU'RE FIRED!!
The crowd are about exhausted at this point, and an awkward silence momentarily descends, Kahrs' voice echoing through the arena as Gabi spins to face him, her own mouth falling open in shock. Buddy Love acts quickly, pulling her away before she can lunge back toward the ring, and the crowd erupts one last time in shock and awe as Kahrs simply stands there, smirking triumphantly, trying and failing to hide that the hand holding the mic is shaking violently.
Aiello: On... that bombshell, I'm afraid we're done here, folks. Good night, and thank you for tuning in.
The show comes to a close, as Gabi Vee is dragged kicking and screaming into the backstage area. The crowd is absolutely livid here, booing mercilessly at Kahrs, who clearly looks beyond flustered and angry about what he's had to do here tonight as the show fades to black...
...before taking us to the parking lot outside the Long Beach Arena, mere moments after everything has gone down. Gabi has only managed to calm down a little since being fired from BRAWL, Buddy Love trying to reassure her as a limo pulls up to them. The door opens, and we hear a voice from inside.
??: Gabi! I'm so, so sorry about what happened tonight...but I think it's time we talk business.
With that, the source of the voice peeks their head out of the limo...HIS head, to be precise.
PRIME General Manager, Jordan Freakin' Sharpe.
Gabi can't help but nod with something of a faint smile, a ray of sunshine in all this darkness as the show finally comes to a close.
END SCREEN
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MATCH WRITERS
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MATCH ONE: EWC Staff Assistant: Em
MATCH TWO: EWC Staff Assistant: Em
MATCH THREE: JoJo Rush
MATCH FOUR: The Mad King
MATCH FIVE: Darius
MAIN EVENT: Chunks of Darna Dare
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SEGMENTS
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Morgan Darkwater
Xavier Reid
JoJo Rush
Darius
MNB
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RECAP OF WINNERS
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MATCH 1
Zack Tyler
VS Bathsheba
WINNER via pinfall: Bathsheba
MATCH 2
Caleb Scott
VS Chelsea Skye
VS Iggy Swango (N/S) (PINNED)
WINNER via pinfall: Caleb Scott
MATCH 3
Tyler Bradford (SUBMITTED)
VS Dio
VS Xavier Reid
WINNER via submission: Dio
MATCH 4
JoJo Rush
VS King Flip
WINNER via pinfall and advancing to Round 2 of LOTR: King Flip
MATCH 5
Darius
VS Stitches
WINNER via submission and advancing to Round 2 of LOTR: Stitches
MAIN EVENT
FOR THE FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Gabrielle Visconty
VS Melinda Rhodes
WINNER via countout: Gabrielle Visconty
(Melinda Rhodes retains the FX Broadcast Championship)
BRAWL #592 MVP: Stitches
BRAWL #592 MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Gabrielle Visconty VS Melinda Rhodes
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© THE EXTREME WRESTLING CORPORATION 2023
