Post by MNB on Feb 27, 2023 21:57:40 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 #593 | FEBRUARY 27TH 2023LIVE! from T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington
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 #592 in Long Beach.
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, Alex Carbajal, Chelsea Skye, JoJo Rush, Bathsheba, Dustin Holt, and many 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.
We take a look around T-Mobile Park and see the electricity in the air for a big edition of Monday Night BRAWL!
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We take a look around T-Mobile Park and see the electricity in the air for a big edition of Monday Night BRAWL!
A chant begins of
"MNB!"
"MNB!"
"MNB!"
"MNB!"
A thick layer of fog circles the stadium field, and camera flashes repeatedly strobe the area!
The camera feed pans to different areas in the stadium and we see fans cheering in excitement from the bleachers and stadium seats alike!
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 lingers from the firework display.
A thick layer of fog lingers from the firework display.
The show is live... and the excitement is at a fever pitch!
Signs can be seen all over the stadium, some reading:
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE BRAWL SHOW"
"COME BASEBALL SLIDE INTO MY DMS CHELSEA SKYE"
"I WANNA GET TO THIRD BASE WITH A CAPTAIN"
"THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT CALEB SCOTT"
"SO IT'S ROOT ROOT ROOT FOR ANYONE BUT THE HOUSE"
and "WHO HOME RUNS IT TO STRANGLEMANIA?"
Aiello: Hello everyone and welcome to Monday Night BRAWL! I'm Joe Aiello alongside EWC Hall of Famer Steve Bennett, and we are thrilled to be coming to you LIVE from beautiful T-Mobile Park in Seattle for what is essentially BaseBRAWL Two! We have a jam-packed show ahead of us, featuring a big main event as King Flip and Stitches collide in the second round of our Legend of the Ring tournament!
Bennett: Holy hell Joe, it all comes down to this for the clown and the EWC International Champion!
Aiello: Before we get to that we have TWO X-Division matches later tonight, a triple threat that sees Captain Morgan Darkwater in the proverbial deep end as he takes on Darius and Xavier Reid, and singles action between Chelsea Skye and Bathsheba!
Bennett: Now see, that second one is all about moving up in the division...but Kahrs was so mad about what Morgan did in Long Beach that he's thrown him right in there with Darius and Reid! This is as much about his revenge as it is about any of those three men climbing the X-Division ladder!
Aiello: We also have the FX Broadcast Championship on the line as Caleb Scott challenges Melinda Rhodes, who has not been pleased about holding the title despite a loss via countout to Gabi Vee before she was unceremoniously fired from the red brand!
Bennett: Rhodes had nothing to do with all that, so she needs to keep her head up high and focus on defending that belt...or else Caleb Scott will find that the third time is a charm in winning it!
Aiello: Rounding out the in-ring action is a singles match between JoJo Rush and Elissa Bradley and in our opening contest, the debuting Dustin Holt takes on the returning Bullet herself, Alex Carbajal!
Bennett: JoJo has been on a mean streak since aligning with The House, and this change in attitude could spell bad news for Elissa as she dives into the waters of in-ring competition on BRAWL...and Dustin Holt looks to make great use of his skills in his debut against a Bullet determined to get back into the thick of things!
Aiello: We're glad you're here with us on the next step in the road to StrangleMania, folks! Don't go away, we'll be back in just a moment!
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The hallways of the stadium are full of employees and other wrestlers trying to get final preparations done for the show. Dustin Holt is walking through the crowd wearing his ring jacket and a pair of dark sunglasses. Bob Murray can seen standing talking to a fellow journalist when he notices Holt coming towards him. Bob tells the journalist to hold his thought while grabbing a microphone off the table and walking towards Dustin. As the cameras follow him, they notice Dustin isn’t alone.
Bob Murray: Excuse me! Excuse me, Dustin!
Dustin ignores Bob as he continues walking down the hallway. Bob chases after him while hoping to get a word about Alex “The Bullet” Carajel said about him.
Bob Murray: Excuse me! I need to know your thoughts about Alex Carbajall.
The woman standing next to Dustin turns her torso just slightly as she is looking at Bob.
Melissa Chapman: Mr. Holt made it perfectly clear that he doesn’t waste time talking to people like you. Alex Carajel or Bullet shouldn’t be concerned about what happened in the past. She should be worried about what is going to happen tonight.
As Melissa is talking, Dustin saunters back into the picture and places his hand on the microphone while dragging it over towards him.
Dustin Holt: Alex Carajel wants a fight but has no earthly idea on who she is facing. It’s true that I don’t stay in one place very long. It’s because I accomplish what I want to accomplish and move onto new things. Those who stay in the same place can get complacent and that is where Alex Carajel is and that’s where she is going to stay. I don’t need to turn things into a street fight but for her I make it worth her while. However, tonight is MY night and she will just have to enjoy being in the background
Bob Murray: What is your goal?
Dustin shakes his head.
Dustin Holt: You know Brett, I think I made myself crystal fucking clear. I am here for championships. I don’t care which belt I get my hands on because it will be around my waist soon enough.
Bob Murray: It’s Bob.
Dustin Holt: What did you say Fargo?
Bob Murray: I said my name is Bob.
Dustin shrugs his shoulders while shaking his head.
Dustin Holt: Whatever you say Chuck, I surely don’t give a fuck. Im going to treat Alex Carajel like a schmuck. Do I feel bad? Hell nah! But I am sorry about your damn luck.
Dustin chuckles while continuing his walk through the hallway as Melissa follows at him.
A BRAWL DEBUT AND RETURN IN ONE!
SINGLES MATCH
Dustin Holt
VS Alex "Bullet" Carbajal
SINGLES MATCH
Dustin Holt
VS Alex "Bullet" Carbajal
We return to ringside where crowd is still filing into T-Mobile Park. Several signs featuring DKO is bouncing around as others have Bullet’s face plastered on them.
Aiello: Welcome back ladies and gentlemen, in just a few minutes we will witness Alex Carbajal return this season. Also Dustin Holt makes his official in ring debut here on Brawl following his impressive showing on Gambit.
Bennett: Show the man some respect Joe. Dustin Holt is a man’s man, and I see great things in his future.
Stroup: The following match is scheduled for one fall, Joining us first, from New Orleans, Louisiana, weighing in at 135 pounds ... ALEX "BULLET" CARBAJAL!
The lights dim and the Shieldmaidens motto “Hell is empty and the Maidens are here!” comes over the Tron as guitar stabs ring out. Concrete Blonde’s “God Is A Bullet” starts up in earnest and Alex “Bullet” Carbajal makes her way out in a full length boxing robe, ready for war. She makes her way to the ring and Bullet steps in, starting to shadowbox the second she steps in. She raises her hands into the air and then nods, ready to go.
Stroup: And her opponent, from Gainesville, Florida, weighing in at 240 pounds ... DUSTIN HOLT!
“Heart of a Champion” suddenly starts playing as Dustin Holt walks through the current as the crowd immediately greets him with loud boos. A slight smirk forms across his lips as he makes his way down the ramp. He slides into the ring and poses on the middle rope before leaning in the corner.
DING DING DING
Alex and Dustin step out of their respective corners and slowly begin to circle each other. They eventually meet in the center where Dustin greets Alex with a hard right hand. The shot rocks her as he connects with a left hook. Alex tries to fire back but Dustin grabs her arm and throws her overhead before dropping a knee right down into her side. Dustin gets back up while motioning Alex to get up. Alex obliges him as she gets up to her feet. She goes to swing again and Dustin flips her over his head before dropping his leg on to her right arm. This time he grabs the right arm before dropping his knee repeatedly onto it.
Dustin picks her up and goes to shoot her off. She does manage to counter with a spinning heel kick. The kick rocks Dustin as Alex follows it up with flying back elbow which knocks him down. She follows with a running senton and a quick cover.
ON--…..
Dustin kicks out way before one as Alex gets to a mounted position and fires piston like right hands into his forehead. Alex continues to fire them until Josh Daniels admonishes her with a five count. Alex holds her hands up while getting up to her feet. She picks Dustin up off the canvas and fires him off toward the ring ropes. She connects with another spinning heel kick which sends him out of the ring.
Dustin slowly stands up as Alex comes sprinting toward him. As she looks to dive through the ropes, he catches her with a hard forearm. The shot causes to her drape across the middle ropes. Dustin reaches up and grabs her right arm. He gets up onto the ring apron and pulls Alex up onto it. He hooks her arm around her back while standing to the side. In one fluid motion, he drops to floor while dropping her right onto the trapped arm right onto the apron.
Aiello: Holt really taking control of the situation here early on!
Bennett: Any concerns that Dustin was in over his head have surely been set aside, Joe! Look at that technique!
Dustin grabs the arm and continues to work it over. He is constantly throwing right hands into the tricep and bicep while slamming the forearm into the ring apron. Alex does manage to connect a spin kick to the side of Dustin’s head. Dustin staggers as Alex rolls back into the ring. She rolls right back out where Dustin connects with a strong right to her jaw. Alex staggers as Dustin hops up on the ring apron and connects with an apron clothesline. Dustin takes her down and continues to work over her arm.
Dustin picks her up off the floor and drops her chest first onto the steel guardrail. Alex grunts as Dustin grabs her by the head. He looks to slam her into the ring post but she manages to shove him face first into the steel ring post. Dustin’s head bounces off the ring post as Alex grabs him and does it again. She does it one more time before sliding back into the ring. Dustin staggers before groggily getting back into the ring. Dustin pulls himself up as Alex nearly takes his head off with a discus clothesline.
Alex shakes her right arm trying to get some feeling back into as she bounces off the ropes. She connects with a basement dropkick to the side of Dustin’s head as he was getting up to his knees. She quickly goes for the cover.
ONE!
TW…..
Dustin kicks out as Alex quickly gets up to her feet and sprints toward the ropes. Dustin manages to drop down in front of her as she steps over him and bounces off the far side of the ring. As she rebounds off them, Dustin leaps into the air and connects with a picture perfect dropkick.
Aiello: Carbajal nearly picking up a win there, but it looks like Holt is starting to get back into it!
Bennett: Bullet is definitely showing her strengths here, but it looks like Dustin's got them figured out!
Alex slowly gets back up to her feet as Dustin is getting up to his. She starts firing off multiple jabs and hooks as most of them connect to his face and body. Dustin is trying to cover up but Alex leaps into the air while connecting with a knee to his chin. Dustin drops down to a knee where Alex comes off the ropes and hits a spinning back elbow. Dustin falls backward as Alex pulls him back up. She grabs his arm and gets behind him. Before Dustin can sense what’s happening, she connects with a rolling elbow which knocks him flush across the jaw. As he drops to the canvas, Alex drops on top of him.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall... ALEX "BULLET" CARBAJAL!
Alex leans up as the crowd is going crazy. She quietly rolls out of the ring as Dustin is sitting up.
Aiello: Just like that Alex starts her season off with a victory. It wasn’t easy but she managed to do it against a savvy ring veteran like Dustin. I see him going places.
Bennett: Alex got lucky plain and simple. Holt didn’t want to embarrass her right off the bat.
Aiello: Well I don't know about luck, Steve, but she's definitely made a statement tonight coming back to the red brand! Folks, in just a moment we'll have more in-ring action!
Camera cuts to ...
All of a sudden, the Extreme-Tron flickers and goes black, plunging the arena into darkness. Confusion abounds for a moment until a familiar voice beckons us from across the airwaves, talking in hushed tones as though imparting information intended to be kept secret from some unseen enemy.
Voice: My brothers and sisters… I know our movement may appear lost in the darkness right now… unsure of what the road ahead may bring… but, fear not! Because we never forgot where that road started.
WHOOOOOSH!!!
A sudden burst of rainbow-coloured flame engulfs the screen, as we find ourselves face-to-masked-face with the 'Technicolour Tecnico' El Pablo, sitting upon a charred wooden throne that's been adorned with barbed wire and set atop a scorched and smouldering landscape. The X-Division Championship belt hangs across the corner of the throne behind Pablo, who looks down the lens with his typical wry smirk as he resumes his address.
El Pablo: For more than 500 days, the Rainbowlution has scorched the earth of the EWC X-Division; taking on all comers and leaving a trail of battered, broken and molten Skittle-coated bodies in our wake en route to establishing the greatest EWC championship reign this side of 777!
But, having been given WrestleFest off in a bid to replenish their forces, it appears as though a few green shoots of competition are finally beginning to break back through the ash - the majority of them from out of these very red brand pastures right here!
EP pulls a packet of Skittles out from behind his back and tosses a fistful into his mouth.
El Pablo: So, who's it gonna be? Who's gonna put themselves in the driver's seat for a potential shot at immortality come March 27th…because you'd better believe, whether it's Bathsheba, Chelsea Skye, Darius, Darkwater or even my dear sweet brother Xavier - who, apparently, can't let me have any nice things! - anybody who manages to knock me off this throne's guaranteed to be the first name on the ballot when it comes to counting up those nominations for Moment of the Year!
He smirks as he plucks the X-Division Belt off the throne and holds it up towards the camera.
El Pablo: I've gotta warn you though - as if the last five-hundred-and-nineteen days hadn’t made it obvious - I’ve got no intention of giving this thing up without a fight, especially not now the opportunity of snaring any Undisputed Championship ‘joy’ for myself at StrangleMania XVIII’s been thoroughly ‘killed.’ See, this belt? This is my Legacy…this is my ticket to Legend status - and, while I may not get to enact my revenge on our Queen just yet, as long as I’m holding this, I know I’m always gonna be a part of the conversation!
So…damas y caballeros…do your worst and bring your best! Show me how far you’re willing to go to earn this title…and then I’ll show you how far I’m prepared to go to keep it.
Viva La Rainbowlution.
WHOOOOOSH!!!
Technicolour flames engulf the Extreme-Tron screen once again, before dissolving back into the darkness as the feed fades to black, before we move to a commercial break.
THE CROSSROADS OF DEADLY SINS!
SINGLES MATCH, X-DIVISION RULES
Bathsheba
VS Chelsea Skye
SINGLES MATCH, X-DIVISION RULES
Bathsheba
VS Chelsea Skye
We return to ringside where Chelsea Skye and Bathesda are set for an X-Division match!
Aiello: Bathsheba is a natural fit for the X-Division, but I wouldn't count out the Nightmare Angel.
Bennett: Oh hell yeah, I'm ready for a bloodbath! Both competitors better bring their A-game tonight!
Stroup: The following match is Singles X-Division match. Joining us first, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 123 pounds ... 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: And her opponent, accompanied the ring by Father Mathias, from Babylon, weighing in at 130 pounds ... 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
DING DING DING
Chelsea and Bathsheba circle the ring in a stare-down. Bathsheba would tease a step-forward but Chelsea would step-back to keep a safe distance. Not willing to risk getting bit, Chelsea goes for a high kick that connects but it only staggers Bathsheba for but a moment. Believing she sees an opening lunges right toward Bathsheba to connect with a spear! The two wrestle for control on the ground, which Chelsea quickly loses when Bathsheba latches down on Chelsea's shoulder and bites hard! Chelsea wrestles herself free with the ropes and slides herself out to safety. Bathsheba lays in the prone and glares down Chelsea, Chelsea's blood spilling from Bathsheba's lips.
Aiello: Ohhhh, that's no good. Bathsheba getting down and dirty early on!
Bennett: Joe, I promised you I would avoid the obvious joke here...and I am a man of my word.
Chelsea wastes no time and hastily looks under the ring for a weapon. Chelsea pulls out a chair and raises it to the crowd, which pop loudly for the weapon, but Chelsea's lack of ring-awareness allows for Bathsheba to tie Chelsea up in a sleeper hold from between the ropes! Bathsheba pull Chelsea back into the ring with Chelsea kicking and screaming the whole way.
Bathsheba bites down on Chelsea's head, ripping and tearing at her hair, but the Nightmare Angel breaks free when she hits the bridge of Bathsheba's nose with a chair. Chelsea rolls up to her feet and slams another chair-shot into Bathsheba to keep her grounded. Chelsea traps Bathsheba's head with the chair and makes her way to the top rope, and hits a Down from the Skye corkscrew Shooting-Star Press! The chair snaps off of Bathsheba's neck. She looks down for the count, but the move hurt Chelsea as well! Chelsea makes a delayed pin. ONE.....TWO....KICKOUT!
Aiello: Close call for the Nightmare Angel, but Bathsheba just manages to kick out!
Bennett: She hasn't had her fill of violence yet Joe, and that could be bad news for Skye!
Chelsea can't believe the pin count, but gets back up to her feet to go for another move, but Father Mathis stands on the apron and swings his cane errantly at Chelsea to get her attention. Chelsea ducks the cane and attempts to wrestle the cane from the priest. The crowd shudder once again as Bathsheba sits straight back up and creeps towards an unsuspecting Chelsea to spray her with a blood mist, but Chelsea falls out of harm's way with Father Mathis' cane in hand! Father Mathis himself is blinded by the mist! Chelsea winds up and hits Bathsheba in the head with a cane with a baseball swing! Bathsheba is down for the count and Chelsea makes the pin.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall... CHELSEA SKYE!
Chelsea almost can't believe it as she rises to her feet, the ref raising her arm in victory until Bathsheba starts stirring...an angry look on her face as she realizes what's just happened. She charges at the Nightmare Angel, who narrowly manages to get out of the ring, regrouping on the ramp as Mathias tries to calm the Whore of Babylon down before we cut to commentary.
Aiello: Holy moly, Chelsea Skye has done it!
Bennett: Cracked that cane right over Bathsheba's head, Joe! I'm honestly stunned myself, but that was a hell of a contest between these two!
Aiello: Chelsea with a big win to cement a place in the X-Division title picture which is important after that message from the champ earlier!
Camera cuts to ...
The camera cuts to what would be down third base line outside the visitors dugout where Brawl’s Bob Murray is standing by.
Murray: We are in the midst of the Legends of the Ring tournament and what started with 16 is down to 8, King Flip, Stitches, Ace King, Queen Melody Malone, Maru$ $t. John, Ibuki Ito, Narumi Tsutsumi and Scorpio are still alive and tonight, here at Brawl #593 we punch the first ticket to StrangleMania as our International Champion King Flip faces off against former champion Stitches for the right to represent Brawl in the Final Four of the Legends of the Ring…
But before he can finish his sentence the fans start to cheer as ‘The Prodigal Son’ Buddy Love comes walking up the steps from the dugout waving his hand to the fans. Bob Murray looks around and sees Buddy and looks shocked.
Murray: What are you doing here? Gabi was fired last week, she’s gone to Prime…did you forget about Buddy?
Buddy smiles and waves Bob off.
Love: Oh I didn’t forget, I still feel like Mr. Kahrs overreacted and I could have waited for Jim Connors to come back from suspension and plead our case but Gabi and I are happy to take her career to Prime where she’s wanted and can be supported by our new wonderful GM Jordan Sharpe…
Murray: Then why are you here Buddy, if memory serves me right Prime is in Halifax, Nova Scotia this week, shouldn’t you be North of the Border…
Buddy laughs and nods.
Love: Oh, I’m heading up there tonight, thanks for the concern Bob but I have serious business here tonight to discuss with the fine fans of Brawl…
Buddy panders to the Seattle fans…
Love: As you all know, The Southern Express retired at the end of last year and I wish Bobby and Jimmy the best…I know they are sure fire EWC Hall of Famers and I can’t wait to celebrate that achievement with them later this year BUT with them stepping away it created a huge void in The Love Club…well them retiring and The Bastards breaking up…see The Love Club has always been known for having the ‘IT’ tag team here in the EWC and that spot is open for grabs and since The Love Club doesn’t have a tag team…
Murray: What about the 3pAC…
Buddy laughs and shakes his head.
Love: Deimos and ‘Little’ Danny…come on Bob, sure they won their Gambit match but they can’t feel the void left by The Southern Express and The Bastards…my sister scraped the bottom of the barrel with those two and I can’t let her bring The Love Club down…so, as the head of Buddy’s Buddies I’ve stepped in to help…
Buddy rubs his hands together and smiles.
Love: I went out and found the next great tag team and I just talked to Mr. Kahrs and offered up their serves at Brawl #594…see while my sister went out and picked up a podcaster and a Burger King counter boy I locked up a EWC Hall of Famer and the next great EWC Superstar…it’s my pleasure to announce that I have signed Ruthann and Luke ‘The Joker’ Saito as an exclusive tag team to represent Buddy’s Buddies!!!
Ruthann and Luke walk up from the dugout and the fans pop as they stand on either side of Buddy.
Love: We are requesting a match at the next Brawl as we set our sights on bringing the EWC Tag Team Championships back home where they belong and Ruthann and Luke could be the ones that will do that, they could become the next great tag team under our banner and fill the void left behind.
Ruthann smirks a bit as Bob looks at her.
Ruthann: Like I told Buddy I know he would love it for me to represent the Buddy Buddies all the time but in my eyes there isn't only me that makes The Buddy's Buddies unique. You have Luke "The Joker" Saito My nephew who is ready to take this place by storm. He will and can because he will be working alongside Gabi, Ibuki Ito, myself and my son Jason Hunter. You see all of us by ourselves have the abilities to make things happen. We are the diamonds that help make this place shine.
She licks her lips.
Ruthann: So next week it will be me and my nephew, another time it might be my son or Gabi as a team...or maybe Gabi and I as a team...or even Ibuki Ito and the Boss himself, my son as a team. Buddy’s Buddies don't just look out for themselves to have gold but also look out for each other as a family to make this dream happen. It doesn't matter who will team up with who...because we will show why we need to be on people rader…
Bob looks at Ruthann and then over to a smiling Buddy Love…
Murray: Wait, are you telling me that you negotiated…
Love: FREEBIRD RULES BABY!!! Buddy’s Buddies are a unit, a faction inside a faction if you will and we win together just as we lose together…Ruthann, Luke and Jason are a GREAT addition to the Buddies, them along with Gabi and Ibuki…show me a better group of wrestlers…2023 will be the Year of the Buddies and we will bring the heat back next week here on Brawl!!!
Buddy smiles as he looks from Ruth to Luke and the trio walks back down the steps and into the dugout as we move to a commercial break.
A RUSH OF ADRENALINE!
SINGLES MATCH
Elissa Bradley
VS JoJo Rush
SINGLES MATCH
Elissa Bradley
VS JoJo Rush
We return to ringside where the cleanup crew is still finishing up from the X-Division match.
Aiello: Is that a piece of Chelsea Skye's brain? Erm, I mean, get ready for the rush of adrenaline! We have a Monday Night Brawl debut for Darius' protégé Elissa Bradley, who had some damning words for JoJo Rush and The House in the leadup to this match. It's not been an easy season for Rush thus far, and he's seeking to make his mark in the W column. Could it be at the expense of this plucky young lady, Steve?
Bennett: It damn sure could, but we can't count Bradley out by any means. She's been trained by one mean bastard in Darius, and you gotta imagine she's bringin' every bit of sadism he's bestowed on her playbook.
Stroup: The following match is for one fall. Making her way to the ring now from Albany, New York, weighing in at one hundred and thirty two pounds and accompanied by Darius, she is ... ELISSA BRADLEY!
’Love, Fury, Passion, Energy’ by Boy Hits Car blares over the PA as a fog appears at the top of the ramp. Both Darius and Elissa emerge forward, holding one another’s hands. As they get in front of the ropes, the couple shares a quick but passionate kiss before Darius holds the ropes open for Elissa, who slips between them easily.
She stands in the center and holds her hands up, making the following pose while coming up with a game plan in her head.
Elissa then proceeds to lean against the ropes as she waits for her opponent.
Stroup: And her opponent, from The Badlands, weighing in at two hundred and seventy pounds ... JOJO RUSH!
JoJo approaches the stage 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.
DING DING DING
Rush is practically laconic at the outset of the match, allowing the ringing bell to fade as he leans against the ropes and stretches out his impressive back and shoulders. Bradley narrows her eyes, circling warily, only to watch him turn and start jacking his jaw at the crowd - who are showing the Blackhat with boos at this display. The former valet rolls out her neck, and strides forward at a clip, meeting him with a hard slap as he turns it around!
That by itself is enough to garner a pop, and a grin from Elissa, who gamely seizes a front headlock, drives a couple of knees to the midsection, and then swings her opponent around to face the ring. Rush struggles, driving a fist to the lower ribs, and bursts free only to eat another slap across the jaw! His eyes widen, and Bradly swings into a Twist of Fate! NO CHANCE! Rush eats canvas, and is bundled up for an early fall that has the crowd firmly against the big man.
ONE...
TW-- NOPE!
The dastardly cowpoke doesn't just kick out, he LAUNCHES the much smaller woman into the air, straightening up into a European uppercut that catches her on the way down, not allowing her to fall and instead seizing her into a belly-to-belly suplex that hurls her up and over the ropes to the outside. She lands with a painful crunch against the barricade, where the watchful Darius moves in to help her up and impart some words of hardcore wisdom.
Aiello: Smash mouth stuff from both competitors, but no doubt there's a power advantage to Rush here.
Bennett: For sure, but you gotta give the psychological edge to Bradley - she's got her man on the outside, and JoJo's been a busy boy, spending a lot of time on his damn back for his trouble. He's gotta have doubts here.
If Rush is unsure of himself, his actions don't entirely show it - though he does pause to run a hand through his hair, a moment later he's clambering onto the corner post and hitting a diving clothesline on Darius, rolling back to his feet ready with a follow-up one-handed bulldog on Bradly, driving her face into the floor before she's halfway to her feet. Pausing to toss the crowd a cold, sarcastic smirk, and a 'too sweet', the Blackhat scoops up his opponent and bundles her under the bottom rope, sliding in after her only to find she's already stumbling upright. He drives in with a chop, which further rattles her ribcage, going for a second that she darts around, eyes wide and desperate, slamming a sharp kick into his right calf, then stance-switching straight into a question mark kick that catches him in the temple!
Rush is thrown to the ropes, trying to reverse his momentum only to be caught by a spear! Bradley straightens up with a hoarse yell, her eyes now bugging out in a manner eerily akin to Darius, as she ties Rush up in the ropes and leans forward, jamming a knee into his throat and choking him as he hangs there! The official administers a warning, and starts to apply a count - which Bradley wisely breaks at 4.9, backing off with her hands in the air.
JoJo looks out of it, falling to his knees and then all fours as he heaves for breath, Bradley mockingly throwing up a 'too sweet' of her own, turning to the crowd who cheer approvingly in spite of the illegal move. She spreads her stance then, sinking down low and sighting along both arms before springing forward at Rush, sliding into a low-angle neckbreaker that sees her plunging through the middle rope an instant before she snaps him skull-first across it!
Bradley laughs as she straightens up on the outside, trading a double high-five and a passionate moment with Darius before she slides back into the ring, grabbing JoJo by the hair and pulling him upright--
--directly into a BULL-RUSH LARIAT!! Out of nowhere, Rush's left arm about DECAPITATES her!
He lands on his knees, shaking off the cobwebs before he goes for the pin.
ONE...
TWO...
TH-- KICKOUT!
Aiello: I thought he had it! I thought it was over! An offensive flurry from Elissa Bradley is for aught as she barely escapes an early fate at the hands of the man who recently called his shot at the Undisputed Championship.
Bennett: Jesus! If he can get another hit like that here, and another half dozen more on his next few opponents, he could be in line for anything he wants. The Bitch of Spades just got served a Royal Flush. She could be done for.
Darius bails his partner to the outside, checking her over as Rush runs a hand through his hair, and saunters over to the ropes, leaning over to spare a few words for the pair before hawking a mouthful of phlegm at the E of EWC. Darius snarls, and is on his feet and halfway toward the ropes before Rush can back off, laughing from the gut. Bradley pulls herself up using the apron, and puts a hand on Darius' shoulder, calling him off with a shake of her head. She points at JoJo, who beckons her on without bothering to lift the beckoning hand from his waistband.
She slides in, straight to her feet, still the worse for wear but absolutely equal to the task of engaging in a brisk hockey fight, each seizing the other and raining down heavy blows! It's Elissa who stumbles, falling to one knee as Rush adds a little pepper to a haymaker, then goes behind, seizing a waistlock and dragging her into a thunderous German suplex right into the center of the ring! He goes for a second, but she wriggles free, skidding away in a three-point crouch, hair falling across her face as she pants for air and then hurtles back toward him!
JoJo is caught offguard by the renewed ferocity, eating a kick to the jaw, and then a brutal Frankensteiner! Bradley can't quite hold on for the pin, her limbs failing her as she instead flops forward, pulling herself upright using the top rope. She turns, shaking all over, and sees Rush getting to his own feet. Thinking fast, she erupts into a leap--
--landing balanced on the top rope, and springing into her headscissor technique; NO RISK!!
No can do, as JoJo darts forward into it, snatching her from the air across his bulky shoulders, icy stare fixated on the crowd as he turns slowly, Elissa thrashing about to no avail...
As she's spun off into a cutter! GOING 90!!
The ring quakes, and boos fill the arena as JoJo barks laugh, and slides back into the cover, hooking her leg with one arm as the other lazily punches the air just out of time with the count.
ONE...
TWO...
TH-REE!!!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall JOJO RUSH!
JoJo sits up and raises his own arms, telling the official exactly where to put himself as he minds his own damn business, standing in much the unrushed manner that he began the match. The crowd make their displeasure known as he throws up his hand gesture one more time, his cutting little smile telling everybody just what he thinks of their opinion. Bradley is allowed to make her way to the outside, watched by the Blackhat, who seats himself in one corner as his opponent is tended to by her angry partner, who looks about ready to slide into the ring and start another fight. Assuring him it's not worth it, Elissa pulls him toward the ramp, and he grudgingly goes with her as JoJo slow claps.
Aiello: JoJo Rush overcoming an early setback to put a dominant endpoint on this match, and you have to wonder, does he really need to gloat like this? I liked him a lot better six months ago. Remember Bocau? Where's that guy?
Bennett: Whoever this guy is, Elissa Bradley took it to him and came within a whisker of putting him away. Darius is mad because he knows it, she's agitated because she knows it. The question we should be asking is-- waitaminute.
The Bitch of Spades' intuition is clearly screaming at her, as she keeps glancing over her shoulder and then back to the stage. She puts out a hand to stay Darius, who's now as confused as he is irate. Then, two things happen at once.
Aiello: Is that... Next Level? They're not supposed to be here!
The Saviors of Tag Team Wrestling indeed burst onto the stage, all malicious excitement as they dash down the ramp toward Bradley and Darius - in the exact same moment as the latter is seized from behind into that much-delayed second German suplex. With a big ol' heave, Rush introduces the hardcore superstar's body to the unforgiving ramp, sending him bouncing painfully down its length as Elissa unleashes a warrior shriek and drops into a spear on Mark Paulson! She's on her feet in an instant, throwing hands at Brian Knight, who throws them right back, the two trading off for a moment before Paulson rolls into the backs of Bradley's knees - sending her tumbling.
Darius scrabbles upright, and is immediately locked up by the burly Rush, as Next Level pick up Elissa and slam her with dueling super kicks! She starts to fall backwards, but Knight slithers behind and pushes her forward, where she's also grabbed by Mark Paulson. Knight's knees find her back, and together--
Aiello: Oh... oh no.
They hit an hellacious assisted backbreaker onto the ramp. GAME OVER!!
Bennett: Oh, yeah! The House always wins - and Darius is PISSED!
The impact is devastating, and Bradley is OUT. Darius roars and absolutely waffles JoJo with a chokeslam, but he dives forward too late to make the save - and eats a another pair of superkicks for his trouble! He hits the ramp for the second time, crashing onto his side with crazed, bloodshot eyes locked on the downed form of Elissa. As if this all weren't enough - Next Level share a couple of shit-eating grins, and then start to DO THE GRIDDY over the chaos they have created. The derision in T-Mobile Park is unreal, the boos unrelenting for the dancing pair!
Bennett: What... in Sam Hell is that?
Aiello: It's the Griddy, Steve. Maybe JoJo Rush can explain it to you, if Darius doesn't bury him six feet under first. In any case, the House crossing the line twice as Next Level stamp their authority on the aftermath of this match. Seattle is right to react this way! Darius is mad, I'm mad, everybody should be mad! Let's move on before we burst any more blood vessels...
Camera cuts to ...
We find the Rebel Star walking down the hallway backstage, geared up and ready to go. She's wearing her chrome aviator shades, spiked red leather vest, black, red, and silver tights, knee high strapped wrestling boots, a cropped black leather wrestling top, fingerless gloves, elbow pads, and toned and tattooed arms on full display. On her shoulder is the EWC FX Broadcast champion. She walks with a confident strut like a champion until suddenly a sibilant hiss sounds. She stops and looks around for a moment, noticing how eerily empty the hallway is.
Rebel: The fuck?
Suddenly one by one, the lights in the hallway flick off until she finds herself surrounded by shadows, standing under that single light. She peels those shades from her face and hooks them on her top. Slowly Mel removes the belt from her shoulder, her posture changing to a more defensive stance in preparation for an attack. Whispers sound all around her suddenly, each of them varying in pitch and intensity.
Whispering Voices: ...Unworthy...Weak...Pitiful...Wasted Potential...
Her gaze narrows, brow furrowed and jaw tensed.
Rebel: If you think you're any better, then step out and find out just how "weak" I am, motherfucker... I'll happily hand you your ass on a platter.
A mixture of childlike and girlish giggles sound from the darkness in various directions. Mel didn't move, shift, or waiver. She just kept her eyes in motion, tensed for an attack that doesn't come.
Whispering Voices: We can make you strong again... stronger than you ever were before... We can turn back time and reverse it's ravages upon you... Youth and beauty, strength and speed... all yours for the taking if you are willing to open your mind and accept...
Suddenly a thin hand seemingly made of wispy black shadows with long black nails emerges with incredible quickness, but instead of attacking, it caresses her cheek. She immediately slaps it away and the hand bursts into black ashes that fall to the floor at her feet.
Rebel: Nah... Faustian deals ain't my bag. I'd rather kick the shit out of people with my own power. Go fuck yourself, ye old dark lord wanna' be piece of shit.
Dark laughter fills the air.
Whispering Voices: You'll learn your limits and when the time comes, you will crawl on your hands and knees, begging for what we offer.
Mel flips the darkness off with a smirk.
Rebel: Go beg to choke on a dick, bitch.
And with that the darkness vanishes and she finds herself flipping off some poor intern who reacts with revulsion at what she'd just been told. Mel blinks and then puts her hands up to the woman, her demeanor switching from aggressive to apologetic.
Rebel: Oh shit, I wasn't saying that to you! Sorry!
The young blond woman scoffs and storms off. Mel just places the belt back on her shoulder and returns her sunglasses to their rightful place on her face.
Rebel: Great... got dark power shit to deal with again.... just fan-fucking-tastic.
And from there, she continues down the hallway once more as we move to a commercial break.
A REBEL AND A SADIST COLLIDE WITH GOLD ON THE LINE!
SINGLES MATCH
FOR THE FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Caleb Scott
VS Melinda Rhodes
SINGLES MATCH
FOR THE FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Caleb Scott
VS Melinda Rhodes
We return to ringside where the crowd is turning up the heat for the next contest.
Aiello: It's broadcast title time, and another chance for Caleb Scott to shock the world and end the continued, historic reign of the Rebel Star, Melinda Rhodes. Controversy reigned a couple of weeks ago, as she made her first defense in her second reign against the woman who thus far has provided the only hiccup on her road; Gabrielle Visconty.
Bennett: Woah, don't say that name too loud. That traitor! That turncoat! Timothy Kahrs did us all a favor booting that firebrand off our show. Forget about her. The only questions we should be thinkin' about, is can Caleb Scott get it done? Has Rhodes' unshakeable confidence finally left the building? Could Luke Mason be the difference-maker tonight?
Stroup: The following match is for one fall, and is for the FX Broadcast Championship. Joining us first, from St. Cloud, Minnesota, weighing in at two hundred and fifteen 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 start, a single beam of light from above the ring shoots to the stage as Caleb Scott and Luke Mason walk out through a thick white fog and stands between the hooded drudges. Holding his chain-wrapped bat, Caleb stands there for a few seconds looking out at the crowd with Luke, who is doing the same. They begin 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 as Luke stands beside him. Caleb then places his hand on top of the bat and closes his eyes for a few seconds before going up the steps and into the ring while Luke slides in under the bottom rope, the single beam of light follows Caleb the entire time. He walks towards the corner and stands on the middle rope and Luke stands between the turnbuckles, against the ropes. Caleb 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 his opponent, hailing from Rome, Georgia, she stands at five feet, eleven inches, and weighs in at one hundred and forty five pounds ... "THE REBEL STAR" MMMMMMEEEELLLLLLIIINNNDDDAAAA RRRRRHHHHOOOODDDDDEEESSS!!!
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, fingerless gloves, and - naturally - the FX Broadcast Championship. She reaches down to touch the latter with an uncertain air, before the moment passes as she strides down to ringside, slides under the ropes, pops up and throws a three fingered salute to the fans!
DING DING DING
Rhodes has something to prove, and comes out the gate swinging, almost instantly rocking Scott with a haymaker between the eyes, then weaving into a flurry of blows to the midsection. She darts to his other flank, and goes for a knockout cross that he avoids by dropping to one knee, blinking the shock from his eyes as he throws a big uppercut to the throat! Rebel staggers back, choking, and Scott drives forward into a spear, slamming her against the corner post! Twice more he rams in the shoulder, then climbs onto the middle rope and begins raining down fierce punches as Mason cheers him on from ringside. Relinquishing the higher ground, Scott drops down and goes to hook a leg...
But Rhodes comes alive, struggling free, staggering past him only to have her shoulder seized. She turns--
--and ERUPTS into a SHOT THROUGH THE HEART! Scott hits the canvas, as Rebel kips up ready to capitalize. She doesn't get far, before Mason interferes, snatching her ankle through the bottom rope and pulling her toward him. She twists, rolling onto her back and driving a kick into the other man's skull, but in the time it takes to recover, Scott has stumbled upright and moves in with another thrust to the throat! Alarmed but not quite off-guard, she grabs his arm, spins out into an arm wringer, kicks the elbow joint, and then steps in, smooth as butter, locking up for an exploder suplex!
Caleb Scott is driven across the ring, almost sliding clean to the other side before he comes to a stop. Rhodes presses this fresh advantage, springing into a running REBEL STAR PRESS for the cover!
ONE...
TWO...
TH-- NO!!
Aiello: What! We're still in the early stages, but it seemed like she had him.
Bennett: You're forgetting the difference-maker. Caleb's foot is on the ropes!
Luke Mason is grinning at Rebel Rhodes as she sits up, astonished as the count is stopped. They come eye-to-eye, and her mouth twists in fury, the champ storming straight to her feet - and then pulled backwards into a schoolboy!
ONE...
KICKOUT!
Rebel rolls through, finding her feet in the same moment Caleb finds her face with a bone-rattling forearm, following up with two more to drive her across the ring, then hooking her up and hauling her heavenwards - turning in place as he delays the vertical suplex, and then reverses into the cataclysmic powerbomb he calls CEMETERY MOONLIGHT! Rhodes ragdolls on impact, and with a predatory verve the face-painted man pushes all his weight into a second cover!
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Rhodes looks hurt as she rolls free, trying to drag herself across the ring. Scott pursues her viciously, stamping on the backs of her knees, trapping her as he grabs her by the hair and yanks her upright, straight into an Impaler DDT! The crowd are apoplectic, rallying behind the champion as Mason cajoles them at ringside, getting into his role with some vigor as he slaps drinks from hands and swipes the Rebel Rhodes shirt being waved like a flag by an earnest-faced child. Scott ties up Rhodes' legs and looks to apply a submission of some kind, but he can't get too far before she fights back, ripping one leg free and driving a boot into HIS knee, before she frees the other and limps her way upright. Scott tries to cut her off, bringing the other leg up into her gut, but she grabs his boot and twists into a beautiful Dragonwhip Enziguri, her foot striking the back of his skull with the force of a gunshot! Seattle SURGES in appreciation!
Aiello: Caleb Scott is leaving nothing behind, taking it to the champ just as he promised he would, but the home advantage here goes to Rebel Rhodes - Monday Night Brawl simply LOVES her, Steve.
Bennett: They can love their false champion all they want. She knows what I'm talkin' about.
Both competitors are on their feet, and trading strikes once more, Rhodes absolutely not intimidated by the larger man she's twice defeated, taking one hard chop only to ask for another. He obliges, and then goes to rake the eyes, to which she replies with a knee strike below the belt, getting a verbal warning from the official and muttering a rakish apology - to another cheer from the fans - before she goes behind and leaps onto Scott's shoulders, driving him into the canvas with a beautiful reverse Frankensteiner; SKULL TATTOO!
Rather than make the cover, she dusts her hands, ignoring the insults hurled at her by Luke Mason as she flexes for the crowd and then muscles Scott off the ground with an Olympic-style ground suplex, driving the big man down a second time before hooking the leg. But there's no count! Mason has leapt onto the apron, and the official is moving to stop him entering the ring, not even seeing the pin. Rhodes notices too late, and finds herself reversed by Scott, who despite all the damage he's absorbed is able to stack the champ up and start raining down ugly bombs!
By the time Rebel claws her way free, her nose is oozing blood and she's gasping for air, twisting into a desperation headscissor takedown that flips Caleb onto his back. She kips up again, this time with a stumble, and then falls into a leg drop across the throat, before fighting her way into an omoplata over the choking man!
The official has finally dealt with Mason, but by the time he asks for the submission, Scott has fought his way closer to the ropes, starting to fade as he reaches out and gets hand on the bottom rope. The crowd are on their feet, alternately chanting for Mel and raining down boos on Scott and Mason - the latter simply looks smug, knowing he's saved the match.
Aiello: Dastardly tactics by Scott's protege here, but you have to admit it's working thus far.
Bennett: I told ya, he's the difference-maker. Rhodes can do whatever she wants to Scott; he's got backup. She should invest in some friends herself. Your own demons don't count as 'friends', Melinda.
Rebel has backed off, catching her own breath and allowing Scott to catch his by necessity. Her name is being sung to the rafters, and she pauses to throw the crowd a salute that only encourages them; a smile on her lips as she turns back around into the oncoming train of her opponent. Whatever he's going for, she gets there first, instinctively plowing into a beautiful spear! RHODES KILL! Scott manages to stay standing though, gasping as he strikes at Rhodes' back, then tries to seize a waistlock. She drops lower to avoid it, snatching an ankle and taking the big man down, rolling across him to sink in a reverse guillotine! With the threat of submission back in play, Mason reaches out, trying to link hands with Scott - but Rhodes drags him further away, perhaps gassing her arms in the process, as a moment later Scott pulls free, and rolls into a knee strike to the champ's skull!
As she hits the mat, he keeps rolling, getting to his feet in the corner, where he carefully measures her before running in as she struggles upright, seizing her for a standing Uranage! GRIM DEATH!! He moves to cover, but Rhodes gets her knees up, so he drives a forearm to her face instead, then picks her up and slings her around for an impromptu powerbomb to the turnbuckle! Rhodes yells in pain as her spine impacts the corner, and a moment later Scott crushes her with a running splash!
He signals for the finish, slicing a thumb across his throat, and uses the corner to muscle Rhodes up and over onto his shoulders, stepping out into the center of the ring before spinning her out and driving her shoulders-first to the mat. FINAL RESTING PLACE!! Luke Mason crows in delight, and the crowd begin to boo, sensing the end!
ONE...
TWO...
THR-- KICKOUT!!
Melinda Rhodes looks like she's seen a ghost, struggling out from under Scott onto her knees, shuffling toward the apron as she digs deep for a plan, any plan. Caleb roars in frustration, signals again with a thumb across the throat, and then drives in after her, his boots shaking the ring, arms raised ready to seize the impossibly tenacious champion. As he closes in behind, Mason leaps onto the apron to cut off her chance at an exit...
And the crowd EXPLODES as, at the last possible instant, Rebel twists to her feet and brings her opponent down with another cutter, simultaneously driving her own boots into Mason's gut! He goes flying off the apron, crashing down as Rhodes threads the needle, flipping over Caleb Scott to lock in the REBEL STAR SLAYER!!
T-Mobile Park are losing their damn minds, and Rhodes ain't letting them down easy, grimacing as she cranks on the hold, all but begging Caleb Scott to surrender for this third, and perhaps final, time, putting him away like she promised...
Agonizing moments pass. Scott begins to fade. Mason is clambering to his feet, gasping off the pain...
And Caleb Scott taps out to the Rebel Star Slayer.
DING DING DING
Stroup: Your winner, via submission, and STILL the FX Broadcast Champion ... MELINDA RHODES!
Mason is beside himself, slamming his hands on the apron, pointing at Rhodes and promising dark and bloody things as she releases Scott and lets out a long sigh, running her hands through her hair and staring down at her vanquished opponent before she throws up the devil horns and lets out an exuberant whoop, joined in her celebration by what must be every fan in the building as her title is clasped back around her waist, and her arm thrown aloft. She doesn't care one jot for the blood still dribbling from her nose; Rebel Rhodes is back on top.
Aiello: Caleb Scott was brutal tonight, showing us old tricks and new, but she's the greatest FX Broadcast Champ of all time - and Melinda Rhodes has proven why, once again. That has to wash the bad taste out of her mouth, doesn't it?
Bennett: I'm sure it does, but she came down close to losing that strap. She might think it's three and done, but Caleb Scott's gonna have other ideas - and there's a whole roster out gunning for her besides. As usual, Rhodes gets through this by the skin of her skinny-skin-skin. That road's gotta end somewhere, sometime, Joe.
Aiello: I definitely agree with that Steve, but in the meantime we have 3 The Hard Way coming up next! Don't go away, folks!
Camera cuts to ...
The camera cuts backstage where we find ‘The Memphis Mouthpiece’ Tommy Love on the phone looking a bit miserable.
T. Love: What do you want me to say to him Maria, it’s a setback…but he was facing the EWC Undisputed Champion, it was a tough first round opponent…
Tommy stops and holds his phone in front of him as he shakes his head at it.
T. Love: No I didn’t talk to him about his mother’s passing…do you really think he wants me ‘remembering’ the good times with her, ‘your mom was a fine gal Jamie, I especially enjoyed out time together when I was on top of her and she thought I was Bobby Rose putting the wood to her’...yeah that would go over GREAT!!!
Tommy continues to shake his head as he turns the corner inside the T-Mobile Arena as he heads towards The Love Club locker room…he pauses and smiles at something Maria Love says.
T. Love: Yeah I thought my joke about Gabi’s plushies was amazing on Twitter…that shit coming out of her eyes looks like…
He is interrupted on the other end but his smile grows and grows as he waits to land the insult.
T. Love: See the hooker has a runny nose because she’s full…full of…
Tommy shakes his head, he was oh so close to the punch line but Maria keeps jumping in…
T. Love: I don’t give a shit what she thinks, the Gremlin is fucking GONE…FIRED, sent off to Prime and out of my life…do you know how amazing that it…I WON!!! I FUCKING WON…I’m still here and she’s gone so her and Buddy can have all the fun they want on Prime while we live Gremlin-Free here on Brawl…and furthermore…
But Tommy stops as he looks at the door to The Love Club locker room…
T. Love: WHAT THE FUCK…Maria I have to go deal with…idiots!!!
Before she can protest Tommy ends the call as he marches up towards the door where Demios and ‘Little’ Danny as ‘standing guard’, dressed in black sunglasses, matching black jackets, t-shirts with a shirt and tie design on the front and black jeans…as Tommy reaches them Demios holds out his hand stopping Tommy.
Deimos: I’m sorry…no fans allowed…
‘Little’ Danny: Yeah, hit the bricks old man, Xavier isn’t signing stuff for you to sell on eBay at the moment…
Tommy tries to push past Deimos but him and ‘Little’ Danny shove him back with Deimos pressing his invisible security earpiece…
Deimos: We have a situation outside door 1a…
‘Little’ Danny follows suit, pressing his ear…
‘Little’ Danny: Permission to use lethal force…
Deimos: Confirmed…
Deimos reaches behind his back and pulls out a crowbar from under his jacket, ‘Little’ Danny pulls out two pairs of brass knuckles and places them on each hand as the 3pAC take a few steps towards a backpedaling Tommy Love…
T. Love: DAMN IT YOU TWO…KNOCK IT OFF…you know I’m Xavier’s manager, what the fuck do you think you two are doing…
Deimos: We were asked to watch Xavier’s back this week…
‘Little’ Danny: Yeah, we were told to take out any member of The House that we saw and YOU…were talking about a House member…
Deimos: Jamie Love…we heard you talking to his other manager Maria Love…we aren’t going to allow you to jump Xavier Reid in his locker room…
T. Love: You idiots, I’m not going to attack Xavier, I’m his manager and you both know that…I need to get in there and talk nuts and bolts with him before his match against Darius and Morgan Darkwater…not out here dealing with you two idiots…
Tommy watches as the 3pAC closes in on him he yells out…
T. Love: I WANT TO TALK TO YOUR MANAGER!!!
Deimos and ‘Little’ Danny laugh…
Deimos: Get a load of this ‘Karen’...
‘Little’ Danny: Everytime things don’t go their way it’s ‘get you manager’...our manager is busy at the moment ‘Karen’, you’ll have to deal with US!!!
As each member of the 3pAC get ready to strike Tommy yells out…
T. Love: BUNNY!!!!
And as both men go to strike Tommy the door opens and Bunny Love looks at what’s going on…
B. Love: What the hell is going on…
Deimos and ‘Little’ Danny turn and look at their manager…
Deimos: WE found a House member Bunny…
‘Little’ Danny: Yeah…and Xavier said we could beat the shit out of him…
T. Love: THEM…THEM…NOT ME…
Deimos: You’re a manager of a House member…
‘Little’ Danny: Yeah, this is Love Club territory…
T. Love: I’m my SON’S manager and I created The Love Club you idiots…BUNNY BACK THEM THE FUCK UP!!!
Bunny smiles, watching her father squirm a bit…
B. Love: Back off guys…let me dad in, Xavier’s been waiting for him…
Deimos and ‘Little’ Danny shrug and back up as Xavier walks out into the hallway and sees his manager on the ground…
Reid: Nice of you to finally showing up…
Tommy gets to his feet and brushes off his pants and jacket…
T. Love: I was talking with Timothy Kahrs about your match and I would have been here sooner had it not been for these idiots…
Reid: Your time would have been better served in there with me talking out a strategy instead of trying to win favors of our interim GM…
T. Love: He wants Morgan Darkwater taken care of Xavier and you can do that here tonight…and if you do HE will owe us…you want a crack at the X-Division Championship don’t you…
Xavier looks at his manager…
Reid: Beating Darius and Morgan Darkwater will get me that match…not doing Kahrs dirty work…I hired you because you were the best at putting a game plan together to win matches like this and yet you were off sucking up…
T. Love: There is still time Xavier…I have an idea…
But Xavier holds up his hand and silences his manager…
Reid: I’m heading to the ring right now Tommy…save it…we have an idea…
T. Love: WE…
Tommy looks from Xavier to his daughter Bunny, who smiles slightly and nods…
B. Love: You weren’t there dad…so I stepped in and gave Xavier a few ideas…
But before Tommy can say anything Xavier stands in front of him…
Reid: Save your outburst…she was there and you were not…now…are you coming to the ring or should Bunny stand in for you once again…
Tommy gives his daughter a dirty look and then nods at Xavier.
T. Love: Lets go Xavier, I’ll have your back out there tonight…better than these goofs…
He looks at the 3pAC and shakes his head as the two men head to the ring. Bunny smiles as she pats Deimos and ‘Little’ Danny on the back for a ‘job well done’ as we move to a commercial break.
3 THE HARD WAY - IS KAHRS FEEDING A PIRATE TO THE SHARKS?
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH, X-DIVISION RULES
Darius
VS Captain Morgan Darkwater
VS Xavier Reid
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH, X-DIVISION RULES
Darius
VS Captain Morgan Darkwater
VS Xavier Reid
We return to ringside where (add content here)
Aiello: Welcome back, folks! It's been a crazy night so far and we're only now starting to get to the home stretch as we gear up for triple threat X-Division action!
Bennett: You know Timothy Kahrs has been salivating all night, waiting to see what Darius and Xavier Reid can do to Captain Morgan Darkwater...but each man has his own goals going into this match, and we're gonna see some violence resolutions!
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, set for one fall, is a Triple Threat Match. Joining us first, 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.
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 the opponents, first hailin’ from the Grand Line and weighing in at 397 pounds ... CAPTAIN MORGAN DARKWATER!
The lights in the arena cut out as first notes of Captain Morgan's entrance theme, "The Sunk'n Norwegian", kick in and the screens around the arena fade in to the image of a perpetually burning skull-n-crossbones flag rippling in the wind.
A spotlight rises as Morgan saunters confidently out on the stage, holding aloft his obsidian cutlass "Black Betsy", his other hand behind his back. As the music swells to the chorus he plunges the sword down into the stage, causing an explosion of pyros!
When the smoke clears he is holding a wooden tankard aloft, bellowing "One More Fight!" and takes a heavy gulp of the dark grog, liquid and froth splashing out down his thick black beard. Tossing it over his shoulder, he laughs again and starts marching purposefully down the ramp. He enters the ring over top ropes, climbs the nearest turnbuckle and unsheathes his cutlass, holding it aloft with a raucous battle-cry.
Stroup: And the opponent, residing in New York City and weighing in at 220 pounds ... 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
DING DING DING
All three circle each other until Darkwater knocks Darius out of the ring with a big boot. Reid charges at Darkwater who pops Reid into the air and brings him crashing to the mat with a powerslam. Darkwater gets to his feet and drops an elbow down on Reid’s chest. Darkwater grabs Reid’s arm and twists it with an arm wringer before pulling Reid over his shoulder and crashing to the mat. Reid gets to his feet holding his shoulder. Darkwater grabs Reid and hits a heart punch. Reid drops to the mat clutching his chest.
Darius slides into the ring and peppers Darkwater with a series of right hands. Darius whips Darkwater into the corner. He charges at Darkwater who gets a foot up to block. Darius is able to duck the raised boot and slides out of the ring, around the post and slides back into the ring. Darius hits a dropkick that spins Darkwater around. He runs for a bulldog but Darkwater is able to grip Darius and place him on the middle turnbuckle. Darius turns around and leaps hitting a flying clothesline. He makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Darkwater raises a shoulder off the mat. He rolls out of the ring as Reid rolls into the ring. Reid runs at Darius for a clothesline but Darius ducks it. He spins Reid around and hits a DDT. Reid staggers to his feet. Darius whips him off the ropes. This time, it’s Reid that ducks a clothesline and cracks Darius with a Pele kick. Darius staggers as he clutches the pain in his skull. Reid spins him to the mat with a reverse frankensteiner. As Darius gets to his feet, Reid prepares for a punt kick. Darius ducks the kick and pushes Reid off the ropes. Darius rebounds and spins him with a spinning sitout piledriver. He puts his feet on Darius’ shoulders as the referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Darkwater dives into the ring breaking the count.
Aiello: So close to a three count there.
Bennett: Close yes. However, one we’ve run into the third man problem yet again and b, I think this is far too soon into the match for a three count. Darius was just about to kick out when the Captain broke it up.
Darkwater grabs Darius and lift him for a Hangman’s Noose. Darius struggles to free himself as Darkwater holds him in the air. Reid runs at Darkwater but runs into a clothesline that knocks him to the mat before dropping Darius onto Reid. Darkwater covers Darius.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Reid dives to break the count. Darkwater gets to his feet. He grabs Reid and positions him for a powerbomb but before he can hit it, Reid counters with a backdrop that drops Darkwater onto Darius. Darkwater roles to his hands and knees but Reid runs at him with a legdrop to the back of the head. Darkwater rolls to his back as Reid grabs his arms. Reid blasts at Darkwater with Fuck You Stomps to the chest, face and head. Reid makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Darius dives to break the count. Darius pulls Reid to his feet and hits a hard elbow to the temple before booting Reid in the gut. Darius lifts Reid and spins him before dropping Reid with a Morrow Bomb onto Darkwater. Darius covers Reid as the referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Darkwater grabs Darius’ ankle and pulls him off to break the count.
Aiello: All trying to take out one man and cover the other. And still it doesn’t work. What have they got to do in order to pick up the win?
Bennett: No idea. However I’m sure we are about to see three men try to do just that.
Darkwater pulls Reid to his feet but knocks him back down with a clothesline. Darkwater knocks him back down with a clothesline. Darkwater then turns his attentions to Darius but Darius grabs Darkwater and hits Grey Matter Before he can make a cover, Reid grabs Darius from behind, spinning him around before hitting the BEAST Slayer, driving his knees into the face of Darius! Reid with a cover!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall XAVIER REID!
Reid jumps to the second rope and looks out over the fans as Tommy Love stands behind him applauding the victory. Tommy then holds the rope open so Reid can exit the ring and head up the ramp.
Aiello: That is a big win for Xavier Reid here on Brawl. He hit that BEAST Slayer to take advantage of an unfocused Darius. Smart wrestling on his part.
Bennett: Smart? Yes. Lucky? Little bit and Xavier Reid will know that. He will know that he was in a hard fought match tonight and that result could very easily have gone any other way on many occasions.
Aiello: Close, close battle here between all three men, but with the win it looks like Reid gets to climb up--
COME HEAVY OR DON'T COME AT ALL
JoJo's entrance music plays loudly as the Cowboy steps out onto the stage with a mic in hand.
JoJo: Cut mah music, cut mah music!
With the music muted, JoJo locks eyes with Darkwater and growls out in a low-tone.
JoJo: Morgan. When we last spoke, we both agreed that we’d do whatever it took to win the Undisputed Championship. You understood how important that match was to me. But you took it away from me. Ah have to make that right.
Darkwater, still recovering from the brutal triple-threat, could only sit and watch JoJo from the ring. But the color fades from Morgan’s face as Mark Paulson & Brian Knight, and Jamie Love drag Morgan’s wife, Esmeralda to the stage! Following after them came Tori Taylor with a Seattle Mariners baseball bat.
Aiello: What is JoJo thinking!?
Bennett: I don’t like this one bit, security needs to get out here immediately!
Tori flashes a sinister smile to JoJo before handing the Blackhat the bat. JoJo looks away from Darkwater and towards Esmerelda. The Cowboy apologies to Esmerelda in Spanish, with a genuine look of regret in his eyes. In return, Esmerelda spat in JoJo’s face and swore his name. JoJo steps away from Esmerelda with his body facing away from the ring. JoJo takes in a breath, exhales, then winds back and hits Esmerelda with a direct, unprotected swing to Esmerelda’s head.
*CRACK*
The sickening crack silences the entire arena followed by gasps. The bat splinters and breaks from just how hard JoJo struck Esmerelda.
Aiello: This has gone too far, where on Earth is security!
Bennett: Morgan’s trying to get up, but he’s too hurt from that slobberknocker earlier!
The strike sends Esmerelda crashing to the floor in a heap. JoJo throws what’s left of the bat right beside Esmerelda and glares absolute daggers at Darkwater. The sight sends Darkwater berserk! In his frenzy, Morgan shoots to his feet and barrels towards the House with his sword in hand! Xavier Reid and Darius follow in close pursuit, but JoJo and the House scatter and escape backstage. Darius and Xavier chase after with Morgan dropping his blade, and falling to his knees beside his wife, Esmerelda. Morgan tries to pick up his wife, but the damage from the match leaves him too weak to carry her and he falls to his knees. The Captain shouting, and screaming with every fiber of his being for a doctor. A medical team finally makes it out and tends to the wounded woman, who is still unconscious.
Aiello: Audience, words betray me at this current moment. I haven't seen anything this reprehensible in a long, long time.
Bennett: That crossed a line, our new General Manager needs to put a stop to JoJo and the House before any more innocent people get hurt. If I was anyone in the House, I would be sleeping with one eye open, because Darkwater is not going to take this one laying down.
With that, we move to a commercial break--hey, wait a minute...
With a pleasant commercial in the background JoJo stands in front of his old gym, a Staple in Seattle’s independent scene. JoJo’s head is poorly green screened on top of Jamie Love’s body. JoJo clearly looks uncomfortable, and squinting to read the teleprompter.
JoJo: Howdy Cowboys, Cowgirls, and Cow– people? When Ah was first a greenhorn, Ah didn’t have the right equipment to grow big and strong.
Jamie flexes, the lack of mass on the body heavily contrasting with JoJo’s big meaty head.
JoJo: But then, The House made an offer that the old owner couldn’t refuse. Now, we can put this old horse down and put up something bigger, not just a gym, but a home.
A plunger then appears before Jamie. Who presses it down, causing the gym to explode and collapse. The crowd immediately erupts into boos. Played behind the two now is b-roll of The House’s latest and greatest Professional Wrestling Gym. Jamie Love is granted mercy and leaves the ad with JoJo standing awkwardly in the shot.
JoJo: Thanks to The House, Ah was able to– what’s that say? Ah was able to wrangle on up the best training staff to–
Jack: (From behind the camera) Say the line!
JoJo pinches his nose and sighs.
JoJo: Ah was able to wrangle on up the best training staff to go from Cowboy to a cowman. The House Gyms are comin’ to a neighborhood near you. Join up today and be part of a new generation of Professional Wrassler’. Now ain’t that just Too. sweeeeeeeet?
JoJo hits the Too Sweet and hangs it in the air as the commercial continues to air for a bit too long before the commercial fades to black.
LEGEND OF THE RING - SECOND ROUND
SINGLES MATCH (NON-TITLE)
WINNER ADVANCES TO THE FINALE AT STRANGLEMANIA XVIII
Stitches
VS King Flip
SINGLES MATCH (NON-TITLE)
WINNER ADVANCES TO THE FINALE AT STRANGLEMANIA XVIII
Stitches
VS King Flip
We return to ringside where the announcers beam from behind their little table.
Aiello: What an absolutely phenomenal night we've had, Joe! But just like the last show and the show before that, I mean, we have to end the action at some point. That's the main event!
Bennett: That's the worst introduction I think I've ever heard so I'll take it from here. Tonight's main event will place Brawl's best into the finals of the Legends tournament. There have been so many damn good fights throughout this tournament as we move on to the second and last leg. Barn burners from the red brand all the way out to those little blue bastards on Prime. Last week, as we reviewed at the top of the show, former Undisputed champion and our previous International champion, Stitches, takes on the man he made a quick trade of the belt with, International champion King Flip, in what will be the next chapter in the chronicles of the war these two men wage upon one another. Without further ado, Jessica, I'm gonna throw it to you.
Cameras cut to the ring.
Stroup: The following match is the Quarter-Finals Match of the Legend of the Ring Tournament. The winner will go on to Stranglemania for an opportunity at the top of the mountain, the Undisputed championship. Joining us first, from The Carnival of Shattered Dreams, weighing in at 260 pounds ... STITCHES!
'One Missed Call (2008) Theme' plays as the lights go dark. As the beat drops at around the thirty seven second mark the curtains are brushed to the side, smoke spewing out from behind the curtains, and out walks Stitches. A wide, red-painted Chelsea-esque grin is across the face of Stitches as he stares out at the crowd of people before him.
Stitches methodically makes his way down the ramp, staring down the crowd members who dare lean too far over the crowd barricade. As he reaches the bottom of the ramp he stops and once again looks out at the crowd of people before him. 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 for the crowd to embrace him. As expected, the crowd does not embrace a sinister-looking clown.
Stitches hops down from the rope and enters into the ring before approaching the nearby corner of the ring. Stitches turns around, facing the center of the ring and sits down in the corner of the ring, waiting for the bell to ring.
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. 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 leans against the turnbuckle with arms agape as his theme plays. He turns to his opponent ready for the action to start as his theme fades.
Aiello: It's a fight we've gotten a lot of lately but damn it it's a collision to remember every single time. RING THE BELL!
DING DING DING
Stitches looks ready for a fight, trying to spot an opening as Flip... just sort of stands there for a second. The King begins an inaudible conversation with The Clown, a warm smile on his face, but Stitches looks reluctant at best if he's receptive to this nonsense at all. Stitches' eyes narrow as Flip finishes whatever the hell he's saying as he extends an open right palm. Stitches doesn't feel like shaking hands. He will, however, clasp this hand stretched out to him after a few seconds of contemplation. Stitches whips Flip toward the the turnbuckle then harshly yanks him back into a massive short-arm clothesline. Flip rolls right back up to eat another, then another, then a basement dropkick sees King Flip faceplant right into a bottom turnbuckle. A ghastly wince of a 'ooh' murmurs through the stadium. Stitches does not back down for a second. He stomps that mudhole and walks it dry, planting heavy boots into any and every part of the International champion's upper body. He lifts the King up and whips him into the opposite corner, running in pursuit to continue the assault. Flip bounds off the corner but skirts away from the incoming clothesline. It's Stitches now bouncing off the turnbuckle. Crowning Moment! The King fires off out of the blue with his signature pele kick, but it's going to take more than a little rattling to get Stitches off this momentum. The Clown evades and Flip's boot gets caught up off the second rope. This throws the champion off and he goes into a vertical base right into a Stitches DDT. King Flip is pinned to the mat.
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
.
.
.
TH-YOU THOUGHT!!
King Flip gets his boot to the bottom rope and the referee is forced to break the pin count.
Aiello: Damn! Flip trying to be a peaceful man and is hit with a barrage of offense. Stitches hasn't let down since the opening bell. Flip thought he had an opening there but Stitches is just too quick witted. He knows what's coming with rivals and he's going to do what he can to counter it. That kick could've turned this all the way around for the International champion.
Bennett: But look at the man's ring presence. He knows where he is. He knows what he's doing. All ya gotta do with a guy like Stitches is ride the storm. And I don't gotta remind you that's the International champion's bread and butter. This can turn on a dime, it just... wasn't that dime earlier. He'll get his dime.
Aiello: Would you stop saying--
Bennett: DIMES!!
Stitches looks irritated but not surprised when the referee points out the boot. He grips his fist and blasts away, heavy right hands to the face of King Flip. He gets to his feet and drags Flip away from the ropes. For a second he hesitates, then drops to one knee and grabs Flip by the back of the head to pull him in. Stitches says something to the King before slamming his head into the canvas as hard as he can. The Carnival Clown then lives up to the moniker. He rushes to the ropes on the opposite end of the ring, bouncing from them into a somersault roll, returns to a vertical base and takes to the sky. The Dethronement! Stitches hits King Flip with one of the King's very own signature moves. The crowd hypes in jubilation of all sorts. Flip clutches his rib cage as he makes an attempt at rolling from the ring. Stitches may steal your flashy bullshit move but he doesn't grandstand about it. He's right back on the King and stops the tactical withdrawal from the ring. By the hair, Stitches lifts Flip into a powerbomb setup. The Clown lifts the champion into the air. Powerbomb. The Clown doesn't let go, though, and proceeds to power lift the International champion two more times for more powerbomb action. The third and final bomb giving us another series ending with Flip being cranked into the turnbuckles.
Aiello: So much for that comeback, Steve?
Bennett: I can't say it's looking good for the Benchmark of Brawl here. They've got us at the edges of our seats, we just gotta watch and see where they take us next.
Aiello: ...what?
Bennett: You wouldn't understand.
Stitches is now twisting and wringing King Flip's right arm, a tight clutch on his right hand, pulling and flinging to get the two men to the corner. The Clown ascends, continuing his forceful flash as he tightrope walks across from one turnbuckle to the next. Pressure applied to the fingers, wrist, arm, and shoulder of the International champion as the two trudge along. Flip fires up and yanks while simultaneously kicking at the ropes. Stitches loses balance before he loses his grip on the wrist. Something about bouncing off ropes by the balls will distract a man. Stitches writhes as he bounces in place and then crumples to the thinly-padded field. The King, given his moment of respite, doesn't advance. He opts instead to catch his breath and bearings in a corner opposite where his opponent fell out of the ring. The crowd amps into a chant.
"THIS IS AWESOME!"
"THIS IS AWESOME!"
"THIS IS AWESOME!"
Both men recover in their respective spaces as this continues. The referee checking diligently on both before finally settling into a count.
ONE... TWO... THREE...
Stitches stirs on the outside. It isn't long at all, though, until he's on both feet and shaking off the pain of the previous few minutes. Just as he's to turn to the ring to approach and enter, he looks instinctively to the sky. King Flip rushed across the ring and took to the sky for a suicide dive that sends both men crashing into the grass. Neither seem to feel it! They go straight into exchanging right hands on the ground. They work their way to vertical bases. Flip shoves the Clown off but he rushes and gets caught up and thrust into the air. Overhead belly to belly from King Flip takes Stitches to the dirt in a thud. Meanwhile, the referee has been yelling at both men to get back into the ring and continue the match there. He withdraws to a count to get their attention.
ONE... TWO... THREE... FOUR...
The Carnival Clown is still the first man up and cranks the King down to the ground with a running neckbreaker. Thud. They both seem to get back up slower and slower but still drudging along. Atomic drop from Flip to Stitch putting pressure on the lower extremities again. Flip follows with a headbutt, a stiff chop to the chest, and a superkick.
FIVE... SIX...
Flip pains himself toward the ring and slips back inside.
SEVEN... EIGHT...
Stitches struggles to get on all fours. After he hears 'eight' something in him fires up and he crawls quickly to the ring, struggling to get to a true vertical base.
NINE...
He just gets into the ring before the ten, much to the chagrin of the champion. Just as it looks like Flip found his moment and is going in for the finisher. THE SOUND OF SILENCE! That brutal future shock DDT from Stitches leaves both men on the canvas facing yet another ten count as neither man immediately shows signs of getting back up.
Aiello: What did I tell ya!? That back and forth action you hope to see over on those other brands? Ha! It pales in comparison to what you'll see right here on Monday nights!
Bennett: Stitches keeps stomping down, keeping King Flip from keeping any momentum gained in these little moments in the match. But both men want that Undisputed opportunity. Both men want to go on to Stranglemania. So you better bet your damn bottom dollar that both men are going to pull out every stop. Work every angle. Scheme every trick. These men are serious about their business and, as you can these, they're in the business of professional wrestling.
Before the referee can start the count, "I Love Seattle" by Tacocat blares throughout the arena. Everyone from the audience to the referee are confused for a moment. But everything becomes clear when through the curtain comes... The Mariner Moose! The audience gets louder than they have for anything in their lives as the baseball mascot, some poor chud sweating his life out underneath this moose costume, makes their way down the aisleway to the ring. He's pointing at the referee and wagging his finger as if that's supposed to mean something. Flip and Stitches have, throughout this nonsense, at least gotten to opposite corners to recover. The Mariner Moose walks up the steel steps and disregards the referee as he grandstands in the center of the ring. The Hulk Hogan ear pose, flexing while standing on the second rope, doing inappropriate things to the referee or the turnbuckle, really keeping the energy up with the crowd as the professional wrestlers are on their feet and neither appreciate the intrusion. Out the Mariner Moose goes as both men grab the back of that big ass head and throw him over the top rope.
Aiello: Welcome to Monday nights, Mariner Moose! Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Bennett: You hate to see it but you love to see it. Moving right along...
Flip holds up his hands for a high five out of instinct or something. Stitches disregards this gesture all the same as he slams the champion into the corner. Shoulder thrusts into the midsection keep King Flip struggling to breathe much less get back on the fighting end of the match. Stitches cranks those shoulders deep several times in a row, does a backflip, then runs into a final shoulder thrust that leaves Flip on the canvas looking rough.
The wear and tear on both men is extremely evident now, as Stitches seems to stalk the slowly-rising Flip...who has to use the ropes to help himself back up. The champ takes a couple steps toward Stitches before the clown rushes at him, pulling Flip in as he looks for another double arm DDT! SOUND OF--NO! Flip slips away, turning around before leaping back for a Pele kick right on the noggin! The impact sends Stitches reeling toward the ropes...only to catch the approaching Flip with a kick to the gut, and a double arm DDT! SOUND OF SILENCE! Stitches connected with that one, sending the champ down hard to the canvas as Stitches goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall, and advancing to the finale at StrangleMania... STIIIIIIIITCHES!
The clown barely has the energy in him after everything he and his opponent have been through, as the ref helps Stitches up to his feet before raising his arm in victory. Flip is finally starting to stir on the canvas, using up whatever strength he can muster to finally get back on his feet as well. The two on-again, off-again rivals stare each other down in the middle of the ring...before shaking hands, much to the delight of the crowd!
Aiello: What a magnificent main event, folks! We saw these two go toe-to-toe tonight, and Stitches comes out the other side victorious!
Bennett: A hell of a match from both men, with the champ nearly coming damn close to picking up the win...but tonight is the clown's night, and Stitches moves on to StrangleMania!
Aiello: Over the next couple weeks we will start to see the rest of the finale take shape as we find out who represents RAMPAGE, PARAMOUNT, and PRIME to see who is declared Legend of the Ring! Will we see Melody Malone advance to the finale, making that match for the EWC Undisputed Championship? And what happens next with The House, now that they've seemingly raised the ire of Captain Morgan Darkwater AND Darius tonight? Folks, we will see you in a couple weeks from Mexico City...but for Steve Bennett, I'm Joe Aiello saying so long and goodnight!
Flip takes his leave from the ring now, allowing Stitches to enjoy his moment in the spotlight, a graphic in the corner reminding us that StrangleMania is slowly coming upon us as tonight's BRAWL draws to a close.
END SCREEN
..........
..........
MATCH WRITERS
..........
MATCH ONE: Daphne Kay
MATCH TWO: JoJo Rush
MATCH THREE: Chunks of Darna Dare
MATCH FOUR: Chunks of Darna Dare
MATCH FIVE: EWC Staff Assistant: Em
MAIN EVENT: The Mad King
..........
SEGMENTS
..........
Bear and Grace
JoJo Rush
Melinda Rhodes
Ibuki Ito / Ruthless Aggression
Xavier Reid
..........
RECAP OF WINNERS
..........
MATCH 1
Dustin Holt
VS Alex "Bullet" Carbajal
WINNER via pinfall: Alex "Bullet" Carbajal
MATCH 2
Bathsheba
VS Chelsea Skye
WINNER via pinfall: Chelsea Skye
MATCH 3
Elissa Bradley
VS JoJo Rush
WINNER via pinfall: JoJo Rush
MATCH 4
FOR THE FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Caleb Scott
VS Melinda Rhodes
WINNER via submission and STILL FX Broadcast Champion: Melinda Rhodes
MATCH 5
Darius
VS Captain Morgan Darkwater
VS Xavier Reid
WINNER via pinfall: Xavier Reid
MAIN EVENT
LEGENDS OF THE RING SECOND ROUND MATCH
Stitches
VS King Flip
WINNER via pinfall and advancing to the finale at StrangleMania XVIII: Stitches
BRAWL #593 MVPs: Xavier Reid & Stitches
BRAWL #593 MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Stitches VS King Flip
..........
© THE EXTREME WRESTLING CORPORATION 2023
