BRAWL #597 - LONDON
Jun 12, 2023 20:55:47 GMT -6
The Mad King, Cosmo Goldworthy, and 4 more like this
Post by MNB on Jun 12, 2023 20:55:47 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 #597 | JUNE 12TH 2023LIVE! from The O2 Arena in London, England
EWC BRAWL
General Manager: Jim Connors
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
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 #596 in Albany.
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 Narumi Tsutsumi.
Sped up footage again then takes us through to current Monday Night BRAWL Superstars: Xavier Reid, King Flip, KU, Antoni Malietoa, Stitches, Melinda Rhodes, Darius, Iggy Swango, Dio, JoJo Rush, Bathsheba, S.T., Alex "Bullet" Carbajal, Chelsea Skye, Zack Tyler, Elissa Bradley, Cyrus, and others making their way onto the red brand.
We then get a shot of the Champion of BRAWL:
Melinda Rhodes with the FX Broadcast Championship
...and the EWC International Championship after a grueling main event at HARDCORE REVOLUTION 2023
The opening pyros blast across the stage and here we go.
A wide aerial shot shows that The O2 Arena is electric for Monday Night BRAWL!
A wide aerial shot shows that The O2 Arena is electric for Monday Night BRAWL!
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:
"THE SKYE'S THE LIMIT FOR THE FX TITLE"
"STITCHES GET...WAIT, NEVER MIND"
"RUSHIN' THRU A BULLET STORM"
"INSERT CLEVER X-DIVISION PUN HERE"
"CYRUS IS A VIRUS"
and "KAHRS IS GONE? WHO'S GONNA FEED MY FISH NOW!?"
Aiello: Hello everyone, and welcome to Monday Night BRAWL! I'm Joe Aiello alongside EWC Hall of Famer Steve Bennett, and boy do we have a show ahead of us tonight! Last month we saw absolute chaos and carnage during HARDCORE REVOLUTION 2023, and at the end of the night we saw Melinda Rhodes come away with both the FX Broadcast and EWC International Championships...and tonight, we find a way to pivot from all of that in one fell swoop!
Bennett: That's right Joe, after all the insanity we saw in Inglewood, we are already on the road to the Invasion Series and PARABELLUM next month, and we have a rough road ahead!
Aiello: Indeed, things are quickly heating right back up as we have a main event triple threat match to crown a new FX Broadcast Champion! Melinda Rhodes must vacate it after winning the EWC International Championship at Hardcore Revolution, and we have three contenders ready to earn their place as the next champion between Chelsea Skye, Caleb Scott, and Cyrus!
Bennett: I'm fixin' to see who comes out of this one with the belt, Joe! Cyrus has been on fire since making his return to the red brand, and a win tonight could really add a feather to his cap...but not if Skye and Scott have something to say about it!
Aiello: We also have two interbrand matches ahead of us tonight, one a no DQ match that sees Nina Kosov from Paramount take on the EWC X-Division Champion Xavier Reid in non-title action, and the other a bout between Stitches and the HBO Broadcast Champion Moxie in what is obviously also non-title action!
Bennett: Reid and Stitches have very different paths they walk after Hardcore Revolution, but they have a common goal in proving just how strong the red brand is against all invaders ahead of Invasion next month!
Aiello: But before we get to all of that, we do have our opening contest up next as Alex Carbajal takes on JoJo Rush, the latter looking to bounce back after narrowly losing to Xavier Reid at--
Joe is interrupted as Justin Case, the House's attorney, approaches the commentary table with Jamie Love in tow. Justin doesn't have a mic, but his voice could be heard from over Steve Bennett's headset.
Justin: Mr. Bennett, I just want to start with saying I'm a huge fan of your work. But unfortunately, my client, JoJo Rush filed an injunction to have you barred from ringside during his matches. I have the paperwork here signed by Jim Connors himself.
Bennett: What in the god damn hell do you mean I can't call his matches. Lemme see that!
Steve stands up and grabs the paperwork Justin presented. He grips the paperwork and hurriedly reads through the paperwork.
Aiello: This is ridiculous!
Bennett dejectedly takes off his headset and glares down at Jamie, who is holding out his hand to take the headset from the Predator. The crowd boos immensely at the display. Steve holds his tongue, and walks up the ramp to the backstage area to wait. Jamie gets himself comfortable and ready to call the opening match...
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BULLET FOR MY COWBOY!
SINGLES MATCH
Alex "Bullet" Carbajal
VS JoJo Rush
SINGLES MATCH
Alex "Bullet" Carbajal
VS JoJo Rush
We return to ringside where we now standby for the opening contest between JoJo Rush and Bullet
Aiello: What a fantastic way to kick off tonight. Bullet is looking to get herself some momentum and a win over the House's Enforcer could do just that.
Jamie Love: The big guy is looking to get himself back on track after Hardcore Revolution, and for the record? It's pronounced JoJo
Aiello: Isn't that what I said? I said Jojo.
Jamie Love: No, you said Jojo, it's pronounced--
Stroup: The following match is a singles match set for one fall, Joining us first, representing the Shieldmaidens, 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, representing the House, from the Badlands, weighing in at 270 pounds, and escorted to the ring by Tori Taylor ... JOJO RUSH!
JoJo's music hits and the stadium lights go pitch-black. With the stage filling with smoke, JoJo approaches the stage and steps into the lone spotlight. From there, JoJo points a "Too Sweet" hand gesture like a finger gun towards the ring. JoJo "fires" the hand gesture at the 36 second mark, pyro explodes behind him around the EXT. JoJo then 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 another finger gun and fires it once more.
DING DING DING
Bullet and JoJo circle the ring, both looking for an opening to take advantage of. Bullet makes the advance first, which causes JoJo to retreat to the ropes where he would place himself between the middle and top rope. Causing the referee to get in between JoJo and Bullet to enforce the rope break. The crowd boos and jeer the display. JoJo waves off the crowd and goes back to the middle of the ring to an impatient Bullet. The two lock up, but JoJo backs them back up into the ropes where the referee is once again, forced to break the two apart for the rope break. The referee grabs hold of JoJo and scolds him for abusing the rope breaks, which gave Bullet the distraction she needed to pop JoJo with a headbutt and take him up and over the ropes to the outside!
Aiello: What a headbutt from Bullet to Rush!
Jamie Love: Hey now, JoJo can handle his fair share of those. He's gonna be fine!
Now outside of the ring, Bullet takes the fight to JoJo and lays into him with a flurry of strikes and kicks. Despite JoJo's best attempts to block the strikes, he's forced against the barricade. With Bullet impeding the sightline of the referee, JoJo finds an opening and rakes Bullet's eyes! The dirty strike briefly blinds Bullet, who steps back holding her eyes in pain. Giving JoJo the opening to pick up Bullet and throw her right into the ring post! Bullet hits the post with a disgusting thud. Rush picks up Bullet by the waist and picks her up for a Bandera Bomb against the ring apron! Bullet lands on the apron, raising her back and screaming in pain. JoJo rolls the woman back into the ring and follows suit to go for the pin.
One...
Two...
Thre- No! Kickout!
JoJo and Bullet climb up to their feet and JoJo lines up a "Too Sweet" on the staggering Bullet to hit her with a Bull-Rush Lariat, but Bullet recovers and rolls out of the way of the lariat. JoJo rebounds off the ropes and is quickly met by a discus clothesline that Bullet calls the Ira De Dios. The blow lands slowly against JoJo's chest, briefly knocking the wind out of him, but the bigger opponent stays on his feet. Bullet snaps off a quick dropkick to JoJo's knee, causing him to buckle down to a single knee. With JoJo at a lower base, Bullet fires off another discus clothesline, which this time, effectively brings JoJo crashing to the mat. Bullet quickly goes for the cover.
One...
Two...
Thr-- JoJo kicks out!
Aiello: Close call there, but JoJo kicks out!
Jamie Love: Let's get it, JoJo! Show her what you're made of, pal!
While JoJo lays out flat on his back, Bullet sits up in disbelief but gathers herself to stay on the task at hand. She attempts to drag JoJo back up to a standing base to line him up for her finishing maneuver, a ripcord rolling elbow Bullet calls the Dios Es Una Bala. She takes hold of JoJo's arm, spins him around, and pulls him back in for the elbow, but JoJo catches Bullet and hoists her up onto his shoulders for the Fireman's Carry Cutter, the G90! But Bullet frantically lands a series of elbows to the side of JoJo's head to escape the move and slip off of his shoulders.
On the way down, Bullet takes a hold of JoJo's right wrist to once again, go for the ripcord elbow and hits it flush against JoJo's head. Bullet collapses and goes for the pin, but Tori Taylor distracts the referee from the ring-apron. The crowd count the pin all the way to six before Bullet climbs off to swing at Tori who jumps off the apron. By the time Bullet turns around, JoJo dives low and tackles Bullet's knee, causing her to collapse onto the ground, holding her knee. JoJo scurries back up and takes hold of Bullet's weak knee and wraps her up in an inverted Texas Cloverleaf, the House Special! JoJo swings in the hold, which forces Bullet to submit by slapping the mat.
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via Submission JOJO RUSH!
JoJo stops spinning, but doesn't release the submission move. The referee does their best to free Bullet from the hold, but it takes the assistance of several officials to pull JoJo away from Bullet. JoJo finally releases the hold, dropping Bullet awkwardly onto the mat. JoJo grabs hold of the referee's wrist to forcefully raise JoJo's hand in victory in front of a booing crowd.
Aiello: Bullet had this match won fair and square, but once again, JoJo & The House find a way to steal a win from the clutches of defeat.
Jamie Love: I told you the House always wins, didn't I? Bullet is good, but she just ain't better than the House.
Aiello: Well, thank you for joining me here Jami--okay good, he's gone. Ugh. Folks, we'll be back in just a moment as we see Stitches take on the HBO Broadcast Champion Moxie in non-title interbrand action! Don't go away!
The House makes their way to the back as the camera cuts to a public service announcement that indeed, there's a BRAWL for All...
We move to a commercial break.
The camera cuts backstage inside the O2 Arena where we find the X-Division Champion Xavier Reid walking backstage. He passes by a Brawl Staff Member and grabs him by the arm…
Reid: Hey, have you seen Tommy Love…
The staff member shakes his head no and Xavier lets him go and moves on. As he continues to walk down the hallway he passes by one of the female interns…
Reid: Excuse me, have you seen Tommy Love…
The smile on her face from being stopped by Xavier quickly turns to a scowl hearing the name ‘Tommy Love’...
Intern: Did you check outside the ladies locker room…the perv is always peaking his head in when the door opens to see if he can ‘sneak a peek’...
She walks away from Xavier as he yells out…
Reid: Yeah, I already looked there…
Xavier shrugs as she doesn’t turn back and hev waves her off and continues to walk down the hallway, he makes a turn as runs into Bob Murray and his camera crew…
Reid: Bob…
Murray: Xavier, just the man I was looking for…tonight you face off against…
But Xavier covers the microphone with his right hand…
Reid: Bob, I’m looking for Tommy, he was supposed to be meeting with Jim Connors this afternoon and I haven’t heard from him …have you seen him…
Murray: I saw him on the phone a little bit ago…I stopped him to ask if I could get a few words on Nike Kosov and your match against her but he flipped me off and walked away really fast…but if you want to know how that meeting went well…
Bob looks around and points at Jim Connors…
Murray: Mr. Connors is right there…
Xavier looks past Bob Murray and sees Jim Connors talking to a few members of the Brawl Legal Team and makes a b-line towards him…Jim signs a contract, then another and then another and hands them to the men in suits as Xavier walks up to him…
Reid: Is that my contract you're signing Jim…
Jim Connors looks up and sees Xavier Reid and smirks…
Connors: Nope, those were the contracts of Brawl’s newest member after their wins on Gambit last night, Alexander Umbra, JRF and Cilan…
There is a loud cheer outside in the O2 Arena from the fans as Xavier nods…
Reid: So I take it your meeting with Tommy didn’t go well today…
Jim looks a bit puzzled at Xavier…
Connors: I didn’t meet with Tommy Love today…
Reid: Yes you did, you two were going to sit down and talk about my expired Brawl contract…I know as the X-Division Champion I’m eligible to appear on all four brands but I’d like to have that guarantee of you know…a contract…
But Jim shakes his head…
Connors: Xavier, I didn’t have a meeting with Tommy today…in fact he hasn’t returned any of my calls in weeks…Timothy Kahrs made an offer months ago…I added a thing here and there and sent it over to him weeks ago and NOTHING…I’m not going to be held hostage by the two of you…clearly we want you to remain on Brawl but I’m not going to be bent over a barrel by the The Love Club, it’s within your rights to test the market, to have the other Love’s talk with the GM’s here in the EWC but I’m operating as if you are show to show at this point…
Jim Connors shrugs and pats Xavier on the shoulder as he walks away leaving Xavier a bit confused…as he turns and watches Jim Connors walk away a Brawl Vendor leans in…
Brawl Vendor: Excuse me, if you’re looking for Tommy Love he’s right there…he took a Coke, mind you he didn’t pay for it and stepped outside to take his call…
The Vendor points to the window and there outside is ‘The Memphis Mouthpiece’ with a big smile on his face chatting away as he drinks his Coke…Xavier takes a step towards the door and stops…he looks at Tommy for a moment and then turns and walks away as the camera faded out…
INTERBRAND INSANITY - LAUGHTER LEADS TO VIOLENCE!
SINGLES MATCH (NON-TITLE)
Stitches
VS Moxie
SINGLES MATCH (NON-TITLE)
Stitches
VS Moxie
We return to ringside where Stroup waits to call the next bout as Bennett returns to the commentary booth, doing his best not to let what happened earlier get to him as Joe starts to speak up again.
Aiello: With Stitches continuing to anchor himself in the International championship scene, tonight he faces Rampage's broadcast champion in Moxie and says he'll show everybody exactly why he's still the man to take that title to the next level.
Bennett: Meanwhile, Amis Shelton and Moxie have been doing whatever the hell they want in the name of getting one step closer to the end of BORT III which has included, but has not been limited to, coming over to Monday nights to show the red brand what he's all about. What's really interesting here is that Stitches -- the man who will reportedly soon be tagging with The Mad King -- stands against the mad that's been giving King the hardest time out of any Rampager.
Aiello: And from what we understand, after Hardcore Revolution, and after Uprising just after that, The Mad King while in the building did not come dressed to compete. But let's not take away from the two men about to clash here tonight. Like two ships in the night they seem to have just missed each other until tonight. Live, and here for your enjoyment, the first clash of Stitches and Moxie in singles competition. Take it away, Stroup!
Stroup: The following match is a one on one contest scheduled for one fall! 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 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.
Stroup: And his opponent, representing Rampage, accompanied to the ring by Amis Shelton, from London, England, weighing in at 202 pounds ... He is Rampage's HBO Broadcast champion ... MOOOXIIIE!
The Gracious Few's 'Honest Man' hits the speakers, prompting the lights to dance around the arena with an ominous red glow. Moxie emerges from behind the curtain, with Amis Shelton following closely behind. He marches to the end of the stage and glares at the capacity crowd surrounding him. Raising his fist to his jaw, Moxie lets out a roar and walks down the aisle, ignoring the paying spectators.
He slides underneath the bottom rope and rises to his feet in the middle of the ring. Moxie faces the crowd before snapping back to face the camera, emphatically raising both clenched fists high above his head before slowly descending them in stereo to both sides of his jaw.
DING DING DING
Moxie opens with an unflappable three forearm combination that takes Stitches straight to the ropes. Irish whip reversed send Moxie into the opposite ropes instead, but the champion ducks the following clothesline from the carnival clown. Both men hit opposing ropes and come thundering toward one another. Moxie goes for a slightly uncharacteristic roundhouse kick that almost catches Stitches right in the paint. He slides underneath at the last available moment, however, and both men are hot on their feet in the center of the ring. It'll be Stitches that ends this little dance with a massive sidewalk slam that keeps Moxie grounded a moment. Shelton is freaking out in his corner, slapping the canvas and the broadcast title on his shoulder. Stitches, perhaps irritated perhaps bemused by this banter, cocks an eyebrow in Amis' general direction as, from his coat, he pulls out... a bra!?
Even the crowd is behind Stitches here as Stitches continues to successfully shush Amis. With a simple flick of the wrist the bra flies over the referee and lands right on Amis' open shoulder, the smiling faces of Amis and Moxie cut out of magazines and stapled to each cup looking at Amis from his shoulder, freaks him out a little as he flails about in a panic. Stitches turns back to Moxie and gets a BRUTAL back elbow to the gut. Before Moxie can capitalize, however, it's still Stitches' moment after he crushes their skulls together with a headbutt. On one knee and dazed, Moxie can't stop the second, the third, or the fourth headbutts as they flatten him to the canvas. London does not appreciate watching on as Stitches goes for the first pin of the match.
ONE!
Aiello: Talk about insult to injury!
TWO!
Bennett: Ain't no way this is it.
THR-NO!!
Aiello: WHOA! Moxie with a clear shoulder up before the three count. Looks like you're right, Steve, it's going to take more than a sidewalk slam and some headbutts to keep down the television champion of the green brand.
Bennett: Not to mention Stitches is out here messin' around with bras and staplin' people's faces to 'em. I think he's been hanging out with King Flip a little too much if he's getting so off track from Amis making a little ruckus outside the ring. If he keeps that up, this'll easily end up Moxie's night.
Aiello: An interesting call back to say the least. Our first iteration of watching Stitches use a woman's bra as a weapon was back at Hardcore Revolution when he and Dio were...
Bennett: Was that the part where you were screaming you couldn't watch? I can't remember. I do know them ending up in that ladies' shower was a highlight of the night for me.
Aiello: Alright, let's just get back to the action.
Amis has opted to accept the joke and has proceeded to have ring announcer Jessica Stroup help him strap Stitches' bra over his clothes, the little smiling Amis and Moxie perking out over everything. He stands proudly on the steel steps and London has a good laugh as Amis bings happily in position. Meanwhile, both Stitches and Moxie have stopped grappling position as they look over to this nonsense. Moxie uses the opening to rock Stitches into the corner with a vicious European uppercut. He follows with a second and a third before angrily storming over to Amis and he almost swing Amis around on the ring apron before stopping. He cracks a smile for what looks like the first time on Brawl television as he sneakily grabs the clip strap of the bra and yanks it back as far as he can. SNAP!
The bra cracks Amis in the shoulders like a whip and he falls pained to the thinly-padded concrete. Moxie shakes his head as London backs up his action with laughter and cheer. Stitch reels in the corner but has enough to yank Moxie into switching spaces upon their return. Another headache of a headbutt and both men almost go seated. The champion holds his head as he stumbles off on way as the clown shakes it off and tries to yank Moxie by the digits back to the corner. It's looking like it's flying wallenda time until Moxie snaps in place and, with a quick twist of his wrist, sends the carnival clown howling off the top rope after racking himself in a bounce for a few seconds. And in an instant Moxie locks in the pumphandle ready to go for one of his massive finishers. London appreciates as the champion pulls Stitches to the center of the ring and then chucks him down to the ground and rushes with a finger pointed at the stage. Nodding, ready, and wanting the fight, London matches Moxie's energy as they realize King Flip has emerged through the curtain on the stage.
Aiello: Just as we thought, Flip is in another one of his suits tonight, and it looks like he's just watching Moxie here. He's letting the HBO champion know that NOTHING has changed and Moxie is feeling pretty much the same in the ring. These two men have been at each other's throats for weeks folks, and -- wait! Moxie is going up the ramp. Screw the match, says Moxie!
Bennett: WHA-HAHAHA!! SEND IN THE CLOOOOWNS!
Flip wags his finger and shakes his head at Moxie as the HBO Broadcast champion continues quickly up the ramp. First the lights flicker a moment, stopping Moxie in place. Then droves of clowns, none taller than five feet or shorter than three, spill out three by three from the curtain with plumes of smoke. The lights flicker again as Moxie opts to ignore whatever the hell this is. The lights don't turn back on and London is all flash photography and lighters for several seconds until the lights come back on. King is gone, clowns and smoke is everywhere, and Moxie looks almost a little afraid as in Flip's place is a lady clown with a big smile giving Moxie a HUGE waving greeting. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Stitches probably regrets ever agreeing to tag with the King but recovers in a corner regardless as slowly, this whole show disappears behind the curtain it came from.
Bennett: I don't know who that girl was, but I'm oddly interested in whatever she's selling.
Aiello: I'm just glad the referee allowed that to go on and didn't count Moxie out. The champion, just as confused as we are, turning back to the ring and we're back to the action. Can Stitches maintain that early dominance or, after a literal carnival came out and gave them both a bit of a breather, will Moxie keep his focus now and put away the carnival clown? We're about to find out!
Moxie flies into the ring and connects with three consecutive clotheslines that don't seem to do more than slow down the clown. Stitches pops into place after a well-placed superkick, stumbling in position after the harsh boot to the chin from Moxie. The champion runs right into a Samoan drop as Stitches still seems to have some ring awareness in his stupor. Both men stumble to vertical bases and COLLIDE with clotheslines that send both men slamming right back to the canvas only to stumble into defensive positions on one knee. London appreciates the athleticism but no respect has been given or earned between these two men as they collide in the center of the ring again.
Grappling seems to be the bigger man's game here for a moment. Moxie fixes his foot positioning, though, and in a switfness Stitches is sent shoulders first to the canvas with a snap German. Moxie looks like he's signaling for the pumphandle finish here as clowns make their presence known again, lifting Amis into the air with some paper Amis crown on him and eight little clowns carry a laughing Amis Shelton up the ramp. Moxie, not letting this garbage distract him anymore, jumps forth at Stitches perhaps too soon. The carnival clown pulls him to the ground in a small package. No! Moxie quickly reverses into his own small package with Stitches' shoulders to the mat.
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
.
.
.
THR-ALMOST!!!
Stitches powers out of the hold just before the three. Both men are shaking cobwebs, loose on their feet, as they circle the ring. Moxie connects with a European uppercut. Stitches replies with a headbutt. Moxie replies with a Michionoku driver! Another cover!
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
.
.
.
THRE-STILLNO!!!
Stitches barely gets the shoulder up and Moxie is furious. He's sure the referee is screwing with him, slapping his own hands together aggressively to imply the count was too slow. He lifts Stitches up and yanks him into position. For the third time, though, Stitches avoids the pumphandle. This time by pulling the referee in to tell them a secret as they even more secretly lift the boot into Moxie's jewels. The champion stumbles back, Stitches lets go of the referee, and turns around to get into position. SOUND OF SILENCE! The finishing DDT devastates Moxie, opening him up on the canvas as Stitches goes for the pin.
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
.
.
.
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall... STITCHES!
The ref raises the clown's arm in victory, but all Stitches can do is glare at his fallen opponent as we cut back to commentary.
Aiello: What a win for Stitches here tonight!
Bennett: Ran roughshod over the HBO Broadcast Champion, though Moxie did show a hell of a fight tonight!
Aiello: Folks, we'll be right back with more interbrand competition as Nina Kosov takes on the EWC X-Division Champion himself, Xavier Reid, in non-title no DQ action!
Camera cuts to ...
We find ourselves walking backstage beside new Brawl roster member, Alexander Umbra. Dressed in replica of Doug-In-A-Barrel's barrel, he smiles and waves to backstage workers as he passed them. None wave back, but give him rather odd looks as he passes by.
Alexander Umbra: Hello! Hi! Good Day! Guten Tag!
We turn the corner with the overly joyful Alexander, only to watch as he almost runs into another new Brawl roster member, Cilan. Both of them stop dead, with Cilan throwing his hands up into the air.
Cilan: WOAH THERE, buddy. What are you...oh...
Cilan recognizes Alexander from the Gambit taping, but is visibly taken back by what he is wearing.
Cilan: Is...is that Doug-In-A-Barrel's barrel?
Alexander Umbra: Nope, I liked how free and wild it seemed to make him feel...so I figured I'd walk a mile in a man's shoes...or in a replica barrel. You know, get a feel for this trippy little mind escape I'm on.
Cilan: Mind what-now?
Alexander smirks while he reaches up and quickly touches Cilan's nose.
Alexander Umbra: Boop the snoot!
While Cilan tries to comprehend what the hell just happened, Alexander sidesteps him and continues on his merry way. Rubbing his nose, Cilan turns to look in the direction that Alexander went.
Cilan: What is wrong with that guy? Maybe...maybe I should investigate...
Cilan slowly starts to follow in the same direction as we cut away.
We move to a commercial break.
MONDAY NIGHT BRAWL INVADES FRIDAY NIGHT RAMPAGE
JULY 14TH 2023
Live From Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio!
INTERBRAND INSANITY - X-DIVISION ADJACENT BRUTALITY!
SINGLES MATCH, NO DISQUALIFICATIONS (NON-TITLE)
Nina Kosov
VS Xavier Reid
SINGLES MATCH, NO DISQUALIFICATIONS (NON-TITLE)
Nina Kosov
VS Xavier Reid
We return to ringside where we get ready for an X-Division match between Paramount's Nika Kosov, and the X-Division Champion, Xavier Reid.
Aiello: Nika is obviously the dark horse in this match-up, but you have to wonder if Xavier is at full strength after successfully retaining at Hardcore Revolution.
Bennett: Reid is a fighting champion, Aiello. He's going to bring his best, but it isn't easy putting down the young MMA fighter.
Stroup: The following match is an X-Division match set for one fall, Joining us first, from Moscow, weighing in at 145 pounds ... NIKA KOSOV!
As the lights dim and the cheers of the crowd fill the air, as Nika's music fills the ears of everyone in attendance. The curtains part, and out steps the stunning Nika Kosov, her piercing blue eyes scanning the audience. She strides purposefully towards the ring, her movements graceful and fluid, as the crowd cheers her every step. With a flick of her wrist, she tosses her black and red jacket to the side, revealing the curves and toned muscles beneath her wrestling gear. As she climbs the steps and enters the ring, she flashes a confident smile, ready to unleash her years of military training and MMA expertise.
Stroup: And her opponent, from New York City, weighing in at 220 pounds, he is the X-Division Champion... 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
Xavier and Nika circle each other but both competitors quickly meet in the middle and lock up in a standing clinch to hit each other with measured punches and kicks. In the strikes and blows, Nika loses out in the exchange, and attempts to get into the corner for a rope-break. But the rookie forgets that this is an X-Division match, and Xavier stays in close to throw some vicious knees to Nika's mid-section. With Nika slouched against the corner, Xavier hoists up Nika and places her sitting on the top turnbuckle. Xavier climbs up after her to perform a Brainbuster-suplex Xavier calls CTE. But Nika frees herself with a stiff headbutt and a shove. Xavier rolls back up to his feet, but is met by a crossbody from Nika that goes straight into a pin.
One...
Two...
Thre--kickout by Xavier!
Aiello: Big kickout there by the champ!
Bennett: Nina's gonna have to do a lot more than that to take Reid down!
After the kickout, Xavier rolls to Tommy and the apron to recover from the crossbody. Nika rolls out and takes the moment to search for a weapon. Nika raises a kendo stick up high to the crowd which roar in approval. She rolls back into the ring and cocks the stick back to crack Xavier with it, but the X-Division champ surprises Nika by throwing a trashcan lid provided by Tommy right to Nika's head. The attack staggers Nika, causing her to drop the kendo stick, but granting Xavier an opening to get back up to his feet and pull Nika in for a double underhook pile-driver Xavier calls the Love Shot. Reid nails the move and goes for the pin.
One..
two...
thr--kickout by Nika!
Xavier punches the mat and shakes his head in disbelief. But before Xavier can argue with the referee about the count, Nika quickly comes to life and locks Xavier in a rear naked choke hold! She hooks her legs around Xavier's waist and holds on tight. Xavier rolls and reaches for the ropes, and eventually reaches them. While the ropes don't provide a rope break, it gives Reid the leverage to pull himself up to his feet so he could crush Nika against the turnbuckle. From there, Xavier sprints to the opposite corner to build up speed and come charging right back, but Nika rewards the X-Division champ with a stiff boot to his face. The kick staggers Xavier, which Nika capitalizes on by hitting a Russian Bulldog! Nika floats over for the pin.
One...
Two...
Thre-- Kickout by Reid!
Aiello: Reid once again managing to escape defeat here!
Bennett: Gotta wonder now if Nina's wearing the champ down enough to put him away tonight!
Nika is now the one to look shocked from the kickout. She grabs hold of the nearby kendo stick and uses it to climb back up to her feet. Xavier gets no time to recover, with Nika quickly laying down shot after shot with the kendo stick. The only thing Xavier could do is roll to his side and shield the blows with his arms. The stick literally breaks against Xavier's forearms, leaving Nika no choice but to mount Xavier and lay into him with her ground and pound game. A signature move in her offense. But the MMA fighter failed to see that Reid was playing possum. Reid finds an opening and pulls Nika in for a Hell's Gate finisher he calls the Hell's Gate. It's a vicious choke, and despite Nika clawing at Xavier's bloody forearms, the Russian fighter slowly fades and passes out. Reid shakes his head and continues holding the choke until the referee signals for the end of the match.
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via Submission XAVIER REID!
Reid immediately releases the hold after the bell rings and raises his title and hand in victory. Officials check on Nika, who comes to after officials pass smelling salts underneath her nose.
Aiello: Kosov might not be an X-Division wrestler by trade, but she held her own against the X-Division Champion tonight.
Bennett: Between Hardcore Revolution and tonight, Reid is out here showing the world that he can beat folks at their own game.
Aiello: Agreed! Folks, when we come back we have a big main event for you! Triple threat action as Chelsea Skye, Caleb Scott, and Cyrus go at it to become the new FX Broadcast Champion! Don't go away!
Camera cuts to ...
We go backstage, where we see JoJo Rush draping his arm over Tori Taylor and shooting the shit waiting for Bob Murray to begin the interview.
Murray: We are live backstage following JoJo's submission victory. JoJo, why did you refuse to release the House Special on Bullet after--
JoJo snarls and rips the microphone from Murray's hand and shouts.
JoJo: Bullet damn-well knew what the hell she did. Ah'm already a dangerous man, Bob. But Bullet thought she could put Eli's name in her yapper and get away with it! Ah thought folks woulda got that message after Ah retired that Jabroni, Dean Judas. But that useless, no-good, dime-a-dozen, back-bitin', yellow-bellied coward Bullet had the audacity to bring up mah vices. You don't talk that kinda crazy down in Texas without gettin' a Texas-sized asswhoopin'. Bullet wanted to find out who Ah am. Who Ah really am. Know what y'all?
JoJo turns from Murray and to the camera to address the world. His breathing hitched and he snarled in between his words.
JoJo: AH AM AN UNRELENTIN' FORCE OF NATURE. AH BREAK ANGRY BEASTS AS EASY AS AH BREAK PEOPLE. AH'M VICIOUS, CRUEL, AND DOWNRIGHT NASTY. THE GOLD RUSH AIN'T OVER, BUT IT SURE DOES TAKE DETOURS FER FOOLS DUMB ENOUGH TO TEST MAH PATIENCE. FUCK AROUND WITH ME OR THE HOUSE? AH'LL MOVE THE HEAVENS AND EARTH ITSELF JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU FIND. OUT.
Rush throws the microphone against Bob's chest and storms off with Tori to go and cool off in the locker rooms.
We move to a commercial break.
“THIS IS MY KIIINNNGGGDDDOOOMMM!!!”
The fans ERUPT as Halestorm’s “Steeple” hit’s the PA system. Cue “The Rebel Star” Melinda Rhodes stepping through the curtains. There isn’t as much of a spring in her step and some of the damage from Hardcore Revolution are visible wherever she has exposed skin. Some of her tattoos were clearly in the process of being repaired, some stitches still waiting to come out. Mel sports her red motorcycle vest, a black tanktop, black slacks, silver capped motorcycle boots, a chain belt around her waist to match the choker around her neck, bracers on her wrists, and what’s resting on both of her shoulders are the International and FX Broadcast Championships. She first raises the FX Championship to a noticeable pop, then lifts the International Championship to an even bigger cheer.
Crowd: REBEL RHODES! REBEL RHODES! REBEL RHODES! REBEL RHODES!
She lowers them down with a smile and walks with a more brisk stride towards the ring, ignoring the lingering pain of her big match at Hardcore Revolution. This is her moment and she wants to live it up as much as possible. She then gets a running start to the ring, belts out at her sides as she leaps up onto the apron, landing sideways on it and sliding on momentum to the middle of the ring. She hisses slightly as she rises up using only her legs, keeping the belts firmly in hand. Rising up gingerly, she places the International Championship on her shoulder, then motions for a microphone and is tossed one. Mel catches it, flicks the switch, the music dies and she brings it to her lips.
Rebel: *chuckling a bit* Sorry folks, I probably shouldn’t have slid my ass into the ring in the shape I’m in, but screw it, what’s Monday Night Brawl without a little pain huh? So I’m going to admit something to all of you here and now, as I stand here proud as hell of what I’ve done.
There’s a little pause as she looks over the crowd, trying to keep it all in.
Rebel: I… uh… I didn’t think I’d be here in this ring tonight with either of these belts in my hands. King Flipster ain’t lying when he says he’s the measuring stick of Brawl. He all but killed me at the very end and the main reason I have this belt on me is because we fell wrong after he hit me with a huge move through the top of the cell and my arm somehow ended up over his chest 1-2-3.
Moisture builds in her eyes, but she maintains her composure otherwise.
Rebel: Some will say I got lucky, that divine influence played it’s hand in our match, and who can say. We both fought our hearts out, did the best we could, and this is how it ended… Me, here, in this ring, holding both the FX Broadcast and International Championships, a defense and a new crowning all at the same time.
Her head lowers as thoughts of her family come to mind and her tone softens.
Rebel: My… my family didn’t want me to even go through with the match. I was told that it was too dangerous, that I wasn’t fit for it…
She takes in a deep breath, straining against the sadness that taints the greatest moment of her professional wrestling career.
Rebel: …That I was choosing my glory over them. Yet here I stand now, alive, gold in hand, the greatest accomplishment of my life before me and yet I can’t really enjoy it because the truth is that the only reason I came back was that I wanted my little girl to be proud of her mom… to be able to look up to me as an example, her hero. What kind of mother would I be if I told her to play it safe and take the sure bets?
There’s a flash of anger mixed with pain in her eyes as she looks to the crowd once more, her eyes eventually falling across the camera.
Rebel: I didn’t do this just for my sake. Sure, a bajillion things could’ve gone wrong at Hardcore Revolution. Could’ve broken my neck when I got put through the top of that cell, could’ve been killed on the Highway to Hell match, or whatever, but I took that gamble because if it paid off and it did…
Mel looks back at the crowd, steeling herself in the moment.
Rebel: …I’d be an inspiration to more than just my daughter. I’m living proof that you can overcome anything, come back from the worst shit imaginable, and rise above all of it.
She crosses the ring for a moment, draping the FX Championship on the rope, then leaning on crossed arms in the corner, microphone held at an angle towards one side of her mouth.
Rebel: When I came back, I was under no illusions that I’d ever be more than just a mechanic in the ring, helping younger talent to tune up for the challenges they face. Considering the stupid mistakes I made, the egotistical big wooley bullshit, and all the selfish and harmful things I did to my brothers and sisters in the back all those years ago, I expected only to eat shit and learn to love the taste, texture, and smell of it.
The Rebel Star drapes the International Championship on the ropes on the other side of her.
Rebel: I went into this with only one intention. I wasn’t gonna’ force my way into opportunities or steal from others. I wasn’t gonna’ keep anyone down so I could get ahead. Nah, I was just gonna’ take whatever they threw at me and make the absolute most out of it. I kept winning and eventually they threw me the ball and I ran with it for touchdown after touchdown. It wasn’t easy, but here I am at the end of one road and turning onto the next one.
She backs out of the corner, pulling the International Championship from the ropes and lifting it in the air to another pop from the crowd. As she lowers the belt back onto her shoulder, she turns and looks towards the entrance arch, then back to the crowd.
Rebel: I wanna give thanks… to Danny Mac for the opportunity to come back, to Fans like you awesome Londoners for giving us your all when we’re out in this ring, to the boys and girls in the back who both challenged and encouraged me to keep going even when I didn’t feel I could, and lastly to King Flip. Sure he did everything in his power to try and tear me apart at Hardcore Revolution, even hiring a goon squad to beat me down in the middle of the show backstage. Yet even that’s Hardcore because I took it all and he took everything I had as well. Say what you will about him as a person, the man’s a legend in EWC and has proven himself against some of the very best in the industry these last few years.
Mel’s eyes find the camera and she looks directly down the lens and hopefully into the eyes of King Flip who would eventually be watching on the other end.
Rebel: Thank you Flip. You didn’t duck me or try to get out of it, you stood up and faced me head on, giving me the fight of a lifetime. You were a general who lobbied his troops, tried every tactic in your playbook, and yet at the end of the night, even though you played a near perfect game, you ended up falling short to the Rebel Star. It was an incredible match and night and without you, I can’t say that it would have nearly been as memorable or amazing.
With her arm held out, the title facing the camera.
Rebel: I know you got a rematch for this belt coming and you’ll come at me like a vengeful God and when you do, I’ll be right here saying, “Bring it on sunshine.”
She steps back from the rope, gathering up the FX Championship and placing the International Championship on her shoulder. Mel stares down at the FX Title, sighing softly.
Rebel: Last bit of business before I go… The rules state that I can’t hold both the FX Broadcast Championship and the International Championship, even though I successfully defended one while winning the other simultaneously.
Mel looks back at the crowd as they stomp their feet and chant.
Crowd: TWO BELT REBEL!!! *STOMP STOMP STOMP!* TWO BELT REBEL! *STOMP STOMP STOMP!*
She smiles wistfully, looking down at the FX Championship.
Rebel: As much as I’d like to defend both, it would be greedy and selfish of me to do that. Nah… Whoever gets this next has some big shoes to fill and one hell of a record to top.
That smile takes on a devilishly impish quality as she looks at the camera with a little twinkle in her eye.
Rebel: …and you better hope that my reign as International Champion is a long one because honeychiiiiiiild! …I will come back for this bad boy again.
Mel leans down and drapes the belt across the canvas in a ceremonial fashion.
Rebel: Good luck, future champ.
She brings two fingers to her lips, kisses them softly and then points them like a finger gun at the camera.
Rebel: Bang…
Her music hits and she lowers the fingers with a wink and a grin before backing away from the belt and exiting the ring, heading straight to the back. She stops in her tracks at the bottom of the rampway, however, as T H E M A D K I N G flies from right to left across a fired up EXT. The arena collectively rises to their feet as the MASS of red pyrotechnics hit the lining of the EXT. From behind the curtain, decorated in an eggshell white suit, Brawl red tie, and a microphone at the ready, The Mad King comes out flailing his left hand about. ‘HEIMDALLR’ by Munknörr plays but Flip is having none of it as he glares down at Melinda.
The Mad King: Turn that shit off this instant. Don’t make me come back there.
Flip’s theme quickly cuts off, the EXT firing down shortly after, and a big jovially happy smile splashes King’s face. He fires his left pointer straight in the sky.
The Mad King: That’s… BETTAH…
In an instant, the smile is gone. The fun is gone. Fans jubilate as Hardcore Revolution’s main event stands tall before them. Flip slowly lowers that finger to point square to International champion Melinda Rhodes as he glares at her through his eyebrows. Melinda stands tall as The Mad King simply relishes the moment a little. Then, in a flash, it’s all smiles and laughs and something along the lines of ‘the look on your face’ is muttered by King but it isn’t quite picked up by the mic. Rhodes nods her head a bit with a small smirk and Flip fires back up, fans cheers having picked up and now died down again.
The Mad King: If I can be serious for a minute… ladies and gentlemen, I don’t think you quite welcomed, ah whoof here this goes… YOUR International champion AND MINE… THE REBEL STAR… MELINDAAA RHODES!
A full capacity crowd rises to their feet in an ovation. Flip shakes off the jovial self-deprecation while extending his free hand out toward the International champion. Melinda looks at the hand for a moment, her eyebrow quirked as the two lock gazes briefly. King Flip gives a very small smile, a respectful nod, then continues as he does his usual pace across the stage.
The Mad King: Quite honestly, Hardcore Revolution will be a night that very few true professional wrestling fans will ever forget. From the hurancanrana through the flaming table, two spears through two sets of guardrails, chained bats crushing trash cans, AND THEN! Well, and then we were dancing during all those shenanigans, too, weren’t we Rebs? Jesus Christ, the tenacity. The literally fucking testicles it must’ve taken to jump from a fucking motorcycle, Get out of my face forever with that shit, Reb Dogg, because that could never be me. That’s crazy!
Fans still cheering all the excitement, Rebel chuckles and shrugs as King Flip just gives her another knowing nod, this one with a wink.
The Mad King: You’ve got absolute madness happening in and out of the arena, we pull up… AND YOU FALL OUT!?
Now even King marks out with the fans.
The Mad King: What a wild night. One thing I will admit, those little goombas, that was… that was tacky. Almost as tacky as them coming out in ‘security’ shirts and the three of us coming and taking that championship to Jim Connors where it fucking belongs, but anyway.
King is very furious and callous in his words, pointing off to the television title in the ring. Fans HEAVILY turn on King as Dumb as Heller appear through the curtain and are in fact wearing ‘SECURITY’ shirts. Mel looks quizzically at the crew popping out. Flip, now realizing these clowns walked out, looks thoroughly confused that his hypothetical situation just manifested itself in front of him. He quickly throws a waved hand at Melinda to assure her this is some mistake. Fans go back to all cheers, Flip shoo’ing of the enhancement talent, then the former champion turns around with a thumbs up in reply to the audience. He points to his skull, winks at them, then returns to business with Melinda.
The Mad King: Personal opinions aside on that simple manner, Melinda. Three inches aside. Sheesh, that’s not something I thought I’d ever have to say to a lady but, shit, here we are.
He shakes his head at the pervert marks as they whistle and jeer accordingly.
The Mad King: Rebel Star, all seriousness, you are the International champion after Hardcore Revolution and King here? Well… we heard what you had to say. King here, we wanted to shake your hand. But then we heard what you had to say. So, while The Mad King still would like to shake your hand right here tonight, on our show, Monday night Brawl, RIGHT HERE… in London, England! Long live the QUEEN!
Massive appreciation from the O2 Arena for that one.
The Mad King: So, please, if you don’t mind.
King motions as he stops pacing, now hoping to stand center stage with International champion Melinda Rhodes for a respectful handshake. There’s a moment as the hand is offered a second time and this time, she takes it. She shakes Flip’s hand firmly clasped, London appreciating, he shocks even Melinda as he turns toward the ring. Mel’s hand still clasped in his he raises it and points his mic-gripping hand toward her while nodding to further non-verbally egg on the increasing cheer for the moment. Her guard is up a bit, but she allows it. King finally lets go and continues, now speaking to Mel as she shifts the big belt on her shoulder.
The Mad King: Now, pleasantries aside, forgive me for correcting you. First and first mostly… that’s THE. BENCHHHHmark. Of. Brawl.
O2 thunderously approves this message, King’s pointer sternly but calmly directed at Melinda.
The Mad King: Second order: I’m not so sure you should dislocate your shoulder patting yourself on the back just yet about ‘doing them proud’ since, well, let’s be honest with ourselves Melinda. Stunt jumping from a motorcycle? Opening the back of that truck before we pulled in to start the second fall? Then falling out, Melinda? Sorry, The Mad King does know his words come from a poor source but… think about that one, at least, would you?
Rebel: ‘xcuse me the fuck? Dude I fell through the goddamn door! The damn thing gave out!
He paces the stage again now, shaking his head as he clicks his tongue.
The Mad King: Now… in final, Rebel. THREEEEEE times International champion. THREEEEEE times defended. The cusp of continuing to set records. And you thought what you went though… you thought that was every tactic?
Rebel: Nah, but likely your greatest hits.
King chuckles and shakes his head. He brings his free hand up to his face, pinching his nose with a squint to get a hold of himself. Then, in a millisecond, he’s face to face with a slightly irritated Melinda Rhodes. London explodes at the potential for things to pick up here. Slowly, Flip moves his free hand to Mel’s International championship, placing his hand over the big metallic face of the belt with a smile on his face. Melinda nods, putting up two fingers in front of his face and curling them in as if to beckon him on and Flip lets out a little giggle as he pulls his hand from the title. It is revealed to the O2 Arena that the same hand to print Flip’s face for the evening still had white face paint left over. ‘Oops’ mouths Flip as T H E M A D K I N G flies right to left across a fired up tron. The red pyrotechnics blast one more time. ‘HEIMDALLR’ blares through the public announcement system. Melinda mouths “Anytime” with her free arm outstretched as Flip waves, backpedaling through the curtain backstage. The Rebel follows in suit as we gear up for our main event.
FROM A REVOLUTION TO A CORONATION!
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
FOR THE FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Chelsea Skye
VS Caleb Scott
VS Cyrus
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
FOR THE FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Chelsea Skye
VS Caleb Scott
VS Cyrus
We return to ringside where Stroup bings from the ring, ready to call the main event as the graphic lights up the EXT. London appreciates as referee Walter Chioda lifts the FX Broadcast championship, previously left behind moments prior by former two-time champion Melinda Rhodes, and stands in position for a moment with the title in the air. Joe and Steve walk us through the opening moments at commentary.
Aiello: Even when the card's only got four matches -- start to finish -- this has been a rocketbuster Monday night for the red brand! And we're not done yet, folks, as we once again take a moment to hearken back to Hardcore Revolution to properly set up what you're about to see.
Bennett: Chelsea Skye took a hurancanrana through a flaming table that night but walked out with the victory over Zack Tyler in a hell of a fight that'd end in then Kahrs, now Connor's office. Then you've got Caleb Scott's massacre against Elissa Bradley that seems to have halted any marriage plans Darius might've had.
Aiello: Our best goes our to Darius and Elissa Bradley but you're absolutely right, Steve. Caleb Scott put them BOTH through the ringer at Hardcore Revolution and tonight he -- and Chelsea -- will see their third attempts at the FX Broadcast championship. But we would be remiss, of course, not to mention the third man in tonight's fight. Cyrus.
Bennett: My boy Cyrus held it down at Hardcore Revolution and showed Monday nights that the original International man has come back and in a damn big way.
Aiello: A raucous back and forth that not only ended with Cyrus having his arm raised... but with Antoni having the taste slapped out of his mouth for offering a handshake!
Bennett: Caleb Scott isn't the only dangerous man in this fight, Joe, and this isn't even the 113th time Chelsea Skye has been with two dudes, so, it should be a great night.
Aiello: You never stop, do you?
Bennett: Does she?
Aiello: JUST TAKE IT AWAY, JESSICA!
Stroup: The following main event will be a triple threat match for the FX Broadcast championship! Joining us first, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 123 pounds ... "THE NIGHTMARE ANGEL" CHELSEA SKYE!
“I’ve come to face my mistakes, the fire fades, the will to carry on, subdued by fear!”
The fast guitar riff for “Reborn Through Failure” hits the speakers and once the vocals kick in Chelsea makes her way out onto the entrance ramp ready for battle. Following her ring introduction Chelsea makes her way down to the ring slapping hands with the occasional fan along the way, she enters the ring and runs the ropes as she waits for her opponent.
Stroup: And her opponent, from Saint Cloud, Minnesota, weighing in at 215 pounds ... "GRANITE CITY SADIST" CALEEEB SCOTTTT!
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 their opponent, from Carson City, Nevada, weighing in at 220 pounds ... CYRUS!
The lights in the arena dim and two spotlights hit the top of the entrance ramp as The Purge by Demetrius X blasts over the PA system. Cyrus calmly walks out and stands in the spotlight for a moment before making his way down to the ring.
Aiello: Big fight feel here in London, one of these three is going to be the new FX Broadcast Champion!
DING DING DING
It looks like Caleb Scott and Cyrus are about to get down to business as they zone in on one another in a march toward center stage in the squared circle. Chelsea interposes herself in the middle, arms extended, and pushes them away from each other to have a word. They both glare at her before collectively sending her over the ropes by her hair. Caleb makes the mistake of taking pride in the moment, going for a high five with Cyrus, who just looks at Caleb like he's stupid before punching him square in the mouth. Caleb accepts that with a nod and returns to sender with a massive right of his own. These men begin to outright BRAWL as London appreciates. Chelsea Skye slides into the ring and both men shove off one another as the attempts a kick to both. She catches nothing but air and bounces off the canvas into the ropes. Caleb Scott takes her to the canvas just as she stands with a clothesline.
Cyrus 'oh yeah's Caleb's clothesline with an unbelievably quick leap to the second turnbuckle, a swift spin as he pops to the top, and then soars into a flying missile dropkick that flattens Chelsea Skye so hard so rolls to the thinly-padded concrete outside the ring. Cyrus smiles but not for long as he, arms out, gets up and turns right into a MASSIVE spear from Caleb. Scott keeps the offensive with a plethora of forearms to an attempting-to-defend Cyrus. The former International champion gets an impressive left boot to the ear of Scott to catch him long enough. Scott flinches as he winces from the blow and Cyrus rolls into the clear, standing outside of the ring and letting Caleb Scott know how he feels about him. Cyrus is so irritated with himself he lifts Chelsea up and just rolls her into the ring in frustration.
Aiello: Cyrus looks a little peeved with himself here. He knows he shouldn't have left himself open and Caleb Scott took advantage.
Bennett: And this is after Cyrus told Caleb Scott 'no thanks' on the high five, so these men are tit-for-tat and not having the early mental game is frustrating Cyrus here. But hey, at least he isn't Chelsea Skye. Has she done so much as be in the way so far here, Joe?
Aiello: LOOKS LIKE WE'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT!
Superkick! Caleb Scott was still making sure he wasn't bleeding from the ear when Chelsea gets vertical in the ring and pops him square in the chin. Caleb is stunned standing, so Skye keeps on the offensive with a swift grapple into a snap suplex. Skye spins her legs and looks for the hat trick. Cyrus, catching wind of it as Chelsea connects with a second suplex, mutters something to himself and shakes his head as he ascends the steel steps and the ring post. Skye almost doesn't lift Caleb into the third suplex, Scott getting a leg into position to stop the grapple as Cyrus waits in position on the top turnbuckle. Instead it's Caleb Scott with a beautiful stalling suplex.
He holds Chelsea perfectly vertical much to the chagrin of Cyrus on the rope. But he isn't out of position with Scott and Skye finally hit the mat. FLYING THROAT STOMP! Cyrus PUMMELS down on Caleb's throat and the Sadist goes rolling out of the ring in pain. Cyrus opts for the pinfall on the downed Skye.
ONE!
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TWO!!
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THR-NO!!!
Cyrus looks unplussed but unsurprised by the kickout by the Nightmare Angel. He lifts her up an the shock hits him when she breaks the hold. FOR JUSTIN! Slingblade signature from Chelsea and it's Cyrus with his leg up getting pinned.
ONE!
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TWO!!
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THR-NO!!!
Chelsea Skye is lifted and tossed onto the referee with the kick out. Cyrus pressed her out of the way and slams him hand HARD on the canvas in further frustration. Caleb Scott still coughing on the outside, Cyrus slides out of the ring to finish the job early. He clear the corner but once again a bumbling Skye, rolls right into the middle of things. Superkick! Skye kicks Cyrus so hard he leaps over the guardrail and rolls at the feet of the front row. London appreciates but Caleb Scott doesn't get a chance to. CLIPPED WING ANGEL! Chelsea has the finishing triangle choke on Caleb Scott. And he's tapping! But he's outside the ring, so it doesn't make a difference.
Dazed and confused, though, Caleb does trick Chelsea out of the strangle hold as droopily raises her arms in pre-victory. She looks to the confused referee who sets her straight. A moment of euphoria until Caleb rushes her THROUGH the guardrail, Cyrus just on the other side, with a nasty SPEAR that takes everyone involved into a quickly vacating first several rows of the audience.
Aiello: OH MY GOODNESS! Caleb Scott just sandwiched Chelsea Skye into the guardrail, then took all that and sandwiched Cyrus into the first row of steel chairs there and EVERYBODY is out.
Bennett: Cyrus with the massive double stomp to the throat of Caleb gave him the opportunity to pin Chelsea. But it also gave Chels the shot to catch Cyrus with that slingblade and, I think maybe if Cyrus wasn't on top of his game here, that might've been all she wrote and we'd be looking at an upset victory of the century.
Aiello: And now, a superkick, a choke hold, and a spear later, Cyrus, Chelsea, and Caleb are all out flat on the concrete and the referee looks like he's ready to start counting at any moment.
Bennett: Ah, but remember, Joe. It's a triple threat match. This is all legal so far and there won't be any count outs. We won't leave tonight without knowing for a fact that there's a new FX Broadcast champion.
Aiello: A very fair point, Steve. With Cyrus looking like he or Caleb Scott are going to be first up to bat here I've got to wonder. Exactly how much -- well there it is!
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Cyrus and Caleb Scott begin folding and tossing steel chairs at one another, taking the shot, and going for the next chair as London appreciates. Both men have folded chairs and they're looking for a toss when Chelsea Skye comes to a vertical position in between. CON-CHAIR-NO!! Cyrus and Caleb both reel as they went for the classic Edge and Christian double team on Chelsea, but she slipped out of the way in time. The chairs collide and both men drop them, shake their hands about, and frustratingly turn to one another to continue the fight.
Stiff rights exchange back and forth while Chelsea slips away with a steel chair and sloppily enters the ring. The brawl collides into more errant chairs as both men shove off one another and go crashing about back first. Slowly, they make their ways to the downed guardrail and are about to pick up where they left off when Chelsea Skye comes flying off the top turnbuckle with the steel chair held against her back for a NASTY suicide dive!
Aiello: IS SHE CRAZY!?
Bennett: Chelsea Skye needs to turn this around for herself in a big way and maybe I'll be damned if that dive didn't look damn clean there. After slipping away from a double chair to the dome it's looking like the Nightmare Angel might pick up the massive victory here.
Aiello: It's certainly still going to be a bulky and tall order as she rolls both Cyrus AND Caleb Scott AND slides a steel chair into the ring with her to boot.
CRACK! The steel chair slams across the back of Caleb Scott, bringing him down from his wobbly vertical base to his knees. Chelsea goes for a second swing, this one to the face, but Caleb scouts it and rolls out of the way. Skye bumbles right into Cyrus who snaps to action. CROSSFACE! He tears the chair from her hand and cranks her to the canvas for the signature submission. London appreciates and with Chelsea Skye out of position to get a hand or foot on or near a rope... she might tap out here... she shakily stretches outward... Cyrus cranks the submission even more as he lets out a war cry. This seems to wake up Caleb Scott, however, who stands up with a vengeance letting out his own war cry. Cyrus snaps out of it and rolls out of the ring just as Caleb Scott comes thundering down with an elbow meant for Cyrus but connecting with Chelsea.
Caleb makes chase and Cyrus leads him around the ring for a lap and a half before the veteran slides into the ring in wait. Caleb slides in after him. CROSSFACE! Cyrus gets the submission locked in again, but Caleb's way too close to the ropes. He grabs the bottom rope but Cyrus refuses to break the hold. The referee can't do much more than insist any submission won't count right now but Cyrus hears none of it until Caleb roars out again. Scott uses all his strength with his left hand gripping the ring apron and his right arm wrapping the bottom rope. Both men go pouring out to the outside, slamming against the thinly-padded concrete to a thud.
Bennett: This has been an all out war from go, Joe. We've had submissions, chair shots, big dives, crashes over the guardrail, through the guardrail, around the guardrail, I mean hell, I'm surprised nobody used the damn guardrail at this point.
Aiello: It seems you may have spoken to soon as the action gets back over in that direction. Both men looking like they're running fumes -- AND IT'S ANOTHER SUICIDE DIVE FROM CHELSEA SKYE!
Chelsea only seems to catch Cyrus by surprise. Caleb markedly ducks the move and stumbles in position waiting for Chelsea Skye to stand up. Spear into the steel chairs! London loves it as Caleb guns into second gear here. Just as he's about to continue the lesson in pain, dragging Skye to her feet and toward the ring, "Metalingus" by Alter Bridge plays on the EXT. Scott leaves Skye slumped on the ring apron as smoke billows from the stage and rampway as Darius' theme continues while his video package displays on the screen. Caleb welcomes the fight but no 'Golden Ticket' Darius ever shows up. His theme fades after playing nearly a minute.
Caleb Scott, now angered that his time was wasted, turns to a recovering Cyrus splayed out on a slightly bending guardrail. Caleb comes marching in and keeps Cyrus down with three skin ripping right fists. Chelsea takes this time to pull herself defensively into the ring at first, but with no Darius in sight she opts instead to set up on the ring apron. ANGEL'S RECKONING! She bounds into her signature X-Factor, slamming Caleb face-first into Cyrus' gut while getting a pseudo legdrop of her own on the former International champion and the crowd explodes. Chelsea, however, cannot capitalize at all as this sent her buns first into hard guardrailing and concrete. She writhes away in pain as Caleb slowly gathers himself and Cyrus up enough to slump both men sloppily into the ring.
Aiello: What an absolute way to turn a match in your favor is that flying X-Factor, we all saw how powerful a move that was against Zack Tyler when they went flying off the stage, but it looks like she misjudged the landing and paid dearly for it.
Bennett: None of these fighters want to give up an inch even if they gotta cut into their own miles, Joe. You've got no idea what it means to be a champion MUCH LESS what it will mean for any of these three superstars to become the next FX Broadcast champion. Melinda Rhodes, just as every television champion of the red brand before her, well, she left mighty big shoes to fill after her big win at Hardcore Revolution. And I'll be damned if Chelsea, Caleb, or Cyrus here even have the word 'quit' in their damn dictionaries. They've all given everything they have so far and -- OHOHOHO, here we go! Good evening, Darius!
Aiello: Now what the hell is this? Darius has a... he has a briefcase that he's labeled "Darius' GOLDEN TICKET"! Is he gonna cash in and become the new FX Broadcast champion here instead!?
Just as Caleb and Cyrus are getting ready to give each other some more lumps, Darius in fact walks over Chelsea Skye with a big grin on his face and an equally obnoxious briefcase in hand. He's glaring at Caleb specifically but Cyrus is no fool either. Both men take a few stumbled steps backward as if to invite Darius into this little dance of theirs. Darius toys with the idea as London appreciates until WHAM! He whips about madly and blast the briefcase over a barely vertical Chelsea Skye's face. He places it gently on a lone, seated steel chair, then lifts Chelsea to roll her into the ring. Caleb and Cyrus reposition to allow the stumbling and confused Chelsea to get to one knee as Darius turns back and for the briefcase.
GRAVE PLOT! Skye stands right into the Alabama slam finish from Caleb, but Scott leaves himself open for Cyrus from behind. THE BLACKOUT! Cyrus catches Caleb just as he's getting off his knee, leaving him cold and flops over to pin Chelsea Skye instead!
ONE!
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TWO!!
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THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Stroup: Here is your winner, via pinfall, and NEW FX Broadcast Champion... CYRUS!
Cyrus slowly gets to his feet as someone walks to him to present the new champion with the FX Broadcast Champion. Only it isn't the referee...nor is it the former champion Melinda Rhodes...no, it's Darius, a wicked grin on his face as he hands the belt to Cyrus, accepting it with a bit of a snarl on his face as the two men stare each other down...until suddenly, Darius goes after the still knocked-out Caleb Scott! He manages to get just a couple shots in before security comes rushing down to stop things, but Darius slides out of the ring, his briefcase in his hand...and suddenly, "Gigaslayer" plays over the PA as JoJo Rush makes his way to the stage, staring down the Golden Ticket holder on the ramp before turning his attention to the new champ in the ring.
Aiello: Ooooh boy folks, we had a main event to write home about! A new champion in Cyrus...
Bennett: ...a man with a big ol' bullseye on his back, Joe! Chelsea and Caleb had a hell of a fight in 'em, but now it's on ol' Cyrus to hold that belt with pride!
Aiello: Between Darius and JoJo Rush eyeing up the champ, it sure looks like Cyrus has his work cut out for him! Folks, we're all outta time for tonight! For Steve Bennett, I'm Joe Aiello saying so long and good night, and we will see you in just a couple weeks on the road to Invasion 2023 and PARABELLUM!
The three men continue to stare each other down, their sights all set on being the champ when the dust settles as the show comes to a close ...
END SCREEN
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MATCH WRITERS
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MATCH ONE: JoJo Rush
MATCH TWO: The Mad King
MATCH THREE: JoJo Rush
MAIN EVENT: The Mad King
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SEGMENTS
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Melinda Rhodes / The Mad King
Xavier Reid
Alexander Umbra
JoJo Rush
MNB
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RECAP OF WINNERS
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MATCH 1
Alex "Bullet" Carbajal
VS JoJo Rush
WINNER via submission: JoJo Rush
MATCH 2
Stitches
VS Moxie
WINNER via pinfall: Stitches
MATCH 3
Nina Kosov (N/S)
VS Xavier Reid
WINNER via submission: Xavier Reid
MAIN EVENT
FOR THE FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Chelsea Skye (pinned)
VS Caleb Scott
VS Cyrus
WINNER via pinfall and NEW FX Broadcast Champion: Cyrus
BRAWL #597 MVPs: Xavier Reid & Cyrus
BRAWL #597 MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Stitches VS Moxie
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© THE EXTREME WRESTLING CORPORATION 2023
