Rampage #516 - INVASION SERIES - MNB vs FN'R

[MNB]

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...

»»BRAWL INVADES««
RAMAGE DEFENDS!!!

VS

The Extreme Wrestling Corporation Presents

FRIDAY NIGHT RAMPAGE

FRIDAYS LIVE ON ESPN & HBO AT 10PM CST.
SPONSORED IN PART BY UNDER ARMOUR, SONY, DR. PEPPER AND SPOTIFY.

EPISODE 516
JULY 14TH 2023



Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio

EWC RAMPAGE
7/14/2023
Live From Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
General Manager - Grizzly Duggan
Commentators -
Play-By-Play: Koala Duggan
Color: Polar Duggan
Announcer: Emmanuelle Chriqui
Head Ref: Toyo Yasahiro
Assistant Refs: Mike Michaelson & Pierce Patterson
Backstage Help: Bryan Spade & Candice Duggan

---------------

Fog spreads throughout the arena, covering the screaming fans as "Asking For It" begins to sound off over the loudspeakers.



"MAYBE YOU TALKED TO MUCH AND YOU WERE ASKING FOR IT, ASKING FOR IT, ASKING!
YOU CAN BLAME BAD LUCK, BUT YOU WERE ASKING FOR IT, ASKING FOR IT, ASKING!!!"

The fans scream for delight as the EXT explodes to life. Pyro ignites on the stage.



The camera pans around the arena as fans scream for delight and begin their chants and raise their signs high into the air. 

THE FLOODGATES HAVE OPENED! INVADE INVADE INVADE 

THE SKYE IS ABOUT TO FALL DOWN

THERE WILL BE HAVOC FOR MELINDA RHODES

THE LEFT HAND IS ABOUT TO GET SMACKED BY SOME RUTHLESS WOLVES

WE BOUT TO RAMPAGE ALL OVER BRAWL

BRAND WARFARE IS NIGH

KENDRICK BOUT TO KROSS UP ON UMBRA

WHAT EVEN IS A LIL PETEY ANYWAY

GIDEON GAGE JUST GOT FINED FOR THIS SIGN







FN'R!!!

FN'R!!!

FN'R!!!

FN'R!!!

The camera flashes back to the Xtreme-Tron which shows the current FN'R roster... "The Love Child" Jamie Love, Ace King, Andrea Hernandez, Autumn Raven, Cassie Wolfe, Chris Page, Cosmo Goldworthy, Darna Dare, Declan O'Connor, Dickie Watson, Emiko Okita, James Warren, Jason Anderson, Kendrick Kross, Lavender, Luke Saito, Mercenary, Morgan Payne, Moxie, Phoenix Winterborn, Queen Melody Malone, Samantha Hamilton, The Mechanical Animals, Vespertine and Vin Havoc.. We cut back to Andrea Hernandez who holds her HBO Broadcast Championship close to her chest, then Mercenary and Vin Havoc both looking up at a US Championship handing from a rope, they both yell in pride as feed bleeds back into a look at the roster. There's another round of pyro, and then the MNB roster flashes on the screen. Alex Carbajal, Alexander Umbra, Antoni Malietoa, Caleb Scott, Chelsea Skye, Cyrus, Darius, Dio, Jackie Layton, JoJo Rush, JRF, King Flip, Lil Petey, Melinda Rhodes, Morgan Darkwater, Stitches, Tyler Bradford, Xavier Reid, Zack Tyler... The camera bleeds into Xavier Reid holding his X-Division Championship while covered in blood, into Cyrus Black holding his FX Championship closely, into Melinda Rhodes holding the International Championship high into the air.




And then the camera cuts over to the commentary desk, where Koala Duggan stands with a smile. Polar Duggan stands, bows to the camera and then sits back down. Koala sits down, takes a drink from his water bottle and starts.

KD: Hello everyone and welcome to Friday Night RAMPAGE! We have crowned the Best of Rampage in our BORT tournament, and with CO-Champions Vin Havoc and Mercenary holding the EWC United States Championship, it seems all hell has broken loose...and what a time for tonight, our annual Invasion show!

P-DUG: After two years of putting up with PRIME the Invasion turns our focus to our old rivals over on BRAWL, and we have a stacked lineup ahead of us! In our main event, it's champion versus champion as EWC International Champion Melinda Rhodes invades to face the EWC United States Co-Champion Vin Havoc in a ladder match!

KD: We also have a fatal four-way match featuring our other co-champion Mercenary, alongside Moxie as they represent RAMPAGE against current FX Broadcast Champion Cyrus Black and King Flip all in non-title action!

P-DUG: Things look to get brutal pretty early though, as the EWC X-Division Champion Xavier Reid takes on Chris Page in a non-title X-Division match, and Caleb Scott takes on Cosmo Goldworthy in a No Finisher, No DQ match!

KD: We're also going to see Lil Petey take on Jamie Love in a tables match, and two singles bouts as Alexander Umbra takes on Kendrick Kross and JRF invades the green brand to take on Cassie Wolfe!

P-DUG: But before we get to all that, we have the matter of a Lucha Rules trios match as the Left Hand of Zack Tyler and Moonshine Inc take on EWC Hall of Famer Ruthann Hunter and the Lone Wolves!

KD: What a night it's gonna be, folks! When we come back, we kick things off with Chelsea Skye taking on Autumn Raven! Don't go away!

---

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MATCH #1
Chelsea Skye Vs Autumn Raven
Singles Match
Referee: Josh Daniels

We return to ringside where commentary is standing by for our opening match!

KD: Here we go folks, the Invasion is kicking off with singles competition as Chelsea Skye joins us from BRAWL to take on RAMPAGE's very own Autumn Raven!

P-Dug: Some hot singles action in our area, alright! Let's get right to it!

Chriqui: The following match is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first from...

Except that Emmanuelle is interrupted by the sight of Chelsea Skye and Autumn Raven brawling backstage! Officials are rushing in to try and break things up, but the brawling rampage makes its way out to the stage!

KD: Oh boy, looks like we're kicking things off right now!

P-Dug: I dunno what was said or done backstage but it sure as hell looks like it got ugly pretty damn quick!

Things finally head to ringside as Skye grabs Raven, sending her colliding with the steel steps with a thud! Chelsea rolls into the ring, taunting Raven to get in so this match can start...and after some hesitation, Raven is able to do just that as she slides in. Our referee for the match Josh Daniels is quick to check on Raven, making sure she's okay to compete before calling for the bell to get things underway!

DING DING DING

Skye rushes at Raven as soon as the bell rings, and the two trade lefts and rights as one looks to get the advantage over the other. Eventually, it's Raven who pulls this off as she sends Skye to the ropes...but the Nightmare Angel hits a crossbody on the rebound that drops Raven down to the canvas instead! Skye immediately brings her opponent up, laying into Raven with some hard chops before sending Raven into the corner...where Skye charges at full speed looking for a corner crossbody! NO! Raven manages to avoid disaster at the last second, forcing the Nightmare Angel to crash against the turnbuckle instead...and Raven hits a neckbreaker from behind, sending Chelsea into the canvas! Raven with a cover!

ONE
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NO!

Immediate kickout by Skye indicates that Raven needs to do much more than that to get the win tonight, and Autumn looks ready to do just that as she lays in some stomps on the Nightmare Angel, who slowly gets to her feet...until Raven changes her tactics on the fly, spinning Chelsea around as she looks to lock in an octopus stretch!

KD: Raven's looking for that Hard Lock on the Nightmare Angel!

P-Dug: Skye may end up grounded if Raven gets that cinched in!

But cinch in she does not, as Skye manages to slip out just in the nick of time! Raven charges at her, only for Chelsea to connect with a drop toe hold sending the Beautiful Psychopath face-first into the canvas instead! Skye builds back up to a vertical base now, egging Raven on as A-Ray slowly stands up before hitting the ropes...only to be intercepted by a Slingblade by Skye! FOR JUSTIN! This could be it as Skye makes the cover now!

ONE
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TWO
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NO!

Raven still has some fight in her, much to the chagrin of Chelsea as she immediately looks to lock in a cross arm breaker on the Beautiful Psychopath...but the Rage of the Heavens will not be fulfilled just yet, as Raven manages to escape and gets back to her feet!

P-Dug: A damn close call here, but it looks like Raven is still very much in this!

KD: Let's see how much more fight she's got in her, though!

Chelsea follows suit, as Raven hits the ropes once more looking for momentum...but that falls off a proverbial cliff as she's met with a spear by the Nightmare Angel! Raven is down bad as Skye gets back to her feet, her focus on the nearest turnbuckle this time as she heads over. She makes the ascent to the top turnbuckle, staring down the Beautiful Psychopath as she goes for the Phoenix Splash! SKYE'S THE LIMIT...AND IT CONNECTS! Raven looks out of it as Skye makes the cover!

ONE!
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TWO!!
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THREE!!!

DING DING DING

Chriqui: And your winner, via pinfall ... CHELSEA SKYE!!!!

Skye makes it back to her feet, the crowd booing as the BRAWL star gets her hand raised by Josh Daniels.

KD: Hell of an opening contest here, given how crazy it was to start off!

P-Dug: Indeed, and despite Raven's best efforts here tonight the Nightmare Angel lived up to her moniker with a win for BRAWL!

KD: This year's Invasion is not looking too bright for the green brand, but we still have plenty of matches ahead of us!

Camera cuts to ...

We cut to the backstage area, where we see Alexander Umbra walking down the hall. Wearing a dark purple t-shirt with white lettering that reads "We're all Mad here" and a pair of khaki shorts, he stops dead and looks down a second hallway that we can't see.

Alexander Umbra: OH, hello! Are you new here?

He pauses as if he is listening, but no one else can be heard.

Alexander Umbra: Well it's really nice to meet you. My name is Alexander. Do you work with Rampage or are you on another bra-

Alexander stops talking and jumps back a little.

Alexander Umbra: Well excuse me! You don't have to be so mean about it.

Pause for listening, but still no one can be heard.

Alexander Umbra: Apology accepted. I understand what it's like being new around here. The nerves get to you and -

Once again Alexander stops talking as if he is interrupted, but there is no jump back.

Alexander Umbra: That, my friend, is a hell of an idea.

Listening, but only silence.

Alexander Umbra: But people will get hurt.

.More listening, more silence.

Alexander Umbra: You may not care, but I do. My friends work in this place. Zack Tyler, Doug In A Barrel, and then later tonight I get to make a new friend. His name is Kendrick Kross. Plus, the Mad King Flip...he isn't my friend yet. But I can't wait to meet His Royal Madness.

The smile that formed on Alexander's face when he mentioned King Flip, fades away to a scowl.

Alexander Umbra: He really is a King!

The scowl deepens.

Alexander Umbra: Where does he rule? Why...the EWC, of course.

Alexander shakes his head in disbelief as he 'listens', though he stops to respond.

Alexander Umbra: I don't know if I like you, good sir. You are rude, mean, and are FULL of terribly vile ideas.

Stopping to listen.

Alexander Umbra: I could NEVER do that! I couldn’t hurt the people of the EWC like that, I’m sorry.

Cilan Humphries: Hey Ben…who are you talking to?

Alexander turns around to see his psychologist, Cilan, walking down the hall towards him.

Alexander Umbra: Will you please, stop calling me that!

Cilan Humphries: But it’s your name.

Alexander takes in a deep breath and lets out a hard sigh.

Alexander Umbra: You people just want to get under my skin today. If you excuse me, I have a match to get ready for.

Alexander walks off as Cilan finally gets to the hallway intersection. He watches Alexander disappear around another corner, before turning and looking down the hall Alex was talking towards earlier. No one is there, but there is a glowing green purge mask sitting on a stack of boxes, propped up against the wall.

Cilan Humphries: What in the actual fuck, is going on.

Cilan shudders as if a chill ran up his spine, before he quickly starts walking in the direction that Alexander went earlier...And with that we fade out...

MATCH #2
Zack Tyler & Moonshine Inc Vs Ruthann Hunter (HoF) & Lone Wolves
Lucha Rules Trios

We return to ringside where we are gearing up for some trios action!

KD: Welcome back folks, after a crazy first match we are now settling in for some hot lucha rules action!

P-Dug: Which is kinda weird to be honest, because neither the Left Hand nor the Ruthless Wolves...that's what I'm callin' them, get mad if you want...are luchadores per se, but still! Gonna be a fun match!

Chriqui: The following match is a trios match and it will be contested under Lucha Rules. What that means is that if a legal competitor goes to the outside one of their teammates are allowed to take their place inside the ring. Introducing first weighing in at 571 pounds... JASON ANDERSON & LUKE SAITO, THE LONE WOLVES, AND EWC HALL OF FAMER RUTHANN HUNTER!!!

Diana and a young man came out on the Tron stage wearing Green and Black leather outfit that has Buddies Buddy on the back with Lone Wolve and Ruthless Aggression name on their back that say team Rampage on the back with a violin in her hands. The light then shine on the other side of the stage sitting at the Piano was Angel wearing Green and Black leather outfit with her hoodie over her head that say Rampage is the best. Diana smile over at her as Angel then place her hands on the keys of the piano as she start to play Falling In Reverse - Last Resort as Ronnie Radke starts to sing while Diana start playing the Violin along with her as the lights start to flash like slowly to the beat of the music.

Smoke start to come out on the stage while they playing as you noticed coming out up from the bottom of the stage is Ruthless, Jason, and Luke all wearing hood over their head while Ronnie sing the song with the crowd singing along with him on the top of their lungs.

“Cut my own breathing..... “


Ruthless, Jason and Luke all wearing the green and black colors of Rampage as they slowly walk down the ramp and then along with the crowd shout as they sing...

“That I AM FINEEEEEEEEEEE.”

They climb inside of the ring and slowly remove their hood off their head as Ruthann is wearing Angel of Death mask glaring right at The Left hand as she got behind The Wolve and slowly remove their hood as they were standing there wearing wolf masks that were int he colors of Green and black for Rampage as they slowly remove them taking off their leather jackets all wearing Green and Black pants that have on the side of the legs Buddy’s Buddies on the other side of the pants with their names coming down the side of their leg. The guys not wearing any shirts but Ruthless is wearing a sports bra that has the word Rampage all over it.

Chriqui: And their opponents from Place & weighing in at 635 pounds... JIMMY AND MARK EVANS, MOONSHINE INCORPORATED, & ZACK TYLER. TOGETHER THEY ARE THE LEFT HAND!!!

Sections of lights that illuminate the crowd begin to randomly cut off until the whole area is completely dark. Fog machines then proceed to slowly billow the entrance area just as the giant production screen flashes an image of a Red circle that is drawn around a Red Left hand palm print. The Left Hand [3:14] music then plays. At the [:14] mark, a Red flash of light illuminates the entrance stage in which Matt Evans appears standing with no expression as the camera gets a close up of his face. Again at the [:20] mark, a separate Red flash of light illuminates another area of the entrance stage in which Jimmy Evans appears standing with no expression as the camera gets a close up of his face. At the [:27] mark, another Red flash of light illuminates the entrance stage and now Zack Tyler is seen with his painted half face. At the [:34] mark, the trio begin to slowly walk towards the ring.

At the ring, they stop and the whole area is completely dark again as the music continues. At the [1:00] mark, the lights return as all three members are in the ring with the two brothers of Moonshine Corporation (Jimmy & Matt Evans) are standing on the second turnbuckle facing the hard cam, while Zack Tyler is sitting Indian-style in the middle of the ring facing the hard cam. At [1:13] when the bass beat stops, the whole area is once again completely dark but at [1:20] they return but to a Red light shining in the middle of the ring where now Zack is still sitting but Matt and Jimmy are standing next to him. Typically the music continues and fades to end [2:34] so the full [3:14] music isn't played.

The lights begin to fade up to normal as Zack makes his way to his feet and is standing with the Evans brothers. They each fold their hands together as if praying and nod at the same time as if to each other as the bell rings.

DING DING DING

As soon as the bell rings all six competitors go at each other like rabid animals. Ref Michaelson tries to get control but it takes the Lone Wolves throwing Moonshine Inc to the outside and stepping out to the apron themselves at the behest of the ref, leaving Ruthann and Zack in the ring staring at each other before immediately laying into each other with lefts and rights, ending up in the ropes going back and forth with both gaining the advantage for a split second at a time. Finally fed up with the smaller man Ruthann takes him and throws him through the ropes where he lands hard on the outside. She goes to follow him out but is dragged back in by Jimmy Evans and slammed down hard with a spinebuster. He tries to go for the pin but is unable to as the savvy veteran rolls herself out of the ring and onto the floor on the opposite side of the ring to where she tossed Tyler.

Jimmy slaps the mat in anger and pushes himself to his feet only to be met with a clothesline from the man they call The Joker. Saito keeps ahold of the other man's arm and pulls Jimmy to his feet hitting him with yet another clothesline. After about four short-arm clotheslines Luke whips Evans into the corner and hits a huge back body drop as he stumbles out of the corner. Luke goes to his corner and tags in Jason who quickly climbs into the ring and pulls Jimmy Evans away from his corner, dropping an elbow onto his back before calling Luke back into the ring where the Lone Wolves hit a double suplex before Ref Michaelson starts his five count and telling Luke to get back onto the apron.

KD: Mike Michaelson laying down the law here!

P-Dug: Yeah, how DARE he. Whose side is he on!?

As the ref is busy getting Luke out of the ring Mark Evans comes back into the ring and clubs Jason on the back, sending him down to the mat so he can pull his partner to their corner and officially tag himself into the mat. As Mark is doing this Jason is slowly crawling to the closest side of the ring hoping to be able to make it to the floor but is quickly pulled back to the center of the ring where Mark stomps on his neck and shoulders before pulling him up and laying into him with lefts and rights to the head and face. He staggers back into the corner of The Left Hand where Tyler quickly tags himself in and puts Jason in a Tree of Woe before motioning for Jimmy and Mark together back into the ring where the three men hit basement dropkick after baseball slide after kick to the gut with Jimmy even sliding to the outside and grabbing Jason by the neck and pulling it back, smiling at the choking noises coming from Jason's mouth. He quickly lets go as the ref starts his five count.

P-Dug: Jimmy making sure not to get himself disqualified here, which is smart!

KD: Gotta wonder if Jason is gonna be able to bounce back quick from that!

Zack smiles as Jason collapses to the mat but the smile disappears as Jason is able to slowly roll himself out of the ring and onto the floor which brings in Ruthann once again who chop blocks Tyler down to the mat face first before grabbing both his hands and pulling them behind him and sending his face down hard into the match with a stomp the hAall of famer calls Eat the Mat before tagging in Luke. He looks down at Zack and whispers something to Ruthann who nods her head. Luke turns Tyler over and grabs him by the legs, spinning him around and around. After a good five full rotations Ruthann comes in hot with dropkick right to the side of Zack's head as Luke drops him and quickly goes for the Cover.

ONE!
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.
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TWO!!
.
.
.
THREE!!!

DING DING DING

Chriqui: And your winner, via pinfall ... THE LONE WOLVES AND RUTHANN HUNTER!!!!

Luke gets to his feet as Michaelson raises his arm in victory, and he is quickly joined by Ruthann and Jason.

KD: What a trios match this was, folks! Big win for the Lone Wolves and Ruthann here!

P-Dug: Overcame a damn good effort from the Left Hand here, and I will resist the urge to make a five fingers to the face joke as we move on!

KD: Up next we have--

KD gets caught with a slap to the face by P-Dug as the camera cuts to ...

MATCH #3
JRF Vs Cassie Wolfe
Singles Match
Referee: Pierce Patterson

We return to ringside where (add content here)

KD: Opening Match Hype Comments

P-Dug: Opening Match Hype Comments

Chriqui: The following match is set for one fall. Introducing first, representing Brawl, from Atlanta, Georgia and weighing in at 265 pounds... JRF!!!

As the electrifying opening chords of "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas reverberate throughout the arena, a hushed anticipation falls over the crowd. The pulsating beat builds, and a spotlight illuminates the entrance ramp, where a curtain shimmers with anticipation.

Suddenly, the curtains part, and a cascade of vibrant pyrotechnics burst into the air, creating a mesmerizing display of colors and lights. Emerging from the smoke and sparks, JRF, the embodiment of being The People's Paragon, strides confidently toward the ring, every step echoing with purpose and determination. JRF tags all the fans hands, not leaving one to go unnoticed, before sliding in the ring and climbing the top rope and raising his fist out to the people, symbolizing that they are all in this together.

Chriqui: And the opponents, representing Rampage, residing in Reno, Nevada and weighing in at 118 pounds... CASSIE WOLFE!!!

"Wolfe Within hits the speakers and as soon as Jonathon Young's lyrics hit Cassie emerges from the back ready for action, she slaps hands with the fans on the way to the ring before sliding into the ring and posing for them.

DING DING DING

Cassie lashes out with a superkick but JRF blocks it and cracks Cassie with a forearms smash that staggers her backward. JRF grabs Cassie and whips her off the ropes. JRF catches Cassie as she rebounds and tosses her across the ring with an overhead belly to belly suplex. JRF makes a cover.

ONE!

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TWO!!

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THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Cassie gets a shoulder up off the mat to break the count. Cassie gets to her feet but JRF cracks her with a bicycle kick. JRF drags Cassie to her feet and tosses her into the air before bringing her crashing to the mat with a pop-up spinebuster. JRF rolls over her and hooks the leg.

ONE!

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TWO!!

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THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Cassie rolls to her side to break the count. JRF pulls her to her feet again but Cassie shoves him away and catches him with a superkick. JRF drops to the mat. Cassie drops on top as the referee counts.

ONE!

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.

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TWO!!

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THR… NO! KICK OUT!

JRF gets a hand to the bottom rope to break the count. Cassie pulls JRF to his feet and jumps for a hurricanrana. JRF manages to counter by throwing her over his head. Cassie lands on her feet and runs off the ropes hitting JRF with a flying clothesline that knocks him to the mat. She climbs the turnbuckles and throws herself at JRF with a moonsault. She springs to her feet with the impact and climbs the turnbuckles again. This time she spins and crashes down on JRF with a shooting star press. She grabs both legs as the referee counts.

ONE!

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.

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TWO!!

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THR… NO! KICK OUT!

JRF rolls to his side to break the count. JRF uses the ropes to pull himself to his feet. He bounces off them and runs at Cassie. Running right into a dropkick that sends him rolling out of the ring.

KD: Well scouted there.

P-Dug: Well hit but will Cassie Wolfe accept the count out win or will she get him back into the ring and go for a pin?

JRF thinks he’s getting a time out on the outside. He’s not. Cassie dives through the ropes with a suicide dive that sends JRF crashing into the ringside barrier. Cassie smacks JRF with a right hand that knocks him to the ringside mats. Cassie rolls him into the ring and climbs the turnbuckles. Cassie drops down on JRF with Air Aussie. She hooks the leg.

ONE!

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TWO!!

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THR… NO! KICK OUT!

JRF lifts a shoulder off the mat to break the count. Cassie lifts JRF to his feet. JRF rams his shoulder into Cassie’s gut and runs off the ropes and springs back at Cassie smacking her with a Calamity Kick. She drops to the mat. Instead of going for a pinfall, he climbs the turnbuckles and springs back at Cassie crashing down on her with a Double-Jump Moonsault. He hooks the legs.

ONE!
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TWO!!
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THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Cassie just manages to roll to her side. JRF punches the mat and yells at the referee.

P-Dug: He has to reign that in. I know he likes to compete and even I thought it was over after that but he’s risking a DQ right about now.

KD: Right about now? Like a funk soul brother?

As JRF argues with the referee, Cassie rolls him with a school boy. JRF rolls right through it but Cassie grabs him for a Wolfe Hunt. Before she can drive him to the mat, JRF powers her onto his shoulders and brings her to the canvas with a JRFinale. He grabs her leg as he makes a cover.

ONE!
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TWO!!
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THREE!!!

DING DING DING

Chriqui: And your winner, via pinfall... JRF!!!!

With an effortless grace, JRF leaps onto the ring apron, springing up to the top turnbuckle. From this elevated vantage point, JRF extends his arms wide, embracing the energy and love from the audience. The arena erupts in cheers, their unwavering support fueling JRF's victory.

As the song reaches its crescendo, JRF leaps off the turnbuckle, performing a dazzling mid-air twist, landing gracefully in the center of the ring. He strikes a pose, his eyes shining with passion and a deep connection to the fans. The entire arena erupts, swept up in a wave of admiration and excitement.

KD: A happy looking RF there and he has every right to be. That is a big win for him here tonight.

P-Dug: Cassie Wolfe will be down but those two counts could easily have been three counts for her in other matches. I believe it WOULD have been a three had she connected with that Wolfe Hunt.

Camera cuts to ...

The camera cuts to the backstage area as a limousine pulls into the parking lot. Bryan Spade hurries towards the limo.




Spade: We’ve already had plenty of superstars from both Rampage and Brawl arrive at the stadium tonight and now it looks like we’re going to be joined by another one!

The rear limo passenger door opens and Yaya Banana steps out. The smartly dressed Ghanian gets an underwhelming reaction from the crowd as he walks towards catering, putting a hand up to shoo Bryan Spade away as he goes.

Spade: Ok well sorry abou…

Before Spade can finish his sentence an orange taxicab speeds into the parking lot. The driver hits the breaks just in time to stop it from going into the back of the limo. The passenger door swings open and Brawl superstar Cyrus steps out, he’s got his FX Broadcast championship hanging off of his right shoulder and he’s wearing a T-shirt which reads “YO Ms Frields give me a call”.

Spade: Cyrus, can I get a quick word? How does it feel to be back on Rampage?

Cyrus: Bryan, long time no see. You know the last time I was on Rampage I was being helped into the back of an ambulance after Scorpio threw me off of a twenty foot high cell. Good times.

Spade: In the build up to your match tonight you said you don’t care about the brand warfare battle at Parabellum or whoever emerges victorious between Brawl and Rampage at the end of the night? Is this true?

Cyrus: You bet Saidie Sharpes sweet ass it’s true! None of this invasion or brand warfare malarkey benefits me. Now that sounds selfish I know but hear me out… I don’t really give a shit.

The orange cab driver honks his horn, which Cyrus completely ignores as he leans an elbow on Spades shoulder.

Cyrus: Shall I tell you what benefits me? Heading into Parabellum, whooping a few asses and then going on to Night of Champions to compete in a place that feels like home to me… the insanity cage. See while the little ones are fighting it out for bragging rights over at the kiddies table I’ll be keeping my eyes firmly on the real prize… the main event of Wrestlefest, a chance to exorcise some demons and winning back the Undisputed Championship.

The orange cab honks its horn for longer this time, which is again ignored.

Cyrus: But to show that I’m not a total spoil sport I promise to give the people a match tonight that they’ll never forget as I always do. Let’s be honest they get to see my pal Kevin the Merc and Amis Sheltons puppet Moxie every Rampage and EVERYONE has the displeasure of seeing Flipper every time they turn on their TV so the fans are clearly here to see something different tonight… and I’m gonna give it to them! AND you know what… I think in a few days I’m going to take a trip over to the Beaver Stadium in Pennsylvania… not only do I love beaver but maybe I’ll do a little invading of my own. Brawl invades Paramount Vs Prime… how does that sound? Plus I’m sure there’s a match on the card that night that I might be interested in seeing up close and personal.

Spade: So are you saying you’re going to be showing up at the Paramount vs Prime show in a couple of days?

Rather than answer Spade, Cyrus gives him a cheeky wink just as the angry cab driver gets out of the car and starting shouting about not being paid.

Cyrus: I gotta go… um… you got this Bryan? Some man! I’ll square you up later.

Cyrus slaps Spade on the back before rushing off into the distance. A confused Bryan Spade is left to to deal with the angry cab driver as the camera cuts back to ringside.

MATCH #4
Alexander Umbra Vs Kendrick Kross
Singles Match
Referee: Josh Daniels

We return to ringside where (add content here)

KD: Opening Match Hype Comments

P-Dug: Opening Match Hype Comments

Chriqui: The following match is a singles match. Introducing first from St Paul, Minnesota & weighing in at 215 pounds... A:EXANDER UMBRA!!!

"Make Believe" by Memphis May Fire echoes out from the speakers as Alexander Umbra steps out onto the entrance ramp. Without hesitation he makes his way to the ring, but holds his arms out to the sides, taking in both the cheers and the jeers of the crowd.

Chriqui: And his opponent from Los Angeles & weighing in at 215 pounds... KENDRICK KROSS!!!

As The Devil in I plays smoke slowly starts to raise as Kendrick walks out from the back with a barbed wire bat in his right hand. He walks down the ramp with a smirk on his face before dropping the bat by the ring and sliding in ready for the match.

KD: Alexander Umbra is one of BRAWL's newest, but he's looking to show here today he's also one of their brightest.

P-Dug: And then it's the opposite for Kendrick Kross, he's one of RAMPAGE's longest running signees, and he's looking to show tonight his star hasn't faded out yet.

DING DING DING

With the ring of the bell, Umbra dances around a bit shadow boxing and loosening up. Kendrick Kross advances into Umbra's space and starts to punch him into to the corner. Face, stomach, chest, arm, shoulder.. Kross is throwing wild punches just trying to knock Umbra out! Umbra finds an opening and throws a forearm into Kross' mouth, backing him up. Umbra jumps forward into a shotgun dropkick that takes Kross off his feet and sends him flying backwards. Kross rolls though upon impact on his back and flings himself at Umbra, who grabs both hands around Kross' head and brings him down into the canvas! It's trademark Sound Of Silence! Umbra covers!

ONE!
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TWO!!
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THR... KICKOUT BY KENDRICK KROSS!

KD: A forearm, a dropkick and a facebuster almost got Umbra the quick win! Kendrick Kross may need to slow down in this one, Umbra's hungry and ready to capitalize on mistakes. 

P-Dug: Kross is a veteran, he cannot make these rookie mistakes!

Alexander Umbra drags Kendrick Kross up by his arm to Irish-whip him into the corner. Umbra does a little dance and then rushes into a corner splash. Umbra backs out of the corner and mocks Kendrick Kross as he falls forward to his knees. Umbra steps forward and knees Kross right in the face. Umbra pulls Kross up by his hair, and he goes for another knee, and then another, and then Kross grabs Umbra with a waist-lock and jumps up and down into a belly-to-belly suplex as Kross leaps forward and throws Umbra in the center of the ring. Kross pulls himself up and yells out, Umbra rolls onto his stomach and gets up to his hands and knees, CURB STOMP from Kendrick Kross! The infamous Tramp Stamp! Kross falls backwards onto his back, adrenaline running out. 

P-Dug: Kendrick Kross hit one of his strongest maneuvers, but the damage he's taken from Umbra was such much he cannot make the cover!

KD: What a pivotal moment in the match!

Alexander Umbra rolls over to his back, and our ref starts to count both men out towards a double knockout, but at the count of five Kendrick Kross pulls himself up, and stumbles to Umbra. Kross opens and closes his hand to shake some life into it, before dragging Umbra up into a side-headlock and lifting him up into a vertical suplex position. Umbra starts to wiggle midair and swings his legs and body around to Kross' back. Umbra grabs on a waist-lock and shoves Kross forward before pulling him backwards into an O'Conner Roll and going for a cover. Kendrick Kross rolls out of the cover to where he's now sitting on Umbra's chest! Kross starts to punch down, one, two, three, four, five punches! Kross stands up and throws a slap down that spins Umbra onto his stomach. Kross backs up into the ropes and then rushes out as Umbra tries to stand, going for the Tr... No! Umbra pulls himself straight and flings a lariat into Kendrick Kross to knock him down. Umbra pulls Kross up into a kneeled position, and then he swings that up into a powerbomb position! Kross drops his legs off Umbra's shoulders and falls down into a front-facelock on Umbra. Kross hoists Umbra up into a vertical and DOWN into a brainbuster! Brain Damage!!! Cover!!!  

ONE!
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TWO!!
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THREE!!!

DING DING DING

Chriqui: And your winner, via pinfall ... KENDRICK KROSS!!!!

Kendrick makes it to his feet as the ref raises his arm in victory!

KD: What a win for Kendrick Kross, getting RAMPAGE back some momentum in this Invasion!

P-Dug: A close call from Alexander Umbra here but it wasn't quite enough to tackle K2!

Camera cuts to ...

We find the Rebel pacing back and forth in the Brawl locker room like a caged animal ready to be unleashed. She’s in her red, black, and silver ring gear, the International Championship on her shoulder and has a fierce look of furious determination in her eyes.

Rebel: Tonight, it’s the invasion! There’s blood on both sides as we’ve torn into each other, but everything’s been leading up to this main event, Rampage’s United States Champion versus Brawl’s International Super Power. Vin Havoc vs Melinda Rhodes. We’re not just the bloodiest, most hardcore motherfuckers ever to set foot into the ring, but we’re the captains of our brands and tonight, this final fight decides who has the power going into Parabellum 2023.

Mel stops, turned quarter-away from the camera with the winged rebel star on the back of her vest on display. She slips the belt from her shoulder, lowering it down to her side, her head lowered.

Rebel: The Last Parabellum event I played in… yeah that was a different story. I wasn’t where I do my best work; the general in charge. You had Flip and Ried playing their games with each other, all the while the team itself wasn’t all that cohesive because what was done for a team building exercise? A stupid Virtual Bank Heist where all we did was get fucked in a videogame. I hate to say it but the shit was embarrassing and it put me off my game in a huge way and I know I wasn’t the only one.

She turns sideways to the camera.

Rebel: Nah nah nah… You know the last time I lead a brand war was in 2017, EWC Stable Wars and with odds stacked against me and a team that was sabotaged from the start by a GM who cared more about embarrassing me than winning one of the biggest competitions in EWC at the time, I came out on top. We had the absolute BEST of Rampage taking on me and the dregs of Monday Night Brawl and we. fucking. WON.

The Rebel turns completely around.

Rebel: I know what you’re thinking… is this bitch really harping on something that happened back in twenty-fucking-seventeen? Yeah I am, because had I been standing in Flip’s shoes going into last year’s Parabellum, I’d have taken the best of what I had and used it. We’d have fucking owned all three brands and not because my ego says so, but because I knew fucking best what to do. Instead, we fell apart as a half-baked team.

She smirks.

Rebel: Tonight, I’m going to show that as I step the fuck up to Vin Havoc, their biggest gun and team Captain, and showing Team Brawl how it’s done. No games, no bullshit, no hokie shit, just the best in the biz doing what they do best. Regardless of everything else that’s gone down tonight, when I’m standing over a bloodied and battered Havoc inside of a Rampage wrestling ring, on his turf and in front of a crowd of Ohio Rampage Fans screaming their hearts out… yeah… statement made, signed, sealed, and fucking delivered.

Mel points her finger towards a monitor showing the ring as it’s being set up.

Rebel: In that ring out there, tonight, I make a statement and that statement is that Monday Night Brawl is THE Flagship of the EWC Federation! We’re the best of the best and come hell or highwater, it’s about damn time we acted like it! No stupid games, no Team Ried vs Team Flip, IT’S TEAM BRAWL WINNING IT ALL AND IT STARTS TONIGHT!!!!

The Rebel Champion pounds her fist to her chest with Brawl Pride.

Rebel: I. BLEED. BRAWL. RED!!!! Vin Havoc? I’m coming into your house, kicking your ass in front of a sold out Rampage crowd, and spilling your blood all over those big green Rampage letters and setting an example for my Brawl brothers. Parabellum 2023 is the year Team Brawl takes it all back… and here, in Ohio, witness our return to greatness begin!

She raises two fingers at the camera, her thumb cocked back.

Rebel: Bang, motherfuckers!

The thumb snaps forward with the sound of a gunshot. Cut to black and right to ringside.

MATCH #5
Lil Petey Vs Jamie Love
Tables Match
Referee: Mike Michaelson

We return to ringside where commentary is standing by for our next match!

KD: Some strong words from the EWC International Champion ahead of our main event tonight, but right now it's time to see who's going through a table!

P-Dug: Holy moly, this is gonna be a hell of a contest. Lil Petey made his debut on BRAWL not that long ago and now takes on the man who calls himself The Pitbull, Jamie Love!

Chriqui: The following match is a Tables match. Introducing first from The Drip House & weighing in at 210 pounds... LIL PETEY!!!

"Betty (Get Money)" by Yung Gravy blasts through the speakers and every fan in attendance rises to their feet. Women's built-in waterfalls activate as Lil Petey steps out onto the stage. He interacts with the crowd on his way down the ramp and the runs and slides into the ring.

Chriqui: And his opponent from Takayama, Japan, weighing in at 120 pounds & representing The House "THE PITBULL" JAMIE LOVE!!!

The arena plunges into darkness as a haunting piano melody can be heard over the sound system. As the beat starts at 11 seconds a spotlight shines on Sara Rische playing an expensive Grand Piano to the left of the stage. She plays for 10 seconds when a second spotlight shines on Jamie Love as he enters the arena to a chorus of boos as his body guard John Bishop stands behind him. He walks down the aisle with JB following closely behind him, glancing out at the live audience, smirking at the with disdain in the shadows of the House hoodie he has on. As he climbs into the ring Sara makes her way down to ringside. He hands Sara his hoodie and stretches in the corner as Lil Petey stares at him.

DING DING DING

Knowing his smaller opponent hasn't been in the ring in Petey relies on Jamie's slight ring rust to hit a quick punch to the Smaller man's midsection followed by a quick step up enziguri that sends Jamie down to the mat. Petey pulls him up by his long curly hair but Is thrown off as Jamie hits a stiff kick to Petey's inner left thigh hoping to knot it and slow the taller man down but it doesn't work as Jamie gets lifted up into the air and sent quickly down with a vertical suplex. Petey stands back and lets Jamie get to his feet before laying in kicks to Jamie's head which he quickly covers up with his arms to soften the blow. Jamie stands up amidst the barrage of kicks sent to his head but Petey quickly changes things up with a side russian leg sweep followed up by a baseball slide that sends Jamie under the rope and down to the floor. Petey goes to follow him but stops short as he's climbing after Jamie. He drops to the floor but instead of going after his opponent Petey looks under the ring and pulls out a table, pushing it into the ring before grabbing Jamie as he keeps an eye out for his big bodyguard on the other side of the ring as he rolls him in after it. He gets into the ring himself and hits jamie jabs to the face and neck before setting up the table as quick as he can. Jamie uses the table to pull himself up and right in a double an elevated double chicken wing. Petey holds the screaming younger man in the air before dropping him into a double knee gutbuster, a series of moves he called the Pregame.

KD: Petey with some hard offense in the early goings here!

P-Dug: Yeah, Jamie's gonna need to readjust his strategy accordingly!

Petey goes to pick Jamie up and goes for the killing blow but Jamie hits a jumping enziguri out of nowhere, sending Petey down and falling to the mat himself both men catching their breath. They get to their knees and lay into each other with lefts and rights to the face and head. They get to their feet and Jamie whips his opponent into the corner and hits a basement dropkick the sends Petey back down to his knees followed quickly by a spinning back elbow to the temple that sends Petey face first to the mat. Jamie stomps on his back and straddles him, slapping him in the back of the head before locking in a Camel Clutch smiling at the screams of pain coming out of the other man.

P-Dug: And there we go, look at that tenacity from Jamie Love!

KD: Now it looks like Petey's the one scrambling for a new plan!

Jamie lets go and continues to stomp on the back of Petey until he notices the forgotten table Petey brought into the ring which gives him an idea. Jamie drags Petey to his feet and whips him into the corner and quickly sets up the table near him. As Petey tries to get out of the Corner Jamie grabs him and hits a disgusting looking Love injection that sends the rookie head first through the table he brought into the ring which causes ref Michaelson to frantically call for the bell before going to check on Petey leaving an exhausted Jamie to raise his own arm in victory.

DING DING DING

Chriqui: And your winner ... JAMIE LOVE!!!!

Jamie leaves the ring, heading up the ramp as Petey finally makes it back to his feet with a look of disappointment before making his own exit from the ring.

KD: What a battle this was! Big win for Jamie Love here tonight!

P-Dug: Damn good effort from Lil Petey, but now Rampage has another point on the leaderboard for this Invasion!

KD: We're just moments away from a No Finishers, No DQ match between Caleb Scott and Cosmo Goldworthy...and I'm hearing that Cosmo has some words to say ahead of the bout!

Camera cuts to ...

The camera cuts backstage where Cosmo “Money Mo” Goldworthy is decked out in his entrance gear, ready to go ahead of his match. Standing at his side is Brian Spade who holds a microphone in hand.

Brian Spade: Joining me at this time is my guest, Cosmo Goldworthy. Cosmo, the pressure is starting to pile on as in just your third match, you are being counted on to defend Rampage from Brawl’s Caleb Scott. Your thou–

Cosmo raises his hand up, cutting Spade off.

Cosmo Goldworthy: Nuh-uh.

Spade stares at Cosmo, perplexed.

Cosmo Goldworthy: Listen, I know you probably can’t stand gettin’ cut off, but this is serious business we got goin’ on. In just my second EWC match, I showed up on PPV and I defeated a former HBO Broadcast Champion in Jason Anderson, and the debutin’ Cassie Wolfe, who I did not know how to prepare for.

After breaking down how his second EWC match went, Cosmo smirks, clearly proud of himself.

Cosmo Goldworthy: And regardless of what these every-day bullshitters want to say about the result of that match, I won. And not only did I win, I impressed to the point that I will be there to LEAD Team Rampage to victory at PARABELLUM.

Spade has his skeptics on Cosmo single-handedly doing that, but Cosmo continues on before he can press that topic further.

Cosmo Goldworthy: And speakin’ of PARABELLUM, like you said.. I’ve gotta take on one of the members of Team BRAWL tonight, Caleb Scott. And I, like the rest of these people, do not give a shit about Caleb Scott. He’s a strong performer, and I’m facin’ him in his wheelhouse – but I got a bone to pick with him.

Cosmo wastes no time, getting straight to the point.

Cosmo Goldworthy: For a guy who paints his face like a clown, he sure thinks he’s got the right to talk shit ‘round here. I heard his comments, and they weren’t very pleasant ones. When we were younger, we both went through hell. But that don’t give you the right to think you can break down who I am - and say I have “mommy issues?"

Cosmo looks around with a confused, and disgusted expression on his face. Then, he turns to Spade.

Cosmo Goldworthy: Yo Spade, you believe this shit?

Spade stares at Cosmo - not quite sure how to respond.

Cosmo Goldworthy: And then after that.. He says, and I quote, “the loudest person in the room is the weakest person in the room.”

Cosmo snickers.

Cosmo Goldworthy: Puh-lease. It appears tonight, after takin’ so many losses.. Caleb Scott has brought some venom! And we got a No Finishers, No-DQ match. I don’t need a finisher, I don’t need rules. Win, lose, or draw.. Bitch boy, you’re gonna see who the weakest in the room is..

Cosmo moves closer to the microphone now, looking into the camera.

Cosmo Goldworthy: And it ain’t me.. NEVER will be me! I could walk in a room all by myself, look around.. And still, I’d look up to the heavens and say “They talkin’ bout y’all, not me.”

Cosmo has a big smirk on his face, as he clearly believes every word he says. He turns to Spade and pats him on the back.

Cosmo Goldworthy: So, Spade! It’s time I do all of Rampage a favor.. And I go down to that ring and make Caleb Scott regret ever comin’ here. 

Cosmo stops, looking down at his gold and white entrance jacket, then looks back up to the camera.

Cosmo Goldworthy: Ah, how could I forget.. Caleb, this ass whoopin’ I plan on givin’ you tonight? You bet your ass that it’ll be good as gold.

And with that, Cosmo leaves to prepare for his match. The camera pans back to Brian Spade, who isn’t quite sure what just happened.

MATCH #6
Caleb Scott Vs Cosmo Goldworthy
No Finishers - No DQ
Referee: Pierce Patterson

We return to ringside where commentary is standing by!

KD: Here we go folks, things are about to get just a little bit crazy as BRAWL's Caleb Scott takes on the green brand's Cosmo Goldworthy in a curious match stipulation!

P-Dug: I got nothing further to add here, take it away Chriqui!

Chriqui: The following match is a. No DQ match and finishers are banned! Introducing first from St. Cloud, Minnesota & weighing in at 215 pounds... CALEB SCOTT!!!

Lights go black as Ze Nigmar plays. Four hooded figures with torches come out and stand on the stage, two on each side of the entrance. Lights stay off as the song intro plays. Once the drums 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.

Chriqui: And his opponent from The Golden State & weighing in at 201 pounds... COSMO GOLDWORTHY!!!

Gold and white lights strobe around the arena as 'Mo Money Mo Problems' blares through the PA boxes. Cosmo Goldworthy swaggers out with a smug grin on his face. He stops at the start of the ramp, extending his arms out. "Enjoy it while 'ya got it, baby!" He shouts out, chuckling to himself as he continues to walk down the ramp. Cosmo looks at the fans reaching out and sneers at them. He slides up the apron and enters the ring, proceeding to march over to the top rope and raise his arms up one more time. Cosmo nods his head to the tune of his theme song, dropping off the top rope. He shimmies his shoulders, removing his Louis Vuitton® sponsored entrance gear before the match begins.

DING DING DING

Knowing his opponent has both the weight and height advantage Cosmo tries to use his speed, rushing in and hitting a barrage of rapid fire punches to Scott's upper body driving the bigger man back into the corner where Cosmo lays into him with stiff kicks to the ribs before being thrown away by Scott. Caleb brushes himself off and pushes himself out of the corner and stalks the other man who is crab walking backwards to get away. He makes it to the ropes but before he can pull himself up he's grabbed by Scott and thrown into the corner where he lays into him with his own series of body shots before the ref forces him to let the smaller man out of the corner. Caleb backs up but as Gold worthy stumbles out of the corner he's forcefully whipped into the opposite corner where this time he's met with a vicious spear by Scott who immediately falls into the lin but only gets a 2 count. Instead of letting his opponent get this feet Scott grabs him by the hair it as Cosmo gets to his feet he uses the little strength he has to push himself away from the other man and catch his breath for a few seconds.

With an irritated look on his face Scott goes after Cosmo, backing him into the corner again but instead of punishing him Goldworthy is able to burst out of the corner and hit a vicious lariat, knocking the bigger man down to the canvas where he lays in to him with stomps to the midsection and upper thighs. Scott gets to his feet but he gets bent over with a kick to the midsection as Cosmo bounces off the ropes and hits an Axe kick to the back of his opponents neck and head, sending him face first into the mat. Cosmo quickly falls to his knees, rolling Scott over and going for his own pin but Scott powers out at one and a half.

KD: What a close one here for Cosmo, but Caleb Scott is still in it!

P-Dug: You can tell Cosmo is getting ready to kick this thing up another notch, look!

Cosmo goes for another pin and this time Scott kicks out before the one count which causes Goldworthy to slap the mat in frustration before rolling under the bottom rope and starts looking for something underneath the ring. After a few seconds Cosmo comes back up with a smile on his face and a kendo stick in his hand. He rolls back into the ring and walks over to where Scott is pulling himself to his feet using the ropes and immediately lays into him with kendo stick shot after kendo stick shot, the ref watching and wincing unable to do anything in this No DQ environment. Unable to do anything against the ropes Caleb rolls outside to the apron and falls to the floor crawling away as he catches his breath. Instead of immediately following him Cosmo soaks in the boos from the crowd and says a few choice words to the fans at ringside. When he does climb threw the ropes and drops to the floor to finally go after his opponent Cosmo is met with a stiff chair shot to the midsection before being thrown back under the bottom rope with the chair being thrown in and landing right next to him as Scott climbs onto the apron and into the ring, grabbing the chair and laying into the man on the mat with even more chair shots to the back.

P-Dug: Oh, come on! No DQ aside, this is unnecessary!

KD: Come on, Cosmo!

With a fire in his eyes Caleb tosses the chair to the mat and pulls the other man up by his hair but is once again shoved away by the other man. The act of defiance irritates Scott who picks up the chair again and swings it but Cosmo is able to duck just in time and bounce of the ropes behind Caleb who is holding the chair as he turns around only to get hit with a vicious mushroom stomp called the Cash Cow, the chair to the chest taking all the air out of Scott's body as Goldworthy falls into the pin, weakly grabbing the nearest leg.

ONE!

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.

TWO!!

.
.
.

THREE!!!

DING DING DING

Chriqui: And your winner, via Pinfall ... COSMO GOLDWORTHY!!!!

Cosmo makes it to his feet as Patterson raises his arm in victory.

KD: What a win for Cosmo Goldworthy tonight folks!

P-Dug: Caleb Scott gave it a good effort but thanks to Cosmo's win things are looking up for RAMPAGE!

KD: In just a moment we have X-Division action, and our EWC X-Division Champion seems to be standing by!

Camera cuts to ...

The camera cuts backstage inside Ohio Stadium where we find the EWC X-Division Champion Xavier Reid alongside his manager, ‘The Memphis Mouthpiece’ Tommy Love.

Love: You know, Urban Meyer would have NEVER had Chris Page talk to his team…he would have never left a mediocre, just a shade over .500 loser talk to his team…maybe that’s why the Buckeyes have lost two in a row to Michigan…

There is a gasp from workers backstage as they all look at Tommy, their mouths open in shock…

Love: What…did I say something wrong…

Xavier looks around and elbow his manager…

Reid: You said the M-Word…

Love: What, mediocre…

Xavier shakes his head…

Reid: No michigan…they don’t call them by name, it’s ‘That Team Up North’ and you don’t make jokes about them losing to that team twice in a row…they have killed better men than you for doing so…hell Ryan Day’s ass is on the hot seat for that so…all Chris Page did was meet with a man they might ‘John Cooper’ if they don’t get a win ‘Up North’ this season…

Love: Jesus Christ…I’m serious, it’s like being in a cult here in Columbus…

Reid: Maybe so but it’s not our problem now is it…our problem is Chris Page and his ELITE ass…

Tommy smirks at Xavier…

Love: He wants to know why he can’t be the face of the X-Division well for starters, covering a man in applesauce and then handcuffing him isn’t the same as putting your body through the hell that is a Weapons X match…beating up a bum like Jason Anderson inside a steel cage isn’t the same as stepping into a match so lopsided in favor of JoJo Rush and then beating him…

Reid: I get it, the kid is lost…we just watched as his HBO Broadcast Championship was handed to someone else…he came up short in the Finals of the BORT after getting out to a huge lead…he’s questioning if he has what it takes to be the US Champion so he’s looking for what…a Plan C in the X-Division well…this division isn’t something you just fall back on because you can’t cut it for your brand championships…he said it himself, it’s been dominated by the likes of El Pablo, Stitches and myself and why…because we have dedicated ourselves to this division…it’s not something we fell back on because he couldn’t cut it…we elevated the division to an ELITE statues here in the EWC…

Tommy smirks at the play on words…

Reid: Chris Page doesn’t understand what it takes to do such a thing…he’s been riding his Uncle’s coattails since day one here in the EWC, case in point him thinking just because his Uncle Dom beat me inside the Hell in the Cell at StrangleMania WAY BACK in 2019 that he can do the same here tonight inside The Horseshoe…funny, they didn’t talk about the last time I faced Uncle Dominic at Brawl #560, guess that didn’t fit the narrative did it…

Love: Nope…

Reid: And I get it…he’s hoping I’m overlooking him, hoping that with a win here tonight over me he can move right into the X-Division Rankings and get a clear path to the championship…I mean it’s a smart play, Flip did it when I was International Champion, same as Stitches…hell that’s how JoJo got his title match at Hardcore Revolution but here’s the thing…I’m not overlooking Mr. ELITE…I’m looking to make a statement with his blood here tonight…I deserve a shot at the Undisputed Championship…I deserve to be ranked higher than 4th in the Rankings with the season I’ve had and I’m pissed off that Rampage has snakes TWO title matches out of the BORT while Brawl and myself get DICK…and I know, tonight’s about Braw; v. Rampage and blah blah blah…no, tonight is about Xavier Reid v. the EWC and getting what’s his…Rampage wants to think this kid is ELITE…they want to push him right up to the main brand and treat him like he’s Ace King, Melody Malone and Luke Wolfe based on his bloodline…so be it, that’s their call but tonight I’m going to spill that ELITE blood all over Columbus, Ohio and show Rampage, Brawl and the EWC that Chris Page is nothing special…he bleeds just like you and me…his blood isn’t ELITE, it’s just blood like any other and I’m going to show him why he’s not cut out for the X-Division…

Tommy smiles as he and Xavier walk off camera.

We cut to backstage, where a set of doors burst open and out comes staggering the muscular form of Monday Night Brawl's JoJo Rush, looking like he's just awoken from a mighty slumber. His vision is unfocused, his hair even more greasy and tangled than usual. He looks like shit.

KD: JoJo Rush looks mighty out of sorts, pardner!

P-Dug: Yeah, uh, could you not pretend to be Texan? The Blackhat deserves some respect. This is the next X-Division champion we're talkin' about.

KD: I think Xavier Reid might have a thing or two to say about that…

Rush is in a delirious state as he stumbles down the corridor backstage, rebounding off a wall using one meaty arm, shaking his head to clear the cobwebs. He's limbering up as if he's prepared for a match, perhaps lacking certainty of where he is and why…

P-Dug: Maybe. Hey, there's no JoJo Rush match on the card, right?

KD: Did I teach you to read for nothing? No, there's not. This is a surprise appearance from the X-Division's #1 Contender. He's no doubt here to scout Reid in our next match!

P-Dug: Oh yeah, I bet he ain't here to jump him or anything like that.

KD: Is that sarcasm? Aww, you did remember our lessons!

Whatever JoJo is here for, he looks determined, but he's brought up short just before rounding the corner leading toward the ring. On a stack of flight cases lie a pair of headphones, attached to a mobile device - the screen of which is brightly lit, displaying the Spotify™ logo.

The screen seems to operate itself, and suddenly–

"Come heavy or don't come at all!"

Glorious Sons' "Heavy" explodes distorted and tinny from the discarded headset, resonating eerily off the walls of the empty corridor. JoJo grunts, and stomps over to the flight case, nostrils flaring as he stares down at the mysterious device. He snatches up the phone and after embarrassingly failing to do anything but turn UP the volume-

"I'll be the last breath you breathe,
I'll be the last man you'll see!"

- finally succeeds in stopping the song just after the chorus hits. He drops the phone with a clatter, heaves a shuddering breath, and turns to storm off around the corner.

KD: This is all very strange.

P-Dug: It's all very boring. Can we get on with our show? Hey, you know, maybe he's on his way to the ring to give an open challenge, wouldn't that be wild?

KD: Ooh, you could be right! He DOES look pretty mad about something!

P-Dug: Woah, what?

"What… in tarnation…?"

Rush has come to a stop, staring down this second corridor leading to the Gorilla position. The camera spins slowly around, then zooms rapidly toward the curtained doors at the end…

Settles on a toned figure standing in front of them. On the ripple of back muscles.

KD: I can't believe it! That's not just any back, that's…

P-Dug: Double D!?

Wide-eyed, JoJo Rush is caught entirely off-guard as the Bronze Scorpion, long-absent from Friday nights, twists to face him, a lash of her own tangled hair only briefly concealing the crazed fire in hazel eyes before she opens her mouth to SCREAM. It comes from the soul, her throat tearing and spittle flying as she unleashes her fury and sprints forward.

Heaven or Hell? Let's ROCK.

MATCH #6.5
JoJo Rush Vs Darna Dare
Unsanctioned Singles Match
Referee: Toyo Yasahiro

There's barely time for Brawl's resident cowpoke to process what's happening, as the little Rampage hellion triangle-jumps off of the righthand wall, bare foot scraping off a noticeboard which falls behind her as she falls upon JoJo with a vicious elbow to the skull. Her face is an enraged rictus, a snarl emitting as she lands from the strike, and propels herself immediately into a beautiful scorpion kick that nails her staggered foe right between the eyes!

KD: We've missed this kind of outrageous flexibility and violence from Miss Dare.

P-Dug: Rush wish that missed. So what the hell? Is this an actual match?

Darna continues to drive JoJo backwards with kicks and rapid chops, the latter doing little more than zinging off his massive chest, and driving the Brawl star into a deeper frenzy of his own. Finally, as a spinning crescent kick from the exorcist sends him bouncing off the crates at the corridor's end, he gives a roar of his own and fires back, grabbing the much smaller woman by the SKULL and spinning, coconut crushing her against the unyielding brick.

With a crunch of flailing limbs, Darna bounces off, rolling across the floor, and eats an elbow drop to the midsection for good measure. The breath explodes from her body, but she wriggles explosively, and manages to lock her thighs around the Blackhat's neck before he can start to stand, doing so with another violent yell to bring her into the air atop him.

KD: The strength of JoJo Rush, and the determination of Darna Dare! Somebody stands to get hurt here, and I honestly couldn't tell you which of them it's going to–

CRUNCH.

P-Dug: Ouch!

KD: Be…

Rush absolutely eats shit as the tiny hellion spins and plants him with a vicious Poison-rana, introducing the cap of his skull to the concrete, his bulk flopping limply against the nearby stack of flight cases. There's a small avalanche, one case tumbling over another, and it's onto one of these that Darna springs, looking all but unstoppable as she dives off and adds injury to injury - the arena outside exploding as she drives her knee into Rush's half-sensible face!

KD: KALABAW HUNTING HORN! And this could all be over, folks, because I've just been sent word that Toyo Yasahiro is on his way to officiate this unsanctioned match!

Right on cue, the senior referee bursts through a door, hurriedly finishing off his coffee before moving to the scene of the devastation, where Dare is frothing at the mouth, trying to drag the crimson-masked JoJo toward Gorilla position. She strains and screams, getting him mobile as every visible fiber in her slender torso twitches like crazy.

P-Dug: I figured she just wanted to kill him, but she wants to pin him too? Bitches be crazy.

KD: I'd guess there's been a wedge between these two ever since Rush showed his true colors and joined the much-maligned House. Perhaps Dare simply wants to prove that the House doesn't always win?

P-Dug: That'd be real original of her.

The Bronze Scorpion has to cease her efforts, collapsing onto one knee, and settling for frustratedly gnawing at Rush's arm and fingers, the Blackhat's angry stirring compelling her to take a page from former opponent Moxie's playbook - she bites down on his wrist, and uses this point of leverage to wrench at his digits, threatening to snap them in twain.

Yasahiro tries to intervene, and provides a small opening for the bear-like man to extricate himself and aim a thunderous boot at the side of little Darna's head. The woman is sent sprawling, and Rush - looking all the worse for wear - wriggles backwards, pushing himself up against the wall, shaking out his fingers; which are now also dripping with blood, courtesy of the GASH she's gnawed in the base of his forearm. "Darned crazy bitch…"

P-Dug: That's what I said!

The senior official checks on Rush's bloody skull, signaling that there's to be no stoppage, seemingly determined to turn this into something resembling a wrestling match as he starts shepherding the big man towards the ring. JoJo looks like he's seen a small handful of ghosts, and obliges in a bit of a daze, as Darna remains on all fours, watching the men move away from her with heaving breaths, her frame quivering with unbridled rage.

KD: We suspected there was some bad blood between these two, but I didn't expect anything like this to happen. The last we were informed, Darna Dare was fired following her defeat at the hands of Ibuki Ito and would no longer be making appearances on Friday nights. That one of the hottest free agents in our sport is here, that she's THIS fired up…

P-Dug: And that Duggan's letting this match happen?

KD: Right, bro. I'm at a loss. Is she fighting for Rampage, or fighting for herself?

The cameras have cut to ringside, where the bell is finally rung, Yasahiro gamely corralling the colossal cowboy with his arms extended, reaching the top of the ramp–

–when Darna explodes through the doors, wildly skidding through the legs of both the senior official and JoJo, who unwisely turns to try and intercept her - only to find her clamping herself around his shoulders, getting her hooks in and digging her fingers like talons into his eyes, his nose, yanking at the corner of his mouth, looking for any kind of handhold on her massive foe.

Her assault is frantic and painful, and Rush flails, in desperation falling backwards, driving his own back and shoulders into the stage - but sandwiching Dare between them both, with a crunch of protesting bone. The crowd let out a roar of mixed excitement and sympathy, which bubbles to a genuine pop as Darna flops right into a backwards roll, sprinting into a three-point crouch with her bloodshot eyes fixated on JoJo, who shakes his head in response.

P-Dug: That looked almost apologetic.

There's not much time to read the gesture; Darna is surging forward again, but she's cut off abruptly as Rush moves with astonishing speed of his own, flowing into a waistlock as he goes behind the charging woman, ties her up and with a mighty haul HURLS her into the column holding up the EXT! KRRRRRUUUUNCH! Darna ragdolls around it, with enough force that the entire structure quakes and groans, a murmur of astonishment shaking the arena…

And then the EXT falls, the edge of the screen missing the falling Dare by mere inches before it impacts the stage and explodes in a shower of sparks, glass cracking and crumbling, and the accompanying electric short WIPING OUT the arena lights! For the moment, darkness.

KD: We're having some technical difficulties, folks, but I'm sure the backup generator will bring us some kind of visual at any moment.

P-Dug: Well, shit! This gives a whole new meaning to 'dark match'.

It's only a few moments before the red emergency lights flicker on, restoring full visual and audio to the arena with them. As the tech crew work away backstage, people are at least able to see the forms of Dare and Rush brawling their way down the ramp, her kicks scything upwards to continually batter his blood-soaked skull - his brutal chops lighting her up red and sending her bouncing this way and that off the barricades to either side, like a deranged pinball.

Each of them seems about to fall as they reach ringside, and JoJo rolls his shoulder, shaking off the cobwebs and thundering forward into a desperation lariat–

–that misses, as Darna falls to her knees, with a wide-eyed gasp, his arm flying past her head. She drives at his legs, spinning into an Imanari roll - the tiny warrior almost comically taking down this comparatively giant brute, rolling over as she twines on the leglock, and frees her other foot to throw sharp kicks up at his jaw. She can barely reach, but finds purchase, and Rush's skull bounces off the ringpost, igniting a blur of stars in his vision.

Spinning to her feet, Dare WRENCHES his leg in the process, and Rush screams in pain, trying to stand himself only to fall back against the ringpost a second time. Darna hawks and spits in his face, then steps forward to deliver a simple, brutal punch across his blood-soaked cheek.

P-Dug: You've gotta hit him harder than that!

WHAM. Rush takes it like a champ, grabs the extended arm by the wrist and elbow, and slings Darna face-first into the ringpost, a gout of blood exploding from her nose instantly! She falls backwards, able to turn her drop into a stagger that sends her against the barricade, throwing back her head and LAUGHING as the adrenaline resurges through her system. Rush pushes himself upright and advances, dragging his injured leg, his approach wavering.

Darna receives an assist from some still-faithful Rampage fans, shoving her upright just as the full glow of the arena lights is restored, and the Filipino and the Texan stand chest-to-face, she looking up absurdly to meet his stare, both of them pissing blood from their faces.

"I hate you." The arena mics pick up Dare's voice, dripping with impassioned venom, and the cameras pick up the rueful smirk of the Blackhat, who seems to show genuine sadness through his conviction as he replies, "Ah'll make it right."

Darna hawks another mouthful of phlegm, and then chokes on it as Rush's fist soundly impacts her right in the teeth. Her knees give way, and before she can fall he stomps forward, bringing a knee up against her stomach, rolling her over this fulcrum point and catching her across his shoulders. Turning toward the apron, he limps forward and tosses the tiny girl into a Snake Eyes right on the edge, leaving a bloody smear on impact!

Darna rebounds, right into the big man's arms, and he wastes no time in sending her under the bottom rope into the ring, her limbs flopping as she rolls out under the bright lights. The crowd pour their derision on Brawl's Blackhat as he slowly climbs the steps, spares them all a steely glare and a shake of his head, then joins Darna in the ring.

Against all reason, she's trying to clamber to her feet, hands soaked in both their blood slipping and sliding on the mat, a sad sight as she falls thrice before JoJo can close the distance. He breathes a heavy sigh, then lets his expression relax into a malicious scowl, bending to wrap his arms around the exorcist's waist and haul her backwards… into one…

Two…

THREE massive su-plays, taking her to the outer limits of Suplex City as Rampage call him every foul name they can conceive of, trash raining down the ring as Darna is dropped into a messy pile.

KD: Whatever was happening, or was going to happen, it seems like these two really mean to kill each other…

P-Dug: Eh, she's had worse.

KD: HAS she??

Dare is still moving - or at the least, still twitching, reaching out to claw at the mat, leaving five bloody streaks as she's pulled back toward JoJo by one ankle. He drags her up into the air, the captured leg hooked behind his head, sending another glare toward the hateful crowd.

And Darna COMES ALIVE, raking her nails across the cowboy's face, ripping a gouge in one nostril as they hook there, the point of leverage used to drag her up and bring her knee into sharp collision with the tip of his jaw. He staggers, with her atop him, and bounces off the ropes, the extra momentum allowing the returned Rampage star to twine her way into a beautiful headscissors armbar, threatening to snap the big man with TIKBALANG'S GRACE!

Rush grits his teeth, spit and blood bellowing from between his teeth as he struggles to do anything about this predicament, the desperate energy leaving his frame, forcing him to one knee, veins in his arm standing out in stark relief as Darna tries to force a finish…

The Texan bellows, and twists his mighty torso, throwing wild bear-like swats into the body of the woman tying him up. She's as tenacious as he, gritting her own teeth, snarling like an alley cat, the crowd reaching a fever pitch as they cheer her on for the first time in many months.

Toyo Yasahiro is there, asking for the submission, when suddenly he changes his tone, a spark of panic in the instant before Rush's shoulder is popped out of its socket! He screams, and collapses, finally driving Darna into the canvas. Yasahiro turns to signal for the finish–

–but with supernatural speed Dare is on her feet, spinning him around to face her, mouth crumpled apologetically to one side as she shakes her head, and then floors the referee with a roundhouse kick!

KD: Darna Dare has lost her mind, putting down our senior official when to all intents and purposes, she was about to win this match!

P-Dug: God, she's SUCH an idiot when she's pretending to be the good guy!

KD: I don't think anyone's the 'good guy' here expect poor Toyo Yasahiro!

Dare screams at the crowd, shaking the ropes with her diminutive frame, and getting a roar back as they're just pleased to see her not getting destroyed by the hated 'Chosen One'. Yasahiro is completely out, but Rush is pushing himself up with his one good arm, grimacing as with a bone-churning crack he rams the other back into its socket, almost passing out from the pain.

Darna is there to capitalize, wheeling on him with a rampant sneer on her lips, crossing the ring to connect for the second time with the KALABAW HUNTING HORN! Rush hits the deck, certainly unconscious, to a surging pop that diminishes when reality settles in…

The exorcist crouches, looking between Rush and the referee, torn between winning the match and causing pain - realizing the former may be impossible. With a sob of effort, she rises to her feet, wiping blood from her face, forcing tangled hair back over her shoulders. She steels herself before trying to pick up Rush, succeeding in getting him only to his knees, flopping there limply, a standing dead weight. With visible difficulty she pulls his arms into a full nelson…

KD: She could be going for something huge here, but the question is, does Darna Dare have what it takes to throw a man the size and scale of JoJo Rush?

With the crowd behind her, Darna hauls backwards, trying to nail the kneeling colossus with a Snapdragon Suplex, and for just a moment, he resists, they're at deadlock…

A moment later, Dare is hurtling backwards, as the bull bucks against her, hurling her away with sheer mass, landing on his back and rolling to his feet, eyes glazed over but fixated on one purpose; a purpose that becomes clear as Darna falls against the middle rope and rebounds into a dash toward him, her own gaze absolutely bloody-minded and determined.

P-Dug: The answer is no.

JoJo's shoulder rolls, an instinctive loosening that would, if the universe had any sense of justice, make a sound like a pump shotgun being cycled. Ka-chunk.

Darna leaps, looking for a third and surely final devastating blow - the giant killer seeking to make that epiphet quite literal, putting down her one-time tag partner. But Rush has another idea; to bury his pain and her own, in the form of a singular, spectacular lariat, going from zero to ninety as he takes a single step and plows his rippling arm into the airborne exorcist.

There's an instant where every single person in attendance wonders if they've seen another technical error - if they're hallucinating, if EWC is pioneering some new, crazy technology…

Because here, now, on live television, Darna Dare FUCKING EXPLODES.

Flesh. Blood. Bone. Organs. Entrails.

JoJo Rush's arm plows through them all, hitting the greatest lariat in living memory and seemingly removing from existence one of EWC's most promising talent of the past two years. Amidst the gory chaos, Darna Dare's head is separated from her shoulders, bouncing off into the front of the crowd where a small child immediately bursts into wailing tears, breaking the spell that has fallen over the entirely mute audience.

Pieces of Darna rain down on the ring as if spewed from some gruesome fountainhead, coating JoJo Rush in literal chunks of the woman he turned away from, as he 'makes things right' by detonating her mortal form. An arm, limp in death, spins comically in the center of the ring, as her severed lungs flop across JoJo's brawny shoulder like saddlebags on a butcher's horse.

To those present, it's not just the sight; it's the stink. The domino effect of vomiting begins near the front of the crowd, and soon reaches the back, as people spill their own guts in macabre sympathy, chaos reigning as the show's entire staff breaks into the purity of panic.

JoJo Rush just stands there, his mouth open, tan skin fading white and waxen as the horror of the moment settles in through the audacious glow of a fighter's adrenaline. The only cameraman still doing his job gets a close shot of Rush's face, before a horrified producer cuts the lights. For whatever reason, the feed remains up, and through the darkness and dismay comes a slow, lascivious chuckle that becomes a peal of maniacal laughter. There's a schlick of shifting flesh, and through the automatically-restored red glow of the emergency lights…

Crawls the body of another woman, coated in gore herself as though she were some byproduct of Darna Dare's erupted internals. Commentary remains dead, but the lights flash back on.

And JoJo Rush meets the delighted vision of a demoness, made flesh.

P-Dug: –and we are back, and WHAT THE FUCK?

KD: Friday Night Rampage has never once gone off the air, and we never will, but– I agree, I have no idea what's happening. Who is this woman?

The fallen EXT, lying precariously at the top of the entrance ramp, sparks and flares to life, through the murmur of static displaying seven bloody letters:

Those in the crowd not puking, crying, or just plain confused rain down jeers and boos on the mere principle of the thing as the colorfully-painted woman before JoJo laughs and dances, delighting in mocking the shell-shocked cowboy, whose jaw is working as if to find words. Searching for anything but the damning realization of what he's done. Anything but the truth.

'Kisikil' takes a kind of euphoric mercy on his broken soul, still laughing away to herself as she saunters forward, wriggles her hips into a dramatic pose, and then explodes against the Blackhat with a flurry of lightning fast, brutally precise kicks. First his injured leg is swept aside, crumpling on impact, next his fractured head is rocked in a shower of crimson, then she brings a thunderous axe kick down on Darna's balanced lungs, which send out a fresh expulsion of gore as they're ruptured against Rush's shoulder. He collapses onto one knee, and the final kick sees a heel driven like a piston hammer into the back of his skull. JoJo falls against the canvas…

Worse, he falls against the largest remaining piece of Darna Dare.

A shoulder, with half an arm flopping from it, now flattened messily beneath his chest.

Laughing as if this were the greatest joke in the entire goddamn world, Kisikil grabs JoJo Rush's arms, and plants a boot to the back of his head, standing on top of him as an equally shellshocked Toyo Yasahiro responds on auto-pilot to a bark of command in his earpiece.

He hits the mat, and applies a count.


ONE...



TWO...



TH-REE!!!

DING DING DING

Chriqui: And your winner, via, uh, pinfall ... JOJO RUSH?!!

P-Dug: Aight, look, this was a tragedy and we're all still processing what the hell just happened but… is that woman on Friday Night Rampage now? Did you SEE those kicks? Call me whatever names you want, but I'm a little bit in love, bro.

KD: I… honestly don't know how to respond to that. Folks, rest assured, we have medics and security en route in force and we will get this whole… mess straightened out, and we will be back with um, X-Division action right after these commercials. Stay tuned. Please.

---

MATCH #7
Xavier Reid Vs "The Elite" Chris Page
X-Division Match - Non Title
Referee: Josh Daniels

We return to ringside where the ring is in something of a sorry state.

KD: Okay! I'm fine. This is fine. And we are back with X-Division action as two of the most talented wrestlers in the EWC lock up to fight for brand superiority. Invading your screens is none other than the X-Division champion, Xavier Reid--

P-Dug: --and tasked with kicking his gloriously psychopathic ass, our very own Chris Page! Let's get bloody all over again!

Chriqui: The following match is for one fall, and is an X-Division match!

"Stepped On" hits over the speakers and "The Elite" Chris Page makes his way out from the back with EWC Hall-of-Famer Dominic Sanders in tow. He poses on the ramp, warily eyeing the EXT - which has been rapidly affixed back into position between matches - before making his way down to the ring.

Chriqui: Introducing... from Zzyzx, California... weighing in at two hundred and twenty seven pounds... "THE ELITE" CHRIS PAGE!

Page gets into the ring while Sanders stays on the outside. Page waits in the corner for his opponent.

Chriqui: And his opponent, from New York City, weighing in at two hundred and twenty pounds... he is the EWC 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.

KD: The protégé of Dominic Sanders has blazed a trail in his first season here at EWC, but fell just short of claiming all the gold in the final of the B.O.R.T. He'll be looking to get his momentum back tonight.

P-Dug: He'll be looking to get his teeth kicked in, cuz Xavier Reid IS the X-Division Champion and he's on a warpath straight to the top. Smart money's on the Bastard of Volando, idiots and idiotas.

DING DING DING

The cleanup crew have done their best to tidy away the appalling mess from the previous, unsanctioned bout, but the canvas is still soaked in blood, and here and there are visible pieces of Darna Dare, drawing a face of disgust from "The Elite" as he looks to stalk the ring looking for a lock-up with the X-Div champ. Reid, by contrast, doesn't seem to give the bits of human a second glance, darting forward to open with one of his trademark violent salvos--

--and immediately slip-sliding on an unidentified Darnachunk, his arms pinwheeling comically before he crunches to the mat on one shoulder. Page isn't one to shy from opportunity, and pounces instantly, getting over his disgust in favor of raining down a flurry of ground and pound, his fists slamming into Reid's ribs and then his cheeks, forcing the champion to cover up. Sliding into mount, the Sanders-trained technician hunts for an armbar, jabbing an elbow into the joint to loosen Reid's defense, then spinning out into a beautiful arch, wrenching on the captured arm! The Rampage crowd surges in appreciation!

KD: We're all moving on and trying to forget, but I want to point out that JoJo Rush is the number one contender to Xavier's championship - Page is fighting for more than just bragging rights here, more than just brand pride.

P-Dug: Hell yeah he is, winning here puts him straight into contention. He's got every reason to not only snap Xavier Reid's arm, but burst him like a bloody sack of meat--

KD: COULD YOU NOT! I just finished throwing up...

Reid is made of stern stuff, growling in rage, twisting this way and that before managing to sling a foot toward the ropes, where his ankle is gripped by Tommy Love and placed against the ropes. His manager slithers expertly out of sight, and Josh Daniels sees only the need to force the break. He dives in to prize the pair apart, getting an angry torrent of muttering from an instantly-frustrated Chris Page. Sanders slaps the apron and tells him to keep his head in the damn game, as Tommy Love wisely stays far away from the Hall of Fame wrestler, smirking smugly and soaking up the abuse from the fans.

Reid rolls to ringside himself, exchanging a few quick words with Love, nodding his assent as he takes off around the outside, keeping his eyes locked with Page, who starts to egg him into the ring - before remembering what kind of match he's in. Shrugging, he steps through the ropes, slowing his descent enough to bait the champion in. Reid starts forward--

--and gets caught out as Page spins around, falling from the apron with a firm double axe handle! Xavier buckles, and is seized in a headlock, but turnabout is fair play - they're both adaptable, and the Rampage star finds himself slammed against the apron, the hard edge jammed firmly against his spine. Reid seizes a waistlock, and snaps him backwards, hitting a beautiful modified Northern Lights that ploughs the full length of the larger man into the unforgiving floor!

Far from done, Xavier Reid flips over to take mount himself, throws a vicious flurry of hammer hands, then stands and leaps, driving both boots with brutal precision into the center of Chris Page's chest! The crowd rain down their hatred!

P-Dug: I'm all for brand pride, but is this even surprising? Xavier Reid's won almost everything there is to win here at E-Dub-C. He's got the technical chops to keep up with the Elite, and he's broken hundreds more men and women in his time.

KD: Brand pride is what tonight is all about! We're all Team Rampage, little bro!

Reid sneers at the crowd, slaps a drink from someone's hand, then wheels around to dash at the recovering Page, who's clutching at his chest and struggling to breathe. Xavier leaps, landing on the other man's shoulders, the pair of them sent forward as the Elite stumbles and clutches at his opponent's legs. Reid starts to whirl into a reverse Frankensteiner, but Page hooks an arm and pulls him in tight, showing his own acumen and versatility as he improvises by falling backwards, crushing Reid beneath him, then rolling over his back, hunting for the Elite Lock on the outside of the ring!

Xavier gets an arm up in time, his fingers bone-white as they strain to pull the technician's grip away, his nails digging in until blood pools beneath them, then with a shout and a twist he rolls onto his side and brings up a knee, once, twice! Page is bust open, and sent sprawling, as Reid pulls himself up on the barricade, gasping and furious at this close call. He turns straight into a steel chair-- but it's not being swung by Page or Sanders, neatly tossed to the X-Div champion by Tommy Love. They've been together a long time, and Reid catches it on instinct, nodding and grinning as he moves to stand over the Elite.

WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! He brings the chair down over and over, leaving Page a bloody mess, his hands dropping the chair from exhaustion at the fury of his own strikes, as he stumbles away, diving beneath the ring to look for something more interesting. He comes out bearing a sack of thumb tacks, as behind him Dominic Sanders, cursing in frustration, moves to check on Page and yank him unceremoniously to his feet and propelling him toward Reid just as the champion turns around.

Page's instincts are just as good as his opponent's - he's all but out on his feet, but he drives in with a forearm, seizes the bag of thumb tacks, and shakes them out over the stumbling Reid. His own legs quake beneath him, but they both recover simultaneously-- and it's Page who manages to shoot the quickest by a narrow margin, slamming into Xavier, scooping him up for an hellacious spinebuster onto the thumbtacks! The crowd are on their feet!

KD: Tit for tat, blow for blow, brutality for brutality, and it feels like we can only be at the midpoint of this match. These two are giving no quarter!

P-Dug: THIS is what Friday Night Rampage is all about! Kill him, Chris!

KD: Woah, woah!

Page is trying to drag Xavier upright, when CLANG! A chair comes down on his back, courtesy of Tommy Love, who's set upon an instant later by an absolutely furious Dominic Sanders. The Hall of Famer gets perhaps the loudest pop of the night, thus far, as he just opens up on the veteran manager, driving him around ringside with crisp, well-aimed blows that have Tommy dancing in pain. Getting up from his knees, Chris Page is momentarily distracted by this display, and Reid manages to get onto all fours, then to his feet, dripping blood and tacks behind him as he drunkenly staggers toward the entrance ramp.

KD: Xavier Reid could get disqualified if he goes much further, what's the champion thinking?

P-Dug: Uh, I don't think he IS thinking.

Page looks around, shrugs, and starts after Reid, pursuing his opponent up the ramp with a forearm to the back. As Reid turns, he grabs an underhook, goes for a throw, but is countered with a Pelé kick right between the eyes! Page is spun around, but manages to roll down the ramp and come up standing. Reid charges, is met with another forearm, and the two proceed to brawl their way all the way up onto the stage, the opposite echo of Darna Dare and JoJo Rush, furiously blasting each other with shots as the crowd go back and forth with monumental cheers and jeers!

Snarling, Reid slips behind, goes for a waistlock, but Page grabs him by the head and bulldogs him into the stage! He hooks an arm and again looks for the Elite Lock, but Reid's other hand digs into his mouth, and the champ fish-hooks his way back into mount! Page bucks his hips, hurling Xavier off, and then spins to his feet, surging into a double-leg--

--that Reid counters by stepping aside, bum rushing his opponent into the opposite pillar holding up the EXT! The vast screen wobbles again, but doesn't quite fall - to a breathed prayer of gratitude from a producer in back - as Xavier advances on Chris Page, whose face is a crimson mask, shaking as he pulls himself slowly up against the cold metal. Reid looks around for something to use - and finds a particularly grotesque weapon lying mere inches away, testament to the violence of the previous match...

And more than testament to his X-Division prowess, as he falls on Chris Page with one of Darna Dare's severed arms, bone visible and blood flying everywhere as the dead flesh tears on repeated impact with the Elite, who's looking sick to his stomach!

"THIS IS RAMPAGE!"
clap-clap-clapclapclap
"THIS IS RAMPAGE!"

KD: The crowd seem to be over their uh, shock.

P-Dug: I mean, they're right though. This IS Rampage!

It's grisly, but it's not the best weapon. Darna's arm eventually loses consistency, and Page smacks it away with a queasy blanch, darting into the opening this gory parry creates to swiftly apply an arm drag that sends Reid tumbling across the stage. The champion rises in a skid, coming just short of hitting the already-dented EXT pillar, but instead springs onto it, and turns into a dynamic leap straight at Chris Page - who, wide-eyed, snatches him out of the air and hauls backwards to introduce Reid back to the stage floor with a gigantic T-Bone Suplex! CRUNCH!!

They've been up there long enough that Josh Daniels is forced to make an executive decision, and as Page catches his breath, looking down toward the ring, he turns and makes a signal to the announcer's desk.

KD: Folks, we've just been informed that this match is now a FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE match. Page has an advantage!

P-Dug: Excuse my French-Canadian but that uh, seems like some bullshit if you're Xavier Reid...

As if he's heard them, Reid spasms onto his front, and starts pushing himself up right to the astonishment of Page, who rises to his feet as Xavier finds the energy to do the same. The champ spins into a back elbow that misses the Elite's jaw by a coarse whisker, and Page hooks his arm, stepping around to catch him with a backslide pin!

Sprinting up the ramp, Daniels hits the floor to make the count just a little tardy...

ONE...



TW-- KICKOUT!

Xavier Reid growls in frustration, stumbling to his feet, Page already shooting to take him down again. With a brisk scissor motion, he throws up a knee, connecting beneath the jaw hard enough to hurl Chris Page to his FEET, half-senseless but perfectly in position for a second spinning elbow to connect flush! With his opponent ragdolling toward the floor, Xavier Reid follows up with a violent teep that sends him thundering toward the entrance-way, and straight into the back!

We cut to backstage, where Reid dives into the cover, yelling at Josh Daniels to keep up!

ONE...



TWO...

KICKOUT!

Page throws Reid clear, and scampers away on all fours, bouncing off the walls as he staggers upright and tries to escape for long enough to recover his wits. Reid gives pursuit, and is kept at bay by some bowling shoe ugly and desperate strikes from the technical mastermind, the pair of them tumbling around the next corner and through a set of double doors as Reid settles for simply, rapidly hurling himself at the other man! They go down in a tangle of limbs, throwing brisk, tight punches at each other, another Reid elbow connecting in the mess as we find ourselves in the Ohio State Football locker room.

The crowd pops huge for this reveal, and it brings fresh life to the Elite, who drags Reid down with a kimura, then postures up and drops a leg across his throat, before rolling back to his feet, steadying himself against a bank of lockers. Reid snatches at his wrenched arm as he clambers to his own feet, before drawing a thumb across his throat, screaming a litany of insults against Chris Page as he advances-- CLONK! Right into a swing of a hastily-seized weapon from Page!

It's an Ohio State Buckeyes helmet, and it leaves a MARK.

KD: A home run swing from "The Elite", and that might be all he needs to win this thing!

P-Dug: Wrong sport, bro, but uh, yeah, ouch! Ryan Day sends his regards!

Page has the helmet in both hands, bringing it down again and again on the back of Reid's skull - as if we haven't seen enough rabbit punches this fateful evening - panting as he finally lets the football helmet fall, dragging Xavier Reid upright and signaling toward the arena to another big pop from the Rampage faithful.

"Let's go," gasps Chris Page, allowing himself a smirk as he hauls Xavier Reid into position, "Buckeyes."

With a surge of effort from the powerful technician, up and over goes Reid, and then-- with no less equal from the tenacious champion, he drops from an astonished Page's shoulders, grabs his arm and whips him around into a high knee! With a chilling battle cry, Xavier doesn't let the other man fall, instead seizing double underhooks and pulling him in close, eyeing the same metal bench that the Elite was eyeing a moment before. Hauling his opponent up, Xavier staggers toward the bench, and holds Page in position before PILEDRIVING HIM STRAIGHT THOUGH IT! THE 'LOVE' SHOT!!

If he weren't otherwise occupied, Tommy Love might be proud, but Reid isn't done. He clambers to his feet, stalking the bloody, devastated Chris Page like a wounded animal, the crowd rallying behind their homeground hero and firmly against the invader, as Reid, impatient, motions his opponent to stand again and again. It's moments before Page does...

...and he's met with a blur of motion, a leaping Reid introducing two knockout knees before he can remember where in the fuck he was! The BEAST Slayer! Page is knocked the fuggout, sprawling into the wreckage of the bench, where Reid falls atop him, a single knee on the chest and a hand pushing his face down into the mangled metalwork.

ONE...



TWO...



TH-REE!!!

DING DING DING

Chriqui: And your winner, via pinfall ... XAVIER REID!!!!

Smirking savagely, Xavier Reid rises to his feet, his back still dotted here and there with tacks, his hand soaked in Page's blood and a look of utmost superiority on his cocky face. Bending low, he scoops up the fallen football helmet as he moves toward the arena, where the crowd is raining down their displeasure. Holding up the Ohio State helmet like a trophy, Reid smears his bloodied hand across it, and screams, "FUCK THE BUCKEYES!"

Right now, Ohio has never hated anybody more than Xavier Reid. With a mocking bark, Reid drops the helmet and brings it into sharp collision with his rising foot, booting it disdainfully through the air where it's lost somewhere in the darkness, as Xavier flips off the crowd and heads into the back, his theme still playing out as Tommy Love extricates himself from a crestfallen Dominic Sanders and dashes up the ramp to join his client, his face red and suit a stretched and torn mess.

KD: Chris Page left everything out there, and... backstage, but fell painfully short of putting a stop to the incorrigible wrath of the X-Division champion, Xavier Reid. Truly, a force to be reckoned with on Brawl. Even more truly, just a mean, unlikable man!

P-Dug: I can't believe it! Page was the Chosen One, he was my brother! But you've simply gotta bring better than your best to take down the champ. Whatever Ohio thinks of him, however we feel about this loss for Rampage, Reid's a freakin' beast. There's no shame in this loss - and I tell you what, bro? I can't WAIT for the rematch. We'll run this back someday.

KD: Agreed, but until then we need to get ready for two more matches! First up, a fatal-four way as Cyrus Black, King Flip, Mercenary, and Moxie all square off!

Camera cuts to ...

We cut backstage, where BRAWL General Manager Jim Connors is standing by...but he is not alone, not by a long shot. Standing beside the GM is the team that has been brought together for PARABELLUM's main event: Darius, Lil' Petey, Alex Carbajal, Caleb Scott, and the captain of this collection...the EWC International Champion, Melinda Rhodes. The assortment draws a chuckle and a smirk from the GM as he speaks to his crew.

Connors: Well, well, well...look at this motley crew. There were people who had their doubts about Team BRAWL year, would you believe that? They look at the five of you, and they see a band of misfits...but I see potential and opportunity, and damn if BRAWL ain't the land of opportunity.

The crew reluctantly nod in agreement, even with Darius and Caleb staring each other down for a moment as Connors continues.

Connors: Darius, Caleb, I see you two eyeing each other, and I know you two have had your issues as of late...but I am begging you, PLEASE do not lose sight of what's important here. This is our year, BRAWLers...this is the year the red brand reigns supreme! After all, we have something the other squads do not...we have a hunger to succeed that is missing from the other brands this year.

Connors points to Lil' Petey before continuing.

Connors: We have a rarity in that someone new to our ranks has already shown the tenacity we need in Brand Warfare, the reason Lil' Petey here is on Team BRAWL heading into PARABELLUM.

Lil' Petey lets out a small "SHEESH" but otherwise just nods with a smile.

Petey: Honestly boss, I'm just excited to be here, to be a part of something this big. I'm ready to prove myself just like the rest of this team is!

Connors nods with a smile before pointing at Bullet as he continues.

Connors: We have a former FX Broadcast Champion in Alex Carbajal, a woman whose experience with the Shieldmaidens will come quite handy working with this squad on Phucket Island.

Bullet simply nods in acknowledgement, notably eager to shine in the main event of the upcoming PPV as Connors points to Caleb next.

Connors: We have a man hungry to make a statement in Caleb Scott, who might well prove to be the wild card we need...

Caleb nods in acknowledgement as Connors points to Darius.

Connors: ...and we have Darius, a man who knows a thing or two about taking whatever opportunity he can, at any costs.

Darius nods with a wicked smile as Connors turns his attention to the champion next.

Connors: And of course, we have the EWC International Champion. The woman who outlasted a King at Hardcore Revolution, who defied the odds and regained the top prize on the red brand after a long, difficult exodus...truly deserving of being the captain this year. You know what it's like to take what belongs to you, and after what you said earlier tonight I am fully confident you have what it takes to lead this squad into battle at PARABELLUM!

The group all nod in some sense of agreement to the final statement, but Connors raises a hand to grab their attention.

Connors: That said, I do have one little surprise for you all. You see, I am confident that BRAWL will reign supreme this year, and part of the reason for that is I know you will all be extra motivated to do your part as we go into Brand Warfare...especially with what I'm willing to offer you in exchange.

This really grabs the group's attention as Connors continues.

Connors: You have all earned your place on Team BRAWL, and because you all have proven yourselves worthy of that honor I'm placing on the table a reward for whoever gets the deciding elimination for our team at PARABELLUM. So long as one of you can finish the job and pick up the win for Team BRAWL, that lucky person will earn what's rightfully theirs. For four of you, that means getting yourself in line for a shot at THIS title...

Connors points at the EWC International Championship, which gets a smirk from the majority of the group but a look of confusion from Rhodes as Connors continues.

Connors: ...and for our wonderful champion, it means naming your future challenger for the belt!

This seems to assure Rhodes just a little, though she still gives Connors a stare as the GM presses on.

Connors: So hopefully, this gives you the extra motivation you need to get the job done at PARABELLUM...because I am tired of listening to everyone talking smack about the flagship brand of the EWC. Enough is enough, and it's time to remind folks who we are!

And with that, the GM walks off leaving us with the team staring each other down, uncertain whether that extra motivation worked or only furthered sowed the seeds of discontent as we cut to commercial...

MATCH #8
Cyrus Black (C) Vs King Flip Vs Mercenary (C) Vs Moxie
Fatal Four Way - No DQ - Non Title
Referee: Paul Turner

We return to ringside where the canvas has - mercifully - been replaced during this break, the ring looking at least somewhat shiny and unmarred by earlier violence as we approach the evening's apex.

KD: We're all exhausted, we're all bloody, we're all shocked and awed, but in some senses the night is just starting! The Brawl invasion comes to a head in our main event, but now we're ushering in four men who have arguably shouldered the burden of their respective brands. Lynchpins! Stalwarts! Benchmarks!

P-Dug: And Cyrus is here too! It's fatal fourway action, my dudes, two champs and two former champs. Lets get it on!

Chriqui: The following contest is a fatal fourway match. Introducing first, from Carson City, Nevada, and weighing in at two hundred and twenty pounds... he is the FX Broadcast Champion... 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.

Chriqui: From The Land, weighing in at two hundred and twenty pounds... KING FLIP!!!

T H E M A D K I N G zooms from right to left across the EXT and is followed swiftly by a red pyro. 'Heimdallr' begins to play, King emerging with his usual war paint. A big white palm across his face, small gold lines accented the edges of his face. Upon the usual red vest is a blood-matted fur that lines the collar down the button line and goes up into a massive hood. He gets to the edge of the rampway when that arrogant half smile emerges, the crowd fully immersing in the moment. The "Mad King" chant grows as he walks slowly down the ramp with his eyes locked in on the ring. His approach to the steps is slow, eyeballing the corner above them, as he slaps a few hands and hands a small child a little red 'Brawl' flag. He slaps the ring corner with a smile, reminiscing a moment before sauntering the steel and quickly slipping through the ropes. After a sarcastic bow, King turns to the stage ready for the action to start as his theme fades.

KD: Brawl's contingent for this match looking strong indeed - two highly-decorated athletes, one bearing the standard of Brawl in the form of the FX Broadcast Championship. One... well, the other one is King Flip. What can I even say?

P-Dug: Nothing, bro, he'll say way more himself than anyone has ever needed to. ...I'm gonna hide the spare mic.

Black Label Society's Fire It Up blasts over the PA. A flashing red strobe lights the stage as the rest of the room goes dark.

Chriqui: And now hailing from West Oakland, California, he is the EWC Outlaw AND the EWC United States Champion. He is... THE MERCENARY!!!

Mercenary swaggers out onto the stage with his face hidden behind a hard tactical mask painted to look like The Punisher's iconic skull logo. His eyes inside the mask scan the crowd. He crosses both arms, gloved fists clenched, across his chest and under his chin. The pose resembles a skull and crossbones. To either side of him the stage explodes in motes of red and orange flame.

Removing the mask the big man salutes the crowd and stalks towards the ring at a steady pace filled with menace and a deadly purpose he climbs between the ropes and walks to the corner where he throws a few shadow punch combos at the turnbuckle before turning with his back to the corner, his arms crossed again across his chest to glower in his opponent's direction and wait for the bell to give him the sign to come out swinging.

Chriqui: And finally, from London, England, weighing in at two hundred and two pounds... MOXIE!!!

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.

KD: A very similar show of strength from our home boys, in the form of the newly-crowned United States Champion, and - I'd say inarguably - one of the greatest pure wrestlers in our sport today. A fighter's fighter!

P-Dug: Some would say two of those, yeah. Not me. I say the Mercenary's just waiting to lose that title to Vin Havoc - he's not a champion, he's just almost one! Like always!

KD: Whose side are you even on??

P-Dug: Mine! And I guess Moxie's. Moxie's cool.

KD: Uh huh.

DING DING DING

Moxie is wasting absolutely no time in making a beeline directly for King Flip, pressing a fist to his jaw and snarling a threat as he stomps past the titanic Mercenary and completely ignores Cyrus - who's enough of a canny veteran to throw up his hands and move aside, rather than intervene. Flip lets out a comical 'oop!' and scampers away from Moxie around the outside of the ring, narrowly evading a thudding kick from the bolshy Brit to spin out of the corner and take refuge behind the United States Champion. The Mercenary looks over his shoulder, raises an eyebrow, 'Really?' And then promptly levels Flip with a right hand that has the Rampage fans on their feet, stomping and chanting with renewed vigor!

Cyrus can't but laugh, and even Moxie cracks a smirk, before remembering himself and almost casually driving a superkick into the jaw of the FX Champion, who sees it coming a little too late - at least managing to eat only half the impact, flopping against the ropes with a dry chuckle as he massages out his jaw. Moxie has already taken his eyes off the older man, directing traffic with Mercenary, who's happy to oblige in scooping up the cowardly King Flip for a big double suplex.

Flip rolls out of the ring, clutching his back, leaving Cyrus alone with the two Rampage stars; but it's every man for themselves, and neither Moxie nor Merc have forgotten, turning to look at each other. Eyebrows go up, and then they strike at the same time, the young Englishman barely shooting under a brisk backhand blow to try and take the big man off his feet. He only manages to get the US champ against the ropes, eating a couple of elbows to the back for his efforts--

--before Cyrus seizes the opportunity, darting in for a waistlock and hauling Moxie back into a German suplex! He starts to bridge instinctively, but his ring awareness comes into play as the Mercenary steps into a down-angled boot, and Cyrus manages to not only roll aside, but seize the offending limb, coming up standing into a flurry of kicks to the captured Merc's midsection.

King Flip dives back in, going for Moxie, but with a shake of his head Cyrus cuts him off by spinning and, using that leg for leverage, hurling Merc toward his fellow Brawl star! The collision sends Flip right back out of the ring, the Benchmark puffing out his cheeks and backing off as he recovers, holding up his hands in an exaggerated shrug.

KD: He tried! You have to wonder if these antics are a ploy by the former International Champion, who's no stranger to mind games and has been in rare spirit lately outside of the ring.

P-Dug: He's always working an angle. Nobody should trust him for a second! Cyrus is the smartest man out there right now.

Cyrus has his own troubles, as he finds himself again surrounded by both Moxie and the Mercenary, who share a glance and a couple of muttered words. Merc grunts and backs off to the corner, relinquishing the floor to the Brit, who cracks his jaw and then lunges forward, looking to take the Technician Magician down with a swift ankle pick. Cyrus darts his leg away, attempts to counter in kind, and eats a stiff uppercut, only to spin around into a bicycle kick that's just a little too sloppy to land flush; Moxie, wide-eyed, pulls back his torso like a boxer, and Cyrus' foot whiffs by a couple of inches. Moxie SHOOTS, but eats a rapid-fire knee, then a chop to the chest as he straightens, the sound ringing like a gunshot through the arena!

Moxie rolls his shoulders and steps in, all grit as he slams Cyrus with a headbutt, then flows behind him, wrapping up an arm and twisting it mercilessly, dragging Cyrus toward the ropes and ducking under himself as he maintains control, using the extra leverage to bend the wrist unnaturally fair, manipulating out the fine joints of the fingers until the FX Champion screams.

King Flip has seen enough of Rampage being in control, and perhaps judges Cyrus has suffered exactly enough to put himself back in the lead, but he acts all the same, coming from behind to sweep Moxie from the apron. Moxie falls explosively, and with equal vigor the Benchmark hops up and nails a precision dropkick in mid-air, getting a pop on sheer fucking principle as he sends Moxie across ringside into the barricade. The tough-as-nails former HBO Champ manages to land slumped over the barricade, his eyes glazed momentarily as Flip cheers himself on and then crosses the distance...

Going under the attempted kick counter by Moxie, shaking his head 'no no no' as he ties him up for an improvised capture suplex counter, pulling him away from the barricade then spinning as he launches the other man, driving him right back into it with a tremendous crash!

P-Dug: For a loser baby who runs away like a stupid goober, King Flip can hit pretty hard when he wants to.

KD: Would you stop? His record speaks for itself! King Flip is an incredible competitor!

Inside the ring, Mercenary is slow to approach Cyrus, as the veteran shakes out his aching arm and wrist, eyeing the much larger man warily - but eventually giving a grudging nod of respect for the chance given to recover. The Mercenary nods, then curtails the honorable display by stamping forward into a big boot - that Cyrus, looking panicked, manages to bridge under, before rolling to one side. He comes up into a storm of strikes from the US Champ, eating a hard fist to the gut and a stinging gunshot chop - a little payback for Moxie, intended or otherwise - for good measure, before managing to weather the storm that follows, covering up and shifting this way and that as the big man berates him with meaty blows.

It's not the wisest plan; the Mercenary can also work a clinch, and he seizes the back of Cyrus' head, bringing up his knees to drive further punishment to the torso of the FX Champ. Cyrus is sent stumbling, and his opponent winds up to land a knockout punch, his fist driving forth like the Hammer of the Gods-- NO! Cyrus catches it and falls backwards, working swiftly on the ground to maneuver Merc into place for his signature Omoplata!

Merc looks to be in trouble, fighting the hold every step of the way, but the former everything champion is tenacious.

On the outside, an irate Moxie is trying to hunt down King Flip, who is using his speed and wit to just play keepaway with the younger man, laughing and whooping as he plays the coward - nibbling his way under the Rampage star's skin. Moxie is fucking furious, even letting out a yell of frustration as he fails again to keep hold of the wriggly Benchmark.

P-Dug: I really question this strategy. King Flop is just gonna tire his goofy ass out.

KD: He's a decorated superstar for a reason; King Flip loves to manipulate his opponent's emotions, worm his way inside their head and force them to make grave errors. It's risky, but it's worked before.

P-Dug: I wouldn't be taking risks against freaking Moxie.

The Mercenary holds his reputation as a fighter for a reason, and he's managed to drag the smaller Cyrus near to the edge of the ring, reaching out a shaking arm to seize the ropes and force a break of the deadly hold. Cyrus releases with a bitter sigh, throwing up his hands as he does so precisely on the count of four. The crowd rain down boos for Cyrus, and gather up a chant for the newly-anointed US Champion, who is red-faced and sweating from the effort of resisting Cyrus' efforts to sleep him. He stands slowly, but Cyrus isn't having any chance of recovery for his opponent. He runs forward--

--and the crowd explode as Merc drops down, sending him over the top rope with an uncharacteristically sassy wave as the veteran bounces off the apron to the ground. Chuckling at his rare display, the Mercenary pulls himself back up and nods appreciation to the crowd, who change their tune too late to deliver him the warning he might need.

Moxie has given up on King Flip, and is standing right behind him.

The Mercenary turns quickly, and comes face-to-face with the grinning face of his Rampage compatriot. WHAM! Moxie's foot meets his gut, but even the precision violence of Moxie can't double the big man over. He rolls a shoulder and drops down as Moxie drives forward for another attempt, scooping up the smaller man for an hellacious, sky-high spinebuster right in the center of the ring! Moxie gasps, and barely evades the follow-up stomp to the head, dragging himself up in the corner as the Mercenary closes in.

RAPID footfalls strike the canvas, and the crowd reacts in pure shock as Cyrus hits the proverbial ground running, sliding back into the ring and covering the distance in a blur to leap nigh-on seven feet in the air and connect the point of his knee with the back of the Mercenary's skull! BLACKOUT! He moves to bundle up the big man, but Moxie has other ideas, darting forward like greased lightning and digging deep in his playbook - representing Rampage like an absolute boss as he drills the FX Broadcast Champion with the DRAGOON'S GLORY! Cyrus drops like he's been SHOT, but Merc, amazingly, is already beginning to stir.

Moxie looks around ringside, sees King Flip, and realizes he's not pinning either man right now. Mercenary starts to rise, and Moxie hits him with a second thunderous shot to the skull - it's too easy, the target was RIGHT THERE.

KD: Oh my God, Moxie is taking absolutely no prisoners. Both men look to be unconscious. Amis Shelton's tutelage pays off as the former HBO Champion almost casually levels two of the best in the business.

P-Dug: Yeah, and he hasn't taken his eyes off Flip.

The Benchmark of Brawl looks for a way out, but with all eyes on him, the ten count is being administered. Moxie paces back and forth like a caged wolf, slavering as he stares down the man he considered the prime target of this match; the coward who's been evading him this entire time. Flip is relatively fresh, and has all the time to showboat, looking at his fake watch and throwing up his hands, several times faking an entrance before backing off again.

Moxie is quivering all over from adrenaline, screaming and shaking the ropes before, in frustration, he makes his move on the other man. As he ducks out of the ring, Flip rolls into it, but Moxie expected as much; neither of them is an idiot. The Brit ducks back in and pursues Flip with an angry snarl, catching the Benchmark just as he tries to exit the ring on the other side. An arm shoots between Flip's legs, and he has him hooked! The crowd explodes prematurely, seeing the sole remaining upright Rampage star haul his foe up into position-- but Moxie's Endgame is delayed! Flip kicks and scrabbles in mid-air, barely stalling out Moxie's momentum, his eyes wide, looking like he's on the verge of losing the game he's been playing, losing the whole match...

Emitting a panicked cry, King Flip shifts his body in mid-air, succeeds in spinning around Moxie, and catches him with a WILD inverted DDT, thwarting the inevitable in outrageous fashion, and then rapidly firing off his feet at the ribcage of the momentarily-fallen Brit, bruising and battering him as he shoves him out of the ring to the outside.

Moxie is starting to push himself upright, when Flip - sweating bullets - grabs the Mercenary by both legs and wraps him up in a snug prawn hold, extending his arms to add extra weight to the pinfall maneuver!

ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
.
.
.
THREE!!!

DING DING DING

Chriqui: And your winner, via pinfall ... KING FLIP!!!!

The Mad King releases the still firmly KO'd Mercenary, leaving him beside the equally KO'd Cyrus, laughing away to himself as a wash of relief transpires in the aftermath of his victory. Many in the crowd make their derision plainly known - this is Rampage turf after all - but he somehow retains a number of fans, who he busies himself pointing at, shouting things like, "See! I told you! I told all of you!" It's an unorthodox victory celebration, following an equally-bizarre strategy that SEEMS to have paid off... but Moxie, as he so often does, has other ideas, and he's got enough in the tank to come rolling under the bottom rope, tumbling straight to his feet and right into another superkick that connects with the temple! WHAM!

King Flip's manic eyes roll into the back of his head, and for good measure, before he can fall Moxie twists him up like a pretzel and treats the crowd to the full, brutal collision of Moxie's Endgame! He snarls as he rises to his feet, drawing a thumb across his throat and pressing his fist to his jaw - to rare, explosive appreciation from the capacity crowd.

KD: He lost the battle, but Moxie has no intention of losing ANY kind of war.

P-Dug: The record books give this one to the Cowardly King, but Moxie's the only man standing! Merc is down, Cyrus is down, Flip himself is right where he belongs - down and out. It's not a victory, but it... it's something, right? Go Rampage?

KD: I don't think Moxie is feeling that way. Look at how he's staring at the Mercenary - who just took the pinfall from Flip following his own efforts to keep everyone in the match grounded. There could be bad blood between these two...

P-Dug: Hey, I'll take losing the battle if we get to see those two fight in August.

KD: We just might! But it's been a rough night for Rampage, all the same. Perhaps our main event can bring some of the good news we sorely need. Don't go anywhere, folks, we'll be right back in action shortly.

Camera cuts to ...

MAIN EVENT | MATCH #9
Melinda Rhodes (C) Vs Vin Havoc (C)
Ladder Match - 2 Million USD On The Line
Referee: Toyo Yasahiro

We return to ringside where fans are eagerly awaiting our main event of the evening!

KD: And here we go folks, it's time for our main event! I've been told during the break that for reasons not quite clear to me, we are in fact at a tie between BRAWL and RAMPAGE going into this ladder match, as the EWC International Champion takes on one of the co-holders of the EWC United States Championship!

P-Dug: Awww hell yeah!

Chriqui: The following match is a match. Introducing first hailing Rome, Georgia & weighing in at 145 pounds, The International Champion and Rebel Star... MELINDA RHODES!!!

#THIS IS MY KIIIINNNGGGDDDOOOOMMM!!!

The lights drop to a dim blue only to brighten to a bright red as "The Steeple" by Halestorm plays over the P/A speakers. With a pyro explosion, the Rebel bounds from the curtains and onto that stage with a wicked grin. She sports her ring gear, a red leather vest with her winged star logo, aviator shades, and fingerless gloves. On her shoulder rests the International Championship. Mel strides down the aisle, taking her time and rocking with the fans in attendance. She's high-fiving fans, giving hugs to kids, and one lucky fan's child ends up with a parting gift, her chrome aviator shades getting placed right on the kid's face.

After making the rounds at ringside, pumping up the front row fans, Rhodes slides under the ropes, pops up and runs up to the far turnbuckle, hoisting her championship in the air while headbanging to her music. She then turns and runs to the opposite side, arms out at her sides as she shouts "COME ON!!!!" to the fans, working them up just a little bit more. She hops down and places her belt down in the corner. Turning, Mel removes her vest, crouches low in her corner and waits...

Chriqui: And his/her opponent from Brooklyn, New York, weighing in at 240 pounds. The United States Champion, Wild Thing... VIN HAVOC!!!

The barks of the intro of 'X Gon Give It To Ya' by DMX pierce the arena, as the crowd anticipates the arrival of Vin Havoc. As soon as DMX utters the chorus, Vin comes bursting out of the back, looking pissed off and reading for a fight. He storms down to the ring.

Havoc steps to the corner of the ring and does a silent prayer while holding the cross around his neck, hoping for forgiveness on what he's about to do.

DING DING DING

With the ring of the bell, our two champions head into the center of the ring and as the crowd begins a thunderous applause, they begin to throw hands! Rhodes hits a quick one-two combo on Vin Havoc, and as she goes for a third Vin catches her hand, trapping it into his armpit. Vin headbutts down into Melinda's face, followed by releasing her arm and sending a chop into her throat. Vin lunges forward into a lariat that about takes Rhodes's head off her shoulders. Vin drags Rhodes up by her head, and then sends her into the ropes. Vin goes for another lariat, but Rhodes hit a matrixesqe lean back dodge to duck the lariat, and Vin was trying the lariat with such a force the miss sends him forward crashing through the second and third rope to the outside!

KD: If that had connected, Vin might have taken Melinda Rhodes' head clean off!

P-Dug: Surgical precession on those lariats from Vin, surgical. 

Melinda Rhodes makes her way to the ropes, and then steps out onto the apron. As Vin Havoc gets to his feet, she jumps down and pulls him forward into an Impaler DDT, sending his face right into the padded concrete. Rhodes' drags Vin up by his head, knees him in the mouth twice, before standing him and hitting a one-two-three combo. Rhodes goes for another punch, Vin ducks the arm to drag Rhodes up and down with a uranage onto the apron! Rhodes sits up and Vin floors her with a lariat! 

P-Dug: That lariat is doing so much work for Vin here tonight, he's using it text book. 

KD: Very effective indeed!

Melinda Rhodes falls limp off the apron to the padded concrete. Vin Havoc goes up under the ring and retrieves a bag, he smiles at the hard-cam before reaching into the bag and pulling out the broken replica championship Mercenary gifted him. Vin drags Rhodes up to a knee, and then using the championship as a blade, slices the jagged end across her head! Blood begins to pour down Melinda's face, into her eyes, into her mouth. The blood also seems to waken something inside her, as she jumps to her feet, grabbing Vin into a bear-hug, and then flinging him over her shoulders, head first into the apron with some belly-to-belly overhead variation! Vin tries to stand, The Rebel Star punches him in the back of the head, and he falls numb. Rhodes turns her attention to the single ladder behind her, and then she makes her way to it. 

KD: Vin Havoc took a lot of damage over B.O.R.T, and that punch to the back of his head may be lights out done for good. 

P-Dug: Those are awful nasty shots that can take even a fully healthy person out. 

Rhodes grabs up the ladder, pulling it closed and then setting it on her shoulder. Behind her, Vin Havoc tries to pull himself up to stand. Rhodes turns and rushes at Vin, slamming the ladder into the back of his left leg, preventing him from standing. Rhodes then grabs the ladder with both hands, and lifts it up and down into Vin's Achilles, to really prevent him from climbing. She slides the ladder into the ring and starts her climb. She's up at the top, hands on the briefcase, Vin Havoc grabs her ankle and drags her down into a waist-lock, GERMAN SUPLEX over the top rope to the outside! 

P-Dug: HOLY SHIT, WHAT!

KD: We may have just seen a second death here tonight on Friday Night Rampage!

Vin Havoc starts to climb up the ladder, but he's clearly in a world of pain, plus unable to put much weight on his left leg causing him to hop up one rung at a time. This goes on for about 120 seconds, but Vin's finally at the top, both hands on the briefcase, unhoo... REBEL RHODES JUMPS FROM THE TOP TURNBUCKLE ONTO VIN'S SHOULDERS AND THEN PULLS HIM DOWN INTO A POISONRANA! WHAT THE FUCK! Vin Havoc rolls out of the ring upon impact, and he lay there motionless. Rebel Rhodes starts her climb, adrenaline rushing, at the top, yes she's got the briefcase down!

DING DING DING

Chriqui: And your winner ... MELINDA RHODES!!!

Melinda drops down from the ring, exhausted as she struggles to stay on her feet as Yasahiro raises her arm in victory!

KD: Whoa! After a hell of a main event, it's Melinda Rhodes who collects the 2 million dollar prize!

P-Dug: Sheesh, what a tough night for Vin Havoc. He gave it his absolute all here tonight, but in the end it's the EWC International Champion who takes the money and the final point for BRAWL!

KD: The captain of Team BRAWL has sure done Jim Connors proud tonight, no dou--wait a minute...

Suddenly, several RAMPAGE competitors come rushing down the ramp toward the ring, eager to get their hands on the champ and that sweet, sweet prize money...but many of BRAWL's finest are coming down to even the odds! We see King Flip directing traffic on one side and Moxie on the other, staring each other down all the while as everyone who's competed tonight seems to be getting in on the action!

KD: What a way to close the night out, huh? Absolute chaos and bedlam in the ring between the red and green brands!

P-Dug: And it looks like BRAWL may be leaving the ring finally, no doubt scared to face RAMPAGE's fury tonight!

KD: Folks, thank you for tuning in tonight for our special Invasion edition of RAMPAGE! We'll see you later this week as PARAMOUNT invades PRIME, and then all eyes are on PARABELLUM from Phucket Island, live on Pay-Per-View! Good night!

We see the BRAWL crew finally backing up the ramp now, Rhodes holding her prize in hand as they stare down RAMPAGE standing tall in the ring as the show comes to a close.

---

END SCREEN

..................................................................................................................

SEGMENT WRITERS

Melinda Rhodes
Comso Goldworthy
Alexander Umbra
Xavier Reid
Cyrus
MNB

..................................................................................................................

MATCH WRITERS

MATCH ONE
WRITER: MNB

MATCH TWO
WRITER: Jamie Love

MATCH THREE
WRITER: EWC Staff Assistant: Em

MATCH FOUR
WRITER: FN'R

MATCH FIVE
WRITER: Jamie Love

MATCH SIX
WRITER: Jamie Love

MATCH SIX.FIVE
WRITER: Chunks of Darna Dare

MATCH SEVEN
WRITER: Chunks of Darna Dare

MATCH EIGHT
WRITER: Chunks of Darna Dare

MATCH NINE | MAIN EVENT
WRITER: FN'R

..................................................................................................................


RECAP OF WINNERS

MATCH #1
Chelsea Skye Vs Autumn Raven (N/S)
Singles Match
WINNER: Chelsea Skye
...

MATCH #2
Zack Tyler & Moonshine Inc Vs Ruthann Hunter (HoF) & Lone Wolves
Lucha Rules Trios
WINNERS: Ruthann Hunter (HoF) & Lone Wolves

...

MATCH #3
JRF Vs Cassie Wolfe
Singles Match
WINNER: JRF

...

MATCH #4
Alexander Umbra Vs Kendrick Kross
Singles Match
WINNER: Kendrick Kross

...

MATCH #5
Lil Petey Vs Jamie Love
Tables Match
WINNER: Jamie Love

...

MATCH #6
Caleb Scott Vs Cosmo Goldworthy
No Finishers - No DQ
WINNER: Cosmo Goldworthy

...

MATCH #6.5
JoJo Rush Vs Darna Dare
Unsanctioned Singles Match
WINNER: JoJo Rush

...

MATCH #7
Xavier Reid (C) Vs Chris Page
X-Division Match - Non Title
WINNER: Xavier Reid

...

MATCH #8
Cyrus Black (C) Vs King Flip Vs Mercenary (C) Vs Moxie
Fatal Four Way - No DQ - Non Title
WINNER: King Flip

...

MAIN EVENT | MATCH #9
Melinda Rhodes (C) Vs Vin Havoc (C)
Ladder Match - 2 Million USD On The Line
WINNER: Melinda Rhodes

...


...............................................................................................................…

MVPs OF THE NIGHT: BRAWL: JoJo Rush and Xavier Reid RAMPAGE: Darna Dare and Cosmo Goldworthy
MATCH OF THE NIGHT: JoJo Rush Vs Darna Dare

FINAL INVASION TALLY:
BRAWL - 6
RAMPAGE - 5

BRAWL WINS THE BRAWL/RAMPAGE INVASION OF 2023

© THE EXTREME WRESTLING CORPORATION 2023