Post by MNB on Nov 13, 2023 21:54:13 GMT -6
WARNING:
This live event contains strong coarse language (L), and intense violence (V) which may be unsuitable for younger viewers. None of the matches you are about to watch have been predetermined. Only some of the thematic story-lines have been discussed beforehand. Accordingly, EWC and it's producers must insist that no one attempt to recreate or re-enact any match or activity performed in this live event.
The Extreme Wrestling Corporation presents
MONDAY NIGHT BRAWL
EPISODE #603 | NOVEMBER 13TH 2023LIVE! from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York
EWC BRAWL
General Manager: Jim Connors
Commentators: Joe Aiello & Steve 'The Predator' Bennett
Announcer: Jessica Stroup
Senior Referee: Paul Turner
Referee: Josh Daniels
Backstage Interviewer: Bob Murray
General Manager: Jim Connors
Commentators: Joe Aiello & Steve 'The Predator' Bennett
Announcer: Jessica Stroup
Senior Referee: Paul Turner
Referee: Josh Daniels
Backstage Interviewer: Bob Murray
"Welcome to New York (Taylor's Version)" by Taylor Swift blasts in the Arena
The show starts off with video footage detailing historic events over Monday Night BRAWL's history.
From episode 001 in 1997 all the way down to the last episode #602 in Mexico City.
Images of previous EWC Champions are shown, starting with the very first Champion Black Ninja, then moving onto Big Mac and Steve Bennett. Sped up footage then shows a special montage of Memphis Reigns, Shadow Man, Hirsh Valentine, Jesse Nunez, Hurricane Jeff, Moses Lake, James Chambers, BDC, Jay Cee, Stray, Gladiator, The Rev, and Ruthless Aggression, all with the EWC Championship.
From there we look at the dawning of the Undisputed Championship as we know it today, with a focus on the men and women who have been a part of the red brand who have held the illustrious title including Sour Candy, Dominic Sanders, Cyrus Black, and ending with our newest champion following a hellacious run in the EWC RUMBLE XX... Xavier Reid.
Sped up footage again then takes us through to current Monday Night BRAWL Superstars: Xavier Reid, King Flip, KU, Antoni Malietoa, Stitches, Darius, Dio, JoJo Rush, Bathsheba, S.T., Alex "Bullet" Carbajal, Chelsea Skye, Alexander Umbra, and others making their way onto the red brand.
We then get a shot of the Champions of BRAWL:
Stitches with the FX Broadcast Championship
JoJo Rush with the EWC International Championship and the EWC X-Division Championship
Xavier Reid with the EWC Undisputed Championship
The opening pyros blast across the stage and here we go.
A wide aerial shot shows that Madison Square Garden is electric for Monday Night BRAWL!
A wide aerial shot shows that Madison Square Garden is electric for Monday Night BRAWL!
A chant begins of
"MNB!"
"MNB!"
"MNB!"
"MNB!"
A thick layer of fog circles the arena, and camera flashes repeatedly strobe the area!
The camera feed pans to different areas in the arena and we see fans cheering in excitement!
The fans are shown smiling, laughing, and pumping their fists in excitement
as fireworks emit from each corner of the ring!
A thick layer of fog surrounds the fans from the firework display.
A thick layer of fog surrounds the fans from the firework display.
The show is live... and the excitement is at a fever pitch!
Signs can be seen all over the arena, some reading:
"NOTHING BUT REGERTS FOR THE MAD KING AND THE DOLLAR SIGN MAN"
"NARUMI AND AIYA WILL REAP WHAT THEY SOW"
"HEY LOOK...QUESTLOVE'S IN THE HOUSE"
"A STITCH IN TIME SAVES ME COMING UP WITH A RHYME"
"ONE NIGHT ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND"
and "QUESTLOVE, YOU'RE NOT IN THE HOUSE...YOU'RE NOWHERE"
Aiello: Hello everyone, and welcome to Monday Night BRAWL! I'm Joe Aiello alongside EWC Hall of Famer Steve Bennett, and we are on the final stop of the red brand's global tour, and one of the last shows before One Night Encounter and WrestleFest XXI!
Bennett: Boy do we have a hell of a show for y'all tonight!
Aiello: Indeed, we have a big main event between two champions in non-title action! Cosmo Goldworthy recently proved himself, well, worthy of gold when he become HBO Broadcast Champion...and tonight, he takes on the EWC Undisputed Champion, Xavier Reid, just weeks before they are joined by their respective squads in War Games for One Night Encounter!
Bennett: This is gonna be a brutal one for sure, Joe! Two men looking to prove themselves ahead of such a massive war.
Aiello: And that is a match mirrored by another big non-title clash, as Marcu$ $t. John looks to remind everyone why he is the Apple TV+ Broadcast Champion when he takes on a very game JoJo Rush, a man coming into this with both the EWC International and X-Division Championships!
Bennett: If ya ask me, I think JoJo's ego is starting to swell him up a lil TOO much...but I cannot deny he's a force to be reckoned with! Both men are in a battle of pride before they head into War Games, and this is gonna be violent!
Aiello: Speaking of violent, people have been buzzing about the return of the EWC Hardcore Championship next season, and with just one title defense left of the EWC X-Division Championship we find out tonight who faces JoJo Rush for the honor when The Mad King takes on Captain Morgan Darkwater!
Bennett: The Cap's got himself a future title shot lined up already, BUT a win over The Mad King tonight could give him something equally important...a guaranteed crack at the man who tried to put him out back at StrangleMania, JoJo Rush!
Aiello: The winds of change are truly upon us in the EWC, and another big announcement means tonight marks the final defense of the FX Broadcast Championship as Stitches defends against Emmanuelle, who managed to impress in recent weeks leading to this title match!
Bennett: This will be a banger for sure, I'm eager to see what Emmanuelle does to try and upend the clown for the title!
Aiello: With so much action going on tonight, we cannot overlook not one but two tag matches on display! We see Reaper Crisis taking on Bloody Sureiyāzu, and in our opening contest we see The Mad King and Marcu$ $t. John teaming up to take on No Regerts!
Bennett: Now now, Joe, you gotta pronounce that the right way...it's No Яegerts!
Aiello: I dunno how you pronounce that backward R, Steve, but I sure as heck ain't doing it!
Bennett: Fair enough, Joe. It's no worse than pronouncing the dollar sign every time we talk about the current Apple TV+ Broadcast Champion. Anyway...these tag matches are gonna be a helluva watch, regardless!
Aiello: Rounding out the action tonight is a No DQ match between Caleb Scott and Antoni Malietoa and a triple threat match between Chelsea Skye, Alex Carbajal, and Alexander Umbra!
Bennett: Ya know, I still can't wrap my mind around the fact Caleb Scott didn't get a rematch for the FX Broadcast Championship. Any idea what's going on with that, Joe?
Aiello: I was told before the show started that Jim Connors will address that situation soon enough!
Bennett: Good. Still, Caleb versus Antoni will be a helluva fight and that triple threat looks like it'll be promising!
Aiello: Indeed, but there's been enough talk. It's time for some hot, hot, HOT action here on BRAWL!
Before we get there, however, we cut to...
After the fireworks are done to start the show, the camera points down the hallway and is moving expeditiously in first person view. It’s moving so swiftly that it could potentially give some viewers motion sickness. It finally stops in front of a locker room door. It slowly pans up until it gets to the placard stuck on the door. The placard reads “King Flip”. A knock is heard on the wood in a beat that sounds eerily similar to Trio’s “Da Da Da”, Jim Connors theme. Flip quizzically sticks his head out of the door confused until he realizes who it actually is that knocked. He is greeted by a cameraman and a smiling Marcu$ $t. John. He is holding a gift box in his hand that he shoves into Flip’s diaphragm.
M$J: My guy, as you can see I have a gift for you. But before you open it, I just wanted to have the camera here to capture your reaction. I even made a drink in your honor with your name on it at the famous King Cole Bar here in New York the other night. I know this is the only time we will be tag teaming so I wanted to commemorate this occasion.
He impatiently awaits for King Flip to open the present by helping him rip the paper off. After finally getting all of the paper off, Flip opens the box and pulls out a t-shirt.
Mad King: Wow, Marcu$. You really shouldn't have.
He opens it up and he has a shocked look on his face. The camera can’t see the shirt just yet but Marcu$ butts in.
M$J: So what do you think? I’ve already cleared it through Jim Connors and Chris Brock. It’s already at the merchandise stand and it’s the number 1 seller of the night so far. Selling so good that it’s practically sold out already. They are scrambling to produce more because of the high demand. When we go out there in a few minutes we will be able to not only match but have the Brawl crowd matching us like we are a real tag team.
Flips stands there in silence for a few moments as $t. John awaits for his proper reaction. King chuckles, folding the shirt over one arm to keep the design hidden from the camera.
Mad King: This is technically our Gambit if you think about it. All credit to you for coming up with the name and design, too, so seeing your all-in attitude here really uh…
King clears his throat and shakes his head a few times.
Mad King: Sorry, it's just that this just happened to me at World Wide V, you see. Jack Severn presented a T-shirt to me as he falsely invited me into his The House faction. A facade!
Flip angrily clutched the shirt.
Mad King: But to see you so genuinely excited to go warm up for your match against JoJo really, uh, reassures me of a few things, but we've gotta go out there right now, don't we?
The Young Mogul looks into the eyes of his tag partner for tonight. He places his hand on his shoulder for reassurance. His eyes turn serious as he stares at The Mad King. He then squeezes his shoulder tighter.
M$J: You see that there my friend is trauma. Reminiscing about what happened to you before, the pain, the suffering, the agony that you must have faced when you were lured into a false sense of security only to be hurt. I truly sympathize with you.
Flip’s eyes narrow as he hears the irony in Marcu$’ words. To drive home the point, $t. John rotates his once injured arm and stretches his chest some.
M$J: I’m not here to do that though, so chin up, chest out, and put on that shirt.
The crowd starts chanting as they can see what is being said on the tron. “Put it on, Put it on, Put it on.” Both men look up as if they are listening to a higher power.
M$J: Besides, I’m about to face a member of The House like you just said and in a few short weeks will be going up against them in War Games. I’m much too busy for elaborate ruses and childish games. I come in peace and business only. I asked you for one tag match and to put on a shirt. I’ll only ask you for one more thing in the future but you and I both know what that is so I don’t have to repeat it again.
Mad King: For someone who talks of a good time, man, you're so serious.
King slips his entrance vest off with ease and pulls the slightly-too-small shirt over his head. It really accentuates the tension between the two even as Flip gets his entrance vest back on and Marcu$ gives him a few pats on the back.
Mad King: Team One Night Only! It's a catchy name, you'll see.
Flip leads the way as a graphic appears on the Extreme Tron...
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We cut backstage, where the General Manager of BRAWL greets us from his office, a smile on the face of Jim Connors as he begins to speak.
Connors: Hello, BRAWL fans and EWC Nation! Before we get into the in-ring action here at the Season 24 Finale of Monday Night BRAWL, I want to address some concerns about the future of EWC. Next season marks the beginning of a new era for all of us, especially here on the red brand...but before we get there, we have One Night Encounter and WrestleFest XXI to contend with!
The mention of both these shows gets the crowd excited, before Connors continues.
Connors: As you know, tonight we will find out who faces JoJo Rush at WrestleFest in the final title defense of the EWC X-Division Championship...but Rush is also your EWC International Championship, and with the festival marking the end of the title's exclusivity to BRAWL it is my honor to announce the number one contender, a man who by all rights deserves a shot at a championship after proving himself worthy as a former FX Broadcast Champion...Caleb Scott!
The crowd pops for Caleb, recognizing what he pulled off by winning the battle royal to become champion and defending it successfully against Alexander Umbra, before Jim presses on.
Connors: More details on what happens at WrestleFest and kicking off Season 25 will be available soon on the EWC website. Maybe even the community message boards, if one can find them. Now, let's get on with the show!
With that, we get another ovation from the crowd before we shift our focus back to ringside!
BECAUSE ONE TAG MATCH AIN'T ENOUGH FOR THE BRAWL SEASON FINALE!
TAG TEAM MATCH
No Яegerts
VS The Mad King & Marcu$ $t. John
TAG TEAM MATCH
No Яegerts
VS The Mad King & Marcu$ $t. John
We return to ringside where Lloyd and Jimmy are already waiting in the ring with Jessica Stroup.
Aiello: 'Holiday Heroes' Lloyd Christman and Jimmy Easters, also known as No Regerts, waits for this massive opportunity for them in the ring. In a collision that started this last Stranglemania, the lives of Brawl's Mad King and Paramount Wrestling's Marcu$ $t. John have been tied to the hip since.
Bennett: It's true. The Mad King spent a good amount of the early season trying to work with Chris Brock, and Paramount Wrestling, to make right the actions of Stranglemania. And here we'll see whether those steps meant a damn thing to anybody but The Mad King as he's set to square up WITH Marcu$ $t. John against those two idiots over there.
Aiello: Well that's not very nice.
Bennett: Shut yer damn mouth, Joe, that's also what they call themselves.
Aiello: Well we saw Marcu$ and Flip just moments ago and they looked like they were headed this way, so take it away, Stroup!
Stroup: The following match is a tag team contest scheduled for one fall. Already joining us in the ring, from The Fruitcake Capital of the World, Claxton, Georgia, at a combined weight of 496 pounds ... NO REGERTS!
Lloyd and Jimmy happily high five in the center of the ring during a small pop from the fans.
Stroup: And their opponents, first, hailing from The Land, weighing in at 220 pounds ... THE MAAAD KIIING!
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. He stops at the left end of the start of the rampway, doing the full nWo two-finger lean and point.
Stroup: And his partner for the evening, from Silicon Valley, CA, and weighing in at 220 pounds ... He is Paramount Wrestling's AppleTV+ Broadcast champion ... MARCU$ $T. JOHN!
"Money" blasts through the arena by The Game. M$J slowly walks out onto the entrance ramp with a Money Gun and soaks in the cheers. He pumps up the crowd more before posing on the center of the entrance ramp. Marcu$ and Flip give one another a nod before Marcu$ walks down to the ring shooting the gun which splashes out $100 dollar bills. The fans go crazy as both men walking down the ramp have huge smiles on their faces.
Marcu$ stops right before he gets to the ring and listens as he hears cheers that he is getting from the crowd. Flip acts like he's helping, pointing out louder pockets of fans. $t. John walks around the ring shooting more money out. He jumps up on the apron and wipes his feet before he enters the ring and poses in the middle of the squared circle as a light shines a hundred dollar bill in the center of the ring with his face on it.
Pyro hits as "Money" by The Game ends.
DING DING DING
Lloyd and Marcu$ start the bout as Flip can't help but fidget with the big money gun Marcu$ brought to the ring. The fans are ushering him to fire it from the corner. This distracts Marcu$ but not enough for Lloyd to take proper advantage. Christmas tries to come early with a volley of blows from Lloyd that pepper Marcu$ into the ropes. He reverses the whip, however, and takes Lloyd to the canvas with a Lou Thesz press followed by several right hands. $t. John hauls back for the fifth punch and jumps a little when Flip fires the gun into the crowd in unison to a big pop. M$J lifts Lloyd up and works him to the corner. Flip places the money gun on the steps and its a tag from Marcu$ to King. Harsh DDT spikes Lloyd to the canvas and as Marcu$ slips out of the way, Flip flies over the ropes for a springboard planca. Flip's about to go for the pin, Marcu$ leaving the ring, when Jimmy comes flying across the ring. Easters stomps Flip in the back of the head and back elbows Marcu$ off the ring apron. The referee gets him back to his corner as Flip and Marcu$ exchange a look. King lifts Lloyd and Christmas comes early. He breaks out of the hold and shocks Flip and the fans with a jawbreaker, Lloyd's dome bounding off Flip's jaw to send him rolling to the center of the ring. King stands for a clothesline, gets to his feet again, and backpedals into his own corner for the tag. LC looks to keep his momentum and begs M$J to bring it to him. Lloyd makes a big deal of things as he slowly backs into his own corner when Marcu$ steps in and moves toward him. A blind tag on the back of Lloyd just before he roars into a run at Marcu$. He easily scoops Lloyd up into a powerslam. Jimmy slips through the ropes while Marcu$ gets back to his feet. Easters stomps HARD on the foot of $t. John and follows with a headbutt, a club to the shoulders, and is about to bound off the ropes with Marcu$ in a bulldog but the television champion shoves him off. Easters skids off the canvas in pain. Marcu$ drops to one knee for just a second, shaking the cobwebs of whatever just happened, but can quickly follow his reversal with another beautiful powerslam. This time its Easters slamming atop Christmas and the fans give a huge pop as M$J gets to his feet.
Aiello: No Regerts showing why they've stuck around one another so long. Call them what ya like but I think I'd call that effective.
Bennett: They're losing, Joe. What are you talking about?
Aiello: Of course they are. But they're doing it together! Just look at 'em.
Bennett: Are you okay?
After a short exchange that looked like M$J asking Flip if he'd like to take over and Flip putting both hands in the air as if to motion that Marcu$ has it under control. Marcu$ extends his hand out anyway, as if to invite Flip anyway, and King obliges. Jimmy and Lloyd are just getting to their feet as Marcu$ and Flip begin a volley against them. Rapid forearms into the ropes from Flip and Marcu$ to Jimmy and Lloyd respectively. No Regerts get whipped across the ring and the fans go wild as they catch Flip and Marcu$ dropkicks to the face. The referee tries to no avail to bring the match back to its basics as the random tandem continues their clinic. EASTER PARADE! Marcu$ and Flip do the No Regerts standing double stomp signature on Lloyd Christmas. Finally, the two act like they're going to listen to the referee. They work together in tossing Lloyd over the ropes and he tumbles dramatically off the thinly-padded concrete up to the ramp. MONEY STOMP 2.0! The referee throws his arms up in dismay as Marcu$ slams Jimmy's face off the canvas with his signature curb stomp maneuver. DETHRONEMENT! Flip follows up by bounding off the ropes into his rolling thunder signature and Jimmy looks like he's seen better days. King could easily go for the pin here but waits for Marcu$ to be fully in their corner. He lifts Jimmy by the back of the head and snapmares him to face Marcu$, then quickly kicks him stiffly in the back to bring Easters to the canvas. Flip motions for Marcu$ to ascend as he tags Young Mogul back into the match. Marcu$ is confused but curious and gets himself to the top turnbuckle much to the chagrin of the referee. King steps over Jimmy after lifting both of his legs up and looking about the crowd excitedly. Marcu$ is still confused, now seated on the top turnbuckle, until Flip makes eye contact with him.
Mad King:
Marcu$ looks like he might not return the call for a second or two, then $t. John takes to the part.
M$J: WHHHHHAAAAA-ZAAAHHH
Flip keeps Jimmy in position as Marcu$ pulls an audible. Flying elbow drop instead and the damage is devastating as Easters hops and flops across the canvas. The television champion stops his partner on their exit of the ring and it looks for a moment like this whole thing between them might blow up as the two exchange a few words. Jimmy uses this moment to roll in pain to his corner and get a tag to Lloyd. Christmas comes into the ring with a ho ho whole lot on his mind. It looks like he's going to catch Marcu$ from behind. DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Almost without even breaking eye contact, Marcu$ feels Lloyd coming and cranks him to the canvas with his signature driver. Flip pops over the ropes as this happens, slapping hands with Marcu$ on their way back up, then pops to the top rope just as quickly. BEHEADING! The Mad King plants Lloyd with the signature spinning impaler to a massive pop from the crowd.
Aiello: It looked like The Mad King was ready for things to turn around there for a second. It's honestly a little surprising to see them working so well together, Marcu$ and King here, but they did say that's what they were going to do.
Bennett: I think Marcu$ wants what Marcu$ wants but he's willing to do this dance with The Mad King to get there.
Aiello: Meanwhile, No Regerts is just getting pummeled in the ring here.
Flip quickly calls out to Marcu$ as he gets back to the ring apron. DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The crowd awes and oohs to the next challenge as Flip nails Lloyd with Marcu$' signature. Another tag and Young Mogul once again takes it a step further. ROYAL BLOOD! M$J kips to the top turnbuckle and lands a perfect spinning leg drop, Flip's retired finisher, and Christmas is over. But so are the random tandem as the crowd fights among "M-S-J!" and "MAAAAD KIIIING" chants. The arena is buzzing as Jimmy Easters reenters the ring for one last stand. King stands stunned for a moment, still unsure how he should take to the visual of the television champion hitting his finisher, as Easters catches M$J from behind with a bicycle kick to the back of the head. King snaps out of it just as Jimmy barrels into him, sandwiching Flip into his own corner. CHRISTMAS PUDDING! Jimmy comes off the corner with Flip, bulldogging him onto a barely rolling over M$J to complete the finisher! Flip splashes over Marcu$ and Jimmy shoves him away for the pin!
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
.
.
.
THR-YEAHRIGHT!!! M$J has his boot beneath the bottom rope in time. The referee calls for the break but for some reason Jimmy is still acting like he won the Super Bowl. He's trying to wake up Lloyd, completely ignoring the referee, as Flip and Marcus both sit up and look a bit shocked at one another. Marcu$ gets up and ends it. MILLION DOLLAR DREAM! Catching Jimmy Easters from behind with the submission finisher is all it takes. Those two idiots are finally done. Jimmy taps!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via submission MARCU$ $T. JOHN AND THE MAD KING!
Easters and Christmas are both slumped on the canvas as the referee raises the hands of the Young Mogul and Mad King. "Money" by The Game is playing throughout the arena as Flip hops to the second turnbuckle hyping the fans up a bit more. The one-ups continue as Marcu$ pulls the money gun from the steps, points it at the corner King is on, and Flip defensively leaps to the steel steps as the money gun peppers hundreds into the air. The two share a bit of a laugh as the camera cuts to a closer shot on the two.
Aiello: Nobody expected No Regerts to win but wow. That wasn't a bad showing for two guys who should probably hate each other.
Bennett: Why do you insist on antagonizing it, Joe? Just move on. They pretty much have themselves!
Aiello: Well folks, up next we have triple threat action as Chelsea Skye, Alex Carbajal, and Alexander Umbra face off!
The lights in the venue go completely dim. At the end of the interlude, The venue lights violently turn back on to utterly blinding. The lights dim and then focus onto JoJo, who is already standing at the center of the stage with the X-Division and International Championships bound together and draped over JoJo’s shoulders. He poses into the light, his arms slowly extend out to his sides, and once fully extended, towers of fire burst around the stage and rampway. JoJo saunters towards the ring and rolls inside. A lone spotlight shines on a turnbuckle, The lights go to a near dim, the towers of fire providing the only source of light. JoJo climbs onto the top of a turnbuckle and extends his arms out with a title in each hand. A bright spotlight once again shines onto JoJo and JoJo alone.
Stroup: Ladies and gentlemen, the X-Division and International Champion, JOJO RUUUUUUUUUUUSH!
The arena lights brighten back to a low dim, the spotlight on JoJo being the brightest source of light in the building.
JoJo: New York City– Follow in my light.
JoJo poses once more to the booing New York City crowd, but a few phone lights shine in the crowd.
JoJo: When Ah look back upon this year, Ah ain’t happy with what Ah see. Can you see what Ah see? Can any of you see the light?
The light on JoJo dims, he turns around to face the hard camera, which focuses closer on the two-belt champion.
JoJo: This year has been a year for blood, and those capable of spillin’ it. We are– exceptionally cruel to each other in this sport, and Ah was the worst of ‘em all!
Rush paced back in forth in the ring, his voice frantic as he stared out to the crowd and into the camera with wide eyes.
JoJo: All Ah ever wanted from this sport was the Undisputed Championship. Nothin’ more, nothin’ less. Ah never wanted these two championships. Ah never wanted the laundry-list of enemies that Ah have, but the more Ah tried to make things right, the worse things became. Look at the broken man Darkwater has become. The broken, incomplete husk of a man as dead inside as his ship.
“MORGAN’S GONNA KILL YOU” chants broke through the Madison Square Garden arena. Rush sighs and shakes his head dejectedly. He looks up to the hard camera with patronizing eyes.
JoJo: But Ah forgive y’all. Ah forgive y’all for encouragin’ this man to carry on a blood feud that’s been dead a long time ago. For Ah’ve forgiven Darkwater for what he did to me. For what he forced me to do. He made me a bitter man, an angry man. Nobody takes JoJo for a ride. Nobody! Darkwater, you gotta look inside and find a way to forgive yourself for what happened. ‘Cause if you don’t? That hate will tie you down to this dead, rotting world.
JoJo throws himself onto the ropes pleading to the locker room.
JoJo: AH FORGIVE YOU DARKWATER! Ah forgive you for what happened to Esmerelda! Ah forgive you for denying me a true victory at Stranglemania! Ah forgive you for it all! You deserve to be free, Darkwater. Free of the burden of trying to put me down. You can’t stop me now, you can’t drag me into your darkness for AH! WALK! IN! THE! LIGHT!
JoJo sighs, he waits and waits, the crowd chant for Darkwater, but no one arrives. The two-belt champ slings his head down and sighs. After taking a moment to breathe, JoJo returned his focus back to the spotlight above him. He fell to his knees, paralyzed by the beauty of the light.
JoJo: Ah even forgive you, Bennett. You only wanted to wanted to hold onto the old world, and speaking of Reid, Ah forgive him for thinking Ah’d ever take Bunny Love from him. After all, Ah’m only after the only thing he truly cares about. Ah forgive $t John for mentioning my late brother. Ah forgive all of them, just as much as Ah forgive all of you for not being able to see the vision. For not being able to see that a better world is possible. Ah am the storm to destroy the old world!
The two-belt champion lowered his head to rest his forehead against the microphone, which he now gripped in both hands as if he was praying.
JoJo: Ah am the beginning. The path to something greater. A greater world where everyone is free. Ah can set you free. Ah can make you strong. You just have to follow! M–
Suddenly all of the lights go out, cutting off JoJo and plunging the arena into complete darkness briefly before the aggressive guitars from "Ze Nigmar" cut through the confusion. A spotlight from above the ring beams down to the stage to reveal Caleb Scott standing there with a mic in his hand. The music slowly begins to fade and the lights come back on. Caleb is engulfed in a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd while he refuses to take his eyes off JoJo before slowly raising the microphone to his mouth. JoJo rises to his feet in order to match Caleb’s stare. A disconcerting smile crossed the two-belt champion’s face.
Caleb: Enough, JoJo. Enough of this talk of walking in the light, bringing forth a better, greater world and enough of the forgiveness. You might be The Light of Monday Nights but I'm here to put that light out because you have something I want. Your shoulders are looking a little weighed down so I'm going to lighten your load a little bit and take that International Championship off your hands.
Caleb pauses for a few seconds while the crowd cheers at what Caleb has just said.
Caleb: At Brawl 602, I lost my FX Broadcast Championship. Not long after that, we found out that the title won't be around anymore next season anyway. That's fine because that title was just a stepping stone for me. Also at Brawl 602, you put Xavier in a casket and walked out of Mexico with the International Championship. That reign will be short-lived because, you heard Connors, at WrestleFest it's going to be Caleb Scott vs JoJo Rush for the International Championship!
A surge of energy from the crowd tears through the arena, Caleb still staring daggers in JoJo through strands of black hair.
Caleb: You did have one thing right, JoJo. This has been a year for spilling blood. We both have done plenty of that this season and as much as I'd love a shot at that X-Division title, that International Championship is looking just a little more appealing. At WrestleFest, you and I will flood that ring with our blood, sweat and tears and the final thing you will see before you fade into unconsciousness will be me holding that International Championship.
Caleb begins to pace back and forth on the stage, his eyes continuing to lock onto Rush.
Caleb: At WrestleFest it will be the classic battle of Light vs Dark, Good vs Evil. We'll find out if your light can withstand the immense darkness that is about to consume your entire world.
JoJo breaks the gaze with a hearty laugh before shifting the titles back onto each of his shoulders.
JoJo: Do you think the International Championship is gon’ fill the emptiness inside you? Scott?
The International and X-Division Champion turns to face Scott again and shouts at Caleb Scott.
JoJo: That emptiness was why you weren’t strong enough to hold onto your title in the first place. Ah don’t want to face an empty man. Ah can’t save empty men.
The champion trails off and holds up the International Title high to Caleb.
JoJo: WrestleFest ain’t a place to find yourself, Caleb Scott. It’s when the lights shine brightest, and what do you think the people see when those lights shine upon us, Caleb?
Caleb looks at the International title then back at JoJo with a scowl.
Caleb: I don't need any saving, JoJo. I don't want to be saved, I don't need to be saved. What I need is that piece of gold you have in your hand. Who knows if beating you for the International Championship will fill that emptiness but I promise you, I'll be finding out at WrestleFest.
Caleb starts to slip one arm out of his leather jacket.
Caleb: As far as what the bright lights of WrestleFest are going to show the people watching. They'll be seeing my boot resting on the side of your head with gold in my hand. In fact, they're going to get a little preview of that right now.
Caleb drops the mic and slips his other arm out of his jacket and tosses it to the ground. He then begins to run down the ramp towards JoJo, who drops his mic, but instead poses toward Caleb holding both titles up high. Caleb slides into the ring and lights up JoJo with strikes. The champ drops his titles to cover up, but the challenger overwhelms the two-belt champion. Scott lands a stiff right on JoJo’s chin, it staggers him back into the ropes, where Caleb catches him on the rebound into a Fireman’s Carry. He plans to make a statement with the Final Resting Place!
Bennett: Hell Yeah Caleb stomp a mud hole in that son of a bitch!
The crowd's cheers turn to a chorus of boos, as the HBO Broadcast Champion jumps onto the apron to pull JoJo toward the ropes. The EWC Tag Team Champions slide in and complete the save by beating the ever loving shit out of Caleb Scott. Stomping and punching the man onto the ground. JoJo gets to his feet and orders the Heat Packers to hold up Caleb by the scalp. JoJo tears off Caleb’s shirt and quickly follows it up with a sickening chop to the sternum. The crack ringing out throughout Madison Square Garden. Caleb recoils in the grip but finds himself unable to break free.
Aiello: It might be the end of the season, but the House are still up to the same old tricks. Caleb might not make it to WrestleFest unless someone does something about this!
Bennett: Don’t look at me, I don’t want to get sued!
JoJo gets face to face with Caleb and shouts with a bright red face
JoJo: AH WILL SAVE YOU, SCOTT! LET ME SAVE YOU!
As JoJo is screaming, Caleb quickly swings his head forward as far as he can, able to barely connect a headbutt to JoJo's mouth. The Heat Packers pull Caleb's head back, nearly tearing it off, as JoJo takes a step back with his hand on his mouth, checking for blood. Caleb continues to try to get at JoJo, spitting and kicking at him, doing anything he can to get to him.
Caleb: Come on, you son of a bitch! That the best you've got!?!
JoJo finds blood from a split lip. The Champion takes the blood and smears it on his own face before lighting Caleb with unprotected strikes to the head to beat the man into a daze. Rush pulls Caleb’s head and places it in between his legs. He raises up a Too Sweet, which is met with the House. It’s the signal for a Quaddruple Power-bomb. JoJo lifts Caleb up high, the target? The two title belts laid out on the canvas! But before Rush can complete the move, the crowd's boos turn to cheers with the Mad King, and Morgan Darkwater come rushing down to the ring to join the fray. A few seconds later, the Apple+ Broadcast Champion, Marcu$ $t. John follows-suit and runs in to also make the save. Darkwater barrels through the Heat Packers in a dash to JoJo, but JoJo pulls the top rope down behind him, and Cosmo comes up behind and pushes the pirate out to the apron! The Mad King hits Cosmo with a low blow from behind, then rolls him up in order to get on top of the HBO Broadcast Champion for prime beatdown positioning, but finds himself eating a cross body by Brodie as Dan helps toss Brodie from the top rope. Before Dan could celebrate for long, Caleb turns Dan around and plants him with a Urnage, Grim Death! Meanwhile, Brodie finds himself pulled off of Flip by Marcu$ $t John who hits Brodie with an Exploder 98, Bankrupt! JoJo scrambles and grabs his titles and swings the International Title toward Caleb, who ducks the move, however JoJo takes that momentum and allows it to take him out of the ring to the stage ramp. JoJo, Cosmo, Dan, and Brodie regroup outside of the ring and toward the ramp, while Caleb Scott, the Mad King, Morgan Darkwater, and Marcus $t John stand in the ring, demanding the House get back in to finish the fight while grimacing through pain, as does the House.
“FUCK THEM UP!
FUCK THEM UP!
FUCK THEM UP!”
JoJo: AH WILL SAVE YOU ALL. AH WILL SAVE EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!
The crowd erupt in cheers as Caleb and the Motley Crew that came to his rescue celebrate with the New York City crowd before we move to a commercial break.
Cut to the back and we see a frazzled looking Alexander Umbra walking through the halls, making his way towards the entrance so he can get ready to be called for his match. Dressed in a wrinkled black and white Caleb Scott shirt and khaki shorts, his hair looks like he just woke up and while he seems to be okay at walking, occasionally he stumbles a step or two. His face still covered in stitches, they are slightly pink around them due to the wounds starting the healing process.
Cilan: ALEX!
The call from Alexander’s therapist and friend rings out in the hall, but Umbra acts like he doesn’t even hear him.
Cilan: ALEX!!!
Another yell as footsteps can now be heard running down the hall from behind, but still the former FX Champion does not even turn to look.
Cilan: BENJAMIN BROADWATER!
A name Alex hasn’t heard in awhile that he used to not believe, stops him in his tracks as he turns and looks at the fast approaching Cilan.
Umbra: It’s Alexander, Cilan. Goddammit how many times do I have to fucking tell you?
Cilan finally catches up to Alexander and shakes his head.
Cilan: Man, I don’t care about that right now. I had to do SOMETHING to get your attention.
Umbra: They are literally about to call my name to come down to the ring for this three-way dance I have.
Cilan: Which I honestly don’t think you should be participating in. How are you even feeling?
Umbra: Head hurts, back hurts, knees hurt. It all fucking hurts.
Cilan: See!
Umbra: But you know what hurts most of all? You know what all the tylenol and aleve and fucking pain pills WON’T stop the pain from?
An angered Alexander Umbra leans forward, getting into Cilan’s face.
Umbra: The pain in my heart, knowing that I wasn’t popular enough to earn a One Night Encounter match. That I wasn’t good enough to even earn a nod to get onto the Season Finale of Prime. Did I offer my services? Yes. But no one wants the washed up FORMER Champion, Cilan. No one wants the man who is spiraling out of control, both career wise and mentally.
Cilan watches as Alex’s eyes begin to tear up.
Cilan: Alex…
Umbra: And you know what hurts more than that? My mind.
Cilan: Probably from the repeated head shots you’ve been taking.
Umbra: No. Because while my heart questions why no one likes me and why I’m not popular and why no one could give two shits about whether I’m willing to show up for their show or not… my mind knows their reasons are true and have validity to them.
Cilan goes quiet for a moment, understanding that this is one of the first times that Alexander is truly opening up to him.
Umbra: Now if you excuse me, I have a match to get to. And I need to prove to myself that beating Cyrus wasn’t a fluke and that I really can do this… or fail spectacularly.
Alexander turns and continues walking down the hall, leaving Cilan standing there without another word.
SETTLING A SCORE TO CLOSE SEASON 24!
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Chelsea Skye
VS Alex "Bullet" Carbajal
VS Alexander Umbra
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Chelsea Skye
VS Alex "Bullet" Carbajal
VS Alexander Umbra
We return to ringside where we see the fans finally calming down after one hell of an opener between No Regerts and The Mad King & Marcu$ $t. John.
Aiello: Welcome back to the action folks.
Bennett: You know who seems ready for this match? That son of a bitch Alexander Umbra. He won’t even listen to his friend! Man’s walking around like a billboard head trauma and he STILL wants to take on these two lovely ladies tonight.
Aiello: Well I’m ready for it and so are these fans! Let’s get this thing started!
Stroup: The following match is a triple threat match! Joining us first, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 123 pounds ... ’THE NIGHTMARE ANGEL’ CHELSEA SKYE!
The Opening riff to "Reborn Through Failure" hits the speakers and Chelsea comes out ready for action, she makes her entrance and poses for the crowd once she's in the ring
Stroup: And her first opponent, from New Orleans, Louisiana, weighing in at 135 pounds ... ALEX ‘BULLET’ CARBAJAL!
The lights dim and the Shieldmaidens motto “Hell is empty and the Maidens are here!” comes over the Tron as guitar stabs ring out. Concrete Blonde’s “God Is A Bullet” starts up in earnest and Alex “Bullet” Carbajal makes her way out in a full length boxing robe, ready for war. She makes her way to the ring and Bullet steps in, starting to shadowbox the second she steps in. She raises her hands into the air and then nods, ready to go.
Stroup: And finally, from St Paul, Minnesota, weighing in at 215 pounds ... ALEXANDER 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, shaking his head slightly as if he was trying to shake the cobwebs loose. He makes it to the ring and slides under the ropes, quickly popping up to his feet as his music ends.
DING DING DING
Carbajal and Skye look at each other, then at Umbra. Without a word, they both charge forward, with the Bullet taking the first swing. Umbra ducks it and catches her with a hard elbow to the side of her head. But Chelsea is quick to catch the distracted former Champ with an enziguri kick to the side of the head! Alexander takes a stumble-step to the side, before dropping to one knee. Alex Carbajal runs up to him and grabs his chin with her left hand… CABACERA! FULL ON HEADBUTT ONTO ALEXANDER UMBRA!!! The force drives him to the mat, under the ropes, and out of the ring!Alex Carbajal drops down to the mat to go after him, but Chelsea Skye grabs her by the hair and pulls her to her back to her feet. Carbajal turns around and gets a HUGE chop to the chest from Skye. Alex stumbles back and once she gains her footing, Chelsea hits ANOTHER chop… sending the Bullet stumbling back once again. Carbajal gets her footing back once more, but Chelsea grabs her arm and WHIPS her towards the ropes. The Bullet bounces off and comes flying back and Skye goes low… BUT ALEX JUMPED OVER HER! Alex lands and keeps running, bouncing off the ropes and coming back towards Chelsea. The Nightmare Angel turns and goes high… BUT ALEX SLIDES DOWN LOW BETWEEN HER LEGS! Chelsea Skye grabbing at air as Alex bounces to her feet and hits off the ropes once more.
Chelsea turns as Alex comes flying back… FLYING KNEE INTO THE HEAD OF AN UNSUSPECTING CHELSEA SKYE!!! Chelsea falls back, grabbing her head in pain. She lands with a hard thud, onto her butt. AND ALEX CONTINUES THE ASSAULT AS SHE COMES FLYING IN WITH ANOTHER KNEE… BUT CHELSEA SKYE BLOCKS IT AND GRABS ALEX’S LEG INSTEAD! Chelsea stands to her feet, holding Alex’s leg, causing the Bullet to fall onto the mat, only her elbows holding her up. Chelsea steps over Alex’s leg, their backs facing each other… SINGLE LEG BOSTON CRAB AND CARBAJAL IS CRYING OUT IN PAIN!
Aiello: Bullet's in a bad way here!
Bennett: Gotta wonder what she's gonna do to get out of it, Joe!
Chelsea keeps putting more pressure on leg, sitting farther and farther down. Alex is trying her best to reach out and grab the rope, but there is a good foot between her fingertips and the rope itself. Her hand is up in the air… ALEXANDER UMBRA IS UP AND HE REACHES THROUGH THE ROPES, GRABBING HER HAND! With a hard pull, Alexander PULLS Alex towards him, causing Chelsea to lose balance and fall forward… letting go of the hold. Chelsea turns and sees Alex Carbajal using the rope to stand up. Chelsea goes running and BASEBALL SLIDES THROUGH ALEX’S LEGS AND TO THE OUTSIDE… NARROWLY MISSING UMBRA! As soon as Chelsea lands on her feet, Umbra hooks his arm under Chelsea’s… AND HIP TOSSES HER OVER THE FAN BARRICADE INTO INTO THE CROWD!!! CHELSEA SKYE GOES CRASHING INTO THE PEOPLE IN THE FIRST FEW ROWS!!!
Alex Carbajal takes the moment of distraction, running back and bouncing off the opposite side of the ring’s ropes. She comes flying back with some momentum… she jumps over the top rope… TOPE CON HILO! AND UMBRA JUST MOVES OUT OF THE WAY!!! ALEX CARBAJAL LANDS HARD ON HER BACK! THE AIR FORCEFULLY BEING PUSHED OUT OF HER LUNGS! Umbra smirks as he just glances up in time from Alex, to see Chelsea LAUNCH herself off the fan barricade…CONNECTING WITH A DROPKICK that sends Alexander flying face first into the ringside steps. Two sets of stitches on his face INSTANTLY pop open and blood begins to pour down his face, onto his shirt, and all over the floor.
Chelsea looks at the unmoving Umbra, then to Carbajal, who is still laying on the ground trying to catch her breath. The quick thinking Nightmare Angel slides into the ring and makes a b-line for the closest turnbuckle. She climbs to the top…
…measures up Alex Carbajal…
…JUMPS…
…SKYE’S THE LIMIT! NO! ALEX ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY OF THE PHOENIX SPLASH AND CHELSEA SKYE MAKES A MESS OF HERSELF ON THE OUTSIDE MAT! Carbajal was playing possum as she kips up to her feet! She grabs Chelsea by the hair and with every ounce of strength she can muster, she rolls Skye into the ring.
Aiello: Skye sent back in by Bullet here, who looks to take the Nightmare Angel out for the win!
Bennett: Carbajal's got a wicked look in her eye, that's for sure!
Alex slides into the ring, her eyes never straying from Chelsea… who is on all fours, grabbing at her ribs. Alex charges forward, PUNT TO THE RIBS and Chelsea lets out a painful roar as she drops belly first back onto the mat. Alex pulls Chelsea up to her knees by her hair, then up to her feet. With Chelsea still nursing her ribs with her right arm, Alex grabs her left arm and WHIPS her into the corner. Chelsea slams into the turnbuckle, instantly grabbing at her ribs. But Alex doesn’t stop the assault as she is quickly up on Chelsea and begins to unleash hook after hook, punch after punch… SHE UNLOADS SWEATING BULLETS ON CHELSEA AND THOSE INJURED RIBS!
After the hardest pounding Chelsea has had since Saturday, Alex steps back and Chelsea Skye stumbles out of the corner. With every ounce of determination though, Chelsea stands up straight and stares Carbajal in the face. Alex Carbajal grabs points to where Alexander Umbra was by the steps, causing Chelsea to look. But with nothing to see, Alex takes the moment to grab Chelsea by the arm and pull her hard towards herself. Chelsea turns… IRA DE DIO-NO! CHELSEA DUCKED UNDER IT AND RAN, BOUNCING OFF THE ROPES! Alex turns around… FOR JUSTIN!!! SLINGBLADE ONTO ALEX CARBAJAL AND CHELSEA POPS UP TO HER FEET… looking down at her fallen long-time foe.
But wait… Alexander Umbra slides into the ring behind her, his face a bloody mess. He jumps, grabbing her around the neck from behind… THERAPY SESSION! DOUBLE KNEE BACKBREAKER AND CHELSEA’S BACK CRACKING ECHOES AROUND THE ARENA! Umbra quickly gets up to his feet, looking to capitalize… no… he stumbles to the side and drops to one knee, grabbing his head in pain. Grabbing the ropes, he pulls himself up… shaking his head, trying to regain focus... splattering droplets of blood everywhere. Looking at Alex Carbajal just starting to move, Umbra climbs up to the top turnbuckle. He eyes her up and… TRIES to stand… BUT HE FALLS TO THE OUTSIDE OFF THE TOP ROPE! NO ONE EVEN TOUCHED HIM!
The fans wait on baited breath as time passes. Finally, Alex Carbajal looks over at the gift wrapped present she has before her, Chelsea Skye lying motionless on the mat. She looks around for Umbra, but doesn’t see him. Quickly the Bullet crawls over to Chelsea, hooking her leg.
ONE!
TWO!!
KICKOUT!!!
With everything she’s got Chelsea tosses Alex off of her. As Chelsea grabs at her ribs in pain, Alex rolls out of the ring in need of a breather…JUST AS WE SEE ALEXANDER UMBRA COME FLYING OFF THE TURNBUCKLE! MEETING OF THE MINDS!! FLYING HEADBUTT ONTO CHELSEA SKYE AND IT TAKES EVERY OUNCE OF ENERGY LEFT BUT UMBRA THROWS HIS ARM OVER THE UNCONSCIOUS SKYE!
ONE!
Carbajal is struggling on her feet on the outside, dropping to a knee…
TWO!!
Carbajal finally slides into the ring, but the pain is enough to stop her just short of breaking the pin up in time.
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall ALEXANDER UMBRA!
The injured Carbajal drops to her knees, realizing she couldn't stop the count in time. The ref assists a woozy Umbra to his feet and tries to raise his hand in victory as ‘Make Believe’ by Memphis May Fire plays over the crowd, but Umbra pulls away… stumbling over to the ropes. He drops to the mat and rolls out of the ring, grabbing at his head as he makes his way up the entrance ramp… stumbling every so often.
Aiello: What a back and forth contest! Both Chelsea and Alex Carbajal deserved this win as much as anyone else, but Umbra was able to take advantage of the carnage at the end.
Bennett: I think someone needs to send the medics out to check on that boy. That son of a bitch just isn’t looking too good and needs to have his head examined, literally. That man looks like a walking concussion.
Aiello: Don't go away folks, when we come back we have more tag team action as Reaper Crisis take on Bloody Sureiyāzu!
We move to a commercial break.
LATER TONIGHT
A PREVIEW OF WARGAMES WHEN MARCU$ $T. JOHN TAKES ON JOJO RUSH
A TAG DIVISION SHOWCASE!
TAG TEAM MATCH
Reaper Crisis
VS Bloody Sureiyāzu
TAG TEAM MATCH
Reaper Crisis
VS Bloody Sureiyāzu
We return to ringside where fans are ready for our next match!
Aiello: Welcome back, folks! Hell of a night so far, and we're just getting started as we're about to have more tag action ahead of us!
Bennett: We have a new tag team in Reaper Crisis, and they have their eyes set on former EWC Tag Team Champions in Narumi Tsutsumi and the Headhuntress herself, Aiya!
Stroup: The following match is set for one fall. Joining us first, weighing in at a combined 230 pounds, Jesse Bennet and Kennedy Quinn... REAPER CRISIS!
With 'Nightmare' blaring through the speakers, the crowd was on their feet as Jesse Bennett and Kennedy Quinn made there way onto the stage, before making there way down the ramp and into the ring.
Stroup: And the opponents, from Shinjuku and Kyoto Japan respectively, weighing at a combined weight of 262 pounds and representing The Shinijoshi, they are Narumi Tsutsumi and “Headhuntress” Aiya... BLOODY SUREIYĀZU !
As ‘Gurenge’ blares over the PA system, both Narumi (in her oni mask) and Aiya emerge from behind the curtains to a pinkish red fog. Aiya chillingly studies the arena with her gaze while Narumi makes spooky ghoulish gestures closely behind her. When Narumi steps up to stand beside Aiya she removes her mask and both women smirk at each other and then towards the ring with ill intent. Aiya saunters forward down the ramp while Narumi hops behind her sticking her tongue out at the camera. Aiya enters the ring through the top and middle rope while Narumi follows sliding under the bottom. Aiya leans against the corner staring forward while Narumi stands up to whisper in her ear as they go over the game plan while waiting.
DING DING DING
Bennett and Aiya start. They go for a tie up but Bennett grabs Aya’s arm twisting her into a hammerlock that he immediately releases. Aiya fires with a roundhouse kick that Bennett blocks. He hits Aiya with right hands that backs her up. Bennett whips Aiya off the ropes and backdrops her to the mat. Bennett runs at Aiya hitting a flying forearm. He tags in Quinn before whipping Aiya off the ropes and backdrops her into a piledriver by Quinn. She drops to the mat where Quinn makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Aiya lifts a shoulder from the mat to break the count. Quinn lifts her to her feet and lifts Aiya up dropping her to the mat with a front suplex/ standing falcon arrow. Aiya gets to her feet but Quinn hits her with a raised boot that sends her flying to her own corner where Narumi tags in. She leaps over the top rope catching Quinn with a dropkick as she does so. Narumi runs at Quinn hitting a Superman punch. Narumi runs at the ropes and springs off the middle rope. She flies back over Quinn and grabs him pulling him into a German Suplex. She hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Quinn lifts an arm up off the mat to break the count.
Aiello: What a move that was!
Bennett: Kennedy Quinn is a big lad. Narumi Tsutsumi is good but she’s not strong enough to lift him, she’s gonna need some momentum to lift him.
Narumi takes Quinn down with a leg sweep and rolls over him into a front face lock. Quinn manages to get to his feet and powers Narumi to his corner where he tags in Bennett. Quinn whips Narumi off the ropes and pops her into the air where Bennett hits an Alarm Clock. He hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Aiya dives in to break the count. She helps Narumi to her feet and both knock Bennett down with a double superkick. Aiya steps to the apron and immediately tags back in. There is No Figvhting Back for Bennett as they lay into him with kicks, punches and elbows. Aiya finishes off with a roundhouse kick to the side of the head before making a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Quinn pulls Aiya off breaking the count.
Aiello: I thought that was it!
Bennett: It probably would have been but they need to remember there are two opponents here, not just one.
Aiya turns to face Quinn as the referee escorts him from the ring. She turns to Bennett who drives her to the mat with a DDT. He tags in Quinn. He lifts Aiya into position as Bennett climbs to the top turnbuckle. He leaps for a Doomsday Device but Narumi takes out the back of Quinn’s knee with a chop block. Bennett connects with nothing and crashes to the mat and rolls from the ring. Narumi officially tags in and they smack Quinn with Midnight Kill. Narumi makes a cover as the referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
Bennett slides into the ring but Aiya knocks him down with a superkick.
THREE!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winners, via pinfall BLOODY SUREIYĀZU!
Narumi and Aiya celebrate in the middle of the ring with a hug. They roll from the ring and hold each other up as they head up the ramp. They slap hands with some fans as they pass.
Aiello: Call it luck, call it experience, call it perseverance, call it a mixture of them all. What ever it was you can call it a victory for Bloody Sureiyāzu here tonight!
Aiello: Agreed! Folks, we'll be right back for more action here on Monday Night BRAWL!
We move to a commercial break.
‘Fire It Up” by Black Label Society starts to play, taking the show by surprise, as the Mercenary walks from the back. He’s movement is noticeably stiff and his step is a little slower than usual. Most notably is his hand, which is wrapped in a cast. But he seems to be in good spirits as he ascends the ring steps and steps over the top rope into the ring. Already prepared to address the crowd he fishes a microphone out of his back pocket with his good hand.
Mercenary: Since Flip felt like showing up on my show last week to toss around challenges and pimp his stupid merchandise, I thought I’d take the opportunity to catch Brawl again this week. And I thought I’d return the favor and bring a little limited edition merch of my own.
Mercenary pulls on a piece of white cloth hanging out of his hip pocket. Shaking out the wrinkles he holds it up for the crowd and the camera. It turns out to be a white ringer tee with a bloody red collar and cuffs. Across the front, illustrated in a comic art style, is printed the image of Captain Morgan Darkwater with a ruddy cutlass in his hand. The large buccaneer looms over the decapitated corpse of The Mad King. Flip’s severed head has been drawn soaking in a pool of gore, with his mangled crown lying askew beside him on the bloody ground. Turning the shirt around he displays the back of the garment for all to see. In bloody red letters the text reads: Friends Like These. Merc smirks and nods his approval.
Mercenary: I don’t know about you, but I really dig this thing… so I decided to buy one for everybody here in the house tonight. Be sure to pick yours up from the nearest merch table before the end of the show.
The crowd goes wild at the notion of free stuff. Merc laughs, before launching the shirt he’s been holding out into the audience. He turns back to face the camera.
Mercenary: There comes a time Flip, when every Mad King must meet their revolution. And that’s one thing I can say about 2023 for The Mercenary. From the Best of Rampage, to taking Xavier Reid and Morgan Darkwater all the way to the limit, to winning my first EWC Title… Season 24 has been nothing short of revolutionary!
The crowd enthusiastically raises their voice in agreement.
Mercenary: I’m not the same guy you beat, with your dirty tricks, back at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach at Rampage 509, or even the guy that you pinned in July, the night Moxie blind-sided me with a knee at Rampage 516 in Columbus, Ohio.
Some of the crowd Boo at the mention of Moxie.
Mercenary: But, if Flip manages to survive his match with his “friend” here tonight -And, having just survived an X-Division match against Morgan Darkwater myself, I can’t guarantee that he will.- BUT, IF he does, I’ll be more than happy to end this season of Rampage the way it began. By PUNCHING King Flip… right in his stupid, smug, little rodent face!
The crowd applauds the idea.
Mercenary: Last year on the Season Finale I won money and a motorcycle. But, no matter what prize or punishment Grizzly decides to attach to this match, seeing Flip lose a few front teeth before finally putting the Mad King’s shoulders down for a three count… That’s reward enough for me. So good luck tonight Flip, because after Darkwater’s done with you, you just might actually have to start wearing a Lucha mask to cover up all the ugly.
The crowd reacts to the outrageous, thinly-veiled suggestion that King Flip might, in fact, be the secret identity of Rampage’s very own Cassius H Kissinger. Mercenary chuckles and rubs his chin.
Mercenary: Yeah, I hear ya. The Mad King running around in a mask like a moron? That really would be ridiculous.
He laughs as the audience reacts again.
Mercenary: All right… all right. But, before I go, I’d just like to address the two men in the main event: Cosmo Goldworthy!
The crowd respond with a mixed reaction.
Mercenary: Even though we’re not related, try not to lay hands on my guy Matt Mercer tonight, like you did Toyo Yasahiro last Friday. Allow me to clear something up for you son. No, you didn’t tap out, or say “I quit” in our match. YOU got knocked the fuck out.
Just be glad that the title wasn’t on the line, like in The B.O.R.T., or I’d technically be standing here tonight as a two-time HBO Broadcast Champion.
The fans cheer the man who had won the HBO title at Scars & Stripes and shared the championship with Vin Havoc for less than a day.
Mercenary: And then there’s my boy Xavier.
The fans opinions are noticeably split.
Mercenary: Do you feel like talkin’ about me now? You had the one thing in this world that you really care about ripped away from you. Maybe you’re the one who should’ve shown more respect for your opponent. In The Bayou Blast I didn’t win the briefcase. But I got what I wanted out of that tournament. I put myself to the test and went head to head with a head hunter, a Broadcast champion, and a goddamned born again buccaneer! I survived to the very end, and after the show, my name was right next to Morgan Darkwater and Ace King as the MVP after I put on 3 of the night’s best matches.
This earns a pop and a round of applause from the audience.
Mercenary: It’s a done deal Xavier. I’m coming for that Undisputed Title. And even IF it’s not you that I take The Title from in Dublin, you’ll be coming to try to take it back at some point during my reign. And when that day comes, I’ll be ready to be the MVP on that show too.
The crowd cheers and Merc salutes them as a member of the crew signals him that he is out of time.
Mercenary: Well, they’re letting me know that I’m all out of time. So, before they get the hook or some poor security guard I’d hafta knock stupid for doing his job, I’m gonna give up the ring. Enjoy the show folks, and don’t forget to watch the Season Finale of Rampage on Friday November, 17th to see me dethrone a King. But for now, have a great night, thanks for coming out and enjoy Brawl!
Dropping the mic, Merc again salutes the crowd and makes his way away from the ring as we gear up for our next match.
FRIENDS COLLIDE WITH X-DIVISION GOLD ON THE LINE!
SINGLES MATCH, X-DIVISION RULES
(WINNER EARNS A SHOT AT THE EWC X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP AT WRESTLEFEST XXI)
Captain Morgan Darkwater
VS The Mad King
SINGLES MATCH, X-DIVISION RULES
(WINNER EARNS A SHOT AT THE EWC X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP AT WRESTLEFEST XXI)
Captain Morgan Darkwater
VS The Mad King
With the Mercenary having left the ring after making his statement, we cut to commentary for our next match!
Aiello: Bold words from Mercenary ahead of his match at the Rampage season finale, but action rolls on tonight with Captain Morgan Darkwater taking on The Mad King to decide who faces JoJo Rush at WrestleFest XXI for the EWC X-Division Championship!
Bennett: We've seen what both of these men are capable of when such opportunities are on the line, and with Darkwater already earning a shot at that title down the line you gotta wonder if he's got all his focus on this match tonight!
Stroup: The following match is X-Division rules where the winner will go to WrestleFest for a shot at the X-Division championship! Joining us first, hailing from The Grand Line, weighing in at 397 pounds ... CAP'N MORGAN DARKWATER!
The lights in the arena cut out as first notes of Captain Morgan's entrance theme, "The Sunk'n Norwegian", kick in and the screens around the arena fade in to the image of a perpetually burning skull-n-crossbones flag rippling in the wind.
A spotlight rises as Flip saunters confidently out on the stage in full Cap'n Morgan battle rattle, holding aloft an obvious knock-off obsidian cutlass "Big Bertha", his other hand behind his back. As the music swells to the chorus he plunges the sword down into the stage, causing an explosion of pyros!
When the smoke clears he is holding a wooden tankard aloft, bellowing "One More Fight!" and takes a heavy gulp of the dark grog, liquid and froth splashing out down his thick but very fake black beard. Tossing it over his shoulder, he laughs again and starts marching purposefully down the ramp. He enters the ring over top ropes, barely, climbs the nearest turnbuckle and unsheathes his cutlass, holding it aloft with a raucous battle-cry.
Stroup: And his opponent, from The Land, weighing in at 220 pounds ... THE MAD KING!
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, Darkwater emerging with Flip's usual war paint and a much larger version of the entrance vest. 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 is slow as he slaps a few hands and hands a small child a large red 'The Mad Cabbage' flag that has Flip artistically drawn an angry head of spoiled cabbage. Darkwater slaps the ring corner with a smile, reminiscing a moment before sauntering the steel and quickly slipping through the ropes. After a sarcastic bow, Morgan turns to Flip ready for the action to start as his theme fades.
DING DING DING
Both still jovially dressed as one another, they circle the ring. King calls out about how heavy Darkwater's ring gear is to which Morgan retorts that he can't even remove Flip's entrance vest if he wanted to. In an 'oh yeah?' moment Flip discards the big Darkwater cloak to reveal he's still wearing the 'One Night Only' shirt Marcu$ gifted him earlier in the evening. Flip can't get it off so Darkwater offers a helping hand. He tears at it like Hulk Hogan. Flip tries to stop him but Morgan manhandles the smaller man into the corner and rips the shirt open. Flip, probably trying to save face, turns to the camera and mutters "Well I could've done that, now it's ruined!" before taking a massive bear claw of a SLLLLLAP to his chest from the Captain. Darkwater holds Flip up and brings a single finger to his lips for the buzzing crowd. A second thunderous slap to the chest and Flip's chest is beet red while Darkwater finishes helping him out of the shirt. Morgan yanks the cloth over his shoulders and flings Flip across the ring to finally release him from his t-shirt shackles.
Morgan takes a moment to inspect the miniature Darkwater cloak, lifting it from the canvas and dismissing it as 'off color' before tossing it over the ropes. Flip stumbles to his feet only to be planted hard with a big boot to the face. Morgan tries as he might but it looks like he wasn't joking. The modified Mad King entrance vest is a pinch too small and keeps snagging at Morgan's shoulders, but he can't quite break himself free of the fabric. He forces the referee to get involved and finally gets an arm free when King finally gets vertical again. Morgan turns right into a neckbreaker but both men are right back to their feet. King Flip attempts a big boot! Morgan catches it! Morgan laughs, Flip laughs, the referee laughs, Flip hits an enziguri and Morgan isn't laughing anymore. He bounds off the ropes into a dropkick. Morgan, still on his feet, still reeling, bounds once again into the ropes and is about to stumble forward when Flip leaps out at him. Cactus Jack clothesline takes both men to the thinly-padded concrete outside the ring and the fans are on their feet.
Aiello: Wow! These men, after everything they said about each other, they come out here obviously ready to have a good time with their opportunity for the X-Division championship. But the back and forth ends with The Mad King taking Morgan off his feet and out of the ring as the action spills out before us.
Bennett: Cap'n Morgan was more than happy to help The Mad King out of that shirt but you're right, Joe. He doesn't look too happy to have been taken out of the ring in such a fashion. These two men are here to have a good time but you and I both know that their version's of a good time involve beating the living hell out of one another. This is just the beginning to what I think might be something to revisit as a legitimate feud between the two.
Aiello: They're friends, Steve!
Bennett: And even friends can want that damn X-Division championship, Joe! You can't take either man out of the equation yet.
Flip withdraws Big Bertha's holster defensively but the rubbery wobble doesn't detract the big man for a second. They're both barely on their feet and Morgan is now chasing King around the ring. Morgan scouts the coming trickery but follows along, around the ring a few times, until they both slide into the ring at the same time. King was ready, though, and claps with a basement dropkick to the face before Morgan can push to their feet. Darkwater rolls on the canvas and King continues dropping boots until Morgan rolls himself out of the ring. Morgan shakes his head and rolls his shoulder in a light retreat from the ring. Flip tries to keep the offensive up and grabs the top rope, leaping over them to splash onto Morgan turning around. Darkwater catches him! Powerslam! Darkwater covers.
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
.
.
.
THR-NO!!! King kicks out before three. Darkwater nods as he gets to one knee, bringing himself to his feet after withdrawing a kendo stick from beneath the ring. He calls for Flip to rise and gives the man all the time he needs to do so. On spaghetti legs is Flip as his eyes go WIDE and he rolls away from the first swing of the stick. King runs away again, but this time he's heading up the rampway with the Captain in pursuit. Flip gets up to the stage and withdraws Big Bertha from it with an, "Aha! On guard!" Morgan, the better swordsman, easily disarms Flip of the blade in a flourish that sees the mock sword fly off to the side. King ducks another kendo swing and trips down the steps leading through the curtain backstage. Morgan stops only to go pick up Big Bertha before continuing through the curtain.
Aiello: The Mad King has tried to no avail to keep Darkwater down, but after that powerslam it's been all Cap'n Morgan here.
Bennett: I thought maybe that sword was gonna turn it around but now the Cap's got that, too. The Mad King is finding himself in the mad trouble for sure.
Dual wielding swords, Morgan finds Flip retreating down a hallway. SHUNK! Morgan swings Big Bertha and the sword misses its purchase and slams into a locker room door. THWACK! CRACK! SMACK! Swiftly, Darkwater leaves the sword behind and with two hands connects with three consecutive strikes with the kendo stick. Flip shoves himself against double doors and Morgan big boots him through it. King flies out and reveals the doors open to the outside. Flip stumbles down concrete steps and finds himself out on the road when he finally stands vertically in place. Morgan steps up and the two begin exchanging blows then and there. Right hand for right hand as people outside begin to circle around what's happening. Flip takes a left knee to the midsection and its here he clutches onto the foot. Morgan tries to yank himself away as Flip yanks the other direction and pop goes the prosthetic. Fans wince and guffaw as Flip hauls away in a roll with a false foot attached to a Morgan Darkwater boot. And upon one of the concrete guard bars protecting the steps from cars, Flip jumps onto one and waits for Morgan to stumble onto his one foot and hops about to turn toward him. FLYING BIG BOOT! The Mad King uses the prosthetic to boot Morgan in the face, the big man thudding into the shrubbery and grass. Flip rolls onto his feet and leaps into an elbow drop and prosthetic boot to the chest of Morgan before pulling their footless leg up in a pinning predicament.
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
.
.
.
THR-NO!!!
Aiello: OH MY GOODNESS! I CAN'T LOOK!!
Bennett: Wow, The Mad King proves he'll go to lengths nobody else has the balls to just to get to what he wants to Morgan Darkwater shows his resilience here.
Flip heaves to lift Morgan to one knee before Darkwater shoves him off. King rolls across the lawn and gets back to his feet as Morgan works to get his foot back on. The Cap'n isn't quite fast enough to block as Flip leaps into a knee to the chest. Boot after boot drops as Morgan continues to click his foot back into place. Flip is about to connect with a forearm when Morgan catches him by the throat. The arena pops and the echo flows outside as Morgan clutches Flip and slowly rises to a vertical position. King tries to kick out the false foot to no avail. He boots away at the midsection but Morgan Darkwater is too furious to feel pain. Morgan lifts Flip by the throat and holds him aloft for several seconds as Flip flails about. He cracks Morgan in the side of the head with several elbows but it stops nothing. HANGMAN'S NOOSE! A devastating chokeslam but Morgan slumps over too and begins rolling down the field before he regains his bearings. This gives Flip the few seconds he needs to breathe before the pinning attempt with Morgan yanking both of King's legs into the air.
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
.
.
.
THR-NO!!! Flip kicks out and Morgan gets rolled a few inches away before he can stop himself again. Flip slinks to all fours and tries crawling off as Morgan slams a fist on the ground before getting vertical. Flip pulls himself up as he continues fleeing backward, bringing the fight back to the front doors as Morgan catches up. They brawl back into the hallways of the arena, exchanging right hands. Darkwater cracks Flip in the temple, grabs the back of his head, then smashes his face into the brick of the hallway. Flip drops to the concrete and Morgan takes a moment to climb a soda machine. WINDS OF FORTUNE! Cover!
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
.
.
.
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall... CAP'N MORGAN DARKWATER!
The crowd is amazed by Darkwater's big win here, and to some extent the Captain is as well as the ref raises his arm in victory before we cut to commentary!
Aiello: After an incredible match that spilled well outside the ring, we have a #1 Contender in Captain Morgan Darkwater!
Bennett: These two men took each other to hell and back tonight, but in the end it's the Captain who holds his head high...and now, he's got his eyes set on WrestleFest!
Aiello: You can't help but wonder what this means for The Mad King, who went through everything he did earlier in the night! Still, what a match, and now we get ready for even more action when BRAWL returns!
Camera cuts to ...
We find ourselves in the back as we see Alexander Umbra walk out of a small make-shift medical room.
Cilan: Jesus Christ, Alex!
Alexander looks up, some of his stitches are fresh and the Caleb Scott shirt he is wearing is covered in blood.
Umbra: I know, Cilan. Just… don’t. Please… don’t.
Cilan: I watched you, out there. Stumbling… pausing… acting like you had no idea where you even fucking were.
Umbra: And I snapped out of it, didn’t I?
Cilan: That’s not the point, Alex.
Umbra: Then what is the point?
Cilan: I seriously think you have an issue, my friend. I think you need to sit back and relax. Get checked out by an actual hospital, then think about resting at LEAST until next season.
Umbra: These ARE real doctors. They didn’t say anything, so I will keep on going.
Cilan: You’re going to get hurt, Alex. You are going to take a shot to the head and eventually you aren’t going to snap out of it.
Cilan makes the air quotes around the word snap, making obvious reference to Umbra’s phrasing just a moment ago.
Umbra: I face Jason Anderson in four days, Cilan. I don’t have time to rest.
Cilan: Well, you should think about canceling that match.
Umbra: To HELL I will. I only have this match and whatever match they give me at WrestleFest… if I even earn a spot on that show. Which is why I need to head to Rampage and beat the shit out of Jason.
Cilan: Alex, bud. You said earlier about being popular and people not giving two shits about you. As your friend, I worry. As your friend, I care about you… and I know your sister does as well.
Umbra: I need to do this, Cilan.
Cilan: Please, just take a moment to step back and think about what would happen if you took another HARD hit to the head? I saw you out there, Alex. Even the ref almost called the match because of how you were acting.
Umbra: Well he didn’t, did he?
Cilan: Maybe he should have…
Umbra: And maybe you should leave me the fuck alone.
With that, Alex storms off… occasionally using a hand to hold against the wall to prevent himself from falling over. Cilan shakes his head and takes a deep breath, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop him as we move to a commercial break.
The camera cuts backstage inside Madison Square Garden where we find the EWC Undisputed Champion Xavier Reid sitting on a bench, the championship sitting next to him…
Reid: You know…all I ever wanted was to be a superstar right here on Brawl…it’s why I picked this brand way back in 2015, I wanted to be the biggest star on the biggest show but that didn’t happen…sure, I had success…4-2 record, a 9th place in my first Rumble…I was on my way when I walked away…I needed a break, I had fallen out of love with the business so I walked away before I could become the star I felt like I was meant to be…
The camera zooms in a little tighter on Xavier Reid…
Reid: When I came back I could have come right back to Brawl, picked up right where I left off and nobody would have said a fucking thing…but I didn’t want people to think I was ‘handed’ a damn thing…I was back to prove myself so I went to FSW, ‘Future Stars’...it was laughable sure, I didn’t considered myself a ‘future star’...I felt like a FUCKING STAR…but I worked my ass off that first year, took part in the Tournament of Power, helped lead Team FSW get a win over Team Prime, another 9th place in the Rumble…lost one fucking match in 2017…I would go on to win my first EWC Championship the next year, the FSW Championship and I proved I belonged…I came back to Brawl on #525, three years after leaving the red brand and beat the then X-Division Champion Happy to show the wrestling world I was back…and I was called back up to Brawl…I promised myself that this time…things would be different, I’d be the guy that would one day lead this brand…I watched as people like Dominic Sanders and Cyrus Black win this championship and make Brawl the place to be…then…this championship left on the shoulder of Melody Malone and Rampage became what Brawl was…the EWC top brand…
Xavier shakes his head…
Reid: Brawl was missing that superstar, that wrestler that could go out there and win the big one…and sure, I had had success…the X-Division Championship, the International Championship…but nobody thought I could be that guy…nobody gave me a shot at Night of Champions in the Power Struggle match…it was going to be Scorpio or Ace King…everyone knew that until that final bell rang…until it was me standing where with this championship and the fans mouths were open in shock…
Xavier smirks…
Reid: I had finally become the star I always thought and knew I was…I was THAT guy here on Brawl and I was ready for my moment to lead of all the EWC…hell I even backed up my Power Struggle win by beating the former champion Scorpio just to prove it wasn’t a fluke…I was ready to be the face of the EWC and then…it was gone…
Xavier snaps his fingers…
Reid: One night in Prime and it was over…I had been replaced…my quest was over…I went back to being ‘just another guy’...sure I had a record breaking run as the International Champion, was back to back Brawl Wrestler of the Year…but I wasn’t the superstar leading this brand back to promise…that was until this year’s Rumble…
Xavier smirks…
Reid: Who would have thought right…because let’s be honest I wasn’t anyone’s first choice…their top pick to win the Rumble…I heard the whispers, the suggestions that my time had passed and I didn’t argue…2022 was the worst year inside a wrestling ring for me, 11-19-3…are you kidding me…and that was coming off a 14-14 year in 2021…I’m not going to lie, I thought about ending it…leaving my boots inside that ring and walking away…calling it a career because I didn’t want to become one of those guys that stuck around so damn long that winning a TV championship was the best it was going to be…I was ready to have the talk with Tommy and then you said…
Xavier looks up and slight off camera and as it pulls back we see Bunny Love standing in front of him…smiling and looking proud…
Love: Make one last run…don’t go out on a bad note, commit to being that guy one more time and at the end of the year…if it’s more of the same than…
Reid: I came back this season motivated and ready to prove the wrestling world wrong once again and at the Rumble I did just that…I walked out as the EWC Undisputed Championship and put Brawl back on the map…and now it’s my time to lead once again…
Xavier picks up the EWC Championship and puts it over his shoulder…
Reid: Cosmo Goldworthy thinks it’s easy being me…that I’m so lucky because I have you and Tommy at my side…wants to cry about him only having The House…he wasn’t crying when Callie and Tori helped him get the biggest win of his career was he…he wants to paint us a picture that shows me having it all while he’s on the ground fighting over scraps…it’s funny…I’m where I am right now because I busted my ass to get here…he had the same chances I did in that Rumble and while I overcame the odds of facing both El Pablo and Ace King to win this…he fell short and showed the EWC he wasn’t ready to be ‘that guy’ he so desperately wants to be…
Xavier smirks…
Reid: He’s what…going to ‘take me into the deep water’...honest question, has he even been out of the shallow end of the pool…deep waters you say, deeper than facing Ace King at StrangleMania, deeper than defending this championship against Scorpio at the Rumble…deeper than facing my own brother in a X-Division match when he was beating EVERYONE to defend that championship…I’ve been in the deepest of waters…so damn deep he would be dead in a second and yet this cocky little shit thinks I’m not ready for his debts…haha, I love this kid, I really do… I said it, it’s like looking into a mirror of myself when I was young…but I’m still that hungry kid I was back in 2015…with EVERYTHING TO PROVE…and as we close out another year here in the EWC, I’ll be standing across from the HBO Broadcast Champion here tonight at the season finale of Brawl with a chance to close out the year on a high note…to kick start my march to WrestleFest…a chance to show why Brawl is still THAT BRAND…tonight I’ll show Cosmo Goldworthy why I am the EWC Undisputed Champion…that it wasn’t luck or a fluke as to why I and not him won the Rumble…I’ll show him I don’t need Tommy by my side or his help to win the ‘big match’...no Love, no matter…there will be no Callie Clark or Tori Taylor to help him…he wants to go swimming in the deep in well…Cosmo, the water’s warm…dive right on in…but make sure you have your water wings kids…because I’m not pulling you out…
Xavier nods as he and Bunny walk off camera…
IS MONEY THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL?
SINGLES MATCH (NON-TITLE)
Marcu$ $t. John
VS JoJo Rush
SINGLES MATCH (NON-TITLE)
Marcu$ $t. John
VS JoJo Rush
We return to ringside where it’s time for the next match of the evening, a highly hyped up champion versus champion matchup.
Aiello: Don’t go anywhere folks because this is a must-see match! Brawl’s very best, the EWC International and X-Division Champion JoJo Rush takes on one of Paramount’s best, the current Apple+ Broadcast Champion, Marcu$ $t John! This is a show stealer in its own right, and per usual with all JoJo Rush matches, Steve Bennett will not be joining me for this one.. But I’ve got a guest in the name of Tori Taylor!
Taylor: Thank you, Joe. $t. John might be able to cash the checks his mouth writes, but Jon demands a price in the ring that not many can pay.
Stroup: The following is a non-title match scheduled for one fall! Joining us first, from Silicon Valley, California, weighing in at 220 pounds … he is the Apple TV+ Broadcast Champion … MARCU$ $T JOHN!!
"Money" blasts through the arena by The Game. M$J slowly walks out onto the entrance ramp with a Money Gun and soaks in the cheers. He pumps up the crowd more before posing on the center of the entrance ramp. He walks down to the ring shooting the gun which splashes out $100 dollar bills as the fans go crazy with a huge smile on his face.
He stops right before he gets to the ring and listens as he hears cheers that he is getting from the crowd. He walks around the ring shooting more money out. He jumps up on the apron and wipes his feet before he enters the ring and poses in the middle of the squared circle as a light shines a hundred dollar bill in the center of the ring with his face on it.
Pyro hits as "Money" by The Game ends.
Stroup: And his opponent, representing the House, from New York City, weighing in at 270 pounds … he is the EWC INTERNATIONAL AND X-DIVISION CHAMPION … JOJO RUSH!
The lights in the venue go completely dim. At the end of the interlude, massive floodlights shine from the stage like a bright flashbang and linger, once the lights dim and then focus onto JoJo, who is already standing at the center of the stage with the X-Division and International Championships bounded together and draped over JoJo’s shoulders. He poses into the light, his arms slowly extend out to his sides, and once fully extended, towers of fire burst around the stage and rampway.
DING DING DING
Both men circle the ring, trying to get a feel for one another. As Marcu$ tries to tie up with JoJo, JoJo taunts him by offering up a greco roman knuckle lock. The two lock hands, and JoJo immediately puts the pressure on Marcu$. He uses his strength to his advantage, bending the wrists back of Marcu$ as he struggles. Marcu$ starts to fight back – but JoJo immediately drills him with a knee to the ribs! He releases the hold and starts laying in stiff clubbing blows to the back. JoJo takes the wrist of Marcu$ and aggressively whips him across the ring, but Marcu$ flies off the ropes with a spinning heel kick! JoJo immediately charges up to his feet and Marcu$ nails him with a superkick to the ribs. JoJo hunches over and Marcu$ hits the ropes, but JoJo drops him with a VICIOUS chop to the throat! Marcu$ hits the floor hard, coughing out from the impact. JoJo lifts Marcu$ up and snags him into a nasty headlock. He applies the pressure, using his gigantic biceps to squeeze as much air as possible out of Marcu$. JoJo pulls back, really getting the headlock in tight. After some resistance, the crowd realizes that Marcu$ is at a disadvantage and begin clapping for him! JoJo sneers at the cheering crowd, and Marcu$ starts to show some fight with elbows to the side of JoJo’s body! He starts drilling in the elbows, and he grabs JoJo to try and muster him over for a back suplex – but JoJo elbows the back of his head! Marcu$ falls to a knee, and JoJo releases the hold so he can force Marcu$ up.. And he nails a blistering chop to the chest! Marcu$ yelps out in pain as he falls into the ropes, and JoJo chops him again! You can hear the noise of these chops from the cheap seats, and JoJo takes the wrist of Marcu$ and aggressively whips him across the ring. Marcu$ bounces off with authority, but he can’t capitalize as JoJo scoops him up and carries him across the ring with a scoop slam that SHAKES the entire ring! JoJo shakes his head, making the first cover of the match.
ONE!
TW-MARCU$ KICKS OUT!
JoJo smirks, looking down at him. He’s not agitated, but instead proud of his work thus far. Marcu$ rolls over, reaching to the crowd for any type of support. He forces Marcu$ up, but Marcu$ starts throwing weak shots to the body again! JoJo is barely phased, and swings into that knee - but Marcu$ catches his knee! He throws JoJo’s leg back and jumps into a flying knee that lands flush on the jaw! JoJo staggers, and Marcu$ sends him back into the turnbuckles with a dropkick! Marcu$ kips up to his feet and rushes into a big time corner clothesline! He takes JoJo by the hair and tosses him out the corner, stepping out the ring and climbing up top.. He looks to fly off for a meteora, but JoJo catches him in the air! JoJo adjusts himself, holding Marcu$’s knees on his shoulders as he places his hands onto his ankles, propelling him up into the air– BUT MARCU$ COMES DOWN WITH A CODE RED! THE BACK OF JOJO’S HEAD BOUNCES OFF THE MAT AS HE MAKES THE COVER!
ONE!
T–JOJO KICKS OUT!
And Marcu$ rises to his feet, a ball of fire! JoJo may have kicked out before two, but he’s dazed! He works his way up and Marcu$ staggers him with two palm strikes! He stomps the toe of JoJo, forcing JoJo to hold at his toe and he follows up with a gamengiri to the side of the head! Marcu$ rises to his feet, yelling for the crowd, and they reciprocate with loud cheers! JoJo struggles to get back up, and Marcu$ bounces off the ropes for added momentum to clothesline JoJo over the top! Marcu$ is feeling it now, and HE HITS OFF THE ROPES AGAIN!
TOPE CON HILO!
NO! JOJO CATCHES HIM IN THE AIR! AND HE SWINGS HIM INTO THE BARRICADE!
JOJO’S NOT FINISHED, HE LIFTS MARCU$ UP AND POWERBOMBS HIM ONTO THE FLOOR! JoJo falls back, gasping for air while Marcu$ writhes in pain!
Aiello: Holy moly, what a powerbomb! M$J's in a world of hurt after that one!
Taylor: Isn’t Jon just incredible? $t John might be one of the best high flyers in the sport, but Jon shows again that his power can’t be taken lightly.
Aiello: You sound a bit biased there, Ms. Taylor.
Taylor: I’m offended you think I’m being anything less than professional!
The crowd are on their feet after that nasty sequence of moves, and JoJo muscles himself up. He forces Marcu$ up to his feet and rolls him into the ring with sheer power. JoJo slides in, making the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
MARCU$ KICKS OUT!
JoJo sits up, a bit frustrated, but it’s what he expected. Marcu$ wheezes, trying to regain some feeling in his fingers after being dropped on his head. JoJo rises to his feet and stares at Marcu$, wanting to wrap this up. He leans back in the corner, adjusting his elbow pad as he raises the “Too Sweet” up.. Marcu$ starts to work up to his knees, and JOJO HITS THE BIG IRON– NO! Marcu$ ducks under just in time! JoJo turns back and Marcu$ goes for a kick to the gut, but JoJo catches his leg! JoJo shakes his head- but it was a ploy as Marcu$ leaps into an ENZUGIRI WITH THE OTHER LEG! JoJo staggers, and Marcu$ is raining down hellacious punches and forearms to the back of JoJo’s neck! JoJo covers up to the best of his ability, and Marcu$ turns to hit off the ropes.. And JOJO FOLLOWS WITH A SHOULDER BLOCK! Marcu$ bounces off the ropes, and JoJo hoists him up for THE DEEP SIX - MARCU$ FLOATS OVER, TAKING THE WAIST! HE BRINGS HIM DOWN FOR AN O’CONNOR ROLL!
ONE!
TWO!
JOJO KICKS OUT!
Marcu$ awaits JoJo, side rolling as he nails the now kneeling JoJo with a dropkick to the side of the head! JoJo holds his head, dazed. Marcu$ rises to his feet and lifts JoJo up, now raining down elbows to the side of the head. JoJo wobbles, and Marcu$ takes the wrist, ducking under and grabbing at the waist as he starts to muscle him up.. But JoJo starts elbowing the back of his head! Marcu$ falls to a knee, and JoJo walks away - but Marcu$ holds onto the waistband, PULLING JoJo back! The momentum takes JoJo off his feet, and Marcu$ takes advantage of the lack of balance for a GERMAN SUPLEX! JoJo bounces backwards, rolling to his knees off impact.. Marcu$ rises and he NAILS HIM WITH A SUPERKICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! JoJo falls flat on his stomach, breathing heavily. Spit is splattered all over the mat as JoJo has no idea where he’s at, but he tries to work himself up to his fours.. But Marcu$ is awaiting it, and he charges RIGHT INTO THE MONEY STOMP 2.0! JOJO’S HEAD GETS SPIKED RIGHT INTO THE MAT! MARCU$ TAKES JOJO ONTO HIS BACK AND MAKES THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
T-JOJO KICKS OUT AGAIN!
What will it take for either of these two to go down?! Marcu$ has to double check with the referee to confirm that was two, and JoJo is still trying to recuperate. Marcu$ grabs onto JoJo, trying his damndest to muscle JoJo up, but JoJo is deadweight! Marcu$ drops him, breathing heavily. He falls to the ropes, stepping out of the ring. Marcu$ looks around, starting to get desperate. He climbs up top and positions himself carefully. JoJo rolls onto his back, dazed. Marcu$ raises his arms up as he looks to fly off the top – but JOJO RISES TO HIS FEET AND SHAKES THE ROPES! Marcu$ is crouched hard on the top rope, and JoJo starts to climb up with Marcu$.. He smirks, grabbing onto him and scooping him up high FOR THE DEEP SIX SHOOTER–
BUT MARCU$ STARTS TO WIGGLE!
THE STRENGTH OF JOJO SHOWS, AS HE SHRUGS IT OFF AND HOLDS TIGHT TO HIM! DEEP SIX SHOOTER OFF THE TOP RO–
MARCU$ SWINGS OUT INTO A SPIKE DDT OFF THE TOP ROPE! JOJO GOES CRASHING HEAD FIRST INTO THE CANVAS!
THIS IS MARCU$’S CHANCE TO END IT! HE SCRAMBLES TO THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THR–JOJO THROWS HIS SHOULDER UP JUST IN TIME!
The crowd gasps in shock as this one CONTINUES on!
Aiello: What a close call, but Rush is still in this one!
Taylor: Oh my god, get up Jon! Get up!
Both men are spent and can barely will themselves into this one. Marcu$ digs his elbows into the mat and starts army crawling to the bottom rope. JoJo starts to come to life, coughing out in pain. He rolls over, starting to rise with no support. Marcu$ turns back to JoJo rising in shock, in awe of what this guy is made of. He stumbles over, grabbing the head of JoJo as he jams his head into his thighs! He nods, looking for the Bounced Check but JoJo takes his legs and drops him onto his ass! JoJo drills a NASTY boot into the jaw! JoJo falls to the ropes, walking over to Marcu$. He pulls him up and starts throwing heavy left and rights to the jaw. Marcu$ reels, and JoJo winds back one final punch, but Marcu$ nails him with a roundhouse kick to the side of the head! JoJo staggers, dazed as Marcu$ hits off the ropes! BUT JOJO TOSSES HIM WITH AN OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX!
JoJo rolls to his feet, lifting Marcu$ up as he scoops him up into the DEEP SIX SHOOTER! JoJo rises, and the ending is in sight for him! He adjusts that elbow pad again, raising the “Too Sweet” up to the skies as Marcu$ struggles to find some life. He rolls over, planting his hands on the mat as he slowly starts to kneel up.. Marcu$ wheezes, looking around..
AND JOJO CHARGES INTO THE BIG IRON! THE ELBOW LANDS FLUSH ON THE BACK OF MARCU$’S HEAD! JOJO ROLLS HIM OVER AND HOOKS THE LEGS!
ONE!
TWO!
THR–MARCU$ JUST BARELY JOLTS A SHOULDER UP!
JOJO CAN’T BELIEVE IT!
Aiello: JoJo nearly picks up the win here, but Marcu$ proves he's got a lot more fight left in him!
Taylor: You gotta count better than that referee! You’re only making it worse for $t. John!
Marcu$ is still showing signs of life, and JoJo has had enough! He grabs him by his head and forces him into a front facelock! JoJo grabs at the arms for a double underhook, looking around. He's calling for a brand new move! He starts swinging for the LIGHTBRINGER DDT–
MARCU$ LANDS ON HIS FEET AND SPINS OUT! SUPERKICK TO THE JAW! JOJO BOUNCES INTO THE ROPES! ANOTHER SUPERKICK! JOJO BOUNCES BACK A THIRD TIME, SUPERKICK TO THE KNEES!
JoJo falls to his knees and Marcu$ bounces off into the MONEY STOMP 2.0!
AND IT CONNECTS! BUT JOJO IS STILL TRYING TO WORK HIS WAY UP! MARCU$ CAN’T BELIEVE IT! HE BOUNCES OFF AGAIN, HE HITS THE MONEY STOMP 2.0 AGAIN! JoJo is laid flat on the mat, but his arm twitches just a bit! Marcu$ grabs JoJo by the hair, forcing him up into his thighs and he lifts him upside down..
BOUNCED CHECK RIGHT INTO THE CENTER OF THE CANVAS! MARCU$ ROLLS HIM OVER FOR THE COVER!
BUT JOJO SHIFTS HIS WEIGHT...AND BOTH MEN'S SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING
The crowd are on their feet, stunned and amazed at what's just happened...and Tori at commentary seems none too pleased, as she leaves the booth in a hurry! Both men find themselves laying on the canvas, trying to make sense of things as the referee confers with Stroup for a moment. As Tori heads to ringside, she is quickly intercepted by an arriving Xavier Reid. Just as quickly, however, is the arrival of Cosmo Goldworthy as the two men set to face off in our main event stare each other down before security comes rushing down the ramp to break it up. Back in the ring, Stroup nods after being given confirmation of the result before making the announcement!
Stroup: I've just been informed by the referee that both men's shoulders were in fact down when the pinfall was made, and as such has decided to call this match as ... A DRAW!
There is the tiniest smattering of boos from the crowd, purely for the fact that the match has no conclusive finish...but the exhaustion running through both men is palpable as they slowly get to their feet. The mixed reaction turns into one of respect for the efforts both men put into this match, the crowd cheering them on before M$J and Rush collect their respective championships and stare each other down...before Rush simply leaves the ring, walking up the ramp alongside Tori to leave M$J in the ring as we cut back to commentary.
Aiello: Folks, this match was everything promised and more, those two went out and had a phenomenal matchup! You can’t take anything away from both men, who took each other to task so hard that the match ends up being a draw! And to top it off, we got a tease of our main event tonight as well as a reminder that all four men are a part of the big War Games match at One Night Encounter, the final stop before WrestleFest XXI! Don't go away though, because in just a moment we have a No DQ match on tap between Caleb Scott and Antoni Malietoa!
We move to a commercial break.
LATER TONIGHT
A PREVIEW OF WARGAMES WHEN COSMO GOLDWORTHY TAKES ON XAVIER REID
A WARRIOR'S DARKEST TEST!
SINGLES MATCH, NO DISQUALIFICATION
Caleb Scott
VS Antoni Malietoa
SINGLES MATCH, NO DISQUALIFICATION
Caleb Scott
VS Antoni Malietoa
We return to ringside where fans are ready for our next contest!
Aiello: An absolutely wild night rolls on with Caleb Scott taking on Antoni Malietoa in a No DQ match!
Bennett: Caleb's lined up for a shot at the EWC International Championship at WrestleFest, but he's got a very game Warrior to take on tonight!
Stroup: The following match, set for one fall, is to be contested under NO disqualification! Joining us first, from St Cloud, Minnesota and weighing in at 215 pounds... CALEB SCOTT!
Lights go black as Ze Nigmar plays. Four hooded figures with torches come out and stand on the stage, two on each side of the entrance. Lights stay off as the song intro plays. Once the drums 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 in his hand, Caleb stands there for a few seconds looking out at the crowd with Luke. 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 while Luke stands beside him. Caleb pauses 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 extending his arms to the side and tilting his head back as the lights fade back on.
Fog engulfs the entrance ramp, highlighted by green lights as "Be Somebody" by Fort Minor begins to play throughout the arena. From the smoke emerges Antoni Malietoa with his eyes wide and arms out to his sides.
Stroup: And the opponent, making his way to the ring From Apia, Samoa by way of Auckland, New Zealand weighing in at 254lbs......He is The Great Warrior... ANTONI......MALI-E-TOA!
As the fog clears, Antoni takes a step forward as he psyches him self up with a yell. Antoni makes his way to the ring, pulls himself up from the floor by the top rope and then steps over the top rope and into the ring as he prepares to do battle.
DING DING DING
Caleb runs for a spear but Antoni sidesteps him and pushes him off the ropes. Antoni knocks him down with a clothesline as he rebounds. Caleb gets to his feet but Antoni clotheslines him over the top rope. Caleb grabs the rope and lands on the ring apron. Antoni charges him but Caleb reaches through the ropes and rams a shoulder into Antoni’s midsection. Caleb climbs to the top turnbuckle and flies at Antoni hitting a top rope moonsault. Antoni gets to his feet bit Caleb grabs him hitting an implant DDT. He rolls Antoni over and hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Antoni lifts a shoulder off the mat to break the count. Caleb lifts Antoni from the mat but Antoni quickly counters with a spinebuster. Antoni then runs off the ropes cracking a kneeling Caleb with a knee smash to the jaw. Caleb drops to the mat where Antoni makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Caleb rolls a shoulder off the mat breaking the count.
Aiello: Good early near falls in the early goings of this.
Bennett: Yeah, but you just know they’re going for the plunder soon.
Proving Bennett right, Antoni rolls from the ring and pulls out a table from under the ring that he sets up at ringside. Caleb rolls out of the other side and pulls a baseball bat from under the ring. Both slide back into the ring. Caleb cracks the bat into Antoni’s ribs. Antoni drops to his knees. Caleb lifts Antoni for a suplex but staggers dropping him through the table with a Cemetery Moonlight. Caleb slips out of the ring and drags Antoni to his feet and rolls him back into the ring. Caleb follows him in and makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Antoni rolls onto his side to break the count. Caleb lifts Antoni to his feet but he counters with a mountain bomb. Both pull themselves to their feet. Antoni grabs Caleb and drops him down onto the baseball bat with a Malosi. He grabs a leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Caleb rolls to his side to lift a shoulder up and break the count.
Aiello: How in hell are both men moving?
Bennett: I don’t know. I just don’t know.
Both get to their feet. Caleb throws himself at Antoni hitting a Spear. Caleb lifts Antoni to his feet and positions him for a Grave Plot. As he lifts him, Antoni manages to slip out of Caleb’s grip and land on his feet. Antoni grabs Caleb driving him to the mat with Resurrection. He hooks the leg as the referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall ANTONI MALIETOA!
Antoni holds a fist into the air before stepping over the top rope. He heads up the ramp with his arms out to the sides.
Aiello: Not a lot of weaponry used, some will like that, some won’t. However it was just two men beating the absolute bejeezus out of each other and Antoni Malietoa is the one that emerges with the win here tonight.
Bennett: It was a hell of a fight. Caleb Scott will be thinking to himself ‘if only I’d hit the Grave Plot’. But this match could have gone anywhere. Tonight wasn’t his night though.
Aiello: With that, the night rolls on! In just a moment we see the FX Broadcast Championship on the line for the final time as Stitches defends against Emmanuelle, don't go away folks!
Camera cuts to ...
Once more, we see Cilan, Alexander Umbra’s friend and therapist. The former Brawl member thinks he is out of sight, hanging behind a wall while everyone is more interested in checking up on Caleb Scott and Antoni Malietoa after that destruction they just caused on each other.
Cilan pulls out his cell phone, scrolls a bit, then presses something on the screen before holding the phone up to his ear. It rings a couple times before the other party picks up.
Cilan: Hey…
He pauses, listening to the person on the other side.
Cilan: Yeah, I tried talking to him. But he is adamant on finishing this season off.
Another pause.
Cilan: I know. He isn’t doing too good. He’s having trouble even walking.
Another pause.
Cilan: I told him that. But he doesn’t think anyone cares about him.
Pause.
Cilan: I know you do. But I can’t just come out and tell him that, now can I?
Pause.
Cilan: Listen, I tried my best. He jus-
Cilan couldn’t even finish his sentence as the person on the other side of the line seemed to have interrupted him.
Cilan: My best WAS good enough. He is just not in the right mind to listen. Whether it’s those stupid ass voices or his just plain out stubbornness, his sights are set on Rampage and Wrestlefest. I think I’ve done all I could to help him and at this point, I just need to be his friend. If you want to stop him from competing…
Cilan takes a deep breath, then lets out a sigh.
Cilan: …then maybe you should stop him yourself.
Without another word, Cilan pulls the phone from his ear and hangs up. He looks around to make sure no one hears him on the phone, specifically Alex, then walks away as he puts the phone in his suit pocket.
We move to a commercial break.
A camera crew secretly catches Bloody Sureiyāzu, “Headhuntress” Aiya has a smug grin while Narumi nods along.
Aiya: Told ya they wouldn’t focus on the important facts about us.
The Onihime notices the camera while her partner finished talking.
Narumi: Hey! If you want to listen into us so bad don’t do it while we’re chatting about two knuckleheads. How about you do when we need you to deliver a message to Saidie?
Narumi looks at the camera.
Narumi: I’m calling you out, no more dodging, you better show up to Prime!
Aiya then puts her hand on the camera to fade it back to the rest of the show.
THE FINAL FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT!
SINGLES MATCH
FOR THE FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Emmanuelle
VS Stitches
SINGLES MATCH
FOR THE FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Emmanuelle
VS Stitches
We return to ringside where fans are ecstatic for our next match!
Aiello: Here we go, folks! Before we get to a massive main event, we have the final defense of the FX Broadcast Championship! Stitches looks to punch his ticket to WrestleFest XXI and a chance to become the new EWC Television Champion, ushering in a new era...but can he overcome a thriller in Emmanuelle?
Bennett: She's got a hell of a mountain to overcome, that much is for sure Joe!
Stroup: The following match, set for one fall, is for the FX Broadcast Championship! Joining us first, the challenger, residing in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California and weighing in at an approximate 135 pounds... EMMANUELLE!
‘B.I.T.C.H.’ by Megan Thee Stallion plays as Emmanuelle steps through the curtain and casually walks down the ramp. At the bottom of the ramp, she holds her arms out to her sides before dropping to one knee. After a moment she heads up the steps to the apron and steps through the ropes. Emmanuelle stands in the middle of the ring and raises an arm in the air before holding them out to her sides.
Stroup: And the opponent, residing in the Carnival of Shattered Dreams and weighing in at 260 pounds, he is the FX Broadcast Champion... STITCHES!
'One Missed Call (2008) Theme' plays as the lights go dark. As the beat in the music drops Stitches appears from behind the curtain. Stitches methodically makes his way down the entrance ramp with no care for the audience. Stitches approaches the nearby steel stairs, climbs up onto the apron and begins walking the edge of the apron like a tight rope before reaching the nearby ring post. Stitches climbs up onto the second rope and throws his arms out wide. Stitches enters the ring and sits down in the corner of the ring, waiting for the bell to ring.
DING DING DING
Stitches runs at Emmanuelle and slides into an uppercut. Stitches is back on his feet and smacks forearms into the back and shoulders of Emmanuelle before dumping her into the corner. He puts her left arm through the ropes and pulls on it until the referee forces him to break the hold. Stitches drags Emmanuelle from the corner, twists her wrist and lifts her arm over his shoulder. Her feet dangle off the mat as she screams in pain. A couple of punches to his kidneys loosen his grip. Stitches lifts Emmanuelle for a powerbomb but she manages to slip over his shoulders and she shoves Stitches off the ropes. He rebounds with a Lethal Lariat that knocks her inside out. He makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Emmanuelle manages to lift an arm from the mat to break the count. Stitches lifts Emmanuelle to her fee but she rocks him with a forearm smash to the jaw. Two more have him staggering back. Stitches lashes out with one of his own. Emmanuelle ducks and hits another one before whipping him hard to the corner. Stitches staggers out of the corner where Emmanuelle scoops him up into a Michinoqu driver. Stitches gets to his feet but a shotgun dropkick knocks him back down. Stitches pulls himself to his feet where Emmanuelle rolls him into a small package. Stitches manages to push his way free before a count is made. He is slow getting to his feet and Emmanuelle pulls him into a piledriver. She makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Stitches just manages to roll a shoulder off the mat breaking the count.
Aiello: Stitches got out of the small package easily enough but that piledriver came a hair from costing him the championship.
Bennett: Stitches look dazed but he doesn’t seem the type for cartoon birds no matter what level of the black parade they fly from.
Emmanuelle is on her feet first. She casually walks over to him and cracks Stitches in the face with EMS. Stitches slumps to the mat where Emmanuelle rolls him over and makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Stitches rolls to his side breaking the count. Emmanuelle lifts Stitches to his feet and whips him off the ropes. He ducks a clothesline and comes back hitting a Beautiful Disasterpiece that sends Emmanuelle flying backwards and Stitches crashing to the mat. He drags himself over to Emmanuelle and makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
At the last split second, Emmanuelle lifts a shoulder off the mat breaking the count.
Aiello: This close to the championship being defended. How in earth did Emmanuelle get a shoulder up?
Bennett: I don’t know. I don’t think Emmanuelle even knows. All I know is that Emmanuelle DID get a shoulder up and this match continues.
Both slowly use the ropes to pull themselves to their feet. Emmanuelle runs at Stitches and tries to roll him with a Buonasera. Stitches manages to lift her over his head to counter and drives her to the mat with a Sound Of Silence. He rolls Emmanuelle over and hooks the leg as the referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall and STILL FX Broadcast Champion... STITCHES!
Stitches stands in the middle of the ring holding his championship in front of him. He turns and heads out the ring and up the ramp.
Aiello: What a match this was! But, at the end of the day, Stitches defends the FX Broadcast Championship!
Bennett: Emmanuelle came close. So, so close! She will find the positives in the morning, even though her night will be spent thinking about how she didn’t win the championship.
Aiello: And with that, Stitches moves on to WrestleFest XXI to vie for the EWC Television Championship! The record books will be closed on the era of this title, and when they do, it'll be his name etched in as the final champion. Folks, don't go away! When we come back, our main event sees Cosmo Goldworthy take on Xavier Reid!
We move to a commercial break.
THE HOUSE & LOVE CLUB ARE BARRED FROM RINGSIDE!
SINGLES MATCH (NON-TITLE)
Cosmo Goldworthy
VS Xavier Reid
SINGLES MATCH (NON-TITLE)
Cosmo Goldworthy
VS Xavier Reid
We return to ringside where it is finally time for the main event of the night, and the sold out Madison Square Garden crowd is buzzing with excitement and anticipation for this one.
Aiello: Here we go folks! The final Brawl match of the year, the Undisputed Champion Xavier Reid takes on Rampage’s HBO Broadcast Champion Cosmo Goldworthy in a battle of present versus the future! The one interesting thing here is that both The House and The Love Club are banned from ringside!
Bennett: The Undisputed Championship may not be on the line in this one, but the big match feeling is definitely there! This is a must win for both men, and that makes it so much more interesting as we close out a great 2023 for Brawl!
Stroup: The following is a non-title match scheduled for one fall! Joining us first, from The Golden State, weighing in at 201 pounds … he is the HBO BROADCAST CHAMPION … 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.
Stroup: And his opponent, from New York City, weighing in at 220 pounds … he is the EWC UNDISPUTED 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. Xavier walks to the front of the stage and crosses his arms into an X in front of his chest and smirks, 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.
Aiello: Different territory for Reid tonight as he goes without Tommy Love! Who will leave with the victory? The HBO Broadcast Champion or the Undisputed Champion?! We’re about to find out!
DING DING DING
Both men eye each other, stepping to the center as Cosmo cautiously backs away from Reid. He throws a low kick to test the waters - but Reid immediately checks it. Cosmo smirks as the contact was felt from both men, and opts to grab him into a collar and elbow tie-up instead. The two tussle for control, as Reid works Cosmo over into a headlock. Cosmo reaches at Reid’s back, slapping at it as he struggles. Cosmo takes the waist of Reid, taking him to the ropes and he shoots him off with authority. Cosmo bounces into a heavy shoulder tackle, which hits Reid. He bounces off the ropes for added momentum, but leaps over when Reid rolls in an attempt to trip him. Both men rise as Cosmo looks for a leapfrog - but Reid catches the legs of Cosmo and drops him onto his back! Reid rolls forward into a jackknife pinfall!
ONE!
Cosmo takes the waist of Reid, bridging it up and twisting the both into a backslide cover!
ONE!
Reid kicks out and grabs Cosmo into a side headlock takedown! The takedown is good, as Reid wrenches in that side headlock as tight as possible on Cosmo. Cosmo reaches out, groaning as Reid pushes all of his weight onto Cosmo, forcing his shoulders to the canvas.
ONE!
T-COSMO RAISES A SHOULDER!
He may have kicked out of that, but Reid smirks as he’s starting to agitate his younger foe. Cosmo takes the waist of Reid this time, rolling him into a pinfall of his own!
ONE!
T-Reid drops back into that headlock! Cosmo uses that to his advantage though, as he uses Reid’s momentum against him and begins to rise. Reid struggles, and Cosmo hoists him up for a BACK SUPLEX! The headlock is broken and Cosmo immediately mounts Reid, pummeling him with nasty punches. He continues over and over, and Reid is struggling to cover up. Cosmo picks Reid up and throws a low kick to the shin, and then a knee to the ribs. Reid fires back with a paintbrush slap, but Cosmo gives him a slap of his own! Cosmo leans Reid back and CHOPS him! But Reid fires back with a chop of his own! Cosmo chops him again, and Reid chops back! The match has delved into chaos as the two are straight up having a chop battle! But finally, Reid takes the advantage as he continues to blister Cosmo over and over! Cosmo leans back against the ropes, and Reid takes the wrist of Cosmo for an irish whip - but Cosmo floats under the arm and kicks him hard in the ribs! Cosmo takes the head of Reid, looking for a vertical suplex but Reid floats over and takes the waist! He tries for an O’Connor Roll, but Cosmo holds onto the ropes and Reid rolls backward.
Cosmo turns to Reid, swinging a roundhouse kick, but Reid ducks and holds onto Cosmo’s leg, lifting him up in the air for a powerbomb – but Cosmo jumps off his shoulders just in time! Reid turns back and Cosmo gives him a kick to the shin, then a roundhouse kick to the chest! Reid is wobbling, as Cosmo fires off another roundhouse kick to the chest! Cosmo backs up for one more, but Reid catches the leg this time! Dragonscrew legwhip! Cosmo cries out in pain as he holds at his leg, and as he rises back up Reid starts throwing low kicks of his own! Cosmo has had enough and falls to a knee, and Reid bounces off for a jumping knee of sorts, but Cosmo rolls under him! Reid turns back and Cosmo tosses him with an EXPLODER SUPLEX! Cosmo rises to his feet, shaking his head. Reid struggles up and Cosmo takes the wrist, irish whipping him into the ropes - but Reid reverses with one of his own! He leans his head down for a back body drop, but Cosmo kicks him square in the jaw! Reid bounces off into a ELBOW STRIKE to the jaw! Cosmo is barely up to his feet, as Reid takes his hand behind the back of Cosmo’s head and pulls him in for repeated elbows to the jaw! Cosmo is starting to reel from each and every single elbow, and Reid backs up, knowing he’s got him hurt! He swings back a final knockout elbow of sorts, but Cosmo catches the arm, trying for a submission?! It’s not very often Cosmo goes for one, but he tries a fujiwara armbar and Reid rolls out of it with ease. Cosmo charges Reid, and Reid ducks under him, taking the shoulders!
Reid leaps onto the shoulders of Cosmo, and Cosmo is trying to hold onto Reid’s legs, but it’s no use…
AND REID WITH A REVERSE FRANKENSTEINER!
Cosmo is spiked right onto his neck, and Reid rolls him over for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
COSMO KICKS OUT!
Aiello: What a close call there, but Goldworhty is still in this one!
Bennett: Gotta wonder how much damage he's already taken though, Joe!
Cosmo lies there, holding his neck in pain as Reid works his way up. He forces Cosmo up and drills him with an elbow to the side of the neck. Reid takes Cosmo’s head and tries to lift him for a powerbomb, but Cosmo drops to a knee, stalling the lift. Reid tries again, but Cosmo works himself up and rams Reid back first into the turnbuckles! Reid stumbles out of the corner, and Cosmo takes the neck, swinging into a neckbreaker! Cosmo kneels up following that neckbreaker, feeling the wear and tear already. He rises and grabs a handful of Reid’s hair, throwing down some nasty closed fist punches to his forehead. Reid tries his best to cover up, but it’s no use as Cosmo is finding his fist into his forehead. The referee tries to pull Cosmo off, warning him about the excessive closed fist punches. Cosmo releases the hold and gets in the referee’s face, daring him to end Brawl’s final main event early. The referee does push back, but the two are clearly at a standstill with neither wanting this one to end - and Cosmo turns back to Reid..
..But it’s at his disadvantage as Reid DRILLS him with an elbow to the jaw to a big pop! Cosmo falls backwards, and Reid starts throwing punches! Cosmo staggers away, trying to get away, and Reid bounces off the ropes into a BIG TIME LARIAT! Cosmo rises to his feet and Reid drops him with another! Cosmo rises again and Reid starts chopping him! And a roundhouse kick to the chest! And a chop! And a roundhouse kick to the chest! The combo continues until Cosmo finally has enough and thumbs Reid in the eye! Reid falls to a knee, holding his eye in pain as the referee shouts at him, trying to enforce the rules here. Cosmo grabs Reid up and lifts him up for a big time vertical suplex. Cosmo floats into a cover, raking Reid’s jaw with his elbow.
ONE!
TWO!
REID KICKS OUT!
Cosmo rolls his eyes, and steps over Reid, climbing the middle rope and raising the “Too Sweets” up. The fans boo at Cosmo’s decision to start taunting, and he drops over to kick Reid in the side of his head. He looks down at him, shouting insults meanwhile the crowd is trying to get him back into this one.
“REID!”
“REID!”
“REID!”
As the crowd is starting to will Reid on, Cosmo forces him up and pops him in the mouth with a nasty right hook. Reid falls back, and Cosmo irish whips him off! Cosmo front rolls into a Scorpion Kick! Reid goes down, and Cosmo rises to his feet, dusting his hands off. Cosmo looks around at the booing crowd and laughs at them. He lifts Reid up and leans him into the turnbuckles, firing off some nasty corner shoulder barrages. Reid’s entire body rocks into the turnbuckles. Cosmo takes Reid’s wrist and irish whips him into the turnbuckle across the ring.. And Reid bounces off into a BIG SHOULDER BLOCK! Cosmo goes down, and rises to his feet and Reid drops him with a boot to the jaw! Cosmo rises again and swings at Reid, but Reid ducks and takes the waist for a german suplex, but Cosmo dropsteps behind for a german suplex of his own! But Cosmo holds it, rolling into another german suplex! He holds it again, for a THIRD GERMAN SUPLEX! Cosmo takes Reid to “Suplex City”, a shout out to JoJo Rush! Reid is hurting and Cosmo looks down at him, smirking. He drags Reid up and bounces off the ropes into the C.R.E! THE CASH ROLLS EVERYTHING ELBOW CONNECTS!
Reid hits the mat hard, and Cosmo quickly covers him, calling the referee over! This could be it!
ONE!
TWO!
T-REID KICKS OUT!
Aiello: Wow! Another close call here, but this time it's Reid who shows his tenacity!
Bennett: It's an all-out war here tonight Joe, and it's not even War Games!
The crowd cheer Reid on following that kick out, while Cosmo looks back, exasperated. He steps out, calling for Reid.. He pulls onto the ropes, thinking of that Gold Rush Lariat! Reid slowly works his way up to his feet, and COSMO FRONT FLIPS IN! BUT REID DUCKS THE LARIAT AND JUMPS INTO A KNEE TO THE JAW! Cosmo bounces off the middle rope, AND REID FLIPS HIM INSIDE OUT WITH THE RAINHAM MAKER! Reid scrambles for the cover, but Cosmo has enough ring awareness to roll onto the apron just in time! Reid slaps the mat, agitated at how close he was to potentially ending it there! Cosmo lies on the apron, gasping for air as Reid rises to his feet and starts pulling him up..
But Cosmo drives him down with a HOT SHOT! Reid falls back, holding his throat. He coughs out in pain, and Cosmo leaps onto the apron as HE SLINGSHOTS IN INTO THE GOLD RUSH! REID DUCKS AND CATCHES THE WAIST! GERMAN SUPLEX! BUT COSMO LANDS AND HITS THE ROPES! READY TO DIE – NO REID CATCHES HIM IN A FIREMAN’S CARRY!
HE STRUGGLES, TRYING HIS HARDEST TO HOLD ONTO COSMO’S WEIGHT! BUT COSMO PULLS AT THE NOSE, AND GOUGES THE EYES! Reid cries out in pain as Cosmo slips behind, taking the neck for an inverted facelock backbreaker, and holds him up for an inverted DDT! Cosmo goes straight to the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
REID KICKS OUT!
Cosmo shakes his head, trying to figure out what it’ll take to put him down. Reid rolls over as Cosmo grabs a handful of his hair, leaning him into hunched position.. And he releases a multitude of Kawada-like kicks to the forehead! Reid struggles, and Cosmo backs up for that AXE KICK! BUT REID RAISES HIS HEAD TO EVADE IT JUST IN TIME! Cosmo turns back to Reid, and Reid sends him reeling with a roundhouse kick to the chest! Cosmo bounces off the ropes..
Reid swings a lariat, but Cosmo ducks, building steam AS HE SPINS INTO THE READY TO DIE! REID GOES DOWN! AND COSMO MAKES THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
T–REID KICKS OUT!
Aiello: Reid's still in this one somehow!
Bennett: Cosmo's given it all he's got so far, but he's gonna have to punch it down hard if he wants this win!
The match continues on and neither of these men are showing any give! Both Reid and Cosmo slowly work their way up, as Cosmo tries to take the arms of Reid! He tries twisting into the Gold Mine, but Reid breaks free and tosses Cosmo with a Dragon Suplex! Cosmo is rocked right onto the back of his head, and Reid slowly rises, gasping for air. As he does rise, Cosmo tries to get up as well - but falls right to his fours. Reid looks down at Cosmo and smirks, yanking him up. He jams his head into his thighs, double underhooking his arms as he lifts him up.. But Cosmo brings his feet back down!
Cosmo back body drops Reid, but Reid floats over, grabbing onto the legs! Cosmo struggles, trying to punch Reid, but Reid keeps shifting his head! It’s a fight at the bottom.. But after some pulling and tugging, Reid gets the legs of Cosmo and forces him down for a sunset flip pinfall!
ONE!
TWO!
T-COSMO KICKS OUT AND ROLLS INTO A PIN OF HIS OWN!
ONE!
TWO!
T– REID KICKS OUT!
Both are up and Reid throws a kick, that Cosmo blocks! Cosmo throws a lariat, that Reid blocks with his boot! The two throw a multitude of forearms at each other! Reid staggers, and Cosmo bounces off for the C.R.E but Reid ducks and takes the waist! He looks for a german, but Cosmo elbows him repeatedly! Reid releases the hold and Cosmo hits off the ropes.. Reid kicks him in the gut, tucks his head into his thighs and DOUBLE UNDERHOOKS HIM UP FOR THE LOVE SHOT!
REID ROLLS STRAIGHT INTO THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THR– COSMO KICKS OUT JUST IN TIME!
Aiello: Oh my! Goldworthy managing to save this match for himself!
Bennett: So, so damn close Joe!
Reid slaps the mat, and that frustration is starting to get to him! He tries to keep composed though, as he waits for Cosmo to get up.. Cosmo rolls over, trying his hardest to rise – but nearly topples back down after being dropped on his head. He finally rises, and REID CHARGES INTO THE BEAST SLAYER!
COSMO SIDE STEPS IT! REID TURNS BACK, AND COSMO LEAPS INTO THE CASH COW! Cosmo DRIVES his feet straight into the chest of Reid! He crawls to the ropes, rolling to the apron..
Reid is working his way up to his feet, and Cosmo stares at him with a blood thirsty grin.. AS HE FRONT FLIPS INTO THE RING…
FOR THE GOLD RUSH! IT CON-NO! REID CATCHES COSMO WITH THE BEAST SLAYER!!
HE MAKES THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING
Stroup: And your winner, via pinfall … XAVIER REID!
Reid rolls off of Cosmo, elated to have picked up the victory tonight. Cosmo is still out of it, meanwhile the referee assists Reid and raises his arm up high. Reid takes the Undisputed Championship and holds it up, as Tommy Love comes down to the ring to celebrate with his guy.
Cosmo rolls out of the ring, being tended to at ringside meanwhile the New York crowd serenades Reid and gives him lots of recognition and respect after not just an awesome match, but an awesome showing and victory. The Undisputed Championship stands on top, giving the Brawl crowd more of a show, hyping them up as they continue to cheer him on!
Aiello: And Reid gets it done after a huge nail biting matchup! We’re closing off the season finale of Brawl with Brawl’s very own triumphant in the main event! Quite the showing from Goldworthy, but Reid is the Undisputed Champion for a reason!
Bennett: I may not be a fan of The House, but I’ve gotta give the devil his due! Cosmo Goldworthy is an absolute superstar, and he took the fight to Xavier Reid! But Reid is where he’s at for a very clear reason, and his victory tonight shows that as he gets a much needed bounce back!
Aiello: Absolutely agree with you there Steve! Folks, what a match, and what a way to end the season here on the red brand! Thank you for tuning in this year for a roller coaster of a season, and we will see you at One Night Encounter and WrestleFest XXI! Until then, for Steve Bennett I've been Joe Aiello saying so long, and goodnight from New York City!
The show comes to a close with Reid holding his title up high, ready for the challenge that awaits him in the coming month before Season 24 comes to an end for EWC!
END SCREEN
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..........
MATCH WRITERS
..........
MATCH ONE: The Mad King
MATCH TWO: Alexander Umbra
MATCH THREE: EWC Staff Assistant: Em
MATCH FOUR: The Mad King
MATCH FIVE: Cosmo Goldworthy
MATCH SIX: EWC Staff Assistant: Em
MATCH SEVEN: EWC Staff Assistant: Em
MAIN EVENT: Cosmo Goldworthy
..........
SEGMENTS
..........
JoJo Rush
Narumi Tsutsumi / "Headhuntress" Aiya
Xavier Reid
Marcu$ $t. John / The Mad King
Alexander Umbra
MERCENARY
MNB
..........
RECAP OF WINNERS
..........
MATCH 1
No Яegerts
VS The Mad King & Marcu$ $t. John
WINNER via submission: The Mad King & Marcu$ $t. John
MATCH 2
Chelsea Skye (PINNED)
VS Alex "Bullet" Carbajal
VS Alexander Umbra
WINNER via pinfall: Alexander Umbra
MATCH 3
Reaper Crisis
VS Bloody Sureiyāzu
WINNER via pinfall: Bloody Sureiyāzu
MATCH 4
Captain Morgan Darkwater
VS The Mad King
WINNER via pinfall: Captain Morgan Darkwater
MATCH 5
Marcu$ $t. John
VS JoJo Rush
RESULT: Match ends in a DRAW
MATCH 6
Caleb Scott
VS Antoni Malietoa
WINNER via pinfall: Antoni Malietoa
MATCH 7
FOR THE FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Emmanuelle
VS Stitches
WINNER via pinfall and STILL FX Broadcast Champion: Stitches
MAIN EVENT
Cosmo Goldworthy
VS Xavier Reid
WINNER via pinfall: Xavier Reid
BRAWL #603 MVPs: Marcu$ $t. John & JoJo Rush
BRAWL #603 MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Marcu$ $t. John VS JoJo Rush
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© THE EXTREME WRESTLING CORPORATION 2023
