Post by EWC on Mar 15, 2024 21:55:37 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 IDES OF MARCH««
The Extreme Wrestling Corporation Presents
FRIDAY NIGHT RAMPAGE
FRIDAYS LIVE ON ESPN & HBO AT 10PM CST.
SPONSORED IN PART BY UNDER ARMOUR, SONY, DR. PEPPER AND GEARBOX STUDIOS.
SPONSORED IN PART BY UNDER ARMOUR, SONY, DR. PEPPER AND GEARBOX STUDIOS.
EPISODE #524
MARCH 15TH 2024
MARCH 15TH 2024
LIVE from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, India
EWC RAMPAGE
3/15/2024
Live from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, India
General Manager - Grizzly Duggan
Commentators -
Play-By-Play: Koala Duggan
Color: Polar Duggan
Announcer: Emmanuelle Chriqui
Head Ref: Toyo Yasahiro
Assistant Refs: Mike Michaelson & Pierce Patterson
Backstage Help: Bryan Spade & Candice Duggan
3/15/2024
Live from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, India
General Manager - Grizzly Duggan
Commentators -
Play-By-Play: Koala Duggan
Color: Polar Duggan
Announcer: Emmanuelle Chriqui
Head Ref: Toyo Yasahiro
Assistant Refs: Mike Michaelson & Pierce Patterson
Backstage Help: Bryan Spade & Candice Duggan
---------------
Fog spreads throughout the arena, covering the screaming fans as "Asking For It" begins to sound off over the loudspeakers.
"MAYBE YOU TALKED TO MUCH AND YOU WERE ASKING FOR IT, ASKING FOR IT, ASKING!
YOU CAN BLAME BAD LUCK, BUT YOU WERE ASKING FOR IT, ASKING FOR IT, ASKING!!!"
The fans scream for delight as the X-Tron explodes to life. Pyro ignites on the stage.
The camera pans around the arena as fans scream for delight and begin their chants and raise their signs high into the air.
JASON WILL BRUISE BOOTH
WHO BOOKED PAIGE (GET IT?)
MERCENARY IS LEGENDARY
I WANT TO MAKE THE WOLFE HOWL
I'VE HEARD OF RED OR WHITE, BUT HAVOC?
MY COUSIN IS ABOUT 700 ROWS BEHIND ME
I MADE THIS SIGN ON ZERO DAY!
IT MIGHT BE THE LIGHTS BUT EVERYONE LOOKS GREEN
THE LAD? MORE LIKE THE CHAMP!
FN'R!!!
FN'R!!!
FN'R!!!
FN'R!!!
The camera flashes back to the Xtreme-Tron which shows the current FN'R roster... Jamie Love Autumn Raven, The Mercenary, Ace King, Moxie, Alexander Umbra, Kevin Hunter, Cassie Wolfe, Jason Anderson, Luke Saito, ZERO, Emiko Okita, Lavender, Dane Anderson, Arthur Miller, and Chelsea Winston. We then get a quick glance at EWC United States Champion Cosmo Goldworthy, EWC Fighting Spirit Champion Vin Havoc, and finally EWC Undisputed Champion Sally Talfourd... There's another round of pyro.
And then the camera cuts over to the commentary desk, where Koala Duggan stands with a smile. Polar Duggan stands, bows to the camera and then sits back down. Koala sits down, takes a drink from his water bottle and starts.
"MAYBE YOU TALKED TO MUCH AND YOU WERE ASKING FOR IT, ASKING FOR IT, ASKING!
YOU CAN BLAME BAD LUCK, BUT YOU WERE ASKING FOR IT, ASKING FOR IT, ASKING!!!"
The fans scream for delight as the X-Tron explodes to life. Pyro ignites on the stage.
The camera pans around the arena as fans scream for delight and begin their chants and raise their signs high into the air.
JASON WILL BRUISE BOOTH
WHO BOOKED PAIGE (GET IT?)
MERCENARY IS LEGENDARY
I WANT TO MAKE THE WOLFE HOWL
I'VE HEARD OF RED OR WHITE, BUT HAVOC?
MY COUSIN IS ABOUT 700 ROWS BEHIND ME
I MADE THIS SIGN ON ZERO DAY!
IT MIGHT BE THE LIGHTS BUT EVERYONE LOOKS GREEN
THE LAD? MORE LIKE THE CHAMP!
FN'R!!!
FN'R!!!
FN'R!!!
FN'R!!!
The camera flashes back to the Xtreme-Tron which shows the current FN'R roster... Jamie Love Autumn Raven, The Mercenary, Ace King, Moxie, Alexander Umbra, Kevin Hunter, Cassie Wolfe, Jason Anderson, Luke Saito, ZERO, Emiko Okita, Lavender, Dane Anderson, Arthur Miller, and Chelsea Winston. We then get a quick glance at EWC United States Champion Cosmo Goldworthy, EWC Fighting Spirit Champion Vin Havoc, and finally EWC Undisputed Champion Sally Talfourd... There's another round of pyro.
And then the camera cuts over to the commentary desk, where Koala Duggan stands with a smile. Polar Duggan stands, bows to the camera and then sits back down. Koala sits down, takes a drink from his water bottle and starts.
KD: Welcome to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India! Welcome to Rampage!
P-DUG: It is so good to be here tonight after I saw the card! We have such a great show for you tonight EWC Nation!
KD: We open with Bruce Booth and Jason Anderson in a hardcore war. Then we move on to Justin Paige in a non-title clash with Cosmo Goldworthy. Before we get Lavender versus The Mercenary
P-DUG: Some good matches there. Hardcore matches are always great to watch. Justin Paige can prove he is gold worthy if he can get the win over the champion Goldworthy which is not an easy task. If anyone can do it, it may be Justin Paige though. Lavender versus The Mercenary looks uneven on paper but this isn't played out on paper. Lavender has won multiple championships here for a reason!
KD: After those matches, we have The Lad looking to defend the EWC Television Championship against Cassie Wolfe and, in our main event, ZERO battles it out with Vin Havoc for the EWC Fighting Spirit Championship!
P-DUG: We could get two championships defended. We could get one. We could get none!
KD: I do love to see championships on the line!
P-DUG: As do I. I think it gives everything the proverbial big fight feel and has that air of danger about it!
KD: Should be a great night!
P-DUG: That it should!
KD: If you ever miss some EWC action, and why would you, or maybe you want to relive an amazing moment. Why not long on to EWCTV!
P-DUG: It is so good to be here tonight after I saw the card! We have such a great show for you tonight EWC Nation!
KD: We open with Bruce Booth and Jason Anderson in a hardcore war. Then we move on to Justin Paige in a non-title clash with Cosmo Goldworthy. Before we get Lavender versus The Mercenary
P-DUG: Some good matches there. Hardcore matches are always great to watch. Justin Paige can prove he is gold worthy if he can get the win over the champion Goldworthy which is not an easy task. If anyone can do it, it may be Justin Paige though. Lavender versus The Mercenary looks uneven on paper but this isn't played out on paper. Lavender has won multiple championships here for a reason!
KD: After those matches, we have The Lad looking to defend the EWC Television Championship against Cassie Wolfe and, in our main event, ZERO battles it out with Vin Havoc for the EWC Fighting Spirit Championship!
P-DUG: We could get two championships defended. We could get one. We could get none!
KD: I do love to see championships on the line!
P-DUG: As do I. I think it gives everything the proverbial big fight feel and has that air of danger about it!
KD: Should be a great night!
P-DUG: That it should!
KD: If you ever miss some EWC action, and why would you, or maybe you want to relive an amazing moment. Why not long on to EWCTV!
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We cut backstage after the EWCTV promo, to Jason Alexander and Dave who are talking back stage. The backdoor opens and in walks Justin Paige. Jason stops whatever he was saying and starts marching towards Justin before Dave and Diana cut him off and hold him back.
Dave: Woah woah woah Jason! You've already got one match in just a few minutes, lets not start a fight just yet. There will be time for that, but we gotta focus on Bruce for now.
Jason looks at Dave and shoves past him, storming towards Paige who is simply standing there by the door with a smirk on his face.
Justin Paige: Hey there Jason, it's about time you stood up for two-first names!
Right before Jason can launch himself at Justin, Dave grabs him around the waist and holds him back as more random staff run over to separate the two. Justin just laughs as he starts to walk away.
Jason Anderson: You leave her name out of your mouth, you bastard!!
Justin stops and turns to Jason, Dave, and Diana and he has finally calmed down but is still being held with hands on the shoulders.
Justin Paige: Listen, Jason. I think it's pretty obvious that Amber and I are going to end up together in that ring...I just need you to know your place, go lose to Bruce, and stay out of my way. Ok?
Justin blows Jason a kiss and winks as he turns again and walks down the hall as Jason seethes, Dave trying to usher him towards the ring for his upcoming match against Bruce Booth. Coming up... right NOW!!!
MATCH ONE
Bruce Booth VS Jason Anderson
Hardcore Match
REF: Mike Michaelson
We return to ringside where it’s officially time for the first match of the night!
KD: We’ve got one hell of a way to open up Rampage tonight as Bruce Booth takes on Jason Anderson in a Hardcore Match! And after that little confrontation, I know Jason is ready to bust SOMEONE open.
P-Dug: Regardless of that Paige-Anderson interaction, there’s a lot of momentum riding on the line for either winner tonight. But as talented as both of these individuals are, there’s no telling who will step up to the plate and actually get it done!
Chriqui: The following is scheduled for one fall and it is a hardcore match! Introducing first from The Hollywood Hills & weighing in at 220 pounds... ”BOX OFFICE” BRUCE BOOTH!!!
As 'Burn In My Light''s unmistakable intro sounds throughout the venue, the fans turn their head toward the entranceway, and out comes the superstar (at least in his own mind) with chiseled supermodel looks (at least in his own mind) and a superhero body (at least in his own mind), who stops a few feet out from the curtain. Without hesitating, he throws his arms up in the air and holds his chin high, posturing tall as gold pyro rains behind him, painting an image of an undeniable sensation. Letting it breathe for a few seconds, Bruce then takes to the ring, his eyes shooting to a few fans offering their thoughts of him in the form of obscene finger gestures and even worse comments-- but he does his best to pay it no mind. As Booth heads in, he ascends the second turnbuckle and raises his arms once again- this time in a slow, graceful motion, almost like a shot straight out of a movie. He closes his eyes, living in the moment, instead of having to look at the fans, and steps down from the second rope, but never quite leaves that moment of self-absorption, as his music is cut off.
Chriqui: And his opponent from Brooklyn, New York & weighing in at 215 pounds... JASON ANDERSON!!!
He get inside of the ring and pop the hood off his head like AJ Styles on the top rope point a finger down to Angel. She is jumping up and down for her father as he grins and winks at her as he jump down off the corner ropes. He look right at the person across from him while he take off his hood jacket and start to test ropes a bit.
KD: This is a big opportunity for Bruce as he makes his Rampage debut, defeating Jason Anderson in a match that he specializes in, the hardcore match!
P-Dug: I’ve gotta give the devil his due here and admit that there’s a reason why Jason loses very rarely in these kinds of matches! He feels in his element here and rightfully so!
DING DING DING
As the bell rings, Bruce wants no part of this and rolls out! But Jason quickly rolls out, chasing after him! Bruce puts the gas pedal on, realizing that Jason is behind him! He slides in, and Jason slides in after him – only for him to roll out again! Jason charges over again, but Bruce quickly digs under the ring to find a strategically placed steel chair and smacks Jason over the head with it! Jason tries to put his hands up in time to absorb the impact but the damage has been done! Jason falls over, writhing in pain. Bruce slides in and smacks him over the back with the chair! Jason coughs out in pain, as Bruce raises the chair a third time but Jason punches him in the ribs! Jason punches him in the ribs again, and rises despite the pain! He wraps his arms around Bruce’s waist, slamming him into the turnbuckles! Jason follows up with repeated shoulder barrages, and Bruce coughs out. Bruce drops the chair and Jason picks it up, raising it for the crowd to see! Bruce shakes his head, hitting Jason in the back of the head! Jason falls to his knees and Bruce starts stomping him out furiously. He takes the chair and calls for Jason to get up.
Jason slowly rises and Bruce swings another chair shot but Jason ducks! Bruce turns back and Jason dropkicks the chair into his face! Bruce falls over, flying out the middle ropes! Jason looks around, nodding his head. Bruce slowly rises as Jason climbs the top rope.. And as Bruce looks up, his eyes widen as Jason flies off the top rope into a beautiful crossbody to the floor! Both men take a harsh landing on the floor as Bruce stares up at the lights, gasping for air. Jason looks under the ring and pulls out his signature black bag! Jason smirks at it, sliding it in. Jason then grabs Bruce but Bruce gives him a drop toe hold into the steel steps! Jason hits hard on the steps, groaning in pain. Bruce slowly rises, limping over. He calls Jason up, nodding his head. Jason slowly rises.. AND BRUCE TRIES TO BATTERING RAM HIM INTO THE STEPS BUT JASON SIDESTEPS AND THROWS BRUCE THERE INSTEAD!
Bruce crumbles to the floor, holding his back in agonizing pain! Jason drags Bruce up and meets him with a heavy right hand to the forehead! He grabs Bruce and throws him in. Jason slides in, untying his black bag and pulls out a broken bottle! Bruce slowly rises, dazed – as Jason CRACKS him over the head with that bottle! Bruce goes down, cut from that shot to the head from the bottle! He writhes in pain and Jason is feeling it now! He drags Bruce up quickly..
The crowd is all for it, as Jason jams Bruce’s head into his thighs! He takes his waist, forcing him up into a powerbomb lift.. AS HE WALKS INTO THE BOSS STOMP! The powerbomb lungblower takes all of the air out of Bruce as Jason crawls over to make the cover! He nods profusely, looking for the early victory!
ONE!
TWO!
BRUCE KICKS OUT!
KD: First pinfall of the match and this one is already going at a high pace! Both of these men want a victory and it seems like Jason is willing to do anything to obtain that!
P-Dug: He just hit him with a bottle over the head! Bruce has got a movie coming out soon – he can’t take down his good looks!
Bruce rolls to the ropes, checking for more blood at his forehead. Jason takes his time rising, seeing Bruce in pain. Bruce rolls to the outside, breathing heavily. Jason claps his hands, watching Bruce stand up outside the ring! He rushes over to the top rope, leaping up for the PIPER’S PIT! But Bruce moves and Jason lands on his feet from the moonsault, back rolling. Jason is off balance as he rises though, and Bruce clotheslines the hell out of him! He quickly drags Jason up, scooping him up for a dangerous back suplex right on the barricade! Bruce looks over to the announce team and drags Jason up! He wraps his arms around his waist, hoisting him up for a back suplex on the announce table cover!
It nearly cracks at the weight of Jason, and the edge of the cover digs into Jason’s back! Jason rolls off of the table, groaning in pain. Bruce looks down at Jason and smirks, booting him into the side of the head. He punches him down, and kicks his head to the floor. Bruce digs under the ring and grabs a table. He marches around the outside of the ring, setting it up. Bruce stares at Jason’s managers, telling Diana and Dave to get out of his way. Dave looks willing to fight Bruce, but Diana reminds him that they have no reason to intervene just yet. Bruce smirks at the two not doing anything and pats the set up table. But as he turns around, Jason flies off the steel steps into a flying forearm smash to the jaw! Bruce hits the floor and Jason mounts him, throwing furious left and right punches!
Bruce tries his hardest to get away, but Jason gets him up and slams his head onto the table! Jason leans Bruce onto the table, looking to take advantage.. Jason walks up the steel steps and climbs to the apron! He looks to be climbing up top, but Bruce rolls off of the table! He clubs Jason in the back! He clubs him again, and climbs up the apron. Jason gives Bruce a back elbow, though. He elbows him again. Bruce is teetering off the apron, but he grabs Jason’s waist and tries to lift him up. Jason tightly holds onto the top rope though, refusing to let go. Bruce groans out in pain, trying to lift Jason up. Jason shakes his head, continuously elbowing Bruce in the side of the head! Bruce gasps for air, and Jason forearms him! Bruce is barely up, and Jason forearms him again! Bruce shakes his head, and knees Bruce in the gut. Bruce punches Jason, and takes the head. He tries to lift him for a suplex on the apron, but Jason breaks free and slams his head into the turnbuckle pad!
As his head bounces off the turnbuckle, Bruce looks dazed. Jason starts to use the ropes to climb up – but Bruce shoves him off the top rope back into the ring! Jason holds his shoulder as he takes a nasty spill to the inside of the ring. Bruce reaches over, slowly pulling Jason to the ropes. He tucks Jason’s head in between the middle rope and slowly drags him out so all that’s left are his feet on the rope..
AND HE DRIVES HIM OFF THE APRON WITH A HANGMAN’S DDT THROUGH THE TABLE ON THE OUTSIDE!
P-Dug: OH MY GOD! DDT THROUGH THE TABLE BY BOOTH! I THINK HE KNOCKED BOTH OUT!
KD: He dropped Jason with the DDT but at what cost?! Both men are hurt!
Bruce rubs his back, struggling in pain. He slowly grabs Jason up and throws him into the ring, holding at his back in pain. He slowly rolls in, following after Jason. Bruce is hurt and exhausted, but he straps his arm on him for the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
TH—JASON KICKS OUT!
And the crowd comes alive after Jason kicks out! They’re cheering him on, while Bruce is wondering what it’ll take to win this one. He holds at his back, crawling over to grab Jason’s bag. He rises to his feet and opens it up, slowly pouring thumbtacks all over the ring! Bruce smirks and slowly picks up Jason. He takes his head, looking for the Director’s Cut.. But Jason stalls it! He wraps his hands around Bruce’s waist and lifts him for a back suplex! Both men are down and now it’s anyone’s chance to take advantage. Jason slowly rises, grabbing up Bruce.. But Bruce rakes the eyes! He starts beating down on Jason against the ropes! But Jason fights back with punches and forearms of his own! Jason starts to pummel Bruce and he covers up, holding his head.
Jason nods, hitting off the ropes with authority! BUT BRUCE SPINS HIM INTO A POWERSLAM RIGHT ON THE TACKS! Jason winces, his eyes bulging out in pain from that! He rolls over, kicking his legs on the mat from the thumbtacks lodged into his back! Blood is starting to get everywhere now, as Bruce watches on in shock. Regardless, he grabs Jason and forces him down! Jason’s shoulders are on the mat, and in the tacks! They dig into his upper back and shoulders as Bruce makes the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THR— JASON KICKS OUT AGAIN!
Once again, the crowd gets firmly behind him! Bruce looks around, wondering what it’ll take to win this match! Jason rolls over, groaning. Bruce slams his fists into the mat, and drags Jason up. He takes the head for the Director’s Cut, but Jason shoves him into the turnbuckles! Bruce catches himself, and Jason rushes in! Bruce elbows him back and grabs the top turnbuckle pad. He starts to untie it! Bruce tosses the pad to the ground and grabs Jason up. He slams him into the exposed turnbuckle— No! Jason stalls it! He elbows Bruce back! Bruce staggers, and charges into Jason. AND JASON POPS HIM INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE! Bruce’s forehead bounces off the steel!! He wobbles, having no idea where he’s at right now..
B.J.A. CONNECTS ON BRUCE! THE SPINNING BACK ELBOW LAYS HIM OUT COLD! Jason falls onto his chest, not even able to hook the legs for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THR– BRUCE KICKS OUT!
And now it’s Bruce who shows his resilience! This match keeps going, and both men are hurt and exhausted! Jason slowly rises, gasping for air. He stares down at Bruce and drags him up. He slowly starts to lift him overhead for the Rude Awaken, but Bruce frees himself and lands on his feet! He staggers to the ropes and Jason hits off for a clothesline but Bruce ducks! Jason turns back and BRUCE LEAPS INTO THE DIRECTOR’S CUT! NO! JASON SHOVES HIM AND HE LANDS ON HIS FEET! Bruce turns around and JASON THROWS THE FLASH! Bruce ducks just in time!
He knees Jason in the ribs, and Irish whips him! He looks for another scoop powerslam but Jason lands behind him! Bruce turns and Jason scoops him upside down.. ANGEL DROP ON THE TACKS! BRUCE IS OUT COLD!
AND JASON MAKES THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THREEE-
NO! THE REFEREE IS PULLED OUT OF THE RING BY DIMITRI GRAVES!
P-Dug: What is Dimitri doing out here? Jason had that match won!
KD: That’s well deserved revenge for Jason getting involved on Monday!
Jason lets go of Bruce, confused why he didn’t hear the three count.. But he sees Dimitri outside and he’s absolutely livid! But before Jason can do anything, Dave cracks his knuckles and approaches Dimitri! Dimitri backs up the ramp, shaking his head as Dave chases him to the back! Diana follows Dave, as the two both try to get after Dimitri for being involved! Jason rolls out and checks on the referee, throwing him in.
He slides in as well and goes to grab Bruce.. But Bruce pulls him down with an inside cradle from out of nowhere! The referee makes the count as Bruce grabs the tights!
ONE..
TWO…
THR– JASON KICKS OUT!
Both men slowly rise, and Bruce reaches for that steel chair but Jason puts his boot on it! Bruce looks up to Jason in shock, and Jason kicks him back! He takes the steel chair and starts wailing on Bruce with it! Bruce tries his hardest to cover up, but it’s no use! Jason drags Bruce up and scoops him upside down against, this time wanting to solidify the end..
ANGEL DROP ON THE CHAIR! Bruce is out cold, and Jason makes the cover!
The referee crawls over, slowly making the count..
ONE..
TWO..
THREE…!
DING DING DING
Chriqui: And your winner, via pinfall ... JASON ANDERSON!!!!
Jason rises off of Bruce, emphatically raising his arms up. The fans cheer Jason on, as Bruce lies motionless in the center of the ring. Jason climbs the top rope and points around. He beats his chest as many in India are absolutely on their feet for him tonight.
KD: And Jason Anderson picks up another win! He's been on a winning streak lately, his only blemish recently being that draw with EWC Undisputed champion Sally Talfourd! Could we be seeing the rise of Jason Anderson as the Boss that he has always said he was?!
P-Dug: It seems extremely likely! Jason has been working his ass off, I can’t lie! But how about Bruce Booth? He showed that he belonged in there tonight, but it just wasn’t enough to win..
KD: With The House on the mind, let's all watch and learn... from this following important message.
Camera cuts away as we are treated to a pre-recorded message.
Cheery music plays in the background as Tori Taylor leads a class inside the Temple within the Safehouse JoJo is at the apron coaching up proper form. The camera then pans into JoJo walking through the ropes to the front of the class.
JoJo Rush: While the United States celebrates International Women’s day on March 8th. Here at the House, we celebrate women every day of the year. Ain’t that right darlin’?
Tori Taylor: You said it Jo-
The ad sharply cuts from Tori to Jack Severn by the water cooler laughing it up with female trainees before turning his attention to the camera.
Jack Severn: There’s only two things I hate in this world: People who hold unjust prejudices against a group of people because of their immutable characteristics, and Norwegians.
Comedic pause or whatever.
Jack Severn: The House provides the best training to everybody, even those damn hurgen durgen people. The EWC is a testament to what women can accomplish. They can be pioneers of hardcore violence, Undisputed champions, and hell, even, the #2 in the greatest faction in the history of professional wrestling.
The camera quickly pans to Callie who sneers.
Callie Clark: Hey, what the fuc–
The ad cuts from Callie and goes to Cosmo Goldworthy who is reading to a retirement home filled with old women. Bruce Booth is in the background rizzing up a silver fox. The camera closes in on Cosmo who chuckles and declares.
Cosmo Goldworthy: Historically, it turns out that women did a lot of good things. It’s important to remember that they both helped raise us, and did other things too I guess. Isn’t that right granny?
Old lady: Thanks young man, you remind me of that fella Dwayne John–
The ad cuts back to JoJo teaching young girls how to do impossible power moves that they could never hope to achieve. The camera focuses on JoJo as he hits a ten year old girl with a Deep Six Shooter that throws her out of the ring and out of frame. All while JoJo laughs and gives a playful poke at the camera.
JoJo Rush: But most importantly, we believe in teaching women to always give it their all, no matter what they might face–
The camera cuts to a paramedic placing the young girl JoJo tossed onto a stretcher.
JoJo Rush: Or who you might face. No matter their size.
The final cut lands on Alastor walking into a massive House dojo and approaching a group of young people.
Alastor: At the end of the day, there’s nothing more important to the House than success, and respecting women. Quite frankly, we think people who disrespect women and what they can accomplish in professional wrestling should get their legs broken. And that's why the House--
The camera zooms out to the ceiling of the gym, where a whole gym of Housemates and trainees raising a Too Sweet and say in unison.
The House: ALWAYS WINS!
MATCH TWO
Justin Paige VS Cosmo Goldworthy
NON-TITLE
REF: Pierce Patterson
We return to ringside where the crowd waits in anticipation of the next matchup.
KD: We’ve got some Interbrand warfare coming up next as Justin Paige from Prime makes his Rampage debut against the United States Champion, Cosmo Goldworthy!
P-Dug: This is gonna be quite the battle as both men are coming off tough losses!
Chriqui: The following is a singles match scheduled for one fall!. Introducing first from Bergen, Norway & weighing in at 225 pounds... JUSTIN PAIGE!!!
The lights grow brighter and brighter. Everything is covered in blinding white light and in a simple drum kick, it is blackout dark. A single spotlight shows Justin Paige standing middle of the stage. As he steps out of the spotlight, the bright lights return and Justin walks to the ring. After stepping in, he grabs the camera and shouts "I AM THE CONSTANT" as the lights return to normal.
Chriqui: And his opponent from The Golden State & weighing in at 220 pounds, accompanied by Dimitri Graves, he is the EWC UNITED STATES CHAMPION ... COSMO GOLDWORTHY!!!
The arena plunges into darkness as the electric beat of "Money On My Mind" reverberates throughout the building. Gold and white lines then strobe throughout the building as the EWC United States Champion Cosmo Goldworthy swaggers out with his manager Dimitri Graves towing behind with a sinister smirk on his face. Cosmo opens up his Louis Vuitton jacket to show off the United States Championship around his waist, the gold glistening under the arena lights as he struts down the ramp. Cosmo slides in, climbing the top rope and raising the Too Sweets up high for everyone - as regardless of if you're with The House or against them, noise is being made from every corner of the building. Cosmo drops off the top rope, removing his jacket and championship; handing both to Dimitri outside.
KD: Paige is seeking a big win tonight by taking out the United States Champion!
P-Dug: It won’t come easy though, because Cosmo is looking to rectify his loss on the last Rampage against Vin Havoc!
DING DING DING
The bell rings and both men step to the center, trading blows! Cosmo meets Paige with an elbow, while Paige cracks him with a punch! They start trading shots, before Paige shoves Cosmo back and charges into a swift knee to the ribs. Paige drags Cosmo up and chops him hard in the throat. He takes Cosmo’s wrist, Irish whipping him only for Cosmo to twirl under his wrist and kick him in the gut! Paige holds at his gut in pain, as Cosmo bounces off to spin into a nasty neckbreaker! Paige clutches the back of his head, rolling out of the ring. Cosmo nods as he hits off the ropes, drilling Paige with a nasty baseball slide to the head! Paige falls over and Cosmo rolls out, dragging him up. Cosmo forearms Paige and he staggers, and Cosmo backs up for another one but Paige ducks under! Cosmo turns back and Paige lifts him for a flapjack where his face smacks hard on the apron! Cosmo falls backwards, holding his jaw in pain.
Paige drags Cosmo up and throws him in. He slides in, calling him up. Paige bounces off the ropes for a nasty clothesline but Cosmo rolls under his arm! He quickly takes to the ropes, slingshotting up the middle ropes into a beautiful savate kick that lands precisely on the jaw of Paige! Cosmo nods his head, dragging him up. He leans him in the corner, following up with some brutal shoulder barrages to the gut. Cosmo takes Paige’s wrist for an Irish whip across the ring but Paige counters it! Cosmo hits hard back first off the turnbuckles and Paige tosses him overhead with a back body drop! Cosmo rises to his feet, holding his back as Paige drops him with the clothesline this time! He revs up another but Cosmo takes the arm, ducking under and twirling into a Russian leg sweep! Cosmo back rolls to his feet, forcing Paige up to a seated position as he hits off the ropes and drops him with a penalty kick! Cosmo drops to the first cover of the match!
ONE!
T-Paige kicks out!
Cosmo rolls his neck, dragging him up. Cosmo grabs Paige and slams his head into the turnbuckles. Cosmo punches Paige hard in the ribs, and then knees him in the gut. Cosmo grabs him by the back of the head and starts hitting repeated elbows! Paige covers up and the referee has to intervene, but Cosmo is still unleashing. Paige is starting to falter, but Cosmo pulls him out and hoists him up for a beautiful stun gun on the ropes! Paige coughs out in pain, holding the neck. Cosmo bounces off the ropes for momentum but Paige catches him coming off with a nasty snap powerslam! Paige quickly makes the cover.
ONE!
T– Cosmo kicks out!
Paige slaps the mat, shaking his head. Cosmo rolls over, slowly rising. Paige takes the wrist and starts to punch him. He cracks him with another punch. Cosmo leans on the ropes, covering up as Paige gives a punch to the jaw, then a body shot. Paige takes Cosmo and pulls him to the center. He grabs the head, trying to lift him for a suplex but Cosmo floats over! Cosmo shoves Paige to the ropes, quickly! Cosmo revs off a nasty roundhouse kick to the chest, which drops him. Cosmo bounces off the ropes for a knee drop - but Paige moves just in time! Cosmo holds at his knee, hobbling up on one leg. This gives Paige a prime opportunity to take advantage, as he takes Cosmo by the head and lifts him up for a brainbuster! Paige quickly makes the cover!
ONE!
TW–COSMO KICKS OUT!
KD: And Justin Paige is coming hot out of the gates right now!
P-Dug: That was a beautiful brainbuster, Cosmo Goldworthy surely has his work cut out for him right now..
Cosmo rolls over, coughing out in pain. Paige drags him up and throws him into the turnbuckles. Paige slams his head into the turnbuckle pad, lifting Cosmo up. He starts to climb up the middle rope, but Cosmo forearms him! Cosmo forearms him again, shoving him off the top rope. Paige barely lands on his feet, but Cosmo flies of into a crossbody! Cosmo rises, holding at his side. Paige rolls over, and Cosmo lariats him over to the apron! Paige lands just in time, and Cosmo hits off the ropes as he tries to leap up the middle rope into a triangle enziguri but Paige evades it! Cosmo lands on his ribs, groaning in pain. Paige quickly enters the ring, bouncing off the ropes.. And as Cosmo rises, he gets flattened with a nasty shoulder tackle! Cosmo is knocked inside out, and rolls to the outside. Paige sees Cosmo outside and smirks, following after him.
But as he gets closer to Cosmo, Paige gets grabbed and thrown face first into the steel post! Paige holds his jaw, wincing in pain. Cosmo lifts Paige up and gives him a nasty knife edge chop. Paige staggers, throwing one of his own! Cosmo shakes his head, but he catches Paige with another chop that rings throughout the building! Cosmo chops Paige again, and takes the wrist. He powers him across the ringside area with a nasty Irish whip right into the barricades! Paige leans against the barricade, wincing in pain. His eyes nearly bulge out of his head as he tries to find himself out of the predicament, but Cosmo charges across into a BEAUTIFUL DROPKICK that lands flush on the side of the head! Paige topples down to the floor and Cosmo looks down at him with a big smirk on his face. He drags Paige up and throws him in, taking his sweet time to enter the ring. He rolls over, pinning him.
ONE!
TWO!
PAIGE KICKS OUT!
Cosmo kneels up, looking at the ref. He rolls his eyes, knowing there’s more work to be done. Cosmo leans over for Paige, but Paige pulls him down with an inside cradle out of nowhere!
ONE!
TWO!
COSMO KICKS OUT!
Both men rise up to their feet and Paige throws a steep kick but Cosmo side steps it. As Paige’s leg leaves the mat, Cosmo sweeps the other leg as he’s out of balance! Paige falls to his ass and Cosmo looks to charge into a knee, but Paige trips him onto his face! Cosmo kneels up and Paige tries to lock in a sleeper, but Cosmo takes the wrists and judo tosses him over his shoulder. Paige quickly rolls forward to his feet, only to be caught with a scorpion kick from Cosmo! Paige staggers, and Cosmo tries to scoop him onto his shoulders in a fireman’s carry position, but Paige slips behind. He takes the waist of Cosmo for a German suplex, but Cosmo performs a standing switch and brings Paige to the ropes for an O’Connor Roll, but Paige holds on! Cosmo back rolls to his feet and charges for Paige who pulls the ropes down! Cosmo lands onto his feet, and Paige seems to be hitting off the ropes..
But Cosmo slides in and CRACKS HIM WITH THE CASH COW- no! Paige moves out of the way! Cosmo lands on his feet, but has to roll through to absorb any impact onto his ankles. And as he does, Paige kicks him in the gut. He packages him, but Cosmo rolls through! Paige rushes in and Cosmo throws him face first into the ropes, to rebound him off into a nasty back suplex! Cosmo shakes his head, not taking his foot off the gas pedal as he waits for Paige to rise.. And this time, HE LEAPS INTO THE CASH COW AND DRIVES HIS FEET RIGHT INTO PAIGE’S CHEST! Paige goes down and Cosmo makes the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
PAIGE KICKS OUT!
P-Dug: And Paige finds a way out by kicking out of the Cash Cow! What resilience by this man in just his third EWC match!
KD: He’s looking to make a statement – but it appears that Cosmo is looking to wrap this one up!
Cosmo drags Paige up, taking the arms. He tries to spin him into the Gold Mine, but Justin breaks free and takes the waist, bringing him to the ropes! He tries to bring him down with an O’Connor Roll, but Cosmo holds on! Paige back rolls and charges into Cosmo who looks to spin into the CASH ROLLS EVERYTHING ELBOW but Paige moves just in time! Cosmo turns back and Paige kicks him in the gut! He takes the wrist and quickly lifts him onto his shoulders for a fireman’s carry lift, but Cosmo elbows him! Cosmo elbows him repeatedly and slips off, shoving Paige shoulder first into the ring post! Paige bounces out, holding his shoulder in pain. Cosmo takes his arms and starts to slowly turn into the Gold Mine, but Paige stalls the turn! Cosmo tries again, but Paige lifts him up for a German suplex!
That suplex rattles the canvas, as Cosmo clutches the back of his head. He rolls over, kicking his legs onto the canvas. Paige slowly rises, falling to a kneel. He drops to his fours, holding his head in pain. Cosmo rolls to the apron, trying to take a breather. Paige follows after him, grabbing at Cosmo’s hair. Cosmo swats his hand away and rises to his feet, yanking Paige throat first into the ropes with a hot shot! Paige staggers backwards and Cosmo looks to slingshot in for that Gold Rush, but Paige rushes over and tosses him back into the ring! Cosmo holds his back, groaning. As he slowly rises, Paige bounces off the ropes!
He looks for a kick but Cosmo swats it away! Cosmo looks for a high kick of his own but Paige catches the leg! He reaches his arm under, starting to deadlift Cosmo up for a powerbomb.. But Cosmo wiggles free and pulls him down with a sunset flip!
ONE!
TWO!
T–Paige kicks out!
Paige back rolls to his feet, as does Cosmo. Cosmo rushes in for Ready To Die! But Paige ducks it! Cosmo spins in the air, only to land on his stomach! He holds his gut in pain, groaning. Paige watches Cosmo slowly rising up and smirks. He bounces off the ropes as Cosmo rises, and DROPS him with the BICYCLE KICK! Cosmo is down and Paige makes the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THR– COSMO KICKS OUT!
P-Dug: That was a super close one! I thought we were about to see an upset here!
KD: Cosmo is the United States Champion for a reason, it’s going to take much more than that to earn Paige the victory here!
As Paige rises, he looks down at Cosmo with a smirk on his face. It appears that he’s about to set up the Paige Turner, but there’s commotion at the stage as Jason Anderson slowly emerges from the back.. Bandaged up and bruised from his matchup with Bruce Booth in the show’s opener, it appears that Jason is about to be a thorn in Cosmo’s side again.. But Paige is fixated on Jason, yelling at him as he walks on the stage, perhaps looking to make a statement. Cosmo rolls over, breathing heavily.
Paige slowly turns to Cosmo and grabs him in a wrist clutch for the Paige Turner! He ripcords him out, but Cosmo kicks his arm away! Paige lets go of the ripcord, holding his arm in pain. And as he looks up, Cosmo DROPS him with the CASH ROLLS EVERYTHING ELBOW! Paige hits the mat hard, barely conscious as Cosmo steps out to the apron, staring daggers through Jason who stands at the ramp.
Jason simply watches on, as Paige slowly rises to his feet.. AND COSMO FRONTFLIPS OVER THE TOP ROPE INTO THE GOLD RUSH! Paige is out cold, and that lariat nearly knocked his head off! He drops into the cover, counting along with the referee.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING
Chriqui: And your winner, via pinfall ... COSMO GOLDWORTHY!!!!
Cosmo’s theme plays as he rises off of Paige, and Dimitri slides in with the EWC United States Championship in hand. He hands it off to Cosmo as the referee comes over to raise his arms up high. Cosmo slaps his chest, happy with a victory tonight. Paige is still being checked on by the referee after that nasty lariat, and Cosmo exits the ring as he heads down the steps.
Jason watches Cosmo on the ramp and flanked by Dimitri, he has a stare down with Cosmo. Cosmo looks Jason up and down and scoffs, not interested by his involvement. Jason watches Cosmo leave alongside Dimitri while he looks at Paige in the ring - shaking his head at his crucial lack of focus.
KD: And Cosmo Goldworthy bounces back big from his loss over Vin Havoc with an impressive victory over Justin Paige! Surprisingly, Jason Anderson showed his face afterward... And the issues between the United States Champion and Rampage’s rising contender for any championship continues!
P-Dug: Justin Paige put up one hell of a fight for Goldworthy tonight! Perhaps in the near future he’ll be able to make something of himself here in EWC, but he took his eyes off the prize at the WORST possible time in this match!
KD: Well while the big kids take a breather, lets hear a message from the youngsters trying to make it in the business.
Camera cuts to a 'NextGen Commercial...
Blah, Blah, Blah... Excitement!
Blah, Blah, Blah... Thrills!
Blah, Blah, Blah... AND Chills!
JTC!
Haunting Curse!
Sh0w0ff Steve!
T0ri Tayl0r!
J0e Simps0n!
K0nstantine!
Alexander Devin!
And the NextGen Champi0n herself, Kezie F0rd!!!
Wh0 will walk 0ut of Duluth, Minnes0ta as the NextGen Champi0n? Tune in 0n April 4th to find 0ut!!!
0h...and we alm0st f0rg0t t0 menti0n... ZER0!!!
SEAS0NTHREE
'THE FR0ZEN 0NE'
EPIS0DE 010
APRIL 4TH 2024
♫ IT'S COMING
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN; THIS TIME AROUND
THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED, WOO! ♫
The Rampage audience gives a mostly positive reaction to the Television Champion’s theme hitting the airwaves. As “Exhibit C” by Jay Electronica continues, Lad steps out, garbed in the brand new “SWEET BUSINESS” shirt, carrying his Television Championship in his hand. He makes his way down the ramp, facing the India natives with a quiet appreciation. Some hold out their hand and he obliges their expectations. However, just as he’s prepared to face Cassie Wolfe later in the night, he’s poised for business only. He rounds the corner to retrieve a microphone before heading into the ring. Wiping his feet, he looks out towards the audience before entering.
As The Lad makes his way around the ring, he finds out that even in another country, there was brand loyalty. Lad smirks, familiar with the concept as a New Yorker. Once his theme settles down, Lad brings the microphone to his lips.
The Lad: This is my first time out here without provocation. So forgive me for the nerves. New Delhi, I–
♫ YEAH
MONEY ON MY MIND, MONEY ON MY MIND (YEAH)
MONEY ON MY MIND, MONEY—MONEY ON MY MIND (YEAH)
MONEY ON MY MIND, MONEY ON MY MIND (THAT'S RIGHT)
MONEY—MONEY ON MY MIND
SO MONEY IS ALL I THINK OF ♫
Cosmo Goldworthy strides out from the back, accompanied by Dimitri Graves as always. Cosmo’s white and gold jacket glimmers in the stage light, and underneath his jacket is the EWC United States Championship that he proudly represents. The New Delhi crowd are not fond of the United States Champion, but there’s a fair chunk of the crowd that sees Rampage’s Superstar Of The Year as the guy to root for here. He marches down to the ring and snags a microphone.
Cosmo allows Dimitri to walk up the steel steps first, as Dimitri turns on the apron and opens the ropes open for him. Cosmo enters the ring and rolls his shoulders. He eyes Dimitri and slowly steps up to The Lad. As his music fades out, he looks him up and down before bringing the microphone to his lips.
Cosmo Goldworthy: Welcome to your first Rampage and welcome to your first live promo, kid.
Both he and Dimitri chuckle as they finally get their first glimpse of the current Television Champion in person after following his journey thus far.
Cosmo Goldworthy: You sure have set the world on fire since your debut, haven’t you? Honestly, I’d be lyin’ if I said I wasn’t a fan. How can you not be one? You stepped up and defeated the ‘great’ Marcu$ $t John to become Television Champion. And not only that, you defeated Prime stalwart Dalilah Ashe, a woman who just competed for the Indy Championship at StrangleMania! And to top it all off, you overcame 241 pounds of hell against Raca Jakodi.. I mean, one hell of a job, son!
He smirks. Even with Cosmo’s praise for The Lad’s accomplishments, there’s still a clear sign of belittlement from the United States Championship.
Cosmo Goldworthy: I’m aware of your match with Cassie Wolfe tonight, but I’ve just gotta ask.. What do you think you’re doing out here? I dunno how things work on Paramount–I know that Ibuki Ito is used to getting passed aside for things around here, but as the EWC United States Champion, you are workin’ directly on MY time. So any time you come here to my show?
Cosmo pauses for just a second, allowing Lad to digest his words.
Cosmo Goldworthy: You gotta CHECK IN with me. You got that?
He smirks.. But surprisingly, Cosmo extends his hand out to The Lad, willing to test how far he can go before things turn south. Lad, being the upstanding man he is, takes Cosmo’s hand and gives it a firm shake. The crowd lights up, regardless of Cosmo’s involvement in the moment. Lad, however, raises the microphone to his lips.
The Lad: You might not know this, Cosmo, but as Television Champion, I have certain obligations. In that set is going to all the other brands, defending my title. But the one I’m leaning on right now is making sure people know just who I am. I’m a fresh face on a hot streak but this is my first time stepping out onto–
Lad bobs his head to the side, searching for the best way to say what he was about to next.
The Lad: Your brand. I gotta get people accumulated. Put a face to the name. Let them hear me. And a lot of these people here haven’t ever been to an EWC show before. So, why deprive them the chance to see what could be the future of this company? Television Champ now, EWC Undisputed Champ maybe someday. Now then, before I break this handshake, I gotta ask you.
The Television Champ’s voice hardens as he begins to stare at Cosmo with a clear, disrespected vibe.
The Lad: We good, cuz?
Cosmo blinks, his eyes darting from Lad’s hand back to his eyes. Regardless, he keeps his mic up with his free hand.
Cosmo Goldworthy: Aight. I see you, youngblood. I wanted to see if that dawg was in you for myself.
He releases the handshake, but doesn’t move away from Lad at all.
Cosmo Goldworthy: We good, great, even. You got somethin’ that a lot of guys and gals in the back lack. But you better take your sweet time risin’ up the ranks. It ain’t pretty up here..
Cosmo looks down to his United States Championship, aware of the sacrifices he made for it and the bumps he’s experienced since winning it.
Cosmo Goldworthy: Because best believe? If you ever get in my way? Once upon a time, I was you. I was setting myself up for a big time win — and I got humbled. Even if you think you’re grounded, there’s always that one guy that will bring you lower than you expected you could go.
And with that, Cosmo moves just a tad bit closer. Dimitri raises an eyebrow, admittedly not sure where this is headed.
Cosmo Goldworthy: I’on think either of us are goin’ away for a long time. Maybe one day I’ll come at you with respect first rather than testing you.. But ‘til then? Be careful, cause no rough patch can stop me from imparting wisdom upon you.
Cosmo looks The Lad dead in his eyes, allowing him to dictate where this goes. Lad looks around the arena, seeing the expectant faces of the audience members. Lad goes to speak but stops with a chuckle.
The Lad: Maybe one day you’ll–
Lad presses the inside of his cheek with his tongue, then nods.
The Lad: Y’know what, fam? I was wondering ‘bout that. Here I thought I wouldn’t be a blip on your radar. But then you started popping up in that little FighterTalk thing. A detour from you pestering Ms. Talfourd over there. But I’m starting to get it now with your random wisdom, calling me ‘kid’--tryna big brother me like you know me already. What makes you think that you can just do that? Because from where I’m looking, you real uppity about me and what I’m doing when you need to be worrying ‘bout yourself.
The crowd does take that nugget with a loud reaction. Lad presses forward, clearing the gap between them to size up Cosmo.
The Lad: Once upon time ain’t that long ago, fam. You ain’t been here for that long to be tossing out bits like that. You’re not some oldhead. We’re both young stars, destined greatness with the drive to make it a reality. And I get that pro wrestling’s a solo mission. So, what if I get in your way? Huh? If we speakin’ about hypotheticals, then lemme bring one up. Because I’m realllllll interested in seeing now if I can get in your way.
The Lad places his championship over his shoulder, then starts to walk a line back and forth in the ring. He moves his hands like he’s setting the table.
The Lad: How about I earn yo’ respect–nah, nah, that ain’t right. How ‘bout I snatch that respect from you? You wanna come down here, try to son me, and then think you can cover up with some half-assed compliments? Nah, bruh, that’s not how we playin’ that. I think you’re big time. I think you’re the kinda man people should measure up to in the ring, but I’m not sweet enough to let you get away with what you just did.
With a heavy pivot and in-step, Lad gets face-to-face, nearly nose-to-nose with the United States Champion.
The Lad: Run my fade then, cuz!
Cosmo stares Lad down, hearing his words loud and clear. He looks around and smirks to hide his anger.
Cosmo Goldworthy: All I’m tryin’ to do is help your ass out. I’m aware of everything you just said, but I’m giving you the in! I’m tryin’ to remind you what can happen before it happens. I ain’t been here long, you just got here – but I know what lies at the end of the road for you..
Cosmo backs up just a tad bit, not giving in to what Lad wants. At least not yet.
Cosmo Goldworthy: You wanna snatch my respect? It ain’t easy. Even when I get beat, very few men can lay claim to genuinely having my respect. You talk your talk now and you work as hard as you possibly can.. You don’t like my ‘endearing’ terms to refer to you? Fine, I’ll be nice and even the playing field. I like what you’re about, dawg. But you ain’t factoring what happens when you run into the inevitable.
He lets that hang in the air for just a second, his eyes just briefly going to the Television Championship – a title that he failed to obtain at WrestleFest before returning to glance at Lad.
Cosmo Goldworthy: Someone better than you. A failure that you have to live with. I ain’t worried about myself, because even when I’m in a rough patch? The moment that I stop being me? The moment I’m truly done for. You’re damn right I’m the kinda man people should measure up to in the ring and if you don’t like the way I talk to you? That’s fine, because that’s what I wanted to see anyways. It ain’t often that I run into guys like you– guys like me. I bet you don’t like hearing that, shit, it don’t even feel right coming out of my mouth. But there’s a lot the two of us can relate to..
Cosmo goes from backing up, to moving forward. The United States Champion’s confidence is back and he has no problem addressing Lad.
Cosmo Goldworthy: So if you really want to ignore my warnings, force yourself into my way? Give it a shot. Because I got a lot of pent up aggression, I got a lot to remind myself of.. But you got a lot to prove to me, and everyone else. I’m tryna be as nice as I possibly can here. You’re tearing up town now, but no longer am I kindly cautioning you.. I am firmly TELLING you where you mark your territory dawg.
Cosmo places the microphone down to his side, slowly unhooking the United States Championship from around his waist and raising it up in Lad’s face. Lad doesn’t stare at the title, instead he continues to glare daggers at Cosmo. He puts up four fingers.
The Lad: Cassie Wolfe. Sonya. Caleb Scott. Then one last person. I do all that? Get them last four wins? I’m eligible to get a quad-brand championship opportunity. That will be me forcing my way in. And I’m promising you this.
Lad motions to the United States Championship.
The Lad: That’ll be what I go for. Ms. Talfourd can wait. Because as much as I want to be the Undisputed Champion, there are plenty of ways to get there. And really? I think I like the idea of rejecting inevitability.
The two champs continue to stand their ground.
The Lad: I’ll be seeing you, cuz.
Lad drops his microphone and mirrors Cosmo, holding his Television Championship high up. As the audience witnesses the two stars sow the seeds of a rivalry, the feed cuts elsewhere in the arena to a shot of the crowd for a bit before cutting back to...
MATCH THREE
Lavender VS Mercenary
SINGLES MATCH
REF: Mike Miachaelson
We return to ringside where KD and P-DUG are standing by.
KD: Some tense exchanges coming from The EWC TV Champion and EWC United States champion
P-Dug: That is a match that we all did not know that we needed, but something tells me it might happen sooner rather than later.
Chriqui: The following match is set for one fall. Introducing first…
Black Label Society's Fire It Up blasts over the PA. A flashing red strobe lights the stage as the rest of the room goes dark.
The Mercenary
Mercenary swaggers out onto the stage with his face hidden behind a hard tactical mask painted to look like The Punisher's iconic skull logo. His eyes inside the mask scan the crowd. He crosses both arms, gloved fists clenched, across his chest and under his chin. The pose resembles a skull and crossbones. To either side of him the stage explodes in motes of red and orange flame.
Removing the mask the big man salutes the crowd and stalks towards the ring at a steady pace filled with menace and a deadly purpose he climbs between the ropes and walks to the corner where he throws a few shadow punch combos at the turnbuckle before turning with his back to the corner, his arms crossed again across his chest to glower in his opponent's direction and wait for the bell to give him the sign to come out swinging.
Chriqui: And the opponent, residing in Seattle, Washington and weighing in at 132 pounds... LAVENDER!!!
The lights go out as 'Better Without You' by Evanescence begins to play. The lights start to flash in time to the intro until the beat starts to kick up in the song. At around the thirty-six-second mark smoke billows from behind the curtains and a spotlight shines down upon the center of the stage. The lights come back on shortly afterward and out walks Lavender. She looks out across the crowd as the crowd erupts into cheer. A smile creeps across her face as she embraces their warm welcome.
Lavender begins to make her way down to the ring with a calm and cheerful demeanor spread across her face. As Lavender reaches the bottom of the ramp she walks over to the steel steps, walks up the steel stairs, and takes another glance across the crowd before wiping her feet and entering the ring. Once inside the ring Lavender climbs the nearest turnbuckle and holds her arms up high in the air to accept the warm adulation from the crowd. Lavender steps down from the turnbuckle and waits for the match to commence.
DING DING DING
Mercenary and Lavender move to tie-up. Mercenary grabs Lavender’s arm pulling her into a short arm clothesline. Mercenary pulls Lavender off the mat and launches her across the ring with a fallaway slam. Lavender crashes to the mat where Mercenary makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Lavender lifts a shoulder up from the mat to break the count. Mercenary lifts Lavender to her feet and whips her off the ropes. Mercenary lifts Lavender up and drives her to the mat with a spinebuster. He drags her back to her feet lifting Lavender for an Alabama slam. Lavender manages to slide away and land on her feet. Lavender cracks Mercenary on the back of the head with a forearm smash. He turns but takes a series of forearms to the jaw. Lavender whips him into the corner. Lavender charges at him and leaps hitting poetry in motion. She flows over him, her feet landing on the apron. Lavender climbs to the top turnbuckle and leaps hitting a high cross body. She hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Mercenary rolls a shoulder off the mat to break the count.
KD: An easy kick out would you say?
P-Dug: He’s being worn down, I’ll say that. It’s early stages in the match too. Both have a lot more to give in this one.
Lavender gets to her feet and reaches for Mercenary’s arm. As she does, she manages to lock in a dragon sleeper. She gets to her feet and pulls back on the hold. Lavender wraps her legs around Mercenary’s body and drops to the mat. Mercenary manages to stretch a hand to the rope and force the hold to be broken. Mercenary slowly gets to his feet but Lavender knocks him back down with a Gifthorse. Lavender makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Mercenary rolls to his side to break the count. Lavender gets to her feet and puts a foot onto the back of Mercenary’s head as he’s on his hands and knees. She springs up and comes down on the back of Mercenary’s neck with a legdrop. Lavender runs off the ropes for… something but Mercenary manages to catch Lavender and spin her into a Deadpool Drop. He hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Lavender just manages to lift a shoulder from the mat to break the count.
P-Dug: A strong kick out there. It needed to be, that Deadpool Drop is a hell of a move!
KD: Damn near put Lavender through the ring and she still kicked out. Makes me wonder what she is made of!
Both slowly get to their feet. Lavender boots Mercenary in the gut and whips him off the ropes. As he rebounds back, Mercenary tries to lift him for an Amity Affliction but Mercenary manages to counter with a DDT. A groggy Lavender gets to her feet but Mercenary grabs her and drives Lavender to the mat with a Grave Breaker. Mercenary hooks the leg as he makes a cover. The referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
DING DING DING
Chriqui: And your winner, via pinfall... MERCENARY!!!!
Mercenary gets to his feet and raises a fist into the air saluting the fans. Mercenary rolls from the ring and rides his bike back up the ramp.
KD: Despite Mercenary’s size, I have to say that is a big win for Mercenary here on Rampage! Lavender went for her finish but Mercenary was able to counter it and nobody gets up from the Grave Breaker!
P-Dug: No they don’t. For that matter, I don’t believe Mercenary would have gotten up from the Amity Affliction had he been dropped to the mat with it by Lavender!
KD: With Lavender still having her rematch for the EWC United States title looming, one has to wonder if Mercenary just put himself on the contenders list with this win! We will be right back folks!
Camera cuts to ...
MATCH FOUR
Cassie Wolfe VS The Lad
FOR THE EWC TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
REF: Toyo Yasahiro
We return to ringside where The commentary team is standing by.
KD: Welcome back to Rampage folks! It's time for the first of our two title fights tonight!
P-Dug: The Lad has taken EWC by storm this season, capturing the TV title in his first televised appearance in EWC. Can Cassie Wolfe teach the new comer about justice?
Chriqui: The following match, set for one fall, is for the EWC Television Championship! Introducing first, the challenger, residing in Las Vegas Nevada and weighing in at 118 pounds... CASSIE WOLFE!!!
"Wolfe Within hits the speakers and as soon as Jonathon Young's lyrics hit Cassie emerges from the back ready for action, she slaps hands with the fans on the way to the ring before sliding into the ring and posing for them.
Chriqui: And the opponent, residing in Hell’s Kitchen, New York and weighing in at 223 pounds, he is the EWC Television Champion... THE LAD!!!
As the infectious beat from "Exhibit C" by Jay Electronica comes on, The Lad steps out from behind the curtain. Massaging his wrist, he stares out to the world before him. He puts up a quiet prayer before marching down the ramp. He offers quick high-fives to those who put out their hands. With his head lowered, he looks at the ring and hits the stairs. Once on the ring apron, he pays his respects by cleaning his feet. When he gets in the ring, he goes to his corner and waits.
DING DING DING
Cassie fires at Lad with a superkick that he sidesteps before slapping her across the face knocking Cassie to the mat. Lad lifts Cassie to her feet and whips her off the ropes. As she rebounds, Lad launches her across the ring with an overhead belly to belly suplex. Cassie gets to her feet and lashes with a right hand that Lad ducks taking Cassie to the mat with a tiger suplex. He bridges into a pin.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Cassie rolls to break the count. She rolls to her feet and cracks Lad with a superkick as he gets to his. It staggers Lad who lashes out with a clothesline. Cassie grabs his arm and ducks under it before taking Lad to the mat with a DDT. Cassie rolls to the apron and climbs the turnbuckles. She drops down onto Lad with a shooting star press. She hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Lad lifts and arm and shoulder high into the air to break the count.
KD: This close to a new champion! A half second later and….
P-Dug: Somehow I doubt it.
Cassie is on her feet and she boots Lad hard in the ribs. Cassie runs off the ropes and comes back at Lad hitting The Greenest Wizard. She hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Lad rolls to his side to break the count. Cassie lifts Lad to his feet and smacks his jaw with a forearm smash. Lad ducks a second one and he brings Cassie down to the mat with an Oak City Special. He holds her shoulders down with his feet.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Cassie kicks at Lad’s jaw to break the count.
P-Dug: That’s a new one on me.
KD: It’s a sore one on The Lad.
Both slowly get to their feet. Cassie grabs Lad and underhooks his arms positioning him for a Wolfe Hunt. Lad manages to lift Cassie up and drives her down with Sweet Business. Lad makes the cover. The referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
DING DING DING
Chriqui: And your winner, via pinfall and STILL EWC Television Champion... THE LAD!!!!
Lad stands in the corner and holds his championship in the air in victory before rolling from the ring.
KD: A hell of a fight and The Lad remains Television Champion at the end of it!
P-Dug: Cassie Wolfe came an arm or two away from the championship! She had The Lad all ready for a Wolfe Hunt. Had The Lad not countered when he did, we could easily be looking at a new champion right now!
KD: Should'a, would'a, could'a P-DUG. The Lad keeps rolling and so does Rampage! We will be right back folks!
Camera cuts to ...
MATCH FIVE
ZERO VS Vin Havoc
15-Minute Iron Man Match for the EWC Fighting Spirit Championship
REF: Toyo Yasahiro
We return to ringside where it is now main event time!.
KD: Here we go! It is now time for the main event! Vin Havoc defends his Fighting Spirit Championship against ZERO in a big rematch!
P-Dug: This is going to be a true test of where both of these men stand in their career as of right now.. Can Vin go 2-0 against the big man, or has ZERO learned from past mistakes?!
Chriqui: The following contest is contested under 15 minute time limit Iron Man rules and it is for the EWC Fighting Spirit Championship!
Chriqui: Introducing first, from Parts Unknown & weighing in at 340 pounds, accompanied by Moises Ferro… ZEERRROOOO!!!
As the intro for "Asteroid" by Killing Joke blasts throughout the arena, the lights of the arena go dark, and a countdown appears on the tron, signaling the impending arrival of The Void Personified. With the voice of Jaz Coleman screaming "ASTEROID", the lights come back to reveal ZERO on stage, flanked by Moises Ferro. ZERO begins his terrifying emotionless walk towards the ring, with Moises speaking to the nearby audience members in Spanish. ZERO stops his descent down the ramp, slowly turning his gaze to an audience member. The audience member quickly leaves their seat and begins retreating into the crowd. ZERO resumes his journey, jumping onto the ring apron facing hardcam. He turns to face the camera, his yellow eyes piercing into the television. Moises smiles at his client, joining him on the ring apron before sitting on the ropes to ease ZERO's entry into the ring. ZERO paces around the ring like a hungry animal. Ferro basks in the gaze of the crowd, motioning to his client like a circus ringmaster motions to his prized elephant.
The barks of the intro of 'X Gon Give It To Ya' by DMX pierce the arena, as the crowd anticipates the arrival of Vin Havoc. As soon as DMX utters the chorus, Vin comes bursting out of the back, looking pissed off and reading for a fight. He storms down to the ring.
Chriqui: And his opponent, from Brooklyn, New York, weighing in at 240 pounds, he is the EWC FIGHTING SPIRIT CHAMPION ... ”WILD THING” VIN HAVOC!
Havoc steps to the corner of the ring and does a silent prayer while holding the cross around his neck, hoping for forgiveness on what he's about to do.
KD: ZERO is looking to redeem the very loss that helped propel Vin Havoc to become inaugural Fighting Spirit Champion! This is sure to be a good one!
P-Dug: I’ve gotta admit - the champion is in for a long one! This is the most game ZERO has looked thus far and perhaps we could be witnessing an upset?!
DING DING DING
15:00
ZERO - 0
Havoc - 0
Just like the beginning of their first match, Vin Havoc charges right at ZERO! But this time, ZERO has him scouted out and grabs him, throwing him into the turnbuckles! ZERO unleashes nasty corner clotheslines! Vin tries to cover up but ZERO is already pummeling him in the early goings of this match! He wraps his hands firmly around the throat of Vin, tossing him overhead into the center of the ring! Vin holds his back, wincing in agony. He slowly rises and ZERO drops him with a nasty shoulder tackle! Vin goes down and ZERO drags him up. He leans him in the corner and starts beating into him with vicious punches and elbows. Vin tries to cover up again, but ZERO grabs him and biel tosses him for the second time! It’s a similar sequence, as Vin has no answer for the challenger just yet.
ZERO marches over, dragging Vin up. But Vin swats him away! He throws a big knife edge chop! But ZERO eats it! Vin throws another, and ZERO absorbs the impact! Vin winds back a third and final chop to put ZERO down.. But ZERO ducks the arm and grabs him by the waist! He muscles him up, slamming him to the mat with a beautifully executed spinebuster! Vin looks up to the ceiling in absolute shock, unsure what just happened. ZERO stares down at Vin hurt on the mat, and starts stomping the hell out of his ribcage and chest! Vin tries to stop him, but ZERO is just pummeling him with these stomps! ZERO then reaches over, grabbing Vin up by the neck and deadlifting him. He takes the head and lifts him up vertically, and sends him across the ring with a NASTY suplex toss!
The champion is hurt and the crowd watches in awe at the dominance of ZERO. Vin rolls out to catch a breather, but ZERO rolls out with him. Vin slowly rises to his feet, AND ZERO CHARGES INTO THE OBLIVION BOOT ON THE OUTSIDE! The bicycle kick knocks Vin for a loop as he flops right to the floor! Moises Ferro likes what he sees, and ZERO stares down at Vin, showing no remorse. He drags him up and throws him into the ring.. Vin stares up at the ceiling, his head throbbing in pain. ZERO slowly picks him up..
But Vin falls right back over! ZERO catches him, but allows him to drop to the mat. Vin reaches up for ZERO, throwing weak punches at the leg. The champion is trying to throw whatever at the wall and see if it sticks, but he’s outmatched by the power thus far. ZERO takes Vin by the head and delivers a BRUTAL knee strike to the forehead! Vin collapses to the floor, not moving.
ZERO stares down at Vin, then looks to Moises outside the ring. Moises gives him the nod, instructing him to unleash his kill blow this early on into the contest?! ZERO turns Vin and lifts him overhead.. AND HE DROPS INTO THE DIVIDING BY ZERO! THE BACKBREAKER NEARLY BREAKS VIN’S BACK AS HIS KNEE DIGS STRAIGHT INTO HIS SPINE! Vin isn’t moving, and ZERO makes the first cover of this match!
ONE..!
TWO..!
THREE..!!!
The crowd watches in stunned shock as ZERO picks up a fall THAT quick into the match! Vin Havoc is still lying in agony!
KD: ..I can’t believe it! ZERO scores the first fall of this match, just minutes into its beginning!
P-Dug: I hate to say I told you so– but I told you so! We could be seeing a huge upset here.. ZERO looks better than ever and you can tell.
12:30
ZERO - 1
Havoc - 0
Fans begin clapping, trying their absolute hardest to will Vin right back into this match. Vin is hardly moving though, and ZERO drags him up– no, the referee stops him! The referee tends to Vin one last time, but ZERO nudges the referee out of the way, his power still sending him back a bit. ZERO grabs Vin and leans his head down. He starts throwing clubbing sledgehammer blows to the back of Vin! Vin yells out in pain, but he starts to take the shots! ZERO is oblivious to Vin’s built up rage, as he slowly raises his head..
ZERO looks down at Vin in shock and confusion.. As Vin throws a jab! He gives him a body shot! And he starts chopping him as hard as he can! ZERO is starting to stagger at Vin giving it his all! And Vin charges up for a lariat, but ZERO nails him with a headbutt! Vin crumbles to the mat, hardly moving. ZERO stares down at Vin and shakes his head. He drags him up. He tries to turn him for the Ten Seconds to Midnight, but Vin elbows him! Vin elbows him! Vin keeps elbowing ZERO, breaking his way out of the full nelson! ZERO staggers and Vin spins into a LARIAT! But somehow ZERO is still up! Vin winds back another, but ZERO catches his arm this time! And in a shocking display of power, he squats to hoist Vin up in the air by USING ONLY HIS ARM.. AND HE SLAMS HIM RIGHT INTO THE CANVAS!
There’s a loud thudding noise as Vin’s head smacks the canvas, the ring protection saving him from being knocked out if there was only wood there. ZERO stares down at Vin and Moises watches on, liking what he sees. ZERO drags Vin up and dumps him out the ring through the middle rope. Vin crumbles to the floor and reaches for the ceiling, gasping for air. Moises watches on, showing disapproval in the champ still trying to rise. Vin grabs the apron skirt, but ZERO exits the ring and stomps his back!
Vin groans in pain. ZERO takes the head and looks to drive him into the apron, but Vin kicks him in the gut! He punches him! And chops him! ZERO knees him in the ribs! ZERO grabs the wrist for an irish whip into the steel steps, but Vin stops himself at the steps just in time! ZERO charges forward and Vin sends him into the ring post! ZERO staggers, and Vin tackles him against the barricade! The impact of his own tackle drops Vin to the floor, but somehow ZERO is still standing with the support of the barricade! Vin looks up in shock, trying to stop ZERO!
But ZERO drops a thunderous legdrop right onto his throat! Vin coughs out in pain, and just like that, the tides shift back in ZERO’s favor. ZERO drags Vin up, looking around. He brings him to the steel ramp and chokes him! Vin shakes his head, trying to get free! He starts throwing elbows, but ZERO isn’t phased! He grabs him by his belt and lifts him overhead.. ICONOCLASM RIGHT ONTO THE RAMP! ZERO goes down with Vin, but Vin is knocked out cold! After letting the two clash outside the ring, Toyo Yasahiro reluctantly starts the count!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
ZERO rises, looking down at Vin. He slowly walks over to the ring, rolling himself in as he watches the count.
SIX!
Vin starts to stir, rolling over as he holds the back of his head.
SEVEN!
Vin plants his hands on the mat, starting to crawl…
EIGHT!
Vin looks up, trying to get that burst of adrenaline–
NINE!
He’s closer! But as he gets up, he crumbles right back down!
TEN!
ZERO lets out a guttural roar when watching Vin fall to the floor, as he racks up a SECOND fall in a row!
P-Dug: We’re only five minutes into this match, and the challenger is already up two falls over the champion..
KD: That was a vicious chokeslam! I genuinely don’t know how Vin even started moving after that!
10:00
ZERO - 2
Havoc - 0
Vin finally starts showing signs of life. He looks up, realizing the situation. Vin forces himself into the ring and leans on the ropes. He groggily places his arms up, beckoning ZERO on.. And ZERO just boots him in the head. Vin falls to the mat, gasping for air. ZERO pulls Vin up and lifts him onto his shoulder.. But Vin slips off! He drops into a chop block! ZERO falls to a knee, holding at his leg! Vin starts grabbing him by the head and throwing wicked punches to the top of the head! ZERO tries his hardest to cover up! Vin keeps going, throwing all he’s got!
ZERO shoves Vin back, but Vin comes back with a boot! ZERO staggers, and Vin boots him again! ZERO is still up, so Vin dropkicks the leg! ZERO falls to the corner, and Vin boots him one last time! He falls to a seated position! Vin staggers up. He limps over to the other side of the ring, and charges into a CORNER CANNONBALL! The back of ZERO’s head gets bounced off the middle turnbuckle, as Vin rolls him into his first cover of the match!
ONE– ZERO KICKS OUT!
Little to no damage has been done in this match! It’s going to take a lot more than that! ZERO slowly crawls out of the corner and to his feet. Vin starts beating at that back! ZERO forces himself up and Vin starts kicking the leg! ZERO winces, and Vin grabs him by the waist - trying for a Saito Suplex. ZERO elbows Vin back though, shrugging him off. Vin falls backwards.. He charges in and ZERO SPINS HIM INTO THE BLACK HOLE SLAM– NO! VIN FINDS A WAY TO BRING HIM DOWN WITH A SCRAPPY ARMDRAG! ZERO slowly rises, having not seen that coming!
He swings a wild lariat to Vin’s head! But Vin ducks and grabs him in an inverted facelock! ZERO struggles, trying to get his head back up! Vin is having trouble getting the hold in himself.. So he lets go so ZERO can get his head back up straight! BUT IT WAS ALL A PLOY AS VIN NAILS HIM WITH AN ENZU LARIAT! ZERO staggers, and Vin throws ANOTHER! ZERO hunches over, so Vin leaps into a Toshiaki Kawada-like gamengiri to the back of the head! ZERO is dazed and confused
Vin quickly rises, grabbing ZERO by the head and leaning him into an inverted facelock. This time around, he’s not giving as much defiance! WILD THING REVOLUTION! THE ARM SLAMS INTO ZERO’S CHEST, RIGHT AS HIS BACK GOES INTO THE POINT OF VIN’S KNEE! ZERO hits the mat hard, and Vin flops on top of him for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
ZERO KICKS OUT!
P-Dug: After all of those moves Vin just hit ZERO with, it’s somehow STILL not enough to score him a fall in this match!
KD: Vin’s chances of keeping this championship are starting to get lower and lower! How many men would be able to survive that onslaught of moves from him?!
8:45
ZERO - 2
Havoc - 0
Vin looks down at ZERO, genuinely not sure what it’ll take. ZERO rolls onto his knees and slowly rises. Vin reaches behind him, trying to get in that Rear Naked Chokehold that won him a match over ZERO and the Fighting Spirit Championship! But ZERO elbows his side! He elbows his side again! ZERO slowly starts to rise so Vin leaps onto his back to lock in a backpack sleeper! But ZERO rams them backwards into the turnbuckle hold! The power of ZERO’s weight crashing into him against the turnbuckle is more than enough to drop the hold. ZERO staggers out, and Vin wobbles forward, holding his back. As Vin gets closer to ZERO, ZERO digs under the arms and SPINS INTO THE BLACK HOLE SLAM! Vin isn’t moving at all, as ZERO hooks the legs!
ONE!
TWO!
T–VIN KICKS OUT!
For once, Vin is able to show his resilience by kicking out of a big-time ZERO move! But at what cost, because he’s still hurt! ZERO stares down at Vin and grabs him in a front facelock. He drives a knee into his ribs, and then elbows him. Vin falls to a knee, hurt. ZERO drags Vin up and rams him into the turnbuckles! ZERO backs up for a corner spear, but VIN MOVES! ZERO goes shoulder first into the ring post! He holds his shoulder in pain, and Vin pulls him down with a schoolboy rollup!
ONE!
TWO!
ZERO KICKS OUT
Both rise and Vin starts peppering him with repeated jabs! ZERO covers up, but Vin takes the head and headbutts him! ZERO is barely on his feet now! Vin takes the head, trying for that Punisher Suplex into the turnbuckles! But ZERO holds onto the waist and overhead tosses him! Vin shakes his head, forcing himself RIGHT back up! But it means nothing as ZERO gives him a nasty big boot! Vin hits the mat, out of it. ZERO drags Vin up and lifts him onto his shoulder. He points around, marching into a POWERSLAM! Vin lies there, not moving as ZERO stares down at him.
ZERO looks to the top turnbuckle, but Vin has an idea of what’s next. He rolls over, wrapping his arms around ZERO’s legs. ZERO looks back, trying to kick Vin away like a pest. Vin hangs on though, starting to use his legs to pull himself back up. ZERO turns Vin and grabs him, but Vin kicks him square in the ribs! ZERO doubles over from that one, holding at his body in pain. He wheezes, and Vin starts kicking him again! He’s hurt, and Vin takes the head! He looks back, starting to muscle ZERO with ALL of his strength…
PUNISHER SUPLEX! THE VERTICAL SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLES CONNECTS! ZERO IS UPSIDE DOWN AS HE HITS THE TURNBUCKLES, AND SLOWLY FLOPS TO THE CANVAS! The top of his head may have spilled down!
He’s laying there, not moving! Vin slowly rolls ZERO over, grabbing his leg for a desperation cover..
ONE!
TWO!
THR–ZERO GRABS THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Vin is trying his hardest to not get frustrated, but emotions are starting to come out now! ZERO rolls to the apron, breathing heavily. Vin reaches over for ZERO, who chokes him! ZERO is somehow already back in control, as he brings Vin over onto the apron! He holds onto him, trying for Iconoclasm to the floor! Vin elbows him back, though! He elbows him again! ZERO staggers, and Vin LARIATS him! But ZERO won’t fall! Vin takes the head, trying to lift him up. But ZERO punches the body! He takes the neck and tosses Vin off the apron RIGHT TO THE FLOOR!
The thud of Vin’s body crashing with the covered concrete rings throughout the entire arena. There’s an audible gasp as Vin isn’t moving at all. ZERO drops to the apron and grabs the announce table cover, tossing it out of the way! ZERO wants to make a huge statement! He drags Vin up and throws him onto the table! He lays him there and starts pummeling him with punches! Vin is hardly moving at all, as ZERO walks over to the apron and starts to climb up..
Every fan rises in unison with ZERO, aware that they’re about to see something utterly insane! ZERO points down at Vin, and even Mosies Ferro is skeptical about this one; although he wants to see domination! ZERO lets out a final roar, AS HE LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE INTO THE ASTEROID THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!
BUT NOBODY’S HOME!!
VIN HAVOC MOVES OUT OF THE WAY, AND ZERO SENTONS STRAIGHT THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE! The table pretty much explodes, as P-Dug and KD get even farther away from the action!
“HOLY SHIT!”
“HOLY SHIT!”
“HOLY SHIT!”
ZERO isn’t showing ANY signs of life! Vin crawls up, and staggers over. The referee starts counting!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Vin starts crawling to the apron skirt!
FOUR!
FIVE!
He slowly pulls himself up, nodding.
SIX!
Vin rolls in!
SEVEN!
After hearing the yells of Moises Ferro, ZERO slowly rolls over..
EIGHT!
But he can hardly move after that!
NINE!
TEN!!
Vin falls onto his back, gasping for air. Normally he wouldn’t resort to a count out, but finally he’s back on the board as it will take absolutely everything to leave with victory here!
P-Dug: Vin Havoc scores his first points of the match, through count out! And goodness, I thought that it was about to take the both of us out!
KD: I’m glad it didn’t, but it’s very telling that Vin Havoc had to rely on a count out! All that time that’s gone by in this match and with five minutes left, he scores his first fall!
5:00
ZERO - 2
Havoc - 1
Vin rolls out, groaning. He takes ZERO and muscles him up with all of his might. Vin rolls ZERO in, staring down at him. It takes Vin a while to get in, as he’s absolutely spent from how much energy he’s exerted – and had sapped from him in this match. As he gets in, he crawls in to make the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE– ZERO KICKS OUT!
It’s not enough to tie this one up! ZERO had more than enough time to recover and it shows, as he’s once again trying to move. Vin shakes his head, starting to stomp ZERO. ZERO tries his hardest to get back up on a kneel, but Vin traps the neck and locks in a Guillotine Choke! ZERO’s arms flail, as he’s starting to lose air. Vin drops back, applying the bodyscissors! ZERO’s body starts to go limp.. And the referee moves over to check his arm!
BUT ZERO SHOWS LIFT! He plants his hands on the mat, and somehow works to a kneel. Vin looks in shock as he’s still trying to choke the daylights out of him! But somehow ZERO is starting to get up to his feet, and deadlift vin! He scoops him up overhead and TOSSES HIM WITH A BACK BODY DROP ON THE MAT! Vin holds the back of his head, and ZERO uses the ropes for his support. He looks over to Vin, shaking his head. Vin is trying to get up but he simply can’t. ZERO shakes his head, and drags Vin up. He chokes him, looking around..
But as he holds him up in the choke, Vin SPITS in ZERO’s face! The spit flies all over the mask and ZERO drops Vin, absolutely incensed from that! After processing it, he shakes his head, furious! Vin scoots back, aware of the doom that awaits him! He tries to get up in the corner but ZERO rushes over and starts pummeling him! Vin is leaning against the ropes as ZERO continues to beat into him!
The referee tells ZERO to get out of the corner, but ZERO is still throwing furious shots and they’re starting to break through Vin’s guard! The referee, after multiple tries to get ZERO off of Vin starts the count!
ONE!
ZERO is still beating into Vin, PISSED from being spat on!
TWO!
Vin is trying his hardest to cover up, but to no avail as the monster is giving everything he’s got against him!
THREE!
ZERO starts stomping Vin’s ribs, throwing shots at the head!
FOUR!
Moises Ferro yells out, warning ZERO! He’s yelling at him to stop! But ZERO doesn’t stop.. And so..
FIVE!
“That’s it! You’re disqualified!” The referee shouts at ZERO. It takes ZERO a second, but when he processes what just happened, he finally stops beating down on Vin. Vin wheezes in the corner, not happy with that beating – but he nods. He knows that he has to play it smart to keep himself in this match here, and sacrificed his body for this match to tie! ZERO approaches the referee, pissed! Toyo Yasahiro warns ZERO, saying that it could happen again!
P-Dug: I didn’t see that coming! But ZERO unintentionally got himself disqualified, and we’re now at a tie!
KD: This is all about Fighting Spirit! What business does the referee have giving ZERO a five count?! Vin should’ve found his way out of it!
3:45
ZERO - 2
Havoc - 2
ZERO shakes his head, slapping his head to get himself back in the game. Vin wobbles out of the corner, the bruises from ZERO’s punches already starting to show. He tries to reach for ZERO, but ZERO lifts him up. Despite the disqualification, he knows that Vin is hurt and turns him into a full nelson. ZERO lifts Vin high overhead! TEN SECONDS TO MIDNIGHT!
Vin’s spine crashes into the mat, and he yells out in pain! But ZERO keeps the full nelson grip in, rolling Vin over his back as he transitions to the GROUND ZERO! The full nelson camel clutch is in tight! Vin yells out in pain, immense pressure being put on both his arms and neck! Vin shakes his head, refusing to tap! But despite this, ZERO just continues to press down on that neck!
There’s no signs of Vin getting out of this one.. And his head starts to droop low! Vin starts to go limp, and the referee takes note of this! He checks his arm and it speaks for itself! Vin Havoc is KNOCKED out cold! ZERO gets right back in the lead with that one!
P-Dug: AND GROUND ZERO SUBMITS VIN HAVOC! ZERO IS BACK WITH THE LEAD!
KD: I think we’re gonna see it! I CAN JUST TASTE IT! A NEW CHAMPION!
3:00
ZERO - 3
Havoc - 2
ZERO tosses Vin to the side after being told to release the hold. Moises nods, and ZERO drags him up. He jams his head into his thighs, starting to elevate him up high for the Bombing The Heavens, but Vin finds a way to stall the hold! ZERO tries again but Vin refuses to go down! ZERO tries to lift Vin a third and final time, but Vin grabs the middle rope on both sides.. And he uses the ropes as leverage to BACK BODY DROP ZERO! ZERO wheezes in pain, holding his back in shock at that display of power from him. ZERO slowly rises and Vin starts peppering him with repeated punches! ZERO tries to cover up, and he kicks Vin in the gut. ZERO tries to grab Vin in a front facelock, but he spins out and kicks him in the gut! ZERO doubles over, and Vin drops him with a BIG DDT! ZERO’s head spikes into the canvas as Vin rolls him over for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
ZERO KICKS OUT!
Vin looks around, unsure of what it’ll take. ZERO rolls to the outside, taking a breather. Vin looks at ZERO and decides to take a risk! Vin hits off the ropes! AND HE FLIES THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH AN ELBOW SUICIDA! Both men crash to the floor, as the fans make themselves heard after that one! ZERO rolls over, trying to get away, but Vin follows him and starts pounding his back and the back of his head! Vin drags ZERO up and slams his head into the steel steps! ZERO is vulnerable now, and Vin takes advantage with a multitude of body and head punches! Vin backs up, trying to lariat ZERO over the steps – but ZERO scoops him up!
ZERO marches around with Vin up in the air, and turns himself! HE TOSSES VIN WITH A FALLAWAY SLAM ON THE FLOOR! Vin hits the ground hard, hardly showing any signs of life. ZERO rises, staring down at Vin. He drags him up and throws him into the ring. Moises nods to ZERO, telling him to end this one. ZERO slides in, stalking the dazed Vin. It takes him awhile, and he has to use the ropes as support – but Vin Havoc slowly finds his way up. ZERO grabs Vin from behind, looking for that overhead press! DIVIDING BY Z–NO! Vin lands behind ZERO! Vin grabs ZERO by the waist..
AND HE SOMEHOW HOISTS HIM UP FOR A BACKDROP SUPLEX! THE BACK OF ZERO’S HEAD GETS SMACKED RIGHT INTO THE CANVAS! ZERO is hardly moving as he got absolutely FOLDED from that! Vin stares at the ceiling, sucking air! He rolls over, crawling on his forearms to make the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
TH–ZERO KICKS OUT!
But that’s STILL not enough to get the job done! ZERO rolls over, already showing signs of life! He staggers up, and Vin shakes his head. Vin sees ZERO and headbutts him! ZERO staggers, and Vin throws out a kick! ZERO catches the leg, but it’s all apart of the plan as Vin nails him with a step up enzuigiri! ZERO is struggling to stand now, so Vin dropkicks the legs out! He falls to a seated position and Vin hits off the ropes! SLIDING LARIATOOO! And despite that, ZERO is still starting to sit back up! Vin shakes his head, hitting off the ropes! HE NAILS HIM WITH THE SLIDING D! THE ELBOW SMASH KNOCKS ZERO RIGHT ONTO HIS BACK! VIN TO THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THR–ZERO KICKS OUT!
And Vin holds onto the mask, bringing ZERO up with all of his might! He chops the throat! He raiss his hand up! KESAGIRI CHOP! RIGHT TO THE SIDE OF THE NECK! ZERO staggers, so Vin spins into a DISCUS KESAGIRI CHOP! ANOTHER ONE! AND ANOTHER ONE! ZERO is somehow still up, but not for long as Vin leans his head down! AND HE THROWS DOWN A CHOP RIGHT TO THE THROAT! ZERO falls to a seated position, and Vin wraps his arms around the neck.. HE LOCKS IN THE REAR NAKED CHOKE HOLD!
ZERO flails his arms wildly! He struggles, trying his hardest to break out of it! Vin is applying deep pressure on the choke hold, on the verge of cutting off all of his air! ZERO struggles, falling backwards! It appears that he’s free but NO! VIN LOCKS IT RIGHT BACK IN! Vin leaps onto ZERO’s back, applying the backpack rear naked choke hold! ZERO hunches over, huffing and puffing! Vin is pulling as tight as he possibly can on that neck! ZERO reaches out, barely moving..
BUT SOMEHOW, HE REACHES BEHIND VIN AND TOSSES HIM OVER HIS SHOULDER! ZERO falls into the ropes, gasping for air. Vin is exhausted, knowing how much he gave up there in an attempt to win the match. Vin slowly works his way up.. AND ZERO CHARGES INTO THE OBLIVION BOOT! THE BICYCLE KICK DROPS VIN AND HE FALLS ONTO THE BACK OF HIS HEAD! ZERO drops to his knees, making an emphatic cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE–
VIN KICKS OUT!
The crowd ERUPTS, because there is no quit in the Fighting Spirit Champion! ZERO breathes heavily, looking around. He can’t believe it, and based on how Vin is somehow moving – no one can! ZERO leans against the ropes, taking his time to cover. Moises Ferro approaches ZERO at ringside, trying to give him the game plan..
ZERO slowly turns over and crawls to the turnbuckles. He pushes himself to the middle rope, and then try to goes up top as he sets up for Asteroid.. But Vin has a burst of adrenaline! He rises to his feet and he clubs ZERO in the back! He clubs him in the back again! Vin reaches back and CHOPS the back of the neck! ZERO winces in pain, as Vin wraps his arms around the head for the choke.. ZERO reaches down at the wrists, having expected him–
BUT WHAT HE DOESN’T EXPECT, IS VIN YANKING HIM OFF THE SECOND ROPE WITH A SLEEPER SUPLEX! ZERO GETS SPIKED ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD! HE’S HARDLY MOVING, AS VIN ROLLS OVER AND LOCKS IN THE REAR NAKED CHOKE HOLD! ZERO’S BODY IS FLATTENED!
Vin lies on top of ZERO and he has absolutely nowhere to go! The referee is checking, as ZERO’s coming close to fading out of consciousness!
P-Dug: THE SAME MOVE THAT GOT VIN THE WIN OVER ZERO IN THEIR FIRST MATCH! THE REAR NAKED CHOKE HOLD IS IN, AND THIS TIME IT’S IN NEAR INESCAPABLE CIRCUMSTANCES!
KD: ZERO’S GOING TO HAVE TO BITE THE BULLET AND ACCEPT DEFEAT HERE! IT’LL STILL BE A TIE!
0:59
ZERO - 3
Havoc - 2
Vin has that choke hold in as tight as he possibly can! ZERO starts huffing and puffing, before it becomes clearer and clearer that he’s not going to be getting out of it! He lies there, his body starting to fade out of consciousness until–
WHACK!
Vin releases the hold, rubbing at his back in pain! Moises Ferro just hit him with a steel chair! The desperation of the manager, not wanting to see ZERO lose consciousness in the late stages of the match, forces him to sacrifice a fall for his client! Toyo Yasahiro reprimands Ferro upon disqualifying ZERO, then EJECTS him from the ring! Ferro shouts in Yasahiro’s face, absolutely pissed!
Ferro leaves the ring, while Vin holds his back, aching in pain from that steel chair shot. ZERO rolls over, coughing out as he realizes that he’s still conscious– and he has a huge chance to end this one right now as the time ticks down!
P-Dug: FERRO JUST TIED THIS ONE UP! BUT VIN IS IN PAIN, COULD THIS BE IT?!
KD: It was a smart sacrifice! There’s no way that ZERO would’ve mounted himself back into this one if he was UNCONSCIOUS in the last few seconds of the match! This is quite literally anyone’s match to win now!
0:35
ZERO - 3
Havoc - 3
ZERO plants his hands on the mat, slowly rising up– he staggers to the corner though, breathing heavily. Vin is still holding his back in pain. ZERO grabs Vin by the head and jams his head into his thighs! HE HOISTS HIM UP HIGH FOR THE END! HE ELEVATES HIM!
AND POWERBOMBS HIM STRAIGHT TO THE CENTER OF THE MAT WITH THE BOMBING THE HEAVENSSSSS—
NO! VIN DRAGS ZERO DOWN WITH A HURRICANRANA! AND HE HOOKS THE LEGS FOR A COVER, BRIDGING HIS KNEES DOWN ONTO HIS SHOULDERS!
ONEEEEE!
TWOOOOO!!
THREEEEEEEEE!!!
Vin releases the hold and THIS ONE IS OVER! VIN HAVOC SOMEHOW FINDS IT IN HIM TO RETAIN THE FIGHTING SPIRIT CHAMPIONSHIP!
DING DING DING
Chriqui: And your winner, via pinfall by 4 falls to 3 ... AND STILL EWC FIGHTING SPIRIT CHAMPION!!! VVVVIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNN HHHHHHHAAAAAAVVVVOOOOOOOOOOCCCCCCC!!!!
Vin lies there, gasping for air as “X Gon Give It To Ya” blares throughout the building! ZERO sits up, in absolute shock that it just ended there. He slaps the mat, furious as an enraged Moises Ferro runs down to ringside to tend to his incensed client outside the ring.
Toyo Yasahiro hands Vin the Fighting Spirit Championship and he takes the belt, staring at it. He slowly nods his head, overcome with emotions due to the hell he had to endure just to retain his championship tonight! Vin climbs the top rope and raises his championship up high for everyone to see, which is met with a huge applause from the crowd!
KD: VIN RETAINS! VIN RETAINS! VIN RETAINS! That was one of the grittiest performances I have ever seen here on Friday Night Rampage, as Vin had to dig DEEP in order to leave with a victory over ZERO! ZERO had the lead the entire match, and it was Vin’s FIRST pinfall of the match that ended up winning him the entire thing!
P-Dug: Honestly, I can’t believe what we just saw! I thought we were this close to seeing a brand new Fighting Spirit Champion.. But Vin Havoc is the champion for a reason and we just saw first hand, why that is! What a performance! What a match! Neither of these men have anything to be ashamed of! But wait a secon–
Vin can’t celebrate for long as he’s AMBUSHED from behind! Cosmo Goldworthy and Bruce Booth hit the ring, beating the hell out of Vin! The two stomp him out, and Vin tries to cover up to the best of his ability! It’s no use as he’s getting absolutely pummeled by the United States Champion and his cousin! Bruce is bandaged up heavily from his match earlier with Jason Anderson, but that doesn’t stop the two from going ham on Vin.
ZERO, pissed, ignores Moises’s appeals as he enters the ring and JOINS Cosmo and Bruce in the beat down on Vin! Vin is getting absolutely pummeled, but wait just a second! Help is on the way! Jason Anderson and Alexander Umbra charge down to the ring, looking to settle their score with Cosmo and Bruce once again! Jason slides in and starts brawling with Bruce! Cosmo, still pissed at Umbra’s involvement on Monday starts brawling with Umbra!
It’s an all out brawl, while ZERO is just beating the hell out of a downed Vin Havoc that can’t defend himself! ZERO isn’t focused on helping Cosmo and Bruce just yet, and out comes Tori Taylor! She doesn’t seem to be very pleased to be assisting Cosmo Goldworthy, but she slides in and clobbers Umbra in the back! Cosmo knees Umbra in the ribs, and he and Tori start stomping the hell out of Umbra. ZERO marches over, grabbing Jason and throwing him to the center. Bruce pounces on top of Jason and starts beating him down, while ZERO stomps Jason.
The fan favorites are heavily outnumbered now, as Dimitri Graves makes his presence known at ringside. He holds Cosmo’s United States Championship and slides it in to him. Cosmo picks up the championship and gives directions, telling them to lift up Vin! Tori rolls her eyes, but she walks over to Vin and takes the arm, slowly lifting him up. Bruce gets off of Jason and lifts Vin up by the arm as well. ZERO places his meaty hand on the top of Vin’s head, forcing it up right..
KD: Someone needs to put an end to this! This is completely uncalled for! The House have just hijacked the show after a phenomenal main event!
P-Dug: They’re sending a message, and rightfully so! Vin Havoc, Jason Anderson, and Alexander Umbra need to learn to stop getting in their business!
Cosmo points to Vin and raises the United States Championship up high! But wait just a minute!
“Fire It Up” by Black Label Society hits the PA boxes, and the CROWD ABSOLUTELY ERUPTS! Out comes Mercenary, and he’s on his motorcycle! Mercenary rides down to the ring and The House and ZERO turn to the stage! Cosmo, Bruce and Tori’s eyes all widen as they now know what they’re in for! Mercenary parks his bike and stares at the ring!
KD: IT’S THE MERCENARY! HE’S HERE TO PROVIDE SOME HELP!
P-Dug: WHAT BUSINESS DOES HE HAVE BEING HERE?! GET HIM OUTTA HERE!
Mercenary didn’t come alone though, as he unsheathes a steel chain from around his bike! Mercenary slides in and Bruce comes right after him! MERCENARY PUNCHES HIM IN THE JAW WITH THE CHAIN! Bruce falls out the ring through the bottom rope! Tori starts throwing punches at Mercenary, but Mercenary shoves her into the corner and starts beating her with that chain! Tori covers up, but Mercenary boots her and she flies over the top rope!
Cosmo turns around and Mercenary swings the CHAIN right at him! Cosmo falls onto his ass, immediately getting the hell out of there! He takes his championship, and he and Dimitri high tail it up the ramp with the rest! But ZERO doesn’t back down from Mercenary, and Mercenary smirks at the challenge. ZERO throws the first punch, but Merc fires back! It’s a back and forth brawl! They keep going, but Mercenary kicks him in the gut! He raises the chain and WHIPS ZERO over the back with it! ZERO yells out in pain, and Mercenary whips him AGAIN! ZERO leans against the ropes.. And everyone starts to rise, Jason, Umbra, Vin! AND THEY ALL COLLECTIVELY STRIKE ZERO OVER THE TOP ROPE!
ZERO goes spilling to the floor and it takes Moises Ferro and all of The House to keep him from getting back into the ring! ZERO paces around, pissed off as he doesn’t want to retreat at all!
KD: And just like that, Mercenary has cleaned house!
P-Dug: Look at all these competitors at ringside! My goodness, this is an all-star lineup!
Vin paces around, absolutely pissed! He grabs a microphone and points to Cosmo!
Vin Havoc: You think you can put me down?! NAH! IT AIN’T THAT EASY!
Cosmo shakes his head, and now it’s Bruce and Tori who advise him not to get in the ring and face the four waiting for another fight to break out..
Vin Havoc: I see that you’ve decided to get all of The House involved in this one, huh?! Well that’s fine by me because I’m backed by FOUR men who want to do nothing but KICK ALL OF YOUR ASSES!
The crowd ERUPTS at that one! Mercenary, Jason, and Umbra all nod their head! They pat Vin on the back, allowing him to keep going.
Vin Havoc: You may be the EWC United States Champion, but as it seems it looks like I’m the one representing Rampage to the fullest! So here’s what we’re gonna do! IN TWO WEEKS! AT SCARS AND STRIPES!
Cosmo raises an eyebrow, not quite sure at what Vin is insinuating..
Vin Havoc: WE WANT YOU COSMO! WE WANT YOU BRUCE! WE WANT YOU ZERO! AND WHILE YOU’RE AT IT, BRING JOJO RUSH ALONG TOO! AND FIND A FIFTH, BECAUSE WE’RE CHALLENGING Y’ALL TO A FIVE ON FIVE ELIMINATION WAR GAMES MATCH!
Everyone in The House can’t believe what they just heard! Cosmo’s eyes widen and his jaw nearly drops to the floor as he realizes the trouble that they’re all in! Tori shakes her head, not just worried about the match but the idea of JoJo Rush competing in this! Bruce looks at Cosmo, because this is the exact opposite of what they’ve signed up for! ZERO nods his head, while Ferro is trying to get him away! Dimitri backs up Cosmo and Bruce.. But ZERO is about to come down to the ring–
KD: A WAR GAMES MATCH?! OH MY GOD!
P-Dug: IT DOESN’T GET MORE SCARS AND STRIPES THAN THAT! THAT’S GONNA BE ONE HELL OF A MATCH!
KD: But what the hell is going on with ZERO at ringside?!
ZERO starts getting backed to the barricade as a bunch of fans with Morden Crypt masks charge him! They break down the barricade as ZERO starts fighting them off! He grabs the fans, tossing them around! He starts beating down all of the fans, but new waves start coming down! Referees and officials come down to try and break them up!
But meanwhile, Cosmo is looking at Tori.. “Will he even be there?!” He asks, clearly talking about JoJo Rush. Tori doesn’t give Cosmo an answer, but rather shrugs his shoulders as she backs up the ramp and leaves Cosmo, Bruce and Dimitri alone. Vin climbs the top rope and his theme song starts playing, as he’s handed his Fighting Spirit Championship and Mercenary, Umbra, and Jason all raise him on their shoulders to end this extremely chaotic show.