Post by PARAMOUNT on Sept 7, 2022 19:17:55 GMT -6
The Extreme Wrestling Corporation Presents
“Superstar” by For Squirrels begins to blast over the arena speakers as our feed comes to life...
The fans packing the Saitama Stadium tonight all come to their feet. Further explosions rock the very foundation of the arena as a large video screen is lowered from the rafters, stopping 15 feet above the ring! Everyone in Saitama knows that the self-proclaimed greatest show on Wednesday night is about to begin and they cheer accordingly! The heavy riffs from 'Superstar' continue to blare over the arena, setting the tone for what is to come later on this evening.
** LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!! **
EPISODE # 24
EPISODE # 24
SEPTEMBER 7TH, 2022
LIVE! from the Saitama Stadium - Saitama, JapanWARNING: 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.
“Superstar” by For Squirrels begins to blast over the arena speakers as our feed comes to life...
The scene immediately cuts to a pyro show erupting on the outside of the Saitama Stadium!
Then a cut to another, equally explosive show on the inside!
Then a cut to another, equally explosive show on the inside!
The fans packing the Saitama Stadium tonight all come to their feet. Further explosions rock the very foundation of the arena as a large video screen is lowered from the rafters, stopping 15 feet above the ring! Everyone in Saitama knows that the self-proclaimed greatest show on Wednesday night is about to begin and they cheer accordingly! The heavy riffs from 'Superstar' continue to blare over the arena, setting the tone for what is to come later on this evening.
IT'S ALL I WANT, IT'S ALL I NEED
IT'S ALL I SEE, IT'S ALL I BREATHE
IT'S WHAT I AM, IT'S WHAT'S I KNOW
IT'S WHAT I FEEL, IT'S WHAT I BLEED!
IT'S ALL I SEE, IT'S ALL I BREATHE
IT'S WHAT I AM, IT'S WHAT'S I KNOW
IT'S WHAT I FEEL, IT'S WHAT I BLEED!
On the X-Tron, this episode of Paramount Wrestling begins with its opening video montage detailing many of the historic events that have taken place in the five-year history of Future Stars of Wrestling, setting the tone for the history of the Orange brand. From past champions like Jason Hunter, Dixie Dubois, Amis Shelton, Magdalena Lockheart, and Otaki all standing underneath an old FSW logo to the more current Future Stars Champions like Xavier Reid, Cletus Franklin, Robina Hood, Robbie Rayder, Stitches, Candy, and Wes Walker tearing down that mold, showing the Paramount Wrestling Logo...
As more pyro goes off the Paramount Wrestling logo appears and flashes of the roster appear on the screen such as Emma Louise, Asriel Buzzard, Adriana Aquilla , Killjoy, "The Wicked" James Keaton, Jordan Freakin' Sharpe, Sour Candy, Ezio DeLuca, "The Beautiful Battleship" Sonya, Jadyn Keep, Reginald Dampshaw III, Maldetto, Salvador Serenity, "Jack of Hearts" Jack Hart,"The Canadian Badass" Shaker Jones, and finally The Southern Express with Bunny Love. The final images shown is a montage of "The Last Magician" Sally Talfourd, the CW Broadcast Championship around her waist, Marcu$ $t. John and the EWC North American championship high over his shoulder, and then El-Pablo swimming in a pool of Skittles, the EWC X-Division championship diagonal across his chest
The camera pans around the loud and out of control audience. As the fireworks continue to explode, the fans chant and cheer! Cameras pan around the arena to catch some of the signage that many fans have brought to Saitama Stadium with them here tonight. The Paramount Wrestling fan-base is as adamant about having their voices heard now as ever:
"WELCOME HOME ITO-SAN: TONIGHT YOU BRING HONOR TO YOUR FAMILY"
"PARAMOUNT: THE BEST SHOW FOR ALL AGE GROUPS!"
"TAKE OUT THE BUZZARD, MAGIAN!"
"THE RAINBOWLUTION COMES TO SAITAMA! "
"CANDY HAS NO HONOR!"
"PAR-A-MOUNT!!!"
"PARA-A-MOUNT!!!"
"PARA-A-MOUNT!!!"
"PAR-A-MOUNT!!!"
"PARA-A-MOUNT!!!"
"PARA-A-MOUNT!!!"
"PAR-A-MOUNT!!!"
The lights come back to full and the fans offer one last rousing cheer at the opening festivities. Tonight's announcers are on standby and ready for the show to begin.
Watson: Good evening and welcome to the twenty-fourth episode of Paramount Wrestling! We are coming to you live from Saitama stadium in the land of the rising sun, Saitama stadium in Japan! We are on the road to the Rumble in London at the end of the month and we have five action packed matches here for you all tonight and all of them are sure to be bangers in their own rights!
Sydney: To start things off, we have a rematch of sorts from last episode when Adriana Aquilla and Shaker Jones square off, this time one on one! Shaker got the win over Malcolm Blades in the triple threat at Paramount #23, but tonight there must be one winner and one loser as all eyes are on who might challenge for the CW Broadcast championship next!
Watson: Speaking of the Broadcast Championship, Former HBO Broadcast champion Asriel Buzzard takes on the current CW Broadcast champion, "The Last Magician" Sally Talfourd in what promises to be a great match.
Sydney: We follow that up with an actual rematch from Paramount #23 as "The Wicked" James Keaton and Killjoy run it back again. Will Keaton even the score against the former Undisputed Champion or will Killjoy get the win in front of his home crowd to help restore honor to the Ito name?
Watson: And then we have a match a long time in the making as Xavier Reid, former FSW champion, takes on current North American champion Marcu$ $t. John in a match that is sure to be extremely hard hitting. And then in our main event, two Shinjoshi member, "The Beautiful Battleship" Sonya makes her Paramount debut with Aiya as a tag team they are calling Yomi, to take on the record breaking, history making former two time EWC World Tag Team Champions, The Southern Express!
Sydney: We have all this and SO MUCH MORE! Our first match of the night will be coming up right after this quick message from EWCTV. Don't go anywhere .. Paramount Wrestling action will be back in exactly 1 minute
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Along with being an EWCTV Subscriber, you get:
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+ free T-Shirt and Replica EWC North American Championship Belt.
So act now if you aren't already subscribed to EWCTV
SINGLES MATCH
Adriana Aquilla
VS Shaker Jones
As cameras go to ringside for the opening match on Paramount, “I Want Candy” by Aaron Carter quickly switches to the more metal version done by Risen From Shadows. Fans are booing the moment Sour Candy emerges sporting bandages and a nose guard.
Watson: This isn’t what we were expecting right now…
Sydney: Would you like to go tell her that?
Watson: I think I’ll stay here!
If SC is in any pain from what transpired at Prime 100, she didn’t show it as she marches toward ringside with a purpose.
Starr: Making her way to the ring straight from the Sour Patch…SOUR CANDY!
After climbing up onto the apron and stepping through the ropes, SC retrieves a microphone and is pacing the ring a bit. Once her music fades into the background, she ignores the ongoing boos as she raises it to speak.
Sour Candy: As much fun as it was beating Chris Brock at Prime 100, I’m not here to talk about that. I’m here to talk about something else that happened that night. I bet Saidie thinks she’s really something special after doing a number on me.
SC points to her nose as a sudden burst of cheers break out along with a Saidie chant.
Sour Candy: Yes, cheer for her while you still can. Because she isn’t going to be around much longer once I finish kicking her ass all around the Paramount ring. That is, if she’s brave enough to accept my challenge. She can’t be that dumb, can she?
Watson: There you have it, Sour Candy is laying out the challenge here tonight to Saidie Sharpe!
Sydney: Of course Saidie can be that dumb, she's a Sharpe!
Watson: Careful there.
SC questions with a laugh, causing fans to boo her again.
Sour Candy: Saidie can think on it, though. There’s something I gotta do first. Become the new North American Champion. So I suggest M$J enjoy what’s left of his reign. Since it’s officially on borrowed time!
“Fast Lane” by Bad Meets Evil plays through the arena. A loud burst of energy from the crowd erupts as Marcu$ $t. John emerges from the back. Usually with the pomp and circumstance, his demeanor is different this time. He darts straight for the ring and grabs a microphone from the announcer Isabella Starr.
Watson: The North American Champion is making a bee line for his number one contender!
M$J: Borrowed time? Enjoy what’s left of my reign? Wait, let’s forget all of that for a second. Candy, excuse me “Sour” Candy, I apologize for not doing this sooner. Welcome back to Paramount Wrestling. Wait, I apologize once again. Welcome back to my fucking show, Paramount Wrestling.
This gets a nice cheer from the crowd as Marcu$ holds up the North American Championship. SC looks onward with disgust as he soaks in the cheers.
M$J: I’ve been waiting for the chance to defend this title since I won it at Paramount 21. I’m sure you and everyone else realizes that the first time I won this title that I didn’t successfully defend it but that was then and this is now. You say that it’s borrowed time so I tell you what. Since you’re so damn confident that you’re going to win this title from me. Here you go.
Watson: What?!
Sydney: Marcus is just going to hand her the title? Does he have something wrong with his head too?
Marcu$ takes the title off of his waist and places it over Sour Candy’s shoulder. The crowd goes “oooohhhhh” as she looks shocked at his gesture.
M$J: How about you hold onto that for me. After all, you’re the Queen of the Castle and Head of the Household, right? This title doesn’t make me, because when I walk out here without it and beat Xavier Reid later tonight, the people will know that I am Paramount’s Champion and when I beat you to retain that title, you will know it too. So if you wanna get Sour, I say let’s get down right bitter.
SC arches an eyebrow at him.
Sour Candy: So you wanna get bitter? Well, how about the Bitter Truth?
All of a sudden, SC removes the North American Championship from her shoulder and tosses it in M$J’s direction. He blocks it from hitting his face. But as he swats it away, SC jumps up and catches him in the Codebreaker. Fans are booing as SC gets to her feet and picks the mic back up. She crouches down near the fallen M$J as she speaks.
Sour Candy: And the truth is, I don’t need you to give me any title, I’m simply going to take it from you at Paramount 25!
Watson: Strong words from Sour Candy here tonight, and her actions speak even louder. But can she back all that up when they meet one on one?
Sydney: Marcus' days are numbered, nobody is on the roll Sour Candy is on right now!
“I Want Candy” starts to play out again as SC tosses the mic down and exits the ring. About halfway up the ramp, she looks back to see M$J starting to stir. He’s holding his head as he looks in her direction. The two of them engage in an intense staredown as the camera cuts back to Time and Cid.
Watson: Well.. That is one way to kick off a show! Sour Candy making a statement that she is coming for the EWC North American champion! We have to keep things moving so now its time to get to our first match of the night where the action should be even more intense! Take it away Isabella Starr!
Starr: The following match is set for one fall. Joining us first, residing in San Antonio, Texas and weighing in at 120 pounds ... ADRIANA AQUILLA!
"Iron" by Within Temptation hits the speakers and the crowd comes alive as Adriana Aquilla makes her way down to the ring, she slaps hands with a couple of fans before rolling into the ring ready for her match as she removes her jacket.
Starr: And the opponent, residing in Boston, Massachusetts and weighing in at 230 pounds ... SHAKER JONES!
'Locked and Loaded' by Jackyl plays as Shaker Jones makes his way through the crowd. He climbs over the barrier and stalks around the ring as his opponent looks on. Shaker Jones rolls under the ropes and into the ring.
DING DING DING
Addy lashes out with a superkick but Shaker ducks it. Shaker springs off the ropes looking for a super duper kick but Addy catches him with a superkick. Shaker gets to his feet but is taken down to the mat again with a snap suplex. Shaker pulls himself to his feet s Addy springs off the ropes but Shaker catches her and powerslams her. He hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Addy easily gets a shoulder off the mat. Shaker lifts Addy for a gutwrench powerbomb but Addy counters with a hurricanrana. Shaker gets to his feet but a dropkick knocks him down. Addy climbs to the top rope and leaps onto Shaker with a top rope moonsault. The referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Shaker gets a shoulder off the mat breaking the count.
Watson: Any closer and the bell rings!
Sydney: There are razors on the market that don't get as close as that was.
Addy gets to her feet and runs off the ropes as Shaker slowly gets to his. Addy crashes into Shaker with a Divine Wizard. She covers Shaker.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Addy lifts Shaker to his feet but Shaker lifts her onto his shoulders and drivers her down with a Shakermaker. He rolls her over and hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Addy gets a shoulder up to break and rolls onto her front.
Watson: What I said before about close, forget it! This, this was as close as it gets!
Sydney: Both with near falls. Both coming close to victory but they both need to pick up the win.
Shaker pulls Addy to her feet and whips her off the ropes. She comes back knocking Shaker down with a spinning heel kick. Addy then climbs the turnbuckles and drops onto Shaker with Divine Grace. She sits on his chest and grips his legs as the referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Starr: And your winner, via pinfall ADRIANNA AQUILLA!
Addy gets to her feet and holds her arms up in victory. She gets out of the ring and high fives the fans, even hugging a few, as she heads up the ramp.
Watson: ADRIANA AQUILLA HAS DONE IT! Big win here for "Lo Dovino" as she gets her first definitive win of the season! This was a fight. She only needed one brief opportunity here and she took it. That heel kick gave her time to hit her finish and take the win.
Sydney: Shaker gave a fight and came so, so close to victory himself but sadly, for him, it wasn't enough. I'm sure we have not seen the last of these two fighting and I for one look forward to the next round!
In the ring, Shaker rolls out of the ring and makes an exit by heading through the crowd. Addy is celebrating with the adulation of the Japanese crowd pouring down on her.
Watson: There will certainly be a celebration for Aquilla here tonight in Saitama! We still have so much more to come folks, please don't go anywhere!
Camera cuts to ...
Salvador Serenity, and his girlfriend, Sienna Wolf, are enjoying the anonymity walking amongst the Paramount fans. They watch as one enthusiastic fan’s not so enthusiastic Mother buying El Pablo masks. They smile watching the line of fans each with their favorite EWC superstar’s respective shirts in their eager hands. Sienna does a slight spin, turning in front of Salvador, walking backwards.
Sienna: Do you think they will really have Dr. StoNerd on a shirt? Will it come with a spliff?
Salvador shaking his head, lets out a Pftt…
Salvation: Spliff? You know tobacco does not enter my bloodstream.
Sienna: Ok Dr. Semantics. You know what I mean.
Salvation: I know what you mean. Let’s start with the hope there will be fans buying Salvation shirts.
Spinning back to his side, she reaches into her bra, pulling out a pack of candy. Salvador’s jaw drops, he quickly wrenches the goodies from her hand.
Salvation: How did you get those? Don’t pull those out here!
Sienna: What’s with the hissyfit? Worried pulling out a bag of Candy summons Sour Candy? Maybe if I say her name three times.
Sienna stops dead in her tracks, holding them both up,closes her eyes.
Sienna: Sour Candy. Sour Candy. Sou…
Salvation: Very funny but No. Japan has very strict laws.
Salvador stuffs the edible candy in his right front pocket.She reaches into his pocket, pulling them back out.
Sienna: All the more reason to eat them now. You came to scout. I came to have fun. We are not the same.
Sienna opens the bag, tossing three sour patch kids into her mouth. Chewing mouth wide open so Salvador can watch.
Salvador: Such a lady.
While chewing with her mouth open.
Sienna: You're the one that kisses this mouth.
She shoves the bag in his face, then pulls out one sour patch kid.
Sienna: I think you should eat one. Marijuana memory. Remember every move this Buzzard makes. Why sit ringside for this match? I think Xavier Reid and that champion would be much more entertaining.
Salvation: The probability of going up against Sally or Asriel is more likely than St. John, and definitely Reid.
Sienna: A number’s game.
Salvation: A number’s game.
Sienna: And you can figure out their flaws and weaknesses, while they’ve never seen you. So you’d have their number.
Salvation: That was a reach.
Sienna: I’ll give you a reach arou…
Salvador is quick to help her not that finish that sentiment in line behind kids.
Salvation: But YES that’s the plan.
Sienna: Speaking of plans. Have you heard from him?
Salvation: Not since we left.
They get to the ticket guy, he rips the ticket.
Ticket Guy: Four rows down to the left, middle of the aisle.
Salvation and Sienna smile and thank the ticketmaster, take their seats, and enjoy the show.
SINGLES MATCH
FOR THE CW BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Asriel Buzzard
VS Sally Talfourd
We return to ringside where the opening match has just come to an end. The audience is cheering loudly, knowing the night is still very young and more matches are going to be witnessed tonight. We cut over to commentary as the crew gives the ring some last minute inspections.
Watson: Welcome back, folks! As you just saw, we have some new blood coming soon to Paramount wrestling. That was Salvador Serenity, who made his debut last night on Gambit. We are looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table. We’re moving onto the next match, which is for the CW Broadcast Championship! Asriel Buzzard takes on "The Last Magician" Sally Talfourd! Will he be able to win a second EWC Broadcast Championship? Or will Sally manage to pull off a few tricks and force him to leave empty-handed tonight? Only one way to find out! Take us away, Starr!
Starr: The following match is for one fall, and it is for the EWC CW Championship! Joining us first, from Hill City, Kansas, weighing in at 196 pounds ... ASRIEL BUZZARD!
The first few notes of a piece of orchestral music start to play around the arena, with the harps giving way to violins after a few seconds and an image appearing on the screen as the house lights lower.
As the guitars of ‘Animals’ by Architects begins to pound around the arena, strobe lights flash as the image on the screen fades to flashing images of a familiar face.
Slowly, Asriel Buzzard emerges from the curtain and stands atop the stage staring out into the crowd to a mixed response.
He walks down the ramp and circles the ring before rolling under the bottom rope and climbing the turnbuckle to stare into the crowd again, holding a closed umbrella aloft, his expression blank.
Starr: And his opponent, from Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea, weighing in at 140 pounds, she is the CW CHAMPION, ... SALLY TALFOURD!
The lights turn blue and red. 'TroubleMaker' hits the speakers. The song bursts to life, out races Sally to the front of the stage. Raising her hands to the crowd, she kicks her leg and heads towards the ring, slapping hands with the crowd.
Sally stands at the base of the steps to the ring, waving to the crowd, then dashes up the steps, hoists herself over the top and strides to the centre of the ring.
DING DING DING
Asriel wastes little time in making the first move. He’s got his eyes set on his prize, and he has zero intentions of letting this opportunity slip from his grasp. He hoists Sally up into his arms, like a man would do to a newlywed bride. But his intentions are definitely not as sweet or romantic as such a scenario, as he starts to bring her down for a Backbreaker. When he lifts her up and she’s in range, it allows Sally to thrust her knees up, striking Asriel’s jaw hard enough that he unceremoniously drops her.
Sally wags a finger at him as she swiftly gets back up to a vertical base. She takes a few seconds to quickly think before dashing forward. While Asriel is still reeling from the impact to his jaw, Sally manages to grab onto his right arm and starts trapping it in a Fujiwara Armbar!
Whether it was the pain or he just snapped out of the daze from his jaw getting attacked, her plan was good in concept, but executed at the wrong time. He’s able to shove her away easily enough. We notice that despite Buzzard fighting Talfourd off, her magic already seems to be working as he’s rolling his arm in order to try to shake off any lingering pain.
Watson: WOW! What a way to start the one off. Buzzard thought that he was going to have an easy go of it here, but The Last Magician shows that she has a trick for every attack.
Sydney: Asriel is just circling his prey here. Sometimes you have to retreat so that you can attack again.
Asriel is glaring a hole through Sally. Whatever work she started doing to his arm - no matter how brief - was enough to earn such a look. He realizes the danger he could end up in if he allows her to keep getting her way and closes the gap between them both. Noting that he is the shorter of the two fighters, Asriel figures out a plan of action. He throws a boot forward, slamming it right into Talfourd’s midsection.
Sally might be taller, but Buzzard has the weight, and thus a bit of physical strength, advantage. She stumbles backwards and, despite trying her damnedest to keep her balance, falls to a knee. Before she can stand back up, Asriel charges her.
WHAM!
He slams his kneecap straight into Sally’s forehead! Now it’s the champion who is reeling in pain. Asriel smirks, looking satisfied with his work, but he knows he’s not yet out of the woods. He grabs tightly onto the champion’s right leg and begins twisting it as he traps it in a Single Leg Boston Crab!
Sally’s eyes widen as the pain helps her return to the here and now. She reaches frantically for the ropes, but that only encourages Asriel to strengthen his grip tighter. The referee asks if she wants to tap, but she shakes her head adamantly, much to Buzzard’s annoyance.
She turns her head back, looking at Asriel and how close he is … before slyly smiling. He quirks an eyebrow, wondering what she has found that’s so amusing … and soon gets his answer as she thrusts her left leg up, once again slamming her boot against his jaw!
An audible growl and a few colorful words are picked up by the microphone as Asriel lets go, moving away and rubbing at his jaw. He isn’t just upset at this point; no, he is pissed off, my friends. There is no mistaking how he is feeling at this point. Oh no, we can most definitely see it in his eyes as he stares at Sally with almost murderous intent now. The champion merely smiles back, refusing to back down despite seeing and realizing how much more dangerous her opponent has become at this point.
Watson: Sally Talfourd is not going down without a fight here! She is in this match just as much as Buzzard is! She is NOT intimidated in the slightest.
Sydney: Asriel is wearing her down Tim. Like his namesake bird, he is just waiting for the right time to end this.
Sally charges forward, seeing and sensing that Asriel is wounded. True as that is, he’s nowhere near done with fighting back, either. Sally manages to thrust an elbow into his sternum, but he grits his teeth and endures the pain. He lifts her up once again. She kicks and struggles against him, but no. He’s refusing to let go of the champion. Buzzard slams Talfourd down with The Survival! He hooks both of the legs!
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Starr: And your winner, via pinfall, AND THE NEW EWC CW BROADCAST CHAMPION, ASRIEL BUZZARD!
Asriel rubs at his jaw with one hand. The other damn well nearly yanks the CW Championship out of Mercer’s hands as it’s handed over to him, lifting it triumphantly into the air. Talfourd looks a bit disappointed in herself, but bows her head respectfully to Buzzard. He takes a moment, quietly staring at the now ex-champion, before returning the gesture back to her, earning a loud pop from the audience at the display of sportsmanship.
Sally quietly exits the ring, allowing Asriel to continue celebrating his hard-earned win. The camera lingers on him standing proudly in the center of the ring, keeping the CW Broadcast Championship raised all the while, as we cut back to commentary.
Watson: She had quite a reign, but like all good things, it had to come to an end. With this, Asriel Buzzard has indeed now won two EWC Broadcast Championships. Only one other person in EWC has done this. With how amazing he did with the HBO Broadcast Championship, you know he’ll be looking to have an equally amazing reign with this new strap.
Sydney: Both really gave it their all tonight, but it was Buzzard's night to leave this fight with the W. Congrats to Asriel and thank you Sally for all you did with the CW Broadcast Championship!
Watson: One new champion crowned tonight, but we still have much more to go! We will be right back after this!
Camera cuts to ...
In a dim and seedy bar we find EWC's latest signing Jack Hart sat on a high stool at the bar with a glass of Scotch in his right hand staring down the camera.
Jack Hart: "So, I'm finally here. EWC, you don't know me, but I know you. Some call me 'The Jack of Hearts'. My life hasn't been easy up to this point. You've probably all got a brother, or a son, or an uncle like me, always getting themselves into some sort of trouble, always giving you a headache. Yeah, that's me. I've been in jail more times than you can count on your hands, and I've done bad things to bad people. My only glimmer of hope was always wrestling. Since high school it has been the only thing that I have ever been good at. For years now I've wrestled in high school gymnasiums and run-down bars, and it's all led to this moment. I've worked with some great wrestlers along the road. Fifty-year-old guys who have spent their entire lives wrestling in these gloomy venues, sacrificing their own health and sanity to have a chance at their dream. When I got the news that I had been given this opportunity, I vowed I wouldn't let this slip. I'm going to be the one that made it, the one that lived their dream, and I'll do it for that burnt out fifty-year-old guy still wrestling barbed wire rope matches and half-killing himself to cling onto his dreams. My dreams are a reality now. So, EWC, I'll see you at Paramount 25 in Kolkata."
Jack raises the glass to the camera and takes a sip before the camera fades out.
The camera cuts backstage inside the Saitama Stadium where we find the head of Buddy’s Buddies, ‘The Prodigal Son’ Buddy Love in conversation with Killjoy’s friend and mentor Jun Yao…
Yao: Listen Buddy, I tried to call you…countless times…
Love: I was with Gabi in Hawaii before coming here to Japan…
Yao: Which was fine BUT I tried to call you…Killjoy tried to call you…
Love: My phone was in my room and you never left a voicemail…
Jun shakes his head as he holds out his hands…
Yao: Your voicemail is full Buddy…
Buddy smiles at Jun and nods…
Love: I save all the cool messages I get…
Yao: I get that Buddy but you are managing four people now…Killjoy, Gabi, Ruthann and Jason…you have to be available to all of them if you want to be ‘in the know’ about travel plans…
Love: He left me high and dry at the airport…I leaked out that we were arriving there, the time and the gate because it was going to be the perfect setting for our ‘Return to Japan’ promo…
Jun shakes his head…
Yao: But he told you he didn’t want the attention…he didn’t want the airport shut down with the Japanese media flooding to his gate and having to do a prefer conference right there in the terminal…he wanted to settle in, being back home here in Japan after what happened at Scars & Stripes…you get he still feels like he let everyone here down right…there is still pain there…
But Buddy waves his hand at Jun…
Love: My father always said ‘it’s best to drive right into the mess and just run everyone over’...Killjoy should have just taken on the press head on and steamrolled them…announced his intentions for his rematch right then and there…
Yao: He’s not ready to make that announcement…he needs to sit down with Chris Brock and figure out when the best time is…now that Paramount already has one horse in the Main Event of WrestleFest…plus there’s the Rumble, which Killjoy is in…
Love: As is Gabi and Ruthann…
Yao: Yes, Gabi or Ruth could walk out of the Rumble as the Undisputed Champion…would you want Killjoy challenging one of them the next show…do you really want two of Buddy’s Buddies fighting it out…
Buddy pauses for a moment, clearly not thinking about this…
Yao: Toss in the fact that Killjoy is one of the defending Rumble winners, he could walk out as the EWC Undisputed Champion…he’s freerolling in this Rumble because he has the rematch clause in his back pocket…C
Buddy claps his hands and smiles…
Love: I GOT IT…Killjoy cashes the rematch in the second after the Rumble ends…
Yao: That’s not going to happen Buddy…nor was Killjoy going to do a press conference at the airport…you have to start listening to him and understand where Killjoy is coming from…what he wants…
Love: I know what Killjoy wants…where do you get off…
But Buddy can’t finish that sentence as someone clears their throat behind the two men. They turn and look to see Paramount’s Lisa Goldrush standing by with her camera crew…Buddy quickly flips the script and smiles at Lisa…
Love: Lisa darling…it’s great to see you and on such a HUGE night here in Paramount…
Jun watches Buddy flip into promo mode and he backs away, not wanting to be in the backstage promo…
Love: Do not adjust your TV, you are not seeing a rerun of Paramount #023…Mr. Chris Brock is running the Killjoy/James Keaton match back from Paramount #023 here tonight at Paramount #024 and YES, we do feel like it’s giving Keaton a second chance but that’s business I guess…
Goldrush: Well that and James Keaton was milliseconds away from beating Killjoy…
Love: Milliseconds or hours…it’s all the same Lisa, being close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades right…if my Aunt had balls she’d be my Uncle…James Keaton ALMOST beat Killjoy but he didn’t…Killjoy kicked out and WHY…because he has the heart of a champion…listen I get that James Keaton was a fine CW Broadcast Champion, he had a heck of a run with it and maybe should once again challenge for that championship and leave the heavy lifting to people like Killjoy…
Goldrush: Wait not Buddy, that’s not fair…
Love: Ok, well let’s look at facts Lisa, James Keaton wants to compare himself with Killjoy but they couldn’t be further opposites…he wants to think his ‘freefall’ is the same as Killjoy’s well FIRST, Killjoy isn’t in a freefall…he lost to Melody Malone at Scars & Stripes and yeah, that sucked but it didn’t kill his career…yeah he lost to Xavier Reid at Brawl v. Paramount but he was coming off a Deathmatch…he was part of Team Paramount at Parabellum and James Keaton can crack on him being eliminated by Scorpio but he was still on the team…where was James, oh that’s right, teaming with Malcolm Blades in the JV Brand Warfare match…Killjoy beat him at Paramount #023 no matter how close James was to winning…he didn’t win, Killjoy did and now we are on the eve of the Rumble…a Rumble James Keaton isn’t even in but please tell me again how James Keaton is like Killjoy…right this moment Killjoy is speaking with Mr. Chris Brock about his Undisputed Championship match…does James Keaton have a Undisputed Championship match to talk to Mr. Chris Brock about…NO…there is only ONE person here in Paramount that’s in a ‘freefall’ and that’s ‘The Wicked’ James Keaton and that ‘freefall’ will continue here in Saitama, Japan when Killjoy makes his return home to show just why he’s the ACE of the EWC!!!
Buddy smiles as behind Lisa and her crew walks Killjoy, fresh off his meeting with Chris Brock…Buddy opens his arms towards his friend…
Love: And here is the man of the hour himself!!!
Killjoy does not embrace Buddy, who drops his arms and smile for the camera
Love: Now if you excuse us, we need to talk show and get ready for tonight…Lisa, it’s always my pleasure!!!
Buddy gives Lisa a little wink as Buddy leans in towards Killjoy and begins to ask about what him and Chris Brock discussed. The camera cuts back to...
SINGLES MATCH
James Keaton
VS Killjoy
We return to ringside where Tim and Cid are standing by!
Watson: Buddy Love talkative as always before a match one of his clients is about to fight in...Welcome back to Paramount Wrestling folks! If you missed our first two matches of the night, you missed a ton of action! Adriana Aquilla picked up her first win of the season against Shaker Jones and we have a NEW CW Broadcast champion in Asriel Buzzard! Up next though, we find out for sure who is the better wrestler between James Keaton and Killjoy! This home town crowd is raring to go for Killjoy i'm sure!
Starr: The following match is set for one fall. Joining us first, from London, England and weighing in at 248 pounds ... "The Wicked" JAMES KEATON!
The arena lights begin to flash in tune to the drums as "The Wicked and The Cursed" by The Cold Stares plays throughout the arena. As the guitar rhythm plays, James Keaton makes his presence known by appearing at the top of the entrance ramp. Keaton begins cracking his knuckles in a slow and methodical way before walking with purpose to the ring. Keaton takes his time using the steps to enter the ring before leaning against the ropes and testing their strength.
Starr: And the opponent, residing in Daly City, California and weighing in at 235 pounds ... KILLJOY!
‘The Prodigal Son’ Buddy Love walks out onto the stage and raises his arms into the air as the lights fade out. He jumps up and down as ‘Deeper Depper’ begins to play. A strobe light circles around the stage as a single white spotlight hits the stage where Killjoy is standing, his back facing the ring, his arms stretched out and his head down. He swings around to face the ring as Buddy Love runs up and stands next to him. After a quick word the pair start to walk towards the ring, Buddy runs ahead and charges up the steps and holds open the ropes for Killjoy to step through. Killjoy walks to the center of the ring, extends his arms and tilts his head back to soak everything in.
DING DING DING
Killjoy attempts a roundhouse kick but Keaton counters it with a dragon screw that takes Killjoy to the mat. Killjoy holds his knee but he has no time as Keaton drags him to his feet and rams Killjoy into the corner. Keaton chops Killjoy hard across the chest. Killjoy clutches his chest as he steps out of the corner. Keaton grabs him hitting a Manhattan drop. Killjoy cups his pain allowing Keaton to hit a German suplex. He makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Killjoy gets a shoulder off the mat to break the count. Killjoy gets to his feet as Keaton runs off the ropes. Killjoy leaps hitting a dropkick to halt Keaton's run. Killjoy lifts Keaton hitting a suplex dropping Keaton's neck across his knee. Killjoy wraps arm around Keaton's jaw with a chinlock. Eaton powers to his feet and tries to twist his way out but Killjoy drops Keaton with a falcon arrow. Keaton instinctively rolls to his stomach. As Keaton gets to his feet Killjoy grabs him hitting a last ride into a sitout powerbomb. The referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Keaton just lifts a shoulder off the mat.
Watson: So close to a win here. That was a very near fall.
Sydney: We aid the same about that German suplex. Both evenly matched right now.
Killjoy drags Keaton to his feet and hits a Tobidashi Naif that drives Keaton onto the mat. Killjoy rolls him over for the cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Keaton just rolls to his side. Killjoy lifts him to his feet but Keaton takes Killjoy down with a Northern Lights Suplex.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Killjoy lifts a shoulder off the mat to break the count. Killjoy slowly gets to his feet. Keaton smashes him with a Northern Lariat to the back of the head. He rolls Killjoy over and makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Killjoy shoves Keaton off him to break the count. Both lay on the mat.
Watson: Both men giving everything here on Paramount!
Sydney: Both still evenly matched in my opinion.
Both get to their feet and Keaton walks into a spinebuster. Killjoy stands in the corner as Keaton gets to his feet. Killjoy runs hitting a Kettei-Da. He hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Starr: And your winner, via pinfall KILLJOY!
Killjoy stands over Keaton as Buddy Love raises Killjoy's arms in victory. Buddy then holds the ropes open for Killjoy before both head up the ramp.
Watson: Killjoy does it! He finally gets a big win in his home country! You know he will not have been happy about not being in the Night Of Champions main event. This result will go some way into moving him closer to contention for championships. Perhaps it may help him make his decision on when he will cash in that rematch for the EWC Undisputed championship?
Sydney: James Keaton gave a good showing of himself here. He pushed Killjoy and he came close to victory on a few points.
Keaton rolls from the ring holding his jaw as he watches Killjoy and Love head up the ramp.
Watson: There are still two massive fights left to go tonight. Up next is Xavier Reid Vs Marcu$ $t. John. You will NOT want to miss this one!
Camera cuts to ...
The camera cuts backstage inside Saitama Stadium where we find Xavier Reid and ‘The Memphis Mouthpiece’ Tommy Love walking down the hallway. A few members of the Paramount staff go out of their way to avoid the member of the Brawl roster…given what has happened a few times Xavier has visited Paramount. The two men turn the corner and see Paramount’s Lisa Goldrush, along with her camera crew and members of the Paramount security staff. Tommy shrugs at the group...
Love: Well this is one hell of a welcoming party!!!
Tommy smirks but Lisa doesn’t think the ‘joke’ is funny. She still remembers being pushed against the wall by Xavier Reid when he thought she was Gabi Visconty...
Love: This is a bit of an overkill don’t you think Lisa?
Lisa looks at him and then at Xavier and shakes her head...
Goldsmith: No, no I do not!
Xavier smirks sensing the fact she is uncomfortable and steps forward towards her. She takes a step back before holding her ground...
Reid: You realize I have to be in the camera shot to do this interview Lisa…it’s ok, I promise…I won’t bite…
Tommy laughs as he turns to Xavier…
Love: Now Xavier, let’s be nice to Lisa Goldrush…we don’t want her running off to Chris Brock and him going to the Board of Directors and forcing you back into anger management again…we promise Lisa, we will be on our best behavior tonight…well, that is until we get into the ring with your North American Champion…
Reid: Marcu$ was fixated by my record…what was it…
But before Tommy can offer a witty answer Lisa jumps in…
Goldrush: 10-8-3 and as our champion pointed out only 4 of those wins…
Reid: Are without Jamie Love…
Xavier smirks at Lisa…
Reid: But let’s look at those 4 wins shall we, I beat Iggy Swango, the former International and two time Tag Team Champion at StrangleMania to win back the International Championship…that’s pretty impressive isn’t it…
Love: I mean I would say yes but clearly Marcu$ isn’t impressed Xavier…
Tommy shrugs as if to say “I don’t know’...
Reid: There was that win over Killjoy Ito, the former Prime G1 winner, the two time TV Champion, the former Indy Champion, a two time X-Division Champion…a co-winner of last years Rumble and former Undisputed Champion…clearly that has to impress Marcu$ right…I mean how many times has he beat Killjoy…
Tommy smirks…
Love: Not one single time Xavier…he’s 0-3 against Killjoy and I guess he’s not impressed with that win either…
Reid: Well there was the win over Paramount’s CW Broadcast Champion Sally Talfourd…I mean she’s a champion here just like him…
Love: And he just beat him herself but I guess YOU beating Sally wasn’t impressive, while I’m sure he’ll brag about being her in HIS champion v. champion match…
Reid: Of course he will…well then there was Flip, the current International Champion…
Tommy shakes his head no…
Love: Nope, to him a guy with ONLY 4 wins shouldn’t be favored over him…
Reid: Well what about a guy that’s been the FSW Champion, a two time X-Division Champion, a three time International Champion, a former Undisputed Champion and current Tag Team Champion…how about a man that is a fucking GRAND SLAM CHAMPION here in the EWC…what about a man that is a sure thing, first ballot HALL OF FAMER…what about a man that’s done more here in the EWC than old Marcu$ could ever hope to do…would that man be a favored over him…
Love: Marcu$ doesn’t think that way Xavier, he’s what we call back home a ‘simple fella’...he looks at you and only sees the losses you’ve piled up this season…
Xavier nods at his manager…
Reid: You mean to the likes of the current Undisputed Champion Melody Malone and the current International Champion Flip…what about my draws…tell me he was impressed with my draws against Antoni Malietoa, El Pablo and Scorpio…
Tommy shakes his head no…
Reid: Damn…well I guess it’s easy to stay here in Paramount and beat the likes of…who’s he faced this season…
Love: Well he’s beat Isabella…Kyle O’ Brien, Asriel Buzzard, Nevaeh, James Keaton, Aeon Khrones, Sally Talfourd…
Goldrush: And the Brand Warfare match at Parabellum…
Lisa smirks at the two men who just smile…
Reid: Easy to run off 8 wins when you are facing this likes of those names…and who has he lost to this season…
Love: Jordan Sharpe, KU, Stitches and the rest of the champions inside the Insanity Cage…
Reid: So basically when Marcu$ faces anyone with talent one on one he comes up short…or in the cage of the Insanity Cage goes flying off the cage…courteous of my own brother…remind me to thank Pablo will you Tommy…see Marcu$’s ego has been allowed to run unchecked here in Paramount…he thinks that championship around his waist means he’s important…hell he’s had 92 days of being unchecked to let it go to this head right…maybe at some point Paramount will get around to making him defend that championship and we can see what he’s made out of…maybe he can prove the last time he lost the North American Championship in his first defense was a fluke…but until then his ass belongs to me…
Xavier smirks…
Reid: At Night of Champions Marcu$ $t. John was tossed off the top of the 3rd cage…straight down onto a burning table now I know what it feels like to be sent off the top of the 3rd cage…lucky for me I landed on Stitches and not the flaming wooden table but Marcu$ wasn’t so lucky…I know how badly I felt so there is no way that your champion is 100% and yet here I am…ready to go…fresh as a daisy and looking to stomp the fucking shit out of your champion and vault myself back up the ranking off his back…I have come to Paramount to use Marcu$ $t. John’s run of good luck because let’s face it…it’s worthless to be left to him…he’s proven on the larger scale of the EWC he can’t get the job done but me…me, with the 4-7-3 record has done just that and it’s time to remind the small minded people of the EWC just who Xavier Reid is…tonight I’ll remind Marcu$ $t. John that if it wasn’t for me…the blood I spilled while in the FSW there would be no Paramount for him to reign over…I’ll show him the difference between a worthy champion and a 92 day no nothing champion!!!
Xavier smiles as Tommy winks at Lisa as the pair walk past her, her crew and her security detail. The camera cuts back too...
SINGLES MATCH
NON-TITLE
Xavier Reid
VS Marcu$ $t. john
We return to ringside where the fight between James Keaton and Killjoy recently ended. The energy in the air is almost literally electric as the audience has shown how much they’ve enjoyed all of tonight’s fights so far. The added fact of knowing the night still isn’t over only fuels the excitement further. The camera pans around, showing the audience off, before cutting back to commentary.
Watson: Welcome back and, as you can see and hear, the anticipation is only building up as we get closer and closer to our main event of the evening. But for now, we’re about to witness a former FSW champion in the form of Xavier Reid return to his home turf as he faces our current EWC North American Champion, Marcu$ $t. John. Marcu$ just recently tasted one of the worst defeats in his entire season by falling into the fire at Night of Champions. Xavier is nowhere close to one hundred percent given he recently fought at Prime 100. Who will win tonight? Let’s find out! Take us away, Starr!
Starr: The following match is for one fall! Joining us first, being accompanied to the ring by 'The Memphis Mouthpiece' Tommy Love, from New York, weighing in at 220 pounds ... XAVIER REID!
The spotlights inside the arena start to flash around the crowd as 'Papercut' starts to play out
Xavier Reid walks out onto the stage in his new black trunk, kickpads and boots, his hands wrapped in black tape and from behind him ‘The Memphis Mouthpiece’ Tommy Love walks out. He walks to the front of the stage and crosses his arms into an X in front of his chest and smirks as Tommy walks out from behind him and acts as if he’s going to hit the camera with the ‘Love Stick’. Tommy points to the ring and Xavier walks towards the ring shadow boxing as he makes his way down the aisle. Xavier storms up the steps and climbs into the ring, Tommy follows suit and walks towards the referee, already complaining about something. Xavier storms across the ring to the opposite corner and jumps to the middle rope and looks over the crowd and once again crosses his arms into an X as Tommy pulls out some money and tries to bribe the official who walks away as Tommy laughs. Xavier jumps down and squats down in the corner waiting for the bell.
Starr: And his opponent, Coming to the ring at 6'1" and weighing 210 lbs, he is the EWC North American Champion..."THE YOUNG MOGUL"... MARCU$ $T. JOHN!
"Fast Lane" blasts through the arena by Bad Meets Evil. M$J slowly walks out onto the entrance ramp and soaks in the cheers. He pumps up the crowd more before posing on the center of the entrance ramp. He walks down to the ring slapping fans hands with a huge smile on his face.
He stops right before he gets to the ring and listens as he hears cheers that he is getting from the crowd. He walks around the ring and high fives anyone who has their hands out. He jumps up on the apron and wipes his feet before he enters the ring and poses in the middle of the squared circle as a light shines a hundred dollar bill in the center of the ring with his face on it.
Pyros hits as "Fast Lane" by Bad Meets Evil ends.
DING DING DING
Both fighters practically run towards one another right as the bell rings, each seeming just as eager and raring to fight as much as the other! Reid throws a Pele Kick towards Marcu$, while the Young Mogul swings with his own Spinning Heel Kick! THEY BOTH CONNECT! Xavier and Marcu$ take a few seconds to shake off the pain before resuming with the fight.
Marcu$ goes for the ropes, ascending them as quickly as possible. Reid runs forward, attempting to intercept him, but $t. John jumps off, going for a Meteora! Xavier improvises, and he does this by catching Marcu$ in midair! He starts to slam him down onto the canvas, but The Young Mogul headbutts Reid first!
Xavier reels back in agony, dropping Marcu$ in the process. The North American champion gets back up to his feet as the two circle cautiously around one another.
Watson: Jesus! We knew this would be a fight, but not this quickly!
Sydney: M$J has nothing to lose here and Reid has everything to gain by beating the man that survived Parabellum and almost won the Insanity Cage. Marcu$ needs to be careful here, he is not at 100% and further injury could hurt his chances of retaining the North American Championship.
Xavier is the first to close the distance between himself and Marcu$. Reid opens his palm up, delivering a vicious open-handed slap straight to the champion’s face. He then tosses him against the ropes with an Irish Whip. Before Reid can follow up with whatever the next part of his plan was, however, Marcu$ counters! The moment he gets close enough to Xavier … bam! A Superkick from out of nowhere, landing flush on Xavier’s jaw!
Now that Marcu$ is close enough, he hoists Reid up, getting him set up for Bankrupt! But Reid shows that he’s not completely out of this fight just yet … by ramming an elbow straight into Marcu$’s throat!
The Young Mogul’s eyes widen as he drops Reid, coughing and covering his throat with his hands in case Xavier tries to go for it. Reid tugs on Marcu$’s arms roughly, shoving him down to the canvas as he begins delivering the Fuck You Stomp to The North American Champion’s face!
The referee warns Xavier that if he doesn’t stop soon, he’ll disqualify him. Reid glares a hole through Mercer, but the ref stands his ground, only repeating himself in a more firm voice.
Reid complies and lets go, but not before delivering one last stomp. Marcu$ turns his head and spits. We see a bit of blood … as well as tooth land onto the canvas! Marcu$ is also looking less than pleased at Reid. Tommy Love, meanwhile, is laughing his ass off from his corner, looking rather proud at the damage his client has caused the North American champion!
Watson: Shades of Reid versus Aquilla from earlier this season here as Xavier's temper is getting the best of him.
Sydney: This is what I was talking about. He poked the bear and the bear just took a giant shit on his throat!
Watson: Apologies to those watching on the CW Network.
Watson: Apologies to those watching on the CW Network.
Xavier grips tightly onto The Young Mogul’s shoulders as he repeatedly thrusts his kneecaps straight into Marcu$’s midsection. Marcu$ manages to block a few by placing his hands in front of himself and softening some of the assaults. But more hit their mark than not.
The Young Mogul tries to counter by thrusting an elbow towards Reid’s own chest, but Xavier isn’t having any of that. He lifts Marcu$ up into Xplode! Marcu$ fights against Xavier, trying to get off of his opponent’s shoulders, but Reid ensures that the champion stays upon his shoulders! The One-Winged Angel lands flush!
Xavier goes for the cover!
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Starr: And your winner, via pinfall, XAVIER REID!
Marcu$ rolls out of the ring, looking furious at the outcome of the fight. He flips Tommy off as ‘The Memphis Mouthpiece’ laughs while entering the ring and celebrating alongside his client. Tommy takes an arm and raises it high up in the air while Mercer does the same with the other. Marcu$ stares at the three figures inside the ring for a few moments, before pivoting and walking away. After lingering on Reid and Tommy celebrating inside the ring, we cut back to commentary.
Watson: Take nothing away from either Reid or Marcu$. Both came at each other with every ounce of strength and really gave it their all tonight. But in the end, Xavier proved he wanted this win more than Marcu$.
Sydney: Luckily for Marcu$, Xavier can’t put himself into contention for the North American Championship, but that doesn’t make the loss any less painful. He’ll find a way to bounce back though. He always does. For now, congrats to Xavier Reid on a hard-earned win.
Watson: This match certainly have title implications for the EWC Undisputed championship. We will have to see how that plays out...Our Massive Main Event is still to come... It's a Tag Team Showcase coming up next!
Camera cuts to ...
Black candles fill the room. A cold chill permeates the surroundings. Reginald Dampshaw III sits amongst the candles cross-legged, chanting in some unknown language.
In front of him is a large, plain table. On top of the table is a crystal ball, which contains various mystical symbols and runes. Around the walls are bookshelves filled with occult tomes. It's almost like an altar of sorts...
Reginald suddenly stops chanting and stares intently at the crystal ball. He takes a deep breath before speaking.
Reginald Dampshaw III: I would introduce myself, but that's not necessary, is it? I've been here before. You know who I am. Or so you think...
His voice becomes quieter.
Reginald Dampshaw III: But the man you saw before, the man who terrorized Friday Night Rampage for months, the man who once wrestled the longest reigning EWC United States Champion at StrangleMania in a 30 minute Iron Man match...that man is dead. That man was a coward, a fake, and a loser. And when he couldn't face up to his mounting failures any longer...he was stuck in asylum.
His voice becomes quieter.
Reginald Dampshaw III: But the man you saw before, the man who terrorized Friday Night Rampage for months, the man who once wrestled the longest reigning EWC United States Champion at StrangleMania in a 30 minute Iron Man match...that man is dead. That man was a coward, a fake, and a loser. And when he couldn't face up to his mounting failures any longer...he was stuck in asylum.
Reginald snickers. He rises from his cross-legged position and grabs the crystal ball off the table. Holding it up high above himself, he lets out an eerie laugh as if he's just heard some amusing joke.
Reginald Dampshaw III: They pumped him full of drugs like a little pig, they bullied him and beat him half to death, and you know what he did about it? Nothing. He sat there and he took it, like a child. He never protested. He never fought back. He just took it. We watched for months as it went on until we couldn't take it anymore and did something about it. We got him out of there and put him to rest. Now I'm here. Now we're here.
Reginald sets down the crystal ball on the table and picks up one of the candles. The wax has been melted away exposing a metal rod which Reginald holds aloft with both hands. A large flame erupts from the candle as the room is filled with smoke. Reginald takes another deep breath before speaking again in the same eerie tone.
Reginald Dampshaw III: We will bring The New Dawn into existence. It was foretold by my ancestors that someday The New Dawn would arise and bring forth our age old destiny.
Reginald's voice becomes quieter still, almost a whisper.
Reginald Dampshaw III: And now, the time has come...
He stares at the flames as they dance around his fingers, staring intently into their depths...
Reginald Dampshaw III: Extreme Wrestling Corporation...Whatever you thought you knew about Reginald Dampshaw III before, you know nothing. Forget everything you think you've heard about me so far...Because I am not just a wrestler, a wrestler who can talk, a man who pretends to be someone he isn't, pretending to do what he really wants to do with his life. Not anymore. Now I'm something much greater than any of that. I am endless. I am limitless. I am swift like the wind and formless like smoke. My strength is infinite. My mind is unending. You have seen this face before, but you did not recognize it for what it was. What you saw was only a mask of flesh, a shell, a façade to hide my true nature from the world.
Reginald smiles and holds up one finger in front of himself, the candlelight illuminating the flame dancing on its tip. He leans forward slowly, as if he were about to fall over onto his knees. The flame rises from the tip of his finger until it reaches his hand.
Reginald Dampshaw III: This is where it all begins...Where we begin...
The flames burn brightly in Reginald's eyes as he continues to speak.
Reginald Dampshaw III: You see, the first step to making The New Dawn real is already done...I've found a way...a means of controlling time itself. This is how I will take down those who stand against me. How I will become the champion I always dreamed of being! And now I ask you, do you believe anyone can stop me?
Reginald takes another deep breath before speaking again.
Reginald Dampshaw III: I am Reginald Dampshaw III, and soon enough, so shall it all come to pass...
Reginald picks up the crystal ball off the table, holding it aloft with both hands as if he were about to smash it on the floor. Instead, he drops the candle onto the table, setting the room ablaze. The camera cuts too...
The camera cuts backstage inside The Love Club locker room where we find Bobby Rose and Jimmy Lane of The Southern Express wearing their new t-shirt, The Southern Express Farewell Tour: Saitama, Japan. The two men are chilling when the door opens and in walks their manager, Bunny Love with a huge smile on her face
Love: Good news boys, the shirts have been sold out!!!
Jimmy sits up and gives the money sign with both of his hands
Lane: Cha-Ching!!!!
Bobby laughs as he sits up
Rose: I can’t say that I’m shocked, we have always been huge here in Japan…
Lane: Yeah like Godzilla huge…
Rose: And with this being the last time The Southern Express will grace a Japanese ring I knew the merch would sell out fast…they love us here and have always supported us and I’d expect nothing less from these fans here tonight…
Lane: Despite us facing two ladies that were born here in Japan…
Rose: Yes, Aiya and Sonya are Japanese but these fans are very knowledgeable…they know there will be plenty of time to see these ladies as their careers unfold but this is it for Jimmy and me…so I don’t expect to be booed in fact…
Bobby stands up and pulls a bag of bandannas out of his travel bag
Rose: I expect to see all these fans here tonight in Saitama Stadium decked out in our t-shirts…and we get to see how Aiya and Sonya do in front of their own fans…
Lane: It’s not easy, as we saw at World Wide IV for Aiya…there is a certain pressure that comes with fighting in front of your family and friends…you don’t want to disappoint them…
Rose: And tonight is a huge moment for them as a team, it’s the official debut of Yomi, Shinijoshi’s newest tag team…
Lane: I will say it’s tough to keep them all straight but we are here to help…
Rose: Well you have Senshi of the Blade…
Lane:Narumi Tsutsumi and Megumi…
Rose: Bloody Sureiyazu…
Lane: Narumi and Aiya…
Rose: And our opponents here tonight Yomi…
Lane: Aiya and Sonya…
Love: Smart move from the ladies, just form as many tag teams as possible to give you the best odds of being the top tag team…we should have done that…Xavier and Killjoy, Jamie and Jason, Bobby and Gabi…Jimmy and Ruthann…
Lane: I’d pay money to see Xavier and Gabi, Jamie and Ruthann…
Jimmy laughs as Bobby starts to tie the bandannas around his legs
Rose: And this is the first shot for Shinijoshi to get a tag team in the conversation…because let’s face it we might not be the EWC Tag Team Champions but a win over us would go a long way for them getting a tag team championship match down the road but you know what…
Lane: A win here would go a long way in helping us get another EWC Tag Team Championship match somewhere down the road in the 4 months we have left…
Rose: Yes it would…we want our final match in the EWC to be for those belts, a chance to go out on top but we can’t do that if we can’t get by Yomi…how could we make the case for ourselves if we can’t even beat a two ladies who have never team together as a tag team and I know…they have 6-person tag experience but that’s not the same…
Lane: Nope…it’s one less person Bobby…
Jimmy holds out three fingers and drops on with a smiles
Rose: And for Sonya she doesn’t have much of any experience here in the EWC so it’s a pretty tall task…
Lane: Not that we aren’t saying it can’t be done…I mean I once spent the night with Jungle Girl and she was like an 11…
Rose: She was also in the middle of a 12 day bender…
Lane: Still counts…
Rose: As would this win over us…I know the ladies want to turn this into a fight and I say let’s do it…we are no strangers to fights…we have been in plenty here in the EWC and our fight back to the top starts right here tonight at Paramount #024…there is no tomorrow for us, it’s time to hit the gas and speed towards the end and give these people of Saitama one final Southern Express win!!!
Bobby and Jimmy high five as the camera fades too...
TAG TEAM SHOWCASE
YOMI
VS The Southern Express
We return to ringside where the crowd is buzzing for the main event!
Watson: Welcome back to Paramount Wrestling, folks! It is time for our Main Event of the evening and I will not make you wait any longer. Let's get to it!
Starr: The following match is your Paramount Wrestling MAIN EVENT! It is a tag team showcase! Introducing first, hailing from Honolulu, Hawaii and Kyoto, Japan respectively, weighing in at a combined weight of two hundred and eighty seven pounds and representing The Shinijoshi, they are ... “THE BEAUTIFUL BATTLESHIP” SONYA & “HEADHUNTRESS” AIYA! YOMI!!
As Linked Horizon’s ’Shinzou Wo Sasageyo’ blares over the PA system, Sonya and Aiya emerge behind the curtains to a red and black mist. Each woman starts walking down the ramp, giving a salute before raising both their arms and making the double peace signs, raising their hands and fingers high up in the air.
As they approach the ropes, Sonya steps over them completely while Aiya slips through the middle and lower most rope. Sonya stares towards the ramp, waiting for their opponent while Aiya begins whispering and suggesting battle plans into her ear.
Starr: And their opponents...
The electric guitar kicks in to 'Stranglehold' as the crowd gets to their feet, some of the older females in the crowd start to scream like they did when they were younger as Bunny Love walks out onto the stage and is quickly followed by Bobby Rose and Jimmy Lane.
Starr: Being accompanied to the ring by Bunny Love, from Nashville, Tennessee ... Bobby Rose and Jimmy Lane ... THE SOUTHERN EXPRESS!!!
Bunny leads the way as the pair reach out and high five with the fans as the walk to the ring, Bunny marches up the steps and steps through the ropes as Bobby and Jimmy climb up onto the apron and step through the ropes, take off the titles and hands them to Bunny and head to opposite corners, Jimmy climbs up to the middle turnbuckle and Bobby stands in the corner as both men toss out bandannas to the crowd as Bunny stands in the middle of the ring posing seductively.
Watson: Both teams need a win here tonight; we are in for a wild one, folks. Don't change that channel!
DING DING DING
Aiya is smirking coldly at the opposing team as she and Sonya exchange a few more words, strategizing calmly, before they bump fists and the Battleship ducks under the ropes with a smile. Bobby Rose starts off for the Express, juking from foot to foot before lunging at the Headhuntress for a lock-up, seemingly uncowed by her lethal reputation. A brow can be seen briefly arching before she accepts the challenge, spins out into a deft standing armbar, and then drives a kick into the elbow that sends Rose hopping away in pain. Aiya yanks back on the arm, spins around, and flattens him with a scything heel kick! On the sidelines, Sonya cheers and claps her head boisterously.
Jimmy barks out an instruction to Rose, who grumbles as he gets to his feet, now looking a little more wary of the Sadistic Sakura, who simply cracks her neck and beckons him on. He shakes his head, and she obliges with her own assault instead, driving forward with a big boot that misses by a whisker! Bobby ducks to one side, drops into a roll, and takes her down with a rolling leg lock that she attempts to fight off viciously, driving a boot to the skull and then hopping up onto one leg, worsening the pressure as she reaches out to the Battleship!
Rose is having none of it, pulling back with a yell of effort, catching Aiya with a lariat to the back of the head, then dragging her by two handfuls of hair to his own corner. Lane tags in, and wrenches the Headhuntress up onto his shoulders, spinning around to then launch her into the corner post as Bobby hops into an Enziguri from the outside! SMASH HIT!
The crowd are split down the middle, mostly just enjoying the contest as they erupt in appreciation for the early offense.
Watson: This Japanese crowd is split between the two teams, but they certainly are enjoying the display of violence between them both!
Sydney: Yomi is enjoying this waaaay too much for my liking Tim. Let's see how Bobby and Jimmy adjust here.
Sonya is stamping her feet on the outside, all too keen to get into the fight as Aiya is pulled to her feet and stiffed with a couple of forearms, stumbling away against the ropes. Jimmy Lane stops to perform a cheeky strut, and Aiya can be seen vigorously shaking off the cobwebs, hands white-knuckling the top rope, before she whirls directly into an SOS! The spinning kick carries Lane right off his feet, and Aiya lands, catlike, only to catch him with an immediate follow-up, spearing him out of the air and into the canvas near her corner. Sonya leans out insistently, and with her deadly-cool composure, the Headhuntress slaps the extended hand, then yanks Lane to his feet.
It's Yomi's turn to lay in the double-team offense, picking up the wily veteran for a vertical suplex, the Battleship then showing off her strength as she dumps his stunned form across her shoulders with a, "HRRRAAARGH!" She begins a beautifully-oldschool airplane spin, out into the center of the ring, the crowd counting along with the rotations before Aiya plays spoiler and leaps in to nail a Codebreaker! She's ejected from the ring thereafter, throwing up her hands in faux-innocence and throwing a coldly-mischievous wink to Bunny Love, who's furiously objecting from ringside.
Sonya plays to the crowd, taking her time in soaking up all the appreciation, and allowing Lane to get to his feet in the process. He staggers about a bit, baiting the relatively green younger woman in before catching her with a hip toss, and a thudding front dropkick to the chest as she rolls upright, wide-eyed. She's launched into the corner, and Lane quickly tags in Bobby Rose, the two of them nailing tandem drop kicks that waffle the Battleship to her butt.
Rose peels off to drop a surprise flying forearm at Aiya, who looks furious as she drops to ringside to avoid it, starting to slide back into the ring to show Rose what she thinks of this bullshit - and being swiftly intercepted by the official. Lane takes advantage, tying Sonya up in the ropes and applying a choke that lasts entirely too long while an argument rages on the opposite side of the ring. Snarling, Aiya grabs the official's face and shoves him away from her, getting a verbal warning for her efforts, to which Rose laughs happily, strutting back over to the downed Sonya while Jimmy slips back to their corner.
Red-faced and disheveled, Sonya is easy prey for a few stiff strikes from Bobby, who takes his time working her over, digging his calloused knuckles into the squishy parts of her midsection, then dropping her with a crunching neckbreaker before going for the cover. Aiya dashes in to break it up, about baseball sliding Rose's face off with an irritated shriek!
Bobby rolls to the apron, where he's momentarily consoled by a scowling Bunny, and Sonya pulls herself slowly to her feet as Aiya returns to her corner. Aiya beckons frantically to her partner, her cool thoroughly lost, but the Battleship is slow to respond. By the time she stumbles her way toward the waiting tag, there's a second higher-pitched shriek from the outside...
And Aiya's hand disappears, along with Aiya herself, as Bunny Love pulls her ankles out from under her!
Watson: So close to a tag there by Aiya, but Bunny Love does what she does best, and that is give her clients any advantage that she can!
Sydney: This happens when you are still working out the wrinkles in your tag team work. Nothing against Yomi here, but 40 years of chemistry is hard to compete against.
Bobby Rose takes one look at the situation and grins, passing the tag off to his partner, the two of them then closing in on Sonya - who reads like easy prey. She isn't. Having taken quite enough of their nonsense, the Japanese powerhouse surges into a two-armed running lariat, levelling both members of the Southern Express before hitting the ropes, surging back in to drop a knee right to Bobby Rose's face! He's bust open, rolling onto his side, as Jimmy Lane rolls to his feet and turns-- right into a running big boot! This one connects, driving the veteran back against the ropes, caught on the rebound by the wide-eyed, VERY game Battleship, who wraps her arms around him and bridges into an hellacious German suplex! The EVEREST GERMAN! Lane's held in place by the lean, powerful Sonya, who's timed it all perfectly!
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Gasping, wearing a mask of disbelief, Jimmy Lane manages to get his shoulders up, and as Sonya rolls to one side he scrambles toward his corner. The Beautiful Battleship is on him, though, ignoring the outstretched hand of Headhuntress Aiya to give pursuit, grabbing both legs and twisting Lane up like a screaming pretzel, sinking in a deep Boston Crab in the middle of the ring. He keeps trying to claw his way across the ring, perhaps hoping to drag all one-fifty pounds of Sonya with him...
But she's got other ideas, and starts to crab-walk toward her corner, maintaining the hold even as she slips an arm free to make the tag to a smirking Aiya, who bites her thumb at a hopping, infuriated Bobby Rose before pounding the trapped Lane into the canvas with a flipping leg drop. Sonya releases the hold, high-fiving her partner before ducking through the ropes. The Headhuntress pulls Lane to his feet, whips him off the opposite side, and lets him fly directly into Sonya - who simply leans back, smiling and waving to the fans. Jimmy rebounds a second time-- CRONCH! Right into Aiya's boot!
This time, Sonya is ready to catch him stumbling into her corner, reaching over the top rope to launch him to the outside of the ring - right into the barricade! - with another beautiful German suplex! Jimmy is DOWN! He's hurt!
Bobby Rose swears, and ducks into the ring, blindsiding Aiya with a forearm, then whipping her into the corner. He follows up with a Stinger Splash, holding on to also gift her a bulldog out of the corner, before popping to his feet and - still full of frustrated energy - takes off running at Sonya, who drops down, meeting him with a shoulder-check, then tumbling over his back into the ring. Bobby recovers quickly, but turns right into a scintillating knife-edge chop! He looks pained, but returns fire with his own, and the two of them duel their way into the center of the ring until finally, it's Rose who drops to one knee.
Sonya cheers her own efforts, grabs a handful of hair-- and is promptly punched right in the kidney, with a glint of brass knuckles visible before Rose stows them back in his tights. Smiling with faux-innocence as the crowd erupt in boos, he pops to his feet and then into the air, taking the Battleship down with an Huracanrana, only to be immediately wiped out by a recovering Headhuntress, who spears him into oblivion then mounts up and rains down headbutts, spitting an order at the Battleship as she subsequently hauls the bloodied Rose up and sets her team up...
For a pair of Buzzsaw Kicks! Sampō! Rose is OUT, but he's not the legal man!
Watson: They've taken out the illegal man, but this does nothing to get them a pinfall right now!
Sydney: This gets them closer. Now all they have to do is get Lane down for the three!
Sonya is hurt, and has dropped to her knees following this dramatic takedown of one half of the Southern Express. Aiya, knowing she's the legal woman, tells her partner to rest up, then takes off at a vigorous pace toward the outside, where Jimmy Lane has been helped up and tended to by Bunny Love. Aiya hits them both at full steam, ramming a brutal front kick into Lane's chest, then spinning to floor Bunny with a virulent elbow right to the synthetic chest! The valet is knocked flat onto her ass, and with a snarl Aiya follows up with another Buzzsaw Kick, this one all by her lonesome; the Out to Kill! Poor Bunny is left in a pretty pile on the outside of the ring, and the Headhuntress stares out at the crowd.
"THANK YOU, AIYA!" clap-clap-clapclapclap "THANK YOU, AIYA!"
Unmoved by their appreciation, she scowls and dismisses them with a wave of her hand, before turning back toward Jimmy Lane. He's ready for her, stepping in with a scolding forearm that jerks her head around, a mouthful of saliva flying out into the front row. Dropping low, Lane bundles her up and over into a spinebuster against the same barricade Sonya introduced him to a couple of minutes ago, and this time the whole thing collapses, sending the fans into a conniption.
"HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!"
Jimmy Lane takes one look at the ring and looks momentarily crestfallen by what he sees - Bobby in a pool of blood, Sonya on her knees but seemingly getting her wits back - but with a shake of his head he persists regardless, dragging Aiya back in by the hair, then sliding up to meet her. She fights off his attempted grapple, and shoves him into the corner, but again misses her follow-up big boot, ending up with one leg draped over the ropes. Lane drops down low, gets her into the electric chair position, and dumps her flat in the middle of the ring, aborting the natural cover as Sonya darts in to intercept.
WHAM! Bloody and battered, Bobby Rose takes her off her feet with a double-leg, face a crimson mask and looking like he's got no earthly idea where he is as he pops back to his own feet and comes face-to-face with his more composed partner. Jimmy slaps him twice across the face, then yanks him in for a quick pep talk, and the two reach an understanding just in time for a reckless charge by Headhuntress Aiya. Proving they're still the team to beat, the Southern Express react instinctively and perfectly; Jimmy ducks down into a back body drop, absolutely launching the Sadistic Sakura...
And as she falls back to the canvas, Bobby Rose is ready with a leg drop off the ropes! The crowd pop for that one!
Watson: The Express is starting to roll now! Let's see how Yomi reacts.
Sydney: Tag team matches are a battle of back and forth. it's the team that can keep it from swinging the other direction that wins.
Sonya is back on her feet, breathing deep as she stares down Jimmy Lane, who distractedly slaps hands with his partner before circling around the Beautiful Battleship. She's chattering away in Japanese, and seems distracted herself - an opportunity Bobby Rose is happy to take, lunging in from her flank once again. All at once, Sonya turns on her heels and DECKS the spirited blond with a single, breathtaking forearm! Clean-Up Hitter! Rose collapses in a heap, much like Bunny Love on the outside, and the woman leans over him, breaking her flow of Japanese by yelling,
"DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM NOW?! HAH?"
Jimmy Lane charges in too, and Sonya tries to give him the same treatment - but he goes underneath, hits the ropes, and is cut off instead by Aiya, who pulls him into a hammerlock and gets him in position for her partner, who stamps forward with a murder in her eyes that likely makes the Headhuntress very proud indeed. They grin at each other, and Aiya spins out of the hold, driving a fist straight down into Jimmy's kneecap, which audibly POPS! The Sadistic Sakura steps past, leaving him to Sonya, who quickly scoops his agonized form up and over onto one shoulder, while the Headhuntress takes to the corner and hauls herself onto the middle rope, turning purposefully in preparation to leap--
--as Sonya slides her feet out from under her, dropping Jimmy brutally to the mat, Aiya catching him with a concurrent neckbreaker as he's delivered to the canvas like a nuclear payload! SOL! Shit Outta Luck!!
Sonya surges to her feet, and storms over to plan a foot on the chest of Bobby Rose as Aiya makes the cover on Lane...
ONE...
TWO...
THR-- NO!!
Jimmy Lane YELLS as he throws Aiya from his chest, clutching desperately for the ropes. Sonya turns at the sound, and is immediately yanked into an ankle lock by Bobby Rose, hopping on one foot much like her partner earlier in the match. Unable to keep the hold tight, he opts to instead swing her skull-first into the corner post, stumbling away to assist his partner with the Headhuntress. Jimmy pulls her into position for a tombstone, with a little extra guidance from Bobby, both men looking about done at this point. Slapping his partner on the back encouragingly, the bloodied Bobby heads to the outside...
And springboards back into the ring, the crowd swelling in appreciation!
Aiya is caught! Aiya is SPIKED into the mat as Lane drops onto his injured knee with a pained scream...
GOOD NIGHT, SAITAMA!
Both members of the Southern Express sprawl across Aiya, and the official just seems to want this one over!
ONE...
TWO...
TH-REE!!!
DING DING DING
Starr: And your winner, via pinfall ... THE SOUTHERN EXPRESS!!
Laughing, the Southern Express straighten up, staring at each other in disbelief that quickly turns to a mutual resurgence of confidence. They high-five energetically, the moment only slightly ruined as Jimmy tries to stand and is forced into an ungainly stumble as his knee gives out. Bobby catches him with an arm around the shoulders, and they hobble a victory lap around the ring before helping each other to the outside, where they retrieve a terrible-looking Bunny Love and perform a similar lap of the outside - this time, with a lot more slapped hands and words of encouragement exchanged with the fans, only a few of whom look disgusted to see their Joshi heroines undone by the veteran team.
Watson: What an intense battle we just witnessed, Cid! Say what you will about their fall from grace, the Southern Express continue to put it all on the line and show us just why the wrestling world holds them in such esteem.
Sydney: Man, I dunno who did the worst thing to the other, here! These teams both needed this victory, and they proved it out there, waging a war that has the crowd scratching their heads and me ABSOLUTELY LOVING IT. Not a tactic was spared, and the best team won on the night. You hate to see promising new blood choke at the last hurdle like that, but YOMI did nothing to disgrace themselves, they showed they were smart, tenacious and capable of beating this pair of legends in their own lifetime!
Watson: We are completely out of time here tonight, but please don't forget to join us for the Rumble in the UK and then Paramount Wrestling is back on October 5th Live from Kolkata, India as we start the road to Youngblood III! For Cid Sydney, I am Tim Watson saying good night and see you in London for EWC Rumble!
The camera fades on the image of The Southern Express celebrating in the ring for what could be the last time in Japan.
