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FEBRUARY 2024
4TH PRIME #116
7TH PARAMOUNT #39
12TH BRAWL #604
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1ST RAMPAGE #523
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22ND [PPV] STRANGLEMANIA XIX
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1ST PARAMOUNT #44
2ND NEXT GEN #11
6TH BRAWL #609
10TH RAMPAGE #527
12TH PRIME #122
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26TH [PPV] WORLD WIDE VI
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JUNE 2024
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JULY 2024
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15TH BRAWL #613
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29TH [PPV] HARDCORE REVOLUTION 2024
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26TH [PPV] PARABELLUM 2024
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1ST PRIME #128
4TH PARAMOUNT #51
5TH NEXTGEN #15 FINALE
9TH BRAWL #615
13TH RAMPAGE #533
15TH PRIME #129
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18TH RAMPAGE #535
28TH [PPV] EWC RUMBLE XXI
NOVEMBER 2024
4TH BRAWL #618
8TH RAMPAGE #536
10TH PRIME #131
13TH PARAMOUNT #54
18TH BRAWL #619 FINALE
22ND RAMPAGE #537 FINALE
24TH PRIME #132 FINALE
27TH PARAMOUNT #55 FINALE
DECEMBER 2024
13TH-16TH [PPV] WRESTLEFEST XXII
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We come back to ringside, where Marcus and Valentina are standing by!
Woo: Welcome back, folks! I've been told that Twitter is currently running haywire due to something about the owner about to send his IT team to Mars...but you know what doesn't suffer from that? Our own social platform, Fighter Talk!
Gomez: Evidently someone from the red brand had a quick word about Tanja's recent victory earning her a shot at the CW Broadcast Championship...
We cut to a quick clip of said social post:
Woo: Be sure to follow all the latest on EWC Fighter Talk, where the guy in charge is not absolutely crazy!
The camera cuts backstage inside FNB Stadium and inside The Love Club locker room where we find Xavier Reid lacing up his boots in preparation for tonight’s Main Event, a Falls Count Anywhere Fatal Fourway for the EWC International Championship. As the camera pans around the room it becomes very noticeable that Xavier’s manager, ‘The Memphis Mouthpiece’ Tommy Love is not in the locker room with him, but it’s another Love, Bunny Love that watches over the former champion as he gets ready…
Bunny Love: You need to try and keep your emotions in check out there…stay level headed and not try and force the issue…let the match come to you and try…try to put what happened yesterday out of your mind…
Xavier grunts at her without looking up at her…
Bunny Love: Going out there and seeing Jamie’s face on all your opponents isn’t going to help you…sure it might be a little satisfying to bust one of them open and ‘see Jamie bleed’ but how did that work out for you when you were seeing Gabi’s face on every women you came in contact with?
Bunny pushes her lips together and waits for an answer that doesn’t come…
Bunny Love: I’ll tell you then, it got you DQ’ed in a X-Division Match, which frankly I didn’t even think was possible but you did it, it got you fined and sent to therapy…you ended up losing the International Championship and people around here thought you finally went off the deep end…we don’t want a repeat of that Xavier…there is nothing we…or might I say YOU can do about my brother tonight or even here at WrestleFest, that will have to be 2023’s problem but what you can so is end the year by taking back that International Championship…which I know you care about…what was it you told me about that championship…
Bunny looks at Xavier who doesn’t look back at her, she reaches out with her foot and gives his a little nudge and when that doesn’t work a swift kick that causes him to look up at her. She flashes a smile, defusing his anger or maybe his annoyance towards her and after a loud exhale he gives in…
Xavier Reid: It’s the championship I wanted the most when I first signed here in the EWC…way back during my FIRST run, pre-FSW…I came to Brawl and wanted nothing more than to be the International Champion…
Bunny nods, having heard the story but wanted HIM to remember…
Bunny Love: But things didn’t go your way did they…no King Flip shit in your boots and you got off course…back then, like now…you wanted to cave in the skull of the person you felt wronged you and what happened…you lost out on the International Championship…in fact King Flip even went on to win it after beating you at a ppv…and you went home and laid around on your couch like you are Deimos…
Xavier Reid: Your point…
Bunny Love: I don’t want to see you make the same mistakes now as you did back then…I know that championship still matters to you, of course it does…why else would you keep putting yourself through hell in order for another crack at it…you are a 3 time International Champion, a record setting champion that holds the longest reign as champion at 346 days, the most cumulative days as International Champion with 521 days, TIED with Cyrus Black with 4 cumulative defenses even if THEY refuse to make that update because the EWC IT Department are all a bunch of Kilt-Bros sycophants…you name is everywhere when it comes to the International Championship and yet you still want more…
Xavier Reid: That’s because I know I can still be a better International Champion…
Bunny Love: I know you can and I want that for you…that’s why I want you to be focused on the task at hand out there tonight…I’ve seen you beat these guys Xavier, hell just last year you beat Stitches in a Bed of Glass match…I’ve seen the scars on your body from that match but you showed the EWC your will to win and retain that championship last season and I know…you lost to Stitches on the Season Finale of Brawl and feel like you pissed your shot away BUT…
Xavier Reid: I also technically have a return match for the championship…not to mention Stitches beat BOTH Flip and Morgan the last time he faced them so there is no real #1 Contender for the championship so why wouldn’t the most decorated former International Champion be in the mix…
Bunny Love: That’s right…
Xavier Reid: Last season Stitches felt like he was going to walk right into WrestleFest and take that championship from me…based off ONE WIN and now what…he thinks he has my number, did he forget the last time we had a match over that championship it was me that left with it and YES, I know this is a new season but the fact is I have proven I can raise to the occasion when it matters most and tonight is one of those times…I beat him in one of the most violent matches the EWC has ever seen and that’s what I do…while Stitches…we saw him time and time again lose these types of matches, The Candy Castle match, Carnival Carnage match…he isn’t the best when the rules are toss out the window but me…I am a 2 time X-Division Champion, thrived in matches like this and won in the Weapons X-Match right here at WrestleFest…the truth is when it comes to the crazy off the wall matches Xavier Reid takes his game to the next level so why not tonight…because I’m coming off a loss…big fucking deal…I proved that didn’t matter last season and I’ll prove it again here tonight when I walk out once again the International Champion…
Bunny nods but holds up her hand…
Bunny Love: But it’s not only Stitches you have to deal with, there is a certain Captain of the 7 Seas…
Xavier Reid: Capt Morgan Darkwater…
Xavier says with a smile…
Xavier Reid: Do you know how long I’ve waited for this moment…Scars & Stripes 2019, I was poised to take that Golden Ticket championship match and then out of the fucking blue he returns…comes from out of nowhere and beats me for the chance at making another run at Ace King…and what did he do with his Golden Ticket…
Bunny Love: Not a damn thing…
Xavier Reid: Nope, it was wasted on him just as like the International Championship would be…see we have seen the Capt as the International Champion but that was back in his heyday, he hasn’t been that man since 2018…and sure, some might say the same thing about me…that I haven’t been the same man that won the Undisputed Championship while the International Championship back in 2020 but the fact remains I’ve still been here plugin away and taking down the ‘names’ in the EWC…and now I get the chance to settle an old score with Darkwater…that night in 2019 he cost me a chance at Championship gold and now I get to return the favor by making damn sure that the International Championship is one piece of gold he doesn’t get his hands on…let’s face facts, he’s beaten and broke…I watched that match yesterday with JoJo…he was exhausted and couldn’t make it to his feet…NO WAY he’s recovered in 24 hrs and SURE, I also had a match yesterday but I have also proved I can recover…hell last time I was in this stadium I beat BOTH Bosa and Scorpio in the same night…I am the man that pulled double duty at Brawl #588 and looked stronger as the night went one, beating Flip one-on-one, I entered the Rumble this year #1 and was right there at the end…my stamina has been proven, can Morgan Darkwater say the same…
Bunny Love: He can’t…
Xavier Reid: And while he’s been playing grab ass with JoJo Rush since his return I have engaged in battle with some of the best this company has to offer…including Flip…
Xavier shakes his head
Xavier Reid: It pained me when Flip lost to Stitches…mainly because I wanted to be the one that beat him for that International Championship…Flip and I have been linked at the hip as long as I can remember so this feels right, us having a final blow out here at EWC’s final ppv of the year for the biggest prize on Brawl…but make no mistake about it, this match…this is right up my ally and Flip can’t say the same thing…yes, he’s had a hell of a season but he came up short for that X-Division Championship at the Rumble, he was attacked and forced to become an announcer to end this season…I have to wonder how that hand is feeling and trust me…I’M GOING TO GO RIGHT AFTER IT…
Bunny Love: Test it and see if it’s healed…would be dumb not to but don’t plan your entire gameplan around that hand…don’t go out there looking for revenge or to set Flip on fire for payback…the payback will be you standing there with that championship, that’s going to hurt him more than anything…
Xavier Reid: I’ve been trying since Hardcore Revolution to get back to this point…THIS POINT RIGHT HERE to take back that International Championship and I’m willing to destroy myself out there if that means taking home the win…this is my chance to back up everything I’ve said along the way…to prove when the moment is the biggest that I rise to the occasion like no other…standing in front of me are three men that I have NO LOVE for and I know that wouldn’t piss on me if I was on fire…it’s going to be brutal out there…I’m expecting that but damn it…I make things right here tonight…
Tommy Love: And I’ll be right there for you kid…
Xavier and Bunny look towards the door and there standing in the doorway is ‘The Memphis Mouthpiece’ Tommy Love with a smile on his face…
Tommy Love: I’ll be there for whatever you need, like the Hall of Fame manager I am…
Bunny Love: THIS ISN’T ABOUT YOUR CAMPAIGN FOR THE EWC HALL OF FAME DAD…
Tommy Love: I know it isn’t but Xavier’s success will help my case so it’s a win win right…
Tommy smiles as Xavier ignores him and looks at Bunny
Xavier Reid: Thanks for the help, I’ll keep my emotions in check and stick to the plan…
Xavier gives Bunny a kiss on her head as Tommy steps into The Love Club Locker Room and shrugs…
Tommy Love: What plan? Hey, seriously…what plan…we have a plan, fucking kill everyone that moves…
Xavier stands up and walks past Tommy and exits the room…Tommy looks at him and then back at Bunny…
Tommy Love: Seriously…what plan are you two talking about…you better not have messed with his head Bunny or so help me God…
Bunny Love: Or what Dad, you’ll turn your back on him like your Bastard and join The House…don’t be pissed at me if Xavier isn’t listening to you…fix it or drop him…
Bunny shrugs and walks out of the room leaving Tommy Love alone
Tommy Love: God damn it…her boobs are going to poison his mind…
Tommy shakes his head as the camera fades out to more of the goings-on around WrestleFest XX!
Backstage Grizzly Duggan is limping along, his face is all bruised and his arm is in a sling.
Duggan: Winterborn, that man's a tough son of a bitch. He brought way more than I expected and if I didn't bring my absolute all, he'd have whooped my ass from here to Nashville. And for that, as I said out there. Phoenix Winterborn Vs Moxie will main event the 2023 Premiere of Friday Night RAMPAGE for the HBO Broadcast Championship.
Duggan winces as he moves his hand a little.
Duggan: Think I broke my damn elbow again, that's fun. But don't worry, EWC has the best insurance in the world!
Duggan cracks an evil smile.
Duggan: And that's Gideon Gage's bank account!!!
Duggan starts laughing so hard he loses balance and falls to his ass.
Duggan: Breaking News... Any hospital bills for WrestleFest XX will be paid in full by Gideon Gage! Eat shit you sack of fuck.
Grizzly Duggan pulls himself up and limps away, laughing as hard as he can laugh without losing balance.
The scene open up to a picture of Riker Island on the screen soon it zoom right inside of the Jailhouse. You could see a long hallway with men sitting behind bars as the camera just walk up the aisle. One of the jail cell was open and sitting down in a chair wearing all black jump suit looking at the tv screen playing in front of them was Jun calling Jamie Love Boss. That when Jason took his chair and throw it right at the televison set as it broke into pieces in front of him. He was breathing very hard with his fist tight up with his back to the camera. The camera zoom around the cell room and sitting on the bed with a bald head with his black jumper lower half down but he wearing a white tank top laying there with a book in his hand flipping the pages
The Bald Head Man: Cuz what I told you about your tempter... I don’t who worst... you or your mother...
Jason just smirk still keeping his back to the camera while it now show what he was looking at was a picture of Angel along with the whole gang and in the middle of everyone was Jamie Love and Jason together. Jason have his arm wrap around Jamie neck which you could tell they were good friends but then Jason’s turn his head over to the chess piece that Jamie place in his suit Jacket. Jason pick up the chess piece and play it among his fingers walking over to the open of his cell and look back at the camera with a bit of a smirk while he look at the chess piece and then wrap his fingers around it closing it tight.
Jason Hunter: See you at STRANGLEMANIA XVIII Enjoy the perks as been The Boss of The Club for now because The House will not be able to protect you! Maria and Tommy will not be able to protect you! NO ONE! WILL BE ABLE TOO! You will wish my brother you never send me here. The REAL BOSS IS COMING FOR YOUR HEAD! It will be place on a sliver platter when I am done with you.
The bald head man appears behind Jason placing his hand on his shoulder as they both smirks. Jason open his hand with a bit of a smirk the chess piece was now broken and he throw the pieces down into the near by trashcan. They walk out of the jailcell going down the hallway like they own the jailplace with the cops walking right behind them banging on the cells as some of them was reaching out of the cells doors.
Will Smith is seen walking around between different food trucks, holding some food in his hand. Will Smith sits down at a table and opens his food to reveal a soft shelled taco. He starts to eat the taco, and groan and moan about how good it is.. when from behind him, Chris Rock appears! Chris Rock slaps Will Smith in the back of his head with a steel chair, Smith never saw it coming. Rock raises the chair to strike down again, and again.
Chris Rock: I'll put your fucking wife's name in my mouth now bitch!
Will Smith spins around, bleeding heavily but still able to tackle Chris. Will slaps down, Chris rolls Will off and punches him in the nose. Chris drags Will up by an arm and irish-whips him.. no, pull back into a lariat! RAAAINMAAAAKER! Chris picks up the chair and goes to smash it down into Will's head again, but Cruz Macaque comes flying in out of nowhere with a dropkick! Chris Rock flies backwards over the table. Chris goes to throw the chair at Cruz, but KU comes up from behind and grabs the chair before headbutting Chris in the base of the skull. KU drags Chris up by the ear and drops him with a powerslam. Chris rolls out of harms way and gets to his feet.
Chris Rock: Oh, you think you're so tough! I challenge all three of you to a fight! Me and two people of my choosing versus you three! Next season!
KU: Bring it on!
KU launches the chair at Chris Rock who runs away.
VSCaptain Morgan Darkwater VS King Flip VS Stitches (C)
We return to ringside where Dobrev stands ready to call the main event of the evening.
Woo: A hell of a second night so far and we're about to wrap it all up again right here. Brawl's newest champion, the furiously face-painted Picasso of his own world, Stitches, enters this match as the International champion against Brawl's three biggest names of the YEAR. Both Xavier Reid and King Flip have held the International championship just this year, Gomez, as I'm sure you remember. But let's not forget that Morgan Darkwater too has an International championship reign -- and a grandstanding one at that -- under his proverbial ship-sailin' mast. Stitches, as mad as he is, walks into one of the toughest situations we've seen an International champion walk into for some time. One champion. Three challengers. This is falls count anywhere!
Gomez: Brawl's champion is the only man who walks into the evening not reeling from a fight just last night. I don't think I need to mention the outright war that Jojo and Morgan went to, to a no contest no less. Downright savage 'brawl' if you pardon the pun. There was something more to Jojo as well but tonight isn't about all that. It's funny but it also isn't about poor Flip or former bastard champion Xavier Reid not walking out of yesterday's opener as a tag team champion. Both lost to Malice and Mayhem and, well, there were more shenanigans in post as well. Tonight, the champion clown of the red brand gives everything he's got against three former champs, sure, but they're all losers. Take it away, Dobrev.
Dobrev: The following contest is your main event of the evening: a fatal four-way match where FALLS. COUNT. ANYWHERE. And it is for Monday night BRAWL's International championship! Joining us first, hailin' from the grand line, weighing in at 397 pounds ... The Brawlin' Buccaneer CAP'N MOOORGAN DARKWAAATEEER!!
The lights in the arena cut out as first notes of Captain Morgan's entrance theme, "The Sunk'n Norwegian", kick in and the screens around the arena fade in to the image of a perpetually burning skull-n-crossbones flag rippling in the wind.
Spotlights whip across the crowds, coming to rest on handfuls of Morgan's crew - each pirate dressed for trouble - as they make their way through the fans towards the ring, tankards in hands, yelling and drinking in time with the lyrics "One More Drink!", enjoying their grog with exuberant fans (who don't seem to mind getting splashed with the questionable alcohol), before finally climbing over the barriers to surround the ring, whipping the fans into a frenzy before the lights finally cut to the mainstage...
The spotlight rises on Morgan, sat on an elaborate throne, the back above his head an ornate skull-n-crossbones. He's sat there, stoic and calm, hands resting on the pommel of his cutlass "Black Betsy" as it rests, point first, on the toe of his thick black boots. As the cheers from both his crew and fans rise, he raises the cutlass along with it, holding it high above his head as fire erupts from the eye-sockets of the skull, and continue to burn fiercely as he slowly stands, sheathes his sword, cracks his knuckles and neck, smirks with a devilish glint in his eye... and pounds his open palm to the erruption of pyros!
The Brawlin' Buccaneer marches down the ramp, high and low fiving fans along the way, and snatches two tankards from the outstretched hands of his crew, raising them high for all to see, and pours them both into his open mouth at once, frothy brown liquid absolutely drenching the hulking man as his crew finish their drinks as well. Tossing the tankards into the crowds, Morgan jostles and roughhouses with his men, practically fighting his way through them as he climbs into the ring, truly pumped up and ready to fight like never before. Disrobing his coat and detaching his sword from his belt, he hands them to a crewman before gesturing for them all to leave, and they scurry back up the ramp, taking his throne with them, leaving the Captain alone in the ring, a devilish grin on his roguish features as he waits for his opponents and the starting bell.
Dobrev: And his first opponent, being accompanied to the ring by his manager, Chanel, from the land of money and fame, weighing in at 220 pounds ... He is the Benchmark of Brawl ... KIIING FLIP!
K I N G F L I P zooms from right to left across the X-Tron and is followed swiftly by a small pyro. 'Machinegun' begins to play as the man in the hooded vest, head low, emerges from the curtain with Chanel in tow. He gets to the edge of the rampway when he lifts his hood to reveal that arrogant half smile. The lyrics chime in as he walks slowly down the ramp with his eyes locked in on the ring. He slides into the ring and leans against the turnbuckle with arms agape as his theme plays. He turns to his opponent ready for the action to start as his theme fades.
Dobrev: And their next opponent, being accompanied to the ring by 'The Memphis Mouthpiece' Tommy Love, from New York, weighing in at 220 pounds ... XAVIER REEEID!!
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.
Dobrev: And their final opponent, from the carnival of shattered dreams, weighing in at 260 pounds ... He is the International champion ... STIIITCHEEES!
'One Missed Call (2008) Theme' plays as the lights go dark. As the beat drops at around the thirty seven second mark the curtains are brushed to the side, smoke spewing out from behind the curtains, and out walks Stitches. A wide, red-painted Chelsea-esque grin is across the face of Stitches as he stares out at the crowd of people before him.
Stitches methodically makes his way down the ramp, staring down the crowd members who dare lean too far over the crowd barricade. As he reaches the bottom of the ramp he stops and once again looks out at the crowd of people before him. Stitches approaches the nearby steel stairs, climbs up onto the apron and begins walking the edge of the apron like a tight rope before reaching the nearby ring post. Stitches climbs up onto the second rope and throws his arms out wide for the crowd to embrace him. As expected, the crowd does not embrace a sinister-looking clown.
Stitches hops down from the rope and enters into the ring before approaching the nearby corner of the ring. Stitches turns around, facing the center of the ring and sits down in the corner of the ring, waiting for the bell to ring.
Woo: Ladies and gentlemen, what you're about to witness is peak action for Monday nights here at Extreme Wrestling. We've got the champion Stitches. We've got the challengers in Darkwater, Reid, and the King. This is FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE for the International championship and it starts... right now!
DING DING DING
Darkwater, Flip, Reid, and Stitches have all taken to a corner. None of the four men seem to want to step up and make the first move. They, at least for the moment, seem content in eyeing each other up and jockeying for a position as all four men begin slowly making their way to and fro, back and forth throughout the ring. It'll be the CAP'N who makes the first move, side-stepping to fake out an unsuspecting Reidy and catch him with a massively big boot to the side of the face. Reid hits the canvas and rolls back up with a swiftness only for Darkwater to grab him by the back of the head and hurl him over the ropes to the thinly-padded concrete outside. Both King and Clown see this opening and assault the big man from behind. A flurry of right hands and forearms to the shoulders and back of the head of The Captain as these two men do everything in their power to bring down Darkwater. But the giant pirate blasts back with a STIFF left back elbow to Stitches that sends the champion back. Flip is making every attempt to make his elbow smashes to the head count but Darkwater takes it in stride as he turns toward his fellow challenger. He simply palms the dome of the King with his left hand and childishly keeps him at arm's length for a moment. Stitches jolts forward after being sent stumbling backward, only to leap right into a heart punch from the near 400 pound pirate. The Clown falls to the canvas, getting right back up as Darkwater turns his focus to the man in his left palm. Stitches is about to get back into the action from behind when Xavier Reid makes his presence known once again by pulling the Clown face first to the canvas once more before dragging him from the ring by his big red boot.
Woo: Cap'n Morgan Darkwater absolutely DOMINATING the competition thus far, using his size and strength to throw Reid from the ring and keep both Stitches and King Flip at bay. If he keeps this up, Gomez, we could easily be looking at a new International champion on Monday nights!
Gomez: Something seems... off. I don't like this dope Flip, but I know he's egging it on somehow. I've been watching this jackass long enough to know the signs. He's about to do something. Meanwhile, we've got Reid and Stitches outside the ring giving out a right-hand clinic to one another's foreheads. It's violent, it's everywhere, it's BRAWL.
Stitches and Xavier are firing on all cylinders in their right hand exchange. It looks as if the carnival clown is going to get the upper hand in the back and forth brawling when, from behind, Tommy Love comes crashing into the back of Stitches' head with the Love Stick. CRACK! This sends the champion crumbling forward right into an open palm slap to the face. SMACK! This stuns the champ in place, but as soon as Reid moves in to capitalize he gets taken to the thinly-padded concrete. Samoan drop from Stitches. Both men are down! Meanwhile, in the ring, the King has in fact turned the tide against the Captain with a swift kick to the gonads and a quick spin. Flip's got Morgan down to the canvas in a Fujiwara armbar. The King can't seem to keep the massive pirate in position, though, as both challengers get dragged across the canvas with Darkwater pulling them toward a bottom rope to break the submission hold. Flip is quick on his feet to keep the assault going his way and blasts Morgan in the back of the head with that hand cast. This sends a jolt of pain through the King's body, which he very visibly reacts to, before the Ol' CHK switches his position. He brings himself in a seated position over the behemoth and yanks Darkwater's torso up to lock in a second, more effective submission maneuver. KNEEL! Flip has his signature camel clutch locked in on Morgan Darkwater in the center of the ring. All the while Stitches and Xavier Reid have slowly brought themselves to their feet. They simultaneously see Flip in the ring with the upper hand and slide in to change the story. Reid connects with a STIFF kick to the back of his long-time nemesis. The sheer force from the boot sends Flip rolling out of the ring. Stitches, on the other hand, shot toward the opposite ropes and fires forward to Reid. Lethal lariat! Reid does a front flip and plants hard on the canvas. The carnival clown goes for the first pinfall of the evening, yanking both legs of Reid into the air as he drops onto the challenger.
ONE!
TWO!!
THR... NO!!! KICK OUT!
Reid kicks out with authority. Stitches doesn't give it a second thought, he simply rolls over and shoves Darkwater onto their back. He hefts the heavy leg into the air.
ONE!
TWO!!
THR... NO!!! KICK OUT!
Darkwater kicks out in the nick of time.
Woo: Back-to-back close calls for the International champion! The exchange thus far have been THUNDEROUS and the action tonight has brought our capacity crowd here in South Africa on their feet. We've got Reid and Darkwater down in the ring, Flip down outside the ring, and we've got one angry International champion looking over the carnage contemplating his next move. Stitches has taken a shaky start and turned it into a solid stance as we reach near the halfway point of the bout. If he can keep this pace we may be looking at a successfully defended championship belt when it's all said and done.
Gomez: I told you that maniac was up to something. Flip getting Darkwater down to the canvas is a feat in and of itself, but he looks no better for having done it. That boot to the back from Reid seems to have really put the hurt on the King. Maybe his body is finally giving up on him after this year of pushing and pushing himself to the edges of his limits.
Stitches ejects himself from the ring opposite where Flip is being checked on by manager Chanel. The clown goes underneath the ring and pulls out a plethora of toys while the men inside the ring begin to stir. A trash can full of little weapons and garbage? Stitches tosses it over the ropes into the ring and junk goes flying in all directions. Next up is a wooden table, which the clown pulls from underneath the ring with glee. He quickly sets it up against a corner guardrail and turns back toward his opponents. Darkwater and Reid have both slowly gotten to some form of a vertical base. Reid is on both feet and gets the first right hand off against Darkwater who reels backward on one knee. He bursts back with a massive right hand that sends Reid stumbling backward. Stitches goes under the ring one last time and pulls out a steel chair just as Tommy Love comes rushing around the corner once again. Love is about to connect with that damn Stick again when Stitches quickly turns around and blasts him with the chair. KUH-RACK! Tommy falls flat to the concrete and stops moving entirely. Stitches slides into the ring with a weapon and a smile. Morgan and Xavier are still slowly reeling back and forth with impactful right hands. Darkwater is finally getting to both feet as he sends Reid backward with another impactful right. Reid stumbles right into a clown. KUH-SMACK! The steel chair bends over the face of Reid who just crumbles to the canvas. Darkwater is raising a hand to those in the fanbase calling out his name, distracted for just a second long enough as Stitches comes in swinging wildly. KUH-RANK! Morgan doesn't move as the chair bends around his back. KUH-RAP! Stitches goes for a second swing, connecting this time with the shoulder of the pirate, but one more time Morgan does no more than stand aggressively tall against the assault. Stitches pulls back to go for a third swing and Darkwater connects with a big boot to the chair, planting it square in the face of the International champion.
Woo: Just like that, Cap'n Morgan is back in business! He looked at Stitches swinging that steel chair as if he was a mosquito and swatted him to the canvas with a big boot like nothing more than a fly! If Morgan can kee-
Gomez: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Keep it up and he'll win. You said that already. Even though Stitches couldn't take out Darkwater, just look at the ring right now. You've got Tommy Love being attended to by medical professionals. You've got Xavier Reid bleeding in the center of the ring. And you've got a chair that is no longer usable. That's Monday nights for ya!
Morgan goes first for the errant trash can, emptying it out on the clown before planting it on Reid's dome. PLUNG! Reid folds. But instead of turning back to the down clown, a wry grin crosses the big man's face as he notes Flip still being pseudo-atrended to by his manager. Darkwater easily steps over the top rope and yeets the bent trash can to the back of Chanel. SPOLK! Cap'n drops to the concrete and just starts stomping a mudhole he isn’t ready to walk dry. In the ring, Reid slowly crawls his way over to Stitches. He lifts the leg of the champion.
ONE!
TWO!!
THR... NO!!! KICK OUT
Darkwater is there to break the count. He boots Reid in the back of the head and lifts him. XPLODE! The homage finisher out of nowhere and Reid has taken the mammoth to the canvas hard. Unfortunately, Reid can't capitalize. By the time he's got enough in the tank to go for the pin, he notices the champion in the corner slowly getting to their feet. Reid lunges forward with a brutal double axehandle smash to the nose. A few kicks later and the world's angriest bastard has the champion reeling. Reid scoops Stitches up and snapmares him into the center of the ring. STFU STOMP! Stitches' arms get snatched up and the clown takes a merciless collection of Reid boots directly to the face. Finally, Flip finds some footing outside of the ring and rolls himself into the ring. He watches Reid stomp Stitches' poor face, eventually whistling to get the attention of the man leading the assault. Reid lets go and stands tall. The crowd erupts as they exchange words; Reid pointing to the havoc in the ring while Flip slowly nods and extends their injured right hand out. Flip shakes his head and switches to his left, offering to shake Reid's hand. Xavier isn't having it and the fighting finally continues. They exchange clotheslines, arm drags, scoop slams, back drops, snapmares, and come to a head as both miss their dropkick by a hair. Reid and Flip both snap to one knee with a right hand ready to go. Both pause as the audience cheers the action.
Woo: If you want to know how to down an elephant, just ask Xavier Reid! This maniac just planted the headstrong Captain AND had the champion Stitches down as well. Now the lifelong feud of Reid and Flip continues before our eyes. These men have destroyed one another all over the planet. They know how the other thinks, how they wrestle, and we're seeing what a lifetime of hate and respect looks like when it collides in the ring oncemore.
Gomez: Don't pull your shoulder with that reach around, Woo. Both Stitches and Darkwater have been strong forces in this match. A single move isn't going to take either of these guys out of the equation yet.
Reid rolls under a King Flip clothesline but nobody sees the next move coming. Stitches comes flying out of the corner. TRIO OF BEAUTIFUL DISASTERPIECES! First it's Reid who rolls right into the thunderous boot. Then King Flip turns right into one for himself. Darkwater is getting to one knee at this point and takes the third right to the face. The champion pins the captain.
ONE!
TWO!!
THR... NO!!! KICK OUT!
Darkwater barely gets the shoulder up. Stitches uses the momentum to roll onto Flip and try again.
ONE!
TWO!!
THR... NO!!! KICK OUT!
King Flip kicks out and for the second time Stitches will use the forward motion to get Reid into a pin.
ONE!
TWO!!
THR... NO!!! KICK OUT!
Reid beats the referee's three count by getting the shoulder up. Darkwater comes up from behind Stitches and grabs his head to yeet him over the top rope to the padded concrete. Darkwater drags Reid up by his ear and kicks him in the stomach at the ropes. Darkwater rushes and bigboots Reid over the top rope and sends him crashing down into Stitches. Darkwater turns his attention to King Flip, pulling him up by his throat, looking for the chokeslam... Flip jams his thumb into Darkwater's eye and pulls him forward into a spiking DDT! King Flip pulls Darkwater up by his waist, grabs the arms, spinning Impaler spikes Darkwater again on his head! The Beheading! Cover!
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Dobrev: And your winner, via pinfall and NEW International Champion... KING FLIP!!
King Flip grabs the International Championship, raises it high and then scatters from the ring as Stitches rushes in with a chair. King Flip blows Stitches a kiss while the Carnival Clown glares down at Flip and the title that was once his. Xavier Reid pulls himself up and rubs his jaw. Medical staff check on Darkwater.
Woo: King Flip has done it, he has regained the International Championship in one hell of a war with Monday Night BRAWL's top stars.
Gomez: And in the process, put a giant target on his back. I imagine Stitches is coming after him for a rematch, and Xavier Reid is always lurking to attack King Flip himself!
Woo: And I'm sure match makers would love to run Morgan Vs Flip 1v1 to see if that was a fluke pin. A lot could go from here!
Gomez: That was our main event, see everyone again tomorrow for more WrestleFest Action!
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.
T H E E X T R E M E W R E S T L I N G C O R P O R A T I O N P R E S E N T S A Q U A D B R A N D P A Y - P E R - V I E W E V E N T
WRESTLEFEST XX
4 DAY WRESTLING FESTIVAL
Brought to you by Under Armour, PS5 and Dr Pepper
---------------
DECEMBER 16TH-19TH 2022 ---------------
LIVE! from the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa
Announcer: Nina Dobrev Senior Referee: Toyo Yasahiro Referees: John Dean & Niklaus Forbes
"Something In The Way" by Seether begins to blast throughout the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. The crowd gives a giant pop for the hometown band.
Video footage detailing historic events over the EWC's history.
From March 1997 all the way down to the most recent episodes of Monday Night Brawl, Friday Night Rampage, Paramount Wrestling and EWC Prime!
Images of previous EWC Champions are shown, starting with the very first Champion Black Ninja, then moving onto Big Danny Mac and Steve "The Predator" Bennett. Sped up footage then shows a special montage of Memphis Reigns, Shadow Man, Hirsh Valentine, Jesse Nunez, Hurricane Jeff, Moses Lake, James Chambers, BDC, Jay Cee, Stray, Gladiator, The Rev, Drake, Xplode, Luke Wolfe, Natalie Young, Candy, Dominic Sanders, Cyrus Black, Melody Malone, Scorpio, Xavier Reid, Jordan Sharpe, Stitches, Ace King, Killjoy Ito, Melody Malone and recent shots of Lavender all with the EWC Undisputed Championship.
This is followed by highlights of showcasing current EWC Champions:
Lavender
King Flip
Ace King
Marcu$ $t.John
Narumi Tsutsumi
Gabrielle Visconty
Moxie
Asriel Buzzard
Callie Clark
El Pablo
Damage Inc
The opening pyros hit and here we go.
The energy in FNB Stadium is insane as the crowd is absolutely electrifying in their uproar of cheers. Spotlights circle around the Stadium as the sold out 95,000 fans in attendance are shown in a wide angle shot.
The camera then zooms around the arena showing the fans in a closer look.
EWC
EWC
EWC
EWC
EWC
Fireworks emit outside FNB Stadium and then all around the ring while a fog machine covers the venue in a red, green, orange and blue haze! Fans stand up, pumping their fists and raising signs as the camera feed pans to each one of them. One last round of fireworks blast out now, and we turn our attention to Marcus Woo and Valentina Gomez.
Woo: Welcome back to EWC WrestleFest XX, it's time for Day 3! First, lets take a look at some of the signs the fans have brought.
NEXT GEN IS NOW!
GET EM MERC...
RUTHLESS AGGRESSION...
MAKE EM MELT MATTIE...
PUT ON THE HURT, HERNANDEZ...
YOU WON'T GET OUT OF THIS ONE SCOTT FREEE...
THE SKYE IS THE LIMIT...
I DARE YA TO FUCK WITH DARIUS...
THE BUZZARD SWOOPS...
RIP EMMA'S LIVER...
M$J IS MONEEEEEEY...
NARUMI IS MOMMY...
I'M A LIBRA, BUT I'D FOLLOW THIS SCORPIO TO THE DEPTHS OF HELL...
GIDEON GAGE SMELLS LIKE DOG FOOD...
Woo: Some great signage today, as with all other days. How did you enjoy Day 2 of Fest Gomez?
Gomez: Had a good time, highlight of my day was trying to enjoy a sandwich and looking up to see Will Smith get bitch slapped.
Woo: Will be interesting to see what comes of that situation! Also yesterday, in our opening bout Tanja defeated Kolby and Addy to earn herself a shot at the CW Broadcast Championship.
Gomez: Well earned victory as now we know Tanja Vs Buzzard is confirmed. In our second match of the day, Phoenix Winterborn gave his all in an absolute war with Grizzly Duggan that included jumping off the X-Tron... Ultimately Grizzly Duggan would win, but he gave in to Winterborn's demands and Moxie Vs Winterborn is confirmed for Friday Night RAMPAGE.
Woo: After the match Grizzly also confirmed any medical bills will be paid for in full by Gideon Gage, what a thoughtful guy!
Gomez: It's what Gage gets after he attacked a commentator last year!
Woo: In our third match, SHOWTIME Broadcast Champion Callie Clark defeated Headhuntress Aiya to be crowned #1 Contender to the Indy Championship.
Gomez: There was a shot at a Shinijoshi Vs Shinijoshi Title Match on PRIME in the new year, but The House shut down those dreams.
Woo: And in our main event, it was Stitches facing Captain Morgan Darkwater, King Flip and Xavier Reid with his International Championship. King Flip won the match by defeating Darkwater, with Stitches and Xavier both seemingly staking claims at first shot in the new year.
Gomez: If I was a match maker, I'd be salivating right now. And now on todays show... Our opening match is for the first ever NEXT GEN Champion, the winner will then get shipped off to the Main Roster.
Woo: That match is hard to predict, but I have to go for fan favorite Sunny Skye.
Gomez: That's a safe pick, but I think an even safer pick is one of the Grays. There are three of them afterall!
Woo: And in our second match Mercenary takes on Ruthann Hunter, Matthiesen and Andrea Hernandez. The winner will produce the second episode of Friday Night Rampage in the new year.
Gomez: I think for this one, I am going with Mercenary. He's been on a roll lately.
Woo: I think it'll be Ruthann Hunter, she's always a challenge and this match has a unique stake she'd love to snatch up.
Gomez: In our third match, Caleb Scott faces Chelsea Skye and Darius, the winner gets the Golden Ticket. I love this Golden Ticket, and I think in Chelsea Skye's hands it will be money.
Woo: I like the pick, but I am going to have to go with Darius myself. And I think he'll cash in that Golden Ticket on the X-Division Championship as soon as possible.
Gomez: In our semi final match... It's Asriel Buzzard Vs North American Champion Marcu$ $t. John. If Buzzard wins this match, he's the new #1 contender. Who do you have Woo?
Woo: My money is on John. He is treating this match with the same level of prestige as a title match, and I think he wants all the defenses he can buy.
Gomez: I actually think it'll be Buzzard. I think John is so focused on winning he'll miss something small and get rolled up.
Woo: We have seen that happen before, that's not a bad pick. And in our main event, it's Scorpio Vs Narumi Tsutsumi. The PRIME Minister Necklace Vs The Indy Championship in a unification bout of sorts. This match is one of the hardest to call on the card.
Gomez: Narumi has been one of the best champions in PRIME history, but I think I have to give the edge to Scorpio here. He's found peace as of late, and that inner peace is an invaluable asset.
Woo: Narumi has been a bit shaky as of late, but that's why I think she'll win this match here tonight and get back on the path of domination. Well folks, don't you go anywhere, because WrestleFest is coming your way
As if on cue, the feed then switches to an ad for EWCTV.
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The cameras open up out amongst the EWC crowd at FNB Stadium, where a long line has formed leading up to what appears to be an autograph booth. Men and women alike are lined up excitedly, and as the camera moves in closer its easy to see why. A makeshift stand is put together with a sign that reads “KISSING BOOTH: $5”. Behind the booth is none other than NextGen’s own Sunny Skye.
She’s already dressed in her ring gear, her match opening today’s in-ring festivities, as she giggles and waves bye to the latest patron. She turns to look back to the front of the line and sees two older gentlemen approach the booth, slapping down a $20 bill
Man #1 How far does $20 get us?
Man #2 C’mon now Bobby we’re being charitable here. This is for charity, right?
Man #1 No I’m pretty sure Charity was the girl from last night.
The camera finally realizes that the two standing in front of Sunny are none other than the holders of the record for longest tag team reign, The Southern Express.
Jimmy Lane: Besides I just wanna be sure its a good investment! I wanna get our money's worth.
Sunny Skye: I think I can make that happen - what do you all think??
She riles up the crowd, cupping her hand behind her ear as the line cheers (though a couple in line boo at Southern Express slowing down the line). She motions the two closer, leaning out as they both plant kisses on her cheeks in stereo. She turns to Jimmy, giving him a kiss on both cheeks before she turns and plants one on Bobby - much to everyone in the crowd’s delight (except Jimmy). She gives him a wink and a playful tap on the nose before she pockets the money and waves up the next patron who hands off their fee to the EWC agent helping run everything.
Guest: Are you ready for your match today?
Sunny Skye: Nope!
She says confidently, a laugh escaping as she leans forward and gives the next patron a kiss. She gives a smile, watching them regain their composure before she casually remarks.
Sunny Skye: I’m just enjoying the atmosphere for now.
Another fan makes their way up, looking at Sunny shyly as they hand over their money.
Sunny Skye: You okay?
They nod, leaning in for their kiss but it’s Sunny caught off guard by the suddenly VERY eager fan. As they break, the fan gives another shy smile before she backs away and Sunny blinks, registering what just happened before she puts up her thumb and pinkie, mouthing ‘call me’ to the woman as she walks away. Before Sunny can call up anyone else, there’s a commotion back further in line as two men with very poorly attached fake mustaches come up pushing their way through the crowd. This time, instead of the normal $5 fee these men drop down a $50 bill and look to Sunny before leaning in expectantly. She raises an eyebrow, reaching forward and pulling off the mustaches to reveal Jimmy Lane and Bobby Rose back to the front of the booth.
Sunny Skye: …really?
Bobby Rose: We DID pay…
Jimmy Lane: Not often we can say that either!
Sunny sighs, a woman of her word (or at least, of the words on her sign) before motioning them closer. She plants one on Jimmy before turning and really planting one on Bobby Rose. With those two out of the way again, she gives a playful shove to ferry them out of line as the next actual patron comes up. He plops his money on the table, but as Sunny leans in he puts his finger over her lips. She looks at him confused before pointing at the random EWC attendant beside her, helping manage the booth. The crowd cheers, the random selection catching Sunny and the poor attendant off guard.
Sunny Skye: Are you good with this? You can say no…
The attendant almost blushes before rounding the booth, and the patron leans in for a kiss as the guy’s friends in line all cheer excitedly for him. This sends the attendant into a full blown flush before they hurriedly retreat back behind the booth. They give Sunny a nudge, pointing down to their watch to remind her that this ought to wrap soon if she’s going to have time to go warm up before her match. She nods, motioning up the next few patrons in rapid succession.
Sunny Skye: We’ve got about five more minutes, let’s get as many people as we can sent back to their seats happy this morning!
The crowd cheers in front of her, the line quickly milling up to the booth as she lays kisses on pretty much everything that’s moving past the booth. As the line dwindles, a heavy slap is heard and Bobby Rose stands at the edge of the booth with a $100 bill under his sweaty palm. Sunny leans in, plucking the bill from the booth top before giving him a sly grin.
Sunny Skye: Sorry boys… you JUST missed last call.
She giggles, turning around before she can feel a hard plastic and her eyes widen. She whirls around, Jimmy Lane standing there with a credit card in hand that he’s swiped down the backside of our NextGen champion hopeful.
Jimmy Lane: How about now?
Sunny Skye: Pretty sure that card juuuuust declined.
She turns again to exit, and Jimmy waves the credit card in the air as she does.
Jimmy Lane: It’s at least got another fifty bucks available!
Sunny and the attendant retreat as Bobby Rose is nearly doubled over in laughter, Sunny’s lipstick still smeared on his face as Jimmy Lane throws his arms in the air again at the slight before we fade to….
We open up backstage into Darius’s room, where he is impatiently pacing. As the door opens, we see it’s his valet, Elissa, who walks in. No sooner than she enters does Darius get in her face, placing his hands on either side of her head to keep her placed against the wall.
Darius: Okay. I can handle just about anything. But you have been acting very weird. Distant and a bit secretive even. So, mind filling me in?
Elissa merely smirks, not at all seeming phased or nervous about her client’s reaction. If anything, she offers him an affirmative nod.
Elissa Bradley: Truthfully? I was waiting precisely for this day to arrive to tell you anyway, so no. I don’t mind letting you know. There has been a reason, and I’d like to believe it’ll be well worth the act I’ve put on against you. So …
Elissa purposely pauses, only to be met with an impatient glare from Darius. She chuckles, raising her hands as if she were surrendering. Elissa then moves her hand to the zipper on her jacket … and slowly pulls it down. Underneath the leather jacket is a crimson red t-shirt that reads “MONDAY NIGHT BRAWL”. As Darius studies the shirt, Elissa speaks up.
Elissa Bradley: I figured this would be a new and more effective way to help keep you motivated. I’m no longer going to just accompany you to the ropes. No, now I intend to walk through them myself. Mind you, I’m waiting for the official green light, as the paperwork hasn’t yet been accepted, but what do you think? How does that make you feel?
Darius cocks his head to the side, taking a step back as he looks at the newly revealed shirt. He leans forward, placing his hand onto Elissa’s cheek.
Darius: What is … No, I know what this is. This is something I wasn’t expecting, something we definitely didn’t talk about. This whole thing was meant to be you and I … You guiding me and keeping my head on straight on the outside while I was between the -
Darius stops, biting at his cheek for a moment, but then smiles. He pulls Elissa forward by the back of her head, plants a kiss on her lips, then puts a small amount of distance between them again.
Darius: This … This is fantastic and brilliant. This is going to open so many doors and Brawl won’t know what hit them. The new season is about to be completely different for everyone involved, and I think you and I are about to have the best year of our lives …
Elissa Bradley: There we are. That’s the man I know and adore. Now … no more peeking in.
Camera fades as Elissa closes the door and blocks out the cameras from seeing anything else, as we cut away to more of what's happening as WrestleFest XX continues.
We return to ringside where we meet up with Marcus Woo and Valentia Gomez for our day three opening bout.
Woo: Welcome to DAY THREE of EWC’s twentieth installment of Wrestlefest, I’m joined once again by my partner ValentiNa Gomez, and we’re opening up with a genuinely exciting matchup here.
Gomez: One hundred percent Marcus. We’ve got a six pack challenge but not just ANY six pack challenge! This match is featuring our top six competitors from the EWC’s NextGen program, where we’re developing the newest and next wave of EWC superstars right here in our own backyard.
Woo: Tonight, these six will compete not to just to be crowned the first ever NextGen champion but for a coveted EWC contract to boot! There’s a lot riding on the line here, but can these competitors handle the pressure? Coming into tonight we’ve seen a literally explosive match for the tag team championships, a new United States champion crowned, and a new International champion rounded out last night, and you know thats a LOT of hype to live up to.
Gomez: Out of the frying pan and into the fire with these six, because we’re getting started right now!
Dobrev: The following match is six pack challenge to determine the NextGen CHAMPION! Joining us first, from Miami, Florida, weighing in at 135 pounds ... SUNNY SKYE!
”Work Bitch” by Britney Spears begins to play over the PA system as Sunny Skye comes out from backstage, eyes wide as she looks around and out to the massive Wrestlefest crowd. She smiles, giving an enthusiastic wave to everyone as she makes her way down to the ring.
Dobrev: Next, from The Trailer Park, weighing in at 175 pounds ... DONNY J!
”Lowlife” by Theory of a Deadman begins and Donny J comes out with an almost confused look on his face. He shows some disdain for the African crowd ringside for reasons we’re definitely not allowed to reveal on air, but makes his way into the ring with little incident. He looks over at Sunny who narrows her eyes, sticking her tongue out at him.
Dobrev: Coming to the ring, from Birmingham England, weighing in at a combined weight of 765 pounds ... ABRAHAM, BENJAMIN, AND LOGAN GRAY!
”Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds begins and one by one, the Gray family begins to emerge. Abraham comes out first, looking everso slightly intimidated by the masses of people around him, but those insecurities seem to wash away as Benjamin emerges beside him. His eldest brother slaps him on the back as the youngest of the Gray family - Logan - comes out with a determined stare. His nostrils flare like a bull ready to charge as all three of them hit the ring in unison. It’s enough to send Donny J half out of the ring, yelling to the referee to get them under control as Sunny shrinks back into her own corner. The crowd boos at the intimidation tactic, but the boos soon turn to cheers as “Venom” by Little Slimz kicks on.
Dobrev: And finally, from London England, weighing in at 187 pounds ... JOCELYN GAGE!
Jocelyn comes out onto the stage, arms raised in the air as she fist pumps excitedly, taking a dash down to the ring. She pops to her feet quickly, seemingly unphased by the Gray family and feeding off of the crowd energy behind her.
Woo: It's a six way dance, inaugural NextGen championship on the line! Listen to that ovation!
DING DING DING
The crowd is already going nuts, seeing the next generation of EWC stars rising right in front of them. The Grays stand on one side of the ring, Donny, Jocelyn and Sunny standing across from them as tensions rise. Eventually, Donny shoves Jocelyn into the fray and gets the hell out of dodge, and Jocelyn immediately starts throwing haymakers to try and defend herself as both Logan and Benjamin take it to NextGen’s resident hoss.
Sunny squares to Abraham, catching him with an open palm slap across the face. He retaliates with a closed fist that sends her back into the ropes, but she comes bouncing off with a pump knee strike that rocks him back. It’s enough to draw the attention of Benjamin Gray away from Jocelyn, looking to support Abraham as he runs in and jumps up with a quick crossbody that flattens the smokeshow.
Logan and Jocelyn stare each other down, before Logan grabs for Jocelyn and tries to hit a lariat, but she ducks under and shoves him into the ropes. She puts absolutely everything into an irish whip, sending him rocketing across the ring before she roars out and catches him on the rebound with a MASSIVE belly to belly suplex that shakes the entire ring!
The crowd loses it, Benjamin and Abraham looking to Logan in shock as he shakes the cobwebs out after that massive landing. Jocelyn looks to the other two, running the ropes herself but she’s caught by Abraham with a running uppercut that sends her staggering back before landing flat on her ass. Benjamin pulls Logan to his feet, giving him a smack in the chest to get back into the game essentially, as all three now stalk around the downed Gage.
Woo: It looked like we might get something of an even fight, but things are looking like they might turn around for the Gray family.
Gomez: Jocelyn proved this season that she’s stronger than she looks and as tough as they come, but three on one for a seasoned veteran is a challenge, let alone a rookie!
Abraham begins to direct traffic, sending Logan to bring Jocelyn to her feet as Benjamin runs toward the ropes to build up steam. Logan tries to whip Jocelyn into Benjamin so he can put this away early with his Birmingham Slam, but Benjamin topples backwards out of the ring as Donny J has climbed onto the apron and yanked down the top rope!
As Benjamin stumbles to his feet, Donny snatches a beer from a front row fan and takes a chug. His face sours, and he screams “This ain’t Budweiser!” before throwing it into the face of the Birmingham Butcher, blinding him momentarily before holding his hands up for the referee to see theres no funny business going on. The referee looks confused, the fans laughing at him before he realizes this is a no disqualification match and he pumps his fist in the air and nails poor Benjamin right between the legs!
It’s enough to encite the rest of the Grays to get out of the ring, chasing down Donny who takes off in a dead sprint around the ring. He rounds in front of the commentary booth and as soon as the Grays turn the corner, both Sunny and Jocelyn leap off of the apron in tandem cross body dives. The girls get to their feet, hyping up the crowd before Donny grabs Sunny from behind and throws her back into the ring. Donny slides in after her, hooking her leg and getting a short 2 count.
She gets back to her feet, but before she can go after Donny for it, Jocelyn grabs him from behind and spins him around and gets him up into the GagePlex! She flexes and drops him down, but the delay is long enough for Sunny to go for the pin instead. As the referee counts 2, Donny and Sunny both go flying from the ring as the Grays grab hold and yank them out from under the ropes.
Woo: Logan and Abraham look furious!
Gomez: This is not looking good for Sunny OR Donnie…
Before Jocelyn can make any attempt at a save, Abraham is back in the ring with her as Logan grabs hold of Donny and Benjamin grabs a handful of Sunny’s hair. Logan hoists up Donny, planting him into the announce table with a vicious powerbomb! The table fails to break, and Logan goes for another - Powerbomb symphony on full display!
The table shatters, collapsing in on itself as Donny lays amongst the rubble. Sunny’s eyes widen, and Benjamin grabs her by the throat and lifts her into the air. Her feet dangle, hands clawing at her throat before Benjamin drives her down with a chokeslam onto Donny. Jocelyn tries to fight off Abraham, driving into him with a series of stiff strikes that send him back into the corner.
She goes to pull him back out for an atomic drop, but ends up being clubbed from behind by Logan. She releases her hold on Abraham, the two other Gray brothers all aiding Logan as they beat down onto Jocelyn as the crowd rains down boos. The boos turn to cheers, as Sunny has dragged herself back into the ring and Donny isn’t far behind.
Neither has much in the tank, but they throw themselves into the melee and all six start throwing hands in a giant pile. Logan shoves Donny away, sending him rolling toward the opposite corner but Donny snaps into a second gear and runs right back into Logan with a shoulder tackle into the big man’s gut. Sunny gets up onto the turnbuckle, looking like she’s hoping to connect with her modified DDT, but Benjamin halts her progress with a strike across the midsection. She doubles over, sitting down on top of the turnbuckle as Benjamin slowly climbs the ropes toward her.
Jocelyn and Donny work in tandem, grabbing Logan and dragging him to the opposite corner. The two of them double team Logan, as Donny climbs up onto the turnbuckle. Logan shoves Jocelyn into the corner, dropping Donny down onto his bits with a sharp yell. On the other side, Sunny fights valiantly as Benjamin tries to grab hold of her for a suplex from the top rope.
She fights off hard, a lucky shot to the kidney stalling out the eldest Gray as Logan climbs onto the opposite corner with Donny. Logan tries to hoist up Donny, but Donny deadweights him to try and keep himself from being suplexed off of the top rope. Abraham takes his place beneath both Sunny and Benjamin, grabbing hold of them both as he desperately drops them both onto the mat with a vicious powerbomb variant that sends them crashing to the mat. Jocelyn looks at the carnage behind her before taking her own place beneath Logan and Donny. The crowd rises to their feet and both the men look stunned as Jocelyn grabs hold of both of them and drives them into the canvas as she drops to her knees. Everyone is laid out on the mat.
Woo: This battle has really taken its toll on everyone involved!
Gomez: And all for the glory of the big win and the NextGen Championship here at WrestleFest!
Finally, Logan and Abraham both stir on their sides of the ring. Jocelyn and Sunny both groggily get to their feet, the two on two shaping up as Abraham lays a kick to Sunny’s midsection. Jocelyn throws a shoulder into Logan, but Logan seems to not even react to the impact before he grabs hold of Jocelyn and snaps backwards with a sidewalk slam.
Jocelyn bounces, skidding to the edge of the ring apron and Abraham grabs hold of Sunny with a similar move in mind. He loads her up for an exploder suplex and spirals her into the air and she bounces off the ropes and onto the mat. Jocelyn rolls out of the ring, and Logan follows behind her with a fiery fury after her. Benjamin picks up Donny, looking to heave him down with a vicious lariat - the Razor Blade!
Donny is turned nearly inside out, and Benjamin goes to hook the leg, but Sunny dives in and breaks the count at 2. Benjamin gets to his feet, Sunny matching up to him as he runs right for her for the Birmingham Slam!
Sunny ducks! Benjamin’s momentum carries him, catching Abraham off guard as he spins and both men hit the ground. Sunny looks at the men laid out around her, looking to Donny who groggily gets to his feet before she runs and jumps up! The Safe Word!
Sunny lands the cutter, grabbing both of Donny’s legs with all her might.
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!
DING DING DING
Dobrev: And your winner, via pinfall... SUNNY SKYE!
Sunny rolls off of Donny with a shocked look on her face, tears immediately springing to her eyes as she buries her head in her hands. She gets to her feet as the referee comes over, raising her arm and presenting her with the NextGen Championship.
Woo: Sunny took advantage of a lapse in judgement from the Gray family and made it count!
Gomez: We’ll see where she winds up, but there are so many people in the NextGen system that could make their debut next season.. It’s really anyone’s game in 2023.
Woo: I would be shocked to see the NextGen roster as stacked as it is tonight, guarantee it. But tonight, the SKYE is the limit!
Gomez: Stay tuned EWC faithful, later on this afternoon we’re going to bring you the Rampage fatal four way with Mercenary, Ruthann Hunter, Matthiesen and Andrea Hernandez to determine the 2nd episode of Rampage in 2023!
Ace Heart: First off, we all saw you with Emma Louise yesterday. What’s your take on the situation?
Yaya Banana: You know, alcohol is a thing. We all like a drink especially around the holidays and celebrations. However, the key is moderation. Emma Louise has realized there’s a problem and is taking steps to get help. I know a few people personally that needed that help but didn’t want or take it.
Ace Heart: You’ve been on GAMBIT a few years now, you must look at a show like WrestleFest and think ‘this should be me’.
Yaya Banana: I gotta be honest, I do. I looked at Peach Gelato who spent some time over on Prime and I’d love to have that opportunity. I look at Prime and Brawl. Paramount and Rampage and I’d like to be on those shows. I look at WrestleFest, StrangleMania, Parabellum, The Rumble or Night Of Champions and think, as you say, ‘this should be me’. I now need to spend the winter break as we move into the new season thinking about what do I need to do in order to make that me.
Ace Heart: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. Join us in a few moments for more here at WrestleFest!
The camera cuts to a side corridor at the FNB Stadium. Mercenary, already dressed in his ring gear is pacing the hallway. He stops to throw hands with his shadow on the wall. He throws a jab that he just manages to pull up short before his fist hits Ruthann Hunter right in the face as she comes around the corner.
Ruthann balls up her fists and steps into a playful version of a boxer's stance as if getting ready to spar with him.
Mercenary: Oh shit I'm sorry! I didn't see you coming.
Ruthann gives him a mischievous little smirk.
Ruthann: My opponents seldom do.
Mercenary drops his head and frowns at the reference. He's clearly not all that comfortable about having to face her in the match. Ruthann slaps him on the shoulder.
Ruthann: C'mon Kiddo, don't give me that look. After all, I'm not expecting you to make this win easy on me.
Mercenary chuckles.
Mercenary: Already that overconfident are you?
Ruthann raises her eyebrows and cocks her head to give him a look.
Ruthann: I wouldn't call it overconfidence. After all honey, I'm Hall of Fame and my opponents, they're just the lights standing in my shadow.
Mercenary laughs again, this time with less humor and a sarcastic smirk. Again Ruthann smiles at him.
Ruthann: Don't tell me it's that easy to get under your skin. You may just be a light in my shadow, but you're a big bright light with all the potential in the world to be something special. How many times do people have to tell you that before it starts to sink in.
Mercenary shrugs like a chastised child.
Ruthann: Look Mike, This may very well be the last match I'll ever have as an active wrestler. I'm not going out there intending to lose. If you want to win it'll be because you want it more. More than me and more than our other two opponents, because I can guarantee that they aren't going to show up to lose it either. This is a big opportunity and you have to be present for it. You can't be thinking about past failure. You can't be worried about fighting me for it. Ace gave you the best advice before your match in Mexico. You've got to appreciate the opportunities that you're given. You have got to appreciate them in the moment. You've got to want more for yourself than to just be a placeholder, because you my boy are so much more than just a seat filler for someone more important.
Mercenary shifts in his boots, uncomfortably embarrassed by her praise. Ruthann reaches up to rest her hand on his cheek.
Ruthann: Go out there and let'em know you're there. Make them all feel your presence.
Ruthann accentuates her statement with a stiff but playful slap to the face that left him holding his cheek with a bemused expression.
Ruthann: It'll give you something to brag about after I beat you.
The pair smiled at each other affectionately. Ruthann puts some distance between them, putting her hands on her hips and adopting a serious expression.
Ruthann: Good luck out there Michael and I want you to know that I'm always on your side. But out there, once we hit that ring, that's not going to be Ruthann Hunter that you're dealing with. It won't be Jason's Mom. Out there Honey, you won't be getting anything but Ruthless Aggression. So you better be ready for a fight.
With that Ruthannn Hunter turns and walks away to get ready for battle. Leaving Mercenary, as she had so many others before him in her legendary career, standing in her wake as we cut to more festivities.
Winner Gets To Produce Episode 2 Of The 2023 Season Of Rampage
Mercenary
VS Ruthann Hunter
VS Matthiesen
VS Andrea Hernandez
We return to ringside where the crowd is bristling with signs in support of their favorite wrestlers. Prominently singled out are entire sections devoted to the Mercenary, and to Ruthless Aggression, though finally we see a brawl has broken out in the front between the small but dedicated Matthiesen section, and an unruly-looking crop of Andrea Hernandez stans!
Woo: Johannesburg has not let up on the third day of WrestleFest, and the Rampage contingent threaten to have the other brands beat in terms of pure passion, Valentina!
Gomez: Can you blame them?! They've got a stranglehold on that Undisputed Championship until Monday night, and with both Lavender and Queen Melody in the mix, they could be carrying it into the next season.
Woo: And this next match has big ramifications for next season, too. Bring us aboard the hype train, Nina!
Dobrev: The following match is for one fall! Joining us first, from Anchorage, Alaska, weighing in at two hundred and twenty pounds ... MATTHIESEN!
The lights dim around the arena, the sound of waves can be heard as ‘Pirate’ by Liu & GenX begins to play, the light slowly come up as Matthiesen walks out from the backstage wearing his worn leather jacket and ring attire. He stares with intent at the ring as he walks down, ignoring the fans down the aisleway, he jumps up onto the ring apron and climbs through the middle and top rope.
Dobrev: From Paradise Valley, Arizona, weighing in at one hundred and twenty five pounds ... ANDREA HERNANDEZ!
"Ultranumb" by Blue Stahli hits the venue’s soundwaves. Andrea appears on the stage to some strong boos from the crowd. Andrea scoffs at the crowd and doesn't pay them any attention at all otherwise as she is completely focused on the task at hand. She gets up to the ring apron and uses the top rope to slingshot herself into it, ignoring the crowd even further as she leans against the corner, confidently waiting for what comes next.
Dobrev: From San Francisco, California, weighing in at two hundred pounds ... she is the Queen of Hardcore, the Dark Angel, the original QUEEN OF EWC ... Ladies and gentlemen ... "RUTHLESS AGGRESSION" RUTHANN HUNTER!
Du du du du-du du du
Du du du du du-du du du
The crowd starts to chant that part of the song out loud. As the lights went in and out as Fall Out Boy Centuries came blasting on. They look up at the ramp standing there with smoke surrounding the stage coming out among it is Ruthless Aggression taking in everything wearing her Red and Gold Leather Jacket walking down the ramp on the back. It was a cartoon version of her and Jaden together wearing a pair of red and gold tights with WRESTLEFEST XX written. Standing next to her is Rose Lee wearing her own leather jacket with a bit of a smirk playing to the crowd. She walked down the ramp along side with her towards the ring high five the fans and everything. Ruthann smirks as she stops in the middle of the ramp looking around taking in the crowd. She closed her eyes as the words came blasting over the speakers.
Some legends are told
Some turn to dust or to gold
But you will remember me
Remember me for centuries
And just one mistake
Is all it will take.
We'll go down in history
Remember me for centuries
Hey, hey, hey
Remember me for centuries
She then looks up blowing a kiss to the sky as she then ran down the ramp and slide under the bottom rope with a bit of a smirk and then jumps up onto the turnbuckle as she sings the chorus with them. Rose Lee is standing outside just watching her with a nod slapping the mat down ready for a fight in excitement.
Du du du du-du du du
Du du du du du-du du du
She then jumps down and turns around facing the person taking off the black jacket. She hands it to the person on the outside ready to fight.
Gomez: Literally chills.
Woo: Indeed! Now let's fire it back to Nina Dobrev, with a special presentation.
The camera goes to the stage where Nina stands in front of a stage set up for a band to play.
Dobrev: Ladies and gentlemen, please give a huge WrestleFest welcome to Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society!
A man with a long beard and wearing a black biker vest with a yellow and black guitar strapped over his shoulder comes to the stage and greets the crowd to a huge ovation. The lights start to flash red as the rest of the band join Zakk on stage and together they launch into Black Label Society's song Fire It Up.
As the song comes close to its conclusion the band continues to riff and Zakk grabs the microphone off the stand to make an announcement. Zakk Wylde: Guys and Gals. Fans of the EWC. Coming to the ring I give you one big, badass motherfucker. From West Oakland, California, I give you the EWC Outlaw. My Man. THE MERCENARY!
The band launches back into the chorus of the song.
The roar of an engine comes from the top of the stage as Mercenary rides his newly won Harley Davidson out onto the stage. Stopping at the top of the ramp he pauses to acknowledge the audience before he revs the engine and starts to do a burnout before rolling down the ramp in a cloud of smoke.
Parking the bike at ringside he steps off and strides to the steps, stomping heavy black boots on each one on his way into the ring.
Woo: While Valentina collects herself from that entrance, let's remind ourselves of what's at stake; the winner of this match will earn the opportunity to produce the second episode of Rampage's 2023 season. Grizzly Duggan is watching with nervous anticipation!
Gomez: Are you kidding? He's probably still in the bar with Phoenix Winterborn.
DING DING DING
There are no nerves displayed on the part of Andrea Hernandez, the fiery Arizonan making an immediate beeline for Matthiesen, EXPLODING into a busaiku knee that launches him back into his starting corner! Popping rapidly back to vertical base, she wheels on the two veterans, but neither Mercenary nor Ruthann have moved in to blindside her, watching warily as they continue to limber up. With a derisive snort, Hernandez strides out across the ring, and whirls into a beautiful handspring back elbow. She leans into it HARD, and there's a crunch of cartilage as the rough, tough rookie goes down. Andrea smugly smiles, steps to the center of the ring, and beckons the other two competitors on - apparently willing to take them both on simultaneously!
Woo: A strong opening statement here from Hernandez, but she might be biting off more than she can chew.
Gomez: I love the fire! She's already taken out Matthiesen, just like she did at the Rampage finale. Who's next?!
The Mercenary is calm, and gestures in a positively gentlemanly fashion for Ruthless Aggression to take this one. Hunter fluffs out her hair and steps forward, to a massive pop from the crowd, chants exploding in her favor as she dances forward to lock up with Hernandez. Andrea teases it, and then steps away, throwing out her arms as she works the packed stadium into a fervor, cheers turning to boos! Ruthann smiles, laughs, and then LUNGES, driving a boot to the gut and flipping the doubled-over younger woman clean over her head with the OLD SCHOOL!! Andrea lands face-first, snarling, trying to roll back to her feet a bit too slow to avoid a second boot to the face! Ruthann, perhaps getting carried away with the overflowingly positive response from the crowd toward her, starts setting up for a sharpshooter...
Hernandez struggles out of the hold, slamming both feet into Hunter's backside and shoving her toward the recovered Matthiesen, who is ready with a monstrous GREENHORNED headbutt, taking his frustrations out on the Hall of Famer! Ruthann hits the deck, and rolls to avoid a flurry of stomps. The Norwegian tries to chase her down, but instead eats an hellacious big boot from out of nowhere! Mercenary drives his size yes boot straight to the jaw, spinning Matthiesen onto his knees, then scooping him up the throat for a Thesz-style press slam that lets him slide right into mount, raining down massive ham-hock hammerblows as he gets festive on Matthiesen's skull!
Andrea Hernandez comes flying off the ropes, capitalizing on the distraction to drive a knee into the back of MERC'S skull, getting an indignant 'OOOOOOOH! from the crowd. The blow lands flush, but Merc doesn't go down. He stops punching, though, slowly turning a steely stare on the up-and-coming Rampage starlet, who backs off with a game swagger, raising her hands, her tongue protruding from one corner of the mouth as she beckons the big man forward. He cracks his neck, and stands, driving forward--
--only to go over the ropes as she falls back and pulls them down in his wake, sending him careening to ringside. Straightening up, she laughs and plays to the crowd when she should be focusing on Hunter, who's slipped through the ropes and dashes along the apron, leaping and turning to fall from the edge of the ring with Andrea's head in both hands, driving her throat into the top rope!
Woo: I doubt big Grizz has a single problem with this performance thus far! Rampage is killing it.
Gomez: They're killing each other! This is great!
With the younger woman trying desperately to uncrush her windpipe, Ruthann grins at the crowd and slides right back in, meeting the angry torpedo of Matthiesen who nails a few stiff forearms, then leans in to start gnawing on the Hall of Famer's forehead. Blood oozes from between his faintly yellowed teeth, but the disapproving jeers of the crowd quickly turn to cheers again as Hunter brings up both arms and waffles him with a Mongolian chop! Flashing that grin once more, she reaches up as he staggers away, wiping up some of the blood and licking it off her fingers to a HALL OF FAME POP, before bunching that hand into a fist and driving it right between Matthiesen's eyes! Across the ring they go, with a barrage from the Queen of Hardcore, who drives him right back into his starting corner, props him up and imitates Andrea's earlier performance, stepping out across the ring-- and teasing the handspring before putting on the brakes, laughing, and simply striding into Matthiesen with a big clothesline instead! He slumps, but she keeps him in place, and slides up and around him...
Woo: Ruthless Aggression to the top rope, what does she have in mind here?
Hunter cups her hand, and the crowd roars in response. She's smiling, but it turns vicious as she hauls Matthiesen up in one arm and LEAPS, delivering an aerial bulldog out of the corner! Right back to her feet, she drags the Norwegian into the middle of the ring.
Outside, the Mercenary has been clashing with Andrea Hernandez, the pair of them brawling back and forth - and it's a losing battle for the stunning Phoenix, who's giving back all she can against an opponent who appears several times her size. For a moment, Merc almost looks to be pitying her as he draws back one hug arm and delivers a backhand chop that sets her entire body to shuddering. Andrea wakes up though, firing back with a scream and a flurry of punches that culminate in a spinning heel kick! It lands flush, but the massive man refuses to go down, merely staggering backwards. It's enough to create an opportunity, though; and she's the equal to it, stepping in and grabbing a hold of Merc to launch him into the apron! He bounces off, his spine arching painfully--
--and she scoops him up and over, using the momentum to hit her trademark PHOENIX BACKBREAKER!!
Woo: She's stronger than she looks.
Gomez: She's as smart as she looks.
In the ring, Ruthann Hunter has Matthiesen locked into a sharpshooter, sitting back firmly to prevent the Norwegian from struggling toward the ropes. He looks to be in serious trouble, until Hernandez comes sliding back into the ring, stamping across to the older woman and leaping to break the hold in style with a reverse Huracanrana! The landing is messy, ploughing Ruthann up and over into the man she was stretching out a moment before, and many of the crowd pop on principle! They're less pleased as Andrea pulls Hunter to her feet by a handful of hair, then drops into a low blow on the Hall of Famer! Hernandez LAUGHS, stepping around Ruthann as she sinks to her knees. Slaps to the head follow with an almost casual disdain, Andrea taking her time and running her mouth at the older woman.
The Mercenary is back up, sliding into the ring on the other side where he - like Ruthann previously - is met by the opportunistic Matthiesen. Seeing the scene across the ring, Merc attempts to dismiss him quickly with a thrust to the throat and a pumphandle slam, but the Norwegian jams in an elbow, and slithers out, seizing Merc on the way down to counter with a MASSIVE Uranage! He pauses for breath, before pulling the big man back up for an ALASKAN LEGSWEEP, floating over into the cover...
ONE...
KICKOUT!
It's going to take a lot more to keep down the Mercenary, who nonetheless has a new respect for Matthiesen as he pushes himself upright.
Ruthann has had enough of Andrea's nonsense, countering with a low blow of her own, then rising up like a bat out of hell to drive the young woman back with heavy chops. Hernandez fires back with a low kick, but Hunter eats it for breakfast and hits her back with a MEATY spinning heel kick, staggering the Arizonan upstart. Mercenary, meanwhile, has won a brief lock-up with Matthesien, powering out of an attempted headlock, and attempting to drag the other man up for a backdrop only to find him wriggling out once again, going for an ankle pick he can't quite get - and then slamming the big man with another Greenhorned headbutt! Merc stumbles back--
--And responds with a stiff kick from the bottom of his big boot! The Norwegian Kriger is sent sprawling backwards, over the top rope and out to the floor. On the opposite side of the ring, Ruthann presses her advantage, delivering a thunderous lariat to Andrea Hernandez, who hits the ropes hard before crumbling to the mat-- and abruptly rolling out of the ring!
Woo: A veteran move from Hernandez, evading further harm at the hands of Ruthless Aggression!
Left alone in the ring, Mercenary and Ruthann both step back to the center until they are standing back-to-back. They collide. They pause. And then both turn to face one another, their eyes meeting to a HUGE pop from the capacity crowd! Neither seems willing to give an inch, but the look on Mercenary's face shows that he is hesitant to engage. Instead it's Hunter who backs up first, but only to give herself enough room to deliver a hard knife-edge chop to the chest of the larger man. Merc absorbs the blow, but still refuses to attack her, which earns him a second, much harder, chop across the chest.
Gomez: Hit her, you pussy!!
Mercenary makes a frustrated face but still refuses to fight back. Now furious, Ruthann goes after him with a combination of chops and palm strikes, knocking him off-balance. Sending him for the ride with an Irish Whip, Ruthann hits the ropes herself in an attempt to spear him off his feet. But Mercenary catches her coming, dropping her with a DDT! This allows Andrea Hernandez the opportunity to springboard back into the ring, spinning beautifully into a 630, hitting the SEDONA SPLASH II on the fallen icon! Andrea grits her teeth as she goes for the pin...
ONE...
But the count is broken almost immediately, as Mercenary unceremoniously yanks her up onto her feet!
WHAM! Andrea Hernandez just looks surprised, as Merc is subsequently smashed into the canvas by a stiff Double Axe Handle from Matthiesen!
Thinking fast, Andrea darts around and hits Matthiesen with a schoolboy!
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
The Norwegian rolls to his feet, drives a forearm between her eyes, and jerks her into a Pulling Piledriver! He tries to cover in turn, but is dragged straight up into the air instead, the Mercenary ready to interfere in devastating fashion, launching his full body weight into a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The impact would be enough by itself, but as the top of Matthiesen's skull impacts the canvas, there's Ruthann Hunter, throwing her own form recklessly into a dropkick to the side of the rookie! It's a one-two punch that sends him sprawling, as both veterans clamber to their feet, locking eyes once more. The moment is ruined by Hernandez, who attempts a crossbody against both of them, but she's caught, dropped across both their knees, then pulled up into a delayed vertical suplex...
Woo: I never thought we'd see Ruthann Hunter and the Mercenary working together like this!
Gomez: Chills.
The two veterans twist toward the ropes, slingshotting Andrea Hernandez off of them to increase the impact as she's brought crashing down across the still form of Matthiesen! Ruthann tries to float over into a cover, but presumes too much; Merc boots her off, wagging a finger, and she throws him a playful shrug, before suggesting they turn their attention back to the grounded pair.
Johannesberg loses its collective mind as Ruthann takes control of Hernandez, and Merc of Matthiesen, one pair mirroring the other as two legs are wrenched painfully around, and two wrestling boots are brought down repeatedly upon the respective heads of their owners!
Ruthann Hunter is just having a GOOD TIME out there, but something has to give, and the Mercenary casts aside his victim, sliding to his feet with a serious expression. Ruthless Aggression sends him a slow nod, and as their two opponents start dragging themselves into their respective corners she hits the ropes, flying off. Merc moves to intercept, and the Hall of Famer drops into a skid, going between his legs with a bit of a stumble as she rights herself on the other side, and leaps! Landing poised on the ropes, with a breathless look to the crowd. A few of them recognize the move before she finishes it; springboarding into a stunning flip, hooking Merc with her arm as she lands--
--and reverse-DDTs him into the canvas! X!!!
Woo: It's one thing to see the Prince of Wrestling land that move, but quite another from a woman her age, who's taken all the punishment she's taken! Ruthann Hunter doesn't look a day older than twenty five out there.
Gomez: You're such a suck-up, Woo.
Ruthann takes a breath before she makes the cover, having a little trouble hooking the big man's legs.
ONE...
TWO...
NO!!
Hernandez plays spoiler OUT OF NOWHERE, flying off the top rope with the RISE OF THE PHOENIX onto both her opponents! She bounces off into a skid, making it all the way to the opposite corner with the momentum, turning herself over into a three-point crouch as she looks at the mess she's left behind. Ruthann is struggling to her feet, clutching at her lower back, and Matthiesen has struck before the Mercenary can regain any kind of sense, dragging him off into the corner to work him over with stiff strikes! Hernandez curses, and shoves herself into a sprint right at Hunter, who looks almost dead on her feet, expression glazed as Andrea flies in with another busaiku knee!
It seems to land, but as Ruthann Hunter staggers backward, she shifts her grip, revealing she's managed to capture the incoming woman around the waist. The crowd explodes, as the Hall of Famer hefts the arguable future of Rampage up and over, falling backwards to powerbomb her onto her own knees! THE PRINCE STOMP! With another page taken from her son's playbook, Hunter floats over for the cover...
But is pulled up into a deadlift German suplex, crushing her against the Mercenary. Matthiesen stumbles back to his feet after delivering this emphatic statement, wiping sweat from his brow, and then falls upon Andrea Hernandez, taking out the frustrations of their last match as he seeks to pummel her into submission, clearly softening up her already-battered form for the Dead Man's Fingers.
Mercenary has to shove Ruthann off of him to stumble out of the corner, but as he does so, she comes alive, turning into an elbow that catches him in the temple. He's slammed back against the corner post, and she falls on him with a flurry of strikes, before starting to lift the monstrous biker up onto the top rope. Meanwhile, Andrea has weathered the storm, and manages to intercept Matthiesen's submission attempt, countering with a deep-angled arm-wrench that drives him down facefirst, and allows her to slide beautifully into a Fujiwara armbar, all but frothing at the mouth as she seeks to avenge his assault with a broken arm!
They're close to the ropes though, and the Norwegian manages to force the break, pulling himself through the ropes to the outside at the first opportunity. Hernandez looks frustrated, ranting at the official, and pulling at her hair as she looks toward her other two opponents.
Woo: I can't believe what we're seeing.
Gomez: YES! This is why she's a Hall of Famer!
Having muscled the Mercenary onto the turnbuckle, Ruthann has hauled him onto her shoulders and is turning ponderously, the crowd sent into a fresh conniption as she takes two steps forward and delivers another, MASSIVE Prince Stomp! The entire ring shakes with the impact, as the EWC Outlaw crashes down, and Ruthann attempts to cover only to fall short, her body shaking from the mounting exhaustion.
Woo: For all she's given us, we might be nearing the end of Ruthann Hunter's involvement in this match.
Andrea Hernandez is there to capitalize, dropping a nonchalantly-brutal flipping senton on the fallen man, then sliding to her feet to seize a headlock on Ruthless Aggression, pulling the living legend to her feet, and driving in a couple of firm knees, before twisting toward the middle of the ring and hitting a sit-out facebuster! She doesn't bother covering, shooting a fierce glare to the outside of the ring, where Matthiesen is pulling himself onto the apron. Sprinting at him, the Arizonan spitfire clears the top rope, turning in mid-air to catch the greenhorn's head between her legs and WHIP him backwards off the apron, the flying headscissor takedown launching Matthiesen past ringside and over the barricade, where he leans on a chaos of chairs and concession foodstuffs, amidst a spreading sea of fans.
Hernandez lands on her feet, fuming out a tight smirk as she slides back into the ring--
--and immediately eats shit, as the Mercenary powers to his feet and catches her offguard with a brutal clothesline! She falls backwards, bouncing off the ropes, and he flows behind her, seamlessly into a full nelson, picking her and up and SLAMMING her into the canvas. This leaves him the only man upright, and Johannesberg rallies behind the EWC Outlaw.
"LIVE HARD, DIE SCARRED!" clap-clap-clapclapclap "LIVE HARD, DIE SCARRED!"
Putting his hands together to phrase a small bow of respect, the Mercenary steps over to the fallen Ruthann Hunter - and perhaps reasoning she'd want nothing less than his best, hauls her up by the waist, turning the Hall of Famer over to tuck her head between his legs. One arm keeps her in place as the other points out to the crowd, and Merc draws a thumb across his neck to a big ol' pop!
With a mighty wrench, Ruthann Hunter is brought up onto his shoulders, her disheveled form gleaming beneath the bright lights like some kind of terrible hardcore angel, before she's brought thundering down, heading TO HELL THE HARD WAY!!
Her spine leaves a dent in the canvas, as the Mercenary sinks down beside her, making a snug cover that, out of context, resembles something damn close to a hug...
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!!!
The Mercenary jerks up in alarm as Ruthann gets the shoulder up, but before he can act, Andrea Hernandez sweeps in from behind, grabbing the big man's arms and yanking him away from the fallen Hall of Famer, looking down at her as she 'borrows' a move; EAT THE MAT! Setting a boot to the back of Merc's head, the Phoenix curbstomps him stupid, then stamps over to Ruthann. She glances toward the corner, pursing her lips as she considers the best move, and then grabs Hunter's arms to give her the same treatment. EAT THE MAT!
Angrily, Andrea jabs a finger against her own collarbone, then stares wildly out at the crowd, who are rumbling in anticipation--
--as Matthiesen comes in from behind, and Hernandez turns on instinct, dropping beneath whatever the Norwegian has planned, hitting him with a beautifully-timed, pure statement of a float-over DDT! DESTINY DROP! He's spiked into the canvas, and she pops to her feet to see him already stirring. With a scowl, she heads to the apron, braces her arms on the top rope--
--and as he stands, launches into the SEDONA SPLASH!! She gets all of the seated senton, hooking the legs as she goes down...
ONE...
TWO...
TH-REE!!!
DING DING DING
Dobrev: And your winner, via pinfall ... ANDREA HERNANDEZ!
There's a callous bark of laughter from the Rampage starlet as she releases Matthiesen, stumbling to her feet and immediately flinging herself at the corner, clambering onto the top rope to posture in front of the entire goddamned world as she puts away the win at her first ever WrestleFest. The response is decidedly mixed, but it's nothing if not LOUD. Hernandez grins fiercely, a fist beating against her breast, before she points emphatically heavenward, hopping down to slowly make her exit, jaw-jacking with fans the whole way to the back, posing at the top of the ramp before whirling away into the back, her music still flooding the arena...
The din ebbs but doesn't settle, resurging as the Mercenary posts up one arm and clambers to his feet, looking across at Ruthann Hunter. One more time, the fans ERUPT as he helps Ruthann to her feet and murmurs a few words, lifting a forearm. She blinks the fatigue from her eyes, slowly smiles, and bumps her arm against his, their hands coming together in a firm warrior's grasp, before she's surprised by being almost yanked into the air as he turns and throws her arm aloft! The crowd respond immediately!
The Hall of Famer doesn't have much left, but she keeps smiling, eyes moist as the crowd rain down their appreciation.
Woo: That's a man of dignity, a man of honor, and a veritable wrecking ball representing one of the very Best of Rampage. We can all join him in paying respect to a woman whose legend needs no introduction here at EWC, and who came up just short in a battle against not only the Mercenary, but two of the best and brightest talent heading up the future of our company.
Gomez: They all brought the pain, Woo, the real winners here are you, me, and the fans in attendance!
Woo: But also Andrea Hernandez, who demonstrated her overwhelming self-belief by taking the fight to the EWC Outlaw, the Hall of Famer, and - for the second time - poor Matthiesen, who provided the stepping stone for a gigantic win here tonight. She's gone from strength to strength since arriving on Friday Night Rampage, and now that young lady has earned herself the right to control an entire show! I for one cannot wait to see what she has in store when Duggan's juggernaut returns in season 24.
Gomez: Hell of a match, and now it's just a matter of seeing what happens next!
Woo: Speaking of, later today we'll see who can take home the BRAWL Golden Ticket as Caleb Scott, Chelsea Skye, and Darius square off!
Camera cuts to more of what's happening around the area as WrestleFest XX rolls on...
We come back to ringside where Marcus Woo and Valentina Gomez are standing by!
Woo: Well folks, in just a couple hours we'll see that big triple threat for the BRAWL Golden Ticket, but Fighter Talk has been buzzing about what's to come!
Gomez: Good ol' Fighter Talk, where unlike a certain bird app you're not gonna wonder if you get suspended for making fun of the guy in charge!
We cut to a couple recent posts on the ever-reliable Fighter Talk platform:
Woo: A fair point there, what will happen today and tomorrow as WrestleFest XX continues?
We cut from here to more of the festivities in the meantime...
Cameras record as the picture reveals the outside of a hospital building. As if paused and again recording, the next view is of inside the hospital but around is no one in sight. The emergency lights are going off and on but there is no sound like a buzzing or siren. At the end of the hallway is a room like a triage room with a closed curtain but as the camera slowly draws closer, the curtain pulls back slowly to reveal a man standing dressed in Black jeans and no shirt. With his head bowed, he slowly walks towards the camera as the flashings of light beam off of him. Whisperings mixed with anger are heard as the man speaks...a man we quickly realize is Zack Tyler.
Zack Tyler: It was out of anger and my carelessness that led me to this place. My hell bent determination to put an end to a man who had cost me my dream turned into something I wasn’t ready for. But it was through what I did that turned that man into who he is now and for that, your silence because of fear is thank you enough. Now I must move on to what is ahead for me.
He stops to ponder his next words, finally finding them as he continues.
Zack Tyler: Throughout this journey, I have yet to achieve a goal because I let myself get sidelined with other things that looked enticing. But now I see what I must do. No more weakness, no more pity, time for Brawl to feel the power of The Left Hand.
An image of The Left Hand logo quickly appears on the screen before the screen goes Black and the video ends.
It’s beautiful afternoon in Johannesburg, South Africa as Kolby Kreel and Daphne Kreel can be seen walking towards the concert area where The Hu, Papa Roach and other bands are preparing to play to a growing crowd. Kolby appears to be carrying two lawn chairs as Daphne is carrying a tub of fried chicken and a bundle of cotton Candy.
Daphne Kreel: It’s not exactly what I had hoped for but this will work for our anniversary.
Kolby Kreel: I already told you that we will do something special the moment we are back in the States. Now, do you have the concert schedule?
Daphne nods her head.
Daphne Kreel: I managed to get the entire concert details from Ace Heart following your match yesterday. Unfortunately we missed some good acts and we also missed some that we don’t care about. However The Hu has yet to perform and Falling into Reverse has yet to perform.
Kolby Kreel: Awesome now where should we sit.
Daphne points to location that is right in the middle as Kolby agrees. He sets up the lawn chairs as they sit down to wait for the music to play, the opening notes and riffs filling the area as we fade to shots of more of the festivities...
Winner Gets The Golden Ticket To Be Further Expanded Upon At The Season 23 BRAWL Premiere
Caleb Scott
VS Chelsea Skye VS Darius
Woo: Welcome back folks, we're in for a real treat here! Caleb Scott, Chelsea Skye, and Darius all have a chance to earn a Golden Ticket...but what will they get for it when BRAWL hits the air again next year?
Gomez: I sure as hell hope it doesn't come with an Oompa-Loompa song...
The fast guitar riff for “Reborn Through Failure” hits the speakers and once the vocals kick in Chelsea makes her way out onto the entrance ramp ready for battle.
Dobrev: Introducing first, from Chicago. Illinois, she is the “Nightmare Angel” … CHELSEA SKYE!
Following her ring introduction Chelsea makes her way down to the ring slapping hands with the occasional fan along the way, she enters the ring and runs the ropes as she waits for her opponents.
Dobrev: Introducing next...
Lights go black as Ze Nigmar plays. Four hooded figures with torches come out and stand on the stage, two on each side of the entrance. Lights stay off as the song intro plays. Once the drums in the song start, a single beam of light from above the ring shoots to the stage as Caleb Scott rises from the floor through a ring of white smoke. Holding his chain-wrapped bat, Caleb stands there for a few seconds looking at the crowd.
Dobrev: From St. Cloud, Minnesota, weighing in at two hundred and five pounds ... CALEB SCOTT!
Caleb begins to slowly walk to the ring as a short row of fire ignites on either side of the entrance ramp. Caleb approaches the steel steps and places his bat on the top step. He then places his hand on top of it and closes his eyes for a few seconds before going up the steps and into the ring, the single beam of light follows him the entire time. He walks towards the corner and stands on the middle rope. He stares out into the crowd for a few seconds before taking a deep breath, extending his arms out to the side, and unleashing a loud, thunderous scream before the lights come back on.
Dobrev: And finally...
The sound of rapid drumbeats and guitar riffs blare through the arena as white smoke billows from the stage area ...
ON THIS DAY! I SEE CLEARLY! EVERYTHING! HAS COME TO LIFE!
Dobrev: Their opponent, from Albany, New York, weighing in at 265 lbs ... He is the "E of the EWC" ... DARIUS!
Smoke continues to billow onto the stage, but Darius is nowhere to be found. Scott and Skye stand opposite of the stage, impatiently waiting for their opponent to arrive. As the music fades away and the smoke clears, there is still no sign of Darius, but as Skye turns her attention to Scott, a barbed wire baseball bat nails him on the back of the neck, crumbling him down to the mat as Darius stands on the apron with crazed eyes!
Woo: What a cowardly move by Darius!
Gomez: It may be cowardly, but it's smart!
Skye rushes Darius but he kicks his foot through the middle ropes and nails Skye in the gut, dropping her to her knees. Darius raises the bat high and slams it across Skye's bat, dropping her to the ground as she flails around with pain. Darius then cockily gets into the ring and taunts the crowd as Skye and Scott get into their respective corners. The referee checks on the wounded competitors, then calls for the match to begin!
DING DING DING
Darius turns his attention away from the crowd and back to his opponents, now seeing the unbridled rage sprawled across their faces. Scott wastes no time as he lunges forward at Darius, clocking him with a stiff forearm to the face and a quick knee to the gut! Skye joins in, coming at Darius from behind as she stomps at the back of his leg, forcing him down to a knee as Scott changes his assault to a flurry of elbows in the center of Darius' forehead!
Skye yells to Scott, telling him to hold Darius up, so Scott does so, exposing Darius' chest as Skye rushes the ropes, rebounds from them, and nails Darius with a springboard missile dropkick to the center of Darius' chest! Darius clutches his midsection while coughing violently, while Skye raises her hand for a high five to Scott, but Scott instead boots her in the gut and whips her into a corner, then follows up with a stiff clothesline! Scott turns his attention back to Darius, stalking his way toward him before driving the heel of his boot into Darius' forehead, striking the already weakened spot from before, busting it wide open!
Woo: Holy moly, look at that damage!
Gomez: ...did you just say holy moly, Marcus?
Scott picks Darius' bat off the mat, chokes up on the handle, and stalks Darius as he gets to his knees, but before Scott is able to take Darius' head off, Skye flies back into frame, taking Scott out with a springboard moonsault! Skye kips up and lets out a victorious yell, then spins on her heel to kick Darius on the side of the head! Darius slumps to the mat as Skye crawls over him for the win!
ONE!
T- NO!
Darius shoves Skye off from him before the two count! Skye mounts over Darius and lands a few chops down at his face, but Darius manages to catch both of her arms and sprays a mist of spit and blood into her eyes! Skye falls back, wiping away at her eyes, while Darius finally manages to get back to his feet, donning a sadistic, bloody smile.
Woo: Darius is really in his element here!
Gomez: This can only be bad news for Caleb and Chelsea...oh no!
Darius turns his attention to Scott, who's now back on his feet and wielding Darius' bat. Darius spits blood at Scott's feet, then Scott swings the bat wide at Darius head, but Darius ducks out of the way and lands a stiff shot to Scott's gut! Darius grabs the bat from Scott's hand, then holds it horizontally across Scott's forehead, digging the barbs into Scott's skin!
Scott screams out with pain and drives his elbow back into Darius' gut, but Darius doesn't let up! Scott strikes again and again, eventually weakening Darius' grip enough for Scott to pull away! Blood runs down Scott's forehead, creating a crimson mask over the black and white face paint. Darius paces around Scott and nods with approval, the blooded smile reappearing once more, but then Skye gets to her feet as well, her face splattered with Darius' bloodied spit. The three competitors stand in a triangular formation, exchanging looks between one another before eventually all rushing the center of the ring, colliding together and beginning to brawl!
Woo: Things are only going from bad to worse here, Gomez!
Gomez: It's all for that Golden Ticket, and who wants it more!
Chelsea manages to land a few slaps onto Darius, Darius lands some stiff uppercuts into Scott’s torso, and Scott drives his elbow down onto Skye’s collarbone numerous times! Darius then shoves Scott into Skye, which Skye responds to by kicking Scott in the gut before hitting him with a floatover DDT! Skye rolls up to her feet to face Darius, but Darius knocks her down with a big boot! Seeing both opponents down, Darius rolls outside of the ring, picks up his bat, but then looks at Scott’s bat on the top of the steps. Darius grabs Scott’s back, spits on it, then throws it toward the stage, sending it far from the ring.
Darius slides back into the ring with his bat in hands, stalking Scott as he gets to his feet, and as soon as his feet are planted, Darius swings his bat hard toward Scott’s head, but Scott rolls out of the way, jumps to his feet behind Darius, then kicks Darius in the center of the back, sending right into Skye as she gets to her feet, using Darius’ momentum to catch him with the slingblade she calls For Justin!
Scott rushes at Skye, kicks her in the gut, and hoists her in the air for a powerbomb, but Skye shifts her weight to the side, pulling herself back down to the mat while holding onto Scott’s arm, locking in the Rage of the Heavens cross arm-breaker!
Scott yells out in pain, trying to break free from the hold, but Skye wrenches back on the arm with all of her might, trying to snap it in half! Scott lets out a primal roar, using all of his strength to stand with Skye still attached to his arm! He then throws her upwards onto his shoulder into a fireman’s carry! Scott lets out another yell and looks to sink in the Final Resting Place, but Darius flies in from out of nowhere and connects with the Hunter’s Mark, spearing Scott in the center of the ring!!
Woo: Oh man, Caleb really taking the brunt of that Hunter's Mark!
Gomez: This could be it, Marcus!
Darius goes to cover Scott, but Skye jumps onto him, landing blow after blow onto the back of Darius’ head! Darius turns to face Skye, but isn’t able to fight her off as she grabs his arm, locks her legs around Darius’ head, and sinks in the triangle choke she calls the Clipped Winged Angel! Darius struggles and crawls for the ropes, but Skye applies all the pressure she can! Darius hand starts to shake as it raises, looking as if he may tap, but then Scott comes back into the picture, grabbing Skye by the hair and ripping her off from Darius!
Scott then grabs Darius by the legs, puts them over his head, then hoists Darius up, only to slam him down with the Grave Plot!! Scott turns his attention to Skye, who is now flying at Scott with a springboard dropkick … but Scott catches her ankle mid air and locks in the ankle lock he calls the One Foot in the Grave!!
Woo: And there we go, Caleb's got a chance to really turn this around!
Gomez: Seize that opportunity, Caleb!
Scott twists and wrenches the ankle with sickening brutality as he watches Darius get back to his feet with his bat in hand. Darius rushes Scott with the bat, cracking him over the skull with it! Scott stumbles back, blood pouring down his face, but Darius gives him no time to recover as he hits a second Hunter’s Mark on Scott! Darius turns his attention to Skye as she gets to her feet, but gives her no time to recover as he kicks her in the gut, pulls her head under his arm, and plants her with the Grey Matter impaler DDT!
Darius sits up in the center of the ring with a blank, wide-eyed stare. He gets to his feet, grabs Skye by the hair, then hoists her up onto the top turnbuckle. He looks around the arena as the crowd boos, then hooks Skye’s head under his arm once more, this time leaping from the top with Skye, driving her head into the mat with the Gray Splatter! Right as Darius goes for the cover, Scott dives into frame to break it up! Darius gets to his feet as Scott lands multiple lefts and rights, but then Darius kicks him right between the legs! Darius pulls Scott in for a tiger bomb position, hoists him up, spins him around, and plants him onto Skye with the Morrow Bomb! Darius shoves Scott off from Skye, then hooks Skye’s leg!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!!
DING DING DING
Dobrev: Here is your winner and the recipient of the Golden Ticket … DARIUS!
Woo: What a battle we just saw here folks, these three really went to war over the Golden Ticket...but the E in EWC prevails, and Darius now has his eyes set on the Season Premiere of BRAWL next year to find out what he gets in return!
Gomez: Great, great match here, with a really good effort by Scott and Skye...but congrats to Darius on picking up the win!
Recorded Earlier: The night after the Season Finale of Rampage
The camera opens inside Le Botaniste, the 4 star Vegan restaurant on Lexington Ave Midtown Manhattan where we find Xavier Reid sitting with his manager, ‘The Memphis Mouthpiece’ Tommy Love, who is looking around nervously…
Love: This is a real STUPID idea Xavier…
Xavier waves him off and shakes his head…
Reid: It will be fine…
Love: NO IT WON’T BE…Gideon Gage is a fucking loose cannon, he’s expecting a 7 course dinner here tonight and he’s not going to be real happy when he shows up at a Vegan Restaurant…
Xavier shrugs…
Reid: I don’t give a shit, I was the unlucky soul that was drawn and forced to take this oaf out to dinner but I’m not going to take him somewhere nice or even a place that’s going to break the bank…it’s Vegan and if he doesn’t like it he can leave…
But before Tommy can add anything the doors to Le Botaniste are flung open and in steps Gideon Gage, dressed in a nice suit, he takes off his sunglasses…even though it’s dark outside and puts them in his breast pocket. He looks around and sees Xavier and Tommy and marches in their direction, completely ignoring the hostess as he removes his jacket and tosses it over her face and head…
Gage: Check that honey…
Gideon walks past a couple and as the man takes his phone out to snap a picture he snatches it from his hand and drops it in a bowl of saffron aioli dressing on the other side of him…
Gage: NO PICTURES ASSHOLE…
Gideon laughs knowing the man won’t or can’t do anything about it. He reaches Xavier and Tommy’s table and pulls out his seats and plops down in it. Tommy shallows as he looks at Gage who’s locked eyes with Xavier, he tilts his head towards Tommy…
Gage: I see you brought the creepy little man…
Xavier smirks as he looks at Gage…
Reid: That creepy little man is my manager and the best one in the business…
Gideon rolls his eyes and shakes his head…
Gage: And here I thought Bunny Love was the Manager of the Year…
Tommy looks at Gage, pissed at the dig…
Love: THEY ONLY VOTED FOR HER BECAUSE SHE HAS TITS!!!
Xavier looks at Tommy and shrugs…
Reid: That’s your daughter for Christ Shakes…Jesus, let it go man…she took the Express on a historic run last year and deserved the award…they won 20 matches, broke all the tag team records and even beat his idiot friends along the way…
Xavier motions towards Gage…
Gage:They got lucky against Eddie and Tyler…
Reid: Just like they got lucky against Ace and Pablo…face it, they were the best tag team in the EWC…that was until Jamie and I beat them…
Gage: Whatever…you can’t be that big of a winner because you are here buying me dinner tonight and boy am I starving…haven’t eaten in three hours and ready to eat everything on the damn menu…speaking of which, where is the damn menu…
Tommy is about to call over the waitress but Xavier waves him off…
Reid: No need for a menu, I took the liberty and ordered for you Gideon…you being my guest and all…
Gage: Guest, that’s a funny way of saying your punishment… but what I could use is a damn drink…
Gideon looks around and flags down a waitress who looks at Xavier…he nods to her and she runs off to get the drinks…
Gage: What the hell Reid, did you warn them not to talk to me or something…
Love: No, they know who you are and your reputation of destroying shit…this is a classy place and they want to keep it that way…
Gideon laughs as the waitress walks over carrying a tray of orange drinks…Gideon looks at them, puzzled by the colors…
Gage: I don’t drink those Fufu drinks…
Reid: They aren’t fufu drinks, it’s carrot juice…
Gage: CARROT JUICE…do I look like a fucking rabbit…I want a beer…
Reid: They don’t serve beer here…
Gage: You brought me to a dry restaurant…I thought you said you DIDN’T want me to destroy the place…
Reid: It’s good for you…isn’t your body your temple or so stupid shit like that…
The waitress sets down the three glasses of Carrot juice and like Gideon Tommy pushes his away…
Love: Yeah, I’m with Gideon on this…fuck this stuff…
Gideon looks at Tommy for a second and nods before catching himself and not wanting to agree with the creepy man reaches out and grabs the glass and takes a drink before spitting it all over the waitress…
Gage: FUCK!!! That is the nastiest shit I’ve ever tasted…
Love: Yeah, well wait until the meal comes…
Gage: What???
Love: Nevermind…
But before Gideon can demand an answer the wait staff brings over the main course and starts setting the plates and bowls in front of the men, Spicy Chili Sin Carne for Xavier, Magic Miso for Tommy and Vegetable Tajine for Gideon…he looks down at his bowl and then back at Xavier…
Gage: WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS???
Reid: Vegetable Tajine, Quinoa, Yukon potatoes, Moroccan vegetable stew with root veggies, pea shoots served with lemon harissa dressing…
Gideon looks at Xavier as if he has three heads…
Gage: I know what potatoes are but the rest of that…are those even real words…this shit is what my food eats…give me a steak!!!
Love: Um, they don’t have steak here…
Gage: Then a pizza or something…I WANT REAL FOOD!!!
Reid: This is real food…it’s VEGAN!!!
Gideon, in a fit of rage, stands up and flips the table over in one motions on top of Tommy…
Gage: YOU BROUGHT ME TO A VEGAN RESTAURANT!!!! DO YOU WANT TO FUCKING DIE REID!!!
Xavier tosses his napkin to the floor and stands up himself…
Reid: DO I EVEN WHAT TO BE DOING THIS IS THE BETTER QUESTION FUCK FACE!!!
The manager comes running over…
Manager: Gentlemen please, this is a restu…
But he can’t finish his sentence as Gideon picks the poor man up and slams his down over the table next to him…
Reid: OH REAL NICE YOU OAF, THE MAN IS ONLY TRYING TO DO HIS JOB!!!
Gage: HIS JOB IS TO FEED ME REAL FOOD!!!
The hostess comes running toward them but stops when Gideon turns to face her…
Hostess: I’m…I’m…I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you all to leave…now, please if that’s ok with you???
Gage: I WON’T BE CAUGHT DEAD IN HERE FOR ANOTHER SECOND!!! GIVE ME MY JACKET!!!
Gideon grabs his jacket out of her hands and turns to Xavier…
Gage: YOU AND ME OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW REID!!
Reid: FINE, LET’S FUCKING GO!!!
The two men march towards the door as Tommy struggles to get out from under the table…
Love: NO, seriously Xavier, you can’t afford to brawl out on the street with this idiot…you have too much to lose…
But his words fall on deaf ears as Gideon kicks open the door and Xavier follows him out onto Lexington Ave…
Gage: I’m going to break your head like it was that table for this…
Reid: Yeah well go ahead and try…
Gage: This was the worst night I’ve had in a long time and it’s all because of…
Reid: Grizzly Duggan…he’s the one that made this shit show happen…
Gage: He’s such a fucking douche…
Reid: Yeah, with that stupid beard…
Gage: Hiding that stupid face of his…
Reid: I thought Connors was an idiot but then here comes Duggan…
Gage: How in the hell did he ever become a General Manager…
Reid: I know right…
Gage: It wasn’t like he was a good wrestler…
Reid: And yet they put him in the Hall of Fame because what…he was once a tag team champion with Carlos..
Tommy joins the two men outside…
Love: I guess they will just induct anyone into the Hall of Fame these days…it’s not like you have to be good at your job or have managed a bunch of champions…wait…
Tommy reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone and starts looking at everyone in the Hall of Fame…
Love: You guys realize there are no managers in the Hall of Fame yet…
But Gideon and Xavier ignore him as they stop circling one another and drop their guards…
Gage: I fucking hate that guy…
Reid: Yeah, well I’m not his biggest fan either you know…
Off to the side of the sidewalk a man standing behind a hotdog cart clears his throat…
Hot Dog Vendor: Are you guys talking about EWC’s Grizzly Duggan…
Xavier and Gideon both nod at the man…
Hot Dog Vendor: Yeah, he’s a real asshole and a terrible tipper…
Xavier and Gideon both nod as Xavier reaches into his pocket…
Reid: Listen…I’m sorry…I took out having a bad season and losing to Melody Malone on you…
Gage: Yeah, it’s ok…I took out being fired by that asshole on you besides, nobody likes that bitch either…
Xavier looks at the hot dog vendor and hands him some cash…
Reid: How about one dog for me and three for this guy…I owe him dinner…
Gage nods and rubs his hands together…
Gage: Nice, real meat…hey speaking of Melody, did you know she keeps a Tartan strap on in her bag…
Reid: What the fuck is Tartan???
Gage: It’s like plaid, stupid Scott’s and their stupid words…
Reid: I bet she calls it Cyrus…
The two men laugh as they ‘cheers’ their hot dogs…
Reid: You know, I know where Grizzly is staying in the city…I heard he’s here for a few more days AND Tommy knows what rental car is his…so if you were looking for a little payback on the man…
Gideon smiles and nods as he takes a bite of his hotdog…
Gage: Lead the way Xavier and bring the creepy dude…he can jerk off on the driver’s seat before I turn the car on its side…
The three men laugh as the camera fades out, taking us back to realtime as we explore the area for more WrestleFest XX goodness!
We cut back to ringside, where Marcus Woo appears to be struggling with his phone, a look of frustration on his face as Valentina Gomez looks over his shoulder.
Gomez: What's goin' on, Marcus?
Woo: I don't know Valentina, it looks like...what the heck? My account just got suspended for promoting Fighter Talk on Twi--
Suddenly, Marcus notices that he's on camera...caught in 4K, if you will.
Woo: Oh, hi! Folks, the social media activity is absolutely buzzing across both Twitter and Fighter Talk!
We cut to a recent post from our new EWC International Champion on Fighter Talk:
From there we go to a very different post, this on Twitter from the new United States Champion, Ace King:
We cut back to Woo and Gomez at ringside!
Woo: Folks, I understand that the press conference Ace King is holding will be starting up at the top of the hour, so stay tuned!
The pair wave us off before Marcus goes back to fiddling with his phone, as we cut to more of the festivities!
The camera shows a pair of white boots and stays there for a couple of seconds. As it slowly pans up, the camera shows white and black shiny trunks and ripped abs being covered by gold. It doesn’t take long to recognize that it’s the North American Champion, Marcu$ $t. John.
Marcu$ $t. John: Do you feel the energy? I said, Do. You. Feel. The ENERGY! It’s WrestleFest XX. The culmination of another season, the hard work, sweat, blood, tears, vomit, and all other nasty bodily fluids that these wrestlers have swapped with each other is all wrapped up in a nice gift, topped with a bow, and ready to be presented to you, the fans.
The crowd laughs then cheers at bodily secretions and the words that came out of M$J’s mouth. They even start a small “bodily fluids” chant.
Marcu$ $t. John: Yeah you got a bunch of horny Neanderthals in these locker rooms, but me I’m focused on the prize. My gift to you is walking out there, looking Asriel Buzzard in his eyes, and smacking the black sunglasses off of his face. Sure, he’s a champion, but he’s not Paramount’s champion. He will slowly walk his ass down to the ring in that same boring black pleather jacket, those same boring black trunks, and that dumb ass umbrella. Yeah, we’re in an open stadium tonight but it’s clear skies. Why the hell does he carry that umbrella everywhere he goes anyways? I’m going to kick Mary Poppins ass and take one step closer to becoming the Alpha.
The crowd starts a loud “Mary Poppins” chant that goes on for about a minute and a half before it starts to calm down. They begin to anxiously await $t. John’s next words as he gets ready to speak again.
Marcu$ $t. John: This may not be a title match but if I lose, he’s the number 1 contender. He would have the momentum, and he would know what’s next for him. I’m 2 and 0 at WrestleFest and I’ll be damned if I lose after all the work I put in this season. I busted my ass to get to this point. 7 Main events, 4 MVPs, 10 Match of the Night nominations this year, you heard that right. Losing is not an option for me. From the beginnings of this season at the Cow Palace to finishing up in the gorgeous FNB Stadium, I solidify my most successful year yet by overcoming a man that came to Paramount with North American and Undisputed Championship aspirations. Tonight, I take Asriel Buzzard’s hopes and dreams once again and I flush them down the shitter.
He takes his title off of his waist and stares at it for a few seconds before draping it over his shoulders and patting it a few times.
Marcu$ $t. John: No longer am I that spoiled rookie that doesn’t belong. No longer am I the guy that flaunts the money he has and doesn’t work to get what he wants. What I am today is better than what I was yesterday, but less than what I will be tomorrow. Tonight, Asriel has an M$J problem and that’s something that he isn’t ready to deal with. My first WrestleFest, I did it with something to prove. The second WrestleFest, I did it for my family. This time? This time, I do it to show I deserve more. I’ve beaten former Undisputed Champions, future Hall of Famers, and had several first time ever moments. I’m tired of waiting on the sidelines and being passed by, tonight I start demanding and taking. I want to take this time to apologize to absolutely nobody because now Marcu$ $t. John does what the fuck he wants. Now hit my theme music.
The crowd erupts at the determined words of the North American Champion. Marcu$ waits for the familiar sound of “Fast Line” to play.
If Asriel Buzzard Wins, He's The #1 Contender To The EWC North American Championship
Asriel Buzzard
VSMarcu$ $t. John
Woo: Coming up next is a battle between two Paramount Champions,CW Broadcast Champion, Asriel Buzzard and North American Champuion, Marcu$ $t. John.
Gomez: Asriel Buzzard can earn what he deserves tonight, a chance to challenge Marcu$ $t. John for the North American Championship.
Dobrev: Introducing first, from Hill City, Kansas… ASRIEL BUZZARD!
The first few notes of a piece of orchestral music start to play around the arena, with the harps giving way to violins after a few seconds and an image appearing on the screen as the house lights lower.
As the guitars of ‘Animals’ by Architects begins to pound around the arena, strobe lights flash as the image on the screen fades to flashing images of a familiar face.
Slowly, Asriel Buzzard emerges from the curtain and stands atop the stage staring out into the crowd to a mixed response.
He walks down the ramp and circles the ring before rolling under the bottom rope and climbing the turnbuckle to stare into the crowd again, holding a closed umbrella aloft, his expression blank.
Woo: After winning the CW Broadcast Championship back at the Paramount Season Finale, Asriel Buzzard is looking to end the year with a cherry on top, as Number One Contender for the North American Title.
Gomez: I said that already. Don't you listen.
Dobrev: Coming to the ring at 6'1" and weighing 210 lbs, it's The Young Mogul... MARCU$ $T. JOHN!
"Fast Lane" blasts through the arena by Bad Meets Evil. M$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.
Woo: Marcu$ $t. John will end 2022 as the North American Champion. His reign is closer in on second all time, and with a successful defense or two next season, he could break Robbie Rayder's record for longest reign. Gomez: And if pigs start flying next year, we could add pig wings to the menu. Can we focus on the match?
DING DING DING
As soon as the Pyros blast, Asriel Buzzard is in the center of the ring and the two start going blow for blow. First Asriel, then Marcu$ $t. John, then Asriel, then Marcu$ $t. John, then Marcu$ $t. John blocks Asriel, then Asriel ducks Marcu$ $t. John. The CW Broadcast Champion follows with a European Uppercut, then another, then a third with even more force, forcing the North American Champion into the corner. Asriel charges and connects with a running European Uppercut. He gives $t. John a few seconds to stagger out of the corner, Asriel steps forward, reaching for the head, but Marcu$ $t. John grabs his arm, falls back, and connects with Eat Defeat. Asriel Buzzard staggers back, Marcu$ $t. John charges forward, leaps, and drives Asriel down with the Money Stomp. The North American Champion hooks the leg for the pink.
ONE . . . TW..kickout by Asriel Buzzard.
Woo: Marcu$ $t. John was able to turn the tables there. Delivering two big blows in a matter of seconds.
Gomez: Asriel Buzzard eats pain like that for breakfast.
Woo: Why would he eat pain for that breakfast?
Marcu$ $t. John pulls Asriel to his feet, this time whipping Asriel into the corner. He quickly follows, delivering a Corner Clothesline almost as soon as Asriel Buzzard’s back hits the turnbuckles. The Young Mogul wastes no time getting under Buzzard, and lifting him for the Death Valley Driver, but Asriel slides out the back, drives his knee into Marcu$’s back, then locks in a Rear Naked Choke Hold. $t. John tries to block Asriel from locking in the grip, but to no avail. Luckily, Marcu$ is quick to grab the ropes. The ref comes over telling Buzzard to drop the hold, but he still hasn’t. The ref warns him again, but he doesn’t break the bold, he wrenches down harder, causing Marcu$ to drop to a knee. The ref starts to count
ONE . . TWO . . Asriel Buzzard releases the hold before the ref counts to three. Asriel aggressively backs the ref up a few steps.
Woo: Asriel Buzzard really wants this win. He will push all the limits, and try to bend the rules.
Gomez: The mark of a true champion.
Woo: No.
Asriel turns his attention back to $t. John, letting his opponent get back to his feet. As soon as he turns, Asriel lunges forward and delivers a Superkick. He goes for the cover. The ref counts.
One . . Tw…kickout by Marcu$ $t. John
Asriel Buzzard quickly pops to his feet, stomps on the chest of the downed $t. John a few times then drags him to his knees, setting him up for a Piledriver. He goes to lift, but $t. John fights it off, keeping his feet down. Before Asriel can try again, Marcu$ $t. John reverses the momentum, and sends Asriel Buzzard to the mat with a Back Body Drop. Asriel storms to his feet, then storms toward his opponent, but the Young Mogul delivers a kick to gut, quickly followed by a Powerslam. Asriel quickly bounces back, but Marcu$ $t. John is on top of him, driving his knee into the gut of his opponent, then driving him down to the mat with another powerslam. This he hooks the leg for a cover.
ONE . . TWO... Asriel Buzzard kicks out.
Marcus $t. John starts to drag Asriel to his feet again, this time he is met with a punch to the gut, then another creating some separation. The CW Broadcast Champion then connects with a Basement Drop Kick, knocking the North American Champion to the ground. Buzzard takes a few seconds to catch his breath. He lets $t. John get into a kneeling position, then drills him hard in the face with a Knee Smash. Asriel Buzzard goes for the cover…
ONE . . TWO . . TH…kickout by Marcu$ $t. John
Woo: That was close. What devastating blow to the head.
Gomez: If he has a concussion, this match is all Asriel Buzzard.
Asriel Buzzard drags $t. John’s head between his left, hooks his arms under the stomach, lifts, then drives The Young Mogul down with a Piledriver. Again he takes a few seconds to catch his breath. Then he heads to corner quickly, gets to the top turnbuckle. Leans down and sets himself, he leaps, coming down with Anybody Out There, at the last second, MArcu$ $t. John is not there and Buzzard crashes into the mat. Both men are down, the ref checks on them, before he starts a double count, Marcu$ $t. John gets ot his feet. He makes his way over to the stilled downed Asriel Buzzard, grabs his legs, turns his body, and sits back, locking in the Boston Crab. Buzzard slams his fist into the mat, a few seconds later, the ref checks, and Asriel Buzzard refuses to give up. Marcu$ $t. John leans backs a little more, a few seconds later, the ref checks again, still the CW Broadcast Champion refuses to quit. Finally he reaches out for the ropes but is just shy. He manages to inch closer, he reaches again, and this time reaches the ropes. The ref starts tapping on the back of the North American Champion, telling him to release the hold, Marcu$ $t. John complies.
Woo: Asriel Buzzard got lucky there. Positioning is the only thing that saved him. If that was in the center of the ring, this match could have been over.
Gomez: And if it rained money, you wouldn’t be so broke. We can play What IFs all day.
Marcu$ $t. John waits for Asriel Buzzard to start getting to his feet. He wraps Buzzard’s arms, then his legs, and drives Asriel Buzzard to the mat with Wing Clipper. He goes for the pin.
ONE . . . TWO . . THRE.. Asriel Buzzard gets a shoulder up.
Woo: $t. John was a hair away from victory there.
Gomez: I know there is a Wing Clipper, Buzzard joke there somewhere.
Marcu$ $t. John rests on the ground for a handful of seconds before getting back to his feet. Asriel Buzzard is just starting to get to his feet. $t. John notices he close to the corner, so he charges over, hops onto the top turnbuckle, gets settled and waits. Asriel Buzzard gets to his feet, and turns in Marcu$’s direction. $t. John leaps for a Missile Dropkick, but Asriel Buzzard stumbles back at the last second to avoid the contact. A few seconds later The Young Mogul is back on his feet, when is met with The Redeemer. It takes a few seconds, but Asriel Buzzard goes for the cover.
ONE . . TWO . . TH..Marcu$ $t. John gets a shoulder up
Woo: Buzzard only needed a few seconds to turn the tables on the North American Champion.
Gomez: He’s more wily than the coyote. And a lot more successful too.
Woo: I’m not even going to go there.
Asriel Buzzard is first to his feet, resting a few more seconds before making to his way over to Marcu$ $t. John. He comes up from behind, attempts to lock in another Rear Naked Choke, but $t. John is ready for him, and slides under and out of the hold. Buzzard turns and is met with a Spinning Heel Kick, causing him to stagger back. The Young Mogul approaches quickly, drives his knee into Asriel’s gut, wraps his arm around Asriel’s head, lifts, and connects with Bankrupt. He goes for the cover.
ONE . . . TWO . . . THREE!
DING DING DING
Dobrev: Here is your winner… MARCU$ $T. JOHN!
The ref raises his hand, then brings Marcu$ $t. John the North American title. Marcu$ $t. John raises it high in the air, and the crowd erupts in cheers.
Woo: Marcu$ $t. John once again manages to defeat Asriel Buzzard. He ends his season with his head held high and the North American Title around his waist heading into 2023 as the top wrestler on the Paramount Brand. Gomez: A great segway to finishing this night by determining who will end the year as PRIME's Top Champion. I think we all know Scorpio will be on top.
Woo: We definitely don't know that Gomez, hence the reason for the match.
With that, we cut away to more of what's happening as WrestleFest XX rolls on!
M$J walks back through the curtain ready to celebrate another hard fought victory. Screaming and yelling that he’s still undefeated at WrestleFest. He’s greeted by Pepper Montana who’s ready to capture a few words from the North American Champion.
Pepper Montana: Marcu$ can I get a minute of your time? How do you feel after a battle with someone who some might consider a rival of yours in Asriel Buzzard?
He holds up his finger as to motion to give him a few seconds as he bends down to briefly catch his breath. He rises back up with a big smile on his face.
Marcu$ $t. John: Did you see that? I told everyone so. 3-0 baby and it feels so good! One step at a time. I just showed that I’m the premier champion on Paramount. Since I’ve been here I never backed down from anyone and that will continue to be the same way as we roll into next year.
Pepper Montana: You mentioned what would be next for Buzzard if he beat you but what would be next for you since that didn’t happen?
M$J turns around and ponders the question for a moment.
Marcu$ $t. John: What’s next? I kind of already hinted at it but if you didn’t catch my drift, I guess you’ll have to wait and see. You won’t have to wait too long though, I promise you that. I can share this now that I think about it. For the first time, I’m walking out of the year as a champion and starting the year off as a champion. I don't take the weight of that lightly. From the very first North American Champion in Big Mac, to notable champions to hold this title like Tommy Aero, Blade, Wes Walker, Robbie Rayder, Jordan Sha….
He stops as he bumps into something behind him as he’s talking. He turns around and it’s none other than Jordan Sharpe standing behind him with a big grin on his face.
JFS: My my my! What do we have here? If it isn't Paramount himself, Marcu$ $t John. Another night, another win for you, eh?
He shakes M$J's hand, smiling.
JFS: I was checking out your match from back here, that was a hell of a fight. I wouldn't expect anything less from the Buzzard but you still got the win. Congrats on that!
Marcu$ processes what Jordan said for a moment before responding.
Marcu$ $t. John: Speaking of watching, night 4 is a big night. Even though you didn’t want to at first, you finally get your hands on Sour Candy. She’s tormented your legacy, you, and even your family. I’ve been in the ring with both of you so I know we are all in for a show. Bottle that frustration up and unleash it all on her like I know you can. I’ll be watching it all closely. Give her hell!
Jordan chuckles under his breath slightly.
JFS: I appreciate that, you know I still don't really want to go through with it but she's left me no choice. No matter which way it goes… I guess we've reached the end. Congrats again.
He pats Marcu$ on the shoulder, and turns to leave. As he walks down the hallway he turns back to him one more time.
JFS: And Marcu$.... I expect to see you on PRIME a time or two next season!
Pepper stands there and watches as both men depart.
Pepper Montana: Well folks, you heard it here first! Let's go check out more of the festivities in the area!
With that, we cut to more fun times as WrestleFest XX rolls on...
The camera cuts backstage inside FNB Stadium where we find EWC’s Pepper Montana standing by.
Montana: Hello there EWC, what an amazing WrestleFest we’ve had so far today and over the last two days and tonight we end Night 3 with an amazing Indy Championship match between Scorpio and Narumi Tsutsumi and then, we turn to the final night of WrestleFest and the FINAL night for on LEGENDARY Tag Team that I’ve had the honor of covering. Bobby Rose and Jimmy Lane have touched so many people…
Off camera you can hear laughing and the voice of Jimmy Lane say…
Lane: YEAH WE HAVE…OW!!!
Pepper smiles and continues…
Montana: Including my guest now, she is a HUGE wrestling fan…but by day she is also the Mayor of Johannesburg, South Africa…so please help me welcome at this time, the honorable Mpho Phalatse!!!
The camera pans out a bit to show Mpho standing next to Pepper…
Montana: Madam Mayor, on behave of the EWC I’d like to thank you for inviting us here to South Africa and making sure none of our wrestlers have been eaten by lions or captured by Pirates…
Mpho looks oddly at Pepper before speaking
Phalatse: I guess you are welcome Pepper but I have no control over the lions, Johannesburg and the EWC have an amazing working partnership dating back to 2020 when the EWC brought the Rumble here and we were thankful that they decided to bring the four day event know the world over as WrestleFest back to South Africa. The last time the EWC was here I was a member of the then mayor’s staff and had the pleasure of meeting the two men I’m here to honor tonight…
Pepper: Well, without any further ado, Madam Mayor would you please do the honor…
Mpho smiles and nods at Pepper…
Phalatse: I’ve always wanted to do this, ladies and gentlemen please help me welcome at this time, The Record Breaking…History Making…Division Defining…TWO TIME EWC TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD…BOBBY ROSE AND JIMMY LANE, THE SOUTHERN EXPRESS!!!
The camera pulls back once again to show Bobby and Jimmy smiling…they hold up their fingers and point back to the mayor…
Phalatse: ALONG WITH THE 2021 EWC MANAGER OF THE YEAR BUNNY LOVE!!!
The camera pulls back again to show Bunny standing next to Bobby and Jimmy…
Phalatse: Gentlemen, you have had an amazing career that spanned 40 pulse years and took you all over the world including right here to South Africa…I was honored to spend an evening with you three back in 2020 and have told the tail many times on the campaign trail…
Rose: NO WAY!!!
Lane: We did some fucked up shit that night…
Love: She’s being polite you idiots, there is no way she can tell the REAL story…she would be locked up in jail or at the very least impeached…you guys destroyed…
Bunny pauses and looks at the mayor who’s now wide-eyed and looking at Bunny…
Love: And we all agreed that never happened and we would never speak of it…
Bunny smiles at the mayor and motions for her to continue…
Phalatse: These jokers, always kidding around but tonight is’t about the past but to honor Bobby and Jimmy…
She motions off camera and two of her aids hand her boxes which she hands Bobby and Jimmy…
Phalaste: Bobby, Jimmy I would like to present to you both the keys to Johannesburg and extend honorary citizenship to South Africa to both of you!!!
Bobby and Jimmy open the cases and look at the keys
Love: That could come in handy…what is South Africa’s policy of extradition…
But before she can answer they group is joined by another two men… Dan Funk and Brodie Dawson of The Heat Packers walk up to the scene, clapping for the Southern Express.
Dawson: Congrats, guys! Really great moment we're all having here! Really good of Ms. Mayor here to allow a place to live the rest of your days after we send you out of the wrestling biz for good.
Bobby and Jimmy immediately get defensive, and Love steps up to the Heat Packers in anger. Funk and Dawson start to back away a bit...
Funk: Listen, listen, we didn't come to fight. We just wanted to help with the celebration, and remind everyone here that the clock is ticking for y'all. One more night, and the legend of the Southern Express ends.
Dawson: And a new one begins.
Funk: So hey, Mayor lady, maybe you should give us some keys, just in advance for when we become the EWC's new top team. Not keys to a hotel room where we can do mountains of coke together and trade off letting you suck our dicks, though. We're not the Southern Express.
Love steps even closer as Mpho gets flushed in embarrassment.
Love: Listen that is NO WAY to talk to the Mayor, she isn't a Clinton for God's shake...
She looks at Mpho and then back at The Heat Packers...
Love: I don't know what your game is here, but I remember what you did to me. And Monday? We're returning the favor.
The Heat Packers smirk and back away, leaving the area. But as they do, Funk calls out...
Funk: Tick... Tock. Tick... Tock. Sayanora.
The Heat Packers walks off camera as Jimmy pats Bunny on the head
Lane: Don’t worry about them, jealousy is a real bitch…as are Dan and Brodie…
Bobby looks at the mayor…
Rose: I know two guys who we can feed to the lion's mayor…but thank you for this honor and trust me, Johannesburg has not seen the last of Jimmy and I…we would be honored to accept the honorary citizenship to South Africa…
Lane: Hell yeah and unlike that blade runner guy we won’t kill our girlfriends and become a national embarrassment!!!
Bunny just shakes her head as Jimmy turns and tries to stick his gold key into the nearest lock to see if it works. Bobby shrugs as the mayor looks on in amazement as the camera fades out
In Scorpio's private locker room The S-Factor, dressed in a custom made, designer set of workout wear calmly jogs back and forth, warming himself up for the main event of the evening. In the corner Creme de la Creme stares at her phone as she hurls words of encouragement at her client.
Creme: You're the best. YOU are THE Prime Minister. You've got the necklace and soon you'll have the title too. Soon you'll be back on top of the mountain and all those peasants will be bowing to you all over again.
Scorpio threw his manager an annoyed expression.
Scorpio: It's not about making them bow down. It's about showing them that I really do deserve all their respect and adoration.
Creme:OF COURSE. Of course it is. My mistake. I'm sure you will be the most loved champion in Prime history. How could you not be?
An insistent knocking on the door drew their attention. Creme angrily went to answer the pounding interruption.
Creme: I BELIEVE I told you people that we would have NO INTERRUPTIONS while THE CHAMP is preparing to take his title!
When the door swung open a contrite Dalilah Ashe was found standing, shoulders slumped and eyes down, standing on their doorstep.
Dalilah: I didn't mean to bother you. I just wanted to wish him good luck.
Softening her stance Creme waved Dalilah into the room where Scorpio met her with a patient little hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Scorpio: Dalilah, DARLING shouldn't you be getting ready for a ladder match? Winner gets the Primetime Briefcase. That's a title match of your very own if you manage to bring home a win.
Dalilah: I know. I just wanted to wish you luck against Narumi. I'm sure this will be the match where you actually beat her.
A moment of awkward tension passes between them. Neither one fails to register the subtle jabs that have passed between them in the exchange. Creme steps in the break the tension.
Creme:WELL, Dalilah. Thank you lovely for stopping by but our man really needs to go get his gear on. We've got a match to win after all.
Scorpio: Yes, always lovely to see your pretty face. And really, good luck in your match tomorrow. I really hope you win.
Following Creme into the back dressing room Scorpio goes to get ready for his match. This leaves Dalilah alone with the Prime Minister Necklace. The jeweled prize gleams on it's ornate stand in front of the mirror. Picking it up in trembling fingers Dalilah holds it to her neck with a hungry expression. She had to admit that it would look very good hanging against her bosom. The thought makes her smile with a sick look of pleasure as she admires herself from the side in the mirror. A sound from the dressing room causes her to quickly put the necklace back on the stand before someone can catch her with it. She eyes the prize one final time before exiting the room to go about her own business.
Back at ringside, Marcus Woo is still fiddling with his phone until he realizes he's on camera, tossing the phone onto the desk before smiling with a wave.
Woo: Welcome back! Social media is STILL buzzing as we gear up for the main event of Day Three! We saw what Scorpio is up to as he preps, but let's see what's on Narumi's mind as she defends the Indy Championship!
Woo: We also saw some comments from Hall of Famer Ruthann Hunter after what happened earlier tonight!
Woo: We are just minutes away from our main event of this evening, we'll see you at the top of the hour!
SCORPIO'S PRIME MINISTER NECKLACE VS NARUMI'S INDY CHAMPIONSHIP
Scorpio
VSNarumi Tsutsumi
We return to ringside where a festival-like atmosphere reigns at the culmination of the third night, the fans amped up, chants ringing the stands both in reference to earlier matches and in anticipation of the evening's main event.
Woo: It all comes to this! The Indy Championship, on the third night of WrestleFest, following an incredible, career-making year for the reigning champion, Narumi Tsutsumi, and one filled with frustrations for her challenger, the 'S-Factor' Scorpio. They first met back at StrangleMania, where the Onihime put her opponent through a table to secure a hard-won victory. I called it at the time; this could be the beginning of a record-breaking run, and it has been!
Gomez: It could still be! There's so many records left to break, Woo! But these two met again, at Prime 98 - the culmination of the G1 tournament - in a sixty minute Iron Man match. Narumi walked away three falls to two, narrowly squeezing in that final fall courtesy of a strike all too familiar to Scorpio from his own arsenal. She's two up, but ANYTHING could happen tonight.
Dobrev: The following match is for one fall, and is for the Prime Minister Necklace, and the EWC Indy Championship!
'Rule Britannia' hits the speakers as red, white, and blue lighting flashes around the arena. The crowd begin to boo loudly as the imagine of a waving Union Jack is displayed on the X-Tron. Superimposed on this is the message "Please be upstanding for your Prime Minister". After a little while the orchestral music fades down...
Dobrev: Please welcome, from London, England, weighing in at 205 lbs... 'The People's Camp', 'The Baddest Bitch On The Planet', 'The Prime Minister'... 'THE S-FACTOR' SCORPIO!
'Iconic' - Madonna feat. Chance The Rapper hits the speakers as the house lights go down, switching to a spotlight focused on the curtain. It parts, revealing 'The S-Factor' Scorpio stood behind, a hand on his hip cutting a beautiful silhouette. He sashays forward, a long coat dripping in jewels swaying with every step. Behind him steps Crème de la Crème, Scorpio's drag queen confidant and manager. The two look to one another and nod, before Scorpio opens his coat and drops it to the floor, revealing another stunning outfit. He steps down the ramp with a confident strut, emulating that of the catwalk models of Paris and Milan, before reaching the ring. Scorpio climbs up one set of steps as Crème climbs the other, parting the ropes to allow 'The S-Factor'' in. Stepping into the middle of the ring Scorpio raises one arm, and blows a kiss with the other, a smile forming on his beautifully made-up face.
Dobrev: And his opponent, weighing in at one hundred and twenty five pounds, from Shinjuku, Japan, ... she is the INDY CHAMPION! The Onihime ... NARUMI TSUTSUMI!!!!!!
Stage spotlights shine down in the dark as "The Baddest" by Raon Lee begins to play with the oni princess skipping onto the scene in a pink oni mask and wearing the Indy Championship from her right neck to left hip in a fashion of a sash. Narumi waves at the fans as the spotlight follows her. As she makes her to the ring apron, she turns to the camera to take off her mask and strikes the Shinijoshi's double deuce pose as the lights turn back on in the arena. She enters the ring to skip around and lifts the Indy Championship with her right hand and wave at the crowd with her left.
Woo: She looks confident, and we've seen this past year just how dangerous a confident Narumi can be. But Scorpio's been going through a renaissance of sorts, and appears a subtly-changed man - evolved, by his own admission. If anybody in the EWC, in Prime, can put a stop to the seemingly unstoppable momentum of the Onihime, it's the Prime Minister. Let's ring the bell!
DING DING DING
The first time, it was first blood via a Scorpio dropkick. The second, Narumi's storm of strikes opened proceedings. Today, they're both laser-focused and moving simultaneously, the Onihime darting low then twisting into the MASTER SWORD, her elbow flashing beneath the arena lights. Scorpio has it scouted, switching stance and sliding a hand across the back of his skull, catching the heavy impact with a grunt and firing his own roundhouse kick, Louboutins gleaming. Narumi checks the kick, and mirrors the Prime Minister's stance-switch, using it to disguise a superman punch he just barely avoids, her fist brushing his jaw. The follow-up low kick finds its mark, though, and Scorpio is set momentarily off-balance. The Onihime executes perfectly, dropping into the gathered momentum into a circular legsweep!
Fast and fluid, Narumi's already gone before Scorpio can hit the canvas, launching herself at the corner, pulling herself up and over into a stunning somersault that brings both feet into tandem impact! QUEEN ME!! Scorpio convulses from the devastating stomp, and Narumi rolls into the cover, her eyes wide and chest heaving as she recaptures her own stolen breath.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Where the Onihime leverages her speed, at this stage Scorpio is more methodical, the kickout almost lackadaisical in spite of its power. Narumi's pushed off sharply, posting up and hopping to her feet, but followed rapidly by her opponent, who runs a hand back through his hair and meets her stare with a piercing Look that dares her to try and pin him again. Keen to oblige, the wiry champion erupts into one of those signature strike-storms, landing another low kick, then a flurry of palm strikes before she spins into a backfist! The Prime Minister weaves under this final blow, hooking Narumi up and driving her to the mat with a Ranhei! FUCK YOU, EUROPE! He's quick to keep the shoulders down, staring levelly at the crowd as they make their dissatisfaction known...
"Tough audience," mutters Scorpio, over the count.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Narumi erupts to her feet, stumbling as the blood rushes to her head, and Scorpio rolls forward, into the corner. His opponent dashes in, and he vaults over her back, shoving her against the turnbuckle, then hitting a snap suplex on the recoil! Narumi skids across the canvas, Scorpio leaning forward as he stands to handspring over her fallen form, then hit a standing moonsault from the other side! He elects not to cover this time, but does give Narumi's face a cursory shove as he straightens up, getting a scowl from the Onihime as she struggles onto one knee. Scorpio shrugs, and kicks her right in the face, blasting her back against the corner post.
Woo: Scorpio paid his respects to Narumi, admitted she's a 'world class' champion, and I suppose this is how he demonstrates it.
Gomez: Don't be a prude, Woo! They're fighting; it's about establishing dominance, showing you've got the bigger cajones!
Narumi pulls herself up in the corner, wiping at her mouth. Scorpio has backed up, allowing the pace of the match to slow as he plays to the crowd with a disdainful half-smile, making some show of plucking a stray lash from his eye. The Onihime dusts herself down, and strides forward, offering a lock-up, which the Prime Minister seems to consider before slapping her hand aside and rearing up into a superkick! Narumi dances backwards, angling her neck to glare disapprovingly past his raised boot as she wheels off into a sprint, hitting the ropes to be met back in the center of the ring by a beautiful dropkick! For a split-second it seems to have landed-- but in fact Narumi has bridged backwards, sliding on her knees beneath Scorpio, back into a sprint on the other side!
Rapid steps close on Scorpio, who whirls aside before an attack can be mounted, shoving Narumi on her way, then attempting to intercept her with a whiplash BREXIT MEANS BREXIT lariat. Narumi drops low, ducking under it, spinning to Scorpio's flank in a daredevil cartwheel, hooking the Prime Minister's waist to hit the TONITRUS BOLT!! The ring shudders, the breath bursting from Scorpio's lungs and his eyes wide as Narumi attempts to keep him down. Despite the impact, he's able to wriggle free and flexibly roll out of harm's way, tumbling beneath the bottom rope to land on his knees on the outside of the ring. The crowd is stomping, chanting, and alternately cheering encouragement for the Onihime and booing this 'cowardly' tactic on behalf of the S-Factor, who rolls his eye at a particularly passionate group of fans in the front row.
In the ring, the Onihime is leaned against the opposite ropes, bouncing her weight a couple of times before, timing her sprint to coincidence with the moment that Scorpio turns back to face her, she flies into a beautiful suicide dive!
Woo: A big risk from the Onihime, who's got some new tricks tonight!
Gomez: So has Scorpio!!
Narumi's like a human bullet, but these two know each other intimately; and Scorpio has seen a suicide dive or two. He drops onto his back, a hand lashing out to pull Narumi toward the floor with him, his boot rising up in perfect tandem as he NAILS the Indy Champion with a HEEL TURN! Face meets foot, and the Shinijoshi ace collapses on top of her would-be nemesis. Unable to bundle her into the cover, Scorpio settles for pulling up her dead weight with him, winding in the double underhooks and hitting a DDT right into the barricade! That unruly group of fans protest the action, and Scorpio tells them to "bloody have her, then," picking up the senseless Narumi and bundling her disdainfully over the barrier into the crowd. One of them checks on the Onihime as the other uncaps a bottle of water and douses her in it.
Scorpio, meanwhile, breaks the count by rolling in and out of the ring, then seats himself on the ring apron, kicking his Louboutins back and forth and pretending to check his watch as he takes a breather. Narumi rouses with a profound gasp, and grabs the fan who's right in front of her, unleashing a string of Japanese before muttering an apology and releasing the poor young man. Sliding to her feet, she points at Scorpio, who laughs merrily and bounces up onto the apron, spreading his arms as if to say, 'what are you going to do?'
She answers the question promptly, bounding up onto the barricade and LAUNCHING herself at the Prime Minister. On instinct he catches her, and tries to heft her into the air - but Narumi uses the momentum to leap out of his grasp, rolling as she clears the ropes, to come up not only standing but with the reversed momentum necessary to roar straight into a MASTER SWORD that rocks Scorpio, pitching him from the apron!
He lands in ungainly fashion, half out on his feet but seemingly determined not to let it show, weaving around to stumble right back into the ring - but without his full wits, he finds himself bundled up and over... onto Narumi's shoulders? It's a comical sight, the larger man draped over the slender Onihime, but she barely stumbles as she hefts him into position, and then strides toward the middle of the ring, turning and falling into a Burning Hammer right out of Aiya's playbook! BEAT IN: JAPANESE STYLE!
Woo: Scorpio's evolved, but so has the Onihime. She's been learning from her friends, as well as her enemies.
Gomez: Nice! I wonder what Scorpio learned from his friends...
Narumi is panting from the effort of hoisting her foe in such an uncharacteristic fashion, but it's a powerful blow, and she has plenty of time to roll into the cover, the crowd counting along as they anticipate an early upset.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!!
No such thing is forthcoming, and though Scorpio is clearly hurt, he rolls onto all fours, as Narumi slumps backwards, her legs splayed out before her, looking at her opponent like a puzzle she needs to figure out - a little frustration, perhaps, at the knowledge that she's figured him out many times before. That he's done the same to her. That they're locked together in this dance, again and again. The Prime Minister shoves himself upright, casting his gaze around to find Narumi's gaze unbroken as she flows to her feet, a long breath raising and lowering her chest. The crowd's chants bounce across the arena, but the two have eyes only for each other. They move with determination, coming together in an exchange of virulent blows, one forearm for another, one roundhouse kick for another, a calf kick for a palm strike, the latter creating an opening that Narumi flows into, seizing a waistlock and arching to launch the larger man with a German suplex...
He's equal to it, twisting in mid-air to land on a knee, stumble into a dash at the ropes. He leaps into a springboard moonsault, crashing down on Narumi as she tries to stand, with the MARGARET THATCHER'S REVENGE! The cover seems academic, but a punch-drunk Narumi is able to reverse, holding Scorpio down for a half count, before he counters in kind, driving her into a prawn hole. Around and around they go.
Woo: They're so evenly-matched, they know each other so well, but something has to give.
Gomez: ¡si! A leg, an arm, a throat, one of them just needs to stop holding back and break something!
After entirely too many counts of one, and a single count of two for which Scorpio manages to get his feet up onto the ropes for leverage - missed by the dizzy and over-worked official - it's Narumi who breaks the cycle, establishing rapid dominance on the Prime Minister as he attempts to scramble to his feet, dropping her weight to drag him back down into position for her D'arce choke, the TSUTSUMI RAPPU! There's a pop from the crowd as they recognize the setup, but something's wrong-- Scorpio has a hand slid up inside, is able to twist against the hold, turning onto his back and extending his body to get a foot back onto the ropes.
The ref orders a break, and Narumi holds until the count of three, visibly flustered as she settles back onto her haunches and stands. Scorpio pulls himself out onto the apron, but before he can roll to ringside, the Onihime is flying over the top rope, turning one-eighty degrees to land her double stomp to the chest, bouncing to the floor herself only to shove Scorpio back under the ropes. He's halfway to his feet, when she vaults back into the ring, stretching out across his shoulders to drop a leg and drive him to the canvas with a fameasser!
Narumi lands on all fours, and is in place to immediately go hunting for the Rappu once more, Scorpio spreadeagled but able to fling a leg back in desperation, driving the toe of his boot into her skull. It buys him the space to flop onto his side, and crawl away, still stung from the blow but refusing to leave an opening he knows she'll exploit. Narumi lunges after him--
--and Scorpio is ready, rolling against her legs, tripping her face-first into the ropes where she hangs for just long enough that he can pivot to one knee, seize a headlock, and haul her toward the corner, kicking off the turnbuckle for a big Tornado DDT! She's jolted so hard she flops into a seated position, and Scorpio keeps on moving, grabbing the Onihime by the head once more, wrenching her bodily toward the middle of the ring and following up with a corkscrew neckbreaker!
With Narumi supine, the Prime Minister sends a knowing, smug smirk to the crowd, and pulls her up one last time to hook in a move they, and she, know all too well; tying her up with the mouse trap pin that she calls LOW DIFFA!
Woo: If you can't put her away with your own moves, perhaps try hers. Veteran move by the S-Factor.
Gomez: Something has to work, right?
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Narumi is barely able to roll the shoulder in time, trying to turn onto her side against the down-force from Scorpio, who rolls with her to maintain control, her left foot still trapped. Narumi lands on it anyway, carrying far too much of Scorpio's weight as she frees the other the leg and curls it into a stomp to the side of the head, forcing Scorpio to release her. She stumbles as he does so, and he picks at her ankle, sending her slamming to the mat. She falls onto her back, kicks him in the head again, and then kips up...
Just to see Scorpio slither between her legs, coming up on the other side with a sharp mule kick before the Onihime can react. She's pitched toward the ropes, and he follows her, only for the Indy champ to put on the brakes and roll backwards, scoring a spinning monkey flip that gets beautiful air time... enough that Narumi's able to spin to her feet and right into another familiar move! SOS! SHOOT ON SIGHT! Her boot blasts Scorpio on the way down, sending him into the canvas like a kiloton bomb, to a fresh expulsion of appreciation from the crowd!
It's the Prime Minister who's in trouble now, dragging himself across the mat to the corner, where he tries to pull himself upright only to be met by the onrushing form of Narumi, who repeatedly slams her hips against him, hitting a Bronco Buster to the delight of Johannesburg!
Woo: I think this is a first in their encounters, Valentina.
Gomez: I'm sure he'll never forget this first time!
All the momentum is with the Onihime now, and she's positively beaming through the tiredness and pain, sliding to her feet only to rocket back in with a double knee strike to the face, piling on the punishment with another, and then a third! This one busts open the Prime Minister, who covers up to avoid a forth that never comes, because the champion backs off, all the way to the other corner, sighting down the line at Scorpio with mischief on her mind. He wipes the blood from his eyes, staring back at her with a bitter shake of the head, and she breaks into a sprint. He sees her coming, and rolls aside, but she's already diverting angle herself, stepping up onto the ropes and mounting the turnbuckle as he pulls himself up on the other set of ropes, staggering along the edge of the ring...
She walks the tightrope after him, and as the Prime Minister turns she hops down, grabbing a hold as she falls, and throwing up her foot--
--to connect against his jaw with a crunch! PAYMON!!!
Scorpio crashes to the canvas, tumbling onto his side, then rolling a second time as Narumi shoves him into the middle of the ring, hooking the leg and covering him backfirst, one arm punching the air as the crowd count along with her!
ONE...
TWO...
THR-- NO!!!
With an uncharacteristic yell, Scorpio shoves her from on top of him, turning onto all fours and shoving himself upright with the giddy impulse of pure adrenaline. Narumi, pale with shock, stands, turns, and lunges-- right into an explosive lariat! BREXIT MEANS BREXIT!
Scorpio stares down at the Onihime, blood dripping from his forehead, mouth twisting in a callous scowl as he reaches down to pull her up by the hair, driving a sharply-angled knee into her jaw, then spinning to catch her with the sole of his boot. She doubles over, and he pauses to spare his dazed opponent a smile and a blown kiss, before twisting in beneath her, bringing her bodily to the canvas with the AGR!!! It lands with a grim finality, sending a disquiet through the crowd, as Scorpio rolls up and over, and takes hold of the Indy champion's arms.
There's nothing she can do, as he plants a single Louboutin on the back of her skull, and curbstomps her into oblivion.
Narumi Tsutsumi looks to be completely unconscious, as the Prime Minister smugly rolls her over and sinks into the splits atop her chest, hooking the legs and posing fabulously for the cameras - and the deeply unappreciative crowd - as the official makes the count.
ONE...
TWO...
TH-REE!!!
DING DING DING
Dobrev: Your winner, via pinfall, and the NEW EWC Indy Champion ... SCORPIO!
Boos flood the arena, to the apparent utter delight of the Prime Minister, who is laughing and smiling as he rises from the splits back to his feet, arms raised as he sashays in a wide circle around the ring. He stops to look around, his chest heaving and a look of absolute satisfaction on his chiselled features as the Prime Minister necklace is placed around his neck, and the Indy Championship restored to what he undoubtedly believes is its rightful place around his waist. And Johannesburg sounds like they want to riot.
Gomez: I... I can't believe it's over!
Woo: The necklace has been retained, the title reclaimed, and the landscape of Prime has abruptly changed. I'm still in disbelief, myself! After an historic, unprecedented reign that's spanned our 23rd season, Narumi Tsutsumi pulled out all the stops and still couldn't stop this evolved, more deadly rendition of the Prime Minister. Whatever X-Factor the S-Factor has found, it seems to make him as unbeatable as the Onihime seemed only yesterday!
Gomez: Times change, and so do the best in the business! Like any good politician, Scorpio did exactly what he said he'd do! And he'll always be the man who stopped the Onihime. But he said it himself, Narumi's world class. She lost today, but tomorrow?
Woo: She returns even stronger, for the inevitable rematch. The fates of these two seem forever entangled, and who can say what the future holds? For now, the Prime Minister is the Indy Champion, and he has some very big shoes to fill.
Gomez: And WE'VE got to leave you all and get some rest, because tomorrow it's the final day of WrestleFest. The card is packed, and at the end of it all we could have a brand new Undisputed Champion as a beaten and bloodsoaked Lavender faces the greatest challenge of her career - former champions Queen Melody and Ibuki Ito, and the X-Division champion El Pablo! It's going to be DELICIOSO!
Scorpio continues to celebrate his big moment as the camera fades to black, leaving us with a tribute to the past...
...but, in the words of Steve Jobs, there IS just one more thing...
Everyone couldn’t believe how WrestleFest just ended with the crowd going crazy about what just happened for the night. The arena is slowly emptying, with people still buzzing with what just happened inside of the arena. Suddenly, a clock appears on the X Tron with the ticking sound and you see in big numbers the time was 11:59PM
It hits 12:00AM, and that's when the door opens in one of the arena aisle and standing there on the top is Ruthann Hunter. Ruthann hair was tied back into ponytail wearing a all white summer dress. She took her time walking down the steps head up straight as tears was coming down her face. She would just gently wipe them with one hand while the other one was holding two pair of wrestling boots. Ruthann stop at the bottom of the steps looking around at the arena closing her eyes.
In her mind she heard the words of her old theme song “Last Resort” thinking about how she would sing it on the top of her lungs out to the crowd along with them. She walk around the ramp towards the stairs. She climb inside of standing in the middle of the ring as her mind just race till this season. The matches she had with everyone this season and then thought about the matches she had in the past and when she won the EWC Champion becoming the first woman to wear that title. She slowly look down at Jaden’s Wrestling boots brought them to her lips placing a kiss to them.
She wiping her tears placing his boots down in the middle of the ring. She now look over at her wrestling boots within her fingers. You could tell she was conflict as she slowly place them next to Jaden’s Wrestling boots. She look down at them both that when you see Angel running down the ramp. She slide under the ring run over to her grandmother with Gabe and Mel standing on the top of the ramp watching Ruthann closely. Angel throw her arms around her grandma waist hugging her closely. Ruthann kissed the top of her head with a bit of soft smile.
Ruthann Hunter: I am ok love, but now...when it is your time...you will be making the blood flow!
Angel nods laughing as she rub her nose against Ruthann’s nose. They both just laugh as they walk out of the ring walking up the ramp to Mel and Gabi. The two just smirks over at her as she did right back at them they disappear to the back. The camera goes back down to the ring but you see someone else is standing inside of the ring wearing all black. They look down at Ruthann’s Wrestling boots with a smirk pick them up with their hand walking off with them.
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.
T H E E X T R E M E W R E S T L I N G C O R P O R A T I O N P R E S E N T S A Q U A D B R A N D P A Y - P E R - V I E W E V E N T
WRESTLEFEST XX
4 DAY WRESTLING FESTIVAL
Brought to you by Under Armour, PS5 and Dr Pepper
---------------
DECEMBER 16TH-19TH 2022 ---------------
LIVE! from the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa
Announcer: Nina Dobrev Senior Referee: Toyo Yasahiro Referees: John Dean & Niklaus Forbes
"Something In The Way" by Seether begins to blast throughout the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. The crowd gives a giant pop for the hometown band.
Video footage detailing historic events over the EWC's history.
From March 1997 all the way down to the most recent episodes of Monday Night Brawl, Friday Night Rampage, Paramount Wrestling and EWC Prime!
Images of previous EWC Champions are shown, starting with the very first Champion Black Ninja, then moving onto Big Danny Mac and Steve "The Predator" Bennett. Sped up footage then shows a special montage of Memphis Reigns, Shadow Man, Hirsh Valentine, Jesse Nunez, Hurricane Jeff, Moses Lake, James Chambers, BDC, Jay Cee, Stray, Gladiator, The Rev, Drake, Xplode, Luke Wolfe, Natalie Young, Candy, Dominic Sanders, Cyrus Black, Melody Malone, Scorpio, Xavier Reid, Jordan Sharpe, Stitches, Ace King, Killjoy Ito, Melody Malone and recent shots of Lavender all with the EWC Undisputed Championship.
This is followed by highlights of showcasing current EWC Champions:
Lavender
King Flip
Ace King
Marcu$ $t.John
Scorpio
Gabrielle Visconty
Moxie
Asriel Buzzard
Callie Clark
El Pablo
Damage Inc
The opening pyros hit and here we go.
The energy in FNB Stadium is insane as the crowd is absolutely electrifying in their uproar of cheers. Spotlights circle around the Stadium as the sold out 95,000 fans in attendance are shown in a wide angle shot.
The camera then zooms around the arena showing the fans in a closer look.
EWC
EWC
EWC
EWC
EWC
Fireworks emit outside FNB Stadium and then all around the ring while a fog machine covers the venue in a red, green, orange and blue haze! Fans stand up, pumping their fists and raising signs as the camera feed pans to each one of them. One last round of fireworks blast out now, and we turn our attention to Marcus Woo and Valentina Gomez.
Woo: Welcome back to EWC WrestleFest XX, it's time for Day 4! First, lets take a look at some of the signs the fans have brought.
WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK JACK...
KU WITH YET ANOTHER WIN...
DON'T CROSS ALLYSON...
ASHES TO ASHES, DUST TO DUST, I'D SIMP DALILAH UNTIL HELL FROZE OVER...
SOMEONE PUT OUT AN AMBER ALERT, BECAUSE HER OPPONENTS ARE MISSING SURVIVAL INSTINCT...
YOU WON'T GET OUT OF THIS ONE SCOTT FREEE...
YAS YASIN...
I'MA REBEL AT HEART...
GABI GONNA GET YA...
THEY PACKING HEAT...
I WANNA RIDE THE EXPRESS ALL NIGHT LONG...
JFSOLD OUT, CANDY IS RIGHT...
BEAT HER SWEET AGAIN...
IBUKI ITO FOR PRESIDENT...
THE QUEEN TAKES HER THRONE...
ELP HAS AN EXTRA LONG PHALLUS...
LAVENDER HAZE CONTROLS ALL...
GIDEON GAGE SMELLS LIKE DOG FOOD...
Woo: Some great signage today, as with all other days. How did you enjoy Day three of the Fest Gomez?
Gomez: Where do I begin?
Woo: The very beginning. We have Sunny Skye winning the Next Gen Final.
Gomez: Well earned victory. Sunny picked up the big win and all that comes with it. However, as I said yesterday, those that didn't pick up the win are still good enough to make that move up and I can't think of a roster in EWC that would not benefit from having someone from that match in their ranks.
Woo: Then we had Andrea Hernandez win a four way match to become a producer on an episode of Rampage.
Gomez: I'm a little sad we didn't get to see a Ruthann Hunter win to see what she would have done, I am also happy for Andrea's win and I'm intrigued to see how she fares as Rampage producer.
Woo: In our third match, a three way for a golden ticket that saw Darius emerge with the win.
Gomez: He sure as hell isn't going for a wander around a candy factory that's for sure. He earned a big win and I can't wait to see what his golden ticket will give him entry to.
Woo: And in our final matches of the evening, Marcu$ $t John picked up a win over Azriel Buzzard Scorpio managed to put an end to THAT title reign of Narumi Tsutsumi.
Gomez: Two big, big, BIG wins. Macu$ showing his dominance over a wannabe contender. As for Scorpio versus Narumi? Where to start? That was a legendary championship run that was so long it began about three or four general managers ago. For Scrpio to have ended it is massive for him and you know he's going to milk that fact for a long time to come. And now on todays show... Our opening match Jack Severn and KU.
Woo: That match is hard to predict, but I have to go for Jack Severn. Sometimes having your back against the wall forces you to bring out something you wouldn't normally.
Gomez: Sound logic.
Woo: And in our second match, ladders aplenty as Amber Lisa Hall, Yasin, Dalilah Ashe and Alyson Cross battle it out for the Prime briefcase.
Gomez: I think for this one, I am going with Amber. I feel she wants it more so she's going to do whatever to get it.
Woo: I think it'll be Cross, she's always a challenge and this match has a unique stake she'd love to snatch up.
Gomez: In our third match, Melinda Rhodes faces Gabby V.
Woo: I like both in this but I'm going with Gabrielle Visconty. I feel it's her time to shine tonight.
Gomez: Jordan Sharpe versus Candy and Southern Express versus Heat Packers. Who does it for you Woo?
Woo: Candy is unpredictable so I have to go with her. Southern Express? It's 50/50 on them.
Gomez: I actually think it'll be them and maybe Candy. Jordan may be a bit pre-ocupied with his new role on Prime to focus on Candy and she can be dangerous enough when your focus IS on her and her alone.
Woo: That's not a bad pick. And in our main event, it's the big one Ito, Malone and Pablo all look to take the Undisputed Championship from Lavender.
Gomez: All have been some of the best champions in EWC history, but I think I have to give the edge to Pablo here. He's found a good place for himself in the X-Division and this will be a walk in the park for him here tonight.
Woo: I can't decide between the other three to be honest. Ito's had that championship before, same for Melody Malone. Both know what it takes and both have what it takes. Lavender, much like Amber Lisa Hall wants it more. She fought long and hard to win it and isn't going to give it up. To paraphrase Eve 'it took a while to get here, so she wants to take her time. All these matches promise to be absolute crackers folks, so don't you go anywhere, because WrestleFest is coming your way
As if on cue, the feed then switches to an ad for EWCTV.
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Woo: Welcome back to WrestleFest, time to kick off Day 4!
Gomez: You can say that again.
Woo: Thi...
Gomez: You don't HAVE to.
Woo: Roger.
Gomez: We've seen new champions crowned, new rivalries made, and old rivalries revisited... Tonight should be no different.
Woo: I don't know how we will ever be able to top this!
"War Machine" by KISS begins to play throughout the stadium. The crowd rises to their feet in a roar.
Woo: I spoke too soon! Valentina! It's... it's...!
Gomez: Sigh... I blame you for this...
Dominic Sanders steps out from the back flanked by an unfamiliar face as the crowd continues to cheer. They stand at the top of the ramp and look out over the crowd.
Dobrev: Ladies and Gentlemen... please welcome EWC HALL-OF-FAMER DOMINIC SAAAANDEEERS!
Sanders and the other man make their way down the ramp and walk up the steps, heading onto the ring apron. Sanders looks out over the crowd before stepping through the ropes. The other man steps through the ropes and walks into the center of the ring and stands there waiting for Sanders to finish soaking in all of the attention. Sanders walks over to Nina Dobrev and asks for the microphone. He's steps over to his buddy and stops, letting the music fade out. Before he can get a word in, the crowd is too loud to allow it.
WELCOME BACK!
WELCOME BACK!
WELCOME BACK!
WELCOME BACK!
Sanders finally brings the microphone up to his mouth and begins to speak once the crowd comes to a hush.
Sanders: It's about time you fucking idiots shut your mouths!
And now the crowd, naturally, turns to a chorus of boos. Sanders smirks and continues.
Sanders: Awww. Y'all didn't like that?
Sanders and his buddy laugh briefly as the crowd continues to boo.
Sanders: Did you guys think that there would be a WrestleFest without Dominic Sanders? Come on, now. I've been a part of this event every year since 2018. Of course, we all remember what happened that year. Dominic Sanders beat Candy to become the Champion of all of the EWC. I've won Championships at this event. I've won Memorial Trophies. I've even gotten married at WrestleFest. So, of course, I couldn't miss it. And I've got a message for all of the boys and girls in the back. Before you all start trembling with fear, no... I am not making an in-ring return. There's no need to do that, despite the fact that I've definitely still got it. No, my message is on behalf of somebody else.
Sanders points to his buddy next to him.
Sanders: I would like you all to meet my cousin. This man right here is the future of the EWC. I've been training him for the past six months and I believe that he is ready for the EWC. Tell 'em, cuz.
Sanders hands the microphone over to his cousin, whose name we still don't know.
Cousin: Extreme Wrestling Corporation... I've got an agenda. And it goes like this: Friday Nights are now going to be painted by a new light. A new light that shines brighter than ever. And thank God, right? No one wants to see the likes of Ace King and Moxie, anymore. Friday Night Rampage will now turn into Friday Night Ram-Page! Because "The Elite" Chris Page is here!
Page hands the microphone back over to Sanders as the crowd continues to boo.
Sanders: Chris, here, is going to take over Friday Nights and I am going to be by his side every step of the way. Next stop: HBO Broadcast Championship. You better watch your ass, Moxie. Your time is up. 2023 is the year of Chris Page!
Page leans over into the microphone.
Page: And you can bet on that!
Sanders chuckles and drops the microphone. "War Machine" begins to play again as the two start to make their way out of the ring. The camera turns to Woo and Gomez at the announce table.
Woo: Chris Page! Dominic Sanders! Friday Nights just got a whole lot bigger!
Gomez: If Chris Page is anything like Dominic Sanders then he will be two things: Very good... and very insufferable!
We cut to a dimly lit room backstage where members of The House, sans Jack Severn, are all stood around a table, serious looks on their faces.
Callie Clark speaks first.
Callie: This could be it, Jack could lose, and I think we need to be prepared for what happens next if he does. Hell, I think there’s a good chance he will, looking at his record lately.
Dan Funk of The Heat Packers looks offended.
Funk: Are you serious right now? We should be in his corner, supporting him, ensuring his victory. I never thought we needed that billionaire backing us anyways, so Dimitri can go fuck himself.
Brodie Dawson looks down at the ground and speaks quietly.
Dawson: I mean, we’ve got a more important match to worry about, Dan. Jack can handle himself.
Callie: And if he can’t? Does he even deserve to be in this group? I’m just saying. I’m the one who’s actually making results here. I’m the one with a championship, and another one coming soon.
Jamie Love speaks up from the corner of the room.
Jamie: It was Dimitri who recruited me here, so when it comes down to it… I’m perfectly fine if Jack has to go. And Callie? Maybe check your ego a bit. That belt doesn’t make you better than any of us, just makes you lucky.
Tori Taylor steps forward to intimidate Jamie, who literally could not give two shits. Callie stops Tori from doing anything stupid. JoJo Rush shrugs.
JoJo: That Jack Severn is about as crooked as a dog's hind legs. But just as long as he don't try to eat of mah plate Ah'll watch his back.
Callie: So that settles it then, no matter what happens tonight, The House stays together. Besides, Dimitri is a billionaire and Jack isn’t. Pretty easy decision for me.
Jack: Hey, who called this meeting?
Everyone stops and stares as they realize the door is open and Jack Severn is standing there.
Callie: Heyyyy Jack, shouldn’t you be prepping for your match? You’re first, bud.
Jack: Just figured I’d get some moral support from my friends first, but I see now we’re calling secret meetings. Let me make one thing clear to all of you right now. If you decide to side with Dimitri, you’ve made an enemy in me. And after you see what I do to KU up next, I don’t think you’ll want to make an enemy out of me. I’m going to end KU’s perfect season record, and I’m going to end Dimitri Graves’ life. That’s a promise. With or without you.
Jack walks off as The House all just look at each other, mostly glaring at Callie for calling the meeting.
Callie: Let’s just… Let’s just see how this goes.
Then, a knock is heard at the door. They all look up as a tall, gray-haired figure enters the room.
⋆ MATCH ONE ⋆
SINGLES MATCH If Jack Severn Loses, He Is Fired From The EWC Jack Severn VS KU
We come to ringside where the crowd is going nuts for Dobrev to announce the last first match of WrestleFest!
Woo: A lot riding on this match for Jack Severn, The House seem ready to do what is needed should he lose here.
Gomez: And that's a strong possibility with his opponent, KU.
Woo: And now we've got our first match of Fest Day 4...
Dobrev: The following contest is your opening bout, and it is a STREAK VS CAREER MATCH! If Jack Severn loses, his EWC contract will be TERMINATED!
‘Politician’ by Cream hits, much to the surprise of the crowd, as Dimitri Graves struts to the ring to a chorus of boos, decked out in a fancy gold suit and a Ric Flair style feathered robe that reads “GORGEOUS GRAVES” on the back. Oh god, he’s gone full mid-life crisis. He enters the ring and struts around for a bit before grabbing the microphone from Dobrev.
Graves: HELLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SOUTH AFRICA!!!!
Boos rain down for stealing Jack’s classic long hello.
Graves: As the GREATEST manager here in the EWC, and with a HIGHER sperm count than Buddy Love, it is MY PLEASURE to bring to you my SEXY JAPANESE ASSASSIN, THE MAN WHO WILL END JACK SEVERN’S CAREER, and THE FUTURE ACE OF GRAVES ENTERPRISES! But first… LET’S WELCOME SOUTH AFRICA’S OWN… SEETHER!
I GUESS I LIKE IT WHEN WE PLAY... THE WAY YOU DRAG ME DOWN
I GUESS I LIKE IT WHEN YOU HATE ME... THE WAY YOU DRAG ME DOWN
CAUSE I CAN'T FACE MYSELF IN THE MIRROOOOOOOOOOOOR... I'M LEFT ALONE WITH ALL MY PAIN
AND I DISGRACE MYSELF IN THE MIRROOOOOOOOOOOOR... I'M LEFT ALONE WITH MY SHAME
FUCK IT, I SEE YOU IN ME. FUCK IT, I FEEL YOU IN ME. FUCK IT, I'LL HEAL YOU IN ME.
YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK, CAN'T GET A PIECE OF ME. IT'S ALL BLOWN UP, DON'T EVEN FUCK WITH ME. I CANNOT PLEASE YOU ALL FOREVER, I CANNOT PLEASE YOU AT ALL... I CAN FEEL YOU COMING UP BEHIND ME!
FUCK IT, I SEE YOU IN ME. FUCK IT, I FEEL YOU IN ME. FUCK IT, I'LL HEAL YOU IN ME. FUCK IT, I SEE YOU IN ME. FUCK IT, I FEEL YOU IN ME. FUCK IT, I'LL HEAL YOU IN ME.
KU walks out on stage while Seether perform a special rendition of "Fuck It", he heads down to the ring while Shaun Morgan pours his all into the performance as he always does.
As KU awaits his opponent, the lights go out and silence fills the arena. The familiar piano beginning of ‘15 Minutes’ by Shattered Skies plays… but the rest of the song doesn’t follow. Quiet drums and the sound of static starts to play instead as a few lights hit the stage and fog fills the entrance way. The crowd stays quiet in anticipation. Then… the lyrics hit as the drums become clearer.
“LOVE! YOUR HATE!”
“YOUR! FAITH LOST!”
“YOU! ARE NOW!”
“ONE! OF US!”
The crowd goes absolutely nuts as Jack Severn steps out of the fog, dressed in black and white, with his now signature big-match Oni mask.
“NOTHING FROM NOWHERE, I’M NO ONE AT ALL!”
“RADIATE, RECOGNIZE ONE SILENT CALL!”
“AS WE ALL FORM ONE DARK FLAME!”
“INCINERATE!”
Jack turns his back to everyone while on the entrance ramp, and shows off the back of his leather jacket, featuring a bloody red “12-1” before walking down to the ring to a surprising amount of cheers as “Miseria Carante” by AFI continues.
“NOTHING FROM NOWHERE, I’M NO ONE AT ALL!”
“RADIATE, RECOGNIZE ONE SILENT CALL!”
“AS WE ALL FORM ONE DARK FLAME!”
“AS WE ALL FORM ONE DARK FLAME!!”
“AS WE ALLLLLLLLLLL!”
Jack stands in the ring, staring daggers into KU as he takes off his entrance mask and jacket and the music ends. Dimitri steps out of the ring, but whispers something to KU first. Dobrev continues the announcements.
Dobrev: First, accompanied by Dimitri Graves, from Sapporo, Japan, undefeated this Season, THIS! IS! KU!!!
KU flips Jack off as the crowd boos.
Dobrev: And his opponent, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, representing The House, JACK SEVERN!!!
A mix of cheers and boos erupts as Jack flips KU off back.
Woo: This season, KU's officially sporting a perfect record of 12-0. His only blemish was when SONYA defeated someone else. Jack is up against the wall here, big time.
Gomez: But with how this atmosphere is, Jack might find a way to overcome and be the one in 12-1.
DING DING DING
The bell rings and the two waste no time going at each other. They immediately go nose-to-nose and start walloping each other with hard forearm strikes. However, KU takes control fairly quickly with a load of quick strikes and slaps. As Jack stumbles backwards, KU knocks him right onto his ass with a forearm chop to the throat. KU then lifts Jack up and powerbombs him! He steps on Jack’s throat and shrugs to the crowd, blocking off Jack’s breathing. He then grabs Jack by the wrist… AND STOMPS REPEATEDLY ONTO HIS NECK! Jack spits out blood at this point, trying to catch his breath. KU then lifts Jack up for another powerbomb… SENDING HIM RIGHT INTO THE CORNER WITH A BUCKLE BOMB! Jack crumples to the mat.
Woo: KU with an early advantageous start!
Gomez: You don't want to try and fight KU, that's never going to work. You need to out-wrestle him to beat him.
Dimitri cackles from ringside and points a finger-gun at Jack’s head, signaling for KU to hit the Final Bullet. KU obliges, and dropkicks Jack right in the fucking head. Jack is out. KU drags him to the apron, lifting him up for the RUDE EXIT! KU piledrives Jack right onto the ring apron, before sliding back into the ring and awaiting his count-out victory.
Woo: Oh my! This match might be over. Jack's career might be over in record time.
Gomez: This match isn't going how he thought it would at all!
1!
2!
3!
4!
5!
KU just sits in the middle of the ring as Dimitri counts with the ref. Jack slowly starts to stir, barely lifting his head up, and we see he’s busted open, blood streaming down his face.
6!
7!
8!
Jack’s hands touch the apron, but he slips!
9!
Jack, with all of his might, THROWS himself up and over the apron, just barely rolling into the ring. His eyes glassy, he looks up at the ceiling, back on the mat. KU just gives a “this fucking guy” look and lifts Jack up into a vertical suplex brainbuster! He grabs Jack by the wrist and stomps on him some more. It’s just a highly uncomfortable beating at this point.
Woo: This isn't a wrestling match, this is a slaughter.
Gomez: And this is exactly what Jack Severn wanted.
KU rolls out of the ring and bullies a fan into giving him his glass Pepsi bottle. Dimitri climbs up onto the apron, yelling at the ref, who turns around and starts trying to get Dimitri off the apron. With the referee distracted, KU rolls back in the ring and takes a swig, before spitting on Jack! He pours the rest on Jack and then raises the bottle to hit over Jack’s head, but Jack manages to punch KU right in the dick! Dimitri screams and points for the ref to look just as Jack hits KU over the head with the Pepsi bottle, shattering it. Jack rolls KU up just as the referee turns around!
ONE…
TW-NO! KICKOUT!
Woo: Some quick comeuppance for KU, as Jack Severn is back in this one.
Gomez: That's a possible concussion, I'd say this has evened things out.
Jack uses the ropes to slowly climb to his feet, a second wind coming. KU rises as well, brushing broken glass out of his hair. The two trade blows, launching forearms and chops at each other. Jack bounces himself off the ropes, and ducks a lariat from KU, running the ropes and hitting a Codebreaker on the turned around KU! Jack gives Dimitri an angry look and lifts KU up for a butterfly suplex! And then he lifts him again in the same position… ANOTHER! AND ANOTHER! AND ANOTHER! Jack roars out to the crowd as Dimitri pounds the mat in anger, trying to get KU to get up.
Woo: Back to back suplexes will take the wind out of your sails. You get all dizzy and confused, plus the pain and the aftershock of hitting the canvas.
Gomez: It'll ring your bell alright.
Jack aims his knee at KU’s head, ready for the Silencer, but KU grabs Jack’s legs when he’s close and trips him, making him fall throat-first onto the ropes. Jack falls backwards as KU gets up, grabbing Jack by the hair and hitting him with the Sacred Nightmares lariat! KU pulls Jack up by the hair again, and moves behind him to hit a German suplex! KU follows it up with yet another suplex! AND ANOTHER! After the three Germans, Jack lays motionless in the ring. KU stomps on his head some more, and he pulls him up, maintaining wrist control to hit The Ultimatum ripcord slap! With the pace officially slowed down and in his control, KU greedily hits Jack with not just one, but two piledrivers in the center of the ring. Dimitri shouts at him from ringside.
Graves: THROW HIM OUT! LET’S FINISH THIS!
Woo: Dimitri wants this match over in the worst possible way, he wants Jack gone from the EWC!
Gomez: Jack has been a very successful cash cow for this man, but I guess Callie Clark is the flavor of the month.
However, KU has none of it, and ignores Dimitri. He picks Jack up for another piledriver, but Dimitri climbs up to the apron to continue screaming at him!
Graves: You listen here! You work for ME! You do what I say! Now end the damn match so I can fly home!
KU continues to ignore Dimitri.
Graves: YOU HEAR ME YOU STUPID JAPANESE BITCH?!
KU stops what he’s doing and lets Jack down. He walks right up to Dimitri, who immediately has the fear of god put in him. KU SLAPS THE SHIT OUT OF DIMITRI, AND DIMITRI FALLS OFF THE APRON!
Woo: KU has slapped the taste out of Dimitri's mouth! I'm beginning to think this was never about money, and just about the love of the fight.
Gomez: I think you might be right there, but the money doesn't hurt!
KU turns around and is LAID OUT BY A SUPERKICK FROM JACK! Jack then scoops KU up and hits a DVD!
ONE…
TWO…
THR-NO! KICKOUT!
Jack pounds the mat in frustration, and looks to the corner of the ring, and gets an idea. He puts KU up on his shoulders, and props him up on the top turnbuckle, facing the crowd. Then Jack gets up behind KU… AND HITS A DRAGON SUPLEX OFF THE GODDAMN TOP ROPE!
Woo: Jack Severn using a move native to KU's homeland to try and put him away, that's insult to injury.
Gomez: That's a knockout if you're any normal human being. KU cannot be stopped!
Dazed as fuck but running on adrenaline, Jack feeds off the rabid energy of the crowd. He waits for KU to get up, who flips Jack off in defiance… AND JACK HITS HIM WITH THE SILENCER! BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! He lifts KU into a powerbomb position, but lets him hang down… DROPPING HIM RIGHT ONTO HIS HEAD WITH A GANSO BOMB! KU crumples to the mat.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Dobrev: Here is your winner, and STILL part of the EWC roster, JACK SEVERN!!!
Woo: A brand new move from Jack Severn puts KU away!
Gomez: KU never had time to scout it, and he didn't have an answer!
The referee raises Jack’s arm, who is barely conscious, covered in blood, and screaming out into the crowd about how he’s the greatest. As his music plays, members of The House start walking down to the ring, clapping and celebrating. Callie Clark, Tori Taylor, Dan Funk, Brodie Dawson, Jamie Love, and JoJo Rush all surround the ring as Dimitri enters, pissed off. Dimitri grabs a microphone.
Graves: Congrats, Jack! You kept your contract! I knew you had it in you!
Dimitri outstretches his hand.
Graves: So… We good? Let’s just put this all behind us. The House always wins, right?
Jack looks at The House all around the ring… Then looks at Dimitri’s hand… Then rage fills his face. Jack gives one last look to The House members… and shakes Dimitri’s hand!
Woo: This idiot, he's going to go right back to that weasel?
Gomez: I guess you know what they say, misery likes company.
THEN JACK LAYS DIMITRI OUT WITH A FOREARM! The rest of The House look at each other, trying to figure out where their loyalties lie as Jack beats down on Dimitri Graves!
The beating is interrupted by Alastor Gray, former business partner of Dimitri Graves and guest coach for The House, sliding in the ring, getting between the two and pushing Jack off. Jack angrily gets nose to nose with Gray. Alastor turns around to face Dimitri and help him up, BUT THEN SUDDENLY HEADBUTTS HIM! DIMITRI FALLS DOWN TO THE MAT, FOREHEAD SPLIT OPEN!
Woo: The House are doing the first smart thing of their EWC run, and that's taking out the trash.
Gomez: They should wake KU up, I'm sure he wants to be in this.
Jack shrugs and HAMMERS DIMITRI’S HEAD IN WITH A SILENCER KNEE! Dimitri is out cold. Jack grabs a microphone.
Jack: HELLLLLLLLOOOOOO JOHANNESBURG!
Cheap pop.
Jack: D, my GOOD FRIEND, consider my contract with Graves Enterprises terminated. These past few weeks… It’s made me realize that I made a grave, no pun intended, mistake signing with you. We are DONE doing business together. And guess what? Your friend Al over here approached me, the very first day we met, over a year ago, and do you know what he told me? He told me you were no-good snake and that I should never trust you. Obviously, it was my mistake for not listening to him. But regardless, he offered, if I ever so desired, to be my full-time coach, and to help me renegotiate the terms of my EWC contract, and BREAK off this albatross that has been so clearly holding me back. I am a FREE MAN now, and you better believe it, The House is heading into the next season stronger than ever! Come on in, guys!
Jack motions for the rest of The House to enter the ring, and they oblige.
Jack: WrestleFest may be a celebration of all things EWC, but I can’t let this show end without reminding everyone here just who the strongest faction in the company is! 2023 is going to be OUR year, and we have just the lineup to prove it! First, our new money man, our coach, ALASTOR GRAY! This man is a wrestling genius, and is going to take us to new heights, heights we would have never gotten to under Dimitri’s “leadership.” Next, our new members, first, my “Chosen One” JOJO RUSH! He is a bad, bad man, and he had a tremendous first year here, so just imagine what he’ll do next year! I see that International Championship in your future, baby! And then we have JAMIE LOVE, the man I had the pleasure of tagging with at the Prime finale! Now, I know Dimitri recruited you in order to keep The Bastards away from the tag title picture and was just gonna throw you aside when you stopped being useful, but I know you’re no idiot. Deep down, you know everything Dimitri said about Reid using you was true, despite knowing his ulterior motive. So Jamie, I welcome you into The House with open arms. I can promise you I have no ulterior motive. I simply see greatness in your future. More specifically, the United States Championship. Shouldn’t be that hard to win either, since it’s on that borrowed time broken son of a bitch Ace King.
The crowd boos at the disrespect.
Jack: WHY ARE YOU BOOING ME, I’M RIGHT! Anyways, speaking of old and broken, The Southern Express will be retired tonight by my favorite tag team and yours, THE HEAT PACKERS! Dan, Brodie, I know I’ve been distracted lately and haven’t had your backs. I’m sorry about that. You two deserve to be champions right now, and dragging you into my little personal feuds screwed that up. I’d say good luck tonight, but I know you don’t need it. And I know next season those tag belts are coming home. And finally, that brings me to the soon to be double Golden Goddess CALLIE CLARK and her bodyguard, TORI TAYLOR! Callie has had a season like no other this year, and she’ll continue to be our MVP heading into the next. Hell, she might even take the title of Prime Minister while she’s at it. By the way, Narumi, if you’re watching, suck it, loser.
Jack cackles as The House all too sweet each other.
Jack: Of course, my trajectory next season is onwards and upwards. My third year in this company will NOT end beltless, and I am coming for ANY prize I can. That being said… Remember, this is The House That Jack Built… And we ALWAYS win, no matter what! Unless you’re Dimitri Graves, I guess. HIT OUR NEW MUSIC!
‘The Mess We’ve Made’ by Sin Shake Sin hits and The House all pose in the middle of the ring above the fallen Dimitri. Suddenly Jack Severn is spun around real fast, almost off his feet, by a hand grabbing his shoulder. The House go to pounce on the attacker, but Jack raises his arm to stop them. Jack smiles at KU through his bloodied face, KU just glares at him. KU grabs Jack's arm by force while maintaining the death stare. Jack smiles and gives KU's hand a proper handshake. KU spits on Dimitri and exits the ring while Jack does a sarcastic round of applause. Jack turns back to Dimitri and poses for the hard-cam with his boot on Dimitri's throat.
Woo: Strong words from Jack Severn as The House enter 2023.
Gomez: Let's see if he can back up that shit talk!
We cut to the Rebel herself, Melinda Rhodes, seated backstage with elbows resting upon the knees of splayed legs, dressed in her gear and looking very thoughtful at the moment. She rests her forehead upon palms and fingers pressed together, eyes closed as she mentally prepares herself.
REBEL: Tonight, I'm to face a woman that is one of the best wrestlers in the biz today. She's going to put me to task tonight, no doubt. Regardless as to what happens tonight, it'll be hard fought, hard won, but...
Her head lifts and she looks at the camera, lowering her hands down from a steeple to a clasp.
REBEL: ...Gabi is going to find out that I'm not all about power and strikes. She believes that I'm strong and slow and unless she can adapt to what's coming, it's going to be a very long night for the former International Champion. What have I accomplished was the question she asked... heh... I'm here aren't I?
Her stare rapidly intensifies.
REBEL: My presence in EWC defies all odds. The fact that I'm even here, in a high profile match against Gabrielle Visconty for a championship belt, says it all. The fact that I came back from a pretty nasty arm injury and already in a position to reclaim my gold says alot and with every ounce of my being, I'm going to take back the FX Broadcast Championship and defend it ten times and hold it two hundred and eighty days. I'll crush that fucking record and set it so goddamn high that I'd literally have to give that shit away.
The Rebel Star leans forward.
REBEL: ...and if I don't? I'll just get back up and fight my way back up again till I do. I respect the fuck out of the FX Champion, but tonight, It's about the gold, the fight, and proving who the best is. She called this a passing of the torch but nah... the fire still burns and I'm the one who says when my torche gets passed on. The Rebel Star ain't fading away, she's coming back motherfuckers!
She rises to her feet, the camera lifting with her.
REBEL: Gabi Vee, you'll be around long after I'm gone but it won't be you who decides the end of my story honey child. The only thing we're deciding tonight is who the FX Champion is and if things play out the way I expect? It's gonna' be the Rebel Star rising and shining bright with the gold back in her hands... where it belongs.
The camera pulls back as the Rebel Star makes the universal championship belt gesture around her waist. Fade to ringside.
Alyson Cross can be seen just walking out of her dressing room when her eyes spot an older gentleman wearing a black cowboy hat, a short sleeve shirt and tattered jeans with silver tipped cowboy boots. Alyson angrily takes a step closer to this individual. The older gentleman appears to also have a cigar sticking out of his mouth and dark sunglasses on his face. He turns his torso towards Alyson who doesn’t seem pleased with his appearance.
Alyson Cross: What are you doing here?
Warren Cross: Is that anyway to speak to your father?
Alyson Cross: You didn’t answer my question, dad?
Warren Cross takes a drag of his cigar before blowing the smoke into the air. He looks down at his daughter with a sinister grin.
Warren Cross: I am here to make sure my loving daughter remembers just who she represents in this shithole.
Alyson Cross: Don’t even think about it.
Alyson warns him as she turns to head for the ring. Warren laughs with an evil grin on his face. Alyson turns the corner and nearly runs over Pepper Montana. Alyson immediately feels sorry as her cheeks flush red. Pepper can see she looks a little upset as he puts his hands up.
Pepper Montana: Are you okay Alyson?
Alyson Cross: I don’t really want to talk about it. I just want to go hit somebody and I have three faces that will provide me enough surface area to do some type of damage.
Pepper Montana: You seem really fired up about this ladder match.
Alyson Cross: I’ve been ready for this match. Ladder matches are my favorite and tonight I make history.
Before Pepper could say another word, Alyson walks passed him as a hooded figure appears to be following her. Pepper notices it but keeps the information to himself.
** MATCH TWO **
PRIMETime Briefcase Ladder Match Alyson Cross VS Dalilah Ashe VS
Amber Lisa Hall VS Yasin
We return to ringside where Toby Sawyer is standing inside the ring as ringside technicians are placing an abundance of ladders around the ring.
Woo: Just look at how many ladders are surrounding the ring, I have a feeling it’s going to be hard to keep with the action.
Gomez: I hope the medical staff are hand because I fear someone is going to be leaving with some kind of injury in this match.
Dobrev: The following match is a four way ladder match, Joining us first, from Brooklyn, New York, weighing in at 135 pounds ... AMBER LISA HALL!
Run It came blasting over the speakers as Amber stood on the top of the ramp with her leather jacket on with a smirk across her face. She comes out playing to the crowd a bit before she climbs inside of the ring. She takes off her jacket with a smile looking over at the opponents with a grin ready to start
Dobrev: And her opponent, from Patterson, New Jersey, weighing in at 198 pounds ... YASIN!
The oriental melody of BELIEVER is let loose through the arena speakers as a green-ish hue covers the lighting. Under quite the positive reaction, Yasin 'Al-Amin' appears on the entrance stage. His posture is quite open as he breathes in the atmosphere, and then punches the air to rile the fans more even up. He walks the ramp, interacting with the front-row fans as he does so. Finally, he walks up the stairs, wipes his feet on the apron before entering the ring, ready for combat.
Dobrev: And his opponent, from the Darkness of your desires, weighing in at 125 pounds ... DALILAH ASHE
Committed by One-Eyed Doll begins to play and a purple glow illuminates the arena and a violet mist rises from the stage bringing with it the smell dying roses.
Just Another Mental Patient How I wish this Room Was Vacant Can't Seem To Break Through These Padded Walls
The curtain parts as Dalilah Ashe appears wearing a crown of black roses and thorns which prick her pale brow bringing small drops of dark red blood. She opens her arms to hold the crowd in the long cold embrace of her contempt.
Locked Up in this Nuthouse Crying All these Drugs My Brain is Frying Doctor Says the Lunatic Needs More
Cocking her head to one side and holding her arms stiff at her sides she begins a long zombie walk to the ring, followed closely by her handler Lacey Savage who herself walks in the shadow of her bodyguard Bedlam Briggs. Climbing stiffly up onto the apron Dalilah looms over the audience like some ancient goddess of lust and death. She smiles down at them, slowly wetting her painted lips with the tip of her tongue before throwing her head back with a mocking laugh. She slides between the ropes with an evil expression to stare down her opponent with a wicked grin and nothing but bad intentions.
Dobrev: And her opponent, from Gainesville, Florida, weighing in at 121 pounds ... ALYSON CROSS!
The moment "Unstoppable" by Eva Under Fire starts to play, a video package starts rolling on the X-Tron as Alyson Cross steps through the curtain. The crowd seems to have mixed reaction upon her arrival. Alyson waves to the crowd before descending down the ramp and sliding into the ring. Alyson pushes herself back up to a vertical base before hopping on the nearest turnbuckle.
Woo: Optional final comment before the bell sounds
DING DING DING
All four competitors are looking at each other before Yasin and Dalilah slide out of the ring looking to grab for a ladder. Meanwhile, Amber charges at Alyson who leapfrogs over her as Amber smacks shoulder first into the turnbuckle. Alyson notices Amber holding her shoulder as she starts attacking it with vicious strikes and headbutts. Alyson even interlocks her fingers with Amber, before striking with an open hand strike across the chest and climbing up the turnbuckles. In one fluid motion, Alyson flies off the top, wraps her legs around Amber’s head and flings her across the ring with a hurricanrana. Alyson quickly gets up to her feet and slides out of the ring on the opposite side.
Yasin starts to fold up one of the ladder’s standing at ringside when Dalilah smashes a forearm into the back of Yasin. The shot sends him forward into the ladder. Dalilah picks him up and connects with a side Suplex right there on the floor. Yasin bows his back on impact as Dalilah starts driving her boot into his stomach.
Woo: Some early brutality from Dalilah Ashe in this one.
Gomez: If you want to win, you've got to do what needs to be done with no regrets.
Dalilah stops the stomping as she turns her attention to the downed ladder. She picks it up and goes to put into the ring. Before she can get it fully into the ring, Amber delivers a baseball slide into the ladder. Dalilah is seen shaking her fingers as Yasin is standing on the ring steps. He dives off at her and lands a very impressive tornado DDT on the floor. He quickly gets back up to his feet, jumps up onto the ring apron before springing off the ropes and landing a missile dropkick to the side of Amber’s head.
Meanwhile, Alyson has a ladder in her hand and slides into the ring. She proceeds to slide in a few more before getting blindsided by Dalilah with a running boot. Dalilah picks Alyson up before throwing her back first into a pile of ladders. Alyson let’s out a loud grunt as Dalilah follows it up with a hard knee to the side of Alyson’s head. As Dalilah continues her assault, Yasin already has a ladder set up in the ring. However Amber grabs him by the head and slams him face first into the side of the ladder.
Woo: Amber Lisa Hall joining the brutality party!
Gomez: Now that one is more shocking, but girl can't help it!
Yasin staggers back as a small trickle of blood starts to flow down his face. Amber grabs a hold of his head and quickly spikes him into the canvas. Amber quickly gets back up to her feet and takes a deep breath. She begins to climb up the ladder as Dalilah is busy with Alyson. Dalilah continues to punish Alyson until she sees Amber out of the corner of her eye. She stands up, delivers another kick to Alyson’s sternum before getting onto the ring apron.
Amber is slowly making her way up the ladder. The crowd is trying to get behind her until Dalilah comes springing off the ropes with a dropkick to the ladder. The ladder staggers as Amber tries to hold on tight. However, Yasin has gotten up and uses the bottom rung as a springboard before grabbing the back of Amber’s head. He then leaps backward while driving the back of Amber’s head into the canvas. The crowd burst to cheers instantly as Yasin is slowly getting back up to his feet.
He sees Dalilah also getting back up as he runs toward her and connects with a reverse STO. Dalilah’s face bounces off the canvas as Yasin rolls through and gets back up to his feet. He goes to set up another ladder when Alyson comes flying off the ropes and catches Yasin with a hurricanrana. He goes flying across the ring as she picks the ladder up.
Woo: Yasin cannot catch a break in this one it seems.
Gomez: They are just working up that shine spot for him to come back and win it, clearly.
Alyson sets up only to get caught with a forearm across her jaw from Amber. Alyson staggers as Dalilah comes bouncing off the ropes and lands a big boot to Alyson’s face. Amber grabs Dalilah by the hair and drops her down to the canvas. Amber gets back up to her feet and starts to climb up one of the ladders.
The crowd is chanting “EWC” when Yasin can be seen climbing up the other side of the ladder. Amber is just inches away from the briefcase when Yasin lands a stiff shot to her stomach. Amber grimaces before firing a shot into his face. Yasin then jumps into the air before connecting with a dropkick to Amber’s shoulder.
Amber grunts as Alyson catches Yasin in midair with a double knee face breaker. “Holy Shit” chants start echoing through the crowd as Amber and Dalilah are shocked.
Woo: A lull falls over the ring following that move.
Gomez: A man may have just died.
Amber somehow is still on the ladder even after the dropkick to her shoulder. Amber grunts again before shaking her shoulder a little. She goes to reach up for the briefcase when a loud smack echoes across the arena. Amber let’s out a scream as Dalilah as smacked a steel chair into the back of Amber. Dalilah strikes with another chair strike before climbing up behind Amber. She grabs her by each arm before delivering a massive Razor’s Edge from off the ladder. The back of Amber’s head bounces off the canvas as Dalilah crawls over Amber, grabs her by the head and repeatedly delivers headbutt after headbutt.
Dalilah plants a soft kiss on the cheek of Amber before getting back onto her feet. She goes to turn only to get hit with a spinning 540 kick from Alyson. Alyson pops back up to her feet and uses the ladder as a small step stool to land an elbow drop onto Amber.
She once again gets back up to her feet and looks up at the briefcase. Before she could move, a hooded figure sneaks down to the ring and strikes Alyson square in the back with a baseball bat. Alyson falls down as the hooded figure rolls out of the ring which allows Yasin to scale up the ladder. Yasin is starting to unlatch the briefcase as Dalilah is just getting back up to her feet. Yasin continues to struggle as Dalilah climbs up the other side of the ladder. Yasin stops going for the briefcase as he goes to throw a punch. Dalilah blocks the punch before spewing some kind of mist into his eyes.
Yasin immediately tries to clear his eyes only to be knocked off the ladder by Dalilah slamming the briefcase into Yasmin’s head. Right as he hits the canvas, Dalilah stands up straight and unlatches the briefcase.
DING DING DING
Dobrev: And your winner, via grabbing the Prime Briefcase DALILAH ASHE!
Dalilah starts cackling as she hugs the briefcase close to her chest. She looks down to see Toby helping Yasin to the back as Alyson and Amber are just starting to come too.
Woo: Dalilah finally did it. She has earned herself a chance to fight for the Indy Championship whenever she so desires. I’m pretty sure Yasin will want some revenge.
Gomez: That’s great but who in the hell attacked Alyson during a match. Dalilah righted a wrong from last year and we will not hear the end of it.
Woo: Scorpio and Callie Clark had both better keep their eyes on Dalilah Ashe as the new year rolls around! Ashe and Scorpio's weird relationship will make this an interesting time on PRIME.
Gomez: You can say that again, specifically weird.
Camera cuts to ...
The camera opens up on a South African beach. A huge crowd of people gather around and wait silently.. Suddenly, a calming voice is heard from the P.A. system
Voice: I would like to thank you all for coming out here today, it means the world to me.
The crowd cheers.
Voice: Last year, we started a revolution together. It was a wave that swept over the world
The crowd began to chant loudly. “Cheeks of steel! Cheeks of Steel”
Iggy Swango, the fitness guru, musician, wrestler, and all around great woman stepped through the curtain to loud applause. Wearing a very eighties style workout outfit, complete with a matching headband, she waved to the audience. Standing next to her was the newly crowned Next Gen champ, who was wearing a lot less. However, the gold from her new title belt obscured a lot of the view.
Iggy looked out to the crowd and smiled from ear to ear.
Iggy: Now, I always like to say that I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring. That’s not applicable here. Everybody, what you have all been waiting for…
Sunny steps up to a curtain. She looks over at her mentor and smiles. Iggy suddenly looks nervous.
Sunny: Ladies and Gentlemen, Iggy would like to present you all… Buns and Guns!
Sunny pulls the curtain revealing the poster for the newest fitness video from Lady Stardust. Iggy looks a bit flustered on stage.
The crowd roars!
Sunny: Doesn’t she look amazing! And to think, I had to talk her into the cover shoot! But lucky for us, I was there to give her the final push!
“Buns and Guns! Buns and Guns” The crowd's chants get louder!
Iggy looks down and takes deep breath after deep breath. Sunny continues to smile as she waves at the crowd.
We’re backstage in the interview area where oddly enough the EWC Next Gen Interviewer, ‘Respectable’ Joe Danes stands with Jordan Freaking Sharpe.
Danes: Ladies and gentlemen, we’re joined here at this time by Jordan Sharpe who’s going to give us his thoughts about the Hell in a Cell encounter later on tonight with Sour Candy.
Jordan smiles, and pats Joe on the shoulder.
JFS: Joe, you and I go way, way back. There is a reason I requested my final pre-match interview be done by you. In fact, I rarely even do these but I wanted to share some last minute thoughts because I didn’t get a chance to say everything that I truly needed to say leading up to WrestleFest. And you’re the man I needed here holding the mic.
Danes: Well, honestly, I appreciate that a lot, Jordan.
JFS: Now, on to the task at hand. Tonight, for the first time ever, I’m going to step inside Hell in a Cell. Now, everyone knows I never wanted this match. In fact, I’ve been whining on and on about how I never wanted it. So instead, in this festive season just six days before Christmas why don’t we stay positive. After all, Candy may just go out there and kill me later tonight so if I truly do go out my shield I might as well share some happy thoughts. I made a mistake in the lead-up to my final match. I forgot to tell everyone just how thankful I am for the support I’ve gotten over these years.
He digs out a piece of crumpled paper from his pocket and puts on a pair of reading glasses.
JFS: This is the last time I can say this stuff before I’m a full-on corporate shill.
He clears his throat.
JFS: Killjoy … I’m sorry, Bukkake Ito .. thank you for being a wonderful rival that was never able to beat me. You put me over many times, and honestly, it made my early career here legendary. Tommy Love will never be in the hall of fame. To Dominic “Asswipe” Sanders, thanks for naming your child after me so when he ends up on the sex offenders list and people google it, they still think of me long after I’m irrelevant. That’s fucking great. To Melody Malone, thanks for stealing my idea of having sponsored endorsement deals, Monster Energy tastes fantastic with a side of Tide Pods. You never should have beaten me that time.To my first win in this company, Draco Lazarus .. we’ll see you on Gambit. To the one and only King Flip, I left a gigantic shit in the upper deck of your toilet. To Stitches the Carnival Clown, just because I am retiring does not mean I have forgotten you sticking your big red nose in my fucking business. Let’s see .. who else do we have here .. James Keaton, are you even still in this company anymore? Well I’m embarrassed you ended my last title reign. To Scorpio, please don’t forget that I was the Prime Minister since that time I whooped your ass on an episode of PRIME. To the Southern Express, my retirement buddies .. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive you for kicking me in the nuts that time and preventing me from becoming a triple champion. To Xavier Reid, I was on the cusp of quitting this business one time until I beat you, and then I got to beat you again and become Undisputed Champion so thank you for always being an easy win. And thanks for giving Gideon a good meal. He earned it.
He takes a deep breath.
Danes: Is … is that all?
JFS: But most importantly, thank you to people like Ruthann Hunter who always calls me out and tags me, honestly, like a mom would with words of encouragement. For Narumi Tsutsumi, who came in and broke every record I’ve ever held and inspired me to see that the future of this business is bright. For Emma Louise, my friend who I spend many PRIME afternoons joking and eating potato chips backstage with. For my fellow colleagues Chris Brock and Grizzly Duggan who have shown me the ropes on how to be a General Manager in this business and who have also been great friends. To John Krasinski, who put up with a lot of really stupid promos in my early run here. He was great. To Iggy Swango who put her asscheeks on my face one time in the Crazy Train match. To my tag-team partner Faith Rivers who not only always had my back but my family’s back as well. To the one and only Gabi Vee who has become like a sister to me, who first annoyed me but has grown over time to be irreplaceable in my life. To Saidie who ended up being better than me in and outside of that ring, you are the star I always wanted to be. And finally, to my gorgeous, sexy Carley California, the love of my life … DADDY IS COMIN’ HOME!
Danes: There you have it, ladies and gents Jordan Freaking Sharpe himself before his final EWC Match.
Jordan takes the microphone from Joe, and looks down the camera.
JFS: And for Candy … I dedicate this next match to you.
He throws up the 3C hand sign, then throws the mic up in the air, and takes off as he yells from down the hallway.
JFS: AND JOE! I'LL SEE YOU ON THE SEASON PREMIERE! YOU'RE HIRED!
*** MATCH THREE ***
EWC FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES MATCH Melinda Rhodes VS Gabrielle Visconty
We return to ringside where the crowd is already split down the middle, fans of both contestants fired up and in full support of their favorite; they're already arrayed in a dueling chant, as we rock that 'big fight feel'.
Woo: This hype isn't stopping, folks, as we put away the ladders and the winner of the Prime Time Briefcase hobbles off into the sunset to consider their bright future. Now, it's one ring. One belt. Two women. The FX Broadcast Championship is on the line as a challenger steps up whose name already litters the FX Broadcast history books; Rebel Rhodes, the trend-setter, the record-breaker, who spent this last season making Brawl's title matter to millions of people across the world... clashes with Gabi Vee. Former two-time International champion, fresh off a successful defense against Alex Carbajal and with her own future laid out before her. But! She's had her destiny stolen before, Valentina.
Gomez: We've been seeing titles change hands all weekend, Woo, and I for one am ready to see a REAL champion step up and DEFEND! Visconty's had a rollercoaster season, but you know what rollercoasters have? Momentum! Purpose! She's got this.
Dobrev: The following match is for one fall, and is for the FX Broadcast Championship!
The lights drop to a dim blue only to brighten to a bright red as "The Steeple" by Halestorm plays over the P/A speakers. With a pyro explosion, the Rebel bounds from the curtains and onto that stage with a wicked grin. She sports her ring gear, a red leather vest with her winged star logo, aviator shades, and fingerless gloves. Mel strides down the aisle, taking her time and rocking with the fans in attendance. She's high-fiving fans, giving hugs to kids, and one lucky fan's child ends up with a parting gift, her chrome aviator shades getting placed right on the kid's face.
Joining us first, hailing from Rome, Georgia, she stands at 5'11" and weighs in at one hundred and forty five pounds ... "THE REBEL STAR" ... MMMMMMEEEELLLLLLIIINNNDDDAAAA RRRRRHHHHOOOODDDDDEEESSS!
After making the rounds at ringside, pumping up the front row fans, Rhodes slides under the ropes, pops up and runs up to the far turnbuckle, throwing a three fingered salute while headbanging to her music. She then turns and runs to the opposite side, arms out at her sides as she shouts "COME ON!!!!" to the fans, working them up just a little bit more. She then hops down, pulls the vest off and tosses it down, crouching low in her corner and waiting...
Dobrev: And her opponent, from Honolulu, Hawaii, weighing in at one hundred and twenty pounds ... she is the FX Broadcast Champion ... GABI VEE!
The lights in the arena dim as a single spot light shines down on the entrance. BLACKPINK's "Shut Down" begins to play as the X-Tron lights up to display G A B I V E E ! ! ! before the lyrics to “Shut Down” begin to scroll across it.
It's not a comeback since we've never left Heads turn, careful, you might break your neck Pink ice drip, drip, drip, freeze 'em on sight Shut it down, what, what, what, what? It's not a game since we've never lost Bark, because the leash on your neck is mine Pedal to the metal, we go two-zero-five Shut it down, uh-uh, uh-uh
Gabrielle Visconty runs out of the back and stops at the top of the ramp, followed a second later by Buddy Love. Her blue eyes scan over the area as the fans welcome Gabi Vee with cheers. A huge grin spreads across her face before her and Buddy walk down the ramp and towards the ring. The lyrics continue to follow along on the X-Tron.
Nah, you don't wanna be on my bad side, that's right, I'm slidin' through Bunch of wannabes that wanna be me, me three if I was you Been around the world, pearls on ya girl, VVS's we invested, uh Need a lesson, see the necklace, see these dresses We don't buy it, we request it, uh A rock star, a pop star, but rowdier Say bye to the paparazzi, get my good side, I'll smile for ya Know it ain't fair to ya, it's scarin' ya like what now? BLACKPINK in your area, the area been shut down It's a shutdown
Gabi slaps hands and interacts with the crowd before she hops up nimbly onto the edge of the ring to grin out at the crowd once more. Gabi turns and springboard herself gracefully into the ring, then ventures over to her corner where Buddy has taken his place outside the ring. The two share a brief conversation before Gabi turns her attention back to the ring.
Woo: Gabi is ready. Rebel is ready, as always. Both burn bright - one, perhaps, is about to fade away...
DING DING DING
Rhodes has the laser focus, exploding forward in a boxer's stance ready to start throwing. Gabi is still stretching when the bell rings, and while her shift to vertical isn't precisely tardy, she's relaxed and unguarded, one hand sliding behind her back as she leans forward and waves to attract the Star Slayer's attention - then pokes that hand out, asking for the shake. A smile darts onto the Rebel's lips, and she makes a show of turning to the crowd, asking their advice as Gabi stands there insistently.
"SHAKE HER HAND! SHAKE HER HAND!"
They get their wish, and the grip is firm, both women shifting from friendly respect into coiled steel as they let the roar of the crowd wash over them, pulling back into their respective stances--
--and going to work, the champ hitting the ropes and coming in at high velocity, under an impressive leapfrog dive from the older woman, who rolls up to come off the other side and cut Gabi off halfway with a leaping, twisting SHOT THROUGH THE HEART! Vee jolts off the canvas, eyes wide as she bounces into a wide three-point crouch and absorbs the shock of the blow, while Rhodes takes a step back and points the finger gun, mouthing a 'bang' and then blowing off the imaginary smoke to a massive pop from the crowd. Gabi smirks, uncoiling into another sprint that sees her flying through Rhodes' legs, spinning to her feet into a flurry of blows that she defends adroitly, imitating Rebel's own boxing stance as she deflects with her elbows and deft rotations of hip and shoulder.
This style-matching has the crowd on their feet, even the Rebel fans getting into the demonstration as Gabi ducks under a looping right hook, places a hand on Rhodes' arm and POUNCES up onto her shoulders, swinging out and down into a crunching backstabber! She's immediately to her feet, swaying left and then erupting into a no-assist cartwheel to the right, splashing down upon her agonized opponent!
She doesn't make the cover, instead arching into a gymnast's salute, lowering each hand in turn to blow kisses toward the cheap seats.
Woo: She's having fun out there.
Gomez: She should keep her head in the game!
Woo: It's all part of the game, Valentina.
Clambering upright, Rhodes shakes her head with a rueful smile, mustering a fresh burst of energy as she bounces from foot-to-foot in a semi-circle around the readied Vee. They lock eyes, and then lock up, the larger woman immediately getting the advantage, going for a Judo toss that Gabi's the equal to it, twisting to land on her feet, then replying with a swift arm drag that sends Rhodes off her back and up into the ropes, picking up momentum as she rebounds into a sprint. Gabi handsprings aside, hits the perpendicular side and meets Rebel in the middle with a rolling Yoshi Tonic, leaning forward to keep her down for the count!
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Both women roll to their feet, Rebel with a sharp shake of her head to clear the cobwebs before she darts for Gabi's flank, opening her up with a jab to the jawline, leading the way for a hook to the ribs, and then a beautiful spin into a Dragon Whip Enziguri that rattles the champ's brainpan! Rhodes catches herself on a forearm, and floats over to show off her strength with a deadlift suplex that sends the stunned Vee flying toward the turnbuckle-- but she flips on impact, not taking the full brunt of the collision, instead landing spectacularly on the apron, gasping as she barely grabs the top rope to avoid falling to the floor. Johannesburg is going wild, and Rebel can't help an impressed laugh, even as she follows up, using the ropes to hit another creative Enziguri that finally pitches Gabi to ringside.
Rhodes keeps pushing the pace, stepping to the opposing corner then running at an angle to fly over the top rope with a suicide plancha. Vee sees it coming too late as she scrambles to her feet, and both of them wipe out into the barricade!
Woo: Neither woman is willing to slow the pace, neither of them is giving an inch!
Gomez: Mm, but Buddy Love just might.
The slimeball himself is at ringside, hurriedly swallowing a sneaky sausage and wiping his fingers on his shirt as he approaches to check on his client. With a little help, Gabi's first to her feet, waving Buddy off with a frown as he preens over her. She moves to pick up Rebel, but Buddy has a better idea, seizing the FX title from a table nearby and insistently pressing it on the high-flying Angel. Taking it in both hands, she looks down at Rebel, considers the face plate emblazoned proudly with her own name, and then throws Love a Look. Reverently, she steps over to the table and lays the championship down, turning back towards her opponent - unarmed...
...and not altogether ready for a kick to the gut, or the powerbomb that follows, driving her through that same table! The championship tumbles backwards into the rubble as wood splinters and cracks beneath Gabi's weight. She has a moment to consider her situation, Rhodes pausing to chase off Buddy Love with a raised fist and a violent grimace, aiming a kick at his pudgy rear as he scuttles away. It's not long enough for Gabi to recover, and she's bundled up and rolled back into the ring by the Star Slayer, who's all business now.
A few in the crowd have turned on this display, but there's still a split in the crowd, many simply enjoying the spectacle as Gabi staggers upright, clutching at her left shoulder with a pained expression. Rhodes is there behind her, jerking her around by the other shoulder and exploding into a low uppercut. Gabi eats it, staggering back with an expulsion of breath, whipping out a high kick that's a little too telegraphed; Rebel blocks it, capturing the leg as she sweeps the other, tumbling Vee onto her back. She rolls through, comes up in the face of a tight boxing combination - attempting to repeat her earlier trick only to get tagged by a hard jab-cross, the latter sending her into an unruly stumble. Thrashing her arms for balance, Gabi manages to spin out of range, glancing back over her shoulder as she rallies into a springboard, launching herself at the oncoming Rebel with that picture-perfect spinning heel kick! WRATH!!
N-No! Rhodes powerslides underneath the blow, hopping to her feet to catch Gabi as she lands with another punishing cutter! SHOT THROUGH THE H-- NO! Vee pops her head out of the hold, seizing control of Rebel's arms and whipping her into a straight jacket, powering her compact frame into a monstrous suplex that about drives her opponent THROUGH the center of the ring! THE IDJITBUSTER!!!
Gabi bridges into the pin!
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Woo: They've got pace, they've got power, they've got the desire to win. What's it going to take, Valentina?
Gomez: Just more of this! These are amazing women, but they're only human. Sooner or later, one of them is going to break.
Both women are on their knees, staring at one another, any mutual respect lost to a competitive haze. Gabi slaps her hands on the mat, bounding to her feet only to be immediately blasted off her feet as Rebel Rhodes surges from her knees into a RHODES KILL spear! Vee's skull bounces off the mat, and Rhodes sprawls out on top of her, raining down punches! The champ manages to cover up, seize an underhook, and slam Mel down next to her, rolling on top to hook up a cross-armed surfboard, leaning back with a scream as she puts on the pressure! Muscles twitch and veins pop as Rhodes resists the submission with sheer grit, allowing Gabi to gas so she can drag an arm free and seize the bottom rope, pulling herself to the outside. Gabi sits back, pushing her hands through her hair, a slow shake of her head before she stands and gives chase, hitting a baseball slide to the back, then dropping right into a flurry of strikes at the staggers Rhodes.
The better striker, Rebel manages to weave out from the flurry, but Gabi has the movement scouted - she springs upward, getting her thighs around the other woman's head and whipping her into the barricade with a hastily-modified Huracanrana. Rhodes ends up spine-first across the barrier, body convulsing in pain as Gabi jumps to the apron, springing off the ropes into a corkscrew moonsault that gives the crowd a CONNIPTION as she crashes down on top of Rebel Rhodes, both their bodies buckling over the barricade, which gives way and collapses.
Rhodes slithers toward the ring, ragdolling as Gabi sprawls across the chairs in the front row, frantically pulling herself up and taking a few near-spills in the process. Her makeup is streaked, her eyes chaotic as she turns toward the ring and her opponent, stumbling through the rubble to heave the larger woman up and, at some effort, roll her back into the ring. She needs a moment to catch her breath, and takes just long enough that Rebel starts clambering to her own feet, slamming a fist to the canvas and using it to lever herself up.
The crowd are split down the middle, each half raucous in favor their chosen champion.
"LET'S GO REBEL!"
"GA-BI VEE!"
"LET'S GO REBEL!"
"GA-BI VEE!"
Rhodes tries to showboat but also falls to one knee as her lumbar betrays her and a leg almost slides out from under her. With a self-effacing laugh, she stumbles to the ropes and stretches out her back, as Gabi Vee clambers back into the ring.
"LET'S GO REBEL!"
"GA-BI VEE!"
To say that both women draw their energy from the crowd would be an understatement, and the lull becomes a burning fuse. Rhodes turns to Vee, Vee turns to Rhodes, and the chanting becomes just NOISE as they start trading. Rhodes drops for another big spear, but Visconty sprawls to block, clearly taking a solid impact but successfully diving overhead, going for a roll-up, that the former champ reverses, rolling into a dropkick that blasts Gabi onto her backside, running forward to pull her into a swinging neckbreaker! Rebel tries to float over, but is shoved off, and Gabi shifts to one knee then up into a European uppercut that rings like a gunshot, staggering the older woman and allowing her to hit an inverted overdrive! Frantic, Vee pushes her into a cover...
But Rebel's too near the ropes, forcing the break, dragging herself to the apron and barely halfway to her feet when the champ impatiently tries to push her advantage, eating a shoulder check for her trouble, but managing to throw herself aside as Rebel springboards in for what could be another deadly cutter! It becomes a flying nothing, Mel landing on her side as Gabi ducks through the ropes, stamping her feet impatiently, all hyped up once Rhodes finds her own footing. Wise to the Gremlin's tricks, Rhodes darts in to intercept, and Vee takes one hand off the ropes, hurling a scything roundhouse kick over the top - striking once, and then again on the backswing, staggering her foe!
To a tremendous pop, Vee springboards and soars like an eagle, hooking her opponent into a monstrous 720 DDT! THE BIG COME DOWN!
She goes for the cover!
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Gabi can't believe it, and neither can the fans, the Hawaiian clutching in dismay at her hair as they roar sympathy. Rebel flops over, trying to claw herself back to standing, but she's taken a lot of punishment in a short amount of time; and with grim resolve, Vee sets her jaw, springs to her feet, and pulls the Star Slayer into a fisherman's suplex! She releases rather than sustain the bridge, shaking her head as she changes tack and moves toward the corner instead, pausing to signal to the crowd. They reassure her; they're with her, she's got this!
With a feral little grin, Gabi Vee mounts the turnbuckle and gets into position for THE FALLING. She sights Rebel, whose chest rises and falls with a convulsive shudder. Satisfied, the FX Broadcast Champion takes flight once more, corkscrewing into the shooting star press - it's a thing of beauty, her hangtime magnificent, her form nigh-perfect in spite of the match's rigors. She CRASHES down--
--but all the moreso, because Rebel Rhodes pops up at the last possible microsecond, and drags her to the mat with a second SHOT THROUGH THE HEART! The stadium loses its damn MIND, as a breathless, wide-eyed Rebel floats over into the cover, hooking both legs!
ONE...
TWO...
TH-- NO!!!
Woo: Even the veteran can't believe that one! After all she's been through, to come that close...!
Gomez: My jaw is dropped, Woo! Do you see how dropped it is?!
"HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!"
Rhodes has her arms out, beseeching the crowd, beseeching the heavens, anything and anyone she can find to beseech gets to share her look of shock, and then she's laughing, the sound a little manic but absolutely genuine as she takes HER turn to slap the mat and stand, whirling around-- to come face-to-face with the diminutive, determined form of Gabrielle Isabella Visconty. Rebel takes a swing, the blow a little wild, a little too easy to see, and finds the champ blurring past her, capturing the arm and tugging her into place for another IDJITBUSTER! Rebel fights it, shoving back hard, enough to break free and send Gabi back-first against the ropes.
Fluidly, the champ flows with it, flipping over onto the apron, springboarding back in as Rebel turns toward her, spinning with astonishing speed, capturing Rebel's head between her legs, spinning AGAIN! Her momentum culminating in a devastating Dragonrana! ANGELRANA!!!
The ring QUAKES on impact, and Gabi Vee leans forward, her expression desperate, slamming a hand to the mat as the count is made.
ONE...
TWO...
THR-- KICK-FREAKING-OUT!!!
Gomez: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Woo: WHAT is it going to TAKE?!
If anybody knows the answer to that, it must be Gabrielle. She's fighting it every step of the way, but she doesn't lose her cool - not now - bouncing straight to her feet, chest heaving as she looks down at Rebel Rhodes, sees the other woman with barely a trickle in the tank; sees her as a challenge to overcome, as prey to be consumed. As the obstacle standing in her way.
Vee shakes her head, locks eyes with Buddy Love - who is staring wide-eyed, jaw agape, with both arms on the apron. He starts to say something and she cuts him off with a widening of her own eyes, a glare that says, 'I've got this.'
And with every last fragment of her determination held together with duct tape and a dream, the FX Broadcast Champion heads to the corner. Ascends. There's a tremble in her legs as she does so, but she doesn't look back - just forward, into the crowd, into the future. Anyone who can be is on their feet, but a momentary, uneasy silence falls as Visconty sinks her posture, and EXPLODES into the CHAOS HALO, an incredible, controlled rotation, through six hundred and thirty agonizing degrees before she falls like a thunderclap.
Into an empty pool.
Melinda Rhodes just isn't there, rolling back to her feet where she stumbles into position with a drunken bait, a little saliva trickling from one side of her mouth before she swats it away, and slowly raises and levels out her hand in that iconic finger-gun. One eye closes, as Gabi pushes herself onto all fours, stunned and lost, glancing askance to meet that cyclopean stare. 'Bang', goes Rebel Rhodes.
Gabi JERKS upright, but she's too slow to act from there - the RHODES KILL striking her in the midsection, sending her rebounding off the ropes. She stumbles forward, and her opponent is there, dragging her into a third and perhaps final Diamond Cutter! It hits with the finality of an execution, but the Rebel isn't done, holding on and rolling backwards to lock in the REBEL STAR SLAYER!!!
Visconty tries to scream, but just chokes inside, her air-waves cut off by the fierce Dragon Sleeper. On the outside, Buddy Love is losing his mind, trying to climb onto the apron but falling off in his rushed panic...
He barely gets back up in time to see Gabi Vee tapping.
DING DING DING
Dobrev: Your winner, via submission, and the NEW FX Broadcast Champion ... MELINDA RHODES!
The crowd explode on principle, but many remain split; there are a few boos in the mix as Rebel Rhodes quickly releases her defeated opponent, and stumbles forward, throwing her arms overhead in victory before falling onto the ropes, unable to hold herself up any longer. Buddy Love gets into the ring, ungainly and sloppy as ever, and checks on Gabi Vee, who is conscious but still struggling to breathe, and looks absolutely crushed. The title is brought in, and passed to the now two-time champion, who accepts it graciously, but is distracted as she celebrates, looking over to the woman she laid low for this honor.
Johannesburg finds it in their heart to rally behind her as one, as Rebel steps over to Gabrielle Visconty and offers her hand. Vee stops massaging her throat, reaching out slowly despite a hissed protest from Buddy Love, and accepts the hand to a massive ovation. Rebel pulls her upright into a brief hug, and despite the deeply sad look on her face, Gabi pats her on the back, and then raises her arm. This gets the biggest cheer yet, and prompts Rhodes to climb each turnbuckle, posturing for the fans as her foe slides out of the ring and makes her way up to the stage, supported the whole way by Buddy Love...
Woo: This clearly meant the world to Gabi Vee, and our hearts go out to her. She gave everything she had, came painfully close to victory, and fell just a hair short of bettering the woman with six defenses to her name, and now a second reign in the record books! Melinda Rhodes might just go on to be the greatest FX Broadcast Champion of all time, and she couldn't deserve it more.
Gomez: Talk about a comeback, Woo! I'm still breathless! Visconty put on the performance of her life out there, but Rhodes took it all and just stood up one more time. She has the soul of a true guerrera.
Woo: Indeed, both women put on a clinic out there, and now we look to the poor souls who have to try and follow that.
Gomez: I have a feeling they'll find a way! We've got great things in store, as WrestleFest marches on!
Rhodes continues the celebration as the camera cuts to ...
...the X-Tron, as it lights up to reveal a familiar face to BRAWL as Gabi looks up from the stage, with Rhodes watching on from the ring.
Kahrs: Hello, Johannesburg! This is Timothy Kahrs, and after speaking with the Board I'm here to inform you that I am the interim GM of Monday Night BRAWL while Jim Connors continues to serve his suspension!
A brief pause before the assistant (now interim) GM continues.
Kahrs: We've just witnessed two ladies go to hell and back for the FX Broadcast Championship, and Gabi? I know you have a rematch clause per your previous successful title defense...so I'm granting it to you, before you can try and turn it down.
Another pause, mostly to catch his breath, before Timothy speaks once more.
Kahrs: When BRAWL returns to the airwaves in a couple months, Melinda Rhodes will defend her newly-won FX Broadcast Championship against the now former champion Gabrielle Visconty, when BRAWL heads back to MY hometown of Long Beach, California! See you there, BRAWLers!
The X-Tron fades to black, leading to a pop from the crowd for the announcement...much to the surprise of both Gabi and Rhodes, before we cut away!
We cut to the outside of the FNB Stadium, where Darna Dare is seen in casual attire, conversing with a small gaggle of fans who have yet to make their way inside the arena. She's not seen on EWC screens since Youngblood, where her opportunistic beatdown of Moxie shocked the crowd into silence, making it especially bizarre to see her smiling as she takes photos and signs autographs.
Dare finishes up a few signatures and turns away, leaving the fans disturbed and bewildered as they look at her handiwork.
Darna makes her way into one of the back corridors of the arena, where she walks past a number of posters advertising matches for the event. Her hazel eyes darken, smile evaporating to a glower as she walks past a picture of JoJo Rush, the other faces passing by in the rush - her micro-reactions hard to read but none of them good.
Moxie. Ace King. King Flip. Narumi Tsutsumi. Melody Malone. Lavender.
Finally, she has to stop, the camera tracking her as she draws a deep breath, nails digging past her fringe to sink into her temples.
??: Where the absssolute fuck have you been? What have you been doing?
She jerks around, coming face-to-face with her best friend - at this point, perhaps her only friend - Luningning. The statuesque, perfectly-poised Korean woman is wearing a scowl, but there's worry in her eyes more than true anger. Darna stares at her, and then lashes out with a hand, gripping the taller woman's throat and bodily dragging her toward a nearby janitorial closet...
Ning: Dee, let me GO!
She gets what she asks for, the former United States champion propelling her into the cramped room, which contains little more than a shelf of supplies, and a stained mirror propped up over a small sink. Darna slams the door behind her, turns back to her horrified friend, and leans in to kiss her with an uncomfortable ferocity, a surprised moan turning to a grunt of protest as Luningning shoves her away.
Ning: You're not you. You can't be you.
She shakes her head, eyes wide, and Dare snorts, wiping a smear of blood from the corner of her mouth.
Darna: It doesn't matter who I am.
Ning: That's not what they think.
The exorcist screams, grabs her friend with both hands, and hurls her into the shelf of cleaning supplies. The graceful woman seems to go with it, staring resigned as she slams into the corner, her shoulder jarring off the wall as a rain of mundane objects spills into an unruly pile around her. Darna stares back furiously, then whirls to face the mirror, locking eyes with--
--somebody else. The woman who stares back has a painted face, and shorter, dark red hair. Thoughtfully, distracted by the phantom visage, 'Darna' runs her fingers over unfamiliar lips, staining the eerie makeup across her cheek as she blithely caresses the alien flesh.
??: We thought you were free, we thought you saw everything you needed to see...
The other woman leers, leaning forward to address the Pinoy in a mocking tone.
??:I saw. I see. What you are, and what you refuse to be. I see your fear, and your fortune.
The face in the mirror shifts, the devilish mien growing uncertain, sad, lost, and 'Darna' looks down at her bared midsection, angling the mirror to watch as the scar tissue at the base of her ribcage pulsates, and stretches outward, as though something were seeking to burst from within. Her entire abdominal area follows suit, and with a gasp she clutches at it, forcing it down.
??: You can't run any more. You belong to us.
The voice comes from her throat, but is not more hers than the face she locks eyes with.
??: Why not destroy something beautiful, to celebrate? It seems to be the day for ending friendships.
Her hands clap to her painted mouth, as the words come out, the emotion in hazel eyes warping again as she looks off-camera, toward the corner where Ning has been flung. We cut to the outside of the room. To the closed door, perfectly framed in the center. There's a scuffle, the sound of breaking glass...
And we cut back to the shattered mirror, blood streaked across it, dripping down the frame into the sink below.
Daubed across it, where enough mirror remains to write on:
The camera cuts away.
The camera cuts backstage inside the FNB Stadium and inside The Love Club locker room where Bobby Rose and Jimmy Lane of The Southern Express are finishing up tying the bandanas around their boots. In the corner their manager, Bunny Love is looking into a mirror and wipes away the tears from her eyes and nods. She turns to face the legendary tag team and smiles at her guys.
Love: Well this is it…the night we have been heading towards since last year when we announced The Southern Express Farewell Tour, the final stop…the last match…
She catches herself as she looks down at the floor, not wanting the guys to see her get emotional but it’s Jimmy that walks over and lifts her head so she’s looking at him.
Lane: We aren’t dying Bunny…
Bobby laughs as he takes a few steps towards the pair.
Rose: Yeah, we are just calling it a career, we are still going to be around and you best not be a stranger…
Jimmy smiles.
Lane: Speaking of strangers, did I ever tell you the story about the time in 89’ when I separated my shoulder in a match against The Vice Squad…
Bunny wipes away another tear…
Love: No…
Jimmy looks at Bobby, who shakes his head no but Jimmy ignores him and continues.
Lane: Well see we were in the middle of the month long USA Bash and we just finished night three and I couldn’t sit out the next 4-6 weeks so Doc Barkely gave me a pain killer shot only he missed and hit a nerve…my arm went completely numb for the next month…
Love: And let me guess, you still went out there night in and night out…
Rose: Of course he did, he was a gamer but…
Lane: After every match I went back to my hotel room with that numb hand and well…THE STRANGER!!! It felt like someone else's hand every night for over a month!!!
Bunny smacks Jimmy who laughs and high fives his tag team partner Bobby Rose.
Rose: Do you remember our first tour of Japan…
Jimmy smiles and nods.
Lane: You know I do…
Love: Do I even want to know?
Rose: See Jimmy and I were promised 5-Star Rooms and lavish dinners each and every night…
Lane: Paid for by these so-called sponsors…
Rose: And the first few nights were amazing…
Lane: We are like kings on the dimes of Japanese businessmen, political figures and just fans of wrestling but…
Rose: They would always bring their wives and friends and their friends wives along to show off and each night ended the same…
Bunny rolls her eyes.
Love: Let me guess…
Lane: At the bar doing shots of whatever alcohol they had…
Bunny looks a little shocked at the answer
Love: Oh, I thought you were going to say screwing the sponsors wives and wives of their friends…
Rose: Oh yeah, that was later in the night…
Lane: See those idiots always wanted to try and out drink us and would pass out so…
Rose: We took certain liberties and had our own ‘desert’ if you know what I mean…
Bunny shakes her head.
Lane: We fucked the girls…
Love: Yeah, I got it…
Jimmy nods
Lane: We got a bad reputation and no sponsor wanted to take us out anymore…
Love: Yeah, I can understand that…
Rose: So we started banging the president of the wrestling company's wife…
Lane: She went on live TV and said Bobby and I were the ‘best tag team’ she ever had…in the company she said…
Rose: She even named the yearly tag team award after us…
Lane: The Southern Express Tag Team Like No Other…
Bunny throws up her hands at the two
Love: What’s this have to do with anything here tonight…
Bobby and Jimmy look at one another and shrug
Rose: Nothing really…
Lane: Those were just some of our favorite moments in the business…
Rose: You are the one getting all sentimental and tearing up…
Lane: Yeah, we are about to go out there and have a fight with The Heat Packers and you are bringing up all the girls we used to bang causing us to reach ‘half mass’ on the eve of our match…
Rose: Yeah, what gives…wait did you place a heavy bet on The Heat Packers to pull the upset out there and this is your way to redirect the blood from our big heads too are slightly less big heads?
The two look at her and she shakes her head
Love: Are you kidding me? NO, what type of manager would do that?
Bobby and Jimmy look at one another and say…
Rose and Lane: TOMMY LOVE!!!
Love: You’re kidding me?
Rose: Nope, back in 87, he put a few grand on The Lettermen Club…
Lane: They were these two goofs that wore their High School Letterman Jackets to the ring…
Rose: They were 0-17 and Tommy kept us out all night at the strip clubs and then invited the strippers to the match…
Lane: Brought them backstage and encouraged them to give us lap dances…
Rose: Next thing you know someone is pounding at the door saying our music is playing…
Lane: We could barely walk with the boners…
Rose: We went out there and about 3 mins into the match we both got all lightheaded…
Lane: Turns out your dad spiked our drinks also and I passed out in the ring and got pinned…
Rose: We found your dad two days later in Mexico on the beach with Mai Tais and hookers…
Love: So you fired him!!!
Bobby and Jimmy shrug
Rose: No…he felt bad…
Lane: And shared the hookers with us…
Rose: But we just want to make sure you aren’t trying to pull a ‘Tommy Love’ on us and trying to cash in on an upset…
They two look at her and she flips them off
Love: I would never…especially on our final night together, I know how much this match means to you and how badly you want to beat these two…
Bobby and Jimmy nod at Bunny
Rose: These two sons- of-bitches need to be taught a lesson…
Lane: Yeah, you would think they would have been humbled by now…you know, from all the losing in that ring…
Rose: I mean, for two guys who fancy themselves as ‘the next great tag team’ they sure as hell can’t seem to figure out tag team wrestling here in the EWC…
Lane: And now they think they are going to send us from the EWC with a loss to THEM…
Rose: Those arrogant pricks interrupted our special moment with the Mayor all because they were getting any attention…
Lane: And why would they…what have they done here in the EWC besides hand on our coattails…
Rose: They so badly want to be us, to have the careers we had inside that ring but just don’t have the skills…
Lane: And want to be us OUTSIDE the ring but have small wieners and premature finishes…
Jimmy shrugs and mouths ‘it’s true’...
Rose: They want to be the ones that send us out of the business with a loss, it would make their careers and give them bragging rights to the end of time however…
Lane: What those dorks don’t realize is they will forever be the answer to the trivia question, ‘who did The Southern Express beat at WrestleFest on their final night in the business…
Rose: They will be our swan song, our final win…they will be the ones on the receiving end of GOOD NIGHT JOHANNESBURG!!!
Lane: And GOOD NIGHT JOHANNESBURG: THE ENCORE!!!
Love: And Good Night EWC!!!
The three look at each other and pause for a moment
Rose: All good things must come to an end and tonight we finish off our careers with one last party inside that ring…
Lane: And give the wrestling world one last glimpse of The Southern Express…
Rose: The Farewell Tour ends tonight now let’s end it with a BANG!!!
Lane: And a Heat Packers ass kicking!!!
Rose: Tonight we are going to leave it all out there...
Lane: And walk back through that curtain with nothing left to give...
Rose: So for the LAST time, let's go kick some ass!!!
The three come together for one last hug as the camera fades out
**** MATCH FOUR ****
SOUTHERN EXPRESS RETIREMENT MATCH
The Heat Packers
VS The Southern Express
We return to ringside where most of the front row seems to be occupied by scantily-clad women in their 50s.
Woo: We are back in action, with a match that might be considered a throwback... if one of our teams weren't part of one of the hottest, fastest-rising stables in wrestling, and the other weren't in the twilight of their career, about to embark on a voyage to Valhalla!
Gomez: HAAAA! Are you calling the Southern Express OLD? That's an understatement, Woo. They've been everywhere, seen it all, won every match, pounded every--
Woo: THEY SURE HAVE, Valentina. But in what we've been promised should be their final match, Bobby Rose and Jimmy Lane have one last obstacle to overcome--
Gomez: Overcome.
Woo: --in the form of the Heat Packers, who are fixin' to snatch up that torch and run it all the way to their own historic reign. With fourteen successful defenses in the past two years, the Southern Express are in no danger of losing their legacy, but this is WrestleFest; where dreams come true, and destinies are forged. You see, this isn't about filthy jokes, Valentina! It's about DESTINY!
Gomez: Desti... your mom... nah I have nothing!
Dobrev: The following match is a tag team match, and is for one fall!
The familiar old school synth of 'Chase' by Giorgio Moroder hits and The Heat Packers come strutting out, holding up their index fingers and talking trash to the crowd. They're resplendent in sparkling robes, proudly bearing their logo:
Dobrev: Joining us first, from Memphis, Tennessee, representing The House.... "Dynamite" Dan Funk! "Beautiful" Brodie Dawson! ... THE HEAT PACKERS!!!
The Heat Packers get to the ring and pose in the corner, Dan on the ropes and Brodie on the top rope, holding up their index fingers and talking more trash, asking the crowd "who's the best tag team on the planet?!"
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.
Dobrev: 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 take their sweet time hitting on the lovely ladies at ringside, before helping each other up onto the apron and stepping through the ropes. Jimmy climbs up to the middle turnbuckle and Bobby stands in the corner as both men toss out bandannas to the crowd, Bunny standing in the middle of the ring with her hands on her hips, staring smugly at the Heat Packers.
Woo: Bunny reminding the Heat Packers that they can't look past this - even in their retirement match, the Southern Express are the present, that the Heat Packers must overcome if they're going to form the future of the EWC tag division!
DING DING DING
Dan Funk steps up for the Heat Packers, but "Beautiful" Brodie isn't having it, yanking him back and slapping him on the chest as he strides past, looking to the other team - who are busily playing rock, paper, scissors in their own corner. Dawson indignantly throws up his arms, and the veterans pointedly ignore him, Rose letting out a disappointed cry as he comes out the loser... and is forced to relinquish the prize, pulling a pink G-string from his pocket and handing it to Jimmy Lane, who laughs and shoves him at the scowling Brodie, before ducking out to take his place on the apron. WHAM! Rose goes for a dropkick, only to get flapjacked out of the air.
Dawson darts toward Lane, knocking him from the apron with a precise dropkick of his own, then rolling to his feet and making the tag to Dan Funk. Rose is struggling to his feet when the rough, tough pair hit him, Funk driving a kick to the midsection, then seizing a headlock so Brodie can tee off on his face. Transitioning to a bear hug, "Dynamite" Dan yanks Rose up over his shoulder and SQUEEZES, turning him around to make space for a big lariat takedown by Brodie Dawson! Bobby Rose is in trouble!
Woo: I'm not sure this is how any of us saw this going, the Southern Express needs to get some offense going.
Gomez: Offense is what they do best, Woo! They're just getting warmed up!
Rose tries to crawl back to his corner, but both men grab his legs and drag him back, letting him reach out in vain a couple of times, before Dawson steps around and hauls the older man into a belly-to-back suplex, pulling him methodically up and over, CRASHING down into the canvas. A beat later, Dan Funk flies off the ropes into a bulky senton! The Heat Packers laugh and play up their early dominance, breaking into a dueling strut then toasting with their forearms over the downed Rose. Bunny Love slams her hands against the ring, telling her client in no uncertain terms to get up and fight! Meanwhile, the official intervenes, forcing the illegal member of the Packers back to his corner, and buying Rose a little time to breathe. Funk sticks around arguing the point a little too long, and there's a slap from the opposite corner! Jimmy Lane enters the ring for the first time!
He finds himself outnumbered; Dawson ducks back inside the second the ref's back is turned.
There's no hiding who the favorites are, the crowd exploding as Lane enters with explosive forearms, knocking the Heat Packers down one at a time, then whirling to repeat the process as they pop back up like Whack-a-Moles! After a couple of rounds, Jimmy Lane looks at his fist like it's developed a fault, making a show of blowing on it and then 'cocking' it with his opposite hand, making an exaggerated wind-up before he slugs the next Heat Packer to find his feet-- boom! Dan Funk goes down for the third time, and Lane twists around to double-leg Dawson, spreading the younger man's feet apart and dropping his own straight to the groin!
Brodie writhes in pain, as Lane rolls in ungainly fashion back to vertical base, barely ducking under an attempted lariat by Dan Funk, grabbing a headlock and piling him into the Southern Express corner! Jimmy drops into a jawbreaker, sending Dawson staggering away from the corner to slump over the ropes, then makes the tag, allowing Rose to enter in questionably explosive fashion...
THE TENNESSEE DESTROYER!!
Bobby Rose awkwardly, but in his inimitably bizarrely-effective fashion hits their trademark flip piledriver, spiking Dan Funk into the canvas, and right back up to his feet, where he staggers in a daze. Rose is slow to get up, but it works in SE's favor - proving he can still innovate, Jimmy Lane steps up onto his partner's shoulders and into a tornado DDT!
The crowd, particularly the ladies in the front row, go wild as Lane makes the pin.
ONE...
TWO...
NO!
Dawson is there to break it up, pulling Jimmy Lane off his partner and helping Funk to his feet. Lane stumbles upright, and goes for an ambitious clothesline on both men, but gets a double DDT for his trouble! Rather than make the cover, the Heat Packers take an arm each and haul Lane into their corner - well away from Bobby Rose, who's reaching out frantically for the tag.
Woo: A close call for Funk and Dawson, but they're using veteran tactics here, keeping the other team separated as much as possible.
Gomez: The Southern Express have themselves to blame, for being such a shining example over the many, many years!
Drawing off the heat of the official for crucial moments with rapid tags, the Heat Packers work Lane over in their corner, swapping in and out to barrage him with strikes, until Dan Funk - as the legal man - hauls the stunned and battered veteran up onto the turnbuckle, stepping onto the middle rope and hooking him up for a superplex! The crowd are jeering and booing, and Brodie Dawson takes a moment to cajole them, mockingly applauding for the other team; to a yell of outrage from Bobby Rose, before he braces and pulls himself up to the top. Funk strikes in the same moment, and there's an almighty CRRRRRASSSSSH!!!
There's a Jimmy-shaped dent in the canvas, and Jimmy Lane can do nothing but lie in it as Dawson takes to the air and comes down with a big ol' splash! GREETINGS FROM THE SOUTH!
Bobby Rose tries to enter the ring, but Brodie bounces back to his feet to cut him off with a drop toe hold, floating over to seize a headlock and make him watch as Dan Funk makes the cover.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Funk can't believe it, sitting back with both hands on his head as Jimmy Lane powers out!
Woo: Just like they say, you can't keep an old dog down.
Gomez: Do they say that, Woo?
Rose has made it to his feet, wrapping an arm around Dawson's waist and wrenching him up and over for a big backdrop against the turnbuckle! Dan Funk jumps up, and Rose leaps into a crossbody, immediately wiping him out! Rolling to his feet, he runs over to Lane and slaps some sense back into him - literally - the pair of them turning to face the Heat Packers, and the official looking infinitely resigned as he accepts he's lost all control of this one. The crowd is at fever pitch as both teams, the throwbacks and the truly oldschool, line up in the middle of the ring. Brodie's still holding his head, and Funk shoots his partner a side stink-eye, slapping his chest.
Brodie gets his shit together just in time for both of them to be wiped out by a pair of superkicks from the Southern Express! MIC DROP!
The old timers argue momentarily about who the legal man is, and then pull together to roll "Beautiful" Brodie from the ring, turning their attention to Funk thereafter. Bobby moves to pull him upright, and eats a rake across the eyes for his efforts, prompting Jimmy Lane to charge in for vengeance-- and receive a forearm up into the particulars, as Dan Funk hits a crushing low blow! The crowd are INDIGNANT, hurling a tirade of boos, jeers, and censor-worthy insults at the ring as the Heat Packer bounces to his feet, droves Rose over the top rope with a furious clothesline, and then proceeds to strut cockily. He's so absorbed in this that he doesn't see Bunny Love...
The foxy manageress slides into the ring, wearing the look of an avenging angel herself as she gets into position behind Dan Funk, winding her arm back-- and throwing her ENTIRE body weight, bosom and all, into a devastating counter-blow to Dan Funk's Funky Lil' Dan!
It's probably the most explosive pop Bunny Love has experienced in years.
Woo: Normally we'd hate to see it, but the Heat Packers have earned this, Valentina!
Gomez: Yeah they have! GO BUNNY!!
On the outside of the ring, Dawson and Rose are trading stiff shots back and forth, the golden-maned vet seizing the upper hand to bounce Brodie's head off the apron, then hit a belly-to-belly on the floor! He straightens up to a faceful of menopausal breast-meat, and is momentarily distracted from his task, while in the ring both Lane and Funk gingerly waddle their way back to vertical base. Bunny Love ducks out of the ring, making a very firm point of jumping on the downed Brodie with her high heels as she dismounts.
It's Lane and Funk trading blows now, going back and forth until Jimmy Lane, stumbling away, fumbles momentarily in his tights and comes back with a loaded fist, the Southern Express proving two can play at hijinks as he DECKS the younger man and then throws the foreign object to Bunny on the outside, holding up his hands innocently as he's questioned by the referee. Rose slides back into the ring, pulling Dan Funk to his knees and dragging him toward his partner, each of them taking a hand, and throwing their own arms in the air before they drive a pair of knees right into the battered Funk's face! IN YOUR FACE!!
He's showing color as he collapses to the canvas, and looks out for the count - but the Southern Express aren't done.
Woo: Even if they're going out on top, the greatest tag team in the world won't go out without a bigger boom than that!
Gomez: Idiotas! They should make the cover, there's plenty of time for boom back at the hotel!!
Jimmy Lane has Dan Funk in position for a tombstone piledriver, turning toward the apron where Bobby Rose has both hands on the top rope. The crowd are stomping and clapping, stirring themselves into a frenzy as they sense the end approaching, and the blond bombshell hauls himself up onto the top rope, ready to bid them all Good Night!
Gomez: I TOLD YOU!
One moment Bobby Rose is about to fly through the air, and the next he's falling face-first into the canvas as BRODIE DAWSON PLAYS SPOILER! Leaping up beside him, the Heat Packer bulldogs Rose down in front of his partner, then - with a throaty roar - gives his own a bodily assist, causing Funk and Lane to flip end-over-end, switching places so LANE is the one who ends up spiked on his head!
Much like the Southern Express, the Heat Packers aren't content to leave it there, and Dan drags Jimmy Lane back up by the underoos, pulling him up and over into position for their own take on the spike piledriver. Brodie Dawson scrambles onto the second rope in the corner, Funk jacking his jaw confidently to the crowd as he gets their prey into place. Brodie leaps...
AND FOR THE SECOND TIME, JIMMY LANE IS DRILLED INTO THE MAT! He collapses into a senseless pile, and the Heat Packers drag him into the center of the ring, Dawson folding up the legs as Funk drops into a lateral press, a forearm grinding across the face.
ONE...
TWO...
THR--NO!!!
Woo: Bobby Rose with the save!
It's a tag team sandwich, as one member of Southern Express crushes the other beneath his weight, and the combined weight of the Heat Packers, successfully breaking up the pin but leaving Jimmy Lane looking an even sorrier state as Dawson and Funk untangle themselves and surge to their feet, stepping to a very game Bobby Rose, who puts up his dukes! The pair he's confronting laugh, slapping one another and pointing in mirth at this display, which gives the half-dead Lane a chance to chop block the knees from under Dan Funk, then spring up to seize an arm and whip Brodie Dawson into the corner! Rose checks Lane for a pulse, and then the pair of them pick up Dan Funk and launch him to the opposite side, splitting apart to take a target each...
...and slingshot the Heat Packers together, getting crazy air before they smash into one another and collapse in the pile in the middle of the ring! Johannesburg loves every second of it, and there's fresh place in the beleaguered Express as they strut across the ring.
Gomez: Welp, being half dead hasn't stopped them the past two years...
And it doesn't stop them now. First the Southern Express pick up Brodie Dawson, the very wobbly Lane spinning him into the tombstone position, and Bobby Rose scrambling hastily onto the apron, almost face-faulting off the top rope as he springboards back in to hit perhaps the worst-looking 'GOODNIGHT, JOHANNESBURG!' in the team's long and decorated history.
With one Heat Packer packed away, they turn their attention to Dan Funk, who's halfway to his feet when they fall upon him, ignoring his protested, "No-no-no-no!" As they waffle him with a pair of straight right punches, and then Jimmy risks an actual heart attack picking him up for the second time and getting him, once more, into that tombstone position.
Jimmy Lane looks like they'd rather do anything else, thanks, but Bobby Rose appears to consider it, giving the crowd a non-commital hand-wobble as he takes his place on the apron once more. Bunny yells, "Absolutely fucking not!" But Rose completely ignores her, shrugging as if to say, 'maybe we will', before he turns to face the ring. Jimmy Lane yells at him to hurry it up, and with that, Bobby springs onto the top rope-- balancing, poised-- and WHIRLS INTO A MOONSAULT! It's not even bad! It's beautiful!
GOOD NIGHT JOHANNESBURG: THE ENCORE!!!
He sits out as he spins, driving Dan Funk into the canvas, throwing up his arm as the crowd attempt to out-do every other noise they've made in this long, long weekend, and like the proverbial tombstone Dan Funk falls. absolutely. flat.
Jimmy Lane falls on top of him with a wet gurgle.
ONE...
TWO...
TH-REE!!!
DING DING DING
Dobrev: And your winner, via pinfall ... THE SOUTHERN EXPRESS!
It's perhaps the most special thing of all, that Bunny Love squeals excitedly as her boys get it done for what's supposedly the very last time, and her reaction certainly sells it; she almost falls getting into the ring, garnering a mocking laugh from Bobby Rose, who tries to direct his partner's attention to the sight, but then realises Jimmy Lane is snoring. The fans, still busily losing their collective mind, are treated to the sight of one half of the world's greatest tag team joining Bunny Love in slapping the life back into the other. Jimmy Lane rouses with a snort, asking, "Huh? Did we win?" Before hearing the shrieks from ringside.
The Heat Packers are watching from the side lines, having consoled each other and appeared to reach some agreement as to what they're going to do next - which is approach the victorious team, and stick out their hands. The crowd hesitates and then explodes anew, as the Southern Express accept the gesture and follow up the manly grip with a pair of high-fives, expectantly waiting for Funk and Dawson to hit them up.
That's too much, and the Heat Packers throw up their own hands in disgust, turning away to a playful chorus of boos from the crowd, making their way back up the ramp with plenty of jaw-jacking as they leave the Southern Express to enjoy their final moments in the EWC.
Woo: For all the bad blood, for all they did to each other, respect is still alive! The Heat Packers may be young, but they're a pair of oldschool souls, Valentina. They know what they owe to those two men in that ring.
Gomez: I've played cards with these guys, they should be glad they don't owe more!
Woo: Ha ha, well, let's just take a moment and be thankful ourselves - the Southern Express have had a long, storied career, and we're present for their final moments inside of a wrestling ring. What a time to be alive! Can we get a mic in there, please?
Somebody offers up a microphone, and Bunny moves to take it, but Jimmy Lane wrinkles his nose and waves it off. Bunny glances at him questioningly. Bobby smirks. Thinking as one, the old boys laugh, and - with only minor difficulty - bend down to start unlacing their footwear, getting an ovation as they honor the time-worn tradition of leaving their boots in the ring. They do so with a certain finality, and then Bobby holds up a finger, mutters something to his partner.
Lane nods, and they reach up for their bandannas, folding them neatly and setting them atop their boots. Then it's his turn to pause, tilting his head and miming something to his partner - it's hard to make out what he's trying to say...
Bobby shrugs, and they start to leave, pursued by Bunny, but then both of them hold up a finger and turn simultaneously.
At the culmination of their careers, the Southern Express bend over, and pull down their pants in the middle of the ring.
The camera feed cuts out immediately.
Woo:Fuck! Er, I mean, technical error, folks, we'll be right back after these important announcements!
Gomez: Hey, I was watching that!!
The cameras open up backstage to Melody Malone, clad in her ring gear with a determined expression on her face. A few paces behind her, Rory can be seen keeping a respectful distance as the Queen paces the concrete floors of the FNB Stadium.
Queen Melody: I have spent all season getting here. Win after win, MVP after MVP, and do you know how long its been since my shoulders have been pinned to the mat? An entire year. It was last year at Wrestlefest, when I lost my United States championship… that I last heard the referee slapping the mat by my ear. Before that? Scars and Stripes a year and a half ago… The last time I tapped out? Nearly two years ago.
The Queen fumes, a snarl to her words to accompany the continued pacing as she absentmindedly flexes her hand, the black gloves hiding her disfigurement.
Queen Melody: I don’t care what the people in this match have done leading up to tonight. It is undeniable that I have been the most dominant of the four of us for the past twenty-four months. And tonight? I make myself undeniable again, becoming a three-time EWC Undisputed Champion. Tonight, I prove that Lavender’s ‘reign’ is a joke. I prove that Ibuki Ito is in over his head trying to cash in his rematch clause…. And I prove that El Pablo’s biggest claim to fame will now, and forever be, relegated to the X-Division. The Undisputed championship, and everything that comes with it, is something I WILL carry into the 24th season of the EWC. I will hold that championship in the air, walk into Stranglemania, and avenge the loss from 2020 inside that hell in a cell chamber. I will end this season reminding everyone that ol’ Liz might’ve kicked off, but this is a new monarchy and THIS QUEEN is going to take back the Undisputed Championship. And when I do?
Her upper lip curls, a chuckle escaping before she gives the camera a hard glare.
Queen Melody: My reign, will be one everyone will marvel over for years to come.
She gives a smirk, followed by a wink before turning her back and tugging her jacket closer over her shoulders as she walks away, her voice still picked up by the camera mic.
Queen Melody: Long Live the Queen…
The theme from the classic film, Jaws, begins to blare over the loudspeakers. Eventually a tall, thick man dressed as a Medieval Jester comes out with a trumpet in hand. This musically inclined Jester stops at the top of the ramp and begins playing a melody that sounds like it could be a royal introduction as a man wearing a Golden Dispensaries T-shirt makes his way onto the stage.
The unusually large Jester continues down the stage, walking around the stage, continuing his tune until the man in the Golden Dispensaries T-shirt enters the ring. The noticeably tall Jester then joins the other man in the ring. The jaws theme begins playing again, this time a ring of fire forms on the stage. With his arms spread, the former EWC Champion walks into the ring of fire. Boos fill different parts of the arena from fans that recognize one of the most annoying EWC competitors to ever compete.
Woo: The Most Hated Man in EWC has returned.
Gomez: Draco Lazarus as I live and breathe. Today is a gift from the Wrestling Gods.
Man in Golden Dispensaries Shirt: EWC fans around the world. It is your honor and pleasure for me to announce the return of Draco of House Lazarus, First of his name. The Breaker of Chains, Bringer of Nightmares, Ruiner of Careers, Winner and Defender of Titles, The One True Most Hated King of EWC Television.
Draco Lazarus’ head couldn’t possibly be higher. Making his way down the ring, hands on the collars of the Golden Jacket, his nose looking down on the few hands reaching out for high fives he ignores walking to the ring. The height advantaged Jester holds the ropes open for Draco to climb through. He more so grabs the mic than is handed it from the man that introduced him.
“The Golden Boy” Draco Lazarus: So many of you out there hoped this day would never come. So many wrestlers backstage know the landscape of EWC changes as soon as I walk through those ropes again. Those who don’t know, will soon find out why the newly crowned Indy Champion, Scorpio, reacted the way he did at the Prime Finale. Scorpio, Congratulations. I’ll be seeing you soon.
Draco Lazarus looks at his compatriots, smugness oozing from his smile.
Draco: I seem to have forgotten my manners.
Woo: Who is he kidding? He’s never had manners.
Draco: This is my Manager, The Worchester Squire.
Draco Lazarus smugly smiles, already pleased with himself for his next introduction. He lifts his arm to put his hand on the large, muscular musical Jester’s shoulder.
“The Golden Boy” Draco Lazarus: And this tall drink of would whoop your ass is my new Squire, Managor. These two will be here to ensure I am the only one cheating during my matches. You know how I bring out the worst in people.
The boos of the fans that remember Draco are joined by more fans that are already offput by this scumbag.
Draco Lazarus: Oh shut up. You know I’m going to talk for as long as I want. Maybe I’ll take this mic with me and talk at the most crucial moments during the most crucial parts of the last few matches.
Draco begins to laugh maniacally, naturally the manager Squire, and the Squire, Manogor begin to laugh because that’s how comedic supervillain tropes work.
Draco Lazarus: I do have a confession to make. This was not my first time in an EWC crowd or in the aisle this year.
Fans look confused as Draco Lazarus has not wrestled in EWC since 2019. Draco snaps his fingers at his manager. The man reaches into his back under his T-shirt and pulls out a Golden Mask.
Draco: Does this look familiar?
A sea of Boos now fill the arena as they recognize before Draco admits.
Draco: I attacked
He is sure to use airquotes
Draco: King
End air quotes
Draco: Flip. You heard it straight from the hung like a horse’s mouth. I put King Flip in a cast.
The fans erupt in boos. Fans screaming out You Suck!
Draco: King Flip was right. Salvation had nothing to do with it. It was the perfect time for the perfect crime.
Draco pauses and shares a mischievous grin with the crowd booing and jeering.
Draco: Well not directly involved. He is kinda the one that brought Sienna Wolf into the arena the night of the attack. But Salvation had no idea his girlfriend let me into the building, helped me get into the seats, then screamed to get King Flip’s attention to make sure he never saw the attack coming.
Woo: Salvation won’t be happy to hear that.
Gomez: Looks like there will be some trouble in Paradise.
Draco again laughs harder than he should at stirring the pot,and his minions follow suit. Until he gives them the shut up and stops laughing look.
Draco: To make it clear, I also attacked Salvation at the Wrestlefest Press Junket. Why? Because he is a scrub, and so is his girlfriend. Sienna Wolf, YOU’RE FIRED!
Gomez: Ouch. That is embarrassing. Getting fired in front of millions.
Woo: Personally, I think she dodged a bullet.
Draco: So, Why did I attack King Flip?
Draco walks aggressively to the ropes. Pointing out to the crowd, and all the way backstage if he could.
Draco: I am the King of EWC Television. There is only room for one king here. I could literally do flips around him in the ring. Here are Five Reasons King Flip does not deserve the title, King. One. I am better than him. Two, I am better than him. Three, I am better than him. Four, I am better than him. Five. I am better than everybody.
Draco pauses for the Boo break, which is like an applause break for his asshole mentality.
Draco: Will you morons stop interrupting me? I still haven’t discussed the gifts I’ve sent. Sienna Wolf has delivered some delicious treats to a handful of competitors on this roster. Some of them were invites. Some of them were warnings. Some of them were invites that could turn to warnings. You all get to witness which were which. You will watch the birth of The Hater’s Club. Those lucky enough to join my ranks, will reach news levels. I will help them find their worst, so they can be the best. I make dreams come true for some while causing nightmares for the rest. Gold follows me wherever I go. Most of you remember, Dominic Sanders was a perennial Champion, after we formed America’s Most Hated, he became the Most Important Man in EWC. You all saw his sappy send off. And he never even invited me to the wedding.
Draco Lazarus starts to laugh for longer than he should have. Draco: And of course, Melody Malone was just the Queen of FSW before she met me. I helped her reach the Queen of EWC mentality.
Woo: The audacity of this man. Trying to take credit for the greatness of the Hall of Famer, Dominic Sanders and future Hall of Famer, Melody Malone.
Draco: The King of EWC Television can’t return to EWC without addressing his former Queen’s infidelities.
Draco pauses for dramatic effect. A rare hush lingering over the crowd with this scumbag on the mic.
Draco: Where to begin?
Draco paces in a small circle before stopping on the farside of the ring, smiling mischeviously.
Draco: Well, that conversation is not for the ears of idiots like this audience.
The wrestler the fans love to hate, and really hate, gets another round of boos. He soaks it all in, smiling at both his compatriots.
Draco: Queen Melody, The King has returned. I hope you enjoyed the gift. See you real soon. Break a Leg.
Draco gives a classic cliche villainous laugh, which of course his cronies join in. Until he stops.
Draco: As for the future of PRIME. Jordan Sharpe, if you try to put me in a Gambit match, my music will blast and while everyone is waiting for me to make my grand entrance, I will be knocking down your door, and when you open it, expecting it to some assistant, it will be me, and I will punch you right in the dick. But I don’t think you’ll be as incompetent as Chris Brock.
Woo: How dare he threaten Jordan Sharpe and insult Chris Brock in one breath. Jordan Sharpe deserves better than to deal with this Diva. I bet Chris Brock is elated Draco did not return to Paramount.
Gomez: Are you kidding? You must be ignoring the ratings boost this will give Prime. Draco Lazarus knows how to attract attention and draw a crowd. He is the man the fans love to hate.
Woo: No. They just hate him. Because he is a terrible human being.
Draco: Callie Clark, You’ve had a nice run as Showtime Broadcast Championship. I’ll be sure to take it from you nice and early in the Season 23, so you try to focus on winning the Indy Championship from Scorpio. Not that I need gold to prove my greatness like all these other chumps.
To the rest of PRIME, try not to get too jealous watching my meteoric rise to the top. I am the most talented wrestler on this roster. I turned down the Olympic team because they weren’t up my standards. Get Ready PRIME. The King of EWC Television is about to stir the pot like you’ve never seen. And there is not a damn thing anyone can do to stop me.
MY NAME IS DRACO LAZARUS AND I AM BETTER THAN YOU!
Draco doesn’t just drop the mic, he hurls it into the audience. Luckily some sure-handed fan caught it and walked away with a future Ebay prize, and EWC did not catch a lawsuit. The Squire starts blaring the trumpet, while Worchester Squire holds the ropes for the blonde-haired scumbag.
Woo: I thought he would never stop. The man loves to hear himself talk. One night, and already costing the EWC money. We're not getting that mic back.
Gomez: I wish he would keep going. What does he have in store for Callie? Does it involve Scorpio? How will the Queen respond to the return of the King?
Woo: Only time will tell. But I am guessing most people will not like it. And Jordan Sharpe is in for a headache.
***** MATCH FIVE *****
HELL IN A CELL MATCH
Jordan Sharpe
VS Sour Candy
We return to ringside where a twenty foot high structure now dominates the stadium, the deep red lights washing through vast chain link panels only adding to the forbidding ambience. The crowd is RAUCOUS.
Woo: We're one match away from our main event, and this one... it's years in the making. Where do we begin and where do we end? Jordan Sharpe and Candy first clashed in the Cow Palace in 2020, where the Indy Champion retained in an all-time classic, a nail-biter only to later close his title to Dominic Sanders. But it's been a long road since, and he's gone from close friendship to a bitter rivalry during this past season, as Candy turned Sour and has waged war against her former friends and teammates. Along with Jordan himself, Gabrielle Visconty, Saidie Sharpe, and Carley California have all tasted her wrath - and Jordan Sharpe has had enough.
Gomez: It has to end here, Woo, or a lot more people are going to get hurt.
Dobrev: The following match is a HELL IN A CELL MATCH!
The sound of the opening piano washes over the speakers as the stadium goes to darkness as the video plays on the X-Tron. A massive display of pyro unloads onto the stage as the crowd cheers and the tron changes to J F S.
Jordan walks out onto the stage, wearing black and gold long tights instead of his usual shorts and a hooded vest reminiscent of his original wrestling attire years ago. He takes a moment to soak in the crowds admiration one last time as he's joined on stage by Carley California, Saidie Sharpe and Gabi Vee. He smiles at Carley who grabs him and gives him a big kiss as the crowd cheers. She let's him go and he smacks her on the ass before Saidie gives him a big hug. To his and everyone else's surprise, Gabi hugs him from the other side! He gives all three of them a wave as they head to the back, letting Jordan fight on his own.
Before he can head down the ramp, the lights go dark and a trap door opens up in the center of the stage. Massive flames shoot up from all sides as a man is raised up in the middle of them. Clad in a sweet leather jacket and sunglasses, Nicolas fucking Cage himself stands before him. The Cage takes off his shades and raises a microphone to his lips as Jordan fistbumps him and starts walking the aisle.
Cage: Making his way to the ring for one last time, man, from wherever he wants to be, weighing in at whatever the hell he feels like, he IS Monday Night's Main Attraction, The Rated TV-G Superstar, The Renegade, Born Under The Gun, The Future Present, Mr. Straight Edge, baby! He is the Unlikeliest Hero… SIMPLY THE BEST, DUDE! OH YEAH, HE'S JORDAN! FREAKING! SHARPE!
The crowd erupts as Jordan makes his way down to ringside. He takes a look at the looming cell around the ring and tests the cage wall as he takes a deep breath, walks up those steel steps and climbs into the ring. Jordan climbs up on the turnbuckle and lets out a roar, motioning to the crowd as he drops down and sits in the corner.
Woo: Let's not forget; award-winning actor Nicolas Cage has also been a victim of Sour Candy!
Moments after "I Want Candy" by Aaron Carter begins to play throughout the FNB Stadium, it suddenly switches into a more metal version of the song done by Risen From Shadows. Despite the boos coming from the crowd, Sour Candy seems unfazed as she walks out with a huge grin. She gives them a sarcastic wave and walks down the aisle.
Dobrev: And his opponent, making her way to the ring straight from the Sour Patch ... SOUR CANDY!!!
As soon as a fan reaches out to touch her, SC jerks her arm out of the way and circles the monstrous cell before slowly, somehow menacingly skipping through the door and sliding feet-first into the ring. She ends up on her knees, looking at her opponent with the deadliest of stares as the door slams shut, and she waits for the match to begin.
Woo: I'm scared, Valentina.
Gomez: You're not the one who should be-- ugh, fine. Want me to hold you?
DING DING DING
Sour Candy drifts to her feet, linking her hands behind her back and 'playfully' skipping toward Sharpe, her eyes wide and unsettling. He's visibly fuming, a hand tightening so hard that there's a crack of bone before he dashes forward, exploding into a combination of strikes - opening with a jab-cross she simply shifts to and fro to avoid, smiling humorlessly. He swats in a low kick, which she checks, only to be caught by a hook to the body, a palm thrust, and a spinning heel kick, blasting the tiny menace across the ring. She bounces off the ropes, skidding onto a knee, hissing at Sharpe, "You're a weak little bitch."
"Takes one to know one." The Prime GM shakes his head, striding forward into a teep that knocks his former friend flat on her ass. She stares at him, lip curling in disdain, and he motions for her to stand, his guard up. Determined not to lose this mind game, Sour Candy pulls herself upright but takes just a single step, sticking out her chin to ask for another. Sharpe puts aside his reluctance and steps forward--
--right into a rake across the eyes, and a spinning kick to the knee that drops JFS halfway to the ground. Tossing her head, Sour Candy steps in and nails him with a brutal spike DDT, then a rapid basement dropkick before he hits the ground! Jordan is flung onto his side, skidding beneath the bottom rope where he hits the floor to a chorus of boos from the crowd. The little hellion rolls her eyes, steps to the ropes and vaults over, dropkicking Jordan in the back of the skull. He pitches forward, and she's quick to pounce in behind him, nails digging through his hair as she drags his face across the cell wall. He throws an elbow backwards - once, twice, three times - finally unlatching the unhinged woman and creating enough space to turn and bodily tackle her against the ring apron. The breath explodes from her lungs, but before she can slump to the floor Jordan bends low and seizes a leg, lifting her into position for a fisherman suplex - wildly SLAMMING her against the cell, before twisting and falling backwards to drive her into the unyielding floor!
Woo: They could just be trying to kill each other out there.
Gomez: This is what happens when friends fuck with friends! It's the only way to solve the problem, Woo!
There's no denying the hint of conflict in Jordan's eyes, but he's all business as he pulls Candy up into his arms and launches her against the cell wall with a fallaway slam. The panel bulges and distorts as her body sinks into it and then rolls down the steel mesh. She falls into a seated position, her back against the cage, and Sharpe comes rushing in with a running knee strike, posting up against the wall and looking down at the small woman as she slumps there. He shakes his head again, pulling her up by the pigtails...
And she drives a knee upwards, between the legs, then hits a spinning STO that tears the panel half off its hinges, to an eruption of shock and awe from the crowd! Jordan falls onto all fours, and Sour Candy drops to secure a bulldog choke, driving in several more savage knees for good measure. With each impact, she tightens the hold a little more, until the much larger man stops fighting, and she spreads her legs to begin scooching back toward the ring apron, dragging Sharpe's insensible body along with her. Once she reaches the apron, she sinks in one more knee strike for good measure then disengages, throwing back the curtain around the ring to start pulling objects out from underneath. A stack of chairs, a spool of copper cable, a couple of kendo sticks, and a zip-tied bundle of fluorescent light tubes all tumble out, along with a small red toolbox that she flips open to inspect the contents.
Tapping her lip thoughtfully, Sour Candy picks up a craft knife and takes it to the spool of wire, humming to herself as she slices away the rubber shielding to reveal the tangled strands beneath.
Woo: I'm telling you, Sour Candy has murder on her mind!
Gomez: Don't be such a baby.
Jordan stirs, his eyes immediately widening as he jolts upright. The craft knife flies at him, and he bats it aside, the distraction opening him up for a lash of the half-exposed cable - which doesn't work quite as well as she might have hoped. Sharpe looks more annoyed than anything, catching it and giving a sharp jerk to pull the small woman toward him. He goes for a lariat, but she drops beneath it and hits a running spear, mounting up and raining down a barrage of forearms! Jordan weathers them, bucks his hips and rolls over, switching their positions to respond with a flurry of punches and a meaty elbow smash that stuns the little hellion. Sharpe stands, dragging Sour Candy up in a snug headlock, and start laying in with knees, before going behind and trying to hook in a full nelson...
She struggles back, and manages to sink her teeth into his forearm, drives a heel into his knee, and then steps back into a roundhouse kick to the solar plexus! The force propels him off the cell wall, and as he stumbles forward Candy leaps onto his shoulders and performs a Huracanrana right onto the nearby pile of weaponry! His skull bounces off a chair, and his body slams onto that bundle of light tubes, spraying shards and dust everywhere. Scooping up the fallen spool of cable, Candy winds it snugly about her downed opponent's torso and neck, throws the other end over the top rope, and slides into the ring, dragging on the cable to haul Jordan up by the throat, hanging him off the edge of the ring! He kicks his legs, managing to get his knees onto the apron to relieve much of the pressure, but this puts the exposed end into snatching range - and snatch Candy does, before lashing away at Sharpe's back with the bunched copper strands!
Woo: There are welts all over Jordan Sharpe's back, and he can barely breathe. He may have made a mistake booking this match!
Gomez: But he DID book this match, knowing just how Sour Candy tastes...
The diminutive demoness is laughing as she flays the flesh from her former friend's spine, but Jordan doesn't stop struggling, slowly wrenching the cable from around his neck and popping his head out, then slipping to ringside to escape. Sour Candy POUTS, tossing aside the now-useless end of the cable, and lunging to intercept as Jordan snatches up a kendo stick and starts around the outside edge of the cell. He slips around one corner, and she's there with a baseball slide, missing by inches as he darts aside and around the next corner. She's pissed now, baring her teeth with a snarl and launching into a suicide dive--
--that Jordan intercepts with a perfectly-timed swing of the kendo stick! She slumps halfway between the ropes, and he quickly rolls back into the ring, lifting his weapon overhead and bringing it down over and over with brisk, rattling snaps. Candy tries to slither out of the ring to escape, but she's caught up on the middle rope! Jordan grabs her by one ankle and bodily drags her back in. Twisting around, she's able to hit a drop toe hold, and snatch away the kendo stick as he falls, leaping onto his back to choke him using the length of the weapon, a knee grinding into the small of his reddened, bleeding back.
Gritting his teeth, Sharpe pulls at the kendo stick, trying to muscle it away from his throat - and it's clear he has the power advantage, but Candy feels her control slipping and ups the ante, lifting her legs and slamming both knees into the spine, then sprawling out on top of Jordan as she yanks the kendo stick rapidly up and down, crushing the windpipe repeatedly! Finally, the kendo stick SNAPS, and the choking man's face bounces sharply off the canvas before he flops down, convulsing and dry-retching as he tries to get his breath back.
Sour Candy falls backwards, kicking her feet as she retreats toward the corner, setting her back to it, her chest rising and falling as she also breathes deeply, eyes on fire with a malignant psychosis that seems to not be abating. Slowly, she pulls herself up using the ropes, and then leaps onto the turnbuckle, poising to leap... and doing so just as Jordan manages to post up on his forearms, crashing down on his mangled back with a SOURED SPIRAL! He's in a heap of trouble, as she hooks her arms through the middle and uses the added leverage to unceremoniously boot him in the ribs until he rolls over, and she throws herself over him for the cover.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Woo: Jordan Sharpe is alive! But he needs to do something, anything, to turn this match around before it gets any uglier.
Gomez: What's he going to do, Woo? Go back in time and not be stupid enough to challenge her?
Their noise level has at no point abated - the night four WrestleFest crowd is absolutely nothing if not ludicrously, unstoppably fired up, but they're rallying in force behind Jordan Sharpe as he struggles back to his feet, coughing up a mouthful of blood and staring at Sour Candy, who is staring at him with a look of disdainful disbelief, appalled that he's not only kicked out, but found a way back to his feet. Stomping her feet, she SCREAMS, and breaks into a dash, erupting into a front dropkick!
Sharpe sidesteps, and falls on top of Sour Candy, slamming her down into the canvas, then pulling her straight up into a vertical suplex position, pointing a wavering arm out to the crowd - to a tumultuous pop - before dropping her a second time. She dives at his legs, trying to take him down, but he sprawls, seizes a waistlock, and simply HURLS her into the corner. The tiny woman spins sideways, folding around the corner post and bouncing off the apron before she spills to the outside of the ring, in spite of all this punishment STILL immediately mobile, clawing her way toward the pile of weapons beside the damaged cell panel.
"JFS! JFS!" "FUCK YOU CAN-DY!" "JFS! JFS!" "FUCK YOU, CAN-DY!"
The crowd's chanting gets a grateful nod from the red-raw, stumbling Jordan, but an irritable screech from the woman on the floor, who feels the need to correct them explosively, "IT'S FUCKING SOUR CANDY, YOU MORONS!"
Jordan psyches himself up, slapping his own face a couple of times, an involuntary cough erupting as his windpipe reminds him what a terrible time it's been having. Sour Candy is up on her feet now, a chair hanging from either hand, staring him down from just above the line of the ring apron. She snorts, her nostrils flaring, and Jordan starts forward, maintaining eye contact as he teases going for a dive - and then abruptly breaks off, ducking through the middle rope on one side instead. A flung chair bounces off the ropes where he would have emerged, and with a frustrated yell Candy darts around the corner to try and intercept him again.
A wild swing of the other chair is taken on a raised arm, Sharpe stumbling beneath the weight of the blow, but able to keep his forward momentum, driving a fist into the small woman's abdomen, then switching stance into a horizontal leaping knee strike that smashes the chair aside and hurls Sour Candy backwards. Her arms fly out, bracing her against the cell wall, and giving her the leverage to shove off as Jordan steps into a thunderous side kick, his heel smashing against the chain links with a clatter.
With her opponent balanced on one leg, it's a simple matter for Candy to lunge in and take him down, falling onto her back and using his thigh as a leverage point to toss him against the dented cell wall. It gives way a little more, as Jordan stumbles forward into an elbow drop! Sour Candy rolls aside, seizing the opposite arm and trying to flatten him out for an armbar, but Sharpe is equal to it; rolling on top, and pulling her up for a powerbomb into the cell wall! No! She gets her knees up, extends her legs, and is able to spin out, whipping HIM against the bent links with a reckless flying headscissor, bouncing across the ground and into another section of the cell as she disengages.
Jordan falls to a knee, but shoves himself aggressively upright, and stalks Sour Candy down. She's already stumbling upright, clutching her head where it impacted the cell, something different in her stare as he comes in looking for a collar-and-elbow tie-up. He's quick, but she's quicker, ducking underneath and spinning to drive a forearm into his back. Jordan looks confused, as if remembering something, as Sour Candy grabs a wrist and levers him double, grinding a knee into his spine. Sharpe cries out in pain, but is able to twist out and turn, slamming a shoulder into the woman's gut! Again! And again! Seizing her arm, Jordan straightens up and WHIPS her at the nearly-broken cell wall...
And with a CRASH it gives way, the panel falling outwards with Candy on top of it, landing heavily on her side.
Woo: You know, something about all that looked incredibly familiar, Valentina.
Gomez: What the actual fuck is happening?
There's a whimper from Sour Candy as she starts to scramble to her feet, looking around at the crowd and then, eyes wild, behind her. Jordan is walking her down with a focused and determined look, and she turns away, stumbling along the outside of the cell and starting to climb. He rushes to catch her, yanking her down by the hair, winding in a full nelson that she's desperately contorting to escape, kicking out as he pulls her into position for the Sharpeknife, hammering her foot into his knee over and over until he stumbles, and then twisting out into a sitout jawbreaker to counter!
Woo: A Candy Cavity Removal?
Gomez: Can't be, that's not Sour Candy's move.
Jordan falls backwards, his eyes wide, and Candy runs back to the cell wall, scrambling to climb it before her opponent can catch up to her again. He stirs, but only makes it to a crouch before she's out of range, climbing steadily as the crowd once more rally behind the Prime GM. Sharpe looks distracted, his eyes following the woman but gaze decidedly distant, as with a frown he pushes himself upright and makes his own way to the cell, taking slow, deep breaths as he begins to climb.
By the time he reaches the top, Sour Candy is waiting for him, her own breath coming in sharp expulsions, stamping at his fingers as he tries to pull himself up and over. It takes a few attempts before he's able to haul his body up, taking a barrage of stomps and then an elbow drop to the back of the skull as he covers up and curls into a ball, putting out a hand to ward off a storm of angry strikes.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Shrieks Sour Candy, wasting the last of her breath and forced to backpedal as she recovers, giving Jordan time to stumble upright on the edge of the cell. Twenty feet in the air, he puts out his hand and walks slowly toward the crazed woman who was once his friend, keeping eye contact with her, his lips moving but the sounds too quiet to make it to the distant mics below.
Whatever's going on, the spell breaks after a moment, and with a growl the Unsweetened Treat lunges forward, slamming a kick into Jordan's thigh, then leaping up as he staggers, hitting a big swinging neckbreaker onto the top of the structure! It rattles ominously, and she floats over, grabbing a simple chokehold with both hands, fingers digging once more into that damaged throat, slamming Sharpe's head against the cage for good measure. Desperately, he wrenches at her forearms and manages to slam her down into the cage next to him, staggering to his feet and towards the opposite end of the cell. Sour Candy spins upright, watching him from a crouch with an expression that shifts from weariness to disdain, and then with another shriek she slams her palms to the chain links and stamps upright.
Jordan backs up all the way to the edge, but Sour Candy just keeps coming, launching into a spear! He steps aside, trying to seize a guillotine as she passes, but she grabs onto his arm and pulls herself up onto his back, spinning beautifully into a crucifix hold! Posturing up from there, she elbows Sharpe in the side of the head, once, twice, thrice, and he starts to fall backwards, crashing the small of his back against the edge of the cell! Sour Candy is still attached to him, and they start to drift from the edge, her weight pulling him down...
Every muscle in Jordan's torso is straining as he clings fiercely to the cage, Candy still rattling him with elbows in spite of the very real danger beneath them. With a desperate cry, he manages to sit up, and sprawl out, smashing the woman down into the cage. She starts simply clawing at him, but the hold is loosened, and he's able to wriggle free, getting his legs beneath him and starting to rain down heavy blows, the entire structure shuddering as he plows his fists and elbows into Sour Candy, who eventually falls still...
Woo: This is completely insane. One moment they're staring into each other's eyes, the next they're about to die together, and now Jordan Sharpe finds himself in a dominant position over a woman who beat him soundly for the first twenty minutes of this match...
Gomez: I don't know what's going on, but something has to give. Somebody has to win this.
Jordan is gasping for air, wheezing, as he bundles Sour Candy up into a prawn hold on top of the cell.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
She throws up her shoulder, snarling, and he tries to simply drag her back into position, but she claws at him again, and drags herself upright using his head for leverage, driving a couple of his knees up into his jaw and then pushing away from him to land on her feet, all semblance of grace and technique evaporating from her posture as she slavers at Sharpe like a caged animal.
"THIS! ISN'T! OVER!" She screams, wildly, stepping forward into a forearm that Jordan catches, trying to wind in an underhook, only to eat a spinning elbow strike that staggers him. Dropping between his legs, Sour Candy pops up behind and latches onto his shoulders, dragging him backwards, her knees flying up as she nails the BITTER TRUTH! The cell shudders again, a loosened bolt falling into the ring below. Wrapping an arm around the throat, Candy locks in a choke, her knees still grinding into Sharpe's bloody, raw back as she works the hold. He struggles to pull at her arm, but absolutely refuses to tap, and as her arms begin to gas the woman... sobs? Her teeth clench immediately afterwards, as she releases Jordan and swipes at her eyes, stumbling upright and turning towards him, motioning frantically for him to stand.
He gets to his knees, extending a hand, their gazes meeting.
"FUCK YOU," spits Sour Candy, grabbing Jordan's arm and pulling it across his chest, stepping in to bend him over her knee. Her makeup streaked and stained, her hair a mess, she glares out at the crowd as she holds him in position, her arm around his throat, her back bent. Whatever she's looking for out there, all she receives is a damning torrent of boos. Snarling, she spins out, hauling Jordan with her--
--for the UNSWEETENED ENDING!! His back hits the roof of the cell, and then the back of his head, and he flops onto his side, the panel between them dented and streaked with the coppery sheen of Jordan's blood as Sour Candy flops forward. She does not go for the cover, no, instead she begins to drag Jordan's limp body towards the edge of the cell inch by inch, exhausted.
Woo: Come on! Don't do this!
She hauls a limp Jordan barely to his feet, unconscious as she smiles, and tosses him over the side. However, Jordan can never just let things go and he does the same with Candy as he hangs onto her, sending both of them plummeting some 20 feet below. Candy laughs the whole way as they land in a heap into the announce tables in a sickening thud.
Gomez: Oh dear God.
Woo: Please tell me they're alive.
HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!
The referee is checking on both superstars as they lay, still breathing, but non responsive amongst the carnage. He has no choice but to begin counting. At a count of six still neither wrestler has moved. He gets to eight, and hesitates but still no sign of movement. Finally, he counts to ten and has no choice but to determine that neither superstar can continue this match.
DING DING DING
Dobrev: The referee has declared that neither Jordan Sharpe or Sour Candy can compete thus this match is a NO CONTEST!
Boos reign down from the crowd and they seem to feed Candy as her eyes finally groggily open. She looks up at the ceiling, confused, before…. Crawling over to check on JFS?! She tries desperately to shake him awake but the referees and backstage officials pull her away from him so the medical team can get in. They escort Candy to the back as she hobbles up the ramp, a hushed murmur going over the crowd as she looks back behind her towards Jordan the whole way.
Woo: I have no idea what's going on anymore.
They've brought in a stretcher back at ringside for Jordan and they try to move him just as he grabs at one of their shirt collars. He pushes the medical official away and his eyes open wide as Jordan manages, slowly, to make it to his wobbly feet as he surveys the crowd and the scene at ringside.
JFS! JFS! JFS! JFS!
He stands there, covered in his own and Candys blood as raises one arm above his head triumphantly to a massive cheer.
Woo: Jordan Sharpe may not have been able to end Sour Candy here tonight, but she couldn't take him out either! And that man is walking out of here on his own two feet! What an ending to one hell of an in-ring career for Jordan Freaking Sharpe!
He makes his way up the ramp to the stage, turns to take in the crowd one last time and to their cheers, gives them a final bow.
Woo: I don't know what just happened up there, but I... I think it's over, Valentina.
Gomez: Si, it's over... what a brutal match.
Woo: Yeah. Yeah. The saga of Sharpe and Sour Candy has reached some kind of ending, and we may have to wait a little longer to find out what we just witnessed. Is Candy back? Is she okay? Is Jordan okay? For now, we've got a show to move on with, and a main event to present to the EWC faithful.
Gomez: Uh, right. Undisputed Championship, biggest match of the entire season. Stay tuned, people...
Camera cuts to ...
The camera cuts backstage to find ‘The Prodigal Son’ Buddy Love walking down the hallway whistling to himself as he turns the corner and knocks quickly on the door. Before anyone can answer he opens the door and peaks his head into the room
Love: You decent?
However he doesn’t wait for an answer and just walks in to see his client, the man formerly known as Killjoy but now going by his own name, Ibuki Ito. He places his red and gold jacket on the bench as he looks at his manager.
Ito: Nice of you to join me?
Ibuki looks at Buddy who just smiles
Love: Having two championship matches on one night is killer pal, I have been running all over the place today but now all my focus is on you and the EWC Undisputed Championship match…
Buddy’s smile widens as he looks at Ibuki
Ito: Glad you could ‘fit me into your busy schedule’...
Buddy waves him off
Love: It was no trouble at all, you know you are my ‘Ace’, my number one…my Top Buddy of all of Buddy’s Buddies…
Ibuki shakes his head as he smooths out his jacket
Love: Remember this time last year, how nervous we were standing backstage before facing Ace King, Melody Malone and Moxie…I remember my stomach was turning, I felt like I was going to throw up or poop my pants or even both honestly…we had been one of the winners of the Rumble and yet nobody thought we had a chance in heck of beating Ace King for the Undisputed Championship…if anything it was surely going to be Melody Malone that would unseat the champion but you and Moxie were viewed as ‘extras’ in the season ending Main Event, background actors just there to help the ‘real stars’ of the show but what happened…
Buddy smiles
Love: You were the one that rose up and climbed that ladder and ended the 2021 Season as the EWC Undisputed Champion, shocking some I’m sure but not me, I knew you had it in you and I know you have it in you again to ‘shock the world’ here tonight at WrestleFest!!!
Ibuki turns and faces his smiling manager
Ito: No DQ Fatal Four Way, on paper one has to like the chances of our record breaking X-Division Champion El Pablo right? He has had no equal when it comes to the X-Division Championship matches but this isn’t for the X-Division Championship, this is a different animal all together and I know…I know El Pablo has been in many headline main event matches in his career, I’m not expecting the lights to be too bright for him in this moment. I’m actually shocked that this is his first shot at the Undisputed Championship outside Night of Champions but this is his shot, a shot to become…like his brother Xavier…a EWC Grand Slam Champion. The Undisputed Championship is all that’s missing from El Pablo’s EWC resume and he’s going to need every bit of that ‘Volando’ magic in order to walk out of here tonight the top dog here in the EWC.
Love: Not to mention he’s beaten by Queen Melody Malone to kick off this season…
Ito: Our Queen has beaten many this season including myself, in fact she’s been trying to live up to an ‘Ace King’ like schedule this year. Spending the first half of the year trying to prove she deserves a Undisputed Championship match and then the last half of the year trying to hang on to that championship. The Rumble might have been one of the most impressive night’s I’ve seen out of a champion. Walking into a match where every one of the 29 other entries was looking to be the one that ‘ended’ her time on the throne but she did the impossible, she walked out of the Rumble ‘And Still’ and then what happened?
Buddy smirks
Love: She lost the belt to Lavender…
Ito: She ran out of gas, we saw that happen to Ace last season, the body can only take so many miles before it crashes, now the question is does she have enough left in the tank to cross the finish line. There is an arrogance to our ‘Queen’, a sense of entitlement that she belongs at the top of the EWC. She has beaten me, she has beaten El Pablo and she sees her loss to Lavender as a fluke. She will be walking into tonight with a edge to her that she’s better than everyone in this match and a need to prove to the EWC that she’s still ‘The Queen’, that she still belongs on that throne but last year she also thought this…she thought there was NO WAY anyone but her would walk out of WrestleFest as the Undisputed Champion and look what happened…
Buddy rubs his hands together
Love: Let’s ruin her coronation once again here at WrestleFest!!!
Ito: The way she ruined my homecoming…see at Scars & Stripes I was worried about all the wrong things, I let my need to please others out way my need to remain the champion…I fought for all the wrong reasons and felt this need to fight for the honor of my family and my country when in fact that honor was already there…I was blinded by the need to live up to who I thought they all wanted and didn’t realize I was the son and the man they already loved, win or loss…I had made it in their eyes so tonight I can fight for me and my own aspirations.
Love: For Ibuki and not as Killjoy…
Ito: I am free from the shackles of others expectations, Melody beat a man so worried about what others thought of him at Scars & Stripes but tonight I have nothing to prove to anyone, I know I belong in this match…I defended the Undisputed Championship two times and earned my rematch and like her I decided to do so at the event where my life changed forever last season…the night where I was on top of the world, a spot currently held by Lavender…
Love: Heavy is the head that wears the crowd…and has the target on her back from the evil Queen…
Ibuki nods in agreement
Ito: I have been in her shoes, having won the Undisputed Championship when nobody thought I would or could. You shocked the world at Uncensored and I applaud you. You took the throne from Melody and while that wasn’t easy now comes the hard part…defending the championship when everyone in this company thinks you are standing in ‘their’ spot. We have seen some of the best in this company that NEVER defended that championship, it’s not easy…
Love: And Lavender hasn’t been off to the best WrestleFest thus far, going from a Double Champion to dropping the US Championship and now just a Single Champion…
Ito: Last year I came to WrestleFest knowing I had what it took for become the ‘Ace of the EWC’ and walk out the Undisputed Champion and that belief hasn’t changed, I know I have what it takes to be the top star in the EWC…will it be easy to achieve, no…the things you want most in life are never are but I walk into this match tonight free of the expectation and worries of fighting for the outside interest, tonight I do this for me…Ibuki Ito and we will see where the chips fall…
Love: Hopefully they fall on you and I can become the 2022 EWC Manager of the Year so I can stop hearing about how GREAT my sister is…
Ibuki places his hand on Buddy’s shoulder
Ito: Let it go Buddy…tonight is about one thing and one thing only…the EWC UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP and my quest to recapture what I have lost…now help me with my jacket…
Buddy nods and helps lift the heavy golden jacket onto the shoulders of Ibuki Ito as the camera fades out
WrestleFest XX is at a fever pitch even though the 4-day event is about to reach its climax. The crowd roaring and raucous ready for the main event. A spectacle within a spectacle as the anticipation is at a boiling point. The decibel level is deafening, so loud that the crowd almost doesn’t notice a man with a microphone amongst them. As the camera pans in, its easy to see that it’s Marcu$ $t. John.
Marcu$ $t. John: Are you ready?
The crowd bursts into even louder cheers. The stadium appears to be rumbling and shaking.
Marcu$ $t. John: I’m not here to shill any products, I’m here to hype up the biggest and last match of the year here in the EWC. A No DQ, Fatal Four Way for the EWC Undisputed Championship. The greatest prize in wrestling is on the line and we’re about to find out who will come out on top.
He listens to the crowd as they begin dueling chants for each person in the match. The raucous energy is infectious as more and more people begin to get in on the fun.
Marcu$ $t. John: In one corner we have the wrestler formally known as Killjoy, Ibuki Ito. The Ace himself has been buying his time, waiting patiently for the perfect time to strategize with Buddy Love, and cash in on his opportunity. Now in one of his favorite match types he is vying for history to repeat itself. Can he capture his second Undisputed Championship in a 4-way match, at WrestleFest, in back-to-back years?
Part of the crowd begins a small “Yes” chant followed by a chant of “Ito” over and over again as M$J looks around impressed with the support that his fellow Paramount mate is getting.
Marcu$ $t. John: Next up we have the Queen. Recently knocked off her throne and looking for redemption to capture her record tying third reign as Undisputed Champion. Melody can never be counted out of any match as proven by surviving the EWC Rumble. She walked into that match as champion and walked out of the match as champion in one of the more impressive feats of the year if I say so myself. Representing Rampage in a match type that favors her style, will she reign supreme over all of EWC once more?
Some boos reign down but they are quickly drained out by chants of “Queen” as support for Melody quickly begins to swell in around the arena.
Marcu$ $t. John: In another corner we have a second member of Paramount. The Technicolor Tecnico El Pablo. The man who threw me off the top of the Insanity Cage to gain this opportunity. Unlike everyone else in this match, he has yet to taste the fine gold of the EWC Undisputed Title, which makes him a dangerous man. He’s already proved his mettle as the longest reigning X-Division Champion time and time again. In a match type that he loves as well, will El Pablo spread his Rainbow all across the EWC?
The crowd cheers maybe the loudest for what could be a new EWC Undisputed Champion as “Taste the Rainbow” chants reign out and echo throughout the stadium.
Marcu$ $t. John: Last but not least, in the final corner, we have the reigning champion, The Silent Princess of Rampage, Lavender. After her shocking win over Melody at FNR #507 two months ago, she’s looking to solidify her reign by beating 3 of the toughest competitors in a match that’s surely ready to leave the world speechless. She may not be a fan of Hardcore matches but Lavender is never one to be counted out as she vies for potential Superstar of the Year accolades by adding on to an already impressive year of being the BORT Winner and Hellevator Match Survivor. Can she continue a truly magical season by leaving WrestleFest as champion?
A swelling of support is shown for Lavender as the crowd begins to chant her name for minutes on end. She clearly has plenty of fans in the building that are ready to see her retain.
Marcu$ $t. John: I don’t have a dog in the fight and I have been in the ring with all four competitors at one time or another so I know this will be an all-out war. I wish you all the best of luck. No matter who comes out of this as champion, just know that I am staking my claim to coming after that EWC Undisputed Championship. I’ve been almost a Paramount exclusive wrestler my entire time here but it doesn’t matter what brand it ends up on, just know I will travel from one end of the Earth to another to get my opportunity at that title. Whoever is the champion, I’m telling you now that I will hunt you down. So, break a leg or break six, I really don’t care. To whomever is the victor, may the odds be ever in your favor. See you soon.
****** MATCH SIX | MAIN EVENT ******
NO DQ - FATAL FOUR WAY MATCH FOR THE EWC UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP
Killjoy
VS Queen Melody Malone VS El Pablo VS Lavender (C)
We return to ringside for the last time, and the atmosphere is beyond electric.
Woo: We have arrived. As EWC has gone from strength, to strength, to strength, so have the four competitors assembled backstage for the main event of WrestleFest XX. Johannesburg is watching, as the world has watched Queen Melody Malone, El Pablo, Lavender, and Ibuki Ito through every trial and tribulation of their lives - from child to champion. These four represent the best of the best, collectively overcoming every trial it's possible to overcome here... all, but this one. Their paths have diverged, their identities have been lost and found, and in one - very important - case, she's already lost what she comes here tonight to reclaim.
Gomez: But Queen Melody knows, as we know. There can be only one. There is only one... Undisputed Champion of the World.
Dobrev: The following match is a fatal fourway match, with no disqualification, and it is for the EWC Undisputed Championship! Joining us first, from Daly City, California, weighing in at two hundred and thirty five pounds ... IBUKI ITO!
‘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 Ibuki 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. Ibuki walks to the center of the ring, extends his arms and tilts his head back to soak everything in.
Dobrev: From Puebla City, Mexico, weighing in at one hundred and eighty pounds pounds ... he is the EWC X-Division Champion ... THE TECHNICOLOR TECNICO ... EL PABLO!
A cry of “VIVA LA RAINBOWLUTION!!!” leads to ‘Party Hard’ by Andrew WK hitting the sound system, as the stage and ringside area becomes bathed in flashing, flickering, brightly-colored lighting. As the main hook hits, El Pablo bursts through the curtain, shoving a familiar wheelbarrow in front of him, and with the X-Division Championship glistening around his waist. Pausing at the top of the ramp to play to the crowd, he sets down the barrow of colorful piñatas and chugs Skittles like a Steveweiser, to a deafening pop from the fans! Seizing up the wheelbarrow, he scrapes his feet like a bull and charges down the ramp, finally sliding under the ropes into the ring, then running up the turnbuckle and holding the title belt high above his head to another pop from the adoring crowd. After offering a final salute, he hops back down to the canvas, handing his belt to the referee and performing a few final stretches as his music fades.
The lights dim, but don’t go dark before the soft words of Billie Eilish begin to play over the P.A. system.
Bite my tongue bide my time Wearing a warning sign Wait till the world is mine Visions I vandalize Cold in my kingdom size Fell for these ocean eyes
As the chorus hits, a bright flash of pyro explodes from the base of the X Tron and Melody Malone stands on the stage, flanked by her personal retainer Rory Hyland. Melody stands with a crown atop her head as a spotlight follows them down to the ring.
Dobrev: Making her way to the ring, accompanied by Rory ... she is YOUR QUEEN of EWC ... MELODY MALONE!
You should see me in a crown I'm gonna run this nothing town Watch me make 'em bow One by one by one One by one by
Rory climbs onto the apron first, holding the ropes open as Melody climbs the stairs and steps through with her chin held up to keep the crown atop her head. She gives the crowd a sarcastic smile as they boo, and she gingerly removes the crown from her head and hands it off to Rory as he exits.
You should see me in a crown Your silence is my favorite sound Watch me make 'em bow One by one by one One by one by one
The lights come back up to full brightness, and Melody has her gloves tugged into place as she rakes her hair back and prepares to retake her throne.
Dobrev: And their opponent...
The lights go out as the piano intro for 'The Fragile Serene' by Voyager starts to play. The band appears on stage to play a shortened version of the song live. The lights start to flicker violently at the one-minute and twenty-one-second mark, shortly after the 'fragile serene' lyrics as the band shortens the song to build into the chorus. Through a billow of smoke Lavender emerges, standing beside the lead singer as the two of them stand underneath a spotlight, the light shining down over the Undisputed Championship resting upon her shoulder. She looks out across the crowd as the crowd erupts into cheer. A smile creeps across her face as she embraces their warm welcome.
Dobrev: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the EWC Undisputed Champion ... LAVENDER!
As the breakdown begins and the vocalist changes in the song, Lavender starts to march down the ramp with a more serious demeanor across her face than usual, the adulation of the crowd palpable as the spotlight follows her down. The lead singer follows her down the ramp, meeting her at the bottom as the song kicks back into the chorus, repeating the chorus over and over again as the silent princess makes her entrance. Lavender walks up the steel steps and enters the ring. Lavender then climbs the nearest turnbuckle and holds her arms up high in the air to accept the warm adulation from the crowd, clutching the Undisputed Championship in the grasp of one hand. She remains standing atop the turnbuckle while the live performance from Voyager comes to an end before stepping down to eye her opponents for the first time.
Woo: The Silent Princess, unburdened by the weight of the United States Championship, her skin stitched and her body held together by the fragility of a dream, faces perhaps the greatest challenge of anyone tonight. The target on her back is heavy, indeed.
DING DING DING
How does anybody make the first move? Who even dares?
Fans have been debating since the card was officially published, wrestlers backstage have been arguing all year, who wins in a match between any two of the four competitors who now stand, staring, as the bell rings. Ibuki Ito is ready; but doesn't strike, imprisoned by his own methodology, knowing who he is, but not - truly - who he's facing. Queen Melody was made for this moment, but she's become accustomed to bearing the largest target - to being the one to beat. Now, she's one of an impossibly strong pack, and Lavender...
Lavender is the champion, and now she must prove it or lose it. The season's greatest success story is a mess, chunks taken out of her pale skin, her eyebrow and cheek bristling with stitches, her body already trembling from the rigors of adrenaline.
El Pablo, for once, isn't just happy to be here. He stands on the cusp of regaining a legacy, not just fulfilling the ambition of a lifetime but changing his entire ancestor-damned life. This is big. Huge. It's SERIOUS.
"VIVA LA RAINBOWLUTION!" Screams El Pablo.
"VIVA VOLANDO!" Screams the crowd.
...and it's the incorrigible, irrepressible luchador who dares, daring hardest as he springs across the ring at Melody Malone. It's not the opponent she expected to single her out, and the Siren of Scorn barely has time to register her own shock before, with a disdainfully-outraged widening of the eyes, she's the center of a Skittles-scented tornado, and then she's flying over the top rope as Chico Volando's audacious heir whips her with all the power in his legs, coming out of the flying headscissor - that opens one of the biggest matches in EWC history - with a wild grin beneath the mask, the crowd exploding in appreciation as the remaining two competitors follow his lead!
Woo: El Pablo with the opening statement, cutting off Melody Malone in his first ever Undisputed Championship match!
Gomez: Oh, but you LOVE to see it, Woo!
Ibuki Ito and Lavender cross the ring in a blur, the Silent Princess whirling around into a wheelbarrow position, forcing the liberated warrior to bear her weight for a moment before she seizes the back of his head-- and is launched forward, as he denies the attempt, pursuing her with a flurry of forearms that she's quick to turn into, covering up as best she can, stumbling out of the onslaught into a forceful kick to the midsection, then another, then ONE MORE, tenderizing the Japanese star's abdomen and hurling him back toward the corner. She lets out an uncharacteristic yell, the crowd exploding in response to her passion, and the not-so Silent Princess bursts forth, drilling Ito with a clothesline against the turnbuckle, driving her arm against him twice more, then scooping him up for a BUTTERFLY EFFECT out of the corner. He bounces across the mat, but there's no time for anyone to breathe - El Pablo rockets in from the flank, handspringing into a sitout jawbreaker on the champ! She stumbles back, caught against the ropes, but pushes herself back into action, ducking her head to evade a follow-up rolling wheel kick, flying off the opposite set of ropes...
El Pablo criss-crosses her, accelerating into the second pass, only to rush into a seemingly empty room as Lavender diverts her path and drops into a baseball slide beneath the bottom rope, a sharp 'CRACK!' heralding her boot's introduction to Melody Malone's face, as she exits stage left to go after the former champion! The luchador puts on the brakes, but only momentarily - rapidly deciding not to take that one lying down, and charging forth to dive on the pair of women now laser-focused on each other...
BUT IBUKI ITO PLAYS SPOILER! The other former champion blindsides El Pablo, seizing him around the back of the head and whipping him halfway across the ring, face-first into the mat with a monstrous twisted DDT! TOBIDASHI NAIFU!
He makes the cover, and nobody's there to do a damn thing about it.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Woo: My heart just skipped a beat; Ito came close to shocking the world in a matter of minutes!
Gomez: This is already crazy, but we're just getting started!
Lavender and Malone have brawled their way around the outside, the reigning champ already trickling blood from the unhealed stitches on her face as the Queen makes good on her promise of cruelty. She's in the process of driving her fist repeatedly into the cheek and jaw, face contorted in menace, knuckles spattered crimson, before she steps in and locks up with Lavender, overpowering her with sheer insistence and ripping her backwards into a ferocious spike DDT! NIGHTMARE FUEL! Impaled into the thin matting outside the ring, Lavender slowly crashes onto her face, her body following suit as Queen Melody stomps away, not capitalizing on the opening as she usually might - instead, she's hurling back the curtain around the ring apron, and digging deep into the bag of tricks within...
Inside the ring, El Pablo is on his feet with Ibuki Ito, unwisely trading forearms before quickly learning his lesson. Ito screams at him in Japanese, and the much smaller man holds up a finger, wagging it back and forth as HE responds in Spanish, in what sounds like an admonishment. The big man hurls another forearm, catching Pablo between the eyes, and then hauls him onto his shoulders into a fireman's carry, tossing him aloft-- and losing control of the wily luchador, who slams out both palms, throwing his legs up in the air as he performs a perfect handstand on top of his opponent. For a moment, Ito can only look confused, and then he's eating both knees to the chest, crashing onto his back, EP flying past him. Ito's made of tough stuff, and spins back to his feet with both hands on the mat.
The crowd pop for the luchador, who's already diving from the turnbuckle to hit a massive sunset flip powerbomb! Into the cover!
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Woo: Tit for tat, pin for pin, if these two keep going unchecked they could settle this one by themselves.
Gomez: Please! It's gonna take more than that. Everyone out there has the heart of a champion.
Melody's been busy, a table set up and arrayed with a few select torture implements - including a sledgehammer and an already blood-spattered wire-wrapped baseball bat that's likely been through at least one match this weekend. A stack of chairs lies in a disheveled pile nearby, but the Queen for her part is clutching... well, the her of chairs. It's infamous by now, that gold-plated monstrosity, second in infamy and lethality only to the smirking woman hefting it. And, perhaps, one other...
Woo: At Rampage Uncensored, Lavender used that very weapon to put Queen Melody down like a mad dog, and steal her throne.
Gomez: Turnabout is fair play, Woo. Malone's here for payback!
The crowd noise crashes like a wave as the bloodied, unbowed champion dashes around the corner of the ring, vaults the table beside Melody - and is barely missed by a wild swing of that golden chair! Malone's eyes widen, as with an unruly clatter Lavender swings a kick against the weapon, which pitches it against her, driving her against the apron for good measure. Stumbling only slightly in her haste, the Silent Princess plucks the sledgehammer from the table and swings it overhead, bringing it down on the relatively flimsy guard presented by the upraised chair. The gold paint flakes and chips, doing nothing to prevent the steel from denting, and Malone falls to one knee, all too easy prey as Lavender shifts her grip and drives the hammer like a ram, the heavy head CRUNCHING into the Queen's face.
"HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!"
The blood isn't just flowing, it's POURING, Melody's nose shattered on impact, Lavender panting from the effort of the swing and thrust, but bringing the hammer overhead once more. Up in the ring, El Pablo and Ibuki Ito have halted their own battle, watching as the Silent Princess swings a third time... and Malone rolls aside, fumbling for something stowed within the confines of her halter top.
Gomez: Is that... a remote? You can't just change the channel!
Those dark eyes are hard, and cruel, as Melody Malone pushes a button and lights up the other foreign object beneath the ring. The arena lights are already bright enough, but a spotlamp flares into life right in front of Lavender, strobing frantically in an arrhythmic, high-powered burst on a frequency somewhere between five to thirty flashes per second...
The Silent Princess stands riveted for a moment, and then begins to shake violently, the alien motion of her body disturbing to witness, her knuckles whitening on the sledgehammer which then falls from her grasp as her fingers convulse spasmodically. There's a harsh bark of laugher from the Queen, and the sound of thumping footsteps from the ring as El Pablo makes the save, his slim frame curling beautifully over the top rope to bring him crashing down on Lavender, pitching her toward the barricade before he rolls and drives the heel of his foot into the spotlight. With a sound of shattering glass, the strobing is gone, and the luchador is momentarily blinded for having gotten so close; it's all too easy for Melody, trailing blood from her broken face, to lunge, seize him and drag him down into her knees. Crowning Achievement!
Pablo is down, Lavender is still twitching, and Melody is only too content to turn toward her and gloat, taking her sweet-ass time in retrieving and hefting the bent, battle-damaged golden chair. Which presents all the opening Ibuki Ito needs to re-insert himself, springboarding off the ropes, two hundred and thirty five pounds of former Undisputed Champion accelerating sharply with the whim of gravity as he descends to jam a mighty, explosive Air Raid forearm into the back of the Queen's skull!
Malone falls forward, her busted face bouncing off the barricade, but before she can fall any further Ito seizes her from behind, hauling her up over his shoulders and turning to drop her with a Death Valley Driver against the ring apron! She ragdolls on impact, a grotesque blood-spatter left on the previously clean canvas, and the Japanese star finds himself stood amidst a mess of bodies.
Woo: Queen Melody is bleeding like a stuck pig, and for what she just did... she deserves it.
Gomez: I love violence, Woo. LOVE it. But, this time, I have to agree with you. She went too far.
El Pablo staggers upright, blinking tears from his eyes, a fierce pity pulling his mouth into a line as he looks at Lavender, and then promptly eats a kick to the gut from Ito. Scooping up the luchador, he holds him in vertical position for a moment, letting the blood rush to the head before driving the masked man down with a neckbreaker across the knee, the snap and thump that heralds Pablo striking the ground coming with a scream of pain, his hands flung out to either side. Striving to push the advantage over the man he's already softened up, Ito strides after him, but El Pablo grits his teeth, and recovers enough to spin into a monkey flip that sends Ito crashing down across the steel steps! Stumbling upright, the Volando her is rubbing at his neck and clutching the small of his back.
He moves over to the messy pile of Malone, bending to pick her up only to have a fist driven into his throat. Malone spins and catches him with a drop toe hold, tying up the legs as El Pablo falls forward. She seizes his arms, plants her heel to the back of his head, and hits the QUEEN'S EXILE to a drowning chorus of boos. Laughing, she throws out her arms and rolls back into the ring, keeping her arms raised like she's won the whole freaking match as she wanders into the center, burning bloody under the spotlights.
All the attention is on Melody, until Lavender manages to climb to her feet, still shaking, her eyes glazed, but her jaw locked in determination as she stands with one hand on the barricade, the other on her hip, staring at the blurred image of the Queen. The crowd explode in her favor, and once their chant unifies it's to the absolute, unmitigated disgust of the bleeding Queen.
Perhaps it's the blood loss making her dizzy, but it's a powerful visual as Malone drops to her knees, furiously jabbing the index finger of her ruined hand at the woman who continues to defy her in spite of EVERYTHING. El Pablo gets to one knee, glancing up at Lavender, whose gaze is narrowing. He slaps the floor to get her attention, shakes his head, and points up at the Queen, Lavender ripping her stare from her nemesis, sharing a moment with the Technicolor Tecnico in which they reach an accord, moving as one toward the ring...
In the same moment that Ibuki Ito slides into the ring behind the kneeling Melody, finding his feet behind her, his elbow slashing a wide arc to brutally impact the back of her head! KONBANWA!! Malone slumps forward--
--and both El Pablo and Lavender erupt past her, taking the fight to Ito as a unified front!
Woo: This alliance could turn the entire match around; there's no love lost between Ibuki Ito and Melody.
Gomez: There's no love lost between anyone and Melody, that woman is an island.
At least somebody watching disagrees, but there's nothing Rory can rightly do about it as Malone lies there bleeding, El Pablo slamming a calf kick into Ito, ducking beneath an attempted lariat, popping up right into TASTE THE RAINBOW! Ito bounces off his face, but Lavender is right there to scoop him up, seizing the underhooks and rocking him with a butterfly suplex, leaving him in place for the Technicolor Tecnico to seal the deal, rising up on the turnbuckle to an hellaciously vibrant response from his faithful fans - who about blow the roof of the arena as he spins into his instantly recognizable corkscrew senton! R.P.M.!!!
In his enthusiasm, El Pablo falls into the cover, only to be immediately dragged to his feet by Lavender, and shoved toward Queen Melody. "Right, right, sorry!" Yelps the luchador, as he leapfrogs the woman just now sitting upright, flies off the ropes and waffles her with a basement dropkick! Blood sprays on impact, and she flies backwards, somehow flailing up to her feet in the process. She stumbles into Lavender, who hooks an arm and slings her toward the ropes, waiting for her to bounce back before she scoops her up, over, and down with the AMITY AFFLICTION!!! The crowd are on their feet, besides themselves at this change in fortune for the fan favorites!
Woo: A powerful comeback, but now they've got to contend with themselves.
Gomez: There can be only one!
They realize it at the same time, their eyes widening, and each charging at the other. Lavender goes for broke, diving at El Pablo who strikes first with a flying body press, streaking right THROUGH her as she lands on her back and kips up, turning to face him as he rolls to his feet on the other side. He slams a kick into her calf, spins into a sole butt, and she staggers back momentarily only to stamp straight on back, rattling the luchador with a brace of forearms, then hauling him into ANOTHER AMITY AFFLICTION!
The Silent Princess is gasping, stumbling as she pops to her feet, the adrenaline pulsing through her. El Pablo is down, Melody Malone is down, and for a moment she's alone in the center of the ring - torn between needing the victory, and wanting to pin the woman who deserves the loss. It's a moment that costs her, as with a groan of effort Ibuki Ito surges upright, staggering a half-circle towards her. He's almost out on his feet, but it's pulled out victories from that position before, and Lavender is panicked out of inaction, firing off another two forearms, the mirror image of what she did to El Pablo - but what follows is more impressive, because the man is fifty pounds heavier, and it's the third instance - in fewer minutes - of the AMITY AFFLICTION! Up and over goes Ito, the ring shuddering AGAIN.
This time, there's no thought, no process but win, win, win! Lavender hooks the leg, desperately covering the former champion.
ONE...
TWO...
TH-- NO!!!
Gomez: No! I can't take this!
Melody Malone. IS. NOT. DONE! With a screech she pulls Lavender to her feet, flails a wild roundhouse kick into her jaw, seizes a headlock and lunges toward the corner, springing off to hit a massive bulldog as she shatters the dreams of the Silent Princess one more time. The crowd, previously holding their breath, explode in indignation, as the Queen stumbles upright, laughing, looking around and finding herself alone in the ring with the fallen Lavender, the fallen Ito... and no sign of El Pablo. She's smarter than to count him out.
Down beside the entrance ramp, the Technicolor Tecnico has made his way to the wheelbarrow he brought along with him, and is rifling through the piñatas therein. Melody's nostrils flare, she snorts in derision, and breaks into a dash toward the X-Division champion.
She skids off the apron, thinking to blindside the apparently-distracted luchador, but immediately eats a piñata to the face. The jaunty donkey explodes on impact, but rather than floor Malone is just seems to DISGUST her, as a shower of undergarments coat her head and shoulders, clinging to the syrupy blood soaking her regal visage.
Woo: Is that El Pablo's laundry? Does... does he have an actual home to go to?
Cursing in Spanish, Volando turns back to the wheelbarrow, digs around, and just before Melody can reach him he rears up with a much larger piñata, which impacts her head with a loud THUMP and a robust clatter of metal-on-metal. He strikes again, and the multicolored donkey bursts open, showering Malone with what looks to be the entire contents of a small workshop.
Gomez: That must be where he keeps his tools!
Melody's stumbling, almost slipping and falling on a collection of spanners, and El Pablo smiles in satisfaction as he jams a boot into her gut, and drives his shoulder into her midsection, hauling her over his shoulders in a torture rack - to an excited conniption from the crowd as they recognize the setup from a certain United States champion. The luchador hefts Malone on high, turning as he wrenches in the hold, eliciting a very satisfying moan of pain from the much-maligned woman before he turns around and drives her into the wheelbarrow with a BLACKJACK BOMB!! Fragments of cloth and papier-mâché erupt, as with a distinctly, strangely-plastic aural undertone Malone slumps in the sturdy barrow, her limbs flopping out of either side.
A beat later, Ibuki Ito hits El Pablo's center mass like a lawn dart, hurling the luchador backwards up the ramp. Only EP can fly like he does, end-over-end, up the slope, before crashing to a messy halt halfway to the stage. Landing on his feet in a momentum-diminishing dash, Ibuki Ito lets out a spirited roar, and grabs the wheelbarrow containing Queen Melody, tipping it out across the floor...
She rolls out on a spreading tide of small, colorful plastic bricks. A sea of Lego in every color of the rainbow.
The warrior formerly known as Killjoy scratches his head, but has little time to think about what just happened before HE'S hit in the midsection by Lavender, sprinting around the corner of the ring to jam in a shoulder, then step around, scooping the much larger man up for a Michinoku Driver into the painful mess at ringside!
"HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!"
Woo: As a man with nephews, let me assure you that Ibuki Ito is experiencing a pain unlike any other.
Gomez: ¡Oh, si! Melody Malone is a hard, hard woman. You do NOT want to fall on top of her.
El Pablo is struggling to his feet, and with both fan favorites on their feet, the entire arena is forced to pick a side. A dueling chant erupts, building to a crescendo as Lavender swipes the hair from her bloody face and starts up the ramp.
Lavender fires off a forearm, spinning El Pablo around into a spinning wheel kick to counter! He keeps the momentum going, seizing an arm and whipping through into a beautiful crucifix driver that sends Lavender rolling down the ramp... and with arms pinwheeling, back to her feet, exuding a hard breath that puffs out her cheeks as she stares at the Volando, who stares back wide-eyed as she just TAKES IT. He runs downhill toward her, and she answers with a back body slam, introducing him to the point where the ramp meets the floor, stumbling upright--
--to come face-to-face with the crimson nightmare vision of Queen Melody, who spins her around with a snarl, and turns into a jumping snapmare, spilling Lavender onto the Lego bricks! It's Malone's turn to stumble upright, and then there's a mighty CRASH! The dented side of her own golden chair is introduced to her already-wrecked face by Ibuki Ito, who lets the weapon fall as she falls to her knees, taking a few steps back and thundering in to strike with the KETTEI-DA!!! It connects FLUSH, and Melody's skull bounces off the floor. Ibuki bundles her up, and tosses her into the ring beneath the bottom rope, clambering onto the apron and signaling for the belt around his waist before he ducks inside. He doesn't tarry for long, but the Queen is already crawling away, and he's forced to drag her back into the center...
She twists, driving a boot into his jaw, then springs up, almost losing her footing on a smear of her own blood as she hits another CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT, her knees crunching emphatically against that chiseled jawline! Ibuki stumbles back into the ropes, and Melody pops up again, grabbing him by the arm and waist and bum-rushing him against the middle rope on the other side, leaving him doubled over, his head protruding out over ringside... where she set up the table at the outset of the match. It's still coated in implements, and the crowd explodes on sheer principle as they see what's coming! Melody steps out onto the apron, places her back to the corner post--
--and charges, wrapping her legs around Ibuki Ito's head and RIPPING all two hundred and thirty five pounds of him through the ropes, onto the waiting table skull-first as she hits the EUPHORIA!!!
"HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!"
The table shatters, and worse, Ito's skull specifically struck at the wire-wrapped bat before powering through the wooden surface. His hair is soaked in fresh blood as his fingernails rake across the floor, agony convulsing his frame as he lies there amidst the wreckage, Melody Malone staring down at him through the waves of crimson still pumping from her ravaged visage. Smug. Powerful.
And surprisingly easy prey for El Pablo, who comes running in from behind with an entire stack of light tubes, reminding everybody just why he's the X-Division champion as he baseball-swings the stack into a hellish impact with the side of Malone's face. Glass shards fly, and toxic dust in all the colors of the rainbow explodes to encompass the grisly scene around the three competitors...
There's also the pitter-patter of hundreds of tiny, equally rainbow-colored candies.
"TASTE THE RAINBOW!" clap-clap-clapclapclap "TASTE THE RAINBOW!"
El Pablo doesn't have the heart to correct them; he didn't yet have a name for this move, and that one's taken.
Woo: I'm really starting to hate the smell of those things.
Gomez: There's just so many!
El Pablo is, perhaps unsurprising, the first figure to move through the toxic miasma of Skittles-tainted smoke, leaving Melody down to bundle Ibuki Ito up into the ring. He rolls end over end, coming to a stop at the feet of Lavender, who briefly locks eyes with her former ally - there's still respect, but a challenge too. And just a note of the sardonic, as she sees what he doesn't; Melody Malone, rising up behind him like the ugliest, bloodiest avenging angel, crimson mask contorted in pure hatred as she lifts in her hands the only unbroken light tube from his own hastily-delivered bundle. There are Skittles rattling around inside.
It's not much comfort to the Technicolor Tecnico, as she places the length of glass in his MOUTH and hauls backwards, dragging him to his knees in front of her, pulling back on the tube until it abruptly shatters, ripping into his lips, coating his mouth and tongue with the bittersweet tang of Skittles and mercury vapor. A rain of cups and concession wrappers rains down on Melody Malone, who's laughing, unhinged, as she jams one end of the shattered tube into her ruined face and RIPS it down across her forehead and cheek, narrowly missing tearing out her own eye in the process. This half of the tube is flung disdainfully into the crowd, as the other is brought down into El Pablo's HEART. It doesn't penetrate deep, but it does stick in his chest, as he falls forward onto it, masked face bouncing off the floor.
Woo: I feel sick.
Gomez: I... fuck. Me too, compadre.
Whatever appalling things are happening outside the ring, the Undisputed Champion is focused on her title as it all unfolds, hauling Ibuki Ito to his feet, driving a knee into his midsection and then whipping him into the corner. The crowd response to Melody's actions drown to insignificance in her ears as she rushes in, hitting her Poetry in Motion, ready to hook him up for a Crash Landing as he falls forward. She steps out into the center of the ring, and looks out at the crowd, momentarily concerned that they just don't seem to be paying attention - and as she leaps, driving Ibuki into the canvas, reaching to cover him on instinct...
She realises why. Queen Melody slides into the ring, coated in rainbow dust that clings to her ichor-soaked form like hell's own glitter, her penetrating stare accusing as she strides toward the Silent Princess. Abandoning Ito, Lavender falls backwards, staggering against the ropes. Melody blurs forward, mirroring Lavender's treatment of Ito as she jams a knee into the midsection, then hooks the head, hitting a tornado DDT that sends the champ sprawling across the ring. She's determined not to stay down, flailing to her feet, falling across the opposite set of ropes. SCREAMING in pure rage, Malone sprints at Lavender's back, but whatever she's planning is cut off as Lavender spins into a back elbow, the bony tip crashing against Melody's torn cheek. Seizing a clinch, Lavender pulls her down into her knee, finds Melody still struggling, thrashing, so drives in another, then another, each bringing them further out into the ring.
"STAY! DOWN!" It's a desperate yell, the champ just wanting this to be OVER, as she tightens her grip on the blood-slick body writhing in her grasp, and drops her entire body weight, DRIVING Malone to the canvas, acting swiftly, expertly to lock in her Peruvian necktie.
Woo: The Fragile Serene! And everybody's down! L-- Lavender's going to retain!
There's nowhere else for Melody Malone to run. Nothing else she can do, as she begins to fade in the center of the ring, sharing a pool of her own blood with Lavender - of all people, of all the insults...
She fades.
The crowd EXPLODES!
El Pablo comes soaring off the turnbuckle, hitting the R.P.M onto both women!!!
Gomez: ¡AYAYAY!
Lavender's grip fails, but she won't entirely separate from Malone, there's no way for El Pablo to make the cover! The Silent Princess grabs him, tries to lock HIM in the Fragile Serene, but is grabbed from behind and hurled into the turnbuckle by Ibuki Ito! El Pablo falls backwards, onto his knees, and OUT OF FUCKING NOWHERE Ito just erupts without thought into the KETTEI-DA, almost ripping the mask from the son of Chico Volando as he strikes so abruptly and ferociously! El Pablo looks to be OUT, but Malone is somehow staggering to her feet, coughing, blood spraying, but somehow, not unconscious in the slick puddle on the canvas...
She reaches out for Ibuki Ito, and he blasts her with a forearm, dropping her onto her side, glancing between her and El Pablo before deciding to attempt a cover on the luchador.
ONE...
NO!!
Queen Melody hurls herself at the pair, and they go down in a tangle of limbs. Lavender pushes herself out of the corner just in time to see El Pablo stumble up and out of this incident like he's on fire, a bloody mess himself, dashing blindly at the Silent Princess - who LAUNCHES him backwards with a hasty belly-to-belly suplex, sending him bouncing off the top of the turnbuckle, his head smashing onto the apron and then his battered body clattering down the steel steps below. Melody and Ito are just brawling on the floor, tumbling out of the bottom rope in a furious embrace of fists and elbows. Nobody's okay, and the match has broken down...
Lavender turns and pursues El Pablo, sliding out of the ring, shaking her head to clear the exhaustion of the weekend, all the cobwebs of doubts haunting her, perhaps even the slight guilt of targeting the man she least wants to bring low. But she's a champion.
Champions do what they must.
The Volando looks to be broken, barely breathing as he lies on the outside of the ring, and Lavender bends to start dragging him back into the ring. Inch by inch... until he comes alive! He bucks his entire body upward, managing to fling his legs into position for a flying headscissor that sends Lavender into the wreckage nearby, her limbs flying out to support her - only succeeding in worsening the punishment, as she tumbles through barbed wire and glass, fragments of splintered wood and finally a waiting stack of chairs. El Pablo's head lolls on his shoulders as he all but falls into a dash, lifting up one of the chairs and bringing it down, over and over and OVER on the Silent Princess. By the third strike, there's no defense; he's tenderizing her like meat, and gradually the chair slips from his fingers. He bends over.
Melody Malone claws her way back into the ring, only seeming bloodier than before - but is it only hers? There's no sign of Ibuki Ito.
El Pablo starts to roll Lavender into the ring, but has to stop for breath, pressing a palm to the side of his head. He stumbles and almost falls, taking a couple of steps away from the slumped champion, and in so doing fails to see the Crimson Queen rising above, one finger pointing to signify his doom. She's half-broken herself, but remains statuesque as she poises on the turnbuckle, and launches into a stunning forward somersault, spraying a mist around her that gleams under the bright lights of the arena...
El Pablo is exactly where she needs him. Her arm finds his neck as she descends, and she whips him backwards, all that gathered momentum driving the X-Division champion mask-first, face-first, into the unforgiving steel of the ring steps.
THE ROYAL PROCLAMATION is made! Lavender's down, she doesn't see Ito. Melody scrambles to her feet, slipping and sliding, ungainly but laughing as she feels the crown descending on her skull, feels the familiar belt winding around her waist - where it belongs.
She rolls El Pablo into the ring, spits a mouthful of mostly-blood at Lavender, and slides in to make the cover.
ONE...
TWO...
THR-- NO!!!
Ibuki Ito jerks the Queen backwards, away from El Pablo, away from victory, his arms sliding into the Long Goodnight.
She only has one answer; she drives her head backwards, cartilege crunching, reversing their position to rain down blow, after blow, simple, brutish punches. For all of her grace, for all she's done, the season comes down to a brawl with Ibuki Ito.
One she means to win. In moments, she's kicking him under the bottom rope, diving back across El Pablo. It appears desperate.
She no longer cares about how she appears.
ONE...
TWO...
TH-REEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
DING DING DING
Dobrev: Your winner, via pinfall, and the NEW EWC Undisputed Champion ... MELODY MALONE!
It's some miracle that Malone is able to move at all, but as the noise of the crowd and the thunder of the announcement rings in her ears, she jerks away from El Pablo and stares upwards, her eyes wide within the crimson mask. Adrenaline RUSHES through her system, and the Queen spins to her feet, throwing out her arms, laughing, baring white teeth in that foul field of thick, glutinous red, as half the crowd simply cheer for any kind of result and the others shower her with feelings she couldn't give a damn about.
Woo: And just like that, through it all, Melody Malone has re-established herself as the Undisputed Champion. You may not care for her methods, but she's sacrificed body and soul to be stood where she is - and with this victory, cements herself as one of the greatest of all time, now tied with EWC legend Xplode for Undisputed title reigns. Love her or hate her, you absolutely have to respect her.
Gomez: That's the truth, Woo. She just put three other competitors through hell with her, and she's the one standing. Somehow.
Woo: El Pablo showed us just how hardcore he is, just how much he can take, how much pressure he can withstand, but Melody was equal to it. Ibuki Ito showed us the real him, and Melody Malone was not impressed. Lavender shocked the world, and Queen Melody made her pay for doing that. She is our Undisputed Champion. But let's be completely genuine... she's also need to need a medic.
Malone has the title around her waist, and she's on the turnbuckle, running her mouth and pointing out at the crowd, delirious, drunk on her own inimitable success, when the eyes roll up into the back of her head and she collapses. Right into the waiting arms of Rory Hyland, who saw this coming - and is there for her, as she curls against his chest, her hands cradling the faceplate of her Undisputed Championship...
Gomez: YAAAASSS Queen! All hail!
Woo: Congratulations to Melody Malone for picking up the win after a major battle in our main event. Four days of wrestling action and festivities have come to a close here tonight. Thank you all for being here with us this weekend, thank you for tuning into all of EWC's fine programming throughout Season 23, and we will see you next month for the EWC Honors show before kicking off Season 24! Goodnight from Johannesburg and WrestleFest XX, everyone!
Melody continues the celebration amdist fireworks, as the camera fades to black on this our final evening of WrestleFest XX, a highlight video of weekend and all the big moments, from title switches to shocks and awes and more, before we fade to black entirely.
END SCREEN
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EWC WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP EXPLODING BARBED WIRE ROPES DEATH MATCH Damage Inc Vs King Dong Vs The Bastards WINNERS AND NEW EWC Tag Team Champions: Damage Inc ...
SINGLES MATCH Captain Morgan Darkwater VS JoJo Rush RESULT: NO CONTEST (DOUBLE TKO)
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SINGLES MATCH NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENTION ON THE LINE SONYA (N/S) Vs Salvation WINNER: Salvation
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EWC UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP NO DQ - FANS BRING WEAPONS Ace King Vs Moxie VS Lavender WINNER AND NEW EWC United States Champion: Ace King
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DAY 2
PARAMOUNT TRIPLE THREAT Winner Gets CW Broadcast Championship Match In The 2023 Season Premiere Kolby Kreel Vs Tanja Devereaux Vs Addy Aquilla WINNER: Tanja Devereaux ...
I QUIT MATCH IF GRIZZLY DUGGAN WINS, HE CAN KICK PHOENIX WINTERBORN OFF RAMPAGE. IF PHOENIX WINTERBORN WINS, HE GETS AN HBO BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT THE PREMIRE! Phoenix Winterborn Vs Grizzly Duggan WINNER: Grizzly Duggan
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NON-TITLE SINGLES MATCH Winner Is #1 Contender To Indy Championship Headhuntress Aiya Vs Callie Clark WINNER: Callie Clark
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EWC INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE FATAL FOUR WAY Xavier Reid Vs Captain Morgan Darkwater Vs King Flip Vs Stitches WINNER AND NEW EWC International Champion: King Flip
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DAY 3
NEXT GEN CHAMPIONSHIP SIX PACK CHALLENGE MATCH Donny J VS Jocelyn Gage VS Sunny Skye VS Abraham Gray VS Benjamin Gray VS Logan Gray WINNER AND FIRST-EVER NEXT GEN CHAMPION: Sunny Skye ...
RAMPAGE FATAL FOURWAY Winner Gets To Produce Episode 2 Of The 2023 Season Of Rampage Mercenary Vs Ruthann Hunter Vs Matthiesen (N/S) Vs Andrea Hernandez WINNER: Andrea Hernandez
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TRIPLE THREAT FOR THE GOLDEN TICKET Winner Gets The Golden Ticket To Be Further Expanded Upon At The Season 23 BRAWL Premiere Caleb Scott Vs Chelsea Skye Vs Darius WINNER: Darius
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NON-TITLE SINGLES MATCH If Asriel Buzzard Wins, He's The #1 Contender To The EWC North American Championship Asriel Buzzard Vs Marcu$ $t. John WINNER: Marcu$ $t. John
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EWC INDY CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES MATCH, SCORPIO'S PRIME MINISTER NECKLACE VS NARUMI'S INDY CHAMPIONSHIP Scorpio Vs Narumi Tsutsumi WINNER AND NEW INDY CHAMPION: Scorpio
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DAY 4
SINGLES MATCH If Jack Severn Loses, He Is Fired From The EWC Jack Severn Vs KU WINNER: Jack Severn ...
PRIMETime Briefcase Ladder Match Alyson Cross Vs Dalilah Ashe Vs Amber Lisa Hall Vs Yasin (N/S) WINNER: Dalilah Ashe
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SINGLES MATCH EWC FX BROADCAST CHAMPIONSHIP Melinda Rhodes Vs Gabrielle Visconty WINNER AND NEW FX Broadcast Champion: Melinda Rhodes
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SOUTHERN EXPRESS RETIREMENT MATCH The Heat Packers Vs The Southern Express WINNERS: The Southern Express
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HELL IN A CELL MATCH Jordan Sharpe Vs Sour Candy RESULT: NO CONTEST
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NO DQ - FATAL FOUR WAY MATCH FOR THE EWC UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP Killjoy VS Queen Melody Malone VS El Pablo VS Lavender WINNER AND NEW EWC Undisputed Champion: Queen Melody Malone