ONE NIGHT ENCOUNTER

[EWC]

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.

Poster: Cosmo Goldworthy

The Extreme Wrestling Corporation presents

ONE NIGHT ENCOUNTER
Brought to you by EWCTV, Under Armour, PS5 and Dr. Pepper

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DECEMBER 4TH 2023
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LIVE! from Japan National Stadium in Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

ONE NIGHT ENCOUNTER

Commentators: Marcus Woo & Valentina Gomez
Backstage Reporter: Pepper Montana

Announcer: Nina Dobrev
Senior Referee: Toyo Yasahiro
Referees: John Dean & Niklaus Forbes

"One Night Only" by The Struts begins to blast throughout Japan National Stadium in Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

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, Luke Wolfe, Natalie Young, Candy, Dominic Sanders, Cyrus Black, Melody Malone, Scorpio, Xavier Reid, Jordan Sharpe, Stitches, Ace King, Killjoy Ito, Melody Malone, Lavender and recent shots of Xavier Reid all with the EWC Undisputed Championship.

This is followed by highlights of showcasing current EWC Champions:


Xavier Reid

Jojo Rush

The Heat Packers

Chris Page

Ibuki Ito

Callie Clark

Stitches

Cosmo Goldworthy

Marcu$ $t John

"Headhuntress" Aiya

Sunny Skye 

The opening pyros hit and here we go.

The energy in Japan National Stadium is insane as the crowd is absolutely electrifying in their uproar of cheers. Spotlights circle around the stadium as the sold out fans in attendance are shown in a wide angle shot.

Poster: MERCENARY

EWC

EWC

EWC

EWC


EWC

DID YOU KNOW THAT ONE STANDS FOR ONE NIGHT ENCOUNTER?

THE HOUSE ALWAYS TWINS...WAIT...

(BEST BRITISH ACCENT I CAN MUSTER) WARGAMES!

SNITCHES GET, WELL, YOU KNOW... 

KINGLESS FLIPGRESSION 

I FOR ONE AM ROOTING FOR EWC'S MIGHTIEST HEROES

YO HO HO AND A BOTTLE OF CAPTAIN MORGAN'S FINEST DARKWATER

HOW SHARP IS SAIDIE SHARPE? 

INSERT MONKEY MEME HERE

HURR HURR, THE PERSON BEHIND ME CAN'T SEE

Fireworks emit outside Japan National 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: Hello everyone and welcome to ONE NIGHT ENOUNTER! I'm Marcus Woo along with Valentina Gomez, and our final stop before WRESTLEFEST XXI is a dooozy!

Gomez: Fans, you voted on the matches we're presenting here tonight and what a lineup we have!

Woo: A series of singles contests per the fan vote begins with Caleb Scott taking on The Mercenary, a clash between former champions!

Gomez: Both men have some big matches ahead of them at WrestleFest, so you gotta wonder who's gonna have that extra boost of momentum after what is sure to be a hard-hitting battle!

Woo: We also have Emiko Okita taking on Emmanuelle in a classic fight between RAMPAGE and BRAWL...which is mirrored by a long-awaited battle between King Flip and Ruthless Aggression!

Gomez: Emiko versus Emmanuelle is gonna be a thrill ride to say the least, and I'm curious to see if Flip invokes the recent Mad King persona going up against the Hall of Famer here tonight!

Woo: Just to show the diversity of styles in play tonight, we have some curious matchups as well, with the Headhuntress Aiya taking on Stitches and Morgan Darkwater taking on Sally Talfourd!

Gomez: Aiya and Stitches do have the X-Division in common here, that hardcore nature underlying their usual choices of repertoire here tonight! I do agree that Talfourd taking on Darkwater will definitely be an interesting mesh of styles, however!

Woo: One match that fans have been clamoring for is about to finally take place tonight, as Shinijoshi members Narumi Tsutsumi and Saidie Sharpe collide!

Gomez: Bit of a war of words exchanged between them, Marcus, which tells me this match is gonna fire on all cylinders!

Woo: And of course, we have our main event of the evening...the return of WarGames to EWC, as six unique individuals within the company have teamed together to take on The House in its entirety!

Gomez: With everything we've seen this season, I can't help but wonder if Ace King, Chris Brock, Marcu$ $t. John, Melody Malone, Grizzly Duggan, and Xavier Reid can truly coexist long enough to take down the potential onslaught of The House ahead of WrestleFest!

Woo: It'll be a heck of a way to cap off this special night of action, and we will get to the start of our in-ring action in just a moment!

As if on cue, the feed then switches to an ad for EWCTV.

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So act now if you aren't already subscribed to EWCTV

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SINGLES MATCH
CALEB SCOTT
Vs THE MERCENARY

We return to ringside where commentary is standing by!

Woo: Here we go folks, our first match of the night sees Caleb Scott taking on The Mercenary!

Gomez: A former FX Broadcast Champion and a former EWC United States Champion, both looking for that crucial bit of momentum ahead of WrestleFest!

Dobrev: The following match is set for one fall. Joining us first, from St Cloud, Minnesota and weighing in at 215 pounds... CALEB SCOTT!

Lights go black as Ze Nigmar plays. Four hooded figures with torches come out and stand on the stage, two on each side of the entrance. Lights stay off as the song intro plays. Once the drums start, a single beam of light from above the ring shoots to the stage as Caleb Scott and Luke Mason walk out through a thick white fog and stands between the hooded drudges. Holding his chain-wrapped bat in his hand, Caleb stands there for a few seconds looking out at the crowd with Luke. They begin to slowly walk to the ring as a short row of fire ignites on either side of the entrance ramp. Caleb approaches the steel steps and places his bat on the top step while Luke stands beside him. Caleb pauses before going up the steps and into the ring while Luke slides in under the bottom rope, the single beam of light follows Caleb the entire time. He walks towards the corner and stands on the middle rope and Luke stands between the turnbuckles, against the ropes. Caleb stares out into the crowd for a few seconds before extending his arms to the side and tilting his head back as the lights fade back on.

Dobrev: And the opponent, hailing from West Oakland California He is the EWC Outlaw. He is:

The Mercenary

Black Label Society's Fire It Up starts to play as Mercenary rolls out onto the top of the stage astride his custom Harley Davidson.  Pausing he salutes the fans with a raised fist before taking off his signature shades and tossing them out to a lucky fan.

Revving the engine while holding the brake Mercenary burns out before rolling down the ramp in a cloud of smoke.  Parking the bike at ringside he stomps up the steps, steps through the ropes and again salutes the audience before throwing some shadow punches and preparing for a fight.

DING DING DING

Mercenary smacks Scott with a strong style clothesline that knocks him down. Mercenary pulls Scott to his feet and cracks him in the lower back with a forearm before whipping Scott off the ropes. Mercenary scoops Scott up as he rebounds back and launches him over his head with a standing fallaway slam. Scott pulls himself to his feet but Mercenary hips him into the corner. He follows Scott into the corner with a clothesline before bringing Scott out of the corner with a bulldog. Mercenary rolls him over and makes a cover.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Caleb lifts a shoulder off the mat to break the count. Mercenary lifts Scott to his feet. Scott manages to grab Mercenary and brings him crashing to the mat with a spinebuster. Both get to their feet but Scott knocks Mercenary back with forearms to the jaw. Scott whips Mercenary off the ropes before catching him and taking him to the mat with an STO. He lays atop both of Mercenary’s arms and hooks a leg.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Mercenary has to roll to his side to break the count.

Woo: Not the best of starts to this one but Caleb Scott almost had this won right there!

Gomez: Smart wrestling to lay on the arms. You can’t lift an arm if you can’t move it.

As Mercenary gets to his feet, Scott runs off the ropes and smacks Mercenary with a clothesline from hell. Scott climbs to the top turnbuckle and crashes down onto Mercenary with a moonsault. Mercenary rolls to his feet clutching his ribs. Scott charges at Mercenary taking him down with a spear. He hooks the legs.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Mercenary manages to lift a shoulder off the mat breaking the count. Scott lifts Mercenary to his feet and positions him before driving Mercenary to the mat with Grim Death. Scott drops onto Mercenary and hooks the leg.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Mercenary just manages to roll a shoulder from the mat to break the count.

Woo: Just and no more! I don’t know where he found the strength to kick out!

Gomez: I don’t know if that was a kick out or just a very lucky muscle spasm.

Scott lifts Mercenary up to his feet and then up for Cemetery Moonlight. Mercenary manages to slip from Scott’s grasp and drives him to the mat with a pumphandle slam. Mercenary then drops down with a guillotine leg drop. Scott tries to get to his feet but Mercenary grabs him dropping Scott to the mat with a gonzo bomb. He rolls Scott over and hooks the leg.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Scott just manages to lift a shoulder off the mat to break the count. Mercenary scowls at the referee and drags Scott to his feet. He lifts Scott up onto his shoulder and drives Scott to the mat with a Saturn Driver. He rolls Scott over and makes a cover.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Scott rolls to his side breaking the count.

Woo: How is that a kick out? How is he even moving?

Gomez: I wish I knew! Mercenary tried to make him a permanent part of the ring with that Saturn driver!

Mercenary pulls Scott to his feet and cracks him with a forearm to the jaw and whips him off the ropes. Mercenary catches Scott and spins him to the mat with a Deadpool Drop that echoes through the venue. Mercenary hooks the leg.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Scott rolls to his front to break the count. Mercenary pulls Scott to his feet and positions him for a Punisher Suplex but Scott manages to block and hoists Mercenary into the air. Scott brings Mercenary crashing to the mat with Cemetery Moonlight. He holds Mercenary’s shoulders down with his feet

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Mercenary gets a hand onto the bottom rope to break the count.

Woo: Now THAT was luck and nothing else!

Gomez: I think it’s ring positioning. Always learn to mind your surroundings. Middle of the ring and this match is over but Mercenary knew how close he was to the ropes.

Scott gets to his feet and lifts Mercenary to his. He positions Mercenary for a Grave Plot but Mercenary rolls Scott in a sunset flip. Both roll to their feet where Mercenary grabs Scott driving him to the mat with a Grave Breaker. He rolls Scott over and makes a cover as the referee counts.

ONE…



TWO…



THREE!

DING DING DING

Dobrev: And your winner, via pinfall MERCENARY!

Mercenary raises his fists in the air in victory and stalks around the ring before heading out of the ring to his bike. He gets on and rides up the ramp.

Woo: That was a fight. That was damn near a war but Mercenary is the one that rides away victorious here at One Night Encounter. Sometimes a little luck puts you in a position to hit your finisher just like Mercenary did here.

Gomez: Caleb Scott lifted him for the Grave Plot. If he’d hit that, planted Mercenary through the ring, I believe we would be hearing a different song play over the P.A system right now. That is how close this one was even if Caleb Scott doesn’t feel like it right now.

Woo: Great match here, and Merc now has his eyes set on the tag match with Vin Havoc at WrestleFest as Scott looks to rebound when he faces JoJo Rush for the EWC International Championship!

Gomez: And with that, the action rolls on as we get ready to see Emiko Okita take on Emmanuelle!

Before we get to that, however, the Extreme Tron flashes on ...

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Tonight is the night many have been waiting to see in a one on one match. It is funny how these two never faced each other inside of that ring against each other. It could be because destiny felt this is the time it needed to happen for these two. Two of the many pillars of the best company are against each other inside of that ring for ONE night only. Nights like this are what fans are happy to see to happen because they have the chance to book their dream matches. This one is a dream match even if some might feel it isn’t.

The fans have spoken.
The fans wanted it and they got it.
Two friends that are ready to battle.


The Mad King himself King Flip, a man whose career has spoken volumes here in the company. Since he came back has been an unstoppable force facing ones like Candy, Queen Melody, and having fierce battles with the one and only Xavier Reid but at this moment it seems like King Flip. The man all the fans loved feels a bit lost with his career.

At this moment The Mad King is trying to figure out what should be his next move since he has lost the shot for The International Championship that he has been chasing after for the longest in his career. He is known around the company as Mister International Champion because he has won that title 3x and he wants to make it a four time and want to face his Number 1 enemy the one and only Xavier Reid. He wants to be known as someone great in the company. His path to this greatness is on a head on collision with the one and only...

The Queen of EWC Past Ruthless Aggression that has come back because she has some unfinished business when it comes to her own career. She also steps inside of the ring with some of the best of the company. One of her close friends Ace King, Jojo Rush,and the Queen of this Era Melody Malone and many others. These two did face each other before inside of the ring but it was in a tag team match that just teased a bit what these two can do inside of the ring if they were ever to come face to face.

Now tonight that is happening.

King Flip The King of the company against the Queen of the Past.

So will the Queen for down to her knees and Hail The King...

Or

Will the King be the one on bended knee?

Are you ready.....

Let the blood Flow....

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SINGLES MATCH
EMIKO OKITA
Vs EMMANUELLE

There’s a buzz in the air as “Abnormal” hits, yet Emiko doesn’t emerge immediately. The camera pans to the entrance ramp just as the mechanical cacophony of bike engines is heard from nearby. Suddenly two women in full delinquent gear ride in on motorcycles with samurai like banners strapped to the back - one reading “OKITA” the other “PONYTAILS”- the two nod to each other and stall their bikes for the moment. Finally a third bike emerges through the curtain, with none other than Emiko Okita riding it. She’s got her kamikaze jacket on over her ring gear, and the banner on her bike reads “SHINIJOSHI”. The trio bump fists and then Emiko points her rhinestone baseball bat at the ring. At this command they all ride down to the ramp.

Dobrev:“The following match is a singles contest scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Warabi, Saitama, Japan, weighing 134 pounds and representing Shinijoshi. She is “Abnormal” EMIKO OKITA!

Once at ringside they circle the ring, stopping at the base of the ramp. Emiko climbs off her bike and throws her arms out to either side, drawing hometown cheers and even a few calls of “Emiko!”. She then hands her bat to one biker, removes her coat and hands it to the other. Emiko smiles as she takes in the Tokyo welcome, then walks up to a young woman at ringside. She hands the woman her sunglasses, then grins before rolling into the ring and limbering up.

As soon as her music fades out, B.I.T.C.H. hits and the shot returns to the ramp. It takes a few moments but soon the Platinum Standard saunters out onto the stage. The first thing eagle eyed fans will notice is that under a fancy silver entrance robe she’s wearing her pink, green and white gear reserved for exhibition and light hearted matches. The confidence oozing from her is palpable, and it’s clear she doesn’t consider her opponent to be a serious threat. Still, there’s a show to put on, so she makes her way down the ramp like a movie star at the Oscars.

Dobrev: And her opponent, from Pacific Palisades, California, weighing 135 pounds, she is the "Platinum Standard" EMMANUELLE!

Emmanuelle takes her time to get to ringside, stopping a couple times to look out over the crowd in the National Stadium. Once at ringside she makes a show of circling the ring just as Emiko did, her robe flowing behind her dramatically. After a full circuit around the ring she climbs up the ring steps to the apron and strikes a pose for the cameras. It’s only after a couple of poses that she steps into the ring. As her music fades out, Emmanuelle removes her robe, handing it to staff at ringside.

DING DING DING

Emiko wastes no time marching out to the center of the ring, eyes locked on Emmanuelle. While she’s ready to throw down, the Platinum Standard takes her sweet time walking out to meet her. Emmanuelle then takes a moment to look her opponent over from head to toe and shrugs dismissively. Enraged by the disrespect, Emiko booted her square in the chest. She then landed a super kick so stiff it threw Emannuelle back into the corner. Emiko then pounded away with a trio of knife edge chops to her opponent’s chest. It’s at this point that Emmanuelle comes to life, ducking a fourth chop to come up behind Emiko. As soon as the Abnormal girl turns around she eats an even stiffer closed fist punch to the face. Now it’s Emmanuelle who unloads stuff blows to the younger woman. Each one seems to take a little more out of Emiko until she slumps back against the turnbuckles.

Emmanuelle grins meanly as she digs her hands into Emiko’s hair before tossing her out of the corner head first. Emiko hits the mat but rolls through, only to turn around into a running big boot that sends her crashing to the mat again. Emmanuelle mockingly kicks at Emiko’s side as the girl climbs back to her feet, glaring up into the Platinum Standard’s eyes. As a reward she gets a European Uppercut to the jaw that staggers her back to the ropes. Emmanuelle stalks her prey, firmly believing she’s got the upper hand. As soon as she gets within arm’s reach, Emiko roars back to life with a stiff closed fist punch right to the mouth! Emmanuelle tries a short arm clothesline but Emiko ducks under, runs the ropes and slams into Emannuelle with a spear!

Emmanuelle holds her ribs in pain as Emiko lets out a battle cry that gets the crowd cheering. Unrelenting, Emiko wraps her arms around her opponent’s waist and pulls her up off the mat - release German Suplex! Emmanuelle hits the mat hard and rolls over to her knees just as Emiko rushes in and dropkicks her into the turnbuckles! Emmanuelle rebounds off of them favoring her back and Emiko storms in to just about take her head off with a lariat. The Platinum Standard is a little slower to get back to her feet, giving Emiko time to run the ropes and build momentum. As soon as Emmanuelle is up she rushes in, only to nearly get decapitated by a discus lariat. Emiko lands hard and favors her neck as she tries to get back to her feet. Before she can, Emmanuelle sends her flying into the corner with a shotgun dropkick. Emiko hits with a sickening thud and collapses to the mat. Emmanuelle goes for the cover.

One. Two. Emiko kicks out!

Woo: That thud echoed around this venue and still a kick out! 

Gomez: The landing will not have helped her neck either. Emiko Okita may have benefitted from staying down. 

Emmanuelle again buries her hands in Emiko’s hair, lifting her up just to slam the back of her head into the mat once, then twice. Emiko tries to cover up her head and neck while trying to roll away from her opponent. There’s no respite for her as Emmanuelle rains forearms down onto her. That mean grin grows on her lips as she continues, only to be thrown off in a sudden surge of power from Emiko. Emmanuelle crashes to a sitting position and laughs at the defiance, as if it’s a joke that Emiko thinks it’s possible to go toe to toe with her. Emiko pulls herself up on the ropes and is met by a stiff forearm from Emmanuelle. Emiko fires back with one stiff enough to stagger Emmanuelle back. She tries to follow up with a lariat and Emmanuelle upper cuts her, then boots her in the gut. The Platinum Standard pulls her in, then lifts Emiko up into a suplex; she shows off her strength by holding Emiko up for a moment before driving her down into the mat. She then casually rolls over on top of Emiko for the pin.

One. Two. Emiko kicks out!

Emmanuelle wastes no time pulling Emiko up off the mat and clubs her back with a series of forearms before pulling her into the powerbomb position. An impactful piledriver is the result, but shockingly Emiko rolls over to a kneeling position and roars with fury. Before Emmanuelle can react Emiko slugs her right in the face with a haymaker. Both women scramble to their feet and Emmanuelle boots Emiko in the gut before running the ropes. On the rebound Emiko catches her - powerslam! Emiko hooks the leg.

One. Two. Emmanuelle kicks out!


Woo: The hell did that come from? 

Gomez: The powerslam or the kick out? Either way I don't know. 

Now in control, Emiko returns the favor to Emmanuelle, burying her hands in the Platinum Standard’s hair. She forcefully pulls Emmanuelle up off the mat and headbutts her! Emiko then lifts her up into a vertical suplex, holding Emmanuelle up there for a moment before dropping her with a brainbuster! As Emmanuelle struggles back up to her feet Emiko runs to the ropes, a violent grin on her own lips. Emmanuelle staggers to her feet just in time to be met with a springboard bicycle knee to the face. The Platinum Standard hits the mat hard, but spitefully pushes herself up off the mat into a kneeling position. Emiko flips her the bird and connects with a BACK ALLEY KICK! Emmaneulle slumps to the mat and Emiko hooks the leg.

One. Two. T-Emmanuelle kicks out!

Emiko slaps the mat emphatically to get her hometown crowd fired up, then once again pulls Emmanuelle up by her hair. She shouts something in Japanese and then lifts her up - lifting European Upperc- no! Emmanuelle headbutts Emiko and escapes the move. Emmanuelle taunts her opponent, who tries to launch a barrage of strikes but the Platinum Standard is ready - COUNTER CROSS! Emmanuelle staggers Emiko but falls back to the ropes as she still hasn’t shaken the cobwebs fully.There isn’t much time to do so as Emiko recovers and charges in, clotheslining Emmanuelle over the top rope to the floor! Emiko flexes her muscles and plays to the hometown crowd while Emmanuelle lays on the floor and tries to regain her wits.

The count reaches four before Emmanuelle is able to pull herself up onto the ring apron. There’s a flash of green and purple as Emiko rushes with a baseball slide that knocks Emmanuelle into the ringside barrier and makes her double over. Emiko is right on top of her, grabbing her by the gear and clearly thinking of getting creatively violent. She begins to whip Emmanuelle towards the ring steps, but the Platinum Standard uses her momentum against her - Emiko flies face first into the ring post with a sickening THWACK. The Abnormal one collapses onto the ring steps, clutching her head. Emmanuelle laughs evilly as she pulls Emiko’s head up - we see a shock of red over her right eyebrow. Another sickening THWACK is heard as she slams Emi’s face into the ring step!


Woo: Oooh! That hurts to look at and it even hurt to hear!

Gomez: I feel pain and I'm just sitting here. It must be hell for Emiko Okita to go through. 

As Emiko lays limp over the ring step, Emmanuelle rolls just far enough under the bottom rope to break the count. It’s clear she intends to continue the punishment outside the ring as she immediately heads back outside. Just as she does so, Emiko’s head snaps up and she laughs maniacally. The ex-delinquent pushes herself up from the steps and we see there's a steady trickle of blood rolling down her face. She kicks Emmanuelle in the ribs, then slams Emmanuelle’s face onto the hardest part of the ring! Not finished there, Emiko lifts Emmanuelle up onto her shoulders - a Sudden Death?!

No! She just drops Emmanuelle down onto the ring apron with a sickening thud. Emiko screams in Japanese, raising her arm in the air in the small moment of satisfaction. Emmanuelle looks lifeless for a couple long moments and the count reaches six again. Just as Emiko looks down at her with something that might almost be pity, Emmanuelle grips the ring apron and pulls herself back up to her feet. Emmanuelle reaches up to touch her face - there’s blood on her fingers when she checks them. Just like Emiko she’s been cut open with a wound over her right eye. The sight of her own blood causes her to roar with fury and slam a fist into Emiko’s bloody face. Emiko’s head snaps back, but she quickly returns the favor. Shortly both women are slugging away with closed fist blows back and forth, both their faces and fists gradually getting bloodier.

When the count reaches eight, Emmanuelle lands a right hook and then rolls into the ring. Emiko staggers but just barely beats the count herself. Both women quickly get up to their knees and continue to throw punches. The blows grow slower as exhaustion starts to set in, but both women get back up to their feet. Emmanuelle manages to land a short arm clothesline, but Emiko remains on her feet. Though she staggers herself, Emmanuelle manages to run the ropes and hits MALIBU SHINE! She hooks the leg.

One! Two! Th- Emiko gets her shoulder up!

Woo: Wow! No other words for that kick out other than wow! 

Gomez: Emmanuelle will be frustrated after that. She needs to keep her focus though, sometimes that frustration can become their own undoing. 

Emmanuelle shakes her head angrily, splattering blood onto the mat as she starts to wonder what it’ll take to end the match. She then eyes the corner and smiles confidently. The Platinum Standard gets to her feet, stepping on Emiko on her way to the corner. Emmanuelle climbs up to the top, mockingly throws up the Shinijoshi double deuce and then flies - ALTO LIVELLO! NO! Emiko kips up and catches Emmanuelle out of the air. With a scream she repositions Emmanuelle and hits a TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER! Before she can go for the cover, Emmanuelle rolls out to the floor clutching her bloodied head.

The referee goes to check on Emmanuelle, who’s not moving now that she’s out of danger. Meanwhile the camera picks up another blur of white, green and pink as a third woman enters the ring. There’s a concerned buzz in the crowd as the woman wearing gear that matches Emmanuelle’s stands there, glaring holes through Emiko and clutching a steel chair in her hands. Her identity’s concealed under a red and white tiger themed luchador mask, but it’s clear she’s dangerous. Emiko suddenly realizes someone else is in the ring with her and tiredly turns around just in time to see the chair flying into her face - WHACK! Emiko collapses to the mat in a heap and the woman tosses the chair out of the ring. She’s out of sight in short order, and Emmanuelle is stirring on the outside of the ring.

She slowly climbs back into the ring and sees Emiko lying there motionless and scowls in disgust. Emmanuelle stalks over to Emiko, ready to finish the match and seemingly unaware of the assist from the mysterious interloper. The moment she’s within arm’s reach, Emmaunelle is suddenly pulled into a small package by Emiko!

One! Two! Th- Emmanuelle kicks out forcefully!

Woo: A wise man once said to mind your surroundings. Emiko didn't and all of a sudden that masked.... whomever she was struck. 

Gomez: That being said, Emmanuelle didn't mind hers either and it damn near cost her the match.

And she kips up just as Emiko somehow gets to her knees. Emmanuelle screams at Emiko in Japanese and lays her out - E.M.S.! She hooks the leg again.

One! Two! Thre- Emiko’s shoulder shoots up!

She screams angrily, arguing with the referee that the count had been three. Emiko rolls over onto her stomach and grips the bottom rope with both hands. Slowly she pulls herself back to her feet, though her legs are wobbly. Emmanuelle angrily struggles to her feet as well, glaring through blood drenched locks at her defiant opponent. Emiko’s blonde and purple hair likewise has a new streak of red as she sizes up Emmanuelle.

Both women are exhausted, both looking for that one last move that will put away her opponent. Both stagger out of their corners, bloodied and for a moment almost seeming to show a mutual respect for each other. It doesn’t last long as Emmanuelle flips the bird at Emiko, and Emiko reciprocates. At this both women storm to the center of the ring to finish the fight!

Woo: Oh it is on now, you can feel it!

Gomez: This has potential for a full on punch up and I really want to see that! 

Emmanuelle lays into Emiko with a series of vicious forearms to the face and chest, but Emiko fires back with a combo of punches . A left hook spins Emmanuelle around and Emiko grabs her wrist. With a forceful exertion Emiko spins Emmanuelle around - LIGHTS OUT! NO! Emmanuelle ducks the lariat and

Tries to take Emiko’s head off with a right cross out of nowhere - no! Emiko grabs her wrist and counters into the TRIANGLE LANCER! She starts to wrench in the hold, Emmanuelle screaming in pain and digging her fingers into the mat as she refuses to tap. Emmanuelle manages to get a bit of purchase and desperately hammers away at Emiko’s back with stiff if unsophisticated kicks. Emiko releases the armbar and hooks Emmanuelle’s legs for a sudden pin!

One! Two!! THREE!!!

DING DING DING

Dobrev: And your winner, via pinfall EMIKO OKITA!

The hometown crowd applauds as Emiko rolls off of Emmanuelle, clutching her head. She lies on her back for a long time, breathing heavily from the hellacious war she’s just fought. Finally she sits up, an unhinged grin lighting up her blood covered face. The referee raises her hand and she staggers to her feet, clearly feeling the effects of the punishment she’s taken. Emmanuelle rolls out of the ring to the floor, where she holds her head in her hands and tries to recover something resembling her wits.

That’s when the masked assailant emerges from under the ring to check on her, eventually helping her to her feet. Emmanuelle’s arm is draped over the mystery woman’s shoulder as she heads up the ramp, stopping only to exchange glares with SONYA as the Beautiful Battleship emerges from the back. Emmanuelle spits on the ground in front of SONYA and leaves, causing SONYA to shake her head sadly. A few moments later Emiko rolls out of the ring, playing to the crowd as she walks up to SONYA. The two share a big hug, and Emiko leads the way back through the curtain, hands thrown up in a double deuce.

Woo: These two women left it all out there in an incredibly brutal match. I don't think anyone expected Emiko Okita and Emmanuelle to spill this much blood in their first encounter!

Gomez: Neither of them's got anything to be ashamed of after that hellacious war they just fought, and the fight between Emmanuelle and members of Shinijoshi is far from over. Will Emiko Okita be in any shape to compete at Wrestlefest in a just a few short weeks? And just who is that masked woman who seems to be an ally of Emmanuelle's?

Woo: That's a great question that I'm hoping we can get an answer to soon! Up next, however, we have a big match ahead of us as King Flip takes on Ruthless Aggression!

---

---

SINGLES MATCH
KING FLIP
Vs RUTHLESS AGGRESSION

Woo: We heard all about how important this match is for both competitors earlier, but now we see if the former EWC International Champion can topple a Hall of Famer!

Dobrev: The following match is set for one fall. Joining us first, residing in The Land and weighing in at 220 pounds... THE MAD KING!

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

Dobrev: And the opponent, from Brooklyn, New York and weighing in at 200 pounds... RUTHLESS AGGRESSION!

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 Black Leather Jacket walking down the ramp on the back. It was a cartoon version of herself wearing a pair of red and black tights with a One Night Encounter Shirt. 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.

DING DING DING

Mad King lashes out with a clothesline that Ruth ducks. She pushes Mad King off the ropes but he kicks off the middle rope and flies back cracking Ruth with a back elbow. Both roll to their feet. Mad King grabs Ruth bringing her down with a reverse DDT. He runs at the ropes and springs back hitting a moonsault. Mad King hooks the leg.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Ruth lifts a shoulder off the mat breaking the count. Mad King lifts Ruth to her feet. She counters with elbows and forearms to his gut. She throws herself at Mad King with a spinning heel kick that drops Mad King to the mat. As he gets to his feet, Ruth runs off the mat taking Mad King back down with a bulldog. He staggers back up where a spear keeps him down long enough for Ruth to make a cover.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Mad King rolls a shoulder off the mat breaking the count.

Woo: How do you keep him down when he bounces up like a beach ball?

Gomez: Hit him harder. Hit someone hard enough and sooner or later, everyone will stop getting up.

Ruth lifts Mad King to his feet and whips him to the corner. She lifts him to the top turnbuckle and pulls him forward onto her shoulders before driving him to the mat with a Death Valley driver. Ruth smacks him with a back kick that knocks Mad King against the ropes before taking him to the mat with a snap suplex. Ruth slips to the top turnbuckle and leaps hitting a missile dropkick to the chest of The Mad King. He crashes to the mat where Ruth makes a cover.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Mad King just manages to roll to his side breaking the count. Ruth gets to her feet and twists his legs around her leg. She grabs his arms and drives him down with a foot to the back of the head forcing him to Eat The Mat. She rolls him over and hooks the leg.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Mad King just manages to lift a shoulder off the mat breaking the count.

Woo: Point nine, nine, nine, nine, nine recurring. That is all that keeps The Mad King in this one.

Gomez: That and the shoulder he lifted off the mat.

Ruth grabs his ankles looking to apply Fall Back. Mad King counters with a small package but Ruth rolls right out off it. Both get to their feet but Mad King grabs Ruth and brings her crashing to the mat with a Russian leg sweep. Mad King rolls to his feet and grabs Ruth in a DDT like position. He underhooks one arm and takes Ruth over with a suplex. Mad King slips to the top turnbuckle and leaps. He comes crashing down with a corkscrew moonsault. He hooks the leg.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Ruth lifts a shoulder off the mat breaking the count. Mad King gets to his feet. He runs off the ropes and crashes down on Ruth with The Dethronement. Again, he hooks the leg.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Ruth rolls to her side breaking the count.

Woo: So close to a bell ringing yet so far! Any closer and bells start ringing.

Gomez: Ruthless Aggression found enough strength to kick out but does she have enough to keep going or did she use up the last energy she has?

Mad King pulls Ruth to her feet and whips her, chest first, into the turnbuckle. Mad King grabs Ruth’s arms and twists her into a Beheading. He hooks the leg.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Ruth manages to get a foot onto the bottom rope to break the count. Mad King lifts Ruth to her feet but she counters with an inverted atomic drop. As Mad King doubles over in pain, Ruth grabs him and brings him crashing to the mat with Old School. She rolls him over and makes a cover.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Mad King’s hand is just under the ropes breaking the count.

Woo: An inch or two to the right and the bell is ringing! AN inch or two to the right and not even the ropes can help The Mad King!

Gomez: Both were saved by the ropes within moments of each other. Whomever wins here has to thank the ropes for saving them from what could have been a loss.

Ruth lifts Mad King to his feet but he blocks her attack with forearms to the gut that double her over. Mad King spins her around and lifts her For The Land. Ruth manages to roll free and shoves Mad King into the corner. She heaves him to the top turnbuckle and climbs to join him. She grabs him and brings Mad King crashing down with Pure Aggression. She rolls him over and hooks a leg as the referee counts

ONE…



TWO…



THREE!

DING DING DING

Dobrev: And your winner, via pinfall RUTHLESS AGGRESSION!

Ruth jumps to the turnbuckles and blows a kiss to the sky. Ruth jumps down and rolls from the ring where Rose Lee raises her arm in victory before they head up the ramp.

Woo: If you can’t keep an opponent down, drop ‘em from a height. Good sound strategy and it worked here tonight for Ruthless Aggression!

Gomez: This could have gone both ways multiple times had it not been for the ring ropes or last minute just and no more kick outs. The Mad King will look at the countered For The Land as the turning point in this match where he could have taken the win!

Woo: Agreed! Folks, up next we see a clash of champions as the Headhuntress takes on Stitches, not long after both have claimed championship victory on their respective brands!

We cut to the Extreme Tron flashing back to life ...

---

We get a video package hyping up the past season for the Headhuntress Aiya, and for Stitches, leading up to the former winning the AMC Broadcast Championship and the latter becoming FX Broadcast Champion, and all with the realization that this match becomes something of a warm-up for both heading into the massive Fatal Four-Way at WrestleFest XXI!

---

---

SINGLES MATCH
"HEADHUNTRESS" AIYA
Vs STITCHES

We return to ringside where fans are excited for our next contest!

Woo: Here we go, folks! Aiya takes on Stitches in a...tussle of titleholders...ahead of WrestleFest XXI!

Dobrev: The following match is set for one fall. Joining us first, coming to the ring from Kyoto, Japan, weighing in at 137 pounds, she is one of the Shinijoshi and the AMC Broadcast Champion... "HEADHUNTRESS" AIYA!

As “Dark Seeks Light” by Yui Ninomiya plays over the PA system, a fog appears near the curtains. As it slowly fades away, we see the form of “Headhuntress” Aiya standing at the top of the ramp. She saunters down, entering the ring through the middle and top ropes. Aiya then leans against the ring, already looking as if she’s making a game plan in her head whilst waiting for her opponent to enter the ring.

Dobrev: And the opponent, residing in the Carnival of Shattered Dreams and weighing in at 260 pounds, he is the FX Broadcast Champion... STITCHES!

'One Missed Call (2008) Theme' plays as the lights go dark. As the beat 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.

DING DING DING

Aiya slaps Stitches hard across the face. He turns back to her looking furious. She slaps him again. He lashes out with a right hand but Aiya ducks it and pushes Stitches off the ropes. Aiya catches Stitches with the tops of her toes knocking Stitches to the mat. He gets back to his feet but Aiya knocks him back with forearms to the jaw. Aiya jabs the point of her elbow into the top of Stitches’ temple. Aiya grabs Stitches and whips him off the ropes. Aiya hip-tosses him to the mat and drops down with a headbutt to Stitches ribs. She hooks the leg.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Stitches lifts a shoulder from the mat to break the count. Aiya lifts Stitches to his feet but he catches her with a back drop that sends her to the mat. Aiya pulls herself to her feet but Stitches grabs her hair and pulls her across his knee with a backbreaker. She staggers to her feet where Stitches grabs Aiya and whips her to the corner. He follows her in with a corner clothesline and drops Aiya to the mat with a sidewalk slam. He makes a cover.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Aiya gets a hand to the rope breaking the count.

Woo: Nice ring positioning!

Gomez: It’s good, but at this point in the match I expect a kick out anyway.

Stitches grabs Aiya pulling her to her feet. He takes hold of her arm and climbs the turnbuckles and walks along the rope dropping down with Flying Wallenda. Aiya clutches at her shoulder but Stitches slides in cracking her with an uppercut. Aiya staggers as Stitches runs off the ropes and smacks Aiya with a Lethal Lariat. He grabs at Aiya’s left arm and yanks it pulling Aiya to her feet and up to his shoulders where Stitches drops Aiya down to the mat with a Samoan drop. He makes a cover.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Aiya lifts a shoulder off the mat to break the count. Stitches gets to his feet and yells at the referee as Aiya pulls herself to her feet. Stitches runs and crashes into Aiya with a Beautiful Disasterpiece. He hooks the leg.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Aiya just manages to roll a shoulder off the mat to break the count

Woo: So close to victory for Stitches here tonight!

Gomez: Aiya needs to get back into this match and quick or it will be all over quickly for her.

Stitches kicks Aiya over onto her front. He attempts a Cheshire Smile but Aiya manages to slip from his grasp. Aiya spins Stitches around and knocks him to the mat with a big boot. He gets to his feet but Aiya grabs Stitches and takes him over with a snap suplex. Aiya charges at Stitches but he shoves her off the ropes. Aiya rebounds and grabs Stitches taking him to the mat with a running neckbreaker. Aiya heads to the top rope and drops down on Stitches with a coup de gras. She hooks the leg.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Stitches rolls to his side breaking the count. Stitches slowly gets to his feet. Aiya throws herself at Stitches cracking him with an SOS. She rolls Stitches over and makes a cover.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Stitches pushes his way free breaking the count.

Woo: That was a close one!

Gomez: Sometimes I think you need to do some serious damage to Stitches in order to keep him down.

Aiya gets to her feet and climbs the turnbuckles. She leaps crashing down onto Stitches with FUBAR. She clutches at her ribs for a second before rolling into a cover.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Stitches rolls to his side breaking the count. Aiya slowly climbs the turnbuckles again and dives at Stitches. Aiya hits nothing but the mat as Stitches rolls to his side at the last second. Both use the ropes to pull themselves to their feet. Stitches grabs Aiya and Lifts her onto the top turnbuckle. He climbs up to join her and brings Aiya crashing to the mat with a Superplex. Stitches then rolls into the full Crimson Fury. He grabs at Aiya’s legs.

ONE…



TWO…



THR… NO! KICK OUT!

Aiya rolls to her front breaking the count.

Woo: What does Stitches have to do to her to keep Aiya down?

Gomez: The bright lights of the big events will drive a lot of the EWC roster to power through what may keep them down in other matches!

Stitches lifts Aiya to her feet. She fights him off with right hands and forearms. Aiya runs off the ropes and dives through Stitches with a spear. As he gets to his knees, Aiya fires at him with an OTK. Stitches ducks the kick and he grabs Aiya and positions her for a Sound Of Silence. Aiya powers up lifting Stitches up to her shoulders. She drives him down with Kill On Sight. She hooks his legs as the referee counts.

ONE…



TWO…



THREE!

DING DING DING

Dobrev: And your winner, via pinfall ”HEADHUNTRESS” AIYA!

Aiya lays on the mat for a few moments before slowly rolling from the ring. She slowly saunters up the ramp showing the wounds of her battles in her pained walk.

Woo: She may look in pain but “Headhuntress” Aiya walks away with a huge win here tonight. She may not look it, but she has to be smiling on the inside.

Gomez: The Sound Of Silence would have silenced Aiya we both know that. Stitches will not be pleased at the result but he may take some pleasure in knowing just how close he was to victory!

Woo: What a match for sure! There's no doubt in my mind that Cosmo and M$J have kept their eyes on this match ahead of the Four-Way battle at WrestleFest...even with WarGames on the horizon later tonight!

Gomez: On that note, before we head to our next match I've been told we're about to hear from one of the competitors in the main event now!

With that, we go backstage...

---

The One Night Encounter feed cuts backstage, and the crowd cheers as Ace King warms up with a purpose, all while sporting the stripes of traditional Japanese war paint on his face. As he bows his head, EWC interviewer Pepper Montana casually strolls into view, microphone in hand.

Montana: Ace, to say you’re entering into strange territory given the company you’re keeping inside War Games is, perhaps, a significant understatement. What’s your take knowing you’re a few moments away from stepping back inside War Games?

‘The Gambler’ looks up at Montana through the paint, pausing for a few seconds before fully straightening himself up.

Ace King: Strange territory? Nah. Strange territory was the six months where I was out after being one of THE names on everybody’s lips for the better part of six YEARS. Over those six months, I saw the landscape of this place, and let me tell you, it wasn’t for the best. I watched as The House exploited every possible situation in their favour, and there were times where it felt helpless, because all I wanted in the world was to wring Jack Severn’s neck, and now that opportunity’s here.

The former two-time Undisputed Champion narrows his eyes toward Montana, but there’s a small glint in his eye.

Ace King: Strange is starting on my way back and not knowing what I had to give, to the point where Chris Brock and Grizzly Duggan saw it before I could. If you told me in the midst of my hiatus that I’d be fighting in War Games alongside the current Undisputed Champion, another three-time Undisputed Champion, two GM’s including a Hall of Famer, and a guy who’s found his stride and finally justifying the dollar signs in his name? That’s wild, but ultimately, they saw that I can still go, which is why they’re trusting me to go first.

The crowd perks up at that bit of news from ‘The Gambler’.

Ace King: I’m starting to see what I’m still capable of, and part of what’s made me endure as long as I have? The willingness to go to war with anyONE, at any TIME. Yeah, it might look like a strange team, but we all know what's at stake, so they've got my backs and I have theirs, because I'M NOT LETTING EVERYTHING I'VE WORKED FOR GO TO SHIT THANKS TO THE HOUSE. This is a war I’ve been salivating about getting into for months, and you’d best believe I’m going start to finish and standing tall at the end. Bet On It.

With a couple final stretches, ‘The Gambler’ looks Montana up and down before taking his leave, determination etched on his face.

---

---

SINGLES MATCH
MORGAN DARKWATER
Vs SALLY TALFOURD

We return to ringside where the crowd are restless and wild, swept away on the spirit of their own dreams.

Woo: It's been one heck of a night so far, and it's safe to say, we're just getting started!

Gomez: You can bet your butt on that, Woo! We're about to get a visit from my favorite magician!

Woo: And everybody's favorite pirate.

Gomez: I'm not so sure about that part...

Woo: That's not very charitable, Valentina. Morgan Darkwater has been on an absolute tear, the Cap'n not only fighting his way through the BBB--

Gomez: That means Best and Biggest Butt.

Woo: --it doesn't-- tournament on Rampage, earning that coveted briefcase, but then teaming with his recent ally the Mad King--

Gomez: Ugh! Don't even say that name!

Woo: --and then beating him in a hardcore match to secure one final battle against his nemesis, JoJo Rush, at WrestleFest XXI. The Cap'n is keelhauling ass and plundering names, and he's earned our respect as he enters the ring tonight.

Gomez: Sally Talfourd doesn't need to respect anybody, Woo. She's the Insanity Cage winner, the best of the best - not the best of the biggest butts - and was a record-setting Apple TV+ Champion. At WrestleFest XXI, she's not just fighting a hot cowboy for a belt that looks like it came out of your papi's garage, she's challenging for the UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP.

Woo: You know, you're right. Both these competitors are incredible, and this truly is a dream match for the ages.

Dobrev: The following match is for one fall! Joining us first...

The buzz of the crowd falls as the lights fade down and everyone finds themselves in darkness. After a moment of nothing, there's the crackling of an old recording, and then a voice, distorted, warped and deep:

"Ladies and Gentlemen!"

"Your act at this t-- t- i... m... e..."

The Extreme-tron has begun to flicker to life, a flash of old film reel visible before the voice distorts and dies in a record scratch, and the screen simultaneously darkens. Slowly, an image melts into life upon it: a brightly-colored, glowing fruit.

As the crowd react with an astounded murmur, there's a clomp-clomp of two booted feet descending upon the stage, and there she stands:

The Pirate Queen, boot buckles gleaming, tattered pants flapping in a slow wind, straw hat perched jauntily askance. Amidst the hubbub of slow-building reactions from the astonished crowd, Sall Y. Talfourd begins to saunter down the ramp until she reaches a coil of rope, blocking her path. She looks at it, slowly blinks, then with a knowing smile raises a hand toward the rafters.

Before the music starts, a few thousand of those attending go on to swear that the hair at the nape of their neck stood on end, and they heard a whisper - an indistinct hiss, of the words, "Let me out." But all too quickly--

The rope uncoils as music explodes through the arena, and it begins to spool upwards rapidly, curving like the body of a great serpent in time to the frantic rhythm. Cap'n Talfourd's hand closes around the floating rope, and she tugs at it, testing the weight.

It may be attached to nothing, but it doesn't give, even as she lifts a foot, sinking her weight onto the knotted length.

"Sights of wonder and amazement!"

Sall Y. is grinning now, the Magic flowing through her, her eyes gleaming as she pushes off and SWINGS towards the waiting ring, the rope bending impossibly to accommodate her, sweeping through the air above the heads of the crowd.

"A spectacle that will confound and amuse your mind!"

The fruit upon the Extreme-tron pulses to the beat of the familiar song, and then POPS into juicy fragments as the former broadcast champion leaps from the impossible rope into the ring, landing in a deft crouch to a collective gasp of shock and awe.

"Landlubbers!"

She straightens up, raising her arms with a savvy flourish.

"The Last Magician!"

At ringside, Nina Dobrev looks flustered as she raises the mic to her lips.

Dobrev: N-Now standing in the ring, 'The Last Magician' ... SALLY TALFOURD!

Sally shoots her a glare - perhaps for the stammer - then smugly twirls and gestures flamboyantly with one hand, an action that seems to quite literally IGNITE a reaction from her means of entry. The swaying rope sparks, smolders, and is set ablaze, fire rushing up its length as it's swiftly consumed and turned to ash, a delicate black rain tumbling from the rafters onto the ramp as she finishes her entrance with a little magic to go with the swashbuckling. Much of the audience applauds, awkwardly quieting as they're subjected to a sweep of that same, damning glare by the cunning technician. Her expression yielding to a smirk, the Last Magician removes her hat and flings it blindly overhead...

Where it lands on the head of Valentina Gomez, seated at the announce table.

Gomez: ¡Santa mierda! I think the Magic chose me, Woo!

Woo: That's probably not a good thing, Valentina...

Gomez: Pff. You're such a killjoy.

Dobrev: And, um, her opponent!

The lights go out throughout the arena as a single spotlight hits the stage, accompanied by a drumroll that steadily gets louder and louder, until - wait! Unexpectedly, it's not the opening bars of "The Sunkn' Norwegian" that grace the arena's PA system, but the start of "Ladies and Gentlemen" by Saliva that begins blasting!

As if that wasn't startling enough, the blazing skull-and-crossbones animation that usually plays on the ExtremeTron during the Captain's entrance has been replaced with what seems like a classic movie's title-card, bordered by parted curtains along with added film-grain, with the words:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!
ONE NIGHT ONLY!!
THE MAGNIFICENT MORGAN AND HIS PORTABLE PORTALS!!

This remains on screen as the Captain strides out on stage, dresses in a crimson dinner-jacket with coattails reaching his knees, a white shirt with a plate-sized ruffled collar, and a black top-hat to complete the look. He bows left and right to wild cheers from the crowd, who are obviously loving this good-natured poke at his opponent, the Captain seemingly able to give as good as he gets. From his suit's breast pocket he pulls out a long, rolled up black object, clearly too big to have fit in the pocket, as his beautiful wife Esmerelda Santos follows him out on stage, wheeling in a plain white plaster 10x10ft wall on a trolley. She, like her husband, is dressed for the occasion in a frilly, lacey little corset-and-stockings number, every part the glamourous magician's assistant...

The fans go crazy for this wild new look from the usually modest and refined woman, and she gives them a wave as Morgan unrolls the object in his hand with a flourish, like a matador waving a sheet, only this one is pitch-black and cut in a perfect circle no larger than a manhole cover. Could this be the titular "Portable Portal"?

Morgan steps up to the wall and slaps the black circle upon it, where it sticks. He and Esmerelda then grip both ends of the trolley and give it a complete 360-degree spin to show everyone that the wall - no thicker than a brick wide - had nothing hidden behind it. With the wall now facing forward, Morgan steps up onto the trolley, rolls up the sleeve of his left arm... and plunges his hand into the portal!

Woo: The Captain's really going all-out with this entrance, treating the capacity crowd to a grand illusion worthy of Criss Angel himself!

Gomez: That's the Magnificent Morgan tonight, Woo, but I don't know... doesn't seem that impressive to me.

Woo: Oh yeah? Take a closer look - at the ring!

Sure enough, in the ring stands Sally Talfourd, leaning against the ropes as she watches this magic trick with a bemused expression on her face, though whether she was genuinely impressed or feigning interest was hard to tell. But it wasn't Talfourd Woo was directing attention to, but a second, narrower spotlight that now fell on the center of the ring, several feet behind her... and a hand that was rising from the mat!

Gomez: What the...? No way! Is that Morgan's hand!?

Woo: It has to be, it has the same blue-painted symbols on it!

Sure enough, the more Morgan pushed his arm into the mysterious portal up on stage, the more the hand in the ring rose up, navy-blue snaking symbols wrapped around the thick forearm that followed it. As the Captain continued to push more of his arm through the hole, his wife once again turned the trolley, and wall, around to show that he wasn't simply going through to the other side ... because it was appearing in the ring!

He finally reaches his shoulder, pauses to remove his top-hat which he hands to Esmerelda, then sticks his head into the portal - and the fans go mental when it pops out of the mat, the Captain's wild eyes staring up at the back of Sally, who's still completely oblivious to the full extent of his trick! From the stage he waves to her with his free hand, then slides that into the portal too, and proceeds to slowly but surely pull himself into the hole, squeezing his large body through - having lost his magician's garb in the process, leaving him in his usual wrestling attire, the protective blue symbols visible on his bare arms and neck as he lifts himself up from the mat. He lifts his right foot to step into the portal, the boot planting firmly on the mat to help push the rest of him up and out, the magical portal finally detaching from the wall and fluttering to the floor as soon as his left foot slips through.

Sally is visibly unimpressed at this point, shrugging and gesturing dismissively to Esmerelda as she wheels the wall away, shouting for Morgan to wrap things up and come out to face her ... unaware that the behemoth is standing right behind her until she finally turns around! Her face is a picture, shock and confusion in equal measure as he grins wildly and gives an exaggerated, swaggering bow to rapturous applause.

Woo: Look behind you, Sally!

Gomez: I think it's called 'starboard', Woo!

DING DING DING

It definitely isn't called starboard, but it's where the sigil-soaked Cap'n explodes from all the same. Sally should be faster, but she turns as if in slow-motion, eyes wide, coming face-to-bearded face with a man who appears to have done his research and found his answers. Magic, meet Might. A meaty fist aligns with uncanny precision along Sally Talfourd's perfect jawline, and with a dramatic sway it's withdrawn, her stumbling body caught with the thud-thud-whud of a triad combination to the gut. The crowd are surging in appreciation for the brawling skill of the painted Beast, who lets out a bellow as the Last Magician recoils off the ropes...

CRUNCH!! Surging like the very oceans, the Cap'n turns her inside out with an agonizingly stiff clothesline! The wily veteran wastes no time, dropping his four hundred pound frame into the cover, bundling up the insensate limbs of the Insanity Cage winner!

Woo: This could be the greatest trick the Magnificent Morgan ever pulled!

Gomez: GET OUT!!

Valentina is on her feet, gripping the straw hat and locking her eyes on the glazed ones of the Last Magician. The official hits the mat, and the crowd are quick to carry the refrain aloft as the count begins.

ONE!



TWO!



MAGIC!

One moment Morgan, his own eyes wide, is in position and wearing a look of pure emotion as he commits an illusive act of daylight robbery - the next, his huge frame flops sideways, as his opponent extricates a single limb, dragging him by the neck to the mat beside them. The piratical buckle gleams at the cap of her ankle as Sally bends like a reed, neatly scissoring the carotid artery as easy as exhaling. Her eyes are keen now, locked at a point just beyond the straw hat worn by Valentina Gomez. It's Morgan who's in trouble, grimacing, his face reddening within the vicious grasp of a submission as unlikely as his own nigh-instant victory!

Woo: Oh my goodness, Sally Talfourd just reversed her way out from beneath a behemoth who had her number!

Gomez: That's Captain Sall Y. to you, Woo!

But the Last Magician has taken a bruising, and she only has so much gas in the tank, her large prey able to force enough of an opening to eke in a ragged breath and then explode out of the hold, seizing her around the waist as he rattles to his feet. It's an easy matter to pick her up, the crowd cheering pre-emptively for Morgan's show of strength. He puffs his cheeks, and whips the willowy woman across his shoulders, shifting an arm across to hook her into position.

No! She adds her own weight to the momentum, slipping free from the heaving arm and dropping from the opposite shoulder, catching a deft underhook on the way down and grapevining a leg for good measure. Morgan tries to whirl around, but Sally gets her foot onto the canvas and keeps twisting with him, taking him down with an explosive arm drag that sets the ring to quaking as the Brawlin' Buccaneer bounces against the canvas. He tucks to roll forward, but the less-familiar leg tangles with the other, and Talfourd has no such disability. Stepping on the prosthetic, she turns and pounces backwards, seamlessly threading an arm around the neck into that same underhook - pulling Darkwater to his feet only to IMPLODE into a tight somersault, turning him inside out with a stunning corkscrew neckbreaker! LIGHTS OUT!

There's a groan from the big man, quickly drowned out by the repeated impact of frantic forearms as a now-sneering Sally follows up by mounting his shoulders and raining down furious blows, technique momentarily thrown like three sheets to the wind. They're relative butterfly kisses to the accomplished brawler, but he's forced to react, putting up his arms, and providing a fresh target for the malicious magician, who grabs a kimura like a delicious pastry and cranks on it with obvious relish!

Woo: Talfourd appears to be in control now - in spite of the size difference and an early battering by Morgan Darkwater!

Gomez: A bigger body is just a bigger target, Woo. He's got so much juicy limb she can sink her teeth into.

Morgan isn't tapping, but the pitch of his grunted protests changes abruptly as Sally just cranks on the hold, threatening to rip his elbow apart. The crowd rally behind the Cap'n, who grits his teeth and lets out a roar, half-defiant, half-painted, bucking and twisting like a captured beast. Talfourd drops her weight, attempting to regain control, only to get crushed against the mat as Darkwater rolls on top of her, forcing her own elbow to flare at a torturous angle. The submission specialist defends her arm on long-honed instinct, and in so doing gives her opponent the chance to tuck his frame and fall to his knees on the other side of her. Thinking fast, the Last Magician twists and drives a foot up into his jaw, but Morgan growls, seizes the offending leg--

--and powers to his feet, slinging Sally unceremoniously into the corner of the ring.

With a gasp, she lands against the turnbuckle, falling limp to lessen the impact, then dropping clean to the mat to avoid Morgan's follow-up splash. He bounces back, and she flows with him, sliding between his legs and wearing a calculating little smirk as she rises up behind him, arms and fingers expertly poised...

WHAM! To do absolutely nothing, because with his own turn of instinctive speed, Darkwater turns his stumble into a spin and lashes out with a discus punch that hurls the Last Magician against the ropes! She twines around the topmost, leaving her flank wide open - and the Cap'n drives forward with two heavy footfalls into a crushing knee that misses by an INCH as Sally sweeps herself free and drops to the apron, pulling the ropes down with her to send her foe toppling to the outside!

Morgan lands hard, crunching onto one shoulder and just about managing to regain his feet in time to meet both feet of the Last Magician, who comes flying off the apron with a missile dropkick. Darkwater throws his weight forward, the sigils on his skin seeming to glow as he repels Sally, who lands on her back with a surprised blink, quickly rolling backwards into an oncoming storm! She BARELY shifts her cheek alongside a gigantic leather sole as Morgan shoots for a big boot, adapting quickly as he goes past Talfourd, taking a sly page from her own book to wind an arm under hers, and step around behind, hunting for a full Nelson! He gets it, and goes for the slam, only for a foot to crunch against his (real) knee, and Sally pops one arm out, twists the other into a three-quarter facelock, and flips up and over--

--only to get snatched in mid-air, crushed against the shoulder and brought back to earth with a brutal powerslam!

Woo: Sally Talfourd has so many answers, but while Morgan's had plenty of questions in the lead-up to this match - he just turned the tables with a big answer of his own. That just hurts, no matter how clever or technical you are.

Gomez: ALL the technique against ALL the size and power. This is a battle of extremes!

It may be about more than just that, as Sally slips free of Morgan's attempt to bundle her back into the ring, rolling from his clutches with a game attempt at an ankle pick as she escapes. Darkwater drags his leg back, forced to one knee in the process, and giving the woman space to dart away. The official starts counting, and it's with a frustrated growl that the brawny pirate stomps after the Last Magician, whose eyes are shifting around ringside - before alighting on a stack of three brightly-colored boxes.

With a burst of catlike agility, into the topmost of these she goes, with a narrow-eyed glance back over her shoulder that further infuriates the charging Cap'n. He's played plenty of games, and doesn't seem in the mood for another, wrenching open the lid of the box a half-second after she closes it behind her. POOF! There's a burst of confetti that surprises Morgan, his face twisting into a scowl. With a reprimanding bellow, he grabs the box and shoves it over, the flimsy structure collapsing to reveal... absolutely nothing but a few stray pieces of brightly-colored paper. He seizes the one that lay beneath it a moment before, and instantly realises it's also empty. It's sent flying, and it's with a knowing, "Ah hah!" That Morgan tears the lid off the final box.

There's a SHRIEK!

...and a long, FURRY shape launches upwards like an angry rocket, followed by several others like it. Darkwater is quickly beset by a small horde of weasels, ripping and tearing at his bearded cheeks, stumbling across ringside as he peels them off one by one!

Woo: Am I dreaming? What's happening? Where did those come from?

Gomez: Those are all closely-guarded secrets, Woo!

Woo: Whether or not I'm dreaming is a--

Gomez: I SAID WHAT I SAID.

Morgan peels off the last weasel, looking furiously toward the ring, where the referee stares back at him, completely confused and lost as to where, exactly, he'd managed to count to a few moments before. Darkwater's expression only darkens further, and the official recoils, only to notice-- Morgan isn't staring at HIM. A throat is delicately cleared behind his shoulder. The ring mics just about pick up the matter-of-fact, dulcet tone of Sally Talfourd, as she notes, "I think you were at eight?"

"NINE!"

The crowd shout along, and Morgan RUNS for the ring, diving beneath the bottom rope. He rises fast, fast enough to cut off the calculating clutches of the Last Magician, whose expression of astonishment is wiped from her face by the rapid-fire Uranage that drives her ferociously into the mat! The behemoth looks to follow up, but on pure instinct Talfourd rolls aside, and spins to her feet with a stunned look. Darkwater hits her around the waist, plowing her back into the corner, and driving in a couple more firm shoulders for good measure before, with the crowd rallying behind him, he steps across the ring and resurges--

--into a running big boot that lands flush, smacking the taste from the Last Magician's magical mouth!

Woo: The Cap'n needs to cap-italize on this advantage quickly, before Sally Talfourd can play any more of those tricks.

Gomez: I have a feeling she's got a few tricks left yet!

Morgan isn't wasting much time, heaving in a breath and shaking off the accumulated cobwebs off the match before he pulls Sally from the corner, catching her snug around the throat and, turning, hoisting her into the air with one massive arm. Thousands upon thousands of the EWC faithful know that's coming, and they're all too happy to hold their breath as Sally loses hers, her legs kicking in the air as she's hung aloft in the Hangman's Noose. Morgan looks around, nodding, raising her just a tiny bit higher...

And then frowning, not quite content with how little she appears to be dancing. In defiance of the gallows jig, Sally Talfourd stares askance at the massive pirate, her lips twitching minutely. There's a disquiet moment, and then Morgan gives a grunt and a heave, ending the anticipation with the inevitable drive toward the waiting canvas, completely the chokeslam with appropriate, devastating force!

Only to STOP.

The crowd falls flat, then yields to confusion and outrage. Darkwater's meaty hand remains wrapped around the throat of his hangwoman, but the pair of them are frozen there, she a few inches from the mat - his arm held back by whatever force is keeping her there. His muscles ripple and strain, and then he bites off a curse and reverses the gathered momentum, bodily hoisting Sally back into the air.

She obligingly kicks, but there's a subtle sarcasm to the gesture, and as he drives her like a thunderbolt once more towards the perhaps-somewhat-evitable collision, she stops in the same position. She's SMIRKING now, staring right through the frustrated buccaneer as he tries a third time, and a fourth! Each time she stops, and the crowd are losing their minds. Many rally behind Morgan, others rain down boos and jeers for the dastardly, defiant Last Magician. Morgan seethes, his arm shaking with the effort of continually pulling aloft this indignant burden. But re-raise her he does, staring her straight in the eye. Searching his mind...

And then he grunts out a few, curt words. The sigils over his skin glow. Sally blinks.

Woo: Was that... Latin?

Gomez: I have absolutely no idea what is happening.

BOOM!! With a desperate finality, Morgan FINALLY succeeds in driving Sally Talfourd to the canvas, completing the HANGMAN's NOOSE with a roar that quivers away into disbelief and a gathered weariness, unable to follow up with the pin as he stumbles and falls backwards, massaging a mighty tricep. The Last Magician twitches a few times before stirring, easing out her neck to correct the threatened alignment of her spine as she rises slowly to a crouch, staring down her opponent. Who stares back, shaking his head.

Those sigils still, ever-so-faintly, glowing.

Gomez: Really, Woo, I'm confused. Who's the magical one here?

Woo: Both of them?

Gomez: YOU sound confused.

Woo: Everybody's confused, Valentina!

Both competitors move at the same time, and for a moment everything is forgotten but the purity of the fight. Sally tries to open up the big man with a scything low kick, and a forearm to the throat - which he steps INTO, a choking cough doing nothing to prevent the closure of his massive arms around the whiplike form of the Last Magician. He twists her around with brutal efficiency, depositing her to the canvas with a slam that bounces the pair of them upwards-- she with a gasp, and a buck of the hips that sends both legs flying upwards, securing a grip around the targeted throat, her legs closing fast. Morgan inserts a hand to break the hold, but it's pried away, as with a nigh-superhuman blend of grace, speed, and savagery, Talfourd takes the blocking arm with her and spins out, trapping it, her thighs still around the neck as she strives for the LAST SUMMER!

Morgan has it scouted, slouching dramatically toward the corner, driving Sally's skull against the turnbuckle pad, leaning his weight in to turn against her, and push her into a seated position atop the turnbuckle. She has a leg caught in the rope, and this buys him the time to seize the back of her neck, pulling her into his clutches - to a DIN from the arena!

It grows louder, Darkwater stepping out of the corner with Sally Talfourd atop his shoulders, besigilled skin burning bright as the Last Magician struggles in vain against arms like sea-bleached wood. Morgan bellows, and falls backwards...

KEELHAULED! HE GETS ALL OF IT!!

Woo: There's no Magic that can get you out of this! Morgan Darkwater makes the cover!

ONE!



TWO!



TH--

This time everybody in the arena hears it, and feels it. The creeping chill down the spine, the icy whisper. Let me out. The lights flicker, sparks showering the ring as they all die on what should have been the count of three. Something moves inside the darkened ring, and there's the glint of... red eyes?

After a few seconds, half the arena lights come back on and Sally is wriggling backwards, away from Morgan, who's staring at the referee. Or at the referee's shirt, anyway, as it shifts and falls away from the fidgeting body of a white rabbit.

Talfourd is shaking as she climbs to her feet in the corner, clearly still dazed from the impact, and it's with a vigorous shake of his head that Darkwater returns to business, storming upright and CHARGING. Sally MOVES.

The entire ring lurches to one side, as Morgan Darkwater collides bodily with the ring post, wrenching bolts from their sockets with the ferocity of his impact. The lights flicker again, as an overhead rig also lurches, shifting precariously. From the rafters tumble a mess of wires and ropes, two of the latter trailing almost to the floor on opposing sides of the ring. Scrambling away, the Last Magician whirls around and finds herself staring at her opponent past these two, tantalizing lengths. Morgan heaves a breath, stares at his slippery, mystical foe like an angry bull - and then sees what she's seeing. Each of them looks to their nearest rope.

Both of them shrug.

Sally climbs fastest, her braced knee pushing off the turnbuckle to propel her ascent, before she shoves off with both feet, launching herself at Morgan - alternately the Queen of the Pirates, or Queen of the Jungle. She barely misses the big man, who's plenty accustomed to scaling the ropes himself, gamely pulling up that four hundred pound frame and throwing out a boot just in time to shove himself around Talfourd. His own arc is shorter, tighter, and brings him pinwheeling into an attempted kick of his own! Sally, wide-eyed, cranes her neck with equal urgency, and uses the Cap'n as a fulcrum point to shove off again, the gathered momentum sending them both swinging out wide across the edges of the ring. Both throw their body weight into it, the front rows having to crane to look upward to keep eyes on the piratical pair as they launch over, out, and then back towards one another.

Darkwater swings both feet up this time, adding greater velocity to his own approach, SPEEDING toward Talfourd, who has the space of a heartbeat to consider her counter. She takes her hands off the rope, and drops--

--into a searing arc, almost defying gravity with the sweep of her core, as she comes over the top of Morgan's feet with a beautiful, aerial spinning wheel kick, sharply driving the proverbial stake into her much larger foe!

He tries to hold on, but is torn from the rope and falls with all of his enviable mass directly into the center of the ring! The impact is immense, the beleagured ring shuddering, the overhead rig giving another precarious lurch as the ropes bounce, and Sally herself barely manages to catch the trailing ends and hold herself aloft like a born gymnast. Her oft-conniving features are spread in alarm as she dangles there for a moment, picks her angle, and drops, straight onto Cap'n Morgan, knees-first.

Gomez: There's no Magic to get you out of that, either!

Woo: She might have ruptured his lung with that knee drop!

Sally bounces upwards after delivering the savage blow, wincing visibly as her braced knee raises complaint, but shifting instinctively to fall into the cover. No count is forthcoming - because the referee is a fucking rabbit.

Woo: But the Last Magician might also have a case of a little too much Magic.

Gomez: Is there any such thing?!

Talfourd reaches out for the lagomorph, which bounces away in search of greener pastures to munch on. For a moment, there's a glimpse of a remembered Sally, as the absurdity of the situation threatens to draw a peal of laughter. It dies on her lips as Morgan shifts beneath her, the Last Magician emitting a cruel sneer that sweeps her back into action, onto her knees where she secures one huge arm and drags the stirring buccaneer around onto his front, with almost insulting ease locking in a Fujiwara armbar, her body weight pressing Darkwater's mass onto his own damaged chest. He bellows in pain, and this reaction only encourages the dangerous grappler, who shifts precisely into a scissored armbar. Both arms are caught, shoulders bulging as they're pulled away from the damaged throat, stretching out the chest and multiplying the pain! THUNDEROUS boos rain down upon the ring!

Darkwater struggles desperately, the sheer length of his frame enabling him to writhe a leg toward the bottom rope, and just barely make contact - as Sally keeps wrenching on the hold, with malice to equal her precision. There's nobody there to break the hold, and no other way out but to bear it; the Cap'n taps to no avail, and then there's a sickly crunch-pop as a shoulder is ripped from its socket.

His SCREAM of pain is blood-curdling, but it's with a truly monstrous effort that he uses the moment to his questionable favor, Sally's grip slipping on a limb that's no longer taut, a fervent twist of the Cap'n's frame sending her skidding against the ropes, forced to release to maintain control of her own motion. Darkwater surges upright, his knees almost giving way as his head swims, another defiant bellow unleashed as he does his best to correct the damage, driving the shoulder back into place.

He hits the mat a beat later, shuddering all over, eyes bloodshot and saliva flecking his lips. Sally's not going to let this opportunity slip - but it's to the astonishment of everybody present that she doesn't lunge across the ring, remaining exactly where she is...

With a hand outflung, fingers curled like talons, manipulating an unseen force before hurling her palm out toward Morgan.

The sigils upon his skin burn bright, setting aflame the veins and arteries beneath, jagged lances like St. Elmo's Fire burning through the Cap'n's mighty frame as his own sorcerous safeguards resist the will of Sally's Magic. Frustration screams across her erstwhile pleasant features, as the Last Magician pushes herself upright and takes a quaking step forward, shaking herself as she throws everything behind this unorthodox assault. Despite all the pain he's endured, Morgan by contrast looks almost revitalized.

He finds his own feet, and begins to laugh. "IS THIS IT, LASS?!" Bellows the buccaneer, cajoling this user of the black arts to try harder, dig deeper - and dig deeper she does, until the ring is shaking to match and outdo them both. The busted ringpost gives way completely, taking half the ropes with it, and then to an expulsion of horror from the crowd the whole structure LIFTS from the ground, bearing aloft Morgan and Sally with it. A full foot it rises, beginning to tip precariously, before it's Sally's turn to scream.

Her concentration breaks, and the last of her power scatters against Morgan's protective sigils, this and the collapse of the ring propelling them both into an unruly stagger. The arena lights flicker and pulse once more, as both fighters push themselves toward the other, for another exchange of more traditional offense.

Gomez: Okay, I think we might now have seen too much Magic.

Woo: F-Finally we agree on something...

Amidst the strobing lights, Darkwater intercepts a sneaking arm and yanks it aloft, driving a firm heart punch into Sally Talfourd's spiritual center. She stumbles away, and he pursues with a flurry of punches, swaying into a right cross that she in turn intercepts, twisting the captured arm - snapping a kick up into the behemoth's gut, then whipping him close-- into a snug short-arm clothesline! Morgan falls, the ring creaking in protest once more, but as the Last Magician tries to push her advantage, he surges upright, carrying her aloft and straight into a bear hug, relinquishing the hold to hurl her against the corner and catch her on the rebound instead, driving her skull to the canvas with a rough-house DDT!

Rather than follow up himself, Morgan pushes himself upright and leans out over the ropes, barking orders to the ringside crew, who are scrambling to try and restore order. He bends to scoop up the abandoned official's shirt, shaking it insistently, and it's in this moment that the Last Magician drags him backwards, twists him up like a pretzel and, in lieu of a cover, drops another knee across his throat!

A few measured forearms follow, as Sally keeps half an eye on the entranceway - picking her moment, timing the stirring of her titanic opponent and the first sign of motion from the stage, ready when Morgan is, baiting him halfway to his feet before sweeping him around and backwards-- just as a fresh-faced, terrified second referee slides into the ring.

THE OUTRO!! Morgan's face is introduced to the canvas, his damaged limbs flopping about as Sally slides into the cover, staring intently at the official, who tries his best to look away as he makes the count.

ONE!



TWO!



THR-- NO!!!

The arena loses its collective mind as Morgan Darkwater kicks out with both glowing sigils and authority, tossing Sally from atop him, making it all the way to all fours before heaving in breaths, spiritually-bolstered but still bearing the ravages of this war. As the lights flicker again, he looks up warily, and then across at Talfourd as she darts in toward him. The Cap'n rises, rolling his battle-damaged shoulder, stomping a foot like the bull he absolutely resembles. This... seems to be the last straw.

As Sally charges, as Morgan prepares himself for that charge, that disrupted lighting rig finally gives way with a tumultuous moan. It's not the first time it's happened in front of an EWC crowd this year, and the crowd reacts like they've been waiting for it, the more squeamish scrambling or turning away, others leaning forward with apparent bloodlust. Everybody making NOISE.

Both Talfourd and Darkwater are experienced fighters. They both react, but very, very differently. Sally shifts her momentum, drops low, tries to evade by tumbling beneath the bottom rope, but she's a little too slow - perhaps too keen on closing the distance with Morgan, perhaps feeling the effects of her own offensive efforts on that knee. The outside edge of the rig, all metal edges, catches her across the temple, with a spray of blood that showers the front row. The wounds a gusher, for sure, but what happens next--

--it would've been so much worse, had Darkwater not reacted how he does.

Everybody who hasn't turned away cheers like he just won the goddamn match. The bulk of the rig, the girder and its festooning of spotlights and wires, all the unwieldy, incredibly dangerous weight of it, falls across the seven-footer's shoulders. He BEARS UP under the weight of it, barely bends his knees to soak the impact, takes it with grit and pure strength, forcing it up away from the falling Talfourd, and keeping it from crushing the pair of them with might and will both.

Sally, animalistic, swipes at her open wound, slicks the hair from her face, buries the heat of shock and pain with the icy chill of absolute, calculating drive to win. She hurls herself at the sigil-soaked pirate, seeing only an opportunity in this moment. Time seems to stand still...

And with a mighty heft, Darkwater unshoulders his burden and steps forward, catching Sally in mid-lunge with a forcible lariat that JoJo Rush would be PROUD of, spinning her heel-over-head, plowing her into the canvas in a stricken ball. He bends, hauls her up onto his shoulders, and in the light that remains after the devastation of the ring... in the light of Morgan's burning sigils...

The crowd see Sally Talfourd held in position to be Shipwrecked, once again.

Once more, the ring quakes on impact. Weariness threatening his massive, scarred frame, Morgan Darkwater bundles up the Last Magician.

ONE!



TWO!



TH-- REE!!!

DING DING DING

Dobrev: And your winner, via pinfall ... CAPTAIN MORGAN DARKWATER!

Sally remains down as the bell rings, the only visible movement a tensing of her fingers against the canvas as the announcement is made. Her long hair, dark with ichor, is strewn across her face, concealing both her reaction and physical state from the crowd, especially as so many eyes remain on Morgan Darkwater as, still glowing, he fights his way to one knee and throws both meaty arms in the air with a game attempt at a bellow that dies in a boisterous cough as the rigors of the match settle upon him. The house lights come up, and reveal a crowd of crew, medics, and security already gathered around the ring. None of them look keen to approach given the astonishing and threatening events that have transpired within, and it's only at the insistence of the Cap'n that they finally make their entrance.

Ever the showman, Morgan pushes past his afflictions and takes to each corner, encouraging the cheers of the crowd as behind him, a dozen people set to work putting the ring hurriedly to rights - and a couple more look to tend, fearfully, to the Last Magician. Only now does she stir, doing so with a fierce rapidity, shoving away would-be helpful hands and sparing a lingering, piercing stare for the celebrating form of the Cap'n before she breaks for the back like a wounded animal, blood dripping in her wake.

While giving the supportive, and shellshocked, fans their due, Morgan can't but spare some attention for the parting magician in turn...

Woo: It's hard, perhaps impossible, to explain everything we just witnessed, but these two took each other to a special kind of limit - and I have to wonder if we'll be revisiting this, er, match sometime in the near future, Valentina.

Gomez: The Last Magician has a pair of title matches to win, and Darkwater an old grudge to settle, but... si, we just saw something begin here, Woo. I don't know what, but... something.

Woo: And before we look, with anticipation and lingering awe, toward our 25th season and what mysteries it might hold... We also have a ring to repair, a rabbit to catch, and two more matches to bring you tonight. This is going to be a hard act to follow.

Gomez: But we always seem to find a way, don't we?

With that, we move backstage to hear from another WarGames competitor ahead of our main event ...

---

In his own locker room before he joins the rest of his teammates, M$J is seen putting on his boots then wrapping his wrists. His face shows a blend of concern and determination. He gets up from his chair and starts stretching, initially ignoring the camera that’s clearly in his face. He practices a couple of strikes and knees before centering his eyes into the lens.

M$J: I’d be lying if I didn’t say I felt like a third wheel of sorts or in this case a 6th wheel. You’ve got Hall of Famer Grizzly Duggan, Undisputed Champion Xavier Reid, GM extraordinaire Chris Brock, living legends Melody Malone and Ace King. All future Hall of Famers then you have little ole me, Marcu$ $t. John.

He takes a deep breath as he thinks about the brevity of this match. A team that has taken over several championships to go up against some of the biggest stars of past and present. The House vs Team EWC in a battle that would leave ripples throughout WrestleFest then 2024 and beyond.

M$J: Don’t feel bad for me though. This is where I thrive, where I’m most dangerous. I may not be on the same level of my teammates and I’ll be the first to admit that but I’ll be damned if I count a member of The House better than me. The way I see it though. This is where I elevate myself even more. I went from M$J the spoiled brat, to the usurper, to Paramount Border Patrol, now I rise into my next era, the future Hall of Famer.

Pulls out his Apple TV+ Broadcast Championship and pats it before putting it around his waist. He looks down at it then back up into the camera.

M$J: I came back months early to earn a spot at WrestleFest. I beat a member of the WrestleFest main event for the championship that I’m wearing right now. I took the current X-Division and International Champion to his limit in JoJo Rush. If you thought that Marcu$ $t. John would simply fade out then you are sadly mistaken. Tonight, I add to my legacy, tonight I help bring war to a group of rotten individuals that are in for the fight of their lives. I’ve had cages rip my flesh and been thrown through flaming tables. If they think I’m not built for this then they are sadly mistaken. I’m willing to put my body on the line to win, sacrifice myself for the greater good. Pride and ego won’t hold me back, can I say the same for The House?

He pulls out some of their merchandise and rips it apart. Walks over to the trash can and dumps it in with a big smile on his face.

M$J: Yall have experienced success, and that same success has gone to your heads. I’ve been in the shoes yall are wearing and I didn’t need an army of people to make it happen. Now you have to deal with an army though, a group assembled of the greatest, then me. You’re looking at them but I’m one of your biggest problems. The House thinks that tonight they win the war but me, I truly understand what war is….

Veering into the camera, Marcu$ winks.

M$J: War never ends for the living. Only the dead see the end of war. Tonight, the aura of my career lives, but the threat of The House ends. Take that to the bank and cash it!

The camera is pushed as it shows him leave his room and into the hallway. Walking down the corridor M$J reaches a room. The placard on the door reads “Team EWC”. He knocks on the door before entering as the screen fades to black.

---

---

SINGLES MATCH
NARUMI TSUTSUMI
Vs SAIDIE SHARPE

Poster: JFS

We return to ringside where the crew are still rushing to put things in order. A harassed-looking youth is tightening bolts and pulling each ring rope taut in turn, constantly casting nervous glances at the entranceway.

Woo: Whew! We're back at ringside, and though the literal sparks have stopped flying, our next contest promises to be no less a spectacle than the, uh--

Gomez: Insanity?

Woo: Yes! The insanity we just witnessed. Thank you, Valentina.

Gomez: I just want to get to the action! This one is as hot as my fancy new hat!

Woo: It, uh, sure is. A long and storied history to the tumultuous relationship between Shinijoshi teammates Narumi Tsutsumi and Saidie Sharpe, and it says a great deal that this was considered a 'dream match' by our bloodthirsty fans. Harsh words have been exchanged, and grand claims made as to the inevitable winner of this contest. One thing's for sure - you do not want to look away.

Gomez: Well, you might, both of them seemed pretty angry, Woo...

Dobrev: The following match is for one fall. Joining us first, weighing in at one hundred and twenty five pounds pounds, from Shinjuku, Japan ... she is 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. 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 wave at the crowd.

Woo: No smile from Narumi Tsutsumi. She's got rough things in store for her Generation 500 teammate.

Gomez: I hope they kill each other!

Dobrev: And her opponent, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, weighing in at one hundred and twenty pounds ... SAIDIE SHARPE!

The lights go down in the arena to pitch black. Pink spotlights illuminate around the arena to the opening notes of the music before Saidie appears on the entrance stage, wearing a pink and black kimono as she heads down to the ring. As she climbs into the ring, she heads to the top turnbuckle, shedding her kimono as the pink spotlight is all on her now.

Woo: Removing that kimono for what we must think, could be the last time.

Gomez: Sí, cuz she's going to die.

Woo: That's not what I meant and you know it.

Gomez: Hm, you're so right. She cooould go to prison for killing the Onihime, instead.

DING DING DING

Neither woman moves for a beat as the bell sounds, their eyes locked on the other, glaring katanas across the ring as the crowd reaches a fever pitch around them. Saidie's talking, ranting even, but only Narumi can hear her - and the expression of the Onihime is darkening further and further, her mouth twisting into a ferocious snarl as she suddenly surges across the ring, feints a high-arcing roundhouse kick, then drops low, picks an ankle and immediately slams Saidie onto the mat!

Sharpe lifts a knee and jams it into Narumi's throat, but the Onihime throws the offending limb aside and floats over with predatory haste, searching expertly for the Tsutsumi Rappu! She gets her hook in, twists over, but there's a choking screech from Saidie, who fires that knee again, over and over, bending her entire body to drill Narumi repeatedly in the flank. A shot lands flush on the kidneys, and Tsutsumi lets out a gasp, her grip weakening enough that Saidie can wriggle free, stumble to her feet and turn, snarling--

--to see Narumi already on her knees, breath convulsing in her chest, an instant from pushing through the pain and back to her feet.

WHAM! Saidie thinks faster, crossing the line with another explosive knee; this one landing like a megaton bomb.

Woo: SPARKLING WITCH! In the opening moments, Saidie Sharpe might have ended it all!

Narumi is flattened out, and Saidie bundles her up with a handful of tights, receiving a warning from the official. She lifts the offending hand, but keeps the Onihime down as she stares down the referee for the duration of the count.

ONE!



TWO!



KICKOUT!!

The crowd is on its feet, the rafters are vibrating. Saidie Sharpe is beside herself, grabbing two handfuls of her own hair and slamming her hands on the mat. Narumi crawls away, pulling herself up in the corner, her eyes wide in shock, before anger twists itself back onto her dainty features. Saidie's nostrils flare as she stands, and lunges for her opponent.

The former Undisputed Champion holds her accolade for a reason. She's a beam of light, leaping through a prism, flowing beneath Saidie's charge and twirling in behind her, arms slipping through Saidie's own to drag them upwards and then form a devastating arch with their bodies, plowing the 'honorary Shinijoshi' into the canvas with a snap Dragon suplex! The EWC fans rally behind Narumi, as she pops to her feet and clenches a fist, roaring. Rattled, Saidie stumbles upright, wavering on her feet, and a moment later about has her head removed with a searing superman punch! Putting on the brakes, Narumi lands on firm footing, then whirls into a leg sweep, diving on top of her falling rival to hunt again for that match-ending chokehold. Saidie counters, reversing the underhook with a low-angle arm drag, holding on as Narumi skids away across the canvas and momentarily locking in an armbar!

Knowing her opponent as well as her opponent knows her, Narumi bucks her hips and twists through, finding the minutest weakness in Saidie's technique and ending up in mount on top of her. Muffling a few desperate upstrikes with her body, Tsutsumi separates an arm and rolls out into her own iteration of the same move - armbar for armbar, eliciting a panicked yell from Sharpe, who risks her own limb by twisting against the hold, sliding a foot beneath her and swinging to a crouch, the arm bent at a gruesome angle as Narumi slides off of her onto the canvas, managing to hold on and rise with an arm wrench applied.

Saidie slaps at her shoulder, then bends backwards, forcing Narumi off-balance, RIPS her arm free, and springs off the canvas into a beautiful no-assist enziguri, rattling the brainpan of her former friend! The blow rings like a gunshot!

Woo: HUGE offense by Saidie Sharpe, who isn't holding back in the slightest. She's got something to prove here.

Gomez: She has, but Narumi Tsutsumi is one of the greatest champions we've ever seen. This is the bare minimum, Woo.

Saidie shoots for the cover, but has it reversed, Narumi able to get a knee up, then hook her opponent's neck and roll into a modified small package. Sharpe is struggling desperately as the count is made, Narumi just barely holding on!

ONE!



TW-- KICKOUT!

The pair explode off of one another, Narumi uncomfortably flung knee-first onto the canvas as Saidie scuttles backwards and pulls herself up using the ropes. She spots the discomfort in her tag partner's face, and hurls herself into those same ropes, rebounding into a sprint that's well-telegraphed and easily marked by the Onihime, who smirks archly at what she sees as an insulting effort to catch her off-guard - right before Sharpe catches her out with a high feint, then jams a brutal Thai-style kick into that tweaked knee! Narumi's leg gives way, and she stumbles, RIGHT INTO THE BEST SAIDIE PALM THRUST!

"COME ON!" Sharpe is fired up as the Onihime hits the deck, grabbing and shaking the ropes, before whirling to finish the job. She pounces to straddle her opponent, hauling her into a rear chinlock and pulling her to her feet, looking for the Saidie Sleeper. Narumi clenches her teeth, drives an elbow the gut, then spins like a top, leaving the canvas completely as she whirls her way out of the hold, landing on her feet with widened eyes. Saidie fires off a punch, and the arm is smoothly intercepted on instinct, as Narumi whips her toward the ropes and immediately gives chase! They hit the first set of ropes at a similar time, Saidie getting a little more momentum...

...but it's all to the Onihime's plan, as she intercepts her on the next leg, seizing her about the waist and tumbling into the TONITRUS BOLT!!

Woo: That cartwheel sunset flip powerbomb is an absolute menace, Valentina. Narumi could put her away here!

ONE!



TWO!



THR-- KICKOUT!!

There's an expulsion of excited disbelief from the crowd as Saidie kicks out hard, emitting a broken scream and immediately thrashing her way across the mat, dragging herself out onto the apron as Narumi sits back, shaking her head and taking a moment to regather her wits. Sharpe is ranting again, yelling half-heard insults over the top rope as she tells Tsutsumi to stand up and face her. The Onihime sends her an icy-cold glare, her own nostrils flaring now, before she slowly stands, extending a hand toward her friend and teammate. The crowd absolutely lose their minds at the gesture.

Woo: Oh my, that's not the Shinijoshi double deuce. That's not the Shinijoshi double deuce at all!

Gomez: ¡Jajaja, I love this! Careful, Narumi, I might come over to your side!

Saidie throws one right back, and Narumi charges her, throwing furious hands over the rope. Sharpe is overwhelmed, and drops down to escape the assault, only to get yanked right back to her feet - by a handful of hair! Tsutsumi drags her into the ropes, locks an arm, then falls backwards, throwing up her foot to simultaneously introduce Saidie's throat to the top rope, and jam a boot fiercely upside her jaw! PAYMON! PAYMON INTO THE TOP ROPE!

Sharpe emits a choking sound and flops off the apron onto the floor, landing heavily while her opponent pops back to her feet, red-faced and enraged, leaning out over the ropes to deliver a harsh expulsion of her own in Japanese. Almost defiantly, she flashes the Shinijoshi double deuces at the crowd - to a substantial pop - and then springs onto the top rope, balancing there for a moment.

Saidie stumbles to her feet, looking dazed, pushing the hair from her face--

--and Narumi leaps sharply downwards, plunging, splaying out her limbs as if for a high-angle crossbody--

--that becomes an explosive CORKSCREW of suspended motion, from which she crashes onto Saidie's dizzy form to a gigantic reaction from the thousands upon thousands in attendance, and doubtless from the millions (and millions) at home. WHIRLING CANDY! Saidie is down and out on the outside, as Narumi rolls through and comes up heaving heavy breaths, still ready to fight. Still angry.

Woo: You tell Narumi Tsutsumi you're better than her, and she'll do everything in her power to prove that you're not.

Gomez: Don't you dare count Saidie Sharpe out of this, Woo!

Nobody's told Saidie that anyone is counting her out. Narumi pulls her upright, and instantly eats an uncharacteristic HEADBUTT. The Onihime stumbles, and a ragged, shivering Saidie just leaps forward on instinct, capturing her head and bending her over, using every bit of passion in her body to run across ringside dragging her opponent along with her, ignoring the mixed and very vocal response from the crowd - she just doesn't seem to hear them, one way or another...

And then vaulting off the announce desk, whirling into an expulsive tornado DDT that sends Narumi crunching off her neck, crashing into the apron before she flops to a standstill a few feet away. Hurriedly, Saidie starts to drag her up and attempt to bundle her under the bottom rope, but she's taken plenty of punishment - and her adrenaline momentarily flattens out, dropping her to a knee, fumbling the other woman in the process. Coughing, Narumi catches herself on the apron, and then fires off a calf kick to keep Saidie off-balance. Seizing the back of her head, she breaks into a short dash and leaps - using Saidie's body to absolutely level the announce table, as she catches her with a brutally-modified neckbreaker, crashing down herself on the swiftly-vacated chairs on the other side!

Woo: --my God! I'm struggling to keep my headset on, folks, as we witness just... devastation in front of us! These two women are putting their bodies on the line to settle a score that can only end in the ring.

Gomez: If the ref counts them out, we fucking riot! I'm warning you, buddy!

Some leeway is given, as both women are slow to clamber up, Saidie immediately falling back down, while Narumi looks only a little less groggy - and has a trickle of blood running from her temple. For a moment she hefts the dented chair responsible for this injury, glancing over at Saidie to a commotion from the crowd, almost all of whom are completely against the idea of the Onihime betraying her principles. Fuming, she lets out a yell and throws the chair down, lunging toward Sharpe to instead pull her bodily to her feet and hurl her toward the apron!

Saidie's able to grab an arm as she's yeeted, and pulls Narumi along with her, driving the Onihime's injured skull into the corner post, then swaying back to deliver a trio of firm kicks to the midsection. The crowd is starting to split, the fighting spirit and obvious animosity of both women tearing them apart. A few Narumi supporters have drifted to Saidie's corner, and vice versa, but the net result is a caterwaul of dueling chants that continue as a battered Tsutsumi blocks a fourth kick, and swings Saidie into the ring steps. Sharpe rolls across the hardened steel, ripping a gouge across her lower back in the process, but manages to find her feet in time to see Narumi vault the steps right after her. WHAM! The Onihime catches her with a palm strike, and then looks to seize an underhook. Saidie blocks it, punches her erstwhile friend in the mouth, and then grabs the back of her head, bouncing it off the apron.

Narumi grits her teeth, wrenching free, and re-establishing that underhook to drive Saidie's spine against the edge of the ring, locking up a hand to bend her over backwards, inch-by-grueling-inch, until she's able to start dragging her back through the ropes. Saidie ends up turtled on the apron, using a moment where Tsutsumi decides to catch her breath to just roll the rest of the way in, spinning to her feet and wiping a trickle of blood from the edge of her mouth. Both of them wear a little crimson, and both their eyes are bloodshot as they lock and narrow across the ropes. Narumi, standing, braces to leap over...

But it's a feint, and as Saidie moves to intercept, she rolls through the middle, scissoring the other woman's body and taking her down onto the mat! The crowd explode, the chants renewed as friends turned bitter rivals roll about, vying for supremacy!

"LET'S GO SAIDIE!"
"O-NI-HI-ME!"
"LET'S GO SAIDIE!"
"O-NI-HI-ME!"

Sharpe rolls into mount, rains down desperate punches, and is swept onto her back by a wily counter, a leg sliding across her neck-- which she reverses in turn, thwarting the armbar by locking up the knee and contorting Tsutsumi onto her front. WHAM! A wildly thrown foot cracks against the blonde's cheekbone, and her head bounces off the canvas a beat later. Narumi twists, grabs both legs, and rolls forward, ending up seated on a bundled-up Saidie!

ONE!



TWO!

Saidie drives her shoulder up and her body forward, roaring defiance as she reverses the pin completely!

ONE!



TWO!

Wide-eyed Narumi forces her back, but forces a little too far and over-extends, falling across Saidie's shoulder and finding herself hooked. Sharpe drives an elbow into her sternum, then spins out, threatening with a Fujiwara! Narumi bucks, twists, and scrambles, getting herself over a turtled Saidie and dropping a couple of knees, before with fury the slightly smaller woman explodes upwards, DRIVING the pair of them to vertical base, and SLAMMING Narumi's back against the corner post! Chop after chop, then a rope-assisted enziguri, the whipshot guncrack resounding across the arena to an expulsion from the crowd!

Narumi falls forward, and Saidie ascends the turnbuckle, pulling herself up with swift determination, hair and eyes utterly wild!

She launches! She SPINS! SAIDIE SPIRAL!!!

Woo: She got all of it! Saidie Sharpe just did the unthinkable, at a critical point in this contest!

The referee slips on the canvas as he hits the deck, tumbling into position with half his body stuck out across the apron, count coming just a beat too late due to the mishap - Saidie barking out desperately as she holds onto the Onihime!

ONE!



TWO!



THREE!!!

DING DING DING

The arena comes unglued, people are losing their goddamn minds as Saidie Sharpe keeps covering, gasping out ragged breaths as she looks up at the start of the announcement. Nobody can believe it, but slowly a look of blissful triumph descends on her face. She releases Narumi Tsutsumi and drifts to her feet, looking like she's in a dream.

Dobrev: And your winner, via pinfall, SAIDIE--!

There's a frantic gesticulation from the official, who waves down at the right boot of the Onihime. Narumi Tsutsumi is still laid out, her lips parted, expression glazed as her chest rises and falls rapidly. One arm trails off the apron, the other folded awkwardly beneath her, and one leg is raised - set upon the ropes, her boot glistening in the eyes of her fans in the front row.

Dobrev: Ladies and gentlemen, due to an error in the officiating, this match is being restarted!

DING DING DING

Saidie Sharpe stumbles backwards, her lips framing the words, "No, no, no!" Eyes bugging from their sockets, she stares downwards, just in time for the downed Onihime to move in an instinctive blur. An arm flies up between Saidie's legs...

...and she's pulled backwards into a picture-perfect schoolgirl pin! The crowd are back on their feet!!! There's SO MUCH NOISE!

ONE!



TWO!



TH---R---E------ KICKOUT!!!

Saidie loudly, audibly curses on live television, rolling out of the pin, momentarily sprawling on the canvas before she throws herself desperately to her feet, whirling around to face Narumi - who's coming right at her like a bat out of hell, striking with a lightning-quick front kick! Saidie twists at the hip, easing the brunt of the blow, stepping around it--

--and finding Narumi has kept going with the gathered momentum, turning about to take her flank, arms seizing a waistlock!

GERMAN SUPLEX! Saidie is released, launched, hurled into the ropes where she catches herself desperately, one arm tangled up as she lowers her feet. WHAM! A second superman punch lands right between the eyes, and Saidie's knees give way beneath her. She's dangling off the ropes, easy victim for the second PAYMON that follows, Narumi's foot detonating off her jaw! The momentum of this causes Saidie to slip free, collapsing onto the canvas. Narumi drops down, momentarily considering sinking in that D'Arce choke she was hunting for earlier... and the consideration costs her. Saidie is STILL FIGHTING! Sharpe rises beneath the Onihime, and finds herself standing with her friend and rival upon her shoulders, the crowd erupting with the fresh delight of expectation as Narumi throws her body back--

--whirls! Explodes into motion! And rolls forward to complete the WRAPPING HIME!

ONE!



TWO!



NO!!!

Woo: WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO PUT SAIDIE SHARPE AWAY?!

Gomez: DEATH!!!

Saidie struggles away, pursued by Narumi, who's looking more and more ferocious as her own desperation intensifies. She seizes a leg, wrenches on the ankle, dragging Sharpe back towards her. Tendons strain, bone bulging against skin as Saidie lets out a pained and frustrated scream, rolling onto her side and driving her other foot into Narumi's knee! Again! Tsutsumi falls with the second strike, toppling sideways, and Saidie is there beside her, pouncing with one last burst of energy, seizing her head and standing beneath her, wrenching in the Dragon sleeper that should, finally, end this endless back-and-forth! She drops, sinking in her hooks--

--and Narumi's head pops clean out of the hold! The Onihime finds a way!

Sharpe lets out a strangled sob, diving to try and re-secure the hold, but eats a backsmash of the skull, her nose crunch-squelching as Narumi reverse-headbutts her, then executes a leaping spin to regain her footing, landing beside Saidie with a punch raised and ready. Ippon! She drives her fist into her grounded opponent, then bodily HAULS her stunned frame up off the ground, whipping her ferociously toward the corner - where bloody-nosed, battered, exhausted Saidie's skull bounces off the turnbuckle!

Narumi runs in, her body impacting Saidie's as she splashes against her, leaning in to say something in her ear, before she leans back and spins Saidie around, thrusting her gasping face toward the crowd as she locks in a hammerlock and uses the arms as leverage to haul her friend over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The crowd are torn down the middle, half of them roaring for the Onihime to end it, the others losing their minds as they try to rally the semi-conscious Saidie Sharpe for one, last, burst of offense!

Narumi draws the free thumb across her throat, throws up a deuce, and climbs the ropes, with Saidie on top of her.

She pauses only briefly before whirling to face the ring, swinging Saidie around to drop, face-first, toward the canvas...

The modified sitout wheelbarrow facebuster would normally be overkill, but this is a special kind of opponent.

When someone knows you so well, you dig down deep, and you find the one thing they don't know how to suffer.

STAR GRADE REVOLVER!!

Saidie crunches off the mat, and falls onto her side, gurgling as she's bundled into a pin by Narumi, who releases a sob herself as she pushes the other woman into the pin, her teeth clenched, eyes burning red, and half the crowd screaming along with the count.

ONE!



TWO!



TH-R--E--EE!!!

DING DING DING

Dobrev: And your winner, via pinfall, NARUMI TSUTSUMI!!!

Narumi releases the pin as soon as she hears the bell, turning onto her back where she finally lets the exhaustion catch up to her, breathing like she just swam out of the Abyss, staring upwards for a long moment before her eyes close and the absolute din that follows her victory is allowed to wash over her in waves. Saidie remains down, blinking back the pain and confusion of defeat as she stares straight ahead, through the ropes off over the crowd. At nothing. They're both bloody, both drenched in sweat...

...and neither knows exactly what to do next. When Narumi opens her eyes, the crowd is firmly behind her, chanting her name, exulting her for a performance as good as any she's put out. For overcoming an opponent who pushed her to her limit. But she looks uncertain, biting her lip, looking down at Saidie with a slow shake of her head, blood dripping from the ugly wound at her temple. She wipes the blood away, tucks the hair behind her ear, and puts a hand on the turnbuckle, pausing with no intent of melodrama before she steps up and raises a fist. The pop is immense. They love their Onihime. But she looks a million miles away.

Dropping down, she moves to help Saidie up, a resolution coming back to her face that's more familiar - and untainted by the fury she's been displaying all evening. Whatever good intent she has, whatever she resolved to do, she's forced to an awkward hesitation.

Saidie Sharpe is already gone, slid from the ring to stagger slowly up the ramp, her arms wrapped around herself and gaze directed straight forward, ignoring the hands of the fans held toward her. Ignoring the friend she leaves behind.

Woo: My heart is breaking, Valentina.

Gomez: I think a lot of hearts just did, and you know what? For once I'm not going to say anything except that these two left everything in the ring, they gave each other everything they had. Neither of them should feel anything but pride.

Woo: But they do. Narumi Tsutsumi feels regret that seems to be overwhelming the joy of victory; she fought a friend and she won, only to find that friend unable to face her. Saidie Sharpe put her talent, her career, her everything on the line and saw it all come crashing down and falling apart because of that friend who beat her. Where do they go from here?

Gomez: Well, say what you like, Woo, but Saidie Sharpe has the right idea. She's looking forwards. She's walking forwards. That's all anybody can do. And Narumi Tsutsumi has a date with another destiny at WrestleFest.

Camera cuts backstage, because boy howdy do The House have something to say about our main event ...

---

In the House locker room, the War Games participants discuss their upcoming main event.

Alastor: Now I won’t be able to be ringside, as I want this team to stand on its own, but trust that I’ll be there in spirit. All of you have had such tremendous growth since joining The House and training with me, and if anyone is going to beat that team of EWC All-Stars, it’s you.

The House cheer for themselves, but Jack looks a little down in the dumps.

JoJo: What’s wrong, Severn?

Jack: Next Level have been conducting an investigation on how attacked me with the water bottle, and… they dont think it was Ace.

Bruce: Is that why they’ve been wearing those Sherlock Holmes getups lately?

Cosmo Goldworthy shrugs.

Cosmo: Well, who did it? 

Jack: Have no idea. But imma just pretend it was Ace for now. Fuckin’ loser.

The House members all laugh together, but then Callie Clark’s phone rings. She nods to Tori, and starts to exit the room.

Callie: Sorry, gotta take this. I’m sure we’re gonna crush it tonight, though!

Cosmo looks to Bruce and Chris Page, slapping them on the chest.

Cosmo: Hey, uh, remember that WrestleFest social media promo thing we were gonna record together? I just remembered I gotta get us a camera for that. I’ll be right back.

Cosmo leaves the locker room as well. Jack just throws his hands up in confusion.

Jack: Uh, hey guys, isn’t tonight important? And isn’t there a camera right here?

Page: Hey broski, I’m still here. Until Cosmo gets back with the camera at least.

Jack looks towards JoJo, but he’s busy talking to Alastor in the corner of the room. As Bruce and Page laugh and joke together, Jack just sits between them, staring at a very much not frozen water bottle in his hand. As he stares and stares, rage begins to bubble up inside him, and he suddenly throws it against the wall. 

The room goes silent.

---

---

WARGAMES MATCH
TEAM EWC
(ACE KING, CHRIS BROCK, MARCU$ $T. JOHN, MELODY MALONE, GRIZZLY DUGGAN & XAVIER REID)
Vs THE HOUSE
(BRUCE BOOTH, CALLIE CLARK, CHRIS PAGE, COSMO GOLDWORTHY, JACK SEVERN & JOJO RUSH)

The lights in the arena dim and fade to black as the words E W C light-up on the XtremeTron. A low-humming echoes throughout the arena as the lights begin to pulsate like a heartbeat. The heartbeat grows faster and faster, louder and louder until silence... and thne a guitar rift hits.

Dobrev: Ladies and gentlemen, introducing The EWC's living breathing heart. Some see six people, they view themselves as one being. They are... TEAM EWC!

Ace King, Chris Brock, Marcu$ $t. John, Melody Malone, Grizzly Duggan and Chris Brock make their way out from the back. They stand on the stage and raise up their hands into the air. Ace King holds a barbed wire covered chair as he heads to the ring, starting this one out for Team EWC.

Woo: Team EWC, they are one unit and they look to topple The House here tonight.

The lights turn down and a bunch of cheerleaders dressed in white, blue, and red "HOUSE SQUAD" outfits surround the stage. They begin dancing and cheering, pom-poms and all.

Cheerleaders: Go team! Go team! Who do we mean? We'll say it loud! We'll say it proud! H-O-U-S-E! Goooooo House Squad!!!

The familiar techno beat of "Get Ready" by 2 Unlimited hits, along with the sound of basketballs dribbling, as slowly but surely, members of The House make their way from the entrance tunnel. Meanwhile, Bruce Buffer has taken the place of Nina Dobrev as the ring announcer!

Buffer: Ladies and Gentlemen... LET'S GET READY TO RUUUUUMBLE!!! First, Number 13, accompanied by Tori Taylor, she is the Indy Champion, the holder of the Prime Minister Necklace, and Prime's Superstar of the Year... The Golden Goddess, CALLIE CLARK!!!

Callie Clark and Tori Taylor come out first, with Tori unenthusiastically holding a basketball.

Buffer: Number 8, he is one third of the Trios Tournament Winners... Box Office BRUCE BOOTH!!!

Bruce Booth is out next, dribbling his basketball with so much swagger, as if he's the next Dennis Rodman.

Buffer: Number 34, he is the HBO Broadcast Champion and also one third of the Trios Tournament Winners... The Gold Standard of the EWC, COSMO GOLDWORTHY!!!

Cosmo Goldworthy is out next, dribbling his basketball with so much swagger, as if he's the next Larry Bird.

Buffer: Number 777, he is the 2023 Brand Warfare Winner, and the United States Champion... The Elite CHRIS PAGE!!!

Chris Page is out next, dribbling his basketball- and immediately throwing it into the audience, hitting someone in the head. Ouch.

Buffer: Number 31, he is the International AND X-Division Champion, and the "3" in "3-1 against Xavier Reid"... The Light of Monday Nights, JOJO RUSH!!!

JoJo Rush is out next, carrying two basketballs, dribbling them both at the same time just to show he can. They're both labeled "Xavier Reid's balls."

Buffer: And Number 69, he is the Team Captain... The Prime Time Catalyst, JACK SEVERN!!!

Jack Severn struts out, wearing a special ring jacket that features a crude drawing of Ace King sobbing in front of a birthday cake on the back. Jack signs his basketball, and hands it to the confused child in the audience who got hit by Chris' basketball. 

Buffer: This is... THE HOUSE!!!

The House all pose on the ramp, showing off their matching House Squad jerseys. The cockiness in the air is so thick one could cut it with a knife. Jack stands confidently in front, opening his arms up to Team EWC, asking just one question: "Are y'all ready for this?"

After a few moments, Cosmo heads down the ramp to enter the ring.

Gomez: Entrance Of The YEAR there from The House. And now I am even more pumped up for this match.

Woo: They really are full of themselves, but that was a good entrance. And now we know this match will kick off with Ace King Vs Cosmo Goldworthy.

Gomez: The Face of Friday Night Rampage for many years, against the man looking to be the new face of the brand.

Woo: Wouldn't be shocked if this first period is the most brutal one of the match.

DING DING DING

Ace King sets his barbed wire covered chair down in the corner, and eggs the HBO Broadcast Champion to bring it on. Cosmo advances and the two men lock up into a shoulder/collar tie-up. Ace stomps down on Cosmo’s toe and drags him into a headlock. Cosmo backs Ace up into the ropes and then pulls him off into an Irish-Whip. On the rebound Ace ducks a lariat to grab Cosmo into a sleeper hold. Ace transitions from the hold into a standing Cobra Twist, popping the Japanese crowd.

INOKI INOKI INOKI

Cosmo finds his footing and pulls Ace over into a Japanese style arm-drag. As Ace gets to his feet, Cosmo blasts him in the face with a dropkick.

Woo: Ace King with a tribute there to the late, great Antonio Inoki. But using such a well renowned move came at a cost with Cosmo knowing the perfect reversal!

Gomez: Rare mistake from King some might say, but I say the match has only just begun. There’s no need to be hyper-focused right now. If you get in your own head, you’ll put your team at a severe disadvantage.

Cosmo grabs Ace’s wrist and helps him up to his feet, right into a short-arm lariat. Cosmo maintains wrist control and drags Ace back up, this time into an Irish-whip into the corner. Cosmo rushes in, but King rolls out and Cosmo goes sternum first into the turnbuckles. Cosmo stumbles out into a neckbreaker from King. Ace drags Cosmo up by his hair to his knees before kneeing him in the face twice, Ace rips Cosmo forward and then gut-wrenches him up and down into a powerbomb. Ace is quick on his feet to the top turnbuckle, then he flips off into a moonsault but Cosmo gets his feet up! Cosmo’s feet go right into King’s sternum. Cosmo drags Ace up by his face and then gives him a quick left-right-left combo of punches before finishing it off with an exploder suplex!

Woo: Cosmo Goldworthy has got the advantage here over Ace King! What a battle of Friday’s top wrestlers!

Gomez: But don’t look now, as the real advantage of this match is kicking in!

As the clock strikes one, Marcu$ $t. John comes rushing down the ramp. M$J stops before entering the ring and goes up underneath it to grab… a fucking chainsaw?? M$J slides the chainsaw into the ring and then rolls in behind it. Cosmo is quick to M$J, stomping down on his back and kicking him in the ribs. Cosmo drags M$J up by his wrist into an Irish-whip, but M$J reverses it and jumps into Cosmo before punching down on his forehead with the Lou Thez Press! M$J drags Cosmo up by his ear before quickly spiking him down on his head with a DDT. M$J rolls Cosmo onto his back and then mounts him to give some more punches and soon Cosmo’s head is busted open! Ace King stands up and grabs his chair. He hits it against the canvas twice to get the crowd going. M$J drags Cosmo up and sends him into King, who swings for the fences and clotheslines Cosmo damn near out of his boots with a mighty chair-swing. M$J climbs up to a top-turnbuckle on the opposite side before leaping off into a Frog-Splash. King follows up by leaping onto the middle turnbuckle and moonsaulting into Cosmo when M$J moves.

Woo: Some great tag-team work from M$J and Ace King to possibly nullify Cosmo Goldworthy. That Frog-Splash Moonsault combo was a thing of wonder!

Gomez: But don’t look now, things are evening back out with The House’s next man!

When the clock strikes one, Chris Page comes sprinting down the ramp for the ring. Chris immediately slides into the ring and rushes King/M$J. Chris ducks a double punch attempt, hits the ropes and then flies into both men with a lariat, knocking both off their feet. Page drags M$J up by his head and rushes to throw him face first into the side of the structure. Ace King spins Page around and punches him in the mouth before booting him backwards into the corner. Page hits the corner and rebounds off into an elbow into King’s mouth. Page kicks Ace King in the knee before taking-a-back and grabbing on a sleeper hold that Page then yoinks backwards into a suplex! Page grabs the ropes and shakes them while yelling YEAAAH.

Woo: Chris Page is fired up! A one man wrecking crew!

Gomez: Something tells me he saw Cosmo getting his ass kicked, and thought ‘Hey, only I CAN kick his ass’ and that’s what we’ve got here!

Chris Page helps Cosmo up and gives him a good shake to get back into this. The two drag M$J up and down with a double brainbuster. Page drags King up by his mouth and sends him into Cosmo with a question mark kick. Ace stumbles into a lariat from Chris. Chris mounts King and starts to punch him in the back of the head while Cosmo drags M$J’s face along the structure like a cheese grater.

Woo: Cosmo is giving his receipt, and making damn sure M$J knows… Blood for blood my man.

Gomez: And there will be a whole lot of blood in this one. But don’t look now, Team EWC has the advantage again!

As the clock hits zero, Xavier Reid bolts down the ramp with a barbed wire covered baseball bat in his hands. Xavier rolls into the ring, Chris Page steps towards him but Reid smashes the bat down on his head and Page immediately is a bloody mess. Reid grabs Page’s wrist and sends him into Cosmo with an Irish-whip. Chris Page rolls out of the ring into the secondary ring, pushing himself up to his hands and knees while blood streams from his face. Reid drops the bat and rushes towards Page, leaping up onto the top-rope before throwing himself into Page with a dropkick right into Chris’ back! Cosmo pulls himself to his feet with the ropes, M$J crawls up from behind and jumps up into a low-blow. Cosmo drops to his knees holding himself while King rushes in and gives him a knee right in the temple. In the secondary ring, Xavier Reid has pulled his belt off and is spanking Chris Page.

Woo: That is one way to make sure your opponent gets the message.

Gomez: It’s probably the hottest way to make sure the message is heard to be honest!

Bruce Booth comes rushing down the ramp towards the ring. He rolls into the ring and immediately is met by M$J and Ace King stomping on him and kicking at him. The duo drag him up, and Bruce swings wild with a chop into Ace’s throat, followed by a thumb to M$J’s eye. Bruce jumps backwards onto the ropes and then spins off them into a double discus lariat taking both Ace and M$J off their feet. Bruce drags Ace up by his head, and then drops him with a stiff neckbreaker. Bruce keeps control of King’s head to drag him up and backwards into a Stun-Gun on the top rope. Bruce drags M$J up and then to the center of the ring before dropping him with a brainbuster right in the middle. As Bruce gets to his feet, Xavier Reid is there with his belt slapping it down into Bruce. Cosmo crawls over to Reid and headbutts him in the back of the leg to drop him down enough Bruce can mule kick up into Reid’s jaw.

Woo: Great teamwork there from House Money. Xavier Reid is seeing stars right now!

Gomez: He’ll be drinking through a straw for weeks… but speaking of stars. Holy shit!

As the timer hits one, Melody Malone rushes down the ring. Malone stops to go under the ring and throws some trash-cans through the door into the ring. Then she throws in four more chairs before entering herself. House Money rush up on her, but the Queen throws herself over the top-rope into a diving crossbody on both men. Malone hits the canvas and then rolls up to her feet. Bruce bounces up and spins to get Malone, but eats a superkick for his troubles. Cosmo is the next up and he too eats a superkick. Ace King drags himself up and Malone spins to supe… Malone stops her leg about halfway, her and King have a staredown and smirk before leaping into a double superkick on Chris Page as he gets back into the main ring. Ace drags Chris Page into the center of the ring while Malone scales up the turnbuckle and then moonsaults off into a double stomp, The Queens Gambit! Ace helps Reid and M$J up, and then the four members of Team EWC begin to stomp down on Bruce Booth! Then they turn their attention to kicking Cosmo Goldworthy.

Woo: Team EWC is working incredibly well with the advantage they won thanks to Melody Malone beating Jack Severn.

Gomez: Jack Severn has been known to say The House is like a turtle, slow and steady, but in the end The House always wins. This match is going to really put that to the test.

When the clock hits zero, Callie Clark rushes down to the ring. She goes up under the ring and drags out a toolbox to slide into the ring. When Callie enters the ring she sees all four of Team EWC standing looking at her. Callie freaks out and spins around to leave the ring, but the door is already locked. Callie slowly turns around, and faces Team EWC. Callie sheepishly raises up her hand to wave, before spinning it around into a middle-finger. Team EWC rush Callie and start to punch and kick at her. Ace grabs Callie by her wrist and sends her into an Irish-whip, but Callie reverses Kick to drag him into her while raising up her boot to kick him in the side of the face… that’s… that’s Narumi’s move! Callie kips-up to her feet and then in one fluid motion spins around to catch M$J with a backfist. Melody Malone gets Callie with a superkick to the stomach that drops Callie to a seated position, while Reid rushes in and gives Callie a PK to the sternum.

Woo: Team EWC is working like ramen and water right now. They are firing on all cylinders and don’t seem to be showing any signs of slowing!

Gomez: The House may have bit off more than they can chew in this one.

Reid and Malone drag Callie up and send her into the ropes with an Irish-whip. Callie jumps up onto the top-rope and then springs backwards into a moonsault on Xavier Reid! Callie bounces up to her feet, and then she rolls under another Malone superkick before jumping up and bringing Malone down with a super neckbreaker that drops Malone on the top of her head. Chris Page drags himself up the ropes and then stumbles over to the tool-box. He opens it up and pulls out a little baggie, before dumping it and revealing thumbtacks.

Woo: Uh oh. Nothing good ever comes of thumbtacks!

Gomez: Well, nothing good for the ones on the receiving end.

Callie Clark drags Ace King over to Chris Page before shoving him into Page, who catches King and brings him up and over into the thumbtacks with a T-Bone suplex.

Woo: Ope. That’s the not good I was talking about!

Gomez: That’s definitely going to leave a mark.

As the timer hits zero, Chris Brock rushes down the ramp and slides into the ring. Brock grabs one of the trashcans and slams it down into Callie Clark’s face. Chris Page punches Chris Brock and then Chris hits Chris in Chris’ mouth, which Chris fires back a rebuttal into Chris’ mouth himself! Chris hits Chris, Chris hits Chris, Chris, Chris, CHRIS! Now that everyone is good and confused, Chris Brock hits a shotgun dropkick out of nowhere and levels Page. Brock drags Callie up into a waist-lock and then backwards into a German suplex. Cosmo Goldworthy makes his way over and starts to brawl with Chris Brock, while Xavier Reid and Bruce Booth take turns smashing chairs into each other's faces in the secondary ring. M$J comes up from behind and smashes a trashcan into the back of Bruce’s head, and then he and Reid start to wail on the kid. Cosmo has hit his second wind and is punching the shit out of Chris Brock in the corner. Ace King comes up from behind and rips Cosmo off his feet backwards into a snap-dragon suplex. Cosmo bounces up to his feet and yells out in victory, but Melody Malone comes up from behind and rips him off his feet into a German suplex. Cosmo rolls through and again yells out, but this time Chris Brock rushes in with a discus clothesline that spins Cosmo inside out. Chris Page comes up from behind and pulls King and Malone into each other, causing them to headbutt the other. Then he and Chris Brock begin to brawl again.

Woo: This Chris on Chris violence is next level stuff. This match has broken down into ways I didn’t even know where possible.

Gomez: And there’s a whole lot of match left!

As the timer hits zero, Jack Severn makes his way down the ramp. Jack crawls into the ring and sneaks past Chris Page and Chris Brock, before jumping up to his feet to boot Ace King in the chest while he lay rubbing his head. Jack is really stomping a mud-hole in King’s chest, before he turns to slapping King in the face and mouth. Jack drags King up to shove him into the corner, then he rushes in and gives a nice European Uppercut. Jack spins around into a backfist, and another backfist, and another. Jack stomps down on King’s thigh before dragging him out of the ring into a headlock. Jack goes for a bulldog, but King uses the momentum to drag Jack up and down with a belly-to-back suplex. When both hit the ground, Jack ignores the pain to roll-over on top of King. Jack begins to rain down punches and slaps. Jack gets to his feet, just in time for Melody Malone to come flying in off the top-rope with a leg lariat that takes Jack out.

In the secondary ring, Cosmo Goldworthy has now joined Bruce and is helping him fight off M$J and Reid. Chris Page and Chris Brock are both down on their hands and knees at this point still punching each other.

Woo: This WarGames match is coming down to the final hour here soon. With Grizzly Duggan and JoJo Rush all that’s left to enter, and kick off The Match Beyond.

Gomez: But one has to ask, have these five already gone beyond and are they all spent?

Melody Malone drags Jack up and goes to send him face first into the structure, but Jack reverses it and sends Malone into the structure. Jack picks up a chair and smashes it into Malone’s head as she stands. Then he turns his attention back to Ace King, smashing the daylights out of his torso with the chair.

In the secondary ring, the tag-team work of New Money has outshined that of Reid and M$J, and a timing error causes Reid to smash his chair into M$J and opens the door to a double lariat from Bruce and Cosmo, taking Reid and M$J off their feet. Chris Page has came out on top in his slugging battle with Chris Brock, and is slowly punching down on Brock from a mounted position.

Jack Severn drags Ace King by his face over to the middle ropes, before hoisting King up and then jumping with the momentum to suplex King over the double ropes into the secondary ring! Jack crawls back into the main ring, followed by Bruce Booth and Cosmo Goldworthy, who help up Callie Clark and Chris Page. The five House-mates taunt the hard-cam, and stand at the ready for Grizzly Duggan.

Woo: The House have locked down the five v five, and are ready for Grizzly Duggan. They might have made a comeback and have won this one!

Gomez: Maybe, but never count out Grizzly Duggan. That’s a man of raw power like none other!

With the timer hitting zero, Grizzly Duggan stomps down to the ring. Chris Page is quick to the door, grabbing it to hold it shut. The House taunt Duggan. Duggan grabs the door with both hands, and then he rips it clean off the hinges, bringing Chris Page out of the ring, before throwing them both at his feet. Duggan climbs up the steps and steps over the top rope into the ring.

Cosmo Goldworthy and Bruce Booth rush Duggan, but Duggan slugs Cosmo in the mouth to stumble him back, and catches Bruce in the face with a big-boot to drop him. Cosmo rushes Duggan again, and Duggan grabs him by the throat to slam him down on Bruce with a chokeslam. Jack Severn and Callie Clark come up and smash chairs into Duggan’s face, Duggan explodes forwards and lariats both chairs into their faces, knocking them inside out. Duggan drags Jack Severn up by his head before beiling him into the second ring, where Ace King is waiting with a chair of his own to start smashing Jack. Chris Brock crawls over to the broken door and lets himself out to start kicking Chris Page.

Duggan drags Cosmo up and biels him into the secondary ring for M$J to start kicking. Callie Clark comes up from behind and jumps up onto Duggan, trying to choke him out. Duggan shifts her weight up onto his shoulder while spinning around real fast and dropping her with a powerslam. Bruce Booth pulls himself up, but Xavier Reid grabs him by the face and rushes to throw him out of the structure. Reid follows Bruce to the outside.

Duggan drags Callie up by her wrist before hammer-whipping her into Melody Malone, who damn near cuts Callie’s head off with another superkick. Duggan stares up the ramp, waiting for JoJo Rush.

Woo: What a difference one man can make.

Gomez: I’ll correct you there, Grizzly Duggan isn’t a man. Grizzly Duggan is a monster! But he’s not the only monster in this match…

JoJo Rush starts to stunt down the ramp, humming to himself and seeming down-right happy to be here. Chris Brock rushes up on JoJo, but the X-Division Champion puts Chris down on his knees with two gunshot sounding chops. JoJo jumps into Paramount’s General Manager with a massive European Uppercut that knocks both men over. JoJo pulls himself up and continues towards the ring. Xavier Reid rushes at JoJo and jumps into him with a flying clothesline, but JoJo catches his Monday Night Rival by the throat before chokeslamming him into the structure. JoJo climbs up the stairs and enters the ring. He and Grizzly Duggan lock eyes, the crowd goes silent.

Woo: This is going to be bad…

Gomez: This is going to be good…

JoJo Rush approaches Duggan, and then the two get up into the other's grill. Dugganlooks down at JoJo, JoJo looks up at Duggan. “You’re a big sonovabitch” JoJo can be heard exclaiming. “And you’re not too tiny of a feller yourself” Duggan says back. JoJo smiles before cocking back and smashing his hand into Duggan’s chest. The chop echos out like a rifle fired in the venue, and Duggan’s chest begins to bleed. Duggan himself is unphased. Duggan lines up JoJo and then swings wild with his arm, catching JoJo with a mighty lariat that explodes beads of sweat from JoJo’s body. JoJo takes a step backwards, but is unphased. These two monsters gaze into each other, when Callie Clark comes up from behind and lunges up to hit Grizzly Duggan in the nuts. Duggan kneels over, and JoJo grabs him and lifts the bitch son of a bitch up and down with a fucking uranage!

Woo: OH MY GOD! JOJO RUSH JUST LIFTED AND PLANTED A NEAR 400 POUND MAN!

In the secondary ring, Jack Severn has somehow gotten the belt from earlier and is spanking Ace King on the ass. Outside the structure, Bruce Booth has just pulled Chris Page down into a brainbuster on the steel steps. Xavier Reid comes up from behind and shoves Bruce into the structure. Bruce begins to bleed, only the second person in this one to actually bleed so far despite the brutality. Xavier goes up under the ring and brings out a table, that he sets up. Xavier kicks Bruce in the head a few times before laying him out on the table. Xavier begins to climb up the structure…

Back in the secondary ring, Cosmo Goldworthy has just laid out M$J with a 24K magic. Cosmo grabs M$Js leg and ‘pins’ him while slapping the canvas, one, two, three. Cosmo gets up to his feet while taunting at the camera, when he turns around Melody Malone is there, hitting a shooting star press off the top rope into a DDT! The Royal Proclamation! M$J rolls to the center of the ring, where Callie Clark starts to stomp down on him before dragging him by his head out of the structure.

At the top of the structure, Xavier Reid says a prayer before leaping off into a Phoenix Splash… X Marks The Spot! Xavier slams into Bruce Booth, the table explodes into a billion pieces and I don’t think these two are gonna be back in this one!

HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT

Back near the door, Chris Page has just hit a Funky Town T-Bone Suplex on Chris Brock into the structure. JoJo Rush has joined Callie Clark outside, and he helps Callie and Page lay Brock and John on the ramp. Callie and JoJo then both begin to scale up the side of the structure.

Back in the ring, Melody Malone has just hit Jack Severn with a neckbreaker, while Grizzly Duggan exits the ring. At the top of the structure, JoJo Rush and Callie Clark smile at each other and then they both MOONSAULT OFF THE STRUCTURE down onto M$J and Chris Brock respectively. Chris Brock help both up to their feet, but Grizzly Duggan comes up from behind and slams Page and Rush off their feet with a pounce. Callie Clark was just able to avoid the finishing move and makes her way back to the ring crawling.

JoJo Rush hits the ramp hard, but he rolls up to his feet before charging Duggan and slamming into him with a lariat. The impact sends Duggan stumbling backwards. JoJo Rushes at Duggan, but Duggan grabs JoJo by his throat. JoJo punches Duggan in the mouth and gets him to drop the hold, before grabbing Duggan’s arm and hammer-whipping him up the ramp. JoJo drops to a knee and catches his breath, before rushing up after Duggan. Duggan stops his running and turns around to rush JoJo. The two meet shoulder to shoulder with an impact that throws each other backwards out of it.

In the secondary ring, Melody Malone and Ace King stomp down on Jack Severn, yelling at him to just give up already. Melody heads back to the main ring to grab the barbed wire chair, only to be met by a Callie Clark slingblade! Ace King swivels around to go help Malone, but Jack Severn grabs King’s leg and pulls himself up, slamming his bicep into King’s groin. Not once, not twice, not three times, but four low-blows from Jack to King. As King keels over, Jack locks on The Last Breath. King gasps for air and yells out in pain. Back in the main-ring, Callie Clark pulls Melody Malone into an Excelsior arm-bar.

Jack Severn squeezes his hold tighter and tighter, while Callie is trying to tear Malone’s arm out of socket. Ace King stops yelling and goes silent as his lights go out, while Malone lets out one final grunt and goes silent herself.

DING DING DING

Dobrev: And your winner, via submission thanks to Jack Severn.. THE HOUSE!!!

Callie Clark jumps up to her feet to celebrate her win, before she stops and puts two and two together. Callie glares over at Jack Severn, who has yet to release his hold on King, and her face says it all. Jack finally lets go of the hold and holds his hands high while remaining laying on the canvas.

Woo: There are bodies everywhere. I think everyone is taken out. I don’t even know how Callie Clark is standing right now. This match lived up to the hype of a WarGames match.

Gomez: Girl Power. That’s how. And you’re not kidding. This match was hell. I don’t think these guys will ever be the same again.

Woo: That’s for damn sure. Well folks, we’ve had a great show tonight. It’s a shame we couldn’t cap the show off with two back to back triumphs over evil, but…

Gomez: Hey, Jack told you. The House always wins. They just beat a stacked team of champions and Hall Of Famers. You don’t get bigger than that.

Woo: For tonight at least, The House are on top of the world. For The EWC, I’m Marcus Woo. And we’ll see you in a few weeks for WrestleFest!

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END SCREEN

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UNAUTHORIZED VIEWERS BEWARE AND BE FOREWARNED!

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SEGMENT WRITERS

Ace King
Marcu$ $t. John
Ruthless Aggression
The House (Jack Severn / Callie Clark / JoJo Rush / Bruce Booth / Cosmo Goldworthy / Chris Page)

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MATCH WRITERS

MATCH ONE
WRITER: EWC Staff Assistant: Em

MATCH TWO
WRITER: Emiko Okita

MATCH THREE
WRITER: EWC Staff Assistant: Em

MATCH FOUR
WRITER: EWC Staff Assistant: Em

MATCH FIVE
WRITER: Chunks of Darna Dare

MATCH SIX
WRITER: Chunks of Darna Dare

MATCH SEVEN | MAIN EVENT
WRITER: FN'R

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RECAP OF WINNERS

SINGLES MATCH
Caleb Scott Vs Mercenary
WINNER: Mercenary
...

SINGLES MATCH
Emiko Okita Vs Emmanuelle
WINNER: Emiko Okita

...

SINGLES MATCH
King Flip Vs Ruthless Aggression
WINNER: Ruthless Aggression

...

SINGLES MATCH
"Headhuntress" Aiya Vs Stitches
WINNER: "Headhuntress" Aiya

...

SINGLES MATCH
Morgan Darkwater Vs Sally Talfourd
WINNER: Morgan Darkwater

...

SINGLES MATCH
Narumi Tsutsumi Vs Saidie Sharpe
WINNER: Narumi Tsutsumi

...

WARGAMES MATCH
Team EWC (Ace King, Chris Brock, Marcu$ $t. John, Melody Malone, Grizzly Duggan, & Xavier Reid) Vs The House (Bruce Booth, Callie Clark, Chris Page, Cosmo Goldworthy, Jack Severn, & JoJo Rush)
WINNERS: The House

...

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MVP OF THE NIGHT: The House
MATCH OF THE NIGHT: WarGames

© EXTREME WRESTLING CORPORATION 2023