Post by PARAMOUNT on Mar 6, 2024 20:53:51 GMT -6
The Extreme Wrestling Corporation Presents
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“Superstar” by For Squirrels begins to blast over the arena speakers as our feed comes to life...
The fans packing the Coliseo General Ruminahul tonight all come to their feet. Further explosions rock the very foundation of the arena as a large video screen is lowered from the rafters, stopping 15 feet above the ring! Everyone in Quito knows that the self-proclaimed greatest show on Wednesday night is about to begin and they cheer accordingly! The heavy riffs from 'Superstar' continue to blare over the arena, setting the tone for what is to come later on this evening.
** The Pinnacle visits the country of Four Worlds **
EPISODE #41
EPISODE #41
MARCH 6TH, 2024
LIVE! from the Coliseo General Ruminahul - Quinto, EquadorWARNING: This live event contains strong coarse language (L), and intense violence (V) which may be unsuitable for younger viewers. None of the matches you are about to watch have been predetermined. Only some of the thematic story-lines have been discussed beforehand. Accordingly, EWC and it's producers must insist that no one attempt to recreate or re-enact any match or activity performed in this live event.
“Superstar” by For Squirrels begins to blast over the arena speakers as our feed comes to life...
The scene immediately cuts to a pyro show erupting on the outside of the Coliseo General Ruminahul!
Then a cut to another, equally explosive show on the inside!
Then a cut to another, equally explosive show on the inside!
The fans packing the Coliseo General Ruminahul tonight all come to their feet. Further explosions rock the very foundation of the arena as a large video screen is lowered from the rafters, stopping 15 feet above the ring! Everyone in Quito knows that the self-proclaimed greatest show on Wednesday night is about to begin and they cheer accordingly! The heavy riffs from 'Superstar' continue to blare over the arena, setting the tone for what is to come later on this evening.
IT'S ALL I WANT, IT'S ALL I NEED
IT'S ALL I SEE, IT'S ALL I BREATHE
IT'S WHAT I AM, IT'S WHAT'S I KNOW
IT'S WHAT I FEEL, IT'S WHAT I BLEED!
IT'S ALL I SEE, IT'S ALL I BREATHE
IT'S WHAT I AM, IT'S WHAT'S I KNOW
IT'S WHAT I FEEL, IT'S WHAT I BLEED!
On the Extreme-Tron, this episode of Paramount Wrestling begins with its opening video montage detailing many of the historic events that have taken place in the five-year history of Future Stars of Wrestling, setting the tone for the history of the Orange brand. From past champions like Jason Hunter, Dixie Dubois, Amis Shelton, Magdalena Lockheart, and Otaki all standing underneath an old FSW logo to the more current Future Stars Champions like Xavier Reid, Cletus Franklin, Melody Malone, Robina Hood, Robbie Rayder, Stitches, Candy, and Wes Walker tearing down that mold, showing the Paramount Wrestling Logo...
As more pyro goes off the Paramount Wrestling logo appears and flashes of the roster appear on the screen such as Marcu$ $t. John, Xavier Reid, SONYA, Sakura Yamamoto, Jack Hart, Tanja Devereaux, Shaker Jones, Adriana Aquilla, El Pablo, Brett Kennedy, Apollo Polamalu, Carrie Samson, Grace Holt, Raca Jakodi, and Rick Rampage. The final images shown are a montage of Sally Talfourd, the EWC Undisputed Championship around her waist, JoJo Rush with the EWC Hardcore Championship over his shoulder and the EWC International championship around his waist, the Heat Packers holding the EWC World Tag Team Championships aloft, Cosmo Goldworthy posing with the EWC Unites States title over his shoulder, Amber Lisa holding up with Dynasty championship in both hands, The Lad proudly sporting the EWC TV Championship around his waist and finally Ibuki Ito and the EWC North American championship high over his head.
The camera pans around the loud and out of control audience. As the fireworks continue to explode, the fans chant and cheer! Cameras pan around the arena to catch some of the signage that many fans have brought to Coliseo General Ruminahul with them here tonight. The Paramount Wrestling fan-base is as adamant about having their voices heard now as ever:
"Tag Team Wrestling IS Paramount"
"GODS HAMMER is here to bring justice to EWC."
"The Boss and The Bastard are going to run this town tonight!"
"El Pablo is going to jump off the Equator!"
"PAR-A-MOUNT!!!"
"PARA-A-MOUNT!!!"
"PARA-A-MOUNT!!!"
"PAR-A-MOUNT!!!"
"PARA-A-MOUNT!!!"
"PARA-A-MOUNT!!!"
"PAR-A-MOUNT!!!"
The lights come back to full and the fans offer one last rousing cheer at the opening festivities. Tonight's announcers are on standby and ready for the show to begin.
Watson: Buenos Noches and welcome to the 41st episode of Paramount Wrestling! We are coming to you live from Coliseo General Ruminahul in Quito, Ecuador. My name is Tim Watson and with my as always is Cid Sydney
Sydney: It's great to be back with another episode of Paramount Wrestling! The weather is getting hot all over right now, but tonight will be SCORCHING as we have a slate of interbrand matches practically all night long for you! Prime's Justin Paige takes on Amber Lisa in our opening bout, and then the team of Young Justice take on the former EWC World Tag Team champions 3pAC in tonight's Tag Team Showcase!
Watson: Rampage's Jason Anderson and Xavier Reid battle in a bout of former FSW champions and then Rampage's Alexander Umbra takes on El Pablo in our semi-main event!
Sydney: In our main event, the man setting the orange brand on FIRE early in this season, The Lad, looks to get his second successful defense of the EWC Television title as he takes on GOD'S HAMMER, Jaca Rakodi.. This one will not be for the faint of heart as both men are bound to beat the absolute tar out of each other!
Watson: We will also hear from Marcu$ $t. John tonight as he wants to speak about the M$J invitational that he is bringing to Paramount.
Sydney: We have all this and SO MUCH MORE! Our first match of the night will be coming up right after this quick message from EWCTV. Don't go anywhere .. Paramount Wrestling action will be back in exactly 1 minute
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Backstage the camera is focused on the Dynasty Championship sitting on the crate. Amber Lisa is doing push ups on her toes once again where Saul is sitting on her back with his arms folded like he was thinking. Amber wasn’t breaking a sweat while she was counting her push-up with him on her back.
Amber Lisa: 25...26....27.... 28..29..30...
Saul just grins sitting on her back while she does her push up.
Saul: Your Father and my half sisters trust me to look out for you here. So far when it comes to dealing with Tanja I truly haven’t been any help.
Saul jumps up off her back, Amber Lisa does a little stretch and then picks up her title placing it over her shoulder. She starts to glow a bit because her uncle is actually showing he cares about her. She gives him a big bear hug as he tries to act like he wasn’t happy with her showing affection towards him.
Amber Lisa: You do love me! And here I was thinking you only have a black heart.
Saul rolled his eyes as he gently pushed her way, fixing his leather jacket on himself. She has this big grin on his face.
Saul: Look us black hearts do have a tiny bit of good in there but this is very serious. There is a reason why your father, me and your Aunts ran away from your grandfather. We do not want you to fall victim to someone using what is living inside of you just for their good. Right now if she gets full control over you... that might happen but I have to say I love the fact how you are standing up to her but....
Amber looked over at him closely as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
Saul: You are still new to what is going on with you and you showing that little rebellious side last week made me have a family meeting with your father and my half sisters about how we can deal with Tanja. We noticed how you would like to learn how to control what is inside of you and we do not have the resources to help you since we don’t really deal with that side of things anymore. So, I talked with Narumi and she believes there is someone who can help.
Saul then gently smiles over at the person as Amber Lisa gently bowed towards the person out of respect. That person being Renée Jonae, who is quizzically quiet as she approaches Amber and gestures to her to not bow.
Renee: Non mon poppet, any friend of Naru is a friend of mine. Family. At first I believed I solely came to the EWC to assist with the management of Shinijoshi when Naru and Carley called for me after the red one’s injury amongst you sisters.
She touches Amber on the chin.
Renee: But it seems perhaps it was rather the loa’s will that I am here. I can sense what Tanja sees in you. Naru and your uncle were right to involve me, Naru dabbles in mystics herself, but this culture is more my domain. You are powerful.
Amber flexes with her eyebrow raised as Renee shakes her head.
Renee: Not just there, but here.
Renee points to the heart.
Renee: Power in the heart and soul.
Amber Lisa looked into her eyes and felt warmth from them. Saul gently smiles because he believes she would be a big help.
Saul: Thank You for helping us with this matter. Amber Lisa, I believe she will be a great help so whatever you believe Amber Lisa needs to do she will....
Amber Lisa looks between them both scratching her head a bit looking a bit confused.
Amber Lisa: You do not believe I can fight Tanja on my own....
Saul took a deep breath looking over at Renne hoping she could help to explain this a bit better to Amber Lisa.
Saul: We are not saying... that...
Renee: It’s not whether you can fight HER or not. I have met and fought Tanja, honestly seeing her with gris-gris makes me feel being in my vicinity influenced her to go even deeper in the culture, but for the wrong reasons. The loa and the power within you are not inherently evil. Even Tanja used to be a bayou protector. The true fight is within yourself, and we’re here to support you so that Tanja doesn’t influence you to lose your way in the dark, much like she has.
Saul nods softly while Amber starts to pace a bit back and forth Saul could sense her darkside was getting angry at this moment.
Saul: Me, your father and your aunties walked on that path a long time ago. We can tell you are a person full with ALOT of pure energy that doesn’t need to be on that path like us. Tanja lost last week against your boy toy. I feel things will start to get worse for you since she already mentioned protective charms and other Gris Gris can’t protect you anymore. I can even sense it right now.. I feel what is going on inside of you at this moment!
Amber Lisa fist had tightened up and she didn’t even notice it has she looked between them a bit worried, shaking her head and throwing up her hands in the air.
Amber Lisa: Look, I see what you trying to do and right now... I have better things to worry about and that to make sure I do not get pinned in this non title match. We will talk about this more another time...
Amber Lisa storms away while Saul sighed softly looking over at Renee a bit worried. Renee places her hand on Saul’s shoulder to comfort him and comment on the surprise she felt at Amber’s spunk.
Renee: She’s got an attitude, deep inside her behind the cuddly exterior!
Renee smiles with sass and mystery.
Renee: That’s what I call black girl magic! Fret not, let’s have faith in her.
Saul nods as he and Renee were starting to walk away but then they felt the presence of Tanja and Celeste. They stop and glare right over at Tanja and Celeste slipped out of the shadows after they had observed and listened to the interaction between Amber, Renee and Amber. Celeste let out a light laugh that one would hear from a songbird while Tanja remained silent.
Celeste: Do my ears deceive me, Renee has attempted to make an opinion that Tanja does not remember her roots in being in the Bayou and protecting them?
Tanja: They do not deceive you, our friend. For someone who knows us well and our history from our past would know better than that and she has thought differently of us due to the changes in our ways and beliefs in the Voudou beliefs.
Celeste shook her head in disappointment as she remembered Tanja telling her about Renee several years back. Tanja’s eyes flickered in colour for a moment.
Tanja: Renee; you of all people would know that despite our path of the crossroads of life and death, we still respect what the Bayous offer to the ways that you and we follow and wish to protect them. Nature is something we understand and respect and natural order is something that is very important to both Papa Legba and the Barons. We have also learned that the darker ways can’t be ignored forever and sometimes it is needed in order to survive, especially some of the darker and more destructive Gris Gris..
Tanja stepped forward as the eyes flickered again and narrows her eyes to Saul and Renee.
Tanja: Both of you can try all you wish to protect Amber from what is building in her soul and heart but neither can you hide it from her forever. We can sense that she is already beginning to question her path in life. Soon enough she will find out what it means to not keep the path hidden away from the world.
Tanja and Celeste slowly slip back into the shadows away from Renee and Saul as a cold and dark laugh is heard from Tanja. Renee clicks her tongue, then shakes her head. She then turns to Saul speaking candidly.
Renee: I still consider Tanja a kindred spirit with myself, but she's quite stubborn with her single sighted dark interpretations that cause her to hurt instead of protect and heal. We must see to it that Amber sees her own potential has more than one path.
Saul nods softly as he takes a deep breath believing in Renee's words as they walk off to go check on Amber before her match.
SINGLES MATCH
NON-TITLE
Justin Paige
VS Amber Lisa
We return to ringside where the Ecuador fans have broken out into a PAR-A-MOUNT chant, excited for the opening bout.
Watson: This crowd is electric tonight, and they want some action! So let's get right to it, Isabella Starr take us away!
Starr: The following match is set for one fall. Joining us first, from Bergen, Norway and weighing in at 225 pounds... JUSTIN PAIGE!
The lights grow brighter and brighter. Everything is covered in blinding white light and in a simple drum kick, it is blackout dark. A single spotlight shows Justin Paige standing middle of the stage. As he steps out of the spotlight, the bright lights return and Justin walks to the ring. After stepping in, he grabs the camera and shouts "I AM THE CONSTANT" as the lights return to normal.
Starr: And the opponent, from Brooklyn, New York and weighing in at 136 pounds... she is the EWC DYNASTY CHAMPION... AMBER LISA!
Run It came blasting over the speakers as Amber stood on the top of the ramp with her leather jacket on with a smirk across her face. She comes out playing to the crowd a bit before she climbs inside of the ring. She takes off her jacket with a smile looking over at the opponents with a grin ready to start. Outside on ringside her Uncle is just walking down with her with a bit of a smirk on his face shaking his head while she play to the crowd a bit.
DING DING DING
Paige opens with right hands and a forearm to the jaw that push Amber back. Paige whips Amber but pulls her back ramming a knee into her gut. Paige drives Amber to the mat with a DDT. He rolls Amber onto her back before hooking the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Amber shoves Paige off to break the count. Paige lifts Amber to her feet but she pushes him away. Paige runs at Amber but she spins him with a powerslam. Both get to their feet where Amber cracks Paige with a loud backhand chop that spins Paige around. Amber grabs Paige and launches him across the ring with a German suplex that almost bends him in half. Amber grabs a leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Paige lifts a shoulder off the mat to break the count
Watson: Big kick out there!
Sydney: I’ll say. I have pain in my C7 just looking at that!
Amber lifts Paige to his feet and drives him back to the ropes with backhand chops to the chest. Amber whips Paige off the ropes. She runs off the opposite ropes sending Paige flying across the ring with a Drive By. Paige crashes upside down and gut first into the corner. Amber pulls him down and hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Paige manages to get a hand to the bottom rope breaking the count. Amber lifts Paige to his feet and whips him to the opposite corner. Paige reverses it sending Amber hard into the corner. Before she can get her bearings, Paige comes crashing in with a Hellluva Kick. The impact spins Amber but Paige rolls her into a school boy.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Amber rolls onto her front breaking the count.
Watson: Almost picked up the victory there!
Sydney: That was a big boot, Amber Lisa may have some neck issues.
Both slowly get to their feet. Paige headbutts Amber which staggers her. Paige grabs Amber and tries to ripcord her into a Paige Turner but Amber is able to duck. Amber hits Paige with a forearm to the back of the head that knocks him to the mat. Amber stands in the corner and runs at Paige cracking him with Run It. Paige crumples to the mat where Amber hooks the leg. The referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Starr: And your winner, via pinfall AMBER LISA!
Amber gets to her feet and raises her arms in victory before performing a little dance. She rolls from the ring, keeping an eye on Justin. The Ref comes over to the ropes to hand her the title but Justin stops her in her tracks. As Amber watches on from the floor, Saul is screaming at Justin as he pulls the title from the refs hands. He looks the title over again before he tosses it out of the right, well past where she can catch it. She picks the title off the ground and hugs it close as Justin motions for a title around his waist.
Justin: I don't care what title, I don't care who holds it. I'm coming for them all!
Watson: Paige is sour, and absolutely disrespectful. How anyone green lit this guy onto Paramount is a mystery. Regardless, Amber Lisa walks out tonight with the win.
Sydney: Look Watson, Justin Paige did well this early into his EWC career and he almost had it sewn up with the ripcord Paige Turner. He would have, had Amber not been able to counter. He is proving he can back that talk up.
Watson: He'll get a chance on Prime #119 against Phoenix Winterborn, but tonight our Dynasty Champion proved she's not to be taken lightly. Folks, sit tight because we've got a LOT more Paramount coming your way tonight including a matchup between two former FSW champions!
Camera cuts to a commercial for Paramount #42 LIVE from Bogota, Columbia!
The camera cuts backstage where we find Deimos, ‘Little’ Danny and Bunny Love as they are preparing for tonight’s match against Cassie Wolfe and Harper Mason, Young Justice…Deimos is seen pulling on his back tactical vest as ‘Little’ Danny laces up his black boot…Bunny Love is applying her black lip stick as Lisa Goldrush knocks on the door and pops her head in…
Goldrush: Can I have a moment of your time…
The trio look at her as she doesn’t wait for a ‘yes’ and just walks in with her camera crew…
Goldrush: Let me be the first to welcome you back to Paramount and say I for one am glad you signed back with Paramount…giving us one of the best tag teams in the division right here on Paramount…and tonight you make your season debut in the tag team division against a team that’s been quite busy in the division…
Deimos scuffs at that statement…
Deimos: Yeah, busy losing…
Danny: What are they this season Lisa…
But before Lisa can answer Bunny Love does it for her…
Love: 0-2 as a tag team, losing to Goldworthy and Rush of The House…
Deimos: Who we both beat last season, JoJo with Eddie Dozier and Goldworthy with Bruce Booth…
Love: And Silent Discotecnicos…
Danny: Who we co-won a match with last season…
Love: In fact Cassie is also 0-3 in singles this season and yet…
Deimos: They want to crack jokes about us…
Danny: Talk about our feuds with McDonalds and Trojan Man…
Bunny shakes her head, trying not to laugh…
Deimos: Maybe if the Young Ladies of Justice spent a little more time focusing on our match and not our bio they would have understood that Paramount is on Wednesday nights and not Sunday’s…
Danny: Yeah Harper…Sunday wasn’t 3pAC v. Young Justice…it was when your partner got beat by Bruce Booth at Prime #118…
Deimos: And if you would have scrolled down past our fighting style and hate list you would have also seen we have been the EWC Tag Team Champions…
Danny: Yeah, for 90 days…defended those championships while beating a who’s who inside that ring…
Deimos: Beat Narumi Tsutsumi when she was the Undisputed Champion, ‘Headhuntress’ Aiya…JoJo Rush when he was the X-Division Champion and his lame partner Eddie Dozier…Cosmo Goldworth when he was the HBO Broadcast Champion…DOMINATED Damage Inc…13 tag team wins last season…more than any other tag team in the division…
Danny: But you wanted to focus on our hatred for Elmo…and you wonder why these ladies can’t win matches…
Deimos: BREAKING NEWS…they suck…they are this season’s Moonshine Inc or Kruel Masters…tag team employed to make the stars look good…
Danny: Fluffers…
Bunny shakes her head…
Love: You can’t call Cassie and Harper ‘fluffers’...I’m not sitting in another 2 hour HR meeting because of something either of you say…
Deimos: Tonight we remind the EWC just who the fuck we are when we go out to that ring and put on a dominate performance and we will be around later tonight when they want to book us for the titles at StrangleMania…
Goldrush: Well speaking of the tag team championships…last week we heard from Dan Funk and Brodie Dawson…
Deimos yawns…
Deimos: Yeah, I read the Reddit page, turns out 82% of viewers took a piss break during that segment…
Danny: Makes sense because they are full of shit…
Deimos: You saw them, running scared saying that us or the dickless Volando’s won’t be challenging them anytime soon…
Danny: For the last time…El Pablo and Vertigo did not cut off their dicks just because they joined Shinijoshi…
Danny: We will agree to disagree on that…
Deimos: They want to stand out in our ring and lie to our fans…claiming to have beaten us THREE TIMES…
Danny: Twice…they beat us Twice…
Deimos: It’s cute they only want to face another House teams…
Danny: That’s because they only like to ‘play with themselves’...
Deimos: But the fun fact is they are talking like they have already beaten The Eleos Affect and we all know that hasn’t happened yet…
Danny: We are going to be in Chicago next Monday night to watch The Heat Packers' demise with smiles on our faces and then watch as Chris Brock does his magic and gets us that match at WrestleFest because let’s face it…
Deimos: As impressive as Antoni and KU’s win at WrestleFest they beat the Reaper Crisis and not us…so the way we look at it we have to be next…
Danny: And tonight we prove that by beating the ‘justice’ out of Cassi and Harper…
Deimos: You better believe that…and you better believe in the PAC!!!
Deimos extends his fist and Danny does as well…they pause and Bunny walks over and thrust her fist out as the camera fades out
TAG TEAM SHOWCASE
Young Justice
VS 3pAC
We return to ringside where Cid and Tim are looking at one another, shaking their heads.
Watson: It's a good thing TKO is tied up with other litigation and they don't have time to deal with 3pAC... but either way, they sound ready to take out their frustrations on Young Justice tonight!
Starr: The following tag team match is set for one fall. Joining us first, weighing in at a combined 243 pounds: Cassie Wolfe and Harper Mason... YOUNG JUSTICE!
The intro for Jonathon Young's cover of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes theme hits the speakers and Harper and Cassie emerge from the back ready for action, they slap hands with the fans on their way to the ring before sliding in and high fiving each other as they wait for their opponents.
Starr: And the opponents, weighing in at a combined 455 pounds: Deimos and Little Danny... 3PAC!
TANGO…HOTEL…ECHO…THREE…PAPA…ALPHA…CHARLIE…THE 3PAC!!! The camera cuts to the crowd as Deimos, 'Little' Danny and Bunny Love walk through the crowd as 'My Hero' plays out. They march down the steps and make it to the guardrail. Deimos jumps over as 'Little' Danny runs and jumps over, doing that famous somersault entrance…once on his feet the pair walk over and lift Bunny Love up and over the rail with a hand under each of her arms. The trio storm up the steps and enter the ring…
DING DING DING
Harper and Danny open. Danny runs at Harper but she takes him to the mat with an arm drag. Danny gets to his feet but a dropkick knocks him back to the corner. Harper charges at him but Danny gets his feet up to block. Harper grabs his feet pulling him down into a sitout powerbomb. Harper lifts Danny to his feet but he counters with a backdrop. Danny runs off the ropes and comes back with a dropkick to Harper’s ribs. Danny drags Harper to her feet and to his corner where Deimos tags in. Deimos climbs to the top turnbuckle and drops down with an axe handle. Harper clutches at her shoulder as Deimos knocks her down with a boot to the face. The boot sends her across the ring where Harper tags in Cassie. She gets into the ring and charges at Deimos. Cassie ducks a clothesline and knocks Deimos down with a superkick. She makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Deimos pushes his way free to break the count. Cassie lifts Deimos to his feet but he grabs Cassie taking her over with a jackhammer suplex. He hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Harper dives into the ring breaking the count.
Watson: I thought that was a three!
Sydney: I’ve seen that suplex lead to many a win over the years but most of those were not tag matches with Harper Mason ready to dive in!
Danny runs into the ring and clotheslines Harper up and over the top rope to the floor. He and Deimos turn their attentions to Cassie as she gets back to her feet. Danny and Deimos grab an arm each and smack her with In Your Face. She drops to the mat where Deimos makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Harper grabs at Deimos’ ankle to break the count. Danny slides out of the ring after her but Harper whips him into the ringside barrier. Harper gets to her corner and reaches over the top rope tagging herself in. Harper helps Cassie to her feet and they charge at Deimos hitting WHAM! Harper hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Deimos just manages to roll to his side breaking the count.
Watson: So close!
Sydney: Deimos’ ribs won’t be. You could fit a baseball between them after that double spear!
Harper pulls Deimos to his feet. Cassie climbs to the top rope as Harper positions Deimos. Harper lifts Deimos for World’s About To Break but Deimos grabs Harper and counters by backdropping her into Cassie knocking her to the floor and then dropping Harper to the mat. Harper charges at Deimos but Danny slides into the ring and scoops Harper up. Danny falls back into the waiting arms of Deimos as they hit a pAC Drop. Deimos makes a cover as the referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
Cassie slides into the ring to break the count but she’s stopped by Danny.
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Starr: And your winners, via pinfall 3PAC!
Bunny slides into the ring and she raises the arms of Deimos and Danny before they climb the turnbuckles and celebrate while Bunny stands in the middle of the ring applauding her charges.
Watson: That would have been a hell of a win for any team but on this night it goes the way of 3pAC!
Sydney: Young Justice came so, so close on this night. But consider it a lesson learned, going against former champions tonight. It's a tough night any night you're in the ring in EWC, but with Bunny Love in your corner anything is possible!
Watson: 3pAC earning themselves an important 2 points in the Power Rankings with this win, and you know they're all eyes ahead to getting back to those Tag Team Championships.
As Young Justice head back up the ramp, 3pAC continues to celebrate briefly before the cameras fade from ringside, and instead take us backstage once more.
The camera cuts backstage as Paramount’s Lisa Goldrush is seen walking down the hallway. She makes a left turn as sees the man she’s been sent to find, ‘The Prodigal Son’ Buddy Love, who is sipping on a cup of hot chocolate. She smiles as Buddy sees her and waves…
Goldrush: Buddy Love, just the man I’m looking for…
Buddy points at himself…
Love: Me…
Goldrush: Yes sir, I was just in Mr. Brock’s office and he handed me this to give to you…
Lisa extends her hand and the letter Chris Brock wants Buddy to see and smiles…
Goldrush: He hopes you and Ibuki will enjoy it…
Lisa’s smile widens as the North American Champion walks up behind Buddy…
Ito: Read it aloud Buddy…
Buddy looks back at Ibuki and nods…he clears his throat and begins…
Love: From the Law Office of Legal Eagles and Beagles…You Win, They Pay…wait…is this one of those ambulance chasing law firms that advertise like they are infomercials…where they don’t get paid unless they win…who in their right mind hires a firm like this?
Lisa points at the letter as if she’s encouraging him to continue reading…
Love: Attn: Mr. Christopher T. Brock…do you think the T stands for Tyrone, that would be so cool…sorry, General Manager-Paramount Wrestling Show and Variety Hour…wait we have a ‘Variety Hour’ here on Apple…why hasn’t anyone told me about this…I placed 3rd 4 years in a row in High School at our talent show for my rendition of MC Hammer’s 🎵You Can’t Touch This…
Ito: I believe that’s a ‘dig’ at this show Buddy…please continue…
Buddy looks a bit disappointed by there not being a real Variety Show here on Apple TV+...
Love: Dear Mr. Brock, We are writing on behalf of our client, Miss Seon-yeong Kwon (Sally Talfourd)...wait a second…our Undisputed Champion is using a 1-800 law firm? Seriously, can’t she afford Kirkland & Ellis or Latham & Watkins…maybe even DLP Piper if they don’t want to represent a ‘rassler’…dude, this is sad that she’s using The Legal Eagle Beagles…
Ito: Buddy…
Love: Yeah, sorry…regarding the ongoing defamatory remarks and personal attacks made against her by various individuals associated with the Paramount Wrestling Show…
Buddy looks back at Ibuki…
Love: Wait…are we one of these ‘various individuals’...is this why Mr. Brock wanted me to have this…
Ito and Goldrush (in unison): Keep reading…
Buddy nods and looks back down at the notice…
Love: It has come to our attention that on multiple occasions, both on-air and through various media platforms, derogatory and slanderous remarks have been directed towards Miss Kwon. These comments have not only tarnished our client’s professional reputation but have also caused significant emotional distress and reputational harm….wait…
Buddy looks up confused as he tilts his head sideways like a confused dog…
Love: Are you telling me that our Undisputed Champion’s skin is so thin that she went out and hired a lawyer to sue people for ‘being mean’ and ‘saying mean things about her’...
Buddy looks at Ibuki and then at Lisa who just nods…
Love: Do you remember all the nasty things people have said about ME over the years, about my weight and the fact that I’m ‘Tommy’s son’...do you remember when Sebastian Conner peed on me!!!I didn’t go out and hire a lawyer or press charges for assault because you don’t do that in this business…I just sucked it up…the mean comments not the pee…and put my big boy pants on and dealt with it…‘I’m rubber and you’re glue’ style…
Ibuki points back at the legal notice and Buddy continues reading…
Love: As you are well aware, such behavior is not only unprofessional but also unlawful…FALSE, it’s not unlawful to say mean things about someone if they are truth…like Sally has shit stains in her wrestling gear…‘so I’ve heard’...
Buddy winks into the camera and then looks back at the notice…
Love: Is this author of this notice even a REAL lawyer or actually gone to law school…
This time Lisa snaps her fingers and points to the notice…
Love: Ok…The repeated attacks against our client constitute defamation per se, as they are clearly intended to injure her reputation and subject her to public contempt and ridicule…I ‘per se’ this is a load of crap…and can be seen as harassment in its own right…I know I’m ‘suffering ‘emotional distress’ having to read this…
Buddy holds up the notice and waves it around before nodding…
Love: I know…keep reading, In light of these actions, we hereby demand that all defamatory remarks and personal attacks against Miss Kwon cease immediately…well that’s unlikely to happen, you know what happens when you ask the kid that takes your lunch money to stop…he punched you in the stomach and then still takes your lunch money…
Buddy nods his head agreeing with himself…
Love: Furthermore, we insist that a public apology be issued to our client for the damage caused by these unwarranted attacks…oh we aren’t apologizing for ANYTHING…Mr. Brock can’t be thinking about making us stand in front of a camera and ask for forgiveness…
Goldrush: He’s not Buddy, I can promise you that…
Love: Ok…good, because…
Ibuki places his hand on Buddy’s shoulder which reminds him to keep reading…
Love: Until such time as these demands are met and assurances are provided that no further defamation will occur, our client refuses to participate in any Paramount Wrestling Show wrestling events or activities…ok seriously…this is a joke right, someone got a hold of his letterhead and is pranking us…she’s the Undisputed Champion which means she’s supposed to appear on all four brands and now what, if we aren’t nice to her and smother her with kindness she’s just not going to show up on Wednesday Nights…
Buddy looks at Ibuki who just smiles as he places the North American Championship belt over his right shoulder…
Love: They may, however, exercise their right of reply remedies to address the harm inflicted upon our client, including but not limited to initiating a defamation lawsuit against all parties involved…she’s threatening to sue us…this is the 2024 version of taking my ball and going home isn’t it…
Buddy shakes his head and continues…
Ito: Please govern yourselves accordingly and convey your compliance with our demands by 6 March, 2024.
Sincerely,
Mr. Norton A. Archibald
Legal Eagles and Beagles
Buddy looks at his Fitbit watch and sees that today is March 6th, 2024…
Love: So we have to the stroke of 12 to comply or what…we lawyer up…Ibuki…
But as Buddy turns to face his client he holds up his hand to cut him off…
Ito: Don’t worry about it Buddy…who else is named in this notice…
Lisa smirks…
Goldrush: You, Xavier Reid and Marcu$ $t. John…
Ibuki chuckles as he nods to Lisa…
Ito: Well I can’t speak for Marcu$ but I know what Xavier’s response will be…as for me I’ll call this what it is…COVER…see Sally or Seon-yeong Kwon doesn’t want to show her face around her because she knows when she does she’s the SECOND most important champion in Paramount behind me…I am the reason she ran off to Prime because she knows on her best day she can’t carry my boots…she tried her best to first, upstage the North American Championship and make the Apple TV+ Broadcast Championship the top billing but she lost…to me..then she tried her best to win this championship but she lost…to me…she didn’t have what took to be the North American Champion so she had to settle for the Undisputed Championship and now wants to act like she’s untouchable…well we all know better…I am the man that pinned Xavier Reid when he was the Undisputed Champion and I am the man she wasn’t good enough to beat just days before becoming the Undisputed Championship…making this…
Ibuki holds out the North American Championship…
Ito: THE TOP CHAMPIONSHIP IN ALL OF THE EWC…it hasn’t gone without notice her little ‘tuffs’ with the US Champion Cosmo Goldworthy…I can see the two of them trying their best to set up a match between the two post StrangleMania if they walk out with wins and it’s a smart move on Sally’s part…engage with someone you can beat and it’s smart of Cosmo…go after a champion you match up well against…because you’re looking at the man that gave you your first loss last season…in fact I’m the man that beat you TWICE…the true is neither of them want another piece of me…0-4 collectively so it makes sense to make the Sally v. Cosmo match post StrangleMania if nothing else to see who the top MID LEVEL CHAMPION is…
Buddy holds back a laugh…
Love: It’s not slander if the statement is true…
Ito: The best thing to ever happen to Paramount is Sally running off to Prime, it showed she has no heart and was willing to take a bag of cash than show loyalty to the brand that made you a star and we don’t need cowards like that around here in Paramount…we are building something special here, a collection of the BEST stars in the EWC and she knows she doesn’t have what it takes to compete against ME…
Ibuki places the North American Championship back over his shoulder…
Ito: Today marks the 287th day as the North American Champion…I am the LONGEST current reigning champion in the EWC, 20 days shy of becoming the longest North American Champion in history…during this reign I’ve beaten the then Apple TV+ Champion, the then Indy Champion, the then HBO Broadcast Champion, the then Undisputed Champion…last season I beat the then X-Division Champion El Pablo, beat Ace King at StrangleMania…beat King Flip…you want to know who the UNDISPUTED TOP CHAMPION IN THE EWC IS…you’re looking at him…nobody can deny that and that’s what pisses Seon-yeong Kwon off the most…because she knows she’s a fraud…when standing next to me she knows the world will see her as second best…
Buddy smirks and rips up the legal notice…
Love: And if that offends you Sally…sue us!!!
Buddy sprinkles the pieces of paper on the floor as the two men walk off camera…
The camera cuts backstage as Xavier and Bunny are reading over the legal notice Sally’s lawyers sent Chris Brock and named Xavier as one of the three ‘individuals’ guilty, in her eyes, of slander and unprofessional attacks on the Undisputed Champion…
Love: You have to be kidding me with his…
Bunny looks up as Xavier smiles and keeps reading…
Love: What a sad world we live in when the Undisputed Champion goes crying to a lawyer because people said mean things about her…and to refuse to come to Paramount until she gets an apology and what, a promise we will kiss her ass and ‘bow down’ to her…
Bunny shakes her head as Xavier finishes reading the notice and crumples it up into a ball…
Reid: Let her sue us…I could care less, it’s not going to stop our match at StrangleMania…no matter what legal maneuvers she tries and why wouldn’t she want this match to happen…she already told the EWC fans there is no point buying the ppv…she has this match in the bag in her eyes so let her try and get a restraining order or sue me for damages…it’s not going to stop me from pissing all over her on our road to StrangleMania…
Bunny nods her head…
Love: Let’s not let Sally ruin tonight or take away our focus on the match at hand…Jason Anderson would love nothing more than to knock us off our path and upset us here tonight…
Xavier smirks…
Reid: Poor Jason, he’s so lost in his own head that he’s living in a made up reality…he doesn’t think I respect Ibuki…he’s trying to create beef where there isn’t any…it’s sad really but I guess I get it…he’s a ‘Buddy’...he fired Tommy and you because Mommy didn’t like him being in The Love Club and didn’t think she needed us and yet…he’s right back in the mix again…he thinks just because it’s Buddy and not Tommy that it’s different…Ibuki Ito is a Love Club member…as is Buddy Love himself…the ‘Buddies’ are nothing more than just the guys Buddy managers…he’s still being advised by ‘The Love Club’ and the fact he doesn’t get that…well…thank God there isn’t a IQ test right…
Bunny presses her lips together…
Love: I’m not going to lie, I’m still a little pissed about who everything turned out between my father and I and the Hunter but at this point it’s in the past for me…I’ve moved on and am in your corner…but I will say this, Jason is WAY off base…
Xavier smirks…
Reid: He wants to paint me as a ‘bad guy’...I get it, it’s easy right…maybe he needs me to be the ‘heel’ to motivate him but unlike Sad Little Sally I won’t hire a lawyer because he lied about a few facts…I’ll just correct him…
Xavier tosses the ball of paper into the trash…
Reid: I didn’t keep Samantha at arms length…I traveled the world with her…opened myself up to trusting someone and if you know ANYTHING about me you would know how hard that really is…I put my time as International Champion on hold to chase Tag Team gold with her…I trusted her in ways Jason would never understand…it pained me that we couldn’t win those belts but I was the first one to congratulate her when she found out she was pregnant…I was truly happier for her and asked her permission to team with Jamie…the old me would have just done it but I went to her and sought her blessing…
Love: That’s how much she meant to you…
Reid: I then went out and offered Jamie Love a place at my side…to help him feel included in The Love Club…I knew what it felt like to have a family not wanting you and I brought him in because I wanted him to be around his family…I forced Tommy to accept him and offered him his place in The Love Club…I helped him realize his life long dream of becoming a EWC Champion…was that keeping him at ‘arms length’...please, I looked at him as a brother because I saw the Love’s as family…sure I made mistakes…we should have hid ‘this’ from him and your father but I won’t sit back and be told I kept him at arms length…I helped him become a champion and he turned his back on me…the old me, would have found him and took his head off…but out respect for you, Tommy and Buddy I left it alone…I didn’t seek out revenge when he turned his back on me and joined The House…I chalked it up to a child needing to prove himself…I chalked it up to me wanting to destroy my own family…
Xavier shakes his head…
Reid: And sure, Ibuki and I don’t have the best relationship but it is one of respect…and it’s not like I was the one that burned his family business to the ground…
Xavier smirks…
Reid: The fact is Jason has never felt like a REAL member of this group so he’s deflecting…making me into the bad guy because I haven’t welcomed him in…made him feel like he’s important…so tonight he’s going to go out there and try and beat some ‘respect’ into me but here’s the thing…he tried that last time and came up short…he needs to beat me so badly that it’s driving him mad because he needs to prove that he’s a star…that his career hasn’t been a waste…see the thing is Jason Anderson is jealous…of the career I have, the woman I have and the fact that I made something out of myself…I’ve lived up to my family's name while he…he squandered his…
Bunny nods in agreement…
Reid: He looks at me, the man that will be Main Eventing StrangleMania with a chance to become a three time Undisputed Champion and thinks ‘what could have been’...and it pisses him off…so badly that he tries to paint me as this bad guy…but it’s ok…I’ll go out there and do what I do, I’ll beat him…I’ll end this little run he’s having and move on without a second thought…see Jason Anderson wants the Love Club/Buddies drama because that’s all he has going right now…but me, I have a Undisputed Championship to win…so I’ll go out there and show him the difference between him and I…I’ll show him what could have been for him…and then he can come back here, sit in the dark and curse my name even more than he does now…
Xavier smirks as the camera fades out…
SINGLES MATCH
Jason Anderson
VS Xavier Reid
We return to ringside where the crowd is still buzzing over the revelations they've just heard
Sydney: Can you seriously believe Sally is SUING Paramount?!
Watson: Frivolous case or no, you've gotta think despite him saying he doesn't care, it's going to be on Xavier's mind. If Jason can capitalize on this, it could seriously derail Reid's momentum and he canNOT afford that heading into Stranglemania!
Watson: Frivolous case or no, you've gotta think despite him saying he doesn't care, it's going to be on Xavier's mind. If Jason can capitalize on this, it could seriously derail Reid's momentum and he canNOT afford that heading into Stranglemania!
Starr: The following match is set for one fall. Joining us first…
The spotlights inside the arena start to flash around the crowd as 'Papercut' starts to play out. Xavier Reid walks out onto the stage and pulls his t-shirt off and drops it on the stage. Bunny Love follows him out onto the stage to cheers. Xavier walks to the front of the stage and crosses his arms into an X in front of his chest and smirks as Bunny walks up from behind him and points to the ring. Xavier and Bunny walk towards the ring, climb up the steps and into the ring. Xavier goes to the far corner and jumps up to the second rope and looks out over the fans as Bunny walks to the center of the ring and points at Xavier.
Starr: Being accompanied to the ring by Bunny Love, from Edmonton, Alberta Canada, weighing in at 220lbs... XAVIER REID!
Starr: And the opponent, residing in Brooklyn, New York and weighing in at 215 pounds... JASON ANDERSON!
The arena lights start to flash on and off as NF- No Excuses came over the speakers as smoke appears on the Extreme Tron in big letters with his picture Jason Anderson “The Boss”. Jason appears on the stage wearing his hood over his head standing on his right is David and on his left is Diana wearing all leather black with her shades on her face and blow pop in her mouth. Jason play to the crowd a bit as Dave and Diana walked on his side walking with him down to the ring.
He get inside of the ring and pop the hood off his head like AJ Styles on the top rope point a finger down to Angel. She is jumping up and down for her father as he grins and winks at her as he jump down off the corner ropes. He look right at the person across from him while he take off his hood jacket and start to test ropes a bit.
DING DING DING
Both move to tie-up but Jason ducks and runs off the ropes. Jason rebounds smacking Reid with a knee lift. Jason grabs him and rams Reid into the corner. Jason whips Reid across the ring sending Reid crashing upside down into the corner. As Reid drops down laying on the mat, Jason climbs the turnbuckles dropping down with a diving headbutt to the ribs. Reid holds his ribs as he gets to his feet but a superkick knocks him back down. Jason hooks the legs.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Reid shoves his way free breaking the count. Jason lifts Reid to his feet. Reid slaps Jason hard across the face. Jason smacks Reid with a forearm spinning him around. Reid leaps back hitting a Pele kick. Reid leaps taking Jason over with a standing reverse frankensteiner. Reid takes a few steps back and runs cracking Jason with a punt kick. Reid makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Jason just manages to roll onto his side breaking the count.
Watson: How did he kick out of that?!
Sydney: Muscle memory is my guess. Jason Alexander was out cold!
Reid lifts Jason from the mat and onto the top turnbuckle. Reid climbs them to join Jason. Reid brings down onto the turnbuckle with a CTE. Jason drops to the mat below where Reid hooks the leg as he makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Jason rolls to his side breaking the count. Reid lifts Jason to his feet. Reid whips Jason off the ropes. Jason reverses sending Reid off the ropes and knocks him to the mat with a back elbow. Jason takes a few stapes back and cracks a kneeling Reid with a Boss Trigger. He makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Reid just manages to get a hand onto the bottom rope to break the count.
Watson: How?! How?! HOW?!
Sydney: How the hell should I know? All I know is he DID kick out!
Jason lifts Reid to his feet and up onto his shoulders for Payment. Before he can hit it, Reid slips from Jason’s grip. Reid grabs Jason from behind lifting Jason to his shoulders. Reid brings Jason crashing to the mat with a Bastard Bomb. He grabs the legs as the referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Starr: And your winner, via pinfall XAVIER REID!
Reid gets to his feet and goes to the far corner and jumps up to the second rope and looks out over the fans as Bunny walks to the center of the ring and points at Xavier.
Watson: Sometimes it feels that there is no stopping Xavier Reid as he picks up another victory here tonight!
Sydney: He almost didn’t. He was a Payment away from a loss here. Jason Anderson went down tonight but he went down fighting!
Watson: If he wanted to send a message to Sally, he's making it loud and clear.
Camera cuts to a commercial advertising the Stranglemania Main Event - Xavier Reid and Sally Talfourd for the EWC Undisputed Championship LIVE on April 22nd!
We return from commercial to a buzz of activity in the Colieseo General Ruminahul. The wrestling die-hards of Ecuador – and who knew there were this many of them! – have turned out and are already on the edge of their seats. During the break, ringside and the ring itself have been transformed. Yes, it’s that time again – the Countdown to 300 has joined Paramount! There’s an assortment of posters with various faces, both familiar and unfamiliar to the wrestling fan. In the ring, two larger posters. On the left is a face and a name familiar to anyone in EWC: The 2009 EWC Hall of Fame Inductee Level-One. In the corner of that poster is #200. In the opposite corner, the spitting image of Brian Kendrick, though by the name running down the side this man is known as Biggs. In the corner of that poster we have #250.
Isabella Starr: Ladies and gentlemen, at this time could you please welcome to the ring … for the latest instalment of the Countdown to 300 … the EWC Undisputed Champion … The Last Magician … the Queen of EWC … Sally Talfourd!
‘Troublemaker’ by Troublemaker hits the PA, sending a wave of confusion through the crowd. Anyone, though, with a fair memory will recall this particular harbinger. From backstage, through the curtains and through to the stage, the one and only Sally Talfourd strolls out, dressed casually for the moment. Her shirt is olive green and reads Action Packed Wrestling. Around her waist: The EWC Undisputed Championship.
Tim Watson: Oh God, I’d been hoping a trip to Ecuador would mean she’d skip us … anyway, it looks like Sally’s misery tour continues here on Paramount.
Cid Sydney: It may be miserable for you, Tim, but for anyone with any respect for this business they know this is history in the making!
Sally has made it down the ramp to the ring. This time, she does a lap of the ringside, taking in the myriad of posters. There is a mixture of moments and opponents, and Sally pauses before them all long enough to take them in. The crowd, however, is none too pleased but the dragging out and let their displeasure be known. Somewhere on her lap, she has obtained a microphone.
Sally Talfourd: Boa noite a todos!
The Ecuadorian crowd is perplexed.
Sally Talfourd: Você está pronto para a melhor noite de suas vidas?
Tim Watson: If my ears aren’t deceiving me, Sally is speaking Portuguese?
Cid Sydney: So what?
Time Watson: Well, for a starter, they speak Spanish here in Ecuador.
The boos intensify as the crowd twigs as to what Sally is doing. Reaching the steps to the ring, Sally begins to climb them.
Sally Talfourd: Is this better?
The crowd’s response is not much different.
Sally Talfourd: Well then, I love you too, Ecuador! So nice to be here. I can’t believe it’s been, what? 10, 11 years since I last came? I swear things weren’t this bad when I last ventured to the equator. Anyway, at least when tonight’s over I get to leave.
Sally, having entered the ring, now comes to her place between the posters.
Sally Talfourd: But before I do, I want to invite you to be part of the history … of the spectacle … of the moment you will forever remember where you were and what you were wearing … even if it is some embarrassing EWC merch. For, you see, we are all living in the shadows of the golden era of wrestling. We stand here and can only hear the echoes of a distant past where crowds respected talent, companies stood for something and wrestlers were revered no matter who they were. And so, in this Countdown to 300, join me as we walk back down the road of Action Packed Wrestling where I slew two of the biggest names in this business to tally up my next two milestones.
Walking over to the poster with a barely contained grin, Sally can’t help but to momentarily be drawn into the moment.
Sally Talfourd: Win number 200. A man who needs no introduction – not in EWC nor the wrestling world. Lester Only, Level-One. Whatever name you may have known him by, I knew him as my rival, my nemesis, archfoe. I was Goku, he was Vegeta. I was Light Yagami, he was L. I was Ash, he was Gary. We came to define one-another and yet, neither of us could ever be what we were without the other. In all my time, I have pinned Level-One to the mat three times in my career – one more than he has ever done to me. And this win here, #200, was the sweetest of them all. At APW’s Rasslemania – a superior version of EWC’s Strangelmania – a year after being pinned by Lester, I squared the ledger. No one saw it coming, and yet the Magic saw it fit for me to win.
Sally begins to wander over to the other poster.
Sally Talfourd: And for as much as Lester was the yin to my yang, Biggs here was the heads to my tails. We were two sides of the same coin, Biggs and I. We had our ups and our downs, we were friends and we were enemies. And yet, at the APW Reunion Show in 2015, the Magic demanded that he and I square off for one final time. And in doing so, one of the last milestones of my career was held in the final days of APW. I had brought lift and vitality to it as I bring it now to EWC. The only difference is, APW recognised what I was. It valued what I was. It honoured who I still am. Can EWC say the same?
As Sally lowers the microphone with a shrug of the shoulders, the fans let her know neither her time nor her efforts are appreciated at this time. Sally begins to pace the ring, a look of determination on her face.
Sally Talfourd: And so now I stand in the ring of a lesser company, with people who could only dream to share their time in the sun with the likes of Level-One and Biggs here … much less emulate even a fraction of this success! I stand in this ring declaring that not a single soul backstage here on Paramount, back at Prime or in the doldrums of Rampage or Brawl could hold a candle to the memory and prestige that the likes of these two bring to this business! And while I fully intend on making Xavier Reid number 300, don’t for a second think that it comes from a place of respect or honour for you, Xavier. It will mean more for you to be my 300th than it does for me. If I had my choice, I would pulled Lester back into the ring, pay whatever the cost to lock up with Biggs once more … or any of the names I’ve introduced to EWC over the past week. Instead, I have the distinct dishonour of having your name on my record of achievement not once, not twice but a third time. It will be the crowning achievement of your 2024 season, and it will be a moment of shame I am left to burden for the rest of my career.
Animated and all but shouting down the mic now, Sally comes to the ropes, leaning on the top to look directly down the lens of the camera trained on the ring.
Sally Talfourd: And just in case anyone backstage gets some hairbrained idea that you deserve the 300th win, trust me when I say this: Any of you hacks watching backstage could be standing in Xavier shoes and the outcome would just be the same. The Magic has placed Xavier Reid before me, but it could quite as easily have been you.
Suddenly, “Exhibit C” by Jay Electronica overtakes the airwaves. The Ecuadorian crowd may have been more excited that someone would come to stop Talfourd’s tirade. That said, the volume elevates when the new EWC Television Championship steps onto the stage. Wearing a casual set highlighted with a Dominic Sanders t-shirt, Lad keeps his head down as he marches to the ring. He climbs the stairs, wipes his feet, and takes a second to take in the atmosphere. He gives Talfourd a brief look, his eyebrows lowered. As he enters, he walks past the Undisputed Champion to grab a microphone. He thanked the stagehand for the assist before looking out to the audience. His theme dies out as he goes to speak.
The Lad: Ms. Sally Talfourd, I didn’t think we would be meeting so early in my run here. Alas, here we are. Or more closely, here I am. I was raised proper, so allow me to introduce myself.
Lad turns to Sally, taking his new gold and fastening around his waist.
The Lad: My name is Lad. I stand here as the new and proud EWC Television Champion.
Putting his hand out, Lad leans in for a handshake from the woman resting on 300 career wins compared to his 2. Talfourd looks at the outstretched hand, either contemplating shaking it or just processing the audacity. Regardless of either conclusion, she raises her eyes to meet Lad’s and ignores the handshake offer. She scoffs and smirks at him.
Sally Talfourd: Yes, yes, the man with no name. I saw your not-name show up on the ticker but I never put a face to it.
She motions offhandedly to Lad’s hand.
Sally Talfourd: You can put that down now. Especially seeing as you interrupted my conversation with the uneducated masses here. Did you know they can’t even speak Portuguese? What has become of this country? They need better schools if they can’t speak their national language.
She lets out a haughty laugh while the audience jeers at her. Lad stays steadfast.
Sally Talfourd: I mean no disrespect when I say this but … who are you to come out here and interrupt me? I know you’re new here, but don’t you understand the importance of all this? Or more importantly…
Talfourd’s eyebrows lower, a semblance of irritation taking root.
Sally Talfourd: The importance of what I said before you came down here. The 300th win could just as easily be you if you keep this up. What a shame it would be for both of us: You losing to the Undisputed Champion right out the gate, and me having to have your name on my record? No, let’s not do that. You should be given time to grow, and so I gift you that time. Who knows, maybe you can avoid becoming another competitor who squandered all their potential by aiming higher than they could ever imagine. Worst of all, you’ll more than likely be giving me that budget Broadcast Championship on your shoulder. The Lad becomes the shortest reigning Television Champion in EWC history, all because he decided to run at the greatest Undisputed Champion EWC has seen.
The Lad nods his head, goes to speak, but Sally puts her hand up.
Sally Talfourd: I’m not finished yet.
The crowd pans but Lad merely gives her the floor to continue.
Sally Talfourd: Consider this a veteran’s courtesy. They might think you’re a coward but I’ll consider you smarter than everybody else in this company. I’m giving you the chance to reverse all this and excuse yourself from my ring. You can keep your championship, build your reputation, and maybe be my 350th win sometime in the future. That’s a wonderful deal, don’t you agree?
Talfourd smiles brightly at Lad. As egotistical as her words seem, there’s a genuine kindness nested somewhere within if you looked hard enough. Lad registers that and ponders on it. He brings the microphone to his lips, but the audience drowns him out with the chants of “no.” Lad shakes his head and asks the crowd to quiet down.
The Lad: I appreciate your, uh, offer. I do. I really do. You can say I’m a fool or whatever. But I’m not the kind of person to step out because someone told me to. Especially since you found a way to look down on me–
The Undisputed Champion bobs her head to the side.
Sally Talfourd: Because I am higher but go on.
Lad keeps firm.
The Lad: You’re proving my point.
The corner of the Undisputed Champion’s mouth tugs.
The Lad: I can’t stand to watch someone of your esteem belittle a whole entire audience of people. Sure, a lot of these people don’t like you. A lot of people on our roster don’t like you. I don’t have an opinion one way or the other. You’re a successful, gorgeous, and extremely talented woman who I strive to face one day.
The audience boos the compliments. Talfourd seems pleased but doesn’t fall into Lad’s rhythm as it were. She places a hand over her heart, mouthing that Lad was right.
The Lad: This is our first meeting, and I like to make my opinion off what I see. Not hearsay. But right now, all I’m understanding is that you need to provide me with a number. If I were to face you and beat you, then what number loss would that be on your record? So if by some miracle in your estimation, I got into a match, proved that it wasn’t a waste of your time, and came out on top? Then Mr. 3-0 TV Champ would be owed an Undisputed Championship shot. And who knows? Maybe I’ll chalk up my 4th or 5th or 6th victory as the upset of the year.
The audience cheers the potential vision loudly. Lad paces slowly on his side of the ring.
The Lad: And well, I think I’m pretty good at that. Seeing as I took this belt off a man you never beat, Marcu$ $t. John, there’s a possibility that it could happen. I don’t believe in the Magic like you do. But I do believe in fate a little bit. More than that, though? I believe in shoving myself into the right place at the right time. By your word too, Ms. Undisputed Champ, it wouldn’t be that hard for you. Just another win on the route to #400. So why not?
Sally, for the first time in a long time, is shocked into silence. It’s one thing to call out the roster, it’s another for someone like the Lad to come down and rise to the challenge. She goes to speak, but a half-laugh catches in her throat and she has to lower the mic. She shakes her head, then wags a finger at Lad.
Sally Talfourd: There’s probably a time and a place when I’d have respected what you’re doing. But that was long ago, around win number 150, 200. Now though? Now you’re just annoying me. So how about this: I’ll leave you here down memory lane, which if you’re lucky you’ll be one day.
Bringing everything to an end, Sally shoves the microphone into the Lad’s chest as she walks past him, heading for the ropes. Lad watches on as she steps through and is headed up the ramp. One last pose with the belt raised high and she’s off backstage. Lad continues to look on for a moment before he raises the microphone back to his lips.
The Lad: And there she goes, everybody, our Undisputed Champion. I’ll leave you alone. I don’t wanna ruffle your feathers anymore than I already have. But I’m going to leave you with this.
Sally stops on the ramp, raising her head. But she doesn’t turn to face the young man.
The Lad: When the day comes, and we both know it will. I don’t want this Sally Talfourd. This one is way too jaded. I feel like beating you would be tainted. Nah, since you’re talking so much about APW, I want the Sally Talfourd from 2010 that defied all odds when she walked into that Elimination Chamber. I want the Sally Talfourd that the fans believed in. If you don’t bring her out? I guess the best thing you did for me is disappoint me.
The crowd cheers the hardened response. The camera moves forward to capture Sally’s reaction. Her eyes once again narrow and she holds back words. She clenches her jaw for stop them from seeping out. Having conquered the feeling, she continues up the ramp, leaving the Lad by his lonesome as the feed cuts over to Tim Watson and Cid Sydney.
Isabella Starr: Ladies and gentlemen, at this time could you please welcome to the ring … for the latest instalment of the Countdown to 300 … the EWC Undisputed Champion … The Last Magician … the Queen of EWC … Sally Talfourd!
‘Troublemaker’ by Troublemaker hits the PA, sending a wave of confusion through the crowd. Anyone, though, with a fair memory will recall this particular harbinger. From backstage, through the curtains and through to the stage, the one and only Sally Talfourd strolls out, dressed casually for the moment. Her shirt is olive green and reads Action Packed Wrestling. Around her waist: The EWC Undisputed Championship.
Tim Watson: Oh God, I’d been hoping a trip to Ecuador would mean she’d skip us … anyway, it looks like Sally’s misery tour continues here on Paramount.
Cid Sydney: It may be miserable for you, Tim, but for anyone with any respect for this business they know this is history in the making!
Sally has made it down the ramp to the ring. This time, she does a lap of the ringside, taking in the myriad of posters. There is a mixture of moments and opponents, and Sally pauses before them all long enough to take them in. The crowd, however, is none too pleased but the dragging out and let their displeasure be known. Somewhere on her lap, she has obtained a microphone.
Sally Talfourd: Boa noite a todos!
The Ecuadorian crowd is perplexed.
Sally Talfourd: Você está pronto para a melhor noite de suas vidas?
Tim Watson: If my ears aren’t deceiving me, Sally is speaking Portuguese?
Cid Sydney: So what?
Time Watson: Well, for a starter, they speak Spanish here in Ecuador.
The boos intensify as the crowd twigs as to what Sally is doing. Reaching the steps to the ring, Sally begins to climb them.
Sally Talfourd: Is this better?
The crowd’s response is not much different.
Sally Talfourd: Well then, I love you too, Ecuador! So nice to be here. I can’t believe it’s been, what? 10, 11 years since I last came? I swear things weren’t this bad when I last ventured to the equator. Anyway, at least when tonight’s over I get to leave.
Sally, having entered the ring, now comes to her place between the posters.
Sally Talfourd: But before I do, I want to invite you to be part of the history … of the spectacle … of the moment you will forever remember where you were and what you were wearing … even if it is some embarrassing EWC merch. For, you see, we are all living in the shadows of the golden era of wrestling. We stand here and can only hear the echoes of a distant past where crowds respected talent, companies stood for something and wrestlers were revered no matter who they were. And so, in this Countdown to 300, join me as we walk back down the road of Action Packed Wrestling where I slew two of the biggest names in this business to tally up my next two milestones.
Walking over to the poster with a barely contained grin, Sally can’t help but to momentarily be drawn into the moment.
Sally Talfourd: Win number 200. A man who needs no introduction – not in EWC nor the wrestling world. Lester Only, Level-One. Whatever name you may have known him by, I knew him as my rival, my nemesis, archfoe. I was Goku, he was Vegeta. I was Light Yagami, he was L. I was Ash, he was Gary. We came to define one-another and yet, neither of us could ever be what we were without the other. In all my time, I have pinned Level-One to the mat three times in my career – one more than he has ever done to me. And this win here, #200, was the sweetest of them all. At APW’s Rasslemania – a superior version of EWC’s Strangelmania – a year after being pinned by Lester, I squared the ledger. No one saw it coming, and yet the Magic saw it fit for me to win.
Sally begins to wander over to the other poster.
Sally Talfourd: And for as much as Lester was the yin to my yang, Biggs here was the heads to my tails. We were two sides of the same coin, Biggs and I. We had our ups and our downs, we were friends and we were enemies. And yet, at the APW Reunion Show in 2015, the Magic demanded that he and I square off for one final time. And in doing so, one of the last milestones of my career was held in the final days of APW. I had brought lift and vitality to it as I bring it now to EWC. The only difference is, APW recognised what I was. It valued what I was. It honoured who I still am. Can EWC say the same?
As Sally lowers the microphone with a shrug of the shoulders, the fans let her know neither her time nor her efforts are appreciated at this time. Sally begins to pace the ring, a look of determination on her face.
Sally Talfourd: And so now I stand in the ring of a lesser company, with people who could only dream to share their time in the sun with the likes of Level-One and Biggs here … much less emulate even a fraction of this success! I stand in this ring declaring that not a single soul backstage here on Paramount, back at Prime or in the doldrums of Rampage or Brawl could hold a candle to the memory and prestige that the likes of these two bring to this business! And while I fully intend on making Xavier Reid number 300, don’t for a second think that it comes from a place of respect or honour for you, Xavier. It will mean more for you to be my 300th than it does for me. If I had my choice, I would pulled Lester back into the ring, pay whatever the cost to lock up with Biggs once more … or any of the names I’ve introduced to EWC over the past week. Instead, I have the distinct dishonour of having your name on my record of achievement not once, not twice but a third time. It will be the crowning achievement of your 2024 season, and it will be a moment of shame I am left to burden for the rest of my career.
Animated and all but shouting down the mic now, Sally comes to the ropes, leaning on the top to look directly down the lens of the camera trained on the ring.
Sally Talfourd: And just in case anyone backstage gets some hairbrained idea that you deserve the 300th win, trust me when I say this: Any of you hacks watching backstage could be standing in Xavier shoes and the outcome would just be the same. The Magic has placed Xavier Reid before me, but it could quite as easily have been you.
Suddenly, “Exhibit C” by Jay Electronica overtakes the airwaves. The Ecuadorian crowd may have been more excited that someone would come to stop Talfourd’s tirade. That said, the volume elevates when the new EWC Television Championship steps onto the stage. Wearing a casual set highlighted with a Dominic Sanders t-shirt, Lad keeps his head down as he marches to the ring. He climbs the stairs, wipes his feet, and takes a second to take in the atmosphere. He gives Talfourd a brief look, his eyebrows lowered. As he enters, he walks past the Undisputed Champion to grab a microphone. He thanked the stagehand for the assist before looking out to the audience. His theme dies out as he goes to speak.
The Lad: Ms. Sally Talfourd, I didn’t think we would be meeting so early in my run here. Alas, here we are. Or more closely, here I am. I was raised proper, so allow me to introduce myself.
Lad turns to Sally, taking his new gold and fastening around his waist.
The Lad: My name is Lad. I stand here as the new and proud EWC Television Champion.
Putting his hand out, Lad leans in for a handshake from the woman resting on 300 career wins compared to his 2. Talfourd looks at the outstretched hand, either contemplating shaking it or just processing the audacity. Regardless of either conclusion, she raises her eyes to meet Lad’s and ignores the handshake offer. She scoffs and smirks at him.
Sally Talfourd: Yes, yes, the man with no name. I saw your not-name show up on the ticker but I never put a face to it.
She motions offhandedly to Lad’s hand.
Sally Talfourd: You can put that down now. Especially seeing as you interrupted my conversation with the uneducated masses here. Did you know they can’t even speak Portuguese? What has become of this country? They need better schools if they can’t speak their national language.
She lets out a haughty laugh while the audience jeers at her. Lad stays steadfast.
Sally Talfourd: I mean no disrespect when I say this but … who are you to come out here and interrupt me? I know you’re new here, but don’t you understand the importance of all this? Or more importantly…
Talfourd’s eyebrows lower, a semblance of irritation taking root.
Sally Talfourd: The importance of what I said before you came down here. The 300th win could just as easily be you if you keep this up. What a shame it would be for both of us: You losing to the Undisputed Champion right out the gate, and me having to have your name on my record? No, let’s not do that. You should be given time to grow, and so I gift you that time. Who knows, maybe you can avoid becoming another competitor who squandered all their potential by aiming higher than they could ever imagine. Worst of all, you’ll more than likely be giving me that budget Broadcast Championship on your shoulder. The Lad becomes the shortest reigning Television Champion in EWC history, all because he decided to run at the greatest Undisputed Champion EWC has seen.
The Lad nods his head, goes to speak, but Sally puts her hand up.
Sally Talfourd: I’m not finished yet.
The crowd pans but Lad merely gives her the floor to continue.
Sally Talfourd: Consider this a veteran’s courtesy. They might think you’re a coward but I’ll consider you smarter than everybody else in this company. I’m giving you the chance to reverse all this and excuse yourself from my ring. You can keep your championship, build your reputation, and maybe be my 350th win sometime in the future. That’s a wonderful deal, don’t you agree?
Talfourd smiles brightly at Lad. As egotistical as her words seem, there’s a genuine kindness nested somewhere within if you looked hard enough. Lad registers that and ponders on it. He brings the microphone to his lips, but the audience drowns him out with the chants of “no.” Lad shakes his head and asks the crowd to quiet down.
The Lad: I appreciate your, uh, offer. I do. I really do. You can say I’m a fool or whatever. But I’m not the kind of person to step out because someone told me to. Especially since you found a way to look down on me–
The Undisputed Champion bobs her head to the side.
Sally Talfourd: Because I am higher but go on.
Lad keeps firm.
The Lad: You’re proving my point.
The corner of the Undisputed Champion’s mouth tugs.
The Lad: I can’t stand to watch someone of your esteem belittle a whole entire audience of people. Sure, a lot of these people don’t like you. A lot of people on our roster don’t like you. I don’t have an opinion one way or the other. You’re a successful, gorgeous, and extremely talented woman who I strive to face one day.
The audience boos the compliments. Talfourd seems pleased but doesn’t fall into Lad’s rhythm as it were. She places a hand over her heart, mouthing that Lad was right.
The Lad: This is our first meeting, and I like to make my opinion off what I see. Not hearsay. But right now, all I’m understanding is that you need to provide me with a number. If I were to face you and beat you, then what number loss would that be on your record? So if by some miracle in your estimation, I got into a match, proved that it wasn’t a waste of your time, and came out on top? Then Mr. 3-0 TV Champ would be owed an Undisputed Championship shot. And who knows? Maybe I’ll chalk up my 4th or 5th or 6th victory as the upset of the year.
The audience cheers the potential vision loudly. Lad paces slowly on his side of the ring.
The Lad: And well, I think I’m pretty good at that. Seeing as I took this belt off a man you never beat, Marcu$ $t. John, there’s a possibility that it could happen. I don’t believe in the Magic like you do. But I do believe in fate a little bit. More than that, though? I believe in shoving myself into the right place at the right time. By your word too, Ms. Undisputed Champ, it wouldn’t be that hard for you. Just another win on the route to #400. So why not?
Sally, for the first time in a long time, is shocked into silence. It’s one thing to call out the roster, it’s another for someone like the Lad to come down and rise to the challenge. She goes to speak, but a half-laugh catches in her throat and she has to lower the mic. She shakes her head, then wags a finger at Lad.
Sally Talfourd: There’s probably a time and a place when I’d have respected what you’re doing. But that was long ago, around win number 150, 200. Now though? Now you’re just annoying me. So how about this: I’ll leave you here down memory lane, which if you’re lucky you’ll be one day.
Bringing everything to an end, Sally shoves the microphone into the Lad’s chest as she walks past him, heading for the ropes. Lad watches on as she steps through and is headed up the ramp. One last pose with the belt raised high and she’s off backstage. Lad continues to look on for a moment before he raises the microphone back to his lips.
The Lad: And there she goes, everybody, our Undisputed Champion. I’ll leave you alone. I don’t wanna ruffle your feathers anymore than I already have. But I’m going to leave you with this.
Sally stops on the ramp, raising her head. But she doesn’t turn to face the young man.
The Lad: When the day comes, and we both know it will. I don’t want this Sally Talfourd. This one is way too jaded. I feel like beating you would be tainted. Nah, since you’re talking so much about APW, I want the Sally Talfourd from 2010 that defied all odds when she walked into that Elimination Chamber. I want the Sally Talfourd that the fans believed in. If you don’t bring her out? I guess the best thing you did for me is disappoint me.
The crowd cheers the hardened response. The camera moves forward to capture Sally’s reaction. Her eyes once again narrow and she holds back words. She clenches her jaw for stop them from seeping out. Having conquered the feeling, she continues up the ramp, leaving the Lad by his lonesome as the feed cuts over to Tim Watson and Cid Sydney.
SINGLES MATCH
Alexander Umbra
VS El Pablo
Watson: Cid, I don't know if we've got enough time left on our broadcast to breakdown what just happened there, but you could FEEL the crowd getting electric!
The Lad takes his leave, the crowd ushering him backstage on a wave of cheers as the ringside crew scrambles to get ready for the next bout.
Sydney: At this rate, I don't care WHO it is that puts her in her place. Xavier Reid, Marcu$, Ito, The Lad, hell it could even be one of our next two competitors. Alexander Umbra has a championship reign under his belt, and El Pablo, like as not, is one of EWC's most prolific superstars.
The Lad takes his leave, the crowd ushering him backstage on a wave of cheers as the ringside crew scrambles to get ready for the next bout.
Sydney: At this rate, I don't care WHO it is that puts her in her place. Xavier Reid, Marcu$, Ito, The Lad, hell it could even be one of our next two competitors. Alexander Umbra has a championship reign under his belt, and El Pablo, like as not, is one of EWC's most prolific superstars.
Watson: But El Pablo chose to align himself with Sally in the Shinijoshi... is their common hatred for The House enough to keep that partnership in tact?
Starr: The following match is set for one fall. Joining us first, from St Paul, Minnesota and weighing in at 225 pounds... ALEXANDER UMBRA!
'Holding Out For A Hero' by Adam Lambert hits over the speakers as Alexander Umbra steps out of the back. The fans cheer lightly, still unsure of this new Umbra. Dressed in a black t-shirt with a white rook on the front, a pair of black cloth shorts, it is the plain white jabbawockeez mask that is a bit unsettling... but at least it's not a red purge mask. Slapping the hands of those who reach to him, Alexander makes his way to the ring, ready for the fight ahead of him.
Starr: And the opponent, hailing from Puebla City, Mexico and weighing in at 180 pounds... EL PABLO!
A cry of “VIVA LA RAINBOWLUTION!!!” leads to ‘Party Hard’ by Andrew WK hitting the soundsystem and the stage and ringside area being bathed in flashing, flickering, brightly-coloured lighting. As the main hook hits, El Pablo bursts through the curtain, playing to the fans and chugging Skittles like a Steveweiser as his brother Vertigo follows slowly behind, stoic and silent. Pablo charges down the ramp and slides under the ropes into the ring, before running up the turnbuckle and tossing a couple of fistfuls of Skittles out into the adoring crowd as Vertigo belatedly takes up his position on the outside. After offering up a final salute, Pablo throws up the Shinijoshi double deuces then hops back down to the canvas, bumping fists with Vertigo and performing a few final stretches as his music fades.
DING DING DING
Umbra catches Pablo with a throat thrust that staggers him and a series of forearms to the back and shoulders. Umbra grabs Pablo’s arm and smacks headbutts to the chest of Pablo. As Pablo starts to go limp, Umbra smacks him with a headbutt to the jaw. Pablo drops to his knees as Umbra runs at him with a shining wizard. Umbra hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Pablo lifts a shoulder off the mat to break the count. Umbra lifts him to his feet and whips Pablo to the corner. Umbra charges at Pablo and leaps for a corner splash. Pablo moves to the side effectively hitting a stun gun. Umbra staggers as Pablo runs at him. Pablo sends Umbra flying across the ring with a monkey flip. Umbra stumbles to his feet as Pablo slides in hitting a jawbreaker that sends Umbra leaning on the ropes. Pablo runs at Umbra and rolls him with a hurricanrana before dropping down onto Umbra with a standing moonsault. Pablo hooks the leg.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Umbra rolls a shoulder off the mat to break the count.
Watson: El Pablo within half a second from victory there!
Sydney: Both men are still in this one but they also have plenty in the tank!
Pablo lifts Umbra to his feet and rolls him for Dragonfishin’. Pablo hooks the leg as he makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Umbra rolls to his side to break the count. As Umbra makes it to his feet, Pablo springs off the ropes for a Furry Ninja Strike. Umbra manages to duck and Pablo crashes to the mat. Pablo slowly pulls himself to his feet but Umbra grabs him taking Pablo to the mat with a Sound Of Silence. He rolls Pablo over and makes a cover.
ONE…
TWO…
THR… NO! KICK OUT!
Pablo is forced to roll to his side in order to break the count.
Watson: Pablo having to roll over to stop that count.
Sydney: It’s not often he’s forced to roll and not kick out but he’s still in this match. How long for though? That remains to be seen.
Umbra lifts Pablo to his feet and whips him to the corner. Umbra follows him into the corner with a corner splash. Umbra shoves Pablo out of the corner and down to the mat before climbing the buckles. Umbra leaps for a Meeting Of The Minds. At the last second, Pablo rolls to safety and Umbra collides with the mat. Umbra staggers to his feet but Pablo drives him back to the canvas with Taste The Rainbow. He hooks the leg. The referee counts.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
Starr: And your winner, via pinfall EL PABLO!
Pablo stands on the middle turnbuckle and tosses handfuls of Skittles into the air so they rain down on him like confetti. He then tosses some at his fallen opponent before leaving the ring and heading up the ramp.
Watson: El Pablo earned that one!
Sydney: That he did! We thought it was all over for him after the Sound Of Silence and it really would have been had that headbutt connected but El Pablo hit harder and faster and picks up the victory!
Watson: Folks, stick around because not only is our MAIN EVENT coming up but we've got the Marcu$ $t John Invitiational announcement, and it's next!
Camera cuts briefly to a video package of Marcu$ $t John's tenure on Paramount, including his wins as Broadcast champion, North American Champion, his subsequent injury at Stranglemania, rehabbing his way back to capturing the Television Championship at WrestleFest 2023.
“Money” plays over the speakers as Marcu$ $t. John makes his way out to the crowd to cheers. He begins his way down the ramp while slapping hands with fans on each side before rolling into the ring and asking for a microphone. He taps on the microphone to make sure that it's working a few times as his music begins to stop. He looks around at the raucous Paramount crowd.
M$J: Let me not waste your time here tonight. Some of you might be wondering why I am in such a chipper mood having lost the EWC Television Championship on the previous Paramount. Well it was a hell of a main event, match of the night, and on that occasion The Lad came through with the victory, so let's all give him a round of applause.
The crowd started clapping, cheering, and chanting “Lad” “Lad” “Lad” as he waited for them to simmer down a bit and continue talking.
M$J: Now most people would expect for me to invoke my rematch clause for that championship but I’m not.
A light boo comes from the crowd questioning why he wouldn’t invoke his clause. A bit of confusion is over everyone before he begins to speak about his current path.
M$J: I know, I know, most people expected me to come out with this fire about losing but as one door closed, a new opportunity opened. The M$J Invitational! I’m ready for my next challenge. I feel like I’ve been holding this place down for a long time and bringing the fight to everyone on this roster so now I’m ready for the roster to bring the fight to me. Beat me if you can because my mission is to become the next and first ever three time North American Champion.
A bubbling eruption barrels through the arena as the thought of another Ibuki Ito vs Marcu$ $t. John match goes through the minds of the EWC and Paramount faithful. The crowd starts a “Yes” chant as Marcu$ soaks in the feelings of everyone there.
M$J: Yeah I’m tired of waiting around, I said I wanted to earn that title shot and over the next few weeks I will. I’ve been humble, I’ve been patient but you know how I feel about Paramount and while the last championship I had was cool, the North American Championship is where it’s at and that’s what I’m trying to carry over my shoulder. Next week I’m going to face an opponent of the brass’ choosing and I’m going to run through them on the way to getting back to a title that I lost the night of my injury.
Before he finishes what he is saying “Deeper Deeper” plays and the arena becomes unglued as ‘The Prodigal Son’ Buddy Love walks out onto the stage with a smile on his face and a microphone in his hand…
Love: Well that was a quick ‘about face’ now wasn’t it…Marcu$, hello…how are you doing? You seem all revved up and ready to go…but didn’t you just say last week that you weren’t lobbying for a match against Ibuki…I guess now that you are ‘no longer busy’ you’ve had a change of heart…
Buddy smiles as he gets a few boos from the Paramount fans but he holds up his hand…
Love: Easy now…I mean no harm, I’m just trying to get my facts straight…last week you said ‘Paramount goes through you’ and yet tonight you are calling out my client so…wouldn’t that mean Paramount runs through him…
Buddy smiles and shrugs as he starts to walk towards the ring…
Love: Listen, I’m not out here to try and spin a tale that you don’t deserve a shot at Ibuki Ito and the North American Champion…I understand you didn’t get your rematch after you lost that championship…having defended it once in your record setting 306 days as champion against Sour Candy…under normal circumstances you would have received your rematch in 2023 but you were out injured…not your fault…The Mad King’s fault…BUT, Paramount, it doesn’t run through Marcu$ $t. John…it runs through Ibuki Ito…and it has since day one.
Buddy nods his head…
Love: He’s the one that has elevated the North American Championship to the highest level in the EWC, he’s the one that came out here and beat champion after champion last season, from the then Indy Champion Gabi Visconty to our very own Apple TV+ Champion Sally Talfourd…
The Paramount fans boo and Buddy smiles…
Love: I know, she’s terrible but he did beat her…TWICE…he beat the then HBO Broadcast Champion Cosmo Goldworthy and hung his first loss on him…he beat the then Undisputed Champion Xavier Reid and he’s defended the North American Championship TWICE last season…so, with all due respect Marcu$...Ibuki runs through Paramount and the champions of the EWC…
Buddy nods his head…
Love: But I understand where you’re coming from, you are no longer burdened with the TV Championship and are now looking for action…you looked around Paramount and saw there is no clear cut challenger to Ibuki and StrangleMania is right around the corner and thought ‘hey, I’ll shoot my shot’, as the kids say…so I applaud your moxie…
Buddy tucks the microphone under his armpit and claps but he’s interrupted…
Ito: But you don’t need to prove anything to me…
The fans cheer as Ibuki Ito walks out onto the stage…he looks down at the ring at Marcu$ and Buddy and makes his way down to the ring, the North American Championship around his waist. He marches up the steps and climbs through the ropes…
Ito: All you have to do Marcu$ is look me in the eyes and say, ‘Ibuki, I want my rematch’ and it’s yours…I’ll walk back there right now, find Chris Brock and have him draw up the contract…we can start this march to StrangleMania right here and right now…
Ibuki unhooks the North American Championship and holds it up as the fans cheer…
Ito: Say the words and we can make it official and start the dance…
Marcu$ looks around the arena and ponders the words of not only Buddy but Ibuki as well as he listens to the crowd and closes his eyes for a few seconds to feel the electricity in the building from everyone. He smiles before speaking again.
M$J: This shit is all too predictable. I knew my words would bring the stooge out here and I knew the stooge would have to be corrected by his “Ace”. You’re right though Buddy. I did say I wanted to earn my shot but if you took a moment to listen to my words you would have heard me say over the next several weeks that I would do just that. Now with that said, I need you to step back because your champion just offered me a step forward to what he’s holding in the air at StrangleMania. The rest of what I have to say is between him and me.
He gets in the face of Ibuki and the two have a stand off without another word being said for a full minute.
M$J: I don’t need anyone to take pity on me. What happened in 2023 is the past and I’m focused on the here and now. I know I’m the best chance to take that title off of your hands. You indeed are the Ace of Paramount, but I am this brand’s Heart. No matter my place on the card, I have done everything in my power to elevate Paramount in the eyes of the wrestling world. I did it all without a Club, I did it for the love of this place right here.
A massive roar comes from the stands as they approve of the words that he just uttered.
M$J: We’ve had a few additions to this brand over time and some big ones this year but the only two people I see worthy of calling themselves champions of this brand are you and me. I recognize better than anyone else how our history has played out. I've kept up with what you have been trying to accomplish but I told everyone that I would go down as the greatest FSW/Paramount star in history and I plan on doing just that. You’re in my way and while I respect you, I want to run over you. So you’re damn right I want that title match Ito but to show the world and to prove that I mean what I say, let’s see who is running at peak efficiency. We both get opponents the next few shows, let's see who can dominate. Let’s see who walks into StrangleMania with the most momentum and ultimately who walks out as the one, the one who really is Paramount, the one who leads this company into the future, and the one who will call himself North American Champion!
Marcu$ sticks his hand out, Ibuki smiles as he looks down at it while extending his own hand. They shake as the crowd erupts again, seemingly confirming an upcoming match at StrangleMania as the cameras fade to one final commercial for Apple TV+.
SINGLES MATCH
FOR THE EWC TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Raca Jakodi
VS The Lad
We return to ringside where the crowd is buzzing in anticipation of tonight’s main event.
Watson: Here we go! The Lad and Raca Jakodi compete in only their second televised Paramount matches for the EWC Television Championship! The future of Paramount is in full display tonight!
Starr: The following match is scheduled for one fall and it is for the EWC Television Championship! Joining us first, from Gothenburg, Sweden, weighing in at 241 pounds ... RACA JAKODI!
As the opening drum to "Nox Trigger" kicks in, the camera pans over to the stage, where a box slowly descends from the rafters, a white door attached. The door swings open and Raca Jakodi looms with a menacing expression. He walks down the steps, which he dubs the "Ladder to Midgard", as he takes in his world. For those watching at home, everything turns black and white, with the only color being a red glow on Raca. Raca storms down to the ring as fire booms from the pyro on the stage, and white fog and smoke begins to cover the entire ringside area. Raca slides in, slowly kneeling up as he extends his arms out. Raca lets out a guttural war cry, leaving everyone to register what they're looking at..
Starr: And his opponent, from Hells Kitchen, New York, weighing in at 223 pounds ... THE EWC TELEVISION CHAMPION … THE LAD!
As the infectious beat from "Exhibit C" by Jay Electronica comes on, The Lad steps out from behind the curtain. Massaging his wrist, he stares out to the world before him. He puts up a quiet prayer before marching down the ramp. He offers quick high-fives to those who put out their hands. With his head lowered, he looks at the ring and hits the stairs. Once on the ring apron, he pays his respects by cleaning his feet. When he gets in the ring, he goes to his corner and waits.
Watson: I have no idea who’s going to come out on top tonight, but I know this won’t be the last time we see these two compete against each other!
DING DING DING
Both men hear the bell and come straight out of the gate with strikes! They’re trading punches back and forth, but Raca shoves Lad back furiously! Lad charges in and Raca lifts him up high - and slams him with a thunderous spinebuster! Raca flexes his muscles, marching around the ring. Raca rubs his back in pain, and he forces Lad up. He meets Lad with a nasty knife edge chop! The chop leaves a huge red mark on Lad’s chest, and he wheezes in pain. Raca chops Lad again, and Lad’s eyes roll in the back of his head. Raca grabs Lad by the head and starts beating him with elbow smashes to the head repeatedly! Lad tries his best to cover up - but Raca takes his wrist and whips him off! But Lad bounces off the ropes with authority and meets him with an elbow to the jaw! Raca staggers, and Lad starts throwing repeated elbows! Raca is on the verge of falling over, and Lad hits off the ropes one more time! He swings another elbow but Raca ducks the waist for a german suplex! Surprisingly, Lad holds his ground! But Raca is stronger for a reason as he tosses him overhead anyways! Lad hits the canvas, holding his head in agonizing pain. Raca rises to his feet and stares at Lad, crawling away from his onslaught. Raca marches over and Lad kicks him hard in the ribs. Lad rises and starts firing off those elbow smashes with all he’s got! Raca is reeling, and Lad hits off the ropes with a shotgun dropkick! Raca falls into the turnbuckles, dazed. Lad slowly rises, but Raca comes running out of the gates with a monstrous shoulder block! Lad is flipped inside out, and Raca roars down on him!
Lad tries to get up, but Raca punts him hard in the ribs! Lad coughs out, struggling to get himself together. Raca forces Lad up and irish whips him, tossing him overhead with a kitchen sink! The ribs of the champion takes a beating as Raca marches over and tosses down a wicked stomp to the ribs. Lad yells out in pain and Raca steps over him. He takes his throat, deadlifting him up and tossing him overhead! Lad gets dropped hard on his back, and he rolls to the corner. Lad takes his time to get up, while Raca dusts his feet like a bull and charges into a corner spear - but Lad moves and throws Raca shoulder first into the ring post! Raca staggers backwards, and Lad pulls him down with a schoolboy roll up!
RACA KICKS OUT!
Not even a one count! Lad can’t believe it, but he starts peppering Raca with punches as he rises! Raca throws his guard up and Lad hits off the ropes! Raca goes for a lariat but Lad ducks under just in time! Raca turns back and FRANKENSTEINER FROM LAD! He rises, taking a deep breath. Raca slowly works his way up, but Lad meets him with an open handed slap to the chest. He takes Raca’s hand and runs up the middle rope, then leaps to the top rope swiftly and jumps forward, taking Raca along with him for a deeeeepppp arm drag! Raca holds his back in pain, slowly rolling to his feet. Lad soars in the air for a standing dropkick but Raca catches the legs! The back of Lad’s head thumps off the canvas, and Raca looks back. He nods, tossing Lad with a slingshot into the turnbuckles! Raca rises and Lad’s face bounces off the turnbuckle as he turns to Raca - and Raca scoops Lad up for a JUMPING SAMOAN DROP! The velocity from the leap and all 241 pounds nearly breaks Lad’s ribs! Raca leans back, pinning Lad!
ONE...
TW- Lad kicks out!
That took a lot out of the champion! Raca rises to his feet, dragging Lad up. He meets him with a slap, and Lad almost falls over at Raca’s might. Raca scoops Lad onto his shoulder, dropping into a shoulder breaker. Lad wails out in pain, and Raca spins to the center with a power slam! The ring shakes from the impact, and Raca kneels up, looking down at Lad. He slowly rises to his feet, wanting to inflict more punishment. Raca chokes Lad, forcing him up. Raca throws Lad’s arm over his shoulder, taking his trunks and hoists him high up in the air.. FOR A CHOKEBOMB! Lad’s back nearly cracks over Raca’s knee and he folds backwards onto his neck! Raca rolls him over for another cover!
ONE...
TWO...
LAD KICKS OUT!
Regardless, the champion has to dig deep! Raca rises to his feet, pulling Lad up. He staggers him with a chop. Lad takes the chop, yelling in Raca’s face! BUT RACA THROWS A SHOOT KICK TO THE CHEST! Lad falls to a kneel, holding his chest! He rises, eating it! Raca meets him with an elbow! Lad staggers, eating it! SO RACA TAKES HIM OUT WITH A LARIAT - Lad ducks! Raca turns back, and Lad slaps him! Raca throws a shot, he weaves it and slaps him again! Raca throws one more and Lad ducks, and meets him with a POWERFUL slap to the side of the head that staggers Raca! He caught him above the ear and Raca almost goes down! Lad hits off the ropes and LEAPS INTO A CLOTHESLINE! Both go down, as sweat goes flying over the top rope! Lad slowly rises to his feet, holding his chest as adrenaline is pumping through his veins now. Raca slowly leans in the corner and Lad rams his shoulder into his ribs! Lad follows up with corner shoulder tackles to the ribs! Lad takes Raca’s waist, slowly forcing him up top. Lad forearms Raca. He climbs up top, trying for a superplex - but Raca holds onto the ropes. Raca punches Lad’s ribs. He punches them again. Raca chokes Lad, shoving him off the top! And Lad lands on his feet, rolling backwards. Raca slowly ushers himself up to the very top, but Lad runs up with him!
HE LEAPS ONTO RACA’S SHOULDERS! Raca struggles, trying to hold onto The Lad!
BUT LAD TOSSES HIM WITH A TOP ROPE FRANKENSTEINER!
THE CANVAS AND ROPES SHAKE AT THE WEIGHT OF BOTH MEN CRASHING DOWN!
Watson: They almost brought the ring down! What a start to this championship match!
Sydney: So far, this is the very definition of high stakes! These two will do whatever it takes!
Lad slowly army crawls to Raca, and Raca rolls to the apron. Lad breathes heavily, and Raca leans on the ropes. Lad walks over to Raca and climbs the middle rope. He takes his head, reaching for his shorts and slowly deadlifting him up.. Lad lifts Raca over the top rope with a SUPERPLEX OFF THE ROPES! Lad taps into his suplex game, rolling over to slowly lift Raca up again.. BUT Raca lifts him up into a BRAINBUSTER! Both men are laid out and the crowd are absolutely on fire going into this one!
“THIS IS AWESOME!”
“THIS IS AWESOME!”
“THIS IS AWESOME!”
Both are moving at a high pace, and slowly work their way up. Raca meets Lad with a punch, but Lad slaps him! Lad slaps him again! He goes for a third but Raca ducks and catches the arms! He tries a Tiger-Plex but Lad drops backward and wheelbarrows him into a victory roll - but Raca holds onto his legs! He slowly deadlifts Lad up, tossing him with a GERMAN SUPLEX! Raca holds the waist, rolling through and dropping him into a pump handle! Raca looks around, tossing him out of the pump handle into a fall away slam! The power of Raca is on full effect and he rolls to his feet, staring down at Lad holding his ribs in agonizing pain. Raca forces Lad up in the corner and beats into him with corner clotheslines. Raca takes Lad’s wrist and pulls him into a short arm lariat! Lad is wheezing in pain and Raca marches around the ring. He sees Lad vulnerable and wants to put an end to his match. Raca drags Lad up and looks around. He swings him around, looking for God’s Bullet but Lad lands onto his feet!
Raca turns back in shock, and LAD MUSCLES RACA UP SOMEHOW! He struggles, slowly spinning around.. INTO THE OAK CITY SPECIAL! The Blue Thunder Bomb leaves Raca motionless! His legs are up in the air and Lad plants his shoulders to the canvas for the cover!
ONE...
TWO...
RACA KICKS OUT!
Lad falls back, slapping the mat! Raca rolls over, and Lad tries to get the half nelson choke — Fatebringer in! But Raca stalls the attempt! He tries to get his arms fully around, but Raca’s neck is so thick it gives Raca enough time to free himself! He takes Lad’s head over his shoulder and snapmares him over! Lad rolls through, quickly turning back to Raca. He swings that slap but Raca ducks and hits the ropes with authority! Lad turns back quickly, BAPTISM! SKULL TO SKULL CONNECTION! Lad is out of it, and Raca crawls over into the cover!
ONE...
TWO...
LAD KICKS OUT!
Both of these men just kicked out of each other’s signature moves! Raca watches as sweat drips down his head and to the canvas, as they are trying everything to leave with the victory. Lad rolls to the outside, trying to get a breather. Raca rolls out on the other side, looking to take advantage. He skills, getting a running start as he runs into the ring and BULLDOZES LAD WITH A SPEA— NO! LAD THROWS RACA INTO THE STEEL STEPS HEAD AND SHOULDER FIRST! Raca holds his neck, trying to muscle himself up, but Lad turns him and tosses him into the floor with a capture suplex! Lad is exhausted from these power moves on his much bigger opponent but this is what being a champion is about! Lad drags Raca up and throws him in. Lad slides in, calling Raca up.. He charges RIGHT into a lariat! Raca staggers, yelling in Lad’s face! Lad hits off the ropes for another lariat! But Raca eats it! Lad bounces off for a third but Raca runs with him! Raca throws an elbow but Lad ducks and takes the waist!
Lad slowly deadlifts Raca up..FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX! BUT RACA RISES RIGHT BACK UP! Raca takes Lad and throws him with a T-BONE SUPLEX! Raca rolls over to his feet, using the ropes for the support. But as he does, Lad is still trying to force himself up to his feet! Raca shakes his head, while Lad raises his fists, defiant.. And as he does, Raca SLAPS THE HELL out of Lad! Lad falls onto his ass, stunned. Raca grabs Lad by the head and starts to gutwrench him, but Lad wraps his arms around Raca’s legs! Raca struggles, trying to break the grip but Lad trips Raca onto his face, and back rolls into a single leg crab! Raca roars out in pain! Lad wrenches back on the submission, pulling on Raca’s knee! Raca tries his hardest to crawl, but Lad is starting to pull him back! Raca shakes his head, reaching for the ropes! Raca bangs his fist on the mat, as Lad starts to get deep with it! Raca is so much bigger and stronger than Lad though, as he starts forcing Lad upwards and crawling to the ropes! Lad looks back trying to drag Raca to the center, but Raca rolls to his back and uses his strong leg power and shoves Lad onto his back!
Lad quickly rolls to his feet and Raca slowly rises, rubbing at that bad leg. Lad looks for a polish hammer but Raca ducks under and catches him! He lifts him up for a Full Nelson Slam! Lad clutches the back of his head, dazed. Raca mounts and starts throwing a multitude of punches! Lad covers up, and the referee warns Raca about the closed fists. Raca rises, staring daggers at the referee. This distraction gives Lad a chance to grab Raca’s waist for an O’Connor Roll, but Raca holds onto the ropes! Lad rolls backwards and turns to Lad who scoops him for a spinning power slam, but Lad shifts his legs in mid air and lands on his feet. Raca tries a high roundhouse kick but Lad crouches just to avoid it! The impact spins Raca to his back facing Lad, and Lad leaps with a backstabber! The impact propels Raca forward to the ropes, and Lad rolls to his feet and clotheslines Raca over the top rope!
Raca spills to the outside, his body falling into the barricade while Lad falls backwards. Lad gasps for air, slowly rising to his feet. He bangs his fist on the mat, nodding. He hits off the ropes, and Raca rises at the same time, and LAD FLIES INTO A SUICIDE DIVE!
BUT RACA THROWS HIM INTO THE BARRICADES! The top of Lad’s head hits the cade, and he falls forward on the mat, an unforgettable thud and splat sound being made. Raca breathes heavily, but forces Lad up and throws him in! He slides in, dragging Lad up by the waistband and pulling him into a BACKDROP SUPLEX! That could be it, one of Raca’s signature maneuvers laying Lad out! Raca pins Lad, nodding his head!
ONE...
TWO...
TH— LAD KICKS OUT!
Watson: What a sequence of moves from Raca! Lad is in deep trouble here by the challenger!
Sydney: And to think, we’re only halfway into this one! Lad needs to mount something together or we could be looking at a new champion..
Raca stares at Lad, surprised that he kicked out. Raca looks to the top rope, debating if he should dig deep to win this one. Raca crawls to the ropes, rolling to the apron. He grabs the ropes and slowly climbs up top.. But Lad is starting to stir! Raca shakes his head, adjusting himself.. Bur Lad pushes himself up and hits the ropes! Raca falls, crouched on the turnbuckle! He wheezes out in pain, holding at his groin. Lad grabs Raca by the head and starts throwing elbows to the jaw! Lad slowly climbs up with Raca, throwing clubbing blows at the back of his head. Lad uses Raca’s shoulders for a TOP ROPE FRANKENSTEINER! BUT RACA HOLDS ON THIS TIME! HE HAD HIM SCOUTED OUT!
Raca slowly climbs to the very top of the top rope, looking around! HE FLIES INTO A TOP ROPE SIT OUT POWERBOMB! Raca goes along with the cover!
ONE...
TWO...
THR—LAD KICKS OUT!
Somehow, the champion still shows fight! Raca looks to the referee, beckoning if that was three or not. Raca struggles up, leaning in the corner. Lad holds his ribs, wheezing out. Raca stomps the mat, calling for Lad to rise to his feet. Lad slowly works his way up.. RACA FLIES INTO BAPTISM! Lad sidesteps it! Raca flies face first into the mat, and the bounce from his impact forces him to scramble up to his feet - but it’s too late because Lad snatches him into a sleeper hold! Raca reaches for the ropes, gasping for air! He’s trying his hardest to get free, clawing at Lad’s arms but Lad has it in deep! He starts to slowly bring Raca to a seated position, but he releases it?! That’s cause Lad hits off the ropes for a PENALTY KICK, THE LONGEST YARD CONNECTS! The kick drives right into the chest of Raca, who can hardly breathe after that! Lad drops into a cover, calling for the ref!
ONE...
TWO...
TH—RACA THROWS A SHOULDER UP!
This match continues on! Lad rolls away, breathing heavily. He stares at Raca, wondering what it will take. Raca rolls over, trying to push up.. Lad takes him by the head, slowly powering him into a fireman’s carry.. But Raca’s weight is too much! Lad still tries for Sweet Business, but Raca crumbles on top of him! Raca rolls off of Lad, holding his ribs as both men are laid out. There’s a period of restart for these two as they’re taking their time, trying to pull it together. Raca is the first to rise, and Lad is only a little bit after. Raca drills Lad with a nasty body shot, and takes the wrist. Raca irish whips Lad off, tossing him with a back body drop - but Lad takes the head as Raca hunches over! He tries to pull him down into an inside cradle, but Raca, using just his neck strength doesn’t go down. He wraps his hands around Lad’s waist and deadlifts him up for a northern lights suplex! Raca pops the hips, bridging the cover!
ONE...
TWO...
LAD KICKS OUT!
But Raca holds onto Lad, rolling through and deadlifting him up for another! But this time, Lad brings them back down - and snaps Raca’s head into the canvas with a SPIKE DDT! The top of Raca’s head takes a nasty spill, as Lad rolls over. He pushes himself up, watching Raca struggle up to his feet. Lad rushes behind him to get that half nelson choke in, but Raca shakes his head. He rams backwards and the two fall into the turnbuckles! Raca staggers out of the corner, and Lad holds his chest. Raca hits off the ropes, showing his agility as he leaps into an enziguri! But Lad ducks it! Raca lands flat on his face and pushes to all fours, and Lad rolls into a la magistral cradle!
ONE...
TWO...
RACA KICKS OUT!
But as he rolls off the pin, Lad is up and waiting for him. ROARING ELBOW! Raca goes down from the impact of one of Lad’s strongest maneuvers! Lad falls backwards, wrapping his arms around the middle rope as he tries to get it together for the win. Lad nods his head furiously, marching over to Raca. Lad grabs Raca by the head and wrist and slowly starts to pull him up to his feet. Lad squats, trying to get that fireman’s carry in for Sweet Business! But Raca comes back to life! He throws an elbow to the side of Lad’s head! He throws another elbow! Lad falls to a knee, dazed. Raca smirks, about to get away - but Lad’s arms are still under Raca’s legs as he rises, trying to deadlift him into a fireman’s carry again! Raca shakes his head, looking around in shock as Lad marches to the center of the ring, his legs more wobbly than ever. Raca slips off though, just in time! He shoves him forward! DEATH FROM THE ANGELS! THE RUNNING FOREARM TO THE NECK LAYS LAD OUT! Raca rolls him over, for the cover!
ONE...
TWO...
THREE…
NO!
LAD KICKS OUT!
Watson: THAT WAS CLOSE! RACA ALMOST HAD IT!
Sydney: But the fight in this kid shows once again! I thought he just broke his neck!
Raca is genuinely at a loss for words! He stares down at Lad, exasperated because this match lives on! He tries to scramble up to his feet, but the pain jolting through his body forces him to fall to his fours. Raca looks around, realizing that he’s going to have to take his time here. He grabs onto the ropes, forcing himself up. Lad rolls to the ropes, holding his neck. Raca marches over to him and Lad rolls to the floor, barely saving himself. Raca steps out, dropping to the floor. He grabs Lad up and knees him in the ribs! Raca clubs Lad’s back, and the back of his neck. Raca takes Lad’s wrist and Irish whips him - but Lad reverses, sending Raca into the steel steps! Raca crumbles to the floor, holding his body in pain. Raca lies there, coughing out. Lad drags up Raca and leans him onto the steel steps, beating into him with repeated European uppercuts! Raca is trying to endure the pain, but Lad is still getting him with the uppercuts! Lad takes Raca’s wrist and takes the head, trying for a suplex but Raca holds his ground. Raca punches Lad in the ribs. He punches him in the ribs again! Raca lifts Lad up for a suplex on the steel steps! But Lad floats over, landing behind Raca and the steps!
Raca staggers forward, and he turns back.. AND LAD RUNS UP THE STEEL STEPS INTO A LARIAT! Raca hits the floor, out of it! Lad grabs Raca by the head and throws him into the ring! Lad slides in, calling him up! Raca slowly rises, holding his head - and Lad hits off the ropes! He looks for a crossbody and Raca catches him! Raca marches around the ring, marching to the center for a pendulum backbreaker! He holds his waist, scooping him up onto his shoulder into a BIG TIME POWERSLAM! Lad is hurt, and Raca is struggling, trying to get up. He finally does, and Raca once again calls for the end! He drags Lad up and tucks his head into his thighs, booking for The Void! But Lad grabs the legs, dropping him onto his back! He rolls into a jackknife pin!
ONE...
TWO...
RACA KICKS OUT!
And Raca bridges it up, turning both men! Back in the first position, as Raca lives Lad up in a crucifix hold! TOSSES HIM WITH THE VOID! NO LAD LANDS BEHIND HIM! Lad grabs the arm and neck, but Raca rams backwards into the turnbuckles! Raca hits off to the other side, but Lad follows him and meets him with a SHOTGUN DROPKICK INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! Raca staggers out, holding his back in pain. Lad rises, hitting off the turnbuckles for another– but RACA CATCHES HIM AND SWINGS HIM INTO GOD’S BULLET! DRIVING LAD’S KNEE RIGHT INTO HIS BACK! Raca rolls Lad over and takes the neck! He starts to grab him in an inverted face lock for THE PENANCE GRIP! But Raca’s ring awareness is off!
Lad’s legs are already touching the ropes! The referee warn Raca of this, but he keeps the hold in just a little longer! Raca releases the hold at the referee’s coconut of four and he yells in the referee’s face. Raca turns back to Lad, gasping for air. Lad rolls to the apron and Raca reaches over for him, but Lad pulls him down with a hotshot! Lad slides in and holds his back. He takes a few seconds, but he hits off the ropes into a LARIATOOO! Raca falls to his knees, but he’s still up! Lad hits off the ropes and Raca scoops him up! Lad slips off, just in time! Raca turns and Lad SLAPS him, a noise ringing throughout the building! Raca struggles to stay up, and Lad SLAPS him again! Raca falls backwards, and Lad tries to clothesline him over the top, but Raca scoops him up and drives him into the canvas with authority with a thunderous spinebuster!
Raca stares at Lad in pain and slowly rises. He falls to the ropes, but uses them to step out. Raca takes his time, walking to the turnbuckle along with the ropes.. And he slowly climbs up the top rope, staring down at Lad. Raca wipes the sweat off his face and points down! RACA DIVES INTO A SUPER LEGDROP TO THE THROAT! LAD’S THROAT MAY HAVE BEEN CRUSHED! Raca rolls Lad over for the cover!
ONE...
TWO...
THR– LAD KICKS OUT!
Watson: Once again, Lad kicks out! But at what cost?!
Sydney: Did you see how Raca soared through the air with that legdrop! I’m absolutely speechless at what we just saw!
Lad is still down while Raca rises to his feet, smirking. He slashes his throat with his thumb and drags him up. Raca tucks Lad’s head into his thighs, lifting him up for THE VOID - BUT NO! LAD DROPS INTO A SUNSET FLIP, PINNING THE SHOULDERS DOWN!
ONE...
TWO...
THR–RACA KICKS OUT!
Both men rise to their feet, and Raca looks to run through Lad with a spear - but Lad kicks him in the jaw! Lad hits off the ropes with a DEVASTATING POLISH HAMMER! Raca remains up on his feet! So Lad hits off with another, but Raca ducks and catches the waist! He catapults him up high in the air, but Lad leaps behind! He scoops behind! OAK CITY SPECIAL I! THE BLUE THUNDER BOMB, HE SOMEHOW GETS IT AGAIN! Lad covers Raca!
ONE...
TWO...
THR– RACA KICKS OUT!
BUT LAD ROLLS HIM TO HIS KNEES, IMMEDIATELY! Lad holds his back, shaking out the pain as he hits off the ropes with a CLUBBING LARIAT! Raca refuses to go down, so Lad grabs the head and starts THROWING LARIAT AFTER LARIAT ATER LARIAT! Raca’s head is getting pummeled with Lad’s most powerful strikes! Lad backs up! OR THE ROARING ELBOW! RACA CATCHES LAD WITH A HEADBUTT TO THE THROAT BEFORE HE CAN DO IT!
Lad staggers, and Raca roars in his face! No matter what he does, Raca is still stronger! Raca hits off the ropes and HITS HIM WITH A DISCUS LARIAT! The lariats are coming full force, and Raca slaps his chest! Lad is struggling to get up, but Raca lifts him up for a belly to belly suplex! Raca rises to his feet, marching around! He leans in the corner, calling Lad up.. Lad slowly rises, leaning in the turnbuckles. Raca runs across the ring for that diving headbutt, the BAPTISM! BUT LAD CRUMBLES FROM THE PAIN RIGHT BEFORE HE HITS HIM! RACA’S HEAD COLLIDES WITH THE TOP OF THE STEEL POST!
Raca falls backward, as blood flows down his head! Lad stares at Raca in shock, because he wasn’t even conscious to counter that! Raca rolls to his fours, gasping for air.. And Lad jumps over, locking in THE FATEBRINGER! The half nelson choke is FINALLY IN! Raca reaches out, yelling! Blood runs down his forehead, blocking his vision! He claws at the mat, trying his hardest to get free but he can’t! Lad rolls over, locking in a body scsissors! Raca shakes his head, refusing to tap! Lad is YELLING “TAP!” with all of his might, but Raca won’t do it!
The Fatebringer is in tight, and Raca’s face is turning red from a combination of him losing his breath and the blood! Raca shakes his head, yelling! He’s defiant to the very end as finally…Raca Jakodi passes out..
And the referee calls this one off!
DING DING DING
Starr: And your winner, via submission and STILL EWC TELEVISION CHAMPION! THEEEEEE LLLADDDDDD!!
Lad finally releases Raca and breathes heavily, lying there. Raca is unconscious, but the battle scars of this match has been shown from both men. Lad looks down at his chest, red from Raca’s vicious chops. He rolls over, feeling the pain all over his body. He can hardly move, meanwhile Raca is still unconscious. Doctors slide in to check on the fallen challenger, trying to bring him back to life. When Raca’s eyes finally open, there’s a sigh of relief from the team – although fear of what the big man will do when he realizes he lost..
On the other hand, Lad is given his championship, but he can hardly move. More referees come in, and the number of people in the ring tell a full story of how vicious that match was. Lad is helped up, breathing heavily as he raises his championship up. Lad stares down at Raca who is being tended to, genuinely in disbelief at what he just had to go through. He shakes his head, happy with the victory – but frustrated that he wasn’t able to receive the satisfaction of quitting. Raca only won because he ran out of air.
Lad staggers to the ropes, rolling out. He can’t shake off the feeling, knowing that he didn’t get what he wanted here. Perhaps it was luck that drove his body to the floor, but what he can have solace in is that he gave Raca his first loss early into his EWC career – and found a way to choke out potentially a future star in this company. Lad staggers up the ramp, waving off the referees as he’s able to stand on his own, momentarily.. And he raises his championship up high to a huge applause from the crowd!
Watson: That was one hell of a main event match! Lad and Raca showed what they were fully capable of, but Lad’s reign as EWC Television Champion continues on and he leaves with his arm raised up over Raca!
Sydney: But you can’t take away from Raca at all there! He had a phenomenal performance against the champ, but ultimately it was Lad who came out on top! The turning point of that match was when Lad collapsed right before Raca was going to hit the Baptism! These two had a war of words about faith, perhaps there was a higher power who prompted Lad to get so lucky by falling out of the way just in time!
Watson: Calling that ‘luck’ diminishes what Lad accomplished tonight!
Sydney: Simply calling it how I see it! Regardless, that was a phenomenal match!
Watson: Folks, we're out of time tonight but like we said before this match began... the future on Paramount is looking BRIGHT! The Lad pulls two more points on the Paramount Power Rankings, and if he keeps this pace, his date with Sally Talfourd may not be far away. I'm Tim Watson, he's Cid Sydney, and we'll see you all LIVE in Bogota Columbia for Paramount #42 on our road to StrangleMania!
The camera zooms in close on The Lad, sweat soaked and breathing heavily before the focus zeroes in on the Television Championship and we fade out to black.
