Post by silentpartner on Jun 16, 2019 12:37:44 GMT -5
Little Girl: Mama!
Just outside the Coliseo Cerrado, the little girl rushes into the grateful, welcoming arms of her mother, wrapped up in her tight embrace. Her mother heaves a sigh of relief and kisses her daughter's cheek.
Mother: I was so worried. You can’t keep wandering around like that!
At their side, the father and the girl’s brother look up to see who had accompanied his daughter in returning back to the family and smiles softly at one Katya Djurdjevic.
Katya Djurdjevic: Told you we'd find them, Izzy.
The father beams and shakes Katya’s hand, offering some words of thanks.
Katya Djurdjevic: Happy to help! Honestly, Isabella is a real sweetie, it was a total pleasure.
Over her ring gear, Katya wears one of her own plain back shirts that reads "HELLO MY FRIENDLY FRIENDS". She also wears a floral headband as planned for her tag team match tonight.
Father: What do we say to the lovely young lady, Isabella?
Isabella looks over shoulder to look at Katya with a big wide smile.
Isabella: Thank you, Katya!
Smiling back, Katya removes her floral headband and places it on Isabella’s head, albeit being slightly too big for her, and ruffles her hair. Isabella’s eyes light up and she giggles.
Isabella: Thank youuuu!
Father: Thank you, Miss Djurdjevic. You didn't have to do that.
Katya Djurdjevic: Don't mention it, sweetie. I'd ordered some spares. I was planning to give them out to some fans after the show anyhow. And it's Katya, I don't do formal.
Katya notices Isabella’s brother standing shyly behind his father.
Katya Djurdjevic: Hey, little fella. Don’t be shy.
The father scratches his head, then mutters something in Spanish to his son. The boy steps out from behind his father, sheepishly rubbing his neck. Looking anywhere but Katya’s eyes. The reason for his shyness becomes obvious to Katya when she sees he is wearing a well-worn “The Risen” Danny Rizzo shirt.
Her eyebrow twitches at that, but she takes it in her stride.
Katya Djurdjevic: Oh, please. I’m not gonna judge you for supporting Two Faced Danny Rizzo.
She glances at her phone.
Katya Djurdjevic: Hmmm…. there's a bit of time before the matches start. How about I give you a mini-tour of the place!
Isabella gasps excitedly and her brother smiles.
Father: Are we allowed?
Katya Djurdjevic: Puh-lease! It should be fine as long as you're with me. Wanna check out the production truck the Othello Brothers hosted their show from yesterday?
Brother: For real?!
Katya Djurdjevic: Totally! It’s not parked too far from here.
Seeing his son turn to him with bright eyes, and Isabella chattering about going on another adventure, the father nods to his wife and then looks to Katyaa.
Father: That would be amazing.
Smiling Katya, leads the family off towards the Othello’s production truck
Katya Djurdjevic: Keep a tight hold of mama, Izzy!
Just outside the Coliseo Cerrado, the little girl rushes into the grateful, welcoming arms of her mother, wrapped up in her tight embrace. Her mother heaves a sigh of relief and kisses her daughter's cheek.
Mother: I was so worried. You can’t keep wandering around like that!
At their side, the father and the girl’s brother look up to see who had accompanied his daughter in returning back to the family and smiles softly at one Katya Djurdjevic.
Katya Djurdjevic: Told you we'd find them, Izzy.
The father beams and shakes Katya’s hand, offering some words of thanks.
Katya Djurdjevic: Happy to help! Honestly, Isabella is a real sweetie, it was a total pleasure.
Over her ring gear, Katya wears one of her own plain back shirts that reads "HELLO MY FRIENDLY FRIENDS". She also wears a floral headband as planned for her tag team match tonight.
Father: What do we say to the lovely young lady, Isabella?
Isabella looks over shoulder to look at Katya with a big wide smile.
Isabella: Thank you, Katya!
Smiling back, Katya removes her floral headband and places it on Isabella’s head, albeit being slightly too big for her, and ruffles her hair. Isabella’s eyes light up and she giggles.
Isabella: Thank youuuu!
Father: Thank you, Miss Djurdjevic. You didn't have to do that.
Katya Djurdjevic: Don't mention it, sweetie. I'd ordered some spares. I was planning to give them out to some fans after the show anyhow. And it's Katya, I don't do formal.
Katya notices Isabella’s brother standing shyly behind his father.
Katya Djurdjevic: Hey, little fella. Don’t be shy.
The father scratches his head, then mutters something in Spanish to his son. The boy steps out from behind his father, sheepishly rubbing his neck. Looking anywhere but Katya’s eyes. The reason for his shyness becomes obvious to Katya when she sees he is wearing a well-worn “The Risen” Danny Rizzo shirt.
Her eyebrow twitches at that, but she takes it in her stride.
Katya Djurdjevic: Oh, please. I’m not gonna judge you for supporting Two Faced Danny Rizzo.
She glances at her phone.
Katya Djurdjevic: Hmmm…. there's a bit of time before the matches start. How about I give you a mini-tour of the place!
Isabella gasps excitedly and her brother smiles.
Father: Are we allowed?
Katya Djurdjevic: Puh-lease! It should be fine as long as you're with me. Wanna check out the production truck the Othello Brothers hosted their show from yesterday?
Brother: For real?!
Katya Djurdjevic: Totally! It’s not parked too far from here.
Seeing his son turn to him with bright eyes, and Isabella chattering about going on another adventure, the father nods to his wife and then looks to Katyaa.
Father: That would be amazing.
Smiling Katya, leads the family off towards the Othello’s production truck
Katya Djurdjevic: Keep a tight hold of mama, Izzy!
“Villain” by Skarlett Riot takes over the arena, and it is clear to the fans in Peru that the opening festivities are over, and the show is ready to begin. Chris Callum and Aspen Chaud make their way onto the stage, flanked by Zack Burton, a massive man with a surly look on his face. Brodie joins them as well, keeping her distance from the rest of the group. The voices of the announce team can he heard as the four wrestlers make their way to the ring.
LO: We’re kicking things off tonight with the man who took the victory in the Battle Royal match at Rite of Kings two weeks ago, earning himself a shot at the Apex. That man is Chris Callum… and it looks like he isn’t alone.
KO: A wise man to travel in packs! This is a dangerous place.
LO: We recognize three of these competitors, what do you know about this fourth man?
KO: Zack Burton is as wide as he is tall. He’s mean and he isn’t afraid to get involved in some nasty business. I’m guessing that Callum and Aspen decided to beef up security ahead of their title bout against Cosmo Cooper.
LO: And we have Brodie. I’m amazed to see that she is still here tonight given her hellacious encounter with Cosmo, Cross, an Devlin at Rite of Kings.
KO: Brodie isn’t the type to hide from a loss. She knows where she stands, and if she has a chance to get her hands on Cooper, she’s going to take it.
LO: Callum has a microphone… let’s listen to the man who turned this company upside down.
The music dies down and we see Chris Callum raise the microphone, ready to speak. He is surrounded by Aspen and Burton, while Brodie leans against the ring post.
CHRIS CALLUM: My name is Chris Callum. I stepped into a Valor ring for the first time two weeks ago at Rite of Kings and immediately became the number one contender for the Apex Championship. If you don’t know my name or recognize my face, you need to know that my work has revolutionized the wrestling industry. My work has brought you the Zombie Clan, Brennan Devlin, Caroline O’Hara Burchill, Leela Watts, and even my opponents tonight Cosmo Cooper and Katya Djurdjevic. My work brought a major wrestling promotion, SAWA, to Peru for the first time through the Championship Wrestling Coalition. If you don’t know my name or recognize my face, despite all I have done for you and for the wrestling business, then that is exactly why I’m here in Valor Pro Wrestling.
Aspen and Zack Burton offer some claps of encouragement as Callum continues on.
CHRIS CALLUM: Cosmo Cooper retained his championship at Rite of Kings, and that means the two of us are on a collision course for each other. I jumped right to the top of this company. I passed all of the Zombies, I passed Spiral, I passed Katya and Rizzo and Dakota Jennings too. I passed them all because there is one man who I want to get my hands on, and when I want a man, I get him. Cosmo Cooper used me to get to the top, and then left me behind. And I’m going to make him pay for that.
“Lifted” by CL hits the speakers. The crowd pops as Cosmo makes his way onto the ramp and down toward the ring. Callum and Aspen aren’t surprised by the intrusion.
LO: It appears Cosmo Cooper has heard enough.
KO: I’m sure he is going to come out and apologize to this man! Then they can put it all behind them…
LO: Maybe… I’m going to guess that doesn’t happen. This main event match may start earlier than we thought.
Brodie perks up and moves to the side of the ring, ready to cut off Cosmo Cooper before he enters. Aspen says something to Zack Burton, the mammoth of a man, and he slides under the bottom rope of the ring and moves between Brodie and Cosmo on the ramp. Cosmo stops in his tracks. Cosmo and Burton have a staredown as Callum and Aspen smile.
CHRIS CALLUM: Someone get him a mic. God knows he’s not going to move from that spot as long as Zack Burton stands in his way.
A production assistant rushes over to Cosmo, handing him a mic. Cosmo continues to stare down Zack Burton.
COSMO COOPER: Bossman… you don’t need all this beef with you. What we need to say to each other can be done mono-a-mono.
Aspen takes the mic from Callum and moves toward the ropes. Brodie, irritated at being cut off by Aspen and by Burton, moves to the far end of the ring.
ASPEN CHAUD: No, Cosmo, it can’t.
Cosmo rolls his eyes at Aspen’s intrusion as the crowd boos.
ASPEN CHAUD: Zack Burton is here to remind you of your place. How many times has he nearly broken you in half? You aren’t used to getting laid out like that, are you? The rest of the world may quiver at your sight, but we don’t. We aren’t afraid of you. We know exactly who you are and how to beat you.
Cosmo Cooper grits his teeth.
ASPEN CHAUD: Zack, escort this rookie to the ring. He has an apology to deliver.
Burton complies. He steps onto the apron and opens the ropes for Cosmo.
LO: Cosmo isn’t going to walk right into the hornet’s nest, is he?
KO: After all he’s been through since he arrived in Valor, I don’t believe Cosmo Cooper feels fear anymore.
Cosmo slowly makes his way towards the ring. He steps onto the apron, close to Burton. Burton jumps forward, feigning an attack, which makes Cosmo jump. He quickly enters the ring and finds himself face to face with Chris Callum and Aspen Chaud.
CHRIS CALLUM: Cosmo, I want you to know that the apology you are about to make is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I will accept it with open arms. But it isn’t going to change the inevitable. Apology or not, you deserve the punishment I am going to inflict upon you over the next month. You can’t make it go away. You can’t stop it. When I take the Apex Championship from you, that’s when your atonement will be complete. But you can save yourself so much trouble if you just apologize now.
Cosmo looks to crowd, who are offering their advice on the matter.
ASPEN CHAUD: A good way to start would be to bend the knee. Do I need to have Zack bend it for you?
After a passing glance to Zack Burton, Cosmo raises his microphone again.
COSMO COOPER: Chris, when you inked a contract with Valor I was pumped and all that. My old boss, my old friend. I thought it would be a lot of fun. Then I heard what you wanted and the only thing I could hear were Aspen’s words pouring out of your mouth.
He paused when the crowd popped, but quickly began again.
COSMO COOPER: That bitch has hated me since day one. I don’t know why, I don’t care. I thought you and me got along good. Now all of a sudden you want my head? I don’t have time for that. If you wanna fight me, then fine. I’ll fight you. I’ll beat you up and send you right back to Berkeley where you can plan your next big wrestling thing. But I won’t be there for the next one.
Another pop. Callum and Aspen are silently fuming.
COSMO COOPER: I existed before you. I moved on when you moved on. That’s how this shit works. If you want me to grovel at your feet… that’s never gonna…
Zack Burton walluped Cosmo Cooper from behind with a big forearm! The Champion collapsed to the floor and all hell broke loose.
LO: Cosmo Cooper just got blindsided!
KO: I guess Zack Burton had a trigger word there…
Brodie flung into the fray as Callum and Aspen moved back. She pounced on top of Cosmo and began hammering him with knees to the head. Burton quickly moved to pick her up and throw her across the ring with ease.
LO: That wasn’t in the plan!
Burton screamed “he’s mine, girl!” to Brodie as she looked up at him with rage in her eyes. In the heat of the moment, Cosmo Cooper slipped under the bottom rope and ran quickly up the ramp with his title in hand. He stopped at the stage as Callum attempted to calm down Brodie and Burton. Aspen moved to the ring ropes to observe Cosmo as he screamed out from the stage.
LO: Cosmo Cooper kicked the hornets nest and escaped just in time!
KO: That’s insane. He was outnumbered four to one and still managed to not die in there.
Cosmo raised the title high in the air as Aspen cracked a smile and shook her head. He beat his chest… and then…
LO: OH MY GOD!
KO: Is that… ALEXIS TERRY?
Alexis Terry moved through the curtain with brass knuckles in her hand. She held her arm high so all the crowd could see it before rearing back and landing one hard shot to the ribs and kidney area of Cosmo Cooper. The champion fell to the ground in serious pain. Aspen smiled some more as Callum, Aspen, and Burton made their way onto the stage.
LO: A brass knuckles shot to the back… good God…
KO: The champion isn’t getting up from that.
By this time the trio has made their way onto the stage, standing over Cosmo. Brodie is pacing in the ring, furious that Burton would steal her thunder. Callum spoke to Cosmo without a mic, but we could still hear him over Cosmo’s wheezing.
CHRIS CALLUM: This is only the beginning, brother.
Callum’s music picked up again as he, Burton, Aspen, and Alexis raised their hands in victory. Medics began rushing to Cosmo. They turned him around to reveal a bruise already forming.
LO: A cowardly act from the number one contender. And with Alexis now in the mix, I don’t know how Cosmo is going to be able to stand up to those odds!
KO: In one strike Alexis may have solved Callum’s problem for him…
LO: We will keep you posted on Cosmo’s condition throughout the night. But we need to move to a break while the medics attend to Cosmo.
KO: Nothing to attend to. All they can do is make this kid comfortable…
Fade to the Blitz Logo
"For The Glory" by All Good Things blares across the PA system while the camera shifts up to the main banner displayed at the top of the screen, and then to a sweeping shot of the Coliseo Cerrado. Pyro begins firing off across the stage, and the Peru fans come to their feet at the sight of themselves on the big screen, cheering wildly and holding up their signs. One reads, "NSFW GOT SCREWED", while another has "KATYA, HAVE MY BABY", and still another says "REKOTA RULEZ!!". Superhero Roxi, Danny Rizzo, Cosmo Cooper, Indi Rhyder, and Berlin Anderson T-Shirts permeate the crowd, when suddenly the camera view shifts to one overlooking the ring. The camera zooms down the ramp, rises up over the top rope, through the ring, and finally drops down to settle on the announce booth where The Othello Brothers await with excited expressions.
LAURENCE OTHELLO: And my God! Did you see that!?! Alexis Terry is back in Valor Pro, and she is standing beside Chris Callum and Zack Burton!
KENNETH OTHELLO: Forget about that, Laur! Did you see how they took out Cosmo Cooper! I don't think he'll be able to compete in tonight's Main Event!
LO: Folks, we have tag team action tonight, or at least...we're supposed to have it...between the team of Brodie and Chris Callum versus Katya Djurdjevic and Cosmo Cooper...
KO: I bet that would have been a great match, but there's no way Cooper's coming to the ring after getting his ribs bashed in by those brass knucks...
LO: I don't know if we have enough security in the back to keep him away from Chris Callum....man, this is unbelievable.
KO: What I thought was strange is how there was no Katya and no Brodie. I wonder what they think about all of this?
LO: I don't know, Ken, but maybe we'll find out as the show progresses. Right now, we should probably talk about the rest of the night, and before that...how about Rite of Kings? I'd call that a huge success....
KO: No doubt! We saw Aokigahara Zombie take the Unleashed Championship off of Spiral only for Spiral to turn right around and steal the championship back and crown him with it!
LO: More than that...Spiral had an altercation backstage with General Manager, Vanessa Byrne, and he got himself fired! AND he took the belt with him...What does that mean for Aoki?
KO: I don't know, but maybe that's what we'll find out later on tonight on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire, where those two will finally sit down and hash out some of their legal woes!
LO: That's sure to be hot, but what about The Chimera Tag Team Champions defeating NSFW at Rite of Kings, albeit through cheating..
KO: It's not cheating if the referee doesn't see it, and as you well know Mike McGuire is getting his chance at revenge against Dakota Jennings after that chair shot she gave him at the PPV.
LO: That's right, those two will square off one on one, but their respective partners will be at ringside, which should make this one interesting to say the least.
KO: Also at Rite of Kings we finally saw Danny Rizzo step up to the plate and be a man thanks to Kaven Drell, and retain his UnYielding Championship.
LO: Oh Come On! He blasted Katya Djurdjevic across the skull to get himself disqualified, and he sure as hell didn't look proud of it afterwards!
KO: Whatever! He did what he had to do!
LO: Yeah, well he'll defend his UnYielding Championship tonight against the Runner Up of the Rite of Kings Battle Royal, Jack Dempsey, who was the last man to be eliminated by Chris Callum. Man, I can't believe that guy....
KO: Are we going back to this? Listen, Laur, Callum is a man of vision. He had a plan, and Cooper tripped it perfectly. End of story.
LO: I guess my only question is; If Chris Callum is such a big shot, then whey does he need a freakin' army from his former stomping grounds to take on one man?
KO: Callum doesn't 'need' them! That's been the point all along, isn't it? THEY NEED HIM! And once upon a time so did Cosmo Cooper. Chris is just coming back to teach his 'Prodigal' a thing or two about respect.
LO: Whatever...wait a minute....an intern just came across the hot mic that Callum and company are making their way to the locker room, and Brodie is making a B-Line straight for them!
KO: Well, then what are we waiting for, get a damn camera on them!
LAURENCE OTHELLO: And my God! Did you see that!?! Alexis Terry is back in Valor Pro, and she is standing beside Chris Callum and Zack Burton!
KENNETH OTHELLO: Forget about that, Laur! Did you see how they took out Cosmo Cooper! I don't think he'll be able to compete in tonight's Main Event!
LO: Folks, we have tag team action tonight, or at least...we're supposed to have it...between the team of Brodie and Chris Callum versus Katya Djurdjevic and Cosmo Cooper...
KO: I bet that would have been a great match, but there's no way Cooper's coming to the ring after getting his ribs bashed in by those brass knucks...
LO: I don't know if we have enough security in the back to keep him away from Chris Callum....man, this is unbelievable.
KO: What I thought was strange is how there was no Katya and no Brodie. I wonder what they think about all of this?
LO: I don't know, Ken, but maybe we'll find out as the show progresses. Right now, we should probably talk about the rest of the night, and before that...how about Rite of Kings? I'd call that a huge success....
KO: No doubt! We saw Aokigahara Zombie take the Unleashed Championship off of Spiral only for Spiral to turn right around and steal the championship back and crown him with it!
LO: More than that...Spiral had an altercation backstage with General Manager, Vanessa Byrne, and he got himself fired! AND he took the belt with him...What does that mean for Aoki?
KO: I don't know, but maybe that's what we'll find out later on tonight on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire, where those two will finally sit down and hash out some of their legal woes!
LO: That's sure to be hot, but what about The Chimera Tag Team Champions defeating NSFW at Rite of Kings, albeit through cheating..
KO: It's not cheating if the referee doesn't see it, and as you well know Mike McGuire is getting his chance at revenge against Dakota Jennings after that chair shot she gave him at the PPV.
LO: That's right, those two will square off one on one, but their respective partners will be at ringside, which should make this one interesting to say the least.
KO: Also at Rite of Kings we finally saw Danny Rizzo step up to the plate and be a man thanks to Kaven Drell, and retain his UnYielding Championship.
LO: Oh Come On! He blasted Katya Djurdjevic across the skull to get himself disqualified, and he sure as hell didn't look proud of it afterwards!
KO: Whatever! He did what he had to do!
LO: Yeah, well he'll defend his UnYielding Championship tonight against the Runner Up of the Rite of Kings Battle Royal, Jack Dempsey, who was the last man to be eliminated by Chris Callum. Man, I can't believe that guy....
KO: Are we going back to this? Listen, Laur, Callum is a man of vision. He had a plan, and Cooper tripped it perfectly. End of story.
LO: I guess my only question is; If Chris Callum is such a big shot, then whey does he need a freakin' army from his former stomping grounds to take on one man?
KO: Callum doesn't 'need' them! That's been the point all along, isn't it? THEY NEED HIM! And once upon a time so did Cosmo Cooper. Chris is just coming back to teach his 'Prodigal' a thing or two about respect.
LO: Whatever...wait a minute....an intern just came across the hot mic that Callum and company are making their way to the locker room, and Brodie is making a B-Line straight for them!
KO: Well, then what are we waiting for, get a damn camera on them!
BREAKING SCHMO flashes across the screen and then we CUT TO: A man with blue-dyed hair and beard and wearing a pair of aviator sunglasses (even though it’s night out) and his own face on a white t-shirt. ALEJANDRO VELASCO ASTETE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT scrolls across the crawl at the bottom of the screen. Just above it, on the right, is a hashtag logo: #THESCHMOSHOW.
THE SCHMO: We are STANDING here at the airport, a scant 3.5 kilometers from Coliseo Cerrado. The Schmo’s vast network of sources were putting in overtime all this week. They told The Schmo ta get down to Peru because something big is going to happen.
The roar of jet engines begin building in the background. He turns to look back to something just out of frame.
THE SCHMO: And here it comes!
A private jet slowly taxis into frame with VALOR PRO painted down the side. The turbines are almost too loud for the microphone which struggles to pick up the audio with distorting into a hiss of cracks and pops.
THE SCHMO: Who could it be? Whoever it is, Valor has rolled out the royal welcome. Over the last few days the Schmo has heard a veritable list of WHO’S WHO in the wrestling biz. I’m talking the biggest talent out there. I’ve even heard whispers that it might be Zack Fantana himself making his triumphant return…Hey! Wait one second—!
The camera suddenly gets pushed aside as a team of airport security personnel come barreling into the scene. Two have The Schmo by the arms and are dragging him away. The camera gets wrestled away from the operator and we see the face of one of the officers before the feed goes black.
Backstage, we find Chris Callum applying wrist tape before his match. The door to the locker room busts open and Brodie is there, still upset about Zack Burton ruining her shot at Cosmo Cooper earlier in the night.
BRODIE: Callum, we need to talk!
He takes a deep breath and stands up. The two are face to face.
CHRIS CALLUM: Zack was not supposed to do that. I already told you that in the ring. Things get heated, mistakes are made. That’s what happens when you have a lot of moving parts.
Brodie shakes her head.
BRODIE: You’re new here, so you may not understand. I’m not the person you want on your bad side. Especially when I’m supposed to have you back.
Callum nods. He takes a moment for the tension to die down, but it doesn’t.
CHRIS CALLUM: I understand. I’d very much like it if you continued to…
BRODIE: You brought me out there with the promise that I would get my hands on Cooper. Burton stopped me. And then Alexis stole the chance. I don’t think you ever planned to let me have the shot, did you?
Callum said nothing. Brodie spoke through gritted teeth.
BRODIE: I’m not just another stooge for you to mess with. And if Burton or Alexis lays a single hand on me, I’m going to rip their arm off. Then you won’t have any more stooges to protect you.
Callum nodded. He took a moment before leaning in toward Brodie.
CHRIS CALLUM: You’re not the baddest bitch in this place anymore.
With a wink. He left her. The camera stayed with her for a moment, observing her growing rage, before cutting to the next scene.
THE SCHMO: We are STANDING here at the airport, a scant 3.5 kilometers from Coliseo Cerrado. The Schmo’s vast network of sources were putting in overtime all this week. They told The Schmo ta get down to Peru because something big is going to happen.
The roar of jet engines begin building in the background. He turns to look back to something just out of frame.
THE SCHMO: And here it comes!
A private jet slowly taxis into frame with VALOR PRO painted down the side. The turbines are almost too loud for the microphone which struggles to pick up the audio with distorting into a hiss of cracks and pops.
THE SCHMO: Who could it be? Whoever it is, Valor has rolled out the royal welcome. Over the last few days the Schmo has heard a veritable list of WHO’S WHO in the wrestling biz. I’m talking the biggest talent out there. I’ve even heard whispers that it might be Zack Fantana himself making his triumphant return…Hey! Wait one second—!
The camera suddenly gets pushed aside as a team of airport security personnel come barreling into the scene. Two have The Schmo by the arms and are dragging him away. The camera gets wrestled away from the operator and we see the face of one of the officers before the feed goes black.
BRODIE: Callum, we need to talk!
He takes a deep breath and stands up. The two are face to face.
CHRIS CALLUM: Zack was not supposed to do that. I already told you that in the ring. Things get heated, mistakes are made. That’s what happens when you have a lot of moving parts.
Brodie shakes her head.
BRODIE: You’re new here, so you may not understand. I’m not the person you want on your bad side. Especially when I’m supposed to have you back.
Callum nods. He takes a moment for the tension to die down, but it doesn’t.
CHRIS CALLUM: I understand. I’d very much like it if you continued to…
BRODIE: You brought me out there with the promise that I would get my hands on Cooper. Burton stopped me. And then Alexis stole the chance. I don’t think you ever planned to let me have the shot, did you?
Callum said nothing. Brodie spoke through gritted teeth.
BRODIE: I’m not just another stooge for you to mess with. And if Burton or Alexis lays a single hand on me, I’m going to rip their arm off. Then you won’t have any more stooges to protect you.
Callum nodded. He took a moment before leaning in toward Brodie.
CHRIS CALLUM: You’re not the baddest bitch in this place anymore.
With a wink. He left her. The camera stayed with her for a moment, observing her growing rage, before cutting to the next scene.
OPENING BOUT
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is scheduled for one fall or submission.....
"Hard White" by Nicki Minaj hits over the PA system and the lights flash along with the beat as Caroline O'Hara Burchill steps out from the curtain, coming to a pause at the top of the stage. The crowd reacts with a positive reaction as she peers out at them, many more cheers mingled in than there were last show. She nods, sniffs the air, and then smiles as she takes off in a confident stride down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, standing at five foot four and weighing in at 120 pounds, hailing from Sydney, Australia....She is THE NEW CLASSIC....CAROLINE O'HARA BURCHILL!!
Caroline reaches ringside and whips herself around the guardrail and then charges up the steps, swinging herself through the ropes and into the ring where she throws both arms over her head. The fans react positively as she stalks back and forth in the ring before settling into the far corner to await her opponent.
LO: Caroline had one hell of a showing at Rite of Kings alongside her opponent here tonight, but it will be interesting to see who the fans rally behind now that they are going head to head.
KO: Yeah, I bet there's going to be some handshakes and hugs in this before the night is through.
LO: And what if there is? There's nothing wrong with sportsmanship!
KO: Oh give me a break...
The announce team are interrupted when 'Karma Chameleon' by the Culture Club hits over the PA System, and Indi Rhyder skips out onto the stage to a pretty big ovation. She places her hand over her eyes to peer out at the crowd, a smile placed upon her lips. She turns to give the camera a wink as she passes on by down the ramp, slapping hands as she goes.
RING ANNOUNCER: And her opponent, standing at five foot five and weighting in at 130 pounds, hailing from Los Angeles, California....She is The Galactic Princess.....INDI RHYDDEERRR!!
As she reaches ringside she makes a dash across the front row with one hand extended for high fives, and then turns abruptly to leap up onto the ring apron, and then hops up to the second rope from the outside. She repeats the hand motion, covering her eyes to take in the capacity crowd with a grin, and then hops over the top rope to land safely in the ring, giving a Caroline a glance as she does.
LO: Indi Rhyder is currently undefeated in singles competition, this being her fourth contest...
KO: Yeah, this isn't a battle royal, and there won't be as many distractions...and after Caroline all but burned up her Killer Queen gear, there aren't going to be any cheap shots either.
LO: Oh stop sounding so disappointed! These women are here to put on a great contest, and to do so with class and dignity. You couldn't ask for more.
KO: Sure I could. How about the bell to drown out your nauseating positivity...
The bell echoes throughout to begin this match up. Indi extends a hand out at Caroline, who accepts it to show true mutual respect between these two fan favorites. After the shake, both women lunge forward at one another for a grapple! The New Classic gains the upper hand with a stiff knee to the gut of Indi. Burchill then takes hold of Indi’s right wrist in order to irish whip her into the ropes! Rhyder bounces off then slingshots back at Caroline, who attempts a clothesline but misses! Indi ducks the attempt to bounce off the ropes on the opposite side of the ring. She comes back flying at a turning Burchill for a wicked spear that Caroline transitions into a snap DDT! The maneuver implants Indi face first! The crowd cheers wildly for the pace.
LO: DID YOU SEE THAT!
KO: Indi hits the spear only for The New Classic to counter it with a brutal DDT! Now Rhyder has a busted mouth right off the bat.
Caroline holds her ribs because she still ate a spear before the counter while Indi rolls over to reveal her busted lips. Burchill quickly scoots over the mat to her downed opponent to hook a leg!
1…
LO: NO! KICK OUT!
The Butterfly gets back to her feet quickly to face down Caroline. Indi wipes her the small amount of blood from her lips then glares across the ring at her opponent. The camera shot widens out to show the two women briefly just before Indi strikes out at Burchill! She hammers The New Classic with a violent elbow then another! Caroline staggers back first then falls forward to both knees leading Indi to hit the ropes just behind Burchill. She comes flying in at Caroline from behind for a picture perfect bulldog! The crowd reacts as Rhyder leaps to both feet then takes off for the closest corner. She leaps up on the middle turnbuckle to boost herself up to the top. Rhyder leaps off looking for a moonsault leg drop but Buchill rolls out of the way at the last possible moment!
KO: MISS! Indi was rolling in this one early on but that counter halted that completely.
LO: Yes, it did.
Indi rolls around on the mat briefly while The New Classic gets to a knee. Rhyder gets to her feet somehow but favors her right ankle which completely captures Burchill’s full attention. Indi takes off as fast as she can at Caroline, who ducks the fist then takes hold of the right foot of Rhyder for a drop toe hold! Indi’s face bounces off the middle turnbuckle while Buchill transitions the maneuver into an ankle lock! Indi’s eyes widen as she is pulled to the center of the ring! Caroline then twists the already injured ankle!
LO: Burchill has taken complete control of this one now. That ankle got tweaked and now The New Classic wants to twist it off!
KO: Buchill has the ankle lock locked on in the center of the ring. I believe that she wants to ground this high flyer, Laurence.
LO: It appears that way, Ken. Caroline continues to wring the injured ankle! Rhyder’s undefeated streak may end right here, right now!
Caroline holds the ankle lock on while simultaneously attempting to tap out Indi. Rhyder thrashes on the mat while her perspective becomes almost blurred by the intensity of the pain. Burchill applies more and more pressure while Indi gets up on both elbows and attempts in vain to crawl toward the ropes. Burchill wants to halt this but fails due mainly to a ten pound weight difference. Rhyder digs her nails into the mat to pull herself closer to the safety of the bottom ropes while Caroline applies more pressure.
LO: Indi is so close to the bottom rope! Caroline continues to apply even more pressure but Rhyder has come a long way from the center of the ring.
KO: That slight weight difference has come into play here. Rhyder has literally dragged both women to those ropes but still can’t get close enough to break the hold.
LO: How much damage has been inflicted on that ankle at this point, Ken? Burchill wants to end Rhyder’s streak and may break her ankle to do it!
Burchell adjusts her feet slightly to regain full control but it backfires by allowing Indi to lunge forward to grasp hold of the bottom rope to break the hold! The crowd cheers wildly as The Butterfly saves the match up! The referee allows Rhyder to get back to her feet after sending Caroline to a corner. Indi gets to the corner across the ring from Burchill before the referee resumes the match. Burchill strikes out again with an arm drag that she transitions into an armbar! The maneuver stirs cheers for The New Classic. Caroline pulls Indi over to the corner before releasing her hold. Burchill then hammers Indi with a brutal headbutt! Then another! Rhyder slumps back into the corner leading The New Classic to back away across the ring. She stops when her back touches the opposite corner before she takes back off directly at Indi! Caroline rushes across the ring looking for a high knee the corner on Rhyder, who moves out of the way!
KO: MISS! Caroline goes for a high knee in the corner but misses and ends up now tangled up in the ropes!
LO: This leaves an opening for Indi Rhyder!
Indi quickly rushes over to Caroline, who is still tangled up in the ropes. Rhyder kicks at the exposed midsection of the veteran briefly before Burchill falls on the mat on the back of her neck! Indi quickly hooks a leg!
1…
2…
LO: KICK OUT by Caroline O’Hara Burchill! Did you see how she landed after getting out of the ropes?
KO: She hit the back of her neck and head pretty hard there, Laurence! This may be the opening that Indi has been looking for.
Rhyder wastes no time stumbling toward her fallen foe. The lights shine bright overhead while the fans go wild all around. Indi stays focused and grapples up The New Classic off the mat into a standing headlock. Caroline wiggles and uses both hands to push onto Indi’s back in her vain attempt to escape. Rhyder suddenly blasts Burchill with a solid punch with her free hand which sends Caroline back flat on the mat. Indi quickly makes her way to the corner then carefully climbs up on the bottom turnbuckle, obviously favoring her right ankle.
KO: Rhyder is taking her precious time getting perched up high!
LO: Burchill put her aim square on that ankle which has caused Rhyder to lose a bit of her speed which is a huge part of her game.
KO: She’s up top!
Indi gets to the top turnbuckle but gets grabbed suddenly from behind! She turns to see Caroline clutching at her right ankle. Burchill twists the ankle to the left then back right quickly! Pain engulfs the rookie once more but this time she kicks out with her left foot to knock Caroline back! Indi then turns to leap off the top turnbuckle for a flying thrust kick that hits its mark!
LO: Indi comes in with a huge flying thrust kick! Now Rhyder appears poised to take this one over. These fans are split on this two superstars.
KO: That will be a monumental task on one leg, Laurence! I would not count out Burchill just yet.
Indi quickly limps over to Caroline looking for a pin but gets rolled up instead by Burchill!
1…
2...
KO: NO! KICK OUT AT TWO BY CAROLINE O’HARA BURCHILL! The crowd is feeling it!
LO: That was close! The veteran nearly stole it right there.
Indi’s face becomes a bit flush red from real frustration but she shakes it off quickly. Caroline sits up then slowly begins to get to her feet when Rhyder snaps her back down on the mat with authority! The back of Burchill’s head bounces off the mat again which leaves her a bit groggy this time. This allows Indi to make her way to the corner. She again scales the turnbuckles at a relegated pace due to her sore ankle. She turns around after getting perched up top then waits with the patience of Jobe for her opponent to stir. Caroline obliges suddenly by stumbling up to one knee before standing up completely. This leads Indi to dive off the top turnbuckle looking for a diving spear but Burchill counters with a knee to the forehead of Rhyder! The violent shot leads the crowd to pop while Indi ends up flat on her back!
KO: Did you see that!?! Indi Rhyder was looking to take out Caroline with a diving spear only to catch a knee to the face for her trouble. What a counter!
LO: What a match! These two women came here tonight looking for a fight and they found just that in one another.
KO: Both women are still down on the mat. The referee has began his count!
LO: They may not make it to their feet before a count of ten, Ken.
The referee counts one then two. The two women stir on the mat but Rhyder appears dazed completely after the counter by Caroline, who struggles on the mat still also. The two women hear the referee’s count reach three as they both flip over onto their stomachs. Each woman begins to crawl slowly for the ropes as the count reaches five.
LO: SIX! These two are struggling to get up after the beating they have put on one another.
KO: Seven. This will be close…
Caroline reaches the ropes and quickly begins to pull herself up as the ref’s count is now at eight. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the ring, Indi Rhyder also has reached the ropes! Both women pull as the referee counts nine. Both women struggle to pull themselves up but manage to at the same exact moment, milliseconds before a count of ten! The crowd goes crazy as the two women immediately take off at one another! Caroline ducks Indi’s clothesline but takes hold of her by the side! Burchill adjusts for a shin breaker on Indi’s bad ankle! Rhyder doesn’t fall to the mat which allows Caroline to catch her from behind with a dragon screw leg whip! Burchill hovers above her opponent for a moment before reaching down and taking up Indi’s right foot. Burchill applies a heel hook before falling flat on the mat to apply as much pressure as possible. Rhyder comes unglued on the mat from the intense pain and even thinks about tapping for a moment.
KO: Uh-oh!
LO: You said it! This could be it. Burchill focus on that injured ankle has been laser like throughout this one.
KO: Indi Rhyder is in real trouble now. The New Classic has hold of that ankle and appears to be willing to break it to get the W.
Indi reaches out as far as she can for the bottom rope but she’s just too far away. She extends a hand out but can hear her fans chanting throughout. The crowd is nearly split on these two fan favorites but she can hear. This causes Rhyder to not relent but instead digs into the mat once more to attempt a rope break.
KO: Rhyder has no quit in her here tonight. Most anyone would tap right now to live to fight another day.
LO: She can hear these fans, who came out to see her tonight!
KO: So can The New Classic.
Indi digs in and pulls herself and Caroline closer and closer to the ropes. She reaches out one last time in pure desperation to grasp hold of the bottom rope! The referee rushes in to break the heel hook to the complete shock of Caroline O’Hara Burchill!
LO: ROPE BREAK! Can you believe it, Ken?
KO: It’s a miracle! I thought she would pass out from the pain for sure but Indi refuses to give in here tonight.
The referee sends both women to separate corners before resuming the match up. Both women come flying out of their respective corners looking or blood! Indi strikes with an elbow to the brow of Caroline! The sudden and violent shot leaves a gash above The New Classic’s left eye. Burchill ends up in a daze from the shot while Rhyder glides through the ropes to work the crowd a bit. She quickly turns her attention back to Caroline while standing out on the apron facing back inside the ring. She leaps up on the middle rope with her left foot to push herself up onto the top rope essentially on one leg! Flashes from cameras captures this moment forever as Indi springboards off the top rope and directly at a dazed Caroline for a wicked front flip that sees Indi ride her opponent to the mat!
LO: COOL RHYDER ONTO BURCHILL FROM OUT OF NOWHERE, AND INDI MANAGES TO REACH BACK AND HOOK HER LEGS FOR A PIN!
1…
2…
"Hard White" by Nicki Minaj hits over the PA system and the lights flash along with the beat as Caroline O'Hara Burchill steps out from the curtain, coming to a pause at the top of the stage. The crowd reacts with a positive reaction as she peers out at them, many more cheers mingled in than there were last show. She nods, sniffs the air, and then smiles as she takes off in a confident stride down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, standing at five foot four and weighing in at 120 pounds, hailing from Sydney, Australia....She is THE NEW CLASSIC....CAROLINE O'HARA BURCHILL!!
Caroline reaches ringside and whips herself around the guardrail and then charges up the steps, swinging herself through the ropes and into the ring where she throws both arms over her head. The fans react positively as she stalks back and forth in the ring before settling into the far corner to await her opponent.
LO: Caroline had one hell of a showing at Rite of Kings alongside her opponent here tonight, but it will be interesting to see who the fans rally behind now that they are going head to head.
KO: Yeah, I bet there's going to be some handshakes and hugs in this before the night is through.
LO: And what if there is? There's nothing wrong with sportsmanship!
KO: Oh give me a break...
The announce team are interrupted when 'Karma Chameleon' by the Culture Club hits over the PA System, and Indi Rhyder skips out onto the stage to a pretty big ovation. She places her hand over her eyes to peer out at the crowd, a smile placed upon her lips. She turns to give the camera a wink as she passes on by down the ramp, slapping hands as she goes.
RING ANNOUNCER: And her opponent, standing at five foot five and weighting in at 130 pounds, hailing from Los Angeles, California....She is The Galactic Princess.....INDI RHYDDEERRR!!
As she reaches ringside she makes a dash across the front row with one hand extended for high fives, and then turns abruptly to leap up onto the ring apron, and then hops up to the second rope from the outside. She repeats the hand motion, covering her eyes to take in the capacity crowd with a grin, and then hops over the top rope to land safely in the ring, giving a Caroline a glance as she does.
LO: Indi Rhyder is currently undefeated in singles competition, this being her fourth contest...
KO: Yeah, this isn't a battle royal, and there won't be as many distractions...and after Caroline all but burned up her Killer Queen gear, there aren't going to be any cheap shots either.
LO: Oh stop sounding so disappointed! These women are here to put on a great contest, and to do so with class and dignity. You couldn't ask for more.
KO: Sure I could. How about the bell to drown out your nauseating positivity...
The bell echoes throughout to begin this match up. Indi extends a hand out at Caroline, who accepts it to show true mutual respect between these two fan favorites. After the shake, both women lunge forward at one another for a grapple! The New Classic gains the upper hand with a stiff knee to the gut of Indi. Burchill then takes hold of Indi’s right wrist in order to irish whip her into the ropes! Rhyder bounces off then slingshots back at Caroline, who attempts a clothesline but misses! Indi ducks the attempt to bounce off the ropes on the opposite side of the ring. She comes back flying at a turning Burchill for a wicked spear that Caroline transitions into a snap DDT! The maneuver implants Indi face first! The crowd cheers wildly for the pace.
LO: DID YOU SEE THAT!
KO: Indi hits the spear only for The New Classic to counter it with a brutal DDT! Now Rhyder has a busted mouth right off the bat.
Caroline holds her ribs because she still ate a spear before the counter while Indi rolls over to reveal her busted lips. Burchill quickly scoots over the mat to her downed opponent to hook a leg!
1…
LO: NO! KICK OUT!
The Butterfly gets back to her feet quickly to face down Caroline. Indi wipes her the small amount of blood from her lips then glares across the ring at her opponent. The camera shot widens out to show the two women briefly just before Indi strikes out at Burchill! She hammers The New Classic with a violent elbow then another! Caroline staggers back first then falls forward to both knees leading Indi to hit the ropes just behind Burchill. She comes flying in at Caroline from behind for a picture perfect bulldog! The crowd reacts as Rhyder leaps to both feet then takes off for the closest corner. She leaps up on the middle turnbuckle to boost herself up to the top. Rhyder leaps off looking for a moonsault leg drop but Buchill rolls out of the way at the last possible moment!
KO: MISS! Indi was rolling in this one early on but that counter halted that completely.
LO: Yes, it did.
Indi rolls around on the mat briefly while The New Classic gets to a knee. Rhyder gets to her feet somehow but favors her right ankle which completely captures Burchill’s full attention. Indi takes off as fast as she can at Caroline, who ducks the fist then takes hold of the right foot of Rhyder for a drop toe hold! Indi’s face bounces off the middle turnbuckle while Buchill transitions the maneuver into an ankle lock! Indi’s eyes widen as she is pulled to the center of the ring! Caroline then twists the already injured ankle!
LO: Burchill has taken complete control of this one now. That ankle got tweaked and now The New Classic wants to twist it off!
KO: Buchill has the ankle lock locked on in the center of the ring. I believe that she wants to ground this high flyer, Laurence.
LO: It appears that way, Ken. Caroline continues to wring the injured ankle! Rhyder’s undefeated streak may end right here, right now!
Caroline holds the ankle lock on while simultaneously attempting to tap out Indi. Rhyder thrashes on the mat while her perspective becomes almost blurred by the intensity of the pain. Burchill applies more and more pressure while Indi gets up on both elbows and attempts in vain to crawl toward the ropes. Burchill wants to halt this but fails due mainly to a ten pound weight difference. Rhyder digs her nails into the mat to pull herself closer to the safety of the bottom ropes while Caroline applies more pressure.
LO: Indi is so close to the bottom rope! Caroline continues to apply even more pressure but Rhyder has come a long way from the center of the ring.
KO: That slight weight difference has come into play here. Rhyder has literally dragged both women to those ropes but still can’t get close enough to break the hold.
LO: How much damage has been inflicted on that ankle at this point, Ken? Burchill wants to end Rhyder’s streak and may break her ankle to do it!
Burchell adjusts her feet slightly to regain full control but it backfires by allowing Indi to lunge forward to grasp hold of the bottom rope to break the hold! The crowd cheers wildly as The Butterfly saves the match up! The referee allows Rhyder to get back to her feet after sending Caroline to a corner. Indi gets to the corner across the ring from Burchill before the referee resumes the match. Burchill strikes out again with an arm drag that she transitions into an armbar! The maneuver stirs cheers for The New Classic. Caroline pulls Indi over to the corner before releasing her hold. Burchill then hammers Indi with a brutal headbutt! Then another! Rhyder slumps back into the corner leading The New Classic to back away across the ring. She stops when her back touches the opposite corner before she takes back off directly at Indi! Caroline rushes across the ring looking for a high knee the corner on Rhyder, who moves out of the way!
KO: MISS! Caroline goes for a high knee in the corner but misses and ends up now tangled up in the ropes!
LO: This leaves an opening for Indi Rhyder!
Indi quickly rushes over to Caroline, who is still tangled up in the ropes. Rhyder kicks at the exposed midsection of the veteran briefly before Burchill falls on the mat on the back of her neck! Indi quickly hooks a leg!
1…
2…
LO: KICK OUT by Caroline O’Hara Burchill! Did you see how she landed after getting out of the ropes?
KO: She hit the back of her neck and head pretty hard there, Laurence! This may be the opening that Indi has been looking for.
Rhyder wastes no time stumbling toward her fallen foe. The lights shine bright overhead while the fans go wild all around. Indi stays focused and grapples up The New Classic off the mat into a standing headlock. Caroline wiggles and uses both hands to push onto Indi’s back in her vain attempt to escape. Rhyder suddenly blasts Burchill with a solid punch with her free hand which sends Caroline back flat on the mat. Indi quickly makes her way to the corner then carefully climbs up on the bottom turnbuckle, obviously favoring her right ankle.
KO: Rhyder is taking her precious time getting perched up high!
LO: Burchill put her aim square on that ankle which has caused Rhyder to lose a bit of her speed which is a huge part of her game.
KO: She’s up top!
Indi gets to the top turnbuckle but gets grabbed suddenly from behind! She turns to see Caroline clutching at her right ankle. Burchill twists the ankle to the left then back right quickly! Pain engulfs the rookie once more but this time she kicks out with her left foot to knock Caroline back! Indi then turns to leap off the top turnbuckle for a flying thrust kick that hits its mark!
LO: Indi comes in with a huge flying thrust kick! Now Rhyder appears poised to take this one over. These fans are split on this two superstars.
KO: That will be a monumental task on one leg, Laurence! I would not count out Burchill just yet.
Indi quickly limps over to Caroline looking for a pin but gets rolled up instead by Burchill!
1…
2...
KO: NO! KICK OUT AT TWO BY CAROLINE O’HARA BURCHILL! The crowd is feeling it!
LO: That was close! The veteran nearly stole it right there.
Indi’s face becomes a bit flush red from real frustration but she shakes it off quickly. Caroline sits up then slowly begins to get to her feet when Rhyder snaps her back down on the mat with authority! The back of Burchill’s head bounces off the mat again which leaves her a bit groggy this time. This allows Indi to make her way to the corner. She again scales the turnbuckles at a relegated pace due to her sore ankle. She turns around after getting perched up top then waits with the patience of Jobe for her opponent to stir. Caroline obliges suddenly by stumbling up to one knee before standing up completely. This leads Indi to dive off the top turnbuckle looking for a diving spear but Burchill counters with a knee to the forehead of Rhyder! The violent shot leads the crowd to pop while Indi ends up flat on her back!
KO: Did you see that!?! Indi Rhyder was looking to take out Caroline with a diving spear only to catch a knee to the face for her trouble. What a counter!
LO: What a match! These two women came here tonight looking for a fight and they found just that in one another.
KO: Both women are still down on the mat. The referee has began his count!
LO: They may not make it to their feet before a count of ten, Ken.
The referee counts one then two. The two women stir on the mat but Rhyder appears dazed completely after the counter by Caroline, who struggles on the mat still also. The two women hear the referee’s count reach three as they both flip over onto their stomachs. Each woman begins to crawl slowly for the ropes as the count reaches five.
LO: SIX! These two are struggling to get up after the beating they have put on one another.
KO: Seven. This will be close…
Caroline reaches the ropes and quickly begins to pull herself up as the ref’s count is now at eight. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the ring, Indi Rhyder also has reached the ropes! Both women pull as the referee counts nine. Both women struggle to pull themselves up but manage to at the same exact moment, milliseconds before a count of ten! The crowd goes crazy as the two women immediately take off at one another! Caroline ducks Indi’s clothesline but takes hold of her by the side! Burchill adjusts for a shin breaker on Indi’s bad ankle! Rhyder doesn’t fall to the mat which allows Caroline to catch her from behind with a dragon screw leg whip! Burchill hovers above her opponent for a moment before reaching down and taking up Indi’s right foot. Burchill applies a heel hook before falling flat on the mat to apply as much pressure as possible. Rhyder comes unglued on the mat from the intense pain and even thinks about tapping for a moment.
KO: Uh-oh!
LO: You said it! This could be it. Burchill focus on that injured ankle has been laser like throughout this one.
KO: Indi Rhyder is in real trouble now. The New Classic has hold of that ankle and appears to be willing to break it to get the W.
Indi reaches out as far as she can for the bottom rope but she’s just too far away. She extends a hand out but can hear her fans chanting throughout. The crowd is nearly split on these two fan favorites but she can hear. This causes Rhyder to not relent but instead digs into the mat once more to attempt a rope break.
KO: Rhyder has no quit in her here tonight. Most anyone would tap right now to live to fight another day.
LO: She can hear these fans, who came out to see her tonight!
KO: So can The New Classic.
Indi digs in and pulls herself and Caroline closer and closer to the ropes. She reaches out one last time in pure desperation to grasp hold of the bottom rope! The referee rushes in to break the heel hook to the complete shock of Caroline O’Hara Burchill!
LO: ROPE BREAK! Can you believe it, Ken?
KO: It’s a miracle! I thought she would pass out from the pain for sure but Indi refuses to give in here tonight.
The referee sends both women to separate corners before resuming the match up. Both women come flying out of their respective corners looking or blood! Indi strikes with an elbow to the brow of Caroline! The sudden and violent shot leaves a gash above The New Classic’s left eye. Burchill ends up in a daze from the shot while Rhyder glides through the ropes to work the crowd a bit. She quickly turns her attention back to Caroline while standing out on the apron facing back inside the ring. She leaps up on the middle rope with her left foot to push herself up onto the top rope essentially on one leg! Flashes from cameras captures this moment forever as Indi springboards off the top rope and directly at a dazed Caroline for a wicked front flip that sees Indi ride her opponent to the mat!
LO: COOL RHYDER ONTO BURCHILL FROM OUT OF NOWHERE, AND INDI MANAGES TO REACH BACK AND HOOK HER LEGS FOR A PIN!
1…
2…
3!!!
KO: I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! IT'S OVER!
Indi leaps off of Caroline with both fists thrust into the air, and she excitedly runs over to the far corner to take the second turnbuckle as Caroline rolls out of the ring in disappointment.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of this match via pinfall....INDI RHYDER!
LO: Caroline is shaking her head a she makes her way up the ramp with hands on hips....man...she gave it her all and just came up short tonight...
KO: WAIT! LOOK!
LO: NO! CROSS RECOBA JUST TORE OUT OF THE BACK WIELDING THAT DAMN CANE OF HIS AND BLASTED CAROLINE ACROSS THE SHOULDERS WITH IT! HE JUST DROPPED HER WHERE SHE STOOD!
KO: HE TOLD THEM LAUR! HE TOLD THEM ON FLIPPING THE SCRIPT HE WAS COMING FOR THEM!
LO: Recoba with several more shots to Caroline's midsection, and now Indi Rhyder just caught sight of him....AND THERE SHE GOES!
Indi baseball slides out of the ring and rushes up the ramp straight for Recoba, but he looks up in time to see her coming. Winding up like a baseball player Recoba swings for the fences. Indi, however, manages to duck under the swing and when Cross spins back around he's met with a boot that doubles him over. She moves in to try and hook him around the head, but he forces the cane between them and shoves himself out of her grasp, quickly backpedaling up the ramp as she stands over Burchill's body defensively. The Fox has some choice words for Rhyder, and points his cane at her as he reaches the safety of the stage. The fans boo him unmercifully, and he jeers back at them before exiting through the curtain. The fans change their tone as Indi drops beside Caroline to check on her, and medical staff make their way down the ramp. The camera zooms in on Indi's face as she looks on worriedly as Caroline is helped up to her feet and half carried to the back, and then cuts backstage.
The scene opens to Maurice Yensman walking towards the gorilla position in his wrestling gear just as the medical team pass him by carrying Caroline O'Hara Burchill. He smirks at the woman's misfortune, and then shrugs while adjusting the tape around his wrist.
MAURICE YENSMAN: Okay. Let's do this. Match #2 tonight!
An attendant at the gorilla position stops him.
ATTENDANT: Uh... Maurice. What can we help you with?
MAURICE YENSMAN: I'm getting ready for my match. I'm fighting Julie Miri again for real this time, right?
ATTENDANT: Oh... oh no, sir. You don't seem to understand. Your match earlier WAS for real.
MAURICE YENSMAN: Don't fuck with me, man. It hasn't been the best day. I just lost my smokes down the toilet as I was taking a piss.
ATTENDANT: I don't know what you're getting at, Maurice. But you're done for the night.
MAURICE YENSMAN: You mean to tell me that I was booked on some pre-show jabroni bullshit?
ATTENDANT: Well, if that's the way you look at it...
MAURICE YENSMAN: Fuck off with that!
Maurice storms off leaving the attendant behind looking baffled.
MIKE MCGUIRE: Hey. Church.
Church looks up from his Kindle. He is dressed simple: gray t-shirt, jeans, and his favorite pair of sneakers. He is reclined back in a chair with his feet propped on a bench.
BISHOP CHURCH: Yes?
Mike stands up, setting the headphones aside and pulling their custom Mets jersey on over their white tank top, leaving it open. They inhale, exhale, and take a couple steps closer to their partner.
MIKE MCGUIRE: I know we’ve done this a certain way in the past. One of us hangs back when the other has singles business. But… I’d like you with me. If that’s okay.
They sigh, reaching for their hat but holding it in front of them with both hands, forgoing putting it on for a moment.
MIKE MCGUIRE: Things’ve taken a fuckin’ ugly turn. I might need you out there.
John stands up, as if it were settled.
BISHOP CHURCH: Let’s go.
Grinning, Mike tucks their cap in its usual spot on top of their head.
MIKE MCGUIRE: Thanks, bud.
MAURICE YENSMAN: Okay. Let's do this. Match #2 tonight!
An attendant at the gorilla position stops him.
ATTENDANT: Uh... Maurice. What can we help you with?
MAURICE YENSMAN: I'm getting ready for my match. I'm fighting Julie Miri again for real this time, right?
ATTENDANT: Oh... oh no, sir. You don't seem to understand. Your match earlier WAS for real.
MAURICE YENSMAN: Don't fuck with me, man. It hasn't been the best day. I just lost my smokes down the toilet as I was taking a piss.
ATTENDANT: I don't know what you're getting at, Maurice. But you're done for the night.
MAURICE YENSMAN: You mean to tell me that I was booked on some pre-show jabroni bullshit?
ATTENDANT: Well, if that's the way you look at it...
MAURICE YENSMAN: Fuck off with that!
Maurice storms off leaving the attendant behind looking baffled.
Mike McGuire is focused on their pre-match preparation. A pair of New York Mets headphones over their ears faintly echo LL Cool J as they wind tape around their hands, tight layers just loose enough to allow flex while adding a bit of both protection and extra sting to their trademark punches. Aside from the routine prep and music, though, their expression seems pensive. After a moment, they rip the tape with their teeth, smooth it down, and look up, pushing the headphones down around their neck.
MIKE MCGUIRE: Hey. Church.
Church looks up from his Kindle. He is dressed simple: gray t-shirt, jeans, and his favorite pair of sneakers. He is reclined back in a chair with his feet propped on a bench.
BISHOP CHURCH: Yes?
Mike stands up, setting the headphones aside and pulling their custom Mets jersey on over their white tank top, leaving it open. They inhale, exhale, and take a couple steps closer to their partner.
MIKE MCGUIRE: I know we’ve done this a certain way in the past. One of us hangs back when the other has singles business. But… I’d like you with me. If that’s okay.
They sigh, reaching for their hat but holding it in front of them with both hands, forgoing putting it on for a moment.
MIKE MCGUIRE: Things’ve taken a fuckin’ ugly turn. I might need you out there.
John stands up, as if it were settled.
BISHOP CHURCH: Let’s go.
Grinning, Mike tucks their cap in its usual spot on top of their head.
MIKE MCGUIRE: Thanks, bud.
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is set for one fall or submission....
The lights dim as 'Vicious' by Halestorm hits over the PA System as the lights on the stage flash along with the beat. Seconds later Dakota Jennings bursts through the curtain to a chorus of boos, stalking up to the edge of the ramp with steel chair in hand. She holds it aloft as Cross Recoba joins her in the background, leaning against his cane, a sly smirk on his face as he regards his girlfriend. She looks over her shoulder and nods her redhead towards the ring before stalking in that direction.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, accompanied by Cross Recoba.....standing at five foot six and weighting in at 115 pounds, hailing from Scottsdale, Arizona.....She is one half of the CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS....THE FIRECRACKER, DAKOTA JENNINNGGGSSS!!
As soon as she reaches ringside she tosses the chair into the ring, following under the bottom rope only to pop back up with it in hand. She raises the chair and talks trash to the crowd as Cross climbs the steps and slips in, making sure not to wrinkle his blue Armani. Dakota soon brings the chair down, growing bored of the crowd, and steps over to Recoba where the two being to talk strategy.
LO: Rekota out here in rare form, and of course Jenning has that damned chair!
KO: It's part of her wardrobe now, Laur. I checked with gorilla...
LO: That is ridiculous. Its the reason her job is at stake as it is. If she wasn't a champion here in the promotion she'd have already been let go.
KO: Which is a colossal oversight of Mrs. Byrnes. Listen, I love the boss just as much as the next guy with eyes, but trying to break up The Power Couple is just stupid.
LO: How so?
KO: C'mon! Just look at how happy they are! I mean, what great champions!
Laurence doesn't get the chance to respond before Disturbed's cover of Land of Confusion begins to play and the house lights flash along with the beat of the song. Mike McGuire and Bishop Church step out onto the stage. Mike points out for Bishop various fan signs for them. Side by side, they make their way down to the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: And her opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Bishop Church, standing at five foot seven and weighting in at 135 pounds, hailing from The Bronx, New York...They represent the team of N.S.F.W....THE BRONX BRAWLER, MIKE MCGUIIRREEE!!
The two come to a pause at the bottom of the ramp, Mike saying something to Bishop before turning their gaze back at Dakota Jennings who still retains hold of the chair. She grins and waves at Mike, and they start to bolt forward, but is caught by the arm thanks to Church, who whispers something into their ear. Mike starts to calm down, eyes narrowing, as they hop up onto the apron while Bishop crosses his arms and takes up a position in their corner.
LO: NSFW has a right to be leery of a chair wielding Dakota Jennings...
KO: I think they should be leery of Rekota in general considering that humiliating loss they took at Rite of Kings!
LO: Ken, you're out of your mind. There was nothing humiliating about having your brains scrambled by a conniving, distasteful, untrustworthy BITC---
KO: WHOA! Laurence Othello....I can't believe you.
LO: All I'm saying is that NSFW deserved better for that, and I hope Mike McGuire gets some measure of revenge here tonight!
KO: Well there's the bell...let's see what happens.
Cross Recoba and Bishop Church step through the ropes after giving a final pep talk to their respective partners, and the referee indicates that Dakota needs to get rid of the chair. McGuire watches her warily as she smirks in his direction, slips through the ropes herself, and then sets the chair up at ringside offering a seat to Recoba. The Fox laughs smugly and winks before sitting down, checking out Jenning's ass when she climbs the steps back up into the ring.
KO: Talk about ringside seats...
LO: I don't like it. We should bolt down all the furniture when that madwoman comes to the ring!
Dakota and Mike step to the center of the ring, not even bothering with a traditional lock up, instead getting nose to nose and talking trash. Dakota doesn't so much as slap Mike, as she mushes him in the face, and the crowd lets out a collective 'Ooooo' before McGuire answers back with a right hand. And then all hell breaks loose. Fists fire in like pistons from both competitors, and The Firecracker takes advantage with a surprise knee lift into Mike's gut that knocks them back towards the ropes. Jennings wastes little time in grabbing them by the wrist and shooting them to the far side, but when Mcguire rebounds they leave their feet for a Flying Shoulder Tackle that drops Dakota where she stands. The two share a brief glance at each other before snarling, and Mike drops to the side into the ropes while Dakota floats over onto her stomach to force them to have to hop over or be tripped. Mike does so and continues on to the other side where they rebound, right into an Exploding Clothesline from a rising Jennings. Dakota rides Mike all the way down, and quickly hooks the leg for a cover.
LO: Not even a one count there as Mike kicks out, and now both competitors rushing up to their feet...OH! Forearm Smash to Dakota's jaw has her backing into the nearby corner, and The Boston Brawler is following her in...
KO: Yeah, but Jennings just fired out with a boot to the midsection and switched positions, and now it's Mike in the corner....and she opens up with Shoot Kicks!
LO: Mike nailed a few times...AND THEY JUST CAUGHT HER LEG AGAINST THEIR CHEST!
Mike pushes Dakota out of the corner hopping on one leg, and The Firecracker shakes her head 'No' while trying to get her foot free. A Suddenly Dragon Leg Whip has Dakota down on the ground clutching at her knee, and McGuire pops up and starts laying in stomps to the injury. Dakota quickly rolls for the bottom rope, but Mike pursues with stomps to her hip and knee until she finally makes it and slips to the outside. Recoba is there in an instant to check on her, but she shoves him away just about the time that McGuire comes filing in with a Baseball Slide that connects with her chest and sends her soaring into the Steel Guard Rail like a shot gun blast!
LO: Dakota Jennings tastes the steel thanks to McGuire, and Recoba is talking shit and wagging a finger...BUT BISHOP CHURCH JUST ROUNDED THE RING POST TO THAT SIDE OF THE RING!
KO: Oh yeah, now we're going to see a rematch from Rite of Kings!
As Church approaches, Santiago slips out of the ring and gets between the two, warning them that he will eject them from ringside if there's a scuffle. Church stares a hole through Cross as he backs up, and Recoba holds up both hands, a slight smirk on his lips. Meanwhile, McGuire has exited the ring as well, stepping over to where Dakota is and dragging her by a fistful of red hair back to the ring. They toss her back in and follows, pulling her up to her feet and then shooting her off the ropes once more. Dakota rebounds and Mike steps to the center of the ring to meet her, dropping their head for a telegraphed Back Body. Dakota, however, manages to put on the brakes, and instead sends a football like Punt into McGuire's face that snaps them back up to a vertical position. She follows this with a surprising Headbutt across the bridge of their nose that sends Mike stumbling back into the ropes. Jennings wastes little time at rushing them, nailing them with a clothesline that sends them up and over the top rope to crash against the concrete!
LO: Good God! This isn't a wrestling match! It's a brawl!
KO: I know, right! I LOVE IT!
Dakota drops down and rolls under the bottom rope to the outside as McGuire pushes up to their feet, and a fistful of hair and a head slam down into the ring apron later, Mike stumbles their way over to the nearby steel steps. Jennings stalks in right from behind, apparently furious after her meeting with the guardrail, and gets another fistful of hair before driving Mike's skull into the top of the steps. A loud 'CLANK' echoes throughout the arena, and Jennings doesn't appear to be done, as she drags McGuire over just in front of the announce booth and delivers a right hand.
LO: Uh...I don't like this....
KO: Yeah, it's getting a little too close for comfort now...
The Firecracker takes The Bronx Brawler by the wrist, and with a roar shoots them right for the announce table as The Othello Brother's scatter. Much to her surprise, Mike finds some opportunity in the short distance to reverse it, and the fans explode as it's Jennings who is sent soaring across the top of the table to crash into the office chairs. Papers flutter every which away as they float to the ground, and Mike hops up onto the table as the fans cheer. Dakota pulls herself up to her feet, and McGuire reaches down to grab her by the head, and yanks her up onto the table to join them. Once there Mike signals that Dakota is going through it, but a sharp elbow into their midsection causes them to pull up short. The next thing you know the two are wrestling in a modified Collar and Elbow to try and gain some type of control over the other.
LO: IT'S PANDEMONIUM OUT HERE, AND THE REFEREE'S COUNT CONTINUES WHILE THESE TWO TEAR OUR TABLE APART!
KO: WAIT! THEY'RE TEETERING ON THE EDGE! OH MY GOD!
Both superstars go to toss one another over the side at the same time, and they take the plunge to crash off the concrete floor. Bishop Church and Cross Rekoba watch on shocked, as the referee's count continues to get higher and higher. The two fighters start to crawl across the floor to the ring apron, and at the same time manage to pull themselves up and into the ring just as Santiago was about to exhale the word 'Ten'. He shakes his head and signals for them to continue, while the two grab at the ropes to get them back on their feet. Dakota suddenly pitches forwards to try and attack McGuire with a lariat, but The Bronx Brawler ducks it while hooking her around the waist and slipping in behind her. Dakota instinctively grabs hold of the ropes, but Mike fires in hard forearm shots into the back of her head eventually forcing her to release her grip. They pull her back away from the ropes, and suddenly snap backwards into a German Suplex with a bridge.
1...
2...
LO: THR-NO! Kick out at two and a half, but Mike hasn't let go of her waist...is pulling Dakota back up to her feet, and GOES FOR ANOTHER GERMAN...BUT IT'S BLOCKED BY DAKOTA!
KO: Jennings now firing elbows in behind her, striking McGuire in the temple....and he finally has to release his hold! She rushes for the ropes in front of her and rebounds back...
LO: RIGHT INTO A LOU THESZ PRESS FOLLOWED BY PISTON LIKE RIGHT HANDS!
McGuire nails the unprotected Jennings in the top of the skull several times before popping up with attitude, falling into the ropes for spring and raising their arm so their elbow is exposed before falling forwards into a Front Elbow Drop right down across Dakota's head! Dakota reacts like a fish out of water, flopping around while clutching her skull, and Mike pushes back up to their feet begging for Jennings to get up while holding their hand in the air, fingers continually opening and retracting into a fist.
LO: I think Mike McGuire is looking to put this match away with their patented Knocked For Six punch!
KO: Dakota is slowly making her way to her feet....WATCH OUT KOTA!
McGuire swings for the fences, a right hand that looks like it could take your head off, but fortunately for Dakota, she manages to drop low as the blow passes harmlessly over head. Not connecting causes Mike to go off balance, and when they manage to turn around eats a Spinning Heel Kick that knocks them to the mat. Both competitors come up quickly, but Jennings a hair faster than Mike, and she drives right hands into their jaw that knock them back into the ropes. She takes McGuire by the wrist and shoots him to the other side, and when they rebound they come back to a waiting Jennings who catches them with a ring rattling Spine Buster! She quickly floats through, hooking the leg as she does for the cover!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! McGuire out just before the three, and Dakota looks frustrated as she's in the referee's face demanding a faster count! I didn't see anything slow about it...
KO: I don't know, Laur. Seemed kind of slow to me...
LO: Well Jennings has given Santiago an ear full, and now...wait a minute...What is she doing?
KO: She's signaling for Cross....WHO JUST SLID THE STEEL CHAIR INTO THE RING!
LO: And now Bishop Church is up on the ring apron, and the ref is going back and forth between a chair wielding Dakota and him!
Cross Recoba joins Church on the ring apron, but on the opposing corner of the ropes from him, and the Santiago looks like he's about to have a meltdown as he is pulled back and forth between the three. Just when Cross reaches into the ring like he's going for Church, the referee is forced to get between the two men, just Mike McGuire gets back to his feet. The Bronx Brawler notices the chair in Dakota's hands for the first time and freezes for a moment, warily watching every move The Firecracker makes. Jennings smirks at him, and then punches the chair hard enough for a 'CLANG' to ring out just before tossing it at Mike who instinctively catches it. The referee turns towards the noise just in time to see Dakota drop to the canvas clutching the top of her skull, while Mike stands there holding the smoking gun.
LO: ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!
KO: WHAT A GENIUS!
LO: Oh come on...now Santiago is calling for the bell despite the protests from Bishop Church and Mike McGuire, and Recoba just grabbed a perfectly fine Dakota Jennings and pulled her out of the ring. Now they are making their way for the ramp while the referee barks orders to the time keeper!
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of this match via disqualification......DAKOTA JENNINGS!!
LO: YOU HAVE GOT TO BE SHITTING ME!
KO: LAUR! YOU CAN'T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT ON AIR!
LO: I'll use any descriptive in the book that I want when describing these two vile individuals! Rekota just stole another one from NSFW in garbage fashion!
KO: How can you say that! It was absolutely brilliant! Now see, if you were a thinking man's wrestl.....
Kenneth Othello is cut off as “Lady Venom” by Swollen Members hits the speaker system, and the team of Rekota slowly turn on the ramp to spy General Manager, Vanessa Byrne, standing at the top of the ramp with hands on hips. McGuire and Church pause their argument with the ref and turn their attention towards Byrne, who raises a microphone to her lips.
VANESSA BYRNE: Oh, Mrs. Jennings....you certainly have become the Chairwoman of VPW, haven't you?
The crowd boos at the moniker while Jenning's lips pull back into a half smile, nodding towards Byrne and lifting a fist towards the GM. Cross Recoba manages to grab that hand and lower it before the middle finger can extend. Byrne's eyes narrow as she speaks into the microphone again.
VANESSA BYRNE: Yes, a chairwoman with little couth or class, no matter how much she tries to saddle up to money...
The crowd laughs and jeers now, while Jenning's face screws up in rage, taking a step forward as Recoba hooks her round the waist to hold her back.
VANESSA BYRNE: But I tell you what you aren't, Mrs. Jennings. You aren't the winner of this match via disqualification, because I was watching the monitor in the back, and Diego...
She nods in the referee's direction, who perks up at the mention of his name.
VANESSA BYRNE: NSFW did nothing to warrant a disqualification, so I suggest that you call Mrs. Jennings back to the ring, and restart this match RIGHT NOW!
Byrne smiles as Jenning's lets out a litany of curses at the woman, while McGuire and Church nod, Bishop exiting the ring so that the match can continue. Mike stands at the center, squares up, and beckons for Dakota to get back down there. Cross and Dakota have a moment of conversation between them as Vanessa slips back through the curtain, and at seeing their stall for time, Santiago goes ahead and calls for the bell. Jenning's head snaps up in fury at the sound, and even more so when the referee starts to count her out. The fans continue to laugh and jeer as Dakota suddenly breaks away from Cross and starts a power walk back down the ramp, and slides back into the ring to pop back up into Mike McGuire's face. Cross just throws his hands up and starts his way back down to ringside.
LO: FINALLY! JUSTICE!
KO: What are you talking about, Laur! This is a heinous misuse of power! Maybe Spiral has Byrne pegged! Certainly Rekota has claim to some of that pie!
LO: I don't think so, Ken! Our General Manager did the right thing out here, and now this match is back underway, AND STARTING THE SAME WAY AS IT DID MOMENTS AGO!
McGuire and Jennings begin Teeing Off on one another, right hands that have the other rocking back before firing forwards with one of their own. This time it's Mike who gets the upper hand, driving Dakota back into the ropes until sending her off to the other side. Dakota rebounds, and this time when Mike steps to the center and telegraphs the Back Body Drop, The Firecracker is sent high up into the air to come crashing down hard to the mat. Jennings clutches at her spine as she comes up and is met by McGuire who shoves her back into the nearby corner followed by a Short Clothesline that crushes her against the turnbuckles. From there, they slip their head under her arm, and lift her up to sit on the top turnbuckle just before stepping up to the second to join her. Mike opens up with a few more rights just to be certain, and then hooks Dakota around the head while draping her arm over their shoulder. With a handful of waistband Mike tries to muscle Jennings over for a Superplex, but the Arizona Native has expertly wrapped her legs around the top rope preventing it. Just as mike disengages to fire in a few more shots, they receive a Snap like headbutt that causes them to teeter on the second...
LO: McGuire is in trouble up there...AND JENNINGS GETS HER FEET UP BETWEEN THEM AND JUST SHOVED THEM BACKWARDS TO STRIKE THE RING HARD!
KO: Look....Dakota stepping up all the way to the top, and Mike getting to their feet....
LO: IT CAME FROM SCOTTSDALE DIVING HURRICANRANA SPIKES MCGUIRE'S SKULL OFF THE CANVAS!
KO: KOTA WITH A COVER!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! MY GOD! McGuire just barely got the shoulder up on that one, and you can see the suspense on Bishop Church's face at ringside...
KO: Yeah, and now Jennings back to her feet....and she's saying it's over!
Jennings hunkers down in the nearby corner, eyeing McGuire with a confident smirk, her hand signaling that she wants him on his feet. Slowly but surely Mike begins to comply, getting one knee under them, then the other before pushing up to wobbly feet. Dakota bursts out of the corner, her foot rising off the canvas and extending for a Superkick that will surely put an end to NSFW's hopes of victory. Mike, However, manages to sidestep the oncoming boot, and as Dakota slides past him, hooks her by the arm, spins her around, hooks her head, and then swings all the way through into a Neck Breaker that snaps her violently to the canvas!
LO: JENNINGS GOING FOR THE DKO MKI, AND INSTEAD TASTES A RUBBERNECKER FROM MCGUIRE!
KO: THIS ISN'T RIGHT! THIS MATCH SHOULDN'T EVEN BE HAPPENING!
Both competitors lay on the mat for drawn out seconds, and the referee starts to make a count over their prone bodies. About the count of four, Mike manages to roll over onto his stomach, and as the count continues to climb he slowly crawls towards Jennings, raises his arm high into the air, and then collapses forwards so that it falls across her chest. Santiago drops to make the three.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! GOOD LORD, JENNINGS NANOSECONDS AWAY BUT GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
KO: Come on, Kota! You got a little left in the tank...
LO: Cross Recoba looks like someone just walked over his grave after that near fall, and....He is now on the apron!
KO: That's right, give her encouragement up close and personal...
LO: What he is doing is distracting the referee and Mike McGuire! Jennings is haphazardly rolling towards the ropes and slips to the outside....WHERE SHE GRABS THAT STEEL CHAIR!
KO: McGuire just rushed at Recoba, who drops down off the apron out of grasp! Don't put your hands on The Fox!
LO: Yeah, and Dakota moving to get back in the ring with her weapon...WAIT! BISHOP CHURCH JUST GOT HOLD OF THE CHAIR AND YANKED IT OUT OF HER HANDS!
KO: HEY! THAT'S INTERFERENCE! RING THE BELL!
LO: Whatever! Jennings back in the ring now jawing with Church, and she doesn't see McGuire behind her....
Dakota continues to back up, still running her mouth, when she bumps right into Mike who stands ready for action. She spins around quickly and runs face first into the most wicked right hand Haymaker punch that nearly causes her to cut a flip before hitting the canvas.
KO: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?!
LO: THAT WAS A HARD HITTING 'KNOCKED FOR SIX' BY MCGUIRE, AND NOW HERE'S THE PIN!
1...
2...
3!!!
KO: THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! THIS MATCH WAS OVER! WHO DOES VANESSA BYRNE THINK SHE IS!
LO: She thinks she's the General Manager of Valor Pro Wrestling, and she is no longer going to let the employee's run the show. Now hush, before you get yourself fired!
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of this match via pinfall....MIKE MCGUIRE!!!
Kenneth huffs loudly as Recoba slides halfway into the ring to grab Dakota by the wrist and yanks her out of the ring where he has to position himself under her to keep her on her feet. Bishop Church slides in on the other side and joins Mike as they look down at the duo, Cross having a tough time managing a loopy Dakota Jennings and holding on to the Chimera Tag Team Championships at the same time. The two make their way around ringside towards the ramp as the fans jeer the duo, while others cheer for NSFW who start celebrating in the ring. McGuire takes a turnbuckle and throws their hands over their head while Church claps from the sidelines confidently, both feeling that some measure of justice was achieved on this night. By the time Rekota make it to the top of the stage, Dakota recovers some of her senses and she shoves Cross to the side and turns like she's about to stalk right back down to the ring. The Fox manages to hook her by the arm and force her back, the two bickering a bit before finally Dakota lets out a scream and turns and charges through the curtain. Recoba follows shaking his head, the Chimera Tag belts bobbing behind him.
LO: Could there be trouble in paradise?
KO: Doubtful, Laur. Dakota Jennings is just too fired up for her own good, and Cross Recoba is trying to make sure she doesn't put herself in harms way.
LO: Well their tactics definitely backfired here tonight, thankfully, and NSFW could seriously use this as leverage to get another shot at the Chimera Tag Titles.
KO: Hey, don't get ahead of yourself partner. Zombie Vice Squad is back on the beat, and they won against Brenna Gordon and Berlin Anderson on Flipping The Script!
LO: True, and that defeat led directly to Brenna Gordon being fired by our General Manager.
KO: She's been doing that a lot lately...
LO: That she has, and we may get to see some resolution to one of those cases here tonight on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire.
McGuire and Bishop continue to give the fans a good showing as the celebration continues, and the camera focuses on the duo just before cutting backstage.
The lights dim as 'Vicious' by Halestorm hits over the PA System as the lights on the stage flash along with the beat. Seconds later Dakota Jennings bursts through the curtain to a chorus of boos, stalking up to the edge of the ramp with steel chair in hand. She holds it aloft as Cross Recoba joins her in the background, leaning against his cane, a sly smirk on his face as he regards his girlfriend. She looks over her shoulder and nods her redhead towards the ring before stalking in that direction.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, accompanied by Cross Recoba.....standing at five foot six and weighting in at 115 pounds, hailing from Scottsdale, Arizona.....She is one half of the CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS....THE FIRECRACKER, DAKOTA JENNINNGGGSSS!!
As soon as she reaches ringside she tosses the chair into the ring, following under the bottom rope only to pop back up with it in hand. She raises the chair and talks trash to the crowd as Cross climbs the steps and slips in, making sure not to wrinkle his blue Armani. Dakota soon brings the chair down, growing bored of the crowd, and steps over to Recoba where the two being to talk strategy.
LO: Rekota out here in rare form, and of course Jenning has that damned chair!
KO: It's part of her wardrobe now, Laur. I checked with gorilla...
LO: That is ridiculous. Its the reason her job is at stake as it is. If she wasn't a champion here in the promotion she'd have already been let go.
KO: Which is a colossal oversight of Mrs. Byrnes. Listen, I love the boss just as much as the next guy with eyes, but trying to break up The Power Couple is just stupid.
LO: How so?
KO: C'mon! Just look at how happy they are! I mean, what great champions!
Laurence doesn't get the chance to respond before Disturbed's cover of Land of Confusion begins to play and the house lights flash along with the beat of the song. Mike McGuire and Bishop Church step out onto the stage. Mike points out for Bishop various fan signs for them. Side by side, they make their way down to the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: And her opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Bishop Church, standing at five foot seven and weighting in at 135 pounds, hailing from The Bronx, New York...They represent the team of N.S.F.W....THE BRONX BRAWLER, MIKE MCGUIIRREEE!!
The two come to a pause at the bottom of the ramp, Mike saying something to Bishop before turning their gaze back at Dakota Jennings who still retains hold of the chair. She grins and waves at Mike, and they start to bolt forward, but is caught by the arm thanks to Church, who whispers something into their ear. Mike starts to calm down, eyes narrowing, as they hop up onto the apron while Bishop crosses his arms and takes up a position in their corner.
LO: NSFW has a right to be leery of a chair wielding Dakota Jennings...
KO: I think they should be leery of Rekota in general considering that humiliating loss they took at Rite of Kings!
LO: Ken, you're out of your mind. There was nothing humiliating about having your brains scrambled by a conniving, distasteful, untrustworthy BITC---
KO: WHOA! Laurence Othello....I can't believe you.
LO: All I'm saying is that NSFW deserved better for that, and I hope Mike McGuire gets some measure of revenge here tonight!
KO: Well there's the bell...let's see what happens.
Cross Recoba and Bishop Church step through the ropes after giving a final pep talk to their respective partners, and the referee indicates that Dakota needs to get rid of the chair. McGuire watches her warily as she smirks in his direction, slips through the ropes herself, and then sets the chair up at ringside offering a seat to Recoba. The Fox laughs smugly and winks before sitting down, checking out Jenning's ass when she climbs the steps back up into the ring.
KO: Talk about ringside seats...
LO: I don't like it. We should bolt down all the furniture when that madwoman comes to the ring!
Dakota and Mike step to the center of the ring, not even bothering with a traditional lock up, instead getting nose to nose and talking trash. Dakota doesn't so much as slap Mike, as she mushes him in the face, and the crowd lets out a collective 'Ooooo' before McGuire answers back with a right hand. And then all hell breaks loose. Fists fire in like pistons from both competitors, and The Firecracker takes advantage with a surprise knee lift into Mike's gut that knocks them back towards the ropes. Jennings wastes little time in grabbing them by the wrist and shooting them to the far side, but when Mcguire rebounds they leave their feet for a Flying Shoulder Tackle that drops Dakota where she stands. The two share a brief glance at each other before snarling, and Mike drops to the side into the ropes while Dakota floats over onto her stomach to force them to have to hop over or be tripped. Mike does so and continues on to the other side where they rebound, right into an Exploding Clothesline from a rising Jennings. Dakota rides Mike all the way down, and quickly hooks the leg for a cover.
LO: Not even a one count there as Mike kicks out, and now both competitors rushing up to their feet...OH! Forearm Smash to Dakota's jaw has her backing into the nearby corner, and The Boston Brawler is following her in...
KO: Yeah, but Jennings just fired out with a boot to the midsection and switched positions, and now it's Mike in the corner....and she opens up with Shoot Kicks!
LO: Mike nailed a few times...AND THEY JUST CAUGHT HER LEG AGAINST THEIR CHEST!
Mike pushes Dakota out of the corner hopping on one leg, and The Firecracker shakes her head 'No' while trying to get her foot free. A Suddenly Dragon Leg Whip has Dakota down on the ground clutching at her knee, and McGuire pops up and starts laying in stomps to the injury. Dakota quickly rolls for the bottom rope, but Mike pursues with stomps to her hip and knee until she finally makes it and slips to the outside. Recoba is there in an instant to check on her, but she shoves him away just about the time that McGuire comes filing in with a Baseball Slide that connects with her chest and sends her soaring into the Steel Guard Rail like a shot gun blast!
LO: Dakota Jennings tastes the steel thanks to McGuire, and Recoba is talking shit and wagging a finger...BUT BISHOP CHURCH JUST ROUNDED THE RING POST TO THAT SIDE OF THE RING!
KO: Oh yeah, now we're going to see a rematch from Rite of Kings!
As Church approaches, Santiago slips out of the ring and gets between the two, warning them that he will eject them from ringside if there's a scuffle. Church stares a hole through Cross as he backs up, and Recoba holds up both hands, a slight smirk on his lips. Meanwhile, McGuire has exited the ring as well, stepping over to where Dakota is and dragging her by a fistful of red hair back to the ring. They toss her back in and follows, pulling her up to her feet and then shooting her off the ropes once more. Dakota rebounds and Mike steps to the center of the ring to meet her, dropping their head for a telegraphed Back Body. Dakota, however, manages to put on the brakes, and instead sends a football like Punt into McGuire's face that snaps them back up to a vertical position. She follows this with a surprising Headbutt across the bridge of their nose that sends Mike stumbling back into the ropes. Jennings wastes little time at rushing them, nailing them with a clothesline that sends them up and over the top rope to crash against the concrete!
LO: Good God! This isn't a wrestling match! It's a brawl!
KO: I know, right! I LOVE IT!
Dakota drops down and rolls under the bottom rope to the outside as McGuire pushes up to their feet, and a fistful of hair and a head slam down into the ring apron later, Mike stumbles their way over to the nearby steel steps. Jennings stalks in right from behind, apparently furious after her meeting with the guardrail, and gets another fistful of hair before driving Mike's skull into the top of the steps. A loud 'CLANK' echoes throughout the arena, and Jennings doesn't appear to be done, as she drags McGuire over just in front of the announce booth and delivers a right hand.
LO: Uh...I don't like this....
KO: Yeah, it's getting a little too close for comfort now...
The Firecracker takes The Bronx Brawler by the wrist, and with a roar shoots them right for the announce table as The Othello Brother's scatter. Much to her surprise, Mike finds some opportunity in the short distance to reverse it, and the fans explode as it's Jennings who is sent soaring across the top of the table to crash into the office chairs. Papers flutter every which away as they float to the ground, and Mike hops up onto the table as the fans cheer. Dakota pulls herself up to her feet, and McGuire reaches down to grab her by the head, and yanks her up onto the table to join them. Once there Mike signals that Dakota is going through it, but a sharp elbow into their midsection causes them to pull up short. The next thing you know the two are wrestling in a modified Collar and Elbow to try and gain some type of control over the other.
LO: IT'S PANDEMONIUM OUT HERE, AND THE REFEREE'S COUNT CONTINUES WHILE THESE TWO TEAR OUR TABLE APART!
KO: WAIT! THEY'RE TEETERING ON THE EDGE! OH MY GOD!
Both superstars go to toss one another over the side at the same time, and they take the plunge to crash off the concrete floor. Bishop Church and Cross Rekoba watch on shocked, as the referee's count continues to get higher and higher. The two fighters start to crawl across the floor to the ring apron, and at the same time manage to pull themselves up and into the ring just as Santiago was about to exhale the word 'Ten'. He shakes his head and signals for them to continue, while the two grab at the ropes to get them back on their feet. Dakota suddenly pitches forwards to try and attack McGuire with a lariat, but The Bronx Brawler ducks it while hooking her around the waist and slipping in behind her. Dakota instinctively grabs hold of the ropes, but Mike fires in hard forearm shots into the back of her head eventually forcing her to release her grip. They pull her back away from the ropes, and suddenly snap backwards into a German Suplex with a bridge.
1...
2...
LO: THR-NO! Kick out at two and a half, but Mike hasn't let go of her waist...is pulling Dakota back up to her feet, and GOES FOR ANOTHER GERMAN...BUT IT'S BLOCKED BY DAKOTA!
KO: Jennings now firing elbows in behind her, striking McGuire in the temple....and he finally has to release his hold! She rushes for the ropes in front of her and rebounds back...
LO: RIGHT INTO A LOU THESZ PRESS FOLLOWED BY PISTON LIKE RIGHT HANDS!
McGuire nails the unprotected Jennings in the top of the skull several times before popping up with attitude, falling into the ropes for spring and raising their arm so their elbow is exposed before falling forwards into a Front Elbow Drop right down across Dakota's head! Dakota reacts like a fish out of water, flopping around while clutching her skull, and Mike pushes back up to their feet begging for Jennings to get up while holding their hand in the air, fingers continually opening and retracting into a fist.
LO: I think Mike McGuire is looking to put this match away with their patented Knocked For Six punch!
KO: Dakota is slowly making her way to her feet....WATCH OUT KOTA!
McGuire swings for the fences, a right hand that looks like it could take your head off, but fortunately for Dakota, she manages to drop low as the blow passes harmlessly over head. Not connecting causes Mike to go off balance, and when they manage to turn around eats a Spinning Heel Kick that knocks them to the mat. Both competitors come up quickly, but Jennings a hair faster than Mike, and she drives right hands into their jaw that knock them back into the ropes. She takes McGuire by the wrist and shoots him to the other side, and when they rebound they come back to a waiting Jennings who catches them with a ring rattling Spine Buster! She quickly floats through, hooking the leg as she does for the cover!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! McGuire out just before the three, and Dakota looks frustrated as she's in the referee's face demanding a faster count! I didn't see anything slow about it...
KO: I don't know, Laur. Seemed kind of slow to me...
LO: Well Jennings has given Santiago an ear full, and now...wait a minute...What is she doing?
KO: She's signaling for Cross....WHO JUST SLID THE STEEL CHAIR INTO THE RING!
LO: And now Bishop Church is up on the ring apron, and the ref is going back and forth between a chair wielding Dakota and him!
Cross Recoba joins Church on the ring apron, but on the opposing corner of the ropes from him, and the Santiago looks like he's about to have a meltdown as he is pulled back and forth between the three. Just when Cross reaches into the ring like he's going for Church, the referee is forced to get between the two men, just Mike McGuire gets back to his feet. The Bronx Brawler notices the chair in Dakota's hands for the first time and freezes for a moment, warily watching every move The Firecracker makes. Jennings smirks at him, and then punches the chair hard enough for a 'CLANG' to ring out just before tossing it at Mike who instinctively catches it. The referee turns towards the noise just in time to see Dakota drop to the canvas clutching the top of her skull, while Mike stands there holding the smoking gun.
LO: ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!
KO: WHAT A GENIUS!
LO: Oh come on...now Santiago is calling for the bell despite the protests from Bishop Church and Mike McGuire, and Recoba just grabbed a perfectly fine Dakota Jennings and pulled her out of the ring. Now they are making their way for the ramp while the referee barks orders to the time keeper!
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of this match via disqualification......DAKOTA JENNINGS!!
LO: YOU HAVE GOT TO BE SHITTING ME!
KO: LAUR! YOU CAN'T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT ON AIR!
LO: I'll use any descriptive in the book that I want when describing these two vile individuals! Rekota just stole another one from NSFW in garbage fashion!
KO: How can you say that! It was absolutely brilliant! Now see, if you were a thinking man's wrestl.....
Kenneth Othello is cut off as “Lady Venom” by Swollen Members hits the speaker system, and the team of Rekota slowly turn on the ramp to spy General Manager, Vanessa Byrne, standing at the top of the ramp with hands on hips. McGuire and Church pause their argument with the ref and turn their attention towards Byrne, who raises a microphone to her lips.
VANESSA BYRNE: Oh, Mrs. Jennings....you certainly have become the Chairwoman of VPW, haven't you?
The crowd boos at the moniker while Jenning's lips pull back into a half smile, nodding towards Byrne and lifting a fist towards the GM. Cross Recoba manages to grab that hand and lower it before the middle finger can extend. Byrne's eyes narrow as she speaks into the microphone again.
VANESSA BYRNE: Yes, a chairwoman with little couth or class, no matter how much she tries to saddle up to money...
The crowd laughs and jeers now, while Jenning's face screws up in rage, taking a step forward as Recoba hooks her round the waist to hold her back.
VANESSA BYRNE: But I tell you what you aren't, Mrs. Jennings. You aren't the winner of this match via disqualification, because I was watching the monitor in the back, and Diego...
She nods in the referee's direction, who perks up at the mention of his name.
VANESSA BYRNE: NSFW did nothing to warrant a disqualification, so I suggest that you call Mrs. Jennings back to the ring, and restart this match RIGHT NOW!
Byrne smiles as Jenning's lets out a litany of curses at the woman, while McGuire and Church nod, Bishop exiting the ring so that the match can continue. Mike stands at the center, squares up, and beckons for Dakota to get back down there. Cross and Dakota have a moment of conversation between them as Vanessa slips back through the curtain, and at seeing their stall for time, Santiago goes ahead and calls for the bell. Jenning's head snaps up in fury at the sound, and even more so when the referee starts to count her out. The fans continue to laugh and jeer as Dakota suddenly breaks away from Cross and starts a power walk back down the ramp, and slides back into the ring to pop back up into Mike McGuire's face. Cross just throws his hands up and starts his way back down to ringside.
LO: FINALLY! JUSTICE!
KO: What are you talking about, Laur! This is a heinous misuse of power! Maybe Spiral has Byrne pegged! Certainly Rekota has claim to some of that pie!
LO: I don't think so, Ken! Our General Manager did the right thing out here, and now this match is back underway, AND STARTING THE SAME WAY AS IT DID MOMENTS AGO!
McGuire and Jennings begin Teeing Off on one another, right hands that have the other rocking back before firing forwards with one of their own. This time it's Mike who gets the upper hand, driving Dakota back into the ropes until sending her off to the other side. Dakota rebounds, and this time when Mike steps to the center and telegraphs the Back Body Drop, The Firecracker is sent high up into the air to come crashing down hard to the mat. Jennings clutches at her spine as she comes up and is met by McGuire who shoves her back into the nearby corner followed by a Short Clothesline that crushes her against the turnbuckles. From there, they slip their head under her arm, and lift her up to sit on the top turnbuckle just before stepping up to the second to join her. Mike opens up with a few more rights just to be certain, and then hooks Dakota around the head while draping her arm over their shoulder. With a handful of waistband Mike tries to muscle Jennings over for a Superplex, but the Arizona Native has expertly wrapped her legs around the top rope preventing it. Just as mike disengages to fire in a few more shots, they receive a Snap like headbutt that causes them to teeter on the second...
LO: McGuire is in trouble up there...AND JENNINGS GETS HER FEET UP BETWEEN THEM AND JUST SHOVED THEM BACKWARDS TO STRIKE THE RING HARD!
KO: Look....Dakota stepping up all the way to the top, and Mike getting to their feet....
LO: IT CAME FROM SCOTTSDALE DIVING HURRICANRANA SPIKES MCGUIRE'S SKULL OFF THE CANVAS!
KO: KOTA WITH A COVER!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! MY GOD! McGuire just barely got the shoulder up on that one, and you can see the suspense on Bishop Church's face at ringside...
KO: Yeah, and now Jennings back to her feet....and she's saying it's over!
Jennings hunkers down in the nearby corner, eyeing McGuire with a confident smirk, her hand signaling that she wants him on his feet. Slowly but surely Mike begins to comply, getting one knee under them, then the other before pushing up to wobbly feet. Dakota bursts out of the corner, her foot rising off the canvas and extending for a Superkick that will surely put an end to NSFW's hopes of victory. Mike, However, manages to sidestep the oncoming boot, and as Dakota slides past him, hooks her by the arm, spins her around, hooks her head, and then swings all the way through into a Neck Breaker that snaps her violently to the canvas!
LO: JENNINGS GOING FOR THE DKO MKI, AND INSTEAD TASTES A RUBBERNECKER FROM MCGUIRE!
KO: THIS ISN'T RIGHT! THIS MATCH SHOULDN'T EVEN BE HAPPENING!
Both competitors lay on the mat for drawn out seconds, and the referee starts to make a count over their prone bodies. About the count of four, Mike manages to roll over onto his stomach, and as the count continues to climb he slowly crawls towards Jennings, raises his arm high into the air, and then collapses forwards so that it falls across her chest. Santiago drops to make the three.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! GOOD LORD, JENNINGS NANOSECONDS AWAY BUT GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
KO: Come on, Kota! You got a little left in the tank...
LO: Cross Recoba looks like someone just walked over his grave after that near fall, and....He is now on the apron!
KO: That's right, give her encouragement up close and personal...
LO: What he is doing is distracting the referee and Mike McGuire! Jennings is haphazardly rolling towards the ropes and slips to the outside....WHERE SHE GRABS THAT STEEL CHAIR!
KO: McGuire just rushed at Recoba, who drops down off the apron out of grasp! Don't put your hands on The Fox!
LO: Yeah, and Dakota moving to get back in the ring with her weapon...WAIT! BISHOP CHURCH JUST GOT HOLD OF THE CHAIR AND YANKED IT OUT OF HER HANDS!
KO: HEY! THAT'S INTERFERENCE! RING THE BELL!
LO: Whatever! Jennings back in the ring now jawing with Church, and she doesn't see McGuire behind her....
Dakota continues to back up, still running her mouth, when she bumps right into Mike who stands ready for action. She spins around quickly and runs face first into the most wicked right hand Haymaker punch that nearly causes her to cut a flip before hitting the canvas.
KO: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?!
LO: THAT WAS A HARD HITTING 'KNOCKED FOR SIX' BY MCGUIRE, AND NOW HERE'S THE PIN!
1...
2...
3!!!
KO: THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! THIS MATCH WAS OVER! WHO DOES VANESSA BYRNE THINK SHE IS!
LO: She thinks she's the General Manager of Valor Pro Wrestling, and she is no longer going to let the employee's run the show. Now hush, before you get yourself fired!
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of this match via pinfall....MIKE MCGUIRE!!!
Kenneth huffs loudly as Recoba slides halfway into the ring to grab Dakota by the wrist and yanks her out of the ring where he has to position himself under her to keep her on her feet. Bishop Church slides in on the other side and joins Mike as they look down at the duo, Cross having a tough time managing a loopy Dakota Jennings and holding on to the Chimera Tag Team Championships at the same time. The two make their way around ringside towards the ramp as the fans jeer the duo, while others cheer for NSFW who start celebrating in the ring. McGuire takes a turnbuckle and throws their hands over their head while Church claps from the sidelines confidently, both feeling that some measure of justice was achieved on this night. By the time Rekota make it to the top of the stage, Dakota recovers some of her senses and she shoves Cross to the side and turns like she's about to stalk right back down to the ring. The Fox manages to hook her by the arm and force her back, the two bickering a bit before finally Dakota lets out a scream and turns and charges through the curtain. Recoba follows shaking his head, the Chimera Tag belts bobbing behind him.
LO: Could there be trouble in paradise?
KO: Doubtful, Laur. Dakota Jennings is just too fired up for her own good, and Cross Recoba is trying to make sure she doesn't put herself in harms way.
LO: Well their tactics definitely backfired here tonight, thankfully, and NSFW could seriously use this as leverage to get another shot at the Chimera Tag Titles.
KO: Hey, don't get ahead of yourself partner. Zombie Vice Squad is back on the beat, and they won against Brenna Gordon and Berlin Anderson on Flipping The Script!
LO: True, and that defeat led directly to Brenna Gordon being fired by our General Manager.
KO: She's been doing that a lot lately...
LO: That she has, and we may get to see some resolution to one of those cases here tonight on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire.
McGuire and Bishop continue to give the fans a good showing as the celebration continues, and the camera focuses on the duo just before cutting backstage.
The scene opens to Cosmo Cooper on a medical table and obviously in pain as the medical staff try to work with him to tape his ribs up. Cosmo is grimacing in pain and groans out as they prod on his side to try and figure out where he needs pressure applied. Cooper mutters quietly to the aides and the head doctor when Katya comes rushing into the room, a worried look on her face as Cosmo pushes himself up into a seated position on the table--not wanting to show any sort of weakness in front of her. Standing at Cooper’s side, a guilty silence envelopes Katya when she sees how much tape has been wrapped round Cosmo’s ribcage. The regret shines in her eyes.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Cosmo... I am so, so sorry. If I’d have known what was happening things would have ended differently. It shouldn’t have gotten to this… I let you down.
Cooper tries to push himself off of the table but instead he just grabs at his ribs and tries to breath gingerly to lessen the pain.
COSMO COOPER: It isn’t your responsibility to have to run out and defend me every time. That was a planned attack, they knew what they were doing and if you had been out there… there may not have been a main event left. Don’t worry, Katya. I’m going to be out there for that fucking main event if I have to crawl.
The doctor steps in and shakes her head.
LEAD TRAINER: Cosmo, I cannot let you do that. You’re not going to be cleared to compete here tonight. We really need to find out if anything is bruised or broken and we can’t exactly do that here because we are limited.
Biting her bottom lip, Katya felt a dagger of unease settle in her heart. Cosmo’s eyes bounce from the doctor to Katya to see her reaction and then back to the doctor.
COSMO COOPER: I’m not letting her go out there alone…
He looks back to Katya and Katya looks to him. It's coming through. Cosmo's feelings. He intends to come, she realises. He intends to join her. He means to make this two on two one way or another. Seeing how resolute he is keeps Katya's own belief burning. She nods. Katya glances at the doctor.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: ……… It can’t be helped.
She looks back to Cosmo.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Rest up for now. It might be reckless, but I’m gonna go down to the ring. Don’t make that face… it’ll work out. I know you’ll come. So we can still win. Until then, I’m going to keep delaying them. Callum thinks he's already won… but he doesn't know how hard Valor Pro's core trains. Or how hard we work to fulfill the expectations put before wrestling's strongest roster. We are already far beyond anything he can imagine We’re going to kick their asses.. So I’ll keep them in check. And we’ll win. We’ll have the last laugh.
Even though he didn’t look happy about it, Cosmo nods to Katya and extends his fist out for her to tap, much like they had one when Cosmo had visited her in her favorite swimming spot. With a faint smile, Katya slips her floral headband back on and fist bumps Cosmo.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: We’ll have an even more awesome fist bump when we win. Then we’ll dance in the streets with the Peruvians like we said we would.
With that, she nods respectfully to the Head Doctor and turns on her heel. She takes a few steps, then pauses. Knowing it’s not just Callum and Brodie waiting for her, but Callum’s goons as well. But she steels herself and boldly marches out, Cosmo watching her go.
LEAD TRAINER: Come on, Cooper. Let’s get that looked at proper.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Cosmo... I am so, so sorry. If I’d have known what was happening things would have ended differently. It shouldn’t have gotten to this… I let you down.
Cooper tries to push himself off of the table but instead he just grabs at his ribs and tries to breath gingerly to lessen the pain.
COSMO COOPER: It isn’t your responsibility to have to run out and defend me every time. That was a planned attack, they knew what they were doing and if you had been out there… there may not have been a main event left. Don’t worry, Katya. I’m going to be out there for that fucking main event if I have to crawl.
The doctor steps in and shakes her head.
LEAD TRAINER: Cosmo, I cannot let you do that. You’re not going to be cleared to compete here tonight. We really need to find out if anything is bruised or broken and we can’t exactly do that here because we are limited.
Biting her bottom lip, Katya felt a dagger of unease settle in her heart. Cosmo’s eyes bounce from the doctor to Katya to see her reaction and then back to the doctor.
COSMO COOPER: I’m not letting her go out there alone…
He looks back to Katya and Katya looks to him. It's coming through. Cosmo's feelings. He intends to come, she realises. He intends to join her. He means to make this two on two one way or another. Seeing how resolute he is keeps Katya's own belief burning. She nods. Katya glances at the doctor.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: ……… It can’t be helped.
She looks back to Cosmo.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Rest up for now. It might be reckless, but I’m gonna go down to the ring. Don’t make that face… it’ll work out. I know you’ll come. So we can still win. Until then, I’m going to keep delaying them. Callum thinks he's already won… but he doesn't know how hard Valor Pro's core trains. Or how hard we work to fulfill the expectations put before wrestling's strongest roster. We are already far beyond anything he can imagine We’re going to kick their asses.. So I’ll keep them in check. And we’ll win. We’ll have the last laugh.
Even though he didn’t look happy about it, Cosmo nods to Katya and extends his fist out for her to tap, much like they had one when Cosmo had visited her in her favorite swimming spot. With a faint smile, Katya slips her floral headband back on and fist bumps Cosmo.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: We’ll have an even more awesome fist bump when we win. Then we’ll dance in the streets with the Peruvians like we said we would.
With that, she nods respectfully to the Head Doctor and turns on her heel. She takes a few steps, then pauses. Knowing it’s not just Callum and Brodie waiting for her, but Callum’s goons as well. But she steels herself and boldly marches out, Cosmo watching her go.
LEAD TRAINER: Come on, Cooper. Let’s get that looked at proper.
Special Litigation: Spiral & Vanessa Byrne
The arena lights drop. In the darkness there’s the sound of a dull thudding of a heart beat reverberating off the walls and within every chest of every individual in attendance. And then, after the tension ratchets up… then the tortured, terrifying wails of an Aztec Death Whistle start in over the sound of approaching hoofbeats.
Holy shit it’s terrifying.
People are nervous.
And you should be, too.
This is absolutely creepy.
Suddenly, an ominous blue spotlight illuminates the top of the ramp to see a hooded, and cloaked figure standing there.
Who is it?
Slowly to the point of agonizing, the figure reveals two gloved hands which rise up to the hem of the hood… and then draw it back to reveal none other than…
...
Holy shit it’s terrifying.
People are nervous.
And you should be, too.
This is absolutely creepy.
Suddenly, an ominous blue spotlight illuminates the top of the ramp to see a hooded, and cloaked figure standing there.
Who is it?
Slowly to the point of agonizing, the figure reveals two gloved hands which rise up to the hem of the hood… and then draw it back to reveal none other than…
...
Brad Stokes.
There’s something’s different since we last saw Brad Stokes, however, when he sat frozen seemingly solid in fear in the ring after looking into the eye of Brodie which now sits concealed behind an eyepatch.
Now, Brad Stokes’ hair has a streak of white. His eyes have an expression of intensity we’re not used. And also, oh yes… he’s wearing demonic, spooky facepaint (wtf??).
There’s the slow, purposeful death knell of a church bell playing.
He stands at the top of the ramp like some portent of imminent doom, pointing ominously at everyone in attendance as the howl of the death whistle reaches every corner of the Coliseo Cerrado, and into every heart till all quake and tremble in fear!
Brad balefully looks upon the crowd and it’s like he can see the future of every living thing behind his stupid dumb spooky facepaint and--
…: Alright, chop chop. Come on, then. Enough of your stupid theatrics, Mr. Stokes. You look ridiculous.
Everything is interrupted. The terrifying, somber seriousness of the atmosphere is turned to mouse turds as the house lights come on to reveal Vanessa Byrne striding swiftly past him and down the ramp toward the ring wearing a smart looking pantsuit and an absolutely no-nonsense expression. It’s kind of like someone took the piss out of everything Brad Stokes was attempting to establish here. Him in his really cool funeral shroud and spooky facepaint, standing at the top of the ramp looking confused.
He tries to catch up with Vanessa, but keeps tripping on his cloak and has to raise the train of the cloak like he were a bride at a wedding chasing after a less than excited-to-be-attached-to-him Vanessa Byrne who’s already in the ring. Brad climbs the steps and is given a microphone.
Brad Stokes: Hold it now, mortal.
He chimes in sounding deep and ominous, fixing his terrible gaze on Vanessa who folds her arms and looks disappointed with a lifted eyebrow.
Brad Stokes: You interrupt the sacred proceedings of I, the SEER OF THE SALVATION OF THE NECRONOMICON OF THE FUTURE OF THE DOOM OF DEATH OF THE PLANET OF EVIL OF BRAD STOKES!
He raises his arms and splits open the cloak to reveal, underneath, a cool looking silk-screened t-shirt that reads: Brad Stokes Fought the Eye of Brodie, and the Eye of Brodie Won. It’s a really cool t-shirt, on sale at the merch table!
BS: FEAR ME!!!!
He does a fanciful turn to show the crowd how awesome the shirt looks. Vanessa is characteristically unimpressed.
Vanessa: You know… less than a month ago you were goofing around, pretending to be an elder of the church of that lowlife, Zack Fantana.
BS: THE CHURCH OF THE FIRST FANTANA HAS EVOLVED, FOOLISH MORTAL! MUCH LIKE EZEKIAL OF REHOBOAM-PIKACHU-TAMAGATCHI, I, TOO, HAVE BEEN REBORN IN MY MOST TERRIBLE FORM!
VB: Right. I suppose your little encounter with that wannabe spooky pretender Brodie has altered your damnable gimmick, once more, into… whatever this is supposed to be.
BS: Yes, exactly. Peep the facepaint, Byrne.
VB: How could I miss it? Am I supposed to take you seriously?
BS: YES! For I have looked into the eye, Ms. Byrne…
VB: Yes, I know. I just said that.
BS: YES! Rest…. In…. Peace ahhhhhhh.
He rolls his eyes back in his head, lifts his arms about waist high as if compelling evil forces to rise from their resting places in cemetaries all across Peru. Vanessa remains unimpressed in spite of all of Brad’s dark, brooding terribleness.
VB: Would you stop that?
BS: I won’t be silenced, Byrne. I’m out here… just… SPEAKING my truth.
There’s something’s different since we last saw Brad Stokes, however, when he sat frozen seemingly solid in fear in the ring after looking into the eye of Brodie which now sits concealed behind an eyepatch.
Now, Brad Stokes’ hair has a streak of white. His eyes have an expression of intensity we’re not used. And also, oh yes… he’s wearing demonic, spooky facepaint (wtf??).
There’s the slow, purposeful death knell of a church bell playing.
He stands at the top of the ramp like some portent of imminent doom, pointing ominously at everyone in attendance as the howl of the death whistle reaches every corner of the Coliseo Cerrado, and into every heart till all quake and tremble in fear!
Brad balefully looks upon the crowd and it’s like he can see the future of every living thing behind his stupid dumb spooky facepaint and--
…: Alright, chop chop. Come on, then. Enough of your stupid theatrics, Mr. Stokes. You look ridiculous.
Everything is interrupted. The terrifying, somber seriousness of the atmosphere is turned to mouse turds as the house lights come on to reveal Vanessa Byrne striding swiftly past him and down the ramp toward the ring wearing a smart looking pantsuit and an absolutely no-nonsense expression. It’s kind of like someone took the piss out of everything Brad Stokes was attempting to establish here. Him in his really cool funeral shroud and spooky facepaint, standing at the top of the ramp looking confused.
He tries to catch up with Vanessa, but keeps tripping on his cloak and has to raise the train of the cloak like he were a bride at a wedding chasing after a less than excited-to-be-attached-to-him Vanessa Byrne who’s already in the ring. Brad climbs the steps and is given a microphone.
Brad Stokes: Hold it now, mortal.
He chimes in sounding deep and ominous, fixing his terrible gaze on Vanessa who folds her arms and looks disappointed with a lifted eyebrow.
Brad Stokes: You interrupt the sacred proceedings of I, the SEER OF THE SALVATION OF THE NECRONOMICON OF THE FUTURE OF THE DOOM OF DEATH OF THE PLANET OF EVIL OF BRAD STOKES!
He raises his arms and splits open the cloak to reveal, underneath, a cool looking silk-screened t-shirt that reads: Brad Stokes Fought the Eye of Brodie, and the Eye of Brodie Won. It’s a really cool t-shirt, on sale at the merch table!
BS: FEAR ME!!!!
He does a fanciful turn to show the crowd how awesome the shirt looks. Vanessa is characteristically unimpressed.
Vanessa: You know… less than a month ago you were goofing around, pretending to be an elder of the church of that lowlife, Zack Fantana.
BS: THE CHURCH OF THE FIRST FANTANA HAS EVOLVED, FOOLISH MORTAL! MUCH LIKE EZEKIAL OF REHOBOAM-PIKACHU-TAMAGATCHI, I, TOO, HAVE BEEN REBORN IN MY MOST TERRIBLE FORM!
VB: Right. I suppose your little encounter with that wannabe spooky pretender Brodie has altered your damnable gimmick, once more, into… whatever this is supposed to be.
BS: Yes, exactly. Peep the facepaint, Byrne.
VB: How could I miss it? Am I supposed to take you seriously?
BS: YES! For I have looked into the eye, Ms. Byrne…
VB: Yes, I know. I just said that.
BS: YES! Rest…. In…. Peace ahhhhhhh.
He rolls his eyes back in his head, lifts his arms about waist high as if compelling evil forces to rise from their resting places in cemetaries all across Peru. Vanessa remains unimpressed in spite of all of Brad’s dark, brooding terribleness.
VB: Would you stop that?
BS: I won’t be silenced, Byrne. I’m out here… just… SPEAKING my truth.
VB: You have the authenticity of a Kardashian, Mr. Stokes.
BS: Spare me your insolent sarcasm, Byrne. They say that after a traumatic experience, the fragile perception of the human psyche has been known to be altered. Indeed, I now have the ability... to see things.
VB: Uh huh.
BS: Yes. I now have, thanks to what you so callously refer to as ‘my little encounter with the terrible witch of Valor Pro”, what is known as… E… S… P.
VB: Uh huh. Did you dye your hair, as well?
She makes a show of squinting at the white streak accentuating his hair. Brad slowly slides his finger along it, as though remembering a very dark moment in his life.
BS: That’s… part of my new condition as a seer.
VB: You look like a bloody skunk, you daft idiot.
BS: I HAVE EXTRA SENSORY PERCEPTION, BYRNE. I see dead people, understand? That’s what the hair means. It signifies that.
Byrne’s thoroughly bemused.
VB: Mmhmm. And the facepaint? And the cloak. And the death imagery? This all helps you see dead people, I presume?
Brad lifts his arm and shakes it for a moment as if ready to drop some knowledge of grave import.
BS: Don’t you understand? I… am special.
He jumps a moment as he looks into the crowd, as though seeing a dead person right then. His face brightens momentarily.
BS: I also do seances. Only $39.95 for those interested. Just meet me after the show, we’ll get you and your dearly departed loved ones all sorted out, and for those watching at home, call the number at the bottom of your screen. Roll the number, Gary--
VB: Okay, that’s enough, Mr. Stokes. No one cares. There will be no number at the bottom of the screen, thank you very much. You’re the least important part of this evening, so if you could just stand in the corner--
Brad is deathly offended.
BS: I’ll have you know that someone is going to get HURT tonight, Ms. Byrne.
VB: Someone gets hurt every time you have a segment, Bradley. It’s usually you.
BS: They may even DIE. USED LIKE A BOWLING BALL. Hurtled through space, ohhhh.
It’s as though he’s witnessing it all in his portentous mind’s eye.
BS: I’M WARNING YOU, MORTAL! It may very well be YOU.
He points directly, and ominously, in her face. Vanessa quickly wrenches his arm into a hammerlock like she’d practiced it all her life and shoves him into the corner with a pained wince.
VB: There. Your prognostication has come true. Congratulations. But here’s one for you, I bet you think we’re going to be holding some sort of meeting between Spiral and l here tonight, don’t you?
BS: Well…. Yeah…
Vanessa grins wickedly.
VB: Because of what the booking says?
BS: No… I--
VB: Is that what the spirits are telling you, Brad?
BS: Absolutely. I told you. I talk to dead people. And they are saying emphatically that even though you fired him… Spiral will show up.
Vanessa grins smugly.
VB: We’ll see about that. There’ll be no litigation. Nothing. The only thing that’ll happen here tonight is the unveiling of the brand new Unleashed title.
BS: I’m afraid you’re wrong--
VB: Uh uh. We’ll see which one of us is psychic, Bradley. Spiral? Brad here thinks he talks to ghosts who are telling him you’re coming out tonight. Let’s see who you make a liar out of, hmmm?
She smirks deviously. Counting Bodies Like Sheep by A Perfect Circle hits and the crowd is on its feet looking toward the entrance expecting a man who, conceivably, needs no introduction. Brad Stokes looks a little nervous. After all, the last time he encountered Spiral he, once again, got attacked. Vanessa stands with a glare at the entrance. Several moments pass of the theme playing but no one coming out to it. Vanessa looks expectant, with a smug smirk forming on her lips, half craning her ear, grinch-like towards the entrance with a wry wink aimed at Brad. The music dies down after several more minutes.
VB: See that? Nothing. Crickets.
Brad looks a little stunned.
BS: But…. Brodie’s eye… my visions…. This can’t be...
VB: Face it. You’re a fraud, like always, as is Spiral. His time here in this company is over. I fired him. Like I fired Brenna Gordon. Just like I’ll fire every single sodding wrestler on this roster who fails to perform up to my standard.
BS: Uh… that’s not how tonight’s going to go, Ms. Byrne.
VB: Oh no? Watch and learn, pathetic idiot.
She smirks and points towards the ramp where several armed guards enter, one of whom is carrying an attache case cuffed to his wrist. Down to the ring they stride in lockstep, up the steps single file. Brad looks from the burly, tough-looking armed guards to Vanessa with bewilderment. Vanessa looks smugly triumphant.
VB: Ladies and gentleman and Mike McGuire…
She smirks as she reaches towards the attache case and opens it, leaving her hands to rest on either side of it, waiting to open it.
VB: I present to you, yet another in my long list of crowning achievements… I present to you… The NEW Unleashed Championship belt!
She opens the case. Light spills onto the solid gold, glittering, thing of beauty that is the NEW Unleashed Championship belt. She lifts it from the red velvet holding case and raises it up for all to see. Brad’s jaw drops at the sight of it, shielding his eyes as though it’s holiness were compelling him to do so.
BS: IT’S--it’s GLORIOUS!
VB: And that, my friends, is why I’ve come out here tonight. Spiral’s days as Unleashed Champion were numbered. He cried. He moaned. He complained. He threw a classic hissy, as we call it in the business. And, like every single person in the industry predicted… he couldn’t live up to his own estimations of his own talent and is, therefore, terminated, permanently. The only thing that made him a draw is now in my hands, ready to be awarded to its rightful---
The video feed suddenly cuts to backstage. A white limousine rides drives through a concrete tunnel then turns to cruise through the backstage area. On its hood, a large VPW decal is attached to the hood. Back in the ring, Vanessa only now notices the limousine on the jumbo screen above the ramp. She clears her throat.
VB: Ahem. I’m sure that’s just Aokigahara Zombie now, arriving in style, as I ensure all my champions do.
BS: I think you’re wrong, Vanessa.
She glares at him.
The limousine passes a final cameraman before driving through a curtain. In the arena, the fans react with cheers as the vehicle exits under the curtain next to the stage.
A wall of security officers form a line in front of Vanessa Byrne as the limousine comes to a slow stop a meter from the ring. The crowd cheers, all of them with their own hopes and wishes for who might be inside the vehicle.
The moonroof slowly slides open. A moment a belt flings up through the opening and lands on the roof. It’s the real UNLEASHED belt! The crowd, not yet able to see what the viewers at home see, are still cheering as one hand comes out, then a second, followed by a face which rises out with a terrible smile on its face.
Byrne blinks inexplicably at the sight.
BS: I told you.
Brad chuckles to himself but is immediately cowed by a sharp shooting glance from Vanessa. Her jaw sets tightly on her face at the sight of him. It’s mostly boos that fill the Coliseo Cerrado as he climbs on top of the limo but there’s a surprising amount of cheering. Is he starting to win over fans with his in-ring violence and harassment of Vanessa Byrne? He picks the belt up and starts walking toward the ring on top of the car. He hops down onto the hood then, with one quick jump, leaps the space to land on the ring apron. He ducks under the top rope and pops into the ring where he takes a moment to look around at the thousands in attendance. Then he walks to camera side and yells for a microphone. A crew member quickly delivers one to him.
SPIRAL: Well, well, well
He stares at Vanessa Byrne through the space between the security guards’ serious faces.
S: Look at you with that pouty little look on your face. I can see the confusion. The private jet. The limousine. Did you really think you could fire your biggest draw and no one would care?
You can practically hear her smouldering.
VB: You’ve got ten seconds to hand over that championship and remove yourself from the premises before my security detail does it for you.
The burly armed guards look truly intimidating.
S: Hand it over? Why would I do that?
VB: Because you lost it, imbecile. It’s Valor Pro property.
S: Oh, Vanessa. I said I would defend the belt. I never said I would hand it over. Since when did Valor care one bit about who wins and loses? Look at your Top Ten. You have two people with losing records. You constantly stack matches in favor of Cosmo Cooper because he’s “your guy.”
Adulation roars from the crowd at the mere mention of the Apex Champion’s name. Spiral looks around the coliseum with a half-smile.
S: In the last few weeks, you lost Zack Fantana, Brennan Devlin, and now me.
Brad Stokes chortles matter-of-factly.
BS: Zack Fantana never really left us, though. He lives on in each of our--
Vanessa shoots another razor-sharp look at Stokes.
VB: Shut up.
Brad’s mouth closes like a trap door.
Spiral walks over and grabs the microphone out of Stokes’ hand and throws it over the ropes much to the approval of the fans. He grabs Stokes by the shirt and looks him in the eye.
S: Zack Fantana didn’t save you when I beat the hell out of you and Brodie won’t save you when I do it again if you don’t sit down and shut up. You want a god to worship? Worship ME.
VB: Listen, you pathetic stain, who seems to do better at beating up non-wrestling talent than actual roster members, this is very simple, and I’ll use simple terms for you to understand. The Unleashed Championship rightfully belongs to Valor Pro Wrestling, and it’s new champion, Aokigahara Zombie.
She holds up a legal document.
VB: This document, once you sign it, will hand over full legal ownership of the Unleashed Championship to Valor Pro, as well as the added caveat that you WILL keep your hands off anyone that isn’t registered on-air talent.
BS: That’s me right?
VB: No one cares about you, Bradley.
Brad is stunned, in the clutches of Spiral.
VB: Sign this, and be off on your merry little way, Spiral. “Free” as you so eloquently stated in co-opted terms on Twitter.
Spiral’s spidery fingers pat Brad on the head before he walks away toward the line of security guards.
S: I wasn’t paid to fight Aoki. As far as I’m concerned that match is null and void. Besides, why should I agree to anything when I’m about to take this whole company ‘to the cleaners,’ as the saying goes. But…I can see that little sweat building up on your lip and the anger in your eye. Here’s my proposition: You suspend the fines you illegally levied against me. You pay me to do what I do best: entertain these fans.
That surprising amount of cheers from earlier have now grown to fully-fledged approval for a significant number of those in attendance.
S: And I will instruct my lawyers to dismiss the part of my lawsuit regarding the UNLEASHED championship. I’ll sign it over to you. However, as former champion, I demand a rematch. And yes, I know Kowloon Zombie supposedly earned the next fight against the champion. I’ll make this easy for you because I can see your head about to explode.
A brow lifts and Spiral gives a quick look around the arena before shrugging his shoulders and finishing.
S: I’ll fight them both.
Vanessa considers smartly.
VB: A fascinating offer, Spiral. Truly.
Just then. “Courage” blares out of the speakers as Aokigahara Zombie slowly makes his way out of the entrance. Vanessa smirks, looking from the entrance to Spiral. Aoki starts coming down to the ring with a grin on his face. There is some commotion in the audience as everyone in the ring looks around. Siberia Zombie walks through the crowd down to the ring letting the people give her space. On the other side of the arena Kowloon Zombie pushes his way down. Fukushima Zombie pops up in between the Othello brothers scaring them half to death as she rises like a corpse. Kowloon jumps over the barricade as Siberia is assisted by security personnel. They wait on each side of the ring. Fukushima climbs on the announcers table and points to Aokigahara who is now in the ring.
Aokigahara looks around at everyone then focuses on Spiral only. He puts one hand behind his back then looks at his title in Spiral’s possession and puts out his other hand for Spiral to hand it over.
S: Was something lost in translation? In America we have this thing called Right to Work, and at Rite of Kings I wasn’t paid for the blood I spilled. And then, on top of all that, I had to fork over my own money to pay for the stitches I needed. So NUH-HUH, I’m not giving you or anyone this belt until I have my satisfaction.
Spiral points at Byrne and her fake-fake belt.
S: You can take that ridiculous thing and call yourself champion if you want, but I don’t think my terms are unreasonable.
Aokigahara walks closer to Spiral and puts his hand right on Spiral’s face keeping the grin and not saying a word. It’s a stalemate….
Vanessa is about to respond when--
Cross Recoba: Looks like someone has found themselves backed into a corner, doesn’t it?
The camera cuts to the top of the ramp where ReKota stand, microphones in hand and the VPW Chimera Tag Titles over their shoulders. Each finishes the look with a smug grin painted across their face.
Dakota Jennings: What is it you say, Cross? Negotiate from a position of strength?...
Dakota mouths something away from the mic towards Vanessa that looks like ‘Still wanna fire me now?’.
CR: I’d say that’s about right...so, let’s get this all straightened out. Byrne, I’m sure, even you, in this weakened position can see that out of everyone ringside right now you have no allies, and the only people who you might be able to call upon immediately is us! Now we could be swayed, after all - I spy at least a few people on my list, but what’s in it for Dakota?
DJ: What d’ya say, boss? Between us we’ve put down everyone who’s currently a threat to you, I’m sure you can think of some way to scratch our back after this…though personally? I’d rather grab a chair and watch Spiral rip your head off...
The veiled threat hung in the air as the tag champs waited for their cue to unleash havoc to get Byrne out of the quagmire she found herself in. Byrne gave a measured exhale.
VB: First of all, I have a perfectly viable security detail right here. Don’t I, fellas?
Sure enough they stand between her and Spiral. The ring is a clutter of individuals. Aoki remains firmly focused on Spiral, with the rest of his clan surrounding the ring. Vanessa glares up at Cross, then at Spiral.
VB: And as for these “negotiations”? I’m far from cornered. My position is not weak. Take note, you bloody cretins, one man is threatening to hold my company hostage if he doesn’t get his way in one of the grandest hissy fits in wrestling history.
The crowd chuckles as she points to Spiral. Then to Cross and Dakota.
VB: While your little lady friend; apologies Ms. Jennings if I don’t bother referring to you personally lest the cool breeze from my lips bowl you over; she has been given the ultimate performance incentive in all of sports, and all she’s done with it… is complain about it and hit everyone within swinging distance with a steel chair.
Another round of chuckles.
VB: Frankly you lot seem to be gripped with a stunning lack of self-awareness. So, my answer all around to every asinine request I’m currently fielding tonight, is no. No, Spiral, you will not get your way. You’re fired. And you’ll hand over the--
He’s heard enough. With gritted teeth, and his knuckles clutching the ridiculously oversized cloak of Brad Stokes, Spiral hurtles Stokes at Byrne and her security detail like a bowling ball into some pins, effectively jumpstarting absolute pandemonium. In the flurry of activity, Spiral angrily exits the ring only to realize he’s left the UNLEASHED Championship on the canvas at Aoki’s feet. He glares back at Aoki with a promise before disappearing into the crowd leaving a cluttered ring and a security detail trying to help up a dishevelled, facepainted, but nevertheless stunned, Brad Stokes.
At the top of the ramp, Cross and Dakota have exited… and no one, it would seem, save for Aoki who now clutches the UNLEASHED Championship, has gotten what they wanted…
VB: Uh huh.
BS: Yes. I now have, thanks to what you so callously refer to as ‘my little encounter with the terrible witch of Valor Pro”, what is known as… E… S… P.
VB: Uh huh. Did you dye your hair, as well?
She makes a show of squinting at the white streak accentuating his hair. Brad slowly slides his finger along it, as though remembering a very dark moment in his life.
BS: That’s… part of my new condition as a seer.
VB: You look like a bloody skunk, you daft idiot.
BS: I HAVE EXTRA SENSORY PERCEPTION, BYRNE. I see dead people, understand? That’s what the hair means. It signifies that.
Byrne’s thoroughly bemused.
VB: Mmhmm. And the facepaint? And the cloak. And the death imagery? This all helps you see dead people, I presume?
Brad lifts his arm and shakes it for a moment as if ready to drop some knowledge of grave import.
BS: Don’t you understand? I… am special.
He jumps a moment as he looks into the crowd, as though seeing a dead person right then. His face brightens momentarily.
BS: I also do seances. Only $39.95 for those interested. Just meet me after the show, we’ll get you and your dearly departed loved ones all sorted out, and for those watching at home, call the number at the bottom of your screen. Roll the number, Gary--
VB: Okay, that’s enough, Mr. Stokes. No one cares. There will be no number at the bottom of the screen, thank you very much. You’re the least important part of this evening, so if you could just stand in the corner--
Brad is deathly offended.
BS: I’ll have you know that someone is going to get HURT tonight, Ms. Byrne.
VB: Someone gets hurt every time you have a segment, Bradley. It’s usually you.
BS: They may even DIE. USED LIKE A BOWLING BALL. Hurtled through space, ohhhh.
It’s as though he’s witnessing it all in his portentous mind’s eye.
BS: I’M WARNING YOU, MORTAL! It may very well be YOU.
He points directly, and ominously, in her face. Vanessa quickly wrenches his arm into a hammerlock like she’d practiced it all her life and shoves him into the corner with a pained wince.
VB: There. Your prognostication has come true. Congratulations. But here’s one for you, I bet you think we’re going to be holding some sort of meeting between Spiral and l here tonight, don’t you?
BS: Well…. Yeah…
Vanessa grins wickedly.
VB: Because of what the booking says?
BS: No… I--
VB: Is that what the spirits are telling you, Brad?
BS: Absolutely. I told you. I talk to dead people. And they are saying emphatically that even though you fired him… Spiral will show up.
Vanessa grins smugly.
VB: We’ll see about that. There’ll be no litigation. Nothing. The only thing that’ll happen here tonight is the unveiling of the brand new Unleashed title.
BS: I’m afraid you’re wrong--
VB: Uh uh. We’ll see which one of us is psychic, Bradley. Spiral? Brad here thinks he talks to ghosts who are telling him you’re coming out tonight. Let’s see who you make a liar out of, hmmm?
She smirks deviously. Counting Bodies Like Sheep by A Perfect Circle hits and the crowd is on its feet looking toward the entrance expecting a man who, conceivably, needs no introduction. Brad Stokes looks a little nervous. After all, the last time he encountered Spiral he, once again, got attacked. Vanessa stands with a glare at the entrance. Several moments pass of the theme playing but no one coming out to it. Vanessa looks expectant, with a smug smirk forming on her lips, half craning her ear, grinch-like towards the entrance with a wry wink aimed at Brad. The music dies down after several more minutes.
VB: See that? Nothing. Crickets.
Brad looks a little stunned.
BS: But…. Brodie’s eye… my visions…. This can’t be...
VB: Face it. You’re a fraud, like always, as is Spiral. His time here in this company is over. I fired him. Like I fired Brenna Gordon. Just like I’ll fire every single sodding wrestler on this roster who fails to perform up to my standard.
BS: Uh… that’s not how tonight’s going to go, Ms. Byrne.
VB: Oh no? Watch and learn, pathetic idiot.
She smirks and points towards the ramp where several armed guards enter, one of whom is carrying an attache case cuffed to his wrist. Down to the ring they stride in lockstep, up the steps single file. Brad looks from the burly, tough-looking armed guards to Vanessa with bewilderment. Vanessa looks smugly triumphant.
VB: Ladies and gentleman and Mike McGuire…
She smirks as she reaches towards the attache case and opens it, leaving her hands to rest on either side of it, waiting to open it.
VB: I present to you, yet another in my long list of crowning achievements… I present to you… The NEW Unleashed Championship belt!
She opens the case. Light spills onto the solid gold, glittering, thing of beauty that is the NEW Unleashed Championship belt. She lifts it from the red velvet holding case and raises it up for all to see. Brad’s jaw drops at the sight of it, shielding his eyes as though it’s holiness were compelling him to do so.
BS: IT’S--it’s GLORIOUS!
VB: And that, my friends, is why I’ve come out here tonight. Spiral’s days as Unleashed Champion were numbered. He cried. He moaned. He complained. He threw a classic hissy, as we call it in the business. And, like every single person in the industry predicted… he couldn’t live up to his own estimations of his own talent and is, therefore, terminated, permanently. The only thing that made him a draw is now in my hands, ready to be awarded to its rightful---
The video feed suddenly cuts to backstage. A white limousine rides drives through a concrete tunnel then turns to cruise through the backstage area. On its hood, a large VPW decal is attached to the hood. Back in the ring, Vanessa only now notices the limousine on the jumbo screen above the ramp. She clears her throat.
VB: Ahem. I’m sure that’s just Aokigahara Zombie now, arriving in style, as I ensure all my champions do.
BS: I think you’re wrong, Vanessa.
She glares at him.
The limousine passes a final cameraman before driving through a curtain. In the arena, the fans react with cheers as the vehicle exits under the curtain next to the stage.
A wall of security officers form a line in front of Vanessa Byrne as the limousine comes to a slow stop a meter from the ring. The crowd cheers, all of them with their own hopes and wishes for who might be inside the vehicle.
The moonroof slowly slides open. A moment a belt flings up through the opening and lands on the roof. It’s the real UNLEASHED belt! The crowd, not yet able to see what the viewers at home see, are still cheering as one hand comes out, then a second, followed by a face which rises out with a terrible smile on its face.
Byrne blinks inexplicably at the sight.
BS: I told you.
Brad chuckles to himself but is immediately cowed by a sharp shooting glance from Vanessa. Her jaw sets tightly on her face at the sight of him. It’s mostly boos that fill the Coliseo Cerrado as he climbs on top of the limo but there’s a surprising amount of cheering. Is he starting to win over fans with his in-ring violence and harassment of Vanessa Byrne? He picks the belt up and starts walking toward the ring on top of the car. He hops down onto the hood then, with one quick jump, leaps the space to land on the ring apron. He ducks under the top rope and pops into the ring where he takes a moment to look around at the thousands in attendance. Then he walks to camera side and yells for a microphone. A crew member quickly delivers one to him.
SPIRAL: Well, well, well
He stares at Vanessa Byrne through the space between the security guards’ serious faces.
S: Look at you with that pouty little look on your face. I can see the confusion. The private jet. The limousine. Did you really think you could fire your biggest draw and no one would care?
You can practically hear her smouldering.
VB: You’ve got ten seconds to hand over that championship and remove yourself from the premises before my security detail does it for you.
The burly armed guards look truly intimidating.
S: Hand it over? Why would I do that?
VB: Because you lost it, imbecile. It’s Valor Pro property.
S: Oh, Vanessa. I said I would defend the belt. I never said I would hand it over. Since when did Valor care one bit about who wins and loses? Look at your Top Ten. You have two people with losing records. You constantly stack matches in favor of Cosmo Cooper because he’s “your guy.”
Adulation roars from the crowd at the mere mention of the Apex Champion’s name. Spiral looks around the coliseum with a half-smile.
S: In the last few weeks, you lost Zack Fantana, Brennan Devlin, and now me.
Brad Stokes chortles matter-of-factly.
BS: Zack Fantana never really left us, though. He lives on in each of our--
Vanessa shoots another razor-sharp look at Stokes.
VB: Shut up.
Brad’s mouth closes like a trap door.
Spiral walks over and grabs the microphone out of Stokes’ hand and throws it over the ropes much to the approval of the fans. He grabs Stokes by the shirt and looks him in the eye.
S: Zack Fantana didn’t save you when I beat the hell out of you and Brodie won’t save you when I do it again if you don’t sit down and shut up. You want a god to worship? Worship ME.
VB: Listen, you pathetic stain, who seems to do better at beating up non-wrestling talent than actual roster members, this is very simple, and I’ll use simple terms for you to understand. The Unleashed Championship rightfully belongs to Valor Pro Wrestling, and it’s new champion, Aokigahara Zombie.
She holds up a legal document.
VB: This document, once you sign it, will hand over full legal ownership of the Unleashed Championship to Valor Pro, as well as the added caveat that you WILL keep your hands off anyone that isn’t registered on-air talent.
BS: That’s me right?
VB: No one cares about you, Bradley.
Brad is stunned, in the clutches of Spiral.
VB: Sign this, and be off on your merry little way, Spiral. “Free” as you so eloquently stated in co-opted terms on Twitter.
Spiral’s spidery fingers pat Brad on the head before he walks away toward the line of security guards.
S: I wasn’t paid to fight Aoki. As far as I’m concerned that match is null and void. Besides, why should I agree to anything when I’m about to take this whole company ‘to the cleaners,’ as the saying goes. But…I can see that little sweat building up on your lip and the anger in your eye. Here’s my proposition: You suspend the fines you illegally levied against me. You pay me to do what I do best: entertain these fans.
That surprising amount of cheers from earlier have now grown to fully-fledged approval for a significant number of those in attendance.
S: And I will instruct my lawyers to dismiss the part of my lawsuit regarding the UNLEASHED championship. I’ll sign it over to you. However, as former champion, I demand a rematch. And yes, I know Kowloon Zombie supposedly earned the next fight against the champion. I’ll make this easy for you because I can see your head about to explode.
A brow lifts and Spiral gives a quick look around the arena before shrugging his shoulders and finishing.
S: I’ll fight them both.
Vanessa considers smartly.
VB: A fascinating offer, Spiral. Truly.
Just then. “Courage” blares out of the speakers as Aokigahara Zombie slowly makes his way out of the entrance. Vanessa smirks, looking from the entrance to Spiral. Aoki starts coming down to the ring with a grin on his face. There is some commotion in the audience as everyone in the ring looks around. Siberia Zombie walks through the crowd down to the ring letting the people give her space. On the other side of the arena Kowloon Zombie pushes his way down. Fukushima Zombie pops up in between the Othello brothers scaring them half to death as she rises like a corpse. Kowloon jumps over the barricade as Siberia is assisted by security personnel. They wait on each side of the ring. Fukushima climbs on the announcers table and points to Aokigahara who is now in the ring.
Aokigahara looks around at everyone then focuses on Spiral only. He puts one hand behind his back then looks at his title in Spiral’s possession and puts out his other hand for Spiral to hand it over.
S: Was something lost in translation? In America we have this thing called Right to Work, and at Rite of Kings I wasn’t paid for the blood I spilled. And then, on top of all that, I had to fork over my own money to pay for the stitches I needed. So NUH-HUH, I’m not giving you or anyone this belt until I have my satisfaction.
Spiral points at Byrne and her fake-fake belt.
S: You can take that ridiculous thing and call yourself champion if you want, but I don’t think my terms are unreasonable.
Aokigahara walks closer to Spiral and puts his hand right on Spiral’s face keeping the grin and not saying a word. It’s a stalemate….
Vanessa is about to respond when--
Cross Recoba: Looks like someone has found themselves backed into a corner, doesn’t it?
The camera cuts to the top of the ramp where ReKota stand, microphones in hand and the VPW Chimera Tag Titles over their shoulders. Each finishes the look with a smug grin painted across their face.
Dakota Jennings: What is it you say, Cross? Negotiate from a position of strength?...
Dakota mouths something away from the mic towards Vanessa that looks like ‘Still wanna fire me now?’.
CR: I’d say that’s about right...so, let’s get this all straightened out. Byrne, I’m sure, even you, in this weakened position can see that out of everyone ringside right now you have no allies, and the only people who you might be able to call upon immediately is us! Now we could be swayed, after all - I spy at least a few people on my list, but what’s in it for Dakota?
DJ: What d’ya say, boss? Between us we’ve put down everyone who’s currently a threat to you, I’m sure you can think of some way to scratch our back after this…though personally? I’d rather grab a chair and watch Spiral rip your head off...
The veiled threat hung in the air as the tag champs waited for their cue to unleash havoc to get Byrne out of the quagmire she found herself in. Byrne gave a measured exhale.
VB: First of all, I have a perfectly viable security detail right here. Don’t I, fellas?
Sure enough they stand between her and Spiral. The ring is a clutter of individuals. Aoki remains firmly focused on Spiral, with the rest of his clan surrounding the ring. Vanessa glares up at Cross, then at Spiral.
VB: And as for these “negotiations”? I’m far from cornered. My position is not weak. Take note, you bloody cretins, one man is threatening to hold my company hostage if he doesn’t get his way in one of the grandest hissy fits in wrestling history.
The crowd chuckles as she points to Spiral. Then to Cross and Dakota.
VB: While your little lady friend; apologies Ms. Jennings if I don’t bother referring to you personally lest the cool breeze from my lips bowl you over; she has been given the ultimate performance incentive in all of sports, and all she’s done with it… is complain about it and hit everyone within swinging distance with a steel chair.
Another round of chuckles.
VB: Frankly you lot seem to be gripped with a stunning lack of self-awareness. So, my answer all around to every asinine request I’m currently fielding tonight, is no. No, Spiral, you will not get your way. You’re fired. And you’ll hand over the--
He’s heard enough. With gritted teeth, and his knuckles clutching the ridiculously oversized cloak of Brad Stokes, Spiral hurtles Stokes at Byrne and her security detail like a bowling ball into some pins, effectively jumpstarting absolute pandemonium. In the flurry of activity, Spiral angrily exits the ring only to realize he’s left the UNLEASHED Championship on the canvas at Aoki’s feet. He glares back at Aoki with a promise before disappearing into the crowd leaving a cluttered ring and a security detail trying to help up a dishevelled, facepainted, but nevertheless stunned, Brad Stokes.
At the top of the ramp, Cross and Dakota have exited… and no one, it would seem, save for Aoki who now clutches the UNLEASHED Championship, has gotten what they wanted…
The scene switches backstage where we find Danny Rizzo standing before a door that is clearly marked for Katya Djurdevic. He paces for a moment, as though deciding whether or not to knock on the door, before finally going through with it. For once Kaven Drell doesn’t seem to be anywhere nearby and the form of Rizzo more closely resembles the one who fans had come to know over the past few months and leading up to Rite of Kings. Nervous energy exudes from him but no answer comes. Sighing and nodding his head, Danny turned back to the cameras that were focused on him, waiting for something to unfold before their eyes.
Taking note of them as he turned to walk away, Rizzo paused for a moment and chewed his lip, placing his hands on his hips as he did so. Over his shoulder he glanced back toward the door, thinking to go and knock again but deciding better of it soon after. Instead, he turned his attention to the cameras that were focused upon him, giving him their attention as well.
DANNY RIZZO: I’m sure you’re watching this, Katya, whether you’re in your locker room and not wanting to speak with me. Or if you’re somewhere else and it was just bad timing. I just… I came here to say that I’m sorry. I came here to say that you deserved better at Rite of Kings and I am sorry, truly sorry, that I took that from you. I am genuinely sorry that what was a great match has become overshadowed by… well. By my own personal issues with many on this roster.
He sighed, shaking his head and closing his eyes. Though no one would have known it for certain, it was likely clear to anyone who was watching that there was some sort of war going on within him. A clash of two separate ideologies fighting to assume, or retain, control over the man in question. The Rizzo that had appeared in his old form when he had knocked upon the door had faded quickly as he once more looked like a man torn.
DANNY RIZZO: I don’t come seeking forgiveness. But I felt I owed you an apology. In spite of what people think of me these days. I’m not a bad man. I’m not a vile, hateful and evil person. I’m just someone who has been pushed to the brink of what my patience can handle. Beyond that, really. I know that it doesn’t make it any better, hearing me say that I did what I had to do. But I did. And I’m sorry that you were the one whose expense that it had to be at. Hopefully, someday soon, you’ll understand what I mean. Maybe you’ll resent me forever for what happened. Maybe you’ll harbor a grudge against me for taking an opportunity to claim the UnYielding Championship from you.
Running a hand through his dark locks of hair, he sighed.
DANNY RIZZO: But… but you were already down. It was done. It was going to be over with anyway. And… I did what I had to do. I’m sorry that it was you, though. Truly, I am. And I hope maybe, if you can’t find it in you to forgive me, that maybe you can find it in you to at least understand.
Chewing on his bottom lip, Danny thought to say more and even started to, but as quickly as his mouth opened to continue on, it shut once more silencing him before he brushed past the camera crew, hurrying off down the long corridor and out of sight bringing his discourse abruptly to its end.
Taking note of them as he turned to walk away, Rizzo paused for a moment and chewed his lip, placing his hands on his hips as he did so. Over his shoulder he glanced back toward the door, thinking to go and knock again but deciding better of it soon after. Instead, he turned his attention to the cameras that were focused upon him, giving him their attention as well.
DANNY RIZZO: I’m sure you’re watching this, Katya, whether you’re in your locker room and not wanting to speak with me. Or if you’re somewhere else and it was just bad timing. I just… I came here to say that I’m sorry. I came here to say that you deserved better at Rite of Kings and I am sorry, truly sorry, that I took that from you. I am genuinely sorry that what was a great match has become overshadowed by… well. By my own personal issues with many on this roster.
He sighed, shaking his head and closing his eyes. Though no one would have known it for certain, it was likely clear to anyone who was watching that there was some sort of war going on within him. A clash of two separate ideologies fighting to assume, or retain, control over the man in question. The Rizzo that had appeared in his old form when he had knocked upon the door had faded quickly as he once more looked like a man torn.
DANNY RIZZO: I don’t come seeking forgiveness. But I felt I owed you an apology. In spite of what people think of me these days. I’m not a bad man. I’m not a vile, hateful and evil person. I’m just someone who has been pushed to the brink of what my patience can handle. Beyond that, really. I know that it doesn’t make it any better, hearing me say that I did what I had to do. But I did. And I’m sorry that you were the one whose expense that it had to be at. Hopefully, someday soon, you’ll understand what I mean. Maybe you’ll resent me forever for what happened. Maybe you’ll harbor a grudge against me for taking an opportunity to claim the UnYielding Championship from you.
Running a hand through his dark locks of hair, he sighed.
DANNY RIZZO: But… but you were already down. It was done. It was going to be over with anyway. And… I did what I had to do. I’m sorry that it was you, though. Truly, I am. And I hope maybe, if you can’t find it in you to forgive me, that maybe you can find it in you to at least understand.
Chewing on his bottom lip, Danny thought to say more and even started to, but as quickly as his mouth opened to continue on, it shut once more silencing him before he brushed past the camera crew, hurrying off down the long corridor and out of sight bringing his discourse abruptly to its end.
We cut backstage to where Indi Rhyder is chilling with her camper, she looks up at the camera and offers a big smile as she waves.
Indi: What’s up friends and fans? It’s shaping up to be quite a night now isn’t it? I just wanted to catch up with you all and say hi. Thanks for all your support so far and I promise our adventures are just beginning!
The large hulking dog She affectionately calls her hell hound has somehow come along for the ride and he pads out of the camper to rest at her side.
Indi: these last few shows have been only the beginning and the welcome I’ve gotten from everyone has just been amazing so I wanted to take this time to show my gratitude! Me and the mutt have a hundred more adventures planned we are gonna take you all on! Now I won’t hold up the show any longer. Have fun buds and remember to always reach for the stars!
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is set for one fall or submission...AND IS FOR THE UNYIELDING CHAMPIONSHIP...
'Going Out West' by Tom Waits thrums over the PA System, and as the song hits it's breakdown intro Jack Dempsey pushes through the curtain to a dense fog lit stage. He pauses at the top of the ramp, taking a puff off of an already lit cigarette followed by a long swig from a bottle cheap local Rum. He holds the bottle aloft to look it as he sucks at his teeth, and then shrugs and starts down the ramp towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first....standing at six foot three and weighting in at 200 pounds even, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia....He earned this title opportunity as being the next to last man standing in the ring during the Rite of Kings Battle Royal, and is the man known as SECTION 8.....JACK DEMPSSSEEYYY!!
Dempsey reaches ringside and casually walks over to the steel steps as the fans give him a mixed reaction. He takes another quick swig of the booze before putting the cigarette out on top of the steel steps, and then sets down the bottle. He shakes his head as if trying to shake the cobwebs after the drink, and then hops up onto the ring apron, and swings his leg through the ropes to the interior of the ring. With little fanfare he steps over to the far corner, and falls back against the turnbuckles, looking bored and awaiting his opponent.
LO: Apparently Jack Dempsey is too cool for school, and what the hell is the deal with him smoking and drinking on his way to the ring! That can't be safe...
KO: Krahe used to smoke on his way to the ring. Matter of fact, he almost always had a rolled cigarette tucked behind his ear..
LO: Alright, I'll grant you that....but the alcohol?
KO: Maybe he's a functional drunk. Hell, I don't know, Laur. If you want his biography then go ask him!
The opening drums of 'A Warrior's Call' by Volbeat strikes across the capacity crowd and they all turn to the stage to see Danny Rizzo rip through the curtain right at "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!" He pauses for a moment to pat the UnYielding Championship that sits snugly around his waist, before he takes off for one side of the stage jumping up and down, and then to the other, pumping a fist as the song breaks into 'Fight, Fight, Fight'. Much to his surprise there are a few boo's mingled in with the cheers when he finally comes to a stop at the top of the ramp, and he looks over his shoulder to see Kaven Drell stepping out from the curtain behind him. Danny shrugs before pointing to the ring, and then takes off into a sprint as Kaven calmly follows behind at a moderate pace.
RING ANNOUNCER: And making his way to the ring, accompanied by Kaven Drell, standing at five foot eleven and 202 pounds, hailing from Dayton, Ohio.....He is the UNYIELDING CHAMPION...THE RISEN....DANNY RIZZZOOOO!!
Before the announcement even has a chance to end Danny has slid right into the ring, rushing a neutral corner and taking the second turnbuckle while beating his chest and letting out a warrior yell. The fans respond mostly favorably, loudly cheering 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' in his direction, but Danny can't help but notice the boo's that ring out over the cheers. He shakes his head as he drops down, unhooks the belt, and kisses the face plate before handing it off to the referee.
LO: Danny Rizzo seems to be a little shaken by the fan response tonight...
KO: He needs to not worry about what these idiot's think, and focus on the task at hand. Hopefully Kaven Drell can keep him in check.
LO: Oh yeah, that guy did a great job of that at Rite of Kings! Tossed a chair into the ring to Danny that led to Katya Djurdjevic getting blasted in the skull and a disqualification victory...
KO: Didn't leave with the title though....
LO: Yeah, but you could see it in Danny's face afterwards....that's now how he wanted to win that match.
KO: He better thank his lucky stars he has friends like Drell who have his best interests at heart, cause otherwise he may have come up short....and Danny does love that championship.
The bell rings to interrupt the announce team, and Jack Dempsey finally pushes off the turnbuckles to step more to the center of the ring, an unimpressed look on his face as he sizes Danny up. Rizzo moves forward to face him, and Dempsey says something disparaging which makes Danny laugh. The two separate to start circling, and then move in for a collar and elbow tie up. Danny is quick to slip around Jack and hook him in a Waist Lock that he quickly transitions into a reach for a Head Lock. As he grinds Dempsey's skull between his elbow and body, Section 8 starts moving him towards the ropes and shoots him off to break the hold. Danny rebounds and Dempsey meets him in the center of the ring, looking for a Hip Toss and landing it. He immediately follows up by dropping an elbow, but Danny deftly gets out of the way and both pops up to their feet at the same time. Dempsey rushes at Danny who nails him with a Release Arm Drag, but as soon as Jack hit's the canvas he pops back up to his feet. Rizzo rushes at Dempsey, and is surprised by a Judo Throw as he comes in that sends him to the mat. He pops up quickly, and the two men raises their fists like boxers as they stare at one another, the audience clapping and cheering at the stand off.
LO: Fast and furious right out of the gate, and these two brawlers taking a break from the fists to show us some fine wrestling...
KO: Yeah, but you see how quick they reverted to a fighters stance....they can do the dance all they want, but at the end of the day they are strikers...
Both men slowly lower their fists and begin to circle, locking up once again. This time it's Dempsey with the go behind, but instead of trying for a wrestling hold, instead he drives a hard forearm directly into Rizzo's kidneys that brings quite the reaction from the champion. Danny tries to pull away from Jack, but he hangs onto his arm as he yanks him back into another forearm that nearly bends Rizzo in half, and the man who dubs himself as UnYielding hits his knee's while massaging the area. Dempsey takes a step back, and then trudges forward with a football like punt to Danny's lower spine, and he falls forwards with a cry that concerns the fans. Jack unloads on him with stomps, most targeting that same spot, while others catch Danny in the back of the head when he tries to rise of the canvas. The only thing he can do is make a desperate roll for the ropes, and Jack follows him all the way, even managing to punt him in the ribs once he gets to the bottom which sends him tumbling out of the ring.
LO: I guess you were right, Ken, as this has devolved into a brawl, but I have to say...I'm surprised at how one sided it's become...
KO: Jack Dempsey is a dangerous man, with a lot of street cred. I mean, he didn't get his degree from a wrestling academy. His education came from the school of hard knocks!
LO: How long have you been waiting to use that line?
KO: Oh...it's been stewing for awhile.
While the announce team discuss Kenneth Othello's love for 80's phrases, Dempsey has exited the ring and pulled Rizzo to his feet. A hard right hand sends him stumbling along the apron towards the ring post, and he follows it up by slamming his skull off the steel. Danny clutches at his forehead as Dempsey leads him around the post only to take him by the wrist, and then Irish Whips him for a collision course with the guardrail. Danny strikes the barricade spine first, and he clutches at his back as he stumbles away from it, leaving Dempsey wide open to rush right at him for a High Impact Lariat. Or at least it would have been, if Rizzo didn't drop low at the last second, allowing Jack to rush right past him to strike the steel guardrail gut first, flipping him up and over into the front row.
LO: Dempsey made many eliminations with that Clothesline From Hell of his, but it worked to his detriment here as the fans get up close and personal with the action!
KO: Danny wisely slipped into the ring to break the ref's count at eight, but came right back out as Dempsey pulls himself to his feet....
LO: WAIT A MINUTE! DANNY RUSHING RIGHT FOR DEMPSEY, SPINS TO HOOK HIM AROUND THE HEAD, AND JAWBREAKER DOWN ONTO THE TOP OF THE BARRICADE!
KO: GOD ALMIGHTY! THAT'S ONE WAY TO GET DENTAL WORK!
Dempsey clutches at his mouth as blood pushes through his fingers, and Danny is quick to capitalize on the pain and distraction by grabbing Dempsey by the head and pulling him in while draping his arm over his shoulders. With a heave Danny takes Jack vertical, and falls back into a Suplex with a nasty landing on the concrete floor. Jack now is confused on which body part to hold, and Danny finds himself writhing after the impact, his lower spine taking some of the brunt.
LO: Big suplex from Danny, and folks, that concrete has no give to it.
KO: Damn right, but it looks like Danny is going to make it to his feet first...and he just grabbed Jack by the scruff of the neck and seat of the pants and ran him head first under the bottom rope and back into the ring!
Danny crawls up onto the ring apron as Jack pushes up to his feet, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Rizzo grabs the top rope, and then springs forward into a Slingshot Dropkick that see's both boots land square into Dempsey's chest, sending him crashing to the mat. Danny is quick to hook the leg for a pin.
1...
2...
LO: THR-NO! Dempsey out at two and a half, and now Danny is pulling him up and European Uppercut sends Jack stumbling back into the corner...
KO: Danny following him in now, peppering him with left jabs, and a BIG right hand drops Dempsey to his knee....
LO: Danny now knee striking Dempsey in the face, knocking him all the way down to a seated position against the bottom turnbuckle....
KO: Danny taking a few steps back along the ropes, and THEN RUSHES FORWARDS TO THROW HIS BOOT OUT FOR A FOOTWASH THAT TAKES DEMPSEY'S HEAD OFF!
LO: Danny jerks him out of the corner by the wrist and the leg, and then drops for another cover!
1...
2...
KO: THRE-NO! Dempsey kicks out again, but this time at a little longer count....Danny questioning the referee, but he's waving it off at two.
LO: Danny Rizzo really has Jack on the ropes here, and he doesn't need to waste time messing with the referee...
Danny turns his attention back to his opponent, and reaches down to pull him up to his feet only to take him by the wrist while pushing him into the ropes. He shoots him off to the other side, and as Dempsey hits the ropes steps to the center of the ring to go for a High Standing Dropkick. Dempsey, however, manages to hook the ropes with both arms as he's bounce back towards the danger, and in a whiplash like effect puts on the brakes as Danny finds nothing but air. When Rizzo hits the mat he bounces back up to his feet, and is immediately sent thundering back down by a High Impact Bicycle Kick from Dempsey. Section 8 drops over Rizzo, and hooks the leg for good measure.
1...
2...
KO: THRE-NO! Man, Danny just barely saves his championship with that last minute kick out, and now Dempsey just mounted the kid and is going to town!
LO: Piston like right hands down into Danny's skull, and now with a snarl Jack yanks the champion to his feet only to SCOOP SLAM him back down to the mat...
KO: Followed by an ELBOW SMASH right down into his mush! It's Danny's turn to roll around and grab at his mouth....
Dempsey pushes back up to his feet and pulls Jack up as well, pushing him back into the ropes to send him to the other side. Rizzo rebounds and Jack steps to the center of the ring to meet him, catching him coming in with a lightening fast Powerslam that crushes Danny into the mat. The champion reacts to the impact like someone just tasered him in the lower spine, his legs pushing the lower body off the mat while his face twists in pain. Dempsey forces him back down to the mat, and hooks his leg for a cover.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! Danny barely gets the shoulder up in time, but the referee is waving it off at two as Dempsey looks to be getting frustrated...
KO: That isn't good, Laur. Jack strikes me as the type to get evil when he gets frustrated.
LO: You might be right, Ken, cause he just yanked the champion off the canvas and hooked him from the side...lifts him up....AND BACK BREAKER!
KO: HE DIDN'T LET GO! HE JUST FORCED HIS WAY BACK UP TO HIS FEET....AND DROPS RIZZO ACROSS HIS KNEE AGAIN!
LO: Danny cried out this time, and these fans are really starting to boo Dempsey......who doesn't seem to care as he drops over Rizzo for another cover!
1...
2...
KO: THREE-NO! Danny got the shoulder up, but there wasn't much oomph behind it....I think the kid might be done.
LO: No doubt if Dempsey keeps targeting his lower extremities the champion might not even be able to walk out of this match!
Drell calls out something from under the rope, and Jack casts a glance in that direction as he pulls Danny to his feet and shoves him back into the corner. It's his turn to open up, rights and lefts upstairs until Danny brings his arms up to try and block, and then three swift hooks into the ribcage that have the champion doubling over to that side. With Rizzo stunned, Dempsey slips his head under the man's arm and lifts him up to sit on the top turnbuckle and then steps up to the second rope to join him. He turns so that he's beside Danny, both facing the interior of the ring, and hooks him around the waist and under the thigh. He moves to lift him up for what looks like an Avalanche Side Slam, but the champion senses the danger and immediately starts hammering in elbows to the side of Dempsey's head. One of the stray shots nails Jack square in the mouth, and he ends up dropping Danny back to the turnbuckle, both men dangerously teetering back towards the concrete floor.
LO: These two are in a precarious position up high in the corner, and Danny just prevented certain damage from whatever Dempsey was about to attempt...
KO: Yeah, and now Danny just latched onto Dempsey...what the hell is he going for?
LO: OH MY GOD! SIDE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP OFF THE SECOND ROPE SEE'S BOTH MEN CRASH AND BURN DOWN TO THE MAT!
KO: THEIR HEAD JUST BARELY MISSED THE TURNBUCKLES ON THE WAY DOWN! MY GOD THAT WOULD HAVE BROKEN SOMEONE'S NECK!
LO: INSTEAD THEY ARE BOTH LAID OUT ON THE CANVAS, AND THE REFEREE HAS STARTED A TEN COUNT!
The fans still buzz from what they just saw as the referee's count drones on. Both men clutch at their back, no more than Danny from that desperation move, and Kaven Drell moves to that side of the ring and yells at him to get up inches from the champion's face. At the count of seven both men roll towards the ropes that are on either side of them, and grab at the taped steel cables to try and help pull themselves up. At nine both come to their feet at the same time, the ropes mostly helping to keep them upright. They turn to each other at about the same time, but it's Jack who fires off a right hand that drops Danny back to lean heavily across the top rope. He uses that to spring forward into a right hand of his own, and Dempsey falls back to sit on the middle rope, and then slips right through to slam off the apron and then to the concrete floor.
LO: Jack Dempsey with a nasty spill to the outside, and now Danny Rizzo is hobbling out to the center of the ring...hand still pressed to a back that has to be screaming at this point...
KO: Dempsey grabbing at the apron to get himself up....and WATCH OUT FOR DANNY!
LO: RIZZO CHARGING THAT SIDE OF THE RING AND....SUICIDE DIVE THROUGH THE ROPES WIPES OUT BOTH MEN ONCE AGAIN!
They lay there on the floor as the ref shakes his head in disbelief, but is forced to start into another count. This one doesn't take as long to get a reaction as Danny slowly sits, and then pushes up to his feet at three, reaching down to help Dempsey up and back into the ring. Jack rolls to the center of the ring and to everyone's amazement starts to get to his feet as Danny slides in behind him. The Champion rushes forward past Dempsey, hits the ropes for spring, and fires back with a Low Dropkick that drops Section 8 back to one knee. Danny is up in an instant, hitting those same ropes, and returning with a Shining Wizard that drops Dempsey the rest of the way to the mat!
LO: BLACK ROSE, AND DEMPSEY LOOKS OUT!
KO: RIZZO PUSHING HIM OVER AND INTO A COVER!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! GOOD GOD! Jack Dempsey pushes the shoulder up at the last possible nano-second, and Danny Rizzo just fell off of him and looks stunned!
KO: Hell, I'm stunned, Laur! How did he get out of that?
LO: I don't know, but I think it speaks to the man's intestinal fortitude as Danny gets to his feet, and searches this cheering arena for some answers...
KO: Kaven Drell is on the outside smacking the mat, and I'm surprised at this point he hasn't tossed a chair into the ring like he did at Rite of Kings!
Danny's face turns from shocked to pissed as he turns his gaze back to Dempsey, who is struggling to try and make it back to his feet. Danny nods now, falling back into the corner while the toe of his boot taps against the mat. Just as Jack gets fully to his feet is when Rizzo tears out of the corner, coming right at him full blast. Jack see's it, eyes going wide, and he ducks for what he's sure to be the Kenshasa Knee Strike. Instead of that, however, Danny leap frogs right over Dempsey and continues onto the ropes, and by the time Jack spins to face him, he's already in the air, knee extended, driving it into his face.
LO: THE WARRIORS CALL!
KO: Dempsey just snapped back down to the mat, and I think he's out....Danny with a cover!
1...
2...
3!!!
LO: And just like that, Danny Rizzo is still UnYielding!
KO: And he did it clean this time, Laur. Now you can finally quit your bitching!
LO: The Risen may have gotten past Dempsey without any underhandedness, but that doesn't change what he did to Katya Djurdjevic at Rite of Kings...
KO: Yeah, well tonight, he's the one getting his hand raised, and its well deserved!
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner by pinfall, and STILL YOUR UNYIELDING CHAMPION...DANNY RIZZO!
Kaven Drell snatches the UnYielding championship from the time keeper, giving him a threatening raise of the hand before he hops up onto the apron, and steps through the ropes. Danny is breathing heavy after the hard fought battle, watching as Dempsey rolls out of the ring under the bottom rope clutching his nose. As the referee lifts his hand in victory, Drell swings the title around his waist, fastens it behind him, and then takes the other wrist and lifts it while pointing at his friends title.
LO: What do you think Kaven Drell is getting out of this? I mean...You'd have thought he won this match.
KO: You're so cynical, Laur! Drell is Rizzo's friend, and he's just happy he still has his gold. There isn't anything wrong with that.
LO: Still, makes you wonder.
KO: Yeah, it makes me wonder what you have against Danny Rizzo all of a sudden? I mean, you were the one who cried like a baby when NovaCaine was attacking the kid. Now that he's grown some sense, and is actually watching his own back, you make it out like he's a bad guy. Listen to the people. It only took one win and they are already back on his side...
Indeed the fans cheer wildly for Danny as he gives Drell a high five and then makes his way out of the ring. The two hold a private conversation as they make their way up the ramp, and Danny nods confidently as he turns at the top of the stage and throws both fists overhead once again. The capacity crowd gives another positive ovation and he nods just before turning and disappearing behind the curtain. Kaven Drell pauses before following, regarding the fans with a different kind of acknowledgment. A smug smile, mouthing the words, 'Let It Burn' before following suit.
'Going Out West' by Tom Waits thrums over the PA System, and as the song hits it's breakdown intro Jack Dempsey pushes through the curtain to a dense fog lit stage. He pauses at the top of the ramp, taking a puff off of an already lit cigarette followed by a long swig from a bottle cheap local Rum. He holds the bottle aloft to look it as he sucks at his teeth, and then shrugs and starts down the ramp towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first....standing at six foot three and weighting in at 200 pounds even, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia....He earned this title opportunity as being the next to last man standing in the ring during the Rite of Kings Battle Royal, and is the man known as SECTION 8.....JACK DEMPSSSEEYYY!!
Dempsey reaches ringside and casually walks over to the steel steps as the fans give him a mixed reaction. He takes another quick swig of the booze before putting the cigarette out on top of the steel steps, and then sets down the bottle. He shakes his head as if trying to shake the cobwebs after the drink, and then hops up onto the ring apron, and swings his leg through the ropes to the interior of the ring. With little fanfare he steps over to the far corner, and falls back against the turnbuckles, looking bored and awaiting his opponent.
LO: Apparently Jack Dempsey is too cool for school, and what the hell is the deal with him smoking and drinking on his way to the ring! That can't be safe...
KO: Krahe used to smoke on his way to the ring. Matter of fact, he almost always had a rolled cigarette tucked behind his ear..
LO: Alright, I'll grant you that....but the alcohol?
KO: Maybe he's a functional drunk. Hell, I don't know, Laur. If you want his biography then go ask him!
The opening drums of 'A Warrior's Call' by Volbeat strikes across the capacity crowd and they all turn to the stage to see Danny Rizzo rip through the curtain right at "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!" He pauses for a moment to pat the UnYielding Championship that sits snugly around his waist, before he takes off for one side of the stage jumping up and down, and then to the other, pumping a fist as the song breaks into 'Fight, Fight, Fight'. Much to his surprise there are a few boo's mingled in with the cheers when he finally comes to a stop at the top of the ramp, and he looks over his shoulder to see Kaven Drell stepping out from the curtain behind him. Danny shrugs before pointing to the ring, and then takes off into a sprint as Kaven calmly follows behind at a moderate pace.
RING ANNOUNCER: And making his way to the ring, accompanied by Kaven Drell, standing at five foot eleven and 202 pounds, hailing from Dayton, Ohio.....He is the UNYIELDING CHAMPION...THE RISEN....DANNY RIZZZOOOO!!
Before the announcement even has a chance to end Danny has slid right into the ring, rushing a neutral corner and taking the second turnbuckle while beating his chest and letting out a warrior yell. The fans respond mostly favorably, loudly cheering 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' in his direction, but Danny can't help but notice the boo's that ring out over the cheers. He shakes his head as he drops down, unhooks the belt, and kisses the face plate before handing it off to the referee.
LO: Danny Rizzo seems to be a little shaken by the fan response tonight...
KO: He needs to not worry about what these idiot's think, and focus on the task at hand. Hopefully Kaven Drell can keep him in check.
LO: Oh yeah, that guy did a great job of that at Rite of Kings! Tossed a chair into the ring to Danny that led to Katya Djurdjevic getting blasted in the skull and a disqualification victory...
KO: Didn't leave with the title though....
LO: Yeah, but you could see it in Danny's face afterwards....that's now how he wanted to win that match.
KO: He better thank his lucky stars he has friends like Drell who have his best interests at heart, cause otherwise he may have come up short....and Danny does love that championship.
The bell rings to interrupt the announce team, and Jack Dempsey finally pushes off the turnbuckles to step more to the center of the ring, an unimpressed look on his face as he sizes Danny up. Rizzo moves forward to face him, and Dempsey says something disparaging which makes Danny laugh. The two separate to start circling, and then move in for a collar and elbow tie up. Danny is quick to slip around Jack and hook him in a Waist Lock that he quickly transitions into a reach for a Head Lock. As he grinds Dempsey's skull between his elbow and body, Section 8 starts moving him towards the ropes and shoots him off to break the hold. Danny rebounds and Dempsey meets him in the center of the ring, looking for a Hip Toss and landing it. He immediately follows up by dropping an elbow, but Danny deftly gets out of the way and both pops up to their feet at the same time. Dempsey rushes at Danny who nails him with a Release Arm Drag, but as soon as Jack hit's the canvas he pops back up to his feet. Rizzo rushes at Dempsey, and is surprised by a Judo Throw as he comes in that sends him to the mat. He pops up quickly, and the two men raises their fists like boxers as they stare at one another, the audience clapping and cheering at the stand off.
LO: Fast and furious right out of the gate, and these two brawlers taking a break from the fists to show us some fine wrestling...
KO: Yeah, but you see how quick they reverted to a fighters stance....they can do the dance all they want, but at the end of the day they are strikers...
Both men slowly lower their fists and begin to circle, locking up once again. This time it's Dempsey with the go behind, but instead of trying for a wrestling hold, instead he drives a hard forearm directly into Rizzo's kidneys that brings quite the reaction from the champion. Danny tries to pull away from Jack, but he hangs onto his arm as he yanks him back into another forearm that nearly bends Rizzo in half, and the man who dubs himself as UnYielding hits his knee's while massaging the area. Dempsey takes a step back, and then trudges forward with a football like punt to Danny's lower spine, and he falls forwards with a cry that concerns the fans. Jack unloads on him with stomps, most targeting that same spot, while others catch Danny in the back of the head when he tries to rise of the canvas. The only thing he can do is make a desperate roll for the ropes, and Jack follows him all the way, even managing to punt him in the ribs once he gets to the bottom which sends him tumbling out of the ring.
LO: I guess you were right, Ken, as this has devolved into a brawl, but I have to say...I'm surprised at how one sided it's become...
KO: Jack Dempsey is a dangerous man, with a lot of street cred. I mean, he didn't get his degree from a wrestling academy. His education came from the school of hard knocks!
LO: How long have you been waiting to use that line?
KO: Oh...it's been stewing for awhile.
While the announce team discuss Kenneth Othello's love for 80's phrases, Dempsey has exited the ring and pulled Rizzo to his feet. A hard right hand sends him stumbling along the apron towards the ring post, and he follows it up by slamming his skull off the steel. Danny clutches at his forehead as Dempsey leads him around the post only to take him by the wrist, and then Irish Whips him for a collision course with the guardrail. Danny strikes the barricade spine first, and he clutches at his back as he stumbles away from it, leaving Dempsey wide open to rush right at him for a High Impact Lariat. Or at least it would have been, if Rizzo didn't drop low at the last second, allowing Jack to rush right past him to strike the steel guardrail gut first, flipping him up and over into the front row.
LO: Dempsey made many eliminations with that Clothesline From Hell of his, but it worked to his detriment here as the fans get up close and personal with the action!
KO: Danny wisely slipped into the ring to break the ref's count at eight, but came right back out as Dempsey pulls himself to his feet....
LO: WAIT A MINUTE! DANNY RUSHING RIGHT FOR DEMPSEY, SPINS TO HOOK HIM AROUND THE HEAD, AND JAWBREAKER DOWN ONTO THE TOP OF THE BARRICADE!
KO: GOD ALMIGHTY! THAT'S ONE WAY TO GET DENTAL WORK!
Dempsey clutches at his mouth as blood pushes through his fingers, and Danny is quick to capitalize on the pain and distraction by grabbing Dempsey by the head and pulling him in while draping his arm over his shoulders. With a heave Danny takes Jack vertical, and falls back into a Suplex with a nasty landing on the concrete floor. Jack now is confused on which body part to hold, and Danny finds himself writhing after the impact, his lower spine taking some of the brunt.
LO: Big suplex from Danny, and folks, that concrete has no give to it.
KO: Damn right, but it looks like Danny is going to make it to his feet first...and he just grabbed Jack by the scruff of the neck and seat of the pants and ran him head first under the bottom rope and back into the ring!
Danny crawls up onto the ring apron as Jack pushes up to his feet, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Rizzo grabs the top rope, and then springs forward into a Slingshot Dropkick that see's both boots land square into Dempsey's chest, sending him crashing to the mat. Danny is quick to hook the leg for a pin.
1...
2...
LO: THR-NO! Dempsey out at two and a half, and now Danny is pulling him up and European Uppercut sends Jack stumbling back into the corner...
KO: Danny following him in now, peppering him with left jabs, and a BIG right hand drops Dempsey to his knee....
LO: Danny now knee striking Dempsey in the face, knocking him all the way down to a seated position against the bottom turnbuckle....
KO: Danny taking a few steps back along the ropes, and THEN RUSHES FORWARDS TO THROW HIS BOOT OUT FOR A FOOTWASH THAT TAKES DEMPSEY'S HEAD OFF!
LO: Danny jerks him out of the corner by the wrist and the leg, and then drops for another cover!
1...
2...
KO: THRE-NO! Dempsey kicks out again, but this time at a little longer count....Danny questioning the referee, but he's waving it off at two.
LO: Danny Rizzo really has Jack on the ropes here, and he doesn't need to waste time messing with the referee...
Danny turns his attention back to his opponent, and reaches down to pull him up to his feet only to take him by the wrist while pushing him into the ropes. He shoots him off to the other side, and as Dempsey hits the ropes steps to the center of the ring to go for a High Standing Dropkick. Dempsey, however, manages to hook the ropes with both arms as he's bounce back towards the danger, and in a whiplash like effect puts on the brakes as Danny finds nothing but air. When Rizzo hits the mat he bounces back up to his feet, and is immediately sent thundering back down by a High Impact Bicycle Kick from Dempsey. Section 8 drops over Rizzo, and hooks the leg for good measure.
1...
2...
KO: THRE-NO! Man, Danny just barely saves his championship with that last minute kick out, and now Dempsey just mounted the kid and is going to town!
LO: Piston like right hands down into Danny's skull, and now with a snarl Jack yanks the champion to his feet only to SCOOP SLAM him back down to the mat...
KO: Followed by an ELBOW SMASH right down into his mush! It's Danny's turn to roll around and grab at his mouth....
Dempsey pushes back up to his feet and pulls Jack up as well, pushing him back into the ropes to send him to the other side. Rizzo rebounds and Jack steps to the center of the ring to meet him, catching him coming in with a lightening fast Powerslam that crushes Danny into the mat. The champion reacts to the impact like someone just tasered him in the lower spine, his legs pushing the lower body off the mat while his face twists in pain. Dempsey forces him back down to the mat, and hooks his leg for a cover.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! Danny barely gets the shoulder up in time, but the referee is waving it off at two as Dempsey looks to be getting frustrated...
KO: That isn't good, Laur. Jack strikes me as the type to get evil when he gets frustrated.
LO: You might be right, Ken, cause he just yanked the champion off the canvas and hooked him from the side...lifts him up....AND BACK BREAKER!
KO: HE DIDN'T LET GO! HE JUST FORCED HIS WAY BACK UP TO HIS FEET....AND DROPS RIZZO ACROSS HIS KNEE AGAIN!
LO: Danny cried out this time, and these fans are really starting to boo Dempsey......who doesn't seem to care as he drops over Rizzo for another cover!
1...
2...
KO: THREE-NO! Danny got the shoulder up, but there wasn't much oomph behind it....I think the kid might be done.
LO: No doubt if Dempsey keeps targeting his lower extremities the champion might not even be able to walk out of this match!
Drell calls out something from under the rope, and Jack casts a glance in that direction as he pulls Danny to his feet and shoves him back into the corner. It's his turn to open up, rights and lefts upstairs until Danny brings his arms up to try and block, and then three swift hooks into the ribcage that have the champion doubling over to that side. With Rizzo stunned, Dempsey slips his head under the man's arm and lifts him up to sit on the top turnbuckle and then steps up to the second rope to join him. He turns so that he's beside Danny, both facing the interior of the ring, and hooks him around the waist and under the thigh. He moves to lift him up for what looks like an Avalanche Side Slam, but the champion senses the danger and immediately starts hammering in elbows to the side of Dempsey's head. One of the stray shots nails Jack square in the mouth, and he ends up dropping Danny back to the turnbuckle, both men dangerously teetering back towards the concrete floor.
LO: These two are in a precarious position up high in the corner, and Danny just prevented certain damage from whatever Dempsey was about to attempt...
KO: Yeah, and now Danny just latched onto Dempsey...what the hell is he going for?
LO: OH MY GOD! SIDE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP OFF THE SECOND ROPE SEE'S BOTH MEN CRASH AND BURN DOWN TO THE MAT!
KO: THEIR HEAD JUST BARELY MISSED THE TURNBUCKLES ON THE WAY DOWN! MY GOD THAT WOULD HAVE BROKEN SOMEONE'S NECK!
LO: INSTEAD THEY ARE BOTH LAID OUT ON THE CANVAS, AND THE REFEREE HAS STARTED A TEN COUNT!
The fans still buzz from what they just saw as the referee's count drones on. Both men clutch at their back, no more than Danny from that desperation move, and Kaven Drell moves to that side of the ring and yells at him to get up inches from the champion's face. At the count of seven both men roll towards the ropes that are on either side of them, and grab at the taped steel cables to try and help pull themselves up. At nine both come to their feet at the same time, the ropes mostly helping to keep them upright. They turn to each other at about the same time, but it's Jack who fires off a right hand that drops Danny back to lean heavily across the top rope. He uses that to spring forward into a right hand of his own, and Dempsey falls back to sit on the middle rope, and then slips right through to slam off the apron and then to the concrete floor.
LO: Jack Dempsey with a nasty spill to the outside, and now Danny Rizzo is hobbling out to the center of the ring...hand still pressed to a back that has to be screaming at this point...
KO: Dempsey grabbing at the apron to get himself up....and WATCH OUT FOR DANNY!
LO: RIZZO CHARGING THAT SIDE OF THE RING AND....SUICIDE DIVE THROUGH THE ROPES WIPES OUT BOTH MEN ONCE AGAIN!
They lay there on the floor as the ref shakes his head in disbelief, but is forced to start into another count. This one doesn't take as long to get a reaction as Danny slowly sits, and then pushes up to his feet at three, reaching down to help Dempsey up and back into the ring. Jack rolls to the center of the ring and to everyone's amazement starts to get to his feet as Danny slides in behind him. The Champion rushes forward past Dempsey, hits the ropes for spring, and fires back with a Low Dropkick that drops Section 8 back to one knee. Danny is up in an instant, hitting those same ropes, and returning with a Shining Wizard that drops Dempsey the rest of the way to the mat!
LO: BLACK ROSE, AND DEMPSEY LOOKS OUT!
KO: RIZZO PUSHING HIM OVER AND INTO A COVER!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! GOOD GOD! Jack Dempsey pushes the shoulder up at the last possible nano-second, and Danny Rizzo just fell off of him and looks stunned!
KO: Hell, I'm stunned, Laur! How did he get out of that?
LO: I don't know, but I think it speaks to the man's intestinal fortitude as Danny gets to his feet, and searches this cheering arena for some answers...
KO: Kaven Drell is on the outside smacking the mat, and I'm surprised at this point he hasn't tossed a chair into the ring like he did at Rite of Kings!
Danny's face turns from shocked to pissed as he turns his gaze back to Dempsey, who is struggling to try and make it back to his feet. Danny nods now, falling back into the corner while the toe of his boot taps against the mat. Just as Jack gets fully to his feet is when Rizzo tears out of the corner, coming right at him full blast. Jack see's it, eyes going wide, and he ducks for what he's sure to be the Kenshasa Knee Strike. Instead of that, however, Danny leap frogs right over Dempsey and continues onto the ropes, and by the time Jack spins to face him, he's already in the air, knee extended, driving it into his face.
LO: THE WARRIORS CALL!
KO: Dempsey just snapped back down to the mat, and I think he's out....Danny with a cover!
1...
2...
3!!!
LO: And just like that, Danny Rizzo is still UnYielding!
KO: And he did it clean this time, Laur. Now you can finally quit your bitching!
LO: The Risen may have gotten past Dempsey without any underhandedness, but that doesn't change what he did to Katya Djurdjevic at Rite of Kings...
KO: Yeah, well tonight, he's the one getting his hand raised, and its well deserved!
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner by pinfall, and STILL YOUR UNYIELDING CHAMPION...DANNY RIZZO!
Kaven Drell snatches the UnYielding championship from the time keeper, giving him a threatening raise of the hand before he hops up onto the apron, and steps through the ropes. Danny is breathing heavy after the hard fought battle, watching as Dempsey rolls out of the ring under the bottom rope clutching his nose. As the referee lifts his hand in victory, Drell swings the title around his waist, fastens it behind him, and then takes the other wrist and lifts it while pointing at his friends title.
LO: What do you think Kaven Drell is getting out of this? I mean...You'd have thought he won this match.
KO: You're so cynical, Laur! Drell is Rizzo's friend, and he's just happy he still has his gold. There isn't anything wrong with that.
LO: Still, makes you wonder.
KO: Yeah, it makes me wonder what you have against Danny Rizzo all of a sudden? I mean, you were the one who cried like a baby when NovaCaine was attacking the kid. Now that he's grown some sense, and is actually watching his own back, you make it out like he's a bad guy. Listen to the people. It only took one win and they are already back on his side...
Indeed the fans cheer wildly for Danny as he gives Drell a high five and then makes his way out of the ring. The two hold a private conversation as they make their way up the ramp, and Danny nods confidently as he turns at the top of the stage and throws both fists overhead once again. The capacity crowd gives another positive ovation and he nods just before turning and disappearing behind the curtain. Kaven Drell pauses before following, regarding the fans with a different kind of acknowledgment. A smug smile, mouthing the words, 'Let It Burn' before following suit.
A single light flickers, to and fro, the same bare bulb that we have seen many a time, swinging from the ceiling as though it just appeared there. The light swings like a pendulum, revealing an empty room, nothing of note aside from the large mirror adorning one wall.
The mirror has a very thick, slick crack down the middle of it. Something scrawled on each half in thick black marker.
WHAT THEY SEE
WHAT YOU SEE
The light seems to sway faster and faster with each passing second, the words veering in to meet one another until they become nothing more than scribbles across the glass.
And then.
Shattered.
Pieces falling everywhere, broken.
Done.
MAIN EVENT
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall or submission....
'Villain' by Skarlett Riot hits over the PA System and the fans immediately turn to boos as Chris Callum pushes through the curtain followed by Aspen Chaud carrying a sign that she holds up that says 'Cosmo Cooper's Daddy'. Aspen is flanked on either side by Alexis Terry and Zack Burton, Alexis still carrying the steel chair she used to waylay Cooper at the start of the show. Callum comes to a stop at the top of the ramp to take in the reaction from the crowd while Aspen holds the sign up over his head. Burton and Terry pause on either side of him, exchanging a knowing glance just as Callum smirks and starts his way down the ramp while being jeered by the booing audience.
RING ANNOUNCER: introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Aspen Chaud, Zack Burton, and Alexis Terry, standing at six foot and weighting in at 180 pounds, hailing from Berkley, California....He is the winner of the Rite of Kings Battle Royal in his debut match, and the #1 Contender to the Apex Championship....THE ETERNAL, CHRIS CALLUMMMM!!
Chris hops up on the apron and enters the ring as Aspen parades the sign up and down ringside. Alexis and Zack hop up on the ring apron and enter behind him, while The Eternal beams a grin out at the crowd, pointing at the sign which only causes an even louder detraction, before waving off the fans as if they don't matter and dropping down to a knee in the far corner to confer with Aspen. Zack Burton slips out of the ring to stand near the corner, arms crossed, while Alexis continues to talk junk to the crowd before slipping out to join him.
LO: Chris Callum had what may be considered the most triumphant debut in this companies history, next to only Cosmo Cooper's, when he singlehandedly stormed into the Rite of Kings Battle Royal and outlasted sixteen other competitors to win the whole thing and earn himself a title shot all in one night.
KO: Not only that, but he declared war earlier tonight when Zack Burton and Alexis Terry were introduced and all but took out the Apex Champion...
LO: This is a man who had a plan, claiming that CWC is where all of these stars became famous, and then they abandoned him to great stardom and tried to leave him in the lurch...I guess Terry and Burton are two that are still on Callum's good side.
KO: Damn right, and he isn't wrong either...and you couldn't ask for better back up, as we saw earlier tonight!
LO: All I saw tonight was a sneak attack that very well may have removed the champion from this match...
KO: Hey, all's fair in love and war, and Chris Callum has declared war on these ungrateful cucks!
LO: Regardless of some people's beliefs, Cooper has done nothing but prove every single time he's booked why he's the Apex, and he did that without Chris Callum's help...
The debate can't continue as it's interrupted by the sudden sounds of 'Prototype' by Viktoria Modesta thrumming through the arena. While the lights flash all over the entrance, Brodie appears on a foggy stage, her head staring at the ground as she stalks back and forth along it's length. Finally she comes to a stop, eye-patch glittering in the lights, and her head slowly turns to where she now see's the ring. With a roar she snaps in that direction and begins power walking down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: and introducing his partner, standing at five foot eleven and weighting in at 150 pounds, hailing from Manhattan, New York.....she is THE SUBMISSION MACHINE, BRODDIIEEE!!
Brodie reaches ringside and peels around to climb the stairs, peeling out of her recognizable leather jacket as she goes to enter the ring clean. She stalks to the center of the ring where she pauses to stare at Chris Callum and his entourage, who watch on in interest as Aspen gives him some warning from the floor. After a moment Brodie knocks her head from side to side, and then steps over to the ropes and begins stretching herself out.
LO: Brodie is coming off the back of an epic Main Event for the Apex Championship, and you know she has to be disappointed by the outcome...
KO: I think she's more disappointed in the fact that she didn't take Cosmo's prize more so than she is about losing the match, but yeah....she looks determined to do her worst here tonight.
LO: From what we heard earlier, her sole purpose is to cause suffering to Cooper, and he's not even going to be in this contest now thanks to Callum...
KO: Yeah, and she didn't seem to happy with that outcome either. Callum & Company may want to watch their back when messing with The Submission Machine's prey...
LO: More than that, Callum all but told Brodie she's not in his league. That isn't the way anyone should start a partnership, thus the separation between the two already being apparent here in the ring...
KO: I guess Chris figures with Cooper out of the equation, he doesn't have much to worry about so why play into Brodie at all. I mean, this is essentially a handicap match against a rookie....
Speaking of the rookie, the lights dim and purple bulbs flash as "Warriors" by Papa Roach hit's over the PA System. When the lights come back to full Katya Durdjevic is standing center stage, but she isn't her usually excited self as she stares down at the ring at what could spell her impending doom. She shakes her head nervously just before taking her first steps down the ramp towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: And introducing their opponents, standing at five foot nine and weighing in at 126 pounds, hailing from Moscow, Russia...She is The Straight Line Demon.....KATYA DURDJEVICCCC!!!!
Katya reaches ringside, and with a stutter step leaps to the ring apron, grips the top rope, and then vaults herself over it and into the ring. She immediately has to put on the brakes as Brodie makes a B-line straight for her, the referee having to cut her off at the pass or start this match at a disadvantage. Brodie spits venom as she steps back closer to her corner, and Chris Callum gives his compatriots a knowing look behind her back followed by a smirk. Katya, realizing the danger she's in, simply backs into the opposite corner and keeps her eyes peeled.
LO: Brodie just about got the jump on Katya if it hadn't been for Carmen Caputo..as if they need any further advantage...
KO: Yeah, and did you see that look between Callum and Aspen....they know she's crazy, and that is what they were banking on!
LO: Katya Djurdjevic is showing tremendous spirit and bravery for even agreeing to continue this match considering Cooper won't be alongside her in this contest.
KO: Some people would call it bravery, but I'd call it rookie stupidity. Katya believes she owes these fans something, and is going to get hurt in the process of trying to give it to them...
LO: Well despite her not having a partner, Chris Callum and Brodie still have to tag in and out, and maybe she'll be able to keep them off balance long enough to pull out a miracle.
KO: Do you really believe that, Laur? I mean....the deck is way stacked when you think about Aspen, Alexis, and Zack also being on the outside...
LO: Yeah, it seem's hopeless....but you gotta believe that Djurdjevic has a plan if she's going to show up out here at all...
The bell sounds and Brodie shoots Callum a dangerous glance. The Eternal just chuckles as he steps through the ropes to the apron and indicates the ring is hers. The Submission Machine turns her cyclops gaze onto Katya, who looks justifiably nervous as Terry and Burton walk along opposite sides of the ring and bark disparaging remarks in her direction.
LO: As if they needed them, the mind games have already begun as Brodie and Katya begin to circle....WAIT! BRODIE JUST CHARGED FORWARD ON KATYA....AND WALKS INTO AN ARM DRAG!
KO: Brodie back up and FEEDS RIGHT BACK INTO ANOTHER!
LO: Brodie up a third time and charges in for a lariat, but Katya ducks under it and she continues on to the ropes...Rebounds back now...
KO: HIGH STANDING DROPKICK FROM DJURDEJEVIC SENDS HER CRASHING TO THE MAT!
LO: Brodie a little slower up to her feet this time, and Katya comes in with right hands that drive her into the ropes.....grabs her by the wrist and shoots her to the opposite side...NO! REVERSAL!
KO: Katya rebounds off the ropes and Brodie steps to the center to meet her...AND A HIGH CROSS BODY FROM KATYA CRUSHES BRODIE DOWN TO THE MAT, AND DJURDJEVIC REMAINS ON TOP FOR A COVER!
1...
2...
LO: Kick Out by Brodie at two, and both women flash up to their feet....Katya with a boot to Brodie's midsection doubles her over, and now DJURDJEVIC FOR A FAMASSER!
KO: NO! Brodie lifts up abruptly causing Katya to cut a back flip, but she lands safely on her feet....Here comes Brodie with a short arm clothesline...NO! KATYA DUCKS IT AND HOOKS THE ARM AS SHE GOES....SWINGS UP TO GRAPEVINE THE OTHER, AND DRAGS BRODIE DOWN INTO A CRUCIFIX PIN!
1...
2...
LO: Brodie out again at two, and both women come up to their feet, and KATYA CATCHES HER COMING IN WITH A SMALL PACKAGE!
1...
2...
KO: Brodie back out at two, and they are getting two their feet...AND KATYA JUST DOVE TO THE SIDE PAST BRODIE AND LACED HER ARM THROUGH THE WOMAN'S LEGS AND DRAGS HER BACK INTO A SCHOOLBOY PIN!
1...
2...
Again Brodie kicks out, and rather than immediately coming back up to her feet quickly slides across the canvas over to her corner where she sits on her knee's and stares across the canvas to Katya Djurdjevic in disbelief. Just as she snarls and pushes up to her feet, she feels a tap on her shoulder, and she whirls around to see Chris Callum getting into the ring. At first it looks like there is going to be a confrontation, and on the outside of the ring Zack Burton and Alexis Terry bristle, but Callum speaks a word to Brodie, assuring her that "I've got this". Brodie's lip curls to respond, but then she abruptly turns and steps through the ropes to the apron, turning a baleful eye back towards Katya.
LO: Brodie didn't seem to appreciate being blind tagged, but she has stepped out onto the apron which is surprising really.....she's not usually the type to work well with others...
KO: Callum apparently has made an impression, as he now begins to circle with Katya...
Callum and Katya move to lock up in the center of the ring, but at the last second she side steps him and ends up behind him. He spins around and is peppered with three left jabs that send him begging off, while Katya drops back into a defensive stance. The fans cheer her efforts as Callum rubs his jaw, and his compatriots on the outside yell insults at his opponent. Callum smirks just before moving into lock up again, and again Katya manages to deftly dodge out of the way, and three peppering shots later, Callum is kicking the bottom rope to a jeering audience.
LO: Chris Callum starting to feel a little of Brodie's frustration as the upstart, Katya Djurdjevic, keeps the legend on his toes...
KO: She might be one step ahead of them right now, but I guarantee you, when they do get their hands on her...it's going to get nasty!
Callum and Katya circle one more time, but this time when Djurdjevic tries to cut left, Chris is there. So she cuts to the right, and again he cuts her off. The game of cat and mouse continues until Katya finds herself pressed all the way up against the turnbuckles of a neutral corner, and The Eternal beams an evin grin just before lunging to trap her. Katya suddenly dips forwards into a baseball slide that sees her slip right between Callum's legs, and as she scrambles to get back to her feet Chris turns around to find a Falling Drop Kick planted into his chest which slams him back into the corner. Katya is on him, desperately, leaping to the second ropes to straddle his chest, and then fires right hands down into his skull. The fans count along, but around six Callum brings both hands up to Djurdjevic's midsection and gives her a great shove that sends her crashing to the mat. She rolls with the momentum, however, ending up back on her feet, and she charges right in with a splash as he tries to get out of the corner.
LO: KATYA DJURDJEVIC IS ON FIRE AS SHE HOPS BACK UP TO THOSE ROPES, AND STARTS FIRING IN RIGHT HANDS ONCE AGAIN!
KO: Where the hell is she getting the energy, Laur? She's all over the place!
LO: She's got no other choice! It's either keep them off their balance or be eaten alive!
Callum shoves her back down again, but this time she goes with the push and lands on her feet in front of him as he uses the ropes to pull himself out to their center. Katya rushes back in on him with right hands, and then takes him by the wrist and whips him to the far side. Or she would have, if he didn't reverse it at the last minute, sending her instead. Just as she hits the ropes, Zack Burton reaches into the ring and catches her around the ankle, and she does a face plant down into the canvas. The crowd goes absolutely ballistic, nearly booing the man out of the building.
LO: WHAT A PIECE OF SHIT!
KO: Easy, Laur! That brute might here you!
LO: I don't care that he does. Katya Djurdjevic is already out here without a partner in a two on one situation thanks to these assholes, and now you add in the outside presence of Burton, Terry, and Aspen! It's complete bullshit!
KO: Maybe so, but it worked to slow her momentum...cause Chris Callum has her up on her feet, AND BIG RIGHT HAND LEVELS HER BACK DOWN TO THE CANVAS!
LO: And look at this smug prick....he's loving every minute of this misery he's created!
As Katya moves to rise up off the mat, Callum plants a nasty boot into the side of her head that pushes her back down. He along with the rest of the entourage laugh while Brodie watches on like a hawk, seething for her chance to get back into the ring. Katya moves to get back up again, and this time The Eternal assists her, taking her by the arm feeding it through her legs to deliver a ring rattling Pump Handle Slam. He looks into the camera as he uses his elbow to grind into her face and falls upon her for a cover.
1...
2...
LO: Katya with a kick out at two, and Callum doesn't seem concerned at all...pulling the woman to her feet, and SCOOP SLAMS her back down to the canvas in front of the nearby corner.
KO: Steps over her now, and hops up to the second turnbuckle, raises his fist, and drops forward so that his knuckles crack down into her forehead!
LO: Katya Djurdjevic has been effectively stopped here thanks to the outside interference, and.....Now what is he doing?
KO: He just picked her up and tossed her to the outside, and now he's got hold of the referee and is talking smack to Caputo....
LO: AND LOOK AT THIS! DURTON, TERRY, AND ASPEN CONVERGE ON KATYA LIKE A PACK OF WILD DOGS! THEY ARE STOMPING THE HELL OUT OF THE POOR WOMAN!
KO: I wouldn't say like dogs, but more like sharks who just got a taste of blood....just picking Djurdjevic apart before picking her up and tossing her back into the ring.
LO: OH, and how convenient....Callum just walked the referee back over and goes for a cover!
1...
2...
KO: THRE-NO! Djurdjevic kicks out at two and a half, and now Callum is dragging her up to her feet and SLAMS HER FACE FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLE OF HIS CORNER!
LO: And there's a tag to an eager Brodie!
Brodie slips quickly into the ring and grabs the top rope in front of Callum, opening up with mudhole like stomps that crush Katya into the turnbuckles. The stomps keep coming until Katya drops to a seated position on the mat, and Brodie takes a few steps back before rushing forwards to drive a knee right into her face. Katya clutches at her skull as Brodie pulls her up and out, wraps one arm around Katya's body, and then uses the other to lift her leg up from behind the knee. With a growl and a heave she sends Katya up and over out of the corner to fly across the ring with an Exploder Suplex, and the Moscow Native impacts and skids across the canvas. She reaches up to the nearby corner for a tag, out of it, but she's quickly reminded she is on her own when Brodie saddles in behind her with a Waistlock, and then snaps her backwards with a Bridging German Suplex!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! Katya just barely gets the shoulder up, and Brodie already has her up in a seated position and locks on a PERUVIAN NECKTIE!
KO: Man oh man...that is going to suck the air right out of Djurdjevic, and you know she's already tired being the sole member of her team in this contest...
Katya's shaky hand reaches out towards the ropes, but she might as well be miles away as Brodie viciously rag-dolls the woman a bit while cinching up even further. Slowly but surely she finds her forehead being forced into the mat while Brodie puts all of her weight onto the woman's shoulders to make it even harder to breath. The hand out in the air begins to waver, and after a few more moments drops lifelessly to the mat. Caputo drops down to check the woman, and getting no response, checks the arm which flops back down to the mat. She holds up her finger to signal one, and goes for another test, with much the same result. Now with two fingers in the air she lifts Katya's arm again, and just as it's about to hit the mat to signify the end of the match, it comes to a sudden halt. The arm begins to shake, and the hand balls into a fist, and the fans really begin to cheer to try and lend Djurdjevic some of their energy.
LO: Katya Djurdjevic has every reason to just end this thing, and yet she's struggling to make a comeback, and these fans are showing their appreciation for her fearlessness!
KO: Fearlessness? She's an idiot! She should live to fight another way, but instead she's going to force these guys to hurt her...
LO: Whatever, Ken. Katya is doing what she has to do to give hope to the masses, and now she's actually pushed Brodie up to her feet.....WAIT! DJURDJEVIC TURNS THE NECKTIE INTO A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX WITH A BRIDGE!
1...
2...
KO: THRE-NO! Brodie had to let go of the submission in order to kick out, but she's already making her way to her feet and cutting off the much slower moving Katya with a knee to the side of the head!
LO: She's just too spent to capitalize...God, I hate this...
KO: WELL IT MAY BE OVER SOON, CAUSE NOW BRODIE IS TRYING TO TIE HER UP IN THE FINALITY CROSSFACE!
Katya fights like hell to keep her arm from being put in the leg scissor, and she claws with her free hand to try and get towards the ropes. Brodie, seeing that she isn't going to get the submission this time, lets go and leaps to her feet, and starts laying the boots to The Straight Line Demon's skull. When Katya has quit moving again, Brodie yanks the woman up, and is completely surprised when Katya laces her fingers around the back of her head and then places her head under her jaw before abruptly dropping to her knees.
LO: JAWBREAKER CREATES SOME SEPARATION, BUT BRODIE DIDN'T GO DOWN!
KO: Nah, instead she fell back into the ropes and springs back, AND KATYA THROWS HER BOOT UP AND GRABS BRODIE'S WRIST....
LO: DEATHBLOW! Brodie just snapped down to the mat, and now both women are laid out in the center of the ring...
KO: Yeah, but Brodie has already rolled over onto her stomach and is crawling towards her corner where Callum is willing and ready...
LO: Katya's doing the same, but...she has no one to tag.....damn it, is there no justice in Valor Pro!
Just then 'Lifted' by CL hits over the PA System and Chris Callum, Alexis Terry, and Zack Burton's head snap up towards the entry way. The curtain bursts open and out steps Cosmo Cooper, ribs taped all the way up to under his chest, and a look of pure will and determination clear on his face. He hobbles more than walks down the ramp thanks to his injuries, but it's clear on his expression that he's here to fight!
LO: COSMO COOPER IS HERE, AND HE'S MAKING HIS WAY TO THE RING...BUT IS INTERCEPTED BY A LARIAT FROM ZACK BURTON!
KO: NO! COOPER DUCKED IT, BURTON SPINS AROUND....RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK!
LO: ONE DOWN, BUT HERE COMES ALEXIS TERRY WITH THOSE BRASS KNUCKS! SWINGING FOR THE FENCES!
KO: COOPER JUST DROPPED FLAT TO HIS STOMACH TO AVOID THE IMPACT, POPS UP, DISCUS FOREARM LAYS TERRY OUT!
Cooper stares at Chris Callum while breathing heavily, Burton and Terry writhing around on the steel ramp behind him. Suddenly Cosmo raises both fists out to his side, and lets out a roar to the heavens that the fans give right back to him, and he rushes the distance to the ring to leap up onto the apron. Just as he lands his hand flashes out to slap Katya's as she flops to the mat beside the corner, and Cosmo clears the ropes by vaulting right up and over. At the same time, on the other side of the ring, Brodie lunges to tag Callum, who quickly enters the ring and rushes right at Cosmo.
LO: COOPER AND CALLUM JUST MET CENTER OF THE RING WITH RIGHT HANDS A FLYING, AND THIS JAM PACKED ARENA IS BLOWING THE ROOF OFF THE PLACE!
KO: Cooper getting the better of the exchange, driving Callum back into the ropes just before grabbing his wrist and shooting him to the other side...
LO: Callum on his way back now...AND TORPEDO HEADBUTT FROM COSMO TAKES THE ETERNAL DOWN TO THE MAT WITH AUTHORITY!
KO: Cooper back on his feet, AND HERE COMES BRODIE, BUT HE SIDES STEPS HER AND SLAPS HER ON THE BACK AS SHE GOES BY...
LO: AND SHE RUNS HEADLONG INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE OF THE NEUTRAL CORNER!
Brodie drops to one knee, resting herself against the second turnbuckle as Callum moves to try and regain his feet after the devastating headbutt. Cooper rushes right for Brodie's back, leaps up to land with both feet on her shoulders, crushing her into the turnbuckle, while he pushes off into a springboard of sorts that catches Callum with a Flying Clothesline!
LO: GOD ALMIGHTY! COOPER IS UNSTOPPABLE! AND NOW ASPIN CHAUD IS ON THE RING APRON SCREAMING AT THE REFEREE...
KO: DON'T DO IT COOPER!
Cooper rushes for Callum's business associate and she drops down off the apron to safety as he swipes the air where she once stood. He spits to try and hit her but misses, and he talks some shit to her much to the fans delight. This is all the distraction The Eternal needed, however, and when Cooper turns back towards the ring Callum is there waiting to pop Cosmo up onto his chest, and then spins into a ring shattering result.
LO: SPIN OUT POWERBOMB FROM CALLUM JUST DROPPED COOPER, AND HE SLIDES FORWARD WHILE MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE LEGS FOR A PIN!
1...
2...
KO: THREE-KICK OUT! MY GOD! THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE MOST DRAMATIC KICK OUT I'VE EVER SEEN!
LO: Callum is up in the referee's face, and she is just trying to maintain some semblance of order out here...
Callum spits on the mat at the referee's feet and turns to pull Cosmo up off the canvas, but suddenly finds his hands knocked away and a hard chop fires into his chest. Callum falls back along the ropes, and Cosmo grabs his rib cage with one hand while the other slaps at the air to connect with another chop. The fans 'Woooo' as Cooper lights Callum up, and then takes him by the wrist and whips him to the far side. Callum bounces back and Cooper rushes out to meet him with a knee strike right under the chin that sends The Eternal slamming down to the mat. Cooper moves to try and follow up but is lambasted from behind by a recovered Brodie who drives forearms dead center of his taped midsection.
LO: Cooper recoiling from those shots but Brodie is holding him steady, and now the Apex drops to one knee....AND BRODIE HAS CONTROL OF THE ARM!
KO: Caputo is trying to get Brodie to let go and get out of the ring, but she's not having it...she has her prize and she won't let go!
LO: Cooper bucking and trying to get loose, BUT A KNEE TO THE GUT SENDS HIM THE REST OF THE WAY DOWN AND NOW HE'S IN THE FINALITY CROSSFACE!
Cooper cries out in pain as Brodie digs in with her heels to try and torque his neck right off of his shoulders. The referee continues to cry foul, but is nudged out of the way by Callum who steps over Cooper's lower half, grabs him by the legs, and hooks him into a deep Boston Crab at the same time Brodie works the crossface.
LO: ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME! THEY ARE TRYING TO LITERALLY TEAR THE APEX CHAMPION IN HALF!
KO: BRODIE WITH THE FINALITY, WHILE CALLUM LOCKS IN THE KING'S WRATH!!
LO: Cooper is on the edge of tapping here, AND WAIT! KATYA DJURDJEVIC IS BACK IN THE RING AND SHE JUST PERFORMED A DOUBLE STOMP ON BRODIE AND LAUNCHED HERSELF OFF THE WOMAN'S SHOULDER INTO A DOUBLE KNEE STRIKE TO CALLUM'S SPINE!
KO: AHH! SHE JUST RODE CALLUM ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE MAT WHERE HE STRIKES FACE FIRST!
Katya hops up but falls against the ropes, using them to prop her up as she looks haggard and tired. Cooper writhes across the mat as Brodie rolls to the outside, and the referee demands that Katya do the same. Djurdjevic nods, stepping out onto the apron, but extends the hand to a hurting Cosmo. Callum crawls on his belly in the direction of his corner, but as he gets closer he finally here's Aspen, whose been screaming that his partner isn't there. Hanging his head in disbelief he grabs for the ropes and starts to climb to his feet, turning to see Cooper working his way up to his. Cosmo looks up to see Callum, and even though it is obvious he should make a tag to Katya, rage washes through him, and instead he rushes right for The Eternal.
LO: Cooper charging in for a lariat, but Callum ducks and spins him around in his corner, opening up with right hands.
KO: WHAT THE HELL! BRODIE JUST LEAPED UP ONTO THE APRON AND SHE TAGGED HERSELF IN BY SLAPPING CHRIS ON THE CHEST! She comes into the ring with a fistful of Cooper's hair, tucks it under her arm and BULLDOG TO THE CHAMPION IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
LO: Callum doesn't look happy about that tag, but he's heeding the referee as she points him out of the ring, and now BRODIE GOING FOR THE CROSSFACE ONCE AGAIN!
KO: COOPER IS KICKING AND BUCKING....AND HE GOT LOOSE! Cooper getting to his feet and here comes Brodie...RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK!
Brodie hits the mat, and Callum winces, shaking his head in disbelief. He looks down to Aspen Chaud who shrugs her shoulders, and indicates Alexis Terry and Zack Burton are making their way back around to their side. Callum look back at the situation in the ring, and seeing Cooper signaling for the end throws his hands up and drops down from the ring apron.
LO: What the hell is Chris Callum doing?
KO: He's telling Terry and Burton to go back the way they came! What the hell!
LO: CHRIS CALLUM IS ABANDONING BRODIE! SHE KNEW SHE COULDN'T TRUST HIM, AND SHE WAS RIGHT!
KO: Brodie lifted up to her feet, and SIDE SLAM right down in front of their corner....and what the hell is Cooper doing?
LO: He just tagged in Katya, and thumbed for her to go to the top. My God! Could it be?
Katya climbs quickly to the top turnbuckle so that she's facing the crowd, and she hesitates for just a moment to look out at the crowd. They come to their feet in applause, and she nods, reassured, just before she takes flight into an imploder 450 splash down onto Brodie that shocks everyone.
KO: THUNDERING SKIES!
LO: KATYA DJURDJEVIC JUST DELIVERED HER PREMIER FINISHER SHE'S BEEN SAVING FOR MONTHS, AND NOW HOOKS BRODIE'S LEG FOR THE PIN!
1...
2...
3!!!
Katya gets to her feet clutching her midsection thanks to the impact of her finisher, but she's all smiles as the fans cheer. Chris Callum, Aspen Chaud, Alexis Terry, and Zack Burton watch from about halfway up the ramp, The Eternal at their center, and he claps mockingly, drawing some of those cheers into boo's in his direction. Cooper stares out at Callum with a grin as he lifts Katya's arm overhead in victory, waiting for the inevitable announcement.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winners of this match via pinfall.....KATYA DJURDJEVIC AND COSMO COOPER!!
LO: Well Chris Callum doesn't look like he's either surprised or cares, and why should he? He all but abandoned Brodie to take the fall, and I'm not so sure that this wasn't all just more of his mind games to try and mess with Cooper's head!
KO: Well whatever it was, at the end of the day this will go down as a victory for Djurdjevic and Cooper, so I'm not sure what the strategy was here. Not to mention, I doubt Brodie is going to be happy when she see's this footage back. At any time Callum and Company could have interfered to save this match, but they just walked out on her!
LO: Well, the outsiders have numbers, and its obvious they don't give a damn about any of the established talent here in Valor Pro. It's all about Cosmo Cooper in Callum's mind.
Just then a heavy guitar riff cuts through the celebration inside of the ring, and draws the attention of all of those who had just competed in the main event to the top of the entrance ramp. The gravely voice and hard edge of Pantera’s “War Nerve” reverberate around the arena as the crowd watches on, uncertain and unfamiliar with the music and who its linked to. Moments later the arena is plunged into complete darkness drawing cries of uncertainty from the crowd in the moment that the voice of the songs lead singer intimates that “Nothing is worth the sleep that I’ve lost, apologies are unacceptable now, a blistered revenge awaits in me. This is fucking loveless.” And then the music cuts off and, much like the darkness the arena had been plunged into, silence switfly follows.
It hangs on the air for long moments before, finally, the top of the ramp becomes bathed in bright white light as does the ring that holds Katya & Cosmo, while Callum & Company stand halfway up the ramp staring up. Standing at the top with a microphone in hand is none other than the UnYielding Champion, Danny Rizzo, flanked by the ever present Kaven Drell who stares at those in the ring with complete and utter disdain. As the two stare, the crowd anticipates it being Danny who was going to speak but instead Kaven steps forward and begins, raising the microphone that he held in his hands to his lips.
KAVEN DRELL: Ah, yes. The chosen four. Brodie. Chris Callum. Katya Djurdevic and Cosmo Cooper. And oh, for an honorable mention, the flunkies...
Drell signals to Aspin Chaud, Alexis Terry, and Zack Burton. Burton and Terry bristle, but Callum rests a reassuring hand on either shoulder to settle them down. Drell looks disgusted at the display before continuing.
KAVEN DRELL: How shocking that those with the silver spoon in their mouths should once again devour the spotlight while my friend, Daniel, continues to carry this company upon his back week in and week out. Oh yes yes, all four elements are here. Brodie, the rebellious one. Fighting authority. Fighting the man, one Steven King novel at a time. Chris Callum, the aging star that the fans want to say they were able to see one last time before he finally faded into obscurity. Katya Djurdevic, the plucky rookie with the tits and ass to draw in all the horny young men. And Cosmo Cooper, the chosen one. The Jesus Christ himself of professional wrestling. The one ACTUAL messiah. The Apex. The… man child.
Snickering to himself, Drell takes a few steps toward the ring.
KAVEN DRELL: Oh I have so much to say to the four of you. But tonight. This night. It’s not about what Kaven Drell wants. Tonight is about the UnYielding Champion. Tonight is about his eyes finally being opened fully to the truth of who and what it is that stands before him. Tonight, you all sit and listen as he takes the spotlight from you.
Rizzo, patiently waiting and listening, nods as Drell directs the attention of the world toward him. Long moments of silence fall over the arena as Rizzo stares directly down toward the ring, his eyes focused on none of them in particular but all of them as a whole.
DANNY RIZZO: You know, for the past two weeks I have been going back and forth inside my head over what happened at the conclusion of my match at Rite of Kings. I’ve been beating myself up over it, even though it was what I had to do. It was what needed done. I still felt badly about it. But then Kaven here reminded me of something you said, Katya, that night before our match. That it was time for me to pass the crown to you. And, you see, that’s the problem right there? I’m sitting here struggling with guilt over what I did to someone who expects things to be handed to her. To be passed to her. Someone who doesn’t actually want to put in the work that’s required. And I’ll tell you what, it makes me sick to my stomach.
The crowd, still unsure of Rizzo’s intentions but still not pleased with him, buzzes with a smattering of boos here and there.
DANNY RIZZO: Here’s the simple facts, Katya, You weren’t good enough to beat me. You never have been good enough to beat me. You were never going to take my UnYielding Championship from me. Not then. Not now. Not at any time in the future. And I will be here every step of the way to remind you of that fact. But you know, you’re not even the worst of the bunch.
Raising his index finger, Rizzo points at Katya for a moment before shifting the direction of his index finger to point squarely at Cosmo.
DANNY RIZZO: Instead, it’s you, Cosmo. Imagine having your whole life handed to you on a silver platter and not knowing how to turn to that man right there..
Rizzo stopped and pointed squarely at Chris Callum before focusing on Cosmo once more.
DANNY RIZZO: And say THANK YOU. Thank you for giving me everything I’ve ever wanted. Oh, sure, you’ve gone out and you’ve wrestled all around the world but if it wasn’t for Chris Callum nobody would know who the hell Cosmo Cooper was. There would be no Cosmo Cooper and Riley Savell. There never would have been any LeeMo. The Apex would be nothing more than a bagger at some grocery store in a podunk backwoods town that nobody gives a damn about.
Intensity picks up in his words as he takes a few steps forward toward the ring, coming to stand right beside Drell.
DANNY RIZZO: You’re spoiled. Even now you think you have a right to anything and everything you want. What? You think the world didn’t notice it? You think nobody saw the moment Riley tossed you aside for a day or two that you turned and started screwing with Leela’s emotions again? What’s the matter, Cos? Afraid someone else was going to pick up the toy you tossed aside? You can’t handle the idea of people not needing you. You can’t handle the idea of people not wanting you. You can’t handle the idea of people not feeding into your ego. And you know, it’s not all your fault. Vanessa Byrne feeds it just like nearly the whole damn wrestling business feeds it. Hanging onto your every word.
Almost to the point of seething, Danny froths at the mouth. Months upon months of perceived slights and very real attacks upon his person have brought him to this moment. This breaking point.
DANNY RIZZO: I don’t care what happens when you and Chris face each other for that Apex championship. I’m done standing aside for others. I’m finished taking a back seat to those that Vanessa wants to spoon feed. Whether you have the championship or not, it matters little. I’m taking the spotlight, by force if I have to. And when you and I finally stand face to face in that ring, Cosmo, the world will see just how quickly The Apex crumbles when the UnYielding one stands in his path.
Beside him, Kaven Drell rummages in his pocket and soon retrieves what he’s been looking for, plucking a matchbook out and holding it up. It doesn’t take long for him to pull a match out and strike it, holding it up as the tiny flame flickers in the air. With his other hand, Drell raises the microphone to his lips.
KAVEN DRELL: See how great a forest a little fire kindles? Let. It. Burn.
Tossing the microphone to the side, as soon as it hits the ground with a thud the whole arena becomes shrouded in darkness. Moments pass and when the lights come back on Drell and Rizzo are nowhere to be found. Callum smirks as he turns over his shoulder to look back at Cosmo and Katya, their victory party stamped out in the face of Rizzo's words. He shrugs just before directing traffic, and the quartet shuffle up the ramp through the curtain dripping in satisfaction. Cooper shakes his head, and says something to Katya that gets her attention, and she lifts his chin and says 'No' in her own way. He gives her a half grin and nods, and the two take turnbuckles to throw their fists in the air and the bring the fans up again after being dragged down. On the outside Brodie sits against the guardrail, having rolled out of the ring at some point, and one hate filled eye stares past Cooper for the first time in a long time, and right at Katya Djurdjevic. Then the camera suddenly pans to the back.
'Villain' by Skarlett Riot hits over the PA System and the fans immediately turn to boos as Chris Callum pushes through the curtain followed by Aspen Chaud carrying a sign that she holds up that says 'Cosmo Cooper's Daddy'. Aspen is flanked on either side by Alexis Terry and Zack Burton, Alexis still carrying the steel chair she used to waylay Cooper at the start of the show. Callum comes to a stop at the top of the ramp to take in the reaction from the crowd while Aspen holds the sign up over his head. Burton and Terry pause on either side of him, exchanging a knowing glance just as Callum smirks and starts his way down the ramp while being jeered by the booing audience.
RING ANNOUNCER: introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Aspen Chaud, Zack Burton, and Alexis Terry, standing at six foot and weighting in at 180 pounds, hailing from Berkley, California....He is the winner of the Rite of Kings Battle Royal in his debut match, and the #1 Contender to the Apex Championship....THE ETERNAL, CHRIS CALLUMMMM!!
Chris hops up on the apron and enters the ring as Aspen parades the sign up and down ringside. Alexis and Zack hop up on the ring apron and enter behind him, while The Eternal beams a grin out at the crowd, pointing at the sign which only causes an even louder detraction, before waving off the fans as if they don't matter and dropping down to a knee in the far corner to confer with Aspen. Zack Burton slips out of the ring to stand near the corner, arms crossed, while Alexis continues to talk junk to the crowd before slipping out to join him.
LO: Chris Callum had what may be considered the most triumphant debut in this companies history, next to only Cosmo Cooper's, when he singlehandedly stormed into the Rite of Kings Battle Royal and outlasted sixteen other competitors to win the whole thing and earn himself a title shot all in one night.
KO: Not only that, but he declared war earlier tonight when Zack Burton and Alexis Terry were introduced and all but took out the Apex Champion...
LO: This is a man who had a plan, claiming that CWC is where all of these stars became famous, and then they abandoned him to great stardom and tried to leave him in the lurch...I guess Terry and Burton are two that are still on Callum's good side.
KO: Damn right, and he isn't wrong either...and you couldn't ask for better back up, as we saw earlier tonight!
LO: All I saw tonight was a sneak attack that very well may have removed the champion from this match...
KO: Hey, all's fair in love and war, and Chris Callum has declared war on these ungrateful cucks!
LO: Regardless of some people's beliefs, Cooper has done nothing but prove every single time he's booked why he's the Apex, and he did that without Chris Callum's help...
The debate can't continue as it's interrupted by the sudden sounds of 'Prototype' by Viktoria Modesta thrumming through the arena. While the lights flash all over the entrance, Brodie appears on a foggy stage, her head staring at the ground as she stalks back and forth along it's length. Finally she comes to a stop, eye-patch glittering in the lights, and her head slowly turns to where she now see's the ring. With a roar she snaps in that direction and begins power walking down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: and introducing his partner, standing at five foot eleven and weighting in at 150 pounds, hailing from Manhattan, New York.....she is THE SUBMISSION MACHINE, BRODDIIEEE!!
Brodie reaches ringside and peels around to climb the stairs, peeling out of her recognizable leather jacket as she goes to enter the ring clean. She stalks to the center of the ring where she pauses to stare at Chris Callum and his entourage, who watch on in interest as Aspen gives him some warning from the floor. After a moment Brodie knocks her head from side to side, and then steps over to the ropes and begins stretching herself out.
LO: Brodie is coming off the back of an epic Main Event for the Apex Championship, and you know she has to be disappointed by the outcome...
KO: I think she's more disappointed in the fact that she didn't take Cosmo's prize more so than she is about losing the match, but yeah....she looks determined to do her worst here tonight.
LO: From what we heard earlier, her sole purpose is to cause suffering to Cooper, and he's not even going to be in this contest now thanks to Callum...
KO: Yeah, and she didn't seem to happy with that outcome either. Callum & Company may want to watch their back when messing with The Submission Machine's prey...
LO: More than that, Callum all but told Brodie she's not in his league. That isn't the way anyone should start a partnership, thus the separation between the two already being apparent here in the ring...
KO: I guess Chris figures with Cooper out of the equation, he doesn't have much to worry about so why play into Brodie at all. I mean, this is essentially a handicap match against a rookie....
Speaking of the rookie, the lights dim and purple bulbs flash as "Warriors" by Papa Roach hit's over the PA System. When the lights come back to full Katya Durdjevic is standing center stage, but she isn't her usually excited self as she stares down at the ring at what could spell her impending doom. She shakes her head nervously just before taking her first steps down the ramp towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: And introducing their opponents, standing at five foot nine and weighing in at 126 pounds, hailing from Moscow, Russia...She is The Straight Line Demon.....KATYA DURDJEVICCCC!!!!
Katya reaches ringside, and with a stutter step leaps to the ring apron, grips the top rope, and then vaults herself over it and into the ring. She immediately has to put on the brakes as Brodie makes a B-line straight for her, the referee having to cut her off at the pass or start this match at a disadvantage. Brodie spits venom as she steps back closer to her corner, and Chris Callum gives his compatriots a knowing look behind her back followed by a smirk. Katya, realizing the danger she's in, simply backs into the opposite corner and keeps her eyes peeled.
LO: Brodie just about got the jump on Katya if it hadn't been for Carmen Caputo..as if they need any further advantage...
KO: Yeah, and did you see that look between Callum and Aspen....they know she's crazy, and that is what they were banking on!
LO: Katya Djurdjevic is showing tremendous spirit and bravery for even agreeing to continue this match considering Cooper won't be alongside her in this contest.
KO: Some people would call it bravery, but I'd call it rookie stupidity. Katya believes she owes these fans something, and is going to get hurt in the process of trying to give it to them...
LO: Well despite her not having a partner, Chris Callum and Brodie still have to tag in and out, and maybe she'll be able to keep them off balance long enough to pull out a miracle.
KO: Do you really believe that, Laur? I mean....the deck is way stacked when you think about Aspen, Alexis, and Zack also being on the outside...
LO: Yeah, it seem's hopeless....but you gotta believe that Djurdjevic has a plan if she's going to show up out here at all...
The bell sounds and Brodie shoots Callum a dangerous glance. The Eternal just chuckles as he steps through the ropes to the apron and indicates the ring is hers. The Submission Machine turns her cyclops gaze onto Katya, who looks justifiably nervous as Terry and Burton walk along opposite sides of the ring and bark disparaging remarks in her direction.
LO: As if they needed them, the mind games have already begun as Brodie and Katya begin to circle....WAIT! BRODIE JUST CHARGED FORWARD ON KATYA....AND WALKS INTO AN ARM DRAG!
KO: Brodie back up and FEEDS RIGHT BACK INTO ANOTHER!
LO: Brodie up a third time and charges in for a lariat, but Katya ducks under it and she continues on to the ropes...Rebounds back now...
KO: HIGH STANDING DROPKICK FROM DJURDEJEVIC SENDS HER CRASHING TO THE MAT!
LO: Brodie a little slower up to her feet this time, and Katya comes in with right hands that drive her into the ropes.....grabs her by the wrist and shoots her to the opposite side...NO! REVERSAL!
KO: Katya rebounds off the ropes and Brodie steps to the center to meet her...AND A HIGH CROSS BODY FROM KATYA CRUSHES BRODIE DOWN TO THE MAT, AND DJURDJEVIC REMAINS ON TOP FOR A COVER!
1...
2...
LO: Kick Out by Brodie at two, and both women flash up to their feet....Katya with a boot to Brodie's midsection doubles her over, and now DJURDJEVIC FOR A FAMASSER!
KO: NO! Brodie lifts up abruptly causing Katya to cut a back flip, but she lands safely on her feet....Here comes Brodie with a short arm clothesline...NO! KATYA DUCKS IT AND HOOKS THE ARM AS SHE GOES....SWINGS UP TO GRAPEVINE THE OTHER, AND DRAGS BRODIE DOWN INTO A CRUCIFIX PIN!
1...
2...
LO: Brodie out again at two, and both women come up to their feet, and KATYA CATCHES HER COMING IN WITH A SMALL PACKAGE!
1...
2...
KO: Brodie back out at two, and they are getting two their feet...AND KATYA JUST DOVE TO THE SIDE PAST BRODIE AND LACED HER ARM THROUGH THE WOMAN'S LEGS AND DRAGS HER BACK INTO A SCHOOLBOY PIN!
1...
2...
Again Brodie kicks out, and rather than immediately coming back up to her feet quickly slides across the canvas over to her corner where she sits on her knee's and stares across the canvas to Katya Djurdjevic in disbelief. Just as she snarls and pushes up to her feet, she feels a tap on her shoulder, and she whirls around to see Chris Callum getting into the ring. At first it looks like there is going to be a confrontation, and on the outside of the ring Zack Burton and Alexis Terry bristle, but Callum speaks a word to Brodie, assuring her that "I've got this". Brodie's lip curls to respond, but then she abruptly turns and steps through the ropes to the apron, turning a baleful eye back towards Katya.
LO: Brodie didn't seem to appreciate being blind tagged, but she has stepped out onto the apron which is surprising really.....she's not usually the type to work well with others...
KO: Callum apparently has made an impression, as he now begins to circle with Katya...
Callum and Katya move to lock up in the center of the ring, but at the last second she side steps him and ends up behind him. He spins around and is peppered with three left jabs that send him begging off, while Katya drops back into a defensive stance. The fans cheer her efforts as Callum rubs his jaw, and his compatriots on the outside yell insults at his opponent. Callum smirks just before moving into lock up again, and again Katya manages to deftly dodge out of the way, and three peppering shots later, Callum is kicking the bottom rope to a jeering audience.
LO: Chris Callum starting to feel a little of Brodie's frustration as the upstart, Katya Djurdjevic, keeps the legend on his toes...
KO: She might be one step ahead of them right now, but I guarantee you, when they do get their hands on her...it's going to get nasty!
Callum and Katya circle one more time, but this time when Djurdjevic tries to cut left, Chris is there. So she cuts to the right, and again he cuts her off. The game of cat and mouse continues until Katya finds herself pressed all the way up against the turnbuckles of a neutral corner, and The Eternal beams an evin grin just before lunging to trap her. Katya suddenly dips forwards into a baseball slide that sees her slip right between Callum's legs, and as she scrambles to get back to her feet Chris turns around to find a Falling Drop Kick planted into his chest which slams him back into the corner. Katya is on him, desperately, leaping to the second ropes to straddle his chest, and then fires right hands down into his skull. The fans count along, but around six Callum brings both hands up to Djurdjevic's midsection and gives her a great shove that sends her crashing to the mat. She rolls with the momentum, however, ending up back on her feet, and she charges right in with a splash as he tries to get out of the corner.
LO: KATYA DJURDJEVIC IS ON FIRE AS SHE HOPS BACK UP TO THOSE ROPES, AND STARTS FIRING IN RIGHT HANDS ONCE AGAIN!
KO: Where the hell is she getting the energy, Laur? She's all over the place!
LO: She's got no other choice! It's either keep them off their balance or be eaten alive!
Callum shoves her back down again, but this time she goes with the push and lands on her feet in front of him as he uses the ropes to pull himself out to their center. Katya rushes back in on him with right hands, and then takes him by the wrist and whips him to the far side. Or she would have, if he didn't reverse it at the last minute, sending her instead. Just as she hits the ropes, Zack Burton reaches into the ring and catches her around the ankle, and she does a face plant down into the canvas. The crowd goes absolutely ballistic, nearly booing the man out of the building.
LO: WHAT A PIECE OF SHIT!
KO: Easy, Laur! That brute might here you!
LO: I don't care that he does. Katya Djurdjevic is already out here without a partner in a two on one situation thanks to these assholes, and now you add in the outside presence of Burton, Terry, and Aspen! It's complete bullshit!
KO: Maybe so, but it worked to slow her momentum...cause Chris Callum has her up on her feet, AND BIG RIGHT HAND LEVELS HER BACK DOWN TO THE CANVAS!
LO: And look at this smug prick....he's loving every minute of this misery he's created!
As Katya moves to rise up off the mat, Callum plants a nasty boot into the side of her head that pushes her back down. He along with the rest of the entourage laugh while Brodie watches on like a hawk, seething for her chance to get back into the ring. Katya moves to get back up again, and this time The Eternal assists her, taking her by the arm feeding it through her legs to deliver a ring rattling Pump Handle Slam. He looks into the camera as he uses his elbow to grind into her face and falls upon her for a cover.
1...
2...
LO: Katya with a kick out at two, and Callum doesn't seem concerned at all...pulling the woman to her feet, and SCOOP SLAMS her back down to the canvas in front of the nearby corner.
KO: Steps over her now, and hops up to the second turnbuckle, raises his fist, and drops forward so that his knuckles crack down into her forehead!
LO: Katya Djurdjevic has been effectively stopped here thanks to the outside interference, and.....Now what is he doing?
KO: He just picked her up and tossed her to the outside, and now he's got hold of the referee and is talking smack to Caputo....
LO: AND LOOK AT THIS! DURTON, TERRY, AND ASPEN CONVERGE ON KATYA LIKE A PACK OF WILD DOGS! THEY ARE STOMPING THE HELL OUT OF THE POOR WOMAN!
KO: I wouldn't say like dogs, but more like sharks who just got a taste of blood....just picking Djurdjevic apart before picking her up and tossing her back into the ring.
LO: OH, and how convenient....Callum just walked the referee back over and goes for a cover!
1...
2...
KO: THRE-NO! Djurdjevic kicks out at two and a half, and now Callum is dragging her up to her feet and SLAMS HER FACE FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLE OF HIS CORNER!
LO: And there's a tag to an eager Brodie!
Brodie slips quickly into the ring and grabs the top rope in front of Callum, opening up with mudhole like stomps that crush Katya into the turnbuckles. The stomps keep coming until Katya drops to a seated position on the mat, and Brodie takes a few steps back before rushing forwards to drive a knee right into her face. Katya clutches at her skull as Brodie pulls her up and out, wraps one arm around Katya's body, and then uses the other to lift her leg up from behind the knee. With a growl and a heave she sends Katya up and over out of the corner to fly across the ring with an Exploder Suplex, and the Moscow Native impacts and skids across the canvas. She reaches up to the nearby corner for a tag, out of it, but she's quickly reminded she is on her own when Brodie saddles in behind her with a Waistlock, and then snaps her backwards with a Bridging German Suplex!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! Katya just barely gets the shoulder up, and Brodie already has her up in a seated position and locks on a PERUVIAN NECKTIE!
KO: Man oh man...that is going to suck the air right out of Djurdjevic, and you know she's already tired being the sole member of her team in this contest...
Katya's shaky hand reaches out towards the ropes, but she might as well be miles away as Brodie viciously rag-dolls the woman a bit while cinching up even further. Slowly but surely she finds her forehead being forced into the mat while Brodie puts all of her weight onto the woman's shoulders to make it even harder to breath. The hand out in the air begins to waver, and after a few more moments drops lifelessly to the mat. Caputo drops down to check the woman, and getting no response, checks the arm which flops back down to the mat. She holds up her finger to signal one, and goes for another test, with much the same result. Now with two fingers in the air she lifts Katya's arm again, and just as it's about to hit the mat to signify the end of the match, it comes to a sudden halt. The arm begins to shake, and the hand balls into a fist, and the fans really begin to cheer to try and lend Djurdjevic some of their energy.
LO: Katya Djurdjevic has every reason to just end this thing, and yet she's struggling to make a comeback, and these fans are showing their appreciation for her fearlessness!
KO: Fearlessness? She's an idiot! She should live to fight another way, but instead she's going to force these guys to hurt her...
LO: Whatever, Ken. Katya is doing what she has to do to give hope to the masses, and now she's actually pushed Brodie up to her feet.....WAIT! DJURDJEVIC TURNS THE NECKTIE INTO A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX WITH A BRIDGE!
1...
2...
KO: THRE-NO! Brodie had to let go of the submission in order to kick out, but she's already making her way to her feet and cutting off the much slower moving Katya with a knee to the side of the head!
LO: She's just too spent to capitalize...God, I hate this...
KO: WELL IT MAY BE OVER SOON, CAUSE NOW BRODIE IS TRYING TO TIE HER UP IN THE FINALITY CROSSFACE!
Katya fights like hell to keep her arm from being put in the leg scissor, and she claws with her free hand to try and get towards the ropes. Brodie, seeing that she isn't going to get the submission this time, lets go and leaps to her feet, and starts laying the boots to The Straight Line Demon's skull. When Katya has quit moving again, Brodie yanks the woman up, and is completely surprised when Katya laces her fingers around the back of her head and then places her head under her jaw before abruptly dropping to her knees.
LO: JAWBREAKER CREATES SOME SEPARATION, BUT BRODIE DIDN'T GO DOWN!
KO: Nah, instead she fell back into the ropes and springs back, AND KATYA THROWS HER BOOT UP AND GRABS BRODIE'S WRIST....
LO: DEATHBLOW! Brodie just snapped down to the mat, and now both women are laid out in the center of the ring...
KO: Yeah, but Brodie has already rolled over onto her stomach and is crawling towards her corner where Callum is willing and ready...
LO: Katya's doing the same, but...she has no one to tag.....damn it, is there no justice in Valor Pro!
Just then 'Lifted' by CL hits over the PA System and Chris Callum, Alexis Terry, and Zack Burton's head snap up towards the entry way. The curtain bursts open and out steps Cosmo Cooper, ribs taped all the way up to under his chest, and a look of pure will and determination clear on his face. He hobbles more than walks down the ramp thanks to his injuries, but it's clear on his expression that he's here to fight!
LO: COSMO COOPER IS HERE, AND HE'S MAKING HIS WAY TO THE RING...BUT IS INTERCEPTED BY A LARIAT FROM ZACK BURTON!
KO: NO! COOPER DUCKED IT, BURTON SPINS AROUND....RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK!
LO: ONE DOWN, BUT HERE COMES ALEXIS TERRY WITH THOSE BRASS KNUCKS! SWINGING FOR THE FENCES!
KO: COOPER JUST DROPPED FLAT TO HIS STOMACH TO AVOID THE IMPACT, POPS UP, DISCUS FOREARM LAYS TERRY OUT!
Cooper stares at Chris Callum while breathing heavily, Burton and Terry writhing around on the steel ramp behind him. Suddenly Cosmo raises both fists out to his side, and lets out a roar to the heavens that the fans give right back to him, and he rushes the distance to the ring to leap up onto the apron. Just as he lands his hand flashes out to slap Katya's as she flops to the mat beside the corner, and Cosmo clears the ropes by vaulting right up and over. At the same time, on the other side of the ring, Brodie lunges to tag Callum, who quickly enters the ring and rushes right at Cosmo.
LO: COOPER AND CALLUM JUST MET CENTER OF THE RING WITH RIGHT HANDS A FLYING, AND THIS JAM PACKED ARENA IS BLOWING THE ROOF OFF THE PLACE!
KO: Cooper getting the better of the exchange, driving Callum back into the ropes just before grabbing his wrist and shooting him to the other side...
LO: Callum on his way back now...AND TORPEDO HEADBUTT FROM COSMO TAKES THE ETERNAL DOWN TO THE MAT WITH AUTHORITY!
KO: Cooper back on his feet, AND HERE COMES BRODIE, BUT HE SIDES STEPS HER AND SLAPS HER ON THE BACK AS SHE GOES BY...
LO: AND SHE RUNS HEADLONG INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE OF THE NEUTRAL CORNER!
Brodie drops to one knee, resting herself against the second turnbuckle as Callum moves to try and regain his feet after the devastating headbutt. Cooper rushes right for Brodie's back, leaps up to land with both feet on her shoulders, crushing her into the turnbuckle, while he pushes off into a springboard of sorts that catches Callum with a Flying Clothesline!
LO: GOD ALMIGHTY! COOPER IS UNSTOPPABLE! AND NOW ASPIN CHAUD IS ON THE RING APRON SCREAMING AT THE REFEREE...
KO: DON'T DO IT COOPER!
Cooper rushes for Callum's business associate and she drops down off the apron to safety as he swipes the air where she once stood. He spits to try and hit her but misses, and he talks some shit to her much to the fans delight. This is all the distraction The Eternal needed, however, and when Cooper turns back towards the ring Callum is there waiting to pop Cosmo up onto his chest, and then spins into a ring shattering result.
LO: SPIN OUT POWERBOMB FROM CALLUM JUST DROPPED COOPER, AND HE SLIDES FORWARD WHILE MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE LEGS FOR A PIN!
1...
2...
KO: THREE-KICK OUT! MY GOD! THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE MOST DRAMATIC KICK OUT I'VE EVER SEEN!
LO: Callum is up in the referee's face, and she is just trying to maintain some semblance of order out here...
Callum spits on the mat at the referee's feet and turns to pull Cosmo up off the canvas, but suddenly finds his hands knocked away and a hard chop fires into his chest. Callum falls back along the ropes, and Cosmo grabs his rib cage with one hand while the other slaps at the air to connect with another chop. The fans 'Woooo' as Cooper lights Callum up, and then takes him by the wrist and whips him to the far side. Callum bounces back and Cooper rushes out to meet him with a knee strike right under the chin that sends The Eternal slamming down to the mat. Cooper moves to try and follow up but is lambasted from behind by a recovered Brodie who drives forearms dead center of his taped midsection.
LO: Cooper recoiling from those shots but Brodie is holding him steady, and now the Apex drops to one knee....AND BRODIE HAS CONTROL OF THE ARM!
KO: Caputo is trying to get Brodie to let go and get out of the ring, but she's not having it...she has her prize and she won't let go!
LO: Cooper bucking and trying to get loose, BUT A KNEE TO THE GUT SENDS HIM THE REST OF THE WAY DOWN AND NOW HE'S IN THE FINALITY CROSSFACE!
Cooper cries out in pain as Brodie digs in with her heels to try and torque his neck right off of his shoulders. The referee continues to cry foul, but is nudged out of the way by Callum who steps over Cooper's lower half, grabs him by the legs, and hooks him into a deep Boston Crab at the same time Brodie works the crossface.
LO: ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME! THEY ARE TRYING TO LITERALLY TEAR THE APEX CHAMPION IN HALF!
KO: BRODIE WITH THE FINALITY, WHILE CALLUM LOCKS IN THE KING'S WRATH!!
LO: Cooper is on the edge of tapping here, AND WAIT! KATYA DJURDJEVIC IS BACK IN THE RING AND SHE JUST PERFORMED A DOUBLE STOMP ON BRODIE AND LAUNCHED HERSELF OFF THE WOMAN'S SHOULDER INTO A DOUBLE KNEE STRIKE TO CALLUM'S SPINE!
KO: AHH! SHE JUST RODE CALLUM ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE MAT WHERE HE STRIKES FACE FIRST!
Katya hops up but falls against the ropes, using them to prop her up as she looks haggard and tired. Cooper writhes across the mat as Brodie rolls to the outside, and the referee demands that Katya do the same. Djurdjevic nods, stepping out onto the apron, but extends the hand to a hurting Cosmo. Callum crawls on his belly in the direction of his corner, but as he gets closer he finally here's Aspen, whose been screaming that his partner isn't there. Hanging his head in disbelief he grabs for the ropes and starts to climb to his feet, turning to see Cooper working his way up to his. Cosmo looks up to see Callum, and even though it is obvious he should make a tag to Katya, rage washes through him, and instead he rushes right for The Eternal.
LO: Cooper charging in for a lariat, but Callum ducks and spins him around in his corner, opening up with right hands.
KO: WHAT THE HELL! BRODIE JUST LEAPED UP ONTO THE APRON AND SHE TAGGED HERSELF IN BY SLAPPING CHRIS ON THE CHEST! She comes into the ring with a fistful of Cooper's hair, tucks it under her arm and BULLDOG TO THE CHAMPION IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
LO: Callum doesn't look happy about that tag, but he's heeding the referee as she points him out of the ring, and now BRODIE GOING FOR THE CROSSFACE ONCE AGAIN!
KO: COOPER IS KICKING AND BUCKING....AND HE GOT LOOSE! Cooper getting to his feet and here comes Brodie...RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK!
Brodie hits the mat, and Callum winces, shaking his head in disbelief. He looks down to Aspen Chaud who shrugs her shoulders, and indicates Alexis Terry and Zack Burton are making their way back around to their side. Callum look back at the situation in the ring, and seeing Cooper signaling for the end throws his hands up and drops down from the ring apron.
LO: What the hell is Chris Callum doing?
KO: He's telling Terry and Burton to go back the way they came! What the hell!
LO: CHRIS CALLUM IS ABANDONING BRODIE! SHE KNEW SHE COULDN'T TRUST HIM, AND SHE WAS RIGHT!
KO: Brodie lifted up to her feet, and SIDE SLAM right down in front of their corner....and what the hell is Cooper doing?
LO: He just tagged in Katya, and thumbed for her to go to the top. My God! Could it be?
Katya climbs quickly to the top turnbuckle so that she's facing the crowd, and she hesitates for just a moment to look out at the crowd. They come to their feet in applause, and she nods, reassured, just before she takes flight into an imploder 450 splash down onto Brodie that shocks everyone.
KO: THUNDERING SKIES!
LO: KATYA DJURDJEVIC JUST DELIVERED HER PREMIER FINISHER SHE'S BEEN SAVING FOR MONTHS, AND NOW HOOKS BRODIE'S LEG FOR THE PIN!
1...
2...
3!!!
Katya gets to her feet clutching her midsection thanks to the impact of her finisher, but she's all smiles as the fans cheer. Chris Callum, Aspen Chaud, Alexis Terry, and Zack Burton watch from about halfway up the ramp, The Eternal at their center, and he claps mockingly, drawing some of those cheers into boo's in his direction. Cooper stares out at Callum with a grin as he lifts Katya's arm overhead in victory, waiting for the inevitable announcement.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winners of this match via pinfall.....KATYA DJURDJEVIC AND COSMO COOPER!!
LO: Well Chris Callum doesn't look like he's either surprised or cares, and why should he? He all but abandoned Brodie to take the fall, and I'm not so sure that this wasn't all just more of his mind games to try and mess with Cooper's head!
KO: Well whatever it was, at the end of the day this will go down as a victory for Djurdjevic and Cooper, so I'm not sure what the strategy was here. Not to mention, I doubt Brodie is going to be happy when she see's this footage back. At any time Callum and Company could have interfered to save this match, but they just walked out on her!
LO: Well, the outsiders have numbers, and its obvious they don't give a damn about any of the established talent here in Valor Pro. It's all about Cosmo Cooper in Callum's mind.
Just then a heavy guitar riff cuts through the celebration inside of the ring, and draws the attention of all of those who had just competed in the main event to the top of the entrance ramp. The gravely voice and hard edge of Pantera’s “War Nerve” reverberate around the arena as the crowd watches on, uncertain and unfamiliar with the music and who its linked to. Moments later the arena is plunged into complete darkness drawing cries of uncertainty from the crowd in the moment that the voice of the songs lead singer intimates that “Nothing is worth the sleep that I’ve lost, apologies are unacceptable now, a blistered revenge awaits in me. This is fucking loveless.” And then the music cuts off and, much like the darkness the arena had been plunged into, silence switfly follows.
It hangs on the air for long moments before, finally, the top of the ramp becomes bathed in bright white light as does the ring that holds Katya & Cosmo, while Callum & Company stand halfway up the ramp staring up. Standing at the top with a microphone in hand is none other than the UnYielding Champion, Danny Rizzo, flanked by the ever present Kaven Drell who stares at those in the ring with complete and utter disdain. As the two stare, the crowd anticipates it being Danny who was going to speak but instead Kaven steps forward and begins, raising the microphone that he held in his hands to his lips.
KAVEN DRELL: Ah, yes. The chosen four. Brodie. Chris Callum. Katya Djurdevic and Cosmo Cooper. And oh, for an honorable mention, the flunkies...
Drell signals to Aspin Chaud, Alexis Terry, and Zack Burton. Burton and Terry bristle, but Callum rests a reassuring hand on either shoulder to settle them down. Drell looks disgusted at the display before continuing.
KAVEN DRELL: How shocking that those with the silver spoon in their mouths should once again devour the spotlight while my friend, Daniel, continues to carry this company upon his back week in and week out. Oh yes yes, all four elements are here. Brodie, the rebellious one. Fighting authority. Fighting the man, one Steven King novel at a time. Chris Callum, the aging star that the fans want to say they were able to see one last time before he finally faded into obscurity. Katya Djurdevic, the plucky rookie with the tits and ass to draw in all the horny young men. And Cosmo Cooper, the chosen one. The Jesus Christ himself of professional wrestling. The one ACTUAL messiah. The Apex. The… man child.
Snickering to himself, Drell takes a few steps toward the ring.
KAVEN DRELL: Oh I have so much to say to the four of you. But tonight. This night. It’s not about what Kaven Drell wants. Tonight is about the UnYielding Champion. Tonight is about his eyes finally being opened fully to the truth of who and what it is that stands before him. Tonight, you all sit and listen as he takes the spotlight from you.
Rizzo, patiently waiting and listening, nods as Drell directs the attention of the world toward him. Long moments of silence fall over the arena as Rizzo stares directly down toward the ring, his eyes focused on none of them in particular but all of them as a whole.
DANNY RIZZO: You know, for the past two weeks I have been going back and forth inside my head over what happened at the conclusion of my match at Rite of Kings. I’ve been beating myself up over it, even though it was what I had to do. It was what needed done. I still felt badly about it. But then Kaven here reminded me of something you said, Katya, that night before our match. That it was time for me to pass the crown to you. And, you see, that’s the problem right there? I’m sitting here struggling with guilt over what I did to someone who expects things to be handed to her. To be passed to her. Someone who doesn’t actually want to put in the work that’s required. And I’ll tell you what, it makes me sick to my stomach.
The crowd, still unsure of Rizzo’s intentions but still not pleased with him, buzzes with a smattering of boos here and there.
DANNY RIZZO: Here’s the simple facts, Katya, You weren’t good enough to beat me. You never have been good enough to beat me. You were never going to take my UnYielding Championship from me. Not then. Not now. Not at any time in the future. And I will be here every step of the way to remind you of that fact. But you know, you’re not even the worst of the bunch.
Raising his index finger, Rizzo points at Katya for a moment before shifting the direction of his index finger to point squarely at Cosmo.
DANNY RIZZO: Instead, it’s you, Cosmo. Imagine having your whole life handed to you on a silver platter and not knowing how to turn to that man right there..
Rizzo stopped and pointed squarely at Chris Callum before focusing on Cosmo once more.
DANNY RIZZO: And say THANK YOU. Thank you for giving me everything I’ve ever wanted. Oh, sure, you’ve gone out and you’ve wrestled all around the world but if it wasn’t for Chris Callum nobody would know who the hell Cosmo Cooper was. There would be no Cosmo Cooper and Riley Savell. There never would have been any LeeMo. The Apex would be nothing more than a bagger at some grocery store in a podunk backwoods town that nobody gives a damn about.
Intensity picks up in his words as he takes a few steps forward toward the ring, coming to stand right beside Drell.
DANNY RIZZO: You’re spoiled. Even now you think you have a right to anything and everything you want. What? You think the world didn’t notice it? You think nobody saw the moment Riley tossed you aside for a day or two that you turned and started screwing with Leela’s emotions again? What’s the matter, Cos? Afraid someone else was going to pick up the toy you tossed aside? You can’t handle the idea of people not needing you. You can’t handle the idea of people not wanting you. You can’t handle the idea of people not feeding into your ego. And you know, it’s not all your fault. Vanessa Byrne feeds it just like nearly the whole damn wrestling business feeds it. Hanging onto your every word.
Almost to the point of seething, Danny froths at the mouth. Months upon months of perceived slights and very real attacks upon his person have brought him to this moment. This breaking point.
DANNY RIZZO: I don’t care what happens when you and Chris face each other for that Apex championship. I’m done standing aside for others. I’m finished taking a back seat to those that Vanessa wants to spoon feed. Whether you have the championship or not, it matters little. I’m taking the spotlight, by force if I have to. And when you and I finally stand face to face in that ring, Cosmo, the world will see just how quickly The Apex crumbles when the UnYielding one stands in his path.
Beside him, Kaven Drell rummages in his pocket and soon retrieves what he’s been looking for, plucking a matchbook out and holding it up. It doesn’t take long for him to pull a match out and strike it, holding it up as the tiny flame flickers in the air. With his other hand, Drell raises the microphone to his lips.
KAVEN DRELL: See how great a forest a little fire kindles? Let. It. Burn.
Tossing the microphone to the side, as soon as it hits the ground with a thud the whole arena becomes shrouded in darkness. Moments pass and when the lights come back on Drell and Rizzo are nowhere to be found. Callum smirks as he turns over his shoulder to look back at Cosmo and Katya, their victory party stamped out in the face of Rizzo's words. He shrugs just before directing traffic, and the quartet shuffle up the ramp through the curtain dripping in satisfaction. Cooper shakes his head, and says something to Katya that gets her attention, and she lifts his chin and says 'No' in her own way. He gives her a half grin and nods, and the two take turnbuckles to throw their fists in the air and the bring the fans up again after being dragged down. On the outside Brodie sits against the guardrail, having rolled out of the ring at some point, and one hate filled eye stares past Cooper for the first time in a long time, and right at Katya Djurdjevic. Then the camera suddenly pans to the back.
When the scene opens the camera is positioned behind two individuals staring at a monitor displaying the scene moments ago. One of the figures starts to chuckle, and claps their hands in amusement at what they just saw. The camera pans out and the two figures are revealed to be Cross Recoba and Dakota Jennings. Jennings shoots her beau a disgruntled look, her hands finding their way to her hips.
DAKOTA JENNINGS: What the hell is so funny?
Recoba turns to his darling, and gives her a cheshire grin, indicating with an open palm towards the screen.
CROSS RECOBA: All of that...
Dakota's eyes narrow and you can see her gears starting to turn, clicking against one another to the point of combustion.
DAKOTA JENNINGS: I don't see anything funny about this at all. That's just one more person in the way of you becoming the rightful Apex Champion. I mean, there's not a damn thing about this night that was amusing. I lost thanks to that BITCH, Vanessa Byrne, and on top of that, we didn't settle a damn thing to do with me being fired if we lose these!
She holds up her half of the Chimera Tag Team Championships as a prop to prove her point.
DAKOTA JENNINGS: Add into the mix that NSFW is still breathing down our necks, Zombie Vice Squad has decided to come back together and probably want these titles back, and the fact it seems like we've been ejected from anywhere close to the Main Event....I don't see anything fucking amusing about any of this.
Cross' chuckle returns, with a little more mirth now, and Dakota's irritation is becoming visible. Just before she can come at him with an outburst, or worse, with a steel chair, The Fox lifts his hands up in surrender. He clears his throat along with all of the amusement, as the grin returns.
CROSS RECOBA: Don't you see, Babe? These fools are going to eat themselves, and while they do that....We....
He takes his hand and uses two fingers to walk in front of the camera as if sneaking up on someone, and then starts to laugh again. Understanding suddenly lights up behind Dakota's eyes, and this time she finds herself laughing as well. Cross throws his arm over the Firecracker's shoulders, and the two laugh all the way down the hall as the camera follows. Then it cuts to the Battleground Network logo, then to HOTV, then to VPW, and finally....to black.
DAKOTA JENNINGS: What the hell is so funny?
Recoba turns to his darling, and gives her a cheshire grin, indicating with an open palm towards the screen.
CROSS RECOBA: All of that...
Dakota's eyes narrow and you can see her gears starting to turn, clicking against one another to the point of combustion.
DAKOTA JENNINGS: I don't see anything funny about this at all. That's just one more person in the way of you becoming the rightful Apex Champion. I mean, there's not a damn thing about this night that was amusing. I lost thanks to that BITCH, Vanessa Byrne, and on top of that, we didn't settle a damn thing to do with me being fired if we lose these!
She holds up her half of the Chimera Tag Team Championships as a prop to prove her point.
DAKOTA JENNINGS: Add into the mix that NSFW is still breathing down our necks, Zombie Vice Squad has decided to come back together and probably want these titles back, and the fact it seems like we've been ejected from anywhere close to the Main Event....I don't see anything fucking amusing about any of this.
Cross' chuckle returns, with a little more mirth now, and Dakota's irritation is becoming visible. Just before she can come at him with an outburst, or worse, with a steel chair, The Fox lifts his hands up in surrender. He clears his throat along with all of the amusement, as the grin returns.
CROSS RECOBA: Don't you see, Babe? These fools are going to eat themselves, and while they do that....We....
He takes his hand and uses two fingers to walk in front of the camera as if sneaking up on someone, and then starts to laugh again. Understanding suddenly lights up behind Dakota's eyes, and this time she finds herself laughing as well. Cross throws his arm over the Firecracker's shoulders, and the two laugh all the way down the hall as the camera follows. Then it cuts to the Battleground Network logo, then to HOTV, then to VPW, and finally....to black.