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Empire 6/13/2019

(EAW intro plays.)

(For the last time, “Play Destroy” by Poppy blares throughout the speakers of the Prudential Center Arena as the camera pans over the capacity Newark, New Jersey crowd. Sprinkled throughout the crowd tonight are a few stand out signs reading things like “RIP EMPIRE”, “#THANKYOUKENDRA”, and “We’ll Miss You Gavin!”. The camera focuses on each one for a brief moment and as they appear on the titantron, the crowd cheering as they get a glimpse of each one.)

(We transition from the crowd to the commentary desk where Gavin Kirkland and CJ Hana are both applauding along with the crowd in the arena and flashing side smiles at the camera.)

CJ Hana: Hi, everybody, I’m CJ Hana!

Gavin Kirkland: And I’m Gavin Kirkland! For the last time, welcome to our final episode of Thursday Night Empire! And tonight, I’m certain that the stash of tissues I keep underneath my desk for brief moments of ecstasy whenever Cleo and Felix come out are going to be put to use a little differently tonight, as I’m sure we’ll be shedding plenty of tears as the night goes on.

CJ Hana: Tell me about it, Gavipoo. It’s gonna be hard for us all here tonight, but I think we can keep our head over water so long as we remember that Pain for Pride XII is only EIGHT days away!

Gavin Kirkland: God, the news about Empire has had me so broken up, I almost forgot about the biggest sports entertainment event of the YEAR! How can I even look to enjoy Pain for Pride when we’re closing the doors on a brand like Empire? Breaks my damn heart.

CJ Hana: :skip: Weren’t you the one who said the world would be better off without Empire, Gavin?

Gavin Kirkland: Yes, and then I realized that I wouldn’t be able to see some of my absolute favs in action every Thursday Night! Cleopatra! Felix Hartley! Kassidy Heart! Sienna Jade! Andrea Valentine! What am I going to do without them?! How am I ever going to satisfy myself again?! :noah:

CJ Hana: Don’t worry, Gavin, maybe you’ll find yourself on a brand alongside at least one of your favorite ladies, no?

Gavin Kirkland: What’s the fun in that, when they’ll be guys in the ring, too? It’ll kill the entire thing for me. No thank you.

CJ Hana: Let’s just cut to our first bit of action on our schedule here tonight, a one-on-one contest between one of Empire’s new comers, Crissy Cain and one-half of the Empire Tag Team Champions, Constance Blevins! A match that I’m sure will allow us to end Empire on a good note, and it will also be followed by a special tribute to Empire from one of the members of our own roster!

(The camera transitions to the ring, where Maria Del Rey is standing at the ready with a microphone in her hand.)

Maria Del Rey: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is schedul–

(“Chun Li” by Nicki Minaj begins to play throughout the arena speakers, cutting Maria Del Rey off. Felix Hartley walks out onto the stage, posing before beginning her strut down the ramp.)

Gavin Kirkland: Oh…my…god….I didn’t think we’d be blessed with her presence tonight, but there she is! Ass, Class, and Sass is here! :blessed:

CJ Hana: I thought she was too good to join us on Empire last week…now she’s coming to the ring, uninvited?

Gavin Kirkland: Are you surprised?! This is exactly the kind of behavior that Felix Harley has become known for on Empire over the past few months–and I’m sure that won’t change either when she ends up on one of those other brands! I’ll take it where I can get it.

(Felix Hartley walks past the commentary table, blowing Gavin Kirkland a kiss. The camera hones in on Gavin who appears to faint right in CJ’s lap. Felix steps in between the ropes, bending over seductively as she steps between the middle ropes. She snatches the microphone out of Maria Del Rey’s hands and shoos our precious ring announcer out of the ring. She waits for her music to die down before speaking.)

Felix Hartley: Like any of y’all wanted to see whoever the fuck Crissy Cain was against Constance Blevins? Please. Why settle with some unbearable church girl and fat rookie when you got all this body right here? Mhm, exactly. Besides, I’m sure you would all like a reminder of how lonely you all get without me around. Since my debut in February, I’ve managed to make every member of this damn roster cower at my presence, all these bitches are afraid of me. I’ve burned through this entire roster in such a short amount of time, just like I said I would. And I genuinely can’t wait to make an appearance on one of the other brands–Showdown was just so much fun for me, y’know? The way things are going, I might just fuck around and capture a belt or two or ten next. And it’ll start at Pain for Pride XII, where you’ll all get to see me walk out of the Mercedes Benz Arena as your New Breed Stallion!

(“Love SOSA” begins to play throughout the arena speakers, much to the dissatisfaction of Felix Hartley as she is seen standing in the ring with a scowl on her face.)

Gavin Kirkland: :scusthov: Really? Him? Right now?

CJ Hana: That’s right, Gavin, SOSA Henderson is here! And we already know what the situation is with him and Felix Hartley, so of course he’s gonna take this chance to hijack her moment and make a big statement before their matchup Pain for Pride. I wonder what he’s got in his hands?

Gavin Kirkland: Doubt it’s anything good. And I guarantee that it’s stolen. Watch him! Don’t let him get too close, CJ, he might steal something from you, too!

(The camera shows SOSA Henderson standing at the top of the stage with a cardboard box and microphone in hands. He smiles wide as his music dies down and he takes in the wild crowd reaction.)

SOSA Henderson: Felix, baby, I’m sorry to interrupt you–but I couldn’t help myself. I decided to stop by the Prudential Center in NEWARK NEW JERSEY–

(The crowd gives SOSA a big pop.)

SOSA Henderson: –and confront you once again, face to face. It’s been far too long since we last seen each other, and last I heard, you still had a hell of a lot to say, despite me giving you just what you asked for. And not just about Serena, but me as well. Like we in high school or some shit. It’s so obvious to me that you still got some growing up left to do. (He sarcastically shakes his head.) Get your shit together, Felix. And fast. Selling ya body and showing yaself off to people can’t save your career from drowning. When you come face to face with me at Pain for Pride, you’re realize that pretty quick, I promise you. And I won’t feel sorry for you either, trick. I see you as nothing but another competitor, another W in the column for SOSA Henderson. And after all you’ve accomplished in this business already, I can only look at this as another great opportunity for me. And you know me by now, Felix, if I see something I want…I take it. That goes for everything–opportunities. Women. Shiiiiid, absolutely everything in that locker room is fair game as I’m concerned.

(SOSA grins widely, watching as a confused look appears on Felix’s face. SOSA lowers the cardboard box he was holding and reaches into it. He pulls out a bright red bra and the crowd responds accordingly.)

Gavin Kirkland: :lupe: Oh no…

CJ Hana: Gavin…I think that belongs to Felix Hartley…

SOSA Henderson: WHO HERE WANTS FELIX HARTLEY’S BRA?!

(As SOSA confirms who the owner of the bra is, the crowd cheers wildly, and the fans near the barricade begin extending their arms to cop a feel.)

SOSA Henderson: TEN DOLLARS, AND IT’S YOURS TO TAKE HOME AND…do whatever the fuck you wanna do with it!

Gavin Kirkland: SOSA! SOSA! OVER HERE! GODDAMMIT!

(SOSA begins walking down the ramp with the cardboard box underneath his arm. Felix watches onward in annoyance as SOSA looks for a fan to buy the bra. He eventually finds a lucky buyer who is willing to pay double for the item.)

SOSA Henderson: Don’t worry, don’t worry. Don’t look so sad, fellas. Plenty more where that came from. (He sticks his hand in the box and pulls out a black dildo. He raises it high in the air.) ANY TAKERS??? It’s fresh, y’all, I’m pretty sure she just used it before she came out here, too. Smells like it anyway. :troll: Forty-five dollars, c’mon now!

Gavin Kirkland: God, dammit, CJ! Do you have any cash on you?!

CJ Hana: :skip:

Gavin Kirkland: That’s alright, I bet he takes CashApp–SOSA! PLEASE!

CJ Hana: I cannot believe what I’m experiencing right now.

(SOSA continues to work the crowd and manages to find yet another buyer for the item from Felix’s locker room. He collects some bills from a few members of the crowd before tossing the dildo into the sea of fans, who begin to fight for it. The next item he pulls out of his box is a bundle of rope.)

SOSA Henderson: Whew! Looks like Felix is a very, very freaky girl, no? Naughty lil’ bitch. That’s the kinda shit she likes, tied up and handcuffs and all that. Such a baaaaad, bad little girl, Felix. Who you use this shit with?!

(The crowd begins to rile themselves up as Felix rushes out of the ring, charging straight after SOSA Henderson, who laughs in her face right before–)

Gavin Kirkland: :damn: A DROPKICK FROM FELIX HARTLEY ONTO SOSA HENDERSON! He drops that box and all the incredibly valuable items inside of it to the floor as he crashes straight into the barricade! Felix must’ve finally had enough of SOSA and his antics. I wonder what he said that set her off? :lupe:

CJ Hana: And Felix is quick to get back up on her feet here and follow up with a hard punch straight to the throat of SOSA Henderson! He grabs his throat now, almost like he’s gasping for air as Felix throws him over the barricade and straight into the crowd–

Gavin Kirkland: :wow: gotta love a strong woman. And she follows right after him, hopping over the barricade herself. And SOSA’s back up as well! He tries to throw a punch straight to her face–but Felix ducks! She comes back around and–DOGGY STYLE! The signature bulldog from Felix to SOSA Henderson and she plants him straight onto the concrete surrounding the arena! This crowd doesn’t know what to make of this, Ceej, as Felix spits right in the downed SOSA’s face!

CJ Hana: Ugh. Not cute at all. But at least she stood up for herself after SOSA came out here and tried to embarrass her. I really hate men, you know.

Gavin Kirkland: Embarrass? I think you mean celebrate, CJ! Those lucky buyers out there now have a piece of exclusive Felix Hartley merchandise that is soon to be worth MILLIONS I bet. What a steal! Just wish I could have gotten my hands on one before he triggered her…

CJ Hana: Horrible. Just horrible. But hey, at least we got ourselves a nice little preview of what’s to come at their New Breed Championship match at Pain for Pride! :whew: I can’t wait, can you?

Gavin Kirkland: Hey, do you think those kids will sell that bra to me after the show goes off the air?

(CJ is hear groaning as our camera hones in on Felix Hartley as she stomps away from SOSA and backstage in the arena. The camera fades elsewhere.)

(The scene fades to Raven Roberts sitting in confessional backstage. There is a purple backdrop in the background. Raven is collecting her thoughts. She wants to make sure that her thoughts get across before responding.)

Raven Roberts: Empire shutting down is something that should have happened a while ago. My passion for this brand died a long time ago. I walked in as a rookie via the merge, who was so enthusiastic about what this brand had to offer. It was a platform for the women. It was a platform used to elevate a lot of the women to great things. The concept seemed fantastic on paper. But, the longer I spent on this brand, the more I began to resent it. I began to wonder how I was going to get fucked over that week. It made me stick to my stomach walking to Empire every week. I wondered what Kendra was going to do the fuck things up. If there is anyone who has to blame Kendra for things, it’s me. Kendra was responsible for me turning my back on what I stood for to join The Crowe’s Nest. Yeah, that ended up being an excellent move in my career. Thanks, Kendra. I joined a group, who used me to stay relevant. I joined a group, who really never had my best interests at heart. It wasn’t until The Crowe’s left, where I began to flourish. I managed to capture the New Breed Championship at Territorial Invasion. I managed to elevate the belt and become one of the best champions since Jamie O’Hara held it. Even though I took a big step in disassociating myself from The Crowe’s–a move I thought would benefit my career more than it has so far–it still did not stop me from being screwed out of every great opportunity presented in front of me. Kendra made it her mission to make sure that women like Madison Kaline and Sienna Jade walked out for the belts. Yet, I was never provided with another opportunity for the belt. It’s not my fault that she has invested in champions, who aren’t capable enough to defeat me cleanly.

(Raven scoffs, folding her arms over her chest.)

Raven Roberts: I could never relate.

Raven Roberts: Imagine needing needing to bribe an official to help Madison out. Imagine needing to screw out another member of your roster out of the Women’s World Championship, just for the sake of “protecting” the Pain for Pride main event. Yet, Kendra expects for her roster to kiss her ass? Kendra expects for us to stay in line and just go through the motions? The unruly women are not responsible for Empire’s demise. Kendra is at fault for creating the environment we were forced to suffer in. This is what caused our attitudes. Not any longer. I’m fortunate for my time on Empire. It gave me the opportunity to break out and find my voice. But, at the end of the day, fuck Empire… still. My eyes are on Pain for Pride. I was the final two with Noah Reigner last year. I was so close to retrieving that briefcase and it has been something that has bugged me for about a year. I know I can get the job done. I know I can overcome seven other Elitists and become the first woman to win Cash in the Vault. Just like I was the first woman to capture the New Breed Championship. Charlie, Viz, Vic, Lucas, Harlow, Damon and Adam, I don’t care who I take down, but nothing is stopping me from climbing up the ladder and retrieving that briefcase.

(With that, Raven Roberts is done talking. She looks at the camera with an intense stare before it fades to commercial.)

(Commercial break — an advertisement for Hennsey’s new seasonal flavor: “The Kirkland Special,” featuring Gavin Kirkland. “You want her to come home with you? Get her a glass of the Kirkland Special.”)

(“Bullet” by Hyro The Hero begins to play through the speakers. The crowd gives a mixed reaction to Io Ishimori, who comes out with a kendo stick in one hand. In the other hand, she grasps onto her cat, Yoshi San. Io is not paying attention to the reception of the crowd, but she is looking to beat the hell out of Miho Li.)

Maria Del Rey: The following match is a NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH and it’s scheduled for ONE FALL —

Crowd: ONE FALL!!

Maria Del Rey: Introducing first…from Osaka, Japan…she is “The Winter”… IOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ISSSSSHHHHHHIIIIIIIIMOOOOORRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Io Ishimori’s facial expression says everything — she’s ready to FUCK someone up. She has been waiting for weeks to get her hands on Miho Li. Their story goes back to Terminus, where she and Miho teamed up against to face Fatal Destiny in a Tornado Tag Team Match. It led to Miho turning on Io and joining Fatal Destiny!

CJ Hana: Io has been waiting for this opportunity and she has it! She has Miho where she wants her. The rest of Fatal Destiny is banned from ringside. To her, there should be nothing stopping Io from beating the hell out Miho and getting her revenge!

(“Bullet” dies down as “Trouble Seeker” by Cypress Hill featuring Daron Malakian takes its place. The crowd begins to boo as Miho Li walks out from the back. The young woman stand on top of the ramp as she takes in the crowd’s negative reaction to her presence. Celes Dumont and Karina-Ann are banned from ringside, but she feels good that she won’t need them.)

Maria Del Rey: And, introducing her opponent …from Riverside, California…she is “The Invincible”…MIIIIIIHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!

Gavin Kirkland: It may be a No Disqualification Match, but Miho Li can’t rely on the rest of Fatal Destiny to bail her out like in her match with Brianna Blair. Miho is going to need to go out there and prove that she doesn’t need any back up. Miho has won matches in the past, so what’s really stopping her from beating Io?

(Miho Li steps inside the ring.)

CJ Hana: Io Ishimori goes right after Miho Li with a kendo stick! She strikes the kendo stick onto Miho’s back! Miho falls to her knees as Io strikes the kendo stick to Miho’s back again! And again! And again! And again! And again! These shots to the back get more aggressive! The official of the match is trying to back Io away, so they can get this match underway! By the look on Io’s face, she is more than waiting to get her hands on Miho Li! The official is checking on Miho! She is looking to see if Miho is ready to begin the match, but Miho is gesturing and demanding for the bell to ring! The official does what Miho wants as she rings for the bell! This match is underway!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Gavin Kirkland: Io Ishimori and Miho Li go at each other! The two rivals trade some shots back in forth with each other! Io manages to back Io against the ropes! Io connects with some pretty precise kicks to Miho’s stomach! Io gets Miho by her arm before whipping her to the other set of the horizontal ropes! Miho rebounds off of them, but Io connects with a shoulder block, which takes the younger woman down! Io gets Miho back to her feet by her head! She connects with a chop to Miho’s chest! Miho yelps in pain as Io connects with another chop to Miho’s chest! And another one! And another one! And another one! And another one! Io backs Miho to the corner before connecting with some brutal knees to Miho’s stomach! Io takes a couple steps back before running! Miho goes forward a bit, but Io connects with a hesitation dropkick, which takes her back to the corner! Miho falls to a seated position at the corner! Io begins to stomp on Miho at the corner! Io is not holding back when it comes to Miho! She is going to make sure that Miho gets everything that is coming to her! Io gets her foot and presses it against Miho’s throat before holding it there!

Marti Solo: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! LET GO, IO!

CJ Hana: Io Ishimori releases the hold! Even though it’s No Disqualification, the official can intervene when she believes that things have gotten out of hand! Miho Li is using the ropes to help get herself back up to her feet! With one of her hands, she is clutching to her throat as Io stomped on it repeatedly! Io rushes towards Miho before throwing a series of punches her way! Miho manages to shove Io away for a slight second, but it seems like that was helpful enough as Miho spins around before connecting with a calf kick that makes Io bend in response! Miho gets to the side of Io before rebounding off the horizontal ropes before connecting with a spinning neckbreaker on “The Winter”! Io is taken down! SHE IS CLUTCHING HER NECK, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE MIHO IS GETTING THINGS STARTED AT THE MOMENT! MIHO BEGINS TO STOMP ON IO’S STOMACH! THESE STOMPS ARE GETTING RAPID AS MIHO IS DOING HER BEST TO MAKE SURE THAT IO FEELS THESE STOMPS AND THAT SHE IS IN PAIN! MIHO GOES FOR THE COVER, BUT IO MANAGES TO KICK OUT BEFORE THE OFFICIAL GETS IN POSITION FOR THE COUNT! MIHO CONNECTS WITH SOME STIFF ELBOW SHOTS TO THE SKULL!

Gavin Kirkland: Miho Li is showing some signs of aggression here and I kind of like it! :lupe: Miho gets Io back to a vertical base before whipping her towards the vertical ropes! Io rebounds off of them and it seems like she’s going for a tilt-a-whirl headscissors takedown, but Miho manages to shift her momentum before connecting with spinning side slam! Io crashes onto her back in a harsh way! Miho connects with some stiff forearms to Io’s face before rising back to her feet! It seems like she is getting a hold of that kendo stick that Io Ishimori brought to the ring with her! MIHO IS GESTURING FOR IO TO GET BACK TO HER FEET BEFORE SHE SWINGS THE KENDO STICK TO IO’S BACK! THAT LOOK ON IO’S FACE SAYS EVERYTHING! THAT MUST HAVE HURT LIKE A BITCH, BUT IT BROUGHT IO TO HER KNEES! BUT, MIHO IS NOT DONE SWINGING THE KENDO STICK ON IO’S BACK AGAIN! IO YELPS IN PAIN, BUT MIHO CONTINUES TO SWING THE KENDO STICK ONTO IO’S BACK! IO FALLS FRONT FIRST, BUT MIHO CONTINUES TO SWING THE KENDO STICK ONTO IO’S BACK! YOU CAN SEE THE WELTS BEGINNING TO APPEAR ON HER BACK! THOSE SHOTS ARE NOT PRETTY AT ALL! MIHO GETS THE KENDO STICK AS SHE PLACES IT ON IO’S NECK! MIHO GETS IO BACK UP, BUT GETS HER IN A CHOKEHOLD WITH THE KENDO STICK! IO IS IN TROUBLE AT THE MOMENT! IT SEEMS LIKE MIHO COULD BE LOOKING TO MAKE IO SUBMIT HERE!

CJ Hana: Io Ishimori is trying to stop the kendo stick from pressing on her neck and choking her out! This only makes Miho Li want to force of pressure onto that hold! WITH THE KENDO STICK STILL PRESSED AGAINST IO’S THROAT, MIHO GETS IO AND CONNECTS WITH A BACKSTABBER! IO IS CRYING IN PAIN IN RESPONSE! SHE IS GRASPING ONTO HER NECK! MIHO GETS IO TO HER FEET ENTANGLING IO’S ARMS TO THE ROPES! MIHO TAKES A FEW STEPS BACK BEFORE RUNNING AND CONNECTING WITH A DROPKICK TO IO’S STOMACH! STILL, HER ARMS ARE STILL ENTANGLED BY THOSE ROPES! IT SEEMS LIKE MIHO HAS IO IN PERFECT POSITION BEFORE SHE APPLIES A TARANTULA ON IO ISHIMORI! IO CRIES OUT IN PAIN EVEN LOUDER! MIHO HOLDS THAT TARANTULA A LITTLE LONGER BEFORE RELEASING THE HOLD! Miho flips herself as she lands ringside! The official is assisting Miho and unentangling her arms from those ropes! As soon as Io’s arms are free, Miho gets Io by her ankles and pulls her out of the ring! Io manages to catch herself from falling, but Miho connects with a forearm strike as she takes down Io! Miho has looked fantastic in this match! Io Ishimori seems to be in great trouble at the moment!

Gavin Kirkland: Miho Li lifts the skirt of the ring up and it seems like she is looking for something! She pulls out a trash can lid! Those are always so underrated in No Disqualification Matches! MIHO IS GESTURING FOR IO TO GET BACK TO HER FEET! IO IS SLOWLY RISING TO HER FEET, BUT MIHO RUNS TOWARDS IO AND SMASHES THE TRASH CAN LID ONTO HER SKULL! THAT MADE AN UGLY SOUND, CJ! :lupe: Io Ishimori falls back as Miho looks back at the trash can lid and sees the dent! Miho throws the trash can lid to the side before looking underneath the ring once again! I wonder what she is going to pull out this time? :thinking: Well, it seems like Miho pulled out the other part of the trash can lid — the trash can! Miho gets Io and places her back against the steel steps! She then places the trash can in front of Io! IT SEEMS LIKE WE’RE GOING TO SEE MIHO GO A LITTLE HARDCORE AT THE MOMENT! MIHO RUNS TOWARDS IO BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A LOW DROPKICK TO THE TRASH CAN, WHICH CRASHES ONTO IO, WHICH CRASHES ONTO THE STEEL STEPS! THAT DOES NOT LOOK PLEASANT AT ALL! MIHO GETS THE TRASH CAN AND SMACKS IT AGAINST THE BACK OF IO! THAT STOPS IO IN HER TRACKS! MIHO GETS IO BACK TO HER FEET! SHE GRABS IO BY HER HEAD BEFORE SMACKING HER HEAD FIRST AGAINST OUR TABLE!

Miho Li (off mic): Step aside, you don’t want to be in the rubble!

CJ Hana: We might as well do what Miho Li says! This is probably not going to be pretty! :lupe:

(Gavin Kirkland and CJ Hana collect their papers and distance themselves from their desk. They know whatever Miho Li is planning to do next will most likely damage their table.)

CJ Hana: Miho Li gets Io Ishimori’s back against our table! It seems like Miho is going to go for a high risk move over here! Miho connects with a few punches to Io’s face! That seems to weaken the other woman enough to leave her laying on the table! Miho gets on the top turnbuckle of the ring! Her back is turned and it seems like Miho is going to go for a moonsault on Io Ishimori! IF MIHO MAKES THIS MOVE, THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR IO. IF MIHO MISSES THIS MOVE, THEN THERE IS SOME SORT OF CHANCE FOR IO TO MAKE SOME SORT OF COMEBACK AND WIN! MIHO FLIES FROM THE TURNBUCKLE! MOONSAULT TO IO ISHIMORI ON OUR ANNOUNCER’S TABLE! :damn: :damn: :damn:

Gavin Kirkland: Io Ishimori moves out of the way! Miho Li crashes onto our table! It doesn’t break our table completely, but the base of the table is broken! Miho rolls herself out of the rubble as Io Ishimori could not believe the landing that Miho has suffered! Io is still in this match! But, she is trying to muster up some energy for herself! Io crawls over to our timekeeper’s area and gets a steel chair! SHE SHUTS THE STEEL CHAIR CLOSED AS SHE IS SLOWLY RISING BACK TO HER FEET! IO IS DEMANDING FOR MIHO TO GET BACK TO HER FEET! THE MOMENT THAT MIHO BEGINS TO RISE BACK TO HER FEET, IO RAMS THE EDGE OF THE STEEL CHAIR ONTO MIHO’S STOMACH BEFORE SMACKING THE STEEL CHAIR ONTO HER BACK! IO SLAMS THE STEEL CHAIR ONCE AGAIN ONTO MIHO’S BACK! MIHO IS SCREAMING IN PAIN! IO GETS THAT SAME STEEL CHAIR! SHE BENDS MIHO’S ARM BACK BEFORE SLAMMING THE STEEL CHAIR AGAINST IT! :damn: The look of pain on “The Invincible” tells the entire story, CJ! It seems like Miho may have an injured left arm, but Io doesn’t give a damn at all! Io opens up the steel chair again and places Miho’s left arm through the hole! Io stomps of the chair, closing it and inflicting more pain onto Miho’s injured arm! It seems like Io is looking to do as much damage to that arm as possible! Io gets Miho and rolls her back into the ring! Io slides back to the ring afterwards! Io goes for the cover on Miho! This can be all over!

Marti Solo: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

CJ Hana: Miho Li kicks out! Io Ishimori gets to her feet! Before Miho can rise back to her feet, Io connects with a high bicycle knee strike! Miho stumbles back in response, but Io pulls Miho closer to her before connecting with Last Day — the reverse sto on Miho Li! Io Ishimori gets back to her feet as she is feeling the ending of this match upon her! SHE IS DEMANDING FOR MIHO TO GET BACK TO HER FEET! THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN HELP MIHO LI RIGHT NOW! MIHO IS ALONE AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT SHE CAN DO ABOUT IT! SHE HAS MIHO IN POSITION FOR INVIERNO — THE SWINGING REVERSE STO! IO DOES THE CUT THROAT GESTURE! INVIERNO!

Gavin Kirkland: No! Miho Li manages to get herself out of the move before kick Io Ishimori in the stomach! Miho pulls Io in before connecting with the implant DDT! Miho gets Io back to her feet as she has her by the neck and it seems like Miho looks to be heading towards those ropes! I think that she may be going for The Dragon Snap. THIS INVOLVES MIHO TO GO FOR A SLICED BREAD #2 INTO A DRAGON SLEEPER! MIHO GOES RUNNING TOWARDS THE ROPES — THE SLICED BREAD #2 ON IO! NO! IO ISHIMORI MANAGES TO GET OUT OF THE MOVE! SHE MANAGES TO STAY ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! SHE SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE ROPES — BLIZZARD — THE SPRINGBOARD HURRICANRANA ON MIHO LI! THAT BEAUTIFUL MOVE CONNECTS AND IT SEEMS LIKE IO ISHIMORI IS GOING FOR THE COVER HERE! THIS COULD BE OVER, CJ!

Marti Solo: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

CJ Hana: Miho Li gets a shoulder up! Io Ishimori looks at the official and wonders if it was actually a three count, but the official tells her that it was a two count! The two of these women have pushed each other to the limit! These women have displayed to each other why this match belonged on a bigger stage!

Gavin Kirkland: It seems like Io Ishimori is more than keen to end this match and close the chapter of this rivalry with Miho Li! Io is back to her feet as she gets Miho back to hers! Io has Miho in position for Invierno —the swinging reverse STO connects on Miho Li! No! Miho manages to turn herself around She kicks Io Ishimori in the stomach before connecting with a snap neckbreaker! MIHO RACES FOR THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! IT SEEMS LIKE SHE IS GOING TO GO FOR THAT SUPERHERO LANDING ON IO! SHE’S COCKING HER FIST! SHE IS WAITING FOR IO TO GET TO HER FEET BEFORE JUMPING OFF! SUPERHERO LANDING! IO ISHIMORI GOES DOWN AS MIHO IS STALKING IO AS SHE GETS TO HER FEET! DEADLY LITTLE MIHO ON IO!

CJ Hana: BUT, IO ISHIMORI DUCKS OUT OF THE WAY! MIHO LI GOES RUSHING PAST HER, BUT INVIERNO! IO CATCHES MIHO WITH INVIERNO OUT OF NOWHERE! IO ISHIMORI GOES FOR THE COVER!

Marti Solo: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! THRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

(“Bullet” plays again as Io Ishimori looks down on Miho Li, who is still feeling the effects of the Invierno! Io gets to her feet as the official raises Io’s hand up.)

Maria Del Rey: THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH … IOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ISSSSSHHHHIIIIIIIIIMOOOOORRRRRRIIIIIIIII!!

Gavin Kirkland: It seems like Io Ishimori got the revenge that she needed against Miho Li! She had been wanting to get her hands on Miho since Terminus and tonight, she got what she wanted! She defeated Miho as she has nothing holding her back anymore!

CJ Hana: Miho Li seemed to have been at a disadvantage in the match; however, she can say that she competed by herself. She may have come up short, but she proved that she can rise up the task of not needing the rest of Fatal Destiny to do her dirty work! In that sense, Celes Dumont should be proud, but who knows?

(Our last scene is of Miho Li gripping her neck and sitting up, immense frustration reading plainly on her face as she glares at Io Ishimori, who walks up the ramp in victory. Empire fades to commercial.)

(Commercial break — an ad for the ASPCA, featuring Io Ishimori and The Visual Prophet, and their beloved companions Yoshi San and Kimmy.)

(Empire returns from commercial break and cuts straight to Maria Del Rey in the center of the ring.)

Maria Del Rey: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR…

Crowd: ONE FALL!

Maria Del Rey: INTRODUCING FIRST…

(“Roll With Me” by Charli XCX begins to play and Andrea Valentine makes her way out to the entrance ramp to a big reaction from the crowd. She takes a look at the Specialist title draped over her shoulder and gives a reaffirming nod before beginning a confident strut to the ring.)

Maria Del Rey: From Orlando, Florida … she is the EAW Specialists Champion … “The Heart of Empire” …. ANNNNNDDDREA VALLLENTINE!

Gavin Kirkland: Y’know, CJ, I’m excited to see how Valentine holds up to the pressure of teaming with what has essentially become her obsessed stalker in this matchup which pits her against Consuela, who has become a close friend.

CJ Hana: She’s got her work cut out for her tonight, that’s all I can say.

Maria Del Rey: AND HER PARTNER…

(“Malevolence” by New Years Day creeps on to the PA system and Celes Dumont makes her way out, covered in black ring attire, flanked by Karina-Ann of Fatal Destiny. Celes gives a sadistic look to the camera before looking down at Andrea Valentine and giving a wry smile.)

Maria Del Rey: From Boston, Mass, accompanied to the ring by KARINA-ANN OF FATAL DESTINY… she is The Twisted Sister of the Dominion…. CELEEEEESSSSSS DUUUUUUUUUUMONT!

Gavin Kirkland: If looks could kill …

CJ Hana: … Andrea Valentine would be six feet under! Celes is staring a hole right through what she intends to become her victim come Pain for Pride, Andrea Valentine. But they need to worry more about the two competitors coming out next.

Maria Del Rey: AND THEIR OPPONENTS… INTRODUCING FIRST… from London, England … she is your “Everyday Nightmare” … DARRRRRRRCCCCCYY MAYYYYY MORGANNNNNNNNNN!

(“Everyday Nightmare” plays as Darcy quickly makes her way toward the ring, meanwhile Andrea Valentine is on the outside looking up toward the ring, where both Karina-Ann and Celes Dumont are continuing to stare down at her.)

Gavin Kirkland: This woman had a victory stolen right from under her last week by fellow Fatal Destiny member Miho Li and she has something to prove tonight, especially with an opportunity to get her hands on Celes Dumont tonight.

Maria Del Rey: ANNND HER PARTNER… hailing from Los Angeles, California… she is THE SOUL of Empire…. CONNNNNNSUELAAAAA ROOOOOOOOSEEE AVVVAAAAAAAAAA!!

CJ Hana: Consuela Rose Ava has to be feeling a little conflicted tonight after discovering what Dumont did to the locker-room two weeks ago, but also having to face the fact that she’s going up against Andrea Valentine in this matchup as well. A win for Ava is a loss for Valentine right before her big match…

Gavin Kirkland: Well she’s gonna have to get over it, as this matchup is now underway!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Gavin Kirkland: Consuela Ava and Darcy Morgan quickly decide that Darcy will be starting this matchup. On the other side of the ring, however, Celes Dumont is sitting on the rope, holding it open, and offering for Andrea Valentine to begin this matchup against Consuela.

CJ Hana: And it looks like Andrea Valentine is more than hesitant to trust this creep… she slowly steps in… and Celes slaps her ass on the way into the ring! The crowd doesn’t know how to feel about that one.

Gavin Kirkland: I don’t either, but Valentine takes exception, getting in the face of Celes Dumont. Darcy comes from behind, however, with an axe-handle to the back of Valentine. Valentine drops to her knees and Darcy comes down hard with another axe-handle to the upper back of Valentine, dragging her by her hair to the middle of the ring. On the apron, Celes bends down to get a closer look at Valentine, who is being stomped on by Darcy.

CJ Hana: Consuela doesn’t look too pleased about that cheap shot, but Darcy couldn’t care less. Darcy now mounts Valentine, bringing down a series of thunderous punches to the side of her head. Darcy quickly bounces to her feet as Valentine is dazed from this attack. Darcy charges toward the ropes, bounces back, and lands a HUGE elbow drop right to the heart of Valentine! Darcy crawls back toward Valentine and immediately locks on a side-headlock.

Gavin Kirkland: It seems like, oddly enough, Celes Dumont is getting a … kinky … amount of pleasure from this assault on Andrea Valentine at the hands of Darcy Morgan. Celes Dumont seems to be talking to herself, perhaps about those underwear she–

CJ Hana: Stop right there! Darcy Morgan is back to her feet, leaving Andrea Valentine sitting up in the middle of the ring… Darcy once again flies off the ropes and comes back full force… A HUGE SHOTGUN DROP KICK TO THE CHEST OF VALENTINE! SHE COVERS HER!

ONE!!!!!

TWO!!

Gavin Kirkland: A quick kickout by Valentine there, but Darcy Morgan is really punishing Valentine here. Darcy Morgan picks up Valentine by her hair and pushes her into the corner and slaps the hand of Consuela Ava, who didn’t seem like she wanted the tag. Nonetheless, Ava steps into the ring as Valentine continues to try and recover from that initial assault by Darcy Morgan.

CJ Hana: Well Consuela Ava walks into the middle of the ring as the crowd cheers, she’s allowing Valentine to get her whereabouts. She wants this to be a fair match, Gavin!

Gavin Kirkland: A bad idea to give the woman who beat her for that Specialist title any leeway, but it’s clear Consuela has a lot of respect for Valentine and doesn’t want the antics of Celes Dumont to affect the outcome tonight.

CJ Hana: Breathing heavily, Valentine nods toward Ava and steps forward. A collar and elbow tie-up is how these two women will begin their interaction. Ava pushes Valentine backward…

SLAP!

Gavin Kirkland: Wow! It looks like the fair wrestling will be cut short, as Ava pushed Valentine too far back and Celes slapped her back and entered herself into this match. Valentine looks back at Celes, disgusted, as she steps into the ring with a sick smile on her face. Ava simply shakes her head in disappointment and this crowd is also disappointed not to see these two go at it once again. BUT AVA ISN’T SCARED OF SHIT, AS SHE BEGINS SWINGING ON CELES DUMONT, IRISH WHIPPING HER OFF THE ROPES!

CJ Hana: As Celes comes charging back with momentum, Ava attempts a clothesline, but Celes ducks. Celes bounces off the ropes once again, this time Consuela Ava leap frogs over Celes. Once again, Celes bounces off the ropes, and Ava gets ready for a backdrop. However, Celes stops right in her tracks, and kicks Ava right in the mouth. That was a sickening shot, sending Ava right to the mat.

Gavin Kirkland: Yeah, and Celes looks back at Valentine, proceeding to grab Ava by her hair. Celes slaps Ava right in her face as she pulls her up by her hair. As Ava gets to her feet, Celes slaps her again, this time sending her right back to the mat. Celes picks Ava up, driving several forearms right to the side of her face.

CJ Hana: Some sickening strikes here from Celes and we’re again sensing that both Valentine and Ava aren’t sure what to think in this match, as their teammates get the upper hand on one another. Meanwhile, Celes drives Ava into the corner turnbuckle, and delivers a knife-edged chop right to her chest.

Gavin Kirkland: Not the chest!

CJ Hana: Celes backs up several steps… and gives a RUNNING KNIFE-EDGED CHOP TO AVA. NOW SHE’S CHOPPING HER OVER AND OVER, MACHINE GUN STYLE, UNTIL SHE FALLS IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION IN THE CORNER.

Gavin Kirkland: Ava is holding her chest in agony from those shots and Celes is wasting time now taunting Andrea Valentine, her own partner in this match, over the abuse she is giving her friend Consuela Rose Ava.

CJ Hana: Celes grabs a foot of Ava’s and attempts to pull her out of the corner, but Ava holds onto the ropes, stopping her momentum. Celes attempts it a second time, but Ava kicks Celes right in her face. She reels back, checking her lip for blood. Angry now, Celes marches back toward the corner, grabbing both of Ava’s feet and pulling HARD to rip her out of the corner-

Gavin Kirkland: AVA LANDS ON HER HEAD WITH A SICKENING THUD! In a split second, Celes follows up by wrapping Consuela Ava up in a modified figure-four head scissors, squeezing her legs together tight to put as much pressure as possible on Ava. Celes… what the fuc-

CJ Hana: Celes just licked her hand and smeared it right into the face of Ava! I’m at a loss here …

Gavin Kirkland: I feel about as conflicted as Andrea Valentine right now, who is pacing back and forth, glaring at Celes Dumont, who is clearly laying on the mind games tonight to get into the head of Valentine ahead of their upcoming contest at Pain for Pride, where we will surely see things come to a head between these two. Ava is struggling now, as the referee checks on her, and Celes Dumont continues to squeeze tighter and put more pressure on the head scissors. Consuela’s face is turning purple, CJ!

CJ Hana: This crowd is cheering her on… WOAH! Darcy Morgan comes out of nowhere, delivering a senton bomb to the chest of Celes Dumont, breaking the head scissors. It seems Morgan has no allegiances in this match except to herself and her desire to win. Darcy follows up by driving Valentine off the apron with a forearm to the face. Celes is already trying to climb back to her feet. WAIT!!! NO!!!! FACE ACHE! FACE ACHE FROM DARCY MORGAN TO CELES DUMONT! MORGAN SHAKES AVA AND HELPS MOVE HER TOWARD THE LIFELESS BODY OF CELES!!! SHE’S GOT HER COVERED!!!

ONEEE!!!!!

TWOOOOO!!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Celes kicks out! Ava rolls toward the ropes and begins to get back to her vertical base, using the ropes for leverage. Ava looks over at Celes, who is still on the ground holding her jaw. Consuela Ava charges toward Celes and kicks her right in the face, causing her head to whiplash and hit the mat hard.

Consuela Rose Ava (off-mic): YOU DUMB SICK BITCH!

CJ Hana: Ava is pissed about the antics of Celes and is letting her have it, with several swift stomps to the head of Celes Dumont. Consuela Ava grabs Celes by the neck and snaps her back to her feet. CONSUELA AVA SPRINGS UP, USING HER AMAZING STRENGTH… A HUGE HURRICANRANA TO CELES DUMONT WHICH SENDS HER FLYING OUT OF THE RING!

Gavin Kirkland: Amazing agility and power from Consuela Rose Ava, but Celes ended up hitting Andrea Valentine, who just got back onto the apron, on her way out of the ring… Consuela Rose Ava looks back at Darcy Morgan who is encouraging her, then looks back at both Celes and Valentine who are both inching closer to getting back on their feet on the outside… WHATTTT?!?!

CJ Hana: LEMONLIIIIIIIIIGHHHH—WAIT, NO!!!! CONSUELA ROSE AVA ATTEMPTED THE LEMONLIGHT ASAI MOONSAULT, BUT CELES DUMONT CAUGHT HER IN A FULL NELSON! WHAT AMAZING AWARENESS THERE BY CELES!

Celes Dumont (off-mic): HIT HER! HIT HER, YOU SCARED BITCH!

Gavin Kirkland: Celes Dumont has put Andrea Valentine on the spot, with that amazing ability to catch Consuela Ava who landed on her feet, and she’s demanding Valentine strike her…

CJ Hana: WATCH OUTTT!!!! DARCY MAY MORGAN IS ON THE TOP ROPE! SHE GOES FOR A MISSILE DROP KICK TO ANDREA VALENTINE!

Gavin Kirkland: WAIT! CELES DUMONT PUSHES CONSUELA ROSE AVA TOWARD VALENTINE, AND CONSUELA ROSE AVA TAKES THE IMPACT INSTEAD!!! BOTH Darcy AND AVA ARE DOWN ON THE GROUND!

CJ Hana: My God, what an exchange…

Gavin Kirkland: Celes looks enraged! Valentine looks at Celes, confused by what just transpired, and Celes charges toward Valentine!

Celes Dumont (off-mic): WE TOLD YOU WHAT TO DO AND WHEN THEY SPEAK, YOU LISTEN! VALENTINE PUNCHES HER PARTNER RIGHT IN THE FACE AND THIS CROWD IS GOING NUTS!!

Gavin Kirland: Who the hell are ‘they’?!?

CJ Hana: OH, MY GOD! CELES JUST SPIT IN THE FACE OF VALENTINE… AND SHE KICKS VALENTINE RIGHT IN THE GUT! ANGEL’S TOUCH! ANGEL’S TOUCH TO ANDREA VALENTINE ON THE OUTSIDE!

Gavin Kirkland: All hell broke loose as the referee is too busy trying to get these women back in the ring to even begin a count. Celes wastes no time and drives a forearm right into the face Darcy Morgan, who was almost back to her feet, sending her back to the mat on the outside. Celes picks Consuela Ava up violently by her long black hair and rolls her into the ring.

CJ Hana: Celes also rolls back into the ring and mounts Ava, delivering several stiff forearms to the side of her head. Celes stands up over the body of Ava, who has taken some punishment in this match, and poses for the crowd who rain down a chorus of boos on the upcoming challenger for the Specialist Championship. Celes is now on the apron, looking to make her way to the top rope… BUT DARCY MAY MORGAN IS BACK ON HER FEET!

Gavin Kirkland: THE GIRL WHO WON’T QUIT! SHE GRABS AHOLD OF CELES DUMONT BY THE FOOT! LOOOOK OUTTT!!!!!!

CJ HANA: KARINA-ANN!!! KARINA-ANN DELIVERS A SUPER KICK TO THE FACE OF DARCY MAY MORGAN AS THE REFEREE HAD HIS BACK TURNED TO CHECK ON THE CONDITION OF CONSUELA ROSE AVA!!!

Gavin Kirland: CELES IS NOW ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!! SHE’S LOOKING FOR… IRISH DEATH!!!!!

CJ Hana: NO!!!!! CONSUELA AVA ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY, BUT CELES IS LUCKY ENOUGH TO LAND ON HER FEET! SHE CHARGES TOWARD AVA ONCE AGAIN, LOOKING FOR A HUGE CLOTHESLINE, BUT SHE MISSES!

Gavin Kirkland: CONSUELA AVA SWINGS WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE CHIN OF CELES DUMONT WHICH SENDS HER REELING, BUT SHE HASN’T LEFT HER FEET! CONSUELA AVA GETS BEHIND CELES, IT LOOKS LIKE SHE’S POSITIONING FOR THE SUELA LOCK!!!

CJ Hana: Andrea Valentine!!! ANDREA VALENTINE IS BACK IN THE RING… SHE GOES FOR A SUPER KICK TO HER PARTNER, CELES DUMONT…. BUT SHE DUCKS AND IT HITS CONSUELA AVA INSTEAD!

Gavin Kirkland: OH MY!! VALENTINE CAN’T BELIEVE SHE MISSED THAT! THIS MATCH HAS REALLY PUT VALENTINE OFF HER GAME TONIGHT!

CJ Hana: Celes socks Valentine in her jaw, HER OWN PARTNER, and DELIVERS THE DEVILS TRIGGER TO ANDREA VALENTINE WHO FALLS FACE FIRST ONTO THE MAT, ROLLING OUT OF THE RING!

Gavin Kirkland: CONSUELA AVA IS ON HER KNEES, STILL DAMAGED FROM THAT MISSED SUPERKICK ANDREA VALENTINE MEANT FOR HER OWN PARTNER… CELES RUNS TOWARD AVA… GLASSSGOWWWW SMILLEEEE!!! SHE GOES FOR THE COVER, AND ON THE OUTSIDE, KARINA-ANN IS HOLDING DARCY BY HER LEG TO STOP HER FROM BREAKING THE PIN!!!!!

ONEEEE!!!!!

TWOOOOOO!!!!!!!

THREEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Maria Del Rey: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS….THE TEAM OF ANDREA VALENTINE AND CELES DUUUUMONT!

CJ Hana: I’m not sure what just happened, but Celes Dumont seemed to get the best of the exchanges in this match, Gavin.

Gavin Kirkland: That crazy ass ugly bitch got into the head of Andrea Valentine tonight, for sure, as did the conditions of this match to begin with and I think everyone is pissed about it.

CJ Hana: Celes Dumont managed to screw over both her partner and Consuela Rose Ava tonight, picking up a huge win before she battles Valentine in a Barbed Wire Steel Cage match at Pain for Pride.

Gavin Kirkland: I think this gives Valentine even more reason to put some punishment on Celes at Pain for Pride, CJ. Valentine is going to go into that match now with everything to prove against this woman, who has done nothing but play mind games.

(We fade into the backstage confessional set up and see that Cleopatra has seated herself in front of the camera, staring at a small corner of the room and biting her lips before turning her head to face the camera directly.)

Cleopatra: I once told the world that I was the greatest Vixen of all time. That I was the greatest Vixen to ever live. And you know what? I still believe that to be true, in every way imaginable. I’ve always known what’s best for business–I was the first leader of Empire, the very first General Manager that this brand has ever seen. I made this place famous. I took this division to heights that no one had ever thought possible. Without Cleopatra, not a single member of this locker room would have ever received the opportunities they received in this division. Even when the women become an afterthought to the industry. As for me? I was the one that brought this division back to life. I am the TRUE one that carried you all on my back. It’s a shame that people cannot recognize greatness. I’ve been taking L after fucking L because of scumbags wanting to put over their friends and people thinking Cleopatra is okay with being handed everything. You want to know why Cleopatra’s second run has been a disgrace? Because I’ve been held back by two dust monkey’s that can’t hold their own for shit. I almost broke my damn back carrying this division to newer heights and making sure women’s wrestling would become sought out like it is today. I’ve even lent my hand for a few women and tried to pass them the torch. But I’ve been left disappointed every single time I’ve done this. You think I’m happy to have to deal with it all? You think this is what I want to face every single day? That this is what I imagined when I made my return to Empire?

(Cleopatra rolls her eyes, letting out a quick chuckle as she throws her head back. She holds still for a moment, cracks her neck, and looks back into the camera with a frown.)

Cleopatra: I’m a broken woman. Not only did I lose my best friend, now, I’m stuck sitting here, doing absolutely nothing but watch onward as this division that I put so much of myself in falls apart and comes to a close. Is there something that I could have done to prevent it? Probably not. Even though I suffered loss after loss, I stepped in between those ropes with everything I had–and it still wasn’t enough. Not enough to capture a World Title, not enough to retain my Tag Team Championship, and not enough to regain it. That’s just to name a few. Yes, I’m not the same Cleopatra that I was when I was younger, but I’m the Cleopatra with the same spirit as the longest reigning Vixens champion and I will never stop bringing my A game. Especially for a show as big as Pain for Pride.

(Cleopatra takes a deep breath before continuing.)

Cleopatra: Just because Empire is seeing its end, it doesn’t mean that my career will be facing one, either. Amber seems to forget that it’s me with the Hall of Fame ring, that it was me with the record breaking career. I have so much more experience in carrying this division than she could ever claim to. Amber has never done anything like this, she’s hardly scratched the surface of understanding when it comes to sacrificing yourself at this level. I wanna make it clear that when it comes to comparing us, it’s obvious that Cleopatra is the real one you should be looking at, and it’s Amber’s career that’s in grave danger here. Not mine. Do you have any idea how many women have taken a shot at ending my career before? Have made the same promises, have tried to throw me under the bus? Although my heart may not have been as broken before as it is right now, I still know that I have everything it takes to make sure that this women’s division lives to see another day. This may be the end of our brand, but this is far from the end of Cleopatra’s reign over this company. I will only continue to take your breath away–until I’m damn well ready to call it quits on my own terms.

I hope you’re ready for this, Amber. You sure as hell asked for it.

(Cleopatra relaxes in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. She purses her lips and stares into the camera as we fade elsewhere.)

(Empire fades to the ringside area and the camera cuts to Maria. The gorgeous Empire ring announcer is ready to announce the participants for the next match!)

Maria Del Rey: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN… THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR…

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Maria Del Rey: AND IT’S A CASH IN THE VAULT PREVIEW MATCH!!!

(The sweet sounds of “It Ain’t Safe” by Skepta begins to play.)

Gavin Kirkland: YES! I have been waiting all week to be blessed with the presence of Charlie Marr, a true King.

CJ Hana: Charlie Marr is a misogynistic piece of trash who has done nothing but crap on Empire and talk about wanting to be the cancer that kills the show.

Gavin Kirkland: And he is a GOAT for that. Charlie gives no fucks, and that’s the type of man I respect. Not only is he one of the greatest Elitists in this company, but he is one of the greatest men in this company periodt. I respect a man who can keep his bitch in line the way Charlie does Jordie.

CJ Hana: You’re completely disgusting.

(Charlie Marr and Jordie Ripley emerge from behind the curtains, and the crowd unleashes every bit of hate in their hearts towards the duo. Charlie smirks and Jordie stands on her tiptoes, kissing her man on the cheek, before taking his arm. The two begin walking down the ramp.)

Maria Del Rey: INTRODUCING FIRST… BEING ACCOMPANIED TO THE RING BY JORDIE RIPLEY… FROM TOWER HAMLETS, LONDON… WEIGHING IN AT 240 POUNDS… PLEASE WELCOME, CHARLIE MARR!!!!

(Jordie lets go of Charlie and skips ahead, sauntering up the ringsteps and posing sexily against the ropes. She tosses her fluffy, platinum blonde locks and sits down on the ropes, making it easy peasy for Charlie to get into the ring. The handsome, blue-eyed devil climbs into the ring and just basks in the jeers of the crowd.)

(Charlie’s music fades out, and is replaced by “Castle” by Halsey. The jeers for Charlie turn to cheers, as Harlow Reichert steps onto the stage.)

Maria Del Rey: AND HIS OPPONENT… FROM CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND… WEIGHING IN AT 155 POUNDS… SHE IS ‘MISS NO FUCKS GIVEN’ HARLOW REICHERT!!!!

CJ Hana: I am definitely #TeamHarlow here tonight. The evolution of this woman from where she began Season 12 to where she is now is nothing short of incredible. I have really enjoyed watching her grow and evolve into the hungry competitor we see today, and I know she is going to rise to the occasion here tonight.

Gavin Kirkland: CJ, please. Thicclow is in over her head and stands no chance against a wrestler who is as experienced and as cutthroat as Charlie Marr. Harlow stupidly went back and forth with Charlie this week over who the better wrestler is, and he is going to humble her thicc ass tonight.

CJ Hana: I beg to differ. Harlow is incredible inside the ring and can hold her own against anyone. She trains every day with a Hall of Famer, and that is nothing to scoff at.

Gavin Kirkland: I’m sure she’s sucking said Hall of Fame dick, too, but that’s none of my business.

CJ Hana: :damn:

(Harlow slips inside the ring and smirks at Charlie. She wastes no time posing for the fans and sheds her black leather ring jacket. Harlow drops the jacket to the outside, jumps in place a few times, and gets ready to square up with her biggest challenge to date.)

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Gavin Kirkland: Jesus fuck. How the hell am I going to even concentrate on this match with Jordie Ripley standing in front of me?? The way her tight little ass is peaking out of those shorts is making my dick hard.

CJ Hana: I can’t fucking believe I’m actually going to miss this once Empire goes off the air.

Gavin Kirkland: Gawd, I envy Big Dick Bharlie right now.

CJ Hana: Well nevertheless we have a match going on right now between two of next weekend’s Cash in the Vault ladder match competitors. Charlie and Harlow are both circling one another, and it’s Charlie who initiates a tie-up between the two.

Gavin Kirkland: This fucking king is about to wipe the floor with Thicclow!

CJ Hana: It’s Harlow who manages to slip behind Charlie and lock her arms around his waist! Charlie blocks the German suplex attempt, but Harlow kicks him in the back of the left knee and brings him down to the mat! She looks to lock Charlie in a front facelock, but Charlie is able to work his way out of it and get back to his feet. Harlow is back up as well, and Charlie immediately looks to take Harlow down with a clothesline! Harlow ducks and quickly springs back up to her feet, hitting Charlie square in the chest with a dropkick! Charlie falls back against the ropes and Harlow catches him on the rebound with a step up Enziguri! Charlie falls to the mat and Harlow hits him with a double foot stomp the mid-section! Harlow drops down and goes for the cover!

OOONNNEEE!!!

Gavin Kirkland: But Big Dick Bharlie kicks out at one!

CJ Hana: Harlow grabs Charlie by the beard and whips him into the corner! She rushes forward, but Charlie gets his feet up, connecting with Harlow’s jaw and forcing her back. Charlie pushes himself out of the corner and catches Harlow with a running knee lift! She falls to the mat, but he quickly grabs her up, and hits a quick snap suplex! Charlie gets back to his feet and looks down at Harlow, and there is nothing but pure disdain for Harlow written on Charlie’s face.

Gavin Kirkland: Charlie reaches down and jerks Harlow up by that bad dye job he pointed out this week, and he looks to whip her into the ropes! Harlow plants her feet and looks to reverse, but Charlie knocks her in the face with a forearm and sends her into the ropes! He takes Harlow down on the rebound with a shoulder block and rushes the ropes! Charlie comes back and drops his leg across Harlow’s throat and sits in that position for a pin!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWW–

CJ Hana: Harlow kicks out!

Gavin Kirkland: Charlie shakes his head and as he gets up, he brings Harlow up with him. Charlie looks to knock the daylights out of Jax Walker’s former fuck toy, but Harlow is able to block the forearm shot! She fires back with a right hand and follows it up with a chop the Charlie’s chest! Charlie quickly recovers and nails Harlow with a chop! Harlow grabs her chest, but she doesn’t let that deter her! She chops Charlie back! Now Charlie! Harlow! Charlie! Harlow! Charlie! Harlow! Charlie! Charlie! Charlie! Harlow’s chest is turning a horrible shade of red right now and Charlie chops her right into the corner! He begins putting the boots to her and gets Harlow down on the mat! He starts stomping Harlow in the face and the referee has to step in and pull Charlie back!

CJ Hana: Charlie pushes the referee off of and snatches Harlow up by the hair. He slaps her across the face and lifts her up! Charlie bounces Harlow stomach first off the ropes and slams her down to the mat! Charlie drops down and that’s a real lazy cover!

OOONNNEEE!!!

Gavin Kirkland: ‘Low kicks out at one, but Charlie reaches back, grabbing Harlow in a side headlock.

Charlie Marr (Off Mic): I can’t wrestle, right?

(The crowd starts to boo the perfect specimen that is Charlie Marr, much to his delight.)

Gavin Kirkland: :wow: That’s the greatest headlock I have ever seen in my life, CJ.

CJ Hana: :usure:

Gavin Kirkland: Charlie forces Harlow’s shoulders back on the mat, and the referee starts to count!

OOONNNEEE!!!

CJ Hana: Harlow kicks out, but Charlie maintains control with that headlock. Harlow attempts to kick her legs up and lock Charlie in a headscissors, but Charlie wisely lets go and gets to his feet. Harlow sits up, but Charlie slams his foot in her face! Charlie climbs onto the apron and drops down to the floor, and he reaches into the ring and pulls Harlow out by the hair! Harlow hits the ground hard, landing on her side, but Charlie pulls her up to her knees.

Charlie Marr (Off Mic): Kiss my foot, bitch.

Gavin Kirkland: BRILLIANT! Charlie kicks Harlow square in the mouth and that might have knocked a few of her teeth loose! Harlow just spit blood onto the floor and Charlie has her by the hair again! He drags Harlow over to the ring steps and slams her face off the top step! Harlow is getting her ass beat just as she should tonight, and Charlie Marr is proving without a shadow of a doubt that he is Voltage’s King!

(Charlie takes Harlow and whips her into the barricades, and throws his hands up in the air. The crowd takes exception to this and boo the hell out of Charlie.)

CJ Hana: Well Charlie’s not winning over anyone tonight, that’s for sure.

Gavin Kirkland: Because these idiots don’t recognize real fucking talent. Charlie Marr is the greatest thing to ever happen to Elite Answers Wrestling and we should be fucking thankful we have someone like him blostering the ratings of the final ever Empire. There’s a reason Voltage is the greatest show in the world and that’s because Charlie Marr is the face of it!

CJ Hana: You are fucking delusional.

Gavin Kirkland: Charlie looks to grab Harlow up once again but wait! Did she just catch him with a forearm shot to the gut?

CJ Hana: Harlow is absolutely fighting back now and good for her! She’s forced Charlie to back off and she’s pulled herself up! Harlow springs forward and she takes Charlie down with a clothesline! Harlow sees the referee counting both competitors out and she wisely rolls into the ring for a second to break that count up. Now she’s back down on the floor and putting the boots to Charlie! Charlie deserves to have the living shit stomped out of him and Harlow is not holding anything back right now! She finally grabs Charlie and pulls him towards the ring! She uses her strength to force him up and she catches him with an elbow to the face! She slams Charlie’s face off the hardest part of the ring and forces him back inside! Harlow is on the apron now and she somersaults over the ropes, landing right on Charlie!! She reaches back and hooks the leg, but Charlie has his hand on the ropes! Harlow mounts Charlie and starts punching him in the face! Charlie is eating those rights and lefts, and doing his best to fend Harlow off! She’s relentless right now!! Charlie FINALLY throws Harlow off and tries to pull himself out of the ring!

Gavin Kirkland: Harlow has Charlie by the foot though and she jerks him back into the ring! She keeps control of the leg and looks for a figure four! Charlie boots her in that big ole ass though! Harlow stumbles forward and Charlie is able to pull himself onto the apron! Harlow is back up and she heads for the ropes! Charlie dives between them and catches Harlow with a shoulder to the gut! Harlow doubles over and Charlie grabs her by the hair! He drags Harlow over to the ropes and jumps to the floor! Harlow’s head just snapped back and she is down, CJ! Charlie slips back into the ring and goes for a cover!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TT—

CJ Hana: Harlow gets her shoulder up! That’s not going to be enough to put away ‘Miss No Fucks Given’!! Charlie looks to pull Harlow up as he gets to his feet but wait!!! HARLOW PULLS HIM INTO A SMALL PACKAGE AND CHARLIE’S SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!!!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TT—

Gavin Kirkland: He kicked out!!! Thank Gawd!!!!

CJ Hana: Both are back up now and they’ve locked up! Harlow is desperately trying to push Charlie back against the ropes but he is too strong! Charlie manages to grab Harlow around the neck and looks to spike her with a DDT! Harlow elbows her way out and she grabs Charlie by the wrist! Charlie twists around until he’s got Harlow’s arm behind her back, but she is able to work her way free and catch Charlie with a shot to the jaw! Harlow grabs Charlie and snaps him down to the mat, and she goes to follow it up with a kick to the back! But Charlie quickly dives to the side and rolls out of the way! Harlow darts after him and grabs him by the ankle! She pulls Charlie back to the center of the ring and twists that ankle to the side! Charlie looks to grab the ropes and force a break but Harlow smartly falls back!!!

Gavin Kirkland: JORDIE IS ON THE APRON NOW AND SHE IS SCREAMING AT THE REFEREE! WHAT A WOMAN!

CJ Hana: Harlow sees the referee is tied up with Jordie and she lets go of Charlie! That gives Charlie Marr new life and he rolls to the apron, dropping down to the floor! Harlow shouts at Jordie, and look at Jordie! She just flashed Harlow the most innocent smile I have ever seen and drops back down to the mat!

(On the outside of the ring, Charlie is reaching into his boot. He pulls out a pair of brass knux and slips them across his hand.)

Gavin Kirkland: Harlow looks angry, but she’s got bigger things to worry about right now! Charlie Marr has produced a pair of brass knuckles and the referee literally has no clue!

CJ Hana: Charlie starts to get back to his feet and Harlow reaches through the ropes, looking to snatch him by the beard! Charlie swings wildly and he connects with that loaded fist right to the side of Harlow’s face! Harlow is out cold and Charlie shakes his hand free of the knux! He climbs back onto the apron and gets into the ring! Charlie grabs Harlow and pulls her into position for that double underhook DDT he calls ‘The Queen Is Dead’!

Gavin Kirkland: AND IT CONNECTS! CHARLIE GOES FOR THE COVER ON HARLOW!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEE!!!!!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Maria Del Rey: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN… HERE IS YOUR WINNER… CHARLIE MARR!!!

(The crowd erupts in boos as “It Ain’t Safe” by Skepta begins to play across the arena! Jordie quickly scrambles onto the apron, and gets in the ring, leaping into Charlie’s arms once he stands up. The two stand over Harlow’s body and celebrate Charlie’s victory!)

CJ Hana: What a cheap fucking victory for Charlie Marr here on the final episode of Empire. Harlow is going to be devastated when she comes too and realizes what happened.

Gavin Kirkland: Look, that shit is gunna be fully legal come Cash in the Vault and if Harlow was half as good and as smart as she thinks she is, she would have been prepared for something like this to happen.

CJ Hana: Be that as it may, Charlie Marr going down in the record books a winner on the final episode of Empire is a tragedy, and I hope Harlow beats the hell at him come Pain for Pride.

Gavin Kirkland: Fat chance, CJ. #KingsOnly! I know Veena Adams is gunna be happy with this result!

(Charlie has exited the ring, and extends his hand, helping Jordie hop down to the floor. The devious Voltage duo head up the ramp as the referee helps Harlow sit up, and begins to explain to her what happened. Empire fades to commercial break with a final shot of a very unhappy Harlow Reichert.)

(Commercial break — a feature for the Pain for Pride match card.)

(“I Smell A Massacre” by The Butcher Babies begins to play and the fans cheer as Tyler Wolfe makes her way to the ring. She has a focused look on her face, determined to win this big match tonight.)

Maria Del Rey: Making her way to the ring… From Sydney, Australia… Weighing in at 153 pounds… TYLERRRR WOLLFFEE!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Oh yay, Tyler Wolfe! What an amazing competitor! Now, Tyler hasn’t had the most success at big events this year, losing her New Breed title, and women’s world title matches, but don’t let that take away how dangerous she is! Dangerously hot that is.

CJ Hana: Tyler Wolfe is a great talent, and it’s only a matter of time until she gets her hands on some gold once again! But speaking of gold, here comes a competitor who is very familiar with championship gold as well.

(“RISE” by League of Legends follows and the crowd continues to cheer, with Raven Roberts coming down to the ring, focused on Tyler Wolfe, who’s waiting in the ring.)

Maria Del Rey: And her opponent… Now Residing in Las Vegas, Nevada… Weighing in at 138 pounds… RAAAVENNNN ROBBEERRTS!!!

CJ Hana: I said that this woman isn’t a stranger to gold, and that’s because she is actually the first WOMAN to hold the New Breed Championship, defeating Xander Payne, Drake King, and Andy Lush back at Territorial Invasion! She had a terrific title reign, but eventually lost the title to The Visual Prophet.

Gavin Kirkland: Yeah, sure, whatever, but Raven is on a whole new level since those events way back then. Now, Raven is the best she’s ever been, and she aims to prove that here tonight, just before the Cash in the Vault Ladder Match at Pain for Pride! Not to mention those luscious long legs. Imagine how they feel wrapped around my neck? :eclipse:

(Now it’s “Big Bad Wolf” by In This Moment that begins to play, and the crowd continues cheering as Minerva slowly walks down to the ring, with the Empire tag team championship around her waist.)

Maria Del Rey: And their opponent… From Coyote Flats, Texas.. Weighing in at 125 pounds… She is one half of the Empire tag team champions, MIIIIINEERRRVAAAA!!!!!

CJ Hana: And speaking of Pain for Pride, here comes someone with a huge match at the show! Minerva won those Empire tag titles with Constance Blevins pretty recently, back at Terminus, but unfortunately, thanks to the chairman’s impulsiveness, those will become void very soon, which is why her and her partner aim to win those Unified Tag Team Titles at Pain for Pride!

Gavin Kirkland: Yes indeed. The goth twins have a huge shot here to maintain their Tag Team Champion status, but this isn’t Pain for Pride, and right now she’s in the ring with two competitors just as good as she is! Go Constance Blevins!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Gavin Kirkland: And this match is now underway as Raven, Tyler, and Minerva all begin to circle around the ring, waiting to see who will strike first! All three beginning to slowly get closer to each other, who will make the first move? Minerva beginning to glare at Raven, BUT IT’S TYLER WHO ROLLS UP MINERVA!

ONE-

Gavin Kirkland: BUT WAIT, NOW RAVEN ROLLS UP TYLER, BREAKING THE PIN ON MINERVA!

ONE!
TW-

Gavin Kirkland: AND THERE’S A GERMAN SUPLEX BY MINERVA, AND SHE HOLDS THE PIN ON RAVEN!

ONE!
T-

Gavin Kirkland: RAVEN KICKS OUT AND NOW ALL THREE COMPETITORS ONCE AGAIN GET BACK TO THEIR FEET, BUT LOOK! TYLER IMMEDIATELY THROWS RAVEN OUT OF THE RING, BUT THERE’S MINERVA NOW WITH THE ROLL UP ON TYLER THIS TIME!

ONE!
TWO-

CJ Hana: And Tyler kicks out! What a start by these three women, and now Tyler and Minerva are starting with a collar and elbow tie up! Minerva now has a headlock applied on Tyler but Tyler attempts a back suplex–only for Minerva to land on her feet! Minerva now attempting a German Suplex but Tyler manages to free herself from Minerva’s arms, before delivering a hip toss! Tyler now has a rear chinlock applied and Minerva may be in trouble, but there’s Raven coming back into the ring, delivering a huge Dragon Suplex to Tyler!

Gavin Kirkland: Wow…Anyways, Raven now quickly attempting to lock in a headlock as Minerva is on a knee, but Minerva is quick to push Raven into the ropes, causing her to bounce off of them, releasing the headlock! Minerva slides under Raven as she bounces off the ropes, AND THERE’S A DROPKIC- No, Raven catches the legs of Minerva, dropping her to the mat, and there’s a kneebar by Raven! Minerva once again is in trouble! Minerva now using her other leg to try and kick Raven off, and she’s successful in doing so! Both Raven and Minerva are getting to their feet but Raven quickly charges in- BUT MINERVA WITH A POKE TO THE EYES, FOLLOWED BY A SHORT ARM CLOTHESLINE!

CJ Hana: Minerva coming back into this match now as she shifts her focus to Tyler, who’s crawling back to her feet using the turnbuckles. Minerva charging in, and delivers a Clothesline to Tyler at the turnbuckles! Minerva not giving Tyler a chance to fall as she immediately grabs her in a front headlock, and there’s a fisherman’s suplex by one half of the tag team champions! Minerva now with the cover on Tyler!

ONE!
TWO-

CJ Hana: And there’s another kick out! Minerva picking Tyler up now, and this time it’s Minerva sending Tyler out of the ring, BUT LOOK OUT- SUICIDE DIVE BY RAVEN ROBERTS! Raven just took out Tyler Wolfe, BUT HERE COMES MINERVA, SENDING RAVEN INTO THE RING POST! Minerva sending Raven into the ring now as she begins to climb the turnbuckles, BUT TYLER MANAGES TO PULL MINERVA OFF, SENDING HER CRASHING DOWN OUTSIDE THE RING!

Gavin Kirkland: All three women seem out of it right now but it looks like Tyler is the first to get to her feet, and this time it’s her climbing to the top rope as Raven slowly manages to get to her feet as well. DIVING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT BY TYLER! YES! TYLER WITH THE PIN NOW!

ONE!
TWO-

Gavin Kirkland: NO, RAVEN KICKS OUT! Raven now slowly crawling to the corner as Tyler begins to back up. Is she looking to hit that running meteora? Tyler charging in now, NO NO NO! MINERVA WITH A SPINEBUSTER JUST BEFORE TYLER COULD GET TO RAVEN! TYLER WAS JUST SENT CRASHING TO THE MAT WITH THAT SPINEBUSTER, BUT RAVEN NOW TAKING MINERVA OUT FROM BEHIND WITH A LARIAT! Both Minerva and Tyler are down and Raven is making her way to the top rope! This could be it for this match up already! RAVEN’S WINGS- BUT NOBODY’S HOME! BOTH MINERVA AND TYLER ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY, AND RAVEN JUST CRASHED INTO THE MAT, AND NOW IT’S MINERVA CRAWLING OVER TO RAVEN FOR THE COVER!

ONE!
TWO!!
T-

CJ Hana: KICK OUT BY RAVEN! Minerva now using the ropes to get to her feet as Tyler is still out from that spinebuster, it’s just Minerva and Raven now! Raven now rolling out of the ring, but Minerva quickly follows behind, AND THERE’S A BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK JUST AS RAVEN GOT TO HER FEET–CAR CRASH SUICIDE DIVE BY TYLER! TYLER USING ALL HER ENERGY TO HIT THAT SUICIDE DIVE TO MINERVA, WHO WAS SEATED ON THE APRON AFTER HITTING THAT BASEBALL SLIDE! Tyler now holding her midsection as she pulls herself into the corner, as now it’s Minerva and Raven taken out outside of the ring! At this rate all Tyler has to do is pin either one of them!

Gavin Kirkland: Yeah but she can’t do that by sitting there, come on Tyler!

CJ Hana: Yeah I know that, but remember there are two people outside that ring, she only needs one of them to be inside the ring for her to pin them! Anyways, Minerva and Raven now using the apron and barricade to help themselves get to their feet, before beginning to trade hands! First Raven with a strike! Now Minerva! Raven! Minerva! These two are going back and forth here and they’re not looking to stop any time soon, BUT LOOK OUT FROM BEHIND! TYLER GRABBING MINERVA, AND THERE’S A RIPCORD ROLLING ELBOW–BUT THERE’S THE FACELIFT TO TYLER! RAVEN CONNECTS WITH THE SPINNING HEEL KICK AND NOW SHE’S BRINGING TYLER BACK INTO THE RING, THE COVER! THERE’S THE COVER!

ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-

Gavin Kirkland: YES! TYLER GETS THE SHOULDER UP! THIS MATCH IS STILL ON, BUT RAVEN CAN’T SEEM TO BELIEVE IT! RAVEN THOUGHT THIS MATCH WAS OVER, BUT THANK GOD, TYLER KICKED OUT! Meanwhile Minerva is still on the outside of the ring, and unfortunately it looks like Raven might be able to finish this match!

CJ Hana: Why unfortunately?

Gavin Kirkland: You know why! Anyways, Raven is making her way to the top rope once more, BUT LOOK NOW! MINERVA CHARGES RIGHT TOWARDS RAVEN AND SHE PUSHES THE LEG, CAUSING RAVEN TO DROP ONTO THE TURNBUCKLE! Minerva climbing up now, and she hooks the arm! Minerva now, WITH A SUPERPLEX! MINERVA GOING FOR THE COVER!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!-

CJ Hana: RAVEN GETS THE SHOULDER UP! BUT MINERVA, WITH THE SPLIT LEGGED MOONSAU–NO! RAVEN ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY, BUT MINERVA MANAGES TO LAND ON HER FEET! Raven is attempting to get to her feet with those ropes, but Minerva is approaching her–BUT THERE’S AN ELBOW TO THE JAW! Minerva sent stumbling back now as Raven approaches her now, FACELIFT- NO! IT’S DUCKED, AND THERE’S A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION BY MINERVA, AND SHE’S PICKING RAVEN UP! SEEDS OF EVIL, IT CONNECTS! THE FISHERMAN’S BUSTER CONNECTS, THAT’S IT, THAT’S GOT TO BE IT, AND NOW MINERVA IS GOING FOR THE COVER!

Gavin Kirkland: BUT LOOK AT TYLER, BREAKING UP THE PIN, AND MINERVA HAS ONLY GOTTEN TO A KNEE–BINGO HALL MASSACRE ON MINERVA, AND MINERVA ROLLS OUT OF THE RING! THAT CANADIAN DESTROYER CONNECTED BUT SHE CAN’T COVER HER! NOW WHAT’S SHE SUPPOSED TO DO? HER ONE CHANCE OF WINNING THIS THING IS GONE!

CJ Hana: USE YOUR HEAD FOR ONCE, GAVIN, RAVEN’S RIGHT THERE, AND TYLER IS PICKING HER UP! TYLER NOW, UP TO THE SECOND ROPE, GOD IS A WOMAN! IT CONNECTS, AND MINERVA IS OUT OF THE RING! THIS IS IT, THE COVER BY TYLER, TO WIN THIS TRIPLE THREAT MATCH!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Maria Del Rey: Here is your winner…TYLERRR WOLLFFEEEE!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: YES, TYLER WINS!! TYLER WINS THE MATCH!!

CJ Hana: Yes, yes, alright, sit down, we get it. But wow, what a match here tonight! All three women gave it their all, but in the end it was Tyler Wolfe who managed to get the win! This was a big win for her, on, unfortunately, the final episode of Empire! :mjcry:

Gavin Kirkland: You’re not gonna let me forget about that for a second are you? :mjcry: It really is a shame this is the final one, but still, what a performance by these three! And what a huge mark Tyler has made here on our final episode. Give it up for the blondes, eh?!

(“I Smell A Massacre” starts playing again, and Tyler has a big smile on her face as her hand is held up by the referee, as Raven is down on the mat, and Minerva is outside of the ring, holding her neck clearly frustrated.)

(We fade back to the confessional set up from earlier and see Sienna Jade seated in front of the purple backdrop, her Women’s World Championship glistening as the camera focuses on her beautiful smile.)

Sienna Jade: I like to think of myself as what some of you might like to call…the bread and butter of this division. (She faces a sly smile.) I made this title, you know? I made it mean something, finally, after all the corrupt paper champions that came before me. Sienna Jade is the base that kept this entire division afloat, despite all that was done to try and tear Empire down by those lowlife fuck ups that wasted all their precious time in this place. I’ve seen this all before. Happened when I was at the top of the REVOLT! Freeweight division, too, didn’t it? When I first stepped foot into this company as the star talent from REVOLT! Pro Combat, no shit there was going to be a huge, flashy, obvious target on my back for everyone to see. I remember it like it was yesterday. Everyone was gunning for the fresh meat. Everyone here was itching to eat me alive, along with the other REVOLT alumni in efforts to scare us off. I’d never seen anything like it. The Empire broads that came before us claimed their territory and made it clear that they would be damned if they allowed some foreigners to colonize the land they fought so hard to build and maintain. Little did they know their land was slowly rotting away–as you can see for yourselves so evidently now.

(Sienna lets out a giggle and shrugs.)

Sienna Jade: They wanted to act like they were the tape that held Empire together, even though their tape was at the brink of snapping at just a moment’s notice. It didn’t take that long to finally see this place crumble. And look who’s still standing? Who outlasted those ungrateful bitches at the top? They swore they were untouchable, but guess what? I’m Unfuckwithable. Closing the doors on Empire won’t change that. Not today, not ever.

(She adjusts her Women’s World Championship belt over her shoulders.)

Sienna Jade: Since the moment I stepped foot on EAW territory, I knew that it was going to be my goal to represent REVOLT as best as I could. How could I not, it was my old stomping grounds, after all. I really had no other choice but to give that company the best send-off it could ever possibly receive from anybody. I wanted to represent the company that made me and continue showing off REVOLT’s legacy with every single move I made, and my championship’s design tells that story. These championship plates mean the world to me. They mean more to me than anyone could ever realize. It’s why I fight so hard to keep this belt around my waist. I could never imagine going a day knowing that my rightful title is in the hands of someone who doesn’t care. I couldn’t even fathom thinking of this title is in the possession of someone who isn’t nearly as passionate or dedicated as me. How fucked up would that be? For all of us?

Sienna Jade: If I ever lose my championship, then I’ve lost Sienna Jade, too. When destiny has put you on a path for a single goal and you’ve completed that goal with such grace and authority, there’s nothing else left for me to become, I can’t go anywhere else. My reign as champion has been successful thus far and will be successful until I decide to single-handedly drop this title and achieve ventures elsewhere. And after that? This title will fall apart all over again, I bet. The title doesn’t make me. I make the title. And I’m the type of star that if I lose the title whenever I decide to. Serena Bennett can think otherwise all she wants, but come Pain for Pride, she’s only going to regret the moment she stepped foot in between my ring ropes, she’s going to feel sorrier for herself than she ever has in her entire life. I have no intention of allowing my championship to ever fall in the wrong hands, ever again. And Serena’s going to need to bring a lot more besides flashy jewelry and an uncontrollable attitude if she ever thinks to put an end to my reign.

(Sienna forcefully stands up from her chair, allowing it to fall to the floor with a clank. The camera catches her as she walks off, leaving nothing but the purple backdrop within view as we fade to black.)

(Commercial break — an ad for Amber Keys’ locksmithing service.)

(“ULTRAnumb” by Blue Stahli blasts through the speakers in the Prudential Center. The crowd EXPLODES in a pop as Cameron Ella Ava walks out from the back. Cameron has on her traditional ring attire. This time in purple and white. She has on her traditional snapback as she does her signature pose.)

Maria Del Rey: The following match is scheduled for ONE FALL —

Crowd: ONE FALL!!

Maria Del Rey: Introducing first…from Los Angeles, California…she is “The Goddess”…CAAAAAAMMMMMMMEEEERRRRRROOOOOONNNNN ELLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAVVVAAAAAA!!

Gavin Kirkland: THE GODDESS IS ON OUR PRESENCE, CJ! I HAVE BEEN BLESSED ON THIS DAY! :blessed: :blessed: :blessed: SHE IS NOT A BLONDE, BUT SHE IS BAE AF! I STAN A LEGEND!

CJ Hana: You say that because she always goes to the FOX launch parties.

Gavin Kirkland: That’s just one of the reasons, CJ! She’s a beautiful woman, businesswoman, tremendous athlete, hard worker. One of the hottest women in this company today. I hear the word on the streets that she is a wife in the streets, but a mistress in the sheets. :heart_eyes:

CJ Hana: Gavin, she’s a married woman. :whoa:

Gavin Kirkland: Her husband isn’t here. :shaq:

(As Cameron Ella Ava is already in the ring, she is waiting for Serena Bennett. “ULTRAnumb” dies down, but it is replaced by “Surfin’” by Kid Cudi featuring Pharrell Williams. The crowd continues to keep that explosive pop as Serena Bennett comes out in her signature ring attire. She has on her pink shades as she has on her chair and rings on her fingers. She is flashing them to the crowd as she poses on top of the ramp, smiling at the ovation of the crowd.)

Maria Del Rey: And, introducing her opponent…from Compton, California…she is the winner of the 2019 Women’s Grand Rampage Match … SEEERRRREEEEEEEENNNNNNAAAAAAAAAA BEEEENNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!

CJ Hana: In about a week, Serena Bennett will be facing Sienna Jade in order to become the first-ever Universal Champion at Pain for Pride! Tonight, she has to face a Hall of Famer in Cameron Ella Ava. Throughout the week, Serena has questioned Cameron’s legitimacy as a Hall of Famer. She says that Cameron isn’t deserving of her ring. She says that Cameron isn’t deserving of being the one to break out of Empire and make something of herself —

Gavin Kirkland: This bitch is really going to question on whether people deserve things? :mjlol: This bitch doesn’t deserve to main event Pain for Pride. Didn’t deserve to win the Women’s Grand Rampage Match. Didn’t deserve to win the Specialists Championship. Didn’t deserve a contract for Empire. Hell, she didn’t deserve to spit shine Stephon Hunte’s shoes, but here we are. Cameron is going to wipe the floor with this traitor and make her eat her words.

CJ Hana: Serena Bennett has a clear shot at winning, but this is Cameron Ella Ava’s chance to prove that she can hang with some of these women! This is going to be a great match for sure! Let’s get to the main event!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

CJ Hana: What a wonderful way to conclude this last episode of Empire than with this main event! One of the two women vying for the Universal Women’s Championship, Serena Bennett squares off against a woman, who helped establish Empire along with Kendra Shamez, Cameron Ella Ava! Interesting fact: Cameron took part in the first main event on the first episode of Empire, so it makes so much sense that she would be invited back to compete in the last main event on Empire! It was also against that Serena Bennett look alike, so it seems like nothing has changed at all!

(The crowd is up in their feet, applauding the two women. Serena Bennett and Cameron Ella Ava are looking around in the crowd, encouraging them to make this a match to remember. If this is going to be the last match for Empire, these two are going to leave everything in that ring.)

Gavin Kirkland: It would have been so nice to have Cameron Ella Ava during these last few months! She may not be a blonde, but she’s a lot better than Serena Bennett. :wow: Cameron and Serena get closer to each other as they lock up! Cameron and Serena are trying to push the other near the ropes, but both women are not giving up without a fight! Cameron seems to be getting the upper hand on Serena as she manages to push her towards the ropes! Cameron backs herself away from the former Specialists Champion! Cameron blessing Serena with some time to compose herself! Cameron backing away and it seems like the Hall of Famer is gesturing for Serena Bennett to come at her! Without much thought for what could happen with that, Serena goes right after Cameron Ella Ava, but Cameron manages to turn Serena and connect with snapmare facebreaker as Serena flies back in response! Cameron gets Serena by her neck before following that up with a rolling snapmare! Cameron gets in front of Serena before connecting with a meteora! In the process, Cameron stays there for the cover! It seems like we’re going to be ending this match sooner than I thought!

Marti Solo: OOOOOOOONE!!

CJ Hana: Serena Bennett manages to kick out! At the same time, she knocks Cameron Ella Ava off of her! Cameron is the first one out of the two to get back to a vertical base! Shortly after, Serena gets to a vertical base as well! CAMERON RUSHES TOWARDS SERENA WITH A KNOCK BITCHES OUT — THAT FOREARM SMASH IS SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR, BUT SERENA MANAGES TO CATCH CAMERON BY HER RIGHT ARM AND CONNECT WITH AN ARMBREAKER! CAMERON IS CLUTCHING TO THAT ARM WHILE SERENA MANAGES TO SWEEP THE BACK OF CAMERON’S FEET! Cameron falls to her knees as Serena goes connecting with some stiff forearm shots on the older woman! Serena saw her opening there and man, did she take advantage of it? Serena gets off of Cameron Ella Ava and grabs Cameron by her hair! Serena Bennett with a headbutt to “The Goddess”. THIS TAKES CAMERON DOWN TO ONE KNEE AS SERENA TAKES A STEP BACK BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK, BUT CAMERON MANAGES TO DUCK THE ROUNDHOUSE KICK! SERENA LOSES HER BALANCE AS CAMERON WRAPS HER ARMS AROUND SERENA’S WAIST — GERMAN SUPLEX! NO! SERENA MANAGES TO LAND ON HER FEET! CAMERON TURNS HERSELF AROUND! SERENA RUNS TOWARDS CAMERON — SOMERSAULT CLOTHESLINE! THIS KNOCKS CAMERON TO THE GROUND AS SERENA GOES FOR THE COVER!

Marti Solo: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!!

Gavin Kirkland: Cameron Ella Ava kicks out, but I had no doubt that she would! She wouldn’t disappoint me by losing to Serena Bennett! Serena gets Cameron up to a vertical base! Serena pushes Cameron to the ropes! Cameron rebounds off the ropes as Serena connects with a dropkick! The dropkick takes Cameron down as Serena gets back to her feet with ease! Cameron is clutching her stomach as she tries her best to make it back to her feet! Serena manages to get Cameron in a headlock! Cameron is stuck there for a moment, but she manages to push the number one contender for the Universal Women’s Championship away from her! Cameron manages to stop herself before colliding with the ropes! Serena goes right after Cameron, but Cameron manages to connect with a back elbow! Cameron follows that up with a springboard roundhouse kick that takes Serena Bennett to the ground! CAMERON GETS SERENA’S ARM BEFORE BENDING IT BACK AND STOMPING ON IT! JUST SEEING SERENA BENNETT SQUIRM AROUND IN PAIN IS BEAUTIFUL TO ME! CAMERON GETS SERENA’S RIGHT ARM BEFORE SLAMMING IT AGAINST THE CANVAS! THAT DID NOT LOOK PRETTY AT ALL, BUT I COULD CARE LESS! CAMERON GETS SERENA BY HER RIGHT ARM! IT SEEMS LIKE CAMERON ELLA AVA IS GOING FOR AN ARMBAR!

CJ Hana: Serena Bennett avoids the move and rolls herself underneath the bottom rope! She may have just bought herself some time, but I don’t think that Cameron likes having her time wasted! CAMERON TAKES A FEW STEPS BACK BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A TOPE CON HILO TO SERENA BENNETT AT THE OUTSIDE —

Gavin Kirkland: — NO! SERENA BENNETT MANAGES TO CATCH CAMERON ELLA AVA FROM MIDAIR! SHE USES WHATEVER STRENGTH SHE HAS AND POWERBOMBS HER AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE RING APRON! CAMERON IS CLUTCHING THE BACK OF HER NECK! THAT SERENA IS SUCH AN UNSAFE WORKER! IS THAT THE WOMAN YOU WANT AS YOUR UNIVERSAL WOMEN’S CHAMPION? I KNOW, I’M NOT GOING TO BE AROUND AFTER PAIN FOR PRIDE. I AM SPEAKING TO YOU AS SOMEONE WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE BLONDES GOING INTO THIS SEASON! WE DON’T NEED SERENA TRYING TO INJURE EVERYONE IN SIGHT! Serena gets Cameron up by her hair and slams her forehead against the edge of the apron! Cameron falls back to a seated position in response! Serena connects with a chop to Cameron’s chest! She could pop one of Cameron’s implants! Serena is not thinking about the reason why FOX loves The Avas and more specifically, Cameron! Serena Bennett with another chop to Cameron’s chest! Serena is backing Cameron towards the barricade! Cameron is staying there! Serena takes a few steps back before running! SERENA BENNETT RUNS TOWARDS CAMERON ELLA AVA — METEORA TO CAMERON’S STOMACH! CAMERON COLLAPSES TO A SEATED POSITION! HER BACK AGAINST THE BARRICADE! SERENA GETS CAMERON UP BEFORE FOLLOWING EVERYTHING UP WITH A MONKEY FLIP ON THE FORMER WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION! CAMERON FALLS TO A SEATED POSITION BEFORE SERENA CONNECTS WITH A SUPERKICK THAT KNOCKS “THE GODDESS” TO HER BACK!

CJ Hana: Serena Bennett gets Cameron Ella Ava and rolls her back inside the ring. Serena slides back to the ring after! Serena is on her feet as she is gesturing for Cameron to get back to her feet! CAMERON SLOWLY IS GETTING BACK TO HER FEET, BUT SERENA RUNS TOWARDS CAMERON — MOONLIGHT ON CAMERON ELLA AVA! THAT RUNNING NECKBREAKER TAKES DOWN CAMERON, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE SERENA IS NOT DONE YET! SHE GOES FOR A SECOND MOONLIGHT! A THIRD MOONLIGHT! A FOURTH MOONLIGHT! SERENA USUALLY STOPS AT FOUR, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE SERENA IS RUNNING TOWARDS CAMERON AND PLANTS HER WITH A FIFTH MOONLIGHT! Serena elevates back to her feet! The confident building on this woman’s face! Serena approaches the top turnbuckle before situating herself on top of it! Serena is demanding for Cameron to get back to her feet! Usually when Serena goes high risk, it means trouble! In perfect timing, Cameron Ella Ava is rising back to her feet, but I don’t think that she is quite aware of what move Serena is going to hit next. :lupe:

Gavin Kirkland: The traitor from the top rope — DIVING HURRICANRANA ON CAMERON ELLA AVA! NO! CAMERON MANAGES TO GET SERENA BENNETT IN POSITION — ALABAMA SLAM ON THE FORMER SPECIALISTS CHAMPION! CAMERON JUST SLAMMED SERENA ON HER NECK AS SHE EXECUTED THAT MOVE! CAMERON MANAGED TO PULL OUT THAT MOVE AND IT WAS WELL-NEEDED ON HER PART! Both of these women are down, but it seems like Cameron has having a better luck of racing back to her feet! Cameron gets Serena by her arm before delivering a huge Irish whip! Serena’s back crashes to the corner as she stays there, giving herself a moment or two to catch her breath! But, it seems like Cameron is not going to give her much time before running at the younger woman with a flying forearm! Cameron gets Serena and follows that up with a snapmare facebreaker on her! Cameron with a calf kick to Serena as she falls back on the ropes! Cameron gets Serena before connecting with a northern lights suplex! Cameron has the bridge as she pins Serena! This can be over, CJ!

Marti Solo: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

CJ Hana: Serena Bennett kicks out at two! Serena is not going to give up! Serena bridges herself out of the northern lights suplex! Serena turns herself around before kicking Cameron in the stomach! Serena follows that up with a dragon whip, which knocks Cameron to her side! Serena takes a step back before running and connecting with a dropkick! This sends Cameron to the corner! CAMERON IS TRYING TO GET HERSELF BACK UP TO A VERTICAL BASE, BUT SERENA GOES RIGHT AFTER CAMERON AND GOES FOR THAT DEADLY TWO SHOOT KICKS AND JUMPING BACK KICK COMBINATION — WITH THE SHITS! SERENA TAKES A STEP BACK BEFORE RUNNING TOWARDS CAMERON AND CONNECTING WITH A METEORA! SHE MANAGES TO STAND ON THE SECOND ROW OF THE TURNBUCKLE! SHE GETS CAMERON’S NECK IN A HEADLOCK BEFORE FOLLOWING THAT UP WITH A BULLDOG! SERENA ROLLS OVER CAMERON TO HER BACK BEFORE COVERING HERE!

Marti Solo: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Gavin Kirkland: Cameron Ella Ava gets a shoulder up! Cameron refuses to die in this match! It’s not only Serena Bennett, who wants to send a message to Sienna Jade, but Cameron wants to make an impression going into her match against Xavier Williams! Serena Bennett has her hands on her hips as she is wondering what she should be doing next! Serena gets Cameron and it seems like we’re going to be seeing a chinlock on Cameron Ella Ava! Serena is going to be looking for any sort of way to weaken “The Goddess”, but Cameron has a never say die attitude! CAMERON IS FEELING THE PAIN OF THE CHINLOCK, BUT I DON’T BELIEVE IT IS ENOUGH TO MAKE HER SUBMIT! SERENA IS GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME WITH MAKING CAMERON SUBMIT! IF ANYTHING, SHE MAY NEED TO KNOCK CAMERON UNCONSCIOUS IF SHE WANTS A CHANCE AT WINNING! MEANWHILE FOR CAMERON, SHE HAS A VARIETY OF FINISHERS THAT SHE CAN PULL OFF AND WIN!

(There is a divided crowd tonight. One half of the crowd begins to chant “LET’S GO CAMERON” and the other half begins to chant “LET’S GO SERENA”.)

CJ Hana: It seems like this crowd is divided on who they want to win! Personally for me, I won’t be too upset about any of these women waiting. But, it’s pretty darn obvious who you want to win, Gavin!

Gavin Kirkland: Cameron Ella Ava should win this match and she is capable of winning this match, CJ! I have had enough with some of these neckbeards stating that Cameron couldn’t hang with this “new era”. She’s proven that when facing any of the shiny new toys, Cameron can leave an impression! Look at this, CJ! Cameron is mustering up the strength to get out of that stupid chinlock! She is going to refuse for Serena Bennett to keep her down! Cameron is going to show the world why she is one of the best female competitors in this company! Cameron is bridging herself out of the chinlock! Serena feels her grasp slipping away from her! But, that traitor gets Cameron and connects with a backbreaker on Cameron! THIS BACKFLIPS CAMERON — SERENITY! SERENA BENNETT HAS SERENITY LOCKED IN! THE INVERTED INDIAN DEATHLOCK FACELOCK ON CAMERON ELLA AVA! SERENA IS GOING TO DO HER BEST TO MAKE CAMERON SUBMIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! CAMERON IS IN TROUBLE RIGHT NOW! DO NOT QUIT, CAMERON! IF YOU SUBMIT, I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO LIVE WITH THE FACT OF SERENA BENNETT MAKING SUCH A LOVELY WOMAN LIKE YOURSELF SUBMIT! I CANNOT LOOK AT THIS, CJ!

CJ Hana: Look at this, Gavin! Cameron Ella Ava is trying to drag her body to the bottom rope! There is still a ton of fighting spirit in the former Tag Team Champion! Cameron is not going to give up without a fight! She knows how much winning this match means to her! She knows that she cannot let Serena win this match! CAMERON NEEDS TO PROVE THAT SHE CAN HANG WITH THE “NEW ERA”! CAMERON HASN’T LOST HER TOUCH! CAMERON STILL HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO SQUARE OFF AGAINST ANY MALE OR FEMALE IN THIS COMPANY! CAMERON IS DRAGGING HER BODY TO THAT BOTTOM ROPE! SHE KNOWS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHE MUST DO! THE LONGER SHE IS IN SERENITY, THE MORE LIKELY SHE WILL FIND HERSELF PASSING OUT DUE TO THE PAIN! ON THE OTHER HAND, SERENA NEEDS TO PROVE TO HERSELF THAT IT IS HER TIME TO TAKE HER PLACE AS THE TOP FEMALE WRESTLER IN EAW! THAT EAW NEEDS SOMEONE NEW AND FRESH TO LEAD WOMEN’S WRESTLING TO A NEW ERA! WITH THE UNIVERSAL WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP BEING CROWNED AT PAIN FOR PRIDE, SERENA SEES HERSELF AS THAT WOMAN! Cameron is slowly getting to that bottom rope! Serena is doing everything in her power to keep Cameron back, but Cameron manages to get her fingertips on the bottom rope! She manages to get Serenity off of her because of that!

Marti Solo: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! LET GO, SERENA!

Gavin Kirkland: Serena Bennett thought that she was going to win there! :mjlol: She shouldn’t have had her hopes up there! Cameron Ella Ava will never hesitate to crush those hopes and dreams! It is what lead her to become Women’s World Championship in the early part of 2017! Serena releases the move, but Cameron rolls herself underneath the bottom rope and rests on the apron! The winner of the Women’s Grand Rampage Match isn’t going to let Cameron catch a breather as she connects with a baseball slide. She kicks Cameron off the ring apron as she falls ringside! “The Goddess” finds herself on her back as Serena rolls herself underneath the bottom rope! SERENA GETS CAMERON UP TO A VERTICAL BASE BEFORE SLAMMING HER HEAD AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE APRON! CAMERON’S HEAD GOES BACK IN RESPONSE, BUT SERENA GETS CAMERON’S HEAD AGAIN BEFORE SLAMMING IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN! SERENA GOES HAYWIRE WITH EACH OTHER, BUT SHE DELIVERS ONE LAST ONE BEFORE LEAVING CAMERON TO DROP TO THE FLOOR!

(The official begin her count as Serena Bennett picks up Cameron Ella Ava before getting her back up to her feet! Serena rams Cameron back first against the edge of the apron. You can see the pain in Cameron’s face. Serena rolls Cameron back into the ring. Serena rolls back afterwards.)

CJ Hana: Serena Bennett is stalking Cameron Ella Ava back to her feet! The former Women’s World Champion is in serious trouble. She is getting back to her feet, but she has no clue with what Serena has planned. Cameron gets up to her feet, but Serena runs towards Cameron before connecting with a somersault clothesline! Cameron drops to her back as Serena scrambles for the cover! This could be all over, Gavin!

Marti Solo: OOOOOOOOOOOOONE!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Gavin Kirkland: Cameron Ella Ava gets a shoulder up! You can see a bit frustration on the look of that traitor’s face. Cameron is too stubborn to keep down. I mean, you could ask “God Emperor” and resident sex pot, Theron Nikolas. He barely walked out with the Answers World Championship. You would ask our “beloved” chairman about how stubborn Cameron Ella Ava is. He would go all night about it. The only man that Cameron is more than willing to get her on her back is that dumb cunt that she married. Even then, he still wouldn’t put her over.

CJ Hana: …You really just don’t give a damn about what you say now?

Gavin Kirkland: We’re all out of a job after Pain for Pride. Might as well go out with a bang. Where you at, Cleopatra? :shaq:

CJ Hana: As we focus back into the match, Serena Bennett gets Cameron Ella Ava back to a vertical base! CAMERON THROWS A FOREARM TO SERENA! SERENA THROWS A FOREARM TO CAMERON! CAMERON THROWS ANOTHER FOREARM TO SERENA! SERENA THROWS ANOTHER FOREARM TO CAMERON! BOTH THESE WOMEN ARE TRADING FOREARM SHOTS AT ONE ANOTHER! BOTH OF THEM STAGGER BACK, BUT THEY DO NOT LOSE THEIR BALANCE COMPLETELY! CAMERON WITH KNOCK BITCHES OUT! THE FOREARM SMASH TAKES DOWN THE FORMER SPECIALISTS CHAMPION! SERENA BENNETT IS DOWN! CAMERON HAS SERENA WHERE SHE WANTS HER! CAMERON IS GESTURING FOR SERENA TO GET UP TO HER FEET! CAMERON IS FEELING IT! SHE IS ANTICIPATING THIS MOVE! SERENA BEGINS TO RISE TO HER FEET, BUT GODDESS’ TOUCH! THE RUNNING ENZIGURI ON SERENA BENNETT! CAMERON RACES FOR THE COVER! THAT IS ALL SHE WROTE!

Marti Solo: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! THRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Gavin Kirkland: HOW DID SERENA BENNETT KICK OUT OF THAT??? That should have been enough to keep that traitor down! Cameron Ella Ava is looking a little confused! She is looking up the official holding three fingers! She thought that was a three count there, but the official is clarifying that Serena Bennett kicked out at the last second! I agree with Cameron! That was a three count! Empire stays screwing Cameron Ella Ava out of great things! You can see the demeanor change within a flip of a switch with Cameron! Cameron gets back to a vertical base! She gets Serena back to her feet before getting her by the arm! Irish whip by Cameron as that sends Serena to the corner! Cameron connects with some double knees onto Serena’s chest as that takes her forward! Cameron follows that with a clothesline as that sends Serena to her back! Cameron with a knee drop as that takes Serena down!

CJ Hana: No! SERENA BENNETT MANAGES TO ROLL OUT OF THE WAY! CAMERON ELLA AVA’S RIGHT KNEE COLLIDES WITH THE CANVAS! THAT DOES NOT LOOK GOOD AT ALL! THAT ACTUALLY LOOKS QUITE PAINFUL! CAMERON IS CLUTCHING TO HER RIGHT KNEE! THE WORST THING TO HAPPEN AT THIS POINT OF THE MATCH WOULD BE TO GET AN INJURY! Serena with a knee bar as that takes down Cameron Ella Ava! No! Cameron manages to get out of position, but Serena goes back to her feet as she begins to stomp on Cameron’s knee! You can hear Cameron’s cries of pain! The last thing that Cameron needs to do is get an injury before she takes on Veena Adams on Voltage and then Xavier Williams at Pain for Pride! Cameron needs to be at 100% for her next two matches! Serena is pressing on Cameron’s knee as she holds it there! The official begins her count!

Marti Solo: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! RELEASE THE HOLD, SERENA!

Gavin Kirkland: Do what the official tells you, Serena! If you can’t listen to officials, you’ll get yourself disqualified! Serena Bennett releases the hold! Cameron is clutching her knee in pain as she rolls underneath the bottom rope again! Cameron is clutching on her knee as she is in the horizontal part of the ring apron, the part that is facing us! This is the same mistake that Cameron made earlier in the match! This is going to end her in a similar situation as last time! Serena scuffs before delivering a baseball slide to Cameron!

CJ Hana: No! CAMERON ELLA AVA MANAGES TO JUMP OFF THE APRON! SERENA BENNETT GOES SLIDING OUT OF THE RING! SHE STUMBLES TO HER FEET — KNOCK BITCHES OUT! CAMERON WITH A NASTY FOREARM SMASH OUT OF NOWHERE! SERENA IS TAKEN DOWN! SERENA LOOKS OUT OF IT, GAVIN! CAMERON LOOKS OUT OF IT AS WELL! WAIT, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?

(Cameron Ella Ava goes to the timekeeper’s area and pulls out a steel chair. The crowd is nervous about what Cameron is going to prove here. Most are nervous that she is going to use that steel chair against Serena Bennett.)

Gavin Kirkland: HIT HER, CAM! HIT HER! GIVE HER A TASTE OF HER OWN MEDICINE! I HAVE BEEN WAITING SIX MONTHS FOR THIS! IT’S FINALLY UPON US! THE DEATH OF SERENA BENNETT!! :blessed: :blessed: :blessed:

(Cameron Ella Ava is not hitting Serena Bennett with that steel chair! She’s…unfolding it and sitting down backwards on it. Cameron is looking at Serena with a huge grin on her face.)

Cameron Ella Ava (off mic): Still think I can’t hang with someone like you? Still, think I’m not deserving of my Hall of Fame ring? Still, think that I’m not one of the best female competitors in the company?

Marti Solo: ONE! TWO!

(Serena Bennett is down as she is looking up at Cameron Ella Ava. Still a bit dazed from that forearm that Cameron gave her. Then, Serena forms a smirk on her face, almost like she wants to laugh, but she is feeling fired at the moment.)

Marti Solo: THREE! FOUR!

Cameron Ella Ava (off mic): You don’t need to respect me. You don’t need to like me. You don’t need to hail me as one of the all time greats. But, if tonight isn’t proof that I’m good at my craft, then I don’t know what is.

(Serena Bennett rises back to her feet, but Cameron Ella Ava is not rising back to her seat. Instead, Serena goes over to the timekeeper’s desk and pulls out another steel chair. She stands across Cameron and unfolds the steel chair as she sits backwards on it as well. This is confusing the hell out of the crowd.)

Gavin Kirkland: The fuck is this shit?

Marti Solo: FIVE! SIX!

Serena Bennett (off mic): You’re good, but I’m better. But, the more this match continues, the more chances that we are not gonna to be 100% going into Pain for Pride. I would love nothin’ more than to finish off this match, but let’s be real, I know you wanna beat Xavier with no injury holdin’ ya ass back next week! ‘Cause I know that I wanna beat Sienna with nothin’ holdin’ me back either. We can either enter that ring and continue, knowing damn well we’re probably gonna hurt ourselves. Or we can step back and set ourselves straight in time for Pain for Pride.

Marti Solo: SEVEN! EIGHT!

Gavin Kirkland: BEAT THE HELL OUT OF HER, CAM!

Cameron Ella Ava (off mic): You make a good point. For the spirit of Pain for Pride season, I’ll agree on this.

Marti Solo: NINE!

(The two women gave a small smile and nod before looking at the official.)

Marti Solo: TEN! RING THE BELL!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Maria Del Rey: AS NEITHER WOMEN COULDN’T MAKE IT BACK TO THE RING BY THE COUNT OF TEN, THIS MATCH IS RULED A DOUBLE COUNT OUT!

CJ Hana: This is one of the strangest ways that a double count out has happened. I don’t know what to make it, but Serena Bennett and Cameron Ella Ava are in solidarity with each other. The two women have stopped fighting and that is probably the best thing that could have happened before Pain for Pride.

Gavin Kirkland: It’s the worst thing that could have happened, CJ! I wanted death and I didn’t get one. Perhaps, at Pain for Pride, but I thought Cam should have ended the traitor. :mjcry:

(Serena Bennett and Cameron Ella Ava roll back into the ring. The crowd applauds these two women, who had just competed in the very last match of Empire. This was a perfect display of the present meets the future. Sure, the crowd as bummed out that they couldn’t determine a winner, but this ended in the best way possible. Cameron raises Serena’s hand high in the air because she is such a good sport. The crowd applauds of the gesture. She holds Serena’s hand high for a few moments before putting it down. However, Serena surprises Cameron by raising her arm high in the air, which Cameron was taken back by. The crowd continues to cheer for these kind gestures. Both women bow to the crowd — front, back and sides. A “women’s wrestling” chant breaks out. Soon after, “Play Destroy” by Poppy begins to play throughout the arena speakers.)

CJ Hana: This is what it is truly about, Gavin. Women’s Wrestling.

Gavin Kirkland: :notbad: I guess I can’t argue with that, CJ. I don’t even have enough time left for me to do so!

CJ Hana: What a finale! Ladies and gentlemen, I think it’s best that we see you off before we cut to our final confessional of the evening, straight from the mouth of our General Manager, Kendra Shamez. Gavin and I would love to thank all of you watching at home for your generous love and never ending support for the female Elitists of Empire. There is always going to be a special place in our hearts for these women and we’ve honestly be in awe of the immense talent and tenacity that we see every week from the members of this roster.

Gavin Kirkland: Couldn’t have said it better myself, Ceej! It’s been real, as they say! I sure am gonna miss getting a peak at these glorified glory holes every night. It’s truly been an honor to be a part of this journey with all of you–even you, CJ. You taught me a thing or two about the importance of respecting women, and how it can even sometimes work in my favor!

CJ Hana: Really? Name one thing.

Gavin Kirkland: It’s always better when you let her finish first. :umad:

CJ Hana: …well, I guess if anything, it’s a start. Never a dull night with you, is there? (She chuckles.) I’m sure gonna miss you, buddy.

Gavin Kirkland: (He sniffs.) I guess it’s fair for me to say…that I’m gonna miss you, too, CJ. For the last time, I was Gavin Kirkland.

CJ Hana: And I was CJ Hana. Thank you and goodnight.

(For the last time, we transition backstage where we find Kendra Shamez sitting alone in the confessional with a sullen look on her face, appearing to be deep in thought before taking a deep breath in and an exhale out.)

Kendra Shamez: It goes without saying that EAW is and probably forever will be the biggest opportunity in the world to become successful in the sport of professional wrestling. This company as a whole is the final destination for every athlete who ever laces up a pair of boots. This is especially true if you’re a woman. There aren’t many opportunities period to make a great living and become a bonafide superstar if you’re a womens wrestler unless you make it to the Land of Elite, back then known as the Land of Extreme. But being able to make it here as a woman came with limited opportunities afforded to us, and back then girls like Cameron Ella Ava, myself, Sabina and others had to scratch, and claw, and dig for every chance to become something.

I know I speak for others…many other female Elitists in this company today and probably thousands if not millions of young girls who grow up idolizing the greats of EAW and aspiring to become like them. I know I speak for so many of them when I say that Empire, before anything else, represented the dream. It represented wishful thinking. It represented blind faith. It represented dumb luck. Everything that was hurled at us, everything that made us doubt ourselves, everything that made me second guess my chances at becoming a star eventually led way to this brand. Because Empire represented the dream being realizd for so many young women who see this sport for the art form it is and wish to create magic inside the ring, and believe in themselves no matter fucking what.

(A warm smile finds itself on Kendra’s face.)

Kendra Shamez: This brand is bigger than the controversy, and the politics, and the chaos that surrounds its name. From the onset of the 2nd annual Empress of Elite tournament segueing into the opening week of Thursday Night Empire back in 2016, we were already in the midst of an explosion in womens wrestling. For whatever reason, women were working their way up through EAW’s developmental system and we were taking this company by storm after being the ‘side show act’ on many occasions for many years. The effort that women like me used to have to put in just to become the star of the show…that effort started to be shown in spades by the women’s division, and the world simply could not ignore us.

The common misconception that I’m hearing out there is that Empire was a way of “appeasing” EAW. No. Empire was more than that. Empire was DEMANDED by the fans. A consistent platform for the women of this roster was DEMANDED by the EAW Universe, and all year long, whether it be the Vixens Cup or the Empress of Elite tournament, we were outshining the men on every single show. And I’ll address the elephant in the room, some of these women who were once a part of creating history are no longer here anymore. Some of them made the foolish decision of going down the wrong path and that’s just the ugly truth to it, no hope in trying to ignore it. But the spirit created by the will of that women’s division was so much bigger and much, much more relevant than any singular name you can cherry pick out of the litter.

From the beginning of Empire through the months preceding, through the ratings dominant weekly shows, through the blockbuster exclusive FPVs, to the standout performances on the inter branded marquee events, our division quickly established itself as the most competitive in this entire company. That is something that has remained a constant despite regime changes, multiple General Managers, several Chairmen of the Board, and even different TV networks. That’s important. Don’t forget that. That means so much, because if you’re like me, you probably look back at some of the old events and you probably cringe at certain names and faces involved. That’s one of the things DDD told me when I tried to take him to task recently about his decision to cancel Empire. And the one question he refuses to answer–probably because he can’t answer it–is how Empire can consistently be seen as the most competitive show and have the most talented roster of the four despite the constant changes that Empire has endured through the years?

(Kendra shrugs and her expression beams up with confidence, as though a lightbulb went off in her head.)

Kendra Shamez: It’s because of what women in EAW represent. We are in a new time in this world, women are being more represented and given more opportunities and that’s because we are knocking every opportunity out of the park. Women are strong and are able to endure so much more than what so many people expect from us, and that rings especially true in EAW because all of the hoops that we’ve had to jump through to make it to this spot has toughened us far more than plenty of the men. That’s not feminist talking points, that’s nothing but facts. We have had to compensate for the other peoples doubts and we have to overdeliver every time that we’re underestimated. That’s why TV networks fight over us, because our drive and our passion is fucking undeniable. WE were, and still are fucking undeniable. And Pain for Pride is going to accentuate that notion in spades because we are going to steal the show every fucking match we are involved in.

Every story that unfolds no matter how good, bad or indifferent, all shares one common quality: every story must come to an end. It’s bittersweet, it’s unconventional, it’s startling, and it’s chaotic, but Empire has had its fair share of hilarity, startling moments, epic performances and tragedies. We have watched the champions rise against all odds, we’ve seen alliances form that you wouldn’t have expected in a million years, and we saw an iconic legend become immortalized forever. What means the most of any story is the effect that it leaves on people. Moments like what I described will leave an imprint on people young and old all across the planet, and hopefully inspire many to chase a dream they may have once thought was impossible.

(She takes a moment.)

Kendra Shamez: (Smiling, holding in tears) But while the story of Empire may have reached its final chapter, this is far from the end. The spirit that Empire was always intended to represent will last longer than the brand, and it will last longer than any of us. I hope Dynasty, Showdown and Voltage are prepared because come the EAW Draft, you men are all in for the challenge of your lifetime. Perhaps someday Empire will return under better circumstances, but I am at peace with turning the final page and closing the book for now. So long Empire, goodbye, and farewell.

(Kendra smiles into the camera, beaming as a teardrop rolls down her cheek. She blinks the tears away, and the camera fades to black.)

(EAW logo buzzes.)

Written by Anna C. Flowers

Pain for Pride Rewind: Cleopatra vs Cameron Ella Ava (Pain for Pride VI)

Dynasty 6/14/2019