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Showdown 1.04.25

(EAW intro plays)   

(Showdown opens up with a recap of Road to Redemption from Showdown’s side. Milli Banks defeats Ms. Extreme, Holly Arrow, Miku Sakai, Bea Valentine and KASAI to retain the Universal Women’s Championship. SOSA Henderson retains the National Elite Championship against Ryan Wilson. Nikki Kimura defeats Daniella Atlas to win the Specialists Championship. Cody Maverick defeats Donovan Duke in a 30 minute Iron Man match. Brianna Hill wins the Extreme Enigma Battle Royale. And finally, Bronson Daniels wins the Showdown EEC, beating TLA, Harper Lee, Jon Kelton, Ruler and Roberto de la Rosa to win the Answers World Championship, but after the match, Donovan Duke ends up cashing the Cash in the Vault and becomes Answers World Champion himself, devastating people around the world.)

(The recap ends, and it is replaced with the song “Brick Wall” by a Day to Remember, as the camera pans around the inside of the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Fireworks are shooting out of the stage and the whole crowd can be seen cheering and being excited for the show. The camera ends up panning over to the commentary table with Deadprez, Eve and Gavin Kirkland as the commentators start talking.)

Eve: WELCOME EVERYONE… TO SATURDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Deadprez: WE ARE HEADING INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON, ROAD TO REDEMPTION WAS ONE OF THE CRAZIEST EVENTS WE HAVE HAD IN EAW HISTORY! BETRAYAL, BLOODSHED, AND SO MANY CHAMPIONSHIP WINS EVERYWHERE THAT YOU COULD SEE!

Eve: But as the new year starts, you know what that signals, King of Elite season! Tonight, we have so many exciting matches for the tournament, as well as the return of Empress of Elite this year! We will see KASAI go against Mia Santoro, and Daniella Atlas face Ashlynn Quinn in the first rounds! While we see Cody Maverick go against Charlie Marr in the first round too!

Deadprez: We will also see Bea Valentine face off against a returning SALLY and in the main event, a rematch from weeks ago, in the first round Ryan Wilson will face off against TLA!

Gavin Kirkland: LET’S JUMP STRAIGHT INTO THE WRESTLING, BABYYYYY!!!

(The camera cuts to Gina Romano in the ring.)

Gina Romano: The following contest is part of the Empress of Elite Round One!!!

Crowd: ROUND ONE!!!

Gina Romano: Introducing first…

(“The End” by Lil Uzi Vert (feat. BABYMETAL) hits to cheers from the crowd as KASAI emerges and makes her way down to the ring.)

Gina Romano: From Amani, Kagoshima, Japan representing Voltage she is “The Mad Huntress” KASAIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!

(KASAI enters the ring looking intense like she is entering into the finals of the tournament even if it is only the first round.)

Gavin Kirkland: What the hell is a Voltage wrestler doing here? We need to deport her outta here. We don’t like her kind around here.

Eve: Are you not aware of the Empress of Elite tournament by now Gavin? How many years has it been…

Deadprez: We are all cooperating to show love to all Elitists and all brands of EAW and Showdown is excited to host this great contest even if Gavin is not down with it.

Gavin Kirkland: I mean the women in the match are hot as hell so I guess I won’t complain too much.

Eve: :francis:

Deadprez: I guess that is good enough as long as he shuts up it is a win.

(Notorious by UPSAHL hits to cheers from the crowd as Mia Santoro runs down to the ring at full speed.)

Eve: Oh shit we aren’t wasting any time here huh?

Gina Romano: And her opponent! From Key West, Florida… MIA SANTOROOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

(Gina Romano quickly bails out of the ring as Mia Santoro rushes into the ring and immediately begins the match attacking KASAI!)

Deadprez: OH IT’S ON! IT”S ON!!!!!!! THAT’S WHAT I LIKE TO SEE!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Eve: We are underway in this first round Empress of Elite matchup and no time is being wasted! KASAI charges in at Mia Santoro but Mia whips KASAI down to the mat throwing her down with an armdrag. KASAI is tossed and rolls back up to her feet and charges back in at Mia! Mia with a Dropkick but KASAI moves out of the way and Mia crashes and burns! KASAI grabs Mia and whips her at full speed across the ring… but as Mia returns across the ring she tackles down KASAI to the mat with a Thesz Press but Mia tosses her off and throws her across the ring under the bottom rope. But KASAI rolls out to the outside of the ring and leaps up to the top rope. Springboard Crossbody into the ring!!!!-

Deadprez: No! Mia Santoro catches KASAI in midair with a Dropkick and stops her midair and takes her down to the mat! Mia goes for the cover!

Referee: ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Eve: Quick kickout from KASAI as Mia pulls her up in the ring. But KASAI suddenly fights back with a series of hard knife edge chops sending Mia backwards staggering across the ring. KASAI chops away at the chest of Mia really laying into her. Mia with a hard kick to the gut stopping KASAI from coming at her… Mia now fighting back with chops of her own sending KASAI backwards into the ropes from the force of that chop. Hard forearms to the face from Mia before whipping KASAI across the ring. KASAI rushes back towards Mia who sidesteps her and tosses her to the outside of the ring. KASAI lands on her hands and knees on the floor as Mia rolls out of the ring on the other side and begins to run! Mia runs around the ring and runs up the steel ring steps before leaping off and lands on the shoulders of KASAI! Mia maintains the momentum and throws KASAI across the floor to the ground with a Hurricanrana! Both women down now as the referee is counting them out!

Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!

Deadprez: Both women are now getting back up to their feet. It would be a shame for this Empress of Elite match to end in a count out. Both competitors are back on their feet and trading punches outside the ring. KASAI grabs Mia Santoro by the hair and slams her face first into the commentary table. She then tosses her backwards towards the ring and places her up on the apron before hitting her repeatedly.

Referee: SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT!

Gavin Kirkland: KASAI shoves Mia Santoro back into the ring but Mia grabs the ropes and swings around to the outside again kicking KASAI in the face! Mia then holds the top rope and pulls herself back up into the ring! Mia up to the top rope as KASAI gets back up on the outside… FLYING CROSSBODY TO THE OUTSIDE!!!!-

Eve: No! KASAI caught Mia Santoro as she lunged and threw her backwards! KASAI with a Belly to Belly Suplex destroying Mia on the outside! And that could be it! KASAI throws Mia back into the ring and slides to the cover!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Referee: T-

Deadprez: Not even a two count! Damn KASAI that was one hell of a move but it is clear that Mia is hanging on here with hopes of winning this whole tournament! KASAI pulls Mia up and chops her backwards into the ropes. But Mia rushes off the ropes with a hard chop of her own! But KASAI runs in with a Knee Strike to the face completely knocking Mia down to the mat! And now KASAI is climbing on top of Mia and pummeling away at her. KASAI is unloading with those lethal strikes and showing why she is one of the most dangerous competitors in this whole tournament. KASAI has to be pulled off Mia by the referee as he checks on Mia who is still conscious somehow after taking all those strikes to the head. Mia staggers back up to her feet in the corner as KASAI rushes in-

Eve: But Mia Santoro with a Drop Toe Hold sending KASAI face first into the corner! KASAI crashes hard face first into the corner as Mia falls backwards across the ring. Mia runs in and leaps up on top of KASAI pushing her neck into the middle rope! The referee counts her off!

Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!

Deadprez: Mia Santoro hops off KASAI and gets back down in the ring as KASAI rolls over holding her throat in pain. Mia lifts KASAI up on high in the ring before driving her down with a Running Power Slam! Big move by Mia! Could that be it!?!?!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Referee: T-

Gavin Kirkland: It was not it! Kickout by KASAI! Mia not looking to lose her advantage her as she quickly hooks the arm of KASAI and adds pressure to keep her grounded. KASAI kicks her legs around as she swings around trying to reach the ropes and force the break. Unfortunately Mia has her trapped in the middle of the ring. KASAI ducks her arm underneath her body and rolls up to a seated position before powering up to her feet. KASAI twists her arm around…

Eve: KASAI twists around and nails Mia Santoro with a Spinning Heel Kick! Mia goes down! Mia holding her jaw in pain as KASAI helps her back up and whips her across the ring. Mia comes back… KASAI tosses her up in the air! Mia comes back down and eats a European Uppercut to the face! Damn! Mia just got knocked the hell out! KASAI to the cover!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Referee: T-

Deadprez: The kickout by Mia Santoro! So far neither competitor has been able to even get a two count! They are both kicking out so quickly at every cover leaving absolutely nothing up to chance! KASAI pulls Mia up and lifts her high up in the air over her shoulders. KASAI hauls Mia over to the corner and begins climbing to the top rope with Mia on top of her shoulders. Damn what strength! That is super impressive though! But what is KASAI planning!?!? SAMOAN DROP FROM THE TOP ROPE!!!-

Eve: No! Mia Santoro slips off the top of the shoulders of KASAI! KASAI is still on the top rope as Mia grabs her from below into Powerbomb position! This whole thing is about to backfire on KASAI something fierce! KASAI is about to get wrecked!!! SIT DOWN POWERBOMB!!!! Mia got all of it!-

Deadprez: No! KASAI jabbed into the face of Mia as she was holding her up in the powerbomb position! KASAI fell off before the powerbomb could be applied! KASAI lands on her feet and punches Mia hard in the face! Mia staggers before collapsing to her knees as KASAI grabs her and hooks the arms and yanks her forward… DOUBLE UNDERHOOK DDT CONNECTS!!! RIGHT ON HER CRANIUM!!! KASAI FOR THE COVER! THIS COULD BE IT!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: T-

Gavin Kirkland: Kickout again by Mia Santoro! This time it was a two count! KASAI is smiling as she realizes that she is making some progress in this match. This match has been back and forth though but KASAI has to feel like she is getting close to putting her opponent away. KASAI picks Mia up again and gets her into powerbomb position! But Mia flips off the shoulders of KASAI! Holy shit where did that come from! Mia with a Dropkick sending KASAI into the corner! But KASAI bursts out of the corner and charges in at Mia with a Running Spear! But Mia moves out of the way! KASAI goes running into the corner at full speed shoulder first slamming hard into the metal turnbuckle pole! Damn that had to hurt she might have dislocated a shoulder there from the impact into the post!

Eve: Mia Santoro now looking to take full advantage as she grabs KASAI from behind out of the corner and deadlifts her back into the ring and drops her with a Bridging German Suplex! The cover!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: T-

Deadprez: Kickout by KASAI! KASAI now desperately rolls to the outside of the ring to put some distance between herself and Mia. Mia is not letting up however as she goes out to the apron as KASAI is slowly getting back up. ASAI MOONSAULT!!! Mia got all of it landing on top of KASAI and flattening her outside the ring! KASAI is not moving as Mia slowly gets back up and drags her up onto the apron and pushes her back into the ring. Mia throws herself over the top rope to land on top of KASAI with a Slingshot Senton. Mia is rolling now here as she picks KASAI up and lifts her up into Suplex position before twisting in midair for extra effect. KASAI is planted face first with that modified Reverse Suplex as Mia now grabs her around the neck and pulls her up again… Mia drops KASAI with a Brainbuster!!!-

Eve: No! KASAI managed to counter it before the move could be hit and jumped backwards into the ring landing on her feet! Mia turns around and KASAI charges in with a Running Lariat!!! But Mia ducks under it and runs off the ropes! Mia off the ropes now as she comes back and nails KASAI with a Running Double Axe Handle to the face! KASAI holding her nose now in pain as she gets back up but Mia is still running at full speed off the ropes! Mia runs into KASAI and grabs her around the neck before leaping into the air and spinning… TORNADO DDT CONNECTS!!!! Mia now going up to the top rope and looking to finish this! Mia with a Moonsault off the top rope onto KASAI!!! Mia gets all of it! What a Moonsault! The cover!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR-

Deadprez: No! KASAI gets her foot on the bottom rope! Mia Santoro nearly had the match won there but still has not secured the victory just yet!!! You can see the frustration now setting in as Mia gets back up to her feet in the ring and grabs the top rope with rage. Mia then measures KASAI in the ring and is looking to hit her with something big here clearly. You can see the determination. KASAI slowly gets back up and turns around…

Eve: TWO FOR THE ROAD!!!! No! KASAI moved out of the way and Mia missed with the Superkick! KASAI with a Spinning Backfist to the side of the head of Mia dropping her down to the mat as she collapses suddenly from the head trauma.

Gavin Kirkland: Personally I am just loving seeing these enemy invaders from Dynasty and Voltage beat the shit out of each other tonight. If a Showdown talent was in this match it would have been over much quicker.

Eve: I am not sure about that Gavin this two clearly are not willing to be put down easily for any opponent!!!

Deadprez: KASAI is now helping Mia Santoro back up and slings her arms over the top rope in the corner before laying into her with repeated chops to the chest. KASAI yanks Mia out of the corner and whips her across the ring but Mia collapses while running to the opposite corner. Mia slowly gets back up and turns around…

Eve: CTE!!! KASAI CONNECTS WITH A DEVASTATING CTE!!! KASAI TO THE COVER AND THAT HAS TO BE IT!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR-

Deadprez: No! Mia somehow! Someway kicks out!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Damn. Mia really wants this crown huh?

Eve: But KASAI ain’t done! She comin’ for Mia’s ass!

Deadprez: KASAI CONNECTS WITH THE URAI’S CURSE ON MIA!!! KASAI TO THE COVER!!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Gina Romano: Here is your winner… KASAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(“The End” by Lil Uzi Vert (feat. BABYMETAL) hits to cheers from the crowd as the referee raises up KASAI’s arm in victory.)

Deadprez: KASAI did it! A big win for Voltage here tonight!

Gavin Kirkland: All that to eventually lose to a Showdown talent. You hate to see it.

Eve: I thought it was a great match. And Mia Santoro has nothing to be ashamed of. She almost pulled it off but unfortunately will have to seek opportunities in 2025 elsewhere as it will be KASAI advancing in the tournament.

Deadprez: You have to wonder just who will win it all! I have no idea!!!

(The camera cuts to a commercial featuring New Year’s celebration fireworks.)

(The camera cuts backstage to where Mikaela Street is shown standing and holding a microphone. Usually she is happy and cheerful but right now she does not look like she is happy to be here or enjoying her job whatsoever.)

Mikaela Street: Ladies and gentlemen… my guest at this time….

(She sighs loudly and looks very enthusiastic as to the presence of this guest.)

Mikaela Street: Silas Mason.

(Silas Mason enters the frame with a massive shit eating grin on his face as he shakes his head back and forth and poses in front of the camera blocking Mikaela out from view. She has to reposition herself in order to stay in frame. She straightens her dress and puts on a smile attempting to stay professional.)

Mikaela Street: Mr. Mason you are here today on the first Showdown of 2025 an-

Silas Mason: Ah Mikaela Mikaela… You are going to treat me like that? Come on now… You don’t need to be so formal with me. You don’t need to call me Mr. Mason. The wageslaves that work under me have to call me that but not you! You are a friend! Please. Call me Silas.

Mikaela Street: Ok. Silas then… We are on the first Showdown of 2025 and we want to ask you more in detail about the specifics of the association between yourself and Nikk-

Silas Mason: Come on Mikaela. Don’t leave the people in suspense like that. I just called you a friend! That means something! Let’s talk about how we go way back. We are besties and how we rose up through the business together to become the huge stars we are today!

Mikaela Street: I really don’t think that there is much to talk about…

Silas Mason: Sure there is! I mean do you know what kind of genius it takes for me to want to have an interviewer on my team? I mean most people out here are scouting for wrestlers. But I think outside the box. How would you like to come work for old Silas and be on the winning team? First you have Nikki Kimura and look at her now! Just imagine. Nikki was nothing. A loser. Unable to win a single match! But now through the power of Silas Mason she has become the hottest star on Showdown today.

Mikaela Street: I’m afraid I must turn you down. I am under contract with EAW.

Silas Mason: I understand. Legal disputes and all that. I wouldn’t want to create any problems for you. Legally you know. But as soon as that contract comes to an end… Well I am sure you have my number!

(Mikaela Street looks completely disgusted by the offer and it is doubtful that if she ever received his number she kept it for long.)

Silas Mason: Go on then. Ask your questions. But I am a busy man so let’s make it quick!

Mikaela Street: Well as I was saying… Nikki Kimura has emerged in 2025 as one of the hottest Elitists to watch here on Showdown. In fact she defeated a woman to win her title who is a favorite to win the Empress of Elite tournament. But we wanted to talk about just how she won the match and if you think there will be any repercussions for that.

Silas Mason: Repercussions? Yes. I do believe there will be repercussions. It should be obvious.

Mikaela Street: I agree. I think all of the fans agree considering the way Nikki won the m-

Silas Mason: The repercussions are that Nikki Kimura is the EAW Specialists Champion! And she is going to have a nice long healthy championship reign! In fact looking at all the new champions that were crowned at Road to Redemption I think her title victory was in fact the most decisive and dominant. She is pretty clearly the most deserving to be holding that title out of everyone holding gold in all of EAW.

Mikaela Street: Well that is what I wanted to ask you abou-

Silas Mason: I can make anyone a champion Mikaela. Anyone. Remember that. And hit me up!

Mikaela Street: I am not sure I am interested in in-ring action but I appreciate the offer.

Silas Mason: Just look at where Nikki was an-

Nikki Kimura: Just look at me now.

(Nikki Kimura enters the camera frame holding the EAW Specialists’ Championship with a big smile on her face as she enters the interview. Silas quickly moves out of the way to allow Nikki to speak.)

Nikki Kimura: Silas Mason says that he can make champions and clearly he lived up to that promise. But the truth is that I was a champion all along. It just took awhile for anyone to realize it. But after my dominant performance at Road to Redemption my clean and definitive victory in which I captured this championship there is no doubt whatsoever. Nikki Kimura is, always was, and always will be… a champion.

Mikaela Street: Ummm… Clean? Did you watch the match back after Road to Redemption?

Nikki Kimura: I see-

Silas Mason: I’m afraid we are going to have to cut this interview short. I’m sure you have more questions but we have autograph signings to do. Meet and greets with Nikki’s many fans. She’s posing for a new action figure you see. Not to mention the merchandise contracts I have to sign. Busy people. Busy champion. Come on Nikki let’s get out of here.

(Nikki Kimura shrugs and shines her championship with her knuckle before smiling and walking out of camera. Silas Mason’s smile suddenly disappears as he turns on Mikala Street.)

Silas Mason: Who the hell do you think you are you little…

Mikaela Street: Huh? I was just trying to ask a question about the match at Road to Redemption…

Silas Mason: Don’t fucking test me Mikaela. Do you know who I am? Do you know what I can do to people like you? Why do you think you are where you are and I am where I am? We have been down this road before Mikaela. You know who I am. You know what I am about. You know what I am capable of.

(Silas Mason is shaking with rage as Mikaela Street walks off set looking nervous before the camera fades back to ringside for the next match.)

Gina Romano: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL AND IS THE FIRST ROUND OF THE EMPRESS OF ELITE TOURNAMENT!

( “Vortex” by Jinjer plays as Daniella Atlas stepped out on stage, her face was as emotionless as you could get. Nobody could tell her attention, even in her eyes. Looking around at the crowd, she felt nothing but she knew what her attention is as she looks at the ring and begins to slowly make her way down ignoring the many fans and their taunting remarks. )

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING THE OPPONENT! FROM DUNKIRK, FRANCE! WEIGHTING IN AT 170 POUNDS! “THE BLACK FLAME” DANIELLA ATLAS!

( As Daniella gets into the ring, her music and dark lights did a 180 as “Juno” by Sabrina Carpenter played! She comes out waving at the booing crowd wearing her title “Miss Voltage” proudly as she walks to the ring! )

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING THE CHALLENGER! FROM LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA! WEIGHTING IN AT 115 POUNDS! ASHLYNN QUINN! 

(DING! DING! DING!)

Gavin Kirkman: The match is now underway to decide who will be walking into the next round of the Empress of Elite tournament, both women wanting to make big statements in their first match of the year especially when last year didn’t go their way. This is their chance to prove it- as Ashylnn Quinn goes for the dropkick to the knee! Taking Daniella down to a kneeling position, now hoping on her back for a sleeper hold! 

Eve: Not a bad start from Ashlynn, trying to be fast and quick to take Atlas down! That’s the strategy that seems to work the best for Nikki- but Daniella flips her off her back! Quinn still needs to worry about the strength but Ashlynn chipping away at Atlas with the kicks to the legs! Going for another sleeper, trying her best to wear down Daniella Atlas but it doesn’t seem to have the desired effect- WAIT! A rack to the eyes, Ashlynn blinding Daniella but the official not seeing it! Quinn looking to take advantage- BUT ATLAS GRABBING QUINN BY THE HAIR! 

Deadprez: Blind or not she is still one intimidating woman! Ashlynn goes for a slap but Daniella quickly grabs her hand! Oh no, Quinn looks horrified and I don’t blame her! Daniella Atlas slowly bends the hand back! It’s almost like she wants to break it off of her! Ashlynn is crying out in pain, begging for Atlas not to snap her wrist- GETS A HEADBUTT INSTEAD! Knocking her into the corner! Daniella stepped backwards and quickly charged forward! Crushing Miss. Voltage with a corner splash in the corner! Now grabbing Quinn and TOSSING HER ACROSS THE RING LIKE A RAGDOLL! 

Gavin Kirkman: Throwing her practically into the other corner, now charging back up to her again and CRUSHING HER AGAIN IN THAT CORNER! Following it up with another toss across the ring! Any anger she had toward Nikki Kimura and losing that Championship is getting taken out on Ashlynn Quinn! Quinn doing the smart thing and rolling out of the ring. Trying to recollect herself after nonstop offense by Atlas, she could be seriously hurt here! Nothing about Atlas should be taken as a joke, she could kill someone in there if she doesn’t hold back enough. The referee is now telling Ashlynn to get back into the ring, it seems like she is having a bit of nerves! I would too if I was in the ring with Atlas.

Eve: Quinn however finally decides to get back in but Atlas quickly grabs the hair as soon as Miss. Voltage gets up on the apron! Trying to pull her back into the ring- QUINN HOWEVER NAILING A KICK TO THE ANKLES IF ATLAS! Knocking her down to her knees! Atlas however still has a tight hold of Ashlynn’s hair- WHICH IS SOLVED WITH A KICK TO THE MOUTH! Daniella is finally down to Ashlynn’s level and Quinn hops back into the ring! SENDING ATLAS TO THE MAT WITH A FOREARM STRIKE! GOING FOR THE PIN! 

ONE! 

Gavin Kirkman: Not even a two and that should’ve probably been obvious to Ashlynn but I know in her mind, that should have been a three count. Quinn shouldn’t worry about that though, it’s important to keep pressure on Atlas and make sure that she isn’t able to catch her breath or worse get back to her feet. Which it seems like Ashlynn is making sure of, as Atlas leans against the ropes Quinn presses her knee to the back of Daniella’s neck! Using the ropes to choke her! 

Eve: The referee counting down and Ashlynn using every second of that count to squeeze the air out of Atlas! She lets go looking pretty satisfied with the results so far, despite the complaining from the referee. Ashlynn now uses the ropes again, leaping up to the second rope and- SLAMMING HER FEET INTO THE SPINE OF DANIELLA! Sending her back down to the mat face first and now it looks like Quinn has a firm grasp on this match! Now it’s all about making sure she doesn’t let go, which is what she is doing a great job at right now with this unorthodox approach. 

Deadprez: Going to the outside and pulling Daniella’s head out, she seems to be taunting her a bit- OH! SHE SLAMS ATLAS HEAD DOWN IN THE APRON! THEN A SLAP TO THE FACE! Ashlynn continues to chip away at Atlas with a knee to the mouth, putting her to all fours. Now bouncing off the ropes, stopping right at Atlas- GOING FOR ANOTHER HARD SLAP TO THE FACE! It seems like that fear has evaporated for Quinn, getting a lot more cocky and arrogant as Atlas is struggling to get some offense.

Gavin Kirkman: Quinn looking for a DDT- BUT ATLAS POWERING HER UP ON HER SHOULDERS! Looking to regain control of the match but Quinn wiggling herself out! Managing to land on her feet, trying to charge back at Atlas- BIG MISTAKE! KNOCKING HER TO THE MAT! That was where the pendulum needed to swing for Daniella Atlas. That show boating just allowed Atlas to take the lead in this match and now she is looking to HURT Ashylnn Quinn! Bouncing off the rope looking for a knee drop- MISSES! Ashlynn quick enough to move out the way. Now quick to capitalize throwing out a fury of punches and slaps! 

Eve: She’s wearing down Atlas, grabbing her by the hair and SLAMMING HER FACE FIRST INTO THE MAT! This is where she needs to keep Atlas! Keeping her down immobilized so she is unable to gain any sort of power and momentum. That’s the strategy she should be focused on. Continuing to throw kicks and punches, trying her best to keep The Black Flame down! While it seems effective in stunning her, it hasn’t been enough to really keep her down like she would really want! Ashlynn bounces off the rope looking for a big move- IS CAUGHT IN THE ARMS OF ATLAS!

Gavin Kirkman: Look at Daniella, walking around with her in her arms like she weighs nothing. Popping her back on her shoulders, looking for that shame from earlier but wait a second! She is going to the ropes, she might be looking for a top rope slam! Wanting not just to hurt Ashlynn but send a message to anybody else that thinks that Road to Redemption was her 15 seconds of fame- WAIT! Ashlynn countering, putting Daniella in a choke hold! Managing to escape her grasp, now jumping down with a headlock applied! 

Eve: Atlas is still powering through, catching her and looking to slam her down! But it isn’t working, Ashlynn manages again to weasel her way over Atlas and keep the front headlock applied! Once again, Atlas is down trying her best to get herself some footing in this match! I don’t know if her power is going to be enough- WAIT I SPOKE TO SOON! ATLAS LIFTING HER UP AND RAMMING HER BACK INTO THE CORNER! Quinn is still trying to apply the hold but Atlas is powering through, lifting her up and putting her on the top rope! 

Deadprez: Ashlynn once again clinched in that chokehold however it didn’t seem to be as effective, Atlas throwing out elbows to the sides of Quinn- TOSSING HER OVER HEAD DOWN TO THE CENTER OF THE RING! Daniella is now in the more favorable position, which doesn’t spell good news for Miss. Voltage trying to get back to her feet- BUT GETTING SENT DOWN BY A WICKED CLOTHESLINE! Quinn is still trying to maintain some footing- BUT THAT WOULD BE A MISTAKE! ATLAS PICKING HER UP AND ONCE AGAIN RAMMING HER INTO THE CORNER! Now Atlas looking irritated is WHIPPING ASHLYNN ACROSS THE RING!  

Gavin Kirkman: Retreating back into the corner and once again, grabbing Quinn and whipping her out of the corner again! If I’m Quinn, I’m throwing in the towel but that Empress of Elite title is going to mean so much, she is willing to push through the pain she is feeling to get one step closer to it. However, it is a steep hill to climb. As Atlas is in firm control of this match, grabbing both the leg and arm of Ashlynn and THROWING HER LIKE A FRISBEE ACROSS THE RING! She is making it known how strong she is, especially when it comes to opponents like Quinn. 

Eve: Daniella now, lining Quinn up climbing the top rope, what is she looking for? I mean whatever it is, will not end well if Quinn doesn’t- DO SOMETHING! Ashlynn gets to her feet and uses a bit of her strength to knock Atlas out of the ring! She goes crashing down on the apron and out of the ring! Daniella is down on the outside and now Ashlynn doesn’t even have to do anything! If Atlas stays on the outside, Quinn wins by count out! Quinn seems to know this, she has a smile on her face trying to keep herself up using the ropes! 

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!!

FOUR!!!!

FIVE!!!!!

Gavin Kirkman: Daniella is working her way back to her feet, using the apron to get back up! Ashlynn starts to get worried hoping that the referee will count faster as they make it to SIX…now SEVEN! Daniella is struggling to get up at EIGHT! NINE…ATLAS JUST MANAGING TO GET BACK INTO THE RING! Ashlynn is not wasting any time, trying to get Daniella into the cover! Trying to punch her ticket to the next round, the referee rolls in! He’s counting it!

ONE!

TWO!!

THR—

Eve: DANIELLA KICKS OUT! That huge bump nearly takes out Atlas but she is powering on. Ashlynn is now looking for something new to win this match, connecting with strike after strike! Trying to wear her down as much as possible! Ashlynn has done a good job controlling this match, playing smarter to make sure that Atlas doesn’t get a second wind! She bounces off the ropes, running towards Atlas- ONLY TO GET A KICK STRAIGHT TO THE FACE! ATLAS POPPING UP LIKE A HORROR MOVIE MONSTER! MAKING SURE ASHLYNN KNOWS SHE ISN’T SAFE! 

Deadprez: A kick to the face for Ashlynn might be a death sentence, Atlas sees that Quinn is laid out but not going for the pin. I don’t know if this will cost Daniella but she is certainly having a bit more fun seeing that Quinn isn’t moving. Grabbing Ashlynn by the hair and slowly lifting her up to her feet. She stares into her eyes, I know Ashlynn is seeing the flames burning- OH MY GOD! MULTIPLE HEADBUTT STRIKES TO THE FACE IF ASHLYNN! IF SHE WAS WORRIED ABOUT HER FACE THEN, SHE CERTAINLY IS DISTRAUGHT ABOUT IT NOW! ATLAS ISN’T STOPPING EITHER UNTIL QUINN IS ON THE GROUND! 

Gavin Kirkman: She lets go of Quinn! Ashlynn’s nose is bleeding, she might have to check if it’s straight. She is trying to find her way up to her feet- BUT ATLAS IS STANDING ABOVE HER! GRABBING THE LEGS AND LOCKS IN THE “HERMES LAW”! A MODIFIED STANDING CLOVERLEAF! SHE WRENCHES IN THE HOLD! JUST MAKING SURE THAT ASHLYNN FEELS EVERY BIT OF IT! SURPRISINGLY ASHLYNN IS HOLDING ON! SHE IS TRYING HER BEST TO REACH FOR THE ROPES AND IT SEEMS LIKE ATLAS IS HELPING HER DO IT! 

Eve: It almost feels like a sort of taunt by Atlas- I WAS RIGHT! ATLAS PULLING ASHLYNN QUINN BACK! WAY FURTHER FROM THE ROPES THEN THEY INITIALLY WAS! ASHLYNN CRYING OUT BUT IS HAVING NO CHOICE BUT TO TAP OUT! DANIELLA ADVANCES TO THE NEXT ROUND!

DING! DING! DING!

Gina Romano: HERE IS YOUR WINNER…“THE BLACK FLAME” DANIELLA ATLAS!

Gavin Kirkman: And just like that, Daniella Atlas moves onto the next round! While it was a tough fight by Ashlynn, it simply isn’t enough to overcome the fury of “The Black Flame”! 

( As Daniella’s theme plays she puts her foot on the back of Ashlynn and has the referee raise her hand, this was just the beginning. She was not just looking for just one dominant victory but multiple — to be able to call herself the Empress of Elite! )

(Backstage….

The camera focuses on the beautiful Kennedy Street looking fabulous as always in a black dinner dress and silver heels. Her hair slicked back in a ponytail, as she sits at her desk looking at some paperwork. Alana Starr stands across from her in a pink and white business suit with her reddish hair flowing with a look of concern on her face holding an iPad.)

Kennedy Street: Is the King of Elite brackets set as was asked, honey?

Alana Starr: Yes. We have two first round matches in Ryan Wilson takes on TLA and Cody Maverick faces Charlie Marr. We have next week, Jon Kelton taking on Roberto De La Rosa and Bronson Daniels against Ruler.

Kennedy Street: Okay, perfect. Now let’s talk about the issues we have.

Alana Starr: Issues?

Kennedy Street: Yes, issues. It’s a New Year and we are not starting off on the right foot, honey. We obviously have issues here that need to be addressed before they get out of control. We have a new Answers World Champion, we lost the Unified Tag Team titles to Voltage though I can’t be mad at that one, Pandora is my girl. We also have some injury concerns amongst everything else out there. Talk to me, Alana.

(Alana is seen flipping through screens on her iPad when she turns back to Kennedy, she can tell that the General Manager who should be ecstatic for the start of the new year is not in that sort of mood. )

Alana Starr: Okay Kennie. Luis De La Rosa?

Kennedy Street: His contract has been terminated. I’m sure Persephone will love that over on Voltage but oh well, he has been future endeavored. Next?

Alana Starr: Raeangel Guzman?

Kennedy Street: Same. Shame really, I had high hopes for her, but she is done, I terminated her contract as well. Next?

Alana Starr: Auburn Ware? I haven’t seen her around.

Kennedy Street: Auburn, bless her heart. She requested a Leave of Absence. Has to deal with some personal issues, sweet girl, I told her to take as much time as she needed. Who else?

Alana Starr: Sienna Jade?

(Kennedy let’s out a sigh.)

Kennedy Street: She decided to retire. I’m sure she will be back some day for an off-shoot match or something, maybe, who knows, but we can count her out, she is done. Kind of figured that would happen once they lost the Unified Tag Team Championships.

Alana Starr: Okay… Kassidy Heart?

Kennedy Street: Out with a concussion, knowing how mush her brain is, who knows when she will be back, honey. I wouldn’t count on her to come back anytime soon. This list is getting really long. Who else?

Alana Starr: Only one more… Veena Adams.

(Another sigh escapes from Kennedy’s lips as she knows that we are talking about some of her biggest stars here, from The Jaded Hearts to now Veena Adams who was well on her way to becoming a World Champion.)

Kennedy Street: Fractured ankle, hopefully not too long, prognosis was 6-8 weeks, and it has been already 4 weeks, but again, we will see, after surgery hopefully there are no complications. Is that it?

Alana Starr: Yeah, that is it.

Kennedy Street: That’s enough. We have lost SIX Elitists over the holidays, SIX. That puts our roster as the smallest in the EAW and we are only a couple of injuries away from becoming the next Empire. Something needs to be done. I want you to get a hold of Richard and Kensi over on Dynasty, call Captain Charisma on Voltage, let’s make some moves, some deals.

(Kennedy stands up and starts pacing deep in thought.)

Alana Starr: What is it Kennie?

Kennedy Street: You need to start scouting new talent, okay? I want young, innovative, hot prospects that will elevate this brand and make new stars. I want Showdown to be the premiere brand in 2025 because we have ended strong so far in Season 18. Go look at the talent contracts of these wrestlers on Dynasty and Voltage, see if there are any loopholes so we can bring them here.

Alana Starr: You are being very aggressive, Kennie.

Kennedy Street: We have to be honey, there is no other choice. We are in survival mode, now go, let’s get this done.

Alana Starr: Right away.

(Alana gets right to it, leaving the room as Kennedy is left to ponder the decisions that she is going to have to make in the upcoming weeks and months starting in 2025 as the camera fades to ringside.)

(Saturday Night Showdown returns from a commercial break, with Gina Romano standing at the center of the ring, ready to announce the next match.)

Gina Romano: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS THE FIRST ROUND OF SHOWDOWN’S KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT AND IT’S SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!

Crowd: ONE FALL! 

(‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher plays as Cody Maverick strides out, confidence radiating in his expression. Maverick takes a moment to pose for the crowd before heading straight to the ring, preparing to advance to the next round of King of Elite.)

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST!… FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA!… WEIGHING IN AT 235 POUNDS!… THE SIN CITY SUPERSTAR!… CODYYYYYYYYY… MAVERICKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!

(Maverick leans his head against the apron briefly, then looks upward as if in prayer before climbing into the ring. He heads to the corner, ascending to pose for the crowd once again. Maverick nods in response to the positive reaction from the audience before stepping down from the corner waiting. 

(‘It Ain’t Safe’ by Skepta plays as Charlie Marr walks out with a huge smirk on his face, exuding confidence as he prepares to take down Maverick and move on to the next round. His expression shifts to one of focus as he reaches ringside.)

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING HIS OPPONENT!… FROM TOWER HAMLETS, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM!… WEIGHING IN AT 240 POUNDS!… COLOSSUS!… CHARLIEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!… MARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

(Marr steps up onto the steel steps and enters the ring without further ado. He glances at Maverick, shrugs his shoulders dismissively, and then moves to his corner, taking off his entrance jacket and waiting for the match to begin.)

(DING DING DING!

Gavin Kirkland: A clash between two competitors who know each other all too well. Having worked together for quite some time and even winning the big one together at Territorial Invasion last year, Cody Maverick and Charlie Marr now find themselves standing on opposite sides of the ring in the first round of King of Elite and with a stacked lineup of matches ahead, this is yet another KOE match you absolutely can’t afford to miss!

Eve: Maverick makes his way out of the corner, while Marr carefully measures each step as he slowly approaches Maverick at close range. Maverick then steps forward, attempting to close the gap by reaching out to grab Marr, but Marr is one step ahead, slipping behind him and attempting a waist lock takedown!

Deadprez: Maverick makes a smart decision to counter the maneuver, stepping backward while keeping Charlie under control, forcing Marr’s back against the ropes and compelling him to break the hold!

Cody Maverick: (Off-Mic) Let me go, Charlie. 

Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Gavin Kirkland: Marr has no choice but to reluctantly comply, raising his hands in the air. Maverick slowly turns around, keeping an eye on his opponent as Marr listens to the referee’s instructions. Despite being a mastermind in this game, Marr has to submit to the rules and regulations here…. and there’s Cody firing off a chop the moment he’s released!

Eve: Marr knows exactly the kind of game Maverick is playing and manages to duck under the quick-striking offense, causing the chop to miss. Maverick ends up leaning against the ropes, giving Marr the perfect opportunity to capitalize. Marr quickly reads the situation and sends Maverick over the top rope with a clothesline!

Deadprez: Maverick falls to the outside as Marr quickly turns around, picking up the pace in the match. He runs to the ropes and charges back toward Maverick, who is still recovering on the outside… MARR COMES THROUGH WITH A BASEBALL SLIDE AS HIS BOOTS COLLIDING WITH MAVERICK’S FACE!

Gavin Kirkland: The fight has now spilled to the outside, with Marr tracking down his opponent. Maverick ends up leaning against the barricade, only for Marr to close in and drive his shoulder into Maverick, sending his back crashing further into the barricade! Marr then grabs Maverick by the head and yanks him forward… AND MARR TRIES TO DRIVE MAVERICK’S FACE INTO THE HARD RING POST!

Eve: Maverick catches a glimpse of the danger closing in and reacts just in time, using his right boot to kick off the ring post, sparing himself from the attack! He follows up with a sharp back elbow to Marr’s jaw, landing cleanly and causing the Tyrant to stumble backward. 

Deadprez: Maverick quickly regains his composure, turns around, and charges toward Marr… BUT MARR COUNTERS THE RUNNING MOVE WITH A BACK BODY DROP AND BAM! MAVERICK IS SENT FLYING HIGH AND CRASHES ONTO THE COMMENTARY TABLE!

Gavin Kirkland: This is the first round of the King of Elite tournament, and with stakes this high, there’s much to expect from these two competitors! Both have already shown they’re willing to risk everything to advance to the next round! 

Eve: Marr quickly moves, pulling Maverick off the commentary table and rolling him back into the ring under the bottom rope. Marr follows him inside, with Maverick’s back still aching from the crash and now Marr forces Maverick’s shoulders down against the mat and goes for the cover!

ONEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Eve: Only two! A kick out by Cody Maverick proves that he’s determined to stay in this match. Marr, already focused on his next move, locks Maverick into a side headlock and leans down to the mat, applying even more pressure. Maverick struggles for a small gap to breathe while Marr continues to gain the upper hand further solidifying his advantage!

Crowd: CODY! CODY! CODY! CODY!

Gavin Kirkland: Crowd begins to rally behind the Sin City Superstar, urging him to fight back to his feet, while Marr remains focused, intensifying his efforts as Maverick struggles to stay in the match! Marr quickly releases the hold and drives a pointed elbow into the top of Maverick’s head, shutting down any potential escape and immediately locking him back into a tight hold! 

Deadprez: Maverick remains trapped, crumbling beneath the pressure of the relentless headlock… BUT HE POWERS THROUGH, LIFTING HIMSELF UP AND COUNTERING BY SCOOPING MARR OUT OF THE HEADLOCK WITH A BACK SUPLEX!

Eve: Now, it’s Maverick’s chance to strike back. He gets to his feet while Marr stumbles, reeling from the sudden back suplex he just endured. Marr staggers toward Maverick, only to be met with a right hook that connects across his temple, sending him down! 

Gavin Kirkland: Marr struggles back to his feet, but Maverick delivers another powerful right hook, knocking him down again! Marr rises one last time, but Maverick seizes the moment, grabbing hold of Marr and taking him down with a swinging neckbreaker!

Deadprez: This time, Charlie Marr is down! Maverick gets back to his feet, but he’s not going for the pin just yet as he throws himself against the ropes, building momentum as he charges back along the sideline, right next to Marr, who’s still laid out on the mat!

Cody Maverick: (Off-Mic) CO-DY MAVERICK!

Deadprez: And a leaping elbow drop lands right onto the heart of Marr! Maverick quickly rolls Charlie over and goes for the cover!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Deadprez: And still two counts! Marr manages to kick out of the moves Maverick has thrown at him so far! 

Gavin Kirkland: The Sin City Superstar still has a lot of work ahead because he’s not just facing another elitist in this Showdown block, he’s up against a Hall of Famer. Charlie Marr won’t be easy prey for Maverick to take down, and he’ll need to be careful with every decision he makes in this match.

Eve: Maverick gets back up and grabs Marr by the neck, slowly pulling him to his feet, but Marr suddenly fires off a forearm strike at Maverick, who’s trying to pick up the pace of the match! Marr follows up with more forearm strikes, forcing Maverick to retreat step by step!

Deadprez: Marr quickly pushes him back toward the ropes and sends Maverick toward the opposite side of the ring as Maverick rebounds off the ropes and comes charging back!… Marr attempts to knock Maverick down with a high knee! 

Gavin Kirkland: Maverick sidesteps it, avoiding the strike and pushing Marr toward the ropes instead. Maverick takes his turn to run to the side as Marr bounces off the ropes. Maverick charges from the opposite ropes toward him… AND MAVERICK KNOCKS CHARLIE DOWNWITH A RUNNING DISCUS PUNCH!

Eve: Maverick has been on fire so far, avoiding every single shot Marr has attempted to throw his way. Maverick retreats to the corner while Marr, shaking off the pain from the discus punch, struggles to get back to his feet. 

Deadprez: Maverick prepares to charge out of the corner but Marr quickly rushes toward him to cut him off but Maverick lifts his right boot, connecting with Marr and sending him retreating back toward the center of the ring! 

Gavin Kirkland: Maverick sets himself up again, but the stubborn Marr refuses to stay down and charges at him once more. Maverick doesn’t continue his assault but instead sidesteps, causing Marr to crash front first into the corner! Marr stumbles out of the corner, dazed, as Maverick gets back to his feet… AND TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A LEAPING NECKBREAKER FROM BEHIND!

Eve: Marr is down, and Maverick rolls back to his feet after the neckbreaker, leaving Marr to recover on his own while he focuses on fast-tracking his victory. Maverick’s right hand seems to be brimming with energy, setting up for what could be the decisive shot! 

Deadprez: Marr is still dazed from the counterattacks turning around only to make a critical mistake by walking straight into Maverick’s path!… MAVERICK RUNS FOR THE LIGHTS OUT PUNCH!!!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: BUT MARR MANAGES TO DUCK UNDERNEATH, AND MAVERICK LEAPS STRAIGHT INTO MARR’S GRASP, WHO COUNTERS WITH A SCOOP AND SLAMS HIM DOWN WITH A FRONT POWERSLAM! 

Eve: Marr responds decisively, turning the tables on Maverick after enduring his earlier offense. It’s a fair game both men are playing here with Marr immediately dropping into a cover after the powerslam counter!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gavin Kirkland: Maverick is able to get his shoulder up at two! Marr must stay focused in this match after everything Maverick has put him through so far. 

Eve: Fighting through the pain, Marr pushes himself to his feet and pulls Maverick up with him, hoisting him onto his shoulders! Maverick is lifted high as Marr firmly secures his grasp… AND MARR DELIVERS A FALLING POWERBOMB, DRIVING MAVERICK BACK TO THE MAT! MARR GOES FOR A SECOND ATTEMPT AT COVERING CODY FOR THE COUNT!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Eve: AND TWO COUNTS AGAIN! CODY KICKS OUT!

Deadprez: Charlie Marr already has Maverick exactly where he needs him, despite Maverick managing to kick out again. This time, however, it might be enough to put Maverick down for good. 

Gavin Kirkland: Marr gets back to his feet and heads toward the corner, beginning to climb to the top rope! Maverick is still down as Charlie reaches the top. Marr stands tall, preparing to take flight!… FOR SIN SALIDA!!!!!!!

Eve: Maverick rolls out of the way at the last second as Marr leaps off the top! Marr lands on the mat and quickly gets back to his feet, but Maverick pushes himself off the ground and sprints forward!… LIGHTS OUT!!!!!!

Deadprez: CAUGHT! Marr catches the arm, twisting it to counter the incoming Superman Punch, trapping Cody in the process. Marr quickly turns him over and lifts him up!.. FOR THE QUEEN IS DEAD!!!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Maverick twists out of the arm lock to counter the finisher and lands a discus punch square across Charlie’s jaw! Marr stumbles away as Maverick turns around and goes for another discus punch, aiming to knock Charlie down, but Marr ducks underneath and slips behind him. Maverick turns back around and Marr counters with a stiff forearm, sending Maverick stumbling backward toward the ropes! 

Eve: Maverick rebounds off the ropes and charges at Marr, looking to take him down with a clothesline, but Marr has it scouted and counters with a high knee to the rebounding Sin City Superstar! Maverick stumbles forward, face first toward the mat, but Marr pulls him back to his feet. 

Deadprez: Charlie Marr lifts Maverick high, setting up for a powerbomb, possibly transitioning into a double knee backbreaker! 

Gavin Kirkland: But Maverick leaps off Marr’s shoulders, landing behind him! Maverick quickly hooks both of Marr’s arms, trapping his shoulders to the mat with a backslide roll-up! Maverick is trying to steal this one from Charlie!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gavin Kirkland: ONLY TWO STILL! Marr rolls back to his feet, quickly catching Maverick and pulling him upright, looking to send him flying with an exploder suplex but as soon as Maverick gets back on his feet, MAVERICK COUNTERS TURNING THE TABLES AND PLANTING CHARLIE WITH AN EXPLODER OF HIS OWN!

Deadprez: At least Maverick is managing to survive the relentless wave of attacks Charlie is attempting to unleash on him for now, but he needs to come up with a plan quickly. 

Gavin Kirkland: Marr, clutching his spine, struggles to push himself up from the ground. Maverick gets to his feet, runs to the corner, and leaps to the top rope… MAVERICK TAKES FLIGHT AND DRIVES MARR BACK TO THE GROUND WITH A TORNADO DDT! HOLY HELL, HE DOES IT AGAIN! TALK ABOUT THE ATHLETICISM OF THE FORMER BOXER! MAVERICK GOES FOR THE COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Deadprez: MARR KICKS OUT! But have you? Have you ever seen a man refuse to go down like this? Maverick springs right back to his feet after the kick-out and heads to the second rope!… FOR THE PLEASE DON’T DIE! THE SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT LANDS PERFECTLY ON TOP OF CHARLIE MARR! MAVERICK GOES FOR ANOTHER COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Deadprez: Yet! Another kick out! Charlie Marr is still holding on in this match, while Maverick has thrown everything he has at him to secure the win! 

Eve: Maverick retreats to his corner, taking aim at Marr’s head once more. Charlie struggles to get back to his feet and Maverick is desperate for the victory. Maverick now pushes past any concern for his own condition and marches forward!… LOOKING FOR THE LIGHTS OUT PUNCH!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: HIGHRISE DROPKICK CONNECTS ON CODY! But Maverick refuses to stay down! The Sin City Superstar shakes off the sheer force of the dropkick and roars as he marches forward through the attack! 

Deadprez: Maverick attempts a desperate Lights Out Punch once again, but Marr ducks underneath and bounces off the ropes! Maverick, undeterred, charges toward him, going for the Lights Out Punch again! 

Eve: But it’s a swing and a miss! Maverick quickly decides to run to the ropes as well, and now both men are running straight toward each other!… LIGHTS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MARR GOES FOR THE RUNNING HEADBUTT, BUT MAVERICK MEETS HIM IN THE CENTER OF THE RING WITH A SUPERMAN PUNCH, KNOCKING OUT HIS MOMENTUM COMPLETELY!!!!!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE–

Gavin Kirkland: NO! The momentum still burns within Charlie Marr as he kicks out at the count of two! 

Deadprez: Maverick was so close! Come on, Cody, the crown is waiting for you! Maverick grabs hold of Marr’s trunks and maneuvers him into a Half Nelson position…. MAVERICK PREPARING TO LIFT CHARLIE UP FOR THE HIGH ROLLER!!!!!

Eve: Marr counters with an arm drag, sending Maverick rolling to the mat instead! Maverick quickly gets back to his feet and charges at Marr, but Marr counters with a boot to the jaw, sending Maverick stumbling back toward the ropes! 

Gavin Kirkland: Maverick rebounds and returns with a rolling elbow, connecting with Marr! Marr spins around and tries to respond with an elbow of his own, but he misses as Maverick lifts him onto his shoulders, possibly setting up for the rolling fireman’s carry slam.

Deadprez: But Marr fights back, delivering pointed elbows to the side of Maverick’s head, trying to escape! Maverick struggles to hold on but is eventually forced to release Marr! 

Eve: Marr doesn’t stop, raining more elbows down on Maverick’s head, forcing him to his knees. Seizing the moment, Marr runs toward the ropes… BUT AS HE CHARGES BACK, MAVERICK CATCHES HIM WITH A SCOOP POWERSLAM, DRIVING HIM INTO THE MAT!!!! MAVERICK HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE PIN!!!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Eve: CHARLIE MARR KICKS OUT!!!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: It’s not going to stop there for Cody Maverick! Maverick grabs Marr by the wrist, pulling him back to his feet. The Sin City Superstar is firmly in control, dominating Marr as he hooks him up once again. Maverick lifts Marr off the ground!… FOR THE HIGH ROLLER!!!!!!!

Deadprez: But Charlie immediately reaches out for the ropes! He’s trying to use his free hand, the one Maverick hasn’t managed to secure in time. Maverick struggles to maintain his hold and is forced to release Charlie, pulling him back away from the ropes!

Eve: Charlie with shoot kicks! Charlie unleashes shoot kicks, each strike connecting with Maverick’s legs from left to right! Marr continues with more kicks, trying to push Maverick back, forcing him to retreat into the corner. 

Gavin Kirkland: Marr follows up by raining down more stomps, determined to wear down the Sin City Superstar connecting with additional shoot kicks to keep him trapped in the corner! 

Deadprez: Marr momentarily steps back before approaching Maverick again in the corner but Maverick moves out of the way, sending Marr crashing into the turnbuckles and tripping down! Now Maverick grabs both of Marr’s legs firmly… AND PULLS HIM STRAIGHT INTO A WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX OUT OF THE CORNER!!!!!

Eve: And Charlie gets right back to his feet, still resisting the effects of the German suplex, and grabs hold of Maverick immediately after!… AND MARR DELIVERS A GERMAN SUPLEX OF HIS OWN, DRIVING MAVERICK INTO THE MAT!!!! BOTH MEN ARE DOWN!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Both men exchange German suplexes, showing us that neither is willing to go down easily! Marr is already pushing himself back to his feet, fighting through the pain, while Maverick retreats into the corner, using the time to recover. 

Deadprez: Maverick grabs hold of the ropes, pulling himself back to his feet, while Marr struggles to stand on his own terms… AND MAVERICK IS THE FIRST TO RISE, AND WITHOUT HESITATION, HE CHARGES TOWARD MARR, LOOKING FOR THE LIGHTS OUT PUNCH!!!!!

Eve: HIGH KNEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! Maverick collides with a knee at the center of the ring as he attempts the Superman Punch once again! Marr stumbles into the corner and takes aim at Maverick’s head, raising his arm high into the air. Maverick tries to recover from the knee strike, spinning out of the corner as he regains his footing!… CHARING CROSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deadprez: Maverick ducks underneath Marr’s arm and goes straight for the Sin City Stunner after a kick to Charlie’s gut, but Marr counters by pushing him toward the ropes. 

Gavin Kirkland: Maverick halts his momentum just in time and turns around, only to be met with a kick to the gut from Marr. Marr seizes the moment, attempting to lift Maverick for the Queen is Dead, but Maverick counters at the last second with a back body drop, sending Marr crashing to the mat!

Eve: No, Marr didn’t land on the mat somehow! He manages to land safely on his feet, quickly recovering and running toward the ropes. He rebounding off them as he charges straight at Cody Maverick… LOOKING FOR A RUNNING VARIATION OF THE CHARING CROSS!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: BUT MAVERICK SIDESTEPS THE MOVE YET AGAIN AND IMMEDIATELY LIFTS HIM UP!… HE GOT IT!!!!!! CODY HITS IT!!!! THE HIGH ROLLER!!!!!!!!!! A HALF-NELSON BRIDGING OLYMPIC SLAM SENDS THE FORMER WORLD CHAMPION CRASHING TO THE MAT! MAVERICK CONNECTS WITH HIS MOST DEVASTATING FINISHER, HOOKS THE LEG! IS THIS IT? IS HE ABOUT TO ADVANCE TO THE NEXT ROUND?!!?!?!?!?

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Gavin Kirkland: HE DOES IT! HE BEATS CHARLIE MARR! CODY ADVANCES!

(DING DING DING!)

Gina Romano: HERE IS YOUR WINNER, ADVANCING TO THE NEXT ROUND OF THE SHOWDOWN’S KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT… CODY MAVERICK!

Gavin Kirkland: It’s a miracle! Cody Maverick has just defeated Charlie Marr cleanly! He’s beaten a multi-time world champion and a Hall of Famer in one match. Tonight, Cody Maverick has solidified himself as a true threat in this tournament by overcoming the Tyrant himself!

Deadprez: YESSIR! The Sin City Superstar has finally broken through the ceiling, defeating Charlie Marr here tonight! There’s so much to look forward to in the future of the Sin City Superstar, and right now, it’s only just beginning. The road to success for Cody Maverick lies ahead!

(‘Kostas’ by Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher plays as Cody Maverick, still hurting from the grueling match, struggles to his feet. He raises his arm in victory, leaning back against the ropes for support. Meanwhile, Charlie Marr stirs, waking from the impact of the devastating finisher he endured. Looking up at Maverick and then back at himself, Marr feels a tinge of disappointment, not at the fairness of the loss, but at failing to advance.)

Eve: It seems this just wasn’t Charlie Marr’s night, as the new era is ushered in by the sheer success Cody Maverick has achieved in this match.

(Marr decides to get back to his feet and slowly comes face-to-face with Cody Maverick, who stands there, looking slightly confused by the gesture from the opponent he just fought… and Charlie Marr extends a handshake?!)

Gavin Kirkland: Ah man, I think I know where this goes….

(Maverick approaches the handshake cautiously, aware of Charlie Marr’s controversial history. Despite Cody’s hesitation, Marr grows slightly annoyed and decides to take matters into his own hands. He pulls Cody in, raises his arm high in the air as a sign of respect, and then lets it go.)

Gavin Kirkland: Oh nevermind.

Eve: Oh wow! What a rare display of sportsmanship from Charlie Marr, considering the kind of man he is. But tonight, he chooses to show respect by raising the arm of his former Territorial Invasion tag team partner. A true sign of respect from Charlie Marr!

(Maverick acknowledges the gesture of respect and leaves the ring, celebrating with the crowd on the outside. Meanwhile, Marr watches him without much reaction except for a faint smile. Marr nods subtly as Maverick makes his way to the back. Left alone in the ring, Marr looks down at himself, reflecting deeply, perhaps wondering if it’s time to pass up.)

Gavin Kirkland: What an incredible effort from Charlie Marr in this match. You have to give him credit for everything he put into it, despite the loss. With that said, there’s still plenty to look forward to when it comes to what lies ahead for the Tyrant–

Deadprez: WHAT THE HELL!??!

(Suddenly, someone attacks Charlie from behind, sending him through the ropes and down to the outside. The attacker is wearing a mask, making it impossible to identify them. The masked figure then follows Marr to ringside and begins stomping him down.)

Eve: A masked individual emerges from the crowd and attacks Charlie Marr! Right now, Marr is being dragged to his feet before being sent crashing into the steel steps! What business does this masked attacker have here?

Gavin Kirkland: What is going on? That’s the real question! This masked attacker is assaulting a Hall of Famer, and now they’re grabbing one of the steel steps while placing Charlie’s head on another. Oh no, don’t do this—somebody stop this!… THE MASKED PERSON JUST CRUSHED CHARLIE’S NECK WITH THE STEEL STEPS, SLAMMING THEM DOWN ON TOP OF IT! MY GOD!

Deadprez: Where are the officials? Someone has to stop this! Marr is being sent back into the ring, and he’s already out cold! Someone needs to step in now! 

Eve: The masked attacker grabs two steel chairs and heads back into the ring. Marr isn’t even moving, but the masked person isn’t stopping. They position Charlie’s head between one of the steel chairs. Oh God, no!… AND THE CON-CHAIR-TO HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO CHARLIE MARR!!!!!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Here come the EAW officials, everyone rushing out to save Charlie Marr—but it’s too late to catch the culprit. The masked attacker has already leapt over the barricade and is now running out of the arena, with the security team in pursuit! Charlie Marr has been completely destroyed. Who could have done this?!

(EAW officials, along with the medical team, rush to check on Charlie Marr, bringing a stretcher down the walkway. The teams work together carefully, securing the unconscious Charlie Marr onto the stretcher before carrying him to the back. The camera follows the incident, panning all the way to the parking lot, where an ambulance arrives on the scene. Charlie Marr is slowly loaded into the vehicle by the medical team, and the ambulance drives away as Saturday Night Showdown fades into a commercial break, leaving viewers with the unfortunate scene.)

(A commercial break airs for Marvel Rivals, featuring Donovan Duke dominating and taunting a player named ‘BronDaniels0194’ throughout the entire match.)

(Backstage….

Bronson Daniels is seen standing with Milli Banks, next to Kyra Phillips. He doesn’t look happy as his girlfriend; the Universal Women’s Champion comforts her.)

Kyra Phillips: Ladies and Gentlemen, after a heartbreaker at Road to Redemption, becoming the Answers World Champion and losing it soon thereafter Donovan Duke decided to cash in his briefcase. We are here with Bronson Daniels, and he is accompanied by Milli Banks. Milli, first I have a question for you, now knowing that the next challenger for your championship is Raven Roberts as we heard last night on Dynasty, the match will happen at King of Elite, your thoughts?

Milli Banks: Honestly Kyra, this is about Bronson tonight, but what I will do is say this. I welcome it. Any of the top female wrestlers in this division, come at me. Raven Roberts is no exception. I want the Raven’s, the Dr. Blue’s, Ava’s, my good friend Veena Adams, Kassidy Heart when she comes back, even Minerva again, doesn’t matter, and I will defend this title to the best of my ability. I also see that the Empress of Elite tournament has begun, and we will have one woman with the crown, and she too will challenge me for this belt. But for now, Raven is my next challenge, and I will meet it like I do all of them and break the record for longest reigning Universal Women’s Champion. But that is all I have to say for now.

(Kyra nods and turns to Bronson Daniels.)

Kyra Phillips: Bronson, it was both a magical and a horrific night. You walked into the Extreme Elimination Chamber and were able to win the Answers World Championship. Your thoughts?

(Bronson lets out a sigh, but tries his best to keep his game face.)

Bronson Daniels: You know, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. Entering that Chamber I knew that there was one goal and that was to become the Answers World Champion. Everyone knows how things ended for me on Dynasty, it is no secret that it was a heavy burden on me entering this season, and for Showdown and Kennedy Street to draft me and give me a chance meant a lot. I went into Road To Redemption to win.

Kyra Phillips: And how did that feel?

Bronson Daniels: It was a moment that I will never forget, The match, the talent in that Chamber, all of it, it came to one thing and that was can I beat five of the best including my tag team partner and TLA, the World Champion? The answer was always yes. But I do need to say something about that match first before I continue. I want to talk about Jon Kelton for a moment.

(Milli nods, lowering her head, she knows what Jon did for Bronson is unmatched. Bronson begins to speak about his tag team partner.)

Bronson Daniels: There is no love like that of a brother in arms. He sacrificed himself for me, he didn’t need to do that, but he made the conscious decision to in order to protect me and that means a lot. Jon is not here tonight, he is still recovering, and will be ready to compete as will I at the next Showdown for the King of Elite. I am committed to Elysium, but I have to address what happened after I won the Answers World Championship. After being in a war with this group of Elitists, and then just myself and Harper Lee doing our best to win that title and putting out bodies through hell, that too was intense and my hats off to Harper for her efforts, but what I didn’t understand is what Donovan Duke did afterwards.

Kyra Phillips: Bronson, for a moment there many thought that Donovan Duke was out there to congratulate you, to pretty much make the statement that he was watching your every move and that to be ready for when he decided to cash in, but much to our surprise, he beat you down with the briefcase, and then proceeded to cash in and become the Answers World Champion. Is there anything you want to tell Donovan Duke?

(Bronson stays quiet for a second, as Milli rubs his back, as he then looks up to speak.)

Bronson Daniels: I really did think that Kyra and then he snuck up behind me and struck with that briefcase. I had already gone through hell and then he wants to do that? I really thought Donovan was a man of integrity and of his word and maybe, something snapped in him after losing to Cody Maverick earlier in the night, I don’t know, but what he did was rob me of my moment and I do NOT take that lightly. He wants to prance around as the Answers World Champion, well good for him. I hope he is happy, but I am going to tell you one thing Donovan Duke. Do NOT get too comfortable with that Championship, because when I win the King of Elite, I am coming for it, and trust me, I’m not going to wait for him to enjoy his reign, I will take it away from him soon as possible.

(He tries to calm down, just as he does, Harper Lee walks into the picture. Milli tries to stand between the two but Bronson instead stands in front of her. Kyra turns the microphone to Harper.)

Harper Lee: Don’t forget, that you were lucky to walk out as the Answers World Champion, and the sacrifice of Jon Kelton? It was in vain and that is something you must live with. But keep one thing in mind, we are not done, and neither is my chase for the Answers World Championship.

(Harper then looks at Milli Banks.)

Harper Lee: Or the Universal Women’s Championship. Bye losers.

(Harper walks off as Bronson stares her down as Milli tries to calm him down, the camera then shifts to ringside and Gina Romano.)

(Showdown came back from commercials before suddenly, “Taking What’s Not Yours” by TV Girl plays on the speakers, as a very focused woman comes out from the entrance, nodding to herself with a small smile and then admiring the crowd around her, who were kind of confused since this is the first time they saw her like this.)

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST, SA-

(Gina suddenly stops as one of the ring crew ends up whispering in her ear before she clears her mouth.)

Gina Romano: My apologies! Ehem! INTRODUCING FIRST, FROM CASPER, WYOMING! WEIGHING IN AT 137 LBS! SHE IS THE “CULT OF PERSONALITY”, SKYLEEERRRR SWAIIIINNNNNNNN!!!

Deadprez: Uh… I thought we were getting a returning SALLY for this match.

Eve: I really don’t know what to say about what is happening here, it seems that the person who was previously SALLY ended up seemingly gaining back their consciousness and ended up taking control of her body? I don’t really know what to say about it.

Gavin Kirkland: …Man, spooky and scary girls are more my type.

Deadprez: :wtf:

Eve: Either way, we send good luck here to the returning… or technically debuting? Skyler Swain! As she has the chance to shock the world and be able to get a big win in her first match back!

(Skyler does not waste any time of going down the ring and entering inside, excited and focused as she paces around in her corner. At that moment, “Gloria” by Laura Branigan plays on the speakers and the crowd cheers in excitement, as none other than Bea Valentine walks forward with a calm but determined step, stopping at a moment in the entrance with her hand on her heart and letting out a very exaggerated sigh, she is completely alone here without Cornelius to accompany her as she knows how important this is for her to do by all herself, she nods quickly and then begins walking down the ramp.)

Gina Romano: AND HER OPPONENT, FROM BOSTON, MASSACHUSSETTS! WEIGHING AT 143 LBS! SHE IS “THE QUEEN BEA”, BEAAAAAAAAAAA VALENTINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Eve: Bea bearing a lot of weight heading into her match here, she was not successful at all when it came to the EEC for the Universal Women’s Championship, but she knows that she has the chance here to advance forward and become the Empress of Elite and be able to prove a lot of people wrong of what she is capable.

Deadprez: She has taken a lot of those doubts to the extremes but there is no doubt that the chance to prove herself is right here, right now!

(Bea walks down and does not waste time getting towards the ring, quickly standing in her own corner and then waiting patiently, as before long…)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Gavin Kirkland: AND HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Deadprez: I am going to be completely honest, I don’t really know what to commentate for this match.

Eve: I am not sure either because I am also confused but we are going to try our best because that is our job to do!

Gavin Kirkland: I barely try and somehow I get paid, what do you mean by that?

Eve: Ugh, anyway, interesting week for these two when heading into this match, as SA- I mean… Skyler, did not really take Bea seriously due to the fact that she has not really had the best track record in the past few months and you know, she has indeed called herself washed so that happens.

Deadprez: Well, even when Bea was feeling in the dumps, she ended up throwing back the sentiment towards Skyler and also did not really take her seriously due to the fact that SALLY, I think I am correct on that one, did not have the best track record either. So I think it is fair to say that these women don’t really like each other.

Eve: But even despite those feelings, they have to walk forward and then meet inside of that ring! And so, both Bea and Skyler decide to go forward and then meet in the middle of the ring, despite their words, they seem focused and they are not willing to let this victory get away from them knowing how precious and important being the Empress of Elite is.

Deadprez: They start off with something simple! Bea and Skyler raise both their arms and they end up locking hands, a test of strength! Bea is a few inches taller than Skyler so she has some advantage here but Skyler is pushing either way with whatever strength she can muster.

Gavin Kirkland: Wait… she is actually pushing Bea instead, what the heck?!

Eve: Skyler with a surprising show of strength as despite the height disadvantage, she is able to push back Bea and shock her momentarily because of that, as she gets Bea towards the ropes before backing up and then hitting her straight on the chest with a loud sounding Forearm Strike! Ouch!

Deadprez: Bea holding onto her chest from that one but Skyler grabs onto her wrists and then pushes her arms away before delivering another big punch straight towards that chest! And she is not letting up, going over and over and over before she ends up letting go!

Gavin Kirkland: The Queen Bea ends up dropping to one knee after that, still holding onto the damaged area of her chest… BUT DOING THAT GIVES SKYLER THE CHANCE TO GRAB ONTO HER HEAD AND THEN DROP HER DOWN WITH A DDT!

Eve: Quick cover from Skyler here!

ONEEEEEEEEEEE

TW-

Deadprez: A barely close two count here from Skyler but nothing much to write home about, Bea Valentine is not the woman to go down that easily!

Eve: Skyler takes the chance here to grab onto Bea’s head and then wrench it here with a headlock, putting some pressure on her head and neck now to be able to target later if possible.

Deadprez: Bea is awake enough to not let herself drop to the ground, she puts her leg out forward to prevent Skyler from bringing her down to the mat, Bea moves her hands towards Skyler’s arms, trying to struggle out of the hold and get herself out of this predicament…

Eve: But as Skyler tries to go in and wrench the hold once more, Bea sees an opportunity, pushing her hand through that hole Skyler made trying to wrench, as Bea grabs onto Skyler’s arm before swiftly moving it to the side and then wrenching it herself this time, now Bea putting Skyler in the predicament this time!

Deadprez: Skyler does not stay still herself though, as even though Bea is making some damage to her arm, Skyler is moving here! She rolls forward while Bea is still holding onto her arm, before rolling back and doing a sequence of rolls here to get herself out of the twist!

Gavin Kirkland: She is able to twist herself around… AND GET OUT OF THE HOLD! Before grabbing this time Bea’s arm and trying to do it to her this time-

Eve: BEA GOES FOR A SIMPLER WAY AND SHE JUST ENDS UP PUNCHING SKYLER AWAY FROM HER! Bea rushes forward, grabbing onto Skyler’s head and then going towards the ropes, jumping off them… BEFORE SPINNING AROUND INTO A BEAUTIFUL TORNADO DDT!

Deadprez: Bea goes for the cover in Skyler this time!

ONEEEEEEE!

TWO-

Eve: Another barely close two count that Bea does not get at all! Both ladies are trying to knock the other one down and trying to get a quick win here! Bea does not relent though and she has her chance here, as she rolls over Skyler…

Deadprez: And in the process she ends up picking her up into her shoulders, showing some quick athleticism here as she ends up lifting her up and tries to-

Eve: Denied! Skyler ends up sliding behind Bea and then grabs onto her waist, pulling her back… AND THEN HITTING BEA DOWN WITH A NASTY GERMAN SUPLEX! BEA BOUNCES OFF THE MAT A BIT FROM THE FORCE BUT AS SHE GETS UP-

Deadprez: SHE GETS HIT RIGHT ON THE HEAD WITH A SUDDEN ROUNDHOUSE KICK FROM SKYLER! BEA FALLS DOWN HARD FROM IT TO THE MAT AS SKYLER MOVES OVER AND THEN GOES TO PIN BEA ONCE MORE!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO-

Gavin Kirkland: Just a two count for the beautiful Queen Bea! And Skyler is forced to re-plan here and then back away from her opponent, I am starting to see some stress now on her nerdy looking face… wait, hold on, I think I can see the appeal now-

Eve: Alright, who can cut his microphone right now?

Gavin Kirkland: OKAY, OKAY, I WILL CALM DOWN!

Deadprez: Ignoring the gross words that were said, Skyler now has Bea right where she wants her, on the mat here! Skyler readies and prepares herself… AS SHE JUMPS AND HITS DOWN A LEG DROP RIGHT OVER BEA’S NECK!

Eve: But Skyler is not done yet, as she gets up yet again and then ends up dropping another Leg Drop right over Bea! Skyler rolls backwards, then jumping up this time… AND HITTING A SOMERSAULT LEG DROP TO FINISH OFF THE COMBO!

Gavin Kirkland: Nerdy Looking girl has some moves! She should do them on me–

Eve: Enough of that, let’s comment normally now! Skyler got some good damage here on Bea with those leg drops, as Bea is now holding onto her damaged chest from before and her neck as well! Skyler is not done yet as she sees Bea here weak on the floor and she has to go for something more lethal, she starts walking towards the ring apron!

Deadprez: Bea is trying her best to move while Skyler starts preparing her move, and the crowd are actually clapping along and trying to motivate Bea! It seems that after all of her previous tries and how the end of the year went, the crowd is on Bea’s side in this match!

Eve: Sadly, that support doesn’t matter as much when you are on the ground trying to get out of the way of an incoming move! Skyler grabs tightly onto the ropes here and has Bea right where she wants her, as she pushes herself forward…

Deadprez: AND THEN TRIES TO GO FOR A SLINGSHOT LEG DROP!

Eve: NO! BEA ENDS UP GETTING OUT OF THE WAY AND SKYLER ENDS UP HITTING NOTHING!

Deadprez:  THAT ONE HAS GOT TO HURT EXTRA CONSIDERING SHE LANDED ON HER BUTT! THAT MISS FINALLY GIVES BEA THE CHANCE TO COUNTERATTACK, AS SHE GRABS ONTO SKYLER AND THEN LIFTS HER UP HIGH ONTO HER SHOULDERS, RUNNING OVER TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE RING-

Eve: AND HITTING SKYLER DOWN WITH A FIREMAN’S CARRY DRIVER! THE FORCE OF THE MOVE SENDS BEA BACK UP TO HER FEET AGAIN AND THEN TRIES TO CONTINUE WITH THE COMBO! SHE DROPS DOWN BOTH OF HER KNEES ONTO SKYLER!

Deadprez: BEFORE ROLLING FORWARD AND THEN HITTING AN IMPRESSIVE MOONSAULT! THE INSULT TO INJURY HITTING SKYLER RIGHT WHERE IT HURTS!

Eve: BEA FINALLY GETTING SOME MOVES IN GIVES HER THE CHANCE TO COVER SKYLER, CAN SHE GET IT?!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

T-

Deadprez: NOT YET! SKYLER ENDS UP KICKING OUT OF THE COMBO OF MOVES AND BEA SHOWS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION IN HER EXPRESSION AFTER THAT ONE! SHE WAS CLOSE WITH THAT ONE BUT CLOSE IS NOT ENOUGH!

Eve: Bea trying to push through Skyler and trying to take her down with whatever she has! She grabs tightly onto Skyler’s wrists and then pulls her away towards the corner with all the strength she has! Bea is looking for a strong move here in her arsenal!

Deadprez: Bea props Skyler on the corner and then backs away towards the corner in front of her, she rises up her hands for a moment, the gesture making the people cheer and making Bea be slightly taken aback by it before she lowers them down and poses- BEFORE RUNNING FORWARD!

Eve: BEA TRIES TO GO FOR THE “BEA SWARM” ON THE CORNER!

Deadprez: SKYLER ENDS UP ROLLING OUT OF THE WAY AND BEA ENDS UP HITTING HER KNEES AGAINST THE TURNBUCKLES OF THE CORNER! BEA IS GRABBING ONTO HER KNEE AND THAT GIVES-

Eve: THAT GIVES SKYLER THE CHANCE TO ATTACK, SHE JUMPS ONTO THE SHOULDERS OF BEA HERE AND THEN DROPS HER DOWN WITH A NASTY-LOOKING REVERSE HURRICANRANA! THE FORCE SENDING BEA ROLLING BACK ONTO HER FEET-

Deadprez: AND IT DOES NOT DROP HER DOWN YET! A BURST OF ENERGY GOES THROUGH BEA AS SHE RUNS FORWARD AND THEN HITS A DISCUS LARIAT RIGHT ON THE BACK OF SKYLER’S HEAD!

Eve: THE TWO WOMEN DROP DOWN HARD ONTO THE MAT AND THEY ARE OUT OF IT FOR THE MOMENT, WHAT A CRAZY MATCH!

(The crowd ends up cheering loudly after the performance from the two competitors, Skyler grabbing hard onto the back of her head from that move while Bea is trying to roll away and get some distance, feeling her own head hurting like hell as well from what happened.)

Deadprez: The two women not relenting at all and not letting the other one get another chance of being able to beat them! Bea with the chance to prove herself and show that she is not washed at all while Skyler is trying to return with a bang and beat a former Specialists Champion to show that she is truly ready for the big stage of EAW!

Eve: Bea is finally getting up to her feet, trying to push through the pain that she is feeling all over her body while Skyler is helping herself up to her feet with the ropes, Bea finally got a good shot in and that gave her the chance to weaken Skyler a bit-

Deadprez: WAIT, SKYLER TURNS AROUND OUT OF NOWHERE AND THEN RUNS AT BEA AT HIGH SPEEDS! 

Eve: BEA IS TAKEN OFF GUARD BUT SHE IS ABLE TO REACT IN TIME AS SHE IS ABLE TO LEAP OVER SKYLER AND AVOID THE TACKLE! 

Deadprez: SKYLER ENDS UP GRABBING BEA FROM BEHIND THOUGH AND PULLS HER DOWN INTO A VICTORY ROLL!

Eve: SKYLER ENDS UP LETTING GO OF IT AND IT GIVES BEA THE CHANCE TO ROLL AWAY-

Deadprez: RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK TO THE JAW! BEA IS WOOZY FROM THAT ONE AS SKYLER GRABS HER AND THEN LIFTS HER UP INTO HER OWN FIREMAN’S CARRY, SKYLER HOLDS ON TIGHT BEFORE SHE SPINS BEA AROUND-

Eve: AND TRIES TO HIT HER DOWN WITH ANOTHER DDT!

Deadprez: BEA IS FAST ENOUGH THOUGH TO GRAB ONTO SKYLER’S ARM AND THEN PULL HER DOWN HARD WITH AN ARMDRAG, SENDING SKYLER FLYING TOWARDS THE ROPES!

Gavin Kirkland: WOO! Finally! It took me long enough but I ended up finding another microphone here that ended up working-

Eve: SHUT UP GAVIN!

Gavin Kirkand: Man

Deadprez: THAT QUICK MOVE GIVES BEA THE CHANCE TO GET UP TO HER FEET AND RAISE HER ARMS IN THE SKY, THE CROWD CHEERING IN ANTICIPATION AS SHE RUNS TOWARDS THE ROPES AND THEN GETS SOME MOMENTUM, RUNNING FORWARD!

Eve: JUMPING UP!

Gavin Kirkland: “BEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA TRIGGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!”

Deadprez: BUT SHE IS NOT FAST ENOUGH TO HIT IT AS SKYLER GRABS ONTO BEA JUST AS SHE JUMPS UP AND THEN SPINS HER AROUND AT INCREDIBLY FAST SPEEDS!

Eve: BEFORE SKYLER DROPS HER DOWN WITH THE ‘BESTRAFE MICH!’ THE DEEP SIX-LIKE MOVE ENDS UP HITTING BEA DOWN HARD ONTO THE MAT AND SKYLER DOES NOT WASTE ANY TIME TO RUN OVER AND THEN COVER THE FORMER SPECIALISTS CHAMPION! DOES BEA’S TOURNAMENT END HERE?!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

Deadprez: IT DOES NOT AS BEA ENDS UP KICKING OUT WITH ALL THAT SHE HAS! BEA IS STILL ON IT AND ONCE AGAIN, SKYLER IS FORCED TO RE-THINK EVERYTHING ONCE MORE!

Gavin Kirkland: Nerdy Looking girl is starting to get very angry now! Every try she throws at Bea trying to take her down is not keeping her down at all in any way, she has to go back to the board and find something that can actually take her down!

Eve: Skyler’s brain is starting to work now and find a solution to the problem that she is facing here! She slowly starts backing up towards the corner and then reflects to herself, wondering what she has to do to be able to take down Bea in one fell swoop!

Deadprez: It seems that Skyler finally has it figured out here as her expression is looking… kind of terrifying if I am completely honest towards you, not sure why that is.

Eve: There might be something more to it that we don’t know at all! But finally, Bea is shaking her head and she is finally up to her feet after that move, she should have not gotten up though because as soon as she turns around-

Gavin Kirkland: SKYLER GOES AND GRABS HER, TRYING TO LOCK IN THE “PLIER HAND!” ONE MANDIBLE CLAW AND IT IS ALL OVER!

Deadprez: BEA STILL HAS SOME FIGHT LEFT IN HER! SHE ELBOWS SKYLER AWAY TRYING TO PREVENT HER FROM LOCKING IN THE CLAW, ONE! TWO! THREE! BEFORE A FOURTH ONE TO HER FACE FORCES SKYLER TO LET GO! SKYLER GRABS ONTO HER FACE FROM THAT BEFORE TRYING TO ATTACK BEA AGAIN-

Eve: THAT JUST ENDS UP GIVING BEA THE CHANCE TO GRAB ONTO SKYLER INSTEAD AND PULLS HER DOWN IN POSITION! SHE HAS HER RIGHT WHERE SHE WANTS HER AS SHE PULLS HER FORWARD, “THE CONSPIRACYYYYYYYYYY!!!”

Gavin Kirkland: NO! SKYLER ENDS UP SPINNING OUT OF THE SISTER ABIGAIL AND SHE ENDS UP BEHIND BEA! 

Eve: SKYLER GRABS ONTO BEA’S ARMS AND THEN LIFTS HER UP HIGH WITH SURPRISING STRENGTH! SKYLER LIFTS HER UP HIGH BEFORE TRYING TO DROP HER DOWN WITH THE CRUFICIX POWERBOMB, “TILL THE END-”

Deadprez: BUT THAT SMALL SHIFT OF MOVEMENT GIVES BEA THE CHANCE TO WRAP HER LEGS AROUND SKYLER JUST AS SHE LIFTS HER UP AND THEN DROPS HER DOWN HARD WITH A SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!

Eve: THE FORCE OF THE MOVE ENDS UP SENDING SKYLER TOWARDS THE CORNER AND ONCE AGAIN BEA HAS HER CHANCE HERE! SHE RUSHES TO THE CORNER AS THE CROWD IS FULLY BEHIND HER BACK, LIFTING HER ARMS AND POSING… BEFORE RUNNING FORWARD!

Gavin Kirkland: LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTIOOOOONNNNN!!!

Deadprez: THE “BEA SWAARMMM!!” BEA GETS ALL OF HER KNEES RIGHT INTO SKYLER’S FACE AND SHE PULLS HER AWAY FROM THE CORNER AND THEN COVERS HER! TO MOVE ON TO THE SECOND ROUND!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

Eve: KICK OUT! SKYLER ENDS UP KICKING OUT OF THE BEA SWARM RIGHT AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND AND BEA IS LEFT THERE COMPLETELY DEVASTATED AT WHAT JUST HAPPENED! 

Gavin Kirkland: COME ON BEA, YOU JUST HAVE TO PUSH A LITTLE BIT HARDER!

Eve: ????

Gavin Kirkland: Sorry, I lost the appeal to the nerdy girl, I switched now.

Deadprez: Bruh. There are a lot of thoughts right now going through Bea’s head, not a lot of good ones to be sure because of the doubts that she has had on herself for the past few months, but it is clear that the bell has NOT rung yet! She is still in it!

Eve: That thought is what is pushing Bea yet again towards her feet, the crowd supporting her and continuing to cheer her on makes her nod to herself! She even uh.. smacks herself for some reason- BUT THE FIRE COMES BACK TO HER EYES!

Gavin Kirkland: THE QUEEN BEA MOVES TOWARDS ONE OF THE CORNERS AND THEN TRIES TO CLIMB IT UP TO THE TOP! WHAT IS SHE EVEN PLANNING TO DO!

Eve: Skyler is down on the ground after that one… Is Bea planning to go for a Top Rope “Bea Sting”?!

Deadprez: That is the best that I can figure out, as Bea has her back turned towards the downed Skyler, she tries to take a deep breath and-

Gavin Kirkland: NO! NERDY GIRL ENDS UP GETTING TO HER FEET OUT OF NOWHERE AND JUMPS ONTO THE ROPE, HITTING BEA IN THE BACK WITH A FOREARM STRIKE! 

Eve: BEA IS STOPPED ON HER TRACKS BY THIS WHILE SKYLER ENDS UP PREPARING TO HIT HER OWN MOVE HERE, GRABBING TIGHTLY ONTO BEA’S WAIST… AND TRYING TO LIFT HER UP!

Deadprez: A GERMAN SUPLEX FROM THE TOP ROPE!

Gavin Kirkland: THE QUEEN BEA ENDS UP HITTING A BACK ELBOW ON SKYLER BEFORE SHE CAN LIFT HER UP! AND ANOTHER ONE! AND ONE MORE FOR GOOD MEASURE!

Eve: BEA HITS HER WITH A BACK HEADBUTT AND FINALLY, THAT FORCES SKYLER TO LET GO AND FALL BACK ONTO THE MAT! Skyler is holding onto her face and makes the mistake of turning around!

Deadprez: Bea finally gets up in the top corner, taking a deep breath as a bit of fear is in her expression here! Is she going to do it?

Eve: BEA DOES! BEA ENDS UP JUMPING AND SPINNING IN THE AIR! SHE GOES OVER HER OPPONENT!

Gavin Kirkland: SHE GRABS ONTO SKYLER’S ARMS AS SHE COMES DOWN!

Deadprez: “BEA-MY-VALENTINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!”

Eve: “BEA-MY-VALENTINE” OUT OF NOWHERE! BEA GETS ALL OF SKYLER’S HEAD WITH THAT ONE BEFORE PUSHING HER TO HER BACK AND THEN COVERING HER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

(“Gloria” by Laura Branigan plays on the speakers and the crowd erupts into cheers, as Bea quickly rolls away and looks on in small shock at the move that she was able to pull off, before quickly her expression is filled with genuine happiness as she screams in victory.)

Gina Romano: HERE IS YOUR WINNER, AND ADVANCING INTO THE 2ND ROUND OF THE EMPRESS OF ELITE TOURNAMENT, BEAAAAAA VALENTINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Gavin Kirkland: SHE DID IT! SHE HAS DONE IT! SHE IS NOT WASHED! SHE IS NOT WASHEEEEDDDDD!!!

Deadprez: Dawg, she just won the first round, calm down.

Eve: Either way, what a match that the two ladies had inside of that ring! It is clear that the two of them really wanted the chance to be able to advance, and despite Bea going through a lot of emotions during that match, she overcame them to be able to succeed and come out with the victory!

Deadprez: We have to give props towards the returning SA- I mean, Skyler, for giving the former Specialists Champion an incredibly tough fight and not making it easy for her at all in any way, she may not have won tonight but there is no doubt that she proved herself either way.

Eve: But tonight, it is Bea Valentine who moves on!

(Bea moves towards one of the corners, raising herself up and accepting the love of the crowd, acting very emotional and looking like she just won the Super Bowl despite her just winning the first round while Skyler is forced to lay there on the floor outside with a defeated expression.)

(And on that note, Showdown fades away to commercials.)

(The camera returns to ringside where we are in the middle of a brief moment of silence as the show is in between action. But the moment of silence doesn’t last much longer as “Faneto” by Chief Keef starts to play. Seconds later, the National Elite Champion SOSA Henderson enters the arena to a very mixed reaction from the crowd. SOSA really doesn’t care as he is wearing his standard SOSA attire including his bulletproof jacket and sunglasses. SOSA holds the National Elite Championship in the air as he heads to the ring.)

Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen! Please welcome to the ring at this time… THE EAW NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION! HE IS “BULLETPROOF” SOSA HENDERSON!

Deadprez: Well here comes the National Elite Champion making his way to the ring. We knew that SOSA wasn’t going to be in action this week, but it should come to no shock to all of us that SOSA would have something to say about Road to Redemption.

Gavin Kirkland: I mean if I was SOSA, I would be speaking about my awesomeness to anybody and everybody  about how great I am. Especially since he had such an easy title defense at Road to Redemption against that speed bump Ryan Joseph Wilson.

Eve: Oh for the love of gawd! Gavin, can you stop being such a jackass. That title defense might have gone the way of SOSA Henderson, but it sure as hell wasn’t as easy are you are making it out to be. Ryan took SOSA to the limit and was dangerously close to halting the SOSA Express right in its tracks.

Deadprez: SOSA fought hard and had a successful title defense, so I can only wonder what he has to say. Luckily for us and everybody watching in the crowd and at home, we are about to find out as he is heading for a microphone. 

(SOSA walks past Gina Romano and grabs a microphone from her before he enters the ring. As SOSA enters the ring, he adjusts the National Elite Championship on his shoulder as his entrance music fades off. He lets the crowd continue to react for a moment longer before the crowd silences and he brings the microphone up to begin speaking.)

SOSA Henderson: Let me ask you all a very serious question. Was anybody really expecting anything other than the sight that is in front of you right now? I mean did anybody really expect me to lose my title this quickly into my title reign? You should have already known that there was no chance in hell of that happening.

SOSA Henderson: I told the world that I was going to walk into Road to Redemption as the National Elite Champion and then I was going to walk OUT of Road to Redemption as the National Elite Champion. Low and behold, that’s exactly what I did.

SOSA Henderson: Now I knew that I was walking into very hostile territory when I defended my title against Ryan Wilson considering that we were fighting in his home turf in Canada. I mean I really do give Ryan Wilson a lot of credit.

SOSA Henderson: Seriously, I do. The man came to fight and he brought his all. Ryan Wilson was very close and the man really almost had me and he would have if it hadn’t had been for one thing.

SOSA Henderson: That’s the fact that SOSA Henderson was just being better. When that happens, the only fate any opposition can truly see is defeat.

(The crowd gave that response a very mixed reaction. Some appreciate his confidence while others think that he is being very cocky.)

SOSA Henderson: I wasn’t being self-righteous or anything. I was just speaking the truth. 

SOSA Henderson: Anyways, now that Road to Redemption is all done and over with, it’s now time to look on towards the future of my National Elite Championship reign.

SOSA Henderson: This is a new year, people. This is 2025 and 2025 is going to be the year that the National Elite Championship is going to continue to be one of the most sought after and most important and prestigious Championships in all of EAW. 

SOSA Henderson: When that happens, you will all have one person to thank for building this title up and that person is ME! SOSA Henderson! I am going to be the man who is going to take this Championship to the next level.

SOSA Henderson: We are in the SOSA Henderson Era of the National Elite Championship and this is just the beginning. If you think I am making statements now, just sit back and relax because you ain’t seen nothing yet. The fun is just beginning.

SOSA Henderson: Now that I have defeated Ryan Wilson, people have been asking me who I think will be the next challenger for the National Elite Championship. You want to know what I think?

SOSA Henderson: I don’t care who is next to challenge me for the National Elite Championship. Why? Because they are going to suffer the same fate as Ryan did. 

SOSA Henderson: Honestly, I have a better idea about my next challenger. I will go on record right here and right now when I say that I am going to open up an opportunity for ANYBODY in the Showdown locker room to take their chance at becoming Champion.

(The crowd started cheering loudly in approval when they understand what SOSA was trying to do.)

SOSA Henderson: That’s right, people. I am issuing an Open Challenge to ANYBODY that wants to come after the National Elite Championship. There is an open contract for the first person who wants to take a chance and face me for the National Elite Championship.

SOSA Henderson: Just be aware that if you accept my open challenge, that you are taking your own fate into your own hands and I am going to break your fate. You might be excited for the chance, but you won’t be excited for the end result. 

SOSA Henderson: That’s because that the SOSA Era is in full force and it ain’t stopping NOW!

(SOSA drops the microphone and holds the National Elite Championship in the air once again as “Faneto” starts playing again. The crowd again gives a mixed reaction to the Champion as he starts showing the title off to the crowd.)

Eve: Well, you heard it here. SOSA is welcoming all comers for anybody who wants to challenge him for the National Elite Championship. SOSA won’t back down and he won’t back up.

Gavin Kirkland: You heard what he said. He has an open challenge and an open contract available for the next person to step right up. You have got to respect the confidence of the leader of the SOSA Era of the National Elite Championship.

Deadprez: With a lot of hungry and determined competitors on the Showdown roster, anybody and everybody could be the next Challenger for SOSA’s title. SOSA better be ready for anybody to answer the challenge.

(As SOSA is standing on the top turnbuckle, he is still showing off his National Elite Championship to the crowd and soaking in the reaction from the crowd–)

(CRASH!!)

Gavin Kirkland: What in the hell was that? SOSA was celebrating his awesomeness and then he just fell right off the turnbuckle! Who has the balls to do that?

Eve: IT’S MIKU SAKAI! MIKU SAKAI HAS A STEEL PIPE THAT SHE STRUCK SOSA IN THE BACK OF THE KNEE WITH! NOW SHE IS JUST BEATING THE HELL OUT OF SOSA WITH THAT PIPE!

Deadprez: SOSA DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING AT ALL! MIKU HAS DECIMATED THE NATIONAL ELITE CHAMPION WITH THAT PIPE AND HE IS UNCONSCIOUS! NOW SHE HAS GRABBED THE NATIONAL ELITE TITLE AND SHE IS HOLDING IT CLOSE!

(SOSA is out cold as Miku glares at SOSA and grabs the microphone that SOSA dropped earlier and stands over her fallen victim as she brings the microphone up to speak.)

Miku Sakai: Challenge… ACCEPTED!

(Miku glares down at SOSA before tossing down the microphone on SOSA and dropping the National Elite Title and leaving the ring as the crowd boos her out of the building.)

Gavin Kirkland: We didn’t have to wait very long to find out who would accept SOSA’s open challenge. He certainly found out the hard way in the form of Miku Sakai.

Eve: Remember it was a few months ago where Veena was challenged by Miku Sakai for the National Elite Championship and that plan was kabashed when SOSA cashed in on his 24/7 Briefcase.

Deadprez: Miku hasn’t been happy with SOSA since that moment and now she has a chance to win the title that she believes that she should have won from Veena. Miku made a statement and I hope she’s ready for what SOSA will do in retaliation. What a match this will be.

(The final shot shows SOSA starting to barely move after being assaulted before cutting to Miku Sakai storming up the entrance ramp and leaving ringside as the camera cuts elsewhere.)

(The camera returns to the ring where Gina romano is standing in the ring with a microphone in hand as she is ready to begin the introductions for tonight’s Showdown main event.)

Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen! The following contest is a FIRST ROUND MATCH IN THE 2025 KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT AND IT IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

(“Olé” by The Bouncing Souls starts to play as the crowd starts to cheer loudly for the entrance of Ryan Joseph Wilson )

Gina Romano: Introducing first and making his way to the ring! From Montréal, Québec, Canada! Weighing 225 pounds! Here is “THE WORKHORSE” RYAN! JOSEPH! WILSON!

Deadprez: Here comes Ryan Wilson as he heads to the ring for the First Round match up and Ryan would no doubt like to get back on the winning side of things with a victory here tonight.

Eve: That’s right, Prezzy. Ryan hasn’t had the best of luck the last few matches. First, he was close against SOSA Henderson at Road to Redemption for the National Elite Championship, but he couldn’t win the title.

Gavin Kirkland: Then he lost a match at Mistletoe Mayhem in the Mountains against Hans Grayson in the Battle of the Canadians. Even I can admit that Ryan has been improving lately, but will be able to withstand his opposition, who is not in the best of moods.

(Ryan enters the ring and takes his corner as he starts preparing for the match as his music is quickly replaced by ‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac and the crowd keeps cheering loudly for the entrance of the former Answers World Champion, TLA. TLA  )

Gina Romano: Introducing his opponent! Residing at the Poon Palace in Miami, Florida! Weighing 210 pounds! Here is “LA PANTERA SEXUAL”! T! L! A!

Eve: It feels so weird to say this, but here comes the former Answers World Champion. He held the title for the last six months and now he’s coming to the ring with no gold. 

Gavin Kirkland: At least he had the Poons to console him after Road to Redemption. At the least, it took almost everybody who was remaining in that match to finally eliminate him. 

Deadprez: TLA might not have gold right now, but he could easily get some more in the form of the King of Elite crown, but he has to survive the very determined Ryan Wilson. Which man will make it to the Quarterfinals? We are about to find out!

(TLA enters the ring and takes his corner while his entrance music fades off. The referee checks both competitors before they call for the bell!)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Eve: Here we go! This is our second First Round match of the King of Elite tournament tonight and it is underway. Two of Showdown’s most popular stars are about to battle it out right now. 

Deadprez: Both men step to the center of the ring and shake hands in a show of respect as they circle each other before finally locking up in the center of the ring. 

Gavin Kirkland: Very rarely does Ryan have the size advantage in these big time matches, but we do have a stalemate in the center of the ring as neither man is able to overpower the other and now they are muscling each other around the ring.

Deadprez: Both men are getting very close to the ropes BEFORE THEY GO THROUGH THE MIDDLE AND TOP ROPES AND TUMBLE RIGHT OUT OF THE RING TO THE FLOOR!

Eve: The match has barely started and this crowd is very electric as they are cheering for both competitors as they both slide back into the ring and walk towards the center of the ring once again.

Gavin Kirkland: Now these two slap hands in the ring and they go back to locking up in the center of the ring. Now this time TLA manages to get the advantage with a side headlock as Ryan is trying to get free.

Eve: Ryan does lift up TLA and TLA MANAGES TO COME DOWN AND SNAP RYAN OVER AND BOTH MEN ARE ON THE GROUND RIGHT NOW!

Deadprez: Ryan is grounded at the moment and he is trying to get free of TLA’s grasp AND HE MANAGES TO GET A HEADSCISSOR AROUND TLA’S NECK AND GETTING FREE!

Gavin Kirkland: TLA doesn’t stay in the headscissors for long AS HE DOES A KIP UP AND GETS BACK TO HIS FEET AND OUT OF THE HEADSCISSORS! TLA jumps over Ryan and hits the ropes and rebounds as Ryan makes it back to his feet–

Eve: RYAN GRABS TLA FOR A SIDEWALK SLAM BUT TLA WRAPS HIS LEGS AROUND RYAN’S HEAD AND TAKES HIM UP AND OVER WITH A HEADSCISSOR TAKEOVER SENDING RYAN HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING!

Deadprez: Ryan is in the corner AND HERE COMES TLA AS HE JUMPS ONTO RYAN AND TAKES HIM OVER WITH A MONKEY FLIP–

Gavin Kirkland: RYAN LANDS ON HIS FEET! Ryan quickly turns around and starts putting the boots to TLA as TLA rolls out onto the apron. Ryan grabs TLA around the neck to bring him back to his feet.

Deadprez: Ryan with a facelock AS HE LIFTS TLA UP AND BRINGS HIM BACK INTO THE RING WITH A SUPLEX! TLA is down as Ryan now gets onto the apron.

Eve: RYAN JUMPS ONTO THE TOP ROPE BEFORE JUMPING OFF AND HITTING THE SPRINGBOARD LEG DROP OFF THE TOP ROPE! RIGHT ACROSS TLA’S THROAT AS RYAN SCRAMBLES INTO A QUICK COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEE!

TWWWWWW–

Gavin Kirkland: TLA with a quick power out at one. Ryan stays on the attack and grabs TLA by the neck and brings him back to his feet before TAKING HIM OVER WITH A SNAPMARE! Ryan backs up a little–

Eve: AND RYAN WITH A SWIFT KICK TO THE SPINE! That had to stun TLA for a moment as Ryan grabs TLA and brings him back to his feet once again. Ryan has TLA around the waist AND LIFTS HIM UP FOR A GUTWRENCH SUPLEX–

Deadprez: TLA SLIDES OFF RYAN’S SHOULDERS AND LANDS ON HIS FEET BEHIND HIM! Ryan quickly turns around AND TLA CAUGHT RYAN IN THE JAW WITH A RIGHT HAND AND STUNNED HIM!

Gavin Kirkland: TLA keeps going with those lightning quick strikes and keeping Ryan off kilter until HE TAKES RYAN DOWN WITH A CLOTHESLINE ACROSS THE THROAT! Ryan quickly gets back to his feet AND TLA CAUGHT RYAN IN THE FACE WITH A DROPKICK!

Eve: Ryan gets back to his feet once again and runs in for a clothesline, BUT TLA DUCKS IT AND LIFTS RYAN UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE, BUT RYAN MANAGES TO GRAB ONTO THE TOP ROPE AND LAND ON THE APRON!

Deadprez: But TLA was ready for it AND HE FIRES A KICK THAT CATCHES RYAN IN THE JAW AND THAT SENDS HIM RYAN OFF THE APRON AND CRASHES ONTO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR!

Gavin Kirkland: TLA has control of the match and he gets back onto the apron as he waits for Ryan to get back on his feet. He is laser focused on his opposition as Ryan makes it back to his feet–

Deadprez: TLA JUMPS ONTO THE SECOND ROPE AND FLIPS BACK AS HE TAKES RYAN DOWN WITH A BEAUTIFUL ASAI MOONSAULT AND RYAN CRASHES HARD ON THE FLOOR ONCE AGAIN!

Eve: The crowd is going wild with all the action that is going on so far in this match and it is TLA who is in firm control right now. TLA grabs Ryan and rolls him back into the ring before following suit.

Gavin Kirkland: OH COME ON! I enjoy watching TLA and all that, but you all were outside the ring! Couldn’t you have smashed Ryan’s face against the apron or bash his head against the steps or something?

Eve: Not everybody has to do that kind of stuff, Gavin. These two have respect for each other and wanna win with honor, so what a match that we are about to witness. TLA has been ground and pounding Ryan as the referee tells TLA to open up the fists.

Deadprez: TLA does open up on four and he brings Ryan back to his feet and whips him to the corner. TLA comes running in AND GOES FOR A CLOTHESLINE, BUT RYAN DUCKS OUT OF THE WAY AND TLA CRASHES INTO THE CORNER!

Gavin Kirkland: TLA backs up and backs into Ryan who grabs TLA by the head AND SNAPS HIM DOWN WITH THE SIDE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP AND TLA WAS SNAPPED DOWN HARD!

Eve: Ryan regains control of this match and he picks up TLA and brings him back to his feet. Ryan lifts TLA in the air AND BRINGS HIM DOWN WITH THE ATOMIC DROP! Not a good feeling for TLA!

Deadprez: But that doesn’t stop Ryan from turning TLA around AND LIFTING HIM UP AND DROPPING HIM WITH THE INVERTED ATOMIC DROP! Twice was definitely not nice.

Gavin Kirkland: I guess the Poons won’t be too happy about that as Ryan lifts him up again AND BRINGS HIM DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A BACK SUPLEX! The back of TLA’s head crashed hard against the mat when it snapped back.

Deadprez: TLA is down on the mat as Ryan climbs the turnbuckles and makes his way to the top rope. Ryan gets his balance on the top rope and gets in position AS HE DROPS DOWN FOR THE SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT–

Eve: TLA GOT THE KNEES UP AND RYAN CRASHES AND BURNS AS HE HOLDS HIS RIBS IN PAIN AS HE ROLLS OVER TO THE ROPES! BOTH MEN ARE DOWN! Now the referee checks on both competitors before starting a count.

Gavin Kirkland: If these two are doing this to each other to the point where the referee is checking on them now, I can only imagine what the rest of this match has in store.

Eve: Honestly, I don’t think the fans care because these two have both been supported by the crowd since the opening bell and I don’t see that changing at all during this match.

Deadprez: Both Ryan and TLA are back to their feet, but Ryan was a little quicker to the punch as he grabs the facelock on TLA and lifts him up for the Vertical Suplex–

Gavin Kirkland: TLA MANAGES TO SHIFT HIS WEIGHT AND BLOCK THE SUPLEX ATTEMPT FROM RYAN, BEFORE HE CHANGES MOMENTUM AND ROLLS RYAN INTO THE INSIDE CRADLE! SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHH-

Eve: RYAN KICKS OUT AT TWO! RYAN WAS CLOSE TO GETTING CAUGHT AND GETTING OUSTED FROM THE KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT! Both men are back to their feet once again AND TLA JUMPS INTO THE AIR FOR A HURRICANRANA ATTEMPT- 

Deadprez: BUT RYAN MUSTERS UP THE POWER TO TOSS TLA OVER HIS HEAD AND SENDS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! TLA comes stumbling back towards Ryan who takes him up and over with a hip toss!

Gavin Kirkland: TLA hits the ground hard but he gets right back to his feet BUT RYAN GRABS HIS LEGS AND TAKES HIM DOWN! Ryan has hold of TLA’s legs and drags him over closer to the turnbuckles.

Deadprez: Ryan has TLA in the perfect position AND RYAN FALLS BACK AND LAUNCHES TLA TO THE CORNER WITH THE SLINGSHOT, BUT TLA MANAGES TO USE THE MOMENTUM TO LAND ON THE MIDDLE ROPE!

Eve: As Ryan is trying to recover, TLA gets himself onto the top rope as Ryan gets back to his feet. Ryan turns around AND TLA COMES OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A MOONSAULT THAT TAKES RYAN DOWN–

Gavin Kirkland: WAIT A SECOND! THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN TOO MUCH MOMENTUM FROM TLA AS RYAN USES IT TO HIS ADVANTAGE! RYAN ROLLS THROUGH AND HAS FOUND HIMSELF IN A PINNING PREDICAMENT AS TLA’S SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRR—

Eve: TLA GETS THE SHOULDER UP AT TWO! That was dangerously close to backfiring on TLA and eliminating him from the King of Elite tournament. Both men are back to their feet, but TLA is quicker to the punch–

Deadprez: THAT FIGURE OF SPEECH TURNS INTO THE REAL THING AS TLA CAUGHT RYAN WITH A RIGHT HOOK TO THE JAW! That looked like a knockout punch as Ryan fell back onto the ropes.

Gavin Kirkland: Ryan bounced off the ropes AND TLA CAUGHT HIM AND HE HAS THE MANDIBLE CLAW APPLIED! SUBMISSION IS APPLIED AND THE REFEREE IS THERE TO CHECK AND SEE IF RYAN GIVES IT UP! If TLA wins, CELEBRATION AT THE POON PALACE!! WOOOOOO!

Eve: The match is still going and you are concerned about the after party. I see where your priorities lie, Gavin. Even with TLA’s fingers shoved down his gullet, Ryan is still trying to fight out of the submission.  

Deadprez: THE FIGHT IN RYAN IS STARTING TO WEAKEN AS RYAN IS STARTING TO FADE AND FALL TO THE MAT! RYAN IS DOING WHATEVER HE CAN TO MAKE SURE HE DOESN’T PASS OUT! IF HE DOES, HE’S OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT!

Gavin Kirkland: Ryan is on the mat, BUT THIS DREAMER IS MAKING A LAST DITCH EFFORT TO TRY AND GRAB THE ROPES! RYAN LAUNCHES FOR THE ROPES–

Deadprez: HE GOT IT! RYAN GRABBED THE BOTTOM ROPE AND THAT FORCES TLA TO RELEASE THE MANDIBLE CLAW AND TLA DOES BEFORE THE REFEREE STARTED COUNTING HIM DOWN!

Eve: That submission took a lot of energy from Ryan as he uses the ropes to try and pull himself back to his feet. Look at TLA giving Ryan the time he needs. What a respectful competitor that the Hall of Famer is.

Gavin Kirkland: That could be a big mistake and it could cause TLA to lose this match. Ryan must be tired as he is resting on the middle rope, BUT TLA COULDN’T WAIT ANY LONGER AS HE RUNS BACK TOWARDS RYAN–

Eve: AND TLA HITS THE “305”! TIGER FEINT KICK TO THE FACE OF RYAN JOSEPH WILSON SENDING HIM FLYING BACK AND DOWN TO THE MAT! TLA sees a golden opportunity as he runs once again to the top rope.

Deadprez: TLA gets in position AND LAUNCHES HIMSELF HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING AND HE HIT THE MOONSAULT ONCE AGAIN! THIS TIME IT STAYS AND TLA HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER! WILL TLA ADVANCE HERE?

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEE—

Gavin Kirkland: RYAN KICKS OUT AT TWO! Even after the submission, Ryan was able to muster up enough energy to kick out and keep this match going and this crowd is giving both men the same respect for the hard work they have brought to this match.

Eve: Ryan does have a lot of tenacity as does TLA and TLA grabs Ryan and tries to hook the arms for the Tiger Suplex, BUT RYAN IS MANAGING TO BLOCK THE SUPLEX ATTEMPT! 

Deadprez: TLA is trying the Tiger Suplex again, BUT RYAN BLOCKED IT AGAIN BEFORE DROPPING TO HIS KNEES AND COUNTERING WITH A MODIFIED JAWBREAKER!

Gavin Kirkland: But it does force TLA to release his arms and staggers him back, but TLA once again grabs Ryan and whips him to the corner, BUT NOW RYAN IS THE ONE WHO BOUNCES ONTO THE SECOND ROPE!

Deadprez: TLA runs in AND RYAN LEAVES THE SECOND ROPE AND CATCHES TLA ACROSS THE THROAT WITH A FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Ryan grabs TLA and whips him to the ropes. 

Eve: TLA with the rebound AND RYAN MANAGES TO TAKE HIM UP AND OVER WITH THE BACK BODY DROP! TLA’S BACK TAKES A BEATING ON THE LANDING! But TLA is still getting back to his feet–

Gavin Kirkland: AND HE RUNS RIGHT INTO THE SUPERKICK FROM RYAN WILSON! DIRECT HIT TO THE JAW AND HE FALLS RIGHT BACK TO THE MAT! COME ON, TLA! DO IT FOR THE POONS… and the fans.

Eve: One track mind, Gavin. But either way, Ryan brings TLA back to his feet BEFORE DRIVING HIS KNEE RIGHT INTO TLA’S JAW! TLA bounces back AND RYAN WILSON FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A DISCUS LARIAT!

Deadprez: Ryan doesn’t let TLA fall as he grabs TLA and lifts him up for the suplex BEFORE DROPPING HIM WITH THE DOUBLE KNEE BACKBREAKER! THAT’S “THE FOUR HIT COMBO” FROM RYAN JOSEPH WILSON AS HE ROLLS TLA OVER AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEE!

Gavin Kirkland: TLA GETS THAT SHOULDER UP BEFORE THE REFEREE CAN COME DOWN FOR THE THREE COUNT! Ryan is looking at the referee thinking that it was a three count, but the referee informs Ryan that it was only a two count!

Eve: Ryan stays on the offensive as he pulls TLA back to his feet and kicks him in the ribs to double TLA over. Now Ryan pulls TLA in for what looks to be a powerbomb. ACTUALLY IT’S A CANADIAN DESTROYER AS RYAN GOES TO JUMP FOR THE PILEDRIVER–

Deadprez: TLA MANAGES TO COUNTER WITH A DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN! Is TLA going to counter with a jackknife rollup?

Gavin Kirkland: NO! HE KEEPS HOLD OF RYAN’S LEGS AND ADJUSTS THEM UNTIL HE TURNS RYAN OVER AND TLA HAS THE LASSO FROM EL PASO BY THE HALL OF FAMER! TLA CALLS THAT HIS “AR15”!

Deadprez: Another submission hold applied AND TLA IS PUTTING A LOT OF PRESSURE ONTO THE LOWER BACK OF THE FORMER NEW BREED CHAMPION! THE SUBMISSION IS APPLIED IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!

Eve: Right now, Ryan has nowhere to go. He really needs to find a way to counter the submission or he will have to give it up. TLA knows that AND HE LEANS FURTHER BACK PUTTING EVEN MORE PRESSURE ON RYAN!

Gavin Kirkland: Ryan is in a huge mess of trouble and the referee is now there to see if Ryan wants to give it up here. Even though we already know that nobody knows the meaning of the word submit… along with a few other words, that’s another story.

Eve: Gavin, you are being as pleasant as ever right now. But we can see on Ryan’s face that he is in some pain right now to the point that even he realizes that crawling for a rope break is going to be impossible– 

Deadprez: RYAN MANAGES TO ROLL THROUGH AND GET BACK ON HIS BACK AND HE KICKS TLA OFF OF HIM AND SENDS HIM TO THE ROPES! TLA comes back and Ryan bridges up and gets his legs around TLA’s neck–

Gavin Kirkland: AND HE COUNTERS WITH A MODIFIED HEADSCISSORS! He didn’t get all that he liked but he did take TLA over. TLA is still the first back to his feet thanks to the damage that his submission caused Ryan.

Eve: TLA pulls Ryan back to his feet AND HE GOES FOR THE “SWAG SHOT” SLAP, BUT RYAN BLOCKED IT AT THE LAST SECOND AND HE COUNTERS WITH A HEADBUTT RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES!

Deadprez: Good gawd! What a shot from Ryan Wilson and that headbutt had some force behind it as we can see a little bit of blood trickling from TLA’s forehead! TLA could also be concussed right now.

Gavin Kirkland: Well this match got a little more interesting with that bloodshed. Just shows what they are willing to do to themselves in order to win. It’s gonna be alright. The poons will take care of TLA later.

Deadprez: You and those damn Poons. We have a great match going on right now and you are ruining it with that talk. Stay talking about the match. You have been doing good so far. Stay that way.

Eve: TLA is still on his feet as Ryan backs up enough until TLA turns around AND RYAN RUNS TOWARDS TLA, BUT FIRST HE ROLLS BEFORE HE HITS THE SPEAR ON TLA! WHAT A SPEAR! 

Gavin Kirkland: THAT SHOT COULD HAVE TAKEN TLA RIGHT OUT OF HIS BOOTS WITH ALL THAT FORCE! TLA IS DOWN AND COULD BE OUT AS RYAN ROLLS TLA OVER FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEE!

Eve: DID HE GET IT? I THINK HE GOT IT! RYAN WILSON ADVANCES!

Deadprez: WAIT A SECOND! The referee is telling Ryan Wilson that it was only a two count. Holy crap that was very close! Are we sure that wasn’t a three count?

Gavin Kirkland: As we can see on the replay, the referee is coming down for the three and they are showing in slow motion that TLA got his shoulder up a millisecond before the referee hit the mat before three.

Eve: Ryan can’t believe it. He is not arguing with the referee but he is stunned that he didn’t get the win right there. This crowd is going absolutely crazy for these two amazing competitors.

Deadprez: Ryan Wilson grabs TLA and brings him back to his feet before whipping him towards the ropes. TLA rebounds and comes back towards Ryan AND LIFTS HIM INTO THE AIR FOR THE LA BOMBE BLEU—

Gavin Kirkland: TLA ROLLS BACK AT THE LAST SECOND AND LANDS ON HIS FEET! TLA hooks Ryan’s arms AND LIFTS HIM UP AND OVER FOR THE DRAGON SUPLEX! RYAN’S HEAD CRASHES HARD ON THE MAT!

Deadprez: Ryan is down and TLA picks him up and brings him closer to the ropes. TLA lifts Ryan up for what seems to be a back suplex–

Eve: TLA BOUNCES RYAN OFF THE TOP ROPE AND DRIVES HIM DOWN WITH A REBOUND SITOUT POWERBOMB! THAT’S THE “DESMADRE” FROM TLA AND TLA STACKS RYAN UP FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEE!

Gavin Kirkland: RYAN KICKED OUT! I THOUGHT THAT WOULD HAVE FINISHED HIM OFF, BUT RYAN MANAGED TO GET HIS SHOULDER UP BEFORE THREE AND THIS MATCH WILL KEEP GOING!

Eve: Even TLA is a little stunned that Ryan was still able to kick out after that powerbomb. Be that as it may, TLA is ready to finish this match off once and for all. 

Deadprez: He grabs Ryan and whips him to the ropes and as Ryan rebounds off the ropes, TLA KICKS HIM IN THE GUT!

Gavin Kirkland: Ryan is doubled over as TLA gets him position for THE MEXICAN DESTROYER-

Eve:TLA jumps for the flip BUT RYAN SIMPLY COUNTERS WITH A BACK BODY DROP BUT TLA IS ABLE TO LAND ON HIS FEET!

Gavin Kirkland: TLA hits the ropes himself and he comes back to take Ryan down with a clothesline—

Eve: RYAN IS ABLE TO GRAB HIM AND LIFT HIM IN THE AIR BEFORE SPINNING OUT—

Deadprez: RYAN GOT THE BLUE THUNDER BOMB! “LA BOMBE BLEU” CONNECTS AND DRIVES TLA INTO THE MAT! TLA ISN’T MOVING AS RYAN STACKS HIM UP FOR THE COVER! 

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEE!

Gavin Kirkland: HE GOT THE SHOULDER UP! TLA GOT THE SHOULDER UP AND RYAN PUNCHES THE MAT IN A LITTLE BIT OF FRUSTRATION! HE THOUGHT THAT THE BLUE THUNDER BOMB WOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM THE WIN THERE!

Deadprez: Ryan needs to keep his eyes on the prize and stay on TLA. That’s exactly what he is doing as he gets back to his feet and brings TLA up as well.

Eve: Ryan with another kick to the gut and doubles TLA over and Ryan locks him up AND LIFTS HIM UP IN THE AIR! RYAN IS SETTING UP TLA FOR THE “MIC DROP”!

Gavin Kirkland: SMALL PACKAGE PILEDRIVER ON THE WAY, BUT TLA IS BLOCKING IT! TLA IS BLOCKING THE DRIVER–

Eve: AND TLA OUT OF NOWHERE IS ABLE TO COUNTER INTO A MODIFIED IMPALER DDT THAT SPIKES RYAN FACE FIRST INTO THE MAT!

Deadprez: Ryan is trying to recover, but TLA is up to his feet first. TLA GRABS RYAN’S ARM AND SPINS AROUND BEFORE TAKING RYAN UP AND OVER WITH THE LA MAGISTRAL! THE CRADLE PIN HAS RYAN’S SHOULDERS DOWN! 

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEE!

(DING! DING! DING!)

(‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ starts playing again as TLA releases Ryan from the pin and scrambles back to his feet. Ryan is shocked at what happened as Gina Romano announces the final decision of the match.)

Gina Romano: Here is your winner… AND ADVANCING IN THE KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT! T! L! A!

Deadprez: What a match! What an amazing match between two of Showdown’s most popular competitors for the sake of advancing in the King of Elite tournament.

Gavin Kirkland: You know I could have told you that would happen. Ryan has been improving, yes, but he still manages to screw something up when it really counts. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

(The referee raises TLA’s hand in victory as the crowd is cheering for both competitors. TLA for the victory and Ryan for the amazing effort. Ryan is still sitting on the mat, completely stunned about how the end of the match went.)

Eve: You can be such an asshole sometimes, Gavin. How could you be so heartless? Ryan really worked his ass off in this match and looked to have the match very well in hand. He just got caught off guard long enough for TLA to take advantage and win the match.

Gavin Kirkland: Yeah, I guess so. Ryan did his best and all that, but I guess we will all have to wait a little while longer to see Ryan achieve a victory at this next level of competition.

(Ryan is back to his feet and looks at TLA. Seconds later, Ryan offers his hand for a handshake and TLA doesn’t waste a second in returning the favor which leads to the crowd cheering even louder as Ryan leaves the ring.)

Eve: What a show of respect between Ryan and TLA. Even though one got the thrill of victory and the other the agony of defeat, they can put that all aside and recognize each other as the competitors that they are. 

Deadprez: This loss might sting, but Ryan should hold his head high in knowing he took a legendary competitor to the limit. At the end of the day, it is the former World Champion in TLA who picks up the victory and advances in the King of Elite tournament. Congratulations again to TLA!

(The final shot shows Ryan walking up the entrance ramp, a little disappointed that he is eliminated from the tournament before cutting to TLA, who is soaking in and celebrating the victory as the camera shot cuts elsewhere.)

(“Enemy” by From Ashes to New starts to play throughout the arena as the crowd stands up to Donovan Duke’s new theme. The crowd starts to boo loudly as he stands in the entranceway and raises his arms in the air holding the Answers World Championship. The pyro goes off as the arena explodes in jeers and boos. A stoic look on his face as Donovan Duke walks out and heads to the ring.)

Deadprez: New music, new attitude, he definitely is “The Diabolical Debonair” Donovan Duke and we know the talent this man has, what he can do in the ring, but most importantly he now stands as the World Champion!

Eve: Love him or hate him, he cashed in the most epic way, and while it angered everyone and took that moment away from Bronson Daniels,. But that still doesn’t change that Donovan Duke has his first World Championship and shown that he can indeed adapt. We may not like it, but that is the reality of the situation now.

Gavin Kirkland: We are about to hear why, I’m not going to speculate, but why not? I would have done the exact same thing. But these people need to show him some respect, the Answers World Champion is here!

(Donovann Duke, wearing a suit which you don’t see him do that much gets into the ring with a mic in hand. He looks out to the crowd as they continue to boo, he stays silent for a moment to allow the crowd to continue the thunderous boos.)

Donovan Duke: Are you done?

(The boos get louder and louder as he looks around with the Answers World Championship over his shoulder.)

Donovan Duke: Everyone wan-

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(It is deafening with the boos. Donovan tried to speak but the boos drowned him out.)

Donovan Duke: Again… everyone-

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(He tried once again to speak, and the crowd is letting him have it.)

Donovan Duke: I AM THE ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION! GET USED TO IT!

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Donovan Duke: You know, I would have thought better of all of you and why? Because I didn’t do anything that you wouldn’t have done!

(As the boos continue, they finally give him a chance to talk.)

Donovan Duke: Do you know what it is like going through this with always being doubted? Is my name ever put in the same conversations like Drake King, Minerva, Jake Smith, Adam Lucas, Cy Henderson, Myles, even Joso and Michael Machina? NO! It was that Donovan was a nice guy, he was a gentlemen, taking my kindness for weakness, and now I am supposed to feel like I did anything wrong?

Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Donovan Duke: Boo me all you want, but every single one of you would have done the SAME thing! That is what the Cash In the Vault is supposed to be used for! But I get it, everyone is mad because I robbed the moment of Bronson Daniels, right? Well guess what, I was going to cash in whether it would have been TLA or anyone else, but what I saw was an opportunity, and after all of you people ridiculed me during the Iron man Match, and afterwards? I knew right then and there that I did NOTHING wrong!

(Donovan pauses for a second, the boos continue to rain down on him.)

Donovan Duke: But what I am now is the Answers World Champion. TLA was eliminated from the Chamber. Jon Kelton sacrificed himself for Bronson. Harper Lee came so close, but it was Bronson that won, and I gave him time to enjoy it, I didn’t go at him right away, I gave him enough time to at least hear the cheer of the crowd, so does that make me the villain?

Crowd: YES!!! YES!!! YES!!!

Donovan Duke: NO IT DOESN’T! If anything, it makes me compassionate. Why should I expect anything different from all of you though? What I did was fulfill my dream of becoming a World Champion in the EAW after so many years. Whether it was with Insurgency playing second or third fiddle, to dragging others with me to win tag team gold, if there is one thing that Adam Lucas and Dr. Bethany Blue were right on is that you people will quickly turn on those that have busted their asses for your entertainment!

Crowd: ASSHOLE!!!! ASSHOLE!!! ASSHOLE!!!!

(The crowd is still letting Donovan have it, as he rolls his eyes and continues to speak.)

Donovan Duke: Cute. Well, let me inform all of you that I AM THE ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION… AND THE FACE OF SHOWDOWN! ME! And for once in my career, I feel vindicated! What I did there was no malicious intent behind it, but more of a necessity. If you think about it, what I did anyone else could have done the same thing, SOSA Henderson did it to Veena Adams and I don’t hear all of you raking him over the coals!

(As Donovan tries to get his bearings, he closes his eyes for a second, soaking up the boos before slowly opening them again and speak.)

Donovan Duke: None of you will ever feel what I have, opportunity screaming in your face knowing that I was born to do this. I BET on myself and rolled two sixes! But that is okay, I’m not going to expect anyone to see things the way I have and instead I have a message for that entire locker room so listen closely. The era of Donovan Duke has begun. I run from no one and if there is anyone that wants a shot at the King of Elite then prove yourself! Until then, get a good look at your Answers World Champion and deal with it!

(“Enemy” by From Ashes to New starts to play throughout the arena as Donovan Duke holds up the Answers World Championship. The crowd continues to boo as he cracks a smile and stands on the second rope holding it high.)

Deadprez: You heard his explanation, feels like he did nothing wrong, and that is what makes him dangerous, a man that has no regret. He is the Answers World Champion, and I guess like he said, we need to deal with it.

Eve: Donovan Duke wanted to be a World Champion, we may not agree with the way he did it but he is the World Champion and right now, probably the most dangerous man on this brand!

Gavin Kirkland: He is OUR Champion! And we need to rec-

(Suddenly the crowd erupts as Bronson Daniels sneaks up from behind – )

Deadprez: BRONSON DANIELS IS HERE AND HE DROPKICKS DONOVAN DUKE FROM THE SECOND ROPES AND HE LANDS HARD ON THE FLOOR! THE TITLE DROPS AND IT IS IN THE RING!

Eve: BRONSON DANIELS WAS HAVING NONE OF IT AND HE SAID EARLIER THAT HE WAS GOING TO WIN THE KING OF ELITE AND CHALLENGE DONOVAN FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP! WELL, HE JUST SENT A MESSAGE!

Gavin Kirkland: AND RUINED THE CELEBRATION OF DONOVAN DUKE!

(Bronson grabs the Answers World Championship and holds it up in the air as Donovan slowly picks himself back up and slams the mats trying to get in but security and officials quickly run out to break it apart.)

Deadprez: ALL CHAOS IS BREAKING LOOSE! THAT IS ALLT HE TIME WE HAVE BUT WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON SHOWDOWN FOR MORE EMPRESS OF ELITE AND KING OF ELITE MATCHES! BRONSON MADE A STATEMENT! WE WILL SEE WHERE IT GOES FROM THERE! GOODNIGHT EVERYONE!

(The final shot is Donovan screaming at Bronson who holds up the Answers World Championship and taunts him to get back into the ring.)

(EAW Logo Buzzes)

 

 

Written by Mikaela Street

Dynasty 1/3/25

Voltage 1/5/25