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Showdown 6/5/21

(EAW intro plays.)

(“EARLIER TODAY” flashes across the screen as we arrive at the World 1 Theatre to Jack Ripley making his arrival. The expression on his face is evident; he doesn’t really look like he wants to be here, especially knowing the main event that he’s walking into. He stops walking, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath as the Showdown General Manager meets him at the door of the arena.)

Hurricane Hawk: Welcome back, Jack. Can we have a few words?

Jack Ripley: It’s not like I have much of a choice, do I?

(Jack drops his bags on the floor, crossing his arms as a smile crosses the face of Hawk.)

Hurricane Hawk: Look, I knew that you weren’t going to be too impressed in teaming with Theron Nikolas tonight, and I – this brand appreciates the fact that you’re willing to compromise with what we’ve planned. We’re hoping that giving you the chance to step away last week to allow things to settle between you and Theron has allowed the two of you to clear any tension you have between each other.

Jack Ripley: How do you exactly expect tonight to go? Do you REALLY think I don’t know that I’m walking into a situation where there’s a major chance that I’m being fed to the wolves? In what world am I supposed to be happy about it?

Hurricane Hawk: We were hesitant when Theron requested to team with you tonight too, Jack, but as we thought about it we understood the possible benefits of it. There’s obvious tension between your opponents tonight before their match at Pain for Pride, but tonight gives both sides the chance to work through their differences.

Jack Ripley: So, because a man that’s well known for manipulating the system for his own beneficial gain – you give him what he wanted? I thought that Ryan Wilson was as subpar General Manager, but maybe this place isn’t too much better off with you at the helm.

Hurricane Hawk: I know how it looks on paper –

Jack Ripley: You know what? It’s fine, Hawk. This isn’t a problem. Thank you. I’m looking forward to every part of this.

(Jack Ripley picks up his bags and pushes past Hawk before stopping.)

Jack Ripley: Just remember that the moment that it even looks like he’s going to step foot out of line that the blood for all of this rests on your hands.

(Jack Ripley goes to make his leave, before being stopped, as if on cue, Theron Nikolas crosses his path. Both of them just stare eye to eye not moving an inch, before Theron begins to step away.)

Theron Nikolas: Imagine what you could have been.

(Theron then steps away from the scene as Jack looks on, as if he’s thinking about something, and the recap of last week’s Showdown begins to play.)

(RECAP: The recap opens with Jamie’s much awaited return to Showdown, where he promised to show Kassidy Heart that actions do have consequences, and he plans to beat her in a no disqualifications match at Pain for Pride. However, despite the attack at Battle of Egypt, Kassidy Heart would not be stopped from making her presence known, alerting Jamie that she’ll plunge a metaphorical sword into the heart of the ace, ending his legend for good. After that, Lucas Johnson went up against Jon Kelton for a spot in Cash in the Vault, Kelton ended up reigning victorious over Lucas Johnson and Katsurou when Lucas was too late to break up the pinfall. Theron Nikolas was seen for an interview next, explaining his whereabouts and intentions with his targeting of Jack Ripley since return. Up next, we had, quite possibly, the shock of the century as The Woogieman pulled out a major upset over Cage, who was irate after that match, however, got laid out alongside Woogie by the pair of Xavier Williams and Harlow Reichert. Andrea Valentine was seen discussing the events of Battle of Egypt, claiming herself as coming close in the No Way Out match, but now turning her attention to Raven Roberts, who came out to the ring, entering a heated back-and-forth with Andrea that almost came to blows before the interjection of Consuela Rose Ava, who looked to and managed to cool down both competitors, but with the look both Raven and Andrea gave heading up the ramp, has she only put a temporary bandaid on the problem? Moving on, Xavier Williams went head to head with Bronson Daniels, who put up a big fight against the Hall of Famer, only to come up short. But while we’re on the topic of Bronson, we did see a recap of his triple threat match at last years Odyssey, featuring both Mitsubachi and Dray Fontana, kwhich ended in Bronson winning. It’s a great match and definitely one you wanna seek out. Bethany was seen afterwards, saying that life is indeed good, and she looks to beat Andrea Valentine in the main event to truly prove herself as Champion. For the second spot in Cash in the Vault, James Ranger went up against Justin Windgate, only for Windgate to walk out victorious over Ranger.  Ryan Wilson came out to discuss the elephant in the room that was Ronan’s attempted turn on him at Battle of Egypt, Ryan wasn’t looking to focus on it too much, however, instead trying to turn his attention over to the now vacated New Breed Championship, but Ronan Malosi had other plans, interrupting and challenging Ryan to a second Chained Fury match at Pain For Pride, which Ryan would go on to accept. But as we had time to fathom that, Bethany Blue and Andrea Valentine fought each other in the main event, ending with a win for Andrea over the Specialists Champ after the referee missed her foot being on the bottom rope. The recap ends.)

RECAP END. 

(“Uncontainable” by Set It Off hits as blue and white pyro explodes on top of the stage and then the blue lights and lasers shine throughout the arena as the virtual fans are cheering ready for the show to begin before we pan over to the commentators desk.)

Eve: WELCOME LADIES AND GENTLEMEN TO ANOTHER EDITION OF SATURDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN! 

Deadprez: As always, Deadprez, Eve, and the world famous Gavin Kirkland. Pain For Pride continues to inch closer and closer, and we have a fun night ahead of us! 

Eve: Sure do, we got former stablemates Theron Nikolas and Jack Ripley going up against former Chained Fury teammates, Ryan Wilson and Ronan Malosi. 

Gavin Kirkland: Things will continue to form for Pain for Pride as well.

Eve:It’s time to kick things off with our first match of the night! Gina, take it away!

(The camera pans to see Gina Romano standing inside the ring smiling.)

Gina Romano: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!

Virtual Crowd: ONE FALL!

( ‘ Raise The Lights Up’ by The Siege, hits as James Ranger walks out with a confident grin on his face as the Virtual Crowd gives him a mixed reaction )

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST FROM LONDON, ENGLAND, WEIGHING IN AT TWO-HUNDRED FORTY-THREE POUNDS, HE IS THE BLACK MAMBA…..JAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMESSSSSSSS RANNNNNNNNNNNNNNGEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRR!!

( ‘Sing For The Moment’ by Eminem plays over the sound system of World1 Arena as the newcomer makes his way to the ring looking quite confident in himself. )

Gina Romano: AND HIS OPPONENT! MAKING HIS EAW DEEEEEBUT!! WEIGHING IN AT 215 POUNDS! HE IS THE SHAMAN OF SEXY! HE IS JOHNNYYYYYYYY AND-REEWWWWWWWS!!!

( Ding! Ding! Ding! )

Gavin Kirkland: And this match is officially underway with the veteran Ranger facing off against newcomer Andrews for the enjoyment of the fans tonight! Both men are standing in front of each other in a staring contest, Ranger is quite stoic while Andrews has the kind of grin you want to beat off his face. 

Deadprez: Clinch followed by a headlock from Andrews taking control early in the match before taking down Ranger with a hip toss and work a bit on the ground. He throws in a few punches over the head of Ranger before letting him go and both men quickly stand up. Ranger looks to his opponent who has a smirk on his face asking him to come at him before the two go for a clinch again! This time Ranger gets the headlock and runs his knuckles into the head of Andrews! Ouch, that always hurts! Johnny gets out that by whipping Ranger into the ropes, Ranger on the return throws himself into his opponent with a jumping European Uppercut that surprises Johnny! Andrews goes down before getting drilled with a knee drop to the side and Ranger goes for a quick cover.

Referee: One! 

Gavin Kirkland: Kick out by Andrews!

Deadprez: Way too early!

Eve: Agreed but James wants to send a message let’s see if the rookie gets it. Ranger lets Andrews get to his feet, in return he gets a thumb in the eyes followed by a hurricanrana! Down goes Ranger as Andrews goes to work following quickly with a standing shooting star press!! What agility by the new guy who goes for a cover as well!!

Referee: One! T-

Gavin Kirkland: Kick out by Ranger!

Deadprez: Andrews is sending a message of his own! 

Eve: Andrews with the next round of offense in his favor as he is mocking his opponent who looks at him with intent to kill in his eyes as he recovers from the cover slowly. Andrews picks Ranger up and throws him into an Irish Whip! The man bounces off the ropes and gets collected by a Dropkick sending him on the mat! Ranger gets up and gets brought down with a Clothesline! Ranger gets up again followed by another Clothesline! Ranger annoyed as he gets up again! Boom! Third clothesline! Ranger gets up slowly now and engages in a clinch which is transformed into a snap suplex by Andrews! James gets up again yelling he looks as though he is hulking up! He lounges at Johnny who dodges again, James bounces off the ropes and gets stopped by a kick to the midsection followed by a quick driven DDT!! Ranger stays down this time laying on his back as Andrews looks down on his opponent with arrogance and he is not done yet! Picking up Ranger he sets whips him into the ropes going for a flying chuck kick but Ranger ducks and goes behind him to set Andrews up for a picture-perfect snap suplex executed to perfection Moving Justin up he goes behind him, grabs him by the waist, and throws him over him with a german release suplex that has so much force it got Andrews to actually land on his chest!!! He squirms as Ranger moves in quickly not wanting to give any reprieve to his opponent AND LOCKS IN A GERMAN SUPLEX! FOLLOWED BY A SECOND! AND A THIRD WHICH HE RELEASES AND HAS ANDREWS FLYING!! Andrews is in trouble as Ranger has the momentum and quickly goes for Hey That’s New! RANGER WHEN A CROSSFACE! THE CROSSFACE IS IN ANDREWS IS IN TROUBLE!! The official is nearby checking on him asking if he wants to tap out he screams no through the pain as he is powering his way towards the ropes! The pain on his face tells a story though will he be able to make it to the ropes before he can’t handle it any mo-

Eve: HE DOES!! The official begins to count Ranger who doesn’t let go of the hold but he lets go of it at 4 so as to not get disqualified but put upon Andrews as much damage as possible! Johnny rolls out of the ring trying to catch a break but Ranger is following close behind standing on the apron. He grabs at the top rope. What is he gonna do? He looks at the rookie and his back turns to him WOAHH!!! A LEAPING GAMENKNEE FROM THE APRON ON THE OUTSIDE CONNECTS ON AN UNSUSPECTING ANDREWS!! Both men crash against the guardrail surrounding the ring and the crowd is enjoying this action!! 

Deadprez: James moves back up, throwing in a few knee strikes to the ribs of Johnny who is against the railing before getting moved and laid on the apron. Ranger hops on it, moves Johnny up and what will he do as the referee is telling them to continue right within the squared circle! Andrews tries for a punch but is blocked by James WHO DOES A SNAP SUPLEX ON THE APRON!!! Andrews in trouble now as Ranger rolls him inside the ring and whips him into a corner and tackles him hard against it with a crossbody! Ranger with the momentum at the moment as he whips his opponent into the ropes. He calls for a sidestep high kick which is evaded by Andrews. He quickly spins around and kicks Ranger in the midsection as he himself turns to face the rookie SUPERKICK BY ANDREWS!! RANGER STUMBLES INTO THE ROPES BEHIND HIM AND THEN STAGGERS FORWARD RIGHT INTO ANDREWS WHO GETS HIM LOCKED IN A HEADLOCK FOLLOWED BY THE SKULL CRACKER!! THE FUTURE SHOCK DDT CONNECTS! RANGER IS DOWN! COVER BY ANDREWS!

Referee: ONE! TWO!! THREE!!!

( DING! DING!! DING!!! ) 

( ‘Sing For The Moment’ by Eminem plays over the sound system of World1 Arena as the referee raises Johnny’s arm and points at him as the victor. ) 

Gina Romano: Here Is Your WINNER!! JOHNNYYYYYYYY AND-REEWWWWWWWS!!!

Gavin Kirkland: And just like that the rookie gets the win! I didn’t see the ending coming! 

Deadprez: A sure confidence booster for the young man who actually only debuted professionally last season and is already making it here in Elite Answers Wrestling! James gave it a good try but today wasn’t his day. He will bounce back, he always does. Congratulations to Johnny Andrews on his first EAW win.

(The camera fades to black.)

(The camera fades to a mostly blackened out room somewhere in the bowels of the World 1 Theatre. Sitting on a platform with two vertical lights shining on her, King Kass sits with the Answers World Championship sitting perfectly beside her. In the background, a projector rapidly moves through a chronological series of photographs throughout her career.)

King Kass: I have always been…transparent when it comes to my time here. The highs, the lows, the failures and the victories. Never shying away from being honest, even if it meant I rubbed people the wrong way. Ever since day one I have believed in who I am, what I could become and never have I allowed anyone else to dictate otherwise. The rise and rise and rise of Kassidy Heart from REVOLT! to where I am today has been filled with the trials and tribulations many others have faced, only here I stand today, having overcome each and every one and arriving at my desired destination. What feels like a lifetime ago, I was once the Universal Women’s Champion. A proud Champion, a title that I will always remember fondly of for many reasons. Yet even that left me wanting more. Last year at Pain For Pride, I didn’t just end a chapter of my career, but quite frankly, I ended an entire book. I had no other choice but to take a leap forward in my career, elevate it to new heights; it was time to become every bit the legend I knew I was.

(The projector shows a still image of the 2020 EAW Draft, as Kassidy Heart stands in the ring, announcing her concussion from Pain For Pride and the need to take time off. It flicks to Territorial Invasion, showing Kassidy attacking Jamie O’Hara after the match. The final image is of Reasonable Doubt, where Jamie O’Hara standing tall as Champion as Kassidy Heart is tended to by paramedics)

King Kass: I don’t think many of you are aware of what it’s like to stand in a ring, before the entire world and make a bold promise to defeat the World Champion. The weight of expectation you place on your own shoulders would crush so many made more difficult when you single out one name. One person. And of all the names you could single out, it’s the biggest obstacle there is. Now imagine, when you ruin their victory. When they’re in your grasps, utterly helpless? That intention made clear, your promise trending towards becoming fulfilled and in a match, in an environment, that you made extremely comfortable for yourself and uncomfortable for others. Only to fall short. Only to lose. Only to fail. I never got my victory, I never got my chance to avenge what had taken place at Pain For Pride months beforehand and I had no choice but to move on. But people like me don’t quit. We don’t surrender so easily. That unshakable belief that I am one of the greatest of all time was always going to become a truth that everyone would accept. Eleven months ago I just didn’t declare that I would become the EAW Answers World Champion….

(The projector cuts to show Kassidy winning King of Elite, becoming the very first woman to ever do so. Slowly it fades to the weeks afterwards, culminating in her defeating Jack Ripley for the Answers World Championship)

King Kass: My long, long list of desires included becoming the first woman to win King of Elite. And it would become the night where the world began to change. It was the night where my journey to the top of this company became clearer for the world to see. Suddenly there were fewer voices, fewer critics, fewer doubters lining up to try and tear me down, telling me that I wasn’t every bit the exceptional, generational talent that I am. To my disappointment, the Answers World Champion wasn’t Jamie O’Hara. How he couldn’t defeat Jack Ripley at Road To Redemption is something that I will never understand. But my disdain for him was a distant concern compared to just becoming the Answers World Champion; less than a year after calling my shot, regardless of the setback, I stood tall as Champion. 

(Once more the images flashing in the background show Kassidy’s rise to the top of this company over the years)

King Kass:  In one way my journey had finally reached the top. I had finally become the Answers World Champion, months after making those intentions cleared, I fulfilled that promise I had made. From REVOLT! to who I am today, that rise was complete. Do you know what it’s like to crawl to the top of the pile? The tiring climb from nobody to somebody, from the very bottom of the card to the very top? It’s every week regardless of circumstances having to prove yourself against so many others looking to do the very same thing. And when you finally get there, when you stand at the very top, the only question that’s on your mind is simply “Is that all there is?”. To stand on top, over so many, holding the most prestigious gold in the world and the sinking realisation that the climb is done, that all you have to look forward to is facing the same people you have already beaten. To know that each and every one of your challengers nipping at your heels are those who don’t have a reason to think that they can compete with you, let alone defeat you. And that anyone else, from any other pile, is just more of the same in one way or another. It’s a depressing, soul sucking reality to face. You clutch the Championship tight, you hold it close to your chest and you swear to make the most of it by defeating each and every opponent in the most outstanding manner possible. But each and every defense is just trying to inch yourself closer to a reign that lasts in the history books as the significance of beating those challengers is so little. 

(Once again, the projector returns to photographs of Kass’ rise throughout the years)

King Kass: I have worked too hard and for too long to get to this point to not walk away with what I truly deserve above all else. This Pain For Pride is the one opportunity that I have to define my career, to cement my place, to validate EVERYTHING that I have done until this point. Every loss, every setback, every private emotional moment to every glorious high will be meaningless otherwise. And none of this was possible against the vast majority of those who dare wish to become ‘challengers’, never against anyone who I had already defeated or surpassed. There was only ever one person, one name who could give me everything that I wanted, everything that I fucking needed. 

(The projector shows Grand Rampage 2021, as Kass stands opposite of Jamie, the only person she considers worthy)

King Kass: Jamie O’Hara belongs in a conversation which is near impossible for so many to enter, something nobody else in over a decade has been able to. Near impossible but never completely. If he can do it, then there isn’t a reason in the world why I won’t. He too once stood where I stand now and looked up, looking to reach the greatest of heights and not once did he let anyone stop him. He left his mark in history and eventually went on to defeat Gawd himself to do the very thing I’m seeking this year; he cemented his legacy. I may stand on top of Showdown as the Answers World Champion but my ascension is not yet complete and at Pain For Pride I’ll climb the rest of the way up the stairway closer and closer to that immortality that I seek. I can’t remove Jamie from his place in this company’s history, his legacy is very much immortalised, but I will force him to bend and at his expense achieve that same immortality. I will defeat the Ace, I will end his career beneath the might of the King and put myself in that very same conversation as one of the very best to ever do this. My journey hasn’t yet reached the top.

(A final image of Jamie O’Hara appears on the wall behind her)

King Kass: Not until my name is spoken alongside his.

(King Kass smirks as she picks her Answers World Championship off the platform beside her and walks away out of frame. The last image is a shot from last year when she stood over Jamie and held the Answers World Championship in the air. The camera fades to black)

(Commercial for Ronan Malosi voodoo dolls.)

(The scene pans to Hurricane Hawk, Showdown General Manager, backstage as he’s looking directly at the camera.)

Hurricane Hawk: With Pain for Pride slowly coming together, I think it’s looking like an amazing show. The World Championship matches are amazing, mid-card championship matches are amazing. I swear, everything is looking amazing and it makes me want to have a slice of that, but… :mjgrin: I think I’m good with where I’m standing at the moment and I’m more than happy with everyone who is taking part in this show. I know, this is going to be another fantastic Pain for Pride to remember. From our brand, I think that no one should be sleeping on Showdown because I do like to say that we’ve got some amazing matchups for the show. 

Hurricane Hawk: ‘The Mauler’ Kassidy Heart putting up the Answers World Championship on the line against ‘The Ace’ himself, Jamie O’Hara is a ‘Match of the Year’ contender without these two stepping into the ring yet. Holy shit, things are so personal between those two, but when you bring a baby into the entire mess between the two of them, you know that shit is going to come down. The thought that Kassidy had to go to that length to get her match with Jamie is insane, so these two throwing it down for Showdown’s main event at Pain for Pride is going to be something that everyone needs to keep an eye on. To me, these are two of what the Showdown brand has to offer, so it’s appropriate that they are in this position. Both of them are quite deserving of this spot. Amazing athletes and I knew from the moment that Kassidy stepped foot on REVOLT!, she was going to be a star. As for Jamie, he’s the fucking standard of this company. He’s one of the best for a reason. I can’t predict who is going to walk away as the winner in this match, but I kinda dig with the unpredictability. :notbad:

Hurricane Hawk: Also, we got our Cash in the Vault representatives in Jon Kelton and Justin Windgate. These two have been busting their asses off all season long. They always remain hungry for any sort of opportunity. Justin Windgate is a former 24/7 contract holder and Interwire Champion. I really thought that he was going to Pain for Pride with the belt, but I like to think that losing the Interwire title prematurely has lit a fire underneath him. We saw how hard he went for Cash in the Vault last year. I’m hoping that he’s saving up his energy and putting on his game face because he’s not going to take prisoners going into the match. Jon Kelton, despite him and I being at odds since I became General Manager, I’m not denying how much of a talent that he is. He’s a former 24/7 holder before he lost the contract to Justin back in November. Since then, it’s been a tough climb. He’s kept his head up, kept grinding and he’s found himself in this spot. I’ve crossed paths with Jon during my tenure in EAW, and he’s truly someone who will not stop until he finds his name in the history books.

Hurricane Hawk: We got a ton of surprises that are in store and you’ll know a lot of them as the next few weeks roll on by, but why don’t I let you in on another surprise? Before I do that, let me talk about another match that the Showdown brand will consist of and I promise you, with what I got to say, it’s going to be relevant. We got Chained Fury II, which will be happening at Pain for Pride. Ryan Wilson and Ronan Malosi will be getting their hands on each other in Chained Fury II. I’m aware of the praise that these two got back at Reasonable Doubt. It was considered the EAW Network’s ‘Match of the Week,’ so it was no hesitant that this was going to be the stipulation for their encounter at Pain for Pride. Ronan is looking to redeem himself from his loss back in November. Honestly, these two have been at each other’s throats all season and you would think that people would be sick of this match, but somehow, these people are always looking to see these two beat the hell out of each other. At Pain for Pride, Ryan and Ronan will FINALLY put an end to their rivalry and yes, I mean, FOR REAL this time. These two have been enemies to friends to enemies once again. You never know what you are going to get with these two, so I guess, that is what makes things interesting with the two of them?

Hurricane Hawk: But, here’s this surprise that I was talking about. How about we raise the stakes even further? How about at Pain for Pride Ryan versus Ronan —

???: Hawk, I’m gonna let you finish, but…

(Ronan Malosi steps into the camera shot. Next to Ronan is Alissa Brady, his girlfriend, who has a neck brace after being attacked by Bronson Daniels on the lead up to Grand Rampage. She had been at home recovering from her injury, but kept in touch with what was happening on Showdown.)

Ronan Malosi: I demand an apology.

Hurricane Hawk: :comeagain:

Ronan Malosi: I demand an apology for me and*looks at Alissa* for Alissa.

Hurricane Hawk: Still confused, why do I need to apologize?

Ronan Malosi: I demand an apology for Alissa because I felt like Bronson Daniels should have been held accountable for what he did to her leading up to Grand Rampage. Alissa was nothing more than an innocent bystander, who got attacked thanks to her association with me. I thought that Showdown was nothing more than a safe locker room for non-wrestlers to be a part of. Someone like Alissa, should have been able to be by my side without having to worry about her safety and whether visiting me would end up with her on a hospital bed. Is this the environment that Showdown has created?

Hurricane Hawk: Didn’t you almost leave Alexis Chambers for dead during the beginning of the year? Aren’t you and Ryan the sole reason for why Showdown has an unsafe environment where non-wrestlers and wrestlers don’t feel safe, knowing that someone like you could kidnap them and leave them for dead? Also, didn’t you attack Alissa on the build up leading to Reasonable Doubt? If anything, you do seem to have a history with attacking people who have no role in the issues between you and whoever. I mean, do I also need to bring up the Magdalena situation?  

Ronan Malosi: Those issues are completely different, Hawk. They all deserved it at some point.

Alissa Brady: :usure:!!!!!!

Ronan Malosi:  Alissa did not deserve what Bronson did to her. I care that Alissa gets some justice for what has happened to her. It’s not only her that you need to apologize, but me as well.

Hurricane Hawk: For what? :wtf:

Ronan Malosi: I should have been at home, helping Alissa recover and stand on her two feet. Instead, you unnecessarily needed to place me in a championship defense, knowing that my head wasn’t in the game. You would have rather have placed me in an Interwire Championship match, knowing that your champion wasn’t in the best mental state due to everything that had happened leading up to Grand Rampage. That’s the reason why I lost the Interwire Championship. You’re lucky that I didn’t decide to drop everything to be there for Alissa. I know how much of a draw I am for the Showdown brand, so losing me would be bigger than losing Jamie O’Hara. If anything, you should be bending over backwards to make me happy, Hawk. Even though I’m facing Ryan, I deserve a lot better. I deserve to be a champion again.

???: Ronan Malosi as champion would be awful!

(Ryan Wilson steps into the camera shot with a smug look on his face. He stares at Ronan Malosi, before looking towards Alissa Brady. Alissa tries to stand tall, not wanting to show any fear, but Ryan could sense her fear.)

Ryan Wilson: *to Alissa* Nice cast. 

Ronan Malosi: Keep talking and I’ll make sure you get one as well.

Ryan Wilson: No, I don’t think that you’ll do that, Ronan. As for you, Alissa; I feel betrayed that you would date him. Not that I thought that something could happen between the two of us, but you seemed to have a good eye of what we wanted Showdown to be like. We seemed to have shared the same ideals. I brought you in as my consultant, not only to get underneath Ronan’s skin, but I felt like you had something to bring to the table. You brought in a different perspective that was desperately needed for the Showdown brand. We both had the need to help Showdown become the A-show, but it seems like you seem to lost that perspective along the way and that’s because of the man standing next to you. Dating Ronan Malosi out of all people was your downfall. I mean, look at you now, Alissa. You’re in a neck brace. That would have never happened to you if you still stuck with me.

Alissa Brady: If I can remember, I did end up hurt while being by your side.

Ryan Wilson: But, I did avenge you and my mother, didn’t I? Has Ronan done that for you?

(Alissa Brady remains silent and that’s the confirmation that Ryan Wilson needed.)

Ronan Malosi: It’s just jealousy from your part, Ryan. You’ve always been jealous of me for everything great that has ever happened to me. I mean, you’re jealous that I got to a championship way before you did. 

Ryan Wilson: And what happened a month later? That’s what I thought. When I win my first championship, I guarantee that I’ll have a better reign than you —

Hurricane Hawk: — you will have that chance.

(Both Ronan Malosi and Ryan Wilson look at Hurricane Hawk. Their attention is on the General Manager with interest on their faces.)

Hurricane Hawk: Last week, I saw that the two of you acknowledged the New Breed Championship being vacated by Andre Walker. I noticed that the two of you wanted an opportunity at the title. A lightbulb went off in my head, so I went to the board about having Showdown get the opportunity at the New Breed Championship. Well, I just got word from the board of directors that Chained Fury II will be for the vacated New Breed Championship.

Ryan Wilson: :notbad:

Ronan Malosi: :oh:

Ryan Wilson: After my fantastic performance at Battle of Egypt, it was a matter of time that I got myself another crack at the New Breed Championship. Nothing is going to make me happier than wiping the floor with you and winning my first championship in EAW at the expense of you again.

Ronan Malosi: You mean that this is where I’ll get my redemption for what happened at Reasonable Doubt and put an end to this whole beef with you. Not only that, but I look at it as redemption for how my Interwire Championship reign went. I can assure you that things will go better as the New Breed Champion.

Ryan Wilson: This optimism from you is great, Ronan, but the last thing that this company needs is another Ronan Malosi title reign that he can drop the ball on. 

Ronan Malosi: Can’t wait to prove you wrong at Pain for Pride. As for right now, let’s focus on that tag match later tonight. Do me a favor and stay out of my way tonight.

Ryan Wilson: You should let me carry you like I’ve always done.

Ronan Malosi: I mean it, Ryan. Stay out of my way.

(Ronan Malosi gets Alissa Brady by her hand and escorts her out of Hurricane Hawk’s office. The last shot is of Ryan Wilson looking intently at the direction that Ronan and Alissa walked away from.) 

(Ryan then exits the office and Hawk’s cell phone rings, he picks up.)

Hurricane Hawk: Hey, how are– I’m sorry, let me call you back in a few minutes.

(Lucas Johnson then walks into the frame.)

(Hawk hangs up the phone and fully brings his attention to Lucas.)

Lucas Johnson: You wanted to see me?

Hurricane Hawk: Yes, you’re the guy I wanted to see. Look, it’s no secret that things haven’t exactly all gone well for you this season. I mean, your partnership with Hitchman failed, your partnership with Cage failed. And hey, I know you hear this a lot, usually from people trying to disparage you, but that’s not what I’m out to do here. As a Hall of Famer myself and even GM, I have an eye for talent, and I actually wanna tell you that despite all the setbacks, you have it. 

(Lucas smirks at hearing this, happy in the direction the conversation has turnt.)

Hurricane Hawk: You’ve proven your talent with wins over people like Cage, we saw what happened at Midsummer Massacre, you beat three other people in Maxwell, Woogie, Strawberry Steve, and at Under Siege, different opponents, same outcome with you. The talent, the potential is there, trust me. You just have to find it, you just have to put all the pieces together if you wanna end up becoming a star. 

Hurricane Hawk: I’m going to give you that chance. That perfect place to set you on that path is the 24/7 Battle Royal, a match that has done wonders for the people who’ve won it, and it can do the same for you. You just gotta wake up and get that Pain For Pride moment I know you’ve been craving. And as for right now, you’re a favorite for that match in my eyes if you want it as much as I think you do, and all I want you to do is go out there and show why. Got it?

Lucas Johnson: I got it. Thanks for the opportunity, I’m not gonna let you down. In fact, I’m gonna win, get that Pain for Pride moment, and then go on to hold championship gold in the air and prove right then and there why I’m the best damn wrestler in this company today.

Hurricane Hawk: I like the spirit. Go get em. 

(Lucas nods at Hawk before heading out the room as the camera fades to black on the look of a faithful Hawk.)

(Commercial for Alissa Brady’s OnlyFans.)

(The camera fades into Gina Romano standing at the center of the ring)

Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen the following contest is scheduled for…

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

(‘Runnin’ by 21 Savage & Metro Boomin plays up to the loud cheers from the crowd as Bronson Daniels makes his way out to the stage with the Interwire Championship around his shoulder. He takes it off as he looks at the title with a smirk on his face as he raises it up and makes his way down the ramp and to the ring)

Gina Romano: Introducing first… from Cocoa Beach, Florida… weighing in at 210 pounds… he is the INTERWIRE CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!! THE GAME CHANGER… BRONSON DANIELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Bronson stops at the bottom of the ramp before sliding into the ring and climbing up to the top rope. He takes his title as he spreads his arms out with a smile on his face. He raises the title once more before he makes his way over to his corner as ‘Runnin’ fades out from there)

(‘Smoke and Drive (Remix)’ by Machine Gun Kelly plays up to the loud cheers from the crowd as Justin Windgate makes his way out to the stage. He has a smirk on his face as he spreads his arms out and poses before making his way down the ramp and to the ring)

Gina Romano: And his opponent… from Detroit, Michigan… weighing in at 225 pounds… THE XTREME CLASSIC… JUSTIN WINDGATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Justin makes his way up the steps and enters into the ring. He circles around before jumping up to the top rope and posting to the cheers of the virtual crowd. Justin jumps off and from there makes his way to his corner as ‘Smoke and Drive (Remix)’ fades our and the ref signals for the bell)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Deadprez: Here we go as this match is underway! Both Bronson and Justin are circling around the ring as they look to be going for a test of strength to start this match off! And they lock up into a collar-and-elbow tie up! Both of them are jockeying for position in hopes of getting ahead in this match. But it’s Bronson that manages to push Justin towards the ropes as he sends him towards the opposite pair. BEFORE TAKING HIM DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A SHOULDER TACKLE!

Eve: Justin sitting up with an acknowledging nod as he’s right back up to his feet and once again circling around. But this time Justin comes in and grabs the head of Bronson before sending a knee towards his gut! Bronson isn’t taken down to the mat instead stumbling backwards, BUT THAT’S ALL THAT JUSTIN NEEDS AS HE GOES FOR A ROUNDHOUSE KICK! Which Bronson ducks under, AS HE GOES FOR A CHOP BLOCK TO THE BACK OF JUSTIN’S KNEE TO TAKE HIM DOWN TO THE MAT SWIFTLY!

Gavin Kirkland: Justin grabbing the back of his knee as he uses the bottom rope to pull himself upwards. But he’s not prepared for Bronson approaching him and looking to stomp down on his face! Justin rolls out of the way as he uses the momentum to get up to his feet! Bronson approaching him quickly before he can do anything, BUT JUSTIN IS TWO STEPS AHEAD AS HE LEAPS INTO THE AIR AND TAKES HIM DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A DROPKICK!

Deadprez: Bronson grabbing his chest as he definitely felt that. WHILE JUSTIN AS BRONSON IS GETTING UP TO A KNEE RUNS TOWARDS HIM AND GOES FOR A KNEE STRIKE! But Bronson ducks his head as he barely avoids it! Bronson stumbles forward and gets back up to his feet as Justin turns around. AS BRONSON GRABS HIM AND THROWS HIM IN THE AIR WITH A BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX!

Eve: Justin is taken down to the mat with a thud but he’s right back up to his feet. AS HE’S MET WITH A RUNNING JUMPING KNEE BY BRONSON RIGHT TO HIS HEAD! But Justin manages to catch it as he pushes it away! AND CONNECTS WITH A JUMPING KNEE OF HIS OWN SENDING BRONSON BACKWARDS AND TO THE ROPES! Bronson leaning against the ropes for a moment before running towards Justin, AS HE GOES FOR A SPEAR! BUT JUSTIN ONCE AGAIN COUNTERS IT WITH A KNEE TO HIS SKULL TO TAKE HIM DOWN TO THE MAT WITH AUTHORITY!

Gavin Kirkland: Bronson is dazed but is trying to drag himself back up to his feet before any certain danger. BUT JUSTIN ALREADY HAS HIM UP AS HE GRABS HIM BY HIS HEAD AND GOES FOR A SWINGING NECKBREAKER TO THE MAT! But Bronson manages to turn himself around and push Justin away just in time! JUSTIN TURNS AROUND AS HE GOES FOR AN ENZUIGIRI TOWARDS HIS FACE! But Bronson ducks under it leaving Justin dropping face first onto the mat as he attempts to scramble up!

Deadprez: BUT BRONSON GRABS HIS ARMS AND CONNECTS WITH COUPLES GOALS! WRIST CLUTCH KNEE STRIKE TAKES JUSTIN DOWN TO THE MAT AS BRONSON DROPS DOWN AND HOOKS THE LEG! COULD HE GET THE QUICK WIN RIGHT HERE?

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

Eve: BUT JUSTIN GETS THE SHOULDER UP BEFORE THE THREE COUNT!

Gavin Kirkland: He should know by now that it’s going to take much more to keep a fine specimen like Justin Windgate down for the count. Bronson is right back up to his feet as he’s capitalizing while he has the chance. Bronson is up on the top rope as he positions himself while Justin is down, LEAPING OFF AND GOING FOR A SWANTON BOMB! BUT JUSTIN GETS THE KNEES UP! That had to hurt Bronson as he’s grabbing his back trying to stagger up but he’s finding trouble doing so. AND JUSTIN IS GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT AS HE STEPS BACK AND GOES FOR A GROUNDED SUPERKICK TO THE JAW OF BRONSON! 

Deadprez: Bronson nursing his jaw now as he rolls out of the ring before any sudden harm can come at him courtesy of the former Interwire Champion. Bronson leaning against the barricade as he steps forward, BUT HE DOESN’T SEE JUSTIN RUNNING TOWARDS HIM AS HE LEAPS THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE AND TAKES BRONSON DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A BIG SUICIDE DIVE! Bronson is sent backwards against the barricade but still manages to keep himself up as Justin rolls back into the ring. AND RUNS TO THE ROPES BEFORE GOING FOR ONE MORE SUICIDE DIVE TO BRONSON!

Eve: But Bronson moves out of the way as Justin collides with the barricade! Justin crumbles down to the ground as that had to leave a mark. Bronson makes his way over as he gingerly grabs him and rolls him back into the ring! Bronson jumping up onto the apron waiting for Justin to get up to his feet. BEFORE HE LEAPS OFF THE ROPES AND TAKES JUSTIN DOWN TO THE MAT WITH SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINE! Justin is taken down to the mat as he stumbles back up to his feet. AS BRONSON FOLLOWS IT UP AND TAKES JUSTIN DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A JUMPING CLOTHESLINE!

Gavin Kirkland: Justin is taken down to the mat but is slowly beginning to crawl up. Bronson isn’t going to wait for that though as he turns around and sends a kick towards his abdomen to take him down to the mat! Justin tumbles down to the ground but isn’t giving in just yet as he pulls himself closer towards the ropes to help himself up to his feet. Bronson making his way towards him, but Justin sends a boot to his face! Bronson isn’t taken down just yet, BUT IT’S TOO SOON TO SAY THAT AS JUSTIN TAKES HIM DOWN WITH AN ENZUIGIRI TO THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD TO FOLLOW IT UP! Bronson tumbles down to the ground but still makes an attempt to get up to his feet, AS HE GOES FOR A RUNNING KNEE STRIKE!

Deadprez: BUT JUSTIN MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AS HE THROWS BRONSON TO THE ROPES AND TAKES HIM DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A DROPKICK! Bronson is taken down but stumbles backwards to lean against the ropes, AS JUSTIN GRABS HIM AND GOES FOR A BRAINBUSTER! But Bronson sends a knee downwards forcing Justin to let go!

Eve: Justin is against the ropes trying to catch his breath, BUT IT’S BRONSON THAT RUNS FORWARD AND TAKES BOTH OF THEM OVER THE TOP ROPE WITH A CACTUS CLOTHESLINE! Justin is down at ringside as he stumbles around, BUT BEFORE HE CAN DO ANYTHING BRONSON SLIDES INTO THE RING AND SOARS THROUGH THE AIR! TAKING JUSTIN DOWN TO THE GROUND WITH A TOPE CON HILO!

OONNEE!!

TTTWWWOOO!!!

TTHHRRREEEEE!!!

Gavin Kirkland: Both of them are down as the count has begun. Bronson is slowly beginning to get up as Justin is doing the same. Bronson running towards Justin, BUT JUSTIN CATCHES HIM RIGHT IN TIME AND LIFTS HIM OFF THE MAT BEFORE DROPPING HIM DOWN WITH SNAKE EYES ONTO THE EDGE OF THE BARRICADE!

FFOOOUUURRR!!!

Deadprez: Bronson stumbles backwards, BEFORE GOING FOR THE BATMAN PUNCH! SUPERMAN PUNCH CONNECTS WITH THE LAST FIBER OF ENERGY THAT BRONSON HAS IN HIS BODY! BUT JUSTIN! SLICED BREAD #2 OFF THE BARRICADE TO FOLLOW IT UP! RUN IT UP CONNECTS TAKING BOTH OF THEM OUT!

FFFIIVVEE!!

SSSIIIXXX!!!

SSSEEEVVVEEENNN!!!

Eve: Both of them are stirring! Will they be able to make it into the ring before the count of 10!

EEIIGGHHTT!!

NNIINNEE!!

Gavin Kirkland: BOTH OF THEM ARE UP AS THEY REALIZE THE TROUBLE THAT THEY’RE IN! THEY BOTH SLIDE INTO THE RING! WILL THEY MAKE IT?!

TTEENN!!

Deadprez: BUT IT’S TOO LATE! IT’S TOO LATE! BOTH BRONSON AND JUSTIN ARE COUNTED OUT!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Gina Romano: Ladies and gentlemen due to both Bronson Daniels and Justin Windgate being counted out, this match has been ruled a double count out.

(Both Bronson and Justin look in complete and utter shock. It’s clear that’s not how they wanted this match to go as they wanted to go for a decisive winner. But in the end, the count was too much for them as they both were counted out)

Eve: :lupe: Well then, I think this tells alot about the two competitors. Bronson and Justin fought till the very end and none of them wanted to give up. In the end the double countout was a testimony to how far they’re willing to go

Gavin Kirkland: Of course, none of them won, but none of them lost. :wow: What a match, and let’s hope we can get a rematch in the future.

(Commercial break advertising Jamie O’Hara vs Kassidy Heart for the Answers World Championship at Pain For Pride!)

(Showdown comes back from commercial break to the backstage area of the World 1 Theatre as we’re met by Kyra Phillips making her way through the halls. She slowly makes her way towards a door, but as she’s about the knock the handle turns and the door opens. She takes a step back as both Harlow Reichert and Xavier Williams exit, both rolling their eyes as they see Kyra standing there with a microphone in hand.)

Kyra Phillips: Hey, guys. I know that you have a match against Jon Kelton later tonight, Harlow, but am I able to get a few words with the both of you?

(The hint of a smirk crosses the face of Xavier as he looks at Harlow.)

Xavier Williams: It’s incredible how everyone wants to know your business when you play your cards close to your chest, isn’t it?

Kyra Phillips: Well, we watched you defeat the Interwire Champion, Bronson Daniels last week and then saw as the two of you sat ringside for the Unified Tag Team Championship match between IDOL-Gun and Sosa Henderson and Chris Elite, with the champions successfully retaining their championships. The two of you have said since Battle of Egypt that you’re not going to sit around and that you’re going to take what you want. I have to ask; are your eyes on IDOL-Gun’s Unified Tag Team Championships?

Harlow Reichert: What if they are? What if they’re not? What do we have our eyes set on, Kyra? There’s a thousand things that we could be looking at. Maybe we just wanted to see IDOL-Gun in action up close and personal. Maybe we wanted to watch Chris Elite blow another opportunity at ANOTHER championship.

Xavier Williams: Maybe we simply wanted to see some “credible competition”.

Kyra Phillips: Well, time’s quickly winding down until Pain for Pride and neither of your names are on the card to compete at the historic event. Could we see your intentions made clear tonight?

(Harlow shakes her head, almost looking back at Kyra in disgust.)

Harlow Reichert: My intentions tonight are to beat Jon Kelton, Kyra. My focus is where it needs to be. We’ll be at Pain for Pride; that’s something that neither of us are worried about.

Xavier Williams: Who knows. But, the mystery of it all is the fun part, right? The intrigue. What are and aren’t we going to do? Where are we going to show up? Our intentions could be revealed after Harlow beats Kelton tonight, or maybe we’ll show up on Voltage tomorrow and actually give people a reason to watch… or maybe we won’t.

(Xavier shrugs his shoulders as the hint of a smirk returns to his face.)

Xavier Williams: You, just like the rest of the world watching, are just going to have to wait and see. So, instead of asking questions that you know you’re not going to get the answers you want… put that microphone away and give us the chance to get ready before Harlow walks out and does what the two of us do better than anyone else in this company.

(The two confidently walk away as Kyra takes a deep sigh.)

Kyra Phillips: …Good luck, Harlow.

(Kyra slowly lowers the microphone before the camera cuts elsewhere.)

[ EARLIER THIS WEEK — THE OFFICE OF DR. JOYCE KRAMER ]

( It’s a beautiful, sunny morning in downtown Manhattan. Consuela Rose Ava is seen standing outside of an office building. She is dressed casually, with her hair pulled back, and she is checking her phone. The former Interwire Champion seems a bit impatient, as she is tapping her foot on the sidewalk. She’s invited both Raven Roberts and Andrea Valentine to meet her, to hopefully get something settled between all of them. The situation between the friends had really gotten under Consuela’s skin, because she truly believes they all share an unbreakable bond due to their shared experiences and hardship. She also knows that if this doesn’t work, nothing will and she might have to face the reality that the Beating Hearts of Voltage are done for good. However, that is not on Consuela’s mind right now. She is choosing to be positive about the situation, and that’s why her face breaks into a wide smile when Andrea Valentine walks up. )

Consuela Rose Ava: Andrea! Thank you for coming!

( Andrea isn’t exactly smiling, and she remains neutral. It’s hard to read Andrea these days, but Consuela refuses to let Andrea’s demeanor and possible mood dampen her own. )

Andrea Valentine: So your bright idea was to bring us to see a shrink?

Consuela Rose Ava: Shrink isn’t the word I would use. Dr. Kramer is a highly respected therapist and counselor, who specializes in repairing relationships. Clearly something is broken and the trust is gone, and I want to get to the bottom of it. You and Raven have been through too much together to let it all come crashing down now.

Andrea Valentine: It’s already come crashing down, Consuela. Raven and I no longer see eye to eye, and this really seems like a waste of my time. I have better things to do with my day than sit in a room with both of you and try to talk this shit out. Raven and I are in different places, and things have changed.

Consuela Rose Ava: If you had better things to do than try and work this out, then why are you here? Clearly there’s some part of you that compelled you to come here today, and that makes me feel like not all is lost when it comes to this situation.

( Andrea goes to reply, but she quickly shuts her mouth when she realizes that perhaps Consuela does have a point. Why else would she be here if she didn’t believe she could work things out with Raven? )

Consuela Rose Ava: See? Now where is Raven?

( Standing directly behind Consuela, is the aforementioned Raven Roberts. She clears her throat, getting the attention of the other two women, and flashes them both a rather sarcastic smile. )

Raven Roberts: I’m right here.

( Consuela wraps Raven in a friendly hug, and unknown to her, Raven and Andrea are glaring at one another. When the two friends break apart, Raven does give Consuela a small smile, before letting out a sigh. )

Raven Roberts: This really seems like it’s about to be a gigantic waste of time.

Consuela Rose Ava: Well, Andrea said the same thing. Looks like both of you still have something in common. Also, you’re both here, so really is this a waste of time if the two of you cared enough to get up this morning and come meet me here?

( Raven just shrugs. She doesn’t have high hopes for this at all, but one thing she promised herself is that she was going to keep an open mind. )

Andrea Valentine: Let’s just go in and get this over with.

( Consuela smiles brightly before pulling her baby pink mask up on her face. Raven and Andrea also mask up, and the trio heads inside the office of Dr. Joyce Kramer. )

[ LATER ON THAT MORNING ]

( Andrea, Raven, and Consuela are seen sitting in a plainly decorated room that has nothing in it but a small table and four chairs. Dr. Joyce Kramer is seen for the first time sitting on one side of the table dressed in a business suit and silk blouse, while Andrea and Raven are directly across from her. Sitting behind them and off to the side is Consuela, who is there to basically step in if needed and give both women encouragement. )

Dr. Joyce Kramer: I have done my homework on the Beating Hearts and I’m fairly certain I have a pretty good idea on who all four of you are as competitors and individuals. It’s my understanding that Camille is not involved in this at the moment, is that correct?

Consuela Rose Ava: That’s right. My sister works on a different brand, and has her own thing going on at the moment. I know she’s not thrilled with everything that’s happened, especially since Andrea turned on her a bit as well, but she’s moved on from the situation.

Andrea Valentine: I’m not going to continue reminding everyone that Grand Rampage was every woman for herself. Raven, Camille, and I couldn’t very well hold hands and play patty cake with one another the whole time, now could we? Something had to give at some point, and when the chance presented itself, I took it.

Raven Roberts: And I don’t want to have to continue to remind everyone that it’s not the fact you turned on us during the actual match. The whole issue that I personally have is your actions AFTER I eliminated you. You came right back into that ring and took me out, costing me a chance to headline Pain for Pride a second time, and it makes absolutely no sense to me. You have displayed such erratic behavior this season that I find myself wondering just who the fuck you even are these days. It’s not like what happened at Grand Rampage was a one-time thing for you. You did something similar back at Road to Redemption when you dragged your ass into the Specialists Chamber and cost Harlow Reichert the championship.

( Dr. Kramer is taking notes as the two women talk. She looks up from her notepad and pushes her glasses up her face. )

Andrea Valentine: Look, I don’t have any regrets about what I did to Harlow back at Road to Redemption. She deserved it, and in a way, you deserved what happened to you at Grand Rampage.

( Raven’s face flushes with anger, which prompts the doctor, as well as Consuela, to lean forward in their respective seats. )

Raven Roberts: I deserved to be a victim of another person’s misplaced anger? A victim of your bizarre behavior? Is it because I eliminated you FAIRLY before you could eliminate me?

( Dr. Kramer clears her throat, momentarily interrupting the two women. They both glare at her, but she remains completely unfazed. )

Dr. Kramer: Raven, Andrea. I want you two to turn your chairs towards each other and really look at one another.

( It’s not surprising when both women refuse to do that. )

Consuela Rose Ava: Guys, please. You two are talking and that’s a good thing.

Dr. Joyce Kramer: It’s important to maintain eye contact with one another during this. The eyes are the window to the soul, and if you two genuinely care about one another, you’ll be able to tell.

( The sound of chairs scraping the floor can be heard as both Raven and Andrea turn their chairs so they can face one another. Thanks to this, Consuela can now see how the two are going to interact with one another, and both Andrea and Raven can see Consuela. )

Raven Roberts: Answer my question, Andrea.

Andrea Valentine: I don’t know how many more times I have to repeat myself. I have given you the answer, and I have also told you that I don’t have any regrets. What happened, happened. I’m not going to sugarcoat it or even try to lie about it to save face with you or whatever. I did what I did, and neither of us are going to headline Pain for Pride this year. It’s just the cherry on the top of my season, and I have nothing else to say about what happened at Grand Rampage.

Raven Roberts: I’m not going to accept that answer. I want the real answer. Why did you turn on your friends? I understand that at some point we likely would have come to blows in Grand Rampage. We have fought before and it would have been insulting to me for us not to give the match our all, regardless of the opponent, especially when something like a world championship shot is on the line. Neither of us had the experience we wanted last year at Pain for Pride, and the subsequent aftermath did a number on both of us.

Andrea Valentine: (mumbling) That’s part of the problem.

( This piques Dr. Kramer’s interest and she sits her pen down on top of the notebook. )

Dr. Kramer: Will you please speak up, Andrea?

( Andrea cuts the other woman a glare, and folds her arms across her chest. Consuela reaches out and puts a comforting hand on Andrea’s shoulder. )

Consuela Rose Ava: Come on, ‘Drea.

Andrea Valentine: (sighing) The aftermath is part of the problem. It’s like after Raven’s wedding, all of us started to go our separate ways. Raven and I were both world champions. Camille was the Interwire Champion, and of course, Consuela used the contract to take that title and put Lars Grier away for good. All of us were on top of the world. Then all the bullshit with Raven and Minerva happened, and I got wrapped up in the middle of fuckery between Malcolm and Charlie, and Consuela got involved with Terry. Camille kinda wasn’t the same after losing the Interwire Championship, and after Pain for Pride was over, it was really like everything we had worked together to build came crashing down. I was put on Dynasty. Camille stayed on Voltage. Raven and Consuela went to Showdown, and it seems like we all just stopped communicating when maybe we needed each other the most.

( This honest admission from Andrea caught Consuela and Raven both off guard. It was true that the Beating Hearts had started to drift. Their professional lives, as well as their personal lives, had all gone in entirely different directions. Their friendships with one another had taken a backseat, and the timing of it all had been coincidental. )

Raven Roberts: At times, I did question why none of you really reached out to me when Minerva saw fit to break into my home and expose my personal turmoil to the entire world, but I made excuses for it. Andrea, you were involved with my husband and trying to defend your title against him, and he so badly wanted to get the Pain for Pride moment he had been waiting for. The writing was on the wall for it to come at your expense, and I can see why you maybe pulled away from me. However, what’s really disheartening was the lack of effort on Camille and Consuela’s parts, but I got over that. Camille is too busy kissing up to Minerva in her promos now to even stop and think about what the woman did to Rex and myself, which is shocking considering Camille was in our wedding and has worked with Rex on several occasions. It’s whatever though. Life happens and people drift apart. Not every relationship is meant to last, and I know that all too well.

Dr. Joyce Kramer: Do you care to elaborate on that, Raven?

( This time it was Raven who turned and shot the doctor a glare. This time, Consuela put a comforting hand on Raven. )

Consuela Rose Ava: I wish you would have reached out, Ray. I would have been there for you. I honestly didn’t know what to say to you at the time. What could I have said?

( Raven just shrugs Consuela’s hand off of her in response, which actually elicits a sigh from Consuela. It’s actually Andrea who turns to look at Consuela. )

Andrea Valentine: Raven shouldn’t have had to reach out to you. You should have reached out to her. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t know what to say. Why not just say, ‘how are you doing?’ Any one of you could have done the same to me, especially when I was drowning over on Dynasty, stuck with Veena once again, who turned around and shipped me off to Showdown. It seems like the second I landed on Showdown, I immediately became embroiled in controversy and soon became the number one suspect in the stupid saga of ‘Who Attacked Xavier Williams’, and then ended up with my own ankle broken at his hands when he eventually returned. Consuela, you never once tried to approach me or even talk to me to see if I really did do it, nor did you try and help me fight through everything I was feeling. You were too wrapped up in being Interwire Champion, trying to break the record. You were really self-absorbed.

( Consuela looks a bit taken aback by Andrea’s accusations and she sits back in her chair, completely stunned for the moment. )

Raven Roberts: I won’t go as far as saying you were self-absorbed, but you definitely didn’t do your part as a friend. We all made mistakes, but you were the only one who left Pain for Pride last year with a happy ending, and while I’m sure you consoled your sister who broke down after losing Cash in the Vault, you kind of forget that Andrea and I were your friends.

Consuela Rose Ava: I never forgot. I’m the one trying now to bring us all back together.

Andrea Valentine: Well it’s a little too late for that, don’t you think? All this shit has gotten way out of hand, and maybe in a way, it needed to be this way. Raven was right. Most relationships don’t last forever, and while I’m sure all of us thought the Beating Hearts were forever, it’s plain as day that fate had other plans for all of us.

( A frustrated Consuela puts her hands up. )

Consuela Rose Ava: No. No. No. No. I know this is the anger talking right now, and I’m sorry, okay? I know that I wasn’t the perfect friend to either of you, but I could just as easily point my finger at both of you for wallowing in your own misery and not reaching out to me to say congratulations. I did have a happy ending last year at Pain for Pride, and in that moment, successfully defending my championship and finding love meant everything to me. Neither of you were waiting backstage to greet me, or hug me, or anything like that. I got no messages, nothing. WE are ALL responsible for what’s happened to the Beating Hearts, but it’s the two of you who have seemingly made this whole thing irreparable. I still believe we can fix this and rebuild our relationships, but if neither of you are willing to put your stupid egos aside and work with me, then I’m the one who has wasted my time.

Andrea Valentine: You, you, you, you.

Consuela Rose Ava: Excuse me?

Raven Roberts: You are making this out to be about you. I never fucking asked you to step in or fix anything. If nothing else, I DID warn you that this was a colossal waste of everyone’s time. I told you that she **points at Andrea** has changed for the worst, and as a grown ass woman, I am fully capable of handling her myself.

( Andrea raises an eyebrow. )

Andrea Valentine: You sure about that, bird?

Consuela Rose Ava: STOP! You two are not going to settle your differences here right now.

Raven Roberts: Well something has to fucking give, Consuela, because the way I see it, Pain for Pride is like three weeks away and because of you getting in the middle of this shit, ALL three of us are on the outside looking in. Matches are being made left and right. The excitement is in the air. Everything is coming together for everyone else… but us.

Consuela Rose Ava: Do you really think I want to miss Pain for Pride? I’ve had the best season of my career, and I was so close to becoming Answers World Champion at Grand Rampage that I could taste it.

( Andrea and Raven both scoff at that, and a look of hurt flashes across Consuela’s face. )

Consuela Rose Ava: Wow.

Andrea Valentine: You were never going to beat Kassidy Heart and headline Pain for Pride.

( Andrea’s words cut Consuela deep and that prompts her to stand up. It’s clear that nothing is going to get settled this way between the former Beating Hearts of Voltage, and Consuela’s had enough. )

Consuela Rose Ava: I came as close to beating her as I ever have before, and if that match taught me anything, it’s that I’m more than ready to take that next step in my career. I know that I will be a world champion and it’s now crystal clear that my focus should have been on that this entire time. My mistake for getting involved and trying to put the pieces of the Broken Hearts back together because I felt like it was worth saving.

Raven Roberts: It is what it is. Now we all get to sit back and miss the biggest show of the year because you wanted to be a martyr.

( Raven stands up, which brings Andrea to her feet as well. )

Andrea Valentine: Well I’m not about to miss Pain for Pride because of you bitches. I deserve to be on the card despite having had my chance to compete for the Universal Women’s Championship ripped away from me twice.

Consuela Rose Ava: You know what? Why don’t we just settle this inside the ring then? This situation pisses me off and the fact both of you seem to doubt my ability to become world champion one day is so disrespectful. The best way for me to prove it is by beating two former ones on the biggest stage of them all.

( Andrea can’t help but laugh, and Raven looks a bit surprised by Consuela’s challenge. It’s Raven who answers first, shrugging her shoulders. )

Raven Roberts: By all means. I’m never one to back down from a challenge, no matter how stupid it seems, and if this gets me in the ring with her **points at Andrea** then I’m more than game. But Consuela, remember that you wanted this because I don’t plan on holding back.

Consuela Rose Ava: Good, because I don’t either.

Andrea Valentine: This is a mistake on your part, Consuela, but I accept as well. I’m happy to beat you both and move on with my life.

( Dr. Kramer clears her throat, drawing the attention of all three women, and stands up. )

Dr. Joyce Kramer: I’m not sure if this is the necessary solution, ladies.

Consuela Rose Ava: Well, Dr. Kramer, sometimes it’s the only solution that is going to work.

( Andrea and Raven both agree with that and the former best friends head out of the office together. Once they’re outside, the three part ways. Andrea heads East, while Raven heads West, and Consuela waits to cross, so she can head North. There’s a bit of symbolism there, with the Broken Hearts heading in different directions, but one thing is for sure, a Pain for Pride match between the three is bound to be off the charts.)

(The scene fades to black as the women disappear into the New York crowds.)

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

Gina Romano: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR..ONE FALL!!

Virtual Crowd: ONE FALL!!

(‘Red Eye’ by NBA Youngboy plays Kelton alongside Londyn down to the ring as the pair looks laser focused.)

Gina Romano: Introducing first! Hailing out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, weighing in at 210 pounds, accompanied to the ring by Londyn Zelaya…HE IS ‘THE CHOSEN ONE’…JON KELTON!!

Eve: Tonight, Jon Kelton looks to pick up some momentum for himself heading into Cash in the Vault against someone the caliber of Harlow, however, that’ll prove to be easier said than done.

Deadprez: You’re right, Harlow is no slouch in that ring and I don’t think time off has changed that. In fact, I think Xavier Williams by her side is only gonna make her better in the end.

(Kelton awaits the arrival of his opponent in the ring as “Eye of the Tiger” by New Found Glory plays to a negative reaction as Harlow heads down to the ring flanked by Xavier Williams.)

Gina Romano: And his opponent! Hailing out of Christchurch, New Zealand, weighing in at 137 pounds, accompanied to the ring by Xavier Williams…SHE IS MISS NO FUCKS GIVEN…HARLOW REICHERT!!

Gavin Kirkland: I’ve missed seeing Thicclow on my screen for a while, especially seeing her in that gear. :mjlit:

Eve: Settle down, Gavin. I think everyone is a little bit anxious and excited to see Harlow back in the ring, probably not to the level of what you’re talking about for the most part, but still. And it looks as if Harlow and Xav are giving us stuff to be excited about as they were seen taking quite some interest in the EAW Tag Title match on Dynasty last night.

Deadprez: Yeah, these two could be looking to punch their Pain for Pride ticket, and them versus IDOL-GUN would be one hell of a match.

Eve: Calm down now. As we heard, they won’t confirm anything so we have no idea what they’re even going to do. All that they’re focused on now is Jon Kelton. 

(Harlow takes her entrance gear off as she eyes Kelton from the opposite corner, ready for the referee to signal for the bell, which he does.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Eve: The bell has rung and this match is officially underway! Kelton and Harlow look to start off with a collar and elbow tie-up, one in which Kelton gets the early advantage with a side headlock! Harlow is trying to pry the hands of Kelton apart, but it’s no use, that hold is tacked on too tight for that. Harlow backs Kelton up against the ropes and rebounds him off! BUT KELTON COMES BACK WITH A SHOULDER BLOCK THAT TAKES HARLOW DOWN!

Deadprez: Kelton runs off the ropes parallel to the downed Reichert! But Harlow rolls to her stomach, forcing Kelton to leap over her and run off the ropes again! Harlow springs to her feet and almost leaps in the air, presumably for a dropkick of sorts, but Kelton had it scouted, holding onto the ropes and sliding himself out of the ring, perhaps to regroup here as he’s seemingly talking strategy with Londyn Zelaya. Kelton gets a second wind and slides back into the ring!

Eve: And look at Kelton, back on the offensive with a kick to the midsection on Harlow, who doubles over. Kelton clubs the back of Harlow before bringing her down with a side headlock takeover! Harlow is grinding that forearm of hers into the side of Kelton’s face, looking to somehow push him off, but Kelton keeps her trapped in that grounded side headlock! Harlow starts to work her way back to her feet, bringing Kelton along with her. Harlow bounces him off the ropes once more, releasing herself from that side headlock!

Deadprez: BUT AGAIN, KELTON COMES BACK WITH THAT SHOULDER TACKLE, KNOCKING HER DOWN BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE ROPES BESIDE HER! But Harlow rolls to her stomach again, causing Kelton to go off those ropes! HARLOW JUMPS BACK TO HER FEET AND FLOORS KELTON WITH A LEAPING CLOTHESLINE! Jon gets up to one knee after the move, clearly a bit discombobulated, but Harlow stands him up before sending him back into the corner with a stiff knife edge chop, which you could hear ring throughout the arena!

Eve: That was bad, but what’s worse is Harlow looking to top herself with MORE knife edge chops! EACH ONE LOUDER THAN THE OTHER! Harlow finally relents at behest of the ref, giving Kelton time to retreat in the corner at the opposite end of the ropes, falling down to one knee as he leans on the middle turnbuckle. Harlow looks to pursue him in the corner, BUT KELTON USES THE TRUNKS AS LEVERAGE TO PULL HARLOW FACE FIRST INTO THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE! 

Gavin Kirkland: Things are about to go from bad to worse for Thicclow, who gets brought to and planted down in the center of the ring with a snap Suplex! Kelton makes an immediate cover!

ONNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWOOOOO-

Deadprez: Harlow kicks out! Kelton looks to keep up the punishment, however, sending Harlow into the corner! KELTON CHARGES IN, BUT HARLOW SIDESTEPS HIM AS HE GOES CRASHING INTO THE CORNER! AND KELTON STAGGERS BACK INTO A SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX, LANDING HIM RIGHT ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD! Kelton gets some space between him and Harlow, and uses those ropes to get back to his feet! But from behind, Harlow wraps those arms around the waist once more, possibly for another German!

Eve: BUT KELTON DELIVERS A STRONG BACK ELBOW, NIPPING THAT IN THE BUD BEFORE TURNING AROUND GRABBING HARLOW BY THE BACK OF HER HEAD! BUT REICHERT BREAKS FREE OF KELTON’S GRIP WITH AN EXPLOSIVE DROPKICK, TAKING HIM DOWN! Harlow gets into the cover!

ONNNNEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWOOOOOOOOO!!

Eve: Kelton manages to kickout at two, perhaps caught off guard there by that dropkick. But nonetheless, Harlow doesn’t seem to be deterred, locking Kelton in a grounded side headlock of her own. But Kelton uses those legs of his to knee Harlow in the back before getting her in a headscissors to escape the headlock. And now Kelton starts to raise himself up off the mat, almost like a push up, so he can wrench on and tighten that hold even more.

Deadprez: Kelton goes lying back to his side before Harlow moves to a front neck bridge while still in the headscissors. Harlow pushes both hands off the mat, freeing herself before lunging herself at Kelton to put in another grounded side headlock, which she does. Kelton starts to quickly work back to a vertical base before sending Harlow off the ropes! BUT KELTON RUNS ALONGSIDE HER, HOLDING THE BACK OF HER HEAD AND SENDING HER OVER THE TOP ROPE! AND HARLOW IS JUST SPRAWLED OUT IN FRONT OF OUR COMMENTARY TABLE!

Gavin Kirkland: :mjlit:

Eve: Settle down, bozo. Kelton follows Harlow on the outside, lifting her back to her feet, BUT HARLOW EXPLODES WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! AND ANOTHER! KELTON IS LEANED BACK AGAINST THAT APRON, BUT HE ANSWERS HARLOW BACK WITH A FOREARM SMASH THAT STUNS HER! KELTON GRABS AHOLD OF HARLOW AND SLAMS HER DOWN FACE FIRST ON THE ANNOUNCE TABLE! KELTON ISNT DONE THERE AS HE SENDS HER INTO THE CURVED PART OF THE BARRICADE!

Deadprez: KELTON GRABS HER IN A SPINEBUSTER AND SLAMS HER DOWN BACK FIRST ON SAID BARRICADE! BUT KELTON KEEPS HER IN THE SPINEBUSTER POSITION, TURNING AROUND AND RAMMING HER BACK FIRST INTO THE LED RINGPOST AFTERWARDS! KELTON FINALLY RELEASES HARLOW AS SHE FALLS TO BOTH KNEES! LONDYN IS CLEARLY HAPPY WITH WHAT SHES SEEING OUT OF HER CLIENT, XAVIER ON THE OTHER HAND LOOKS TO BE TRYING TO WILL HARLOW ON!

Eve: Kelton slides her in the ring before going back in himself! And there’s a pinfall from Kelton, who hooks both legs, will this be it?!

ONNNNEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!

Eve: HARLOW KICKS OUT! Kelton gets up to his feet and proceeds to stomp down on the face of Harlow! KELTON LOOKS TO FOLLOW THAT UP WITH A LIONSAULT, BUT HARLOW GETS THE KNEES UP ON KELTON, UNDOUBTEDLY TAKING THE WINDS OUT OF HIS SAILS! HARLOW MOVES KELTON INTO AN INSIDE CRADLE! 

ONNNNEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Eve: BUT KELTON KICKS OUT OF IT, QUICK TO SCRAMBLE BACK TO HIS FEET AFTERWARDS! BUT HARLOW IS JUST A LITTLE BIT QUICKER, THROWING A KNEE TO THE ABDOMEN OF KELTON BEFORE HOISTING HIM UP AND DROPPING HIM ON HER KNEE WITH AS I LAY DYING! THE BRAINBUSTER TO THE KNEE CONNECTS, BUT HARLOW DOESNT LOOK FOR THE PINFALL, INSTEAD SCALES HERSELF UP TO THE TOP ROPE! WUTHERING HEIGHTS PERHAPS!

Deadprez: BUT KELTON ROLLS HIMSELF TO THE OUTSIDE, AVOIDING WHATEVER HARLOW HAD PLANNED THERE! HARLOW DROPS DOWN TO THE APRON BEFORE CATCHING KELTON WITH AN APRON PENALTY KICK, SHOWING HIM HE WASNT COMPLETELY SAFE ON THE OUTSIDE! HARLOW SENDS KELTON BACK INTO THE RING! KELTON TRIES TO GET THE JUMP ON HARLOW WITH A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE! BUT HARLOW IS ONE STEP AHEAD, CATCHING KELTON IN A SCHOOL BOY ROLLUP! 

Eve: BUT HARLOW DOESNT HOLD THE PIN AND OPTS TO ROLL KELTON TO BOTH KNEES WHERE HE GETS CAUGHT WITH A SUPERKICK! KELTON SLUMPS DOWN TO THE MAT BEFORE BEING STOOD UP AND LIFTED FOR A SUPLEX! BUT KELTON SLIPS OUT THE BACK, SHOVING HARLOW INTO THE CORNER! KELTON RUNS AT HER WITH A SPLASH, BUT SHE AVOIDS IT, COLLIDING HIM WITH THE CORNER, REMINISCENT OF EARLIER! HARLOW TRIES TO GO AFTER KELTON, BUT EATS A BACK ELBOW FOR HER TROUBLES!

Deadprez: KELTON SPRINGS OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE IN THE CORNER AND TWISTS HIMSELF AROUND WHILE AIRBOURNE TO TAKE REICHERT DOWN WITH A CLOTHESLINE! KELTON DEADLIFTS HER OFF THE MAT AND SLAMS HER DOWN WITH A POWERBOMB, BUT THE GRIP OF KELTON DIDNT BREAK AS HE SLAMS HARLOW DOWN WITH ANOTHER! KELTON DEADLIFTS HER UP AGAIN, PERHAPS LOOKING FOR THE TRIFECTA, AND HE LANDS IT! 

Eve: HARLOW IS ON ALL FOURS NOW, LOOKING TO GET HER BEARINGS TOGETHER AFTER THAT POWERBOMB! BUT ITS GONNA BE DIFFICULT AS KELTON LOCKS IN ONE OF HIS SIGNATURE SUBMISSION MANUEVERS, STFU DAMN! THAT REAR NAKED CHOKE! KELTON IS STANDING WHILE HARLOW IS ON BOTH KNEES!

Gavin Kirkland: :shaq:

Eve: HARLOW LOOKS LIKE SHE COULD BE CLOSE TO FADING, BUT CONTINUES TO TRY AND FIGHT OUT OF THIS HOLD, WHICH SHE EVENTUALLY DOES, GETTING UP TO BOTH FEET AND BACKPEDALING KELTON INTO THE CORNER TURNBUCKLES! BUT KELTON’S GRIP HASNT BROKEN AND HARLOW RAMS HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER AGAIN! THIS FINALLY CAUSES HIS GRIP TO BREAK AND HARLOW GETS HIM UP IN A FIREMAN’S CARRY BEFORE WALKING TO THE CENTER OF THE RING WITH KELTON ON HER SHOULDERS!

Deadprez: BUT JON THROWS SOME ELBOWS TO THE FACE OF HARLOW BEFORE ONCE AGAIN SLIPPING OUT THE BACK DOOR! KELTON HOOKS BOTH ARMS AND ATTEMPTS THE SKULL CRUSHING FINALE, BETTER KNOWN AS SPOILER ALERT WHEN YOU’RE RELATING IT TO KELTON! BUT HARLOW AVOIDS IT AFTER A VICTORY ROLL COUNTER! SHE DOESNT HOLD THE COVER AND LEAPS IN THE AIR TO DRIVE BOTH HER FEET INTO THE CHEST OF KELTON!

Eve: BUT JON NARROWLY AVOIDS IT, HURRYING BACK TO HIS FEET TO CATCH HARLOW WITH A STRONG FOREARM SMASH! BUT HARLOW RETURNS FIRE WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT THAT JACKS THE JAW OF JON, WHO STAGGERS BACK INTO AND REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES BEFORE DELIVERING A CLOTHESLINE THAT TURNS HARLOW INSIDE OUT! KELTON MAKES THE COVER!

ONNNNEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWOOOOOOOOOO!!

T-

Deadprez: CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR AS HARLOW POWERS OUT! JON KELTON QUICKLY STARTS TO CLIMB TO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! HARLOW LOOKS TO TRY AND KNOCK HIM OFF, BUT KELTON LEAPS OVER HER! HARLOW TURNS AROUND BEFORE RUNNING TOWARDS KELTON WITH A FLYING KNEE, ONE USUALLY A PRECURSOR TO THE TWISTER SUBMISSION HOLD THAT COMPLETES LES MISERABLES! 

Eve: BUT KELTON MOVES OUT THE WAY JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME, AND TAKES THE SLIVER OF OPPORTUNITY TO LAND A KICK TO THE STOMACH BEFORE TRYING TO LOCK HIS HANDS TOGETHER FOR THAT DOUBLE UNDERHOOK DDT! BUT HARLOW TWIRLS OUT OF IT AND PULLS KELTON INTO AN OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY! BUT KELTON WRAPS HIS LEG AROUND HARLOW’S, PREVENTING HER FROM DOING SO! KELTON THROWS A POINTED ELBOW TO THE TOP OF HARLOW’S HEAD, REELING HER BACK!

Deadprez: HARLOW LEAPS IN THE AIR AS SHE RUNS BACK OVER TO KELTON, HOWEVER, SHE GETS CAUGHT WHILE IN MIDAIR! KELTON HAS HER IN A FIREMANS CARRY AND SHES PLANTED DOWN WITH THE F5! NO! HARLOW COUNTERS IT WITH A DDT THAT SPIKES KELTON RIGHT ON HIS HEAD! HARLOW CLIMBS THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! ANOTHER WUTHERING HEIGHTS ATTEMPT GONNA HAPPEN HERE, BUT AGAIN, KELTON CUTS HER OFF AND CLIMBS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE!

Eve: IT LOOKS LIKE WERE GONNA SEE A TOP ROPE SUPERPLE- NO! HARLOW SLIDES UNDERNEATH THE OPENED LEGS OF KELTON AND PULLS HIS LEG OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HIM! KELTON FALLS FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP OF THAT RINGPOST BEFORE GROGGILY TURNING AROUND INTO A FLYING KNEE FROM HARLOW! THAT CAUGHT KELTON RIGHT UNDER THE CHIN, AND HES LEFT OPEN TO BE LOCKED IN THAT TWISTER SUBMISSION HOLD! LES MISERABLES IS LOCKED IN! KELTON HAS NOWHERE TO GO!

Deadprez: LONDYN’S FACE IS FLUSH WITH PANIC! THERES NOTHING KELTON CAN DO AT THIS POINT BUT TAP…WHICH HE DOES! HARLOW WINS! 

(DING! DING! DING!)

Gina Romano: HERES YOUR WINNER…HARLOW REICHERT!

(Harlow let’s go of the hold as her hand gets raised in victory by the ref before Xavier comes in the ring to celebrate with her after victory to ‘Eye of the Tiger’ blaring in the background. Meanwhile, Kelton is helped out the ring by Londyn, who gives him a pep talk as they head to the back.)

Deadprez: Can’t take anything away from Kelton, as there’s still a real chance he can walk away the Cash in the Vault winner, and he uses this as just a setback that people will use against him. 

Gavin Kirkland: THE THICC PREVAILS! :blessed:

Eve: You are right I guess, Harlow does win in this hard fought matchup between her and Jon Kelton, providing even more proof that Xavier and her are gonna be real problems for the rest of the Showdown roster, especially the EAW Tag Team Champions in IDOL-GUN, who look to be in their crosshairs. 

(The camera fades elsewhere as Xavier and Harlow share a brief kiss in the ring.)

(The camera fades to the backstage area of the World 1 Theatre as Kyra Phillips stands by with a microphone in hand and a beaming smile)

Kyra Phillips: Please welcome my guest at this time, none other than the Ace of Elite Answers Wrestling, Jamie O’Hara!

(The camera pans as Jamie O’Hara slowly, casually, steps in next to Kyra Phillips. He greets her with a wide and warm smile

Kyra Phillips: As we get closer to Pain For Pride, the stakes of this match between yourself and King Kass are slowly getting higher and higher and the bitterness that exists between you two is quickly reaching boiling point. Although, last week your return to Showdown didn’t go as well as you had hoped after being interrupted. You didn’t quite get the chance to reply with whatever was on your mind last week and I’m sure you have much more on your mind after what was said tonight.

Jamie O’Hara: I get it. I truly do. You scratch and claw among so many of your own peers, shoulder to shoulder, neck and neck for so long trying to be the one to get ahead of the pack. And when you finally do, when you’re finally there above them all, you realise that your legacy is mostly defined by defeating them. The gap between all those suddenly beneath you and the precious few above is monstrous; it’s easier to ascend to the top of the pile than it is to reach the highest echelon there is. Kassidy has undoubtedly proven that she is miles ahead of the rest of this roster and it doesn’t matter who you mention…except for one. Me. And I’m still not sure if she’s aware of the challenge she has found herself in, even after what I did to her at Battle of Egypt.

Jamie O’Hara: As for last week, If she thinks that the arm is safe, that I won’t find a way to rip that cast off her arm, even if I end up taking skin, flesh or half the arm itself along with it, then she’s sorely mistaken. I guess the reality that I am Jamie O’Hara, the man who finds a way to do whatever it is that he desires one way or another, hasn’t quite sunk in yet. Kassidy Heart could wrap that arm in diamonds and yet it wouldn’t matter. She can call it a weapon and make whatever bold threat she desires, but it will mean nothing in the end. And after what she’s done, the things that she has said about not just myself but my family, I’m glad that her stubbornness, her arrogance, her absolute stupidity hasn’t been her undoing just yet.

(The crowd cheers as Jamie’s demeanor slowly fades from the serious tone to more relaxed)

Jamie O’Hara: Now, I asked for this time not just to talk about Kassidy Heart because God knows I’ve done that enough already. Rather, when I had to stand there and listen in silence there was that…itch. You know the itch, right? I agreed to that Pain For Pride match on an additional condition that it would be my one and only match coming back. Why wouldn’t it be? No desire, no interest in competing against anyone else; I didn’t agree to come back so I could settle any other score other than silencing Kassidy and taking that Answers World Championship. I’ve beaten just about everyone on this roster and those I haven’t? Don’t deserve my time and attention regardless. But…still. I couldn’t quite ignore that tingling sensation running up and down my spine being back in a Showdown ring…so maybe I should walk that back. 

(O’Hara takes a moment to collect his thoughts, snapping his fingers a few times)

Jamie O’Hara: And it’s because of that itch, that sensation that has made me realise that there is some sense of finality to this match at Pain For Pride, the last time as far as I’m aware that I’ll compete. There’s a lot of emotion tied to that, Kyra. There’s a lot of doubt, a lot of questioning, a lot of personal speculation as to whether or not it’s the right decision to make and even then in just over a few weeks time I could still be nowhere close to an honest answer. But I would at least like to get a bit more clarity, even if it’s just an ounce of it. So let’s do it; next week right here on Showdown, let’s make it the in-ring return of The Ace. 

(The socially distanced crowd in the venue roars in cheers as a cocky grin washes over Jamie’s face)

Jamie O’Hara: I invite anyone on not just this roster, but across the entire company, to see if they want to test The Ace, to have the honour of being the second last person to ever face me.

(Loud clapping can be heard from a distance, getting closer and closer until the Interwire Champion Bronson Daniels walks into frame with cheers in the distant background. His Championship glistens in the light as Kyra Phillips backs away from the scene)

Bronson Daniels: Before this all goes in any other direction, let me firstly say welcome back to Showdown and regardless of what comes next, it has been a pleasure to have had the chance to face you.

(Bronson extends the hand and Jamie promptly shakes it; faint clapping applauding the mutual respect echos in the distance)

Bronson Daniels: But, man, I’ve heard what you’ve had to say the last two weeks here on Showdown and, at Battle of Egypt, and I can’t help but feel ever so slighted by it. You more than anyone have certainly earned the right to be confident and have that resounding self belief that you stand at the very top of the food chain but that doesn’t mean that you’re standing there all alone.

(Bronson peers down to his Championship before looking back towards Jamie)

Bronson Daniels: Look at this on my shoulder, a title even you never won. I’m raising the prestige of it by merely holding it, I’m carving out my own path, my own legacy on my way to becoming one of the greatest of all time. You make such a big deal about being ‘irreplaceable’ but look at what’s standing right in front of you, someone who makes that a complete lie. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for you and what you’ve done, but you’re not God, you’re certainly mortal and you’re walking around here as if you’re undefeatable, unconquerable. Back at Road To Redemption? I almost got you, I almost pulled off one of the most unbelievable upsets ever by pinning the reigning Answers World Champion. Now you’re coming back after months off laying around while I have only continued my meteoric rise, becoming the Interwire Champion. Next week man, I’ll turn the unimaginable into reality by spoiling the return match of Jamie O’Hara.

(The crowd cheers at the challenge being accepted by Bronson. Jamie nods, a very keen expression on his face)

Bronson Daniels: Don’t expect next week to be any kind of warmup, don’t think that it’s going to be anything but one of the toughest matches of your entire career. If you’re going to be done, if you’re going to walk away from this company, then I’m damn as hell not going to let the chance to defeat you in the middle of that ring pass me by. I have a message to send to MISTSUBACHI, I don’t have any care in the world about your Pain For Pride main event, now you shouldn’t be looking past me or even thinking about that main event. 

Jamie O’Hara: I’m glad that I didn’t have to wait too long for someone to answer and I’m glad that of all the people on this roster, it’s you. I mean, look at you. The young guy who believes he’s destined to achieve great feats, who without a doubt will rise to the very top. But everyone dreams of that, Bronson. Everyone dreams of doing it…but nobody else can be like Jamie O’Hara. And hey, you did have a wonderful showing last year at Road To Redemption, but hundreds like you have done it, many against the likes of me, only to still fall woefully short of making it to the top. Want to be the one to test me? Then I’ll show you how far you still have to go in this company.

(Jamie pats Bronson on the shoulder as he leans in closer)

Jamie O’Hara: And just one last thing, a rather small detail no need to be too worried about it I guess but I didn’t intend on letting my opponent next week make it to Pain For Pride. You’re absolutely no exception and I’m going to enjoy humbling you. See ya next week, kid.

(The cracked grin of O’Hara widens as he brushes past Bronson and walks away. The camera remains fixated on Bronson whose look of displeasure by the threat turns to one of eagerness over the challenge he has accepted. The camera fades to black)

(Final commercial break.)

( “Sad But True” by Metallica plays to heavy boos and prompts Ronan Malosi to jerk the curtain and make his appearance known on the stage. Ronan Malosi smirks and mocks the fans before standing in the center of the stage and spreading his arms. The boos intensifies when he poses. )

Deadprez: Ronan Malosi has been on a reign of terror ever since he drove the knife into the back of Ryan Wilson. With the EAW New Breed Championship now up for grabs in their Pain For Pride match, you know Malosi is going to reach new levels of being the menace that he is. However, he has to try and put his blood boiling tensions aside and walk away from this tag match with a victory over two former world champions.

Gina Romano: INTRODUCING FIRST! From Long Island, New York, weighing in at 280 pounds.. HE IS THE HEIRER OF HOT TAKES.. RONANN MALO-

( “The Only Thing They Fear Is You” by Mick Gordon echoes throughout the World 1 Theatre to a mixed reaction as Ryan Wilson makes his entrance. Since his theme song interrupted Gina Romano, Ronan Malosi looks in anger but does nothing to address it. Wilson stomps onto the stage, ignores Ronan Malosi on the stage and moseys his way down the ramp. )

Gina Romano: AND HIS TAG TEAM PARTNER! From Montreal, Quebec, Canada, weighing in at 220 pounds… RYAAAAN WILLSONNNN!!!

Deadprez: Ryan Wilson has gone through a lot this season. First, he started off this season ruling over this brand with an iron fist as our general manager. He was stripped of that position thanks to Xavier Williams and now he has ended up on the crosshairs of Ronan Malosi once again. Wilson has had his ups and downs and he looks to right his wrong by getting through this match and getting his Pain For Pride moment. An EAW New Breed Championship reign would surely make this entire season’s pain worth it, wouldn’t it? 

( Ryan Wilson and Ronan Malosi rarely meet eye-to-eye in the ring as “Paint It Black”  by Hidden Citizens plays through the speakers. ) 

Gina Romano: THEIR OPPONENTS! INTRODUCING FIRST! From Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, weighing in at 224 pounds…. HE IS THE GOD EMPEROR… THERRONNN NIKOLASSS!!

Deadprez: Theron Nikolas has had a lot to say about his relationship with Jack Ripley within the past month and so. He has laid him out on several occasions with his trusty God’s Requiem, and no matter how many times he takes him out, his warning shots have yet to faze the former EAW Answers World Champion. Theron believes that Ripley has yet to put past the feelings of being in the 1% and with them teaming tonight, we will see if he was saying the truth or not.

( “BxMxC” by BABYMETAL plays as Theron Nikolas shakes his head in disapproval. Jack Ripley jerks the curtain and steps onto the stage. He scans the atmosphere before making his way down the ramp. )

Gina Romano: AND HIS TAG TEAM PARTNER! From Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing 202 pounds… HE IS THE STRAIGHT SHOOTER.. JAACCK RIPLEY!!!

Deadprez: All four of these men are going to be wrestling this match with eyes on the back of their head. They are teaming with men who can’t be trusted from past experiences, but they know that they have to set aside their feelings to get a victory as we are on the road to Pain For Pride. Everything that happens from now on up until the marquee event counts. You have to make everything count. All four competitors know that and hopefully that idea will reside in them throughout the match. 

( DING! DING! DING! )

Deadprez: This match is underway as Jack Ripley and Ryan Wilson begin this match for their respective corners. They engage in a collar-and-elbow where Wilson quickly converts it into a wrist lock by applying the torque from behind. You’ve got to ask? This is a match that consists of four people who want to have nothing to do with each other so it is going to be rather interesting how the respective teams mix with each other. Ripley twists out of the wrist lock and brings Wilson into him for a headlock. Wilson brings Ripley down one knee by pressing his left foot onto the back of his right knee. Jack tries to ground him with that headlock, but Wilson sees it coming and lifts Jack up for the back suplex!

Eve: Jack uses the momentum to slide over Wilson’s shoulders and land onto his feet off that back suplex. Ripley pulls Wilson in from behind, snatches him up for that back suplex and drops him over! Wilson is able to land on his feet like a cat as well. Ripley swings for a punch! Wilson blocks it, kicks the legs, roundhouses the midsection, and goes for a shoot kick to the side of the head! Ripley sidesteps the attempt and pushes him into the ropes from behind. Ripley also rebounds off the ropes at the same time, sprints past Wilson, comes off the ropes, and bodies Wilson with a shoulder block. Wilson is grounded as this gives the opportunity for Ripley keep up the pace!

Gavin Kirkland: Ripley rebounds off the ropes and jumps over Wilson. Wilson goes for a leapfrog! RIPLEY BLOCKS THE LEAPFROG ATTEMPT AND CATCHES HIM INTO A FIREMAN’S CARRY ATTEMPT INSTEAD!! WILSON IS IN DEEP TROUBLE RIGHT NOW AND HE IS ABLE TO ESCAPE BY GRABBING THE ROPES AND PULLING HIMSELF OFF THE SHOULDERS OF RIPLEY! That wouldn’t have ended well for Wildside as Ripley addresses his state on the apron. Ripley swings for a left, Wilson sees it and clocks him in the jaw with a rope-assisted enziguri! Ripley blocks that as well and spins around! DISCUS FOREARM SMASH!! Wilson ducks that and hits him with a forearm over the top rope! Wilson has been in a precarious position now as Ripley isn’t going down yet! He takes a few steps back before picking up steam to charge into Wilson! 

Deadprez: Wilson lunges his upper body through the opening between the ropes for a shoulder thrust! Ripley stops in the nick of time, picks up steam once again and goes for a superkick! WILSON PULLS HIMSELF OUT OF THE ROPES AT THE LAST SECOND AND EVADES HIS SPECIAL SUPERKICK!! THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER FOR WILSON AS RONAN MALOSI IS YELLING AT HIS PARTNER TO GET BACK INTO THE FIGHT LIKE A REAL MAN!!

Ronan Malosi: Are you kidding me? Get back into the ring, you damn coward!

Eve: Ronan is acting like he doesn’t do the same thing!

Ryan Wilson: You literally do the sam-

Deadprez: TOPE SUICIDA COURTESY OF THE FORMER EAW ANSWERS WORLD CHAMPION!! THERE IS NO TIME FOR TALKING AS RIPLEY LOOKS TO GET THIS DONE IN THE QUICKEST WAY POSSIBLE!! Wilson was caught in a verbal argument with Ronan Malosi and that cost him as Ripley threw him back into the ring. Ronan Malosi shakes his head in disappointment even though he is the reason why he distracted his own tag team partner! Ripley is perched on the top turnbuckle! AND HE FLATTENS WILSON INTO THE CANVAS WITH A HUGE CROSSBODY!! BOTH SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOO-

Eve: KICK-OUT!! Wilson throws his shoulder up at one and Ripley quickly puts him into a headlock on the ground. The former EAW Answers World Champion appearing to want to slow things down in this match, rightfully so from that first encounter from out of the gates between Wilson and Ripley. Wilson, however, is beginning to fight out of that headlock! Both competitors are up to their feet as Wilson thrusts him over and over again into the midsection with his shoulder blade! Ripley looks to put a cap on his resistance with a knee to the midsection! WILSON SAW IT COMING AS HE GOES OVER HIS KNEE AND ROLLS HIM OVER WITH A SCHOOL BOY!! COVER!!

Deadprez: WAIT!! HE DOESN’T FOLD HIM OVER AS HE CARTWHEELS OVER THE SIDE!! AND HE NAILS RIPLEY IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD WITH A DEVASTATING DROPKICK!! LIGHTS OUT FOR THE STRAIGHT SHOOTER AS THAT DROPKICK HAD TO BE HEARD IN ANTARCTICA!! WILSON GOES FOR HIS TEAM’S FIRST PINFALL ATTEMPT OF THE MATCH!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWO-

Gavin Kirkland: RIPLEY KICKS OUT!! Wilson drives his knee into the back of Ripley and uses that knee to apply more pressure in the chinlock. Wilson now has this match in his favour as Ronan Malosi is barking to tag him into the ring, but Wilson ignores his request. Ripley is starting to resist the chinlock. Ripley grabs both of his hands and starts to slowly pry them off! Wilson lets go of the chinlock, but he sweeps the leg, drives his knee into the back, and puts him back right where they started! Ripley is back in that grounded chinlock as Theron Nikolas is shouting at him to tag him in!

Eve: Both Ronan Malosi and Theron Nikolas want to throw their hat into the conversation, but Wilson doesn’t intend on letting any of those two get into this match! Ripley is now trying to get out of that chinlock once again! He is more stronger and powerful this time as he pries those arms and separates them! Ripley twists his body around to go face-to-face with his opponent. Wilson uses his hands to flip him over onto his back! It works, BUT RIPLEY CLOCKS HIM IN THE MUSHER WITH BOTH FEET!! WILSON IS OUT LIKE A LIGHT NOW AS THIS IS A MOMENT OF RECOVERY FOR JACK RIPLEY!! WILL RIPLEY TAG IN THE MAN THAT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY TRYING TO GET UNDER HIS SKIN THE PAST FEW WEEKS OR WILL HE STAY IN THIS MATCH OUT OF THE SHEER CONCEPT OF SELF-PRIDE!

Deadprez: Jack Ripley isn’t the type to throw away his morals and it seems so as he has no intentions on letting Theron Nikolas into the ring. Ripley, however, is crawling towards his corner. Nikolas is extending his services to Ripley, but Ripley is making no effort to reach for his hand! 

**TAG!!**

Deadprez: Ronan Malosi tags himself into this match, slapping Ryan in the back of the head in the process as he jumps up and STOMPS DOWN ONTO THE LOWER BACK OF JACK RIPLEY!! RIPLEY SCREAMS IN PAIN AS RONAN PICKS HIM UP AND GRABS HIS NECK BY BOTH HANDS! AND HE RUNS!! AND HE TOSSES HIM THREE-THIRDS ACROSS THE RING WITH A RELENTLESS BIEL TOSS!! THE STRENGTH OF THE FORMER EAW INTERWIRE CHAMPION AS RONAN ISN’T DONE YET!! Ronan gets the hammerlock in, slaps him in the face, nails him in the side of the head with an elbow, and goes for an european uppercut!

Eve: Jack Ripley evades the european uppercut, goes around the shoulders and pins Ronan down with the backslide pin! THIS COULD BE IT!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Deadprez: THAT WAS ALMOST IT!!! Both competitors get up to their feet at the same time! Malosi reels into the corner turnbuckles while Ripley charges into him! RIPLEY JUMPS UP FOR A FOREARM SMASH!! IT CONNECTS!! Malosi is stunned in the turnbuckles as Ripley changes direction and comes from the opposite corner! ANOTHER JUMPING FOREARM SMASH!!! NO!! RIPLEY GOES FACE-FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE AS MALOSI HOOKS HIM UP FROM BEHIND!! AND SLAMS HIM DOWN WITH THAT INVERTED SCOOP SLAM!! INVERTED SCOOP SLAM AS HE ROLLS HIM OVER FOR HIS FIRST COVER OF THE MATCH!! SIDEPRESS COVER!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

T-

Gavin Kirkland: RIPLEY GETS HIS SHOULDER UP!! Malosi with a slight look of disbelief as he now pulls the former world champion up to his feet. He muscles him into the corner, presses up against him and begins to just pummel his face unprotected with clubbing forearms! The Hot Take King is maiming Jack Ripley as he now Irish whips him into the turnbuckle! RIPLEY GOES CRASHING INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!! AND MALOSI FOLLOWS ITS UP!! WITH A HUGE CLOTHESLINE!

Deadprez: NO!! Ripley ducks the clothesline, but Malosi slides beneath the bottom rope, circles the ringpost, inserts himself back in and swings for another attempt! BUT RIPLEY INTERCEPTS WITH A PICTURE-PERFECT DROPKICK! THE STRAIGHT SHOOTER EXPLODES ONTO THE HEARER OF HOT TAKES WITH A PRECISION DROPKICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD AS BOTH MEN ARE NOW DOWN!! This is another moment in time for both men to tag in their partners, but I don’t think they have any intentions on doing so! 

Eve: Ripley is standing in the corner, free of Wilson and Nikolas as he is ready to strike! RIPLEY HAS HIM IN HIS SIGHTS!! AND HE GOES FOR THE SUPERKICK ONTO MALOSI!! BUT HE STOPS HIMSELF AT THE LAST SECOND!! Malosi throws both arms up to block it! Ripley fakes it as he goes below with a superkick to the midsection! RIPLEY NOW GOES FOR THE REAL SUPERKICK! YOU’LL FLOAT TOO!! BUT NO!! MALOSI GRABS HIS FOOT THIS TIME!! HE PULLS RIPLEY IN!! POPS HIM UP INTO THE AIR!! AND NAILS HIM IN MID-AIR WITH A KNEE STRIKE AS HE DESCENDED FROM THE AIR!

Deadprez: Ronan Malosi is not finished with him yet as he pulls him up to his feet and hooks by the side! SPINNING URANAGE!! NO!! Ripley uses the momentum to get out of that uranage! Cyclone Crash attempt fails as Ripley goes for a jumping forearm smash! IT CONNECTS!! BUT IT DOESN’T FULLY GROUND THE BIG MAN!! Ronan Malosi is swaying side to side, back and forth, at the brink of collapsing as Ripley jumps up for another forearm smash! MALOSI GRABS HIM IN MID-AIR!! SPINNING URANAGE!! BUT RIPLEY COUNTERS IT AGAIN AND HOOKS BOTH ARMS FROM BEHIND!! THERE IS NO WAY THAT RIPLEY CAN GET THIS!! RIPLEY IS TRYING FOR THE FULL NELSON SPUN INTO A REVERSE STO, BUT I DON’T THINK HE HAS THE FACILITIES TO HOIST UP THAT MASS!!

Gavin Kirkland: Ronan is able to shrug him away! He goes for a big boot! Ripley ducks and slides over. HE JUMPS UP ONTO HIS BACK FOR A BACKSTABBER!! RONAN COUNTERS THE BACKSTABBER WITH AN EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!! MALOSI CONNECTS WITH THAT EUROPEAN UPPERCUT FINALLY FROM THAT COMBINATION EARLIER AS RIPLEY REBOUNDS OFF THE SECOND ROPE!! AND HE CONNECTS WITH DAYLIGHT SLAYING TIME!! RUNNING KNEE ACROSS THE JAW, BUT IT DOESN’T KNOCK DOWN THE BIG MAN YET!! RONAN IS STILL ON HIS FEET, BUT HE HAS NO IDEA WHERE HE IS AT!

Eve: Ronan Malosi has a blurred vision from that devastating knee strike as Ripley comes off the ropes! AND HE GOES FOR A SECOND DAYLIGHT SLAYING TIME!! BUT MALOSI SIDE STEPS HIM IN THE NICK OF TIME!! RIPLEY COMES FROM BEHIND!! MALOSI GRABS HIM AND PULLS HIM IN!! RIPCORD RIGHT HOOK!! WHAT THE!?! RIPLEY DUCKS AND HOOKS THE RIGHT ARM! HE USES IT TO SPIN HIM AROUND THE OTHER DIRECTION!! AND RIPLEY JUMPS UP INTO THE AIR!! AND FINALLY DRILLS THE FORMER INTERWIRE CHAMPION WITH THAT DOUBLE KNEE BACKSTABBER!! IT CONNECTS AS RIPLEY GOES OVER FOR THE COVER!!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

T-

Deadprez: KICK-OUT!! What a sequence that was as Ripley has no intentions on slowing this match on! He has no other choice but to keep the pace as he pulls Ronan up to his feet and starts clobbering him with multiple jabs to the torso! He is trying to soften up the colossal titan before spinning around! KICK TO THE MIDSECTION!! A STOMP TO THE TOES!! AND A KICK TO THE FACE!! RIPLEY SPINS AROUND!! DISCUS ELBOW SMASH!! RONAN BLOCKS IT!! AND NAILS RIPLEY RIGHT ON THE BUTTON WITH A FOREARM SMASH!! THAT WASN’T NO ORDINARY FOREARM SMASH!! RONAN PUT A LOT OF OOMPH IN THAT FOREARM SMASH AS RIPLEY JUST GOT SENT IN AN UNEARTHLY DIMENSIONS!! RONAN NOW REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES!!

Eve: RIPLEY RUNS INTO THE ROPES AT THE SAME TIME!! RONAN TURNS AROUND WHILE RIPLEY ROTATES!! AND RONAN GETS STEAMROLLED WITH A DISCUS ELBOW SMASH COURTESY OF THE STRAIGHT SHOOTER!! RIPLEY RETURNED THE FAVOUR WITH THE FOREARM SMASH AS HE NOW PULLS RONAN UP!! He attempts to pick him up for the lawn dart toss, but Ronan slides off his shoulders. Ronan backs up into the corner before Ripley charges into him. Ronan picks him up and sends him onto the apron! RIPLEY SLINGSHOTS HIS BODY OVER THE TOP ROPE!! BUT RONAN CATCHES HIM WITH A RIGHT HOOK TO THE FACE IN MID-AIR!! WHAT A RIGHT HOOK AS RONAN KEEPS APPLYING GAS TO THE PEDAL AND NOW RUNS THE ROPES!

Deadprez: RONAN COMES OFF THE ROPES!! AND RIPLEY SHOOTS THROUGH WITH THE SLINGSHOT SPEAR!! BUT RONAN CATCHES HIM IN MID-AIR AND PLACES HIS HEAD BETWEEN HIS LEGS!! AND HOISTS HIM UP!! AND HE PLANTS HIM WITH A STANDING POWERBOMB!! HE USES HIS LEGS TO ROLL HIM UP ONTO HIS FEET!! Ripley unintentionally rebounds off the ropes as Ronan looks to receive him off the ropes! BUT RIPLEY SPLITS HIM IN HALF WITH A SPEAR!! RIPLEY DIDN’T GET THAT SLINGSHOT SPEAR IN FROM EARLIER, BUT HE CERTAINLY MADE UP FOR IT WITH THAT CONVENTIONAL SPEAR!! SOMETHING WE DON’T SEE OFTEN FROM THE STRAIGHT SHOOTER, BUT HE IMPROVISED ON THE FLY AND THAT PAID IN HIS FAVOUR!! THIS IS NOW A MOMENT FOR RIPLEY TO GET OUT OF HIS STICKY SITUATION BY TAGGING HIMSELF OUT!

Eve: RIPLEY LEAPS INTO THE AIR FOR THE HOT TAG!

Deadprez: BUT RYAN WILSON GRABS THE FEET OF THERON NIKOLAS AND THROWS HIM OFF THE APRON!!!! VINTAGE CHAINED FURY TACTICS!! Theron Nikolas lands on his feet, with his eyes popping out like he’s incredibly pissed off as both men just begin to brawl on the outside floor! The referee is demanding for them to stop as Ripley is confused! Ripley is in the corner as Ronan charges into him! RIPLEY GETS HIS FOOT UP AND STUFFS HIS FACE WITH IT!! He is able to slingshot himself over the rope and onto the apron at the same time! RIPLEY GOES OVER TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AT RINGSIDE!!

Gavin Kirkland: BUT HE ENDS UP RUNNING ACROSS THE APRON AND SUPERKICKING THERON NIKOLAS!! THE FORMER SHOWDOWN GENERAL MANAGER ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND!! THERON NIKOLAS IS HOLDING HIS JAW IN PAIN AS RIPLEY IS ABLE TO SUPERKICK RYAN WILSON AT THE SAME TIME! Ronan Malosi comes from behind and looks to take out his foundation on the apron! Ripley with a rope-assisted enziguri to the side of the head! Ripley is trying to get a peace of mind here as he now slingshots over the top rope! AND HE HITS HIM WITH THE SLINGSHOT DDT!! SLINGSHOT DDT! BOTH SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

TH-

Eve: KICK-OUT!! THAT WAS ALMOST IT RIGHT THERE! All three men minus Jack Ripley are down-and-out in this huge tag team main event! Ryan Wilson and Theron Nikolas were both on the receiving end of Ripley’s patented superkicks. Ripley decides to leave Ronan Malosi high and dry in the center of the ring to focus on his tag team partner! Ripley did not mean to superkick Nikolas and he is being a bit anxious about that sequence. Ripley knows that this type of main event win could be big for him and opportunities like this doesn’t come and go that frequently for him and he needs to take advantage of it. In order to win this match, he needs Theron Nikolas! Everyone knows that! Wilson knew that when he tried to take him out of the equation, but his attempt failed miserably! Somewhat.

Deadprez: Ripley pulls Nikolas up onto one knee. He is helping out the man who has been under the skin, but I believe it is just by instinct or because he has to! Nikolas pushes him away as both men still cannot get along! Nikolas is refusing his help as he backpedals into the barricade! Ripley is visually sighing while Ronan comes through the ropes and grabs his head! RIPLEY RESPONDS WITH A SUPERKICK TO THE TOP OF THE HEAD!! RONAN JUST GOT SENT TO THE GRIM REAPER WITH THAT SUPERKICK AS HE IS LAID OUT IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!! RIPLEY GOES TO SLI-

Eve: IN THE MEANTIME, WILSON RUNS ACROSS THE RINGSIDE! HE SHOOTS THROUGH THE RINGPOST!! AND HE GRABS RIPLEY’S DDT IN MID-AIR!! HE SPINS AROUND AND HE DRILLS RIPLEY INTO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR WITH THAT TORNADO DDT!! OH MY GOD!! WHERE IN THE WORLD DID RYAN WILSON COME FROM!?!?! WILSON GETS UP TO HIS FEET AND STARTS DANCING OVER HIS BODY!! WILSON IS DOWN ONTO ONE KNEE, MOCKING AND BARKING INSULTS AT THE FORMER CHAMPION AS THERON NIKOLAS EMERGES TO HIS FEET!!

Deadprez: DIVINE SUNDERER!! DIVINE SUNDERER!! THE RUNNING KNEE STRIKE TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!! WILSON IS DOWN AS HE SLIDES INTO THE RING!! WILSON HAS TO BE BLACKED OUT FROM DIVINE SUNDERER!! Theron Nikolas looks to do the same to Ronan Malosi as he is standing in the corner! Ronan is down on both knees! REMEMBER, NIKOLAS ISN’T THE LEGAL COMPETITOR FROM HIS TEAM!! NIKOLAS GOES FOR DIVINE SUNDERER TO THE BACK OF RONAN’S HEAD!

Gavin Kirkland: GOD DAMNIT!! THE REFEREE CAME FROM OUT OF NOWHERE AND STEPPED IN BETWEEN BOTH COMPETITORS!! THE REFEREE IS DEMANDING HIM TO GET OUT OF THE RING!! PROBABLY BECAUSE HE ISN’T LEGAL, BUT HOW COME NO ONE EVER STOPS ME WHEN I DO STUFF THAT AIN’T LEGAL!?!? WILSON AND RIPLEY ARE STILL LAID OUT ON THE RINGSIDE FLOOR!!

Deadprez: Theron Nikolas is able to loophole his way out of the direction of the referee and finally gets his hands on Ronan! BUT RONAN GRABS NIKOLAS AND SHOVES HIM INTO THE REFEREE!! THERON NIKOLAS STOPS HIMSELF AT THE LAST SECOND AS BOTH HIM AND THE REFEREE SHARE A MOMENT OF SHOCK AND RELIEF COMBINED!! THERON TURNS AROUND..

Gavin Kirkland: AND RONAN SWINGS FOR THE BLOW!!

Deadprez: THERON NIKOLAS IGNORES IT AT THE LAST SECOND!! NIKOLAS JUST ESCAPED DEATH RIGHT THERE AS HE NAILS HIM WITH THE KNEE TO THE FACE!! THERON WITH THE KNEE TO THE FACE AS RONAN IS OUT!! NIKOLAS NOW DOES THE CUTTHROAT POSE BEFORE GOING OVER TO GRAB RONAN!! BUT THERON IS NOT LEGAL AND THE REFEREE FORCES HIM INTO HIS TEAM’S CORNER!! NIKOLAS IS TRYING TO PERSUADE THE REFEREE AS WE RETURN OUR ACTION TO RINGSIDE!

Eve: JACK RIPLEY WITH A SUPERKICK TO WILSON!! WILSON GRABS HIS FOOT, GOES AROUND THE WAIST, AND THRUSTS HIM FACE-FIRST INTO THE LED RINGPOST!! Ripley is staggered as Wilson isn’t done yet! WILSON WITH A KICK TO THE GROIN!! AND HE RUNS!! AND SPIKES RIPLEY ONTO THE STEEL STEPS WITH THE CUTTER!! CHAOS THEORY ONTO THE STEPS!! CHAOS THEORY ONTO THE STEPS!! THAT HAS TO BE IT!!

Gavin Kirkland: Nikolas is telling the referee to look at what is happening, but the referee is zoomed in on getting him out of the ring! Nikolas finally steps through the ropes as the referee turns around and sees Ronan with his arm over the upper body of Jack Ripley! There is no way he is getting away with this! What is Ryan Wilson doing?!?! WILSON IS CHEERING RONAN ON TO GET THE WIN!! WILSON IS SUPPORTING HIS TAG TEAM PARTNER!! WHAT IS THIS SORCERY!! HAS WILSON FORGOTTEN!?! THIS COULD BE IT!! SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Eve: RYAN WILSON PULLS THE REFEREE OUT OF THE RING!! Wilson with an indecisive look on his face as the referee is livid! Wilson just remembered where his morals are at as Ronan is completely unaware of what is happening! In the meantime, Ripley is able to jump up and get the tag in!

**TAG!!**

Deadprez: THERON NIKOLAS IS IN THE EQUATION AS HE NOW SLINGSHOTS HIMSELF INTO THE RING!! HE RUNS PAST MALOSI AND HE SHOOTS OVER THE TOP ROPE!! AND HE FLATTENS WILSON AT RINGSIDE WITH THE TOPE CON HILO BEFORE HE SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING! MALOSI GOES FOR A LARIAT!! THERON DUCKS HIM AND JUMPS ONTO THE SECOND ROPE!! SECOND-ROPE MOONSAULT ONTO MALOSI!

Eve: MALOSI WITH A BIG BOOT IN MID-AIR!! MALOSI COUNTERS WITH THE BIG BOOT TO THE MOONSAULT AS HE NOW PULLS HIM IN FOR THE DEATH-RO!! BUT NIKOLAS FLIPS OVER HIS ARM!! AND CONNECTS HIM WITH A SUPERKICK!! RIPLEY ENTERS THE FRAY AND CONNECTS WITH A SUPERKICK OF HIS OWN! YOU’LL FLOAT TOO AS NIKOLAS NOW GRABS MALOSI!! AND BRINGS HIM INTO THE REVERSE STO!!! AND HE DRILLS HIM INTO THE HEART OF THE WORLD 1 THEATRE WITH THE GOD’S REQUIEM.. GAME.. OVAH!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Deadprez: WHAT THE!?! RIPLEY GRABS THE REFEREE’S HAND BEFORE HE COULD GET THE THREE COUNT IN!! RIPLEY SHAKING HIS HEAD AS HE SMIRKS!! THERON NIKOLAS WITH A CONFUSED LOOK ON HIS FACE!! BOTH TEAMS ARE JUST PLAYING EACH OTHER WITH MIND GAMES WITHIN THEIR OWN TEAMS AS RIPLEY SLOWLY LETS GO OF THE REF’S HAND AND WALKS BACKWARDS!! Ripley showing that he isn’t stupid and can play mindgames of his ow-

Eve: WILSON COMES FROM BEHIND AND SENDS BOTH HIMSELF AND RIPLEY OUT OF THE RING WITH A CROSSBODY!! THERON REMAINS CONFUSED AS RONAN COMES FROM BEHIND AND FOLDS HIM OVER WITH THE SCHOOL-BOY PIN!!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Deadprez: NO!!! NO!! THAT WAS ALMOST IT!! BOTH COMPETITORS GET UP TO THEIR FEET AT THE SAME TIME!! THERON RUNS PAST HIM!! RONAN GOES FOR A CLOTHESLINE!! BUT THERON RUNS PAST HIM AGAIN!! RONAN NOW RECEIVES HIM!! AND HE TWIRLS HIM AROUND!! AND TURNS IT INTO THE TILT-A-WHIRL.. DEATH-RO!! THE DEATH-RO CONNECTS ONTO THERON NIKOLAS!! IMAGINE HOW BIG OF A VICTORY THIS WOULD BE!!

Eve: WHAT THE?!! RIGHT AS RONAN WAS ABOUT TO SLAM HIM DOWN WITH THE STO, THERON NIKOLAS GOT BOTH FEET PLANTED ON THE CANVAS!! AND HE DRILLS HIM WITH A SECOND GOD’S REQUIEM!! IT IS ACADEMIC FROM HERE!! NO RYAN WILSON IN SIGHT!! BACKPRESS COVER!!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

( DING! DING! DING! )

Gina Romano: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.. HERE IS YOUR WINNERS.. JACK RIPLEY AND THERON NIKOLA-

Eve: AND WILSON STOMPS DOWN ONTO NIKOLAS AND THROWS HIM INTO THE RINGPOST!! WILSON WITH A VICIOUS LOOK ON HIS FACE AS HE TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO RONAN! WILSON IS SHOWING HIS TRUE COLOURS, HIS WILDSIDE, NO PUN INTENDED! Malosi is completely exhausted as Ryan crawls up from behind and clotheslines him over the top rope! Ryan runs the ropes and SOARS THROUGH THE ROPES!! AND FLATTENS RONAN AT RINGSIDE WITH A LOU THESZ PRESS-STYLE TOPE SUICIDA!! RONAN AND WILSON CONTINUE TO FIGHT OUT THROUGHOUT RINGSIDE AND MAKE THEIR WAY UP THE RAMP!! BOTH MEN KNOW WHAT IS AT STAKE AT PAIN FOR PRIDE AND THEY WANT TO GET THE LAST LAUGH IN THE GAME OF MOMENTUM!!

Deadprez: The broken-up Chained Fury trade strikes before they disappear into the ringside! Theron Nikolas is nursing his left shoulder as he gets up to his feet! The referee grabs his hand and raises his hand as we finally get things settled here on Showdown! Theron Nikolas and Jack Ripley walk out here with an incredible victory! They reign supreme over a match full of controversy, but it doesn’t matter to Nikolas as he walks out the victor!

Eve: F-

Gavin Kirkland: YOU’LL FLOAT TOO!! JACK RIPLEY NAILS HIM WITH A FLUSH SUPERKICK!!!! RIPLEY WITH A HUGE SMIRK ON HIS FACE AS HE GOES DOWN ONTO BOTH KNEES AND CRADLES THERON NIKOLAS’ HEAD!!!! He remains silent before breaking it.)

Jack Ripley: You’re gonna regret ever deciding to take a swing at me.

( Jack Ripley momentarily cradles his head before aggressively shoving it down. He stands up onto his feet, steps through the ropes, then sees Theron getting to a knee. 

Eve: ANOTHER YOU’LL FLOAT TOO!! JACK RIPLEY TAKES OUT THERON! 

(Jack slowly exits through the ropes and slowly walks backwards up the ramp while staring down the slugged Theron Nikolas. )

(EAW logo buzzes.)

Written by Jaron Collins

Dynasty 6/4/21

Most Valuable Elitist #274