in ,

Voltage 1/15/23

(EAW intro plays.)

(Voltage opens to a recap of last week’s show. It starts off with Usagi Senshi versus Holly Arrow in round two of the Empress of Elite tournament, a match that Holly would win. After this Sheridan Müller would confront Harper Lee backstage and challenge her to a match at King of Elite, which Harper accepts. Afterwards Ronan Malosi would try to get Sierra Everett and Candice Blair to admit what they talked to Halsey Neel about, not trusting Halsey at all. Sierra and Candice didn’t care for Ronan’s attitude however and didn’t answer, further annoying him. In the next match, Trish Edwardson would defeat Justin Thorson. Captain Charisma would then announce that the Hardcore Championship restrictions have been lifted, and Hikari would cut a promo afterwards as she prepares for whoever steps up the challenge her. Next, TLA would defeat Samael in the King of Elite round one match. Kylie Grace would then have an interview where she reveals Usagi Senshi gave her advice, and when Trish Edwardson appears to challenge her, Kylie accepts. The next match would be Sheridan Müller versus Hikari Kanno, but it would not end in clean fashion as Madison Kaline would lay out both Elitists before revealing that she wants in on the match between Sheridan and Harper. Sheridan was unconscious, but Harper accepted the challenge. There’d then be a video package that sheds light on who Mercer McKay is, and following this Mercer would defeat Lucas Johnson in in-ring competition. After this Myles would confront Captain Charisma about his King of Elite tournament loss, and while Captain Charisma wouldn’t put him back in the tournament, he did offer him an EAW World Championship match, which Myles hesitantly accepted. Afterwards Dr. Bethany Blue would engage in a brawl with Sienna Jade, and afterwards manage to defeat Candice Blair. Backstage Natasha Agnello would warn Theron Nikolas about her visions, but Theron would set his sights on the King of Elite tournament, defeating Daryl Kinkade in the following match. After this Drake King cuts a promo promising to win the King of Elite tournament to stop everyone else, and in the main event of the night Minerva and Myles would team up to defeat ARIA and Ayu Megumi. Minerva would shake their hands but Myles refused, leading to a staredown between him and Minerva.)

(The recap would end, and the camera fades to the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. An edited version of ‘33rd Blakk Glass’ by ZilaKami & SosMula hits, and as the fans in the arena cheer while the camera pans around the crowd, the show’s opening pyro starts. After this the camera cuts to the commentary team, featuring James Peters, Rich Russillo and Persephone.)

James Peters: Ladies and gentlemen… WELCOME BACK TO SUNDAY NIGHT VOLTAGE!

Rich Russillo: Last week was a fantastic week, and now we’ve got even more lined up, including the two matches that’ll decide the semifinals match for Voltage’s King of Elite bracket!

James Peters: Along with this we have the in ring return of Korey Gaines, a Women’s World Champion edition of Cloth Talk, and the match we had confirmed last week with Trish Edwardson and Kylie Grace!

Rich Russillo: That should be great, right Persephone?

Persephone: Yep. Couldn’t be more excited.

(The scene fades to ringside where Voltage ring announcer, Bella Braxton, is standing by.)

Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN… PLEASE WELCOME THE EAW WORLD CHAMPION… MINERVA!!!!

(‘Blood, Milk, & Sky’ by White Zombie begins to pump through the speakers and the sold-out crowd inside of the Moda Center rise to their feet. They greet the popular champion with love and support as Minerva steps on stage and holds up the EAW World Championship.)

James Peters: I can’t think of a better way to kick things off tonight than by hearing from our world champion! Last week, Minerva teamed up with Myles to defeat ARIA and Ayu Megumi of the Ice Aces!

Rich Russillo: While it may have appeared to be a routine match for MASOCHISTxMANIFEST, Captain Charisma made the decision earlier in the night that Myles would be the next person to challenge Minerva for the EAW World Championship.

Persephone: Domestic violence :drakelike: 😍!

James Peters: Ahem…

Persephone: … is very, very bad!! Domestic violence is bad!

Rich Russillo: :mjlol:

(Minerva has gotten in the ring now and a smirk crosses the champion’s face as her music fades out. She pulls the microphone from the back pocket of her ripped jeans and positions the EAW World Championship on her shoulder.)

Minerva: Believe it or not, Myles and I have kept the wrestling talk to a minimum this week and that’s because early in our relationship, we decided it was best not to mix business with pleasure. Obviously wrestling as a topic of conversation isn’t completely avoided because Myles and I live together, train together, and travel together, but with Myles becoming the next challenger to my EAW World Championship, we’ve pretty much ignored the elephant in the room. It was inevitable that our paths would cross as competitors considering we both have the same goals. Myles wants to be a champion and I don’t plan on losing this title anytime soon. For lack of a better word, Myles was screwed in the first round of King of Elite. The referee dropped the ball and I feel Myles’ frustration. I don’t blame him for going to Captain Charisma and demanding that something be done. What I didn’t anticipate is Myles being given a shot at the EAW World Championship, but it’s all good. I have defeated every person who’s stepped up to the plate and I don’t foresee Myles’ challenge as being one I can’t conquer. He’s stepped up to the plate against me multiple times in the past, I’ve never lost, and I’m more confident than I’ve ever been right now. It’s funny because when I came to this company, I was hell bent on causing chaos and shattering the perception of what a woman is supposed to be in this business. I wanted to destroy every single Barbie doll that crowded the top of the food chain on Empire. I really didn’t expect to experience many setbacks but I was humbled early on and my attitude soured because of it. I bring this up not to take a trip down memory but to marvel at how I began my journey here to where I am right now. I am one of the most dominant world champions in EAW history and no one will ever be able to take that away from me.

(The crowd agrees with this and the applause and cheers that fill the arena let Minerva know that they respect her as a competitor and world champion. It hasn’t always been this way for the vibrant-haired Texan, but over the course of the last year or so, they have fully embraced the woman that stands at the top of Voltage.)

Minerva: I appreciate that. I’m pretty grateful for your support, actually. I know that I haven’t always held myself to the standard I do now, and let’s just be honest. I’ve done some pretty horrible things. I’ve certainly evolved as a person and as a competitor, and you guys have been there for all of it; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I really don’t think I would change a thing about the path I’ve taken to get to this point, either. I’ve gone through absolute Hell, will wear the scars of that for the rest of my life, but I’m proud to be the EAW World Champion and I am not ready to let this championship go.

(At that moment, ‘Enemy Strike’ by Yuki Hayashi begins to blast through the PA System, and that causes the crowd to erupt. A coy look crosses Minerva’s face as Myles steps out from behind the curtains and makes his way on the stage.)

James Peters: Minerva may not be ready to let go of the EAW World Championship, but it seems like Myles might have something to say to that!

Persephone: We stan a good domestic dispute :drakelike:. I hope they start fighting with one another!

James Peters: Ahem…

Persephone: And as interesting as it would be to see them fight, domestic violence is bad and does not line up with Disney’s vision, obvi.

Rich Russillo: :mjlol: Well, I don’t know if they’ll come to blows, but with both of them smiling at one another like that, we may see something else instead :mjlol:.

(Indeed, Myles is grinning as he makes his way down to the ring. It’s a far cry from the frustration Myles was feeling last week. As he makes his way up the ring steps, Minerva sits down on the ropes, to let him in, and Myles can’t help but roll his eyes a little. She’s obviously being cheeky, leaving fans wondering how exactly this exchange between the two is about to go. Myles gets in the ring and motions for a microphone, and while his music fades out, he turns to look at his future wife.)

Minerva: Hi.

Myles: You’re cute.

Minerva: No, you.

(Minerva flutters her eyelashes and motions for Myles to say what he wants to say.)

Myles: Cuteness and antics aside, you know that I want to be world champion and if that means going through you, then so be it. You made a good point earlier, obviously. You have defeated me every single time we’ve been in the ring together; from Heavenly Hell dethroning The Wildcards to last year’s Pain for Pride.

Minerva: Oops?

Myles: :cmon:

Minerva: Fine, I’ll stop being cute.

Myles: I won’t lose to you again, Siobhan.

Minerva: Is that so, Marco?

Persephone: Ohhhh! They’re dropping the government names now.

(Minerva has stepped a little closer to Myles and the two are staring one another in the eyes. Myles reaches out and tucks a loose strand of hair behind Minerva’s ear and he nods his head.)

Myles: You’re not going to have a choice when it comes to whether or not you’re giving up that championship.

(Myles takes her hand and brushes his thumb over her engagement ring before letting go and putting some space between them.)

Myles: For six months I have sat at home while you traveled around the world, defending the title, and becoming the very best in EAW today. I could not be more proud of what you’ve accomplished and the way you have elevated that title to be the most prestigious of all the world championships. That is every bit a credit to you and just how good you’ve become, not that I ever doubted what you’re capable of inside the ring. As you so plainly stated, I’ve been on the receiving end of your greatness multiple times but despite that, I know that I’m every bit as good as you are. You know me better than anyone and you know just how much it ate me alive to be at home and not doing what we both love to do. I’m a competitor and while I didn’t necessarily expect for Captain Charisma to give me this championship shot, I’m taking it and I won’t be holding anything back. The two of us have something that extends far beyond this ring and is unlike anything I have ever felt before. I never pictured walking through life with someone by my side until I met you and realized that I never wanted to do life alone again. You’ve changed my life, my perspective on things, and have become the centerpiece of my world.

(Myles’ gaze is intense and it never strays from Minerva’s. The teasing smile that was on her face when Myles first came out is gone now because she knows that Myles is more than willing to drop the hammer on her championship reign and take the title from her. He doesn’t even have to say anything else, because she already knows, but Myles continues on anyway.)

Myles: But at King of Elite, those feelings and our love gets set to the side. I know you wouldn’t want it any other way and that is one of the many, many reasons why I respect you as a competitor and view you as my equal. Your passion for this sport is unparalleled and your work ethic goes without saying. It may be slightly biased for me to say that you are the best in EAW today, but to hell with everyone else. You are the best, and when I become a two-time EAW World Champion, I want to know that I beat the best to do it. I can and will take that championship from you. I’m not going to lose to you again… at least inside this ring.

(There is an undertone in Myles’ voice that is both teasing, yet telling. Minerva nods her head and drags her gaze away from his, settling it on the EAW World Championship that rests on her shoulder. After a few seconds of gripping silence. She grabs the title and lays it down on the mat, between the both of them, almost as if she is putting up an invisible wall. Myles looks down at the belt, stroking his jaw, and now he is nodding. Without saying a word, Minerva had drawn the battle line.)

Minerva: As in life, we don’t always get what we want, Marco, and no matter how badly you want to become world champion again, it will not be at my expense. I know what you went through after Pain for Pride when it came to healing mentally, physically, and emotionally, and it hurt me watching you go through all of that. A part of me was racked with guilt knowing that the crowning moment of my career came from pinning you. You were not my target that week. It was all about Drake. He was the catalyst for everything we have gone through together, and he is the one who deserved to suffer at Pain for Pride. Instead, he injured you and slithered away like the snake he is, leaving me with a choice. I could have followed him, or I could pin you and become the EAW World Champion. I picked the title because I knew my path would cross Drake’s again as long as we both remained on Voltage. Still, it was a bittersweet victory and the title was secondary when it came to your health.

Myles: You don’t owe me any kind of explanation, and besides, we’ve had this conversation before. You did what you had to do, and I don’t fault you for it. It doesn’t matter what happens in the ring between the two of as partners or as competitors, our life together is forever. I want to make sure you, and everyone else hears that loud and clear, because I don’t want any bullshit thrown at me when I win at King of Elite. I try not to focus on the opinions of others, but I’m already annoyed with what’s gone down since I returned. Being screwed out the King of Elite tournament a couple of weeks ago made me feel a way and when you combine that with O’Hara beating me at Road to Redemption AND being sidelined for an extended period of time to start the new season? I’m hungry. I need to step up and get myself back on track, and now that I have a chance to reclaim something that was taken from me, I’m going to take myself to another level. I know it’s going to take a monumental effort to beat you, and it’s something I’m willing to give. Hell, you know just how hard I work on and off camera. You know that I give everything I do the maximum I can give it, and this match won’t be an exception. And because I know you so well, and know how you operate, I know you wouldn’t want this any other way. I want you to close your eyes, turn the emotions off, and envision it is someone other than me standing here in front of you. If I were anyone else, you would be listening to my words and brushing them off, feeling secure and confident that you already have this match in the bag. Is this accurate?

(Minerva opens her eyes.)

Minerva: You know it is.

Myles: You can’t do it with me, though. Can you?

(She doesn’t reply. Myles takes his finger and places it right on Minerva’s heart.)

Myles: In your heart, you know you have to heed my words and approach this match very, very carefully. You witnessed the toil being away from the ring and you took on me first-hand. You should know how lost I felt during that time. It meant everything to me to be able to return at Wicked Games, in my hometown no less, and you know how pissed off I got when O’Hara showed up and rained on the parade. Frustrated doesn’t cover it, Siobhan. I don’t think I have the words to describe it, but those words don’t matter, I guess. What matters is you, the EAW World Championship, and what I need to do in order to obtain it. I have to beat you, and something tells me you’re afraid of that. You hate losing. You’ve never been one to handle it very well. I just hope that when King of Elite is said and done, you’ll let me gather you in my arms and comfort you, the way you did me when you beat me at Pain for Pride.

(Myles lowers his microphone and places his finger on Minerva’s lips. He doesn’t need her to reply right now. Resigned to let Myles have the last word on this occasion, Minerva lets her microphone fall from her hands. She tilts her face up and Myles bends his head, capturing her lips with his for the gentlest of kisses. The couple break apart and Myles turns his back to leave the ring.)

James Peters: WHOA! MINERVA JUST SPRINTED TOWARDS THE ROPES TO GET A LITTLE MOMENTUM!

Rich Russillo: MYLES WHIPS AROUND AS MINERVA LOOKS FOR ‘THE DEVIL’S TOUCH’!!! THE STUNNING SUPERKICK CO-

Persephone: DOES NOT CONNECT! MYLES CAUGHT HER FOOT! HE LOOKS AMUSED AS MINERVA LOOKS AT HIM WIDE-EYED! HE PULLS HER TOWARDS HIM AND SCOOPS HER UP! HE’S GUNNA NAIL HIS FUTURE WIFE WITH THE ‘DE FACTO’!!! YES!!! MYLES IS GOING TO PUT MINERVA IN HER PLACE!!!

(Instead of planting Minerva in the middle of the ring with his finisher, Myles smacks her on the backside and sits her down. He shoots her a look before bending down and scooping up her championship belt. He tosses a surprised Minerva the belt and takes a deep breath.)

Myles: (off-camera) I’ve been doing my homework.

(And with that, he exits the ring almost like he wasn’t surprised at what just happened. Minerva is, though, and she watches the love of her life calmly walk down the steps and head up the ramp. She never takes her eyes off of him, but Myles doesn’t bother looking back. The fans are beside themselves over what just happened and Voltage dramatically fades into a commercial break.)

(Commercial break for CTE awareness starring Xander Payne. Protect your head and don’t become a statistic like the former World Heavyweight Champion.)

(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)

Bella Braxton: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!

( “Do What I Want” by Lil Uzi Vert hits to cheers from the crowd.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first from Chicago, Illinois weighing in at 212 pounds he is “The Windy City Warrior” JUUUUUUUUUSTINNNNNNNNN THORRRRRRRRRRRRSONNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!

(Justin Thorson walks to the ring silently. He looks ready to compete here tonight on Voltage. He doesn’t appear to be phased by last week’s loss and the fans are excited to see him in action again this week. They are cheering him on and hoping for a better result this time. Thorson smiles and waves to the fans in an attempt to show his gratitude for their appreciation.)

Rich Russillo: Well last week Justin Thorson took on Trish Edwardson but unfortunately he came up short.

James Peters: That’s right. Trish Edwardson continues her winning ways! But this week is Justin’s chance to make a strong comeback! Can he do it tho?

Rich Russillo: Justin Thorson not looking phased by last week’s loss. That is the right attitude to have and these fans are fully behind him and want to see him pick up a win this time.

James Peters: Justin came close on many occasions. Tonight could be the night things finally turn around for him!

(‘Seek and Destroy’ by Metallica hits to boos from the crowd.)

Bella Braxton: And his opponent from Birmingham, England weighing in at 140 pounds she is “The Ripper” HALSEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY NEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLL!!!!

(Halsey Neel is shown walking to the ring very calmly in a quiet professional manner. She ignores the boos from the crowd as she surveys the arena with a stern look. It is clear that she is analyzing everything she sees before she steps into the ring. She tilts her head slightly as she looks at Justin in the ring before entering and standing in her corner patiently waiting for the bell.)

Rich Russillo: Well we have seen in recent weeks that Halsey Neel has come into conflict with Ronan Malosi quite frequently. Ronan got really upset backstage because he heard that Sierra and Candice were talking to her.

James Peters: Ronan is clearly the jealous type. He just needs to chill out.

Rich Russillo: Well some people think that they are keeping secrets from Ronan and that there is something going on here. I am not sure who would bother to plot some sort of conspiracy against Ronan of all people but I guess it is possible.

James Peters: Halsey Neel is a very professional and serious competitor here in EAW. You can tell that tonight perhaps more than ever she is all business. That could spell bad news for Justin Thorson!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Rich Russillo: The match begins as Halsey Neel and Justin Thorson are mean mugging each other across the ring. They are looking very intensely at each other as they are almost daring the other to make the first move. Thorson is waiting for Halsey to strike, paying close attention but she is unphased and they just circle around each other in the ring before locking up aggressively. Halsey manages to yank Justin into a Headlock but Justin tosses her away from him into the ropes. Halsey bounces back off the ropes and the two collide bashing shoulders in the ring. Thorson staggers back as Halsey leaps into the air with a perfect form Missile Dropkick taking him down to the mat. Halsey stalks Justin as he pulls himself up in the corner grabbing a quick breather away from his opponent here tonight.

James Peters: Justin Thorson back into the middle of the ring as he and Halsey Neel circle once more before locking up again looking to start things off once again. This time Justin uses all of his power to shove Halsey up against the ropes but she reverses it spinning Justin around pushing his back into the ropes. Thorson into the ropes as the referee forces a break and he shoves Halsey hard away from him! But Halsey immediately retaliates with a charging European Uppercut catching Justin off guard and sending him staggering across the ring. Wait watch out! The uppercut knocked Thorson into the ropes and he came blasting off them with a Double Axe Handle slamming right into the skull of Halsey! Halsey goes down and that powerful strike really did a number on her there! Halsey back up as Justin looks to take advantage grabbing her arm and yanking it down whipping her across the ring. Halsey tries to roll out of harms way to the outside of the ring which she does so wisely taking a breather.

Rich Russillo: The referee now keeping Justin Thorson from leaving the ring and going after Halsey Neel on the outside. But Justin eventually gets tired of waiting! Halsey resting on the barricade on the outside and didn’t notice Justin slide out of the ring and attack her from behind! Justin grabs the skull of Halsey and bashes her face first into the barricade at ringside! Halsey falls to the ground holding her skull in pain from said bashing. Halsey back up as she fights back with a series of right hands to Justin but Justin fires back with an uppercut of his own dropping Halsey. Justin grabs the arm of Halsey and slams it on top of the steel ring steps at ringside! Halsey screams out in pain from the impact of her flesh on steel and that had to hurt real bad!

James Peters: Justin Thorson tosses Halsey Neel back into the ring. Thorson grabs the arm of Halsey and wrenches her down to her knees before dropping the elbow right across her arm socket. Justin helps Halsey back up and scoops her up to connect with a body slam! But Halsey kicks her legs like she is swimming and falls off behind Justin! Halsey charges in with a forearm angled downward right into the leg of the leg of Justin causing him to collapse! Justin’s ankles just completely gave out there! And now Halsey taking advantage stomping away at the legs and knees of Justin on the ground not letting up for a moment.

Persephone: Hopefully this match never lets up. Not even for a moment. :wow:

Rich Russillo: Halsey Neel grabs the leg of Justin Thorson yanking up on it and targeting the inner leg with a series of stomps. Justin tries to move away but Halsey has him trapped and grounded in a bad way. Justin tries to grab the ropes to pull herself away but Halsey grabs the leg of Justin and drops a double knee right into it! Halsey targeting the leg and that could prove to be Justin’s undoing if he is unable to get back up in the future of the match! Justin under the ropes holding his leg as Halsey yanks him back up to his feet. His leg gives out as Halsey grabs him by the neck using him as he falls naturally down dropping him into a light speed DDT! Halsey into the first cover of this match!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-

James Peters: Kickout by Justin Thorson! Justin tries to roll away but Halsey Neel immediately grabs him and delivers a hard stomp to the leg stopping him in his tracks. Halsey grabs the leg of Justin and twists it around… The Figure 4 Leglock has been applied! Halsey is really cranking on that leg and Justin is going to have no choice but to tap out! Justin trying desperately to reach the ropes flailing his arms. Maybe he can turn it over and release the pressure! But Halsey is managing to keep it locked in really upping the torque! She is going to snap his leg! Justin really reaching and crawling backwards towards the ropes! He just might make it! Wait! He might have done it!

Rich Russillo: Justin Thorson manages to power a leg out of the Figure 4 Leg Lock breaking the hold! But Halsey Neel holds onto one of the ankles twisting it around! But Justin with his other leg he uses it to kick her face shoving her away from him with the force! Justin free as he pushes himself back up to his feet and this is his chance! Justin limping just a little bit as he makes his way over to Halsey and grabs her as she is getting back up. Justin grabs Halsey and spins her around with as much force as he can muster and throws her shoulder first into the turnbuckles! Halsey goes spearing through the ropes and her shoulder collides with the ring post and that had to hurt! Halsey yells out in pain and she may have just separated her whole shoulder right there!

James Peters: Now Justin Thorson able to get a quick breather here. He regains his footing and pulls Halsey Neel out of the corner dragging her back into the ring. He grabs the arm and drops it down over his knee, hurting the shoulder further. Halsey pulls herself up in the corner but Justin charges in with a running shoulder spearing her back first into the corner as her shoulder bounces off the top turnbuckle causing her to cry out in pain. Justin finding a weak spot to target now as he continues to deliver shoulder thrusts into the gut of Halsey repeatedly in the corner. Justin backs up as he goes to charge in and hit another spear into the corner!

Persephone: Wait! Halsey Neel got her knee up! You could call that the Halsey Nee! 😃 !

Rich Russillo: I will never call it that. However, that knee was effective from Halsey Neel! Justin Thorson crashed head first right into it there! Now he is staggered back and Halsey looking to take advantage. Hard kick to the ankle from Halsey immediately drops Justin down to one knee. Halsey takes advantage grabbing him by the neck and hits a modified swinging Neck Breaker to drop Justin to the mat flat on his back. Hard stomp right to the sternum from Halsey as Justin finds himself right back where he was just a short time before. Halsey grabs the leg of Justin and slides out of the ring. Halsey grabs the leg and swings it around right into the metal pole of the ring and she is doing some real damage! Justin might not be able to walk anymore! Hard slam again into the metal post as Justin rolls to the outside of the ring in pain and Halsey is going to let the referee count him out!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE! TE-

James Peters: But Justin Thorson manages to make it back into the ring just in time! Halsey Neel was waiting for him as he rolls back in and connects with a Curb Stomp to the head! It’s gotta be over after that! Halsey with the cover!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: Justin Thorson kicks out using his one good leg! Surprised he was able to kick out I thought that Curb Stomp would have knocked him unconscious for sure! Halsey Neel now back to stalking Justin. Halsey pulls Justin back up… but Justin with a rising Uppercut right to the jaw of Halsey catching her off guard! She nearly wobbles backwards and almost falls over but instead bounces back off the ropes! Justin grabs Halsey and takes her down with a Belly to Belly Suplex! Justin slides into the cover!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

James Peters: The kickout by Halsey Neel! The match continues on as Justin Thorson immediately traps Halsey into an armbar. Justin wrenches the arm around and places his knee down atop the face of Halsey really pressing it in as he does some serious damage contorting her body in that manner. This time Halsey may be the one with no choice but to tap out here tonight! Halsey manages to slide her head out from under Justin’s knee as she twists her arm around slowly rotating her body around on the mat to gain her footing. Halsey pulls herself back up to her feet as Justin continues to hold onto her arm. Halsey manages to gain her footing back and uses her other arm to punch away at Justin repeatedly until she forces him to break the arm! But he holds on and pulls her down to her knees wrenching the arm around behind her head for extra measure!

Persephone: OH WOW! I THINK HALSEY TAPPED OUT! DID YOU SEE THAT?

James Peters: :skip: That literally didn’t happen. You just want the match to end!

Rich Russillo: Yeah, she didn’t tap at all! Instead Halsey Neel forces herself back up to her feet and walks around the ring in a circle to force Justin Thorson to release the armbar behind her head! Hard jab to the gut from Halsey to Thorson! And another! And another! She is fighting back! Halsey wrenches her arm free from Justin and uses the other arm to punch him in the face! Justin charges in but Halsey with repeated forearm strikes to the skull rocking him back! Justin retaliates with forearm strikes of his own as they go back and forth! Halsey with a kick to the gut and a big uppercut gaining the upperhand sending Justin back first into the ropes! Halsey grabs the arm of Justin and goes to whip him across the ring!

James Peters: No! Justin Thorson holds onto the arm of Halsey Neel and whips her around and takes her down to the mat with a big Tilt-A-Whirl Slam! Justin got all of that as he slides into the cover!!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: Halsey Neel kicks out just in time! Justin Thorson thought he could put her away cracking her back like that but Halsey stays in this thing! Justin stalking Halsey now looks like he has devious intentions as he waits for her to get back up. He is going for some sort of killing blow you can just feel it! However, Justin gets tired of waiting! He goes to grab Hals-

James Peters: BUT HALSEY NEEL IMMEDIATELY TRANSITIONS INTO A SMALL PACKAGE ON JUSTIN THORSON! HALSEY LOOKING TO STEAL ONE HERE!!!

Persephone: COUNT IT REF! COUNT IT QUICKLY! I MEAN THE NORMAL RULE ABIDING SPEED!

Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: Justin Thorson manages to break up the Small Package! Wow! I really thought Halsey had it there!!! Halsey Neel back up as she is waiting for Justin with some dark intentions in her eyes. She isn’t going to steal the win… but she has something in mind to truly earn it! What will it be?!?!

James Peters: THE FALL! HALSEY GETS ALL OF THAT ADJUSTMENT PILEDRIVER BEFORE LOCKING IN THE DESTRUCTION OF EVERYTHING!!!

Persephone: JUSTIN THORSON TAPS OUT! WOW! DID YOU SEE THAT?!?

James Peters: This time I actually did see that! Justin taps out!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… HALSEYYYYYYYYYYY NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL!!!!!!!

(‘Seek and Destroy’ by Metallica hits to boos from the crowd as the referee raises Halsey Neel’s arm in victory.)

Rich Russillo: Unfortunately for Justin Thorson tonight was not the night he turned things around and started picking up wins. Maybe next time!

James Peters: Halsey Neel not allowing Justin Thorson to get one over on her. She was all business here tonight and really left no openings for her opponent to exploit. When Halsey is on her game she truly is a force to be reckoned with.

Rich Russillo: That’s true. Ronan Malosi should definitely think twice before crossing her!

(The camera cuts to a commercial from the Saudi Arabia royal family offering to buy EAW.)

[SCREENBAR: MIAMI, FLORIDA – LIVE VIA SATELLITE]

(Sunday Night Voltage opens up away from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, instead the shot resides in Miami, Florida. The camera pans down to reveal the doctor’s office of Dr. Bethany Blue M.D…. obviously not in the best of shape. After the Universal Women’s Champion Sienna Jade invaded and ransacked the place, the inside is an absolute wreck. From the thousands of dollars of equipment that’s been smashed up, to the unfortunate incident leaving the front window of the office completely shattered, the damage is near irreparable in a short amount of time. Despite all of that, right now it’s completely empty… except for one person. A lone figure is seen making their way around, assessing the damage, and upon further examination and context clues, it’s revealed that it’s none other than the Empress of Elite herself. Bethany, despite everything that’s happened, has a composed expression on her face while she circles around, sweeping away glass shards with her feet and clearing away a path for herself amidst all the carnage. The wind from outside blows into the building, allowing her hair to flow while she looks downward, and it’s been made apparent that there’s an unfathomable amount of rage inside of her knowing precisely what happened. She takes a chair from the waiting area and drags it to the center of the lobby, taking a seat and clasping her hands together. The camera completely focuses on her while The Good Doctor looks up from where she’s seated and opens her mouth.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: And now it’s personal.

(Bethany takes a look around once again, unable to help herself, before looking back at the camera after her pause in words and continuing.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: The insurance company is getting back to me on the price of the damages, but I can only assume it’s in the thousands considering all the equipment, furniture, and technology that is practically useless now. That’s fine, it can be fixed, but something I can’t just brush away is the mental and physical damage that has been done to my father, Dr. BJ Hardick, who has been hospitalized with a punctured lung due to glass shards cutting deep into his skin. Is this the game that we’re going to play, Sienna? Are these the lengths that we’re going to go to in order to prove a point? Not just coming at me, but my family, my livelihood, everything that I have been working for… just to give yourself some peace of mind. I could’ve very well made plans to take a trip to Seattle, Washington next week and strangle you until your eyes pop out live in your hometown on live TV, but I bit my tongue. I went back home, because there are some things that are way more than professional wrestling, and even though I’ve had my problems when it comes to family, I will always be there for them ESPECIALLY if what has happened is my doing. That’s right, you don’t need to take accountability for it, Sienna. What happened is my fault, I allowed you to run amok and fed your ego enough so you’d be of the belief that you can get away with this. That this would be fair game, that this would be… rational. I feel like an idiot, I should’ve expected it from a slithering snake like you. But even though I’m sitting here punching myself for what YOU’VE done, that doesn’t mean I can’t make things right. It does not mean that something cannot come of this.

(Bethany scoops up a picture frame that fell off the wall, with that being a copy of her PhD. She stares at it, before dropping it back down and looking up.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: Revenge is a dish best served cold, and believe me I am counting the days until King of Elite. Less than three weeks – 20 days – Saturday, February 4th. It’s then that I am entering the ring for more than just the Universal Women’s Championship, I enter as more than just Dr. Bethany Blue M.D.. I enter as Bethany Janelle Cockburn, scorned and fighting for her pride. It’s then that I vow to make sure that Sienna Jade is left in a state where she will go right back on another two year break and especially when I get my hands on her make sure that this time she won’t even THINK of coming back. Sienna, you chose to make this personal, and because you did that I am going to show that it was a huge mistake on your part. ESPECIALLY with someone like myself who has shown what she’s capable of when all bets are off and the shackles are released. All of this started because you didn’t know what you were getting yourself into, and now you’re STILL in over your head because you THINK that I’m just going to let you run off and get away with ALL OF THIS. Well sorry to inform you, but you’re dead wrong. You’re getting a personalized asskicking, courtesy of Dr. Bethany Blue… E.. O… E.

(Bethany shoots up and flips the chair over in anger, taking one good look at the camera who has panned up to show her face before she storms out of the office building. The room is left in utter, absolutely deafening, silence, as it’s the last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage from there begins to transition back to the arena.)

(The camera goes to a panaround shot of the Moda Arena, returning back to the scene with the crowd being absolutely dead silent in shock and remorse thanks to the video package that was just shown. But what doesn’t help at all is what hits the speakers afterward… and it’s ‘Unf**ckwithable’ by Deez Nuts.)

Rich Russillo: I am… I just… I don’t know what to say.

(The crowd erupts in a record breaking amount of boos, just pure negativity drowning out the entrance theme right now. The camera goes over to the stage to reveal Sienna Jade, dressed to compete, who could not be more over her head tonight. She’s cackling her butt off while brandishing the Universal Women’s Championship over her shoulder, soaking in all of the jeers and boos while raising her title high into the air. She points to herself, running her mouth on and on to no end while she makes her way down the ramp. Bella Braxton can’t even introduce her due to the overwhelming amount of noise that has taken over the broadcast.)

Rich Russillo: This… vile… despicable… human being, I’m in shock. Not even letting the wound heal, Sienna Jade is out here tonight to rub it all in. Now that we have the opportunity to talk about this tonight… I’m just, I’m speechless.

Persephone: What a sickening woman! How could she! Justice will be served!!! Although that was pretty awesome what she did, even though it totally doesn’t fit with the Disney standards!

James Peters: The show must go on though, and Sienna Jade is out here tonight to cut a promo about what happened on Dynasty. It’s very distasteful sure, but the Universal Women’s Champion wanted more eyes and attention and she got just that. Now the whole world is going to tune in for what she has to say in wake of Friday’s events.

(Sienna makes her way up the steel steps and slips through the ropes and into the ring, already gripping a microphone in hand. She makes her way over to the center of the ring, scanning around once more at the crowd who hasn’t let up and has continued to make it known how they feel about the Universal Women’s Champion here tonight. ‘Unf**kwithable’ begins to come to a close with just raw boos pouring in, and with that Sienna’s expression of arrogance and cockiness begins to flush away, leaving a surprisingly solemn look on her face.)

Sienna Jade: I was going to come out here to brag about what happened, but after having the past two days to think about it, I realized what I had done. There have been instances in the past of Elitists, including myself, pushing the limits of how far we can go, and what happened on Dynasty… I definitely crossed that line. It was what Bethany said, it was more than just wrestling at that point, I had caused irreparable damage not just to her, but her family. I just now realized the fault in my actions, and I’m here to say that I apologize, I’m sorry…

(The crowd’s boos begin to die down a little, confused about what’s happening right now more than anything else.)

Sienna Jade: I’m sorry… FOR NOT DOING IT SOONER.

(Right then and there, the boos begin to kick back in with Sienna cackling while holding her microphone. She shakes her head before continuing.)

Sienna Jade: Gullible idiots, I could care less about what I’ve done. Heck yes I made this thing personal, it would be boring for me if I had to subject myself to listening to what Bethany likes to think an underdog sounds like. I had to light a fire under her and truly get things going, NOW it’s interesting, NOW I’ve done something to kick her into overdrive and I love it. You want to know something Bethany? On your end it may look like I’m the villain, it may look like I’ve done something wrong and that I deserve to be punished for it. But really, do you want to know the truth? Bethany, you’ve had it coming since the very beginning. I’m a legend in Elite Answers Wrestling for a reason, and if you think that you’re just going to ruin what has been one of not just the best Universal Women’s Championship reigns, but the best title reign STRAIGHT that EAW has seen in recent memory and humiliate me every chance that you get… Well then, you deserve everything that’s happened to you tenfold.

(Sienna brings her microphone down and pauses, allowing the crowd to continue, before bringing it up and continuing to speak.)

Sienna Jade: If you think what I did to your daddy and what I put him through was bad, just wait and see what I have in store for my opponent tonight. Let’s get this over with, I’m tired of being here, bring her out NOW.

(Sienna slams her microphone down to the ground and kicks it out to ringside, before she begins to get ready for her impromptu match RIGHT NOW while a referee slides into the ring. Bella Braxton is standing by at ringside.)

Rich Russillo: Well I didn’t expect this, it seems that the Universal Women’s Champion is in action tonight!

James Peters: And looking to send a message to Bethany by battering whoever is going to come out to the ring. We’re going to be seeing this match LIVE after this short commercial break.

(A commercial is shown for the new ‘JOSH’ shirt on EAWShop starring Jake Smith.)

(Sunday Night Voltage comes back to ‘Unf**ckwithable’ playing in the background while Bella Braxton has made her way into the ring with a microphone.)

Bella Braxton: The following contest is scheduled for…

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Bella Braxton: Already in the ring… residing in Seattle, Washington… weighing in at 135 pounds… she is the EAW UNIVERSAL WOMEN’S CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!!! ‘THE GREATEST’… SIENNA JADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(‘Best Damn Thing’ by Avril Lavigne is heard playing up, with the crowd surprised to see a returning McCall Everett make her way out from the backstage area. She is all smiles while she waves around at the crowd who are responsive with loud cheers. She then begins to make her way down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: And her opponent… from Enumclaw, Washington… weighing in at 107 pounds… ‘SKATER GURL’… MCCALL EVERETT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: Well what a surprise! Welcome back from the break and the person who is coming out to the ring to face the Universal Women’s Champion Sienna Jade is none other than McCall Everett. Now I hope my bias doesn’t come through when I say this… but it would certainly be nice to see Sienna get a taste of her own medicine.

Persephone: Yes! Totally not a filler match to feed Sienna’s ego!

James Peters: McCall has a huge opportunity tonight, and I can’t wait to see what she’s able to do against such tough competition.

(McCall slides into the ring and throws a finger up in the air while the crowd continues to show their support for the ‘Skater Gurl’. She brings her hands down before making her way over to her corner, getting ready while ‘Best Damn Thing’ begins to come to a close and the referee signals for the bell.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Rich Russillo: What should be an entertaining match is officially underway here tonight, with Sienna Jade taking a trip to Voltage and finding herself against a plucky McCall Everett. McCall begins to make her way over to the center of the ring-

James Peters: OH! SIENNA JUST CLOBBERED MCCALL WITH A LARIAT TO THE HEAD! MCCALL DROPS AND SIENNA WASTES ZERO TIME MOUNTING ON TOP OF HER AND SLAMMING PUNCHES DOWN ONTO HER FACE REPEATEDLY! SHE SAID SHE WANTED TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF HER OPPONENT TONIGHT AS A WARNING HEADING INTO KING OF ELITE, AND SHE’S DOING JUST THAT TO POOR MCCALL EVERETT!

(The referee forces Sienna to relent, as she lets up and holds her hands in the air. McCall, grabbing her head in pain thanks to the attack, grabs the ropes and crawls herself toward a corner, leaning against the bottom turnbuckle and trying to recuperate before Sienna can try anything else.)

Persephone: Oh that poor innocent girl! What is Voltage going to do without her???

Rich Russillo: SIENNA CONTINUES THE ASSAULT AS SHE RUSHES FORWARD AND CONNECTS WITH A BIG BOOT STRAIGHT TO HER SKULL! Sienna takes a step back, getting a running start… BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A SECOND BIG BOOT FOR GOOD MEASURE! Sienna now grabs her by the head and tugs her lifeless body out of the corner, BEFORE THROWING HER THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE AND OUT OF THE RING!

James Peters: Sienna drops down and rolls out before making her way over to McCall, setting her up, Wheelbarrow… BEFORE SLAMMING MCCALL’S SHOULDER VICIOUSLY INTO THE BARRICADE! Sienna isn’t done as she keeps a hold of her, DOING SO ONE MORE TIME!

(McCall drops to the ground screaming in pain, clutching her shoulder which is aching right now. Sienna simply places her foot onto said shoulder and leans down.)

Sienna Jade: (Off-Mic) Oh honey, you shouldn’t have done this to yourself.

(Sienna presses down on her shoulder, causing McCall to scream louder.)

Rich Russillo: There’s no need for this! Hasn’t the damage already been done! Just finish the match and stop the pain already!

Persephone: No no, I think this match needs to go on longer! What a back and forth!

James Peters: Sienna tugs McCall back up to her feet again, BEFORE TURNING HER AND DRIVING HER INTO THE EDGE OF THE RING APRON SHOULDER FIRST! Sienna then rolls her back into the ring, closing in on her while McCall struggles to even be able to move around at the moment…

Rich Russillo: CLOSING IT OFF WITH ‘RDG’! BRIDGING FISHERMAN SUPLEX CALLS FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE END WITH SIENNA PINNING!

OOONNNEEE!!!

TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!

TTTTTHHHHHRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

(‘Unf**kwithable’ begins to play up while Sienna Jade lets go of McCall Everett and sits back up with a smirk on her face. The crowd is absolutely thunderous, making it known that they simply do not like that woman, while the referee makes their way over and hands Sienna the Universal Women’s Championship before raising her hand in the air, afterward quickly tending to McCall who looks hurt right now.)

Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… the EAW UNIVERSAL WOMEN’S CHAMPION!!!!!! SIENNA JADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Persephone: FIVE STARS! FIVE STARS!!!

James Peters: Well, I… I’m just as speechless as you are Rich. If what happened on Dynasty wasn’t enough, Sienna wasted no time after the fact trying to rub in her superiority over everyone else, humiliating poor McCall Everett and getting a win under her belt tonight here on Voltage. Just a reminder that she said this is what she was going to do to Bethany.

Rich Russillo: With how merciless the Universal Women’s Champion has become, it wouldn’t surprise me if she went for the head against Bethany at King of Elite. Then again, seeing what she’s done to Bethany, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Empress of Elite went out of her way to do the same. It’s… it’s something, and I guess we’re just going to have to wait until next week to see how this situation progresses.

(Sienna shoves the referee away who was checking on McCall, clutching her shoulder with tears swelling her eyes. She feels no remorse for the Elitist, stepping on her body and taking her title before raising it in the air, yelling at the cameraman to get a good look at it while she does so. It’s the last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage from there begins to fade out to commercial break.)

(Promotional ad showcasing the King of Elite tournament bracket, as well as the Empress of Elite bracket.)

(“What’s up Danger” by Blackway & Black Caviar hits, as Korey Gaines steps out onto the stage to a loud mixed reaction from the crowd. Korey bobs his head up and down, as he gets himself into the zone before heading down to the ring for his upcoming match.)

Bella Braxton: The following contest is set for..

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Bella Braxton: Introducing first, from Oklahoma City Oklahoma.. Weighing 170 pounds!! KOREY GAINES!!!

James Peters: The Extreme Korey Gaines is here and ready to fight!!

Rich Russillo: He may be lighter than most Elitists, but that gives him the ability to move faster and be much more dynamic with his style of wrestling! One thing I know about this match is that it’s going to be exciting with Gaines in the ring.

(“Spaceship II” by Alex Wiley and Chance the Rapper hits, as the crowd boos heavily. Out steps Sierra Everett, as Ronan Malosi follows behind. The two lock eyes with Korey Gaines in the ring, and that makes Korey hop up and down in preparation for this match.)

Bella Braxton: And his opponent!! Being accompanied by Ronan Malosi!! Weighing in at 132 pounds!! From Charlotte, North Carolina!!! SIERRA EVERETT!!

James Peters: Another dynamic wrestler, Sierra Everett has all of the tools to make this match exciting as well. A competitive bout is definitely in the cards tonight.

Rich Russillo: But the huge question mark that we have right now revolves around that man right there, Ronan Malosi. You can’t tell me that Ronan isn’t going to stick his nose into this match.

Persephone: You’ve got that right, but let’s see how Korey handles it all!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Rich Russillo: There’s the bell and now this match is underway! Korey Gaines and Sierra Everrett are both two fast and athletic Elitists that are sure to showcase their strengths against one another tonight!

James Peters: You’ve got that right, Rich. Just looking at them now, you can see that explosive step on Korey Gaines when both he and Sierra are circling around in the center of the ring!

Rich Russillo: And here comes Korey Gaines with the attack! Discus elbow smash!!!

Persephone: NO!! Sierra ducks underneath the arm, and continues running towards the far ropes!! She rebounds off of the ropes, and makes her way back towards Korey who has just regained his balance.. RUNNING KNEE BY SIERRA EVERRETT!!!

James Peters: Wow!! That one smacked Korey hard across the face, and knocked him right down to a knee!

Rich Russillo: And I think Sierra is going to use this position that Korey is in against him!! She hooks his head tight in a front facelock, and.. SNAP DDT!!! KOREY’S HEAD JUST SMACKED AGAINST THE RING MAT!!!

Persephone: Sierra now makes her way up to her feet, and reaches down to grab at Korey’s legs!

James Peters: She has a hold of them, and.. She’s attempting to turn him over!!! That’s.. THAT’S THE BOSTON CRAB THAT SHE’S GOING FOR!!!

Rich Russillo: But the core and hip strength of Korey Gaines is preventing Everrett from turning him over!! He’s fighting as hard as he can so that he doesn’t get turned onto his stomach. And..

James Peters: Wait look!!! Korey just switches his hips hard, and that throws Sierra Everrett off of him, as she falls off to the side near the ring ropes.

Persephone: Sierra pops up to her feet, and charges right back at Korey with the hopes of keeping the momentum on her side..

Rich Russillo: BUT SHE RUNS RIGHT INTO A SPINNING HEEL KICK TO THE STOMACH BY GAINES!! That one knocked the wind right out of her, as she hunched over and clutched at her midsection in pain immediately after impact!!

James Peters: Korey pops her back into an upright standing position with a kick to the chest! He then shoves her back, as Sierra takes a few steps back. She then responds by stepping up towards Korey.. BUT IT’S KOREY WITH A STEP UP KNEE STRIKE THAT CATCHES SIERRA IN THE FACE!!!

Rich Russillo: That one really popped her right there. She struggles to stay standing, and even falls against the ring ropes. Sierra is definitely groggy, and Korey needs to capitalize on this!

Persephone: And that’s exactly what he is doing, as he now charges towards Sierra and.. DROPKICKS HER RIGHT THROUGH THE RING ROPES!!! SIERRA GETS SENT RIGHT OUT OF THE RING, AND SHE CRASHES HARD DOWN ONTO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR!!!

James Peters: Korey Gaines looks right at Sierra Everett, and watches her struggle to get up to her hands and knees. He sees his opening! He’s ready to take flight!! Gaines runs his way over to the far ropes!! He rebounds back in Sierra’s direction, as she slowly works up to her feet.. Korey leaps-

Rich Russillo: WAIT NO!! Korey holds off on a suicide dive attempt, as we see that it’s none other than Ronan Malosi standing in Korey’s way, blocking his path to Sierra!!

James Peters: And here comes the boos from the crowd. They definitely didn’t like that at all.

Persephone: And neither did Korey, as he looks pissed off, rolls out of the ring, and steps towards Ronan Malosi.

Rich Russillo: I can’t quite tell what he’s yelling at Ronan right now, but Korey is not happy.

James Peters: But we all knew this would happen. Ronan Malosi will always be that annoying thorn in the side wherever he is. And tonight, unfortunately for Gaines, it’s his side that Ronan is pressing against.

Rich Russillo: And of course Ronan acts as if he is doing absolutely nothing wrong. He’s playing the victim, as Korey continues to mouth off in his face!! Malosi backs away as Korey gets even more intense, however, after a moment of bickering at Ronan Malosi, Korey turns his attention back towards Sierra Everett..

James Peters: AND SHE RUSHES HIM WITH A HEAD SCISSORS TAKEDOWN THAT SMACKS KOREY’S BACK AGAINST THE THINLY PADDED RINGSIDE FLOOR!!! Korey arches his back in pain, and slowly works up to his hands and knees. He gets himself up to his feet, and.. HE’S MET WITH A PALM STRIKE BY SIERRA!!!

Persephone: That one smacked him hard and caused a high-pitched echo throughout this arena. Sierra loads up again.. AND CONNECTS WITH ANOTHER PALM STRIKE ACROSS THE CHEST!!!

James Peters: The referee has gotten to a count of four right now, and Sierra Everett is about done here at ringside. She begins to make her way back towards the ring. She climbs up the steps, and stands on the ring apron before stepping through the ropes and into the ri-

Persephone: Wait!! Korey has a hold of her foot!!! He’s grabbed Sierra’s boot from ringside, and he’s preventing her from entering back into the ring!!!

Rich Russillo: And Sierra is grabbing a tight hold of the top rope! She’s not letting Gaines pull her back down to the ringside floor, but he’s tugging on her leg hard!!! He’s pulling and pulling, but..

James Peters: It’s Ronan Malosi!!! Ronan steps towards Korey, and this causes Korey to lose his focus, as his attention goes right back towards Ronan!!!

Persephone: AND SIERRA KICKS HER LEG FREE!!! SHE THEN KICKS KOREY IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD, AS HE STUMBLES OVER!!! Korey then turns and looks at Sierra Everett…. TORNADO DDT BY SIERRA!!!!

Rich Russillo: And it connects!! Korey Gaines just had his head bash up against the ringside floor!! And look at Ronan right now. He’s just chuckling to himself because he knows that he didn’t have to do a single thing for Korey to be put in this position right here.

James Peters: Ronan Malosi surely is affecting this match for Korey Gaines. His presence is hurting Korey’s focus, and the distractions continue to get the better of Gaines.

Rich Russillo: Korey is definitely going to need to focus up more if he intends on winning this match. Ronan Malosi has been a huge outside factor, but that’s all he is.. An outside factor. If Korey can dial in and not worry about Ronan’s tactics, he would be in a much better situation right now.

Persephone: The referee has gotten up to a count of seven. Sierra has gotten to her feet, and right beside her is Korey Gaines who is working up to a knee. However, Sierra grabs Korey, and brings him up to his feet herself. She then walks him over to the ring and slides him under the bottom rope. She then slides in as well, and hooks the leg for the pin!!!!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

TWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

THR-

James Peters: And there’s the kickout by Korey Gaines!!!

Rich Russillo: Sierra really wanted the fall right there, but was unable to get it. She rises up to her feet, and stomps down on Korey’s body before making her way over to the corner. Everett begins to scale her way up onto the top rope. She looks down at Gaines, and.. SHE LEAPS!!!

James Peters: FROG SPLASH BY SIERRA EVERETT!!!

Persephone: NO!!! GAINES GETS HIS KNEES UP, AS SIERRA CRASHES DOWN HARD INTO THEM!!!

Rich Russillo: That was not a comfortable landing at all. The wind was knocked right out of Sierra’s body after that one, and we can see her gasping for air right now. She’s clutching her midsection tight, and rolling off to the side by the ropes. Meanwhile, it’s Korey Gaines who gets to his feet and begins to make his way towards her.

James Peters: Korey has gotten to Sierra, and begins stomping away at her body!! Over and over again it’s Gaines who pelts Sierra with these brutal stomps that eventually shove her out onto the ring apron!!!

Persephone: Look!! It’s Malosi again!! He’s off to the side on another ring apron, and Korey rushes towards him!! Ronan quickly hops off of the apron and lands on the ringside floor, as he continues taunting Korey Gaines.

Rich Russillo: Korey quickly shifts his attention back towards Sierra who has gotten up to her feet on the ring apron with the help of the side ropes.. Korey rushes towards her.. AND ELBOW TO THE FACE BY KOREY GAINES!!!

James Peters: That elbow nearly shoves Sierra Everett off, however it doesn’t because she keeps a tight grip on the top rope!! Sierra pulls herself back in and smacks Korey in the face with a palm strike that staggers him back!!!

Persephone: Korey loads up and goes for another elbow strike!! This time it’s a discus elbow strike across the face!!

James Peters: But Sierra blocks it with her arm, then kicks the back of Korey’s knee!! Gaines’ legs buckle, as he slowly turns around, then goes for a roundhouse kick right across Sierra’s face!!!

Rich Russillo: But the quick reflexes of Sierra Everett manage to beat the kick, as she ducks underneath Korey’s leg, spinning him all the way around!!!

James Peters: Korey is missing strike after strike, and he isn’t too happy with that, as he makes sure he connects with the next move!! SPINNING HEEL KICK TO THE STOMACH BY KOREY GAINES!!!

Rich Russillo: And that’s exactly what happened!! He connected with that Spinning Heel kick beautifully, as Sierra had no way to duck or dodge this time!!! Sierra hunches over on the ring apron, and..

James Peters: Look!! Korey just hooked Sierra’s head with a front facelock!! What does he intend on doing here?!?

Persephone: It looks like something huge is about to happen! He pulls her into the ring, as her ankles rest up on the middle ropes!! Korey then looks at Ronan, then out towards the crowd, then back down onto Sierra Everett..

Rich Russillo: ROPE HUNG SWINGING NECKBREAKER BY KOREY GAINES!!!! WOW WHAT A MOVE!! HE MAY HAVE JUST SNAPPED SIERRA’S NECK RIGHT THERE!!! Korey quickly begins to crawl his way on top of Sierra, as he goes for the pin!!!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

TWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

THHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRR-

James Peters: And there’s the kickout by Sierra!!!

Rich Russillo: Korey Gaines thought he had the match won right there, but fortunately for us, this match still goes on!!

James Peters: There has been quite the high flying and explosive action going on throughout this match. Both Korey and Sierra have displayed incredible speed with their kicks and strikes tonight, but so far neither has been able to get the fall over the other.

Rich Russillo: I have to give Korey Gaines credit for being able to hang in this match even with the distractions made by Ronan Malosi throughout it all. Korey could have easily been finished a while ago, but he’s still fighting even with the disadvantage he has.

Persephone: Korey Gaines rises up to his feet and now grabs Sierra. He brings Everett up to her feet, then shoves her back towards the ropes!! Everett hits the ropes, then rebounds back towards him!!

James Peters: DETONATION KICK!!! SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE KICK BY KOREY GAINES!!!!

Rich Russillo: NO!!! Sierra ducks underneath the leg, hooks Gaines’ arm, and.. SHE SLINGS HIM TO THE MAT, AND LOCKS IN A FUJIWARA ARM BAR!!! THAT’S SILENT HILL!!!

Persephone: Korey Gaines is screaming in pain!! He’s trapped in this Silent Hill, as he tries to reach out for the ropes! He’s unable to grab them, as he is too close to the center!!

Rich Russillo: The screaming from Korey expresses the pain and discomfort he is going through. That arm bar is no joke. It feels like your entire arm is getting ripped from out of the shoulder socket!! Sierra is really making Korey feel it now!!!

James Peters: Korey isn’t looking too good, and you can see the concern on his face! He knows that he needs to get out of this move soon, and so he begins to really focus…

Rich Russillo: AND KOREY GETS INTO A TRIPOD STANCE, THEN ROLLS THROUGH TO BREAK OUT OF THE SUBMISSION HOLD!!!

Persephone: That was an athletic way of breaking out of her signature submission that’s for sure

James Peters: Sierra quickly rises to her feet, as Korey is already there.. KICK TO THE SIDE OF THE LEG BY GAINES!!! ANOTHER NOW TO THE OTHER LEG!!!! A THIRD KICK BY GAINES!!! A FOURTH!!! A FIFTH!!! SIXTH!!!!

Rich Russillo: SIERRA DROPS DOWN TO A KNEE!!!

James Peters: AND IT’S GAINES WITH A FILTHY SUPERKICK THAT TAGS SIERRA RIGHT UNDER THE JAW, AND SNAPS HER HEAD BACK!!! Everett instantly falls off to the side and down onto the ring mat!!

Rich Russillo: Korey Gaines is looking for the win!! He can smell it coming soon!! He looks up at the corner, then back down to Sierra!!! Gaines quickly rushes to the corner, and..

Persephone: Wait.. Why is the referee.. Oh!! The turnbuckle padding on one of the turnbuckles!! It’s not attached!! How did that happen?!

James Peters: I don’t know. I wasn’t paying attention, but the referee is fixing it up right now.

Rich Russillo: Meanwhile, on the top rope, it’s Korey Gaines!! It looks like he’s set and ready to go for the 405 Chiropractor!!!

Persephone: BUT LOOK!! IT’S RONAN ON THE RING APRON RIGHT BY KOREY!!! HE HAS STRINGS USED TO TIE THE TURNBUCKLE PADDINGS IN HIS HANDS!! IT WAS RONAN WHO TORE THE PADDING OFF!!!!!!

James Peters: AND RONAN JUMPS UP TO KNOCK KOREY IN THE FACE WITH THE DREAM CRUSHER!!! GAINES CRASHES DOWN ONTO THE RING MAT, AS RONAN HOPS OFF OF THE RING APRON AFTERWARDS!!!

Rich Russillo: And the referee didn’t see a single thing!! He’s just now finishing the buckle padding!!

Persephone: And look!! Sierra is slowly getting to her feet!! She finally gets there, and lifts Korey to his feet. He’s completely out of it right now!! Sierra spins him around.. DOUBLE KNEE BACK BREAKER BY SIERRA EVERETT!!! IT CONNECTS!!! AND NOW SHE TRANSITIONS IT INTO A CROSSFACE!! THAT’S MOUNT EVERETT!!!!!

James Peters: AND KOREY GAINES HAS NOWHERE TO GO!!! HE TRIES TO REACH OUT AND GRAB THE ROPES IN FRONT OF HIM, BUT IT’S NO USE!! He just got hit with big move after big move and it all started with Ronan’s cheap attack that knocked him off of the top rope!!! Korey tries to peel Sierra’s grip..

Rich Russillo: But he can’t break it!! Korey tries to work up, but Sierra keeps this submission hold locked in tight!! There is nothing Korey can do!! He’s trapped with nowhere to go!! He can’t break out of this!!! His hand hovers over the ring mat, as he’s about to give up!! His mind is saying no, but his body says yes!!! Sierra wrenches on the crossface even more, and.. KOREY TAPS OUT!! HE FINALLY TAPS OUT!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

(‘Spaceship II’ by Alex Wiley and Chance the Rapper hits, as the crowd boos heavily. Sierra Everett rises up to her feet where the referee raises her hand. Ronan Malosi then joins her in the ring and begins applauding her work against Korey Gaines.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner!!! SIERRA EVERETT!!

Rich Russillo: What a match that was tonight, however, we can’t ignore Ronan’s involvement throughout.

James Peters: Yeah, it really put a handicap on Korey Gaines tonight, and ultimately became the reason as to why Korey lost.

Persephone: Korey had no chance at winning tonight with Ronan Malosi in Sierra’s corner, and I don’t think Korey is going to take what happened tonight lightly.

Rich Russillo: Surely not, but that just makes you wonder what is going to happen next.

(The screen shows Korey looking up at Ronan and Sierra in frustration. He can’t believe he let himself fall to Ronan’s tricks tonight, and to make things worse, he has to watch Sierra celebrate with a submission victory over him. Sierra continues to celebrate her win, as the screen fades elsewhere.)

(Commercial promoting Jake Smith’s Teramana Tequila, which he keeps begging people to buy.)

(Sunday Night Voltage fades back into the arena with ‘Self Help Tape’ by Moses Sumney beginning to blast through the speakers of the arena. The crowd in Portland, Oregon tonight erupt into cheers upon the camera showing the Voltage Commissioner Captain Charisma begin to make his way out from the backstage area and toward the stage. He has a smile on his face while he looks around at the crowd who is on their feet tonight for the EAW Hall of Famer. He takes a moment before nodding his head and beginning to make his way down the ramp and toward the ring, perhaps here to make a huge announcement.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… THE COMMISSIONER OF SUNDAY NIGHT VOLTAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAPTAIN CHARISMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Captain Charisma passes the bottom of the ramp before heading around the ring, stepping up the steel steps and stepping onto the apron. He enters the ring before climbing up to the top rope, looking around at the crowd here tonight before jumping down onto the canvas. He takes a microphone from the timekeeper’s area before heading back. ‘Self Help Tape’ begins to come to a close while he takes a moment before bringing his microphone up to his mouth and beginning to speak.)

Captain Charisma: I can see that you all have been enjoying Voltage a lot recently. I mean how could you not? We’re in the middle of this highly competitive King of Elite tournament and things are only getting better. The first round here on Voltage showcased some stellar matchups that really highlighted how competitive it really is here on the Voltage brand. TLA versus Samael, Myles versus Drake, Theron Nikolas versus Daryl Kinkade, and even the newcomers such as Mercer McKay and Justin Thorson did great. Our first round matchups were at the level of finals match ups. Former King of Elite winners, former finalists, former world champions, future world champions.. You name it, and Voltage supplied it for this King of Elite tournament. Win or lose, I’m proud of how each of my Elitists performed in that first round, and tonight we will all get treated to two more matches in the King of Elite. TLA and Mercer McKay meet in the second round, then in the main event, we’ll have Drake King taking on Theron Nikolas for their second round matchup. These are two marquee matchups that you can’t miss out on! We’re getting closer and closer to that King of Elite finals, and I know all four of them are going to deliver with stellar matches tonight.

(The crowd begins to cheer as they are genuinely excited for both of those matches tonight especially after witnessing all of the first round matches that Voltage has had over the past few weeks. The King of Elite tournament is heating up and especially with the potential matchups there is a lot to look forward to.)

Captain Charisma: And with the King of Elite tournament nearing its finale with every week that passes by, I can’t help but notice that Pain for Pride is right around the corner. The Pinnacle of Efeds. The biggest and greatest event on this planet!! Whether it’s their first time competing in it or the fifteenth, You already know how pumped up and ready this roster is for Pain for Pride. With that said, I can’t express enough how important this time of the year is for all EAW Elitists, because now is the time to showcase what you are capable of in order to end the season on a high note. You see, the beginning of this season saw Elitists making names for themselves like ARIA who has emerged as the Specialists Champion and Hikari Kanno who holds the Hardcore title.. While other Elitists have added onto their legacy’s like Minerva and Charlie Marr who both had impressive reigns with their titles to start the season. There have been so many opportunities this season for growth no matter who you are or what you’ve accomplished in the past, and that’s what I like the most as a general manager. I like watching my roster flourish and grow, and because of that, I’m going to make sure that I continue to give my Elitists the opportunity to show us all what they can do. So at King of Elite, I will give the Voltage roster another opportunity to do just that in the form of a Scaffold Match!!!

(The crowd cheers loudly in excitement. The sound of a scaffold match really catches the attention of the crowd, because they know that this match is going to be amazing.)

Captain Charisma: The Opportunity Match from last year that resulted in Hikari Kanno, Candice Blair, and Ryan Wilson winning received a very good reception, so we’re bringing it back in a way. You see, the Scaffold Opportunity match is going to be very similar to last year’s match. However, like always, we have to outdo ourselves and be bigger and better than before, so this time around, there will be a scaffold high above the ring, and above that there will be two briefcases with unique opportunities in them. The first two Elitists to grab these briefcases will be awarded with whatever is inside. You heard that right. Two briefcases. Two winners. More opportunities to show exactly what you are made of!!

(The crowd continues to cheer heavily, as they love this announcement. Captain Charisma continues to have high energy, as he also is excited for all of this. This next announcement is what Charisma is looking most forward to, so the smile on his face grows even greater.)

Captain Charisma: Now this scaffold match needs participants right?

Crowd: SKDJLSDKLADNLKADNLKAS!!!

(The crowd goes berserk, excited to see who’s going to be joining this already interesting match. Judging by the history of Unique Opportunity matches on Voltage, this is going to very well consist of hard hitting Elitists who are looking to make a name for themselves.)

Captain Charisma: Yeah, so I took my time scanning the roster and I put together a group of talent that I know will do that Scaffold match justice. A group of talent that will showcase what it truly means to be a member of this brand, and a group of Elitists that I believe will make a huge impact on this show throughout the remainder of this season. Now who are these competitors? Ah, let me get to that right now, because this can’t wait any longer!! This scaffold opportunity match will feature none other than Daryl Kinkade!!! Candice Blair!!! Kylie Grace!! Sierra Everett!! Trish Edwardson!!! Korey Gaines, and Mercer McKay!!

(The crowd cheers loudly after hearing the names that Captain Charisma has just listed. All of them are Elitists who have been looking to make a name for themselves, and thankfully for them, Captain Charisma has granted them an opportunity to do so tonight.)

Captain Charisma: This scaffold match has the perfect group of talent competing in it. You have veterans with championship experience as well as young talent with the fire in their eyes to break out and truly establish themselves in this company. There are Elitists who have won opportunities in the past, but still have room to go, as well as Elitists who will be fighting for their first ones! I’m looking forward to seeing how this match turns out as well as how hard these Elitists are going to work in order to win one of those opportunities. Again, this is the time to press your foot up against the pedal and go into overdrive, because the greatest show of the year is coming near.. Only a few months away, and it’s Pain for Pride. With a roster as talented as the one I have, I don’t want any of you to miss out on a Pain for Pride moment that you rightfully deserve. So to all of the competitors in the Scaffold Opportunity Match, The King of Elite Tournament, and on Voltage in general.. Show me something. Show me what you are made of.. And set yourself up for greatness at Pain for Pride!!!! Thank you for your time everyone, and enjoy the rest of the show!!!!

(Captain Charisma waves to the crowd while ‘Self Help Tape’ begins to blast through the speakers again. He nods his head before then turning around and beginning to make his way out of the ring with his hand raised high. Thanks to the announcements from the crowd tonight, it’s clear that they’re excited for everything that’s going to happen, especially heading into Pain For Pride Season. Everyone is on their toes, and ready to see what’s going to happen next especially with King of Elite just barely on the horizon, there’s a lot to look forward to especially on the Voltage side of things. The last shot is of Captain Charisma disappearing through the backstage area while the crowd continues to show their love for the Voltage Commissioner, and from there Sunday Night Voltage eventually begins to fade to elsewhere.)

(Voltage fades to the backstage area, and before long the location seems to be revealed, causing loud boos to come from the crowd. The camera has faded to the office of Eden Sinclair, and inside of the office is Team Eden: Candice Blair, Sierra Everett and Ronan Malosi. The three Elitists seem to be watching a video of last week’s Voltage, but the footage being shown in the video seemed to be enough to upset some of the Team Eden members. That’s because the footage they’re watching is the Hardcore Championship announcement that took place last week, where Captain Charisma lifted all of the restrictions. This meant that the title could once again be defended on marquee events without a time limit or a first blood rule, where the first sight of blood would cause the match to be called off. With Disney’s stance on the more violent nature of EAW and more specifically the Hardcore Championship, Candice Blair is freaking out, in complete disbelief over what she’s heard even after watching more than once.)

Candice Blair: No, no no no.. This isn’t good. This isn’t good at all. What was he thinking doing something like that!? He can’t just change the rules! The Hardcore Championship is way too dangerous for Voltage, and now he’s letting it go back on marquee events??? The Hardcore Championship was perfectly fine as is! A title like that doesn’t belong here and Eden gave everyone a chance to hold the title despite how bad it is for business, and that’s how Captain Charisma repays her?? Oh no… What if Eden finds out about this? What if she’s already found out?? She’s going to be so mad! What are we supposed to do about this!?

(Sierra Everett rushes over to Candice Blair, trying to calm her down.)

Sierra Everett: Look, everything’s gonna be fine! We’ll just have to… Try and fix this before Eden comes back!

Candice Blair: But what if she already knows? She works with Disney, I wouldn’t be surprised if she had some idea what’s going on, especially with something like the Hardcore Championship. We might already be too late. :lupe:

Sierra Everett: :lupe: I haven’t really thought about it like that.

Ronan Malosi: Eh, I’m not too worried. Hikari Kanno’s the one that came up with the idea, so as long as the title’s out of her hands we should be fine, right? I’m sure you two could come up with something.

Sierra Everett: :francis:

(After a few seconds, it looks like a light bulb has turned on in Sierra’s head as her eyes widen.)

Sierra Everett: Wait a second… That’s it! Ronan, you might’ve actually given me an idea.

Ronan Malosi: Well, everyone always says I’m a genius. 🤷‍♂️

(Sierra turns to Candice.)

Sierra Everett: Candice, I think we’re going to be fine.

Candice Blair: What makes you say that?

Sierra Everett: Well, I actually did just realize something! I don’t think Captain Charisma’s just going to listen to us if we ask him to restore the Hardcore Championship rules, so all we need to do is make sure he doesn’t have any other choice!

Candice Blair: And how will we do that?

Sierra Everett: Instead of focusing on the Hardcore Championship, we can start focusing on the Champion.

(Candice Blair thinks about what both Sierra Everett and Ronan Malosi have said, realizing that they both made good points and that the person they should be worried about right now is Hikari Kanno, as this all started thanks to Hikari demanding that the restrictions surrounding the Hardcore Championship are removed. Candice looks at Sierra, and a smile grows on her face.)

Candice Blair: You might be right! I was so worried about the announcement that I hadn’t even thought about that.. I’m not too sure what you have in mind, but whatever it is we need to do it fast. I’m sure Eden will be back from her vacation soon, and as soon as she catches word of the Hardcore Championship going back to normal she won’t be happy at all.

Sierra Everett: Yeah, you’re right about that. I think… What we need to do is-

(Suddenly, a few knocks are heard on the door, which catches the attention of all three Elitists. Candice is a bit nervous, wondering if it could already be Eden Sinclair. Ronan Malosi walks over to the door before opening it, but once he sees who’s at the door, he looks visibly annoyed.)

Ronan Malosi: Oh, it’s you. What do you want?

Halsey Neel: Well, I was on my way here anyway when I overheard one of you yelling about the Hardcore Championship.

(Halsey brushes past Ronan, walking into the office as Ronan just shakes his head. Halsey goes over and checks out the footage that was being watched earlier, and a smirk appears on her face.)

Halsey Neel: Yeah, it’s exactly what I thought. You’re all worried about the Hardcore Championship rules being lifted, right?

Ronan Malosi: So what if we are? This has nothing to do with you, you can leave if you don’t have anything to-

Halsey Neel: There’s no need to get so defensive. Like I told you, I want to help. I’m not here for any other reason. Hikari Kanno should’ve known what she was getting herself into when she demanded that the rules were changed, though I do have to admit, I personally don’t mind the fact that those restrictions were lifted. To be honest, I actually like that things have changed. It makes things a little more interesting to me.

Sierra Everett: What do you mean?

Halsey Neel: Well, you all need a way to deal with the Hardcore Championship situation, right? To do that we’d need to get the title away from Hikari Kanno and preferably in the hands of one of us, and I think it’s about time that I win my first Championship in EAW, which is why I’m going to take matters into my own hands and take the title from Hikari. You guys don’t like the way the Hardcore Championship works but I have no problem with getting my hands dirty and leaving my opponents in a pool of their own blood, so I wouldn’t be phased by anything Hikari has to offer. In fact I’d be more than happy to play along and go all out with the Hardcore rules, so I think it makes sense that I go after Hikari and end her title reign before it even gets going. To be honest, it works out pretty perfectly. I get what I want, and your Hardcore Championship problem is solved.

(Halsey Neel stops speaking, waiting for an answer after putting forth her idea to get the Hardcore Championship out of Hikari Kanno’s hands. Sierra Everett and Candice Blair look at each other, and they both look pretty satisfied with what they’ve just heard. They needed a way to take down Hikari Kanno and bring the Hardcore Championship to Team Eden, and it seems that they may have already found it thanks to Halsey Neel, who Sierra and Candice have already spoken with in the past. Before long, Sierra and Candice look back at Halsey and begin to speak.)

Candice Blair: Do you think you can beat Hikari?

Halsey Neel: I do. This was honestly the perfect time for me to set my sights on the Hardcore Championship, and as soon as that match is made you’ll see exactly why.

Sierra Everett: This might just be it! If Halsey can beat Hikari then our problem is solved, right?

Candice Blair: Yeah, if we have the Hardcore Championship then we should be able to decide what happens to it. As long as you’re able to defeat Hikari, we might be able to avoid getting into any more trouble with Eden!

(Sierra, Candice and Halsey all continue to talk about the potential match between Hikari Kanno and Halsey Neel for the Hardcore Championship. They seem to have all reached common ground, but the one person excluded there is Ronan Malosi. It’s already known that he doesn’t like Halsey Neel and doesn’t trust her one bit, and seeing Sierra and Candice agree to giving her a Championship match after already withholding the conversation they had with her doesn’t sit well with Ronan, causing him to finally speak up as he interrupts the conversation between the three.)

Ronan Malosi: Woah woah woah, hold on. Don’t you think you’re getting a little carried away here?

(Sierra and Candice turn to Ronan, both confused by his sudden interruption.)

Halsey Neel: Is there a problem?

Ronan Malosi: YES there’s a problem! Do you really think we’re dumb enough to let you just waltz in here and get a Championship match out of us? No, that’s not how we do things here. We need to know we can trust you before we start giving you Championship opportunities, and as of now you haven’t done a single thing to prove you actually care about helping us.

Halsey Neel: So you want me to prove my loyalty, is that it?

Candice Blair: I don’t think we have time for this Ronan. We need to hurry up and sort out this mess quickly, remember?

Ronan Malosi: No, trust me. I know exactly what we should do, and that’s not giving Halsey an unearned title shot. Personally, I think that if there’s anybody that should be facing Hikari Kanno to bring the Hardcore Championship to Team Eden, it should be the guy that was on the team from the start.

Halsey Neel: When’s the last time you actually had a match? Do you really think it’d be a good look if you handed yourself a Championship opportunity after how poorly you were doing before you stopped wrestling altogether?

Ronan Malosi: What? Look, put me in the Hardcore Championship match, and that title is ours. There shouldn’t be any debate, right guys?

(Ronan looks at Candice and Sierra, but they don’t seem to agree with his idea.)

Sierra Everett: I’m not sure.. Halsey kind of had a point. Eden did tell us off about how our matches were going last month, and you weren’t really an exception, remember?

Ronan Malosi: :francis:

Candice Blair: Okay, we don’t have time to argue with each other like this. Remember, we’re focused on the Hardcore Championship right now. One of us needs to take the title away from Hikari so we can make things go back to the way they were. The longer we keep fighting over who the person facing Hikari will be, the more time we’re wasting while Hikari’s able to keep holding the title! We need to fix this, so can we just choose somebody?

(Ronan Malosi isn’t happy and he turns before looking at Halsey Neel, before taking a deep breath and beginning to speak.)

Ronan Malosi: Fine. How about this? Since we need an opponent for Hikari Kanno and we need one soon, let’s decide who it’s going to be next week. Me versus Halsey Neel in a number one contendership match.

(Halsey doesn’t look too impressed, just shrugging her shoulders before answering.)

Halsey Neel: If you really want me to “prove myself” to you guys so badly then fine, I’ll do it. I’m not sure why you would put yourself in that position though.

(Candice and Sierra look at each other and seem to be pleased by the idea.)

Sierra Everett: I guess it’s settled then! Whichever one of you wins next week gets to face Hikari Kanno, and then you can take the Hardcore Championship from her!

Candice Blair: :wow: I’m glad things are working out, after all. We’re finally going to put an end to the Hardcore Championship! :blessed:

(Sierra and Candice both seem to be in good spirits, meanwhile Ronan Malosi and Halsey Neel are in a bit of a staredown. Ronan doesn’t trust Halsey, but Halsey chooses not to pay any attention to it, only looking forward to next week. From there, Voltage begins to fade away from Eden Sinclair’s office.)

(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where Minerva defends her EAW World Championship against Myles.)

(“Unbreakable” by Fireflight plays as the crowd erupts for Kylie Grace who comes out and scans the arena, looking as positive and ready for a battle as always. She taps hands with the fans while on the way to the ring, and as she gets closer to ringside, a more focused look appears on her face as she prepares for her upcoming match.)

Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SET FOR ONE FALL!!

Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST…FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA…WEIGHING IN AT 125 POUNDS….”KG”….KYYYLLIIIEEEEE GRRAACCCCEEEEEE!!!!!

James Peters: We heard what she had to say that week and the words speak for themselves. Despite failures at Road to Redemption and in the first round of the Empress of Elite, she won’t let it break her or tear her down in any way and you love to see it.

Rich Russillo: Kylie’s still got as bright of a future as always and she hopes to be past the bumpy parts of the road in her journey as she looks to rebound here tonight.

(“Who We Be” by DMX plays as the crowd erupts in cheers again for Trish Edwardson. She takes a deep breath before walking to the ring focused on the task at hand. The fans are showing her love and she’s showing it back. Her and Kylie lock eyes, and both women look prepared for the upcoming match as Trish approaches the ring.)

Bella Braxton: AND HER OPPONENT…FROM WORTHING, UNITED KINGDOM….WEIGHING IN AT 190 POUNDS….”LE PETIT SERPENT”…..TRRRIIISSSHHHHH EDDDDDWWWARRDDSSSOOONNNNN!!!!

Rich Russillo: You could go on for hours on the great things we’ve heard about this woman since she first signed, but I think she’s already spent the past few weeks proving herself.

James Peters: She’s shown flashes over the past few weeks and she hasn’t disappointed, but it’s safe to say tonight is her biggest test to date. She also was the one who made this challenge to Kylie and shows she wants all the smoke.

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

James Peters: And this match is underway as Trish and Kylie shake each other’s hand before circling the ring, and then lock up in a collar and elbow tie-up! And then It’s Kylie who gets her in a side headlock, but Trish pushes her off to the ropes, Trish leapfrogs over her head as a Kylie runs off of the opposite ropes….And then takes Kylie down with an arm drag as Kylie rolls under the rope to the outside.

Rich Russillo: But right as Kylie turns around – TRISH TAKES HER OUT WITH A SUICIDE DIVE THROUGH THE SECOND ROPE! Trish has control in the early goings and she’s feeling fired up. Trish picks her up right away and tosses her back inside the ring, and what does she have in mind? Trish climbs up the apron and goes up top and she balances herself as Kylie stands up amd turns around to face her – A CROSSBODY ON TOP OF KYLIE! Trish is pumped up as she rolls back to her feet and then grabs Kylie by the head…BUT KYLIE DRIVES HER BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER! Kylie gets out of a potentially dangerous spot as she has Trish corner…AND SHOULDER THRUST AFTER SHOULDER THRUST FROM KYLIE!

James Peters: Kylie then delivers a forearm to the face before running to the opposite corner, AND HERE SHE COMES FULL SPEED LOOKING FOR A SPLASH…BUT TRISH STOPS HER IN HER TRACKS WITH AN ELBOW TO THE FACE! Trish takes this small window of time she has and then springboards off of the second turnbuckle – SPINNING TORNADO DDT PLANTS KYLIE AS TRISH CRAWLS OVER AND MAKES THE FIRST COVER OF THE MATCH!!

OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!

TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!

Persephone: No, not yet as Kylie gets the shoulder off the mat, and Trish looks to go right back to work as she picks Kylie up and sets up for a suplex, and she picks her up….BUT KYLIE LANDS ON HER FEET FROM BEHIND HER AND THEN TAKES HER DOWN WITH A NECKBREAKER!! Kylie buys herself a few moments here as she stands up..and then delivers several body kicks to Trish on her knees before backing up…AND THEN RUNS AND STOPS HERSELF DOWN DELIVERING A REVERSE STO PLANTING TRISH’S FACE INTO THE MAT! But Kylie doesn’t go for the cover there as she scoots over to the corner.

James Peters: It’s like she knows it’s going to take a lot more than that to keep a competitor like Trish down. Kylie is stalking Trish from behind now as she stirs back to her feet…AND THEN KYLIE BENDS HER HEAD DOWN FROM BEHIND…THE REVERSE DDT RIGHT INTO THE MAT AND THIS TIME KYLIE DOES GO FOR THE COVER!!

OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!

TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!

Rich Russillo: Trish kicks out at two, and Kylie goes back on the attack as she applies a sleeper hold! Kylie applied the maximum amount of pressure as Trish tries to get to a vertical base. After several seconds, Trish is on a knee, and then repeatedly drives the elbow into her stomach. Kylie is forced to let go before running off the ropes…but runs right into a hip toss and neckbreaker combo! What a move there from Trish as she slowly rises back to her feet.

James Peters: And then Trish runs at Kylie and clotheslines her over the top rope! And now what does she have in mind? Trish ascends up the top rope once more and looks down at Kylie on the outside who is standing bent forward. AND THEN TRISH LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A SOMERSAULT LEG DROP ON THE BACK OF KYLIE’S HEAD!!! BUT NO!!! KYLIE MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND AS TRISH CRASHES AND BURNS ON THE OUTSIDE FLOOR LANDING STRAIGHT ON HER BUTT! Kylie looks as if her life just flashed before her eyes after avoiding that.

(Instant replay of the somersault leg drop that was missed by Trish on the outside floor.)

Persephone: And Kylie knows this is a golden opportunity to take advantage. Kylie slowly gets Trish up slowly and rolls her back inside. Kylie immediately slides back in the ring and begins to stalk Trish, looking to seize the opportunity here as she runs off the ropes – AND KYLIE HITS A SHINING WIZARD STRIKE TO THE BACK OF HER HEAD BEFORE FLIPPING HER ON HER BACK AND GOING FOR THE COVER!!

OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!!

TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!

James Peters: And Trish manages to still get the shoulder up. And now it’s Kylie who looks to stay on the attack as she picks Trish up and then sets her up in the corner. Several kicks to the midsection from Kylie followed by several forearm shots to the face. And Kylie finally…she picks Trish up and sits her on the top rope. Kylie goes up top and…SHE’S GOING FOR A SUPERPLEX!! BUT NO! Trish blocks it and fights back with everything she has delivering shots to the ribs. And now both of them are exchanging blows with the other on the top rope battling for control…this likely isn’t going to end well. :lupe:

Persephone: And unexpected headbutt from Trish that catches Kylie a bit off guard, and Trish uses this small window- AND LEAPS OVER KYLIE AND DELIVERS A SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! THE BACK OF KYLIE’S HEAD LANDS HARD ON THE RING MAT AS TRISH PULLS KYLIE AWAY FROM THE CORNER AND DROPS DOWN FOR THE COVER!!

OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!

TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!

James Peters: Kylie kicks out again. And here comes Trish again. As she picks Kylie up…and then places her between the legs! But before we could know what she had in mind, Kylie gets out of it delivering a back body drop! Kylie buys a little bit of time to recoup as she is holding the back of her head still in some pain after that sunset flip powerbomb from the top rope that she took a few moments ago.

Rich Russillo: Kylie stands and then walks up to Trish and grabs her by the head, AND THEN TRISH GRABS AHOLD OF HER ARM AND THEN SPINS THROUGH LOCKING IN HER “PADLOCK” CROSS ARMBAR!! KYLIE IS SCREAMING IN PAIN BUT SHE’S AWARE THAT SHE’S CLOSE TO THE ROPES, AND KYLIE RIGHT AWAY USES THE ADRENALINE SHE HAS AND REACHES OUT GRABBING THE BOTTOM ROPE FORCING A BREAK! Kylie knew she had a small window in that submission and had to do something quickly, thankfully the ropes were nearby her, as Trish let’s go and goes back to square one.

James Peters: Trish grabs her arm and drags her to the center of the ring looking to lock it in again, but Kylie is fighting to prevent that by lock her fingers! Trish is trying to pull at that arm and break the grip but Kylie is relentless! AND THEN KYLIE FLIPS TRISH AS SHE’S ON HER KNEES AND SHE BEGINS TO REPEATEDLY DRIVE HER ELBOW INTO TRISH’S FACE CAUSING HER TO LET GO OF HER ARM! Kylie nearly avoids disaster again in this match with her fighting spirit, but will the luck run out eventually? And now it’s Kylie who thinks on what to do as shakes her arm trying to shake the pain out a bit before refocusing on Trish. Kylie picks her up from the front, but Trish pushes her away before charging at her….BUT KYLIE CATCHES HER OUT OF NOWHERE WITH AN INSIDE CRADLE!!

OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!

TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!

TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEE!!!

James Peters: BUT TRISH REVERSES IT INTO A PIN OF HER OWN!!

OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!!

TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!

TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEE!!!

Rich Russillo: DID SHE GET HER?! The referee says no as both women race to their feet as Trish swings at Kylie, but she ducks it and runs and springboards off the second rope – BUT TRISH CATCHES HER WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT IN MID AIR!! That came out of nowhere from her as she looks to keep the momentum building as Kylue sits up…and then Trish back up a dew steps before charging and going for her “Edwardson Kick”…

Persephone: BUT KYLIE CATCHES THE LEG! KYLIE STANDS UP AND THEN DIVERS A DRAGON SCREW AS SHE FALLS BACK INTO THE CORNER STILL HOLDING THAT JAW! Trish finds herself positioned in the corner as she pulls herself up – AND HERE COMES KYLIE WITH A RUNNING KNEE TO THE FACE, FOLLOWED UP BY A BULLDOG IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! KYLIE IS FEELING ABSOLUTELY FIRED UP AS SHE GOES UP TOP! THE CROWD AND EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT SHE’S GOING FOR! AND KYLIE LEAPS OFF THE TOP AND GOES FOR “FALL FROM GRACE!!” HER PICTURE PERFECT SHOOTING STAR PRESS!!!

Rich Russillo: BUT NOBODY HOME AS TRISH MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND! Kylie took the huge high risk, and it just may end up costing herbthis match. BUT LOOK!!! TRISH GRABS THE ARM AND RIGHT AWAY LOCKS IN HER “PADLOCK” CROSS ARMBAR! SCRATCH THAT, THAT HIGH RISK MOST LIKELY JUST COST KYLIE THIS MATCH AS SHE IS TRAPPED WITH NOWHERE TO GO! IS KYLIE GOING TO TAP OUT HERE? TRISH IS STRETCHING THAT ARM OUT AS KYLIE IS TRYING WITH ALL SHE HAS LEFT TO FIGHT BACK!

James Peters: We all know Kylie Grace will not go quietly in any match she competes in, but it might be wise to tap and save herself and her arm for another day. THAT ISN’T IN KYLIE’S PLANS AS OF RIGHT NOW AS SHE IS TRYING TO DRAG HER BODY OVER TO THE ROPES AND REACH WITH HER LEGS, BUT SHE SEEMS LOOKS LIKE SHE DOESN’T HAVE MUCH LEFT AS SHE IS ALMOST IN TEARS….SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE MIGHT – LOOK!!! OUT OF PURE DESPERATION, KYLIE GRABS TRISH’S FOOT AND TWISTS IT…AND IT CAUSES TRISH TO LET GO AS SHE TRIES USING THE ROPES AS LEVERAGE TO PULL HERSELF UP! That might not be a usual way to get out, but it worked for Kylie as she’s still alive in this match!

Rich Russillo: Kylie stands in the corner, holding her arm in some serious pain after being in Trish’s “Padlock” submission for so long. Trish is back up and she charges at Kylie in the corner…BUT KYLIE SIDESTEPS AND SENDS HER SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RING POST THROUGH THE SECOND TURNBUCKLE! The momentum is building up for Kylie as she works her way back up with her one good arm for the moment behind Trish as she pulls herself out of the corner – AND KYLIE IS WAITING ON HER AS SHE DELIVERS A BACKSTABBER…THAT THEN TURNS INTO “CRY ABOUT IT”!!! THE BANK STATEMENT SUBMISSION IS LOCKED IN, AND KYLIE IS APPLYING AS MUCH PRESSURE AS SHE CAN! The tables have turned and now we see what Trish will do in order to survive!

Persephone: Kylie is almost bending Trish into a pretzel with how deep she has it locked in….which is kinda cool :mjgrin: – I mean….Trish is also one to wear her heart on her sleeve and much like Kylie, she will not go down without a fight. Trish is somewhat new and we’re about to see how fights out of this, because this is likely the biggest adversity test of her young career thus far! Trish is trying to reach out for the ropes, and she is inching closer, but Kylie is making her earn every inch! SHE’S GETTING CLOSER, AND SHE REACHES OUT….AND SHE GRASPS THE BOTTOM ROPE AND KYLIE HAS TO BREAK THE HOLD! Man what a battle between two warriors who are throwing everything they have at one another making each other earn every little bit of momentum.

James Peters: And now it’s Kylie who tried to drag Trish to the middle of the ring. And now Kylie is setting up for something stalking Trish like a predator does its prey…SHE GOES FOR THE “KY-KICK!!!!” BUT TRISH DUCKED IT, KICK TO THE MIDSECTION – AND THEN TRISH PLANTS KYLIE WITH A SPINNING FACEBUSTER!! TRISH TURNS KYLIE OVER AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE WIN!!!!

OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!

TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!

TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEEE!!

Rich Russillo: And Kylie is still fighting as she gets the shoulder up off of the mat just barely! You have to wonder if they have thrown their home run shot. It’s just a matter of who wants it more at this point, and honestly, I have no clue on that answer with the two of these women and how much heart they have.

James Peters: And both women stand up…RIGHT HAND FROM KYLIE!

Crowd: YEAH!!

Persephone: FOREARM FROM TRISH!!

Crowd: YEAH!!

Rich Russillo: Both of them are exchanging blows in the center of the ring and this crowd absolutely loves it as do we and everybody watching at home. Who’s going to gain the advantage over the other?

James Peters: AND KYLIE LOOKS TO HAVE THE UPPER HAND AS SHE DELIVERS A STEP UP KNEE TO THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE AS TRISH FALLS BACK INTO THE CORNER INTO A SEATED POSITION! And Kylie backs up into the opposite corner – AND SHE RUNS AND DELIVERS A CORNER SENTON TO A SEATED TRISH!! KYLIE PULLS TRISH OUT FROM THE CORNER AND GOES FOR ANOTHER COVER! IS THIS GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO PUT TRISH AWAY?!

OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!

TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!

TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!

Rich Russillo: NO IT’S NOT AS TRISH KICKS OUT AT THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT! BUT LOOK!! KYLIE RIGHT AWAY TRANSITIONS INTO “CRY ABOUT IT”!! HER BANK STATEMENT SUBMISSION IS LOCKED IN FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS MATCH! TRISH IS IN THE CENTER OF THE RING WITH NOWHERE TO GO…WHAT’S SHE GOING TO DO?!

James Peters: TRISH IS TRYING TO GET TO THE ROPES, BUT IS JUST TOO WEAK, AND SHE LOOKS TO BE FADING OUT! TRISH IS OUT – LOOK!!! TRISH OUT OF NOWHERE FLIPS IT INTO A PIN WITH KYLIE’S SHOULDERS ON THE MAT!! SHE’S GOT IT!!

OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!

TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!

TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEE!!!

Rich Russillo: DID SHE GET HER?! NO SHE DIDN’T AS KYLIE WAS FORCED TO LET GO AND THEY BOTH RACE UP TO THEIR FEET – AND OH MY GOD!!! BOTH OF THEM JUST WENT FOR THEIR OWN VERSION OF THEIR SIGNATURE SUPERMAN PUNCH!! A DOUBLE SUPERMAN PUNCH, AND BOTH WOMEN ARE DOWN!

James Peters: Both finally begin to stir and they crawl to opposite ends of the ring and use the ropes to help pull them up, and they they turn around to face each other – A HIGH KNEE FROM TRISH THAT DROPS KYLIE WHO JUST BARELY MANAGES TO SIT UP…AND THEN THE “EDWARDSON KICK” CONNECTS AS TRISH FALLS DOWN ON TOP OF KYLIE FOR THE COVER! THIS HAS GOT TO BE IT RIGHT HERE!!

OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!

TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!

TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!

Persephone: NO IT ISN’T YET SOMEHOW AS KYLIE IS STILL ALIVE!! 🙃

Rich Russillo: Trish is in disbelief as I think we all are, and now she thinks of what next to do to put this away. Trish stands and begins to stalk Kylie from behind once more looking to put this match to bed – AND SHE GOES FOR THE BACKSTABBER LEADING INTO THE “TRISHLOCK”!!! IT’S LIKELY LIGHTS OUT FOR KYLIE IF SHE CONNECTS WITH THIS!!

James Peters: KYLIE HELD ON TO THE ROPES!! KYLIE QUICKLY TURNS AROUND AND DRIVES BOTH OF HER FEET INTO THE HEART OF TRISH WITH A JUMPING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP! Kylie might just have Trish exactly where she wants her here….Trish slowly stirs back to her feet as Kylie emerges from the corner – THE “KY-KICK” TAKES DOWN TRISH!!! KYLIE IS A BIT SLOW ON MAKING THE COVER, SHE CRAWLS AND THEN HOOKS THE LEG! IS THIS GOING TO DO IT?!

OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!

TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!!!

TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

(“Unbreakable” by Fireflight as the crowd cheers and applauds both for the match they saw. Kylie slowly stands up and gets her hand raised in victory. She begins to celebrate on the top rope.)

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER….KYYLLLIIIIEEEE GRRRAAAACCCEEEEE!!!!

James Peters: What an absolute war we just watched between two women who threw everything they could at each other and showed just how much heart and determination they have multiple times in this match. But tonight the ball bounced Kylie’s way and she picks up the much needed victory.

Rich Russillo: But look at this…

(Kylie Grace extends the hand to help Trish up, which she happily accepts. The two stare at one another before sharing a handshake in the center of the ring.)

James Peters: Great sportsmanship shown after an amazing match between these two. With the loss, Trish avowed just how bright of a future she has if she keeps at it and Kylie picks up the big win. Congratulations to Kylie Grace!

(The final shot is of Trish leaving the ring to Kylie who continues to celebrate her win.)

(Commercial for AntMan & The Wasp: Quantumania, featuring Limmy Monaghan who says that Marvel movies are all just cash grabs and don’t deserve your money.)

(Sunday Night Voltage fades back in, with “DESTINY” by Saori Yoshida hitting through the arena speakers. The crowd cheers loudly upon hearing the Specialists Champion theme while ARIA takes a deep breath and quickly makes her way out, wearing street clothes since she didn’t have any match tonight on Voltage. She is holding the Specialists Championship on her shoulder with a smile appearing on her face seeing the crowd cheer for her. She would then begin walking down to the ring, entering through wanting to talk about what happened the past few weeks regarding her.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… the EAW SPECIALISTS CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James Peters: Here comes the Specialists Champion down and straight to the ring, who shockingly made her appearance on last week’s Showdown, giving Lexi the chance to fight for her Championship! And it is clear she is going to use the time she has tonight on Voltage to address it.

Rich Russillo: ARIA has shown herself to be a fearless woman and someone who is always up for a challenge, she said she wants to be the best Specialists Champion she can be, and to prove that she wants to show how much of a champion she is when going up against every challenger in the ring.

Persephone: Truly bless her heart going out to that ring and having to explain why she did such a good thing for one of the EAW wrestlers, she doesn’t really have to go out there and do it and make this show even longer than before, but she is doing it because she is such a good person! 🙂

(ARIA grabbed a microphone from ringside and quickly entered into the ring without wasting any time, she walked over towards the center and just as her music died down, she looked around and talked into the microphone.)

ARIA: Portland, Oregon! It is great to see you, how are all of you doing?

(The crowd cheered louder than before as ARIA asked them the question and she could only smile when seeing the positive response. Yeah, it seems ARIA really liked asking the crowd this question. After they stopped, Aria began talking again.)

ARIA: Makes me incredibly happy to hear all of you, I enjoy the energy that you are showing to me, it gives me the power to run a marathon 10 straight times! But uh, yeah, it would be physically impossible to be able to do that, but the motivation to do it either way is what counts! Let’s try not to beat around the bush for long because it is clear what I am out here for and what I am going to talk about. It is obviously related to what I have on my shoulder, because yeah, Champ things now. Look at me go, and instead of just waiting around and expecting someone to come over to challenge me, I decided to go at it myself, because as I explained several times before that is what a Champion truly does. Not waiting for the battle to come to them, for them to go to the battle, and so for my first defense people were probably expecting me to fight an upcoming rookie or someone with a chip on their shoulder and a point to prove, but that is not what I did. I was on Showdown last week for another reason, I was planning to meet up with a…very special person :mjgrin:, you already know who, and so I sat down backstage simply watching the show and after watching a very promising match, I decided to come out and challenge none other than the woman who won the match…Lexi.

ARIA: And yes, from here I can see a few people confused in the crowd, they are probably thinking why Lexi? Isn’t she the stalker? Wasn’t she in that mud wrestling match? Of course, she was…all of that. But I am putting the emphasis here on was, because she isn’t that woman anymore, she has been able to prove that she can be someone far beyond being in that position and that is what I was able to see when she had that match on Showdown. When she went against her opponent and she beat her straight without any tricks at all, that she was able to keep the promise that she made, that she was going to become better with the change she went through and as she proved that, that is the reason that made me come out and give her the title match. If you improve yourself, if you get better no matter what happens, good things are going to happen and I just made one of them happen when I gave Lexi that title match. For that is what I am looking out for in every woman I want to face, in every woman I want to defend this title against. So even though Lexi has had an incredibly bad past, she promised me she wouldn’t let that kind of thing hold her back, so I took her word and gave her the chance to fight me at King of Elite for this Championship.

ARIA: I made a promise of my own, I will reiterate my goal once again to defend my title against anyone deserving, and after what Lexi has been able to do, I included her in that list because she deserves a title shot just like everyone else. An opportunity to prove themselves to the whole world and show them they can be one of, if not, the very best in this company. So I took it upon myself to go and give Lexi the chance to compete and potentially become the Specialists Champion rather than waiting around for somebody to step up because I care a lot about having this Championship. I don’t care if you have good or bad thoughts about it, I am going to put all of the prestige I can in this title just like other women have been able to do, that is what I need to do after coming all of this way to achieve it. It is my duty and responsibility as Champion having to come out here and bring my best everytime I get into that ring, why I ask for everyone to fight me to give me their best as well. Because I don’t want any unjust victories on my name, I don’t want any half-hearted performances against me, I want the very best from the women I face, because the road from here on out doesn’t get any easier, and that is why no matter what I still fight.

(The crowd gave their support to ARIA once more as she started getting a bit fired up when talking and telling her thoughts. She looked around at the people and she nodded as she sounded more determined than before.)

ARIA: With that said, after giving my praises to Lexi, I am stopping that kind of talk right in their tracks and talking about how I really feel, after everything that I had to go through myself, to reach the position I am in right now? I do not plan to lose the title so easily, and how there is still a lot more I want to do when it comes to being the Specialists Champion, and just stopping at the first hurdle is not something I am going to let happen. Holding this championship means a lot to me, being called a Champion after all of the obstacles, all of the hardships, it means a lot to me and I am not letting that be taken away just like that. As I have said many times, I am someone who wants to change the world, I want to make it better in every possible way, I want to help those who can’t get up on their own feet by themselves. That is why I became a detective in the first place, wanting to help those in need and make their lives just a little bit better, and I put myself there as well because I needed to help myself just as bad, and now I have this on my shoulder. With this I can help people in another way, and I am willing to show how much I can truly be when I wrestle. Because even at the lowest point of my career, you know what I told myself? To stay alive. These past years might have been absolute hell for me, but I grew as a person. I grew as a wrestler. I might have been knocked down but I came back 10 times stronger. I was willing to start over once again, redeem that losing record, and finally call myself a champion! And that is why, right here, in this very moment, after thousands of tears and broken dreams, I stand as your Specialists Champion!

ARIA: Lexi, if you are hearing, I am hoping to get a good match out of you at King of Elite. I can’t deny that, but I don’t plan on losing this championship at all. For my determination knows no bounds and no matter how many times they try to take me down, I will still be here!

(ARIA pauses for a moment and then she continues, having one more little surprise up her sleeve.)

ARIA: And before I sign off, I want to reveal a little something. Earlier tonight, I had a meeting with Captain Charisma and I told him how much it would mean to me if we could bring back the old rule of the Specialists Championship being defended in specialty matches. After all, the name of the belt is ‘Specialists’ and to me that means proving you can adapt to any and every situation, and be completely versatile. After he agreed, I got Lexi on FaceTime to tell her the news and we both decided that in order to figure out what kind of stipulation we have at King of Elite, we are going to compete in ‘Beat The Clock’ challenges next week! I can’t wait to see who our opponents end up being. So with that being said, I think I am done now. Stay alive, guys!

(ARIA threw the microphone down just as she said that and the crowd cheered in support once more, a determined smile appeared on her face again seeing she was able to at least motivate a few people with that speech.)

Persephone: So beautifuuuuullll…I could really cry at any moment from that incredibly beautiful speech that I definitely liked, she is such an inspiring figure and a role model to look towards to. :wow:

James Peters: Ignoring Persephone’s… touching words, ARIA is definitely a woman on fire after having that time to pour her heart out, she has come through a lot when it comes to her career and now that she has reached the point she has been seeking for this whole time, she isn’t going to let any other wrestler take it away from her!

Rich Russillo: And next week, it looks like we are going to see both ARIA and Lexi in action when they compete in ‘Beat The Clock’ matches to determine the type of match they’ll face off in at King of Elite!

(ARIA took one last deep breath as she quickly moved over and rolled out of the ring, she high fived a few people and hugged a few fans as well as she waved one last goodbye and left up the ramp, just as Voltage faded away to commercials.)

(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where ARIA defends her Specialists Championship against Lexi.)

(The camera cuts back to the ring, which is decked out for ‘Cloth Talk,’ featuring Talib Bari. He stands in the center with a golden microphone in hand, dressed to the nines for this segment, albeit a bit outlandish, and having a golden spotlight shined on him. Even though it’s been awhile since he last appeared on Voltage to host this segment, the ring is set up similar to last time with the two leopard couches, and golden coffee table, which has three basic microphones lying on it for the guests.)

Talib Bari: YO!!! WELCOME TO CLOTH TALK!

(Talib Bari basks in the cheers from the audience, who are more than happy to see the REVOLT! legend.)

Talib Bari: Now, it goes without saying that King of Elite has earned the title of marquee event, because each year, it has taken careers, and brought it up that extra step further up the ladder. Last year, it was “The Samoan Kaiser” Andre Walker! The year before that, it was Kassidy Heart! And the year before that, it was Visual Prophet! But what makes King of Elite, well, elite, aren’t just the matches to decide a King and Empress of Elite. It’s the undercard as well. Because you people will get to see Jake Smith defend his Answers World Championship against Impact! Then, you’ll get to see Sienna Jade versus Bethany Blue for the Universal Women’s Championship! Kassidy Heart will take on Ms. Extreme in a battle or REVOLT GOATS! SHOUT OUT TO MY REVOLT HOMIES FR FR! Donovan Duke will look to continue his historic National Elite Championship reign against the one… the only… Veena Adams! But the match I’m here for is one that already has the world buzzing, especially after last week, which involved Madison Kaline interjecting herself into the business of two other former women’s world champion and getting herself into their match! Talk about making the match even more ‘must-see’, amirite?? Yall know the match I’m talking about. Yes, I’m talking about Harper Lee versus Sheridan Müller versus Madison Kaline.

(Talib Bari raises the microphone high as fans cheer loudly again, excited about the prospect of those three going at it, knowing the match has combustible written all over it. Talib Bari lowers his hand to speak once more.)

Talib Bari: But going back to last week. Last week, Madison Kaline put quite the beating on Sheridan Müller, making a statement in the process, and I’m sure that Sheridan wants to rip the head off of Madison as a result, which I’m asking… does not happen.

(The crowd boo at hearing this, every member in this audience wanting to get a sneak preview of the match at King of Elite.)

Talib Bari: I’m sorry, I’m sorry. The last thing I’d like to do is deprive my people of what they want to see, but my hands are tied as this is a ‘friendly edition’ of Cloth Talk. Emphasis on friendly. So, ladies, if you can help it, please keep matters professional, and save that energy for when you face off at King of Elite. But enough pregaming, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. So, without further ado, please welcome my first guest at this time-

(‘Amerika’ by Rammstein interrupts Talib’s speech as Sheridan Müller exits through the curtain, wearing the top to her ring gear, leather jacket, leggings, and black boots. She stands on the stage, and briefly looks around at fans who offer a mixed reaction before beginning her walk down to the ring.)

Persephone: I guess Sheridan Müller isn’t waiting for an introduction.

James Peters: Not that she needs one. Everyone knows who Sheridan Müller is, and how much of a problem she can be in that ring.

Rich Russillo: She proved how tough she could be last week, gritting through the pain as Hikari Kanno targeted her shoulder.

James Peters: Even after getting a shining wizard to the back of her skull, we watched as Sheridan Müller continued to try fighting, but that was when the interruption happened by Kaline.

Rich Russillo: Were still left to wonder, could Sheridan have toppled the Hardcore Champion if it weren’t for the intrusion.

(Sheridan enters the ring, and grabs a microphone off the leopard couch, standing face to face with Talib.)

Talib Bari: Sher, I get this isn’t your thing, but on Cloth Talk, guests usually wait til I introduce them.

Sheridan Müller: Well, I’m skipping that portion, and getting right into questions, because I have a lot to get off my chest when it comes to this match already.

Talib Bari: Well, we didn’t exactly get your thoughts last week, due to the… unfortunate circumstances. But I was looking to gather your thoughts on Madison Kaline now being added into the match.

Sheridan Müller: My thoughts on Madison Kaline is that she’s a coward. That’s the only way to describe someone who enters the ring mid match, and assaults both me and Hikari while we’re not looking. If Madison wanted to be in the match so badly, she could’ve just confronted me head on, because she would’ve got the same answer she did from Harper last week, and that’s a yes. See, while I didn’t expect Madison’s little intrusion, I welcome it. Because while Madison’s character can be brought into question, her talent inside this squared circle cannot. I mean, did you hear her last week when she rambled on and on about being an EAW Hall of Famer, a former two time champion, and the woman who set the standard for women like myself. All that? Yeah, it’s impressive, but what’s more impressive is beating someone with those accolades, because there’s a small list of people who can. Usually, that’d intimidate someone, but not me. I didn’t come back so I could shy away from a challenge. I came back to face the best, beat the best, and cement myself as the best. Beating someone the caliber of Kaline gives me an opportunity to do so, but more than that, gather my first major victory of 2023 at an event marquee like King of Elite.

Talib Bari: Yo, no offense baby girl, but I think everyone’s going into this, expecting a big victory to start out their year. What makes you different from the pack?

Sheridan Müller: Well, after 2022, a special year for me in wrestling, not just returning to EAW, but once again winning gold in it as well. I said last week, and I’ll say it again this week, 2023 will be my year. Now, that’s the phrase everybody’s going with, but me? I mean it. 2023 will be my year, and I’m approaching this one a bit differently than the last. Because my main focus, my main priority is getting my singles career on track. Far as the tag career goes, that’s up in the air right now, but I’m not going to harbor it. I’m going to keep moving forward. Last week, that was an example of me moving forward when I challenged Harper Lee to a match. My loss to Sienna Jade? The Prescription? I’m leaving that drama in 2022. Because while Bethany was my first case of Tag Team gold here in EAW, and I’ll hold that time teaming with her near and dear to my heart. I didn’t come back to solely be a tag team competitor. As I said earlier, I want to face the best, beat the best, and cement myself as the best. The best don’t just lie in the tag team division. The best lie in the form of ARIA, in the form of Sienna Jade, and in the form of Minerva, aka at the top, which is a pinnacle I’m trying to reach. If there’s anyone who doubts me, just know I’ve done it before, and I can do it again. Matter of fact, I almost defeated a woman who is deemed the top of her division last week, and that’s Hikari Kanno. But that opportunity was ripped from me, which makes this match between myself, Harper, and Madison sweeter. Because while Madison stopped me from making a name at Hikari’s expense, Madison can’t stop me from making a name at her expense. And Harper Lee’s accomplishments may not be on the level of Madison Kaline just yet, it’s getting up there, and beating her is no easy pickings either. But it’s the same as reaching the top of the mountain here again. I’ve beaten Harper before, and I can beat Harper again.

(‘O Fortuna’ by Carl Orff blares throughout the arena, receiving a negative reaction from fans, and Madison begins walking to the ring with a purpose, already having a microphone in hand, and not taking her eyes off Sheridan Müller, who gives the same energy back.)

James Peters: I was wondering when the others would show up, and Madison is the first to rear her head.

Persephone: I’ve got a feeling that ‘friendly edition’ is about to be put to the test.

(Madison enters the ring, and paces around before going face to face with Sheridan, tension being extremely high, but Talib politely steps between them.)

Talib Bari: Uh, ladies, ladies, friendly edition. :montez:

(Madison rolls her eyes at this.)

Madison Kaline: Whatever. The world doesn’t need to see me lay waste to Sheridan right now, God knows they got enough of it last week. Isn’t that right, Sheridan? :mjgrin:

(Sheridan looks as if she’s fighting with everything to not deck Madison as she balls both her fist in anger.)

Madison Kaline: Oh, so you’re angry? If anything, the only one who has a right to be angry is me, because you’re out here spreading lies on a Hall of Famers name. Calling me a coward? Sheridan, after last week, if anything, I’m an opportunist, a successful one at that. Because at the end of the day, my attack on you last week sent the message it needed, a message that the right people laid their eyes on. Said people being both you and Harper. Now, I could’ve just asked to be included in the match, and went on about my day, but where’s the fun in that? Why not remind you that you’re not the only former champions who think they deserve better. But the difference between us: I’m the only one who’ll have actually deserved better. Because I’m the only one leaving King of Elite with their hand raised in victory. I’m the only one in this match who is an EAW Hall of Famer, and I refuse to be shown up by the likes of Sheridan Müller and Harper Lee of all people.

Sheridan Müller: You refuse, huh? Where was this energy during 2022? Because I didn’t have a hard time standing you up then.

Madison Kaline: Don’t kid yourself. Just because you won tag title gold doesn’t mean you can easily outshine me like that. Need I remind you, I led Dynasty’s brand warfare team at Territorial Invasion, you were a follower to Charlie Marr.

Sheridan Müller: Need I remind you who I actually won that Brand Warfare match?

(The crowd pops loudly for this, which annoys Madison Kaline.)

Madison Kaline: You know what-

(Madison gets in the face of Sheridan Müller once again, and realizing that things could come to blows, Talib steps in.)

Talib Bari: Ladies, ladies-

Madison Kaline and Sheridan Müller: SHUT UP!

(Talib gets pushed back on the couch by competitors, who go back to staring down one another.)

Crowd: FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

(Talib begins frantically speaking from the couch, somewhat losing control of the situation.)

Talib Bari: LADIES, PLEASE! SAVE IT FOR KING OF ELITE! I DON’T WANT DISNEY TO CANCEL ‘CLOTH TALK’ WHEN I JUST GOT IT BACK!

(‘Sweet Dreams’ by Eurythmics, Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart interrupts affairs as Harper Lee walks down to the ring, talking into a microphone as she does so.)

Harper Lee: I’m sorry to interrupt…

(Harper Lee walks up the steps, and stands on the apron.)

Harper Lee: Actually, I’m not sorry, but do agree with Talib here in that you two should save your energy for King of Elite…

(Harper enters the ring, and stands in between them.)

Harper Lee: Because I don’t want excuses when I beat you both. :mjgrin:

Madison Kaline: Harp-

Harper Lee: Hold on, I’m talking, and anything coming out of my mouth is far more important than anything that comes out of yours. I’m a Hall of Famer this, I’m a Hall of Famer that. We get it. You’re almost like Sheridan here, clinging onto old stuff. You may have beaten me in the past, but the present is a different story, Ms. Mope-A-Lot, because I’m going to right that wrong, making you regret ever challenging me to a match. But since we’re out here spouting accomplishments, how about I do the same? Because my Universal Women’s Championship reign was just last year, unlike the both of yours. Meaning: my title reign is still fresh in everybody’s mind, and I don’t need to go around reminding people every minute, every hour I was champion just so they can remember. Madison needs to remind people of her accomplishments, just so they don’t lump her in with the losers union, because losing is practically all she does these days when it comes to big matches, whether it be against Andre Walker, whether it be against Sienna Jade. I think, at one point, you lost to Ronan Malosi, which… couldn’t be me. But hey, at least you beat Sierra Bradford, which isn’t much of an accomplishment, but goes to show that you’re not completely washed up.

Madison Kaline: “Washed up.” Didn’t you think that exact same thing with Sienna Jade, and look what happened. She’s the reason that Universal Women’s Championship isn’t around your waist now.

Sheridan Müller: And you claim you’re gonna right the wrong of me beating you, but I don’t know how, because I haven’t seen much change within you. You’re still the same woman who likes to run her mouth, despite being the size of an ant.

Harper Lee: Size of an ant? That’s a good joke. Nice of you to show some personality for once, Sheridan.

Talib Bari: :roman:

Sheridan Müller: Har-

Talib Bari: :krabs:

James Peters: OOH! MADISON KALINE JUST BLASTED SHERIDAN MÜLLER IN THE SKULL WITH HER MICROPHONE! SHERIDAN STAGGERS BACK AGAINST THE ROPES, STUNNED AFTER THAT ATTACK FROM KALINE, WHO LOOKS TO INFLICT MORE DAMAGE! BUT HARPER LEE BLASTS HER IN THE SIDE OF THE FACE WITH A FOREARM, KNOCKING MADISON INTO THE CORNER!

Rich Russillo: HARPER LEE IS ON MADISON NOW WITH SHOTS TO THE RIB CAGE AS KALINE DOES HER BEST TO COVER UP! BUT FROM BEHIND, SHERIDAN GRABS HOLD OF HARPER, AND SENDS HER INTO ONE OF THE COUCHES, WHICH FLIPS ONTO ITS BACK AS LEE CAME CRASHING INTO IT! FROM THERE, SHERIDAN BEGINS TO CLUB MADISON IN THE BACK WHILE SHES COVERING UP IN THE CORNER!

James Peters: HARPER CRAWLS OUT OF THE COUCH RUBBLE, AND HOPS ON SHERIDAN’S BACK, FORCING SHERIDAN TO TURN ATTENTION TO LEE AS SHE SPINS AROUND TO GET HARPER OFF HER BACK!

Persephone: TALIB HAS LOST ALL ORDER, AND LOOKS FLUSTERED AS TO WHAT TO DO!

James Peters: SHERIDAN SLINGS HARPER OVER HER SHOULDER, AND WRAPS HER ARMS AROUND THE WAIST FOR THE SHERPLEX! BUT MADISON COMES IN WITH A RUNNING BIG BOOT THAT HARPER DUCKS UNDERNEATH, CAUSING THE BOOT TO HIT SHERIDAN INSTEAD!

(Talib has lost complete control, and gestures security to come out.)

Rich Russillo: TALIB HAS CALLED FOR SECURITY, NOT THAT THESE LADIES CARE, AS THEY CONTINUE TO FIGHT! AFTER THE BOOT CONNECTED ON SHERIDAN, HARPER SLIPPED BEHIND MADISON AND SCORED WITH RAGNAROK! THE OLYMPIC SLAM!

James Peters: BUT SHERIDAN TURNS HARPER AROUND FOR A KICK TO THE GUT, AND PLACES HER BETWEEN HER LEGS FOR A POWERBOMB IT SEEMS!

Talib Bari: NO! NOT THE COFFEE TABLE! IT COST A FORTUNE! :damn:

Rich Russillo: SHERIDAN’S GONNA POWERBOMB LEE THROUGH THE COFFEE TAB-

(The arena fills up with boos as security fills up the arena in time to stop this from happening, and gets a grasp over the situation, keeping all three women at bay, despite the fact they’re trying to break free, and keep the fight going.)

Persephone: Thank God security came when they did!

James Peters: And while they can keep these three contained now, come King of Elite, all bets are off.

Rich Russillo: EAW will let. Them. FIGHT!

(Security continues to hold the woman back to a chorus of boos as the camera fades to commercial with Talib patting his head with a handkerchief at all the chaos which just transpired.)

(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where Sheridan Müller faces Madison Kaline and Harper Lee.)

(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)

Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A KING OF ELITE SECOND ROUND MATCH SCHEDULED FOR…ONE FALL!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!

(‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac plays to a thunderous reaction as TLA comes out with his lowrider, parking on the ramp area, and beginning his walk to the ring. TLA has a confident look on his face as he usually does, and he high fives fans on his way towards the ring, but takes a deep breath on the ramp before entering, showing he is taking this match seriously.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Hailing out of Tlaxcala, Mexico, weighing in at 210 pounds…HE IS LA PANTERA SEXUAL…TLA!!

James Peters: TLA is no stranger to the King of Elite, having made it to the finals before, and if he wins this match against Mercer, I could see that pattern beginning once more.

Rich Russillo: If he makes it through Mercer, there’s just one more match for him to go through before finals, not that it’ll be easy, given he’ll have to face either Drake King or Theron Nikolas.

Persephone: I’m sure Drake King doesn’t want to see TLA’s face again should he advance.

James Peters: Not shocking considering what happened last time.

(TLA crouches down in the corner as ‘Run’ by Zeal & Ardor blares throughout the arena, receiving a mixed reaction from fans. Mercer McKay marches toward the ring with a purpose, barely taking his eyes off TLA. Mercer gets on the apron, and screams to the crowd before entering the ring, and posing on the middle rope before looking directly back at TLA.)

Bella Braxton: AND HIS OPPONENT! Hailing out of The Black Cabin, weighing in at 265 pounds… HE IS THE MASTODON… MERCER MCKAY!

Rich Russillo: TLA has experience in this tournament, but a man who does not is Mercer McKay, but he’s certainly making a name for himself already. Getting into round two is not an easy task either.

James Peters: Last week, he toppled an established member of the company in Lucas Johnson, and following that up with a victory over TLA, sky would be the limit.

Rich Russillo: All eyes are on this match, and this can be Mercer’s opportunity to keep said eyes on him during the rest of his EAW journey.

(Both competitors stare each other down from opposite corners.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

James Peters: Welp, there comes a point where the time for talk is over, and it’s put or shut up time. Seems we’ve reached that here as TLA versus Mercer McKay gets underway. Mercer positions himself in the center of the ring, gesturing to TLA, who hasn’t left his corner yet, to meet him there. While in the ring with someone the caliber of TLA, it’s not often you see this type of confidence from a newcomer.

Rich Russillo: Well, being six-foot-six, two hundred sixty-five pounds, and strong as an ox, I don’t think there’s been many situations where Mercer is intimidated by anyone. But speaking of intimidated, TLA refuses to be as he rushes Mercer for a collar and elbow tie-up! There’s a brief jockey for position between the two, but that might’ve been a mad move as Mercer easily backs TLA into the corner, utilizing the strength advantage.

James Peters: The referee gets involved, and forces a clean break between the two. Mercer McKay backs to the center of the ring, and TLA circles around him. These two are very much in the feeling out process, especially TLA, who needs to figure out how he’s gonna tackle this major threat in the form of Mercer McKay. …finally, the two lock up for a second time, and again, Mercer McKay backs TLA up in the corner, keeping him pinned there.

Rich Russillo: The referee gets involved once more, and we get another clean break from Mercer, who beckons TLA to the center. TLA circles his opponent, and it looks as if we’re gonna get a third collar and elbow tie-up. Wait! TLA slips behind Mercer, having successfully faked him out, and tacks on a rear waistlock, which quickly gets transitioned into a standing side headlock.

Persephone: Riveting stuff early on!

James Peters: TLA continues to tighten his hold over McKay, who presses his foot down on the back of TLA’s knee, bringing his opponent down to a kneel. Mercer proceeds to slip out of the headlock, transitioning into a wristlock. TLA rolls through to his feet, and regains the advantage by wringing the arm of Mercer McKay, going as far to yank on it!

Rich Russillo: TLA has firm control over his opponent, but Mercer isolates his left arm for an arm wringer of his own. Mercer short arms TLA into a shoulder block, keeping hold of the wrist, and pulls him up for another. TLA goes down to a knee, and Mercer bars the arm, using his right hand to press down on the back of TLA’s shoulder.

James Peters: TLA powers back to his feet, and arm drags Mercer down to the canvas, transitioning into an armlock. You can see that the knee of TLA is pressed up against the cheek of McKay, who quickly powers back to his feet, and backs TLA up against the ropes for irish whip. Clothesline attempt by Mercer McKay, but its ducked underneath by TLA! Mercer spins around, and TLA scores with a right hand! But it has no effect on the big man, who grabs TLA by the neck with both hands, and BIELS him into the corner!

Rich Russillo: Mercer McKay charges in- BUT TLA GETS THE BOOT UP! Mercer McKay is stunned momentarily as he spins around, and staggers briefly. TLA hops to the middle rope, and Mercer charges at the Hall of Famer, WHO LEAPFROGS OVER, LANDING ON HIS FEET! Mercer McKay turns out of the corner to face TLA, who tries to score with a right hand, but Mercer grabs him by the throat with one hand, TOSSING TLA BACK INTO THE CORNER!

Persephone: The power! 😱

James Peters: TLA managed to avoid him at first, but he might’ve only delayed the inevitable as Mercer McKay hammers him with right hands in the corner, first to the face, then the body. Mercer grabs a handful of hair, and brings TLA to the center of the ring for a RIGHT HAND THAT DROPS HIM!

Rich Russillo: TLA gets to a knee, trying to shake the cobwebs off, and staggers over to the corner, attempting to create space between himself and Mercer McKay. But Mercer doesn’t allow the Hall of Famer to get much breathing room, following him to the corner, and scoring with a right hand, followed by a headbutt! TLA looks a bit dazed, but continues to fight on with a kick to the midsection as Mercer grabbed hold of his head.

James Peters: Mercer McKay doubles over briefly, and TLA takes the opportunity to bounce him face first off the top turnbuckle! Mercer becomes pinned in that corner for a KNIFE EDGE CHOP THAT REVERBS THROUGHOUT THE ARENA! TLA isn’t done, and delivers another, putting the same power in as he put the first! TLA grabs the wrist of Mercer McKay, and irish whips him to the opposite corner!

Rich Russillo: Wait! Mercer reverses the irish whip, and sends TLA to the opposite corner instead! TLA hit HARD, favoring his back as he comes staggering out of the corner, wandering right into a BACK BODY DROP! DID YOU SEE THE AIR TIME HE GOT OFF THAT?! TLA NEARLY FLEW OFF OUR SCREENS!

James Peters: You can get a measure of how much pain he’s in given how badly TLA is writhing in pain on the canvas.

Rich Russillo: Keep in mind, Mercer McKay is no small man by any means, standing in six-foot-six, so getting popped high in the air by that man cannot be ideal.

James Peters: Mercer stalks his opponent, slowly closing in on TLA as he gingerly gets to a knee. TLA takes another trip to the skies, although not the way he wants to, getting hoisted high in the air by McKay for a stalling GORILLA PRESS SLAM! MERCER ISNT DONE YET, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR A SENTON! THATS 265 POUNDS COMING CRASHING DOWN ONTO TLA, WHO MIGHT HAVE A FEW BROKEN RIBS AT THIS POINT! A seated Mercer scoots back into the cover, hooking the inside leg!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO-

Rich Russillo: Almost a two count, which is surprising, given what TLA just endured, but keep in mind, were still a bit early into this contest, meaning that we haven’t even scratched the surface with TLA’s resilience, which I’m sure’ll be on full display as he continues to endure punishment from Mercer McKay, who brings TLA back to his feet.

James Peters: Mercer McKay simply shoves TLA back into the ropes, and pops him in the air for a BACK ELBOW STRIKE! TLA CAN BARELY STAND AS HE JUST GOT CAUGHT WITH EMPTY PRAYERS, ALREADY MERCER IS BUSTING OUT A SIGNATURE MANEUVER, AND A WOBBLY LEGGED TLA STUMBLES BACK INTO THE CORNER, USING THE ROPES TO KEEP HIMSELF STANDING!

Rich Russillo: Mercer marches to the opposite corner, his target acquired solely on TLA as he builds a full head of steam! RUNNING CORNER BIG BOOT… ALMOST CONNECTS AS TLA GETS OUT OF THE WAY IN TIME! The leg of Mercer McKay has been hung over the top rope as a result, AND TLA TAKES ADVANTAGE WITH A KICK TO THE BACK OF HIS THIGH!

James Peters: Mercer McKay screams in slight pain as he gets his leg untangled from the top rope, and walks to the center of the ring, carrying a slight limp, holding his thigh as a result from that kick by TLA, who stalks Mercer.

Rich Russillo: Mercer has his back to TLA, not quite thinking strategically with the pain he’s in, AND TLA COMES FROM BEHIND WITH A CHOP BLOCK, BRINGING MCKAY DOWN TO ALL FOURS! TLA might’ve begun cracking the code as to how he’s gonna put this big man away.

Persephone: If a man can’t walk, a man can’t fight, which might get this match called off for safety, something I’d “hate” to happen.

James Peters: Mercer McKay winces as he rises to a knee, BUT TLA KNOCKS HIM TO A PRONE POSITION ON THE CANVAS WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE SKULL! With Mercer stunned, he’s unable to defend himself from TLA, WHO LOCKS IN THE AR15! LASSO FROM EL PASO HAS THE BIG MAN GRIMACING IN PAIN!

Rich Russillo: TLA HAS IT CINCHED IN DEEP, HIS SHIN PLANTED IN THE TRAPS OF MERCER MCKAY, WHO REACHES FOR THE ROPES THAT ARE A MILE AWAY! ITS EITHER MERCER NEEDS TO WILL HIMSELF THERE, OR HE MAY JUST HAVE TO TAP OUT!

James Peters: If he taps out, that’s basically signing away his ticket to be King of Elite, which is why I think Mercer McKay has gritted through the pain thus far. He refuses to give it away that easy, and begins to fire himself up, using that leg TLA is pulling back on to fling his opponent forward!

Rich Russillo: TLA rolls through to his feet, but looks on in slight shock, knowing Mercer broke that submission off pure power alone. It’s not often you see something like that happen. Mercer McKay stands himself back up, but you gotta ask yourself, has the damage been done as he can barely put weight on the leg, moving gingerly as he turns around to face TLA.

James Peters: But The Latin Assassin takes Mercer McKay off his feet again, delivering a basement dropkick to the kneecap! Mercer goes down to a knee, and TLA runs off the ropes in front of him! BUT MERCER SCOOPS HIM UP IN POSITION FOR A SPINEBUSTER, DRIVING TLA BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER! Mercer McKay limps out of the corner, showing that the damage done to his knee is indeed having effect.

Rich Russillo: But it might serve to Mercer McKay up even more to inflict some damage upon his opponent, limping back into the corner for a kick to the midsection of TLA! Mercer drives the back of his elbow into the side of TLA’s head while he’s pinned up against that corner multiple times, causing TLA to have that glossy look in his eye.

James Peters: Mercer slaps the side of his knee, trying to get some circulation back into it before continuing the attack with an irish whip into the opposite corner! MERCER CHARGES IN FOR A RUNNING CORNER SHOULDER THRUST, DRIVING HIS SHOULDER COMPLETELY INTO THE MIDSECTION OF TLA, WHO STAGGERS OUT OF THE CORNER DOUBLED OVER AS MERCER RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR A HIGH KNEE STRIKE THAT TAKES TLA DOWN!

Rich Russillo: Mercer McKay marches into the cover, hooking the leg on TLA!

ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHH-

Rich Russillo: Kickout! TLA lies on his side, looking as if he’s trying to gather his whereabouts, and can’t see Mercer McKay behind him, who signals the beginning of the end, slashing his throat with his thumb. TLA slowly gets back to his feet, having no idea what awaits him as he turns around into a kick to the gut! Mercer proceeds to hook both arms for Tiger Driver 91, which is the start to Hall of Atonement. If Mercer McKay can pop off with all three moves, it might be the beginning of the end for TLA.

James Peters: TIG- NO! TLA COUNTERS WITH A HURRICANRANA, AND ROLLS IT OVER INTO A TRIANGLE CHOKE! SMOOTH TRANSITION BY TLA! THAT THIGH ACROSS THE NECK OF MERCER MCKAY WILL CUT OFF BLOOD FLOW, AND FORCE HIM TO TAP OUT OR PASS OUT IF NOT CAREFUL!

Rich Russillo: MERCER! MERCER PINS BOTH SHOULDERS DOWN OF TLA WHILE IN THE TRIANGLE, TRYING TO PULL FAST ONE HERE!

ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Rich Russillo: TLA got the shoulder up, and is being far more cautious to keep the shoulder up while having Mercer trapped in this triangle choke! Mercer reaches out for the ropes with his free hand, but he’s nowhere near close unfortunately! Is Mercer McKay gonna t-

James Peters: We might be getting the answer to our question as Mercer rises from both knees to a vertical base. You can see the panic beginning to form on TLA’s face as Mercer begins to power him up off the canvas for a ONE HANDED POWERBOMB! MERCER MCKAY FALLS INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHH-

Persephone: TLA kicks out! :francis:

Rich Russillo: Mercer McKay sits up, and takes a deep breath, probably proud to be given some time to recuperate here as he favors his neck, coughing slightly. But Mercer McKay stands himself up, noticing that TLA is beginning to stir also. Mercer gets to his feet first, right before TLA can get to his, and maintains control over this match up with a right hand! TLA is stunned momentarily, but battles back with a KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST!

James Peters: TLA leans up against the ropes, trying to recover himself from that powerbomb, but Mercer McKay interrupts the healing process with a big right hand, followed by an irish whip off the ropes! Mercer ducks down for another back body drop, looking to launch TLA into the stratosphere. But he might’ve showed his hand too early as TLA delivers a penalty kick to the face, jolting Mercer upright, but the kick seems to have had no effect as Mercer stares daggers into TLA.

Rich Russillo: Oh, it had an effect, just not the desired one for TLA, who might’ve just royally peeved off his opponent. Big clothesline attempt by Mercer, but TLA ducks underneath it, SCORING WITH ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP! Mercer McKay goes to respond with a right hand, but TLA ducks underneath, catching him with ANOTHER knife edge chop to the chest! TLA CONTINUES TO BARRAGE HIS OPPONENT WITH CHOPS TO THE CHEST!

James Peters: Once Mercer is groggy off those knife edge chops, TLA leaps him up against the ropes for an irish whip! BUT MERCER REVERSES, SENDING TLA TOWARD THE ROPES INSTEAD! TLA SLIDES BETWEEN THE LEGS OF MERCER MCKAY, AND MERCER TURNS AROUND INTO A DROPKICK, KNOCKING HIM BACK AGAINST THE ROPES, CAUSING HIM TO REBOUND!

Rich Russillo: SWAG SHOT! TLA CAUGHT MERCER MCKAY WITH THE PIMP SLAP, CAUSING MCKAY TO SPIN AROUND OFF IMPACT! MERCER BEGINS TO FIRE UP OFF THAT SLAP, BUT BEFORE A SEETHING MCKAY CAN TURN AROUND TO FACE TLA, THE LATIN ASSASSIN DROPKICKS HIM IN THE BACK, SO HIS OPPONENT IS HUNG UP ON THE MIDDLE ROPE!

James Peters: TLA RUNS OFF THE OPPOSITE SET FOR A TIGER FEINT KICK ONTO MERCER MCKAY! THE 305 CONNECTS, AND MERCER FALLS IN PERFECT DROP ZONE DISTANCE AS TLA CLIMBS TO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! I THINK HES GOING FOR BURNOUT, WHICH COULD BE THE MANEUVER NEEDED TO PUT HIS OPPONENT AWAY!

Rich Russillo: Mercer! Mercer began to stir while TLA was positioning himself, and got to a knee, showing some superb awareness, realizing that the beginning of the end was coming. TLA is shocked to see that Mercer managed to get up from his signature maneuver so quickly, but realizes he need to do something, and dives off the turnbuckle!

James Peters: CHOKESLAM! MERCER MCKAY CAUGHT TLA IN POSITION FOR THE CHOKESLAM, GRABBING HIM BY THE THROAT! MERCER HOISTS TLA UP, BUT TLA SLIPS OVERHEAD FOR A SUNSET FLIP! WAIT! MERCER MCKAY MAINTAINS HIS BALANCE AS TLA TRIES PULLING HIM DOWN INTO THE COVER!

Rich Russillo: OOH! MERCER MCKAY DROPS ALL HIS WEIGHT DOWN ON TLA’S STERNUM WITH A SEATED SENTON! TLA rolls out of the ring, clutching his chest as Mercer McKay gets off of him.

Persephone: That might’ve taken all the wind out of TLA’s sails, and no wonder when a man that fa- monstrous lands on you.

James Peters: Well, said “monstrous” man pursues TLA on the outside, who realizes this, and crawls to the steel steps, using them for assistance in getting back to his feet. Mercer follows shortly behind, almost stalking TLA, and grabs the back of his head, slamming him down FACE FIRST ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!

Rich Russillo: TLA gets rolled back into the ring, and Mercer McKay hangs his head over the apron. What cruel intentions could this man have in mind as he climbs up onto the apron, having TLA fully in his sights.

Persephone: TLA hasn’t moved, and I don’t think he’s gonna.

James Peters: Mercer McKay builds momentum for a running SPLASH on the apro- TLA! TLA GOT OUT OF THE WAY IN THE WAY JUST IN THE NICK OF THE TIME, AND MERCER MCKAY LANDS HARD ON THE APRON BEFORE ROLLING OFF TO THE RINGSIDE AREA!

Rich Russillo: TLA slowly gets to his feet inside the ring, feeding off the chants from fans, who are rallying behind him here against McKay, who’s using the apron to pull himself back to his feet. TLA notices this, and runs off the opposite set of ropes for a BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK ONTO MCKAY AS HE TRIED TO RE-ENTER THE RING!

James Peters: Mercer McKay gets knocked onto his back ringside, and TLA rolls out onto the apron, pulling himself up with assistance from the ropes, the exhaustion beginning to show. TLA climbs to the top turnbuckle, his back facing Mercer, who’s slowly getting to a vertical base on the outside. TLA DIVES OFF THE TOP WITH A MOONSAULT!

Rich Russillo: NO WATER IN THE POOL AS MERCER MCKAY SIDE STEPS, CAUSING TLA TO LAND HARD ON THE OUTSIDE! THAT WAS A SICKENING THUD! Mercer McKay staggers over toward the barricade, using it to prop himself up, showing the wear and tear he’s taken from this match as well. TLA favors his ribs, groaning in agony as he writhes around in pain. The referee has been placed in a bad spot now, possibly having to call off the match, and award it to Mercer as he checks on TLA.

James Peters: There’s a reason it’s called high risk, and TLA just got reminded of that. The referee just alerted TLA that he can stop the match at any time, but that’s the last thing TLA wants, shaking his head to the referee no.

Rich Russillo: TLA uses the referee’s shirt for aid in getting back to his feet, scratching and clawing his way to a vertical base, doing his best to block out the immense amount of pain he’s currently in. Mercer has already slid back into the ring some time ago, and begins slapping himself, hyping himself up as he runs off the ropes! NO WAY!

James Peters: MERCER MCKAY SOARS THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH A SUICIDE DIVE! …BUT GETS THE SAME EFFECT AS TLA, HITTING HARD ON THE OUTSIDE AS THERE’S NO WATER IN THE POOL! TLA COLLAPSED, CAUSING HIM TO NARROWLY AVOID THE SUICIDE DIVE!

Persephone: Talk about luck…

Rich Russillo: TLA just got lucky himself, but neither competitor can capitalize as their both wiped out at the ringside area. The referee surveys the scene, and reluctantly enters the ring to count both men out.

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

Rich Russillo: TLA uses the apron to pull himself back up, and rolls into the ring. TLA is still exhausted, along with out of it, so doesn’t even think about the referee continuing to count. I don’t think he wants to end the match in a DQ, just like the rest of these fans, who attitudes begin to perk up as Mercer McKay shows signs of life on the outside, crawling towards the ring.

Referee: SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE! …TE-

James Peters: JUST BEFORE THE COUNT OF TEN, MERCER MCKAY MANAGES TO ROLL HIMSELF BACK INTO THE RING, JUST BEATING THE COUNT! TLA watches this from all fours while holding his ribs, and takes a few deep breaths, trying to get some air back into his lungs, and get himself in shape to continue pressing forward with the attack on McKay.

Rich Russillo: TLA crawls to the corner, and pulls himself up, proceeding to stalk Mercer McKay, yelling at him to get up. Mercer McKay slowly gets to his feet, AND TLA COMES OUT OF THE CORNER WITH A CARTWHEEL CARTEL KICK!

James Peters: BUT THE CARTWHEEL PELE DOES NOT CONNECT AS MERCER MCKAY SIDE STEPS, CAUSING TO BELLY FLOP ON THE CANVAS! TLA quickly gets to his a knee, favoring his ribs, and MERCER MCKAY USES THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE WITH A TIGER DRIVER 91! MERCER MCKAY STACKS TLA UP FOR THE COVER, NOT HAVING THE ENERGY TO HIT ALL OF HALL OF ATONEMENT!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEE-

Rich Russillo: TLA POPS OUT OF THE COVER, ROLLING TO A PRONE POSITION! Mercer McKay crawls over to the legs of TLA, and grabs him by the ankle, turning TLA over to be supine. Mercer hooks one of the legs, and goes to hook the other, setting up for the second part of Final Atonement, that being the giant swing. BUT TLA USES THE FREE FOOT OF HIS TO KICK MERCER AWAY!

James Peters: Mercer spins around, favoring the side of his face, which got constantly kicked by TLA. TLA rushes back to his feet, hoping to capitalize as he spins Mercer around for the Mexican Destroyer. BUT MERCER MCKAY BACK BODY DROPS TLA OVERHEAD! TLA LANDS ON HIS FEET, AND SPINS AROUND, WALKING RIGHT INTO A POP UP! EMPTY PRAYE-

Rich Russillo: MEXICAN DESTROYER! MERCER TRIED POPPING TLA UP FOR THE BACK ELBOW, BUT HE COUNTERED, FLOATING OVER MERCER FOR A MEXICAN DESTROYER, SPIKING THE BIG MAN ON HIS HEAD! BUT TLA IS UNABLE TO CAPITALIZE AS HE COLLAPSES BACK DOWN TO THE CANVAS! Mercer McKay rolls over prone, and all TLA has to do is cover him!

James Peters: TLA finally begins to stir, and crawls over to a downed Mercer McKay, only able to place his arm over him.

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE-

Persephone: :comeagain:

Rich Russillo: WOW!

James Peters: WE TALKED ABOUT TLA’S RESILENCE, BUT MIGHT NEED TO DISCUSS MERCER MCKAY’S MANAGING TO KICK OUT OF THE MEXICAN DESTROYER!

Rich Russillo: HE MIGHT CAN ATTRIBUTE THAT TO TLA LETTING SO MUCH TIME PASS BEFORE MAKING THE COVER, HIS WEAR AND TEAR HES SUFFERED THROUGHOUT REARING ITS UGLY HEAD!

James Peters: Both competitors struggle to get to all fours, but TLA crawls over to Mercer, grabbing him in a grounded front facelock, and pulling McKay up to a vertical base. TLA releases the facelock, and SCORES WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST! MERCER STAGGERS BRIEFLY BEFORE RETURNING FIRE WITH A RIGHT HAND! TLA GOES DOWN TO A KNEE MOMENTARILY BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A SECOND KNIFE EDGE CHOP!

Rich Russillo: TLA HAS HIT SO MANY CHOPS ON MERCER TONIGHT, YOU CAN SEE ACTUAL WELTS BEGINNING TO FORM ON HIS CHEST! BUT MERCER MAINTAINS HIS BALANCE, ALBEIT BARELY, AND DELIVERS ANOTHER RIGHT HANDED SHOT TO THE SKULL OF TLA!

James Peters: TLA ANSWERS WITH A RIGHT HAND OF HIS OWN, AND MERCER GOES DOWN TO A KNEE BRIEFLY BEFORE STANDING HIMSELF BACK UP TO LAND ANOTHER RIGHT HAND ON TLA, FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER!

Rich Russillo: TLA WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP, FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER, THEN ANOTHER, THEN ANOTHER! WAIT! MERCER ATE THAT LAST SHOT, AND PUTS HIS ALL INTO A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ONTOTLA, ECHOING THROUGHOUT THE ARENA, AND KNOCKING TLA DOWN TO THE CANVAS!

James Peters: Mercer McKay pulls TLA back to his feet, and hooks both arms for the Tiger Driver 91, BUT TLA GOES TO COUNTER WITH A HURRICANRANA AGAIN! THIS TIME, MERCER HAS IT SCOUTED, POWERING TLA BACK UP IN POSITION FOR A POWERBOMB!

Persephone: :lupe:

Rich Russillo: TLA FIGHTS OUT OF IT WITH PUNCHES TO THE DOME OF MCKAY BEFORE SLIPPING OFF HIS SHOULDERS! TLA CONTINUES TO ATTACK WITH MORE KNIFE EDGE CHOPS TO THE CHEST, BACKING MCKAY UP AGAINST THE CORNER, AND HE IRISH WHIPS HIM TO THE OPPOSITE!

James Peters: MERCER REVERSES, SENDING TLA TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER INSTEAD, THEN CHARGES IN!

Rich Russillo: TLA GETS THE BOOT UP, AND MERCER GOES DOWN TO ALL FOURS! TLA TURNS HIS BACK TO MERCER IN THE CORNER, AND SPRINGS TO THE TOP ROPE FOR A MOONSAULT AS MERCER GOT TO A VERTICAL BASE!

Rich Russillo: BUT MERCER CAUGHT HIM OUT OF MID AIR ONTO HIS SHOULDER- TILT-A-WHIRL DDT! TLA TURNT IT INTO A TILT-A-WHIRL DDT, SPIKING MERCER MCKAY ON HIS HEAD! TLA EXITS TO THE APRON, AND RUSHES TO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! …BURNOUT! CORKSCREW 630 SENTON!!! THE COVER IS MADE, HOOKING THE LEG!

ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER, MOVING ON TO THE KING OF ELITE SEMIFINALS…. TLA!!!!!!!!

(‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac blares throughout the arena to a massive pop from fans, and TLA sits up off the cover, and with the referee’s assistance, gets to a vertical base, having his hand raised in victory.)

James Peters: Given TLA’s accomplishments, it shouldn’t come as a shock that he defeated Mercer McKay tonight, yet that feeling of shock remains there.

Rich Russillo: It looked like countless times in this match, Mercer McKay could’ve had TLA beat.

Persephone: It was perseverance that allowed TLA to reign victorious.

James Peters: You’re right about that, he ate everything Mercer had to offer, and has his hand raised in victory as a result. Congratulations TLA on advancing in the tournament, you deserve it!

(TLA gingerly climbs to the middle, wincing due to pain in his ribs, and taunts to the audience as the camera fades elsewhere.)

(Commercial for M3gan, in theaters now.)

[SCREENBAR: BEFORE THE SHOW]

(Sunday Night Voltage fades back in to show Showdown’s Ryan Wilson, who was standing outside at the back of the Moda Center, casually checking his phone and waiting for someone to appear, that person obviously being Xander Payne, his teammate and partner. They were sent a message by the Ice Aces to go to Voltage and have a talk with them, not knowing exactly how this talk would go, but they decided to go either way with their guards up and with a full proof plan Xander was able to make just in case. Ryan was able to arrive early so he just stood there waiting and waiting, until finally, a very familiar silhouette appeared in front of him.)

Ryan Wilson: Xander, my good man! How are you do-oh.

(Xander looked very tired and not in the best of moods from what happened in the past few hours, considering the way his match against Alex Myers ended up going and what happened to him at the airport.)

Ryan Wilson: Sooo…I guess that video I saw on Social Media wasn’t fake after all.

Xander Payne: Are you actually telling me they caught video of that?

Ryan Wilson: Yeeep.

Xander Payne: I was just sitting idly on the airport minding my own business when all of a sudden, this man who looks like he doesn’t drink water daily tries to steal my luggage! I was just defending my belongings from being stolen!

Ryan Wilson: And you did that by throwing a tire at him?

Xander Payne: It was what was closest to me! I don’t know what kind of normal person brings a tire to the airport but hey, it stopped my luggage from being taken!

Ryan Wilson: Hey, I don’t blame you, I would have probably done it too after a very bad day yesterday, you look tired and maybe what you need is just to relax. There are a few hours before the show starts so we can use that time to strategize and talk about that full proof plan that you had in mind, alright?

(Xander simply crossed his arms, not responding and staying silent. He was still in a horrible mood, but Ryan took the silence as a way to say yes. The two quickly entered and calmly walked around the hallways, planning to go to their locker room and use the time they had to take a breather, but they were soon caught off guard by a note that was stuck to their door. Ryan took it off and showed it to Xander, as the note said “Please come to the ring”. Xander and Ryan obviously knew this was out of the ordinary and they were pretty sure on who wrote this note. But assuming they wouldn’t have any time to rest after all, they decided to leave their bags in the locker room and head straight to the ring.)

(The arena was completely empty as the show didn’t start yet and there were no fans at all, but as the two arrived at the entrance ramp, they were very confused and surprised seeing what was in front of them. The whole ramp and ringside were covered in Japanese style decor, pictures of cherry blossoms around the barricades, different styles of plants like bonsai trees and various groups of Japanese flowers arranged around the area. Well, the ring crew definitely didn’t do this at all. Xander and Ryan walked down wondering what was happening and that is when they reached the ring, it was completely covered in room dividers, shoji screens they were actually called, and the only way inside was through a very small door.)

Xander Payne: Ryan, I don’t like anything about this.

Ryan Wilson: Hey, don’t worry about it, I am completely sure you can fit through that door-

Xander Payne: No, not that! All of this just reeks of an incredibly obvious trap and we are walking straight to it, a trap for fools! But we aren’t that at all, for example, look at that camera over there! You don’t think I can see you filming us? You aren’t tricking me so easily!

(Xander pointed directly at a camera in a crowd that was facing towards the ring as Ryan let out a sigh and tried to calm down his partner.)

Ryan Wilson: Xander, about the camera, we do get filmed on the shows quite a lot so I am sure this talk we will have will be filmed and shown later. Maybe this isn’t a trap and it is just a normal invitation to have that talk with Usagi and Ayu.

Xander Payne: That is what they want you to believe! The best strategy we have is putting the full proof plan straight into the action!

Ryan Wilson: The full proof plan was just to beat them up if they attacked us.

Xander Payne: And it works every single time!

Ryan Wilson: Yes, you are right, it does! But to beat up somebody we kind of have to know where they are, and besides, if they really wanted to just trick us into a trap, they wouldn’t have gone to this extent.

Xander Payne: That is ridiculous! Why would you go to the lengths of preparing all of this to actually have a nice talk with someone who doesn’t like you at all?

Ryan Wilson: Didn’t you do a full blown 80’s style sitcom set last year when trying to convince Drake to be on your side?

(Xander raised a finger and was about to say something… but then he lowered his hand down and crossed his arms again, staying quiet. Ryan gave Xander a pat on the back and a nod as Ryan walked forward first to open the door and slowly look around.)

Ryan Wilson: Hmmm, as I expected, we can’t enter with shoes on.

Xander Payne: Aha! They want to lower our guard, leave our shoes behind so at the least expected moment, they steal it from us!

Ryan Wilson: No, the ring is covered in that floor they use for Japanese Houses, you can’t enter it with shoes on or else the floor gets dirty and it breaks.

Xander Payne: … How do you know that?

Ryan Wilson: I read it in one of the magazines from the airport! Very convenient information for us at least.

(The two ended up taking their shoes off and preparing themselves, Ryan quickly crawled in first and Xander after taking his time to think about it decided to follow Ryan and he crawled in as well. Finally, as they both stood up and looked around, they were taken off guard by people raising their voices.)

???: Greetings, welcome to the tea ceremony!

(It was then that in one side of the ring the room dividers were pulled apart so that the camera could see inside of the ring, the ring was covered in tatami mats and there were various pieces of art around the walls, with the center being a small traditional tea table called a chabudai, with all the tools to make the tea on it. And of course, the voices came from none other than the Ice Aces, Usagi Senshi and Ayu Megumi, who were inside the ring the whole time. For the occasion, they were wearing simple but beautiful looking kimonos, Ayu wearing a light blue one and Usagi wearing a dark blue one. They did a simple bow to greet the two newcomers and they stood there with very bright smiles on their faces with Xander and Ryan being incredibly confused.)

Xander Payne: Ryan they are straight up smiling as bright as the sun and being incredibly friendly to us, did you just see what they did now?

Ryan Wilson: That is a way to greet somebody, Xander. Sorry ladies, my partner hasn’t been in the best of moods recently and he is kind of paranoid right now, it is good to see you as well! This setup is pretty nice!

Xander Payne: I don’t care! What is all of this?!

Usagi Senshi: Oh, we just wanted to invite you two to have some tea time with us! But not just any tea time, in a Japanese tea time ceremony. I thought it would work perfectly for what me and Ayu wanted to do, have a calm and peaceful conversation with you two ahead of our match. That is why we have went through all of this effort to set this all up, and someone, not going to say any names, is not appreciative of it at all and is being very mean about it, so thank you at least Ryan.

Ryan Wilson: No problem-

Xander Payne: Don’t give them any kindness, Ryan! You think I don’t know all about this is a trick, huh? I am sure that tea has to be poisoned or something, because I can’t believe you are suddenly being incredibly kind to me and my partner when just yesterday YOU COST ME MY MATCH!

Ayu Megumi: Well first of all, we made sure to check and the tea is not poisoned! And second of all, we simply wanted to get a closer look at your match, it was getting very good!

Usagi Senshi: Yeah, kind of your fault for getting distracted.

Xander Payne: YOU-

(Ryan was basically holding Xander back from just breaking all of the set up down as Ryan pulled Xander to a corner and began talking directly with him.)

Ryan Wilson: Xander, I know you are very angry right now, and you don’t particularly like the people who invited us, but think about this. It is a good way for us to relax and take a breather, we were probably just going to take a nap before but now we can enjoy tea and some tasty treats! Just try your best to calm down, take a breather and go along with it, alright?

(Xander simply let out a loud sigh this time and stared at Ryan for a few seconds before finally deciding to go along with it with a silent nod as they walked back in front of the Ice Aces.)

Xander Payne: Fine, let’s just get this over with!

Usagi Senshi: Good to hear then, if it calms you down, me and Ayu will guide you along the tea ceremony and show you how it is done, but for now let’s wait for someone else to arrive. They will be the host of the ceremony and they will take care of everything while we have our conversation, so let’s wait for now.

(And so, the four people waited there for this host to arrive, and after various minutes passed, another voice was heard, a very loud one to add.)

???: GREETINGS, EVERYBODY!

(Another person crawled through the small door and as she stood up, she did a bow to greet her guests. It was a young girl wearing a very bright pink kimono and a bright smile as well on her face.)

Xander Payne: Now WHO is this?!

Usagi Senshi: The host of the ceremony, and my little sister, Rie Senshi.

Rie Senshi: Your absolutely duper awesome host is right here in the flesh!

Xander Payne: So a literal child and your sister is going to host this?! This peaceful reunion just continues to look more and more like a trap to me!

Rie Senshi: I am 19, thank you very much. :mjpls:

Usagi Senshi: And the “child” has been to more Japanese tea ceremonies than you have gone to buffets, so she is definitely more knowledgeable when it comes to this than you are.

Rie Senshi: You heard us Panda-man, any more complaints?

(Xander was close to breaking everything down again but Ryan was able to pull him back and calm him down again.)

Rie Senshi: That is what I thought! Let’s start the ceremony then! Please to all the newcomers, make sure to stay quiet while I do this process!

Ryan Wilson: We don’t have any chairs?

Ayu Megumi: Oh no, no chairs! Here, this is how you sit!

(Ayu then showed Xander and Ryan the proper sitting position, it was called the “seiza” position as Ayu kneeled in front of the table, placing her knees on the floor and resting her bottom on her heels. Rie and Usagi sat in that position as well and after seeing it and a few tries, Ryan and Xander were able to get it as well. It was then that they all stayed quiet as Rie began doing the ceremony, she first cleaned all the utensils with a silk cloth as a way to purify the tools. After she was done, she then began warming up the tea bowl with hot water and grabbing one of the cups, she grabbed some “matcha”, powdered green tea and put three scoops on it on the cup, with the water finished heating up, she poured the water into the cup and after carefully stirring for a few minutes, she was able to make green tea.)

(It was then the next step of the ceremony as Rie grabbed the cup and she passed it to Usagi so she could show everybody what to do. Usagi bowed once and grabbed the cup with her right hand and placed it on her left, raising the tea cup towards the host Rie. She then rotated the cup and took a sip from a specific spot in the cup as a gesture of respect. After Usagi was done, she wiped the rim of the bowl and passed it to the next guest, with Usagi bowing once more to express her gratitude. It was a very intricate process that Ayu was able to do easily, and Ryan after seeing it twice, was able to successfully do it as well. But when it came to Xander, he wasn’t up to it at all.)

Xander Payne: This is so stupid-

(It was then that he turned to see Rie and she gave him one of the biggest death glares he has seen in his life, it was almost like flames were coming out of her eyes. He decided to think twice about it and go with it, it took some tries and mistakes but he was finally able to do it as he gave Rie back the cup. The process was finished and Rie began preparing the green tea for the other cups. When she was finished, she gave each person their tea and opened up the boxes that contained sweets on them for everybody to eat. Ryan, Ayu and Usagi enjoyed their tea while Xander simply ate the sweets. It was finally time to have that conversation as Usagi decided to start first.)

Usagi Senshi: Now that we are here and we have the opportunity to talk between each other, I would like to reiterate and say that me and Ayu are looking to become the Unified Tag Team Champions, that kind of objective has always stuck with us since we arrived here in EAW, to become one of the best tag teams this company has seen and being able to hold gold with the person I hold dearest to me. It has been a rough road the past year having to suffer all those kinds of losses, there were some highs, there were some lows, and at a few points me and Ayu lost ourselves trying to get what we wanted. But, now that we are on a new year, where we were able to get the woman who made our lives a nightmare at the start of the season off our backs and ARIA being able to become Specialists Champion, things are finally looking up for us. This year can finally be ours and we are so close yet so far from what we want, we can’t afford to fail, we can’t afford to lose that kind of opportunity, we are heading in at the top of our game for this match and even though you two have had your accomplishments, the two of you together can’t compare against us. When the Ice Aces have gone through everything they have together and they stuck through thick and thin no matter what? You can’t beat that kind of thing. Not at this kind of point.

Ryan Wilson: I can very much understand what you are saying Usagi, having to go through all those setbacks, all of those obstacles that ended up holding you back and ruining what you planned, that has happened to me various times. But with the kind of progress that I have been able to make, failing at winning the Unified Tag Team Championships with my partner would be absolutely nothing. I am a changed man, the old Ryan who didn’t care about what people thought of him, who was completely selfish and believed he was on top of the world? That man doesn’t exist, and the fact that I was able to understand what you have said, and sympathize with you instead of insulting you for that? That indeed shows how far I was able to make it in my career now, that is how much progress I was able to make, that when I came here together with my partner and I was able to grow myself, my luck turned around. Things ended up getting better and I don’t want the fruits of my labor to be wasted away by failing again in yet another opportunity. Me and Xander didn’t have the best start, I can admit that, but the fact that even though we didn’t trust each other, and we still don’t in a few things, we stuck together as well when going up against other teams, we were able to get better together and that is what matters as well for us.

Ayu Megumi: Me and Usagi can respect the progress that you have been able to do Ryan, we can’t really deny how much you have grown as a person and the new Ryan Wilson has shown how much of a great wrestler he can be. But it is now that you are realizing what has been happening and you know what you need to do. You have wasted away years of your career making the worst decisions you could and going down the wrong path every single time while me and Usagi have stuck to our beliefs, have gone through every single hoop we could and despite all of that, we were still not able to win the Unified Tag Team Championships at Pain for Pride and that… simply broke us. It broke us to a point that we weren’t sure what we were doing anymore and we were really thinking of risking another person’s job so we could get another opportunity. You don’t know how much we have suffered the past few months, against a woman who didn’t have any mercy at all for anybody else and just cared about what she wanted, as my girlfriend was accused of something she was not, when they ended up brutally attacking her and I ended up crying because I was so worried something happened to her, we stuck to what was right. We stuck to who we really were, and even though they tried to take us down we still kept going, we still got up on our own two feet and we fought! We stuck to who we were no matter what, we did that our entire time here when you, after five years of being here in EAW, finally realized what was wrong. So even though we can respect you growing and accepting what happened, we deserve having these championships more for continuing to fight our way!

Xander Payne: Cry me a river, would you?

(Xander couldn’t take anymore talking from the Ice Aces as he ended up raising his voice and speaking for himself.)

Xander Payne: This is just so beautiful for you isn’t it, huh? Having to express your feelings in how no matter what, you just continue to fail? I find it more pathetic, that after what you did to me on Showdown yesterday you just want to sit down, have a nice tea time with us and get a normal conversation? No, I am not accepting that, what kind of reason is that for proving you can be Unified Tag Team Champions? It doesn’t matter at the end if those are the kind of reasons you are putting out, you think it will work this time? It will be that miracle win you finally need so that all those worthless tries you’ve had aren’t for nothing? Even if you somehow beat us, you are just going to fail against Soul Food Sunday because you aren’t up to that kind of level, you aren’t up to OUR level! Do you really think you can face up to me and win? After I have busted my ass all of this time in EAW showing every single time, through my accomplishments and the people I have beat, that I am the BEST IN THE WORLD! You can’t compare to that kind of thing and no matter how much determination, hope or some fairy tail bull-[BLEEP] you will say to me this time, it won’t work for you at all, because all you have done in your own career is continue to fail and not be able to recover from it!

Usagi Senshi: Of course, I just KNEW this peaceful conversation would be ruined by you, Xander. You can’t put away your arrogance, your disrespectfulness, for one second and actually be a normal human being. It always comes down to this, you forcing yourself back into that kind of mentality and screwing yourself over because you can’t fathom the possibility of someone else being able to show how much better they are than you. So you rely on underestimating that person and showing how thick-headed you are, you blame us for continuing to fail? When you in the past have failed so many times yourself, some more devastating than our failures might I add! And especially when after you lost that World Heavyweight Championship you have basically been in a downward spiral, going crazy and fighting some random untalented wrestlers from other countries to feed your ego, failing at every big match that you had this season as well, recently losing as well on that match against Alex-

Xander Payne: Because you cost me THAT MATCH-

(Xander and Usagi immediately started arguing non-stop, continuing to throw insults at each other while Ryan and Ayu tried to calm them down until finally Usagi said this.)

Usagi Senshi: And you know what ended up happening? All of this effort we have done to set this up and have a normal conversation ended up being for nothing because of you, Xander! It would have been a better use of our time that instead of having this tea ceremony, you ended up getting stuck in that small door so we could all laugh at you!

(And it seems it was one fat joke too many by this point as Xander grabbed the table and flipped it over, making all of the tea, sweets and utensils spill over into the tatami mats and making a mess, as Rie screamed at the disaster and Usagi and Ayu sat there in surprise. Xander immediately got up and pushed away the room dividers, storming out of the ring and to backstage. Ryan looked over and tried his best to not facepalm while he turned quickly to Ayu and Usagi.)

Ryan Wilson: Well…uh, thanks for the tea!

(Ryan then quickly got up himself and rushed out of the ring as well to leave and go after Xander. Ayu was sad at the mess that was made and Usagi was still angry from the argument she just had, while Rie simply gave a small glare to them too.)

Rie Senshi: Yeah…Ayu-chan, sis, you are going to have to pay me for all of this.

(Ayu and Usagi let out a tired sigh and the three women began to pack up and clean everything as Voltage faded away to commercials.)

(Commercial for “Velma”, the #1 animated series on HBOMax. Ronan Malosi is featured explaining why it’s actually a good show and not lazily made with horrible comedy like everybody says.)

(Voltage returns to ringside, where Bella Braxton is seen with a microphone in her hand.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Bella Braxton: AND IT IS A KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT SECOND ROUND MATCH!!!!

(‘Cold War’ by Hans Zimmer hits, and the crowd explodes with boos, as disgusted as always after hearing this music. After a short while, Drake King begins to make his way out to the stage, seemingly ready for this King of Elite round two match as he doesn’t pay any attention to the boos coming from the thousands of fans in attendance. Drake doesn’t spend too much time on the stage either, seemingly only focused on winning this match as he makes his way down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first… From the Dead Sea, Israel… Weighing in at 220 pounds… THE END OF THE WORLD, DDDRRRRAAAAAAAKKE KIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNG!!!!!!!

James Peters: Drake King is honestly lucky to still be in the King of Elite tournament, but tonight will determine whether or not he’ll actually be able to capitalize off of what happened against Myles or if his luck was nothing more than that.

Rich Russillo: Yeah. We all know what Drake can do inside of the ring but there’s no denying that Myles was screwed over. I can’t imagine something like that happening twice though, so this time around he’s either going to have to win the right way or lose his spot in the tournament!

(‘Show Me Your God’ by The Amity Affliction would follow, and this would cause more of a mixed reaction rather than a full on negative one. As Drake waits inside of the ring, Theron Nikolas begins to walk out, focused on his opponent inside of the ring despite the warnings he received from Natasha Agnello last week. Theron’s made it clear what his goal was and winning the King of Elite tournament is just part of it, and because of that it’s not a surprise seeing the determined look on Theron’s face as he begins walking down the ramp.)

Bella Braxton: And his opponent… From Edmonton, Alberta, Canada… Weighing in at 224 pounds… HE IS THE REAPER, TTTHHHEEERRRROOONNNNNNN NNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIKKOOOOOLLAAAAASSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

James Peters: Theron Nikolas defeated Daryl Kinkade to move on to this match, and we all know that Theron apparently has somebody after him, but there’s no telling when or where they’re gonna strike. It doesn’t seem like Theron cares much either, as long as he’s able to move forward in this tournament.

Rich Russillo: This is the first time these two competitors will have ever faced one on one, so this should be an interesting match. These are both former World Champions too, so there’s really no telling who’ll win!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

James Peters: HERE WE GO! The King of Elite round two match is underway, and Drake King locks up with Theron Nikolas as the two former World Champions struggle for control! They both have a great shot at winning this entire tournament seeing all that they’ve accomplished in the past, including a King of Elite tournament win for Theron! It’d be huge if he’s able to win a second, but it seems that Drake may have gained control as he puts Theron in a headlock- or not! Theron runs towards the ropes, causing Drake to bounce off of them!

Rich Russillo: Theron runs in, BUT DRAKE HOLDS ONTO THE ROPES TO STOP HIMSELF BEFORE GOING FOR A SUPERKICK- JUST FOR THERON TO CATCH THE LEG! Theron spins Drake around, AND HE HITS DRAKE WITH AN ENZUIGIRI, CAUSING DRAKE TO STUMBLE TO THE CORNER! Theron now running in before delivering a running knee to the midsection, and now he grabs Drake before Irish whipping him to the opposite corner! Theron runs in, BUT DRAKE MANAGES TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND! Now it’s Theron in the corner, and Drake hits Theron with a chop before going for an Irish whip- WAIT NO! JUST AS DRAKE PULLED THERON OUT OF THE CORNER HE TURNED AND PULLED THERON BACK IN- RIGHT INTO A KNEE STRIKE!

Persephone: Theron Nikolas is looking like he’s on spaghetti legs, AND NOW DRAKE GRABS THERON BEFORE LOOKING FOR OVERHAUL- BUT THERON MANAGES TO SPIN OUT OF IT BEFORE GRABBING DRAKE FROM BEHIND! GERMAN SUPLEX BY THERON NIKOLAS, DROPPING DRAKE ON HIS NECK AS HE’S FORCED TO ROLL OUT TO THE RING APRON! Drake starts to pull himself up, but I don’t think Theron’s just going to let him go that easily!

James Peters: You were right about that one! Drake used the ropes to pull himself up, but as soon as he got up he was met with a right hand from Theron! Theron clearly is looking to try and win his second King of Elite tournament, and right now he seems to be in full control of this match as he grabs Drake and hits another right hand! Theron now looking to possibly pull Drake into a front facelock, maybe for a rope hung DDT or to suplex him back into the ring- BUT WE MAY NEVER KNOW AS DRAKE STARTS PUNCHING THERON IN THE MIDSECTION!

Rich Russillo: THERON LETS GO OF DRAKE, AND NOW DRAKE HITS THERON WITH AN ELBOW TO MAKE HIM FINALLY STUMBLE BACKWARDS! Drake King now looking for a springboard knee, BUT THERON NIKOLAS MANAGES TO AVOID IT! DRAKE MANAGES TO ROLL BACK TO HIS FEET, BUT HE’S IMMEDIATELY SCOOPED UP BY THERON AS “THE REAPER” CONNECTS WITH AN USHIGOROSHI!! THERON NIKOLAS NOW GOING FOR THE FIRST COVER IN THE MATCH FOLLOWING A HUGE MOVE!

ONE!
TW-

Rich Russillo: It seems that this match isn’t over just yet, BUT THERON DOESN’T SEEM TOO SURPRISED, INSTEAD IMMEDIATELY GRABBING DRAKE BY THE WRISTS BEFORE BEGINNING TO STOMP AT HIS FACE!

Persephone: Drake’s in a lot of trouble right now! There’s not much you can really do in a hold like that. It’s not something you can easily escape, you basically have to wait until Theron is done! Or.. Drake could think about his health and give up so that he doesn’t risk getting injured! Sure he’d be giving up his spot in the King of Elite tournament, but I think it’d be worth it to cut this match shor- I MEAN, I think it’d be worth it to avoid getting seriously hurt or whatever.

James Peters: Theron Nikolas stops stomping on Drake’s face, but he’s still holding onto his wrists! Theron starts to pull Drake up to his knees, AND NOW THERON GOES FOR DIVINE SUNDERER, THE KAMIGOYE KNEE STRIKE- BUT THIS IS WHAT DRAKE IS ABLE TO AVOID, DUCKING UNDER THE KNEE BEFORE PULLING THERON DOWN ONTO THE MAT IN A MODIFIED SCHOOL BOY PIN!!! DRAKE MANAGED TO GET THE SHOULDERS DOWN, IS HE ABOUT TO STEAL THE VICTORY!?

ONE!
TW-

James Peters: NO! THERON IMMEDIATELY KICKS OUT AND ROLLS TO A KNEE, BUT BEFORE HE COULD GET BACK TO HIS FEET HE’S DROPPED WITH A SUPERKICK, CAUSING HIM TO ROLL OUT TO RINGSIDE!

Rich Russillo: Both men are throwing everything they have at each other already, but I don’t think we should be surprised by how fast paced this match is. After all, these are two former World Champions and Pain for Pride main eventers. Theron Nikolas manages to get back up at ringside, but in the meantime Drake started running the ropes, AND NOW HE TAKES THERON BACK DOWN WITH A SUICIDE DIVE!! It looks like Drake has taken control now as he starts to pull Theron Nikolas up! What is he thinking!?

James Peters: Drake King now looking to throw Theron into the ring post, BUT THERON TURNS IT AROUND AND SENDS DRAKE INTO IT INSTEAD! DRAKE MANAGED TO STOP HIMSELF THOUGH, JUST BEFORE HIS FACE COULD CONNECT WITH THAT POST! THERON STARTS RUNNING IN TO TRY AND CAPITALIZE, BUT DRAKE LANDS A BACK ELBOW THAT STOPS HIM IN HIS TRACKS! Drake now grabbing Theron and trying to slam his face onto the ring apron, but Theron elbows Drake in the midsection, forcing him to let go! Theron now with a knee to Drake’s midsection, AND NOW THERON GRABS DRAKE BEFORE RUNNING FORWARD, RAMMING DRAKE INTO THE BARRICADE!

Rich Russillo: Theron Nikolas now pulling Drake into a front facelock before starting to lift him in a suplex position, BUT DRAKE USES THE BARRICADE TO STEP OFF AND SLOWLY FALL OVER THERON, LANDING ON HIS FEET BEHIND HIM! Theron Nikolas turns around, RIGHT INTO A DISCUS ELBOW! Drake grabs Theron before sending him into the ring and now Drake follows behind. Drake now sliding into the ring as the referee’s count is broken, BUT THERON QUICKLY GETS BACK UP BEFORE RUNNING THE ROPES, AND HE GOES TO HIT DRAKE WITH A SPEAR!!!!

Persephone: DRAKE AVOIDS IT!!!! THE SPEAR MISSED AND NOW HE RUNS IN BEFORE THERON COULD GET BACK UP! JUDGEMENT DAY- NO! THERON PULLS HIS HEAD AWAY BEFORE IT COULD BE STOMPED INTO THE MAT, AND NOW THERON PULLS DRAKE INTO THE GHOST’S REQUIEM- NO! DRAKE COUNTERS IN SIMILAR FASHION TO THERON WITH OVERHAUL, ONLY DRAKE LIFTS ONE OF THERON’S ARMS UP BEFORE LIFTING HIM UP, LOOKING FOR CROWN OF THORNS!! THERON JUMPS OUT OF IT THOUGH, GRABBING DRAKE AND GOING FOR CARPE DIEM!!! WAIT, NO! THAT DOESN’T CONNECT EITHER! DRAKE DUCKED UNDER IT, AND HE CONNECTS WITH A JUMPING KNEE BEFORE LIFTING THERON UP INTO A POWERBOMB CARRY!

James Peters: Drake is turning towards the corner of the ring, so it looks like he might be trying to set up for a Buckle Bomb! The problem is, Theron is punching away as hard as he can, making sure that Drake can’t go for the move! Drake starts taking a few steps forward, but he begins stumbling before finally letting Theron go, dropping Theron onto his feet as he holds his head in pain! Theron now grabbing Drake by the arm, AND HE PULLS DRAKE INTO A SPINNING URANAGE SIDESLAM!!!! THERON NOW WITH ANOTHER COVER!

ONE!
TWO!!
T-

Rich Russillo: Drake is able to kick out, but that was after two! That sideslam did the damage, and if Theron is able to keep that up then I think we know who’s heading to the semifinals! Theron gets back to his feet, AND HE STOMPS RIGHT AT DRAKE’S MIDSECTION, CAUSING DRAKE TO ROLL OVER BEFORE TRYING TO GRAB ONTO THE ROPES TO PULL HIMSELF UP! Theron Nikolas grabs Drake as soon as he made an effort to get back up, AND THERE’S A REVERSE STO, CAUSING DRAKE TO DROP FACE FIRST ONTO THE MAT!

Persephone: That’s not all! Theron holds onto Drake and is trying to deadlift him for a German Suplex- BUT DRAKE MANAGES TO CONNECT WITH A BACK ELBOW BEFORE HOLDING ONTO THE ROPES, USING HIS FREE ARM TO HIT A SECOND BACK ELBOW TO FINALLY BACK THERON OFF OF HIM! Drake immediately drops back down to a knee afterwards, and I think he’s hurting pretty badly right now! Theron has been all over him for the past few minutes, I think Drake already might not have enough left to win this match as he’s having to use the ropes to get back up!

James Peters: Theron Nikolas catches Drake with a left hook to the rib, followed by an open hand soap! This is the start of the battle fury combination, and now Theron hits the forearm smash! Theron now, LOOKING TO FINISH THE COMBINATION OFF WITH THE LARIAT- BUT DRAKE IS ABLE TO DUCK UNDER IT, GRABBING THERON BY BOTH ARMS BEFORE DELIVERING THE SIT OUT CHICKENWING FACEBUSTER!!! THAT MOVE CAME OUT OF NOWHERE BUT IT MAY HAVE GIVEN DRAKE THE CHANCE TO PICK UP THE VICTORY AS HE TURNS THERON OVER AND HOOKS THE LEGS!!!

ONE!
TWO!!

Rich Russillo: THERON NIKOLAS GETS THE SHOULDER UP!!! That was exactly at two, and I don’t think Theron expected something like that while he was going for that combination! Drake slowly takes the opportunity to get back to his feet, meanwhile Theron Nikolas pulls himself into the corner in an attempt to recover! Drake doesn’t plan to let Theron get back up that easily though, beginning to stomp away at the former Answers World Champion and King of Elite winner! It seems that the tables have turned as now Theron’s the one struggling to defend himself!

James Peters: The referee starts counting, and Drake finally backs off at the count of four, left with no choice but to allow Theron to quickly pull himself up using the turnbuckles! Drake quickly lifts Theron up onto the top turnbuckle though, finding another way to keep himself on the offensive as he aims to do some sort of avalanche move! I’m not exactly sure what Drake may have on his mind right now, but he’s making his way up top and we all know that once two Elitists are at the top rope at the same time something huge is bound to happen!

Rich Russillo: Drake King grabs Theron and pulls him into a front facelock, BUT IT’S NOT GOING TO BE THAT EASY FOR DRAKE AND IT SEEMS THAT HE’S GOING TO FIND THAT OUT THE HARD WAY, AS THERON BEGINS PUNCHING AWAY AT DRAKE’S MIDSECTION! Theron clearly still has life left in him, and he’s not about to let himself be dropped with whatever move Drake is thinking about right now! Theron now with a forearm! Now a chop! Now another forearm! Theron hits strike after strike, BEFORE FINALLY SHOVING DRAKE OFF OF THE TOP ROPE, SENDING HIM BACK INTO THE RING!

Persephone: Theron Nikolas now setting himself up on the top rope as he gets his feet planted onto the ropes- BUT JUST AS THERON WAS PREPARING A POTENTIAL DIVE, DRAKE RAN BACK IN AND SHOVED HIS LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HIM! THAT CAUGHT THERON OFF GUARD, AND THAT ALLOWED DRAKE TO QUICKLY RUSH BACK UP TO THE TOP ROPE AND PULL THERON INTO A FRONT FACELOCK! DRAKE NOW HOOKING THERON’S ARM OVER HIS NECK BEFORE LIFTING HIM OFF OF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE, DROPPING HIM INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING WITH A SUPERPLEX!!!!

James Peters: THAT’S NOT ALL!!!! DRAKE ROLLS BACK UP TO HIS FEET WHILE HOLDING ONTO THERON, AND HE DELIVERS A FALCON ARROW, FINISHING THE COMBINATION AS DRAKE HOOKS THERON’S LEG, HOPING TO FINISH THE MATCH OFF WITH THAT!!!!

ONE!
TWO!!
TH-

James Peters: NO!!!! THAT WASN’T ENOUGH TO PUT THE MATCH AWAY!!!! INSTEAD THERON NIKOLAS IS ONCE AGAIN ABLE TO KICK OUT, AND THIS TIME DRAKE CAN’T CAPITALIZE AS THAT SUPERPLEX TOOK JUST AS MUCH OUT OF HIM AS IT DID THERON! A combination like that tends to be very high risk, but I’m not so sure if it was worth it in the end as both men are down now!

Rich Russillo: Drake slowly rolls to the ropes, using them to pull himself back to his feet as he’s forced to take some time to catch his breath. At this point I’m sure he’s slowly starting to run short of options, knowing that he just attempted some of the best moves in his arsenal all for them to either be countered or kicked out of. If there’s one thing that’s for sure, Theron Nikolas wants to win this match, and saying he “won’t go down without a fight” would be underestimating him. He honestly might not go down at all!

Persephone: Drake slowly starts to pull Theron back up, but he doesn’t just pull him all the way back to his feet! He has Theron’s head down, and now he’s pulling his arms up for a double underhook! OH WAIT, HE’S SETTING UP FOR ASCENSION! HE’S GOING FOR THE DOUBLE UNDERHOOK FACEBUSTER, BUT THERON IS ABLE TO FREE ONE OF HIS ARMS BEFORE HITTING DRAKE WITH A FOREARM! THERON IS HOLDING ONTO DRAKE’S ARM, AND HE PULLS DRAKE INTO A SECOND FOREARM! THERON WITH A THIRD FOREARM, AND NOW BOTH MEN ARE STARTING TO HAVE TROUBLE STANDING!

James Peters: DRAKE IS FINALLY ABLE TO RESPOND AS HE HITS THERON WITH A FOREARM OF HIS OWN, BUT THERON RESPONDS WITH AN UPPERCUT THAT CAUSES DRAKE TO STUMBLE BACK! Drake manages to plant his foot though, AND NOW HE GOES FOR A ROUNDHOUSE KICK! WAIT, NO! THERON DUCKED UNDER IT BEFORE GRABBING DRAKE FROM BEHIND AND SPINNING HIM AROUND! TOUCH OF HEROINE!!!!! TOUCH OF HEROINE CONNECTS AS THERON BASICALLY TAKES DRAKE’S HEAD OFF! Theron is still hurting from that superplex and falcon arrow combination, but he’s slowly able to pull himself over Drake! IS THAT IT, IS THERON ABOUT TO MOVE TO THE SEMIFINALS!?

ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-

Rich Russillo: NOT YET!!! THIS MATCH ISN’T OVER JUST YET, MEANING NEITHER OF THESE MEN ARE IN THE KING OF ELITE SEMIFINALS AS OF RIGHT NOW!! Somehow Drake managed to get the shoulder up just before three, and that had to be frustrating for Theron! This match was so close to ending, and knowing that neither man is doing as well as they were at the start of this match, I don’t see Theron being too happy about this. Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell you exactly how he’s feeling right now, as his main priority is just getting back up!

Persephone: Theron just went out to the ring apron, and it looks like he’s headed back to the top rope! He’s slowly climbing up the turnbuckles while Drake is laid out in the ring, and I appreciate the fact that Theron’s actually trying to end the match- I mean, win the match.. Because a lot of people get so caught up in trying to hurt their opponent that they miss out on crucial opportunities to win, of course! Theron is actually focused on winning and that is just great.

James Peters: Well speaking of Theron, he’s currently perched on the top rope and it looks like he has another big move planned right now! THERON DIVES OFF THE TOP ROPE, LOOKING FOR THE SIX STAR FROG SPLASH… BUT DRAKE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO ROLL OUT OF THE WAY, CAUSING THERON TO CRASH RIGHT ONTO THE MAT! THAT’S THE LAST THING THERON COULD HAVE WANTED, BUT SOMEHOW DRAKE WAS ABLE TO TURN HIMSELF OVER, ROLLING OVER JUST ENOUGH TO AVOID GETTING HIT BY THE FROG SPLASH!!! THERON IS HOLDING HIS MIDSECTION IN PAIN, MEANWHILE DRAKE IS GRABBING THE TURNBUCKLES TO SLOWLY TRY AND PULL HIMSELF UP!

Rich Russillo: Theron Nikolas is finally able to push himself back up to his feet after crashing down onto the mat, BUT AS SOON AS HE STANDS HE’S GRABBED FROM BEHIND, BEFORE BEING DROPPED RIGHT ONTO DRAKE KING’S KNEE!!! CROWN OF THORNS CONNECTS!!! IT LOOKS LIKE DRAKE USED THE TURNBUCKLES TO PULL HIMSELF UP BEFORE THERON COULD GET UP, ALLOWING HIM TO CATCH THERON BY SURPRISE! That half nelson backbreaker was devastating, but Theron just did the smart thing and rolled towards the ropes knowing that Drake is in no condition to chase after him!

Persephone: Yeah, Drake looks pretty bad right now. He’s on both knees trying to catch his breath, meanwhile Theron Nikolas is laid out on the apron. I thought that the match would end by now with Theron going for the frog splash or even Drake hitting that backbreaker, but somehow these two are still going. I get that they both want to advance to the King of Elite semifinals to meet TLA, but how much more could they really throw at each other at this point? I don’t see how either man could have anything left after hitting so many of their major moves.

James Peters: Drake King is slowly getting back up, beginning to walk over to Theron Nikolas. Theron is using the ropes to slowly pull himself up at the apron, and it seems that once again the tables have turned as Theron is the one out on the apron this time around, unlike earlier in the match where Drake was in that position! Drake walks up to Theron and he goes to hit him with a right hand, BUT THERON CATCHES IT BEFORE CATCHING DRAKE WITH A RIGHT HAND OF HIS OWN!

Rich Russillo: That right hand hit hard enough for Drake to turn around, BUT DRAKE QUICKLY RETALIATES WITH AN ENZUIGIRI, NEARLY DROPPING THERON OFF OF THE RING APRON! Theron is barely able to hold onto the top rope with one arm, and as Drake gets back to his feet he chooses to go out and meet Theron on the ring apron! Drake now on the apron as he starts trying to lift Theron into a powerbomb carry- AND THERON LIFTS DRAKE OVER HIM WITH A BACK BODY DROP, CAUSING DRAKE TO LAND BACK FIRST ONTO THE HARDEST PART OF THE RING!!!!

Persephone: Drake just rolled back into the ring, but I’m sure he understands by now that he’s really not safe there. Theron gets back into the ring before pulling Drake up, BUT DRAKE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO CATCH THERON WITH A RIGHT HAND! I’m really not sure how either man could possibly have life left in them at this point, BUT THERON JUST HIT DRAKE WITH AN ELBOW, AND AT THIS POINT I DOUBT EITHER MAN WILL BE IN THIS MATCH FOR MUCH LONGER! Theron goes for another strike, BUT DRAKE CATCHES IT BEFORE HITTING THERON WITH A FOREARM!

James Peters: Drake attempts another attack now, BUT THERON CATCHES IT BEFORE KNEEING DRAKE IN THE MIDSECTION! Drake stumbles back, BUT HE CONNECTS WITH A SUPERKICK, AND THAT TOOK THERON DOWN TO A KNEE! Drake grabs Theron, BUT THERON CONNECTS WITH A HEADBUTT! This match has really broken down into a fight, and at this point I think that the only way we’ll know who wins is by seeing who drops to the ground first! Both men are on spaghetti legs, using everything in their power just to stay standing and hit their opponent! I’m not sure if they even know where they are right now!

Rich Russillo: Theron starts lifting Drake up into a fireman’s carry once again, only this time around Drake is able to start repeatedly elbowing Theron, making it difficult for Theron to actually go for the move he was looking for! I think he wanted an enzuigiri, but instead he gave Drake an opening as Drake lands on his feet behind Theron! Drake grabs Theron before looking for a German suplex, AND IT CONNECTS! Drake doesn’t stop there though, pulling himself and Theron back up, BEFORE LIFTING THERON AND GOING FOR A SECOND CROWN OF THORNS!!

James Peters: NO!! THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A MISTAKE!!!! THERON JUMPED OUT OF IT BEHIND DRAKE AND QUICKLY BACKPEDALED INTO THE ROPES! DRAKE TURNED AROUND TOWARDS THERON, BUT BEFORE HE COULD EVEN REACT THERON CUTS HIM IN HALF WITH A SPEAR!!!! WHAT A SPEAR BY THERON NIKOLAS, AND THAT MAY HAVE JUST SEALED THE DEAL! Theron slowly gets back up to his feet, and he doesn’t even go for the cover! It looks like he has another big move planned, just to make sure that Drake stays down for the three count!

(Suddenly, just as Theron was about to grab Drake, the lights go out. This obviously catches Theron’s attention, and for a few seconds he debates whether or not he should try to finish the match anyway. He quickly looks around, and everyone seems to be in the same state of confusion as him. The referee, the fans, the commentators, none of them have any idea what’s going on, and why it is that the lights would go out at a time like this.)

Rich Russillo: I don’t understand, why did the lights go out?? Theron looked like he was about to grab Drake, most likely to finish him off with Carpe Diem! He just hit a huge spear, that was his best chance of winning!

James Peters: You’re right, and that makes me think that this is no accident or coincidence! The timing is just too perfect, but I can’t think of anything else that’d be going on at a time like this. Is somebody trying to mess with Theron? Is someone trying to disrupt our Voltage main event? I just don’t get it-

(Before James could finish speaking, the titantron lights up. After noticing this, Theron stops, looking at the screen as a video starts to play, showing footage that Theron would remember very well.)

[SCREENBAR – King of Elite 2019]

(Footage is shown from the event King of Elite, only this footage is from four years ago. What’s shown in the video is footage from the event itself, near the end of one of the matches. Before long, the camera would show Theron Nikolas, the Answers World Champion at the time. He’s in the middle of a match, repeating a single word. “Kneel.”)

James Peters: Wait a second.. This is King of Elite 2019, that’s back when Theron Nikolas was fighting to keep the Answers World Championship!

Rich Russillo: Yeah, but wait a second! Wasn’t his opponent.. It was!

(Before long Rich’s suspicion would be confirmed, as the man Theron was repeating the word to would be none other than Jamie O’Hara. At this point he had Jamie trapped in a sleeper hold, forcing Jamie to kneel just as he wanted. This would allow Theron to connect with the elbow to the back of the head, retaining the Answers World Championship. After showing Theron with the Answers World Championship, the titantron would turn off, leaving the present day Theron in the ring, left to think about the reason for the footage. The lights would turn back on afterwards, and all would be answered right then and there.)

James Peters: IT’S YHWACH!!!!

Rich Russillo: YHWACH O’HARA IS BACK, AND IT LOOKS LIKE HE’S FOUND HIS NEXT TARGET!!! We saw what he did to Myles thanks to Myles’ assistance in injuring Jamie O’Hara back in 2021, and now it looks like Yhwach is here to pay Theron a visit!

(Yhwach stands at the stage, staring directly at Theron Nikolas, who stares right back at him. After a few seconds, Yhwach would make a throat slashing gesture, not saying a word.)

James Peters: Wait, I’m not too sure what Yhwach is thinking about right now, but he-

Rich Russillo: GUILLOTINE!!!! THERON NIKOLAS WAS DISTRACTED BY YHWACH O’HARA, AND DRAKE JUST USED THAT OPPORTUNITY TO RECOVER BEFORE CATCHING THERON OFF GUARD WITH THE RUNNING SICK KICK!!!! IS THIS WHAT YHWACH WANTED?? WAS HIS PLAN JUST TO DISTRACT THERON AND COST HIM A SPOT IN THE KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT??

James Peters: I’M NOT SURE, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE HE MAY HAVE DONE EXACTLY THAT!!! DRAKE KING HOOKS THE LEGS, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WAS JUST GIVEN TO HIM!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… AND MOVING ON TO THE KING OF ELITE SEMIFINALS….. DDDDRRRRAAAAAAAAKKEEE KKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNGGGG!!!!!!!!

(‘Cold War’ hits, and there’s an extremely loud explosion of boos coming from the crowd as Drake King quickly rolls out of the ring, satisfied with yet another victory in the King of Elite tournament as he moves on to the semifinals. Drake sees who’s at the stage, and seeing that Yhwach O’Hara has started walking down the ramp and towards the ring, he hops over the barricade, making his way away from ringside through the angry crowd. During all this, Yhwach O’Hara’s eyes are set on only one person, and it’s the man still laid out in the middle of the ring.)

James Peters: WOW. Um.. I’m not even sure what to say right now! Drake King is going to meet TLA in the King of Elite semifinals, but that’s yet another match in this tournament ending in controversial fashion, only this time it wasn’t because of a referee’s mistake! Instead, it was because of the man on his way down the ramp right now!

Rich Russillo: This is all out of nowhere! We haven’t seen Yhwach O’Hara since Road to Redemption and I’m sure a lot of people were wondering where he’s been since then! Is this who Natasha’s been warning Theron about? Is he the man that she saw in her visions?

(Yhwach O’Hara finally enters the ring, and for a little while he just looks down at Theron Nikolas.)

James Peters: A lot of people won’t be happy about what Yhwach did tonight, though unlike with Myles it looks like we already have some sort of understanding of why Yhwach chose to target Theron. It seems that this has to do with their match back at- woah! Wait a second!

(Yhwach suddenly starts dragging Theron Nikolas up to his knees. He continues to look down on Theron for a few seconds, before finally turning around and walking towards the ropes.)

Rich Russillo: Wait, YHWACH JUST BOUNCED HIMSELF OFF OF THE ROPES!!!

James Peters: IN EXCELSIS!!!! YHWACH O’HARA DROPS THERON NIKOLAS WITH IN EXCELSIS!!!!

Rich Russillo: Theron Nikolas was aiming to become a two-time King of Elite winner, but it seems that his history with the King of Elite event has caught up to him.

James Peters: I wasn’t sure when we’d see Yhwach O’Hara again, but it seems that he’s back now. Not just that, but he already has another target.

(Yhwach O’Hara stands over the fallen Theron Nikolas as there’s an extremely loud mixed reaction from the crowd. He doesn’t say a single word, just staring at the former King of Elite 2019 opponent. This is the final image shown as Voltage fades to black for the final time.)

(EAW logo buzzes.)

Written by John Helms

Showdown 1/14/23

Most Valuable Elitist #350