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Voltage 1/5/25

(EAW intro plays.)

(A recap is shown of Road To Redemption on the Voltage side: With Chiyo Gedo, Damien Kutcher, Candice Blair, Selina Reyes, Effy McAvoy, and Akari Kiyoko all participating in the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal it would ultimately end up being Showdown’s Brianna Hill coming out on top. In a tag team showcase match with Dr. Bethany Blue and Adam Lucas representing Voltage, it would be Dynasty’s Fire & Ice coming out on top. Solomon Stane would defeat Cameron Ella Ava to become the new Hardcore Champion. Showdown’s The Jaded Hearts would fall short to British Invasion, with Halsey Neel and Pandora Paisley becoming the new Unified Tag Team Champions. In the Universal Women’s Championship Chamber, with Bea Valentine, Ms. Extreme, and KASAI representing Voltage, Showdown’s Milli Banks would retain her Universal Women’s Championship. Then, EAW World Champion Jake Smith would make his grand appearance in the Extreme Elimination Chamber, defending his title against Xander Payne, Limmy Monaghan, Daryl Kinkade, Methuselah, and the ultimate winner, Michael Machina. From there, the recap would come to a close.)

(The camera then opens up to the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington as the crowd would cheer loudly for this. Pyro is seen erupting from the stage as it circles around in an elaborate display. It would then land on the commentary table where Rich Russillo, James Peters, and Persephone are seen.)

Rich Russillo: Happy 2025 as we are en route to the King of Elite Marquee Event, welcoming you all tonight to another episode… of SUNDAY NIGHT VOLTAGE!

Persephone: Another year of misery.

James Peters: We have a packed show today with the King of Elite AND Empress of Elite tournaments both getting underway. Along with our main event which sees Methuselah face Ms. Extreme in a big time matchup! But right now we’re headed to the ring as we have a NEW EAW World Champion!

(Voltage pans over towards the stage, and before long ‘Apostle’s Warning’ by Mobb Deep hits. The crowd explodes as the fans in attendance cheer loudly as the new EAW World Champion begins to make his way out to the stage. Machina is holding a microphone in his hand, but as well as this he is carrying his newly won EAW World Championship on his shoulder. Michael Machina has a smirk on his face as he walks out, and without wasting too much time he begins making his way down the ramp, heading to the ring with his Championship.)

James Peters: Ladies and gentlemen here comes the NEW EAW World Champion, who won his Championship in the Extreme Elimination Chamber, MICHAEL MACHINA! What a rise this has been for him!

Rich Russillo: Michael Machina’s EAW career started in March 2023, and now at the beginning of 2025, he is holding his first World Championship. It wasn’t an easy road, especially with Methuselah in his way as of late, but Michael Machina sure has made it look that way seeing just how impressive he’s been.

Persephone: His win was okay I guess, but it’s nothing compared to what Luis will do.

James Peters: …I don’t think he’ll be doing much anytime soon.

(Michael Machina walks up the steel steps before entering the ring, and once in the ring he raises his World Championship, causing large amounts of pyro to shoot out. The fans continue to cheer as Michael Machina’s entrance theme fades out, and some time after this he begins to speak.)

Michael Machina: I did exactly what I said I’d do. I walked into that Extreme Elimination Chamber, I destroyed everyone in my way, and I became the new EAW World Champion.

(The fans begin to cheer once again hearing this from Machina, who continues soon after this.)

Michael Machina: It wasn’t easy. I’ve been getting tested for months now, and even after entering that Chamber I had to watch my opponents try to make things personal with me, forgetting just what I’m capable of. Methuselah thought he could walk away from what he did with the EAW World Championship, but he was wrong. Jake Smith thought he could humiliate me and escape with his Championship again, but that didn’t happen. Instead I broke them, and I ended that night holding onto this World Championship for the first time in my career. I haven’t even been here for two full years, yet I made the most of every opportunity I got and I went and made history. I got my hands on the New Breed Championship and I never looked back. Now I’m at the top of this entire brand, and I’m repping this company as the NEW EAW World Champion!

(The cheers continue, and Michael Machina takes a moment, noticing the reception given to him by the thousands of fans in attendance.)

Michael Machina: The Extreme Elimination Chamber was always gonna be one of the most brutal structures I stepped into, but I walked into it and I did everything I promised. I wasn’t worried about anything but making sure I kept my word, and when that night ended I was able to do exactly that. Now we’re in a new era, because this Championship isn’t being held by a Jake Smith or a Charlie Marr. This Championship isn’t gonna have to see title match after title match where the Champion is so incompetent their only option to retain is to escape the match rather than winning it. This isn’t gonna be like that. This is my first time holding this Championship, but for as long as I’m holding this title I’m gonna be doing exactly what got me to this point in the first place. I’m dominating this brand and taking out everyone that steps in my way. I don’t care who it is. I never did, and that’s not gonna start now. I have a target on my back as long as I’m holding this Championship, but unlike the last few people that held this title, I welcome the challenge. I don’t care who walks out, I don’t care who wants a shot, I’m ready to-

(‘Praise Gawd’ by Kanye West hits, interrupting Michael Machina. Michael Machina’s attention immediately turns towards the stage, and he doesn’t appear to be amused hearing this music hit. The fans begin to boo as the camera pans to the stage, and after some time, Methuselah begins to walk out. Methuselah reaches the stage, and he is seen with a microphone in his hand as he stares directly at Michael Machina. Michael Machina just shakes his head, waiting as Methuselah begins walking down the ramp.)

James Peters: Well it looks like things may not have been settled between these two after all! We know things have been personal between these two, but I thought Michael Machina winning the Chamber may have been the end of it.

Rich Russillo: Well you have to remember that this is Methuselah we are talking about. I’m not so sure he was ever going to let this end without him coming out on top, especially with that Championship in the picture.

Persephone: That’s horrible news.

(Methuselah makes his way up the steel steps, before joining Michael Machina inside of the ring. His entrance music begins to fade out, and there’s clear tension in the ring between Machina and Methuselah, who clearly haven’t forgotten about everything that’s happened over the last few months. After some time, Methuselah just shares a few words with Michael Machina.)

Methuselah: You didn’t think I was finished, did you?

(Michael Machina doesn’t respond to this, but Methuselah continues.)

Methuselah: Road to Redemption ended with your first ever World Championship victory, but I fear that even with this victory there’s much you still have yet to understand. I wasn’t destroyed inside of the Extreme Elimination Chamber. In fact, your actions there were little more than a small setback, something that can very easily be rectified. I was in the ring as soon as the following week, because you don’t have what it takes to keep me down for good. You aren’t capable of living up to these promises as long as I’m your opponent. You may be the EAW World Champion for now, but allow me to give you this one warning, Machine. This Championship reign will not last long. The upper hand you gained at Road to Redemption will be nothing more than a footnote in history, as this ends exactly how it was meant to.

Michael Machina: I-

Methuselah: There’s nothing else you need to say right now, because I’m going to tell you what’s about to happen. I’m going to face you in an EAW World Championship match, and I’ll be taking that Championship off of your hands. I was never going to allow my pursuit of that Championship to come to a halt because of you of all people, but because you were able to find your way to this position, it’d appear that we must do this one more time. You will be facing me for the EAW World Championship, and you will be losing that Championship once that match comes around. Don’t think you have a choice in the matter, because you don’t. Abandon any plans you had for this Championship reign, because it ends very soon.

(This receives a loud reaction, and many fans in attendance are booing thanks to Methuselah’s words. Michael Machina however has a focused look on his face, and after some time he begins to speak.)

Michael Machina: You want a match, huh? If you thought I was gonna back down or be afraid of you challenging me you’re talking to the wrong guy, because I do care whether or not you think I have a choice. I don’t need you to force me into a match, because I’ll GLADLY defend this Championship against you. I accomplished everything I wanted to at Road to Redemption, but that doesn’t mean I’m satisfied. I’m not the type of Elitist to take my foot off the gas, and if you want to give me the chance to finally get my hands on you one on one, nobody else involved to get in the way, I’ll take that chance and run with it. If you want a title shot you’ll get it, but it’s not gonna come easy. You’re gonna be torn apart, and when this ends you’re gonna wish you hadn’t bothered walking out here. I’m sure you remember how that Chamber ended, so if you really want to take that chance, let’s do it. Name the time and place. I’ll see you there.

(The fans loudly cheer for Michael Machina, but after a little while a smirk appears on the face of Methuselah.)

Methuselah: Your tone will change very soon, but I’m willing to be patient and see just how long this confidence of yours is maintained. If you really believe that I will be walking out of our match empty handed I’ll leave you to that belief, but when the time comes that we face each other, you won’t be the unstoppable force that the rest of the Voltage roster has been forced to contend with. You’re going to be defeated, and that’s it. Your World Championship dreams die with this reign, because that Championship will be in my hands and once it’s there, you will never take it from me. When I say you have no choice I am not merely referring to the decision to put your Championship on the line against me. The outcome of this match is not in your hands.

Michael Machina: If you thought that was going to make me rethink a single word I said, you were wrong. I have no doubts here. I know what I’m capable of and I already proved it at Road to Redemption. If you think you can be the one to take this Championship from me I’ll face you whenever you want. We can do it months from now or we can do it tonight before you face Ms. Extreme, I don’t care. Regardless of the night, I’m tearing you apart and I’m raising this Championship again.

(Michael Machina raises his EAW World Championship after saying this, staring right at Methuselah as the fans cheer. After some time, Methuselah begins to speak once more.)

Methuselah: If this is what you want, I’ll gladly choose the date for the end of your World Championship reign. If I were you, I’d be as grateful as possible for the fact that you’ve been allowed to hold that title for more than a brief moment. Enjoy these next few weeks while they last. Cherish every second you spend holding the EAW World Championship, because at King of Elite, your reign comes to an end.

Michael Machina: King of Elite? That works for me. I just hope you realize that this won’t be the easy title win you think it is. You’ve spent the last few months doing everything you could to get to me, and you already failed once. Don’t think I let my guard down just because I killed your chances of becoming Champion at Road to Redemption, because if there’s anyone who won’t be touching this title anytime soon, it’s you. You’re not going to take this Championship out of my hands. You won’t get away with everything you’ve done since Wicked Games. When I say this is a new era I mean it. I’ll be holding this Championship for as long as I possibly can, so if you think this doesn’t end until you come out on top, you’re gonna be chasing after me for a long time. You had no idea what you got yourself into back at Wicked Games, and clearly you still haven’t figured it out yet. I’ll gladly let King of Elite tell you everything you need to know, because I’m gonna make sure I end this myself.

(This receives another loud reaction as Michael Machina looks as focused as ever. Methuselah is still staring at him, and after a few seconds he begins to speak once more.)

Methuselah: You certainly will end this, Machine. You’ll end this laid out on the mat, empty handed and with nothing to show for all of your journey to this point. You’ve reached the pinnacle of this brand, but those efforts will mean absolutely nothing come King of Elite. The EAW World Championship will be mine. I’ll allow you to keep deluding yourself and holding onto your revenge story, but your opponent at King of Elite won’t just be any other member of the roster. You don’t have a chance here. Victory is not an option for you. It never was. All you did by conquering the Extreme Elimination Chamber was delay the inevitable. This wasn’t the beginning of a new era. You just gave me the opportunity to take that Championship from you one on one. There won’t be anyone else in the picture at King of Elite and Machine, I truly hope you understand that this does not benefit you.

Michael Machina: We’ll just have to see about that, because I’m not backing down. I’m standing on everything I said just like I always have, and I’m about to walk into King of Elite to do everything I did at Road to Redemption. You wanted your match at King of Elite, well you got it. Just don’t come back crying to me once it’s over, because I told you exactly how this was gonna go. I became the EAW World Champion for a reason, and that Extreme Elimination Chamber was just a preview of what’s to come for the rest of this reign. You’re not the end of my reign as Champion. You’re just the beginning.

(Michael Machina throws down his microphone, and the fans in attendance cheer as he and Methuselah stare at each other. There’s high tensions inside of the ring after everything that’s happened between the two Elitists, and after some time ‘Apostle’s Warning’ begins to play once again.)

James Peters: Well it looks like Michael Machina and Methuselah will be facing each other at King of Elite, and I have to say that I can’t think of a better way to start this Championship reign! These two obviously have hate for each other, but beyond that, just look at the two Elitists in the ring!

Rich Russillo: This is bound to be a great match, and I for one can’t wait to see how it’ll play out. Michael Machina obviously wants to take Methuselah down once and for all, meanwhile Methuselah still has his eyes on the World Championship. I’m interested in seeing how this one plays out!

Persephone: Eh. I don’t really care personally. Michael Machina and Methuselah just aren’t that good.

James Peters: Well we know who you do like, and I think we’ll be just fine.

(Michael Machina and Methuselah have their staredown in the center of the ring, and Michael Machina raises his EAW World Championship. With this final shot, Voltage fades away from ringside.)

(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where Michael Machina defends the EAW World Championship against Methuselah.)

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

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is a KING OF ELITE FIRST ROUND MATCH, and it is scheduled for ONE FALL!!!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!!

(‘Everybody Knows (Unstoppable)’ by Royal Deluxe begins to play, causing the fans in attendance to begin booing. The camera pans towards the stage, and before long Adam Lucas begins walking out to the stage. Adam has a focused look on his face, ready for this match as he knows that this is his chance to come closer to the EAW World Championship.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first! From New York… Weighing in at 238 pounds… AAAAADAAAAMMMMM LLUUUUUUUUCCCCAASSSSSS!!!!!!

James Peters: Here comes Adam Lucas, who looks frustrated after the way Road to Redemption ended. Of course, it may not matter depending on how this match ends.

Rich Russillo: Still, it won’t be easy. This is a King of Elite round one match, but his opponent is Jake Smith, who he has a ton of history with.

Persephone: He’s ugly and he sucks. I don’t care what happens, this just better end quickly.

(As Adam Lucas waits inside of the ring, ‘Win’ by Jay Rock hits. The boos only continue as Jake Smith begins to walk out, and Jake doesn’t look too happy himself following the loss of his EAW World Championship. Still, he looks focused ahead of this King of Elite tournament match. Jake begins making his way down the ramp and towards the ring, staring directly at Adam on his way there.)

Bella Braxton: And his opponent… From Atherton, California… Weighing in at 210 pounds… JAAAAAAAAAAKE SMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

James Peters: Jake is making his first match entrance following the loss of his World Championship, and this could be an amazing way to bounce back as he could be on track to win his third through this tournament!

Rich Russillo: That’s right, but like we said, he has history with Adam. Not only that, but Jake has struggled to defeat Adam decisively, especially in big matches. Can that change tonight?

Persephone: Don’t care. Let’s just get this over with.

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

James Peters: AND HERE WE GO! THIS MATCH IS UNDERWAY AND BOTH MEN GO STRAIGHT FOR EACH OTHER! Jake and Adam immediately begin brawling in the center of the ring, and while their spots in the King of Elite tournament are on the line here, I can’t say I didn’t expect this to be one of the more heated matches knowing the history they have with each other! At the end of the day these two hate each other, and they definitely let that much be known seeing how harsh they were to each other throughout the week!

Rich Russillo: Adam Lucas gets the upper hand as he begins forcing Jake to back up into the corner of the ring, hitting forearm after forearm to Jake! Adam now with an Irish whip to the opposite corner, AND ADAM RUNS IN FOR A CLOTHESLINE BUT JAKE GETS OUT OF THE WAY, CAUSING ADAM TO COLLIDE WITH THE TURNBUCKLES! Jake rolls Adam into a school boy pin but Adam immediately kicks out- ONLY TO BE HIT WITH A SUPERKICK RIGHT AFTER! It looks like Jake planned for that as Adam drops to the mat, and Jake now gets on top of him before punching away!

Persephone: Jake is just beating Adam up right now, and honestly I wouldn’t be mad if the match just ended here. We already saw the match once and it was pretty mid, so I don’t see why we need to see it again.

James Peters: Well it’s the King of Elite tournament, that’s why! Adam Lucas pushes Jake Smith off of him before getting back up, AND ADAM SWINGS AT JAKE BUT JAKE DUCKS UNDER! JAKE RUNS THE ROPES- BUT HE ENDS UP BEING CAUGHT AND PLANTED WITH A SPINEBUSTER BY ADAM! This match is definitely escalating after already starting off hot, and Adam looks to possibly go for the pin- but Jake wisely rolls out of the ring!

Rich Russillo: Jake not wanting Adam to gain any more momentum, and while Jake is known for being one of the slimier Elitists on the roster, I can understand why he’d want a breather after a move like that catching him off guard. Adam is quick to roll out of the ring in pursuit of Jake though- BUT AS ADAM TRIES GRABBING JAKE, JAKE IS ABLE TO CATCH ADAM WITH A BACK ELBOW TO THE MIDSECTION! Jake pushes himself to his feet, before slamming Adam’s face onto the apron!

Persephone: Jake grabs Adam after the shot to the apron, and he throws him back first into the barricade. Jake walks over to Adam and begins kicking and stomping at him, and is it just me or is the ref counting too slow?

James Peters: It’s just you.

Persephone: No I definitely think he should at least be at eight or nine by now. Maybe ten. Can someone ring the bell?

Rich Russillo: Jake now sending Adam back into the ring, AND HE RUNS THE ROPES AS ADAM STUMBLES TO HIS FEET- BEFORE DROPPING ADAM WITH A CLOTHESLINE!

James Peters: Jake Smith is able to get the upper hand, and it looks like he’s loving every bit of it! Jake sees Adam trying to push himself up, AND JAKE JUST STEPS ON HIM, KEEPING HIS FOOT ON THE BACK OF ADAM’S HEAD! Jake appears to be talking some trash to Adam, which I can’t say I’m surprised about, AND NOW JAKE JUST KICKS ADAM IN THE RIBS, CAUSING ADAM TO ROLL OVER TOWARDS THE ROPES! Adam grabs onto the ropes to begin trying to pull himself up, BUT JAKE RUNS IN-

Rich Russillo: BUT ADAM LIFTS JAKE OVER THE TOP ROPE, CAUSING JAKE TO LAND ON THE APRON! Jake barely was able to gain his footing- BUT THANKS TO THAT, ADAM IS ABLE TO GRAB JAKE AND PULL HIM BACK INTO THE RING WITH A ROPE HUNG DDT! Jake is down, and he’s been getting hit with some big moves to combat all the offense he’s thrown at Adam! Adam is able to roll backwards onto his feet while maintaining his hold on Jake, AND NOW HE BEGINS TO DEADLIFT JAKE, POTENTIALLY LIFTING HIM FOR A SUPLEX-

James Peters: BUT JAKE IS ABLE TO DROP DOWN AND LAND ON HIS FEET BEHIND ADAM, ALLOWING JAKE TO JUMP UP AND PLANT ADAM WITH A NECKBREAKER! Good counter by Jake, who quickly pulls himself into the corner and drags himself up to the middle rope! Jake appears to have something in mind, and with Adam pushing himself back up, it looks like we might just see his vision come to life! Adam finds his way back to his feet, AND NOW JAKE LOOKS FOR HELL ABOVE- BUT ADAM IS ABLE TO CATCH JAKE, MUCH LIKE HE DID BACK AT WICKED GAMES IN THEIR LAST EAW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH! ADAM MIGHT BE GOING FOR LEVEL UP!

Rich Russillo: BUT JAKE HAS A COUNTER TO IT THIS TIME! HE IS ABLE TO PULL HIMSELF OVER, DRAGGING ADAM LUCAS DOWN FOR A SUNSET FLIP PIN!

ONE!
TWO-

Rich Russillo: ADAM LUCAS ROLLS OUT OF IT THOUGH, AND HE GRABS JAKE BY THE LEGS, POTENTIALLY LOOKING TO SET HIM UP FOR THE LUCAS LOCK-

Persephone: But the loser that actually held the EAW Championship is able to drag himself out to the apron, forcing a rope break before the hold could be applied.

James Peters: Adam is forced to let go of Jake as Jake pulls himself back up to his feet. Adam makes his way back to Jake- but Jake connects with a rope-assisted enzuigiri! Adam stumbles away as Jake finds his way back into the ring, AND NOW JAKE DELIVERS A CHOP BLOCK TO THE BACK OF ADAM’S LEG! Adam drops down to a knee, AND THIS GIVES JAKE THE OPPORTUNITY HE WAS LOOKING FOR! JAKE RUNS BACK AND BOUNCES OFF OF THE ROPES, AND HE GOES FOR THE GOD COMPLEX!

Rich Russillo: ADAM DUCKS UNDER IT THOUGH! JAKE RUSHES BACK TO HIS FEET-

James Peters: BUT AS SOON AS JAKE TURNS AROUND, HE’S HIT WITH GENESIS!!! THE SUPERMAN PUNCH OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE CONNECTS AND JAKE SMITH IS OUT! ADAM LUCAS WITH A HUGE MOVE TO JAKE RIGHT THERE, AND NOW ADAM LOOKS FOR THE COVER AS HE SEES WHETHER OR NOT HE CAN ADVANCE TO THE NEXT ROUND OF THIS TOURNAMENT!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-

Rich Russillo: JAKE SMITH IS ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER ONE, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS ONE IS NOT OVER YET! Adam Lucas is quick to get back on the offensive though, as he begins throwing forearms at the defenseless Jake Smith!

Persephone: This has been a sad match so far. The ref should’ve just done us all a favor and counted to three anyway.

James Peters: Adam Lucas drags Jake back to his feet before sending him to the corner of the ring, and Adam begins to just repeatedly stomp away at Jake, not giving him a moment of rest following Genesis! Jake is definitely in some trouble right now as he needs to find a way to break out of this situation, but if there’s anyone who knows him well, it’s Adam Lucas!

Rich Russillo: Adam backs up as the referee was about to begin his count, AND NOW HE RUSHES IN TOWARDS JAKE- BUT JAKE IS ABLE TO GET A BOOT UP! Adam stumbles back as Jake pulls himself up, AND ADAM RUSHES IN ONCE MORE, BUT JAKE GETS OUT OF THE WAY AND SENDS ADAM OUT TO THE APRON! Adam is back to his feet and Jake looks to follow up, but Adam is able to force Jake back with a forearm! Jake stumbles backwards, AND NOW ADAM LOOKS TO CAPITALIZE AS HE FLIPS OVER THE TOP ROPE FOR THE EQUALI-

James Peters: WAIT, NO! JAKE DUCKS UNDER AND HOOKS THE ARM, PULLING ADAM INTO HIS GRASP! PROPHETIC!!!! JAKE CATCHES ADAM WITH PROPHETIC OUT OF NOWHERE, INTERRUPTING WHAT WAS ABOUT TO BE A BUCKSHOT LARIAT! ADAM LUCAS IS DOWN AND OUT ON THE MAT, AND THIS TIME IT’S JAKE LOOKING TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT AS HE HOOKS THE LEGS!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-

James Peters: BUT THIS TIME IT’S ADAM LUCAS THAT’S ABLE TO KICK OUT, JUST BEFORE THREE! Jake doesn’t look happy at all, but he had to have known by now that Adam isn’t the kind of Elitist that’s easy to put down.

Rich Russillo: Adam slowly rolls out to the apron while Jake argues with the referee, and once Jake notices this he just shakes his head and storms out to the apron. Jake begins to drag Adam Lucas back up to his feet- BUT ADAM IS ABLE TO FIGHT BACK, CATCHING JAKE WITH A RIGHT HAND OUT OF NOWHERE! Adam still has some life left in him, BUT JAKE HITS ADAM WITH AN ELBOW, DROPPING ADAM TO A KNEE! Adam may still have life, but he’s also not in good shape after Prophetic!

Persephone: Was Adam ever in good shape? I don’t know what Bethany sees in him.

James Peters: I don’t think that’s what Rich meant… Anyways, Adam is able to retaliate with a punch to the ribs of Jake, and Jake fights back with a right to Adam! Both men are fighting on the apron going back and forth, and we know that things could end badly here! Adam now with a right hand- BUT JAKE RETALIATES WITH A THUMB TO THE EYE! THE REFEREE WARNS JAKE AFTER THAT, BUT JAKE JUST IGNORES HIM AS HE BEGINS LOOKING TO LIFT ADAM UP FOR A POWERBOMB-

Rich Russillo: NO! ADAM USES HIS STRENGTH TO HIS ADVANTAGE, AS WHILE HE CAN’T SEE WELL HE’S STILL ABLE TO SLOWLY POWER JAKE UP! COULD ADAM BE LOOKING FOR AN ALABAMA SLAM!?

James Peters: IT LOOKS LIKE WE’RE NOT GONNA BE FINDING OUT, AS JAKE IS ABLE TO PULL HIMSELF DOWN TO HIS FEET OVER THE ROPES, LANDING BACK IN THE RING! JAKE PULLS ADAM’S HEAD IN THROUGH THE ROPES, BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED PILEDRIVER! WHAT A MOVE BY JAKE AS ADAM FALLS OUT TO RINGSIDE! Right now it’s looking like Jake might be in control of this one!

Rich Russillo: Jake rolls out of the ring before going after Adam, and he just begins punching away at his opponent! Jake pulls Adam up before beginning to repeatedly slam Adam’s face into the apron, and now Adam really needs to do something big if he wants to win! Jake pulls Adam away from the apron, AND NOW HE THROWS ADAM TOWARDS THE STEEL STEPS- BUT WAIT A SECOND! ADAM IS ACTUALLY ABLE TO TURN THIS AROUND AT JUST THE LAST MOMENT, SENDING JAKE CRASHING INTO THE STEEL STEPS INSTEAD! JAKE JUST MESSED UP, AND ADAM TOOK ADVANTAGE OF IT!

Persephone: What an idiot. I hope the referee counts them out.

James Peters: I don’t think that’ll happen, but Adam definitely is hurting and takes a bit to pull himself back up. Adam grabs Jake and sends him back into the ring, and now he takes a moment to catch his breath before pulling himself up onto the apron. Jake isn’t in great condition himself after being sent into the steps, and I think Adam is about to take advantage of that! ADAM FLIPS OVER THE TOP ROPE, LOOKING FOR THE EQUALISER ONCE AGAIN!

Rich Russillo: JAKE ONCE AGAIN INTERCEPTS IT THOUGH, THIS TIME WITH A SUPERKICK-

James Peters: ONLY THIS TIME, ADAM IS ABLE TO CATCH THE LEG! ADAM EXPECTED JAKE TO HAVE AN ANSWER!

Rich Russillo: JAKE LOOKS FOR A STEP-UP ENZUIGIRI, BUT ADAM DUCKS UNDER IT BEFORE GRABBING JAKE AND DUMPING HIM ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! Adam Lucas pushes himself back to his feet, and you can definitely see that this match is beginning to leave its effects on both men. They’ve been nonstop since the bell rang, and if they keep this up I’m sure we’ll have our winner soon enough.

James Peters: Adam Lucas begins to back up, waiting for Jake to start pushing himself back up, and you can tell Adam has something in mind here. Jake Smith slowly makes it to all fours, AND ADAM USES THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK FOR WOKE- BUT THE PUNT KICK DOESN’T CONNECT! JAKE BARELY GETS OUT OF THE WAY, AND NOW HE PUSHES ADAM INTO THE ROPES BEFORE GETTING BACK UP FOR THE LAST SEDATION-

Rich Russillo: WHICH DOESN’T CONNECT! JAKE POPPED ADAM UP BUT ADAM WAS ABLE TO JUMP OVER JAKE BECAUSE OF IT! Adam lands behind Jake and looks for a neckbreaker- BUT JAKE TURNS AND PUSHES ADAM OFF OF HIM! Adam charges back IN- BUT JAKE DELIVERS AN ENZUIGIRI TO SURPRISE HIM! JAKE QUICKLY PULLS HIMSELF UP TO THE MIDDLE ROPE AFTER THIS, AND NOW HELL ABOVE IS ABLE TO CONNECT THIS TIME AS ADAM LUCAS IS DROPPED RIGHT ON HIS HEAD!

Persephone: FINALLY! ADAM LUCAS IS DOWN AND HE’S OBVIOUSLY KNOCKED OUT, SO JAKE GOES FOR THE COVER! THE MATCH IS OVER! WE’RE FINALLY FREE!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!

Persephone: …Nevermind. Somehow, Adam just got the shoulder up. This is unbelievable, seriously.

James Peters: Jake isn’t too happy after that, but he begins waiting for Adam Lucas to find his way back up. Jake seems to have this match in his hands right now, and given the way things just played out, there’s a very good chance that Jake Smith could be moving forward to the second round of the King of Elite tournament! Jake Smith was able to retain his EAW World Championship against Adam through controversial means, but while that technically wasn’t even a victory, he could defeat him right now! Adam finds his way back up, AND JAKE GOES FOR THE STARMAKER!

Rich Russillo: BUT ADAM PUSHES JAKE OFF OF HIM, CAUSING JAKE TO BOUNCE OFF OF THE ROPES! ADAM POSSIBLY LOOKING FOR LEVEL UP- BUT JAKE GOES LOW, SLIDING UNDER ADAM AND RETURNING TO HIS FEET! ADAM TURNS AROUND AND IS NEARLY CAUGHT WITH THE STARMAKER- BUT ADAM IS INSTEAD ABLE TO DROP DOWN AND PULL JAKE INTO A SCHOOL BOY ROLL UP OF HIS OWN! JAKE IS IN TROUBLE FROM THE LOOKS OF IT!

ONE!
TWO-

Rich Russillo: JAKE IS ABLE TO KICK OUT-

James Peters: BUT AS SOON AS JAKE GETS TO A KNEE, HE JUST ABOUT HAS HIS HEAD KICKED OFF!!!! ADAM LUCAS CONNECTS WITH WOKE, AND THAT MIGHT’VE ACTUALLY KNOCKED JAKE OUT! JAKE COLLAPSES, AND ADAM TURNS HIM OVER BEFORE DROPPING DOWN ON TOP OF HIM FOR THE COVER!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!

Rich Russillo: BUT THIS MATCH STILL IS NOT OVER! JAKE WAS BARELY ABLE TO LIFT HIS SHOULDER OFF OF THE MAT, KEEPING HIM IN THIS KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT! Adam Lucas pushes himself back to his feet, and he looks frustrated knowing that this match somehow still has not come to an end. This is what happens when two former World Champions cross paths though.

Persephone: Yeah and I hate it. They’re not even good, so why are they still wrestling right now. At this point I’d rather watch paint dry.

James Peters: Adam Lucas slowly pulls Jake up, AND ADAM HITS JAKE WITH A PUNCH TO THE FACE, CAUSING JAKE TO STUMBLE DOWN TO A KNEE! Adam pulls Jake up again- BUT JAKE SLAPS ADAM IN THE FACE! ADAM RESPONDS WITH A FOREARM, AND NOW JAKE CONNECTS WITH A FOREARM IN RETURN! BOTH MEN BEGIN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THEIR STRIKES, STRUGGLING TO TAKE CONTROL IN WHAT COULD BE THE FINAL MOMENTS OF THIS MATCH!

Rich Russillo: ADAM SWINGS AT JAKE, AND JAKE DUCKS UNDER IT BEFORE HITTING ADAM WITH A BICYCLE KICK! ADAM IS STUNNED AND JAKE NOW RUNS THE ROPES- BUT ADAM TURNS JAKE INSIDE OUT WITH A LARIAT! ADAM LUCAS GETS THE UPPER HAND AND HE WASTES NO TIME DRAGGING JAKE BACK UP! ADAM KICKS JAKE IN THE MIDSECTION BEFORE THROWING HIM INTO THE ROPES, AND NOW ADAM LOOKS FOR- WAIT A SECOND! ADAM WAS LOOKING FOR LEVEL UP, BUT JAKE DELIVERS A JUMPING KNEE JUST AS ADAM WAS GOING TO POP HIM UP! WHAT A COUNTER!

Persephone: Meh. It really wasn’t anything special, so I’m not sure why you’re hyping it up so much.

James Peters: Adam is still on his feet after that knee, BUT JAKE IS ABLE TO CHANGE THAT AS HE LIFTS ADAM UP BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A BRAINBUSTER! Huge move by Jake Smith who… Doesn’t go for the cover!? Jake has Adam down on the mat, but it looks like he has something else in mind here as he is pulling himself into the corner of the ring! Thinking about it, it is Adam Lucas he’s dealing with. I can see why he’d want to make sure he stays down.

Rich Russillo: Ah, but that’s not what he’s doing! Instead Jake is trying to remove the turnbuckle padding! Jake is cheating right in front of the referee’s face, and now the referee is going after Jake and forcing him to back away from the turnbuckle! The referee begins fixing the turnbuckle padding, meanwhile Jake turns his attention to Adam-

James Peters: JUST TO BE MET WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! ADAM KICKED JAKE IN THE MIDSECTION, AND NOW HE SENDS JAKE INTO THE ROPES! IT LOOKS LIKE TRYING TO CHEAT MIGHT HAVE JUST BACKFIRED FOR JAKE, AS ADAM GOES FOR LEVEL UP-

(*CRACK*!)

Persephone: ??

James Peters: WHAT THE HELL??

Rich Russillo: JAKE JUST HIT ADAM IN THE JAW WITH BRASS KNUCKLES!!!!! JAKE MUST’VE PULLED THE BRASS KNUCKLES OUT OF THE TURNBUCKLE PAD!!! JAKE JUST KNOCKED ADAM LUCAS OUT WITH THE BRASS KNUCKLES, AND NOW JAKE FALLS DOWN ON TOP OF ADAM, QUICKLY THROWING THE BRASS KNUCKLES OUT OF THE RING AS THE REFEREE FINISHES WITH THE TURNBUCKLE!

James Peters: THE REFEREE TURNS AROUND AND SEES THE COVER BEING MADE! OH COME ON, NOT LIKE THIS! DON’T TELL ME JAKE IS ABOUT TO STEAL THIS!

ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!

(Ding! Ding! Ding!)

Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… AND ADVANCING TO THE SECOND ROUND OF THE KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT, JAAAAAAAAAAAAKE SMIIIIIIIITH!!!!!!!

(The fans in attendance begin to boo loudly as Jake Smith slowly begins to sit up. ‘Win’ begins to play once more, and slowly Jake begins to push himself back up. The fans aren’t happy whatsoever, but Jake has a big grin on his face after picking up the victory, even after utilizing such a dirty tactic.)

James Peters: Jake Smith advances to the next round of the King of Elite tournament, but I don’t think anyone’s happy seeing exactly how Jake pulled it off. Of course, I can’t really blame anyone for being unhappy either.

Rich Russillo: Jake once again overcomes a big threat in front of him, though using some underhanded tactics to do so with those brass knuckles. Adam Lucas definitely won’t be happy about this one, and I can’t blame him. He was screwed over tonight.

Persephone: Or he just sucks. If he wrestled better, Jake wouldn’t have been able to use the brass knuckles. Luis would’ve done it.

James Peters: She does know Luis isn’t around anymore, right?

(Jake Smith returns to his feet, and he has his hand raised while the boos only grow louder. Adam Lucas is still unconscious after being hit with the brass knuckles, and as Jake celebrates his victory, Voltage fades away from ringside.)

(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where the Empress of Elite finals will take place.)

(Voltage returns to the stage, and ‘Kamikaze’ by RedHook begins to play. The camera pans towards the stage as the fans in attendance begin to boo, and after some time, Daryl Kinkade begins to walk out. Despite everything that occurred inside the Extreme Elimination Chamber at Road to Redemption, Daryl has a smirk on his face. He is holding a microphone in his hand as he makes his way to the stage, and before long he begins walking down the ramp, making his way to the ring.)

James Peters: Daryl Kinkade is on his way out, and going into the new year we may be entering a new era for the British Invasion, who found some huge success at Road to Redemption!

Rich Russillo: Daryl Kinkade may have come up short in the EAW World Championship Extreme Elimination Chamber, but it looks like he’s able to put that aside at the moment as there was still something amazing to take away from the event.

Persephone: Amazing? We don’t care about the British Invasion. Luis should’ve been holding those titles, but the rest of La Familia is useless, so now we’re stuck with this.

(Daryl Kinkade makes his way into the ring, and soon after this, his entrance music begins to fade out. Ignoring the reception from the crowd, Daryl begins to speak.)

Daryl Kinkade: I understand things didn’t go my way back at Road to Redemption, but as frustrating as that loss was, that wasn’t a loss that could set the British Invasion back. The British Invasion only moved forward at Road to Redemption, which is exactly why I’m here right now. See, I promised at the beginning of this season that by the end of it, the British Invasion would be covered in gold. I promised that we’d finally get what we deserved and that by the time this season was over, none of you would be able to doubt us. All season long the British Invasion has proven ourselves to be the biggest threat EAW has to offer. We have overcome every threat that was in our way, and at Road to Redemption, we took the next step as Halsey and Pandora reached a new stage in their careers by not only winning their first Championships here in EAW but also defeating the Jaded Hearts in what may be their final match together! They did what nobody else in the division could and once again proved that nobody compares to the British Invasion.

(Daryl has a proud look on his face, and he gestures towards the stage as he continues.)

Daryl Kinkade: This day was always going to come sooner or later, but now that it’s official, you all will have no choice but to acknowledge these two for the threats they are. With that being said… Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the NEW Unified Tag Team Champions… HALSEY NEEL AND PANDORA PAISLEY!

(‘Refuse/Resist’ by Sepultura hits as soon as Daryl is finished speaking, and the camera pans over towards the stage, where the new Unified Tag Team Champions begin making their way out. Halsey Neel and Pandora Paisley both have confident looks on their faces as they finally are seen wearing their Championships around their waists, and the two are also seen holding microphones in their hands. The two begin making their way down the ramp as Daryl waits for them.)

James Peters: Here come the Unified Tag Team Champions, who undoubtedly achieved the biggest victory of their respective careers at Road to Redemption when they dethroned the Jaded Hearts to become Champions.

Rich Russillo: A victory like that was never going to come easy, especially seeing as the Jaded Hearts seemed to be unstoppable after regaining the Unified Tag Team Championships, but Halsey and Pandora put an end to that, all while winning gold for the first time!

Persephone: Hopefully this reign is short. These are not the people I need to see as Champions.

(Halsey Neel and Pandora Paisley make their way up the steel steps, and once they enter the ring, they raise their Championships. Their entrance music begins to fade out, and after this, they begin to speak.)

Pandora Paisley: I won’t say that our victory at Road to Redemption came easy. There is a reason the Jaded Hearts have been able to take down every team that stood before them, no matter who they were. We knew what kind of fight we were headed into at Road to Redemption, but we’ve wanted the Unified Tag Team Championships for too long to let another opportunity slip past our fingers. We knew that a better opportunity than this was not going to come anytime soon, so we walked into Road to Redemption with a plan, and we executed it perfectly. We did everything we had to do, and thanks to that, we are FINALLY the Unified Tag Team Champions!

Halsey Neel: I can respect the fight that the Jaded Hearts brought even after Kassidy Heart was concussed. They didn’t go out without a fight. We had to do everything in our power to win these Championships, but we did it. The time has come, and now we finally have what we’ve been after for ages. The Jaded Hearts’ reign on top may be over, but this is only the beginning for the British Invasion, and I’d love to see who could try to stop us now. We told our opponents time and time again that we were at our best. We said that this was our time, and we made it clear that we weren’t going to let these opportunities keep going to waste, and we kept our word. Now all that’s left is to make this reign the best reign possible and keep reminding you all why we got here in the first place.

(This receives a loud reaction, and after this, Pandora begins to speak up.)

Pandora Paisley: And that’ll be accomplished because the British Invasion will be at the top of this division for a very long time. We’ve spent so long fighting just for the sake of becoming the Unified Tag Team Champions, and we didn’t do it all just so we could lose it all in an instant. For too long we have been doubted. For too long we’ve had to watch team after team get their hands on these titles. We have been through so much, even at Road to Redemption itself, so we will not allow this success to be short-lived. If you want these Championships you’re going to have to pry them out of our hands, but before you think of doing so, I want you to remember that even a team as decorated and dominant as the Jaded Hearts couldn’t stop us from holding these Championships. If you think we’ll let just anybody take these from us, you have the wrong idea. We are the best this division has to offer, and we intend to make sure things stay that way for a very long time.

Halsey Neel: And that’s exactly why we’re out here. We’re not here just to celebrate our victory. We’re here because we want the entire tag team division to understand what the future looks like because, for the foreseeable future, this is what you’ll be looking up at. Pandora and I worked as hard as possible to get to this point, and you already saw what we were willing to do just to become Champions. I’m sure you all should understand we’ll be capable of doing even worse once our titles are on the line, so to whoever ends up becoming our first challengers for these Championships, I just hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, because no matter who steps up, we’ll be read-

(Suddenly, they’re cut off as “Rubber Band Man” by T.I. plays to a loud reaction from the crowd, excited to see anybody step up, which turns out to be both Damien Kutcher and Akari Kiyoko, who have their game faces on while marching down to the ring. Meanwhile, the British Invasion turns towards the stage, looking intrigued. Neither Halsey nor Pandora likely expected this, nor did these fans.)

James Peters: Well, I can’t say I expected this.

Rich Russillo: Me neither.

James Peters: Both Damien Kutcher and Akari Kiyoko are interrupting the new Tag Team Champions, but while I didn’t expect it, it makes sense.

Rich Russillo: Yeah, both Kutcher and Kiyoko have aligned in recent times and are both out to take that next step in their careers.

James Peters: But will said step be the Unified Tag Team Championships?

Persephone: If you’d shut the fuck up, we’d see.

James Peters: :kyrie:

(Damien and Akari walk up the steps, entering the ring before they pass by the British Invasion. But Halsey and Damien exchange a brief look with one another, glancing the other up and down… Damien and Akari retrieve their microphones from the right side of the ring and stand across from British Invasion as “Rubber Band Man” by T.I. slowly fades in the background.)

Damien Kutcher: …

Persephone: Uhm, hello?

Damien Kutcher: …

(Damien takes a moment, soaking in the audience’s reaction, letting the moment simmer almost as he smolders…)

Persephone: This guy cannot be serious.

James Peters: Oh, he’s serious.

(Damien slowly brings the microphone to his lips.)

Damien Kutcher: …congratulations. At Road to Redemption, you laid the absolute smackdown on those two Jaded Jabronis, Kassidy Heart and Sienna Jade, and I’ll admit, you two ladies make those titles look good…

(Damien gives a wink to Halsey Neel, who has a slight smirk on her face. But snaps her head towards Akari Kiyoko, who chimes in.)

Akari Kiyoko: But Damien and I both agreed they would look even better around our waist.

(Damien does the title motion around his abs area, but Daryl then pipes up.)

Daryl Kinkade: Oi! Listen, you two aren’t going to come out here, and-

(Damien puts his hand up, gesturing for Daryl to stop talking.)

Damien Kutcher: Pardon the Kutch, but… Daryl Kinkade, is it?

(Daryl nods, hurling trash talk at Damien off-mic.)

Damien Kutcher: Well, last time I checked, your name isn’t on those belts, so shut up, BITCH!

(The crowd pops for Daryl being put in his place, but one person who doesn’t find that funny is Daryl himself, who grows annoyed with Damien but gets calmed down by both Neel and Paisley, regaining his composure, along with the Tag Team Champions.)

Akari Kiyoko: As I was saying… Kutcher and I have been aiming to break through for a while now, and those titles might just be our key to doing so, especially when the Champions are practically opening the floodgates for any team to step up.

Damien Kutcher: I mean, before we interrupted them, they were saying something about how…

(Finally, it comes to Kutcher.)

Damien Kutcher: About how they’ll be ready for anyone who steps up.

Akari Kiyoko: Well, here Kutcher and I are doing exactly that.

Pandora Paisley: While I admire the ambition, I thought that Road to Redemption would’ve been your opportunity to break out. What happened to that?

Akari Kiyoko: Bump in the road, but while we’ve been knocked down…

Damien Kutcher: We aren’t staying down.

Akari Kiyoko: One way or another, Kutcher and I will break that glass ceiling, and if you two stand in the way of that, then so be it.

(Halsey Neel nods…)

Halsey Neel: You know what? I’m with Pandora. I like it. I like the guts to come out here and stake your claim for an opportunity, especially one so big as our Unified Tag Team Championships.

Pandora Paisley: It’s just a shame that’ll lead to yet another big loss.

(Both Halsey and Pandora look pretty smug.)

Akari Kiyoko: Oh, I’m sorry, but how many times have you lost in the chase of those Tag Team Titles? If anybody, you should know about the dangers of counting us out, especially when both Kutch and I are more motivated than ever to make an impact.

Damien Kutcher: And in EAW, all it takes is one opportunity, which neither Akari nor I are leaving this ring without. We’ve waited too long and don’t care whose toes were stepped on in the process, so if they’ve got a problem, then they can take it up with God because it’s our time and our purpose to win those Unified Tag Team Titles from you.

(Halsey chuckles to herself.)

Damien Kutcher: Is something funny?

Halsey Neel: Oh, it’s just… If we wanted you out of this ring, Damien, we could easily make that happen.

(Damien raises an eyebrow.)

Damien Kutcher: Oh yeah? Then why haven’t you?

Halsey Neel: I don’t know… Maybe like the rest of these people, I find you quite… entertaining.

Damien Kutcher: Oh, I can entertain in more ways than one if you’re eating what Damien Kutcher is serving…

(Pandora finds the playful banter between both Damien and Halsey amusing, if anything, but decides to get things back on track.)

Pandora Paisley: Alright, you two want a title match? Fine. You’ll have the first shot.

Halsey Neel: That is once Pandora and I are finished with the Empress of Elite Tournament and adding a crown to our list of achievements, but until then…

Pandora Paisley: Take this time to train and really gel as a tag team, because you’re up against the very best there is.

Halsey Neel: So, you’ll need a lot more than catchphrases to win these…

(Halsey and Pandora hoist their Championships up high, staring into the eyes of their future challengers as ‘Refuse/Resist’ by Sepultura plays in the background.)

James Peters: A message sent by the Unified Tag Team Champions.

Rich Russillo: But are they likely underestimating both Damien Kutcher and Akari Kiyoko?

James Peters: Possibly. In EAW, a person’s luck can turn around like that, and maybe it’ll work the same way for Kutcher and Kiyoko.

Rich Russillo: Well, there is lots of pressure on the challengers, but an equal amount of pressure on the Champions, who have guaranteed that Kutcher and Kiyoko will have their first defense.

James Peters: It’s one thing to climb the mountain, it’s an entirely new thing to stay there.

(Each member of the British Invasion leaves the ring as Akari and Damien remain inside the ring, staring holes into the Champion. Focused, but confident in their abilities to secure the titles as the camera fades elsewhere.)

(Commercial for Kendrick Lamar’s new album, “gnx”.)

(Voltage returns to ringside, as the fans in the Climate Pledge Arena are all seen cheering following everything that’s taken place so far. However, the camera pans over towards the commentary table, where James Peters, Rich Russillo and Persephone are all seen. While Persephone looks uninterested as always, James and Rich both have more serious looks on their faces as they begin to speak.)

James Peters: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for staying with us for the first Sunday Night Voltage of 2025. So far we saw a huge King of Elite first round match as well as two potential Championship matches being made for the future, but before we move on with this show we have some news for you all pertaining to an EAW Hall of Famer. One who recently competed for the EAW World Championship back at Road to Redemption.

Rich Russillo: That of course is Xander Payne. As we all know Xander’s return to the ring has been filled with controversy, and over the last two months things have only further escalated heading towards Road to Redemption. Xander Payne returned to the ring thanks to his issues with the British Invasion, but would gain a new enemy in Limmy Monaghan, who he not only severely injured, but cost the EAW World Championship in the Extreme Elimination Chamber. Xander Payne hasn’t been the kind of Elitist known for making friends, but if you hadn’t heard Xander’s words prior to Road to Redemption, allow me to reiterate. As it turns out, the Extreme Elimination Chamber was his final match.

Persephone: I’m so glad. The sooner Xander Payne is far away from EAW, the better.

James Peters: Well Xander had asked for time to officially say goodbye to EAW, but there’s been developments that I can’t say I expected. Over the holidays there was an incident, and while I could go into further detail regarding this, I think it’s best that you all see what took place with your own eyes.

Rich Russillo: We’ve received footage of what took place over the holidays, and as James said, it was very shocking. We’re going to play it for you all right now, and I’m sure you’ll understand exactly why Xander unfortunately is not present tonight.

(The camera pans towards the titantron, which turns on soon after. As it lights up, footage begins to play from a separate location.)

[SCREENBAR – Newark, New Jersey. New Years Eve]

(The camera opens up to the inside of Xander Payne’s current home, which is located in Newark, New Jersey. A New Year’s Party is being held, and the family can be seen enjoying themselves as time gets closer and closer to midnight. At the moment, Xander Payne and his wife Peyton Payne are speaking to each other as the children are enjoying themselves, but after some time they are interrupted as their son, Maximus runs up to them.)

Maximus Payne: Dad, are you gonna wrestle again soon? You’re the best!

(Xander chuckles, patting Maximus on the back as he speaks to him.)

Xander Payne: Of course I will, Max. I’ll be back before you know it. Your dad just needs a small break for now.

Maximus Payne: Okay! I can’t wait!

(Maximus runs off, and after this Xander turns towards Peyton.)

Peyton Payne: You *are* done, right? Last time you said you were done you stuck around for two extra months. What’s been going on between you, Limmy Monaghan and the British Invasion has clearly been getting to you. Are you sure you’re done this time?

Xander Payne: I’m done, Peyt. I’ll be contacting them soon to make my final goodbyes, but like I promised Road to Redemption was my final match. I know I stayed longer than I was supposed to and that wasn’t right, but I’m not going to keep letting my business there get in the way. I made a promise, and I’m keeping it.

Peyton Payne: Good, but how are you going to explain that to Max?

Xander Payne: I’ll get to that eventually, but it’s New Year’s. I’d rather them enjoy themselves right now.

(After this, Historia can be heard calling for her mother. This catches Peyton’s attention, and after a brief glance at Xander, who smiles at her, Peyton begins to walk over. However, it’s not too long after this that a sound can be heard. It’s the sound of someone banging on the door, and while Peyton and the kids are too distracted to notice it, Xander hears it. At first he is confused and tries to brush it off as nothing, but soon after this the sound can be heard even louder than before. Xander begins to make his way over towards the door, although this catches the attention of his family.)

Historia Payne: Where are you going?

Xander Payne: Just checking something, Ria.

Historia Payne: Okay!

(Historia turns her attention back to the others. However, as Xander gets closer and closer to the door, the banging sound is no more, as it’s been replaced by the sound of something being smashed. Xander finally gets to the door, and when he gets there, he is shocked by the sight in front of him.)

(The door has been busted open, and standing in the doorway is Limmy Monaghan. Xander Payne has a shocked look on his face. While he knows there’s been no love lost between himself and Limmy Monaghan, he didn’t expect Limmy to go to these lengths, especially during the holidays. However, he and Limmy are standing only feet apart, as Limmy stares directly at Xander.)

Xander Payne: …Are you serious? What are you doing here?

Limmy Monaghan: …

Xander Payne: You can’t wait any other time for this!? My family is here, you know that right!? It’s New Year’s Eve!

(Limmy doesn’t say anything, but this does catch the attention of Peyton.)

Peyton Payne: Who are you speaking to?

Xander Payne: It’s nobody! Don’t worry, it’s just a-

(Before Xander could finish, Limmy charges in and takes Xander to the ground with a double leg takedown. The two begin to fight as Limmy starts throwing punches at Xander’s face, which Xander is soon able to counter by turning Limmy onto his back and getting on top of him. Limmy pushes Xander off of him before getting back up, and once on his feet he knees Xander in the midsection. Limmy sends Xander into the wall, and Xander stumbles to a knee after this.)

(The camera momentarily cuts over towards Peyton, Historia and Maximus. While the family seems to be in a good mood now, that quickly changes as Xander Payne crashes into the room, right into a small table. A glass vase breaks, and the family members are terrified seeing what just happened. They all scream, and the kids quickly back away as Limmy Monaghan slowly walks into the room. Xander begins to get up, but Limmy grabs the remains of the table and hits Xander in the back with it, causing him to fall back.)

(Historia and Maximus are seen crying, yelling at Limmy to get off of their father. Peyton however quickly takes out her phone and rushes them out of the room, meanwhile Xander Payne is finally able to block one of the shots with the table with his arm. Xander pushes himself up to a knee and elbows Limmy in the midsection, and this gives him just enough time to grab Limmy by the head and slam it into the wall. Xander and Limmy begin to fight once again, going back and forth with their punches until Xander slowly seems to get the upper hand on Limmy, throwing more and more punches at Limmy. Xander connects with an uppercut, and this causes Limmy to stumble backwards.)

(However, just as Xander rushes in he is caught by surprise as Limmy pulls a painting from the wall, hitting Xander with it. Xander stumbles back, and Limmy grabs him before throwing him head first into the large television, causing it to break. Xander falls onto the ground, and he tries to push himself back up, but Limmy seems to have intentions of his own as he grabs Xander, beginning to pull him up himself. After this, he throws Xander into the window, causing Xander to crash through it and go out into the lawn.)

(Xander Payne is slowly trying to stir, but as Limmy Monaghan makes his way out to the lawn, he still has his eyes on Xander. Xander begins pushing himself up to his knees, but only seconds after this, Limmy runs in and hits him in the back of the head with the “Divine Departure” swinging back elbow. Xander is clearly knocked out at this point, but instead of leaving him alone Limmy continues to punch away at Xander, clearly not finished with him. As Limmy continues to punch away at Xander, Peyton Payne rushes out to the lawn, trying to pull Limmy off of Xander from behind.)

Peyton Payne: Stop! Let go of h-

(However, being caught by surprise like this causes Limmy to instinctively throw an elbow backwards, hitting Peyton right in the face. Peyton falls to the ground, and only then does Limmy turn around, realizing what just happened. He seems surprised by what just happened as his actions didn’t appear to be intentional, but Historia and Maximus can be seen at the doorway, crying as both of their parents are seen laid out. Not too long after this the sound of Police sirens would be heard, as Peyton Payne had called the police during the fight between Limmy and Xander.)

(The Police cars eventually make their way over to the Payne’s home. The Police officers rush out of their cars seeing the front door busted open, but by the time the officers make their way to the lawn, Limmy Monaghan is nowhere to be seen. Some of them look around, while the remaining officers tend to Xander and Peyton, who are still laid out on the lawn. With this final sight of the aftermath, the footage begins to fade out.)

(The camera returns to the commentary table, and the fans in attendance are shocked, clearly taken aback by what they just witnessed as they never expected to see something like this from Limmy Monaghan. After a moment, James begins to speak.)

James Peters: Honestly, I’m not even sure what to say. As I’m sure you all may have guessed by now, Xander Payne will not be appearing to say his goodbyes tonight. A lot happened to the Payne family over the holidays, and to be honest, I never would’ve expected to see this out of Limmy Monaghan. Seeing the kind of Elitist he has become over the last few years, I didn’t see a man known for fighting with honor doing something so heinous.

Rich Russillo: Me neither. Limmy Monaghan has obviously done some very violent things in the past, but we’ve seen him grow into perhaps one of the more admirable Elitists in the company today. We knew things had become personal between Xander and Limmy heading towards Road to Redemption, but I think Limmy may have taken things a step too far. Not only did he invade Xander’s home with his family there, but his actions also led to Xander’s wife Peyton getting hurt.

Persephone: Well he did cost Limmy the EAW Championship in the Chamber, didn’t he? Xander kinda did it to himself. Who costs someone a match and just retires? If you ask me, Xander did all of that to himself.

James Peters: I can’t exactly deny that Xander did a lot to provoke Limmy, but this was too much. Still, regardless of our thoughts on this, this is what we have for you all today regarding Xander Payne. These were some very shocking developments, but hopefully we hear more soon regarding Xander. Until then, let’s move forward with the rest of this show.

(After these words, Sunday Night Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)

(Sunday Night Voltage continues forward as we see Selina Reyes in the backstage area, stretching out her legs and warming up for her upcoming Empress of Elite first-round match. She looks as focused and determined as one can be, preparing for the fight she’s going to bring toward Halsey Neel here tonight in Seattle. She starts walking down the hallway until she looks over and notices someone, before speaking in that direction.)

Selina Reyes: Hey!

(The camera pans over to reveal Candice Blair, who has sparked a bit of an alliance with Selina over the last month heading into Road to Redemption. Candice glances over at her and shares a kind grin, replying by saying…)

Candice Blair: Hey, nice to see you.

(The two of them share a fist bump as Candice is the first to speak, telling Selina…)

Candice Blair: Thanks for having my back last year. It was nice teaming with you facing Akari and Damien on Voltage a few weeks ago, they’re quite the annoying duo. I remember they beat me down backstage all because of what I did in my match against Akari, so I do appreciate the help fighting against the numbers advance for a couple of weeks. Glad you agreed to fight against those crybabies.

(Selina nods her head as she seems appreciative that Candice thanked her for the backup whilst they were dealing with Akari and Damien on Voltage leading up to Road to Redemption and the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal. She responds to Candice as she says…)

Selina Reyes: I don’t care for many people, Candice, but if there was a common interest that we both had, it was knocking those two obnoxious individuals, Akari Kiyoko and Damien Kutcher, to a different level. They are both people who got away with getting a win against me. When I saw them beating you down, I knew I needed to fight back. Likewise, I respect tagging with you against them, and I respect the competitor that you are when competing in that ring, we made a formidable force.

Candice Blair: I agree with that too. Where do you plan to go next since Road to Redemption is over and done with and neither one of us won the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal?

(Selina’s eyes are already focused on the question Candice asked, as she responds to her by saying…)

Selina Reyes: Honestly, my focus right now is that Empress of Elite tournament. Road to Redemption didn’t go so well, and even though teaming together was a positive note, the losses I had prior were not something I particularly liked. It was frustrating, to say the least, but it’s a new year and a new time for me to start building myself back up brick by brick. This Empress of Elite tournament is an opportunity that wasn’t here last year, and now it’s back, and I want to take advantage of this. I see the rest of the competitors in this field and it’s stacked, but I need to go the distance the best I can in preparation for the war I plan on going through tonight.

Candice Blair: Going from a Princess to an Empress sounds good to me because this tournament is also something I am looking towards myself. I understand you’re about to fight Halsey Neel later, but I have to go through my match against Pandora Paisley, and those are serious threats right now. I mean, they defeated The Jaded Hearts to become tag champions. 2024 was a year of progression on my part, but I want to make this year even better, make this year the year where I finally can become a champion the same way those two were to become champions to end the year off.

(Selina seems to agree with Candice here as she responds to her plans moving forward by saying…)

Selina Reyes: You’re right on that part, Candice. I know I have only been here since August, but I want to be a champion myself, and I understand the serious threat Pandora and Halsey pose in this tournament, especially Halsey, who pinned Kassidy Heart to win those titles in the first place. It’s going to be hard to beat them in one-on-one action, and even harder in tag team action.

Candice Blair: It is going to be hard facing them, but we can face them two-on-two as well…

(Selina raises her eyebrow as Candice further elaborates what she meant as she says…)

Candice Blair: We both are looking to make 2025 a better year for ourselves, right? We both are looking to make ourselves become champions, right? How about we start teaming together as an official unit? We already know how we mesh together as partners, as we shut down those crybabies when we faced them on Voltage, right? If we can do that… I think we can do pretty good as a tag team. You in?

(Selina thinks about Candice’s idea of them teaming together as an official tag team. Candice talks again as she tells her…)

Candice Blair: Seriously Selina, we both have title intentions in mind, and perhaps we can use both of our strengths together and go after those Unified Tag Team Championships. I can’t think of a better way for both of us to become champions, the path is right there in front of us and if we beat both members of British Invasion tonight we have more than enough reason to go after those titles and make our dreams a reality.

(Selina responds to Candice by saying…)

Selina Reyes: You know Candice, despite my bad history with partners, last year I would have hesitated, but you’re nothing like that crazy psychopath Effy McAvoy or anyone else I had the displeasure of teaming with in Divide and Conquer, especially that guy who was in the Marines. Despite that, though, I like the premise you have, I like the intentions you have, and I like the motive you have for us being a team. I have a match coming up right now, but if you’re asking me if I’m down, let’s do it.

(Candice would share a smirk as it looks like Selina has agreed to be in a team with her as Selina continues speaking, saying…)

Selina Reyes: Even though we’re facing British Invasion in separate singles matches, getting a shot at those titles is going to be kind of difficult because of Akari and Damien calling their shots earlier in the night, which is not the most gratifying situation for us and those titles.

Candice Blair: Yeah, not the most ideal situation for us, but you know what? If we both can get the better of British Invasion in our respective matches tonight, it should bode well for us. Getting wins over them would get us in a very prominent position to not only say we bested Akari and Damien who tried to call their shot, but also the Unified Tag Team Champions as well. I think that sounds pretty good.

(Selina nods in agreement as it looks like both she and Candice have found a solution for them to get a shot at the champions through the Empress of Elite, with Selina responding by saying…)

Selina Reyes: For sure, right now we should focus on competing in our matches for this tournament after all, on the other side of all this is a guaranteed shot at the EAW Universal Women’s Championship and being named this year’s Empress of Elite. Halsey Neel is someone that I have to bring every ounce I have in my body to take down and advance in this tournament, and the same applies to you when you face Pandora. She’s just as deadly as Halsey, but if things work out for the both of us, we’ll advance further into the tournament.

Candice Blair: …and afterward, we can stake our claim towards those titles that are in the possession of British Invasion. Right now, though, we both focus on beating them, when I look at Pandora and our match tonight, I see a woman who wants that crown along with her title, but the opportunity that comes with Empress of Elite is something that I can’t let slip away. Proving those who doubt me wrong by getting the win against the current champ will be one way of doing that, so best believe my focus right now is on advancing in this tournament.

Selina Reyes: Should things turn out well for us, gold should be in our imminent visions, whether that’s a shot at the end of winning Empress of Elite or those Unified Tag Team Championships. Best of luck in your match against Pandora.

Candice Blair: Likewise against Halsey, best of luck to you.

(Selina and Candice share another fist bump as Selina looks to be wired and focused on her match with Halsey Neel as she continues walking as the camera still follows her, leaving Candice to be taken out of the frame as we transition back into the ring for our next match.)

(Commercial for “WHAM”, the new album by Lil Baby with Chris Elite promoting it.)

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

Bella Braxton: The following contest, is an Empress of Elite Round One, scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

(‘Rhapsody in Pink’ by Stela Cole can be heard blaring throughout the speakers as the audience reacts very positively to the arrival of Candice Blair, who poses a confident demeanor while retaining her optimism & looking outward to the crowd as well. Candice eventually walks down the ramp while taking her eyes to the ring.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first! From San Francisco, California, weighing in at 130 pounds… ‘PRINCESS’ CANDICE BLAIR!!!

Persephone: Oh brother, I do not fucking like her.

James Peters: Candice Blair has been able to get her own name constantly involved in great battle after battle, and she continues to march forward as she is still looking for her own big breakthrough to finally be realized. This tournament can give her exactly that.

Rich Russillo: No doubt about that, if the Princess wants to set herself up for what can be a truly fortunate trajectory for the rest of 2025, then Empress of Elite is the best possible opportunity for just that.

(‘Just Stop’ by Disturbed can be heard blaring throughout the speakers as the audience responds loudly to Pandora Paisley, who emerges from the back & to the ramp with the Unified Tag Team Championship propped right around her own waist. She adjusts her glasses briefly before walking down the ramp and eyeing Candice.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing her opponent! From Blackpool, England, weighing in at 9 stones… ONE HALF OF THE UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, PANDORA PAISLEY!!!

James Peters: Pandora Paisley has been able to end the year with an incredible high alongside Halsey Neel, to see herself and Halsey be able to dethrone the Jaded Hearts & become champions for the first time in their careers is certainly not a feat that will be forgotten heading into 2025.

Rich Russillo: It’s impossible to ever overlook as they’re ushering in a new era for tag team competition as champions, but for now, they will each have to focus on the Empress of Elite! Paisley can certainly start off this year with another high to place up there if she can excel in this tournament!

(DING! DING! DING!)

James Peters: And we’re off! Empress of Elite around One is here as newly crowned EAW Unified Tag Team Champion Pandora Paisley is now taking on Candice Blair! We can certainly see two brand new Empress of Elite tournament winners within these two elitists as well, and that extra push into the stratosphere can be enough to solidify the career of any female competitor in EAW. Both women begin to circle themselves around the ring as they’re maintaining all of the focus possible, ensuring there’s nothing in the way between them here as they steadily pace around the mat with determination clearly set in stone within both of their faces. Soon before long, they approach one another to start this match off with a swift collar & elbow tie-up!

Rich Russillo: Both women are trying to push the other into wherever their respective ropes would be, and there’s plenty of leeway to be given here with whoever is favored on the strength front… but now Pandora is shifting Candice back, her own strength coming into play here as the more sizable figure between the two as she’s soon able to push Blair back into the ropes! Candice Blair makes her way towards the ropes, as she is maintaining balance, but that shift leads into Pandora Paisley gaining the upper control! Now with the demeaning facto into her hands, it opens the door for Pandora Paisley too—

Rich Russillo: Deliver a staggering CHOP to the chest of Candice Blair! You can see some eagerness in the face of Pandora Paisley, as her opponent falls to a knee from the hit.

Persephone: This match already makes me want to kill myself.

James Peters: A rather negative input, but look at Pandora Paisley, as she keeps hot on the trail of Candice Blair. Candice in the ring on one knee, as Pandora uses the edge of her boot to push Candice Blair backwards! Candice keeps her balance however, as Pandora does it again! Continuing to be an irritating woman, Pandora Paisley makes her way back towards the ropes, as she rebounds off—LOOKING FOR A HUGE BOOT TO THE FACE OF CANDICE! NO! Candice rises to her feet, and nails Pandora to the ground with a back body drop! Pandora takes a harsh landing, as you can see her severely taking a lapse in her judgment. Candice, rising to her feet now, goes towards Pandora looking to pull her into the middle of the ring!

Rich Russillo: But out of the ring she flees, as Pandora Paisley is buying herself some time. A smart move, escaping before the momentum can truly shift in her favor can be a smart play and decision, but we are about to see here! As Candice Blair exits the ring, and she– WALKS RIGHT INTO A FOREARM FROM PANDORA BEFORE SHE CAN LEAVE IT! The stifling forearm knocking her back into the middle of the ring! Pandora swiftly takes the chance, as she enters the ring and hooks the leg of Candice, can she get the victory from her here!?!?

ONEEEEEEEE!

TWOOOOOOOOOO!

Rich Russillo: NO! A kick out from Candice causes a headlock to immediately be applied by Pandora Paisley. Trying to wear and tear at her best possible attempt!

James Peters: Pandora Paisley is trying to use all the energy that Candice is willing to give her early on in this match. It is not a bad idea either, the more you force your opponent to use energy, the more difficult it will come for them in the later stage of the match. Candice is stuck between a rock and a hard place however, as she has the arm of Pandora wrapped right around her throat. But Candice is starting to find that stirring rhythm however, elevating herself off the ground! She is lifting Pandora up, as Pandora is holding on as tight as she can but– some shots to the abdomen are making it nearly impossible for Pandora to hold on! AND BANG! CANDICE FINDS HERSELF FREE, AS SHE KNOCKS PANDORA OFF HER! BEFORE NAILING PANDORA WITH A RUNNING SHOULDER BLOCK! Momentum garnered at the hands of Candice again, as she turns to Pandora and looks to–

Rich Russillo: Find that her opponent is rolling out of the ring again! Yet again there she is. Playing smart and following up on the momentum from Candice Blair and trying to halt it, however. Candice knows different from last time. She enters the ring opposite of where Pandora has landed, keeping herself from eating another forearm! Pandora is using the steps as an elevation platform to get herself up off the ground. She is feeling slight affects, but she is still truly locked and loaded, BUT CANDICE IS REMAINING HOT ON HER STEPS, AS SHE CHARGES AT PANDORA FULL THROTTLE, BUT PANDORA MOVES OUT OF THE WAY! TRYING TO SEND THE MOMENTUM OF CANDICE FULL THROTTLE–but she catches herself!

Persephone: Careful bitch, you almost tripped over your own two feet.

James Peters: CANDICE TURNS AROUND, AND INTO A KICK TO THE LEG FROM PANDORA! The balance of Candice is lost, as Pandora quickly rushes at her – LOOKING TO TAKE HER OUT WITH A CLOTHESLINE! BUT IT IS CANDICE TURN TO DUCK AROUND! And she returns the favor, HITTING A KICK TO THE LEG OF PANDORA! Both women have been trading even blows at this moment in time, momentum being a very brutal thing to grasp! Candice has her chance however, as Pandora is down on a knee, she makes her way over to her and she lifts her up! What is she thinking! She tries throwing Pandora into the ring— BUT PANDORA HITS HER RIGHT IN THE NECK! That fist to the neck causes Candice to be warped as—

James Peters: PANDORA PUSHES CANDICE RIGHT INTO THE STEEL STEPS! GOING STOMACH FIRST, AND OUCH! SHE LOOKS DEVASTATED! Pandora saw her opportunity and she did not only take it, she proceeded to absolutely run with it! A terrible situation to be in if you are Candice, because now Pandora can take full control!

Persephone: Oh, well that’s not good at all, is it?

James Peters: Certainly not as Candice Blair’s clutching her own midsection closely while trying to keep herself leaned by those steps, but she’s setting herself up in a rather vulnerable manner here as Pandora is able to fully regroup and see just how much pain she’s being able to place Candice through! With Blair struggling to muster up any sizable amount of defense now, Paisley’s keeping her focus on Candice AS SHE’S JUST SLAMMED HER FACE OVER THE APRON!! Blair is being put through the ringer now as she’s struggling quite the decent amount to muster up any offense to dish out against her opponent!

Rich Russillo: And now Candice is driven onto the apron a SECOND TIME as her face bounces off the mat, with Pandora now dragging her away from the apron and taking her eyes toward the barricade ahead, and not slowing herself down for a single second here as she’s able to TOSS CANDICE FORWARD & INTO THE BARRICADE MIDSECTION FIRST!!! Candice is clutching onto her own abdomen once more as she’s not being given any room to breathe here! The referee is looking to count down but Paisley is able to roll herself through the apron briefly before heading back out to make sure no count is immediately bolstered as well!

James Peters: As Pandora is looking to head back over to Candice, making sure that she stays suppressed for as much as she possibly can be—BUT CANDICE IS FIGHTING BACK!! She’s trying to send numerous body shots to Paisley despite not being able to recover in time, but she’s holding well on her own for the moment!!! NOT BEFORE A STIFF FOREARM CLOCKS CANDICE RIGHT ACROSS HER TEMPLE! Candice is now dazed beyond belief, and Pandora is keeping her held upward as she’s now keeping her held right around her own arm, jaír before being able to HOIST HER UPWARD HERE AND—

Rich Russillo: BACK SUPLEX ONTO THE EDGE OF THE BARRICADE!!! The lower back of Candice Blair was put through every single shred of that agony with one hell of a maneuver right there that’s surely enough to put any ordinary person down!! Candice immediately clutches her own lower back as Pandora is now bringing herself back into the ring, and she’s eyeing up at the referee as he decides to begin his own count!!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

Persephone: Wow, just as it was getting interesting. Would be hilarious though.

James Peters: Candice is clutching her own abdomen here while trying to drag herself back up to her own feet after suffering through what has been quite the substantial amount of struggle, and I’m afraid this will not be slowing down any time soon if she allows this to get to her just enough for Pandora to take advantage with a countout victory! The referee isn’t left with another choice as he’s continuing with the count, and Paisley is propped against the corner as she’s eyeing toward Candice with a sly grin plastered on her face.

FIVE!

SIX!

SEVEN!

Rich Russillo: Blair may be struggling quite a bit to bring herself back up, but she’s more than capable of allowing herself the levity to head back into the ring while slowly pulling herself back into the ring just before the count of eight! Candice is still trying to return back to a more sizable form here while Pandora’s itching to take advantage of this vulnerable state that she has inflicted against her own opponent tonight—AS SHE LAUNCHES FORWARD FOR THE SPINNING HEEL KICK TO PUT CANDICE BACK DOWN!!

James Peters: CANDICE DUCKS THE HEEL KICK AS PAISLEY STOPS HERSELF AT THE ROPES!! Pandora couldn’t land big with the kick as Candice was able to spot her opponent from the corner of her own eye, and now Paisley is looking to turn herself back around and maintain the same control she has from the outside of the ring.. ‘TILL A SUDDEN DROPKICK SENDS PANDORA SPIRALLING BACKWARD INTO THE ROPES, slowing returning forward as she’s gingerly trying to SWING AGAIN!!

Rich Russillo: BUT A DUCKED MANEUVER FROM BLAIR FOLLOWED BY A SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX IS ENOUGH TO SEND PANDORA CRASHING ONTO THE BACK OF HER OWN NECK!! Paisley is laid out on the canvas while Candice is crawling herself over to Pandora, hooking the leg while the referee slides himself over to the count!

ONEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOO!!!

Persephone: Nope, should’ve known. We’re gonna be here even longerrrr.

James Peters: Pandora is able to evade further disaster as Candice is keeping a hand right over her midsection again, sitting herself upward as this can remain within her control if she upholds the focus needed to defeat the Unified Tag Team Champion! Blair is now applying multiple kicks over Pandora’s chest, trying to keep her down for as much as she would like to as Paisley has certainly done all she could to remain advantageous against Candice Blair!

Rich Russillo: Now Candice is bringing herself over to the corner and decides to make her way through the ropes & now stands over the apron! She takes herself upward as now she’s laying in wait for Pandora to make her own rise back up to her feet, with Paisley grasping onto the ropes to pull herself back up to her own two feet. The moment she’s stood once more, she begins to turn herself around AS CANDICE LOOKS TO LAUNCH OFF WITH A METEORA ONTO PAISLEY—

James Peters: BUT PAISLEY BRIEFLY CAUGHT HER AND DIRECTED HER MOMENTUM ONTO SLAMMING HER RIGHT OVER THE TOP ROPE!! MY GOD! Candice’s back just bent back onto the rope violently as she’s now collapsing back onto the canvas, clutching her own lower back as she’s shaking her head vigorously after being placed through a brief glimpse of horror there when Pandora was able to think quickly on her feet, but I’m afraid this isn’t the end of what’s to come from Paisley’s end!

Persephone: Uh oh, we’re about to see somebody shit the bed.

Rich Russillo: Paisley’s now dragging Candice closer to the middle of the ring with a grip of her wrist, as I’m sure she doesn’t want anything to deter her from being able to put Blair down emphatically tonight to move on! Paisley is now dragging Candice up onto her feet and placing her in this position for the moment.. AS SHE DROPS HER DOWN WITH A PUMPHANDLE FRONT SLAM FOR GOOD MEASURE!! Blair is put down with force as the Unified Tag Team Champion rolls Candice over and hooks the leg for the cover!!!

ONEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOO!!!

James Peters: NOT ENOUGH!! Paisley is shaking her own head now as Candice refuses to stay down, and Pandora will have to inflict much more damage if she wants to keep Candice Blair down with greater effect! Pandora is back up to her feet while Candice is rising much more slowly for herself, with Paisley not taking up her own time to RUSH FORWARD & AIM FOR THE ‘LOVE TAP’—

Rich Russillo: CANDICE WITH A SUPERKICK SQUARE ACROSS PAISLEY’S JAW THAT RATTLES HER IMMENSELY!! Candice Blair is able to evade what could’ve potentially put her down in this match as Pandora is now stunned, and Candice doesn’t allow time to be wasted by taking notice to how Pandora’s remaining in place as she’s rushing the ropes & soon rebounding back TO AIM FOR THE ‘SPINNING WHEEL’—

James Peters: BUT PANDORA WITH A SIDE KICK RIGHT ACROSS CANDICE’S ABDOMEN THAT CAUSES BLAIR TO DROP A KNEE! Blair is desperately clutching onto her abdomen as she’s shaking her head, and Pandora has a brief smirk on her own face before rushing the ropes herself & looking to take her opponent’s head off with an immense big BOOT HERE BUT HERE’S CANDICE!!

Rich Russillo: WITH A SPINNING WHEEL KICK!!! ‘SPINNING WHEEL’ CONNECTS AS PANDORA PAISLEY IS DROPPED DOWN ONTO THE MAT!!! Candice eagerly rushes herself back over to Pandora and hooks the leg, she may be moving on right here and now!

ONEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—

Persephone: Man, they really don’t stop, is everyone just slightly weaker this new year???

James Peters: THE KICK OUT FROM PANDORA IS ABLE TO GO THROUGH!! Now Candice is nodding to herself as she’s trying to maintain her own composure while also formulating what else she can do here to put Pandora down, and it doesn’t take her long to understand what’s next for her as she’s dragging Pandora upward, and not one to shy away from ensuring results are acquired to the fullest AS SHE’S LOOKING TO DROP HER AGAIN WITH ‘RAGS TO RICHES’!!

Rich Russillo: BUT PAISLEY SQUIRMS FREE BEFORE CANDICE COULD COMMIT & HOISTS BLAIR UPWARD—AS SHE LANDS THE SAMOAN DROP!!! Candice is sent falling back onto the canvas as the samoan drop is enough to make her go through an extended tenure of defense here, having to now try and regain control while Paisley is recovering just enough to remain fully conscious in this match!

James Peters: As now Candice is trying to rise back up to her own feet respectively, and Pandora’s looking to keep applying all of the pressure in the world here as she’s aiming to take Blair off of her feet from the moment she’s even able to stand BY LOOKING TO NAIL THIS ‘CAT’S PAW’ SUPERKICK FOR GOOD MEASURE—

Rich Russillo: CANDICE WITH A HEEL KICK INSTEAD TO DIVERT PAISLEY’S FOCUS!! Pandora is considerably dazed as Candice quickly assumes her position up to the second turnbuckle, and with Paisley essentially stirring in place, there’s no other direction for Candice to go AS SHE LAUNCHES OFF FOR THE TORNADO DDT—

Persephone: BAM! ‘CAT’S PAW’ CATCHES CANDICE WHILE SHE TRIED TO LAUNCH OFF!! She got herself knocked the fuck out with that superkick, and now Paisley’s decided to hook that leg to end the match. Let’s go! I’m ready to leave!!

ONEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—

James Peters: NO! STILL NOT ENOUGH!! Candice is continuing to remain in this match as Paisley is shaking her own head further, surely seeing how resilient Candice Blair can be! But now Pandora is eyeing a potential match ending maneuver here that can change the trajectory of the tournament for herself as Candice is slowly rising to her feet! Paisley is lying in wait as Blair’s dazed before turning… WITH PANDORA IN HER SIGHTS TO LAUNCH ‘PANDORA’S BOX’!!

Rich Russillo: CANDICE DUCKS THE BOOT & QUICKLY LEAPS UP ONTO THE SECOND TURNBUCKLE WITH PANDORA TURNING AROUND—INTO ‘STARLIGHT’!!!! CANDICE BLAIR IS ABLE TO FOLLOW THROUGH THE TORNADO DDT!!! Paisley is absolutely dazed as she’s wide eyed while sitting up on the mat after the DDT spiked her directly into her own skull afterward! Candice Blair doesn’t waste a second bringing herself back up!

Persephone: Don’t know where this is all coming from but I hope she taps into some bloodlust right about now.

James Peters: Candice is now dragging Pandora into place here as she’s looking to deliver the nail in the coffin on any aspirations that Pandora could’ve ever had for being the victor of Empress of Elite! AS SHE’S LOOKING TO DELIVER WITH THE ‘CASTLES CRUMBLING’—

Rich Russillo: BUT PANDORA SQUIRMS FREE AND QUICKLY TURNS RIGHT AROUND—NAILING A DISCUS FOREARM RIGHT ACROSS BLAIR’S TEMPLE WITH ABSOLUTE FORCE!!

James Peters: CANDICE IS ROCKED FOR THE MOMENT BEFORE A STIFF FOREARM OF HER OWN CATCHES PAISLEY ACROSS THE TEMPLE AS WELL!!!

Rich Russillo: PANDORA WITH A SUDDEN BACK ELBOW RIGHT ACROSS HER JAW THAT CAUSES CANDICE TO BE RATTLED!

James Peters: WITH AN ELBOW FROM BLAIR FOLLOWING UP AGAINST PANDORA!!! PAISLEY’S DAZED AS SHE’S TURNING RIGHT AROUND—SEEKING OUT ‘PANDORUM’!!!!

Rich Russillo: HEADBUTT!!!! HEADBUTT FROM CANDICE BLAIR ROCKS PANDORA PAISLEY AS THEY’RE BOTH RATTLED WITH PANDORA BEING KNOCKED AGAINST THE ROPES & RETURNS—

Persephone: AS PAISLEY RETURNS WITH ‘PANDORA’S BOX’!!!! SHE DROPS CANDICE BLAIR USING WHAT LITTLE ENERGY AND MOMENTUM SHE HAD!!!! SHE HOOKS THE LEG!!!!

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER, ADVANCING TO ROUND TWO OF THE EMPRESS OF ELITE TOURNAMENT…. PANDORAAAAA PAISLEY!!!

Persephone: Wow, got a little fun at the end.

Rich Russillo: They truly did lay it all out there tonight, as Pandora was adamant about sending one hell of a message through all of her efforts within this match that resulted in Candice Blair ensuring that she was able to weather the storm & showcase her resilience!

James Peters: A very hard fought encounter that takes place for Round One of this tournament, and it results in one hell of a showing for both of these women tonight to present just how much this opportunity means to them. Congratulations to Pandora Paisley, as she moves right on!

(‘Just Stop’ can be heard blaring throughout the speakers as Pandora Paisley emerges back up to her feet, with a hand around her own midsection while the referee raises her arm in victory. She is given her Unified Tag Team Championship as she nods to herself with a grin, as Candice Blair leans by the corner in disappointment of the result as the scene fades.)

(Sunday Night Voltage returns to a shot of the backstage area of the Climate Pledge Arena, where the camera focuses on the locker room of one Adam Lucas, who just had a first round matchup in the King of Elite tournament earlier in the night. After sometime, the door creaks open and a pair of heels are seen making their way out, the shot panning upward to reveal it to be Dr. Bethany Blue. She has a nonchalant expression on her face as the crowd inside of the arena react to her with loud boos. She tugs at the jacket that she has on, taking a moment to collect herself before making her way down the hallway. Before she can get very far though, she’s stopped as a voice is heard in the distance.)

???: There you are. Just the… just the woman I was looking for…

(Bethany stops in her tracks, raising an eyebrow at the familiar voice that she hears. She turns herself around as she’s met face-to-face with EAW Hall of Famer Cleopatra. The crowd inside of the arena reacts with loud cheers, but Cleo doesn’t reciprocate that same energy… more like she can’t. After what happened at the Christmas show last week, she’s pretty bent out of shape. She has a neck brace over her, with various cuts and bruises all around, still feeling the damage after what her sister did to her. Bethany can’t help but wince seeing the shape that she’s in, and after sometime begins to speak.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: Cleo, it’s good to see you again. I saw what happened at the Christmas show and I was hoping I could get in touch with you. I’m glad that you sought me out first. How are you holding up?

(As Cleo hears this, she gives a slight wince of pain, which tells her all that she needs to know. It’s not going to take a week to miraculously recover but by the looks of things, it seems like she’s being optimistic about it. After sometime she begins to speak to Bethany.)

Cleopatra: Not the best… it’s as… bad as they say it is. But I am adamant about recovering for my return… to the ring…

(Bethany nods her head slowly, that was something that she understood.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: I see. Yes I could assume that is what you were preparing for. This is about your sister Octavia, right? I can’t say I entirely expected what she had done to you either.

(Cleo slowly nods her head, in a very discomforting manner with her neck brace on. She made her intentions known two days earlier on Friday Night Dynasty, when she had made an appearance during Octavia’s match against Effy McAvoy, distracting her long enough to cost her the match and give Effy the win.)

Cleopatra: Yes, while I did do what I could on Dynasty, I know that it’s not going to be enough… I know that I am going to have to do more and the only way I can truly do that is by making a return to the ring. I am coming to you today… as a patient.

Dr. Bethany Blue: I see… that’s interesting I have to say.

Cleopatra: Yes. When I first returned at the Christmas show it was because they called my name… It would’ve been unbecoming of me to deny them the honor, and I wanted to show that no matter the era I was going to push the very best to their absolute limit… I feel as though I did just that. But now… it seems like everything has changed for me. It seems I look at things very differently now and it unsettles me to know that I have to stand idly and watch all of this happen… but I know that at some point I will get what I desire. I want to be able… to make a full recovery and get revenge… on my sister.

(The crowd inside of the arena cheers for this as Bethany slowly nods, understanding what Cleo has to say to her. Even though the Hall of Famer is having a hard time speaking and clearly is not in any way shape or form to even be considering competing in the ring again, needless to say she is very passionate about this and making sure that Octavia gets what she deserves. Bethany gets that completely, but of course this sort of thing comes with bad news.)

Cleopatra: Bethany, I hope I’m not asking for too much here. You were the only person I could think of that would be able to help me in this situation. I wanted to ask you… how can I be fixed? More importantly… How long is it going to take before I can be ring ready again…?

(Bethany tilts her head, seemingly in deep thought for a moment, but after sometime the only thing that she can do is shake her head with a frown on her face.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: Look, Cleo, I understand how much you want this. What Octavia did to you is something that you take to heart, and if there’s one thing I’d do in your shoes is make sure that I can get back into the ring as fast as possible to deal with that as well. So I can get how much making a full recovery and returning would mean to you in this sort of situation. If there is anyone that would know about settling family matters in the ring, it would be me. But I’m letting you know right now that if you’re expecting some sort of instant solution that’s going to help you recover in no time, then I’m not the person for that. Unfortunately I’m not just going to be able to snap my fingers and have everything be better for you. What I can do though is help you rehab on your injury. I can help you out through this process, but the one thing I can’t do is work miracles overnight.

(Cleo takes a moment to process this information, but she doesn’t say anything, she just lets Bethany speak as she continues to nod her head.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: If there’s one thing I do know, barring any further diagnosis or examination, the injury that you suffered at the Christmas show last week is not something to just simply look over. I’ve seen injuries that don’t stop people from competing the next week, but I’ve also seen injuries that keep people out of the ring permanently. While this certainly isn’t the latter, this is a serious case and it’s not going to be something that can just be healed and over within a couple of weeks. I know you’re insistent on making it back into the ring and doing what you need to do, but if you want to do that then it’s going to take some time. It’s going to take a lot of time actually.

(Cleo continues to let this simmer, as Bethany has a very solemn expression on her face as she says all of this. This is what she does on the regular, this is her profession, and Cleo understands that completely. After sometime she speaks to her.)

Cleopatra: Yes, I am up to that… I am patient, Bethany… and I understand that something like this is… going to take a while. All I care about is whether or not you can help me get back into the ring… as long as that happens and… eventually I can get back into the ring and give Octavia what she deserves… then I will be as patient as necessary with you. Just please help me…

(Bethany takes a moment to think about this, admiring the resilience of Cleopatra and her insistence on making this work and coming back somewhere down the line. But it really does not take her long to nod in agreement to what she is saying as she speaks.)

Dr. Bethany Blue: Alright then, as long as you know that and you’re up to the task, I’ll be able to help you. We’ll keep in touch, Cleo, I’m glad you were able to catch up to me.

(Through all the pain that she’s going through right now, the one thing that Cleo is able to do in response to this is give a very faint smile. She once again slowly nods her head as she hears what Bethany has to say.)

Cleopatra: Thank you, Bethany… this is greatly appreciated. I will do whatever is needed from me in order to make sure that this works out.

Dr. Bethany Blue: Of course.

(After sometime, Cleo turns around and makes her way out of the scene. Bethany takes a moment to watch her leave, thinking to herself for a moment, before nodding her head once again. She then begins to turn around herself and make her way out through the opposite direction, as it’s the last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage then begins to fade to elsewhere.)

(Commercial for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, in theaters now.)

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

Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!

Bella Braxton: AND IS ROUND ONE IN THE EMPRESS OF ELITE TOURNAMENT!

(‘My Own Summer’ by Deftones hits to a positive reaction from fans, and Selina Reyes strolls onto the stage area, looking around at the packed arena before flashing her pose, and marching down to the ring, focused ahead of her match tonight.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Hailing out of San Antonio, Texas, weighing in at 117 pounds…SHE IS THE ORYX QUEEN…SELINA REYES!!

James Peters: During her time on Voltage, Selina Reyes has shown promise, but has still yet to reach that next level.

Rich Russillo: Empress of Elite presents the perfect opportunity, especially in round one.

James Peters: To advance, she’ll have to go through one half of the Unified Tag Champions, Halsey Neel. Right away, Selina has her work cut out for her, but if that doesn’t set the tone, I don’t know what does.

(‘Ten Ton Hammer’ by Machine Head plays to a negative reaction from fans, and Halsey Neel enters through the curtain, going at it alone for her match with Selina Reyes. The Unified Tag Team Champion remains strapped around her waist, and glistens during Halsey’s saunter to the ring.)

Bella Braxton: And her opponent! Hailing out of Birmingham, England, weighing in at 159 pounds…SHE IS ONE HALF OF THE UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS…THE RIPPER…HALSEY NEEL!

Rich Russillo: Safe to say, Halsey Neel is riding a wave of momentum after Road to Redemption, but will said momentum carry through the tournament?

James Peters: Not if Selina has anything to say about it.

Persephone: Imagine losing in the first round as Champion. :mjlol:

Rich Russillo: Hey, upsets can happen, and maybe Selina will pull one out.

(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

James Peters: The bell has rung, and both women exit their respective corners, circling around each other before they meet in the middle with a collar and elbow tie-up!

Rich Russillo: Both jockey for position, but Halsey backs Selina in the corner, and keeps her pinned there, causing the referee to intervene with a five count!

Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!

James Peters: Halsey separates from Selina, and SHOVES her while she was in the corner- BUT SELINA SHOVES HALSEY RIGHT BACK! NOT BACKING DOWN AGAINST THE NEWLY CROWNED TAG TEAM CHAMPION!

Persephone: Yeah, I’d hope she wouldn’t allow herself to be bullied at this grown age. 🙄

Rich Russillo: Selina exits the corner, and both women circle each other once again. Another collar and elbow tie-up takes place where Selina slips behind Halsey for a rear waistlock! Standing switch by Neel, who gains the upper hand with a rear waistlock of her own!

James Peters: BUT SELINA ESCAPES WITH A DROP TOE HOLD, FACEPLANTING HALSEY! Selina floats over into a grounded front facelock- AND HALSEY REVERSES, SPINNING OUT THE FRONT FACELOCK WITH A GROUNDED HAMMERLOCK INSTEAD!

Rich Russillo: Selina moves to a seated position, and powers back to her feet, then surprises Neel with a SNAPMARE! HALSEY SCRAMBLES BACK TO HER FEET, AND RUSHES REYES!

James Peters: BOTH WOMEN LOCK UP FOR ANOTHER COLLAR AND ELBOW! HALSEY NEEL GAINS THE ADVANTAGE WITH A STANDING SIDE HEADLOCK, GOING DOWN TO A KNEE FOR ADDED LEVERAGE!

Rich Russillo: Neel wrenches on the hold, but Selina makes it back to her feet, and shoves Neel off the side headlock towards the ropes! HALSEY REBOUNDS BACK WITH A SHOULDER TACKLE, FLOORING REYES!

(Halsey Neel looks down with an arrogant grin on her face before running off the ropes.)

James Peters: SELINA! SELINA ROLLS TO HER BELLY, AND HALSEY NEEL HURDLES OVER, KEEPING HER MOMENTUM GOING- BUT SELINA POPS TO HER FEET, CATCHING NEEL WITH A DROPKICK RIGHT ON THE BUTTON!

Rich Russillo: Halsey Neel is quickly back to her feet, using slight assistance from the ropes, and wanders right into a STANDING SIDE HEADLOCK TAKEDOWN BY REYES!

Persephone: Ugh, more wrestling…

James Peters: Selina wrenches on the hold, and Halsey doesn’t stay down for long, rising back to her feet. Selina decides to pivot before Halsey can start mounting momentum, and wrings the arm of her opponent- OOH!

Rich Russillo: Selina YANKED on Halsey’s arm, almost trying to rip the shoulder out of its socket.

James Peters: Halsey favors that shoulder as she retreats to a nearby corner, attempting to create seperation. But Selina closes in, and- HALSEY! HALSEY USES THAT GOOD ARM TO CHOP SELINA REYES ACROSS THE CHEST!

Rich Russillo: SELINA FIRES BACK WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP OF HER OWN! HALSEY REBUTTALS! SELINA! HALSEY! SELINA! HALSEY!

James Peters: HALSEY HAS SUCCESSFULLY FOUGHT HER WAY OUT OF THE CORNER, AND BACKS SELINA INTO IT WITH A FOREARM AFTER THAT KNIFE EDGE CHOP CONNECTED! NOW, HALSEY STARTS GOING TO WORK WITH STOMPS IN THE CORNER!

Rich Russillo: Selina sinks down to a knee before Halsey Neel stands her back up for an irish whip to the opposite corner! NEEL RUSHES IN!

James Peters: BUT SELINA REYES GETS THE BOOT UP IN TIME, AND HOPS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE, PULLING A STUNNED HALSEY IN FOR A TORNADO DDT!

Rich Russillo: BUT HALSEY REVERSES, LAUNCHING REYES IN THE AIR WITH A FREE FALL DROP! SELINA HIT HARD, AND STRUGGLES BACK TO HER FEET, STAGGERING TOWARDS THE ROPES! LEAVING HER OPEN FOR A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE UP AND OVER BY HALSEY NEEL!

Persephone: I need for this referee to speed up his count.

James Peters: Selina Reyes tries shaking the cobwebs out of her head. Meanwhile, Halsey beckons for her to get up back inside the ring. Selina returns to a vertical base, and staggers to the apron- ONLY TO GET CAUGHT WITH A BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK, SENDING SELINA SHOULDER AND HEAD FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE!

(Halsey slithers out underneath the bottom rope, and sits atop the apron as Selina Reyes is dazed on the outside. The crowd begins booing, and Halsey Neel soaks it all in before getting her head back into the game, so she can focus.)

Rich Russillo: Halsey rolls Selina back inside the ring, and slides in herself, hooking the leg deep for a cover!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

James Peters: KICKOUT!

Rich Russillo: Not surprising. It’ll take a lot more than that to put down an opponent like Selina Reyes, who has proven her toughness over the short time she’s been here.

James Peters: Selina sits up after the kickout, but Halsey won’t allow her a moment to breathe, immediately placing Selina in a rear chinlock! It likely won’t win Halsey the match, but what this’ll do is wear her opponent down.

Rich Russillo: Selina is in trouble, but gets a second wind as the fans in Seattle, Washington rally behind her!

James Peters: Reyes is back to her feet, and loosens Halsey’s grip with multiple shots to the rib cage! SELINA THEN EXPLODES WITH A FOREARM! AND ANOTHER! HALSEY NEEL IS REELING, AND SELINA GOES FOR A THIRD-

Rich Russillo: CAUGHT! SELINA GETS CAUGHT, AND NEEL SLIPS BEHIND HER FOR A HALF NELSON SUPLEX- BUT SHE LANDS ON HER FEET! SELINA BACKFLIPPED ONTO HER FEET, UNBEKNOWNST TO HALSEY!

James Peters: HALSEY RISES BACK TO HER FEET, AND MARCHES TO THE NEAREST CORNER FOR A HER NEXT MOVE! BUT ONCE SHE TURNS AROUND- BAM! SELINA REYES WITH A RUNNING KNEE STRIKE IN THE CORNER!

Rich Russillo: IF HALSEY WASNT AWARE BEFORE, SHE CERTAINLY IS NOW, AND SELINA GOES TO TRANSITION WITH A RUNNING BULLDOG OUT THE CORNER!

James Peters: BUT HALSEY NEEL HAS IT SCOUTED, AND SHOVES SELINA OFF BEFORE SHE COULD CONNEC- NO, WAIT! HALSEY REELS SELINA BACK IN BY THE BAND OF HER GEAR, AND HOOKS HER IN A SLEEPER HOLD!

Rich Russillo: SELINA FLAILS HER ARMS AROUND, LOOKING FOR A ROPE BREAK! BUT IS TRAPPED IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!

Persephone: TAP!

James Peters: NO! SELINA MANEUVERS HERSELF INTO A STANDING SIDE HEADLOCK, AND BOUNCES HALSEY OFF THE ROPES TO ESCAPE!

Rich Russillo: SELINA WAITS FOR NEEL TO COME REBOUNDING BACK, BUT HALSEY HANGS ONTO THE TOP ROPE! SELINA COMES CHARGING-

James Peters: BUT GETS SENT UP AND OVER HALSEY’S SHOULDER WITH A BACK BODY DROP TO THE OUTSIDE!

Rich Russillo: SPOKE TOO SOON! SELINA CAUGHT HERSELF ON THE APRON, AND BLASTS HALSEY WITH A FOREARM AS SHE SPUN AROUND!

James Peters: NEEL STAGGERS BACK, BUT ULTIMATELY SHRUGS IT OFF BEFORE CHARGING IN WITH A SHOULDER THRUST THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE- NO! SELINA SIDESTEPPED IT, AND PUNTS HALSEY IN THE CHEST WHILE HER TORSO HAD POKED THROUGH THE ROPES!

Rich Russillo: SELINA GRABS A HANDFUL OF HAIR, AND CONTINUES DELIVERING PUNT KICKS INTO THE STERNUM OF HALSEY NEEL WHILE HALSEY NEEL REMAINS HUNG UP ON THE MIDDLE ROPE!

James Peters: SELINA FINALLY RELENTS, DRAGGING NEEL OUT TO THE APRON!

Rich Russillo: SELINA COULD HAVE CRUEL INTENTIONS OUT THERE, PULLING HALSEY IN CLOSE FOR- WHOA!

James Peters: NEEL SHOVES SELINA BACK INTO THE RINGPOST! SELINA STAGGERS FORWARD, AND INTO POSITION FOR A PILEDRIVER! HALSEY IS GOING TO PILEDRIVE SELINA ON THAT APRON!

Persephone: FINALLY, THINGS ARE GETTING GOOD!

Rich Russillo: HALSEY NEEL GOES TO HOIST HER UP FOR THE FALL- BUT SELINA COUNTERS WITH A BACK BODY DROP!

(Halsey Neel rolls off the apron, writhing in pain on the outside. Meanwhile, Selina drops to both knees on the apron, catching her breath before rolling back inside.)

James Peters: HALSEY NEEL HIT HARD ON THE APRON, AND RISES BACK TO HER FEET, FEELING THE EFFECTS OF THAT BACK BODY DROP ON HER SPINAL AREA!

Persephone: Right when it was getting good…

Rich Russillo: Back inside the ring, Selina rises to her feet as well, and runs off the ropes, building momentum for a SUICIDE DIVE! SELINA SOARED THROUGH THE ROPES WITH A SUICIDE DIVE, AND HALSEY HITS BACK FIRST INTO THAT BARRICADE AGAIN!

James Peters: SELINA ROLLS NEEL BACK INSIDE, AND CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE AS HALSEY NEEL RUSHES BACK TO HER FEET, TAKING WILD SWINGS AT THE AIR SHE’S SO OUT OF IT!

Rich Russillo: SELINA LEAPS OFF WITH A MISSILE DROPKICK! HALSEY NEEL ROLLS THROUGH TO A SEATED POSITION, AND SCOOTS BACK INTO THE CORNER! NEEL BARELY HAS ANY IDEA WHERE SHE IS RIGHT NOW!

James Peters: MEANWHILE, SELINA KIPS BACK TO HER FEET, AND THE ORYX QUEEN IS FIRED UP! THIS IS BAD FOR HALSEY NEEL AS SELINA SHOOTS OUT THE OPPOSITE CORNER FOR A RUNNING HIP ATTACK!

Rich Russillo: KNOCKOUT SMASH! DID YOU SEE THAT IMPACT?!

James Peters: AND SELINA GRABS HALSEY BY THE HAIR, DRAGGING HER OUT THE CORNER, THEN LIFTING HER UP TO A VERTICAL BASE IN THE CENTER! HALSEY NEEL IS ON WOBBLY LEGS AS SELINA GOES REBOUNDING OFF THE ROPES!

Rich Russillo: BUT HALSEY SNAPS OUT OF IT JUST IN TIME, AND TRIES TO REGAIN CONTROL OVER SELINA- WHO SEES IT COMING, AND SLIDES THROUGH THE LEGS OF NEEL!

James Peters: SELINA POPS TO HER FEET BEHIND HER, AND SUPERKICKS HALSEY IN THE KNEE AS SHE SPINS AROUND! SELINA RUNS OFF THE ROPES AGAIN, THIS TIME CONNECTING WITH A RUNNING BLOCKBUSTER TO A KNEELING HALSEY!! SELINA CRAWLS INTO THE COVER, HOOKINF THE LEG!

ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEE-

Rich Russillo: SHOULDER UP!

James Peters: SELINA HIT QUITE THE FLURRY OF MOVES! IM ALMOST SURPRISED HALSEY KICKED OUT THERE!

Persephone: Yeah, I wish she hadn’t… now, the match rolls on! Woohoo! 🙂

Rich Russillo: Halsey crawls toward the ropes, and uses them for assistance in getting to a knee before Selina Reyes comes from behind, grabbing Neel in the rear waistlock!

James Peters: BUT HALSEY SCORES WITH A VICIOUS BACK ELBOW, BREAKING THE GRIP OF REYES! BOTH WOMEN GO STAGGERING INTO OPPOSITE CORNER, AND WHO WILL BE THE FIRST TO RECOVER?!

Rich Russillo: HALSEY NEEL SHOOTS OUT OF HER CORNER, BUT RUNS INTO A BACK ELBOW BY SELINA! HALSEY STAGGERS BACK, AND SELINA HOPS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE FOR A DIVING HURRICANRANA!

James Peters: HALSEY NEEL SCRAMBLES BACK TO HER FEET STUNNED, AND TAKES A WILD SWING AT SELINA, WHO DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND DEADLIFTS NEEL UP FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX! BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE FOR A COVER!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHH-

Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! BUT SELINA DOESNT RELEASE THE REAR WAISTLOCK ON HALSEY! HER GRIP REMAINS INTACT AS SHE PULLS HER OPPONENT BACK TO A VERTICAL BASE!

James Peters: AND SELINA LANDS ANOTHER GERMAN SUPLEX, DUMPING HALSEY HIGH ON HER NECK AND SHOULDERS!

Rich Russillo: HALSEY LOOKS GLAZED OVER, BUT THE WORST PART IS: IT ISNT OVER YET! SELINA STILL HAS HER HANDS LOCKED TOGETHER, AND PULLS HALSEY UP FOR A THIRD! SELINA GOING FOR A THIRD GERMAN SUPLEX!

James Peters: BLOCKED! HALSEY DROPPED HER WEIGHT, BLOCKING THE GERMAN SUPLEX ATTEMPT! AND FINDS AN OPENING, STOMPING SELINA’S FOOT TO BREAK HER GRIP!

Rich Russillo: HALSEY TAKES A MOMENT TO GET HER WITS BEFORE APPROACHING REYES AFTER SHE STAGGERED BACK- BUT SELINA GOES FOR A KICK TO THE ABDOMEN! HALSEY NEEL HAD IT SCOUTED, AND CAUGHT THE BOOT!

James Peters: SELINA! SELINA TAGS HER WITH AN ENZIGURI, USING THE FREE LEG! HALSEY NEEL STAGGERS AROUND ON SPAGHETTI LEGS, AND SELINA RUSHES BACK TO HER FEET!

Rich Russillo: ROLLING ELBOW! HALSEY FROM OUTTA NOWHERE WITH A ROLLING ELBOW! NOW, BOTH COMPETITORS ARE ON WOBBLY LEGS!

James Peters: BUT HALSEY MUSTERS ENOUGH STRENGTH TO HOIST SELINA UP IN A FIREMANS CARRY… BLOOD ON THE LEAVES! FIREMANS CARRY ROUNDHOUSE KICK, AND SELINA CRUMPLES TO THE CANVAS!

Rich Russillo: PROBLEM IS: SHES FACE DOWN, AND HALSEY SHOOTS THE HALF FOR A COVER!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEE-

Rich Russillo: SHOULDER UP! SELINA GOT THE SHOULDER UP!

James Peters: AND MAYBE THE EXTRA TIME TAKEN TO ROLL HER OVER IS WHAT BOUGHT SELINA THAT LITTLE EXTRA TIME TO RECOVER!

(Halsey sits up, and questions the referee on if that was a three or not. However, the referee assures her it wasn’t, and Halsey pounds the mat in frustration before rising back to her feet, stalking Selina Reyes, who makes it to all fours, looking to collect herself.)

Rich Russillo: Halsey reaches down, and grabs Selina by the hair… pulling her into position for THE FALL! HALSEY NEEL IS GOING FOR THAT SPIKE PILEDRIVER!

Persephone: Not as cool as the apron, but seeing bitches get dumped on their head is always fun… :mjlit:

James Peters: HALSEY NEEL GOES TO HOIST HER UP- BUT AGAIN, SELINA REYES HAS THE MOVE SCOUTED! SELINA TWIRLS OUT THE PILEDRIVER, AND DELIVERS A KICK TO THE GUT, THEN PULLING HALSEY BETWEEN HER LEGS FOR THE ORYX AWAKENING!

Rich Russillo: STYLES CLASH- WAIT! HALSEY NEEL DOUBLE LEGS SELINA DOWN TO THE CANVAS, HOOKING BOTH LEGS FOR A SLINGSHOT CATAPULT INTO THE CORNER!

James Peters: SELINA HIT FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE, AND CAN BARELY STAND IN THAT CORNER AS HALSEY NEEL COMES CHARGING IN WITH A DEVASTATING FOREARM! THEN LAUNCHES SELINA TO THE CENTER WITH A EXPLODER SUPLEX!

Rich Russillo: HALSEY CRAWLS INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG!

ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THH-

Rich Russillo: SOMEHOW, SELINA KICKS OUT!

James Peters: AT THIS POINT, SHOULD WE REALLY BE SURPRISED! THESE TWO WOMEN HAVE SHOWN THEIR RESILIENCE THROUGHOUT THIS CONTEST, TAKING EACH OTHERS BEST MOVES, AND WHY?! SO, THEY CAN ADVANCE IN THE EMPRESS OF ELITE TOURNAMENT!

Persephone: God, if that tournament is set to be filled with more matches like this, count me out.

Rich Russillo: But-

James Peters: We’ll let her figure that one out, Rich.

Rich Russillo: But turning our attention back to in-ring, Halsey crawls over towards Selina, and pulls her up to a vertical base. Both women are exhausted, but keep soldiering forward…

James Peters: SELINA! SELINA GETS A SECOND WIND, EXPLODING FROM OUTTA NOWHERE WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CHEST!

Rich Russillo: HALSEY STAGGERS SLIGHTLY, BUT RETURNS FIRE WITH ONE OF HER OWN! SELINA’S FACE TELLS IT ALL! SHE DEFINITELY FELT THE EFFECTS OF THAT ONE, BUT GRITS THROUGH THE PAIN, SO SHE CAN CONNECT WITH ANOTHER ONE!

James Peters: SHADES OF EARLIER, BOTH WOMEN ARE BEGINNING TO EXCHANGE CHOPS! GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH ONE ANOTHER! SELINA! HALSEY! SELINA! HALSEY! SELINA! HALSEY! SELINA!

Rich Russillo: HALSEY DOUBLES OVER, AND THESE CHOPS ARE FINALLY STARTING TO CATCH UP! ONLY SO LONG YOU CAN GRIT THROUGH THE PAIN- BUT HALSEY CONTINUES FIGHTING! HITTING A KNIFE EDGE CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST OF SELINA!

James Peters: NOW, SELINA DOUBLES OVER! PAIN ETCHED ACROSS HER FACE, BUT REPLACED WITH A LOOK OF PURE FIRE, AND DETERMINATION BEFORE SHE BATTLES BACK WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP AGAIN!

Rich Russillo: THAT ONE ECHOED THROUGHOUT THE ARENA! SELINA TRULY PUT HER ALL INTO THAT, BUT ITS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP HALSEY- WHO BLASTS REYES WITH ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP!

Persephone: Oh, for fucks sake! One of you go down already!

James Peters: AND A CHOP FROM SELINA!

(Both women are struggling to stand after the flurry of chops being released, and the crowd reaction grows even louder as both women up their intensity, staring daggers at each other in the center of the ring, their desire to advance being shown for the entire world to see.)

James Peters: HALSEY TAKES THE FIRST SHOT, REIGNITING THE BATTLE! CHOP FROM SELINA! CHOP FROM HALSEY! SELINA! HALSEY! SELINA! HALSEY! SELINA! HALSEY! SELINA!

Rich Russillo: BUT THAT ECHO ONCE THERE IS GONE! THESE TWO ARE BEGINNING TO SLOW DOWN, AND THAT SAME AMOUNT OF UMPH ISNT THERE ANYMORE!

James Peters: BUT THEY DONT CARE, THEY’RE FIGHTING ANYWAYS! CONTINUING TO EXCHANGE BLOWS!

Rich Russillo: HALSEY! SELINA! HALSEY! SELINA! HALSEY! SELINA! SELINA! SELINA! SELINA! SELINA IS UNLOADING WITH MACHINE GUN STYLE CHOPS, AND LETS OUT A WAR CRY BEFORE-

James Peters: ROUNDHOUSE KICK! ROUNDHOUSE BY HALSEY NEEL! SELINA IS ON WOBBLY LEGS, AND HALSEY NEEL GOES FOR A CLOTHESLINE! BUT SELINA GOES FOR ONE OF HER OWN!

Rich Russillo: AND BOTH WOMEN COLLIDE WITH A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE! HOWEVER, NEITHER GO DOWN!

James Peters: SERIOUSLY, WHAT THE HELL ARE THESE TWO WOMEN MADE OUT OF?!

Rich Russillo: BOTH ARE REELING AFTER THAT COLLISION, AND HALSEY SWINGS FOR ANOTHER ONE- BUT SELINA SHIFTS THE MOMENTUM WITH A SPANISH FLY! PUNJABI FLY! SELINA HOOKS THE LEG DEEP FOR A COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEE-

James Peters: HALSEY NEEL KICKS OUT!

Rich Russillo: AND SELINA REYES CANT EVEN LOOK TO INSTANTLY CAPITALIZE! BOTH WOMEN ARE DOWN! THE WEAR AND TEAR STARTING TO KICK IN!

James Peters: CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT EXCHANGE THEY JUST HAD?! CHOP AFTER CHOP!

Persephone: Calm down. It wasn’t that amazing.

Rich Russillo: Both women gritted through each other’s best shots, but Selina with some quick thinking, utilizing that spanish fly in her arsenal.

James Peters: Selina is the first to begin stirring, and crawls towards Halsey, who wisely rolls out to the apron, pulling herself up with assistance from the ropes.

Rich Russillo: Selina exits out to the apron herself, but on another side, and climbs up to the middle turnbuckle. Halsey is on the opposite side of that corner, and Selina pulls her up to the middle turnbuckle as well.

James Peters: Selina hooks her up for a SUPERPLEX! NO WAY! YOU DONT THINK-

Persephone: Once again, my interest is piqued!

Rich Russillo: SELINA IS ATTEMPTING TO SUPERPLEX HALSEY TO THE OUTSIDE, WHICH HAS VERY THIN PADDING!

James Peters: BUT HALSEY FIGHTS IT OFF WITH SHOTS TO THE RIB CAGE, AND PLACES SELINA’S HEAD BETWEEN HER LEGS FOR THE FALL! HALSEY IS GOING TO AVALANCHE PILEDRIVER SELINA TO THE OUTSIDE, OR EVEN ONTO THE APRON!

Rich Russillo: EITHER WAY SPELLS OUT BAD NEWS!

James Peters: AND SELINA KNOWS IT, ATTEMPTING TO BACK BODY DROP HER WAY OUT OF IT! BUT HALSEY HANGS ONTO THE TOP ROPE, AVOIDING A HUGE SPLAT!

Rich Russillo: HALSEY REGAINS HER FOOTING ON THE MIDDLE ROPE, AND CLUBS DOWN ACROSS SELINA’S BACK, THEN DRAGS HER TO THE TOP ROPE FOR AN… AVALANCHE SWINGING NECKBREAKER!

James Peters: BOTH WOMEN ARE DOWN! EVEN HALSEY, WHO DELIVERED THE MOVE!

Rich Russillo: WHOEVER GETS TO THEIR FEET FIRST WILL HAVE A MAJOR ADVANTAGE OVER THE OTHER!

Persephone: Or we can just call this one a draw!

James Peters: BUT HALSEY IS BEGINNING TO STIR!

Rich Russillo: SO IS SELINA!

(Halsey crawls over towards the ropes for assistance, and drapes her head over the bottom rope in exhaustion. Meanwhile, Selina begins to sit up slightly with the referee checking up on her. His back turned as-)

James Peters: WHAT THE HELL?!

Rich Russillo: CANDICE BLAIR?

James Peters: CANDICE JUST CAME FROM OUTTA NOWHERE WITH A DRIVE BY SHOT, CRACKING NEEL IN THE SKULL WITH HER OWN CHAMPIONSHIP!

Rich Russillo: SHE MUST HAVE CAME FROM THE CROWD!

(Selina pushes past the referee as Halsey rolls over to the center, knocked near unconscious after that belt shot from Candice, who watches with a smirk from the outside.)

James Peters: SELINA SPRINGS INTO ACTION! PULLING HER OPPONENT UP FOR THE ORYX AWAKENING! STYLES CLASH! AND SELINA ROLLS HALSEY ONTO HER SHOULDERS!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: HERES YOUR WINNER… SELINA REYES!!

(Selina releases the cover as ‘My Own Summer’ by Deftones blares throughout the arena. The referee raises Selina’s hand in victory before going to check on Halsey. Meanwhile, Candice enters the ring, and celebrates with Selina Reyes to mixed reaction from fans, mostly positive after the controversial endingg

Persephone: Finally.

James Peters: Selina Reyes has done it! She has beaten one half of the Unified Tag Team Champions!

Rich Russillo: Granted, she owes a little of the credit to Candice Blair.

James Peters: Earlier tonight, those two agreed to form an alliance, and were seeing that in full effect here! Perhaps Candice getting a little payback as well after coming up short to Pandora.

Rich Russillo: Speaking of-

(Pandora runs down to the ring, causing both Selina and Candice Blair to roll out. Pandora is irate, but decides checking on Halsey is more important than going after the duo, who backpedal up the ramp.)

James Peters: Pandora Paisley is here, but unfortunately, she’s too late!

Rich Russillo: Candice Blair and Selina Reyes get the last laugh tonight.

James Peters: But one thing is for certain: this isn’t over.

(Selina and Candice continue backpedaling up the ramp as Pandora stares a hole into the team while the camera fades elsewhere.)

(Sunday Night Voltage continues forward as backstage, we see Eden Sinclair in her office, as she looks to be on the phone with someone. She’s standing right in front of her big office desk, wearing a dark red dress and looking as professional and cordial as she does she looks to be nodding and agreeing before responding to the other person on the line by saying…)

Eden Sinclair: Absolutely! This night has been going pretty well, all things considered. We saw those tournament matches happen for King of Elite and Empress of Elite, especially that opener between Jake Smith and Adam Lucas. We still got Limmy and Solomon later tonight, and we should see the next competitors that will compete in the King of Elite next week, definitely better than whatever Dynasty and Showdown have on their bracket-

(Before Eden could speak any further, a loud knock would be heard on her door. She looks a tad bit annoyed that the knock interrupted her phone call as she tells the person who’s on the other line…)

Eden Sinclair: We’ll talk later.

(Eden puts the phone in her pocket as she yells to the person who’s knocking on her door…)

Eden Sinclair: You can come in!

(Eden Sinclair’s office door opens aggressively as the camera pans to reveal a not-so-happy Chiyo Gedo walking in. He looks to be in his street attire as he walks right over to Eden Sinclair, and stands in front of her! Chiyo then says…)

Chiyo Gedo: I think we need to talk.

(Eden nods her head as she responds to Chiyo by saying…)

Eden Sinclair: Alright, Chiyo, you want to talk? I’m all ears… What’s on your mind?

(Chiyo has an expression of one who isn’t too happy with his current situation. He looks at her as he says…)

Chiyo Gedo: I am not particularly happy with how Road to Redemption went for me. That match was supposed to be MY turnaround, my moment to truly change my career after how the last few months have transpired. Losing my New Breed Championship match against BRAE, teaming with someone who not only turned out to be a degenerate but was utterly useless and put me practically in a two-on-one handicap match, and now the match that was mine to win, a match that should have been one for the Faceless Terminator to gain victory, and instead it went in a direction that didn’t go my way, and I was eliminated from the match because of one move. Road to Redemption was not successful at all for me, it was not a successful venture for me to end 2024 off, and now seeing as we’re in a new calendar year, I want something… something from you.

(Eden and Chiyo share a quick stare at each other before Eden answers him by saying…)

Eden Sinclair: Alright, what do you want, Chiyo? What do you want from me exactly?

(Chiyo would answer Eden back in this still displeased expression as he says to her…)

Chiyo Gedo: I don’t want something from you… I demand a chance to get noticed, not in a match where there are 18 other people in that ring, and one lucky move got me out of there, none of that. I’m not going to get myself overlooked as a constant for the rest of the season or be in predicaments that I can’t control, after all, this is a new year, correct? The first half of the season is over and done with, and now I have my eyes set on what’s next in about six or so months, so right now is the perfect time for me to start making a real impact around here that I haven’t done before. I just need the opportunity to show everyone the type of impact I’ll bring for the rest of the season, something that will show Chiyo Gedo’s destiny will be fulfilled in due time. Something that will make me be showcased properly and not just a match where there are too many faces.

(Eden takes a big step back as she responds to a demanding Chiyo by saying…)

Eden Sinclair: Alright, I can tell that you’re still pretty intense and passionate about Road to Redemption, and now you want an opportunity to make an impact you haven’t done yet. I can feel the energy from you, Chiyo. I get the frustration, just sit down on that chair and ease up a little, alright?

(Chiyo slightly nods his head as he sits down on the chair that Eden was referring to. She goes around her desk and sits on her chair as she continues to talk to Chiyo about wanting the opportunity to make a real impact and what she can do.)

Eden Sinclair: I was on the phone earlier, talking to someone about the King of Elite and Empress of Elite tournament matches we have had tonight, and since the King of Elite tournament is underway right now here on the Voltage side since you are demanding the opportunity to have yourself make an impact as you say, you’ll have the opportunity to do so next week as I dish out the last two King of Elite tournament matches.

(Chiyo seems to understand what Eden said to him but has a question to ask as he says to her…)

Chiyo Gedo: So I’m in the King of Elite tournament, huh? Who am I facing in the first round?

Eden Sinclair: Your opponent for the first round will be Akari Kiyoko, someone I am sure you are very familiar with. Akari looks to be just as eager as you are, so if you want your chance to be noticed so badly, winning this match will go a long way, as well as moving further and further in the tournament and heading into the finals. This is the chance you wanted, this is the chance you demanded you need, the perfect time to make a real impact. This is the way you do it.

(Chiyo nods his head as it looks like he has gotten what he has wanted, which is an opportunity to make an impact that he hasn’t had. He responds to Eden by saying…)

Chiyo Gedo: Trust me… I’ll do exactly that. Like I said earlier, in the first half of the season I found myself competing in opportunities that I couldn’t capitalize on. When I had the chance to take the New Breed Championship after the intense exchanges we had during the leadup for our match, I couldn’t capture the championship. Dealing with an Akari Kiyoko who wanted to make a statement off my expense and the person I teamed with to battle those odds turns out was useless as rocks, and now failing to win the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal. I’m a believer in fate, though I am a child of destiny, and these circumstances that have gone my way cannot be tolerated any further. I am not satisfied with the results, and with this opportunity here, I will not let it slip out of my hands again.

(Chiyo takes a couple of seconds to recollect his thoughts as he continues…)

Chiyo Gedo: I already have enough experience dealing with Akari Kiyoko, the man who attacked me after our match at Territorial Invasion because he was upset at his team for not getting it done. I already know exactly who he is and exactly the type of person I’ll be facing next week, I’ve noticed what his biggest strengths are and most importantly, what his biggest weaknesses will be. I’m aware he has Damien Kutcher on his side, but considering I almost beat both of them by myself anyway, I will deal with it just fine. So hear it from me, Eden… Not only am I guaranteeing that I get past Akari next week, but when the King of Elite tournament concludes and it’s over with… I’ll be returning to Voltage with the King of Elite crown over my head, the opportunity to battle for a world title here in EAW.

Eden Sinclair: Well, let’s see if you can make a promise of this guarantee… Best of luck to you against Akari, don’t mess this up with the opportunity that you were demanding, and now you have to show up in that ring against him.

Chiyo Gedo: My fate will be recognized once I get through Akari, Eden. Like I said, I only needed the opportunity… I can do the rest.

(Chiyo stands up from his chair as he promptly leaves Eden’s office, shuts the door, and leaves the scene. With his demands being met, Eden pulls out her phone again and proceeds to call back the person she is talking to. She says…)

Eden Sinclair: Hey there, sorry about that, had to deal with something… Where was I again?

(The scene would then begin to fade out as we transition back into the ring for our final first-round Empress of Elite tournament matchup.)

(Commercial for the game Marvel Rivals with Jake Smith.)

(Voltage returns to ringside.)

Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING SINGLES MATCH IS SET FOR ONE-FALL!

(‘Let me Hear’ by Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas plays as Saori Aizen slowly makes her way onto the stage. There is a roar of boos but she doesn’t pay them any mind. Instead, Saori just focuses on the match ahead, a smirk on her face.)

Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST…FROM TOKYO, JAPAN…WEIGHING IN AT 120 POUNDS…SHE IS ‘THE REAPER’…SAAAOOOORRRRIIII AIIIIZZZEEENNN!

(She gets down to the ring and then leans against the corner post, waiting for her opponent. ‘Vroom’ by Hoodie Allen & Connor Price as the crowd’s tune changes towards cheering. Out comes Nikki Kimura, holding the Specialists Championship proudly as she heads towards the ring. Alongside her is Silas Mason, who has a smirk on his face.)

Bella Braxton: AND HER OPPONENT… ACCOMPANIED BY SILAS MASON…RESIDING IN WEST PORTLAND, OREGON…WEIGHING IN TONIGHT 120 POUNDS…SHE IS THE SPECIALISTS CHAMPION…’THE ANCHOR’…NIKKKKIIIII KIIIIIMMMUUURRRRAAA!

(She gets inside the ring and looks her opponent up and down. She keeps her cool even as Saori grins like a Cheshire cat. She hands her championship to the official who then calls for the bell.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

Rich Russillo: That is the bell and this one is now underway here! Kimura and Aizen are taking a moment to size each other up! Both of these competitors are strong technicians and are going to want to find a target early! Aizen makes the first strike, looking to knock her opponent off balance with the rolling backfist! Kimura lifts up both of her arms to deflect it…and then grabs her opponent from behind! SHE TRIES FOR THE GERMAN SUPLEX BUT AIZEN RESISTS! She starts hammering down on her opponent’s hands to break herself free! BUT KIMURA SENDS HER INTO THE ROPES INSTEAD!

James Peters: OFF THE REBOUND SHE LOOKS FOR A DROPKICK TO THE LEG! Aizen steps right over it! As Kimura goes to recover, Aizen punts her arm right out from under her! She then grabs the limb, seemingly finding her target…SHE MAKES AN ATTEMPT AT THE FUJIWARA ARMBAR BUT KIMURA IS ABLE TO TEAR HER ARM AWAY! She gets back up to her feet but she gets no quarter from Aizen! Her opponent rushes forward and tries to take her down with the armdrag! But Kimura keeps one arm on the ropes, keeping herself on her feet! SHE THEN GRABS HER OPPONENT’S ARMS AND TRIES FOR THE TIGER SUPLEX!

Persephone: But the champion doesn’t get. Instead, Aizen breaks free and brings an elbow back into her nose. Free cosmetic surgery I guess! Saori goes to the ropes to build up speed…BUT KIMURA KNOCKS HER OVER IT WITH A RUNNING CROSSBODY! Barely started and shit’s already spilled out to the floor.

Rich Russillo: Indeed it has! Nikki Kimura is now standing up on her feet, looking ready to fight here! She grabs Aizen and goes to swing her back inside the ring! BUT AIZEN PUTS HER BOOT UP ON THE APRON! She then grabs Kimura and smashes her head off that steel apron! And now Saori Aizen is laying her opponent on there…Kimura seems out of it! Aizen climbs onto that apron…AND LOOKS FOR A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP!

James Peters: BUT KIMURA ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY OFF THE LAST MOMENT! Aizen lands one leg on the rope and ends up crashing! She tries to stand back up but she definitely suffered some damage to her right leg…that is going to severely cut down on her speed! Kimura doesn’t give her the chance to find her footing, instead taking her down with the suplex! She quickly gets her back inside the ring and goes for the cover!

ONE!

TWO!

Persephone: And she gets the shoulder up. Ugh, why do these Dynasty people gotta do shit like this. They sent us her but not Luis…

Rich Russillo: We have a match to call here. Doesn’t involve reminiscing about your love life. In the meantime, it looks like Nikki Kimura has repositioned her opponent! SHE GOES FOR A STANDING MOONSAULT BUT AIZEN DOESN’T GIVE HER THE CHANCE! She takes her down with a kneebar out of nowhere! That was so quick, like a snapping turtle! Now, she’s making Kimura feel some of hurt she was feeling, just hyperextending that leg!

James Peters: But look at that grin on her face, Saori is borderline reveling in the pain she is inflicting on the The Specialists Champion! She even leans forward to let her know how…BUT SHE REGRETS IT! Nikki Kimura immediately lets a punch go right into the face of her opponent! She then grabs the arm, refusing to let fall back…AND JUST STARTS THROWING HANDS UNTIL AIZEN RELEASES THE HOLD! Kimura now rolls back to feet but the damage has definitely been done!

Rich Russillo: As Aizen stirs, Kimura takes advantage of her dazed state! SHE DELIVERS A PUNT RIGHT TO HER ARM AND THEN TAKES HER DOWN INTO AN ARMBREAKER! Now she’s making her opponent feel the pain she felt earlier in the match! If this is symbolic of how this match is going to go? Look at Aizen though, desperately trying to reposition herself! SHE MANAGES TO GET HER FOOT UNDER THE ROPE!

Persephone: And here comes the ref to separate these two. Ugh. Both of them try to get back up as Aizen clings to the ropes. Nikki tries to approach but the ref is holding her back. Let her rip you bozo!

James Peters: AIZEN TAKES ADVANTAGE…RUSHING FORWARD AND TAKES DOWN HER OPPONENT WITH THE BODYRANA! She goes for the cover!

ONE!

TW-

Rich Russillo: Kimura is able to kick out! But almost as soon as she does, Aizen comes back down with a double stomp aimed right on the ribs! She practically impales her with that one! She then gets her into a seated position and delivers a nasty kick right across her lower back! Now Aizen brings the battle back to a vertical position! AND NOW THE THROAT THRUST! Nikki Kimura stumbles back into the corner!

James Peters: After that vicious combination, Aizen looks to do even more! SHE LOOKS FOR A RUNNING LARIAT BUT KIMURA LIFTS HER KNEES UP! Saori’s arm takes the brunt of the impact and she’s repelled right of the corner! Kimura makes her up onto the second rope now…AND SHE GOES RIGHT OFF AND TAKES AIZEN DOWN WITH THE DIVING HURRICANRANA! Her opponent is sent flying across the ring and she winds up crawling into the opposite corner!

Persephone: What’s she doing sitting down? These Dynasty people have no work ethic.

Rich Russillo: KIMURA RUSHES RIGHT AT HER OPPONENT! SHE DELIVERS A DROPKICK RIGHT TO HER OPPONENTS’ CHEST! She then picks her right back up and brings her towards the middle of the ring! SHE TRIES TO GET AIZEN UP FOR A SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! BUT AIZEN IS REFUSING TO BE LIFTED UP! Kimura instead half releases her and seizes control of the arm! She’s trying to take down Aizen with the Kimura lock!

James Peters: But Aizen looks for a way out of it! She rolls forward and manages to free herself from the hold! Kimura makes an attempt to take her down with a punch but Aizen catches it! SHE THEN GETS HER WITH THE HALF-NELSON KNEE STRIKE! Aizen doesn’t let Kimura fall, instead lifting her up AND CONNECTING WITH THE RUNNING FISHERMAN BUSTER! Here comes another cover out from Aizen!

ONE!

TWO!

Persephone: Look at that. She kicks out. Saori clearly needs to step up her game a little here. Hit with something big…oh? Is that actually what she might do? Saori scrapes her opponent up off the mat…AND SHE’S LOOKING FOR THE HYOKINDAMA!

Rich Russillo: She hooks and the arms and gets her opponent into the air! BUT KIMURA LANDS ON HER FEET! Aizen tries to regain the advantage with the spinning backfist…BUT KIMURA IS ABLE TO DUCK UNDER IT! She grabs her opponent from behind and takes her down with the tiger suplex! Aizen is just slammed right on the back of her head and neck there! She tries to get back up but she’s not fast enough! SHE TAKES A PUNT KICK RIGHT TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD FROM KIMURA!

James Peters: And that one had enough force to send Saori Aizen all the way to the outside! She has to been knocked out from that one! It was a perfect hit right to the side of the head! And now there are some gears turning into the mind of the Specialist’s Champion! She makes her up onto the top rope! IS SHE ABOUT TO DIVE ALL THE WAY FROM UP THERE! SHE DIVES RIGHT OFF THE TOP WITH THE FROG SPLASH!

Persephone: BUT SHE CRASHES AND BURNS! AIZEN IS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT! Wow. I mean, that was a gamble right there. Most of the time gambling pays off but not this one time.

Rich Russillo: And now Aizen is in a prime position here! If she can bring this back inside the ring, she might just be able to pick up a win over the champion! She picks her back up and tries to get her back inside the ring! But she can’t seem to get carry the completely limp Kimura! SO AIZEN GIVES HER A WAKE-UP CALL! She brings her over to the corner post and wraps her arm around it! SHE THEN DRAGS THE SHOULDER RIGHT INTO IT! AGAIN AND AGAIN!

James Peters: The pain shakes Kimura back to some level of consciousness! Aizen is now able to send her back inside the ring! AND NOW IT’S HER TURN TO GET SOME AIR! She makes her up onto the top turnbuckle and just waits for her opponent to get back to her feet! SHE’S ABOUT TO F-

Persephone: NO SHE’S NOT! Somehow Kimura is able to lunge forward and get her opponent with a forearm! It’s just enough to stun Aizen! AND JUST ENOUGH FOR KIMURA TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE SUPERKICK!

Rich Russillo: Oh my…Aizen is now on that top rope without any idea where she is! SHE THEN MAKES HER WAY ONTO THE TOP ROPE! SHE CONNECTS WITH THE SPANISH FLY! Oh my god, she just completely obliterates her with that one! Nikki Kimura now goes for the cover and this might just be it right here!

ONE!

TWO!

T-

James Peters: WHAT? Saori Aizen is able to get the shoulder up even after that brutal combination! Honestly, I am shocked here! Not as shocked as Kimura is! But she is not allowing this to deter her! SHE IMMEDIATELY LOCKS IN THE TRIANGLE CHOKE! You have to think that after what she just got hit with, Aizen might just consider submitting here! Look at that, she seems to be fading quickly…is this the end?

Persephone: TAP OUT…NO WAIT! What is she doing? Saori Aizen is grabbing her arm and actually trying to lift up Nikki Kimura! That would be an absolutely insane feat of strength. Would make me question the wellness policy of some of the other rosters for sure.

Rich Russillo: QUESTION AWAY! SAORI MANAGES TO GET HER SOMEWHAT UP! BUT JUST ENOUGH TO COLLAPSE INTO THE ROPES! It seems like this is going to be a rope break! The referee pulls Kimura away from Aizen! The champion gives Aizen some space and allows her to get back up to her feet! As soon as she’s back up, Kimura sends her across the ring with an irish whip!

James Peters: OFF THE REBOUND KIMURA TRIES TO TAKE DOWN HER OPPONENT WITH THE TILT-A-WHIRL DDT! BUT SHE GOES TO BRING HER DOWN, AIZEN HOOKS THE LEG AND TAKES HER WITH THE CROSS-LEGGED FALCON ARROW! That was a perfect counter from The Reaper! But the question is, where does she go from here? She brings her opponent onto her feet and delivers a nasty slap right across the face! AND FOLLOWS IT WITH A KICK STRAIGHT TO THE CHEST!

Persephone: Oh, but she’s not done! She goes for another kick straight to the legs! And then another to the chest! SHE IS LOOKING FOR THOSE SIX HOLY BULLETS! She gets her down on her knees and looks to finish this! ROUNDHOUSE KICK!

Rich Russillo: BUT KIMURA DUCKS UNDER IT! KIMURA THEN DELIVERS A KICK RIGHT TO THE BACK OF HER OPPONENT’S LEG! She follows that up by bringing another leg down into the back of Aizen’s head! AXE-KICK! Kimura isn’t wasting a second here…she makes a sprint right towards the corner! SHE LEAPS UP ONTO THE TOP WITH A SINGLE BOUND! SHE THEN CRASHES DOWN ON HER OPPONENT WITH THE MOONSAULT! And here comes another cover from the champion!

ONE!

TWO!

THRE-

James Peters: BUT ONCE AGAIN SHE’S ABLE TO KICK OUT HERE! Saori Aizen is showcasing some incredible resilience tonight! But then again, I don’t think there is a single soul that would allow Empress of the Elite to slip away from them! Kimura once again finds herself questioning what it might take to put this one away! She takes hold of her opponent’s arm and drags them into a kneeling position….AND THEN PULLS HER IN HER FOR THE KAMIGOYE!

Persephone: OOOF! SHE DOESN’T GET IT! INSTEAD AIZEN DUCKS BACK! Nikki Kimura doesn’t let go of her…instead pulling back up and into position for a powerbomb! AIZEN KICKS HER IN THE FACE INSTEAD!

Rich Russillo: She manages to create some distance between the two of them now! She rushes forward and slips behind her opponent! SHE THEN DROPS HER WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! She rolls through and drops her with another! Aizen rolls through a second time and just spikes her opponent into the mat with a third! She has just completely changed the playing field here! And now she reaches down and takes hold of her opponent’s arm…WRISTLOCK STF!

James Peters: That is an impressive choke right there! She is using Nikki’s already damaged arm and using it to choke her out! But is Kimura going to tap out here? Hell, we can see from here that she might just be fading! We could see her pass out in this hold! Look at the confidence radiating from Aizen! SHE THINKS SHE CAN WIN THIS!

Persephone: SHE THOUGHT WRONG! Nikki grabs on her arm and manages to tear herself away! She rolls back to her feet but Aizen is on like a fly in shit! SHE RUNS AT HER LOOKING FOR THE LEAPING DDT! KIMURA CATCHES HER AND THROWS HER BACK TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE RING! OH SHIT! SUPERKICK!

Rich Russillo: NO! Saori is able to side-step it! She then tries to grab Kimura for the exploder suplex…BUT KIMURA ELBOWS HER IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! She creates distance and then closes it in a flash! She comes at her opponent looking to get her with a running crossbody! BUT SAORI LEAPS UP WITH BOTH KNEES TO INTERCEPT! She then grabs the wrist of Kimura and pulls her in for the wrist-hold knee strike! MIRROR FLOWER, WATER MOON! Here comes the cover!

ONE!

TWO!

THRE-

James Peters: BUT NOOOOOOO! SHE KICKS OUT! Nikki is still hanging on here! But for how much longer? Aizen wants to make that happen right now! She slowly makes her up onto the top turnbuckle! Look at her, you can see how badly she wants to move on to the next round! AND SHE MIGHT DO IT AS SHE COMES DOWN WITH HORIZON OF THE CAPTIVATING SKANDHA!

Persephone: SHE EATS THE MAT INSTEAD! Nikki just rolled out of the way! She just might have broken her face there. Might be an improvement actually.

Rich Russillo: Kimura sees Aizen struggling to stand…SO SHE MAKES HER WAY OVER AND HELPS HER UP! SHE GOES BACK DOWN WITH THE GOTCH STYLE PILEDRIVER! That was a devastating maneuver there and now it’s Kimura who’s got her opponent’s fate in her hands! She picks her back up and throws her into the corner with the irish whip! SHE MEETS AIZEN THERE WITH A RUNNING DROPKICK STRAIGHT TO THE FACE!

James Peters: She doesn’t let her fall, instead picking her up and placing her onto the top rope! I think we all know what she might be thinking here! SHE LEAPS UP AND LOOKS FOR THE POISONRANA! BUT NO! AIZEN MOVES FORWARD AND KIMURA CRASHES INTO THE MAT FACE-FIRST! That looked like it hurt! What might hurt more is whatever Aizen is planning on the top rope! She waits for Kimura to get up…AND THEN STRIKES HER DOWN WITH A DIVING MISSILE DROPKICK!

Persephone: Knocked her across the ring with that. See, Aizen needs to wrap this up now. I mean, Nikki just got her shit rocked. Time to move this one along!

Rich Russillo: Saori Aizen bring her opponent to her knees! Look at the contempt in her eyes! SHE GOES FOR THE RAIMEI HAKKE!

James Peters: BUT KIMURA CATCHES THE LEG! She keeps hold of it as she gets back to her feet! SHE THEN LIFTS HER ABOVE HER HEAD AND BRINGS HER DOWN WITH THE SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! But she is not done yet! She grabs the leg of Aizen and rolls her back to her feet! She then sends her into the ropes…AND NAILS HER WITH A SUPERKICK OFF THE REBOUND! HOLY MACKEREL I THINK SHE MIGHT HAVE JUST BROKEN HER JAW!

Persephone: Look at Aizen, she might have actual brain damage after that. She is leaning against Kimura and that’s the only reason she is still on her feet at all! But come on Nikki…finish that bitch.

Rich Russillo: Nikki Kimura tucks her in and drives her skull straight into the mat with the DDT! I don’t think Aizen is going to get back up from that! Kimura makes her back up onto the top rope! She looks down on Aizen and I think we’re about to see this one come to a close! HERE COMES THE DOUBLE STOMP!

James Peters: BUT NO! SOMEHOW AIZEN WILLS HERSELF TO ROLL OUT OF THE WAY! She manages to get back to her feet as Kimura scrambles back to hers! The champion turns back around to finish what she started…BUT SHE TAKES THE THUNDERCLAP NOVA! She just got nailed by that high-impact elbow smash and I don’t know if she’s even conscience after that! Saori Aizen looks to put this one away now!

Persephone: Thank fuck. She leans her against the middle rope and lines up her shot! HERE COMES THE RAIMEI HAKKE! IT IS SO OVER!

Rich Russillo: WAIT, NO! SILAS MASON JUST TRIPPED SAORI!!! SAORI STUMBLES AND SHE BACKS UP, ONLY I THINK THE REFEREE MAY HAVE CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF IT AS HE SEES SILAS NEAR THE APRON! SILAS JUST CHEATED AS HE GRABBED SAORI TO PREVENT HER FROM HITTING THE KNEE STRIKE, BUT THE REF CAUGHT HIM!

James Peters: Silas is arguing with the referee, and as Nikki Kimura slowly stirs, I think she looks confused seeing what’s going on between Silas and the referee. Nikki looks over at the argument between the two, but I think she understands that she has a match to win! Nikki turns around-

Rich Russillo: RIGHT INTO RAIMEI HAKKE! IT CONNECTS! NIKKI WAS DISTRACTED BECAUSE SHE SAW THE REFEREE ARGUING WITH SILAS MASON, AND SAORI JUST TOOK ADVANTAGE EVEN AFTER BEING TRIPPED BY SILAS! She could have knocked her head clean off her shoulders with that impact! Here comes the cover from Aizen, right as the referee notices what’s going on!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

(DING! DING! DING!)

(“Let Me Hear” by Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas blasts throughout the arena as the crowd explodes in boos. Aizen rolls off her opponent and groggily rises to her feet with a smirk.)

Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER…SAAAOOOOOORRRIIII AAAAIIIIIZZEEEENNNN!

Rich Russillo: And what a match that was! At first, I thought this was going to be a battle of submission manuevers but towards the end it sort of ended up as a brawl! These two were willing to hit each other with everything they could to move onto the next round! But Saori Aizen just defeated the Specialists Champion! That is a statement all in itself.

James Peters: We can’t ignore the fact that Silas Mason inadvertently played a part in Nikki’s loss, but that was still a major victory for Saori. Saori could become the Empress of Elite soon enough. Will she find herself with a crown on her head?

Persephone: Who cares? I’m just glad it’s over.

(Saori Aizen stands tall above Nikki Kimura, while Silas Mason doesn’t look happy seeing how things played out. The smirk on Saori’s face has come to a full grin as she relishes in this moment. As she does, the camera fades.)

(Promotional ad for King of Elite, where the King of Elite finals will take place.)

(As we cut back, ‘The World is Gonna End Tonight’ by Dan Romer, Peter Harper begins to play. Solomon Stane emerges from the stage and kneels in prayer. Trixie appears from behind, holding the Hardcore Championship in her hand. She places it in his before he rises, staring down at it. He places it on his shoulder and then continues down towards the ring.)

Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN…AT THIS TIME PLEASE WELCOME YOUR EAW HARDCORE CHAMPION…SOOOOLLLLLOOOOMMMOONNN STTTAAAAANNNEEE!

(The pair make their way into the ring, with Solomon opening the ropes for Trixie to get through. As Solomon stands in the center, looking at the audience with disdain, Trixie gets her hand on a microphone. Before she speaks, she looks out at the crowd and a smile appears across her face.)

Trixie Stane: Your lack of faith in Your Savior was disturbing. I for one, had never lost faith in my husband. I always knew that he was capable of great things. Since the day we met, I saw his potential. Before that mutt Redwood gave him his leash, before he was chosen by God, I had faith. I would argue that most of that locker room never had any. In fact, I am almost certain of it. For the first two years of his career, Solomon had done minimal. Even he knows that. For the longest time, he had seemed aimless. 2022 was a year hardly worth revisiting. 2023 was tragic. But it was 2024 that my husband changed. From Road to Redemption to Road to Redemption, he has carved a path of destruction in Elite Answers Wrestling. He went from feeble to indomitable. Now, he is far more humble than I. He would tell that is simply because he put his faith in God. But that is not the whole story. No, he had always been ruthless. He has always been a savage. He just needed focus. He just needed a mission. That is what God provided for him. A way to channel all his potential. It worked. It worked wonders. Because look at him. Look at what is on his shoulder. That is the reward for Solomon’s devotion…for his suffering.

Trixie Stane: Say what you will about Cameron Ella Ava—I’m sure many of you, both in the audience and backstage, hold her in the highest regard. You idolize her, cling to the belief that she’s something extraordinary. But let’s confront a bitter truth about your so-called legends, shall we? Every single one of them shares the same fatal flaws. They are disappointments. Greedy, arrogant, consumed by envy and pettiness. They take your faith, your admiration, and reward it with indifference. Why? Because they are just like you. Flawed. Fallible. And ultimately disposable.

Trixie Stane: Which is why someone like Stane is able to break them. There was never a reality in which she walked out of that ring with her title intact. To think otherwise would be delusional. If you possessed even an ounce of honesty, you’d admit this was the only outcome that ever made sense. Look to history if you need clarity. Consider the Tower of Babel—a monument to humanity’s arrogance, brought to ruin under the weight of its own hubris. Solomon driving her through that table wasn’t just an act of domination; it was a statement, a truth revealed. Egotism crumbles in the face of conviction. And if Cameron Ella Ava represents your faith, your pride, and your hope, then allow me to remind you: Solomon Stane is the force that tears it all down. He does not just defeat opponents, he dismantles the illusions that you place around them. You worship these people. You do. Like false prophets. But one by one, they all bleed. Soon enough, they’ll bleed enough for you to stop believing in them.

Trixie Stane: Take a moment to reflect on Caroline. She thought she could escape, believed she could slip through the cracks and avoid the inevitable. But Solomon Stane? He never stops. He saw her for what she truly was—a conniving, malicious little wretch. And when the time came, he caught her, held her accountable, and ensured she paid the ultimate price. Methuselah. A man who carried himself as though he were divine, untouchable, above reproach. Yet, even he was struck down. Solomon defeated him. Not by chance, not by luck, but through sheer, unrelenting force of will. You doubted him. You didn’t believe in him. And still, he delivered. Again and again, he delivers. The Children of Sanity are the only people that are worthy of salvation. There isn’t a soul in that locker room that deserves it. Their hearts are as black as their intentions, and the only justice for such rot is to rip it out—root and stem. And that is exactly what Solomon will do. He doesn’t deal in half-measures. He doesn’t falter. When he steps into that ring, it’s not about redemption or forgiveness. It’s about reckoning. Every single one of them will come face to face with the consequences of their arrogance, their greed, and their weakness. One by one, Solomon Stane will tear the very core of who they are apart.

Trixie Stane: When the Holy Books are written and history is etched into eternity, this chapter—the one marked by the name Solomon Stane—will be the most pivotal of all. 2025 isn’t just another year; it’s the year. The year of Solomon. The year of deliverance. But let me make one thing clear: this deliverance is not for everyone. For you watching, perhaps it’s a chance to witness greatness unfold. To see power, conviction, and unrelenting dominance in its purest form. But for your false idols? For the ones you misguidedly worship and cling to? There is only one thing waiting for them—darkness. They’ve had their chances. Repeated opportunities to step into the light, to recognize what stands before them, and to accept the inevitable. But they refused. And now, Solomon will do what he does best: destroy them. One by one. Idol by idol. This isn’t just a campaign of destruction; it’s a reckoning. It’s a purge of everything false, weak, and unworthy.

(The crowd seems in shock for a moment before they begin to boo. As they do, Solomon Stane steps forward and takes the microphone from Trixie.)

Solomon Stane: I do not need your permission. I already have permission from The Lord, which means I am just. I am correct. See, my lovely wife was right. Your faith was misplaced. And now, before us, the Hardcore Championship stands as damning evidence, a testament to their corruption and their folly. It is a symbol of their misplaced pride, their broken convictions. Not even God Himself is going to save them. They may plead until their voices are hoarse, they may beg on bended knees, and they may cry out in prayer, day and night, until the heavens themselves grow weary of their desperation. But they will be met with only silence.

Solomon Stane: Ah, that silence. Deafening, hollow, and absolute. The only sound to break it will be their choking—their choking on their pride, on their arrogance, on the hollow righteousness they used to shield themselves from the truth. They will gasp for air, but none will come, for their sins weigh heavier than their breaths.

Solomon Stane: This is not chaos; no, this is order. This is precedent. Look to the Holy Word if you doubt me! Do you remember the rain that fell for 40 days and 40 nights? That flood was not born of malice but of divine necessity. It was the cleansing force of the Lord, washing away all that should not be. And now, I stand before you as that same force. I am the flood. I am the reckoning. And my sights set on King of the Elite. You see, it is very simple. I will continue my work until I have that crown. I know that the greatest of your heroes are going to stand in my way. The people that you love more than you love yourselves. Yet, I am going to destroy them. I am. I am going to tear them apart piece by piece until there is nothing left but the truth of who they are. You might think that sounds cruel. But it’s merciful. It is.

Solomon Stane: It is a mercy what I am going to do Limmy tonight. I am going to break him. It is that simple. He directly stands in the way of my work…of a better Voltage. So even if he’s not the worst of the bunch, he’s still part of a rot that needs to be expunged. I will do just that. Then I will move on to the next round with the same purpose and deliver the same results. I will smite all who interfere. Eventually, I will stand before you as King and Champion. You will have no choice but to acknowledge that you were wrong. You will be praying to ME, asking ME for forgiveness. Perhaps I will. Perhaps I won’t.

Solomon Stane: But I still will be King of Elite. I will still be the Hardcore Champion. Most importantly, I will be right.

(With that, Solomon Stane drops the microphone. The crowd boos him as he stares out at them. There is no expression on his face, just determination. He raises the Hardcore Championship as ‘Number One’ by Shirō Sagisu & Adam Brown starts to play as the crowd immediately starts to cheer for the entrance of Limmy Monaghan, though some fans are still shocked by what was shown earlier. Limmy is ready for action as he heads to the ring and Bella Braxton makes the introduction for the next match.)

Bella Braxton: The following contest is a FIRST ROUND MATCH IN THE 2025 KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT AND IT IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

Bella Braxton: Introducing the opponent and making his way to the ring! Residing in Golden Beach, Florida. Weighing 227 pounds. Here is “THE ACE” LIMMY MONAGHAN!

James Peters: Here comes Limmy Monaghan as he heads to the ring for this First Round matchup and he is not happy after what went down at Road to Redemption, but he got a little revenge over the holidays as we saw earlier tonight.

Persephone: I’d be mad too if a lard ass like Xander distracted me long enough for the man who wears extensions and has a Napoleon Complex to eliminate me. I wouldn’t be showing my face because that is embarrassing.

Rich Russillo: Knowing Limmy, he’s probably moved on from Road to Redemption and looking towards the King of Elite tournament and winning this first round match and we know he can do it too. He just has to make it through the Hardcore Champion, who is on a hell of a roll as of late.

James Peters: Solomon has a lot of momentum in his favor, but will his luck continue on with a victory against a former World Champion in Limmy Monaghan. Who will advance to the Quarterfinals? We are about to find out!

(Limmy enters the ring and takes his corner while not taking his eyes off of Solomon Stane. The referee quickly checks both competitors before calling for the bell!)

(DING! DING! DING!)

James Peters: Here we go with this First Round Tournament matchup. One of these men will be one step closer to possibly becoming the King of Elite. Who do you think has the advantage in this match?

Persephone: I don’t care! I have already given my opinion about this match. Other than that, this match is just a pain in my ass and a waste of my time. Let’s just get it over with.

Rich Russillo: Limmy is motioning for Solomon to bring it on as Solomon obliges and both men lock up in the center of the ring. The lockup doesn’t last very long as Solomon uses his power advantage AND JUST SHOVES LIMMY BACK DOWN TO THE MAT!

Persephone: That was kind of funny. He was just shoved on his ass. He should get used to that feeling of landing on his ass because that’s where he’s going to end up in life. Look at Limmy. He looks mad after that stunt.

James Peters: I don’t blame him for being mad. Now Limmy gets back to his feet AND HE JUST STARTS FIRING RIGHT HANDS INTO THE FACE OF THE HARDCORE CHAMPION! LIMMY DIDN’T LIKE THAT ONE BIT!

Rich Russillo: Limmy keeps firing the right hands until he backs Solomon into the ropes. Limmy then takes Solomon and whips him to the other side. Solomon rebounds and Limmy puts his head down for a back body drop–

James Peters: Solomon stops in his tracks AND JUST KICKS LIMMY RIGHT IN THE FACE! THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUGHT LIMMY IN THE NOSE! Limmy was flung back AND SOLOMON DELIVERS A BIG BOOT RIGHT TO LIMMY CHEST TAKING HIM DOWN TO THE MAT!

Persephone: The blonde weirdo moves his hands and we can see no blood on his face. What a waste. This creepy bastard needs to work a little harder and bust the bastard open.

Rich Russillo: Solomon is off to a good start as he brings Limmy back to his feet and picks him up BEFORE SLAMMING HIM DOWN ON THE MAT! Solomon is a powerhouse, but don’t count Limmy out in the power department either.

James Peters: Limmy is down for the moment AND SOLOMON DROPS THE ELBOW RIGHT ACROSS LIMMY’S CHEST! THAT LOOKED REALLY CLOSE TO THE THROAT AS LIMMY HOLDS HIS CHEST IN PAIN!

Persephone: Shame it wasn’t the throat so we wouldn’t have to hear his annoying voice ever again. Then again, nobody can be as melodious as my Luis.

Rich Russillo: Here we go with the Luis crap. As we get back to the match, Solomon has whipped Limmy into the corner BEFORE CATCHING HIM WITH A CLOTHESLINE IN THE CORNER!

Persephone: The call creepy one keeps Limmy standing in the corner as he turns around AND STARTS THROWING BACK ELBOWS THAT ARE CATCHING LIMMY IN THE FACE! ONE AFTER ANOTHER! I LOVE IT! CATCH HIM IN THE MOUTH! KNOCK HIS TEETH OUT! LET’S SEE SOME BLOOD!

James Peters: We don’t see any blood, but we do see a count from the referee telling Solomon to let Limmy out of the corner, but I think it went in one ear and right out the other because he is still throwing elbows.

Rich Russillo: The referee reaches four and Solomon finally stops throwing elbows. Limmy looks to be on Dream Street with all the shots to the head. Solomon lifts Limmy onto his shoulders within the Fireman’s Carry as he carries Limmy towards the center of the ring–

James Peters: LIMMY WITH A COUPLE OF ELBOWS TO SOLOMON’S HEAD BEFORE HE SLIDES OFF SOLOMON’S BACK! LIMMY IS TRYING TO TAKE SOLOMON DOWN! SOLOMON IS LOSING HIS BALANCE! HE’S GONNA FALL–

Persephone: No he doesn’t. Solomon keeps his balance and GOES TO SIT ON LIMMY, BUT THE MOUTHY FAKE BLONDE MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AND SOLOMON LANDS ASS FIRST ON THE MAT!! Not gonna lie. That was kind of funny to see too.

Rich Russillo: Fake knows fake, but be that as it may, Limmy quickly recovers as he hits the ropes BEFORE COMING BACK WITH A DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE SOLOMON’S SKULL!

James Peters: Solomon falls to the mat as Limmy mounts Solomon AND HE JUST STARTS PUNCHING SOLOMON RIGHT IN THE HEAD! BARE KNUCKLES CONNECTING WITH THE SKULL OF THE HARDCORE CHAMPION! Solomon is trying to block the shots, but most of the punches are connecting.

Persephone: Call me fake again, Rich, and I will knock your false teeth out. Don’t try me. Oh yeah, the match. Umm… the referee has started a count on the cheap blond for all the damn punches. I say let them beat the fuck out of each other. Stupid referee ruins all the fun.

Rich Russillo: Limmy does stop the punches on the count of four and he brings Solomon back to his feet as he returns the favor and whips Solomon to the corner THAT SOLOMON REVERSES AND SENDS LIMMY INTO THE CORNER!

Persephone: Of course he did. He runs full speed into the corner AND BIG MOUTH GETS OUT OF THE WAY AND SENDS SOLOMON CRASHING FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! WHAT A FUCKING IDIOT!

James Peters: Miscue by the Hardcore Champion and Limmy takes advantage of the situation by grabbing Solomon by the back of the head AND HE IS JUST SMASHING SOLOMON’S FACE INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!

Rich Russillo: Listen to the crowd counting along with Limmy as he keeps bashing Solomon’s head into the turnbuckle. Now the referee has allowed enough and is telling Limmy to get Solomon out of the corner.

James Peters: Which he does at the count of four. Limmy keeps hold of Solomon as he applies the facelock and gets himself on the second rope BEFORE JUMPING OFF THE SECOND ROPE AND PLANTING SOLOMON WITH THE JUMPING TORNADO DDT!

Persephone: Yeah yeah good for him. He spiked a man on his head who has the lights on with nobody home. Either way, he’s done and the dumb blond goes for the cover. Please let it be over!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOO!

Rich Russillo: SOLOMON KICKS OUT WITH AUTHORITY AT TWO! SOLOMON JUST THREW LIMMY OFF OF HIM AND ALMOST ON THE REFEREE! SOLOMON DOESN’T LOOK HAPPY!

James Peters: Does the man ever look happy? Either way, Solomon is getting back to his feet and LIMMY IS JUST POUNDING THE CRAP OUT OF HIM TRYING TO KEEP HIM GROUNDED, BUT IT REALLY ISN’T WORKING!

Persephone: Of course not because this bastard is a psycho whackjob. And said psycho is back on his feet AND HE FIRES A DISCUS BACK ELBOW RIGHT INTO LIMMY’S FACE AND TAKES HIM DOWN TO THE MAT!! WE NEED SOME BLOOD, PEOPLE! GET TO IT!

Rich Russillo: Of course you do. That elbow might have caught Limmy in the nose, but to Persephone’s dismay, it’s not broken and there’s no blood.

Persephone: Of course it didn’t. That is some bullshit.

James Peters: Solomon has regained control of this match and he brings Limmy back to his feet AND LIFTS HIM INTO THE ARGENTINE BACKBREAKER RACK! SUBMISSION HOLD APPLIED!

Rich Russillo: It might be a submission move, but I would consider this more of a torture device to cause as much damage as he can to the former World Champion. Just to be on the safe side, the referee is there to see if Limmy wants to give it up.

James Peters: I highly doubt that Limmy is going to give it up this early in the match, but Limmy is trying to find a way to get free of this move or else it will start to cause real damage to Limmy’s back.

Persephone: Oh for the love of gawd, do something exciting to keep my interest in the match however little that is. Wish I had my phone out here so I could message my Luis. I miss him so much.

Rich Russillo: Don’t make us puke, BUT LOOK AT SOLOMON STANE! THE HARDCORE CHAMPION SHOWING SOME MAJOR POWER AS HE LIFTS LIMMY UP IN THE AIR IN A REVERSE MILITARY PRESS!

James Peters: A normal Military Press is a dangerous move, but holding Limmy in reverse about ten feet in the air adds a little more risk to the move. Solomon showing some major power as he walks Limmy toward the center of the ring–

Persephone: AND HE DROPS THE WEIRDO WITH THE REVERSE MILITARY PRESS SLAM! LIMMY WENT FACE FIRST INTO THE MAT! THAT WAS AMUSING! DID IT BREAK HIS NECK?

Rich Russillo: You know it didn’t. Why did you even bother asking?

Persephone: I am hopeful for an injury that will take him out forever and give the Voltage management an excuse to bring Luis to Voltage. Oh yeah. The match. Limmy crashes hard and isn’t dead as the other one rolls him over for a cover.

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!

THHH–

James Peters: LIMMY KICKS OUT AT TWO! We shouldn’t be surprised that Limmy still has a lot of energy and fight at this point in the match as Solomon starts showing some disrespect towards Limmy as he uses the hair to bring Limmy back to his feet.

Rich Russillo: The referee is admonishing the use of the hair. Poor referee is talking to a man who has some faulty wiring in that head of his. That makes him very dangerous and he just glares at Limmy.

James Peters: More than AT Limmy. It’s like Solomon is staring through Limmy right into his soul. Like Solomon’s eyes have gone dark and soulless in their own right AS HE DELIVERS A HEADBUTT TO LIMMY’S SKULL!

Persephone: OHHHH YES BABY! THAT DID IT! LOOK AT HIS UGLY FACE! THAT HEADBUTT NOT ONLY KNOCKED OUT WHATEVER SENSE LIMMY HAD LEFT, I CAN SEE A CUT ON HIS FOREHEAD AND IT’S STARTING TO BLEED! Not a crimson mask, but with how shitty this match is, I’ll take what I can get.

Rich Russillo: That was a hell of a shot that might force Persephone to have a cigarette afterwards. Be that as it may, Solomon had Limmy staggering back into the ropes and once he bounces off he lifts Limmy up in the air AND DROPS HIM WITH A SITOUT SPINEBUSTER!

James Peters: But Solomon is electing to not go for the cover and that might be a huge mistake on the part of the Hardcore Champion. Instead he is electing to do more damage as he once again uses the hair to bring Limmy back to his feet.

Persephone: Solomon is an idiot. Should have tried a cover to force the fake blond to use up some energy and make it come back to haunt him later. This proves that Solomon has no sanity and no brains.

Rich Russillo: Solomon has Limmy in the gutwrench position as SOLOMON LIFTS LIMMY IN THE AIR FOR A POWERBOMB–

Persephone: Now Limmy gets a chance to fight back as he starts throwing lefts and rights in Solomon’s face. I knew that he was an idiot.

James Peters: Limmy throws enough punches before using all the force he can to flip back and take Solomon over with a modified Frankensteiner! SOLOMON WAS ALMOST SPIKED ON HIS HEAD WITH THAT MOVE!

Rich Russillo: Solomon has rolled himself over to the ropes and is using them to try to bring himself back to his feet. Limmy doesn’t want to give Solomon any chance to recover as he hits the ropes–

James Peters: Limmy runs full speed to Solomon BEFORE STRIKING HIM WITH THE KNEE RIGHT IN THE HEAD! “DIABLE JAMBE” BY LIMMY MONAGHAN! V-TRIGGER TO THE SKULL AND SOLOMON FALLS LIKE STONE BACK TO THE MAT BEFORE LIMMY ROLLS HIM OVER AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEE!

Persephone: He kicked out. What a shock.

Rich Russillo: You say it with such emotion. The referee was coming down for the three and Solomon almost in desperation got his shoulder up. Gotta give Solomon a lot of credit for being able to kick out of that move.

James Peters: We do. This has been an amazing match between two of the toughest stars Voltage has to offer. Limmy brings Solomon back to his feet and wraps his arms around Solomon’s waist–

Persephone: AND DROPS HIM WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! How exciting of a move that was. Probably the most exciting thing that has been done this entire match. I don’t know how I can stand it.

Rich Russillo: Not every match can be a Luis classic in your eyes, so just deal with it as Limmy picks Solomon back up and lifts him up in the air BEFORE DROPPING HIM WITH ANOTHER SUPLEX! THIS TIME A VERTICAL SUPLEX ALMOST A MODIFIED BRAINBUSTER!

Persephone: Solomon landing on his head isn’t gonna cause any damage because there’s nothing up there for the love of gawd.

James Peters: Limmy keeps up the offensive as he brings Solomon back up and whips him to the ropes and as Solomon rebounds off the ropes AND LIMMY DELIVERS A BIG BOOT TO THE NECK, BUT IT DOESN’T TAKE SOLOMON DOWN!

Rich Russillo: Solomon is still on his feet as Limmy kicks him and doubles him over before grabbing him by the head. It looks like Limmy is going for a bulldog takedown–

James Peters: BUT INSTEAD DRIVES HIM DOWN WITH THE HEADLOCK DRIVER! SOLOMON ONCE AGAIN SPIKED ON HIS HEAD!

Persephone: Good gawd. I am not even going to repeat myself. I just hope they end this match as soon as possible. I guess I can play along with calling this match. Limmy is being an idiot by not going for the cover and instead picks Solomon up and brings him to his feet.

Rich Russillo: Limmy grabs Solomon and gets him into the sidewalk slam position, BUT SOLOMON IS FIGHTING BACK WITH SHOTS TO THE SHOULDER, BUT LIMMY IS HOLDING ON TIGHT!

James Peters: Solomon tries another way to get free AND HE SWINGS HIS FOOT BACK AND KICKS LIMMY RIGHT IN THE FACE! THAT BOOT MIGHT HAVE CAUGHT LIMMY IN THE EYE!

Persephone: I think it did because he’s holding his eye in pain. Maybe he will be blind for the rest of his life if we’re lucky. But that does get Solomon free as Limmy drops him from the side slam. Good gawd. I am so bored.

Rich Russillo: Solomon gets back to his feet and starts pounding on Limmy before grabbing him AND TAKING HIM UP AND OVER WITH AN EXPLODER SUPLEX! Solomon returns the favor and grabs Limmy and whips him to the ropes.

Persephone: Good gawd. Limmy comes back off the ropes AND SOLOMON TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A SCOOP POWERSLAM! Again he doesn’t go for the cover! Why the hell does Voltage hire so many idiots?

James Peters: Call it what you want, but Solomon is really taking it to Limmy right now and showing why he has earned the Hardcore Title as he whips Limmy to the corner.

Rich Russillo: Limmy barely hits the turnbuckle as Solomon comes running in AND DELIVERS A DROPKICK RIGHT TO LIMMY’S FACE! Solomon quickly gets back to his feet as Limmy comes stumbling out of the corner.

James Peters: Solomon grabs him AND GIVES LIMMY A BELL CLAP TO THE EARS! THAT COULD HAVE BUSTED AN EARDRUM.

Persephone: We aren’t that lucky.

Rich Russillo: Solomon grabs Limmy by the throat and turns him around AND DROPS HIM IN THE CENTER OF THE RING WITH THE “TRIUMPH OF TRUTH”! ONE HANDED CHOKESLAM DROPS LIMMY AS HE GETS STACKED FOR THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEE!

James Peters: LIMMY KICKED OUT AT THE VERY LAST POSSIBLE SECOND AND SOLOMON LOOKS PISSED OFF! HOLY CRAP WHAT A MATCH!

Persephone: Yeah yeah. Exciting match. It’s fun watching them throw temper tantrums.

Rich Russillo: Solomon is back to his feet and he is calling for Limmy to get back to his feet. The Hardcore Champion wants to finish Limmy off once and for all.

James Peters: Limmy is barely starting to move but he is making his way back to his feet and you can almost see the fire coming from Solomon’s eyes as he glares at Limmy.

Persephone: You can see the fire in his eyes, but the rest of us smell the effects of Solomon trying to use his nonexistent brain.

Rich Russillo: Limmy is back to his feet AND SOLOMON FIRES OFF THE DISCUS BIG BOOT! “SO IT SHALL BE” TO LIMMY MONAGHAN–

Persephone: BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! The dumbass missed and he caught the referee with the boot.

James Peters: You might think it’s funny, but Limmy survived at the last possible second by getting out of the way. Solomon hits the referee and he is pissed off.

Rich Russillo: Solomon is angry looking down at the referee and Limmy turns Solomon around and kicks him in the gut.

James Peters: Limmy locks up Solomon’s arms and lifts him up in the air BEFORE DROPPING HIM WITH THE “PAYNE KILLER”! LIMMY GOT THE PACKAGE PILEDRIVER AND SPIKED SOLOMON ON HIS HEAD!

Persephone: A lot of good that does. First, he rubs it in Xander Payne’s face by using that move. Secondly, there’s no damn referee so this match can’t end.

Rich Russillo: Limmy is trying to wake up the referee AND LOOK WHO JUST SLID IN THE RING! IT’S XANDER PAYNE! XANDER PAYNE IS HERE!

James Peters: XANDER PAYNE HAS A STEEL CHAIR AND LIMMY HAS NO IDEA… UNTIL NOW WHEN HE JABS THE CHAIR INTO LIMMY’S KIDNEYS BEFORE CRACKING ACROSS HIS SPINE!

Persephone: Look at what we have here. Lardass is here causing trouble for Limmy Moron-Again. Blubberbody is just beating the hell out of Limmy with that chair.

Rich Russillo: Limmy didn’t have a clue and it’s costing him as Xander picks him up AND CRACKS HIM IN THE HEAD WITH THAT STEEL CHAIR! HE DOES IT AGAIN! AND AGAIN! A FOURTH TIME NOW!

James Peters: Limmy is barely moving after getting the crap beat out of him with the steel and Xander tosses it down before picking Limmy up AND DROPPING HIM ON THE CHAIR WITH THE “RIPTIDE”!

Rich Russillo: Limmy spiked with that Twisting Brainbuster, BUT XANDER IS NOT FINISHED! XANDER ONCE AGAIN GRABS LIMMY AND WHIPS HIM TO THE ROPES! LIMMY COMES BACK AND XANDER LIFTS HIM UP AND SPIKES HIM WITH THE “LAST SEDATION”!

James Peters: POP UP POWERBOMB ON THE STEEL CHAIR AND LIMMY IS NOT MOVING! LIMMY IS UNCONSCIOUS AS XANDER GRABS THE CHAIR AND SLIDES OUT OF THE RING! OH COME ON!! NOT THIS WAY!

Persephone: All is fair in love and war. Limmy started in and fatso has the one up. Look at Solomon. The crazy bastard slept through the whole thing and doesn’t have a fucking clue.

Rich Russillo: It works in his favor as he crawls over to Limmy and drapes himself over Limmy for the cover. NOW THE REFEREE IS COMING TO AS WELL AND THEY SEE THE COVER! THE REFEREE CRAWLS OVER AND MAKES THE COUNT! IT’S ACADEMIC AT THIS POINT!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!

TWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOO!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEE!

(DING! DING! DING!)

(“The World is Gonna End Tonight” starts playing again as the crowd immediately boos Solomon, who slowly rolls off of Limmy. Solomon is catching his breath before the camera cuts to Xander Payne with a devilish smirk on his face as Bella Braxton announces the final decision of the match.)

Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… AND ADVANCING IN THE KING OF ELITE TOURNAMENT! THE EAW HARDCORE CHAMPION! SOLOMON STANE!

James Peters: Well I would say that I am shocked by the result. Normally I would, but given what just happened, I can’t say that I am surprised. People might disagree with this statement, but I am going to call this an upset.

Persephone: That’s an upset? Oh please! The only upset around here is me because this match went too damn long.

(Solomon has made it back to his feet as the referee hands him the Hardcore Title belt before raising his arm in victory before Solomon snatches it away. The referee just backs away and goes to check on Limmy as Solomon looks down on his fallen opponent and leaves the ring. Solomon gives a quick glance to Xander as he heads up the entrance ramp as Xander continues looking at Limmy, who is still out in the ring.)

Rich Russillo: You just had to believe that if it wasn’t an untimely run in with the referee and then the assault by Xander that Limmy would have won this match and would be advancing in the King of Elite Tournament.

Persephone: Yeah, well that didn’t happen now, did it? That lardass Xander Payne once again ruins everything for Limmy Monaghan and he once again loses. Didn’t I tell you that Limmy should get used to falling on his ass? Because he just did it again!

Rich Russillo: Nice as always, Persephone. But you can’t take away from the effort Limmy brought into this match, but it was an accident against the referee and an attack from Xander Payne that leads to Solomon Stane advancing in the King of Elite tournament.

James Peters: Solomon is advancing in the tournament, but we also have to recognize that this rivalry is just heating up between Xander and Limmy. Earlier we saw the video of what Limmy did, so I guess you can say that turnabout is fair play. But again the rivalry between these two cost Limmy the match against the Hardcore Champion. Congratulations once again to Solomon on the victory here on Voltage!

(The final shot shows Xander slowly backing up the entrance ramp, proudly watching his handiwork before cutting to Limmy, who is being helped by the referee and is just starting to move after being attacked by Xander as the camera cuts elsewhere.)

(Commercial for Roblox with Hans Grayson.)

(Sunday Night Voltage returns to a shot of the Climate Pledge Arena, with the camera showing a panaround shot of the excited crowd here tonight, ready for what’s next on what’s already been an exciting show so far. It’s not long before they get that though, as ‘Good For Her’ by MOTHICA featuring emlyn is heard playing through the speakers of the arena. The crowd goes into a frenzy of loud cheers as the shot then goes over to focus on Cameron Ella Ava as she is seen making her way out from the backstage area. She has a small smile on her face as she points around, raising her hand in the air to the loud cheers of the crowd in response. After a moment of letting the atmosphere here tonight soak in, she then begins to make her way down the ramp and toward the ring.)

Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… EAW HALL OF FAMER!!!!!!!!!! ‘THE MATRIARCH’… CAMERON ELLA AVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich Russillo: Well the last time we saw Cameron Ella Ava was at Road To Redemption.

Persephone: The last time we saw Cameron Ella Ava, she was actually a Champion. :mjlol2:

Rich Russillo: … Well she walked into Road To Redemption against Solomon Stane with her title on the line. While it was one hell of a fight, in the end, it was Solomon who defeated Cameron and became the new Hardcore Champion. By the looks of things that doesn’t seem to have deterred Cameron all too much.

James Peters: Better yet, it doesn’t seem like it’s the end of the road for the Hall of Famer just yet. She still has more on the tank and a lot more to do here on Voltage, and I could only imagine what those goals are as she makes her way down to the ring tonight, seemingly with something on her mind.

(Cameron makes her way up the steps and onto the apron, looking out for a moment before she enters through the ropes and into the ring. She then heads over and takes a microphone from the ringside area as ‘Good For Her’ then begins to fade out. She then begins to make her way toward the center of the ring, microphone in hand, as she then begins to speak.)

Cameron Ella Ava: Well, I’m not going to come out here and beat around the bush, I’m going to set the record straight about Road To Redemption and about losing the Hardcore Championship. I walked into that match with a purpose, and I knew that I needed to continue my reign heading into the new year and not find myself falling into the mid-season curse that Road To Redemption ended up bringing me. While I could cry over spilled milk, what happened just ended up happening, and you could say that just wasn’t in the cards for me. Solomon ended up winning and having me “repent” for my sins, and there’s nothing more that I can say about the matter. I hope that Solomon keeps that fire going and equates that into a successful first-time singles title reign, and while I could have very well beaten him down and dragged his name through the mud, I’m happy for him, just like I’m decently happy for myself.

Cameron Ella Ava: Most of the time people bear some sort of regret for their title reigns, feeling as though they had some unfinished business with it. I’ll admit that I’ve felt that way before, and while I’m sure many people feel as though I was going to come out here and say that exact thing, I don’t feel that way right now. When I first returned to this company after a lengthy absence I shot high. Even though people certainly didn’t think someone at *this* stage in her career would do anything remarkable, the truth was that I always knew how good I was. I had earned the legacy that I had created for a reason and unlike most people, that wasn’t just going to go away because time said so. I wasn’t just going to stay on that path, I was going to keep going and ultimately that was something that I ended up doing. It led me to walking in at Pain For Pride and winning the Hardcore Championship and it’s a title reign that means more to me than most people would think.

Cameron Ella Ava: Winning the Hardcore Championship marked it being the first title reign I had since becoming a mother, and that’s special for me. It’s why I held that title with as much pride as I did, it’s why I defended it with as much dedication and energy as I would have. And while it’s come to an end and I can look back at it in retrospect with a smile on my face, while I could very well stand here and tell all of you that I am content with that and walk away, I don’t think I can really say that for myself. In my mind, that’s not really something that is in the cards for me. Even though I already have an aforementioned historic career and a lot to lean back on despite the loss at Road To Redemption, there’s still a lot left of the season and truth be told, I am far from finished.

(The crowd cheers loudly for this as Cameron nods her head in support of the appreciation. She then continues to speak from there.)

Cameron Ella Ava: I was already off to a good start with my Hardcore Championship reign, and although I may not have that title around my waist anymore, the only thing that does is open the door of opportunity for bigger and better things. Once again, I am on the chase for something greater, and while it may not be the easiest road to take, one thing I can say for certain is that the reward is going to be very, very gratifying. I don’t plan on putting the breaks on my career off a singular loss, that wasn’t and isn’t my mindset, I’m planning to do even bigger and better things this year and while so many people have been keen on trying to put a wrench in that and playing spoiler, I don’t intend on letting anyone stop me from my ultimate goal. I don’t let it stop me from finishing this season strong and walking into Pain For Pride better than I am right now. I’m sure you’re asking what that might be. What’s next for Cameron Ella Ava could very well be a thought in your mind and I think if you ask me, it’s pretty simple.

Cameron Ella Ava: It’s been a while since I’ve held a World Championship in this company. The last time I did was a handful of years ago and I miss the feeling of being on top of the world. When I watched that slip away from me, when I watched everything explode, literally, and put me on the shelf, the one thing that continued to be on my mind was what I was going to do to recapture that feeling again. There’s no better time to change that than coming off a pretty successful reign as Hardcore Champion. There’s no better time to change that than now where I stand here before all of you feeling like I’m in the best shape of my career. This is not some pipedream for me, this is not some weak-minded ambition that is probably not going to happen. People make New Years Resolutions, well I’m not in the business of that, I’m just here to make a statement. In the year 2025, I will become a World Champion again. I don’t care how I do it, I don’t care what it takes to get there, just know that it’s going to happen, and I’m not going to stop until I do.

(Cameron drops her microphone down to the ground as ‘Good For Her’ then begins to blast through the speakers once more. She raises her hand in the air as the crowd continues to cheer in support of her and her declaration heading into the new year. She then turns around and begins to make her way out of the ring.)

Persephone: :comeagain: Is she stupid???

Rich Russillo: Well if there’s one thing that Cameron Ella Ava is keen on doing is making sure that she extends her already large legacy in this company. She’s shooting high after losing the Hardcore Championship and the only avenue that it’s going to lead to is becoming a World Champion once again. Knowing how good she is, that’s not very far-sighted.

James Peters: I wouldn’t be surprised myself if Cameron ended up living up to her word, but we’re just going to have to see for ourselves what’s next for her going forward this season, but judging by what she said, she’s looking to become better than ever.

(Cameron makes her way up the ramp, a smirk on her face as it’s the last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage fades to elsewhere.)

(Commercial for Captain America: Brave New World, in theaters this year.)

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

Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!

(‘RED THUNDER’ by Butcher Babies plays to a positive reaction, not that Camille acknowledges it, because Ms. Extreme skips the theatrics, marching to the ring. She doesn’t look necessarily enthused ahead of her match, nor filled with much optimism that her luck will change.)

Bella Braxton: Introducing first!! Hailing out of Calabasas, California, weighing in at 140 pounds…SHE IS THE PROBLEM CHILD…MS. EXTREME!!!

James Peters: Ms. Extreme is no stranger to facing Methuselah, but something feels… different this time around.

Rich Russillo: I’d say, it’s her attitude. Ms. Extreme appears to have lost confidence.

Persephone: What a baby.

James Peters: It’s easy to lose confidence, especially after some crucial losses, but who knows? Maybe Camille can gain it back tonight in our main event of the evening!

(Ms. Extreme tosses her entrance jacket aside, awaiting the arrival of her opponent. “Praise Gawd” by Kanye West blares throughout the arena next, and out comes Methuselah as fog fills the stage area. Methuselah saunters through, stopping on the ramp, and flashing his signature pose to flames in the background before continuing his strill to the ring.)

Bella Braxton: And her opponent!! Residing from The Ether, weighing in at 17 stone…HE IS…METHUSELAH!!

Rich Russillo: It’s official, folks. Methuselah will be challenging for Michael Machina’s World Championship.

James Peters: But first, he make it through Camille.

Rich Russillo: Which… given her mindset, maybe it’ll actually be easier for Methuselah.

(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)

(DING! DING! DING!)

James Peters: The bell has rung, and I understand that Ms. Extreme may not be in the head space right now, but she better snap out of it quickly, because she is in there with Methuselah, someone that’ll show no mercy, and capitalize on every mistake she makes.

Rich Russillo: Both competitors exit their respective corners, and already, Methuselah has that confident grin, almost knowing the match is his.

Persephone: Can you blame him?

James Peters: Hey, don’t count anybody out, especially Ms. Extreme. This is Elite Answers Wrestling, and circumstances can change that easily.

Persephone: Sure, Jan.

James Peters: It’s James…

Rich Russillo: Ms. Extreme takes a deep breath before locking up with Methuselah in the center, and gets the upper hand with a standing side headlock! Camille wrenches on the hold, and Methuselah hoists her up slightly, going to power his way out of the hold- BUT MS. EXTREME COUNTERS WITH A SIDE HEADLOCK TAKEDOWN!

James Peters: Ms. Extreme does her best to tighten the hold on Methuselah, who grits through the pain, and powers back to his feet… Methuselah backs Camille up against the ropes, and bounces her off to escape!

Rich Russillo: Ms. Extreme comes rebounding back, and SLIDES through the legs of Methuselah! Methuselah spins around- BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A SPINNING BACK KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! DOUBLING HIM OVER, AND JOLTS HIM BACK UPRIGHT WITH A PUNT KICK TO THE CHEST!

James Peters: METHUSELAH STAGGERS BACK AGAINST THE ROPES, AND MS. EXTREME CLOSES IN, IRISH WHIPPING HIM OFF! BUT METHUSELAH TURNS IT AROUND AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND, AND FLOORS CAMILLE WITH A RUNNING BACK ELBOW!

Rich Russillo: Ms. Extreme sits up, shaking the cobwebs out of her head before Methuselah approaches, and lifts her back to a vertical base.

James Peters: Methuselah directs Ms. Extreme to the corner, and slams her off the top turnbuckle FACE FIRST! Ms. Extreme is rattled, and Methuselah puts his guard up, delivering some boxing style shots to the body, alternating between both hands, finishing it off with a devastating UPPERCUT!

Rich Russillo: Ms. Extreme’s feet literally left the ground from that impact!

James Peters: And Camille remains stunned in that corner before Methuselah grabs her by the head, and brings Camille to the center as he runs off the ropes for a BIG BOOT!

Rich Russillo: BUT MS. EXTREME SIDE STEPS OUT THE WAY, AND METHUSELAH KEEPS HIS MOMENTUM ROLLING, BOUNCING OFF THE ROPES ONCE AGAIN- THIS TIME INTO A DROPKICK! METHUSELAH GOT CAUGHT!

James Peters: But almost off instinct or sheer resilience, Methuselah is quickly back to his feet, reeling from that dropkick, and Ms. Extreme takes control of his arm with an arm wringer!

Rich Russillo: BUT METHUSELAH BLASTS HER WITH A STIFF FOREARM SHOT, BREAKING THE HOLD!

James Peters: Camille favors her jaw as she staggers over to the corner, and Methuselah doubles over in the center slightly, getting his wits about him after that dropkick connected. But Ms. Extreme sees an opportunity, and shoots out the corner! …HOLY GROUND!

Rich Russillo: HOLY GROUND! MS. EXTREME WENT FOR HOLY GROUND, BUT METHUSELAH WAS ABLE TO CATCH HER OUT OF MID AIR WITH A SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!

James Peters: METHUSELAH HOLDS ONTO IT FOR A COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

James Peters: KICKOUT!

Persephone: What an idiot! She really thought that would work? I’m not a wrestler, and even I knew Methuselah was too fresh for that to happen! :mjlol2:

James Peters: Yeah, laugh now, Persephone. But it was worth a shot from Ms. Extreme.

Rich Russillo: Methuselah left her an opening, and she took it. Nothing wrong with that. But it might have been a trap, goading his opponent in.

James Peters: Methuselah keeps that aura of confidence while rising back to his feet, and Ms. Extreme pulls herself up to a knee with assistance from the ropes. However, Methuselah closes in, and uses her forearm to press it up against the back of Camille’s head and neck, CHOKING her across the middle rope!

Rich Russillo: The referee attempts to intervene with a five count!

Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!

(Methuselah relents momentarily, but stares a hole into the referee, sending him a message before going back to choking Camille across that middle rope, except the ref doesn’t count this time.)

Persephone: What happened? Why isn’t he counting?

James Peters: I think the referee got a little reminder as to who his boss is, and realized to maybe… ease up.

Rich Russillo: Methuselah continues choking Ms. Extreme across that middle rope, but does finally relent, leaving her to cough, and desperately gasp for air.

James Peters: Methuselah lifts Ms. Extreme back to her feet, and PLANTS her with a snap suplex! Center of the ring! Methuselah floats over into the cover!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Rich Russillo: CAMILLE POPS THE SHOULDER UP!

James Peters: As expected. I don’t imagine Ms. Extreme to go down that easy.

Rich Russillo: Methuselah stands her up, only to send her RIGHT BACK DOWN with a body slam! Methuselah runs off the ropes, and delivers a TWISTING ELBOW DROP TO THE HEART OF MS. EXTREME! Camille sits up in pain, but Methuselah lays her right back down for a cover!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO-

James Peters: This time, not even a two count! Ms. Extreme powers out of it! But is visibly reeling after that combination from Methuselah.

Rich Russillo: Methuselah grabs her by the head, and stands Camille back up… SENDING HER OUT OVER THE TOP ROPE!

James Peters: Methuselah turns his back to Camille, and that’s the first big mistake on his part as MS. EXTREME HUNG ON! MS. EXTREME HANGED ONTO THE TOP ROPE, AND SKINS THE CAT BACK INSIDE THE RING!

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH SPINS AROUND, AND CHARGES AT MS. EXTREME, WHO SIDE STEPS, SENDING HIM OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE!

James Peters: MS. EXTREME GOES OUT TO THE APRON, AND LEAPS OFF ONTO METHUSELAH WITH- WAIT! SHE GOT CAUGHT! METHUSELAH CAUGHT HER IN POSITION FOR A SPINEBUSTER, AND RAMS CAMILLE SPINE FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST!

Rich Russillo: OUCH! MS. EXTREME DROPS TO BOTH KNEES, PAIN ETCHED ACROSS HER FACE! BUT METHUSELAH ISNT DONE YET, AND DIRECTS HER TO THAT DIAMOND PLATE AREA ON THE RAMP!

Persephone: This keeps getting better!

James Peters: METHUSELAH GOES FOR THE METH KNELL ON THAT UNFORGIVING STEEL- BUT MS. EXTREME FLOATS OVER BEHIND HIM, AND METHUSELAH TURNS AROUND!

Rich Russillo: WHOA! LOOK AT THE POWER OF MS. EXTREME, WHO MUSCLES METHUSELAH UP FOR A BODY SLAM! BODY SLAM ON THE DIAMOND PLATE!

James Peters: METHUSELAH WRITHES IN PAIN! BUT MS. EXTREME HAS SUCCESSFULLY SHIFTED THE MOMENTUM OF THIS CONTEST BACK INTO HER FAVOR, AND STANDS METHUSELAH UP FOR A RIGHT HAND!

Rich Russillo: Methuselah staggers away from Ms. Extreme, attempting to create some sorta separation! But she is hot in pursuit, and CLUBS Methuselah across the back!

James Peters: Methuselah stumbles forward as a result, and leans himself up against the barricade while Ms. Extreme comes marching in.

Rich Russillo: BAITED HER! METHUSELAH BAITED HER IN FOR A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION, AND SENDS CAMILLE SHOULDER AND HEAD FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS!

James Peters: CAMILLE HAS GONE NEAR LIMP, AND MIGHT BE OUT OF IT AS METHUSELAH HURRIES TO GRAB HER! ROLLING CAMILLE BACK INSIDE THE RING! METHUSELAH SLITHERS IN AFTER, AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR A COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Rich Russillo: CAMILLE GETS THE SHOULDER UP!

Persephone: 🙄

James Peters: Ms. Extreme still has some ounce of fight left, and makes it to all fours, beginning to stir after that kickout.

Rich Russillo: Methuselah pulls Camille back to her feet- BUT MS. EXTREME! MS. EXTREME STARTS TO UNLOAD WITH A FLURRY OF FOREARMS, EXPLODING FROM OUTTA NOWHERE, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES AS METHUSELAH IS STUNNED!

James Peters: FLAPJACK! CAMILLE RAN RIGHT INTO A FLAPJACK, AND METHUSELAH CRAWLS INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG DEEP!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Rich Russillo: AGAIN, CAMILLE KICKS OUT AT TWO!

James Peters: But Methuselah doesn’t seem to mind, and watches as Camille picks herself up in the corner. Methuselah approaches, and irish whips her to the opposite corner HARD!

Rich Russillo: Camille collapses prone onto the canvas from that impact, and favors her back area. The referee checks on Camille, but Methuselah scares him off, and sends her out through the middle rope!

James Peters: Methuselah has cruel intentions on the mind as he exits the ring, clearing our announce table off.

Rich Russillo: Guys, we might want to step back.

Persephone: Don’t have to tell me twice…

James Peters: Methuselah stands Ms. Extreme up, and climbs on the announce table, attempting to drag Camille up by the hair as well- BUT MS. EXTREME TURNS THE TABLES!

Rich Russillo: CAMILLE PULLS METHUSELAH’S LEG OUT FROM UNDER HIM, AND HE LANDS BACK FIRST ON OUR ANNOUNCERS TABLE!

James Peters: METHUSELAH HIT HARD, AND MS. EXTREME STARTS TO UNLOAD WITH RIGHT HANDS! METHUSELAH DOES TRIES TO COVER UP, BUT MS. EXTREME IS A WOMAN POSSESSED! SHOWING NEXT TO NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN, PERHAPS UNLEASHING ALL HER ANGER, ALL HER FRUSTRATION ONTO THE CHAIRMAN!

Rich Russillo: FINALLY, CAMILLE EASES UP! BUT BEGINS CLIMBING UP ON THE BARRICADE BEHIND THE ANNOUNCE TABLE! NO WAY, NO WAY-

James Peters: DIVING LEG DROP THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH IS ROCKED AFTER BEING PUT THROUGH THAT ANNOUNCE TABLE, AND I THINK MS. EXTREME EVEN HURT HERSELF!

James Peters: BUT GRITS THROUGH THE PAIN, AND STRUGGLES TO LIFT 238 POUNDS OF NEAR DEAD WEIGHT BACK TO HIS FEET!

Rich Russillo: BUT SHE DOES IT! MS. EXTREME DOES GET METHUSELAH BACK TO HIS FEET, AND GOES TO ROLL HIM INSIDE THE RING- BUT METHUSELAH COLLAPSED TO A KNEE AS THEY GOT TO THE APRON!

James Peters: AGAIN, MS. EXTREME HAS TO MUSCLE HIM UP, AND DOES MANAGE TO ROLL METHUSELAH BACK INSIDE THE RING!

Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME SLIDES IN HERSELF- BUT WAIT! METHUSELAH IS ALREADY CHARGING TOWARDS THE ROPES! HOW THE HELL DID HE RECOVER SO FAST?!

James Peters: DO WE REALLY EXPECT ANYTHING LESS FROM THE GAWD?!

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES, BUT MS. EXTREME REBOUNDS OFF THAT SAME SET, FORCING METHUSELAH TO SPIN AROUND AS HE REACHES THE CENTER-

James Peters: FOREARM! RUNNING FOREARM SMASH TO METHUSELAH! BUT THE CHAIRMAN REMAINS ON HIS FEET, ALBEIT BARELY!

Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME RUNS OFF THE ROPES AGAIN, AND CATCHES METHUSELAH WITH ANOTHER FOREARM! AGAIN, METHUSELAH REMAINS ON HIS FEET! REELING AFTER THIS ONSLAUGHT OF ATTACK!

James Peters: BUT HE SHAKES IT OFF, AND CHARGES AT MS. EXTREME, WHO BACKPEDALS IN THE CORNER BEFORE SIDE STEPPING! SENDING HIM SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST!

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH STAGGERS BACK, AND INTO A SCHOOL GIRL BY MS. EXTREME- BUT SHE DOESNT HOLD IT FOR THE COVER! INSTEAD, ROLLING METHUSELAH THROUGH TO A KNEE FOR A SUPERKICK!

James Peters: METHUSELAH POPS TO HIS FEET, AND STUMBLES BACK AGAINST THE ROPES, REELING BEFORE HE ATTEMPTS TO COME BACK WITH A CLOTHESLINE!

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH WENT FOR A CLOTHESLINE, BUT MS. EXTREME SAW IT COMING, AND TRAPS THE ARM FOR A SPINNING NECKBREAKER! TWIST OF FATE CONNECTS! MS. EXTREME MAKES THE COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!$

James Peters: KICKOUT AT TWO!

Rich Russillo: AND AGAINST METHUSELAH, THAT IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! SHOWS YOURE STARTING TO FIND A CRACK IN HIS ARMOR! USUALLY, THE CHAIRMAN CAN KICK OUT AT ONE!

James Peters: METHUSELAH ROLLS TO THE OUTSIDE, FEELING HIS HANDLE ON THE SITUATION BEGINNING TO DWINDLE! MS. EXTREME RISES TO HER FEET, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES, BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR A SUICIDE DIVE!

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH WENT BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE OFF THAT SUICIDE DIVE, AND MS. EXTREME ROLLS HIM INSIDE, CLIMBING TO THE TOP ROPE FOR HER NEXT MOVE!

James Peters: METHUSELAH SLOWLY RETURNS TO HIS FEET AS CAMILLE REMAINS PERCHED FOR A…DIVING CROSSBODY! BUT METHUSELAH ROLLS THROUGH ON THE COVER, HOOKING BOTH MS. EXTREME’S LEGS DEEP TO PULL A FAST ONE!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME KICKS OUT! BOTH COMPETITORS SCRAMBLE BACK TO THEIR FEET, AND METHUSELAH CHARGES IN!

James Peters: HOLY GROUND!!

Persephone: :roman:

Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME MOVES INTO THE COVER, PULLING THE LEG OF METHUSELAH BACK!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

TH-

James Peters: KICKOUT! METHUSELAH KICKED OUT!

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH GOT THE SHOULDER UP, AND LOOK AT THE REACTION FROM MS. EXTREME! BARELY EVEN PHASED!

James Peters: It’s almost like she expected it.

Rich Russillo: But Ms. Extreme needs to get her head back in the game, and stay on Methuselah while he’s stunned, which I think she realizes.

James Peters: Ms. Extreme pounds the mat in frustration before returning to her feet, and going to stand Methuselah up, pulling him up by the head…

Rich Russillo: Ms. Extreme goes to send Methuselah up and over the top rope- BUT METHUSELAH COUNTERS AT THE LAST MINUTE, SENDING CAMILLE OVER INSTEAD! AGAIN, CAMILLE HANGS ON, AND GOES TO SKIN THE CAT BACK INSIDE!

James Peters: BUT METHUSELAH HAD HER SCOUTED THIS TIME AROUND, AND LIFTS MS. EXTREME UP ONTO HIS SHOULDER!

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH WALKS WITH CAMILLE TO THE CENTER- BUT CAMILLE SLIPS OUT THE BACK! AND METHUSELAH TURNS AROUND INTO A CLOTHESLINE! NO, WAIT! METHUSELAH TRAPS THE ARM FOR A DOUBLE UNDERHOOK BACKBREAKER!

James Peters: AND METHUSELAH HOOKS THE LEG FOR A COVER ON CAMILLE! COULD THIS BE IT?!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHH-

James Peters: NO! BUTTERFLY EFFECT WASNT ENOUGH TO GET THE JOB DONE!

Rich Russillo: STILL, MS. EXTREME HAS ENOUGH FIGHT WITHIN HER!

Persephone: Calm down. She kicked out of a fucking backbreaker.

James Peters: Well, with said backbreaker, Methuselah has managed to turn the tide back in his favor, and lifts Ms. Extreme up to her feet!

Rich Russillo: Uh oh, Methuselah attempted this earlier! HES GOING TO SPIKE MS. EXTREME ON HER HEAD WITH THE METH KNELL! BRAINBUSTER DDT-

James Peters: CAMILLE! CAMILLE GOT HOISTED UP, BUT FIGHTS BACK WITH REPEATED KNEES TO THE DOME WHILE SUSPENDED IN THE AIR! METHUSELAH IS FORCED TO LET HER DOWN AS HE DOUBLES OVER, AND CAMILLE GOES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE, PULLING HIM IN FOR…

Rich Russillo: CODE RED!! SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB PLANTS METHUSELAH IN THE CENTER OF THE RING, AND SHE HOLDS ONTO IT FOR A COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHH-

James Peters: KICKOUT!

Rich Russillo: BUT MS. EXTREME SHAKES HER HEAD, AND IMMEDIATELY GOES BACK TO WORK ON METHUSELAH! BRINGING THE CHAIRMAN TO HIS FEET!

James Peters: METHUSELAH! METHUSELAH SHOVES CAMILLE BACK INTO THE ROPES, AND SHE COMES REBOUNDING BACK INTO A CLOTHESLINE!

Rich Russillo: OR SO WE THOUGHT! METHUSELAH MISSES WILDLY AS MS. EXTREME DUCKED UNDERNEATH!

James Peters: BUT BOTH COMPETITORS RUN OFF OPPOSITE ROPES TO ONE ANOTHER, AND MS. EXTREME LEAPS IN THE AIR FOR HOLY GROUND! JUMPING DOUBLE FOOT STO-

Rich Russillo: SPEAR!! METHUSELAH PLUCKED HER OUTTA MID AIR WITH A SPEAR!! AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR A COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE-

James Peters: CAMILLE STAYS IN IT! CAMILLE IS STILL IN THIS FIGHT! GETTING THE SHOULDER UP BEFORE THREE!

Persephone: Are we sure that was before three?! I think the referee needs his eyes checked!

James Peters: No, I think YOU need your eyes checked! Camille clearly kicked out!

Persephone: I saw no such thing.

James Peters: :mjpls: While Persephone is counting down the minutes til this match ends, there’s a good chance these two go on forever! Because both Ms. Extreme and Methuselah are just that resilient.

Rich Russillo: Camille has kicked out, but Methuselah isn’t panicked, and simply slithers over to the corner, stalking Ms. Extreme as she tries regaining a vertical base…

James Peters: Ms. Extreme kicked out of one spear, but let’s see if she can handle another…

Persephone: Go ahead, and wrap this up.

Rich Russillo: Camille is back to her feet, and Methuselah shoots out the corner! …SPEAR!

James Peters: WHAT THE- CAMILLE DROPS DOWN, AND ROLLS THROUGH FOR A MODIFIED STF! ROLLING AVA LOCK!

Rich Russillo: UNBELIEVABLE! CAMILLE CAUGHT METHUSELAH FROM OUT OF NOWHERE WITH THAT SUBMISSION HOLD!

James Peters: BUT WILL METHUSELAH TAP IS THE QUESTION?!

Rich Russillo; HE DOESNT HAVE TO TAP! IF MS. EXTREME KEEPS THIS HOLD CINCHED IN TIGHT, THEN METHUSELAH MIGHT JUST NAP!

James Peters: METHUSELAH IS REACHING FOR THE ROPES, BUT HES TRAPPED! TRAPPED IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!

Rich Russillo: AND CAMILLE STARTS APPLYING MORE PRESSURE! WILL METHUSELAH GO TO SLEEP?!)

James Peters: NO! METHUSELAH IS CRAWLING TOWARDS THE ROPES, LUGGING CAMILLE ON HIS BACK! REFUSING TO GO OUT LIKE THIS!

Rich Russillo: FINGERTIPS AWAY…

James Peters: AND HE MAKES THE ROPES! BUT CAMILLE DOESNT LET GO!

Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Rich Russillo: FINALLY, SHE RELEASES! BUT THE DAMAGE MAY HAVE BEEN DONE AS METHUSELAH’S HOLD ON THAT BOTTOM ROPE WAS BEGINNING TO GROW WEAKER!

James Peters: HE WAS GOING TO SLEEP! BUT CAMILLE BREAKS THE HOLD, AND ROLLS OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE, AND TO THE APRON!

Rich Russillo: Methuselah and Camille both pull themselves up with assistance from the ropes on opposite sides, maintaining eye contact the entire time! Intensity in their eyes!

James Peters: AND METHUSELAH TAKES THE FIRST SHOT WITH A RIGHT HAND! BUT NOT TO BE OUTDONE, CAMILLE BATTLES BACK WITH ONE OF HER OWN! METHUSELAH IS REELING, BUT SCORES WITH ANOTHER RIGHHT HAND!

Rich Russillo: BOTH COMPETITORS ARE EXCHANGING BLOWS! CAMILLE! METHUSELAH! CAMILLE! METHUSELAH! CAMILLE! METHUSELAH! CAMILLE!

James Peters: METHUSELAH STAGGERS BACK, BUT GROGGILY MARCHES TOWARD CAMILLE- WHO DROPS HIM THROAT FIRST ACROSS THE TOP ROPE WITH A HOTSHOT!

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH SPINS AROUND, STRUGGLING TO BREATH AS HE STAGGERS TO THE CENTER!

James Peters: METHUSELAH DROPS TO A KNEE, AND MS. EXTREME CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE! SHE WENT HIGH RISK BEFORE, TAKING METHUSELAH OUT WITH A CROSSBODY, GOING TO THE WELL AGAIN!

Rich Russillo: BUT METHUSELAH DUCKS UNDERNEATH WHATEVER SHE HAD PLANNED, FORCING CAMILLE TO ROLL FORWARD ONTO HER FEET! MS. EXTREME THEN REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES, KEEPING HER MOMENTUM GOING-

James Peters: SPEAR!!

Persephone: Ha! It’s over!

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH NEARLY SPLIT CAMILLE IN HALF WITH ANOTHER SPEAR!! SECOND TIME ITS BEEN HIT THIS MATCH!

James Peters: METHUSELAH ROLLS INTO THE COVER, AND PERSEPHONE MAY BE RIGHT! THIS ONE IS OVER!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Persephone: HUH?!

Rich Russillo: IM JUST AS SHOCKED AS YOU, PERSEPHONE! MS. EXTREME KICKS OUT OF A SECOND SPEAR!

James Peters: AND METHUSELAH IS GROWING IRATE! HE IS FRUSTRATED THAT DIDNT PUT CAMILLE AWAY!

Persephone: He’s not the only one…

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH MOUNTS MS. EXTREME, AND UNLOADS WITH RIGHT HAND AFTER RIGHT HAND!

James Peters: MS. EXTREME TRIES TO COVER UP, BUT THE GUARD IS WEAK! MANY OF THOSE PUNCHES ARE SLIPPING PAST IT! METHUSELAH IS INCENSED!

Rich Russillo: PUNCH AFTER PUNCH! RIGHT HAND AFTER RIGHT HAND! AND THE REFEREE CANT EVEN STOP HIM!

James Peters: THAT USUAL CONFIDENCE AND ASSURANCE FROM THE CHAIRMAN IS APPEARING TO FALTER AS MS. EXTREME HAS, AND CONTINUES TO TAKE HIS BEST SHOTS!

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH RISES FROM ON TOP OF CAMILLE, AND DELIVERS STOMPS TO HER HEAD AS WELL! UNRELENTING IN HIS ASSAULT!

James Peters: AGAIN, CAMILLE IS TRYING TO COVER UP, BUT IT ISNT DOING HER MUCH GOOD!

Rich Russillo: I WONDER IF METHUSELAH IS PICTURING THAT TO BE MICHAEL MACHINA AHEAD OF KING OF ELITE! PERHAPS SENDING THE CHAMPION A MESSAGE!

(Methuselah FINALLY relents, allowing the referee to check up on Ms. Extreme, who lies near unconscious after the hellacious assault. But Methuselah pushes past him, and mounts Camille once again.)

James Peters: OH NO! HES GOING BACK FOR MORE-

Persephone: GOOD! KILL THIS DUMB BITCH!

Rich Russillo: WHOA- CAMILLE ROLLS METHUSELAH ONTO HIS BACK, AND BEGINS TO UNLOAD WITH PUNCHES OF HER OWN!

James Peters: LEFTS AND RIGHTS! MS. EXTREME MIGHT BE SEEING RED, BUT IS UNLEASHING HELL UPON METHUSELAH!

Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH SCRAMBLES FREE, AND RUSHES BACK TO HIS FEET! AS DOES MS. EXTREME!

James Peters: AND BOTH COMPETITORS MEET IN THE MIDDLE WITH A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE! METHUSELAH IS DOWN! MS. EXTREME IS DOWN! BUT THEIR ARMS ARE BOTH DRAPED OVER THE OTHERS LIMP BODY! REFEREE MAKES A COUNT!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEE-

Rich Russillo: BOTH COMPETITORS POP THE SHOULDER UP! REFUSING TO LET IT END THAT WAY!

James Peters: BUT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LAST GASP EFFORT AS THEIR ENERGY IS DWINDLING DOWN!

Rich Russillo: WHO WILL GET TO THEIR FEET FIRST?!

James Peters: WHOEVER DOES WILL HAVE A MAJOR ADVANTAGE OVER THE OTHER! YOU CAN TELL EACH ARE ON THEIR LAST LEGS!

Persephone: Oh my God, who cares? Let me go home!

James Peters: :wow:

Rich Russillo: I’m seeing signs of life!

James Peters: Methuselah is moving…

Rich Russillo: But not far behind is Ms. Extreme, who is also beginning to stir!

James Peters: Ms. Extreme gets to her knees, but Methuselah rises to all fours. Ms. Extreme grabs him by the hair, holding Methuselah up for a RIGHT HAND!

Rich Russillo; Methuselah is rocked- BUT FIRES BACK WITH A RIGHT HAND OF HIS OWN! RIGHT HAND FROM CAMILLE! METHUSELAH! CAMILLE! METHUSELAH! CAMILLE!

James Peters: AND BOTH COMPETITORS REGAIN A VERTICAL BASE, THROWING HAYMAKERS BACK AND FORTH! RAPID FIRE PUNCHES!

Rich Russillo: BUT MS. EXTREME GETS THE BETTER OF THE EXCHANGE, BACKING METHUSELAH UP AGAINST THE ROPES WITH LEFTS AND RIGHTS!

James Peters: MS. EXTREME IRISH WHIPS HIM OFF THE ROPES, BUT METHUSELAH TWISTS HER ARM AROUND, AND PULLS HER INTO POSITION FOR A HELLFIRE IMPALER DDT!!

Rich Russillo: BUT MS. EXTREME TWIRLS OUT OF IT, AND PLANTS METHUSELAH WITH A JUMPING CUTTER! THATS… THATS DEMOLITION! MS. EXTREME JUST HIT METHUSELAH WITH OWN MOVE!

James Peters: ISNT THE FIRST TIME THE GAWD HAS BEEN MOCKED IN RECENT TIMES, AND MS. EXTREME CRAWLS INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THR LEG!

ONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHRRRRRRRE—

Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! METHUSELAH KICKS OUT!

James Peters: AND MS. EXTREME CRAWLS OVER TOWARDS THE CORNER, PULLING HERSELF UP! AND BEGINS URGING FOR METHUSELAH TO GET UP!

Rich Russillo: SHES ALREADY HAS HIM IN HER CROSSHAIRS!

James Peters: MS. EXTREME SHOOTS OUT THE CORNER WITH A SPEAR AS METHUSELAH RETURNED TO HIS FEET! BUT METHUSELAH HAD IT SCOUTED, REFUSING TO FACE THAT HUMILIATION, AND LEAPFROGS OVER IT!

Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME ALMOST GOES COLLIDING FACE FIRST WITH THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE, BUT STOPS HERSELF LAST MINUTE! METHUSELAH TURNS AROUND-

James Peters: HOLY GROUND!!!

Rich Russillo: NO! METHUSELAH CAUGHT HER AGAIN IN POSITION FOR A POWERBOMB!

James Peters: JUST LIKE THAT, PLUCKING HIS OPPONENT OUT OF MID AIR!

Persephone: Now, plant her, and get this over with!

Rich Russillo: NO!! MS. EXTREME WAS READY THIS TIME, AND REIGNS WITH REPEATED RIGHT HANDS TO THE DOME!

James Peters: THEN LOOKS TO COUNTER WITH A HURRICANRANA-

Rich Russillo: BLOCKED! METHUSELAH BLOCKED THE HURRICANRANA ATTEMPT, AND HAS CAMILLE SUSPENDED UPSIDE DOWN BEFORE HE MUSCLES HER UP INTO A POWERBOMB POWERSLAM!

James Peters: INNOVATIVE OFFENSE FROM METHUSELAH, WHO HOOKS THE LEG FOR A COVER!

ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEE-

Rich Russillo: BUT IT ISNT ENOUGH TO GET THE JOB DONE AS SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY, MS. EXTREME CONTINUES TO KICKOUT!

James Peters; Methuselah checks to make sure that wasn’t a three count, but doesn’t harp on it, marching to the corner!

Rich Russillo: Ms. Extreme has already been hit with two spears, and while she’s managed to take two, I highly doubt she can THREE from Methuselah, who lines her up…

(Ms. Extreme is stirring on the canvas while Methuselah stalks her from the corner- until his attention is diverted to the stage area as “Apostle’s Warning” by Mobb Deep plays to a thunderous ovation from the fans! Michael Machina saunters onto the stage area, staring directly at Methuselah with a tough expression on his face while the World Championship is slung over his shoulder.)

Persephone: Oh, great! More bullshit!

(Methuselah sees Ms. Extreme still barely moving on the canvas, and approaches the ring ropes, hurling trash talk off mic at Machina-)

James Peters: HEY! FROM BEHIND!

Rich Russillo: MS. EXTREME WITH A SCHOOL GIRL! SCHOOL GIRL FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!

James Peters: NO WAY, IS SHE GONNA STEAL IT!? MS. EXTREME TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT DISTRACTION FROM MICHAEL MACHINA!

ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THHHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!

(DING! DING! DING!)

Bella Braxton: HERES YOUR WINNER… MS. EXTREME!!

(Methuselah pushes himself back to his feet right after the three count, and Ms. Extreme rolls out underneath the bottom rope, dropping to a knee on the outside, showing her wear and tear from competing in such a match as blood begins to form from a cut on her lip. The referee rolls to the outside, and raises her hand in victory as Methuselah pieces together what happened on the inside.)

James Peters: Ms. Extreme pulls out a major upset to kick off the first Voltage of 2025!

Rich Russillo: It’s like you said, James! Circumstances can change like that in EAW! Ms. Extreme just scored a win over Methuselah!

Persephone: I… I’m shocked.

James Peters: Granted, she had a little assist from Michael Machina!

Rich Russillo: But that’s not to take away from Camille’s performance throughout this match, taking some of Methuselah’s best, and giving him some of hers in return!

James Peters: Meanwhile, look at the Champion!

(The camera zooms in on Michael Machina’s face as he can be seen chuckling with ‘RED THUNDER’ by Butcher Babies continuing to play in the background.)

James Peters: His plan worked to perfection!

Rich Russillo; Tonight, he got one over on Methuselah, but you know the chairman isn’t going to take this lying down!

James Peters: As they say, payback can be a bitch…

Rich Russillo: But you’ll have to tune in next week for the aftermath.

James Peters: Until then, this has been Voltage, wishing the fans watching a happy new years as our show comes to a close!

(Methuselah is throwing a fit inside the ring, kicking the ropes, and screaming out at Michael Machina on the stage. Meanwhile, Machina claps for Camille’s victory as she struggles to her feet at the end of the rampway while the camera fades to black on a triumphant note.)

(EAW Logo Buzzes.)

Written by John Helms

Showdown 1.04.25

Dynasty 1/10/25