John Helms
(EAW intro plays.)
(A recap of last week’s Voltage is shown, before the camera cuts to the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, where Voltage is being held tonight. The fans in attendance are seen cheering as the opening pyro shoots out and the opening music plays, before finally the camera transitions to the commentary team of James Peters, Rich Russillo and Persephone.)
James Peters: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Sunday Night Voltage! As always I’m James Peters and with me are Rich Russillo and Persephone Tsitsipas. We are officially one week away from Road to Redemption!
Rich Russillo: Not only that, but this is the moment of truth. Will Jake Smith return to Voltage tonight, or is this the end of his World Championship reign?
Persephone: Hopefully the latter.
(The camera pans over to the stage, and before long ‘Praise Gawd’ by Kanye West begins to play. The fans in attendance begin to boo, and after some time Methuselah begins to walk out to the stage. Methuselah has a serious look on his face, and he is already holding a microphone in his hand as he walks out. Methuselah clearly isn’t amused by everything that’s taken place over the last few weeks, and he wastes no time beginning to walk down the ramp.)
James Peters: Well I think we all know why Methuselah is out here. Last week Captain Charisma said that Jake Smith has until next week to show up to Voltage. Well, a week has passed, and Methuselah seems to be done waiting.
Rich Russillo: Well we only have one week until Road to Redemption, so I can’t say I blame him for being done with all the waiting.
Persephone: Does he have to take it out on us, though? I didn’t ask to hear Methuselah speak. It’s not our fault Jake is gone.
(Methuselah makes his way to ringside, and heads up the steel steps before finally entering the ring. His entrance music begins to fade out, and after this he begins to speak.)
Methuselah: I was told that in one week the Placeholder’s EAW World Championship has been vacated. A week has passed, so the Placeholder can crawl out of his hiding spot and join me in the ring, or the Commissioner of this brand can go ahead and vacate the World Championship. It doesn’t matter which one it is. Get it over with. Now.
(Methuselah waits inside of the ring, but it’s neither Jake Smith nor Captain Charisma that answers him. Instead, ‘Apostle’s Warning’ by Mobb Deep hits, causing the fans to begin cheering loudly. Methuselah doesn’t look impressed whatsoever, and he stares at the stage as Michael Machina begins walking out. Michael Machina is holding a microphone of his own, and he begins heading towards the ring, staring directly at Methuselah.)
James Peters: Uh oh! This obviously isn’t what was expected as Michael Machina is on his way to the ring, and I’d imagine he isn’t too happy after what Methuselah did last week, costing him and Bea against Bethany and Adam.
Rich Russillo: Even if he didn’t do that there was already a ton of animosity between these two. Methuselah just continued to push things further, even putting Machina through our table. We might need to get security out here quickly.
(Michael Machina jumps onto the apron before entering the ring. He walks directly up to Methuselah, quickly beginning to speak.)
Michael Machina: Do you really think that after last week you’re just going to move on? I don’t care anymore about whatever’s going on with Jake. If he has to lose his title because he’s too scared to show up to work, that’s too bad. Either way this is ending with me becoming World Champion for the first time, but before we get there, you have a lot to answer for and as the weeks go by you’re just adding to the list. Methuselah you already had a lot coming to you at Road to Redemption, and if this Extreme Elimination Chamber wasn’t already a trainwreck that’s one injury away from probably not happening at all, you wouldn’t even be hearing my voice right now. I don’t want to wait, but since I do have to wait, once we enter that Chamber I’m going to make sure you get what you’ve got coming to you. You deserve every bit of what’s about to happen. I’ve been waiting for this moment since Wicked Games, and the further you push me, the worse this is about to end for you.
(The fans cheer, but the look on Methuselah’s face doesn’t change. Instead, after a moment he just begins to speak.)
Methuselah: I didn’t ask you to enter the ring. I called for the Commissioner and the Placeholder, not the Machine. I don’t have anything to say to you right now. You can keep making promises, but much like last week, it will end with your destruction. That wasn’t the first time you were laid out by my hands. Far from it, and it won’t be the last time, either. You can keep chasing after a moment that’ll never come, but I’m here for reasons far bigger than your revenge story. The EAW World Championship match is being put at risk, and while I may be pursuing that title as a competitor, I am also the Chairman of this company. We will not enter one of the biggest marquee live events of the year with one of our World Championships out of the picture entirely, so I need an answer and I need it right now. You can’t do anything about that, so until your presence is needed, you can stay in the bac-
Michael Machina: Shut the hell up.
(This causes another loud response from the crowd, and Michael Machina continues.)
Michael Machina: You thought turning on me back at Wicked Games would work out in your favor, but that was just the beginning of a growing list of mistakes. You thought hitting me with Metatron’s Cube would keep me down, and it didn’t. You thought putting me through that table last week would keep me down, and it didn’t. We can keep doing this, Methuselah. We can keep this back and forth going, and when it ends you’re not gonna be the one standing tall. We don’t have to wait, either. What was it Captain Charisma told you? He said you could handle the “Michael Machina problem” yourself. Well why don’t you do it? Don’t wait until I’m in the middle of an interview. Don’t wait until I’m in the middle of a match. Do it while I’m in the ring, standing face to face with you like I am right now.
(The fans cheer, until finally “Fight” chants begin to break out amongst the crowd. Methuselah doesn’t look impressed whatsoever, taking a moment before finally speaking.)
Methuselah: I’ll do as I please. When I want to fight you I will, and when the time comes it won’t be a war. It won’t be a battle. You will be slaughtered on my own journey to the EAW World Championship. I am not going to enter this Extreme Elimination Chamber strictly to play into your delusions. You’ll be dealt with on my time. You’ll be dealt with when I find it convenient. Stop begging for a fight you don’t actually want. Yes, you returned from the Winged Metatron’s Cube. You returned from the destruction of the table. You returned from everything I’ve thrown at you as of this moment, but don’t speak too highly of yourself. If I wanted you gone, you wouldn’t be here right now. Now I won’t tell you again. Leave.
(There’s a staredown between the two men inside of the ring as Michael Machina doesn’t budge. However, things take a turn as ‘It Follows’ by Cane Hill hits. The camera pans to the stage, and Xander Payne begins making his way out with a microphone in his hand. Both Machina and Methuselah are caught off guard by this, but Xander begins heading down the ramp and towards the ring.)
Persephone: There’s the guy that went and injured two of the people in this match. Does this idiot not want a Chamber to happen or something? This is like one of the only matches of the year guaranteed to be bloody. Stop screwing things up!
James Peters: Xander has been on a bit of a rampage, but something tells me he isn’t exactly remorseful for his actions, either.
Rich Russillo: Yeah, I think we could’ve guessed that much. Xander seems to be out to get both Limmy and Daryl, and that’s not a good sign for either men, especially in the condition they’re currently in.
(Xander Payne makes his way into the ring, and before long ‘It Follows’ begins to fade out. However, Methuselah is the one that begins to speak.)
Methuselah: Do you really believe you should show your face after putting this match even further at risk?
Xander Payne: I’m not going to apologize for what I did to Limmy and Daryl. Both of them had it coming and you know it. If anything they should be glad I did it now. If they were smart they would’ve taken this as their one warning and sat out of Road to Redemption, but I know better than to expect that out of them. The EAW World Championship is on the line and it’ll be on the line regardless of whether or not Jake feels like coming back, so what does it matter what I do to Daryl and Limmy? What does it matter how badly I hurt them knowing that one way or another they will crawl to Road to Redemption and drag themselves into the Chamber so I can finish the job? Neither of those men are touching the EAW World Championship, so if I were you I’d just forget about what happened to them.
(There’s a brief staredown between both men, and Michael Machina doesn’t look too amused with what was said by Xander.)
Michael Machina: Last thing I need is to miss out on this match because you felt like taking matters into your own hands, so you better be real careful.
Xander Payne: What, are you going to pretend you don’t understand why I did that? I don’t need to convince you of anything, but if anyone should already understand it’s the guy that just came out here because he’s more interested in Methuselah than the World Championship. The best thing you can do is mind your business, because Limmy and Daryl will be taken out one way or another-
(‘Number One’ by Shirō Sagisu and Hazel Fernandes suddenly blasts through the arena, causing the crowd to explode.)
James Peters: Well so much for taking him out, because it looks like Limmy Monaghan is here tonight!
Rich Russillo: Limmy said he’d be at Road to Redemption and in the Chamber no matter what, but is he really in any shape for this!?
(The camera pans to the stage, and after some time, Limmy Monaghan begins walking out. Limmy is holding a microphone in his hand, and is visibly still a bit banged up following Xander’s attack. However, he begins walking down the ramp, staring directly at Xander on his way to the ring. As he makes his way to ringside and walks up the steel steps, he begins to speak while entering the ring.)
Limmy Monaghan: If taking me out is your goal you’ll need to do a better job. This won’t be my first time wrestling injured and knowing how this industry works it likely won’t be my last, and do you understand what happened last time my back was against the wall like this? In a Pain for Pride main event where my World Heavyweight Championship was on the line, I faced Myles knowing that I could barely even stand, let alone wrestle an entire match. Most people wouldn’t even attempt making it through that match, but not only did I do it, I did it and walked out with my Championship. This isn’t different because I’m suffering from a worse injury. This isn’t different because of the fact that I wasn’t even cleared for competition just yet. This is different because while Myles was able to leave Pain for Pride with a loss and still become World Heavyweight Champion by the end of the year, you won’t have the same opportunity. This is it for you.
(The fans cheer, and Xander just shakes his head before beginning to speak.)
Xander Payne: Limmy, you should be glad that I didn’t shut you up for good when I laid you out. When I attacked you, whether or not there was even a chance of you making it to Road to Redemption was up to me. I could’ve done a whole lot worse than I did a few weeks ago, and if you want to find out for yourself we always have that Chamber to look forward to. Say what you want about what happened against Myles last year, but you didn’t have to face him in a match like this, did you? Look at the state you’re in. You’re a wreck, and the Doctors don’t even want you in the ring right now. Do you really think I’m the one that’s gonna be in danger at Road to Redemption?
Limmy Monaghan: Xander, it doesn’t matter what state I’m in. What matters is the fact that you believed it was a good idea to attack me and push me to the verge if missing Road to Redemption *without* finishing the job. If my fate was in your hands you should’ve gotten rid of me while you had the chance, because that ship has sailed. Michael Machina, Methuselah and Daryl Kinkade will have to come to terms with the fact that they’ll be facing someone that doesn’t go down easily next week, and you will be the one who reminds them exactly what happens when you push me a bit too far. This isn’t anything new to me Xander, but since you asked for this, I’ll gladly be the one to finally end-
???: Now hold on a second, bruv!
(The fans begin to boo as they immediately recognize whose voice this is, and Limmy Monaghan slowly turns his attention towards the stage. Daryl Kinkade can be seen storming out with a microphone in his hand, and much like Limmy, he isn’t in great shape following the attack from Xander Payne. Even so, Daryl begins making his way down the ramp, beginning to speak as he makes it to ringside.)
Daryl Kinkade: I don’t care about the issues you two still had with each other. You had your match weeks ago, and if Xander can’t get over it that’s too bad. I’m not going to let anyone get away with jeopardizing my World Championship chances! Jake Smith is gone. Limmy is injured. Methuselah and Michael Machina can’t keep themselves away from each other. I’m going to become World Champion one way or another, and Xander, before I do that you’re gonna pay for what you did last week. I’m not someone you can make a fool out of and get away with it, and I’m definitely not leaving that Chamber without making sure you suffer for that attack last week.
(Daryl Kinkade enters the ring, before turning his attention to Limmy Monaghan.)
Daryl Kinkade: You’re better off leaving Xander to me and staying home next week. With your track record this season, it’s not like you had any chance winning the EAW World Championship anyway.
(The fans begin to boo, and Limmy doesn’t look impressed as he begins to respond.)
Limmy Monaghan: I’m not going anywhere, and as far as I’m concerned, you got what you wanted back at Wicked Games. If your mouth got you into any further trouble, that has nothing to do with me. Xander Payne is mine.
Daryl Kinkade: Don’t be stupid. Do you really want to do this to yourself, Limmy? From the looks of it this will only be a five-man Extreme Elimination Chamber so this was bound to be shorter than the other Chambers, but are you sure you want to disappoint even further by getting yourself eliminated in record time? You’re not like me. Not only are you injured, but you’ve also been a disappointment since returning at the start of the year.
Limmy Monaghan: We’ll see about that at Road to Redemption then, because I’m not backing out of this because you want to be the one to take Xander out. Of course, I don’t think you’re in any position to make this about any of my losses this year, either. There’s a reason you’ve never been a World Champion and it isn’t because this business is out to get you. It can’t be denied that Xander played a part in your Hardcore Championship match loss at Territorial Invasion, but when you lose at Road to Redemption in a match you believed you were more prepared for than anyone else, what will the excuse be?
(The fans cheer, and hearing this frustrates Daryl, who quickly begins to respond.)
Daryl Kinkade: I won’t need an excuse, bruv. I’m not losing this match, and you-
Methuselah: Instead of bickering, can we address the problem at hand?
(Daryl and Limmy turn to Methuselah, who continues to speak.)
Methuselah: It has been a week. Where is he?
(Methuselah doesn’t look at any of the Elitists in the ring as he says this, instead staring towards the stage, waiting for an answer. Eventually, ‘Self Help Tape’ by Moses Sumney begins to play. The fans cheer, but as Captain Charisma begins walking out to the stage, he doesn’t look happy whatsoever. He is also holding a microphone, and he begins walking down to the ring.)
James Peters: Well it’s not Jake Smith. Instead, it looks like Captain Charisma is here to address the current situation.
Rich Russillo: He doesn’t look happy, so this can’t be anything good. Seriously, what’s going on with Jake?
Persephone: For all this trouble, he better actually be dead. Anything else would be a disappointment.
(Captain Charisma makes his way into the ring, and as his entrance theme fades out, he looks towards the fans in attendance. He takes a moment, before finally beginning to speak.)
Captain Charisma: I know. Last week I gave Jake Smith an ultimatum, saying that either he shows up, or he loses his Championship. As of right now…
(Captain Charisma looks towards the Elitists in the ring before continuing.)
Captain Charisma: Jake Smith is not here.
(This causes the fans to boo, and the Elitists inside of the ring aren’t too happy themselves.)
Daryl Kinkade: Well hurry up and take the title off of him. Doesn’t matter to me whether or not he shows up to Road to Redemption. He’s just making this complicated, when all that should’ve mattered was me finally becoming a World Champion. I don’t know where Jake is and for all we know maybe he really did die, so why don’t we just-
Michael Machina: Shut up. He obviously isn’t dead. He’s just hiding, and that’s fine. Forget about Jake. One less person in the way, and one less person stopping me from getting to you.
(Machina turns to Methuselah as he says this, and Methuselah just shakes his head.)
Methuselah: Is this what’s important to you while the Placeholder is off running away with the EAW World Championship?
Michael Machina: I’m not going to forget what you did just because Jake is missing. He’s been missing for weeks. How long do you expect me to care about someone like him while you’re running around doing whatever you want? I wanted to tear Jake apart myself, but if I can’t do that I’ll gladly use the time to make sure you go down.
Captain Charisma: Look, I-
Daryl Kinkade: You care too much for someone who doesn’t have a shot at winning this match. For all this, you should’ve just challenged Methuselah one on one. You’re not going to become Champion after all, and you’re definitely not winning another match at my expense.
Xander Payne: You haven’t learned anything, have you?
Daryl Kinkade: Watch what you say next.
Xander Payne: What will you do if I don’t?
Daryl Kinkade: You already can’t touch me without missing out on the Chamber. Don’t miss out just to get embarrassed.
Captain Charisma: Everyone, just calm down.
Michael Machina: Calm down? If I have to stand in this ring any longer I may have to start taking matters into my own hands and start shutting people up myself.
Limmy Monaghan: I can’t say I’m against that, either.
Methuselah: This is ridiculous. Just vacate the-
Captain Charisma: LISTEN!
(Finally, the arguing between everyone in the ring finally stops as their attention turns to Captain Charisma. After a moment, Captain Charisma continues.)
Captain Charisma: Look, I get it! Nobody is happy right now, tensions are running high, you all would much rather fight each other than listen, I know. I’m over all this myself, but just listen for one moment. I’m not vacating the title just yet. This is still an Extreme Elimination Chamber and the last thing I need is to be down a competitor in a match like this. This isn’t the kind of match you can normally have with only five participants and I haven’t even figured out what we’ll do in that event just yet, so I’m giving Jake just one last chance to come out of whatever hiding spot he’s in. I know this isn’t how he wants his Championship reign to end, and I’m not messing around. Jake has until the end of the night to bring his ass back to work. If he isn’t here by the time Voltage is over, consider the EAW World Championship vacated.
(This gets a loud reaction, as Captain Charisma slams his microphone down on the mat. He begins to walk out of the ring, leaving the five competitors in the Extreme Elimination Chamber left standing inside of the ring.)
James Peters: This is definitely a tough situation to deal with, but now we know that Jake officially is on the clock. If he isn’t here by the end of tonight, the Extreme Elimination Chamber at Road to Redemption will officially see a new EAW World Champion crowned.
Rich Russillo: I’m interested in seeing what’s going to happen. Have we dealt with anything like this before?
Persephone: I wish it happened more. If I was lucky, half of the roster would disappear.
(The five competitors in the Extreme Elimination Chamber remain in the ring, staring at each other as they process what they just heard from Captain Charisma. There’s still a lot of tension inside of the ring, but they all think about the possibility of the Championship officially being vacated, and this match being brought down to five participants. With this final shot, Voltage fades away from ringside.)
(We open into blackness. Suddenly, there is a small candle that lights up the room. It is dim but it is just enough to reveal Caroline. The Queen of Shadows sits in a chair, looking into the candle. Her head then slowly turns towards the camera.)
Caroline: Diamond Dixon, what have you done? You know, I wasn’t lying when I said I was interested. Truthfully, it began before Tag Turmoil. That was just an opportunity for me to get to know her…to understand her. As we were able to defeat Damien Kutcher and Zane Grae. Of course, we were unable to make it to the end. That was no fault of our own so I cannot really hold it against you. I could. The same way that Solomon denied me my revenge against Bethany. I could put all that blame on your shoulders, but I won’t. I just found you to be someone worth observing. Worth getting to know. You see, you were never a target. I didn’t come for you out of malice or hate. There was no malicious intent. There was no nefarious plot. I don’t hate you. I don’t. What I did was purely out for those reasons. But you couldn’t understand that, could you? No, instead you decided to make this into something that it never had to be. I don’t recall challenging you to any sort of match. All in all, this match at Road to Redemption was no idea of mine. I had no desire for it. I had no reason for it. It was your choice. Completely and utterly yours. And now you have to deal with the consequences of that choice.
(Caroline hovers her hand over the flickering flame, holding it steady. The fire licks at her skin, but she doesn’t flinch. Instead, she watches it, expression unreadable, as if waiting for something. After a moment, she pulls her hand away, examining her palm with a faint frown, disappointment clouding her face.)
Caroline: There are mistakes in this world that you can’t just walk away from. No second chances. No turning back. Sometimes, you do something so utterly foolish, so irredeemably stupid, that it clings to you like smoke, haunting every step you take. And you? You made one of those choices when you decided to challenge me. And that is just the truth isn’t it?
(She looks up now, her eyes sharp and cold, a smirk curling at the edges of her lips.)
Caroline: Think about everything you’ve accomplished this season. Truly, take a moment and let it sink in. At Wicked Games, you got your revenge on Harper Lee, a former Universal Women’s Champion, no less. That’s not just a win, it’s a statement. She had it coming too. She was involved in costing us the Tag Team Turmoil Tournament, was she not? When she bashed that chair over your head. You got more than even in the end. But what else have you done? You’ve taken down former Specialists Champions like ARIA and Bea Valentine. Match after match, you’ve built this undeniable wave of momentum, more than most of your fellow Elitists could even dream of. I mean, Aria just like Harper tried to attack you. They tried to get inside your head. And you still managed to survive…hell you were able to prove them wrong. Holly Arrow too. There is no denying what you have done.
(The disappointment creeps back into her expression, her shoulders sinking slightly as she lets the thought settle.)
Caroline: And yet, with all of that success, all of that momentum behind you, this—me—is what you’ve decided to focus on? Not a championship, not a legacy-defining moment, but me. You’d think with everything you’ve done, everything you’ve proven, you’d be focused on something bigger. There should be a goal out there, a purpose that’s larger than me, but no. This is what you’ve chosen to sink your teeth into. But you have bitten off far more than you can chew. If you wanted to keep going the way that you were, if you wanted to keep up that momentum, then you would just let it go. At Road to Redemption, you have no chance. None. You’re walking into a fight you can’t win. And there is no one else to blame for it. This time, it is on you. See, I’m very much unlike Bea, or Harper or even Holly. You would think that you would have come to understand that during our time together. After it all, I would’ve hoped that you would understand why going down this road is such a bad idea. This path you’ve taken? It doesn’t lead to redemption. It doesn’t lead to glory. It leads to ruin. Total. Utter. Ruin. No, you were able to defeat the others for good reason. They were weak. I am not. I will do whatever is necessary to have victory.
(She slowly raises a hand, holding it up as if to mimic the mist spraying into the air. She chuckles to herself about it.)
Caroline: That much should be clear after these past few weeks. Tell me, how long did that black mist burn in your eyes? How badly did it hurt? The same question goes for Tyrone—how long were the two of you writhing in pain, completely helpless? I could see it etched on your faces, the agony, the desperation. But I guess that nearly equals you attacking me in the ring. You were just so angry about what had happened. So confrontational. It all became so ugly, so fast. It never needed to be this way. But here’s the thing: it never had to be this way. You made it happen. You were the one who struck me. You were the one who ran to Captain Charisma and Eden Sinclair. You set this entire chain of events into motion, and now you’re stuck in it. Tell me, how many times do I have to say this is your fault before it finally sinks in? I still don’t hate you. Strange, isn’t it? After everything you’ve done, after everything you’ve said, it still doesn’t feel personal to me. It really isn’t. No, this is about something far more important than you or your grudges. I see the opportunity this match offers me.
(Caroline picks up the candle with an almost ritualistic grace, her fingers curling around it with deliberate precision. She brings the flame close to another candle, watching as it catches, then moves to light another, each flame flickering to life in her hands. Slowly, methodically, she arranges them in a perfect circle, the warm glow casting shadows that dance across the room.)
Caroline: It really is a trap of your own making. But for me, this is a chance to regain some momentum of my own. As I have been so kind to point out, you have accomplished a good amount in the past few months. It has been a great season for Diamond Dixon. But for myself? I don’t think I could say the same. See, everything that you have done makes you valuable. It’s almost like a bounty on your head that now I get the chance to turn it in. There is so much to be gained here for me. You defeated Holly Arrow, Aria, and Harper. Now, I am going to take all of that. When I beat you at Road to Redemption, perhaps some opportunities that I should be receiving right now shall come. As it should. Consider it to be a compliment to yourself. A testament to just how far you have come. But unfortunately, you go no further than Road to Redemption. You are now just going to be a steppingstone. You have devolved yourself into being that. But there is a bit of a thrill in this still. Thinking about where we go from here. I am truly looking forward to seeing what comes of all this. Not just the opportunities but us. You. I still find you to be an interesting individual. No matter what has happened throughout the past few weeks, that has yet to change. It is exciting to see where the road leads. There’s something about the unknown, right?
(Now she leans over to the candles and slowly begins to put each of them out with her fingertips. She continues to speak as she does this.)
Caroline: But what’s truly undeniable, what’s inevitable, is that I will defeat you. At Road to Redemption, you’ll learn that lesson the hard way. The mistake you made? It’s yours. No one else’s. You put yourself here. This is all on you. And now, all that’s left is to watch as you reap what you’ve sown.
(She picks up the last candle, her fingers curling around the wick as she brings it to her face. Her eyes lock on the flickering flame, and for a brief moment, it seems like she’s lost in it.)
Caroline: We shall see just how well you fare.
(With a sudden exhale, she blows out the candle, and the room plunges into complete darkness. Her laugh echoes through the void, lingering for a few moments before abruptly cutting off, leaving nothing but silence.)
(Promotional ad for Road to Redemption, where Caroline faces Diamond Dixon.)
(The camera cuts backstage to elitists from each Dynasty, Showdown, and Voltage chattering amongst each other, all set to take part in the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal. Some Elitists are having friendly banter, others are already arguing, and a few visibly look bored, starting to regret their decision of showing up in the first place. The room is decked out in party decorations, having the color scheme of pink and white, fitting the motif of an Elitist, who steps onto a small stage area in the room’s corner… Ashlynn Quinn. Ashlynn is wearing a beautiful dress, and approaches the microphone stand, tapping a spoon onto her wine glass.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Attention, everyone!
(Ashlynn Quinn expects them to stop what they’re doing, and pay attention to her, but that doesn’t happen, and the competitors continue chatting amongst each other. Ashlynn’s irritated at first, but regains her composure, and plasters the smile back on, so she can try getting their attention again.)
Ashlynn Quinn: If you could all quiet down for a second ple-
(Still, they’re paying her no mind, and Ashlynn clears her throat before speaking into the microphone once again to draw their attention.)
Ashlynn Quinn: ATTENTION, EVERYONE!
(Finally, the chatter comes to a stop, and everyone reluctantly turns their attention over to Ashlynn Quinn, who fixes her hair, and quickly wipes away some champagne that spilled onto her dress after she got bent out of shape.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Sorry about that, but it’s good to have your attention, because I’d like to welcome you all to the Ashlynn Quinn… HOLIDAY PARTY EXTRAVAGANZA! WOOOO!!
(Ashlynn Quinn continues woo’ing, but after a while, she notices no one in the field sharing that same enthusiasm, and the woo’ing from her starts to awkwardly die down.)
Ashlynn Quinn: …so! I’m glad you all decided to come! I thought it’d be a great idea to bring us all together, and celebrate! Of course, Christmas is coming up, but we all know the real reason why we’re here, because Road to Redemption is right around the corner, and we’ll each be competing inside the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal! For some, this is your first time on the marquee, so congratulations!
(Ashlynn gives a round of applause for those spotted in the crowd, including TJ Alexander, Nejari Young, Jay Starr, and Corey Hale, who look equally determined to win. Ashlynn Quinn’s applause soon comes to a halt, however.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Alrighty, that’s enough of that! We have to acknowledge the people who have been here before as well… people like Candice! Hi!
(Ashlynn Quinn does a flirty wave, and blows a kiss to Candice in the audience, who waves it back, amused by Ashlynn’s disingenuous behavior thus far.)
Ashlynn Quinn: She’s been in this exact situation before, because at Wicked Games, I beat her, and proved to the world that I am Miss Voltage!
(Ashlynn Quinn giggles to herself, feeling the “Miss Voltage” crown, and sash that reads it over her dress before returning to her original point.)
Ashlynn Quinn: But at Road to Redemption, I plan to beat her once again, and I hope that this time she can take her defeat with actual class instead of jumping me after our match. Just saying! But it isn’t all bad, Candice. Because at least this time, you’ll have people to share the feeling of disappointment with, and it’ll be each and every single person in this room!
(Of course, multiple elitists take exception to this, and begin looking at each other, making sure they heard Ashlynn correctly. Meanwhile, Quinn doesn’t see wrong in what she said, or notice that the group are growing offended.)
Ashlynn Quinn: But for now, let us celebrate this occasion with a toast!
(Ashlynn Quinn raises her wine glass, but no one else joins in on the festivities. Instead, growing increasingly upset with Ashlynn’s egotism shining through.)
Ashlynn Quinn: A toast to Voltage, a toast to Dynasty, a toast to Showdown, and a toast… to me! Ashlynn Quinn! The winner of the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal!
(Ashlynn lowers the glass, and begins to sip from it, so she can complete the toast. But notices something from the corner of her eye, and stops drinking from the glass completely, starting to back away slightly in fear as Candice Blair steps onto the stage area, standing face-to-face with Ashlynn, opposite side of the microphone stand, which Candice Blair speaks into.)
Candice Blair: Ashlynn, you’ve got nerve, thinking the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal is yours to win. Because at Road to Redemption, I’ll flip that idea onto its head. But until then, I’m speaking for everyone when I say this… shut up!
Ashlynn Quinn: :picard: You- you can’t talk to me that way!
Candice Blair: Oh, I can. Or what? You’ll do something about it?
(Ooo’ing can be heard amongst the crowd, expecting Ashlynn Quinn to make a move, so a fight can break out. Ashlynn looks around, feeling pressured by her peers in the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal. Ashlynn hands her wine glass off to a stagehand, and steps to Candice Blair, standing face-to-face with her. Ashlynn Quinn looks like she’s going to make a move… but decides against it last minute.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Hmph!
(Ashlynn steps off the stage, and grabs her wine glass back from the stagehand, standing off to the side with her arms crossed, dismissing the boos heard coming from some of the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal contestants after witnessing her chicken out.)
Ashlynn Quinn: Whatever! Screw all of you!
(Ashlynn crosses her arms over her chest and pouts, however, two people had just walked up behind Candice.)
(Voltage fades from the area.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, before ‘The End’ by Lil Uzi Vert and BABYMETAL begins to play. A mixed reception comes from the crowd as the camera pans over to the stage, and before long, KASAI begins making her way out to the stage. KASAI is holding a microphone in her hand, and as she makes her way down the ramp, she can be seen with a grin on her face.)
James Peters: It looks like KASAI is here with a few words for us tonight ahead of what’s bound to be an exciting Extreme Elimination Chamber for the Universal Women’s Championship!
Rich Russillo: KASAI has some good chances in this match if you ask me. She’s a former Specialists Champion and just recently faced Milli Banks for the Universal Women’s Championship. It may have been a losing effort, but she had a fantastic performance back then.
Persephone: Who cares about her performance a month ago? I have to see her wrestle almost every week and I have yet to be impressed. If she becomes Universal Women’s Champion, the rest of the women in that Chamber must be useless.
(KASAI hops onto the apron before entering the ring, and soon after this ‘The End’ begins to fade out. KASAI can hear the mixed reception from the crowd, but she ignores it as she begins to speak.)
KASAI: At The Last Stand, I came close to being crowned the new Universal Women’s Champion. Very close. With one kick everything would’ve changed for both my own career and Milli Banks’, but that’s not what happened. Instead, I failed. I was unable to defeat Milli. I couldn’t overcome the challenge in front of me, and thanks to that I will be walking into Road to Redemption empty handed. With this loss I was given many options on how to approach the rest of this season. I could have followed a similar path to Ms. Extreme and Bea Valentine and gave up on my future simply because things didn’t go my way. I could’ve given up on ever becoming World Champion, but instead I looked towards the future. I looked towards preparing myself for what comes next, and I’m glad I made that decision, because in just one week, we will have a NEW Universal Women’s Champion!
(KASAI laughs after saying this, and after this she turns her attention towards the stage before beginning to speak once more.)
KASAI: Milli you beat me last time but I can guarantee that this match won’t end the same for you. You see, I don’t believe myself to be the kind of Elitist to keep making the same mistake, especially not when there’s such high stakes like there are now. The Universal Women’s Championship is on the line and who knows when I’d get another opportunity if I failed to capitalize on this? This may be the best chance I’ll have to become World Champion, and thanks to what occurred at The Last Stand, I’ve used this past month to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself. This time, you won’t have it in you to avoid that last shot. You won’t be able to fight back. You and everyone else in my way will fall, and no matter what it takes, the Universal Women’s Championship will be mine! Make no mistake, I understand the kind of structure I will be walking into, and I’m willing to embrace everything that’s to come in the Extreme Elimination Chamber. However, can the rest of you say the same for yourse-
(Before KASAI could finish her sentence, ‘RED THUNDER’ by Butcher Babies hits. KASAI turns towards the stage, and the fans in attendance cheer as Ms. Extreme storms out. Ms. Extreme doesn’t look happy as she stares at KASAI, and already there’s clear tension between the two as she begins heading down the ramp and towards the ring.)
James Peters: Well it was only a matter of time! We know these two have had their issues, and KASAI even mentioned Ms. Extreme not too long ago. With that being said, I think it’s safe to say things could get heated here.
Rich Russillo: That’s true, but Road to Redemption is only next week. Are you sure they would want to put themselves at risk this close to what’s bound to be an already brutal match for them?
Persephone: Would that really be anything new?
(Ms. Extreme enters the ring, and she has a microphone in her hand as she walks up to KASAI. Her entrance music begins to fade out, and before long she begins to speak.)
Ms. Extreme: You really need to start shutting your fucking mouth. KASAI I’m over this. I don’t need to wait until Road to Redemption. I don’t care why you think things are going to end any differently for you this time around than they did back at The Last Stand, but you need to leave me out of it. You’ve been trying to get under my skin for weeks and I WOULD’VE already shut you up by now if Bea didn’t go and get her hands on the match, but thanks to her you have an excuse. You’re able to tell yourself that you would’ve won if she wasn’t there. You’re able to keep convincing yourself that pushing my buttons isn’t going to blow up in your face, and I’m not going to keep telling you how much of a mistake you’re making. Eventually you’re gonna have to find that out on your own, and when you do, you’re gonna have to live with the fact that you fucked up and missed out on the Universal Women’s Championship because you couldn’t leave me alone.
(The fans cheer, and there’s a staredown in the middle of the ring between the two competitors, who clearly have a lot of tension after everything that’s happened. However, KASAI breaks the silence in the ring, as she begins to laugh at Ms. Extreme.)
KASAI: Isn’t that funny! Where was this spirit before? You didn’t want anything to do with this Chamber, but now you’re so lively and you actually want to shut me up! That’s nice, but I care about a lot more than settling a grudge. I’m not happy about what happened in our last match, but that’ll be rectified when I win the Universal Women’s Championship.
Ms. Extreme: Yeah, if you could actually get your hands on it. You’ve had so much to say about me and my own failures, but I know the state my career’s in. I acknowledged it and I didn’t want to be in this match because I was honest with myself. Since this all started all you’ve done was tell yourself that you’re the next Universal Women’s Champion and pretend you’re so much better than everyone else for being confident, but confidence isn’t gonna get you that title. You need to be able to actually beat whoever’s in your path, and this is not just coming from anyone, it’s coming from someone that actually WON an Extreme Elimination Chamber. I know what it takes to win a match like this and yet here you are wasting week after week trying to prove something to me. This isn’t gonna end well and if you had any sense you’d shut up already, because I’m not gonna let anyone run their mouths and say whatever they want at my expense.
(The fans cheer, and there’s still a lot of tension in the ring between these two. However, before long, ‘Gloria’ by Laura Branigan begins to play. This causes another loud reaction to come from the crowd. Ms. Extreme is annoyed by this, and as the camera turns towards the stage, Bea Valentine can be seen walking out with a microphone in her hand.)
James Peters: It looks like Bea Valentine is out here now, and we all know she’s been part of the chaos going on lately along with KASAI and Ms. Extreme. I think it was only a matter of time until something like this happened!
Rich Russillo: It looks like all of them are taking this final opportunity to get everything off their chest and say what they need to. It makes sense, given the fact that Road to Redemption is next week.
Persephone: I don’t really care how much sense it makes. I didn’t ask to see this. This is getting worse and worse. Why didn’t Bea retire??
(Bea Valentine makes her way down the ramp and to ringside, before walking up the steel steps. She enters the ring, but once her entrance music dies down Ms. Extreme is the one that speaks.)
Ms. Extreme: What do you want right now? Nobody asked you to come out here.
(Bea Valentine has a shocked look on her face, pretending to be offended as she begins to speak.)
Bea Valentine: How rude! That’s no way to speak to someone that actually DEFEATED Methuselah!
(Ms. Extreme doesn’t look amused, but Bea Valentine continues to speak.)
Bea Valentine: Weeks ago, I thought my career was over. I believed that it was best for me to leave this industry behind and enter a new chapter of my life. Given the state I was in, of course I believed that my days of becoming Champion were behind me! I thought I was washed up. I thought that retirement was the greatest option for me. I believed that this was a young woman’s game now, but then it happened… I beat Methuselah! I proved to not only myself, but the entire world that I DO belong in the ring! My best days are not behind me like I initially believed, and that means trouble for the two of you at Road to Redemption. I now know that I’m capable of anything as long as I put my mind to it, and I will not tolerate the disrespect that I’ve been shown lately. From KASAI’s words to Ms. Extreme’s attacks, you two will not get away with this!
(KASAI doesn’t look impressed as she stares at Bea Valentine, and after a moment she begins to speak.)
KASAI: What makes you say that? Sure you’ve finally picked up victories after wasting almost an entire half of the season thanks to your own incompetence, but while you’ve been struggling to stay afloat, I’ve been pushing myself to get better. I already took your “Gloria” from you once. Now I’ll be taking the Universal Women’s Championship before you even have the chance to touch it.
Bea Valentine: I wouldn’t bet on that if I were you! I will not stand for the disrespect I’ve received now that I’m back and better than ever. Last week was a small setback that I’m not proud of, but just like I did, I’m sure Mikey will make Methuselah pay for everything he’s done. As for you, you already received some payback, and I can do much worse than cost you a match against Ms. Extreme! One week will be one of my biggest matches yet, and I don’t intend to fall short. You’re right, at one point I did struggle. I did consider retirement, and I may have followed through on that decision, but things change! Now I can understand why I was given this opportunity. I can see the bigger picture, and I’ve come to realize that if anyone has what it takes to win the Extreme Elimination Chamber, it’s me! I-
Ms. Extreme: Do you ever stop talking? Bea, I don’t care what you’re here for. Just stay out of the way or this will end exactly like you did when you got involved in my match.
Bea Valentine: :francis: I haven’t forgotten that, either. You can speak all you want now, but you will not have the last laugh. You should’ve been grateful that I did you a favor since you were also washed up and needed a victory, but I understand not everyone will appreciate what I do for them. Even so, at Road to Redemption I will-
(‘Judas’ by Lady Gaga suddenly hits, cutting off Bea Valentine. Bea looks surprised, and the fans in attendance begin to loudly cheer as Holly Arrow begins to walk out. Holly is holding a microphone of her own, and she begins making her way to the ring, staring directly at the competitors inside of the ring.)
James Peters: Well this is unexpected! It looks like it isn’t just Voltage’s participants here tonight as Holly Arrow from Dynasty has made her way out!
Rich Russillo: Holly Arrow is one of the two Elitists in this match who were in the last Chamber for the Universal Women’s Championship, so it’ll be interesting to see how she does this time around.
Persephone: Gross. I didn’t need to see her back on Voltage.
(Holly makes her way up the steel steps before entering the ring, and as her music fades out, she stares at Bea Valentine before beginning to speak.)
Holly Arrow: What was it that you were going to say? Was it that you were going to become the Universal Women’s Champion, because I don’t believe that’s going to happen. See I haven’t been as involved in what the three of you have been doing here on Voltage, but since earning my opportunity to compete in this match I’ve been focused on what’s thing and that’s on finally becoming a World Champion for the first time in my career. I have never held singles gold and throughout my career I’ve been forced to go through many different learning experiences until I finally came to terms with the fact that I was the only person responsible for those failures. It’s up to me to push myself to becoming Champion, and to do that I need to enter this Chamber and overcome everyone that’s in my way.
(The fans cheer, and Holly turns towards Ms. Extreme before continuing.)
Holly Arrow: Camille, last time I was in the Chamber, you were the one that walked out with the victory. You retained your Universal Women’s Championship, and I missed out on holding that title. It’s been three years since then, and it may be for different reasons, but you and I both know that this match won’t be like 2021’s Chamber. If I wanted to, I could’ve done what Miku has been doing, or what KASAI and Bea have been doing, and gone out of my way to make these statements with attack after attack, whether it be verbal or physical. I didn’t see the need for that though, up until the Champion paid me a visit on my own brand. I’m focused on winning that title right now. Anything beyond that is unnecessary, and if the three of you want to get wrapped up in your own personal issues right before one of our biggest matches to date, don’t be surprised when you fail to stop me.
(This once again receives cheers from the fans, but Bea Valentine doesn’t look too pleased.)
Bea Valentine: How dare you interrupt me? It isn’t my fault that you’ve been unable to win the Universal Women’s Championship for three years. Things have changed, and I can multitask! Both KASAI and Ms. Extreme deserve a beating, but this match is mine to win.
Holly Arrow: You’re right, it’s not your fault, or anyone else’s that I haven’t been able to become World Champion. It’s mine, but I’ll be able to rectify those mistakes at Road to Redemption in the same match I competed in three years ago.
Ms. Extreme: Trust me, I understand a lot better than Bea and KASAI do how you’re feeling heading into this match. You’re right, this won’t be like our last Extreme Elimination Chamber together. This is going to play out very differently, and I’m not in any position to tell you to give up on winning the Universal Women’s Championship, but after what I’ve had to deal with for the last month, I can promise that I’m not gonna let anyone else get their moment at my expense. Not that easily.
Holly Arrow: I figured that’d be the case. This isn’t anything I didn’t already expect. I know what’s coming at Road to Redemption, and I’m going to make sure I come out on top.
(The cheers continue, and there’s a brief staredown between Holly and Ms. Extreme until ‘STFU!’ by Rina Sawayama suddenly hits. Loud boos come from the crowd, and from the stage Miku Sakai can be seen walking out with a microphone in her hand. She looks confused after what she heard just now, and while on the stage, she begins to speak.)
Miku Sakai: Hmm… That can’t be right. Why would a worthless career loser like Holly Arrow think she can win the Universal Women’s Championship? Because she lost a hundred different title matches and thinks that makes her prepared for this one? What a joke! I earned the opportunity to a Championship match months ago, so if you ask me, I should ALREADY be the Universal Women’s Champion! I’m the one that actually belongs in the Championship picture! I’m the one who isn’t either past their prime or just fucking awful at their job! I’m the star here and I should be treated as such, but instead I’m disrespected and have to hear the four of you go back and forth over who the next World Champion is forgetting that I’M in this match! If anyone has the right to say they’re winning this match, it’s me!
(Miku Sakai makes it to ringside by the time she finishes speaking, and as she enters the ring, Holly Arrow begins to speak.)
Holly Arrow: I’ve never denied that I’ve lost many Championship matches over the years, but is that really something you of all people should try to insult me for? When did your last Championship reign end, and how did all of your title chases since then play out?
(The fans cheer for this, but Miku doesn’t look happy as she immediately fires back at Holly.)
Miku Sakai: Shut the fuck up! You know that’s different! Unlike you I’ve actually been a singles Champion, and since then I’ve kept getting mistreated, disrespected, and screwed over. Tell me this, if I earned a Championship opportunity long before this, why is KASAI the one that got to face Milli at The Last Stand??? She didn’t do anything but lose anyway! Milli Banks doesn’t know what she’s up against with me, and thanks to that she’s not gonna be able to take everything I throw at her next week. That Championship is mine, and I’m gonna be going back to Showdown to be the face of the women’s division while you guys go back to rotting away and hopefully following through with retiring this time around.
KASAI: Don’t drag me into this, Miku. I won’t be falling short at Road to Redemption like I did at The Last Stand, and I wouldn’t mind taking you down to become World Champion.
Miku Sakai: HA! In what world?? You aren’t winning the Extreme Elimination Chamber as long as I’m in it! The next Universal Women’s Champion is me, and there’s nothing ANY of you can do about it, because you’re all fucking useless! This match is mine, so why don’t you all stop wasting everyone’s time and get out of the ring? Nobody wants to see you! We’ve had enough of-
(Finally, ‘Changed It’ by Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne hits. The crowd explodes with cheers, but Miku doesn’t look happy at all as the music plays. The camera pans to the stage, and Milli Banks can be seen making her way out with the Universal Women’s Championship around her waist. Milli is also carrying a microphone in her hand, and she begins making her way to the ring, staring directly at Miku.)
James Peters: The Champion is here, and we know her and Miku have had their issues with each other lately over on Showdown, so this could be bad.
Rich Russillo: That’s true. There’s no telling what might go down here, but for now, it looks like Milli is here to speak after all of her challengers gave their own pieces.
Persephone: It’s like it never ends. What, is there a secret seventh person waiting to waste even more of my time?
(Milli Banks walks up the steel steps before entering the ring, and she briefly has a smirk on her face as she looks towards the cheering fans. However, once her theme fades out, she turns her attention to Miku Sakai as she begins to speak.)
Milli Banks: Miku, you don’t get tired? We know you’re desperate to finally get back on track and become Champion again, but you’ve been at this for weeks now. Getting involved in my matches isn’t gonna get you the Universal Women’s Championship. This isn’t anything I haven’t seen before. All you’re doing is making this worse for yourself, because I’m not the type to take all of this without firing back. I’ve been the Universal Women’s Champion for this long for a reason and all five of you need to realize that. I have history with all five of you. I know all of you well enough, and every single one of you should already understand just how seriously I’m taking something like this. This is my shot at elevating myself even further and cementing my Universal Women’s Championship reign as the greatest, so you’re not about to have an easy task trying to use me as your stepping stone.
(The fans begin to cheer, but Holly Arrow begins to speak.)
Holly Arrow: You’re right. We do have history, and I even faced you back in the Empress of Elite tournament. I know what you’re capable of, but by now you should know how much a match like this means to me. This isn’t anything personal, but one way or another I’m gonna take that Championship.
Milli Banks: Trust me, I know what I’m getting into, Holly. I remember our match in that tournament, and back then you beat me to advance. I’ve never been one to doubt you, but right now this Championship comes first and after last week I think you already know that.
KASAI: Yes, yes, that’s all great but if I were you I wouldn’t be so sure of victory just yet. I told myself after The Last Stand that I’d close the gap and make sure what went wrong back then didn’t happen again, and I didn’t do that for no reason.
Ms. Extreme: You might as well have, because you won’t be taking the Universal Women’s Championship next week. You’re the one that wanted to keep running your mouth, so you’re gonna have to suffer the consequences and miss out on winning this match.
(KASAI turns her attention to Ms. Extreme, but before she could respond, Milli begins to speak.)
Milli Banks: Regardless of what you have going on, I’m focused on retaining my Championship. Camille, you were getting ready for Cancun not too long ago and that can’t be denied. I’m glad you seem to be back, but we went over this last week. The same goes to you KASAI, because back at The Last Stand you had the opportunity to see what went wrong, and it wasn’t just that missed kick. You thought I was underestimating you, when in reality I was rightfully confident in my abilities. I’ve been saying since Pain for Price that I was at the top of my game, and I don’t walk into these matches looking to give anything less than my one hundred percent. I know what’s on the line here, but clearly you didn’t get that back at The Last Stand. Maybe now you’ll understand why-
Miku Sakai: That’s bullshit! KASAI just sucks and shouldn’t have gotten that match, that’s all!
Bea Valentine: I agree! KASAI just isn’t World Championship material, and after I send her to the back of the line in the Chamber, I’ll gladly take the next step forward and be the one to dethrone you Milli, just like I did one year ago.
Milli Banks: Bea, I see you’ve been picking up your wins lately and that’s nice and all, but this isn’t about to end like my Specialists Championship reign did.
Miku Sakai: Because this time, she has ME to worry about! As for the rest of you, you can just shut up and leave! This might as well be a singles match between me and Milli, because I’m the only one that actually deserves to be here right now! The rest of you are just failures who don’t stand a chance next week anyway, so why even pretend you can actually win?
(Miku turns her attention to Milli after this.)
Miku Sakai: Milli, I’m taking that Championship soon.
(The fans boo, and there’s a brief moment of silence in the ring between the six Elitists, until finally Milli begins to speak once more.)
Milli Banks: Miku, you’ve been doing a whole lot of talking, but as far as I’m concerned I still owe you for last week.
Miku Sakai: Wha-
James Peters: WOAH! FOREARM BY MILLI BANKS, RIGHT TO THE FACE OF MIKU SAKAI!!! MIKU DROPS TO THE MAT, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THINGS HAVE FINALLY BROKEN DOWN HERE BETWEEN THE EXTREME ELIMINATION CHAMBER COMPETITORS!!! EVERYONE IS TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO AT EACH OTHER, AS MS. EXTREME TAKES KASAI TO THE MAT WITH A DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN AND BEA VALENTINE ATTACKS HOLLY ARROW!
Rich Russillo: MILLI BANKS IS ALL OVER MIKU SAKAI, BUT MIKU IS ABLE TO LAND A PUNCH TO THE JAW TO FORCE MILLI OFF OF HER BEFORE GETTING THE UPPER HAND, RAKING THE EYES OF MILLI! MIKU NOW BEGINNING TO STOMP AWAY AT MILLI AND FORCING HER OUT OF THE RING- BUT ONCE MILLI ROLLS OUT TO RINGSIDE, SHE GRABS MIKU’S LEGS AND PULLS HER UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE!
James Peters: MS. EXTREME AND KASAI ARE GOING BACK AND FORTH, AS KASAI LANDS AN ELBOW TO PUSH MS. EXTREME BACK! BOTH WOMEN GET BACK UP, AND KASAI RUNS IN AND RAMS MS. EXTREME BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! KASAI NOW WITH AN UPPERCUT, BUT MS. EXTREME IS ABLE TO PUSH HER AWAY BEFORE DELIVERING A RIGHT HAND!
Rich Russillo: HOLLY ARROW IS ABLE TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST BEA VALENTINE, AND NOW HOLLY SENDS BEA BACK BEFORE CLOTHESLINING HER OVER THE TOP ROPE! Holly now following out to ringside- BUT BEA IS ABLE TO CAPITALIZE, CATCHING HOLLY WITH A PUNCH TO THE RIBS AS SHE TRIED TO PICK HER UP!
James Peters: THIS IS A HUGE BRAWL WE HAVE ON OUR HANDS HERE AS ALL SIX WOMEN ARE FIGHTING JUST ONE WEEK BEFORE ROAD TO REDEMPTION, AND I BELIEVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN AFTER THESE LAST FEW WEEKS!
(Security guards finally begin rushing down the ramp, running down to ringside where they’re able to begin pulling the competitors away from each other. Some of the security guards are forced to enter the ring to get to Ms. Extreme and KASAI, but eventually the guards are all able to begin separating the women as the fans boo, clearly wanting the action to continue.)
James Peters: Security has finally gotten involved, which is for the best right before a major event like this! Even so, if this is just a small taste of what’s to come, I can only imagine what’ll happen at Road to Redemption!
Rich Russillo: This was already a stacked Extreme Elimination Chamber, but I’m looking forward to seeing how this match plays out when all six women are fired up and ready for this opportunity to become Champion!
Persephone: As long as there’s blood, I guess. Anything beats having to keep listening to them argue.
(There’s a lot of screaming and yelling at each other by the Elitists as they’re pulled apart by security, but slowly they are taken back up the ramp by the security guards. With this final shot of the six competitors in the Extreme Elimination Chamber, Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)
(Promotional ad for Road to Redemption, where the Extreme Elimination Chamber for the Universal Women’s Championship will take place.)
(The lights go dim as ‘The World is Gonna End Tonight’ by Dan Romer, Peter Harper begins to play. Solomon Stane slowly makes his way onto the stage with Trixie Stane in toe. He gets down on his knees and prays before Trixie puts a hand on his shoulder. He stands up and marches towards the ring with malicious intent.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, please welcome…accompanied to the ring by Trixie Stane…YOUR SAVIOR…SOLOOOMMOOONNN STAAANNNNE!
(Solomon helps Trixie up onto the apron before rolling underneath the ropes. Trixie is talking to Solomon as they wait. ‘Good for Her’ by MOTHICA featuring emlyn begins to blast throughout the arena as Cameron Ella Ava comes out holding that Hardcore Championship high above her head. She doesn’t even blink as she stares down her challenger. She even takes time to pose as she makes her way down.)
Bella Braxton: Please welcome…THE EAW HARDCORE CHAMPION…’THE MATRIARCH’…CAMERON! ELLA! AVVVVAAAA!
(She stops just short of the ring and looks up at the two of them. She smirks at Solomon which seems to draw some ire from him. Trixie calms him down as Cameron climbs inside the ring. Cameron is the first one to pick up a microphone and looks directly at Trixie.)
Cameron Ella Ava: Can you keep him on his leash? Or am I going to have to drop him…again?
Trixie Stane: I think you mi-
Cameron Ella Ava: Yeah, that was a rhetorical question honey. I know that a dog like Solomon Stane can’t be controlled. Not unless the command is coming from a voice in his head. Realistically, this is a man that should be in therapy. Not out here challenging me for my title. To think how this all started. After you beat Caroline on your what was it? Third try? Yeah, after that third try you called me out. Must have felt you like were on cloud nine. You must feel like anything is possible these days. But let me bring you back down to reality for a second. Taking this championship from me? That is one of those few things that just…isn’t possible. Not even through the grace of your God.
Trixie Stane: I am inclined to disagree. Look at what happened just last week. Your petty, yet effective attempt at costing my husband his match against Xander backfired. You wanted inside of his head and you got there. If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t even be standing here right now. Solomon could have crushed you like an insect in that moment. I convinced him to wait until the time was right, until that title was on the line. When that bell rings next weekend, there won’t be any need for him to hold back. You say defeating you is an impossibility? In the past few months, Solomon has gone well above what was previously possible. You are not an exception. You are simply next.
Cameron Ella Ava: Next? I’m next? I have literally been at the top of my game this season. Ever since I took the Hardcore Championship from Roberto De La Rosa, I have done nothing but dominate. The fact is, every single person that I face likes to think they’re the one. But Akari was not the one. Kinkade wasn’t. Ashlynn wasn’t. And neither is your husband. See, I know he likes to talk about how he’s been chosen by God. But he isn’t special. No, I have stepped inside the ring with ‘special’ and beat it into a bloody pulp. Even in the first face-to-face I had with Solomon, I was the one left standing. You think he’s the exception to the rule. But you don’t a clue what you’re talking about. At his very best, he is the exception that PROVES it.
Trixie Stane: You know what all those people have in common? None of them could hold a candle to my husband. Akari Kiyoko? A rookie. A foolish one at that. Daryl Kinkade has always been an insufferable entity. If he and Solomon were to have another match, he would be struck down in less than five minutes. Ashlynn was just a vain plastic doll. Easy for anyone to break. None of them are on the same level that he is. But I suppose it is quite easy for you to say that. After all, you have never dealt with anyone like him before.
Cameron Ella Ava: That’s literally what everyone in this business says. Every single person. But in my many years in this company, those years that I’ve spent building up accolades that Solomon hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface of, you do in fact see it all. This right here? This is a very common and very ugly sight. And quite frankly, I’m ready to get this over with. I just want to move past him and onto the next challenger. When I beat him at Road to Redemption which I will, he is out of the picture. Then I move on. The story isn’t that great but that’s exactly how it’s going to be written.
(Trixie Stane, looking frustrated, goes to talk once again. Solomon takes the mic out of her hand and steps up to Cameron.)
Solomon Stane: The story ends as I have written it. You should consider yourself blessed. Like Trixie said, I could have ended things last week. Could have brought those stairs right down your head and watched you struggle to finish sentences for the rest of your life. Instead, that is what will come to you at Road to Redemption. Either way, we slice it, God wants me to have that belt. I want me to have that belt. This past year, I have done everything that I needed to do. With all the righteousness and wrath I could find, I have torn through this company like a damn hurricane. Methuselah, Caroline, KASAI and what should have been Xander Payne. Everything has built towards this moment…this reward. It shall be mine as it should be.
Cameron Ella Ava: Oh look, he speaks! I thought your wife was carrying your balls in her purse tonight but hey, glad to be wrong. But I am definitely not wrong about anything else. Truthfully, what you have accomplished is peanuts compared to what I have done. I have been in the Hall of Fame for over a decade. Guess what? My time never comes to an end. Yours is never going to come. You talk about this past year but why don’t we go back to the two before. Despite all this talk, you’ve really done nothing. I’m sure your inbred parents who clearly should left you on the steps of a psych ward might be proud of you. But outside of them and those smelly freaks that worship the ground you walk on, no one is afraid of you. Certainly not me.
Solomon Stane: But you will be. What you just said further proves my point. The Lord provided me so many challenges. I have overcome them. I have delivered upon my promises, done the work and have arrived here. You act like you’re better than me. You ain’t. You ain’t stronger me, you ain’t tougher than me. I am going to drag you down off that pedestal you’re standing on, lift it over my head and beat you to death with it. There is not going to be anything left of you when I am done. No reign, no legacy, just a broken body. I’m not going to burn your reign down, I am going to cut you down entirely. Then I will finally have what God has promised me. I will be the Hardcore Champion.
Cameron Ella Ava: No, you won’t. I see it now. Your Father, you know the one who Art in Heaven? He couldn’t have found a bigger disappointment if he tried. He knows just like everybody knows that at Road to Redemption, you do not have a prayer of taking my title.
Trixie Stane: You have no id-
Cameron Ella Ava: If I wanted to hear a stripper talk I would pass you a twenty. Until I do that, shut your mouth.
James Peters: AND THAT DEFINITELY DREW THE IRE OF SOLOMON STANE! HE LUNGES FORWARD AND GETS CAMERON WITH A BOOT STRAIGHT TO THE CENTER OF HER CHEST! She’s dropped to the mat in an instant! She goes to back up…BUT HE COMES DOWN WITH MISERY’S END! ELBOW DROP RIGHT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
Rich Russillo: The Hardcore Champion is now down and Solomon seems to looking for something. Is that? IT IS! He pulls out that crucifix that we have time and time again! He reaches down, grabbing her by the hair and then he drags Cameron Ella Ava to her knees! Oh my God, what is he about to do?
(Solomon raises the cross into the air and it seems like he is about to bring it down right into the face of Cameron Ella Ava. But as he’s about to do, suddenly his face twists in pain.)
Persephone: DAMN IT! I thought we were able to get some real violence! Instead, Cameron just uppercutted him right into the Christian Soldiers!
Rich Russillo: He collapses and she’s able to tear that crucifix out of his hands! NOW SHE BRINGS IT DOWN RIGHT ON HIS HEAD! RIGHT DOWN ON THE FOREHEAD, TEARING OPEN HIS FLESH! He is now bleeding all over the ring! Solomon thought he was about to make a statement here but instead Cameron turned the tables! Is that we’re going to see at Road to Redemption?
(Cameron picks her title back up and wipes Solomon’s blood all over the front of it. Trixie goes to attend to Solomon but Cameron approaches her and tells her to back off. She senses the danger and slithers out of the ring. The final shot is Cameron Ella Ava holding up her title, looking down at the bloody, wounded Solomon Stane.)
(Ashlynn’s party fades back in.)
(Candice Blair remains on the stage, shaking her head while staring daggers into Ashlynn Quinn, but turns attention to the two men behind her, that being both Damien Kutcher and Akari Kiyoko. Candice rolls her eyes in annoyance, but listens to what both men have to say.)
Akari Kiyoko: Ashlynn is the least of your concerns, Candice.
Damien Kutcher: No, that distinction goes to us, because don’t think that either Akari and I are done with you yet.
(Candice scoffs.)
Candice Blair: I wish.
Damien Kutcher: Ha-ha. Laugh now. But at Road to Redemption, Akari and I are a unit.
Akari Kiyoko: United by a common goal.
Damien Kutcher: And one of those goals will be to make sure you’re eliminated.
Akari Kiyoko: That is if someone else doesn’t get to you first.
Damien Kutcher: It’s already hard having to prepare for this match as it is.
Akari Kiyoko: But having to prepare for the both of us?
Damien Kutcher: Oh, it must suck to be you.
Akari Kiyoko: And what sucks worse is: only having yourself to blame for Road to Redemption ending in yet another failure.
Damien Kutcher: And regret, having made enemies out of either of us.
(Both Akari and Damien flash confident smiles to Candice, who remains rather unimpressed, despite the challenge the duo clearly present, knowing they’ll be gunning for her.)
Candice Blair: Oh, brother. Here we go again. You’re mad that I cheated, despite… doing the exact same thing yourself. But if I’ve got the two of you gunning after me come Road to Redemption, then so be it. See if I care. It isn’t going to stand in the way of me winning.
Akari Kiyoko: You sure about that? Because Damien and I could do much more than halt your chance of winning.
Damien Kutcher: We can halt you from ever competing inside an EAW ring again.
(Kutcher and Akari go to step towards Candice Blair, who stands her ground, but gets backed by Selina Reyes, who steps onto the stage beside her.)
Selina Reyes: Is there a problem?
(Kutcher and Akari come to a halt, but glance at one another, and actually welcome the intrusion from Selina.)
Damien Kutcher: No… there’s no problem. In fact, I’m glad you showed up.
Akari Kiyoko: I owe you a receipt after last week.
Selina Reyes: Bring it on.
(Selina and Candice prepare to duke it out with both Akari and Damien, but before that can happen, Corey Hale rushes onto the stage, and steps in between both sides, putting his hands up to prevent them from fighting, much to their collective annoyance.)
Corey Hale: Hey, everybody chill out for a second! I get it. Road to Redemption is close, and emotions are running high. But this?
(Corey gestures around briefly.)
Corey Hale: This isn’t the answer. Why tear each other apart before the bell even rings? You’re only making my, and everyone else’s job a little bit easier heading into the battle royal.
Selina Reyes: No offense, Corey, but no one asked for your two cents, or for you to step in. If it’s a fight these two want, then it’s a fight they’ll get.
Damien Kutcher: Yeah, listen to her, and get out the way.
(Corey cracks a smirk, amused.)
Corey Hale: One problem with that, Damien…
Damien Kutcher: Oh yeah?
(Corey gets in Damien’s face, his demeanor growing more serious.)
Corey Hale: What if I don’t feel like moving?
(Akari steps in Corey’s way, blocking his path to Damien.)
Akari Kiyoko: Then you can wind up like the two of them-
(Akari points to Candice and Selina.)
Akari Kiyoko: With Damien and I putting you three out of commision.
(Corey shakes his head, upset his attempt at playing peacekeeper didn’t work, but isn’t going to be anybody’s doormat, and prepares himself for a fight. But their attention is diverted as Saori Aizen’s laughter can be heard off to the side, and once realizing it’s caught their attention, Saori composes herself.)
Saori Aizen: Oh, don’t mind me. It was just getting good. Hale’s right. Heading into Road to Redemption, you’re only making our jobs that much easier… hence why I’m not going to step in, and actually would prefer the five of you ripping each other apart like neanderthals.
(Damien, Akari, Candice, Corey, and Selina each start to have second thoughts, not wanting to give Saori the satisfaction of seeing them fight, risking their chances of winning the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal. But Jay Starr decides to interject himself into the conversation.)
Jay Starr: Corey’s right. Fighting now is a gigantic waste of time, but so is showing up to Road to Redemption! Because in the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal, it’ll be this star shining the brightest! …can I help you?
(Jay Starr turns to someone off screen, and the camera pans over to reveal Nejari Young, who looks amused at the confidence oozing from Jay.)
Nejari Young: Ay, I hate to rain on your parade, Jay, but someone has to step in. Because I get everyone else, but you? You got no reason to be talking like this. Has your ass even won a match?
(This garners a few laughs from people in the room, but irritates Jay Starr.)
Jay Starr: And in the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal, my luck will turn around. Clearly, I’ve got brains going for me, unlike my opponents. This should be a piece of cake.
Nejari Young: And it’s that line of thinking, which has gotten you in this predicament.
(Jay brushes him off.)
Jay Starr: Whatever.
(Suddenly, Mia Santoro chimes in.)
Mia Santoro: Enough. It’s been the same thing over and over again. Quite frankly, I’m sick of hearing it. Mainly because it’s people like Nejari Young and Jay Starr speaking up like they’re actually worth a damn, and stand any chance at winning the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal. Nejari, if you’re going to bring up Jay’s win/loss record, then I can easily bring up yours. Because if memory serves me correctly, we faced on Dynasty, and I made easy work of you.
(Nejari nods, admitting that Mia got him a bit there.)
Nejari Young: Alright, I’ll give you that. Last time we stepped in a ring together, things didn’t exactly go my way. But the difference between Jay and I is: I learn from defeat, and can’t wait to show you that come Road to Redemption.
(Mia simply smirks. Before anyone can say anything else, the attention in the room is completely diverted.)
(Voltage temporarily fades to black.)
(Sunday Night Voltage transitions back to a shot of the Scotiabank Saddledome, where a member of the Voltage commentary booth Persephone is inside the ring. She has an unhappy expression as she twirls a microphone in her hand, letting the crowd settle down before she begins to speak.)
Persephone: Welcome back to Voltage, a place where people wrestle, blah blah blah… I don’t know why they got me to do this. There’s no point in a match like this especially if it’s more than its intended purpose, trying to show the world who the “bEsT CoUplE” is. Give me a break! If anything, they’re only fighting for second place, for my name is Persephone De La Rosa and I am fighting for my pride of myself and mi prometido!
Rich Russillo: Are we… are we sure she’s the right person for the job?
James Peters: No.
Persephone: So honestly, I’m not moved by any of the teams in this match, especially not the ones on our brand, they really could have chosen better. But regardless, let’s entertain this. Let’s see how they can somehow rationalize them not only participating in this match but somehow being the winners because if I’m being honest, none of them should be in this! If you asked me, Luis and I should’ve participated, and we should’ve been the ones wiping the competition! But y’know, since they decided against them, it’s their loss, I guess they chose to make it fair for everyone else, and that’s fine. Let’s just get this over with and introduce the subpar teams who will struggle through this match.
(Persephone pauses for a moment, trying to remember the names of the teams before getting a light bulb and continuing.)
Persephone: Let’s welcome out the first team at this time, representing the Saturday Night Showdown brand. Consisting of the greatest female wrestler that this company has ever seen along with her sidepiece who has a shiny head and is allegedly a Hall of Famer. One is drop-dead gorgeous while the other hasn’t been doing well in the looks department, but I guess we all have to lower our standards at some point. Please welcome at this time, Charlie Marr and Veena Adams… Ad Infinitum!
(‘Trust Nobody’ by Killy begins to play through the speakers of the arena as the crowd boos loudly for Charlie Marr and Veena Adams, both of them bearing a nonchalant expression on their faces as they make their way out to the stage. Ad Infinitum stand united as they then begin to make their way down to the ring, where they brush past Persephone in disgust before heading over and grabbing a microphone from ringside while their theme fades away.)
Persephone: Thank you for joining us, Veena, and Charlie you’re here too.
Charlie Marr: We already know how much our presence on this brand means to the likes of Captain Charisma and the rest of the upper brass. Let’s admit what we all already know, Charlie Marr made Voltage the brand that it is today, and since being swiftly ushered away at the start of the season and discarded like a piece of trash, this place has been on the decline. We know that everyone here has been eagerly awaiting our presence here, and it’s the most important part of the night. So no welcomes are needed, how about a thank you instead?
Persephone: Can’t you just sit down?
Veena Adams: Thank you for the hospitality. :mjgrin:
(Charlie and Veena look at one another and chuckle as they take a seat. Persephone composes herself before continuing onward from there.)
Persephone: Introducing our next team, coming from the unfortunate hellhole they call Friday Night Dynasty. A team formed out of their love and connection with one another, yet apparently not formed off the premise of success. They’ve had sour luck since reuniting and look to turn their season around and end the year with a bang! Nauseating… please welcome out, Rex McAllister and Raven Roberts… Fire & Ice!
(‘I2I’ by Magnolia Park begins to play up as the crowd gets loud for Rex McAllister and Raven Roberts who are both seen making their way out. Fire & ice look energetic as they have bright smiles on their face, eyeing the ring where one-half of their opponents are seen inside, before then beginning to make their way down the ramp. As they enter into the ring, both of them eye Charlie and Veena who are doing their best to avoid eye contact. Then, heading over they take microphones from the ringside area while their themes come to a close.)
Raven Roberts: Hi Persephone!
Persephone: …
Rex McAllister: I think she’s a little lost for words right now.
Persephone: Just sit down already. You’re my past, my present is Luis.
Rex McAllister: I’m glad to hear that you’ve moved on.
Raven Roberts: I suppose there is a broader goal here, and I can say more positively in comparison to our opponents that this is a homecoming for us to the Sunday Night Voltage brand. A place that we called home for a very long time, where we’ve grown and accomplished a lot together here. It means a lot to be out here tonight.
Persephone: SIT DOWN DAMN.
(Rex and Raven smirk as they take a seat where they need to. After Persephone is done covering her eyes in distraught, she brings herself to give a fake smile before then proceeding to continue onward.)
Persephone: Lastly, we have our team representing Sunday Night Voltage, which I will say, is an awful choice. Out of all the teams you could’ve chosen… which I can’t think of off the top of my head… why did you decide to choose the team that doesn’t want to participate in this match at all? I mean, to be fair, who would *really* want to participate in this match anyway? Anyway, heading down the aisle, Dr. Bethany Blue and Adam Lucas… The Royal Elite!
(‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ by Van Halen begins to play through the speakers of the arena as the camera goes over to show a smug-looking Dr. Bethany Blue as she makes her way out from the backstage area. She scans around the arena for a moment before her theme is replaced by ‘Everybody Knows (Unstoppable)’ by Royal Deluxe which follows that. The crowd boos loudly as she’s accompanied by Adam Lucas who follows behind her. The Royal Elite stand by one another for a moment, not particularly happy after what went down on Showdown, but regardless exuding confidence as they make their way to the ring. They enter inside, ignoring the presence of anyone else inside of the ring as they take a microphone while Adam’s theme comes to a close.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: We don’t need you to chastise us, Persephone. We already know how good we are, and it’s something that neither of our opponents can recognize. Originally the mere premise of being involved in a match like this was not something that we were interested in at all, but knowing what we can get out of this, showing that we’re, as Veena calls it… the “IT” couple of Elite Answers Wrestling, I find quite promising.
Adam Lucas: We have nothing to prove to any of you, but we know what this would do for our careers going forward, especially with the goals that we’re shooting for. It’s only inevitable that we’re both going to be World Champions, and we’re going to finally get the recognition that we deserve after taking a backseat to everyone else our entire careers. So if you ask me, we’re going to come into this exactly how we come into every other match, and that is full throttle. If you have a problem with that, then you can cry about it, because we’re not interested in hearing what you have to say whatsoever.
Veena Adams: D’aw, look at Adam Lucas trying to act fake tough, that’s just so cute!
Charlie Marr: Yeah, Adam, let me break it down to you right now, nobody gives a fuck. The last we heard, you lost the EAW World Championship shot that you apparently “deserved” to get, and the last we heard about Bethany, she was nowhere near the title picture in the first place. There’s a difference between Ad Infinitum and “The Royal Elite” as you call yourselves, and that’s that you didn’t have a choice but to be in this match. Veena and I could’ve been anywhere else on the Road To Redemption card, but we chose this match because we want to be here and we know what it could do for us. You were chosen by Eden Sinclair as a consolation prize for all the failures that you’ve sustained this season, and everyone knows the truth and that’s that you were never going to be anywhere near that World Title.
Persephone: I don’t think any of you are near any World Titles if you’re in this match.
Veena Adams: Well, you’re stupid. You seem to forget the fact that I’m coming off the heels of yet another dominant National Elite Championship reign, and Charlie just last season was the EAW World Champion of this very brand. You must be living under a rock if you don’t think that we’re both World Championship caliber, that doesn’t make any fucking sense. Who knows what could happen next year, we could very well dominate the Showdown brand if we so choose, but we know what we’re doing right now, and that’s beating these two teams who wouldn’t know anything about success if it bit them in the ass. So, please! The last thing I need to hear is that you’re anywhere near any form of success because time has shown otherwise.
(Veena gives a side eye to Rex and Raven, who don’t take that very kindly.)
Rex McAllister: Well we certainly have something to say about all of this and that’s that Fire & Ice as a whole are past the concept of singles success. We’ve proven all that we’ve needed to, and both of us know exactly what we’ve geared ourselves toward. We want to show what the two of us as a team can do since that’s not as widely recognized as Rex McAllister and Raven Roberts respectively, and we believe that this match can be the perfect opportunity to do that. We’re not going to use this as a segway or a stepping stone toward a singles Championship, because while that’s nice, it’s not going to do anything for us. We’re going to show that we’re ready for the Unified Tag Team Championships, and this time we’re not going to lose.
Raven Roberts: Unlike the four of you, we don’t see the tag titles as some sort of downgrade. We don’t believe that’s something that’s a slight to our abilities, because we’re not the type of people to feel dissatisfied by any median of success. We know that we want to raise the stock of Fire & ice, and the only way to possibly do that is to assume the very top of this division and take it by storm. It’s clear that neither of you has ambitions to go after the tag titles, and that’s where you’re weakened, because in tag team competition, you want to be successful not just by yourself but as a collective, and I don’t think any of you want that at all.
Persephone: Well the debate between whether or not you’re fighting for yourselves or your teams can be put to rest because that doesn’t change the fact that we have some cowards among us. We all saw what happened yesterday on Showdown with the huge brawl that went on between the three teams that we had before us, and even though Bethany was quick to start the brawl, she and Adam were quick to scamper out of there…
Dr. Bethany Blue: The last thing we need is for them to have something over us like a petty brawl. It just wasn’t worth our time, and if anything you should be blaming Veena for deciding it was best to get under my skin. I’m not just someone who’s going to back down from a challenge. I’m going to make sure that she gets her receipt.
Veena Adams: Uh huh, real amusing, blame it on me I suppose! Do you think I want to get my hands dirty with the likes of you when I have a choice not to? Charlie and I would much rather sit back and allow the rest of you to argue amongst yourselves but you, Bethany, you had to be an absolute savage on Showdown and show exactly why you were never cut out for the limelight to begin with. You are short-tempered, you have a bitter attitude, and when things don’t go your way you lash out at everyone else.
Adam Lucas: We’re doing what’s necessary to succeed, the last thing we care about is what others think because if we did we’d be like the likes of Fire & Ice and we know where that got them already. Rex and Raven want to act like they’re better than us in some way shape or form because they’ve got their mind made up, but beyond their subpar singles careers putting their entire focus on succeeding as a tag team has not worked out for them. They lost to The Jaded Hearts when they probably should have been a surefire choice. It doesn’t matter if the two of you are on a whole different wavelength in comparison to us, you’ve already proven that you’re not the best tag team in this match.
Rex McAllister: The last thing WE need to do is justify ourselves to the two of you. Adam, once upon a time I had a lot of respect for you, you did what was right, you fought for the right cause, but then you changed. You let it all get to your head because you went through a string of bad losses, for once in my life, and I can’t believe that I’m saying this, I agree with Veena on her perspective of Bethany, and dare I say I apply it to you as well. She’s changed you and she’s made you a person who is incapable of fighting for themselves because you’ll always have her in your ear telling you what to do. If you wanted to be a World Champion, then maybe you should’ve stuck to what worked.
Persephone: To be fair I think the one redeeming quality is that Adam Lucas has grown a pair of balls, but they’ve grown to reside in Bethany’s purse if that helps.
Dr. Bethany Blue: You keep talking and I’ll make sure Luis won’t have any for you to go home to.
Persephone: HOW DARE YOU-
Charlie Marr: Alright, enough of this dick-measuring contest. You four are way out of your depth right now. The last thing that we need to do is talk about success when the historic career of Charlie Marr trumps everyone else. Rex McAllister has never been better than me, we have long established this, and Adam Lucas has never come close to lacing my boots no matter how hard he tried. Not once have I thought of any of you on my meteoric climb, and now that Ad Infinitum is back in full force, we’re going to shoot higher than you could ever imagine. If you want to talk about a World Championship-caliber team, then you’re looking at them right now.
Persephone: Luis and I could be a World Championship-caliber team. Once again, a shame that we’re not in this match because we would’ve wiped the competition given the right opportunity.
Raven Roberts: Nothing that any of you say is going to convince us otherwise. I just feel like the four of you are getting too ahead of yourselves, and shooting high for something that’s not even guaranteed is automatically going to set you up for failure. We know exactly what we want out of this match, meanwhile, the only thing that we’ve heard of the rest of you so far is that you want to win this match for the sake of winning it. I know it’s innately within all of you to be selfish and want everything for yourselves, but if you don’t even know what you’re trying to take out of this, then what even is the point?
Persephone: Me personally I wouldn’t take that. I would love for me and Luis to be the Unified Tag Team Champions as well I think we have that pretty figured out.
Charlie Marr: I’m sorry, do you ever shut the fuck up?
Persephone: I’m just telling the truth, the truth that you’re afraid to admit. If you ask me Luis De La Rosa has a better career than all of you combined.
Adam Lucas: And does he want to back that claim up?
Persephone: He’s… occupied.
Dr. Bethany Blue: Let’s stop beating around the bush already, no matter how much either of you want to win this match, the difference is the fact that you are simply incapable of doing so. I don’t care about the amount of shortcomings that The Royal Elite has gone through to get to this point, what matters is that we never felt better and we’re possibly the best that we’ve ever been in our careers. A World Championship, unlike the rest of you, is only inevitable. And while Fire & Ice already had their opportunity ripped away from them considering they’re not in the Extreme Elimination Chamber, and considering that Charlie and Veena weren’t even close in the first place, I don’t think this deserves any sort of argument to be made.
Persephone: But let’s get one thing clear it was never over for Luis to begin with-
Adam Lucas: We don’t need to hear what any of you need to say about the matter, our win is only inevitable, and it’s up to you four whether or not you want to accept it or face the crushing reality that is going to come instead. The last thing that we need to hear is more excessive bickering than we’ve already heard these past couple of months.
Persephone: Yeah but if you let me speak I’ll give you a reason why Luis-
Charlie Marr: So what? All we’ve seen out of the two of you so far is that you’re a bunch of babies who bitch and moan when they don’t get their way, we don’t give a fuck. We don’t need to talk to you or brawl with you to prove anything, everybody can take a good look at our resume and see exactly what we’re capable of for themselves. We’re more than just the average tag team, we’re the best not just on Showdown but in EAW as a whole and maybe that’s something that will be cemented once Road To Redemption comes around.
Persephone: Are you guys excited for Luis to win the Extreme Enigma-
Veena Adams: So it doesn’t matter anymore what you think of us. We love to be hated, and people have more than enough reasons to despise our guts, but has that ever made a difference? No. We’ve both been insanely successful despite that and that is just something that you’re going to have to cry about. We’re coming into Road To Redemption to prove a point and that is that not just Ad Infinitum is the best tag team that this company has ever seen, not just that Charlie Marr and Veena Adams are the “IT” couple, but that we’re bound to get everything that we desire out of this company soon enough in 2025.
Persephone: I love you Veena but I feel like you shouldn’t use the term “IT” couple when I’m around because we all know that’s just completely false-
Rex McAllister: You’re entitled to believe that all you want, but I know how it feels to set your expectations painfully high and watch them crash down to the ground, as Raven said, we’re not going to be the ones that are going to get ahead of ourselves, because that’s what is going to cost us the match. We know that Fire & Ice hasn’t been the most impressionable, but that doesn’t change the fact that we’re out here putting in the work and showing everyone that we’re not quitting for a second. We’re not going to give up just because you say so.
Persephone: Luis never gave up that’s why he’s going to win at Road To Redemption-
Raven Roberts: You can say what you want to say about us, but that doesn’t change the fact that we have the opportunity at Road To Redemption to turn everything around for us and we’re not going to let it slip. We knew that regardless of what would happen on our journey here it wasn’t going to be the end all be all if we ended up failing. We’re going to continue to fight because we don’t have a choice but to.
Adam Lucas: We’ll see about that.
Charlie Marr: In your dreams…
Persephone: Fuck all of you.
(Persephone shakes her head as she stands up and makes her way out of the ring, storming back to the commentary table. All the teams don’t seem to have noticed she has left at all, completely focused on one another as they get out of their seats. Fire & Ice, Ad Infinitum, and The Royal Elite are all engaged in a tense three-way staredown, as it’s the last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage, from there, begins to fade elsewhere.)
(The camera cuts backstage to a studio room where both Tyrone Montgomery and Diamond Dixon are seen, garnering a massive ovation from fans in attendance. Tyrone stands in the background, being unusually quiet with sunglasses on to cover his eyes after Caroline misted him last week, likely still feeling the effects. Meanwhile, Diamond stands in the forefront, and you can tell she’s fed up with everything she’s had to go through over the past couple of weeks, shaking her head in annoyance before addressing the camera.)
Diamond Dixon: So, let me get this straight. Caroline has interrupted my interviews.
(Clips are played above Diamond Dixon talking behind them, highlighting the “technical difficulties” that took place during Diamond’s interviews, including the lights flickering on and off, along with laughter in the background.)
Diamond Dixon: She’s ruined my celebrations.
(Next, a clip is overlaid of Diamond Dixon celebrating after her impressive win against Summer Brookes, only to have the same thing happen with lights flickering, and laughter heard in the background.)
Diamond Dixon: She’s misted me in the eyes.
(After that, a clip is shown of Diamond Dixon writhing in pain on the ground, having both Tyrone and Sofia check on her with black mist all over her face.)
Diamond Dixon: Hell, last week, she misted Tyrone too, and left me laying as well.
(Last, a clip is shown, recapping last week where Diamond Dixon went to stop Caroline from leaving, but got headbutted for her efforts. Tyrone went to check on her, but Caroline would take advantage, spitting black mist into his eyes, and following up with her “Song of Ice and Fire” finisher on Diamond Dixon. The clip fades out, returning to a full screen shot of Tyrone Montgomery and Diamond Dixon. After being reminded, Tyrone shakes his head, angry.)
Diamond Dixon: At first, I began to wonder… why? Why would Caroline go after me? But after a while, I stopped caring. I stopped searching for a reason why, and immediately began looking for a what. As in, what am I going to do about it? What am I going to do once I get my hands on her? Well, at Road to Redemption, I plan to kick your ass, Caroline, and make you regret ever coming after me. That’s what I’m going to do about it, but until then… until I am able to beat Caroline physically, I am going to beat her verbally as well, which shouldn’t be hard. Because A) I can do it all, and B) Caroline’s kind’ve an easy target.
Diamond Dixon: I mean, Tyrone was right to call her a weird bitch, because that’s exactly what she is. She’s unlike any other woman I’ve come across thus far, and don’t flatter yourself. That isn’t a good thing. Just means you’re more frustrating to deal with, and yes, that’s saying something, considering I’ve encountered both Bea Valentine and Aria Lestrade. Caroline refuses to be straight up, and instead, opts to constantly be vague about every little thing, including her motivations. Already, I stopped caring about her reasoning to begin with, but once I actually heard it? The slight curiosity I had left quickly went away, and was replaced by disappointment. Seriously, I thought to myself… that’s it? That’s her big reasoning? All the mind games were because she… found me interesting?
(Diamond looks back to Tyrone.)
Diamond Dixon: Can you believe that?
(Diamond scoffs, turning back to the camera.)
Diamond Dixon: Well, Caroline, as I told you before… join the club. Because everyone finds me interesting, and there’s a reason for that. Look at the season I’ve had. Look at the people I’ve gone through. There’s a common trend amongst them all. They’re each former Champions, and you are too. So, at least this hasn’t been a complete waste of time, because I’ll add you to the list at Road to Redemption, and continue the upward trajectory I’ve been on this season, proving to the world that I am a star.
Diamond Dixon: Better yet, proving to the world that I am a future champion. But let’s be honest, I’m not proving anything anymore. No, I am reminding, and while on the topic of that word “future,” Caroline robbed me of the chance to dictate my own after Wicked Games where I scored a win over Harper Lee. Because I mentioned having my interview interrupted, and the point she interrupted it at was Sofia Clarke asking me the million dollar question of… what’s next?
Diamond Dixon: Caroline would provide that answer for me. But had she not decided to target me, who knows? Maybe I’d be going after a current Champion as opposed to a former one. I’ve already come close before, and oddly enough… it was with you, Caroline. The two of us came close to being Unified Tag Team Champions, that is if Harper Lee and Solomon Stane didn’t cost us in the Tag Team Turmoil Tournament finals.
(Diamond shakes her head, reminding herself of such tragedy.)
Diamond Dixon: Back then, you and I? We worked toward a common goal. Now? Now, things have changed. Now, you’re not helping me become a Champion. You’re actively standing in my way of it, and Caroline, I can’t let that happen. I can’t allow you to destroy what I’ve built thus far, because while you love to play mind games… at Road to Redemption, you’ll learn that I don’t play no games, especially about my career. No, little girl, you picked the wrong one for that, and you should’ve figured that out a long time ago. Because I already showed what happens when there is no “spooky” light tricks involved where I can get my hands on you, only for the lights to go out, and you to disappear.
Diamond Dixon: When it’s a straight up fight, I’ll leave you laying, and embarrassed inside that ring, something I promise to do when the time comes. At Road to Redemption, Diamond Dixon is going to defeat Caroline, and after that, there won’t be any questions as to what’s next from Sofia, or from anybody. Because I’ll answer that right now. See, I can’t guarantee what awaits me, because in Elite Answers Wrestling, you’re constantly thrown curveballs, and more freaks like Caroline could easily crawl out the shadows. But if that is the case… Tyrone, am I scared?
(Tyrone shakes his head.)
Tyrone Montgomery: Nope.
Diamond Dixon: SHOULD I be scared?
(Once again, Tyrone shakes his head.)
Tyrone Montgomery: Not at all.
Diamond Dixon: That’s right, because it’s these other bitches that need to be scared of me, because despite only being here for such a short time, despite taking time off from the ring to fulfill duties over on Dynasty, I’ve showcased more potential in four months than most people have showcased throughout their entire careers here in EAW. After I’m through with Caroline, none of that changes, because I’m right back to being the same Diamond Dixon I’ve always been, and that’s a star who shines brighter than the rest, including you, Caroline. While you’ve been a former New Breed Champion, that’s where you peak, and for me? That’s only a starter title reign until I’m onto bigger and better things.
Diamond Dixon: And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to find out what I’m referring to, because I’ve made my intentions known for a while now. So, with that said, I hope both Specialists and Universal Women’s Champions are watching very closely. In fact, I hope they’re clutching their titles very tight as well, because you never know when I might decide to take them, and you know what? Why stop at Champions? I hope the whole roster watches what I do to Caroline at Road to Redemption, because let her be a lesson. Let her be an example of what happens to people that decide to fuck around. Because guess what? Eventually, your ass is gonna find out.
Diamond Dixon: And Caroline will learn that after the Tag Team Turmoil Tournament concluded, she should’ve kept the name Diamond Dixon out of her mouth, and the thought of even facing me out of her head. Because Caroline will wind up another ex-Champion that I’ve run through.
(Diamond intensely stares into the camera briefly, talking directly to her opponent, who she knows must be watching at this point in time. But after a while, Diamond looks back to Tyrone.)
Diamond Dixon: And I think that about covers it. So, Tyrone and I will be on our way. But beforehand, here’s a message I want you to hear, and really take close to heart, Caroline. Next time, find someone else to play these little game with, and do not ever try to play them with me again. Tyrone, let’s go.
(Diamond flicks her hair, and struts off before Tyrone Montgomery follows along, exiting the frame as the camera fades elsewhere the crowd heard cheering in the background, being firmly behind Diamond Dixon to kick Caroline’s ass at Road to Redemption, but will The Queen of Shadows be too much to overcome?)
(Promotional ad for Road to Redemption, where the Extreme Enigma Memorial Battle Royal will be held.)
(The scene reopens to the Christmas Party.)
(Effy McAvoy walks through a crowd with Ahren Fournier. The Hall of Famer and his magnificent fur coat is what’s caught everyone’s attention.)
Effy McAvoy: It’s one thing to talk about winning, but at Road to Redemption, it’s another to actually go out there, and do it. But I plan to, and have a secret weapon up my sleeve in one of, if not, THE greatest mind in professional wrestling today! Ahren Fournier!
(Effy wraps Ahren in a big hug, catching him off guard as he was sipping from his wine glass. Ahren pats Effy on the shoulder, signaling she can let go, and Effy takes a while to catch on, but after a comment from Chiyo-)
Chiyo Gedo: You’d think he could lead you to the New Breed Championship as well, but I guess not.
(Effy goes to confront Chiyo, but Ahren gets his arm in the way to stop her, and Effy calms herself down at his behest.)
Effy McAvoy: That wasn’t Ahren’s fault. I failed him in that match, but it will never happen again! At Road to Redemption, I’ll make him proud, and win the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal!
Chiyo Gedo: Orrr be left to explain yourself as to why you let your mentor down… once again. Ahren, it isn’t always the coaches. Sometimes, it’s the talent.
Ahren Fournier: Well, I firmly believe in Effy’s talent, and soon, you will too.
???: Sorry, were late!
(The camera pans to the entrance where members of La Familia are seen entering the room. It’s compiled of Raeangel Guzman, Luis De La Rosa, and Brianna Hill, who stop to gauge the field. Safe to say, La Familia aren’t impressed.)
Brianna Hill: But once we got word that Ashlynn Quinn would be hosting a party, our motivation wasn’t exactly high after that.
Luis De La Rosa: Though, we’ve made it, and have barged in on the same old, same old.
Raeangel Guzman: Every bitch and their grandmother saying “I’m going to win this, I’m going to win that.”
Brianna Hill: It’s really starting to get tiring.
Luis De La Rosa: So, we won’t waste your time, and cut straight to the chase.
Brianna Hill: The truth is: La Familia are going to win the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal, whether the record books reflect either Luis, Raeangel, or myself. Because when one of us, we all win.
Raeangel Guzman: …though, I would really like to win.
Luis De La Rosa: So would I.
Brianna Hill: Well, if The Last Stand showed anything, it’s how far each member are willing to go in chase for opportunity, even if pitted against each other.
Luis De La Rosa: And Road to Redemption is no different, hermana. May the best member win.
(Each member of La Familia exchange a nod, knowing what they must do at Road to Redemption.)
Brianna Hill: But before it comes down to us three, it doesn’t mean that we won’t work together to get rid the rest of you.
Raeangel Guzman: And I understand there’s other alliances formed in this match, but their bond is nowhere near ours.
Luis De La Rosa: And you’ll see with how quickly they are to crumble.
(The camera pans over to TJ Alexander, who has been taking this all in.)
TJ Alexander: Wow. Everyone has been outspoken, and I’ll be honest, the field is stacked, but that only motivates me heading into Road to Redemption.
Kirk Redwood: Kid, who even are you?
(TJ shakes his head, having expected someone to hurl trash talk his way, that person being Kirk Redwood.)
TJ Alexander: Funny. I get it. I’m the new guy, and I’ve got nowhere near the accomplishments as you do. But use that as reason to underestimate me, and you’ll be the one regretting it.
(Kirk gets in TJ Alexander’s face.)
Kirk Redwood: Hey, I know everyone’s trying to save it for Road to Redemption… but I’m feeling in the fighting mood.
(Suddenly, someone is heard at the microphone stand, tapping it repeatedly to get everybody’s attention, which is revealed to be Clayton Golde.)
Clayton Golde: Attention up here! Everyone wants to win the Extreme Enigma Battle Royal, and with me in it, your chances are drastically low. But! If you took a few courses, and drank some of my products… your chances could go from 0% to… 5%!
**CRACK!!!**
(Ashlynn Quinn comes from behind, and smashes her wine glass over the back of Candice Blair’s head, gaining revenge from earlier, and Ashlynn Quinn drags Candice by the hair, sending her gut first into a nearby table. Afterwards, everyone takes it as invitation to fight, and a huge brawl breaks out.)
(Because of Ashlynn’s sneak attack on Candice, Selina’s left to fend for herself against Damien Kutcher and Akari Kiyoko while Corey Hale deals with Clayton Golde, the duo duking it out. TJ has gotten into it with Kirk Redwood, and the room is filled with people brawling.)
(Security eventually floods into the room, and struggles at first in separating all the fights going on until more security begins to pile in, and help separate the fights completely, having to pry each competitor away from the other. Road to Redemption is right around the corner, yet most can’t wait to get a piece of the other. But who will be the last elitists standing? Tune in to find out as the camera fades elsewhere with security trying to maintain a hold on the situation.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to a shot of the Scotiabank Saddledome as the crowd is waiting in anticipation for what’s to come in an already jampacked show. Their expectations are immediately soured as the sounds of ‘Refuse/Resist’ by Sepultara are heard playing through the speakers of the arena. They rain down boos as the camera goes over to Halsey Neel and Pandora Paisley of British Invasion as they are seen making their way out from the backstage area. They have determined expressions on their faces as they stand on the stage, taking a moment to look around before then beginning to make their way down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… Halsey Neel and Pandora Paisley… BRITISH INVASION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: These last couple of weeks have certainly been hectic for British Invasion, with the attack of Daryl Kinkade last week, despite how they feel about it they both know heading into this week that they have to shift all their attention on Road To Redemption and the Unified Tag Team Championships.
James Peters: This match means a lot to them, and they know that they’re going to lay it all on the line especially considering who they’re standing across the ring from. It’s not going to be easy, and they know that they have a lot on their plate walking into this, but they seem as focused as ever as they look to get their final words in before the event.
Persephone: They’re honestly just setting themselves up for disappointment. Once a loser always a loser and as far as I’m concerned, they don’t seem like they’ve been built to make it very far in the tag division. Oh well, there’s always catering.
(Both Halsey and Pandora make their way into the ring as they head over and take microphones from the ringside area. ‘Refuse/Resist’ then begins to come to a close from there as they head over to the center of the ring, standing united with one another as they take a moment before beginning to say what they have to say.)
Pandora Paisley: This has been a long time coming for the two of us, you can only imagine how long we’ve waited to get to this moment. We knew that we not only needed to bide our time but to show the world how far we’ve gone since the end of last season to prove that Road To Redemption was not going to be a repeat of everything that had gone down. This is not something that we decided to do on a whim, fighting for the Unified Tag Team Championships has been something that we’ve been preparing for since the start of our journey to dominance.
Halsey Neel: For a very long time now we’ve heard people say that we’re capable of it. We’ve heard what everyone has had to say about us and needless to say it’s a bunch of shit. They don’t understand everything that we’ve gone through, when a loss like that at the biggest event in this company would hurt anyone else, we got back up and we became stronger than ever. The truth is we know that we don’t have a choice but to win, we know that this match is our biggest chance to win those titles, and we know that if we don’t, we may never get an opportunity again.
Pandora Paisley: That’s why we’re not letting that even be a thought in our mind. The last thing that we need is to walk into this Marquee Event with a pessimistic mindset and allow that to get the better of us, absolutely not. We’re completely focused, we’re at the top of our game, and this time it’s just between the two of us and The Jaded Hearts and we know that if we had to choose one or the other, we will always bet on ourselves.
Halsey Neel: All the fights that we’ve had recently, all the words that you’ve thrown our way, they’re not going to mean anything to us once we step into this ring. Everything that we’ve gone through, especially at your hands, is going to end up paying off and it’s going to pay off big when we end your record-breaking streak at Road To Redemption. This is our moment, and it’s one that we were not given, but earned, and we’re going to make sure that we use that to the best of our abilities when we take everything.
(Both members of British Invasion lower their microphones for a moment, allowing the crowd to get a reaction in as they continue to have determined expressions on their faces. Before they can continue though, they’re met with the sounds of ‘True Love’ by CFO$ which begins to play up. The crowd begins to give a loud reaction as the camera goes over to the Unified Tag Team Champions, with Kassidy Heart and Sienna Jade seen sauntering out to the stage. The Jaded Hearts bear their titles around their waist and, as expected, they don’t seem very impressed with what they heard. They look at one another before then beginning to make their way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Well if there’s one team who’s not just going to stand idly by as dirt is thrown on their name, it’s The Jaded Hearts. They have been very confident in successfully retaining at Road To Redemption and nobody can particularly blame them for thinking that way because they are hands down the best tag team that this division has to offer.
James Peters: They’ve beaten everyone who’s stepped up and as far as they’re concerned, they plan to continue doing that going forward, and as they look at a team like British Invasion, they don’t expect it to be any different from their last encounter in the ring. But we’re just going to have to see if that’s the case.
Persephone: I just really hope this is the last time that we see these two boring individuals on our brand, it’s like we don’t get enough of them.
(Kassidy and Sienna both begin to make their way into the ring as they immediately brush past their opposition and take microphones from the ringside area. ‘True Love’ begins to come to a close as The Jaded Hearts don’t waste any time beginning to say what’s on their mind.)
Kassidy Heart: Do you want me to be honest, Sienna?
Sienna Jade: What is it, Kassidy?
Kassidy Heart: Not convinced. :mjlol:
Sienna Jade: Oh no, not at all. :mjlol2:
Kassidy Heart: All you’re talking about is pipedreams and hypotheticals, but do you want to know the one thing that the two of us are looking forward to doing? We’re looking to make sure we shut you up. The difference between us and you two though is that we’re capable of doing that. We can go out there and live up to the words that we say instead of falling short of expectations, fun fact, it’s actually why we’re the Unified Tag Team Champions right now. It’s why the two of you are seen as lesser by us, and it’s why you never belonged in the ring with the Greatest Tag Team of All Time, to begin with.
Sienna Jade: We are truly the best and that is something that can’t even be questioned at this point. Do you know what’s happened to everyone who has tried to have their say on the matter? They’ve gotten brutalized at our hands. While the two of you, we will give you credit, have managed to pick up some pity wins that I’m sure you must be proud of right about now, we on the otherhand haven’t needed to do that because what we have done with these titles speaks for itself. We have spent this entire reign dominant over this very division, and nothing is going to change at Road To Redemption, simply because we say so.
Pandora Paisley: Well we’re past the point of needing your opinion on the matter because we know that it’s never going to agree with what we have to say. That’s fine though, that’s something that we’ve long accepted because we know regardless that we’re going to come into Road To Redemption and we’re going to take what is ours. We didn’t accept this just to lose again, and we sure as hell didn’t want this match just to be put down by the two of you, if there’s one thing that we’re going to love to see it’s the look on your faces when it all comes crashing down right before your very eyes.
Halsey Neel: We’re more than ready for this opportunity and it’s about time that the two of you are finally knocked off the top. We know that this is going to be a difficult challenge, and we know that we’re shooting for something that hasn’t been done yet this past year, and that’s something that we’ve grown to accept. We know to beat a tag team like you we’re going to have to be better than ever before, exceeding the likes of yourself and anyone else that we’re going to end up facing down the line. Since the beginning of this season that is all we’ve been doing, and that is going to pay off.
Kassidy Heart: Yeah, no. No offense to all the work that you’ve surely put in to compensate for your lack of talent, it’s not going to mean anything. We’re tired of this back and forth not just because we’ve had this same conversation with you before, but we’ve had this same conversation with everyone else as well and it just doesn’t happen. Everything that they all say about this being the end of us as we know it has meant absolutely nothing and it’s going to continue to mean absolutely nothing. We’re only improving from our already amazing status, and we’ve shown no signs of deterioration or stagnation, which is more than you two cunts could ever say for yourselves.
Sienna Jade: A team like yourselves was never meant to get this far in the first place, and I suppose if there’s one thing that you can go after us for is making this mistake and not putting you down earlier. But we’re going to make sure that we amend that at Road To Redemption, and when that happens, our reign is going to extend even longer beyond the end of the new year. Believe it or not, a lot of people didn’t expect us to get this far no matter how good we are, and we’ve consistently proved them wrong every step of the way, we do that in comparison to you when all you’ve done up to this point is make empty threats. After this, the two of you will be all out of excuses and all out of chances to go after something that you will never win in the first place.
Pandora Paisley: Say what you want to say, but we’ve been here before. We know exactly what it’s going to take against a team like you and while you say that you’ve grown, that doesn’t change the fact that we’ve grown even more as a team. Do we believe that we’re not only Unified Tag Team Championship caliber but at the same time better than The Jaded Hearts? Absolutely, and at Road To Redemption the two of you are going to have to face the crushing reality that you’re not as invincible as you thought you were, and that’s going to sting more than anything that we could ever say toward you.
Halsey Neel: Your words mean nothing to us when we know the truth, and the truth of the matter is that the two of you have gotten too comfortable for your good. Yes, you’ve beaten everyone that this division has to offer, but that doesn’t mean that you get the opportunity to coast for the rest of your title reign because you don’t believe that anyone is going to be able to stop you. We’re going to be the ones who throw a wrench in your title reign and it’s only a matter of time before those titles come to where they properly belong and that is in the hands of British Invasion. Not just because we want them, but because we don’t have a choice.
(Halsey and Pandora slam their microphones down to the ground as they get into the faces of Kassidy and Sienna who both look unwavering. The Jaded Hearts raise their Championship into the air as the two teams engage in a tense staredown. It’s the last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage, from there, begins to fade elsewhere.)
(Promotional ad for Road to Redemption, where the British Invasion challenges the Jaded Hearts for the Unified Tag Team Championships.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, and ‘Self Help Tape’ by Moses Sumney begins to play once again. The camera pans over towards the stage, and after a few seconds, Captain Charisma begins making his way out to the stage. Captain Charisma is holding a microphone in his hand, and he once again doesn’t look very pleased. Before long, he begins making his way down the ramp.)
James Peters: Well, here we go. I believe this is where we find out whether or not the EAW World Championship will be vacated heading into Road to Redemption. What a terrible mess this whole situation has been.
Rich Russillo: It’s honestly ridiculous that things turned out like this, but at least we’ll have a definitive end to this soon. I don’t know where Jake is, but if he’s still not back even after all this, it looks like that’s it.
Persephone: Thank God. He’s actually dead :blessed:!!!
(Captain Charisma makes his way up the steel steps before entering the ring. His entrance music begins to die down, and after some time he begins to speak.)
Captain Charisma: Ladies and gentlemen, before I continue I believe it’s only right that everyone competing in the Extreme Elimination Chamber for the EAW World Championship is here for this. After all, they’ve all been dragged into this mess, so it’s only right they’re here for this. Guys, please make your way out here.
(Captain Charisma waits as the camera pans to the stage. He waits for a little while, until finally Methuselah begins walking out, holding a microphone in his hand. He is not alone either, as Xander Payne trails behind him. Michael Machina can be seen beginning to walk out after Xander, before Daryl Kinkade and finally Limmy Monaghan also make their way out. The men in the Extreme Elimination Chamber all make their way down the ramp, but none of them look too thrilled with what’s going on.)
James Peters: This has been a very chaotic road to the Extreme Elimination Chamber, but it looks like it’s almost over. Road to Redemption is in only one week, and after tonight, we’ll know whether or not we have a World Champion heading into the show.
Rich Russillo: Yeah, and as of right now things aren’t exactly looking good. This is just a bad situation all around, and you can tell none of the participants in the match want anything to do with this.
Persephone: Of course they don’t. It’s Jake Smith. If he wasn’t the World Champion, everyone would be celebrating his disappearance.
(All five men begin making their way into the ring, all glancing at each other and being cautious, knowing how much tension there already is between them. Once everyone is in the ring, the attention turns towards Captain Charisma, who begins to speak once more.)
Captain Charisma: Guys, I know you all are tired of having to deal with our World Champion being missing, and trust me, I am too. I gave Jake Smith a week, and even when he didn’t show up earlier tonight I gave him more than enough time to fix his mistake. I said for the last few weeks that I didn’t want anything to get in the way of this Extreme Elimination Chamber, which is exactly why I kept giving Jake the benefit of the doubt in the first place. I gave him more than enough chances to drop the act, and now I’m done with it. I waited all night for an answer, and here’s the truth… Jake Smith is still not here.
(The fans begin to boo, disappointed that the EAW World Champion still has yet to show up. This however annoys the competitors inside of the ring, as Michael Machina begins to speak.)
Michael Machina: I’m done with this. What do you mean he’s not here!? Where the fuck is Jake?
Limmy Monaghan: This has already gotten old. I’ve known Jake for a long time, and I won’t pretend he’s above doing something like this, but this is ridiculous. Is this really what he wants his World Championship reign to be? Championship defenses he had to escape before handing the title over?
(Nobody in attendance looks happy about this, but Methuselah has a different tone in his voice as he begins to speak, not as bothered as the other participants.)
Methuselah: He was never a legitimate Champion and he knew it, which is why he’d rather end his reign on his terms before the rightful owner of the EAW World Championship can rip it out of his hands. I said it from the very beginning. He was a Placeholder and nothing more, and now he can stay wherever he’s chosen as his hiding place to watch me become the EAW World Champion. It was always going to end like this, but the Placeholder took the most pathetic route imaginable, fitting for someone like him. Now that we know he is nowhere to be seen and his time as the Placeholder has come to an end, it’s time to make it official so we can take a step forward and move on from this. Jake Smith can be left behind. He was never fit to hold that Championship to begin with, and was fortunate enough to get his hands on the title back at Pain for Pride. This disaster of a Championship reign lasted far too long, so vacate the Championship so we can get to-
Michael Machina: I know what you’re about to say, Methuselah. You’re not winning the Extreme Elimination Chamber. I don’t care how confident you are. You can have this match won already in your head, but once we enter that Chamber you’re going to be hit with the worst reality check of your life. You lost your opportunity to become World Champion back at Bloodsport. You were never going to win this match at my expense, but now you went entirely too far for victory to even be considered an option for you. It’s over for you.
(Methuselah glares at Michael Machina, and being interrupted like this is what finally annoys him. Methuselah sighs, before finally beginning to speak once again.)
Methuselah: You don’t learn, do you?
Michael Machina: I do, which is why I’m not buying into anything you’re telling me. I’m telling you how this is gonna end Methuselah. It’s up to you to be ready when it happens.
(There’s a staredown between the two men as the fans in attendance begin to cheer. However, soon after this Daryl Kinkade would cut in.)
Daryl Kinkade: What a joke. First Jake Smith is nowhere to be seen, now Michael Machina actually believes he is World Championship material. Michael, what have you actually done in this company? You became the longest reigning New Breed Champion, so what? You broke a record when you joined the company, yet once you started fighting at a higher level you weren’t able to capture the same magic. It sounds to me like you’re just not worth all the star treatment you were given at the beginning of the season. The only people who deserve to be treated like stars are the British Invasion, but clearly that won’t happen when we’re in a place filled with people who hate us, so we’re going to do things our way. That starts by taking out everyone in our path, and of course…
(Daryl turns towards Limmy Monaghan.)
Daryl Kinkade: That includes Xander Payne. If you want to get in the way, so be it. I’d be more than happy to add more eliminations to my name in that Chamber.
Limmy Monaghan: Is that the kind of arrogance you plan to walk into Road to Redemption with? Are you even in any condition to compete?
Daryl Kinkade: That clearly isn’t stopping you, and you’re not half the Elitist I am. People can keep lying to themselves and telling themselves that Limmy Monaghan is a future face of the company, but Limmy, you don’t belong at the top.
Limmy Monaghan: And you do? Look Daryl, I don’t need to keep trying to get it through to you that your chances in this match aren’t as high as you believe they are. If you want to head into this match blinded by your own confidence, that’s your mistake to make. You just need to stay out of the way. I’m not going to keep warning you.
Daryl Kinkade: I’m not afraid of you, bruv. We’ll see if you can even make it out of the Chamber, let alone win it.
Xander Payne: You two can keep fighting over me, but just remember that I’m not the one being hunted here. I knew what I was doing when I attacked the two of you, just like I knew what I was doing when I cost Daryl the Hardcore Championship. I’m not making irrational decisions I’ll regret down the line, I’m taking the time to think and acting on those thoughts. I’m doing what needs to be done, because neither of you have gotten what you deserved. Neither of you have truly paid for what you did. The British Invasion messed with my family and Limmy went and handed them the last laugh, so the fact that you two are even fighting for the World Championship right now doesn’t sit well with me. This opportunity is more than you deserve, and just like I nearly took away your careers, I’m going to take this from you.
(Daryl and Limmy both stare at Xander, taking their attention off of each other for the time being. There’s clear hostility there as the two men obviously aren’t happy after everything Xander did, and Limmy begins to speak.)
Limmy Monaghan: Right. Is that why we’re still standing here? I can’t speak for Daryl, but I was never going to go down that easily and you should’ve known that before you decided to attack. You say that you took the time to think before acting, but I’m not sure what could have possibly been going through your mind if you actually went through with that attack without the realization that I’d be back and I’d be ready to do far worse. Remember what I told you at the beginning of the night, Xander. Road to Redemption is only a week away, and it’d do you a huge favor to at the very least understand what’s about to happen to you and why it’s about to happen. You asked for everything that’s to come next week. You went out of your way to attack me after already dragging both myself and Cameron down with you at Wicked Games. You wanted this from the very start, so you should at least be prepared.
Xander Payne: So you’re still running with that story? I wanted to put down the people that went after my family, so I deserved to be abandoned? If that’s what’s going on you shouldn’t be surprised that I cracked your head open with that baseball bat. You deserved so much worse and I could’ve done it. Limmy, you ruined everything back at Wicked Games. You messed that up for me. What happened after that was not on me, but since you need somebody to blame, you can feel free to do so after Road to Redemption. I’ll gladly take responsibility for what happens there, because I’ll be ending your World Championship chase myself.
Daryl Kinkade: Here you two go, once again talking about Wicked Games. Honestly, I’m not sure why you two think you would’ve won even if you actually did work together. You obviously couldn’t co-exist as well as you thought you could, and that’s only one of the issues your team had. Let’s face it. You two aren’t the legendary stars you believe you are, and you’re definitely not good enough to stop me from becoming World Champion even with this injury.
(The fans boo, but while these three continue to argue, Methuselah doesn’t look interested whatsoever.)
Methuselah: Why are we still doing this? It doesn’t matter who deserves the blame for a Wicked Games loss. We have far greater matters to discuss, and you all continue to push the topic away knowing that when this all ends, not a single one of you will be standing tall. Stop wasting everyone’s time. Jake Smith is not here. Vacate the Championship so we can leave. The EAW World Championship will be mine, and I’m done waiting for an answer that’ll never come.
(This causes a mixed reaction to come from the crowd, and the Elitists inside of the ring remain silent. Captain Charisma goes to speak, but before can say anything, he’s stopped by Michael Machina.)
Michael Machina: Just wait one second.
(Michael Machina turns to Methuselah, staring at him as he begins to speak.)
Michael Machina: I don’t need to keep hearing about Xander’s issues with the British Invasion, or how badly Limmy wants revenge on Xander. I don’t need to keep being reminded every five minutes that Jake Smith isn’t here, and I definitely don’t need to keep hearing you looking at this match as a guaranteed victory. You can think what you want now Methuselah, but when this ends I can guarantee that you won’t have that same look on your face. You’re going to be put through hell at Road to Redemption, and when it’s over and you’re not the EAW World Champion after all of the promises, you’ll have me to thank for it. If you want to keep doubting me, go ahead. Feel free to take that risk. Just know that I warned you, and if anyone should understand how far I’m willing to go by now, it’s you.
(Methuselah and Michael Machina have a staredown in the ring, while the rest of the competitors in the match are also focused on each other. After a while, Michael Machina finally turns his attention towards Captain Charisma.)
Michael Machina: Alright, what now? Jake isn’t here. What’s happening with the Chamber?
(Captain Charisma doesn’t look too happy having to answer this, but he begins to speak.)
Captain Charisma: Since there’s no choice, it looks like we’ll have to have a five-man Extreme Elimination Chamber. This isn’t something we’ve done before as it defeats the purpose of there only being four pods, but nothing could’ve prepared us for these circumstances. Anyways, with that being said I’m going to stick to my word.
(Captain Charisma looks towards the stage before continuing.)
Captain Charisma: Jake, if this is all some sort of joke, now’s the time to drop it. Final chance before I make it official.
(Captain Charisma waits just a few seconds, but it doesn’t take long before it becomes clear Jake Smith isn’t coming out. After seeing this, the Commissioner turns his attention away from the stage and back towards the fans, before beginning to speak once more.)
Captain Charisma: Alright, so be it. Ladies and gentlemen, the EAW World Championship has now been-
(*CRACK!*)
James Peters: WHAT THE HELL?????
Rich Russillo: DARYL KINKADE WAS JUST HIT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH A LEAD PIPE!!! SOMEONE WEARING A HOODIE JUST HIT DARYL IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH THE LEAD PIPE, DROPPING DARYL TO THE MAT! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?
James Peters: THE ATTACKER QUICKLY STRIKES AGAIN, HITTING LIMMY MONAGHAN IN THE MIDSECTION BEFORE RAISING THE LEAD PIPE AND SWINGING IT OVER THE BACK OF LIMMY’S HEAD AS WELL!!! LIMMY IS DROPPED TO THE MAT, AND NOW XANDER SWINGS AT HIM- BUT THE ATTACKER DUCKS UNDER THE STRIKE BEFORE DELIVERING A SUPERKICK!
(Xander stumbles after the superkick, and the attacker regains their footing before hitting Xander with a shot to the face with the lead pipe. However, as the attacker regained their footing, their hood drops down, revealing who they are to very loud boos.)
Persephone: HE ISN’T DEAD???
James Peters: IT’S JAKE SMITH!!! JAKE SMITH IS HERE, AND HE’S JUST TAKEN OUT THREE OF THE COMPETITORS IN THE EXTREME ELIMINATION CHAMBER! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!? CAPTAIN CHARISMA WAS JUST ABOUT TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE TITLE WAS VACATED, BUT JAKE IS HERE AFTER ALL!
Rich Russillo: JAKE TRIES TO HIT MICHAEL MACHINA WITH THE LEAD PIPE, BUT MACHINA CATCHES IT!!! MICHAEL MACHINA PUSHES JAKE INTO THE ROPES-
James Peters: BUT JAKE RESPONDS BY GOING LOW, DELIVERING A CHOP BLOCK TO MICHAEL MACHINA!! MACHINA DROPS THE LEAD PIPE, AND JAKE QUICKLY GRABS IT BEFORE WAILING ON HIM WITH IT! JAKE REPEATEDLY SWINGING THE LEAD PIPE AT MICHAEL MACHINA-
Rich Russillo: BEFORE FINALLY METHUSELAH STEPS IN, BLINDSIDING JAKE! Methuselah has had enough! Methuselah grabs Jake by the hair and begins pulling him up, obviously not happy after everything that happened over the last few weeks- BUT HE RECEIVES A LOW BLOW FROM JAKE! JAKE GOES LOW AND KICKS METHUSELAH BELOW THE BELT, BEFORE RUNNING AND JUMPING OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE, PLANTING METHUSELAH WITH STARMAKER!!!! STARMAKER CONNECTS ON METHUSELAH, AND THE EAW WORLD CHAMPION IS BACK!
(Jake Smith quickly rolls out of the ring following that attack on the Extreme Elimination Chamber competitors, which has clearly caught everyone in attendance by surprise, Captain Charisma included. Captain Charisma can’t believe what he is seeing as Jake Smith begins to backpedal up the ramp, staring right at him.)
Jake Smith: (off-mic) Go fuck yourself.
(Jake unzips the hoodie, before removing the EAW World Championship that was wrapped around his waist under it. Jake holds up the Championship, meanwhile the fans continue to boo.)
James Peters: I can’t believe it. I’m glad it looks like we’ll be having a normal Extreme Elimination Chamber, but I can’t say I expected this to be how Jake made his return!
Rich Russillo: I don’t think anyone expected things to play out like this. Jake just laid out EVERYONE in the Extreme Elimination Chamber! He was able to catch Daryl, Limmy and Xander by surprise, before also taking out Michael Machina and even Methuselah!
Persephone: This sucks. We were gonna have a Chamber anyway! We didn’t need him! Why isn’t he dead???
James Peters: Obviously that whole thing was just a lie, and now we know that Jake Smith WILL be at Road to Redemption!
(The five challengers for the EAW World Championship are all struggling, rolling out of the ring, grabbing onto the ropes and more to try and recover from that attack. Captain Charisma is left standing in the ring, furious as he stares at Jake, who is raising his Championship on the stage. As Jake holds up the EAW World Championship, the camera begins to fade to black.)
(EAW logo buzzes.)
