John Helms
(EAW intro plays.)
(The camera opens up to a video package recapping last week’s Voltage. After showing all of the winners from last week, the video package ends and the camera opens up to the SSE Arena, which is located in Belfast, Ireland. The fans in attendance are shown cheering, and the camera pans to the stage where the opening pyro for the show shoots out. After this, the camera pans to the commentary table, where Rich Russillo and Persephone are seen.)
Persephone: Welcome to Voltage, I guess.
Rich Russillo: As always I’m Rich Russillo, and I’m here with Persephone Tsitsipas! We’re getting closer and closer to Grand Rampage, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens as we approach the event as we have a great show lined up for tonight!
Persephone: What’s so great about it? Bea Valentine is facing Adam Lucas, we have Methuselah on commentary for KASAI versus Selina Reyes. Limmy Monaghan is facing Michael Machina. The only thing I’m interested in is the No DQ match coming up.
Rich Russillo: I don’t know… I think everything you just named sounds good.
(The camera fades towards the stage, and before long ‘Kamikaze’ by RedHook hits. Loud boos come from the fans in attendance hearing this, but as Daryl Kinkade walks out, he’s not concerned with the reception from the crowd. He has a frustrated look on his face as he stands on the stage, holding a microphone in his hand. He looks at the fans for a moment, before just shaking his head and beginning to storm down the ramp.)
Rich Russillo: Daryl Kinkade is here, and it looks like he isn’t too happy after everything that happened last week.
Persephone: Seriously, is he ever happy? I don’t know the last time he went a week without complaining about something.
Rich Russillo: Can’t the same be said about you?
Persephone: Not really. I’m happy whenever there’s blood. Unfortunately I have to sit through things like this before we can get to the good stuff.
Rich Russillo: Right… Well, to be fair to Daryl I think we know exactly why he’s upset right now. During that trios match last week there was a moment where it looked like he may have had Michael Machina, the EAW World Champion pinned for the victory. Unfortunately, the referee didn’t see it at the time. I think anyone would be upset about that.
(Daryl Kinkade makes it to ringside, and quickly slides into the ring. After this, ‘Kamikaze’ begins to fade out, which gives Daryl the opportunity to speak.)
Daryl Kinkade: All season long I have been waiting for my opportunity to become a Champion, and I have had to watch as time and time again my opportunities have slipped by me. I knew that something was wrong ever since King of Elite when things did not end the way I wanted, but after last week I can say for a fact that there’s no reason that I shouldn’t be fighting for the EAW World Championship right now. You all saw it for yourselves, so you can keep booing. You can keep saying whatever you want. You can keep trying to ignore the fact that I deserve to be holding a World Championship, but you can’t forget what happened in that trios match. I had your precious EAW World Champion Michael Machina pinned in the center of this ring for the three count! I brought what should’ve been a victory to the British Invasion by pinning the same man holding the title I have been after since the beginning of this year, but were we announced as the winners? No. No we weren’t, because the referee didn’t even notice that I pinned him.
(Daryl Kinkade stops speaking for a moment, beginning to pace around the ring as he still looks furious over what happened. The boos continue, but after a while Daryl begins to speak once more.)
Daryl Kinkade: Michael Machina was bailed out by a referee that couldn’t do his job. That’s supposed to be the EAW World Champion, isn’t it!? He beat Methuselah in his own special match! He beat Adam Lucas and Jake Smith in High Voltage! He won that Championship in the first place inside of an entire Extreme Elimination Chamber, but then Voltage came around and what happened? He couldn’t beat me. I had him down on the mat. I had that man beat, and let’s just be honest, there shouldn’t be any questions whether or not he was down long enough for the three count! He was done for and I know he was. I know that this was it for him, and that I was one step closer to joining Halsey and Pandora and finally covering the British Invasion with gold. That was taken away from me though, and it was taken away from someone who simply has no business officiating matches. Michael Machina, bruv, do you really want to be the kind of Champion that’s saved from horrible officials?
(The fans boo even louder than before after this, and Daryl finally stops in the center of the ring before continuing.)
Daryl Kinkade: I have yet to receive a one on one opportunity at the EAW World Championship, and after last week there should be no doubts as to whether or not I’m capable of beating the man currently holding that title. The entire world saw me take down the Champion, and I know I can do it again. With that being said, I don’t care about what happened at Shock Value. I want a shot at the EAW World Champion, and I want my match at Grand Rampage.
(This receives a loud reaction, and soon after this, ‘Apostle’s Warning’ by Mobb Deep hits. The crowd explodes with cheers after this, and before long the EAW World Champion begins to walk out to the stage. Michael Machina is also holding a microphone, and as he stands on the stage, Daryl slowly backs up, inviting Machina to the ring. Michael Machina doesn’t look impressed, but he begins to make his way down the ramp, taking Kinkade’s offer.)
Rich Russillo: Here comes Michael Machina, who I’m sure isn’t too thrilled having listened to everything Kinkade just said. Still, I have to wonder what Michael Machina will say, as Daryl Kinkade just put out a HUGE challenge for Grand Rampage as he wants an EAW World Championship match!
Persephone: I don’t think this is a very big challenge. I don’t want to see this at all.
Rich Russillo: You don’t, but did you hear the reaction the crowd just gave? I think you might be in the minority on this one, Persephone.
Persephone: Well the people here are clearly stupid, so I don’t really care.
(Michael Machina makes his way into the apron before entering the ring, and as his entrance music begins to fade out, Daryl begins to speak.)
Daryl Kinkade: So what it is, Champ? Are you going to accept the challenge, or are you going to back away from this because you know that if I face you for that Championship, your title reign is coming to an end?
(There’s a staredown between the two men as the fans boo Daryl Kinkade. There’s a serious look on the faces of both men, but slowly Michael Machina raises his microphone to his face, finally beginning to speak.)
Michael Machina: Kinkade, before I get to your Grand Rampage challenge I just wanna talk about what happened last week. I don’t have much to say about that trios match, other than the fact that none of what happened during it was worth coming out here and whining to these people knowing that they have a show to watch. The last thing anyone wants to do is listen to you complain because a referee happened to miss a pinfall, especially when you consider the fact that I had you pinned in the exact same match, and that three count never happened thanks to your own teammates. Everything you just wasted everyone’s time saying was shut down in that same match so it makes no difference to me, but since you care so much about it I’ll have more than enough time to make sure that what happened last week is put behind me. After all I’m still looking for challengers to defend this Championship against, and because you decided to offer yourself up.
(The fans begin to cheer, and soon after Michael Machina continues to speak.)
Michael Machina: It’s ridiculous that you’re challenging me solely because you can’t get over the fact that a trios match didn’t end the way you wanted it to, but you know that I’m not the type to back down from a fight. You listed down who I defended this title against already and I have no problem adding your name to that list, so if it’s a fight you want I have no problem giving that to you. I know Captain Charisma was busy thinking about what to do with the EAW Championship picture after that contendership match turned out to be a bust, but as far as I’m concerned he can stop looking, because he has his match. If you wanted a match all you had to do was say so, because I’ll gladly face you at Grand Rampage.
(This once again receives loud cheers, and Daryl Kinkade begins to speak after this.)
Daryl Kinkade: Good. You made the right choice, but I hope you realize what this means for you, bruv. You’re not about to have another impressive Championship defense to add to your resume. Your title reign is about to meet its end at Grand Rampage. I didn’t just challenge you because I was looking for a fight, I challenged you because I’m after your Championship and it’s about time for me to finally win my first World Championship. I have waited long enough. I have let enough opportunities slip by me, and Machina you can try to brush off what happened last week but you’re not gonna have that option at Grand Rampage when this remains between the two of us. That referee will have no choice but to count to three once I have you pinned, and I’ll be crowned the new EAW World Champion.
Michael Machina: What are you trying to do, scare me? I accepted your challenge for a reason Daryl, and it’s ‘cause I said from the very moment I won this title that I wasn’t about to be like the last few guys to hold this Championship and run away from fights. I’m not afraid of a challenge and I’m definitely not afraid of whatever threats you throw at me. I heard it all before, whether it was from Methuselah, Adam Lucas, Jake Smith or even all of the men in the Extreme Elimination Chamber. The same Chamber you competed in, by the way. I’m sure you want this title but you seem to be a bit confused right now, because I’m not out here because I have any intentions of losing this title to you. I couldn’t care less how long you’ve been waiting for this. I’ve heard enough sob stories this season and I’m not about to sit through any more of them. I gave you the match you wanted. Just know that when it ends I’m still gonna be holding this Championship.
Daryl Kinkade: Are you sure about that?
Michael Machina: Of course I am. I would’ve lost this Championship a long time ago if I wasn’t serious about everything I say.
Daryl Kinkade: I’m sure that was true back at King of Elite and Shock Value, but you also promised to pick up the victory last week. I’m sure you didn’t expect to be on the receiving end of a pinfall, so what’s stopping the same from happening at Grand Rampage? What’s stopping me from taking that Championship from you when I’ve already proven that I’m capable of getting the upper hand against you?
Michael Machina: If you think this is as easy as me simply making the exact same mistakes that gave you the chance to come out here whining, you don’t know the first thing about me. I’m not in the same position I was when I first walked into this company, or even when I first stepped into this brand. My time as the EAW World Champion isn’t ending anytime soon and it’s definitely not about to end at your hands, so if you’re still hung up on your dreams of becoming World Champ you’re better off waiting until next season. We’ve been in the ring with each other enough times now, Daryl. You should already know that the last thing I was ever gonna do is back away from you. I don’t care about what happened last week or about this whole title chase you have going on. You wanted your shot Daryl and you’re gonna get it, so you better not complain once it doesn’t end how you think it would, because I gave you exactly what you asked for.
(Michael Machina removes his Championship from around his waist, raising it in the air. The fans in attendance once again begin to cheer after hearing everything the EAW World Champion had to say, and Michael Machina stares directly at Daryl Kinkade, who is staring back at him with a focused look on his face now that he’ll be facing Machina for his Championship.)
Rich Russillo: Well it looks like we have our answer! Michael Machina will be facing Daryl Kinkade at Grand Rampage, and Machina’s EAW World Championship will be on the line! This is going to be a great match.
Persephone: Wait… Didn’t Daryl literally just compete in a number one contendership match? He didn’t win back at Shock Value, and I remember that because it was fun watching him and Ms. Extreme getting electrocuted. If Daryl couldn’t earn his shot, why is he still getting one?
Rich Russillo: I think Michael Machina made the answer pretty clear. He’s just not the type to back away from a fight. You could argue Daryl should’ve won the contendership match, but Daryl obviously has a reason to believe he deserves a shot still and Machina wasn’t against giving him one.
Persephone: That’s stupid. I mean I don’t really care, but now I have to watch Michael Machina versus Daryl Kinkade at Grand Rampage and that sounds boring.
Rich Russillo: Well once again I’d say you’re in the minority here, because I think this is an exciting matchup and the people in attendance tonight seem to agree! Still, regardless of where you stand regarding Daryl’s contendership status, what matters is that title and whether or not he can actually win it. I’m looking forward to seeing who comes out of this Grand Rampage match with the EAW World Championship.
(Michael Machina and Daryl Kinkade remain in the ring, staring at each other as tensions appear to be high. The fans in Belfast, Ireland appear to be excited for this match as they continue to cheer, and with this staredown Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)
(Promotional ad for Grand Rampage, where Michael Machina defends the EAW World Championship against Daryl Kinkade.)
(The camera fades to ringside.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A NO DISQUALIFICATIONS MATCH SCHEDULED FOR ONE-FALL!
(“Red Criminal” by Oral Cigarettes begins to play. There is a mixed reaction from the crowd as Chiyo Gedo slowly walks out onto the ramp. He looks around for a moment before turning his full attention towards the ring.)
Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST…FROM OSAKA, JAPAN…WEIGHING IN AT 211 POUNDS…HE IS “THE FACELESS TERMINATOR”…CHIIIYOOOO GEEDOOOO!
(He makes his way into the ring with purpose. He gets inside and then turns around to wait for his opponent. His eyes narrow as “Bad Bitch” by Bebe Rexa begins to play. The crowd completely turns to boos as Bridget Bridget comes out with a cameraman recording as always. Bridget Bridget has a confident look on her face as she poses on the stage for the fans watching the stream, before making her way down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: AND HIS OPPONENT…FROM LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA…WEIGHING IN AT 114 POUNDS…SHE IS THAT BITCH…BRRRIIIDDGEEETTT BRIDGGGEEETTT!
(The cameraman remains on the ramp, keeping his distance for safety as Bridget Bridget enters the ring. The referee then separates the two Elitists and calls for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Ladies and gentlemen, that is the bell! This No Disqualifications match is about to kick off! AND RIGHT OFF THE BAT BRIDGET BRIDGET SLAPS THE TASTE RIGHT OUT OF CHIYO GEDO’S MOUTH! There is a grin on her face like a Cheshire cat! That was just pure disrespect! It didn’t seem too much damage to Gedo! In fact, he seems more pissed than anything else! AND HE LETS HER KNOW IT TOO! HE SLAPS HER IN THE FACE IN RETURN! And this is where the power difference comes in! He nearly took her head off with that one! Bridget stumbles back into the ropes!
Persephone: Damn, that was brutal. But not brutal enough. Someone get a weapon!
Rich Russillo: I’m sure it’s only a matter of time! But right now, Gedo grabs Bridget and sends her across the ring with the irish whip! As she comes back at him, he tries to catch her with the tiger suplex! She brings an elbow right back into his face, preventing the launch! She then tries to get up for the vertical suplex! She’s struggling to lift the over 100-pound heavier opponent! GEDO IS ABLE TO GET HER UP INSTEAD! He drops her right on top of the ropes stomach first!
Persephone: I’m bored. Can they get weapons yet?
Rich Russillo: Bridget falls back, almost out of the ring! She does manage to hold on though, standing on the apron! BUT SHE’S SWATTED OFF WITH A MASSIVE FOREARM! Bridget now falls down on the outside floor! She’s struggling to get back on her feet! BUT THIS IS GIVING GEDO THE OPPORTUNITY THAT HE NEEDS! HE RUSHES AT THE ROPES AND THEN COMES CRASHING DOWN ON HER WITH THE SPRINGBOARD TOP CON GIRO! It looks like Gedo might be dominating in the early parts of this match here!
Persephone: Okay, but he’s going to grab something now right? I swear to God, I want to see one of these rookies crack the other one open.
Rich Russillo: Chiyo Gedo wants to end this match quickly! He picks up Bridget and throws her back inside the ring! He now looks for the cover, hoping he’s done enough already!
ONE!
TW-
Rich Russillo: But she’s able to get her shoulder up! Before the two as well! This elitist definitely has plenty of fight in her! Gedo on the other hand doesn’t want to see the extent of it! He now makes his way to the outside and oh? He’s making his way towards the commentator’s desk! GEDO GRABS A STEEL CHAIR! You can hear this Belfast crowd roar in excitement! They are ready for some violence here!
Persephone: So am I! Gedo slides back inside the ring and lifts the chair up! HE GOES TO SWING IT DOWN ON THE HEAD OF BRIDGET!
Rich Russillo: She rolls out of the way, avoiding the serious brain damage that was sure to follow! She gets back to get her feet! Gedo brings up the chair and makes another wild swing but Bridget manages to avoid that as well! SHE THEN GETS HIM FROM BEHINDS AND HITS THE GERMAN SUPLEX! That was quite the show of strength there! Gedo is no longer armed and dangerous…but Bridget Bridget sure is! She picks up the steel chair…AND BRINGS RIGHT DOWN ON HIS CHEST!
Rich Russillo: She seems particularly inspired here! Bridget brings the chair once again! She seems to be enjoying this! Maybe even a little too much! She drops the chair on the ground and brings Gedo back up to his feet! SHE’S TRYING TO GET HIM UP FOR THE POWERBOMB! I think she wants to drop him right on that steel chair! GEDO MANAGES TO PUSH HER AWAY! He stumbles into the corner and takes a second to recover! He shakes it all off and gets ready to ch-
(*CRASH!*)
Persephone: BRIDGET JUST THREW THE CHAIR RIGHT AT HIS HEAD! BULLSEYE! Gedo collapses forward onto the mat! Bridget wastes no time looking for the cover!
ONE!
TW-
Rich Russillo: But he manages to kick out! Bridget seems annoyed with that! She drags him over to the ropes now! SHE BEGINS CHOKING HIM WITH THEM! The referee is powerless to stop this, so she holds it for a good amount of time! I think his face was about to turn blue! Bridget now goes back to the outside, looking for a new toy to play with! AND SHE FINDS SOMETHING! IS THAT? IT IS! She finds a shillelagh! She just rips it right out of the hands of the fans! And that is a nasty looking one right there! IT’S BLACKTHORN!
RichRussillo: She now brings it back inside the ring! SHE THEN PUTS AROUND HIS THROAT AND BEGINS CHOKING HIM OUT WITH IT! You can see the thorns begin to tear into the flesh as well! It looks like Gedo has started to bleed a little bit! Still, he’s trying to fight his way back on his feet! He manages to get to a vertical base here with that Shillelagh around his throat!
Persephone: HE MANAGES TO FIGHT HER OFF! AND THEN HE GETS HER IN THE GUILLOTINE CHOKE!
Rich Russillo: He drags right down onto the mat with that! You can see there is a look of fury in his eyes! He is just squeezing whatever he can out of her! BUT HE RELEASES THE HOLD! It seems like his intent with that was simply to wear her down! Gedo has other designs here! He takes the Shillelagh and brings it down right on her spine! HE THEN DRAGS HER TO A KNEE AND LINES IT RIGHT UP WITH THE BASE OF HER SKULL! HE PULLS BACK AND HE’S ABOUT TO LET IT FLY!
RichRussillo: BUT BRIDGET DELIVERS A STRAIGHT PUNCH RIGHT TO HIS JUNK! He immediately drops! That was not the most elegant way to avoid that situation! It definitely was the most effective! She gets back to her feet now and picks the steel chair up! She now places it down right on top of him! Bridget is now climbing up off the top rope! It seems from how she positioned it; she is going to crush him right here! SHE STEADIES HERSELF AND GETS READY TO FLY!
(*CRASH!*)
Persephone: SHE SHOULD HAVE SEEN THAT COMING! Gedo with a single hand, took the chair and threw it right at Bridget! She was barely able to block it but it gives Gedo enough time! HE GRABS THE SHILLELAGH AND GETS HER RIGHT ACROSS THE STOMACH! She did not see that one coming! But now he grabs her by the leg…AND FLIPS HER OVER THE CORNER POST!
Rich Russillo: Oh my…she just crashed right on top of the steel steps! That was a nasty fall! Gedo clearly has no intent on playing games tonight! He then picks her back up…AND SLAMS HER ON TOP OF THE BARRICADE WITH A URANAGE! Bridget Bridget is definitely in danger here! He leaves her leaning on it as he searches underneath the ring for a new weapon! AND HE FINDS EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR!
Rich Russillo: Oh this Belfast crowd is exciting now! Here comes the table! Chiyo Gedo brings it into the middle of the ring and sets it up! He looks out at the crowd and gives them no reaction! He is a man on a mission tonight! He drags Bridget back inside the ring! HE PLACES HER RIGHT ON TOP OF THE TABLE! He then goes over to the ropes…AND HE’S ABOUT TO HIT THE LIONSAULT!
Persephone: BORING. He sees Bridget roll off the table and stops himself. It would have been hilarious if he just crashed through it.
Rich Russillo: He is still intent on putting her through it! He takes hold of her and gets her in position for another tiger suplex! BUT SHE GETS HER ARM FREE! SHE THEN RAKES THE EYES! Gedo is left blinded! BRIDGET DESPERATELY GETS HIM UP! She’s holding him high above her head…AND THEN SHE BRINGS HIM DOWN WITH A POWERBOMB THROUGH THE TABLE! IT SHATTERS COMPLETELY! She looks for the cover and this could be it!
ONE!
TWO!
T-
Rich Russillo: BUT NO! SOMEHOW GEDO KICKS OUT OF THAT! This has been a short but turbulent match so far! I wonder what could come next? Bridget seems to know! She drags him over towards the ropes again! This time, she drags his head halfway out of the ring! AND WAIT! Is that? THE CAMERAMAN JUST GAVE HER HER CELLPHONE!
Persephone: She is actually just live-streaming. In the middle of the match. I hope the chat is spamming L.
Rich Russillo: It seems like she is letting all her fans see her! WITH ONE HAND, SHE’S SMASHES HIS FACE OFF THE RING POST! AND NOW SHE’S HEADING UP ONTO THE TOP ROPE YET AGAIN! WITH ONE HAND ON THE PHONE, RECORDING ALL OF THIS…SHE LEAPS OFF FOR THE ELBOW DROP! BUT GEDO MOVES OUT OF THE WAY! BRIDGET LANDS AWKWARDLY ON THE APRON! There is no way that she was not seriously hurt by that impact!
Rich Russillo: Chiyo Gedo slowly rises back to his feet! This is a perfect opportunity for him! He brings her back inside the ring! But out of the corner of his eye…HE SPIES THE CELLPHONE! He picks it up…AND CRAMS IT IN HER MOUTH! HE THEN TAKES A RUNNING START…AND THEN HER SPIKES HER HEAD INTO THE MAT WITH THE FATAL HEAD TRAUMA! Oh god, she might have just bit down on that phone! She might have even cracked a tooth or two! But anyways, Gedo goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-
Persephone: Really? She kicks out just before the three. She’s literally choking on actual glass right now and wants to keep going?
Rich Russillo: Chiyo Gedo wants to put an end to all of this! HE FORCES HER BACK ONTO HER FEET! He begins to run here! He’s trying to build up some speed! HE THEN LOOKS FOR THAT HEAT SEEKER!
Rich Russillo: BUT BRIDGET IS ABLE TO COUNTER WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! She barely ducked under that elbow to do it! She was able to use all that speed against him, but she is clearly still feeling the effects of the Fatal Head Trauma! She spits out some blood and forces herself up! As Chiyo Gedo tries to recover from the suplex…SHE TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A MASSIVE CLOTHESLINE! This is what she needed! Bridget Bridget makes another climb onto the top rope! SWANTON BOMB!
Persephone: I was expecting him to avoid it again. I guess he’s out of gas. Bridget lands perfectly on top of Gedo and looks for the cover. Hopefully this is it!
ONE!
TWO!
T-
Rich Russillo: Even after that, Chiyo Gedo manages to get the shoulder up! Bridget looks very upset here! She’s arguing with the official, insisting it was a three! After a few moments of squabbling, he upholds his ruling! Bridget looks pissed off and she is going to take it on her opponent! She goes back to the outside, looking for a new instrument of pain! She drags out the trash can now and brings it into the ring! I have a feeling she is going to get very creative with this!
Rich Russillo: She leaves it upside down and drags Gedo over to it! HE THEN TAKES HIS HEAD AND SMASHES IT ONTO THE TRASH CAN REPEATEDLY! She does it over and over again, you’d think she’s making music! And now she’s laying it on the ground…AND SHE GOES TO LIFT GEDO UP! She was looking for the belly to belly, but he shoves her off of her, before taking the trash can and hitting her with it! She goes to get up but Gedo moves like a lightning bolt! URANAGE!
Persephone: She really is about to regret bringing that can in there. Gedo places it over her head, clearly lining up for something! HE THEN RUNS TO THE ROPES AND COMES BACK WITH THE LIONSAULT! HE CRUSHES HER WHILE SHE’S INSIDE OF IT!
Rich Russillo: He goes to cover…but he’s having difficulties removing the barrel! It seems like he might have crushed it too much! He forces her back up to a standing position now! HE MAKES THE ATTEMPT AT THE HEAT SEEKER ONCE AGAIN! BUT BRIDGET FALLS BEFORE HE CAN HIT IT! He looks annoyed at that…so he goes to get back up again!
Rich Russillo: BUT SHE BOOTS HIM RIGHT IN THE FAMILY JEWELS, AND IT LOOKS LIKE BRIDGET MAY HAVE BEEN PLAYING POSSUM A BIT! She was able to find them even when she couldn’t see it!
Persephone: Crazy small target too.
Rich Russillo: Regardless, she manages to spare herself a few minutes here! She finally is able to remove the trash can! She picks it up above her head…AND SLAMS IT DOWN ON HER OPPONENT! She is looking absolutely furious now! She drags him back to his feet and slaps him as hard as she can! Oh man, that one nearly dropped him! BRIDGE-KICK!
Rich Russillo: BUT GEDO MOVES TO THE SIDE! He gets behind her and drives her into the mat with the snap dragon suplex! He then picks her back up, keeping her in the hold! HE GETS ANOTHER ONE IN! He keeps her locked in still…bringing her over to the corner! TIGER SUPLEX RIGHT INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! She collides head first into them! She might be knocked out from that! Gedo looks for the cover now!
ONE!
TWO!
T-
Persephone: Wow. She still kicks out even after that! You know, isn’t Gedo supposed to be some kind of terminator? Can he terminate this bitch already?
Rich Russillo: I think that could be his intention here! He goes over to the turnbuckles now and tears off the padding! The metal is now exposed! I could only imagine what his intent might be with that! He grabs Bridget again…AND TRIES TO LAUNCH HER INTO THE CORNER WITH A HARD IRISH WHIP- BUT JUST BEFORE SHE MAKES IMPACT, SHE MANAGES TO LEAP UP AND ONTO THE ROPES! SHE BACKFLIPS RIGHT OVER GEDO! Bridget then shoves him forward and he hits the turnbuckle face first He then staggers back…AND SHE’S ABLE TO TAKE HIM DOWN WITH THE BACKSTABBER! Her knees are driven right into his spine and this could be it! She hooks the leg and tells the official to count it!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-
Persephone: SERIOUSLY??? Gedo kicks out again! Bridget can’t believe this shit. Neither can I. She’s gotta step it up, right now.
Rich Russillo: Look at that, she is making her way onto the top turnbuckle one more time! This is definitely gambling here! But you can tell that she just wants to put Gedo away right now! SHE TURNS AROUND AND GETS READY FOR THE BRIDGE-SAULT! BUT SHE COMES DOWN ON GEDO, HE BRINGS HIS KNEES UP! That was an effective counter by Gedo and it is going to keep him alive for just a few moments longer!
Rich Russillo: Both competitors now are slowly dragging themselves up to their feet! They have done whatever they could so far tonight! Both of them are aware that they’ll need to step it up in this final stretch! BRIDGET CHARGES GEDO AND HE DUCKS UNDER IT! HERE COMES THE UNEXPECTED WHIPLASH!
Persephone: NOPE! SHE GRABS THE TIGHTS OF GEDO IN MID-MOVE! Holy shit, she brings him down for the roll up… Is she about to steal this?
Rich Russillo: NO WAY, NOT WITH THE ROLL UP! BRIDGET IS HOLDING ONTO THE TIGHTS, BUT IT’S ALL LEGAL IN A NO DQ MATCH!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(“Bad Bitch” by Bebe Rexa begins to play as the crowd boos. A grinning Bridget Bridget crawls away from a shocked Chiyo Gedo. Bridget looks towards her cameraman, who has been recording as much as they could of the match. Bridget slowly uses the ropes to get back up, and she has a big smile on her face.)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER…BBBRRRIIIIDDGEETTT BBBRRRIIIIDDGEETTT!
Rich Russillo: I can’t believe that! She just…she just robbed him! That was a brutal match from start to finish! These two were here tonight to destroy one another! And the way it ends is Bridget grabbing the tights?
Persephone: I wanted to see someone get their head caved in. Not that.
(Bridget Bridget is celebrating in the ring. She makes the referee hold her hand up high, and she looks pleased knowing that she was able to get the victory over Chiyo Gedo.)
Rich Russillo: WAIT A MOMENT! BRIDGET BRIDGET JUST TURNED AROUND, AND SHE WAS JUST DROPPED WITH THE UNEXPECTED WHIPLASH! It looks like she forgot something, and it’s that she may have won the match, but Chiyo Gedo was still able to stand! Clearly, he was just as unhappy with that result as this crowd!
Persephone: That does make me feel a little better. I don’t know why he has a smirk on his face all of sudden, though. That bozo still lost.
Rich Russillo: Well congratulations to Bridget Bridget for a… Controversial victory. Still, I don’t know if she looks much like a winner seeing the state Chiyo Gedo just left her in.
(Chiyo Gedo smirks at Bridget before heading out of the ring and up the ramp.
The last shot is Bridget down in the ring, seemingly unconscious as the cameraman quickly stops the stream for the time being. From there, Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues forward as we transition from our opening contest to the backstage area, where we see Eden Sinclair in front of her office door, wearing a dark blue dress alongside an expensive-looking necklace. She has a more serious look on her face as she begins to talk in front of the camera to the fans in Belfast and to those watching around the world.)
Eden Sinclair: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate a moment of your time as we look toward what is next for the Elitists here on Sunday Night Voltage. Coming off the aftermath of what was an exciting event in Shock Value, we are continuing on the road to Pain For Pride and looking at what’s on the horizon for the biggest show of the season. An event where we’ll see legends be made, careers be defined, and moments be immortalized. Everyone is looking at the big spots, looking at the big picture for what Pain for Pride can look like for them, and the Grand Rampage could be that realization for 30 other Elitists hoping to earn not only a World Championship opportunity but also a main event position in the process.
Eden Sinclair: Competitors like Adam Lucas and Jake Smith have already declared being a part of this match last week here on Voltage, following unsuccessful ventures of being world champions at Shock Value against Michael Machina. Despite what you feel about someone like Jake Smith, he was last year’s winner of the match and could have the task of going back-to-back as a Grand Rampage winner, but at the same time, you can’t count out someone like Adam Lucas, who will do everything in his power to make sure Jake doesn’t end up winning the match. While these two have staked their claims for the Grand Rampage, there are still others that haven’t been announced for this match… until now.
(Eden catches her breath as she then continues to speak on who else will be a part of the Grand Rampage match on the Voltage side.)
Eden Sinclair: Because tonight, even more participants will be announced for the Grand Rampage match on the Voltage side of things, and they are as follows… Candice Blair, Damien Kutcher, Akari Kiyoko, Chiyo Gedo, Octavia, and Bridget Bridget!
(The crowd cheers for those names being said as Eden continues as she says…)
Eden Sinclair: Voltage has a lot of talented elitists on this roster, and with the names that have been announced, I am ever so confident that one of them will be returning to Voltage with not only a Grand Rampage victory in their hands but also a Pain for Pride main event guaranteed. Names like the aforementioned Adam Lucas and Jake Smith, people like Candice Blair, Akari Kiyoko, Damien Kutcher, Chiyo Gedo, or even someone new like Bridget Bridget. Any one of these names with a lot of effort and a lot of determination could very well be the last Elitist remaining and earn their ticket to Pain for Pride with massive implications.
???: I think you’re forgetting one more name… hahaha
(The camera pans over to reveal that it’s none other than Octavia, as she has a sly and sadistic grin on her face. She looks to be wearing her casual gear as she approaches Eden Sinclair slowly and intensely, slightly puckering her lips as she begins to speak…)
Octavia: You listed the names that could have a good chance of winning the Grand Rampage match, and no offense to those names, but their chances of winning this match are as low as someone winning the lottery and getting lucky.
(Octavia begins to play with Eden’s hair as she wraps some of her hair strands around her finger as she continues to speak to her…)
Octavia: Now I suppose you wanted to give some false hope to some of those elitists, someone like Chiyo Gedo, who I know has some expectations for himself for how this season will go for him, but being in that ring with me last week, it didn’t turn out quite well for him, did it? Hahaha…
(Octavia lets go of the hair strand as she continues to flick Eden Sinclair’s hair, the expression on Eden’s face turning into an uncomfortable frown as Octavia continues to talk to her about the Grand Rampage match…)
Octavia: So I ask you this question, Eden… Do you think I could win the Grand Rampage match? Does Akari Kiyoko have a higher chance than I? Does Damien Kutcher have a higher chance? You think Bridget Bridget’s streams will get her to be the eventual winner… I’m just asking you, of course.
(Octavia’s demeanor and attitude are evident as she gets closer to Eden Sinclair, having an intense look on her face as the uncomfortableness is a bit much for Eden, stepping back a bit before giving an awkward smile to Octavia as she responds to her by saying…)
Eden Sinclair: My apologies for not saying your name as someone who could win, a match like this is actually quite perfect for you, Octavia. It’s a match that can be unpredictable, and while someone may be a favorite, it can all go crashing down on them at any moment. You pick your spots, and you survive until only one person is left standing in that ring. I’m sure you would have a lot of fun competing in the Grand Rampage Match.
(Octavia lets out a smile towards Eden as she looks up and down on her as she responds to her by saying…)
Octavia: That’s what I like to hear, Eden… Quite frankly, you shouldn’t even be saying who you mentioned to win this match. Everyone else who is involved in this match… they’re just a number waiting to be thrown out by someone who’s the future of this company. I’m honestly quite disappointed in myself for not taking that New Breed Championship away from Effy McAvoy, but with the Grand Rampage…. It will be my way into becoming a World Champion just like that.
(Eden relaxes just a bit as she responds to Octavia’s proclamation by saying…)
Eden Sinclair: It’s a possibility, now as much as you didn’t want to hear those other names be mentioned as potential winners… Like I said, it’s unpredictable, and it could be anyone’s game, not just yours, Octavia. That is the beauty of Grand Rampage, and that is the beauty of earning yourself a main event match at the biggest show of the year.
(Octavia’s face changes as she looks somewhat agreeing with Eden Sinclair. She once again has a sinister, slight grin on her face as she says…)
Octavia: I suppose so… But still, why even bother giving any traction to a name like Bridget Bridget or even Candice Blair? The names you have listed besides mine aren’t going to have a fraction of a chance of being the winner, especially given the skills that I possess within that ring. The beauty is what glistens in me, and the rage of losses fuels me. Which is why I turned it around and bounced back after a disappointing loss at Shock Value into defeating Chiyo Gedo last week.
(Eden responds to Octavia’s question as she tells her…)
Eden Sinclair: Like I said, there’s no reason to doubt anyone in this match, including someone like you. If you’re going to build your legacy, and not be a shadow of someone else’s, then main eventing Pain for Pride in your first season in EAW will do just that.
(Octavia thinks for a moment about what Eden just said to her as she looks in one direction, then into another direction until she lets out a big and creepy-looking grin towards her as she responds by saying…)
Octavia: I guess you make a great point, Eden, that was really… really… insightful. You’re right on that note, winning this match and main eventing Pain for Pride will cast my legacy that I’m building towards. The prospect of winning intrigues me, so I hope I’m the one that ends up with all the grand opportunities when Pain for Pride comes around… I’ll see you soon, Eden.
(Octavia lets out a laugh, which once again makes Eden Sinclair uncomfortable as she slowly walks away from the scene as Eden stares right back into the camera as she says…)
Eden Sinclair: As you can see, ladies and gentlemen, that is a prime example of what type of competitor you can expect to see coming into this Grand Rampage Match. Someone with the motivation and determination to outlast 29 others and secure their position at the biggest show of the year. These types of Elitists are only here on Voltage, and as I said before, one of them will return being a winner.
(Eden stares into the camera, giving a stoic look before turning around and entering back into her office. The segment then begins to fade away as Sunday Night Voltage begins to transition elsewhere in the arena.)
(Sunday Night Voltage continues forward here tonight as we transition to the backstage area, where we see Sofia Clarke standing by, standing in front of a large LED board with Voltage graphics on it inside of an interview set replicating a wrestling ring. She is wearing a nice black dress, giving a nice smile as she gestures toward the camera. She then begins to speak to the EAW audience, not only watching in Belfast, but also those watching at home as well.)
Sofia Clarke: Hello, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome back to Sunday Night Voltage! We just witnessed an outstanding opening bout between Chiyo Gedo and Bridget Bridget in that No DQ match, and right now I want to turn my attention towards someone else tonight who has had his issues of sorts since King of Elite, particularly with his tag team partner. Someone who has shown what he is capable of doing these past couple of months, despite claims that could be said from a third party, everyone, please give a warm welcome to Damien Kutcher.
(Damien Kutcher enters the frame to a mixed reaction from the audience as he doesn’t look particularly happy or hyped, having a slightly frustrated look on his face. He stands over Sofia wearing casual street attire, whilst wearing some sunglasses, as Sofia says to him…)
Sofia Clarke: Thank you for your time, Damien!
Damien Kutcher: Yeah… What are your questions?
(Sofia smiles as she then focuses on asking Damien…)
Sofia Clarke: Now Damien, it’s been very evident that the issues between yourself and Akari Kiyoko have taken a toll these past numbers of weeks, and supposedly all the issues that could stem from your tag team were coming from you according to Luna Adeline. Last week, however, Akari was the one that was pinned in your guys’ tag team match, and you said something to him afterwards, you care to elaborate?
(Damien thinks for a bit on what to say following Sofia’s question as he answers her by saying…)
Damien Kutcher: Yeah, I will. I wasn’t the so-called “weak link” last week, was I? You know, Sofia, ever since Luna Adeline came into the picture, all she ever wanted to do was point the fingers at ME! She wanted to blame me for our shortcomings, even though I gave her a chance to try and help us out after not being able to win those tag team titles at King of Elite. To top all of it off, even after all that, Akari was still telling me to give her a chance, that she was our difference maker, our problem solver. That it’s my attitude that is the problem, and not the person who just wanted to point fingers at me and not towards her closest friend. So last week, it was shown that it isn’t a one-sided problem when Akari Kiyoko got nailed with the Starmaker and was pinned in the middle of that ring. So when Luna was checking up on Akari, I looked down at her and said those words, because all those weeks of undermining just went up in smoke. I was getting blamed week after week, over and over again, for the setbacks that Akari and I had endured after last week’s match… I guess I’m not the only one to blame for our losses.
(Sofia nods to what Damien just said as she then asks another question to him…)
Sofia Clarke: A very insightful answer, I want to ask you another question-
???: I DON’T THINK SO, SWEETHEART!!
(The random voice that yelled that to Sofia Clarke is revealed to be none other than Luna Adeline as the camera pans over to reveal her and Akari Kiyoko as they have interrupted Damien’s interview time with Sofia. He has a frustrated look on his face as Sofia steps back, and he says to them…)
Damien Kutcher: Of course, you guys just want to interrupt my interview time… That’s just great, isn’t it?
Akari Kiyoko: Hold on just a second, you’re going to try to pin this one on me now? That I got pinned last week, and all of a sudden, you’re going to go up to Luna and ask her who’s the weak link now? Come on, man, I asked you to give her a chance. She was giving you ways that can help you improve, and instead, you’re ranting about being blamed for problems?
Damien Kutcher: I don’t care if you have been friends with Luna since the 18th century or something, she has done nothing but ridicule me for the shortcomings we have had as a tag team and the one week where you were pinned, I don’t hear a single word coming out of her mouth to try and “help” you and try to get the “best” out of you.
(Akari doesn’t look all too happy at the moment as he responds to Damien by saying…)
Akari Kiyoko: Look, man, you could have taken whatever Luna said to you and turned it into something productive and put all that energy into trying to step up your game. I have proven myself as someone who has been able to get it done against big-time players in this company, and one week where I was pinned doesn’t change the notion that I’m also being blamed for losing. You could have taken the opportunity to improve yourself, and instead, you have taken your issues out on me and Luna.
Damien Kutcher: Don’t try and twist this into Luna trying to be someone who was giving criticism, and I couldn’t handle it. She was actively telling me that I WAS THE PROBLEM! That I was the reason we had our shortcomings, so I don’t know what you expected to do when someone that I don’t know, but was willing to give her a chance because of their partner, trusted him telling me that I need to step up to your level because, according to her, I don’t take this profession as “seriously” as you do, which is further from the damn truth.
(Akari is beginning to look even more frustrated when speaking with Damien as he responds to him by saying…)
Akari Kiyoko: You’re not making things any better, Damien. Luna laid out some advice within those harsh words, and instead, you focused on being called a problem instead of fixing what issues you might have to help make this team better. You could have done more in our tag match against Jake and Caroline, you could have done more when we faced Adam Lucas and Bethany, and most importantly, you could have done more at King of Elite. That’s not me trying to put you down, that’s me wanting you to step up to the plate that’s been given to you.
Damien Kutcher: Is that what it is, Akari? Do I need to step up to the plate that’s been given to me? What type of lies has Luna given you? We were tight, we had each other’s backs before she came in and decided to disrespect me and my personal life. She had no room to talk about who I can and cannot see because that’s “distracting” me. Luna is a disease that has affected you.
Akari Kiyoko: I’m not affected whatsoever, so don’t try to paint a different picture now!
(All of a sudden, we see Akari push Damien following his comments on Luna as Damien cracks a smile before he shoves him back, and now both men are laying punches at each other! Rights and lefts are being thrown by Damien Kutcher and Akari Kiyoko as tensions have boiled over between these two! Luna Adeline gets in between them as she says…)
Luna Adeline: Guys… GUYS! SETTLE DOWN!!
(Damien and Akari stop the fighting between themselves as Luna begins to speak as she stands in the middle between them.)
Luna Adeline: Alright, look! I see there are some very evident issues between both of you, and with the type of tension, I think it would be best for everyone involved if they focused on the Grand Rampage match separately.
(Akari and Damien both look at Luna as she said this, as Damien responds to her by saying…)
Damien Kutcher: You know what, Adeline… That may have actually been the first good idea you’ve had since you came here.
(Damien Kutcher walks off the interview stage as he exits the scene, as the camera focuses on Akari and Luna as he says…)
Akari Kiyoko: Whatever…
(He too leaves the scene as Luna walks in the direction where he went, as Sofia Clarke, who just saw all this go down, steps forward as she speaks into the camera following what just happened.)
Sofia Clarke: A chaotic scene is unfolding between Akari Kiyoko and Damien Kutcher. It’s surely an interesting development as we head towards Grand Rampage! Turning it back now to the good folks at commentary!
(Sofia smiles at the camera before it fades off as we transition back into the arena for our next match on the show.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, and at the commentary table is Methuselah, who is wearing a commentary headset and seated next to Rich Russillo and Persephone.)
Rich Russillo: Methuselah, thank you for joining us tonight.
Persephone: I’m uncomfortable.
Rich Russillo: As we all know you’ll be facing KASAI at Grand Rampage in a match that has been very heated. I assume that’s why you’re out here tonight?
Methuselah: KASAI set herself up for her own destruction, so I have no issue with taking the time to witness her attempts to show me what she’s capable of.
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
(‘My Own Summer’ by Deftones hits, and before long, Selina Reyes begins to make her way out to the stage. Selina is not alone however, as Candice Blair can be seen walking alongside her. Selina has a focused look on her face while Candice can be seen sharing a few words with her while on the stage. After this, the two begin to make their way down the ramp and towards the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first!… Accompanied by Candice Blair… Residing in San Antonio, Texas… Weighing in at 117 pounds… SEEELIIIIINNAAAAAAA REEEEYYYEEESSSSS!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Selina Reyes and Candice Blair are looking to build some momentum here, and seeing as these are two talented Elitists I think they’re capable of it. We did see Selina pick up a nice win back at Shock Value, so let’s see if she can get the job done tonight.
Persephone: I have nothing to add here, so do you have anything to say, Methuselah?
Methuselah: I’m not fond in her choice of ally, but I’m not here for neither her nor the Ava.
(‘The End’ by Lil Uzi Vert and BABYMETAL follows, causing a mixed reception to come from the crowd. KASAI begins to walk out, and while she has a focused look on her face, she does laugh seeing Methuselah sit on commentary. She doesn’t allow this to bother her too much for the time being however, as she begins making her way down the ramp, focused on the opponent ahead of her as she turns her attention to Selina Reyes.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent… From Amani, Kagoshima, Japan… Weighing in at 145 pounds… KAAAAAAAAASAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Well here’s the Elitist you’re here to see Methuselah, and right now I’d say she looks pretty focused.
Methuselah: Does she have any other choice knowing how closely I’m watching this match?
Rich Russillo: That’s a fair point, and likely not. However, KASAI is a skilled competitor and former Specialists Champion, so let’s see what she can do tonight.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: And here we go! This match is underway as both Elitists lock up, and it looks like Selina Reyes is able to get the upper hand early on as she wraps KASAI in a headlock! We know that Selina is skilled when it comes to her technical ability, so this may not have been the best way for KASAI to approach the early stages of this match. Selina is able to pull KASAI into a grounded headlock, but KASAI uses this opportunity to pull Selina into a headscissors! Both Elitists get back up after this, but Selina is able to wrap KASAI into a hammerlock after this!
Methuselah: Needless to say, I’m not impressed. If I’m to do battle against KASAI at Grand Rampage she should understand that it’ll be a matter of life or death. What we’re seeing right now is not enough.
Persephone: I’m not impressed either, but that’s because neither of them are good wrestlers. Anyways, KASAI is able to slip out of the hammerlock, and instead of continuing the boring lock ups she finally decided to just blast Selina with an elbow! Selina stumbles back, and KASAI sends her into the corner of the ring before running in and following up with a running European uppercut! KASAI sweeps the legs to drop Selina into a seated position, before hitting KASAI with a boot to the face.
Rich Russillo: KASAI pulls Selina out of the corner after this and she sends her into the opposite corner- BUT SELINA JUMPS OVER THE ROPES, MAKING HER WAY OUT TO THE APRON! KASAI rushes over- BUT SELINA CONNECTS WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZUIGIRI TO SEND HER STUMBLING BACK! SELINA NOW WITH A SPRINGBOARD- NO! KASAI RUSHED TOWARDS SELINA AS SHE JUMPED OFF THE TOP ROPE, FORCING SELINA TO HAVE TO JUMP OVER KASAI AND ROLL TO HER FEET!
Persephone: Selina turns around- RIGHT INTO A BICYCLE KICK BY KASAI! Selina stumbles and KASAI looks to follow it up with a spinning back elbow- but Selina is able to duck under that before grabbing KASAI from behind and connecting with a snap dragon suplex. KASAI stumbles back to her feet and stumbles into the ropes, and as she rebounds off of them Selina lifts KASAI over her head with a back body drop.
Methuselah: KASAI was able to land on her feet however, avoiding the back body drop attempt from Selina.
Rich Russillo: That’s right, AND AS SOON AS SELINA TURNS AROUND, KASAI CATCHES HER WITH AN ENZUIGIRI! Selina stumbles as KASAI returns to her feet, AND SHE DROPS SELINA WITH A NECKBREAKER! KASAI now with the first cover of the match as she hooks the legs of Selina Reyes!
ONE!
TW-
Rich Russillo: Quick kickout by Selina who sits back up- BUT KASAI QUICKLY RETURNS TO HER FEET, KICKING SELINA RIGHT IN THE BACK! Smart move right there by KASAI, who quickly drags Selina Reyes back to her feet before kneeing her in the midsection! KASAI now lifting Selina up into a fireman’s carry-
Persephone: But Selina is able to slip out of KASAI’s grasp before taking her to the mat with a drop toe hold, and she immediately follows up with a crossface! I kinda hate that she put KASAI into a submission because those always last forever and now I have to sit here and watch KASAI struggle to get out of it. KASAI better just tap out so we can get this over with.
Methuselah: If KASAI were to admit defeat so easily, I fail to see why she’d be so eager to face me.
Rich Russillo: Well it looks like KASAI won’t be tapping out this early on, as she was able to roll over and drag Selina into a pinfall! Selina immediately kicks out and releases the submission- BUT JUST AS KASAI TRIED PUSHING HERSELF BACK UP, SELINA JUMPED ONTO HER BACK AND DRAGGED KASAI BACK TO THE MAT WITH A SLEEPER HOLD! Another submission has been applied now as KASAI is in trouble, and it just goes to show that Selina really knows what she’s doing when it comes to this. Candice is still watching this one closely from ringside, and it looks like she likes what she’s doing!
Persephone: KASAI was able to roll herself over on top of Selina for another pin, and as soon as Selina released the hold KASAI jumped onto her chest with a double foot stomp. Selina slowly rolls to her knees and begins to stumble back to her feet, but KASAI kicks her legs out from under her, dropping Selina back down to both knees. KASAI begins to hit Selina with repeated shoot kicks, which I guess are wearing Selina down. KASAI runs the ropes after that, AND SHE GOES FOR THE SILVER BULLET!
Rich Russillo: IT DOESN’T CONNECT THOUGH! SELINA DUCKED UNDER THAT BEFORE TURNING AROUND, AND SHE PULLS KASAI INTO AN O’CONNOR ROLL PIN!
ONE!
TWO-
Rich Russillo: KASAI IS ABLE TO KICK OUT, THOUGH! Both Elitists return to their feet, BUT SELINA JUMPS OFF OF THE MIDDLE ROPE, DELIVERING A SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY TO DROP KASAI! This has been a very back and forth contest so far as neither Elitist is looking to go down so easily. KASAI slowly pulls herself into the corner of the ring though, and I don’t think that’s where she wants to be right now!
Persephone: Yeah, of course it isn’t. Selina obviously has something in mind here.
Methuselah: Of course, and right now it appears KASAI is struggling more than I’m sure she anticipated.
Rich Russillo: Selina Reyes runs in- AND SHE WENT FOR THE KNOCKOUT SMASH, BUT KASAI WAS ABLE TO BARELY GET OUT OF THE WAY! SELINA COLLIDES WITH THE TURNBUCKLES AND STUMBLES OUT OF THE CORNER, AND NOW KASAI GOES FOR A DROPKICK THAT SENDS SELINA OUT OF THE RING! KASAI returns to her feet, AND NOW SHE RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE FLYING INTO SELINA REYES WITH A TOPE SUICIDA!!! WHAT A MOVE BY KASAI!
Persephone: It wasn’t that impressive. Still, it did take Selina out and now KASAI is in control. KASAI sends Selina into the ring before quickly following behind, and I think she has something else planned as she grabs Selina and begins lifting her up. KASAI begins to lift Selina over her shoulders- AND IT LOOKS LIKE SHE WAS GOING FOR STARBOMB, BUT SELINA WAS ABLE TO SLIP OUT OF HER GRASP! Selina drags KASAI to the mat with a schoolgirl pin- BEFORE QUICKLY TRYING TO TRANSITION INTO THE ORYX AWAKENING TO FINALLY END THE MATCH!
Rich Russillo: IT DOESN’T CONNECT THOUGH, AS KASAI IS ABLE TO FREE ONE OF HER LEGS AND KICK SELINA IN THE FACE! Selina stumbles back and lets go of KASAI, and now KASAI returns to her feet! KASAI now, LOOKING TO SURPRISE SELINA WITH URAI’S CURSE- BUT SELINA IS BARELY ABLE TO DUCK UNDER THE KICK AT THE LAST SECOND! SELINA TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY NOW TO JUMP ONTO KASAI FROM BEHIND, BEFORE DRIVING HER HEAD INTO THE MAT WITH A POISONRANA! WHAT A MOVE BY SELINA REYES, AND NOW SHE HOOKS THE LEGS OF KASAI TO PUT THIS ONE AWAY!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-
Persephone: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! KASAI WAS ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER UP! THE MATCH ISN’T OVER YET, WHY!???!?!? This sucks. Now I have to keep sitting through this horrible match. Whatever. Anyways, Selina is slowly dragging KASAI up with a front facelock, and she delivers a few knees to the midsection. It looks like she may be trying to set up for the Oryx Awakening once again, and I just pray it connects because I can’t handle this match lasting any longer than it already has. Selina tries to lift KASAI up- BUT KASAI PULLS HERSELF DOWN BEFORE RUNNING INTO THE TURNBUCKLES, YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS!
Methuselah: KASAI still has life left in her after all, as she found the opportunity to ram Selina back first into the turnbuckles in order to avoid what would’ve been the finishing blow. It’s not very surprising, but if KASAI intends to send a message, she couldn’t afford to fall at that moment.
Rich Russillo: KASAI slowly stumbles away from the corner, AND SELINA RESPONDS TO HER WITH A BOOT TO THE FACE ONCE SHE TRIED TO GO ON THE OFFENSIVE ONCE MORE! KASAI is dropped down to a knee, and Selina pulls herself up to the middle rope! Selina now diving off before grabbing KASAI and delivering an arm drag, and this sends KASAI rolling out to the apron! KASAI finds her way back up, BUT SELINA RUNS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE OF THAT CORNER AND JUMPS OFF, BEFORE DROPKICKING KASAI OFF OF THE APRON!
Persephone: KASAI falls out to apron, and the right move to make here would be to leave KASAI to get counted out, so naturally that’s not what Selina is gonna do. Instead she makes her way out to the apron while KASAI is using the apron to pull herself up. Selina now running in, AND SHE WENT FOR A PENALTY KICK, BUT KASAI WAS ABLE TO AVOID IT AND GRAB SELINA’S LEG, BEFORE PULLING IT OUT FROM UNDER HER! Selina is dropped right onto her face, and KASAI pushes her back into the ring before quickly following behind.
Rich Russillo: KASAI quickly lifts Selina Reyes into an Argentine rack, BUT SELINA IS ABLE TO SLIP OUT OF KASAI’S GRASP BEFORE APPLYING A SECOND SLEEPER HOLD! SELINA JUMPED ONTO KASAI’S BACK ONCE MORE, ONLY THIS TIME KASAI IS STANDING WHILE IN THE HOLD! SELINA ONCE AGAIN UTILIZING HER KNOWLEDGE WHEN IT COMES TO SUBMISSION MANEUVERS- BUT KASAI WASTES NO TIME QUICKLY BACKPEDALING INTO THE CORNER, SENDING SELINA BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! SELINA IS FORCED TO RELEASE THE HOLD, AND NOW KASAI RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE FINALLY CONNECTING WITH THE SILVER BULLET!!! THE SILVER BULLET DROPS SELINA, AND NOW KASAI GOES FOR THE COVER TO PUT AN END TO THIS MATCH!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!
Persephone: And OF COURSE, Selina just HAD to kick out right before three! This is ridiculous. I can’t believe this match is still going on right now.
Rich Russillo: Methuselah, this is who you’ll be up against at Grand Rampage. Do you have any thoughts on what you’ve seen so far tonight?
Methuselah: Well as I’ve said, KASAI’s job at Grand Rampage is not to win. It’s to survive. I may be here to observe my Grand Rampage opponent tonight, but what do you think? Do you truly believe she’ll be able to survive?
Rich Russillo: Well I can’t deny that she has an extremely tough challenge ahead of her, but I’d say tonight she has had a great performance so far. KASAI is staring at Selina after she was able to kick out of that huge move, and she just begins to laugh.
Persephone: What could possibly be so funny right now?
Rich Russillo: I’m not so sure, but then again, KASAI has never been the easiest Elitist to read. Selina has slowly crawled towards the ropes and begins trying to use them to find her way back up- BUT KASAI KICKS HER IN THE HEAD, AND BEGINS TO RELENTLESSLY STOMP AWAY AT HER UNTIL FINALLY THE REFEREE IS FORCED TO BEGIN COUNTING! KASAI lets go of Selina, BUT ONLY SO SHE CAN PULL SELINA AWAY FROM THE ROPES, ALLOWING HER TO GET ON TOP OF SELINA AND BEGIN ELBOWING AWAY AT HER!
Persephone: Selina is able to push KASAI off of her, but as soon as she sits back up, KASAI runs back in and connects with a penalty kick right to her face. KASAI heads out to the apron, and it looks like she’s beginning to make her way out to the top rope while Selina Reyes is still down on the mat. Honestly this match has been totally unbearable and I’m still pretty uncomfortable having Methuselah here on commentary with us, but at least it looks like it’s almost over. KASAI is up top, AND SHE GOES FOR THE KITSUNE’S BLESSING V2!
Rich Russillo: SELINA REYES IS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY, THOUGH! SELINA AVOIDS THE MOONSAULT STOMP AND THAT WAS A MUCH NEEDED COUNTER! KASAI ROLLS BACK TO HER FEET AS SELINA GETS BACK UP, AND NOW KASAI RUNS BACK IN- RIGHT INTO A VICTORY ROLL PIN BY SELINA!
ONE!
TW-
Rich Russillo: KASAI IS ABLE TO KICK OUT, BUT THIS TIME IT’S SELINA THAT JUMPS UP AND HITS A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP ON KASAI! Selina Reyes is able to get back in this one, and that was a close one as this match nearly came to an end!
Persephone: Yeah… So glad that didn’t happen… :francis:
Rich Russillo: KASAI begins to slowly push herself up to a knee, BUT SELINA REYES RUNS THE ROPES AND IS ABLE TO DELIVER A RUNNING METEORA TO DROP KASAI! KASAI goes down, and Selina right now seems to be getting back into this one! KASAI stumbles into the corner, and this allows Selina to run in, CONNECTING WITH A HUGE RUNNING FOREARM! KASAI FALLS INTO A SEATED POSITION AS SELINA RUNS INTO THE OPPOSITE CORNER, AND NOW SHE CHARGES BACK IN BEFORE GOING FOR A-
Persephone: NO! KASAI BURSTS OUT OF THE CORNER WITH A SUPERKICK! Selina drops to a knee, AND NOW KASAI RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A KNEE LIFT! Selina drops to the mat, and at this point surely these two have to have run out of ideas. Can’t they just agree to a tie or something?
Methuselah: Even an Elitist like KASAI, who claims to take pride in the battles she faces rather than the result, knows that walking out of this with anything besides a victory would not reflect well on her knowing the situation that she is in. I’m not concerned about the one who made the mistake of aligning herself with an Ava, but KASAI doesn’t have a choice in the matter.
Rich Russillo: Selina Reyes is pushing herself back up though, AND SHE HITS KASAI WITH A FOREARM TO MAKE HER BACK OFF! Selina is doing everything she can to remain in this one, AND KASAI SWINGS AT SELINA- BUT SELINA DUCKS UNDER IT BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP! KASAI RESPONDS WITH A CHOP OF HER OWN, AND NOW THERE’S ANOTHER CHOP BY SELINA! KASAI RESPONDS WITH A SECOND CHOP OF HER OWN, AND NOW BOTH OF THESE WOMEN ARE GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH CHOPS, PUTTING EVERYTHING THEY HAVE BEHIND THESE STRIKES AS SOMEHOW NEITHER ELITIST WILL FALL!
Persephone: KASAI goes for one more chop- BUT INSTEAD OF TAKING IT, SELINA CATCHES KASAI’S ARM BEFORE USING IT TO DRAG HER TO THE MAT! SELINA QUICKLY REDIRECTS AND GRABS KASAI BY THE LEGS, PULLING HER INTO A SHARPSHOOTER! YES, NOW TAP OUT THIS TIME! KASAI IS STRUGGLING, AND THIS IS PERFECT! Now Selina could either force KASAI to tap out or break her spine in half! Either one works as long as they do it quickly.
Rich Russillo: It doesn’t look like KASAI is willing to let that happen so easily though, as she slowly is able to push herself over onto her back, which gives her the opportunity to begin kicking away at Selina and forcing her off of her! KASAI now back to her feet, AND SHE DROPS SELINA WITH A CLOTHESLINE! SELINA STUMBLES BACK TO HER FEET, AND KASAI PLANTS HER WITH A SECOND CLOTHESLINE! SELINA STUMBLES BACK TO HER FEET ONCE AGAIN, AND THIS TIME KASAI CATCHES HER WITH A DROPKICK THAT CAUSES SELINA TO STUMBLE INTO THE CORNER OF THE RING! KASAI NOW RUNNING IN-
Persephone: BUT SELINA LIFTS KASAI OVER HER HEAD AND ONTO THE TOP ROPE! KASAI is able to safely land up there sadly- BUT SELINA QUICKLY SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE, CATCHING KASAI WITH A KNEE! KASAI IS STUCK ON THE TOP ROPE AFTER THAT, AND NOW SELINA BEGINS CLIMBING UP TOP! I don’t know or care what it is Selina is going for, but whatever it is better be capable of ending this match quickly. Selina is up top and picks up KASAI, BEFORE DELIVERING THE PUNJABI FLY FROM THE TOP ROPE! SELINA QUICKLY GOES FOR THE COVER, AND FINALLY THAT HAS TO BE IT!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Methuselah: KASAI kicked out.
Persephone: :francis:
Rich Russillo: SHE SURE DID, AND NEITHER SELINA NOR CANDICE CAN BELIEVE IT! They thought that the match would end, and I don’t blame them for thinking that. That was an amazing move from Selina, but somehow KASAI was able to hang in there! Selina pushes herself back to her feet before slowly backing into the corner furthest away from KASAI, and it looks like she has something on her mind here as she’s waiting for KASAI to get back to her feet! This has been a fantastic match so far, will we see Selina Reyes walk out of this with the victory!?
Persephone: As long as the match actually ends here, that’s fine with me. KASAI finally pushed herself up after spending years laid out on the mat, AND NOW SELINA RUSHES OUT OF THE CORNER, CHARGING AT KASAI FOR THE ALAMO KNEE!
Rich Russillo: BUT IT DOESN’T CONNECT!!!!! KASAI WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE ALAMO KNEE AS SELINA REYES LANDS RIGHT ON HER BACK! SELINA TURNS AND TRIES TO GET BACK UP- BUT KASAI RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE SHE GETS THE CHANCE, ALLOWING KASAI TO HIT HER WITH A SECOND SILVER BULLET, THIS TIME TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
Persephone: OKAY, NOW HURRY UP AND END THE MATCH!
Rich Russillo: Well Persephone, it looks like you might be getting your wish! KASAI is heading back up to the top rope, only this time it looks like Selina Reyes is down and out! Selina hasn’t moved one bit, AND THIS ALLOWS KASAI TO DELIVER THE KITSUNE’S BLESSING V2, DIVING RIGHT ONTO THE BACK OF SELINA REYES! WHAT A BRUTAL MANEUVER AS SHE DELIVERS THE MOONSAULT STOMP ONTO THE BACK OF SELINA, AND NOW KASAI GOES FOR THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… KAAAAAAAAAASAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!
(‘The End’ begins to play once more as KASAI rolls off of Selina Reyes, before pushing herself back to her feet. She has her hand raised by the referee, but instead of looking at Selina or acknowledging the reception from the crowd, she instead is staring directly at Methuselah, focusing on her opponent at Grand Rampage. During this, Candice Blair enters the ring, tending to Selina Reyes and slowly helping her up.)
Rich Russillo: That was a great match, but in the end it looks like it was KASAI that was able to walk out of it with the victory!
Persephone: Finally, it’s over.
Rich Russillo: Selina Reyes put up a great fight, but I think KASAI is walking out of this with some great momentum. What do you think, Methuselah?
(Methuselah does not answer the question, and that’s because he has chosen to remove the commentary headset that he was wearing. He is staring directly at KASAI, who has left the ring and made her way over towards the commentary table. Methuselah gets out of his seat, and there’s a staredown between the two as tensions appear to be high.)
Rich Russillo: Well, I suppose I should’ve known that things would come to this! KASAI and Methuselah will be facing off one on one at Grand Rampage after KASAI literally tried to kill Methuselah back at Shock Value, and this should be a good one!
Persephone: Only if someone actually dies this time. Don’t tell him I said this, but it’s still annoying to me that Methuselah actually survived tha-
Rich Russillo: WOAH, WAIT A SECOND! LOOK INSIDE OF THE RING!
Persephone: ????
Rich Russillo: IT’S BRIANNA HILL!!! BRIANNA HILL JUST HIT CANDICE BLAIR IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH THE SPECIALISTS CHAMPIONSHIP, DROPPING HER TO THE MAT!!!
Persephone: Well I didn’t expect that.
Rich Russillo: SELINA SWINGS AT BRIANNA, BUT BRIANNA DUCKS UNDER IT BEFORE HITTING SELINA IN THE FACE WITH HER CHAMPIONSHIP, DROPPING HER AS WELL!!!
(The fans boo loudly as the Specialists Champion stands over Selina Reyes and Candice Blair. Brianna Hill looks down at Selina, and she begins to speak.)
Brianna Hill: (off-mic) If you want this title, you’re welcome to try and take it at Grand Rampage!
(Brianna Hill raises her Championship over Selina Reyes after this, standing tall over both Selina and Candice Blair.)
Rich Russillo: WOW! What a statement made by Brianna Hill, who seems ready to defend her Championship against Selina Reyes at Grand Rampage! This would be a big match, and it looks like things have already gotten heated!
Persephone: Ugh. The last thing I care about is Selina facing the La Familia lackey turned Silas World lackey.
Rich Russillo: Well it’s a Championship match, and after what we just saw, I’m sure Selina Reyes isn’t gonna be backing down so easily.
(One more shot is shown of Brianna Hill standing over Selina Reyes, holding the Specialists Championship in the air. The fans continue to boo, but Brianna has a focused look on her face as she stands tall. From there, Voltage begins to fade away from ringside.)
(Commercial for Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, which officially was supposed to release a day over a year ago, today. In theaters eventually.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to a pan-around shot of the SSE Arena as the crowd bustles in anticipation for what’s to come in what’s already been a jampacked show, and it’s not long before ‘Psycho’ by That’s Outrageous begins to hit through the speakers. The crowd gives a mixed reaction as the camera goes over to reveal the New Breed Champion as Effy McAvoy begins to make her way out. She has her title over her shoulder and a fairly nonchalant expression on her face, taking a glance around before then beginning to make her way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… the EAW NEW BREED CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!! ‘THE OMEN’… EFFY MCAVOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Well last week we saw someone step up to the plate to be Effy McAvoy’s next challenger for the New Breed Championship, and that ended up being revealed to be Friday Night Dynasty’s Cosmo Goldworthy, who made one hell of a statement toward the Champion that he was done waiting for his opportunity and was just looking to take. While he certainly came off as demanding, it doesn’t seem like Effy was very intimidated by it, looking at it as very routine and having the same result as all the other matches before, where she comes out on top in the end, and I wouldn’t put it past her to do that.
Persephone: Well, here’s the thing, I don’t care. I’m just glad that idiot that they call a Hall of Famer doesn’t come out with her anymore, at least Octavia did us that favor. Regardless, we’re going to have to hear her annoying voice, I just hope Cosmo comes out and starts fighting her or something so we can get something going before this just gets overkill.
(Effy makes her way up the steps and onto the apron as she enters through the ropes and into the ring. She takes her title and raises it into the air with a big smirk on her face as ‘Psycho’ then begins to come to a close from there. With a satisfied look on her face she then begins to make her way over and take a microphone from the ringside area, heading toward the center of the ring as she then begins to speak.)
Effy McAvoy: I heard what Cosmo Goldworthy had to say on Friday Night Dynasty this week, and I can’t say that it has changed my perception of him very much. His deluded dreams of winning the New Breed Championship are something that he should tread lightly on, because he has no idea what is to come if he pushes me any further than he already has. He has no idea what I am capable of doing, and while I am sure Dynasty is sunshine and rainbows, stepping onto Voltage is a whole other animal, and that’s not something that he is prepared for. All the rules are out the window, I can feel as inclined as I want to get my hands on him and do whatever I desire. If he truly believes that he needs to win this title to make his journey worth it, if he thinks that he wants to use this reign to prove that he’s the best, then you better be ready to go through hell to get your way.
Effy McAvoy: I’m interested in what I’ve heard him say, but I’m certainly compelled to believe that Cosmo has gotten ahead of himself, seeing as he’s not only the challenger in this situation, but that the Champion he’s facing is still in the early stage of her title reign. He would never understand how much this title means to me, and with that in mind, I’m not going to let Cosmo Goldworthy ruin this title reign just for the sake of making a name for himself and it’s not going to go his way just because he says it will, because that’s just pathetic.
(Effy doesn’t have to wait very long to get something out of this, as ‘RUNITUP’ by Tyler, The Creator ft. Teezo Touchdown begins to play through the speakers of the arena. The crowd begins to react negatively as the camera goes over to the stage to show Cosmo Goldworthy as he makes his way out. He has a skeptical, sarcastic expression on his face as he shakes his head in disappointment, taking a moment before then beginning to make his way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Well, here comes the challenger, and he’s certainly not very intimidated by what Effy had to say about him. He’s been all confidence since he staked his claim for the New Breed Championship, and his goal has not wavered on getting his first Championship in this company, regardless of who’s going to be standing in the way of that. It’s going to be one hell of a battle, but if there’s one thing for certain, Cosmo is going to be up for the challenge.
Persephone: Are we sure? Look, just because this dude is an idiot and biting off more than he can chew, doesn’t mean that we have to instill some false hope into him to make him feel better about himself. He can be abysmal and admit to his flaws, that’s fine, but let’s not get out of hand and say that he’s going to win the New Breed Championship, because that’s just something that’s not going to happen.
(Cosmo makes his way up the steps and onto the apron as he enters through the ropes. He heads over and takes a microphone from the ringside area as ‘RUNITUP’ then begins to come to a close from there. Then, approaching Effy, he begins to speak.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: I don’t know what makes you think that you understand a damn thing about me, but it’s clear to me, Effy, that you’ve got things twisted. You say that this is all about making a name for myself, that I’m fighting for a spot and nothing else, and while that’s a part of it, what I don’t think you understand is that it’s so much more than that. What this is about is making sure that I get to where I need to be. If you heard what I said on Dynasty, which you claim to have done, you would’ve heard me say that I don’t intend to spend week after week explaining this to you, so if you’re still confused, then that’s fine. You can believe whatever you want to believe, but I’ll make sure that the message is sent once I leave Grand Rampage with the New Breed Championship around my waist; that’s a promise.
Effy McAvoy: You should be more careful, and more importantly, you should watch what you say. Sure, you’ve worked hard to get here, and I’m not going to chastise you for doing something that anyone else who is just as foolish as you would have done, but I’ve worked just as hard, if not harder than you. I’ve done just that for nearly an entire season, and I’ve done it for more than just myself. You’ll be the perfect challenge for me to keep my goals going, and that is to make sure that I add to the legacy of Ahren Fournier and continue to be the best Champion possible despite what everyone has to say about it.
(Cosmo looks visibly annoyed by this as he shakes his head. Frustrated as he raises his microphone to his mouth and looks to respond.)
Cosmo Goldworthy: You know what? No. You know what I’m not going to do? I’m not going to sign to this company and work my ass off just so I can be used by you so you can please your pseudo lover. I’m worth way more than that, and I’m ready to win my first Championship in EAW. It doesn’t matter what or who you’re fighting for, it’s not going to make a difference once Grand Rampage comes around. It might be now or never for me when it comes to being a Champion, after all, there is no telling if I’ll get another opportunity like this one for the rest of the season, so let me make it very clear right now that I don’t plan to let this go to waste.
Effy McAvoy: That’s quite amusing, unfortunately for you, I don’t care. Hey, you can continue entertaining these narratives, though, you can continue to make yourself believe that you’re more important than you make yourself up to be, but you don’t even have half of what I bring to the table. You’re not under the tutelage of a GOAT like Ahren Fournier, and you wouldn’t know what it takes to be a Champion like I have. This isn’t the fairytale that you aspire it to be, and if this is truly going to be your last opportunity of the season, then it doesn’t matter to me that it’s going to fail. I guess you’re just going to have to wait. My time is now, and if you wanted a chance, you should’ve just stayed in your lane and not decided to challenge me.
Cosmo Goldworthy: You’re funny, say what you want to say, that title is mine. You can go cry on Ahren’s shoulder when it’s all said and done, but you’re not going to do shit for his legacy, the only legacy that’s going to continue is mine and let me say-
Rich Russillo: OH! EFFY JUST TOOK THE NEW BREED CHAMPIONSHIP AND DROVE IT AGAINST THE FACE OF COSMO! IT SEEMS LIKE SHE HAD ENOUGH OF THAT!
Persephone: COSMO DROPS DOWN TO A KNEE AS IT LOOKS LIKE HE’S GETTING A RECEIPT FOR ALL OF HIS SHIT TALK RIGHT NOW! HE STAGGERS UP AS HE TRIES TO THROW A STRIKE AT THE CHAMPION OUT OF DESPERATION!
Rich Russillo: BUT EFFY SPRINTS FORWARD AND CONNECTS WITH A ‘PROTECT YA NECK’ TO DROP HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND! THE CLOTHESLINE NEARLY TAKES HIS HEAD OFF AND IT’S THE NEW BREED CHAMPION STANDING TALL HERE TONIGHT! COULD THIS BE A PREVIEW OF WHAT WE’RE GOING TO SEE AT GRAND RAMPAGE?!
(‘Psycho’ begins to play through the speakers again as an unhappy Effy McAvoy is seen rising to her feet, clutching her title close to her chest with a sadistic expression on her face as her eyes linger on Cosmo Goldworthy, who is groaning in pain on the mat. She takes her title and raises it into the air as it’s the last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage then fades to elsewhere.)
PROMOTIONAL AD
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to show a panaround shot of the SSE Arena, with the crowd waiting in anticipation for what is to come. That doesn’t last very long as a negative reaction ensues for ‘The World is Gonna End Tonight’ by Dan Romer, Peter Harper, which begins to play through the speakers of the arena. The camera goes over to show Solomon Stane as he makes his way out to the stage. He has an unhappy look on his face as he bears his title around his waist, taking a moment to take a deep breath before then beginning to make his way down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… the EAW HARDCORE CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!! ‘YOUR SAVIOR’… SOLOMON STANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Well, last week we saw Dr. Bethany Blue have her mystery opportunity from Shock Value be revealed. She didn’t waste any time, wanting to cash it in at Grand Rampage, and Captain Charisma unlocked it to grant her a match against Solomon Stane for the Hardcore Championship. It’s not something that the former Women’s Champion certainly expected, but considering that she’s never won that Championship before, it’s something that she couldn’t complain about, as she then went on to attack the Champion after his match. Clearly, after what happened, he has something to say about the matter.
Persephone: Who cares what he has to say??? Blah blah blah, this is my biggest challenge, blah blah blah, I know that she’s going to put up a fight, blah blah blah, I’m going to win and continue my Championship reign! There, I summarized what he was probably going to say, so how about we just get this over with and GET HIM OUT OF HERE!
(Solomon makes his way up the steel steps and onto the apron as he enters through the ropes and into the ring. He takes his Hardcore Championship and raises it high into the air, embracing the atmosphere for a moment before he then heads over and takes a microphone from the ringside area. ‘The World is Gonna End Tonight’ then begins to come to a close as he makes his way toward the center of the ring, taking a moment before then beginning to speak.)
Solomon Stane: Truly, people expected me to take to heart what Dr. Bethany Blue did to me last week. They expect me to have a deeply passionate response to someone who was announced to be my Grand Rampage opponent for this Hardcore Championship, but I do not. Quite frankly, this is not out of the ordinary for a woman as wretched and awful as her, for both of us have a lot of history with each other that dates back to as far as last year. Her taking me out last week doesn’t compare to when she attacked my wife, Trixie, to try and make a statement toward me. From that, to everything that happened with her husband, Adam Lucas, to the matches that we had against each other. I’ve understood a long time the kind of person Bethany is, and now at Grand Rampage, she’s coming after my Championship, they expect me to fear that.
(Solomon takes his Championship into his hands and takes a brief look at it, looking up at the hard camera with a stern expression on his face as he then begins to continue.)
Solomon Stane: But I do that, I do not fear that, as I have not feared anything my entire life. If her presence was going to pose a challenge to me, then simply put, I would not be Hardcore Champion right now. I have faced the toughest of challenges, I have climbed the highest of mountains, and by the power of God, I stand before you today as a man above Elitists. Bethany is not going to change any of that simply because she says so, because of some preconceived notion that she’s better than me. Times have changed, and while I have grown, she has stayed in place, and she will not prevail when it comes to taking this title away from me; that much is something that I can say for certain.
(Solomon lowers his microphone down and takes a moment to let the crowd get their reaction in, but before he can speak, ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ by Van Halen begins to play through the speakers of the arena. The crowd gives a loud negative reaction as the camera goes over to the stage to show Dr. Bethany Blue as she makes her way out from the backstage area. She has a small smug expression on her face as she takes a look around, before eying the ring as she then begins to make her way down the ramp.)
Rich Russillo: Well, here comes the challenger, and it certainly seems like she’s happy with what happened last week when she took out Solomon. While the Champion had some strong words to say, it’s clear that Bethany isn’t backing down from it, especially considering what she’s done to get to this position. She went through hell to win that Ultimate X match at Shock Value, and she’s going to make sure that this opportunity doesn’t go to waste.
Persephone: I hope she does, we need some entertainment, and I can’t imagine any entertainment better than that bitch getting the worst after all the crimes that she has committed on this brand. Whatever, though, whatever happens I guess, I’m not watching anyway.
(Bethany makes her way up the steps and onto the apron as she enters through the ropes and into the ring. She heads over and takes a microphone from the ringside area as ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’ then begins to come to a close. She turns around and makes her way over to Solomon at the center of the ring, before she then begins to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I don’t know what makes you think you have the right to say any of what you’re saying. Let’s make one thing clear, Solomon, you were never able to stop me before, and while since then you may have won your first singles Championship, and you certainly haven’t wasted anytime trying to hold that over my head, that doesn’t change the fact that regardless how much you’ve gone through, I am still twice the Elitist that you are. Everything that happened to you last year, you brought that on yourself, and I’m glad that you haven’t forgotten just what happens once you mess with me or if you mess with Adam.
(Bethany continues to have a confident look on her face, while on the otherhand, Solomon doesn’t look too happy with what is being said right now.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Back then, what this was about was taking you out and making you pay for everything that you did, but right now, I’m done waiting for my chance to hold Championship gold. I have been fighting far too long, and I’ve continued to be unappreciated and slapped in the face by anyone who has an opinion. I’m pissed off, and what that anger led me to was me winning the Ultimate X, and that’s what led me to get this opportunity with the Hardcore Championship on the line. That’s mine, and regardless of what you think about it, and regardless of the lengths that you’re willing to go, it’s not going to change anything.
Solomon Stane: Everything that happened to you last year was deserved, and everything that’s going to happen to you now is going to be deserved. Bethany, you wished this upon yourself, and while this was an opportunity that was granted to you, it is clear to me that you have not backed down from it whatsoever. This is not something that you’re going to win, you don’t have the power to do so anymore. The power has long been in my hands, and the Hardcore Championship will continue to be in my hands as well as Grand Rampage comes around.
Dr. Bethany Blue: Solomon, I don’t care. I’ve been told extensively that I should keep an eye on you because you’re not the same Elitist that I faced before, but this is not something that was going to make a difference. See, you can grow as much as you want to, you can win as many titles as you possibly want, but it was never going to matter. It never dictated anything about my in-ring abilities, and that’s the fact that I am the best on this roster, bar none, zero exceptions. That title is mine, and it’s going to be another one to add to my trophy case.
Solomon Stane: You may believe that you’re ready for this, Bethany, but don’t think for a second that I’m not. Because I have prepared for a very long time myself.
(Solomon gestures toward the titantron, as it lights up to show footage from his church. Outside of it is a cemetery plot on the brink of night. The Children of Sanity are seen making their way over to a headstone, as the camera pans into reveal it to have Bethany’s name etched onto it. Then, as it’s revealed, the children are shown beginning to dig a grave in the plot that has been saved for her. As the scene begins to go back to the arena, Solomon has a very stern expression on his face as he continues.)
Solomon Stane: Trust when I say, that you will be headed there very soon.
(Bethany continues to look at the titantron with a pissed off expression on her face, closing her eyes as she takes a moment to have a few deep breaths before looking over at Solomon. She slowly raises her microphone as she begins to speak.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I-
Rich Russillo: BETHANY JUST TOOK HER MICROPHONE AND SLAMMED IT AGAINST THE FACE OF SOLOMON! AND HERE WE GO! SHE IMMEDIATELY SNATCHES THE CHAMPION BY THE HEAD AND BEGINS TO SLAM FISTS REPEATEDLY INTO HIS FACE, TAKING HIM OFF GUARD AS WE HAVE A BRAWL UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW!
Persephone: SOLOMON IS GETTING HIS ASS BEAT BUT HE’S BEGINNING TO FIGHT BACK HIMSELF, NOT LETTING HIMSELF GET EMBARASSED BY THIS AND NOW THEY’RE TRADING FISTS! YEAH! KILL EACH OTHER! KILL EACH OTHER NOW!
Rich Russillo: SOLOMON NAILS BETHANY WITH A KNEE! HE THEN TURNS AROUND AND RUNS THE ROPES AND BACK- ONLY TO BE MET WITH A ‘TJD’ STRAIGHT TO THE FACE! SUPERKICK CONNECTS AND NOW IT’S TIME!
Persephone: AND NOW SHE GOES FOR THAT STUPID HEART PUNCH THING! THE ‘CODE BLUE’!
Rich Russillo: BUT SOLOMON DOESN’T LET THAT HAPPEN! HE MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AND SNATCHES THE ARM JUST IN TIME BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A BACK ELBOW STRAIGHT TO THE FACE! BETHANY STAGGERS BACK BUT TRIES TO LUNGE HERSELF AT SOLOMON IN A LAST DITCH EFFORT!
Persephone: BUT SHE LANDS RIGHT INTO A DISCUS BIG BOOT BY HIM!
Rich Russillo: ‘SO IT SHALL BE’ CONNECTS AND DROPS BETHANY DOWN TO THE GROUND, AND NOW IT’S THE HARDCORE CHAMPION WHO STANDS TALL AFTER THAT INTENSE BATTLE BETWEEN THESE TWO!
(‘The World is Gonna End Tonight’ begins to play through the speakers of the arena again as a startled Solomon Stane is seen slicking his hair back with an unhappy look on his face, taking his Hardcore Championship and picking it back up as he raises it over the body of an unconscious Dr. Bethany Blue. The last shot seen is the hard camera zooming in on a pissed off Solomon as Sunday Night Voltage then begins to fade to elsewhere.)
(Promotional ad for Grand Rampage, featuring the Grand Rampage match.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS A SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(‘Number One’ by Shirō Sagisu & Hazel Fernandes plays to a positive, only slightly ovation from the fans, some in the corner of Limmy, others in the corner of his opponent, Machina. Limmy Monaghan makes his way onto the stage. Monaghan takes a brief glance at the packed arena before sauntering his way down to the ring, remaining focused.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Residing out of Golden Beach, Florida, weighing in at 227 pounds…HE IS THE ACE OF ELITE ANSWERS WRESTLING…LIMMY MONAGHAN!!
Rich Russillo: At Grand Rampage, it’s official. Michael Machina versus Daryl Kinkade, but first, he has to get through a very formidable opponent in Limmy Monaghan.
Persephone: Limmy’s bumped his way up for me recently after his actions at Shock Value. I’m kinda hoping he wins this.
Rich Russillo: Really? Bumped up? For some, he did the opposite.
(“Apostle’s Warning” by Mobb Deep blares throughout the arena, receiving a loud reaction from fans in attendance as Michael Machina steps through the curtain, and walks through the smoke with thr World Championship around his waist, oozing intensity.)
Bella Braxton: And his opponent!! Hailing out of Brooklyn, New York, weighing in at 240 pounds…HE IS THE EAW WORLD CHAMPION… THE MONEYMAKER…MICHAEL MACHINA!!
Rich Russillo: Machina looks focused, and he had to be. Limmy is no joke.
Persephone: Wasn’t he a former World Champion or something?
Rich Russillo: Literally triple crown.
Persephone: Oh yeah.. huh. :notbad:
(The referee signals for the bell as both competitors stand in opposing corners.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: The bell has rung, making this match between both Limmy and Michael officially underway!
Persephone: “Great.” Can you sense how excited I am?
Rich Russillo: Uh… I can sense how excited these fans are to witness two of the very best on Voltage tear it up against each other as both men exit their respective corners.
Persephone: Of course, they start off with boring circling…
Rich Russillo: Neither man rush into anything, and meet in the middle for a collar and elbow tie-up! Jockey for position takes place- BUT MICHAEL MACHINA GETS THE UPPER HAND! USING HIS STRENGTH ADVANTAGE TO SHOVE MONAGHAN BACK INTO THE CORNER!
Persephone: That’s embarrassing. :mjlol: A fully grown man getting manhandled like that.
Rich Russillo: Limmy doesn’t appear spooked, and keeps a calm demeanor as he circles around Machina for a second time! Both men close the distance between each other for a collar and elbow tie-up. BUT LIMMY PSYCHES OUT MICHAEL, AND SLIPS BEHIND HIM FOR A STANDING SIDE HEADLOCK!
Persephone: Jeez, you’re making this sound more exciting than it actually is.
Rich Russillo: Limmy wrenches on the hold, looking to wear Michael Machina down… BUT MACHINA GOES TO USE HIS POWER ADVANTAGE AGAIN! HOISTING LIMMY UP FOR A BACK SUPLEX- HOWEVER, LIMMY BACKFLIPS ONTO HIS FEET! AND TAGS MACHINA WITH A KICK TO THE HAMSTRING AS HE TURNED AROUND!
Persephone: Machina’s walking a little funny after that one.
Rich Russillo: You’re right, Limmy caught him square, and was smart to target Machina’s base, knowing most of his offense are power moves, which would be pretty hard without fully functioning legs. Plus, Machina’s spear will be lacking some noticeable power behind it.
Persephone: If it comes down to brains, Limmy is going to win that battle every time against this meathead.
Rich Russillo: Michael Machina shakes off the pain in his leg, and closes the distance between himself and Limmy once more. This time, for a test of strength as the two begin locking hands- BUT LIMMY GOES BACK TO TARGETING MACHINA’S LEG WITH A KICK TO THE HAMSTRING! BEFORE LIMMY FOLLOWS IT UP WITH ANOTHER AS MACHINA STRUGGLES TO STAND!
Persephone: See? You’d think Michael would prepare a game plan by now, but fell for it twice.
Rich Russillo: Machina favors his leg as Limmy takes advantage by wringing his arm, gaining control of the wrist! BUT MICHAEL USES BLUNT FORCE TO ESCAPE WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! WASNT PRETTY, BUT WAS CERTAINLY EFFECTIVE AS LIMMY DOUBLES OVER SLIGHTLY!
Persephone: Michael backs away from Limmy, and shoots for a clothesline.
Rich Russillo: BUT LIMMY DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT, AND MICHAEL MACHINA CHARGES TOWARD HIM AS MONAGHAN BACKPEDALS TOWARD THE ROPES! PROCEEDING TO LOW BRIDGE THE TOP AS MACHINA GOES UP AND OVER TO THE OUTSIDE, ALTHOUGH LANDING ON HIS FEET!
Persephone: Already, I think “Mikey’s” starting to grow a little angry. :mjlol:
Rich Russillo: Machina seems to be a little frustrated with the fact he’s barely gotten control over Limmy just yet in this contest. Limmy using his brain against Michael Machina’s brawn.
Persephone: So far, it’s working.
Rich Russillo: Michael slides back inside the ring, and approaches Limmy with a bit more intensity. Limmy backs away from Machina, who continues to close in on him. Cornering Limmy as he LUNGES FORWARD! BUT LIMMY DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND MICHAEL SPINS AROUND AS HE FINDS HIMSELF IN THE CORNER- ONLY TO GET CAUGHT WITH A FOREARM BY LIMMY! FOLLOWED UP WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP THAT ECHOES THROUGHOUT THE ARENA!
Persephone: Uh-oh. That had no effect.
Rich Russillo: None whatsoever as Limmy backs to the center of the ring. Meanwhile, Michael Machina keeps growing angrier, and marches toward Limmy- BUT LIMMY WISELY ROLLS TO THE OUTSIDE! CREATING HIS DISTANCE FROM MACHINA!
Persephone: This is great, getting to watch Machina struggle.
Rich Russillo: Limmy taunts Machina from the outside, telling him to meet him. AND MICHAEL TAKES LIMMY UP ON THAT OFFER, SLIDING TO THE OUTSIDE! BUT LIMMY ROUNDS THE CORNER, RUNNING AWAY AS MACHINA CHASES AFTER HIM!
Persephone: It’s like a real life game of cat and mouse.
Rich Russillo: RIGHT NOW, LIMMY’S WINNING AS HE SLIDES IN THE RING! MACHINA SLIDES IN AFTER HIM- BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A DOUBLE AXE HANDLE TO THE BACK BEFORE HE COULD EVEN RISE UP FROM ALL FOURS!
Persephone: Again, Michael Machina gets outsmarted. How is this guy our World Champ?
Rich Russillo: MACHINA LET THE ANGER GET TO HIM THERE, AND PAYS FOR IT AS LIMMY UNLEASHES MULTIPLE STOMPS TO THE BACK! REFUSING TO ALLOW MACHINA BACK TO HIS FEET!
Persephone: I wouldn’t either. Keep that bastard down.
Rich Russillo: Limmy stands Machina back up, and BLASTS him with a forearm! Machina looks to shake the cobwebs out of his head as Limmy runs toward the ropes! BUT MICHAEL REBOUNDS OFF THOSE SAME SET OF ROPES AS LIMMY, AND MONAGHAN TURNS AROUND ONCE HE REACHES THE CENTER! GETTING FLOORED WITH A BIG SHOULDER TACKLE!
Persephone: Welp. What did I say?
Rich Russillo: LIMMY GOT TURNED ALMOST INSIDE OUT WITH THAT SHOULDER TACKLE, AND ROLLS OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE TO CREATE SPACE!
Persephone: Hopefully, Machina actually learned his lesson from earlier, and doesn’t go chasing after him. But hey, I doubt it.
Rich Russillo: No, Machina seems to have got his head back on straight, and taunts Limmy from inside the ring. Bit of a role reversal, but Limmy takes his time, slowly re-entering the ring against Michael.
Persephone: And both begin doing that circling thing again. Ugh.
Rich Russillo: LIMMY! LIMMY WAITED FOR MACHINA TO GET CLOSER, AND CAUGHT HIM WITH ANOTHER KICK TO THE HAMSTRING! LIMMY GOES FOR ANOTHER- BUT MICHAEL MACHINA HAS IT SCOUTED THIS TIME! CATCHING THE LEG, AND HOOKING IT WITH HIS ARM AS LIMMY HAS BEEN TAKEN DOWN A BASE!
Persephone: Guess Machina isn’t so much an airhead after all.
Rich Russillo: MACHINA USES HIS FREE HAND TO SHOVE LIMMY DOWN TO THE CANVAS! LIMMY ROLLS THROUGH TO A KNEE, AND CHARGES TOWARD MACHINA IN ORDER TO TACKLE HIM! BUT MICHAEL STANDS HIS GROUND, BLOCKING THE TAKEDOWN ATTEMPT, AND CLUBS LIMMY ACROSS THE BACK WITH HIS FOREARM!
Persephone: Limmy drops to a knee, and Michael stands him up afterward. Backing Limmy up against the rope for an irish whip.
Rich Russillo: AND MACHINA DUCKS DOWN, PERHAPS SIGNALING EARLY FOR A BACK BODY DROP! HAVING WANTED TO LAUNCH LIMMY INTO THE AIR- BUT MONAGHAN BATTLES BACK WITH A PENALTY KICK TO THE CHEST! JOLTING MACHINA UPRIGHT!
Persephone: Michael staggers back slightly as Limmy runs off the ropes-
Rich Russillo: BUT MICHAEL GOES FOR A REPEAT OF EARLIER, AND BOUNCES OFF THOSE SAME SET OF ROPES LIMMY DID- HOWEVER, LIMMY SPINS AROUND, AND USES MACHINA’S OWN MOMENTUM AGAINST HIM WITH A DROP TOE HOLD!
Persephone: Mikey’s face collided hard with the canvas, and he can’t afford to look anymore hideous.
Rich Russillo: Michael rises to all fours, favoring his mouth and nose area as Limmy reaches down from behind. Pulling Machina up in a rear waistlock- BUT ONCE REALIZING WHATS HAPPENING, MICHAEL STARTS TO HOLD HIS WEIGHT DOWN ON LIMMY, AND BREAKS HIS GRIP WITH A BRUTAL BACK ELBOW!
Persephone: Michael runs toward the ropes like some sort of rhino.
Rich Russillo: AND LIMMY RUNS OFF THOSE SAME SETS OF ROPES MACHINA DID, LOOKING TO TAKE A PAGE FROM- OOH! MACHINA TWISTED AROUND, AND TURNED LIMMY INSIDE OUT WITH A CLOTHESLINE! BRINGING HIS MOMENTUM TO A HALT!
Persephone: Michael Machina might be a neanderthal, but knows how to use that power.
Rich Russillo: MICHAEL MACHINA LIFTS LIMMY BACK UP, AND HOISTS HIM IN THE AIR FOR A SUPLEX! ALBEIT SHOWING OFF A LITTLE AS HE STALLS WITH LIMMY, LETTING ALL THE BLOOD RUSH TO HIS HEAD BEFORE DROPPING DOWN! MACHINA QUICKLY MOVES INTO THE COVER, FLOATING OVER ON LIMMY!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: TWO COUNT FOR MACHINA! WHO DRAGS LIMMY BACK TO HIS FEET, HAVING A HANDFUL OF HAIR! MACHINA LIFTS LIMMY UP FOR A GORILLA PRESS SLAM! BUT HEATS DESCENT IS COUNTERED AS LIMMY SLITHERS DOWN HIS BACK FOR A SUNSET FLIP!
Persephone: But doesn’t hold it for the cover. Is he stupid?
Rich Russillo: NO, LIMMY ROLLS MACHINA THROUGH TO A KNEE, AND CHARGES INTO HIM WITH A BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE! DIABLE JAMBE CONNECTS, AND MACHINA GROGGILY POPS TO HIS FEET BEFORE REBOUNDING OFF THE ROPES! INTO A POP-UP DEATH VALLEY DRIVER BY LIMMY! EXCALIBUR CONNECTS! BOTH MOVES HITTING BACK TO BACK AS LIMMY HOOKS THE LEG FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRR-
Rich Russillo: ALMOST! LIMMY ALMOST SCORED THE WIN OVER OUR WORLD CHAMPION THERE, BUT MACHINA STILL HAS GAS LEFT IN THE TANK! GETTING HIS SHOULDER UP CLOSE TO THE LAST MINUTE!
Persephone: Well, don’t let up now! Keep hitting him.
Rich Russillo: Limmy Monaghan thought he had the victory there, having hit two signature moves in his arsenal. But Michael Machina is far more resilient than expected, and Limmy drags Machina up before backing him into the corner for a KNIFE EDGE CHOP!
Persephone: :yikes: Talk about an echo.
Rich Russillo: Machina can barely stand in that corner as Limmy backs away to create distance before he RUNS IN WITH A- WAIT! MICHAEL MACHINA SENDS LIMMY UP AND OVER HIS SHOULDER TO THE OUTSIDE! HOWEVER, LIMMY CATCHES HIMSELF ON THE APRON! MACHINA TURNS AROUND, BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A FOREARM THAT STAGGERS HIM BACK SLIGHTLY AS HE DOUBLES OVER!
Persephone: This can’t be good for Machina as Limmy springs off the top rope-
Rich Russillo: BUT MACHINA SCOOPS HIM ONTO HIS SHOULDERS WHILE HE WAS BALANCING, AND HAS LIMMY IN A FIREMANS CARRY WHILE MARCHING TO THE CENTER OF THE RING! LIMMY THRASHES AROUND ON THE SHOULDERS OF MACHINA BEFORE DELIVERING SHARP ELBOWS TO THE JAW!
Persephone: That’s one way to escape as Limmy drops off the shoulders of Machina, and grabs him from behind into a rear waistlock.
Rich Russillo: BUT MICHAEL IMMEDIATELY BATTLES BACK WITH REPEATED BACK ELBOWS TO THE JAW! GOING FOR THE FINAL BLOW BEFORE LIMMY DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT, AND DOWNS MACHINA WITH A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: MACHINA POPS THE SHOULDER UP, BUT LIMMY QUICKLY FORMS TOGETHER A PLAN! IMMEDIATELY TRANSITIONING INTO A CROSSFACE, ATTACKING THAT VERY SAME SHOULDER MACHINA USED TO KICKOUT! MACHINA IS IN TROUBLE!
Persephone: Tap… TAP!
Rich Russillo: MACHINA HAS ENOUGH WHEREWITHAL TO SQUIRM, AND GETS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE! CAUSING THE REFEREE TO PRY LIMMY OFF BEFORE FURTHER DAMAGE COULD BE DONE! MICHAEL WISELY GOT TO THE ROPES QUICK ENOUGH, AND SLITHERS OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Persephone: Yeah, and finds himself staggering over to our announce table…
Rich Russillo: MACHINA HAS NO IDEA WHAT AWAITS HIM AS LIMMY RUNS OFF THE ROPES! BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR A TOPE CON HILO! LIMMY WIPES MACHINA OUT RINGSIDE, AND ROLLS HIM BACK INTO THE RING! MACHINA IS SPRAWLED ON THE CANVAS AS LIMMY CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE! PERHAPS LOOKING TO DELIVER THE FINAL BLOW!
Persephone: Fingers crossed he doesn’t move.
Rich Russillo: LIMMY PERCHES HIMSELF ON THE TOP ROPE, LIKELY GOING FOR HIGH FLY FLOW! BUT MACHINA WISELY ROLLS AWAY FROM THE CORNER, MUCH TO THE CHAGRIN OF LIMMY, WHO DROPS OFF THE TOP ROPE!
Persephone: Welp, I had fingers crossed.
Rich Russillo: Machina rises to a knee as Limmy approaches him, and Limmy lifts Machina up to a vertical base. SCORING WITH FOREARM AFTER FOREARM! A FLURRY CONNECTING BY THE ACE! BUT LIMMY GOES TO FINISH THINGS OFF WITH A ROLLING ELBOW!
Persephone: Surprisingly, Michael Machina ducks underneath.
Rich Russillo: MACHINA SPINS AROUND- AND INTO AN OVERHEAD KICK! OVERHEAD KICK BY LIMMY, WHO DRAGS MACHINA CLOSER TO THE CORNER BEFORE ASCENDING TO THE TOP ROPE ONCE AGAIN! LIMMY IS DETERMINED TO HIT THAT HIGH FLY FLOW AGAINST MACHINA!
Persephone: And he just might. Michael Machina is not moving.
Rich Russillo: LIMMY PERCHES HIMSELF ON TOP ROPE, AND LEAPS IN THE AIR FOR THE FROG SPLASH ONTO MACHINA! BUT MICHAEL GETS THE KNEES UP! NO DOUBT KNOCKING THE WIND OUT OF LIMMY’S SYSTEM, AND MACHINA ROLLS HIM UP WITH A SMALL PACKAGE!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRR-
Rich Russillo: LIMMY EXPLODES OUT THE COVER, BUT THE DAMAGE HAS DEFINITELY BEEN DONE AS HE CRAWLS TO THE CORNER, HOLDING HIS GUT! WHICH CAN BE BAD IF MACHINA SCORES WITH THE BULLET FROM HELL!
Persephone: Still, the strategy should remain the same regardless. Avoid the move. Duh.
Rich Russillo: Very true. Limmy pulls himself up in the corner, and Machina stands himself up… CHARGING IN WITH A- NO! LIMMY GETS THE BOOT UP, WHICH STAGGERS MACHINA BACK AS LIMMY HOPS TO THE MIDDLE ROPE! MONAGHAN LEAPS OFF WITH A DOUBLE AXE HANDLE, BUT MACHINA CATCHES HIM WITH A PUNCH TO THE GUT! CAUSING LIMMY TO FLIP OVER HIS BACK!
Persephone: Serves him right for attempting an axe handle.
Rich Russillo: LIMMY SCRAMBLES BACK TO HIS FEET, AND STUMBLES BACK AGAINST THE ROPES! GETTING CLOTHESLINED UP AND OVER THE TOP BY MACHINA!
Persephone: Michael slides out, and stands Limmy up on the outside. Using the environment to his advantage, which might be the smartest thing Machina’s done all match.
Rich Russillo: MACHINA WHIPS LIMMY SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS! AND LIMMY CRAWLS TOWARD A CORNER OF THE BARRICADE, PULLING HIMSELF WITH ASSISTANCE! MEANWHILE, MACHINA LINES HIM UP! PICKING UP STEAM, AND BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR THE BULLET FROM HELL!
Persephone: DODGED!
Rich Russillo: LIMMY SIDESTEPPED OUT THE WAY, AND MACHINA GOES CRASHING THROUGH THE BARRICADE! LIMMY NEEDS TO ACT FAST AS MICHAEL MACHINA WRITHES IN PAIN! LYING IN THE RUBBLE!
Persephone: Cmon, you idiot! Hurry!
Rich Russillo: LIMMY SHAKES THE COBWEBS OUT OF HIS HEAD, AND DRAGS MACHINA OUT FROM THE RUBBLE! ROLLING HIM BACK INSIDE THE RING! MACHINA SLOWLY STIRS TO HIS FEET AS LIMMY HOPS ON THE APRON! HAVING MACHINA IN HIS SIGHTS FOR A SPRINGBOARD- CAUGHT!
Persephone: Monaghan went for a crossbody-
Rich Russillo: BUT MACHINA ROLLS THROUGH, AND HAS MONAGHAN CRADLED BEFORE POPPING HIM UP INTO HEATS DESCENT! GORILLA PRESS SLAM! COVER IS MADE, HOOKING THE LEG DEEP!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRR-
Rich Russillo: LIMMY KICKS OUT! MANAGING TO KEEP THIS MATCH ALIVE!
Persephone: How??
Rich Russillo: MICHAEL MACHINA MIGHT BE WONDERING THE SAME THING AS HE CAUGHT LIMMY PRETTY GOOD WITH THAT GORILLA PRESS SLAM! LIMMY TRIES RISING BACK TO HIS FEET! BUT MACHINA QUICKLY GRABS HIM, AND STANDS LIMMY BACK UP FOR A SKULLPIERCER! BRAINBUSTER BY MACHINA! COVER IS MADE!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE-
Rich Russillo; KICKOUT! LIMMY GOT SPIKED ON HIS HEAD THERE BY MACHINA, AND STILL MANAGES TO KICKOUT! REFUSING TO STAY DOWN!
Persephone: Well, we’ve got plenty more in store for tonight, so I’m hoping either man do get the clue, and decide to stay down for good.
Rich Russillo: Machina pulls himself up in the corner, and the intensity has reached a HIGH in this match! THE CROWD ARE RALLYING BEHIND MACHINA AS THEY KNOW WHAT COMES NEXT! MICHAEL HAS LIMMY MONAGHAN SQUARE IN HIS SIGHTS, LINING HIM UP FOR THE BULLET FROM HELL!
Persephone: This oughta keep Limmy down for good.
Rich Russillo: Monaghan rises to a knee- BUT ROLLS OUT THE RING! SPOTTING WHAT MACHINA WAS GOING FOR! NOT WANTING ANY PARTS! BUT LIMMY IS STRUGGLING TO STAND ON THE OUTSIDE, AND MACHINA GOES TO OFF THE ROPES! BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR A-
Persephone: :roman:
Rich Russillo: LIMMY SLID IN THE RING AS MACHINA REBOUNDED OFF, AND CAUGHT HIM WITH A FLYING DIVINE DEPARTURE! FLYING SWINGING BACK ELBOW, AND LIMMY CATCHES MACHINA BEFORE HE COULD ROLL THE RING! GOING FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
Rich Russillo: HE GOT HI- NO! MICHAEL MACHINA’S BOOT WAS ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Persephone: Oh, for fucks sake…
Rich Russillo: LIMMY ARGUES WITH THE REFEREE, BELIEVING HE HAD THE MATCH WON THERE! BUT THE REFEREE EXPLAINS TO HIM MACHINA’S BOOT BEING ON THE ROPE!
Persephone: Quit wasting time, and finish him already!
Rich Russillo: I THINK LIMMY QUICKLY SNAPS BACK TO REALITY, NOT WANTING TO WASTE MORE TIME ARGUING WITH THE REFEREE! AND DRAGGING MACHINA TO A VERTICAL BASE! LIMMY STARTS HOOKING MACHINA UP FOR A PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!
Persephone: Machina can’t afford to lose the braincells!
Rich Russillo: MICHAEL THRASHES AROUND IN POSITION FOR THE PACKAGE PILEDRIVER! LOOKING TO FIGHT IT OFF AS LIMMY TRIED TO PACKAGE HIM UP! BUT LIMMY BACKS AGAINST THE ROPES, AND TRIES TO BACK BODY DROP LIMMY OVER THE TOP!
Persephone: Caught.
Rich Russillo: LIMMY CATCHES HIMSELF ON THE APRON, AND BLASTS MACHINA WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZIGURI AS HE SPUN AROUND WITH A RIGHT HAND! LIMMY CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE, AND PERCHES HIMSELF ON IT BEFORE DIVING OFF WITH A HIGH FLY FLOW- OR AT LEAST WAS GOING TO!
Persephone: What’s he waiting for?! Do it!
Rich Russillo: Hold on, Persephone, I… I think something has caught Limmy’s eye.
(Limmy is perched on the top rope, but looks over to a corner of the barricade where two kids are seen watching from behind it. None other than Xander Payne’s own, Historia and Maximus Payne.)
Persephone: Are you kidding me? Not these brats! Don’t they have a dead parents funeral to attend to?
(Limmy drops off the top rope, and goes over to the corner closest, gesturing for the kids to leave. But notices the crowd reaction start to rise as someone slides in the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Oh my God…
Persephone: How is this fat fuck even here?
(The camera shows Xander Payne over Limmy Monaghan’s shoulder, staring with absolute hatred in his eyes as Limmy looks more annoyed than anything with his intrusion before turning around to charge at Xander-)
Rich Russillo: OH NO! XANDER CAUGHT LIMMY WITH A SHOT ACROSS THE ABDOMEN! USING THAT BARBED WIRE BAT HE HAD IN HE HAD IN HAND!
(Limmy clutches at his stomach while crawling toward the ropes, hanging himself up on the middle as Xander approaches.)
Rich Russillo: NO, NO, NO! PAYNE REACHES OVER THE TOP ROPE, BEGINNING TO RAKE THAT BARBED WIRE BAT ACROSS THE FOREHEAD OF MONAGHAN, WHO SCREAMS IN PAIN WITH BLOOD DRIPPING DOWN!
Persephone: BLOOD! :mjlit:
(DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!)
Ricb Russillo: REFEREE WITH NO CHOICE BUT TO END THE MATCH HERE AS XANDER PAYNE IS TORTURING LIMMY WITH THAT BARBED WIRE BAT! AFTER A LITTLE PAYBACK FOR SHOCK VALUE!
Persephone: I don’t care if he ruined a match I had to sit through. This is GREAT!
(Xander threatens to hit the referee for trying to pry him off, causing the ref to run off, wanting no parts of Xander in this frame of mind.
Rich Russillo: XANDER PLACES THE BAT DOWN, AND DRAGS LIMMY OVER FOR A PACKAGE PILEDRIVER ONTO THE BARBED WIRE BAT! LIMMY’S OWN PAYNEKILLER, WHICH HE STOLE FROM XANDER PAYNE!
(Limmy writhes in pain after being dropped head first on the barbed wire, but Xander turns toward the timekeeper area as the bell rings frantically again.)
(DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN… YOUR WINNER AS A RESULT OF A DISQUALIFICATION… LIMMY MONAGHAN!
(Xander doesn’t care as he grabs the baseball bat, mounting Limmy to do more damage, pressing that barbed wire into his forehead. But Michael Machina is quite pissed off with this as he pulls himself up in the corner.)
Persephone: Whoa, back off.
(Machina pulls Xander off from Limmy, and two begin to argue with Xander looking like he understands Machina’s point of view before-)
Rich Russillo: OOH! XANDER USES THAT BAT TO SWING RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES OF MACHINA AS WELL! AND XANDER GOES RIGHT BACK ON THE ATTACK WITH LIMMY!
Persephone: Booo… referees are rushing down.
Rich Russillo: BUT XANDER PAYNE DOESN’T CARE, HEADBUTTING THE BLOODY FOREHEAD OF MONAGHAN AS HE MOUNTS HIM! OPENING UP THAT WOUND EVEN FURTHER!
Persephone: The referees are starting to pull Xander off of Limmy, but thankfully we got to see some good stuff first.
(The referees pry Xander Payne off Limmy, and the fans look shocked after what they just witnessed. Xander tries to struggle, but the referees begin dragging him to the back as both Limmy and Machina lie barely moving inside the ring as the camera fades elsewhere.)
(Commercial for Marvel Rivals with Michael Machina.)
(Sunday Night Voltage returns to show a panaround shot of the SSE Arena, with the Belfast crowd watching as the ring is set up into a contract signing setting. There is a black mat over the canvas, a table with four chairs surrounding it, and a leather binder at the very center. At the head of the table is Voltage commentator Persephone, who, judging by the expression on her face, is in her usual unhappy way as she brings her microphone up and begins to speak.)
Persephone: I’m not going to lie, I don’t want to be here this week. It feels like I was forced to host what is bound to be an abysmal contract signing, but then again, I’m usually contractually obligated to do most things around here, so what’s the difference, huh?! In a move that nobody cared for, The British Invasion made it known that they would be looking for a challenger for the Grand Rampage Marquee Event. Lucky for them, Saturday Night Showdown Interim General Manager Alana Starr gave them just that as they granted Elysium a shot at their titles! Oo, drama!
(Persephone makes a gagging expression, shaking her head.)
Persephone: Anyway, both teams are going to be out here to speak to one another after closing the show last week in a tense staredown. Let’s hope this goes down the route that we expect it to, because if there’s one thing that I truly love, it’s lovers’ quarrels! Let’s welcome the challengers, from Saturday Night Showdown, it’s Elysium!
(‘Mr. Rager’ by Kid Cudi begins to play through the speakers of the arena as the crowd begins to cheer loudly for Elysium as both of them are seen making their way out to the stage. Bronson Daniels has a serious look on his face, while Jon Kelton has the slightest hint of skepticism on his face, but regardless, doesn’t let it show as both of them begin to make their march down the ramp and toward the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Well, we know that Elysium getting this title shot was a mixed bag for Bronson Daniels and Jon Kelton, particularly, as Kelton has a certain… connection with Pandora Paisley that left him quite shaken to learn that he was facing her. But regardless, they both know how much the Unified Tag Team Championships mean to them, and no matter what is in the way of that, I think they’ve made it clear that nothing is going to stop them from getting what they, as a tag team, have been fighting quite a long time for.
(Elysium both make their way into the ring as they take a seat in their chairs at the table. Both of them are fairly calm but quite driven, as ‘Mr Rager’ then begins to fade out. Persephone then, as the crowd begins to settle down, starts to speak.)
Persephone: I’m glad to see both of you showed up. I thought Kelton would have been too smitten to have the balls to show up! Haha, I’m so funny…
(Elysium both ignores Persephone, which annoys her, but regardless, she shakes it off and moves on.)
Persephone: Fine, fuck you too. Anyway, let’s welcome out the Champions, please welcome. The British Invasion!
(‘Refuse/Resist’ by Sepultura then begins to play up as the crowd responds negatively to this, with the camera going over to show the Unified Tag Team Champions as The British Invasion begin to make their way out. Both Halsey Neel and Pandora Paisley have confident expressions on their face as they wear their titles over their shoulder, taking a moment to embrace the atmosphere of the moment before then beginning to make their way down the ramp.)
Rich Russillo: As for The British Invasion, both of them don’t seem very intimidated by what is to come in terms of Elysium. They know how great of Elitists they can be, both respectively and as a tag team, and even though there are some personal reasons at hand, they know that they’ve fought too hard to keep these titles around their waists. They’ve faced all challengers, and even though Bronson and Kelton might very well be their toughest battle to date, they know that they’re going to do whatever it takes to make sure that they win.
(Both members of The British Invasion make their way into the ring, as Pandora and Halsey take a seat across the table from Elysium, as both teams eye each other with serious expressions on their faces. ‘Refuse/Resist’ begins to come to a close as Persephone doesn’t look too happy that this hasn’t broken into chaos yet, but regardless, it continues.)
Persephone: Well, uh, TALK!
Pandora Paisley: Hey, love.
(Pandora winks before she raises her microphone and begins to speak.)
Pandora Paisley: There have been a lot of questions on how we’re going to approach this match. They don’t expect The British Invasion to be able to beat a team like Elysium especially with what they bring to the table, but I don’t think they realize exactly who we are.
Halsey Neel: They don’t know what we bring to the table as a tag team, and how we’ve long established the fact that we are the best tag team that this entire company has to offer. For some reason, even with the titles around our waist, they can’t seem to accept the fact that we are who we say we are; they think that we’re on the chase, but the reality is that you’re the ones on the chase. Bronson, Kelton, as accomplished as you are, you’re the ones coming at us for a title that, as long as you two have been together, you haven’t come close to winning.
Pandora Paisley: We worked as hard as we could to win our first titles in EAW, and we said that when we won them, we weren’t going to let go of them so easily. Let’s get the obvious out of the way, it won’t be easy for me to face you, Kelton, but I promised that nothing would stop us from defending these titles, and we’re going to make sure that we do it one way or another. So you better believe that we’re going to walk into Grand Rampage with a bloody purpose.
Halsey Neel: And neither of you is going to be able to stop us from doing that.
(Both members of Elysium maintain a calm look on their faces, relatively serious about this before beginning to speak themselves.)
Bronson Daniels: I understand where you’re coming from. You’re right, Elysium should have been Unified Tag Team Champions by now, but we only fought for it once, and we know what happened then. But even though that’s the case, I can say that we’ve both grown a lot as a team over the season, and I don’t think I need to say that things have changed since The Last Stand, because they have, and the tide has turned.
Jon Kelton: We’ll admit that we didn’t expect this opportunity at all. We wanted a match against Silas World, and apparently, that’s something that’s just out of the picture for Grand Rampage. But when Alana Starr gave us this match, it was never something that we were going to deny. I didn’t want to get in your way, Pandora, but you should know just as well as anyone how much Elysium has been fighting for this title opportunity. This is something that we both wanted, and now’s our chance to win them.
Bronson Daniels: At Grand Rampage, we’re going to be the ones to finally be in control of our destiny, and it never mattered who the competition was, whether that be The Jaded Hearts or The British Invasion, we were always going to make our way back to these titles and we’re not going to come up emptyhanded a second time.
Jon Kelton: Those titles are ours, and we’re going to make sure that we not only show that we’re the best tag team that night, but that we’re the best tag team in Elite Answers Wrestling, and the only way that we can do that is by getting past you.
(The British Invasion raises their microphones as they look to respond, but before they do that, a loud groan is heard as Persephone bashes her head against the table.)
Persephone: Good heavens, C’MON ALREADY! Where’s the drama??? Where’s the fire in your bellies??? I didn’t come here just so that all of you could just shake hands and make out; if I wanted to watch that, then I wouldn’t turn on VOLTAGE to do it. FIGHT! Love means NOTHING when it comes to these Unified Tag Team Championships. Why are you so worried about facing each other when the only thing that should matter is that you’re a CHAMPION!
Pandora Paisley: I’d watch your tone if I were you, love.
Jon Kelton: I agree, this conflict isn’t any of your business.
Persephone: I DON’T CARE!!!
(Persephone shakes her head vigorously as both Pandora and Kelton look visibly annoyed by this, not entirely thrilled that she is interfering in their matters. The look on Halsey and Bronson’s faces mirrors it, but at the same time, they both keep determined expressions on their face, with Halsey gripping her title over her shoulder.)
Halsey Neel: Look, while she’s quite bold to say this, she’s not entirely wrong. Ultimately, we have to focus on keeping these Unified Tag Team Championships, and regardless of how we feel about Bronson and Kelton, nothing is going to get in the way of that. Kelton can be love-stricken all he wants, but that doesn’t change the fact that both Pandora and I are going to be at the very top of our game.
Pandora Paisley: That’s a promise, mate.
(Halsey takes the leather binder and opens it up, unclipping the pen and signing her half of the contract. She pushes it over to Pandora, who looks at Halsey briefly, but ultimately, after a moment, doesn’t hesitate to sign her part as well. The British Invasion then pushes it over to Elysium, with Kelton still looking quite unhappy, but Bronson is quick to speak.)
Bronson Daniels: Nothing is going to take away from the fact that we want Championship gold. It’s a bitter pill to swallow that it’s going to come at your expense, but that’s what we expected, and that’s something that we’re not going to be afraid to do. So it doesn’t matter to us what you’re going to be willing to do; it doesn’t take away from the fact that we’re going to be doing the same, if not more, and that’s not something that you’re going to be ready for.
Jon Kelton: You can try and stop us if you want to, but at the end of the day, both Bronson and I agree that the Unified Tag Team Championships have always been the goal for Elysium. At Grand Rampage, we’re going to fulfill our goal, and I’m not going to let any sort of feelings get in the way of that.
(Kelton takes the pen and signs his half of the contract. He passes it over to Bronson, who quickly does the same. They close the binder shut, as Persephone rolls her eyes and takes the contract off the table.)
Pandora Paisley: What a shame for you that we’re not ready to lose these titles yet, love.
(The British Invasion stand up from their seats as they take their titles and raise them into the air. Elysium quickly made their way up to their feet as well as both teams, with their Grand Rampage match made official, having a tense staredown. It’s the last shot seen before Sunday Night Voltage then fades to elsewhere.)
(Promotional ad for Grand Rampage, where the British Invasion defend the Unified Tag Team Championships against Elysium.)
(Voltage fades down to ringside, and ‘Stop Breathing’ by Playboi Carti hits, causing loud boos to come from the fans in attendance. The camera pans towards the stage, and both Jake Smith and Caroline can be seen beginning to make their way out to the stage. Neither of them acknowledge the boos coming from the fans in attendance, and Jake can be seen holding a microphone in his hand as Caroline begins to make her way down the ramp. Jake follows soon after, but as he makes his way to the ring he doesn’t have a grin on his face as he usually would.)
Rich Russillo: Jake Smith and Caroline are on their way to the ring, and it looks like Jake has something to say, but I’m not entirely sure what this could be about. As we all know he entered the Grand Rampage last week after Captain Charisma denied him another shot at the EAW World Championship, and this led to Adam Lucas also entering the Grand Rampage.
Persephone: First of all, can Jake just stick to one entrance song? It’s starting to get annoying. Second, I remember what happened last week and I don’t see what could possibly warrant Jake wasting my time by coming out here to speak again. If I had to guess it’d obviously have to be about Adam, but does he really need to talk about him right now?
Rich Russillo: I guess we’ll have to see, because whether any of us likes it or not, Jake is definitely gonna speak his mind here.
(Caroline and Jake Smith both enter the ring, before making their way into the center of it. ‘Stop Breathing’ begins to fade out after this, and this causes the boos to be heard even clearer. Jake stares at the fans for a moment, before finally beginning to speak.)
Jake Smith: Ladies and gentlemen… Last week I came out here and after a little talk with Captain Charisma I said that I’d be entering the Grand Rampage match. I wanted a shot at the EAW World Championship and since Captain Charisma didn’t want to give me another one right away, I decided that I’d use the Grand Rampage to gain my ticket to both a Championship shot and another Pain for Pride main event. However, I’ve had some time to think since then. It’s been a week, and during that time I’ve done a lot of reflecting. I thought about it, I spoke to Caroline, and I realized that I may have been acting a bit irrational last week. I could’ve approached that conversation a lot better and I think it was wrong for me to take the approach that I did. I shouldn’t have gotten so frustrated and I definitely shouldn’t have made any of the decisions that I did, and right now I’m out here so that I can correct the mistakes I made. I’m officially withdrawing from the Grand Rampage match.
(The fans immediately begin to loudly boo hearing this, but Jake continues.)
Jake Smith: I know, I know. I’m sure you all would’ve loved for me to win the Grand Rampage match this year, but over the past week I realized that the Grand Rampage match just isn’t for me. It’s not my kind of match, and since we’re so close to Pain for Pride I don’t think it’d be right for me to waste a spot in the Grand Rampage match that could be taken by one of the many Elitists looking for a spot at the biggest show of the year.
(The loud boos continue, and this time Jake remains silent, allowing the reaction to continue as if the fans are only unhappy about him missing out on the Grand Rampage match.)
Persephone: You don’t believe any of this, do you?
Rich Russillo: No, not really.
(After some time, Jake finally begins to speak.)
Jake Smith: Look, I get it everyone. It’s not gonna be easy seeing me miss out on this match, but don’t worry! I have something amazing to announce, and I’m sure it’ll make up for it. As far as I’m concerned, the Grand Rampage match isn’t even important compared to this.
(After saying this, a smirk finally appears on the face of Jake Smith.)
Jake Smith: I see that Michael Machina will be defending his EAW World Championship against Daryl Kinkade at Grand Rampage, and I’d like to announce that this match will now be a TRIPLE THREAT!
(This only causes the boos to grow louder, but Jake continues.)
Jake Smith: I’m joining this match, and Machina you might’ve gotten the upper hand back at Shock Value but I hope you realize that that’s not about to happen once again. I’m not the type of Elitist you can get rid of that easily and when it comes to that title you should already know that if there’s anyone capable of walking out with it, it’s me. I’ve been waiting for the chance to reclaim my Championship and thankfully I didn’t have to wait too long for that opportunity. Pain for Pride is only a few months away, and I’m not about to end my season without being able to call myself a three-time World Champion. As far as I’m concerned that title is mine, and Daryl you might as well give up on your dreams of ever touching that title, because it’s not gonna happen at-
(‘Everybody Knows (Unstoppable)’ by Royal Deluxe hits, interrupting Jake. Jake doesn’t look happy to hear this, and he and Caroline turn towards the stage, waiting as Adam Lucas begins to make his way out. Adam can be seen holding a microphone in his hand, and he just shakes his head after hearing everything Jake had to say. Adam begins making his way down the ramp, staring directly towards Jake Smith on his way to the ring.)
Rich Russillo: Adam Lucas is here to interrupt Jake after what was definitely a strange announcement. I’d say I am surprised right now, but that’s also the guy that once faked his death for the sake of avoiding the Extreme Elimination Chamber. Still, regardless of his intentions, Adam isn’t having any of this.
Persephone: See, this is what I didn’t want. Adam Lucas is coming out here now. It’s bad enough I have to watch Adam wrestle soon. Now I have to hear him speak, too?
Rich Russillo: Well, the alternative was Jake continuing. Would you prefer that?
Persephone: Fair enough.
(Adam Lucas makes his way down the ramp, before finally entering the ring. Once in the ring he stares at Jake and Caroline, still upset with Caroline after her involvement in the High Voltage match. However, before long he begins to speak, focusing on Jake.)
Adam Lucas: Jake, why do you think you’re getting out of this? You’re the one that wanted to be in the Grand Rampage, remember? You told your whole story but there’s a detail you forgot to mention, and it’s that I came out here for a one on one match against you and you refused because in your own words, the Grand Rampage was more important! You thought that you just needed to compete in the Grand Rampage, so no Jake, you’re not getting out of it that easily. Besides, let’s just be honest here for a second. You talked about entering the EAW World Championship match, but I’m sure you didn’t already forget what Captain Charisma said. You know as well as I do that he’s not just gonna give you another shot that easily, so what do you think you’re accomplishing here? What’s the point of trying to get out of this when you’re not even getting anything out of it?
(Jake looks annoyed with Adam, lacking the smile that was on his face earlier, but he begins to respond.)
Jake Smith: Look, I know what Captain Charisma said, but that was last week. An entire week has passed though, and just like I was able to rethink the decision I made I’m sure Captain Charisma could do the same. What about you, though? Why are you even out here right now when you have a match to focus on?
Adam Lucas: My match is up next, anyway. Besides, I have no intentions of listening to you try to get out of yet another match. You’ve done it time and time again and I don’t know about everyone else back there but personally I’m sick of it. You refuse to just get in the ring and fight despite the fact that you’re already a two-time World Champion and a Hall of Famer. You’ve been avoiding me all season long and after I decided to play by your rules and enter the Grand Rampage match, you really think that you can just back out of that, too? That’s not how this is gonna go, Jake. You’re going to compete in the Grand Rampage match whether you like it or not, because that’s what YOU wanted!
Jake Smith: So I can’t change my mind? I don’t care what I said last week Adam, and I definitely don’t care about you trying to get another match against me. You’ve been obsessed with me and that’s not my problem. Whether I’m in the Grand Rampage match or not, I’m not facing you.
(The fans begin to boo, but Adam Lucas doesn’t look surprised as he begins to respond.)
Adam Lucas: Then what are you doing? You’re not entering the EAW World Championship match, and if you do go through with competing in the Grand Rampage match, you’re gonna have to deal with me and 28 other people. I get that all season long you’ve been able to get by running away from fights, but that’s not gonna happen this time around. Pain for Pride is getting closer just like you said, so you don’t have time to keep playing these games. If you keep running away from every match you have, all you’re gonna do is cost yourself a good spot at Pain for Pride, don’t you think?
Jake Smith: No, not when I’ll be walking into Pain for Pride with the EAW World Championsh-
Adam Lucas: Give it up Jake, it’s not happening. You had your shot and you screwed it up.
(Adam turns to Caroline before continuing.)
Adam Lucas: You couldn’t help Jake win the EAW World Championship even after removing me from the match, so are you really gonna let him try to talk himself into another title match? You know as well as I do that-
Jake Smith: Just shut up, already. We get it, Adam. You’re still mad that you can’t beat me, but how long are you gonna drag this out? We’ve done this week after week for like this entire season and the result has been the same literally every single time. You never win Adam, so why don’t you just give up?
(Adam and Jake stare at each other as the fans begin to boo once more, and after some time Adam begins to speak once more.)
Adam Lucas: I already told you everything you needed to hear, Jake. I’m not stopping until I get the chance to take you out once and for all. This is only gonna last as long as you decide to keep running, but Jake since you asked, I’ll gladly stop talking.
Rich Russillo: ADAM LUCAS JUST HIT JAKE IN THE FACE WITH HIS MICROPHONE!!!
Persephone: At least they’re done talking!
Rich Russillo: ADAM HAS SEEMINGLY DONE ENOUGH TALKING, AS HE’S NOW JUST ALL OVER JAKE SMITH AND JUST PUNCHING AWAY AT JAKE WHILE HE’S DOWN ON THE MAT! ADAM LUCAS AND JAKE SMITH HAVE SPENT ALMOST THIS ENTIRE SEASON GOING AT EACH OTHER, SO I DON’T EVEN THINK I NEED TO EXPLAIN THE HATRED THESE TWO HAVE FOR EACH OTHER AT THIS POINT!
Persephone: Yeah, and obviously Jake was trying to avoid the Grand Rampage match for this exact reason.
Rich Russillo: JAKE ISN’T ALONE THOUGH, AND THAT’S THE PROBLEM! CAROLINE JUST RAN THE ROPES, BEFORE HITTING ADAM RIGHT IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD WITH A DROPKICK! Adam rolls off of Jake before pushing himself back up, holding the side of his head! Adam swings at Caroline- BUT CAROLINE DUCKS UNDER IT BEFORE HITTING ADAM WITH A FOREARM! Caroline begins to hit a few more forearms, but Adam is fighting back with forearms of his own!
Persephone: BUT JAKE COMES IN FROM BEHIND WITH A CHOP BLOCK! Adam drops to a knee, and Jake grabs him before sending him shoulder first into the ring post! I guess you’re right. Dealing with them two on one was never gonna work, so Adam is a bit of an idiot for even getting into this fight.
Rich Russillo: CAROLINE AND JAKE BEGIN STOMPING AWAY AT ADAM LUCAS, WHO IS TRAPPED IN THE CORNER OF THE RING NOW TRYING TO COVER HIMSELF UP FROM AS MANY OF THESE STOMPS AS HE CAN! I’m sure he’d have less of a problem dealing with this situation one on one but it’s not as easy to get out of this when he’s outnumbered, and that’s part of what nearly won Jake the EAW World Championship back at Shock Value!
Persephone: Adam is finally able to push Caroline away, BUT JAKE HITS HIM WITH A SUPERKICK! Jake and Caroline begin to pull Adam up, and-
(‘Gloria’ by London Symphony Orchestra hits, causing an explosion of cheers from the crowd. Jake and Caroline turn towards the stage, letting go of Adam Lucas as the Universal Women’s Champion, Bea Valentine can be seen sprinting down the ramp.)
Rich Russillo: BEA VALENTINE IS HERE! THE UNIVERSAL WOMEN’S CHAMPION SLIDES INTO THE RING AS JAKE RUSHES TOWARDS HER- AND BEA IS ABLE TO DUCK UNDER A STRIKE FROM HER BEFORE SENDING JAKE OVER THE TOP ROPE WITH A CLOTHESLINE! ADAM LUCAS AND BEA VALENTINE ARE FACING EACH OTHER UP NEXT, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE BEA HAS A BIT OF A SCORE TO SETTLE FIRST!
Persephone: Caroline takes advantage of the opening as Bea was busy with Jake, attacking Bea from behind. She pulls Caroline up, and she is setting her up for A Song of Ice and Fire-
Rich Russillo: BUT BEA VALENTINE IS ABLE TO PUSH CAROLINE OFF OF HER- BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A SUPERKICK OF HER OWN! Caroline falls through the ropes out of the ring, and it looks like their attack on Adam Lucas didn’t go to plan thanks to some help from the Universal Women’s Champion, who seemingly will be defending her title against Caroline at Grand Rampage!
Persephone: That was too tame for my liking. The least they could’ve done was spill some blood.
Rich Russillo: Well this clearly wasn’t about that. Bea and Adam have a match to focus on, but Adam obviously has his issues with Jake and Caroline already, and Bea wasn’t gonna let them get away with everything they’ve done that easily.
Persephone: That’s great and all, but now I have to watch an entire match still because Jake and Caroline couldn’t kill Adam. What a waste.
(Adam Lucas returns to his feet, and he stares at Bea Valentine, who slowly turns towards Adam knowing that their match against each other is up next. Jake Smith and Caroline are on their feet outside of the ring, and neither of them look pleased about how things just turned out. They’re staring at the two Elitists inside of the ring, all while Adam Lucas and Bea Valentine are focused on each other, with this staredown between the two opponents being the final shot before Voltage fades to the final commercial break of the night.)
(Promotional ad for Grand Rampage, where Bea Valentine defends the Universal Women’s Championship against Caroline.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: Alright, it’s our main event of the evening as Adam Lucas takes on Universal Women’s Champion, Bea Valentine!
Persephone: As if having to sit through this match wasn’t bad enough, both Caroline and Jake Smith are lingering ringside as well.
Rich Russillo: Yes, and you’ll have to wonder how that beatdown will factor into tonight’s contest. Though, Adam Lucas seems to be holding up nicely… for now.
Persephone: If you ask me, Bea’s dumb for not waiting a little longer. I’d have let Jake and Caroline continue to beat Adam down until there was next to nothing left. You’d either have an easy payday, or the night off.
Rich Russillo: True… but I don’t think Bea Valentine wants to win that way either. Besides, Caroline was out here, so why not get a little revenge from last week?
Persephone: Whatever.
Rich Russillo: :wow: …Adam and Bea exit their respective corners slowly, maintaining focus on each other, but keeping their guards up with the lingering threats ringside. Regardless, both competitors circle around each other, and initiate a collar and elbow tie-up! Center of the ring!
Persephone: Great, the “feeling out process.” Yawn.
Rich Russillo: Adam slips behind Bea for a rear waistlock, and Bea escapes the hold with an arm wringer, gaining control of the wrist! But Adam rolls through to his feet, and counters with an arm wringer of his own, transitioning into a wristlock!
Persephone: This is boring.
Rich Russillo: Cmon, Persephone. Give it a chance.
Persephone: They’re already starting to lose me.
Rich Russillo: Adam pulls Bea into a standing side headlock, and grounds her with a side headlock takedown! Adam wrenches on the hold, but Bea uses her legs to escape, wrapping them around for a headscissors!
Persephone: Which Adam Lucas quickly kicks out of, and both competitors scramble back to their feet.
Rich Russillo: I can hear the excitement in your voice!
Persephone: Shut up.
Rich Russillo: Sorry. :kyrie:
Persephone: Just call the match, idiot.
Rich Russillo: Right! Both competitors are at a stalemate early on after the recent scramble back to their feet, and start closing the distance between each other, exchanging words- OOH! ADAM LUCAS ESCALATES THINGS WITH A SURPRISE FOREARM STRIKE TO THE FACE OF BEA!
Persephone: Finally, a semblance of something excited.
Rich Russillo: BEA GOT CAUGHT WITH THAT FOREARM, BUT FIRES BACK WITH ONE OF HER OWN AGAINST ADAM! ADAM RESPONDS WITH A FOREARM OF HIS OWN, AND BOTH COMPETITORS BEGIN TRADING BLOWS! ADAM! BEA! ADAM! BEA! ADAM! BEA-
Persephone: What the-
Rich Russillo: ADAM DUCKS UNDERNEATH THE FOREARM ATTEMPT MADE BY BEA, SLIPPING BEHIND HER AS A RESULT! LUCAS SHOVES BEA TOWARD THE ROPES, AND POPS HER UP FOR THE LEVEL UP POWERBOMB!
Persephone: YES! ITS OVER!
Rich Russillo: NOT QUITE AS BEA LEAPS OVERHEAD OF ADAM, AND LANDS ON HER FEET BEHIND HIM!
Persephone: FUCK!
Rich Russillo: ADAM SPINS AROUND, AND GETS CAUGHT WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! DOUBLING HIM OVER AS BEA SCORES WITH A PENALTY KICK TO THE CHEST, JOLTING ADAM BACK UPRIGHT FOR A DISCUS LARIAT! COVER IS MADE, HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT AT TWO! ADAM LUCAS POPS THE SHOULDER UP, LOOKING TO GET HIS WITS BACK ABOUT HIM!
Persephone: Two count this early into the match? Maybe there’s hope.
Rich Russillo: I did bring up the attack prior could potentially put Adam Lucas at a slight disadvantage. Maybe that could be why he took a bit long there, but I won’t take away from Bea Valentine’s flurry of offense there either.
Persephone: He’s weakened, so let’s pray this ends fast.
Rich Russillo: Adam looks to shake the cobwebs out of his head, but Bea won’t allow him much recovery room. Grabbing Adam in a rear chinlock, and aiming to further wear him down.
Persephone: Kinda like this match is wearing me down.
Rich Russillo: Adam grits through the pain, and powers back to his feet in this hold, loosening Bea’s grip with repeated shots to the rib cage! FROM THERE, ADAM EXPLODES WITH A FOREARM! UNLEASHING A FLURRY TO FOLLOW, BACKING BEA UP AGAINST THE ROPES!
Persephone: Sigh. Adam whips her off for an irish whip.
Rich Russillo: BUT BEA TURNS IT AROUND, SENDING ADAM TOWARD THE ROPES INSTEAD, AND SHOOTS FOR A CLOTHESLINE! BUT ADAM LUCAS DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES AGAIN! HOWEVER, BEA ATTEMPTS TO HALT HIS MOMENTUM WITH A BACK ELBOW!
Persephone: Oh, how hard can it be to knock this bastard?
Rich Russillo: ADAM REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES, AND FLOORS BEA VALENTINE WITH A BIG BOOT! BEA IS ROCKED AFTER THAT ONE, AND THE GLOSSED OVER LOOK IN HER EYES SAYS IT ALL AS ADAM LUCAS PULLS HER BACK UP TO A VERTICAL BASE! IRISH WHIP TO THE CORNER!
Persephone: Bea hit hard, and comes staggering out of it…
Rich Russillo: AND LUCAS LAUNCHES HER IN THE AIR WITH A BACK BODY DROP! DID YOU SEE THAT HEIGHT?!
Persephone: It was taller than Jake Smith. Though, that isn’t a high bar to reach.
Rich Russillo: Careful as he might hear you.
Persephone: Bring it on.
Rich Russillo: Well, Adam drops into the cover! Hooking the leg!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! Bea rolls out of the ring, and Adam Lucas follows her out there. Although, stays weary of Jake and Caroline lurking ringside.
Persephone: Those two can end my suffering right now, and just attack both.
Rich Russillo: For now, Jake and Caroline seem to be at bay. Adam turns his attention over to Valentine, and lifts her up for a BACK SUPLEX ONTO THE BARRICADE! BEA DROPS TO THE FLOOR, AND WRITHES IN PAIN!
Persephone: Quit being dramatic.
Rich Russillo: Adam grabs hold of Bea Valentine, and stands her up. Rolling the Universal Women’s Champion back inside the ring for a cover!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWW-
Rich Russillo: Kickout! Bea Valentine still has fight left.
Persephone: Oh, brother.
Rich Russillo: Adam pulls Bea back up to a vertical base- BUT BEA STARTS TO BATTLE BACK WITH A FOREARM! ADAM IS STUNNED SLIGHTLY, AND BEA GETS HER WITS ABOUT HER TO DELIVER ANOTHER FOREARM! AGAIN, ADAM STAGGERS BACK, AND BEA MARCHES TOWARD HIM!
Persephone: :wow:
Rich Russillo: BUT ADAM LUCAS BLASTS BEA WITH A KICK TO THE GUT, WHICH DOUBLES HER OVER FOR A DDT! LUCAS SPIKES HER WITH A DDT, AND FLOATS OVER INTO THE COVER! HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! BEA VALENTINE STAYS IN IT! …Adam then follows a similar strategy to Bea from earlier, and wears her down in a rear chinlock! But Bea Valentine fuels off the energy from fans, who each rally behind her as she powers back to her feet.
Persephone: Jeez. I wish they were killing each other, and not my interest.
Rich Russillo: Bea Valentine breaks Adam’s grip with repeated back elbows to the midsection, staggering him back! Bea winds back, and CONNECTS with a forearm strike! BUT DOESNT STOP THERE, AND FOLLOWS IT UP WITH MULTIPLE! LUCAS CAN BARELY STAND, AND BEA VALENTINE SPINS AROUND FOR A DISCUS-
Persephone: Nope. Adam ducks underneath.
Rich Russillo: AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES, HAVING SCOUTED THAT DISCUS LARIAT AFTER BEING CAUGHT WITH IT EARLIER! BUT BEA HALTS HIS MOMENTUM WITH A DROPKICK!
Persephone: It’s alright, Adam Lucas doesn’t have any good looks to keep intact.
Rich Russillo: Don’t you find that a little harsh?
Persephone: It’s the truth.
Rich Russillo: Adam Lucas sits up, favoring his mouth and nose after being caught square on the face. But he has bigger fish to fry currently as Bea Valentine approaches, and lifts Adam back to his feet. BEA BEGINS TO UNLOAD WITH FOREARMS, AND BACKS ADAM AGAINST THE ROPES FOR AN IRISH WHIP!
Persephone: Welp.
Rich Russillo: ADAM LUCAS TURNS IT AROUND, WHIPPING BEA TOWARD THE ROPES INSTEAD! BUT BEA BOUNCES BACK WITH A BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE KNEE, SENDING LUCAS DOWN TO ALL FOURS! BEA RUSHES BACK TO HER FEET, RUNNING OFF THE ROPES FOR A SINGLE LEG DROPKICK TO THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD! AND MOVES INTO THE COVER AFTERWARDS, LOOKING TO SCORE ONE HERE OVER ADAM!
ONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: ADAM POPS THE SHOULDER UP, REFUSING TO GO DOWN THAT EASY! BUT BEA MAINTAINS A LEVEL HEAD, AND WATCHES AS ADAM RISES TO ALL FOURS!
Persephone: Bea Valentine and “level head” in the same sentence.
Rich Russillo: Bea pulls Adam to his feet, and backs him into the corner for an irish whip to the opposite- BUT ADAM LUCAS REVERSES! SENDING BEA VALENTINE TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER INSTEAD, AND ADAM RUSHES IN!! ONLY TO GET CAUGHT WITH A BOOT FROM BEA, STAGGERING HIM BACK SLIGHTLY!
Persephone: Bea Valentine hops to the middle rope, and I wonder what “exciting” move she’s going to do from there.
Rich Russillo: I GUESS WE WONT FIND OUT AS ADAM LUCAS RUNS TOWARD HER! BEA LEAPS OVERHEAD, AND ROLLS THROUGH TO HER FEET AS ADAM STOPS HIS MOMENTUM IN THE CORNER! LUCAS TURNS AROUND, AND CHARGES RIGHT INTO A SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX!
Persephone: :roman:
Rich Russillo: ADAM LANDED RIGHT ON HIS NECK AND SHOULDERS WITH THAT GERMAN SUPLEX, AND ROLLS THROUGH TO A SEATED POSITION IN THE CORNER! BEA VALENTINE HAS THAT LOOK IN HER EYE AS A LIGHTBULB APPEARS TO GO OFF IN HER HEAD!
Persephone: Bea has an idea, which means this could go really good or really bad. Personally, I’m hoping for the latter.
Rich Russillo: BEA MAKES IT BACK TO HER FEET, AND BOUNCES OFF THE OPPOSITE CORNER TO CHARGE INTO ADAM WITH DOUBLE KNEES! BEA SWARM IN THE CORNER, AND BEA VALENTINE ROLLS HIM FROM OUT OF IT!
Persephone: Uh-oh. Bea’s climbing to the top rope… fingers crossed she slips.
Rich Russillo: BEA IS ASCENDING UP THERE- BUT ADAM QUICKLY RUNS IN TO SHOVE BEA VALENTINE OFF THE TOP, AND TO THE OUTSIDE! BEA HIT HARD, HER FACE COLLIDING WITH THE FLOOR!
Persephone: Ha!
Rich Russillo: Bea Valentine lies on the outside, barely moving after that fall. Meanwhile, Adam Lucas attempts to shake the cobwebs loose from his head before heading back out there. You can tell the wear and tear has had it’s effect on him.
Persephone: You’re right, and Adam should likely stay there while the referee counts to ten.
Rich Russillo: No, Persephone, I think Adam wants to beat Bea straight up, hence why he exits out the ring himself.
Persephone: Ugh.
Rich Russillo: Lucas drags Bea back to her feet, and whips Bea HARD into a corner of the barricade! Bea hit back first, and pain is etched across her face, but she tries to grit through it.
Persephone: Yes, Bea notices Adam approaching, and attempts to slide back in the ring.
Rich Russillo: BEA WANTED SEPARATION, BUT ADAM GRABS HER BY THE ANKLE, DRAGGING VALENTINE BACK OUT BEFORE THROWING HER BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE A SECOND TIME! BEA CAN BARELY STAND AS SHE COMES STAGGERING FORWARD, AND ADAM ROLLS HER BACK INSIDE THE RING!
Persephone: Yeah, hit her with whatever is his finishing move, and call it a day.
Rich Russillo: Well, Lucas seems to have other plans as he grabs Bea Valentine’s legs, and turns her around for the… SHARPSHOOTER! SHARPSHOOTER IS LOCKED IN AS ADAM TURNS IT OVER! ROLLING BEA VALENTINE ONTO HER BELLY! AND ADAM HAS BEEN WORKING THE BACK THROUGHOUT THIS CONTEST, EVEN A BIT THERE WITH THAT BARRICADE! GOES TO SHOW WHY AS HE WRENCHES ON THE HOLD!
Persephone: What’s he call this again?
Rich Russillo: LUCAS LOCK! LUCAS LOCK SUBMISSION IS CINCHED IN TIGHT!
Persephone: Oh, right. Such a generic name.
Rich Russillo: AND ADAM STARES OVER AT JAKE RINGSIDE, PERHAPS HOPING TO SEND A MESSAGE!
Persephone: No, no! Keeps your eyes on the ball, idiot! Make her tap!
Rich Russillo: LUCAS WRENCHES BACK ON THE SUBMISSION HOLD, AND BEA REACHES FOR THE ROPES! BUT ITS A LITTLE HARD TO GET THERE WHEN YOURE SLAP DAB IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
Persephone: This is great! Any moment now, she’ll tap!
Rich Russillo: BEA RAISES HER HAND-
Persephone: YES!
Rich Russillo: BUT DECIDES AGAINST IT LAST MINUTE!
Persephone: NO!
Rich Russillo: BEA VALENTINE GRITS THROUGH THE PAIN AS SHE CRAWLS TOWARD THE ROPES! PANIC IS SETTING FOR LUCAS AS SHE IS GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER-
Persephone: DAMMIT!
Rich Russillo: SHE GETS THE ROPES!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!
Rich Russillo: REFEREE PRIES ADAM LUCAS OFF THE HOLD, BUT HAS THE DAMAGE BEEN DONE AS BEA VALENTINE FAVORS HER BACK IN INTENSE PAIN!
Persephone: Cmon, ref! Let him at her!
Rich Russillo: LUCAS IS RELENTLESSLY TRYING TO GET AT BEA WITH THE REFEREE HOLDING HIM BACK BRIEFLY BEFORE LUCAS PUSHES HIM OUT THE WAY! RETRIEVING VALENTINE AS HE PULLS HER BACK UP TO A VERTICAL BASE!
Persephone: Lucas is finally getting aggressive.
Rich Russillo: ADAM SCOOPS BEA UP, AND SLAMS HER DOWN WITH A BODY SLAM! BEA IS IN PERFECT POSITIONING AS ADAM CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE, HIS BACK FACING BEA ON THE CANVAS! ADAM LEAPS OFF FOR A MOONSAULT! LUCAS HIT HIS MARK, AND HOOKS THE LEG DEEP FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHH-
Rich Russillo: SHOULDER UP- BUT NO WASTED MOVEMENT FROM LUCAS AS HE IMMEDIATELY DRAGS BEA BACK TO HER FEET! HOISTING HER UP FOR A POWERBOMB! CUTTING RIGHT TO THE CHASE ON LEVEL UP!
Persephone: Not gonna get my hopes up this time.
Rich Russillo: BUT BEA VALENTINE STARTS FIGHTING BACK WITH REPEATED SHOTS TO THE HEAD! LUCAS GOES TO CONNECT WITH THE MOVE ANYWAY- BUT BEA COUNTERS WITH A SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! LUCAS HIT THE MAT WITH AUTHORITY, AND BEA HOLDS IT FOR THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRR-
Rich Russillo: ALMOST! LUCAS ALMOST GOT TAKEN BY SURPRISE THERE, AND LOST THE MATCH! BUT BARELY, JUST BARELY GOT THE SHOULDER UP IN TIME! BEA FALLS BACK ONTO THE CANVAS, SHOWING HER EXHAUSTION AS BOTH COMPETITORS LIE THERE! WHOEVER GETS TO THEIR FEET FIRST WILL HAVE A MAJOR ADVANTAGE OVER THE OTHER!
Persephone: Judging by the fact she hit the fuckin move, I’d HOPE Bea can get to her feet first.
Rich Russillo: Depends on how much damage either competitor have taken. But Bea Valentine struggles back to her feet in the center. Meanwhile, Adam Lucas crawls over to the corner, and pulls himself up with assistance from the ropes!
Persephone: Great, so that big deal you made about whoever gets to their feet first ultimately meant… nothing. Got it.
Rich Russillo: I- WHOA! BEA VALENTINE RUSHES TO THE CORNER WHERE ADAM IS- BUT LUCAS CATCHES HER WITH A BACK ELBOW! PUTTING HER MOMENTUM TO A STOP JUST LIKE THAT AS BEA STAGGERS TO THE CENTER!
Persephone: And Adam comes running out.
Rich Russillo: ONLY TO GET CAUGHT WITH A LEAPING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP BY BEA! BEA STING MIGHT HAVE CAVED IN THE CHEST OF ADAM LUCAS, AND VALENTINE GOES TO MAKE A COVER- BUT ADAM WISELY ROLLS TO THE OUTSIDE!
Persephone: Are you fucking kidding me?
Rich Russillo: ADAM LUCAS SHOWCASING WHY HE IS A FORMER WORLD CHAMPION WITH RING AWARENESS LIKE THAT! MOSTLY, RUNNING OFF INSTINCT AS HE REMAINS STANDING ON THE OUTSIDE, ALBEIT BARELY! CLUTCHING AT HIS CHEST!
Persephone: Well, he might want to get out the way. That is if he was smart, because Bea looks like she’s planning something.
Rich Russillo: BEA RUNS OFF THE ROPES, AND SOARS THROUGH THE MIDDLE WITH A SUICIDE DIVE ONTO ADAM! ADAM HITS BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE, AND BEA ROLLS HIM BACK INSIDE THE RING! BEA HOPS TO THE APRON, AND ASCENDS TO THE TOP ROPE!
Persephone: Again, Adam Lucas should simply move.
Rich Russillo: KINDA HARD TO DO THAT IN LUCAS’ POSITION, HAVING NEXT TO NO IDEA WHERE HE IS CURRENTLY! STIRRING BACK TO HIS FEET! BEA LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A CROSSBODY! HOOKING THE LEG FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHH-
Rich Russillo: NO! ADAM LUCAS STAYS ALIVE! BEA POUNDS THE MAT, BEGINNING TO GROW A LITTLE FRUSTRATED! MEANWHILE, ADAM PULLS HIMSELF UP TO A VERTICAL BASE IN THE CORNER! BEA RUSHES IN- BUT ADAM POPS HER OVERHEAD WITH AN ALLEY OOP! BEA HITS FACE FIRST ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
Persephone: And Adam charges toward the ropes, going to follow up with something big…
Rich Russillo: ADAM GOES TO SPRING OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE AS BEA COMES STAGGERING FROM OUT THE CORNER! BUT BEA HOPS UP ONTO THE MIDDLE ROPE, AND PEELS ADAM OFF WITH A RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! LUCAS LANDS HIGH ON HIS NECK AND SHOULDERS, AND BEA QUICKLY CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE!
Persephone: Adam is barely moving, and imagine knocked out. Him being dead would be wishful thinking.
Rich Russillo: :roman: BEA CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE, AND LEAPS OFF WITH A FROG SPLASH ATTEMPT- BUT FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEA IS BLOCKED AS ADAM LUCAS GETS THE KNEES UP! NO DOUBT KNOCKING THE WIND OUT OF BEA AS HE ROLLS HER UP INTO A SMALL PACKAGE!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHH-
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! BOTH COMPETITORS SCRAMBLE BACK TO THEIR FEET, AND ADAM BLASTS BEA WITH A DISCUS PUNCH! MAKING HER GO WEAK IN THE KNEES, AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY AS BEA CAN BARELY STAND! DROPPING TO A KNEE AS A RESULT!
Persephone: Yes, now Adam drags her back to a vertical base… then does the smart things. Sending her toward the ropes for whatever his move is called.
Rich Russillo: Level Up. …BUT BEA VALENTINE WISELY AVOIDS IT FOR NOW AS SHE HANGS ONTO THE ROPES! PREVENTING HERSELF FROM REBOUNDING BACK INTO THE CLUTCHES OF ADAM! LUCAS CHARGES IN- BUT BEA SENDS HIM UP AND OVER HER SHOULDER!
Persephone: Oh, he actually caught himself on the apron. :notbad:
Rich Russillo: BEA SPINS AROUND, GOING FOR A RIGHT HAND- BUT ADAM SENDS HER STAGGERING BACK WITH A FOREARM FROM THE APRON! BEA VALENTINE IS ON WOBBLY LEGS AS ADAM LUCAS SLINGSHOTS HIMSELF OVER THE TOP… BUCKSHOT LARIAT! ADAM TURNS BEA INSIDE OUT WITH AN EQUALISER!
Persephone: What are you waiting for?! Go for the cover!
Rich Russillo: ADAM SLOWLY RISES TO HIS FEET, BUT LOOK IN HIS EYES, PERSEPHONE! ITS A LOOK OF INTENSITY LIKE WE’VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE THROUGHOUT THIS MATCH!
Persephone: Sorry, but I don’t exactly look into Adam Lucas’ eyes often to notice.
Rich Russillo: LUCAS DRAGS BEA UP BY THE HAIR, AND WINDS THAT ARM UP! GOING FOR YET ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE TO TURN BEA INSIDE OUT WITH AS HE RUNS OFF THE ROPES- BUT BEA CATCHES HIM WITH A SUPERKICK AS HE COMES REBOUNDING BACK!
Persephone: Oh, for fucks sake…
Rich Russillo: ADAM IS STRUGGLING TO STAND AS BEA RUNS OFF THE ROPES, PERHAPS GOING FOR YET ANOTHER BEA STING! BUT AS SHE GOES TO REBOUND OFF THE ROPES, LUCAS IS THERE TO MEET HER WITH A RUNNING BACK ELBOW!
Persephone: Enough back and forth. One of these two end it already.
Rich Russillo: LUCAS RUNS OFF THE OPPOSITE SET OF ROPES AS BEA REMAINS LEANED UP THEM! BUT BEA CATCHES LUCAS AS HE WENT TO RUN OFF THE ROPES WITH A CLOTHESLINE! HOWEVER, ADAM REMAINS LEANED UP AGAINST THOSE ROPES AS BEA BLASTS HIM WITH CLOTHESLINE AFTER CLOTHESLINE! EACH MORE IMPACTFUL THAN THE LAST!
Persephone: Again, Bea goes to run off the opposite set of ropes…
Rich Russillo: BUT ADAM LUCAS REELS HER BACK IN FOR A BACK SUPLEX- BEA! BEA BACKFLIPS OFF HIS SHOULDER, AND LANDS ON THE APRON! BEA TURNS LUCAS AROUND, AND HOOKS HIM UP FOR A SUPLEX TO THE OUTSIDE!
Persephone: While I’d love to see these two splat on the outside, is she crazy? She’ll never be able to pull this off!
Rich Russillo: NO! AS ADAM LUCAS SHIFTS THE MOMENTUM! HOISTING BEA UP FOR A SUPLEX BACK INSIDE THE RING- HOWEVER, BEA FIGHTS IT OFF AS WELL! DELIVERING KNEES TO THE TEMPLE OF ADAM LUCAS, CAUSING HIM TO PLACE HER BACK DOWN ON THE APRON!
Persephone: Clearly, Bea hasn’t learnt her lesson.
Rich Russillo: WAIT, MAYBE SHE HAS! BEA GRABS ADAM IN A FRONT FACELOCK CHOKE, AND DRAGS HIM OVER THE TOP ROPE OUT TO THE APRON! BUT ADAM EXPLODES WITH A FOREARM! BEA RESPONDS BACK WITH ONE OF HER OWN! AND THE TWO ARE TRADING BLOWS ON THE APRON! BEA! ADAM! BEA! ADAM!
Persephone: Bea catches Adam off guard with a kick to his stomach, doubling him over-
Rich Russillo: BUT FROM OUTTA NOWHERE, A JUMPING CUTTER BY ADAM LUCAS ON THE APRON! MODIFIED VERSION OF THE NEXT LEVEL! USUALLY, THERE’S A POP UP THAT PRECEDES IT! BUT BOTH COMPETITORS GO TUMBLING OFF THE APRON!
Persephone: Rich, you forgot to mention it’s the hardest part of the ring. 🤓
Rich Russillo: Well… you’re right, Persephone. It is the hardest part of the ring, and both competitors hit hard on it. Bea got the worst end of the deal.
Persephone: Tell me about it.
Rich Russillo: Adam hit hard himself, willing to sacrifice his body in order to pull that move off. Lucas crawls over to Bea, and drags her back to a vertical base before rolling Bea inside the ring. Adam slowly slithers in after her, and approaches Bea on the canvas.
Persephone: Bea looks dumber than usual, which tells me she’s seeing stars at this moment.
Rich Russillo: Adam reaches down to grab both wrists of Valentine, and starts to UNLOAD WITH REPEATED STOMPS TO THE CHEST! UPPING HIS AGGRESSION BEFORE PULLING BEA UP BY HER WRISTS WITH A SHORT-ARM FRONT POWERSLAM! BEAUTIFUL COMBO BY ADAM, WHO HOOKS THE LEG FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHRRRRR-
Rich Russillo: NO! BEA VALENTINE GETS THE SHOULDER UP, BUT ADAM QUICKLY WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND HER WAIST FROM BEHIND! DRAGGING BEA TO HER FEET, SO HE COULD DUMP HER WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!
Persephone: Seeing Bea get ragdolled is always great.
Rich Russillo: ADAM KEEPS HIS HANDS LOCKED, AND DRAGS BEA UP A SECOND TIME FOR ANOTHER GERMAN SUPLEX! STILL, LUCAS’ HANDS REMAIN LOCKED AS HE PULLS BEA UP FOR A THIRD TIME! GOING FOR ANOTHER GERMAN SUPLEX!
Persephone: Jesus, fight back.
Rich Russillo: BEA DOES EXACTLY THAT! HITTING MULTIPLE BACK ELBOWS ON ADAM LUCAS, BREAKING HIS GRIP! BOTH COMPETITORS ARE STUNNED, BEA VALENTINE ESPECIALLY! AND BEA RUNS OFF THE ROPES, GOING FOR THE BEA TRIGGER! BUT LUCAS DODGES OUT THE WAY, SLIPPING BEHIND HER FOR ANOTHER GERMAN SUPLEX!
Persephone: What the- reversed?
Rich Russillo: BEA REVERSES WITH A VICTORY ROLL AS ADAM WENT TO HOIST HER UP, AND ROLLS THROUGH TO HER FEET! LUCAS SITS UP, AND BEA BLASTS HIM WITH A SUPERKICK! ADAM IS DOWN, AND ADAM MIGHT BE OUT AS BEA CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE! REMEMBER, SHE ATTEMPTED THIS EARLIER-
Persephone: Yeah, and got blocked. So, why is she going for it again?!
Rich Russillo: IF AT FIRST YOU DONT SUCCEED… OOH! THERE IT IS! FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEA BY BEA! CONNECTING WITH A FROG SPLASH! BEA FAVORS HER RIBS MOMENTARILY, AND GOES FOR THE COVER! HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
Persephone: Did she get him?!
Rich Russillo: NO! BECAUSE BARELY, JUST BARELY ADAM LUCAS POPPED THE SHOULDER UP IN TIME! EVEN BEA VALENTINE CANT BELIEVE IT AS SHE CHECKS WITH THE REFEREE TO MAKE SURE THAT WASNT A THREE COUNT!
Persephone: If you ask me, it was. Ding! Ding! Ding! Match is over.
Rich Russillo: I hate to burst your bubble, Persephone, but the referee is adamant that was solely a two count.
Persephone: Oh, cmon. Maybe he needs to check the replay one more time. Matter of fact, just take my word for it! I’m extremely trustworthy!
Rich Russillo: I… don’t know if that’s going to matter. The referee’s decision is final, and he declares that wasn’t a three count.
Persephone: Ugh. Fine.
Rich Russillo: Bea rises to her feet, and walks over to the corner, stalking Adam as he slowly regains a vertical base-
Persephone: Fuckin finally.
Rich Russillo: CAROLINE GRABS HOLD OF BEA VALENTINE’S LEG FROM THE OUTSIDE! I WAS WONDERING WHEN HER AND JAKE WOULD TRY THEIR HAND IN AGAIN!
Persephone: About time.
Rich Russillo: BEA STRUGGLES TO GET HER LEG FREE AS JAKE SLIDES INTO THE RING! BEGINNING TO PUMMEL ADAM LUCAS ON THE CANVAS!
(DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: REFEREE HAS LOST ALL ORDER, HAVING NO CHOICE TO CALL OFF THE MATCH! BUT IT DOESNT MATTER AS BEA DROPS TO A SEATED POSITION ON THE CANVAS, AND KICKS CAROLINE AWAY WITH HER FREE LEG!
Persephone: Great, so I sat through that for nothing.
Rich Russillo: CAROLINE STAGGERS TOWARD OUR ANNOUNCE TABLE AS BEA SLITHERS UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE, AND MARCHES TOWARD CAROLINE- ONLY TO GET SENT GUT FIRST INTO THE TABLE!
Persephone: Hey, watch it!
Rich Russillo: BEA NO DOUBT GOT THE WIND KNOCKED OUT OF HER! BUT BACK INSIDE THE RING, JAKE DRAGS ADAM UP TO BOTH KNEES, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR HIS PATENTED GOD COMPLEX!
Persephone: And Caroline goes to slam Bea face first off our announce table-
Rich Russillo: BUT BEA GETS HER HANDS IN FRONT TO BLOCK, AND SLAMS CAROLINE OFF THE COVER INSTEAD!
Persephone: And things start to go wrong for Jake Smith as well once Adam ducks underneath the shining wizard attempt. :mjlol:
Rich Russillo: JAKE SCRAMBLES BACK TO HIS FEET, AND RUNS RIGHT INTO A POP-UP POWERBOMB BY ADAM! LEVEL UP LAYS OUT JAKE!
Persephone: :mjlol2:
Rich Russillo: AND BEA ROLLS CAROLINE BACK INSIDE THE RING! BEA SLIDES INTO THE RING, AND CAROLINE TRIES TO RUSH IN WHILE BEA IS OPEN- BUT BEA IS ABLE TO CATCH CAROLINE BEFORE PLANTING HER WITH THE CONSPIRACY! SWINGING REVERSE STO BY BEA! LAYING WASTE TO CAROLINE AS WELL!
(Bea makes it back to her feet, and she and Adam exchange a look between each other before turning their attention over to both Jake and Caroline, who remain laid out on the canvas as the crowd cheers for seeing the duo get exactly what they deserve.)
Persephone: You know what? Seeing Jake’s plans end in disaster is always great for me. I’ll say we can end this episode of Voltage on a positive note.
Rich Russillo: That’s right, we are out of time. But I want to thank everyone for joining us here for another edition of Sunday Night Voltage! I’m Rich Russillo.
Persephone: And I’m Persephone… thankfully, signing off.
(The camera fades to black with both Adam and Bea managing to stand tall, even after such a grueling match, and putting their recent animosity aside to focus on the true threats.)
(EAW Logo Buzzes.)
