John Helms
(EAW intro plays)
(The camera opens up and a recap of last week’s Voltage begins to play. Captain Charisma bans Daryl Kinkade from competing at Pain for Pride after his actions against Rex McAllister. Rory Slate beats Madison Hansen and Tanner Black by countout to enter the 24/7 Battle Royale. The most shocking twist of events happens as it is revealed Ronan and Eden are actually dating and Eden tasked Ronan to get rid of Sierra and Halsey from the team but he failed miserably. The three women in the Specialists Conterdership Triple Threat match, Usagi Senshi, Lexi and Jamie Cross discuss between each other and each give their reason why they want to win. Mercer Mckay defeats Korey Gaines in a Shrimp Boat Deathmatch. Sierra Everett tries to convince Halsey that she overheard Ronan and Eden’s plan but Halsey doesn’t believe her at all. Dr. Bethany Blue defeats Ronan Malosi and after the match, Kassidy uses the opportunity to brutally attack Bethany and throw her into various glass panes, revealing the stipulation they will have for Pain for Pride is a Glass Wallz Match. It is revealed after another back and forth between TLA and Hikari that TLA actually has a son. Drake King defeats ARIA after she isn’t able to overcome her injuries, and after the match, ARIA rushes into the crowd and attacks Madison Kaline who was watching the match as they are split apart by security. Minerva doubles down on what she said last week saying she is prepared for Yhwach, and she gets delivered a bouquet of dead black roses with a card that says “Let’s play a game, Minerva. Sincerely, Yhwach”. Ayu Megumi successfully defeats Kasai. All of the Cash in the Vault contestants come out and give their own reason to want to win the match before it all descends into a brawl. Minerva defeats Sheridan Muller, and after the match, Yhwach swoops in and attacks Minerva with a lead pipe before challenging her to a match at Pain for Pride. Theron Nikolas and Chris Elite have a back and forth between each other before deciding to set up a match at Pain for Pride. In the main event, Methuselah defeats Usagi Senshi. After the match, Drake King uses the opportunity to attack Methuselah and get his revenge, this time going a step further to use the branding iron and burn his initials on him.)
(Sunday Night Voltage transitions to show a shot of the Auburn Arena in Auburn, Alabama. An edited version of ‘33rd Blakk Glass’ by ZilaKami & SosMula is played through the speakers while spotlights are panning around and golden pyro is shooting out from the stage. The Voltage crowd cheers loudly while the shot then goes over to show the broadcasting team of Rich Russillo, James Peters, and Persephone.)
James Peters: Welcome everybody…TO SUNDAY NIGHT VOLTAGE! We are 19 days away from Pain for Pride! As always I am James Peters, joined here by my fellow commentators, Rich Russillo and Persephone-
(Persephone let out an incredibly loud and sad sigh as her name was said.)
James Peters: I…guess not? Persephone, are you still sad about what happened a few weeks ago-
Persephone: YES, OF COURSE! It was a dream come true for me, finally having Rex so close and being able to talk to him, I finally felt happy in this stupid job and now he isn’t here, he is gone AGAIN! You two will NEVER understand what it means to be in love.
Rich Russillo: Well, actually…
Persephone: SHUT UP RICH!
Rich Russillo: Ok. :mjcry:
James Peters: Well…as always, we have great matches planned for you tonight! Sierra Everett versus Mercer McKay, Tanner Black versus Kasai, as well as Showdown’s Lexi versus Voltage’s Daryl Kinkade, Rich?
Rich Russillo: Right, right, sorry, I had a moment. We also have TLA against Theron Nikolas, ARIA versus Rory Slate, the Hardcore Champion Hikari Kanno facing off against Methuselah and in our main event, Yhwach O’Hara versus…Ronan Malosi, may he rest in peace! Now, Persephone…please?
Persephone: Ugh, FINE! Let’s get on with the dang show then!
(“Spaceship II” by Alex Wiley, Chance the Rapper plays as the crowd right away rains down boos on Sierra Everett as she makes her way to the ring. She’s not in the best mood with everything that’s happened with the #DisneyBesties and Eden Sinclair, and she doesn’t even pay any attention to the reaction from the crowd on her way to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SET FOR ONE FALL!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
Bella Braxton: INTRODUCING FIRST…FROM CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA….WEIGHING IN AT 132 POUNDS…SHE US THE “CROWN JEWEL”….SIERRRAAAAA EVVEREETTTTTTT!!!!!
James Peters: You just know this girl has a lot on her mind following everything that happened with Eden and Ronan. The things Eden said about them and trying to drive the three of them apart and Halsey not even taking the time to believe her.
Rich Russillo: #DisneyBesties look to remain united as ever but tonight Sierra looks to take her mind off that and go out there and try to pick up a win tonight…but it’s not going to be easy considering her opponent tonight.
(‘Run’ by Zeal & Ardor plays as Mercer McKay comes out with that cold stare on his face with his eyes locked on Sierra Everett inside the ring. He pays no attention to the crowd whatsoever as he receives a bit of a mixed reaction, and instead he just begins walking down the ramp, prepared for tonight’s match.)
Bella Braxton: AND HER OPPONENT….FROM THE BLACK CABIN…WEIGHING IN AT 283 POUNDS….HE IS “THE MASTODON”….MEERRCCEERRRR MCCKKAYYYYYYY!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Last week this man most likely finally got rid of his Korey Gaines problem in the infamous Shrimp Boat Death Match and now all eyes look forward to the future and that future is the 24/7 Battle Royal at Pain for Pride and it’s kind of hard to bet against this man considering what he’s shown this season and his pure love of destruction.
James Peters: No doubt, easily one of my top picks and we’ll see if he can keep that momentum rolling here tonight.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Rich Russillo: And this match is underway as Sierra and Mercer circle the ring before stepping up to each other in the center of the ring and locking up in a collar and elbow tie-up! Mercer though manages to overpower her and push her back as she stands herself up in the corner…AND HERE COMES MERCER WITH A FULL HEAD OF STEAM GOING FOR A SPLASH – BUT NOBODY HOME AS SIERRA MOVES AT THE LAST SECOND! Sierra then right away takes Mercer down with a chop block to the back of Mercer’s knee!
James Peters: Sierra looks to take advantage here as she stomps on the body of Mercer before running off the ropes…AND MERCER ALMOST TURNS HER INSIDE OUT WITH A VICIOUS CLOTHESLINE! Mercer shakes the cobwebs out as he goes over and picks up Sierra and picks her up in a powerslam position – BUT SIERRA SLIPS OUT FROM BEHIND AND DELIVERS AN ELBOW TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD AS MERCER DROPS DOWN TO A KNEE! SIERRA RUNS OFF THE ROPES ONCE MORE AND DELIVERS A SHINING WIZARD TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD OF MERCER BEFORE HOOKING THE LEG FOR THE FIRST COVER OF THE MATCH!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!
Persephone: Mercer kicks out, and Sierra right away looks to stay on the attack mounting over Mercer and raining down right hand punches and quickly stands up begging for Mercer to stand up! Mercer turns around to five her and Sierra with a kick to the midsection and perhaps is going for a DDT…BUT MERCER COUNTERS LIFTING HER UP AND SLAMMING HER STOMACH FIRST ONTO THE MAT – BEFORE DELIVERING A KNEE ACROSS THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE AS SIERRA POPPED UP! Mercer stumbles back into the corner strategizing his next move as Sierra begins to stir back up to her feet!
James Peters: Sierra is on both knees as Mercer approaches her and begins hammering away at her back before picking her up in a bearhug! Mercer squeezing the life out of Sierra swinging her back and forth but Sierra is doing her best to find a way out of this as the referee checks on her…AND OH! Sierra rakes the eyes of Mercer as the referee didn’t see it and she takes a second to catch her breath before setting Mercer up….AND SHE RUNS AND DELIVERS A RUNNING KNEE TAKING MERCER DOWN! AND SHE IMMEDIATELY TRANSITIONS INTO THE CROSSFACE SUBMISSION!! MERCER MIGHT BE IN SOME SERIOUS TROUBLE HERE AS SIERRA APPLIES AS MUCH PRESSURE AS SHE CAN ON THIS CROSSFACE!
Rich Russillo: MERCER BEGINS TO DRAG HIS WAY OVER TO THE ROPES…AND HE REACHES OUT AND GRABS IT FORCING THE BREAK! Sierra though let’s go and tries to drag Mercer back to the center of the ring, but Mercer uses his feet and pushes her back first into the corner buying himself time to get up to a knee before Sierra charges at him once more – BUT MERCER POPS UP AND DELIVERS A URANAGE SLAM PLANTING SIERRA INTO THE MAT! Mercer immediately picks Sierra up….AND THEN PICKS HER UP – AND THEN DROPS HER DOWN DELIVERING HIS “INFERNAL BOMB”!!! MERCER SPIKES HER HEAD INTO THE MAT WITH A GONZO BOMB BEFORE FOLLOWING IT UP WITH THE COVER!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT FROM SIERRA! And Mercer knows he can’t give her any room to breathe as he slowly picks her up off the mat, AND HE HOOKS BOTH OF HER ARMS GOING FOR “HALL OF ATONEMENT”!!! – BUT SIERRA SPINS OUT OF IT BEFORE DELIVERING A STEP UP KNEE STRIKE ACROSS THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE BEFORE HE STUMBLES BACK AND OFF THE ROPES AND SIERRA TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A JUMPING REVERSE STO!! Sierra feels all the momentum on her side as she crawls under the bottom rope and makes his way up to the top turnbuckle –
Persephone: Not sure how smart this is.
James Peters: Sierra balances herself on the top rope as Mercer stands up and turns around – AND SIERRA LEAPS OFF THE TOP GOING FOR “THE HIGHS AND THE LOWS!!!” – AND IT CONNECTS!! SIERRA TURNS MERCER OVER AND GOES FOR ANOTHER COVER! WILL THIS BE ENOUGH TO PUT MERCER AWAY?!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
Rich Russillo: NO IT WON’T AS MERCER KICKS OUT AND STAYS IN IT! Sierra shows a little bit of frustration pounding the mat but she quickly tries going back on offense trying to pick up Mercer – BUT MERCER SHOVES HER BACK BEFORE DELIVERING A VICIOUS BIG BOOT AS THEY BOTH FALL DOWN TO THE MAT!! Now it’s a race to their feet between the both of them are they crawl to opposite sides of the ring and pull themselves up with the ropes before turning to face one another – AND THEN MERCER DELIVERS A STIFF FOREARM SHOT TO THE FACE!! SIERRA RESPONDS BACK WITH A ELBOW STRIKE OF HER OWN AND OH MY, THEY ARE BOTH GOING BACK AND FORTH TRYING TO GET THE UPPER HAND ON THE OTHER!
James Peters: BUT MERCER MANAGES TO OVERPOWER HER AND SHOVE HER BACK INTO THE CORNER AS SIERRA’S HEAD WHIPLASHES OFF THE TURNBUCKLE….AND MERCER RUNS WITH A FULL HEAD OF STEAM AND DELIVERS A SPLASH IN THE CORNER!! And then Mercer follows it up with a hip toss In the center of the ring before dropping an elbow to the heart! Mercer can feel the momentum building for himself as he looks to possibly put an end to this match picking her up off the mat…AND MERCER DROPS HER ON HER BACK AND LOOKS TO TURN HER OVER ON HER BELLY AND LOCK IN HIS “BELIEVER’S STRETCH” BOSTON CRAB, BUT SIERRA ISN’T LETTING IT HAPPEN WITHOUT A FIGHT THOUGH!!
Persephone: But eventually Mercer flips her on her stomach thanks to a power mismatch and “Believers Stretch” is applied in the dead determined of the ring with nowhere to go for Sierra!! SIERRA MIGHT HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TAP BUT SHE ISN’T QUITTING AS SHE SLOWLY BUT SURELY DRAGS HERSELF CLOSER TO THE ROPES SCREAMING IN AGONY…AND SHE IS FINGERTIPS AWAY FROM THAT BOTTOM ROPE – BUT OH! Mercer let go of the submission likely knowing she was gonna force the break and drags her back to the center of the ring and tries to turn her over and lock it in again…BUT SIERRA KICKS MERCER SQUARE IN THE FACE WHICH CAUSES HIM TO STUMBLE BACK A FEW FEET ALLOWING HER TO GET TO A VERTICAL BASE! MERCER QUICKLY GOES FOR A LARIAT, BUT SIERRA DUCKS IT AND PULLS HIM DOWN FROM BEHIND…”THE APHRODITE’S KISS!!!” SIERRA HITS HER ROLLING CUTTER AS SHE HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE WIN!!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!!
James Peters: MERCER KICKS OUT AND THIS MATCH WILL CONTINUE ON!! The frustration is starting to set in on Sierra now as she tries to pick up the dead weight of Mercer, BUT BEFORE WE COULD KNOW WHAT SHE HAD IN MIND, MERCER HITS HER WITH A VICIOUS HEADBUTT BEFORE TAKING HER DOWN WITH VICIOUS BIG BOOT TO THE FACE!! Mercer buys himself some valuable time here as he stands in the corner and begins to stalk Sierra who begins to slowly stir back to her feet…
Rich Russillo: AND NOW MERCER IRISH WHIPS HER INTO THE ROPES – AND HE POPS HER UP AND DELIVERS “EMPTY PRAYERS!!!” THE POPUP BACK ELBOW STRIKE CONNECTS AS MERCER DROPS DOWN ON SIERRA FOR THE COVER! THIS HAS GOT TO BE IT RIGHT HERE!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEE!!!
James Peters: AND ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Sierra is somehow still in this match and Mercer looks like he’s ready to put this one away for good as he tries to go for “Hall of Atonement” again…BUT AGAIN SIERRA IS FIGHTING BACK REFUSING TO LET IT HAPPEN!! AND SIERRA FIGHTS BACK AND DRIVES HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER BEFORE DELIVERING SEVERAL SHOULDER THRUSTS TO THE MIDSECTION, BUT MERCER SWITCHES PLACES WITH HER AND SITS HER UP ON THE TOP ROPE BEFORE JOINING HER UP THERE, THIS SURELY CAN’T GO GOOD! :lupe:
Persephone: :mjlit:
Rich Russillo: Sierra repeatedly drives her elbow into his face as he does the same! Both are fighting for position and it looks like Mercer has taken control as he picks her up in a scoop slam like stance, but Sierra drives her elbow into the side of his face causing him to let her go…AND OH MY!! SIERRA LEAPS OVER HIM AND DELIVERS A SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB BEFORE STACKING HIM UP FOR THE PIN!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!
James Peters: MERCER KICKS OUT…AND I THINK SIERRA WAS EXPECTING THAT AS SHE IMMEDIATELY TRANSITIONS INTO “SILENT HILL!!!” SIERRA APPLIES HER “SILENT HILL” FUJIWARA ARMBAR ON MERCER AND MERCER IS ALMOST IN A PANIC ON WHAT TO DO AS SIERRA IS TRYING TO SNAP THAT ARM IN HALF HERE, IS SIERRA GOING TO MAKE MERCER TAP OUT HERE?!
Persephone: MERCER THOUGH ISN’T GOING DOWN WITHOUT FIGHTING AS HE SLOWLY DRAGS HIMSELF TO THOSE ROPES AND HE REACHES OUT…WILL HE GET THERE?!…..YES HE DOES!! Mercer grabs the bottom rope as Sierra is forced to let go and think of what next she has to do in order to put Mercer away for good. And Sierra looks up top once more and uh oh, she makes her way to the corner and ascends up the top rope…AND SHE GOES FOR THE FROG SPLASH!!! BUT MERCER GOT HIS KNEES UP AT THE LAST SECOND!!! Sierra decided to take a huge risk there and it just might end up costing her in the end.
Rich Russillo: Mercer shakes the cobwebs out while holding his arm in pain from being locked in ‘Silent Hill’ but he quickly smells blood in the water as Sierra stands up in the corner, AND HERE HE COMES AS HE DELIVERS THE BIG BOOT IN THE CORNER BEFORE FOLLOWING IT UP WITH THE LARIAT!!! HE CALLS THAT BURNING FLOWSION!!’ AND NOW MERCER GOES FOR ANOTHER COVER AS HE HOOKS BOTH OF THE LEGS!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
James Peters: AND SIERRA IS STILL IN IT!! Mercer right away picks her up and for the third time he tries to go for Hall of Atonement….BUT AN INSIDE CRADLE FROM SIERRA FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!!
Rich Russillo: OH DID SHE GET HIM?! The referee says it was only two as they both race up to their feet and Mercer goes for a hard clothesline, but Sierra ducks it before connecting with a step up knee strike across the bridge of the nose as Mercer falls back into the corner! The momentum is on Sierra’s side now as she runs and drives nothing knees into his chest! She runs to the opposite corner and does it a second time….and then a third! Mercer might be in some serious trouble right here as Sierra….SIERRA RUNS OFF THE ROPES AND DELIVERS A RUNNING BULLDOG PLANTING MERCER FACE FIRST INTO THE MAT!!
James Peters: Sierra looks to put this match away as she tries to go for “Mount Everett” – BUT NOT IF MERCER HAS ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT IT AS HE PUSHES HER AWAY AND PULLS HER FORWARD BY THE ARMS AND TAKES HER DOWN WITH A BULLHAMMER STRIKE! Mercer signals that the end is near as he pulls her in and pops her up in the air for “Empty Prayers” once again….BUT SIERRA LANDS ON HER FEET RIGHT BESIDE HIM AND THEN DELIVERS A RIPCORD KNEE THAT STUNS MERCER – AND NOW SIERRA….OH MY GOD!!!! SIERRA GETS HIM ON HER SHOULDERS AND DELIVERS “SLEEPY HOLLOW!!!!!” THE ARGENTINE FACEBUSTER CONNECTS IN AN IMPRESSIVE FEAT OF STRENGTH AS SHE TURNS HIM OVER AND MAKES THE COVER!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
(“Spaceship II” by Alex Wiley, Chance the Rapper plays as Sierra slowly rolls off of Mercer McKay, exhausted both after that match and the amount of energy needed to deliver that last move. After a little while she is able to get back up, as she stands and gets her hand raised high in victory.)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER….SIERRAAA EVVERREETTTT!!!!
James Peters: Wow! What an ending that was as Sierra picks up a huge victory as we inch closer to Pain for Pride against a very game Mercer McKay in an amazing battle!
Rich Russillo: Score one for #DisneyBesties here tonight. With the way things seem to be going lately with Eden and Ronan’s scheme, they may have needed that!
Persephone: Yeah, I’m sure this is a huge win for her. Congratulations.
(The final shot is of Sierra celebrating her win on the top rope as Mercer is very upset up on the stage with how this one ended.)
(The camera fades to an area backstage, where Ayu Megumi is seen standing in front of the camera. The fans are heard cheering loudly, and before long Ayu begins to speak.)
Ayu Megumi: This season has been full of ups and downs for me. I believe that I’ve grown as a competitor over time, but I am not happy with some of my failures thoughout the season. I believed that I should do better, and at Pain for Pride I have the opportunity to do exactly that by winning a match with so much on the line. The 24/7 Battle Royale winner receives a future Championship opportunity, and look at what people have been able to do with that in the past. Donovan Duke’s first Championship reign happened thanks to the 24/7 Contract and that reign was a record breaking one. I want to be able to be listed with names like that, names that were able to leave a match like this with a brighter future than they had before, and I know that I can do it. This match is going to be difficult, I’m sure. It’s not going to be easy as many Elitists from every brand will want that Contract for themselves, but I’m not going to lose this match. I don’t just want to help prove how much of a force the Ice Aces really are, I want to prove how great I am on my own. I want to show everyone what I can do even without someone there by my side, and at Pain for Pride I am going to have my biggest opportunity yet to do that. At the biggest show of the year, in front of thousands of people, I am going to win the 24/7 Battle Royale and show everyone what Ayu Megumi can really do.
(Ayu stops speaking as the fans cheer, and the camera fades away from the area and into a commercial break.)
(Commercial for the upcoming video game “Mortal Kombat 1” with Ronan Malosi who explains why the character Stryker should be involved.)
(Voltage returns from break. “Blackstar” by David Bowie kicks up and the sold-out crowd inside of Auburn Arena begins to boo. Inside the ring, Voltage’s ring announcer is standing by.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… please welcome… METHUSELAH!!!!
(Methuselah steps out from behind the curtain dressed in his gear, minus a shirt or jacket. A large bandage is covering the back of his shoulder blade, right where Drake stuck his branding iron last week, and there’s a scowl on Methuselah’s face. He warned everyone earlier in the week that he wasn’t in the best of moods and needless to say, that still seems to be the case.)
James Peters: Well last week on Voltage, Drake King got some measure of revenge on the man who’s been tormenting him since Fighting Spirit. We all watched as Drake took his branding iron and sank it into Methuselah’s flesh, forcing him to bear the initials ‘DK’.
Rich Russillo: It was a chilling scene to conclude Voltage last week and something none of us, Methuselah included, are likely to ever forget.
Persephone: It’s just a shame we’re about to waste the next half hour listening to Methy bitch about it. I would rather be doing anything else.
(Methuselah has gotten into the ring and taken the microphone from Bella. His music has faded and all that can be heard is the reaction of the crowd. Most of them seem to think Methuselah got what he deserved last week and when he reaches back and angrily rips the bandage off his shoulder, the crowd pops. The branding is ugly, scabbed over and raised on Methuselah’s skin. Methuselah takes a moment for himself, pinching the bridge of his nose, and shaking his head in disappointment.)
Methuselah: :francis: Needless to say, I am not in the best of moods tonight. I haven’t been in the best of moods since Fighting Spirit if we truly want to split hairs, but last week, Drake’s malice for me reared its ugly head and as a result, a line was crossed. Part of me was thrilled that young Drake was finally stepping up and showing some emotion, but his actions left a lot to be desired. Spare the rod, spoil the child as I like to say, and I am sure Drake is smart enough to figure out that there will be consequences for his actions. Having another man’s initials branded into my shoulder isn’t something I anticipated happening to me in this lifetime, but here we are. Truthfully, I thought I would be angrier than I am at this present moment, but as the week progressed, I found myself amused over this turn of events. It’s one thing to take a branding iron to weak-willed women like Darcy May Morgan and Minerva. It’s another thing to turn it on your superior, the very man who has the ability to make you and break you. Drake’s nerve is exhilarating. It’s refreshing. I know that at Pain for Pride I am going to get the very best of Drake King and yes, that does indeed excite me. I want him at his very best because when I systematically pick him apart and destroy his overall sense of self, I’ll feel the maximum amount of satisfaction. As much as I enjoy what Drake brings to the table, hence me wanting to extend my hand and give him the world, he needs to experience what happens when you cross me. Believe me, I don’t want to harm Drake. I don’t want a single hair on his head touched or mangled in any way, shape, or form. Drake is so close to perfect it’s scary, which is why I wanted to work alongside him. But sadly, I am going to have to take one of my greatest Elitists and force him to bend the knee on our sport’s grandest stage.
(A long, frustrated sigh escapes from Methuselah’s lips.)
Methuselah: Insolence does not go unpunished and while there’s a plethora of ways I could go about this, I feel the need to truly get my hands dirty this time around. It’s rare that I extend any sort of kindness to anyone that isn’t my wife or family, however with Drake, I did it twice despite the fact he basically spit in my face the first time around. Seeing as how he hasn’t learned anything from our interactions, Pain for Pride is going to be a very long, very tough night for Drake. Drake is a prideful individual and as I have learned over the course of the last few weeks, he is set in his ways. Now that would be acceptable if Drake King were facing someone else, but he’s not. He’s facing the only man with the ability to destroy him and that’s me. That’s Gawd. I didn’t want to have to impose my will on Drake, but he’s left me no other choice.
(A look of sadness crosses Methuselah’s face. Deep in his soul, he had believed that Drake King would see things his way. He thought he would have been able to bring Drake around and that together, the two of them could create the perfect version of EAW. Sadly, it just wasn’t meant to be.)
Methuselah: I had my mind set on helping Drake bring his vision for EAW to light. While a lot of his ideas do not match mine, I was willing to hold his hand and help him see his agenda through. Part of the reason I handed Drake the EAW World Championship at Fighting Spirit is so that he could use the power that comes with having a Gawd Contract to abolish that title and cast it to the side. Picturing the smile on his face as he got a chance to do that gave me that proud father feeling and I enjoyed that. Unfortunately, things don’t always go the way we want, and now I’m forced to be the bad guy. Believe it or not, I don’t derive any pleasure from being the villain, especially in situations like this when I truly just had Drake’s best interests at heart. I still find it hard to believe that he didn’t want everything I could offer him, but I do feel as if I could have eventually moved past that. I could have simply defeated him at Pain for Pride and taken away the very title that I gave him, and both of us could have moved on. Unfortunately, things took an ugly turn even after I gave Drake another chance to do the right thing, and as it stands right now, I am going to have to do things I didn’t want to do.
(Methuselah pauses and when he speaks next, his voice is full of fury and vitriol.)
Methuselah: I’m going to have to destroy Drake King.
(As the crowd murmurs, knowing that if anyone is capable of making good on their threats it’s Methuselah, “Low of Solipsism II” by Yoshihisa Hirano begins to blast through Auburn Arena’s speakers. The crowd shoots to their feet, excited to see Drake King and hear what he’s got to say.)
James Peters: It’s been awhile since Drake King has heard the cheers of the crowd, but this is where we’re at right now. The way Methuselah has treated Drake for simply refusing a Gawd Contract has been reprehensible. I never thought I would be gassing up Drake and supporting him, but I can’t front. When he shoved that branding iron into Methuselah’s shoulder last week, part of me cheered.
Persephone: And when you get fired for enjoying the smell of your boss’ burnt flesh, you won’t have anyone to blame but yourself.
James Peters: Be that as it may, you can’t tell me that Methuselah didn’t deserve what he got.
Rich Russillo: I don’t have to say shit. I don’t know where this whole thing between these two egomaniacs is going, but I do know that at Pain for Pride we are going to witness a main event that is a clash of generations and will no doubt be one of the greatest matches of all-time. As a fan, I’m stoked. As a broadcast journalist, I am in awe of what we’re going to witness in just a few short weeks. Methuselah versus Drake King is a match that the EAW Universe has been waiting for for years. We’re lucky.
Persephone: Speak for yourself. If it doesn’t involve Rex, I don’t want it.
(Drake is walking down the ramp, heading towards the ring with a microphone in his hand.)
Drake King: No, I don’t think you’re going to do that.
Methuselah: You seem extremely sure of that.
(Drake’s music has faded and he makes his way up the steel steps, climbing into the ring. He slings the EAW Championship over his shoulder and stares his Pain for Pride opponent in the eyes.)
Drake King: I am sure of it because you can’t destroy what you didn’t create. Truthfully, I think that’s the biggest problem you have with me. You look at me and you see someone who scorns the way this place is run, not to mention this business as a whole, and you can’t help but be envious of the fact I did everything I’ve done so far on my own. I didn’t need the corporate machine backing me to change EAW and Voltage into a better place. It was my own hard work and mental fortitude that drove me to the top of this company.
(Methuselah holds up his hand and there’s a slight smile touching his lips.)
Methuselah: I’m sure there’s a lot more you want to say, but please forgive me for interrupting. Did you just say that everything you’ve accomplished was done by your own hands?
Drake King: I did.
Methuselah: Oh, Drake. We both know that’s not accurate. Since day one, you’ve had someone by your side, willing to fight your battles for you. You needed the Round Table in order to control Showdown. You needed the Visual Prophet to help you rise up the ranks on Dynasty. In order to cause all the chaos you have done on Voltage, you used Myles and Minerva. You have never been able to do anything on your own here. Did you ever stop to think that perhaps your constant need for help is why I approached you in the first place? Other than my own intrigue and fondness for you, I know your vision can not truly come to fruition unless you have the right person backing you. Be honest with yourself, Drake. You thought you had it made with Myles and Minerva, but what you didn’t expect is for Minerva to be headstrong and for Myles to be so weak. He lacked the ability to control his woman which is why New Eden slowly started to fall apart. That’s not completely your fault, but it certainly threw a wrench into your plans. You had to watch as your agenda stalled, and then Minerva got to parade around with the championship you wanted to eradicate. She finally got the ultimate revenge on you when she beat you bloody inside of the Elimination Chamber, and until I came along, you were floundering and searching for purpose. Knowing how you operate, this is why I still find it hard to believe that you would look a gift horse in his mouth, telling him no, on not just one, but multiple occasions, and after I beat you at Pain for Pride, then what, Drake? Where do you go after that?
Drake King: I’m not sure why you’re so convinced that you’re going to beat me at Pain for Pride. You have done a lot of disgusting things, not just to me, but to pretty much everyone in this company. You have taken your power and you have abused it, and it’s time for someone to finally set you straight. Unlike some of the opponents you’ve had in the past, I’m not going to come out here and say that I am going to end you. I don’t want to go that far. I would much rather leave just enough of you left so that you’re able to crawl back to the boardroom and watch as I change this company for the greater good… without your help. Maybe you are right that I have always had someone working alongside me, but if I have learned anything over these last few years it’s that the only person I can count on is myself. For whatever reason, people always go out of their way to betray me, and I’m sure that if I would have taken your offer, you would have found a way to do the same thing. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, right? You know good and well that if there is any Elitist that can truly threaten the house that you built, it’s me. You made it a point to say multiple times that I remind you of you, but that’s not the actual truth, is it?
(Methuselah raises his eyebrows, curious to see where this conversation is going to go. Drake, for his part, smirks.)
Drake King: The actual truth is that you look at me and see someone who will surpass you. You look at me, and maybe in your screwed up mind you do see some of yourself in me, but you see your biggest threat and you hate that. You wanted me to take your offer so you could control me. That’s why it came with all those strings attached. The fact I saw right through you is something you didn’t expect because you severely underestimated me. You thought I would be so consumed with greed that I would jump at the chance to have everything I have ever wanted at my disposal, but that’s not who I am, Methuselah. That will never be who I am. I am not a puppet and I will never allow you to control me and my career, because I know the second things start going my way, you’re going to pull the rug out from under me. I’m nobody’s fool which is why I’m a threat to every single Elitist in this company. You can criticize the fact I’ve always had people around me, but what you can’t argue with is how resourceful I am and how I always get what I want one way or another. I will absolutely give you credit for handing me this EAW World Championship, so there. You can have the satisfaction of hearing me say that it’s because of you that I hold this title. But what you need to realize now is that since I do have this championship, I’m not going to let it go. I can’t count on Captain Charisma to see things my way. He doesn’t believe there’s anything wrong with Voltage and he actively encourages everyone to act like animals and do whatever they want. While I don’t agree with his methods, I have learned to adapt and have been through my fair share of wars. I have no problem carrying this title and defending it, because as long as it’s in my hands, I can count on things going the right way. I know that I hold all the cards and I can dictate what happens, especially in the main event picture. And the best part of that is I don’t need a Gawd contract, or board seat, or some over inflated contract to do it. I can keep doing things my way, which is the right way, and no one can stop me.
Methuselah: That’s… adorable.
Drake King: :comeagain: Adorable?
Methuselah: Yes. Your confidence is endearing. I have no doubts that you truly believe everything you’re saying which is why your fall from grace is going to be so heartbreaking. You have yet to experience true adversity, Drake, and let me tell you something. I wouldn’t wish what’s coming your way on anybody. No one deserves the absolute Hell I plan to put you through but in the end, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.
Drake King: Talk. That’s all this is. There is nothing you can throw at me that I haven’t already seen or experienced. You may have a lot of power. You may be one of the greatest and most ruthless competitors that has ever stepped foot inside the ring. But you are nothing I can’t handle.
Methuselah: Oh Drake. You have no idea what you’ve done.
(Drake grins as he steps around Methuselah and takes the time to admire his handiwork.)
Drake King: I know exactly what I’ve done. Last week I gave you a reminder as to who I am and how far I’m willing to go. You have done no-
(Methuselah cuts Drake off by whirling around and slamming his microphone into Drake’s temple. Instead of letting Drake fall, Methuselah grabs him by the neck and manhandles him into the corner. Drake is choking and gasping for air, but Methuselah squeezes tighter, enjoying Drake’s struggle. He lifts the microphone up and leans close, so close that he is right in Drake’s face. Their noses are almost touching.)
Methuselah: As I said, you have no idea what you’ve done. I am not the man you think I am, or even the man you think you have scouted. I am someone capable of so much more than I have shown and when you consider all the treacherous things that have been linked to me, you should be afraid. You should sleep with one eye open at night. In fact, maybe you shouldn’t sleep at all because I’m telling you this, I am far from done with you. You made the biggest mistake you could have possibly made when you turned down my more than generous offer. But then… but then you surprised me. You surprised me by fucking branding me. You treated me like an animal and you expected that I was just going to be okay with that. I will never be okay, Drake. I don’t think I have ever been okay in my life. From now, until Pain for Pride, and maybe even beyond depending on what mood I’m in, I am going to make your life an absolute living Hell. You will rue the day you stepped up to and spit on me.
(Methuselah is breathing heavily now, almost acting like the animal he accused Drake of treating him as. The fight has gone out of Drake. His face is turning purple from lack of oxygen. Methuselah smiles as Drake claws at his hand and oh so gently he brushes a lock of dark hair back from Drake’s face. Drake’s eyes widen and without any warning, Methuselah cracks him across the forehead with a violent headbutt, splitting both of them open. Methuselah lets go of Drake and the EAW World Champion slumps to the ground.)
Methuselah: At Pain for Pride, you and me, Drake. Barbed Wire Massacre VXI.
(The fans absolutely erupt over the announcement of Voltage’s own creation, Barbed Wire Massacre, returning.)
Methuselah: It’s the end of you as we know it, Drake.
(Methuselah lets the microphone slip from his hands and he kicks Drake as hard as he can in the ribcage. The champ clutches at his side, while still trying to get the air back into his lungs after almost being choked to death. “Blackstar” has started to play but it’s nearly drowned out by the crowd. On one hand, they are overjoyed to know that they will be seeing Methuselah and Drake go to war inside of Barbed Wire Massacre. On the other hand, they’re absolutely repulsed at Methuselah’s words and actions. Some would argue that this is karma for Drake, for all the heartbreak and torment he’s dished over the last couple of years. But they also know just how dangerous Methuselah is and perhaps not even Drake King deserves to be on the receiving end of his wrath.)
James Peters: I don’t even know what to say. As if the situation between these two wasn’t already personal, Methuselah just took it to another level by bringing back the most dangerous match in Voltage history.
Rich Russillo: We haven’t seen Barbed Wire Massacre since the last Pain for Pride and we saw the toll that took on Myles. He lost months of his career thanks to the injuries he sustained in that match. Some of the very best have competed inside of that match and every single man and woman who’s been in Barbed Wire Massacre still walks around with the scars from it.
Persephone: Rexy competed in the first ever Barbed Wire Massacre match. Did you know that?
James Peters: :wow: I did, Seph. It’s fair to say that the very best to ever compete on Voltage have been inside of Barbed Wire Massacre.
Persephone: Methuselah hasn’t though, and neither has any of his other personalities. So does he really know what he’s getting into??
(Persephone’s comment hit and neither Rich nor James had anything to say. She was right. Methuselah had never been inside of Barbed Wire Massacre, while Drake King had been in more than one. As Methuselah left the ring, Drake had finally gotten himself into a sitting position. He locked eyes with Methuselah and stared him down until Voltage faded into a commercial break.)
(A commercial is shown for Indeed.)
(The camera fades to a location backstage after the break, and in front of the camera is Mercer McKay. This causes a mixed reaction from the crowd as Mercer has a very focused look on his face, staring directly at the camera as he begins to speak.)
Mercer McKay: There is no questioning whether or not I am ready for something like the 24/7 Battle Royale. I’ve been question before. Time and time again I have faced Elitists who were willing to doubt me. Willing to ask whether or not I was actually capable of giving them the fight I warned them about. Willing to risk underestimating the man that was in front of them, and every single time this happens I make sure that they don’t leave the ring without having seen exactly what I’m capable of. Last week was just an example. An example of what I can and will do whenever it’s necessary. If I can do all of that to just one man, one man who made the mistake of getting in my way one too many times, just imagine what I’ll be willing to do when put in the ring with countless other competitors who all want the same thing. Everyone wants a Championship opportunity. Everyone wants the 24/7 Contract. Everyone wants a Pain for Pride victory on their record, but if they really want something like that they will eventually have to go through me. They’ll eventually have to try and throw me over that top rope, and it doesn’t matter who I am left with once I’ve cleared the ring. Whether they’re on Voltage, Dynasty or Showdown, they will know exactly what makes me such a threat. I look forward to seeing the kind of competition that’s waiting for me at Pain for Pride, but I have to warn everyone involved that it won’t be an easy night for them. Not as long as I have anything to say about it.
(There’s a mixed reaction as Mercer McKay walks away from the area, and Voltage fades into another backstage area.)
(Voltage reopens to where Captain Charisma’s office is. Captain Charisma is seen in his office, clearly busy at the moment as he seems to be working. Before long however the door to his office opens, catching his attention. When Captain Charisma looks over, he’s met by Tanner Black, one of the newer Elitists on the Voltage roster. The fans give a bit of a mixed reaction for Tanner, and before Captain Charisma could even give a reaction, Tanner begins to speak.)
Tanner Black: Captain Charisma, there’s something we need to talk about.
Captain Charisma: That’s fine. I actually had something I wanted to talk to you about, but you can go first. What’s the problem?
Tanner Black: The problem is that the biggest show of the year is coming up and right now, there’s no telling whether or not I’ll even have the chance to compete on a stage like that. I’ve only been here for a few weeks, but I knew just how important a show like Pain for Pride is since day one. It’s the biggest show of the year for a reason, and we both know that everyone is doing whatever they possibly can to get themselves noticed and find their spot on the show. People have been doing it on all three brands, whether it’s for World Championships, future opportunities or settling feuds. Everyone has things lined up for them, and I want something for myself. I know that I haven’t been around as long as everyone else, and some people may have had their Pain for Pride’s set even before I walked into this company, but I need the chance to show the world what I’m really capable of. I need the chance to prove that I’m more than the guy that lost to Rory Slate by countout of all things in that triple threat. I’m more than the guy that lost one match and missed out on the biggest show of the year while everyone else gets to compete in front of thousands, showing the entire world why they belong here. I’m better than that, and as far as I’m concerned I haven’t even been around long enough to prove that.
Captain Charisma: I understand, and to be honest I can appreciate just how eager you are to try and find a spot on Pain for Pride. You’re completely right. This is not just an important show, it’s the most important show. It’s the biggest event we have every year and countless historic and career-defining moments happened at Pain for Pride. However, I have to say that I did give you a chance once already. You do know that the triple threat you were involved with was for an opportunity to enter the 24/7 Battle Royal at Pain for Pride, right? Had you won that match, you would’ve had exactly what you’re looking for. Instead Rory managed to get in the ring before you or Madison Hansen could. Because of that she earned a spot in the 24/7 Battle Royale.
(This frustrates Tanner a bit, knowing that he isn’t satisfied with the way the match ended, nor the fact that he seemingly missed out on the chance to enter the 24/7 Battle Royale because of it.)
Tanner Black: I understand that. I’m really not happy with the way things went in that triple threat, but Madison and I couldn’t get back into the ring in time while Rory did. I’ll live with that, whatever. It’s no problem, but to miss out on Pain for Pride entirely would be a huge problem. If you know just how important Pain for Pride is then you know that I need the chance to compete on that stage. I need the opportunity to prove myself and show the world why I’m the guy everyone should be watching out for. If other people managed to have career-defining moments at Pain for Pride, then this is my chance to become 2023’s breakout star and force everyone in this company to start taking notice of me. As far as I’m concerned it doesn’t matter how it happens or who I’m up against. All I need is the chance to compete at Pain for Pride. I’m not asking for a lot because I have no problem taking out whoever’s in the way and proving that what happened in that triple threat was nothing more than a mistake that’ll never happen again. You have a future star on your hands and I’m this close to getting to prove that. Pain for Pride is exactly the kind of stage I need, and I don’t see why I should leave this room until I get the opportunity to compete at a show as big as Pain for Pride.
(Tanner stops speaking, seemingly waiting for a response from Captain Charisma. Captain Charisma remains silent for a few seconds before a grin appears on his face.)
Tanner Black: What’s so funny?
Captain Charisma: It’s not that it’s funny, this is actually just perfect timing. What I wanted to talk to you about might just be exactly what you wanted to hear.
(Tanner raises an eyebrow, interested in what Captain Charisma had to say.)
Tanner Black: Go on.
Captain Charisma: Like I said, you already had an opportunity to earn a shot for the 24/7 Battle Royal. You were unsuccessful, and we both know that there’s nothing that could be done about that. You had a chance to make it to Pain for Pride and things just did not work in your favor. However, I did not say that you wouldn’t be able to compete at the event at all. You’re a newcomer here, and with this attitude you could absolutely have a lot to offer here. With that said, it would be unfair for me to ruin your chances of competing at Pain for Pride at all, especially since you’re not the only person in that triple threat that ended up being counted out.
(Tanner remains silent, realizing that Captain Charisma was talking about Madison Hansen.)
Captain Charisma: When I planned to speak to you, it was because I had a plan for next week regarding you and Madison Hansen, who had also participated in that triple threat and was outside of the ring with you when the referee counted to ten. Rory had undeniably earned her spot at Pain for Pride and the 24/7 Battle Royal, but I did not want things to just end there for the two of you. That plan was to have you two face off in a singles match to determine who’d enter the 24/7 Battle Royal. It would’ve been a second chance match, which is only fair given how close we are to Pain for Pride. A show like that only happens once every year, and I didn’t want to stop the two of you from competing there because you were counted out. This way, both of you would’ve had the opportunity to make it to Pain for Pride. All you would’ve had to do is win next week’s match, and your spot at the biggest show of the year would have been secured.
(Suddenly, something Captain Charisma said catches Tanner’s attention.)
Tanner Black: “Would have”? What do you mean?
Captain Charisma: Well… That’s exactly it. Unfortunately, the match can no longer take place. This is a dangerous sport and you never know when something might happen. This just happened to be very bad timing for Madison. While it was scheduled for next week initially, it turns out that Madison Hansen suffered an injury during a training session, and this injury is one so severe that it’ll keep her out of action for the next few months. Because of this she not only will be unable to compete next week, but she won’t be able to make it to Pain for Pride as a whole.
Tanner Black: So the match won’t be happening at all? What does that mean for me?
Captain Charisma: Well like I said before, I’m not going to take away your opportunity to compete at a show as significant as Pain for Pride. While it’s a shame that the match can’t happen and an even bigger shame that Madison Hansen will be out for the next couple of months, I can give you what you were looking for. You’ll be competing in the 24/7 Battle Royal at Pain for Pride, where you’ll have a great chance to prove yourself just like you wanted.
(This causes a smirk to appear on Tanner’s face.)
Tanner Black: Glad to hear. You didn’t make the wrong choice, you’ll see that soon enough when I win the entire 24/7 Battle Royal.
Captain Charisma: Good luck at Pain for Pride, and good luck tonight in your match against Kasai.
(Tanner nods his head, before turning and walking out of the room. After this Captain Charisma turns and goes back to the work he was doing before, as Voltage begins to fade away from the area and into a commercial break.)
(Commercial for Spider-Man 2, only on the PlayStation 5.)
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton in the ring.)
Bella Braxton: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
(“KARATE” by BABYMETAL hits to cheers from the crowd.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first from Amani, Kagoshima, Japan weighing in at 145 pounds she is “The Huntress” KASAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!
(Kasai makes her way out to the ring looking hyped to compete. She slaps hands with fans on the way down to the ring. She is wearing a red and gold rose themed attire as she arrives here on Voltage for a big match against Tanner Black.)
Rich Russillo: Now on Voltage we have a match between two of the great young talents we have here on Voltage. It should be exciting to see what they can do.
James Peters: I agree Rich. Either or both of them could one day become a legend and the future of EAW but it is always fun to see their beginnings and then see them grow over time.
(“The Hills” by The Weeknd hits to cheers from the crowd.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent from Memphis, Tennessee weighing in at 225 pounds he is “The Symphony” TANNNNNNNNNNNNERRRR BLACKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!
(Tanner Black makes his way out to the ring looking brave and determined. He isn’t backing down from this fight at all. He’s going to do whatever it takes to win as you can tell from his mannerisms during his entrance.)
Rich Russillo: Tanner Black is a very unique personality here in EAW. I am not really sure what to make of him. With that being said, he’s very early in his career and while that may be a disadvantage in some aspects, it also means Kasai won’t be entirely sure what to expect.
James Peters: He is very unpredictable that is for sure and that could spell doom for Kasai tonight if she fails to figure him out!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: We are underway now as Tanner Black and Kasai are getting ready to throw down. Two of Voltage’s newest talents we are going to see tonight just what they are made of and which one of them is ready to take another small step forward in their career on the long long road to greatness! Let’s go! Both Kasai and Tanner Black now locking up in the ring… Wait no… suddenly Tanner rolls out of the ring to the outside. Tanner playing mindgames here with Kasai who was fully ready to get her wrestle on. Tanner wandering around outside the ring with an arrogant smirk on his face when suddenly Kasai charges out of the ring! She’s not going to wait! But Tanner quickly now slides back into the ring avoiding her yet again. Now Tanner posturing in the ring yelling at Kasai to come on and fight him in the ring, and to Tanner’s credit that actually is a smart move. That has to be frustrating for a competitor like Kasai but you know that Tanner knows exactly what he’s doing getting in her head like this. Kasai suddenly storms the ring going after him! But Tanner’s trap has been laid as he charges in with a running stomp to the head just as she slides under the bottom rope-
James Peters: No! Kasai moves back out of the ring just in time anticipating Tanner Black’s ambush! Kasai grabs the leg of Tanner and yanks hard pulling him to his back and yanking him under the bottom rope back out to the outside of the ring! No! Tanner manages to stay on his feet by holding the middle rope! Tanner with a hard elbow to the head of Kasai on the outside battering her until she is forced to let go of his leg! Kasai taking a hard blow there as she falls to the outside with Tanner in pursuit! Tanner with repeated strikes on the outside as they brawl around ringside. Tanner punching Kasai up against the barricade just wailing on her as the referee begins the ten count. Tanner goes to whip Kasai into the barricade… but no! Kasai counters it and whips Tanner back first into the barricade instead! Tanner rolls off the barricade and escapes back into the ring but Kasai in pursuit!
Rich Russillo: Kasai rolls back into the ring beating the referee’s ten count by several seconds and begins to hammer away on the face of Tanner Black shoving him backwards into the corner. Tanner really eating it here as he falls down in the corner and is getting a mudhole stomped into him by Kasai. Tanner again rolls out of the ring to escape but Kasai looking to capitalize! Kasai up to the top rope… FLYING FOREARM OFF THE TOP ROPE TO THE OUTSIDE FROM KASAI JUST KNOCKING TANNER THE HELL OUT! DOWN GOES TANNER! DOWN GOES TANNER! Great move there by Kasai as the crowd goes wild and Tanner is unconscious outside the ring but she still has to get him back inside! Kasai hoists Tanner up and slowly manages to shove him back into the ring. He is like a sandbag as she throws him into the ring and slides inside to make the cover!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
James Peters: Kickout by Tanner Black who manages to stay alive in this thing. Both competitors back up as Kasai chops Tanner hard across the chest causing him to fall backwards in pain into the corner. Repeated overhand chops to the chest from Kasai lighting up the chest of Tanner! Kasai grabs the head of Tanner and snapmares him down into the middle of the ring in a seated position. Kasai now off the ropes!!! RUNNING KNEE TO THE HEAD INCOMING!!! IT CONNECTS!!! THE COVER!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Persephone: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: No! The kickout again from Tanner Black! Kasai thought she had it there too! Kasai measuring Tanner as he pulls himself up into the corner. Delivers some hard punches and chops yet again! But now Tanner fighting back! He only gets one shot in however before Kasai just rails on him with several chops! Kasai whips Tanner across the ring… no the reversal! Kasai goes into the corner as Tanner charges in! Kasai gets the boot up kicking Tanner in the face causing him to stagger backwards! Kasai goes up to the middle rope looking to capitalize here! Kasai plunges off the top rope with a Double Knee Strike to the face riding Tanner the whole way down and crushing his head into the mat with both knees as he goes down! The cover from Kasai once more!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James Peters: Kickout from Tanner Black who desperately rolls out to the apron in an attempt to escape Kasai’s relentless assault. But Kasai goes after him as he stands up on the apron grabbing him in an attempt to pull him back over! No! Tanner grabs the head of Kasai and drops pulling her down neck first over the top rope! Kasai got baited there as now Tanner has a chance to recover! Tanner makes his way back into the ring… but Kasai is there waiting for him having recovered faster since she hasn’t taken nearly as much damage as he has so far in this match! Kasai going for a Crossface which could end things!!! But Tanner rolls out of it! Kick to the gut from Kasai but Tanner catches the leg and tosses Kasai up over the top rope dumping her to the outside-
Rich Russillo: But Kasai lands on the apron! Kasai grabs the top rope and swings around landing on the apron avoiding falling all the way to the floor! Kasai hammers Tanner with a hard blow sending him staggering backwards… Kasai leaps up to the top rope… SPRINGBOARD KNEE STRIKE TO THE HEAD!!! No! Tanner has it scouted this time for sure! Tanner ducks it and rolls across the ring as Kasai manages to land on her feet in the ring. Kasai turns around and catches Tanner with a running kick to the gut! ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE HEAD FROM KASAI! NO! TANNER DUCKS IT! SUPERKICK FROM KASAI! TANNER CAUGHT IT!!! TANNER SPINS KASAI AROUND AND KICKS HER IN THE GUT! TANNER HOOKS THE ARM AND DROPS HER SUDDENLY WITH AN EVENFLOW DDT!!! TANNER INTO THE COVER!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James Peters: Kickout by Kasai but Tanner Black has managed to find a way to overcome Kasai’s offense which has dominated the match so far! Tanner turning things around and taking control but will it last? We will find out!!
Persephone: I hope it doesn’t last.
Rich Russillo: Kasai now rolling out of the ring to escape but Tanner Black in relentless pursuit! The tables have indeed turned here tonight! Tanner grabs the head of Kasai and runs at full speed throwing her into the barricade at ringside! Kasai splats up against the barricade as the referee once again begins the ten count.
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!
James Peters: Tanner Black now acting much more ruthlessly having found a weakness in Kasai to exploit. Tanner rams Kasai back first right into the ring post as Kasai screams out from the pain of having her spine crushed like that. Tanner then tosses Kasai back into the ring as the referee stops the count yet again.
Rich Russillo: Tanner Black in full pursuit of Kasai as he climbs on top of her and begins unleashing repeated punches to the skull. Tanner is beating the hell out of Kasai who tries to throw him off but is just taking more damage. Tanner plays to the crowd for a moment as Kasai suddenly fights back but Tanner not going to allow Kasai to turn the tide. Irish Whip… Tanner catches Kasai on the side of the head with a Spinning Firearm! Kasai goes down into a seated position as Tanner spins around with a Buzzsaw Kick right to the head! Down goes Kasai as Tanner slips into the cover once more!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James Peters: Kickout by Kasai as Tanner Black smells blood in the water! Kasai slides into the corner but Tanner comes charging in with a Running Kick to the gut! Devastating kick there from Tanner who just flattened Kasai with that kick! Very brutal. Kasai back up but twists her ankle and is staggering across the ring and Tanner charges in with a Chop Block to the leg taking her down. Tanner slips into an Ankle Lock for added pressure as he is targeting that weak spot! Kasai might have no choice but to tap out!
Persephone: Please tap! PLEASE! I CAN’T TAKE MUCH MORE!
Rich Russillo: That’s not a very respectful thing to say during a match between two of our newest wrestlers. We should be trying to make them feel at home like they have a place here in EAW. I for one am excited to watch this match. Kasai makes it to the bottom rope and the match will continue! Tanner is forced to break the hold as Kasai staggers back on up to her feet. But Tanner stalks her and kicks at her leg as she stumbles into the corner feeling the pain of her ankle. Tanner traps her in the corner and is kicking away at her fiercely yelling at her to stay down! Kasai tries to fight back shoving him away but Tanner is stalking her with kicks to the leg as she ducks between the ropes to try to force some distance between them.
James Peters: Tanner Black comes in with a punch but Kasai fighting back with hard forearms to the face! Kasai rocks Tanner up against the ropes and whips him across the ring. Tanner comes running back… no he grabs the ropes and stops himself! Kasai now comes running in with the Clothesline… but Tanner ducks under it! Tanner lifts Kasai up and tosses her up and over the top rope to the outside! She lands on her legs on the floor as her ankle collapses out from under her and she crashes and burns out here right in front of our commentary tables!
Rich Russillo: Tanner Black looking pleased with that outcome as now Kasai is where he wants her outside the ring. He climbs to the outside as the referee begins the count for the third time in this match. Tanner climbs on top of Kasai but suddenly she starts throwing punches at him! Kasai trips Tanner and sends him face first into the commentary table! Tanner taken by surprise there but Kasai is still in pain holding her ankle on the ground!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!
James Peters: Kasai slowly back up on her hurt ankle as she jumps down on top of Tanner Black and begins hitting him in the back of the neck with repeated forearms. She is trying to force him to stay down! Now she is battering away at him with her knee and the assault is ruthless!
Referee: FOUR! FIVE! SIX!
Persephone: SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE! TEN!
Rich Russillo: The referee is only at six! Tanner Black manages to grab the knee of Kasai and yanks her down into an Ankle Lock! But Kasai throws herself forward with all the force she can muster and throws Tanner towards the ring steps! Tanner lands face first on top of the ring steps and he is knocked the hell out! Kasai slowly crawling back to the ring but can she make it in time?!?!?
Referee: SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE!
James Peters: Kasai struggling to get back into the ring on her bad ankle as she lunges under the bottom rope to break the count!
Referee: TEN!
Rich Russillo: But her leg gives out from under her! Kasai falls onto the ringside floor as she just can’t take it anymore! Neither Elitist managed to get back into the ring in time, this one is over!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: The referee has ruled this match a DOUBLE COUNT OUT!!!!
(The crowd is heard booing in disappointment, clearly hoping there would have been a clear winner.)
Rich Russillo: Well that is too bad the match ended like this. But respect to these young lions for fighting their hardest. They fought until they were both literally unable to get back into the ring.
James Peters: That is true. They really gave it all they got and next time they will have this experience in the bag to help them get a win instead. Good work to these two Elitists who could one day be the future of Voltage!!
Rich Russillo: Let’s not forget, the 24/7 Battle Royale is approaching. Whether it’s there or in the new season, there’ll definitely be a great chance for the newcomers around here to make a great impact.
(Voltage fades away from ringside.)
(Voltage fades backstage to an undisclosed location, where Korey Gaines is seen in front of the camera. There’s a mixed reaction coming from the crowd, and Korey has a smirk on his face as he begins to speak.)
Korey Gaines: Mercer McKay got the better of me in that Shrimp Boat Deathmatch, but everyone watching that match should realize that I’m not the kind of guy that’s gonna be afraid to take risks for the sake of a victory. I’m not the kind of coward that’d have a lackluster performance when the pressure is really on them. When I get the chance I go out there and I put everything on the line, and I’ll be doing it again at Pain for Pride. I don’t care what people think about me. I’ve been underestimated before and I’m sure there’ll be people at Pain for Pride underestimating me again, and that’s going to be exactly what causes them to lose. While they’re all busy thinking about themselves and overlooking the threats that are surrounding them, I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to win. I’m prepared to take whatever risks will get me closer to that 24/7 Contract. I didn’t call myself “The Extreme” for no reason. Even when I’m not in some sort of hardcore match, I am willing to go as far as I need to in order to win. Not everyone understands that yet, but after Pain for Pride they will. I’ve been here longer than a lot of the people in the 24/7 Battle Royale, and I’ve never held a Championship in EAW. I want that to change, and the only way to change that is by taking matters into my own hands and taking out everyone that gets in my way. In a few weeks I’ll be doing exactly that, and I’ll be one step closer to Championship gold. Just wait and see.
(As Korey stops speaking he’s given a mixed reaction, and Voltage begins to fade away from the area and into a commercial break.)
(A commercial is shown for the Shanghai Sharks basketball team featuring Bronson Daniels.)
(Voltage would slowly fade back into the broadcast, as Molly Waters would be seen sitting down in a dimly lit room; a candle stood in front of her on the table, and pictures that fill the wall in the background of the frame, showing the contestants that will be discussed by Molly Waters. She is seen still setting her microphone up, as in the meantime; short flashing video packages were shown; showcasing what and who the next segment is all going to end up being about. After a couple of moments, the video package would fade back out, as Molly Waters would be seen once more; a smile on her face with the finishing touches, before she would begin to speak into the camera that has placed her into frame.)
Molly Waters: Hello there, everyone. Across the last couple of nights of EAW broadcastings, you have seen within both Dynasty and Showdown, Cash In The Vault spotlights. These spotlights have been to discuss, as well as to break down the chances of their brand’s respective chances at winning this year’s Cash In The Vault ladder match that is going to be taking place at Pain For Pride XVI. Everyone who has ever won that briefcase, has become a star. They became a guaranteed World Champion, and this year it might just be the most future star-stacked lineup that we have seen yet. We have Ruler and Joso on the Dynasty side. We have Donovan Duke and Alex Myers on the Showdown side. But tonight isn’t about them, as I am going to be breaking down the chances of the Voltage’s representatives. Two of the very best that are in fact taking part within the ladder match in just a couple of weeks. Two guaranteed World Champions in the very near future. Tonight, I’m going to be discussing… Miku Sakai, as well as Sheridan Muller. You all want it, so here we go; and let’s break down their chances of winning.
(The camera would take a moment away from Molly once she had finished speaking. It would then fade across the wall that is behind her, as it began to move around it, showing all of the pictures of accomplishments amongst so much more in both the careers of Miku Sakai and Sheridan Muller’s. As well as the pictures on the wall; it shows a side by side comparison, showing both the pictures as well as video clips on the other side of the frame of them taking place in real time of when they had happened. Once it had finished up, the camera would fade back into the main shot, showing Molly Waters once again. She sat straight once more, ready to continue from where she had first left off.)
Molly Waters: As we all know, there’s no doubt that these two Elitists are nothing other than polar opposites. They have represented two entirely different sides of the same coin within their times here in Elite Answers Wrestling. Sheridan Muller is a veteran of the business, and a future Hall Of Famer with no doubt in my mind of that, while Miku Sakai signed the dotted line to be in EAW only a short couple of years ago, but has been able to immediately make her presence known as one of the greatest rising stars that this company has seen.
Molly Waters: As we had been entering into Season 16 just last year, there was no sight of Miku Sakai. After she had been severely injured in a tag team match at Grand Rampage in the year of 2022, she was put on the shelf, and there was doubt of when she was going to return. No one knew when. Before that injury had occurred for Miku, she was easily regarded as one of the very best rising Elitists that this company has ever seen. In her first months in the company after her debut, she beat some of the best Elitists that you could think of. Only a few months into her career, she became the Unified Tag Team Champions with Hikari Kanno. Months later, she would become the Specialist Champion of the world.
(Footage of Miku Sakai’s early career highlights as well as defining moments would then begin to play. From winning the Unified Tag Team Championships with Hikari Kanno at the King Of Elite event in 2021, from beating big name after big name and stacking up major victories on her resume. To becoming the Specialist Champion when she dethroned Dr. Bethany Blue at the Territorial Invasion of that same year. But, with all good things, there’s of course lows that will take place. Footage of Grand Rampage 2022 plays. Showing Miku’s sudden injury, including the betrayal by her own best friend.)
Molly Waters: But, when disaster struck at Grand Rampage last year, Miku Sakai couldn’t help but be left in uncertainty, and she was left to go through immense bumpy roads of her recovery from her knee injury, which took a lot of guts, and a lot of hard work. To get through all the bad times, she first had to go through the bad times, and better herself from them.
(From there, footage would play of Miku describing her darkest moments while she was in rehab. From making progress, to that progress being completely destroyed which would force her to then have to restart from the very bottom to make it to the right state she had hoped to be in once again. It was tough times for Miku, but she had continued to push through; which would then bring her into the next chapter of her career. The footage shows a short clip of Miku’s return to Voltage at the start of the year. It fades back to Molly.)
Molly Waters: But, no matter the times that she had to go through in recovery, no matter the suffering she had to deal with during her path to recovery; Miku Sakai continued to push through. And she pushed through, so much so that she would then be able to finally make her return to EAW, and to the Voltage brand at the very start of this year, entering the next chapter of not only her career, but her life; the chapter of redemption. She targeted her former best friend, Hikari Kanno, and even though failed to dethrone her and capture the Hardcore Championship at the Tempest event, she proved she was back. She proved she was back in form even more by defeating greats once again such as TLA amongst others. She would then hit the lottery winner, winning a ladder match at Fighting Spirit to qualify for the Cash In The Vault ladder match a couple of weeks ago.
(Footage of Miku’s return to Voltage would then play in full. It shows the weeks leading up to Tempest, as well as the Hardcore Championship match against her former best friend at the event. Footage of her greatest wins since her return would then play, including of course, making it into Fighting Spirit, and pulling down one of the briefcases; thus giving herself the qualification into the Cash In The Vault ladder match at Pain For Pride. She showed to the world that Miku Sakai was truly back, and not one to mess with. She continued where she left off, and did so in fashion. The footage then fades out.)
Molly Waters: While there was a part of Miku Sakai’s career where she was left in nothing more than uncertainty, you could make the argument that when it came to Sheridan Muller, her whole career up to this point where we are at right now could be described with one word; uncertainty. She was a part of the EAW rosters a couple of years back, before the New Era of Elite Answers Wrestling had started to kick into full effect. She was a part of some of EAW’s biggest moments, but eventually that would come to a close, when she had gone away, and no one knew if the woman who called herself ‘German Efficiency’ was going to make a return. But that was until… EAW15 took over the business.
(After a couple of moments, some short timed clips of Sheridan Muller’s early career moments would play within swift flashes, showing how Sheridan probably would not like to remember most of it. It was a dark time in her life, but she was able to change and adapt. And after a couple of years of being away from EAW, and of course some convincing by higher ups, Sheridan Muller made her return, and she made it in a huge way. During the times of EAW15, many returns from previous legends of the business would arrive, and that includes Sheridan herself.)
Molly Waters: Eventually, Sheridan Muller would make her return to Elite Answers Wrestling during the time of EAW15. And when she did, she did it in a huge way. She started her return to the company by being within a rivalry with Dr. Bethany Blue, who would end up being tied up with her and her return to the company moving forward. The first couple of moments for Sheridan was tough. She failed to win the big matches that she was placed in, and she had failed to make the absolute most out of it. But yet even after all of that, she continued to push through. Because she was here to stay. Unlike most of the returns in EAW15, Sheridan was here to stay, not just for the money, or for the publicity and popularity, but she wanted to carve out her legacy; and wanted to do it right.
(The footage of Sheridan’s first couple of months back in EAW would begin to play. The loss to Dr. Bethany Blue at Reckless Wiring 2022 within the Fight Pit, the loss at Battle Of Egypt III; where she would fail to win the chance to face the Universal Women’s Championship at Pain For Pride within the six women ladder match, and then the draw that she would come across when facing Astraea Jordan at Pain For Pride XV. All of this and more, but, there was light at the end of the tunnel. As Season 16 would come along, and Sheridan would then be drafted over to the Voltage brand.)
Molly Waters: It would end up being Season 16 that would be the light at the end of Sheridan’s tunnel. That was when she finally started to break out of her shell, and she started to make the absolute most out of each and every single opportunity that she was given. She ended up forming a tag team with Dr. Bethany Blue, her former enemy at the start of her return, and in their first official shot at the Unified Tag Team Championships, they dethroned the Off-Brand Amphetamines to become champions. Sheridan would have an amazing performance, being one of the final three of the Voltage team in the Brand Warfare match at Territorial Invasion, and even at Wicked Games that same year; she beat her own partner in a thirty minute ironwoman match. It was looking good for Sheridan.
(Footage of the formation of The Prescription would then show on the very first Voltage of Season 16. Followed by that would be of them beating Kirk Redwood and Solomon Stane at Midsummer Massacre to become the new Unified Tag Team Champions. All of their title defenses would come and go in flashes of highlights, and during all of that would also show some great single moments for Sheridan, including her win over her Prescription partner at Wicked Games, beating her in the thirty minute ironwoman match. Then, the clips would reach over to the night of Road To Redemption.)
Molly Waters: However, all good things would eventually come to an end. The Prescription’s heartline hit its final signal at the night of Road To Redemption. It was put through the flatline, and they would lose the Unified Tag Team Championships to Soul Food Sunday, thus putting an end to their team right then and there. Sheridan would go on her own singles journey once again, but she had learned. And she used it to the best of her advantage. She failed to capture the Universal Women’s Championship at the Christmas show to end the year, but was right back to form with her win at King Of Elite, and then beating TLA at Tempest. She failed to win her trilogy against Dr. Bethany Blue at Grand Rampage this year, but was right back to form, which leads us to now. In the same match as Miku’s qualification at Fighting Spirit, where Sheridan Muller would qualify herself right into the Cash In The Vault ladder match for Pain For Pride.
(The ending moments of The Prescription’s time as a tag team and champions would play, before it would break out with a flatline sound over it. Once it had faded out, many other clips of Sheridan’s new found singles career once more played. Her loss to Sienna Jade at the Christmas show of the end of the year, failing to become the Universal Women’s Champion; but many more positives to follow it. Clips of her beating Harper Lee and Madison Kaline at King Of Elite would play, and then her win against TLA at Tempest. Her loss to Dr. Bethany Blue to end the trilogy between the two at Grand Rampage, before the final clip of her win at Fighting Spirit played, and the footage would then fade out there.)
Molly Waters: Sheridan Muller. Miku Sakai. Two of the very best that Voltage has to offer, representing the brand in the Cash In The Vault at Pain For Pride. They both qualified within the same match at Fighting Spirit, winning a ladder match, which is similar to the Cash In The Vault ladder match. They have gone through their ups, and they have gone through their downs, but all of that and more is what has made them who they are today. They have learned, and they have adapted. They have pushed through every obstacle that has been placed in front of them, and they have earned the right to quite possibly be looked upon as two of the biggest favourites of the Cash In The Vault ladder match that is taking place at the Pain For Pride XVI event in just a couple of weeks. Thank you for listening.
(The camera would fade away from Molly. It shows the wall of pictures one more time, going down the line of both women’s ups and downs in their career. Many clips and highlights appear on the side of the frame as it is happening, before the camera would eventually fade out to darkness, leaving the fans at a hype level of one thousand for the Cash In The Vault ladder match that is going to be taking place very, very, soon to end the season.)
(With that, Voltage fades into a commercial break.)
(A commercial is shown for Call of Duty featuring Jake Smith.)
(The camera cuts to ringside ‘A Cruel Angel’s Thesis’ – Yoko Takahashi plays in the background, and Usagi takes a seat next to the commentary table, being on the opposite side to Jamie Cross, who already made her entrance. Both competitors stare at one another as Bella Braxton makes the announcements.)
Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME…JAMIE CROSS AND USAGI SENSHI!
(The camera cuts to Bella Braxton standing inside the ring after both competitors receive positive reaction from fans.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(“Mr. Brightside” by The Killers plays out Lexi to a positive reaction from fans, who she high fives on her way to the ring. But her mood becomes more serious as she approaches Jamie Cross and Usagi Senshi ringside, exchanging some words, which the camera doesn’t pick up before Lexi gets inside the ring, posing.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Hailing out of Detroit, Michigan, weighing in at 117 pounds…SHE IS THE MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUN…LEXI!
James Peters: Lexi has a big match ahead of Pain for Pride, but until then, she needs to pick up momentum.
Rich Russillo: Everybodies looking to mount momentum ahead of Pain for Pride season, and Lexi is no different.
James Peters: But will the presence of Jamie and Usagi hinder her chances?
(‘Primrose’ by Dream State plays to a negative reaction from fans, especially after what Daryl Kinkade did to Rex, not that the man cares as Kinkade walks onto the stage, and stares down Lexi from inside the ring before marching down to the ring himself, carrying a smug smile on his face.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent! Hailing out of Norwich, England, weighing in at 225 pounds…HE IS THE KINK OF ELITE…DARYL KINKADE!!
Persephone: BOOOO!
James Peters: Daryl Kinkade isn’t exactly liked by the fans in attendane, and of course, one of the members of our commentary team.
Rich Russillo: But I don’t think Daryl cares about the feedback he’s getting from his actions.
James Peters: He cares about the consequences at least, knowing he won’t be able to compete at Pain for Pride.
(Both competitors stare each other down from opposing corners the referee signals for rhe bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
James Peters: Well, we are underway. Lexi, Daryl Kinkade, going head-to-head. Both competitors look focused, and focused is what they’ll need to be, especially Lexi, who does have Usagi Senshi and Jamie Cross watching her ringside. But to my knowledge, have no intentions of interfering. However, you can’t exactly be one-hundred percent sure of that, as many competitors will carry ulterior motives.
Persephone: Well, I hope Lexi can remain focus, and hopefully hurt Daryl like he hurt Rexy. 🙂
James Peters: Could you at least try to show some impartialism?
Persephone: :mjpls:
Rich Russillo: Guess that’s a no. But turning our attention back to the in-ring action, you can tell Lexi’s attention is slightly diverted, as she took little glances at her Pain for Pride opponent’s ringside while circling Daryl. But she returns her focus fully back to him as they lock up in the center of the ring with a collar and elbow. Both competitors jockey for position, but it’s clear that Daryl has the strength advantage over Lexi, and he proves it, backing her into the corner.
James Peters: Daryl has his forearm pressed up against the jaw of Lexi, keeping her pinned in that corner, and the referee interjects with a five count.
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!
James Peters: Daryl finishes grinding his forearm in the face of Lexi at the count of three, backing away afterward, and gesturing for her to come meet him in the center. Lexi shakes off being overpowered by Daryl early on, and both competitors circle each other for a second time. Collar and elbow tie-up takes place in the center of the ring- or so I thought as Lexi quickly ducked underneath the tie-up attempt by Kinkade, slipping behind him for a go behind.
Rich Russillo: Lexi transitions from a rear waistlock into a standing side headlock, then into a side headlock takedown. If she can’t outpower Kinkade, she’ll look out to outmaneuver him, using quickness to her advantage, but that could be a dangerous game as Kinkade can be quick himself. Speaking of, Daryl manages to power back to his feet in the side headlock, and bounces Lexi off the ropes to escape!
James Peters: SHOULDER TACKLE! Lexi ran right into a shoulder tackle from Daryl, which dropped her. Usually, Kinkade isn’t always the powerhouse type, but given that height and weight advantage, he’s given much more leeway. Daryl looks down at Lexi, flashing a cocky smirk before running off the ropes himself! LEXI RUSHES BACK TO HER FEET- BUT GETS DROPPED WITH ANOTHER SHOULDER TACKLE BY KINKADE! This time, it was running.
Rich Russillo: Daryl takes a moment to send some trash talk down Lexi’s way, which- unfortunately, our microphones don’t pick up. But Daryl runs off the ropes again! As a result, Lexi rolls onto her stomach, causing Daryl to hop over her, not wanting to trip. LEXI POPS BACK TO HER FEET AS DARYL GOES REBOUNDING OFF THE ROPES, AND TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A DROPKICK! PICTURE PERFECT, CATCHING KINKADE RIGHT ON THE BUTTON!
Persephone: GREAT MOVE BY LEXI!
James Peters: Daryl rolls out of the ring, looking to create distance from Lexi, and recover fully from that dropkick. BUT LEXI DOESNT ALLOW DARYL MUCH BREATHING ROOM, AND SOARS THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE FOR A SUICIDE DIVE! LEXI ROLLS DARYL BACK INSIDE THE RING! Daryl is up to his feet, trying to shake the cobwebs out of his head as he staggers toward the corner.
Rich Russillo: Lexi rolls back inside the ring herself, and backpedals to the opposite corner, BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR A STEP-UP KNEE STRIKE! LEXI DOESNT STOP THERE, AND RUNS BACK TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER FOR MORE MOMENTUM, DELIVERING A SECOND STEP-UP KNEE STRIKE! LEXI BRINGS A STUNNED DARYL TO THE CENTER OF THE RING, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES IN FRONT OF HIM!
James Peters: BUT DARYL SHIFTS THE MOMENTUM WITH A RUNNING SPANISH FLY ONTO LEXI! Daryl doesn’t go for the cover, and instead, opts to collect himself as he rises to a knee, making sure everything is in order as he checks for a broken jaw, following those two knee strikes delivered by Lexi.
Persephone: Unfortunately, everything looks to be in order.
Rich Russillo: Lexi crawls to the corner, favoring her back off that spanish fly. Lexi pulls herself up in the corner, and Daryl takes notice of this, marching toward Lexi, and dropping her back to all fours with a huge right hand! Lexi clings close to the bottom rope as she tries crawling away from Daryl, who stops her, lifting Lexi back to a vertical base, and PLANTS HER in the center with a snap suplex! Daryl floats over into a cover, forearm pressed on Lexi’s face!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWW-
James Peters: Kickout! Both Usagi and Jamie continue looking on, and it’s hard to make out their opinions as of this moment, neither really expressing much early on. Daryl looks down at Lexi, and pulls her up by the hair, showing a lack of respect, as he directs Lexi toward the corner, slamming her FACE FIRST off the top turnbuckle-
Rich Russillo: No! Lexi got her boot up on the middle turnbuckle, successfully blocking the attempt by Daryl, who gets struck with a hard right to the midsection by Lexi, who follows that up with repeated right hands to the face. Daryl staggers back against the ropes, and Lexi comes approaching- BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION BY DARYL, WHO FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A FOREARM SMASH!
James Peters: Lexi responds with a kick to the midsection of her own, and runs off the ropes in front of him! BUT DARYL RUNS TOWARD THAT SAME SET OF ROPES, AND LEXI SPINS AROUND IN THE CENTER TO BE CAUGHT WITH A HANDSPRING ROUNDHOUSE KICK!
Rich Russillo: Lexi is placed on wobbly legs, and stumbles to the corner, which she uses to keep herself up. DARYL CHARGES IN, AND CONNECTS WITH A RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! BUT KINKADE ISNT DONE, AND KEEPS UP WITH A BARRAGE OF EUROPEAN UPPERCUTS, JACKING THE JAW OF LEXI! DARYL SHOWS NO SIGNS OF STOPPING HIS ONSLAUGHT, AND THE REFEREE INTERJECTS WITH A FIVE COUNT!
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!
Persephone: Disqualify him, ref!
James Peters: If Daryl had gotten to five, he would’ve, but Daryl ended the barrage off with one HUGE final european uppercut. Lexi looks out of it in the corner, and holds onto the top rope, so she doesn’t collapse. Daryl grabs hold of Lexi’s wrist, and irish whips her to the opposite corner! Lexi hits HARD, and comes staggering out of said corner into a BACK BODY DROP!
Rich Russillo: Lexi arches her back in pain, but Daryl immediately hooks the leg for a cover, staying on top of his opponent!
ONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Lexi kicks out at two! Daryl is back to his feet, and Lexi tries getting to hers, but Daryl pie-faces Lexi back down to all fours as she got to a knee. Lexi tries creating separation from Daryl, and crawls to the corner, which she pulls herself up in. Daryl closes the distance between them, BUT LEXI FIRES OFF WITH A SLAP TO THE FACE OF KINKADE!
James Peters: That might’ve served to anger Daryl, WHO REPEATEDLY CRACKS LEXI IN THE JAW WITH FOREARM STRIKES, NOWHERE FOR HER TO GO AS SHE PINNED IN THE CORNER!
Jamie Cross: :yikes:
Rich Russillo: Even Jamie Cross can pick up on the severity of those strikes, probably wasn’t the best move for Lexi to anger Daryl.
Persephone: Yeah, unfortunately, we know what he can be capable of.
James Peters: The referee is giving Daryl til the count of five to relent, but Daryl’s gotta be seeing red right now.
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!
James Peters: The referee interjects himself, grabbing Daryl by the waist, and pulling him away from Lexi in the corner. The referee admonishes Kinkade for not listening, but Daryl pushes past the referee, looking to go back to work on Lexi. BUT LEXI FIGHTS BACK WITH ANOTHER SLAP TO THE FACE, AND STARTS FIGHTING HER WAY OUT OF THE CORNER, ALTERNATING BETWEEN RIGHT AND LEFT HAND PUNCHES!
Rich Russillo: DARYL IS DOING HIS BEST TO COVER UP, AND GETS BACKED TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER, BEING OVERWHELMED WITH LEXI’S STRIKES! THE REFEREE PULLS LEXI AWAY FROM KINKADE, BUT SHES RIGHT BACK ON THE ATTACK- OOH! She walks right into a back body drop by Daryl, sending her up and over his shoulder to the outside.
James Peters: Lexi hit face first on the outside, and clutches at her mouth and nose area. Daryl exits the ring, and pulls Lexi back to her feet, slamming her FACE FIRST off the apron! BUT LEXI GETS GUT FIRST INTO THE NORTH BARRICADE IMMEDIATELY AFTER! Daryl rolls back inside, and back outside the ring quickly, restarting the referee’s count, wanting to do more damage to Lexi on the outside.
Persephone: Uh-oh, Daryl is coming over here.
Rich Russillo: Daryl brings Lexi to our announce table, and keeps a close eye on both ladies ringside before BOUNCING Lexi face first off our table cover! One, two, THREE times! Lexi gets rolled back into the ring by Kinkade, who slides back in himself. But Lexi makes herself elusive, creating separation as she rolls out the south side of the ring.
James Peters: Daryl exits that same side of the ring, and follows Lexi, who is crawling back towards the front of our announce table area. Both Jamie and Usagi are truly getting a front row seat of the action now, but let’s hope they don’t get caught in it.
Rich Russillo: Lexi uses our announce table to pull herself back up, and Daryl comes from behind, grabbing hold of Lexi, and SLAMMING her face first on the table cover a fourth time. Do it any more, she might need some facial reconstructive surgery.
James Peters: Daryl eyes the steel steps next, and goes to send Lexi into them. BUT LEXI COUNTERS, SENDING DARYL SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE STEEL STEPS INSTEAD! That reversal seems to have caught both Usagi and Jamie by surprise. Lexi is on wobbly legs, having been on the defensive a lot lately. But now she has an opportunity to turn the tide, effectively shift the momentum in this match, which she’s going to try and do here!
Rich Russillo: Lexi rolls Daryl back inside the ring, and climbs to the top rope. Daryl gets back to his feet, AND LEXI DIVES OFF WITH A HURRICANRANA ATTEMPT! BUT DARYL STANDS HIS GROUND, HOLDING LEXI UPSIDE DOWN, AND POWERS HER UP IN POSITION FOR A POWERBOMB! KINKADE RUNS TOWARD THE ROPES, BUT LEXI COUNTERS WITH A HURRICANRANA, SENDING DARYL UP AND OVER TO THE OUTSIDE AS SHE HANGS ON TO THE TOP ROPE!
James Peters: Lexi re-enters the ring, and Daryl rises back to his feet, holding his back. LEXI RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR A SUICIDE DIVE, AND IT LANDS, SENDING DARYL BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE! BUT LEXI ISNT DONE, AND SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING FOR ANOTHER SUICIDE DIVE, EXCEPT ITS A SUICIDE DIVE DDT! SPIKING DARYL ON HIS HEAD!
Rich Russillo: Both competitors are down, and Lexi is unable to capitalize, as she starts shaking the cobwebs out of her head. Daryl is sprawled on the outside, and looks out of it based off the glossy look in his eyes. The referee starts counting, and if neither competitor can beat the count of ten, this match will be thrown out.
Persephone: It’d still add up to Daryl losing, so I’d be fine with a count out.
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX!
Persephone: :madstare:
James Peters: Both competitors got all fours, and Lexi grabbed hold of Kinkade, rolling him back inside the ring! Daryl gets to his feet, but is on wobbly legs, and staggers back against the ropes. Lexi slides in the ring after him, AND DARYL TRIES FOR A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE! BUT LEXI DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT, AND RUNS OFF THE ROPES BEHIND HIM!
Rich Russillo: DARYL SPINS AROUND, AND GETS CAUGHT WITH A RUNNING BULLDOG BY LEXI! Daryl rolls onto his back, and Lexi crawls into a cover, hooking the leg deep!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHH-
James Peters: Kickout! Lexi has Daryl reeling, and needs to keep putting the pressure on. She’s really kicked it into high gear as of late, and rolls out to the apron, using the ropes for assistance in getting back to a vertical base. She’s lining Daryl up, stalking him as he slowly gets back to his feet. LEXI SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE TOP ROPE, LAUNCHING HERSELF AT KINKADE IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
Rich Russillo: BUT DARYL DUCKS UNDERNEATH WHATEVER SHE HAD PLANNED, AND LEXI READJUSTS, ROLLING THROUGH TO HER FEET! DARYL CHARGES TOWARD LEXI FOR A CLOTHESLINE! BUT LEXI TRAPS THE ARM FOR AN FOH!
James Peters: LEXI TRIED FOR THE STANDING SHIRANUI! BUT DARYL SHOVED HER OFF, AND LEXI SPINS AROUND INTO A RUNNING FRONT FLIP DDT BY DARYL! MONKĒ FLIP SPIKES LEXI, AND DARYL SHOOTS THE HALF FOR A COVER ON HIS PRONE OPPONENT, HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEE-
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! LEXI KICKS OUT! AND IF JAMIE AND USAGI WERENT INVESTED BEFORE, THEY ARE INVESTED NOW, AS THIS MATCH IS HEATING UP! Both women thought there was a chance of it being over right there, sharing the same shock as our fans in attendance once Lexi kicked out.
Persephone: Daryl is inching closer to victory…
James Peters: Daryl quickly stands Lexi back up, and puts her in position for A Beautiful Lie! BUT LEXI TWIRLS OUT OF THE FRONT FACELOCK, AND BACKS DARYL INTO THE CORNER WITH A LIGHTS OUT SUPERKICK!
Rich Russillo: LEXI IS FIRED UP, AND CHARGES IN, BUT GETS SENT UP AND OVER DARYL’S SHOULDER AGAIN! THIS TIME, LEXI EXPECTS IT, AND CATCHES HERSELF ON THE APRON! DARYL TURNS AROUND, AND IS CAUGHT WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZIGURI BY LEXI! DARYL SPINS AROUND, AND STAGGERS TOWARD THE CENTER!
James Peters: LEXI SPRINGBOARDS BACK INSIDE THE RING WITH A CROSSBODY ONTO KINKADE! DARYL WRITHES IN PAIN ON THE CANVAS, CLUTCHING AT HIS MIDSECTION, AND LEXI CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE, BACK FACING DARYL AS SHE PREPARES TO DIVE OFF WITH THE HEART STOPPER! ELEVATED MOONSAULT FROM THE TOP ROPE HITS ITS MARK! LEXI HOOKS THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEE-
Rich Russillo: DARYL GETS THE SHOULDER UP! Lexi sits up, and starts to contemplate her next move against Kinkade, who is already beginning to stir. Lexi rolls to the apron, and starts scaling the top turnbuckle a second time. BUT DARYL CUTS HER OFF WITH A RUNNING JUMPING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! Lexi gets crotched on the top turnbuckle as a result, and Daryl climbs to the middle rope, hooking Lexi up for a superplex.
James Peters: BUT LEXI! LEXI STARTS TO FIGHT BACK! LEXI IS FIGHTING HER WAY OUT OF IT WITH REPEATED SHOTS TO THE RIB CAGE! LEXI CLUBS DARYL ON THE BACK, DOUBLING HIM OVER FOR AN AVALANCHE SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! LEXI HOLDS IT FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEE-
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! Lexi sits up, but simply falls over in exhaustion. The wear and tear is starting to show, and it’s looking like the end could be drawing near. The three counts are coming closer and closer to becoming reality.
James Peters: Lexi rises to both knees, and starts trying to figure out her next move against Daryl, who is pulling himself up to a vertical base in the corner.
Rich Russillo: Lexi stands herself back up, AND BOUNCES OFF THE OPPOSITE CORNER, CHARGING INTO DARYL WITH A RUNNING DROPKICK! LEXI RUNS OFF THE OPPOSITE CORNER AGAIN, DELIVERING ANOTHER RUNNING CORNER DROPKICK!
James Peters: Daryl gets lifted to the top turnbuckle, and Lexi starts climbing to the middle rope. But Daryl shoves Lexi off the middle rope! Daryl tries perching himself on the top turnbuckle, BUT LEXI CUTS HIM OFF WITH A RUNNING FOREARM! LEXI QUICKLY SCALES THE ROPES, AND DELIVERS A SUPERPLEX TO KINKADE!
Rich Russillo; LEXI ROLLS THROUGH, AND LIFTS DARYL UP IN A FIREMANS CARRY! BLOODSHOT! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER DUMPS KINKADE RIGHT ON HIS HEAD, AND LEXI HOOKS THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEE-
James Peters: KICKOUT AT TWO AND A HALF!
Persephone: :madstare:
Rich Russillo: Lexi pounds the mat in frustration, but a lightbulb goes off in her head as she powers back to her feet. Lexi is stalking Daryl, waiting for him to rise back to his feet. Slowly, Daryl gets back to a vertical base, and staggers back into Lexi’s clutches for PACK WAT-
James Peters: LEXI WENT TO POP DARYL UP FOR THE BACK SUPLEX BACKSTABBER, BUT DARYL HOLDS HIS WEIGHT DOWN, BLOCKING THE MOVE, AND DELIVERING A POINTED ELBOW TO THE BACK OF LEXI’S NECK!
Rich Russillo: DARYL LANDS A ROLLING ELBOW, AND LEXI DROPS TO A KNEE! DARYL GRABS A HANDFUL OF LEXI’S HAIR- BUT LEXI DRIVES HER HEAD INTO HIS ABDOMEN, DOUBLING DARYL OVER! LEXI RISES BACK TO HER FEET! PENALTY KICK TO THE FACE OF DARYL JOLTS HIM BACK UPRIGHT!
James Peters: LEXI PERFORMS A WILD SWING, BUT DARYL DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND CONNECTS WITH A SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Lexi rolls through to a knee, and Daryl stands her back up- OOH! LEXI EXPLODES WITH REPEATED FOREARMS TO THE FACE! LEXI GOES TO RUN OFF THE ROPES IN FRONT OF DARYL-
Rich Russillo: BUT DARYL GRABS LEXI BY THE WAISTBAND OF HER TRUNKS, PULLING HER BACK FOR A PUMPHANDLE PILEDRIVER!
James Peters: BUT LEXI COUNTERS WITH A DDT, SPIKING DARYL ON HIS HEAD! LEXI PULLS DARYL BACK UP FOR FOH, BUT DARYL TWISTS LEXI AROUND FOR A BEAUTIFUL LIE! CROSS-LEGGED FISHERMAN BUSTER! LEXI IS OUT, AND DARYL MAKES THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(Kamikaze by RedHook plays, and Daryl Kinkade gets back to his feet, having his hand raised in victory by the referee. The crowd boos, but Daryl doesn’t care as he continues celebrating.)
Persephone: :madstare: Of course Lexi couldn’t do anything right.
James Peters: :whoa:
Rich Russillo: Lexi put up a good fight, but in the end, all it took was one move for Daryl Kinkade to switch the momentum.
(Daryl exits the ring, and backpedals up the ramp, proud of his win. Lexi pulls herself up, using the ropes for assistance, facing toward Kinkade. But Lexi looks up on the titantron, and can see that Jamie Cross has entered the ring, and is standing behind her.)
James Peters: JAMIE! JAMIE HAS ENTERED THE RING, AND LEXI TURNS AROUND TO ATTACK, CHARGING AT CROSS! BUT CROSS EXPECTED IT, PLACING LEXI ON WOBBLY LEGS WITH NO WAY HOME! THE SCORPION KICK CAUGHT LEXI RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES!
Rich Russillo: WITH LEXI STUNNED, JAMIE LIFTS HER UP, AND SPIKES HER WITH THE ARC REACTOR! GORY SPECIAL SPUN INTO DDT! JAMIE ENACTING A LITTLE REVENGE FROM LEXI COSTING HER ON SHOWDOWN!
James Peters: BUT USAGI! USAGI HAS ENTERED THE RING, AND JAMIE TURNS AROUND-
Rich Russillo: FATALITY! USAGI TOOK JAMIE DOWN WITH THE FATALITY! AND STANDS TALL IN THE RING! COULD THIS BE THE SCENE AT PAIN FOR PRIDE?!
(Usagi stands over Jamie, and bends down, speaking to her.)
Usagi Senshi (off-mic): Business is business.
(Usagi stands tall in the ring, and poses to a positive reaction from fans. But the camera pans to Daryl Kinkade on the stage, who watched it all unfold. The crowd reaction begins to grow, and Daryl Kinkade senses someone behind him, and turns around-)
Persephone: SJDUUFDJYRHDHDJFJF
James Peters: ITS REX! REX MCALLISTER IS BACK! AND I KNOW HE ISNT HERE TO CONGRATULATE DARYL ON HIS VICTORY!
Persephone: SKEIFJDNEUDJDKDJ
Rich Russillo: REX GRABS THE BACK OF DARYL’S HEAD, AND SENDS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE MINI-TRON! DARYL GOES DOWN, AND CLUTCHES AT HIS FOREHEAD!
James Peters: BUT REX LINES HIM UP, WATCHING AS DARYL GETS TO ALL FOURS BEFORE SCORING A RUNNING PENALTY KICK TO THE GUT!
Rich Russillo: REX GRABS HOLD OF DARYL, AND PULLS HIM BACK TO A VERTICAL BASE, SENDING HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE MINI-TRON AGAIN! DARYL COLLAPSES TO THE FLOOR, AND REX MOUNTS HIM WITH RIGHT HANDS TO THE SKULL, PULLING BACK AS FAR AS HE CAN ON EACH ONE!
James Peters: REX IS A MAN POSSESSED, REIGNING DOWN WITH PUNCH AFTER PUNCH AFTER PUNCH TO THE SKULL OF KINKADE, INTENSITY IN HIS EYES! DARYL IS STARTING TO FADE WITH EACH PUNCH, AND REX IS BEATING HIM UNCONSCIOUS!
Rich Russillo: OOH! REX IS SLAMMING THE BACK OF DARYL’S HEAD OFF THE STAGE AREA, AND IF HE WASNT UNCONSCIOUS BEFORE, HE IS NOW! REX PULLS DARYL BACK TO HIS FEET, AND PLACES HIM IN A FRONT FACELOCK!
Persephone: APDIDJDNDUJDJDUF REX EFFECT!
James Peters: REX EFFECT ONTO THE STAGE!
(Daryl is limp, and Rex demands a microphone, which he soon gets from a stagehand. Rex mounts Daryl, and grabs a handful of hair, holding his head up with one hand, and talking into the microphone, which is held by the other hand.)
Rex McAllister: Hey, Daryl! I watched Voltage last week, and heard Captain Charisma punish you, barring you competition at Pain for Pride, our biggest show of the season. So, I’m going to do you a solid. I’m going to give you an opportunity to compete, but not against anyone. Because Daryl, I’m giving you the opportunity to compete… Against me.
(Rex lets go of Daryl’s hair, and slams the microphone down on his chest, standing tall over Daryl’s limp body as “Stronger (salü remix)” by The Score begins to play, receiving a thunderous reaction from fans.)
Persephone: YES, YES, A THOUSAND TIMES YES!
James Peters: Rex didnt take that attack from Daryl lying down, and I don’t expect Daryl too either. Consider this match good as booked, and what a match it will be if made. Daryl Kinkade versus Rex McAllister!
(Rex looks down at Daryl with anger as the camera fades elsewhere.)
(A commercial is shown for Fortnite featuring the new Season with Optimus Prime.)
(Voltage returns and fades to an area backstage, and this is where Kasai is seen. The fans begin to cheer after seeing Kasai, and she has a calm look on her face as she looks towards the camera. After a few seconds she begins to speak.)
Kasai: The opportunity that I’ve been given recently, it’s not one to take lightly. An opportunity like this is not one that comes around often, and there’s no doubt that I recognize what it could do for me. After all, it has already been seen what it could do for others. I do appreciate the fact that I’ll be taking part in a match like the 24/7 Battle Royale this early on in my career, but I don’t intend to stop at competing in the match. I will be setting my sights higher. I will be aiming to win the entire match. I’ve been here for some time now, and throughout my tenure in EAW I’ve had the opportunity to showcase what I am capable of on more than one occasion. Even so, I can recognize the fact that competing at Pain for Pride is unlike anything I have done in this company. It’s what everyone wishes to do no matter who they are or where they stand in this company. They all want their chance to thrive at the grandest stage this year will have to offer, and I’ve been given the chance to do that. At Pain for Pride, I don’t intend to disappoint. Instead, I will be giving the field of competitors everything I have, and if they believe it’ll be easy throwing me over that top rope and eliminating me from the match, I’ll make sure that they’re proven wrong.
(The fans cheer as Kasai finishes speaking, and Voltage fades away from the area.)
(The camera fades into ringside where Bella Braxton is shown standing in the ring with a microphone.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… at this time please welcome… TLA!!!!
(“Ambitionz az a Ridah” by Tupac hits to cheers from the crowd as the people of Alabama are on their feet for the arrival of TLA. TLA makes his way down to the ring in his ring gear looking ready to compete. As TLA arrives in the ring a young teenager is shown in the audience looking half-asleep as he ignores Voltage entirely and is instead playing Tears of the Kingdom on his Switch.)
Rich Russillo: Well last week we saw that TLA and Hikari Kanno had a heated confrontation as the road to their Hardcore Title Match at Pain for Pride races on. However, I was shocked by what happened next and I think that TLA was too.
James Peters: Yes it looks like that teenager who is supposedly TLA’s son has come to Alabama this week and has a front row seat. At this point TLA should be fully focused on his upcoming Hardcore Championship Match at Pain for Pride as well as tonight’s match against Theron Nikolas but I have to imagine all of this personal drama could be affecting him as well.
Rich Russillo: No doubt about that James. It was definitely a bombshell that woman Lola dropped last week and suddenly TLA’s life is thrown into chaos once again. But that is nothing new for him and it looks like he is going to address the crowd before the match gets underway.
(TLA is shown taking a microphone from a staff member at ringside as he steps back into the ring and waits for the crowd to quiet down. TLA notices Feliciano in the front row who isn’t paying attention and instead just on his Switch instead seemingly more interested in that than Voltage.)
TLA: Orale Alabama que onda señoras y señores!
Crowd: TLA! TLA! TLA!
TLA: Todo amor para mi gente. You know that before yo boi get he lucha on we got some things to talk about first. Gotta talk about what happened last week real quick. Cuz you know things be real simple for me. I ain’t no idiota but I been keepin’ things real chill lately. Real tranquilo. As tranquilo as the road to Pain for Pride can get. I done removed myself from all of the drama and instead focused on winning the Hardcore Championship. I did that cuz I know that Hikari Kanno is a great competitor. A champion I got respect for and someone that I should be watching out for. Someone that can push me to my limits and we can go to Pain for Pride and have an absolute classic match. Not to mention winning a championship I ain’t never won before you know I always be looking to build mi legado for real. You know I am all here for it. I am ready for it and Hikari should be watching out for me too. Cuz I am not someone to be underestimated. I’ve taken on all of the great wrestlers in this sport and I got my name all up there with the best of the best and at Pain for Pride imma cement that fact.
(TLA points to the Pain for Pride sign hanging in the rafters as the crowd cheers fully in support of his goals for the title match at Pain for Pride.)
TLA: I ain’t wanted to admit it but the last few years Pain for Pride ain’t been the best noche for a vato. I have had some great legendary matches against some great legendary competitors but at this point I have lost three luchas in a row at that event and if I am keeping it real with you all I ain’t fine with that. Pain for Pride is where the immortals of this sport are made and if I truly want to be among them then I gotta start collecting them Ws at Pain for Pride. Sure I have picked up big wins and big titles at other big shows throughout the whole year and you know me I ain’t give a damn if I am wrestling in front of fifty people or fifty million people. Imma bring my best regardless. But Pain for Pride is special and I acknowledge that which means that this year imma be ending that streak at all costs. Hikari Kanno going to have to beast and feast stronger and longer than she ever has in her life if she even wants to have a hope of putting me down. Cuz I am straight up coming for her neck and for real I ain’t even want to wait none.
(TLA turns towards the entrance ramp glaring down at the curtains.)
TLA: This was supposed to be a straightforward competitive lucha but then last week changed all that. I ain’t understand the motives I ain’t know why Hikari decided to get all personal. To bring outsiders into it but you know we going to get this all sorted out. Imma be demanding them answers so I be out here before I get my lucha on with Theron to call you out Hikari cuz you know I be demanding to know just what the hell you up to chica.
(TLA waits as the fans cheer, and before long ‘Trepanation’ by Millennium Parade hits. This causes more of a mixed reaction to come from the crowd, as Hikari Kanno walks out with the Hardcore Championship around her waist. She also has a microphone in her hand, and doesn’t take very long to begin walking down the ramp. She has a bit of a smirk on her face, which becomes noticeable as she approaches the ring.)
James Peters: I’m not sure why Hikari Kanno chose to make things this personal, but it doesn’t look like she feels much remorse for her actions.
Rich Russillo: That’s not a surprise. After all, we heard everything she said last week. Hikari knows exactly what she’s doing, and from the looks of it, it’s like she’s doing this to get under TLA’s skin.
Persephone: Doesn’t sound very smart to me. Why would she want to make her opponent want to hurt her more than he already would’ve?
(Hikari walks up the steel steps and enters the ring, before immediately beginning to speak.)
Hikari Kanno: I’m not sure what the problem is, TLA. All I did was reunite you with your family, that’s a good thing, right? I just love happy endings, unless of course Feliciano is not actually your son.
(This gets a loud, mixed response from the crowd as TLA doesn’t seem too happy with what he heard.)
Hikari Kanno: After all, do the two of you even have any sort of connection with each other? I had the chance to speak to Lola and Feliciano, and from what I heard… It doesn’t sound like it. At first I found it hard to believe that you actually had a child. I found it hard to believe that we spent all this time with you in the ring each and every single week without knowing something as huge as you having a kid, but now I see what the misunderstanding was. It wasn’t that you just had a kid and we didn’t know about it, it’s that even you probably aren’t sure whether or not he’s even yours. TLA, you didn’t have the slightest idea that you had a child before last week, did you? Before I introduced Lola and Feliciano to the man that missed out on thirteen years of their lives, you never even realized that you had a child out there missing out on time with their own father. You had all the time in the world to check in on these people. You had thirteen years, and instead of being there for them you were here. Tell me TLA, how much do you know about Feliciano? Do you know any of his interests? Do you know what his life has been like without you? Do you know your son at all?
(Hikari walks up to TLA before continuing.)
Hikari Kanno: I don’t think you do.
TLA: Callate this is about the EAW Hardcore Championship not about my past. All them preguntas? It ain’t none of yo business. Y’all want to drone on and on about my past tryna bring all this irrelevant basura up. You want to create a “happy ending” and reunite familias. This all could have been handled backstage ain’t no need to bring it out into the spotlight. You and me we done chose to be public figures but now the whole world knows this kid’s name and he going to have to deal with that for the rest of he life. I am tired of people constantly wanting to judge me for my past. Making all of these assumptions and tryna paint me as a bad person with some sort of agenda. One day it is TLA is a bad racist person because he wrestled for NWF a decade ago, but none of them were there for it. None of them know that I dealt with it more than any of them outsiders ever did. Not only that but I overcame it as I did every other obstacle that has been in my way since day one.
(The crowd cheers as TLA pauses for a moment before continuing.)
TLA: You know I got into this match because I wanted to get away from all of the Disney garbage and I thought challenging for the Hardcore Championship would be a breathe of fresh air. Pero now you out here talking about wanting to create “happy endings”. You know you are starting to sound more and more like just another Disney princess yourself. You decided to make this whole thing public and it is what it is. I ain’t got nothing to hide and we going to go ahead and get this all figured out. But you and me? This is about the EAW Hardcore Championship. This is about Pain for Pride. Whether or not Feliciano is my son is something I will figure out for myself, it ain’t none of yo dayum business.
Feliciano: (off-mic) YOU’RE A DEADBEAT FATHER!
(Suddenly the camera fades over to the front row of the crowd where Feliciano is shown standing up on the barricade yelling at the top of his lungs at TLA. Security is shown trying to convince him to get down and go back to his seat.)
TLA: :wtf:
(Security is shown gently pulling Feliciano back down to his seat and warning him not to interrupt the show again as he is shown seething and slams his Switch down onto the floor breaking it as he crosses his arms angrily.)
Hikari Kanno: It’s sad, isn’t it? This poor boy had to go his entire life without a father. I’m not even sure he knew who his father was for a good portion of his life, because you were never there. It’s not like you couldn’t have found time. You had thirteen years to find time, but instead of doing what needed to be done and being there for your family, you chose to be here. You chose to show up week in and week out, compete for Championships like this one and fight for the chance to be at the very top of the mountain, all while Lola and Feliciano were missing you in their lives. Think about it. Do you think Feliciano has no reason to despise you at this point in his life? You were absent, likely since before he was born. If anyone has the right to hate your guts it’s the kid who had to live his whole life up to this point without even having the opportunity to meet the father that’s been missing all this time. You choose to set your sights on my Championship and start a war with me at Pain for Pride, yet all this time you’ve had far more important matters to worry about.
(Hikari just shakes her head before continuing.)
Hikari Kanno: You’ve always had a very twisted perception of what’s actually important. You’ve always had a complete misunderstanding of what it is you should be focused on, and Feliciano’s hatred for you is the result of that misunderstanding. How long are we going to keep putting up with this, TLA? How long are we going to keep entertaining you while you have a family waiting to see you-
James Peters: WOAH, TLA WITH A RIGHT HAND TO HIKARI KANNO, AND IT LOOKS LIKE TLA HAS FINALLY HEARD ENOUGH FROM HIKARI!!!! HIKARI IS ABLE TO RETALIATE, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A BRAWL IS NOW UNDERWAY BETWEEN THESE TWO AS THEY JUST START THROWING RIGHTS AND LEFTS AT EACH OTHER- BEFORE TLA GETS HIKARI WITH A DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN!!!!
Rich Russillo: TLA BEGINS PUNCHING AWAY AT HIKARI- BUT HIKARI IS ABLE TO PUSH TLA OFF OF HER AND CAUSE HIM TO ROLL OUT OF THE RING! Hikari follows behind before quickly hitting him with an uppercut, BUT TLA RESPONDS WITH AN ELBOW TO THE JAW, CAUSING HIKARI TO STUMBLE BACKWARDS!
Persephone: HIKARI KICKS TLA IN THE MIDSECTION, AND NOW SHE SENDS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE RING POST! TLA bounces off of the post and stumbles away, AND NOW HIKARI CHARGES IN BEFORE-
James Peters: BEFORE BEING SENT INTO THE BARRICADE BY TLA!!!! TLA REALIZED HIKARI WAS COMING AND WAS ABLE TO CATCH HER AND SEND HER CRASHING RIGHT INTO THE BARRICADE!!!! TLA CAUGHT HIKARI OFF GUARD, AND NOW HE CAPITALIZES BY RUNNING IN AND BEGINNING TO PUNCH AWAY AT THE HARDCORE CHAMPION, LOOKING FOR SOME PAYBACK AFTER HIKARI BROUGHT TLA’S OWN FAMILY INTO THIS, A FAMILY TLA DID NOT EVEN KNOW ABOUT!
Rich Russillo: HIKARI STARTS PUNCHING TLA IN THE SIDE TO FORCE HIM OFF OF HER- AND NOW LOOK! IT LOOKS LIKE SECURITY IS RUNNING DOWN TO BREAK THINGS UP, AND AFTER EVERYTHING HIKARI SAID TONIGHT, THIS MIGHT JUST BE COMPLETELY NECESSARY!!!!
James Peters: LET’S NOT FORGET, TLA’S MATCH IS UP NEXT!!!! IF ANYTHING WERE TO HAPPEN THAT MATCH MIGHT’VE BEEN PUT IN JEOPARDY! It might be a good thing that these two aren’t able to tear each other apart right now, but there’s no telling what might happen at Pain for Pride!
(TLA and Hikari Kanno keep trying to fight with each other, but enough security guards run out to pull them away from each other. They begin pulling the Hardcore Champion away from TLA to separate the two and because TLA’s match is next. The two Pain for Pride opponents yell a few more words out to each other, before finally Voltage fades from ringside.)
(A commercial is shown for GTA 6, releasing… we don’t know.)
(The camera opens to see TLA already in the ring warming up. He’s doing his best to focus on the match despite what happened before the break. By this point, Feliciano is gone from the front row, and ‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac is playing as Hikari Kanno is seen settling into commentary.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SET FOR ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
Bella Braxton: ALREADY IN THE RING…. RESIDING IN THE POON PALACE IN MIAMI, FLORIDA… WEIGHING IN AT 210 POUNDS…HE IS “THE BADDEST HOMBRE ON THE PLANET”…T….L….A!!!!!
(TLA poses on the top rope looking down at Hikari before panning to the commentary desk.)
Rich Russillo: Please welcome our guest here on commentary, the Hardcore Champion Hikari Kanno! And it’s safe to say we’re speechless by what we just saw. We certainly didn’t expect you to stick around after what just transpired here moments ago.
Hikari Kanno: It really is crazy that this all became new to us over a week ago… but why wouldn’t I stick around for this match Rich? I’m ready to talk business and I’m ready to scout my opponent at Pain for Pride to make sure I keep this title around my waist and that this is another Pain for Pride where TLA walks out empty handed.
James Peters: Speaking of the current situation, it looks like Feliciano will not be staying for the rest of the night, and to be honest that’s perfectly fair given what happened before the break.
(“Show Me Your God” – The Amity Affliction plays as Theron makes his way out to the ring to a mixed reception. Theron looks focused tonight, and is not paying any attention to the reaction the crowd gives him, instead only focused on his opponent down in the ring. He cracks his neck before making his way down to the ring with his eyes focused on TLA.)
Bella Braxton: MAKING HIS WAY TO THEBRING… FROM EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA…. WEIGHING IN AT 224 POUNDS… HE IS “THE REAPER”…THHERRRONNNNNN NIKKOLLLASSSSSS!!!!!
James Peters: One of the greatest here in my opinion. We talk about the issues we just saw but we know this man has some of his own and the man is Chris Elite over on Showdown.
Rich Russillo: You just know he’s ready to send a loud message here tonight. And hey perhaps maybe he even has some eyes at the back of his head, you never know.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
James Peters: And this match is underway as TLA and Theron circle the ring waiting on the other to make the first move before locking hands in a test of strength, but break apart after a few seconds. About a split second later they lock up in a collar and elbow tie-up! Theron manages to get him in a side headlock and flips him over on his back, but TLA clips his head with the legs as both race up to their feet as Theron charges full speed at him…BUT TLA LEAPFROGS OVER HIS HEAD BEFORE REBOUNDING OFF THE ROPES AS TLA CATCHES HIM WITH AN ARM DRAG! AND THEN HITS HIM WITH ANOTHER ARM DRAG! AND THEN A THIRD ONE!!
Rich Russillo: Theron stands up quickly in the corner and here comes TLA who runs and drives both knees into the chest of Theron…before following it up with a monkey flip from the corner – BUT THERON LANDED ON HIS FEET! Theron then takes him down with a hip toss before dropping down and applying a headlock! Hikari, what are your thoughts on facing TLA at Pain for Pride though?
Hikari Kanno: I pretty much said it all last week. Great challenge, multi time World Champion and Hall of Famer for a reason, but there seems to be something bigger in the room that needs to be talked about and we all know what that is.
Persephone: Yeah it seems you liked stirring the pot there…and I don’t really blame you.
Rich Russillo: Now is not the time for that though. In the ring though, it’s gonna be a battle much like this match is as Theron applies as much pressure as he can in this headlock, but after a few moments TLA manages to get to a vertical base and repeatedly drives his elbow into the stomach of Theron before pushing him to the ropes before bending down going for a back body drop…But Theron stops in his tracks and delivers a kick to the face…AND THEN THERON PULLS HIM BY THE ARM AND DELIVERS A SPINNING URANAGE SIDESLAM! Theron wastes no time in going back on the attack stomping the life out of TLA while on the found before picking him up…AND THERON SETS HIM UP FOR A DOUBLE KNEE LUNGBLOWER AND IT CONNECTS!! THERON QUICKLY GOES FOR THE FIRST COVER OF THIS MATCH!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
Rich Russillo: TLA quickly gets the shoulder up, and Theron quickly gets him up and puts him in a suplex position, but TLA is trying his best to block it but Theron gets him up anyway, but TLA lands on his feet behind Theron and pushes him forward before turning around and walks into a ripcord knee strike right to the face that causes Theron to stumble back and falls through the second rope to the outside floor right in front of us. And uh oh…TLA RUNS OFF THE ROPES AND DELIVERS A TOPE CON HILO TO THERON ON THE OUTSIDE!!!
(Instant replay of the tope con hilo from TLA.)
(TLA stands up before turning around and coming face to face with Hikari Kanno who removes her headset getting in his face.)
Hikari Kanno: (off mic) Do it.
James Peters: Instead TLA turns his attention back to Theron walking over and trying to put him back inside the ring…BUT THERON PULLS HIM BACK BY THE ARM AND HE HITS THE STEEL STEPS SHOULDER FIRST! TLA took his eye off the ball for a second as Theron took advantage of that small window. And now Theron sits TLA up against the steps….WHAT DOES HE HAVE IN MIND?! AND HE RUNS AND RAMS HIS KNEE INTO THE FACE OF TLA UP AGAINST THE STEPS! Theron might have him right where he wants him as he tosses him back in the ring and climbs up the apron and ascends up the top rope….AND THERON DELIVERS A PICTURE PERFECT SIX STAR FROG SPLASH!! THE HOOK OF THE LEG FROM THERON!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!
TTTTTHHHHRRRRRE-
Persephone: TLA kicks out at two and a half! That was a close call as Theron now looks to go back on the attack by picking TLA up from the front, but TLA is trying his best to fight back before driving Theron back first into the corner! TLA begins driving his shoulder into his midsection repeatedly before sitting him up on the top rope, what does he have in mind here? Hopefully something dangerous!
James Peters: TLA IS TRYING TO GO FOR A SUPERPLEX!! BUT THERON IS TRYING TO FIGHT BACK THROWING SEVERAL SHOTS TO HIS RIBS, AND UH OH! BOTH OF THEM ARE BATTLING FOR POSITION ON THE TOP ROPE GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE OTHER! BUT THEN TLA OUT OF NOWHERE DELIVERS A ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD STUNNING THERON…AND THEN JUMPS UP AND DELIVERS A HURRICANRANA FROM THE TOP ROPE! TLA HAS ALL THE MOMENTUM HERE AS THERON STANDS UP RATHER QUICKLY AND WALKS RIGHT INTO THE “SWAG SHOT!!!” THE PIMP SLAP TAKES DOWN THERON AS TLA DOESN’T STOP THERE AS HE MAKES HIS WAY OVER TO THE CORNER AND ASCENDS UP THE TOP ROPE – AND TLA HITS HIS “420” SHOOTING STAR PRESS!!! AND HERE’S THE COVER FROM TLA!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
James Peters: OH!!! THERON POPS THE SHOULDER UP AT THE LAST SECOND!! A great flurry there from the Hall of Famer! TLA now uses this time to think of his next strategic move.
Hikari Kanno: If only he put that kind of time and effort into being a father.
Rich Russillo: :lupe: TLA backs himself up into the corner waiting for Theron to stand back up. Theron is on one knee as TLA runs off the ropes and goes to drive his knee into the side of his skull…BUT THERON SIDE STEPS IT AT THE LAST SECOND BEFORE TAKING HIM DOWN WITH A NECKBREAKER! Now TLA and Theron begin to stand up at the same time staring at one another and Theron throws a forearm strikes to the face! TLA responds back with one of his own! Both of them going back and forth with the other until…Theron looks to have taken control as he has TLA up against the ropes before going for an Irish whip –
Persephone: But TLA counters sending Theron into the ropes but Theron slides under the legs before standing to face TLA’s back and drives him stomach first into the corner before rolling him up from behind!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
Rich Russillo: TLA ESCAPES IT AS THEY BOTH STAND UP AND RUN INTO A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE ON ONE ANOTHER!! A great match between two of the best Voltage has to offer so far as TLA slowly pulls himself up to his feet and looks over to Hikari right next to us.
Hikari Kanno: (holding her title up from the desk) It’s going nowhere, and you know it.
James Peters: It seems both of them are trying to get into the heads of one another as TLA turns his attention back to Theron who is up in the opposite corner of him and TLA charges with a full head of steam – BUT THERON STOPS HIM IN HIS TRACKS GETTING HIS BOOT UP! Perhaps TLA took his eye off the ball a little too long once more as Theron now hops up to the second rope – AND HE LAUNCHES HIMSELF AND GOES FOR A SUNSET FLIP, BUT TLA ROLLS THROUGH IT BACK TO HIS FEET AND GOES FOR A JUMPING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE CHEST! BUT THERON MOVED OUT OF THE WAY AS TLA HOLDS HIS KNEE IN SOME DISCOMFORT, AND THERON IS BACK UP AGAIN AND PULLS TLA IN BY THE ARMS AND DELIVERS A DRAGON SUPLEX DRIVING TLA ON THE BACK OF HIS NECK! TLA landed pretty hard there on the back of that neck!
Persephone: It looks like Theron is feeling pumped up here as he quickly gets TLA up and puts him in position…HE HOOKS THE LEG AND DRILLS TLA WITH HIS SPINNING FISHERMAN’S NECKBREAKER!! AND THE COVER FROM THERON!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
Rich Russillo: TLA STAYS IN IT WITH THE KICKOUT! Now what does Theron have in mind here? Theron begins to stalk TLA from behind…TLA turns around…AND THERON GOES FOR HIS “CARPE DIEM” SPINNING BACK ELBOW STRIKE!!! – BUT TLA DUCKS IT AND RUNS BEFORE SPRINGBOARDING OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE…AND DELIVERS A TORNADO DDT SPIKING THERON’S HEAD INTO THE MAT!! Both of them are down once more as they slowly begin to stir back to their feet!
Hikari Kanno: :notbad: And now the two time World Champion stands back up and eyes Theron stirring back up to his feet, and then a dropkick to the back sending Theron on the second rope in prime position. TLA RUNS OFF THE ROPES AND DELIVERS HIS “305” TIGER FEINT KICK!! TLA is in firm control if this now as he climbs the top rope next to him – AND HE GOES FOR HIS “420” SHOOTING STAR PRESS FOR THE SECOND TIME…BUT THERON MOVES OUT OF THE WAY THIS TIME AS TLA CRASHES AND BURNS ON THE MAT! :francis:
Rich Russillo: TLA thought he had this in the bag as I’m sure a lot of us did but Theron saves himself and the fight continues on as Theron rolls away and pulls himself up in the corner! TLA us up in the opposite corner and Theron runs full speed looking for a splash…but TLA MOVES OUT OF THE WAY…AND THEN DROPS THERON WITH A SUPERKICK, BUT THERON CAUGHT THE LEG! THERON SPINS TLA AROUND BUT TLA TRANSITIONS INTO A SPINNING DOUBLE LEG LARIAT TAKING THERON DOWN…AND THEN HE GRABS THE ARM AND TRANSITIONS RIGHT INTO “CROSSED PATHS!!!” THE CROSS ARMBREAKER IS LOCKED IN ON THERON AS HE IN SOME DEEP DEEP TROUBLE HERE, IS HE GOING TO TAP OUT?!
James Peters: THERON IS TRYING TO DRAG HIMSELF OVER TO THE ROPES BUT TLA IS MAKING HIM EARN EVERY INCH JUST PULLING AT THAT ARM!! THERON IS FINGERTIPS AWAY NOW, CAN HE GET THERE….AND HE DOES!!! Theron grasps the bottom rope and forces the break as TLA lets go and thinks of what next to do in order to put this match away!
Hikari Kanno: I can say right now that it’s not going to be that easy with me.
Persephone: If he were to though, there’s no rope breaks to save you in Hardcore rules.
Hikari Kanno: Exactly my point.
Rich Russillo: TLA is thinking of his next move stalking Theron from behind as he uses the ropes to help get himself to a vertical base holding his arm in some pain. AND TLA TURNS HIM AROUND AND PLACES HIM BETWEEN THE LEGS LOOKING TO GO FOR THE “MEXICAN DESTROYER”!!! BUT THERON COUNTERS WITH A BACK BODY DROP BUYING HIMSELF SOME MUCH NEEDED TIME TO RECUPERATE A LITTLE BIT! Theron stands up and takes a deep breath shaking the cobwebs out before TLA turns to face him…AND THERON RUNS AND GOES FOR HIS “HEADHUNTER” RUNNING KNEE STRIKE BUT TLA SIDESTEPS AS THERON RUNS OFF THE OPPOSITE ROPES AND THIS TIME DELIVERS “HEADHUNTER!!!” THE RUNNING KNEE STRIKE CONNECTS AS THERON CRAWLS OVER AND HOOKS THE LEG FOR THE VICTORY!!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!!
James Peters: AND TLA KICKS OUT AGAIN!!! Theron lies next to TLA for a second before standing up above his body and slowly tries to pick him up by his head but TLA is almost like dead weight at this point…MAYBE NOT!! TLA MIGHT HAVE BEEN PLAYING POSSUM AS HE HITS HIS “VERY MEXICAN UPPERCUT” OUTTA NOWHERE!!! THERON STUMBLES BACK A FEW FEET BEFORE DROPPING DOWN TO A KNEE – AND THEN THERON RESPONDS BACK WITH A HIGH KNEE STRIKE ACROSS THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE! MOMENTUM GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO NOW!!
Persephone: THERON OUT OF NOWHERE PLANTS TLA INTO THE MAT WITH A URANAGE SLAM! Theron looks to be in control now as he gets TLA up…BUT AGAIN TLA FIGHTS OUT OF HIS GRIP AND HE DELIVERS HIS “VERY MEXICAN UPPERCUT” AND FOLLOWS IT UP WITH THE “SWAG SHOT”!!! THERON IS DOWN AND MIGHT BE OUT…BUT WHY ISN’T HE GOING FOR THE COVER? IS HE STUPID NOT WANTING TO WIN THE MATCH?
Hikari Kanno: We’re surprised because? Despite being a multi time champion and Hall of Famer, TLA is not the brightest thinking with his heart rather than his brain, a clearly empty heart from the information that we’ve learned over the past week.
James Peters: I think he’s just trying to make sure he puts this match away and leave no doubt as he crawls underneath the bottom rope and gingerly makes his way up to the top rope once again! He looks over at Hikari right next to us for a second before turning his attention back to Theron who hasn’t moved in the ring. What could he possibly have in mind here?
Rich Russillo: BUT SOMEHOW THERON POPS UP AND THROWS HIMSELF ON THE ROPES CAUSING TLA TO LOSE HIS BALANCE AND LAND ON HIS GROIN!! TLA is a sitting duck there on that top rope now as Theron slowly makes his way up to the top…AND OH NO!!! THERON PICKS HIM UP IN A SUPERPLEX POSITION….BUT INSTEAD OF THAT DELIVERS A SPINNING BRAINBUSTER FROM THE TOP ROPE AS TLA LANDS HARD ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD!!! :damn: THERON CRAWLS OVER AND MAKES THE COVER ON TLA!! IS THIS GOING TO DO IT?!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!
James Peters: NO IT’S NOT YET!! TLA is still alive somehow, but how much does he have left after taking a brainbuster from the top?
Hikari Kanno: Perhaps it knocked a little sense into him.
Rich Russillo: Theron looks like he knows what he has to do in order to achieve victory as he slowly gets TLA up off the mat, AND TLA NOW DROPS HIM WITH A JUMPING REVERSE STO! TLA buys himself some valuable time here as he crawls his way over to the ropes and uses them to help stand himself up before taking a deep breath and refocusing on Theron who is back up to one knee – AND TLA PUTS HIM BETWEEN THE LEGS GOING FOR “MEXICAN DESTROYER” ONCE MORE….BUT AGAIN THERON FIGHTS OUT OF IT BY PUSHING HIM FORWARD…AND THEN THEY BOTH RUN AND TAKE EACH OTHER OUT WITH A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE! We’re back at square one between these two as they’re both down once more!
James Peters: Both competitors throwing everything they have at one another here tonight in one hell of a match as they now both begin to stir at the same time staring at one another…AND THERON THROWS A RIGHT HAND SHOT TO THE FACE! AND THEN TLA RESPONDS BACK WITH A FOREARM STRIKE! TLA! THERON! TLA! THERON! WHO’S GOING TO GET THE UPPER HAND ON THE OTHER HERE?!
Persephone: It looks like it’s TLA as he backs Theron into the ropes and then goes for an Irish whip and delivers a arm drag…AND TLA TRIES TO FOLLOW IT UP AND APPLY “CROSSED PATHS” FOR A SECOND TIME IN THIS MATCH! HE’S TRYING TO LOCK IT IN BUT THERON HAS HIS FINGERS LOCKED TIGHT REFUSING TO LET IT HAPPEN! AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF FIGHTING IT, THERON MANAGES TO FLIP TLA ON HIS BACK AS HE MOUNTS OVER HIM AND REPEATEDLY DRIVES HIS ELBOW INTO HIS FACE!! TLA now might be in some serious trouble as Theron picks him up and puts him in place for “Ghost’s Requiem” – BUT TLA ESCAPES OUT OF IT BEFORE THERON TURNS TO FACE HIM…AND TLA HITS HIM WITH HIS “CARTEL KICK!! THE PELE KICK CONNECTED BEAUTIFULLY OUT OF NOWHERE AS TLA CRAWLS OVER THERON FOR ANOTHER COVER!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!!
Rich Russillo: AND THERON GETS THE SHOULDER UP AS THIS MATCH CONTINUES ON!!! TLA lies next to Theron completely exhausted but gets up and looks to try and put the finishing touches on this match and put Theron away!
James Peters: TLA now dragging Theron up before trying to get him in position for the Mexican Destroyer, BUT THERON SHOVES TLA AWAY, CAUSING TLA TO CRASH INTO THE REFEREE AND SEND THEM FALLING THROUGH THE ROPES!!! THESE TWO ACCIDENTALLY TOOK OUT THE REF, AND NOW THERON GRABS TLA FROM BEHIND BEFORE GOING FOR CARPE DIEM!!!!
Rich Russillo: NO!!! TLA DUCKS UNDER IT BEFORE HITTING THERON WITH AN ENZUIGIRI!!!
(Suddenly, Hikari gets out of her seat, removing her headset and taking her Championship with her.)
Persephone: What is she doing?
James Peters: I don’t know, but there’s no time for that! TLA goes after Theron and grabs him- BUT THERON HITS TLA WITH AN ELBOW TO THE RIB, CAUSING TLA TO STUMBLE TOWARDS THE ROPES- RIGHT INTO A SHOT WITH THE HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!
Rich Russillo: WAIT NO!!! TLA DUCKED UNDER AND HIKARI ACCIDENTALLY JUST HIT THERON WITH THE HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! THERON STUMBLES BACKWARDS, AND HIKARI CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!!!
Persephone: LOOK! THE REFEREE JUST SLID BACK INTO THE RING, HIKARI CAN’T DO ANYTHING NOW!!!
James Peters: TLA LOOKS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE AS HE PUTS THERON BETWEEN THE LEGS… AND HE FINALLY CONNECTS WITH THE “MEXICAN DESTROYER!!!” THE MEXICAN DESTROYER CONNECTS AS TLA TURNS HIM OVER AND HOOKS THE LEG!!!
OOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!
TTTWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEEEE!!!!
(‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac plays as TLA rolls off of Theron Nikolas. He has a bit of a smirk on his face as he slowly gets to a knee, knowing he got the better of Hikari there.)
Bella Braxton: HERE IS YOUR WINNER….T….L….A!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: TLA gets the huge win here tonight on the road to Pain for Pride!
James Peters: I think Hikari Kanno is part of the blame for that, though! There’s no telling what would’ve happened if she hadn’t-
Rich Russillo: SPEAKING OF HIKARI, HIKARI JUST SLID IN THE RING AND HIT TLA IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH THE HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! HIKARI HIT TLA AS HARD AS SHE COULD’VE WITH THE TITLE THERE, DROPPING TLA WITH THAT ONE SHOT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
Persephone: Yikes! TLA is down and out, and I guess Hikari isn’t too happy that TLA outsmarted her and got the win thanks to her involvement.
James Peters: I think Hikari is the one bound to send the message here tonight as her attempt to mess with TLA during his match backfired…AND UH OH! HIKARI SETS HIM UP AND DELIVERS “ALLELUIA!!!!”
Rich Russillo: Well message sent loud and clear. Hikari Kanno just laid out TLA, right after making things even more personal than they were at the start of all this.
(The final shot is of Hikari standing over the fallen TLA holding the Hardcore Championship up high.)
(A commercial is shown for Spider-Man 2 featuring Chris Elite.)
(Voltage fades backstage up its return to an area where Rory Slate is seen. She has a confident smirk on her face, and she is met with boos. Before long, she begins to speak.)
Rory Slate: Let’s just be honest here, this was always going to happen. It was only a matter of time before I started proving to people that I was the Elitist to watch out for around here. I know what I’m capable of, and if people want to doubt me then that’s their problem. I’m going to succeed regardless of what everyone thinks, not that I’m all that concerned with the opinions of anyone around here anyway. All I care about is me and my own success, and because I was smart enough to get the upper hand when there’s an opportunity on the line, I’m now in a match where if I win, I get to have a shot at any Championship whenever I want. This match is mine to win. I don’t care how many people are in it, or about the fact that the other two brands are gonna be involved. It just means that there’s more people to eliminate, because in the end the result is gonna be the same whether there’s ten, twenty, or thirty peoole in the match. I’m coming for a shot at becoming Champion, and I’m not gonna let that be taken away from me by a bunch of nobodies, failures, and whoever else was unlucky enough to end up in this match with me. I’m going to be a Champion in EAW, and when I’m heading to the top of the mountain you can all thank everyone that lost to me along the way. There’s gonna be a lot of people on that list soon enough.
(The fans boo, and Rory Slate just begins walking off. After this, the camera begins fading away from the area.)
(Voltage reopens to another backstage area. Sofia Clarke is standing by.)
Sofia Clarke: Moments ago, the Hardcore Champion, Hikari Kanno, decided to involve herself in what was turning out to be a classic match between TLA and Theron Nikolas. TLA, who is Hikari’s opponent at Pain for Pride, was in trouble against Theron, when Hikari decided to interfere. However, that would backfire and instead of costing TLA the win, she cost Theron. Joining me right now is the man who lost that match, Theron Nikolas.
(The camera shot widens and Theron is seen standing beside Sofia. He doesn’t look at all happy with what went down just moments ago and the frustration on his face is as plain as day.)
Sofia Clarke: Thank you for joining me, Theron. I’m sure you’re not happy with what just happened inside the ring.
Theron Nikolas: That’s an understatement, if we’re being honest, and it’s not like this is the first time something like this has happened. It was just a week or so ago when Chris Elite appeared on this program and cost me a match against ARIA, someone I know I would have beaten. I’m tired of it, Sofia. I really am, and with Pain for Pride on the horizon, something’s got to give. I’ve done my best to handle everything that’s come my way this season, but I’m not going to sit back and continue letting other people insert themselves into my business. I’ve fought with pride and honor this season, have stayed the course, and I’ve tried my best to keep my emotions in check. But right now, I’m frustrated. Scratch that. Frustrated isn’t a strong enough word. I’m just over it, and that’s really all there is to it.
Sofia Clarke: You mentioned Pain for Pride and as of right now, you’re tentatively scheduled to face Chris Elite, but rumor has it, neither Kennedy Street nor Captain Charisma have signed off on that match. So right now, it appears as if there is no path to Pain for Pride for you. How do you feel about that?
(Unable to help himself, Theron rolled his eyes.)
Theron Nikolas: It’s simply been a series of unfortunate events that’s landed me in this position, Sofia, but trust me. I don’t plan to miss Pain for Pride. My path may not be completely clear for reasons that are unclear to me, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. The last two seasons have been filled with plenty of ups and downs for me, but I’m still here. I’m still fighting. I’m still working to figure things out. There have been times when I let my emotions get the better of me, and that’s unfortunate. But you live, you learn, and move forward. I’m not so arrogant that I can’t admit there’s still some things I need to learn. Either way, I’m going to compete at Pain for Pride, and come Season 17, you’re going to see me with gold around my waist again. I’ve been patient and I’ve waited for my opportunities. I haven’t completely capitalized on all of them but that’s going to change. I look around and I see a lot of my peers who are just content to sit back and collect a check, coasting off their names and status within the company. They don’t seem to care about continuing to build their legacies and that’s not who I want to become. I don’t want to become someone who grows stagnant and finds contentment in that. I don’t want to end up like Chris Elite. It’s really that simple.
Sofia Clarke: Don’t you think that’s a little harsh, Theron?
(The former Answers World Champion raises an eyebrow.)
Theron Nikolas: Is it? What has Chris Elite done lately that warrants us singing his praises? Since 2018, he’s had one championship run and you can argue that he was carried by Jake Smith. The Haircare Kings won the Unified Tag Team Championships, and I won’t take that away from them, but how memorable was that? Truthfully, I can’t remember a single title defense other than the final one and why is that memorable? A blast from Chris Elite’s past cost his team those titles. People don’t forgive and forget and ultimately the Jaded Hearts made sure Chris Elite knew they had never forgotten what transpired back in Season 13. Of course, they also had ulterior motives when it came to the High Rollerz, but that’s neither here nor there. The fact is, Chris Elite has become nothing more than a novelty act and an example of what you don’t want to become. I know that I have had my own ups and downs, and I’ll be the first to admit that things haven’t gone how I pictured them. When I made my return to this company, I fully expected to have been a world champion by now. That hasn’t happened, and while I’ve come close, close isn’t good enough. I don’t ever want to become the man who is fine with just coming close. That’s not anything I find acceptable. I want results. That’s why the last few weeks have been so incredibly difficult. I’m not doing anything wrong. I know that. I’ve just been a victim of circumstances beyond my control and I’m done with that. I’m going to end my season on a winning note and that’s all there is to it.
(Theron’s jaw is set in a determined line and Sofia notices this.)
Sofia Clarke: So I have to ask you this, then. How do you plan on making that happen?
(Theron looks at Sofia and a slow smirk spreads across his face.)
Theron Nikolas: I may just take a little trip to Showdown next week because I’m going to make sure my Pain for Pride clash against Chris Elite gets made official.
(Sofia smiles back at Theron.)
Sofia Clarke: Well, I think we all know where this is going. It was a tough night for you, but I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me, Theron.
(Thereon merely nods before taking his leave, and Sofia turns to look directly into the camera.)
Sofia Clarke: There you have it. Something tells me that after Showdown next week, we may just have one hell of a Pain for Pride match OFFICIALLY added to the card. I look forward to seeing what Theron does next, but in the meantime, let’s get on with Voltage. Back to you guys in the booth!
(Sofia smiles and Voltage fades back down to the ringside area.)
(Sunday Night Voltage fades back into the arena, where Bella Braxton is seen inside the ring, microphone in hand and ready to announce the next match on hand tonight.)
Bella Braxton: The following singles match is a contest set for…
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
(‘DESTINY’ by Saori Yoshida is then heard playing through the speakers, with the crowd loudly cheering upon seeing ARIA begin to make her way out from the backstage area and to the stage. She has a smile on her face while she hypes up the crowd, but for the most part, has her eyes are focused on the ring and the match at hand as she begins to make her way down the ramp.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first… from Chandler, Arizona… weighing in at 110 pounds… ‘THE SACRED DETECTIVE’… ARIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich Russillo: Last week on Dynasty we saw ARIA get beaten down by Madison Kaline after the Hall of Famer lured her into a false sense of security. She lost to Drake King the following Voltage having succumbed to her injuries before sparking a huge brawl with Madison who showed up in the crowd to watch the match. We then saw ARIA show up after Madison’s match, challenging her to Pain For Pride and coercing her to accept. Madison tried to attack her, but that backfired and ARIA ended up getting the better of her.
Persephone: And now she’s walking into Voltage tonight looking to redeem herself blah blah blah yeah we get the point. You know I wonder if there’s a chance Madison might pop up and beat her up again, that was funny. Did you see when she shoved sand in her mouth?!
(‘The Rapture (but it’s pink)’ by Scene Queen & Mothica is heard playing up with the crowd loudly booing for an ever so confident Rory Slate as she’s seen beginning to make her way out. She’s trash-talking the camera as she stands on the stage, basking in the moment, and after some time begins to make her way to the ring.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent… from Chicago, Illinois… weighing in at 131 pounds… ‘THE FINAL BΩSS’… RORY SLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James Peters: As for Rory we saw her get the opportunity of a lifetime last week when she beat Madison Hansen and Tanner Black to qualify for the 24/7 Battle Royal at Pain For Pride. This is a huge opportunity for the young star with potential through the roof. She knows she’s going to get plenty of opportunities to shine and one of them comes tonight.
Persephone: Yeah but she’s also facing someone who, while they’re not Rexy, has done a lot here. In case you didn’t realize, matches like these don’t bode so well for the green Elitist who has no clue they’re doing. She might get eaten alive, or ARIA might just embarrass herself tonight, I don’t know. Either way, I’m here I guess.
(DING! DING! DING!)
Rich Russillo: This match is officially underway and you can feel the anticipation for this from a mile away! Rory Slate is walking into her biggest match yet here in Elite Answers Wrestling against a hungry ARIA, who is looking to reprimand what happened against Drake King last week in Biloxi. There’s no need to say that these two are determined and focused heading into this one because that’s already a given, now they lay it all out in the ring with only one of them being able to come out victorious. They begin to make their way out of their respective corners, and it seems like they’re going to start this match with a collar-and-elbow tie up- BUT THAT’S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE FOR RORY, AS SHE CLOCKS ARIA AGAINST THE JAW AND SENDS HER BACK!
James Peters: ARIA is taken by surprise thanks to the attack, Rory grabbing her by the arm and sending her to the opposite side of the ring… BUT ARIA ISN’T LOOKING TO GO DOWN THAT EASILY EITHER, LEAPING ONTO HER SHOULDERS AND TAKING HER DOWN WITH A HURRICANRANA! Rory is taken down, rolling herself over to a corner and using the ropes to get herself back up to her feet. She tries to recover, BUT ARIA CONNECTS WITH A DROPKICK TO THE CHEST! She wanted to start this match off and has certainly paid the price, as she drags herself away from the corner and leans herself against the ropes, JUST FOR ARIA TO RUN FORWARD AND CONNECT WITH A CLOTHESLINE WHICH SENDS HER OUT OF THE RING AND OVER THE TOP ROPE!
Persephone: Rory is sent over, but ARIA can’t do anything right and Rory ends up landing on the apron. ARIA turns around and grabs her by the head over the top rope and brings her up to her feet, NOT ENOUGH HAS BEEN DONE THOUGH, WITH RORY BREAKING FREE AND CONNECTING WITH A ROPE-ASSISTED ENZUIGIRI! ARIA is sent back while Rory turns and begins to make her way up to the top rope, positioning herself… AND LEAPING OFF WITH A DIVING KNEE STRIKE TO THE FACE!
Rich Russillo: ARIA is taken down to a knee while Rory turns and runs to the ropes… BUT BEFORE THAT HAPPENS ARIA GOES UNDER AND TAKES HER DOWN WITH A DROP TOE HOLD! Rory is planted down to the ground but quickly does what she can to stagger up to a knee, ONLY TO BE HIT WITH A BIG BOOT TO THE SIDE OF THE FACE WHICH TAKES HER DOWN! ARIA then takes a step back, composing herself… BEFORE STEPPING FORWARD AND LAUNCHING INTO THE AIR WITH A STANDING SHOOTING STAR PRESS- BUT RORY MOVES OUT OF THE WAY! She manages to roll back up to her feet while ARIA follows closely behind, grabbing her chest in pain, BEFORE RORY GRABS HER BY THE HEAD AND LIFTS HER UP BEFORE DRIVING HER BACK DOWN WITH A URANAGE! ARIA IS DOWN AND RORY HOOKS THE LEG FOR AN EARLY PIN ATTEMPT!
OOONNNEEE!!!
James Peters: BUT ARIA KICKS OUT EARLY! Rory tried, but it clearly was not enough. She is right back up to her feet, with ARIA once again following as it is clear she has not taken as much damage as she would later on in the match. Rory though is not looking to take her foot off the gas pedal, snatching her head before beginning to just unload on her with a flurry of forearms to the face! She is just looking to beat down ARIA right now, but ‘The Sacred Detective’ is not going to go down without a fight, sending a couple of well-placed shots to the abdomen to release the grip that she has on her! Rory ultimately is gotten the better of by the former Specialists Champion, as she stumbles back but quickly begins to approach once again, just for ARIA to move out of the way and send Rory to the ropes and back… GRABBING HER AROUND THE WAIST AND TAKING HER DOWN WITH A BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX- BUT THAT DOESN’T CONNECT! Rory manages to slip out and get behind ARIA before grabbing her around the waist, AND LIFTING HER INTO A GERMAN SUPLEX INSTEAD!
Persephone: ARIA is dropped down onto her head and tries to roll over to the bottom rope, realizing the situation that she’s in right now and finding it best to get the heck out of there like an actually competent person for once. But Rory is back up to her feet, having her sights set on continuing this wet rag of an offense that she’s trying to conduct, GOING FOR A BASEBALL SLIDE-
Rich Russillo: BUT ARIA ROLLS OUT OF THE RING BEFORE IT CAN CONNECT AND GRABS THE ANKLE OF RORY BEFORE PULLING HER OUT OF THE RING ALONGSIDE HER! Rory is dropped down to the ground while ARIA scoops her right up to her feet, GRABBING HER AROUND THE WAIST BEFORE SENDING HER RIGHT INTO THE BARRICADE WITH A SHOULDER THRUST! Rory gives a cry of pain and tries to fight out of it, but it’s no use as ARIA grabs her by the head and redirects her, SENDING HER FACE FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST NOW! Rory drops down like a sack of bricks while ARIA rounds the corner, grabbing her once again and rolling her back into the ring before entering back in herself.
James Peters: A dazed Rory is trying to fight back while ARIA gets back up to her feet, GOING FOR A SUPERKICK TO THE FACE- BUT ARIA DUCKS UNDER! She avoids the attempt before then running to the ropes and back… BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A ‘ZIRCON INJECTOR’! THE HANDSPRING CUTTER PLANTS RORY DOWN TO THE GROUND WHILE ARIA ROLLS HER OVER AND HOOKS THE LEG! TRYING FOR A PIN ATTEMPT, WILL THIS BE ENOUGH?!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!
TTTTTHHHHHRRRRR-
Persephone: BUT THE ROOKIE HAS SOME FIGHT IN HER UNFORTUNATELY, RORY KICKS OUT AND THIS MATCH IS FORCED TO PAINSTAKINGLY CONTINUE!
Rich Russillo: ARIA gives a nod of approval, seeing Rory put up a fight, as she begins to get back up to her feet. Rory reaches out and grabs a hold of the bottom rope before pulling herself toward them, trying to bring herself up slowly. ARIA though is not looking to let up, grabbing Rory and pressing her up against the ropes, before seizing her wrist and sending her to the opposite side of the ring with an Irish whip… but before anything can happen, Rory manages to hold onto the ropes to keep herself in place! She knows that anymore damage is going to end up being trouble for her, WITH ARIA RUSHING OVER- BUT RORY SENDS A BOOT TO THE FACE! ARIA stumbles back, but rushes forward, JUST FOR RORY TO LEAP INTO THE AIR WITH A HIGH KNEE TO THE FACE! She then grabs ARIA by the head before she can fall down and pulls her in, LIFTING HER UP OFF THE GROUND AND CONNECTING WITH A HUGE SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!
James Peters: You can see the exhaustion written all over Rory’s face right now, as she does everything that she can to somehow will herself back up. ARIA has hit her with a lot though, and the offense will only continue if Rory gives her a chance which fuels her in this matchup. ARIA is somehow still managing to get herself up to her feet after all of that, struggling to keep herself up but still putting up a fight. Rory is quickly approaching though, connecting with a boot to the abdomen which forces her to double over! Rory then speeds past her, looking to set her up for something here…
Persephone: JUMPING UP AND GOING FOR MARTI-KNEES! ‘FIFTY SHADES OF VENGEANCE’!
Rich Russillo: BUT ARIA rolls herself out of the way before she can connect with that! That would not have been good at all for the former Specialists Champion and thankfully for her she managed to get herself out of that situation before it was able to cost her! But on the other hand you see Rory struggling to stand because of the impact that it had on her knees as she landed, but she still manages to get herself back up to her feet. She turns around, ONLY FOR ARIA TO MEET HER WITH A SUPERKICK TO THE JAW! Rory somehow is managing to keep herself up after that though, AND IT PROMPTS ARIA TO FOLLOW THAT UP WITH A SECOND SUPERKICK!
James Peters: Rory miraculously is still up on her feet though and that leads ARIA to size her up, BEFORE LEAPING UP AND GRABBING HER BY THE HEAD TO ATTEMPT TO CONNECT WITH A JUMPING DDT- BUT THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN WITH RORY USING THE LAST OF HER STRENGTH TO KEEP ARIA UP AND LAUNCH HER OFF! ARIA crashes down to the ground but tries to get herself back up, BUT THAT’S BEFORE RORY CONNECTS WITH A SUPERKICK OF HER OWN! That spins ARIA around…
Persephone: LATCHING ONTO HER SHOULDERS LIKE A LEECH AND CHOKING THE LIFE OUT OF HER WITH A SLEEPER HOLD!
Rich Russillo: ‘Chicago Hangover’ is locked in and immediately ARIA is in defense mode! She is waving her arms around, trying right now to get out of this move, but Rory is making sure that doesn’t happen! She’s trying to drag her weight down to take the two of them down to the canvas where she’ll have more leverage, but ARIA refuses to let herself go down as she uses all the strength left in her to keep herself upward! RORY MANAGES TO LEAP UP AND LATCH HER LEGS ONTO HER THOUGH! That makes it progressively more difficult now as ARIA has to not only keep herself up but also find a way out of this! They continue to jockey for position right now and this could go one of two ways, ARIA taps out or we could very well be seeing Rory come out the winner here tonight! ARIA is continuing to fight though, as she slowly begins to inch herself toward the ropes, possibly going for a rope break! With every step she gets closer and closer and you can see Rory on high alert! ARIA REACHES OUT, ROPE BREAK!
James Peters: BUT RORY RELEASES THE SLEEPER HOLD AND LEAPS UP TO DROP ARIA DOWN WITH A BACKSTABBER! ARIA BOUNCES OFF OF THE GROUND AND IS TAKEN OUT, WHILE RORY TAKES ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE DAMAGE THAT SHE’S SUSTAINED BY QUICKLY GOING FOR A PIN ATTEMPT!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRR-
Persephone: :francis: But that pesky woman wants to make poor Persephone suffer some more with that kick out. Not that the match is BAD of course. It’s… It’s definitely a match!
Rich Russillo: You’d be surprised by the tenacity that these Elitists will show, ARIA and Rory are no exception to the rule. Rory does not at all look happy that ARIA managed to get herself out of that situation, but she knows she can’t waste time. She is right back up to her feet while ARIA tries to crawl away, but Rory catches her and begins to stomp down on her body repeatedly! She continues to just pummel down on her, making sure that she continues to have the upperhand in this match! But ARIA doesn’t look to have that continue for long, grabbing a hold of the bottom rope and trying to force a rope break! Although Rory is forced to stop, she quickly continues her assault by grabbing ARIA by the head and bringing her back up, pressing her against the corner and just teeing off with forearm shots to the face! Rory then grabs her by the arm before sending her to the opposite side of the ring with an Irish whip! ARIA is backed up against the other corner, while Rory rushes forward… LEAPING INTO THE AIR AND CONNECTING WITH DOUBLE KNEES TO THE FACE! ARIA is completely stunned with Rory grabbing her by the head and throwing her down to the center of the ring, ARIA rolling up to a knee, WHILE RORY GOES FOR A FRONT DROPKICK TO THE CHEST TO TAKE HER OUT!
James Peters: But ARIA manages to move out of the way! She grabs Rory by the ankle and pulls her down to the ground, BEFORE LEAPING INTO THE AIR AND CONNECTING WITH A FOOT STOMP TO HER CHEST TO TAKE THE AIR OUT OF HER LUNGS! Rory realizes exactly what’s about to happen, and that’s ARIA shifting the offense into her favor, as she quickly rolls out of the ring before she can get herself into any more trouble. She manages to keep herself on the ground, meanwhile we see ARIA rushing to the ropes and back while Rory desperately recovers on the outside… LAUNCHING THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE AND TAKING RORY OUT WITH A HUGE SUICIDE DIVE!
Persephone: This has spilled out the outside and I’m scared for my life because they’re getting way too close to me for comfort! ARIA connects with the Suicide Dive and the impact nearly sends her and Rory over our desk would’ve just been disgusting, but ARIA keeps it moving as she grabs her by the head and rolls her back into the ring. ARIA jumps up onto the apron and begins to make her way up to the top rope, positioning herself for something now while Rory staggers up to her feet… LEAPING OFF AND CONNECTING WITH A DIVING CROSSBODY!
Rich Russillo: Rory is taken back to the ground and ARIA back up to her feet, and it looks like she hasn’t taken any damage at all with the amount of gas that she has left in the tank. Rory stumbles up to her feet, clutching back in pain while ARIA runs the ropes… GOING FOR A CLOTHESLINE TO THE HEAD- BUT RORY MANAGES TO DUCK UNDER THAT! ARIA nearly loses her balance but catches herself as she turns around, just for Rory to boot her in the abdomen to force her to double over! She then pulls her in before then beginning to set her up, LIFTING HER OFF OF THE GROUND AND CONNECTING WITH A SUPLEX ATTEMPT- BUT ARIA SLIPS OUT! She lands behind Rory before grabbing around her waist, LIFTING HER OFF OF THE GROUND AND CONNECTING WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! ARIA with a determined expression on her face is dead set on closing this entire match off, waiting for Rory to get back up to her feet. Rory begins to stagger up, she’s clearly not in the best of shape and ARIA is hoping that she’ll have enough time to close this off…
James Peters: ARIA SPRINTS TO THE ROPES AND BACK BEFORE GOING FOR A ‘J4A’! RUNNING KNEE STRIKE TO RORY TO CLOSE THIS MATCH OUT!
Persephone: THAT GIRL IS STILL SOMEHOW KICKING, AS RORY MOVES OUT OF THE WAY OF THAT! As much as I want this match to end, it certainly entertains me seeing these chicks struggle-wrestle. ARIA realizes that she’s missed the move, TAKING A WILD SWING TO THE FACE- BUT RORY MANAGES TO DUCK UNDER THAT! She shoves ARIA away, BEFORE THEN STEPPING FORWARD AND CONNECTING WITH A BICYCLE KICK TO THE FACE TO TAKE HER DOWN!
Rich Russillo: ARIA is taken out while Rory runs to the ropes and back… SWEETENING THE DEAL AS SHE LEAPS INTO THE AIR AND CONNECTS WITH A KNEE DROP TO HER HEAD! She’s got it going now and if she can keep this up, she’ll get one step closer to pulling away with a huge victory tonight here on Voltage. But that’s not going to come easily knowing ARIA and her level of talent in this company. ARIA begins to slowly roll away and push herself back up to her feet, but Rory has her already and is pulling her in, she’s setting her up for something now…
James Peters: HOOKING THE ARMS AND LOOKING TO SPIKE HER HEAD DOWN WITH ‘GTFO’! BUTTERFLY DDT TO ARIA TO POSSIBLY END THIS MATCH WITH A BANG RIGHT NOW!
Persephone: :francis: BUT ONCE AGAIN IT SEEMS LIKE NONE OF THESE WOMEN KNOW HOW TO QUIT, ARIA MANAGING TO SLIP OUT BEFORE BOOTING RORY IN THE ABDOMEN! Hurray, I’m so excited that this match is continuing. Rory is doubled over, WHILE ARIA LEAPS UP AND CONNECTS WITH A SUNSET FLIP BOMB! SHE TRANSITIONS THAT INTO A PIN, AND I HOPE THAT MEANS THAT THIS IS OVER!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!
TTTTTTHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRREE-
Rich Russillo: ARIA NEARLY RAN AWAY WITH IT, BUT RORY MANAGES TO KICK OUT BEFORE THAT CAN HAPPEN! ARIA is getting back up to her feet, while on the other hand Rory is grabbing her back in pain while following close behind her as well. The two of them meet face-to-face, AND IMMEDIATELY ARIA CONNECTS WITH A SPIN KICK TO THE ABDOMEN! This drops Rory down to a kneeling position while ARIA runs to the ropes and back… JUST TO BE CLOCKED AGAINST THE JAW WITH A FOREARM BY A RECOVERING RORY! ARIA manages to keep herself up, but makes her way over, JUST FOR RORY TO TAKE HER DOWN TO THE GROUND WITH A LEG SWEEP! She lands on her back, JUST FOR RORY TO RETURN THE FAVOR FROM EARLIER BY LEAPING INTO THE AIR AND GOING FOR A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP- BUT ARIA ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! SHE RUNS TO THE ROPES AND BACK…
James Peters: BEFORE CONNECTING WITH ‘J4A’! ‘JUSTICE FOR ALL’ CONNECTS OUT OF NOWHERE AND THE RUNNING KNEE STRIKE DROPS RORY LIKE A SACK OF BRICKS! ARIA DOES NOT WASTE ANYTIME, ROLLING HER ONTO HER BACK AND HOOKING THE LEG! WILL THIS BE IT FOR THE MATCH RIGHT HERE?!
OOONNNEEE!!!
TTTTWWWWOOOO!!!!
TTTTTHHHHHRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘DESTINY’ begins to blast through the speakers of the arena, with ARIA pulling herself up off of Rory Slate and beginning to make her way up to her feet. She has a light smile on her face as her hand is raised into the air by the referee. She hypes up the crowd, bathing in the rewards of her victory tonight, as she begins to celebrate.)
Bella Braxton: Here is your winner… ARIA!!!!!!!!!!!!
(The celebration doesn’t last long though, as all of a sudden… a struggle is heard being played through the speakers replacing ARIA’s theme. Everyone is confused, before all of a sudden, the titantron lights up.)
Persephone: We’re not done. :francis:
Rich Russillo: BACKSTAGE! MADISON KALINE! WHAT THE HELL IS SHE DOING HERE TONIGHT! SHE HAS HER BARBED WIRE BASEBALL BAT, WHO IS SHE BEATING DOWN BACKSTAGE?!
(The camera pans down frantically to reveal that it’s the other members of the Ice Aces, Usagi Senshi and Ayu Megumi! Madison caught them by surprise backstage and is now just beating them down to a bloody pulp! Usagi and Ayu are defenseless especially with the foreign object that Madison is swinging around with her.)
James Peters: OH COME ON! HASN’T THERE ALREADY BEEN A MESSAGE SENT BY MADISON WHEN SHE DID THIS LAST WEEK TO ARIA?! WHY DID SHE HAVE TO BRING THE ICE ACES INTO THIS!
(Madison smirks as she looks down at the two of them, before looking at the camera, knowing very well that ARIA is watching this assault, and shoved it away as the feed cut to black and the Sunday Night Voltage graphic showed once again on the titantron. Suddenly, the entire mood of the situation changes for ARIA upon realizing who they are. She quickly rolls out of the ring and makes a sprint to the backstage area while the crowd murmurs in concern for what’s happening right now. The camera follows behind her as she shoves through the backstage curtain and into Gorilla Position, hoping to catch Madison at the scene of the crime… but she is too late. She only saw medical personnel swarming the scene, Madison had already fled away while she had the chance. ARIA pushed through and knelt down beside both Usagi and Ayu, muttering to the two of them, the mic barely catching what she’s saying while tears begin to form in her eyes.)
ARIA: I-I’m so sorry… I don’t know how I could let this happen… I’m so sorry…
(ARIA bows her head down while Usagi and Ayu are helped up so that they can continue to be tended to elsewhere. ARIA quickly follows behind, hiding her face from view, while Sunday Night Voltage quickly begins to fade out to a brief commercial break.)
(A commercial is shown for Fast X featuring Cy Henderson and The Woogieman.)
(Sunday Night Voltage fades back in from a brief commercial break, with the camera coming in to show the backstage area of the Auburn Arena, most specifically focusing on the office of Voltage Commissioner Captain Charisma. The EAW Hall of Famer is seen lounging in his office chair, taking a sip out of his coffee cup, and placing it down on his desk. Every so often he looks back at the television mounted on the wall which shows replays of the shows so far, then looks back to the mound of paperwork that he’s sifting through and continues on. Right now, everything seems as normal as it possibly can be in a place like this, quiet and peaceful, but he knows that something like that is just too good to be true in an environment like this one. That point is only proven when all of a sudden, loud footsteps are heard quickly approaching the door, kicking it open while Captain Charisma quickly perks up. He’s somewhat startled by it and as he looks up, to his surprise…)
Captain Charisma: Bethany, I didn’t expect to see you here tonight. How are you recovering from your injuries?
(The camera goes over from Captain Charisma to the entrance to reveal the Universal Women’s Champion Dr. Bethany Blue beginning to make her way into the office. Bandages and bruises are seen all over her body still thanks to the attack by Kassidy Heart last week on Voltage Beach Brawl, and it’s clear that she’s still not in the best of shape despite her willingness to show up here tonight on Voltage television. Though what happened on Showdown was enough to assert the claim that she’s been trying to push about one Kassidy Heart, the look on her face shows the dissatisfaction that comes from what she saw that night, what happened during the psychiatric evaluation that she fought hard to get was not enough at all. Captain Charisma sees the fed-up look written all over her face, and it’s made apparent that this situation does not call for any sort of small talk on his behalf. He knows how pissy Bethany has been these past couple of weeks, especially when he tried his best to console her in the medical tent during Beach Brawl, she’s just not in the mood at all. He nods his head, not saying anything else, and allowing Bethany to walk in and take a seat across from him. There’s a moment of silence between the two once everything is settled, with Bethany glaring at Captain Charisma for a good moment, before then beginning to speak to the relief of the Commissioner, and her words are blunt and to the point.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I’m not facing her.
(Captain Charisma sighs, not needing an explanation to know exactly what Bethany is getting on about. She’s talking about her Universal Women’s Championship match against Kassidy at Pain For Pride, which was ultimately the goal of the evaluation that she demanded in the first place. She wasn’t going to allow herself to be in the ring with someone as “crazed” as her after the events that occurred on Voltage, and she was about to get what she wanted when Dr. Kyle Sabol and his team were near the point of concluding that Kassidy was not mentally fit to face Bethany at Pain For Pride. But before they could reach a verdict, she would snap and go absolutely ballistic, attacking him. It ended with her being apprehended by the police and escorted out of the arena in a cruiser. Bethany is displeased that Kassidy attacked him before the match was able to be completely called off on Showdown. Captain Charisma, looking around awkwardly, knows there’s really nothing much he can do in this situation)
Captain Charisma: I understand, but-
Dr. Bethany Blue: Respectfully. Captain Charisma, whatever you’re going to say? I really don’t give a damn. Say what you want about this situation but what happened on Saturday Night Showdown provided you with all the information that you need to come to a decisive conclusion on the matter. I was pretty straightforward with my demands, I wanted her to undergo a psychiatric evaluation and the results that I got only affirmed my decision, and that’s that she is sick. She is sick in the head, and who knows what she’s going to end up doing next if she had the audacity to lay her hands on a Psychiatric expert like Dr. Kyle Sabol. If you expect me to defend my Universal Women’s Championship against her at Pain For Pride knowing all of that, then you’re insane. It’s not going to happen, it’s not safe for me, especially under that Glass Wallz stipulation she tried to force upon me.
(Captain Charisma listens carefully to what Bethany is saying right now, slowly nodding his head to show that he understands. Even though he doesn’t necessarily agree with what is coming out of her mouth, he hopes that she’s able to explain the situation to her in some way.)
Captain Charisma: Bethany, you have to understand before we continue this conversation any further that Kassidy won the Grand Rampage match, which guaranteed her a World Championship match of her choosing at Pain For Pride, in which she chose your Universal Women’s Championship. It’s not as easy as denying her that right, a guaranteed right might I add, I could only imagine the repercussions if we do. And even if we look past that, even if we look at that rule as null and void and it was down to me to make a decision on the matter, hypothetically agreeing to your terms and calling off the match entirely. In the grand scheme of things, the people that have the power in this situation are Kassidy and her husband. Even if I did have a choice, there would be nothing stopping them from vetoing the decision and having the match continue as planned, especially under the Glass Wallz stipulation. So as much as I want to try and help you, given your frustrations and the fact that you are one of my roster members, I’m afraid there is not much I can really do right now, nor do I think it’s ethical-
Dr. Bethany Blue: Excuse me?
(Bethany does not hesitate to interrupt Captain Charisma, no matter what point he’s trying to get at. She stands up, places her hands on his desk, and leans forward to look into the eyes of Captain Charisma. Her patience is running thin and the Commissioner can see that, quickly holding his hands up and trying to alleviate the tension that is in this room right now.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: I’m sorry, I must have heard you incorrectly, you think all of this is unethical? What I’m doing? Correct me if I’m wrong, but that wasn’t said by the Elite Answers Wrestling Board of Directors when they approved my decision to go through with this. That wasn’t said by Dr. Sabol and Dr. Angela Crawford on Showdown yesterday when they conducted their research into the matter, in fact, they agreed with me. So I’ll tell you right now, Captain Charisma, do NOT tell me what is ethical and unethical because trust me I know very well what I’m doing, and it is for the betterment of this company as a whole, not just for myself. Please don’t try and test me right now, because I promise you, I am not in the mood.
(Captain Charisma is dead silent while Bethany goes on her tangent. Once she’s done, she takes a deep breath and calms herself down, before taking a seat, giving Captain Charisma a sigh of relief. He once again nods his head to show that he understands what she’s saying right now. He opens his mouth looking to respond.)
Captain Charisma: So correct me if I’m wrong here, but you’re making this out to be like Kassidy has done all of this to you… unprovoked. But the way I see it, Kassidy has done all of this in retaliation. Think about how this whole situation started, Bethany. It started because you decided to go into business for yourself at Reasonable Doubt. In Kassidy’s words, since then you have done nothing but blindside her with physical attacks and personal taunts. I’m not trying to devalue any of what you’re saying at all, Bethany, but to say that this isn’t slightly your fault is pushing it just a little bit.
Dr. Bethany Blue: Are you trying to tell me to take some accountability for something that is completely beyond my control? Yes, I did attack Kassidy, that much I take accountability for. But to say THAT didn’t come without reason is not looking at it from a full perspective. Did you not forget what happened back in 2020? Was it not apparent what she did to me back at Road To Redemption that year? She embarrassed me, she made a fool of me. From that moment on I realized exactly what I needed to do, what was necessary to make this business better. I did go into business for myself at Reasonable Doubt, but that wasn’t just because I felt like it. Once and for all, somebody was finally going to get rid of Kassidy Heart, and that person was me. You say that what she did was in retaliation, well I’ll say that what I did was in retaliation as well. And I’m getting really sick of having the finger pointed at me when I have done NOTHING wrong. Look at what she’s done to me, Captain Charisma. Every day I get out of bed aching all over, with a constant reminder of the pain that she has caused me not just these past couple of weeks but over the years. I live with the reminder of the suffering that she has put me through and whenever my mind goes to that I wonder why nothing has been done. Getting beaten to a bloody pulp and thrown through multiple glass panes allowed me to take the next step toward what was necessary for getting rid of her. But the fact that she can just throw a wrench through that by showcasing her mental instability and causing an entire scene on Showdown, it’s ridiculous. Once again I can’t wrap my mind around why you’re condemning this. Do what’s best Captain Charisma, I’m not facing her at Pain For Pride.
(Captain Charisma takes a moment, once again silence falling over the two of them. He’s thinking about what he’s going to say next very carefully, trying to keep this conversation between the two of them as civil as he possibly can.)
Captain Charisma: Bethany, there is nothing I can do, I am sorry-
(Captain Charisma stops as she sees Bethany roll her eyes, it’s clear that she didn’t really listen to anything that he had to say. She doesn’t waste much time standing up and making her way out of the room. He tries to get her back, but before he can speak, Bethany turns.)
Dr. Bethany Blue: Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, can make me compete against someone who is unstable.
(Bethany shakes her head in frustration before then storming out of the room. She slams the door behind her, leaving Captain Charisma to his lonesome, the only thing he can do is sigh as he leans back in his office chair. He did everything that he could, but ultimately it wasn’t enough to coax Bethany into believing anything more than what she already does. In her mind, Kassidy is unstable, and the fact that nobody has been able to do anything about that for numerous amounts of reasons boils her blood so much that she really is not in the mood to listen to any form of reason. Captain Charisma knows that, and the only thing he can really do is brace himself for whatever is to come next between the two of them heading into Pain For Pride. The last shot seen is the Voltage Commissioner slowly getting back to work while Sunday Night Voltage begins to fade to elsewhere.)
(Voltage cuts to the backstage area. Standing in front of a private lockerroom labeled ‘Minerva’ is Fight Grid host Sofia Clarke. She’s been busy tonight, not that she minds. It is Pain for Pride season and she wants to get all the scoops.)
Sofia Clarke: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time… Minerva.
(The camera shot widens to show the woman who was absolutely brutalized by Yhwach O’Hara last weekend. Minerva, who has seen better days, has a slight smirk on her face despite everything. She has bruising around both eyes, and swelling around her lips and nose. Despite the condition she’s in, Minerva seems happy to be at Voltage, but that’s just par for the course when it comes to her. She’s proven to be one of the toughest athletes in all of EAW and no doubt the majority of the EAW Universe expected to see her tonight even after the beating she suffered at Yhwach’s hands.)
Sofia Clarke: I don’t think it’s going to come as a surprise that you’re here tonight.
Minerva: It shouldn’t because if there’s anything I’ve proven over the last few years it’s that it will take a lot more than what Yhwach did last week to keep me down and out. I showed up tonight to prove a point and it’s that I am more ready for this match at Pain for Pride than I have ever been for anything, and that includes all the battles I fought for the EAW World Championship. I was a marked woman; Yhwach said as much last week when I went back and watched the footage. I knew that, which is why I went and took matters into my own hands, and of course, I didn’t expect for a man like Yhwach to just take that and not retaliate in some capacity.
Sofia Clarke: But did you expect to be taken out of action so close to Pain for Pride? What exactly is your status right now, Minerva?
Minerva: Due to the injuries I sustained last week, I am not currently cleared to compete. Truthfully, I expected this, Sofia, because this is Yhwach O’Hara we’re talking about and in his eyes, I crossed a line. I took matters into my own hands and caught him off guard, and how many people can say that? It’s not lost on me the reputation he’s built over the years. O’Hara is one of the very best to ever step foot inside the ring and a lot of people would argue that he is the best. Personally, I would throw my hat into that conversation because what I’ve been able to do here certainly speaks for itself. I’m one of the best as well, and one of the most calculating. I fired the first shot and I knew it wouldn’t go unpunished. I knew whatever happened next was going to be pretty bad. It wasn’t that long ago that the entire world watched O’Hara snap on Kassidy Heart and break her arm, so in hindsight, perhaps I got off a little easy. My concussion will heal. The bruises and swelling on my face will fade away. There won’t be anything to hinder me come Pain for Pride and I’m sure someone of O’Hara’s stature wouldn’t want it any other way. Let’s be honest, Sofia. He had me in the most vulnerable position anyone’s gotten me in in a very long time. He could have fired the killshot. But he didn’t and that’s because at the end of the day, his own agenda won’t be complete unless he defeats me inside the ring. That’s what his ego needs. I was part of New Eden and together, Drake, Myles, and myself tried to end his career. We hurt him and attempted to take away his livelihood so in order to get even, at least with me, he wants to get me where it will hurt the most, and that’s inside the ring. It’s no secret that I want to face and beat the very best of the best. That’s how my own star will continue to rise and how whatever questions are left to be answered about me will get answered. Beating someone like Yhwach O’Hara raises my stock and will no doubt put me right back in the conversation when it comes to the EAW World Championship.
Sofia Clarke: Is it safe to say that your goal for the end of the season is defeating Yhwach at Pain for Pride and heading into Season 17 looking for world championship gold?
Minerva: Oh I definitely plan on defeating him come Pain for Pride, but as for Season 17? World championship gold is always on my mind, but so are a lot of other things. I’ve never been the type to sit around and wait for opportunities to come to me. I’m more than happy to make my own way in this crazy, fucked up land of Elite. I have goals, dream matches, and even bucket list accomplishments I want to see come to fruition. I have nothing but time on my side and more motivation than I have ever had before. As much as I want to stake my claim to Season 17, I know that would be a foolish thing to do right now. The one and only thing I am focusing on right now is Pain for Pride, because Yhwach O’Hara is an opponent that deserves that kind of respect. This will not be an easy match for me, but it’s not going to be easy for him either.
Sofia Clarke: Well said, Minerva. Thank you for your time tonight.
(Minerva nods and after Sofia walks off, the arrogant smirk from Minerva’s face fades away. Her head was throbbing. Since last week, she had been plagued with splitting migraines that made her want to bash her own head into the wall. She had been beat up before, but this time it was different. There was real intent to harm behind Yhwach’s actions. Minerva was arrogant, but even she could admit that Yhwach could have ended her career last week, but he didn’t, and there was a reason for that. He wanted to do it at Pain for Pride, on EAW’s biggest stage, and use her as an example. Part of her was thrilled; the other part was a little fearful. This was set to be her biggest match to date and more than anything, Minerva knew she had to win it. She started it. She had to finish it.)
???: Hey…
(Startled, Minerva came to a stop as soon as she closed the door behind her. Sitting in a folding chair was none other than Myles, and the two had no plans for that night.)
Minerva: What are you doing here?
(There was no irritation behind her question, just general curiosity. The two had spoken Friday night on the phone after Dynasty had concluded and Myles was clearly shaken up over the turn of events that had happened with Limmy. Myles looked up at Minerva and the emotion that filled his eyes upon seeing her battered face in person was not lost on her. Myles looked crushed. More than that, he looked defeated, and that struck something inside of Minerva.)
Minerva: Are you okay, Marco?
(Myles just shook his head.)
Myles: No. No, I’m not.
(Her first instinct was to cross the room and pull him into her arms, but Minerva just couldn’t bring herself to do that. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her cut off denim shorts and took a deep breath.)
Minerva: Do you want to talk about it?
(Myles hung his head, not wanting to meet her eyes.)
Myles: What’s there to say, Siobhan? I have truly ruined everything. I went after the EAW World Championship with no regard for you or for us, only to have it ripped away from me because two other people decided to make me a pawn in their own game. Then after being denied a rematch that I’m rightfully owed due to circumstances alone, Limmy Monaghan shows up looking for fresh competition and a legitimate challenge. Instead of just sucking it up and doing what I do best which is compete, my emotions got the better of me again and here I am. I’ve lost my chance to go to Pain for Pride and more than anything, I’ve lost you.
(A long, suffering sigh escapes from Myles. The pain in his voice was evident.)
Myles: I fucked up. In every conceivable way a person can fuck up, I did.
(Minerva felt her stomach tighten and her heart break just a little more. A lot had happened between them, and Myles had hurt her multiple times, but even so, she loved him, and seeing him hurt like this, hurt her. Minerva slowly walked to him and sank down to her knees. She removed Myles’ hands from his face and took it into her own hands. After a minute of just looking at him, Minerva brushed his hair back from his face.)
Minerva: I think you’ve known that for a while, Marco.
(Her voice was soft and she ran her thumb across his lips.)
Minerva: I know that you’ve been doing what you can to make things right between us, and I am working on forgiving you. You did hurt me, but I don’t hate you. I have never hated you. I still love you and I want you to know that I appreciate the effort you’re making.
(Myles captured her hand in his and brought it to his lips. After brushing a kiss across her knuckles, he stood up and gently pulled Minerva to her feet.)
Myles: I really am sorry for everything that happened, Siobhan, and I’m not saying this just because everything around me is falling apart. I’m saying it because I should have said it months ago. I should have swallowed my pride, admitted my faults, and asked you to come back to me. I want your forgiveness and I’ll continue working on earning it. I need you in my life. It’s that simple for me. You balance me out. You calm me down. You put things in perspective for me. Even though you don’t need me to protect you, I want to murder O’Hara for what he did to you last week, and I should have been there to watch over you after the fact. It’s my own fault that I wasn’t, because I ruined what we had, but I love you. I will always love you.
(Minerva’s hand tightened around Myles’. For months she had been waiting to hear these exact words from him. Despite his efforts to fix things, Myles had never come right out and admitted how wrong he had been, and for Minerva, this meant the world to her. She had been watching him from a distance, keeping her eyes on him, and she knew that he was hurting. For someone like Myles, who was so strong and so calm, the situation between them had taken its toll. Minerva didn’t get any pleasure out of seeing him hurting, because all that did was make her hurt even more. What they had between them was the rarest and most powerful form of love. It was complicated, but so were they.)
Minerva: I can’t go through this again, Marco, and I won’t. If our paths ever cross inside the ring again, things have to go down differently. I understand that we’re both driven by the same things, but you can not mistreat me because of it.
Myles: I know. I was stupid.
Minerva: We both let our emotions get the better of us. I just don’t want that to happen again. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, but I won’t let you hurt me again.
Myles: I won’t.
(Myles let go of her hand and cupped her face. He wanted to look directly into her ice blue eyes as he spoke his next words.)
Myles: I swear on everything I have, I will never put you through this again. I love you and I want you back. Will you give me another chance?
(Tears pricked at her eyes, and Minerva nodded. Myles gently gathered her into his arms and the couple clung to one another. After embracing, Minerva pulled away and pressed her lips gently against Myles’. As they reunited in the sweetest of ways, Voltage faded away.)
(A commercial is shown for this week’s episode of Saturday Night Showdown being headlined by Ms. Extreme facing Chris Elite.)
(The camera cuts to TLA taking a seat ringside next to the commentary table with ‘Ambitionz az a Ridah’ by Tupac playing in the background.)
Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME…TLA AND THE EAW WORLD CHAMPION, DRAKE KING!
(TLA receives a positive reaction from fans, and a giant smile grows on his face while sitting back in his chair. ‘Low of Solipsism II’ by Yoshihisa Hirano plays next, and receives a mixed, but more positive than usual reaction from fans as Drake King makes his way down to the ring, holding the EAW World Championship. Drake takes a seat on the opposite side of the commentary table to TLA, and Drake glances over at TLA, giving him a look of disdain. The camera cuts to Bella Braxton standing inside the ring.)
Bella Braxton: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR… ONE FALL!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!
(Drake’s attention turns toward the stage as “Blackstar” by David Bowie kicks in, and smoke fills the area before a single blue spotlight shines on Methuselah, who is in a foul mood after last week, being branded by Drake King. Methuselah saunters to the ring, staring daggers at Drake, barely taking his eyes off of him during the entrance.)
Bella Braxton: Introducing first! Residing from The Solitary Candle in The Villa of Ormen, weighing in at 220 pounds…METHUSELAH!!
James Peters: As you can see, Methuselah is not a happy man.
Rich Russillo: Can you blame him? He was literally branded last week by Drake King.
Persephone: Drake even caught me off guard with his actions last week.
James Peters: But Methuselah needs to focus on the task on hand, which is his match against Hikari.
(Methuselah takes off his entrance jacket, and the camera zooms in to show his scar from last week’s branding. Methuselah tares daggers into Drake King ringside, even as ‘Trepanation’ by Millennium Parade hits, and Hikari Kanno makes her way down to the ring after raising her Hardcore Championship high in the air on the stage.)
Bella Braxton: And her opponent! Hailing out of Okinawa, Japan, weighing in at 121 pounds…SHE IS THE EAW HARDCORE CHAMPION…HIKARI KANNO!!
James Peters: Hikari Kanno and Methuselah are no stranger to one another, and Hikari may have been granted an upper hand by Drake King this week.
Rich Russillo: Yeah, that branding scar is still fresh, and if I were Methuselah, I’d avoid being hit there at all cost.
James Peters: Methuselah definitely is not one-hundred percent, but even with that said, he is one of, if not, the greatest competitor to step in an EAW ring, so him not being at one-hundred percent does not mean you can take him lightly.
(Hikari hands off her title, and both competitors stare at each other from opposite corners.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
James Peters: Well, we find ourselves in a similar spot to earlier, except instead of one competitor’s Pain for Pride opponents being ringside, BOTH competitors Pain for Pride opponents are ringside. Drake, here to do some scouting on Methuselah. TLA, here to do some scouting on Hikari.
Rich Russillo: Drake may be scouting Methuselah, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have an eye on TLA as well. Everyone knows the history between those two, and Drake hasn’t forgotten it. But as of right now, both competitors are at bay, looking to have no intentions of getting involved, which- could change. But focusing our attention to the in ring action, both Methuselah and Hikari are looking to block them out.
James Peters: But I’d imagine they have their guards up. Regardless, both competitors close the distance between one another, and engage in a collar and elbow tie-up in the center. Methuselah quickly gets the upper hand, backing Hikari up against the ropes, showing that strength advantage between the two of them. The referee encourages for Methuselah to get off the ropes, giving him a five count.
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!
Rich Russillo: Methuselah looks at the referee, giving them all the signs they need to stop counting, but regardless he slowly separates from Kanno, backing away slightly, and putting his hands up. With his guard down, HIKARI LOOKS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE, LUNGING AT METHUSELAH, AND PUTTING HIM IN PLACE FOR BRIGHTSTAR! HIGH ANGLE URANAGE DRO-
James Peters: But Methuselah shoves Hikari back, and rolls out of the ring, creating some separation between the two.
Persephone: If only Hikari was fast enough, she could’ve came close to putting it away right there. 😒
Rich Russillo: Hikari stands in the center, and beckons for Methuselah to re-enter the ring. Methuselah opts to take her up on the offer, and does exactly that, albeit with caution. But both competitors head toward one another, and it looks as if were going to see another collar and elbow tie-up, but Methuselah ducks another attempt by Kanno, slipping behind her for a rear waistlock, which is instantly transitioned into a standing side headlock!
James Peters: That was pretty smooth from Methuselah, who just outsmarted, and outmaneuver Hikari, showing his Hall of Fame wisdom. Methuselah drops to a knee in the side headlock, bringing Hikari down along with him, and he tightens the hold. Hikari grits through the pain, and powers back to her feet, proceeding to bounce Methuselah off the ropes to escape!
Rich Russillo: Methuselah rebounds off the ropes, and- OOH! Hikari gets taken down with a shoulder tackle! Methuselah runs off the ropes, but Hikari rolls onto her stomach, forcing him to hop over her. Kanno pops back to her feet as Methuselah rebounds the ropes again, and takes HIM down with a back elbow! Methuselah sits up, favoring his jaw, but gets laid flat by Hikari for a cover, no legs hooked, but keeping her forearm pressed against Methuselah’s face.
ONNNNNN-
James Peters: As expected, a kickout! Methuselah sits up, trying to shake the cobwebs out of his head, but Hikari stays on him with a rear chinlock. Quickly, Methuselah powers up to a knee. Hikari rises to her feet, and continues to tighten her hold over Methuselah, wrenching further on the side headlock. Methuselah rises to a vertical base, but gets grounded with a side headlock takedown by Kanno!
Persephone: Yay, I love slo- pure wrestling!
Rich Russillo: Methuselah presses his forearm up against Hikari’s face, trying to push her off, but it’s no use as the hold is cinched in tight. Methuselah switches strategy, and again, powers back to his feet. Hikari gets backed into the corner, and releases the side headlock at behest of the referee. BUT METHUSELAH SEES AN OPENING, AND DRIVES HIS SHOULDER INTO THE GUT OF HIKARI REPEATEDLY WHILE SHES PINNED IN THAT CORNER!
James Peters: Methuselah finally backs off, and at this point it looks like he is in firm control of this one! Methuselah gives a death glare to Drake King, perhaps looking to send him a message, saying “this will be you at Pain for Pride.” Drake doesn’t seem phased though, and keeps his eyes glued on the match.
Rich Russillo: With Hikari stunned in the corner, Methuselah looks to inflict further damage with a KNIFE EDGE CHOP TO THE CH- NO! HIKARI DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND METHUSELAH FINDS HIMSELF IN THE CORNER NOW! KNIFE EDGE CHOP BY HIKARI ECHOES THROUGHOUT THE ARENA!
James Peters: Methuselah pushes past Hikari, and staggers toward the closest corner, still reeling from that chop. Hikari is hot on Methuselah’s heel, and approaches him, BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION, and gets sent into the corner now. Methuselah goes for a knife edge chop- BUT AGAIN, HIKARI DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND CATCHES HIM WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP IN THE CORNER INSTEAD!
Rich Russillo: HIKARI FOLLOWS IT UP WITH ANOTHER! THEN ANOTH- NO! Methuselah ducks down, covering up his chest, BUT THAT LEAVES HIM OPEN FOR AN OPEN-HANDED CHOP TO THE BACK BY KANNO! ADDING INSULT TO INJURY, SHE TAGGED HIM RIGHT WHERE THAT BRANDING SCAR IS, WHICH IS STILL FRESH FROM LAST WEEK!
James Peters: Despite Hikari being his opponent, TLA still was entertained by that. Hikari leans Methuselah up against the ropes, and irish whips him off! KITCHEN SINK BY KANNO, CAUSING METHUSELAH TO FLIP OVER! Methuselah sits up, and clutches at his abdomen, BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A PENALTY KICK TO THE BACK! AGAIN, TARGETING THAT SCAR FROM LAST WEEK’S LIVE BRANDING!
Persephone: By no means am I questioning the boss’ intelligence, but probably would’ve been best to stay home after last week.
Rich Russillo: He’s probably thinking the same thing, as he winces in pain. BUT HIKARI RUNS OFF THE ROPES IN FRONT OF HIM, CATCHING A SEATED METHUSELAH WITH A SLIDING KNEE STRIKE! Methuselah clutches at his mouth and nose area while rising back to his feet. Hikari knocks him into the corner with a right hand!
James Peters: Methuselah is reeling in the corner, and HIKARI CATCHES HIM WITH AN ELBOW STRIKE TO THE MIDSECTION! But she isn’t done, and lands ANOTHER! Methuselah favors his abdominal area, but gets left open for another right hand to the skull! Hikari sends Methuselah to the opposite corner with an irish whip- NO! Methuselah reverses, and sends Hikari to the corner instead!
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH CHARGES IN- BUT HIKARI GETS THE BOOT UP, CAUSING METHUSELAH TO STAGGER BACK SLIGHTLY! Hikari hops to the middle rope, BUT METHUSELAH GRABS HOLD OF HER ANKLE, AND YANKS HIKARI OFF! Hikari rubs the back of her head, which smacked off the canvas, and quickly gets back to her feet.
James Peters: But when she does, Methuselah is already up on the middle rope, AND DIVES OFF WITH A FLYING CLOTHESLINE! METHUSELAH RUSHES INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rich Russillo: Kickout, Hikari Kanno stays in this thing! BUT METHUSELAH STAYS ON TOP OF HER, MOUNTING HIKARI WITH REPEATED RIGHT HANDS! Hikari does her best to cover up, but a few of those hits are slipping past the guard, and landing! METHUSELAH STANDS UP, AND STOMPS HIKARI DIRECTLY ON THE FACE!
Persephone: Brutal, almost like Sexy Rexy’s beatdown of Daryl Kinkade earlier! 😌
James Peters: Hikari sits up, holding her face, and Methuselah grabs a handful of hair, using it to drag her.
Persephone: Hikari probably wishes she was still bald right now. 🤭
James Peters: Methuselah drapes Hikari over the middle rope, WHICH HE USES TO CHOKE HER, PRESSING DOWN ON HIKARI’S HEAD! The referee would usually interject with anyone else, but we all know how this goes with Methuselah!
Rich Russillo: Methuselah spending all the time he needs wearing down the Hardcore Champion, and now he sends Hikari back down to the canvas with a mat slam. Hikari clutches her throat, gasping for air, which she couldn’t find while being choked against that middle rope.
James Peters: The pendulum is in Methuselah’s favor, as he picks Hikari up, and backs her up against the ropes for a KNIFE EDGE CHOP! Methuselah follows that up with a huge right hand, and Hikari looks a bit glossed over in the corner. Methuselah sends her to the opposite with an irish whip! METHUSELAH CHARGES IN, SCORING A RUNNING CORNER CLOTHESLINE!
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH WHIPS HIKARI BACK TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER, AND PERFORMS ANOTHER RUNNING CORNER CLOTHESLINE! Methuselah grabs Hikari in a front facelock, and brings her to the center of the ring for a NECKBREAKER! Methuselah slides into the cover!
ONNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Persephone: Kickout. :kyrie:
James Peters: Methuselah hasn’t done nearly enough to put away the Hardcore Champion just yet, but continues to wear her down with a rear chinlock. Hikari exerted energy to kickout, and will need to exert more to get out of this predicament. Methuselah is doing an expert job at slowing the pace, and allowing himself some time to breathe, along with possibly conjure up a new game plan.
Rich Russillo: Hikari powers back to her feet, and breaks Methuselah’s grip with repeated back elbows to the abdomen! BIG FOREARM TO THE FACE OF METHUSELAH! AND SHE RUNS OFF THE ROPES IN FRONT OF HIM- BUT BEFORE SHE COULD BOUNCE OFF, METHUSELAH CUT HER OFF WITH A RUNNING BACK ELBOW!
James Peters: Hikari doubles over, having gotten her bell rung by Methuselah’s elbow, and gets brought to the center in a front facelock. Methuselah goes for another neckbreaker- BUT HIKARI COUNTERS WITH A BACKSLIDE!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWW-
Rich Russillo: KICKOUT! BOTH COMPETITORS SCRAMBLE BACK TO THEIR FEET, AND METHUSELAH TAKES HIKARI DOWN WITH A RUNNING BIG BOOT! Hikari rises to a knee, and Methuselah is taunting her to get back up. His patience runs thin, and he starts pulling Hikari back to her feet- BUT HIKARI EXPLODES WITH A HUGE SLAP TO THE FACE OF METHUSELAH! Methuselah staggers back against the ropes, looking as if he got the taste slapped out of his mouth.
James Peters: Hikari is on wobbly legs, trying to shake the cobwebs out of her head. BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A BIG BOOT BY METHUSELAH! HOWEVER, HIKARI REMAINS ON HER FEET, ALBEIT STILL WOBBLY! HIKARI STILL HAS ENOUGH WHEREWITHAL TO BATTLE BACK, AND LANDS A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! FOLLOWED BY A PENALTY KICK TO THE CHEST, JOLTING METHUSELAH UPRIGHT!
Rich Russillo: HIKARI KANNO RUNS OFF THE ROPES IN FRONT OF HIM! METHUSELAH TRIES TO HALT HER MOMENTUM WITH A RUNNING CLOTHESLINE- BUT HIKARI KANNO DUCKS UNDERNEATH, AND KEEPS RUNNING THE ROPES! METHUSELAH BOUNCES OFF THE OPPOSITE SET OF ROPES TO HIKARI!
James Peters: HIKARI CRASHES INTO METHUSELAH WITH A RUNNING SINGLE LEG HIGH KNEE STRIKE! BUT SHE CANT CAPITALIZE AS BOTH COMPETITORS ARE DOWN! THE WEAR AND TEAR, THE EXHAUSTION STARTING TO SHOW!
Persephone: Yeah, it’s definitely been a match of all time thus far.
Rich Russillo: Hikari has been struggling to mount momentum as of late, and might’ve just created an opportunity for herself, that is if she can make it to her feet first. Whoever can make it to their feet first will gain a huge advantage, and depending on the damage that has been done, it won’t always be the person who last hit the move.
James Peters: Hikari crawls to the corner, and uses it for assistance in getting back to her feet. Methuselah starts to stir, and gets back to his feet slowly in the center. HIKARI COMES CHARGING IN, BUILDING A FULL HEAD OF STEAM! RUNNING CLOTHESLINE BY KANNO! METHUSELAH IS INSTANTLY BACK TO HIS FEET, AND GETS DROPPED WITH A SECOND CLOTHESLINE!
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH POPS BACK TO HIS FEET A THIRD TIME, AND GETS HAMMERED WITH ELBOW STRIKES BY HIKARI, WHO FINISHES THE BARRAGE OFF WITH A SPINNING BACK ELBOW, PUTTING METHUSELAH ON SPAGHETTI LEGS NOW!
James Peters: HIKARI LAUNCHES METHUSELAH WITH A RELEASE BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! HIKARI IS FIRED UP! Methuselah crawls to the corner, and uses it for assistance in pulling himself back to a vertical base. Hikari is hot on his heel, and closes the distance between Methuselah and herself, sending him to the opposite corner with an irish whip!
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH REVERSES, SENDING HIKARI TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER INSTEAD! METHUSELAH CHARGES IN- BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A BOOT BY HIKARI! METHUSELAH SPINS AROUND, AND STAGGERS FORWARD SLIGHTLY BEFORE DROPPING TO A KNEE!
James Peters: HIKARI CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE, AND LINES HIM UP, WAITING FOR METHUSELAH TO TURN AROUND! HE HAS NO IDEA WHAT AWAITS HIM AS HE DOES- DIVING NECKBREAKER BY KANNO! HIKARI QUICKLY CRAWLS INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG, AND LOOKING TO SCORE A HUGE WIN EN ROUTE TO PAIN FOR PRIDE!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWW-
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH GETS THE SHOULDER UP, AND AS ALWAYS IT LOOKS LIKE IT’LL TAKE A LOT MORE TO KEEP HIM DOWN! But Hikari doesn’t seem frustrated, and instead, stands herself back up, proceeding to stalk Methuselah as he slowly returns back to a vertical base.
James Peters: Methuselah wanders into the waiting arms of Hikari, who hooks him up for the BRIGHTSTAR, which she attempted earlier! BUT METHUSELAH ELBOWS HIS WAY OUT OF THE URANAGE! HIKARI DOUBLES OVER, AND IS REPEATEDLY HAMMERED WITH DOWNWARD ELBOWS TO THE BACK OF HER NECK BY METHUSELAH, WHO IS SHOWING OFF HIS VICIOUS SIDE!
Persephone: Hopefully, this vicious side can lead him to victory, and effectively call an end to this match.
Rich Russillo: Methuselah sends Hikari to the corner, AND RUSHES IN WITH A SPEAR ATTEMPT! BUT HIKARI SIDE STEPS, SENDING METHUSELAH SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST! Methuselah slowly backs away from the corner, holding his shoulder in pain.
James Peters: BUT FROM BEHIND, HIKARI HAMMERLOCKS THE ARM OF METHUSELAH, AND SENDS HIM SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! HIKARI DOESNT STOP THERE, AND SENDS METHUSELAH SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE WITH A SECOND TIME WITH THAT HAMMERLOCK!
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH SPINS AROUND, CLUTCHING HIS SHOULDER, AND STAGGERS INTO HIKARI’S CLUTCHES ONCE AGAIN, GETTING WRESTLED DOWN TO THE CANVAS FOR A FUJIWARA ARMBAR! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!
James Peters: HIKARI PULLS BACK, TRYING TO POSSIBLY RIP THAT SHOULDER OUT OF ITS SOCKET! METHUSELAH POWERS TO ALL FOURS, AND FORWARD ROLLS THROUGH TO HIS FEET, ESCAPING THE ARMBAR! HIKARI POPS BACK TO HERS, AND GOES FOR A SUPERKICK!
Rich Russillo: BUT METHUSELAH CATCHES THE BOOT, AND SPINS HIKARI AROUND! KICK TO THE GUT BY METHUSELAH, WHO HOOKS BOTH ARMS! HES GOING FOR THE MK DRIVER! LIFTING DOUBLE UNDERHOOK DD- HIKARI! HIKARI DRIVES HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE CORNER, EFFECTIVELY BREAKING METHUSELAH’S GRIP!
James Peters: Hikari lifts Methuselah to the top turnbuckle, and climbs to the middle rope, hooking him up for a superplex. BUT METHUSELAH FIGHTS OUT OF IT WITH SHOTS TO THE RIB CAGE! A big right hand knocks Hikari off the middle rope, and she staggers back from the corner.
Rich Russillo: Methuselah balances himself on the middle rope, and looks for a repeat of earlier, DIVING OFF WITH A FLYING CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT! BUT THERES NO WATER IN THE POOL AS HIKARI DUCKS UNDERNEATH! Methuselah rises to a knee, AND HIKARI RUSHES IN, HOOKING METHUSELAH UP FOR KANNO SUPER BUSTER! THE GUTWRENCH SITOUT POWERBOMB!
James Peters: BIG SHOW OF POWER BY HIKARI KANNO, WHO HOLDS THE POWERBOMB FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
James Peters: CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR FOR HIKARI AS METHUSELAH GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Persephone: Great! This match continues on! 😃👍
Rich Russillo: Methuselah rolls away from Hikari, and seats himself down in the corner. Kanno approaches, and starts to show her vicious side, connecting with stomps to the face of Methuselah, who tries his best to cover up! Hikari has intensity in her eyes, and shows no signs of stopping. Meaning: the referee will have to interject with a five count.
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FI-
James Peters: Hikari relents before the count of five, but I think that was just her giving Methuselah a taste of his own medicine from earlier. Hikari marches to the opposite corner, and has Methuselah in her sights, so charges in!
Rich Russillo: BUT METHUSELAH RUSHES BACK TO HIS FEET, AND FLAPJACKS HIKARI FACE FIRST ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! HIKARI SPINS AROUND IN THE CORNER, AND METHUSELAH SEES AN OPENING! BOUNCING OFF THE OPPOSITE CORNER FOR MOMENTUM, AND CHARGING IN FOR HELLUVA KICK! RAPTURE CONNECTS ON HIKARI, WHO METHUSELAH SHOOTS THE HALF ON FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRRRR-
James Peters: SHOULDER UP! Hikari Kanno is still fighting, and Methuselah stands himself back up. He’s favoring that shoulder, which Hikari was targeting for a brief spell. Methuselah grits through the pain, and backpedals to the corner, eyeing Hikari Kanno, stalking her, encouraging her to get back to her feet.
Rich Russillo: Hikari is stirring, but might not like what she sees once turning around. METHUSELAH CHARGES CHARGES IN- BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH A PENALTY KICK TO THE BAD SHOULDER, BLOCKING THE SPEAR FROM HAPPENING! METHUSELAH SPINS AROUND, AND HIKARI HOOKS HIM UP FOR BOOK OF THE END!
James Peters: METHUSELAH IS UP ON HER SHOULDERS FOR THE MICHINOKU, BUT THRASHES AROUND, AND MANAGES TO SLIP OFF, CATCHING HIMSELF ON THE APRON! HIKARI SPINS AROUND WITH A WILD SWING! BUT METHUSELAH BLOCKS IT, AND DROPS HER THROAT FIRST ACROSS THE MIDDLE ROPE WITH A HOTSHOT!
Rich Russillo: Hikari goes down, clutching at her throat, and gasping for air. Methuselah grabs her by the ankle, and pulls Hikari out underneath the bottom rope, bringing her to the outside with him, both finding their way in front of our announce table area. Methuselah grabs Hikari by the back of her head, and- OOH! METHUSELAH JUST SENT HIKARI INTO DRAKE KING! EVEN MORE PAYBACK FOR LAST WEEK!
James Peters: METHUSELAH PULLS HIKARI OUT OF THE RUBBLE, AND GOES TO SEND HER FACE FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST! BUT HIKARI SHIFTS THE MOMENTUM, SENDING METHUSELAH INTO TLA!
Rich Russillo: Hikari pulls Methuselah out of the rubble, and rolls him back inside the ring. Methuselah is already back to his feet as Hikari slides into the ring. Kanno walks into a RIGHT HAND from Methuselah, putting her on wobbly legs! BUT HIKARI RESPONDS BACK WITH AN ELBOW STRIKE, CATCHING HIM ON THE CHEEK!
James Peters: RETORTFUL RIGHT HAND BY METHUSELAH, STAGGERING HIKARI BACK! BUT DRAKE KING! DRAKE KING TACKLED METHUSELAH DOWN WITH A LOU THESZ PRESS, AND IS SCORING WITH RAPID FIRE PUNCHES!
Rich Russillo: Hikari shakes the cobwebs out of her head, and goes to do something about this- BUT GETS TURNED AROUND BY TLA, AND THE TWO START EXCHANGING BLOWS! ITS A HOCKEY FIGHT BETWEEN BOTH TLA AND HIKARI!
Persephone: YES!
James Peters: THE REFEREE HAS LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE ACTION, AS NO ONE DUKING IT OUT IN THE RING WILL LISTEN TO HIM! THEREFORE, HE SIGNALS FOR THE BELL!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Bella Braxton: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE MATCH HAS BEEN THROWN OUT AS A RESULT OF A NO CONTEST!
(The crowd’s initial reaction is to boo, seeing that the match ended in such a non-decisive way. But their reaction quickly takes a turn, as all four competitors continue to duke it out inside the ring.)
James Peters: THE MATCH HAS BEEN CALLED OFF, BUT NONE OF THESE FOUR COMPETITORS CARE!
Rich Russillo: NO, THEY’RE STILL HELLBENT ON BEATING THE CRAP OUT OF EACH OTHER! METHUSELAH HAS TURNED THE TABLE ON DRAKE KING, RAINING DOWN PUNCHES FROM A FULL GUARD!
James Peters: HIKARI KNEES TLA IN THE MIDSECTION, AND SLAMS HIM FACE FIRST OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! NOW, HIKARI IS UNLOADING WITH A BARRAGE OF RIGHT HAND, AND STOMPS IN THE CORNER!
Persephone: It is complete chaos, but hopefully we can get security out here soon, and move on to the next thing!
Rich Russillo: DRAKE KING SHOVES METHUSELAH OFF HIM, AND BOTH MEN SCRAMBLE BACK TO THEIR FEET! DRAKE CHARGES, AND SPEARS METHUSELAH OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE, SENDING BOTH COMPETITORS TUMBLING TO THE OUTSIDE!
James Peters: BUT THEY’RE IMMEDIATELY BACK TO THEIR FEET! DRAKE BACKS METHUSELAH UP AGAINST THE BARRICADE WITH PUNCHES IN BUNCHES! DRAKE TRIES SENDING METHUSELAH INTO THE STEEL STEPS, BUT METHUSELAH COUNTERS, SENDING DRAKE KING GUT FIRST INTO THE STEPS INSTEAD!
Rich Russillo: BACK INSIDE THE RING, TLA SHOVES HIKARI BACK, AND RUNS TOWARD HER FOR A DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN! TLA MOUNTS KANNO, AND REIGNS DOWN WITH RAPID FIRE PUNCHES BEFORE BEING PUSHED OFF!
James Peters: BOTH COMPETITORS SCRAMBLE BACK TO THEIR FEET, AND TLA LANDS A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION, PUTTING HIKARI BETWEEN HIS LEGS FOR THE VERY MEXICAN DESTROYER!
Persephone: SECURITY!! WHERE ARE YOU?!
Rich Russillo: HIKARI THRASHES AROUND IN POSITION FOR THE DESTROYER, AND MANAGES TO BACK BODY DROP TLA OVER THE TOP ROPE, AND TO THE OUTSIDE!
James Peters: HIKARI RUNS OFF THE ROPES, AND SOARS THROUGH WITH A SUICIDE DIVE! TLA HITS BACK FIRST ON THE BARRICADE, BUT IS STILL STANDING, AND HIKARI CLUBS HIM ACROSS THE BACK!
Rich Russillo: METHUSELAH SLAMS DRAKE FACE FIRST OFF THE STEEL STEPS BEFORE ROLLING HIM BACK INSIDE THE RING! METHUSELAH RETRIEVES THE STEEL CHAIR THAT BELLA BRAXTON WAS SITTING IN, AND SLIDES BACK INSIDE THE RING!
James Peters: DRAKE KING IS UP TO A KNEE, AND METHUSELAH APPROACHES, RAISING THE STEEL CHAIR HIGH IN THE AIR! BUT DRAKE KING POPS BACK TO HIS FEET, AND FORCES METHUSELAH TO DROP IT WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION!
Rich Russillo: GEARS START TURNING IN DRAKE’S HEAD, AND HE SLIDES THE STEEL CHAIR UNDERNEATH A DOUBLED OVER METHUSELAH’S HEAD! DRAKE RUNS OFF THE ROPES FOR THE CURB STOMP!
James Peters: BUT JUDGMENT DAY HAS BEEN AVOIDED AS SECURITY GRAB DRAKE KING’S ANKLES, AND PULL HIM OUT UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM ROPE, RESTRAINING HIM! METHUSELAH GRABS THE STEEL CHAIR, AND EXITS THE RING, LOOKING TO CAPITALIZE ON A DEFENSELESS DRAKE!
Rich Russillo: BUT SECURITY CROWDS METHUSELAH AS WELL, NOT LETTING HIM GET TO DRAKE WITH THAT CHAIR, AND PREVENTING SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE!
James Peters: TLA LIFTS HIKARI UP IN A SPINEBUSTER, AND DRIVES HER BACK FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST! HIKARI DROPS TO BOTH KNEES, WINCING IN PAIN! BUT BEFORE TLA CAN DO ANY FURTHER DAMAGE, SECURITY SURROUNDS HIM TOO!
Persephone: FINALLY!
Rich Russillo: SECURITY IS RESTRAINING EVERYBODY, WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY BEATING THE TAR OUT OF ONE ANOTHER!
James Peters: GOTTA PROTECT YOUR MONEY MATCHES, ESPECIALLY WHEN WERE THIS CLOSE TO PAIN FOR PRIDE! AN EVENT WHERE THE FANS IN ATTENDANCE WILL BE HEARD, BECAUSE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO LET THEM FIGHT!
(Each competitor is still trying to escape security’s clutches, and get at one another, but it’s no use as security swarm the ringside area, and keep everyone restrained as the camera fades elsewhere, with them attempting to restore order.)
(A commercial is shown for this week’s episode of Friday Night Dynasty, being headlined by a Champion vs. Champion match between Milli Banks and PJ Hendrx.)
(Voltage fades to ringside, and ‘Rhapsody in Pink’ by Stela Cole (Clean Version) hits. This causes a mostly negative reaction to come from the crowd, and before long the entirety of the #DisneyBesties begin to walk out as Candice Blair is joined by Sierra Everett and Halsey Neel. Despite walking out together, they’re clearly not entirely on the same page after the conversation that happened last week. There’s clearly a bit of tension between Sierra and Halsey, meanwhile Candice Blair doesn’t look very happy herself after everything she’s been told.)
James Peters: I really don’t think anyone could’ve expected what happened last week regarding the #DisneyBesties and Eden Sinclair. Eden’s return was a surprise, but what came out of it was an even bigger one.
Rich Russillo: Honestly, I don’t know what’s the most shocking part. The fact that Eden Sinclair has wanted to destroy the #DisneyBesties all this time… Or the fact that Eden has been with Ronan Malosi.
Persephone: Definitely the latter. That was disgusting.
James Peters: None of the #DisneyBesties look too happy right now, and after what happened last week, can we even say that they’re on the same page?
(Candice, Sierra and Halsey all enter the ring, holding microphones in their hands. There’s a little moment of silence between them as they think about what happened last week, before finally Candice begins to speak.)
Candice Blair: I really didn’t want to believe it. I really didn’t want to believe that someone I trusted like Eden Sinclair would turn out to be like this. I trusted Eden. We all did. We all believed that she wanted what was best for this brand, and that we were chosen to fight on her behalf. We did everything we could for the sake of making Voltage better. We went against the Ice Aces because we believed that Usagi was a threat to Ayu. We went after Hikari Kanno because we believed the Hardcore Championship was an issue. We all believed that we were doing the right thing, that we were fighting for the right cause, when all this time we were just making fools of ourselves by doing Eden’s bidding. It’s unbelievable. When Sierra first told me about it I couldn’t believe what I heard. I couldn’t believe that there was even a possibility that Eden had spent this entire season using me like a puppet and lying to Halsey and Sierra. I couldn’t believe that after all this time, everything we’ve done for Eden turned out to be for nothing. It really hurt hearing about something like that, but what hurt even more was when I got the chance to see everything Sierra told me come out of Eden’s own mouth.
(Candice points towards the titantron, which begins to light up, before beginning to play footage.)
[SCREENBAR – Last week’s Voltage, May 21st.]
(The camera opens up to Eden Sinclair’s office, showing part of the conversation she had with Ronan Malosi last week.)
Eden Sinclair: Yes. I was hoping by giving them the cold shoulder they would get their act together but I was sorely mistaken. I trusted Candice when she wanted to bring Sierra into the fold. She really sold me on Sierra being a wonderful talent and someone who could amount to something one day. But all I have seen is Sierra continue to be the same spoiled, entitled, useless wrestler that EAW hired simply because they wanted another pretty face on the roster. Sierra Everett has been a waste of time and energy, not to mention resources, and I bet if it weren’t for the fact that EAW reaches a global audience on a weekly basis she wouldn’t even be here. She only cares about money and fame, and let’s be completely honest, she will never be a champion here.
(Ronan has made his way over to the folding chair that Eden had been sitting in before he came along and plops down. A thoughtful look crosses his face.)
Ronan Malosi: I mean, I could have told you that.
(Eden rolls her eyes.)
Eden Sinclair: Yet, you continue to struggle when it comes to her.
Ronan Malosi: Look doll, Rome wasn’t built overnight. These kinds of things take time.
Eden Sinclair: You had one job, Ronan. ONE JOB. You were supposed to destroy the #DisneyBesties and get rid of Sierra and Halsey.
(There was a bitterness to Eden’s voice that amplified as she said Halsey’s name.)
Eden Sinclair: Halsey is headstrong and dangerous. I have NEVER trusted her. I have NEVER liked her. There is something extremely calculated about the way she carries herself and the way she thinks. It has never settled well with me the way she just inserted herself into our business and suddenly became so close with Candice and Sierra. Her silence is deafening and that bothers me.
Ronan Malosi: You are severely overestimating Halsey Neel. She’s nothing; a total struggle wrestler inside the ring.
Eden Sinclair: Have you looked in the mirror lately?
(Ronan bristles at that remark, but wisely keeps his mouth shut. It is clear that while Eden certainly wants him, she isn’t happy with him either and he doesn’t feel the need to provoke her right now.)
Eden Sinclair: Truthfully, all bias aside, Halsey is probably the most talented of the three and she certainly has the most potential. As invested as I am in Candice, I just don’t believe she will ever measure up to the success the rest of her family has had. I thought it would be best to have an Ava as the face of Disney, due to the name and what their family means to this business. But clearly Candice isn’t capable of living up to the legacy of her sisters. That being said, not all hope is lost. I still say that getting Sierra and Halsey away from Candice will do a tremendous amount of good. Things couldn’t have gone more perfectly on Dynasty. I cheered when Mei pinned Halsey in the middle of that ring. For the second time, a partner has cost Candice her chance to win her first championship, not that I think that’s even in the realm of possibilities for her at this point, but still. Candice can still be molded and manipulated into the vision I have for her. She just needs to see that Sierra and Halsey are deadweight. YOU were supposed to help with that, but to the shock of absolutely no one, you failed and ended up on the outside looking in.
(The titantron turns off, and the camera fades back to the #DisneyBesties. They all look frustrated after seeing the video, and Sierra looks towards Halsey, who didn’t believe her last week.)
Candice Blair: This is what we wasted our entire season fighting for? That’s just not fair to us. It’s not fair that this entire time we were working for the benefit of someone that didn’t even care about us. Someone that wanted the #DisneyBesties destroyed this entire time. Someone… That was in a relationship with Ronan Malosi 🤢. Even now it’s unbelievable, but at this point we all saw the footage, and we know what kind of person Eden Sinclair is now. She’s not someone that we ever should have trusted. She’s not someone that was concerned with making this brand better. She’s an awful person. We’re not going to be pushed around and mistreated like this, and we won’t allow her to use Ronan Malosi to try and break us apart.
(Candice turns towards the stage before continuing to speak.)
Candice Blair: I know you’re here Eden, and we need to talk. We’re not going to keep playing your game anymore, and working for someone that has been trying to split us apart all along. You betrayed us after everything that we did for you, and we’re not going to stand for that. All three of us are AT LEAST owed an explanation, and you’re going to give that to us right now.
(Candice waits for a response, but she doesn’t get the one she was hoping for. Instead, ‘Mo Money’ by Ben McLusky hits. This causes far louder boos to come from the crowd, and neither Candice, Halsey nor Sierra are very pleased by the fact that it isn’t Eden answering them. Before long Ronan Malosi begins to walk out with a microphone in his hand, and he has a huge grin on his face. He’s obviously amused by everything going on with the #DisneyBesties, and he begins to speak on his way down the ramp.)
Ronan Malosi: :mjlol2: What’s the matter? Don’t like what you heard? It’s not like Eden said anything wrong, anyway. You three are a bunch of idiots, and it shouldn’t have taken you so long to figure that one out! Everyone knows that the #DisneyBesties has been a complete failure, and it shouldn’t have taken Eden Sinclair returning for you three to start taking notice of it. Sierra Everett has been a complete joke since she first joined this company. Halsey Neel has done absolutely nothing since she first showed up, and I knew FROM THE START that she was never going to be able to benefit you guys. And Candice?
(Ronan walks up the steel steps, and continues speaking once he reaches the apron.)
Ronan Malosi: You got lucky against me, that’s all.
Sierra Everett: Just shut up Ronan, we don’t need your input right now. It’s not like you’ve found a great deal of success, yourself. Your job was supposed to be tearing our group apart and getting rid of us, but how close have you come to doing that. You’ve failed every step of the way and now you think you can come out here and laugh at us? Since you’re so close to Eden why don’t you go and drag her out here? It’d be the most useful thing you’ve ever done.
Ronan Malosi: I-
Candice Blair: Don’t you think you said enough? I thought that once we dealt with you, that’d be it. I thought that we wouldn’t have to think about you anymore, but clearly, we were wrong. Congratulations, Ronan. You got the last laugh. You and Eden made us all look stupid, and now you’re out here to rub it in. We’re not going to do this tonight. We asked for Eden, so if you’re not going to bring Eden out here, just go away.
(There’s a brief silence between the Elitists, before finally Ronan enters the ring, beginning to laugh.)
Ronan Malosi: :mjlol: Look at your faces! You all look so stupid, it’s hilarious! Maybe you three don’t get it yet, but this little group of yours has done absolutely nothing for Eden. What work have you actually been doing? You all failed every chance you had. Does it really matter if I couldn’t break you guys up if you’re already failing to make a difference? You guys had two chances to make it to Pain for Pride and enter the Unified Tag Team Championship match, and you failed both times. Besides, it’s not like there’s been a complete failure on our part. After all, Halsey and Sierra clearly aren’t on the same page.
(Halsey steps up to Ronan before beginning to speak.)
Halsey Neel: Shut up. As far as I’m concerned things haven’t changed between the two of us, and I have no problem sending you to a hospital the same way I did back at Fighting Spirit. You’ve gotten in our way enough times this season. You’re part of the reason we haven’t found all the success we’ve been looking for. Don’t start trying to shift the blame now when all three of us are right here because I promise, none of us would have a problem tearing you apart before Yhwach O’Hara even has the chance to get to you.
???: That’s enough.
(The fans immediately begin to boo as they realize whose voice that is. All four Elitists turn towards the stage, and the boos only grow even louder as Eden Sinclair begins to walk out to the stage. She doesn’t look amused at all, and she is holding a microphone in her hand, continuing to speak as she walks down the ramp.)
Eden Sinclair: Do you three have any idea what it has been like dealing with you this season? I had such high expectations for Candice. I had such high hopes after realizing just how dedicated she was to helping fix this show. She was meant to be the face of not just this brand, but Disney as a whole. She was meant to help elevate Voltage, and what did I get in return? Nothing. None of Candice’s promises were kept, because she was being dragged down by Sierra Everett and Halsey Neel, two sad excuses of Elitists that never belonged anywhere near Candice. She never should have given either of you a chance. She never should’ve entertained the idea of working with either of you, and because I was kind enough to let Candice do what she wanted, the “#DisneyBesties” have done nothing but fail me. Time and time again. What else was I supposed to do when I can’t trust you three to actually make a difference around here? You can blame whoever you want, but we’ve seen you all in action.
(Eden walks up the steel steps, entering the ring as Candice responds.)
Candice Blair: You have no idea what you’re talking about. You never even gave us a chance. We’ve been trying as hard as we could to make a difference, because we *thought* we were helping you. Yes we’ve failed sometimes, and we didn’t make it into the Unified Tag Team Championship match, but did you even really want us there in the first place? From the looks of it, you wanted Ronan to split us up for a while now, and the only reason you’re here right now is because he was unsuccessful. Halsey and Sierra are both talented, and unlike you I can actually trust them-
Eden Sinclair: Trust them to do what, Candice? Fail you? That’s what they’ve done every single chance they had. You do care about competing at Pain for Pride, don’t you? It’s only the biggest show of the entire year, and because of THEM, you no longer have a spot there. Because of Halsey and Sierra, the women who couldn’t possibly do anything wrong in your eyes, you won’t be competing at Pain for Pride…
(After a few seconds it looks like a thought has crossed Eden’s mind as she begins to speak once more.)
Eden Sinclair: Or will you?
(This confuses all three members of the #DisneyBesties, as they all look at each other.)
Candice Blair: What do you mean?
Eden Sinclair: Well, I may have spoken to Captain Charisma earlier in the night, and made sure that you found a spot at Pain for Pride. I wasn’t going to let you miss out on the show after all, so at Pain for Pride it will be….
(The fans go quiet, waiting to hear what she will say.)
Eden Sinclair: Candice Blair versus Sierra Everett versus Halsey Neel…
Candice Blair: What???
Halsey Neel: Are you serious?
Sierra Everett: You’re kidding!
(The fans boo loudly as Ronan Malosi is seen pointing and laughing at the three women. Eden Sinclair isn’t finished speaking however.)
Eden Sinclair: … Versus Ronan Malosi.
(This causes cheers from the crowd, and immediately the laughter stops. Ronan can’t believe it, and immediately turns towards Eden.)
Ronan Malosi: WHAT??? Me??? Why am I in it???
Eden Sinclair: You know exactly why you’re in it! I gave you ONE job, and that was to get rid of Halsey and Sierra! That’s all you had to do, and not only have you failed to get them away from Candice, but you failed to even pose a threat to them. I’m tired of the excuses, you have done absolutely nothing and it’s time for you to start pulling your weight. The match at Pain for Pride is a fatal four way, and one way or another this mess is going to end. I’m tired of Halsey and Sierra getting in the way and ruining everything, and I’m tired of YOU not doing your part like I told you to. You four will be seeing each other at Pain for Pride, and that’s final.
(Eden leaves the ring, and the fans begin booing her extremely loudly. This leaves Halsey, Candice, Sierra and Ronan in the ring, all left to process the news they were just given.)
James Peters: I can’t say I was expecting this! It looks like the match at Pain for Pride will be a fatal four way featuring all three members of the #DisneyBesties, and Ronan Malosi, who they’ve had problems with for months now!
Rich Russillo: I have no idea how things are going to play out with these four. Everything the #DisneyBesties fought for turned out to be a lie, and now they’re left in a position where they’ll all have to fight each other, as well as arguably their biggest enemy right now.
Persephone: Definitely can’t wait for this match. Nothing like a match featuring Ronan Malosi for the biggest event of the year.
(All four Elitists in the ring are left staring at each other, and from there Voltage begins to fade away from ringside and into the final break for the night.)
(Promotional ad for Pain for Pride, where Yhwach O’Hara faces Minerva.)
(Voltage returns to ringside, and ‘Mo Money by Ben McLusky is heard playing as Ronan stands in the ring, visibly trying to brush off what he heard moments ago about his upcoming Pain for Pride match.)
Bella Braxton: Ladies and gentlemen… The following contest is the main event of the evening, AND IT IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!!!
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!!
Bella Braxton: Already in the ring… Residing in Atlanta, Georgia… Weighing in at 267 pounds… ROOOOONNNAANNNNNN MMMAAAAAALLLLOOOOSSSIIIII!!!!!!
James Peters: Well we now know what this man will be doing at Pain for Pride, and honestly I think Ronan may be in for a very bad night.
Rich Russillo: Are you talking about at Pain for Pride or tonight? Knowing who his opponent is, it could really be either or.
Persephone: Yeah. He is facing Yhwach O’Hara. He’s not exactly a Rex McAllister, but he’ll probably give Ronan a tough time.
(‘SUN//EATER’ by Lorna Shore follows, and there’s a mixed reaction from the crowd as Yhwach O’Hara begins to walk out to the stage. Yhwach has a calm look on his face, not even bothering to give Ronan Malosi any attention as he slowly walks down the ramp, taking his time as the loud reaction continues. Yhwach is clearly ready for this match, and Ronan just shakes his head seeing O’Hara make his way towards the ring for this match.)
Bella Braxton: And his opponent… Weighing in at 190 pounds… YYHHHHWWWWAAAAACHHHHHH OOOOO’HHAAAARRRRAAAAA!!!!!!
James Peters: Yhwach O’Hara is possibly one of the most difficult Elitists to try and pick up a victory against. Only Methuselah has done it so far, which means that Ronan has a very, very tough task ahead of him tonight.
Rich Russillo: That’s right. There’s no telling what’ll happen, though. Especially with everything going on between Yhwach and Minerva.
Persephone: I don’t know if we’ll be seeing some sort of upset tonight, though.
James Peters: If we do, then Ronan may deserve all the respect in the world. If not? Well, what else is there to say? Yhwach O’Hara is not someone easy to defeat, whether you’ve just joined the industry or if you’re one of the greatest of all time. With that said we’ve seen Yhwach lose once, let’s see if we’ll see it again.
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
James Peters: THIS MATCH IS NOW UNDERWAY, AND IMMEDIATELY RONAN IS MET WITH A JOHN WOO DROPKICK THANKS TO YHWACH!!! RONAN CRASHES INTO THE TURNBUCKLES BEFORE DROPPING TO THE MAT- AND NOW RONAN TRIES ROLLING OUT OF THE RING FOR SAFETY! I DON’T THINK THAT’S GOING TO HELP HIM OUT THOUGH, AS YHWACH QUICKLY RUNS IN BEFORE DIVING THROUGH THE ROPES, TAKING RONAN OUT WITH A LOW-PE SUICIDA!!!! YHWACH LANDS ON HIS FEET AND HE GRABS RONAN BEFORE SENDING HIM BACK INTO THE RING, NOT EVEN GIVING RONAN A CHANCE TO BREATHE EARLY ON IN THIS VOLTAGE MAIN EVENT!
Rich Russillo: Ronan begins stumbling back to his feet, BEFORE IMMEDIATELY BEING DROPPED WITH A SLINGBLADE!!! YHWACH IS ON FIRE EARLY ON, AND NOW HE CAPITALIZES AS HE PULLS RONAN BACK UP, BEFORE DROPPING HIM ONTO THE MAT WITH A DRAGON SUPLEX!!! Ronan goes rolling over to the corner of the ring before using the turnbuckles to pull himself back to his feet, although I’m not so sure that this is the best move for him to make! Yhwach seems to have him right where he wants him, AS HE RUNS IN AND HITS RONAN WITH A RUNNING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT!
Persephone: RONAN IS PULLED OUT OF THE CORNER WITH A SNAPMARE, AND NOW YHWACH RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE DROPKICKING RONAN IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!!!! Yhwach is back to his feet, and Ronan might be done to be honest! This match has been completely one sided so far, as Ronan hasn’t even had the chance to go for a move, let alone actually connect with one! Ronan is using the ropes to try and pull himself back up to his feet, AND YHWACH JUST HITS HIM WITH A BOOT TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD, DROPPING RONAN BEFORE HE COULD EVEN GET BACK UP!
James Peters: Ronan rolls out to the apron before using the ropes to pull himself up once again, AND NOW YHWACH RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE KNOCKING RONAN OFF OF THE APRON WITH A HUGE FOREARM SMASH! Ronan Malosi once again down at ringside, only this time Yhwach isn’t giving him the chance to get back up! Instead Yhwach follows behind, PULLING RONAN BACK UP HIMSELF BEFORE SENDING HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE APRON! Yhwach now grabbing Ronan and smashing his face onto the apron, before sending him back into the ring and following behind!
Rich Russillo: Ronan Malosi doesn’t even know where he is, and it doesn’t look like Yhwach plans to give him much time to find out as he starts dragging him back up to his feet once again! Yhwach now sending Ronan into the corner- WAIT NO! RONAN JUST SLID OUT OF THE RING, AND- WOAH!! BASEBALL SLIDE LARIAT BY RONAN MALOSI!!!! RONAN SLID OUT OF THE RING, BEFORE CATCHING YHWACH OFF GUARD BY IMMEDIATELY RE-ENTERING AND CONNECTING WITH THE LARIAT!!! Yhwach had the upper hand for so long up to this point, and that might be why Ronan was able to get that one shot in!
Persephone: Yeah, I guess when your opponent isn’t fighting back at all it’s hard to tell when they’re going to make a move. Yhwach is already getting back up though since that’s literally the first time Ronan even got a shot in- BUT RONAN NOW MANAGES TO LAND A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION, BEFORE PUNCHING YHWACH IN THE BACK! Ronan is the stronger and larger Elitist here, so it’s about time that Ronan starts making use of that rather than allowing Yhwach to embarrass him the way he’s been throughout the match so far.
James Peters: Ronan drags Yhwach up before kneeing him in the midsection, and now he sends him into the ropes! Ronan goes for a lariat- BUT YHWACH DUCKS UNDER IT!!! RONAN TURNS TOWARDS O’HARA- AND IS MET WITH A SUPERKICK, CAUSING RONAN TO STUMBLE BACKWARDS TO A KNEE!! O’HARA NOW SPINNING, AND CONNECTING WITH A DISCUS LARIAT THAT DROPS RONAN TO THE MAT!!! Once again Yhwach is in control of this match, and if we’re being completely honest? We shouldn’t be surprised about that. This was never going to be an easy match for Ronan in any way, and we’re seeing that right now.
Rich Russillo: Yhwach just shakes his head as Ronan slowly stumbles up to the corner, and it’s like he knows just how much of an uphill battle Ronan is in tonight! Yhwach walks up to him, AND RONAN SWINGS AT HIM- BUT YHWACH DUCKS UNDER IT BEFORE DELIVERING A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! YHWACH NOW WITH A KNIFE EDGE CHOP THAT CAUSES RONAN TO STUMBLE OUT OF THE CORNER, AND YHWACH RUNS THE ROPES BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A BICYCLE KICK THAT CAUSES RONAN TO STUMBLE TOWARDS THE ROPES! YHWACH NOW CHARGING IN, LOOKING TO POSSIBLY TAKE HIM OUT OF THE RING ONCE AGAIN-
Persephone: NO! THIS TIME RONAN MANAGED TO LIFT YHWACH OVER THE TOP ROPE, SENDING HIM OUT ONTO THE APRON! RONAN QUICKLY TURNS AROUND BEFORE YHWACH COULD MAKE A MOVE, AND HE GRABS YHWACH BY THE THROAT BEFORE PULLING HIM RIGHT BACK INTO THE RING WITH A CHOKESLAM BACKBREAKER!!!! RONAN DRAGS YHWACH AWAY FROM THE ROPES, AND QUICKLY GOES FOR THE FIRST COVER OF THE MATCH!
ONE!
TWO-
Persephone: Aaaand Yhwach just kicked out before two, you just love to see it. That’s…. Um… That’s just great. Glad this match won’t be ending very soon.
James Peters: Well, I wouldn’t be so sure just yet. Yhwach may be able to kick out early still, but Ronan is hurting and if he’s not able to keep this offense going, Yhwach might be able to put this one away very soon. Ronan pulls Yhwach up to his feet while grabbing him by the arm, AND IT LOOKS LIKE RONAN IS LOOKING TO INFLICT ALL THE DAMAGE HE CAN, AND POTENTIALLY PULL OFF A MOMENTUMENTAL UPSET!!!! RONAN PULLS YHWACH IN FOR DEATH-RO- BUT YHWACH ROLLS OUT OF IT BEFORE KNOCKING RONAN BACKWARDS WITH AN ELBOW STRIKE! Ronan isn’t looking too good, and now Yhwach charges in!
Rich Russillo: JUMPING KNEE BY YHWACH, AND RONAN IS KNOCKED INTO A SEATED POSITION IN THE CORNER!!! Ronan is looking that Yhwach didn’t go for a different knee right there, though I’m not so sure that he’s in the best position regardless! Yhwach now running in, AND THERE’S A BASEMENT DROPKICK!!!! RONAN ROLLS OUT OF THE CORNER, AND ONCE AGAIN HE ROLLS OUT OF THE RING, LOOKING TO GET HIMSELF OUT OF HARM’S WAY AS FAST AS HE CAN AS YHWACH HAS JUST BEEN RELENTLESS TONIGHT! This has been an almost entirely one sided match so far!
Persephone: Ronan is barely standing right now on the outside of the ring, and now Yhwach heads out to the apron, BEFORE LOOKING TO HIT RONAN WITH A RUNNING PENALTY KICK FROM THE APRON- WAIT NO! RONAN CAUGHT YHWACH’S LEG, AND NOW HE PULLS YHWACH’S LEG OUT FROM UNDER HIM, DROPPING YHWACH FACE FIRST ONTO THE APRON! Ronan’s offense has been very rare throughout the match, but that was another pretty good shot to Yhwach! It’s like Ronan just doesn’t get the type of match he’s in right now though, because he just started laughing at Yhwach after dropping him on the apron.
James Peters: Well if there’s one thing Ronan will do, it’s take some time to appreciate his work whenever he has the upper hand. Ronan drags Yhwach back up, BEFORE USING ALL HIS POWER TO SEND YHWACH CRASHING BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE, IMMEDIATELY DROPPING YHWACH TO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR! You mentioned Ronan’s size advantage and how he needed to utilize that, and it looks like Ronan has finally found the opportunity to start doing that! Ronan now pulling Yhwach back to his feet, BEFORE LOOKING TO SEND HIM INTO THE STEEL STEPS!!
Rich Russillo: IT LOOKS LIKE THAT DIDN’T GO TO PLAN THOUGH, AS YHWACH JUST TURNED IT AROUND, CAUSING RONAN TO GO INTO THE STEPS INSTEAD!!!! Yhwach really has not slowed down at all tonight, and at this point I’m not sure what Ronan has to do just to stay in this one. Ronan is crawling over to the apron to start pulling himself up, BUT YHWACH RUNS OVER AND JUMPS ONTO THE BARRICADE, CONNECTING WITH A DROPKICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!!! Yhwach quickly grabbing Ronan and sending him back into the ring, and now Yhwach follows behind as he’s in firm control of this one!
Persephone: Yhwach backs into the corner, and it looks like he’s waiting for Ronan to get back up! Honestly, I feel like Ronan should just stay down at this point. Yhwach has been dominating this match from the very start, what’s the point of continuing if you’re just going to get beat up the entire time? Ronan for some reason is getting back up, and hopefully Yhwach just goes for a move that will end this match… Since I’m obviously just concerned about Ronan’s wellbeing, and I DEFINITELY don’t want this match to end so I can rewatch Rexy’s return.
James Peters: YHWACH RUNS IN AS SOON AS RONAN GETS BACK TO HIS FEET- AND RONAN POPS HIM UP BEFORE IMMEDIATELY DROPPING HIM WITH A POWERBOMB!!!! HUGE POP-UP POWERBOMB BY RONAN, AND RONAN HOLDS THE SHOULDERS DOWN AS HE ONCE AGAIN GOES FOR THE COVER, HOPING TO PUT YHWACH AWAY!!!
ONE!
TWO-
James Peters: AND ONCE AGAIN YHWACH KICKS OUT BEFORE TWO!!!! Ronan gets mad and starts yelling at the referee, but surely Ronan knows just as well as the rest of us that there’s no way that was a three count. Ronan has more work to do if he wants to keep Yhwach down for that long.
Rich Russillo: Ronan now getting on top of Yhwach, BEFORE STARTING TO JUST PUNCH AWAY AT HIM!!! RONAN USING HIS SIZE TO HIS ADVANTAGE ONCE MORE AS IT WON’T BE EASY FOR YHWACH TO GET AN ELITIST OF RONAN’S SIZE OFF OF HIM! YHWACH HAS HAD CONTROL OVER MOST OF THIS MATCH, BUT RONAN IS DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Yhwach is able to get his arms up and start blocking some of the punches, but that’s not going to mean much as long as Ronan is able to keep throwing these hard hitting strikes!
Persephone: Yhwach is finally able to push Ronan off of him! Both men are able to get back to their feet, AND YHWACH CATCHES RONAN WITH A PELE KICK, CAUSING RONAN TO STUMBLE BACKWARDS INTO THE CORNER! Yhwach quickly rushes in, BEFORE BEGINNING TO DELIVER SHOOT KICKS TO THE MIDSECTION, ALREADY BACK ON THE OFFENSIVE AS HE’S NOT GIVING RONAN A SECOND TO REACT! Yhwach is showing tonight just how dangerous he really is, as the second he was able to get the upper hand it’s like we’ve gone right back to square one!
James Peters: Yhwach finally stops the shoot kicks as the referee started to count, AND NOW RONAN GOES FOR A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION- BUT YHWACH CATCHES THE LEG AND TAKES RONAN DOWN WITH A DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP! Yhwach immediately back to his feet, AND THERE’S A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP! YHWACH NOW RUNNING THE ROPES, AND THERE’S A DROPKICK TO THE FACE, DROPPING RONAN ONTO THE MAT! Yhwach hasn’t gone for the cover a single time yet, possibly looking to make sure that by the time he does, Ronan can’t even fight back anymore!
Rich Russillo: It’s definitely possible that this is the case, and if it is? This could very well be a bad night for Ronan Malosi. Yhwach is headed up to the top rope- BUT RONAN MALOSI BEGINS ROLLING OUT OF HARM’S WAY!! Ronan rolled to the other side of the ring, possibly knowing that Yhwach was going to go for one of his bigger moves! The fans started booing loudly as they’re clearly not fans of Ronan taking the easy way out there, but can you really blame him? He’s just doing what’s necessary for him to stay in this match.
Persephone: I don’t even know if Ronan did that on purpose. Usually Ronan would be laughing or taunting right about now, but instead he still looks like he’s in a ton of pain. Yhwach gets down from the top rope before walking towards Ronan, and- WAIT A SECOND!!!! RONAN I THINK JUST TRIED TO LOW BLOW YHWACH, BUT YHWACH WAS ABLE TO INTERCEPT IT WITH A KNEE TO THE FACE!!! RONAN WAS PLAYING POSSUM, AND TRIED TO GET HIMSELF DISQUALIFIED JUST TO GET THE UPPER HAND ON YHWACH, BUT YHWACH SAW RIGHT THROUGH IT! This is a bad night for Ronan!
James Peters: The referee forces Yhwach to back up thanks to Ronan being on the ropes, meanwhile Ronan quickly uses them to pull himself back up! Ronan needs to do something, and he needs to do it fast! RONAN NOW PUSHING THE REFEREE OUT OF THE WAY AND SWINGING AT YHWACH, BUT YHWACH DUCKS UNDER BEFORE HITTING RONAN WITH A FOREARM! AND A SECOND! AND A THIRD! YHWACH NOW RUNNING THE ROPES- AND RONAN MANAGES TO POP YHWACH OVER HIS HEAD! YHWACH LANDED ON HIS FEET THOUGH- BUT RONAN IMMEDIATELY TURNS AROUND AND GOES FOR THE DREAM CRUSHER-
Rich Russillo: DOESN’T CONNECT! YHWACH DUCKED UNDER IT BEFORE KICKING RONAN IN THE MIDSECTION, AND NOW HE GOES FOR A SINGLE UNDERHOOK- WAIT NO! RONAN MANAGES TO LIFT YHWACH OVER HIS HEAD WITH A BACK BODY DROP, COUNTERING WHAT LIKELY WOULD’VE BEEN A SINGLE UNDERHOOK BRAINBUSTER! Yhwach is quickly back up to his feet- BUT HE GETS CAUGHT WITH VERTIGO!!!! RONAN JUST CAUGHT YHWACH WITH VERTIGO, AND NOW HE GOES FOR THE COVER!!!! IS RONAN ABOUT TO PULL OFF THE UNTHINKABLE HERE TONIGHT!?
ONE!
Persephone: WAIT, RONAN JUST GOT HIS FEET ON THE ROPES!!! RONAN IS CHEATING!!!!
TWO!!
T-
James Peters: YHWACH KICKS OUT!!!! The referee didn’t see Ronan’s feet on the ropes as they were more focused on the count, but that did Ronan NO favors as Yhwach is clearly at the top of his game here tonight! That was undoubtedly the best shot Ronan landed this entire match, but it still wasn’t enough to get the job done even with the added leverage of his feet being on the ropes. It just goes to show that Yhwach is one of the biggest threats this place has. Ronan may not win all the time, but tonight even his size and power isn’t making much of a difference.
Rich Russillo: Ronan is in complete disbelief, and seeing as he just tried to get himself disqualified, I wouldn’t even be surprised if walking out on this match entirely has crossed his mind! I’m sure he knows just how huge a win over Yhwach O’Hara would be though, considering that the ONLY person to pin Yhwach was none other than Methuselah. Ronan is slowly dragging O’Hara back up to his feet, AND HE GETS HIM IN THE INVERTED HEADLOCK! NO WAY! RONAN IS GOING FOR THE DEATH BLOW-
Persephone: AND IT DOESN’T CONNECT!!!! YHWACH JUST DUCKED UNDER IT BEFORE GRABBING RONAN FROM BEHIND, AND DROPPING HIM WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!!! If Ronan wanted to walk out on this match he should’ve done it far sooner, because he might have just lost his opportunity! Yhwach has been slowly picking Ronan apart tonight, and now that Yhwach was able to take Ronan down again… I’m not so sure that Ronan will even have another opportunity to back out of this. If I were him, I’d just stay down and allow Yhwach to win. It’s not like things have been going much better with him actually trying.
James Peters: Ronan slowly pulls himself to the corner and Yhwach gets up before following behind- AND RONAN IS ABLE TO GRAB YHWACH BEFORE PULLING HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE! RONAN ONCE AGAIN WITH A SNEAKY MANEUVER, THIS TIME FINDING A WAY TO GET YHWACH AWAY FROM HIM AS O’HARA STUMBLES BACKWARDS, HOLDING HIS FACE IN PAIN! Ronan just bought himself a bit of time to recover, and at this point in the match I really think he’s going to need it! Ronan is just now pulling himself back to his feet, which just goes to show how badly Yhwach has hurt him tonight!
Rich Russillo: Ronan slowly approaches Yhwach before hitting him with a right hand, and this causes Yhwach to stumble back into the corner! Now it’s Ronan that has the upper hand, AND HE BEGINS STOMPING AWAY AS THE REFEREE BEGINS TO COUNT! RONAN RELUCTANTLY STOPS JUST BEFORE FIVE, AND THIS DEFINITELY IS A CASE OF RONAN LOOKING FOR A HUGE WIN AGAINST ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ELITISTS OF ALL TIME! Ronan backs up a bit as Yhwach pulls himself back up, AND NOW RONAN CHARGES IN, LOOKING FOR A CLOTHESLINE!
Persephone: WELL THAT DIDN’T WORK, BECAUSE YHWACH JUST GOT OUT OF THE WAY RIGHT BEFORE IT COULD CONNECT!!! RONAN CRASHED INTO THE TURNBUCKLES, AND NOW YHWACH RUNS IN AND DELIVERS A KNEE TO THE MIDSECTION, BEFORE PULLING RONAN IN AND DELIVERING THE SINGLE UNDERHOOK BRAINBUSTER!!!! YHWACH DOESN’T STOP THERE EITHER, THIS TIME HE’S THE ONE GETTING ON TOP OF RONAN AND BEGINNING TO PUNCH AWAY AT HIS FACE! Can Ronan like tap out or give up or something!? Would that work!? If not then he needs to do something soon, because Yhwach doesn’t look like he plans to stop!
James Peters: RONAN IS ABLE TO PUSH YHWACH OFF OF HIM, BUT YHWACH IS IMMEDIATELY ABLE TO GET BACK TO HIS FEET AND HIT RONAN WITH A ROUNDHOUSE- NO! RONAN GOT TO A KNEE WHEN YHWACH WENT FOR THE ROUNDHOUSE, AND RONAN WAS BARELY ABLE TO BLOCK THE KICK BEFORE ONCE AGAIN GRABBING YHWACH BY THE THROAT! RONAN LIFTS YHWACH UP FOR A CHOKESLAM- BUT YHWACH JUMPS OUT OF RONAN’S GRASP AND LANDS ON HIS FEET! YHWACH NOW WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION- WAIT! RONAN MANAGED TO CATCH YHWACH’S LEG! RONAN IS HOLDING ONTO YHWACH, AND NOW-
Rich Russillo: YHWACH JUMPS UP AND CONNECTS WITH A STEP-UP ENZUIGIRI! Yhwach now running the ropes while Ronan is barely standing- BUT RONAN MANAGES TO RUSH FORWARD AND AVOID YHWACH’S STRIKE BEFORE GRABBING YHWACH FROM BEHIND, AND TOSSING YHWACH OVER HIS HEAD WITH A RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX!!!! Ronan’s power has possibly been his greatest asset throughout this match, as every time Ronan manages to get a move in, it’s sure to do a whole ton of damage! That German suplex was proof of that, as Yhwach is holding his neck right now after that landing! Ronan is trying as hard as he can to make something happen here!
Persephone: Ronan backed into a far corner, and it looks like he’s waiting for Yhwach to get back to his feet!
(Ronan turns around and looks at the fans.)
Ronan Malosi: (off-mic) You see this!? I’M what a star really looks like! Not Candice Blair, not the #DisneyBesties, and DEFINITELY not him!
(The fans boo loudly, and Ronan just shakes his head before turning back towards Yhwach, who is pushing himself back up to his feet.)
Persephone: Yhwach is getting back up as Ronan finishes his ridiculous trash talk, AND NOW RONAN RUNS IN!!! HE’S GOING FOR THE NORTHERN LARIAT AGAIN! DEATH BLOW!!!
James Peters: IT DOESN’T CONNECT!!!! YHWACH TURNED AROUND AS SOON AS RONAN RAN IN, AND YHWACH JUST DROPPED HIM WITH A HUGE CLOTHESLINE OUT OF NOWHERE!!!! RONAN DIDN’T ANTICIPATE GETTING HIT WITH A MOVE LIKE THAT! HE THOUGHT HE HAD THE MATCH WON, AND THAT WAS CLEARLY HIS MISTAKE ESPECIALLY AFTER A MATCH LIKE THIS! Ronan stumbles back to his feet, but in the process he stumbles backwards towards the ropes! I really don’t think that’s where he wants to be right now, not after everything that’s already happened!
Rich Russillo: YHWACH O’HARA NOW RUNNING IN, AND HE TAKES RONAN MALOSI OVER THE TOP ROPE WITH A CLOTHESLINE!!!! RONAN SPILLS OUT TO RINGSIDE, AND RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE YHWACH HAS SOMETHING ON HIS MIND AS HE’S WAITING FOR RONAN TO RETURN TO HIS FEET! Ronan is exhausted and worn out, but he’s finally able to start pushing himself back up and making it to his feet! Even so, I don’t know if that’s for better or for worse, AS YHWACH JUST STARTED RUNNING THE ROPES!!!! WOW!!!! YHWACH JUST TOOK RONAN OUT ONCE AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH A TOPE CON HILO, FLYING OVER THE TOP ROPE!!!!!!
James Peters: RONAN MALOSI WAS JUST TAKEN OUT WITH THAT AMAZING TOPE CON HILO, BUT YHWACH DOESN’T STOP THERE! INSTEAD HE SENDS RONAN BACK INTO THE RING, BEFORE QUICKLY SLIDING IN AS WELL! Ronan begins stumbling back up to his feet, but it looks like that’s exactly what Yhwach wanted! YHWACH BEGINS RUNNING THE ROPES, AND NOW THERE’S IN EXCELSIS!!!! IN EXCELSIS CONNECTS, DROPPING RONAN TO THE MAT!!! YHWACH NOW HOOKING THE LEG FOR HIS VERY FIRST COVER OF THE MATCH, AND I DON’T THINK WE NEED TO QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT IT’LL BE THE LAST!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
(Ding! Ding! Ding!)
Bella Braxton: Here is your winner…. YYYYHHHHWWAAAAAACCHHHHH OOOO’HHHAAAARRRRAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
(‘SUN//EATER’ hits, and Yhwach O’Hara returns to his feet as the crowd gives a loud, but mixed reaction. Yhwach looks down at Ronan, before shaking his head as the referee raises his hand. After this, Yhwach begins to make his way out of the ring, walking down the steel steps.)
James Peters: Ronan Malosi tried, but in the end I don’t know what else we can really say. That was a very dominant performance from Yhwach O’Hara, and none of Ronan’s best efforts were enough to stop Yhwach from taking control of the match and ultimately putting Ronan away.
Rich Russillo: Yhwach O’Hara is in a league of his own and there’s really no questioning that. Ronan had a chance sure, but that chance was very small and that’s through no fault of his own. To be honest, he’s better off looking towards Pain for Pride than dwelling on what happened tonight, because we’ve seen what Yhwach can do. It could happen to anyone.
Persephone: Yeah. Maybe it’ll even happen to Minerva at Pain for Prid- wait. What is Yhwach doing?
(Yhwach walks over to the apron before digging under the ring. It takes a few seconds, but eventually Yhwach pulls out the lead pipe that’s been used for the past few weeks. This causes a loud reaction to come from the crowd, one that grows even louder as he slowly returns to the ring.)
James Peters: Oh no, what is Yhwach about to do!?
Rich Russillo: I think he’s about to send a message to Minerva, one that Minerva will actually be able to see this time!
James Peters: Ronan is slowly finding his way back up to a knee-
(*CRACK!*)
James Peters: AND YHWACH JUST HIT HIM IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD WITH THE LEAD PIPE!!!!! THAT LEAD PIPE MAY HAVE JUST KNOCKED RONAN UNCONSCIOUS, AND NOW YHWACH GRABS HIM AND THROWS HIM THROUGH THE ROPES!!!!! YHWACH IS USING RONAN AS AN EXAMPLE, AND RONAN HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS COMING!
Rich Russillo: Ronan is able to barely pull himself up onto the steel steps, resting his head on it, BUT YHWACH O’HARA IS CLIMBING UP TO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE, AND WHATEVER HE HAS PLANNED CAN’T BE GOOD AT ALL!!!! SOMEONE NEEDS TO STOP THIS!!!!
(Yhwach O’Hara makes it to the top rope, while Ronan is still bent over, leaning on the steel steps. Yhwach looks directly towards the camera before beginning to speak.)
Yhwach O’Hara: (off-mic) This is for you, Minerva.
James Peters: OH NO!!!!
Rich Russillo: “WELCOME BACK, O’ SLUMBERING ACE”!!!!!!! YHWACH O’HARA WITH THE DIVING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE BACK OF RONAN’S HEAD, RIGHT ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!!!!!
James Peters: RONAN CRUMBLES OFF OF THE STEPS, AND HE JUST LOOKS LIFELESS AT THIS POINT!!!! THERE’S BLOOD POURING FROM HIS HEAD, AND I DON’T THINK I EVEN NEED TO EXPLAIN WHY! This has been one bad night for Ronan Malosi! Just when he was already dealing with the #DisneyBesties situation, things went from bad to worse!
Persephone: Yeah, but this isn’t about him! Yhwach just sent a message to his Pain for Pride opponent. Things happen, you know?
James Peters: I’m sure Minerva was watching that one very closely, and I’m interested in seeing where things go from here. If I had to guess, what happens between these two at Pain for Pride definitely won’t be pretty.
(Yhwach begins to walk away from Ronan, finally beginning to head back up the ramp. At this point, ‘SUN//EATER’ begins to play once again, and the fans are stunned to see what Yhwach did to Ronan. As Yhwach walks up the ramp, Voltage finally fades to black.)
(EAW logo buzzes.)
